Pandemic weighs on local real estate market
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Dunwoody waives business tax penalties during emergency By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — In a unanimous move April 13, the Dunwoody City Council voted to waive any penalties or interest related to occupational taxes and business licenses until the coronavirus crisis has passed. Occupational taxes are ordinarily due on Jan. 1 of each year, with penalties accruing after April 15, Finance Director Linda Nabers explained. “That date is approaching,” Nabers said. “We are recommending that those penalties and interests are waived until the emergency is over.” Following a suggestion from Mayor Lynn Deutsch, those penalties will not be enforced until 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted.
“If we have businesses that literally have not been operating or that have been operating at a much lower rate than normal, it seems to me that we would need to give them time and extend it beyond the emergency,” Deutsch said. The city has also waived the requirements for a notary on renewal applications for occupational tax and business licenses. Business owners will need to follow up with a notarized application after the emergency has lapsed. At the same virtual meeting, the council made an adjustment to the 2019 budget. Though the fiscal year ended December 21, 2019, final changes needed to be made to end the year with a balanced budget, Nabers said. The adjustments totaled $1.8 million. The largest change came from grants the city received from the state to cover trans-
portation projects, about $1.1 million in additional revenue and expenditures. The council unanimously declared a state of emergency March 18. Under the provisions of the city emergency act, essential services like police and public safety continue, but much of the city’s normal business is on hold or is being conducted online only. Under the state of emergency, the City Council may continue to conduct meetings via public teleconference, but business is limited to policymaking directly related to COVID-19, public health and safety or fiscal operations. Long-term planning, zoning, policymaking unrelated to public health, presentations and proclamations have been suspended until the city is no longer in a state of emergency. City boards, like the Planning Commission or Sustainability
Committee, are not meeting. All matters requiring a public hearing are on hold. Any permits currently in effect that require a public hearing for renewal or extension, such as an alcohol permit, will not lapse and will be extended until public hearings are resumed. The city closed City Hall to the public March 14. Non-essential staff are working remotely. Check the city’s website, dunwoodyga.gov, for a full run down of how government operations have been impacted. “Obviously the measures we’re taking to slow and stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus are things that none of us could have imagined even just a few months ago,” Councilman Tom Lambert said. Lambert gave a shout out to high school seniors and said the city is working for a way to celebrate those soon-to-be graduates.
Spruill Center carries art classes online for free 6 66
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By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com
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SPRUILL CENTER FOR THE ARTS/SPECIAL
Design ideas to dress up the plaza between the Spruill Center for the Arts and the DeKalb @ @ @ @ Public Library branch have been pouring in, according to Spruill Center CEO @ @ Alan Mothner. Right now, Dunwoody Parks Director Brent Walker and the Spruill 1 13/4/19 11:16 Page11 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 3/4/19 11:16 AM AMthe Page @ @ Center @ 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout are going over the submissions to determine winner will receive a 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1 who 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1 @ $100 Visa gift card. @ @ @ @
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thank us for keeping them connected. It reaffirms our decision to do this programming.” Gresens said over the first three DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Spruill Center days, more than 75 subscribers signed for the Arts just completed its first up and 350 views of videos were week of virtual programs that began logged. April 13, and so far, it’s been a rousing Right now, the programs are censuccess. “We’ve gotten an overwhelming tering on jewelry, ceramics and paint> > response from our students and ing, she said. This week, the Center > custom>> > ers, just about what we’re doing and the > is> introducing blacksmithing to the > >Amy > roster. excitement,” said Spruill > > >>Center’s > > > The virtual demonstrations and Gresens, who has been working with > > > > > instructors to compile the online classes. > > > > > “It’s really nice to hear >from them See ART, Page 2 > and> >
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