Public Meetings - Marietta, Georgia

The City Council held a work session on December 8, 2025, to review reports from the Board of Lights and Water, discuss upcoming budget amendments, and consider planning and zoning items for future agenda placement. The meeting covered administrative approvals, financial reports, and significant debates regarding water rate increases and infrastructure costs. Several items were moved to the regular agenda for public hearing or detailed review, while most routine consents were approved. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes from the November 10, 2025, agenda work session. - Approved the motion to accept the recommendation from the Board of Lights and Water to approve the election of the MIAG off-system energy sales margins for power supply year 2026. - Approved a motion to suspend rules and adopt a fiscal year 2026 budget amendment enabling large customers to pay construction costs for service continuation. - Approved a motion to move forward with a budget amendment regarding the ARPA grant fund to reclassify expenditures related to the safety building. - Approved the Planning Commission appointment recommendation for Ward 5. - Approved the scheduling of December 22 committee meetings, with an amendment to move the December committee meetings to December 17 to allow more time before the holidays. - Approved the draft of the city council agenda. Public Comments & Testimony - Council Member Shalfont: Expressed strong confusion and opposition (

On December 8, 2025, the Mariana City Council convened a special meeting to discuss and finalize the acquisition of the combined property located at 1033 Franken Gateway from IKEA. The meeting began with an Executive Session to deliberate on the property acquisition, followed by public discussion where Councilmembers unanimously supported the purchase to secure community control over the former IKEA site, noting that IKEA had offered to sell the land after failing to develop it itself. Consent Calendar - [No specific items listed in this section; all routine matters were addressed via the main agenda items.] Public Comments & Testimony - [No specific public comments recorded in this transcript; deliberation was conducted by Council members regarding the project details.] Discussion Items - Motion to Enter/Exit Executive Session: The Council unanimously (7-0) voted to enter an Executive Session specifically for property acquisition matters and subsequently to exit it. - Property Scope Clarification: Councilwoman (identified as "from warning" in transcript, likely a transcription error for a name) proposed an amendment to explicitly clarify that the purchase includes both the original parcel sold by the city (Tract One: 28.65 acres) and the additional shopping center land purchased by IKEA from a private investor (Tract Two: 6.6183 acres), totaling 35.2683 acres. - Clarification of Property History: - Project Description: The property consists of two parcels previously sold to IKEA (one by the city, one by a private investor) which IKEA later combined. The amendment noted that former tenant lease claims and rights were resolved by IKEA prior to the sale. - Speaker Position (Council Member): Expressed concern about potential confusion regarding the "exemption plat" and requested specific language to ensure the motion clearly defined the combined acreage and tracts. - Final Purchase Motion: A motion was made to approve the purchase and sale agreement between the City of Mariana and IKEA Property Inc. for the combined 1033 Franken Gateway property (including former addresses 1019 and 1033), authorizing the Mayor, City Manager, and City Attorney to execute terms and handle closing. Key Outcomes - Vote on Amendment: The motion to amend the purchase description to include the specific tract details and total acreage (35.2683 acres) passed unanimously. - Vote on Purchase: The final motion to approve the purchase and sale agreement passed unanimously. - Authorization: The Mayor, City Manager, and City Attorney were authorized to execute the agreement and manage the closing process. - Next Steps: Mr. Haney is assigned to handle the closing. The Council intends to determine the future use of the property in a subsequent journey following the closing.

On November 25, 2025, the Kennesaw City Council convened for a work session to review administrative updates, discuss legislative priorities, approve consent items, and deliberate on capital improvement projects and future SPLOST proposals. The meeting included updates on financial collections, park construction progress, and the organization of the new council term, concluding with a special call for executive sessions regarding property and legal matters. Consent Calendar - Meeting Minutes: Unanimous approval of the October 28, 2025, meeting minutes for the Finance Committee, Parks/Recreation Committee, and Public Works Committee. - Agenda Work Sessions: Motion carried to adopt the proposed committee and council meeting dates, moving the September Monday meeting to the preceding Thursday (Labor Day conflict) and the Wednesday Veterans Day meeting to Thursday. - Second Readings: Consented to the second reading of the Alcohol Code Section Revision and the Vehicle Mobilization Service fee increase from $50 to $75. - AT&T Variances: Consent approved for AT&T variance requests to install up to 32,503 feet of fiber optic overloading in the Chestnut Hill vicinity and 2,400 feet along Washington Avenue. - Street Studies: Consent approved to proceed with a pedestrian safety speed study on McDonald Street (between Whitlock and Maxwell) and a speed study for Rosewood Creek Drive (Briar Pond Way intersection). Public Comments & Testimony - Council Member Kent (Ward 4B): Expressed strong support for upgrading Fire Stations 52 and 55 to Tier One projects, citing unacceptable living conditions for first responders, specifically noting the 1970 construction date of Station 55. - Council Member (Unidentified Name in Transcript): Proposed a light evaluation for Lawrence Street widening and requested staff review for a potential new park in Ward 7 (Lake Dodd area). - Council Member (Ward 1): Highlighted the lack of county property availability for joint ventures and advocated for a county partnership for a new facility in the Franklin Gateway area. - Staff/Manager: Noted that the Georgia Real Estate Brokerage law (requiring out-of-state landlords to have a local broker) had already passed, while bills regarding building code "shot clocks" and rental property restrictions were under review. Discussion Items Finance Committee Updates - Hotel/Motel Tax: Staff reported a one-time collection increase of approximately $184,000 (comprising $174,000 from a Marketplace retroactive payment for 2021-2023 and $10,000 from prior months). The normalized monthly collection was $264,650, the lowest in four years, while auto rental tax collections hit an all-time high for October. - Auto Rental Tax: Year-to-date reserve increases totaled $39,000; conference center reserves increased by $35,000. - Pension Plan IPS: Council reviewed revisions to the Investment Policy Statement to align with OCGA 47-20-84, increasing the investment range for alternatives from 15% to 20%. Parks, Recreation & Tourism - West Dixie Park: Construction is approximately 80% complete; concrete work is being finalized, with tree planting scheduled for December 12 and the playground for the week of December 15. Full completion is targeted by the end of January. - Burrus Park: A pipe replacement project potentially costing up to $250,000 is required to maintain vehicle access and bridge integrity; $50,000 is currently in the bond, with additional funding potentially needed. - Budget Status: Approximately $75,629 remains in the uncommitted balance; funds are earmarked for the Larry Sminski Park project, with future needs planned for Atherton Square and Glover/Kirby Parks. Legislative Priorities - Revenue Impact: Discussion focused on the potential for state revenue replacement bills to negatively impact local taxation. Council expressed concern that state tax code changes should not reduce local revenue. - Building Codes: Bill SB 812 was identified as a critical item regarding "shot clocks" for permits and potential expansion into design standards. - Municipal Tort Reform: Pending Supreme Court ruling on HB 531; Council to monitor for late spring/summer decision. - Utility Regulations: Concerns raised regarding FCC rules shifting burdens for right-of-way access to cities. SPLOST & Capital Projects (2028) - Revenue Adjustment: After negotiations with Cobb County, the estimated SPLOST revenue increased from $58 million to $67.8 million due to the removal of road maintenance costs from the city burden. - Project Tiering: The Tier 1 list projects at $69 million, requiring a $9 million gap to reach the $78 million target. - Fire Stations: Staff confirmed Fire Stations 52 ($1.2M) and 55 ($9.6M) are currently listed but noted that adding them would exceed the $78 million cap. Council expressed desire for both to move to Tier 1. - Joint Ventures: Discussion explored a joint venture with Cobb County for a multi-purpose facility in the Franklin Gateway area, given the county's lack of available land. Organizational Meeting Scheduling - Special Call: Moved to add Monday, November 5th as a special organizational meeting for the new council term. The meeting will cover rules of procedure, travel seminars ($7,000 per council member), and staff appointments. - Recruitment: Discussion on managing conflicts with school breaks (Spring/Newton/Christmas) for council members with children. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: The minutes for October 28, 2025, across all committees were officially approved. - Legislative List: The legislative priorities list was adopted for the Mayor's upcoming meeting with other city mayors on December 11th. - Agenda Work Session: The committee meeting schedule was formally adjusted to accommodate Labor Day, Veterans Day, and the GAPPT conference (moving March 24th to March 19th). - AT&T Variances: Approval granted for the overlay cabling requests in two distinct districts. - Public Works Donations: Motion to authorize the Public Works Director to receive a donation of 1,675 square feet of right-of-way and a sidewalk from Kennestone Hospital at 627 Cherokee Street (Ward 4B) passed. - Executive Session: Council voted to enter executive session for discussions on property acquisition/disposition and legal advice regarding two ongoing matters.

- Mayor Steve Tumblin-Munney: Expressed profound gratitude for Rich's 26+ years of service, noting his role in managing the parks department alongside recreation and facilities during the Great Depression-era staff reductions. He highlighted Rich's leadership in managing a $26 million parks bond, which resulted in the city having the "best park system in the state of Georgia." He emphasized Rich's willingness to take on a second job (parks and recreation) and later merge facilities without increasing positions, saving the city $900,000 in the first year. - Mayor Dunaway: Thanked Rich for his detail-oriented approach to facility management and his dedication to finishing projects, specifically the parks bond initiatives. He recounted how Rich provided critical data to convince the council of Marietta's under-park status, leading to the successful passage of the 2009 parks bond referendum. He praised Rich's infectious good mood and his ability to mentor staff, noting that Rich was willing to take on significant stress to ensure projects like Tumlin Park and the Custer Sports Complex were completed. - Councilman John I (Ward 3): Expressed that the city would not be the same without Rich, describing him as a "superman" in Marietta who provided significant assistance to the council during his tenure as head of parks. - Councilwoman Cheryl Richardson (Ward 1): Expressed gratitude on behalf of Ward 1, specifically crediting Rich with turning the former West Dixie Park (now Seminski Park) from a standing water hazard into a functional space with a walking track and new play structure. - Councilman Andre Sims (Ward 6): Expressed thanks from Ward 6 constituents who appreciated Rich's excitement about parks and recreation during town halls. He acknowledged the leadership Rich provided to him as a rookie council member. - Councilman Carl Al Ken (Ward 5): Expressed gratitude but noted an unfinished item: the re-sanding of the sand traps at the Marietta City Club golf course, jokingly suggesting Rich needed to "stay" or the city needs more "splash money" to complete the work. - Councilman (unnamed, Ward 4/General): Commended Rich for transforming Tumlin Park from a swamp into a "real jewel" and acknowledged his attention to small details like signage. - Former Mayor (unnamed): Reflected on the 25 billion dollars in infrastructure and the successful passage of the parks bond referendum, crediting Rich for producing the metrics that proved the city was grossly under-parked, which was necessary to secure the four council votes required for the referendum. - Former Council Member Philip Goldstein (Ward 7): Representing himself and current Councilman Joseph Goldstein, he thanked Rich for his role in developing the city's trail systems and noted the phenomenal leadership he provided to his department. - Community Representative (Cobb NAACP/Jereen Bonner Willis): Expressed pride in working with Rich and stated hope to dance with him at Glover Park in the future. - Former Director (unnamed, worked in Knoxville/San Antonio): Shared that he worked for Rich in Marietta for 10 years, credited Rich with the confidence to return to the city after his own 2021 retirement, and thanked Rich for his belief and opportunities. Discussion Items - Retirement Speech by Rich Bus: Rich reflected on his 30+ year career, starting in 1993. He recounted personal memories of relocating to Marietta, the 1996 Olympics guest accommodations, and the 175th city anniversary. He detailed the expansion of the department to include facility management (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, 27 buildings) and cemetery maintenance in 2003. He listed major achievements including the construction of five new parks (16+ acres), the renovation of Tumlin Park and Custer Park, the creation of Elizabeth Porter Park, and the renovation of Henry Park and West Dixie Park (Seminski Park). He thanked over 40 department heads, various vendors, and community organizations including the Downtown Marietta Development Authority, Marietta Arts Council, and local universities. He expressed regret for not spending more time with professional organizations but noted his intention to join the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association retirees' section. Key Outcomes - Proclamation: Friday, November 21, 2025, was officially designated as "Rich Bus Day" in Marietta, Georgia. - Honors Awarded: Rich Bus received the Key to the City, a plaque commemorating over 30 years of service, a favorite photograph, and a signed original picture of Glover Park. - Project Status Update: It was confirmed that the vast majority of the $26 million parks bond projects have been completed, with the renovation of Seminski Park identified as the final major park project. - Fiscal Impact Acknowledged: The meeting highlighted a successful cost-saving initiative where merging Parks, Recreation, and Facilities reduced positions without layoffs, saving $900,000 in the first year while maintaining service levels. - Departmental Legacy: Rich Bus will retire after overseeing 42 parks, 389 acres, the management of 27 city buildings, and the oversight of over $31 million in park-related expenditures funded by bonds and grants.

On November 19, 2025, the City of Marietta held a GIS Day celebration featuring a comprehensive presentation by the Geographic Information Systems team. The meeting highlighted the evolution of the city's mapping capabilities from static maps to advanced digital twins, emphasizing that approximately 80% of government data possesses a spatial component. Presenters detailed various internal and public-facing applications, including specialized map viewers, dashboards for fire department analytics, drone programs, and community engagement tools, while outlining future plans for 3D modeling and data standardization. Consent Calendar - No routine approvals or unanimous actions were discussed during this presentation-based meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public provided formal testimony or comments during this internal presentation; the session was designed to inform current city employees and stakeholders about GIS capabilities. Discussion Items - GIS Evolution and Core Concepts: Jim Carmichael (GIS Supervisor) explained that GIS acts as the 'connective tissue' of smart cities, moving beyond static maps to digital twins. He emphasized that while '98% of data has a spatial component' is a common claim, the team estimates '80%' is more accurate for current government data, covering areas such as work orders, budget line items, traffic, utilities, and personnel. - Team Introductions: The team introduced themselves, including Jim Carmichael (GIS Supervisor), Thomas Chappell (GIS Analyst), Brody Baer (GIS Analyst), Alexis Pierce (GIS Water and Sewer Coordinator), and Stephanie Clayton (GIS Intern), highlighting their diverse backgrounds in geospatial sciences, surveying, anthropology, and archaeology. - Addressing and Parcel Data: Presentations covered the city's grid-based addressing system (centered on Whitlock and the Loop), the importance of addressing for EMS response times, and the process for assigning addresses through the SageS portal, noting that city addressing is controlled by Marietta, not the county. - Mapping Technologies and Web Apps: The team demonstrated the transition from static maps to interactive web maps and web apps. Jim Carmichael showcased the new internal GIS viewer (scheduled to replace the legacy system on January 1st), highlighting its search capabilities, historical imagery (over 25 years of scans), and integration with recorded plats. - Department-Specific Applications: Thomas Chappell presented specialized viewers built with Vertiges Studio for the Sanitation Department (locating trash/recycle/brush routes and live truck locations) and a public-facing Cemetery Viewer allowing searches by name and plot number with report generation capabilities. He also highlighted Story Maps for the Marietta Arts Council and the historic cemetery. - Data Dashboards: Brody Baer demonstrated dashboards created for the Fire Department by Assistant Chief Garner. These dashboards overlay CAD incident data with maps to analyze call density by ward, fire district, and incident type, a project that began as a Council Member's request to visualize ward data. This tool allows for dynamic filtering to help allocate resources effectively. - Utility Mapping and Field Data Collection: Alexis Pierce detailed the workflow for Water and Sewer assets using ArcGIS Field Maps for GPS locating of hydrants, mains, and manholes. She stressed the critical need for 99.9% accuracy in locating utilities to prevent service disruptions and resource waste during emergency repairs (e.g., water main breaks). - Drone Operations and 3D Modeling: Brody and Jim discussed the drone program, noting 110+ flights this year. They explained FAA Part 107 certification requirements and Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) protocols for flying in Class D and E airspace near Dobbins Air Reserve Base. The team showcased orthomosaic images, 3D photorealistic models of construction sites (Greenhouse, Marietta Crossing), and the pursuit of a 'Digital Twin' for transportation and urban planning simulations. - Community Engagement and Internships: Stephanie Clayton shared her experience as an intern, noting the value of applying academic skills to raw, uncurated data. James highlighted the Holiday Light Survey 123 Story Map, a public-facing tool that collects citizen submissions of holiday displays and visualizes them for community tours. - Access and Future Directives: Presenters announced that all internal and external application URLs would be consolidated onto the IT SharePoint under a 'GIS App URL List' effective January 1st. Future directives include redesigning the Planning, Zoning, Water, and Engineering viewers, deploying a new Fire Hydrant inspection app, and creating a 3D basemap of the Marietta Square. Key Outcomes - Actionable Directives: City employees are directed to submit project ideas or data concerns via the GIS general request support ticket or email, rather than waiting for GIS initiatives to surface organically. - System Migration: The legacy internal GIS viewer will be retired on January 1st, with all users required to transition to the new internal viewer and access all links via the new SharePoint portal. - Resource Allocation: The Fire Department has adopted a custom dashboard to better analyze incident data for strategic resource allocation. - Technology Adoption: The team committed to expanding the use of orthomosaic imagery, 3D models, and the eventual development of a transportation digital twin to support predictive modeling for traffic and infrastructure planning.

The Marietta City Council convened for a meeting featuring post-election remarks, routine consent agenda items, and a public hearing on a significant residential rezoning proposal. The session included discussions on community changes, housing development feasibility, and local infrastructure concerns, culminating in a decision to table the primary rezoning application for further review while approving related lot subdivisions and code amendments. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously (7-0): The consent agenda was approved following a minor adjustment to Item 20250900 (Code Amendment related to fire scheduling change), confirming its effective date as January 4, 2026. - Code Amendment 20250900: A motion to suspend rules and waive the second reading for the fire scheduling change code amendment was approved. Public Comments & Testimony - Donald Barth: Expressed pride in the election results and offered full support for the Mayor, stating, "You have done what you said you'd do, and we continue on." He emphasized the need for a strong council to support the Mayor. - Tracy Stevenson: Expressed the position that the council needs to "get a little younger" to better incorporate young folks, noting that the young electorate has indicated this desire. - Lily Reed: Expressed strong opposition to the Trayton proposal. She argued that the project fails to comply with city code regarding connections to arterial streets, threatens school overcrowding, and lacks adequate safety measures. She proposed capping the development at 51 units as a solution to meet code compliance. - George Balbona: Expressed significant concern regarding the impact on his residence, specifically that his street (Matthews Circle) would become a "developmental driveway," and requested a noise study due to the removal of forest buffers. He also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest regarding the City Attorney's relationship to the applicant's counsel. - Sullimar Diaz: Expressed opposition based on housing affordability, stating that the projected starting home prices ($500,000 - $600,000) are "almost three times higher than what's typical in our city" and do not address the actual housing needs of city workforce residents. - Donald Barth (Continued): Expressed support for the project as a "great project" but noted that while he does not control driveway widths, neighbors could assist with road improvements on Herbert Drive. He stated that the current traffic exit strategy favors Scott Drive, contrary to neighbor concerns. - Jereen Bonner Willis: Expressed gratitude on behalf of the Cobb County NAACP for the city's continued support of Juneteenth and scholarship programs. - Jerome Boite: Stated concern that residents on Whitlock Drive and Manning lack adequate bus routes, requesting a bus route change to improve convenience and clear traffic. - Rosser Sutherland: Expressed positivity, congratulated all candidates, and noted that the recent election was "probably the first real competitive mayor's election" in a long time, deeming it a healthy process. - Sam Foster: Expressed a desire to see the community improve and be more responsive to issues like affordable housing and safety, thanking the Mayor and all candidates and pledging continued engagement regardless of election outcomes. Discussion Items - Z 2025-17 (Trayton Corporation LLC Rezoning): - Applicant Position: Kevin Moore, representing Trayton Homes, explained that the proposal was revised from 130-119 homes down to 79 single-family detached homes based on community feedback regarding density and townhomes. He presented a traffic study concluding minimal impact (less than one second delay at intersections) and noted a $107,000 contribution for road improvements. - Council & Community Concerns: - Driveway Safety: Ms. Minnesota expressed strong opposition to the proposed 7-foot driveways for rear-loaded units, citing a previous incident in the "Mange" neighborhood where inadequate parking forced cars onto grass and streets. - Traffic Routing: Mr. Barr and other neighbors questioned whether traffic would incorrectly utilize lower-volume internal streets (Matthews Circle, Herbert Drive) instead of the proposed arterial connections, noting the traffic study did not account for these specific intersections. - Feasibility vs. Design: The applicant stated that reducing the unit count to 51 to accommodate wider streets or driveways would "greatly increase the cost of the home" and make the project economically unfeasible, resulting in a loss of pocket parks and amenities. - Affordability: Ms. Diaz reiterated that the project prices out local workers who cannot afford the estimated $500,000-$600,000 starting price. - Conflict of Interest: Mr. Balbona raised concerns about the City Attorney being the cousin of the applicant's counsel and the presence of planning commission members from partners at the same law firm. - Applicant Response: Kevin Moore confirmed a willingness to table the application to address concerns and noted that the 5% rental limitation is a city ordinance requirement. - Z 2025-21 (Trammel Street Subdivision): - Ellen Gleason: Proposed subdividing a property to increase density from 4 to 5.5 units per acre, requesting variances for lot width and side setbacks. - Council Deliberation: Council member Mr. Walker initially moved to approve the lot size variance but sought an amendment to exclude the side setback variance (reducing from 10 to 5 feet) to ensure fire code compliance requirements (sprinklers) were met. Key Outcomes - Z 2025-17: The Council tabled the Rezoning application for Trayton Corporation LLC until the December 10, 2025 Council meeting to allow time to address concerns regarding driveways, traffic routing, and affordability. The motion passed 7-0. - Z 2025-21: The motion to approve the subdivision with a variance for lot width was amended to exclude the side setback variance and passed unanimously (7-0). - Procedural: The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session regarding property acquisition and disposition, which was approved.

The City Council convened for an agenda review session to address routine approvals, discuss budget amendments for police programs, and review updates from city departments including Police, Fire, Parks & Recreation, HR, and IT. The session featured reports on major development projects, cybersecurity initiatives, and preparations for upcoming holidays and state events, concluding with a recess until 7:00 PM for the regular meeting. Consent Calendar - Approval of the October 8, 2025 regular meeting minutes. - Protocol appointment for Cheryl to preside during Veterans Day celebrations. - 1462 Blanch Avenue: Ongoing project with no new information; developer obligated for road/drainage improvements. - Channel Street: No new information; curve cut confirmed on Wright Street. - The Tune and Owl Claim: Routine review. - General Consent Items: Four items on page five, five items on page six (including tourism grants for the World Cup and US Bicentennial), and additional funding for the NAACP. - Five items on page nine regarding police correspondence budget amending (0895). - Five items on page ten, including summer camp funding authorization (0945) requiring only contract review, not immediate budget amendment. - Three final consent items regarding fund agreements. Public Comments & Testimony - No formal public comments or testimony were recorded during the provided transcript segment. Discussion Items - Budget Amendment Timing (0895): Council discussed waiving the second reading and adjusting the effective date of a budget amendment for the police correspondent program. Members agreed to add language specifying the ordinance becomes effective on January 4th rather than immediately upon signature to align with the implementation date and avoid code violations. - Police Department Updates: Chief Beam reported on a new $172,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Education for the Police Athletic League (PAL), noting it is renewable and selected from 150 applications. He discussed new state training requirements effective January 2025, which doubled the initial academy duration from 11 to 20 weeks, extending the time to full solo status. - Fire Department Schedule: Chief Milligan highlighted a new rotating schedule effective January 4th, designed to provide firefighters full weekends off at home for the first time in his 29-year career. This change rearranges existing shift hours without reducing total hours worked. - Parks and Recreation: Director Rich previewed upcoming events, including the "Dollar Job" on Thanksgiving Day, a sweater parade, and a tree lighting ceremony on December 4th at Glover Park. He also announced a celebration for his upcoming retirement in two weeks. - Staff Development (HR): Keisha Register reported on a new management development cohort from UGA, weekly healthy email reminders for employees, and the upcoming pension board election on November 21st. She noted that the City Manager's 25th service anniversary and other staff milestones will be celebrated at a special awards event. - AI and Technology Initiatives: Ronnie outlined AI projects in cybersecurity (simulating deepfakes for employee training, SCATA network defense), call center efficiency (automatic summarization), HR (pension query bots), and a future citizen bot for the municipal code. - Transportation and Infrastructure: Staff discussed a new AI-driven solution to warn drivers of approaching trains in downtown Marietta to prevent traffic jams. Updates were also provided on SpLOST funding negotiations with the county and radio system improvements. - Event Planning: Discussion covered coordination for the World Cup and the US 250th birthday celebrations, noting the world's draw party on December 5th to determine team matchups. Key Outcomes - Motion Passed: Approval of the October 8, 2025 meeting minutes. - Procedural Decision: Council agreed to suspend rules to waive the second reading for the police budget amendment (0895) upon adding language specifying a January 4th effective date. - Grant Award Confirmed: City confirmed receipt of a $172,000 renewable grant for the PAL program after being selected as one of the top applicants. - Schedule Change: Adoption of a new fire department shift schedule effective January 4th to grant full weekends to firefighters. - Strategic Directives: Authorization to proceed with the development of a train-warning notification system and the implementation of AI-driven cybersecurity and operational tools. - Agenda Scheduling: Items regarding the police budget amendment moved to the agenda for the 7:00 PM regular meeting for final vote after the consent agenda.

The City Council convened for a work session to review minutes, receive departmental reports on financial performance and capital projects, and deliberate on upcoming agenda items for the November 12th meeting. Key discussions included the approval of emergency assistance loans, the selection of a contractor for water pipe replacement, and the review of solar plant progress. The session concluded with the Council suspending rules to add a video presentation to the next agenda and entering executive session regarding property acquisition. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: Council voted 7-0 to approve the October 6, 2025 agenda work session minutes, noting a correction to the vote tally (clarified as unanimous). - Agenda Items: The Council consented to a first reading of the municipal code amendment regarding alcohol fees, the allocation of tourism funds, the certification of voting results for the Board, and the funding allocation for the police co-responder program from the opioid settlement fund. Discussion Items - Executive Assistance Program (BOW): Council Member Shill Richardson presented a new program providing up to a $200 loan for individuals affected by a government shutdown or SNAP interruption. The program, funded by a $50,000 allocation, aims to prevent residents from choosing between food and electricity. The initiative passed 7-0 on the condition that it functions as a loan rather than a grant. - Water Plan & Infrastructure: Kim Holland reported on the contract for replacing water pipes in the St. Mary's/St. Anne's area. After reviewing 12 bids, the Council selected KM Davis for a contract totaling approximately $2.3 million (nearly $2.4 million), with a projected start in January running for six months. A side easement was granted at a nominal $1 fee. - Water Authority Financials (Chalfont): Councilman Chalfont provided a third-quarter update noting water sales of 85 million gallons/day against a budget of 84 million. Net income exceeded the budget by $3.4 million, attributed to unrealized investment gains and PFAS settlement returns. Year-to-date rainfall was down 18% (36 inches vs. 47 inches). - BLW Financial Report (Ms. Brown): Ms. Brown reported power costs were $690,000 over budget for the month and $1.95 million higher for the fiscal year. Energy requirements hit a five-year high in September for the fourth time this year. Off-system sales revenue increased by $780,000 year-to-date. The reserve amount has grown to $34 million, and reserves have not yet been tapped. - Chairman's Report: The Chairman reported the solar plant (80 megawatts, 480 acres) is 80% complete and four months from operation. Data center growth nationwide is outpacing utility capacity, potentially delaying future projects by 3-20 years. Nuclear power currently provides a very high non-emitting rate. - ECG Year-in Settlement: The General Manager confirmed a year-in settlement refund of $8,531.79 to the City. Council members Bruton and the GM are selected as voting/alternate delegates for the upcoming December ECG board election. - Land Lease Amendment (4 Depot Street): The Council discussed amending a lease to define the "commencement date" as December 1, 2025. An amendment was successfully made and adopted to clarify this date. - Public Hearing Preparations (19.451 Acres/59 Trammel St): Preliminary discussions were held for Wednesday's rezoning hearings: - 19.451 Acres (PRDSF): A new stipulation letter addresses roadway improvements and traffic dispersal. Staff confirmed traffic volume from Matthew Circle is accounted for. The Council expressed concern regarding noise barriers near Interstate 75 and potential all-stop conditions if entrance alignments shift to cross streets. The property is zoned Regional Retail Center (RRC), R2, and R4. - 59 Trammel Street: Owner Ellen Gleason seeks a density increase to 5.5 units/acre. Staff noted that while some variances are required for physical conditions, side setbacks require a request. Questions were raised regarding the necessity of sidewalk construction on adjacent properties during subdivision. - Grant Application: The Council approved moving forward with an application for a "Boost" grant ($49,610) to enhance summer camp offerings, ensuring compliance with disability access and constitutional obligations. - Video Presentation Additions: The Council unanimously voted to suspend rules and add a video regarding the "first inclusive first responders" to the presentations section of the upcoming Wednesday agenda. Key Outcomes - Motion Carried (7-0): Approval of the $200 emergency loan program for SNAP/shutdown-affected residents. - Motion Carried (7-0): Adoption of the amendment defining the lease commencement date as December 1, 2025. - Motion Carried (6-0, 1 abstention): Approval to move the Welcome Center contract amendment to the Wednesday agenda. - Motion Carried (7-0): Authorization for the Road Closure (Barclay Circle) for the "Lights of Life" event from November 28 to December 31. - Motion Carried (7-0): Authorization to move forward with the Alcohol Code amendment (First Reading) with required hyperlink updates. - Motion Carried (7-0): Authorization to move forward with the Summer Camp Grant application. - Motion Carried (7-0): Approval to add the "First Inclusive First Responders" video to the Wednesday agenda. - Motion Carried (7-0): Motion to enter Executive Session for property acquisition and disposition matters.

This joint meeting of the Marietta City Council and its committees covered a wide range of topics including financial reports regarding tourism and budget reconciliation, personnel appointments, code amendments for fire service scheduling, and various infrastructure projects. The session concluded with a special work session moving to an executive session regarding pending litigation. Consent Calendar - Financial Reports: Staff presented Hotel Motel Tax and Auto Rental Tax collections, noting Hotel Motel collections were at their lowest September since fiscal year 2022, though year-to-date figures remained above budget. Quarterly financials showed revenue 21% ahead of last year's Q1. - Budget Reconciliation: Approved a general fund budget reconciliation allowing $2.58 million in capital expenditures to be purchased based on year-end surplus. - Donations: Approved budget amendments to accept and utilize $2,000 in private donations for the Parks and Recreation Harvest Festival and $20,000 in restricted annual donations from a donor to the Marietta History Center for exhibit rentals. - Personnel: Approved motions to certify election results (amended to remove the word "vacancy" from the motion text) and appoint Donald B. Barth to Civil Service Board Post 4, reappointing Mr. Tarvin for Post 3. Approved funding for the Police Co-Responder Program using opioid settlement funds. - Fire Department: Approved a first reading of a code amendment to transition the fire suppression team from a 24/48 schedule to a 24/72/48/72 (13-2-3) rotation, aiming for implementation by January 4, 2026. The amendment aligns the 28-day pay cycle with FLSA provisions. - Parks & Tourism: Approved allocating $33,746.82 in unallocated Parks Bond funds to cover cost overruns at Wildwood Park. Approved a $175,000 allocation from the tourism reserve to support marketing for the nation's 250th anniversary and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Approved a one-time $20,000 grant to the NAACP for operating costs. Approved the allocation of tourism funds and specific project updates. - Judicial/Legislative: Approved a fee increase for vehicle immobilization services to $75. Approved the final plat for Greenhouse Phase II (140 additional units). Moved the lease renewal for the Welcome Center (4 Depot Street) to the agenda work session for legal and administrative modifications. Approved donation of right-of-way for 105 Ayers Avenue. Approved speed studies for Heatherset Drive and Wood Drive. - Public Works: Approved GDOT resolution requests for a $411,067 (total) Transportation Digital Twin Network grant and a $500,000 (total) Cherokee Street widening project grant, to be funded via SPLOST. Approved the 2028 SPLOST project list. Public Comments & Testimony - NAACP Grant: Councilmember Carl, a member of the NAACP, disclosed his affiliation but expressed strong support for the $20,000 grant, noting the organization "brings a lot of people to the absolutely" and the funds were needed for rising costs. - Fire Department Schedule: Several comments acknowledged the benefits of the new schedule for work-life balance, noting that firefighters will "wake up at home 42 more times a year." A member noted that the rotation system (A/B/C teams) covers the cycle effectively, even if complex. - Vehicle Booting: Councilmember Carl expressed concern and opposition regarding the requirement for a separate company to perform booting on private property (Item 7), stating, "I think that's just going too far," and preferring property owners have the right to hire their own service. - Downtown Solid Waste: First Baptist Church representatives communicated a desire for street closures (Dobbs and Root) as a condition for the dumpster enclosure, citing safety; however, Public Works staff stated the current approved plan does not require street closures or property access changes at this time. Discussion Items - World Cup & Tourism: Staff projected the city will benefit significantly from the World Cup due to proximity and existing facilities, with Atlanta United hosting a team headquarters. Anticipated revenue increases were noted, though exact figures remain unknown until team assignments in December. - Fire Scheduling: Detailed the shift from a 24/48 cycle to a 13-2-3 cycle to reduce fatigue, burnout, and commutes (from 10 to 6.5 times/month). The proposal was described as cost-neutral with 100% department survey participation and 90% approval. - Alcohol Code: Discussed revisions to allow package stores to consume wine and malt beverages on-premise if they meet the 80% gross sales threshold for the primary category. Confirmed the intent was an "either/or" for the 80% requirement, though title language was flagged as inconsistent and requiring clarification. - Lease Renewal (4 Depot Street): Identified issues with the lease term language ("month-to-month" definition vs. 5-year term) and backdating of the effective date. Proposed moving the item to a work session to correct the term to align with the previous lease's expiration and clarify the start date to July 1 or December 1 to avoid backdating. Key Outcomes - Adopted Resolutions: Approved resolutions to apply for GDOT grants for the Transportation Digital Twin ($320,000 requested) and Cherokee Street widening ($400,000 requested). - Approved Fees: Vehicle booting removal fee set at $75 (increased from $50). - Funding Allocations: $175,000 allocated for tourism promotions; $20,000 allocated to NAACP; $33,746.82 reallocated to Wildwood Park; $20,000 donated to History Center. - Code Amendments: Moved to the agenda work session for a fire department schedule change (24/72/48/72); moved alcohol code titling to work session; moved Welcome Center lease to work session for legal review. - Approvals: Final Plat for Greenhouse Phase II approved; Budget Reconciliation approved; Police Co-Responder Program extended via opioid funds; Speed studies authorized for Heatherset and Wood Drive. - Executive Session: Motion carried to go into executive session regarding pending litigation at the conclusion of the work session. Note: There was a discrepancy in the transcript regarding the date of the minutes being reviewed. The transcript begins by referencing "August 26th" minutes but quickly corrects to "September 30th" minutes for the finance committee, while the Parks/Recreation and Judicial committees also reference September 30th minutes. The summary reflects the September 30th dates as they were the confirmed items of business.