by Maggie Lee / Staff

The Alpharetta City Council voted to install medians, mid-block crossings and new trees and shrubs on Main Street — not because of federal stimulus money, but despite it.

The Main Street upgrade was already on Alpharetta’s official wish list long before the Jan. 25 council meeting. And when a sort of windfall arrived to pay for the work, the council approved it, albeit with some misgivings.

“Stimulus dollars is an improper way to generate revenue, just printing dollars,” said Councilman David Belle Isle. “Dollars are too hard to come by for people and for businesses to take this roundabout way, to print money and hand it out.”

The $1.05 million for the project comes via MARTA. Last year, when the transit authority ran low in the portion of its budget it’s allowed to use for operations, the Atlanta Regional Commission funneled $25 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment  Act money to MARTA to keep it rolling. 

MARTA had plenty of money sitting in an account earmarked for capital improvements, but state law kept it from tapping that money for operations, even in the downturn. In exchange for the ARRA ready money, MARTA agreed to tap its capital for $25 million worth of “transit-related projects” within its service area. 

Last year, all the governments in MARTA’s service area divvied up the repay; Alpharetta’s share came to about $1.05 million — just right for the Main Street project.

Because the medians will slow traffic and the new crossings make the city safer for pedestrians catching the bus, Alpharetta counts this as a transit-related project.  

Alpharetta Grants Administrator Amanda Day said the funding’s not really federal stimulus money. 

Councilman D.C. Aiken called the shuffle “money laundering” but voted for the project anyway, with a resigned laugh. 

Belle Isle cast the sole dissenting vote, though he added for the record he’s against the funding source, not the project.

MARTA and the ARC must also approve the plan. 

Aiken was also voted Mayor Pro Tem. Douglas DeRito was the only other candidate, nominated by Cheryl Oakes.  Aiken won the other four council votes plus the mayor’s.  When the result was clear, all held a second ballot for the sake of a unanimous vote on the record.

The Alpharetta Adult Activity Center can now look forward to a $150,000 grant.  Alpharetta picked up the Fulton County money to put toward a Police Athletic League facility that never happened.  Moving the money will be fine under the grant terms, said the city’s grant administrator; and if they don’t use the money, they will lose it.

The Council handled two matters relating to alcohol. Southern Spirits liquor store will move three miles from Main Street in Milton to a place adjacent to the Lowe’s shopping center on Windward Parkway. The current location is too large for the sales they’re making.  Wild Wing Cafe on Windward Parkway will get its liquor license renewed, despite a history of rowdiness. But, according to Alpharetta Public Safety Director Gary George, management has since started working closely with the police and hasn’t had trouble in about a year.

Alpharetta’s city council next meets on Feb. 15; a Feb. 1 meeting was canceled due to lack of agenda items.