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PTC mgr. wants 2 workers for cart paths

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City officials want to beef up staffing for cart path maintenance by hiring two new employees “immediately,” according to a recommendation from City Manager Bernie McMullen.

The total cost for both employees, including salary, benefits and uniforms would be just under $52,000 a year, McMullen said in a memo to council members, who will discuss the issue at its meeting Thursday night.

The two positions would be funded from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax sources, McMullen said in memo.

McMullen noted that cart path maintenance has improved with a second asphalt spreader, but it requires “a large and stead supply of manpower to be effective and efficient.”

“This entire function needs to have its staffing brought up to a level that can effectively respond to current and future needs to revitalize the city’s investment in multi-use path infrastructure,” McMullen said.

The city has more than 80 miles of golf cart paths, its signature feature, and there are over 10,000 golf carts now registered there including some that belong to out-of-city residents who access the system.

Council will also consider the updated version of its sign ordinance, which changes the maximum size of a residential sign from 2 sq. ft. to 16 sq. ft. as long as they are non-commercial signs. City Attorney Ted Meeker said the change is in response to several federal court rulings indicating that residential lots shouldn’t be restricted to dramatically smaller signs compared to the larger signs allowed on commercial parcels.

The ordinance would also allow residents of apartment complexes to erect one window sign in their unit if they so desire.

Council will also consider a recommendation from Police Chief James V. Murray to prohibit heavy trucks on certain streets in the Planterra Ridge subdivision, which is being used as a “cut-through” to access the industrial park to avoid longer waits on Ga. Highway 54 West, Murray said. He is recommending the restrictions be applied to Planterra Way, Terrane Ridge and Kelly Green.

Heavy trucks pose “a significant danger” to residents, pedestrians, golf carts and other vehicles in the immediate area, Murray told council in a memo. He also noted that trucks over 12,000 pounds “appear to be causing damage to the subdivision’s roadways.”

Murray is recommending the change be implemented immediately.

City staff is also petitioning council for a change in the way the city’s Planning Commission handles official business. Because of the impending workload due to the city updating its comprehensive plan, staff wants the commission to consider current planning applications on its first meeting of the month, reserving the second meeting for issues related to the comprehensive plan. Other comprehensive plan meetings might also be necessary on other dates, Developmental Services Director Clyde Stricklin indicated in his memo to council.

Changing the commission’s obligations will allow the city to meet the advanced deadline for the comprehensive plan without a need to increase staffing levels, Stricklin said.