City Of Milton: City Council Solemnly Remembers The 20th Anniversary Of 9-11

Press release from the City of Milton:

09/09/2021 8:39 AM

As heavy rains fell on City Hall's roof, Milton’s City Council on Wednesday solemnly remembered and recognized the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks – including a proclamation that declared “in Milton, we vow to never forget.”

Police Chief Rich Austin began the meeting with an invocation that reflected on that “day that forever changed our nation.” A short time later, a Milton Police-Fire color guard presented the flags behind Council member’s seats for the Pledge of Allegiance.

While schoolchildren not even born that day now learn about 9/11 as history, Mayor Joe Lockwood recalled seeing the first images out of New York City and Washington the morning of September 11, 2001.

“It just sticks in your mind, and what a horrific time that was,” Lockwood said. “Then also [we remember] the aftermath … seeing our country and all the heroes pulling together.”

He then read the proclamation explaining what happened that day and its impact – directly and indirectly – on people around the country. It pointed out how “the lessons of 9-11 hit home particularly for Milton firefighters and police officers, reminding all of the type of dangerous, heroic acts they may be called upon to do on any given shift.”

Members of Milton’s Police and Fire departments accepted copies of the proclamation. The Police were in full uniform, while Milton firefighters wore commemorative t-shirts from the New York Fire Department (FDNY).

That was one of two proclamations on Wednesday night, with the other promoting mental wellness and recognizing National Suicide Prevention Week.

Every September for the last three years, the City of Milton has brought attention to understanding, discussing and sharing resources to address mental health issues like depression, PTSD, and anxiety that affect people of all ages, all backgrounds, and in all places. People too often struggle quietly, unsure what to do or where to turn. 

In partnership with the non-profit LRJ Foundation, the City is sharing notable, useful information on mental wellness among the young and old, in various settings, and more on its Facebook page during September. And a webpage -- www.cityofmiltonga.us/MentalWellness -- has been set up featuring resources, tips and insights.

As Mayor Lockwood said Wednesday, “We want to do everything we can going forward to support our people.”

The proclamation recognized National Suicide Prevention Week from Sept. 5-11 in Milton, mentioning suicide is the second leading cause of death among Americans ages 10 to 34 and “research shows that talking about suicide can be critical to preventing it.”

“Milton is a better place when difficult topics like suicide are discussed head-on, with the community coming together to listen and support those in need,” the proclamation read.

Prior to these proclamations, the City Council approved a 17-item Consent Agenda that included:
• Surveys of the State Route 140/Arnold Mill Road and Green Road intersection and the State Route 372/Crabapple Road and Green Road intersection
• An agreement for GGLeagues to run “eSports” (or competitive online gaming) leagues in partnership with the City
• The purchase of a new ambulance by the Milton Fire-Rescue Department
• An intergovernmental agreement between the City and the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District regarding the construction of pier in Providence Park

Sara Leaders, who earlier Wednesday was promoted to become the City of Milton’s Public Works Director after serving about six months in an “acting” capacity, then addressed the Council on two topics.

The first related to what the City should do with the Clarity Road bridge, a 48.5-foot long and nearly 14-foot wide structure spanning the Little River near the Cherokee County line. She explained that the City shut down the bridge last March due to damage to a railing that could not be easily repaired.

The City contracted with Heath and Lineback Engineers to examine the bridge and outline options. They included one extreme of doing nothing (and keeping the bridge closed indefinitely) to a full-scale replacement for about $200,000.

Leaders relayed City staff’s recommendation of an intermediate option of spending about $22,500 to repair the railing, strengthen steel beams, and clean the bridge’s deck to extend its life for five or so years. She also proposed a survey to look into the bridge’s approach and layout, which could lead to changes to prevent future damage and set the stage for a later bridge replacement.

While there was no vote, the Council indicated support for these recommendations.

BOARDWALK DISCUSSED FOR FMCC TRAIL
Next came an update on the trail construction underway in the former Milton Country Club – and, with it, a question on how to address two areas in need of raised crossings.

This summer, crews have taken steps to ensure erosion control (through the installation of nearly 15,000 linear feet in silt fencing) and removed most all the concrete golf cart paths as delineated in this project's first phase. 

Earlier plans called for a boardwalk over a wet weather ditch area near the cul-de-sac end of Highgrove Club Drive for stormwater purposes. On Wednesday, Leaders relayed City staff’s recommendation for that site instead to have a pipe crossing with aesthetic enhancements such as wooden railings, landscaping or river stones (rather than riprap). This would also allow for a smoother, more level transition, she said. 

City staff also recommended that a 50-foot boardwalk be erected not far away by one of the property’s ponds near Chicken Creek. Leaders explained this area could have overflow from the pond that could make that part of the trail less accessible without a boardwalk. Installing a boardwalk there and pipe crossing at the other site should not affect the project’s cost, according to Leaders.

After some discussion on that and general topics related to the FMCC property, the Council (while there was no vote) appeared to back City staff’s recommended approach.

Assistant City Manager Bernadette Harvill stepped up to the lectern next, first to get the Council’s thoughts on possible changes to the City’s alcohol-related ordinances. This follows recent business proposals involving the consumption of beer and/or wine in businesses that do not qualify as eating establishments, limited food service restaurants or fall under the limited consumption on-premise licenses that the City currently offers.

The discussion suggested openness to businesses at which someone could grab a beer or wine after shopping for certain foods. At the same time, several Council members reiterated Milton's prohibition of any establishment that would be defined as (and look like) a traditional bar.

After that, Harvill transitioned to discuss City of Milton government budgetary matters.

She first detailed proposed amendments to Milton’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget – a part of the budget process that typically occurs multiple times annually. She laid out information on expenditures in several categories in detail.

After this presentation, Harvill moved to discuss City staff’s proposal for Milton’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget. She noted that she’d given an in-depth presentation at a City Council meeting in August, and on Wednesday night gave a broader overview of that same proposal. Harvill pointed to a few differences, such as pension-related adjustments, document archival, and a software proposal. 

She also highlighted, once more, several new proposed initiatives intended to attract and retain excellent employees, to work with a consultant on branding and marketing of Milton, as well as to hire three Police traffic enforcement personnel, a Development Engineer and Infrastructure Inspector. Harvill also touched on elements of the City’s capital improvement plan (including funding for a prospective new athletic complex and improvements to the Cox Road athletic facility and Providence Park) and capital initiatives like a traffic calming initiative along lower Hopewell road and potentially life-saving “Auto Pulse” technology for the Milton Fire-Rescue Department.

The Council is slated to vote on the FY 2022 budget later this month; it would take effect October 1, 2021.

The Council's next regular meeting is scheduled for the evening of September 20. 

This press release was produced by the City of Milton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.