Your Monday Morning Roundup for March 8, 2021

by Robin Kemp

UPDATE 1:21 a.m. March 9: ADDS Development Authority meeting Tues. March 9 at 6 p.m., agenda published near close of business Monday

Crossover Day at the Gold Dome, action on some big development projects for Jonesboro and Morrow, and Chairman Jeff Turner’s State of the County address top the agenda on a very busy week.

Monday, March 8

• Crossover Day at the Capitol: This is when House bills go to the Senate and Senate bills go to the House to iron out any differences. Members of the Clayton County House Delegation have warned voters to remain vigilant as Senate elections and voting bills that they say are “worse” than those in the House are on the way.
• 6 p.m. Jonesboro City Council Regular Meeting, 170 S. Main Street: The council will consider approving a guaranteed fixed price contract with Hogan Construction Group on Phase One of the new Jonesboro City Center. It also will consider revising the police department’s vehicle pursuit policy and an agreement with the Atlanta Regional Commission to update the Local Comprehensive Plan. The council will hold two public hearings, one on a setback variance for Old Ivy Townhomes at 8358, 8360, 8362, and 8364 Douglass Trail, the other on a proposed event center, Jonesy’s, at 120 N. McDonough Street. On the consent agenda are two items from the Police Department to add assistant chief and corporal as positions, and another to add concrete walkways across Broad Street. The council also will consider adding the Gateway South District Overlay, public art installations in Broad Street Plaza, and establishing council zones for the N.E.A.T. anti-litter program, as well as a contract with PropertyRoom to dispose of police surplus and evidence room gear, and a fee waiver for the Jonesboro High School Band Boosters’ awards ceremony in Lee Street Park. Read the full agenda packet or just the agenda. Join via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2148237355 with meeting ID  214 823 7355. You also can copy and paste this string of numbers into your phone to call with just one tap. Otherwise, dial (929) 205-6099 and enter meeting ID 214 823 7355 followed by the # sign.
• 6:30 p.m. Clayton County Ethics Board meets virtually. Sign up at https://bit.ly/3v6g1bg. No agenda was posted as of press time.

Tuesday, March 9

• 4:30 p.m. The Clayton County Board of Elections and Registration meets online. Sign up at https://bit.ly/30pKGlK. See previous minutes and monthly operations reports.
• 5:30 p.m. Board of Commissioners Work Session includes a mid-year budget update by Chief Financial Officer Ramona Bivins, the AeroATL Model Mile Feasibility Study by Troy Hodges, a presentation on Viva Finance from Human Resources Director Pam Ambles, and discussion on Rivers Edge and use of the county logo by Commissioner Felicia Franklin.
• 5:30 p.m. Morrow Urban Redevelopment Authority Special Called Meeting, 1500 Morrow Road: The agenda only states a call to order by Lana Labay and “Discussions with Mayor and Council.” It does not state what those discussions are about. 
• 5:30 p.m. Morrow City Council Work Session: That discussion with the URA will kick off the work session. Further down the agenda, a URA item lists debt, gross revenue from each property per year for the past 10 years, and questions about land sales involving “specific properties,” including city authorization, sale date, and “Revenue from sales allocated where?” Look for updates on Olde Towne Morrow, which the city would like to rebrand as “The District,” about easements, property, and repair estimates. Also on the agenda: what to do with the old church on Reynolds Road and the Conference Center “Dark Space.” Other properties up for discussion include the “Meadowbrook Corner property” and the “Morrow Station Property.” Then there’s an update on board appointments to the Morrow Housing Authority and a discussion of bond refinancing, There’s also a note about the city being “in discussion” with Clayton State as a COVID-19 vaccination partner; Fire Chief Roger Swint will discuss a “cost recovery ordinance.”
• 6 p.m. Development Authority of Clayton County meets at the Lake City Community Center, 5471 Jonesboro Rd. The agenda for Public Purpose Corporation II notes a property management update from Richard Buckley. The regular meeting agenda kicks off by welcoming the new board members (including Morrow Mayor John Lampl), followed by the treasurer’s report and Invest Clayton Project report, the economic development strategic plan, bond issues for the Clorox plant expansion and for Clayton State University, plus an update from Larry Vincent on Workforce Clayton.
• 6 p.m. Clayton County Animal Control Board holds its meeting online. Join by Zoom at https://bit.ly/3ceCiLo using meeting ID 402 821 9320 and passcode 21d0qj.
• 7 p.m. Lake City Council Meeting: No agenda was posted as of press time.
• 7:30 p.m. Morrow City Council Regular Meeting: The only new business on the agenda is a pair of SPLOST-funded projects: an approval of changes in scope ($1,200) for Pond Company’s re-review of plans for Jester’s Creek Phase III that will come from 2008 SPLOST funds, and a sign replacement package for Public Works ($3,602) that will come from 2014 SPLOST funds.

Wednesday, March 10

• 9:30 a.m. State of the County address, Clayton Performing Arts Center, 2530 Mt. Zion Pkwy., Jonesboro: Chairman Jeff Turner will give the annual address sponsored by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce and the Council for Quality Growth. A limited number of in-person tickets are available ($45 members, $65 public) and the event will be livestreamed at 10 a.m. for free. Register at https://bit.ly/3qjTww8.

Thursday, March 11

• 6 p.m. Forest Park Downtown Plan Virtual Workshop: What do you want to see in downtown Forest Park? Brewpub? Sidewalk dining? Art galleries? Live music? Specialty shops? Curb cuts? Get in on the ground floor in this interactive online workshop! Sign up at http://bit.ly/forestparkpublicworkshop.

Friday, March 12

• TBA: let us know if we missed something!

As always, we’re open to your additions, suggestions, and corrections to the Monday Morning Roundup! Just e-mail KempWrites@gmail.com or text (404) 547-1171.