Tucker’s Mayor and City Council gathered Tuesday night for their first of two scheduled November meetings. The main discussion centered around a potential ordinance dealing with short-term rental properties. The ordinance, which has not yet been created, would seek to preserve neighborhood character and safety, while also protecting the rights of homeowners. This could include measures like limiting the number of guests, mandating off-street parking or applying the hotel/motel tax to short-term rentals. During a time of public comment, residents spoke both in favor and in opposition to any potential ordinance.
Council took action on several items during the meeting. They voted unanimously to amend the City’s alcohol ordinance, moving the start of Sunday alcohol sales from 12:30 p.m. to 11 a.m. at eateries and wineries. The move followed action in the state legislature and a referendum approved by Tucker voters during the November 6 election.
They then voted to authorize the Mayor to sign an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with DeKalb County on expanding and improving the Tucker Nature Preserve. The IGA is the result of Commissioners Nancy Jester and Gregory Adams allocating $50,000 – and the rest of the Commission approving the allocation – to go toward the City’s purchase of 4448 Lawrenceville Highway.
Additional votes gave unanimous approval for:
- The expenditure of $15,800 in SPLOST funds to purchase and install three surveillance cameras near the soccer fields and Community Garden at Henderson Park.
- Authorizing the Mayor to sign a resolution to pursue $50,000 in matching grant funds from the Department of Natural Resources. The funds would go toward a new bridge for the red trail at Henderson Park, a new bridge in Kelley Cofer Park, as well as upgrades to trash cans and bridges in Smoke Rise Park.
- Instituting a Green Policy at City Hall, which will encourage staff to turn off lights when offices are not in use, no idling in their gas-powered vehicles, as well as implementing ways to educate the community on green initiatives.
Earlier in the meeting, Mayor Auman presented a proclamation in honor of Small Business Saturday to Honey Van De Kreke of the Tucker Business Association. The proclamation encourages shoppers to patronize small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
The next City Council meeting will be Monday November 26 at 7 p.m. at the City Hall Annex (4228 First Avenue).
