Commission Agenda-Setting Session Tuesday, July 16, 2002

Commissioner Kilpatrick absent

Preliminary construction plans for bicycle lanes on College Station Road from Riverbend Rd. to Research Dr.
Commissioner McCarter questioned the safety of building the bicycle lanes before the construction of the bridge over the Oconee River. Why are we are building something that no one expects people to use? Commissioner Chasteen stated that there has been plenty of lip service from the State and Federal agencies about the need for the bridge but it may be some time before money becomes available. He also was worried about safety without a better bridge. Commissioner Logan questioned the design of the lanes without pedestrian sidewalks and whether people would walk on the bike paths. The reply was that the few people expected to walk would use the extended shoulder until money is available for sidewalks. In addition, the new lanes will be only 4 ft. wide instead of the customary 5 ft because 4 ft. is all that is needed in a "rural" situation where there is no curb or gutter. October 2003 is the earliest date for possible funding from DOT. Commissioner Jordan stated that if the commission knew that the bridge would be built within the next 3 to 4 years then maybe they could vote yes on the bike lanes. Commissioner Sheats asked if there are any studies on the numbers that would use the lanes. The answer was no but Mayor Eldridge stated that these lanes would undoubtedly get heavy usage given the number of university people on the east side.

Application and acceptance of an Economic Development Grant of $80,000 - 100,000 on behalf of East Athens Development Corp. (EADC) for labor to maintain the historic cemetery in East Athens.
ACC would serve as a conduit for the money to EADC. Commissioner McCarter expressed concern about these types of vague projects for which ACC serves as a conduit. There was some mention of a past misuse of funds. He wants more specifics on how money will be spent. Mayor Eldridge stated that the influx of labor funds is good for East Athens but that he is unsure what the responsibility of ACC is if the money is misused. Commissioner McCarter asked if there is any overhead for ACC included in the grant (no). Commissioner Sheats stated that the Dept. of Labor has requested that ACC serve as the conduit for the funds and that the Dept. of Labor is comfortable with the competency of EADC to use the funds wisely.

SPLOST IV Project 01-Area Wide Storm Drainage Improvement - Brooklyn Creek Pilot Basin Construction Phase #2 - Request for Contract Award.
Commissioner Jordan has looked at the detention and conveyance facilities built to date and he has concerns with the design. Storm water does not enter the detention ponds except when the amount of water exceeds the 5-year flood event. Commissioner Jordan stated that the first quarter inch of rain carries most of the contaminants but this is the water that moves down the now channeled stream. In addition, there is no exit from the wetland detention pond once water does accumulate there and will result in the death of the surrounding trees. Larger flood events (100 yr.) will be diverted to a large pipe to convey the problem downstream. The detention facilities are being built without addressing water quality. Mayor Eldridge stated that the project description was approved in February. Commissioner Jordan replied that the detention facility plan was added after the vote. Commissioner Sheats asked Commissioner Jordan if he would be satisfied if charcoal filters were installed in the storm water conveyance. Commissioner Jordan relied that he would be happy if the water could at least contact the ground.

Consideration of Historic Preservation Commission's recommendation to designate Whitehall Mill development as Local Historic Landmark.
Public hearing tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 7:00 p.m. Historic designation would result in an 8-year freeze on tax assessments, which would be an incentive for potential condo buyers.

Preliminary Design of Wastewater Treatment Capacities at North Oconee, Middle Oconee, and Cedar Creek Service Areas.
Commissioner Sims stated that the proposal asks for approval of capacity projections until at least 2020 based on the current land use plan. The approved projected capacities will be met by exploring alternatives (gray water recycling, etc.) rather than by only increasing facility capacities. Commissioner Barrow stated that projections based on the current Land Use Plan may not be accurate since the current Land Use Plan will be changed in order to maintain quality of life and serve the long-term needs of ACC.

SPLOST 2000 Project 32 - East Athens Dance Center - Project concept and contract for professional design consultant services.
Commissioner Sheats stated that the planned site for the dance center is the new East Athens Park but construction of the park has been delayed. Rather than delay the completion of the dance center could it be located in Dudley Park? Manager Reddish replied that the new park would be built sometime in the next few years. Commissioner Jordan would like to see the dance center located some place other than in a park. The project stipulates that the center be located in East Athens and the parks, with already overburdened facilities, may not be the most appropriate spot. A facility in a residential area, such as an abandoned retail store, would be more convenient for East Athens residents. Commissioner Ford would like to have answers on the infrastructure costs if the center is in the park.

Revised Project Description for SPLOST Greenway Projects # 16 and 17.
Apparently SPLOST IV is running out of money for completion of the downtown sections of the Greenway and the bridges are not yet installed (the bridges have been on display in the Dudley Park parking lot) because of a freeze on DOT funds. Apparently money is to be reallocated from land acquisition to replace DOT funds. Chair of the greenway commission Dick Field supports the revision.

SPLOST 2000 project #30 - Greenway Land Acquisition - Easements and sidewalk construction on William St.
Asking for $125,000. Commissioner Jordan asked what else the money could be used for and to what the William St. easements are connecting. Dick Field replied that the Greenway Commission has not yet considered future acquisitions but that the William St. portion is necessary to connect with the bike lanes that are to be constructed at UGA on East Campus Rd.

Sidewalk Vending on Baldwin St.
UGA is requesting that the Hot Dog vendor at the intersection of Baldwin St. and Sanford Dr. relocate down the sidewalk towards Jackson St. so as not to congest the new student crossing. The Hot Dog vendor has been in that location for 20 years and claims that the relocation will be bad for her business and an economic hardship for her family. The new sidewalk will be set back with a fence bordering the street except at the crosswalk so that students are forced to cross only at crosswalks. Therefore, more students will be concentrated in this area and UGA believes that the vendor will be an obstruction. The commissioners looked at their maps and Commissioners Sheats and Barrow thought that there is room for the vendor and that the commission should wait for project completion (September) before making a decision. Commissioner Barrow was more concerned with the fact that the sidewalk, which was under ACC control, will now be under UGA's control because of the setback from the street. He does not remember any discussion about this change and he believes there should be an agreement with UGA about who enforces laws on the sidewalk, such as where the vendor is located.

Elizabeth Little