DeKalb County Public Works and Infrastructure Committee Meeting – October 12, 2026

Committee Chair Robert Patrick convened the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, joined by Commissioner Shekira Johnson and Commissioner Ted Terry. The committee acted on ten agenda items, heard updates from public works and watershed staff, and received two presentations on public works accomplishments and stormwater investments. No agenda or minutes were provided with the transcript.

Approved Agenda Items

• Minutes 2026-1461 – Approved the minutes of the September 28 special called Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting for all commission districts.
• 2026-1290 – Refuse Transfer Trailers – Approved award of ITB 2026-084 to Travis Body and Trailer, Inc., for 12 walking-floor open refuse transfer trailers for public works/solid waste, amount not to exceed $1,404,000. Staff noted the trailers were more than 10 years old and part of normal vehicle replacement.
• 2026-1305 – Recycling Services Change Order – Approved change order #1 to contract #2000 with Pratt Recycling, Inc., increasing funds to not exceed $400,000 and extending services through March 31, 2027, for residential single-stream recycling, commercial cardboard, and mixed paper. Commissioner Terry asked for monthly tonnage reports; Director McKinney said recycling tonnage has increased in 2026, which is a success. Commissioner Johnson noted fewer complaints about recycling being mixed with garbage in the last two years.
• 2026-1313 – Scott Candler Sludge Collector Parts – Approved sole-source award to Cornerstone H2O LLC, not to exceed $191,916.72, for OEM parts to maintain sludge collectors at the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant. Director Wells explained that the Chattahoochee carries silt and that the plant uses reservoirs during turbulent river conditions.
• 2026-1345 – Construction Management Services Change Order – Approved change order #3 to contract #1271092 with CGA Solutions (CERM/Gresham Smith/Atkins), increasing funds to not exceed $2,609,413.59 and extending terms through December 31, 2028. The extension supports the 36-inch transmission main replacement along Peachtree Boulevard and smaller consent decree projects. Commissioner Terry requested a future PWI discussion on next steps for the Pole Bridge Master Plan; Director Wells agreed to schedule it, noting that plan is under a different contract.
• 2026-1178 – Traffic Pavement Markings – Approved award of ITB 2026-028 to Peak Pavement Marking LLC and Autoco Development Inc., total not to exceed $3,330,000, for a five-year traffic pavement marking contract. Director Allen said the contract allows resumption of regular striping maintenance, with the first years focused on catch-up work. Commissioner Johnson asked for a district-level striping schedule and public communication.
• 2026-1170 – Manhole Rings, Covers, and Valve Boxes – Approved award to Can We Construction Company Inc. and Precision 2000 Inc., total not to exceed $7,000,000, for a three-year maintenance and repair contract. Discussion covered cast-iron lids, infiltration, coordination with resurfacing projects, and enforcement of traffic control and right-of-way permits.
• 2026-1205 – On-Call Concrete and Retaining Walls – Approved pending substitute, with recommended award to DAF Concrete Inc. and Double AA Grading and Paving. The original amount was not to exceed $4,550,000; Director Wells reported the audit team recommended reducing the amount to $4.1 million, and a substitute agenda item would be brought forward.

Items Held in Committee

• 2026-1257 – Machine Shop Services – Low-bid award to Coal Technology Incorporated and Capital City Machine Shop LLC, not to exceed $5,500,000, was held in committee pending completion of audit reports.
• 2026-1285 – Scott Candler Clear Wells and Pump Stations Upgrade CM Services – Award to CDM Smith Inc., not to exceed $11,120,246.50, was held in committee pending Mr. Campbell’s audit report.

Presentations

• Public Works Overview Video – Staff showed a video highlighting Public Works activities: solid waste service to more than 182,000 households and 6,000 businesses; more than 600 employees supporting beautification; the Stonegate Industrial Boulevard sidewalk and emergency stormwater projects; Safety Action Project sign replacements at 350 locations, including 376 stop signs, 731 speed limit signs, and 217 new posts; the more than $15 million Cedar Grove Bridge Replacement project; a two-year, $62 million vehicle replacement program; and projects including Browns Mill Road at Salem Road Roundabout, South River Trail Phase 5, and Glenwood Road Sidewalks Phase 2.
• Stormwater Investment Update – Director Peggy Allen and Angel Jones presented on uses of the 2023 stormwater utility fee increase—the first increase since the utility was created in 2003—and the more recent 10-by-10 fee increase. The additional funds allowed the county to leverage state funding and SWIFT P financing, add maintenance and pipe repair crews, and support the stormwater master plan. The stormwater backlog project began in August 2023 with 5,428 pre-April 2023 work orders; 1,295 have been completed. Examples included catch basin repairs on Citation Drive, a sinkhole repair between two homes, and stabilization on South Deshaun Road. A new private drainage infrastructure program, referred to as PDP, to address private infrastructure that affects county infrastructure is planned for early 2027. Commissioner Johnson praised the emphasis on stormwater. Commissioner Terry suggested DCTV/social media before-and-after stories by district, and the committee discussed coordinating with cities on stormwater fee parity and intergovernmental agreements.

Key Outcomes

• All voted agenda items were approved unanimously by voice vote; two watershed procurement items were held in committee pending audit, and one concrete/retaining wall award was approved pending a substitute amount.
• Staff will provide commissioners with recycling tonnage data, striping project schedules and district maps, and public updates on the Pratt recycling contract.
• A future PWI discussion on Pole Bridge Master Plan next steps was scheduled for November.
• Staff will develop a standardized narrative for projects of $3 million or more explaining how awards are selected and will report completed large projects to the committee.
• The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.