GDOT releases funds for Post Road widening project

Press Release

Forsyth County, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is making funds
available sooner than originally anticipated for a project to add lanes on Post Road from S.R. 9 to Kelly Mill Road.

“Forsyth County is one of Georgia’s fastest-growing communities and appropriately managing
congestion is a top priority for state and local transportation officials in order to best serve residents,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “I am proud of the partnership we have with Forsyth County leadership and our ability to work together to provide infrastructure improvements needed for the future.”

GDOT has committed to a total of $62,142,600. A breakdown is listed below:
– $21,193,600 for right of way (beginning as early as July 2022)
– $36,544,200 for construction (beginning as early as July 2025)
– $4,404,800 for utilities (beginning as early as July 2025)
“The widening of Post Road is a project that we have been working closely with the state to bring to fruition for residents that use that busy thoroughfare,” said Forsyth County Chairman Alfred John. “To see how much our partners at GDOT and the governor’s office value this project is great to see, and we thank them for their diligence to move the project timeline up.”

Once complete, the 3.64-mile portion of Post Road between S.R 9 and Kelly Mill Road will increase capacity and improve safety by adding two lanes in each direction with a raised median, shoulders, curb and gutter as well as five-foot sidewalks. The project is currently in the design phase.

“We greatly appreciate the governor’s support for this project and appreciate the state moving the
project’s timeline up,” said District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent. “This project is an example of just how important the relationship we have with the state truly is. This particular portion of Post Road has needed widening for some time now and I am pleased that it will get the update it needs to relieve some of the congestion in the area.”

The announcement follows last week’s Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank award of
$750,000 from the State for the Coal Mountain Connector project, another partnership between Forsyth County and the State.

Forsyth County receives $32.6 million for water infrastructure upgrades

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga.  – Gov. Brian P. Kemp, along with members of the Georgia Water and Sewer Infrastructure Committee and other state leaders, announced that Forsyth County has been awarded $32.6 million for future water and sewer infrastructure upgrades and projects.

“Because we remained focused on protecting lives and livelihoods throughout the pandemic, Georgia is now in a position to make strategic, transformational investments in our state’s water and sewer infrastructure,” said Gov. Brian Kemp.

“We awarded this project to support Forsyth County in returning water to Lake Lanier to secure water supply for a growing Metro Atlanta area for generations. We are glad to put our support behind this unique project that benefits not only Forsyth County but also north Georgia and the entire state. I want to thank Forsyth County leadership for being proactive with their infrastructure needs and preparing for the future. I also want to commend my floor leader Rep. Lauren McDonald, who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of his constituents to ensure Forsyth County has the resources they need to build the foundation for continued prosperity.”

Rep. Lauren W. McDonald III

The funds issued by the state are targeted for the construction of a pipeline and diffuser that will send treated water back to Lake Lanier from the County’s Fowler Water Reclamation Facility.

“Major water infrastructure updates such as the return flow pipe and water intake facility have been years, even decades, in the making and we are excited to see those plans come to fruition,” said Chairman and District 2 Commissioner Alfred John. “I appreciate the governor’s support for our water infrastructure initiatives that will help lay the foundation for our community’s future.”

In addition to the return pipe project, the County announced in November that it is constructing a raw water intake facility along Lake Lanier that will, once complete, provide reliability and redundancy for water supply, improved water quality, while saving the County approximately $3 million annually in raw water purchases from the City of Cumming.

The funds received by the County are part of $422 million awarded by the state to various communities to ensure high-need areas have reliable and safe drinking water and wastewater systems. Forsyth County’s award was the largest of any local government in the state.

“We are grateful for Gov. Kemp’s support and investment in Forsyth County,” said Forsyth County Manager Kevin Tanner. “The fact that Forsyth County was chosen to receive this significant award for water infrastructure is a testament to the importance of Forsyth County to the metro Atlanta region and the state of Georgia. We have some very large water infrastructure upgrades coming in the near future, and the funds will lead to an immediate savings on those projects.”

Commissioners approve FY2022 budget

News

Commissioners recognized Nov. 4 as the start of Diwali, also known as the “Festival of Lights,” It symbolizes the victory of dharma, and good over evil, and is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains..

FORSYTH COUNTY , Ga. – The Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to adopt the $164.2 million FY 2022 budget that includes a 4 percent increase in the cost of living allowance for all county employees and an increase in the  allowance for the employees 401(k) during Thursday’s meeting.

If approved, the General Fund budget will be balanced at $164,174,088 and will include a 4 percent increase in the cost of living allowance (COLA) for all county employees as well as an increase in the budget allowance for employees 401(k) match.

The largest expenditure is the $57,557,045 budget for the Sheriff’s Office, a 6.7 percent increase over 2021. The fire department will operate on a budget of $32,426,794.The millage rate remains unchanged.

Kirk Wintersteen, who said he has attended county commission work sessions the last 10 years, said, “I believe the county commission is being careful with the money. The majority of the budget goes to public safety. It goes to the Sheriff’s Office. It goes to Fire Services. Our sheriff is doing a great job.”

The Board also approved a number of county initiated zonings and Agribusiness conditional use permits (CUP) that will preserve farmland in the county.

Commissioners unanimously approved CUPs for: Kinzey Farms on Jot’em Down Road; Warbington Farm Road on Crow Road; Castleberry Farm on Westbrook Road; Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm on John Burruss Road; Henderson Farm on Pilgrim Mill Road.

Chairwoman Cindy Mills said she was happy about preserving the county’s farmland.

“I feel really happy that we have changed over 500 acres of property tonight just by my estimation,” she said. “We have plenty of residential and not enough agriculture.”

The Board also approved a request for an Amendment of Zoning Conditions on ZA3171 (QBQ Properties, LLC. an alternate design for Floor and Decor Outlets, Inc. regarding exterior paint colors and amendments to the Unified Development Code related to Sheds in A1 within Chapters 3, 15, and 16.

Commissioner Alfred John was unanimously selected to be Chairman for 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZA 3807 receives long-delayed approval

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — It took four years, more than 40 postponements, some innovation and a  great deal of cooperation between the developer, stakeholders and Commissioner Alfred John, but ZA 3807 finally received the zoning it first requested in 2017.

“This has been a long journey, long before I took office,” John said during Thursday’s Board of Commissioners meeting. “I’ve got to thank Mr. (Ricky) Bryan for accommodating a request I had by creating a road from an adjacent shopping center. Surprisingly, they were willing to bear the cost as well. It will be a very nice development.”

The development sits on 20.976 acres along Sharon Road and will consist of 54 attached residences, 29,000 square feet of commercial buildings, open spaces, a dog park, horseshoe pit, gazebo, pickle ball court, walking trail, benches and tree save area.

“Both the attorney for the HOA Board at Longlake as well as the developer have worked together to try and find a way to protect the interests of Longlake,” John said.

The original plan for the development called for nearly twice as many attached residences. “We’ve come a long way from 97 to 54,” Bryan said. “We worked really hard to address all the issues. It’s taken this long, but I think we’ve gotten it right.”

 

 

 

 

Semanson on nominating process: “It was manipulated by someone with an agenda”

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The normally uneventful process of appointing members to a committee quickly erupted into an embarrassing 30 minutes of angry shouting, accusations of “manipulation” and “dirty” tactics at the Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday.

Furious about the way the nominating process for members of the Development Authority was conducted, Commissioner Laura Semanson said, “This is not the way it was supposed to go. If that is the way we’re going to do this, count me as a no vote on all nominees. This is something that was pulled off at the last minute and I am not okay with it.” She argued that each commissioner was to have a nominee and that each one would receive an up or down vote

Chairwoman Cindy Mills

Chairwoman Cindy Mills reminded her that the process the Board agreed to provided that the first two nominees to receive a simple majority vote would receive the appointment.

Semanson and Commissioner Molly Cooper proposed writing the five nominees’ names on a piece of paper then ranking them to determine the nominations but the county attorney said the rules the Board adopted do not provide for that.

An irate Semanson then claimed the process had been “manipulated by someone with an agenda.” Mills answered, “If it was manipulated, it wasn’t by me. To my knowledge no one manipulated it.”

Clayton Rhodes, Commissioner Todd Levent’s nominee, and Grant Schmelk, Cooper’s nominee, eventually received the at-large appointments by a majority vote.

Semanson then sarcastically told Levent, “Good you got your way, but it was dirty.”

Commissioner Alfred John, who just came onto the Board in January, tried to defuse the situation saying, “It is not becoming of us to keep going on and on. It’s decided. Let’s move on.”

The Board also approved:

·        Awarding the bid for construction of Lanierland Park Phase 2 to Astra Group in the amount of $14,820,000 plus a $200,000 contingency;

·        The purchase an Eventide Netlog 740 Recording System through Quality Recording Solutions, LLC for the E911 Department under a State of Georgia Contract in the amount of $208,396.34;

·        The purchase of replacement membranes for the Manor Water Reclamation Facility from Suez Water Technologies in the amount of $234,446.00;

·        Awarding the bid for construction of Lanierland Park Phase 2 to Astra Group in the amount of $14,820,000 plus a $200,000 contingency;

·        A  Task Order with NOVA Engineering and Environmental for Lanierland Park Phase 2 Geotechnical and Construction Inspections for the Department of Public Facilities in the amount of $98,405;

·        The purchase of one new Crafco Super Shot Diesel Melter for the Department of Roads and Bridges from Reynolds Warren Equipment in the amount of $69,645.00;

·        The purchase of one new Compact Loader for the Department of Water and Sewer from Bobcat of Atlanta in the amount of $78,885.73;

·        The purchase of three new Front Loaders for the Department of Parks and Recreation from Mason Tractor in the amount of $88,466.44;

·        The purchase of three new Compact Loaders for the Department of Parks and Recreation from Bobcat of Atlanta in the amount of $122,103.53

·        Awarding the design/environmental services contract for a multi-use trail on Pilgrim Mill Road, Holtzclaw to Tidwell Park Entrance for the Department of Engineering to American Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $628,600.00;

·        Awarding the bid for  Audio Visual System Upgrades for two (2) Juvenile Courtrooms to Conference Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $64,161.94;

·        A Final Response Time to Reconciliation Letter between Jacobs and Archer Western Construction regarding the Fowler Water Reclamation Facility Expansion;

·        A Memorandum of Understanding between the Improving Community Preparedness to Assist Victims of Mass Violence and Domestic Terrorism: Training and Technical Assistance (ICP-TTA) and Forsyth County;

·        Adoption of a Waterline Extension Policy to define a process for extending water service to existing, developed areas that do not currently have access to the Forsyth County public water system;

·        The design and build project for a Customer Service Facility at the Sexton Hall Campus with authorization for this Project to be included in the existing contract for the Sexton Hall Site Master Planning with Lose Design. The new Facility will serve as the replacement for the Sharon Springs Tag Office and provide services for the Tax Assessors’ Office and Department of Water and Sewer to assist the residents in South Forsyth. The estimated cost for the Project is $2.5M;

·        A discussion and possible direction regarding amendments to the Unified Development Code related to Special Event Facilities and Agritourism;

·        A discussion and possible direction regarding proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code regarding Pools and Accessory Structures to move to a public hearing;

·        An offer from Georgia Transmission Corporation to acquire an easement across County property located at 7385 Browns Bridge Road;

·        A discussion and possible direction regarding moving alcohol application approvals to an administrative process;

·        Postponement of a request by the Board of Registrations and Elections for an increased meeting per diem and monthly expense account;

·        A Right to Enter Agreement with Anson Logistics Assets, LLC to accommodate wall construction for Parcel 7 of the Ronald Reagan Boulevard Extension Project;

·        A review of a Short Term Rental Permitting Ordinance.

 

 

 

 

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