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1. Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report (CCDR)

• The Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report (CCDR) is filled out ONLY if the contributions and/or expenditures exceed $2,500. 
• Itemize all contributions and expenditures more than $100 and aggregate totals of all contributions and expenditures $100 or less. 
• This form is due by December 31. 
• The signature on this form must be witnessed by a notary. 

2. Choosing Option of Separate Accounting (COOSA)

• The Choosing Option of Separate Accounting (COOSA) form should be submitted only when applicable.  
• A candidate who wishes to accept contributions for more than one election at a time shall separately account for such campaign contributions and shall file an “Option to Choose Separate Accounting” form prior to accepting contributions for any election other than the candidate’s next upcoming election. 
• A candidate is only required to file one Form COOSA which shall be utilized for all subsequent elections to the same office, regardless of whether an election occurs in a new election cycle.
• Ask the city clerk for a COOSA form if you determine you need one.  

3. Two Business Days Report of Contributions Received (TBD)

• The Two Business Days Report of Contributions Received (TBD) form should be submitted only when applicable.   
• A TBD is used to report contributions, including loans, of $1,000.00 or more, during the period of time between Oct. 25 and the date of the election. 
• The contribution(s) must be reported within two business days of receipt to the location where the original disclosure report was filed and must be reported on the next regularly scheduled Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports (CCDR). 

4. Campaign Contribution Disclosure Final Report & Termination Statement

• All campaigns must file a Campaign Contribution Disclosure Final Report & Termination Statement within ten days of the dissolution of a campaign or campaign committee which shall, among other things, identify the person responsible for maintaining campaign records as required by the Campaign Finance Act. 
• The termination statement shall be submitted with a final Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report which identifies a zero balance and zero debt

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1. Notice of Candidacy and Affidavit

• Submit the Notice of Candidacy and Affidavit when qualifying. 
• The signing of this form must be witnessed by a notary which can be done at City Hall.

2. Declaration of Intention to Accept Campaign Contributions (Form DOI)

• The Declaration of Intention to Accept Campaign Contributions (Form DOI) must be submitted when qualifying unless the qualifying candidate is an incumbent.
• A DOI must be turned in before accepting campaign contributions.
• Except for the qualifying fee, personal funds used by a candidate are considered a campaign contribution.  

3. Background Check Forms

• A background check form (Criminal History Record Information Consent/Inquiry Form) is submitted when qualifying.    
• A photocopy of the candidate's driver’s license will be submitted along with the form. A copy can be made of the license at City Hall. 
• The signing of this form must be witnessed by a notary which can be done at City Hall.

4. Registration Form for a Candidate’s Campaign Committee (Form RC)

PLEASE NOTE: Forming a campaign committee is optional. Therefore, the Registration Form for a Candidate's Campaign Committee (Form RC) is submitted when qualifying only if applicable. 

• A candidate can designate someone to file reports and/or collect contributions and spend contributions. 
• One person may serve in both roles and that person can be the candidate. The name and address of the committee, its chairperson, treasurer and the candidate must be registered before receiving any contributions. 
• No candidate may have more than one committee. 
• No contributions may be accepted any time there is a vacancy in either the position of chairperson or treasurer. 

Form RC

5. Affidavit of a Candidate’s Intent Not to Exceed $2,500 in Contributions and/or Expenditures

• The Affidavit of a Candidate’s Intent Not to Exceed $2,500 in Contributions and/or Expenditures is also known as an Affidavit of Exemption.
• Candidates may fill out a new form pledging not to exceed $5,000 if they foresee exceeding $2,500. 
• A candidate can fill out a Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report (CCDR) after the fact if they unintentionally go over limits. 
• Candidates cannot collect more than $2,800 in contributions from any one person, including in-kind donations such as food. 
• The signature on this form needs to be witnessed by a notary and is filed when qualifying, if applicable. 

Affidavit: Candidate’s Intent Not to Exceed $2,500

6. Personal Financial Disclosure Statement (PFD)

• A Personal Financial Disclosure Statement (PFD) is submitted within 15 days of qualifying. 
• This form covers the period of the preceding calendar year. 

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1. Items Needed for a Site Plan Application

The following documents are required for a preliminary site plan review for projects in all zoning districts other than R-12 and R-24,

• a summary of the proposed project,
• the legal description and plat of the property,
• scale drawing(s) of the existing condition,
• a site survey,
• scale drawing(s) of the proposed site plan, 
• authorization to inspect the premises, and
• authorization by the property owner if the applicant is not the owner of the property.

2. Items Needed for a Zoning Application

The following documents are required for zoning review for projects in all zoning districts other than R-12 and R-24,

• a summary of the proposed project,
• the legal description and plat of the property,
• scale drawing(s) of the existing condition,
• a site survey,
• scale drawing(s) of the proposed site plan, 
• authorization to inspect the premises,
• authorization by the property owner if the applicant is not the owner of the property,
• photos of the existing site including the structure to be modified, 
• rendering of the project including dimensions of all sides of the building, 
• photos of the structure as seen from the street, and
• justifications for relevant review and approval criteria.

3. Items Needed for Variances, Waivers or Rezoning Applications

• a summary of the proposed project,
• a list of requested variances or waivers to the zoning code with code reference and explanation of variance request and proposed justification,
• the legal description and plat of the property,
• scale drawing(s) of the existing condition,
• a site survey,
• scale drawing(s) of the proposed site plan,
• authorization to inspect the premises,
• authorization by the property owner if the applicant is not the owner of the property, 
• photos of the existing site including the structure to be modified, 
• rendering of the project including dimensions of all sides of the building,
• photos of the structure as seen from the street, and
• justifications for relevant review and approval criteria.

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1. City Qualifications

Per Section 2.11 of the city's charter, candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Must have been a resident of the city for a continuous 12 months prior to the date of qualification for election of mayor or commissioner,
• Must continue to reside in the city during the period of service,
• Must be registered and qualified to vote in municipal elections of the city, and
• Shall not have been convicted of a felony at the time of qualification or during their period of service.

2. State Qualifications

Per State Law O.C.G.A. §45-2-1, candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Must be a citizen of this state and at least 21 years of age,
• Must not be the holder of any public money due the state of Georgia or any county that has refused to account for and pay over the same to the proper officer,
• Must not have been convicted of a felony offense involving moral turpitude under the laws of this or any other state unless restored to his/her rights of citizenship by a pardon from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles,
• Must not hold any office of profit or trust under the government of the United States other than that of postmaster and officers and enlisted men of Armed Forces Reserve;
• Must not be of unsound mind or unfit to discharge the duties of the office from advanced age or bodily infirmity, and
• Must be an inhabitant of the state, county, district or circuit for the period required by the Constitution and laws of this state. 

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1. What are the proposed projects?

Four projects are proposed or in development for city/DDA-owned properties:  

Project 1: 
Town Green Market Development: In January of 2023, the DDA unanimously approved the development contract for a 24,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial development being built by the development team of Fabric Developers, LLC and Healey Weatherholtz Properties. The development, now called The Dale, consists of two adjacent two-story buildings fronting the Town Green next to the open-air market pavilion along N. Avondale Road. In addition to at least two restaurants, the new buildings will include a rooftop bar and event space on the second level overlooking the park, retail opportunities fronting N. Avondale Road, and second-floor space devoted to a variety of tenants including co-working or office space. Restroom facilities will be available to the public during the Town Green’s operating hours. Construction is on track to begin in the last quarter of 2023 or early 2024. 

Project 2: 
Townhome Community: Proposed by Fabric Developers, this residential townhome community is comprised of approximately 10 live/work units located along Lake Street and Franklin Street across from the Town Green. Unit size is projected to be between 2,500-3,000 square feet. This project is contingent on the development of a public/private parking deck. When the townhomes are built, they will provide active use along the park edge and camouflage the deck.  

Project 3:
Boutique Hotel: This development at the corner of N. Avondale Road and Lake Street includes a 90-room, full-service, boutique hotel with ground-floor retail and a public roof-top restaurant and/or bar. The project is in the early concept phase as the potential developer completes due diligence to understand the design and financing alternatives for the project.   

Project 4:

Parking Deck: A 185-space public/private parking deck that will support the developments mentioned above, local businesses and visitors to the Town Green is proposed at the intersection of Lake and Franklin Streets in the rear of the proposed hotel property. Most of the parking spaces in this four-story deck will be reserved for public use to meet the demands of visitors to the park and the adjacent restaurants. A limited number of spaces will be dedicated to the live-work units and the hotel.

2. Why are these projects good for the City? As a resident, what’s in it for me?

These projects are consistent with the community-designed Downtown Master Plan that guides smart investments and development. 

The advantages of these developments to the city are multi-faceted. 

Thee projects are:   

• Place makers: high-quality projects built to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike that activate and energize the downtown. 
• Revenue generators: projects that will diversify the city’s tax base so that single-family residential properties will carry less of the city’s tax burden.    

The Town Green Market Development: 

• Sets the tone for architectural quality in the downtown.  
• Attracts the kinds of restaurants and retail that will activate the Town Green and the remainder of the downtown.

The Townhome Community: 

• Activates the park with people and businesses day and night. 
• Diversifies housing and office options available in the City. 
• Adds to the customer base to support desired retail.  

The Boutique Hotel: 

• Creates a built-in, captured customer base to support retail and drive spending in our business district. 
• Provides multiple sources of revenue through property and hotel taxes.

The Public/Private Parking Deck:

• Provides long-term parking solutions for the downtown. 
• Is pivotal to enabling these public-private partnerships to move forward. 

3. Is there a hotel group associated with the boutique hotel and what size will it be?

In July of 2023, the DDA entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with developer Apsilon Hotels for the hotel and parking garage project. This four-month, non-binding agreement outlines the basic understanding of the proposed development and documentation necessary for the DDA to sign a binding development contract. During the MOU period, the DDA is committed not to seek or work with other potential suitors while working through the design and development details needed for both parties to sign a development contract. Both the DDA and the development team are still in an early conceptual phase, and the MOU does not guarantee that the project will prove to be viable.

The development team is talking to multiple hotel groups which are confidential at this point. Each hotel group has a boutique brand within its portfolio. 

The development contracts would include approval of the specific brand, and although consistent with other boutique hotels, this one would be given an Avondale-specific name which has yet to be determined. The advantage of being associated with a particular brand is that it ties into a national reservation system making the development much more viable and secure.

4. Is this a done deal?

The development contract for Project 1, the Town Green commercial development, was signed in January of 2023 with the development team of Fabric Developers, LLC and Healey Weatherholtz Properties. Construction is on track to begin in the last quarter of 2023 or early 2024.

Concept plans for Project 2, the Town Homes, are developed. Since the construction of these units is dependent upon and would follow the construction of a parking deck, a development contract has not been written or signed. 

In July of 2023, the DDA entered a memorandum of understanding with developer Apsilon Hotels for Project 3, the hotel.

The city and the DDA are working with the development teams to determine the most cost-effective way to design, finance and stage the development of the parking deck.

These development proposals are still undergoing due diligence. We are unified in our excitement about these projects and remain cautiously optimistic.

5. Who is approving the design of these buildings?

Each of the proposed projects will be subject to Recommended Storefront Design Guidelines and Prohibited Use Restrictions set forth by the BOMC consistent with the Downtown Master Plan.

6. What are the financial implications?

These projects are subject to design and architectural guidelines and restrictions critical to creating a sense of place. Using quality materials and tailoring a design for a specific community rather than pulling a generic "Everywhere USA" plan off the shelf is expensive. Getting the type and quality of development the city desires has a cost – but it will pay huge dividends for generations.    

Fortunately, previous city and DDA leaders have provided the tools to invest in this placemaking initiative. The sale of a DDA-owned building often referred to as the Department of Juvenile Justice building created investable funds for the DDA. The Tax Allocation District (TAD) created years ago is anticipated to yield additional tax revenues from the downtown area to invest back into the city. Briefly speaking, in a TAD, county property taxes generated above a baseline level, which has now been exceeded, stay IN the city, and can be used on infrastructure investment back in the district.

7. How are you going to fund a parking deck that is reserved for the public?

The single most difficult financial hurdle is the parking deck. The cost of the parking deck is currently estimated to be between $5 and $6 million – a significant sum. No developer could or would absorb that cost, as the deck is mostly a public amenity. The city and the DDA are currently exploring different avenues to fund the parking deck using a variety of different tools.  

8. Are the live-work units going to require a public investment?

The developer will pay market value for the land to build the live-work units, and there are no public loans for this project. The parking for those units will be absorbed into the parking deck.  

9. Does the hotel need additional public investment?

The financing of the hotel is being studied now. It is unclear whether there will be any public investment needed to catalyze the capitalization of this project. A cost/benefit analysis of the hotel will factor in the timeline to recoup any investment and the anticipated increase in revenue long-term from real estate taxes, a hotel tax, and other fees. This analysis will be part of the decision on whether to move forward with the project or not.  

10. What is the proposed structure for these public-private partnerships?

STEP 1: An Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) adopted on May 11, 2022, between the BOMC and the DDA  provides the DDA control of all the parcels mentioned above allowing the DDA to use its status as a development authority to engage with the developers. This agreement will outline the requirements set forth by the BOMC/DDA for these properties. It will include covenants for design guidelines, desired and prohibited uses of the properties, stipulations for the flow of funds, and ultimate ownership of key components of the parcels.  

STEP 2: Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the DDA and the respective developers are not binding but enable the development teams to confidently move forward with the design and financing of their projects. The MOUs will again be subject to discussion and a vote in a public meeting.     

STEP 3: The DDA will contract with each of the development teams to execute these projects. These development contracts will form the basis of governance for the development projects' financing, design, construction, occupancy, and use.

11. What is the timeline and current status of the projects?

Here is the development timetable with steps taken by the BOMC and DDA: 

• May 2022: the BOMC and DDA entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement
• January 2023: DDA entered into a development agreement with Fabric Developers, LLC and Healey Weatherholtz Properties for the Project 1 commercial development. Construction is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2023 or early in 2024.
• July 2023: DDA entered into a memorandum of understanding with Apsilon Hotels for Project 3: the hotel. 
• The DDA will continue to discuss, develop and consider MOUs and contracts with the development teams in subsequent DDA meetings.

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1. Why is the city considering making changes to its sanitation program?

• The current sanitation fee does not cover the costs of the current sanitation program which is being subsidized out of the general fund.
• Staffing is not sufficient to cover current sanitation services and greenspace tasks.
• The fleet and equipment have aged out or are approaching the end of their useful life.
• The county is considering increasing tipping fees which the current sanitation fees will not cover.
• The current service contributes to low employee morale, difficulty with retention, and physical issues for staff. Sanitation staff has shared incidents that include:
  • attacks by unleashed pets,
  • exposure to vermin and roaches from unbagged waste,
  • chronic pain developed from lifting and walking, and
  • antagonistic and potentially demeaning interactions with residents.

2. Why does the city need to replace Public Works’ vehicles and equipment?

• Most of the vehicle fleet has aged past its useful lifespan of seven (7) years. To provide proper service and fulfill sanitation and green space activities, the city will need to have a best-practice vehicle replacement program.  
• To continue in-house sanitation services, two new garbage trucks are needed = $400k.
• A new dump truck is needed for general public works needs including sanitation = $100K.
• To maintain leaf collection,
  • two new leaf trucks are needed = $200k
  • two new leaf vacuums are needed = $220k

3. If DeKalb County DOES NOT approve an increase to the tipping fee, what will the city’s sanitation fee be per resident/household?

If DeKalb County DOES NOT increase the tipping fee on a county level, the city’s sanitation fee is listed below for each scenario:

• Scenario 1 – $714 per year ($59.50/month) + property tax increase of +.25 mil
• Scenario 2 – $680 per year ($56.70/month) + general fund increases to $143k or roughly .5 mill
• Scenario 3 – $425 per year ($35/month) + property tax increase of +.25 mil

4. If DeKalb County DOES increase the tipping fee, what will the city’s sanitation fee be per resident/household?

If DeKalb County increases the tipping fee on a county level, the city’s sanitation fee is listed below for each scenario:

• Scenario 1 – $829 per year + property tax increase of +.25 mil
• Scenario 2 – $795 per year + general funds increases to $143k or roughly .5 mill
• Scenario 3 – $425 per year ($35/month) + property tax increase of +.25 mil

5. Will property tax increases be required in the various scenarios?

In Scenario 1, the sanitation fee will be $714 per year with a property tax increase of .25 mill. With this option, seven vehicles/equipment will be replaced and four new non-managerial floating positions will be added. If the tipping fee increases at a county level, the sanitation fee will increase to $829 per year.

With Scenario 2, services switch to once-a-week curbside solid waste collection, seven vehicles/equipment will be replaced, and 96-gallon cans for residents will be provided. The sanitation fee will increase to $680 per year. General funds will increase by $143.4k or roughly .5 mills and the greenspace team will be fully staffed by floating workers and the addition of one full-time staff. If tipping fees increase, the sanitation fee will increase to $795 per year.

In Scenario 3, the solid waste collection will be outsourced. All sanitation staff will have the option to work for the sanitation contractor and no one will lose their job. The city will retain the yard waste and leaf collection program. Unneeded equipment and trucks will be sold and Greenspace Department will be fully scoped. The sanitation fee for this scenario will be $425 per year with a potential property tax increase of .25 mill.

6. What is the approximate potential property tax increase per millage rate?

The potential property tax increase per household is:

• +.25 mill = $11/$100k per year
• +.5 mill = $22/$100k per year

7. Does the city’s current sanitation fee cover staffing needs and generate enough capital for sanitation operation needs?

• No. Unfortunately, the city’s current sanitation fee is not sufficient to cover its staffing needs nor generate enough capital to replace its aging fleet.
• To cover all the current services provided by the sanitation and greenspace teams, four additional full-time staff would need to be added.

8. Will the city provide training for sanitation and greenspace employees if additional floating staff are hired? What will their tasks include?

• Yes. Sanitation and greenspace staff will be cross-trained for both functions.
• Tasks include sanitation, greenspace and events work.

9. Would residents need to buy new trash bins if the sanitation service moves to street pickup?

No. 96-gallon trash cans that are compatible with new garbage trucks would be provided by the city if the city keeps the sanitation service in-house and moves to curbside solid waste collection (Scenario 2). Trash bins will be issued by the contractor in Scenario 3.

10. When will the city know if the county tipping fees will change?

• DeKalb County has indicated that it plans to phase in changes to tipping fees over the coming years though no specific timetable has been provided to municipalities within the county.  
• The proposed tipping fee increase will result in an approximately $15 sanitation fee increase per residence or household per year.

11. If the city moves to outsourced sanitation services, will employees lose their jobs?

Current sanitation staff will have the option to work for the sanitation contractor and will not lose their jobs.

12. Why doesn’t the sanitation fee decrease more if the city moves to a once-a-week curbside service?

The aging fleet still needs to be replaced and some full-time staff need to be retained to meet the demands of yard waste, leaf collection and events.

13. Why do we need to add staff to the greenspace team?

The city’s greenspace has increased and so have the activities required to maintain it.

14. If the city outsources sanitation services, who will provide the services?

The city would release a request for proposal (RFP) or bid package to find the best service for the city.