37 minute read
Issue
Trending Topic LOCAL HISTORY
The Beavers-Lee House: Preserving History at Campbellton Park
By Allison Duncan
All that’s old is new again. This wisdom is a reminder that history always provides opportunities to surprise, renew, and delight! And one of the best examples was shared recently with the Chattahoochee Hills Historic Commission.
The Beavers-Lee House is a city-owned historic site situated in Campbellton Park on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. A recent report on the house submitted by graduate students at Georgia State University in the Heritage Preservation program is another reminder of how this house can be both familiar and captivating at the same time.
Special thanks to Joseph Smith, AIA, and Sarah Love, Vice-Chair of the Historic Commission, for their effort to bring this project to fruition. The Historic Structure Report documented the changes in the building over its nearly 200-year history. This information will be essential in making decisions about upkeep, restoration, and future uses on the property.
The Historic Structure Report also identified how key changes in the building and landscape were contemporary with larger trends and events that influenced the owners of the building and the changes they made. Considerations ranging from the available materials for construction to the social and economic standing of its former inhabitants all influenced the record left in the built environment. And they give clues as to the daily life in Campbellton and Old Campbell County.
According to the report, the older structural members of the house dating to the mid-1800s are remarkably intact. It is the newer materials, only
Trending Topic LOCAL HISTORY
1835 1850s 1985-86
about 40 years old, that are showing signs of distress. The report confirmed that it was Ruben Beavers, who owned the house from the mid-to-late 1800s, who likely is responsible for the building form that we recognize today. This includes re-orienting the architectural front of the house and adding the Greek Revival façade to the property.
And the report recognized the significant contributions of the Lee family in the stewardship of the property in the early 20th century. By this time, the county seat had moved from Campbellton to Fairburn, and life in the area was much different. It is recommended that the house be formally recognized as the Beavers-Lee House to fully encompass two distinct, but significant time periods told by the story of this house.
The house was first documented in 1936 as a part of the Historic American Building Survey, a New Deal era program designed to support architects, photographers, and others in making a record of significant American architecture. Its inclusion in the HABS program is important. The house was also documented in 1980 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But not since this time has such a thorough and thoughtful investigation of this old structure yielded new information essential to its ongoing preservation.
A copy of the full report can be obtained by contacting the City of Chattahoochee Hills. Anyone with interest or questions about the next steps in the preservation of the Beavers-Lee House is encouraged to reach out to the Historic Commission. Contact information and the regular meeting schedule for the Commission can be obtained from City Hall. Interior of the Beavers House during the dedication ceremony in 2017.
Painting of the Beavers House by R. Sauls on exhibit at the dedication ceremoney, 2017.
Trending Topic LOCAL BUSINESS
The Campus at Jordan’s Ridge
Jordan’s Ridge is a 2,300 sq. ft. restored farmhouse, located at 8400 Atlanta, Newnan Road, that has been transformed into the learning center for The Academy WITHiN, a leadership training center focusing on equipping the leader first to lead themselves. The transformation of our campus has been the vision of Gwen and Pepper Bullock of Serenbe and Cheri and Roger Gardner of Plano, Texas.
The Learning Center has five rooms, including a 1200 sq. ft. main presentation space and four breakout rooms. The Academy WITHiN will host students from corporations, service communities, and the military in transition. Accessibility is a priority, with wheelchair accessibility throughout the campus and easy-to-use technology, including 50 mgb dedicated high-speed internet.
During Covid19 there was a demand for additional outdoor meeting spaces. We upgraded the Barn into an open area activities space for students to get a break from a classroom setting. In addition, we paved the back patio of the Learning Center as an outdoor break area. Finally, we created an amphitheater on the hill sloping down to Cedar Creek that comfortably seats 200+ for keynote speakers or outdoor events.
“We are supporting Chatt Hills Music to bring quality entertainment to our community, and we hope to find additional opportunities for neighbors to enjoy this beautiful venue,” says Pepper Bullock, Dean of The Academy WITHiN. “We named our stage the Storey Stage, in recognition of the extraordinary contributions of Joey and his son, Joseph, and to recognize the many Chatt Hill artists and craftsmen who created this state-of-the-art campus for leaders to continue to develop and grow,” says Bullock.
Bullock describes The Academy WITHiN as an innovator in transformational leadership, challenging, inspiring, and equipping students to become their Best Self. In addition, the serenity of being in Chatt Hills at Jordan’s Ridge helps The Academy to be more impactful than the typical training course offered in a hotel conference room or company training room.
Jordan’s Ridge, a world away from the Atlanta conference room. On a recent trip, Roger Gardner commented that Chatt Hills is that special place where you can “disconnect to connect.”
For more info visit: https://academyatcreation.com/ Pepper Bullock, Dean of The Academy WITHiN, at a Chatt Hills Music event with Will Kimbrough in June.
Horst Schulze, co-founder of Ritz Carlton addressing the Advisory Council of the Georgia World Congress Center in the Learning Center of Jordan's Ridge.
Trending Topic LOCAL BUSINESS
Our summers are busy with our all natural blueberry farm of over 1000 bushes of 3 varieties! Our season is roughly 6-7 weeks in June and July. We are open everyday but Sunday from 8-8 for U pick which is $3.50/pound! We provide buckets and bags. We also sell our organic baked and jarred goods along with farm fresh eggs (upon availability!). We host community days each week and have live music events on Fridays known as Friday Night Pints! Follow us on social media @wildfernranch to stay up to date, and email us at info@wildfernranch.org with any questions! Although we love dogs, we ask that you leave yours at home! We’d love to share our blueberries with you and yours! Grace Aldridge, 404-545-4171
Wild Fern Ranch {gather + grow} Equine services for Wellness All natural Blueberry Farm and Intentional Ranch www.wildfernranch.org 12000 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Palmetto, GA 30268
Trending Topic LOCAL BUSINESS
The Joy of Cooking at Camp Serenbe with Chef Sidney Corum
Camp Serenbe is offering a deliciously fun Farming and Cooking Camp for 8-12 year olds interested in learning about organic farming and the basics of cooking with fresh foods. Campers will spend the morning hours at the vegetable farm helping to harvest crops and learning about what grows there. Then they will spend the afternoon hours cooking different kid-friendly and delicious snacks and meals! For more info and to sign up for this fun, culinary adventure, go to: https://www.campserenbe.com.
Trending Topic EVENTS
Play Ball This Fall: Chatt Hills Baseball Returns to Rico Park
We are excited to announce the return of the Chatt Hills Co-Ed T-ball and Coach Pitch League! The 2021 season will mark the 12th year of this fun-filled program. Registration begins now through July 30th and is open to all 3-14 year olds. The season starts Saturday, September 11th and ends Saturday, October 16th. All games are played on Saturdays at Rico Park Ball Field, with one pre-game practice 30 minutes before each game. Come play ball!
Be a part of the fun! The citywide league needs coaches, team mothers, concession stand workers, and volunteers to help with game-day field prep.
For further information, along with Registration form and Waiver form, please contact Lila Rhyne at 678-8779504 or jlrhyne@bellsouth.net (Registration is a nonrefundable $40 and includes a team uniform shirt, hat, and trophy for all participants. Checks are payable to Community Brickworks.)
Trending Topic EVENTS
4th of July Parade
Sunday, July 4, 10: - 11am Serenbe
Grab your golf cart, your tractor, or your truck (dogs and bikes are welcome too) and get it ready for a patriotic parade on Selborne Lane from the Wildflower Meadow to Crossroads! Our fave “watch” places are the Selborne Green at the Farmers Market and The Blue Eyed Daisy!
Terreon Gully "Tanktified"
August 21, 8pm Jordan's Ridge 8400 Atlanta Newnan Rd
Terreon “Tank” Gully is among the most influential drummers of his generation. He is a Grammy award-winning master of a wide range of musical genres, from jazz to hip hop to Afro/Cuban. Tickets
https://bit.ly/3yA7PSL
Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre resident chore-
ographer Tara Lee’s world premiere "The Poet" is a story about a man who is losing his memory and attempts to hold on to what he knows through his poetry.
Dementia (and Alzheimer’s Disease) continues to be a mystery to science,” says Lee, “and we will be approaching it through art and dance, whose territory is the mysterious and indefinable.” Tickets: https://bit.ly/3xA5rd1
TRIFOLIATE AWARDS Six Chefs, Five Dinners
Exulting culinary excellence in the American South, this inaugural award honors six chefs selected by noted food journalists John Kessler, Christiane Lauterbach, and Ligaya Figueras, in collaboration with Chef Nicolas Bour. The awards are paired with intimate chef dinners, hosted by The Farmhouse at Serenbe, to showcase the culinary talents of the featured chef honorees. This series is 5 Dinners: Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Jan. 23 & Feb. 20
Proceeds from the Trifoliate Award Dinners will go towards This Postage Stamp of Native Soil, an oral history project based in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. Info and Tickets: https://www.trifoliates.com/chefdinners
Foxhall Resort, 8000 Capps Ferry Road, Douglasville, GA 30135, 404-389-4836 ex. 6020
The Literary You: Life-Writing Techniques Class offered by UWG
Autobiography, memoir, personal essay: whatever we want to call it, “life writing” is enjoying quite a hey day, and with good reason. Join Dr. Chad Davidson (Professor of Creative Writing at the University Of West Georgia) for a four-part seminar concerning the habits and techniques of a successful writing practice. We will read and discuss models of effective nonfiction as well as write and workshop our own. No experience necessary.
On four consecutive Mondays August 9, 16, 23 & 30, 5:30-7pm at Chatt Hills Gallery, 9057 Selborne Lane, Chatt Hills GA 30268. Space is limited to 10 people, sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-literary-you-life-writingtechniques-class-offered-by-uwg-tickets-160979946353.
Book Section
July Selections from Hills & Hamlets Bookshop and Underground Books:
Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is a charming neighborhood bookstore in the Serenbe development of Chattahoochee Hills and was founded by the couple behind Underground Books in Carrollton.
Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is open Thursdays through Sundays from 11am to 5pm, and we’re open 24/7 online at www.bookshop.org/shop/undergroundbooks and info@hillsandhamlets.com.
New in Non-Fiction: Fox & I: An Uncommon Friendship by Catherine Raven
When Catherine Raven finished her PhD in biology, she built herself a tiny cottage on an isolated plot of land in Montana. Then one day she realized that a mangy-looking fox was showing up on her property every afternoon at 4:15 p.m. She had never had a regular visitor before. How do you even talk to a fox? She brought out her camping chair, sat as close to him as she dared, and began reading to him from The Little Prince. Her scientific training had taught her not to anthropomorphize animals, yet as she grew to know him, his personality revealed itself and they became friends. From the fox, she learned the single most important thing about loneliness: we are never alone when we are connected to the natural world. Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9781954118003
New in Science Fiction: A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
In A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Hugo Award-winner Becky Chambers' delightful new Monk & Robot series gives us hope for the future. It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend. One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of “What do people need?” is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how; they're going to need to ask it a lot. Becky Chambers' new series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter? Signed copies available in-store only. Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9781250236210
New in Middle Grade: Da Vinci's Cat by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Two unlikely friends—Federico, in sixteenth-century Rome, and Bee, in present-day New Jersey—are linked through an amiable cat, Leonardo Da Vinci’s mysterious wardrobe, and an eerily perfect sketch of Bee. Newbery Honor author Catherine Gilbert Murdock’s Da Vinci’s Cat is a thrilling, time-slip fantasy about rewriting history to save the present. For ages 8-12. Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9780063015258
Arts Section Arts Section
Featured Artist: Ann Beidler
Anne Beidler is an artist who lives part time in the Serenbe Community and part time near Decatur, Ga. She has been on the faculty of Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, since 1992, where she is a Professor in the Department of Art and Art History. She has been a practicing artist, scholar, and teacher for more than 30 years. As an artist whose work has been selected for inclusion in exhibitions throughout the United States and internationally, Beidler views herself as primarily teaching with her work, via exhibitions at college and university galleries, non-profit spaces, and occasionally in museum venues. She asks how an artist creates an intimate and layered interaction between the maker and the viewer. Her mixed media works on paper, artist books, and prints created through the years explore this nuanced interaction. She sees each of us as an evolving self, found within the private space of thought, the body, and the personal. We each maintain connections to our home-place, to our kindred, and to the earth, all the while discovering links to unknown or imagined spaces from our past and future. Please find details about her images, exhibitions, and collections in which she is included at www.abeidler.com
Top: Waiting, screen print, photo polymer plate and collage 18x12 - 2018
Forest Bather, photo polymer plate layers, relief print and collage - 10x16- 2018
Middle: A Brittle Year 2020, mixed media prints and stitching
Bottom: Forestbather, screenprint 2019
Obsessing, woodcut and xerox tranfer
Arts Section Arts Section
Karin Slaton
Ken Shephard-Table Morgan Boszilkov-Tile Brandon Murphy
GW Harper Bob Lederman
Eileen Wilson Logynn Ferrall
Wanda Hughes
Amy Peterson Julie McKinney
Co-op members are: Adrienne Anbinder, Malinda Lively-Arnold, Janice Barton, Greg Blount, Morgan Boszilkov, Logynn B Ferrall, GW Harper, Gail Foster, Wanda Hughes, Ann Jackson, Robert Lederman, Julie McKinney, Brandon Murphy, Amy Peterson, Ken Shephard, Karin Slaton, Tom Swanston, Judy Walker, and Eileen Wilson | 9057 Selborne Lane & Paint Space, 10625 Serenbe Lane Unit A. Open by appointment: 818.434.5436 www.chatthillsgalleryserenbe.com
Arts Section
JIVE POETIC July 1 - July 31
Equity Focus Fellow Jive Poetic is a writer, organizer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He received his BA in Media Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his MFA in Writing and Activism from Pratt Institute. In 2017 Jive was the first recipient of the John Morning Award for Art and Service. He is the founder of Insurgent Poets Society, Carnival Slam: Cultural Exchange, and the co-founder of the Brooklyn Poetry Slam. His work has been showcased on season four of TVONE’s Lexus Verses and Flow, PBS News Hour, and BET. International recognition and support for his work has come from the British Arts Council; US Embassies in Australia, Brazil, and Poland; and the Minister Of Culture in Antigua and Barbuda. READ MORE HERE
CAROLINE EUBANKS
July 12 - July 17
Independent Residency I'm a graduate of College of Charleston and member of the Author's Guild, the Society of American Travel Writers, and the Professional Travel Bloggers Association. My first book, This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States, was published by Globe Pequot Press in 2018.
I started out as an intern at an alt-weekly and leveraged my travel blog into a freelance writing career. Story bylines include BBC Travel, Fodor's, The Daily Beast, National Geographic Traveler's Intelligent Travel, AFAR, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, Marriott Traveler, Shermans Travel, AAA. com, Modern Luxury, and Frommer's. READ MORE HERE
DAME WILBURN
July 18 - July 25
Independent Residency Dame Wilburn is a community educator with Generation With Promise in Detroit, Michigan and Chief Marketing Director for Twisted Willow Soap Company. Dame spends her free time writing poetry, singing, and working on her first book. She says that she is married to the most beautiful woman in the world. READ MORE AIR Serenbe, the nonprofit artist residency program of the Serenbe Institute for Art, Culture, & the Environment, invests in artists of all disciplines. They provide the time and space necessary for the development of new work, as well as focused public programming that brings audiences in close contact with creative processes and practices.
For more information, visit: www.airserenbe.com
New Speed Hump
The City approved this new speed hump on Atlanta Newnan Road. This speed hump has been engineered and installed to help slow traffic down where pedestrians and visitors to Serenbe can cross safely to the Art Farm.
Community BRICKWORKS REPORT
Community Brickworks 6505 Rico Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268, 770-463-6600
Community Brickworks - June
The Brickworks Food Pantry served 115 clients through our food bank in June, thanks to our wonderful volunteers who have reorganized our pantry space to allow us to better serve those in need.
Community Brickworks Updates
Come see our totally updated library! We have cleared out, restocked, carpeted, and given our all to make your library a fun and healthy place to visit. We continue to update, but we are open for business! Hours are: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Come pick out a book!
The Pets of Chatt Hills
Your Community Brickworks team has been working with council member Camille Lowe, Carol Novello of Mutual Rescue, Chatt Hills police, and the city of Chatt Hills to find better ways to deal with our stray animal population in our city. We are nearing completion of the plan. Look for a postcard from the city detailing what to do if you have found a stray animal and what to do if you have lost your pet. The information will also be on our website, the city’s website, and all FB pages associated with Chatt Hills. We have also expanded our food bank to include pet food and flea collars.
Be on the lookout for new events coming!
Happening early fall: A vet clinic for Chatt Hills residents for micro-chipping and rabies shots at City Hall, sponsored by Brickworks.
Also, T-ball in Sept.—and we need volunteers to coach our little ones!
If you are able to coach, please contact Lila at Jlrhyne@bellsouth.net.
Donations can be made through our website: CommunityBrickworks.org, and for more information.
Community OUR CHURCHES
Campbellton Baptist Church 8660 Campbellton Fairburn Rd
Friendship Baptist Church
6090 Cochran Mill Rd
www.friendshipbaptistchatthills.com
Interfaith Fellowship at Serenbe www.facebook.com/ groups/1964824926878340/
New Hope United Methodist Church
7875 Atlanta Newnan Rd
Providence Baptist Church
6402 Campbellton Redwine Rd
www.pbcrico.org
Rico United Methodist Church
6475 Rico Rd
Rivertown United Methodist Church
9325 Rivertown Rd
Sardis Baptist Church
8400 Sardis Rd
www.sardisbaptistch.com Southside at Serenbe
10 am in the Oak Room of the Inn at Serenbe, 10950 Hutchenson Ferry Road. If you have questions contact Cathy Gailey at cgailey@remax.net or 404-456-6347.
Southern Crescent Unitarian Universalist Fellowship www.facebook.com/SouthernCrescentUUFellowship/
Vernon Grove Baptist Church
8440 Vernon Grove Rd
OTHER CHURCHES IN CHATT HILLS Many churches have suspended services and activities due to the COVID-19 precautions. Please check with the individual churches to get an update on their schedules.
City of Chattahoochee Hills and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive. Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today!
Drive Details: Site: City of Chattahoochee Hills Address: 6505 Rico Road, Palmetto, GA, 30268 Room Name: Community Room
Date: Friday, July 30, 2021 Time: 01:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Blood Program Leader Name: Robbie Rokovitz Blood Program Leader Phone Number: 770-463-8881 Click here to make an appointment https://rcblood.org/2QEBMj2
In partnership with the American Red Cross, the City of Chattahoochee Hills. Come give blood and tell your friends and family to join you.
The need for blood is constant, and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds, and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross Blood Program!
Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App on the App Store, Google Play or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Schedule appointments, view your blood type and results of your mini-physical, and track your donations.
Trending Topic OUR COMMUNITY
The Coweta Initiative Letter (June 1, 2021)
Source: https://www.chatt-hills.com/
As we recently communicated in a letter, the Chatt Hills Citizens Alliance has faced many obstacles over the past year and half while trying to pursue a transfer of the City of Chattahoochee Hills from Fulton County into Coweta County
Even though this effort has been attempted in the past without success, a committee of citizens felt that the timing was right to try again. Then COVID happened and shut everything down for a good part of a year. After things started to open up again, the committee attempted to rejuvenate the Initiative and generate interest and enthusiasm, along with the necessary financial support. Based on input from several attorneys the committee estimated that between $100,000 and $175,000 was needed to support this effort. The Committee has received over $8200 to date, including $6200 given by the Committee members themselves, and over $5000 has been spent toward this effort to date. The Committee thanks those whose actions to date clearly indicated a desire for a better future for our city.
The next step was to engage consultants to do a financial impact analysis to include sales tax comparisons, property tax comparisons, insurance rate comparisons, bond implications, and validation of county services offered, among other items, so that we could have a clear and concise understanding of the financial impact to Fulton County, Coweta County, City of Chattahoochee Hills ("Chatt Hills"), and most importantly, the citizens of Chatt Hills.
However, the Committee is sad to report that despite hundreds of petitions indicating support, many signs placed throughout the community indicating support, and financial donations, it does not appear that there is enough desire by the majority of the Chatt Hills Citizens to move this effort forward. Therefore, the decision has been made to put a moratorium on moving this initiative forward for the time being.
While the Coweta Initiative is being placed on hold, the Chatt Hills Citizens Alliance will continue to be an integral part of the community. The Committee will be reassessing recent events within the city and will be looking for ways to better serve the community. The signs throughout the community will be picked up soon and stored for potential future use. Anyone who donated is welcome to request a return of their donation by sending an email to info@chatthills.com, by leaving a voicemail on the Alliance phone at 404-432-1781, or by sending a note to P.O. Box 1755, Palmetto, GA 30268.
Thank you again to all those who have expressed support in one way or another toward this initiative; your interest is tremendously appreciated. Stay tuned as the committee identifies additional opportunities to get involved.
City Government
Senior Services
Fulton County Senior Services Update
Last year when the pandemic hit, Fulton County (FC) closed its senior facilities, stopped all in-person programs, and restricted many of its services.
Earlier this month, Mayor Reed and Councilmembers Laurie Searle and Ruby Foster met with representatives from Fulton County Department of Senior Services to get an update and learn more about the services offered, discuss the needs of seniors in our community, and resume discussions on how some of those services might be made available at city hall.
Update
• Senior Multipurpose Facilities and Neighborhood
Senior Centers will reopen July 12 (Limited access). • Adult Day Health, Multipurpose and Neighborhood
Senior Centers will open (full access) on August 2. • Home delivered meals are free to eligible FC seniors age 60 and older. This program will ramp back up in
August. • Senior Virtual Classes are currently available, offering 50 classes per week. • Home Repair Service is currently restricted to outside repairs. • Two transportation services are available: TRANSDEV rideshare program and Uber/Lyft programs. • StarLine Information HotLine provides information for all of these services.
Facilities
FC provides three levels of service through its different facilities: • Four multipurpose facilities for Independent Seniors - Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility (404-613-4900) (47 miles from Chatt Hills) 6500 Vernon Woods Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30328 - H. J. C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility (404613-6131) (27 miles from Chatt Hills) 2885 Church Street, East Point, GA 30344 - Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility (404-613-8580) (23 miles from Chatt Hills) 677 Fairburn Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30331 - Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility (404613-5820) (33 miles from Chatt Hills) 515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
City Government
• Fourteen Senior Centers for Semi-Independent Seniors. (Palmetto and Fairburn centers are closest to
Chatt Hills) - Palmetto Neighborhood Senior Center (770-4634990) (9 miles from Chatt Hills) 510 Turner Avenue, Palmetto, GA 30268 - New Beginnings Neighborhood Senior Center (404-612-8984) (13 miles from Chatt Hills) 66 Brooks Drive, Fairburn, GA 30213 - Four Adult Day Care Facilities (at the Multipurpose Centers) for Semi-Dependent Seniors.
Challenges and Needs of Seniors in Chatt Hills
Many seniors who live in Chatt Hills may feel isolated if they do not have family members nearby or if they do not belong to a community organization such as a church. The city’s remote distance to full-service shopping centers, medical facilities, and county services makes transportation a challenge. The city’s lack of high-speed internet, and in some cases landline or mobile phone services, presents a challenge to connect with online programs. And without social connections, even finding local contractors for general home maintenance can be a challenge. Chatt Hills seniors need access to senior services closer in proximity to where they live. They need opportunities to make social connections with others, local programs that provide education and cultural enrichment, and a means to use internet services.
Discussion on Offering Services in Chatt Hills
Mayor Reed said prior to the pandemic that he had been discussing options with FC senior services for providing some services at city hall. He said there is space in the building, including a kitchen that could potentially be modified to serve meals, a few rooms that could be used for community programs, and there is a local nonprofit, Community Brickworks, that currently runs a community library and a food pantry program.
FC said it has Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) in place with other cities to provide some programming and services locally. They will forward additional information and an IGA template for Chatt Hills’ review, and then the group will meet again to further discuss options for providing some services and programs locally. The wish list for Chatt Hills includes: • A part-time senior services coordinator at city hall • Computers available for seniors at city hall, utilizing the city’s broadband internet • Large screen monitor / computer at city hall, available for seniors to participate in group virtual programs. • In-person programs available for seniors at city hall • Support for renovating a room designated for programs, if funding is available • Some type of meal program, either in conjunction with our volunteers and FC Open Hand service, or possibly monthly luncheons • Local volunteer programs (supported through FC) to provide transportation and in-home repair
Next Steps
1. FC Well Checks and ChattCare
FC offers well check phone calls to check-in with seniors once a week. These calls are intended to help seniors feel less isolated and also check to make sure they have access to the services they need.
Chatt Hills offers a community paramedicine program called ChattChare to initiate proactive contact with “at risk” persons having emergent, terminal, or age-related health conditions.
FC and Chatt Hills will meet this month to discuss the two programs and connecting residents to both programs. 2. Funding Opportunities
FC will check into opportunities for wish list items above 3. Sharing FC Resources
Chatt Hills will share FC resources with residents in its municipal newsletters and social media.
In addition to the links and phone numbers on the previous page, here are two additional links of interest: • Free COVID-19 Vaccines in Fulton County https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/covid-19/covid-vaccine • Fulton County Department of Senior Services – You-
Tube Channel (includes senior cultural programs): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdgVNt697h9gEaQH5DYwVlQ
City Government
It’s easier than ever to get a FREE COVID-19 Vaccine in Fulton County. Walk-ups are now accepted at all locations for first and second shots of the Pfizer vaccine. Evening and weekend hours are available. For the full schedule go to www.fultoncountyga.gov/covidvaccine
City Government
2022 Budget
I am pleased to announce that the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget, which runs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, was adopted on June 22. We will have Budget Documents such as the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, Revenue Sources, and Capital Budget available on the City’s website under the Finance Department tab.
The City of Chattahoochee Hills initiates its formal budget process in mid-February to ensure time for an inclusive and transparent process while allowing the governing body the time to review projected revenues and anticipated expenditures prior to adopting the annual budget. That adoption takes place before the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1. Public meetings are also held to inform the citizenry, and to provide opportunities for public input.
Each department director met with the City Manager to review their respective budget requests. Each request was evaluated by the City Manager according to the priority specified by the department director and available funding. Goals and strategies identified by the governing body during the annual retreat held February 18th and 19th were emphasized and incorporated in these departmental discussions.
The Mayor and City Manager meet with Council members individually to review and make modifications to the budget, with each member of the governing body having access to the same information and discussion items during this process. The first reading and public hearing on the FY2022 Budget was held June 1st. The second reading and budget adoption took place at a Special Called and advertised meeting June 22nd.
The FY2022 Budget reflects an increase in overall revenue. This is due to many factors including the following: (1) we will show a higher fund balance because we paused most capital expenditures due to not knowing how revenue would be impacted by COVID-19 related issues; (2) we will have additional revenues from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) which will be $522,693 this year and another $522,693 twelve months later; and (3) the TSPLOST Fund balance is being recognized In the FY2022 Budget which will be spent on a TSPLOST project currently being marketed for Request for Proposals. The table below illustrates the reduction in each fund category.
The chart below provides a visual of the fund comparison between FY2021 and FY2022.
This budget includes funding made available to maintain city services while continuing to make strategic reinvestments in our infrastructure. Over the next year, we will continue to monitor expenditures and revenues to ensure we are in line with or better than the forecasted path for the City. Preparation of the budget is an extensive and calculated task. We would like to thank all of the employees who make the budgeting process and resulting budget document as meaningful for the public as possible. Their commitment to public service is evident through the hard work they put into the budget process and into the services they provide City residents every day.
We extend our special thanks and gratitude to our elected officials for their detailed and passionate involvement in the budgetary process during this especially challenging budget season. Due to COVID-19, many budget discussions had to be done in a very different manner instead of the usual face-to-face, in-person meetings. We are confident that the Council and staff will be able to meet the challenges the City will face in the next fiscal year and beyond.
Robert T. Rokovitz, MPA, ICMA-CM
City Government
Mike Morton City Planning Director Cheryl Brooks City Planner
Zoning Re-write and Comp Plan
By Laurie Searle
The City Council held a special call work session on May 27 to receive a presentation and give input on the Zoning Re-Write, a three-year collaborative project between consultants, city staff, the mayor & city council, and planning commission. Details are provided in this newsletter, along with related discussions on land use from the recent Comprehensive Plan Update steering committee meeting.
What I would like to highlight in the Zoning Re-write and Comp Plan process is the tremendous amount of work done by Chatt Hills Planning Director Mike Morton. Mike has been with the city now for 10 years and has a deep understanding of our zoning. He is also the number one champion of our city’s vision and works tirelessly to ensure all development meets our standards, while also helping potential developers navigate our process.
For most of his tenure, Mike was a one-man band, carrying the full responsibility of the planning department, while also receiving technical support from our mayor and other collaborative agencies. Now that Cheryl Brooks has joined the team, this dynamic duo is even more efficient at their all-important job.
Thank you, Mike and Cheryl, and all others who support our planning department, in your work to maintain our City’s Vision.
Call to Order
Members present: Reed, Foster, Schmidt, Searle, Lowe Member(s) absent: Bettis
Public Hearing
1. Item 21-033: Public Hearing and Action on an
Ordinance to Adopt the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget for
Each Fund of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia
Appropriating the Amounts Shown in Each Budget as
Expenditures, Adopting the Several Items of Revenue
Anticipations, Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Appropriations, and Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed
Actual Funding Available. Passed 4-0
New Business
1. Item 21-037: Consideration of 2021 TSPLOST project list for Fulton County Intergovernmental Agreement.
Passed 4-0 2. Item 21-038: Resolution naming the 28.345 acres of land located at 8661 Campbellton Redwine Road and
Fronting the Chattahoochee River recently acquired for the sole purpose of creating additional parkland.
Passed 4-0
Adjourn Meeting: The meeting adjourned at 4:18 p.m.
City Government
Call to Order
Members present: Reed, Foster, Searle, Lowe, Bettis Member(s) absent: Schmidt
Review and Approval of Agenda
Passed 4-0
Presentations / Proclamations (None)
1. Presentation recognizing Bob Simpson for his service to the city.
Unfinished Business
1. Item 21-021: Resolution appointing Parks Commission members. Passed 4-0 2. Item 21-022: Resolution appointing Planning Commission members. Tie 3-2 (Mayor voted yes to break the tie)
Public Comments
Staff Reports
Financial Update: Robbie Rokovitz Fire Department Report: Greg Brett Police Department Report: Jim Little Public Works/Parks Report: Darold Wendlandt Community Development Report: Mike Morton
Approval of Minutes
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 6, 2021 2. Minutes of the Special Called Meeting of April 15, 2021 3. Minutes of the Special Called meeting of April 22, 2021
Public Hearing
1. Item 21-031: Public Hearing and Action on an Ordinance to Amend the Official Zoning Map to rezone 44.8 acres from the RL (Rural) District to the HM-MU (Mixed-Used Hamlet) District – rezoning request from
Serenbe CH Properties, LLC for property located on
Selborne Lane, South of the Inn at Serenbe. Passed 4-0 2. Item 21-032: Public Hearing and Action on an Ordinance for a Variance to the Required Zoning District
Buffer – variance request from Serenbe CH Properties,
LLC to reduce the required district buffer to 60 feet for property located on Selborne Lane, South of the Inn at
Serenbe. Passed 4-0
3. Item 21-033: Public Hearing on an Ordinance to
Adopt the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget for Each Fund of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia Appropriating the Amounts Shown in Each Budget as Expenditures,
Adopting the Several Items of Revenue Anticipations,
Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Appropriations, and Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Actual Funding Available. No action will be taken.
Unfinished Business (None)
New Business
1. Item 21-034: Approval of a Concept Plan for the 44.8-acre expansion of the HM-MU (Mixed-Use
Hamlet) District – property located on Selborne Lane,
South of the Inn at Serenbe. Passed 4-0 2. Item 21-035: Approval of a revision to a previously approved Concept Plan for 15 acres in the HM-MU (Mixed-Use Hamlet) district – the property is an extension of Serenbe Lane located north of Cedar
Creek and South of Mado. Passed 4-0 3. Item 21-036: Ordinance to Adopt an Amended Bond and Fine Schedule – proposed fines for violations of the short-term rental ordinance. Passed 4-0
Mayor and Council Comments
Executive Session (None)
Adjourn Meeting: The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Town Hall Session
Adjourn Meeting: The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Trending Topic
Community & City City of Chattahoochee Hills, City Hall, 6505 Rico Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268, Phone: (770) 463-8881, www.chatthillsga.us
City of Chatt Hills: www.chatthillsga.us Chatt Hills Charter School: http://www.chatthillscharter.org/calendar Community Brickworks: www.communitybrickworks.org Serenbe Community: www.serenbe.com Acton Academy at Serenbe: http://actonacademyatserenbe.com/#ourstory
Event
We will be scheduling Special Called City Council meetings as dictated by circumstances. These will be virtual and open to the public.
The City will take the following safety precautions: • The City Council room will be set up so that the council and staff are all at least 6’ apart. • Any citizen attendees that want to attend in person will also be separated by at least 6’; capacity will be limited to the number of seats that can fit in the room under those conditions. • The meeting will be streamed live. Check details on the City’s website.
About Chatt Hills News
The official newsletter of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Chatt Hills News, is published monthly. This publication is compiled from submissions from the community and is available in public locations around the City, at City Hall, or via email subscriptions.
Email Subscriptions:
To subscribe via email, visit the City’s Website: www.chatthillsga.us Or subscribe directly at this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/w9cGwxA
Print Copies:
Residents of Chatt Hills who do not have Internet may request mailed copies by calling City Hall (770) 463-8881.
Article / Event Submissions:
If you have a story, event, or suggestion for future articles, we’d like to hear from you. Please submit your information by the 15th of every month for publication on the 1st of the month to: chatthillsnews@chatthillsga.us
City Council Work Session - Tues., July 1, 6:00 pm
City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
City Council Meeting - Tues., July 6, 6:00 pm
City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Parks Commission Meeting - Tues., July 13, 6:00pm
City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268s
Planning Comission Meeting - Thurs., July 15, 6:30 pm
City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
