Fine Times in the City September 2017 Issue 1

SEPTEMBER 2017

ISSUE 1

FINE TIMES IN THE CITY

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CITY OF SOUTH FULTON

CONTENTS

FIRST 100 DAYS MAJOR MILESTONES

01 FIRST 100 DAYS 02 MEET THE COUNCIL 02 NEW MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE 03 COMMISSION & BOARD APPOINTMENTS 04 FY 2018 BUDGET APPROVED 05 CODE ENFORCEMENT 06 A LOOK AT THE CITY

The City of South Fulton reached its 100th day on Tuesday, August 8th, 2017. To commemorate the City’s historic moments, here are some of the major milestones, to date: April 2017 • Swearing-in of Mayor and City Council • Key Hire & Appointments: City Clerk, Interim City Manager, Interim City Attorney, and Deputy City Clerk • Adoption of the City Charter • All Fulton County ordinances were adopted • Council placed a 90-day moratorium on the issuance of alcohol license permits and zoning applications • City entered into franchise agreements with Georgia Power, Greystone Power, and Comcast

May 2017 • May 1, 2017: The First official day as the City of South Fulton. Staff moved into City Hall at 5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd.

07 GOOD NEWS IN THE CITY • Key Hires: Chief Financial Officer, Controller, Deputy Director Human Resources, Assistant to the City Manager • Launched city website: www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov City Council Meetings • Council authorized the City to enter into an InterGovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Fulton City of South Fulton City County for essential services-Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks and Recreation Council • First Proclamation presented by the Council to the Governor's Transition Commission will meet on the second and 07 ART IN THE CITY

fourth Tuesday of this month at 7 p.m.

South Fulton Service Center Auditorium 5600 Stonewall Tell Road College Park, GA 30349

June 2017 • Mayor and Council attended the Georgia Municipal Association Convention in Savannah, GA • Key Hire: Director of Human Resources, Assistant Clerk, and Executive Assistant to Mayor • City Council participated in their first retreat with Clarification and Mediation, Inc. • City Council approved pension and health benefits package for employees • HR conducted the first employee orientation for the new city

Mayor William "Bill" Edwards

July 2017 • Six employees transitioned to Planning and Community Development Services from Fulton Co. • City Council participated in a strategic planning session with Carl Vinson Institute of Government City Council Catherine Foster-Rowell- • City Council established the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of D1 Code Enforcement Carmalitha Gumbs-D2 Helen Willis-D3 Naeema Gilyard-D4 Rosie Jackson-D5 khalid kamau-D6 Mark Baker-D7

August 2017 •Presentation on Fulton County Transit Master Plan and TSPLOST Project • Key Hires: Communications and External Affairs Director, Purchasing Manager, Director Community Development Services, City Engineer, Transitioned 16 Code Enforcement officers • Business License and Tax transitioned three employees from Fulton County City of South Fulton 5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd. • Social Media platforms launched: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Atlanta, GA 30336 • City of South Fulton participated in the national #CityHallSelfie Day Campaign 470-809-7700 • Presentation from Connect South Fulton info@cityofsouthfultonga.gov • Council authorized the City to enter into an InterGovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Fulton www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov County Tax Commissioner to collect City of South Fulton taxes • The Consulate-General of Japan visited City Hall

T IHN E ED T A II M L YE S P EI ENP T H E C I T Y F

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MEET THE MAYOR & COUNCIL

Mayor Bill Edwards

Councilwoman Catherine Foster- Rowell District 1

Councilwoman Carmalitha Gumbs District 2

Councilwoman Helen Willis District 3

Councilwoman Naemma Gilyard District 4

Councilwoman Rosie Jackson District 5

Councilman khalid kamau District 6

Councilman Mark Baker District 7

FIRST MUNICIPAL JUDGE APPOINTED AND CONFIRMED

The City Council appointed and confirmed the city’s first Municipal Court Judge during the September 19th special called council meeting.

Tiffany Carter-Sellers was appointed as the City of South Fulton’s Chief Judge.

Carter-Sellers will establish the municipal court to handle local ordinance and code enforcement violations among other duties. The position is part-time; however, she will continue working in her private law practice.

Carter-Sellers received her bachelor’s degree from South Carolina State University and her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

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COMMISSION AND BOARD APPOINTEES The City of South Fulton announced the appointments to several boards and commissions.

City Planning Commission The City of South Fulton City Planning Commission oversees all zoning and planning of the City. The Commission consists of eight members who are residents of the city. One member was nominated by each member of the City Council and the Mayor. The Planning Commission member shall serve a term consistent with that of the member of the City Council (or the Mayor) making the nomination.

Zoning Board of Appeals The City of South Fulton Zoning Board of Appeals oversees all zoning and planning appeals regarding real property within the city’s borders. The Board consists of eight members who are residents of the city. One member was nominated by each member of the City Council and the Mayor. The Zoning Board of Appeals members shall serve a term consistent with that of the member of the City Council (or the Mayor) making the nomination.

Board of Code Enforcement The City of South Fulton Board of Code Enforcement has jurisdiction to decide matters and alleged violation of the City Building Code. The Board consists of eight members who are residents of the city. One member was nominated by each member of the City Council and the Mayor. The Zoning Board of Appeals members shall serve a term consistent with that of the member of the City Council (or the Mayor) making the nomination.

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FISCAL YEAR 2018 BUDGET APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL The proposed budget for the City of South Fulton was presented to City Council during a special called meeting on Tuesday, September 19th. The Council voted to approve the $65 million budget for the fiscal year 2018. The budget is based on a mill levy of 7.149 mills.

The budget presentation outlined expected revenues and expenditures for the coming fiscal year. Specific details of the budget were itemized in a 23-page document including full funding for Police, Parks and Recreation, and other service departments.

The fiscal year for the City of South Fulton begins on October 1, 2017, and ends on September 30, 2018.

Three public hearings were conducted to obtain citizen comments. A full copy of the fiscal year 2018 it can be found at www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov.

AGENCY RECOGNITION The City of South Fulton is proud to announce that Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) recognizes the City of South Fulton as a Georgia Law Enforcement agency. The documentation was submitted to POST as part of the process to establish a Police Department.

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Email Us at: Info@cityofsouthfultonga.gov

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CODE ENFORCEMENT: A QUALITY COMMUNITYÂ BEGINS WITH YOU The Code Enforcement Department works in partnership with the citizens of the City of South Fulton to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and working environment. We administer a fair and unbiased enforcement program to correct violations of municipal codes and land use requirements.

A Quality Community Begins With You Well-maintained homes are essential components of a healthy community. Maintaining property values, and ensuring our properties are healthy and safe benefits the community at large. If you have questions or concerns, you may contact Code Enforcement at 470-809-7222.

KINDNESS IN THE CITY Did a stranger lend a helping hand when you were stranded on the side of the road or surprise you by paying for your coffee or dinner? We want to hear about it!

The City of South Fulton is launching a new initiative called Acts of Kindness aimed at promoting and showcasing kindness in our community. This initiative aspires to spread awareness about the importance of kindness around the community by getting residents to think of ways to be kinder and to help others. That effort could be as simple as opening the door for someone or mowing the yard of an elderly neighbor.

Send your messages, photos, and videos to news@cityofsouthfultonga.gov. Be sure to include who, what, when and where. Please provide pictures and details about the Acts of Kindness and it will be shared on the City's social media pages.

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A LOOK AT THE CITY: MAP

PHOTOS IN THE CITY

The City of South Fulton is looking for up to 20 awesome photos to showcase on our new website. The City's Communications Department is currently preparing to host a photo contest--Photos in the City. Contest rules and details will be released soon.

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ART IN THE CITY The halls of the City of South Fulton's City Hall mimic an art gallery, filled with 18 paintings from two local artists. Mayor Bill Edwards invited local artists, Brian Hebert and Ralph "rEN" Dillard to complement the hall walls, conference rooms, and reception area with vibrant strokes of colors that include nature, landscapes and abstract pieces. , Brian Hebert, a visual artist, educator, and curator and is

the Arts Education Coordinator/Visual Arts at the Southwest Art Center. Brian lives and works in Atlanta, although born and raised in Los Angeles, California and a graduate of Southern University. Mr. Herbert is a conceptual painter that works in acrylic as well as oil on wood or canvas. Brian's concepts for his visual compositions are influenced by music and hip-hop culture.

As a curator, Brian has organized some thoughtprovoking exhibitions, some coupled with other genres of art to produce exhibition projects. Brian has exhibited his work nationally, from Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York as well as Georgia. Brian was recently featured in a special on the AIB Network on Arts and Healing.

Life of Sunshine Acrylic on Wood Brian Hebert

Landscape Study #1 Acrylic on Wood Brian Hebert

Ralph"rEN" Dillard is a professional artist living and working in Atlanta, Georgia. Dillard's primary medium is oil paint, but he also dabbles in mixed media and acrylic.

Ren's work has been published in several national art magazines and various regional newspapers. The artist recently completed a very well received solo exhibition at South Fulton Arts Center titled, "The Art of Unlearning".

Visit renswork.com for more information about the artist.

A Drift Oil on Canvas Ralph "rEN" Dillard FFI INN E ET ITMI M E SE ISN I T EH CE I TC YITY NH T

We are Thousands

Oil on Canvas Ralph "rEN" Dillard

AGE 5

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GOOD NEWS IN THE CITY &Â WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CITY even pcoming u n a e v y? nity ha r commu ommunit c u o n y o s lt e u o F --D outh City of S with the

t to share

--What good things are happening in your community?

--Are you a orga City o nizat ion w f South F u ith so --W ew me G lton resid ant en O OD N to h EWS t, busines ear ? s or abo ut it !

Email all Good News in the City & What's Happening in the City requests to news@cityofsouthfultonga.gov Good News in the City examples: Accomplishments and Recognitions What's Happening in the City examples: Community Clean-Ups, Grand Openings, and Festivals We will accept community & school events only Be sure to include who, what, when and where Submission does not guarantee inclusion in Good News in the City or What's Happening in the City Include contact information: name, email, phone If you have a website – add a link Attach a .JPEG or .JPG photo to be featured with your submission NOTE: Your photo needs to be less than 960px x 960px in size, and less than 1 MB If you have questions, please email: news@cityofsouthfultonga.gov For more information, contact the Communications Dept. at 470-809-7720 The communications department must approve submissions before being posted/shared

WE'RE SOCIAL... FOLLOW US!

CONTACT US Mayor's Office 470-809-7721 Clerk's Office 470-809-7712 Code Enforcement 470-809-7222 Community Planning Services 470-809-7200 Business License 470-809-7725 Email info@ cityofsouthfultonga.gov

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