September 3, 2019 — Commission Chairman Phillip Beard called the September meeting of the Buford Commission to order at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at Buford City Hall. Members of Cub Scout Troops 534 and 542 led the meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda and meeting minutes from the August 5 regular meeting and the special called meeting on August 5 were approved.
The Commission approved the re-appointment of Bob Murphy and the appointment of 10-year resident Dorothy Lott as the Buford Housing Authority resident commissioner. The City Manager was given the authorization to proceed with the renovation of the legion fields project, Buford High School softball and baseball fields using SPLOST 2017 and general funds. Renovation to the high school baseball fields has already started and three little league fields will soon undergo renovation. The project will be completed in stages as to not disrupt the fall little league schedule. The total cost of the project will be approximately $11 million and will mean all Buford fields will be turf. The project will be overseen by Charles Black Construction.
The Commission adopted a room rental policy for the Buford City Gym on East Shadburn Avenue. A temporary event involving filming at Nalley’s II located at 5671 Shadburn Ferry Road by Blue Cat Productions, LLC was approved. No road closures will be permitted. A renewal of the agreement between the City of Buford and Proof of the Pudding by MGR, Inc. was approved. It is a three-year contract with a one-year opt-out option that has no penalties for either side. The City Manager was authorized to sign a release and waiver with the Georgia Department of Transportation for a traffic control plan on Buford Highway during the October 5 concert at the BCC.
The Commission authorized the City Manager to acquire necessary easements for stormwater facilities at the new downtown parking deck. A retention pond will be built to hold stormwater runoff. The Commission adopted ordinances pursuant to SB66 providing for regulation of small cells (wireless facilities and antennas) throughout the City and on Buford electrical distribution poles and licensing agreements with MCI, Verizon, and Cingular for such service. This is in preparation for 5G service. Approval was given for the development plan in phases for the project located at SR 324.
The Commission authorized the first payment for the Bona Road Gym renovation project. They approved two payments for the Bona Road sidewalk project. They also approved the low bid to begin work on the opposite side of Bona Road. Two payments for the Buford parking deck project were approved. Payments for the Southside Trunk Sewer project – Phase II, Church Street sidewalk improvements project, SR 324 at SR 124 gas relocation project, and Dacula Road-SR 8 gas relocation project were approved.
Todd Cleveland from the Buford Community Center said that auditions for the next Theatre Buford production “The 39 Steps” has begun. October 5 will be the big outdoor free concert featuring Bret Michaels.
City Manager Bryan Kerlin gave his report beginning with the downtown parking deck. Moreno Street will remain closed until September 30 with periodic closures after that. The Thompson Mill at I-985 project is still in the works which will give the City on-ramps to the interstate. This will alleviate a lot of the freight truck traffic that can currently be seen on the city’s roadways. The backup generator at the water distribution plant is almost done being installed. Once complete, if the power fails it will only take 45 seconds for the generator to kick on and restart the pumping. At the new BHS, the contractor is still working on punch list items. Applications for funding of the Moreno Street project are due by October 1. Various gas, electric, and sewer projects are ongoing. Sealing of the asphalt on Main Street will begin causing periodic closures. Fall Alta is gearing up at the tennis courts.
Chairman Beard adjourned the meeting after no one had any further business. The October Commission meeting will be on October 7, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at Buford City Hall.
— Staff Reports
