$40 million in federal funds coming for DeKalb County water, sewer system

A bill that would provide $40 million for water and wastewater infrastructure projects in DeKalb County has been approved by the U.S. Senate and is being sent to President Joe Biden.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 was approved by the Senate by a vote of 97-1 on Wednesday. The funding for environmental instructure in DeKalb County was one of the priorities secured by U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), his office said.

The funding is contained in Senate Bill 4367, "An Act to provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, and for other purposes."

The money is listed in the bill as "Dekalb County, Georgia.--$40,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure, including drinking water and water treatment, in DeKalb County, Georgia."

The measure also provides funding for 10 other Georgia counties and the city of Porterdale.

DeKalb County murder-suicide cited as example of gun risks

A letter to the editor in Saturday's New York Times cites a DeKalb County murder-suicide as an example of the risks of having a gun in the home.

"Americans have been sold a myth about guns: that people are safer armed. Many have bought into this myth," writes Nina Vinik, founder and president of Project Unloaded, a nonprofit organization working against gun violence.

"This month, in DeKalb County, Ga., a man gunned down his girlfriend, her daughter and two young grandchildren. This tragedy ... is a harsh reminder of the fact that guns make us less safe," she writes.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the alleged shooter at the Vineyards at Flat Shoals apartment complex had a lengthy criminal history.

"By equipping Gen Z with information on how guns make them less safe, we can empower young people to reject the prevailing myth on guns, and that knowledge could save their lives," Vinik's letter concludes.

Northlake Square in Tucker sells for $17.3 million

Northlake Square, which includes an ALDI, Best Buy and Mellow Mushroom, has been purchased for $17.3 million by Greenberg Gibbons, an investment firm based in Baltimore, Md.

The 82,578-square-foot property off Interstate 285 at 4135 Lavista Rd. in Tucker, was built in 1988. It is Greenberg Gibbon's first entry in the state of Georgia.

"The acquisition of Northlake Square demonstrates the market's appetite for well-positioned, grocery-anchored retail centers within growing submarkets of major metros," said Jim Hamilton, Managing Director of JLL Capital Markets, which facilitated the sale.

"The center's strong tenant mix, led by ALDI and Best Buy, combined with its strategic location make it a valuable addition to any diversified portfolio," he said.

Best Buy's store at Northlake Square opened in 1995.

DeKalb County commissioners urge shortened extension of AMR ambulance contract

Facing a looming deadline, a committee of DeKalb County commissioners recommended on Friday that American Medical Response's contract to provide emergency ambulance service should only be extended for another 12 months. 

More than $2.26 million in penalties have been imposed on AMR during the past four years for failing to meet performance standards, DeKalb County Fire Chief Darnell Fullum told commissioners.

The company has faced criticism ever since it began its contract with DeKalb County in June 2013. The contract was amended in 2019 to include response times.

"AMR did not meet the performance measures that we had set out in our current contract," Fullum said. "We did assess penalties against AMR for not meeting those response times."

FACT CHECK: DeKalb County CEO, Decaturish distribute inaccurate hurricane information

As Hurricane Helene approaches the area, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has repeatedly emailed inaccurate information about county operations.

About 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening and again after 8 a.m. Thursday morning, the DeKalb County CEO Office of Communications sent a "Breaking News" email to county residents that consisted of an article from the Appen Media web site Decaturish.com.

The article stated: "No school closures have been announced in DeKalb County."

Yet, hours before the CEO's first email, the school system had announced on Wednesday afternoon that schools would be closed for two days.

"In response to the projected severe weather conditions caused by Hurricane Helene, Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton has announced that all schools within the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will be closed on Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27. This closure includes all school-based, district-wide, extracurricular, and athletic events," said a statement from the school district.

Subsequent emails from the CEO's office on Thursday afternoon and evening failed to correct the error about school closings. One mailing was headlined "Hurricane Helene causes closings throughout DeKalb County," but it did not include any information about any closures of any type.

Meanwhile, with no notice to the public, the county cancelled this week's residential garbage collections normally scheduled for Thursday. No press release was been issued regarding the decision, nor was anything posted on the Sanitation Department's web site. One resident who called the county's 311 number was told that this week's Thursday residential sanitation collection will take place on Saturday.

Garbage containers placed curbside on Thursday morning by residents unaware of the change were likely to become projectiles as Hurricane Helene passes through north Georgia on Thursday night.

The ineffective messaging came as Thurmond serves the final months of his term as DeKalb County CEO. Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will replace him in the position in 2025.

Commissioners seek external audit of DeKalb County animal services

DeKalb County commissioners are considering asking the county's Chief Executive Officer to order an audit of services provided by the nonprofit company that has run the county's Chamblee animal shelter for the past decade.

The commission's County Operations committee last week recommended approval of a resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, which would have an external auditor review animal overcrowding, staffing levels, reporting, and procedures for dealing with stray animals and adoptions. 

Michael Thurmond, the county's CEO, said in October that conditions at a shelter in Chamblee were inhumane. LifeLine Animal Project Inc. has been repeatedly cited for violations by the Georgia Department of Agriculture during the past two years. 

"Georgia Dept. of Agriculture inspectors have identified problems with the Animal Shelter, including small dog cages, sanitation and housekeeping issues, and clogged air ducts," according to the resolution commissioners are considering.

DeKalb lawmakers propose naming bridge after longtime pastor Flippin

A DeKalb County legislator is proposing to name the Glenwood Ave. bridge over Interstate 20 for William E. Flippin, Sr., longtime pastor of the Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church.

State Rep. Saira Draper (D-Atlanta) has introduced a resolution in the General Assembly to dedicate the State Road 260 bridge as the Reverend Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr. Bridge "in honor of his achievements, accomplishments, and contributions to the State of Georgia."

"Over the past three decades leading The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, Reverend Flippin has established numerous programs and workshops which have improved the spiritual and educational growth of the church and the surrounding community, including annual holiday giving drives, NAACP partnerships, self-help programs, Alcoholics Anonymous services, HIV/AIDS resources, and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations," the resolution says.

Contractor sought to update DeKalb County zoning code, sign regulations

DeKalb County has issued a Request For Proposals to update and "modernize" the county's zoning and sign ordinances and to streamline existing procedures.

The RFP asks for significant updates to the DeKalb County Zoning Ordinance, which was adopted in 2015, and a revamp of the county's sign ordinance, last updated in 2003, in order to reflect the county's 2050 Unified Plan, which includes the county's Comprehensive Plan and Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

"This update seeks to modernize the current Ordinance to meet contemporary and future land development needs and desires while balancing public health, safety, and welfare," the county says. "Furthermore, DeKalb seeks to modernize the Ordinance to include streamlined procedures, increased illustrations, and simplified language to increase public understanding."

DeKalb County commission to hold public hearing on property maintenance rules

The DeKalb County Commission will hear public comments on Feb. 27 on its plans to adopt the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code.

The International Code Council's code covers areas such as construction, safety issues and inspections. It also includes provisions concerning blight and property maintenance, including junk vehicles, high weeds and tall grass.

The Board of Commissioners will hold a hearing on the proposal at 10 a.m. during its Tuesday, Feb. 27, meeting at the Maloof Auditorium in Decatur. The notice of the hearing says it "may be continued or adjourned."

The International Property Maintenance Code requires buildings to be maintained in good repair, be structurally sound and not have any sanitary conditions that pose a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last year to adopt provisions of the code regarding building interiors after hearing complaints about landlords who do not maintain their properties.

DeKalb legislators to hear Charter Review recommendations

Members of the DeKalb County Charter Review Commission, headed by former State Senator Steve Henson, are scheduled to meet with DeKalb County state lawmakers later this month to discuss the panel's recommendations for changes in the county's government.

The meeting will take place in Room 514 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building at noon on Monday, Feb. 26.

The DeKalb Charter Review Commission began work in 2019, but was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It met frequently from mid-2022 until the end of last year. 

It has now issued a final report that has been shared with the County’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Board of Commissioners, and members of the DeKalb State Legislative Delegation. The report can be found at https://bit.ly/3HReJZD.

If approved by lawmakers, the changes would need to be approved by voters in the general election later this year.

"Passage in November 2024 is timely and lays the foundation for a new relationship between the CEO and the commissioners," Mary Hinkel of the commission told a meeting of the Civic Association Network last month. 

Ethics complaint against Stone Mountain councilman to be heard later this month

The City of Stone Mountain's Board of Ethics voted Thursday to hold a hearing on two complaints against City Councilman Gil Freeman later this month, but members voted unanimously to dismiss an allegation of misconduct by Mayor Beverly Jones.

Two letters sent to the city's Board of Ethics criticized Freeman for making broad Open Records Act requests last year as an individual, but later claiming they were made on behalf of the entire City Council. One letter alleges violations of the city's ethics code, the other alleges a violation of Georgia law. 

Ethics board members voted 4 to 2 to proceed with the complaints against Freeman and hold hearings on Feb. 22 at Stone Mountain City Hall.

However, the ethics board voted 6 to 0 to dismiss the complaint that accused Mayor Jones of "nepotism" and "solicitation of a bribe" for creating a new Parks & Recreation Committee and appointing all of its members during a Dec. 19 city council meeting.

The ethics board was reminded by city attorney Jeff Strickland that the mayor has authority to appoint all committees and committee chairpersons. The city code says committee members "shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor" and that "the mayor shall have the power to appoint new members to any committee at any time."

DeKalb Georgia House delegation hosts town hall Thursday

Members of the DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation will hold a pre-session town hall meeting on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the Chamblee City Hall, 3518 Broad St., Chamblee.

The state representatives will recap the 2023 legislative and special session and preview the legislative goals for the 2024 session. Inquiries can be sent to long.tran@house.ga.gov.

DeKalb House Delegation Chair Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) is the Chair of the DeKalb House Delegation. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) is the Vice Chair.

Housing price increases outpace wages in Georgia, report finds

Georgia has the eighth-worst disparity between wage growth and housing price growth, according to a state-by-state analysis by commercial real-estate marketplace MyEListing.

Wages have grown 22.7 percent in Georgia during the past five years, while housing prices increased 47.53 percent, the report says. The resulting 24.8 percent gap is lower than in Tennessee and Florida, but considerably higher than Alabama and South Carolina. The national average is 15 percent.

Wages rose $12,150 in actual dollars in Georgia between 2018 and 2022, while housing prices rose $107,500, the report states. In Georgia, housing prices outpaced wages by $95,350, the analysis says.

"The pursuit of affordable housing remains a critical issue for many Americans," MyEListing says. "Addressing the housing-wage growth gap is crucial for ensuring that residents can build wealth through homeownership, while maintaining a reasonable standard of living."

An report earlier this from MyEListing said Atlanta has had some of the nation's largest wealth gains from homeownership, increasing by 109 percent during the past five years.

Taxpayers fund expensive, unoriginal logo for Memorial Drive East

Did DeKalb County taxpayers get their money's worth with the new Memorial Drive East logo unveiled last month by Commissioner Steve Bradshaw?

The logo unveiled at the final meeting of a Memorial Drive Community Rebranding Initiative was created by an Atlanta architectural firm that was awarded a $102,400 contract more than one year ago.

However, the logo is hardly original. Almost identical logos are in use by many other organizations. For example:

In fact, one stock agency (VectorStock) offers a standard license for the right to use this logo for $15:

Or, if you're feeling extravagant, another site offers an extended license to use this logo for $80:

Anyone tempted to conclude that the county paid too much for the Memorial Drive logo should remember that the architectural firm's contract also included coming up with a branding phrase (or "word mark" as they called it). Their idea? "Memorial Drive East." Surely, the logo and word mark together were worth $100,000 in tax dollars!

Nor will the architectural firm determine where two "monument" signs will be placed on Memorial Dr. According to a bid document, those locations are "pre-determined" by DeKalb County, a fact not mentioned in last month's online meeting.

DeKalb Historic Preservation Commission lacks quorum

DeKalb County property owners seeking Certificates of Appropriateness will have to wait longer because members of the county's Historic Preservation Commission failed to attend an on-line meeting.

A scheduled June 20 meeting of the HPC did not occur due to a lack of a quorum, according to the DeKalb County Department of Planning & Sustainability.

The commission was set to consider requests involving these properties:

 - 1538 Emory Road

 - 483 Princeton Way

 - 1669 N. Decatur Road

 - 1352 Emory Road

 - 870 Clifton Road

 - 1895 Edinburgh Terrace

 - 1853 North Decatur Road (to demolish and replace a house)

The online (Zoom) meeting has now been rescheduled for July 6 at 6 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the HPC is on July 17.