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SB49.html
04 LC 14 8677S (SCS)
Senate Bill
49 By: Senators Price of the 56th, Moody of the 27th
and Tanksley of the 32nd
AS PASSED
SENATE
A BILL TO BE
ENTITLED AN ACT
To incorporate the City of Sandy Springs in Fulton County;
to provide for a charter for the City of Sandy Springs; to provide for
incorporation, boundaries, and powers of the city; to provide for general powers
and limitations on powers; to provide for a governing authority of such city and
the powers, duties, authority, election, terms, method of filling vacancies,
compensation, qualifications, prohibitions, districts, and removal from office
relative to members of such governing authority; to provide for inquiries and
investigations; to provide for organization and procedures; to provide for
ordinances and codes; to provide for the office of mayor and certain duties and
powers relative to the office of mayor; to provide for administrative
responsibilities; to provide for boards, commissions, and authorities; to
provide for a city manager, a city attorney, a city clerk, a tax collector, a
city accountant, and other personnel; to provide for personnel rules and
regulations; to provide for a municipal court and the judge or judges thereof;
to provide for practices and procedures; to provide for ethics and disclosures;
to provide for taxation and fees; to provide for franchises, service charges,
and assessments; to provide for bonded and other indebtedness; to provide for
accounting and budgeting; to provide for purchases; to provide for homestead
exemptions; to provide for the sale of property; to provide for bonds for
officials; to provide for eminent domain; to provide for penalties; to provide
for other matters relative to the foregoing; to provide for a referendum; to
provide effective dates; to provide for severability; to repeal conflicting
laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
GEORGIA:
ARTICLE I CREATION,
INCORPORATION, POWERS SECTION
1.01. Incorporation.
This Act shall constitute the charter of the City of
Sandy Springs, Georgia. The City of Sandy Springs, Georgia, in the County of
Fulton, and the inhabitants thereof, are constituted and declared a body politic
and corporate under the same name and style of the "City of Sandy Springs" and
by that name shall have perpetual succession, may sue and be sued, plead and be
impleaded, in all the courts of law and equity, and in all actions whatsoever,
and may have and use a common seal.
SECTION
1.02. Corporate boundaries.
The boundaries of the City of Sandy Springs shall be as
set forth and described in Exhibit A of this charter, and said Exhibit A is
incorporated into and made a part of this charter. The city manager shall
maintain a current map and written legal description of the corporate boundaries
of the city, and such map and description shall incorporate any changes which
may hereafter be made in such corporate boundaries.
SECTION
1.03. Specific powers.
(a) The corporate powers of the government of the City
of Sandy Springs, to be exercised by the governing authority, shall include the
following: (1) To levy and to provide for the
valuation and revaluation of all property subject to taxation, and collection of
taxes on the same; (2) To levy and to provide for the
collection of license fees and taxes on privileges, occupations, trades, and
professions; to license and regulate such privileges, occupations, trades, and
professions; and to provide for the manner and method of payment of such
licenses and taxes; (3) To make appropriations for the
support of the government of the city; to authorize the expenditure of money for
any purposes authorized by this charter and for any purpose for which a
municipality is authorized by the laws of the State of Georgia; and to provide
for the payment of expenses of the city; (4) To
appropriate and borrow money for the payment of debts of the city and to issue
bonds for the purpose of raising revenue to carry out any project, program, or
venture authorized by this charter or the laws of the State of
Georgia; (5) To acquire, dispose of, and hold in trust
or otherwise, any real, personal, or mixed property, in fee simple or lesser
interest, inside or outside the corporate limits of the
city; (6) To accept or refuse gifts, donations,
bequests, or grants from any source for any purpose related to the powers and
duties of the city and the general welfare of its citizens on such terms and
conditions as the donor or grantor may impose; (7) To
condemn property, inside or outside the corporate limits of the city, for
present or future use, and for any corporate purpose deemed necessary by the
governing authority, utilizing procedures enumerated in Title 22 of the O.C.G.A.
or such other laws as are or may hereafter be
enacted; (8) To acquire, lease, construct, operate,
maintain, sell, and dispose of public utilities, including, but not limited to,
a system of waterworks, sewers and drains, sewage disposal, gas works, electric
light plants, transportation facilities, public airports, and any other public
utility; and to fix the taxes, charges, rates, fares, fees, assessments,
regulations, and penalties therefor; and to provide for the withdrawal of
service for refusal or failure to pay same and the manner in which such remedies
shall be enforced; (9) To grant franchises or make
contracts for public utilities and public services, not to exceed periods of ten
years; to prescribe the rates, fares, regulations, standards, and conditions of
service applicable to the service to be provided by the franchise grantee or
contractor, insofar as not in conflict with such regulations by the Public
Service Commission; (10) To lay out, open, extend,
widen, narrow, establish, change the grade of, abandon, close, construct, pave,
curb, gutter, adorn with shade trees, otherwise improve, maintain, repair,
clean, prevent erosion of, and light roads, alleys, and walkways within the
corporate limits of the city; (11) To grant franchises
and rights of way throughout the streets and roads and over the bridges and
viaducts, for the use of public utilities; (12) To
provide for the acquisition, construction, building, operation, and maintenance
of public ways, parks and playgrounds, recreational facilities, cemeteries,
markets and market houses, parking facilities, public buildings, libraries,
sewers, drains, sewerage systems, airports, hospitals, housing, and charitable,
cultural, educational, recreational, conservation, sport, curative, corrective,
detentional, penal, and medical institutions, agencies, and facilities; to
provide any other public improvements inside or outside the corporate limits of
the city; to regulate the use of public improvements; and, for such purposes,
property may be acquired by condemnation under Title 22 of the O.C.G.A. or such
other applicable laws as are or may hereafter be
enacted; (13) To require real estate owners to repair
and maintain in a safe condition the sidewalks adjoining their lots or lands;
and to enact ordinances establishing the terms and conditions under which such
repairs and maintenance shall be effected, including the penalties to be imposed
for failure to do so; (14) To regulate the erection
and construction of buildings and all other structures; to adopt building,
housing, plumbing, electrical, gas, and heating and air-conditioning codes; to
regulate all housing, building, and building trades; to license all building
trades; to license the construction and erection of buildings and all other
structures; (15) To provide for the prevention and
punishment of drunkenness, riots, and public
disturbances; (16) To regulate junk dealers, pawn
shops, the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors; to
regulate the transportation, storage, and use of combustible, explosive, and
inflammable materials; and to regulate the use of lighting and heating
equipment, and any other business or situation which may be dangerous to persons
or property; (17) To regulate the conduct of peddlers
and itinerant traders, theatrical performances, exhibitions, and shows of any
kind, by taxation or otherwise; (18) To license, tax,
and regulate professional fortunetelling or
palmistry; (19) To regulate the erection, removal, and
maintenance of signs, billboards, trees, shrubs, fences, buildings, and any and
all other structures or obstructions upon or adjacent to the rights of way of
streets and roads, inside or abutting the corporate limits of the city and to
prescribe penalties and punishment for violation of such
ordinances; (20) To prescribe standards of public
health and sanitation and to provide for the enforcement of such
standards; (21) To regulate the emission of smoke or
other exhaust which pollutes the air and to prevent the pollution of natural
streams which flow within the corporate limits of the
city; (22) To fix and establish fire limits, and, from
time to time, extend, enlarge, or restrict same; to prescribe fire safety
regulations not inconsistent with general law, relating to both fire prevention
and detection and to fire fighting, and to prescribe penalties and punishment
for violation thereof; (23) To provide for the
destruction and removal of any building or other structure which is dangerous to
the public; (24) To provide for the collection and
disposal of garbage, rubbish, and refuse; to regulate the collection and
disposal of garbage, rubbish, and refuse by others; to provide for the separate
collection of glass, tin, aluminum, cardboard, paper, and other recyclable
materials and to provide for the sale of such
items; (25) To levy, fix, assess, and collect a
garbage, refuse, and trash collection and disposal, and other sanitary service
charge, tax, or fee, for such services as may be necessary in the operation of
the city, from all individuals, firms, and corporations residing in or doing
business therein benefiting from such services; to enforce the payment of such
charges, taxes, or fees, and to provide for the manner and method of collecting
such service charges; (26) To levy a fee, charge, or
sewer tax as necessary to assure the acquiring, constructing, equipping,
operating, maintaining, and extending of a sewage disposal plant and sewerage
system, and a water treatment or water distribution system; to levy on the users
of sewers and the sewerage system a sewer service charge, fee, or sewer tax for
the use of the sewers; and to provide for the manner and method of collecting
such service charges and for enforcing payment of
same; (27) To charge, impose, and collect a water and
sewer connection fee or fees, and to charge the same from time to time; such
fees to be levied on the users connecting with the water and sewerage
system; (28) To define and regulate any act, practice,
conduct, or use of property which is detrimental to the health, sanitation,
cleanliness, welfare, and safety of the inhabitants of the city and to provide
for the enforcement of such standards; (29) To define
a nuisance and provide for its abatement, whether on public or private
property; (30) To provide for the preservation and
protection of property and equipment of the city and the administration and use
of same by the public, and to prescribe penalties and punishment for violations
thereof; (31) To establish minimum standards for and
to regulate building construction and repair, electrical wiring and equipment,
gas installation and equipment, plumbing, and housing, for the health,
sanitation, cleanliness, welfare, and safety of inhabitants of the city, and to
provide for the enforcement of such standards; (32) To
provide that persons given jail sentences by the municipal court shall work out
such sentence in any public works or on the streets, roads, drains, and squares
in the city; or to provide for commitment of such persons to any county
correctional institution or jail by agreement with the appropriate county
officials; (33) To adopt ordinances and regulations
for the prevention of loitering, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, and
disturbing the peace in the corporate limits of the city and to prohibit the
playing of lotteries therein; and to prohibit or regulate, by ordinance, such
other conduct and activities within said city which, while not constituting an
offense against the laws of this state, are deemed by the governing authority to
be detrimental and offensive to the peace and good order of the city or to the
welfare of the citizens thereof; (34) To regulate the
keeping or running at large of animals and fowl and to provide for the
impoundment of same if in violation of any ordinance or lawful order; also, to
provide for disposition by sale, gift, or humane destruction of animals and fowl
when not redeemed as provided by ordinance; to provide punishment for violation
of ordinances enacted under this paragraph; (35) To
regulate the operation of motor vehicles and exercise control over all traffic,
including parking, upon or across the streets, roads, alleys, and walkways of
the city; (36) To regulate and license vehicles
operated for hire in the city; to require the operators thereof to be licensed;
to require public liability insurance on such vehicles in amounts to be
prescribed by ordinance; and to regulate parking spaces in public ways for the
use of such vehicles; (37) To provide and maintain a
system of pensions and retirement for officers and employees of the
city; (38) To levy and provide for the collection of
special assessments to cover the costs from abutting property owners of
improvements in public rights of way, sewers, water system, and other public
utilities; (39) To enter into contracts and agreements
with other governmental entities and with private persons, firms, and
corporations providing for services to be furnished and payments to be made
therefor; (40) To create, alter, or abolish
departments boards, offices, commissions, authorities, and agencies of the city,
and to confer upon such agencies the necessary and appropriate authority for
carrying out all the powers conferred upon or delegated to
same; (41) To make, ordain, and establish such bylaws,
ordinances, rules, and regulations as shall appear necessary for the security,
welfare, convenience, and interest of the city and the inhabitants thereof, and
for preserving the health, peace, order, and good government of the
city; (42) To provide penalties for violations of any
ordinance adopted pursuant to the authority of this charter and the laws of the
State of Georgia; (43) To exercise the power of arrest
through duly appointed law enforcement personnel; (44)
To prepare, modify, and adopt land use plans to enact zoning ordinances and
other environmental control ordinances; (45) To
establish procedures for determining and proclaiming that an emergency situation
exists inside or outside the city, and to make and carry out all reasonable
provisions deemed necessary to deal with or meet such an emergency for the
protection, safety, health, or well-being of the citizens of the
city; (46) To safeguard all individuals in public
employment from discrimination in employment; to promote the elimination of
discrimination against all individuals in public employment because of such
individuals´ race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or age
thereby to promote the protection of their interest in personal dignity and
freedom from humiliation; (47) To exercise and enjoy
all other powers, functions, rights, privileges, and immunities necessary or
desirable to promote or protect the safety, health, peace, security, good order,
comfort, convenience, or general welfare of the city and its inhabitants; to
exercise all implied powers necessary to carry into execution all powers granted
in this charter as fully and completely as if such powers were fully enumerated
in this charter; and to exercise all powers now or in the future authorized to
be exercised by other municipal governments under other laws of the State of
Georgia. (b) No enumeration of particular powers in
this charter shall be held to be exclusive of others, nor restrictive of general
words and phrases granting powers, but shall be held to be in addition to such
powers unless expressly prohibited to municipalities under the Constitution or
applicable laws of the State of Georgia.
SECTION
1.04. General powers and limitations on
powers.
In addition to all other powers granted by this charter
the city shall be vested with any and all powers which municipal corporations
are, or may hereafter be, authorized or required to exercise under the
Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia, as fully and completely as though
such powers were specifically enumerated in this charter.
SECTION
1.05. Exercise of powers.
All powers, functions, rights, privileges, and
immunities of the city, its offices, agencies, or employees shall be carried
into execution as provided by this charter. If this charter makes no provision
therefor, such powers, functions, rights, privileges, and immunities shall be
carried into execution, as provided by ordinance of the governing authority and
as provided by pertinent laws of the State of Georgia.
ARTICLE II GOVERNING
BODY SECTION
2.01. Legislative branch.
(a) The legislative authority of the government of the
City of Sandy Springs, except as otherwise specifically provided in this
charter, shall be vested in a city council, to be composed of a mayor and six
councilmembers. (b) The mayor shall be elected by a
majority vote of the qualified electors of the city at large voting at the
elections provided for by Article V of this charter. Each councilmember shall
be elected by a majority vote of the qualified electors of his or her respective
council district voting at the elections provided for by Article V of this
charter. For the purpose of electing the six councilmembers, there shall be six
council districts as provided for by Section 2.05 of this charter.
SECTION
2.02. First election; districts and terms of
office.
(a) The first election for mayor and councilmembers
shall be a special election held in 2004 on the date specified in Article V of
this charter. At said election, the mayor and the councilmembers elected from
Council Districts 1, 3, and 5 shall be elected for initial terms of office
beginning the first day of January, 2005, and expiring on December 31, 2005.
The councilmembers elected from Council Districts 2, 4, and 6 shall be elected
for initial terms of office beginning on the first day of January, 2005, and
expiring on December 31, 2007. Thereafter, at the elections provided for by
Article V of this charter, their successors shall be elected for terms of four
years. All members shall serve until their successors are elected and
qualified. The persons elected as mayor and councilmembers shall take office on
the first day of January immediately following their election in the manner
prescribed by Section 2.11 of this charter. (b) Each
councilmember, for the special election and each subsequent election for
councilmember, shall be elected by the qualified electors of the council
district for which the councilmember has qualified for
office.
SECTION
2.03. Qualification for office of
mayor.
No person shall be eligible to serve as mayor unless he
or she shall have been a resident of the area comprising the corporate limits of
the City of Sandy Springs for at least 12 months and
shall continue to reside within the city during his or her period of service and
shall be registered and qualified to vote in municipal elections of the City of
Sandy Springs. In addition to the foregoing, any person eligible to serve as
mayor shall not be ineligible for such office under Code Section 45-2-1 of the
O.C.G.A.
SECTION
2.04. Qualification for office of
councilmembers.
No person shall be eligible to serve as a councilmember
unless he or she shall have been a resident of the area comprising the corporate
limits of the City of Sandy Springs for at least 12 months and a resident of the
area comprising the district he or she wishes to represent for a continuous
period of six months immediately prior to the date of the election of
councilmembers, and shall continue to reside within the district during his or
her period of service, and shall be registered and qualified to vote in
municipal elections of the City of Sandy Springs. In addition to the foregoing,
any person eligible to serve as councilmember shall not be ineligible for such
office under Code Section 45-2-1 of the O.C.G.A.
SECTION
2.05. Districts of the City of Sandy
Springs.
For the purpose of electing the six district
councilmembers, the territory comprising the corporate limits of the City of
Sandy Springs shall be divided into six council districts to be designated
Council Districts 1 through 6. Each person desiring to offer as a candidate for
councilmember shall designate the council district for which he or she is
offering. The six council districts shall be as described in Exhibit B of this
charter which is attached to and is made a part of the charter of the City of
Sandy Springs.
SECTION
2.06. Vacancy; forfeiture of office; filling of
vacancies.
(a) The office of mayor or councilmember shall become
vacant upon the incumbent´s death, resignation, forfeiture of office, or
removal from office in any manner authorized by this charter or the laws of the
State of Georgia. (b) The mayor or any councilmember
shall forfeit his or her office if he or she: (1)
Lacks at any time during his or her term of office any qualifications of the
office as prescribed by this charter or the laws of the State of
Georgia; (2) Willfully and knowingly violates any
express prohibition of this charter, as determined by a majority of the
councilmembers; or (3) Is finally convicted of a crime
involving moral turpitude. (c) A vacancy in the office
of mayor shall be filled by the mayor pro tempore for the unexpired term if the
vacancy occurs within the last 27 months of the term of office. If the vacancy
occurs before the last 27 months of the term of office, the mayor pro tempore
shall fill the vacancy until a successor is elected for the remainder of the
unexpired term at a special election conducted at the next regular municipal
election. An election to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor shall be held in
the city at large. A vacancy in the office of councilmember shall be filled by
vote of the remaining councilmembers for the unexpired term if the vacancy
occurs within the last 27 months of the term of office. If the vacancy occurs
before the last 27 months of the term of office, the remaining councilmembers
shall fill the vacancy until a successor is elected for the remainder of the
unexpired term at a special election conducted at the next regular municipal
election. An election to fill a vacancy in the office of a councilmember shall
be held in the council district wherein the vacancy exists.
SECTION
2.07. Compensation and expenses.
The annual salary of the mayor shall be $15,000.00 and
for each councilmember shall be $7,500.00 per annum. Such salaries shall be paid
from municipal funds. Extraordinary expenses, such as attendance at
conventions, may be paid from municipal funds when approved in advance by
resolution of the city council.
SECTION
2.08. Prohibitions.
(a) Except as authorized by law, no member of the
council shall hold any other elective city office or city employment during the
term for which he or she was elected. (b) Neither the
mayor nor any other member of the council shall vote upon any question in which
he or she has a personal interest.
SECTION
2.09. General power and authority of the
council.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law or by this
charter, the council shall be vested with all the powers of government of the
City of Sandy Springs as provided by Article I of this
charter. (b) In addition to all other powers conferred
upon it by law, the council shall have the authority to adopt and provide for
the execution of such ordinances, resolutions, rules, and regulations, not
inconsistent with this charter, the Constitution and the laws of the State of
Georgia, which it shall deem necessary, expedient, or helpful for the peace,
good order, protection of life and property, health, welfare, sanitation,
comfort, convenience, prosperity, or well-being of the inhabitants of the City
of Sandy Springs and may enforce such ordinances by imposing penalties for
violation thereof. (c) The council may, by ordinance,
create, change, alter, abolish, or consolidate offices, agencies, and
departments of the city and may assign additional functions to any of the
offices, agencies, and departments expressly provided for by this charter.
SECTION
2.10. Powers and duties of mayor.
The mayor shall be the official spokesman for the city
and the chief advocate of policy. The mayor shall preside at meetings of the
council, sign ordinances and resolutions on their final passage, and sign deeds,
bonds, contracts, and other instruments or documents when authorized by the
council to do so. The mayor shall be responsible for the execution of all
ordinances of the city. The mayor shall perform such other duties as may be
imposed by this charter or by ordinance of the council not inconsistent
therewith. Unless otherwise expressly provided by law or this charter, the
mayor shall have no vote on any question before the city council, except in case
of a tie. The mayor shall have power to veto any action of the city council,
except an impeachment resolution against the mayor or any resolution for removal
of the mayor.
SECTION
2.11. Organization and procedures; organization
meeting.
The council shall meet for organization on the first
working day in January immediately following each municipal election. The
meeting may be called to order by the presiding judge of the Superior Court of
Fulton County or by a judge of the Superior Court of Fulton County designated by
said presiding judge and the oath of office shall be administered to the newly
elected members as follows: "I do solemnly swear (or
affirm) that I will well and truly perform the duties of (mayor or
councilmember, as the case may be) of the city and that I will support and
defend the charter thereof as well as the Constitution and laws of the State of
Georgia and of the United States of America." Following
the induction of members, the council, by majority vote of all the members
thereof, shall elect a councilmember to be mayor pro tempore, who shall serve
for a term of two years, except that the initial term shall be one year if the
first special municipal election is held in an even year, and until a successor
is elected and qualified.
SECTION
2.12. Regular and special
meetings.
(a) The council shall, at least once a month, hold regular
meetings at such times and places as prescribed by ordinance. The council may
recess any regular meeting and continue such meeting on any weekday or hour it
may fix and may transact any business at such continued meeting as may be
transacted at any regular meeting. (b) Special
meetings of the council may be held on call of the mayor or three members of the
council. Notice of such special meetings shall be delivered to all members of
the council and the mayor personally, or by registered mail or a notice in
writing that is received by each member of the council and the mayor. Such
notice of a special meeting shall be delivered and received at least 24 hours in
advance of the meeting. The notice of such special meeting shall state what
business is to be transacted at the special meeting. Only the business stated
in the call may be transacted at the special
meeting. (c) All meetings of the city council,
committee, and board shall be held within the city limits and open to the public
to the extent required by law.
SECTION
2.13. Rules of procedure.
The council shall adopt its rules of procedure and order
of business consistent with the provisions of this charter and shall provide for
keeping a journal of its proceedings which shall be a public record.
SECTION
2.14. Quorum; voting.
Four councilmembers shall constitute a quorum and shall
be authorized to transact business of the council. Voting on the adoption of
ordinances shall be taken by voice vote and the yeas and nays shall be recorded
in the journal, but on request of any member there shall be a roll-call vote.
The affirmative vote of a majority of councilmembers present shall be required
for the adoption of an ordinance, resolution, or motion, except as otherwise
provided in this charter.
SECTION
2.15. Action requiring an
ordinance.
(a) Except as provided in this charter, every official
action of the council which is to become law shall be by ordinance. Each
proposed ordinance or resolution shall be introduced in writing and in the form
required for final adoption. No ordinance shall contain a subject which is not
expressed in its title. The enacting clause shall be "The council of the City
of Sandy Springs ordains...." (b) An ordinance may be
introduced by any member of the council and read at a regular or special meeting
of the council. Ordinances shall be considered and adopted or rejected by the
council in accordance with the rules which it shall establish; provided,
however, ordinances, except emergency ordinances, shall not be adopted until the
next regular meeting of the council following the meeting of their initial
introduction. Upon introduction of any ordinance, the clerk shall distribute a
copy to the mayor and to each councilmember and shall file a reasonable number
of copies in the office of the clerk and at such other public places as the
council may designate.
SECTION
2.16. Emergency ordinances.
To meet a public emergency affecting life, health,
property, or public peace, the council may adopt one or more emergency
ordinances, but such ordinances may not levy taxes; grant, renew, or extend a
franchise; regulate the rate charged by any public utility for its services; or
authorize the borrowing of money, except as provided by law. An emergency
ordinance shall be introduced in the form and manner prescribed for ordinances
generally, except that it shall be plainly designated as an emergency ordinance
and shall contain, after the enacting clause, a declaration stating that an
emergency exists and describing it in clear and specific terms. An emergency
ordinance may be adopted with or without amendment or rejection at the meeting
at which it is introduced, but the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum
of councilmembers present shall be required for adoption. It shall become
effective upon adoption or at such later time as it may specify. Every
emergency ordinance shall automatically stand repealed at the next regular
meeting of the council unless reenacted at the next regular meeting upon which
it was adopted.
SECTION
2.17. Codes of technical
regulations.
(a) The council may adopt any standard code of
technical regulations by reference thereto in an adopting ordinance. The
procedure and requirements governing such adopting ordinance shall be as
prescribed for ordinances generally, except that (1) the requirements of Section
2.18 of this charter for distribution and filing of copies of the ordinance
shall be construed to include copies of any code of technical regulations, as
well as the adopting ordinance; and (2) a copy of each adopted code of technical
regulations, as well as the adopting ordinance, shall be authenticated and
recorded pursuant to said Section 2.18. (b) Copies of
any adopted code of technical regulations shall be made available by the clerk
for distribution or for purchase.
SECTION
2.18. Submission of ordinances to the
mayor.
(a) Every ordinance adopted by the council shall be
presented promptly to the mayor. (b) The mayor, within
five calendar days of receipt of an ordinance, shall return it, with or without
his or her signature of approval, or with his or her disapproval. If the
ordinance has been signed and approved by the mayor, it shall become law; if the
ordinance is neither approved nor disapproved, it shall become law at 12:00 Noon
on the fifth calendar day after its adoption; if the ordinance is disapproved,
the mayor shall submit to the council a written statement of the reasons for his
or her veto. The date of the delivery to and receipt from the mayor shall be
recorded upon the ordinance. (c) Ordinances vetoed by
the mayor shall be presented to the council at its next regular meeting, and if
the council then or at its next regular meeting adopts the ordinance by an
affirmative vote of a majority of councilmembers present, it shall become
law. (d) The mayor may disapprove or reduce any item
or items of appropriation in any ordinance. The approved part or parts of any
ordinance making appropriations shall become law, and the part or parts
disapproved or reduced shall not become law unless subsequently passed by the
city council over the mayor´s veto as provided in this
charter. (e) All ordinances that have been signed by
the mayor or adopted over his or her veto, as provided for in subsection (c) of
this section, shall be recorded in full in a properly indexed book kept for
minutes of meetings of the council. The council shall provide for the
preparation of a general codification of all of the ordinances of the city
having the force and effect of law. The general codification shall be adopted
by the council by ordinance and shall be published promptly, together with all
amendments thereto with this charter and any amendment thereto, and such codes
of technical regulations and other rules and regulations as the city council may
specify. This compilation shall be known and cited officially as "The Code of
the City of Sandy Springs, Georgia." Copies of the code shall be furnished to
all officers, departments, and agencies of the city and made available for
purchase by the public at a reasonable price as fixed by the
council. (f) The council shall cause each ordinance
and each amendment to this charter to be printed promptly following its
adoption, and the printed ordinances and charter amendments shall be made
available for purchase by the public at reasonable prices to be fixed by the
council. Following the initial publication of "The Code of the City of Sandy
Springs, Georgia", and at all times thereafter, the ordinances and charter
amendments shall be printed in substantially the same style as the code
currently in effect and shall be suitable in form for incorporation therein.
The council shall make such further arrangements as deemed desirable with
respect to reproduction and distribution of any current changes in or additions
to codes of technical regulations and other rules and regulations included in
the code.
ARTICLE
III EXECUTIVE
BRANCH SECTION
3.01. Administrative and service
department.
(a) The council, by ordinance, may establish, abolish,
merge, or consolidate offices, positions of employment, departments, and
agencies of the city as they shall deem necessary for the proper administration
of the affairs and government of the city. The council shall prescribe the
functions and duties of existing departments, offices, and agencies or of any
departments, offices, and agencies hereinafter created or established; may
provide that the same person shall fill any number of offices and positions of
employment; and may transfer or change the functions and duties of offices,
positions of employment, departments, and agencies of the
city. (b) The operations and responsibilities of each
department now or hereafter established in the city shall be distributed among
such divisions or bureaus as may be provided by ordinance of the council. Each
department shall consist of such officers, employees, and positions as may be
provided by this charter or by ordinance and shall be subject to the general
supervision and guidance of the mayor and council. (c)
Except as otherwise provided by law, the directors of departments and other
appointed officers of the city shall be appointed solely on the basis of their
respective administrative and professional
qualifications. (d) All appointive officers and
directors of departments shall receive such compensation as prescribed by
ordinance of the city council.
SECTION
3.02. Boards, commissions, and
authorities.
(a) All members of boards, commissions, and authorities
of the city shall be nominated by the mayor and be confirmed by the council for
such terms of office and such manner of appointment as provided by ordinance,
except where other appointing authority, term of office, or manner of
appointment is prescribed by this charter or by applicable state
law. (b) No member of any board, commission, or
authority of the city shall hold any elective office in the city.
Councilmembers and the mayor, however, may serve as ex officio members of such
boards, commissions, or authorities, without a
vote. (c) Any vacancy in office of any member of a
board, commission, or authority of the city shall be filled for the unexpired
term in the manner prescribed in this section for original appointment, except
as otherwise provided by this charter or any applicable state
law. (d) No member of any board, commission, or
authority shall assume office until he or she shall have executed and filed with
the designated officer of the city an oath obligating himself or herself to
faithfully and impartially perform the duties of his or her office, such oath to
be prescribed by ordinance of the council and administered by the
mayor. (e) Any member of a board, commission or
authority may be removed from office for cause by a vote of a majority of the
members of the council. He or she may file with the council a written request
for hearing in the same manner as provided in Section 3.06 of this
charter. (f) Members of boards, commissions, and
authorities may receive such compensation and expenses in the performance of
their official duties as prescribed by ordinance. (g)
The qualifications required of members of boards, commissions, and authorities
shall be as prescribed by ordinance. (h) Except as
otherwise provided by this charter or by applicable state law, each board,
commission, or authority of the city government shall elect one of its members
as chairperson and one member as vice-chairperson for terms of one year and may
elect as its secretary one of its own members or may appoint as secretary an
employee of the city. Each board, commission, or authority of the city
government may establish such bylaws, rules, and regulations not inconsistent
with this charter, ordinances of the city, or applicable state law as it deems
appropriate and necessary for the conduct of its affairs, copies of which shall
be filed with the designated officer of the city.
SECTION
3.03. City Manager; appointment, qualification, and
compensation.
The mayor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the
council, for an indefinite term an officer whose title shall be the "city
manager" and the city manager shall serve at the pleasure of the council. The
city manager shall be appointed without regard to political beliefs and solely
on the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications with
special reference to his or her educational background and actual experience in,
and knowledge of, the duties of office as hereinafter prescribed. At the time
of appointment, the city manager need not be a resident of the City of Sandy
Springs or the State of Georgia, but if he or she is not a resident of the city
at the time of appointment, the person appointed city manager shall become a
resident within 60 days after the date of appointment and continuously maintain
such residency while holding office as city manager. The compensation of the
city manager shall be fixed by the council by ordinance.
SECTION
3.04. City manager; chief administrative
officer.
The city manager shall be the chief administrative
officer of the government of the City of Sandy Springs. The city manager must
devote all of his or her working time and attention to the affairs of the city
and shall be responsible to the mayor and council for the proper and efficient
administration of the affairs of the city over which said officer has
jurisdiction.
SECTION
3.05. City manager; powers and duties
enumerated.
(a) The city manager shall have the power, and it shall
be his or her duty to: (1) See that all laws and
ordinances are enforced; (2) Appoint and employ all
necessary employees of the city, provided that excepted from the power of this
appointment are those officers and employees who by this Act are appointed or
elected by the council or departments not under the jurisdiction of the city
manager; (3) Remove employees employed by said officer
without the consent of the council and without assigning any reason
therefor; (4) Exercise supervision and control of all
departments and all divisions created in this charter or that may hereafter be
created by the council except as otherwise provided in this
Act; (5) Attend all meetings of the council with a
right to take part in the discussions, but having no vote. The city manager
shall be entitled to notice of all special
meetings; (6) Recommend to the council, after prior
review and comment by the mayor, for adoption such measures as the city manager
may deem necessary or expedient; (7) See that all
terms and conditions imposed in favor of the city or its inhabitants in any
public utility franchise are faithfully kept and performed and upon knowledge of
any violation thereof to call the same to the attention of the city attorney,
whose duty it shall be forthwith to take such steps as are necessary to protect
and enforce the same; (8) Make and execute all lawful
contracts on behalf of the city as to matters within said officer´s
jurisdiction, except such as may be otherwise provided by law or by ordinance
passed by the council; provided, however, that no contract purchase or
obligation involving over $5,000.00 shall be valid and binding until after
approval of the council; (9) Act as budget officer
with such committee as the city council may appoint to prepare and submit to the
council prior to the beginning of each fiscal year a budget of proposed
expenditures for the ensuing year, showing in as much detail as practicable the
amounts allotted to each department of the city government and the reasons for
such estimated expenditures; (10) Keep the council at
all times fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the
city; (11) Make a full written report to the council
on the first of each month showing the operations and expenditures of each
department of the city government for the preceding month, and a synopsis of
such reports shall be published by the clerk of the
city; (12) Fix all salaries and compensation of city
employees lawfully employed by said officer, subject, however, to supervision,
control, or disapproval by the council; and (13)
Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Act or required by
ordinance or resolution of the council. (b) The city
manager shall be the purchasing agent for the city by whom all the purchases of
supplies for departments under said officer´s control and all contracts for
printing shall be made, as hereinbefore provided, and said officer shall approve
all vouchers for same; provided, however, that all contracts or agreements made
by said officer requiring the expenditure of money to the amount of $5,000.00 or
more shall be approved by the council. In the capacity of purchasing agent,
said officer shall conduct all sales of personal property which the council may
authorize to be sold and which have become unnecessary or unfit for the
city´s use. All purchases and sales shall conform to such regulations as
the council may from time to time prescribe, but, in any case, if an amount in
excess of $5,000.00 is involved, opportunity for competition shall be given
after reasonable advertisement thereof.
SECTION
3.06. City manager; removal.
(a) The mayor and council may remove the manager from
office in accordance with the following procedures: (1)
The council shall adopt by affirmative vote of a majority of all its members a
preliminary resolution removing the city manager and may suspend the city
manager from duty for a period not to exceed 45 days. A copy of the resolution
shall be delivered promptly to the city manager; (2)
Within five days after a copy of the resolution is delivered to the city
manager, he or she may file with the council a written request for a public
hearing. This hearing shall be held at a council meeting not earlier than 15
days nor later than 30 days after the request is filed. The city manager may
file with the council a written reply not later than five days before the
hearing; and (3) The council may adopt a final
resolution of removal, which may be made effective immediately, by affirmative
vote of a majority of all its members at any time after five days from the date
when a copy of the preliminary resolution was delivered to the city manager, if
he or she has not requested a public hearing, or at any time after the public
hearing if he or she has requested one. (b) The city
manager shall continue to receive his or her salary until the effective date of
a final resolution of removal and, unless he or she has been convicted of a
felony at that time, he or she shall be given not less than 60 days´
severance pay. The action of the council in suspending or removing the city
manager shall not be subject to review by any court or
agency. (c) If the city manager becomes disabled and
is unable to carry out the duties of the office or if the city manager dies, the
acting city manager shall perform the duties of the city manager until the city
manager´s disability is removed or until the city manager is replaced.
Removal of the city manager because of disability shall be carried out in
accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION
3.07. Acting city manager.
(a) The city manager may designate in writing any
administrative employee of the city who shall exercise all powers, duties, and
functions of the city manager during the city manager´s temporary absence
from the city or during the city manager´s disability. If such designation
has not been made and the city manager is absent from the city or unable to
perform the duties of the office or to make such designation, the council may,
by resolution, appoint any qualified administrative employee of the city to
perform the powers, duties, and functions of the city manager until the city
manager shall return to the city, the disability ceases, or the council appoints
a new city manager. (b) In the event of a vacancy in
the office of city manager, the council may designate a person as acting city
manager, who shall exercise all powers, duties, and functions of the city
manager until a city manager is appointed.
SECTION
3.08. City attorney.
The mayor shall nominate and the council shall confirm
by majority vote of the council a city attorney, together with such assistant
city attorneys as may be authorized by ordinance, and shall provide for the
payment of such attorney or attorneys for services rendered to the city. The
city attorney shall be responsible for representing and defending the city in
all litigation in which the city is a party; may be the prosecuting officer in
the municipal court; shall attend the meetings of the council as directed; shall
advise the council, mayor, other officers, and employees of the city concerning
legal aspects of the city´s affairs; and shall perform such other duties as
may be required by virtue of his or her position as city attorney.
SECTION
3.09. City clerk.
The mayor may appoint a city clerk, subject to
confirmation by majority vote of the council, to keep a journal of the
proceedings of the city council; to maintain in a safe place all records and
documents pertaining to the affairs of the city; and to perform such duties as
may be required by law or ordinance or as the mayor or city manager may direct.
SECTION
3.10. Tax collector.
The mayor may appoint a tax collector, subject to
confirmation by majority vote of the council, to collect all taxes, licenses,
fees, and other moneys belonging to the city subject to the provisions of this
charter and the ordinances of the city; and the tax collector shall diligently
comply with and enforce all general laws of Georgia relating to the collection,
sale, or foreclosure of taxes by municipalities.
SECTION
3.11. City accountant.
The mayor may appoint a city accountant, subject to
confirmation by majority vote of the council, to perform the duties of an
accountant.
SECTION
3.12. Consolidation of functions.
The city manager, with the approval of the council, may
consolidate any two or more of the positions of city clerk, city tax collector,
and city accountant, or any other positions or may assign the functions of any
one or more of such positions to the holder or holders of any other positions.
The city manager may also, with the approval of the city council, perform all or
any part of the functions of any of the positions or offices in lieu of the
appointment of other persons to perform the same.
SECTION
3.13. Position classification and pay
plans.
The city manager shall be responsible for the
preparation of a position classification and a pay plan which shall be submitted
to the council for approval. Said plan may apply to all employees of the City
of Sandy Springs, and any of its agencies and offices. When a pay plan has
been adopted by the council, neither the council nor the city manager shall
increase or decrease the salaries of individual employees except in conformity
with such pay plan or pursuant to an amendment of said pay plan duly adopted by
the council.
SECTION
3.14. Personnel policies.
The council shall adopt rules and regulations consistent
with this charter concerning: (1) The method of
employee selection and probationary periods of
employment; (2) The administration of the position
classification and pay plan, methods of promotion and application of service
ratings thereto, and transfer of employees within the classification
plan; (3) Hours of work, vacation, sick leave, and
other leaves of absence, overtime pay, and the order and manner in which layoff
shall be effected; and (4) Such other personnel
policies as may be necessary to provide for adequate and systematic handling of
the personnel affairs of the City of Sandy Springs.
ARTICLE IV MUNICIPAL
COURT SECTION
4.01. Creation.
There is established a court to be known as the
Municipal Court of the City of Sandy Springs which shall have jurisdiction and
authority to try offenses against the laws and ordinances of said city and to
punish for a violation of the same. Such court shall have the power to enforce
its judgments by the imposition of such penalties as may be provided by law,
including ordinances of the city; to punish witnesses for nonattendance and to
punish also any person who may counsel or advise, aid, encourage, or persuade
another whose testimony is desired or material in any proceeding before said
court to go or move beyond the reach of the process of the court; to try all
offenses within the territorial limits of the city constituting traffic cases
which, under the laws of Georgia, are placed within the jurisdiction of
municipal courts to the extent of, and in accordance with, the provisions of
such laws and all laws subsequently enacted amendatory thereof. Said court
shall be presided over by the judge of said court. In the absence or
disqualification of the judge, the judge pro tem shall preside and shall
exercise the same powers and duties as the judge when so
acting.
SECTION
4.02. Judge.
(a) No person shall be qualified or eligible to serve
as judge unless he or she shall have attained the age of 21 years and shall be a
member of the State Bar of Georgia. The judge shall be appointed by resolution
of the council. The compensation of the judge shall be fixed by the council.
The position of judge created in this article shall not be a full-time position,
and the person serving in said position may engage in the private practice of
law. (b) The judge pro tem shall serve in the
discretion of the judge, shall have the same qualifications as the judge, shall
be appointed by resolution of the council, and shall take the same oath as the
judge. (c) Before entering on duties of his or her
office, the judge and judge pro tem shall take an oath before an officer duly
authorized to administer oaths in this state declaring that he or she will
truly, honestly, and faithfully discharge the duties of his or her office to the
best of his or her ability without fear, favor, or partiality. The oath shall
be entered upon the minutes of the council. (d) The
judge, or judge pro tem, shall serve for a term of four years but may be removed
from the position by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the
council.
SECTION
4.03. Convening.
Said court shall be convened at such times as designated
by ordinance or at such times as deemed necessary to keep current the dockets
thereof.
SECTION
4.04. Jurisdiction; powers.
(a) The municipal court shall try and punish for crimes
against the City of Sandy Springs and for violation of its ordinances. The
municipal court shall have authority to punish those in its presence for
contempt, provided that such punishment shall not exceed $100.00 or imprisonment
for 15 days. The municipal court may fix punishment for offenses within its
jurisdiction not exceeding a fine of $500.00 or imprisonment for 21 days or
both, and as an alternative to fine or imprisonment, any offender, upon
conviction may be sentenced to labor in a city work gang or on the streets,
sidewalks, squares, or other public works for a period not exceeding 21
days. (b) The municipal court shall have authority to
establish a schedule of fees to defray the cost of operation and shall be
entitled to reimbursement of the cost of meals, transportation, and caretaking
of prisoners bound over to superior court for violations of state
law. (c) The municipal court shall have authority to
establish bail and recognizances to insure the presence of those charged with
violations before said court and shall have discretionary authority to accept
cash or personal or real property as security for appearances of persons charged
with violations. Whenever any person shall give bail for his or her appearance
and shall fail to appear at the time fixed for trial, the bond shall be
forfeited by the judge presiding at such time and an execution issued thereon by
serving the defendant and his or her sureties with a rule nisi at least two days
before a hearing on the rule nisi. In the event that cash or property is
accepted in lieu of bond for security for the appearance of a defendant at
trial, and if such defendant fails to appear at the time and place fixed for
trial, the cash so deposited shall be on order of the judge declared forfeited
to the City of Sandy Springs, or the property so deposited shall have a lien
against it for the value forfeited. (d) The municipal
court shall have the authority to bind prisoners over to the appropriate court
when it appears, by probable cause, that a state law has been
violated. (e) The municipal court shall have the
authority to administer oaths and to perform all other acts necessary or proper
to the conduct of said court. (f) The municipal court
may compel the presence of all parties necessary to a proper disposal of each
case by the issuance of summons, subpoena, and warrants which may be served as
executed by any officer as authorized by this charter or by state
law. (g) The municipal court is specifically vested
with all of the judicial jurisdiction and judicial powers throughout the entire
area of the City of Sandy Springs granted by state laws generally to municipal
courts, and particularly by such laws as authorize the abatement of nuisances.
SECTION
4.05. Certiorari.
The right of certiorari from the decision and judgment of
the municipal court shall exist in all criminal cases and ordinance violation
cases, and such certiorari shall be obtained under the sanction of a judge of
the Superior Court of Fulton County under the laws of the State of Georgia
regulating the granting and issuance of writs of
certiorari.
SECTION
4.06. Rules for court.
With the approval of the council, the judge shall have
full power and authority to make reasonable rules and regulations necessary and
proper to secure the efficient and successful administration of the municipal
court; provided, however, that the council may adopt in part or in total the
rules and regulations relative to the procedure of the operation of the superior
court under the general laws of the State of Georgia. The rules and regulations
made or adopted for said court shall be filed with the city clerk, shall be
available for public inspection, and, upon request, a copy shall be furnished to
all defendants in municipal court proceedings at least 48 hours prior to said
proceedings.
ARTICLE V ELECTION
AND REMOVAL OF OFFICERS SECTION
5.01. Nonpartisan elections.
Political parties shall not conduct primaries for city
offices and all names of candidates for city offices shall be listed without
party labels.
SECTION
5.02. Regular elections; time for
holding.
A special election shall be held on the Tuesday after the
first Monday in November, 2004, to elect the first mayor and council as provided
in Section 2.02 of this charter. At such election, the first mayor and council
shall be elected to serve for the initial terms of office specified in said
Section 2.02. Thereafter, the time for holding regular municipal elections
shall be on the Tuesday next following the first Monday in November of each
odd-numbered year beginning in 2005. The successors to the first mayor and
councilmembers and future successors shall be elected at the municipal election
immediately preceding the expiration of the respective terms of office and shall
take office on the first day of January immediately following their election for
terms of four years and until their successors are elected and qualified.
SECTION
5.03. Qualifying; nomination of candidates;
absentee ballots.
In conformity with the provisions of Chapter 2 of Title
21 of the O.C.G.A., known as the "Georgia Election Code," the council may, by
ordinance, prescribe rules and regulations governing qualifying fees, nomination
of candidates, absentee ballots, write-in votes, challenge of votes, and such
other rules and regulations as may be necessary for the conduct of elections in
the City of Sandy Springs.
SECTION
5.04. Applicability of general
laws.
Except for the requirements of Section 5.01 of this
charter that city elections shall be nonpartisan, the procedures and
requirements for election of all elected officials of the City of Sandy Springs,
including but not limited to the special election of 2004 to elect the first
mayor and council, shall be in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 2 of
Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., known as the "Georgia Election Code."
SECTION
5.05. Grounds for removal.
The mayor or any councilmember shall be subject to
removal from office for any one or more of the following
causes: (1) Incompetence, misfeasance, or malfeasance
in office; (2) Final conviction of a crime involving
moral turpitude; (3) Failure at any time to possess
any of the qualifications of office as provided by this charter or by
law; (4) Willful violation of any express prohibition
of this charter; (5) Abandonment of office or neglect
to perform the duties thereof; or (6) Failure for any
other cause to perform the duties of office as required by this charter or by
law.
SECTION
5.06. Procedure for removal.
Removal of an elected officer from office may be
accomplished by one of the following methods: (1) By
action of two-thirds´ vote of the entire membership of the council. In the
event an elected officer is sought to be removed by the action of the council,
such officer shall be entitled to a written notice specifying the grounds for
removal and to a public hearing which shall be held not less than ten days after
the service of such written notice. Any elected officer sought to be removed
from office as provided in this section shall have the right of appeal from the
decision of the council to the Superior Court of Fulton County. Such appeal
shall be governed by the same rules as govern appeals to the superior court from
the probate court; or (2) By information filed in the
Superior Court of Fulton County as provided by law.
ARTICLE VI CODE OF
ETHICS AND PROHIBITED PRACTICES SECTION
6.01. Conflict of interest.
No elected official, appointed officer, or employee of
the City of Sandy Springs or any agency or political entity to which this code
of ethics applies shall knowingly: (1) Engage in any
business or transaction or have a financial or other personal interest, direct
or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her
official duties or which would tend to impair his or her independence of
judgment or action in the performance of his or her official
duties; (2) Contract with, engage in any business or
transaction with, or be or become an employee of any other municipality or
county of this state or the state itself while holding any elective office of
the city or while serving as a full-time employee of the
city; (3) Engage in or accept private employment or
render services for private interests when such employment or service is
incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her official duties or would
tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance
of his or her official duties; (4) Disclose
confidential information concerning the property, government, or affairs of the
governmental body by which he or she is employed without proper legal
authorization, or use such information to advance the financial or other private
interest of himself or herself or others; (5) Accept
any valuable gift, whether in the form of service, loan, thing, or promise, from
any person, firm, or corporation which, to his or her knowledge, is interested,
directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever in business dealings with the
governmental body by which he or she is employed; provided, however, that an
elected official who is a candidate for public office may accept campaign
contributions and services in connection with any
campaign; (6) Represent private interests in any
action or proceeding against the council by which he or she is employed;
or (7) Vote or otherwise participate in the
negotiation or the making of any contract with any business or entity in which
he or she has a financial interest.
SECTION
6.02. Disclosure.
Any elected official, appointed officer, or employee of
the City of Sandy Springs who shall have any private financial interest,
directly or indirectly, in any contract or matter pending before or within any
department of the city shall disclose such private interest to the council. The
mayor or any councilmember who has a private interest in any matter pending
before the council shall disclose such private interest and such disclosure
shall be entered on the records of the council and he or she shall disqualify
himself or herself from participating in any decision or vote relating thereto.
Any elected official, appointed officer, or employee of any agency or political
entity to which this code of ethics applies who shall have any private financial
interest, directly or indirectly, in any contract or matter pending before or
within such agency or entity shall disclose such private interest to the
governing body of such agency or entity.
SECTION
6.03. Financial disclosure
statements.
Each elected official of the City of Sandy Springs shall
file a financial disclosure statement as required by Article 3 of Chapter 5 of
Title 21 of the O.C.G.A.
SECTION
6.04. Use of public property.
No elected official, appointed officer, employee of the
city, or any agency or entity to which this code of ethics applies shall use
property owned by such governmental body for personal benefit, convenience, or
profit, except in accordance with policies promulgated by the council or the
governing body of such agency or entity.
SECTION
6.05. Contracts voidable and
rescindable.
Any violation of this code of ethics which occurs with
the knowledge, express or implied, of another party to a contract or sale shall
render said contract or sale voidable as to that party, at the option of the
council.
SECTION
6.06. Ineligibility of elected
officials.
Except where authorized by law, neither the mayor nor
any councilmember shall hold any other elective or appointive office in the city
or otherwise be employed by said government or any agency thereof during the
term for which he or she was elected. No former mayor and no former
councilmember shall hold any compensated appointive office in the city until one
year after leaving office.
SECTION
6.07. Political activities of certain officers and
employees.
No appointive officer and no employee of the city shall
continue in such employment upon qualifying as a candidate for nomination or
election to any public office.
SECTION
6.08. Penalties for violation.
(a) Any city officer or employee who willfully conceals
such financial interest or willfully violates any of the requirements of this
article shall, upon conviction, be guilty of malfeasance in office or position
and shall be deemed to have forfeited his office or
position. (b) Any officer or employee of the city who
shall forfeit his or her office or position as described in subsection (a) of
this section shall be ineligible for appointment or election to or employment in
a position in the city government for a period of three years thereafter.
ARTICLE VII FINANCE
AND FISCAL SECTION
7.01. Property taxes.
All property subject to taxation for state or county
purposes, assessed as of January 1 in each year, shall be subject to the
property tax levied by the City of Sandy Springs. The council shall use the
county assessment for the year in which the city taxes are to be levied, as
provided by the laws of the State of Georgia.
SECTION
7.02. Tax levy.
The council shall be authorized to levy an ad valorem
tax on all real and personal property within the corporate limits of the city
for the purpose of raising revenues to defray the costs of operating the city
government, providing governmental services, and for any other public purpose as
determined by the council in its discretion. The council is also authorized to
provide for sufficient levy to pay principal and interest on general
obligations.
SECTION
7.03. Tax due dates and tax bills.
The council shall provide, by ordinance, when the taxes
of the city shall fall due and the time period within which said taxes may be
paid and shall provide, by ordinance, for the payment of taxes due to the city
in installments or in one lump sum, and when and how and upon what terms such
taxes shall be due and payable, as well as authorize the voluntary payment of
taxes prior to the time when due.
SECTION
7.04. Collection of delinquent
taxes.
The council may provide, by ordinance, for the collection of
delinquent taxes by fi. fa. or by the use of any other available legal processes
and remedies. A lien shall exist against all property upon which city property
taxes are levied, as of the assessment date of each year, which lien shall be
superior to all other liens, except that it shall have equal dignity with those
of federal, state, or county taxes. In cases of hardship, the council shall
have discretionary authority to waive any and all penalties imposed by this
charter on delinquent taxes, fees, assessments, or on other amounts due to the
city.
SECTION
7.05. Licenses, occupational taxes, excise taxes,
and franchises.
(a) The council, by ordinance, shall have full power to
levy such license and specific or occupation taxes upon residents of the City of
Sandy Springs, both individual and corporate, and on all those who transact or
offer to practice any profession or calling therein, as the council may deem
expedient for the public health, safety, benefit, convenience or advantage of
the city. The council may classify businesses, occupations, professions, or
callings for the purpose of such taxation in any way which may be lawful and may
compel the payment of such taxes by execution or any other lawful manner. The
council may make laws and regulations necessary or proper to carry out the
powers conferred in this section and may prescribe penalties for any violation
thereof. The council shall have full power and authority to levy an excise tax
not prohibited by general law. (b) The city council
shall have the power to grant franchises for the use of this city´s streets
and alleys for the purposes of railroads, street railways, telephone companies,
electric companies, electric membership corporations, cable television and other
telecommunications companies, gas companies, transportation companies, and other
similar organizations. The city council shall determine the duration, terms,
whether the same shall be exclusive or nonexclusive, and the consideration for
such franchises; provided, however, no franchise shall be granted for a period
in excess of 35 years and no franchise shall be granted unless the city receives
just and adequate compensation therefor. The city council shall provide for the
registration of all franchises with the city clerk in a registration book kept
by the city clerk. The city council may provide by ordinance for the
registration within a reasonable time of all franchises previously granted. If
no franchise agreement is in effect, the city council has the authority to
impose a tax on gross receipts for the use of this city´s streets and
alleys for the purposes of railroads, street railways, telephone companies,
electric companies, electric membership corporations, cable television and other
telecommunications companies, gas companies, transportation companies, and other
similar organizations.
SECTION
7.06. Water and sewer service
charges.
The council, by ordinance, shall have the right, power,
and authority to assess and collect fees, charges, and tolls for water and sewer
services rendered both inside and outside the corporate limits of the City of
Sandy Springs to provide for the cost and expense of providing for the treatment
and distribution of water, and the collection and disposal of sewage through the
sewerage facilities of said city. If unpaid, said sewer service charge shall
constitute a lien against any property of persons served, which lien shall be
second in priority only to liens for county and city property taxes and shall be
enforceable in the same manner and under the same remedies as a lien for city
property taxes.
SECTION
7.07. Sanitary and health services
charge.
The council shall have authority, by ordinance, to
provide for, to enforce, to levy, and to collect the cost of sanitary and health
services necessary in the operation of the city from all individuals, firms, and
corporations residing in or doing business in said city benefiting from such
service. Such authority shall include the power to assess, levy, and collect
annual or monthly sanitary taxes or fees in such amount or amounts and based
upon and in accordance with such classification of property and sanitary service
or service provided, as may be fixed by ordinance. Said sanitary taxes and the
assessments thereof shall be a charge and lien against the real estate in
respect to which said taxes are so assessed and the owner or owners thereof,
superior to all other liens, except liens for county and city property taxes,
and shall be enforceable in the same manner and under the same remedies as a
lien for city property taxes.
SECTION
7.08. Special assessments.
The council shall have power and authority to assess all
or part of the cost of constructing, reconstructing, widening, or improving any
public way, street, sidewalk, curbing, gutters, sewers, or other utility mains
and appurtenances against the abutting property owners, under such terms and
conditions as may be prescribed by ordinance. Such special assessments shall
become delinquent 30 days after their due dates, shall thereupon be subject, in
addition to fi. fa. charges, to a penalty of 10 percent and shall thereafter be
subject to interest at the rate of 7 percent per annum from date due until paid.
A lien shall exist against the abutting property superior to all other liens,
except that it shall be of equal dignity with liens for county and city property
taxes, and said lien shall be enforceable by the same procedures and under the
same remedies as provided for in this article for city property taxes.
SECTION
7.09. Transfer of executions.
The city clerk shall be authorized to assign or transfer
any fi. fa. or execution issued for any tax or for any street, sewer, or other
assessment in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by Georgia law
regarding sales and transfers of tax fi. fas. Such transfer or assignment, when
made, shall vest the purchaser or transferee with all right, title and interest
as provided by Georgia law governing sales and transfers of tax fi. fas.,
provided that, upon levy of execution and sale of property pursuant to such tax
fi. fas., whether assigned, transferred, or executed by the city, the owner of
such property, in fee simple or lesser interest, shall not lose his right to
redeem the property in accord with the requirements of redemption of property
sold under state or county ad valorem tax fi. fas., as said requirements now
exist or as may be hereinafter provided by law.
SECTION
7.10. General obligation bonds.
The council shall have the power to issue bonds for the
purpose of raising revenue to carry out any project, program, or venture
authorized under this charter or the general laws of the state. Such bonding
authority shall be exercised in accordance with the laws governing bond
issuances by municipalities in effect at the time said issue is undertaken.
SECTION
7.11. Revenue bonds.
Revenue bonds may be issued by the council as provided
by Article 3 of Chapter 82 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., known as the "Revenue
Bond Law," as now or hereafter amended, or by any other Georgia law as now or
hereafter provided.
SECTION
7.12. Short term notes.
Pursuant to applicable state law, but not otherwise, the
city may obtain temporary loans between January 1 and December 31 of each
calendar year.
SECTION
7.13. Fiscal year.
The council shall set the fiscal year by ordinance.
Said fiscal year shall constitute the budget year and the year for financial
accounting and reporting of each and every office, department or institution,
agency, and activity of the city government, unless otherwise provided by state
or federal law.
SECTION
7.14. Preparation of budgets.
The council shall provide, by ordinance, the procedures
and requirements for the preparation and execution of an annual operating budget
and a capital improvement program and a capital budget, including requirements
as to the scope, content, and form of such budgets and programs.
SECTION
7.15. Submission of operating budget to city
council.
On or before a date fixed by the council, but not later
than 30 days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the city manager shall
submit to the council a proposed operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year.
The budget shall be accompanied by a message from the city manager containing a
statement of the general fiscal policies of the city, the important features of
the budget, explanations of major changes recommended for the next fiscal year,
a general summary of the budget, and such other comments and information as he
or she may deem pertinent. The operating budget and the capital improvements
budget hereinafter provided for, the budget message, and all supporting
documents shall be filed in the office of the city manager and shall be open to
public inspection.
SECTION
7.16. Action by council on budget.
(a) The council may amend the operating budget proposed
by the city manager, except that the budget, as finally amended and adopted,
must provide for all expenditures required by law, or by other provisions of
this charter, and for all debt service requirements for the ensuing fiscal year
and the total appropriations from any fund shall not exceed the estimated fund
balance, reserves, and revenues, constituting the fund availability of such
fund. (b) The council shall adopt the final operating
budget for the ensuing fiscal year on or before a date fixed by ordinance of the
council. If the council fails to adopt the budget by said date, the amounts
appropriated for the current fiscal year shall be applicable to the ensuing
fiscal year on a month-to-month basis, with all items prorated accordingly,
until such time as the council adopts a budget for the ensuing fiscal year.
Such adoption shall take the form of an appropriation ordinance setting out the
estimated revenues in detail by sources and making appropriations according to
fund and by organizational unit, purpose, or activity as set out in the budget
document. (c) The amount set out in the adopted
operating budget for each organizational unit shall constitute the annual
appropriation for such item, and no expenditure shall be made or encumbrance
created in excess of the otherwise unencumbered balance of the appropriations or
allotment thereof, to which it is chargeable.
SECTION
7.17. Property tax levies.
As the next order of business, following adoption of the
operating budget, the council shall levy, by ordinance, an annual tax on all
real and personal property within the City of Sandy Springs. The tax rate set
by such ordinance shall be such that reasonable estimates of revenues from such
levy shall at least be sufficient, together with other anticipated revenues,
fund balances, and applicable reserves, to equal the total amount appropriated
for each of the several funds set forth in the annual operating budget for
defraying the expenses of the general government of the City of Sandy Springs
and the retirement of bonds.
SECTION
7.18. Additional appropriations.
The council may make appropriations in addition to those
contained in the current operating budget at any regular or special meeting
called for such purpose, but any such additional appropriations may be made only
from an existing unappropriated surplus in the fund to which it applies.
SECTION
7.19. Capital improvements budget.
(a) On or before the date fixed by the city council, but
not later than 30 days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the city
manager shall submit to the council a proposed capital improvements budget with
his or her recommendations as to the means of financing the improvements
proposed for the ensuing fiscal year. The council shall have power to accept,
with or without amendments, or reject the proposed program and proposed means of
financing. The council shall not authorize an expenditure for the construction
of any building, structure, work, or improvement, unless the appropriations for
such project are included in the capital improvements budget, except to meet a
public emergency threatening the lives, health, or property of the inhabitants,
when passed by two-thirds´ vote of the membership of the
council. (b) The council shall adopt the final capital
improvements budget for the ensuing fiscal year on or before a date fixed by
ordinance of the council. No appropriation provided for in the capital
improvements budget shall lapse until the purpose for which the appropriation
was made shall have been accomplished or abandoned, provided the city manager
may submit amendments to the capital improvements budget at any time during the
fiscal year, accompanied by his or her recommendations thereon. Any such
amendments to the capital improvements budget shall become effective only upon
adoption by a vote of the council.
SECTION
7.20. Contracting procedures.
All contracts shall be made or authorized by the council
and shall not bind the city unless reduced to writing, approved by the council,
and spread upon the minutes. All contracts, and all ordinances or resolutions
making contracts or authorizing the same, shall be drawn by the city attorney or
shall be submitted to him or her before authorization by the council.
SECTION
7.21. Centralized purchasing; city
property.
(a) The council shall, by ordinance, prescribe
procedures for a system of centralized purchasing for the City of Sandy
Springs. (b) The council may sell and convey any real
or personal property owned or held by the City of Sandy Springs for governmental
or other purposes, at a public or private sale, after due advertisement, for
such consideration as it shall deem equitable and just for the
city. (c) The council may quitclaim any rights it may
have in property not needed for public purposes upon report by the city manager
and adoption of a resolution, both finding that the property is not needed for
public or other purposes and that the interest of the city has no readily
ascertainable monetary value. (d) Whenever, in
opening, extending, or widening any street, avenue, alley, or public place of
the city, a small parcel or tract of land is cut off or separated by such work
from a larger tract or boundary of land owned by the city, the council may
authorize the city manager to execute and deliver, in the name of the city, a
deed conveying said cutoff or separated parcel or tract of land to an abutting
or adjoining property owner or owners in exchange for rights of way of said
street, avenue, alley, or public place, or in settlement of any alleged damages
sustained by said abutting or adjoining property owner. All deeds and
conveyances, so executed and delivered, shall convey all title and interest the
city has in such property, notwithstanding the fact that no public sale, after
advertisement, was or is hereafter made.
SECTION
7.22. Audits.
(a) There shall be an annual independent audit of all
city accounts, funds, and financial transactions by a certified public
accountant selected by the city council. The audit shall be conducted according
to generally accepted accounting principles. Any audit of any funds by the
state or federal government may be accepted as satisfying the requirements of
this charter. Copies of all audit reports shall be available at printing cost
to the public. (b) As a minimum, all audits and
budgets of the city shall satisfy the requirements of Chapter 81 of Title 36 of
the O.C.G.A., relating to local government audits and budgets.
SECTION
7.23. Homestead exemptions.
Each resident of the City of Sandy Springs who qualifies
for one or more homestead exemptions from Fulton County ad valorem taxes for
county purposes shall be granted one or more corresponding homestead exemptions
from City of Sandy Springs ad valorem taxation. The eligibility requirements for
each such exemption shall be the same as those for the corresponding exemption
from Fulton County ad valorem taxes for county purposes; and the amount of each
such exemption shall be the same as the amount of the corresponding exemption
from Fulton County ad valorem taxes. No separate application for the exemption
from City of Sandy Springs ad valorem taxation shall be required; and the
eligibility for any such exemption shall be determined by reference to
eligibility for the corresponding exemption from Fulton County ad valorem taxes
for county purposes. Any such exemption shall apply only to a home which the
resident owns and actually occupies as a residence and homestead; and any such
exemption shall be applicable to all ad valorem taxes levied by the City of
Sandy Springs except ad valorem taxes to pay interest on and retire bonded
indebtedness.
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL
PROVISIONS SECTION
8.01. Qualified electors.
(a) For the purposes of the referendum election
provided for in Section 8.02 of this charter and for the purposes of the special
election to be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 2004, the
qualified electors of the City of Sandy Springs shall be those qualified
electors of Fulton County residing within the corporate limits of the City of
Sandy Springs as described by Exhibit A of this charter. At subsequent
municipal elections, the qualified electors of the City of Sandy Springs shall
be determined pursuant to the authority of Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the
O.C.G.A., known as the "Georgia Election Code." (b)
Only for the purpose of holding and conducting the referendum election provided
for by Section 8.02 of this charter and only for the purpose of holding and
conducting the special election of the City of Sandy Springs to be held on the
Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 2004, the election superintendent of
Fulton County is vested with the powers and duties of the election
superintendent of the City of Sandy Springs and the powers and duties of the
governing authority of the City of Sandy Springs.
SECTION
8.02. Referendum.
Unless prohibited by the federal Voting Rights Act of
1965, as amended, the election superintendent of Fulton County shall call a
special election for the purpose of submitting this Act to the qualified voters
of the proposed City of Sandy Springs, as provided in Section 8.01 of this
charter, for approval or rejection. The superintendent shall set the date of
such election for the date of the July, 2004, general primary election. The
superintendent shall issue the call for such election at least 30 days prior to
the date thereof. The superintendent shall cause the date and purpose of the
election to be published once a week for two weeks immediately preceding the
date thereof in the official organ of Fulton County. The ballot shall have
written or printed thereon the words:
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"( ) YES
( ) NO
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Shall the Act incorporating the City of Sandy Springs and
granting homestead exemptions in connection therewith be
approved?"
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All persons desiring to vote for approval of the Act
shall vote "Yes," and those persons desiring to vote for rejection of the Act
shall vote "No." If more than one-half of the votes cast on such question are
for approval of the Act, it shall become of full force and effect as provided in
Section 8.03 of this charter, otherwise it shall be void and of no force and
effect. The expense of such election shall be borne by
Fulton County. It shall be the duty of the superintendent to hold and conduct
such election. It shall be his or her further duty to certify the result thereof
to the Secretary of State.
SECTION
8.03. Effective dates.
This section and the provisions of this Act necessary
for the special election provided for in Section 8.02 of this charter shall
become effective only if an amendment to Code Section 36-31-2 of the O.C.G.A.,
permitting incorporation of a municipal corporation less than three miles from
another municipality´s boundaries, is enacted, in which event this section
and the provisions of this Act necessary for the election provided in Section
8.02 of this charter shall become effective upon the same date that such
amendment to Code Section 36-31-2 of the O.C.G.A. becomes effective. The
provisions of this Act necessary for the special election to be held on the
Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 2004, as provided by Articles II and
V of this charter shall be effective upon the certification of the results of
the referendum election provided for by Section 8.02 of this charter, if this
Act is approved at such referendum election. The remaining provisions of this
Act shall become of full force and effect for all purposes on January 1, 2005,
when members of the first governing authority of the City of Sandy Springs take
office as provided in Section 2.02 of this charter.
SECTION
8.04. Severability.
In the event any section, subsection, sentence, clause,
or phrase of this Act shall be declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional,
such adjudication shall in no manner affect the other sections, subsections,
sentences, clauses, or phrases of this Act, which shall remain of full force and
effect, as if the section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase so declared
or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional were not originally a part hereof. The
General Assembly hereby declares that it would have passed the remaining parts
of this Act if it had known that such part or parts hereof would be declared or
adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 8.05.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are
repealed.
EXHIBIT A
The corporate limits of the City of Sandy Springs shall
consist of the following described territory of Fulton
County: Beginning on the western border of Fulton
County at the intersection of the Chattahoochee River and Powers Ferry Road,
running thence generally easterly along the northern edge of Powers Ferry Road
until its intersection with Northside Drive; thence running generally southerly
along the eastern edge of Northside Drive until its intersection with Mount
Vernon Highway; thence running generally northeasterly along the northern edge
of Mount Vernon Highway until its intersection with Powers Ferry Road; thence
running generally southerly along the eastern edge of Powers Ferry Road until
its intersection with the City Limits of the City of Atlanta; thence running
generally easterly along the northerly city limit line of the City of Atlanta,
following the meanderings thereof, to the point where said line intersects the
Fulton-DeKalb County line; running thence northerly, generally easterly, and
generally northerly along the easterly county line of Fulton County at the point
where the Fulton-Gwinnett County line intersects the Chattahoochee River;
running thence generally west and southwest along the southern bank of said
river, following the meanderings thereof, to the point of
beginning.
EXHIBIT B
Council Districts 1 through 6 shall consist of the
territory of the City of Sandy Springs described in the Redistricting Plan
Components Report attached to this Act and made a part thereof and further
identified as "Plan Name: SANDYSPR04-1 Plan Type: Local User: Linda
Administrator: Sandy Springs." When used in such
attachment, the terms "Tract" and "BG" (Block Group) shall mean and describe the
same geographical boundaries as provided in the report of the Bureau of the
Census for the United States decennial census of 2000 for the State of Georgia.
The separate numeric designations in a Tract description which are underneath a
"BG" heading shall mean and describe individual Blocks within a Block Group as
provided in the report of the Bureau of the Census for the United States
decennial census of 2000 for the State of Georgia. Any part of the City of
Sandy Springs which is not included in any such district described in that
attachment shall be included within that district contiguous to such part which
contains the least population according to the United States decennial census of
2000 for the State of Georgia. Any part of the City of Sandy Springs which is
described in that attachment as being in a particular district shall
nevertheless not be included within such district if such part is not contiguous
to such district. Such noncontiguous part shall instead be included with that
district contiguous to such part which contains the least population according
to the United States decennial census of 2000 for the State of Georgia.
Plan Name: SANDYSPR04-1 Plan Type: Local User:
Linda Administrator: Sandy Springs
Redistricting
Plan Components Report District
001 Fulton County Tract:
101.06 BG: 1 1000
1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011
1995 1998 1999 BG: 2
BG: 3 Tract: 101.07
Tract: 101.08 Tract:
101.09 BG: 8 8000
8001 8002 8003 Tract:
101.11 BG: 1 1000
1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 BG:
2 2004 2005 Tract:
101.12 BG: 3 Tract:
114.11 BG: 1 1995
1996
District 002 Fulton
County Tract: 101.11
BG: 2 2000 2001 2002
2003 BG: 3 Tract:
102.08 Tract: 102.09
Tract: 102.10 BG: 2
2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2998 2999 Tract:
114.06 BG: 1 1006
1007 1009 1995 1997 1998 1999 BG:
9 9013
9999 District
003 Fulton County Tract:
102.04 Tract: 102.05
Tract: 102.07 BG: 2
2000 Tract: 102.10
BG: 1 BG: 2 2004
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
District
004 Fulton County Tract:
101.09 BG: 6 6002
6003 6004 6005 6006 6007 6008 6009 BG:
7 BG: 8 8004 8005
8006 8007 8008 8009 8010 8011 8012 8013 8014 8015
8016 8017 8018 8019 8020 8021 8022 8023 8024 8025 8026
8027 Tract: 101.12
BG: 1 District
005 Fulton County Tract:
100 BG: 1 1000 1001
1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 BG:
4 4000 4001 4002 4003
4007 Tract: 101.01
BG: 1 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007
1008 1009 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 1022 1023
1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1029 1030 1034
1999 BG: 2 Tract:
101.09 BG: 6 6000
6001 Tract:
101.10
District
006 Fulton County Tract:
101.01 BG: 1 1010
1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1031 1032 1033 Tract:
102.06 BG: 4 4000
4001 4002 4003 4004 4011 4021 4997 4998 4999 BG:
5 BG: 6 6000 6001
6002 6003 6004 6005 6006 6007 6008 6011 6013
Tract: 102.07 BG: 1
BG: 2 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
2014 BG: 4 4000
4001 4002 4003 4004 4005 4006 4007 4008 4009 4011 4014
4015 4016 4017 4018 4019 4020 4024 4996 4999
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