Sandy Springs gives food-aid group $25K, takes other actions

The Sandy Springs City Council addressed several matters Tuesday at the final regular meeting to be held while the nation deals with the coronavirus pandemic.

City Council declared a state of emergency for Sandy Springs, postponing public hearings and usual meetings for 60 days. Like other north Fulton cities, City Council members can conduct public meetings by teleconference. The city is required to provide public notice and access, such as through online viewing.

“Our meetings are going to be somewhat sequestered,” Mayor Rusty Paul said. “Maybe within a couple of weeks, progress in working though this sit- uation ... may give us enough information ... that we can make adjustments (to allow for public comment).”

Although the city contin- ues to conduct official busi- ness, all public buildings are closed. City Council approved $25,000 in emergency support to Community Assistance Center (CAC), which is providing prepackaged meals to food-insecure families and individuals. Sandy Springs gave $100,000 to CAC in both 2019 and 2020 fiscal years. Councilman Andy Bauman requested there be conditions on the $25,000 for CAC. Believing there is a moratorium on evictions in Fulton County, he asked that the funds assist only Sandy Springs residents and not be used for rental assistance.

“It’s not that I don’t care about that issue, but that issue is moot right now,” Bauman said.

The landlord-tenant eviction calendar in Fulton County Superior Court has been suspended until April 13 due to the coronavirus.

Separately, council members voted to extend the due date for business license fees. The due date for businesses to pay their occupational tax to the city was extended from March 31 to May 31.

In other business, the council approved the purchase of 6.58 acres of land on North Island Ferry Road adjacent to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.