OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Marietta City Council Regular Meeting - September 10, 2025

City Council Archive View — Wednesday, September 10, 2025
BodyMarietta, Georgia
SessionCity Council Archive View
DateWednesday, September 10, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 50:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

I'm not called the city council meeting to order, please.

0:10

First item of minute so I'd like to call upon Council Member Andy Mars for Board Forward to lead us in the invocation.

0:18

Thank you, sir.

0:19

I'll stand, please.

0:21

I'd like to take a moment to a silent prayer for the uh killing that happened this afternoon for uh Charles Kirk.

0:28

It was uh very if you were home watching TV, it was very uh emotional and sad thing for him, but we just to take a few just a few seconds to keep our eyes closed and pray for his family.

0:45

Thank you, dear Heroly Father.

0:47

We thank you for this wonderful day and for the blessings you bestowed upon us every day.

0:51

We thank you for our great city and our great state, and we thank you for all the blessings you have given our great country.

0:58

We ask for you to be with our troops and our family, both here in the United States and our troops overseas.

1:04

Protect them, bring them home safely and free of harm.

1:07

We also ask for you to be with our police officers and firemen as they protect our great city.

1:12

We pray for your wisdom and that you will guide this council and help us make the right decisions for all of Marietta.

1:19

In your name we pray, amen.

1:28

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:38

Good job.

1:46

Mr.

1:47

Kidd at the next item on our generous presentations, we don't have anything, but I'd like to ask Councilman Kent to introduce the first lady of Ward 5 to us tonight and his other special guest.

1:59

Thank you, Mr.

2:00

Mayor.

2:00

I'd like to introduce my wife Jocelyn Kent, please, and my sister Thelma Kent.

2:12

Y'all must be wondering where Carlisle goes on Wednesday night, is that thank you, Ms.

2:19

Kent.

2:20

Uh thank you, sir.

2:21

Proclamation.

2:23

Uh Chair, will you introduce do the 2025 Public Power and Clean Water Week?

2:29

I take it there's a proclamation down there from here.

2:31

Yes.

2:45

So I have with me today Mr.

2:48

John Dooley, who's going to receive this proclamation from the city on behalf of the Marietta Power and Water.

2:56

So whereas Marietta Power and Water was created in 1906 to provide energy and water services to the citizens of Marietta, and whereas water and power are the utilities most fundamental to daily life, and whereas it is vital to advocate the conservation of our shared water and energy resources through education, innovation, and community support, and whereas power and water utilities are valuable hometown assets that are essential to the economic and environmental health of this community, and whereas the dedicated and hardworking employees of Marietta Water and Power have provided continued high-quality service to its customers over the past years in spite of hot humid summertime weather and storms, and now therefore be it resolved that Marietta Power will continue to work to bring safe and dependable power and water service to community homes and businesses, and that the Marietta Board of Lights and Water does hereby proclaim October 5th through October 11th as public power and clean water week in the city of Marietta, and witness whereof I hereto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Marietta, Georgia, to be affixed this 10th day of September, our Steve Tumblin, the mayor.

4:30

This is on behalf of the Tiger.

4:39

I just want to take a moment to say thank you to our uh Mayor Tumblin and the council, along with those on our board of lights and water and our general manager, uh Mr.

4:51

Ron, uh, for showing continued support and appreciation for those who work in the water and power field here at Barrietta.

4:59

Really appreciate y'all.

5:00

Thank you.

5:01

Thank you.

5:08

Thank you.

5:09

Thank you very much.

5:10

Appreciate y'all.

5:13

Andre Sims, will you make another special event to present?

5:32

Good evening, everyone.

5:34

Um, next up we have our uh 90th anniversary of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theater, and I'd like to ask Director Andy Gaines to come down.

5:52

All right.

5:53

How are you doing?

5:54

I'm fabulous, thank you.

5:57

Oh my god.

5:58

Yes.

6:00

All right, so um this proclamation uh from the city of Marietta, whereas the Earl Rachel Smith Strand Theater has stood as a cultural cornerstone and architectural treasure on the historic Marietta Square.

6:21

And whereas the Strand opened its doors on September 24th, 1935, been around a while, as a premier art deco movie house, seating over a thousand guests and bringing the magic of modern film to the citizens of Marietta, Cobb County, and beyond.

6:46

Whereas over the decades, the Strand became a cherished gathering place, a beacon of entertainment, and a vital part of the region's social and cultural fabric and the community-led efforts of the friends of the Strand and generous supporters led to the theater's magnificent restoration and grand reopening in 2009.

7:16

Preserving its history while creating a vibrant hub for live performances, films, and special events.

7:27

And whereas the inscription on the theater's iconic marble fake, a monument devoted to the best in music, photo play, and theatrical arts remain as true today as it was in 1935.

7:46

And whereas in its 90th year, 90 years here in the city of Marietta, the Strand continues to serve as a dynamic performing arts venue, educational resource, and economic driver for downtown Marietta, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually and enhancing the quality of life in the region, and whereas the city of Marietta celebrates the enduring legacy of the Strand and honors its extraordinary contributions to the arts, culture, history, and vitality in the state of Georgia.

8:34

Now, our mayor do hereby proclaim and honor the 90th anniversary of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theater.

8:55

Please.

9:17

Thank you all for 90.

9:31

Did you bring cake?

9:33

I'm bringing the cake afterward.

9:36

It's happening.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use██████████████████████████████████████38%
Public Safety███████████████████19%
Arts And Culture███████████████15%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Parking Management████████8%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Marietta City Council Regular Meeting - September 10, 2025

The Marietta City Council met on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations, a scheduled appearance, approvals of consent agenda, public hearings on rezoning and variance requests, and an unscheduled public comment on employee parking. Key actions included unanimous approvals of two church property rezonings, a variance with a 10-year term for outdoor storage, and a variance for sign modifications. The council also honored three proclamations and observed moments of remembrance.

Proclamations and Announcements

  • 2025 Public Power & Clean Water Week: Mayor Tumlin presented a proclamation to John Dooley, recognizing Marietta Power & Water and declaring October 5–11, 2025 as Public Power & Clean Water Week.
  • 90th Anniversary of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre: A proclamation was presented to Director Andy Gaines, honoring the Strand’s 90 years.
  • Deane Thompson Bonner Day: Mayor Tumlin proclaimed September 10, 2025 as “Deane Thompson Bonner Day” in honor of her 90th birthday and community service. Council members offered birthday wishes.
  • Remembrance: A moment of silence was held for Senior Firefighter Preston Fant of DeKalb County (died in a duty-related fire) and for victims of September 11, 2001. Upcoming community events were announced: Constitution Day bell ring (Sept 17), Concert Series (Sept 26), and Choctoberfest (Oct 11-12).

Scheduled Appearance

  • Donald Barth addressed the council, thanking them for supporting first responders and praising the city’s responsiveness to community concerns. He encouraged continued unity and transparency.

Consent Calendar

All items marked with an asterisk on the agenda were approved unanimously (7-0) as the consent agenda. These included:

  • Approval of August 13, 2025 meeting minutes.
  • Rezoning Z2025-08, Annexation A2025-01, and Code Amendment CA2025-03 (Sugar Bear Properties, 1880 Scufflegrit Road) – tabled to October 8, 2025 per agenda; no discussion recorded.
  • Denial of claims for Matthew L. Hubbard III, Michael Baynes, Emmett Burton/Melody Newbold (Council Member Richardson abstained), and Rosa Pearson.
  • Second reading of Vehicle Immobilization Ordinance.
  • Motion to table Ethics Code new section (complaint filing near elections).
  • Resolution adopting fees for City Club Marietta.
  • Approval of 2026 Employee Group Benefits Program (Council Member Richardson disclosed conflict but voted).
  • Authorization for speed studies on Faith/Hope/Debonaire streets and Rosewood Creek Drive.
  • Approval of Cherokee Street Widening Improvement Project concept ($4,500,000 from 2022 SPLOST).
  • Final plat for The Sheridan townhomes (22 units on Roselane Street).
  • Acceptance of easements at 1001 Burnt Hickory Road and 980 Wemberly Lane.
  • Approval of “Rev. Nelson L. Price Memorial Pathway” naming.
  • Additional funding of $31,500 for Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art (Council Member Goldstein disclosed affiliations and abstained on related votes).
  • Authorization for city to enforce contract with Mirus, LLC at 550 Franklin Gateway.
  • Federal Reimbursable Lighting Grant/FY26 Budget Amendment for Marietta Power.
  • Revised MEAG Supplemental Power 2026 subscription.
  • Participation in GMA Mayor’s Reading Club.
  • Approval of BLW Action of September 8, 2025.

Public Hearings

Z2025-18 and Z2025-19 – First United Methodist Church Rezoning (92 and 96 Whitlock Avenue)

Presented by Angie Smith, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. The church requested rezoning of two properties from OI (Office Institutional) to R-3 (Single Family Residential) to allow residential use and potential sale. A variance to reduce minimum lot width from 85 to 84 feet was included for 92 Whitlock. No opposition was heard. The council approved both unanimously (7-0), with Mayor Tumlin abstaining as noted on agenda.

V2025-21 – VC Properties I, LLC Variance (31 Rock Street)

Applicant Jane Hawkins requested variances to continue outdoor storage for automobile sales, waive limits on lot coverage, and allow storage near residential zones and rights-of-way. A previous temporary permit required striping and fence maintenance. Support from neighbor Donald Barth. Council Member Kent made a motion to approve with a 10-year term (until September 2035) or on transfer of title, whichever occurs first, and with stipulations that the fence, paving, and striping be maintained in orderly condition. The motion passed 7-0 after amendments.

V2025-22 – Accent Marietta Atlanta, LP Sign Variance (1288 Roswell Road & 50 Powers Ferry Road)

Parks Huff represented the applicant, seeking variances for sign height (from 20 to 23 feet) and sign face area (from 160 to 178 sq ft) for two monument signs at a mixed-use development. The council approved with the condition that signs match the design, materials, and dimensions shown in the submitted drawings. Motion passed 7-0.

Unscheduled Appearance

  • Jillian Benson, a Kennesaw State student and bartender on the Square, addressed employee parking challenges. She reported that employees are ticketed during long shifts and that the designated employee lot is half a mile away, unsafe at night. She proposed exempting employees from parking tickets during work hours, verified by employer time cards. She presented signatures of support. No immediate council action was taken.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Rezonings for 92 and 96 Whitlock Avenue (7-0).
  • Approved: Variance for 31 Rock Street with 10-year term or transfer of title, plus maintenance requirements (7-0).
  • Approved: Sign variances for 1288 Roswell Road / 50 Powers Ferry Road with material conditions (7-0).
  • Consented: All consent agenda items passed 7-0, including tabling of Sugar Bear Properties items to October 8, 2025.
  • No Action: Employee parking request referred to staff or future consideration; no formal vote.

(NOTE: The transcript did not include discussion on the tabled Sugar Bear Properties items, which were listed as tabled in the agenda.)

Meeting Transcript

I'm not called the city council meeting to order, please. First item of minute so I'd like to call upon Council Member Andy Mars for Board Forward to lead us in the invocation. Thank you, sir. I'll stand, please. I'd like to take a moment to a silent prayer for the uh killing that happened this afternoon for uh Charles Kirk. It was uh very if you were home watching TV, it was very uh emotional and sad thing for him, but we just to take a few just a few seconds to keep our eyes closed and pray for his family. Thank you, dear Heroly Father. We thank you for this wonderful day and for the blessings you bestowed upon us every day. We thank you for our great city and our great state, and we thank you for all the blessings you have given our great country. We ask for you to be with our troops and our family, both here in the United States and our troops overseas. Protect them, bring them home safely and free of harm. We also ask for you to be with our police officers and firemen as they protect our great city. We pray for your wisdom and that you will guide this council and help us make the right decisions for all of Marietta. In your name we pray, amen. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Good job. Mr. Kidd at the next item on our generous presentations, we don't have anything, but I'd like to ask Councilman Kent to introduce the first lady of Ward 5 to us tonight and his other special guest. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to introduce my wife Jocelyn Kent, please, and my sister Thelma Kent. Y'all must be wondering where Carlisle goes on Wednesday night, is that thank you, Ms. Kent. Uh thank you, sir. Proclamation. Uh Chair, will you introduce do the 2025 Public Power and Clean Water Week? I take it there's a proclamation down there from here. Yes. So I have with me today Mr. John Dooley, who's going to receive this proclamation from the city on behalf of the Marietta Power and Water. So whereas Marietta Power and Water was created in 1906 to provide energy and water services to the citizens of Marietta, and whereas water and power are the utilities most fundamental to daily life, and whereas it is vital to advocate the conservation of our shared water and energy resources through education, innovation, and community support, and whereas power and water utilities are valuable hometown assets that are essential to the economic and environmental health of this community, and whereas the dedicated and hardworking employees of Marietta Water and Power have provided continued high-quality service to its customers over the past years in spite of hot humid summertime weather and storms, and now therefore be it resolved that Marietta Power will continue to work to bring safe and dependable power and water service to community homes and businesses, and that the Marietta Board of Lights and Water does hereby proclaim October 5th through October 11th as public power and clean water week in the city of Marietta, and witness whereof I hereto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Marietta, Georgia, to be affixed this 10th day of September, our Steve Tumblin, the mayor. This is on behalf of the Tiger. I just want to take a moment to say thank you to our uh Mayor Tumblin and the council, along with those on our board of lights and water and our general manager, uh Mr. Ron, uh, for showing continued support and appreciation for those who work in the water and power field here at Barrietta. Really appreciate y'all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Appreciate y'all. Andre Sims, will you make another special event to present? Good evening, everyone. Um, next up we have our uh 90th anniversary of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theater, and I'd like to ask Director Andy Gaines to come down. All right. How are you doing? I'm fabulous, thank you. Oh my god. Yes. All right, so um this proclamation uh from the city of Marietta, whereas the Earl Rachel Smith Strand Theater has stood as a cultural cornerstone and architectural treasure on the historic Marietta Square. And whereas the Strand opened its doors on September 24th, 1935, been around a while, as a premier art deco movie house, seating over a thousand guests and bringing the magic of modern film to the citizens of Marietta, Cobb County, and beyond.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com