News from Julie Zahner Bailey

Dear Milton Neighbors, Friends and Citizens -

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well and enjoying this lovely time of year.  This release includes:

• Information regarding a Town Hall meeting hosted by Council members D'Aversa and Tart on Thursday, October 16th at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall.  I encourage you to join me at this meeting which will provide an informal opportunity to ask questions and provide comments regarding particular concerns focused on the areas of District 5 and 6 including Highway 9.  A special thanks to Council members D'Aversa and Tart for hosting this community exchange.

• A quick summary of the results of our last Mayor and Council meeting on October 6th,

• Highlights of a proclamation regarding two outstanding youth in our community - Zack and Thomas Eller -

• An update on the Milton Grows Green (MGG) Committee
  regarding MGG becoming an official committee of the City of Milton, and

• A listing of other upcoming meetings of interest.

Please scroll down for details on each of these items.

As always, one of my goals is to keep you informed and up to date on issues and opportunities facing our wonderful Milton community.

Thank you for the opportunity to represent your interests and those of your family.

All my best -

Julie Zahner Bailey

Town Hall Meeting at City Hall
 Thursday, October 16, 6:00 P.M.

Discussion re: District's 5 & 6 including Hwy. 9

I am pleased to invite you to attend a community discussion hosted by Council Member Tina D'Aversa and Council Member Alan Tart on Thursday, October 16 at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall.
 
As you know each council member represents the entire City of Milton. Council member D'Aversa and Tart feel it is important to address some specific issues and concerns they are hearing from residents living in Districts 5 and 6.  All residents are welcome to attend the discussion.  I encourage you to join me at this meeting as every area of Milton has an impact on the whole of our collective community.  
 
Council members have received invitations to attend Homeowners Association Meetings in District 5 and District 6. In most instances, members of our city team should also attend these meetings to address questions and concerns. Therefore, a meeting centralized at City Hall on October 16 will allow citizens to join the city team for an informational discussion. The city staff representing Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Community Development, Public Safety and Finance will be on hand to discuss current matters and answer frequently asked questions. 

Topics for discussion will include but are not limited to:

• Fulton County Property Tax Explanations
• Crime Prevention
• Community Planning for Highway 9
• Traffic Management
• Noise Control
• Land use and zoning
• Parks Plans

Please bring your questions and comments and join the team for this needed discussion. It is vital to the future of Milton that residents get involved and voice their opinions regarding important issues.  You may feel free to forward this email to your neighbors.
 
We hope to see you at this community gathering and look forward to a thoughtful discussion. Milton City Hall is located at 13000 Deerfield Parkway.

Results from October 6th
 Mayor & City Council Meeting

4-3 Vote to Approve Sewer extension despite No IGA with Fulton County

On Monday, October 6th, at the regularly scheduled Council meeting there was an agenda item related to the issue of sewer extension to certain properties in Crabapple and on Webb Road.  Based on the 4-3 vote to approve the agenda item, it now provides sewer service approval to multiple properties despite there not being an approved IGA with Fulton County. 

The specific agenda item #08-687, "Authorize the issuance of permits (LDP, building, CO, etc.) to those parcels reflected within the sewer delivery area map approved by City Council on September 15, 2008 as long as the applicant provides an approved sewer permit from Fulton County" was approved 4-3 with Mayor Lockwood, Karen Thurman, Bill Lusk and Burt Hewitt voting for the motion to approve sewer extension and Council members Tina D'Aversa, Julie Zahner Bailey and Alan Tart voting not to extend sewer to these parcels without an approved IGA.

The approval of this agenda item basically circumvented the need for an approved IGA with Fulton County thereby allowing sewer extension to certain properties as a follow-up to the September 15th vote to extend sewer to certain properties.

Use this link for a recent AJC article regarding the October 6th vote.

Milton Grows Green (MGG) Recognized
as an Official City of Milton Committee

On Monday, October 6, 2008, Milton City Council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the Milton Grows Green (MGG) Committee as an official city committee. Established with a Governing Board consisting of 13 volunteer citizens from across all districts and business partners, MGG will assist the city in identifying and implementing a variety of environmental activities. These include identifying and encouraging greener building practices, protecting natural resources, raising awareness through education, working towards a green designation for Milton and pursuing grants in coordination with other city and community initiatives.
 
Milton Grows Green's mission is "advocating responsibly managed growth by conserving and protecting resources, while preserving Milton's heritage and natural landscape for future generations." Councilwoman Julie Zahner Bailey, who presented the resolution, initiated the idea of Milton "going green" in September 2007, and interested volunteers began meeting early this year, culminating in a variety of activities and specific projects.

The projects already started by MGG include assuming coordination of the Adopt-A-Stream and Adopt-A-Road programs, assisting with the annual Rivers Alive Cleanup,and marking storm water drains throughout the city to help meet state requirements regarding water pollution reduction. The committee is also coordinating the implementation of a pilot recycling program at Bell Memorial Park and City Hall.
 
MGG plans to roll out environmental education-related programs at local schools in Milton. The first pilot program is in progress at Hopewell Middle School.
 
The committee is co-chaired by Milton residents Melissa Estes, Jack Lindon and Jon McPhail. Everyone interested in the committee's activities or in environmental issues is encouraged to contact MGG through miltongrowsgreen@earthlink.net.

Please use this link to read a recent article regarding the Milton Grows Green (MGG) Committee from the 9/25/08 Milton Herald.

Electronics Recycling Day

SATURDAY OCTOBER 18, 2008   
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  

WM ALPHARETTA TRANSFER STATION
11465 MAXWELL ROAD
ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA 30004

City of Milton Meetings

Monday, October 13th -
City Council Work Session 6:00 P.M., agenda
 

Wednesday, October 16th - Community Meeting, 6:00 P.M.

Monday, October 20th - City Council Regular Meeting, 6:00 P.M.

Tuesday, October 21st - Board of Zoning Appeals Work Session, 6:00 P.M., agenda

City of Milton Contacts

_______________________________

All meetings held at City Hall unless otherwise noted.

City Hall

13000 Deerfield Parkway
Suite 107
Milton, GA 30004
Phone: 678.242.2500
Fax: 678.242.2499

Click here for a map and directions to City Hall

Adopt-A-Shelter Pet Day

Milton often is referred to as a very unique community and indeed it is.
The citizens and youth of Milton are one of the shining examples of what makes Milton so special.

I was honored to bring forward this Proclamation on Monday, October 6th recognizing two very special young Milton residents - Zack (13) and Thomas Eller (9) -- acknowledging them for their exemplary volunteer efforts regarding the safety, rescue and welfare of animals.

The Mayor and City Council officially declared October 6th the "Zack and Thomas Eller Adopt-a- Shelter Pet" day in Milton, Georgia.

Zack and Thomas Eller have been dedicated as volunteers to the safety, rescue and welfare of animals for most of their lives by:

1) asking for pet food in lieu of birthday gifts in order to donate well over one thousand pounds of pet food to local shelters,

2) establishing Woof 'em Down Dog Biscuits, which makes dog biscuits and from which all proceeds go directly to Aiding and A-Petting, a pet rescue organization,

3) participating in local Milton events each year to raise funds for local shelters and,

4) raising and donating over $7,000.00 to pet rescue efforts.

In addition to the City of Milton recognizing these young volunteers, Zack and Thomas Eller have received the President's Volunteer Service Award in 2006 and 2007 for their efforts on behalf of homeless animals, were chosen by the Disney Worldwide Outreach program as a winner of the Wondertime's Littlest Volunteers Contest and were awarded a $5,000.00 grant for their chosen charity.

The importance of volunteerism in our community is highlighted by statistics from the Corporation of National and Community Services in cooperation with the U.S. Census Bureau and Independent Sector.  These organizations reported 15.5 million teens between the ages of 12 - 18 participated in volunteer efforts annually for a combined 1.3 billion hours of service in their local communities.

Furthermore, when a youth from a family where at least one adult volunteers their time, it is almost two times more likely that the youth will volunteer, and nearly three times more likely that the youth will volunteer on a regular basis.

Zack and Thomas Eller are a terrific example of volunteerism and leadership among Milton's youth.

The Proclamation and full story can be read by visiting the City of Milton website using this link.

Way to go Zach and Thomas Eller!  Keep up the great work.

Fulton County Board of Education Meetings

Tuesday, October 14th -
Katie Reeves Community Meeting, 9:30 A.M. at Northwestern Middle School

Thursday, October 23rd-
BOE Zoning Meeting. Milton Center 7:00 P.M.
       
Thursday, November 13th - 
BOE Zoning Meeting. Milton Center 7:00 P.M.

Thursday, December 10th -        BOE Zoning Meeting. Milton Center 7:00 P.M.

Milton Center (formerly Milton High School at 86 School Drive, Alpharetta.

Click here for details of BOE Zoning Meetings.

Quick Links

Many of you have asked for links to other community and government organizations.  The following links are being provided per your requests.

JZB Newsletter Archive

The opinions expressed in this release are those of Julie Zahner Bailey and may not reflect official positions of the Milton City Council.  No City funds were used for this communication.

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