Duluth  MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF DULUTH, GA AUGUST 26, 2024  PRESENT: Mayor Whitlock, Council members Harkness, Thomas, Doss, and  Graeder, City Manager, Asst. City Managers, Department Directors,  City Attorney  ABSENT: Councilmember Holloway  Mayor Whitlock called the meeting to order at 5:30pm.  I.  EXECUTIVE SESSION  Itwas necessary to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose to discuss pending/potential litigation, Real Estate and or Personnel which is exempt from the Open Meetings Act pursuantto O.C. G. A. section 50-14-2(1). A motion was made by Councilmember Harkness, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, to adjourn to executive session at 5:30 p.m.  Voting for: Motion carried.  Council members Harkness, Thomas, Doss, and Graeder.  After the discussion, a motion was made by Councimember Thomas, seconded  by Councilmember Graeder to return to work session at 5:55 p.m.  Voting for: Motion carried.  Council members Harkness, Thomas, Doss, and Graeder    Minutes of M&C Spec Call/WKSess  August 26, 2024 Page2 2of7  WORK SESSION NOTES MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF DULUTH, GA  Councimember HOllowayjoined the meeting at 5:55pm  I.  PUBLIC COMMENTS  No comments.  I.  DISCUSSION TEMS/PRESENTATIONS/UPDATES  1. TORMWATERDRAINACE EASEMENT PROJECT-SUMMER2024 REPORT  Stormwater Coordinator Alyssa Gilhooly came forward to present.  The stormwater department hired interns Graycen Murray and Jared Denman for the summer to assist with drainage easement research, field visits, documentation, and education. Ms. Gilhooly explained the groundwork for this assignment, the means for communication with property owners and how information was gathered. Mr. Denman came forward to report on the inspection progress, which consisted of 553 parcels located in one square mile. Of the properties inspected, 460 had partially obstructed drainage easements, with issues such as overgrown vegetation, fences, debris and identification of other obstructions. Most of the inspections were performed ink Howell Glen and Riverbrooke, the communities with the highest number of flooding Ms. Murray came forward to discuss the evaluation/grading process for the issues they discovered, in order to rank the severity of the problems and potentially give the Code Compliance Division better information to work with. She described the scale ranging from O (no corrective measures needed) to 3 (completely blocked/does not function). She discussed additional work that was completed in the recently annexed Boles Farm Ms. Gilhooly referenced the Unified Development Code (UDC) requirements for drainage easements and property owner responsibilities. She noted that the program iscurrently for educational purposes only, aimed at helping property owners identify their drainage easement(s) and understand howt to take care of them. No code  complaints.  and Parkway Circle areas.  violations have been issued as a result of these inspections. Ms. Gilhooly further outlined the challenges and considerations.  Drainage easements are often shared by two or more properties and therefore  the maintenance responsibilities are also shared.  2    Minutes of M&CS Spec Call/WkSess  August 26, 2024 Page3of7  The City does not know for certain what many drainage easements were Without a survey, it is difficult to know exactly where an easement is in the field, Corrective actions are likely to be cost prohibitive to many property owners in  intended to look like when it was designated as part of development.  especially for drainage ditches and swales.  cases where engineering, design and/or extensive repair is needed.  Afuture discussion should be held on next steps.  Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the work, and had questions/comments about back. yard fencing and permitting, recognizing residents who take corrective action, the education and communtyengogement with residents, and a desire to  continue the effort going forward.  2. FINANCIAL UPDATE- -STORMWATER FUND  IAI  Assistant City Manager Ken Sakmar presented the preliminary financial results for FY24tot the Mayor and Council, which included a recommended transfer of $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Stormwater Utility Fund. He summarized the status of city-maintained detention ponds. These funds are anticipated to be used to bring some of the city-maintained ponds into functioning condition, with the remaining funds used to supplement the Stormwater Utility Fund. Once city-maintained ponds are functioning, funds will be included in the budget for ongoing maintenance. Staff was authorized to place a budget amendment on the next Council meeting  agenda for approval.  3. GWINNETT DOT- DOVER DR SPEED HUMP REQUEST  [BI  Community Deveopmenvengnering Director Margie Pozin came forward to present. Gwinnett County DOT received a request from a citizen who lives in unincorporated Duluth to install speed humps on Dover Drive. While this is outside of the city limits, there would be impacts to four homes inside city limits affecting the taxes of Duluth citizens. Before the County can move forward with their next steps, the Mayor and Council are being asked to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Gwinnett County.  After discussion, Council directed staff to place this item on a future agenda under  new business for consideration.  4. ANNEXATION/REZONING OF 2516 MAIN STREET  The City recently acquired a 4.17 acre property located at 2516 Main Street which is  currently located in unincorporated Gwinnett County.  Staff was authorized to file for annexation and corresponding rezoning into the City of  Duluth.  3    Minutes of M&C Spec Call/WkSess  August 26, 2024 Page 4of7  5. GWINNETT COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN  Community Deveopmenvengnering Director Margie Pozin came forward to present. She explained that every year, Gwinnett County conducts an update to their  Hazard Mitigation Plan, which includes information on:  Geography & History (brief) School Enrollment High Hazard Dam Info Regulatory Tools/Codes  Population & Demographics (as current as possible) Economy - Income, Employment, and Prop. Value Data Hazard History (for us, this included tornadoes and derailments) Hazard Mitigation & Emergency Response capabilities  Mitigation Action Charts/Goals (supplied by County and populated by each City) Every municipality within the County is asked to update their section and return itt to the County for inclusion in the overall plan. Participating in this process allows the City to remain eligible for hazard mitigation grants should they become available. This may  include (as available) among other things:  1. Upsizing stormwater systems to handle current design storms; 2. Assistance with purchasing repetitive flood loss properties; 3. Costly cleanup in the wake of natural disasters; 4. Cost of assisting with train derailments; 5. Educational programming focused on hazard mitigation;  Council authorized staff to place a resolution adopting the content oft the County's Hazard Mitigation plan at the next voting meeting. 6. UDCTEXT AMENDMENT - HOME OCCUPATIONS  Community Deyelcpmenvenginering Deputy Director Aron Hall came forward to present. Currently, the UDC includes only three potential home occupations: "Home Office" which is allowed by right in every residential zoning category, "Beauty Parlor or Barber Shop" which is allowed by special use permit (SUP) in all residential zoning categories except R-TH (Residential - Town Homes), and "Family Day Care" which is also allowed by SUP in all residential zoning categories except R-TH (Residential - Recognizing there are some inconsistencies in the code as well as some other home based businesses outside of these three categories, staff is contemplating a request for Council to consider a text amendment allowing adjustments to the category list and Smart Growth America states that small-scale manufacturing" is an umbrella term that refers to all types of small businesses that produce tangible goods. This includes  Town Homes).  their allowable zones, primarily to address small-scale manufacturing.  textiles, hardware, woodworking, metalworking, and 3D-printing.  4    Minutes of M&C Spec Call/WkSess  August 26, 2024 Page5of7  Staff would define small-scale manufacturing as the making of products on residentially scaled machinery (i.e., 3-D printer, household power and hand tools, oven,  range, sewing machine, etc.) Examples of this include:  Candle Making Wood working Soap Making  Metal Working (i.e.jewelry production) Food and Beverage Production  Regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (Cottage food Requires food grade ethanol which is legal and not regulated by Georgia's Department of Revenue Alcohol and Tobacco division  producers (aka Home-kitchen food)  Perfume Making Textile producer Furniture Making Toy Making Essential Oil Extracts  Apparel and footwear manufacturer  Staff proposes to:  Add Special Use in R-TH for Beauty Parlor or Barber Shop and Family Day Add Small-Scale Manufacturing Definition to Definitions in Article 2 Add Small-Scale Manufacturing as a Home Occupation by-right in R-TH,  Care  RA-200, R-100, R-75, RM, MH and HRD Districts  Note that an internal process would change to require all home occupations to receive a zoning certificate prior to procuring an occupational tax certificate. This is an extra level of scrutiny to verify that all ordinances are being followed for home occupations. Staff will hold a public hearing with Planning Commission and then Mayor and  Council.  7. STAFFING REQUEST - POLICE DEPARTMENT  In March 2023, a full-time Patrol Officer position was converted to a part-time Fleet Maintenance Technician position. Chief Carruth requested that the position be converted back to a full-time Patrol Officer position and explained the need for this  option.  Council agreed to this request.  8. TOWN GREEN BATHROOMS  Council recently expressed interest in expanding the Town Green Bathroom/Storage Building for more bathrooms. Accordingly, staff received a proposal from one of the City's on-call firms to develop a feasibility and concept plan for conversion of the  second floor storage portion of the building to restrooms.  5    Minutes of M&C Spec Call/WkSess  August 26, 2024 Page 6of7  The feasibility and concept plan would cost approximately $25,000 and requiresa Staff was authorized to place a budget amendment on the next Consent Agenda.  budget amendment.  9. RED CLAYTHEATRE UPGRADES  Eddie Owen, Red Clay Theatre contracted operator, received several quotes for the installation of new carpet and seats. The quotes were from the following companies:  Solid Rock Davis Seating Sauder  $127,943.00 (no bid for carpet) $99,314.00  Theatre Seat Store (no bid for carpet)  Accordingly, staff is seeking authorization of a City Attorney-approved contract with Ina addition, Council had asked staff to investigate modernzng/reshening the interior foyer and bar area of the theatre. Staff received a proposal from Leslie Ellsworth of SOGO Design to develop some concepts for the modernization. The concept plans will cost approximately $10,000. Both items will require a budget amendment. Staff was authorized to move forward with the design concepts and placing budget  Sauder for installation of seats.  amendments on the next Council agenda for approval.  II. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL  Councilmember Harkness reported on positive results regarding a recent court Mayor Whitlock noted comments on NextDoor and asked that any questions be directed to Mr. Riker. He also reported meeting with the Hudgens family and working on other items from the strategic session earlier this year. Stormwater pond at SR 120 and Peachtree Industrial that is County maintained  survey.  has not been kept up.  III. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER legalized CBD and medical marijuana.  Peachtree Corners and Milton have recently enacted regulatory proceedings for  6    Minutes of M&CS Spec Call/WkSess  August2 26, 2024 Page7 7of7  IV. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at' 7:30pm.  Approved this 9 day of  Mayor Greg  ATTEST:  t  Clerk, Teresa Lynn  k  7