Long recognized as a trailblazer in public-private partnerships, the City of Sandy Springs is once again breaking new ground with the recently completed rebid of general government services. Following a year-long process, the City awarded contracts to four firms at the May 7th regular City Council meeting to provide general government services in the areas of communications, municipal court, public works, recreation and parks and community development.

Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos said, "The outcome of this procurement process demonstrates once again the virtue of an open, transparent and competitive market.  Our invitation for bids to perform the various services our City provides generated proposals from leading corporations in the U.S.  By virtue of these companies competing against each other, the process has resulted in a net savings to the City of $7,106,609, or 29 percent annually over the past annual contract."

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The long-awaited bridge widening on Roswell Road over Interstate 285 has begun. Georgia Power has started utility relocation work and once complete, Comcast and AT&T will begin utility relocations. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently awarded the construction contract to C.W. Matthews in the amount of $3.5 million.

The proposed project will include the construction of additional width on the northbound side of the existing bridge. This will allow for two 11-foot wide northbound and southbound travel lanes as well as full 11-foot wide dedicated left turn lanes onto the entrance ramps for Interstate 285. Additional width to the westbound and eastbound entrance ramps for Interstate 285 will be constructed to accommodate dual ramp meters and additional storage capacity. Short sections of raised concrete median are also proposed at both ends of the bridge to improve operational flow.

According to GDOT, notice to proceed could be given to C.W. Matthews by late June with construction beginning in July, weather permitting. The project completion date is October 31, 2012.

To view the proposed concept drawings of the construction plan, visit sandyspringsga.org/RoswellRoadBridge.

Sandy Springs Police Department is hosting the second annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 4, 2011, to benefit the Sandy Springs Police Benevolent Fund. The event includes family games, music, food and a Dunk-a-Cop tank.

"This event is a wonderful way for our officers to engage the community," said Police Chief Terry Sult. "One of our goals is community policing and what better way to do that than to meet the public. This just happens to be in a fun and relaxed atmosphere."

The event, sponsored by the law firm of Slappey and Sadd of Sandy Springs, will take place on June 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 352 Sandy Springs Circle (Sandy Springs Circle and Roswell Road.) Police and fire vehicles will also be on display.

The SSPD Benevolent Fund was created in 2010 to provide financial assistance to first responders and their families in times of need. To date, more than $14,000 has been donated to help officers and families.

Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos was among the first alumni of Georgia State University to receive the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies' 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award in a special ceremony held recently at the university's student center. The new award honors outstanding Andrew Young School alumni who exemplify the institution's standards of excellence.

A doctoral member of the Class of 1969 - the first class of women to graduate from GSU with a Ph.D. in economics - Galambos was recognized for her successful career consulting local government, as highlighted by her efforts to create the City of Sandy Springs.

"Dr. Galambos's contributions in urban finance, labor economics, public finance and education have improved innumerable institutions and governments," said Andrew Young School Dean Mary Beth Walker, upon presenting the award. "She epitomizes public service."

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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Department (SSFRD) was named a Heart Safe Community by the International Association of Fire Chiefs at the EMS Section annual meeting in Las Vegas last month.

"I am extremely proud of the men and women who make up the Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Department," said Fire Chief Jack McElfish. "This award embodies what we strive for every day, preventing cardiac arrest in Sandy Springs. However, if someone should have to go to the hospital because of cardiac arrest, we want to make sure their stay is as short as possible."

The award is sponsored by Physio Control and it recognizes fire-based EMS and other EMS systems that have used creative approaches to implement and maintain systems that prevent and treat cardiac related diseases within the communities they serve.

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The recent storms have prompted residents to consider the care and maintenance of their trees. Deciding when to have a tree removed can be a difficult process.

"There are many options to prevent catastrophic failure of significant trees on your property," said City of Sandy Springs Arborist, Michael Barnett. "Complete removal of trees within range of your home is a drastic measure to take without information to back up the decision. If we used this decision making process in other areas of our life we would rarely travel in our cars or stray from our organic raw diets."

The Georgia Forestry Commission offers advice on residential tree care including the following steps to prepare your trees for storms:

• Administer routine tree care such as watering, fertilizing and mulching.
• Conduct a survey annually, note changes to tree structures each time. This will help you prepare to meet with a certified arborist.
• Hire a certified arborist. They know how to remedy hazardous tree situations and should be consulted every other year to update tree assessments and provide major tree care or removal, if needed. Certified arborists have at least three years experience and have passed a comprehensive exam by an industry association.

You can obtain a list of certified arborists from the International Society of Arborculture or the Georgia Arborist Association.

 

MUSIC TOGETHER®

Music Together® is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners and the adults who love them. Each child participates at his or her own level in singing, moving, chanting, listening, watching or exploring musical instruments. All children must be registered and accompanied by an adult to attend.

Where: Hitson Memorial Activities Center, 85 Mt Vernon Highway

When: Mondays, 10:00-10:45 a.m. or 11:00-11:45 a.m., June 13-July 25 (no class July 4)

Who: Children, birth-5 years old

Cost: $83/1st child; $57/2nd child; $45/3rd child; Siblings less than 6 months old participate for free.  An additional $40 cash lab fee per family is due to the instructor at the first class meeting (includes one Music Together® award-winning song collection CD and songbook).

More info: musictogether.com 

 

SOCCER CAMP

This camp includes soccer drills, skills, games and tournaments.
Where: Lake Forest Elementary, 5920 Sandy Springs Circle
When: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., June 27-July 1
Who: Children, 6-11 years old
Cost: $65

SUMMER HANGOUT

A great opportunity for middle school age children to hang-out with their friends in a supervised environment, play games, exercise and have fun.
Where: Sandy Springs Middle School, 8750 Colonel Drive
When: Monday-Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm, June 1-July 1
Who: Grades 6th-8th
Cost: Free

DAY CAMP
Camp activities include games, sports, arts and crafts, entertainment, field trips and special events.
Where: Lake Forest Elementary, 5920 Sandy Springs Circle
When: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., June 6-August 5
Who: Children, 6-11 years old
Cost: $85/week

SUPER SUMMER SPORTS CAMP
Camp participants will have the opportunity to learn the rules of play for basketball, lacrosse and kickball and to develop their individual player skills through drills, game activities and tournament play.
When: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., June 6-July 1
Where: Ison Springs Elementary, 8261 Ison Road
Who: Children, 6-11 years old
Price: $85/week

CREATIVE THEATRE CAMP
Campers are guided by the instructors through a process where they play theater games, create a story and work together to make the story into a working production. There will be a performance on last day of camp.

When: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Where: Hitson Memorial Activities Center, 85 Mt. Vernon Highway

Who: Children, 6 years old and up

Price: $85

Registration for programs is available online via Activenet, or call (770) 206-2035 for further information.