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Record of Proceedings

Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission Special Called and Regularly Scheduled Agenda Setting Session - July 15, 2025

Mayor and Commission — Tuesday, July 15, 2025
BodyAthens, Georgia
SessionMayor and Commission
DateTuesday, July 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:23

Good to see everyone.

0:25

So members of the public.

0:26

Welcome to fiscal year 2026 here from the unified government of Athens Clark County.

0:32

We are gathered for a couple of meetings this evening.

0:35

We'll have a special called session with just a few items.

0:38

And then following that, we'll have our regularly scheduled agenda setting session.

0:42

And it'll include a very brief presentation, much like our work sessions often comprise from the SPLOSS 2026 advisory committee.

0:56

Davenport?

0:56

Here.

0:57

Link here.

0:58

Taylor.

0:59

Here.

0:59

Right.

1:00

President Fisher.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Johnson here.

1:03

Paul Pepper?

1:04

Here.

1:04

Myers.

1:05

Here.

1:05

Thornton.

1:06

Here.

1:06

And these.

1:07

Here.

1:08

We have a quorum.

1:09

All right.

1:09

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

1:10

All right.

1:10

We'll begin with our civility pledge provided to us by the Georgia Municipal Association.

1:14

And that indicates that the way we govern ourselves is often as important as the positions that we take, that our collective decisions will be better when differing views have had the opportunity to be fully vetted and considered.

1:24

That all people have the right to be treated with respect, courtesy, and openness, that we value all input and we commit to conduct ourselves at all times with civility and courtesy to each other.

1:34

So we have several items that are on the special called session tonight.

2:01

So moved.

2:02

Second.

2:02

All right, I've got a motion from Commissioner Taylor and a second from Commissioner Fisher.

2:05

All in favor, please say aye.

2:07

Aye.

2:07

Any opposed?

2:09

Hearing none, motion carries.

2:10

All right.

2:10

Now we do have an opportunity for public input on the special called session.

2:15

Public input will be primarily in the same form throughout the evening.

2:19

Members of the public have a three-minute opportunity to address the mayor and commission on items that are specifically on the agenda.

2:26

If you would like to provide public input, you'll see a light in front of the clerk.

2:30

It will turn green when you begin speaking, yellow when you have 30 seconds remaining, and red when your three minutes is concluded.

2:36

And I'll thank you for your time with us tonight.

2:39

So uh at this point, is there any member of the public who would like to speak to uh any of the uh four items on the special called session agenda?

2:53

All right, seeing none, we'll come to commission action.

2:56

Uh first item is an old business item, and this was previously discussed in spring, and this is the school resource officer agreement for 2025-2026 between the Athens Clark County Police Department and the Clark County School District.

3:10

And so at this time I'd entertain a motion from a member of the body.

3:13

Motion to approve.

3:15

Second.

3:16

All right, got a motion from Commissioner Myers.

3:19

Who's the second?

3:23

All right.

3:23

Uh Commissioner Myers, any remarks?

3:26

Um just quickly, if we could uh um have clarify from from the manager's office the difference between this and the one before.

3:35

It looks to me like we are not putting any money out for this.

3:39

Uh it's changing the amount, and then the set the second so a clarification of how it's changed, and then the last thing I just want to make sure is that in reading over the contract, it looks like we're we're planning to re-evaluate this prior to the January January 2026.

3:55

And I wanted to make sure that that was so that we would be not doing this last minute like we are right now.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulation██████████████████████████████████████38%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Public Engagement█████5%
Public Safety█████5%
Historic Preservation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission Special Called and Regularly Scheduled Agenda Setting Session

July 15, 2025

The Mayor and Commission of Athens-Clarke County convened on July 15, 2025, for a special called session followed by the regularly scheduled agenda setting session. The special called session addressed the school resource officer agreement, appointment of temporary acting clerks of commission, the Sanford Stadium Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Improvement Project, and the appointment of a new county manager. The agenda setting session featured a presentation from the TSPLOST 2026 advisory committee, numerous planning and zoning items, and discussion of consent agenda items.

Special Called Session

School Resource Officer Agreement 2025-2026

  • Action: Unanimously approved (motion by Commissioner Myers, second by Commissioner Link). The agreement between the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Clarke County School District covers six officers (four in middle schools, two in high schools) at a total cost of $470,000, fully funded by the school district. Chief Salters noted the contract was completely rewritten for clarity.

Appointment of Temporary Acting Clerks of Commission

  • Action: Unanimously approved (motion by Commissioner Fisher, second by Commissioner Wright). Three individuals—Ms. Jamika Armstrong, Ms. Christine Howard, and Miss Shinesha Thompson—were appointed to serve until a new clerk of commission is hired or further action is taken. Commissioner Wright thanked retiring Clerk Spratton.

Sanford Stadium Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Improvement Project

  • Action: Approved (motion by Commissioner Wright, second by Commissioner Fisher) to appropriate $15,360,000 from water and sewer enterprise funds for Phase 2. Manager Judd cited urgency due to football season deadlines. Commissioner Wright noted the partnership with UGA and collateral community benefits.

Appointment of County Manager

  • Action: Approved 8-1-1 (roll call: Link yes, Taylor yes, Wright yes, Fisher yes, Johnson no, Culpepper yes, Myers yes, Thornton abstention, Davenport yes). Mayor Girtz recommended Robert S. Cowell Jr. to serve as manager starting July 28, 2025, through July 30, 2027, with possible extension. Commissioners expressed support for his experience and integrity. Commissioner Thornton abstained citing concerns about the search process; Commissioner Johnson voted no wanting more public input. Mr. Cowell accepted and thanked the commission.

Regularly Scheduled Agenda Setting Session

TSPLOST 2026 Advisory Committee Presentation

  • Josh Hawkins (Capital Projects Director) and Alex Sams (committee chair) presented the potential project list. The committee reviewed 60 projects valued at $600 million, narrowed to a $89.6 million candidate list (150% of the $60 million budget). The process included 17 meetings, public submissions, and home voting. The final project list will be voted on in December 2025. Commissioners requested ranked project lists, map overlays with past projects, and narratives for pre-designated projects. Commissioner Thornton noted geographic imbalances and requested a detailed work session in September.

Consent Agenda Items

Several items were removed for discussion:

  • Item 3 (Energy Audit Grant): Commissioner Myers highlighted the grant for audits of 21 energy-inefficient buildings, noting potential 15-30% energy savings. Moved back to consent.
  • Item 7 (Neighborhood Notification Improvement): Commissioner Thornton sought clarification on the process; directed to planning department for email explanation. Moved back to consent.
  • Item 20 (Lease Agreement for Capital Projects): Commissioner Thornton pulled for concerns to be discussed at the August meeting.
  • Item 21 (Rename Linden House Arts Center South Gallery): Commissioner Link requested it stay off consent to allow public tribute to Nancy Lucashevics.
  • Item 25 (Rock Hill Quarry Concept Plan): Commissioner Thornton and others expressed concerns about unresolved blasting claims from residents. Commissioners emphasized need for state involvement and resolution before proceeding.
  • Item 26 (Transit Department Audit): Presented by Gavin from Operational Analysis. Six findings and 17 recommendations. Commissioner Myers praised the audit, noting data discrepancies in passenger counts. Commissioner Thornton commended clarity and urged budgetary follow-through.

Planning and Zoning Items

420 & 205 Rockwood Drive – Rezone from CN to RM1 (Townhomes)

  • Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval with conditions (townhouse/duplex style limited to 17 bedrooms without street frontage).
  • Discussion: Commissioner Johnson requested a delay to meet with residents over parking and stormwater concerns. Staff noted ongoing HOA negotiations. Action: Held for August vote.

180 & 190 Pinecrest Drive – Rezone from RM1 to RM2 (Townhomes)

  • Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval.
  • Discussion: Commissioner Wright expressed concerns about density, parking (only 2 spaces for 21 beds), and student-oriented design. Commissioner Link noted lack of homestead exemptions on the block. Action: Held for August vote.

231 Collins Industrial Boulevard – Rezone from EI to I (Block Manufacturing)

  • Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval with conditions (prohibited uses, 50-foot buffer, access only from Collins Industrial, 50% canopy conservation).
  • Discussion: Commissioner Thornton raised transparency concerns about larger development plans in the area. Applicant Stephen Banks emphasized zero complaints in 30 years. Action: Held for August vote.

355 Onita Street – PD Amendment for Condos

  • Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval.
  • Discussion: Support from Commissioners Culpepper and Link, noting historic preservation and mixed-use benefits. Action: Held for August vote.

360 Hawthorne Extension – Rezone from CG to RM2

  • Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval.
  • Discussion: Commissioner Link questioned the rationale for RM2 if only a single home is planned. Commissioner Myers noted surrounding parcels are RM2 but appear single-family. Action: Held for August vote.

159 Marlin Street – Special Use Permit for Commercial STR

  • Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval; Staff Recommendation: Denial.
  • Discussion: Commissioner Thornton supportive of family use; Commissioner Fisher recused due to property negotiations. Commissioner Myers raised consistency concerns. Several commissioners called for revised criteria. Action: Held for August vote.

101 Woodlake Drive Unit 506 – Special Use Permit for Commercial STR

  • Planning Commission Recommendation: Denial; Staff Recommendation: Denial.
  • Public Input: Several neighbors testified against, citing parking, noise, and community cohesion.
  • Discussion: Strong support for denial. Commissioners emphasized need for clear standards. Action: Held for August vote.

Text Amendment on Exterior Demolition Reviews

  • Planning Commission Recommendation: Unanimous approval.
  • Discussion: Commissioner Link asked about facade exemptions; staff confirmed wording already excludes street-facing elevations. Action: Held for August vote.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: School Resource Officer Agreement (unanimous), Temporary Acting Clerks (unanimous), Sanford Stadium Sewer Project (unanimous), County Manager appointment (8-1-1).
  • Held for August Voting Session: All planning and zoning items (items 12-19) and items 20, 21, 25, 26.
  • Moved to Consent: Items 3 and 7.
  • Referred to Planning Commission: Directives to refine short-term rental criteria and text amendment on demolition reviews.
  • Next Steps: TSPLOST 2026 work session in September; strategic planning retreat September 19-20.

Meeting Transcript

Good to see everyone. So members of the public. Welcome to fiscal year 2026 here from the unified government of Athens Clark County. We are gathered for a couple of meetings this evening. We'll have a special called session with just a few items. And then following that, we'll have our regularly scheduled agenda setting session. And it'll include a very brief presentation, much like our work sessions often comprise from the SPLOSS 2026 advisory committee. Davenport? Here. Link here. Taylor. Here. Right. President Fisher. Here. Johnson here. Paul Pepper? Here. Myers. Here. Thornton. Here. And these. Here. We have a quorum. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. All right. We'll begin with our civility pledge provided to us by the Georgia Municipal Association. And that indicates that the way we govern ourselves is often as important as the positions that we take, that our collective decisions will be better when differing views have had the opportunity to be fully vetted and considered. That all people have the right to be treated with respect, courtesy, and openness, that we value all input and we commit to conduct ourselves at all times with civility and courtesy to each other. So we have several items that are on the special called session tonight. So moved. Second. All right, I've got a motion from Commissioner Taylor and a second from Commissioner Fisher. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, motion carries. All right. Now we do have an opportunity for public input on the special called session. Public input will be primarily in the same form throughout the evening. Members of the public have a three-minute opportunity to address the mayor and commission on items that are specifically on the agenda. If you would like to provide public input, you'll see a light in front of the clerk. It will turn green when you begin speaking, yellow when you have 30 seconds remaining, and red when your three minutes is concluded. And I'll thank you for your time with us tonight. So uh at this point, is there any member of the public who would like to speak to uh any of the uh four items on the special called session agenda? All right, seeing none, we'll come to commission action. Uh first item is an old business item, and this was previously discussed in spring, and this is the school resource officer agreement for 2025-2026 between the Athens Clark County Police Department and the Clark County School District. And so at this time I'd entertain a motion from a member of the body.

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