City of Stone Mountain seal on the historic railroad depot. Photo by Dean Hesse.
By Alex Brown
The Stone Mountain City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 18 covered a wide variety of topics, including traffic-calming studies, new appointments to municipal boards and committees, and discussion between the Council and the new Mayor, Dr. Beverly Jones.
A special called meeting was held to gather signatures for the city’s official bank accounts. Signatures were needed from the new mayor and new council members.
In other business:
– A public hearing was held to discuss an application from resident Daniel Cook to the Planning and Zoning committee for variance to build a residential single-family home at 5280 Poplar Springs Road. The application will be further reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Committee.
– During the public comments section, resident Ryan Smith appealed for a sidewalk to be added to Mountain Drive, given the number of pedestrians and public transit users who frequent Mountain Drive.
– The council intended to select a Mayor Pro Tem at this meeting, but the item was tabled to the next regular session. Chakira Johnson is currently Mayor Pro Tem. There was a significant amount of deliberation about this item, including a review of the job description of Mayor Pro Tem.
– New appointments to the Board of Ethics were made by the mayor and each council member.
– The council intended to appoint a council member to the Downtown Development Authority, but there weren’t enough council members ready to vote on it, so the item was tabled.
– Four police vehicles and one public works vehicle were declared as surplus for sale and will be auctioned off on govdeals.com.
– The 2022 Georgia Fresh For Less contract was signed, allowing farmer’s market shoppers who use SNAP benefits to use a token system that allows them to spend money on fresh fruits and vegetables. City Manager Thornton noted that this program is especially beneficial for Stone Mountain, which could be considered a food desert.
– The Stone Mountain Community Garden Committee members were appointed. Councilmember Johnson is a member.
– The City Council intended to schedule a public hearing to discuss traffic-calming on James B. Rivers Memorial Drive, but given that the most recent traffic-calming study was conducted in July 2021, the council opted to request a new traffic-calming study now that traffic patterns have changed due to school being in session.
– A traffic control device request has also been submitted to the City requesting a 4-way stop at the intersection of Cloud Street and Ridge Avenue. The increase in residential density in this area warrants a more up-to-date traffic study to be conducted in this area.
– Mayor Jones intends to meet with the City Council to discuss “visions, goals, and expectations for the City.” The date of this meeting has not yet been decided.
The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 1.
Read the original story on TuckerObserver.com.
