Johns Creek City Council Meeting - March 30, 2026

The Johns Creek City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 7:07 PM at 11360 Lakefield Drive. The meeting covered consent agenda items, presentations, public comments, reports, a zoning text amendment, and an executive session. Council unanimously approved all consent items and the zoning amendment, while hearing public concerns about street lighting and excessive vehicle noise.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance O2026-03-04: Amended the Boards, Commissions, and Committees code. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution R2026-03-08: Revised stormwater service fee rates based on an inflation index. Approved unanimously.
• Action Item: Approved supplemental agreements with the National Parks Service for the Chattahoochee Greenway (projects PI 0017815 and PI 0019640). Approved unanimously.
• Action Item: Adopted the 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chloe Choi (student, Northview High School) spoke in support of improved street lighting, particularly on Abbots Bridge Road (GA 120). She cited safety concerns for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and recommended upgrading to brighter, energy-efficient LED lighting.
• A resident from the Country Club of the South (parent of two autistic children) spoke in opposition to excessive vehicle noise from a neighbor revving his car late at night, which began in August 2025 and worsened. She described the impact on her family, noted previous intervention by police (muffler change) was only temporary, and requested enforceable measures. She provided a recording of the noise to council.

Presentations

• Quarterly Scout Recognition: Council recognized Eagle Scout Aryesh Muslagonker (Troop 2000, Northview High School) for leading the construction of six benches with gravel borders at Shakerag Park.
• Oath of Office – Associate Judge: Judge Jenny Nguyen was sworn in as Municipal Court Associate Judge.
• Oath of Office – Chief Judge: Judge Donald Schaefer was sworn in as Municipal Court Chief Judge. Chief Judge Schaefer noted he has been with the city since before it had a police department.

Reports

• FY2025 Audit Presentation (J.1): Finance Director (Ms. Hora) presented the audit, stating the city received an unmodified (clean) opinion. Key figures:
  • Operating surplus of approximately $1.2 million, increasing the general fund unassigned fund balance to about $29 million.
  • $4 million allocated as placeholder for capital projects contingency.
  • Net position reported at $480 million.
  • Council discussed fund balance trends, the 25% reserve policy (covering three months of operating expenditures), a new GASB accounting standard for compensated absences ($1.6 million adjustment), and the Chatcom joint venture (noted as not a cash flow loss). The auditor Josh Carroll (Walden and Jenkins) answered technical questions.
• Manager’s Monthly Report (J.2): City Manager Greer highlighted:
  • Arts & Culture: Lunar New Year event; ground-penetrating radar at the cemetery found 177 probable unmarked burial sites inside the fenced area, none outside.
  • Public Safety: All four probationary firefighters passed the National Advanced EMT exam (100% pass rate vs. 70% national fail rate).
  • Economic Development: Ribbon cuttings for Piedmont Cancer Institute and Whataburger.
  • Recreation & Parks: Basketball court renovation at Newtown Park completed and reopened.
  • Transportation: Progress on six major road projects—Abbott’s Bridge (retaining wall done, northern bridge span started), Barnwell (utility relocations begun), Bice Road Bridge (demolition starting, detour in effect), Johns Creek Parkway (raised median installation), Jones Bridge (utility work), and McGuinness Ferry (waterline tie-ins, fiber installation next).

Discussion Items

• Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment A-26-001 (M.1): Director Song presented a council-initiated amendment to allow replacement of chain-link fencing adjacent to public rights-of-way when impacted by city or state road projects, and to codify fence permit requirements. Key changes:
  • Section 4.11: Allows replacement of chain-link fencing (black or hunter green vinyl-coated) when impacted by a road project.
  • Section 12E.3: Conforming language for same replacement.
  • Permit requirement codified: permits needed only for fences adjacent to right-of-way, within stream buffers, or the 2000-foot Chattahoochee River Corridor.
  • Planning Commission recommended approval with an amendment clarifying that new fences may incorporate up to three strands of barbed wire (existing provision).
  • Public hearing opened and closed with no speakers.
  • Council discussion clarified gate setback requirements (20 feet from right-of-way for emergency vehicle access) and barbed-wire provisions.
  • Motion to approve as presented (including Planning Commission language) carried unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (all four items) unanimously.
• Eagle Scout recognition and judicial oaths administered.
• FY2025 audit accepted with clean opinion; council noted strong financial position but asked for follow-up on Chatcom details and fund balance trends.
• Manager’s report received; council appreciated updates on community events and capital projects.
• Zoning text amendment approved unanimously (motion by Councilmember Coughlin, seconded by Councilmember Aramelli).
• Executive session held to discuss two land matters and two personnel matters; no actions taken in open session following the closed session.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 PM.

Note: The meeting took place on March 30, 2026, starting at 7:07 PM. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise stated.