Press Clips

Norcross OKs tax rollback and sets millage rate

Gwinnett Daily Post
(Reprinted by permission from the Gwinnett Daily Post)

By Carole Townsend
Staff Correspondent

NORCROSS — City leaders Monday night approved a tax rollback of .249 and set the 2007 millage rate at 6.527, based on General Government Administration Director Rudolph Smith’s recommendation.

Smith advised council members to approve the tax rollback based upon the growth of the city over the past year.

“It’s an unusual year when you add this much to the digest,” Smith said. The majority of the growth Norcross experienced over the past year is industrial, not residential, according to Smith.

Marshal’s department asks for software

City Marshal Holly Smith asked council members to approve the purchase of code enforcement software for his department during Monday night’s City Council meeting.
The software allows personnel working out in the field to report and manage all warnings and citations issued by the marshal’s office. For $5,200, Comcate Inc. will provide code enforcement software that will serve four officers and one supervisor. Annual renewal of the license will be reviewed by council before being approved each year.

Stream buffer variance suit may be settled

A compromise may soon be reached in the legal suit involving Renfroe Mining and the city of Norcross. Attorney Laurel Henderson, representing the city, asked council members to approve variances based on a new site plan submitted by Renfroe Mining. The revised plan preserved the required 25-foot stream buffer and adds an additional 19 feet of pervious surface, allowing for more stream protection.

Amphitheater discussed

City officials gave the go-ahead to the Public Works Department to solicit bids for construction of an amphitheater in Rossi Brundage Park. In 2003, Norcross paid $22,000 for a design study for the amphitheater, but the project has never moved forward.

Councilman Bruce Smith questioned the need for a second park amphitheater, as Thrasher Park has served such a purpose for years, he said. Craig Newton, a Norcross resident heading the push for construction of a second venue, said an additional stage would allow for more diverse entertainment to come to the city. Also, Hopewell Baptist Church has offered the use of its parking facilities at no charge for patrons at the proposed Rossi Brundage park amphitheater.

Smith also questioned the wisdom of building a stage and allowing hundreds of patrons to trample what he called “the best baseball field around, certainly in Norcross.”

After brief discussion, council members voted to solicit design-build bids for the amphitheater and public restrooms at the park.

Street vendors get new guidelines

City leaders approved a street vendor regulation ordinance Monday night that will restrict the types of types of products street vendors may sell in Norcross.

“This means no more furniture or velvet Elvises,” said Mayor Pro Tem Michael Lovelady.

Norcross’ ordinance is patterned after Gwinnett County’s.