Marietta City Council Committee Meetings – August 26, 2025

On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the Marietta City Council convened six consecutive committee meetings (Finance/Investments, Personnel/Insurance, Parks/Recreation/Tourism, Judicial/Legislative, Economic/Community Development, and Public Works) followed by a Special Called Council Work Session in the Council Chamber at 205 Lawrence Street. The meetings covered a wide range of financial reports, policy approvals, project updates, and discussions on potential SPLOST impacts. All committee minutes from July 29, 2025, were approved unanimously.

Finance/Investments Committee

• Minutes: Approved 3‑0.
• Hotel Motel Tax (July 2025): Monthly collections were $380,516, above the three‑year average of $370,104. Three locations are two months behind on remittances; staff will provide an update next month.
• Auto Rental Tax (July 2025): Collections were well below the three‑year average of approximately $132,000, primarily due to an abnormally high July 2024 ($216,000) that skews the comparison.
• Finance Update: A state insurance refund was sent as of August 15; alcohol renewal deadline is November 15. Staff offered to include a written finance sheet in future packets.
• Revised MOU for School Resource Officers (SRO): The revised MOU with Marietta City Schools proposes a total increase of $28,000 (an apples‑to‑apples comparison of $15,000) and expands the program from five to seven SROs, including a supervisor. The school board is still reviewing; no contract is currently in place. A motion to move the item to the agenda work session passed 3‑0.
• SPLOST Status Discussion (No formal action): Staff reported that Cobb County is proposing to take $216 million “off the top” for countywide‑benefit projects, including $41 million for a public safety radio system and $175 million for a new state courthouse. This would reduce the city’s estimated share from $56 million (current SPLOST) to $58 million, though inflation and rising construction costs (30‑35% increases reported) mean the city would likely receive less real purchasing power. Council members expressed serious concern, noting that the proposed courthouse primarily serves county cases (city cases account for less than 5% of that court’s caseload). The city would need to nearly double its property tax millage rate (from ~2.75 to ~5.75) to replace the lost SPLOST revenue. No vote was taken.

Personnel/Insurance Committee

• Minutes: Approved 3‑0.
• 2026 Employee Group Benefits Program: The committee approved a motion (forwarded to the agenda work session) to renew group health/dental with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield at zero premium increase for employees for the eighth consecutive year; move vision plan to Anthem; renew retiree Medicare Advantage with Aetna (with a noted premium increase); renew pharmacy benefit management with Express Scripts; transfer life/disability insurance to Lincoln; renew AFLAC accident/critical illness; and renew the WellStar clinic contract. Council Member Cheryl Richardson disclosed her role as an authorized attorney for ARAG (a legal benefit provider for city employees) but was permitted to vote. A concern was raised regarding the WellStar contract’s compliance with the state’s term‑of‑council rule; staff will review before final action.

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Committee

• Minutes: Approved 3‑0.
• 2009 Parks Bond Report: Interest income of $1,318 was added, leaving an available balance of approximately $80,000 (but tied up as cash flow for ongoing projects). Wildwood Park restroom was completed; a reopening ceremony is pending.
• West Dixie Park Renovation Update: Groundwater was encountered during demolition, requiring redesign. The restroom and playground will be swapped so the restroom can be placed closer to the street for crane access. A basketball court will not be included due to grade constraints and cost. Council Member Sims asked that a fence be considered around the playground for child safety. All demolition is complete except the parking area; kudzu removal on adjacent lots will occur in winter.
• City Club Marietta Fees: The monthly lease for 82 golf carts increased by 85% (from ~$5,400 to over $10,000). A motion to raise riding rates by $1.75 across the board, effective September 29, 2025, passed 3‑0. Walking rates are unaffected. The increase is expected to maintain a projected $400,000 annual transfer to the general fund.

Judicial Legislative Committee

• Minutes: Approved 3‑0 after an amendment to add the effective date of January 1, 2026, to the ethics code item from the July 29 minutes.
• Vehicle Immobilization Ordinance (Second Reading): No changes; the ordinance moves forward.
• MOU – Stop Arm Program: The four‑year initial term is ending; the school system agreed to continue under four one‑year renewals. No council action is required.
• Ethics Code – New Section (Second Reading): After discussion, the committee voted 3‑0 to recommend tabling the item to the full council. The motion noted that the section was not effective until January 1, 2026, and the committee believed the next council could address it. The item will appear on the consent agenda for the September 10 council meeting.

Economic/Community Development Committee

• Minutes: Approved 3‑0.
• PY2024 CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER): Presentation only; no vote required. The city’s grant award was $417,000, with $59,000 rollover (total $476,000 available). CDBG expenditures were $310,000; plus $235,000 in ARPA funds, total spending exceeded $550,000. Public services: six agencies served low‑to‑moderate‑income Marietta residents (e.g., CFR prevented 6 evictions, PAL served 35 youth, SafePath served 72, Serfamilias 13, Extension 37, YELLS 148). Housing rehabilitation: 14 households served (average income ~$31,000, all 62+), including two lead‑based paint remediation projects, five emergency repairs, and one major code enforcement case. Two additional households are in progress. A public review meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 28; comments are due by Monday, September 1.

Public Works Committee

• Minutes: Approved 3‑0.
• 2016 SPLOST TIP Summary: Rottenwood Creek Trail contract has been awarded; a groundbreaking will be scheduled once the contractor mobilizes.
• 2022 SPLOST TIP Summary: Revenue collections to date total $57.7 million, exceeding the entire SPLOST budget of $56.5 million – half of the six‑year period remains. Cash on hand is $28 million. Updates: White Avenue sidewalk (connecting to KSU) is awaiting concrete; Mountain View Ridge widening is complete; Waverly/Atlanta intersection signal bids are due this week; Church Street extension signal coordination is progressing slowly due to GDOT coordination. No departmental performance report was provided this month because of staff medical leave.
• Faith, Hope, & Debonaire Area Speed Study: Motion to conduct speed studies on Faith Street (Lindley to Debonaire), Hope Street (Polk to Faith), and Debonaire Drive (Polk to cul‑de‑sac) passed 3‑0. All are posted at 25 mph; a previous study in December 2022 found volume but not speed issues.
• Rosewood Creek Drive Speed Study: Motion to conduct a speed study to evaluate a potential stop sign and pedestrian crosswalk at Briar Pond Way passed 3‑0.
• Cherokee Street Widening Improvement Project: Three concepts were presented. Option 1 (realign the intersection of Cherokee/Canton/Cherry and add a lane from Chickapee to Van Street) was estimated at $7.8 million, within striking distance of the $4.5 million SPLOST budget. Option 2 (single roundabout) would not work without a second roundabout at Tower Road, which at $13–18 million was deemed cost‑prohibitive. Council approved a motion to proceed with Concept 1 and begin right‑of‑way acquisition, with a target completion in 24–36 months. Staff will also explore grant funding and consider curb‑and‑gutter improvements on the west side of Cherokee Street.

Special Called Council Work Session

• Minutes: Approved 3‑0.
• Executive Session: No need for executive session was declared; the meeting adjourned.