[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6059786,"mediaKeyId","3293686-04e80e6b61ceeb7f44083d0bc72ed944","parentId",3293686,"title","Emergency storm-line replacement sought at Norman Berry Drive after pipe failures threaten roadway and Fire Station access","audioSeconds",270,"startMs",7896000,"endMs",8166000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293686-04e80e6b61ceeb7f44083d0bc72ed944&start=7896&end=8166","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293686-04e80e6b61ceeb7f44083d0bc72ed944/thumbnail_7896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6059786/East-Point/Fulton-County/Georgia/Emergency-storm-line-replacement-sought-at-Norman-Berry-Drive-after-pipe-failures-threaten-roadway-and-Fire-Station-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059786-5c2fd968402c9d0415bb6b0c11b3be86/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984736&Signature=c2ncxa4vDU01WkDeXeULdiC0nGKdY~mjSdTrUy3GVKin3hAhU6HHAKJtmioXT2ovARMEYMw-RIvbJhQlZcyu7dlQcibqYTnPk9ckRmKTzzmtWuRVHuFg0~VsB6-c-21gEoM1ny9TQaWRw1vSQrChx7CmXaCQ6FGUJO3WX4Sic4zWGjSzeIp2CziS28LUo8bXp7Ya3yOO56KwG-gC~8XJVUXiVVGPRrUF97hrt7ZjqV-GxgKYcKL3FYEZzjeqi5alFN8b~5xZ4Rof4yjJyTsjmxrSSFpriwEl~UbjyKDugwB1fRcvytRC-8I3ooqOzB~j0q~HLJ4NPfgUQHL7kFUKoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-14T08:43:48.977Z","article","City water-resources staff told the East Point City Council on May 12 that a series of failing corrugated metal storm pipes near Norman Berry Drive require immediate emergency replacement to avoid roadway collapse and to preserve access to Fire Station 2.

Why it matters: The failure site lies adjacent to a primary emergency-access route; staff described the situation as urgent and said the roadway and an adjacent monument sign are surrounded by an orange safety fence. If the trenching and erosion advance, Jones said, the road itself could fail and the city’s emergency response access would be jeopardized.

The problem and estimate: Water Resources staff described three pipe runs where a 48-inch, a 60-inch and a 72-inch corrugated metal pipe and a concrete junction box have deteriorated. Melissa Ettrevio of Water Resources said the site is “dire,” with sinkhole formation and near-term risk to the roadway edge. The department requested approval to proceed with a qualified on-call contractor; staff presented a competitive on-call estimate of approximately $865,000 for replacement, lower than an earlier engineering-level congressional request figure of about $1.1 million. Staff said emergency procurement procedures apply because of immediate risk to life, health and safety.

Funding and grants: Ettrevio said the project had been submitted for earlier congressionally directed spending awards but was not funded in the current federal cycle; staff said the project could be resubmitted for potential reimbursement if the federal program or other grant monies become available, but the city cannot wait for an uncertain award before repairing the failing pipes.

Schedule and logistics: Staff said the contractor expects the replacement—performed in staged segments so the roadway remains open—to take roughly three to four weeks to complete once mobilized. The work will include replacing the corrugated pipes, rebuilding the junction box, riprap or other erosion protection, and removing and replacing trees and plantings where necessary.

Quotes: “This is dire for 1 because if Fire Station 2 cannot access South Martin or Maria Kidd Terrace, this impacts the ability for emergency services,” Water Resources staff said, summarizing the operational urgency.

Next steps: Staff asked the council to approve emergency replacement under the city’s procurement rules and to authorize contracting with the on-call vendor so work can begin within days. Staff further committed to seek any available grant reimbursement or post-event federal aid if eligible.

Ending: Council members acknowledged the urgency and raised standard procurement and funding questions. The city manager and water-resources director said they would proceed under emergency-authority procedures pending formal council authorization and with follow-up reporting on schedule and costs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 12, 2025 Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Water resources staff requested an emergency contract of about $865,000 to replace multiple failing corrugated metal storm pipes near Norman Berry Drive and South Martin Street, warning that continued erosion threatens road failure and access to Fire Station 2.","taxTitle","East Point, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",50891,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6059791,"East Point council hears that solid-waste service is running a multi-year deficit; staff, residents push for solutions",4741,2379000,7120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293686-04e80e6b61ceeb7f44083d0bc72ed944&start=2379&end=7120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293686-04e80e6b61ceeb7f44083d0bc72ed944/thumbnail_2379000.jpg","/articles/6059791/East-Point/Fulton-County/Georgia/East-Point-council-hears-that-solid-waste-service-is-running-a-multi-year-deficit-staff-residents-push-for-solutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059791-1509ff32991025968c19b67247730774/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984736&Signature=EHP7YNHQfHMgP08mBVe2iOS3DI-Gdkj8huKXbfDQqWnAEeF15pSkOMsEm41cvGFZum-8X3iKm-TSREvG0H-L9kEutWxh1P-yeFgVfK6Xmq2U0CgLZH5YhUi9lSpEvyxSA19AZojMKwPe5Ag7B1DpUfMZ4s0AkVVQbjr6FKdKA8-PT6jlsZlEgSubdzKjEc60OUYHBo0i8j0R1FKFrMgUgmTxkgnuct-tOuedeDFtPLlIAV9wAtm7OQnv9ilJDwvdmIJIDu5nru-KnJ2NCXvccErhuRhX2PBAAm~JTPlINQnayEu7rhHev0v5zaV614KSh9l5SrwqxU5hoRwceGBilg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","East Point’s solid-waste fund is operating in the red and will need policy choices from the city council, Solid Waste Director Mr. Moore told the council during the May 12 work session.

Why it matters: The city has historically held residential garbage rates steady while absorbing increasing hard costs (disposal fees, equipment replacement, labor). Staff said that approach has produced an ongoing deficit in the solid-waste enterprise fund; council members and staff discussed rate adjustments, commercial-hauler consolidation, targeted collections for illegal dumping and internal chargebacks as possible remedies.

What staff said: Director Moore described frequent, costly responses to illegal dumping and special pickups. He told the council that one bulk pickup could cost the city hundreds of dollars to collect and dispose, and cited examples including $7,000 and $15,000 single cleanups at sites with tires, chemicals and other material. Moore said illegal dumping can impose spillover costs on stormwater systems and require specialized disposal fees that the solid-waste fund must absorb.

Moore also explained that the city’s residential collection rate has not been changed in roughly 17 years while disposal and operational costs have increased. He described recycling as a separate pressure point—staff are projecting about a $400,000 annual gap in the recycling program—and said the department currently subsidizes services requested or used by other city departments.

Council concerns and staff options: Council members asked why the city did not simply budget to cover predictable costs such as bulk-amnesty pickups and illegal-dump removal. City Manager Jones and staff explained the budget choices are partly political: past councils have prioritized keeping the residential rate low and using general-fund transfers or fund balance to cover shortfalls. Jones advised three programmatic approaches for council consideration: (1) consolidate the city’s commercial haulers under a single franchise contract to improve revenue capture and eliminate “pirate” haulers; (2) increase residential fees to better reflect costs; and (3) explicitly budget a general-fund transfer to the solid-waste enterprise to cover programs the council wants to continue (bulk amnesty, free pickups for seniors at risk, department disposals).

Commercial-hauler franchise discussion: Council members and staff described a longtime effort to consolidate commercial hauling and require franchise fees. Staff said the city currently has multiple commercial haulers (four franchise haulers plus other operators) and a 20% commercial franchise fee; previous attempts to consolidate to a single hauler were delayed by legal challenges. Several council members indicated support for pursuing exclusive commercial franchising and stricter enforcement of existing franchise rules to widen the revenue base.

Illegal dumping enforcement and revenue: Police and public-works staff told council that cameras and enforcement have reduced the volume of illegal dumping from historic highs but that prosecution and fines rarely cover cleanup costs; council asked for a tally of citation actions, fines and recoveries so it can assess potential enforcement policy changes (for example, higher fines tied to cleanup costs).

Quotes: “To service that 1 home there, it cost us about $500 to collect and dispose of that stuff,” Director Moore said, describing a bulk pickup, and later, “There’s a lot of revenue that’s not being identified.” City Manager Wayne Jones said the city has historically chosen to subsidize rates to protect residents, “and that decision has been made.”

Next steps: Council asked staff to return for the final budget decision with a multi-year accounting of solid-waste costs (illegal dumping, bulk amnesty, departmental disposals), estimates of revenue from franchise consolidation, and options that show the fiscal impact of keeping rates level versus raising them. Council members also asked the police department for a summary of enforcement activity and collections against illegal dumping so council can evaluate enforcement-and-collection effectiveness.

Ending: The solid-waste deficit was one of the most pointed operational items discussed during the budget presentation. Council members signaled willingness to consider policy changes—consolidating commercial hauling, charging internal departments for disposal and a targeted general-fund transfer—but asked for concrete dollar estimates before authorizing any changes.","Public-works staff and the solid-waste director told the council that the department’s long-standing practice of holding residential collection rates flat has produced an ongoing deficit driven by disposal (tipping) fees, illegal-dumping cleanups and aging equipment; council discussed franchise consolidation, user-fees and general-fund subsidies.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6059796,"East Point presents balanced FY26 budget without tax increases; adopts infrastructure and public-safety investments",4863,425000,5288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293686-04e80e6b61ceeb7f44083d0bc72ed944&start=425&end=5288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293686-04e80e6b61ceeb7f44083d0bc72ed944/thumbnail_425000.jpg","/articles/6059796/East-Point/Fulton-County/Georgia/East-Point-presents-balanced-FY26-budget-without-tax-increases-adopts-infrastructure-and-public-safety-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059796-3edad662e6c1fc978844cd3df30ba518/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984736&Signature=OteGWjOnqrWkwxykfh0kqBMP9RfsfCvXfzn-2Rnxvyr4tCdg61Ji30~6Nr-72Gjgfn3chF~uyf5CdNnPc-RZEPMk2LX4nmKnTe88vdoFm-7yHB90Xqdiyfxw0Vfy609LSuofqMmoQu0Xhk5VWVVM15G2RUvSSF6V5A-l08p65mKbCscf1NORRYe6aN1K605Crv8hT8BAMXGFxH-eu~BRImSNtow50NtcaGmj7fVEyQG-eMvPXcB3i7ZOQm0dgMTw0dU-4XekhIOtplo21unRctyYqLflwygNAhX7nnz9E5oydGfbOQpYKc22W6FJSNeUBy6oY68iB47CDjFuwYMcOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Wayne Jones presented a balanced fiscal 2026 budget to the East Point City Council on May 12, laying out more than $247 million in all-funds spending and a $70 million general fund without a proposed tax or millage increase.

The recommended budget keeps the general fund structurally balanced, Jones said, and “does not go into our reserves to balance.” It funds public-safety equipment including police vehicles and fire apparatus, proposes a multi-year public-safety drone program, and increases planned spending for parks, water and electric infrastructure.

Why it matters: The draft budget directs investments in services and capital projects that city leaders have prioritized—public safety, infrastructure maintenance, neighborhood revitalization and employee compensation—while emphasizing a commitment not to raise property taxes. At the same time several enterprise funds, notably water/sewer and solid waste, are running structural deficits that council members said will require policy decisions or subsidies.

Most important facts: Jones and interim finance staff presented a budget that totals about $247,000,000 across all funds, with the general fund at approximately $70,000,000. Major capital figures included about $15.5 million for sidewalks and street improvements, $14.9 million for water and sewer, $10.4 million for electric infrastructure, and a parks-and-recreation program that staff now estimates at roughly $33 million for a proposed multiplex and related projects. Public-safety investments include 13 police vehicles (finance over five years: $1.5 million), fire apparatus financed via a lease-purchase ($820,000 shown this year) and a proposed five-year, $250,000 drone program beginning in FY26.

Staff said the budget was developed from more than 20 department meetings, nine mayor-and-council meetings and multiple community sessions. Interim Finance Director Mr. Golden and Interim Budget Manager Ms. Cartwright joined Jones in presenting the numbers and the city’s policy on reserves. Jones said the general-fund reserve policy requires a minimum equal to three months of expenditures or $12 million, and noted the city’s other enterprise funds carry their own reserve minimums.

Council members and staff pressed staff for more detail on several risk areas. City Manager Jones and finance staff walked councillors through multi-year reserve projections that show the general fund appearing healthy at present but water/sewer reserves declining because of recent emergency repairs. Jones warned the council that emergency repairs have driven much of the water/sewer deficit and said the city may need to use general-fund support for enterprise stabilization if the trend continues.

Solid waste, recycling and illegal dumping are persistent challenges. Staff said the recycling program is running a roughly $400,000 annual deficit and the solid-waste enterprise has long subsidized fees to keep resident collections low; Director Moore told council the department regularly absorbs hard disposal costs (tipping fees, special bulk pickups, cleanup of illegal dumps) that are not offset by current customer charges. Jones said options include consolidating commercial haulers under a franchise, charging departments for disposal they generate, or raising rates.

Multiple council members asked for follow-up materials and implementation steps: an implementation timetable for the proposed parks multiplex and the compensation/classification study; a dollar accounting of recurring solid-waste costs (illegal dumping, bulk amnesty, internal city disposals) for council consideration before final budget adoption; and the electric-rate study (ECG) that was delayed and now is expected in June.

Quotes: “This is a balanced budget that does not go into our reserves to balance,” City Manager Wayne Jones said during the presentation. Interim Finance Director Mr. Golden added staff had “worked with finance and budgeting” and proposes the FY26 plan without new taxes. Director of Police operations, Chief Buchanan, described the planned drone program as an operational enhancement that will “put eyes on troubled areas in 90 seconds,” a capability staff said other nearby cities have deployed.

Next steps and scheduling: Council scheduled remaining public hearings and asked staff to return with requested supporting materials. Councilmembers asked that: (1) the electric-rate study be presented as soon as ECG makes it available (staff expects a June presentation); (2) staff provide line-item data on the solid-waste deficit and options for rate, franchise or subsidy changes before final adoption (charter deadline June 2); and (3) parks staff present the multiplex community-feedback summary at an upcoming meeting. Jones said some projects rely on external grants or bond decisions and those outcomes could affect future budgets.

Ending: The presentation framed FY26 as a status-quo budget with targeted enhancements and a conservative posture on reserves. Council members signaled they will weigh enterprise-fund choices and capital priorities in the weeks before final adoption.","City Manager Wayne Jones presented a balanced fiscal 2026 budget that avoids new taxes or use of reserves to balance the general fund while proposing major capital investments in public safety, parks and utilities; council and staff flagged reserve levels, enterprise fund stresses and scheduled follow-ups.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Emergency storm-line replacement sought at Norman Berry Drive after pipe failures threaten roadway and Fire Station access

East Point council hears that solid-waste service is running a multi-year deficit; staff, residents push for solutions

East Point presents balanced FY26 budget without tax increases; adopts infrastructure and public-safety investments