City Council Holds First Public Workshop

The newly elected Dunwoody City Council held its first public workshop Sunday night at Dunwoody United Methodist Church. Among the topics discussed before approximately 30 people was the city's official seal and the venue for council meetings (Peachtree Middle School).

But the hot issue of the night: would the new city hire CH2M Hill to provide its broad spectrum of services or would it turn to a "hybrid plan" devised by State Senator Dan Weber.

CH2M Hill is the known quantity. CH2M Hill is the provider for all of the area's new cities: Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Milton and Chattahoochee Hill Country. All of those cities express satisfaction with the public-private agreement. The problem is CH2M Hill's services are expensive. Will the city of Dunwoody be able to afford them? Thus, the birth of Sen. Weber's hybrid plan, which he estimates would save the city $2.9 million. Sen. Weber's plan calls for a public-private partnership with Boyken International, an accomplished company yet with no experience in starting up a city. Dunwoody resident and past Dunwoody Homeowners' Association Don Boyken is the president of Boyken International.

Also discussed was the offer by Oliver Porter, the man instrumental in Dunwoody's start up as well as the start up of the other area cities, to serve as interim city manager, pro bono. However, it was recommended that Mr. Porter be paid $54,000 for his services, if not as interim city manager than as a consultant. Mr. Porter already has spent close to three years in volunteer work on the city's behalf.

For more information on last night's workshop: http://dunwoodynorth.blogspot.com/

The first city council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Peachtree Middle School.