Johns Creek Council Fails To Override Mayor's Veto

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The Johns Creek City Council on Monday did not have enough votes to override Mayor Mike Bodker's veto of a TSPLOST project.

The Council's reconsideration of an authorization to begin the concept plan phase for the Jones Bridge Road improvement project resulted in a 4-3 vote by city leaders. Council members Leonard Zaprowski, John Bradberry, Chris Coughlin and Stephanie Endres voted to override Bodker's veto while the mayor and Council members Jay Lin and Steve Broadbent opposed the measure.

The city's charter requires a two-thirds (or 5 members in the affirmative) majority vote from the Council to override a veto issued by the mayor. In other words, Bodker's veto will remain in effect.

Bodker last week vetoed Council's approval to spend $200,000 to consider additional concepts of the project, which was approved by voters in November 2016 as part of the TSPLOST referendum.

Bodker argued that the council's actions "did not honor" the wishes of voters who approved the TSPLOST referendum. He also said that decision goes against his understanding of the law and places the city's long-term transportation plan in danger.

The action taken at the Nov. 26 meeting directed Johns Creek staff members to draw up several options for improvements on Jones Bridge Road, including studying whether a three-lane option would be a viable solution. This, according to the mayor, would be a reversal of the wishes of voters, as project funds are designated for transportation improvement and congestion relief.

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Council member Chris Coughlin said he couldn't support an $11 million project that would not have a significant impact on relieving congestion. He also said he would not support a project that didn't include the city exploring all viable options.

Councilman John Bradberry added he believed the city has the discretion to seek alternatives for the project. He also residents should be "wary" of Council members who were in support of the project, but would not vote to override Bodker's veto.

For Council member Stephanie Endres, she noted the discussion and debate around the project has been one of the "exhausting" things she's experienced since she began her first term in office. On this specific topic, Endres added she wanted to seek additional opinions about the project because she was tired of seeing the goal posts move every time the city encounters a problem.

"I want to be able to look at all options so that the goal poss isn’t moved again," she added, noting the city will have to start over on the project since the override of the veto didn't pass.

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