Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Multipurpose Room A1201 at 178 Sam's Street, Decatur, GA. The meeting included an inspirational performance, two proclamations, extensive public comment, and decisions on several high-profile items including a data center ordinance, an urban camping ordinance, and authorization of litigation against Blackhall entities.
Speakers addressed multiple issues:
2027 Calendar (2026-1400): Commissioners discussed proposed adjustments to meeting dates for holidays and spring break. Commissioner Long Spears suggested moving meetings from Tuesday to Thursday after holidays; Commissioner Patrick requested canceling the COW during spring break and July 4th week. The item was deferred to October 13 BOC for final adoption.
Data Center Ordinance (2026-1273): Commissioner Terry normal coursed the item after a substitute was presented by the presiding officer. The original item (to amend Chapter 27 with definitions and classifications) was normal coursed, meaning it will require two readings. No action was taken.
Urban Camping Ordinance (2026-0550): After extensive public comment and commissioner debate:
Civilian Oversight of Digital Shield (2026-0769): Commissioner Terry argued for an independent civilian oversight board for the county's surveillance infrastructure, noting that the city of Atlanta recently found abuse of flock cameras. Commissioner Bolton said quarterly presentations are already provided. Commissioner Davis Johnson clarified that flock does not perform oversight. The item was deferred to October 13 BOC with a stop in ERPS.
Financial Advisor Services (2026-0839): Deferred to October 13 with a stop in FAB, pending updated information.
Executive Session & Litigation Authorization: The board recessed into executive session to discuss litigation. Upon reconvening, a motion carried to authorize the county attorney to file a lawsuit against Blackhall Real Estate Phase Two, LLC and Blackhall Capital Partners One, LLC for breach of contractual obligations under a January 29, 2021 real estate exchange agreement.
Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the September 29th Board of Commissioners meeting. I am your presiding officer and District 4 Commissioner Shekira Johnson. Thank you all for being with us today. We have a packed house, so if we have run out of agendas, there are there is a QR code, excuse me, that you can scan on the wall outside that door if you need to see the agenda. So now we will excuse me get into our agenda. We'll start with our inspirational speaker, Miss Dolores Burgess. If you would like to start making your way to this front podium, Mr. Lores Burgess has been appointed to the Jacab Arts Council for Super District 7, bringing more than 30 years of visionary leadership in the arts business and community development. She is the founder of the Brio Theater in Tucker, Georgia, and based on historical research is believed to be the first black woman to own a performing arts theater facility in Metro Atlanta. The Brio is Georgia Entertainment's exclusive stage and theater production resource partner, an award-winning gospel artist, actor, author, playwright, producer, director, and performing arts coach, Miss Dolores is dedicated to empowering creatives and strengthening communities through art. A three-time breast cancer conqueror, she transformed her journey into the acclaimed one woman stage play, fighting for the title, performed nationwide, founder of a nonprofit Tri-Action Life Center. She champions the belief that art heals, purpose transforms, and creativity builds stronger communities. Do we have Miss Dolores? Come on up, ma'am. Good morning. How are you? I'm well, thank you. How are you? Doing well, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being here. Appreciate this opportunity. Commissioner Bolton, thank you. Everyone on the board. We appreciate all of you all. Thank you all. Well, I am the owner of the Brio Theater, Dolores Burgess over in Tucker, Georgia. We hope you all will come by and see us at 4445 Hugh Howard Road. Would love to share a little bit about uh the Brio and what we do, as she just said. And I'm gonna share a piece of a production that's actually running right now. It's called Fighting for the Title. I am a three-time breast cancer conqueror. And uh, you can clap, go ahead. Um, and I'd like to share uh a song, a little bit of a song, and a little bit of a monologue that goes along with that particular piece. Uh, but I want to say this that the arts are healing, theater is healing, and we should celebrate every moment that we have when it comes to creativity, and we should also exercise our creativity as well because we will be well, we will be literally well in our bodies for it. Okay. Oh, won't you come by some body singing lord? Oh Lord, won't you come? Come by here. Oh, come by. Can you hold us from me? Thank you very much. Hello, everyone. Oh, it's such a pleasure to be here with you today. I'm so glad that we all are gathered here in this place together.