Congratulations, appreciation, and unanimous action on varied topics were the themes of Monday night’s Milton City Council meeting.

The unanimous votes included a text amendment to City Code that prohibits new businesses from selling “retail consumable hemp products” as well as opening “unregulated marijuana substitutes retail shops.” The City pursued this matter due to challenges the Milton Police Department have had, including the manipulation of some products’ chemical makeup.

“We believe zoning is the best way to address this issue so these stores aren’t popping up everywhere,” Police Chief Jason Griffin explained.

The text amendment tracks with already approved, soon-to-go-into effect State legislation that (among other things) featured packaging guidelines, enforcement processes, and a regiment for testing THC levels.

Two current businesses in eastern Milton are grandfathered in, meaning they can continue their operations. Interim Community Development Director Diana Wheeler noted that these businesses still must get a State permit.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FRIENDS OF MAYFIELD PARK

This vote came well into a meeting that began with the Council’s approval of a Consent Agenda that contained agreements with BAM Sales, One Two Tree, and LTRC-Tree Specialists to be on-call to remove fallen, damaged, decaying, or otherwise hazardous trees from any City property for safety reasons. Also as part of the Consent Agenda, the Council modified available funding for “blanket right of way acquisition” for the TSPLOST-funded Bethany Road-Providence Road intersection project to reflect increased land costs and the fact three additional parcels need to be impacted.

Then came the night’s first proclamation, expressing the City’s gratitude to the Friends of Mayfield Park.

Over the last years, this citizen group – consisting of Lakeside at Crabapple neighbors – has worked hand-in-hand with the City to beautify and improve the 5-acre park in downtown Milton.

The Friends have gone above-and-beyond by building out and mulching Mayfield Park’s trail (which they’d claimed through Milton’s Adopt-a-Trail program). Members have also stained the pier, added books to the newly installed “Little Library,” and conducted regular clean-ups to ensure the park is picturesque, accessible, and inviting.

Just before about a dozen residents posed with him and Councilmembers, Mayor Peyton Jamison credited Shannon Anderson and her neighbors for “making Mayfield Park a beautiful place for our residents to enjoy.”

“This is a great example of what our community is about,” he said.

MAYOR TO CHS LACROSEE: ‘WE’RE VERY PROUD OF YOU’

The excitement in Council Chambers rose even higher for the next proclamation honoring the Class 5A-6A State Champion Cambridge High Girls Lacrosse team. Members of the squad occupied the front row of seating ahead of their honor.

Mayor Jamison credited the Bears for their hard work and sacrifices that culminated in last spring’s epic come-from-behind State title victory over Blessed Trinity.

“We’re very proud of you,” the Mayor said. “Not only are you great athletes … you’re great human beings.”

He then read the proclamation that referenced Cambridge’s 18-4 regular season record, the leadership of its five selfless seniors (now graduates), and team GPA of 93 percent.

“The City of Milton is extremely proud of these 21 students for their championship accomplishment … and, more importantly, for being outstanding young women with bright futures,” the proclamation concluded.

SUMMER INTERNS DETAIL PROJECTS OVER 10 WEEKS

Morgan Cellilli and Jack Verrill, the City’s 2024 summer interns, then stepped up to the lectern to explain Milton’s Comprehensive Summer Internship program and what they’ve done over the last 10 weeks.

Verrill said that “we felt like part of the team from Day 1,” noting how he and Cellilli got to know and work with members of every City department. They also dove into hands-on projects that allowed them to make a “tangible impact.” These included:

• Producing a brochure for Milton Fire-Rescue’s Community Connect program (www.miltonga.gov/CommunityConnect), through which residents input basic information to save firefighters precious moments in a crisis
• Creating an American Disabilities Act “Transition Plan” that the City can use when carrying out ADA inspections
• Working with Code Enforcement to survey 100 businesses to gauge compliance on signs, posters, and other such matters
• Putting together an easy-to-navigate packet of information related to Milton facilities and fields available for rental
• Supporting City staff in organizing and staging Milton’s Independence Day Walking Parade and Celebration
• Helping the City Clerk maximize the potential of the Municode software used for meeting agendas

Cellilli concluded by saying, “City government is more complicated than it may seem [but Milton’s] government really works well together.”

“The relationship that the City has with its citizens is like no other,” she added. “And it really surprised us just how involved Milton citizens are.”

PRESENTATION ON MILLAGE RATE

The Council then approved a pair of alcohol beverage licenses for Milton restaurants. One was for the new owner of Ichiban on Windward Parkway. The other was for Bombay Republic near the Exxon station by the intersection of Morris and Webb roads.

This was followed by the second of two required public hearings related to a new Impact Fee Ordinance and Fee Schedule Amendment. The City of Milton (like other governments) collects impact fees from those creating new developments to help pay for road, bridge, park, and City building expansions. 

Later in the meeting, the Council unanimously approved the updated fee schedule, which will go into effect on January 1, 2025.

Deputy City Manager Bernadette Harvill then gave a detailed presentation related to Milton’s next millage rate, which impacts property taxes. She explained key definitions, the process, and how the City of Milton compares with surrounding communities in terms of per capita spending (the second lowest), debt, and other metrics.

She touched on how City revenues would differ by about $800,000 whether or not Council adopts the current millage rate of 4.389 mills (which falls below the “capped” that Milton had for most of its existence) or the lower “rollback” rate of 4.171 mills.

To view Harvill's millage rate presentation, click HERE. For a comparison of Milton’s financial metrics with those of other cities, click HERE.

Councilmember Phil Cranmer asked several insightful questions, which Harvill answered, before the Public Hearing ended. A third required hearing is slated for August 12, after which the Council can vote on the coming year’s millage rate.

CITY TO SHARE COURT POSITION WITH ALPHARETTA

In other matters Monday, the Council approved a slight change – specifically, altering one word – to give the City’s Fire Marshal and Fire Chief more ability to modify parts of the City Code related to fire prevention and protection.

Alex Fortner, Milton’s Fire Marshal and a Deputy Chief, explained that all City fire-related ordinances are stricter than those of the State. Yet he cited specific instances to make the point that, on a case-by-case basis, it can be more in the public interest to give Fire Department leaders more flexibility.

The meeting’s final two items related to adding to a court-related intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Alpharetta. The City of Alpharetta currently holds its court session in the courtroom at the Milton Public Safety Complex; the two cities also share a Court Clerk.

On Monday – after agreeing to a waiver for Jarrard & Davis, the law firm representing both cities – the Council voted in favor of amending the IGA so Milton and Alpharetta can share a new administrative assistant. This individual will work 40% of their time for Milton and 60% for Alpharetta, allowing for more responsive service and coverage. Alpharetta’s City Council approved the same measure last week.

Shortly before the closing unanimous vote, Mayor Jamison said of the ongoing court agreement with Alpharetta, “It’s been a fantastic partnership.” 

The City Council will next convene on August 12, when the third public hearing and vote on Milton’s millage rate should take place.