Public Meetings - Johns Creek, Georgia

The Johns Creek City Council convened on November 3, 2025, at 7:01 PM to address routine approvals, hear public comments, and discuss employee benefits renewals. Notable actions included approval of the Cigna health insurance renewal with a move to a level-funded plan and a vote split 6-1. The meeting also featured public comment on police funding and community appreciation. Consent Calendar - Minutes of October 20, 2025: Unanimously approved. - Meeting Agenda: Unanimously approved. - Consent Agenda (Renewal Quotes from Travelers for Workers' Compensation and Other Insurances): Unanimously approved. Public Comments & Testimony - Teacher Pickens (10540 Colony Glen Drive): Expressed strong support for the police department's 2026 budget requests, commending Chief Mitchell's 32 years of experience. He characterized the requests as valid needs, not wasteful spending, and urged council members to respect differing opinions and work collaboratively. - Seema (a Johns Creek resident of 12+ years): Thanked the council for the city's safety and quality-of-life improvements, highlighted progress on the town center construction, and wished everyone well in the upcoming election. Discussion Items - M.1 - Employee Benefits Renewal (Cigna and The Standard): Assistant City Manager Love presented the renewal of medical, vision, and dental coverage with Cigna, as well as short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance with The Standard. Key points: - The health insurance renewal was zero-based due to improved claims experience from wellness initiatives funded in the 2025 budget. - The plan is shifting from fully insured to a level-funded model, adding GLP-1 drugs to the formulary and introducing a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) via Garner Health Technology at a city cost of $143,767. - Compared to the budgeted 7.5% increase ($1.3M), the zero-based renewal yields approximately $1 million in savings on health and vision; dental renewal at 7.5% yields about $46,000 in savings. - Employee cost increases: High-deductible family plan premiums rise $19/paycheck; dental premiums less than $1/paycheck. For a $63,000 salary employee, net increase is $16.14/pay period after factoring in cost-of-living adjustment. - Council members praised staff for the wellness program's success and asked about using savings for wellness initiatives or transitioning to a self-funded plan. Staff noted the level-funded approach is a stepping stone and savings can be set aside for future smoothing. Key Outcomes - M.1 - Vote on Employee Benefits Renewal: Motion by Councilmember Tunky, second by Councilmember Coughlin. Approved 6-1 (one nay). - Directives: Staff was encouraged to consider establishing a separate fund for savings from the 50/50 claims surplus split with Cigna to mitigate future premium spikes. - Next Steps: Open enrollment for employees begins the week of November 10, 2025. The council will review benefits options annually.

The Johns Creek City Council held a work session on November 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM to discuss the Police Department's budget for FY2026. Chief Mitchell presented the department's priorities, which included funding for four unfunded officer positions, a command vehicle, and a drone program. The discussion covered crime statistics, response times, staffing challenges, and future planning. No formal votes were taken during the work session. Discussion Items - Crime Statistics: Chief Mitchell reported that entering autos, accidents, and thefts were up compared to the previous year, while burglaries and violent crimes were down. He described the crime trends as an "ebb and flow." - Response Times: For September 2025, the overall average response time was 1 minute and 28 seconds, calculated from dispatch to arrival. Dispatch incidents averaged 5 minutes and 16 seconds. The department handled 4,481 calls for the month. - Crime Suppression Unit: Staffed in June 2025, the unit has made progress, including arrests clearing 10 to 15 entering auto cases. The unit is led by Sergeant Montero and uses the Real-Time Information Center. - Unfunded Officer Positions: The council previously approved four additional officer positions but did not fund them. Chief Mitchell requested funding for these positions, noting that three officers are currently in the academy and are expected to graduate in November 2025, with field training complete by spring 2026. He intends to request four more officers in FY2027 as part of a multi-year strategic plan. - Specialized Assignment Pay: A proposal to provide a pay bump for officers in specialized roles (e.g., detectives, narcotics, traffic) was discussed. Chief Mitchell argued the additional training and experience justify the pay differential. - Command Vehicle: The department is exploring a new command vehicle, potentially funded partly through asset forfeiture. Chief Mitchell noted that prices have changed and he is considering new options rather than a used county vehicle. - Drone Program: The department currently has a robust drone program, but Chief Mitchell presented a tier-three request for a Drone First Responder (DFR) program. He emphasized the need for further research and said technology is evolving rapidly. He is considering tethered drones for events and critical incidents and expects to request full funding in FY2027 or FY2028. - Pay Adjustment: Chief Mitchell had requested a 3.3% public safety pay adjustment to bring salaries in line with similar cities, but it was not approved in the budget process. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was set at 2.7%. - Medical Incident at Northview High School: Council discussed a medical emergency on October 31, 2025, during a football game. City staff reported that fire responded in 7 minutes 30 seconds, and AMR (ambulance) arrived within 14.5 minutes of dispatch, meeting the service level agreement. The patient was treated on the field for 11 minutes before transport. Council requested follow-up on any delays in the 911 call processing at ChatCom. - Staffing Vacancies: The department currently has seven vacancies (including the four unfunded positions). Chief Mitchell stated conditional offers have been made to candidates, but the hiring process is intense. He emphasized the need to maintain 10 officers per shift and is using attrition savings to fund the unfunded positions. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were made during the work session. The council will continue budget deliberations. - The city manager will follow up on the Northview High School incident timeline, including ChatCom call processing times. - Chief Mitchell committed to presenting updated cost estimates for the command vehicle and drone program in future budget cycles. - The council acknowledged the importance of planning for future staffing and technology needs, with some members expressing support for additional officers and the drone program.

The Johns Creek City Council met on October 20, 2025, at 7:04 PM. The meeting included a quarterly scout recognition, public comments, the manager's monthly report, and a public hearing and approval of a special use permit and variances for a church development. Multiple public speakers addressed topics including city leadership, public safety, the Performing Arts Center bond referendum, and transparency. Presentations - Quarterly Scout Recognition: Three Girl Scouts received the Gold Award: Haley Roberts (senior at Johns Creek High School) created an educational curriculum on female veterans; Samantha Sterling (senior at Chattahoochee High School) raised awareness on heart health in youth; Nazifa Liladia collected electronic devices for underserved families and held cybersecurity workshops. Each presented their projects to the council. Public Comments & Testimony - Michael Fitzgerald praised the city's rankings (No. 2 safest city, No. 1 best place to live) and criticized a "smear piece" posted by the mayor on his official page. - Kim Cordom accused Mayor Bradbury of bullying and retaliation, alleging he threatened to remove city funding from a student leadership program if she did not eliminate a scholarship named for former Mayor Mike Bodker. She formally requested council censure the mayor. - Peter Friedrich opposed Georgia Senate Bill 375, arguing it conflates political criticism of India's government with religious hatred and endangers the Indian American community. He urged the city to pass a resolution opposing the bill. - Mina Dyson expressed support for Mayor Bradbury, citing positive progress and defending the Performing Arts Center bond referendum, stating it would raise taxes by approximately $83 per household. - Gebron Green criticized division in the city, alleging that councilmember Aramelli blocked him on social media and that the mayor's campaign has created a toxic environment. - Chris Cupid (first comment) described a negative interaction with the mayor at a Republican breakfast, stating the mayor reacted angrily when he disagreed on the bond referendum. He urged civility and respectful disagreement. - Deb Powell thanked the council for their work, supported the Performing Arts Center, and expressed dismay at campaign negativity. - Thomas Corrigan supported the school district ad valorem tax exemption for seniors and suggested mentoring programs to leverage experienced residents. - Brian Pickens questioned police staffing, citing a drop from 102 to 85 officers, and discrepancies in budget documents. He also noted underfunding of Chatcom. - Dietra Pickens criticized the mayor's behavior, alleging disrespect to the police chief and at a Faith in Blue event, and urged better support for public safety. - Tyler Chennault (second public comment) praised community events and emphasized the importance of connection and investing in the next generation. - Bob Stevens thanked city staff, expressed pride in the city, and supported the Performing Arts Center bond. - Cindy Eid (first comment) criticized Mayor Bradbury's leadership, accusing him of bullying council members, rushing the PAC referendum, and lacking transparency. She called for a resigned behavior and better governance. - Scott Barksdale accused the mayor of broken promises regarding the Macedonia Historical Black Cemetery, the PAC's public-private financing, rigorous business analysis, and transparency. - Maureen Giannone criticized the PAC referendum process, stating town halls were not recorded, information was vague, and the decision to place it on the ballot was politically motivated and divisive. - Dietra Pickens (second comment) continued her critique, noting that over 17 years only four additional patrol officers were added, and that Johns Creek police pay lags behind neighboring cities. - Chris Cupid (second comment) corrected misinformation about councilmember Aramelli bouncing checks for the Public Safety Foundation, stating the donation was made good. He also discussed Nesbitt Ferry sidewalk design. - Cindy Eid (second comment) reiterated transparency concerns, noting the mayor's failure to post ethics complaint details, lack of recordings at PAC meetings, and restricted budget information. - Brian Pickens (second comment) calculated the PAC cost at $1,000 per square foot and questioned the use of the remaining 3.3 acres of the site. Discussion Items - Manager's Monthly Report: City Manager Kimberly Greer presented highlights from September, including community meetings for the PAC bond referendum, public safety events, economic development awards, park activities, and the completion of street resurfacing. She also introduced new Finance Director Harpreet Hora. Council members discussed police staffing, budget variances, and financial reporting. City Manager Greer clarified that the police department is fully staffed (88 uniform patrol, 104 total), and that four cadet positions funded through salary savings are in recruitment. She also explained the mechanics of Chatcom funding and insurance premium tax revenue. - Public Hearing and Ordinance O2025-10-29 – Special Use Permit and Variances for Church: Director Ben Song presented a request for a 22,500-square-foot church building at 10505, 10509, and 10625 Jones Bridge Road, with three variances: setback reduction to 50 feet along the west property line, temporary grading within buffer, and reduction of undisturbed buffer to 20 feet along the rear property line. The church, Christ Fellowship, plans a phased development (12,250 sq ft first phase, 10,250 sq ft future). Staff recommended approval with conditions. Several church members spoke in favor, highlighting community service and partnership with Dolvin Elementary School. No opposition speakers appeared. Council discussed parking, phasing, stormwater management, traffic, and buffer conditions. Key Outcomes - Approval of Minutes: The October 6, 2025 work session summary and council meeting minutes were approved unanimously. - Approval of Agenda: The meeting agenda was approved unanimously. - Ordinance O2025-10-29 Approved: The council approved the ordinance amending the zoning map for SUP-25-0001, VC-25-0002, VC-25-0003, and VC-25-0004, adopting staff conditions, with a unanimous vote (6-0). The church is required to meet all conditions, including deceleration lanes, buffer requirements, and a fence along the west property line.

On October 20, 2025, the Johns Creek City Council held a work session beginning at 5:02 PM. The primary focus was on employee health and other benefits, with presentations from staff on renewal proposals, wellness initiatives, and budget savings. The council also discussed workers' compensation insurance and went into executive session for legal and personnel matters. Discussion Items - Employee Health and Other Benefits: Assistant City Manager Love presented the annual renewal for health, vision, dental, short-term/long-term disability, and life insurance. The city currently partners with Cigna (medical, vision, dental) and The Standard (disability, life). After testing the market, staff recommends remaining with both carriers. Key details: - Medical/Vision/Dental: A zero-based increase for the base proposal, with an additional $150,000 to layer a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses up to the deductible for employees, at no cost to them. - Claims Ratio Improvement: For January–July 2025, the claims ratio was 70.71%, compared to 334.71% for the same period in 2024, attributed to wellness initiatives. - Budget Savings: The city expects to save approximately $1 million on health premiums and $46,000 on dental vs. the FY26 adopted budget, though open enrollment may shift participant numbers. - Cost Sharing: For 2026, the city’s share of premiums will decrease slightly (e.g., employee-only under the high deductible plan: 92.5% city, 7.5% employee; overall 85/15 employer/employee split). - Wellness Initiatives: $150,000 allocated in FY25 plus an additional $50,000 in FY26; incentives include preventative care credits. Council members expressed strong support for reinvesting any savings into wellness initiatives and creating a separate fund for health and workers' comp to smooth future rate fluctuations. - GLP-1 Drugs: Staff negotiated with Cigna to add several weight-loss drugs to the formulary (e.g., not Ozempic, but others). No additional cost for this change. - Self-Funding: Not yet feasible due to the number of covered lives; level funding is a potential next step. - Workers' Comp and Other Insurances: The city also reviewed workers' comp, with projected savings of approximately $600,000 compared to budget. Council discussed creating a dedicated fund for workers' comp savings to manage year-to-year variations. Key Outcomes - Council directed staff to bring the health benefit renewal proposal (including the HRA and level funding switch) to the next council meeting as a new business item for approval. The vote on the motion to move forward was unanimous (voice vote; no objection noted). - Council expressed support for establishing separate funds (health and workers' comp) to track and reinvest savings, though no formal vote was taken; staff will explore implementation. - Staff will provide additional data on historical cost-sharing percentages, wellness program participation, and a comparison of total compensation packages with peer cities. - The council adjourned to executive session to discuss land, legal, and personnel matters, then reconvened and adjourned the work session without further action.

On October 15, 2025, the Johns Creek Recreation & Parks Advisory Committee (RPAC) met at City Hall at 6:30 PM. The meeting included a public comment from a former committee member, a department update with attendance and event statistics, the appointment of a new Chair and Vice-Chair, approval of prior meeting minutes, a presentation from the Rotary Club of Johns Creek, a vote to renew the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Facility Use Agreement, approval to reschedule the November meeting, and a discussion on the 2026 meeting calendar (deferred to November). Public Comments & Testimony - Shafiq (former RPAC Chair): Expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve on RPAC for over seven years, encouraged the committee to remain ambitious in their work, and thanked the Parks Department. He noted that while RPAC provides input, final decisions rest with City Council. Discussion Items - Department Update (Director Erica Madsen): Reported on programming and events for August and September 2025: - Park Place Senior Center: 1298 participants in August, 1380 in September across 114 and 119 programs respectively. - Summer Concert Series: REMakes (August) – 1,200 attendees; Purple Experience (September) – 1,900 attendees. - Pupapalooza: 350 attendees. - Patriots Day: 200 attendees, featuring a keynote from JCFD Captain Matthew Broderick. - Cauley Creek Park: Three 5K rentals in August, four in September. - Adult Softball: 7 teams registered. - Free Outdoor Fitness: 402 participants. - Eco Fishing: Two sessions (August 2 and 30) with 20 participants each, both with waitlists. - Adaptive Dance: Over 50 participants. - Diwali Market (October 11): Estimated 3,000 attendees; committee member Shri raised concerns about declining attendance and suggested expanding the format. - Upcoming events: Trunk or Treat (Oct 22), Literary Fair (Nov 15), Holly Jolly Block Party (Dec 5). - Project updates: Wayfinding signage at Shakerag (August), building repairs at Autrey Mill, new sidewalk at Cauley Creek, and the boardwalk behind City Hall (turf installed). - Chair Update: Vice Chair Phillips provided no additional items beyond what was on the agenda. - Rotary Johns Creek Presentation (Elizabeth Salisbury): Described Rotary’s mission of “service above self” and the four-way test. Highlighted local partnerships including Patriots Day, Trunk or Treat (22,000 pieces of candy), Interact Clubs at Johns Creek and Autrey Mill high schools, a pickleball tournament, and human trafficking prevention initiatives. Invited committee members to attend Rotary meetings. - Renewal of Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Facility Use Agreement: - Director Madsen explained the agreement is between the City and Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Association, which runs programming (summer camps, homeschool, rentals). The current agreement expires Dec 31, 2025. Proposed changes include removal of reversion clauses for buildings, updates to the organization’s mission, and adjusted reporting dates. The association reinvests 5% of programming fees into park improvements, often via volunteer hours. - Committee discussion: Noted typographical errors (effective date shown as 2023, should be 2025; “Property” and “history” misspelled). Member Adam Cleary questioned the three-day notice requirement for fundraising events; staff confirmed it has worked well. Member Martin Jelleme noted the five-year history and that the only real change was the building reversion clause. Member Paul Nolan expressed desire for the City to similarly support other nonprofits offering youth programs. Member Jillian Phillips asked what happens if the association cannot meet the 5% reinvestment; staff responded that such a situation would be discussed at the time. The committee supported renewal. - Rescheduling November 19, 2025 Meeting: Staff requested moving the November meeting from November 19 to November 12, 2025, to allow RPAC feedback on the 2026 special events calendar before the ACE Committee and City Council work session. Discussion: Member Paul Nolan noted he cannot attend on Nov 12, but attendance policy would apply. Member Adam Cleary suggested Nov 11 (Veterans Day holiday) or a different day; staff noted Nov 11 is a holiday and another meeting conflicts with Planning Commission. The committee voted to approve the date change. - 2026 Meeting Calendar (Bimonthly Proposal): Staff presented a recommendation to shift from monthly to bimonthly meetings (6 per year), noting an average of 4 cancellations per year historically. Committee members expressed concerns: Jillian Phillips argued the committee’s role is already limited and reducing meetings would further diminish its effectiveness; Paul Nolan noted it is easier to cancel a meeting than to add one; Kendrick McWilliams pointed out that cancellation data shows June and July are often canceled, so a bimonthly schedule might lead to a long gap (Feb to Aug). Martin Jelleme suggested a compromise of 8 or 9 meetings. The committee ultimately decided to defer a decision to the November 12 meeting, and staff will bring a draft monthly calendar for discussion. A motion to table was approved. - Other Business: The December meeting was briefly discussed; Director Madsen indicated she would review potential agenda items and the committee may consider a social element. Key Outcomes - Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair: Gillian Phillips was nominated and elected as Chair; Martin Jelleme was nominated and elected as Vice-Chair. Both were approved unanimously. - Approval of August 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Motion by Erin Eggerton, seconded by Paul Nolan; passed unanimously. - Renewal of Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Facility Use Agreement: Motion to approve subject to typo corrections, seconded; passed unanimously. Staff will forward feedback to City Council. - Rescheduling November 19 Meeting to November 12, 2025: Motion approved by majority (no dissenting votes recorded). The change is effective for this year. - 2026 Meeting Calendar: Deferred to the November 12 meeting. Staff will present a monthly calendar draft for consideration.

This public participation meeting was held on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers (11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, Georgia). Planning and Zoning Manager Ruchi Agarval opened the meeting, explaining the format and noting that this is the first of three public opportunities for input. The sole agenda item was Land Use Petition RZ-25-0003, a rezoning request for a property at 12050 Findley Road. The site currently houses a memory care center, and the applicant seeks to change the use to a residential wellness and recovery center while keeping the existing OI (Office and Institutional) zoning. No changes to the building exterior or site plan are proposed. Discussion Items - Applicant Presentation: Chuck Palmer of Troutman Pepper Locke, representing Emory, presented the proposal. The property is 7.6 acres, located near Emory Johns Creek Hospital, the Standard Club golf course, and other OI-zoned parcels. The existing memory care facility building will remain unchanged; only interior modifications are anticipated. - Facility Details: Residents are voluntarily admitted, with an average length of stay of 22–24 days. The average resident age is 35–38 years. No minors (under 18) are admitted. The center will serve both males and females. Normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The operator has substantial experience with similar facilities across the South, including in Georgia. - Traffic Impact: Traffic is projected to decrease by approximately 25% compared to the current memory care use. - Neighborhood Compatibility: Adjacent properties are also zoned OI. The applicant stated they have spoken with neighboring property owners, who are comfortable with the proposed use. - Q&A Period: The meeting was opened for questions, but no attendees or online viewers posed any questions during the recorded portion of the meeting. Key Outcomes - No formal vote was taken; this was an informational public participation meeting. - If the case proceeds, two public hearings are scheduled: the Planning Commission meeting on December 2, 2025, and a subsequent City Council meeting (date to be confirmed in December) where a final decision will be made.

On October 7, 2025, at 12:15 PM, the City of Johns Creek Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted on a special use permit application (SUP-25001) with three concurrent variances for a new church at 10505, 10509, and 10625 Jones Bridge Road. The commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval to the City Council, which will make the final decision on October 20, 2025. Consent Calendar - Approved the July 8, 2025 meeting minutes by a vote of 6-0-1 (one abstention). Public Comments & Testimony - Katie Brewer (address: 345 Aylesworth Cove, Alpharetta, GA 30022), a kindergarten teacher at Dolvin Elementary School and church member, spoke in favor of the project. She highlighted the church's existing positive relationship with Dolvin Elementary, including financial support and volunteerism, and emphasized the potential for continued community partnership. Discussion Items - SUP-25001 and Concurrent Variances (VC-25-0002, VC-25-0003, VC-25-0004) – The applicant, Christ Fellowship Church, requested a special use permit to construct a 22,500 square foot church on a 4.872-acre property currently zoned AG-1. The project would proceed in two phases: Phase 1 (12,250 sq. ft. building, 125 parking spaces) and Phase 2 (additional 10,250 sq. ft., 72 more spaces, for a total of 197 spaces). The three variances sought were: (1) reducing the required 100-foot church building setback to 50 feet along the west property line; (2) allowing temporary grading and land disturbance within the 25-foot undisturbed buffer and 10-foot improvement setback along the west property line; and (3) reducing the 50-foot undisturbed buffer to 20 feet along the rear property line. Staff recommended approval with conditions, citing the site's topographic challenges, the precedent of a prior special use permit on the property, and mitigation measures. Commissioners questioned staff about traffic impacts (172 daily trips, 27 evening peak, 270 Sunday peak), stormwater management, tree replacement, lighting compliance, and parking adequacy. Commissioner Katzen expressed concern about the reduced west setback and asked if alternative building orientations were studied; the applicant explained that the current layout minimized disturbance to the adjacent neighborhood. Commissioner Jackson noted the site's difficulty and expressed support, stating the church use is preferable to potential residential development. Key Outcomes - Motion to approve SUP-25001 with all three variances (VC-25-0002, VC-25-0003, VC-25-0004) and staff conditions – Passed 7-0. This is a recommendation to the City Council, whose final vote is scheduled for October 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the same location. The commission also noted that a follow-up work session on code adjustments may be scheduled for December 2025.

The Johns Creek City Council met on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 7:05 PM. The meeting included approval of prior minutes and the consent agenda, a recognition of the Atlanta United Unified Team, two public comment periods, and a key discussion on engineering for a trail along Nesbit Ferry Road. The council approved a contract amendment with Practical Design Partners for $200,000, including options for sidewalk widths of 5, 8, and 10 feet, and directed staff to incorporate public engagement after engineering. Consent Calendar - Approved the September 22, 2025 Work Session Summary and Council Meeting Minutes. - Approved the meeting agenda as presented. - Approved Consent Agenda Item O2025-10-28: Ordinance to extend the Limited Outdoor Storage Program for two additional years. Public Comments & Testimony First Public Comment Period (limited to 3 minutes each, total 30 minutes): - Royce Reinicke (98 Farm Brook Lane): Criticized property tax increases despite a 4.4% decrease in his home’s fair market value and a 4.2% millage rate reduction. He noted that a floating exemption caused his taxable value to rise, resulting in a 7.2% increase in Fulton County taxes and a 3.3% increase in school board taxes. He urged the council to examine the mechanism. - Ms. Quartum (speaker name not given): Accused Councilmember John Bradbury of violating his oath of office by assisting in regrading backyards and destroying a detention pond structure without permits in 2018. She claimed the city tried to get her family to pay for fixes and that a stormwater issue was resolved for Bradbury in three days. She demanded an inspection of his backyard. - Ms. Wolf: Questioned why the city now believes philanthropy will succeed for a performing arts center after a failed attempt 10 years ago, why a nonprofit was not set up earlier, and why the facility design is not innovative. She called for a financial viability plan. - Mr. Green: Defended the city’s safety record, citing U.S. News & World Report ranking Johns Creek 1. He criticized scare tactics in the election, noting a 36% increase in public safety funding since 2022 and nearly half the budget allocated to public safety. He urged voters to seek facts. - Scott Barksdale (Mayfair Subdivision): Expressed frustration that the Newtown community was “ignored” again regarding changes to the Nesbit Ferry Corridor plan. He opposed a 10-foot concrete trail, arguing it would remove neighborhood entrances, not connect to anything, and be unsafe for children on bikes. He demanded transparent input. - Miss Eady: Supported sidewalks but advocated for a 5-foot width instead of 10-foot. She cited her own survey of 89 residents on Nextdoor, where 68% preferred 5-foot sidewalks. She noted consistency with existing sidewalks on Brumbelow Road and Mount Pisgah. She also requested a deceleration lane at St. Clair entrance, noting a 1990 request to Fulton County was denied. - First Responder Advocate (name not given): Expressed concern about police staffing, referencing the death of Officer Labante in a neighboring city. He stated that patrol shifts sometimes have only 2 officers for the entire city, and urged the council to prioritize resources for police and fire. Second Public Comment Period (no time limit): - Same speaker (Ms. Quartum): Continued her accusations against Councilmember Bradbury, reading emails from HOA presidents indicating Bradbury operated a bobcat and that the project was approved by “Mr. Black”—a name not found in city records. She demanded access to inspect Bradbury’s backyard. - Speaker (name not given): Advised the council to ensure that any sidewalk on Nesbit Ferry is well separated from the road, not jammed against it. - Scott Barksdale (again): Requested at least one community meeting before decisions on Nesbit Ferry. He noted that 4,000 signatures on a petition is less than 30% of typical voter turnout. Discussion Items - M.1: Contract with Practical Design Partners for Trail Engineering at Nesbit Ferry Road Director O’Connor presented the request for a $200,000 contract amendment to complete engineering for a trail on the east side of Nesbit Ferry Road from Brumbelow Road to Mount Pisgah Road. The project is part of TSPLOST 2. Council debated the trail width: 5, 8, or 10 feet. Councilmember Coughlin noted that other city trails (Rivermont 8 ft, Barnwell 8 ft, BIS 10 ft, Rogers Bridge 10 ft) are wider and expressed concern about unequal investment. Councilmember Elwood favored a 10-foot design to maximize future flexibility, while Councilmember DiBiassi and others wanted options to assess costs and right-of-way impacts. A 2023 concept plan existed but did not show specific parcel impacts. Council discussed including a deceleration lane at St. Clair and utility relocation provisions. The council agreed to proceed with engineering for all three width options (5, 8, and 10 feet) and to hold a public meeting after engineering to review impacts. - Recognition of the Atlanta United Unified Team The council presented a commendation to North Fulton United, Atlanta United Unified Team, and Marty Jellamy for their work in inclusive sports. The program grew from 15 athletes and 3 coaches in 2018 to over 105 athletes and 16 coaches in fall 2025, and about 150 athletes and 25 coaches in spring. The team achieved international recognition. Key Outcomes - Approved the minutes of September 22, 2025, and the meeting agenda. - Approved Consent Agenda O2025-10-28 (Extended Outdoor Storage Program) unanimously. - Approved New Business M.1: Contract amendment with Practical Design Partners for $200,000, with direction to include options for 5-foot, 8-foot, and 10-foot sidewalk widths, and to incorporate utility relocation provisions. The motion was made by Councilmember DiBiassi, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem, and passed unanimously. Staff will return with initial drawings in 4-6 months and will hold a public meeting before finalizing the design. - No action on other public comments, but the council acknowledged concerns about police staffing, tax equity, and the Nesbit Ferry corridor. Mayor’s Remarks & Announcements - Upcoming events: Diwali Market at City Hall on Saturday, October 11, 2-7 PM; Ghost and Goblins Gala at Autry Mill Nature Preserve on Friday, October 17. - Future meetings: Planning Commission on October 7; Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee on October 15; Performing Arts Center Bond Referendum Community Meeting on October 16; Next council meeting on October 20 (5 PM work session, 7 PM council meeting).

The Johns Creek City Council held a work session on October 6, 2025, at 5:01 PM. The meeting included discussions on a proposed Special Event Policy for volunteer-led cultural events and a revisit of Public Safety capital requests. The council also entered an executive session to discuss land, legal, and/or personnel matters before adjourning. Discussion Items Special Event Policy (Volunteer-Led Cultural Events) - Director of Recreation and Parks Erica Matson presented the draft policy, which consolidates existing practices for cultural events and committee responsibilities. The Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Committee was supportive. Council feedback included: - Tracking event revenues and expenditures via sub-accounts; staff confirmed this is already done with specific codes for each event. - Exploring whether surplus funds from successful events (e.g., Diwali) could be carried forward or credited to the next year rather than returning to the general fund. Staff will consult with finance on possible encumbrance mechanisms. - Ensuring volunteer attendance and performance standards; staff agreed to add attendance requirements to the policy. - Encouraging at least 40% of vendors and talent to be from Johns Creek, giving local providers first priority. - Clarifying that the city makes all purchases (not reimbursements) and addressing conflict-of-interest rules for volunteers who may also be vendors. - Securing marketing materials to prevent unauthorized modification; staff will investigate technical solutions. - Staff will incorporate all feedback and share a revised draft with highlighted changes; the policy will not be formally adopted by council but will be used going forward. Revisit Public Safety Capital Requests - Councilmember Skinner requested that the fire and police chiefs present on their unfunded FY2026 capital requests, response times (including AMR data and ChattComm), and vehicle accruals, using part of a projected $4 million surplus discussed at the September 8 budget meeting. - Debate ensued over timing: some council members wanted presentations at the next work session (October 20), while others preferred after the November election to avoid politicization. The city manager noted that the police chief is out of town on October 20 and the fire chief may be on leave; deputies could present but some council members opposed that. - Council also discussed whether to hear from all department heads or only public safety. The city manager explained that the surplus amount will not be known until December and that the budget policy (60% to fund balance, 15% capital, 15% infrastructure, 10% millage stabilization) governs surplus allocation unless council directs otherwise. - Council consensus was to direct the city manager to schedule presentations from both chiefs as soon as they are jointly available, with a broad scope covering FY2026 requests, any additional needs, and a departmental overview. No date was set; the city manager will coordinate. Key Outcomes - Special Event Policy: Staff will revise the policy based on council feedback and share highlighted changes; no formal council vote was taken. - Public Safety Capital Requests: Council directed the city manager to schedule police and fire chief presentations at a future work session when both are available, to inform any allocation of the projected surplus. The city manager will also consider a broader plan for other department head presentations if council desires. - The council moved into executive session (land, legal, and/or personnel matters) and later adjourned out of executive session and ended the work session around 6:00 PM.