PECS Committee Meeting – August 11, 2026

The Planning, Economic Development, and Community Services (PECS) Committee of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners met on August 11, 2026, at 20:30 UTC. Chair Nicole Messiah (District 3) presided, joined by Commissioner Robert Patrick (District 1) and Commissioner Terry (Super District 6). Commissioner Michelle Longspears (District 2) was absent. The committee considered 16 agenda items, including appointments, grant applications, budget amendments, a camping ordinance, a sound ordinance, a rebate program, the service delivery strategy, a racial equity study update, and a resolution for a data center health study.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval (2026‑1169): Approved the June 6, 2026, PECS meeting minutes.
• Appointment – Shelley Bishop (2026‑1127): Appointed to Post 2 of the DeKalb County Board of Family and Children’s Services (DFACS). Unanimously approved.
• Appointment – April Moore (2026‑1128): Appointed to Post 5 of DFACS. Unanimously approved.
• Sublease of Mental Health Centers (2026‑1132): Approved consent to sublease portions of Kirkwood, Clifton Springs, and Wynn Way Mental Health Centers to Genoa Healthcare for pharmacy services. The agreement includes a credit-back mechanism to offset medication costs for County clients. Unanimously approved.

Discussion Items

• CHaRM Recycling Program Contract Renewal (2026‑0974): Approved a three‑year renewal with Live Thrive Inc. for operation of the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials. Staff confirmed contract terms are unchanged. Commissioner Terry raised the possibility of shifting funding from the parks department to the sanitation/beautification fund in the next budget cycle, and the administration agreed to review the placement. Unanimously approved.
• Park Improvement Grant Applications (2026‑1175): Approved a substitute resolution authorizing applications to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for two grants: (1) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) for lake and dam renovations at Exchange Park, Chapel Hill Park, and Davidson Arabia Natural Preserve; and (2) LWCF funds for improvements at Pleasant Dale Park. The substitute corrected district designations. Unanimously approved.
• Toby Grant Park Grant Application (2026‑1179): Approved a resolution to apply for an LWCF Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant to renovate Toby Grant Park, including parking, pickleball courts, playground, and pavilions, with a SPLOST match. Unanimously approved.
• Sugar Creek Golf – Lighting and Retention Wall (2026‑1216): Approved a budget amendment of up to $800,000 for lighting and a retaining wall for the third tennis court at Sugar Creek Golf. Funding will come from remaining SPLOST funds (~$400K) and swept capital. Commissioner Messiah noted the community’s strong advocacy for the project. Unanimously approved.
• Porter Sanford Arts and Community Center Equipment (2026‑1219): Approved a $79,000 budget amendment for required equipment and improvements at Porter Sanford, based on an assessment by the arts director. Commissioner Terry encouraged a broader facility review to maximize usage and revenue. Unanimously approved.
• On‑Call Architectural/Engineering Services Change Orders (2026‑0844): Approved a substitute change order increasing contract funds by up to $3,297,250 for on‑call services from seven firms, with a reduction to American Engineers based on internal audit recommendations. Unanimously approved.
• GIS Enterprise License Agreement Change Order (2026‑0802): Approved a substitute change order increasing the ESRI contract to $3,900,000 through November 2029. Discussion included potential GIS integration with Google Maps and Apple Maps, use of EagleView oblique imagery, and development of a citizen reporting system (e.g., “Click Fix”). The administration agreed to present options for such a system within 45 days. Unanimously approved.
• Ordinance on Unauthorized Camping and Public Safety (2026‑0550): After extensive deliberation, the committee voted to advance the ordinance to the full board with two additions: (1) a reference to the Joint Policy Statement on Addressing Homelessness, and (2) a draft standard operating procedure (SOP) from the police department outlining enforcement approach. Commissioner Messiah expressed confidence in officer discretion. Commissioner Terry emphasized the need to avoid criminalizing homelessness and requested clarity on how the ordinance would be implemented. Approved with conditions.
• Sound Ordinance Amendment (2025‑0015): Deferred to committee pending input from Commissioner Longspears. The committee discussed two options: “plainly audible” (preferred by staff) and decibel meter (preferred by Commissioner Patrick). No vote taken; held in committee.
• Electric Landscape Maintenance Device Rebate Program (2025‑0017): Held in committee, to be considered alongside the sound ordinance.
• Service Delivery Strategy Renewal (2026‑1190): Conditionally approved pending additional information and a Zoom meeting with all commissioners. The 2022 SDS update was triggered by the comprehensive plan; all municipalities except Tucker have now approved. Tucker’s resolution was signed July 14, 2026. Approval is needed by September 15 to meet DCA’s October 31 deadline. Approved conditionally.
• Resolution on Racial Equity Study Implementation (2026‑0982): Withdrawn after Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams outlined progress on all five key recommendations, including a new employee resource page, a policy evaluation RFQ, mandatory training, an Access and Opportunity Officer hire within 30‑60 days, and a forthcoming community equity study. Commissioner Terry requested written documentation and quarterly updates. Withdrawn.
• Resolution for Data Center Health and Environmental Study (2026‑0244): Held in committee for further discussion. Commissioner Terry, the sponsor, argued a third‑party study is needed to inform data center regulations. Commissioner Messiah and Commissioner Patrick suggested broadening the study to a countywide baseline health and environmental assessment. Deferred pending Commissioner Longspears’ input.

Key Outcomes

• The committee approved 10 consent and action items, most unanimously.
• The camping ordinance was advanced to the full Board of Commissioners with additional implementation requirements.
• The sound ordinance and rebate program were held pending Commissioner Longspears’ return.
• The Service Delivery Strategy was conditionally approved; a Zoom briefing will be scheduled before the September 15 deadline.
• The data center study resolution remains in committee; staff will consider a broader baseline study approach.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 22:00 UTC.