Kennesaw City Council Regular Meeting – October 19, 2026

The Kennesaw City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers at 2529 J.O. Stephenson Avenue, Kennesaw, GA. Mayor Derek Easterling presided. Councilmembers Madelyn Orochena, Marty Hughes, Jonathon Bothers, Antonio Jones, and Anthony Gutierrez-Leon were present, along with Interim City Manager Tracey Viars and City Clerk Lea Alvarez. The council approved road closures for the Taste of Kennesaw festival, accepted the September 2026 crime statistics, approved a resignation, and entered executive session.

Consent Calendar

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included the September 28, 2026 work session minutes, the September 28, 2026 executive session minutes, and the October 5, 2026 regular meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

The first public comment period, for items on the agenda, had no speakers.

• Andrew Bram of 2929 Summerfield gave remarks about an upcoming local cemetery tour, noting that tickets were still available and that this year's tour, tied to America's 250 celebration, would include historical figures such as Joanna Vaboots, whose land later became part of Kennesaw State University.
• Carlene Friedschall of 2549 Park Drive expressed concern about dangerous e-bike riding in Kennesaw. She described a near-miss with a father and two children, cited a reported e-bike accident at the corner of Highway 41 and Giles, and asked the city to take action, possibly with Cobb County.
• Sam Rush of 2459 Pine Drive Northwest made a lengthy statement criticizing city leadership and staff. Rush alleged that Woodland Park was missing from the 2026 Parks and Recreation playbook, questioned the competence of Parks and Recreation Director Bill McNair, and questioned the funding source for new Woodland Park amenities. Rush also claimed a five-month shortfall in the city's reserve budget, said Mr. Hughes laughed at a request for a 'breathe easy tobacco free' sign, and accused the city of selectively enforcing its tobacco-free policy. Rush reported illegal dumping by former neighbors, specifically the True family, in woods between Dobbs Drive and Shady Lane and into a stream flowing to Butler Creek. Rush complained about FOIA costs, including $705 billed by the city attorney at $159 per hour for 265 minutes to review the mayor's handwritten notes from April 13 through September 21, compared with about $150 for an unredacted email marked attorney-client privilege. Rush also said council members had been instructed not to engage residents, accused the mayor of serving a personal agenda, and expressed gratitude for the new Woodland Park amenities while describing a recent trip to Washington, D.C. to speak with the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Committee and Board Reports

Anna Trapp, assistant to the city manager, presented the road closure request for the 2026 Taste of Kennesaw Festival, submitted by the Kennesaw Business Association. The requested closures would run from Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11:00 PM through Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM on Cherokee Street from Main Street to Shirley Drive and Big Shanty Drive; Main Street from Summer Street to Lewis Street; J.O. Stephenson Avenue from Little General Cloggers Lane to Main Street; and Watts Drive from Little General Cloggers Lane to Main Street. The events committee reviewed the application and recommended approval. The council voted 5-0 to approve the road closures as presented.

Public Safety and Crime Statistics

Staff presented the September 2026 crime statistics. Reported offenses for the month included 4 aggravated assaults, 3 burglaries, 33 drug offenses, 2 extortions, 19 fraud offenses, 14 intimidations, 2 kidnappings, 3 larceny/theft offenses, 1 motor vehicle theft, 3 obscene material cases, 2 robberies, 3 sex offenses, 14 simple assaults, 7 vandalism offenses, and 4 weapons offenses, with zero reports in categories including arson, homicide, and stolen property. A supplemental chart referenced in the transcript appeared to be labeled 'Just September 2025,' an apparent transcription inconsistency; it reported 1,387 self-initiated activities, 537 citations, 474 warnings, 98 arrests, and 110 auto accidents. The council voted 5-0 to accept the September 2026 crime statistics.

Other Actions

The transcript records a unanimous 5-0 vote to accept the resignation of Sheb True from the sister city. No preceding discussion of this item was captured in the transcript.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the Taste of Kennesaw road closures (5-0).
• Approved the consent agenda minutes (unanimous).
• Accepted the September 2026 crime statistics (5-0).
• Accepted the resignation of Sheb True from the sister city (5-0).
• Voted 5-0 to enter executive session to discuss legal matters and, after returning to open session, voted to direct officers to execute an affidavit under O.C.G.A. 50-14-4 and to ratify closed-session actions as permitted by the Open Meetings Act.