Public Meetings - Johns Creek, Georgia

The City of Johns Creek held a Zoning Public Participation Meeting on July 14, 2025, to discuss a special use permit (SUP-25-0001) and three concurrent variances (VC-25-0002, VC-25-0003, VC-25-0004) for a proposed church building at 10505, 10509, and 10625 Jones Bridge Road. The 4.872-acre property, currently zoned AG1, is being considered for a 22,500-square-foot church facility for Christ Fellowship Church of North Atlanta, Inc. The meeting was led by Planning and Zoning Manager Ruchi Agarval, and the applicant Dwayne Wood presented the proposal. The formal presentation was recorded, and the meeting then transitioned to a candid Q&A session with the public. Discussion Items - The applicant described the proposal as a multi-phase church development. Phase 1A would construct a 12,500-square-foot building (two stories of 6,250 square feet each) containing worship space and classrooms for children's ministry. Phase 2, expected within five years, would add an enlarged worship service area and convert former meeting space into additional classrooms, reaching the total 22,500 square feet. - The church has been serving the Alpharetta, Roswell, and Johns Creek communities for seven years, with many members living in Johns Creek and children attending local schools including Dolvin Elementary. The facility would be used for Sunday worship, Bible studies, children's ministry, and occasional community gatherings. The applicant clarified that the church does not plan to operate a daycare, school, formal counseling center, or transitional housing on the property. - Three variances were requested: - VC-25-0002: Reduce the required 100-foot church building setback to 50 feet along the west property line. - VC-25-0003: Allow temporary grading and land disturbance within the 25-foot undisturbed buffer and 10-foot improvement setback along the west property line. - VC-25-0004: Reduce the required 50-foot undisturbed buffer and 10-foot improvement setback to a 20-foot undisturbed buffer along the rear property line. - The applicant noted that approximately 1.85 acres of the site will remain natural and unbuilt. The variances are needed due to the width of the property, slopes, and parking layout. Two driveways are proposed for efficient traffic flow. - The building design is intended to be modern and compatible with Johns Creek's commercial office parks. Key Outcomes - No votes or decisions were made during this public participation meeting. The purpose was to present the proposal and gather public input during the Q&A session that followed the formal presentation. - The applicant expressed a commitment to being a good neighbor and to ongoing dialogue with the community, noting that they have already initiated communication with the HOA of an adjoining neighborhood and with Dolvin Elementary.

The Johns Creek Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment (ACE) Committee met on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. and adjourned at 7:55 p.m. No public comments were offered. The Committee received City updates, heard from Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, approved prior meeting minutes, recapped the 2025 Juneteenth Celebration, and discussed—then tabled—event attendance measurement options. Reports & Presentations - City Update: Olivia Gazda, Assistant to the City Manager, reported that Diwali Market applications (stage performers, retail vendors, activity vendors, nonprofits, and sponsorships) are open on Eventeny and due September 26, 2025. Trunk or Treat is scheduled for the evening of October 22, 2025, with trunk and sponsorship applications due October 14, 2025; the event benefits the Public Safety Foundation, and pre-packaged candy or other in-kind donations are welcome. The Artist Registry continues accepting applications, and the City is exploring ways to promote the 1% for Art program to existing businesses. She also highlighted the Movies at Newtown series beginning July 11, 2025, now using an actual screen. - Autrey Mill Nature Preserve: Lizen Hayes, Executive Director, presented on the 501(c)(3) organization, which has preserved the 46-acre site since 1989 and is run by a volunteer board. The preserve includes a historic village, animal ambassadors, gardens, and a 1.3-mile trail loop. Hayes estimated summer camp funds about 50% of the budget and rentals about 20%, with the remainder from grants, memberships, and fundraising. Current projects include the Green Store Letters Project, butterfly garden expansion, and an animal habitat rebuild. She highlighted partnerships including Contemporary Classics (Shakespeare in the Park), Behind the Music Live with Craig Gleason, and Kaiser Permanente senior healthy living programs, and she requested sponsorship support for upcoming events. Discussion Items - Juneteenth Celebration Recap: Staff reported the third annual Juneteenth Celebration took place June 21, 2025, from 5–9 p.m. at Newtown Park Amphitheatre, with an estimated 2,500 attendees—the largest turnout to date despite the heat. Entertainment was emceed by Eryn Rogers (the transcript refers to Aaron Rogers) and included the Wonders of Worship Youth Choir, the Karla Harris Quartet, and Okorie 'OkCello' Johnson. Five food trucks reported selling out or nearly selling out, retail vendors were pleased, there were 21 volunteers, and the Kids Zone was well received. Staff corrected the agenda report's sponsorship total from $7,550 to $8,050 (17 sponsors). Improvement areas for 2026 include adding more food/sweet-treat vendors, adjusting food truck layout, and improving entertainment flow/energy with interactive elements such as line dancing. Chair Zach Hahn, who attended, offered suggestions: address entrance congestion near the food trucks, reconsider vendor tent placement on the terraces, consider additional shade tents or side-field vendor space, and explore geofenced Uber/Lyft pickup/drop-off zones. Staff agreed to compile this feedback for the Juneteenth Planning Committee. - Event Attendance Measurement Discussion: At Chair Hahn's request, staff explained current estimation methods: aerial/drone imagery, manual clicker counts, post-event surveys, crowd-density calculations, vendor sales, activity-station participation, block counting, parking capacity, and historical venue data, using at least three methods per event. Staff noted Placer.ai cell-phone tracking was previously used but deemed cost prohibitive. For the 2025 Daffodil Days Carnival, ticketing and checkpoints were explored, but the Fire Marshal prohibited enclosing Heisman Field; volunteer clicker counts also suffered from attrition. Neighboring cities use similar estimation approaches. Staff presented two options: (1) giveaway items to establish a minimum attendance count, and (2) automated infrared counters placed at entrances. Committee members expressed differing views: one member supported giveaways as a fiscally conservative, sponsor-funded option; another supported automated counters as a roughly $250–$500 one-time purchase that reduces volunteer burden; and another questioned whether the City was solving a real problem, given existing methodologies. Staff stated they did not currently see an issue with existing estimates. The item was tabled. During discussion, staff shared a preliminary Independence Day fireworks estimate of 12,000–15,000 people in the park, with possibly 10,000 more outside the park; calculations were still ongoing. Key Outcomes - Approved the May 8, 2025 ACE meeting minutes as presented by unanimous consent following a motion and second. - Staff will share Juneteenth feedback, including Chair Hahn's comments, with the Juneteenth Planning Committee. - Tabled the event attendance measurement discussion; no new funding or pilot was authorized. - Voted to amend the adopted calendar to move the next ACE meeting from August 14 to August 7, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. - Adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

The City of John's Creek Planning Commission met on July 8, 2025, at 12:15 PM (the transcript indicates an evening session, but the provided timestamp is used). The commission unanimously approved the May 6, 2025 meeting minutes, discussed and voted on a zoning text amendment to allow accessory cemeteries for churches in the AG1 district, and received departmental updates. No public comments were made during the hearing. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the May 6, 2025, meeting and an addendum were approved by a vote of 6-0. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke for or against the text amendment during the public hearing. Discussion Items - Text Amendment A-25-004 – Accessory Cemetery Use: Director Song presented the staff recommendation to amend the zoning ordinance to allow a church, temple, or place of worship in the AG1 zoning district with an existing special use permit to establish an accessory cemetery of up to four burial plots or a single mausoleum (for up to four interments) without a separate special use permit. Key standards include: property must be 20 acres or larger; access from a principal or minor arterial road; maximum 1,000 square feet for the cemetery area; 200-foot setback from property lines; screening with 80% evergreen species; maximum mausoleum height of 9 feet. The amendment also consolidates definitions for human and pet cemeteries and clarifies special use permit language. Staff recommended approval. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the 20-acre minimum, the four-plot limit, grandfathering of existing cemeteries, and the relationship between accessory and special use permit processes. There was no opposition. Key Outcomes - Vote on Text Amendment A-25-004: The commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the ordinance as presented. The recommendation will go to the Mayor and City Council. - Next Steps: The commission will not meet in August. The next meeting in September will include a special use permit for a church on Jones Bridge Road. Additionally, the Embry Farms rezoning will go to City Council on August 25, and the Dutch Brothers case on Holcomb Bridge will go to Council on September 22.

On June 26, 2025, at 6:01 PM, the Johns Creek City Council held a special called meeting to consider Resolution R2025-06-16, which would call a referendum on November 4, 2025, to authorize the issuance of up to $40 million in general obligation bonds over 20 years for a performing arts center. The proposed venue would include an approximately 800-seat performance hall and a multi-purpose room. Public Comments & Testimony No public comments were submitted. Discussion Items - City Manager Greer introduced the resolution, stating it reflected unanimous consensus from the June 9 work session and years of community study. She confirmed that final plans and bid documents are incomplete but the project is expected to cost $60 million total, with $40 million covered by the bond and the remainder from other sources. - Councilmember Rallow made the motion to adopt the resolution, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Coughlin. - Councilmember Chunky expressed strong support, noting the project fills a community need for performing arts spaces and that the referendum gives voters the ultimate decision. - Councilmember Skinner (likely Councilmember Coughlin? unclear) emphasized the importance of letting the people decide, calling it a balance of fiscal conservatism and democracy. - Councilmember (likely Ellet) opposed the resolution, stating the funding strategy is flawed because the bond should cover 100% of construction costs and expressing low confidence in the plan. - Councilmember Aramelli opposed, stating the project funding strategy is suspect and that in good conscience he cannot support setting the project up to fail. - Councilmember (likely Coughlin) read a prepared statement: while supporting the arts, after reviewing all data he is not confident the project can be completed within the proposed $60 million budget, and given ongoing city projects, he cannot move forward with the $40 million bond referendum. - Councilmember (likely D.Biassi) strongly criticized colleagues who changed their position from the prior unanimous consensus, calling their actions a political play and stating shame for not communicating beforehand. - An amendment to change the seat capacity from "approximately eight hundred" to "approximately five hundred to eight hundred" was proposed but died for lack of a second. Key Outcomes - The motion to adopt Resolution R2025-06-16 failed. After a brief executive session, the council recorded the no votes. The resolution was not approved, and no bond referendum on the performing arts center will appear on the November 4, 2025 ballot. - The meeting adjourned following the executive session.

The Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee (RPAC) met on June 18, 2025, at 6:30 PM at 11360 Lakefield Drive. Chair Shafiq Jadavji presided. The meeting was brief (24 minutes) and included a department update, approval of previous minutes, discussion of a resident rate for city staff, and other business. A quorum was present. Consent Calendar - Approval of Meeting Minutes from May 21, 2025: Motion by Sandra Pastorello, second by Jillian Phillips. The minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Reports & Presentations Department Update Recreation and Parks Director Erica Madsen reported on May 2025 activities: - Park Place Senior Center: 108 programs with 1,271 participants (46 social, 62 fitness). - Events: International Festival (2,500 attendees, light rain), Summer Concert Series (1,500 attendees, Garth Brooks tribute), S'mores and Night Hike at Cauley Creek Park (30 attendees), Touch a Truck (over 2,000 people), fly fishing class (5 participants) and clinic (30 participants), Free Outdoor Fitness (403 participants). - Upcoming Events: Juneteenth celebration (June 21, 5-9 PM), Independence Day fireworks (July 3), movies in the park (June 13, July 11), Adaptive Bingo (July 25). - Construction Updates: Terraced seating footers at The Boardwalk behind City Hall, and cricket pitch & cage improvements at Cauley Creek Park (expanded reinforced area, fabric improvements). Committee members asked about the night hike location (5K staging area, mobile fire pits available for grilling) and the fly fishing pond (small pond north of the 5K staging area). Chair Update Chair Jadavji encouraged attendance at the Juneteenth celebration and acknowledged Sandra Pastorello for initiating the staff rate item. He noted that the item had been referred to RPAC for feedback. Discussion Items Resident Rate for Johns Creek City Staff Erica Madsen presented the request from City Council to amend the Non-Resident Fee Resolution and Recreation & Parks Fee Schedule. Currently, non-residents pay a 50% surcharge on programs and rentals. The proposal would allow City of Johns Creek staff (approximately 240 employees, only about 40 of whom are residents) to pay the resident rate. The changes are already drafted in the policy documents (Section 2, 3, and 4 of the Non-Resident Fee Policy state the fee will not apply to current staff). Committee members expressed strong support. Sandra Pastorello noted it represents support for city staff and encourages their involvement. Chair Jadavji suggested continuing to look for similar opportunities. A show of hands indicated unanimous support. OC Park Construction Rumors Committee member (likely Jillian Phillips, arriving late) asked about construction at Ocee Park. Director Madsen clarified that the planned parking lot repaving was taken off the table by Council, but field improvements and quad durability work are ongoing. She emphatically denied rumors that baseball fields would be converted to cricket, noting the facility use agreement with Ocee Park Athletic Association (OPAA) runs through 2028 and that OPAA's fall schedule is unaffected. Name Tags for RPAC Members Committee member (likely Jillian Phillips) requested name tags identifying RPAC members at public events so they can be easily recognized. The request was seconded and supported by others. Chair Jadavji said the suggestion would be considered by staff. Other Business - July Meeting: The July 16 meeting will be replaced by a social gathering. Details to be shared by Erica Madsen. - August Guest: The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra (new director and executive director) will present at the August meeting. Key Outcomes - Approved: Meeting minutes from May 21, 2025 (unanimous). - Consensus (non-binding): Committee expressed unanimous support for allowing city staff to pay resident rates for park programs and rentals. Staff will present this feedback to City Council for a future vote. - Directive: Staff will consider providing name tags for RPAC members. - No action: Rumors about OC Park field conversion were refuted; no further action needed. - Next meeting: July 16, 2025 – social gathering (no regular meeting).

The Johns Creek City Council met on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 7:05 PM at 11360 Lakefield Drive. The meeting covered routine approvals, public comments on the proposed Performing Arts Center (PAC), a zoning case with a deferred decision, road resurfacing contracts, and a streetscape engineering contract that sparked debate over transportation funding priorities. Consent Calendar - G.1. Ordinance to amend the FY2025 budget for the North Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update funding. - G.2. Ordinance amending City Code Chapters 6, 22, and 50 regarding appeals. - G.3. Resolution adopting Administrative Hearing Officer qualifications. - G.4. Resolution adopting Administrative Hearing procedures. - G.5. Action item to approve Memoranda of Agreement for the North Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan update and for the Atlanta Regional Commission to serve as administrative city. - G.6. Engineering contract with Kimley-Horn for $153,000 for Lakefield Drive Streetscape Enhancements (moved to New Business). - All consent items except G.6 were approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Arthur Holst urged better communication on the PAC project, recommending an FAQ webpage and a November ballot measure for public vote. He emphasized aligning with the city's strategic plan. - Frank proposed renaming the PAC to a "Community Culture Activity Center" and suggested free use cases (line dancing, Tai Chi, dance classes, amateur choirs, HOA meetings). He argued operating costs should be covered by the city and that success should be measured by utilization, not revenue. - Carrie Bickett thanked the council for demolishing a blighted home at 2585 Runick Way and requested foreclosure to recover $22,000 owed and address ongoing nuisance issues. - Cindy Eid raised concerns that Creekside Park (priority 7) received $2.7M from TSPLOST rianestriction relief and $6.7M from operations/safety, surpassing Nesbitt Ferry Road (priority 1). She asked for sidewalks on Nesbitt Ferry from Brumbelow to Mount Pisgah. - Sean Cronin questioned PAC demand, noting Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center has only 29 events booked in 2025 and Newtown Park Amphitheater has 6 events. He argued against adding property taxes. - Ed Harris strongly supported the PAC, stating a 1,200-seat facility is needed for profitability and that local dance/music companies lack venue access. He noted comparable cities spend $90–120M on such projects. - Brett, a local musician, opposed the $67M PAC, saying the city has not supported local musicians and that the money should go to pothholes or a more affordable community space. - Ms. Singh spoke in favor of the PAC for cultural enrichment, economic impact, and tourism, comparing it to iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House. Discussion Items Old Business - Zoning Case (L.1): RZ-24-0012 & VC-24-0009 - 8483 Holcomb Braidge Road - Director Song presnted the proposal for a 950 sq ft Dutch Brothers coffe shop with drive-through and a variance to reduce outparcel frontage from 200 ft to 108.42 ft. Staff and planning commission recommended approval. - The applicant (Alex Brock) requested a second deferral to September 22, 2025, citing delays in Dutch Brothers' approval process and a recent May 28 contact from the current tenant (Buffalo Emissions). - Michael Tran, owner of Buffalo Emissions (15-year operation), opposed the zoning, saying it would jeopardize his family's sole income and employ two part-time workers. He stated the property owner had not reached out to him. - Tip Tran, wife and co-owner, emphasized their community ties (daughters in Johns Creek schools) and reliance on the business after her federal job leave. - An employee urged the council to vote against rezoning, praising Michael Tran's community connections. - Tatiana Travis noted the area already has several coffee shops (Starbucks, Ground & Pound, etc.) and that a previous Caribou Coffee there failed. - The council voted unanimously to defer the item to the September 22, 2025 meeting. New Business - Road Resurfaving Contracts (M.1) - Director O'Connor presented a revised recommendation following the work session: resurface sections 1 & 4 of Old Alabama Road, McGinnis Ferry Road, and three neighborhoods (Reserve at Autree Place, Becton Hall, Jones Bridge Hills). Total revised cost: $1,567,018 (including main roads, neighborhood roads, CEI, and contingency). - Motion made and seconded to award the contract at that amount. - No additional discussion; motion passed unanimously. New Business - Kimley-Horn Engineering Contract for Lakefield Drive Streetscape (G.6) - Director O'Connor recommended approval of a $153,000 contract for engineering and design of Lakefield Drive streetscape enhancements (from City Hall to Johns Creek Parkway), aligned with the Town Center Vision Plan. - Councilmember Skinner argued that TSPLOST 2 funds should go to the promised Nesbitt Ferry Road improvements (priority 1 in congestion relief), rather than further spending on Creekside Park / town center. She stated $11M in TSPLOST 2 had been spent on Creekside Park, while Nesbitt Ferry had not started. - Councilmembers Coughlin, Mayor, and others countered that Nesbitt Ferry is owned by Roswell and negotiations for a 50-50 cost share are ongoing; the $153,000 does not affect Nesbitt Ferry funds. They noted TSPLOST 3 planning is underway. - After debate, the motion to approve the contract was called. Councilmember Skinner voted no; others voted yes. The contract passed. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda (excluding G.6): Approved. - Zoning Case (L.1): Deferred to September 22, 2025, by unanimous vote. - Road Resurfacing Contracts: Approved at $1,567,018 (unanimous). - Kimley-Horn Engineering Contract: Approved at $153,000 (majority vote; one dissenting). - The meeting adjourned to executive session for land, legal, and personnel matters.

The Johns Creek City Council met for a work session on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 5:01 PM at City Hall. The meeting covered strategic priorities, ongoing projects, and council initiatives. The primary focus was the performing arts center, where the council reached consensus on financing and next steps. Performing Arts Center – Next Steps - City Manager Kimberly Greer presented a memo reviewing the city's financial position and three financing options: general obligation bonds, public facility authority financing, and Georgia Municipal Association lease purchase. She asked council for direction on the intended use of the facility and the preferred financing method. - Council members expressed support for a general obligation bond (GO bond) as the preferred financing mechanism, citing transparency and favorable terms. All seven members indicated consensus for a GO bond. - Discussion centered on the scope of the referendum. Council agreed to a single-issue referendum for the performing arts center only (not bundled with other projects). The bond amount was set at $40 million as a maximum ceiling. - The term of the bond was debated: 20 years vs. 30 years. Council members Stacey, Chris, Larry, and Bob favored 20 years, while others preferred 30. The mayor noted that 20 years would result in an estimated annual cost of $83 per median home versus $74 for 30 years. Via consensus, the council selected a 20-year term with a 10-year call option. - Council also discussed the need for a community education campaign prior to the November 2025 election. Staff will prepare materials, with a timeline aiming for a presentation at the July 14 work session. - A special called meeting was tentatively scheduled for June 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM to finalize the referendum resolution and language. - Council directed staff to draft a resolution calling for the referendum, adjusting parameters to the 20-year, $40 million maximum, and to include a resolution of intent to reimburse. FY2025 Millage Rate - Staff recommended advertising the current millage rate of 3.646 mills for the FY2025 property tax year. Three public hearings are required: Monday, July 14 at 11:00 AM, Monday, July 14 at 6:00 PM, and adoption on Monday, July 28. - Council unanimously agreed to advertise the current rate. Annual Resurfacing Bids - Director Brian O'Connor presented a recommendation to award the 2025 main road and neighborhood resurfacing contracts to Allied Paving Contractors, Inc. The proposed work included McGinnis Ferry Road, Old Alabama Road (four sections), three neighborhoods, and the Ocee Park parking lot. - Council discussed the Pavement Quality Index (PQI) score, recently reduced from 70 to 65. Council members raised concerns about the necessity of some projects and the need for more granular data. - After debate, consensus was reached to proceed with McGinnis Ferry Road and sections 1 and 4 of Old Alabama Road (from city limit to Haynes Bridge Road, and from Preston Oaks to Jones Bridge Road). The neighborhoods and Ocee Park parking lot were deferred for further analysis and a future decision. Staff will adjust the CEI and contingency amounts accordingly. - The total estimated cost of the approved main road segments is approximately $1.5 million, satisfying the LMIG commitment. Volunteer Led Special Events Policy - Council discussed the need for a formal policy to define roles, decision-making processes, and accountability for volunteer-led special events. The current code of conduct does not address procedural guardrails. - Council supported developing a policy and referred the matter to the Arts and Culture Committee (ACE) for initial review. The committee will provide feedback, and the policy will return to council for final approval. Executive Session & Adjournment - The meeting moved to executive session to discuss legal matters and then adjourned at approximately 7:00 PM.

The Johns Creek Recreation & Parks Advisory Committee (RPAC) met on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 7:58 PM at 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA. Chair Shafiq Jadavji presided with a quorum present. The agenda included combined March/April department updates, the Q1 park rental report, presentations from the Ocee Park Athletic Association and the Johns Creek Veterans Association, approval of the March 19, 2025 meeting minutes, and scheduling of a summer social. No public comments were offered. Department Update (March & April) - Director Erica Madsen presented a combined update because the April meeting was canceled. Park Place Senior Center hosted 111 programs with 1,532 participants in March and 117 programs with 1,578 participants in April, including tax assistance and art center programming. - Daffodil Days Children's Carnival (March 29) debuted a new carnival format at Heisman Field with approximately 3,500 attendees; free rides, games, and a petting zoo were offered. Committee members reported community feedback that the event was well loved, though ride lines reached 30-45 minutes. - Battle of the Bands drew 350 attendees and 7 bands. Free Outdoor Fitness had 228 participants in March and 422 in April. - Easter Bunny pop-ups at Autrey Mill, Newtown, and Cauley Creek Parks attracted an estimated 100 children. Earth Day was celebrated in partnership with Autrey Mill, with Public Works/Stormwater staff discussing invasive Chinese privet. - The International Festival (May 3) drew approximately 2,500 attendees due to rain, versus a typical attendance of 15,000+. Touch a Truck (May 17) at City Hall was well attended, with police K-9 and traffic unit demos and fire department equipment. - Construction: The Boardwalk at Town Center is progressing on schedule for summer 2026 completion, with the boardwalk poured and overlook decks under construction. The Shakerag Storybook Trail renovation was completed, improving accessibility and removing trip hazards. Landscape improvements continue at Cauley Creek Park. - Chattahoochee Greenway: National Park Service coordination is ongoing but slow due to NPS staffing and funding constraints; NPS continues to list the project as a priority. - Cauley Creek Maker Space: The design-build contract covers a public-use shell only; air conditioning, equipment, and operational decisions remain undetermined. The project was funded as a FY23 capital item and is located in the former water reclamation facility building. Q1 Park Rental Report - Director Madsen reported that facilities are heavily used and in high demand. Chair Jadavji announced that future quarterly reports will summarize rentals by sport and park to better illustrate field usage across Newtown, Shakerag, and Cauley Creek parks. - The detailed rental report shows high utilization across pickleball courts, athletic fields, and other facilities. For example, Cauley Creek Pickleball Court 1 recorded 188 bookings and Cauley Creek Athletic Field 2 (Synthetic Turf 2) recorded 87 bookings during Q1. Chair Update - Chair Jadavji welcomed Martin (Marty) Jelleme to his first RPAC meeting. Jelleme is head coach of the Atlanta United unified soccer team and runs the North Fulton United special needs soccer program in Johns Creek. - Jadavji highlighted a drone video of The Boardwalk construction on the city's Facebook page and noted the project is targeted for completion in summer 2026, aligning with the nearby tunnel project. - Committee Member Sandra Pastorello described her proposal, previously raised at RPAC and at City Council, to charge city employees the resident rate rather than the non-resident rate (1.5x) for recreational programs. The mayor has asked staff to examine the change, and City Manager Greer will draft the fee resolution amendment to bring back to the department. Ocee Park Athletic Association Presentation - Lucas (Board Chair) and Jeremy Hall (board member) presented. The Ocee Park Athletic Association (OPA) is a 100% volunteer nonprofit offering baseball for ages 4-15 at Ocee Park, which is geographically surrounded by Alpharetta but part of Johns Creek. - The program serves approximately 1,300 registrants per year (about 700 unique families) across fall rec, spring rec, summer all-star, and travel teams. The estimated gender split is 90/10 boys to girls, and roughly 60-65% of families are Johns Creek residents. Residency is verified through utility bills scanned into Team Sideline, and the city independently geocodes registrant lists. Non-resident fees are a pass-through to the city of about $6,000 per season. - OPA is required to make a minimum $25,000 annual capital improvement to the park and has exceeded that, contributing over $350,000 in the last 7-8 years. Summer tournaments and concessions generate roughly $13,000-20,000 and a matching amount annually, respectively, all reinvested in capital improvements. - The association turns away 30-40 families per year due to capacity; 6U-8U divisions fill within 2-2.5 weeks of registration opening. - OPA's top capital wish is turfing the Lang field, the only field without a turf infield, which serves the largest age group (6U-8U). Lucas estimated this could clear 50-60% of the waitlist. - Committee members encouraged OPA to explore a Johns Creek resident priority registration window (Lucas said it would require review of their Team Sideline software), expand girls' participation, and create special needs baseball opportunities, potentially partnering with Miracle League. OPA is also considering netting over the quad fields, with a contractor quote expected next week. - The new lights at Ocee Park were praised for improving visibility and safety, and field 2 flooding has been substantially improved by city sod work. Johns Creek Veterans Association Presentation - Keith Bogwell, President and Color Guard Captain, presented. The Johns Creek Veterans Association (JCVA) operates out of Newtown Park and was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Memorial Walk and the Vietnam Wall replica, which is the second largest privately funded veterans memorial in the country outside Washington, D.C. - When the traveling Vietnam Wall was hosted in Johns Creek in 2017, it drew the most visitors and raised the most donations of any stop, enabling the permanent installation. The city provides JCVA meeting space at Park Place, and JCVA provides Color Guard support at city events. - JCVA annual events include the Kabul 13 memorial ceremony (4th year, co-hosted with the Knights of Columbus and recognized as the only ceremony honoring all 13 service members), a Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony marking the 50th anniversary this year with a Huey helicopter static display, Patriots Day on 9/11, Veterans Day, and a June memorial service for a Vietnam Marine hero. - The 11th Hour Squadron trains volunteers with Emory Johns Creek Hospital to ensure no veteran dies alone. The Veterans Assistance Program partners with Operation Rally Point and other organizations, including giving away 50 cars to veterans over 4-5 years and housing a homeless veteran and his terminally ill wife. - Bogwell expressed concern that the memorial is underappreciated and inadequately signed; he requested that the Vietnam Wall receive equal prominence on park signage. He also noted plans to expand the Vietnam Plaza paver area to relocate 138 pavers from the sidewalk; PLM will provide materials and prep work, with Boy Scouts and other youth groups providing labor. - Outreach plans include a promotional video in three formats (school education, regional promotion, short), school visits and field trips, and a donated landscaping and accessibility improvement from a national landscaper. - Committee members offered to coordinate volunteers for the paver project, suggested connecting JCVA with Visit Johns Creek for regional marketing, and proposed using existing Newtown Park events to draw visitors to the memorial. Chair Jadavji committed to making the Visit Johns Creek introduction. New Business - Meeting Minutes Approval - A motion to approve the March 19, 2025 meeting minutes as presented was seconded by Sandra Pastorello and Adam Cleary and passed unanimously. Other Business - Summer Social - The committee selected Wednesday, July 16, 2025, for a summer social gathering in lieu of the regular July meeting. Key Outcomes - The March 19, 2025 meeting minutes were approved unanimously. - The committee selected July 16, 2025, for its summer social, replacing the regular meeting. - Staff will reformat future Q1-style rental reports to summarize usage by sport and park for clearer quarterly reporting. - City Manager Greer will draft a fee resolution amendment to extend resident rates to city employees. - Chair Jadavji will connect JCVA leadership with Visit Johns Creek for marketing support. - OPA will explore a Johns Creek resident priority registration window and report back. - JCVA's Vietnam Plaza paver expansion will proceed with PLM materials/prep and volunteer labor coordinated through parks staff.

The Johns Creek City Council held a work session on Monday, May 19, 2025, starting at 5:05 PM and concluding around 7:00 PM. The meeting covered several ongoing projects and council initiatives, with a major focus on the proposed Performing Arts Center, tree ordinance amendments, and various policy updates. Consent Calendar - No consent calendar items were discussed as part of the work session; routine business items were slated for non-discussion but some were pulled for future consideration (Annual Resurfacing Bids and Lakefield Drive Streetscape Engineering Contract). Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the work session. Discussion Items - Performing Arts Center - Staffing and Operations (60 min): Assistant City Manager Greer presented a pro forma showing year one expenditures of $1.64 million and revenues of $1.33 million, requiring an annual investment of approximately $254,000. Council members debated the policy question of whether such an annual investment is appropriate. Some expressed support for a bond referendum in November 2025, while others called for more community input. Financing options discussed included general obligation bonds, GMA lease purchases, and public-private partnerships. The council generally agreed to bring the matter to the June 9th work session for further discussion on a potential referendum. - Tree Ordinance Amendment Options (15 min): Community Development Director Solan presented options to reduce regulatory burden on homeowners for tree removal. Council members provided direction: A3 (permit only for trees in protected areas), B1 (recompense of one 15-gallon tree for trees removed in permit-required areas), C2 (trees within 25 feet or threatening a primary dwelling can be removed without permit), D1 (increase specimen tree threshold from 24 to 32 inches), and D2 (also modify classification). Staff will draft amendments for a July meeting. - HB 92 - Certification of Property Tax Rate (15 min): Finance Director Campbell explained that a resolution was needed to certify the estimated rollback rate per revised guidance from the Tax Commissioner's office. Council agreed to pass the resolution at the regular meeting. - Cemetery Text Amendment (15 min): The proposal allows small burial plots (up to 1,000 sq ft or 4 plots) on religious properties with a visual barrier. Council moved to forward the amendment with Bob's suggestion to require a visual barrier. - Bicycle Friendly Community Designation (15 min): Councilmember Larry DiBiase introduced the initiative; staff is already working on an application due June 25. No formal council action was required at this time. - Park Programming - Resident Fees for City Staff (15 min): Mayor Bradbury proposed allowing city staff and their families to pay resident fees for recreation programs. Consensus was to support, and the item will go to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee and then to council. - Volunteer Led Special Event Policy (15 min): Councilmembers Stacy Skinner and Larry DiBiase asked staff to create a uniform policy for volunteer-led events to clarify roles and decision-making. The ACE committee had previously discussed this; staff will distribute existing materials and bring back a proposal. Key Outcomes - Performing Arts Center: Council consensus to continue discussions on a bond referendum at the June 9th work session; staff to provide additional information on financing mechanisms (CID, TAD, P3) and a comprehensive presentation for public education. - Tree Ordinance: Staff directed to draft amendments based on the consensus (A3, B1 with 15-gallon recompense, C2 with modification, D1 and D2) and return for a public hearing in July. - HB 92: Resolution to certify rollback rate will be voted on at the regular council meeting. - Cemetery Text Amendment: Forwarded with an added visual barrier requirement. - Bicycle Friendly: Application to proceed administratively. - Park Staff Fees: To be reviewed by RPAC and brought back to council. - Volunteer Event Policy: Staff to compile existing ACE committee materials and develop a draft policy for future discussion. - Routine Business: Annual Resurfacing Bids and Lakefield Drive Streetscape Contract pulled from consent for future work session discussion.