https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/203427195

This session will review the AICP Code of Ethics and provide scenarios for participants to think through. Join us for this review of Ethics. This webcast is sponsored as part of the APA Chapters/Divisions/Universities webcast series.

submitted by Patti Cullen, District 7 Director

Bike-to-Work Day is an annual event held on the third Friday of May across the United States and Canada that promotes the bicycle as an option for commuting to work. Leading up to Bike-to-Work Day, national, regional, and local bicycle advocacy groups encourage people to try bicycle commuting as a healthy and safe alternative to driving by providing route information and tips for new bicycle commuters. On Bike-to-Work Day these groups often organize bicycle-related events, and in some areas, pit stops along bicycle routes with snacks.

Bike-to-Work Day was originated by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956 and is a part of Bike-to-Work Week, which is in turn part of National Bike Month.

This year, join the River Valley Regional Commission and the City of Columbus in celebrating its second annual Bike to Work Day event to take place on May 21st, 2010. Our partners for this event include Midtown Inc., Uptown Columbus Inc / BID., Columbus State University, AFLAC, T|SYS, The Chattahoochee Valley Library System, METRA Transit, The City of Columbus Police Department Bicycle Unit, Safe Kids, The Columbus Clean Air Campaign, WTVM Channel 9 and Don’s Dog House. It is through these organizations that we are able to encourage employers to motivate their employees to make the shift from their vehicles to their bicycles and try a healthy, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly method of transportation.

submitted by Paul DeCamp, AICP, District 6 Director

Thirteen counties in the Central Savannah River Area are jointly seeking a grant to increase broadband and wireless Internet access in their jurisdictions. The grant, funded under the federal stimulus law, is being sought from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The amount of the grant award will depend on the agency’s evaluation of the application. The CSRA Regional Commission and CSRA Unified Development Authority have provided technical and financial support on behalf of the application.

Trade, Exhibit and Event Center to be Built in Downtown Augusta – In December 2009 the Augusta Commission approved a financing plan for a Trade, Exhibit and Event Center (TEE), to be constructed on a site on Reynolds Street adjacent to the existing riverfront convention center. The $38 million facility will feature 40,000 square feet of exhibit space and be financed with a combination of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds, sales tax interest earnings and tax exempt bonds. A $10 million, 400-space parking deck will be built across Reynolds Street from the TEE Center. The TEE Center is to be let for bids this summer and should open in 2012.

Plans Being Finalized for New Hotel in Downtown Augusta –Legacy Hospitality LLC is moving forward with plans to construct a $25 million Hyatt Place Hotel in downtown Augusta. The eight-story, 139-room hotel will be built on a site adjacent to the Augusta Common and near the site of the planned Trade, Exhibit and Event Center. Project financing is being sought through a OneGeorgia grant and a Georgia Cities Foundation loan. The Downtown Development Authority of Augusta will help finance underground parking for the hotel. The hotel will employ 70 people and could open sometime in 2011.

Inner-City Redevelopment Receives Financing – The Augusta Commission has approved plans to issue $8 million in bonds to jump-start redevelopment activities in Laney-Walker and Bethlehem, two of Augusta’s historic inner-city neighborhoods. The bonds will be issued by an Urban Redevelopment Authority and the city’s Housing and Community Development Department will coordinate the redevelopment activities. The bond proceeds will finance property acquisition, housing rehabilitation and new construction, financial and technical assistance to homebuyers, commercial development and improvements to public facilities. Proceeds from a $1.00-a-night hotel occupancy fee will finance repayment of the bonds, as well as the cost of additional projects in the neighborhood. Over a 50-year period the hotel occupancy fee is expected to pump $ 37.5 million into projects in the neighborhoods and trigger an additional $100 million in investment, mostly from the private sector.

submitted by Jim Summerbell, AICP, District 3 Director

As we rapidly approach the time for the GPA Spring Conference, and many of us are in the final weeks of preparation, I am struck by the changing dynamics of our profession. One of these changes that has recently had a direct impact on me and one that is certainly being played out around the country is the growing trend of corporate acquisitions and mergers. If you have not already heard, the consulting firm that I work for, JJG, was recently acquired by Jacobs Engineering, and in the past year we have also seen EDAW and Glatting Jackson being acquired by AECOM.

In reality, this has not change the one-on-one relationships that are at the heart of our profession.  Most of the faces and personalities associated with these companies are the same, but I do have to wonder where this trend is leading.  Will we eventually emerge into landscape where there are only a few large scale players in the consulting world, and number of smaller local firms competing for fewer and fewer projects?  And as we eventually emerge from this recession how will that effect this trend as projects become more numerous?

Another changing dynamic I have noticed is the decline in GPA membership.  If you are not aware we actually have lost chapter membership over the past year from a high of 1,123 in September 2008 to a current membership of 1,034.  I do not know to what extent this drop is due to the downturn in the economy, because the new AICP certification requirements have probably also played a role.  I am still collecting data with Jessica Gibson’s help to determine what the causes are, but I think this is a trend we need to take note of and respond to.

At the coming Spring Conference, you may notice more of an emphasis on improving the job finding skills for the student members, as well as sessions geared to assist the recently laid-off and unemployed.   We as a chapter can be a big support for those seeking employment, and I am interested to hear your ideas on what we can do.  For example, I have heard several of our colleagues mention the idea chapter sponsored service projects.  This would offer those that want to gain experience and network with potential employers a chance to get together and help a cash-strapped community or non-profit organization with their planning needs?

Again, let me know what think.  In the coming months I plan to organize a District event, probably a luncheon, and your input on what type of event that should be and your assistance in making it happen would greatly be appreciated.   I hope to see you in Macon.

submitted by Lynn Tully, District 2 Director

Construction is now underway on a sewage pump station in the Winder Highway corridor that represents the first step in a key partnership between the cities of Oakwood and Braselton.

The Oakwood Pump Station on Martin Road is scheduled for completion this fall. A Covington, GA. Firm, Allsouth Constructors, was selected in a competitive bid process to build the $1.1 million station.

The pump station is part of a major sewer partnership between Oakwood and Braselton formed back in late 2006. Under the agreement, Braselton will provide wastewater treatment for up to 2.5 million gallons a day. Some businesses already have purchased options to ensure their ability to tie into the Oakwood sewage system upon its completion.

“Our decision to move forward on this project fulfills our promise to meet the long-term sewer needs in the Winder Highway corridor”, says Mayor Lamar Scroggs. “It also signals that the economic recovery, particularly in Hall County, is moving forward”.

Next Step
The city of Oakwood is now focusing on acquiring land easements for construction of a 7.5 mile, 12-inch force main pipe that will connect to the Braselton wastewater treatment plant in Jackson County. A majority of the easement acquisitions already have been completed.

The City Council expects to award a contract in March for construction of the force main project. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the time the new pump station is operational in October. Meanwhile, the Town of Braselton is working toward building its own sewer line, scheduled for completion in February 2011, to connect with the Oakwood system.

submitted by Richard Osborne, AICP, District 1 Director

During the last 15 years, there has been an explosion in post-secondary education in Georgia. Every county in the State has been positively affected by the now Not-So-Little Engines That Could, from the best-known institutions to the technical schools to the two-year colleges. One example in Northwest Georgia is Georgia Highlands College (GHC).

Founded in Rome as Floyd Junior College in 1970, GHC serves more than 5,000 students as a two-year, associate degree-granting institution of the University System of Georgia. GHC has added other teaching sites over the years, and now also provides instruction in a 100,000 square feet facility in Cartersville. The building, opened in 2005, is the first of several planned facilities on the site. The Cartersville campus is ideally located on State Road 20 near Interstate 75, across from the site of the new Clarence Brown Civic Center, a 25,000 square feet LEED-certified facility scheduled to open in November. Classes are also offered in Dallas, Douglasville, and Marietta.

Institutes of higher learning can serve as engines of economic development and community redevelopment. One session to check out at the March conference in Macon is “Utilizing Non-traditional Partnerships for Community Revitalization”. Examples will be given from the City government of Fort Valley and Fort Valley State University, which have formed a dynamic duo for community development activities.

Looking ahead, mark your calendar for the May 12th Planners Luncheon at the Tellus Museum in Cartersville, “Planning for Parks and Greenspace in Tough Times”. Discussion will include challenges and opportunities for planning to add or make improvements to parks and greenspace in communities. Examples will be given from the Rome-Floyd County Parks & Recreation department, as well as from the City of Cartersville Parks & Recreation department. In addition, current and near-future federal funding opportunities for greenspace and tree plantings will be discussed by a representative of Rolling Hills RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development) Council.

Requirements
A Bachelor’s Degree in Transportation, Civil Engineering, Public Administration or related discipline, with emphasis and study in transportation planning and transportation demand management desired and 8 years of work experience in the field; 3 years of which is in a supervisory capacity.  A preference for experience in transit and/or vanpool operations and planning with AICP certifications or other relevant professional certifications will be a plus.

Salary & Benefits
Contract position; minimum $60,000/year with full benefits-based on actual experience, education and training.

How to Apply
Applications accepted until filled in the Douglas County Personnel Dept., 8700 Hospital Dr., Douglasville, GA 30134

Applications can be downloaded from the Personnel/Human Resources Department website under www.celebratedouglascounty.com.  Resumes are acceptable and encouraged, but an application is required also.  Applications and resumes can be faxed to Elaine Mayo at 770-920-4933 or emailed to emayo@co.douglas.ga.us.

Full detailed job description available and applicants are encouraged to obtain and review.  Contact Elaine Mayo for detailed job description at emayo@co.douglas.ga.us.

EOE

This post expires on Friday April 2nd, 2010.

Three former City of Atlanta Planning Commissioners – Steve Cover, Michael Dobbins, and Leon Eplan – will share with us suggestions and warnings they would offer if they were to write a “Dear Mayor Reed” letter.  

Join us to hear from these planning leaders and to pose your own thoughts and proposals for their consideration:

Wednesday, March 3, 2010
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
White Provisions
1170 Howell Mill Road, 4th Floor

Check out a wonderful new in-town space, hear some provocative insights from our former Planning Commissioners, visit with fellow Georgia Tech City and Regional Planning alums, eat some gumbo, and help support current planning students.

Recommended $10 donation to benefit the Georgia Tech School of City and Regional Planning’s New Orleans APA conference scholarship fund.  Click here to make your donation.

Please bring your receipt with you to the event.  We would also appreciate your donations even if you do not plan on attending!

Any questions, please contact Jodi Mansbach, jodi.mansbach@gatech.edu.

CM credit applied for.

Requirements
BS degree in Public Administration, political science, public policy or related field and 2 years experience in the public sector in the areas of management and operations, community development, human resources and/or economic development. Master’s degree preferred.  Strong proficiency  in  Microsoft Office package; strong oral, written, interpersonal, and communications skills; skill in establishing priorities and organizing work; ability to work independently with general instructions; must be multi-task oriented with the ability to deal with a variety of complex factors and situations.

Salary & Benefits
Good Benefits Package. Salary range $42,992 – $72,062.

How to Apply
For information visit www.atlantaregional.com.

Apply on-line applications only at:
http://cyberrecruiter.atlantaregional.com

EOE M/F/D/V

This post expires on Monday April 26th, 2010.

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