City of Cumming
E-News
January 2022
2021 Holiday Events Successful
We'd like to express our deep appreciation to everyone who helped make our 2021 holiday season a huge success!

On Saturday, Dec. 4th, we welcomed back the Annual City of Cumming Christmas Parade & Festival with almost 90 participating groups and organizations, as well as thousands of spectators. Congratulations to our Christmas Parade Contest winners:
  • Best Float - Georgia Highlands Medical Services
  • Most Creative Entry - Forsyth County Sheriff's Office
  • Most Spirited Band - FCHS Flash of Crimson
  • Best Jeep - Jake Elson
  • Best Modern Vehicle (Non-Jeep) - Skinny Wimp Moving Co.
  • Best Classic/Antique Vehicle - Chris & Tammy Pratts
  • Most Holiday Spirit - Keystone Village
  • Best Animal Entry - Save the Horses
  • Best Scout Troop (Boys) - Cub Scout Pack 8307
  • Best Scout Troop (Girls) - American Heritage Girls & Trail Life USA 1331
  • Best On-Foot Group - Sawnee Ballet Theatre, Inc.
  • Honorable Mentions - St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church; Forsyth County Fire Department; and Mayor Troy Brumbalow's Polar Express Float.

Also in December, Mayor Troy Brumbalow and the City Council held their first ever Mayor and City Council Toy Drive to assist families who needed a little help in providing Christmas gifts to their children. Thanks to our generous community, we collected hundreds of toys at City Hall, which were distributed by the mayor and members of City Council on Dec. 23rd to 16 children in several different families. Thank you to everyone who donated toys!
City Center Welcomes Bakery and Tea Room
The Cumming City Center recently welcomed another eatery to its roster. Jill Harris, owner of Mary Lucille's Bakery, Restaurant and Tea Room, signed her lease on Dec. 21st. Mary Lucille's is named in honor of Harris' late grandmother, who shared her knowledge and passion for baking and cooking with Harris from a young age. Mary Lucille's will offer a wide range of baked goods and treats "just like grandma used to make", as well as a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Tea services will also be provided several times a week on a reservation basis in the tea room. For more information about Mary Lucille's Bakery, Restaurant and Tea Room, click here!
Mayor Addresses Cub Scouts

Mayor Troy Brumbalow met with members of Cub Scout Pack 211 prior to the December regular City Council meeting. Mayor Troy enjoyed talking to the scouts and answering all their great questions about his role as mayor! Thank you to Cub Scout Pack 211 for visiting us at City Hall! (For more photos of Cub Scout Pack 211's visit, go to our Facebook page.)
Cumming PD Officers Receive Honors
Mayor Troy Brumbalow and City Council joined Police Chief David Marsh in recognizing several outstanding Cumming PD officers during the December work session.

Congratulations to all of the officers who were honored:

  • Corporal Coy Turner was promoted from the rank of Officer to the rank of Corporal. Corporal Turner's wife, Dione, presented him with his new badge. He also received a Life Saving Award, which is presented to any officer who takes extraordinary steps to save a life during a medical emergency.
  • Sergeant Benjamin Haack was presented the 2021 Supervisor of the Year Award and a Life Saving Award.
  • Detective Sergeant Nicole Esquilin was presented the 2021 Officer of the Year Award.
  • Detective P.J. Girvan received a Life Saving Award.
  • Corporal Brent Anderson received a Life Saving Award.
  • Officer William Knight received a Life Saving Award.
  • Corporal Jonathan Fitzpatrick received a Life Saving Award.

During the December Work Session and Regular Meeting, City Council also:

  • Adopted the 2022 City of Cumming budget and the 2021 Budget Amendment, which is required by State of Georgia Audit regulations to account for any increases or decreases in revenue received or any unexpected expenditures.

  • In a 4-1 vote, with Councilwoman Linda Ledbetter opposed, approved the rezoning of approximately 78 acres on Pilgrim Road from agricultural to residential for construction of a residential development by Southern General Development Corp.

  • Approved the yearly update of the Capital Improvement Element to the City's Comprehensive Plan.

  • Conducted a public hearing regarding a rezoning application from Providence Group of Georgia, LLC. which seeks to rezone just under 153 acres located between Pilgrim Mill Road and Dahlonega Street for construction of a mixed used development known as Sawnee Village. Several people spoke in favor and in opposition to the project. No action was taken by Council following the public hearing.

  • Heard a proposal to raise the per-customer cost for monthly services from Red Oak Sanitation, the City's garbage and recycling contractor, due to market factors such as the price of gas, dumping fees, and personnel costs. In order to maintain the current level of service, it was recommended that beginning March 1, 2022, the City raise the billing rate to $22 per month for residential and $27 per month for commercial. The additional amount requested would also have to cover the expense of the City's Street Department specialty pick-ups of yard debris, mattresses, old furniture, and similar items at no cost to City residents. Council took no action on the item and instructed the City Administrator to bring back additional information about recycling options during the January work session.

  • Approved an amendment to the Cumming Utilities' Storm Water Enforcement Ordinance, and an updated edition of Utilities' Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Design Specifications and Detail Drawings.
Recycle Christmas Trees Through Jan. 29
City of Cumming and Forsyth County residents can again recycle their old Christmas trees through the 'Bring One for the Chipper' program, presented by Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, this month. Bring live trees that have been cleared of all decorations to one of six Bring One for the Chipper sites to have the tree processed into wood chips. Tree recycling sites inside the Cumming City Limits are:

  • Tolbert Street Recycling Convenience Center, 351 Tolbert St. (through Jan. 29th)
  • Home Depot, 1000 Market Place Boulevard (Saturday, Jan. 8th only)

Other sites are also available throughout Forsyth County. Click here for a complete list of sites with their respective dates and times, as well as other Bring One for the Chipper information.
Holiday Closure

Cumming City Hall and all other non-essential City of Cumming facilities and departments will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17th in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
MEETINGS
City Council Work Session - Jan. 4 at 6 p.m.

Youth Council Meeting - Jan. 11 at 5 p.m.

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting - Jan. 18 at 5 p.m.

Regular City Council Meeting - Jan. 18 at 6 p.m.

All meetings are open to the public and held in the third-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 Main Street, unless otherwise noted. For all meetings after 5 p.m., please enter through the rear parking lot entrance.
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