Staff Reports
May 6, 2019 – Commission Chairman Phillip Beard called the monthly Buford Commission meeting to order at 7 p.m. at Buford City Hall. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Commission approved April’s meeting minutes and the agenda. City employees, Chris Cook and Demetrius Jackson were recognized for their twenty years of service to the city and its residents.
A special use permit allowing an automotive sales lot and brokerage facility was requested by Keith Pugh for Priceless Playthings, Inc at 2699 Buford Highway. Due to established used automobile dealers along the Buford Highway corridor into Hall County, the Commission was hesitant to approve this request as it was presented. A compromise was reached to where only two cars will be allowed as their inventory and the permit will be non-transferable if Pugh ever decides to sell the business.
Complete Andy Electric, LLC requested a special use permit for 245 W. Moreno Street to allow for storage of six work vehicles and to install a fence on the perimeter of the property. Representatives for the applicant also requested to be allowed to lease out other parts of the building for income. The Commission would only approve them to have three work vehicles parked overnight, only the applicant business is allowed to operate at the location, and they must install a wrought iron and brick fence to match other work done around the city.
The Commission approved the amendment to Section 1308 of the 2000 City of Buford Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations C-2 General Business District which would require a special use permit for tobacco retail establishments; to further regulate same; and other purposes.
The sewer allocation request for 3500 N. Bogan Road subdivision was approved. The sewer allotment for Harbor Landing was amended to add two more units for a total of 113 units. The Commission approved the sanitary sewer easement on Faith Industrial Drive from Seefried Properties. The Chairman was authorized to sign an intergovernmental agreement between Hall County and the City of Buford to house any City inmates at the Hall County Jail. The City Manager was given the authorization to sign a work detail agreement with the Georgia Department of Corrections.
An amendment of the by-laws of Northwest Gwinnett County Facilities Corporations I, II, and III was approved to provide that members of the Board of Directors of each Corporation will be appointed or removed by the Buford City Commission for terms of four years and to re-appoint Bryan Kerlin and Kim Wolfe as Board of Directors. These corporations fund a scholarship fund at the high school. The low bid for the purchase of the Southside Wastewater Plant clarifier equipment was approved. The audit services of Wilcox and Bivens, PC for the 2019-2021 audit years were approved. The Chairman was authorized to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Gwinnett County for distribution of certain proceeds for the Title Ad Valorem Tax.
The Commission authorized the final payment and change order for the South Lee Street LCI project. Payments for the Hamilton Mill Road gas relocation project, the Bailey Road gas relocation project and the SR 324 at SR 124 gas relocation project were approved. Payment for the City of Buford parking deck project was also approved.
Todd Cleveland from the BCC informed the Commission that Theatre Buford’s performance of Footloose sold over 2,900 tickets during it’s run. Theatre rentals are in high demand this month due to various community performances from places like dance companies for year-end recitals.
City Manager Bryan Kerlin gave his report which included an update on the parking deck project. Foundation work, as well as, electrical work is being taken care of right now. The prefab part of the deck is due to arrive mid-June. The Moreno Street project is currently in the application stage to get grants and other funding sources. The improvement study for Thompson Mill Road at I-985 is complete and has been sent to GDOT for approval. If all goes as planned, Buford will utilize GDOT’s contractors. Buford waterworks plant expansion has sent off the results for their pilot filter testing and is still waiting to hear back on which one was approved for use. The new BHS is nearing completion with the inside being mostly done and furniture delivered. The exterior still has some landscaping, paving, and the turf for the last field to be delivered and installed. Various gas, sewer, and electrical projects are in the works. Parks and recreation department is busy with softball and baseball. All-stars is about to be underway. Tennis is staying busy as well.
Chairman Beard asked other Commission members and audience members if they had any further business. C. Roach who resides just off of South Lee Street asked if anything could be done about Rick Hendrick Chevrolet. Hendrick unloads cars and blocks S. Lee Street at the lot where the truck driving school used to be. Beard said that the city would advise Hendrick to unload back down the street by the dealership and drive the cars up to the lot. Another resident asked about the sidewalks on Bona Road and Beard advised that they are slated to begin shortly. Gwinnett County Area 4 Commissioner Marlene Fosque introduced herself and said she was glad to be able to visit.
No further business was brought before the Commission. Meeting was adjourned.
