OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

DeKalb County Community Meeting, Press Conference, and Park Ribbon Cutting - August 5, 2026

Board of Commissioners & Committees — Wednesday, August 5, 2026
BodyDekalb County, Georgia
SessionBoard of Commissioners & Committees
DateWednesday, August 5, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:48:27
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Through SPLOSS and an additional 19 to 20 miles through LMIG.

0:04

LMIG are actual state funds.

0:07

So I just want to say to you, we can't leapfrog you.

0:11

Sometimes we get hostile calls from people that say my road is the worst.

0:15

And I need you to come out here now.

0:18

But we have a system.

0:20

And if you live in particularly South and Unincorporated the CAB, because that is where the roads have the worst grades, you are actively seeing us resurface roads now.

0:31

So if you give us the time, we are coming to your road and your street.

0:38

But we have to be systemic in what we do because for years decisions were made for road surfacing by commissioners.

0:45

There was no system in place.

0:54

We're going to grade the roads.

0:56

We're going to stick to the worst first philosophy.

0:59

And given time, you will see that we will resurface all of the Cab County roads.

1:04

Thank you.

1:07

Thank you, Madam CEL.

1:10

And in that note, if you look at the next slide, there's just the one thing that I wanted to highlight as the CEO mentioned, we started resurfacing in 2018.

1:19

At that time, the average cost of resurfacing was 450,000 per mile.

1:25

That has changed.

1:27

Now the average cost of resurfacing is $900,000 a mile.

1:32

In one of our recent contracts, it cost over a million dollars.

1:36

So the cost of resurfacing is increasing.

1:41

And actually asphalt is tied to the cost of gas and oil.

1:46

So as that cost fluctuates, so does our resurfacing cost.

1:54

Okay.

1:56

The next thing is, you know, as we continue to, you know, what's next?

2:00

As we continue to resurface roads, we do know that that PCI number will continue to get lower, and our can our rural conditions will continue to improve.

2:11

And one note to finish talking about our resurfacing, our our pavement, the way we resurface roads, the way we evaluate them, our public works department is accredited by the national national agency, and when they reviewed how we resurface roads and how we go through the process of evaluation, they awarded the DeCap County Public Works Department with the model practice award.

2:38

And what that means is that our evaluation process is used as a model practice for other public works departments around the country.

2:52

Now we talk briefly about our stormwater utility.

2:55

Everyone is familiar with that since we've had so much rain uh lately, everything's flooding.

3:02

If you look at this slide, I'm sure you you look at that photograph, it's not fake.

3:06

Uh that is a failed 72-inch corrugated metal pipe.

3:11

It was real.

3:13

And just a brief note about the infrastructure that we do maintain in the Cab County.

3:17

Uh, we maintain over 500 miles of pipe.

3:22

That's pipe along the right-of-way.

3:25

We we maintain over um 22,000 catch basins.

3:30

So when you do see a damaged catch base and uh alongside the road and it takes us a while to get to it, it's because we maintain over 22,000 of those.

3:38

We also maintain over 900, actually 938 detention ponds, and we also have dams that we have to maintain, and a number of those dams are category one dams, which means that if they fail, there's a high potential of loss of property and life, and we maintain a number of those.

3:59

We also maintain over 200 bridges in the county and over 135 miles of roadside ditches.

4:05

So our inventory is huge, and our inventory uh is aging.

4:11

So I just wanted to bring that to your attention that you know it takes a lot of uh funding to do this, the maintenance that we do, and it's so much inventory involved, but we do get around to um the projects sometimes not as quickly as you would like, but there is a large inventory that we are actually maintaining out there.

4:32

But one of the other things that we are doing is green infrastructure efforts.

4:35

You know, we're working with other partners, we're working with our parks department uh to um do different green infrastructure measures, and so that's to help the CAP County be more sustainable with our stormwater utility.

4:50

Uh one of our recent uh we call it a success only because we were able to make a repair relatively quickly.

4:57

You know, on the surface, it looks like there was just a a large hole in the road.

5:02

Well, actually, that hole went all the way through to the uh the creek.

5:07

And it took a lot of resources to to make this repair.

5:12

So on the surface, it looks like what we're doing is small, but a project like this and the repair costs, it was actually over one million dollars.

5:21

And because of all the work and the time and speed that we got it done, this project was submitted to our national organization, our Georgia chapter, for a um APW8 ABWA disaster of the year award.

5:41

We also have other stormwater utility uh initiatives going on.

5:46

We we partner with other agencies to try to get additional work done.

5:50

Uh we try we we try to get additional funding in any way we can.

5:54

We apply for multiple grants.

5:56

We're working in our phase two of our strategic stormwater master plan, and that plan is critical because it tells us we don't know what we have to fix until we know what's out there.

6:08

So we're strategically going throughout the Cab County, looking at every basin, every uh stormwater basin to find out what inventory we have there and the condition of that inventory.

6:18

And we're going countywide to be able to do that, and we're doing it as a part of our stormwater master plan.

6:24

Now, this final slide is basically just to show you that it it talks about the infrastructure, but it also talks about the failing infrastructure.

6:33

That large pipe that I showed you earlier, you know, it's probably been in the ground about 50 years, and then it failed.

6:39

Uh, in that corrugated metal pipe, a large part of our inventory is corrugated metal pipe, and it is failing at a rapid rate.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Public Works Maintenance███████████████15%
Youth Programs█████████████13%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Capital Improvement Planning██████6%
Solid Waste Management██████6%
Economic Development████4%
Property Maintenance████4%
Community Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

DeKalb County Community Meeting, Press Conference, and Park Ribbon Cutting - August 5, 2026

This meeting covered multiple segments: an infrastructure update and SPLOST presentation, a public Q&A session with county leadership, a ribbon cutting for Zona Light Park, a street naming ceremony, the launch of the DeCab Alert emergency notification system, a press conference appealing for help in a homicide investigation, and a youth soccer program announcement.

CEO Presentation on Infrastructure and SPLOST

  • CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and staff presented updates on road resurfacing, reporting that the county has resurfaced 300 miles through SPLOST and 19-20 miles through LMIG, with a "worst first" philosophy. The average cost per mile has risen from $450,000 in 2018 to $900,000 currently, with some contracts over $1 million. The Public Works Department received a Model Practice Award for its pavement evaluation process.
  • Stormwater infrastructure was discussed: the county maintains over 500 miles of pipe, 22,000 catch basins, 938 detention ponds, 200 bridges, and 135 miles of roadside ditches. Many assets are aging, and a $1 million repair of a collapsed pipe was completed quickly. The county is working on Phase 2 of the Strategic Stormwater Master Plan.
  • SPLOST program update: SPLOST I (over $450 million collected, 70-80% spent) and SPLOST II (over $154 million collected since April 2024) are funding transportation, public safety, parks, and community facilities. New categories in SPLOST II include watershed projects, health centers, energy efficiency, the Valucia Sanders Intergenerational Center, and $2 million each for the four smallest cities for stormwater infrastructure.

Public Q&A Session

  • Questions covered a range of topics. Key responses:
    • Boarding houses: Pad splits are illegal; code compliance will investigate and issue cease and desist orders.
    • Short-term rentals: A new ordinance was passed; newsletter will include details.
    • South DeKalb Mall: Under contract for mixed-use redevelopment (restaurants, retail, housing, green space).
    • Street paving: Use 311 for potholes; road resurfacing follows a systemic process; residents can check status on the SPLOST website via "Joe Penny."
    • Code enforcement for dilapidated properties: Citations and court process; blight tax targets commercial properties.
    • SPLOST IGA: Cities are accountable to the state, not the county.
    • High-speed chases: Officers use discretion based on safety factors.
    • Sanitation truck leaks: Residents should not put liquids in trash; trucks undergo inspections; report leaks to 311.
    • Water/sewer lines: Priority sewer assessment and rehabilitation program under consent decree; water main breaks are being addressed.
    • Business development: Efforts include revolving loan fund, tax allocation districts, opportunity zones, and redevelopment of South DeKalb Mall and 4380 Memorial Drive.
    • Senior housing repairs: Program will include condo owners with interior repairs, subject to condo association cooperation.
    • Glass recycling: Not accepted curbside due to contamination and safety; drop-off is preferred.
    • Data centers: Moratorium in place; Board of Commissioners working on an ordinance.
    • Senior property taxes: Question referred to Tax Commissioner.
    • Abandoned condos on Covington Highway: CEO promised action within 90 days, including possible demolition.
    • Sidewalks: Prioritized near schools, parks, transit; $100 million needed; two new sidewalk projects announced.
    • Brandon Hills, Walden Pond, Whitehall Forest: CEO said these will not exist when she leaves; legal action underway for substandard conditions and unpaid water bills.

Zona Light Park Ribbon Cutting

  • The park, a former brownfield contaminated with Zonolite (asbestos), was restored with $2.5 million from WR Grace bankruptcy. New improvements include entrance signs, wayfinding, fencing, and a 100% natural playground. Partners: Park Pride, Trees Atlanta, South Fork Conservancy, Boot Tree, and Friends of Zona Light Park. Park Pride has awarded four grants to the park since 2010.

Street Naming Ceremony for Arthur J. Queen

  • The street was renamed Arthur J. Queen Street in honor of the founder of Queen Glass Company, a business leader for over 40 years. The ceremony was held on his heavenly birthday, with family and community in attendance.

DeCab Alert Launch

  • CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Dr. CJ Avery announced the DeCab Alert emergency notification system, replacing Code Red. It provides real-time alerts via text, email, or phone for severe weather, public safety incidents, health advisories, and major disruptions. Residents can sign up for free and choose updates beyond emergencies.

Press Conference on Xavier McCleary Homicide Investigation

  • DeKalb County Police Chief Greg Pedrick and CEO Cochran-Johnson appealed for public help in solving the murder of Xavier McCleary, who was shot on March 24, 2024, at the Plush Club after intervening to protect a woman. Three persons of interest were identified but not located. The family urged anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers. CEO announced she will propose legislation requiring video surveillance at after-hours establishments.

Youth Soccer Program Announcement

  • CEO Cochran-Johnson announced a $50,000 investment to expand free youth soccer programming through Soccer in the Streets, serving 250 youth at Station Soccer Kensington, Station Soccer East Lake, and Honeysuckle Park in Doraville. The program aims to build leadership and life skills, with a goal of creating a lasting legacy from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Partners include Discover DeKalb and the DeKalb United Sports Commission.

Key Outcomes

  • SPLOST II projects progressing: three fire stations awarded, three more in design, two in land acquisition.
  • Road resurfacing continues on a systematic basis; residents can track progress online.
  • Code compliance and blight tax enforcement ongoing; CEO committed to demolishing blighted properties.
  • Zona Light Park improvements completed and celebrated.
  • Street renamed Arthur J. Queen Street.
  • DeCab Alert emergency notification system launched.
  • Public urged to help identify suspects in Xavier McCleary murder; legislation for video surveillance at after-hours clubs to be introduced.
  • $50,000 grant awarded to Soccer in the Streets for youth soccer expansion.

Meeting Transcript

Through SPLOSS and an additional 19 to 20 miles through LMIG. LMIG are actual state funds. So I just want to say to you, we can't leapfrog you. Sometimes we get hostile calls from people that say my road is the worst. And I need you to come out here now. But we have a system. And if you live in particularly South and Unincorporated the CAB, because that is where the roads have the worst grades, you are actively seeing us resurface roads now. So if you give us the time, we are coming to your road and your street. But we have to be systemic in what we do because for years decisions were made for road surfacing by commissioners. There was no system in place. We're going to grade the roads. We're going to stick to the worst first philosophy. And given time, you will see that we will resurface all of the Cab County roads. Thank you. Thank you, Madam CEL. And in that note, if you look at the next slide, there's just the one thing that I wanted to highlight as the CEO mentioned, we started resurfacing in 2018. At that time, the average cost of resurfacing was 450,000 per mile. That has changed. Now the average cost of resurfacing is $900,000 a mile. In one of our recent contracts, it cost over a million dollars. So the cost of resurfacing is increasing. And actually asphalt is tied to the cost of gas and oil. So as that cost fluctuates, so does our resurfacing cost. Okay. The next thing is, you know, as we continue to, you know, what's next? As we continue to resurface roads, we do know that that PCI number will continue to get lower, and our can our rural conditions will continue to improve. And one note to finish talking about our resurfacing, our our pavement, the way we resurface roads, the way we evaluate them, our public works department is accredited by the national national agency, and when they reviewed how we resurface roads and how we go through the process of evaluation, they awarded the DeCap County Public Works Department with the model practice award. And what that means is that our evaluation process is used as a model practice for other public works departments around the country. Now we talk briefly about our stormwater utility. Everyone is familiar with that since we've had so much rain uh lately, everything's flooding. If you look at this slide, I'm sure you you look at that photograph, it's not fake. Uh that is a failed 72-inch corrugated metal pipe. It was real. And just a brief note about the infrastructure that we do maintain in the Cab County. Uh, we maintain over 500 miles of pipe. That's pipe along the right-of-way. We we maintain over um 22,000 catch basins. So when you do see a damaged catch base and uh alongside the road and it takes us a while to get to it, it's because we maintain over 22,000 of those. We also maintain over 900, actually 938 detention ponds, and we also have dams that we have to maintain, and a number of those dams are category one dams, which means that if they fail, there's a high potential of loss of property and life, and we maintain a number of those. We also maintain over 200 bridges in the county and over 135 miles of roadside ditches. So our inventory is huge, and our inventory uh is aging. So I just wanted to bring that to your attention that you know it takes a lot of uh funding to do this, the maintenance that we do, and it's so much inventory involved, but we do get around to um the projects sometimes not as quickly as you would like, but there is a large inventory that we are actually maintaining out there. But one of the other things that we are doing is green infrastructure efforts. You know, we're working with other partners, we're working with our parks department uh to um do different green infrastructure measures, and so that's to help the CAP County be more sustainable with our stormwater utility. Uh one of our recent uh we call it a success only because we were able to make a repair relatively quickly. You know, on the surface, it looks like there was just a a large hole in the road. Well, actually, that hole went all the way through to the uh the creek. And it took a lot of resources to to make this repair. So on the surface, it looks like what we're doing is small, but a project like this and the repair costs, it was actually over one million dollars. And because of all the work and the time and speed that we got it done, this project was submitted to our national organization, our Georgia chapter, for a um APW8 ABWA disaster of the year award.

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