City Manager Eric Johnson said farewell to the Norcross community at the Sept. 8 council meeting, after nearly six years as the city’s top official running day-to-day operations.
Incoming City Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews officially begins her new leadership role Sept. 11.
Andrew Hixson, who’s served on the Norcross City Council since 2009, said he’s seen three city manager transitions and thinks Johnson went above and beyond during his tenure.
“I really feel you moved the ball forward,” Hixson said. “We moved forward as a city, and I think we’re in such a great place for Cheri to come on board … you’ve teed us up pretty well.”
Johnson says goodbye
Johnson said he’ll miss everyone he’s met in Norcross, adding that “what’s cool about this town is you have conversation just walking down the sidewalk.”
“I was hired on a Zoom call during COVID, where we each were in a different room, and I leave in a period when people are using AI to write their own emails,” Johnson said. “There have been bumps along the way.”
Johnson’s address covered lawsuits, investments in stormwater and roadway infrastructure, complaints about the time it takes to do business, and the delivery of the new Norcross Public Safety Building.
“I had full confidence in our chief of police … [and] our contractors to complete this public safety building on time and within budget,” Johnson said. “I committed in March to leaving the city this Friday based on that confidence … In addition to great employees, I’ve enjoyed interactions with community members who get involved with the city. Usually they love what we do.”
Other council actions in September
Council members approved two of four funding requests, approving about $15,000 for Asami-ATL’s Scouting program to use the Norcross Woman’s Club Old Library facility. The local nonprofit will use the space for its programming about three times a week.
The building at 65 North Peachtree Street is a Greek Revival structure built in 1921, modeled after libraries built through Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic efforts. More than 100 years later, Norcross has invested $230,000 to make it available to the public.
The other funding request continues the city’s annual sponsorship of Norcross High School’s football program with $5,000 for new helmets.
Mayor Craig Newton said that not having a formal application process for nonprofit, educational, and community grants is an issue, and directed Hobson-Matthews to look for a fix next year.
“Maybe we’ll budget a specific amount every year,” Newton said. “And maybe form a staff committee or a council committee to be part of that decision-making, but I think we can improve the process.”
The Norcross City Council also recognized IT Manager Tarajee White for going above and beyond in her service to the city and its employees, granting her a one-time $5,000 cash bonus.
Council on DDA windows
On the historic Wingo Street window restoration, council members unanimously approved a proclamation offering to fund the restoration at about $30,000, rather than installing a modern replacement.
The Norcross Downtown Development Authority, which owns and operates 94 Wingo Street and several other downtown properties, has already voted to replace the historic window.
Most historic preservation in downtown Norcross occurs through a partnership between the city and the development authority, which elected officials recognized as crucial. The intergovernmental agreement between the bodies will need to be officially amended if the funding is approved.
Council Member Josh Bare, who brought the resolution and sits on the authority’s board, said he doesn’t want the proclamation to bind the Norcross DDA to any action.
“I know this has been expedited, but it was because the DDA was already moving in a certain direction,” Bare said. “I think this is an elegant way because instead of just jumping in and doing that … we’re just making an offer to the DDA.”
