Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the committee of the whole.

I'm your presiding officer in com District 4 Commissioner Shaira Johnson.

Today is Thursday, March 26th.

We're in for a very long day today.

Um so we will get going in the agenda with our committee reports.

Mr.

Fab Chair, if you will kick us off.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer.

The Fab Committee met uh earlier this week, uh Tuesday, March 24th.

Joined by myself, Commissioner Michelle Longspears and Commissioner Shekira Johnson.

Also in attendance uh was Commissioner Patrick.

Uh we did receive our first um set of the quarterly financial statements from Director McNabb.

And so she'll be coming back at the next meeting to finish up the um the full report uh once the the budget is uh closed out from last year.

We also had Ms.

CISA go over the um operational assessment and went through a couple of the recommended uh implementation um uh sort of matrix uh charts and things did uh call out in the meeting minutes a couple of the uh recommended um items um for further research and we'll continue to discuss those in future fab meetings.

We did approve the placeholder agenda item for the tax anticipation note.

We are um Zach, what are is it what's gonna be the TAN amount?

Is it 120 150?

150 150.

Okay, yeah, so just heads up, Commissioners.

Um, this will be a larger TAN year than I think we've had, maybe ever.

Um, due to the fact that we uh have a lot more spending to do this year, so we have to fill in the gaps until the the bulk of the revenues come in through ta uh property taxes.

So um the next I don't have the schedule in front of me, madam presiding officer, but we'll make sure everyone has it.

Uh but just anticipate that we'll be having this um uh item come up and fulfill in the blanks when it comes to the full board.

And then we didn't get into the water customer bill of rights or the um the cab for the people AI Tech Dividend Fund resolutions, uh but we'll plan to pick those up at the next committee meeting.

And that completes my report.

Madam Presiding Officer.

Thank you, Commissioner Terry.

Commissioner Bolton.

Good morning, everyone.

I am Ladina Bolton, your Super District 7 Commissioner, Deputy Presiding Officer, and Chair of Employee Relations and Public Safety, the ERPS Committee.

On our March 17th meeting in attendance, we did have committee members Commissioner Davis Johnson and Commissioner Messiah was with us virtually, and also Commissioners Terry and Patrick joined us as well in person.

We did approve the minutes from our February 17th and March 3rd meetings.

In addition to uh approving a few agenda items, we had a pretty short agenda on that meeting date.

Item 202601, excuse me, 0513.

This was the 2026-27 health care benefits uh discussion.

This item we did approve, and the good news is that there will be no change in your premium, but there has been an additional benefit added, which is pet insurance for anyone who is interested.

You do have the option now, or you will have the option for pet insurance.

Item 2026 0281.

This was a request that sought to ratify the purchase of 65 tri-certified Viking Chilled gear to be used by firefighters through the county.

Of course, we did approve that.

We want our public safety officers, our firefighters to be well prepared in their service to the county.

Item 2026 0555.

This item was also approved.

And this is the intergovernmental agreement between the city of Stonecrest and DeCab County for a land exchange.

This specific project was is for a fire station in District 5 and 7.

And so I know lots of folks in Stonecrest will be excited to know that this project is moving forward.

Uh last on the list is item 2026 0218.

It was approved in committee, and this was to establish a reg regulatory oversight of blasting operations in DeCab County through the adoption of a control blasting and safety ordinance to promote public safety, environmental protection, and community stability.

However, in Tuesday's meeting, we did have to defer the item just for a couple of weeks because there was some more legal screening that needed to be conducted.

But again, a lot of excitement happening for folks, specifically uh impacted in Stonecrest, but all over the county will benefit from this ordinance once it is passed.

And we had a discussion on operational assessment the operational assessment update that came from the it's not what was the name of the firm.

The momentum firm.

Lord, I always forget that.

Um just updates on the progress that each of the departments under the ERPS Committee are having when it comes to improving uh efficiency operationally.

So with that, I uh yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Bolton.

Commissioner Davis Johnson for ops.

Good morning.

I am Marita Davis Johnson and I chair the county operations committee, also known as the ops committee.

My colleagues who sit on that committee with me are Commissioner Robert Patrick and Commissioner Ladina Bolton.

The apps committee met on Thursday on Tuesday, March the 17th, where committee members is joined by Commissioners.

Nicole Massai, Commissioner Ted Terry, and Commissioner Long Spears.

During that meeting, we approved the minutes of the March the third option meeting.

There was 17 items on the agenda.

Eight items were previously heard.

Um was previously heard.

Um C item 0286 was recommended for approval.

The airport item 0388 was recommended for approval.

Facility items.

Again uh this afternoon at 1 p.m.

I guess we are the second best committee.

Okay.

Because uh Robert uh states that his is the best.

But uh do uh join us um this afternoon at 1 p.m.

I tune in live on DC TV.

And um with that, uh I and and I do want to say that uh we will be discussing child review as well as uh rules committee rules um today if we get the opportunity.

So uh Zach again, uh look at your calendars, give me your priorities so that we can do a little bit on the rules.

Thank you.

I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Commissioner Patrick, are you doing double duty today?

Uh doing double duty.

Appreciate you.

Thank you.

Absolutely.

Um begin with PECS.

Um actually, I'm gonna begin with this.

To my good friend's statement.

Everyone's a winner.

That's my favorite song.

And if you know that song, everyone's a winner.

So uh no no second fiddles.

PWI is still the best, though.

Um getting down to business.

Uh so at the PECS meeting, uh, that is chaired by Commissioner Masai.

Uh also uh joined by Commissioner Spears and myself, Commissioner Robert Patrick.

We had, I believe, about 13 items uh that we heard.

Almost everything got approved.

There were some items that have been laying around for quite some time.

Um but uh they made their way through the review process.

Uh everything from the housing resolution.

Uh I believe Commissioner Terry had an item or two that got approved as well.

Uh there were some items that I have had since 2024 that are still under review, but still working through the process and and uh uh we will hopefully get those resolved shortly.

Um we will have uh pecs next week.

Uh pardon me in three weeks, I think.

And uh we will see you then.

Moving on to uh PWI.

Uh we had a total of eight items that we heard at that meeting.

Some of the important stuff that came out of that was a total of 47 million dollars uh being spent towards water and sewer and and addressing the concerns through the consent decree.

Um we will have uh pecs next week uh pardon me in three weeks I think and uh we will see you then moving on to uh PWI uh we had a total of eight items that we heard at that meeting some of the important stuff that came out of that was a total of 47 million dollars uh being spent towards water and sewer and and addressing the concerns through the consent decree uh and uh for those of us who are all contributing to paying for the um improvements this is good progress that we're showing in our communities um there is inconvenience that goes with traffic and when the roads are torn up but the end benefit is is good flowing water and a sewer system that doesn't back up on all of us uh we will have another PWI today uh to my colleagues I would ask just because we have a zoning meeting tonight if it's possible that PWI could start at 3 30 sharp and ideally speaking I'd like to end it at four o'clock so we have uh a moment to chill and then be ready for tonight with that Madam PO thank you very much I second that Commissioner Patrick Thank you that concludes our committee report so now we can start the review of the proposed executive agenda for April 14th.

Good morning COO Williams good morning Madam Presiding Officer Um First Item I'd like to start before I start with this I owe you a follow-up on uh the sports commission um and I just want to share with everyone that the CEO will be issuing a new executive order uh that will authorize uh or that will allow for appointments from each board member uh as voting members of the sports commission so that was my follow-up from last Tuesday.

Thank you for that update.

Yes ma'am and to begin the review of the Can I ask a question?

Yes and Commissioner and then and do we have to put it on the agenda for recording the appointments I think that's customary for the is that we're gonna do now for a voting appointment probably so we'll probably have to go retroactive for those who have already kind of sent somebody okay first item under watershed management and I uh septic to sewer petition pine lake uh Georgia Forest Road uh this is a public hearing item okay next we have appointments not requiring board action first appointment is to record the appointment of Clara Burks Jones to the DeCab County Women's Commission as the chief executive officer of the Cab County appointee this is the CEO appointee okay next item under the CEO's office is appoint Commissioner Shakira Johnson the post nine of the development authority of the CAB County and post nine of private hospital authority did I say shakira again you do I always do that I apologize he wants me to be the famous thinker that's what absolutely we'll forgive you Zachariah yeah I always get under uh proposed preliminary items uh in the airport um there are three items uh the first standardized tea hanger space lease agreement Charles E.

Taylor no cost to the county and we'll clean up we'll clean that up okay we'll clean up how it's written next is standardized tea hanger space lease agreement with James Weaver no cost to the county the final standardized office space agreement with Jenna Kim no cost to the county these would all be on consent correct thank you next under fire rescue fire and rescue services um item 0563 fire rescue training at 3211 Glenwood Road and 1816 Candler Road I'm gonna send that to ERPs ERPs yes please next would be item 0572 first responder kits for kids program we discussed that and in 0580 we'll discuss those at ERPs yes there those related about that excellent thank you next under uh public works roads and drainage uh we're gonna remove request removal of item 0587 yes uh that made it uh to the agenda prematurely but we'll be bringing that back uh next round next under purchasing and contracting um we have the ops committee has the first three items uh ops is good next pwi uh pw i is good has two items and they're good and under um the next item under uh public parks recreation parks and cultural affairs park pride atlanta inc grant award of fifty thousand dollars for frazer row um would we like that in pecs could could we send it to pecs just for uh there's no time crunch on it is there I think that'll be fine okay yeah pecs would be PECS and then uh two items under watershed management zero four three six intergovernmental agreement for paving of state route um 10 US 278 between DeCab County Georgia and the city of Avondale states send that to uh PW PWI please yes next is 0568 agreement of the construction and financing sewer upgrades with the company with a contribution of six hundred eighty two thousand dollars PWI please thank you and um madam presiding officer I have no further items thank you Commissioner Terry yeah just on the um I think we were gonna try to do this moving forward but um is it possible in the in the title with the name of the name the name of the company just for easy I think so I think so for that last item 0568 we're gonna get that uh put the name of the company yeah thank you um madam presiding officer yes commissioner um zach would it be possible just for a discussion point if there's time today to put uh the

Thank you.

Commissioner Terry.

Yeah, just on the um, I think we were gonna try to do this moving forward, but um is it possible in the in the title with the name of the committee?

Name the company just for easy.

I think so.

I think so.

For that last item, 0568, we're gonna get that uh put the name of the company.

Yeah, thank you.

Um Madam Presiding Officer.

Yes, Commissioner Crown.

Um Zach, would it be possible just for a discussion point if there's time today to put uh the sewer to septic plan to PWI?

Literally just a discussion.

I know we uh this is a public hearing item, but just background information.

Sure.

Just so have someone prepared to discuss the sewer deceptic petition, please.

Absolutely, yeah.

Thank you.

I have nothing to do with it.

Thank you, madam.

Thank you.

All right, now we're at review of um the preliminary agenda.

Good morning, Miss McKenzie.

It's into a text.

Okay, um, and apologies on behalf of Mr.

May, he's running a little late.

Uh for the review, we have um from Board of Shed Management a public hearing item of two in 2026 0601.

Um recording in the appointments 2026 0599, an actual appointment from the CEO's office 2026 0570.

One second, Miss McKenzie on page four.

Did we do 0576?

Oh, well, I can I'll do that part first if you like.

Oh, okay.

It's okay.

For the new items under Board of Commissioners, um, Board of Commissioners District 1 2026 0576 um recording an appointment.

This is record the appointment of Charlene Fain to post one of the DeCap Arts Council as a standing member and the district one appointee for district two 2026 0558, record the appointment of Nia Z.

Harper to the DeCav County Women's Commission as the City of Stonecrest appointee.

2026 0559 record the appointment of Beverly Eccles to the DeCab County Women's Commission as the City of Tucker appointee.

One second, Miss McKenzie, go ahead.

Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Yeah, with all of these um appointments for the cities.

Do we have um documentation from the cities that these are the appointments?

Uh yes, um, Commissioner Michelle Long Spears receives information from those cities.

Yeah, I said do we have documentation from the cities?

These are city appointments.

I don't know what documentation she has.

I don't know.

Do we have from their letter hands that these are the appointments?

Yeah, if district two one from um Latonia that's not on here that I'm going to put as soon as she send me documentation.

So I'd ask our commissioners if you're making an appointment on behalf of the city if you can provide that documentation to the full board so that we have it for our records, yes.

And then so that there will not be any confusion, like it was with the appointment.

Yes, ma'am.

Um Justin O'Neill, with the if somebody else's appointment, these are not this two appointments, right?

These are the city appointments, so whether whoever brings it is fine with me, just so that we have the documentation in hand okay before we put them on the agenda.

Yes, ma'am.

So that there's no confusion.

Commissioner Terry also had a question.

Thank you, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Yeah, I had the same it it was just a it was more just like the formatting of it because it I think we've talked about it like looking like there were district two appointees in the agenda.

So yeah, isn't there just like an all like a just a board of commissioners?

Yeah, and that's part of why we made sure the city was listed because that one we did on Tuesday, the city was not listed.

That's correct.

Um, but I do I do feel because when I was looking at this, I was like, wait, why is District 2 getting all these appointments?

Yes.

So we just want to make sure it's rechanged correctly.

Yeah, yeah.

And um, and I would just like to note because I talked to one of my cities, and from um what I understood that these appointments were sent, these recommendations was sent to the city by District 2.

Okay.

Well, and work with the so I'd like to know because she gave recommendations for my city.

Okay, and I was not advised or consulted, or even asked.

So uh, so I've reached out and that's the information that I got.

Yes, ma'am.

So we'll work together to make sure that okay.

So I think before we put it on the agenda that we have the proper documentation from each city saying that this is their point.

Okay.

Well, I also have one item.

One question, this is probably more for our um interim accounting attorney.

So this appointment for Stone Crest, she actually I interviewed her, and but I'm actually planning to put her on environmental justice and not the women's commission.

We had asked the question last year.

Can someone serve on two committees?

So we do need to get that clarified.

And we'll get you that opinion, ma'am.

That it it varies commission by commission.

Some have restrictions on service on other boards, some do not.

So if we can follow up offline and talk about exactly which one you want to what point to we can look for conflicts for you.

Great.

Thank you.

Madam President.

Just a clarification.

Um are we supposed to be shepherding this the cities and our districts?

Because I heard both of y'all say my cities, and I'm gonna do the appointments.

Are we supposed to help that or I was not facilitating that for my city?

That appointment I mentioned was gonna be my appointment.

That was kind of cut off guard.

Yes, um, okay.

So we don't have to do anything, we're just letting the cities know they just have to send in the paperwork.

Well, okay.

I don't know you have a microphone.

Oh excuse me.

But mine is saying I just think it's res I just think it's respectful to at least talk to the commissioner of the district if you are talking to my cities.

You know, I mean, I would do that for each and every last one of the commissioners here.

I would not go into district four to not go into district seven, but I'm not I would not go into you all's district to ask for appointments without discussing it with the commission.

Understood.

I just wanted to say that.

I appreciate that.

So if you miss McKenzie can continue reading these our meetings not till April 14th, so we have some time to clean up.

Okay.

Some things.

So you know my thing was not to even place it on the agenda until we get the official.

I think I'm let's until we because we have so much time before our voting meeting.

If we need to pull it, I'd rather go ahead and go through this process and pull it later.

Yeah, but my thing is that we don't have the official recommendations either.

Understood, and I agree with you.

Appointment.

So why would we put down appointments from cities that have not given us the documentation and having to pull something that's because I'm I feel confident that the time we have between this and April 14th, we can get this cleared up and make sure that we have met all the requirements or requests that you have.

I would like to continue though.

I understand you, ma'am.

I do understand you.

Madam President.

Um for these city type appointments, would it be appropriate to have uh as opposed to associated with any particular district, have a section that just says municipal appointments or DMA appointments in that way.

Um I think that would be or if it's just under board of commissioners and not under District 2.

That would be oh yes, I was I think we're already gonna make that change.

Yeah, yeah.

Please continue, Miss McKenzie.

We'll please continue.

Okay.

2026, 0559, record the appointment of Beverly Eccles to the DeCav County Women's Commission as the city of Tucker appointee.

2026, 0560, record the appointment of Sarai Uda Green to the DeCab County Women's Commission as the City of Pine Lake appointee.

2026, 0561, record the appointment of Cheryl Glover to the DeCab County Women's Commission as the City of Shambley appointee.

2026, 0562, record the appointment of Elizabeth Appley to the DeCab County Women's Commission as the City of Brookhaven appointee.

2026, 0565, record the appointment of Joyce Neal to the DeCab County Women's Commission as a DeCab County Tax Commissioner's Office appointee.

2026, 0566, record the appointment of Victoria English to the DeCab County Women's Commission as the junior league of the Cab County appointee.

For preliminary Board of Commissioners Item 2026 0600.

Approval of minutes for the March 26, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Consent.

Board of Commissioners District 1 2026 0574 to approve the appropriations of an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the renewal of a contract agreement for Tabin Inc.

for an additional year from District 1's operating account with the account number.

Consent.

Consent.

Also for District 1 2026 0575 to approve the appropriations of an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the renewal of a contract agreement for design B Haley Curtis for an additional year from District 1's operating account.

Consent.

And also 2026 0577 to approve the appropriation of $6,500 from District 1's reserve for appropriations account to ICAR Atlanta for full distribution.

Consent.

Board of Commissioners District 2 2026 0556.

Allocation of $15,000 of District 2 reserved for appropriation to echo addendum to fund training for District 2 Parks volunteers.

Consent.

I'm sorry, 216,149.50 cents from 2001 District 2 bond account.

The number for improvements at Rutledge Park.

Consent.

Board of Commissioners District 3 2026 0537 to appropriate $2,500 from the District 3 Reserved for Appropriation Fund to the National Council of Negro Women and DeCAP chapter.

Consent.

2026 0549 to allocate an amount not to exceed 100,000 dollars from the district three reserve for appropriation funds for the district three live lavity arts music and engagement series.

Consent.

Board of Commissioners District 6 Item 2026 0573 to appropriate an amount not to exceed 39,300 from the Super District 6 reserved for appropriations to roots down for impact analysis, reporting and public engagement around the CABS regenerative land projects as well as landscape installation and site management.

Consent.

All right.

Jessica, we just asked the DA to send the details.

Thank you.

And just a quick recap that public hearing item for watershed management 2026-0601.

CEO's appointment 2026-0570 will appear as appointments.

Yes.

Fire and rescue services items 0563-0572 and 0580.

Preliminary with the stop in the herbs committee.

Correct.

Ops committee items for purchasing and contracting 0481 0496 and 0526 will appear in the ops committee.

For the PWI committee, 0413 and 0473.

Or consent.

And for orders management to um as preliminary with the stop and PWI 2026 0436 and 0568.

Okay.

That's all I have.

Thank you.

Yes, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Okay, just to be clear on these appointments to the women's commission.

Would they be from all districts?

We're gonna move them out of the so that they do not appear as a district two item and put it under Board of Commissioner appointments, but also get that clarification that the cities actually made the appointment.

Okay.

And then I'm also getting the clarification that Miss Harper can serve on two committees because otherwise now I have to go back to the drawing board on an appointment I was going to make.

And then uh one we that's fine because I have an appointment for my city of my thoughts.

Okay.

Yeah.

Commissioner Bolton.

Uh and then Commissioner.

Okay.

And we the discussion for the appointment so far has been about the cities, but considering we'll get appointments from a number of different either departments or organizations, tax commissioners currently on here.

Um getting that uh supplemental documentation proving the appointment should be for everyone that is not a BOC member.

Correct.

Agreed.

Thank you.

I yield thank you.

Yield back.

Commissioner Patrick.

Uh yeah, so sort of following up with the conversation regarding um can a member serve on two different boards.

I know Commissioner Terry had advanced uh some legislation calling for the elimination review and elimination of some of our boards that may not be current.

Could we also ask the legal team to look into the idea of coming up with some uniform language for each of the boards?

So when some boards can do this and some boards can't do that, and appointments are sort of like this, but sometimes they're like that.

Uh, if there was just some general attorney welch.

We're happy to do that, sir.

But I will remind you that many, many, many of the boards are not created by you or your legislation.

A lot of them are created by state law.

Uh, and we cannot control uh conflicts in those bodies.

However, those that are created through your resolutions, uh, we can certainly move towards some uniformity in that language.

But again, that's that has been part of the complexity in getting to the bottom of the questions that you all ask about boards, is that they the the creation of them comes from many different sources, and they are not uniform in how they are created, okay, managed, governed, etc.

But I take your point, sir, and for those that are within your control, yes, we can suggest some language that would clarify.

Okay, and then uh perhaps for the 27 legislative calendar, if we had a list of those uh boards that were not set up by us, but we have to live with their rules.

Maybe that's a conversation we can have with the legislature about can we get some tweakages just for consistency and the words absolutely and uh to to preview what the memo is going to say on this.

An additional issue is in our ethics code, the definition of um I'm I'm forgetting the exact term, but I think it's uh something like county official in the um in the ethics code is interpreted broadly enough to include service on some boards but not others.

So it's unfortunately, as it always seems to be with the appointments, it's a lot more complex than it seems like it should be.

But we will look at the question, we'll get you the memo so that you understand what it is we have to look at each time we have that kind of conflict question.

Thank you much.

Thank you, Madam President Officer.

Commissioner Massaia.

And I completely agree.

I mean again uh coming on to this board.

Um, that's one of the things I've been pushing on the onset, and I think that we might want to consider um actually determining how we not just eliminate some of the boards that we have the capacity to do without having to go on a state level, but actually identifying um the process in terms of creation of a board and um the ending of a board and making sure that we also ask our legislators to support us in that efforts.

It is so convoluted complex, and I think that's what created a lot of the problems um on the early start.

So I echo thank you.

I yield back to you, Madame PL.

Thank you.

Any other questions on this item?

All right, so that concludes we do not have executive session today.

Is that correct?

Should we got you a microphone again?

Actually, we would like executive session for litigation, and we promise it'll be an update, hopefully brief.

Okay.

So before we do that, I was also gonna extend the commissioners the opportunity to kind of do remarks personal privilege.

We can do that now, or do you want to do that after executive session?

Let's get her done.

Get her done.

All right, Commissioner Patrick.

All right.

Um about five minutes.

About five minutes.

Three to five minutes.

I'm being generous.

I'm I'm I'm I'm feeling like an hour right now, but uh okay, all right.

All right, all right.

Yeah, I know.

Umly one doubles single well, uh, I'd like to say first of all, thank you for this uh approach, uh Madam Presiding Officer.

Uh the main item I'd like to talk about is um the small area plans and some of the community engagements we've been doing in District One.

Uh for those paying attention.

We had a small, excuse me, we had a uh town hall at Embry Hills uh for the past two weekends.

Uh first weekend we talked specifically about code enforcement.

Uh we were joined by uh director Tanza Hall with uh pardon me Tonza Clark uh with uh code compliance, and it was a pleasure to have her there.

We're also joined by um uh director Juliana Njoko.

Uh she was a pleasure to have there.

We had our deputy uh sustainability director is there as well, uh Rachel, and uh gentleman by the name of Howard Johnson, not the hotel system, um, and they were gave a fantastic update on uh what was happening with uh development within District One uh was really there for some very organic conversations between the residents and county staff.

Uh we were also joined by uh a representative from the Gerard law firm uh who uh has a code and an attorney that focuses in on code enforcement uh for one of the local counties in uh in Georgia and sort of gave the prosecutors view of a good code enforcement case uh from collection of data, uh the value of a residence input on how it that's really the thing that gets things started on the investigations, but then the need or the preference that the courts tend to have for uh an officer uh to be able to give their documentation for that.

Uh so we had really good conversations on that.

Again, thank you to the staff that attended that meeting.

Uh last weekend we had our second town hall, and it was focused on public works.

Uh sort of a misnomer some folks still have is watershed management is part of public works and vice versa, and they are actually two very distinct uh uh departments.

So we had conversations ranging from potholes to getting Shamweetucker Road restriped um to um uh on street parking and any other concerns that went with with sort of moving things in traffic through the area, so it was a really good conversation.

We will be having another conversation coming up uh Saturday, April 18, if I remember the date correctly, and uh it'll be more focused in on um public services, I should say uh first responders, uh, and their impact and some of the improvements that we've had here at the county.

Of course, uh my colleague who chairs ERPS is more than welcome to attend.

We'd love to have her input that on on that as well.

Um, and then last night we had the small area plan uh another public engagement.

I think we're getting towards the end of the planning cycle on this.

Uh but we met at uh ITA, the uh tennis courts near Presidential Parkway.

Uh and if you don't know where that is, it's the round building in District One that is abandoned, but we're working on that as well.

Uh but we had about a total of 50 residents that came out and gave their opinions and insights on what they'd like to see happening within unincorporated district one.

Uh so their input was uh much valued and much appreciated.

Also want to give a shout out to Mr.

Larry Washington and his team, uh as well as I think it's the Pond and a couple of other groups that were uh managing that, but really really great in engagement, uh lots of reader boards, uh, even this concept of putting tiles on in different areas that are priorities.

Uh that uh I think the community appreciated that as well.

Also, big shout out to ITA.

We really appreciate them helping support and hosting that meeting.

Um, and again, uh citizen engagement is what drives actions at the Board of Commissioners.

Um other other levels of government have their input, uh, but we're sort of the rubber meets the ground, and this is where we get things done, and so much appreciated on behalf of District One to the residents and all of the employees that help support that.

Uh with that being said, Madam Presiding Officer, thank you very much.

Thank you, Commissioner Patrick.

Are you ready, Commissioner Davis Johnson?

Yes.

Okay, thank you.

Uh the first thing that I'd like to talk about is uh the John Lewis um interactive uh piece that we're getting ready to roll out.

Um and hopefully uh that will be done within 18 months.

You can walk up to the statute of John Lewis and hear history of his life and portions of the civil rights uh movement.

So I'm very excited uh about that and uh the foundation.

So I'm very excited about that, and uh the foundation uh we talk constantly about what they're doing and what we're doing uh in DeK County.

So I'm very excited about that.

Uh also um Chris, if Chris is here, I don't see him, but I'm excited about our rolling out of um Lucia Sanders, uh Rec Center, as I used to say uh many times.

Um my son, who is 35 years old now, he went to Lucia Sanders.

He played at Lucy Sunders in that old colored school, and my um my friend's son, who is 41 now, uh, played at Lucy Sunders in that old colored school.

And uh so they have been champions throughout the years in basketball, and so I've I'm just thrilled and so appreciative that we're able to build them a new recenter so that they can do more than play basketball.

So uh I'm looking forward to that roll out, and uh, if the Lord's willing, I'll be here to cut the rhythm.

And so we want to get that started, Chris.

Uh also I'd like to to say on last Saturday, uh we had a phenomenal women's event where we saluted 11 phenomenal women in the 5th district, and uh presiding officer brought greetings, and um uh a special surprise phenomenal woman that we had was my administrative specialist, uh London.

Let's give London a hand.

She was such a yeah, and so that was uh exciting event, and then Hank has had his at the same time, but mine was best.

And yesterday, me and Demetrius Pinkett, not McCoy, but me and Miss Demetrius, Demetrius Pinkett.

I mean, we uh we was on a roll last night.

Uh-huh.

We started at four o'clock.

It was Andrew Young's uh 94th birthday, and so the cab was in the house, and so that was just tremendous.

We went from Andrew Young to the CEO's uh women's event, and it was magnificent.

We have five women that run the metropolitan counties, and so you know we're doing well, and so that was a great uh celebration of Black History Month.

I was so impressed and learned so much about those women, and so it tells you if you want to get something done right, get a woman.

Uh left there, and uh we went to the HBCU uh HBCU event in downtown where we were raising funds for uh HBCUs.

And so uh that was an exciting uh event.

Um we had uh many, many people that were there, and they raised about over 700,000 dollars.

So that was uh significant, and of course, I decided will uh be able to benefit uh from that.

Then we tipped it off with TI celebration.

And so uh, I mean, I've never done that since I was in college, just for events, you know, but I was with a young man and uh he kept me going, and so we really really uh appreciate it last night.

And then on next Thursday, uh I'm having my appreciation dinner for my appointees, and they work very hard, and they don't many of them don't get paid, and for those that get a stifing, is probably it used to be enough to fill your car with gas.

It's not enough to do that now.

But um, yeah, so next uh Thursday, we have an appreciation dinner for our uh appointees.

So thank you.

And with that, I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Commissioner Bolton.

Thank you, madam presiding officer.

Uh I'd like to start by first um saying thank you to La Visa, Chief of Staff and the District 7 office.

She and I were alone last year, just two of a pair run uh representing the entire district.

But in the last couple of months, um, I guess it's going on three months now.

She brought in a new team member, and I want to acknowledge Nardos Areu.

She is our administrative executive assistant, excuse me.

Oh, oh, well, she's I hope she's busy.

Okay, she's outside working.

Um and Lavisa also worked with Mr.

Allen in Central staff to help us bring in our YCLI fellow, our international fellow.

She's from a country comparable to Malaysia in that vicinity.

Her name is Biba Neves.

And Biba will be here with us for about four to five weeks specifically to help us work on a strategy in the read in Hairston corridor.

So we took the information that you guys seen yesterday.

I I think it was in the PECS committee.

Um, but there was a discussion about the read in 101 plan and all of the other community one-on-one strategies that both Lasanya and Eva have put together.

And so we're taking the data that they acquired from those projects, and we're helping the ambassador to put it to work and reimagine the read in Harrison quarters.

Um, and so actually last week was Beba's first week, and she did presentations for several departments and divisions, including uh beautification, sanitation, community development, decide to cab, of course, we talked to planning community members in the area, homeowners associations.

We did uh a tour of the area, took pictures, start working toward a strategy that does mirror the vision in the plan, and now we're putting together a timeline and budget to help improve that space.

So we're really excited and proud of her for jump start in that project for us.

We had an eventful week this week.

One of the things that we are most excited about is we co-sponsored along with Commissioner Shakira Johnson, the DeCap Symphony Orchestra that was Tuesday night.

Uh, and this is especially exciting because remember, about two weeks ago, we relaunched our DeCAP Council for the Arts.

So we got to share with all of those folks how their position in that programming fits into the broader scope of what DeCAB and the cities are looking forward to do when it comes to arts programming.

Our you guys have heard us talking about the District 7 youth aviation program for about a year now.

I'm proud to say that we will be launching the website soon.

It's near completion, so you will be seeing the applications come out.

Um, and just for you folks who may not be so familiar, it's a year-long program that does expose students to all aviation careers, but ultimately in the end, a handful of students will have an opportunity to earn their private pilot's license, and all of this will occur at PDK and um at some of the rec centers, the trainings will occur, but majority of the program will be at PDK Airport.

District 7 has also begun sending out notifications because we are gonna open also our application for our community beautification grants.

This is something we saw district five do last year.

We thought it was an amazing idea, and we've been getting requests from the community as well.

So we are using the well, we don't know exactly how you guys did it, but we are looking at um from our position what you have done, and we're gonna try to do something similar because community members seem to really appreciate that.

So thank you for being a model in that capacity that we can follow.

And last but not least, some of you may have heard district seven is we're contestants in the CAP uh or dancing with the cap stars.

Uh-huh.

So we are um dancing with the cap stars will be April 18th, Saturday, April 18th.

We're hoping that everybody purchases tickets because remember the purpose is to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence.

It does go to the Women's Resource Center, where anyone who needs support can go there and get it.

Um cost to them, but they can go anonymously or however they would like to be present in that space to get the help that they need in order to transition their lives into a safer space.

And to promote that, we actually had an opportunity to go to the radio station yesterday, V103, and record some things that will be published soon.

I think this weekend.

So if you don't take notes today to remember any information, listen to the radio, you'll get everything that you need on Saturday so you can purchase your tickets and participate in the dancing with DeCab Stars on April 18th.

And with that, I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Bolton.

Commissioner Messiah.

Thank you so much, Madam Pio.

Great morning, everyone again.

My name is Nicole Messiah.

I have the honor and pleasure to serve as your DeCab County Commissioner District 3, in addition, the chair of PECS.

March has been no short of continuous community engagement and moving forward with a vision of progress, but one that focuses on the people, not the politics.

As we come close to the end of March, we continue to recognize National Women's History Month.

And we'd like to take just a quick moment to uplift and celebrate the extraordinary women of DeCab County, and we have lots of them.

I'm so proud of us.

From the Board of Commissioners to our dedicated staff to our DA's office to our uh CEO's office.

Uh it just continues.

But we are no short of amazing in DeCab County, and I celebrate us not just this March, but every single day.

We see you, we honor you for the vital role you play in advancing our communities each day within our homes, throughout our neighborhoods, and in our workplace.

Your leadership, your strength, your impact, do not go unnoticed.

And we extend our sincerest gratitude for all that you do.

Last Saturday, we hosted the DeCab B HOA BOA COA boot camp in partnership with Commissioner Marvin Arrington Esquire or Junior Esquire, a Fulton County District 5 Commissioner and attorney as well.

And the HOA Alliance was also in attendance at Port of Sanford Performing Arts Community Center.

It was designed to equip the attendees, and we had a packed house with the tools, knowledge, and confidence necessary to leave it effectively with respective HOA, COAs, and POAs and other similar organizations.

The community's response, as I mentioned, was exceptional.

And the residents gathered and you know just got a deeper understanding as to what the differences were, but additionally, how they can make sure that they arm their community with the tools necessary to have respectful neighborhoods that they can be proud of.

They want to make sure that they understood the responsibilities, the strategies, and how to effectively navigate through our district three and decab county neighborhoods.

Due to the overwhelming participation, I'm happy to announce that we're also going to have a second installment.

So please stay tuned for those details.

A special thanks to you, to Pastor McCow for the dial for the Rainbow Park Baptist Church family for the opportunity to serve as a panelists at their women's history month forum this past Saturday.

For his passion and concern for our community.

Addly, I was pleased to partner with DeCab County Comprehensive House Plan Team to host the community conversation at South DeCab Senior Center.

As you know, this uh the issue of housing remains a critical topic that mess stay at the forefront as we continue to collect the data and to engage within our community.

Thank you to Dr.

Ferguson, Sycamore Consulting, and the planning and sustainability team for facilitating an engaging session, including breakout sessions that fostered meaningful and very robust dialogue.

These ongoing conversations are essential to ensuring that our community voices as a whole are heard throughout and considered as we shape the future of development and growth in South DeCab in District 3.

And we are committed to making sure that we're doing this strategically, purposefully, and without displacing.

Leadership is collaborative, and that's when it's or should be collaborative, and that's when it's most impactful and serves the community as a whole.

We also had staff present at the Arts Council kickoff event on Briar Cliff Road.

We are excited about the continued growth and expansion of the arts here in DeCab County, and all of that program will bring to bear.

We also participated in multiple community meetings.

That's ongoing engagements throughout the district.

We extend our sincerest appreciation to Miss Betty Jean Coleman and the Creek Wood community for hosting us along with our co-compliance staff and the DeCab County Police Department.

Additionally, during the Clifton Springs community meeting held at United Methodist Clifton Springs United Methodist Church, we had a meaningful opportunity to hear directly from residents and respond to their questions addressing many of their community concerns.

And just remember, don't fall off the smoke and mirrors.

There are more than one issues that we have to address as a community.

We also had a great time coming together as a community for fellowship, creating a space to connect, listen, and support one another.

These moments are important as we continue to work to build a stronger DeCab County, District 3, and relationships throughout our district and county.

Just briefly, some of the upcoming events that we have.

So I invite you to participate in that is free to all bring your families, bring your long cheers and have a great time.

That is a young man that unfortunately lost his life.

A seven-year-old lost his life due to a gun and wounding himself fatally with it.

So my sincerely sincere condolences to his family.

So just a big wave and appreciation for all of the work that he's done.

Again, um, okay, all right, there you go.

I just want to remind you that I'm always here to fight with you and to fight for you.

And a lot of times, if someone from if myself or someone in my staff isn't at a meeting, particularly those that are affecting the growth and development of our community, it is because I was not invited.

Please continue to reach out, let me know, make me aware of what's going on so that we can shape District 3, which is the jewel that we know it is together.

With that, I yield back to you, Madam PO.

Thank you, Commissioner Messiah.

Commissioner Terry.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer, appreciate the opportunity to serve some district six updates.

Um, just a couple things uh from last week on Friday, March 20th at the Porter Sandford Performing Arts Center.

We hosted out-of-hand theaters production of Prison Town, which was a moving performance that challenged us to reflect on the human impact of immigration policy and the reality shaping communities across this country.

We had residents shown up, we had members from the immigrant serving organizations to speak about what's going on right now in DeCab County as well as around Georgia.

We also on Saturday morning kicked off our waste to gold composting 101 event at the Clarkson Library, where residents learned how to turn waste into a resource and take climate action into their own hands.

So as a reminder, we'll be doing three plays uh this spring and then three plays in the fall.

It's free and open to the whole uh DeCab County community.

We have music, um, a whole hour uh program for kids, and then um uh we did the performance of Much Ado About Nothing, and next month will be Mid Midsummer's Night's Dream, and then the following month will be Romeo and Juliet.

Um we also I think all of us attended with Madam CEO the DeCab Day at the Capitol on Monday, uh which was very great.

We heard remarks from our superintendent and CEO, as well as our delegation leaders, Senator Kim Jackson and Representative Carla Drenner.

And the highlight of the day was that 500 DeCab scholars were in the rotunda with us, uh which at first I thought was a lot, uh, but it was great to see the the scholars there.

They were lobbying me on arts funding um and education and other important issues.

So that was really great for them to see their democracy in action.

Uh earlier the previous week on March 14th, I joined uh the NACA CEO um Bruce Marks for the Chi for the Achieve the Dream pre-qualifying event.

And of course, that was sponsored by Madam CEO and um a partnership with our housing initiative.

And I think at the time that I went on Saturday, over a thousand people had gone through sort of the the workshop and the orientation, and I believe, Madam Presiding Officer, they had pre-qualified over a hundred individuals uh to receive their down payment assistance and loan support.

And we will be working with them, uh CO Williams to schedule another workshop just for DeCab County employees, um, since that was something that we had heard from our employees about just the cost of housing uh in living in the county that you work in, and so uh we'll look forward to announcing that once that's organized.

We also participated and supported the DeCab County um conference of housing and planning conversations, so shout out to the planning department and our um enterprise community partners vendor for doing their district level sessions.

So March 18th and 19th were um district uh two and four uh and so it was great turnout there.

Tomorrow I'll be attending the Clarkston High School Career Day to talk about uh the legislative process as well as inform them about the work source to cab opportunities uh for youth this summer.

And Madam Presiding Officer, I think I've got 32 questions from the students already waiting for me.

Uh so hopefully I'll get through it in an hour and a half.

I know, right.

I think that was the assignment is every student had to ask one question.

So that'll be fun tomorrow.

Um this Saturday we'll be continuing our compost series at the Shambley Library, and then on Sunday, we'll be doing the a partnership with D Vine, Georgia, which is a nonprofit uh that works on removing invasive species and Washington Memorial Gardens to restore the historic Anderson Cemetery, which is a historically African American cemetery in Scotdale that uh in essence has been abandoned.

No one owns it, and it's completely overgrown.

You can't see the um headstones, and so we're working with D Vine, Georgia, as well as the DeCap History Center to clean up the entire property and then begin to actually uh register and um document all of the gravestones, some of them that are have been hidden uh for for decades.

I'll also be uh joining uh probably tens of thousands of fellow Georgians around Georgia and then probably millions of Americans around the country for the No Kings rally.

So encourage anyone if you're free on Saturday from 10 to 1, find a hashtag No Kings Rally near you and show up and speak up in defense of our democracy and against corruption.

And then in closing, I want to acknowledge the passing of Elizabeth Moore.

Elizabeth Moore was a member of our Aging and Placers initiative.

She was known for her compassion, generosity, and commitment to uplifting others.

Our office extends our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew her, and we're grateful for the work that she had done as a volunteer to support aging and place and housing affordability.

And with that, I'll yield back, Madam President Officer.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Terry.

For District 4 updates, we have been really busy, like all of my fellow commissioners.

But I'll start with a general update for my fellow members.

Planning has begun for the joint BOC BOE meeting.

Chief of Staff May has sent out the email, so it looks like it's gonna be tentatively held on May 4th.

That was the date that seemed to be available for most people.

So we'll get additional details out for that.

Is assisting with the community improvement district along the corridor.

So that is actually an initiative that my predecessor started, but it took us a little while to get the money out the door and get the project started.

Um so we're excited to have that going.

You'll also see soon the entryway markers that support the reimagining of the aesthetics of the corridor.

Um those should be manufactured this year.

And then GDOT is working on a safety implementation strategies along the corridor.

We attended the comprehensive housing plan community meeting held on Wednesday, March 18th.

This again was facilitated by Sycamore Consulting and the community conversation to address housing affordability supply and preservation the goals, needs and goals to identify the strategies that can alleviate some of the housing pressures for existing residents as well as attract new residents to the county.

Um some of my colleagues have mentioned the day at the Capitol this past Monday.

It was a really, really good day.

Had the pleasure of being able to give the closing remarks, and I'll just highlight the 500 students and the oppressive amount of attendance was really really impressive.

Um so kudos to all of those who put that um successful day on.

I would like to thank Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson for her invitation to attend and provide remarks at the phenomenal women's event this past Saturday at Porter Samford.

And I also really want to commend her staff for actually being able to surprise London who had no idea.

It was really fun to see that when her family walked in, she was like, Why am I family here?

So good job, team.

It was a really great event.

Um attended the launch of the arts commission, another great event hosted by CEO, as well as my appointment, former mayor of Pine Lake, Miss Melanie Hammett.

Um the event last night for Women's History Month that the CEO hosted was a great conversation.

Um I I really also appreciated there was a running video of just women in leadership and different positions around the county that was going before.

So, you know, you may not have thought you were gonna be up there, but she had all the commissioners, she has directors.

It was really cool to see us all included in that leadership conversation.

And in attendance also was um Chair Rob Pitts came, former Mayor Franklin came, former mayor Lance Bottoms was there.

So it was it was really impactful and well put on event.

Um I will plug my next podcast episode.

Um should be dropping soon.

We had a conversation with um director Allison from the libraries, and then we will be recording with new um director Bass from Um Parks and Recks will be my next conversation.

We will be recording that soon.

Very excited to have that um conversation with him.

Our community connection breakfast.

Um, we had to reschedule it to the end of February, and um our guests on that one was new tax commissioner Nicole Golden.

Also in attendance was representatives from MARTA from Urban League and from Georgia Power.

Our next community connection breakfast will be April 18th, and our special guest will be Mr.

Damon Scott from Human Services.

Um the conversation we had at our previous community connection breakfast.

We had a lot of robust conversation and questions about youth development and youth services and what services the county is providing.

Um so I know um Director Scott will give us a lot of great information on about that on April 18th.

Also April 18th.

Very excited to see our colleague up there.

I know she loves to dance.

Really successful event.

So excited to see what we have coming out of the one this coming Saturday.

And again, like my colleagues, sometimes we attend so many meetings and we can't get to them mention them all, but um, hopefully, my commissioners appreciate having this opportunity on cow, because we can never seem to get to it on VLC days.

So we'll start adding this to the cow agenda.

Yes, thank you.

Um, so at this time I do need a motion to adjourn the committee of the whole, and then we'll need a motion to go into special call meeting.

So move.

Second.

All in favor.

I.

Thank you.

Motion to go into executive session session.

We need it we need convene a special call meeting first.

Motion to convene a special call meeting.

Second.

All in favor.

Aye.

I motion to go into executive session.

Second.

Good morning, everybody.

If I can get a motion to reconvene.

So moved.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

That is unanimous.

And we did have some action to take out of our discussion from executive session.

Madam PO, I move that the Board of Commissioners approve a payment in the total amount of one million fifty thousand dollars to settle a lawsuit filed by the plaintiffs to Mika Strozier, Batisha Dixon, Crystal Willibert, Peaches Deser, Ebony Boswell, and Jewel Renfro against Sheriff Melody Maddox in civil action one twenty two CB dash three three four two pending in the U.S.

District Court Northern District of Georgia.

To resolve this lawsuit, the county will pay the total amount of one million fifty thousand dollars to the plaintiffs and their attorneys in return for and conditioned on plaintiff's dismissal with prejudice of their lawsuit and plaintiff's execution of a settlement agreement with a full and final release and waiver of claims satisfactory to the interim county attorney.