Staff Reports
March 11, 2019 – Sugar Hill Mayor Steve Edwards called the March Sugar Hill Council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at Sugar Hill City Hall. Attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance, the Invocation was given, and the agenda and minutes from past meetings and work sessions were approved.
No awards presentations or proclamations were given, but Mayor Edwards suggested for the April meeting that the Lanier High School Lady Longhorn basketball team should be invited in recognition of their state championship-winning season.
Mayor Pro Tem Susie Gajewski Walker reported that garden plots are available at the community garden, classes will be offered with three master gardeners on hand to help. Residents can reach out to the Parks & Recreation Department for details.
Council Member Marc Cohen thanked those who attended the Lanier Education Foundation fundraiser a few weeks ago, to raise funds for scholarship and grants for the five schools in the Lanier School Cluster. The Arts Commission meets in the art room downstairs, hosting the Kiwanis Art Show where students can compete for scholarships at the regional and state level. He also thanked the city staff for their work on the Bowl and Eagle Theater’s upcoming schedule.
Council Member Taylor Anderson reminded citizens to vote on the March 19 transit referendum and “brunch bill” change in alcohol sales hours.
Council Member Brandon Hembree reminded everyone of the upcoming Sugar Hill Business Alliance meeting on Thursday, and the city’s 80th birthday celebration on March 24 in conjunction with Central City Tavern. He also thanked the Suwanee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for their historic cemetery restoration project near Lanier Middle School.
Mayor Edwards again recognized the Lady Longhorn basketball team for their state championship win, thanked the Bowl staff for their work on the entertainment schedule, and recognized Lula City Council Member Mordecai Wilson, one of the oldest serving council members in the state, on his 94th birthday.
City Clerk Jane Whittington said the city issued 212 passports this past month and 19 new business licenses including NorthPointe Hospitality that opened in the E Center. The March 19 city and county elections will be held in the Community Center from 7 a.m. -7 p.m. Early voting continues in the City Hall Council Chambers from 9am-4pm until March 15.
City Manager Paul Radford touched on planning and development staff and parks and recreation staff projects, as well as entertainment events at The Bowl and The Eagle Theatre.
Assistant City Manager Troy Besseche gave an update on continuing development and construction projects.
City Manager Radford said the city’s 2019 calendar of events will be shared soon, and also highlighted development and public works/utility projects.
Guest, Sugar Hill citizen and former city council member Mike Sullivan told the council that today is his mother’s 80th birthday, making her only two weeks older than the city itself. He also said he took the Sugar Hill Youth Council to the state capitol today to see how state government works.
There was no consent agenda and no old business.
Assistant City Manager Besseche presented new business. A public hearing to abandon a small portion of right-of-way at First Avenue near its intersection with Chapel Avenue, valued at $10,000, was proposed. Guest and city resident Mary Pearce, who maintains the property and made the initial request to abandon the right-of-way adjacent to her residential property, expressed her appreciation that this process will be finalized. The council approved the motion for the public hearing. Surfaces Group, LLC of Marietta bid $1,450,904 to construct the new Veterans Memorial (project #19-002) and the council approved the contract. The purchase of 66 new Yamaha gas-powered golf carts and three utility carts for the Sugar Hill Golf Club at a cost of $199,905 (includes a trade-in allowance of $122,760 on existing fleet) was approved. Gas main utility relocation at a cost of $14,850 (reimbursed by the county after completion) in conjunction with the Whitehead Rd. bridge replacement was approved. Council Member Anderson reminded citizens that the road would be closed for approximately six months beginning on March 27.
This concluded the regular meeting. The council and staff went into an executive session.
