City Council Meeting Notes: Oct. 22

()

In ceremonial matters, students from South Gwinnett led the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Anton Rowe, of Raymond Hill Missionary Baptist Church, offered the invocation.

The mayor read a proclamation in honor of the Snellville Farmers Market Committee and dubbed October Snellville Farmers Market Committee month.

“When you build it, they will come,” Mayor Kautz said, “and when they come, they will feel welcome.”

She stated that the market quickly became #1 in Georgia and #3 nationwide.

Jim Brooks of the Evermore CID spoke and discussed the roadway projects coming up. This evening, the Evermore board will gather with city staff to discuss the future.

Kelly McAloon, executive director of Snellville Tourism and Trade, thanked all the volunteers who made the Snellville Fall Festival a success, including South Gwinnett service clubs, the Snellville Police Explorers, and a great group of leaders: Susan Chappelear, Kathy Emanuel, Brenda Lee, Marilyn Swinney, Kurt Schulz, Barbara Bender, Jon Richards, Tom Witts and many more. She also stated that nominations for new STAT board members are still being accepted.

Discussion on a new RaceTrac on the corner of Oak Road and Highway 124 was postponed until the Nov. 12 council meeting, but residents were asked to speak during the public comments.

Feroz Lilani, owner of The Market, told the council that there already six gas stations on five or six blocks in that area.

“Do we need a seventh one?” he asked. “If the RaceTrac comes, we will lose stores in town. It won’t increase the revenue, and it will be a lot of stress on small businesses.”

He accused the council of claiming to support small business, but that “this is a discouragement.

He also claimed that there is a natural spring that runs under the ground beneath the proposed RaceTrac location, and that it could possibly cause contamination. (This is not confirmed.)

“If that station comes,” he continued, “at least two or three will go out of business. Is it worth it? The decision is yours… Who will get crushed? Small guys.”

Councilman Bobby Howard had a different perspective on the proposed development. In a previous conversation with Snellville Patch, he said it would increase Snellville's commercial tax base, much like the new Del Taco, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Olive Garden, development at Eastside Hospital and the Verizon store. It would also create jobs.

"Where we lost taxes on the residential side," he said, "it was picked up by things like this."

Snellville Patch will follow up on this, too.

The next order of business was the community garden lease, which was passed unanimously. (The changes recommended by the attorney during the work session were approved.)

The consideration and action on resolution approving the energy excise tax and authorizing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the city, as discussed in the work session, was approved unanimously.

Do you have any questions? Ask us in the comments and you'll get your answer.