Peachtree City UPDATES – Week of Aug. 29, 2011

0
26

Email issues, Council Meeting, watering restrictions, golf cart decals, securing vehicles, and more . . .

City Email Server Issues
On Wednesday, August 24, the City began to experience issues with its email server that has led to some messages not being properly delivered. If you sent an email to an email address with @peachtree-city.org, @ptcgovernment.org, @amphitheater.org, or @visitpeachtreecity.com last week and did not receive a response, please send your message again. The City’s IT staff has restored email service and will replace the server over Labor Day Weekend (email delivery and parts of the City website may be down over the Labor Day Weekend during this process). Thank you for your patience and understanding during this issue.

Council Meets this Thursday
The Mayor & Council will meet on Thursday, September 1, 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. The agenda includes
Public Hearings for a variance request (setback) at 213 Morgan’s Turn, a variance request (sign ordinance) for SANY America, 318 Cooper Circle, and a request to change the name of Cooper Loop Rd. to SANY Blvd. Council will also consider the FY 2012 budget for the Convention & Visitors Bureau, a contract for auditing services, consider revised fees for The Gathering Place, and discuss the prioritization of T-SPLOST projects. The complete agenda and packet are available at www.peachtree-city.org/councilagenda, and the public is welcome to attend. Residents can view the meeting live or on-demand at www.peachtree-city.org/video.

2011 Municipal Election – Qualifying Underway
Peachtree City will hold a general municipal election on Tuesday, November 8, for City Council Post 1 (Imker) and Post 2 (Sturbaum). Candidate qualifying is now underway at City Hall and will close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 2. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age, must be a qualified elector of the City, and must have continuously resided in Peachtree City for at least six months immediately preceding the election. The qualifying fee is $180. If you have questions, please email Betsy Tyler at info@peachtree-city.org.

Outdoor Watering Restrictions Reminder
State law limits the use of outdoor water year round. Lawn and landscaping may be watered any day of the week, but cannot be done between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Outdoor water use for any purposes other than watering of plants, such as power washing or washing cars, is still restricted to the odd/even watering schedule (odd addresses on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays; even and unnumbered addresses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays). For complete information, visit the Georgia EPD web site at www.gaepd.org/Documents/outdoorwater.html.

Golf Cart Reminder – New White Decals Required by October 31
By October 31, all golf carts registered in Peachtree City will need to have a new, white decal to legally operate on the paths. Notices are being mailed to all residential addresses with the necessary registration form. The letters have been staggered over the summer, and two additional mailings are scheduled so that every home in the City has received a letter (if you receive a letter and already have the new white decal, you do not need to do anything further).

Registrants must fill out and sign a new information form. Forms are included in the mailings, and are available online at www.peachtree-city.org/decal.

Before the City can issue new golf cart decals, cart owners must be current on their Stormwater Fee. Residential Stormwater bills were mailed in April and were due on or before May 16.

There are three ways to register and pay:
• ONLINE – Peachtree City residents can register through the online form and pay with a debit or credit card through Pay Pal at www.peachtree-city.org/decal.
• MAIL-IN – Mail a completed and signed paper registration form and check or money order to City Hall.
• WALK-IN – Bring a completed and signed paper registration form to City Hall and pay with cash, check, or money order.

Crime & Safety Reminder: Thefts from Vehicles
The Peachtree City Police Department continues to see thefts from vehicles, with stolen items including GPS units, loose change, and small electronics. There have also been several golf carts stolen from around McIntosh High School. Vehicles are generally unlocked.

Please remember these steps to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of this type of crime.
• ALWAYS lock vehicle doors, even in your driveway.
• Secure golf carts with a steering wheel lock and/or chain.
• Never leave anything of value in plain sight (GPS units, laptops, cell phones, purses, wallets).
• Put valuables in the trunk before you park, not after (thieves may be watching).
• Lock truck-bed toolboxes.
• When possible, park your vehicle in your locked garage.
• If you must park on the street, avoid dark or isolated areas.
• Whenever possible, only carry the items you need while you are out. Leave items such as Social Security cards, extra checkbooks, extra credit cards, and extra keys at home. Once thieves have possession of these items, you can continue to be victimized.
• Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the Police immediately.

If you are the victim of a vehicle break-in, follow these steps:
• Step away from the vehicle and contact the police.
• Don’t touch the vehicle or anything inside the vehicle to avoid damaging possible evidence.
• If identifying items were stolen, contact your bank and credit card company about the theft (and always keep a list of important numbers, including the numbers to your bank and credit card companies, and serial numbers to all the electronic items you own).
• Contact your cell phone provider and activate the GPS tracking device on your phone, if available. If your laptop is stolen and you have similar tracking or locating software installed, contact the necessary company to have that feature activated.

Security Alarm Registration Underway as part of new False Alarm Ordinance
Over 80% of false alarms are the result of human error, and 50% of those errors occur when the alarm is being turned on and off. Under Peachtree City’s new ordinance, anyone with a burglar alarm system must register the system. Permit applications are available at the Police Department or online at www.peachtree-city.org/alarm, which also includes a full copy of the ordinance, tips for alarm use and useful questions to ask your alarm company.

Project Updates:

Library Lower Level Entrance CLOSED for Repairs – The lower level entrance to the PTC Library remains closed due to cracks in the masonry. The area has been barricaded for safety reasons until repairs are completed. Please use the main entrance to the Library upstairs until further notice.

Peachtree City History Timeline – Learn more about this community project designed to let residents reflect on our past, document our history, and inspire our successors who visit the plaza at City Hall and the Library by visiting www.peachtree-city.org/timeline.

Don’t Forget . . .

American Red Cross Blood Drive – Friday, September 2, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (note time change), at The Gathering Place, 203 McIntosh Trail.

Twilight Theatre presents: Footloose @ The Fred – Friday & Saturday, September 2 & 3, 9 & 10. Gates open at 7:40 p.m., show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available at the Amphitheater Box Office or online at www.amphitheater.org. Gold Table (seats 6): $120; General Admission: $17 Adults, $15 Students/Senior/Military. Visit www.thetwilighttheatre.com for more information.

Labor Day – Monday, September 5. City offices and facilities will be closed (Kedron Fieldhouse will be closed; Kedron pools will be open from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.). Peachtree City UPDATES will be published on Tuesday, September 6.

Fayette County Board of Commissioners Workshop Meeting – Wednesday, September 7, 3:30 p.m., at the Fayette County Offices, 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 100, in Fayetteville. The public is welcome. More information on Commission meetings and agendas is available on the County web site at www.fayettecountyga.gov/administration/BOC/county_commission_meetings.htm.

Rising Starr Middle School 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance – Friday, September 9, 8:30 a.m. at the school complex. The community is invited to tribute to all of those who were affected by the attacks on September 11, 2001. The school particularly wishes to honor military, law enforcement, and firefighters for their service to our country and invite them to attend in uniform.

Meet the Author – Rick Ryckeley – Saturday, September 10, 1:00 p.m., at the Peachtree City Library.
Reading, discussion, and book signing with Rick Ryckeley, columnist for The Citizen and author of Musings from a Cluttered Mind. Presented by the Friends of the PTC Library and held in the Floy Farr room on the lower level.

Patriot Day Tribute Concert @ The Fred – Sunday, September 11, 7:00 p.m. Join the Fayette Pops Symphony Orchestra in this patriotic tribute concert commemorating the 10th anniversary of September 11. Admission is free, and gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Peachtree City Water & Sewerage Authority Regular Meeting – Monday, September 12, (Rescheduled due to Labor Day holiday) 6:30 p.m., at the WASA offices, 1127 Hwy. 74 South. The public is welcome.

Peachtree City Planning Commission Regular Meeting – Monday, September 12, 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. The public is welcome.