City Council Votes to Spend $1.5 Million on Street Resurfacing

The City of Peachtree Corners, according to an external audit is in sound financial shape, the U.S. Post Office may finally recognize two additional ZIP codes as Peachtree Corners and 43 roads have been identified for resurfacing within the next 12 months.

In his report to City Council, Adam Praley, one of the external auditors for the city presented its first annual audit.

"The city had a good first year," said Praley, who noted that the city had two years worth of reserve funds built up already when typical cities have just three to four months.. "Peachtree Corners is starting off in a good position as a new city," he added.

Next was news that the U.S. Post Office will likely be able to add Peachtree Corners to ZIP codes 30096 and 30097. 

Council member Alex Wright, who had reached out to U.S. Representative Rob Woodall's office a year ago received correspondence from a USPS representative Tuesday afternoon.

"I received an email today from a manager with the Atlanta District who said he had preliminary approval to make Peachtree Corners an option for the 30096 and 30097 ZIP codes," said Wright.

Currently those ZIP codes are assigned to the cities of Berkeley Lake and Duluth only. "This is a key win," said Wright.

But Wright said he didn't have the same good news to report for ZIP code 30360 that takes in much of Post 1 and is delivered by the Atlanta Post Office. According to the message from the USPS manager, a formal boundary review process would need to be submitted by the city for approval before 30360 could be recognized as a Peachtree Corners ZIP code.

The City Council also approved 6-0 to amend the alcoholic beverages code to permit individuals to bring in their own bottle of wine to a restaurant that has a license to serve and to allow certain non-dining businesses to accommodate customers who would like to bring in their own wine and malt beverages.

"There were no negative comments," said Wheeler who had conducted an informal survey by calling area businesses and restaurants. "We received several calls from people supporting the ordinance change," she added.

The City Council also voted 6-0 in favor of making City Hall the sole voting location for city elections. The cost of hiring additional poll workers and finding suitable locations (not already secured by the county) coupled with the fact that city elections typically draw less than 10 percent of registered voters, were some of the deciding factors.

The Council also approved 6-0 to have 43 city streets resurfaced within the next 12 months. Funding for the $1.5 million project could possibly come from SPLOST monies, but the Council will vote on that at a later date.

During the Work Session Elections Consultant Gary Smith discussed the use of paper ballots versus electronic ballots. It was decided that electronic ballots was preferred. The county will provide the voting machines at no cost to the city.

Earlier in the meeting Gwinnett County Commissioner Lynette Howard and State Representative Tom Rice received proclamations in recognition of their contributions.

"Lynette Howard is a community treasure," said Mayor Mike Mason after reading the proclamation presented to her. Howard has served for the past two years as the District 2 commissioner which includes Peachtree Corners. She previously served on the UPCCA board in several capacities including president.

Tom Rice was recognized for his efforts at the state capitol in getting a referendum introduced and passed by the General Assembly so that Peachtree Corners citizens could vote on cityhood.  "There would be no city without Tom Rice," said Mason.

The City Council then adjourned to executive session to discuss a potential litigation matter.

Keep up with what's happening around town every day - sign up here for the free Peachtree Corners Patch daily newsletter.