City of Milton recently issued the following announcement.
After extensive discussion, Milton’s City Council voted Monday to defer a potential City agreement with White Columns’ HOA related to new radar feedback signs.
The White Columns Community Association recently installed four signs in the golf section of that 440-plus residence community. The item on the May 2 Council agenda was for a vote on an indemnity and cost-sharing agreement between the HOA and City, in which (had the measure been approved) the City would pay some costs for base signs with the HOA covering the remainder and upgrades. Public Works Director Sara Leaders estimated the total City cost would have been $6,853.
Generally, Leaders explained the City’s role in traffic calming can include working with neighborhoods who qualify for eligible funding if studies show more than 50% of vehicles exceeding the speed limit on their streets. The City has reached agreements with eight neighborhoods in the past decade on traffic calming measures, most of them involving the addition of speed tables.
As part of the public comment period, 14 individuals shared their opinions on the White Columns radar feedback signs that have already been installed. Two of them were in favor, including the HOA president who referred to what he called an ongoing “speeding problem.” The other 12 spoke in opposition to the signs and what some cited as a lack of sufficient neighborhood input in the decision to install them.
Since White Columns has a mandatory HOA, the board legally has a right to represent residents and there is no required 2/3 approval of residents needed for such changes. Several members questioned whether most neighbors really needed or wanted the signs, with Council member Paul Moore stating, “I think this is a significant mistake.”
The discussion also touched on a City Council’s options to impact an HOA’s decision. Ultimately, in a 5-2 vote, they voted to defer the matter for 90 days with four qualifiers:
- To conduct a speed study
- To have the City install additional stop signs at two intersections, as previously planned
- To collect information on speed-related warnings and citations issued by Milton Police officers
- To strongly encourage the HOA to conduct a survey to gauge neighbors’ support for the radar feedback signs
COUNCIL SUPPORTIVE OF PLAN FOR SPENDING ARPA FUNDS
This discussion and vote followed a proclamation honoring local student journalists and marking World Press Freedom Day. Rohan Movva, a Milton resident and junior at Fulton Science Academy, accepted the proclamation and posed for a picture on behalf of fellow student journalists.
Deputy City Manager Stacey Inglis then gave an in-depth presentation detailing a proposal for how the City of Milton could use its allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Signed into law in March 2021, the “final rule” detailing how money could be spent came out earlier this year.
The City of Milton has received half its $14,783,224 ARPA allotment and should receive the rest by the end of this summer. The Act states that all such monies must be obligated by years-end 2024 and spent before 2026 comes to a close. There are four key eligible use categories for governments such as Milton’s to use ARPA funds:
- To replace lost public sector revenue – either based on a U.S. Treasury formula or using the “standard allowance,” which in Milton’s case is $10 million
- To respond to public health and negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
- To provide “premium pay” (so above-and-beyond compensation) for essential workers
- To invest in sewer, water and broadband infrastructure
Inglis also shared plans to dedicate approximately $560,000 for “premium pay” for eligible front-line workers. (This is the only category that dates back to the start of the pandemic in March 2020; all others only apply to eligible expenses occurring on or after March 3, 2021.) As with other elements of City staff’s proposal, the Mayor and Council supported the “premium pay” proposal while suggesting sworn police officers and firefighters’ allotment be increased to $600 monthly (from the proposed $500). The plan is for this to apply to only currently active City employees.
The final component of City staff’s ARPA proposal includes $2,392,082 for investments in water and sewer infrastructure, with about $1,864,000 of this going toward a hydrology improvements at the 137-acre former Milton Country Club.
5 FINALISTS FOR NEW NAME FOR FORMER MILTON COUNTRY CLUB
That very property was the focus of the next presentation – though it shouldn’t go by that former Milton Country Club name for much longer. Purchased by the City in 2018, it contains 7 acres of “active” space including the Milton Tennis Center, City Pool, and recently opened Community Center at 1785 Dinsmore Road. The remaining 130 acres are greenspace for land conservation and nature trails, the first of which was unveiled a few weeks ago.
Earlier this spring, the community responded enthusiastically and creatively to a call-out for ideas on what to name this property. They offered 211 wide-ranging suggestions, most of them unique. These were shared with the Mayor and City Council, along with highlights of the most often used terms.
The Mayor and Council members took that feedback into account when sharing their own suggestions, though no one name arose as a clear winner. On Monday night, Communications Director Greg Botelho asked the officials to weigh in on which finalists should be among the contenders for a conclusive public online vote. They are:
- Milton Acres: Parks and Rec
- Milton Central Park and Preserve
- Milton City Park and Preserve
- Milton Meadows
- Milton Valley Park
Before then, on May 9, the Council is set to convene again in a Work Session – meaning they can hear presentations and offer direction but won’t take any decisive votes.
Original source can be found here.
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