Sandy Springs at Five

Sandy Springs at Five PAGES 4-5

Oliver Porter

The man who helped set up several local city governments recalls how Sandy Springs came to be PAGE 2

City timeline

A look back at major events in Sandy Springs’ first five years PAGES 8-9

Reflections

The mayor and the city’s first council members consider what’s happened and what lies ahead PAGES 10-12

Published by Reporter Newspapers December 3, 2010

Sandy Springs at Five

Present at the city’s creation, Porter reflects on how things turned out

By Joe Earle joeearle@reporternewspapers.net There were times, Oliver Porter admits now, when it seemed the city of Sandy Springs wouldn’t really work.

“There were some things that blindsided me,” Porter said recently as he thought back to the days in 2005, when he was trying to draw up plans for the new city. “I spent some real sleepless nights wondering how we were going to get through them.”

There were limits on how much the city could tax. There were limits on how long the city could agree to hire a private contractor to run city business. There were so many things to figure out.

That was Porter’s job. Others took on the politics, the public task of convincing legislators and voters to allow the city to exist. Porter, as a volunteer member of the Committee for Sandy Springs, took on the more prosaic and private work of figuring out how to make the new city work.

After all, someone had to figure out what would happen on the first day Sandy Springs was a city. Porter, designated Interim city manager, had to take the idea of Sandy Springs and turn it into a functioning city government.

“It’s the whole thing about the dog catching the train: ‘You’ve got it, what are you going to do with it?’” said Porter, now a whitehaired and white-bearded 74-year-old who still lives in the city he helped create.

Actually, Sandy Springs is only one of the cities he helped start. After the start-up of Sandy Springs, Porter consulted with other cities born in the boom of city-founding that followed in Sandy Springs’ wake. He played roles in the creation of Johns Creek and Milton in north Fulton County, Chattahoochee Hills Country in south Fulton County and Dunwoody in DeKalb County.

And Porter’s promotion of the notion of hiring a private contractor to do much of the city’s work in order to save money made him an expert in public-private partnerships in government. He wrote two books about what he calls “PPPs” and advised city govern-

Sandy Springs at Five

A special section Published by Reporter Newspapers December 3, 2010 www.ReporterNewspapers.net SANDY SPRINGS REPORTER BUCKHEAD REPORTER DUNWOODY REPORTER BROOKHAVEN REPORTER Springs Publishing LLC 6065 Roswell Road, Suite 225 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 Phone: 404-917-2200 Fax: 404-917-2201 © 2010 with all rights reserved

On the cover:

Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos at Morgan Falls Overlook Park.

Photographed by Muzel Chen.

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Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

MUZEL CHEN

Oliver Porter helped create Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and other new cities in Georgia, but he says he doesn’t intend to run for office. “I am not psychologically attuned to be a politician,” he said.

ments in Japan on the subject. He says he’s also advised government officials in Florida, Ohio and Indiana on what has come to be called “the Sandy Springs model” for government.

“I still get involved, get calls from cities,” he said, sitting in the wood-paneled library he built in his base– Oliver Porter ment. “I help them if I can.”

One thing he didn’t do was run for office. Trained as a civil engineer and after a career as a corporate He would bring these executive, Porter admits he didn’t have the timelines to meetings When Sandy Springs’ elected officials were sworn in Dec. 1, personality for politics. “I am not psycholog- and say, ‘You have to do 2005, Porter gave new Mayor Eva Galambos the key to the city. ically attuned to be a politician,” he said. “It this by then.’ He was the seems to me politics evolves into all this horse one who pushed us in the right direction.” with the elected officials over zoning. It’s not trading and I’m a person of principal. I think That direction included hiring a private in the operations area. .. I can’t imagine why right is right.” contractor to deliver city services. Porter anyone would say this has not been a better Instead, he saw his role as purely practical. said he got the idea from visiting a city in way to skin a cat.”

He likens some of the work he and his com- Florida. Once he determined that was the Much of that cat-skinning was done in mittee did to the task set before the country’s way Sandy Springs should operate, things his basement. He laughs when he remembers Founding Fathers – a comparison he smiling- fell into place, he said. The private contrac- that someone once called, and when he anly admits seems “a little grandiose.” Still, both tor, he said, “is basically just a tool” to do swered the caller apologized for interrupted groups had to create a government from scratch. the work set by the elected officials. Private him with a relatively trivial matter and asked At one point, he said, he walked out of a businesses, he said, have much greater flex- to speak to a member of his staff. He moved meeting and starting sketching notes on the ibility and can save money in how they do the phone to his other ear, he said, and anback of an envelope outlining what had to be that work. swered “Staff.” done. “There are the steps one would have On Dec. 1, 2005, the night Sandy Springs He can still walk down the long hallto take to implement a city,” he said. “It was came into existence as a city, Porter handed way in his home decorated with pictures pretty extensive.” newly elected Mayor Galambos a giant key to he’s painted and show a visitor the carved “Oliver was always pushing us in the right the city and told her to start it up. wooden desk he made himself that he used direction,” said Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Porter is pleased with the way things have when was making phone calls and writing Galambos, one of the founders of the city gone. “The level of service in Sandy Springs, memos as he worked to set up a governand who worked for decades to see it creat- the efficiencies…,” he said. “People have said, ment for the city he lives in. ed. “He made sure we would be ready to have ‘We like it.’ I think the last election shows “This,” he said, “is the office where, literala city. He said, ‘You’ve got a tiger by the tail.’ that. The few arguments I see people have are ly, Sandy Springs was created.”

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“I spent some real sleepless nights wondering how we were going to get through them.”

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back side please size for bestSandy look Springs at Five

best look

Pins provide a tangible record of city’s successes

Booker PO# 145___

During its first five years, the city of Sandy Springs has marked great moments and major achievements with the release of commemorative pins.

The small, shiny metal souvenirs have noted everything from the start of the city to the opening of Morgan Falls Overlook Park, from the creation of the police and fire departments to the day the city adopted its comprehensive plan.

Why issue commemorative pins? “The ooker PO# 142__ pins are a great way to commemorate oisonne Lapel important events inPin-options the life of the city and to strengthen the ties with our constituents as they and their friends collect the pins,” said Mayor Eva Galambos.

on

Limited Edition 1 of 1000

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4 color spot - 433 gray and green pms 3 1.”h - Lapel pin ND Anniversary imprint 2 in blue pms: 286,YESand black sib Vi

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June 21

JUNE 21, 2005

opt.2

4 color - 1" w Comprehensive plan adopted November 20, 2007

Eva Galambos, Mayor

City & Council 2005

City of 2007 Colors are: ,Green pms 348, Cream pms: 461, lt. Brown pms: 462 , Black, Sandy Springs and Blue pms: 286

4 color spot - white, black blue pms 286, and green pms 348 back side Sandy Springs please size for best look le A d d r ess sib es Vi city’s brief history has produced Intersection The a number of important dates. Since Improvement residents approved the formation City of

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back side please size for best look

5" City Seal - Lepal pin print in blue pms: 286, Lt. blueSEPTEMBER pms: 15-16, 27072007 348, Cool Gray 3, and Black Limited Edition 1 of 1000

of Sandy Springs at the ballot box in the summer of 2005, the city has established its headquarters at 7840 Roswell Road, and created its own traditions, such as the annual celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and Veterans Day.

Booker PO# 145___

Cloisonne Lapel Pin- 2 color green pms 356 & blue pms 286

Booker PO# 145___

100% to size

The 3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration January 21, 2008

back side please size for best loo Booker PO# 147___

Booker PO# 147___ 4 color spot - blue pms green pms Lapel pin286, options black Green pmsand 348, Cool Gray 3, and Black white, black, blue 4 color-

Limited Edition Booker PO# 143___ 11.25" of 1000 x 1.25" City Seal - Lepal pin Limited Edition Die Struck Cloisonne lapel pin City1ofof Sandy Springs 1000 enlarge to show detail 5 color imprint in blue pms: 286,OPT. 1 Lt. blue pms: 2707 3 color - blue pms 286, and white days Memorandum of Agreement April 17, 2008

.288”h - Lepal pin mprint in blue pms: 286, ms 348,Cool Gray 9, and Black The 3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration January 21, 2008

Booker PO# 139___ CAFR Cloisonne Lapel Pin- 3 color City of

Transportation Public Safety

4

Planning & Zoning Parks

Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

June 30 2006

GEORGIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Accident Free City of Sandy Springs

4 colorand - 1.25" h green

OPT. 2 March 4, 2008

Memorandum of Agreement April 17, 2008

GEORGIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION

City of Sandy Springs

OPT. 3 Booker PO# 139___ Cloisonne Lapel Pin- 3 co CODIFICATION Memorandum of Agreement April 17, 2008

GEORGIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION

City of Sandy Springs

COMPLETION

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pms 348

City of Sandy Springs

Development Regulations Ordinance

September 16, 2008

4 colors - white, black, green pms 348, and blue pms 286 Booker PO# 139___ Sandy Springs at Five

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Die Struck Antique Gold lap

Booker PO# 141___ Pin options Booker PO# 143 Booker PO#Lapel 144208 City of Sandy Springs 3rd Anniversary

December 1, 2007

December 1, 2008

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OPT. A

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Booker PO# 14703 laser lapel pin w/ sequential #'s o Limited Edition 1 of 1000

A N N I V E R S A R Y

Booker PO# 139___

PO# 142605 SANDY SPRINGS SANDY SPRINGS Booker FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE DEPARTMENT Die Struck Antique Gold lapel pin December 29, 2007 December 29, 2007 Cloisonne Lapel Pin-options

Booker PO# 139___ 139___ Booker PO# Lapel Pin- 3 co Die Cloisonne Struck Antique Gol

6 COLORS: WHITE, BLACK, BLUE PMS 286, LT. BLUE PMS- 3115, GREEN PMS AND RED PMS 186,

Booker PO# Cloisonne Lapel Pin-options OPT. C 145___OPT. D

After the formation of the city, officials began working 142605 to build Sandy Springs’ own public safety departments. By July 1, 2006, Booker PO# the Police Department began its operations. The Sandy Springs fire department followed in December 2006.

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PO# 145597 colors: ms: 348, blue pms: 286, ow pms: 106 1

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September 30, 2008

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July 1, 2007

back side please for best look Citysize of Sandy Springs

July 1, 2007

TE-15 5-day emblem with epoxy dome PO# 142606 Booker Silver Limited Edition Cloisonne Lapel Pin-options 1 of 1000 Shape #22 oval September 30 2008

Booker PO# 145___

City & Council 2005 2006

March 13,

opt. 2

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Public Safety back side Anniversary please size for best l Sept. 30, 2008

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

September 30, 2008

days

Eva Galambos, Mayor

Limited Edition 1 of 1000

Public Safety Anniversary September 30, 2008

Public Works Week May 18-24, 2008

Public Works Week Limited May 18-24, 2008

Edition 1 of 1000

Bookergray PO# 142606 4 color spot - 433 and green pms 357,white, Cloisonne Lapel Pin-options and black Public Works Week May 18-24, 2008

Booker Paving PO# 139___ Project Cloisonne Lapel Pin- 3 color 2 0 0 7

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City of

Sandy 1” x 7/8”

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Project

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With a new city comes the responsibility of maintaining roads, YE S building bridges, planning parks and other public services City of and resources. There’s been no shortage in Sandy of SANSprings DY milestones to commemorate.

SPRIN GS JUNE 21, 2005

www.reporternewspapers.net 03/22/10pi

Booker PO# 139___ Cloisonne Lapel Pin- 3

Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

back side -

5

Sandy Springs at Five

Street Talk

Q

Sandy Springs became a city on Dec. 1, 2005. Are things better today than they were five years ago?

Asked at various locations around Sandy Springs.

“Yes. In some ways, I think it’s better. They’ve got a good police department. I think they’re trying to be more cognizant of the needs of the citizens of Sandy Springs. But one thing they could LaWanda Cotton improve upon is accessibility. I use a chair sometimes and sometimes I run into a lot of danger on sidewalks. I think they could be a little more conscious of disabled people, of the needs of the disabled people. But, overall, I like the changes that have been made.”

“Absolutely. We have a very responsive government led by our intelligent and gracious mayor. We have better quality schools because of further involvement, and I think we have bet- Gene Jordan ter use of money we generate. Further, [they’re] always challenging to get better services from Atlanta in water and sewer. And we’ve got parks. Talk about better – yes, in every way.”

“Yes. I helped open up the park at Morgan Falls. I saw how nice it looks.

They’re doing a good job in the parks and with the police presence.”

“Yes, no question. But financial success in Sandy Springs has come at a cost to our south Fulton and city of Atlanta neighbors.”

“Yes, absolutely. I feel safe because of all the police officers.

There used to be, like, four that patrolled.

Now there’re 80.

I feel like we’re being looked out for better than when it was Fulton Cara Moran County. I think [Mayor] Eva [Galambos] looks out for our interests. We all feel a kinship to her because she worked so hard to make it happen.”

“I think I’m better off in terms of having a more representative government. I don’t think that the Fulton County government, when it was in charge, represented us at all. I think we’re bet- Bobby Usher ter off than we were with Fulton County government.”

“Oh, yes definitely. I have used the emergency service a lot. (I have a husband who’s ill.) And I find the response to be immediate. That’s a big help. The police are … evident.

I just think it’s Joyce Vroon better that we have local government. I just feel better about it.”

“That’s an interesting question. I never had to deal with Fulton County [officials], but I went through hell with Sandy Springs trying to build a house.

Do I like the police? Yes. [I’m] much happier Thomas Ungashick with the streets, absolutely. But City Hall I have problems with.”

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Sandy Springs at Five “I’d say yeah.

Services have improved, certainly. I’ll give you an example: When we had the flooding and they had the Dumpsters over here, which I used.”

“Yes. I think the services are better. I think the people in our city have a real connection with the city, and we like they have a say with what’s going on in the city.”

Tom Felcoski “I think we’re better off being a city, yes.

I think the city has been something we needed, and I think it’s been a distinct improvement.”

Eric Carlson “I think so, yes.

I think there’ve been improvements. The police are more evident. But I think there’s still a lot to be done.”

Bill Linkous “I’m not sure that I am. I really haven’t seen any change in my living condition. Taxes are the same. I like the administration and the fact we are a city, but can I seen any difference? No.”

“Yes. Because [Sandy Springs City Councilwoman] Ashley Jenkins is my neighbor.

Oh, and our police and fire are better.”

Ralph Thurmond

Cayce Carter

Hector Salgado

Milton Kassel “Oh, definitely. I can see improvements in paving the streets and putting in sidewalks. All of the traffic controls are better. The 911 response is improved.”

Walker Love

Steve Citron “I don’t feel any difference.”

“I think so.

We’re getting better streets and so forth, and protection.

No problems. I think we’re better off as a city.

I really do.”

Helen Kesterton “I believe so.

Number one is the fire and police responses. Also, I see a lot of tax dollars spent on improving the area, where you didn’t before.

I do feel safer with the police responses.”

“Yes. [There’s] more attention to sidewalks and law enforcement and road resurfacing.”

“Oh, much better. Some of the tax money is coming back our way instead of going south.”

Linda Randolph

Steve Yost

Happy Holidays and Happy 5th Anniversary To The City of Sandy Springs!

Here’s Wishing You Many More Years As One Of America’s Best Cities To Call Home.

congratulates the City of Sandy Springs on its 5th Anniversary!

Thank you to Mayor Galambos, the City Council and City Staff for your support of the Farmers Market.

And special thanks to our Community for coming out to support our local farmers, prepared foods vendors and artists.

You made our first year a HUGE success!

Thank you to our sponsors and corporate partners:

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To learn more about the market and receive updates about our plans for a holiday and winter market, please sign up at www.sandyspringsfarmersmarket.com and follow us on Facebook.

Market Organizers

Andy Bauman Jeffrey Langfelder www.reporternewspapers.net

Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

7

Sandy Springs at Five July 1: Police Department begins operation with 86 sworn officers.

$1.2 million amphitheater built on Sandy Springs Place.

February: City Council adopts tree and noise ordinances.

Feb. 20: Citizens for Sandy Springs formally dissolves.

Dist. 1 City Councilman Doug MacGinnitie, below, decides not to seek re-election in order to run for Secretary of State.

City Council approves buying 27 acres for park at Riverside and Brandon Mill roads.

June 19: City Council approves comprehensive plan for future city development.

Dec. 1: Elected officials, including first Mayor Eva Galambos and council members Tibby DeJulio, Dianne Fries, Karen Meinzen McEnerny and Rusty Paul take control of the city; city limits signs go up at city borders. Council members David Greenspan, Ashley Jenkins take their seats after winning election runoffs.

Nov. 9: Mayor-elect announces city offices will be located at 7840 Roswell Road.

Feb. 15: John McDonough starts work as City Manager.

2005

2006

June 6: Legislature approves creation of the city of Sandy Springs.

June 21 – 94 percent of the voters in a referendum approve creation of city of Sandy Springs.

Dec. 14: Gene Wilson hired as police chief; James Anthony Day named city clerk.

Dec. 21: John McDonough, below, selected as city manager.

Dec. 22. CH2MHILL is hired as contractor for city services.

March: City Court goes into operation, processes 17,000 tickets in first year.

Dec. 18: City Council votes to condemn two houses on Abernathy Road for the Abernathy Linear Park.

Original Dist. 1 City Councilman Dave Greenspan resigns.

July 6: Jack McElfish named Sandy Springs fire chief.

City buys a dozen parks from Fulton County.

July 12: City’s first police chief, Gene Wilson, resigns amid investigation into questionable practices and policy violations by officers.

2007 July 8: City Council agrees to buy abandoned Target on Johnson Ferry Road for City Hall site.

July 28: Opening of Morgan Falls Overlook Park.

Aug. 19: Holy Spirit Preparatory School wins City Council approval to build a sports complex.

2008

Sept. 1: Chatcomm 911 center goes live.

Sept. 29: Gov. Sonny Perdue attends a construction kickoff ceremony for “half-diamond” interchange at Hammond Drive and Ga. 400.

“Anne Frank in the World: 1929-1945” exhibit moves to Sandy Springs.

2009

2010

April 23: Residents criticize the Church of Scientology’s plans to move to Roswell Road and Glenridge Drive.

Jan. 1: Sandy Springs/ Perimeter Chamber of Commerce launches.

April 6: Groundbreaking for Abernathy Linear Park.

May 4: First Sandy Springs Bike Challenge.

Sept. 22: U.S. Justice Department agrees to let Sandy Springs out of requirements of Voting Rights Act so the city can hold its run elections.

Nov. 6: Doug MacGinnitie elected to Dist. 1 City Council seat.

Nov. 20: City Council approves a dog park at Morgan Falls.

Nov. 3: Eva Galambos re-elected mayor as she defeats three challengers; City Councilmen John Paulson, left, William C. “Chip” Collins, right, and Tibby DeJulio also elected.

Dec. 29: Fire Department begins operation with 91 employees.

During the year, the Community Development Department issues 2,500-plus notices of code violations and issues more than 340 citations.

Public Works pours more than 1,750 tons of asphalt to repair city streets and stripes 26 miles of road.

City establishes $105 million capital improvements program for transportation.

May 6: Fulton County school board approves site for Ison Elementary School.

Dec. 3: Divided City Council approves Church of Scientology’s request to rezone a Sandy Springs building, denies request to expand the usable area in the building by 10,000 square feet; church announces it will sue.

Nov. 11: Sandy Springs hold its first Veterans Day celebration.

May 3: Construction officially begins on Lake Forest Elementary School on Cliftwood Drive.

Sources: City of Sandy Springs, Sandy Springs Reporter 8

Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

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Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

9

Sandy Springs at Five July 1: Police Department begins operation with 86 sworn officers.

$1.2 million amphitheater built on Sandy Springs Place.

February: City Council adopts tree and noise ordinances.

Feb. 20: Citizens for Sandy Springs formally dissolves.

Dist. 1 City Councilman Doug MacGinnitie, below, decides not to seek re-election in order to run for Secretary of State.

City Council approves buying 27 acres for park at Riverside and Brandon Mill roads.

June 19: City Council approves comprehensive plan for future city development.

Dec. 1: Elected officials, including first Mayor Eva Galambos and council members Tibby DeJulio, Dianne Fries, Karen Meinzen McEnerny and Rusty Paul take control of the city; city limits signs go up at city borders. Council members David Greenspan, Ashley Jenkins take their seats after winning election runoffs.

Nov. 9: Mayor-elect announces city offices will be located at 7840 Roswell Road.

Feb. 15: John McDonough starts work as City Manager.

2005

2006

June 6: Legislature approves creation of the city of Sandy Springs.

June 21 – 94 percent of the voters in a referendum approve creation of city of Sandy Springs.

Dec. 14: Gene Wilson hired as police chief; James Anthony Day named city clerk.

Dec. 21: John McDonough, below, selected as city manager.

Dec. 22. CH2MHILL is hired as contractor for city services.

March: City Court goes into operation, processes 17,000 tickets in first year.

Dec. 18: City Council votes to condemn two houses on Abernathy Road for the Abernathy Linear Park.

Original Dist. 1 City Councilman Dave Greenspan resigns.

July 6: Jack McElfish named Sandy Springs fire chief.

City buys a dozen parks from Fulton County.

July 12: City’s first police chief, Gene Wilson, resigns amid investigation into questionable practices and policy violations by officers.

2007 July 8: City Council agrees to buy abandoned Target on Johnson Ferry Road for City Hall site.

July 28: Opening of Morgan Falls Overlook Park.

Aug. 19: Holy Spirit Preparatory School wins City Council approval to build a sports complex.

2008

Sept. 1: Chatcomm 911 center goes live.

Sept. 29: Gov. Sonny Perdue attends a construction kickoff ceremony for “half-diamond” interchange at Hammond Drive and Ga. 400.

“Anne Frank in the World: 1929-1945” exhibit moves to Sandy Springs.

2009

2010

April 23: Residents criticize the Church of Scientology’s plans to move to Roswell Road and Glenridge Drive.

Jan. 1: Sandy Springs/ Perimeter Chamber of Commerce launches.

April 6: Groundbreaking for Abernathy Linear Park.

May 4: First Sandy Springs Bike Challenge.

Sept. 22: U.S. Justice Department agrees to let Sandy Springs out of requirements of Voting Rights Act so the city can hold its run elections.

Nov. 6: Doug MacGinnitie elected to Dist. 1 City Council seat.

Nov. 20: City Council approves a dog park at Morgan Falls.

Nov. 3: Eva Galambos re-elected mayor as she defeats three challengers; City Councilmen John Paulson, left, William C. “Chip” Collins, right, and Tibby DeJulio also elected.

Dec. 29: Fire Department begins operation with 91 employees.

During the year, the Community Development Department issues 2,500-plus notices of code violations and issues more than 340 citations.

Public Works pours more than 1,750 tons of asphalt to repair city streets and stripes 26 miles of road.

City establishes $105 million capital improvements program for transportation.

May 6: Fulton County school board approves site for Ison Elementary School.

Dec. 3: Divided City Council approves Church of Scientology’s request to rezone a Sandy Springs building, denies request to expand the usable area in the building by 10,000 square feet; church announces it will sue.

Nov. 11: Sandy Springs hold its first Veterans Day celebration.

May 3: Construction officially begins on Lake Forest Elementary School on Cliftwood Drive.

Sources: City of Sandy Springs, Sandy Springs Reporter 8

Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

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Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

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Sandy Springs at Five

What lies ahead: More people, pedestrians, parks and progress

By Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos I have covered the progress of our great city during the past five years in the inserted newsletter that comes with this edition of the newspaper. What about the next five years? What do I hope for and see in store?

I do believe that in five years we will see a new City Hall complex either finished or under construction where the old Target store was located. I cannot visualize, of course, its ultimate appearance. I doubt it will be Colonial style or Art Deco. Surely our community will have a voice in what it prefers.

My hope is that the construction of the new City Hall will serve as the catalyst for the redevelopment of our so-called downtown. Just the volume of folks who make City Hall a destination daily will serve as an impetus for redevelopment of surrounding properties.

The economy will have turned around by then, and with more jobs there will be more demand for housing, office and retail space.

The plans this community adopted in its comprehensive land-use deliberations call for mixed use in our downtown area. Not every parcel will have to include all the uses, but within adjacent lots and blocks there will no doubt be a greater variety of land uses than we see today. The big hole at Hammond and Roswell Road is slated for a mid-rise apartment building with retail at ground level.

Sandy Springs has almost no empty land, so we certainly do not expect an explosion of population on account of filling in empty lots.

However, I feel certain the redevelopment of

outdated apartment complexes along the Roswell Road corridor will not happen unless replacement housing has somewhat greater densities.

Certainly we do not envision towers, but the two-story, so-called garden apartment model is outdated. Nor is it economically feasible for a developer to tear down the current units and replace them with the same number. So the replacement housing will accommodate more people than live there now, and that means the population growth that may occur in Sandy Springs will be the result of redeveloped multifamily housing.

So the Roswell Road corridor will gradually take on a more urban aspect. Its appeal can be insured by the use of good architecture, thoughtful landscaping that includes trees, and by enhanced sidewalks and other amenities that will make walking along Roswell Road a pleasure rather than a chore.

The great motto I constantly hear from urban planners is “make it pedestrian friendly.” This outcome depends on good public infrastructure such as wide sidewalks and a feeling of safety for the walkers. But it also depends on having something pleasant for pedestrians to look at.

I stated to the property owners who are now focusing on how to redevelop their downtown properties that no matter how beautiful the sidewalks, if all I have to view is auto repair shops or fast food frontages, then the incentive to walk is absent. Give me some store windows with enticing displays! And that, of course, also implies, give us stores that are an alternative to having to go to the mall to buy shoes or a par-

ty outfit.

I’ve always considered the neighborhoods of Sandy Springs the jewels of our crown. Our dedication to maintaining the current densities of the neighborhoods and the tree canopy, together with strong code enforcement, should safeguard them for future generations and certainly without any changes in the foreseeable years.

What transportation improveMUZEL CHEN ments can we count on for the future? Mayor Eva Galambos at Morgan Falls Overlook Park.

In five years I doubt that I-285 will be different yet, but possibly some express bus rimeter area. rapid transit (BRT) will already exist that Occasionally, I still hear the old complaint makes it easier to get from Cumberland to from some homeowners about our accomPerimeter. modating commuters from Cobb or DeKalb My preferred alternative is BRT, because counties who clog our streets and roads to it is more flexible than a fixed rail line, can be access their jobs. Indeed this was voiced rechanged if travel patterns change and costs a lot cently as we adopted the North Fulton Transless than fixed rail. Of course we would like this portation Plan that includes the widening of BRT to include some portion of our downtown Hammond Drive. My answer to these comand possibly use a widened Hammond Drive to plaints is, “Thank goodness for the employers in access the major employment centers in the Pe- our area that attract residents from other parts of the metro area. That is a net gain for us and helps our tax base.”

Most folks understand that it is the healthy mix of office and commercial properties that helps pay the property bills to cover the service levels we all desire. We can’t have these welcome components of our tax base if we try to keep out the employees who need to travel to these destinations.

Certainly within the next five years we will add another park to our inventory of great green spaces. Morgan Falls Overlook Park has been a stunning success, and gives us the impetus to move forward. The linear park along both sides of the new Abernathy Road will offer additional green space and recreational space for Sandy Springs.

As finances permit, we plan to improve two more major sites: Morgan Falls at the River below the Dam, and the Lost Corner property donated to the city of Sandy Springs.

The fabulous utilization of Overlook Park by young and old alike is a model to which we aspire as we move to improve the other two sites. There is also the possibility of a new dog park in the southern part of Sandy Springs.

The indoor swimming pool, which has been high on my wish list from day one, will have to wait. As we have learned more about recreational possibilities, a public/private partnership to achieve this objective may prove to be the most practical route. We will keep trying.

During the past five years, we’ve received a lot of accolades and national recognition.

But to continue to rate among the most desirable places to live, we cannot rest on our laurels. I feel certain that together the residents and business community of Sandy Springs will keep our city in the top ranks.

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Cityhood for Sandy Springs five years ago was also the catalyst to launch the Sandy Springs Reporter. We’re proud to be the city’s newspaper, providing residents with local news, information and features about the people, places and organizations that make Sandy Springs a great place to live and work. We look forward to covering every milestone in the city’s history for years to come.

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Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

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Eva Galambos is in her second four-year term as the mayor of Sandy Springs.

Sandy Springs at Five

Downtown redevelopment demands an upscale way of thinking

By Rusty Paul We told you so! That’s the obvious and human response to those critics who, over 35 years of opposition, argued that the city of Sandy Springs wouldn’t work or would be duplicative government.

I’d offer them a tour, showing off the more than 50 miles of resurfaced streets, the clean new sidewalks popping up across the community, the stunning view of Bull Sluice from the new Morgan Falls Overlook Park, the emerging Abernathy Greenway, the plans for upgrading Hammond Park and finishing up at Lost Corners, our next world-class opportunity. Those would never have happened without the city.

More importantly, I’d introduce them to the people I see at church, in stores, outside the post office and other places who, after five years, are still so amazingly enthused about what’s happening here.

However, we have so much more to accomplish to waste time on “I told you so’s.”

Yet, after a five-year start that has astounded even our most ardent advocates, what’s next? First, we must continue up-

grading an infrastructure that weathered 35 years of neglect.

The city is managing that problem reasonably well.

Second, while the current economic climate has obviously slowed our effort, we must redevelop and reshape “downtown Sandy Springs.”

That’s a more difficult challenge.

We’re one of the most affluent communities in the Rusty Paul country, with a per capita income rivaling Manhattan, Beverly Hills or San Francisco. Downtown Sandy Springs resembles none of those (nor do we want it to).

Yet, to achieve a redevelopment that serves our community rather than blights it, we must also redefine Sandy Springs in the minds of retailers and others who thrive in a downtown setting. While some properties have been spruced up, many existing buildings can’t support the kind of retail that attracts in significant numbers either San-

dy Springs shoppers or those from outside the city.

To foster redevelopment, we must persuade property owners that investing in new facilities will generate higher rents from higher-end tenants and that Sandy Springs residents will support those tenants.

Meanwhile, many retailers are leery of the Sandy Springs market.

For example, we have a reputation among the region’s restaurateurs for not supporting fine dining establishments. They say we’ll go to Buckhead or Dunwoody for dinner, but rarely frequent similar establishments here. As a result, they categorize us as a neighborhood restaurant market, bypassing us when they expand.

Ditto for other higher-end retailers.

They say we’ll shop at Perimeter, Lenox or Phipps, but not here.

That makes little sense.

Do we have a chicken-and-egg dilemma? We don’t shop here because we can’t buy many things we want, yet retailers won’t come here because they regularly see us going elsewhere to buy them.

To hatch the egg, we must get both retailers and residents to rethink their perception of downtown Sandy Springs if we really want to take our community to the next level. We need a downtown that makes us proud – that we will frequent – and that will attract those businesses we want here.

It will take us all to create it.

Rusty Paul was a member of the first Sandy Springs City Council. He also has served in the state Senate. He now works with the Arnall, Golden and Gregory law firm.

Ackerman & Co. Brokerage | Development | Management | Investment

Plans, dreams, hopes create a proven model for other cities

By Sandy Springs City Councilman Tibby DeJulio

complishments that have been made in and for the city, all the benefits that our citizens have received. The $25 million we have in reserves are a real source of pride.

The most impressive thing is that the system we used worked. It has become a model for cities all over the country and around the world.

When I was in Boston receiving the award bestowed by the Pioneer Institute for our work with the publicprivate partnership, most of the other cities I encountered there were discussing their budget limitations and the shortfalls they were experiencing. I started my discussion by telling them how Sandy Springs had to cut its budget by almost $10 million this year, but yet passed a balanced budget in four weeks with no arguments. In fact, this year’s budget put additional funds into reserves for the future.

So, what am I most proud of about the city of Sandy Springs? The thing I’m most proud of is the fact that we are able to show the world that you can run a city of almost 100,000 with a balanced budget, prepare for the future and not have to spend money you don’t have or raise taxes. All of this was accomplished with a mayor and City Council who are not career politicians.

That’s the story we need to get out to the rest of the cities, counties, states and our federal government. We’ve learned to live within our means. There’s no reason others can’t do the same thing.

Sandy Springs, a dream of more than 20 years, became a reality on Dec. 1, 2005.

Since 1987, working with Eva [Galambos], we traveled down to the state Capitol to attend more hearings than I ever want to remember. We were convinced that Sandy Springs could exist as an independent city. It could become a city that could make it on its own, improving the standard of living for its citizens, all within the taxes we were paying to Fulton Coun- Tibby DeJulio ty for local services.

You know something, we were right.

Three studies were done by the Vinson Institute of the University of Georgia, which proved to be right also. We were able to achieve what we set out to do. Establish a city based on a public-private partnership. It would become the largest non-federal contract government in the country.

When people ask me what has surprised me the most in the city of Sandy Springs, I tell them it’s not how well it has worked, but how much better it has worked then we even hoped it would. We had a plan, we had a dream, we had hope. All these dreams worked out better than our expectations.

We can look at the miles of roads repaved, the number of roads that have been rebuilt, the protection we receive from one of the finest police, fire & EMS teams in the state. We can admire our new 911 system and its improved response times to our Tibby DeJulio was among the members of citizens. the first Sandy Springs City Council. He is in And, we do. We brag about all the ac- his second term and represents District 5.

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Sandy Springs at Five

From public safety to recreation, progress visible everywhere

By Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Diane Fries It is hard for me to believe that it has been five years since cityhood was established, and what a wonderful city it is.

If I had to pick one thing that I am most proud of, I think it would be the innovative public-private partnership we developed for the city of Sandy Springs. Our model has been looked at by businesses and governments all over the world and has proven to be the most cost-effective and efficient way to run a municipality.

A very close second is our public safety departments, from our state-of-the-art ChatComm (911 Center) to our outstanding police and fire departments. Not only do we have spectacular, responsive personnel but

they have been so engaged turf soccer field. We have done with the community. That’s considerable updating to the something we have not seen Tennis Center and Hammond in our community in 30 years.

Park, installed a large AstroWhat we have accomturf field at Hammond Park as plished in our short five years well as a new playground. The is mindboggling to me. We addition of a bathroom facilihave resurfaced 95 miles of ty at Big Trees is under design. the city’s 360 miles of roads, Sandy Springs did not stop installed 7 miles of new sidethere – the Morgan Falls ball walks, with 24 sidewalk projfields have been totally rebuilt ects in either design or conwith new baseball fields, footstruction, and completed Diane Fries ball fields, playground, weathseveral intersection improveer-safe dugouts, bleachers and ments, with several more a beautiful athletic building planned. That is pretty tough to top by any- with a concessions and press box. one’s standards.

You would think that was enough in five Then you have our wonderful parks! We short years, but no. In addition to all of these have revamped Allen Park with an artificial accomplishments there was the opening of

our fabulous Morgan Falls Overlook Park just above the Morgan Falls dam. This park is really a gem. There is a large playground, hiking trails, grass lawn, a large pavilion, fire pit, historic chimney and many relaxing bench swings overlooking the beautiful Chattahoochee River.

It has been a short five years but this city has been extremely busy, as you can see. It has been an honor to be part of this development and I expect the next five years to be even more exciting. The parks are full, the streets are clean and I am proud to be a Sandy Springer!

Happy birthday to the City of Sandy Springs and its community.

Diane Fries was among the members of the first Sandy Springs City Council. She is in her second term and represents District 2.

In businesslike city, taxes pay for improvements, not for payroll

By Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Ashley Jenkins I sent an e-mail out the other day asking, “Does the whole city feel like it is under construction?”

In the body of the e-mail, I listed all of the road projects, sidewalk projects, park projects and stormwater projects that were currently being constructed within the city limits.

As I reviewed the list, I realized that the thing that makes me most proud is that we are able to do all of this infrastructure work with the same tax rate as we had before we became a city. This is in addition to having a fantastic police, fire and 911 system.

I believe that our city’s greatest accomplishments are the benefits derived from our outsourcing model for day-to-day operations

and our defined contribution porarily. When we needed to package for public safety emstaff down due to the econoployees (essentially, a 401k my and lack of new permits system). It is these structurcoming through, the private al differences that set Sandy company allowed us to do so Springs apart and allow us to with no severance costs or fuhave the resources available to ture indebtedness. When the improve infrastructure at such city decides to add enhanced a rapid pace. services such as additionThe outsourcing modal mowing, we go out to the el for day-to-day operations market for the best price. means that there are no enMarket competition will trenched public employees always provide a better valwho exist just to have some- Ashley Jenkins ue for the taxpayer than enone on the payroll. Everyone trenched public employees. is a necessary employee performing a value- Citizens can see these savings everyday reinadded job. vested in their roads, sidewalks and parks.

When the city needed to staff up tempoOur public safety employees have the rarily for a flood of zonings in 2005-2006, same retirement plan as any business person the private company allowed us to do so tem- does; a 401k system. There is not going to be

a crushing burden on future taxpayers for an out-of-control benefit system for public employees.

Sandy Springs operates as a business, not as a traditional government. The mayor and council have been united in this approach since inception, and my hope is that future mayors and councils will continue to see the benefits derived from this approach. The savings that Sandy Springs taxpayers reap from this model will continue to be visible in our roads, parks, sidewalks, stormwater and city center.

Is the whole city under construction? Yes, and my hope is that it will continue to be improved.

Ashley Jenkins was among the members of the first Sandy Springs City Council. She is in her second term and represents District 4.

Five years of accomplishments produce better quality of life fund the city’s start-up operation, and the Fire response service has been augment$19.8 million currently in our “rainy-day” ed in the southwest district of Sandy Springs savings fund. through the automatic response agreement Our 99,771 city residents can be proud Capital improvements for with the city of Atlanta Fire of their city’s highly efficient service delivery “quality-of-life” issues inDepartment‘s Station 21 on through privatization of government services. clude 105 miles of resurfaced Northside Drive, and the city The Reason Foundation recognized the /reconstructed roads and increased our emergency medcity of Sandy Springs as the national proto- 6.9 miles of sidewalks; new ical ambulance service by two type of the private-public partnership, a ve- parks (Lost Corner, Morgan additional ambulances durhicle which outsources most employees to Falls Overlook and Abernaing peak times and one addithe private sector. thy Linear); upgrades to the tional during off-peak periods We operate with fewer employees than Morgan Falls ball fields and to maintain an 8-minute recomparable cities. With police and fire per- upgrades to Hammond Park sponse time. sonnel included, the Sandy Springs person- and the Sandy Springs tennis John Sawhill, former nel ratio is 3.73 per 1,000 residents. Accord- center. The Roswell Road president of the Nature Coning to a survey of Georgia cities compiled by commute time in 2009 deservancy, said, “For in the the state of Georgia , East Point has a ratio of creased 17 minutes from end, our society will be de12.9; Gainesville, 10.8; Peachtree City, 7.3; 2007 as a result of the traf- Karen Meinzen McEnerny fined not by what we create, and Woodstock, 7.1. That savings in salary fic-management center and but by what we refuse to deand benefit costs falls directly to the bottom its ability to control the timing of the traf- stroy.” I am pleased to have worked with line to be spent on the infrastructure (capital fic signals via fiber optic cable. the community to save the 1835 William improvements) needs, all without raising our Public safety has been enhanced. The and Sarah Power chimney at the new Mor4.731 millage rate. number of police officers has increased from gan Falls Overlook Park in 2009, when it Since 2007, city-funded capital improve- 42 prior to incorporation to 140 today; Chat- was learned the city’s original plans were to ments have totaled more than $113 million Comm, a joint enterprise with Johns Creek, demolish it and use its stones as a fire pit. at an average of $22.6 million per year . This brought emergency dispatch “in house” an- It’s now the focal point of our new Morgan is on top of repaying the $10 million tax an- swering calls within 10 seconds 94.3 percent Falls Overlook Park. ticipation note taken out Dec. 1, 2005, to of the time.

Our residential neighborhoods were 12 Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010 www.reporternewspapers.net

By Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Karen Meinzen McEnerny

spared additional tree canopy loss, further stream and water quality degradation and higher densities on existing lots when “flag lots,” which allowed increased density of development, were eliminated in 2007.

Going forward we must continue to measure the effectiveness of the tree ordinance to ensure its 30 percent replacement canopy target is in fact being accomplished. Adequate funding for storm water management will prevent the silting up of our streams. We always need more neighborhood sidewalks.

But with our financially prudent budgeting, your city can meet those needs while growing the relevance of our city center to include our City Hall.

I am honored by the support of our citizenry and the faith they place in us to protect their families, their quality of life and to encourage balanced growth as the underpinning of a strong business community and the jobs it provides … all without raising taxes.

Karen Meinzen McEnerny was among the members of the first Sandy Springs City Council. She is in her second term and represents District 6.

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Sandy Springs at Five

Colorful turtles take to the streets and a new city symbol is born

By Joe Earle joeearle@reporternewspapers.net They could have been salamanders.

That was Jan Collins’ first idea. After all, she had seen salamanders living in the springs that gave Sandy Springs its name, so they seemed a natural subject for the public art project she and others were trying to organize for the community back in 2004.

But when someone pointed out that salamanders seemed, well, a tad unattractive, Collins and others with the Sandy Springs Society decided the painted statues should be turtles.

And a city symbol was born.

In the summer of 2005, 75 colorful turtles walked the streets of Sandy Springs. The Fiberglass turtles, decorated by artists, filled Sandy Springs’ public spaces with imaginative images ranging from a cowboy turtle to one bearing a portrait of Marilyn Monroe.

“It was just the most glorious sight you have ever seen,” Collins said. “People came in droves from all over to see the turtles.”

Coincidentally, Sandy Springs was about to become a city. After decades of trying, city boosters in 2005 finally won

legislative approval for a public referendum on whether to create a new city.

Voters overwhelmingly endorsed the new city. The turtles’ timing was perfect. For some, they came to symbolize Sandy Springs’ slow-but-steady progress toward incorporation.

“The icing on the cake was the referendum for the city,” Collins said. “Everybody said, ‘We know why you chose the turtle now. It’s because of the story of the turtle and the hare.’”

The 75 turtles went on display on April 1, 2005, Collins said, and most were removed that fall. About 50 were sold at auction. The sale netted more than $500,000, Collins said, and the money paid for the entertainment lawn at Heritage Green and helped Sandy Springs buy parkland.

Collins said about 25 turtles still greet passersby in Sandy Springs. Some of them stand in conspicuous places –in the parking lots of shopping centers or alongside Roswell Road, for instance. Others stand guard in subdivisions. To find a list of locations of the remaining turtles, check with Sandy Springs Hospitality & Tourism. They have a brochure mapping the turtles.

“The turtles did untold good,” Collin said. “It was just a joyous event.”

CHRISTOPHER NORTH

SEA TO SHINING SEA TURTLE Location: Heritage Sandy Springs

CHRISTOPHER NORTH

“SEE” TURTLE Location: 5380 Roswell Road

SANDY AND THE CHILDREN. Location: Heritage Green 14

Sandy Springs at Five - Dec. 3, 2010

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CHRISTOPHER NORTH

MARY J Location: City Walk

ALL SEASONS Location: The Prado

EVERYBODY’S TURF-TLE Location: Parkside Shops

PHIL MOSIER

JOE EARLE

JOE EARLE

Sandy Springs at Five

CHRISTOPHER NORTH

TITIAN TURTLE, left, and SOAP BOX TURTLE. Location: Sandy Springs Regional Library

Friendly Neighborhood Banking

CHRISTOPHER NORTH

SPARKY Location: Sandy Springs fire station at the corner of Johnson Ferry Road & Sandy Springs Circle

Happy Fifth Year Sandy Springs Just The Beginning

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DOWNTOWN DECATUR 678.553.1480

SANDY SPRINGS 678.553.3500

MT. PARAN / BUCKHEAD 404.601.1250

404-843-8002 6125 Roswell Road‌ In The heart Of Sandy Springs

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