Fayette County is getting a $72,000 grant for its Juvenile Justice Center Delinquency and Prevention Treatment Program.
The funds, which were officially accepted by the Board of Commissioners at its Jan. 22 meeting, are coming from the state’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. The purpose of the grant is to expand evidence-based services to a larger population of youth who are determined to be “low risk” based on the Department of Juvenile Justice’s Pre-Disposition Risk Assessment (PDRA), according to county officials.
“This offering is being made to address the need for prevention activities for at-risk youth in our community who are in the initial stages of justice system involvement,” according to a statement. “Approval of this grant will allow Fayette County to serve 18 to 24 youth and their families with the Strengthening Families Program.”
The Strengthening Families Program is an evidence-based prevention program for parents and children ages 12-16 which will be used for youth who score a low risk on the PDRA. SFP consists of parenting skills, adolescent life skills, and family skills training. SFP is found to significantly reduce problem behaviors, delinquency, and alcohol and drug abuse in youth and to improve social competencies and school performance.
No matching funds are required for acceptance of this grant.
The commissioners also approved a staff recommendation to adopt a new ordinance amending the county’s code regarding off-street parking and service requirements.
Staff reported that an ordinance adopted last April and the subsequent codification process resulted in a section being mistakenly deleted after some conflicts in parking requirements of the zoning ordinance were discovered. The action taken last week was designed to correct that.
One rezoning was addressed at the board meeting, as a request was approved to change 8.18 acres on South Kite Lake Road from A-R to R-70. The applicant explained that he is looking to turn it into two parcels, one for an existing home and another for future use.
South Kite Lake Road is off Kenwood Road and just east of New Hope Road.
One audience member spoke in opposition, citing the R-70 minimum requirements and saying the request “equates cookie-cutter houses and low-income houses, in my opinion.”
The applicant replied that there would be no such development, and he was trying to establish lots under five acres while keeping with the rest of the neighborhood. “We feel that we are being very consistent with the land-use plan,” he said.
Staff recommended one condition: The owner/developer is to provide, at no cost to the county, a quit-claim deed for 40 feet of right-of-way as measured from the centerline of S. Kite Lake Road prior to the approval of the minor subdivision plat.
Commissioner Randy Ognio moved to approve the request with that condition, saying that he is concerned about the potential house size under that zoning but also the character of the county, and he believes the plan fits with the requirements. It was approved unanimously.
A public hearing was conducted during the meeting with regard to the county’s annual report on fire service impact fees. The county collected almost $127,000 in the 2014 fiscal year from residents in the unincorporated county as well as Brooks, Tyrone and Woolsey, according to a staff report.
State law requires the public hearing and adoption of a resolution before submitting the report to the Atlanta Regional Commission and the state’s Department of Community Affairs. After it is approved there, it is sent back so that it can be adopted by June 30.
The report also includes a capital improvements element and short-term work program, showing what capital expenditures relating to county fire services were paid for with the impact fees.
During the board’s regular comment period, Commissioner Steve Brown asked if there was a consensus to continue with the Public Arts Committee, which was organized during his time as chairman.
Commissioner David Barlow said he was absolutely in favor that and would like to see Brown continue to lead the effort, noting the positive things the committee accomplished in the past year. He offered to make a motion in that regard if necessary, but it was not.
Chairman Charles Oddo agreed and asked Brown to give the board monthly updates on the committee’s progress. Brown said that minutes are taken at each committee meeting and he would see that the commissioners receive copies of those.
