North Fulton Today

The following is a recap of selected items from the City Council meeting of May 22, 2023. For the full agenda, minutes, and video of the meeting, please visit www.roswellgov.com/MeetingPortal.

To watch the meeting, please visit www.youtube.com/CityOfRoswell.

Selected Items from the May 22, 2023 Meeting

• Mayor and Council Honor Esteemed Veteran Air Force Master Sergeant Raymond L. Jacobs

In 1966, Raymond L. Jacobs enlisted in the United States Air Force and was deployed to Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas, where he completed Basic Military Training. He transferred to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for Basic Medical Helper instruction and subsequently, Brook Air Force Base, San Antonio Texas, where he completed technical training courses as an Aerospace Medical Technician. Assigned as a Flight Surgeon's Assistant, he was again transferred to the 443rd Air Wing, 72nd Medical Group, 72nd Medical Hospital, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

In 1969, having participated in various in-flight medical duties, Jacobs was promoted to the rank of Senior Airman and was re-assigned to 72nd United States Air Force Hospital, Wheelus Air Base, Libya, as part of the world-wide recovery operations for the Apollo 11 Moon Landing Mission. Jacobs served as a Helicopter Rescue Medic with the assignment to provide possible rescue and medical duties for the returning Astronauts should they land in the western Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, acting as an Isolated Duty Medical Technician, then-Sergeant Jacobs provided medical care to the host nation's royal family and military leadership—most notably, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who later took control of Libya.

In 1982, having completed his Associate's Degree in Applied Medical Operation from Queensborough Community College and Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Marketing Management from Mercy College of New York, Jacobs sought a commission in the United States Air Force Reserves. Unfortunately, it was determined he was ineligible for commission due to his age. With continued passion and determination to serve our country, Raymond re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and was assigned to the 72nd Air Evacuation Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, where he served as an Air Evacuation Medical Specialist.

In 1990, Staff Sergeant Jacobs, deployed to Southwest Asia, as part of Operation Desert Shield, participated in the medical treatment and care of wounded and ill military service members in need of medical transport to inter-theater destinations. Promoted to Technical Sergeant and later Master Sergeant, Jacobs has had subsequent deployments as part of the following operations: 1991–Desert Storm, 1993–War in Southwest Asia, 1994–Persian Gulf/Iraq War, 2001–Global War on Terrorism, and 2003–Iraqi Freedom, and many other classified international and domestic missions.

In December of 2004, Master Sergeant Jacobs retired from his duties and the United States Air Force honorably bestowed the following medals: Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Commendation and Achievement Medals, National Defense and Good Conduct Awards.

 

• Approval of Resolutions for the Regulation and Issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023A and 2023B

Action: Approved 5-0 (Councilmember Palermo Recused)

There were two separate votes on this item—one for Series 2023A and another for Series 2023B. Both passed 5-0, with Councilmember Palermo recusing himself. Bonds were sold on the morning of Monday, May 22, to the firms offering the lowest interest rates on each series. These actions approve the regulation and issuance of Roswell's General Obligation Bonds, which were approved by voters in November 2022.

• Approval of the FY 2024 Budget for the City of Roswell, Georgia in the amount of $194,275,364. (First Reading)

Action: Approved 4-2 (with Councilmembers Palermo and Vanstrom Opposed)

This was the first reading of the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget. The second (and final) reading will take place on Monday, June 12, 2023. More information about the proposed budget can be found at www.RoswellGov.com/Budget.

• Approval of a text amendment to amend Chapter 2, Administration, Article 2.5 Code of Ethics, Section 2.5.3 Prohibitions of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Roswell regarding Appointments and Nominations to Boards and Commissions. (First Reading)

Action: Approved 5-1 (Councilmember Hills Opposed)

This ordinance states that the Mayor or a Councilmember cannot nominate, appoint or reappoint an appointee to any City of Roswell boards, commissions, or committees if they knowingly accepted a campaign contribution from that individual as to avoid the appearance of impropriety or an implied conflict of interest.

It also states that the Mayor or a Councilmember cannot vote to approve the appointment or reappointment to any Board or Commission where that Councilmember knows or has reason to believe that the member in question could receive a pecuniary benefit from decisions made by said Board or Commission.

• Approval of Budget Amendment 31400000-05-22-23 to Appropriate Bond Proceeds.

Action: Approved unanimously (6-0)

This budget amendment appropriates the bond proceeds to the various approved bond projects.

As a reminder, meeting information for past and upcoming public meetings is available at www.roswellgov.com/MeetingPortal.

Meetings are also listed on the City meetings calendar, available at www.roswellgov.com/MeetingCalendar.

Original source can be found here.