Duluth  MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF DULUTH, GA JULY2 22, 2024  PRESENT: Mayor Whitlock, Council members Harkness, Thomas, Doss,  Graeder, and Holloway, City Manager, Asst. City Managers,  Department Directors, City Attorney  Mayor Whitlock called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.  PUBLIC HEARING  1.  PROPOSED TAX MILLAGE RATE-2 2024  IAI  Mayor Whitlock opened the public hearing to take public comments on the proposed tax millage rate for 2024. Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Ken Each year, the Gwinnett County Tax Assessor reviews the assessed value of taxable property in the County. When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia Law requires calculation of a "rollback" millage rate (RMR) that produces the same total revenue on the current year's new digest that last year's millage rate would have produced, had no reassessments occurred. The City of Duluth is considering maintaining the same millage rate as last year, which is 6.551 mills. For the 2024 digest, the current millage rate exceeded the rollback millage rate by 0.415 mills, or stated another way, as a percentage of the rollback millage rate, the current millage rate represents a 6.76% 'increase". The reassessment revenue would add approximately Georgia law requires that the City publish a "Notice of Property Tax Increase" in the legal organ when the tentative adopted millage rate exceeds the rollback millage rate. In addition, three public hearings must be scheduled to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinion on the proposed tax millage. This is the first public hearing. The first called public hearing was cancelled this morning at 10:00am due to lack of quorum. The second public hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 12 at 10am in the council chambers of City Hall, and the third is scheduled for Monday, August 12, 2024, at 6:00pm in the council chambers, after which  Sakmar came forward to present.  $1,029,072.  an ordinance will be presented for adoption.    Minutes oft the Sp. Called/Work: Sess  July2 22,2024 Page2of5  Mayor Whitlock called for discussion from Council.  Councilmember Harkness asked how Duluth compares with the millage rates of City Manager James Riker noted that services vary from one city to another, as do median home values. Other cities also operate utilities which all affects revenue. Councilmember Graeder asked for clarification regarding reassessment of existing Mr. Sakmar noted that the "growth" category is excluded from the rollback calculation. Mayor Whitlock and Councilmember Graeder suggested holding the rate the same for The Mayor called for questions/comments from public. Being none, Mayor Whitlock  surrounding communities.  Duluth now provides the trash service for residents as well.  properties.  this year due to several factors. closed the public hearing. No motion needed. II. ADJOURNMENT  Amotion was made by Councilmember: Harkness, seconded by  Councilmember Thomas, to adjourn to the regularly scheduled work session  at 5:46 pm. Voting for: Motion carried.  Council members Harkness, Thomas, Doss, Graeder, and Holloway  WORK SESSION NOTES MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF DULUTH, GA JULY2 22,2024  I.  PUBLIC COMMENTS No comments brought forward.  2    Minutes oft the Sp. Called/Work: Sess  July2 22, 2024 Page3of5  II.  DISCUSSION TEMS/PRESENTATIONS/UPDATES 1. AMENDMENTS TO CODE - BOARDS/COMMISSIONS  Asst City Mgr./City Clerk Teresa Lynn reported that, following the analysis ofthe City's ordinances for Doards/commissions, staff found inconsistencies related to standardized content and language. The following items are to be addressed in each ordinance (officers, meetings, quorum, compensation, ethics, term limits, service/removal clause, Council authorized staff to continue working with the City Attorney preparing amendments to each ordinance and place on a future consent agenda for approval. 2. AMENDMENTS TO CODE - CHAPTER 7 BUSINESS REGULATIONS  attendance, open meetings, oaths, and background checks).  Ms. Lynn explained the request and asked for Council's approval to place an ordinance to amend Chapter 7 of the Duluth Code Of Ordinances in the following sections on the  August 12th agenda:  Section 7-25-17- Collection of Tax by Operator, deleting language and replacing with language to match new state laws addressing the types of occupations and  professions subject to regulatory fees and occupation taxes. Article VI., Section 7-156. Insurers License Fees - adding definitions for  clarification.  Article XIX - Section 804. Collection of tax by operator. Deleting and replacing Section 7-359(a) Solicitors increase permit fee from $15 to $25 to cover supplies, Additional changes may be proposed during a review of requirements for ownership changes for business operators and alcohol licensees.  incorrect section # 44-32 with corrected section # '7-801.  materials and processing fees.  Council authorized the City Attorney to prepare amendments as referenced and  place on a future consent agenda.  3. STORMWATER POND PRIORITIZATION UPDATE  (BI  Community Deveopmenvenginering Director Margie Pozin presented.  On March 25, 2024, the Council heard an in-depth update on the stormwater program and requested that staff develop a draft method of prioritizing failing private detention ponds such that they can be slated for repair when/if a revolving loan fund is developed. Planned discussion topics include risk, financing, and policy.  3    Minutes oft the Sp. Called/Work: Sess  July22,2024 Page4of5  Ms. Pozin began by giving a brief recap of the scope of pond failure along with options previously discussed for funding, followed by a presentation and discussion on prioritization of projects. The impact to budget is to be determined. City Attorney Stephen Pereira noted that the current propositions to have special districts are not available at this point, as it is now a voluntary process. This would be a shift toward mandatory compliance, and how to achieve that in the most economical and efficient way. There is not a good model for this scenario, and they are complicated ideas. The framework is needed as a progression from traditional enforcement efforts since affordability is the biggest concern. There is a major  problem but the solution is also going to be controversial.  Council agreed that stormwater management is a priority, community education is essential, and delaying action would only become more costly. Concerns were raised about how special assessments affect home sales. Aging communities are more likely to be experiencing problems and causing issues for themselves and their neighbors. Ms. Pozin was asked for basic costs to get started. She noted that the costs for pond analysis for two of the ten ponds has totaled almost $50,000. She will send the presentation to council; all comments and recommendations should be directed back Council authorized staff to move forward with draft polcy/ordinance framework to  to Ms. Pozin.  address analysis and remediation efforts.  4. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/ENI/ENGINEERING UPDATE  [CI  Community Deveopmenvengnering Director Margie Pozin gave an update on projects over the past year, highlighting progress, challenges, and accompiishments of  the Community Devecpmenvengnering Department.  Ms. Pozin discussed the status of the:  SR 120 Pedestrian Crossing - speed table with more visible crossing Train Viewing Platform - NTP issued today/completion summer 2025 Fox St Sidewalk- condemnation underway, resolution August 12th agenda Rivergreen Median - project cancelled/property owner refused to allow access Rogers Bridge Trailhead paving expected to be completed within next couple of days. (Bridge City award from the American Public Works Association) Main Street Sidewalk Phase II- completion anticipated by May 2025. Davenport Rd - Clean up and demobilization expected soon. Quiet Zone - Davenport, Brock and 120 Xing completed. ARPA Project awarded - awaiting Gwinnett approval in September and Proctor Square - demo completed anticipates developer to start spring 2025.  Hall Circle - one way transition  Pine Needle Dr.- cul-de-sac completed  completed by December 2026.  4    Minutes oft the Sp. Called/Work: Sess  July22,2024 Page5of5  Ms. Pozin then highlighted the departmentsaccompishment statistics for the past  year.  5. SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE  The Mayor and Council held a discussion with the PIO staff and the City Attorney on  best practices for posting on social media sites.  PIO. Alisa Williams introduced new marketing employee, Sherale Booker.  III. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL  Council mentioned that event planning for 2026 should include commemorating the 250"anniversary of the United States and the 150th for the City.  IV. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.  Approved this 12 day of Augusk  2024.  Mayor/Greg Whitlock E  ATTEST:  dA  Teresa Lynn  sA6  5