The Dunwoody City Council reviewed a monthly report from city manager Eric Linton that included information about the Dunwoody Police Department’s first drone case success.
It also heard from a citizen who accused the city and a volunteer homeowners’ association of being elitist and racist.
Linton’s report said officers received a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) on Feb. 25 from the Roswell Police Department regarding “an armed and dangerous person” who was thought to be in the Perimeter Center area.
One of Dunwoody’s certified-drone officers dispatched the department’s drone, and located the suspect walking in the Olde Perimeter Way area, according to Dunwoody Public Information Officer Sgt. Michael Cheek.
“Two officers were able to approach the suspect and detain him without incident,” Linton’s report said, adding that a firearm was later found in the suspect’s car.
The council was also forced to take a 10-minute recess at the beginning of the meeting when a speaker, Zack Humphries, during public comment, refused to leave the podium while delivering a long diatribe accusing the city and other community members of malfeasance.
His remarks, spanning more than eight minutes, included accusations about the purpose and intentions of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association, calling its 1970 formation “a deal with the devil,” saying that he believes DHA, Dunwoody citizens and the city have “foundational relationships” with former members of the Ku Klux Klan, and blaming the actions of the DHA to his peers’ suicides and drug overdose deaths.
The council and most of the staff, with the exception of John Heneghan, left their seats during Humphries’ remarks. After the panel reconvened, Dunwoody Mayor Pro Tem Tom Lambert said the three-minute public comment time limit is designed so that all those who wish to express their views can speak their minds.
In other action, the council:
- Discussed a contract amendment with Lowe Engineers for $104,000 to provide a part-time storm water project manager to expedite stormwater rehabilitation projects;
- Heard a presentation regarding contracts with AKA Tree Service, Beasley Tree Experts and TriScapes for scheduled and emergency tree work;
- Listened to several people during public comment speaking both for and against installing artificial turf at a field at Peachtree Middle School;
- Heard that concrete that was poured at the way-finding sign sites – Roberts Drive, North Shallowford Road and North Peachtree Road – is taking longer to cure, thus delaying their installation. Several city council members expressed their frustration with the length of time it is taking to complete the project.
