July - August 2013 City Newsletter

NEWS
FROM
CITY HALL
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF AVONDALE ESTATES • AVONDALE ESTATES, GEORGIA
NEWSLETTER 328
July-August 2013
CITIZEN
PATROL
AV ON D ALE ES T A T ES
Citizen
Patrol
12
2013 General
Municipal
Election
Qualifying Dates
13
35TH Annual
Labor Day Race
16
AutumnFest
19
4TH OF JULY
IN AVONDALE ESTATES
The City would like to thank all the volunteers, participants, and
City associates, for the wonderful 4th of July Parade.
It truly was another beautiful day in Avondale Estates!
4th of July in
Avondale Estates
Pages 4-7
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Inside This Issue
4
4th of July in
Avondale Estates
8
Avondale Estates
City News and Information
12
Police Department and
Neighborhood Watch Program
14
Calendar of Events
16
Have You Signed Up For:
City Hall E-News – Electronic Newsletter
Upcoming Events 18 & 20 Clubs & Organizations
21
Happenings Across the Hedge
23
Welcome to the Neighborhood
24
Don’t Forget to Sign Up for the 35th Labor Day Race
Monday, September 2, 2013
Please see page 16 for details
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NIXLE
Meeting Minutes
Board of Mayor & Commissioners
Ed Rieker, Mayor
Terry Giager, Mayor Pro Tem
Lindsay Forlines, Commissioner
Gene Lee, Commissioner
John Quinn, Commissioner
Administration
Clai Brown, City Manager
Ken Turner, Finance Director
Juliette Sims-Owens, City Clerk
Keri Stevens, City Planner
Karen Holmes, Administrative Asst.
Robert E. Wilson, City Attorney
Stephen W. Nicholas, Municipal Court Judge
Hazel Baker, Clerk of Court
Police Department
Gary L. Broden, Chief of Police
Public Works Department
Bryan Armstead, Director
Caryl Albarran, Code Enforcement Officer
July-August 2013 This service, created by Nixle, LLC delivers trustworthy and important neighborhoodlevel public safety and community event notifications by web, e-mail, and cell phone. Its authenticated service connects municipal agencies to residents in real time, delivering information to
geographically targeted residents over their cell phones (via text messages), through e-mails and
through web access. The service provides four (4) types of messages, to include:
• Alert - Intended for urgent and time sensitive information.
• Advisory - Intended for important need-to-know, time sensitive information.
• Community - Intended for general information or non-urgent community updates.
• Traffic - Intended for all traffic related messaging.
The messages are sent by the Avondale Estates Police Department personnel. To become a part
of the Community Information Service, simply go to www.nixle.com and click on the “Register
Now” button.
Twitter
The City has two Twitter accounts. For meeting reminders see, @CityofAvondale, for City
tweets go to @City_Avondale.
If you are interested in advertising in the City of Avondale Estates bimonthly newsletter, please contact Rusty Oliver at 404-379-6138 or
email [email protected].
Avondale Estates H News from City Hall is a publication of KDA Communications. Subject matter published is the
opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher of this newsletter. Professional
advice should be obtained before making any decision in which a professional is readily available. Advertisers assume
responsibility for the content of the ads placed in this publication. Material published may not be reproduced without
the written permission of KDA Communications.
The information and advertisements contained in this Newsletter are provided for Avondale Estates as a courtesy only.
No representations are made as to information presented, the quality of the goods or services advertised, or the veracity of the statements relating to the goods and services. The printing of opinions, information or advertisements does
not constitute an endorsement by the Neighborhood of such opinions, information, goods or services.
Contact us today for more information!
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Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Page 3
H 4th of July Parade
4th of July Parade
From Sponge Bob to Hello Kitty and everything in between, this year’s parade was one to remember. Thank you to everyone that walked, drove, floated or rolled their way through the parade. We
appreciate your time and effort in helping to make it so special.
The parade was made possible
through the purchase of yard signs
and t-shirts, the generous donations of several local residents
and because of sponsorships by
the following local businesses and
organizations: Ace & A Heating and
Air Conditioning, Avondale Arts Alliance, Avondale Pizza Café, Avondale
Swim and Tennis Club, Chevron
Food Mart, Decatur Atlanta Printing,
Don Connelly & Associates, Good
Karma Coffee, Jax Package Store,
Kendall Newman, Little Tree Art
Studios, Oakhurst Realty Partners,
Pallookaville Fine Foods, Pine Street
Market, Real Salon, Savage Pizza,
Second Life, Skips Hot Dogs, Smart
Financial & Tax Services, The Beer
Growler, The Corner Pub, The Little
Wine Shop of Avondale Estates, The
Brick Store, and Walmart. Please
take time to thank the parade sponsors by patronizing their businesses.
A special thank you to: All the
participants, volunteers, Board of
Mayor and Commissioners, Robert
James, Roger Holmes; for the great
photos thanks to Tres Indermark,
Terry Giager, Thomas Royden and
Bill Kallenberg; and all our wonderful
City associates; Karen Holmes, Keri
Stevens, Juliette Sims-Owens, Avondale Estates Police Department, Oscar Griffin, Harold Anderson, Quentin
Eagle, Larry Thompson, Breyon
Sweeting, Harold Anderson Charles
Stewart, Demarcus Davenport.
Hope you enjoyed the parade and
will join us again next year!
Page 4 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
4th of July Parade H
About Our Grand Marshal
The Grand Marshal for this year’s 4th July Parade
was Former Mayor John W. Lawson. Born in DeKalb
County, Georgia his family moved to Avondale Estates when he was six years old, and they have been
here ever since. Mayor Lawson is a graduate of Avondale High School, Georgia Tech and The Atlanta Law
School. Mayor Lawson served as the City of Avondale
Estates Mayor for 16 years (four terms) as well as 4
years as a Commissioner on the Board of Mayor and
Commissioners.
Mayor Lawson is pleased and proud that during his 20 years of elected service to the City of Avondale Estates he had many positive accomplishments some of which are highlighted below:
•The design and construction of the
City’s first, very-own City Hall.
•Succeeded in requiring MARTA to reroute its initial rail around our City
rather than straight through our central business district as it was initially
planned.
•Effected the two annexations (Majestic Acres and Avonwood) which
made Avondale Estates bigger and
better than ever.
•Added the Annual Fishing Derby to
our already excellent annual events.
•Hosted the National Olympic Committee and Olympic Team of the
Republic of Poland during the 1996
Centennial Olympics.
•Began the restoration work which
has ultimately resulted in the vast
improvements recently completely
at and around Lake Avondale.
•“Did the Deal” which lead to the
construction of the building which
houses the Georgia Department of
Juvenile Justice.
•Convinced the Waffle House Corporation to “return home” and build
unit number 1000 in Avondale Estates (where it all started).
•Planned and implemented comprehensive improvements in the main
business corridor area of the City, in-
cluding vastly improved street lighting.
•Comprehensively re-wrote the City
Charter, making it more appropriately applicable for current times
and requirements. Prior to the rewrite, amended the existing Charter
to provide for election of the Mayor
by popular vote of the citizenry.
•Devoted much time, attention and
fiscal assets to our Public Safety Department. Created the full-time, professional position of Chief of Police
and over time, expanded the size of
the department.
Mayor Lawson has also accomplished a great deal in his professional career highlights include the following:
•Served as the first Director of Manpower and Personnel Administration
for the State of Georgia’s big, new
Department of Human Resources.
•Served as Vice President of the firm
of Public Research and Management, Inc. (organization and man-
agement consultants to agencies
of federal, state and local governments).
•Served as legal advisor and consultant for select committees of the
Georgia State Senate and State
Board of Workers’ Compensation.
•Retired in 2006 from the private
practice of civil and criminal law. His
career as an attorney and counselor
at law spanned a period of almost
30 years.
Mayor Lawson currently is serving his second five year term as a CEO/Commission appointed member of the
DeKalb County Board of Tax Assessors. Mayor Lawson married Nancy Ellen Haley (his high school sweetheart) in
1964. They will celebrate their 49th Anniversary this August. They have three children: Donna Lawson Cannon
(deceased, 2012); Karen Lawson Hubbard; and John Bradford Lawson. They have seven marvelous grandchildren (Madi, Drew, Ben, Wake, Brand, Sybil and Brook).
July-August 2013 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Page 5
H 4th of July Parade
Page 6 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
4th of July Parade H
THANK YOU 2013 PARADE SPONSORS!
Special Thank You To
Kendall Newman
Walmart
Smart Financial
&
Tax Services
Savage Pizza
Good Karma Coffee
Chevron Food Mart
July-August 2013 Jax Package Store
Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Page 7
H Avondale Estates City News and Information
Expanded Downtown Master Plan Study:
Livable Centers Initiative
The City received a grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC),
through the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Program, to update the Downtown Master Plan which was completed in 2004. The original study area was
grandfathered into the LCI program in 2006. Since that time, the City has annexed
the Fenner Dunlop Mill property and all commercial properties from the former City boundary
at Maple Street to Sam’s Crossing, and the economy has changed significantly, necessitating an update to the plan.
ARC agreed and the City will complete a full update to the plan in 2013/2014, with ample opportunities for public
comment. The full study cost is $80,000 with ARC funding $64,000 and the City providing the required 20% match,
which is $16,000.
The Board of Mayor and Commissioners selected Pond and Company as the consultant who will assist the City
with this effort. The focus of the effort will be on addressing connectivity, marketing/business recruitment, planning
for quality development, appropriately scaled development and redevelopment as well as all the requirements of the
LCI program. A timeline of events will be available later in the summer. The City looks forward to this planning
effort to help determine community needs and prioritize actions.
Community-Wide Historic Resources Survey - Phase II
The City received a grant in the amount of $9,600 from the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation
Division (HPD) to complete Phase II of the Community-wide
Historic Resources Survey. Phase I, which surveyed over 550 resources, is finishing up. Phase II will survey at least 450 resources. Each building in the City will be surveyed and a fact sheet
created by the end of the Phase II. The fact sheet will include
pictures and a description of the resource. All the properties are
being entered into Georgia’s NAHRGIS (Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources GIS) data base, which is an interactive web-based registry and geographical information system designed to catalog information about the natural, archaeological,
and historic resources of Georgia. The City needs to complete
this survey to be eligible for additional grants from the HPD. This
will be an invaluable tool for the Historic Preservation Commission and will provide a record of the City for future generations.
Community-Wide Historic Resources Survey - Intersection Improvements
The City of Avondale Estates received grant funds, in partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission, from Grantmakers in Aging and the Pfizer Foundation, to pursue implementation
of the principles of the Lifelong Communities Initiative. As part
of this grant, the City received $10,000 to upgrade crosswalks
and handicapped ramps and aprons along US 278. The City will
complete work at the following intersections along US 278:
1. Maple Street
2. Pine Street
3. Oak Street
4. North Clarendon Avenue
In addition, the City will be utilizing additional funds to
make the City more pedestrian friendly and safe by completing
similar work at Covington Road and Ashton Place and along
South Avondale Road across from Skip’s in the residential section of the City. This work provides safe and accessible crossing in locations that people are most likely to use to connect the
residential section of the City to the commercial area. The City
will continue to prioritize and implement projects which make
the City more accessible and safe as funds become available.
Sanitation Fee Increased
At the Board of Mayor and Commissioners Meeting on
June 24th the board voted to increase the sanitation fee for every
Page 8 household and business by $60. This was discussed by the board
last year when the 2013 budget was discussed.
Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
2013
Avondale Estates Sunday Ride Good Neighbors Making Great Neighborhoods
Third Annual Event – Held April 28, 2013 We appreciate all our contributors and volunteers. Special thanks to Avondale Estates City Staff and Police; representa=ves of DeKalb Medical Center, Atlanta Regional Commission, BRAG, American Cancer Society; and to Bicycle South. Thanks also to Crepe Masters, King of Pops, and to First Bap=st Church of Avondale Estates. All photos by Eric Lesser. Redesigned Young Riders Rodeo aEracted large numbers who improved skills of balance, turning, starFng, stopping and learned new more challenging skills on their bikes.
Provided by Bicycle South, Sunday Ride Volunteers, Boy Scout Troop 6 , and The Museum School the Rodeo was a great aEracFon and fun for our young riders. New for 2013 was the Treasure Hunt. Adults and young riders alike worked to get their Passports stamped to claim their prizes. Said one young treasure hunter, “This is the most fun I have ever had in my life.” SpringFme in Avondale Estates. Adults and young riders enjoy a family friendly ouFng–safe and secure. One young rider commented, “I wish we could do this every weekend.” You see a liEle of everything including fun, fashion, and food. July-August 2013 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Rain or Shine and lots of fun for this toddler. Page 9
H Avondale Estates City News and Information
Avondale Estates
Annual Fishing
Derby Winners
The Annual Avondale Estates Fishing Derby was held on Saturday, May 18th. Special thanks to all the participants, our Derby
Coordinator, Bob Durfield, Karen Holmes for organizing the event
and Harold Anderson of Public Works for setting up the event.
Winners:
Largest Fish Caught (11” Crappie): Wyatt Bennett
Most Fish Caught (21): Boyd Brim
Oldest Person to Catch a Fish: Vicki Buffington
Youngest Person to Catch a Fish (Age 5): Wyatt Bennett
Age 5-7:
John David Dicristina
Zander Besch
Wyatt Bennett
Age 11-17:
Boyd Brim
Lucas Ryter
Chason Dickens
Age 18+:
Vickie Bullington
Be Ready for Severe
Storm Season
Because our residents are our top concern, below are some safety tips to help you prepare in case of a storm:
You may need to survive on your own after an emergency, so
you should prepare an emergency kit that is sufficient in quantity to
last for at least 72 hours. The kit should include the following:
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Choose
foods your family will eat.
• Remember any special dietary needs.
• Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.
• Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned
foods with high liquid content.
• Following a disaster, there may be power outages that could
last for several days. Stock canned foods, dry mixes and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water or
special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener
and eating utensils.
• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three
days, for drinking and sanitation.
• Battery-powered weather radio with extra batteries.
•
•
•
•
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit.
Whistle to signal for help.
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal
sanitation.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities if needed.
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger, Also, update your contacts in your cell phone, add your emergency
point of contact along with work, school, fire department,
hospital, vet and your insurance company phone numbers.
Keep your cell phone powered: Maintain a full charge on
your cell phone whenever possible – and keep backup batteries on hand.
For more information on preparing for severe weather, visit www.FEMA.org.
Page 10 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
Avondale Estates City News and Information H
Top Ranking for Museum School!
A new statewide ranking system places
The Museum School among the top 6% of
Georgia’s schools!
The Georgia Department of Education
released the 2011-2012 College and Career
Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores.
The scores are comprised of multiple measurements and evaluation methods; the new
accountability system replaces No Child
Left Behind’s requirement for schools to
demonstrate Adequate Yearly Progress.
Each school in the state is provided a
numerical score from 1-100. The Museum
School’s CCRPI score is 96.7!
Congratulations to our students, staff
and parents!
Explorers Excel
For the third consecutive year, Museum
School students can boast terrific results on
state and national academic evaluations.
The 2013 Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), administered statewide for grades 3 and higher, shows 100%
of Museum School fourth and fifth graders
meeting or exceeding state standards in all
five subject areas!
Among our third graders, 100% met or
exceeded state standards in Reading, English/Language Arts and Social Studies; in
addition, 93% met or exceeded standards in
Science, and 90% met or exceeded standards
in Math.
On a national level, the 2012-2013
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
shows Explorers exceeding typical growth
in every subject category! Compared to a
national norm of same-aged peers:
• 80% of Museum School students exceeded typical growth in Reading.
• 83% of our students exceeded typical
growth in Mathematics.
• 80% of our students exceeded typical
growth in Language Arts.
To give the MAP numbers perspective,
the Northwest Evaluation Association, the
publisher of MAP, considers 50% of students exceeding norm growth to be ideal;
65% exceeding norm growth is a very aggressive goal. Museum School percentages
are at and above 80%.
We are so proud of our hardworking
students and their dedicated teachers!
Capital Campaign Funds
Critical Renovations
With the continued support of our community, parents, teachers, foundations and
others, we were able to begin Phase II of our
renovations in June. The work allows The
Museum School to expand into additional
portions of the Forrest Boulevard facility,
adding more classrooms for our growing
number of students.
Conducted in stages over the next three
summers, the ongoing renovations are necessary for the school to fulfill its charter goal
of expanding to eighth grade and serving a
larger population of students.
Charter schools are responsible for
100% of their facility costs, meaning The
Museum School must raise all renovation expenses. Please consider making a
tax-deductible gift to The Museum School
Foundation in support of the Exceeding Expectations capital campaign, and be part of
building something special.
New Playground Ready
for Kids
A tremendous amount of work and the
generous contributions of many donors allowed The Museum School to make its
new playground a reality in May. Finished
in time for the last week of class, the new
equipment was a big hit with students and
holds the promise of many years of happy
play.
The school’s Facility Committee dedicated uncounted hours to the effort, and financial donations from school families and
community members made the playground
possible. Thank you!
Parents Morning Out (PMO)
47 Covington Rd • Avondale Estates, GA 30002
M-W-F 9:00 a.m.- 12:45 p.m.
Are you looking for an exciting and loving PMO/ Pre-K environment for your child to play, learn and
make new friends?
PMO is a small neighborhood school, right here in the Avondale First Baptist Church with an 8-2 student/teacher ratio. We offer wonderful art and music programs as well as “Silly Sports” and Spanish. Our curriculum is designed to complement a child’s natural curiosity
and desire to discover new things. We cultivate a vibrant sense of creativity and the joy of learning. If you are interested in becoming part
of our PMO family, please contact the Director, Christine Sharp at 404-294-5284 or email Christine Sharp at [email protected] to register.
Now is the perfect time to enroll for the 2013- 2014 school year.
We are also excited to offer our popular SUMMER CAMPS. This year we will explore:
The Beach - July 15-19
Space - August 5-9
Camps are offered to children ages 2-5. Each camp is one week long and will be 5 days a week, Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to
12:45 p.m. The cost will be $90.00 per week. You may select 1, 2 or 3 weeks of camp. Please call 404-294-5284 or email Christine Sharp
at [email protected] to register.
All are welcome. Tell a friend!
July-August 2013 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Page 11
H Police Department and Neighborhood Watch Program
Citizen Patrol
The City is excited to announce, another great program from the Avondale Estates Police
Department called “Citizen Patrol.” Neighborhood Watch Captain Matt Miller has been appointed Director of this program and will be coordinating and partnering with the Avondale
Estates Police Department to implement this program. This program is a “Mobile Neighborhood Watch” in which many of our Neighborhood Watch Captains who graduated from the
Citizens Police Academy will be trained to detect, deter and report possible suspicious activity, persons and vehicles. Training will be ongoing and conducted by certified training personnel of the Avondale Estates Police Department.
Members of the Citizens Patrol will be using a decommissioned police vehicle marked “Citizen Patrol,” and it will be equipped with an amber
colored light bar for safety measures and stripped of any police related equipment. This program will create an additional “eyes and ears for the
community” as well as be an additional deterrent to the criminal element and another aid and information source to the Avondale Estates Police
Department in keeping our community safe. Completion of the Citizens Police Academy is a requirement before participating in the Citizens
on Patrol program. Please mark your calendars to participate in 2014 Citizens Police Academy, dates to be announced.
Neighborhood Watch Program
Working Together to Keep Avondale Estates Safe
The City and Neighborhood Watch Program hope everyone is having a fun and safe summer! While enjoying your
summer activities, please remember the following safety tips:
• Teach kids when and how to dial 911.
will yield the right-of-way.
• Children should know their parents names, phone number,
• Children should always stop at
and address.
STOP signs and look both ways
before they cross the street.
• When biking, skateboarding, roller skating or riding a
scooter, children should always wear a helmet.
• Drivers should always be careful because a
child’s smaller size makes it difficult for driv• Children should wear a lifejacket when swimming or boating
ers to see them, especially if they are standing
and always swim with a friend with adult supervision.
between parked cars on the side of the road
• Avoid letting children cross any street or intersection alone.
• When driving, never assume a child pedestrian sees you or
Please consider volunteering to be a Block Captain if you live on any of the following streets.
The following streets need Captains:
• Exeter Road
• Coventry Close
• Dartmouth Avenue (from Kingstone Road to Clarendon
Place)
• S. Avondale Plaza (From Clarendon Avenue to Kensington
Road)
• Wiltshire Drive (From Clarendon Avenue to Berkeley Road)
• Wiltshire Drive (From Lakeshore Drive to Stratford Road)
• Wiltshire Drive (From Stratford Road to Majestic Circle)
• Wiltshire Drive (From Majestic Circle to Hess Drive)
• Kingstone Road (From Clarendon Avenue to Berkeley Road)
• Lakeshore Plaza
• Lakeshore Drive at it crosses over Wiltshire South of Lake
Avondale
• Oakham Place
• Washington Street
• Windsor Terrace
• Locust Street
If you would like to learn more about the Neighborhood Watch Program or find out how to become a Neighborhood Watch Captain,
please contact Sherri Dickens at 404-298-5381 or [email protected].
Security Reminders
• ALWAYS CALL 911 for any emergency or suspicious person
or activity.
• ALWAYS LOCK YOUR VEHICLE and do not leave important items visible, not even loose change.
• Please continue to watch for children as they are walking,
riding bikes, and scooters around town. Make sure all toys,
bikes, and anything of any importance are placed securely out
of sight each day.
• Lock your doors and windows at home.
• Use your alarm systems and set your interior lights on timers.
Page 12 • Keep curtains and blinds closed at night.
• DO NOT place purses, keys, or wallets in clear sight.
• Break down boxes and place in a black or brown garbage bag
before placing in trash.
• Keep serial numbers of electronics and of anything else of
importance on file. (i.e.: in a safe).
• Leave emergency numbers with a trusted person and if you
are going out of town, let your neighbors know and complete
a Security Check Form (Form is available at City Hall and on
the City Website).
Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
City of Avondale Estates
2013 General Municipal Election
Notice is hereby given that a General
Municipal Election for the City of
Avondale Estates will be held on
Tuesday, November 5, 2013 to
elect two (2) Commissioners to the
Avondale Estates Board of Mayor
and Commissioners. The term of
office is four (4) years.
Qualifying for Election
Persons wishing to qualify for this election, may complete a qualification packet with the City Clerk at Avondale
Estates City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza, from 8:30 a.m.
to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning
Monday, August 26, 2013 through Friday, August 30,
2013. The qualifying fee is $3.00.

Not hold any office of profit or trust under the government of the United States other than that of postmaster
& officers & enlisted men of Armed Forces Reserve
(see code section);

Not be of unsound mind or unfit to discharge the duties
of the office from advanced age or bodily infirmity;

Be an inhabitant of the state, county, district, or circuit
for the period required by the Constitution and laws of
this state.
Voting will take place on Tuesday, November 5th at
Avondale Estates City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza
from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Any person
who is a resident of the City of Avondale
Estates and who is registered with Dekalb
County Board of Registrations and ElecCandidates for the Board of Mayor and Commissioners tions as an elector within the City of Avondale Estates at least thirty (30) days prior to
Qualification Requirements
this election, shall be eligible to vote in this
election. The last day for voter registration in the 2013
City of Avondale Estates Charter Requirements
Municipal General Election and, if necessary, Runoff
(Section 2.11):
Election is Monday, October 7, 2013.
 Resident of the City of Avondale Estates for a continuous period of 12 months prior to the date of qualificaTo verify your voter registration status go to:
tion for election of Mayor or Commissioner.
http://www.sos.georgia.gov/MVP/
 Must continue to reside in the City of Avondale Estates
during their period of service.
To Register to vote:
 Must continue to be registered and qualified to vote in
http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/voter/pdf/applic.pdf
municipal elections of the City of Avondale Estates.

Shall not have been convicted of a felony at the time of
qualification or during candidates’ period of service.
Constitution of the State of Georgia Requirements
(Article II, Section II, Paragraph II & III):
Absentee Ballot Voting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. from Monday, October 14th to Friday,
November 1st. Applications may be made by mail, fax or
in person to: DeKalb County Election Supervisor, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032-1239, Telephone: (404) 298-4020, Fax:(404) 298-4038.

Citizen of the United States;

At least 18 years of age by Election Day;

Registered voter in the City of Avondale Estates, Georgia;
To download Absentee Ballot Application go to:
http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/elections/voter_information/
No person who has been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude may register, remain registered, or absentee_ballot_app.pdf
vote except upon completion of sentence.

Statutory Qualifications (O.C.G.A. § 45-2-1):
In order to hold any civil office a person must:



For more information visit the DeKalb County Voter
Registration and Election Website:
http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/voter/default.html
Be a citizen of this state and at least 21 years of age;
If you have questions or for more information please
Not be the holder of any public money due this state or
contact:
any county who has refused to account for and pay
Juliette Owens, City Clerk
over the same to the proper officer;
404-294-5400
Have not been convicted of a felony offense involving
moral turpitude under the laws of this or any other state [email protected].
unless restored to his rights of citizenship by a pardon
from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles;
July-August 2013 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Page 13
SUN
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
SAT
4th of July in Avondale
Estates - City Hall
7:00 p.m. Historic
Preservation
Commission /
Architectural
Review Board Mtg.
Noon Historic
Preservation
Commission/
Architectural Review
Board Application
Deadline
6:30 p.m. Downtown
Development Authority
Regular Mtg.
6:00 p.m. Planning
and Zoning Board
Regular Mtg.
FRI
6:30 p.m. Board of
Appeals Regular Meeting
(Check with City Hall)
7:00 p.m. Lake Avondale
Advisory Board
Regular Mtg.
5:30 p.m. Board of
Mayor and
Commissioners
Regular Work Session
Noon Board of Appeals
Application Deadline
Community Club
Antique Road Show
7:30 p.m. Board of
Mayor and
Commissioners
Regular Mtg.
Page 14 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
SUN
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
6:30 p.m. Downtown
Development
Authority Mtg.
7:00 p.m. Lake Avondale
Advisory Board
Regular Mtg.
6:30 p.m. Board of
Appeals Regular Mtg.
Noon Board of Appeals
Application Deadline
Community Club
Shrimp Boil
5:30 p.m. Board of
Mayor and
Commissioners
Regular Work Session
7:30 p.m. Board of
Mayor and
Commissioners
Regular Mtg.
July-August 2013 SAT
Noon - Historic
Preservation
Commission /
Architectural Review
Board Application
Deadline
7:00 p.m. - Historic
Preservation
Commission /
Architectural
Review Board Mtg.
6:00 p.m. Planning
and Zoning Board
Regular Mtg.
FRI
Dusk - Fireworks
at Lake Avondale
Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Page 15
H Upcoming Events
AVONDALE ESTATES
35th ANNUAL LABOR DAY RACE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2013
Strap up those sneakers and join the walkers and runners in Avondale Estates for the 34th Annual Labor Day 5K Race and
1 Mile Race. Walkers and runners of all ages and athletic levels are invited to participate in this annual event. This event
was created to benefit The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). You may make an additional
donation directly to the ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabassas, CA 91301-5104.
PLACE:
Willis Park at the corner of Dartmouth Avenue and Clarendon Place
The races start and end at Willis Park (adjacent to the pool) on Dartmouth Avenue. The courses are run
on City streets with adequate traffic control provided. Splits will be called.
TIME:
On-Site Registration - 7:30 a.m. • 1-Mile Race - 8:30 a.m. • 5K Main Race - 9:00 a.m.
AWARDS:
Medals will be given to the top age-group finishers (6 and under, 7-10, 11-14) for the Novice 1-Mile
Race. Top age-group finishers (10 and under, 11-14,15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49,
50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+) in the 5K Main Race. Overall winners will receive a trophy.
REGISTRATION:
1-Mile Race / Novice Race
$10.00 (Postmark/received by 8/23 )
$12.00 (After 8/23 or On-Site)
Main Race
$20.00 (Postmark/received by 8/23 )
$25.00 (After 8/23 or On-Site)
To enter, complete the form below and return it with your entry fee
to City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates, GA 30002.
Additional entry forms are available at City Hall and on-line (www.
avondaleestates.org). Please make your check payable to: “Avondale
Estates Labor Day Race.” Online registration available: www.active.
com (Online Registration Closes: August 25, 2013 at 11:59 p.m.)
RACE INFO:
* NO BICYCLES, ROLLERBLADES
OR DOGS ALLOWED IN THIS EVENT.
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
ENTRY FORM
Karen Holmes
404.294.5400
[email protected]
ONE NAME PER FORM
Check one: ☐ 1-Mile Race ☐ 5K Main Race T-SHIRT SIZE: ADULT ☐ S ☐ M ☐ L ☐ XL CHILD ☐ S ☐ M ☐ L
Last Name: ___________________________________________ First Name: _________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________ State: ________ Zip: _________________ Age: ____ Gender (Circle One): M F
Phone: __________________________________________ Email Address: __________________________________________
WAIVER: In consideration of the foregoing, I for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, representatives, successors and assigns waive and release any and all rights and claims of action I may have against the City Of Avondale
Estates 35th Annual Labor Day Race, City associates, agents, volunteers and the sponsors, their affiliates, agents, employees, directors, successors and assigns. I attest and verify that I am physically fit and have sufficiently trained for
this event. Further, I hereby grant full permission to any and all the foregoing to use any photographs or any other record of this event for any legitimate purposes including commercial advertising.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Participant’s signature/Parent’s signature if under the age of 18
Date
Page 16 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
Upcoming Events H
Avondale Estates Annual
Autumn Attic
Saturday, October 5, 2013 • 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
RAIN OR SHINE!
Avondale Pattillo United Methodist Church Parking Lot • 3260 Covington Highway
Rent a space ($20.00 each) and sell or come and buy!
NO DOGS, PLEASE!
To reserve a space call Roger or Karen Holmes at 404-508-0395
Rented on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTRATION FORM FOR OCTOBER YARD SALE
Payment for spaces must be received by September 20th. (To be mailed only after reserving space by phone)
Last Name: ___________________________________________ First Name: _________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: __________________________
Phone: __________________________________________ Email Address: ___________________________________________
No. of Spaces (@ $20.00): _____________ Amount Paid $________________ Assigned Space #(s)________________________
Some of the items I plan to have for sale are: ____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Number of years I have participated in this event: _________
For Reservations, call Karen Holmes at 404-508-0395. Make Checks Payable to the City of Avondale Estates Attic Sale and mail to
City of Avondale Estates, 21 North Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates, GA 30002
July-August 2013 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Page 17
H Clubs & Organizations
Avondale
Community Club
2013 Event
Calendar
July 20th
Antique Road Show
August 17th
Shrimp Boil
September 21st
Chili Cook-off
October 18th & 19th
2nd Annual Pig Roast
November 16th
Presidents Prime Rib
Dinner
Our small town exemplifies all the grace and
charm of the south despite being nestled within
a greater metropolitan area. No place within
our City is that southern charm more evident
than at the Avondale Community Club. The
ACC has been at the heart of the Avondale
Estates community for nearly 90 years. The club
is more than just a meeting place for neighbors
and a host for the community, but a place where
lifelong friendships are forged. Monthly and
community wide events include casino night, the
Taste of Avondale, the Ladies’ Tea, Shrimp boil,
second annual Pig Roast, the lighting of the Lake Avondale Tree and the Tour of Homes.
Membership allows you a discounted rate for renting the historic Lake House.
To join the Avondale Community Club please
contact George Brandt at (770) 296-3222
December 7th
Lake Tree Lighting
Cocktail Party
www.thelakehouseatavondale.com
The Avondale Woman’s Clubs
The Avondale Woman’s Club, organized in 1957, is a community-oriented organization open
to women in the general Avondale area. Annual dues are $60 and cover lunch at the meetings
along with contributions made to various community projects. For more information, contact
Mary Spencer ([email protected]).
The Avondale Women’s Club would like to welcome and congratulate the new slate of officers
for 2013-2014.
President: Ruth McCann
Corresponding Secretary: Gloria Stone
Vice President: Mary Spencer
Treasurer: Carolyn Meeks
Second Vice President: Kari Rheney
Parliamentarian: Frances Calder
Recording Secretary: Peggy Clayton
Trustees: Liz Wellborn, Donna Ailion
and Denise Forrester
Page 18 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
Applications Availab
le Online!
WWW.AVONDALEARTS.ORG
Across from the Tudor Village in Avondale Estates
The Avondale Arts Alliance presents the 11th Annual
AutumnFest Arts & Music Festival! This year’s festival
will feature over 100 local and regional artists, quality
entertainment including the Southeastern Snake
Encounter, music by The Homework Ate My Dog and
Meghan Jean & the KFB, a Kids Zone and more!
Applications Now Online
Artist, vendor and Kids Zone applications are available for
download at our website, www.avondalearts.org.
Deadline: September 13, 2013.
AutumnEats
We’re excited to introduce AutumnEats, a dedicated area
featuring chef demos, local market vendors and farmers
offering seasonal fare. Pine Street Market’s Rusty Bowers
and Layne Lee of Sweet n’ Sinful will be lending their
expertise by curating the chefs, judging an apple pie
contest and highlighting their 100 Mile Dinner.
Sponsor AutumnFest
We depend on in-kind services and financial support
from businesses and volunteers to make our event a
success! Contact us at [email protected]
or visit www.avondalearts.org for sponsorship levels and
information.
Community Art Project
We are excited to announce that we will host a
community art project for the first time this year! Jeff
Mather, local site sculptor, will lead volunteers to create
a one-of-a-kind work of art throughout the festival
weekend!
This project lends a whole new
meaning to the term “community
building.” Members of the
community come together to
build, photograph, and eventually
dismantle improvisational, 3D
structures produced with low-cost
recycled materials. This group
exercise in project creativity,
collaboration, and compromise incorporates geometry,
spatial reasoning, design principles, and elements
of engineering and architecture. The final result?
A satisfying hybrid of folk art and contemporary
environmental sculpture. Interested in participating?
Contact us to be included on the Community Art
Project Team!
Stay up-to-date on our activities and events via Facebook and sign up for our e-blasts at:
www.avondalearts.org • [email protected]
Avondale Arts Alliance • AutumnFest Arts & Music Festival
July-August 2013 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Page 19
H Clubs & Organizations
Avon Garden Club receives Multiple
Awards from the DeKalb Federation of
Garden Clubs – Spring 2013
Avon Garden Club was among many clubs honored at the April meeting of the DeKalb Federation of Garden Clubs, during the annual awards ceremony and luncheon. Under the leadership of
club president Kerry Quinn and awards chair Kathy Deprey, and with the outstanding efforts and
support of the 70+ members of the club, Avon Garden Club was well rewarded for a year’s bounty
of projects and programs.
Most of the club’s projects are funded by the proceeds from the annual pancake breakfast and garden boutique held each November.
First place trophies for:
• Community service – promoting the greatest impact upon
the community through community service activities
• Environmental – best action program or project to improve the
environment, to protect or conserve natural resources
• “Gavel” award – to the club submitting the most entries in
the Federation awards program
• Youth award – the youth group whose accomplishments
are deemed most outstanding – awarded to the Avon Teen
Garden Club sponsored by Avon Garden Club for their work
at Lake Avondale’s north woods
Second place awards for:
• Programs – the best series of garden club programs
• Trees – for the most outstanding planting of trees for civic
improvement and beautification (project by Stephany Cross)
Third place awards for:
• Attendance – having the highest percentage of members at all
Federation meetings
• Yearbook – best yearbook
• Beautification Project – best beautification project by a garden
club
Honorable Mention:
• Shade Gardening – most outstanding achievement in shade
gardening
Additional Awards:
• 100% Attendance Award – Avon Garden Club was represented
at every Federation meeting
• Standard of Excellence – high score on Federation’s
President’s Activity report
• Certificate of Recognition – proper submission of President’s
Activity report and dues
Our crowning glory is the Federation’s Club of the Year Award – awarded to the club that achieves outstanding accomplishments in all areas
of garden club activities as endorsed by the DeKalb Federation of Garden Clubs and in accordance with the objectives of the Garden Club of
Georgia and National Garden Clubs.
Avon Garden Club was also awarded first place honors in the Garden Club of Georgia for our beautification projects, our environmental
projects, and our trees projects, and first place in the Deep South Region for the trees projects. Avon is waiting to hear about other awards at the
State and National and Regional levels.
Avondale’s Garden Clubs Honor Fallen Police Officers
The Avondale Estates Garden Club and the Avon Garden Club
donated a wreath in memory of DeKalb County Police officers who
lost their lives in the line of duty. A Memorial Service was held at
the DeKalb History Center in Decatur on May 8, 2013. After the
ceremony, the wreath was flown to National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where it was included in a memorial service honoring police officers from throughout the country who lost their lives
while protecting U.S. citizens.
Avon Garden Club
Plan a Shaded Garden with Bloom or Scent Year Round
Master Gardener Jeanie Schoelles, a longtime member of the
Avon Garden Club, presented Plan a Shaded Garden with Bloom or
Scent Year Round, at the April club meeting. Jeanie lives in a forest
of very tall trees, and over the seasons has taken many digital images
of her yard illustrating the success of plantings in the lower story. She
shared these images with us.
When asked “Who does all the work”, what do you do with all
those leaves”, and “do you use pesticides”, she answered “I do all the
Page 20 work. The leaves line the walking paths through my woods and fill the
leaf areas in the yard and of course there is a compost heap. As to pesticides, every three months the roses get special attention, I go after slugs
with slug bait, and serve up something hot to keep the squirrels at bay.”
Four seasons images in a shade garden are a family affair. Jeanie’s
late husband Alfred, who was an artist, created four large colorful oil
paintings for St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue.
The paintings are on permanent display in Fellowship Hall.
Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
Happenings Across the Hedge H
Message from Caryl Albarran – Code Enforcement Officer
Making Upgrades or Repairs to Your Home?
Being a homeowner is a never ending project. A “Honey-Do
List” may end up being “Honey, Hire a Contractor” to complete
what needs to be done on your list. Are you making upgrades or
repairs to your home? If so, most repairs or renovations on buildings or houses in the City of Avondale Estates require a Permit
Authorization. The form can be picked up at City Hall or downloaded from the City website at www.avondaleestates.org and
then click on Services & Government/ Forms.
If you plan to enlarge, alter, repair, demolish or make changes to your property, please contact City Hall before you start the
job. If your home is in the Historic District it may require a Certificate of Appropriateness before the Permit Authorization can
be approved. Be aware that a City of Avondale Estates Permit
Authorization form is required before obtaining a Dekalb County
permit for their inspections process.
If your project requires a dumpster, please complete a dumpster permit and submit to City Hall. The dumpster permit form
can be obtained on the City website. Please do not have dumpsters placed on the street.
The occupant, owner, or contractor is responsible for the
removal of all construction/building material debris at the site.
Please feel free to contact Caryl Albarran, Code Enforcement Officer, at (404) 392-3134, if you have questions before or during
your project.
Through a cooperative effort between Code Enforcement and our residents,
we can continue to make the City of Avondale Estates a safe and cleaner place to live.
City of Avondale Estates Code of Ordinance Sec. 11-25.
Sweeping litter into gutters; cleanliness of sidewalk.
“No person shall sweep into or deposit in any gutter, street or other public place within the city any litter from any
building or lot or from any private or public sidewalk or driveway. Persons owning or occupying property shall
keep the sidewalk in front of their premises free of litter.”
Yard Debris Includes: Leaves, brush, grass clippings, shrubs, and tree pruning debris and other vegetative materials from the
maintenance of yards, lawns and landscaping on residential property. Yard debris is picked up in the residential area every Wednesday.
• Building materials, concrete products, dirt, rocks, automobile parts and tires will not be picked up by the City.
• Building materials, concrete products, dirt, rocks, automobile parts and tires will not be picked up by the City.
• Tree trunks and stumps will not be picked up by the City.
• Tree trunks and stumps will not be picked up by the City.
• Tree limbs must be no longer than three (3) feet long and not
more than four (4) inches in diameter.
• Tree limbs must be no longer than three (3) feet long and not
more than four (4) inches in diameter.
• Do not place any grass clippings, leaves, yard debris, etc. on
the street for safety concerns.
Building contractors must dispose of construction debris and building materials. Please contact City Hall at (404) 294-5400 to
arrange for the special pickup of small dead animals (in plastic bags), major appliances and furniture. Waste not acceptable for routine
collection shall be the responsibility of the owner. A maximum of 10 passenger car tires from residents only can be accepted at Seminole Road Landfill 4203 Cleveland Road Ellenwood, GA 30294. You may transport normal home-generated refuse directly to DeKalb
County Disposal Facilities, call (404) 244-4896 for more information.
July-August 2013 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Page 21
H Happenings Across the Hedge
Avondale Estates Garden Club – Yard of the Month
May
Camille and Alan Harvey
1051 Lakeshore Drive
June
Charlie and Elizabeth Orth
15 Berkeley Road
Avon Garden Club - Garden of the Month
May
Chat Choopojcharoen
3 Sussex Road
June
Carol and Tom Brooks
115 Berkeley Road
Pressure Wash
“Excellent care of clients and pets”
6 N. Avondale Rd. Avondale Estates, GA. 30002
404-294-4800 • AvondaleVet.net
Page 22 Professional pressure washing–all surfaces
Decks, Stained and Sealed
678-469-1599 | [email protected]
Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
July-August 2013
Happenings Across the Hedge H
Green Corner
Why T-Shirts Can’t Be Recycled into New T-Shirts
When you donate a pile of old T-shirts to a local charity, they will not be recycled back into
T-shirts. The fibers are usually too worn to be made into soft fabric. That doesn’t mean, though,
that these fibers go to waste.
Cotton, it turns out, is a lot like paper, at least when it comes to recycling. As you may
know, paper is made up of fibers and can be recycled back into paper a finite number
of times before the fibers become too short and must be downcycled into things like
newspaper or tissues. Cotton is similar in that it is made from fibers (it is derived from
a plant, after all), and eventually those fibers wear out.
Because the amount of textile waste Americans throw away each year averages out to
70 pounds per person, it’s worth understanding what does happen to old clothes, as well as how
buying recycled content clothing can help keep waste out of landfills.
In 2010, the recovery rate for all textiles – which includes things like clothing, shoes, sheets,
blankets, etc. – was 15 percent, according to the EPA, and unrecovered textiles amount for almost
5 percent of all landfill space in the U.S. Keeping your old clothing out of the trash can help solve
this problem, but the ways that clothing gets reused aren’t always clear to consumers.
Once your pile of T-shirts arrives at a charity, it is sorted based on quality. Any clothing
that is still in good shape will be resold, either in local secondhand stores or in secondhand
markets abroad. The rest of that clothing gets downcycled, meaning its materials are used for
other purposes. According to the Council for Textile Recycling, 30 percent of textiles not
resold locally will be made into rags, which are used in many industries for cleaning and other
purposes. Meanwhile, 20 percent of these textiles will be broken down into their fibers and
made into new products like carpet, insulation or stuffing for car seats. After all of this, only 5 percent of
recovered clothing ends up as waste.
For more information on recycling visit www.earth911.com.
Welcome to the Neighborhood
New Residents
Susan Belmonte & Paul Arnold
9 Coventry Close
Lawrence P. Bush
1057 Hess Drive
Maureen Braun & Patrick Lammie
899 Stratford Road
Tillis Ross, Jr.
68 Hampshire Court
Brian & Tamar Robinson
1076 Chatsworth Drive
John Donaldson
2971 Majestic Circle
Lynford Apple
100 N. Avondale Road, Unit C
Matthew & Robyn Rubenstein
8 Fairfield Drive
NEW BUSINESSES
Lisa Wise
24 Covington Highway
Sean & Nancy DeVetter
30 Exeter Road
Michael Knox
3196 Majestic Circle
Debra A. Coco
1600 Windsor Walk
Health – Sales
Home Based Business
Green House Renovation Home Renovation
Belle Miller McMaster
52 Lakeshore Drive
Dan & Judy Cullora
52 Sutton Place
July-August 2013 Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
Home Based Business
The Science of Fun
Science Camp
3260 Covington Highway
Page 23
H Meeting Minutes
Board Of Mayor And Commissioners Regular Meeting
Immediately Following Public Hearing • May 20, 2013 • 7:30 p.m.
Members Present:
Ed Rieker, Mayor
Terry Giager, Mayor Pro Tem
Gene Lee, Commissioner
John Quinn, Commissioner
Members Absent:
Lindsay Forlines, Commissioner
Staff Present:
Clai Brown, City Manager
Juliette Sims-Owens, City Clerk
Keri Stevens, City Planner
Gary Broden, Chief of Police
Bryan Armstead, Director of Public Works
Item No. 1
Meeting called to order
Item No. 2
Invocation (Commissioner Quinn)
Item No. 3
Pledge to the Flag.
Item No. 4
Adoption of Agenda
A motion to adopt the agenda as presented
was made by Mayor Pro Tem Giager,
seconded by Commissioner Quinn; passed
with all ayes (4-0).
Item No. 5
Approval of Minutes
March 20, 2013 Regular Work Session
March 20, 2013 Special Called Work Session
April 16, 2013 Special Called Work Session Re: Walk Willis Park with members
of the Willis Park Ad Hoc Committee to
discuss current proposed plan
April 17, 2013 Regular Work Session
April 22, 2013 Public Hearing Re: Conditional Use Permit Application for Mind,
Body and Soul Fitness Studio, located at
112 North Avondale Road - Tudor Village
April 22, 2013 Public Hearing Re: Conditional Use Permit Application for Avondale
Expert Alteration, located at 114 North
Avondale Road - Tudor Village
April 22, 2012 Regular Meeting
A motion to engross and adopt the minutes
Page 24 as presented was made by Commissioner
Lee, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Giager
Giager, passed with all ayes (4-0).
Item No. 6
Commissioner Updates – Subjects of General Interest and Concern
Mayor Rieker noted that Commissioner
Forlines is out of town that is why she
could not attend tonight.
Mayor Pro Tem Giager stated that he is
from Oklahoma and they are going through
a lot of problems and he asked that everyone keep them in their prayers. Mayor Pro
Tem Giager noted that his family is there
and are doing fine.
Item No. 7
Monthly Report by the City Manager Concerning the Status of Matters in Progress
and Upcoming Issues and Events
City Manager Brown gave the following
Monthly Report:
• City Manager Brown thanked Chief
Broden and Bryan Armstead, Director of Public Works for being at the
meeting tonight and he thanked all the
associates for all the hard work they
do day in and day out for our City and
he is very proud of them.
• City Manager Brown asked everyone
to give good thoughts and prayers to
the Chief who is going to have surgery
on his knee this Thursday.
• The City is very pleased to announce
that the Central Business District
has been designated an Opportunity
Zone by the Georgia Department of
Community Affairs, one of the first
in DeKalb County. There is only one
other City that has this designation
and that is Doraville. This new designation will create a $3500 tax incentive for businesses that employ two or
more associates to expand and locate
in the area, benefiting new and existing businesses. The Designation adds
another strong tool to supplement the
already progressive, business friendly,
economic development efforts the
City has been working on over the
Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
past few years. It will facilitate and
attract those wishing to invest in the
City’s downtown in a very competitive
market. The designation is in effect for
10 years, until May 3, 2023, with an
option to renew. Businesses within the
Opportunity Zone boundaries may begin taking the credit for net new jobs
created in a taxable year which begins
on or after January 1, 2013, provided
the minimum of two net new jobs are
created.
• The walkability study timeline is now
on the City website. City staff updated
the board on the study last week and
there will be some emails and letter
invites going out for our first meeting
in June.
• As part of the Lifelong Communities
Grant the crosswalk project along US
278 was reviewed with the contractor. The removal and replacement of
handicap ramps will be installed to
GDOT’s standards and re-striping is
included at the intersections of North
Clarendon Avenue/North Avondale
Road, Oak Street/East College, Pine
Street/ East College and possible at
Maple Street/ East College.
• The Avondale Estates phone Directories have been printed and will be
delivered to the residents within a
week.
Mayor Rieker noted that on Wednesday,
May 22nd at 5:30 p.m. the board will have
a Special Called Work Session to talk
about the Willis Park Renovation and he
asked that everyone try to attend and give
their input so the board can move it to City
staff.
Item No. 8
Citizens’ Comments
“It’s another beautiful day in Avondale
Estates” – Thomas P. Samford
Betty Jones, 10 Lakeview Place stated that
last year 4th of July fireworks spectators
were coming down a few days ahead and
staking out their spots for the fireworks.
Ms. Jones asked if there is anything that
could be done to keep them out until at
July-August 2013
Meeting Minutes H
least the day before because and at night
you can fall over the stakes and it is hard
for the Public Works staff to prepare the
grounds for the event with all the areas that
have been staked out.
Mayor Rieker thanked Ms. Jones for her
comment. Mayor Rieker stated he just
read and article that Peachtree City was
having the same problem with people
coming down ahead of time and putting
tarps down. Mayor Rieker noted that their
solution was to restrict it to the morning
of the event. Mayor Rieker asked that this
be included on the June Work Session and
asked City staff to do a little research on
this item.
Mayor Pro Tem Giager thanked Ms. Jones
for her comment and noted that he is a
baseball coach and when they leave the
tarps on their field for three hours the grass
is dead underneath. Mayor Pro Tem Giager
stated that this is really protecting our
investment.
Tom Brooks, 115 Berkeley Road stated
that Julie Feely had mentioned about
forwarding an email to the board to be part
of the record if someone was unable to attend a meeting. Mr. Brooks asked what the
process is if citizens wanted to do that and
have it be part of the public comment for
the meeting.
Mayor Rieker stated that if he needs something read and he is out of town, send the
email to the board, City Manager Brown
or have a citizen to read the comment on
his behalf. Mayor Rieker noted that most
cities don’t have the kind of interaction
that we have, most cities have a timer on,
most cities you make your comment and
you sit down and nobody addresses it,
at one point we did not allow comments
at the work sessions until he became the
Mayor. Mayor Rieker noted that this board
and the other boards for the last six years
have been as open as they can about collecting public comment because it really
helps the board and the City. Mayor Rieker
stated that we need more citizen participation and he appreciated everyone coming
tonight.
Julie Feely 2 Dartmouth Avenue stated
that there is a retention schedule for the recorded records if someone wanted to hear
the recordings verbatim.
July-August 2013 Mayor Rieker stated that information can
be obtained from the City Clerk.
Item No. 9
Old Business: None
Item No. 10
New Business:
a) First of Three Readings of the Sign
Ordinance Amendment.
City Manager Brown stated that this is the
first of three readings to amend article IX
of Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances
Concerning Signs and Advertising Structures and to repeal all conflicting provisions.
Mayor Rieker stated that this is the ordinance that the board just had the public
hearing on tonight and it takes three
readings before the board can vote on it.
Mayor Rieker noted that the ordinance will
be available on the City website. Mayor
Rieker stated that the Planning and Zoning
Board, Historic Preservation Commission
and Architectural Review Board will be
reviewing the sign ordinance at their June
meetings. Mayor Rieker asked that when
the HPC is reviewing the sign ordinance,
he asked that they open up the ARB meeting and note that the ARB board is endorsing it as well.
b) Resolution for Citizens Patrol Policy
Manual.
City Manager Brown stated that is a
Resolution Establishing a Citizens Patrol
Policy and Procedure Manual for the City
of Avondale Estates.
Mayor Rieker stated that the City is in
the process of establishing a Citizens
Volunteer Patrol Unit and he thanked
Chief Broden for all the work he has
done on it. Mayor Rieker noted that 50
of the graduates from the Citizens Police
Academy attended a meeting in April and
volunteered to help out with this program.
Mayor Rieker stated that Matt Miller is
going to be the first Director and they will
be wearing navy blue t-shirts with a logo.
Mayor Rieker stated that this is a team
that will continue their training and it is
all non-confrontational, no weapons, and
they are not allowed to make stops, they
are really the eyes and ears for the City.
Mayor Rieker noted as the program moves
forward, they will get additional training
and other elements that will be helpful for
Avondale Estates H News from City Hall
the City.
Commissioner Lee thanked Cpl. Conroy
for being at the work session last week, he
was very informative and he did a great job
on the news.
Commissioner Quinn stated that he was
not at the work session when this was
discussed but he read the policy and procedure manual when he returned and noted
that it was very detailed, very well drafted
and a wonderful idea and he supports it
100%.
Public Comment: None
A motion to approve the Resolution
Establishing a Citizens Patrol Policy and
Procedure Manual for the City of Avondale
Estates was made by Commissioner Lee
seconded by Commissioner Quinn; passed
with all ayes (4-0).
c) Resolution for a Survey and Design
Concept for the Parking Lot located in the
green space behind City Hall.
City Manager Brown stated that this is a
Resolution for the Board of Mayor and
Commissioners of the City of Avondale
Estates to authorize the City Manager to
complete a survey and design concept
for additional parking in the green space
located behind City Hall.
Mayor Rieker stated that the board
discussed this at the work session last
Wednesday. Mayor Rieker noted that the
City has a plot of land that is just north of
our current City parking and the City is
having issues with the court being full and
that parking is now spilling into the Tudor
Village area. Mayor Rieker noted that Pallookaville is going to be opening soon and
they will need parking as well so the City
is trying to be proactive.
City Manager Brown stated that it should
give 40-50 extra parking spaces.
Public Comment: None
A motion to approve the Resolution for a
Survey and Design Concept for the Parking Lot in the green space at City Hall was
made by Mayor Pro Tem Giager seconded
by Commissioner Lee; passed with all ayes
(4-0).
d) Proclamation for National Garden
Week (June 2-8).
Mayor Rieker read the Proclamation for
Page 25
H Meeting Minutes
National Garden Week which will be June
2-8, 2013. Mayor Rieker thanked the garden clubs for all the wonderful work they
do for the City.
will take place on Saturday, June 22nd
from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Locust
Street. For more information visit: www.
thebeergrowler.net/homebrew-battle.
Item No. 11
Announcements (Commissioner Quinn)
c) 4th of July in Avondale Estates is approaching….if you would like to volunteer
or donate, please contact Karen Holmes at
City Hall.
a) City Hall will be closed on Monday,
May 27th in observance of Memorial Day.
City Hall will re-open on Tuesday, May
28th.
We regretfully announce the death of:
Carole Hall Herron, Former Resident
b) The Beer Growler Home Brew Battle
Glenn Schwarz, 1102 Bromley Road
William “Bill” Thomas Mann, Founder of
Mann Mechanical Company
Betty Weems, 33 Fairfield Drive
Item No. 12
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. was made
by Mayor Pro Tem Giager seconded by
Commissioner Quinn; passed with all ayes
(4-0).
News from City Hall - Newsletter Disclaimer
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cost considerations. As a courtesy to the clubs and organization that civically operate in the City, a brief notice of their activities may be included as
space permits.
The City Newsletter is not a forum for opinion pieces nor for political speech. The City reserves the right to reject any proposed advertisement of an
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