City Council Quickly Gets Down to Business

With a tap of his new gavel, Mayor Mike Mason called the first city council meeting to order promptly at 7:30 Tuesday evening at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

And in just 45 minutes the mayor and six council members had wrapped up the details of hiring a city attorney, a city clerk and a consulting firm to assist in finding qualified candidates to hire as city manager.

"Time is of the essence," said Mason in explaining the importance of getting the personnel to help run the city in place as quickly as possible.

Bill Riley, an attorney who was involved in the start-up of the cities of Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Johns Creek, was sworn in to advise Peachtree Corners' city leaders in the legal matters of setting up the new city.

Joanie Jones, a city clerk with 15 years experience, was sworn in as Peachtree Corners acting city clerk. Jones, who works in the same capacity for neighboring Johns Creek, was recommended by Riley because of her experience in assisting with the start up of Johns Creek.

Consultants John McDonough and John Kachmar were hired to conduct an executive search for a city manager and to provide consulting services to assist in setting up a functioning city.

Also on the agenda, the new city council chose the Gwinnett Daily Post as its legal organ. The complete agenda is included with this story.

"We needed to move ahead quickly," explained Mason afterwards. "We made the best effort to get the best people available."

Alex Wright, Post 3 council member reiterated the need to get the attorney, and city clerk hired and start the process of getting a city manager on board. "We had to get all this in place."

Some 45 people attended the first meeting. Mason said he expects the council may meet on a weekly basis until they get everything in place.

The city has set up a website, www.cityofpeachtreecornersga.com, which will have information posted on the meetings, agendas and past meeting minutes.