Auburn council tables development agreement

The Auburn City Council borrowed $1,727,516 Tuesday based on development agreements with The Cotswolds, LLC, Fred D. Peak, The Musselwhite Group and Michael Musselwhite.

During the regular meeting, the city council issued two general obligation warrants to provide the permanent financing of the Richland Road special capital improvement project. One is for $950,134, and the other is for $777,382.

The principal and interest payments due on the borrowing of $950,134 warrant will be funded by payments required under the terms of the development agreement with The Cotswolds, LLC, and Fred D. Peak with the note secured by an irrevocable bank letter of credit and the developer’s personal guaranty.

The principal and interest payments due on the borrowing of $777,382 warrant will be funded by payments required under the terms of the development agreements with The Musselwhite Group and Michael Musselwhite with the note secured by an irrevocable bank letter of credit and the developer’s personal guaranty.

“Just so I understand,” asked Ward 8 Councilman Bob Norman, “The city owns the road. The city has paid for it. Now we are borrowing the money, and they (developers) are going to pay it back?”

Auburn City Manager Charlie Duggan said, “Essentially, the developer borrowed the money from us. We paid for it (Richland Road), now that we have a final price for these sections of the road, we have gone out and we have sought financing.”

Duggan said the city is able to get a much lower interest rate on the market and that’s the incentive to work together on the Richland Road project.

Charleston Square apartments

After a motion from the mayor, council tabled the development agreement related to The Towns at North Dean Road, a.k.a. Charleston Square.

One issue is related to the future connection North and South DeKalb Street. Neighborhood representatives met last week with city leaders to voice concerns about connecting the two streets. The issue will come back before the council later this month.

Other business

Members approved retail beer, on and off premises, licenses for both Momma Goldberg’s Deli, 500 West Magnolia Ave., and Momma Goldberg’s Deli Too, 217 E. Thach Ave.

Council approved:

- a taxpayer waiver for Health Information Designs and HDI Solutions, 391 Industry Drive, for $7,748.54.

- a tax abatement for CNJ Inc., Lot 2, Auburn Industrial Park.

- annexations of 3.01 acres for Rayford W. and Brenda Keel for property located east of Heath Road and north of U.S. Highway 280 and 3.77 acres for Eric Jones, 3850 Cotton Valley Lane, property located south of Lee Road 137 on the west side of Lee Road 008, Cotton Valley Lane.

- a group daycare home at 1248 Dunford Ave., at the corner of Richland Road, which will allow the care of up to 12 children.

After discussion about the deceleration lane wording in the planning commission recommendation, a road service use was approved for a fast food restaurant with drive through, Wendy’s Bent Creek, 2607 Hilton Garden Drive.

Council renamed a street named Twin City Court, which is north of intersection of East Glenn Avenue and Bent Creek Road, to be Bent Creek Road.

Members voted to allow six different vacation and acceptance of drainage and utility easements and rights of way.

Ham recognized Cynthia Ledbetter with the Auburn Public Library as employee of the month. He recognized Andrew D. Meeks, with the public safety department, codes enforcement division, for 15 years of service and Julie Westra with the parks and recreation department, leisure services division, for five years of service.

The mayor recognized AU SGA representatives Elizabeth Huffman and Clay Parker for their service during 2007-2008.

Duggan announced board vacancies on the Tree Commission, Auburn Cemeteries Advisory Board and the Auburn Library Board. Anyone interested in serving on any of the city’s boards should contact the city manager at city hall. Appointments will be made at the April 1 meeting.