Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment And Civic Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters press Alpharetta council on city's ties to HSS and request clearer construction communications for student safety
Summary
A public commenter urged the city to reconsider civic recognition and engagement with a group he identified as HSS, citing experts and reports; a Chattahoochee High School student urged clearer, more accessible construction and transportation communications after describing unsafe conditions that hinder students' commutes.
Two substantive public comments at the Alpharetta City Council meeting raised separate concerns: one speaker urged the council to reconsider proclamations and civic interactions with a group he identified as the HSS, and a student requested clearer, accessible construction and travel information after describing safety and access problems affecting bikers and students.
Peter Friedrich (address given as 3400 Kimball Road) told the council he was "deeply concerned" about the city's repeated engagement with what he called "HSS," and he urged the council to rescind or reconsider past proclamations and photo opportunities with the organization. Friedrich cited academic commentators and reports—by name in his remarks—and warned the group's overseas affiliations and ideology merited further review. He said he provided council members with an information packet about the group.
Later in the public-comment period, Violet Purcell of 7160 Harbor Landing, a Chattahoochee High School student who said she also serves as a Secretary of State (SOS) ambassador, told the council she and hundreds of peers are concerned about repeated and long-running road construction that blocks sidewalks and Greenway segments. "It's not safe to be able to get to school," she said of conditions that force bicycling students to detour or face unsafe crossings. Purcell said she polled about 600 students who live in Alpharetta and Johns Creek and reported that construction and traffic were their top concern.
Mayor Pro Tem and council members responded to the student by inviting follow-up and assistance: the mayor pro tem urged Purcell to contact the city clerk's office for a follow-up meeting, and Councilman DeRito offered to meet with Purcell and bring public-works staff to explain ongoing road projects. Councilman Hipes highlighted a new City Projects feature on the city's website that shows active road projects, progress and spending and allows interested residents to subscribe for email updates.
No council action on either public comment was recorded at the meeting; staff and council members offered to follow up with the student and noted receipt of the packet provided by the public commenter.
