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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Kennesaw City Council Meeting — November 17, 2025: Proclamations, Donations, and Unanimous Approvals

City Council — Monday, November 17, 2025

BodyKennesaw, Georgia

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, November 17, 2025

StatusFILED

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Speaker 1

4:09

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

4:11

Welcome to this regularly scheduled council meeting for Monday, November seventeenth, twenty twenty-five.

4:18

If you would please stand for the invication and the pledge following.

5:03

Tell them who you are.

5:05

Our pledge tonight was delivered by Sergeant Adams and he.

Unassigned speaker

5:09

How

Speaker 1

5:10

long you been here?

5:29

Thank you.

5:30

It may be B team.

5:33

It may be B team, but all the guys are number one in our hearts.

Unassigned speaker

5:39

All

Speaker 2

5:39

right, we've

Speaker 1

5:40

got a

Speaker 2

5:40

few proclamations.

Speaker 1

5:42

If you're gonna be uh testifying tonight, or if you're gonna be speaking for any reason, if you would please stand to be sworn in by our city attorney.

Speaker 2

5:51

Yes, anyone who be might be making a presentation or comment this evening, please stand and raise your right hand.

5:57

Do you swear or a phone that the presentation you'll be making before this council this evening will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

6:03

If so say I do.

6:05

Thank you.

6:05

You may be seated.

Speaker 1

6:14

Yes, sir.

6:14

And you're first up, so if you'd like to come up here, I have a proclamation for you.

Unassigned speaker

6:24

I'd like to read come on up.

Speaker 1

6:26

I'd like to read that proclamation.

Speaker 3

6:32

Oh,

Speaker 1

6:33

he may save

Unassigned speaker

6:34

you.

Unassigned speaker

6:35

I've been tagged.

Speaker 1

6:44

I don't know how this is gonna work.

6:45

It's going into corral here.

6:46

Yes, sir.

6:47

We're gonna be corralling everybody right here, going to corral their attention.

6:50

Oh, right.

6:53

I'm outstanding and blessed.

6:54

Yes.

6:55

And if you would, we'll just stand right here and we'll we can turn around and I can face the audience.

7:03

Oh, okay.

Speaker 4

7:05

We have one dismissed, and so they won't be here.

Speaker 1

7:07

Okay, I'm sorry to hear

Unassigned speaker

7:09

that.

Speaker 1

7:10

Um recognizing Kennesaw alumni of Lemon Street School, Marietta, whereas opening in 1894, the original wood frame structure of the Lemon Street Grammar School was funded by Marietta School Board for the education of African American students.

7:29

And whereas in the 1940s, the original building fell into disrepair,

Unassigned speaker

7:35

and

Speaker 1

7:35

the Marietta City School System allocated bond money for the construction of a modern brick school, completed in 1951.

7:45

Constructed at a cost of a hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the new Lemon Street Elementary School had 12 classrooms, indoor hallways, and a cafeteria.

Unassigned speaker

7:58

And

Speaker 1

7:58

whereas Lemon Street students came from communities throughout Cobb County, including the city of Kennesaw.

8:04

Alumni and families included but are not limited to Mayzel Hill, Patricia Hill, Odine Allen, Juanita Byrd, Thomas and Mary Jackson, the Bennets, Gladys Bennett, John Hill, Marvin Hill, D.

8:21

Daniel Jr., Michelle Bostick, the Johnsons, and Rosa Miller.

8:27

And whereas following integration in 1967, Lemon Street Elementary became Eastside Elementary, then Central Elementary, before closing in 1971.

8:40

Whereas over the next 40 years, the building served as a community center and the Hattie G.

8:46

Wilson Library, named after the beloved library manager, and recognizing the site's irreplaceable culture and historic significance in 2020, Marietta School, City Schools committed to a major renovation project, restoring the site to its original purpose as an education institution, now housing non-traditional academic programs for middle and high school students.

9:19

Now, therefore, we the mayor and city council of the city of Kennesaw, Georgia, do hereby recognize Kennesaw alumni and the Marietta City School System for their dedication and contributions in making a difference in overcoming the challenge of segregation and for their lasting impact in advancing educational equity and opportunity for all students.

9:41

Congratulations.

Unassigned speaker

10:00

Now I yield the floor for a couple of I I just want to say this about one of the students.

Speaker 5

10:04

Juanita, Daniels for my wife, and she left to 10th of November 2022.

10:17

We would have been married 78 years, I think I was right.

10:26

That's a big story behind all of

Unassigned speaker

10:30

it.

Speaker 5

10:30

I finished school in uh Canton, Georgia.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Community Engagement████████████████████████████28%

Procedural██████████████████████████26%

Historic Preservation█████████████████████21%

Public Safety█████████9%

Personnel Matters██████6%

Economic Development██████6%

Parks and Recreation████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Kennesaw City Council Meeting — November 17, 2025

The Kennesaw City Council met at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025, in Council Chambers at 2529 J.O. Stephenson Avenue, Kennesaw, Georgia. Mayor Derek Easterling presided, with Councilmembers Pat Ferris, Madelyn Orochena, Tracey Viars, Antonio Jones, and Anthony Gutierrez-Leon present. City Manager Jeff Drobney and City Attorney Sam Hensley Jr. were also present. The meeting featured proclamations, a donation presentation, the Kennesaw 101 graduation, approval of a consent agenda, and a public works resolution. No public hearings were held, and the meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

Presentations & Recognitions

Lemon Street School Alumni Proclamation: Mayor Easterling presented a proclamation recognizing Kennesaw alumni of Marietta's Lemon Street School, which opened in 1894 to serve African American students, closed in 1971, was renovated in 2020, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One alumnus shared a personal story about meeting his late wife at the school and expressed gratitude.
North Cobb Rotary AED Donation: Assistant City Manager Marty Hughes accepted a $1,850 donation from North Cobb Rotary toward an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Parks & Recreation. Representatives Dave Schwickerath, Deborah Morton, and Lao Rimanelli presented the check. The AED will be carried by city staff during public events to enable rapid response to cardiac emergencies. (The minutes contain an apparent typo referring to the 'North Cobb Notary' in one council report; all other references identify North Cobb Rotary.)
Richard Blevins Honor: Mayor Easterling recognized attorney Richard Blevins for 13 years of service on the Kennesaw Development Authority (KDA), including 10 years as chair and the longest KDA tenure in history. The Mayor highlighted Blevins' education, law enforcement and military background, and his role guiding the city's development.
Kennesaw 101 Graduation: Anna Trapp and Mayor Easterling presented certificates to the 10 graduates of the 2025 Kennesaw 101 Citizens Government Academy. Graduates were praised for their questions and engagement.

Consent Calendar

The Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included the October 27, 2025 work session minutes and the November 3, 2025 regular meeting minutes. The motion was made by Councilmember Viars, seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez-Leon, and passed 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

No comments were made during the agenda-item public comment period.
During general public comment, Andrew Bramlett shared local history about Esther Jaunita Roberts, a veteran buried in Kennesaw City Cemetery. He said she became the first female senior guidance counselor in the U.S. Army Recruiting Command; he also stated she served 20 years and reached the rank of sergeant major, and noted an unverified obituary claim that she was at one time the highest-ranking female officer in the U.S. military.

Discussion Items & Resolutions

Resolution 2025-73 – Adams Park Baseball and Softball Electrical Service Upgrade: The Council considered awarding the electrical services project at Adams Park to Allstar Lighting and Electrical Services, Inc. City staff described it as continuing work to clean up and make safer electrical panels near bleachers, following earlier approved work on fields 5 and 6. The motion by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Orochena, passed unanimously 5-0.

City Manager's Report

City Manager Jeff Drobney invited Kennesaw 101 graduates to share takeaways from the course. Graduates said they learned how to get involved in the community, that there are many board and commission openings, and that they appreciated presentations including the 911 dispatch center, GIS construction map, economic development, Police Chief Westenberger, and the City Manager. One graduate mentioned an upcoming pollinator garden at Swift-Cantrell Park.

Council Reports & Discussions

Councilmember Ferris congratulated graduates and thanked them for asking thought-provoking questions.
Councilmember Jones wished veterans a happy Veterans Day, appreciated the Police Department's recognition of officers' military service, and expressed interest in seeing veterans recognized citywide.
Councilmember Gutierrez-Leon congratulated graduates, thanked North Cobb Rotary for the AED donation, noted as an EMT that AEDs save lives, and wished his wife a happy birthday.
Councilmember Orochena praised the 2025 Kennesaw 101 class and reported that the holiday market at the community center was well attended.
Councilmember Viars encouraged graduates to 'get involved and stay involved,' and highlighted the Reformation Brewery groundbreaking in downtown Kennesaw and the future opening of Smash Hit Burger in the former location of The Nest.

Key Outcomes

The consent agenda was approved unanimously, 5-0.
Resolution 2025-73 was approved unanimously, 5-0.
No executive session was held. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m.; the next work session is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to this regularly scheduled council meeting for Monday, November seventeenth, twenty twenty-five. If you would please stand for the invication and the pledge following. Tell them who you are. Our pledge tonight was delivered by Sergeant Adams and he. How long you been here? Thank you. It may be B team. It may be B team, but all the guys are number one in our hearts. All right, we've got a few proclamations. If you're gonna be uh testifying tonight, or if you're gonna be speaking for any reason, if you would please stand to be sworn in by our city attorney. Yes, anyone who be might be making a presentation or comment this evening, please stand and raise your right hand. Do you swear or a phone that the presentation you'll be making before this council this evening will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If so say I do. Thank you. You may be seated. Yes, sir. And you're first up, so if you'd like to come up here, I have a proclamation for you. I'd like to read come on up. I'd like to read that proclamation. Oh, he may save you. I've been tagged. I don't know how this is gonna work. It's going into corral here. Yes, sir. We're gonna be corralling everybody right here, going to corral their attention. Oh, right. I'm outstanding and blessed. Yes. And if you would, we'll just stand right here and we'll we can turn around and I can face the audience. Oh, okay. We have one dismissed, and so they won't be here. Okay, I'm sorry to hear that. Um recognizing Kennesaw alumni of Lemon Street School, Marietta, whereas opening in 1894, the original wood frame structure of the Lemon Street Grammar School was funded by Marietta School Board for the education of African American students. And whereas in the 1940s, the original building fell into disrepair, and the Marietta City School System allocated bond money for the construction of a modern brick school, completed in 1951. Constructed at a cost of a hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the new Lemon Street Elementary School had 12 classrooms, indoor hallways, and a cafeteria. And whereas Lemon Street students came from communities throughout Cobb County, including the city of Kennesaw. Alumni and families included but are not limited to Mayzel Hill, Patricia Hill, Odine Allen, Juanita Byrd, Thomas and Mary Jackson, the Bennets, Gladys Bennett, John Hill, Marvin Hill, D. Daniel Jr., Michelle Bostick, the Johnsons, and Rosa Miller. And whereas following integration in 1967, Lemon Street Elementary became Eastside Elementary, then Central Elementary, before closing in 1971.

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TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
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Kennesaw City Council Meeting — November 17, 2025

Presentations & Recognitions

Lemon Street School Alumni Proclamation: Mayor Easterling presented a proclamation recognizing Kennesaw alumni of Marietta's Lemon Street School, which opened in 1894 to serve African American students, closed in 1971, was renovated in 2020, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One alumnus shared a personal story about meeting his late wife at the school and expressed gratitude.

North Cobb Rotary AED Donation: Assistant City Manager Marty Hughes accepted a $1,850 donation from North Cobb Rotary toward an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Parks & Recreation. Representatives Dave Schwickerath, Deborah Morton, and Lao Rimanelli presented the check. The AED will be carried by city staff during public events to enable rapid response to cardiac emergencies. (The minutes contain an apparent typo referring to the 'North Cobb Notary' in one council report; all other references identify North Cobb Rotary.)

Richard Blevins Honor: Mayor Easterling recognized attorney Richard Blevins for 13 years of service on the Kennesaw Development Authority (KDA), including 10 years as chair and the longest KDA tenure in history. The Mayor highlighted Blevins' education, law enforcement and military background, and his role guiding the city's development.

Kennesaw 101 Graduation: Anna Trapp and Mayor Easterling presented certificates to the 10 graduates of the 2025 Kennesaw 101 Citizens Government Academy. Graduates were praised for their questions and engagement.

Consent Calendar

The Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included the October 27, 2025 work session minutes and the November 3, 2025 regular meeting minutes. The motion was made by Councilmember Viars, seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez-Leon, and passed 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

No comments were made during the agenda-item public comment period.

During general public comment, Andrew Bramlett shared local history about Esther Jaunita Roberts, a veteran buried in Kennesaw City Cemetery. He said she became the first female senior guidance counselor in the U.S. Army Recruiting Command; he also stated she served 20 years and reached the rank of sergeant major, and noted an unverified obituary claim that she was at one time the highest-ranking female officer in the U.S. military.

Discussion Items & Resolutions

Resolution 2025-73 – Adams Park Baseball and Softball Electrical Service Upgrade: The Council considered awarding the electrical services project at Adams Park to Allstar Lighting and Electrical Services, Inc. City staff described it as continuing work to clean up and make safer electrical panels near bleachers, following earlier approved work on fields 5 and 6. The motion by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Orochena, passed unanimously 5-0.

City Manager's Report

City Manager Jeff Drobney invited Kennesaw 101 graduates to share takeaways from the course. Graduates said they learned how to get involved in the community, that there are many board and commission openings, and that they appreciated presentations including the 911 dispatch center, GIS construction map, economic development, Police Chief Westenberger, and the City Manager. One graduate mentioned an upcoming pollinator garden at Swift-Cantrell Park.

Council Reports & Discussions

Councilmember Ferris congratulated graduates and thanked them for asking thought-provoking questions.

Councilmember Jones wished veterans a happy Veterans Day, appreciated the Police Department's recognition of officers' military service, and expressed interest in seeing veterans recognized citywide.

Councilmember Gutierrez-Leon congratulated graduates, thanked North Cobb Rotary for the AED donation, noted as an EMT that AEDs save lives, and wished his wife a happy birthday.

Councilmember Orochena praised the 2025 Kennesaw 101 class and reported that the holiday market at the community center was well attended.

Councilmember Viars encouraged graduates to 'get involved and stay involved,' and highlighted the Reformation Brewery groundbreaking in downtown Kennesaw and the future opening of Smash Hit Burger in the former location of The Nest.

Key Outcomes

The consent agenda was approved unanimously, 5-0.

Resolution 2025-73 was approved unanimously, 5-0.

No executive session was held. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m.; the next work session is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Transcript