Macon-Bibb County Commission Council Meeting - November 18, 2025
Macon-Bibb County Commission Council Meeting - November 18, 2025
This joint session of the Pre-Commission and Regular Commission meetings on November 18, 2025, addressed licensing approvals, construction management contracts for a new arena, airport and park agreements, crime victim counseling funding, and a street dedication. The Pre-Commission meeting focused on agenda item reviews and public testimony regarding the new arena project, while the Regular Commission meeting officially adopted minutes, approved a consolidated consent agenda, and heard public comments on budget priorities and community accountability.
Consent Calendar
- Alcohol Licenses: Unanimous approval granted for Sony Gas Venture (4331 Pineona Ave), Reliance Food Mart (3609 Pineona Ave), and Quick Zip (3518 Jeffersonville Rd) following confirmation of tax payments or statutory compliance.
- Arena Construction Management: Approval of the resolution to authorize the Mayor to execute a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) agreement with Barton Malo Builders LLC for the new arena, including a pre-construction payment of up to $675,000 from the 2025 supplies fund.
- Airport Funding: Approval of a change order with Advent Business Interiors Inc. for $29,556.88 to purchase furniture for the Middle Georgia Regional Airport.
- Airport Consulting: Approval of a professional services agreement with Signal Aviation Consultants for $29,150 for air service consulting and data services.
- Park Lighting: Approval of an agreement with Middle Georgia Outdoor Lighting for $628,600 for the purchase and installation of lighting equipment at Caroline Creighton Park.
- Crime Victim Counseling: Unanimous approval of an appropriation of $50,000 from American Rescue Plan Act interest to the Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia.
- Street Dedication: Unanimous approval of the ordinance to dedicate a portion of Third Street between Popper Street and Cherry Street in honor of Joshua (Josh) Rogers, with funds up to $500 for signage.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ms. Ronaldo Scott: Expressed strong concern that neighborhood uplift and rebuilding funds are being overlooked. She criticized the current administration for mocking residents and refusing to attend neighborhood meetings. She emphasized that while crime and homelessness persist, the community shows more dedication to its children and neighborhoods than elected officials. She argued that leaders who remain silent on these issues dishonor the sacrifice of civil rights leaders who fought for the right to speak truth and demand justice.
- Mr. Donald Richardson: Submitted to provide grassroots reflections (transcript ends before specific testimony content is recorded).
Discussion Items
- Arena Project Presentation: Will Christenberry (MFA program management) presented Barton Malo Builders LLC as the selected Construction Manager at Risk. Key points included:
- Selection Process: Barton Malo scored highest among three finalists (including partnerships with Sheridan Construction and Turner/Piedmont) based on attention to detail, site knowledge, and commitment to the community.
- Experience: The firm has performed $3.4 billion in construction over the last five years, including major venues like the Chesapeake Employers Arena and Little Caesars Arena.
- Community Investment: Barton Malo and partner Sheridan Construction (78 years in Macon, SLBE certified) aim for 15% SLBE (Small, Local, and Minority Business Enterprises) inclusion, estimated to generate 300+ construction jobs and up to 500 total jobs in Macon.
- Technology: Utilization of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to prevent "clash" detection issues and 3D laser scanning for future maintenance.
- Timeline: Target completion in Q3 2028 (May/June 2028), though a similar project in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is scheduled for late 2027.
- Commissioner Questions: Commissioners inquired about SLBE participation percentages, the firm's capacity to handle multiple projects, arena seating capacity (aiming for 10,000), and the inclusion of breakout rooms for educational purposes.
- Family Counseling Center Testimony: Christy Henry, Executive Director, testified that the agency is on track for 1,200 clients and 4,500 sessions in 2025 (a 20% and 47% increase, respectively). She cited a projected 50% budget cut in 2026 due to funding decreases, which would severely impact services for victims of crime, including 30 clients affected by the recent triple homicide.
- Street Dedication: Mayor Pro Tem Court suggested that all commissioners sign the dedication ordinance to provide a record of support for the Rogers family five to ten years in the future.
Key Outcomes
- Arena Contract: Motion to approve the Barton Malo Builders CMAR agreement carried unanimously. The project is scheduled for completion in Q3 2028.
- Funding Approval: The $50,000 grant for the Family Counseling Center was approved unanimously.
- Consent Agenda: The full consent agenda (Items A through I) for the Regular Commission meeting was approved unanimously.
- Dedication: The dedication of Third Street was approved with a call for the family's support at a future unveiling ceremony.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everyone. Welcome to Making Bip County Board of Commissions Precommission. Today is Tuesday, November the eighteenth, and the time is now five o'clock. I'd like to welcome everyone here today, and we are excited that all of our commissioners are here and in their places on time today, along with the mayor and the rest of the staff. So the first thing we're going to do is what we always do for the pre-commission meetings, that's approve our approval of the minutes. The first one is a little in particular is that uh the Sony Gas Venture located at 4331, Pinona Avenue, Making Georgia 31201. Uh this is uh at the review legal determinants that approval since the taxes have been paid. As you remember, we denied it previously because taxes were not paid, and therefore they did not meet our uh good standing letter. Since that time, they went and paid all their property taxes in full. They meet the good standing now. So they changed the recommendation to approval. And at this time, uh I undertain a motion to approve. Got a motion by Commissioner Bowie. We got a second. Second by Commissioner Howell. Uh Commissioner Howell, you have a question, sir. Yeah, it's just a minor calling about 3120 six. Okay. I'll make the second okay. I've I read it correctly. I know my eyes are bad, but 31206. Okay. We have a motion and second. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Opposed, nay. That motion carries. We sent consent agenda. Item B is reliance food mark located at three goodness. 3609, Pineona Avenue. That's 31206. Uh legal does recommend approval. They meet all the legal and statutory requirements to get uh their license. Uh and otherwise uh should get one. So all those in favor of the motion, let me actually gonna get a motion to approve. Motion by Commissioner Howell. Do you have a second? Second by Commissioner Wynne. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Opposed, nay. That motion carries and we sent the consent agenda. Thank you very much. Item C is a quick zip located at 3518 Jeffersonville Road, 31217. Uh, they also meet all the uh statutory requirements to get an alcohol license, including their certificate of good standing, and legal does recommend approval. This time we entertain a motion to approve. Motion by Commissioner Wilde. We have a second second by Commissioner Howell. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Opposed, nay. That motion carries and we sent consent agenda. We're gonna move on to agreements, contracts, and purchase orders.
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