City Of Milton: Comprehensive Plan, Farm Winery, City Election On Council Agenda

Press release from the City of Milton:

07/30/2021 3:31 PM

Milton’s City Council on Monday night will revisit measures related to the Painted Horse farm winery and upcoming municipal election, as well as potentially give its stamp of approval on a final draft of the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

The August 2 meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. It should also be streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9zz6OFKuvs&list=PLpkXg669ndraOKwljbKfRZ5MnBf0jWSIL&index=7. (If there are technical difficulties, the complete video should be available for viewing the following day at www.youtube.com/CityofMiltonGeorgia.)

It will occur the same day that the Council convenes – at 9 a.m. – for a special called meeting for a “Public Hearing” on the City property tax/millage rate for the 2022 Fiscal Year. Requirements call for three such hearings when citizens can ask questions and share their views; the second will take place at the August 2 evening meeting, with the third one week later on August 9. (This is distinct from “public comment” opportunities at regular Council meetings, in which people can offer opinions on specific agenda items or general opinions.)

The Monday evening meeting has an extensive agenda and could involve considerable discussion. As usual, its items are divided into different sections – each with its own ground rules. They are:

• The CONSENT AGENDA for typically routine, non-contentious matters not involving relatively large expenditures that the Council considers – without debate – in one collective, yes-or-no vote;
• REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS, which is where you will find proclamations and presentations that – while elected officials may offer comments or direction – have no binding votes;
• A PUBLIC HEARING for items, such as the millage rate discussion, that legally require it and give people further opportunity to share thoughts;
• The ZONING AGENDA for discussions and votes on matters that relate to City zoning in Milton;
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS is where you’ll find items that have been on previous Council agendas (such as under “FIRST PRESENTATION”) and – since they have been considered before – can be voted upon decisively; and
• NEW BUSINESS is the section for items that can debated and voted upon during their first time on a Council agenda.

Below are summaries for every item that the Council will consider the night of August 2.

• Approval of the July 7, 2021, City Council Meeting Minutes.

  The Council will vote whether or not to approve the “minutes” – or official written record – of its “Regular Meeting” on July 7. That evening, Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa presented the Milton Fire-Rescue Department’s Strategic Plan to officials. Cambridge High School’s boys cross country and track teams were also honored, while the Council took a step to create an account for federal ARPA funding. You can watch that meeting via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL1VWtz_684&list=PLpkXg669ndraOKwljbKfRZ5MnBf0jWSIL&index=5.

If this item is approved, the City would have an agreement with Network Cabling Infrastructures to install power outlets and network connections around Milton Municipal Court. This installation relates to the City of Alpharetta’s court moving its operations – including some staffing -- to Milton Municipal Court.

• Approval of an Agreement between the City of Milton and Premier Events Regarding Event Logistics Management for Crabapple Fest.

  The City in the past has partnered with Premier Events to work with City staff to help with event management, logistics, and day-of assistance for Crabapple Fest. This agreement, if approved, would allow for this relationship to continue for the next edition of Milton’s most popular event, scheduled for October 2. You can learn more about it at www.cityofmiltonga.us/CrabappleFest.

    

• Proclamation Recognizing the Milton Mustangs Swim Team.

  Since 2018, the Milton Mustangs swim team has trained and competed out of the City Pool at the former Milton Country Club. Led by volunteers Beth Wilson and Stephanie Wyatt, the program has allowed young athletes between the ages of 5 and 18 to develop skills, stamina and character. This proclamation will recognize the Mustangs’ successful 2021 season in which swimmers broke 24 individual event team records as well as 10 relay records. The team had 33 participants at the recent Divisional Meet at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center, placing 10th out of 44 teams.

• Presentation of the Draft Capital Improvements Element 2021 Annual Update.

City staff will present on the Capital Improvement Element (CIE) Annual Update that they have prepared based on Georgia rules and regulations pertaining to impact fees. The City of Milton is required to submit an update annually to the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs for regional and state review, respectively. This update will include a report on impact fees and a five-year schedule of planned improvements such as roads, bridges, parks and City buildings. Any changes to, or revisions of, previously listed CIE projects will also be part of this update. You can view the latest on the draft update that will be presented to Council by clicking HERE.

   PUBLIC HEARING

• Consideration of an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton, Georgia, to Establish the Ad Valorem Tax Rate of the City of Milton for Fiscal Year 2022; and for Other Purposes.

 This is for the second of three required public hearings to discuss municipal property taxes for the coming fiscal year. The others – the first starting at 9 a.m. on August 2, the third the evening of August 9 – are both parts of special called meetings.  People can share their opinions with and ask questions of City staff about Milton municipal finance matters at these hearings. On August 9th, the City Council will vote on a millage rate -- the rate at which a property owner is taxed, with a “mill” equating to $1 per every $1,000 in assessed value. Last year, City Council members set the maintenance and operating (or, M&O) millage rate at 4.731 mills -- a figure the City has had in place since incorporation (with the exception of tax year 2018) and which is capped in accordance with the 2006 state legislation creating the City. Also on August 9, the Council will vote to set the City's Greenspace Bond millage rate, which was set at 0.538 mills in FY 2021; a rate of 0.487 has been proposed for FY 2022.

 ZONING AGENDA

• Consideration of U21-01/VC21-03 - 2105 Bethany Way (containing multiple parcels) for a total of 18.07 acres by The PFAJ Revocable Trust dated 2/17/2019 to request a Use Permit for “Agricultural Related Activities”, Sec. 64-1797 and a two-part concurrent variance:

  1. To allow the existing parking areas, wood pavilion, horse arenas, and driveways within the 100-foot activity setback (Sec. 64-1797(d))

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

One year ago last August, the City of Milton held its first of many public meetings focused on the latest iteration of its Comprehensive Plan. The goal was to craft a report that reflected the community’s vision so Milton could become an even better place to live, work and play. Since then, there have been opportunities for the public, elected officials, and members of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) to weigh in on this critical document – and, in so doing, their ideas for Milton’s future.

The final draft of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan will be presented at Monday night’s meeting. The Council could then vote to submit this plan to the Atlanta Regional Commission and Department of Community Affairs for regional and state approval, respectively.  The Council should vote to formally adopt the Plan this fall. That document lays out priorities, policy proposals, as well as programs and projects to guide officials and City staff for the next five years.

Learn more about the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and process – including relevant presentations, videos, and documents – at www.cityofmiltonga.us/ComprehensivePlan. And you can view the latest draft of this document by clicking HERE.

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