Attorney Randy Rich will serve as mediator in LOST negotiation

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — County Commissioners is expected to announce the hiring of attorney Randy Rich to serve as the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) mediator between Forsyth County and the City of Cumming when the Board meets in a regular session Thursday Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street in Cumming.

The Board will also conduct the following public hearings:

  • A request for an amendment of zoning conditions on ZA3830 (TRB Bethelview, LLC) by HB Development LLC – Parcels 073-038, 073-329, 051-027, and 073-018 – AZ220025;
  • A request for an amendment of zoning conditions on ZA2704 (Providence Development Corporation) by David Ughulu Parcel 193-200 – AZ220028;
  • A request for an Amendment of zoning conditions on ZA1794 (Peachtree Development Group, Inc.) by DJ and Ankita Patel with the following variance to: 1.) Reduce the rear setback from 20 ft. to 9 ft. (UDC Table 11.2(a)) – Parcel 159-148 – AZ220033;
  • Approval of an Alternate Design for McFarland Road Associates, LLC – Parcel 041-198 – AD220007; A request for an Amendment of zoning conditions on ZA3740 (FrontDoor Communities, LLC) by Legendary Renovations, LLC – Parcel 061-474 – AZ220029;
  • A request for an Amendment of zoning conditions on ZA2979 (Patricia Walker) by Kimberley and Leigh Cadorette with the following variance to: Reduce the exterior setback from 50 ft. to 12.5 ft. (UDCTable 11.2(b)) – Parcel 095-138 – AZ220032;
  • A request for an Amendment of zoning conditions on ZA3316 (NNP II Windermere LLC) by Nima Amin – Parcel 177-509.

 

 

 

City conducts online comprehensive plan update

Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
CUMMING, Ga. — The City of Cumming is in the midst of a process used to update the Comprehensive Plan, which helps to guide development of the City of Cumming. As part of the Comprehensive Plan Update process, which occurs every five years, the City of Cumming is asking residents (both inside and outside the Cumming City Limits) to provide feedback via an online survey. The survey (available in both English and Spanish) takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete and will help the Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee to draft an updated plan for the City of Cumming’s future. Click here to access the survey in English, and here to learn more about the Comprehensive Plan Update process. The survey closes April 25th so complete it soon!

County to pay City $1.8 million to design, construct, maintain raw water pump

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners will consider a First Addendum to the City/County Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) regarding raw and finished water when they meet in the final work session of the year Tuesday (Dec. 21) at 2 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 220 E. Main Street in Cumming.

The agreement authorizes payment by the County to the City of a not to exceed amount of $1,800,000 for the City to design, construct, install, operate, and maintain a new 900 HP Raw Water Pump at its Intake Facility

Other agenda items to be consider include:

  • Approval to award Bid 21-134-3330 for the Laurel Springs Gravity Sewer Upgrade for the Department of Water and Sewer in the amount of $3,385,670 to Site Engineering Inc.;
  • Approval to award Bid 21-164-1620 for Courthouse ADA Parking Lot Improvements/Pedestrian Crosswalk to Buildline General Contractors in the amount of $532,815.00;
  • Approval to award Bid 21-168-3330 for the purchase of various Lead-Free Water Parts and Backflows on an as-needed basis for calendar year 2022 for the Department of Water and Sewer to Core & Main and Line in an estimated amount of $315,000;
  • Approval to award RFP 21-129-1620 for Commissioning Authority Services for Fire Station #9 and Fire Station #15 for the Department of Public Facilities to Total Systems Commissioning Authority Services Inc. in the amount of $86,000;
  • Approval to award RFP 21-141-3150 for as needed Geotechnical Services for the calendar year 2022 for various County Departments to NOVA Engineering and Environmental; ECS Southeast, LLC; S&ME, Inc.; United Consulting; Geo-Hydro Engineers; and, Contour Engineering, LLC.  Amounts will be based on need and project – Director, Department of Procurement;
  • Approval to award RFP 21-150-3150 for Environmental Monitoring and Watershed Support Services for the calendar year 2022 for the Department of Engineering to Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. in the amount of $365,000;
  • Approval to issue a Task Order to Brown and Caldwell for Planning, Permitting, and Engineering Design for the Expansion of the Shakerag Water Reclamation Facility from its current capacity of 1.25 MGD to 2.5 MGD in the not to exceed amount of $1,738,123;
  • Approval of Task Order #8 with ESG Engineering, Inc. for a Taste and Odor Pilot Study and Technology Review at the Water Treatment Plant. in the not to exceed amount of $221,060;
  • Authorization to enter into the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) with the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services;
  • A resolution to appoint Anita Tucker as the Democratic Representative to the Board of Registrations and Elections to fill the remaining term of Randy Ingram;
  • Approval to increase the County fee amounts for Dangerous and Vicious Animal classifications;
  • Approval of a Budget Resolution regarding the GEMA Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) K9 Grant Award #50 in the amount of $73,500.00;
  • Approval of a Budget Resolution regarding the GEMA State Homeland Security Program/CERT Project #13 in the amount of $11,306;
  • Approval of a Budget Resolution regarding the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety H.E.A.T Grant Award in the amount of $77,680.64;
  • Authorization for the District Attorney’s Office to accept the award from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) regarding the Federal Fiscal Year 2022 VOCA Continuation Base VWAP Program Funding, award #C21-8-001;
  • Authorization for the District Attorney’s Office to accept the award from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) regarding the Federal Fiscal Year 2022 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF), B50-8-128, in the amount of $58,472;
  • Authorization to apply for the State of Georgia FY2022 Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) for an amount not to exceed $2,674,079.31 with a required match of up to $1,146,033.90;
  • Approval of the FY2021 Emergency Management Performance Grant, administered by GEMA/HS, for $50,000.00 with a required match of $50,000.00 with authorization for the Chair to sign required documents and authorization for the Emergency Management Agency Director to electronically submit the Grant application.  If Grant is approved, staff requests Board authorization for the County Manager to sign any future close-out documents related to the Grant;
  • Approval of the following 2022 Non-Profit Annual Agreements (total of eight Agreements): Bald Ridge Lodge, Inc.; CASA of Forsyth County, Inc.; The Children’s Center for Hope and Healing, Inc.; The Forsyth County Division of Family and Children Services; Forsyth County Family Haven, Incorporated; Jesse’s House, Inc.; Mentor Me – North Georgia, Inc.; and, Supporting Adoption & Foster Families Together, Inc;
  • Possible direction regarding amendments to the Unified Development Code related to Title Opinion for Sketch Plats within Chapter 8;
  • Possible direction regarding amendments to the Unified Development Code related to M1 Sketch Plats and Non-Residential Building Expansion within Chapter 8;
  • Possible direction regarding amendments to the Unified Development Code related to Lap Siding within Chapter 11;
  • Possible direction regarding a County-Initiated Conditional Use Permit for agritourism on 39.21 acres currently zoned Agricultural District (A1) – Parcel 188-039;
  • Reappointment of Terri Johnson as the District 2 Representative on the Parks and Recreation Board for a two-year term to begin January 1, 2022 and expire December 31, 2023;
  • A resolution supporting reform to Georgia’s Annexation Dispute Resolution Law;
  • Approval of a Resolution to condemn property interests in Parcel 151, Tax Parcel 113-426 (Richard Wilmath and Susan Wilmath), of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project (PI#0004634) with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $31,200;
  • (28) Board consideration and approval of a Resolution to condemn property interests in Parcel 153, Tax Parcel 113-190 (Christopher M. Hanusek and Sherri L. Hanusek), of the McGinnis Ferry Widening Project (PI#0004634) with estimated just and adequate compensation: $3,300;
  • Ratification of a Purchase Agreement with authorization for closing for 0.5554 acres of Fee Simple Right of Way in the amount of $27,700 needed for the Namon Wallace Road Project;
  • Ratification of a Purchase Agreement with authorization for closing for 0.3453 acres of Fee Simple Right of Way in the amount of $17,265.00 needed for the Namon Wallace Road Project;
  • Ratification of a Purchase Agreement with authorization for closing for 22,691.72 square feet of temporary easement for the construction of slopes (3 tracts) and cost-to-cure (landscaping/irrigation, stack stone column, 4-rail wood fence) for the sum of $70,800 needed for the Old Atlanta Road – Phase IV Project;
  • A Memorandum of Understanding between CL-RP McFarland, LLC, the Georgia Department of Transportation, and Forsyth County, regarding the potential exchange of real property owned by CL-RP McFarland, LLC, with real property owned by Forsyth County;
  • Authorization to tender documentation to the State Department of Community Affairs acknowledging the City of Cumming’s withdrawal of an annexation petition on behalf of Horizon Christian Academy and otherwise withdrawing the County’s request for arbitration.

City is planning Christmas Parade Dec. 4

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — It’s the most wonderful time of year!

The City of Cumming is making plans now for it’s annual Christmas Parade. Anyone who would like to be in the parade should complete the registration form and email it to [email protected] by Monday, Nov. 29th.
Any group wishing to sponsor or participate in the Fairgrounds Christmas Festival, which will immediately follow the parade, should call the Fairgrounds’ office at 770-781-3491.

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 4 from Forsyth Central High School and move down Tribble Gap/Castleberry Road to the Fairgrounds.

Oct. 4 is registration deadline to vote in Nov. 2 city, county elections

Featured Stories, News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — October 4 is the deadline for Forsyth County residents to vote in Nov. 2 countywide Special Election for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). Nov. 2 is also the registration deadline to vote in the City of Cumming Municipal General Election for the office of Mayor and two City Council seats. Only city residents are eligible to vote in the Municipal Election.

  • Advance Voting in person is available for three weeks, including two Saturdays, prior to Election Day.
  • Advance Voting is scheduled to take place weekdays beginning, Tuesday, October 12 through Friday, October 29, and Saturday, October 16 and Saturday, October 23. Locations vary by day.
  • There will be no voting on Monday, October 11, as it is a state holiday.
  • All Forsyth County registered voters may take advantage of Advance Voting in person during the hours and dates posted, regardless of where they are assigned to vote on Election Day.

Tuesday – Friday, October 12-15, 2021, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 16, 2021, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday – Friday, October 18-22, 2021, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Elections Office, 1201 Sawnee Drive, 30040
Cumming City Hall, 100 Main Street, 30040

Saturday, October 23, 2021, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday – Friday, October 25-29, 2021, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Elections Office, 1201 Sawnee Drive, 30040
Cumming City Hall, 100 Main Street, 30040
Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, 30041
Sharon Springs Park Community Building, 1950 Sharon Road, 30041
Midway Park Community Building, 5100 Post Road, 30040

 

Brumbalow, Stone qualify for mayor incumbent councilmen unopposed

Featured Stories, News

CUMMING, Ga. – Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow will face challenger William A. Stone III in the Nov. 2 general election. Both men qualified before last week’s deadline.

Incumbent councilmen Chad Crane and Jason Evans are unopposed. Crabe us the Post 1 councilman. Jason Evans is serves Post 2.

Advance Voting opportunities will be available as follows, and Election Day Voting will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 2. (Only City of Cumming precinct voters will be allowed to vote in the City of Cumming General Election. The countywide Special Election is for the purpose of placing the 1% sales and use tax referendum for education on the ballot.

 

 

Qualifying for city races starts Monday

News

WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – Qualifying for municipal elections in the City of CUMMING, Ga. — Cumming begins Monday Aug. 16 in the City Clerk’s office, 100 Main Street in Cumming and will continue through Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Offices to be filled include the Mayor and City Council Post 1 and 2. The fee to qualify for Mayor is $360 and each City Council seat is $180.

Mayor Troy Brumbalow has announced his intention to run for reelection. Local attorney William Allen Stone will challenge the mayor for the seat. The incumbents are first-term councilmen Chad Crane in Post 1 and William Allen Stone Post 3.

The general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

County will renew agreement to buy water from the City of Cumming

Featured Stories

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Although Forsyth County is closer than it has ever been to being able to withdraw water from Lake Lanier it will have to remain dependent on the City of Cumming for a few more years until an intake facility can be constructed.

After a decades long struggle, the county now has the water withdrawal permit that will allow it to pull water from Lake Lanier. In 2012, the Board negotiated a 10-year water purchase agreement with the City that is set to expire next year. To that end, commissioners agreed during Tuesday’s work session to notify the City it plans to renew the contract for 10 more years.

The intergovernmental agreement requires the county to purchase a minimum of 400 million gallons of finished water a year. The original cost was $2.43 per 1,000 gallons but the rate is tied to the consumer price index (CPI). The current rate is $2.82.

County Manager Kevin Tanner said, “In the future if we get a water intake – and that may happen within that time frame — we are only required to purchase just under 1.1 million gallons a day. Currently we’re averaging 16 million gallons a day.”

The Board also agreed to send proposed changes that bring the county alcohol ordinance more into alignment with state regulations to a public hearing in August. One of the more significant changes would allow restaurants to sell mixed drinks to go. The customer must pick up at premise of curbside delivery.

The Board also approved:

  • An amendment to the transportation services agreement in the amount of $140,000;
  • An Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) Subscription with IHS Markit for the Department of Fleet Services at a cost of $1,836.00;
  • Awarding Bid 21-88-1620 to provide all labor, materials, and equipment for renovations of the Forsyth County Animal Shelter to Crown Retail Services in the amount of $121,332.00;
  • Awarding Bid 21-94-1620 to provide all labor, materials, and equipment for the renovations of the Forsyth County Department of Fleet Maintenance and Department of Roads and Bridges to Crown Retail Services, Inc.in the amount of $128,527.00;
  • The In-House Warranty Service Provider Operating Agreement and Agreement Supplement between Ford Motor Company and Forsyth County;
  • Approval of a Work Detail Agreement between the Georgia Department of Corrections and Forsyth County to provide Work Detail from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022;
  • A Right of Way Easement Agreement between Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation and Forsyth County for the electrical service needs of the historic Matt Schoolhouse;
  • A Lease Agreement between West Maple, LLC and Forsyth County for a 12-month lease for 2,200 square feet of office space at 514 West Maple Drive, Building 500, Suites 503 and 504 at a rate of $16.50 per square foot with a monthly expense of $3,025.00;
  • Appointment of a County Commissioner Arnold John to fill the vacant seat on the Forsyth County 911 Center Advisory Board;
  • Appointment of George Kaufmann to fill a vacant seat on the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District Technical Committee;
  • A Memorandum of Understanding with the Lake Lanier Association;
  • A memorandum of understanding between Forsyth County and the Land Bank Authority;
  • Moving an amended policy authorizing the County Engineering Director or the County Capital Projects Director, with concurrence by the County Attorney, and with final approval by the County Manager, to settle certain condemnations by authorizing certain sums toward settlement to a public hearing;
  • Moving consideration of an amendment to the County’s Record Retention Schedules to a public hearing.

Cumming Arbor Day Celebration Feb. 19

Community, Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

CUMMING, Ga. — The City of Cumming is again partnering with Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, UGA Extension Services, and the Georgia Forestry Commission to present a Community Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, Feb. 19th from 5:30-7 p.m. at Cumming City Park (437 Pilgrim Mill Road). Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged for this event.

K-12th grade students throughout Forsyth County are also invited to take part in a new Arbor Day Youth Art Contest. Three winners of the contest (one each from elementary, middle and high school levels) will be selected to receive recognition and have their art displayed during the Community Arbor Day Celebration and at Cumming City Hall. Submissions must be a painting or drawing with a tree or trees as the focal point. Submissions must also include the student’s first and last name, contact email and phone number.

In addition to recognition of the Youth Art Contest winners, the Cumming Arbor Day Celebration will feature a tree planting demonstration and educational information, recognition of the City as an official “Tree City USA”, free tree saplings and seedlings to take home, and refreshments available for purchase from Tradewind Coffee CompanyClick here for complete information!

 

BOC will consider Information Systems purchase during Tuesday’s work session

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Board of Commissioners will consider approval of a number of purchases during Tuesday’s work session, including one in the amount of $570,406.19 for a three-year agreement with Microsoft Enterprise through Dell Marketing LP for the Department of Information Systems and Technology.

Tuesday’s meeting will be held in the second-floor meeting in the County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street at 2 p.m.

Other items on the agenda, include consideration of:

  • Awarding RFP 20-146-1620 for Electronic Message Boards, Directories, Kiosk Design, and Installation for the Department of Public Facilities in the amount of $40,302 to Frontier Vision Technologies, Inc. dba Evogence;
  • Awarding Bid 20-155-2920 to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items as needed for Forsyth County departments and offices to My Medical, Norfleet Distributors, Avenue Medical Equipment, Inc., Office Depot, and LT Printing & Promotions;
  • A sole-source purchase for four Model 4 Wireless Earthlift Control lifts through Steril-Koni for the Department of Fleet Maintenance in the amount of $49,382.62;
  • An agreement with the City of Cumming for sewer for 84,000 gallons per day (gpd) with authorization for the Department of Water and Sewer to purchase the sewer capacity from the City of Cumming at a rate of $30 per gallon;
  • An approval of updated modifications to the existing County Vehicle Replacement Policy;
  • Approval of EMS Affiliation Agreements with Emory Johns Creek Hospital (EJC) and Central Emergency Medical Services that will allow new recruits to obtain the required clinical hours and skills checks required by the state of Georgia;
  • Request for authorization to apply for the FY2020 grant to replace old gear, washer-extractors, and dryers whose useful life have expired in the amount of $67,795, which includes Federal Funding Assistance in the amount of $61,632, with a required match of $6,163;
  • Approval of a Budget Resolution in the amount of $22,500 to allocate insurance proceeds towards the replacement of one Sheriff’s Office Total Loss Vehicle;
  • Approval of a Board generated rezoning for ZA3919, The Estate of Paul Harley Reed, Jr. In accordance with UDC 8-5.5(I), if an application for a land disturbance permit has not been submitted within 18 months of zoning approval, the Board may consider rezoning to a constitutional zoning designation;
  • Approval of a Board generated rezoning for ZA3915, Ramu Kesani. In accordance with UDC 8-5.5(I), if an application for a land disturbance permit has not been submitted within 18 months of zoning approval, the Board may consider rezoning to a constitutional zoning designation]
  • Approval of proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code related to Public Participation Meeting Requirements;
  • Board consideration of a County-Initiated Amendment of Zoning Conditions on ZA3707 (Kairos Development Corp., Inc.);
  • Approval of a Conservation Easement between Toll Southeast LP Company, Inc., Lakehaven HOA, Inc., and Forsyth County for the Lake Haven subdivision;
  • Approval of a proposed Consent Order and Judgment in connection with Civil Action File No. 20CV-1428-1, McGinnis Ferry Interchange Project Parcel 11, in the amount of $214,700.00 (owner: Whittington Townhome Association, Inc.);
  • A City annexation of parcels 193-016 & 193-491 (+/- 21.259 acres of land.
  • Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

Arbor Day Celebration February 19

News, Press Release
CUMMING, Ga. — The City of Cumming is again partnering with Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, UGA Extension Services, and the Georgia Forestry Commission to present a Community Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, Feb. 19th from 5:30-7 p.m. at Cumming City Park (437 Pilgrim Mill Road). Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged for this event.
K-12th grade students throughout Forsyth County are also invited to take part in a new Arbor Day Youth Art Contest. Three winners of the contest (one each from elementary, middle and high school levels) will be selected to receive recognition and have their art displayed during the Community Arbor Day Celebration and at Cumming City Hall. Submissions must be a painting or drawing with a tree or trees as the focal point. Digital images of each submission must be emailed to [email protected] by Feb. 12. Submissions must also include the student’s first and last name, contact email and phone number.
In addition to recognition of the Youth Art Contest winners, the Cumming Arbor Day Celebration will feature a tree planting demonstration and educational information, recognition of the City as an official “Tree City USA”, free tree saplings and seedlings to take home, and refreshments available for purchase from Tradewind Coffee CompanyClick here for complete information!

County, city water customers complain about taste, smell of water

News, Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. –Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department is aware that some residents have reported that their water has an unusual taste and odor. Testing of the raw water from Lake Lanier has confirmed that levels of Methylisoborneol (MIB) and Geosmin are higher than have been seen in past years.

These two compounds are not harmful. However, they can cause an earthy, musty taste and odor in water. While some people may notice this, many others will not notice it. Unfortunately, this taste and odor are not easily removed by traditional treatment techniques.

This taste and odor can be caused by what is referred to as the “turn over,” or inversion, of Lake Lanier, as well as other land conditions which can release these naturally occurring compounds.

We are working to modify our treatment processes to reduce the levels of MIB and Geosmin in the finished water. We are already seeing the reductions from our process changes, but it may take a few days for it to improve at all locations.

Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department appreciates residents’ patience while we work through this situation. Please be assured that your water is safe to use and drink, even if it may smell and taste different than normal.

City of Cumming customers have also complained about the water and city officials say they are adding  an increased level of powdered activated carbon during the treatment process.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

Cumming celebrates Independence Day Saturday with 63rd annual steam engine parade

News

CUMMING, Ga. – The City of Cumming hosts one of the largest and most exciting 4th of July celebrations in north Georgia.

For more than 60 years, thousands of folks, young and old, have lined the streets of downtown Cumming to revel at the sights and sounds of the Thomas-Mashburn Independence Day Steam Engine Parade.

The 63rd annual event winds through downtown Cumming. This year’s parade route has been extended to allow for social distancing. All non-steam engine entries will begin at Forsyth Central High School and steam engines will enter the parade at Webb Street. The parade will make its way down Tribble Gap/Castleberry Road and end at the Cumming Fairgrounds.

Parade spectator parking will be available at Cumming Elementary, Otwell Middle and Forsyth Central High schools, the parking decks on Castleberry Road and School Street/Mason Street, and in the Cumming City Hall and Forsyth County Administration Building parking lots. Attendees are asked to please practice social distancing, and earplugs are always recommended (especially for little ones) as the steam engines are extremely loud.

You will know the fun is about to start when you hear the exciting steam engine whistles begin to blow. Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow and the City Council will be at the head of the parade, followed by Forsyth County veterans who are always honored guests.

Then magnificent steam engines represent an important historical era in Georgia’s agriculture. Next, it’s an exciting array of colorful local business floats, antique cars and county sports teams.

A.G. Thomas, Dr. Jim Mashburn, and Dr. Marcus Mashburn, were all avid collectors of steam engines and their family and friends have maintained and added to their unique collections over the years. The Steam Engine Association proudly displays their antique engines every 4th of July to carry on the tradition.

The festivities continue from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Cumming Fairgrounds, as patrons enjoy vendors and music while they wait for the main event: theannual fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. There are no parking or admission fees to enter the Fairgrounds. No outside food or drinks are allowed inside the Fairgrounds, and guests are asked to please practice social distancing.

 

 

City leaders present city logo designs; Announce brick-a-brick program

Press Release

CUMMING, Ga. – City of Cumming leaders are pleased to present the official logo designs of the Cumming City Center, as well as a community Buy-A-Brick Program, which will allow the public to purchase personalized bricks that will be incorporated into two prominent areas of the City Center.

City Center Background

The Cumming City Center is the vision of Mayor Troy Brumbalow, who heavily promoted the idea of creating the Center during his 2017 mayoral campaign in order to bring back some of the small-town charm that had been lost in downtown Cumming over the years while establishing a new community gathering place. He immediately went to work to make the project a reality after he was sworn into office in January of 2018.

Ground was broken on the project in August of 2019, and since then crews have been conducting site work in anticipation of vertical construction, which will begin later this summer. The Cumming City Center is expected to open to the public in fall of 2021.

Situated on 75 acres located between Canton Highway (Hwy. 20) and Sawnee Drive, west of downtown Cumming and behind Forsyth Central High School, the Cumming City Center development will offer a “main-street Americana” feel. Features will include approximately 117,000 square feet of retail space, a new Cumming Police and Municipal Court building, an amphitheater adjacent to a small lake, two water fountains, ample greenspace including several “pocket parks,” a miniature golf course, and an extensive trail and boardwalk system meandering above the Kelly Mill Branch stream, its tributaries and wetlands. Across Canton Highway, another 10 acres will also be donated to the City for development of additional walking trails.

Logo Creation

In creation of the City Center’s main logo, city officials and staff wanted a design that would capture the main-street Americana feel of the development while also incorporating modern elements for a classic yet unique and bold look.

“Working with graphic designers from Beeferman Design, our city team went through a fairly lengthy design process,” said Mayor Brumbalow. “The designers took our team’s initial design thoughts and ideas, and from there they created about a dozen different looks for us to review over the course of several weeks before making the final decision.

“I think we landed on a logo design that conveys all the feelings that we wanted to express, not only in just the logo, but with the Cumming City Center itself. It harkens back to a simpler time, but also just looks really sharp and cool.”

“The logo is going to fit in beautifully with the entire aesthetic of the City Center,” added Jennifer Archer, City Center Property Manager. “I think it’s something that our community can be proud of and that visitors to the City Center will remember.”

The official logo will be featured prominently throughout the City Center in areas such as the main entrance, the amphitheater, on some building exteriors as wall murals, and in all formal communications mediums such as letterhead, envelopes and staff business cards.

City staff also adopted a less formal “merchandise logo” which can be used in future creation of promotional items such as t-shirts and mugs after the Center has opened. The merchandise logo is encapsulated inside a hexagon shape. It features a representation of Sawnee Mountain and utilizes a more modern font style than the official logo.

Cumming City Council meets Thursday

News, Police & Government, Press Release

 

 

City of Cumming Work Session

100 Main Street

Gallery B, 2nd Floor

July 2, 2019, 6 p.m.

-AGENDA –

  1. Call Meeting to Order – Troy Brumbalow, Mayor
  2. Invocation

III. Pledge to the Flag

  1. Consider Agenda for Adoption
  2. Consider for Adoption the Following Meeting Minutes:
  3. Regular Council Meeting of June 18, 2019
  4. Executive Session Meeting of June 18, 2019
  5. Acknowledgements, Proclamations, Resolutions, etc. – None

VII. Old Business – None

VIII. New Business

  1. Administration
  2. Tree City USA Program – Nancy Lovingood (Information Only)
  3. Promotional Video
  4. Amendment to Smoking Ordinance
  5. Streets
  6. Report of Bids – Pine Lake Drive Sidewalk
  7. Utilities
  8. Report of Bids – Kelly Mill Creek Sanitary Sewer Replacement and Stream Restoration
  9. Announcements
  10. Upcoming Events
  11. July 4th Celebration: Steam Engine Parade, 10 a.m.; Fairgrounds Festival, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Red,

White & Rock Music Fest, 1-11 p.m.; Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

  1. Executive Session (If Needed)
  2. Adjourn.

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