Council Met with Concerns on Trash Collection, Rezoning
Five public commenters expressed their opposition on various topics at Monday's meeting, including a Family Dollar store moving in, and SPLOST funding being used for Lewis Road.
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It definitely wasn’t the largest crowd the Powder Springs City Council has faced in the past year or so, as those meetings typically only come from awards, special recognitions or appointments.
But Monday night’s meeting did see the largest amount of dissension in that time period—five public commenters as compared to the usual zero.
First up was former Councilman Tom Bevirt, who served three terms before losing in last year’s elections. He raised the same concerns that current Councilman Al Thurman did in last week’s work session: the $500 in the proposed fiscal 2013 budget for economic development not being enough.
He said the money tied up in the defunct Development Authority of Powder Springs—which has previously been suggested at $90,000, but he believed to be up to $120,000—should be utilized.
“I don’t know why ya’ll have not been able to wrench loose that money,” Bevirt said. “I think some cities in the condition that we’re in would move mountains to get at that money.”
Bevirt suggested finding a legal way to get to the money, or forming a committee for the organization that could decide what to do with it.
“You are aware I’m sure, Mr. Bevirt, that the city has no control over the DAPS money,” Mayor Pat Vaughn said.
Bevirt reiterated that the council should try to get committee members together. He said that when current interim City Manager Brad Hulsey was mayor 12 years ago, he appointed Bevirt to the committee with the sole aim of obtaining funding for the city’s website.
“There’s got to be a couple more people in this town who would be willing to serve on that board, not for a long, long time, but certainly long enough to get something going,” he said.
Later in the meeting, Bevirt returned to the mic during an explanation of the proposed 2013 budget. This time he reiterated a suggestion made during last budget season by former City Manager Rick Eckert—outsourcing trash pickup.
He said money was found for the previous budget to keep the eight or nine sanitation workers employed and the service going. “However, there was nothing wrong with the plan (to outsource the service). … Unless something’s changed in several months time, the city would save money.”
The proposed budget has additional expenses of about $1,000 for increases in the cost of dumping, and a loss to revenues of nearly $10,000. The losses mostly come from customers outside the city dropping the service.
That customer base has gone from as high as 1,500 to 640, Finance Director Amy Davis said. “So we’ve lost more than half,” she said.
Hulsey said the city is dealing with competitive rates, “but we also have had a company in particular who has gone out and said the city would no longer be offering service outside the city, which is an incorrect statement.”
Hulsey said he has been in contact with the company about the false claim.
Bevirt questioned if the city was prepared for if the remaining 640 dropped the service, and whether there is an ordinance within the city limits keeping residents tied to the city service.
The city website says the Code of Ordinances requires the service for city residents at $18.50 a month; the rate is $20.50 for those outside the city.
Bevirt said he knew of a company offering a rate of $10 a month, which includes recycling.
“What is going to happen if the citizens here in the community start wondering why their friends or relatives, enemies are getting their trash collected cheaper?”
Monday was the first reading of the budget, with one more required before the July 1 start of fiscal 2013.
Three of the other commenters spoke against the rezoning of the property at 3824 Powder Springs Road from “low-rise office” to “community retail commercial”. The move, plus some code variances, will allow a Family Dollar to move into the spot, which formerly housed a bank.
The residents, who all live on Forest Hill Road, expressed concerns with traffic and possible influxes of crime. One said there is other retail space in the city better suited for a Family Dollar.
A representative from the Garrard Group, a commercial general contractor and developer, said he has received the final go-ahead from Cobb DOT. He said additional steps have been taken to ensure traffic won’t become an issue, like more left turn space on Forest Hill, and making sure a once-a-week delivery truck turns both in and out from Powder Springs Road.
The council passed the rezoning and variations 5-0.
The last speaker, Powder Springs resident Jim Collins, questioned the need to use SPLOST funding to extend Lewis Road from its current ending—Marietta Street—to Old Lost Mountain Road. He said there are three other ways already to connect the points.
“Because obviously when a train’s coming through the town you get tremendous backups in there,” said Don Hicks with the city’s engineering firm, Croy Engineering. “So this will allow access from where Lewis Road dumps into Marietta (Street) around to Old Lost Mountain Road.”
Collins noted a lack of development around the city, and said the Lewis Road project was being made with “futility" and that the money could be “more wisely spent.”
Vaughn said the city is “hopeful” that “things will turn around” for more development to move into the city.
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Powdertowner
11:41 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The trash collection is ridiculously high. I live just outside of the city limits and cancelled the city trash service last year. At the time I was paying $22/month for 1 can (not $20.50 as is stated above – was I being overcharged?). I now have 1 large can plus 1 smaller can for recyclables for $11/month. My daughter has just rented a home that is barely inside the city limits and she will have to pay $18.50/month for 1 can and no recycling. If the city outsources trash collecting, will the poor souls in the city limits be able to make their own decision as to who they can use for trash service?
George Rogers
9:29 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Tom Bevirt,
You lost the election. Get pass it and go on with your life..............
RMassey
4:34 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
It would appear that you are upset by Mr. Bevirt’s interest in our city. Powder Springs’ residents are well aware that Vaughn and her minions don’t feel that anyone else is capable of making intelligent contributions to the meetings. Mr. Bevirt has an advantage by being a previous council member, and it would seem by your comment that you’re worried what he might say. Why else would an “adult” tell someone to shut up? Mr. Bevirt, continue going to these meetings and keep reporting what you find. Stand your ground and don’t let Vaughn start mumbling about other things to distract everyone. Our city is in a situation now that proves beyond any doubt that Vaughn has been promoted to the level of her incompetence. There is no hope for Powder Springs until she’s GONE! OUT CHA GO MAYOR!!!!!!
Ole Pete
1:00 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
I read this article over and over and I can't find anywhere that it says Mayor Vaughn told Mr. Bevirt to "shut up". Did you get a different article than I did?
Frank Hogg
10:50 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Ole Pete, rest assurred that your eyesight and hearing is just fine. He edited his comment.
George Rogers
8:04 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Well, elections is the democratic system that we use in this Country. If a person is elected by poplar vote then he/she is the office holder and should be respected as same. If you have a different opinion as to who should hold the office then you should work the electorate to change that vote. This is called DEMOCRACY.
Frank Hogg
11:14 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Requiring a citizen to provide their name and address on the ballott opens them up for harrassment. It is amazing that a city of 15,000 people could only turn out 10 percent of the voters. This is called COMMUNISM.
Vorant1
7:51 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
"Democracy" is two wolves and a sheep deciding who's for dinner.
RMassey
12:22 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Mr. Hogg, if Vaughn could make the rules like she does in the neighborhood where she lives and that her company manages, that is exactly how voting would be. To vote for board members in Country Walk, residents are required to write their name (first and last) on the ballot. Very few residents vote – no anonymity. Most folks know better than to get on Vaughn’s list of people to harass so they just stay out of it. Staying off her radar is the only way to survive. It seems that many city employees have similar experiences.
william harrison
3:47 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
I am a little confused reguarding the comment about Mrs. Vaughn making the rules in Country Walk. The HOA voted to approve the covenants in the subdivision and homeowners approve any changes to these by a vote. As far as identifying who is voting for board members, what is the problem with that? At least the Board can verify the votes come from residents and not outsiders.
Jillian Trump
3:35 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Well said RMassey! That is exactly the truth! God forbid you get on her bad side and she will target you with her own force! The residents of CW pay $20K for 4 months of securiy which is bhy the way, Powder Springs Police Officers in Powder Springs Patrol Cars. Should you get on her bad side, you become a target and the Police officers then watch for you to run a stop sign, a tail light out, etc.
Yes, my tax dollars pay for the gas in those cars. Does this mean if I call 911 they won't come to my neighborhood, as they are being paid by CW residents.
I don't understand how Mayor Vaughn gets by with half the ludricrous crap she does.
william harrison
4:08 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Ms. Trump,
If you have any proof to support your allegations I would suggest you present it at the next Council meeting for the benefit of all PS residents.
CW Residents
4:47 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Mr. Harrison, you are absolutely right as a resident I am really glad the the board verifies that the votes come from CW residents and not outsiders. I don't want people from other neighborhoods having a say in what goes on in CW.
Jillian Trump
4:27 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Mr. Harrison that's a fantastic thought. All one has to do is drive I to this subdivision around 6:45 pm and you will see the patrol car sitting there. I've seen him on many occasions.
Mayor Vaughn owns NMS which manages the neighborhood she resides in. Mayor Vaughn stacks the HOA Board in her favor and the secretary from NMS counts the votes. The $20k for "security" is in the CW Budget, which I will get a copy for the next PS meeting- gladly!
CW Residents
4:52 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Ms Trump,
I attended the last annual meeting and I am sure I saw 3 people counting the votes.
CW Residents
6:02 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Great, I think showing up at the next Powder Springs meeting is a great idea. I hope you bring all of your proof along with the proof that the mayor fixed at $20K water bill...I will make sure I am there - I look forward to seeing all of this evidence.
Want to bet that you won't show up with the evidence?
Bunco Partner
7:57 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Ms Trump, is that your picture? Is that really you? Is your name really Jillian Trump? Your picture strongly resembles a celebrity picture from the Disney Channel and that of Chelsea Staub / Kane from Dancing with the Stars. Are you aware that representing yourself with a picture of someone else while making comments is criminal activity? It's called intellectual identity theft ~ your computers address is very traceable and can be subpoenaed in the event a crime is suspected. Just thought you might want to know.
CW Residents
8:40 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Wow! Ms Trump is that how your hair is really cut? A couple months ago I got an email showing a person damaging CW property - was that you with a baseball cap on? I could be mistaken, but looking at your picture I'm really thinking it might have been you.
CW Residents
4:42 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Ms. Trump, you are obviously mistaken. l attend the annual meetings and periodically attend the board meetings. I am certain that I understood the financial review and discussion and that the totals given were for the whole year, in fact I have a copy of the yearly budget that was mailed to me around the first of the year and it only shows $20K for the whole year.
Unlike you I really appreciate having the security patrols in the neighborhood. I have never noticed them targeting anyone and the wonderful officer that occasionally comes to our hoa meetings to update us on what the security officers are finding in CW is always so willing to answer our questions.
If you are so miserable living in CW and in Powder Springs, WHY don't you just move - all these lies are going to catch up with you sooner or later.
RMassey
1:02 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Oh yes. The wonderful officer who was summoned to the annual meeting while on duty for Powder Springs Police Department? He was very nice indeed. He was there to explain to Country Walk residents that there is vandalism in CW. When asked if Country Walk was the only neighborhood in Powder Springs that was experiencing vandalism, the answer was “No, all neighborhoods are experiencing vandalism.” When asked if Country Walk was the only neighborhood in Powder Springs that had teenagers hanging around that didn’t live in the neighborhood, the answer was “No, all neighborhoods are experiencing this as well.” Are Country Walk residents to believe that because we pay $20,000 for 4 months a year of “security patrol” that other neighborhoods aren’t being patrolled? (Yes, the budget is shown as annual BUT when asked why security was not around after summer; residents were informed that “Country Walk only pays for security during warmer weather.”) That day, the police officer assured us that other neighborhoods were being patrolled as well. What does this tell you? And let me remind you that these vandals are committing acts right in front of the camera in the front of the neighborhood. Have they ever been caught? NO, THEY HAVE NOT.
RMassey
1:04 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
CW Residents - Is it possible for you to have a discussion without insulting other people or telling someone to move? Like it or not, you’re not going to agree with everyone who lives in Country Walk or Powder Springs. That certainly doesn’t mean that you have to be hateful.
Bunco Partner
8:07 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
RMASSEY
OH?....I was at that meeting and I never heard anyone say the officers are only there in warm weather. I see them all year long. However, it should be easy enough to prove when they are at work though. Chalk it up to one more of your false rumors!
By the way - What does all of this ridiculous bashing of the Mayor and her company have to do with trash collection and rezoning? Signing off now...don't want to be part of this non- productive dialogue........
CW Residents
8:46 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
RMassey, Word has it that because of the camera, the lady with her hair under a baseball cap has now been positively identified as one of the CW residents. Also, I heard someone has identified the white care in the background. Thank goodness for technology!
RMassey
10:17 am on Saturday, June 9, 2012
Security during warmer weather months was last year’s “explanation” as to why they weren’t around when school started and the pool closed. It wasn’t discussed at the annual meeting in April 2012 because by that time, residents were more interested in knowing why we have “security” at all.
It’s interesting that you chose the phrase “word has it”. You might as well have said “I’m starting the rumor that…” as it means the same thing. I’m quite sure that all residents of Country Walk would be elated if an arrest was made in the vandalism cases. Since the beginning of the year, residents have received several pictures and videos asking if they can identify the person/people committing the acts. It’s June- do you really think anyone is going to believe your “word” that a positive ID has been made? Or, have you and your crew suddenly decided you know who you will try to pin it on? Either way, we all look forward to the end result.
Jillian Trump
5:45 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
I don't live in CW - Praise Jesus! Unfortunately I have a wonderful friend who does and she has shown me this ridiculous budget and I have seen the officers sitting there when I leave her neighborhood. She would LOVE to move but her house is under water - she owes more on it than what it's worth. PLUS a house just sold in CW on Hillside for $67k! Possibly you should buy her home so she doesn't have to tolerate Mayor Vaughn any longer!
CW Resident was her Secretary(Diane) and 2 teenagers counting the ballots??? Yep, thought so.
CW Residents
5:59 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Jillian,
For not living in CW, you seem to know an awful lot about it. Did you attend the annual meeting? How do you know the ages of those counting the ballots - did you check their IDs? You may want to stop making accusations now - your habit of telling lies is about to catch up with you.
CW Residents
8:41 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Really? RMassey, do you consider your comments kind? Go back and read them. Are your remarks hateful????
Jillian Trump
5:30 am on Friday, June 8, 2012
If I'm telling lies, why is the CW Resident is getting so defensive? LOL!
Jillian Trump
12:05 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Well, there ya have it Willaim Harrison, straight from the CW Residents mouth - (see 4:42 p.m. post on 6/7) "appreciate having the security patrols in the neighborhood. I have never noticed them targeting anyone and the wonderful officer that occasionally comes to our hoa meetings to update us on what the security officers are finding in CW" The Police Officers even show up to the HOA meetings!
I thought Mr. Hulsey already investigated the $20K water leak? CW resident, your obviously one of the "older" residents in CW. I've never posted anything about this. Although, rumor has it the leak belonged to a homeowner in CW, that just so happens to be paid by the HOA....Coincidence?