Tucker’s Mayor and City Council held a virtual meeting on Monday night, discussing and deciding on several issues via Zoom. The biggest of the issues discussed was an ordinance on “urban camping”. This ordinance would seek to curb homelessness in Tucker by forging a partnership between the City and DeKalb County Police to offer resources and assistance to those camped out on public property. It mirrors efforts which have passed in surrounding cities including Brookhaven, Chamblee and Dunwoody. After extensive debate, Council decided to further discuss the issue at a future work session.
Council took action on a handful of other items, including reappointing three members to the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Jason Burton, Bob Espy and Neil Stubblefield were reappointed to serve two year terms into 2023. Council then adopted a resolution to update staff users on the Georgia Fund One Account. Finally, they passed a resolution to name two Tucker parks in honor of community leaders who recently passed away. The property formerly known as Smoke Rise Bath & Racquet Club will now be known as Rosenfeld Park after City Councilman Bill Rosenfeld. Smoke Rise Park will now be known as Probst Park after Bill Probst, the architect of Tucker’s Smoke Rise community.
Earlier in the meeting, Council got presentations and updates on several projects including:
- Progress being made by the City’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Discover DeKalb. The organization’s executive director and CEO James Tsismanakis briefed Council on the impacts of COVID on tourism, while also promoting the City’s upcoming Tucker Restaurant Week.
- The five-year update on the Tucker-Northlake Livable Centers Initiative (LCI). This item was discussed and then adopted by Council on a 6-0 vote.
- Plans to enhance three bridges crossing I-285 in Tucker. The enhancements would include upgrades in fencing, lighting, and other amenities at Henderson Road, Northlake Parkway, and Lavista Road.
The Mayor and City Council will gather again on February 22 at 7 p.m. for a work session to be conducted on Zoom.
