Johns Creek City Council Meeting - August 11, 2025
Johns Creek City Council Meeting - August 11, 2025
The Johns Creek City Council met on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 7:08 PM at City Hall. The meeting included approval of minutes, consent agenda, recognition of the Johns Creek Aquatic Team, a manager's report, and new business items including appointments and a construction contract for the Cauley Creek Makerspace. Discussions also touched on the upcoming performing arts center bond referendum and city project oversight.
Consent Calendar
- Newtown Park Community Clubhouse Renovation: Council approved a design/build construction contract (Item G.1). The motion passed with one opposing vote (Councilmember Aramelli cited lack of community space; Councilmember Skinner also expressed concerns but voted in favor).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Stephanie Andres (resident) spoke against the consent agenda item (Newtown Park clubhouse), arguing it failed to fulfill the original vision of a holistic veterans' support facility. She urged the council to prioritize veterans over entertainment.
- Mark Onders (resident) criticized past city projects (boardwalk, amphitheater, City Hall) for cost overruns and poor execution. He argued the clubhouse and other projects lack proper planning and would drain city resources.
- Later public comment: Mr. Onders returned, asserting that the council's inability to agree on the makerspace proves they should not manage a performing arts center bond referendum. He accused the council of naivety and urged them to stick to core services (roads, lights).
- Another speaker expressed appreciation for moving forward with the makerspace, highlighting the need for robotics team practice space and noting that the Northview Techno Titans have had to travel to Marietta for facilities.
Discussion Items
- Recognition of JCATS: The Johns Creek Aquatic Team (JCATS) received recognition for achievements at state championships, including multiple first-place finishes and a medley relay win.
- Manager's Monthly Report (July): City Manager Greer highlighted: July 4th event attendance (12,000–15,000); public safety recruitment (5 firefighter recruits, 4 police cadets); construction of Fire Station 63 and Police South substation; economic development (120 business visits); recreation programs; and transportation grants (GDOT $134,000 safety action plan, USDOT $12.8 million for Old Alabama Road bridges). Councilmember Coughlin questioned neutrality of FAQ questions on the performing arts center bond referendum; Manager Greer offered to adjust wording in coordination with the city attorney.
- Resolution R2025-08-21 – Appointment to Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee: Council unanimously approved the appointment of Elizabeth Burton.
- Cauley Creek Makerspace Construction Contract (Item M.2): Assistant City Manager Haggard presented an addendum for a new building with HVAC, costing $400,000 additional (total ~$2.4M). Council debated: supporters cited efficiency and long-term savings; opponents raised concerns about higher cost per square foot, unanswered operational questions, and the design-build process. A motion to approve passed 4–3 (Councilmembers Coughlin, Elwood, Tunkey, and Mayor Bradbury in favor; Councilmembers Aramelli, DiBiase, and Skinner opposed).
Key Outcomes
- Minutes: Approved unanimously (July 28, 2025 work session and council meeting).
- Agenda: Approved as presented.
- Newtown Park Clubhouse: Consent agenda approved (1 opposed).
- RPAC Appointment: Elizabeth Burton appointed unanimously.
- Cauley Creek Makerspace Contract: Approved 4–3.
- Executive Session: Council adjourned to executive session to discuss land and legal matters, then returned and adjourned the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you, Mayor. We're recording. Just want to welcome everybody to this meeting of the Johns Creek City Council. I'd like to call us to order this August 11, 2025 at 708. Thank you. At this time, I'll call roll. Please. Councilmember Tunkey? Here. Councilmember Skinner. Your Councilmember Aramelli. President. Councilmember Coughlin. Physically present. Councilmember DBLC. President. Councilmember Alwin here. Thank you, Mayor. We have a quorum this evening. Fantastic. Next item. The next item, I believe we have two scouts in the House from Troop 2000. Come forward and lead us in the pledge. If everyone would please stand. If you're so inclined, hand over your heart. Please remove all non-religious headgear and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Well done, thank you. Yeah, and just briefly want to just give you a quick update. So if you live in Roswell or Alpharetta or Duluth, according to the post office, but you're obviously you're in Johns Creek. There's hope that maybe that'll change to where Johns Creek will be the preferred last line, that city name. It's looking hopeful. And then the other thing is that it was an eventful uh week last week at the Fulton County Commission. Uh two things. The commission did vote to uh not raise the millet rate, so that was positive. And then it was very nice. Uh Commissioner Bridget Thorne uh celebrated the City of Johns Creek on us being named number one best city uh to live in. And that is a congratulations and thank you to you and all the kids here. So give yourself a big round of applause. And with that, next item. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is the minutes. You have July 28th work session and council meeting minutes before you anybody with a motion. I make a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Okay. Thank you, Councilmember Air Melly, and I believe that's a second by the mayor pro tem. I'll take that. Uh Dillop Tunkey. Uh any discussion on the motion.
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