Committee forwards two HOA dredging applications to full council with 20% funding recommendation

The Roswell committee voted Jan. 27 to forward two homeowners-association dredging-assistance applications — Nesbitt Lakes and Chickering Lake — to the full mayor and council, with staff recommending a 20% reimbursement and a budget amendment to identify funding.

City environmental staff outlined the city’s dredging assistance policy and the two applications. "Funds will be reimbursed upon project completion," said Brian Smith of Environmental Public Works, describing the policy’s requirement that applicants hold a land disturbance permit before an application will be evaluated and noting reimbursements only cover dredging operations, not outlet modifications or landscaping.

Staff told the committee Nesbitt Lakes (Lower Nesbitt) has a 320-acre drainage area and 256 acre-feet of storage; the application estimates about 4,500 cubic yards of dredged material — roughly 450 one-way truckloads — and a total bid of $608,875, with the HOA seeking 50% reimbursement. Chickering Lake, west of Pine Grove Road, reports a 973-acre drainage area, about 9,000 cubic yards of sediment (roughly 900 one-way truckloads) and a bid of $650,000, with the HOA seeking 50% reimbursement.

CFO Bill Goncaw summarized the financial picture and the staff recommendation: "We do recommend at this point, 20% that is based on the fact that we did approve $250,000 for all current year dredging requests in the fiscal year 2026 budget," he said, adding staff would recommend using the previously approved $250,000 and transferring $1,775 from general fund contingency so the combined 20% allocation would total $251,775.

Council members pressed staff on program details and local impacts. Council member Sarah Beeson raised timing and traffic concerns about Chickering’s estimated truck movements relative to the city’s Pine Grove road project, asking whether the dredging would occur before heavy road work. Council member Alan Sells asked whether an easement to the city is required; Deputy City Attorney Joe Cusack confirmed the ordinance requires an easement (he referenced the ordinance’s relevant subsection during the discussion) so the city can monitor the facility over time.

Council member Christine Hall recused herself from the two items, saying, "I am a Chickering resident," and she stepped out for the items. After questions about procurement, scheduling, and whether the city should assist with contractor selection, the committee debated funding levels and timing. Several council members and staff noted that contractor quotes may be time-limited and that projects commonly need to begin within 30–60 days.

Council member Alan Sells moved to forward the Nesbitt Lakes application to the mayor and council for further consideration of budget amount and approval; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The committee took a separate but identical motion to forward the Chickering Lake application; that motion also passed unanimously.

Next steps: both items will appear before the full mayor and council with the committee’s recommendation (20% reimbursement) and with a budget amendment to identify funding. Staff indicated final reimbursement would occur only after the projects are completed and receipts are evaluated.

Clarifying details: Nesbitt Lakes total bid $608,875; applicant seeking 50% ($304,437.50). Chickering Lake total bid $650,000; applicant seeking 50% ($325,000). Staff recommended 20% for each application, using $250,000 already in the FY2026 budget plus a proposed $1,775 transfer from contingency.