[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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",[32,75],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6646067,"mediaKeyId","3413751-3b5ca9304d6b46bdce35e56eff4c2eb4","parentId",3413751,"title","Votes at a glance: DeKalb PWI committee approves multiple contract changes, a condemnation action and $204,000 for Lithonia sidewalks","audioSeconds",4268,"startMs",1072000,"endMs",5340000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413751-3b5ca9304d6b46bdce35e56eff4c2eb4&start=1072&end=5340","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413751-3b5ca9304d6b46bdce35e56eff4c2eb4/thumbnail_1072000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6646067/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-DeKalb-PWI-committee-approves-multiple-contract-changes-a-condemnation-action-and-204000-for-Lithonia-sidewalks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646067-971972c8f5fc2947e5f46276fc3abddc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136160&Signature=fdGLhonxe2XDg39DrsYygBdiM05J5kgirKX8SbRkMXR5DTYZ0Fi-cpWKeDP5suuwXorwzeSCjTezTMpFns~EabABFjt8fkKBtMHkUFPors-gK7m58yCrNEWPaWMobb~8X9M8~eUbDKLpCDSAg9LUEG30ReoPVTBciBXa~KTVnPsSFiAIqS3fO1ZRamH~j8pN0SWkJ3m1cYrXEGn1T-QnJTny538eKh-BaVKz5gxLcXR-Fa21NPqojLnSUufLVD0jPR4eR8k9cYGOqdyzBTcxTpgJgCDsc6Kc7HzDiGkMe~J-SD5AGkIKp9AT0JdpEozc6grx7t-AjbS~wO3gTCEGsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeKalb County","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The DeKalb County Public Works and Infrastructure Committee approved a slate of contract amendments, sole-source purchases and other actions during the meeting. Key approvals included: a three-year sole-source agreement for rapid reagent testing; multiple contract change orders for engineering and program management services; term extensions for on-call construction materials and services; a declaration-of-taking condemnation related to a sanitary sewer easement; and $204,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for sidewalks in the City of Lithonia. Separately, adoption of the stormwater master plan was deferred for 30 days (see separate article).

Below are the committee'recorded items and outcomes as presented to the committee (agenda IDs appear as provided on staff packets):

- Agenda item 2025-0406 (District 3): Sole-source agreement with IDEX Distribution Inc. for micro testing supplies and reagent services (total not to exceed $326,645). Motion to approve carried.

- Agenda item 2025-0452 (all districts): Change order No. 6 to AECOM Technical Services (CIP program services) to add stormwater program management tasks to support roads and drainage; increase not-to-exceed amount $2,777,352. Motion to approve carried.

- Agenda item 2025-0454 (all districts): Change order No. 1 to Friess & Nichols Graham JV for on-call engineering services (increase not to exceed $350,000). Motion to approve carried.

- Agenda item 2025-0473 (all districts): Cooperative purchase for rental uniforms under Omnia Partners (Cintas Corporation) for three years; amount not to exceed $1,950,000. Motion to approve carried.

- Agenda item 2025-0709 (Districts 4 and 7): Resolution authorizing condemnation by declaration of taking (OCGA references provided in packet) for a sanitary sewer easement at a property on Brockett Road; staff said the parcel includes existing easements and that the county seeks less than 1,700 square feet in the rear yard so it can relocate a sewer lateral closer to the creek channel to prevent erosion and meet a consent-decree schedule. Motion to approve carried.

- Multiple term extensions and change orders for on-call construction materials and repair contracts (HDPE pipeliners, ready-mix concrete, traffic/signage supplies) to preserve continuity while new solicitations are prepared; several items extended through 2026 or 2027 and approved by the committee.

- Agenda item 2025-0430 (all districts): Change orders to nine on-call professional engineering contracts (design, dams, bridge repair, drainage); total additional authorization not to exceed $3,050,000. Motion to approve carried.

- Agenda item 2025-0349 (all districts): Change order to Kendall Supply (water meters and parts) to expand scope to include measuring chambers for larger meters (inch-and-a-half and above); contract award originally noted as $22,500,000 (2023); spent to date noted as $3,430,000. Motion to approve carried.

- Agenda item 2025-0387 (all districts): Change orders to SCADA controls and instruments contracts to extend term and increase funds through Dec. 31, 2026; aggregate requested authorization $5,385,000. Audit review supported the amount; audit observations will be reconciled by staff. Motion to approve carried.

- Agenda item 2025-0466 (Districts 2 and 6): Easement abandonment at 153 Hood Circle (Decatur) to release an unused sewer easement after the line was rerouted; motion to approve carried.

- Agenda item 2025-0707 (Districts 5 and 7; City of Lithonia): Allocation of $204,000 in CDBG funds for sidewalk construction in Lithonia (approximately 0.28 miles / ~1,500 linear feet including ADA ramps). Motion to approve carried.

Committee members asked for clarifications during several items about funding sources and reporting: Reginald Wells, Director of the Department of Watershed Management, said some program management dollars come from ARP funding and stormwater enterprise funds tied to specific work orders; auditors flagged a small number of invoice and contract-reference issues that staff said they will reconcile.

Where the packet listed specific statutory or procurement authorities, staff presented those citations (for the condemnation item the packet referenced OCGA provisions applicable to declarations of taking). For items that increased aggregate contract amounts above audit thresholds, the county auditor's review was noted as \"supported\" in committee discussion.

No board member recorded a roll-call tally in the transcript beyond standard voice approvals; committee chair called for \"all those in favor\" and motions were approved by voice. The stormwater master plan item was the only substantive agenda matter the committee deferred for further written materials from staff and the law department.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeKalb County - PWI Committee Meeting - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Works and Infrastructure committee approved several contract amendments, sole-source procurements, contract term extensions, a condemnation by declaration of taking for sanitary sewer work and $204,000 in CDBG funds for City of Lithonia sidewalks; the stormwater master plan was deferred for 30 days.","taxTitle","DeKalb County, Georgia","taxId",3571,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6646072,"DeKalb committee defers stormwater master plan; asks staff and county attorney for written guidance on resident petition option",3087,46000,3133000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413751-3b5ca9304d6b46bdce35e56eff4c2eb4&start=46&end=3133","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413751-3b5ca9304d6b46bdce35e56eff4c2eb4/thumbnail_46000.jpg","/articles/6646072/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-committee-defers-stormwater-master-plan-asks-staff-and-county-attorney-for-written-guidance-on-resident-petition-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646072-50bf49aaf7781ff2b525a76a22e7231e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136160&Signature=YulWqwI99MhDBj3wh9QD1HG9kEmaU145nzuAZNhy4NsaJWWerRok-y7ivJTTaZUqw75CLjJAR3uc~WEGbiLAf~ADIrU16jw7HfirqIoqtyDQ0l8Sxt0pIoXj9hJX7ZBuQvv73twwRo7tZAyTGTlyy-KE0gA4kOJFWfcaephDYtwktin7ZRt-DY5ofLTVf-GMTZmriVjrObn7F2SsW12vBhlcBtNjL2sflCM4DlaTVnED0At~d32MNaWiu7mRfDEZJc5PtCweboEZVFykAVTqlevENhzhv-JhfgN7LcQbQ-t6k7bZsMubohpOFovvzHdFoaJ-Wi-rcA5gtm2ikuyhQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County Public Works and Infrastructure Committee voted to defer action on a countywide stormwater master plan for 30 days and asked staff and the county attorney to provide written materials on a proposed residential stormwater petition process intended to let neighbors share costs for repairs.

The committee heard an overview of where the master plan stands and a description of a draft residential petition mechanism Commissioner Robert Patrick described as a tool residents could use to form a service district and share costs for long-term stormwater work. Marcus Allen, Public Works staff, said staff has reviewed the proposed petition process and shared a memo with central staff and the law department for review before the item returns to the committee.

\"If the residents are willing to band together, maybe come up with their own service district,\" Commissioner Robert Patrick said, describing the idea as a way for neighborhoods to finance stormwater improvements in situations where county resources alone cannot resolve upstream/downstream problems.

County Attorney Matt Welch told commissioners the law department has reviewed the proposal and central staff'generated suggestions and that the office has \"some concerns and some ideas\" to discuss before the petition process is presented publicly. He said the draft has been compared to other special tax district structures used in the region and that the office can produce written comments for committee review.

Commissioners underscored several issues staff must address before a final vote. Commissioner Shakira Johnson asked that the draft clarify responsibility when private easements or buried pipes fail on private property, raising questions about who pays for repairs when private infrastructure affects county drainage. Commissioner Terry noted the master plan was completed about two years ago and urged staff to \"zoom in\" on problematic watersheds (he asked Public Works to work with commissioners for targeted follow-up in Districts 4 and 6). Director Lempey (Public Works) and Reginald Wells (Department of Watershed Management) said the master plan was designed as a countywide, high-level roadmap and that future phases would drill down to identify local \"hot spots\" and priorities.

After discussion, the committee passed a motion to defer adoption 30 days so staff can circulate the central-staff memo and the county attorney can provide legal guidance. The committee chair said he expects the written materials to be distributed to commissioners and suggested the item could return to the Board of Commissioners after the 30-day period if outstanding issues are addressed.

Next steps: staff will distribute the central-staff memo and the law department's written recommendations; the committee will reconvene the item within 30 days for further consideration and potential referral to the Board of Commissioners.","The Public Works and Infrastructure committee deferred adoption of the county'wide stormwater master plan for 30 days and requested written memos from staff and the law department about a proposed residential petition process that could let neighbors form a cost-sharing mechanism (special tax district) to finance stormwater repairs.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: DeKalb PWI committee approves multiple contract changes, a condemnation action and $204,000 for Lithonia sidewalks

DeKalb committee defers stormwater master plan; asks staff and county attorney for written guidance on resident petition option