City Council Open Forum

  • Date: 05/31/2022 7:00 PM  
  • Location: City Hall: Council Chambers
    38 Hill Street
    Roswell, Georgia 30075
  • Introduction: Questions & answers from Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Open Forum Details and Agenda Available at
www.roswellgov.com/Minutes


Open Forum Questions & Answers


May 31, 2022



Watch the Meeting on YouTube

City staff are able to provide answers to data-driven questions or questions that have a specific, fact-based answers. Questions that seek to understand opinions, individual philosophies, or thought processes of elected officials should be sent to the elected official(s) directly.

Salvatore Palmisano

  • City of Roswell ordinance states you cannot have edible gardens in view from the street. What process would it take to amend the ordinance?
    Answer:
    This would require a text amendment to the Unified Development Code in order to make the changes to Section 9.7.8.

    UDC text amendment consist of:
    1. Committee - move to initiate at Mayor & City Council
    2. Mayor & City Council to initiate
    3. Planning Commission
    4. First Reading (public hearing)
    5. Second Reading (public hearing) – w/ adoption to follow

Courtney Rozear


  • The 2021-2025 Strategic Plan was updated In April 2022. When were the changes to the City's 2021-2025 Strategic Plan published June 2021 discussed by City Council and Mayor?
    Answer:
    It was discussed by Mayor and City Council on February 12 and February 13, 2022 at the Roswell Mayor and City Council Retreat.
  • In which Mayor and City Council meeting was there a vote to change the City's 2021-2025 Strategic Plan?
    Answer:
    April 25, 2022 Mayor and City Council Regular Meeting.
  • Were there opportunities for citizens to review the redlines and provide input prior to that vote?
    Answer:
    Yes, the updated Roswell Strategic Plan 2021 to 2025 was presented to Mayor and City Council at the April 12, 2022 Administration and Finance and Recreation and Parks Committee Meeting.
  • Is there information on the City's website to review regarding the process for changing the City's strategic plan and creating a new one for (I assume) 2026-2031?
    Answer:
    No, the 2021-2025 Citywide Strategic Plan is found under the Government/Special Projects tabs. No process or procedure has been established for the next Strategic Plan Round in 2026-2031.
  • The City will receive $11.4 million dollars in ARPA funds. The City was awarded nearly 4 million dollars in May 2021. Did the City receive its second allotment of ARPA funds in May 2022?
    Answer:
    No. The City will not receive its second allotment until sometime in June 2022.
  • What is next step for ARPA funds and when will the City's ARPA web page be updated?
    Answer:
    The FY2023 Proposed Budget, currently under consideration by the Mayor and City Council, includes two allocations of ARPA funding. A total of $6.4 million is included to fund the construction of the River Parks Master Plan's Ace Sand Phase I and II. An additional $2.5 million is included for improvements to East Roswell Park. Final consideration and the second public hearing for the Proposed Budget is scheduled for June 13. The ARPA webpage will be updated once Mayor and City Council have adopted the FY2023 Proposed Budget.
  • Is there a summary showing how the ARPA funds received have been allocated and how the remaining funds will be invested? If not, when will the City create a PowerPoint with this information and update the ARPA webpage with this information?
    Answer:
    The ARPA webpage will be updated once Mayor and City Council have adopted the FY2023 Proposed Budget. Information pertaining to the use of ARPA funds can be found at www.roswellgov.com/budget. The May 9, 2022 Budget Presentation includes ARPA information on slide 56. The same information can also be found within the FY2023 Proposed Budget Book.
  • Which applications for CDBG funds were eligible and which were not eligible?
    Answer:
    All 14 applications were eligible.
  • When was the last comment email for the CDBG received?
    Answer:
    The last email comment was received on Monday, May 23, 2022 at 4:46 PM.
  • Are projects for the Roswell Housing Authority eligible for CDBG funds?
    Answer:
    The eligibility of projects has to be determined on a case-by-case basis, so it ultimately depends on the project being proposed. That said, the Roswell Housing Authority has received City of Roswell CDBG funds in the past.
  • Would renovating the apartments and other building at Leita Thompson Apartments mentioned in AJC's December 20, 20221 article be eligible for CDBG funds so they can continue to be used as affordable housing and not turned into art classrooms?
    Answer:
    Affordable housing rehabilitation is generally an eligible activity for CDBG funds. However, project eligibility has to be determined on a case-by-case basis, so staff can't make an official determination until a proposal has been submitted.
  • Would using the funds towards building or converting buildings into workforce and/or affordable housing be eligible under CDBG or ARPA programs?
    Answer:
    In general, yes this would be an eligible activity. However, project eligibility has to be determined on a case-by-case basis, so staff can't make an official determination until a proposal has been submitted.
  • Are Mayor and City Council members identified as a special class of employee in the health plan?
    Answer:
    No.
  • Does the charter specifically exempt Mayor and City Council from rules that govern others who receive pay and benefits from the City?
    Answer:
    Not specifically. Section Ch. 3.110 of the charter authorizes the Mayor and City Council to determine the compensation benefits for the Mayor and City Council. Section Ch. 4.60 grants the Mayor and City Council authority to develop personnel policies for other employees. The Charter is available at www.roswellgov.com/charter.
  • What is the City's leave of absence policy?
    Answer:
    The Mayor and City Council are not subject to the employee leave policy contained in the HR Policies and Procedures. You may request a copy of Roswell's HR Policies and Procedures through the Community Relations Division at communityrelations@roswellgov.com.

    Section Ch. 5.140 of the Charter addresses leave for the Mayor and City Council Members.
  • Where can I locate a copy of the City's long-term disability summary plan description?
    Answer:
    You may request a copy through the Community Relations Division at communityrelations@roswellgov.com.
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