Date: April 9, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM (start) – approximately 7:00 PM (concluded after executive session and department updates) Location: Council Chamber, 205 Lawrence Street, Marietta, GA The City Council held an agenda review session to prepare for the regular council meeting. The session covered approval of previous minutes, consent agenda discussions, an executive session for legal/personnel/real estate matters, and department updates on technology, infrastructure projects, public safety, and budget preparations. No public comments were heard. Consent Calendar - Minutes: Approved the March 12, 2025 regular meeting minutes (motion by Councilmember Walker, passed unanimously). - Items initially placed on consent: Code amendment, legislative update (not needed tonight), South Avenue item, downtown solid waste item, and a Dobbs Street closing item. Councilmember Richardson requested the Dobbs Street closing be removed from consent because it was not part of the original motion—only a future discussion topic. The request was granted, and the remaining consent items were approved as a block. - Mayor’s note: The legislative update was already given at the Monday meeting, so it didn't need to be presented tonight. Public Comments & Testimony - None. Discussion Items - Executive Session: A motion was made and carried to enter executive session to discuss pending/potential litigation, personnel, and real estate matters. After a short session, the council reconvened. - Digital City Award Recognition: Staff showcased videos highlighting Marietta’s status as the 1 digital city in the nation. The videos described advancements in power grid controls (e.g., AMI for 60,000+ meters), water/wastewater SCADA systems, cybersecurity, and customer self-service options. The city has received positive media coverage and inquiries from other governments. - Public Works Updates (Mark, Public Works Director): - A CSX railroad crossing malfunction on Whitlock Avenue caused a traffic hazard for about 1.5–2 hours. Police assisted with traffic control; drivers were observed driving through crossing arms. The issue is now resolved. - East Dixie Trail: Contractors are working on piping; sidewalk/trail construction expected to start late May/early June. - Merritt Road Landfill Capping Project: approximately 50–60% complete, slightly ahead of schedule. - Street Resurfacing Program: well underway, not yet 50% complete. - Roswell Street four-lane gap project (in front of hardware store): out for bid; bids expected in the next couple weeks, construction to start soon. - Building Safety Month proclamation at next council meeting; Public Works Week May 18–24, with employee appreciation luncheon on May 21 at noon at operations on North Marietta Parkway. - Human Resources Updates (Kisha Register): - Tomorrow: Mission Square representative for retirement planning. - Skin cancer screening: appointments start Monday, held on first floor of City Hall. - City picnic date changed to May 30 (Friday); a save-the-date with theme will be sent out. - Congratulations to Rachel for promotion to Communications Manager. - IT/Technology Updates (Ronnie): - Cybersecurity grant for BLW: replacing switch gear at substations and adding cameras at 10 substations; project completion by July 1. - Grid Logic project (second half of DOE grant with Georgia Tech): started in January, three-year project to monitor equipment and log network changes for security. - Discussion re: Cobb County ransomware breach: City severed connections for 12 days until Cobb provided third-party attestation of remediation. Impact: police department had 800 cases backlogged for report writing; connection restored but backlog still being cleared. - Parks and Recreation Updates (Rich): - Movie in the Square (Friday, April 11): “Wild Robot” at dark; activities start at 8 PM. - Bunny Brunch at Custer Park Sports & Fitness Center (April 19); tickets available. - First Friday Night Concert (April 25): Bourbon Brothers (Rat Pack tribute). - Taste of Marietta (April 27). - Mayoretta Days upcoming. - 4th of July parade entry deadline: May 30 at 5 PM. - Trailfest (May 10-11) noted. - Fire Department Updates (Chief): - Final inspection on two new engines next week; traditional push-in ceremony to be scheduled. - Training tower selected to host two programs at a metro firefighters conference, a positive recognition for the city and department. - Fire department also had about 500–600 reports backlogged due to Cobb County IT outage; now catching up. - Police Department Updates (Chief Beam): - Equipment: 8 new police SUVs and a transport van rolling out soon. Rifle suppressors (silencers) purchased with drug forfeiture funds for hearing protection; ordered and arriving soon. - K9 vests: traffic vests for Fedora and Tyson; ballistic vest for K9 Sparky when fully grown. - Staffing: One officer vacancy (retirement), multiple candidates in process; one PSO ambassador, one prisoner transport officer, one front desk clerk vacancy—all expected to be filled within weeks. - Increased enforcement: traffic safety checkpoints, drug complaint responses, homeless outreach; weekly “Task Force Tuesday” to attack problems. - Budget/Legislative Updates (Chief Beam): - Budget meetings with BLW completed; tourism grants upcoming. - Due to new statewide regulations on tax appraisals, city provided current millage rate to county (no tax increase anticipated). - New tax forms will show only appraisals and deductions, not estimated tax (to avoid past confusion). - Service Delivery Strategy (SDS): work continues with Cobb County; road maintenance agreements being formalized. Councilmember noted sovereign immunity advantage for county roads, but some trades had to be made (e.g., sections of Barrett Parkway). - The board of education is considering a request from the council/mayor to extend the over-62 exemption to more than one acre; they are conducting due diligence with help from city finance. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda Approved (with Dobbs Street closing removed). - Executive Session held; no actions announced publicly after. - No formal votes on substantive policy items during this review session (the session was informational, preparing for the regular meeting). - Dobbs Street closing discussion postponed to a future meeting. - COBRA breach response: City will maintain vigilant communication with Cobb County. - All department updates noted; no directives given. Note: The meeting agenda included review of the City Council Agenda for April 9, 2025, but the actual regular meeting actions were not taken at this session.
