Notice to Sandy Springs Consumers
Residents of Sandy Springs continue to have problems with vendors charging sales tax of 8 percent versus 7 percent. If you are a resident of Sandy Springs, and have been charged 8 percent sales tax in your area, you can get a refund.
To determine whether you’re eligible visit www.etax.dor.ga.gov ; follow the link: 1% City of Atlanta Municipal option Sales and use Tax; and go to: City of Atlanta Address locator. This Web site will verify that your address is not subject to the additional 1 percent sales use tax for the City of Atlanta. Print a confirmation and remit this to the establishment that charged you the 8 percent in error for a reimbursement of the sales and use taxes they collected.
If you need additional information or assistance, you may contact the Sales & Use Tax Section at 404-417-6601 or submit a specific inquiry to their Web site Taxpayer.Services@dor.ga.gov.
The City Faces Stormwater Challenges
Each time it rains, stormwater runoff picks up debris such as litter, pesticides, chemicals, motor oil and dirt as it flows across rooftops and lawns, streets and parking lots. These pollutants are deposited, untreated, into our waterways. Fifty-nine stream miles in the City (more than 1,000 in Metro Atlanta) are in violation of water quality standards due to polluted stormwater runoff.
In some areas, this problem is severe enough that storm drains can become clogged flooding yards and stormwater structures. The City has in excess of 4,000 stormwater structures and many of these are older structures that are in need of both routine and remedial maintenance.
The City is developing an aggressive stormwater management program (SWMP) to meet these challenges. For more information, please visit our website's stormwater information page .
We would like to get your input for the upcoming 2007 Sandy Spring Annual Report. Please share your thoughts and opinions with us by taking this short survey. Thank you for your assistance.
Traffic Management Center Comes Online
The Sandy Springs City Council selected Protronix, Inc. to complete the design-build project for the Traffic Management Center (TMC). The implementation of the TMC will provide a communications link from a central location to localized intersections throughout the City. The TMC will provide communication to all field devices. Once implemented, the TMC will provide internet images of live traffic to the public and will allow the community to control the cameras through preset camera locations that can be chosen.
Intersection Improvement Projects Well Underway
Seven intersections have been put out to bid and were due back on February 28, 2008. Once the vendor has been selected, intersections upgrades will begin. Improvements will include but not be limited to: signal upgrades, striping improvements, sectional sidewalks with new handicap ramps and pedestrian upgrades. The list of intersections includes:
- Johnson Ferry Road @ Glenridge Connector
- Johnson Ferry Road @ Roswell Road
- Dunwoody Place @ Hightower Trail
- Mt. Vernon Highway @ Dupree Road
- Dunwoody Place @ Hope Road
- Glenridge Drive @ Mabry Road
- Spalding Drive @ Dalrymple Road
Sidewalk Construction Program Awarded
The first phase of the 2008 Sidewalk Program is being awarded with construction to take place near Sandy Springs Middle School on North River Parkway. On Mount Vernon Parkway, work continues on the Sidewalk and Traffic Calming Project, with the curb and sidewalk now extending from Crest Valley Drive to Mount Vernon Highway. Major upcoming efforts include installation of handicap accessible ramps and a street pavement overlay. When traveling through these sites, please exercise caution and be prepared for delays.
Paving Progress Continues
The 2008 Capital Paving Project will continue in March with work on Spalding Drive from the Gwinnett County Line to Wickley Way. The next segment will be Spalding Drive from Tynecastle Drive to Jett Ferry Road. Working hours will be from about 9:00am to 4:00pm. Please look for flagmen to help move traffic through the area. Traffic delays will be heavy so please use alternate routes when possible.
The City of Sandy Springs has an upcoming project to do maintenance repairs on the bridge on Glenridge Drive north of Abernathy Road. Please check our website in the upcoming weeks for dates and detours in association with this project.
Neighborhood Associations: Is Your Info Current?
Attention homeowner and neighborhood associations. Do we have your latest contact information? We are updating our homeowner and neighborhood database so that we can keep you informed of what’s going on in Sandy Springs. To update your information, please go to http://www.sandyspringsga.org/form/neighborhood.htm and complete the form.
Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Abound With Activity
Junior Olympic Sports Skills Competition Scheduled at Hammond Park
A Junior Olympic Sports Skills Competition is scheduled at Hammond Park on Saturday, March 15th. Boys and girls ages 8-13 will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in four sports – soccer, basketball, track & field and tennis and get a chance to place for the regional competition and possibly compete for a spot in the nationals hosted by the US Olympic Committee. Registration is free and registration forms are now available at Hammond Park. For additional information on the contest rules for each sport please visit www.jrolympicskills.com.
Hammond Park Summer Camp Program Registration
Registration for the upcoming Hammond Park Summer Camp programs will begin on March 10th. Available camps include basketball, soccer, tennis, gymnastics, cheerleading and artsy smartsy.
Sandy Springs Youth Sports Opening Day Ceremonies at Morgan Falls Park
The boys and girls youth baseball and fast-pitch softball programs kick off at Morgan Falls Park on Saturday, March 8th with a parade and opening day ceremonies beginning at 11:00 a.m. Additional information is available at www.sandyspringsbaseball.com.
Sandy Spring Tennis Programs
The Sandy Springs Tennis Center offers a large variety of programs suited for all levels and age groups. Visit www.sandyspringstennis.com for information on lessons, clinics, team coaching, tournaments, Tot and Junior Tennis, Junior Elite Academy, round robins and corporate parties.
For further information on all of the available Recreation Departments’ programs, visit the Recreation and Parks page of our Web site.
Sandy Springs Open House
Sandy Springs will be hosting its monthly Open House on March 10th at the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian High School cafeteria, Glenn Campus, 510 Mt. Vernon Highway NE. This is the second of the new format of meetings where community members can drop in between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to get information and share input on projects and activities from across City departments.
Open house meetings will take place monthly on the second Monday of each month, and scheduled dates will be listed on the City calendar at www.sandyspringsga.org.
March 10th Open House Stations
Police - COMSTAT
Fire Department
CIP Overview with Map
Sandy Springs Circle and Hammond Drive Pedestian Enhancements - Phase I
Roswell Road Streetscape (Cliftwood to Hammond)
River Valley Road Sidewalks
Storm Water Utility
Paving Update and Map
Overview of Traffic Control Center
Community Development Block Grant
Recreation and Parks Overview
Flood Safety Awareness Week: March 17-21, 2008
Flooding is the number one storm-related killer—not tornadoes, not severe thunderstorms, not winter storms. It ranks only behind heat waves in number of casualties for all weather events. Flooding also takes many different forms, from river flooding to flash flooding to snowmelt flooding. It occurs in any month of the year, any time of day. It is a threat in almost every place.
Please follow the following flood safety rules. They may help save your life.
- If flooding occurs, move to higher ground immediately. Leave areas subject to flooding. This includes dips in roads, low spots, canyons and washes.
- Do not allow children to play near high water, storm drains or ditches. Hidden dangers often lie beneath the water. In addition, the flowing floodwaters could sweep children, other people or animals away.
- Avoid areas that are already flooded, especially if the floodwaters are flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. It only takes six inches of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet.
- Never drive on a flooded road. Flooded roads often have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. In addition, most vehicles lose contact with the road in six inches of water and can be swept away in 18 to 24 inches of water.
- Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams or washes, particularly when threatening weather conditions exist.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers
March Fire Safety Tip
Avoid Shocking Results at Home
Electricity is there to help light and heat your home, operate your computer and run your television to name a few things. We use electricity so often that we rarely think about the potential dangers.
Take a moment today to think about how often you depend on electricity and answer the following questions. Every question you answer with "no" is an opportunity for you to make your home a safer place to live.
- Are heat producing electrical appliances (hair curler, toaster, etc.) unplugged when you are not using them?
- Are electrical extension and appliance cords in good condition, not frayed or cracked?
- Are electrical cords kept out from beneath furniture and rugs?
- Do all outlets and light switches work?
- Are all three-prong plugs only used into a three-slot outlets or extension cords?
Remember NEVER use water to extinguish an electrical fire, you could get shocked. If the fire is small, turn the power off and use a multi-purpose (ABC) dry-chemical extinguisher to put out the fire. If you can't turn the power off, or the fire is large, evacuate your home and dial 9-1-1 from a safe phone.