Chatt Hills News ~ August 2025

Official Publication of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, GA

Issue 8 Volume 6 www.chatthillsga.us

CHATT HILLS NEWS AUGUST 2025

Features

Events

Arts in Chatt Hills

City Government

Our Community Page 3

What’s Happening Locally?

Page 12

Local Artists Page 16

Stay Informed Page 23

Photo by Cole and Amber McElwaney

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MAYOR TOM REED

A Few August Thoughts from the Mayor’s Desk It’s been a full summer in Chatt Hills—budget passed, big votes ahead, and great community energy moving through the city. Before we head into fall, here are a few lighter items worth sharing: The Chatt Hills Photo Contest is open—and we’re loving the entries! Every year, this contest reminds us just how much beauty surrounds us, and just how much talent lives here. We’ve seen misty morning meadows, vibrant market scenes, horses in motion, dogs in costume, and a few accidental masterpieces. Whether you’re using a fancy lens or your phone’s portrait mode, this is your chance to show off what you love most about living here. Photos will be used in city communications and on the website, and winners will be celebrated publicly. You can find all the details on the city’s website.

Episode 14 of We Chatt is now live! If you haven’t caught an episode yet, the We Chatt podcast is worth a listen. It’s smart, engaging, and a great way to hear from folks across the city about what’s happening—and why.

Whether you’re tuning in while walking our gravel roads or enjoying your morning coffee, it’s one more way to stay connected to the voices shaping our future.

Hyper-local weather, thanks to Station 51! Real-time wind speed, UV index, air quality, and more are now available straight from the roof of our own fire station. Thanks to a partnership with Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management, the WeatherBug app now gives Chatt Hills its own hyper-local reporting. It’s a genuinely useful tool, and I use it regularly to check on weather here and where family lives. Try it out: WeatherBug Chattahoochee Hills.

Lost or found a dog? We've got it covered. Just a quick reminder that if you’ve lost a pet—or found one— calling 911 gets you the fastest response. Our officers can coordinate with FC Animal Control, pick up strays, scan for chips, and work with our partners at CoCo’s Cupboard as appropriate for safe housing and care. It’s one of the small things we do that really matters.

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Our next Work Session and Council Meeting will be held on August 5th. Agendas will be posted in advance and meetings are streamed online—but if you can, come join us in person. Some of the most meaningful conversations still happen in person, face-to-face in the Council Chamber.

As always, we welcome your thoughtful and constructive feedback. Just remember: your elected leaders are working hard to balance many priorities—not just the loudest voices, but the long- and short-term needs of the whole city. We’re guided by law, process, the vision laid out in our comprehensive plans, and by a shared desire to protect what makes this place special.

I’ve once again been invited to join the Atlanta Regional Commission’s annual LINK trip—this year, to Washington, D.C. It’ll be my 10th time attending, and I’ll be representing Chattahoochee Hills as the smallest city at the table. The LINK trip brings together elected officials, business leaders, and civic innovators from across the entire Atlanta region to explore solutions to shared challenges. While I may not represent the largest tax base or population, I continue to be included because of our city’s unique planning model, long-range vision, and reputation for thinking outside the box. It’s always a powerful reminder that even small cities can help shape regional conversations, especially when we speak clearly, act intentionally, and plan for the long game.

Stay cool and be safe!

Mayor Tom Reed

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Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY Sumo Bots at Honeybee

Uncaged Adults and Free-Range Kids Collide (Gently) in Robot Showdown At Honeybee@Serenbe—the makerspace and gallery beneath the home of Jeff and Lisa Smith—ten teams gathered on a June weekend to build, program, and battle autonomous LEGO sumo robots. The event, hosted by ChattHills.ai, brought together free-range kids, uncaged adults, and plenty of curious neighbors to learn and laugh in equal measure.

Each team had just a few hours to transform a basic LEGO kit into a smart, self-driving sumo bot. Using downward-facing color sensors to avoid the edge, and sonar to detect rivals, the bots squared off in a three-foot ring with only one rule: stay inside and push others out. No remote controls—just code, strategy, and creativity.

While many teams included parents and kids, others were adult-first-timers teaming up for fun. Deborah Kalish, who sparked the idea, entered alongside Rusty Zarse, and together they joined the fray with no prior robotics experience. Nine-year-old Amos Hadler confidently led his family team through the heats, while Ben, Charlie, and Ziggy Hoffman walked away with both a top finish and “Best Costume” honors. Over 40 spectators turned out to cheer, tinker, and join in the final rounds.

Special thanks to Myra and Myles Monreal for organizing the LEGO stations and keeping the action running smoothly, and to the ChattHills.ai FIRST LEGO League alumni—Elijah, Ondine, Quinn, Myles, and Golden—for mentoring the new builders.

ChattHills.ai is a local community meetup exploring what some are calling The New Renaissance—where technology, nature, and art converge. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. (in person or on Zoom) to learn AI, program bots, discuss emerging technologies, and imagine what’s next—together.

Want to learn AI, build something, or join the conversation? Join the ChattHills.ai Discord or Facebook group, or text Jeff Smith at 214‑435‑6999 to get connected.

Photos by Peter Clemens

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Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY Soil Health is Human Health

By Jeff Tkach, CEO of Rodale Institute

As I reflect on my personal health journey, it’s hard not to draw a straight line from the food I ate growing up to where I am today. Food has always been central to my wellbeing.

But it wasn’t until I became an adult, and sick with a disease that went undiagnosed for many months, that I fully grasped the power of food to either nourish or harm.

During that extremely difficult period in my life, trapped in a cycle of inconclusive tests and debilitating symptoms, I came to understand food as medicine and realized that the way our food is grown impacts not just our bodies, but also the ecosystems that sustain us.

As the CEO of Rodale Institute, I believe now more than ever that soil health is human health. The land is a living, breathing organism that must be fed and cared for, just like us. When we feed the land, it feeds us. Although Rodale Institute is 78 years old and the birthplace of the modern organic movement, we maintain a start-up mentality: ambitious, forward-thinking, and focused on accelerating regenerative organic agriculture across the country.

We’ve set a bold goal to transition one million acres of farmland to regenerative organic by 2035. Why? Because how we grow food is deeply connected to rising rates of chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

It’s time to make a change.

Damage the soil, damage ourselves The current state of industrial agriculture in America is alarming. This system prioritizes high yields, chemical inputs, and monocropping at the expense of human and environmental health. Modern farming depends on synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, many of which have been linked to serious health concerns. Studies show people exposed to these chemicals, whether through agricultural work or food consumption, face higher risks of cancer, neurological disorders, and other illnesses. This is not a theoretical concern, it’s a public health crisis. Exposure to synthetic pesticides has been linked to increased rates of leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and prostate cancer.

These chemicals may boost short-term yields, but they degrade our soil, kill beneficial microorganisms, and upset the natural balance of ecosystems. When we damage the 4

soil, we damage our food and ourselves. Many of these chemicals also seep into waterways, polluting communities far beyond the farm.

A better way forward But there is a better way forward: regenerative organic agriculture. This holistic approach prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration. Unlike conventional farming, regenerative organic methods avoid synthetic chemicals and instead build the natural fertility and resilience of the land. It starts with soil, rebuilding soil health through techniques like crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting. These methods increase organic matter in the soil, which helps it store carbon, retain water, and support microbial life. Healthy soil produces nutrient-dense crops, which nourish the animals and people who consume them.

The benefits go beyond soil. Regenerative organic farms foster biodiversity, protect pollinators, and restore natural habitats. This isn’t just about growing food, it’s about restoring balance to our environment and improving public health.

There’s a direct link between food and health. When we eat food grown with synthetic chemicals, we ingest substances that can contribute to chronic disease. But when we eat food grown in healthy, organic soil, we’re fueling our bodies with the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants they need to thrive. In this way, food becomes medicine.

I’ve seen this firsthand. Since changing my diet to organic foods, my energy, health, and well-being have dramatically improved. That mysterious illness? It was re-

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solved with dietary and lifestyle changes. I farmed my body back to health. And I’m not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic diseases that may be linked to our food system. The evidence is clear. Our farming practices must change if we want to improve soil health and human health.

Yet there’s a major hurdle: Less than 1% of U.S. farmland is USDA-certified organic, even though consumer demand for organic food is growing rapidly. Transitioning to regenerative organic farming requires commitment, training, and investment, but it’s an effort we can’t afford to delay.

The benefits are clear, regenerative organic farming restores our soil, improves health outcomes, and protects our environment for future generations. But we need

more than a few dedicated farmers to make this vision a reality. We need widespread adoption, public investment, and strong policy support. Farmers, policymakers, and consumers must come together to build a food system that prioritizes health, sustainability, and resilience.

The current food system is broken, but we can fix it.

By supporting regenerative organic agriculture, we ensure that our food nourishes our bodies and sustains the land.

At Rodale Institute, the farm continues to teach us about reciprocity, nourishment, and connection. We are all stewards of the land and the food that we eat from it. It’s time for America to make the transition to a healthier, more regenerative food system—for our health and our future.

USPS Palmetto Facility Under Renewed Scrutiny Following Inspector General Audit Palmetto, GA – The Palmetto Regional Processing and Distribution Center (RPDC), the United States Postal Service’s central mail hub for the Atlanta area, is once again in the spotlight following a damning July 2025 audit released by the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG). The report raises serious concerns about the facility’s efficiency, infrastructure, and overall reliability—issues that have plagued the site since its consolidation began in early 2023.

The audit describes the Palmetto RPDC as being “one adverse event away from gridlock,” citing critical design flaws, poor layout, and ineffective oversight. Nearly 20% of scheduled employees fail to report for duty on a given day, the audit found, contributing to delays, safety lapses, and low morale. Despite recent efforts to improve mail service, the facility continues to perform below national standards.

This isn't the first time the Palmetto RPDC has drawn scrutiny. In March 2024, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff sent a formal letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding answers regarding missing and delayed mail impacting residents and businesses across Georgia. Since then, the USPS has made limited progress, despite the facility becoming a cornerstone in its national consolidation plan.

Adding to the pressure, U.S. Representative Andrew Clyde introduced the Postal Service Transparency and Review Act in April 2025, aimed at increasing oversight and reversing some of the USPS’s recent operational changes.

Clyde called the Palmetto consolidation “botched” and cited it as a case study in poor planning and execution.

The OIG’s audit uncovered over $16 million in “questioned costs,” further raising concerns about mismanagement. With mail delays affecting everything from prescription deliveries to legal notices, the facility’s shortcomings have sparked bipartisan concern.

Despite these setbacks, USPS officials maintain that the Palmetto RPDC is a key component of their broader effort to modernize the nation’s mail distribution system.

However, stakeholders across Georgia are calling for urgent reforms before confidence in the Postal Service erodes further.

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Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY Isaac Rodriguez

Three Hearts Farm Barn Quilt

By Laurie Searle

A side trail has been created of barn quilts we’ve painted for nearby neighbors of Chatt Hills who were inspired by our trail.

The newest addition to the side trail features a barn quilt called “Home is Where the Heart Is,” located at Three Hearts Farm, located at 4328 Roscoe Rd, Newnan, GA 30263.

As you travel a country mile south of Chattahoochee Hills and round the bend on Roscoe Rd, a breathtaking farm emerges, perfectly positioned to capture the heart with its idyllic charm.

Known as Three Hearts Farm, this charming property is the home of Meredith Wilson, who, after raising her family there, now co-hosts painting workshops in The Studio School at Three Hearts Farm.

When selecting a barn quilt design, Meredith knew it had to have heart, so she chose a traditional star pattern and requested a large heart in the middle. She named it “Home is Where the Heart Is" in honor of this special place.

For more photos and the host's heritage story, visit: https://www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com/three-hearts...

For a map of the 52 barn quilts on the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail, visit: https://www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com/tour-the-trail.html

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Meet Isaac Rodriguez — a bright and driven nine-year-old third grader from Palmetto Elementary in Palmetto, Georgia.

He lives in the City of Chattahoochee Hills and is on his way to attend a leadership program at Emory University. This year is particularly exciting for Isaac, as he’s been invited back after participating last year — a clear reflection of his outstanding potential.

Isaac proudly shared that he tutors fourth-grade students who need a little extra help — an impressive display of leadership and generosity for someone his age. He also has a true love for math.

Isaac is an extraordinary young leader with a bright future ahead. We’re wishing him continued success as he heads back to Emory — and beyond!

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Farmland to Farmstands ~ A Land of Love ~ New Exhibit at City Hall

By Chris Montesinos, AICP

The Ancient Rift Beneath Us The Brevard Fault and the Shaping of the Chattahoochee Hill Country

A Rift in Deep Time The Brevard Fault originated during the Paleozoic Era, nearly 500 million years ago, as tectonic plates collided and fractured the land during the assembly of supercontinents like Rodinia and Pangaea. The intense pressure and shifting landmasses created deep zones of weakness, metamorphism, and shearing. Over time, the Brevard Fault became a major strike-slip fault, accommodating horizontal movement between different geological terrains.

Here in the Chattahoochee Hill Country, this ancient fault helped shape the transition zone between the Piedmont and the Appalachian Ridge and Valley provinces. The land’s dramatic shift—from the undulating red clay hills of Georgia to the folded ridgelines near Alabama—owes much to this deep structural boundary. While not active in the seismic sense today, the fault has left a lasting legacy in the rock record and in the very contours of the land.

Beneath the rolling pastures, hardwood forests, and quiet ridges of the Chattahoochee Hill Country lies a powerful, ancient scar in the Earth’s crust: the Brevard Fault Zone. Though invisible to the eye, this massive fault system— stretching over 300 miles from Alabama to North Carolina—has quietly influenced the topography, ecology, and even human settlement patterns of western Georgia for hundreds of millions of years.

In Chattahoochee Hills, this fault is more than just geology—it’s the bedrock of the story itself.

Shaping the Chattahoochee Hill Country

The mountains making up the Appalachian Chain are the same mountains in the Scottish Highlands and the Scandinavian Range in Norway.

From Bedrock to Biodiversity

The Brevard Fault’s influence on Chattahoochee Hills is subtle yet profound. As the Earth fractured, metamorphosed rock zones formed along the fault, creating narrow valleys and ridgelines that helped funnel rivers, define watersheds, and shape ecological boundaries. It’s no coincidence that the Chattahoochee River, which carves through this region, flows along or near this fault line for part of its course. In places, the river’s alignment reflects underlying structural weaknesses created by the fault’s presence.

Fault zones often harbor a rich diversity of soil types, microclimates, and habitats, and the Brevard Fault is no exception. Along its path through Chattahoochee Hills, it contributes to the mosaic of plant and animal life that defines this unique region. Variations in rock types and erosion patterns create ecological niches—wetlands tucked between hills, drier ridges perfect for hardwoods and pines, and creeks that spring from fractured bedrock.

This geologic architecture gave rise to distinctive landforms—rolling topography, well-drained ridges, and fertile floodplains—that made the area attractive to early Indigenous peoples, settlers, and now modern conservationists and developers who value both its beauty and its natural resilience.

This geological foundation has enabled Chattahoochee Hills to maintain a distinct identity, both geologically and ecologically, even as metro Atlanta sprawled outward. The city’s commitment to 70% land conservation is in many ways a continuation of the land’s ancient story: a place formed by powerful forces, preserved by thoughtful stewardship.

A Living Landscape with Deep Roots

The Sleeping Giant — Seismic Calm in the Brevard Fault The Brevard Fault Zone, a relic of the Appalachian mountainbuilding era, is considered geologically inactive today. Though it once played a major role in shaping the Southeast's terrain, its last known movement occurred around 185 million years ago. Modern science classifies it as a passive fault, meaning it poses no current seismic threat. Despite its dramatic past, the Brevard Fault is silent—an ancient scar embedded in the Earth’s crust with no indication of reawakening.

While the Brevard Fault itself remains dormant, minor earthquakes occasionally occur in the broader North Georgia region. These tremors are linked to other fault systems, such as the East Tennessee and Sinclaire Seismic Zones, not the Brevard Fault.

According to experts and geological studies, these quakes are typically low in magnitude and present minimal risk. For the communities of Chattahoochee Hills and surrounding areas, the Brevard Fault is more a geological point of interest than a public safety concern—a quiet monument to Earth’s distant past.

To walk through Chattahoochee Hills is to walk across a time-worn seam of the continent. It’s a landscape shaped not only by wind and water, but by continental collisions and the restless dance of the Earth’s crust. The Brevard Fault lies hidden beneath the surface, but its legacy is written in every ridge, every valley, every bend of the river.

In the story of Chattahoochee Hills, the Brevard Fault is not just a geological feature—it is a silent architect, a deep memory, and a reminder that even the most peaceful landscapes rest upon dynamic histories.

Chattahoochee Hills lies at the confluence of the once North American and African Continental Shelves of the Pangea supercontinent. Rock formations, especially on the north sided of the river, show signs of extreme pressure to the point that it is difficult to determine their minerality.

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Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY Is It Safe to Swim in the Chattahoochee?

New Tools Bring Real-Time Water Quality Data to Georgia Communities ATLANTA, GA – As Georgia residents seek relief from the summer heat in rivers and lakes, a groundbreaking combination of grassroots monitoring and cutting-edge technology helping to ensure safe access to clean recreational waters across the state.

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) launched its first-ever Swim Guide this summer, offering weekly water quality updates from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Using a simple green check mark or red X to indicate whether E. coli levels meet EPA standards, the guide is powered by data from over 300 volunteers sampling locations along the Chattahoochee River. The results are posted every Friday on CRK’s website, giving the public an accessible tool to evaluate swim safety — especially after rainy days, when bacteria levels tend to rise.

Water quality in the Chattahoochee has improved dramatically over the decades, with bacteria levels 80% lower than in the 1970s thanks to major infrastructure upgrades.

Still, temporary spikes in contamination, often caused by stormwater runoff or sewage leaks, remain a concern.

To further support water safety, a research team from Kennesaw State University and Morehouse College, in

partnership with the City of Chattahoochee Hills and the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, has launched an ambitious initiative: the Intelligent Bacteria Forecast System.

Funded by a public interest research grant, the project combines real-time monitoring with AI-driven forecasting to predict spikes in bacteria contamination before they occur.

“Our goal is water equity — ensuring that all communities, especially those historically underserved, have access to clean, safe water for recreation,” said Dr. Ahyoung Lee, lead researcher on the project. “By using predictive technology, we can help communities take action before waterborne illnesses become a risk.”

The intelligent forecast system will be integrated into a mobile app, allowing users to check not just current bacteria levels but also projected risks based on weather and water conditions.

Meanwhile, the Georgia River Guide app continues to expand its features and river coverage, providing users with access points, water flow data, fishing permits, shuttle services, and more — all tied to real-time environmental information from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Together, these efforts mark a new era in public access to water safety information — bringing peace of mind to swimmers, paddlers, and families across Georgia.

For more information contact Chris Montesinos City of Chattahoochee Hills, cmontesinos@chatthillsga.us.

Photo by Chris Montesinos

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Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY

Ray C. Anderson Foundation to Sunset Operations by 2030, Accelerating Climate Action in Final Five Years The Ray C. Anderson Foundation, one of the leading philanthropic voices for environmental sustainability in the Southeast, has announced plans to sunset all operations

by December 31, 2030. In a bold shift from the traditional philanthropic model, the Foundation will focus its remaining years on accelerating its impact through four cornerstone initiatives aligned with its mission to reverse global warming.

“Rather than exist in perpetuity, we’ve chosen to ‘lean in’ now—when the climate crisis demands urgency,” said Executive Director Kim Cobb. “This next chapter is about making the strongest possible impact with the resources we have.”

Four Core Focus Areas Through 2030: • The Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business at Georgia Tech will continue advancing education and innovation in corporate sustainability.

• The Ray of Hope Accelerator, in partnership with the Biomimicry Institute, will scale nature-inspired startups that address systemic environmental challenges.

• Drawdown Georgia will drive statewide solutions to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, fostering community-based climate action.

• The Ray, a pioneering 18-mile stretch of I-85 in West Georgia, will expand its role as a living laboratory for clean transportation, biodiversity, and regenerative infrastructure.

Public engagement will be scaled back during this period. The Foundation’s beloved RayDay event will be paused in 2025 and 2026, with the possibility of one final celebration before 2030 to honor Ray Anderson’s enduring legacy.

Ray Anderson, founder of Interface, Inc., inspired the Foundation’s mission through his visionary work in sustainable business. His influence continues through Interface’s goal to become carbon negative by 2040 and the Foundation’s investments in bold, replicable models for change.

As the Foundation approaches its sunset, its board— comprised entirely of Anderson family members—is actively working to transition its initiatives to new partners to ensure long-term impact beyond 2030.

For more information, visit www.raycandersonfoundation.org.

NO MORE

With more than $36 million in grants distributed since its inception in 2012, the Foundation has chosen to move beyond the 5% payout model and spend down its assets strategically to build lasting, scalable solutions.

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OUR COMMUNITY Help Your Garden Deal with Heat

By Anne Dries

The heat from mid-July to mid-September can be hard on our Georgia gardens, but it can be managed with attention and some simple strategies.

Monitor rainfall totals. Most gardens need at least 1 inch of rain per week to survive. The best way to keep track is with a rain gauge in your garden. Otherwise, there are a lot of apps and websites that provide rainfall totals by ZIP code that can give you an estimate. If you get less than 1 inch of rain in 7 days, you likely need to supplement rainfall with watering and/or irrigation.

Walk through the garden every few days and look for plants that are showing signs of heat stress, such as wilting, browning, and die-back. Pay particular attention to plants planted within the last year. Don’t forget to check on your trees and shrubs. They are your biggest investment in the garden, leave a big gap if they die, and are expensive to replace.

If you have plants that are consistently showing signs of heat stress, take one or more of the following steps: • Do a deep watering of the plant either before or after the heat of the day. Water the roots underneath the plant until the soil is saturated. If it is a large tree or shrub, consider using a soaker hose to slowly and deeply water the plant over an extended period. Repeat every few days until rainfall or irrigation catches up.

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Top up your mulch in areas where it may be thin.

Mulch helps soil retain moisture, and a 2–3-inch layer is ideal. Keep the mulch away from the trunk or main stems to maintain good air flow.

Add a 1-inch layer of mushroom compost under the mulch around a plant. Mushroom compost is full of microscopic fungi that deliver water from the soil to a plant’s roots. Adding this type of compost to soil allows the plant to more efficiently absorb water from rainfall, irrigation or hand watering. To install, pull back the mulch from the plant in a circle about the same size of the plant above the ground (i.e. the dripline of the plant). Add 1 inch of mushroom compost inside

that circle on top of the soil and then pull the mulch back over the compost. This is particularly good for trees and shrubs that might be planted in a bit more sun than they might prefer. My Japanese maples love the mushroom compost treatment, and I add more compost every 2-3 years.

Anne Dries is an experienced garden consultant and a Georgia Certified Plant Professional. Reach out to Anne at abdries@gmail.com if you are interested in a garden consultation.

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Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY Quinoa & Black Bean Salad

By Mary Collins-Shepard

Serves 4-6 as a main dish or 8 as a side dish.

Ingredients: For the salad: 1 ½ cups quinoa 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed 1 ½ cups cooked fresh corn (about 2 large ears)or 1 can “Summer Crisp” ½ cup each, finely chopped green and red bell pepper 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño chilies, seeded and minced (wear rubber gloves) ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro For the dressing: 5 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 clove garlic, minced 1/3 cup olive oil

In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, salt and pepper, garlic and cumin. Add oil in a stream, whisking constantly.

Drizzle dressing over salad and toss well.

Preparation: In a medium saucepan, soak the quinoa for 5 minutes in enough water to cover. Drain well using a fine-mesh strainer and return to the pot. Add 2 ¼ cups water and ¼ tsp salt. Bring to a boil, cover with a tight fitting lid and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove quinoa from heat and let sit 5 minutes, covered. Fluff gently with a fork, transfer to a large bowl and cool to room temperature.

Alternately, for a fluffier quinoa, place the quinoa in a fine mesh sieve and rinse until water runs clear. Boil in 2 times its volume of salted boiling water (3 cups) for 10 minutes.

Drain in sieve and rinse under cold water. Set sieve over a pot of boiling water (quinoa should not touch water) and steam quinoa, covered with a kitchen towel and lid, until fluffy and dry, about 10 minutes. Transfer quinoa to a large bowl and cool.

Once cool, add beans, corn, bell pepper, jalapeños, and cilantro to the quinoa and toss well.

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Trending Topic

WEEKLY EVENTS Tues. 4-6pm on Farm Serenbe Farm Stand 10625 Serenbe Ln, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268

Tues. - Fri. 4-6pm The Hill Happy Hour 9110

Selborne Lane Featuring $5 Eats, $3 Beers, $10 Cocktails, and Half off Select Glasses of Wine

Wed. Farm Volunteer Day at Serenbe Farms Wed & Thurs. 3:30 pm Spring Kids Gardening Program at Serenbe Farms

Sat. 9am-1pm Farmers Market

Grange Green, Chatt Hills, GA 30268

Sat. 10-11am Goat Yoga

The Inn 10950 Hutchesons Ferry Rd, Chatt Hills Reservations required, $45 per person, for more info and reservations visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/serenbe-yoga-bodyworks-17254316632

Thurs. 4:45 pm BioCharger Happy Hour at Creek Retreat 11134 Serenbe Lane, Suite 100 Chatt

Sat. 10:30am Story Time

Hills (Free) includes Kava Seltzer (15 min / $22)

Birdhouse Coffee Room, 10625 Serenbe Ln Hills & Hamlets Bookshop & Birdhouse Coffee

Tues.-Thurs. 5-10pm & Fri. & Sat. 5-11pm Austin's Cocktailery & Kitchen

Sat. 11am-3pm Open Model Home Tours Mado/Overlook

Fri. 1pm Elevated BioCharger Stacked Session

Sat. 11:11am Community BioCharger Session at Creek Retreat (Free) 11134 Serenbe Lane, Suite

9110 Selborne Lane, Chatt Hills, GA 30268

11134 Serenbe Lane, Suite 100 Chatt Hills, (25 min / $20 per person) More information available at CreekRetreat.com 404-907-1914.

Fri. 4-6pm Serenbe Farm Stand 10640 Serenbe Lane Chatt Hills

Fri. & Sat. 5-8pm Blue Eyed Daisy Burger Night & Dinner 9065 Selborne Ln, Chatt Hills, GA 30268

Mon. - Fri. 8am - 3pm, Mon. Burger Night 5pm - 8pm, Fri. & Sat. Dinner Service 5pm-8pm, Sat. & Sun. 8am - 3pm. Call ahead for takeout: 770.463.8379

Fri. 6-8:30pm Farmhouse Music on the Porch 10950 Hutchesons Ferry Rd, Chatt Hills Live on the Farmhouse porch from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Reserve a table HERE

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100 Chatt Hills

Sat. 1:30pm Wine Flights at the Wineshop

9135 Selborne Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, GA Each week new wines will be featured and paired with light snacks. $40 per person, reserve a seat today for our 1:30pm or 3:30pm seating. https://serenbewineshop.com

Sat. 3:00pm Farm Tour at Serenbe Farms Sat. 4:00pm Wine Tastings - General Store

10642 Serenbe Lane, Chatt Hills Join Nadine to taste wines from around the globe every Saturday; $35/person with tasting notes and small bites.

Email nadine@generalstoreatserenbe.com with questions.

Sat. 9-11pm Austin's Jazz Nights 9110 Selborne Lane Suite 120, Chatt Hills Contact for more information and reservations: https://shorturl.at/JN2Ix

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Trending Topic

EVENTS

Serenbe Farms - Fall Kids Gardening Program

Bread Mobile ~ Every Saturday 9am - 1pm

Next to the General Store at Serenbe Want to sleep in or have Saturday plans, but still enjoy your favorite breads and pastries? Pre-order here: https://www.biancacavandi.com/bianca-cavandi-products.

Please place your order as early as possible. Friday and Saturday mornings are dedicated to shaping dough, baking, and getting everything ready for our Bread Mobile setup, so we may miss last-minute orders. Thank you for helping us to plan ahead!

A 10-week gardening program for ages 3–8, where kids will learn gardening skills while nurturing their own growing space.

August 27/28th through October 29/30th, Wednesday 3:30 - 4:30pm or Thursdays 3:30 - 4:30pm, $300 Each week will cover a different topic relating to soil health and vegetable production. The younger kids can expect an exploratory farm experience while the older kids will be doing more hands-on gardening activities.

Everyone will have an opportunity to plant a seed and nurture it to harvest.

Every lesson is developed to engage each student in exploring scientific and mathematical practices as well as creative activities such as building, crafting, storytelling, etc.

For more information: https:// serenbefarms.com/kids-gardeningprogram/10-week-kids-spring-gardening-program-j9y2m-7p3yt

A portion of the proceeds from these two coloring books will assist the non-profit organization – Possibilities Unlimited for Women, Inc. This organization helps women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence with utilities, gas, small items for their children, etc.

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Trending Topic

EVENTS

Birdhouse Coffee Room Thursday Tastings – $12, 12 – 1pm Sat. Story Time (with Hills and Hamlets Bookshop) 9:30 - 10:30am Birdhouse Coffee Room 470 756 5894, source@birdhousemarket.info 10625 Serenbe LN 30268, www.birdhousecoffeeroom.com

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XANADU is coming to The Art Farm at Serenbe! Oct 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19 | Wildflower Meadow The Art Farm is kicking off the season with XANADU, directed by the brilliant Eric Quang Gelb and starring a cast of world-class NYC performers!

This outdoor roller-skating musical adventure combines Greek mythology with 80s glam — all set under the stars at our Wildflower Meadow stage. You’ve never experienced theatre like this.

For Tickets: https://www.artfarmatserenbe.org/events/xanadu-a-roller-skating-musical-comedy-adventure

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Arts Section The Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy took the GEPC Community Team’s idea for a citywide photo contest and ran with it. They’ve done an outstanding job organizing the contest, establishing the ground rules, and advancing a schedule for submission and selection of photo award winners. This contest is open starting July 10. All submissions are due by September 1st, 2025.

Details at: Chatt Hills Photography Contest Celebrating the Land, People, and Places of Chattahoochee Hills Join us in capturing the beauty, culture, and rural spirit of Chattahoochee Hills through the lens of those who live, work, and explore here. The Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Chattahoochee Hills and the Chattahoochee Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau, invites photographers of all skill levels to share images that showcase the landscapes, heritage, and heart of our community.

Contest Overview Whether you’re a professional photographer, a hobbyist, or a young person with a keen eye for your surroundings, this is your chance to highlight the distinct character of Chatt Hills and help tell its story. Winning photographs will be featured in CHCC communications, public exhibits, and regional tourism efforts.

Categories & Themes Photos must fit into one or more of the following categories: Natural Landscapes - Vistas: sweeping views of the countryside, ridgelines, scenic viewsheds, or natural panoramas -Wetlands: creeks, waterways, riverbanks, and water habitats - Forests & Wildlife: wooden areas, native plants, birds, and animals Public Spaces & Pathways - Parks: local parks, picnic areas, and public greenspaces - Trails: walking paths, hiking routes, and trail entrances - Roadways: scenic drives, gravel roads, and rural intersections

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Chatt Hills

Chatt Hills Photography Contest

PHOTO CONTEST Celebrating the Land, People & Places of Chattahoochee Hills

Capture the spirit of Chattahoochee Hills— amateurs, youth, and pro/semi-pro photographers alike can submit up to five photos to the Chatt Hills Photo Contest for a chance at top honors and a spotlight at the Fall Festival.

The contest is open from July 10 to September 1, 2025.

Scan to learn more!

Contact Us info@chatthillsconservancy.org www.chatthillsconservancy.org

Working & Historic Lands - Farmland: fields, fences, crops, farm equipment, and livestock - Historic Sites: cemeteries, old churches, cabins, and ruins - Barns & Farm Buildings: older or active structures that tell a rural story Community & Culture - People in Place: portraits or candids of residents, farmers, families or visitors engaging with the land - Events & Traditions: seasonal festivals, local gatherings, or moments of shared experience Divisions Pro/Semi-Pro – Individuals who sell their photography or have formal/semi-formal training Amateur – Hobbyists or casual photographers Youth – Participants age 17 and under (requires parental/ guardian consent) Eligibility Open to anyone who lives or works in Chattahoochee Hills.

All photo entries must be taken within the city limits.

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Arts Section Photo Guidelines To ensure fairness and preserve the integrity of the photographic moment, images must reflect the original scene as captured in-camera.

• Allowed: • Global adjustments to exposure, color, contrast, sharpness, cropping • Minor cleanup (e.g., dust spots) • Not Allowed: • Adding or removing objects, people, or backgrounds • Composites, sky replacements, AI-generated elements • Local edits that significantly alter the scene Submissions • Each participant may enter up to five (5) photo entries per person • All photos must be submitted in .JPG or .PNG format only • Photos must follow alteration guidelines above.

• All photos must be taken within the last 23 months.

• Photos must be submitted in landscape orientation.

• Each photo must include a title and location where it was taken.

• If a person’s face is included in a photo, you must have permission and acknowledge this permission at the time of submission.

• Each entrant may submit under only one division (Pro/ Semi Pro, Amateur, or Youth).

• Submission deadline: September 1, 2025 Winning categories The 2025 Chatt Hills Photo Contest will celebrate outstanding photography that reflects the beauty, character, and community of Chattahoochee Hills. Winners will be selected from the following three skill-based divisions, with one additional Community Favorite selected by public vote: • Pro/Semi-Pro: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place • Amateur: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place • Youth (17 & under): 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place • Community Favorite: 1 overall winner selected by public vote across all divisions Winning photos will be featured online (CHCC Website) and recognized at the Chatt Hills Fall Festival on November 8th, 2025. Details to follow.

Photo by Chris Montesinos

Usage, Rights & Participation By submitting, you agree to grant The Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy, the City of Chattahoochee Hills, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau permission to use your photos, along with your name and title, for nonprofit promotional purposes—including websites, social media, newsletters, printed materials, signage, and public exhibits.

No monetary compensation will be provided. You also consent to voluntarily assume all risks associated with your participation; release and hold harmless the City of Chattahoochee Hills, the Chattahoochee Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), their officers, employees, agents, and partners from any and all liability for injuries, losses, or damages arising from your participation; grant permission for your submitted photographs, name, and likeness to be used for promotional and marketing purposes without further notice or compensation; and acknowledge that you are responsible for complying with all applicable laws while the City and CVB are not responsible for website functionality, outages, or third-party misuse of submitted content.

Key Dates Contest Launch: July 10, 2025 Submission Deadline: September 1, 2025 Judging: September 2-13, 2025 Public Voting (Community Favorite): Sept 16-23, 2025 Winners Announced: Week of Sept 30, 2025 Showcase Event: November 8, 2025 (Chatt Hills Fall Festival)

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Arts Section

Artists Featured at Southern Crescent Gallery at Trilith Guesthouse

Art at ENZO NEW Exhibit il Caldo

Kyle Brown • rEN Dillard • Logynn Ferrall

Morgan Boszilkov • Mary Collins-Shepard • Honey Corbin • Brenda Erickson • Andre'e James • Robert Lederman • Natalie McIntyre • Jessica McPherson • Olga Mosina • Dale Niles • Dana Reese • Patrick Sweet

350 Trilith Parkway, Fayetteville, GA 30214 For inquiries and purchase, contact Logynn Ferrall at (281) 658-5036, or logynnbferrall@mac.com.

To purchase: Greg Blair 770-774-3524, gblairpaintings@yahoo.com 300 Trilith Parkway, Suite 230, Fayetteville, GA 30214

Artists Featured at Dogwood Gallery Malinda Lively-Arnold • Avi Deshmukh • Brenda Erickson • Corinne Galla • Vinayak Godbole • Jenni Horne • Julie McKinney • Michael Montgomery • Martin Pate • Malin Roghelia • Mary Collins-Shepard • Ezra Thompson • Judy Walker • Jane Whitehurst 105 St. Stephens Ct. Suite E Tyrone, https://www.dogwoodgallery.net/

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Arts Section August Selections from Hills & Hamlets Bookshop and Underground Books Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is a beautiful, warm, and welcoming neighborhood bookstore in Serenbe’s Grange Hamlet. All titles are lovingly curated, with an emphasis on books about nature, wellness, and the arts. A great children's section adds fun along with fiction, food, history, science, architecture, travel, gift books, and more!

Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is now open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm every week, and we’re open 24/7 online at Bookshop.org/shop/ HillsAndHamlets.

New in World Fiction: When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén H&H bookseller Patience recommends: “I love this book. Ridzen treats the subject of aging with true tenderness. You’ll grow to care deeply for Bo, an elderly man in Sweden facing loss of autonomy as he ages and for his son and for a wonderful cast of caregivers and for Bo’s beloved dog, Sixten. Wonderful narrative and rich descriptions of Bo’s inner life, his memories, relationships, and his dog’s love resonate deeply and will be sure to move your heart. A must read for anyone with a father, a son, or a dog.” Out August 19th!

Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/114322/9798217006731

New in Nature & Spirituality: An Almanac of Birds: 100 Divinations for Uncertain Days by Maria Popova From writer Maria Popova, creator of The Marginalian, comes a gorgeous and inspiring book of cards: one hundred "divinations" for daily living, partway between poem and koan yet neither, collaged from the texts and illustrations of 19th-century ornithological books. Presented as a deck of cards tucked into book-safe in the style of a 19th-century ornithology tome, An Almanac of Birds gathers one hundred of these poetic collages for readers to savor and shuffle into relevance to their own lives, offering consolation, inspiration, and assurance for the daily perplexity of living. Out now!

Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/114322/9781961341432

New in Picture Books: Forts by Katie Venit & Kenard Pak Everyone needs a room of their own. A place to hide and play, ponder and dream.

Whether it’s a treehouse in the backyard or a blanket fort inside, a fort is a magical place filled with imagination and wonder. Debut author Katie Venit and celebrated illustrator Kenard Pak have crafted a lyrical celebration of the secret spaces we hold so dear. Forts encourages readers to explore the world around them to find the perfect place where they belong. Out now, for ages 3 and up!

Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/114322/9780593466155

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Arts Section Featured Artist ~ Zan Jackson Zan Jackson, a recent transplant from Buckhead to Chatt Hills, brings with her a lifelong passion for art and animals— especially horses. Drawn to the area's vibrant creative community and rural charm, she has found new inspiration and connection in her surroundings.

Her journey as an artist began early, entering horsethemed art contests as a child, with a particular fascination for Arabian horses—a muse that continues to influence her work to this day. Over the past two decades, Jackson has expanded her artistic practice across a variety of mediums while maintaining a deep connection to equine subjects.

Her stylized watercolor rendering of an Arabian horse, affectionately named Whymzee, emerged during her years exhibiting at Arabian horse shows and remains a signature piece.

Jackson's art gained international recognition through social media, enabling her to sell work to collectors worldwide. She also became known for her hand-painted glassware during her time with the Sportsman’s Gallery.

Regardless of medium—paint, pencil, or color—each piece begins with an intention: to convey the deep emotional bond she feels with animals through the language of visual art.

Her artistic growth has been shaped by studying with a range of respected artists and earning juried placement in the prestigious Booth Museum’s members show. Her work has also appeared in numerous invitational exhibitions throughout Atlanta, including the Anne Irwin Gallery’s Small Works Show and Spotlight on Art. Now based in Chatt Hills, Jackson is eager to contribute to and engage with the local arts scene.

She is honored to be among the talented artists who call this creative community home.

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For more information about Zan and her art visit: https://www.zanecon. com

Community

OUR CHURCHES

Campbellton Baptist Providence Baptist Church Church, 8660 Church Street, 6402 Campbellton Redwine Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268 www.pbcrico.org Friendship Baptist Church, 6090 Cochran Mill Rd., Rico United Methodist Chatt Hills, GA 30268 www.

Church 6475 Rico Rd., friendshipbaptistchatthills.com Chatt Hills, GA 30268 New Hope United Methodist Church, 7875 Atlanta Newnan Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268

Sardis Baptist Church, 8400 Sardis Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268 www.sardisbaptistch.com

Southside at Serenbe, 9:15 & 11:00am, 10640 Serenbe Ln., southside.org.

Vernon Grove Baptist Southern Crescent Unitarian Church, 8440 Vernon Grove Universalist Fellowship Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268 www.facebook.com/SouthernCrescentUUFellowship/

Rivertown United Methodist Church, 9325 Rivertown Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268

Blessing Bags for IGNITE Assisted Living The youth and children at Providence Baptist prepared “Blessing Bags” for residents at IGNITE Assisted Living (formerly Palmetto Park). Each bag included tissues, hard candy, a notepad, a pen, a gospel tract, and fruit. The group decorated each bag with stickers. The bags were sponsored by our WMU ladies and delivered in July after the concert, presented by Bill & Nesha Bryant.

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Community

BRICKWORKS UPDATE

Food Pantry June was our biggest month so far this year. We served 61 families (138 adults and 79 children) and welcomed 14 new families. When we welcome a new family we are frequently met with surprise and gratitude when they learn that they have choices in the groceries that they will receive, and also with the quantity and quality of what they receive. We do our best to provide nutritious and enjoyable food for our clients, and that is only possible because of the generosity of our supporters. They are the embodiment of neighbors helping neighbors!

Backpack Heroes Came Through!

Each summer, the members of Southside Church, as well as the members of Providence Baptist Church, make sure that our clients’ children head off to school with the supplies they will need for a successful school year. This year, the effort was expanded when our friend and supporter, Nell Blain, put together an Amazon wish list and made it available to her neighbors in Serenbe. No sooner was that list shared than boxes began arriving. This year, we were able to provide backpacks, lunch boxes, and all the supplies teachers request for their students. A troupe of volunteers did the unpacking, sorting and arranging of supplies, and Cindy Lederman and Honey Horowitz were on hand to distribute them.

Any teacher will tell you that having the proper tools and supplies is a key to success. Thanks to the generosity of the members of Southside and Providence, and many residents in Serenbe, and all of the volunteers, over 40 students had the opportunity to pick a backpack and fill it with grade level appropriate supplies! Many parents felt relieved that their children had what they needed, and many kids left with ear-to-ear grins. Thank you all!

Up and Coming!

The library will be hosting an Author Talk on Saturday, October 4th at 2pm. Local author, Juliet Cutler, will share stories from her latest book (available for purchase on September 9) Lessons in Hope. You won’t want to miss this!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram Neighbors Helping Neighbors! CommunityBrickworks.org

Library We are excited to announce the Grand Reopening and Dedication of the Chatt Hills Library on Saturday, August 23rd.

All are welcome! We’ll have food, drinks, special guests, and a chance to see our cozy, updated community library.

We hope to see you there! You can sign up on Eventbrite for additional details and updates. Library Opening & Dedication Ceremony

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City Government Chattahoochee Hills Police We are pleased to announce the successful swearing-in of three new officers and the promotion of Officer Robert Winter to the rank of Corporal, returning the Chattahoochee Hills Police Department to full staffing.

With these additions and promotions, the Chattahoochee Hills Police Department once again operates at its full authorized complement of sworn personnel. Please join us in congratulating Officers Hammock and Walker on their new appointments, Cpl. Robinson on his pinning ceremony, and Cpl. Winter on his well-earned promotion.

We look forward to their continued service and leadership in keeping our community safe.

Toddler Tuesday will be back August 5th! If you haven't been here for a Toddler Tuesday, we'd love to meet you! Toddler Tuesday meets at 10am and is open to babies, toddlers, and preschool kiddos. It's a great time for kids and caregivers to enjoy some songs, books, crafts, playtime and social time. Come on by!

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City Government Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:39 pm

by Mayor Reed. A quorum was established and all were present.

Review and Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Councilmember Lightsey and seconded by Councilmember Lowe to approve the agenda as printed. Motion carried unanimously. Motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Minutes: It was moved by Councilmember Foster and seconded by Councilmember Schmidt to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of June 3, 2025.

Motion passed unanimously.

Staff Reports Financial Update: Robbie Rokovitz, City Manager Fire Department Report: Greg Brett, Fire Chief Police Department Report: Kevin Digou, Police Chief Public Works/Parks Report: Darold Wendlandt, Director Community Development Report: Mike Morton, Director Economic Development Report: Chris Montesinos, Director Public Comments: There were thirteen (13) speakers: Ray Braodhead – 10723 Serenbe Lane, Leone Braodhead – 10723 Serenbe Lane, Mitchell Wolff – 300 Mado Lane, Tiffanie Towns – 346 Lowbrooke Court, Lauren Scovell – 1235 Garrets Ferry Road – Did not speak, Ryan Scovell – 1235 Garrets Ferry Road – Did not speak, Martha Hall – 7650 Rico Road Lot 11, Scott Shaeffer – 9905 Rivertown Road, David McElreath – 10420 Rivertown Road, Angela Addison – 5451 Two Hills Drive, Danean Crawford – 5575 Cochran Mill Road, Debi Kelso – 7895 Old Rico Road, Jacy Sanders – 10400 Rivertown Road.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Item 25-030 – Council Consideration to Approve On-Call Services Contract for the Historic Commission (Historic Commission) It was moved by Councilmember Lightsey and seconded by Councilmember Peek to approve Item 25-030. Motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS: 4. Item 25-035 – 1ST READING – Council Consideration to Adopt an Ordinance to Amend the Unified Development Code (Community Development), 1st Read Only 3. Item 25-036 – 1ST READING – Council Consideration to Approve the Rezoning Request of 7,848.25 acres from RL to HM-MU for DMB Development, LLC on behalf of 24

Action Minutes ~ Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council City of Chatt Hills Tuesday, July 1, 2025 ~ 6:00pm Cosmos Stock Holdings, LLC; GAIA, LLC and Oracle Fulton Land, LLC. (Community Development) 1st Read Only 4. Item 25-037 – Council Consideration to Approve the Recommendation to Award 2025 TSPLOST/LMIG Capital Road Improvements to ShepCo Paving Inc. in the amount of $1,820,995 (Publics Works/City Manager) It was moved by Councilmember Peek and seconded by Councilmember Lowe to Approve Item 25-037 by amending the scope of work by removing River Lake Drive and re-allocate the funds to be used “as appropriate” for ADA Compliance and additional paving at City Hall. Motion passed with a 3 – 2 (Councilmembers Schmidt and Lightsey voting NAY) 5. Item 25-038 – Council Consideration to Adopt the Fulton County Sewer IGA with the approved Amendments provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners (City Manager/Legal) It was moved by Councilmember Lowe and seconded by Councilmember Peek to approve Item 25-038. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Item 25-039 – Council Consideration to Approve a Resolution Authorizing Continued Support of the Amicus Brief (Legal/Mayor Reed) It was moved by Councilmember Schmidt and seconded by Councilmember Foster to approve Item 25-039. Motion carried unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: (When an Executive Session is required, one will be called for the following issues: Personnel, Litigation or Real Estate) It was moved by Councilmember Foster and seconded by Councilmember Peek to recess into Executive Matter for a legal matter at 8:21pm. Motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Councilmember Peek and seconded by Councilmember Foster to reconvene the Regular meeting at 8:47pm. Motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Councilmember Foster and seconded by Councilmember Schmidt to adjourn the July 1, 2025 Regular Meeting at 8: 47pm. Motion carried unanimously.

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City Government

Robert T. Rokovitz, MPA, ICMA-CM

Chattahoochee Hills Set to Adopt 2025 Millage Rate Chattahoochee Hills, GA – July 22, 2023 - The City of Chattahoochee Hills Mayor & Council is poised to set the 2025 millage rate to remain revenue neutral. The recommendation is to retain the current 8.2 millage rate for 2025.

The City of Chattahoochee Hills Mayor & Council will be holding a Public Hearings in advance of setting its 2025 millage rate for all property owners in both Fulton County and parts of Coweta County that were previously annexed into the city.

According to the Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s Office, the Net Digest increased 3.87% from $435,038,212 to $451,897,386. This increase yielded no required rollback from 8.20 to 8.21 to remain “revenue neutral”. The recommendation is to remain at 8.2 which is a reduction of .12% and adopt a 2025 millage rate at 8.2. This rollback is a decrease of .01 mils. As such, any increase or decrease in property taxes will be based solely on the assessed value depending on whether the value increased or decreased.

All concerned citizens have been invited to the public meeting via a regularly advertised City Council meeting at City Hall, 6505 Rico Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA on August 5th, 2025, at 6:00 PM for the required single Public Hearing. Upon completion of the public hearing, the Mayor and Council will adopt and set the millage rate for 2025 and forward it to the Fulton County Tax Assessor’s office.

Because we now have Chattahoochee Hills residents who reside in Coweta County, the Mayor and Council also must apply the millage rate to those properties. According to the Coweta County Tax Commissioner’s Office, the Net Digest increased 737% from $2,036,185 to $17,042,293.

This increase is attributed to the annexation into Coweta with the addition of new construction on what used to be

vacant land. This increase yielded a rollback from 8.20 to 7.565 to remain “revenue neutral”. The recommendation is to set the millage rate at 8.2 to mirror what is being set for those who reside in Fulton County and adopt a 2025 millage rate at 8.2. The City of Chattahoochee Hills Mayor & Council will be holding three (3) Public Hearings in advance of setting its 2025 millage rate for citizens residing in Coweta County. The dates of these Public Hearings are August 5th at 6:00 PM, August 21st at 11:00 AM, and August 21st at 5:00 PM This tentative recommendation will result in a millage rate of 8.2. Property taxes are based on 40% of the assessed value less any exemptions and then multiplied by the set millage rate. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $150,000 is approximately $38.00 and the proposed tax increase for a non-homesteaded property with a fair market value of $500,000 is approximately $127.00.

According to Mayor Tom Reed, “after a thorough review of our projected revenues, departmental needs, and long-term goals, the proposed millage rate for this year is 8.2 which represents a small decrease from the 8.21 calculation based on the 2025 digest provided by Fulton County.” “This same millage rate will also apply to our new residents who reside on the city incorporated part of Coweta County which have now become a portion of our overall tax base,” continued Mayor Reed.

For more details on the 2023 millage rate, you may contact City Hall at 770-463-8881 or the city manager, Robbie Rokovitz at robbie.rokovitz@chatthillsga.us. A sample of property tax rate table is also provided on the City’s web site at www.chatthillsga.gov.

If a house is assessed at $900,000, the calculation would be: $900,000 x 40% = $360,000

$360,000/1,000 - 360

360 x 8.2 = $2,952 in taxes

Or you could multiply $360,000 x .0082 and get the same result.

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City Government

Fire Captain Josh Whitley “suits up” during landing zone (LZ for rotary aircraft) training with air med-evac partner AirLife. CHFD manages approximately four medical incidents yearly that requires a patient to be flown to a Trauma 1 hospital.”

Thanks to Chattahoochee Hills Fire for hosting, and Air Methods for instructing the Landing Zone class. Palmetto Fire Rescue is at Air Methods Airlife 4 Newnan.

Public Works Director Darold Wendlandt attends APWA Conference Every year the APWA Georgia Chapter has their annual meeting where they get an update on the state of affairs in APWA Georgia. The meeting also features the Certificate of Public Works Management program, where attendees receive valuable training in the field of public works.

Darold is currently working toward earning his Certificate in Public Works Management.

This year’s conference was held July 7–11 at the

Jekyll Island Convention Center in Jekyll Island, GA.

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City Government Attn: Chatt Hills Voters living in Coweta County Chattahoochee Hills voters who reside in Coweta County will only vote at City Hall for Chattahoochee Hills municipal elections. For all other elections in 2025, they will need to go to the Madras precinct in Coweta to vote. This will include Public Service Commissioner, Coweta Board of Education Questions and Coweta County Questions.

The only election Coweta residents will vote for in Fulton County will be our municipal elections such as Mayor, District 2, and District 4 seats on the November ballot. For all county, State and Federal elections they will vote a ballot at the Madras precinct in Coweta.

Chatt Hills Fire Rescue Has a New Boat By Robbie Rokovitz I was fortunate to have the opportunity to ride on the new rescue boat with Chief Brett and Firefighter Luster on the Chattahoochee River. We launched from Campbellton and went all the way to New Riverlands.

I can now better understand why Chief Brett selected this style of boat—it’s ideal for navigating the shoals and shallow areas. Watch Video here: https://shorturl.at/qrTOD

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Trending Topic

Community & City

City of Chattahoochee Hills, City Hall, 6505 Rico Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268, Phone: (770) 463-8881, www.chatthillsga.us

City of Chatt Hills: www.chatthillsga.us Chatt Hills Charter School: http://www.chatthillscharter.org/calendar Community Brickworks: www.communitybrickworks.org Serenbe Community: www.serenbe.com Terra School at Serenbe: https://www.terraatserenbe.org These will be virtual and open to the public. Meetings will be streamed live. Check details on the City’s website.

City Council Work Session - Tues. Aug. 5, 4:30-6 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 City Council Meeting - Tues. Aug. 5, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Historic Commission - Mon. Aug. 11, 6:30 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Parks Commission - Tues. Aug. 12, 7:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Planning Commission Work Session - Thurs. Aug. 14, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268

Chatt Hills News Article / Event Submissions: If you have a story, event, or suggestion, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your info by the 15th of every month for publication on the 1st of the month to: Judy Walker, heyjwalker@gmail.com.

About Chatt Hills News:The official newsletter of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Chatt Hills News, is published monthly. This publication is compiled from submissions from the community and is available in public locations around the City, at City Hall, or via email subscriptions.

Email Subscriptions: To subscribe via email visit: www. chatthillsga.us, Or subscribe directly at this link: https:// lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/w9cGwxA About Chatt Hills News Print Copies: Residents of Chatt Hills who do not have internet may request mailed copies by calling City Hall: (770) 463-8881.

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We’re excited to announce that our city is now live on the City Health Dashboard. Earlier this year, the City applied to the Dashboard’s ‘Put Us on the Map Challenge’, an initiative to add more small cities to the website. The City Health Dashboard is a free, online resource that provides city and neighborhood level data on over 40 measures of health and the factors that shape health, including high blood pressure, childhood poverty, routine checkups, park access, and more. Our city has officially gained access to the Dashboard, its data, and all of its features. We look forward to diving into the data!

The City Health Dashboard officially provides data on over 30 measures of health and its drivers for Chattahoochee Hills GA! Earlier this year, the City applied to the Dashboard’s Put Us on the Map Challenge to add small cities to the Dashboard. We’re thrilled to be featured on the Dashboard and are excited to explore these essential, city-level data.

2025 PARKING PASSES AVAILABLE The parking passes for Cochran Mill Park are now available. Visit City Hall for your application. The fees are as follows: Residents – free; Annual car/truck $25; Annual 3+ axels - $35

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