2026-05-05 Public Works and Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Commissioner Robert Patrick chaired the meeting of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on May 5, 2026. The committee considered several transportation, stormwater, and wastewater items, approving trail and transit funding, deferring a stormwater fee increase for further public review, and approving emergency wastewater treatment upgrades.

Discussion Items

South Peachtree Creek Trail Extension (Agenda Item 2026-0589)

• Director Keeter presented a request to allocate $8 million of SPLOST II funding (line item B3) for the South Peachtree Creek Trail Extension from Medlock Park to the Lula Hills development. The funding front-loads construction and right-of-way acquisition, with a reimbursable agreement from Decide DeKalb to return $4.5 million during construction.
• Commissioner Terry noted that the trail connection from Lula Hills to the Mason Mill trail network was a key stipulation of the pay-go funding for the Lula Hills project. The trail will connect Medlock Park, the Lula Hills development, and a spur to Latham, with future phases extendable to the PATH trail.
• The item was approved unanimously.

DeKalb County Transit Master Plan Update Funding (Agenda Items 2026-0813 and 2026-0814)

• Director Keeter presented two funding requests: $625,000 from the Atlanta Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) with no local match required, and $500,000 from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) that requires a local match but can be satisfied using the ATL funds. Both fund the update of the 2019 Transit Master Plan.
• Commissioner Terry asked about the scope of the update; Director Keeter indicated it would not be a minor revision but a reimagination given post-COVID ridership changes and new technologies. He noted that the county is recruiting a transit director and a pedestrian/bicycle specialist.
• Commissioner Terry emphasized the need to integrate walking, biking, and trail networks with transit. Commissioner Patrick stressed the importance of including land use, water/sewer capacity, and sidewalk repair in planning.
• Both items were approved separately and unanimously.

Stormwater Utility Fee Increase Proposal (Agenda Item 2026-0587)

• Rich (Roads and Drainage) presented a comprehensive overview. The current fee is $10/month ($120/year). The proposed 10 for 10 plan would increase fees by 10% annually for 10 years, generating an estimated $3 million in the first year, rising to $51 million annually by year five.
• The increase is needed to fund critical infrastructure repairs, including dam rehabilitation (SWIFTP loan), lining or replacing poor-condition pipes, and maintaining a six-month operating reserve. Rich presented that in the Snapfinger Creek watershed alone, 161 of 1,100 critical assets are in poor condition, with an estimated $14-15 million needed for replacement. Extrapolated countywide, about 700 poor critical assets are anticipated.
• Commissioners discussed the rationale, equity (flat rate for residential vs. impervious-area-based for commercial), and comparison with neighboring counties. Commissioner Johnson asked for data on Atlanta, Cobb, Fulton, and Clayton counties.
• Commissioner Terry suggested presenting the proposal to the Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors.
• The committee deferred the item for two weeks (to May 19 or 21) to allow for a presentation at the next Committee of the Whole (May 21), a public town hall meeting, and draft ordinance development.

Snapfinger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Emergency Projects (Agenda Items 2026-0604, 0606, 0613, 0627)

• A representative from Watershed Management explained that four emergency items aim to increase capacity at the Snapfinger plant, which currently has only 20 million gallons of storage—insufficient for wet weather events. The work addresses 14 consent decree priority sites; each violation can trigger up to $10 million in stipulated penalties.
• Item 2026-0604 ($10,989,000): Emergency purchase for wet weather pumping storage, including conveyance and pump systems using a decommissioned basin. Approved unanimously.
• Item 2026-0606 ($32,371,087): Emergency construction of membrane capacity upgrades (clusters 5 and 6) and hydraulic optimization. Approved unanimously.
• Item 2026-0613 ($4,277,957): Emergency refurbishment of the influent lift station pumps (four pumps from the 1980s) to restore design capacity. Approved unanimously.
• Item 2026-0627 ($5,360,000 initially): Emergency purchase of membranes for phase two. Because the membranes are already included in the $32 million GC contract, the amount will be reduced to $550,000 (10% down payment). The committee deferred this item for two weeks to finalize procurement documentation.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (all unanimous):
  • South Peachtree Creek Trail Extension ($8 million SPLOST II).
  • Transit Master Plan update funding ($625,000 from ATL and $500,000 from ARC).
  • Snapfinger emergency projects: 2026-0604 ($10,989,000), 2026-0606 ($32,371,087), 2026-0613 ($4,277,957).
• Deferred (to May 19 or 21):
  • Stormwater utility fee increase (2026-0587) for further committee and public discussion, including a presentation at COW and a hybrid town hall.
  • Snapfinger membrane purchase (2026-0627) to adjust the amount to $550,000 and finalize contract terms.