The City of Brookhaven will use an estimated $54 million from municipal bonds to pave streets and improve transportation, parks, and public safety equipment.
City Manager Christian Sigman said the bonds were connected to the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) that ends in 2030.
“It’s important for the public to understand that when you make good progress in the city and you want to get stuff done, you go out and get bonds,” said City Councilmember John Funny. “So, yes, this is debt, but it’s a good debt because we’re actually getting projects done. That’s very important to the quality of living here in the city of Brookhaven.”
Also at the Feb. 13 meeting, the council voted unanimously to authorize the condemnation of a small portion of 2062 Cobblestone Circle to build the Briarwood Road multi-use trail.
The city’s 2016 trail plan recommends filling gaps and widening the sidewalks along the southwest side of Briarwood Road. To construct the 10-foot-wide paths between Pine Cone Lane and Logan Circle, Brookhaven will go to court to fight for condemnation and eminent domain.
Mayor John Park said it’s not a move the city takes lightly.
“We always do it as a last resort. Government can do a lot of good things. Government can also do a lot of things that can be abusive. We’re very careful to negotiate in good faith,” Park said. “This is not something that we like to do. But roads have to get built. Sidewalks and paths have to be put in.”
Also in transportation, councilmembers voted to pay Alta Planning and Design $42,808 for additional engagement on the Brookhaven Multimodal Study. The contract brings the total spent with Alta to $222,592. After an outcry over the trails project last November, the public input period was extended to March 1.
Funny urged residents to continue providing feedback. It’s an opportunity for Alta to “hunker down and address the issues effectively,” he said.
During the meeting, Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley introduced Collin, the department’s public safety assistance canine. Collin, a 2 year old Labrador terrier mix, will spend his days at the public safety building, providing crisis intervention.
The council also voted to approve:
- Spending $141,585 for emergency repairs on the Murphey Candler Park pool. At the end of the 2023 season, an inspection of the pool showed major damage, threatening the opening for the 2024 season.
- Spending up to $326,000 with Dynamo Pool Management to manage the city’s pools and splash pads.
- Spending $184,794 with Dewberry Engineers for engineering design for phases II and III of the Upper Poplar Creek drainage improvements project. The project will divert and reroute storm runoff from the intersection of Cartecay Drive, Ellijay Drive, and Coosawattee Drive, and homes that flood during intense rainfall.
The city has several events coming up, including the Sweethearts Dance on Feb. 18 and Brookhaven Cherry Blossom 5k on March 16 and Festival on March 23-24.
