Bert Foster

This multi-day retreat covered extensive agenda items across multiple sessions, including two executive sessions concerning property acquisition and litigation, and one executive session on personnel matters. Key discussion topics included the Downtown Redevelopment Plan ("Heart of Locust Grove"), potential DDA control over city-owned property, and updates on various transportation projects such as Bill Gardner Parkway enhancements, SR 42 lane addition, and the Downtown Corridor Study. Budget discussions focused on the FY 2025 budget update, including potential Blight taxation as a penalty for non-compliant properties, and the introduction of the FY 2026 budget with anticipated tax revenues. Capital needs reviews covered storage facility expansion, procurement of a Hydro Vac truck, trash truck, crane truck, and backup generator solutions for Public Works. The council addressed personnel items, including updating the personnel policy regarding remote work and pet allowances, and discussed police department needs such as requesting two additional officers and considering salary adjustments. Other topics included reviewing water/sewer/stormwater budgets and fee adjustments, authorizing a free trial for Ticon Zoom traffic analysis software, sanitation RFP updates, SPLOST/T-SPLOST project planning, and discussions on the Youth Council. Later sessions included a presentation from the City of Duluth, approval of a purchase and sale agreement resolution, and approval regarding the reversion of conditional use for the Zack Hinton property. A significant discussion involved authorizing the city manager to proceed with Civic Plus for website revisions and finalizing direction on code enforcement weekend work schedules.

The multi-day retreat covered extensive strategic and operational topics. Key discussions included the Downtown Locust Grove redevelopment Plan, where staff reviewed potential plans and established a selection committee to evaluate RFP responses for consultant selection. The committee established goals focusing on selecting a consultant, assessing demographics, and desired amenities like walking areas and mixed-use development. Other major items included revisiting the City Hall Master Plan phases, clarifying the roles of the Development Authority (DDA) versus the Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) regarding property management and potential intergovernmental agreements (IGAs), and reviewing mandates for the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance updates. Operational discussions covered FY 2024 budget amendments, new staff hires for Main Street, Code Enforcement, and Public Works, facility maintenance needs (including roof repairs and HVAC replacement following a tornado), and police department state certification review. The council discussed cost of living adjustments (COLA) and position reclassifications. Capital needs focused on transportation projects such as aligning and prioritizing connector roads, updates on the New Bethlehem Road Interchange, and funding for Bill Gardner Parkway phases. Financial planning involved reviewing SPLOST, T-SPLOST, and Development Impact Fees, including revisiting the city's impact fee analysis company due to recent county actions, and planning for upcoming RFP releases for sanitation services and financing pumper and trash trucks. Water and Sewer rates were reviewed, noting a need to increase rates to cover debt service ahead of a planned 2029 water treatment plant. Further discussions addressed property abatement procedures, establishing guidelines for employee rental houses, branding guide authorization, employee uniform allowances, and the need to formalize procedures for new hire interview committees. The second and third days reviewed these items, including drainage issues at Scatter Garden, potential liability for public access at Davis Lake, and finalizing details for live streaming council meetings.

The meeting included the third public hearing for the FY 2026 Operating and Capital Improvements Budget, where updates on tax revenues and expenditures were reviewed, noting that police department spending constitutes a significant portion. The Council also held a public hearing regarding an ordinance to rescind a Conditional Use Permit for gravel-surfaced truck/tractor-trailer parking on Bethlehem Road due to lack of activity. Further discussion involved an ordinance to amend the Future Land Use Map designation for properties on Price Drive from Regional Commercial to Industrial, which staff recommended denying as it does not align with the FLUM; stakeholders presented arguments supporting the change, citing proposed tenant needs and surrounding land use. A related item addressed rezoning the same properties to M-1 (light manufacturing), which staff recommended denying in favor of C-3 zoning with specific conditions, leading to council discussion on potential distribution use. Additionally, the council reviewed and approved adding a special permit for an open container allowance during the Christmas in the Grove event. Operational updates covered the approval of a Memorandum of Agreement with GDOT for a railroad crossing improvement, reports from Main Street, Public Safety, Public Works, and Community Development, including permit issuance statistics. The council discussed benefit study options for elected officials and all employees concerning retirement rules and authorized pursuing necessary paperwork. Other items included updates on the Sanitation RFP selection process, wastewater and sewer line extension projects, and authorization to enter into an executive session to discuss property acquisition, litigation, and personnel matters.

The meeting included a second public hearing for the FY 2026 Operating and Capital Improvements Budget, during which revenues and expenditures were reviewed with no public comments offered for or against the proposal. Key action items involved the denial of an ordinance regarding a right-of-way dedication plat for the Springs at Locust Grove/Price Drive. Conversely, ordinances were approved to amend the FY 2025 Operating and Capital Improvements Budget, set the meeting schedule for Calendar Year 2026, and appoint a Judge Pro Tem for 2025. Furthermore, a resolution was awarded to Atlanta Dream Home Builders for the demolition of structures at 28 Skyland Drive West and 26 Lakeview Drive, following staff recommendation for a single contractor. The City Manager provided updates on upcoming events, including election day reminders, a Veteran's Day service, the annual employee Christmas luncheon, and holiday office closure schedules for December 2025. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The City Council discussed and approved the Henry County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, making the City eligible for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs. They also addressed the abandonment of a portion of old Price Drive, which was realigned as part of the development of The Cubes manufacturing and logistics park, and approved a resolution for this abandonment. Additionally, the council approved a right-of-way dedication plat for the realigned Price Drive.