Dunwoody City Council: Several Recognitions, Light Agenda

Monday night, the Dunwoody City Council meeting was more about celebrating achievements than passing new ordinances.

The city recognized the Dunwoody Police Department, two of its officers and its Police Explorers program, all of which have received state recognition over the past two months.

The department was recognized with a reading of a resolution introduced in the State House by Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody).

The two officers, , for which they were recognized by the Georgia branch of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The Explorers were recognized for their .

In addition to the recognitions, the council also proclaimed Friday to be the city’s Arbor Day and Saturday to be Intellectual Disability Awareness Day. The city will be holding its own Arbor Day activities on Thursday, when a tree will be planted in the Fontainebleau subdivision, 2694 Fontainebleau Dr. at 10 a.m.

Financial Report

The council heard a report on the city’s 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

While things went smoothly in the year financially, according to city Finance Director Christopher Pike, some on the council were disappointed not to get the report sooner.

“I’m distressed at discovering this material on our desks tonight without the benefit of us having read it in advance, we aren’t in a position to ask you questions because we don’t know what’s in it,” said Councilman Robert Wittenstein. “I’m tempted to ask you to come back to the next work session.”

John Heneghan agreed and asked that all the documents be put online as soon as possible.

The audit committee and Pike had finalized the document Monday afternoon. Members of the audit firm volunteered to come to a future council meeting to answer questions if need be. 

In other action the council:

• discussed having the city take over the brick fund from the Veterans Memorial at Brook Run Park. Bricks at the memorial were purchased and the money from that fund goes to maintain the site, said Councilman Denis Shortal. As the city has taken over the park, Shortal asked that the city would maintain the fund for the veterans group.

• approved the formal creation of the Dunwoody Volunteer Coordinating Committee. The committee, which was created in January 2009, will become a formalized advisory committee for the council.

The committee currently helps promote and facilitate volunteer opportunities and involvement in the Dunwoody community.

There will be a seven-person committee. Already on the list for the committee are Jim Maloney, Jeremy Berry, Barbara Robinson, Bill Tobin and ex officio member, Theodora Johnson. Three appointees have yet to be named.

• approved purchasing a new workflow management software for public works.

• appointed two new Municipal Court Judges – Michael Hawkins and Kenneth Wickham.

• approved a resolution to adopt a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. The plan would help draw up a plan for major disasters, and help to reduce or eliminate long-term effects of disasters on people and property.