The Peachtree City Council on Sept. 18 is expected to vote on an intergovernmental agreement with the city’s Public Facilities Authority on a $3 million bond resolution designed to address a variety of issues from recreation needs to fire protection system upgrades at city buildings.
The council will also consider issues relating to sidewalks installed by developers and a percentage reduction in maintenance bonds required of developers.
The FY 2015 Facility Bond totaling approximately $3 million includes $2.8 million allocated for projects and $215,000 in contingency and closing costs. The project list includes needs in leisure services, public safety, public services and administrative services.
A sampling of the projects include work on All Children’s Playground, wall restoration at the Kedron Aquatic Center, various issues at the tennis center, playground equipment replacement, skate park renovations, roof and HVAC work at several city facilities and fire protection system upgrades at buildings citywide.
The list of projects was previously approved and all have been reviewed by bond counsel to ensure this type of revenue bond financing is appropriate, said Finance Director Paul Salvatore.
The bond is expected to carry a 2.5 percent rate of interest payable over 10 years.
The council will also consider an ordinance amendment relating to issues such as specific design standards, city inspections and covenants relating to the maintenance of sidewalks if a developer chooses to install them. The amendment would also defer sidewalk maintenance to homeowner’s associations.
The city currently owns and maintains approximately 43,000 linear feet — about eight miles — of sidewalks in nine subdivisions. That compares to more than 90 miles of multi-use paths.
Community Services Director Jon Rorie on Sept. 3 said the city’s land development ordinance does not require or prohibit the installation of sidewalks in a development, though it does require a connection to the nearest multi-use path.
Rorie said sidewalks are required in Wilksmoor Village since it was approved as a Development of Regional Impact (DRI). He said the developer of the Gates subdivision on Ga. Highway 74 South is requesting sidewalks, adding that future developments might also want to install sidewalks.
In another issue, the council will consider reducing the conditions for maintenance bonds required for the construction of residential subdivisions.
Developers when installing a subdivision or street are currently required to submit a maintenance bond totaling 110 percent of the cost of construction, city staff said, adding that the percentage charged might be too restrictive.
Staff proposed lowering the percentage to be more in-line with those charged by area municipalities. The council was told that some cities charge as little as 10 percent while others charge a rate somewhat higher.
The council on Thursday will consider lowering the rate to 50 percent, a move discussed at a recent meeting.
