Latest News

SNELLVILLE – In an effort to prevent exposing residents and employees to the Corona Virus, the city has canceled several activities.

Municipal Court will be closed Wednesday, March 18 and 25 and Trial Court will be canceled Thursday, March 19. Letters of notification for future court dates will be sent via mail.

All activities at the Snellville Senior Center have been suspended pending further notification.

City Parks and Recreation events are canceled, however, organizations that lease park facilities are left to decide if they want to cancel. Please check with your respective leagues and organizations for more information.

Please continue to check cdc.gov for information regarding the virus. For local information visit Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton Public Health Department for updates at gnrhealth.com/covid-19-info/.

SNELLVILLE – The Mayor and Council showed their support for a Georgia senate bill, but voiced opposition to another state measure last night.

The Mayor and Council support SB 309, a bill which would authorize the creation of two authorities to issue tax-exempt bonds for pooled financing of local governments to acquire goods, materials, real and personal property, structures and supplies eligible for revenue bond financing pursuant to an intergovernmental contract. The intent is to lower costs to taxpayers by providing a less expensive alternative to finance the same types of projects and equipment currently authorized for multiyear lease, purchase or lease purchase contracts.

Without the measure, smaller cities are at a funding disadvantage and projects like the 2005 construction of Snellville City Hall would have been hindered, city officials said.

The Mayor and Council said they will not support HB 302-SB 172, a bill which would prohibit local governments from regulating "Building design elements" in single- or double-family dwellings.

Building standards proposed to be preempted are as follows:

(A) Exterior building color;
(B) Type or style of exterior cladding material;
(C) Style or materials of roof structures or porches;
(D) Exterior nonstructural architectural ornamentation;
(E) Location or architectural styling of windows and doors, including garage doors;
(F) The number and types of rooms;
(G) The interior layout of rooms; and
(H) Types of foundation structures approved under state minimum standard codes.

The removal of building standards, city officials say, would allow sub-par materials to be used on future dwellings in the city, lessening quality of life for residents.

City officials urged residents to contact their state legislators to give their opinions on the measures.

Those representing Snellville are:

State Sen. Gloria Butler

D-55

Email: gloria.butler@senate.ga.gov

Phone: 404-656-0075

State Sen. P. K. Martin IV

R-9

Email: p.k.martin@senate.ga.gov

Phone: 404-463-6598

State Rep. Brett Harrell

R-106

Email: brett.harrell@house.ga.gov

Phone: 404-656-5103

SNELLVILLE — The city recently received a grant check in the amount of $7,760 to be used toward the purchase of equipment to reduce exposures related to liability and property damage from the Georgia Municipal Association.

The city received another grant check in the amount of $7,536 to be used to purchase equipment and/or training to reduce the likelihood of injury to city employees. To be eligible for the grants, the city had to meet specific requirements associated with safety and loss control efforts.

"The City of Snellville greatly appreciates this grant and the continued support from the Georgia Municipal Association," said Personnel Officer Gabriela Downs. "We hope to put the funds to good use in the ongoing effort to keep our workplace safe for our employees and our facilities safe for our community."

The grant has been used for the following:

• Replacement mulch for Oak Road Park and replacement mulch for the playground at T.W. Briscoe Park
• Two new AED defibrillator devices added to the city's Recycling Center and Public Works office. Now all city facilities are equipped with AEDs
• Flammable cabinets for city Public Works and Parks and Recreation staff to use
• And smaller items including a first aid kit for City Hall, anti-fatigue mat for the park, new wet floor signs and new PVC cones

The GMA Safety and Liability Management Grant program was introduced in 2000 to provide financial support to aid members in improving employee safety and liability loss control endeavors. The funds can be used for the purchase of training services or equipment that reduce the probability of claims. Since inception of the program, hundreds of cities have collectively received several million dollars to help fund the purchase of items such as bulletproof vests, training videos, confined space entry equipment, reflective safety vests, fire department turnout gear and camera systems for police departments.

The Safety and Liability Management Grant Program is made available to members of GMA's property and liability insurance program, the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency and GMA's workers' compensation insurance program, the GMA Workers' Compensation Self-Insurance Fund.

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, education, insurance and employee benefits, financing and consulting services to more than 500 member cities.

NOTICE OF BID (PW200212)
CONTRACT FOR REPAIR OF STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
Wednesday February 12th, 2020

The City of Snellville (City) is soliciting competitive sealed bids from qualified contractors to provide all
labor and materials required for the Repair of Storm Water Drainage Systems and related infrastructure,
including pipe of various sizes and materials, catch basins, headwalls, curb and road restoration, erosion
controls, seeding/sodding, rip rap, etc, with related tie-ins and appurtenances at five (5) locations within
the city limits of Snellville, Georgia 30078.

For more information please visit our bid page.

"Recently, three Snellville businesses were targeted with anonymous letters containing racial slurs. Sentiments like those expressed in these letters have no place in our community. The City of Snellville strongly condemns these actions. The City and the Snellville Police Department take these actions seriously. Snellville is, and will continue to be, a welcoming place for all those who live and do business here. We stand in support and appreciation of all of our business owners and all those who work to make Snellville a better community."

The art of award-winning artist and Atlanta native Derrick Spivey is now on display in one of the display cases at City Hall.

Spivey has been creating functional art in a fanciful environment for over 12 years. What began as a challenge, metal sculpturing quickly turned into a career that's both enjoyed by Spivey himself, spectators, critics, and of course customers.

Featured in local and regional art shows, galleries, and festivals as well as an international customer base, Spivey's invigorating pieces have won over many crowds as well as accolades. His work has appeared on VH1, celebrity homes, restaurants, hotels and museums as well as a feature in "Hip Hop Weekly."

In 2010, Spivey became the Head Creative Designer of SC 1775 located in Decatur, where he later became owner. SC 1775 served as both an art gallery and event venue that continuously impressed over 300,000 of the people that unexpectedly walked through a seemingly futuristic artful ballroom full of life size sculptures.

After five years of successfully running the event venue in January 2015 Spivey decided to turn his focus completely to Creating More Art and Fabrication for personal use and businesses. Spivey is enthused to grow Spivey's Creations to being notarized both nationally and internationally recognized as the number one fabrication firm specializing in metal and design for both homes and public use, video and movie set design.

The art will be on display for three months and can be viewed when City Hall is open, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SNELLVILLE - The city's largest festival, Snellville Days, is looking for food vendors for the May 2 and 3 event at T.W. Briscoe Park.

One of the draws to the festival is the wonderful food served by vendors. This year, event organizers want to show off the best eateries in the city at the event.

If you are interested in participating, click here to download a vendor information sheet you can fax or email back to JRM Management (fax number and email on sheet).

Please note, sending in the form does not mean vendors are accepted into the festival. The form is just the first step in the process. If vendors are accepted they will receive follow-up communication.

SNELLVILLE — A former Snellville police officer and an art instructor are currently showing their art in Snellville City Hall.

Watercolor artist and instructor John R. Duke and former Snellville police officer Linda Nixon will have a reception to show their art from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 23 at Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road. The Snellville City Hall Art Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall.

By the time she was 12, Nixon said she was painting with oils on canvas and during her senior year of high school, she enrolled in commercial art and advertising at a local technical college. She said she knew she "wanted a future in art, but also knew I had to pay the bills."

After graduation, she took a job in the art department of a printing company and later worked for several advertising agencies.

In 1993, she started her 23-year law enforcement career.

"Throughout my working years I had to put most of my artwork on hold," said Nixon. "During this time I took a lot of photos of everything I wanted to draw or paint one day. After a few lessons I was painting with ink-based watercolors and I'm still exploring their brilliant color and contrast. You will see in my paintings that I have a love for nature and southern relics."

Nixon is a Member of the Southern Heartland Art Guild and a Master Gardener extension volunteer at the University of Georgia.

In 2005, after being on dialysis and having a kidney transplant, Duke, a 1981 graduate of the Atlanta College of Art, said he now has a new perspective on life and his art.

"I hope it shows in the way I paint and teach others to see the world's natural beauty portraying it through bright transparent flowing colors," he said.

Through the years of creating artwork in many different mediums, he now works primarily in watercolors, but he also does commission works in oil, acrylic and graphite. With watercolors he likes to start with light pale colors, building up layers to achieve more depth, brightness giving the artwork a realistic look, but yet in a painterly fashion, he said.

Duke teaches watercolor on Tuesday through Thursday at Cobble Creek Studios Art Academy in Snellville, founded by Deborah Kepes, and on Saturday mornings at Expressions Fine Art Gallery & Studios in Lawrenceville.

Duke has won numerous awards in art shows and festivals and is a member of the Southern Heartland Art Guild, the North Georgia Arts Guild and the North Gwinnett Arts Association.

SNELLVILLE — Snellville Mayor Barbara Bender is excited to announce that the City Council voted last night to approve The Grove at Towne Center. This highly anticipated town center development has been a part of the city's vision for more than 10 years. Together, with partners CASTO and MidCity, The Grove at Towne Center is now one step closer to commencing construction this summer and opening late 2021/early 2022.

"We look forward to the new community gathering space, beautiful new Gwinnett County Library and educational/business space and The Mercantile," said Snellville Mayor, Barbara Bender. "This new town center will create a sense of place we have been missing."

With this rezoning, the 18-acre project site takes the next step toward breaking ground this summer. The rezoning process includes the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review by ARC and GRTA. Completion of this process has paved the way to break ground on a project that CASTO and MidCity have been working with the City to make a reality.

"All the pieces are coming together on a tremendous public-private development to create a well-deserved town center for Snellville," said Kirk Demetrops, President of MidCity.

In addition to shopping, dining, recreation, and business space, The Grove will also offer residential opportunities, a new Gwinnett County Library, a specialty Market/Event Building and significant common areas . The apartments in The Grove will feature an upscale living experience that will appeal to a wide range of ages and life stages that wish to enjoy the convenience and luxury of an urban lifestyle. Offering walking access to retail, dining, the greenway system, and more, these apartments combine the best of modern convenience with a quiet, peaceful setting.

To learn more about The Grove at Towne Center and to stay up-to-date on the project's progress, visit https://www.snellville.org/the-grove-at-towne-center.

ABOUT CASTO

CASTO, a fully integrated real estate organization since 1926, is a recognized leader in the ownership, management, acquisition and development of multifamily residences, mix-use properties, commercial shopping centers and office buildings. CASTO's growing portfolio currently includes more than 26 million square feet of commercial property and more than 5,000 residential units located throughout the midwestern and southeastern United States. CASTO is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and serves a variety of clients from five offices in Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. To learn more about CASTO, visit www.castoinfo.com.

ABOUT MidCity Real Estate Partners

Founded in 2009, Atlanta based, MidCity Real Estate Partners acquires, repositions, and develops office, and mixed-use properties. MidCity is known in the Atlanta market for their work on Alpharetta City Center, which was named a 2018 Development of Excellence for Exceptional Merit for Context-Sensitive Town Center Development, by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Through MidCity Realty Corporation, an affiliate real estate brokerage company, MidCity offers a full range of advisory services. MidCity is the successor company to The Griffin Company, a 35-year-old full service commercial real estate development and construction company headquartered in Atlanta, GA. To learn more about MidCity, visit www.midcitypartners.com.

SNELLVILLE – The city is cracking down on business owners who "boot" vehicles without properly warning those who park in their parking spaces.

Following months of complaints from residents who say a Scenic Highway business is unfairly booting vehicles, Mayor and Council approved an ordinance amendment Monday requiring clear signage on any property – every entry and exit point - that employs the practice of booting vehicles.

The measure also requires employees of any booting company to wear a uniform that prominently displays the name of the booting company and to provide for a personal warning to be given to an individual before a vehicle can be booted.

Before a company boots a vehicle, the driver of the vehicle must have received a meaningful "in-person" warning from the employee. The notice may be either oral or written, but may not be made by, "yelling across the parking lot or placing a written notice on a vehicle," according to city documents. The warning should also be made in a cordial, non-confrontational manner.

Violators can be fined up to $1,000.