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NOTE: To honor "Road To Safety" winner Andrew Jehscke, his video will remain at the top of Accessmilton.com's news section for the remainder of the month.

Dec. 20 City Council meeting notice.

By Accessmilton.com

Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 Special Called Work Session Agenda 5:30 PM

1) Discussion of Proposed Text Amendments:
RZ10-06 - To Amend the City of Milton Zoning Ordinance, Section 64-1820, Landscaping Business, Plant Nursery or Garden Center with Indoor Retail Component.

RZ10-08 - To Amend the City of Milton Zoning Ordinance, Section 64-1, Definition for Landscaping Business.
(Presented by Lynn Tully, Community Development Director)
___________________________________________________________________

Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 Regular Meeting Agenda Immediately following

INVOCATION - Dr. Oliver Wagner, Senior Pastor, Alpharetta Presbyterian Church

CALL TO ORDER

1) ROLL CALL

2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (Led by the Mayor)

3) APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA (Add or remove items from the agenda)
(Agenda Item No. 10-1307)

4) PUBLIC COMMENT

5) CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of the December 6, 2010 Regular Council Meeting Minutes.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1308)
(Sudie Gordon, City Clerk)

2. Approval of a Professional Engineering Services Agreement between the City of Milton, Georgia and David A. Burre Engineers & Surveyors, Inc. in the Amount of $8,870.00 for a Drainage Repair Project on Thompson Road.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1309)
(Carter Lucas, Public Works Director)

3. Approval of a Task Order with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for Concept Study for Mayfield Road at Mid Broadwell Road Intersection in the Amount of $114,003.58.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1310
(Carter Lucas, Public Works Director)

4. Approval of a Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Milton and Georgia DNR Continuing our Commitment to the Early Demonstration Project.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1311)
(Lynn Tully, Community Development Director)

5. Approval of a Memorandum of Agreement with Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District and State Soil and Water Conservation Commission to Conduct an Independent Plan Review and Permit Approvals as a Fully Functioning Soil and Erosion Control Issuing Authority.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1312)
(Lynn Tully, Community Development Director)

6. Approval of a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Milton and Safebuilt Georgia, Inc. to Provide Building Plan Review and Inspection Services.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1313)
(Lynn Tully, Community Development Director)

6) REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

1. A Proclamation Recognizing Road to Safety Winner
(Presented by Mayor Joe Lockwood)

7) FIRST PRESENTATION

1. Approval of an Ordinance to Adopt the Amended Local Emergency Operations Plan.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1314)
(Matt Marietta, Fire Marshal)

2. Approval of an Ordinance to Adopt the Job Classification Listing for Current Approved Positions.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1315)
(Sam Trager, Human Resources Director)

8) PUBLIC HEARING (None)

9) ZONING AGENDA

1. RZ10-06 - To Amend the City of Milton Zoning Ordinance, Section 64-1820, Landscaping Business, Plant Nursery or Garden Center with Indoor Retail Component.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1300)
(First Presentation on December 6, 2010)
(Discussed at December 20, 2010 Special Called Work Session)
(Presented by Lynn Tully, Community Development Director)

2. RZ10-08 - To Amend the City of Milton Zoning Ordinance, Section 64-1, Definition for Landscaping Business.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1301)
(First Presentation on December 6, 2010)
(Discussed at December 20, 2010 Special Called Work Session)
(Presented by Lynn Tully, Community Development Director)

10) UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Approval of a Resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton, Georgia Regarding "9-1-1" Wireless Enhanced "9-1-1" Charges and Voice Over Internet Protocol.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1302)
(First Presentation on December 6, 2010)
(Matt Marietta, Fire Marshal)

2. Approval of a Resolution to Transmit the City of Milton's Draft 2030 Comprehensive Plan: The Community Agenda to the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the GA Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for their Sixty Day Review.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1286)
(Previously Introduced at November 1, 2010 Special Called Work Session)
(First Presentation and Public Hearing at November 15, 2010 Regular Council Meeting)
(Presented by Michele McIntosh-Ross, City Planner)

11) NEW BUSINESS

1. Approval of a Resolution Amending Resolution No. 10-09-155 Appointing A Member To The Historic Preservation Commission For The City Of Milton By Appointing A Member For District 6.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1316)
(Presented by Councilmember Alan Tart)

2. Approval of a Resolution to Approve the Highway 9 Design Guidelines.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1317)
(Presented by Lynn Tully, Community Development Director)

3. Approval of a Resolution to Adopt the 2011 Zoning and Use Permit, Zoning Modification, Board of Zoning Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission and the City of Milton Design Review Board Schedules.
(Agenda Item No. 10-1318)
(Presented by Lynn Tully, Community Development Director)

12) MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS

13) STAFF REPORTS

14) EXECUTIVE SESSION (None)

15) ADJOURNMENT
(Agenda Item No. 10-1319)

Santas Make Little Kids Cry.

Courtesy www.urlesque.com

Kids shop with Cop in Milton.

By Patrick Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

About 55 Alpharetta and Milton police officers, firefighters and community volunteers joined 106 children for the 12th annual Police Athletics and Activities League Shop With A Cop this week at the Milton Walmart on Ga. 9.

The officers and firefighters helped the children -- recommended to PAL organizers by local schools and volunteers -- shop for holiday gifts. Each child was given $100, and Walmart donated $2,500. The remainder of the funding came from personal and corporate donations.

Milton youth honored for lifesaving toss.

By Patrick Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It was a nice toss by any standard.

But a 50-foot ringer by a 6-year-old Milton boy standing in a kayak borders on the miraculous, especially when it may have saved a man's life.

Vacationing in Destin, Fla., with family and friends this summer, J.C. French was about to head back to shore with his mother, Lisa French, when he heard something farther up the shore. His mother, who was hanging over the side combing the shallows for sand dollars, heard nothing.

"Mom, that man needs help," J.C. said, spotting a figure foundering about 50 feet away near the shallows.

Lisa French could see or hear nothing from her location on the other side of the kayak. Nevertheless, she told her son to throw him a life jacket.

"It was so far," she said. "He was in the kayak and it was right to him. I could have done nothing because I was in the water, clutching the kayak. I couldn't stand."

The man grabbed the life jacket and was helped to shore by J.C., his mother and another kayaker.

"We never saw him again," Lisa French said. "He was in his late 50s, and he wasn't in terrible shape. His wife came up and said ‘thank you' afterward, and that he was a pretty good swimmer."

J.C.'s dad, Jimmy French, said he had been swimming earlier, so he was relaxing on the shore when all the excitement was happening.

"I was on shore, hanging out, totally oblivious to what had happened until they came back," he said. "I didn't really realize what was going on until they got to the shore and I saw them helping that man."

The man went up and sat with his family.

"He was visibly shaken, you could tell," Jimmy French said. "Then [J.C.] ran up there and gave him one of his sand dollars that he'd found while he was out there."

The Frenches discussed it with some of their friends that evening but thought little more about it until their Destin neighbor, Ted Arthurs, got ahold of the story.

"He told us ‘Somebody's got to hear about this,' " Lisa French said.

So Arthurs wrote his own article and submitted it to the local newspaper, and the story spread. No one was ever able to track down the rescued man.

J.C., now 7, was honored recently with the Good Citizens Medal from the Sons of the American Revolution. The ceremony, held before the Milton City Council, included pictures and handshakes all around.

"You make Milton proud," Mayor Joe Lockwood told the boy.

Afterward, J.C. reflected on the incident with reporters and Milton residents.

He said he could tell immediately that the man was in trouble.

"I was thinking I should throw the life jacket and he would catch it and he would be safe," J.C. said.

How does he account for the perfect throw?

Well, Little League baseball wasn't much help, he said. He's a catcher, not a pitcher.

"It was luck," he said.

Lisa French still finds it incredible.

"I told him ‘Throw him your life jacket,' " she said, "and he listened for once."

Ga. 400 Corridor Open House Jan. 5.

By Accessmilton.com

On Wednesday, Jan. 5, transportation officials will hold a Ga. 400 Corridor Improvement Projects Open House at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, 11605 Haynes Bridge Road Suite 100 in Alpharetta (click here for directions).

The meetings are to determine what new projects should be funded along the Ga. 400 corridor, which includes the entry most near Milton, Windward Parkway. The money for the projects comes as a result of a September 2010 Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) vote to extend the ground lease for the Ga. 400 Toll Road and the fifty-cent toll for up to 10 years. Those revenues will be used to fund the new transportation improvement projects.

Five public meetings will be held throughout December and January for the projects and information is available online at www.georgiatolls.com.

Per Request- The 2009 Milton Christmas Videos!

MILTON- In 2009, Accessmilton.com created four videos focused on the wonderful Christmas decorations and happenings throughout the city. Many enjoyed them and a few folks asked if we would post them again for 2010. We were more than happy to do so.

We would like to thank all those involved for making the "Tis The Season" Videos a success. Merry Christmas!

'Tis The Season 2009 - Milton, GA - Part 1

'Tis The Season 2009 - Milton, GA - Part 2

'Tis The Season 2009 - Milton, GA - Part 3

'Tis The Season 2009 - Milton, GA - Part 4

Power Realty Milton Listing Of The Week!

Courtesy Power Realty

780 Quarterpath Lane, Milton, GA 30004

Five bedroom / four bath home. Four sided brick home with a three car garage.

Located in Wood Valley Subdivision.

Lender owned property sold as is where is. No disclosures provided. No termite letter. Significantly below market price. Submit an offer.

To find out more about this Milton Georgia home, go to http://www.powersoldit.com/ today! Alpharetta Office - 770-888-7653 - fax 678-990-5565 178 S. Main Street, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 30009

Icy roads reported in Milton.

By Accessmilton.com

Please be cautious on your drive home tonight.

The City of Milton has received reports of ice causing accidents along Birmingham Road, at the intersection of Birmingham Road at Rowe Road, at the intersection of Birmingham Highway and Taylor Road and at the intersection of New Providence Road at Dorris Road. In addition, there are reports of ice on Arnold Mill Road, the intersection of Hopewell and Thompson Road and on Kings County Court.

In addition, Deerfield Parkway north is shut down due to an accident. Please detour to Webb Road.

The City of Milton Public Works Department is currently coating roads with salt and sand to combat these icy conditions.

Milton Police, Fire take part in Shop With A Cop.

Milton Police Chief Harrell and a new friend.

By Accessmilton.com

Milton’s police officers and firefighters joined Dec. 14 their Alpharetta peers for the 12th annual Police Athletics and Activities League (PAL) Shop With A Cop event at the Walmart on Ga. 9 and Windward Parkway in Milton.

As in previous years, the officers and firefighters helped the children -- recommended to PAL organizers by local schools and volunteers -- shop for holiday gifts. Each child was given $100, and Walmart donated $2,500 to help cover the cost, the remainder of which was made up of personal and corporate donations.

This year, 106 children participated, more than ever before. They were joined by an estimated 55 police officers, firefighters and community volunteers.

Many thanks to the Milton Fire and Police departments.

Learn how to burn safely.

By Accessmilton.com

Since Georgia’s Open Burn Ban ended Sept. 30, the City of Milton has routinely received calls about what is required for residents to burn yard waste.

Please click here to visit the Milton Fire Department’s new page outlining how residents may safely burn on their property.

It's Christmas Time!

Christmas Trees From Around The World / Part 2.

The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy 's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city.

Many thanks to "Steel Magnolia" for providing these pictures.

Ring In the New Year at Milton's!

To Find Out More About Milton's Cuisine and Cocktails, click here=>
http://www.accessmilton.com/Advertisers/Miltons.php

Georgia On My Mind.

Lisa Valentine takes solace in her husband Omar Hall at her home Wednesday Dec. 17, 2008, in Douglasville. A Georgia judge had ordered Valentine, a Muslim woman, arrested the day before for contempt of court for refusing to take off her head scarf at a security checkpoint.

The Associated Press

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — A Muslim woman who was arrested after she refused to remove her headscarf in a west Georgia courthouse filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the city of Douglasville and the officers who arrested her, contending they violated her constitutional rights.

Lisa Valentine said authorities trampled on her First Amendment rights in December 2008 when she was ordered to serve 10 days in jail for contempt of court after she refused to remove her hijab at a courtroom. She was released in less than a day, but her arrest infuriated Muslim rights activists and prompted changes in Georgia's courtroom policy.

"I hope that no person of faith will ever have to experience the type of egregious treatment I suffered at any Georgia courthouse because of the expression of my beliefs," said Valentine, whose lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and its Georgia chapter.

After Valentine's arrest, a Douglasville judge ordered "special provisions" to be made for those wearing religious headwear. More sweeping changes came in July 2009, when the Judicial Council of Georgia voted to allow religious and medical headgear into Georgia courtrooms.

The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of Georgia, seeks unspecified punitive damages and attorneys' fees. It claims that the city "demonstrated reckless indifference" to Valentine's constitutional rights and forced her to violate a fundamental tenet of her faith.

Douglasville Mayor Mickey Thompson said he was caught off-guard by the lawsuit.

"This one's a surprise because I think we had worked with Ms. Valentine and I thought her concerns were addressed," said Thompson, who declined further comment until the city's attorneys could review the complaint.

Valentine's arrest came after she was accompanying her nephew to a hearing in the city about 20 miles west of Atlanta.

She said officials stopped her at the metal detector and told her she couldn't enter the courtroom with the headscarf, known as a hijab. She said when she objected and turned to leave, officers brought her before a municipal court judge who ordered her held for contempt of court. She said officer also forced her to take off the hijab when she was booked. Hijabs are intended to protect the modesty of Muslim women.

"I had no idea I was in for such a humiliating experience," she said. "This is who I am. Without it, it's like taking off my shirt. It's like being stripped of something that's part of me."

Douglasville officials at the time said they were trying to follow courtroom rules that restricted headgear, and Douglasville Police Chief Joe Whisenant characterized the incident at the time as a miscommunication.

But the city later said in a statement that the officer who detained Valentine should have sought a solution that "would preserve the spirit of the law." And the city ordered employees to undergo sensitivity training courses in the aftermath of the incident.

Milton High Orchestra to perform holiday concert.

By Ralph Ellis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Milton High School Orchestra’s winter concert, “A Pops Holiday Celebration,” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the school auditorium at 13025 Birmingham Highway.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Organizers expect tickets to be available at the door, or they can be ordered at www.miltonorchestra.com and held at the Will Call window.