Commissioners review proposed amendments to county sign ordinance
News August 11, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — As authorized by the Board of Commissioners, the Planning and Community Development Department drafted a list of amendments to the Forsyth County Sign Ordinance regarding electronic message boards (EMB) for the Board’s consideration.
Planning Director Michael Chapman presented the proposed amendments at Thursday’s meeting.
EMBs must have a minimum of 100 feet of frontage along an urban divided roadway with a median.
The current ordinance allows EMBs that have a principle use that is either a religious facility, college or university private or parochial school, hospital, military or veteran organization. The proposed change would add assembly hall, meeting hall, auditorium, art gallery, museum, nonprofit club or lodge theater or amphitheater.
In commercial or office districts, currently, EMBs are permitted only for fueling station monument signs where the changeable copy area shall not exceed 46square feet. Under a new proposal, they would be permitted where principle use is either a religious facility, college or university private or parochial school, hospital, military or veteran organization. The proposed change would add assembly hall, meeting hall, auditorium, art gallery, museum, nonprofit club or lodge theater or amphitheater.
In the Castleberry/Bethelview Crossroads Overlay District, EMBs are prohibited.
In the Buford Highway Overlay District, free standing signs where the building size is not over 10,000 square feet are limited to a height of 6′ feet with one sign per property. Where the building size is 10,001 to 50,000 square feet a height of 8 feet is permitted. Where the building size 50,001 to 100,000 a sign height of 10 feet is permitted. Where the building size is 100,000 square or greater, sign height of 12 feet is permitted and two signs per road frontage is permitted.
EMBs or changeable copy signs are currently permitted at fueling stations (one per road frontage). The recommendation would also allow EMB or changeable copy signs where the principle use is either a religious facility, college or university private or parochial school, hospital, military or veteran organization
Commissioner Todd Levent suggested that some county signs may be out of compliance, County Manager Kevin Tanner responded “there are a lot of signs not in compliance.” Commissioner Laura Semanson agreed. “More than you may think,” she said.
The amendments will be the subject of a future public hearing.
Board of Registrations expected to issue the call for TSPLOST today
Featured Stories August 5, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Registrations and Elections will meet in a called meeting today at 11 am when it is expected to issue a call for a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax to be placed on the Nov. ballot.
County Attorney requests the Board of Commissioners amend the language in the SPLOST resolution approved last week.
The Board of Commissioners authorized the SPLOST in a resolution at the July 26 meeting, but the language was amended at last night’s Board of Commissioners meeting at the request of County Attorney Ken Jarrard.
The language initially included a list of projects that could be funded by SPLOST. Jarrard said the list of projects should not have been included on the ballot. The Board unanimously approved the amendment to delete the projects.
Commissioner Todd Levent called for the project list to be discussed in a work session later this month. “It is very important since its not on the ballot that we get a legitimate project list so the citizens know what we are going to work on. ” His motion was unanimously approved.
Gilligan, Barrett square off at the Conference Center
Featured Stories, News June 16, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY Ga. — Incumbent District 24 State Representative Sheri Gilligan and challenger Carter Barrett participated in the Forsyth County Republican Party Runoff Candidate Forum at the Conference Center Wednesday.
Both candidates threw a few sharp elbows early. Some landed, and some didn’t. But no blood was shed and there was no knockout punch. Like the 90+ degree heat outside the conference center, things eventually cooled down.
First, though, both said they would like to clear the air regarding a few salvos fired at them during a campaign that both described as “rancorous.”
Gilligan said one of the lies told about her by the Barrett campaign is that “I don’t support veterans.” She pointed out she and her husband are veterans, her daughters are veterans and their sons-in-law are veterans who graduated from the Air Force Academy.
Barrett accused the Gilligan campaign of distributing fliers that claim he supports high-density development . “I am not the king of high density development,” he said. “I have never developed a neighborhood in my entire life. I have never financed a neighborhood in my entire life.”
Asked what they would do to stop high-density development, Barrett didn’t offer a solution but did say, “I don’t want this to be a community you come to educate your children and make a pot full of money then retire somewhere else.”
He added that he does not support high-density development. “I want this to be a truly great community where you wouldn’t even consider retiring somewhere else.” He pointed out that he helped lead the Envision 2020 comprehensive plan 15 years ago and is today working on the comprehensive plan for the future.
Gilligan said high-density development has “Caused our taxes to increase, our roads to erode and has driven local government into debt. But seven years in the legislature have taught her that there is little state government can do to stop it. “That is the job of our county commissioners,” she said.
She questioned Barrett’s claim that he opposes high-density housing since he has been endorsed by County Commissioners Todd Levent and Cindy Mills, who she said have voted for the most high-density development of any of the five commissioners. They are at this moment expanding high-density housing. Do you disavow their support?”
The candidates found common ground when asked if there was fraud the 2020 election. Barrett said, “There is no question in my mind whatsoever there was fraud in that election. There was rampant fraud.” He also said he watched the film “2,000 Mules” by Dinesh D’Souza which appears to depict massive evidence of fraud and called it “compelling.”
Gilligan said, “We have evidence of people casting a vote in another state and still voting here in Georgia. We have ballots that were illegally harvested and stuffed into ballot boxes. I signed onto a petition for a special session so we could assess what was going on.”
There was also common ground on their opposition to masked mandates and the need for school choice.
The candidates were asked if they could only get one piece of legislation passed, what would it be.
Gilligan has made school choice her mantra for her seven years in office so she emphatically stated, “If I could only get one piece of legislation passed, it would be school choice. We need school choice. Right now there are thousands of Georgia children stuck in failing schools. It is unconscionable. For the economy to thrive, you need an educated work force. You need educated students to break the cycle of poverty by getting them out of these failing schools and state dollars need to follow them.”
Barrett considered several important pieces of legislation, he would like to get passed, including term limits, school choice and the state income tax. “That is a tough one,” he said before stating, “I would agree with Sheri 100 percent that school choice is paramount.
The winner will face Democrat Sydney Walker in the November General Election.
County Commissioners says no tattoo parlors in three overlay districts
News May 7, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Despite the passionate pleas of two professional tattoo artists and support from Commissioner Laura Semanson, the Board of Commissioners chose to bar tattoo parlors from three overlay districts in Forsyth County during Thursday’s public hearings.
The vote was 4-1 to keep those businesses out of the overlay districts of Atlanta Highway/McFarland Parkway/Mulinax Road, Peachtree Parkway/Bethelview Road and Campground Castleberry/Kelly Mill/Post Road.
Russ Abbott argued, “The most desirable commercial real estate is in those districts. I need to know if I put a high-end, custom tattoo studio in this county I can be successful. I need to be able to bring in tattoo artists from around the country to work in this studio.”
Tattoo artist Rob Ingram who lived in Forsyth County for many years before moving to Dawson County said, “There are so many reasons why limiting where I can place a studio is wrong.I shouldn’t have to worry about where I can open a studio because I am not welcome in an overlay district.”
Semanson said, “I don’t see the need to put a blanket-type prohibition. I personally feel that is unfair. The county is given the tools to regulate businesses during the conditional use permit process (CUP). To me that is all that is needed.”
Commissioner Todd Levent and the others were not swayed. Levent said the overlay districts comprise only about 10 percent of the county. “I’m not interested in tattoo parlors going into these overlay districts.”
County Commissioner Todd Levent qualifies to run for fourth term
Featured Stories March 10, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – District 3 County Commissioner Todd Levent was the lone candidate to qualify for the May 24 General Primary Election today. Levent will be seeking his fourth term on the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Levent was elected in 2010 to serve as the District 3 commissioner for the 2011-2014 term. He was re-elected in 2014 for the 2015-2018 term and again in 2018 for the 2019-2022 term.
Levent and his wife Dana are the parents of Jared and Alexandria.
At 5 p.m. Thursday March 10, the Georgia Secretary of State list of qualified candidates includes:
STATE SENATE DIST. 27
Brent Binion (D) learning architect
Greg Dolezal (R) (I) small business owner
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DIST. 24
Carter Barrett (R) banker
Sheri Smallwood Gilligan (R) (I) former U.S. Intelligence analyst
Ed Solly (R) consultant
Sydney Walker (D) homemaker
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DIST. 27
Lee Hawkins (R) (I) dentist
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DIST. 28
Brent Cox (R) businessman
Donald Lannom (R) consultant
John Luchetti (R) business owner
Blake McClellan (R) entrepreneur
Tim Short (R) pharmacist
Julie Tressler (R) real estate
Claudia Wood (D) education director
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DIST 1
Kerry Hill (R) IT specialist
Tim Huffine (R) retired
BOARD OF EDUCATION DIST. 1
Janna Kregoski (D) project manager
Wes McCall (R) (I) emergency manager
Dennis Scheidt (R) retired
BOARD OF EDUCATION DIST. 5
Erin Knight (R) independent reading specialist
Mike Valdes (R) construction engineer
Elaine Padgett (D) nurse
JUDGE STATE COURT OF FORSYTH
James Dunn
Rupal Vaishnav
SOLICITOR GENERAL
Bill Finch (R) (I)
New fire station alerting system should improve response time in emergencies
News February 23, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – At the start of Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners work session, Assistant County Manager Brandon Kenney presented the results of a customer service survey that focused on three departments that frequently interact with the public – Business License, Community Development and Business and Economic Development.
“Most of the respondents were very happy with the service they received,” Kenney said. “Overall, the satisfaction levels are excellent. Kenney added that department leaders are looking at the survey to determine where improvements can be made.
County Manager Kevin Tanner congratulated Building Inspector Donnie Whitmire on his retirement which will be effective on Monday. Tanner said Whitmire conducted 29,000 inspections during his tenure with the county.
Tanner also awarded the quarterly Customer Service Award to the Business License Department.
Commissioners approved the purchase of a new Fire Station Alerting Solution to replace a 30-year-old system from Purvis Systems Inc. Fire Chief Barry Head said the system will improve response time by an average of 46 seconds, which is critical.
The Board unanimously approved the following:
- The award of RFP 21-146-2410 for a Fire Station Alerting Solution for the Fire Department to Purvis Systems, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $1,033,609.69 with permission to continue the annual software licensing and maintenance renewals (based upon business need) for the life of the software;
- Authorization for the Chairman to sign the annual Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification;
- Acceptance of the Georgia Public Defender Council funding by ARPA in the amount of $83,334.00 with no County match;
- A list of items as surplus with authorization for the Department of Procurement to dispose of accordingly
- A Hardware Warranty Agreement by and between Dominion Voting Systems, Inc. and Forsyth County in the not to exceed amount of $105,743 for voting machines for the Department of Voter Registrations and Elections;
- The award of RFP 21-195-3401 for Acceptance of Recycled Material for the Department of Recycling and Solid Waste to Advanced Disposal Recycling Services Atlanta, LLC;
- A Construction Services Agreement with Delta Municipal Supply Company in the amount of $18,986,926.00 for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Meters and System Installation for the Department of Water and Sewer;
- Approval of a Master Services Agreement with Delta Municipal Supply Company in the not to exceed amount of $12,936,562.30 for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Ongoing Operations and Maintenance – Network-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service Agreements;
- The award of RFP 21-201-3300 for annual Sanitary Sewer Flow Monitoring Services to CSL Services, Inc. in the amount of $163,528;
- A Change Order with K-Team Engineering and Construction for installation and connection of water and sewer utilities for the Matt Schoolhouse Phase 1 Renovation in the amount of $46,300;
- A Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement between Bennett Capital Partners LLC and Forsyth County to extend the term of the lease for 327 Dahlonega Street, Suite 601b, Cumming, (Tanyard Oaks Office Park) from May 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022;
- A Change Order with Gaskins Surveying Company in the amount of $6,000 for Survey Services to cover the additional adjacent northern property of the Freedom Parkway Tract;
- The award of RFQ 21-182-1510 to provide all labor, materials, and equipment for Engineering and Design Services for the Forsyth County Whole Health Center to Jericho Design Group in the amount of $1,667,250;
- A Task Order with Hayes, James & Associates Inc. to provide Architectural and Engineering Services for the Water and Sewer Maintenance Warehouse Project in the amount of $249,550.00; Department of Capital Projects 2022 Budget;
- A Task Order 23-Amendment 1 with CH2M Hill, Inc. regarding Lake Lanier Water Quality Sampling;
- A Temporary Construction Easement and a Permanent Easement with Orchards of Central Park, LLP for the Central Park Recreation Center gravity sewer connection to the adjacent residential development’s sewer infrastructure;
- A County-Initiated Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to conduct around the clock business on property currently zoned Restricted Industrial District (M1) with a variance to reduce the number of parking spaces – Parcel 140-072;
- A County-Initiated Amendment of Zoning Conditions on ZA1421 (Technology Park/Atlanta, Inc.) to reduce the 50 ft. planted exterior buffer on the northern property boundary only – Parcel 140-072;
- A County-Initiated rezoning from A1, CBD, and HB to M1 with conditional use permits (CUPs) and variances for parcels 235-045, 235-056, 235-036, and 235-218;
- A resolution to the local delegation to the General Assembly voicing opposition to HB1093 and SB494; bills aimed at preempting local governments from regulating Build to Rent Communities;
- Approval of a resolution declaring surplus and authorizing disposal of an air monitoring station that has been operating at or near Eagle’s Beak Park in accord with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Environmental Protection Division;
- The appointment of Maria Villalon to the Administrative Committee. Said appointment is for the Employee At-Large Member position that was vacated due to retirement and is for a four-year term or until employment with the County terminates;
- A resolution requesting that the Forsyth local delegation to the General Assembly sponsor local legislation increasing the County’s Hotel/Motel Excise Tax from 5% to 8%;
- A Purchase Agreement for Permanent Construction and Maintenance Easement in the amount of $22,706.75 needed for Parcel 151 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-010 (Parcel #96 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Alpharetta, Inc. with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $51,100;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-172 (Parcel #97 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Oaktree Land Investments, LLC with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $272,600.
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-174 (Parcel #104 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: BME McGinnis Ferry, LLC with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $420,500.
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-022 (Parcel #115 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening. Owners: Husson Properties, LLC with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $25,600;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-045 (Parcel #118 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Jered Byars Brown with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $332,200;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 090-103 (Parcel #133 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Gregory A. Maze and Diane K. Maze with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $58,000;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 113-427 (Parcel #150 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Kevin Kotellos and Theresa Dawn Schmitz-Kotellos with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $15,000;
- A resolution to condemn property interest in Tax Parcel 114-065 (Parcel #155 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Mark Loftus and Renee Loftus with authorization for the Chair to execute documents in furtherance of same; estimated just and adequate compensation: $20,900;
- Ratification of Right-of-Way Settlement Authorization executed by the Forsyth County Attorney, Forsyth County Capital Projects Director, and the Forsyth County Manager for Parcel 156 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owners: Brian A. Brooks and Dianna V. Brooks;
- Board ratification of Right-of-Way Settlement Authorization executed by the Forsyth County Attorney, Forsyth County Capital Projects Director, and the Forsyth County Manager for Parcel 118 of the McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Project. Owner: Jered Byars Brown.
Following and executive session the Board approved a fourth addendum to the Right-of-Entry Agreement for Ronald Reagan Extension (PI #PEN 12) Parcel 7 and a Settlement Agreement & Release between Hanover Community Association, Inc. and Forsyth County in the amount of $66,000 to settle the dispute and claims by Hanover against the County pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement & Release; Union Hill Road Expansion Project.
Board of Commissioners to consider revocation of Hindu Center permit in Tuesday work session
Featured Stories July 12, 2021
Commissioner Todd Levent
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners will consider revocation of the conditional use permit (CUP) for the Hindu Center of Atlanta, Inc. when it meets in a work session Tuesday (July 13) at 2 p.m. in the County Administration Building 110 E. Main Street in Cumming.
“After 18 months, if they don’t do anything with the zoning, it automatically comes back before the Board for reconsideration,” said County Commissioner Todd Levent.
The proposed 10,000 square foot worship center has been the subject of numerous complaints. “Neighbors have complained multiple times about code violations like cutting down trees near a pond and for playing loud, amplified music.”
Other agenda items the Board will consider include:
- A list of items to be declared as surplus with authorization for the Department of Procurement to dispose of accordingly;
- Sports lighting replacement with Musco Lighting in the amount of $1,268,000.00;
- Approval to award Bid 21-89-3150 for the resurfacing of various Forsyth County roads for the Department of Engineering to Blount Construction Company, Inc. in the amount of $5,498,726.75;
- Approval to award Bid 21-97-5211 to make repairs to the Big Creek Greenway Phase 4 from Bethelview Trailhead to Kelly Mill. Staff Recommendation: award to Steele & Associates, Inc. in the amount of $99,981.00 with a $25,000 contingency for a total amount of $124,981.00;
- Approval to award RFP 21-62-1630 to update the Comprehensive Plan for the Department of Planning and Community Development; Department Budget. Staff Recommendation: award to Blue Cypress Consulting in the amount of $178,892.00;
- Approval of a Task Order with Precision Planning, Inc. for design of waterlines on Thunder River Way.Staff Recommendation: approve the Task Order with Precision Planning in the amount of $71,950.00;
- Approval of a Water Utility Easement Agreement for Fire Station #11 located at 4655 Pittman Road. Staff requests this Item be considered on a “Time Sensitive” basis;
- Approval of a Georgia Power Electrical Service Agreement for the Juvenile Justice Center. The installation cost is $103,246.31, which will yield the lowest usage fee rate;
- Approval of a Georgia Power Easement Agreement for the new Juvenile Justice Center underground electrical service loop to provide electricity to the new facility;
- Approval of a Georgia Power Illumination Agreement for the new Juvenile Justice Center site’s lighting of driveways and parking areas. The installation cost is $59,500 and is included under the project budget;
- Approval of two private cul-de-sac streets in Spring Creek at Mathis Parkway, a new subdivision;
- Approval to increase the salary of the Forsyth County Chief Magistrate to $142,014 in parity with the current salary of the Forsyth County Probate Judge;
- Direction regarding the invitation from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to accept or defer Entitlement Funding; the County is eligible for up to $909,900 over the next two years;
- Possible direction regarding the 2020 Impact Fee Annual Update draft with authorization to advertise for a Public Hearing to occur on August 19, 2021;
- Authorization for the Sheriff’s Office to apply for the FY2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $12,293 with no match required with authorization for the Chair to sign associated required documents;
- Possible direction regarding amendments to the Unified Development Code related to Dumpsters in Residential Districts within Chapters 3, 10, 11, 16, and 21;
- Possible direction regarding amendments to the Unified Development Code related to signage for open storage yards;
- Possible direction regarding amendments to allow commercial storage within existing Agricultural Buildings on A1 property within the Unified Development Code of Forsyth County;
- (20) Board consideration and possible direction regarding a County-Initiated rezoning from RES3 to A1 for three single family homes on 3.303 acres;
- Approval of the Agreement with Georgia Transmission Corporation regarding the Cumming-McGrau 230kV Transmission Line for the SR 369 Widening and SR 369/SR 400 Interchange – PI 0013369 and 0013165;
- (22) Board consideration and approval of the Agreement with Georgia Transmission Corporation regarding the Dawson Crossing-Hammond Crossing 115kV Transmission Line for the SR 369 Widening and SR 369/SR 400 Interchange – PI 0013369 and 0013165;
- Amended Utility Relocation Agreement with the City of Cumming in connection with the SR 369 Widening and Interchange Projects in the amount of $1,288,410.64;
- An Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Cumming regarding the provision of municipal election services;
- A Settlement Agreement and Release between Keller North America Inc. f/k/a Hayward Baker, Inc. and Forsyth County involving remediation, enhancement, and aesthetic upgrade of the Flynn Wall.
Following an executive session, the Board will give consideration to the approval of a Settlement Agreement with Tri Scapes, Inc. related to the Trammel Road Sidewalk Project.
Forsyth County Development Authority will continue to have seven members — for now
Featured Stories April 9, 2021
Laura Semanson
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners discussed the future of the Forsyth County Development Authority during Tuesday’s meeting with regard to new appointments and whether the Authority should consist of seven, nine or possibly 11 members.
Commissioner Laura Semanson seemed to favor nine. She said she was disappointed there had been many times the Authority did not meet because they didn’t have anything to discuss. “They should be getting together,” she said. “They should be getting together to discuss how they can assist with big development. By having a different group it would lend itself to them being there and there being a level of enthusiasm. I would like to consider going to nine.”
Chairman Cindy Mills said reaching a quorum with nine members would be very difficult.
Commissioner Todd Levent said he believes the current 7-members is the right number. He said he has talked to commissioners in other counties and they said a nine-member Authority is “a nightmare.”
Todd Levent
Commissioner Alfred John said, “I suggest we start with seven and see what their workload and challenges are like and see if they might like to go to nine in about three of four months, depending on how active their Board chooses to be.”
After the discussion, commissioners unanimously approved the resolution calling for seven members for now and to appoint members at a subsequent work session.
In other decisions, the Board unanimously approved:
- A motion to adopt a resolution that will maintain the makeup of the Development Authority at seven members with nominations to be held at a future work session;
- A list of items as surplus with authorization for the Department of Procurement to dispose of accordingly;
- Bid 21-19-3150 for the reclamation/widening of Chamblee Gap Road to Blount Construction Company Inc. in the amount of $505,605.18, from SPLOST 8 funding, with $100,000.nt00 donation from the developer;
- Bid 21-37-5211 for the purchase of seven new zero turn mowers for the Department of Parks and Recreation to Terry’s Equipment Sales & Rental in the amount of $55,500.00;
- A Change Order with Blount Construction Company, Inc. on the 2020 Road Resurfacing Project in the amount of $270,500;
- A Task Order with CH2MHill (Jacobs) to update the Water Master Plan for the Department of Water and Sewer in the amount of $199,522;
- Temporary staffing needed at the vaccination site for the Emergency Management Agency to Staffing Options, Inc. in the not-to-exceed amount of $105,548.80 with the funding source of FEMA/Vaccine Grant for Professional Services;
- An Encroachment Agreement for Easement with Georgia Transmission Corporation for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a 16″ ductile water main crossing a GTC Easement on Browns Bridge Road;
- An Encroachment Agreement for Easement with Georgia Transmission Corporation for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a 16″ ductile water main inside a 24″ steel casing pipe crossing a GTC Easement on Keith Bridge Road at Dawson Crossing – Hammonds Crossing;
- 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;
- Postponed consideration of a revised and updated Intergovernmental Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Treated Water between Forsyth County and the Etowah Water and Sewer Authority;
- A request to apply for the State of Georgia FY2021 Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant Safety Action Plan (LMIG SAP) for an amount not to exceed $115,000.00 with a required match of up to $34,500 on a time sensitive basis;
- Ratification of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Emergency Grant Award to the Forsyth County Adult Felony Drug Court in the amount of $3,500 to support case manager services due to COVID;
- Ratification of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Pandemic Relief and Technology Grant Award to the Forsyth County C.A.R.E. Program in the amount of $2,479 to purchase additional technology due to COVID;
- Reappointment of Carla Radzikinas as the Republican Party member to the Forsyth County Board of Registrations and Elections;
- Creation of a Capital Projects Management Director position;
- Acdraft resolution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Cumming, Georgia for creation of the Forsyth County/City of Cumming Land Bank and appointment of members;
- An emergency moratorium on any units applied for under Res6 Performance Standards that exceed four units per acre;
The Board then recessed into an Executive Session:
Following the Executive Session the Board approved a resolution to condemn property rights in connection with the Coal Mountain Connector Project:
(A) Parcel 10 – 2.024 acres of fee simple right of way and 79,940.12 square feet of temporary easement for construction of slopes (owners: Donald Jerry Gravitt, as Executor of the Estate of Bertie Mae Burgess Gravitt; Mildred Gravitt Williamson, individually and as heir of Rufus Gravitt, by and through Richard Neville, Esq., as her duly appointed Conservator; Donald Jerry Gravitt, individually and as heir of Rufus Gravitt; Charles Dennis Gravitt, individually and as heir of Rufus Gravitt; and Gary Allen Gravitt, individually and as heir of Rufus Gravitt)
(B) Parcel 11 – 0.021 acres of fee simple right of way and 3,185.01 square feet of temporary easement for construction of slopes (owners: Donnie Williamson and Mildred Gravitt Williamson by and through Richard Neville, Esq., as her duly appointed Conservator);
(2) Board consideration of a Resolution to Amend Condemnation of Property Rights in connection with the Ronald Reagan Boulevard Extension, parcel 7: 0.155 acres of fee simple right of way; 2,259.16 square feet of permanent easement for construction and maintenance of slopes; square feet of temporary construction easement; 9,473.11 and two (2) temporary driveway easements (owners: Anson Logistics Assets, LLC and Prudential Insurance Company of America);
(3) Board consideration of an acquisitions contract for the purchase of real estate, between 400 Pilgrim LLC (seller) and Forsyth County, Georgia (buyer), for land located along both sides of Freedom Pkwy, Cumming GA, otherwise known as Forsyth County tax parcel 219-113, comprised of 58.57 acres; but with the acquisition contract being only for acquisition of +/- 42 acres, and with a contingency for acquisition of an additional +/- 10 to 12 acres of the same tax parcel. Staff requests this Item be considered on a “Time Sensitive” basis.
BOC nominates three for Development Authority
News November 26, 2020
Laura Semanson
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Three items on the Board of Commissioners work session produced lengthy discussions but none more than the upcoming appointments/reappointments to the Development Authority.
Chairwoman Laura Semanson expressed some frustration with the Authority because many meetings had been canceled due to a lack of business. “To me that says maybe we should meet and talk about why there is nothing going on,” she said.
The seven-member Authority has had no new appointments since 2017. “There are some members who would like to see some fresh blood, some changes,” she said.
Semanson proposed adding two new at-large positions but Commissioner Levent said, he doesn’t see the need to increase the number of members.
Molly Cooper
Four members’ terms will expire in December and three others by April, prompting Commissioner Molly Cooper to say, “We can’t keep kicking this can down the road. Time is up. We need to make a decision.”
Semanson nominated Larry Duckworth for reappointment, Levent nominated Joanne Tolleson and Cooper nominated Justin Hawkins. Those nominations must be ratified by a vote of the full Board.
Commissioner Cindy Mills deferred until the December meeting and Commissioner Dennis Brown who, who leaves the Board at the end of the year said he would prefer that his replacement Alfred Johns make the appointment.
Dennis Brown
In other votes, commissioners unanimously approved:
- An increase in per diem for members of the Equalization Board to $125;
- A memorandum of understanding with the University of Georgia regarding the Extension Service;
- A list of county-owned surplus items to be sold;
- An agreement to into an Inter Sub-Site Interface Connection Agreement with Motorola Solutions Inc. for the Public Safety Radio System to allow for interconnectivity with the Hall County system in the amount of $778,615;
- The Interconnected Public Safety Radio System Intergovernmental Agreement between Forsyth County and Hall County – Director, Emergency Management Agency;
- The reallocation of Tyler Technologies’ current Tyler Field Mobile Licensing Fees to Tyler Smartfile Licensing Fees and to provide professional services to make multiple Smartfile forms available for electronic filing for the Tax Assessors’ Office;
- Award RFP 20-87-3340 for the printing and mailing of Water and Sewer Bills for the Department of Water and Sewer to Pinnacle Data Systems starting in calendar year 2021, budgeted amount $275,000;
- To award Bid 20-121-1620 for Waste Collection Services for Various Forsyth County Buildings to overall low bidder Advanced Disposal Services, LLC in the amount of $110,828.28; 2021;
- To award Bid 20-124-1620 for Building Cleaning Services for Various Forsyth County Buildings for the Calendar Year 2021 for the Department of Public Facilities the low bidder All Bright Janitorial Service in the amount of $194,000.00;
- To award Bid 20-135-1590 to purchase one (1) new 2021 Ford F250 Truck with Animal Body Transport for Code Compliance to Prater Ford, Inc. in the amount of $53,297.20;
- To award Bid 20-136-3120 for providing Installation and Repair of Guardrails as needed for the Forsyth County Department of Engineering Stembridge Custom Metals, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $50,000.00;
- To award Bid 20-140-5211 for providing Baled Hay Services at Eagles Beak for the Department of Parks and Recreation with no cost to the County;
- To award Bid 20-169-3150 for the emergency replacement of a culvert at Two Mile Creek on Wallace Wood Road to The Dickerson Group in the amount of $384,807.80;
- Ratification of the reappointment of Jerry Bowman as the Neutral Representative to the Forsyth County Civil Service Board to serve a four (4) year term beginning November 12, 2020 to November 11, 2024. Staff Recommendation: ratify the Civil Service Board’s reappointment – Risk and Safety Manager, Department of Risk Management
- A request to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia Department of Transportation to relocate water and sewer infrastructure for the SR 400 at McGinnis Ferry Road Widening and Auxiliary Lanes Project;
- To formally name the area located in Sawnee Mountain Preserve – Phase 4, located north of Tower Road, and the previous location of the Barker House as Barker Overlook;
- A request to apply for the FY 2022 Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 Transit Grant Program to aid in the operation of the Dial-A-Ride Program;
- A BOC Policy that all developer-negotiated zoning conditions must be submitted to County staff no less than 48 hours prior to the Board meeting where final action is to be taken;
- A County-Initiated Conditional Use Permit to conduct around the clock business hours for warehouses/offices on 32.452 acres currently zoned M1;
- Adopt the 2021 Meeting Schedule;
- Authorization for the county attorney to seek reimbursement for County incentives paid to Taubman Devlopment;
- A Memorandum of Understanding with Seefried Industrial Properties, Inc. regarding CP200016 as it relates to design, acquisition, and construction for roundabout at Shiloh Road and Shiloh Road East;
- Partnering with the GA Safe Routes to School Resource Center – County Attorney
Commissioners postponed any decision on the site master plan for Sawnee Mountain Preserve Phase IV.
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
Levent blames zoning attorney for postponements in Ronald Reagan Corners LLC development
News November 21, 2020
Commissioner Todd Levent
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. –District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent pushed back Friday regarding attorney Ethan Underwood’s assertion that the Board of Commissioners is “trying to force his client to agree to architectural standards not in the (Uniform Development) code.”
During the Public Comment portion of the commission meeting Thursday, Underwood expressed frustration over the second postponement of a sketch plat approval for Ronald Reagan Corners LLC, a 72,000 square foot development consisting of office, retail and restaurant space at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Blvd. and Atlanta Road. Underwood said the delay is costing his client money and “making the county making the county be an unpredictable place to do business.”
The proposed development is in Levent’s district. During a phone interview Friday, Levent said Underwood is wrong. “The original conditions give the district commissioner architecture control, He didn’t mention that. His scenario only applied to the sketch plat.”
Ethan Underwood
In an email sent to Levent Friday, Planning and Community Development Director Tom Brown supported the commissioner’s position and provided the wording of Condition No. 6 from original zoning, ZA 2352:
“Prior to any construction permits being issued, a site plan shall be submitted to the district Commissioner for approval. The site plan will show the type of businesses proposed, hours of operation, landscaping, building exterior finish descriptions with colors, and any other items deemed appropriate by the Commissioner.”
Brown further stated that “the proposed Sketch Plat must be in compliance with all other Forsyth County ordinances, including the Tree Ordinance and it appears Tree Ordinance has been given no consideration in the proposed design of the site.”
Although he strongly objects to Underwood’s statements, the commissioner said he is open to working with Underwood and all zoning attorney to build a better quality of life in Forsyth County.
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
Levent calls censure vote “retaliation” for his opposition to the City of Sharon Springs
News August 21, 2020
Commissioner Todd Levent
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. –On Thursday (Aug. 20) the Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 (Commissioner Todd Levent and Cindy Mills recused themselves) to censure District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent.
The censure, which was read by Chairwoman Laura Semanson, states: “The Board does hereby censure Commissioner Todd Levent for accessing Commissioner Cindy Mills’ county email account without her knowledge and without using Ga. OCGA 50-18-70 Open Records Act and obtaining un-redacted lists of current emails compiled for county business without using the Open Records Act and forwarding them to his campaign email account apparently for his campaign or other non-county business use.”
On Friday, Levent responded. “I did nothing wrong,” he said. “It was a one-sided, steered investigation. I spoke with my attorney (Daran Burns) today and we are considering our options.”
Levent added, “The commissioners behind the investigation have issues with me over my opposition to the City of Sharon Springs. I believe this is retaliation for that.”
He particularly objects to the accusation that he did not file an open records request.
O.C.G.A. 50-18-71 Paragraph B states “A request made pursuant to this article may be made to the custodian of a public record orally or in writing. He said he verbally requested the emails from then Assistant to County Commissioners Carol Haag.
“The words she put into the investigation are not true,” he said. “When we as commissioners ask things of her she knows she has to go through the proper avenues. She knows her job. Her title is big and she gets a big paycheck.”
Haag was given a one-day suspension and transferred to the Voter Registration and Elections Office.
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
Board votes to censure Commissioner Levent
News August 21, 2020
Commissioner Todd Levent
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners approved a motion of censure against Commissioner Todd Levent Thursday (Aug. 20) by a vote of 3-0. Levent and Commissioner Cindy Mills recused themselves at an earlier meeting.
The censure, which was read by Chairwoman Laura Semanson, read: “The Board does hereby censure Commissioner Todd Levent for accessing Commissioner Cindy Mills county email account without her knowledge and without using Ga. OCGA 50-18-70 Open Records Act and obtaining un-redacted lists of current emails compiled for county business without using the Open Records Act and forwarding them to his campaign email account apparently for his campaign or other non-county business use.”
The Board voted on May 7 to conduct an inquiry into Levent’s actions and on May 11 retained the law firm of Smith, Gambrel and Russell, LLP to investigate. On June 30, the law firm delivered its report to the Board of Commissioners.
Levent did not comment on the Board’s action Thursday, but in the past has called the investigation a “witch hunt.” He also declined to speak to investigators during the inquiry.
For balance to this report, Fetch Your News will attempt to interview Levent today for his comment.
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
BOC approves undisclosed amount of funding to bring the Levent investigation to a conclusion
News July 30, 2020
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Forsyth County Commissioners voted 3-0 (with Commissioners Cindy Mills and Todd Levent having recused themselves) Tuesday to spend an unspecified amount of money to take its investigation of District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent to what Chairwoman Laura Semanson called “its natural conclusion.”
The Board began the investigation, which centered on Levent’s accessing Commissioner Cindy Mills emails without her knowledge and without having filed an open records request. Emails to and from county-owned computers are a matter of public record that can be obtained by filing an open records request. However, some exemptions are allowed under Georgia’s Open Records Act and certain personal identifiers can be redacted.
The investigation, which was initially capped at $20,000, was completed on July 14. Tuesday’s vote was on a resolution to approve an undisclosed amount of supplemental funding to pay an attorney to present the results to an independent body, possibly a Board of Ethics.
The amount of the supplemental funding was not discussed, although one commissioner said later, it is estimated to be about $18,000.
Commissioner Dennis Brown questioned the cost during Tuesday’s meeting. “Does this have a specific amount or limit,” he asked?
Semanson said the cost is not known yet.
“Theoretically then they could come back for more money,” he said.
“I look at it like this,” Semanson said. “We’ve already rounded third base. At this point if we want to take this to it’s final conclusion, we need to have that ability.”
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