Council approves bid for water line crossing Settingdown Creek
News September 24, 2022
CUMMING, Ga. — In a meeting that lasted just under 30 minutes, Cumming City Council approved a number of bids, including one for $812,373 to Universal Underground Contractors for the Hwy. 369 water line crossing Settingdown Creek.
The good news is that funding for the project will be completely reimbursed by Georgia Department of Transportation.
Council also approved:
- The purchase of a trackhoe from Bobcat of Atlanta in the amount of $69,699.59. The City had approved the purchase from another vendor earlier in the year and expected to have the backhoe delivered. But when the company could not deliver it until March 2023, staff rebid the purchase and Council approved it unanimously.
- A request for a variance on the number of parking spaces for a business at 1080 Sanders Road from 37 to 51, including three handicap spaces
- The replacement of deteriorating high voltage power lines at a cost of $264,100. The low bidder was Jerry Pruitt Electrical Contractors.
- The bid of Compass Security to install security cameras at the Water Distribution Division Shop at a cost of $42,173.39.
- The emergency replacement of an influent drum screen that has been in service for about 15 years at the wastewater plant in the amount of $109,598.
The installation of a 12-inch water line extension on Vision Drive at a cost of $390,000. The vendor is Jasper Grading and Pipeline.
Mayor Troy Brumbalow read a proclamation in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
City approves two annexations
News August 20, 2022
CUMMING, Ga. – The Cumming City Council held two public hearings and approved two annexations requests at Tuesday’s meeting. Both required public hearings and in both cases, Forsyth County stated no objection.
Anthony Austin requested annexation of .99 acres located at 1425 Pilgrim Road. a private, single-family residence.
Jan Allen requested annexation on 1.35 acres at 1435 Pilgrim Road, a single-family residence. The City imposed one condition that requires any addition or improvement to the structure receive approval and permitting by the City Department of Planning and Zoning. The vote was 4-1 with Councilwoman Linda Ledbetter opposed.
Council approved an Alcoholic Beverage License Application for Old Harbor Seafood Kitchen, 911 Marketplace Boulevard Suite L and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Bernadette’s Hair Salon Inc., 512 Dahlonega Street with a variance for 17 parking spaces.
Bernadette’s Hair Saloon accepted the following conditions:
- Parking spaces must be 9 feet wide and 15 feet long
- Landscaping must remain as is
- Operating hours must be no earlier than 8 am nor later than 7pm
- Any ingress, egress changes must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Department, GDOT and the County Fire Marshal
Council approved the purchase of a roof coating for the Cumming Aquatic Center from Bone Dry Roofing Company at a cost of $263,836. The cost was approximately $20,000 more than the lowest bid. However, the low bidder is not a certified user of GAF products which would negate the warranty.
The City received three proposals for the emergency repair of wing walls at the Sanders Road Creek Culvert. Dickerson Group entered the lowest bid of $291,485 and was accepted.
City, County officials discuss Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax
News July 12, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and representatives from the Cumming City Council gathered in the County Administration Building Tuesday for a special called meeting to discuss a proposed Transportation Special Purpose Local Sales Tax (TSPLOST).
The meeting, which lasted less than six minutes, is required by state law primarily to notify the public that plans to place the item on the November ballot are moving forward.
Attorneys representing both governments are working on an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that will include a list of prioritized road projects.
County Manager Kevin Tanner said the city officials have presented their list to the county. County officials are working to develop their list.
The two sides are expected to meet again in 30 days.
City, County officials meet Monday to discuss a transportation tax
News July 10, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and Cumming City Council will hold a special called joint meeting Monday (July 11) at 1 pm in the County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street in Cumming.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax to include placing a referendum for such tax on the November 8, 2022 ballot, the rate
of the tax, and possible projects for inclusion in the referendum.
The two governments will also discuss a proposed Intergovernmental Agreement that will control the distribution of TSPLOST funds, should the referendum be successful.
Feb. 8-12 proclaimed FBLA Week in Cumming
News, Press Release February 3, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
Mayor Troy Brumbalow and City Council presented a proclamation during their January Work Session recognizing the week of Feb. 8-12 as “Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Week” in Cumming. Yugeshwar Muralidhar, a member of the City of Cumming Youth Council, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the FBLA chapters at his school, Forsyth Central High School, and the Forsyth Alliance Academy, which is also a part of the City’s Youth Council.
Also during the January Work Session and Regular Meeting, City Council:
- Decided in a 3-0 vote, with Councilman Christopher Light recused and Councilwoman Linda Ledbetter abstaining, to deny a rezoning application for property on Pilgrim Mill Road that was intended to be used as a development known as The Villages at Brooks Farm. However, the motion provided an exemption which allows the applicant to re-apply at any time rather than waiting one full year to re-apply as is typically required;
- Reappointed all members of all boards and authorities of the City of Cumming, as well as all City of Cumming professional service providers and demand services providers for 2021;
Approved the low bid from Edge Roofing LLC for roof renovations at the Dobbs Creek Recreation Center; - Approved the low bid from Suez-Utility Service Company Inc. for repairs and maintenance to Cumming Utilities’ 800,000-gallon Sawnee Mountain ground storage tank;
- Set the qualifying period and fees for the Nov. 2, 2021 municipal election. Qualifying period will be Aug. 16, 17 and 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 daily. Qualifying fees are 3 percent of the yearly salary of each position, or $180 for the post of Council Member and $360 for the post of Mayor;
- Approved two updates to the City’s Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. The first prohibits employees from coming to work at times when they are aware that they may have an illness that could result in a contagious condition, and the second allows for the hiring of family members within the same department as long as the two related employees are not in the same chain of command;
- Held a public hearing regarding the zoning of just over 74 acres known as the Williams tract, which was recently annexed. No one spoke during the public hearing and Council voted to zone the property Single-Family Residential (R-1);
- Approved an expenditure of up to $40,000 for creation of a steam engine display in one of the Cumming City Center’s pocket park areas instead of a second water fountain, as was originally planned. Mayor Brumbalow explained that after looking into related costs of the fountain, creating a steam engine display would be much more cost effective (fountain costs run between $80,000 and $200,000) and would also be a good way to honor the community’s long-standing historical connection to steam engines.
Cumming work session scheduled Tuesday
Featured Stories February 1, 2021
CUMMING, Ga. – Cumming City Council will hold a work session Tuesday (Feb. 2) at 6 p.m. in the third floor Council Chambers 100 Main Street.
Agenda items to be considered include:
- An ordinance amendment related to parking and miscellaneous offenses;
- A request to Use Horton Hall as COVID Vaccination Location;
- Emergency Management Update on COVID;
- An ordinance proposal related to a pedestrian event;
- Emergency Sewer Line – Tribble Gap Road to Butler Building;
- A change order for Sawnee Mountain Tank #2
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
City Council delays action on Lanier Parkway pump station and water tank
News October 25, 2020
CUMMING, Ga. — The Cumming City Council discussed the request for proposal for construction of the Lanier Parkway booster pump and water tank project during last week’s meeting but took no action.
Willow Construction submitted the low bid of $2,879,498. The project could serve the proposed Lennar Development as well as a new juvenile justice center. Mayor Troy Brumbalow said, “The concern is if the Lennar Development isn’t approved then we’ve spent $3 million to service one building and there may be another way to booster pump that without building a water tank. You’re anticipating something that’s not been approved yet.”
Council did approve the low bid of ACG Security Systems to provide security cameras for the raw water intake facility for $265,000.
City Administrator Phil Higgins said the existing cameras were low quality and when there was a break-in that led to the theft of computers, equipment and one vehicle, the Sheriff’s Office had difficulty viewing the scene.
Following a public hearing during which no one spoke in opposition, Council unanimously approved a variance request by Orchard Apartments to add 21 apartments to its existing complex with the condition that 80 percent of the apartments have at least one occupant above the age of 55.
Council also approved a request by RB and DB, LLC to rezone 1.164 acres at 415 Dahlonega Street from Single Family Residential (SFR) to Office Professional for a real estate office.
The Mayor also read a proclamation to declare Oct. 18-25 as Family Promise Week in Cumming.
Council to proclaim Oct. 18-25 Family Promise Week
News October 19, 2020
CUMMING, Ga. — The Cumming City Council will hold a work session Tuesday Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall Building, 100 Main Street.
Mayor Troy Brumbalow is expected to read a proclamation to recognize the work of Family Promise of Forsyth County and to declare Oct. 18-25 Family Promise Week in Cumming. Family Promise of Forsyth County, Inc., serves families who are experiencing homelessness.
Family Promise of Forsyth County, Inc. serves families who are experiencing homelessness. In cooperation with churches and more than 400 volunteers, the organization provides a safe place to stay and meals along with programs and suggestions to help families gain or regain sustainable independence.
Council will consider variance request 2020274, Orchard Apartments, LLC and conduct a public hearing on rezoning request 2020277 RB and DB, LLC.
There are three requests for proposal on the agenda: Lanier Parkway Booster Pump and Water Tank, Security cameras and Lanier Walk Wastewater Pump Station
Due to Election Day on November 3, 2020, the November Work Session will be held on Wednesday November 4, 2020.
Mayor signs Childhood Cancer Awareness proclamation
News, Press Release October 6, 2020
CUMMING, Ga. — During the Sept. 15th Regular City Council Meeting, Mayor Troy Brumbalow signed two proclamations. The first was in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness. Randi Green, a young lady who is a cancer survivor, was also honored by members of the American Cancer Society who were in attendance to accept the proclamation. Sept. 20-26 was recognized as Childhood Cancer Awareness Week in Support of the American Cancer Society’s Schools vs. Cancer program. The second proclamation was presented to members of the Forsyth County Retired Educators Association in honor of Retired Educators Day on Nov. 1, 2020.
Mayor Troy Brumbalow also swore in a new member of the Cumming Police Department. William Knight comes to the Cumming Police Department with a decade of service with the Atlanta Police Department, most recently assigned to their motorcycle division. He will be working in the Cumming PD’s Uniform Patrol Division.
In other business during the September work session and regular meeting, City Council:
Accepted the low bid from Cooper & Company for steel work on the Cumming City Center’s buildings A, B, C, D and M; accepted the low bid from Vertical Earth for concrete work on the Center’s parking deck; and accepted the proposal from Cooper & Company for mechanical, electrical and plumbing construction with fire suppression for the Center’s parking deck.
Amended the City’s intergovernmental agreement with Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections Office to allow use of the Cumming Park & Recreation Facility at 437 Pilgrim Mill Road as an early voting site for the General Election from Monday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 30.
Amended the City’s Zoning Ordinance in regards to livestock being kept under certain conditions. This amendment was needed following a request by Otwell Middle School to keep farm animals on school grounds for educational purposes.
Appointed Scott Evans with the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce to serve as the private sector representative for Cumming and Forsyth County on the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission Board after the previous appointee resigned from this position.
Accepted the low bid from Mid-South Builders, Inc. for installation of 12-inch water line along Hwy. 369 from Settingdown Creek to Dr. Bramblett Road. The project is a result of the Georgia Department of Transportation moving the Settingdown Creek Bridge on Hwy. 369 and operational issues with the Hendrix Road water tank.
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Cumming City Council will proclaim Sept. 20-26 Childhood Awareness Week
News September 14, 2020
CUMMING, Ga. – When the Cumming City Council meets Tuesday (Sept. 15) at 6 p.m. two important proclamations will be on the agenda. The first will name Sept. 20-26 Childhood Awareness Week. The second will proclaim Nov. 1 Retired Educators Day.
Other agenda items include:
A public hearing on an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance;
A private sector appointee to the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission;
A request for proposal on the 369 Outer Loop 12-inch water line;
Swearing in of a new city police officer.
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
Charlie Westbrook named Honorary Mayor
News August 29, 2020
CUMMING, Ga. — During the Aug. 18th Regular City Council Meeting, Mayor Troy Brumbalow recognized a very special young man, Charlie Westbrook, with a proclamation declaring Aug. 18, 2020 as Charlie Westbrook Day in the City of Cumming.
The proclamation also declared Charlie as the “honorary mayor of the City of Cumming for as long as Charlie so chooses to serve his community.” Charlie had already dubbed himself as mayor and already has big plans to run for president of the United States in 2044.
Besides the proclamation, Charlie was also invited to sit next to Mayor Brumbalow during the opening of the meeting. He even got to use the mayor’s gavel to call the meeting to order. Pictured here with Mayor Brumbalow and his parents, Elizabeth and Slade Westbrook, Charlie, 11, is one of four children with special needs the Westbrooks have adopted. They also have three older biological children. Everyone in the City of Cumming is proud to have Charlie as our “honorary mayor”!
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
Council adopts city-wide audit report
News July 8, 2020
CUMMING, Ga. – The City Council approved the independent audit presented by Charles Cole of the audit firm Le Roy, Cole and Stephens during Tuesday’s work Session by a vote of 3-0 with two council members absent.
“At the end of the year, the net position of the City of Cumming IS $270,000, an increase of about $10 million in assets less liabilities from the prior year,” Cole said.
Revenue for the year was $14.6 million, approximately $600,000 above expenditures.
The special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) brought in about $3.6 million while SPLOST expenditures totaled $4.2 million. Capital project funds for the City Center was about $5.6 million.
Cole said, “The good news is that all departments of the City of Cumming met their budgets and nobody spent more than they were budgeted.”
The city’s water and sewer fund had $23 million in cash receipts with expenditures of $20 million.
Cole noted the city has done a good job the last couple of years, getting more cash on their investments than in previous years.
“I’m happy to say we were $1.7 million under budget,” Mayor Troy Brumbalow said.
Council then approved a contract with North Georgia Stonework in the amount of $40,260 for refurbishment of the intersection of Pine Lake Drive and Canton Hwy. The work includes a new stone monument with sign, retaining wall, light grading work, lighting and landscaping.
Council also approved a contract with the low bidder, Vertical Earth in the amount of $15,799,066 for the new City Center.
A water line replacement contract for Rebel Road in the amount of $394,474 was awarded to Mullins Utility and Contracting.
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