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UNCLAIMED PROPERTY SALE

CITY OF SNELLVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, GEORGIA

The City of Snellville Police Department will conduct a public internet auction of unclaimed property per O.C.G.A. 17-5-54. These items will be available for auction on August 10, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. The auction's internet site is www.ebay.com/cityofsnellvillepd. The items will be available for bid in lots until disposed of.

The following is a list of items for auction to include: item number, item description and serial number if available:

1. SMALL BOLT CUTTERS
2. WORKFORCE HAMMER
3. TASCO BINOCULARS IN CASE
4. NINTENDO WII MOD RVL-101 #KU61137615
5. BOSTWICK AMP DA-1200HC #2010946
6. AUTOTEK AMP AT1000 #3GYS0889G09AA
7. SSL SOUNDSTORE AMP #2F2000
8. PIONEER AMP GM0X252 #ADPJ008700UC
9. GARMIN GPS NUVI1390T #IT1198957
10. 2-SCOSCHE 6X9 CAR SPEAKERS
11. SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 2 #R32C5019G9K
12. HP PAVILION COMPUTER #3CR327012B
13. HP DESKTOP PRINTER 1010 #CN45G190B1
14. BLACK PURSE
15. FISKARS BOW SAW
16. RIDGID TOOL BOX MISC TOOLS/BATTERIES
17. MEADE SPOTTING SCOPE #613718212
18. APPLE IPAD MINI 3 A1559 3F5JPQ02EG5V1
19. 11 SWEDISH SILVER COINS
20. LENOVO TABLET TB-X1403F #HA0W1WNL
21. GOLD COLOR MENS RING
22. 2 PILLOWS/BABY WIPES NEW IN PACKAGING
23. 3 MENS RINGS/2 CHAINS/1 WATCH
24. 2-BUFFALO GOLD COLOR COINS
25. AMERICAN EAGLE SILVER DOLLAR
26. 1998 NFC CHAMPIONS ATL FALCONS COIN
27. APPLE IPAD TABLET #DMPSP02FGXQ4
28. LADIES GOLD COLOR RING WITH CLEAR STONES
29. 4 XL POLO SHIRTS/ POLO CAP/POLO TANK TOPS
30. 2 WALLETS/LRG BATH TOWEL
31. BLACK BAG WITH 2 BOWLING BALLS
32. APPLE IPOD 8 PLAYER #6U736JBOYXR
33. MOMENTUM VIDEO CAMERAS #SY1605009996
34. RAWLINGS JACK DANIELS WOOD BALLBAT
35. IZON STEM CAMERA #AA024037
36. ROKU 2 W/REMOTE #13C27G018494
37. SONY BLUERAY PLAYER #1509036
38. 2 ZOO YORK BRAND WATCHES
39. NETGEAR WIRLESS ADADPTER #4660DEDE498E
40. POWERMASTER BB RIFLE
41. LIGHT/INLINE FILETER/6" FAN BLOWER
42. 6" HIGH VELOCITY INLINE FAN
43. RED RYDER BB GUN
44. GAMMO PT80 CO2 PISTOL
45. TABEO KIDS TABLET AC80CP2
46. DELL MINI 3FYDPH-Y4R28-X4X7W
47. WD PORTABLE HARD DRIVE #WXU1E83JCZH8
48. CANON EOS REBEL CAMERA #1260443924
49. QUANTARAY CASE W/70-300MM LENS
50. TOSHIBA LAP TOP COMPUTER #67155911K
51. LENOVO MOUSE
52. HOMELITE CHAINSAW #UT43103A ELECTRIC
53. DRILLMASTER CIRCULAR SAW #371591303
54. RYOBI CORDLESS DRILL AND CASE
55. CRAFTSMAN 22" HEDGE TRIMMER #31581591
56. CRAFTSMAN COMPRESSOR #0111254
57. CRAFTSMAN COMPRESSOR #0073416
58. CENTRAL PNEUMATIC COMPRESSOR #371761431
59. AXE WITH PINK HANDLE
60. TIN SNIPS/PRY BAR/SLEDGE HAMMER
61. SCREWDRIVERS/BOLT CUTTERS
62. THE NORTH FACE LADIES JACKET
63. NIKE BRAND FANNY PACK
64. KLEIN TOOLS CABLE CUTTER
65. CRAFT AND SEWING SUPPLIES
66. BLACK ZARA BRAND BAG
67. MENS BULOVA WATCH/DAY DATE
68. INLINE FAN 6" HIGH VELOCITY
69. LARGE LIGHT AND LAMP 1500 WATT
70. GROW LIGHT EURO
71. LARGE AIR FILTER
72. DIGITAL BALLAST
73. PUMP GNL HYDRO
74. LRG LIGHT BALLAST

Lt. J. McKinney
City of Snellville Police Department
Criminal Investigations Division
2315 Wisteria Drive
Snellville, Georgia 30078

Email: jmckinney@snellville.org

CITY OF SNELLVILLE, GEORGIA
Roy Whitehead
Chief of Police, Snellville Police Department

SNELLVILLE — Mayor and Council approved a millage rate of 4.588 mills Monday, a rate which has been the same for six years in a row.

The millage rate vote took place following three public hearings, including two at City Hall Monday.

Helping maintain the millage rate was new tax digest growth of $37,407,834 – just five years ago, it was only $8.86 million.

"City officials continue to look for ways to better manage the growth of the city and the rising cost of services to keep a stable millage rate," said City Manager Butch Sanders.

"It is a goal of Mayor and Council to keep taxes low and still provide a great quality of life for our residents," added Mayor Barbara Bender.

The homeowner with a home valued at $200,000 will pay $367.04 in city taxes.

In June, Mayor and Council approved a balanced budget of $13,063,295.

SNELLVILLE – Snellville Tourism and Trade has suspended all events through October with the exception of the Farmers' Market and Food Truck Friday events due to the spike in COVID-19.

"Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases and rise in hospitalizations, we feel it is important to keep the health and safety of our citizens and visitors first and foremost," STAT Executive Director Kelly McAloon said. "We feel that we cannot properly social distance at our concerts and larger events and are taking the advice of Gwinnett Newton Rockdale Health Department doctors who suggest not to have large gatherings of people, which can spread the virus, even outdoors."

The following events will be canceled until 2021:

Snellville Concert Series (Aug. 22, Sept. 26 and Oct. 10)

Star Spangled Labor Day (Sept. 5)

Taste of Snellville (Sept. 12)

Fall Festival (Oct. 24)

"Please do your part, wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands," McAloon said.

If you have any questions contact McAloon at info@snellvilletourism.com.

SNELLVILLE — Three key measures affecting the future of The Grove at Towne Center were approved by Mayor and Council Monday.

The first established the boundaries of the Snellville Towne Center Entertainment District where alcohol can be consumed outdoors. The District includes all areas in The Grove except the areas surrounding City Hall, the Snellville Police Department and the Snellville Senior Center. Once The Grove is completed and restaurants begin serving alcohol, visitors will be able to drink outside if the beverage is bought from an establishment in The Grove. The beverage must be in a paper or plastic cup no larger than 16 ounces and only one drink at a time per person may be carried out of an establishment. Alcoholic beverages must be served in the designated Snellville Towne Center Entertainment District and cannot be carried outside of the designated area or into any vehicle.

Alcohol may not be carried onto any street except during the temporary period of crossing a street inside designated crosswalks, or if the Snellville Police Department closes a street to vehicular traffic specifically for the purpose of accommodating an outdoor event. Alcoholic beverages served in the designated Snellville Towne Center Entertainment District may be carried on the sidewalk.

Mayor and Council also approved the payment of $15,000 to Winter Construction to develop a construction plan, select a contractor and provide quality control practices on the 750-space parking deck planned for The Grove. The deck, which will also have spaces for hybrid and electric vehicles has an estimated cost of $11.6 million, 3.5 percent of that cost will also go to Winter Construction.

Demolition of the current U.S. Post Office is slated for November which will make way for the parking deck. Construction on the 250-unit housing development will begin in spring. The U.S. Post Office will move to the former SunTrust Bank on Wisteria Drive which is currently being renovated.

"The city's leadership is working hard together to make sure the Towne Center is being built with quality and expediency," said Economic Development Director Eric Van Otteren.

Mayor and Council also approved a $1.1 million contract to the Dickerson Group for Phase 1 of the Greenway Trail which will creates a walking and bicycle path around The Grove at Towne Center. City Manager Butch Sanders said about $400,000 of that money will go toward stormwater improvements in the Towne Center. Mayor Barbara Bender called it "major milestone for the city."

SNELLVILLE — The city is seeking resident input on the proposed Unified Development Ordinance before it is adopted later this year.

A website where residents can review the proposed code is now operational and can be found here: www.snellvilledevelopmentcode.org/diary-updates/a-renovated-development-code.

The UDO is a consolidation of most City of Snellville ordinances and regulations related to the development and use of property into one user-friendly document. Rather than have separate ordinances affecting such things as land use, subdivision, flood and environmental protection, building standards; all of these have been consolidated into one document.

"We encourage all residents to visit the website, review the proposed codes and let us know what they think," said Planning and Zoning Director Jason Thompson said. "This document will help us guide development in the city for decades to come so it is imperative to have the input of residents."

City officials said the current rules that guide development in Snellville are confusing, unclear and sometimes conflicting. The UDO revision makes them very user-unfriendly for both the public and city officials. Additionally, many of the rules successfully supported the development of undeveloped land for decades but are now poorly suited to encouraging much-needed redevelopment.

City staff and their UDO consultants will consider all comments in preparing the official draft UDO that will be introduced for adoption later this year. During the adoption process, the public can continue to submit comments for consideration, however, once the UDO is adopted by the Mayor and City Council it can only be changed by that body.

The city Planning Commission is scheduled to have a public hearing on the UDO Sept. 22 and the Mayor and Council will have a public hearing Oct. 26. Adoption will take place after the public hearings are completed.

SNELLVILLE — A U.S. Navy veteran has been tapped to head up the Snellville Youth Commission.

Chanel Stephens, of Snellville, will serve as coordinator for the Commission which is charged with teaching students about civic engagement. She replaces former SYC Coordinator Chris O'Donoghue.

"I am interested in this position assisting high school students because I can remember being in high school and needing guidance," Stephens said. "I remember everyone I was able to turn to in search of answers and I would like to be able to be that guidance for current students and return that favor. I understand the need for students in that age range to feel connected to those working with them in order to effectively reach them and encourage engagement."

Created in 2016, SYC is the brainchild of South Gwinnett High School teacher and Councilwoman Cristy Lenski. SYC welcomes rising sophomores, juniors and seniors to apply to gain unique experiences that will expand their insight into the growing multigenerational and multicultural aspects of Snellville, city leadership and south Gwinnett County as a whole. The selected ambassadors from South Gwinnett, Shiloh and Brookwood High schools will increase their civic knowledge and develop their understanding by engaging in numerous civic activities.

"Chanel is an impressive, charismatic leader and role model," Lenski said. "As a Navy veteran, she possesses the discipline, maturity and resourcefulness needed to take the Snellville Youth Commission to the next level."

For more information on SYC visit www.snellville.org/snellville-youth-commission.

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The City of Snellville has tentatively adopted a 2020 millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes of 2.41 percent.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, GA 30078 on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.

Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at Snellville City Hall on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. and Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 4.588 mills, an increase of 0.108 mills over the rollback rate, but no actual millage rate increase from last year. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate would be no more than the rollback rate 4.480 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with fair market value of $200,000 is approximately $8.64 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property (commercial) with a fair market value of $550,000 is approximately $23.76.

The City of Snellville announces its intention to increase the 2020 property taxes it will levy this year by 2.41 percentage over the rollback millage rate.
Each year, the Gwinnett County Tax Assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the county. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county indicate there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the Gwinnett County Tax Assessors is required by law to re–determine the value of such property and adjust the assessment. This is called a reassessment.
When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia law requires that a rollback millage rate must be computed that will produce the same total revenue on the current year's digest that last year's millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred.
The budget adopted by the City of Snellville requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage rate, therefore, before the City of Snellville sets a final millage rate, Georgia law requires three public hearings to be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on the increase.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia on July 27, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. and on August 3, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. and at 6:30 PM.

T.W. Briscoe Park will be the site of a major lacrosse tournament – the largest event since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down normal operations in early spring.

The Georgia Southern Shootout Lacrosse Tournament is expected to draw 1,000 players and family members.

"We are very happy that Briscoe Park will be the host site for the Georgia Shootout Lacrosse Tournament put on by Monkey Up LLC this coming weekend," said Parks and Recreation Director Lisa A. Platt, CPRP. "The Snellville Parks and Recreation Department is here to serve our citizens and visitors and with the COVID-19 pandemic, that has been very hard to do with the standard programming we have done in the past. All of us, no matter the age are struggling to remain both physically active and mentally positive with all that is happening in the world today. Sports has always been a great way for the youth to grow and learn about themselves and those around them."

The event will bring visitors to the city, many of whom are staying at Hampton Inn and Suites off of Highway 124.

The two-day tournament will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the park, 2500 Sawyer Parkway.

Safety will be a priority at the event, Platt said.

"Whether it is a Snellville Parks & Recreation program or in this case, another group using our facilities, we are implementing strict regulations to adhere to current Centers for Disease Control, state and federal guidelines relating to pandemic precautions."

An example of the precautions? To name a few - Teams will not be allowed to bring tents to gather between games; one team cannot get onto field until previous team leaves area; and games have been scheduled to allow no overlap with more time between.

"We want people to use our great facilities, and in my opinion organized youth sports are a great equalizer and teacher for our youth to learn how to interact with others, to see and feel diversity, to learn to loose gracefully and the adrenalin rush or reward of being a part of the winning team," Platt said. "We will continue to serve our community as best we can while trying to ensure all are as safe as possible during these unprecedented times. This tournament is just one example of how we can serve our community and with over 50 teams involved it is obvious there is both a need and a desire for organized sports and programs. We welcome all of the players, families and spectators to our great park this weekend and hope they will return again after the tournament to enjoy the facilities."

Snellville started strong in the fight against COVID-19, but as cases continue to rise, your part in slowing the spread of the virus is still needed.

On June 24, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp urged residents to "remain vigilant" in the fight against COVID-19 following a recent spike in confirmed positive cases and said that while Georgia continues to "make solid progress" in stopping the spread of the virus, the battle is far from over.

"While I'm proud of our swift response and measured steps forward, we cannot grow complacent. This virus is deadly and remains a threat to our great state," Kemp said.

Snellville residents must answer his call.

Gwinnett County is now No. 1 in the state for infections.

Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed there were close to 8,000 new cases reported over a seven day stretch from June 15-22. The state broke a record on June 20 with 1,800 new confirmed cases, the largest number of positive cases reported in a single day.

Why? The Georgia Department of Public Health said widespread testing across the state leads to more cases, but so does people getting lax regarding wearing a mask and social distancing. To help stop the spread, county health officials are urging people to wear masks indoors in places like stores and to stay six feet apart whenever possible.

In his message, Kemp urged each Georgian to wear a mask and continue to practice social distancing guidelines provided by public health officials.

"Let's stay vigilant in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19. Wear a mask, practice social distancing, and continue to follow guidance from public health officials. If you have a chronic medical condition, don't skip your doctor's visit," Kemp said. "Reschedule any procedures you put on hold, get a test if you want one. If the Department of Public Health reaches out, we hope you will answer the call. Contact tracing is key as we work to defeat this virus."

We can help stop the spread if we work together.

Thank you.

- City of Snellville