Sponsored by Sagamore Hills Civic Association

Town Hall Meeting March 23, 2025 @ 2:30 at Oak Grove UMC

 Guests: Commissioners Ted Terry and Michelle Long Spears

Introduction by Allen Venet- For representation on the DeKalb County Commission, the county is divided into 5 regional districts and 2 super districts, so that each resident has two Commissioners.  We are pleased to welcome both Commissioners who represent our neighborhood, Ted Terry (super District 6) and Michelle Long Spears (District 2). This will be an open format to ask questions.

Michelle Long Speers’ Introduction and Concerns- We have 3 new commissioners: District 4 - Chakira Johnson, District 3 - Nicole Massiah, and Super District 7 - LaDena Bolton.  We also have a new CEO, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. She is a twenty-five-year DeKalb County, Georgia resident and former Commissioner.

• ·     A relatively flat budget was passed. We did not increase our expenses very much because there are a lot of unknowns.
• ·       Water Rate increases: July 1,2025 10% and Jan. 1, 2026 10%, followed by eight additional annual increases of 10%.
• ·        State of Dekalb Animals Address. Animal advocates came to her concerned about lack of spay and neuter facilities, neglect and abuse, and breeding facilities. They decided to address these issues head on in April 2024. Cost of Care Legislation was passed to charge owners for some of the costs if they are responsible for abuse.
• 1.      Animal Services- Resident thanks commissioners for Lifeline Animal Services. Lifeline is the largest animal welfare organization in Georgia, helping over 43,000 pets every year. https://dekalbanimalservices.com/pet-care/
• 2.      DeKalb was a leader in regulating the breeding  of dogs, cats and rabbits, and our reforms are being adopted state-wide.
• ·       Michelle’s team visited 7 parks the prior weekend, meeting with the Friends of Parks Groups, discussing needs of repair in different parks, as well as invasive plant species resulting in a proposed investment list.

Ted Terry’s Introduction and Concerns- Concert for Climate Justice is all about environmental protection in Dekalb county to improve air and water quality.

He and Commissioner Spears have partnered on addressing housing issues in DeKalb. The polls revealed that housing issues were at the top of the list.

Questions from the Floor:

Crestline Road –   Speeding and proposal for a traffic circle on Crestline.

Several residents expressed concerns and opposition to the proposal. 

Most recent plan calls for a reduced size roundabout.

Residents want sidewalks near the school.

The other end, where Briarcliff and Crestline meet, is worse.

A lower speed limit on Crestline would help.  The limit on Fairoaks is 25mph.  Why is the limit on Crestline 35mph?

Response: Michelle: current push to reduce the speed limit on Crestline by 5mph.  Residents are encouraged  to make more calls as  the Commissioner’s office keeps a record of residents’ comments  

They are trying to work every angle to get sidewalks. This is a tier one project if they don’t put the roundabout in. They don’t have answers yet.

Do we have any timeframe for the resolution? Response: No (3mths is hopeful)

Crestline and Chrysler – “The truth is that is we have to drop the speed limit.  Currently the county wants a quarter of homeowner’s land on the corner for the traffic circle.  This is absurd. A roundabout will cause more problems.”             

Response: We need 4 votes to pass anything. Michelle thanks him for his advocacy.

The commissioners are in the legislative body. They don’t have the power to directly address streets and roads.

 Sewer line project produces disruption in yards and is impacting 13-30 residents, next to the Creek. Funds have been denied 4 times.  Generally, they will advocate for this.

Turtle Creek pedestrian bridge continues to be an issue  for a ½ decade with the latest delay  the right of way from the property owner has not been approved. Advise the approach to be moved 15ft.   When?

Response: Michelle visited the site visit and was  aggravated. There is an existing storm water pipe. She will approach the Public Works Director for DeKalb County, Richard Lemke. He oversees Fleet Maintenance, Roads and Drainage, Sanitation, and Transportation department. .

Sink Hole between two houses about 4ft Feet on Timberland.  The County has not responded since November, 2024, nor has the new CEO and residents feel ignored and helpless.

Response:  Michelle advises keep emailing their office. Michelle applauds Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. She is very present and relates to our struggles. Cochran-Johnson has called for an operational survey to make the government more responsive and efficient. Public Works is aware of this

Clairmont at Pine Forest left turns denied.  The DOT installed an obstruction for left turns in or out of Pine Forest with no notice or information to residents. Additional concern about the number of cars that cut through and the speed of those vehicles (60mph).

Response:  Michelle advises that Commissioners are your advocates and meet with GDOT twice a month as well as transportation.  The intent was to inhibit turning left as a safety concern.

Gun Safety in Dekalb County-

Response: Ted Terry There are 10k handgun permits and it is still going up. Juveniles steal guns out of glove compartments. A local law was passed regarding safety measures but without the State passing like measures, nothing . Currently posting public safety notices. Thinking of buying gun safes and distributing them..  The stakes are high for children who die because they came into contact with a gun not secured.

Williamsburg and Clairmont at 85 Development. Development is blocked because of a complex flood plain issue.  Working with predecessors to resolve the issue.  Concern about traffic at their intersection as well as post office.   The postal service is the decision maker right now.  

Response:  The zoning has been approved. But the storm water plan has not been approved. It is going to happen if it is annexed to Chamblee.  

Greenway- The Echo Ridge area.   Where is that project?

              Response:  Ted Terry explained that there is a final draft of the trails for the greenway- The Echo Ridge area is part of the Vision network with the main arteries allowing for high capacity for bikes, dogs and people. At current prices, building the trail to connect trails would be $330 million. They need to catch up on the roads first .

 

Degradation of DeKalb County -  Our county has changed for the worse--Homelessness, crime,  unswept streets, missing street signs, 911 service delayed, cost of water is up 20%, no warning that pipes will be replaced, response times are poor, and curbs need to be raised to prevent erosion.

Response – Ted Terry responds that it is about budget. If we change lightbulbs and add solar, we will have millions in operational savings. The storm water fee pays for some of these things. It has not been raised in decades. Now it is being raised.  We have dams that we need to fix.  (30million, which was not in the budget). One of these dams is most urgent.

Our new CEO, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, has a new public safety plan addressing a real time crime center, extension of contract for ambulances by 18 months, adding 911 operators and a Nurse Navigator program to delegate priority response for emergencies.  

Sewer and Water- What are the Internal consequences for the neglect of these pipes?  

Response: Ted Terry advises that District 2 has more breaks than the rest of the county. Last year, the 3 year rate increased 6%.  Lorraine did a 10/10, the last one is 10% in 2034. It is expensive to fix. They did weave in some affordability measures for some residents, like avoiding shut offs. When they asked other constituents how they have approached the financial need of this-- you have to raise rates about 3% every year. We are behind and need to catch up. Ted hopes in 10 years or less that we can lower the rates.

Public comments are allowed monthly  on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday  at Commissioners business meeting at 9am, 178 Sam Street.  You are allowed 3 minutes. The agendas are on-line. advocates for the Dekalb citizens is citizenship in action. Get involved early and often

 What are you going to do to make sure these projects happen?

Response: Holding administration accountable. There will be an audit Office for 10 years to keep an eye on watershed. They also need to audit completed work  as well as the money. The list will be transparent. The item has not passed yet. Sometimes there are continuity issues. So, stay vocal in District 2

Stay involved. Stay engaged.