Dunwoody City Council discusses veterans memorial, safe streets initiatives, millage rate
The Dunwoody City Council at its June 16 approved a $489,000 contract with Headley Construction to renovate a veterans memorial at Brook Run Park.
The Veterans Memorial at Brook Run Park was dedicated in 2004 while the park was still under the control of DeKalb County. Discussion has been going on for several years about upgrading the memorial.
Construction costs of the concept designed in 2022 exceeded the project’s budget, so a revised, downsized plan has been in the works.
According to a staff memo, a new proposed memorial design was discussed with veterans in October 2024.
“They had very strong positive feedback around our concept,” the memo said. “In particular, the Soldier’s Cross and eternal flame are two components they felt were the most meaningful to veterans. We also discussed the potential for revitalizing the
existing brick dedication program, how that would fit into our proposal, and
where we could expand in the future.”
The council voted unanimously to use monies from the general capital project fund to finance the project.
In other action, the council held a public hearing on establishing the 2025 millage rate that will result in a revenue-neutral tax for residential homesteaded properties. According to Dunwoody Assistant Finance Director Delisha Robinson, about 85 percent of homes will see no change in their city tax bill with the proposed millage rate of 3.04 mills.
During the public hearing, resident Bob Hickey spoke against the millage rate, saying that the city has “a very clear uncontrolled spending issue,” while Zack Humphries spoke in support of it.
The council also heard an annual update from Jonathan DiGioia about the city’s Safe Streets Program that focused initiatives on reducing fatalities and making pedestrians and drivers safe on the roadways.
The group conducted school safety walks at all of the city’s elementary schools and identified quick fixes to make school drop-offs and pick-ups safer.
DiGioia also discussed the implementation of the second phase of changes at Nandina Lane that permanently closed off a part of the roadway that had previously allowed a right-hand turn from Mount Vernon Road.
The program is also evaluating possible speed limit changes on several well-traveled corridors and exploring bike lane opportunities, including installing rubber markers on lane lines.
During council comments, Catherine Lautenbacher (District 1), Rob Price (District 2) and Tom Lambert (District 3) announced that they are running for reelection in their respective posts.
In other action, the council:
- heard that communications department members Jennifer Boettcher and Kathy Florence won a Hermes Creative Gold Award for “Dunwoody Ribbons” – a video highlighting Dunwoody as a prime place to do business;
- Recognized the people who participated in the Dunwoody 101 graduating class;
- approved on consent agenda a resolution to appoint members to serve on the city’s Urban Development Agency and the Alcohol License Review Board;
- approved on consent agenda about $53,000 in funds to renovate the Donaldson-Bannister Farm blacksmith shop.
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