OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

DeKalb County PECS Committee Meeting - March 24, 2026

Board of Commissioners & Committees — Tuesday, March 24, 2026
BodyDekalb County, Georgia
SessionBoard of Commissioners & Committees
DateTuesday, March 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:19:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Great day, everyone.

0:06

My name is Nicole Messiah, and I have the honor and pleasure of serving as your DeCab County Commissioner, District 3.

0:13

Also the Chair of PECS Planning Economic Development and Community Services.

0:18

Thank you so much working and welcome to the PECS Committee meeting today.

0:23

I serve alongside with my other colleagues, Commissioner Longspears from District 2 and Commissioner Robert Patrick from District One.

0:31

Recognized today along with is our Madam PO from District 4, Shikaira Johnson, and also Commissioner to Terry.

0:42

There you go, George, District 6.

0:45

And so thank you so much, colleagues, for joining us.

0:48

And with that, we will jump right in and go through the agenda as printed.

0:54

We're on for those following along with us, page one, and that is agenda item 2026 stash 0546.

1:03

All commission districts and minutes for the February 26, 2026, Planning, Economic Development and Community Services Committee meeting.

1:12

If my committee members have had an opportunity to review those minutes, I will entertain a motion.

1:19

Motion to approve 0546.

1:22

Second.

1:24

All those in favor?

1:25

Aye.

1:26

Thank you so much.

1:28

And we're going to jump down to the bottom of page one.

1:32

And there's an agenda item that is under um GIS department.

1:36

And that's agenda item 2026-0491.

1:40

All commission, I'm sorry, Commission Districts 4 and 7, in which we have the District Commissioner from District 4 here with us today.

1:49

And that is a motion to consider consenting to the DNA de annexation of property located at 5499 Woodsong Trace Stone Mountain, Georgia 30087.

2:05

So Commissioner.

2:07

I just not in opposition to this, but one of clarification.

2:19

So I just was curious if we needed to clarify that in the agenda item.

2:25

You can update that.

2:27

That was really my only question on it.

2:29

It was just that clarification.

2:34

He said they can update that.

2:36

All right.

2:37

So just to be clear, you know, um, that will be updated.

2:43

So that is made abundantly clear.

2:45

Yeah, we would be happy to do that.

2:46

We'll offer substitute at the regular meeting.

2:48

Okay.

2:48

Fantastic.

2:50

So with that, I will entertain a motion.

2:53

Uh motion to approve 0491.

2:56

Second.

2:57

All those in favor?

2:58

Aye.

2:59

Aye.

3:00

Colleagues.

3:01

That motion uh is approved.

3:03

You're more than welcome.

3:04

The next uh going back under the appointments.

3:07

That is agenda item 2026-04 or two, all commission districts, the appointment of Mr.

3:15

Sheldon Fleming to post eight of the recreation parks and cultural affairs board.

3:21

And my understanding is that Mr.

3:23

Fleming is here with us today.

3:25

Great afternoon, sir.

3:27

And Jenny, if you wouldn't mind.

3:33

See, there we go.

3:34

We do have them right here.

3:36

Thank you so much.

3:36

I appreciate it.

3:37

So we have our interview packet, and we were just making sure we receive that so that we can uh go ahead and ask Mr.

3:44

Fleming a couple of questions.

3:45

Thank you.

3:46

Welcome, sir.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Noise Ordinance█████████████████████21%
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Public Works Maintenance███████7%
Healthcare██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Homelessness█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

DeKalb County PECS Committee Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Planning, Economic Development and Community Services (PECS) Committee met on March 24, 2026, chaired by Commissioner Nicole Messiah (District 3), with Commissioners Lauri Longspears (District 2), Robert Patrick (District 1), Shikaira Johnson (District 4), and George Terry (District 6). The committee approved multiple consent items, conditionally authorized $13.5 million in SPLOST 2 funds for health facility repairs, approved an unhoused support plan resolution, received updates on operational assessments and the Community Academy, and deferred several commissioner-led ordinances for further review.

Consent Calendar / Approvals

  • Meeting Minutes (2026‑0546): Approved the February 26, 2026 PECS committee minutes.
  • De‑Annexation (2026‑0491): Approved consent to de‑annex 5499 Woodsong Trace, Stone Mountain, with a clarification to be added via substitute at the regular meeting.
  • Appointment to RPCA Board (2026‑0402): After an interview, the committee appointed Mr. Sheldon Fleming to Post 8 of the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Citizens Advisory Board. He cited his background in horticulture, park management, and community engagement. Motion approved.
  • Short‑Term Rental Compliance Platform (2026‑0384): Approved a cooperative agreement (Omnia Partners) with Deckard Technologies for a cloud‑based short‑term rental monitoring and compliance platform, not to exceed $120,720.43, to enforce the county’s 8% excise tax and manage complaints. The system will identify over 1,100 listings in unincorporated DeKalb. Motion approved.
  • Playground & Shelter Upgrades (2026‑0433): Approved a cooperative agreement with PlayPower LT Farmington for replacing the burned shelter at Lithonia Park and adding playground elements at Cedar Park, amount $134,170.97. Motion approved.
  • Park Pride Grant (2025‑1759): Approved acceptance of a $150,000 grant (three‑year term, no county match) from Park Pride Atlanta for wayfinding signage at Wade Walker Park. Motion approved.
  • School Bus Contract (2026‑0409): Approved a three‑year contract (not to exceed $150,000) with DeKalb County School District for bus transportation for summer camp programs. Commissioner Patrick requested a future conversation about expanding summer camp to Pleasantdale Park. Motion approved.

Discussion Items

  • SPLOST 2 Funding for Health Facilities (2026‑0458): Staff presented a substitute increasing the request from $9,387,525 to approximately $13.5 million to address roof, HVAC, elevator, parking, interior, and security needs at eight health facilities (Richardson Health Center, DeKalb Crisis Center, etc.). Representatives from Claritel and the Department of Health testified to urgent conditions (no air conditioning, water intrusion, rusted support beams, nonfunctional kitchen equipment). Commissioner Longspears questioned the impact on the original $15 million SPLOST 2 allocation. Commissioner Patrick requested an audit review by Mr. Campbell. The committee conditionally approved the $13.5 million, contingent on a favorable audit report before the April 14 BOC meeting; if not supported, the original $9.387 million would proceed. Motion carried.
  • Operational Assessment Update (M&J): The consultant reported that countywide, 266 recommendations have been identified: 59 met, 11 blocked, 123 needing support. For PECS departments (Code Enforcement and Planning & Sustainability), 41 recommendations: 9 met, 0 blocked, 9 needing support. Key issue areas: governance, structure, training, and staffing. Planning & Sustainability accounts for 8 of 10 staffing needs. Up to 10 recommendations are expected to generate cost savings (amounts not yet quantified). Commissioner Terry flagged possible mis‑assignments of recommendations (COD R23, R24). Chair Messiah requested rationale for rejected recommendations and a consolidated public‑facing summary for residents.
  • Unhoused Support and Services Plan (2026‑0385): Commissioner Longspears presented a substitute resolution incorporating feedback from Dr. Ferguson and Director Mitchell. The substitute convenes a stakeholder working group to integrate the stakeholder plan (eight core recommendations) into the county’s comprehensive housing plan, ensuring fiscal and legal practicability. Commissioner Terry added as co‑sponsor. Motion approved.
  • Community Academy 101 Update: Staff reported completion of McNair, Redan, and Columbia community districts (based on high school boundaries); currently working in Towers; 14 more to go. Three 2026 ambassadors have been selected. New programming includes pedestrian infrastructure analysis, playground programming, and complete street tests. Commissioner Patrick requested engagement with municipalities; Commissioner Terry asked for data linking housing development to school capacity. Staff will provide ambassador handbooks for dissemination.
  • Noise Ordinance Amendment (2026‑0015): Sponsored by Commissioner Terry, proposing daytime noise limits of 65 decibels and nighttime standard of plainly audible at 100 feet. Current ordinance uses decibels but the county lacks decibel meters. Chief Pedrick and Director Clark supported moving to a “plainly audible” standard for enforceability, citing success in Athens‑Clarke County. Commissioners Patrick and Messiah requested data on noise complaints and a clear enforcement plan. Deferred 30 days for further discussion with staff.
  • Electric Landscape Maintenance Device Rebate Program (2026‑0017): Companion item to the noise ordinance, proposing an annual $100,000 rebate program to encourage switching from gas‑powered landscape equipment. Deferred 30 days alongside the noise ordinance.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Minutes, de‑annexation, Fleming appointment, short‑term rental contract, playground/shelter contract, Park Pride grant, school bus contract, and unhoused support plan resolution.
  • Conditionally Approved: Health facilities SPLOST 2 funding ($13.5 million) pending audit confirmation before April 14, 2026.
  • Deferred (30 days): Nuisance ordinances (2024‑1237, 2024‑1239) from Commissioner Patrick, noise ordinance (2025‑0015), and electric landscape rebate program (2025‑0017) for additional stakeholder input and data gathering.

Meeting Transcript

Great day, everyone. My name is Nicole Messiah, and I have the honor and pleasure of serving as your DeCab County Commissioner, District 3. Also the Chair of PECS Planning Economic Development and Community Services. Thank you so much working and welcome to the PECS Committee meeting today. I serve alongside with my other colleagues, Commissioner Longspears from District 2 and Commissioner Robert Patrick from District One. Recognized today along with is our Madam PO from District 4, Shikaira Johnson, and also Commissioner to Terry. There you go, George, District 6. And so thank you so much, colleagues, for joining us. And with that, we will jump right in and go through the agenda as printed. We're on for those following along with us, page one, and that is agenda item 2026 stash 0546. All commission districts and minutes for the February 26, 2026, Planning, Economic Development and Community Services Committee meeting. If my committee members have had an opportunity to review those minutes, I will entertain a motion. Motion to approve 0546. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Thank you so much. And we're going to jump down to the bottom of page one. And there's an agenda item that is under um GIS department. And that's agenda item 2026-0491. All commission, I'm sorry, Commission Districts 4 and 7, in which we have the District Commissioner from District 4 here with us today. And that is a motion to consider consenting to the DNA de annexation of property located at 5499 Woodsong Trace Stone Mountain, Georgia 30087. So Commissioner. I just not in opposition to this, but one of clarification. So I just was curious if we needed to clarify that in the agenda item. You can update that. That was really my only question on it. It was just that clarification. He said they can update that. All right. So just to be clear, you know, um, that will be updated. So that is made abundantly clear. Yeah, we would be happy to do that. We'll offer substitute at the regular meeting. Okay. Fantastic. So with that, I will entertain a motion. Uh motion to approve 0491. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Colleagues. That motion uh is approved. You're more than welcome. The next uh going back under the appointments. That is agenda item 2026-04 or two, all commission districts, the appointment of Mr. Sheldon Fleming to post eight of the recreation parks and cultural affairs board. And my understanding is that Mr. Fleming is here with us today.

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