2022 COSF District 1 Year in Review

Citywide Accomplishments

The City of South Fulton is on the rise and making strides across all city departments, as highlighted in this report.

• The South Fulton Swordfish Swim Team competed in the 2022 National State Games of America in Iowa and won 18 medals. Maimuna Bello, a fierce 10-year-old, earned six golds and one silver in the “10 and Under” category. Maida Bello earned three medals – two silver and one bronze. The two competing in the Olympicstyle competition are following the footsteps of their mother, Ameerah Bello, a former track and field athlete represented the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Kione Morris earned three medals – a gold and two bronze. Micah Landingham won a gold medal, and Robert Worthams grabbed a bronze. Head Coach Bashir returned to competition for the first time in 30 years, he took gold in all three events in the 45-49 Masters Group. Congratulations to all for a job well done!

• The South Fulton City Council approved a $235,000 upgrade of the Burdett gym heating and air conditioning system, funded with a Community Development Block Grant provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Other repairs include replacement of two pressure relief valves on the main water system as well as electrical repairs to LED emergency exit lights.

• Council members voted to approve an additional $1.8 million for roof repair at Welcome All Park. The roof was in the process of being replaced when the structural steel components for the roof decking over the pool was identified as needing to be replaced. Garland Roofing performed the repairs scheduled to be completed in late Spring/early Summer 2023.

• On Earth Day 2022, the Southeast Trust for Public Land opened the Campbellton Creek Nature Preserve Park (CCNP) which conserves 81 acres of park land and greenspace. The park opened with the first 5 miles of multi-use trails for walking and mountain biking. The CCNP features nature education signs; native grass, ferns, shrubbery, fruit

CODE ENFORCEMENT

The City of South Fulton Code Enforcement Department’s mission can be summed up in two words – Code Cares. That phrase – also the name of a groundbreaking program launched in 2022, through which volunteers help seniors avoid penalties for code violations. Volunteers mow, trim, weed, plant, and complete other activities to beautify the properties of seniors who are no longer able to manage their yards. The program won the Creative Marketing Award and the Excellence in Leadership Award from the American Association of Code Enforcement and Turnkey Solutions also presented Code Enforcement Director Brian Morris with the Citizen Champion Award.

and nut trees; a bike pump track; wildlife support elements; and other efforts to enhance the public use and conservation values of the property. The Westlake Cross Country Track Team recently designated the park as its training and conditioning site.

Citywide Accomplishments

CITY + PARTNERS = GREATER IMPACT

• Through the efforts of Congressman David Scott, a new $50 million federally funded Jobs Corps campus will be built on Washington Road at Roosevelt Highway in the City of South Fulton. The campus is expected to open in the Spring of 2025. A part of the U.S. Department of Labor, Job Corps provides education opportunities as well as job training for those youth between 16-24 years of age who have faced challenges in their lives. The new campus will replace the former Atlanta Center, which closed in 2017, and will welcome students from across Georgia. The South Fulton center will serve 272 residential and 200 nonresidential students, and employ 120 staff members. Participants must meet income requirements, and will receive free room and board, clothing, a living allowance, healthcare, childcare, books, and supplies. Training programs will include construction, hospitality, healthcare, finance and business, and advanced transportation services. Students can also learn to drive and take English as a second language classes. The 25-acre campus will include 11 buildings over 240,000 square feet of building space. Amenities include a welcome center, medical and dental clinic, education and vocational space, cafeteria and culinary arts building, pair of twostory dormitories, recreation area, maintenance and storage space, a central plant, and a student services and career development building.

• In January 2022, the Georgia Municipal Association renewed the City of South Fulton’s Certified City of Ethics designation for another four years. A city must adopt a resolution establishing the five ethics principles for the conduct of city officials and adopt an ethics ordinance that meets minimum standards approved by the association. The original City of Ethics designation was awarded in 2017 and raises awareness about ethics issues at the local level and provides a local forum for airing and resolution of legitimate concerns.

• The City of South Fulton became the first Georgia municipality to require private businesses to cease distributing plastic bags. In 2022, the Georgia Water Coalition recognized the City for this effort. Businesses now are asked to offer alternatives, such as paper bags, and customers are encouraged to use recyclable cloth bags. The City of South Fulton also bans single-use plastics – such as cups, food containers, bottles, and straws – at city facilities. According to the Earth Day Network, Americans use more than 100 billion plastic shopping bags and 25 billion expanded polystyrene cups every year and 500 million plastic straws every day. Many of these items end up in storm drains, along roadsides, and in other areas where they pose a threat to wildlife.

• Negotiations between the City of South Fulton and the International Association of Firefighters resulted in a collective bargaining agreement that is one of the first in Georgia and the first in metro Atlanta. The agreement was signed at a ceremony on July 8, 2022 and features wage increases that reflect the City’s commitment to recruit the best firefighters and

provide high-paying, quality jobs. It also sets out specific benefits and outlines the city’s expectations of firefighters.

• South Fulton’s secret is getting out, ranked as Georgia’s fastest-growing major city over the last five years. The City’s population climbed 13% between 2017 and 2021, according to Redfin, a national real estate brokerage firm. The study, which used U.S. census data to determine the fastest growing cities, included those with populations greater than 50,000. With world-class service, a thriving arts community, more undeveloped land than any other metro city, and our proximity to Atlanta’s many amenities – including the world’s busiest airport – we’re the premier city in which to live, work, and play. Incorporated in May 2017, South Fulton reported a population of 97,277 in 2018, according to Census numbers. In July 2021, the City’s population had grown to 108,575, making it Georgia’s seventh-largest city. South Fulton covers nearly 86 square miles with an average household income of approximately $66,000. Two-thirds of its population own homes, 94% hold high school diplomas, and 37.4% have Bachelors’ degrees – we’re poised as one of the most-affluent and besteducated cities in the state.

CITY CHARTER COMMISSION

Five years after the inception of the City of South Fulton, the mayor and city council shall call for a charter commission to review the city’s experience and recommend to the General Assembly any changes to the city charter. Members of the charter commission were appointed as follows: one by the mayor, one by the city council, and one by each member of the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate whose district lies wholly or partially within the corporate boundaries of the City of South Fulton.

All members of the charter commission reside in the City of South Fulton. The commission was tasked with completing their recommendations within six months of its creation, they are available on the City of South Fulton website under the City Clerk tab.

www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov/3225/ City-Charter-Commission

Citywide Accomplishments

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

• The City approved $1.5 million to resurface two miles of White Mill Road between Rivertown Road and State Route 92 and a half-mile stretch of Milam Road. City Council accepted a $1.2 million Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant Program from the Georgia Department of Transportation and approved matching funds of close to $350,000 to complete the projects.

• Built in 1920, the 100+ year old Cochran Road over Camp Creek Bridge is listed as being in fair condition by BridgeReports.com. With two sections spanning 82 feet, the bridge features a stringer/multi-beam design that was commonly used between 1915 and 1960. Approved under a federally funded project framework agreement (PFA) with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the design process is expected to cost $458,000 including 20% in matching funds from the City. The bridge replacement cost is projected at $3.2 million, the City is eligible to receive 80% of the estimated costs.

• A headwall collapsed on Stacks Road above the CSX railroad tracks due to heavy soil erosion from concentrated stormwater flowing from the roadway during heavy rains. The city replaced the eroded soil, repaved the bridge, installed new curb and gutter to control runoff, and new concrete flumes with stone rip rap was added to prevent future issues.

• The Fulton County Board of Commissioners unveiled plans for a new $22.6 million wastewater collection system that will allow capacity to stay ahead of demand. The project will include two pumping stations and some 46,000 feet of forced main sewer lines. The pump stations and force main will be constructed within the city limits of Chattahoochee Hills, Palmetto, and

South Fulton. Located in South Fulton, the Little Bear Pump Station will serve the existing Crossroads development, a proposed Wilkerson Mill pump station, and surrounding areas. The Atlanta Newnan Road Pump Station will serve Serenbe, Cedar Creek sewer basin and the surrounding area.

• The City of South Fulton installed signs for the new wave of participants in the Adopt-A-Road program. The Cascade Business and Merchants Association (CBMA) will continue hosting the Cascade Road community cleanups they have been engaged in for over a decade. Other road adoptions have included the Creekside at Scarborough HOA which has taken on the responsibility of maintaining Scarborough Road between Brookwood Place and Jailette Road. The Tomlinson-Brewer family is responsible for Creel Road from Old National Highway to Bethsaida Road.

Atlanta Southwest has adopted two roads – Cascade Road from Kimberly Road to Fulton Industrial and Cascade Parkway from Cascade Road to the End.

• City of South Fulton officials have been working with the Atlanta Regional Commission to develop a Livable Centers Initiative to encourage diversity in housing, employment, commercial and recreation land use that is accessible to people of all income levels and ages. The LCI focuses on transportation strategies to enhance mobility and facilitate proper speeds and turning movements. Benefits of improving the corridor include improving walkways for pedestrians, encouraging housing diversity and sustained community support. The LCI was adopted by City Council in December 2022, there is a five-year implementation plan for the improvements.

Citywide Accomplishments

FIRE

The City of South Fulton officials have replaced part of the City’s aging fleet of fire trucks with the purchase of four fire apparatus in 2022. Push-in ceremonies have been held for three engines and a ladder truck. In 2019, City officials commissioned Georgia Tech to conduct an assessment of staffing and equipment needs, as well as the optimal organization of its Police and Fire departments. Based on South Fulton’s size, the study recommended the City have five ladder trucks. Five ladder trucks also are required for the City to achieve its goal of an Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of one. ISO ratings designate cities which are better prepared, which also means improved insurance rates for residents.

In 2022, the City of South Fulton Fire Rescue launched Camp EMBERS, a free program encouraging young women to explore a career in fire service. Every Member Brings Energetic Resilience and Significance (EMBERS) is geared toward girls age 14-18. Campers learn from female firefighters and other professional staff, about careers in fire service, experience equipment demonstrations, take station tours, participate in team-building activities and learn life-saving techniques such as CPR and first aid certification. A graduation ceremony included team competitions, including tug of war, a quick dress exercise, mock fire inspections, and presentation of awards.

The City of South Fulton is looking to convert its fire stations to solar energy. The first station to go solar is Fire Station 6 on Cedar Grove Road. The solar conversion project cost $123,170 and is funded by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. The facility will benefit from lower utilities cost and use of a cleaner energy source will benefit the environment.

City of South Fulton fire Captain Tangela Rowe earned the prestigious Fire Officer designation. Awarded by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), the credentialing program recognizes career excellence and professional development. Rowe is the first in South Fulton and one of only 636 certified fire officers in the country. South Fulton Fire Chief Chad Jones and Deputy Chief Deron “Pat” Wilson each hold the center’s Chief Fire Officer designation as two of 1,659 chief officials in the United States. Several other members of the department’s leadership are pursuing credentialing through CPSE.

Citywide Accomplishments

POLICE

• Studying crime numbers to uncover trends and patterns helped South Fulton police cut serious crime by double digits for the third year in a row. Police Chief Keith Meadows says using the nationally accepted CompStat model provides us with a way to accurately and quickly identify where serious crime is happening in the city. Using that information, we deploy resources to problem areas. After detecting a pattern of increased drug activity around the winter holidays, investigators planned two details – Operation Gobble and Operation Santa’s Helper – to fight back. Together, the multi-day efforts resulted in more than 100 arrests and the seizure of 20 guns, $65,000 in cash, and a large amount of drugs – including 11 pounds of marijuana. Changes in the city’s serious individual crime numbers are impressive as well. Burglaries dropped by 37%, while aggravated assaults decreased by 22% and robberies fell by 17%. Reductions in other crimes included auto theft (11%), theft (6%) and theft from a vehicle (40%). “Any amount of crime is unacceptable,” Meadows said. “Our focus on the two biggest factors in violent crime – drugs and gangs played a huge part in our success last year.”

• In an effort to recruit and retain talented police officers, the South Fulton City Council approved the onetime retention and signing incentives for qualified POST certified officers. The department used salary savings from other positions to fund the bonuses, making their economic impact neutral. A three-year, signed commitment is necessary to receive the benefit for new hires. Those who’ve

been with the department for three years of consecutive service must agree to remain with the department for three years.

• Seeking to recruit and retain qualified public safety personnel, in 2022, the City of South Fulton unveiled a housing allowance to provide police officers and firefighters $450 a month toward rent or mortgage payments if they live in the City. To be eligible, employees must be sworn public safety workers with a minimum of one year of service and must hold the rank of police officer II or firefighter. Recipients also must maintain a primary residence in the City. The allowance will be disbursed monthly through the City’s payroll office, and will be subject to state and federal income and employment taxes. Staff members who own their homes are required to provide proof of mortgage agreements and renters must show a lease or rent contract. They must use the identified properties as their primary homes. City officials say the allowance encourages public safety personnel to live in the community and amongst the residents they serve. Currently, only 27% of our public safety personnel reside in South Fulton, according to a program survey. About 58% of those living elsewhere say they are interested in relocating to the City.

• City of South Fulton officials approved 30 new police vehicles worth $2.1 million as the City works to expand its police force to better serve residents. The cost includes new 2022 Ford Explorer pursuit utility vehicles, as well as computers, cameras, lights, graphics, and other equipment needed for patrol units. The new vehicles will replace current patrol units inherited

from Fulton County that are aged with high mileage and require constant maintenance to stay on the road.

• In October 2022, City officials purchased nine acres at the intersection of Old National Highway and Jonesboro Road for $1.4 million. Once the police headquarters are built on this site, police officials plan to consolidate operations, including administration, patrol, investigations, special operations, and evidence processing. This will move several services now in different locations to one site. The site will include a training facility and a shooting range. A public walking trail is also in the plans for the site. Next steps include conducting a needs assessment, during which department leaders will visit other police facilities to determine what equipment the new facility will need. Next, a strategic plan for the site will be completed.

• According to research from Safe Kids Georgia, one child is involved in a car crash every 33 seconds. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 40-6-76) states children under 8 years of age must ride in an approved child restraint system and be restrained by a seat safety belt approved under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. Nearly 60% of crashes show that car seats are installed or adjusted incorrectly and can lead to accidental injury for children. In August, Safe Kids Fulton partnered with the City of South Fulton Police Department to prevent accidental injury for children under the age of 8 or 4’9” inches in height through education, equipment, enforcement, and awareness. During the event held at Sandtown Crossing Plaza, if a car seat was deemed insufficient, free replacements were offered.

Citywide Accomplishments

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS

City Manager Tammi Saddler-Jones presented a plan for the use of the American Rescue Plan Funds which was approved by City Council, funding has been earmarked for the following:

• Food Insecurity ($210,000)

Host food distributions and provide grow boxes

• Small Business Grants ($500,000)

Continue assistance for small businesses

• Commercial Nodes ($250,000)

COMMUNITY RECOVERY

$2.75 million

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

$4.05 million

Fund recovery/revitalization efforts in strategic commercial zones

• Rent/Mortgage ($1.4 million)

Augment rent and mortgage assistance efforts

• Vaccine Incentive ($260,000)

Encourage residents/city staff to receive COVID vaccines

• Community Outreach ($70,000)

Support recovery efforts in each council district

• Development Authority ($60,000)

Support Development Authority recovery efforts

• Stormwater Master Plan ($1.05 million)

Develop stormwater management plan to ensure stormwater control.

• Stormwater Improvements ($1.7 million)

Fund improvements to stormwater infrastructure

• Broadband and Wi-Fi ($1.3 million)

Assess opportunities to bring broadband internet to unserved areas and provide free wireless service at recreation centers

• Premium Pay ($500,000)

Provide hazard pay up to $1200 per employee at risk of COVID-19 exposure due to regular in-person interaction with the public

• Public Safety Employees Responding to Health Emergency ($800,000)

Reimburse the City for regular and overtime payroll expenses for eligible public safety personnel

• Facility Upgrades ($600,000)

Improve secure access to city facilities to limit exposure

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & SERVICES

$2.75 million

• Technology Updates ($260,000)

Support a secure mobilized network for the workforce

• Public Facility Improvements ($1 million)

Improve air filtration, ventilation, and UV lighting to prevent virus spread; and add HVAC systems to facilities without them

• Protective Measure ($150,000)

Install sanitizing stations, temperature scans, cleaning materials and measures for social distancing

• Revenue Loss ($500,000)

Recoup a lost of revenue because of the pandemic

• Administrative Costs ($743,000)

Costs of administering ARPA projects

Spotlight on District 1

• Spearheaded by Councilwoman Rowell, the city is working toward its commitment to become more eco-friendly. The City of South Fulton recently earned the New Leaf Designation as its first milestone in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities Program is a voluntary sustainability certification program that helps local governments reduce their environmental impact through actionable goals. Seventeen local governments – 11 cities and six counties – have achieved the full Green Community status.

• On July 30, 2022, Councilwoman Rowell and Councilwoman Gumbs hosted the 3rd Annual Healthy South Fulton Family Fun and Sports Day at Sandtown Park in partnership with Touch of Life Family and Chiropractic, the Sheldon Williams Foundation, and community partners. The highlight of the event was the giveaway of 700 bookbags; the wellness village that featured health and wellness providers in South Fulton, and the onsite sports physicals. The kid’s village featured after-school and sports registration, the Wolf Creek Library, mentoring organizations, afterschool tutoring, private baseball training, karate training, face painting, and more.

• Councilwoman Rowell hosted the first public art installation in our city with a mural project that was completed by community members. The City of South Fulton Professional Pearls in partnership with the Lady Stallions Kickball League teamed up to install the mural in Sandtown Park in celebration of the COSF Earth Day activities. Special thanks to the City of South Fulton Public Arts Commission and City of South Fulton Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs staff for supporting this initiative.

The display includes four panels representing different natural features from the area. Members of the Sandtown Community Association helped develop the vision for the public art in the roundabout to depict the diversity and beauty of our natural environment.

• In August, the Fortitude Educational and Cultural Development Center recognized District 1 Councilwoman Dr. Catherine Rowell with its 2022 Pinnacle Leadership Award.

• Telling the history of the Sandtown Community is as simple as a drive through the community’s brand-new roundabout. The updated intersection of Campbellton, New Hope, and Boat Rock roads has been completed with the installation of artwork created by Atlanta artist, Allen Peterson of Allen Peterson Fine Arts.

With 12 honorees total, each person was selected because of their outstanding leadership skills, personal fortitude, and dedication to enhancing the quality of life for others. Honorees have quietly or boldly used their respective platforms to improve and uplift communities and made service a part of their lives. The proceeds from the Pinnacle Awards are used to fund scholarships for students and programs for seniors in the metro Atlanta area.

Spotlight on District 1

• The Fulton County Board of Commissioners recognized South Fulton District 1 Councilwoman Dr. Catherine Rowell during its Environmental Awards ceremony. Commissioner Khadijah AbdurRahman nominated Rowell for the honor. Each year, an individual from each county district whose efforts and advocacy, exemplify environmentally-sound practices that align with the county’s strategic plan. Councilwoman Rowell is leading the City’s charge to obtain the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities Bronze Level Designation. For the past five years, Rowell has partnered with the Cascade Business and Merchants Association on monthly cleanups and hosted annual service projects on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to beautify the City. Since taking office in 2017, Rowell has sponsored ordinances and resolutions demonstrating her commitment to protecting the environment, conserving energy, and protecting natural resources. Through her efforts, residents can participate in the National Flood

Program, which allows citizens to secure flood insurance and the City to secure federal grants and loans to mitigate flood risk. Rowell has worked with the American Cancer Society to sponsor legislation prohibiting smoking at outdoor park facilities and places of employment; introduced legislation to develop a park, recreation, trail and open space master plan for the City of South Fulton, and adopted a complete Street Policy. Rowell created the anti-blight tax, which established criteria for identification of blighted properties and imposed an increased ad valorem tax and heavy penalties to address community blight and slumlords. She also helped establish guidelines for the City to plan, design and construct, renovate and manage city-owned facilities in a sustainable way. Rowell sponsored a resolution to acknowledge October as Agritourism Month and highlighted 15 agribusinesses operating in the city. She also established a partnership with Trees for Atlanta in support of the One Million Trees Initiative to protect trees and plants. South Fulton has set a goal of planting at least 1,000 trees in the City’s parks and right of way over the next three years.

• Councilwoman Rowell has been elected southwest first vice president of the Georgia Municipal Association’s third district. The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) represents 538 cities across the state. Rowell will serve as a liaison between the association and municipal leaders throughout the western portion of the district, which includes Cobb, Cherokee, Clayton, Douglas, Dekalb, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties. “Georgia’s cities are the heart of government across the state. Mayors and council members live and work with those they represent and share the same interests,” Rowell said, “I am honored

that my colleagues placed their faith in me to foster direct and open communications between their cities and GMA.” Rowell attends GMAsponsored events, including the association’s annual convention. She will work with other cities in the district to promote engagement in GMA activities and programs and advocate for GMA’s legislative priorities and share any needs and concerns of member cities in the district. GMA holds district caucuses each January during its annual Cities United Summit in Atlanta. Each Spring, listening sessions are held in each of the 12 districts, providing an opportunity for city officials to receive a briefing on the recently completed legislative session. Members also can suggest issues and concerns they feel should be addressed as part of GMA’s legislative platform the following year.

• Councilwoman Rowell was selected by her peers to serve on the City of South Fulton negotiation team for the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) with City Attorney Vincent Hyman and City Manager Tammi Saddler Jones. The Local Option Sales Tax is a 1 percent tax activated by a local referendum and imposed on the purchase, sale, rental, storage, use, or consumption of tangible personal property and related services. One of the most significant sources of revenue for municipal governments, it is used to provide municipal services and to reduce property taxes. On December 14, 2022, Fulton County government officials, and leaders from all 15 cities in the county held a signing ceremony in downtown Atlanta to formalize an agreement. This keeps the Local Option Sales Tax – and approximately $4 billion in revenue shared by the governments or $363 million for the City of South Fulton – intact over the next decade.

Highlight of Municipal Law Changes in 2022

ORDINANCES

ORD2022-003 (Rowell D1, Gumbs D2 and Willis D3)

This charter amendment changed the process from removing an elected official from office by eliminating the city investigative hearing. The removal of an elected official will now be based on a ruling - by a Judge of the Superior Court of Fulton County - following a hearing on a complaint seeking removal by any resident of the City of South Fulton. The charter amendment also changed the automatic appointment of a city attorney without confirmation of the City Council following the rejection of two nominees which changed the language back to the original charter.

ORD2022-006 (Rowell D1 and Reeves D5)

The Transparency in Contracting Ordinance calls for the staff to establish and maintain a list of open and forecasted procurement opportunities; publish contract awards and pricing; maintain a contractor sanction list; implement financial and conflict of interest disclosures for elected officials and provide certain information on the city’s website.

ORD2022-008 (Rowell D1)

The Tree Bank Fund was changed to allow funds to be equally allocated to each council district to use for the purchase, planting, installation and maintenance of trees. No more than 25% of the Tree Bank funds can be spent on maintenance and pruning of trees. The remaining 75% of the funds are dedicated to tree purchase, planting and installation.

ORD2022-014 (Rowell D1)

Establishes a decorum policy for Council meetings that is to be enforced by the Mayor to ensure the staff and public are treated in a dignified, courteous, and respectful manner and recognizes that inappropriate behavior damages the perception of the city. A variety of penalties can be imposed from censure to fines.

ORD2022-019 (Rowell D1)

Sets an order of business for how City Council Work Sessions will be conducted. It includes items presented by the City Manager to include a) staff reports; b) updates on initiatives aligned with the strategic plan; and c) briefings on contracts exceeding $25K, and two presentations at the request of the Mayor or City Council (up to two for each).

ORDINANCES 2022-022, 032, 039 and 041 (Rowell D1)

Per Georgia State law, emergency ordinances have to be passed every 30 days to allow the City Council and its appointed Boards and Commissions to meet virtually during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

ORD2022-023 (Rowell D1)

The distance requirement between gas stations was removed to allow for Quiktrip to construct a new gas station at the abandoned gas station next to Bank of America on Cascade Road at I-285.

ORD2022-024 (Rowell D1)

Increased the penalty for commercial vehicles traveling off truck routes punishable at $500 for the first offense; $750 for second offense; and $1,000 for each additional offense.

ORD2022-034 (Rowell D1)

It makes it unlawful to fasten bills, advertisements, campaign signs, notices to poles, trees or in the right-of-way. Campaign signs can still be placed on private property in individual yards. Violators have 24 hours from the time of notification to remove their signs. After that, they face fines of $100 per sign for first and second violations and must appear in court after the third with penalties of $1,000 for each unlawfully placed sign, and/or incarceration not to exceed five days.

ORD2022-035 (Rowell D1)

This further regulates transfer stations beyond approval of a special use permit to limit the hours of operation from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday; requires submission of an Environmental Impact Report, and a rodent management plan. Sites must include a 200-ft. buffer and 10-ft. improvement setback along all property lines, except public rights-of-way, where a buffer of at least 50 ft. is required. The sites must be graded and drained to minimize runoff and prevent erosion and contamination. Also, the site cannot be located within 1 mile of a groundwater discharge, 500 feet of wetlands, in a 100 year floodplain or a seismic impact zone. A solid fence or wall must be erected along the property lines.

ORD 2022-037

The 2020 U.S. Census data resulted in changes to the geographic boundaries of all seven city council districts, the new boundaries and map are effective January 1, 2023. Census data shows the area’s population growing from 85,589 in 2010 to 107,436 in 2020. Visit the city’s website to view the new district map.

Highlight of Municipal Law Changes in 2022

RESOLUTIONS

RES2022-001

(Rowell D1, Gumbs D2, Willis D3, Sebastian D4, Reeves D5 and Williams D6)

Censure was issued to Mayor Khalid Kamau following his violation of the charter associated with his request for the resignation of the City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney.

RES2022-008

(Rowell D1, Willis D3, Sebastian D4 and Williams D6)

Calls for the staff to apply for a Sandtown Livable Center Study to update the existing plan.

RES2022-010

Calls for the execution of an agreement for Stonewall Tell Home Builders, Inc. to accept funds in the amount of $321,784.40 for right-of-way improvements and intersection realignment, in conjunction with Rockhaven’s development at the intersection of Campbellton Road at Stonewall Tell Road.

RES2022-020

(Mayor Khalid, Rowell D1, Willis D3, Sebastian D4 and Williams D6)

Directed the City Manager to engage a reputable firm to conduct operational audits citywide on all departments in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.

RES2022-021 (Rowell D1)

Adopts a written city investment policy to comply with Chapter 2256 of the Public Funds Investment Act.

RES2022-025

(Rowell D1, Gumbs D2, Willis D3, Sebastian D4 and Williams D6)

Calls for the City Manager to plan for a fifth City Anniversary and Juneteenth Celebration, and up to $220,000 was authorized to be spent to cover expenses for both events.

RES2022-046 and 047

Exercised eminent domain for a sidewalk and bridge improvement project for Fairburn Road.

RES2022-055

Fulton Industrial Blvd (FIB) was added to the South Fulton Urban Redevelopment area and the FIB Urban Redevelopment Plan prepared by KB Advisory Group dated April 2022 was adopted.

RES2022-058 (Rowell D1)

Calls for the development of a Citywide Urban Agriculture Plan by submitting an application to the Foodwell Alliance and the Atlanta Regional Commission to apply for a $75,000 implementation plan grant that has to be equally matched with in-kind or cash support from the City.

To view the final versions of the ordinances and resolutions sponsored or co-sponsored by Councilwoman Catherine Foster Rowell and adopted by our City Council, visit the Open Government section of the City of South Fulton website at: www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov/ agendacenter

City of South Fulton

5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd., SW

South Fulton, GA 30336

www.CityofSouthFultonGA.gov

WAYS TO CONNECT

Councilwoman Dr. Catherine Rowell

catherine.rowell@cityofsouthfultonga.gov

FB/Instagram: @CatherineDistrict1

Twitter: @Rowel70

OFFICE: (470) 809-7701

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