Johns Creek City Council Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Johns Creek City Council met on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 7:12 PM. Roll call established a quorum with Mayor Bradbury, Mayor Pro Tem Tunkey, Councilmembers Coughlin, DeBiasi, Elwood, and Skinner present (Councilmember Aramilly absent). The meeting included recognitions, public comments, a manager's report, and a public hearing on a zoning request that was approved.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The November 3, 2025 work session summary and council meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda Items: Two items were approved without discussion: (1) Ordinance O2025-11-30 amending the FY26 budget for police department vehicle replacement; (2) Annual right-of-way dedication and final plat ratification.

Presentations

• Town Center Awards Recognition: City Manager Greer presented three awards for the Johns Creek Town Center project: (1) International Economic Development Council Excellence Award for real estate development and reuse; (2) Atlanta Regional Commission Regional Excellence Award; (3) Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit (MARS) Redevelopment Project of the Year for the boardwalk park. Staff members Kim Alons, Ben Song, Ruchi Argowil, and Chris Haggard were recognized.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Fitzgerald: Expressed relief that the election was over and urged the council to focus on unity and avoid divisive baggage. He cited the city's top rankings and achievements, concluding with "Don't screw it up."
• Christine Corrigan (28-year Medlock Bridge resident): Congratulated re-elected incumbents but criticized the negative campaign tactics, alleging involvement of former Mayor Mike Bodker. She urged the council to work cohesively and independently rather than be manipulated.
• Kim Corda: Alleged that her backyard was turned into a detention pond due to an illegally destroyed stormwater structure on HOA common property, partially by then-council member John Bradbury. She argued the city is violating its own Stormwater Utility Ordinance (Section 1.12) by failing to enforce maintenance and abatement. She called for consistent enforcement.
• Savannah Poliniak (Taylor Road Middle School): Invited the community to an e-bike and e-scooter safety event on December 2, 2025, from 6:30–7:30 PM at Taylor Road Middle School, partnering with Emory Johns Creek, CHOA, and Johns Creek Police Department.
• Ms. Pickens: Advocated for a separate, secure police department building, noting that the police currently share space with City Hall, lack in-house dispatch and jail, and have the lowest officer pay in the area. She suggested the six-acre lot across the street as a potential location.
• Ms. Pickens (later in second public comment): Expressed sadness over the upcoming retirements of the fire chief (January) and deputy police chief (moving to Woodstock), and requested proper recognition for their service.

Discussion Items

• Manager's Monthly Report (October 2025): City Manager Greer highlighted achievements aligned with five strategic priorities: (1) Arts & Culture: Diwali event with thousands of attendees; (2) Public Safety: Record-setting Trunk or Treat turnout, fire prevention community safety day with Home Depot, Faith in Blue ceremony; (3) Economic Development: Inaugural Vitals & Ventures life sciences panel at Emory Johns Creek; (4) Recreation & Parks: 100 volunteers planted 10,000 bulbs; (5) Transportation & Connectivity: Beautification along Jones Bridge corridor. Council praised the new Power BI financial dashboard and requested continued improvements.
• ChatCom / Northview High School Incident: Councilmember Skinner asked about a medical incident. City Manager reported that the ChatCom call was answered in under 10 seconds, dispatched within 60 seconds, fire department on scene in 7.5 minutes, and AMR ambulance within 14.5 minutes—all within service level agreements. The patient received extended on-field care before transport, which was appropriate.
• Boardwalk Park Construction: Councilmember DeBiasi noted removal of fencing and staging area. City Manager confirmed that construction remains on schedule for summer 2026 opening, with a soft target for an event at the North Pond in late spring. The reduced footprint reflects construction efficiency, not completion.
• Literary Fair: Council members praised the successful literary fair held in partnership with Arts on the Creek, noting former Governor Deal's attendance and increased indoor author talks.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Consent Agenda and minutes (unanimous).
• Approval of Zoning Request RZ-25-0002 and concurrent variances VC-25-0010 and VC-25-0011: The council approved an ordinance to rezone 11300 Johns Creek Parkway from M1A (Industrial Park District) to OI (Office Institutional District) to allow two private colleges (Virginia University of Integrative Medicine and Ivy College) to use an existing office building. The concurrent variances reduce required parking from 77 to 60 spaces and allow the existing parking lot to encroach into front and side corner yard setbacks due to the zoning change. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval; the commission had deleted condition six (right-of-way acquisition) as the city already acquired the land for the roundabout intersection project. Councilmember Coughlin made the motion, seconded by Councilmember DeBiasi, and all present voted in favor. The colleges will occupy suites 100 and 300 (11,059 sq ft) and will result in an estimated 86 fewer daily vehicle trips compared to previous office use. The Virginia University of Integrative Medicine operates in Duluth but will use this as a second Georgia location.
• Executive Session: Council voted to enter executive session for land, legal, and personnel matters (one land, two legal, one personnel). Returned and adjourned without further public action.
• Meeting Adjourned: Following executive session and a motion by Councilmember Elwood, the meeting adjourned.