LCI Town Center Improvements, Oak Road Park: Snellville City Council Meeting Recap

The Snellville City Council and mayor met Monday (Nov. 11) for its regular meeting and work session.

Here's a recap of the meeting:

-New councilmembers sworn in: Councilman Bobby Howard and Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts were sworn in following last week's city election. Newly elected Councilwoman Barbara Bender, who previously served on the council from November 2005 to July 2011, also was sworn in. She replaced former Councilman Mike Sabbagh for Post 5.

-LCI Road Improvements: The council and mayor unanimously approved the construction agreement between the state's Department of Transportation and the city of Snelville. It's the first of three steps that will allow the city to start construction on the LCI Town Center improvements for Oak Road, Clower Street and Wisteria Drive. GDOT and the federal government will pay $2.022 million toward the project, which is 80 percent. Also a part of the agreement is a timeline for completion: Substantial completion would have to done by Oct. 15, 2014, with final completion by set Dec. 15. "We feel like we can meet those deadlines easily," said City Manager Butch Sanders.

-Oak Road Passive Park: There was no item to approve, but Witts discussed the park and where the city currently stands in building it. He said that the city put aside $150,000 of SPLOST funds for the park, but Sanders is currently working on a proposed bid to create the park for $28,000, much lower than projected. The city manager said he hopes to bring forward a contract for approval at the next city council meeting. Once the park is complete, there will be a higher chance of adding sidewalks to that area, said Witts.

-A resolution naming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day for the city of Snellville was added as a last-minute amendment to the agenda.  

-The council and mayor unanimously ratified the results of the Nov. 5th city election.

-Jackie Ginn was nominated and approved 5-1 to fulfill Post 6 on the Planning Commission.