Johns Creek City Council Meeting - June 1, 2026

The Johns Creek City Council met on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 7:13 p.m. The meeting included approval of routine items, recognition of a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, a manager's report with updates on city projects, consideration of several ordinances and contracts, and a lengthy debate on ethics complaint procedures. Following an executive session, the council also approved three land acquisitions totaling over $8.6 million.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the May 11, 2026 work session summary and council meeting minutes (unanimous).
• Agenda Amendment: Removed Ordinance G.1 (Ethics Complaint Procedures) from the consent agenda to be considered separately; the amended agenda was approved (unanimous).
• Consent Items (as amended):
  • R2026-06-10 – Resolution supporting grant funding applications for previously authorized transportation projects through the Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2026 Transportation Improvement Program.
  • Action Item – Engineering contract with Barge Design Solutions for $143,312 for the Medlock Bridge Road Trail Project.
  • Action Item – Project Framework Agreement with GDOT to accept federal Transportation Alternative funds for engineering of the Medlock Bridge Road Trail Project. All consent items were approved unanimously.

Presentations

• Quarterly Scout Recognition: Stuti Mohan (Troop 14457), a recent graduate of Chattahoochee High School, was recognized for earning the Girl Scouts Gold Award. Her project, "Literary Lullabies," distributed 828 books and educated approximately 3,000 people about early childhood literacy in multiple locations, including Johns Creek, South Fulton, India, and Germany.

Public Comments

• No public comments were made during either of the two public comment periods.

Manager's Monthly Report

• City Manager Chris Greer presented the April 2026 report, highlighting progress across the city's five strategic priorities:
  • Arts & Culture: Successful Easter Bunny Hop, art classes with the Art Center of Johns Creek, and a trip to Trillis Studios.
  • Public Safety: Continued training for fire and police; municipal court's driver program; both EMROC and Chatcom (911 dispatch) met contractual service metrics.
  • Economic Development: Boehringer Ingelheim's large office complex at Medley remains on schedule for a ribbon cutting in August.
  • Recreation & Parks: Safety netting installed at OC Park; cricket batting cages renovation completed; OC tennis courts renovation underway.
  • Transportation & Connectivity: Six major road construction projects advancing (Abbott's Bridge, Barnwell Road/Niblack, Bice Road Bridge replacement, Johns Creek Parkway, Jones Bridge Road at Sergeant, and McGinnis Ferry Road). Detailed updates were provided for each project.
• Councilmembers praised the staff's efforts, particularly the successful bulky recycling event on May 30 (held in partnership with Keep North Fulton Beautiful). Council also noted the financial report showing revenue trending about $1.1 million above budget, with sales tax exceeding projections. The city manager confirmed monitoring of revenue sources but said things are trending well.

Discussion Items

Bail Bonding Ordinance (M.1)

• Proposal: Ordinance O2026-06-10 amending Chapter 26 (Municipal Court), Article III (Bail) regarding bonding requirements. Chief Mitchell explained the update was needed to allow Forsyth County bonding companies to operate in Johns Creek if the IGA (M.2) was approved.
• Councilmember Aramelli thanked Chief Mitchell for providing an alternative to the existing jail arrangement.
• Vote: Motion by Councilmember Tunkey, second by Councilmember Kaufman; passed unanimously.

Intergovernmental Agreement with Forsyth County for Jail Use (M.2)

• Proposal: Authorize an IGA with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office for use of their jail, replacing the current arrangement with the Albertville jail. Chief Mitchell noted the IGA was still under review by Forsyth County, with material terms agreed upon.
• Councilmember Elwood moved to adopt the IGA on general substantive terms as set forth, with final form to be approved by the city attorney. Seconded by Councilmember Skinner.
• Councilmember Aramelli and Councilmember Coughlin expressed strong support, highlighting the partnership with Sheriff Freeman and the benefits for police efficiency and community outcomes.
• Vote: Passed unanimously.

Main Roads Resurfacing Contract (M.3)

• Proposal: Award a construction contract to Allied Paving Contractors,Inc. for $1,522,563 for 2026 main roads resurfacig and patching (McGinns Ferry Road from Johns Creek Parkway to St. Marlow and Bellcrest Drive; VFun Road between Jnes Bridge Road and Old Alabma Road, excluding the bridg replacement section; and patching on seven other roads). Also a CEI task order with Low Engineering for $77,140.
• Councilmember Coughlin moved approval, seconded by Councilmember DeBiasi.
• Vote: Passed unanimously.

Ethics Complaint Procedures Ordinance (G.1)

• Proposal: Ordinance O2026-06-09 amending Article IX, Code of Ethics, Chapter 2, Administration, concerning ethics complaint procedures.
• Councilmember Aramelli offered a motion to change the requirement for rejecting a hearing officer's findings from a simple majority to a supermajority (at least five council members). He argued this would prevent political weaponization and protect the integrity of the process, comparing it to the U.S. Senate's supermajority for impeachment.
• Councilmember DeBiasi attempted to amend the motion to also require a supermajority for accepting a recommendation to initiate removal proceedings, but the amendment lacked a second.
• Debate: Several councilmembers spoke: Councilmember Coughlin opposed the supermajority for findings, stating most major decisions (budget, contacts) are made by simple majority; Councilmember Skinner supported the supermajority to raise the burden of proof and reduce political use; Councilmember Elwood opposed because removal already requires a supermajority and the acceptance of findings as “grand jury” should be a lower bar. Councilmember Aramelli countered that the findings themselves must be protected from being overridden and replaced by a new investigation.
• Vote on Aramelli’s motion: Failed (apparently 3 in favor, 4 oppose – based on the transcript: “Aye. Aye. A.y. All those nay. Nay. I’m a nay. All right. Motion is defeted.” Then “Pss 4-3” on the original motion indicates the ayes for the supermajority were likely 3, nays 4).
• Councilmember Coughlin then moved adoption of the ordinance as presented (simple majority to reject findings). Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem.
• Councilmember Aramelli again spoke against, warning that future councils could pervert the process.
• Vote: Passed 4-3 (Councilmembers Coughlin, Skinner, Elwood, and likely one other in favor; Aramelli, DeBiasi, Tunkey oppose? The transcript says “Pass 43” – meaning 4 ayes, 3 nays).

Executive Session and Land Acquisitions

• The council moved into executive session to discuss “land, legal, and/or personnel matters.” After returning, they voted to amend the agenda to add three land acquisition items.
• Land Acquisition 1: Authorize purchase and sale agreement with Estate of Mildred Marion Moore for 9110 Medlock Bridge Road (5.77 acres) for $2,000,000. Councilmember Kaufman emphasized the property's historical significance (site of the Medloc Bridge Ferry). Councilmember Coughlin supported. Vote: 4-3 (passed).
• Land Acquisition 2: Authorize purchase and sale agreement with William George Verner Sr. and David Howard Werner for 8940 Medlock Bridge Road (4.3 acres) for $800,000. Councilmember Kaufman noted it is adjoining the Mildred Medlock property, providing better access. Vote: 4-3 (passed).
• Land Acquisition 3: Authorize purchase and sale agreement with H Farm LLC for 10275 Jones Bridge Road (15.38 acres) for $5,800,000. Councilmember Kaufman said the city is “land poor” and this parcel offers flexibility. Councilmember Aramelli and Councilmember DeBiasi opposed, citing unused land at Cauley Creek and questioning financial prudence. Councilmember Coughlin also opposed, preferring to consolidate projects at Cauley Creek. Vote: 4-3 (passed).

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Calender: Minutes, grant resolution, Medloc Bridge Trail engineering contract, and GDOT Project Framework Agreement (all unanimous).
• Approved Bail Bonding Ordinance (M.1): Unanimous.
• Approved IGA with Forsyth County for Jail Use (M.2): Unanimous.
• Approved Main Roads Resurfacing Contract (M.3): Unanimous.
• Approved Ethics Complaint Procedures Ordinance (G.1): Passed 4-3.
• Approved Land Acquisition 1 (9110 Medlock Bridge Rd, 5.77 acres, $2M): Passed 4-3.
• Approved Land Acquisition 2 (8940 Medlock Bridge Rd, 4.3 acres, $800K): Passed 4-3.
• Approved Land Acquisition 3 (1027 Jons Bridge Rd, 15.38 acres, $5.8M): Passed 4-3.
• **Meeting ajurned at approximately [time not specified] after the land votes.