Wednesday, March 13, 2002
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Wednesday, March 13, 2002 |
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PTC Council to talk budget, traffic at retreat this weekend By JOHN
MUNFORD
Naturally, Peachtree City's budget will be a major recurring topic at the annual City Council retreat scheduled for this weekend at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center. The retreat will begin at 8 a.m. Friday and is scheduled to last until approximately 5 p.m. Saturday's session begins at 8 a.m. also, ending with a lengthy session with the Planning Commission scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m. One particular issue already seems headed for rigorous debate: a proposal to study 14 neighborhood collector and residential streets to determine if traffic calming devices are needed. Some of the more drastic devices include speed humps, raised crosswalks and street closures. In a memo to the CityCouncil, Fire Chief Stony Lohr expresses concern that the traffic calming program, particularly the use of speed humps, could increase response times, increase the chance of injury to patients and potentially damage the city's fire trucks and ambulances. Nine of the 14 streets proposed to be studied are already at or beyond the geographical limit for the department's initial emergency response goal, Lohr added. The initial cost of the study is $10,500, which will likely come out of the council contingency fund, but costsfor traffic calming devices range from $5,000 to $30,000. The discussion on traffic calming measures will take place Friday at 1 p.m. Council also is slated to discuss an initiative to freeze property assessments for senior citizens as a tax break. The proposal, which would freeze the assessed value of property owned by residents over age 70, is estimated to cost the city only $33,614 in revenues. Such a plan must be approved by a majority of city voters on a referendum before it can be enacted, according to City Attorney Rick Lindsey. The initiative will also require legislation to be introduced by the Georgia Legislature. Council will also discuss a proposed ordinance to limit rental of single family homes. In a legal opinion, Lindsey advised council that such a law would likely be overturned by the courts. Councilman Murray Weed also will lead discussion on a list of proposals he recommends, including the creation of a police substation in the Wal-Mart/Home Depot area. Weed also proposes the creation of a dog park where dogs will be allowed to roam unleashed but under voice command of their owners. Council also will discuss plans to equip council chambers with video cameras so council meetings can be taped for broadcast over a local cable access channel. The complete schedule for the retreat, along with supporting information, can be downloaded from the city's Web site, www.peachtree-city.org, by clicking on the link to "City Council Meeting Packet Online."
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