Peachtree City retreat focuses on SPLOST paths, splash pad decision, city projects and fiscal options

Peachtree CityCouncil and staff spent a full-day retreat reviewing the cityprograms and capital projects, prioritizing several path projects funded by the 2017 SPLOST and discussing near-term choices on a splash pad, City Hall renovations, a purchased police training facility and long-term lake dredging.

Council and staff opened the session with a set of project reviews that led the discussion toward three recurring themes: how to finish SPLOST-funded path projects whose 2017 cost estimates have been overtaken by inflation; how to balance one-time capital needs against the cityfund balance; and whether to move forward now with a new Pebble Pocket splash pad or use an interim fix to make the Glen Loch splash pad free this summer.

SPLOST paths and funding

A cluster of path projects tied to the 2017 SPLOST dominated the early agenda. Staff updated council on multiple specific corridors: - Carriage Lane to the Publix cart path: staff said design work and GDOT coordination are the current priorities, and the biggest uncertainty is whether the full path can be built within the state right-of-way or whether cemetery land acquisition would be required. If cemetery land is needed the project cost could rise substantially; earlier concept estimates that assumed cemetery easements were over $1 million. Stormwater impacts at the Carriage Lane/Highway 54 corner also complicate the horizontal fit of a cart path in that corridor. - North Hill path: the council heard that the North Hill section is in design and staff expects to advertise for bids in spring; the design will relocate the path closer to North Parkway to avoid steep interior grades. Staff said SPLOST 2017 surplus funds plus impact fees were expected to cover part of the cost but that current concept estimates exceed the original $215,000 placeholder. - Paschal / Highway 74 corridor and railroad crossing: staff said a cart-path concept that would cross CSX right-of-way has stalled because CSX declined to allow a golf-cart width crossing; the railroadowner told staff it will accept a 5-foot pedestrian crossing but not a 10-foot cart path. Going under or over the railroad would be costly and likely infeasible at current budgets. - Walt Banks / North Peachtree Parkway: the project is near 90% design, will require right-of-way acquisition and retaining walls, and staff warned the corner owners have been strongly opposed; acquisition could lead to condemnation and multi-year timing.

On SPLOST funding overall staff reported remaining balances for the 2017 program but emphasized that many 2017 line items were vastly underestimated; the combined effect of inflation and more complex engineering has pushed many individual project estimates far above the original numbers. Staff and council discussed using impact fees (which must be spent on new paths), leftover SPLOST surplus, and future SPLOST contingencies to cover overruns; staff committed to producing an updated, line-by-line funding memo that shows realistic current estimates, proposed funding sources (SPLOST, impact fees, CIP, general fund) and the years in which projects could be built.

Bridge projects and costs

Council heard two separate bridge updates: a pedestrian bridge from Drake Field across to the playground area now carries a rough order-of-magnitude cost of about $1.5 million for a pedestrian-only structure; earlier spreadsheets contained a much smaller placeholder. Separately, staff said the planned pedestrian/bridges that would connect the high school to the middle school and tie into the Carriage Lane path are closely linked to the Carriage Lane alignment, right-of-way needs and GDOT clear-zone allowances. Council was reminded that 2023 SPLOST included contingency funds for larger overages.

Splash pad: Glen Loch free this season; Pebble Pocket CIP unsettled

Council debated a long-standing proposal for a new Pebble Pocket splash pad budgeted at $450,000 in the fiscal CIP. Debate divided along timing and budget lines: some council members argued the project was already budgeted and recommended moving ahead because the master plan recommended two splash pads for a community this size; others urged postponing construction because prices have risen sharply and other maintenance priorities compete for funds.

By consensus council approved one immediate operational step: staff should relocate the gate at the Glen Loch splash pad and make that facility free to the public for the coming season (the motion on that operational change received unanimous support). On the larger Pebble Pocket splash pad budgeted for $450,000, council did not reach a binding decision during the retreat; a poll during the meeting produced mixed responses and staff said the project will return for formal award only after bids are received. Staff and council also discussed a near-term $1,800 change to Glen Loch fencing and a small concrete quote (roughly $1,200) that would permit the current Glen Loch splash pad to be opened free sooner; several council members urged doing that immediate work so families can use a free facility this summer while the Pebble Pocket CIP is evaluated.

City Hall, City Hall roof and other ARP-funded work

Staff told the retreat that the bundle of ARP-funded City Hall projects (roofs, electrical switch gear, elevator and lobby work) was rebid after initial bids came in above budget and the city identified issues with the low bidder. The project will require staged work that temporarily displaces some functions; staff said the upper floor will be unavailable for roughly three weeks during roofing and renovation work and that courts will be rescheduled as needed. Staff said they will keep the mayor and council apprised of scheduling and temporary meeting locations while the lobby work proceeds.

Police training site and EOC / PD expansion

Peachtree CityPolice purchased a former private training/gun-range property and staff reported ongoing remediation and modifications. The buildingrequires HVAC/filter work and interior fit-out; staff said the gun range air-handling system had been poorly maintained and contractors are doing repairs. The city submitted a congressional discretionary request that did not receive federal funding; the council has set aside $2.5 million locally for renovation should outside funding not materialize. Staff warned that full renovation costs and schedule are still being refined and that use of that building as a training site and an emergency operations location could expand Peachtree Citycapacity in emergencies.

Lake Peachtree dredging: IGA details and timing

Staff reviewed the intergovernmental agreement with Fayette County for Lake Peachtree dredging: under the current IGA Fayette County will split the dredging cost 50/50 with the city but county support only kicks in after a bathymetric survey deadline (2029/2030 in the IGA). The IGA further says the county will contribute up to $1 million toward the cityshare, reducing the Peachtree City net cost in favorable scenarios. Staff noted the city can dredge earlier but the county will not contribute to pre-2030 dredging; staff also described smaller, localized sediment-capture ideas (a sediment pit near the creek inlet) as part of long-term maintenance planning.

Stormwater fund and rate study

Staff reminded council the stormwater fund is not self-sustaining and presented the timetable for a consultant rate study (to be presented at a March work session). The consultant will model 10 years of stormwater costs, known CIP stormwater needs and options for a rate or fee schedule to keep the fund solvent while addressing collapsed pipes and other deferred maintenance.

Fiscal policy talk: min-max fund balance and council insurance

Council spent the afternoon discussing how much fund balance to preserve and whether to set a formal minimum/maximum range for the cityfund balance. Staff noted a 31% minimum is tied to certain bond rating and policy considerations; council members debated an upper target or cap as a signal to use surplus funds on one-time capital projects rather than accumulating cash indefinitely. No final ordinance was adopted at the retreat; staff will return with a proposed range and a possible staged plan (spending down to a chosen upper target over a multi-year timetable) for council consideration.

Council health-insurance option for elected officials

Council requested numbers for what it would cost the city to offer elected officials the same group benefits available to staff. Human Resources presented plan-level costs for employee-only and family coverage under the cityCigna/Guardian plans and a municipal peer comparison. After discussion council direction was to have staff and the city attorney draft an ordinance or implementation plan for council consideration in the next budget cycle (the majority agreed to move forward with drafting; an initial informal poll at the retreat showed the council split 3–2 in favor of drafting language for consideration). Staff said implementation would be tied to the next benefit plan year, not the current budget.

What council asked of staff and next steps

Staff committed to return with: (1) an updated SPLOST funding memo that reconsolidates current design costs and funding sources for the priority path projects; (2) an updated, line-item memo on all projects tied to the 2017 SPLOST and the 2023 SPLOST with realistic cost estimates, recommended funding mixes (impact fees, SPLOST surplus, CIP and general fund), and a proposed schedule; (3) stormwater rate-study results at the March work session; (4) a draft ordinance or implementation plan to allow elected-official participation in the city health plan (if council wants to proceed) timed for next plan-year enrollment; and (5) a short memo proposing operational steps to open the Glen Loch splash pad free this season (fencing/gate relocation quote) and a clear timeline for the Pebble Pocket bid and award process.

Ending

Council adjourned after agreeing to continue specific policy and budget conversations the following day, including a deeper review of the Recreation Master Plan and the fund-balance min/max discussion. Staff said they will distribute updated project spreadsheets and budgets to council before the next work session and will schedule project-specific follow-ups with department directors where technical detail is required.