Marietta City Council Meeting - October 8, 2025
Marietta City Council Meeting - October 8, 2025
The Marietta City Council met on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included presentations, proclamations, scheduled appearances, public hearings, consent agenda approval, and unscheduled public comments. Key actions included approving a rezoning, a stop sign installation, and tabling a downtown solid waste item.
Presentations
- Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest Winners: Fire Marshal Chief Garner and Lieutenant Daniel Simons recognized winners from Marietta City Schools, focusing on the theme "Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home."
- Public Power Week Poster Contest: Bronson from Marietta Power and Water announced winners for water and power categories, awarding cash prizes.
- Purchasing Division Distinguished Milestone Award: Finance Director Patina Brown presented an award for reaching $3 million in surplus sales via online auction, offsetting city operating expenses.
Proclamations
- Georgia Symphony Orchestra 75th Anniversary: Proclamation recognizing the GSO's 75 years and Timothy Verville's 10 years as conductor. A GSO representative announced five new performances in Marietta.
- Mayor's Reading Club: Proclamation declaring October 8, 2025, as Mayor's Reading Day in Marietta, promoting early literacy.
- National Community Planning Month: Proclamation designating October 2025 as Community Planning Month, recognizing planning staff and commission members.
- Fire Prevention Week: Proclamation for October 5-11, 2025, focusing on lithium-ion battery safety.
Scheduled Appearances
- Riviere D. Burris (Deep Roots Wine Bar): Discussed a potential ordinance amendment to allow wine markets to sell a limited amount (10% or less) of beer for on-premise consumption. Will return on October 28th.
- Tracy Stevenson: Criticized the process for obtaining an irrigation meter, proposing winter quarter averaging for sewer charges. Also criticized the September Planning Commission meeting as poorly run.
- Larry Wills: Opposed potential widening of Whitlock Avenue (State Route 120), urging candidates to clarify positions. Referenced a 1990s plan stopped by citizen opposition.
Consent Agenda
Approved 7-0 with modifications:
- Added: Front building elevation and fencing for 462 & 480 Roswell Street (Z2025-14).
- Tabled: Downtown Solid Waste Management District service item (moved back to committee). Council member Goldstein originally opposed but voted unanimously to table.
- Added: Denial of claim for Christopher Sutton.
- Other approved items: minutes, appointments (Board of Zoning Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission), fee structure for road races, final plat for Greenhouse Phase 1, "Marietta The Gathering" street closures (Goldstein abstained), renaming West Dixie Park to Larry Ceminsky Park, SPLOST budget reallocation, Kennesaw Avenue utility variance, Whitlock Avenue MOU (Goldstein opposed), BLW action approval, GDOT US 41 resurfacing contract, certificate of approval for 77 North Park Square (Goldstein abstained).
Public Hearings
- Z2025-20 Rezoning (209 West Dixie Avenue): Applicant Raymond Castonguay requested rezoning from OIT to R-4 to build a single-family home for his son, along with a variance for lot width. No opposition. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
- West Dixie Avenue and Raymond Street Stop Sign: Public Works recommended a 3-way stop with pedestrian crosswalks, estimated cost $2,500. Motion approved 7-0.
Unscheduled Appearances
- A 78-year-old disabled veteran spoke about HOA issues in his neighborhood (Cunningham and Westwood Drive), alleging mismanagement, unmaintained detention pond, and rising fees. Requested council intervention.
- Peter Friedrich opposed Georgia Senate Bill 375, arguing it would stifle free speech, academic freedom, and journalism by labeling criticism of Hindutva as Hindophobia. Urged council to pass a resolution opposing the bill.
- A resident criticized the Planning Commission's handling of a meeting, referencing Z2025-17 and lack of fair hearing.
- Another resident spoke against proposed regulations limiting free assembly and free speech, urging common sense.
- A resident criticized the consent agenda inclusion of a BLW action costing $1.3 million for experimental technology, asking for more public transparency.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved 7-0.
- Rezoning Z2025-20 approved unanimously.
- Stop sign and pedestrian improvements approved 7-0.
- Downtown solid waste item tabled.
- Denial of claim for Christopher Sutton approved.
- Several proclamations issued.
- Future ordinance amendment discussion scheduled for October 28th regarding alcohol sales.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'd like to call the mayor of the city council to order, please, for Wednesday, October the 8th. And you call in the order before we can jump into the agenda. We have three cleanup items, and I'd like to call upon Cheryl Richardson to make a few motions. Mayor, I'd like to suspend the rules and add a motion. Second. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. Motion carries. I'd like to add a motion to add in the presentation by the board uh by the Marietta Power and Water recognizing the 2025 public power clean water poster contest winners from Marietta City Schools. Motion carry. And it will come after 2020 5077. The next item will call upon Mr. Goldstein to make a motion to suspend the rules and add an item to the agenda under denial of claim. Please indicate your vote. Motion would be to deny the claim of Christopher Sutton. That is my motion. Second. Please indicate your vote. Motion is carried. Any objection to consent? No objection. Thank you. Next week Shalfante had one concerning the Baptist Church. Oh, um. Okay, I'd like to uh suspend the rules and make a motion to table the um just been and add a motion. And add a motion. Your second. Second. Please indicate your vote. Motion almost. Motion carries. They should keep us on the toes, Green. There you go. There you go. Um I'd like to make a motion to um table the um number two oh two five oh seven six oh downtown solid weight management district service. Second. Please indicate your vote. Motion carries. Thank you. I'd like to call upon all our kent to lead us in the invocation. Can we all bow our heads, please? Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts, thankful for the privilege of serving our community and for the citizens who gather here tonight to help shape its future. Lord, as our nation navigates a time of political division and uncertainty, we ask that you guide our hearts toward understanding patience and unity. Remind us that we are bound together by far more than far more that unites us than divides us. Help us to remember that we all share a common story where our ancestors arrived through Ellis Island and during the passage of slave ships across the southern border, seeking hope. We all are part of one great American family, striving for a better life for our children and generations to come. Lord, please bless this nation and all of our truths, both serving abroad and here in the United States. Protect them, strengthen them, and keep them in your care. Grant us wisdom in our decisions, compassion in our debates, and humility in our service. May your spirit of peace rest upon this chamber, our city and our nation.
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