Telephone is seven o'clock, so I'd like to call the City Council meeting in order for Wednesday, May the thirteenth.

Mr.

Kent, will you lead us in the vacation and pledge of leaders?

Yes.

Bow your heads for a minute.

Dear Haven and Father, we come before you with grateful hearts, thankful for the privilege of serving our community and the citizens who gather here tonight, and all those who helped shape the future of this blessed and great city.

Lord, as our nation navigates a time of political division and uncertainty, we ask you guide our hearts toward understanding patience and unity.

Remind us that we are bound together by far more unities than you far more that unites us than divides us.

Help us to remember that we all share a common story.

Endured the passage of slave ships across the southern border, all seeking hope and a better life.

Striving for a better life for our children and generations to come.

Lord, please bless this nation and all of our troops who are in harm way, harm's way, and that served this great country, 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 tonight, compassion in our debates, and humility in our service.

May your spirit of peace rest upon this chamber, our city and our nation.

Amen.

And to the public for which we stand, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, and just usually all.

Come on around.

Come on around.

It's okay.

She's just gonna look at you and smile.

Get you all fired up.

Okay.

Okay.

So we are presenting uh this distinguished service award to Mr.

Robert Kennedy.

Mr.

Kennedy has been the Ward 6 Planning Commissioner since 2003.

Time flies, huh?

Yes.

Yes.

He was elected vice chair uh in July of 2005 and served till July 2006.

Um in 2013, Mr.

Kenny was elected chairman of the Planning Commission and served in that capacity till March of 2026, last month.

Um he also served as director on the Marietta Museum of History Board.

Is that correct?

I don't think so.

Okay.

So in this you just say, yes, that's correct.

So it's my honor, he's in my ward, ward six, uh, to present this incredible uh distinguished service award to uh Mr.

Robert Kennedy.

Kenny.

Kenny.

Sorry about that.

All right.

That's for you.

Okay.

Okay, you good?

Yes.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

Appreciate you.

Mrs.

Carmichael.

You can hold on to the steps now.

We don't.

Is this your daughter?

Yes, my other daughter.

How are you doing?

For those of you who don't know, this is kind of a presley from WSBTV, and I'm sure you've all seen her.

She's my other daughter, and she's standing in for my husband.

And we're so sorry for the loss of your husband recently, Ms.

Carmichael.

We're honored to be here tonight.

So good evening.

Mayor, members of the City Council, friends, and honored guests.

Tonight, it is truly a pleasure to recognize a woman whose life has been defined by service, leadership, faith, and unwavering commitment to the City of Marietta.

Miss Juanita Kilgore Carmichael.

Mrs.

Carmichael is a proud product of the Marietta School System, graduating from the historic Lemon Street Elementary School and Lemon Street High School, and you said approximately in 1962.

She continued her education at Chattahoochee Tech and Kennesaw State, always believing in the value of learning and personal growth.

She's a lifelong residence of Baptist Town community, a neighborhood rich in history, culture, and resilience.

Her roots run deep in Marietta, and her family story reflects the story of many families who helped build and strengthen this city through faith and hard work and perseverance.

Mrs.

Carmichael dedicated 32 years of service to the Hewlett Packett Company, retiring in 2002 as a major accounts project manager.

Her excellence and professionalism earned her recognition as most as the most valuable employee in 2000, 2001, and 2002, the year she retired.

But perhaps what makes Ms.

Carmichael most special is not simply what she's achieved professionally, it is how she continued to pour herself back into her community.

She has served on numerous community boards and organizations, including the one that she is uh zoning appeals.

Yes, the Marietta Board of Zoning Appeals since 2020.

She has also contributed her time and leadership to organizations such as Marietta Treekeepers, Marietta Reeds, Keep Marietta Beautiful, and Well Star Kennestone Hospital.

Comments from your BCA board about Miss Carmichael.

If you haven't met her, you're missing out on meeting someone who is very friendly, but also is not afraid to tell you what she's thinking about.

So from the board, I won't say who said I would say, and I'm quoting, I would say that Mrs.

Carmichael was not shy of speaking her opinion and challenging the position of her peers or even lawyers who came to represent applicants.

In her very first meeting, she challenged a motion presented by the chairman, Mr.

Van Buren, on a case represented by Adam Rosen.

As a result, the case was tabled for 30 days.

This is an example of the drive commitment that was typical of Mrs.

Carmichael, who devoted many hours researching cases and educating herself so as to represent her ward and the interests of the citizens of Marietta most effectively.

End of quote.

Her courage and character were also evident when she stood alongside civil rights leader, pioneer Catherine Woods, during a difficult and important moment in the Marietta YWCA.

Mrs.

Carmichael helped ensure that fairness, dignity, and equality prevailed, reminding all of us that real leadership often happens quietly through integrity and conviction conviction.

Tonight the City of Marietta recognizes not only a remarkable woman, but also a living piece of our city's history.

Someone who has helped shape this community through service, wisdom, and love for others.

Mrs.

Carmichael, your life has made Marietta stronger, better, and more connected.

On behalf of the mayor, the city council, we want to thank you for your years of dedication and your lasting impact on our city.

Please join me in congratulating this Carmichael for well served this award.

Thank you.

I'd like to personally say thank you to this council, this mayor.

You won't take this first.

And prior counsel who I was voting for this position.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Probably Condress Freshly, a good Marietta High Graduate and Longest.

Next item, Mr.

Bootin.

I think we have some undergraduates to recognize tonight.

Definitely.

Good night.

And mayor once uh what's I talk about just a few minutes if you could come down and uh help me graduate our class.

That would be great.

Um so uh we have a wonderful night tonight.

We have a lot of great things going on.

One is our graduating class of 2026 from our Citizens Government Academy.

Now, some of you may wonder what that is, uh, and hopefully you'll wonder, and then you'll join it later because you hear that it's uh such a great thing that you want to be a part of it.

But what we've been doing this now for 25 years.

This is actually the 25th graduating class uh that we have.

Um this is a volunteer effort.

Uh the individuals agree that they'll spend eight weeks with us, and they will actually have a class uh two nights a week, well, one night a week now, basically, where they're spending up to three hours a night, depends on which class it is, and they get to know everything about the city.

So they meet with all the departments that we have in the city, they meet at their locations.

So if it's police, they're over at the police department.

If it's our water department, they're over there.

If it's streets department, they're over at the streets department.

They actually get to be introduced to all the people that are on the ground doing the work every day.

So they meet the supervisors, the foreman, uh, the different folks that are out there on the street getting things done.

Uh, they get to ask questions.

They get to find out about why we do certain things or why we don't do certain things a certain way.

Uh, they get to talk about budget, they get to talk about finances, uh, they get to talk about planning and zoning, uh, all the different things that make up the city.

Uh, what I love to say is they then become our ambassadors.

They're individuals who can go out into the community and they can answer those questions.

Because they're gonna be people on their street or people they see uh as they're shopping, or maybe they've got a social group that they're in, and somebody's gonna always say, Well, I wonder why the city does this.

Well, now they can explain it.

And uh they can talk about why that is and what's going on, but they can also say, well, if you really have a question about that, I know somebody uh that we can call or that we can send an email to, and we can find out the answers to that.

Because they actually have a book that's about this thick that has all those pieces of information in it, has everything about the departments, but also has all the contact information uh for the folks that we have.

So I want to thank them for being willing to spend that time and be devoted enough to their community to uh want to get to know more about it.

I also want to thank two people, and that is Kelly Maybury and Caitlin Fulrath, uh, because they're the ones that uh they're both here today.

Uh they're the ones that make this happen and get everything together and kind of shepherd all the different sessions, make sure everybody's got what they need.

So I want to thank them very much as always for what they do for it.

And I also want to thank the department heads and also the members of the departments, because they have to take time out of their week to go and do these after-hour sessions uh for all our folks.

So uh it's a lot of work that they're putting into.

So hopefully this uh helps uh educate individuals, gets them interested in the city.

And I think during uh the 250th anniversary of our United States, what a great time to be able to say that we've got citizen involvement uh in our government, people wanting to know more, wanting to be more of a part of it.

I even uh we had a little reception right before this, and one of the great things I heard was um I love the course, it was awesome.

How do I get more involved?

How is uh as somebody who's retired?

Can I get more involved in this community, more involved in this government?

Love it.

Uh that's what we hope is that this will uh enable you to find other ways to do things for your community and to get other people involved too.

That's what makes Marietta such a wonderful place.

It's the people that we have and the involvement and the love they have for this community.

So I also want to thank the mayor and the city council for allowing us to do this because it does take time, it takes a little bit of money in order to do this every year.

Uh but hopefully you see the benefits of it uh that we have every year also.

So, with that, Mayor, we get to now uh graduate our class.

So uh what we'll do is uh I'm gonna read your name out, and uh those of you who graduated, I'll read your name if you don't graduate.

I'm sorry, but I just got them all real nervous.

Uh I didn't say anything yet, so that but we'll see.

Um but no, you they all did a great job, and they all uh met our requirements and uh showed extreme interest in what they were learning.

So we're gonna graduate the whole group.

And so we were talking about graduation levels a little bit earlier.

Um we had a hundred percent graduation, so we're real excited about that.

So, okay, when I say your name, if you'll come up, um get uh welcomed by the mayor.

We're gonna uh then get a picture from Kelly, who's gonna get a picture of you right here with your certificate if you hold it up so we can see uh there, and then if you'll kind of come behind us, we're gonna get the whole class back here behind us, and then when we finish, we'll get a class shot uh with everybody, with the council members behind you back here.

Okay.

So our first graduate is Brody Bear.

Okay.

Great, and we'll let you be the one to lead us off.

Our next graduate is Courtney Bellman.

Congratulations.

Hold it.

Great, and come on behind us, Courtney.

There you go.

Our next graduate, Daniel Byers.

Great.

Thank you, Daniel.

And next we have Camille Carpenter.

And then we have Oriel Carson.

And our next graduate is Jim Cox.

And also we have Caitlin Falrath, who I mentioned earlier.

We we actually, some of these names are real familiar to all of us because this is the first time that we actually have had some of our own employees volunteer to go through the class.

Um I've heard from some of them that uh they you know they say that they wish they'd done it before.

Glad that they learned all that they're learning.

So I think they'll even be better uh ambassadors for us, even internally with the city.

So our next one who is also one of those is Jessica Giancola.

And next we have Crystal Jordan.

Sorry.

You did well.

You're good.

Thank you, Crystal.

Yeah.

And then we have Vicky Lucas.

She's not here tonight, but we'll get that to her.

And then we have Amy Lunar.

And Mitchell McLean is our next graduate.

And next we have Andrea Nicholson.

And then we have Kim Odom.

Okay.

Good.

Glad you joined.

Okay, great.

And Claude Page the Third.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, thank you.

Appreciate you.

Thank you.

Okay.

And Georgia Rambo.

Thanks for getting me in.

Thank you for graduating.

Thank you.

And Alicia Reyes.

Thank you.

Okay.

And Brian Rio.

Thank you, Brian.

Appreciate it.

Absolutely.

And Robert Tangway.

And Nicole Torado.

And last we have Stormy Webster.

Great.

Thank you very much.

Okay, if y'all all stay there, we're gonna get we're gonna get a group picture in just a second.

But we actually have two people that uh we've talked to, and they're gonna make some statements uh for the group.

So I will hand it over to the two of them.

All right.

I can start it off.

Um again, thank you.

Uh my name is Crystal Jordan, and it truly has been a joy to be a part of this um what, seven weeks now, I want to say?

Um, seven weeks um a part of this cohort.

Um, as I said when I first started on the very first day, I am an avid participant of these Citizen Academies.

Um I'm really excited that I was able to participate in this one here, Marietta, having been through the Cobb County government, the sheriff's office, um, the public safety offices.

So again, it's truly, truly been a pleasure, and it was a real treat to get the behind the scenes look at everything.

Um, so really as a homeowner, as an educator, um, right here in Marietta, just being knowledgeable about all the services that are offered now.

Um, I can go back and tell my HOA all the things.

So again, it's truly been an honor, and really just like huge shout out to Kelly.

She was awesome every single week making this happen for us.

Um all of her coordination with it was awesome.

So again, like top tier shout out to City of Marietta for a really awesome experience with the Citizens Academy.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mitchell McLean, uh part of this 25 class as well.

Just to recap it, it was extremely exciting to have the opportunity being a citizen of Marietta, walking around with my family often, either at the square or just around the neighborhood.

We live on a movie set.

This city is too beautiful, and it always blows our friends and family away when they visit.

So taking a lot of pride in the city when we had the opportunity, or when I had the opportunity to do this government's academy, I was extremely interested in what makes this city tick the way it ticks.

And the first thing I took away after our first meeting is it's not an accident that city is so or Marietta is so remarkable.

The intentionality between everyone behind the scenes is incredible.

And I just want to thank all the departments a ton for opening your doors to us and you know being transparent with how you operate and what the day-to-day is like, all your hard work is, you know, it definitely doesn't go unnoticed, but there's a ton of work that people don't see that you guys are doing day in and day out.

So I was weekend and week out blown away, going home, just squealing to my family of how exciting the city is and everything that's coming up and everything that they have going on.

Um away from that, my favorite part about the academy had to be my classmates.

I think that added a ton of value between the citizens and then also uh the other people that work for the city, just the questions that they asked and the stories that they shared, added a whole nother layer to the course that I think kind of made it full circle for us.

So again, it was a great opportunity.

I'm very thankful for it.

Thank you for everyone again to just opening the doors and being transparent with the other citizens here, and um hopefully we can take this knowledge and you know, add to the the movie that I get to live in called City of Marietta.

So thank you again, appreciate it.

Thank you.

Okay, everybody will look right up at the top there.

And yeah, the council wants to get behind so we can get them in the picture there.

And Mary can put you wherever you would like to be.

Everybody will have you great.

Thank you all.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Welcome back.

Good job.

Top one.

Uh oh.

I just took one.

Recognition of building safety months.

A public workshair and a public chair director, we're gonna make a presentation.

Mark, if you all come on down.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor, uh, Mr.

Ducket, Mr.

Rice.

And it's good to see y'all.

It's building safety month.

Um candidly talking to people on the campaign trail.

Sometimes I hear that they think inspectors are onerous.

They think that uh having inspections can be uh an overreach.

To which I reply, uh, we enjoy a high quality of life, we enjoy high property values, we enjoy safe buildings in our community that contributes to our wonderful movie set of of Mayberry Marietta.

Um these guys serve an incredibly valuable purpose and uh ensures that housing and commercial buildings stay in stock for decades.

So I'm gonna read a couple of items in this proclamation.

Whereas Marietta is committed to recognizing that our growth and strength depends on the safety and economic value of the homes, buildings and infrastructure that serve our citizens, both in everyday life and in times of disaster.

And whereas our confidence in the resilience of these buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of vigilant guardians, building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers, plumbers, and others in the construction industry who work year-round to ensure the safe construction of buildings.

And whereas these guardians are dedicated members of the International Code Council, the nonprofit that brings together local, state, territorial, tribal, and federal officials who are experts in the built environment to create and implement the highest quality codes and standards to protect us in the buildings where we live, learn, work, and play.

And whereas built to last, the theme for building safety month 2026.

Encourage us all, encourages us all to get involved and raise awareness about the importance about building safety on a personal, local, and global scale, to ensure safe and resilient construction, fire prevention, disaster mitigation, energy conservation, water safety, training the next generation, and new technologies on a personal level as well as in the overall construction industry.

Whereas each year in observance of Building Safety Month, people all over the world are asked to consider the commitment to improve building safety, resilience, and economic investment at home and in the community, and to acknowledge the essential service provided to all of us by local and state building departments, fire prevention bureaus, and federal agencies in protecting lives and property.

So we recognize you today.

Congratulations.

So I would like to uh acknowledge a group of uh young men that provided uh dinner for city council today.

Um I want to thank the Eden Masonic Lodge number 46 in Marietta.

Uh we really appreciate uh what you've done for us, and uh we we thank you for your generosity.

So just wanted to uh acknowledge you guys and and let you know how much we are thankful for you.

Appreciate you.

Thank you.

They're large is in ward five.

Yes.

We're five.

Thank you.

We appreciate that.

Yes, sir.

I know that a lot of um a lot of events were announced back during the 6 o'clock.

Just want to give a reminder.

Um we have the concert concert in the square the last Friday of this month.

We have the black brown back lunches each Thursday at noon.

Um we have Memorial Day coming up on the last Monday of this month.

Remember to keep and keep in your thoughts all those service members who died while fighting on the on this upcoming Memorial Day, and I believe that there will be a ceremony at the National Cemetery around um uh during the day that day.

12 o'clock.

12 o'clock.

Um other than that, the uh flags go up around the square and the uh rest of the city and mo and quite um with a mix of the uh 50-star flag that we currently have as well as the original Betsy Ross 13 star flag as with some with those flags being provided by the city, and those will stay up through the past uh beginning of the week, the Saturday before Memorial Day and go through past 4th of July.

Um think that covers most of the stuff between now and the next council meeting.

Anything else?

It suffices we have very busy summer, so I think if you check our webpage, it's not every weekend.

Yes, sir.

We uh we uh said earlier, but I think it bears repeating, we do have a website which is uh the 250th website for Marietta.

So if uh folks want to go and look at that, um, it's 250 in Marietta.com, and uh that lists all the different things that are going on by all the nonprofits, museums, everybody else that we have in the community that is putting together special events for our 250th.

Anyone else?

We also something I should not miss this, um, and was said also earlier, but because of FIFA and the World Cup coming up, we do have events the weekend of June the 12th.

Uh and so uh we're gonna have on that Friday night, we'll have the U.S.

playing.

Um, and they'll we'll have a large TV set up on the square.

Uh that game starts at 9 o'clock at night, so we'll be going from 9 to about 11 with that.

The next day on Saturday, we have three games that we'll be broadcasting, so we'll have multiple screens set up, and we'll have a whole festival of soccer fest that we'll be doing.

And then on the following on that Sunday, so that's a big weekend, but that Sunday we're gonna carry the Soccer Fest over to Franklin Gateway, and we'll have an afternoon event over there, which will include a lot of kids' games and training and uh Atlantic United is gonna be a part of all this uh with everything that's going on, as well as a lot of the local soccer clubs that we have.

So the different ones that youth participate in, they'll all be there also.

So encourage people to come out.

The next item is a scheduled appearance.

This is uh we have three people speakers signed up.

The first one is Mr.

Donald Martha.

Will you come down and share with us, please, sir?

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

That includes you, Cheryl.

I know you're out there somewhere.

I want to make it clear.

I don't know who to address now.

I'm gonna talk to you.

I like you.

In the meantime, I think we have a bigger problem here, and one of the problems I have, I understand there's three new council up there, and I'm not sure they understand what the council does.

They were elected by the people in their ward to serve all of Marietta.

So when we make codes, the codes go to all of Marietta.

All of Marietta should have the same code.

It's not stops at 41, it's not stops at the railroad, the west side.

Y'all the westies.

Mr.

Mayor, it's not right.

I want to remind you that you are the mayor, and the book's gotta stop somewhere, and it should stop with you.

You and the council perform the everyday governance for the people of Marietta.

Right now, tell me about Ward 7.

I will be here to advocate every month for Ward 7.

I will advocate for all of Marietta.

It's not Ward 7 against six wards.

It's all of Marietta.

Right now we have a real problem in Ward 7.

Anybody seen the newspaper?

Shooting, shooting, shooting on Franklin Gateway.

Change the name, change anything you want.

Are we blighting this again, Mr.

Mayor, so Uncle Arthur can get some more land?

By God, we got a women's soccer, we got a man's soccer, we're gonna have a trans soccer.

I don't know what you want, Mr.

Mayor.

I can tell you that I could go over there on Franklin Road and pretty much catch me a drunk any night I want it.

I'm not trained, but I bet you I could spot me a drunk.

It wouldn't be hard.

If that's what we gotta do, something's wrong with Franklin Road again.

You let it go, and it's none of y'all let it go.

Past governments let it go.

Again, Ward 7.

Who cares?

Joseph cares.

Now, speaking of Joseph, we come up with all these problems over there in Ward 7.

It's not Joseph's problem, it's y'all's problem too.

When Joseph comes to you, he's part of a team.

He is definitely part of your team.

You are supposed to be making code that makes sense for all of Marietta.

I call up 282 Paula Dean Circle ten years ago, and I say they're operating a business.

By God, they had two pieces of heavy equipment parked in the road.

They had six trucks.

Somebody said it wasn't happening.

It took forever to close that down.

Let's jump around to 286, Paula Dean.

Recently, it took you two years to get the business to quit operating out of my neighborhood.

Let's jump across the street from my house.

Is it because they're my across the street neighbors?

They're never gonna bother me.

I can promise you.

They try.

But what I'm telling you is if code says you're not supposed to be running a business over there, are y'all deaf?

Mr.

Mayor, we've covered everything.

We've got to get the right answer.

Under new management, we have gone like this forever, and we're not making any progress.

Uncle Arthur is that billionaire's gonna get a little better off than we did.

We don't have a park yet in Ward 7, except for one you penciled in.

Mr.

Mayor, we have bucket golf up on Matthew's circle.

We got bucket golf going on St.

John Avenue.

We can entertain ourselves.

I'm asking you, Mr.

Mayor, in your last term.

Bring Marietta together and act like we're a unified city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

My name is Talandra, and I'm a resident of Fort 7 here in Marietta.

I'm here tonight to speak about serious concerns involving homeowners' association known as HOAs and the lack of protection for homeowners dealing with unfair enforcement questionable fees and a limited transparency.

Especially there have been concerns about fees added to both my account and another homeowner's account without clear authorization or the proper explanation.

There are ongoing concerns about transparencies in HOA elections.

Again, I say in even HOA elections and financial accountability, and where the HRA rules are being enforced fairly and consistently.

In addition, concerns have been raised about actions taken by HOA leaderships and management, may go way beyond the authorities under the HOA government documents.

These actions create distrust within the community and place homeowners under financial and emotional stress in this community.

I have tried to address these matters through the proper channels, including communication with management, request for clarification, and even legal actions.

However, many homeowners do not have the financial resources or legal knowledge needed to challenge questionable HOA practices.

This issue is not just isolated.

See, across Georgia, many residents are speaking up about HOA abuse.

I've heard excessive fines, lack of transparency, and enforced practices that negatively affect homeowners in our community.

That is why Senate Bill 406, known as the Georgia Property Owners Bill of Rights Act, has gained attention across the state of Georgia.

This proposed legislation is intended to strengthen homeowners' protection by improving transparency, increasing oversight, and creating greater accountabilities for HOA practices throughout Georgia.

Okay, I understand that HOA governance is mainly ham handled at a state level.

I know that it's at a state level.

So I'm here to ask for some guidance by the city of Marietta, the council.

And I understand that the city may have limited authority over private HOA matters.

However, local leaderships, you still can play an important role in promoting fairness, accountability, and consumers' protection for these homeowners.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

My name is Raymond Goslow, and I am a resident and homeowner in Ward 6 of Marietta.

I speak here tonight solely on my own behalf as a citizen.

I'm not representing any other person or organization.

As our city moves into the full swing of our patriotic summer celebrations, I can't help but reminisce fondly on the times when I had the honor of marching in our Fourth of July parade alongside the organization that employed me back at that time.

I would use up what felt like every last drop of energy I had running the Peachtree Road race first thing in the morning, and I'd rush my way back up to Marietta just in time to line up for the parade.

Now that journey would have been a lot more convenient if Marietta were served by uh rail transit, but that is a matter for another day.

In any case, as drained as I would feel coming into the event, the energy of our community and the celebrations never failed to give me the pep in my step that I needed to make it to the end of the route.

However, that energy soured significantly for me the year that I transitioned from a participant in the parade to a member of the crowds along the route.

After seeing dozens of wonderful community organizations pass by, I was honestly baffled to witness a contingent from these sons of Confederate veterans decked out in their battle flag and everything.

Here on this day that we were supposed to be celebrating another trip around the sun for our great nation.

The city was platforming a group that cherishes the memory of perhaps the greatest threat this country has ever faced to its continued existence.

And just to be clear, what I was feeling was not any kind of personal offense or discomfort.

It was a community-minded concern for the message that Marietta is sending to its citizens and members of the surrounding communities that join in the festivities.

As such, I felt it was important to raise this issue within the community, and I wrote a letter to the editor of the Mail Marietta Daily Journal, articulating my thoughts in similar terms to what I've put before you so far.

I won't speculate as to the decision decision-making process for their editorial page, but that message never made it to print.

After a couple of years of percolating in the back of my mind, this concern came back to the forefront as we are now approaching the very significant milestone of America 250.

And I realized that the city government itself was perhaps more appropriate avenue of engagement.

At a recent town hall in my ward, I inquired about how parade applicants were evaluated and selected for inclusion.

And I received the answer that by and large, all applicants are accepted.

Now, I am not the kind of per capit uh provocateur who would be inclined to actually test that insertion with a submission that uh pushes the envelope of propriety.

But just the idea of the kinds of submissions that would uh fit that description leads pretty clearly to the conclusion that rejecting an application could certainly sometimes be appropriate.

And so now I come before you because the tools to address this are already in your hands.

The existing rules and regulations for the parade dictate that all entries must be consistent with the theme of the parade.

And the theme of the parade is of course, let freedom ring.

I can't think of a more clear-cut rejection of that theme than marching under the banner of an organized conspiracy that tried to rip our country in half in order to perpetuate the barbaric bondage of human beings.

Every year that any such groups or symbols are included in this parade is a clear message to the descendants of those who suffered under that regime that our community is still happy to entertain the prospect of their degradation.

Now I can give you the benefit of the doubt that this contradiction has slipped through the cracks before.

But I think we can agree that such plausible deniability is behind us after tonight.

The freedom that we celebrate every 4th of July is not free.

And any future decision to grant a parade entry to the Sons of Confederate veterans or any comparable heritage group, knowingly and willfully cheapens that freedom by trying to pretend that the word can be construed to mean something completely anathetical.

Our city play faces plenty of other challenges and opportunities that I hope to address as an engaged citizen going forward.

But let's start with the easy win of getting rid of these stumbling blocks that we've allowed to go in our path so far.

Thank you for your time.

The public meeting is closed, but now I'd like to call upon our mayor pro team to conduct a do we need to need to add an item to them.

Yes, sir, please.

From Mr.

Girlstein, please.

Mr.

Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules and add an item to the agenda.

Motion carries 7-0.

Mr.

Haney uses now the denial of claim for Shelby O'Neill Waller.

Okay.

Motion to deny the claim of Shelly uh Shelby O'Neill Waller.

Second.

All those in favor, please raise your right hand or my voice.

Thank you.

Aye.

Motion carries 7-0.

Any ejection?

No objection.

No objection.

Mr.

Mayor Pro Tim.

Okay.

Guys, uh, we're going to go through the consent agenda.

Um the items in that uh on this agenda is marked with an asterisk.

Uh these items have been discussed and approved uh through several committee meetings that we've had prior to today.

Um Mr.

Haney, are there any uh additions to the um consent?

Yes, sir, Mr.

Sims, Mr.

Mayor Pro Tim.

The only change tonight is all the way over on page eight.

Item 2026 0530 is added to consent.

The distinguished service award from Mr.

Martin.

Otherwise, the agenda stays as printed.

All right.

Thank you, sir.

Um we have another.

The items on page one, the distinguished service awards for uh Robert Kenney and Juanita Carmichael to approve it.

We already moved it.

Think those are on consent.

They're already completed, I think.

The presentations are completed, but the actual motion sales that the approval of those two have to be voted.

They're added to the consent as well, Mr.

Sims.

Okay.

Um right.

Well, um do we have uh I would like to entertain a motion?

It's been moved.

Second.

And properly second.

All in favor.

Aye.

Well uh motion passes 7-0.

Um thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Mr.

Sam's uh next item.

Is there a motion for the motion to approve the revisions of the fire prevention and protection code?

Make a motion to approve the changes to code section 26010.

Second.

Any questions of the thing you'd like to say in support or evening, Mr.

Mayor and Council?

No, we bring before you uh revisions to uh code section 26010 of Marietta City Code, uh which brings the Georgia State Fire Laws and Rules and Regulation that were recently adopted uh in line with City Code.

Any further questions or discussion?

Hearing none of like to call the question, please indicate your vote.

Ms.

Richardson.

Aye.

Motion carries 70.

Mr.

Mayor may make another motion.

Please do.

I make a motion to suspend the rules to waive the second reading of this item 20260460.

Second.

Any further discussion?

Waiving the second reading.

Hearing none, please indicate your vote.

Aye.

Motion carries 70.

Thank you very much.

Mr.

Haney, the next one is uh 2026-16 RDP.

Uh if you will conduct a public hearing, please, sir.

Thank you, Mayor Tunnel.

The public hearing is now open on the property known as 1401 Power Spring Street.

This is the request by four star for a revised detail plan.

The public hearing is now open.

Mr.

Cummings, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr.

Haney.

So for case 2026-106 RDP, four-star is requesting a revision to the approved detailed plan for the 6.52 acre property located at 1401 Powder Spring Street, known as the Marietta Reserve, for the purposes of altering that plan to reduce the side yard setback from 10 feet to six feet between buildings, to widen the end unit townhomes by one feet and to incorporate two additional home elevations.

Mr.

Kevin Moore is here to present on behalf of the applicant.

Mr.

Moore, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr.

Cumming.

Mayor and Councilman.

Kevin Moore here on behalf of Four Star in this detailed plan application to conduct the public hearing as well as the home builder, which is D.R.

Horton on this parcel that's uh off of uh Powder Spring Street and Dura Drive.

This comes before you as a detailed plan revision uh to this uh community uh because as they are ready to move forward with construction of the homes as development has been uh substantially complete.

Uh I want to give you a little context, a little history uh just to provide that uh context for you.

Uh in 2022, uh this uh property was rezoned uh to the PRDSF category according to a plan that looked very much like the one that's in front of you.

Uh I had the good fortune of representing uh the client at that time and in that rezoning action that was approved uh by the City Council at that time.

It contains a mixture of town home uh homes, which are in the center of the property, uh, and then along the exterior of the property are detached homes.

At that rezoning, uh during that rezoning and the ultimate rezoning approval, important for tonight's consideration is that the rezoning approval did not include in the site plan at that point uh that uh was represented as the site plan for that rezoning, did not contain a set side setback or distance between the homes at the time of rezoning.

Fast forward in the process to a couple of years later in 2024, uh the original detailed plan came before this body and was approved.

That detailed plan, though, uh actu accidentally had a notation in it that said there would be 10 foot uh separation between homes on that detail plan.

Now we come to today.

Uh for the detailed plan uh that's before you and their proposal.

Uh the proposal is uh to simply change the detailed plan uh to allow instead of 10 feet separation, which would be six foot separation, uh what's being requested in working with staff is that you set that as a three-foot side setback, so it's much easier for them to determine from the building plans and so forth that the plans are meeting.

And why is that being requested?

Well, the it really deals with the size of the homes, not the size of the lots.

Uh what uh the builder is wanting to do uh with a 10 foot separation between homes, it confines their building home product to a smaller home, one that's basically a three-bedroom with a somewhat of an option of a fourth.

What they would like to do, though, is build their larger home and larger width home, uh, which is uh some of what you will see tonight, uh, as well as part of the homes.

A larger width home that will accommodate uh four and five bedroom homes uh be a much better fit for the marketplace, a better fit from a price point, and a better fit overall, they believe uh for this community.

That's the reason for the change that they are seeking.

Um it also, as part of this change, it does not request it's not requesting a variance because there was nothing from the zoning that set that side setback, so it's not requesting a variance, but it actually is requesting a change in the detail plan on that one notation.

Uh the other two changes are very, very uh minimal.

One is just to allow uh their the side overhang to extend from 24 feet to 25 feet, and then what's being added in terms of the elevations are those two uh larger uh homes uh for this community.

Uh we certainly uh are available to answer any questions, but again, I know from the discussions that had happened previously when the council considered and then uh sent this for a public hearing uh was uh concern about what how this came about and what was affected.

Uh what was not affected is this.

None of the open space that have been designated from the time of rezoning has been diminished.

The lots, lots, configuration, lot sizes have not been diminished.

Uh what's simply sought is for them to be able to build what they believe would be a better home and a better fit uh for this particular future neighborhood.

So that's what's in under consideration for you tonight as it relates to the detailed plan.

The following item on your agenda is approval of the final plat, uh which is not uh which is before you as well.

And uh just for uh purposes of the record, I'll incorporate my comments and any responses to the public hearing portion of the final plat hearing so that we simply don't have to repeat ourselves here for you uh in terms of efficiency.

Again, we have representatives of four-star as well as D.R.

Horton are here tonight.

If I can't answer the question, we'd be very happy to do that for you and appreciate your consideration and approval of the amended detail plan and ultimately the final plat.

Thank you for your time tonight.

Any questions, Mr.

Moore?

Any questions?

Um this may be a question for Mr.

Moore by Miles of V.

It might be better, directed to see staff.

So if it's directed and directed to see that it might be a feature in the discussion.

For the as you're certain to decrease that side setback between the houses from five feet down to three feet, making it going from ten to six.

Um fire control and prevention at that point.

It's still a details is still detached when it's supposed to attach like it's in the like in the middle, where it only have the firewalls or something like in between.

As that space decreases, the risk of fire switching over from one to the other starts increasing at that point.

So what mitigation is there any mitigation with that or is fire fire asked you for any mitigation for that?

Right.

I will answer to my understanding, and then obviously uh your fire department fire marshal can confirm or enhance whatever I say.

But uh my understanding is the fire protection walls and so forth that must occur, sprinklers and so forth are the same at the 10-foot separation as they are with the six-foot separation.

But I I'd have them confirm that.

They're they're the experts.

I don't know if it's appropriate.

Um, Mr.

Mayor, don't know if it's appropriate now or later.

Yeah, I'm be happy to answer that question for you.

Yes, please.

So in single family detached product, once you get within your 10-foot side setback, the ordinance reads that uh once you're 10 feet or within 10 feet of a property line or 20 feet of another structure that the fire protection sprinkler ordinance kicks in, which does apply to residential construction.

Okay.

And with the six-foot versus the ten foot, uh equipment be able to go between houses and stuff.

Is there any concern there?

Uh we'd be able to drag hose between houses, yes, sir.

In full equipment with five with the firefighters?

Absolutely.

Okay.

Thank you.

Other questions?

This is a public go ahead.

I'm sorry.

Question.

So all the properties have the 20-foot driveways.

Uh I would have to look to see on the driveways, but they're they meet what was approved as part of the zoning and the and the detail plan.

So I I don't recall there being an issue with the length of the driveways here.

All 20.

Yeah, they're all they're all minimum 20, Councilman.

I I have a question.

I can't really hear what's going on, but please ask me.

Go ahead.

I cannot hear everything that's going on, but from what I think I heard was that in 22, there wasn't anything designated on what the side setback was going to be.

And then at some time after that, there was a designation.

What was that?

Yes, uh the designation at the original detailed plan approval.

Uh it was a notation on the detail plan that said 10 foot, 10 feet between structures that which was put on there accidentally at that point in time.

And it was so that's why this is being brought forward.

But that was the notation on the on the detail plan that was approved subsequent two years subsequent to the zoning.

So it was two feet, and now you're going to three feet or six total?

It was ten feet on the detail plan that was a note.

10, yes, 10.

Uh, and we're requesting that be six, and staff is requesting essentially that it be set as a three-foot side setback.

That's all.

To accommodate this house.

I mean the 10 came from two five foot.

Correct.

It just wasn't stated that way previously.

Correct.

Okay.

Thank you for your question.

Other questions?

This is a public hearing.

If anybody would like to speak on the matter related to the revised detail plan of Marietta Reserve located at 1401 Powder Spring Street, please come forward at this time and speak.

Anyone would like to speak?

Mayor telling the City Council, the public hearing is closed.

I would like to recognize the councilman from Ward 2 to make a motion, please.

I would like to make a motion to approve item 2026 16 RDP as presented.

Second.

Motion is second.

Any questions or further discussion?

Yes, so the my last concern was just we're decreasing the space in between houses.

So not the biggest fan of the redu of the reduction from the 10 to the six.

Any other question?

Hearing none, I would like to call the question.

Please indicate your vote.

My vote's no.

My vote is no.

Motion carries four three.

Thank you.

Yes, sir.

Mayor Turnman.

This is a public hearing on the final plant for Marietta Reserve located at 1401 Powder Spring Street, which is agenda item 202609 FP.

And Mr.

Moore would like to incorporate the comments from the previous matter.

Is there anyone that would like to speak on item 2026 09 FP located at 1401 Powder Spring Street?

Anyone would like to speak?

Mayor Tillman, those no speakers, so the public hearing is closed.

We're approving the final play.

Verbally, it was approved in the previous motion, wasn't it?

Um Mr.

Cumming, it really goes from a a revised plant to the final, it takes two steps to do that.

Yeah, I understand proceeding, but we voted against this, but we approved it in the previous motion.

I'm just trying to make it hard.

I'll make it ask a full question, Mr.

Mayor.

Yes, sir.

With the final plant, you're not talking about elevations or setbacks or anything like that, correct?

This is just the plot lines, right?

That's correct.

You're talking about the plot lines and the infrastructure as well, and the infrastructure is really the impetus for the act action.

That's my point.

The plot line was the main issue of the discussion.

Yeah.

Yeah, I know.

Unless I missed something.

You didn't help.

Sorry.

Another question I might have with regard to the utilities and everything, that's all not under vegetation or anything like that.

That's all stuff.

So we're not going to have that same issue that's happened in my ward.

It does.

That's right.

Yes, sir.

Okay.

Thank you.

Any further discussion?

Uh please indicate your vote.

My vote's no.

I think I need to make a motion.

Oh, I think a motion.

That's it.

We got a preview here, but Mr.

Waters, will you make a motion, please, sir?

I'd like to make a motion to approve 2026-09 FP as presented.

Second.

Any further discussion?

No, I'm sorry.

Please indicate your vote.

No.

Motion carries five two.

Thank you.

Okay.

Is there a motion to approve the public works ordinance?

Solid waste ordinance?

Um Mr.

Mayor, I think we saw Hope Creek on page six.

I think we saw Hope Creek on page six.

Let's get page six.

Very bottom.

Last item.

Hope Creek.

Before we get to a motion, I do want to ask Mr.

Moore a question.

Okay.

What more does Hope Creek in?

It's in Ward 7.

Why don't we go ahead and make a motion then have a full discussion?

I'll make an I'll make an initial motion to approve as presented.

There's a second.

Second.

Okay, Mr.

Mayor, I may ask a question.

Mr.

Moore, you do you represent the um trayton in this case?

Yes, I am I've been authorized to speak for them on on this tonight.

Yes, thank you.

Okay.

I've seen the two uh there are two um uh pathways now that are they were presented to connect the trail from the development one from the recreation area and one from alley uh D.

Correct.

Um I know staff is asked about up to a third one.

What uh did you all analyze that and was that a possibility?

Uh yes.

Uh they they were able to do that.

The um not able to update the plan just in terms of exactly where it would occur, uh, but they are happy to add a third connection uh where it would be appropriate and and work with staff to do that.

You just have to make sure it's in an appropriate location from a uh topography elevation change and that kind of thing.

So but there's a number of places recreation area and open space areas that would be appropriate for that.

Um so they just are not able to say it'll be right here, but they're certainly able to say uh they are agreeable to a third connection.

Are you okay with this motion motion approval but also being conditioned upon that third uh third one being added and working with staff to identify the appropriate location for that third connection?

We'd be thrilled with that condition added.

Mr.

Mayor, may I make a may I make an amendment?

The motion to amend?

Please do.

Make a motion to amend to uh say that the plan um a third connection to uh shall a third trail connection shall be added um with uh to be later identified as we're uh with the uh developer working with uh city staff on that connection.

Second question, please.

Yes, ma'am.

Uh that amendment doesn't really say when prior to CO when I have to make a subsequent motion to amend what's the appropriate time frame on that staff Bill or Daniel?

Prior to a land disturbance permit.

Make a motion to amend to add language that the identification and identification that has to be done prior to the land and service permit being issued.

It's a double amendment, so we have to go.

The reason this detailed plan is not a public here is because it's not a revised detail plan.

Correct.

Yes.

We're not varying from zone of procedure.

Per code is persistent consistent with the code.

So there's first thing we'll be vote on the amendment of the amendment.

Yes, sir.

Uh all those in favor of amending the amendment, please indicate your vote.

Motion carries 7-0, so now we're to the amended amendment.

Uh-huh.

Any further discussion on that or questions?

Hearing none, I would like to uh call the question.

Aye.

So it now the the motion as amended.

Any further questions on that?

Hearing none, please indicate your vote.

Or by voice.

Aye.

Motion carries 7-0.

Thank you.

Solid waste.

Public words.

Would you like here?

Would you like to make a motion?

Second.

Hearing none, please indicate your vote.

Aye.

Motion carries 7-0.

Is there a motion?

Mr.

Mayor.

Make a motion to suspend the rules and waive the second reading of this ordinance.

Item 20260447.

Second.

Any further discussion?

Hearing none, I call the question.

Aye.

Motion carries 7-0.

So it is passed without a second read.

Yes, sir.

Correct.

Proposed 2028 response.

Thank you, Mayor Town.

This is a public hearing regarding the proposed 2028 SPLOSS.

It will be presented by Mr.

Mark Rice.

Mr.

Rice?

Thank you, Mr.

Haney.

In anticipation of the 2028 SPLOSS referendum to continue the once in special purpose local option sales tax.

We've held three public input meetings, and we have two public hearings scheduled on this proposed project list.

This anticipated SPLOS is anticipated to generate approximately $13.038 million annually over six years for the City of Marietta.

During the public input meetings, we received the following comments.

Two comments were in favor of the establishment of silent railroad crossings in the downtown.

And one comment was in favor of the establishment of a traffic signal on Whitlock Avenue at Dallas Circle.

The list of projects that have been presented to Mayor and Council for a total of $78.2 million over a six-year proposed term includes $33 million for maintenance projects for sidewalks, trails, and uh traffic signals, $3.5 million for mayor and council project ward allotments, $9.2 million for parks and facilities, $25.6 million for public safety, $1.2 million for public works, and $5.4 million for transportation related projects.

These, if this is approved, collections would begin on January 1st of 2028.

The second public hearing for this pro for this uh proposal would be held on June the 10th, 2026 with the mayor and city council.

Thank you, Mr.

Rice.

This is a public hearing.

Is there anyone that would like to speak on the matter related to the proposed 2028 supplied?

If so, please come forward at this time.

You're good.

That's embarrassing.

Um good evening.

My name is Robbie Huck.

I live at 191 Summit Avenue.

Uh I would like this is a respectful request for each member of this council to represent the majority of citizens of Marietta by not going along with asking for more sales tax for these special purpose capital projects.

Um one thing that we all share right now is uncertainty.

You don't know if the dozen eggs you want is going to be in the grocery.

You don't know how much a gallon of gas is going to cost next time you need to put some in your tank.

And both of those items will be affected by this local option sales tax.

Because all of these local sales tax are collected on bread and butter, and they're corrected on collected out of our pockets on each gallon of gasoline that is paid by the um distributor, so that as the price per gallon increases, the bite out of our wallets gets a little bigger.

And seeing that right now we're paying one that was somehow approved by the voters in 22, I believe.

And by law, I I believe it's by law, and correct me if I'm annoying this wrong.

That if it should make it to the ballot, uh it has to say the projected total money that is expected for the term, it has to have a beginning and an end date.

So this new tax would be starting like the public works director said in 28, where the one that we're paying now ends the day before this new tax would start, and the amount that was put on the ballot that was expected to be collected was reached last August, and we're still paying it.

So that means the projects that we thought we were approving have already been funded last August.

And so we're still paying, and we're in this uncertain time when we don't know how much it's gonna cost to fill our gas tank so we could get to where we need to go and back home again.

So I ask that each member of this council be respectful of the people who have budgets and are responsible and live within their budgets, and not ask us for more.

Thanks.

Is there anyone else that would like to speak on the proposed 2028 SPLOSS at this time?

This is the public hearing.

Anyone else?

Mayor Tuman and the City Council, the public hearing is closed.

Volunteer to make a motion.

I would like to make a motion, Mr.

Mayor, to authorize public works to proceed with the list of projects for the 2028 SPLOSS tax and to submit the final list to Cobb County for inclusion on the November referendum ballot.

Second.

Any further discussion?

Just to note the promide disclosure.

I will be voting on everything but the Atlanta Street Project, the Lancer Project I am abstaining on.

This is countywide, so I think thank you for disclosing.

You're good.

Please indicate your vote.

Aye.

Motion carries seven mo.

Thank you.

Mr.

Kennedy, will you conduct a public hearing for 104 Burnout and 105 Jordan Street?

Yes, sir, Mayor Timer.

The public hearing is now open on 104 Burnout Street and 105 Jordan Street being V2026-10.

Mr.

Cummings, the floor is yours, sir.

Thank you once again, Mr.

Haney.

So for case 2026-10, Trayton Holmes is requesting variances related to front, side, and rear setbacks for the properties known as 104 Burnap Street and 105 Jordan Street.

And Mr.

Kevin Moore once again is here to present on behalf of the applicant.

Good evening again, Mr.

Mayor and Council.

I'm here on behalf of Trayton in this application for uh variances on uh two lots uh that are located, one on Jordan Street and one on Burnap Street off of uh Rose Lane.

Uh this uh proposal uh is one that uh follows up on uh the rezoning that we uh that the City Council approved earlier this year uh for the surrounding properties off of Roast Lane on Jordan and Burnap.

The uh uh assemblage uh then was of 21 lots uh that were previously platted in the 1930s and rezoning those so they could be uh be assembled together uh and was approved by the City Council.

Uh as just kind of discussed at that time, uh we we felt that it might be possible uh in moving forward that some of the additional lots that were not included, the ones especially that um are uh do not have houses on them now could be included later.

Uh that's and that's what's happening now.

So these are two existing residential lots.

I'm not asking for rezoning, but both lots are currently zoned R2.

Uh as you can see, the lots are uh could be built on if you can meet the current R2 setback standards.

However, the current R2 setback standards if you apply them to these substandard lots from the 1930s would leave uh less than you would would not be able to build a house because the setbacks would leave you with such a small area to build a house on.

So what we are requesting is variances to the setbacks so that we can uh match those with the other homes that Trayton is gonna be building here.

Uh so that's all that this is doing.

Uh under uh we are not changing the lot lines or changing the lots as they exist today.

Uh simply buying the two, we purchased the two lots and we're going to build houses on them.

But in the same kind of context that the other lots uh would be built on as well.

And so we're trying to we're matching those setbacks up.

But it just requires variances because they still are zoned R2.

So I'm happy to answer any questions.

Uh and you should uh expect to see we've uh Trayton also recently purchased one of the other lots, and so we will be coming back to you in the following month for that for that lot as well.

But again, not rezoning, not reconfiguring these lots uh because they they're uh they stand as is.

We just have to have those setbacks adjusted because otherwise you could not you literally cannot physically build a house with under the R2 setbacks applied to these individual lots.

Any questions of Mr.

Moore?

Mr.

Gulf.

Um two questions.

Just one's a curiosity.

What's the other lot that we'll be seeing probably in a few months in a month or two?

Um it's the lot to the um east of lot twenty on the plan that you're showing.

It's shown uh owned by uh Ms.

Pruitt.

Got it.

So that's the one in between the two longer lots and the what is now marked as twenty?

That's correct.

So that will fill in a gap.

That will fill in that gap, correct.

Okay.

Um the other one is the zoning was done, I think uh a condition of zoning was that it was supposed to follow the residential overlay in fill district.

Correct.

Uh standards, are you are is your client amenable to those same standards being applied to these lots?

Yes, thank you for that question.

It would help if I looked at my notes uh before I completed uh to to state that yes, if if the council is inclined to approve this, we would request that any approval be made subject to the infill overlay ordinance standards, just as the others have been approved in accordance with those standards, voluntarily putting those standards on these lots and homes as well, which elevates their architectural standards and other aspects to to the homes.

So that thank you for that.

I'm neglected to state that in my opening remarks.

Any other questions?

Uh I have a question.

Uh Mr.

Moore, how many total homes will be built?

So the rezoning that was done in uh earlier this year is 20 uh was 19 homes, uh and now you have uh these two additional, so that's uh 21 total right now.

It is correct.

Yes, 1920.

21 homes total.

Thank you.

This is a public hearing, so if anyone would like to speak on the variance request by Trayton LLC regarding 104 Burnap Street or 105 Jordan Street being V 2026-10, please come forward at this time.

You'll state your name and address, please.

Hello, my name is Gretchen Crohn.

I live at 524 Cherokee Street in Ward 4B.

So mine is more just a question.

Um what's the current variance and what are you sending it back to?

Like why are you what are you addressing it to?

This is not a question and answer period.

Can you speak privately with them or is there anyone else that would like to speak?

Um Ma'am, you turn right?

Could I still hear your question?

I didn't understand what the question was.

I mean I know it's not a debate between them, but but I mean your question would give me some insight to what you were after.

So I was asking what's the current variance that like what's the current setback that they are allowed to have and what are they trying to reduce it to?

How much are they reducing the variance?

Um I feel like that should be stated in what they're the variants should say how much they are setting it back.

I am sure Mr.

Moore would be glad to answer that.

Thank you.

Do you mind?

Yes, I would be be happy to.

So uh under the existing R2 zoning district, uh the request would be to reduce the front setback from the required 30 feet to uh 15-foot setback, front setback, which is what the other lots are set to per the zoning.

Uh also a reduction of the five of the side setback from the required 10 feet to 5 feet for lot 22, and on the western boundary of the side setback on lot 20 to 3 feet.

Uh that's just at an angle for one corner of the house on how the house would sit.

Uh and then the reduction of the rear setback from the required 30 feet to 10 feet.

And while those seem like they're fairly from a degree standpoint, um significant reductions.

Understand these lots are only at uh less than 80 feet in depth.

So applying a front setback of 30 feet and a rear setback of 30 feet would only leave you a house that could be built on one of these lots of 20 feet deep.

So that that's not a house we would want to anybody else would want us to, or certainly the city would want us to build there.

So that's the reason for the request here.

Mr.

Mayor.

Yes, sir.

Um on variance three that you discussed.

Where it's at the side the side setback from 10 to 3 feet.

You said it is only for a corner of the house?

That's correct.

The way the house would have to sit on that lot because it is an angle.

Um it cuts off the front right of the house, juts in two feet because of the way it would sit and just the way the geometry works.

So it would only be applicable to that portion.

Um is it okay if that if that variance gets tied to that what you just said what you just stated?

Yes, and that was provided.

So yes, that would be uh absolutely agreeable.

And with that uh that one being next to the one that's going to be filled, it will be filled in a later month.

Can you please make sure that that has a good separation between houses between the proposed houses or setbacks there so you still get that larger 10-foot or something, something like that between the houses at least?

Yes.

We could we can do that because it's a wider lot, so that we feel like we can achieve that.

Okay.

I know that's not not at this zoning, but it's a it would be a question I'll likely try to remember when to be asking at that next zoning.

We'll make sure we look at that.

If I may be at a gray-haired person to talk about uh you know over six or send a year, these this was a good residential neighborhood.

With the growth of wealth stores or Kendallstone from 1950 on, they buy these houses and tear them down.

And I think for a lot of years it was in the county, not the city.

That's right.

And after all those big buildings around it, they're worth a lot, and you gotta do.

You fill up more of the lot because you have to to make to make them more flying.

I mean.

And I guarantee most of them are going to be pre-sold.

There's been a lot of interest already.

Yeah, but like you said, they people buy them and just tear them down.

Just readily destroy the whole neighborhood.

Right.

Um, public hearing is closed.

Anyone else that would like to speak?

Mayor Tell them the City Council, the public hearing is closed.

The chair recognizes Councilman Ward 4, Mr.

Anderson.

Glad to make a motion that we approve uh the variance to reduce the setbacks and V 2026-10, including uh following the infield overlay standards as previously mentioned.

Are you also okay with uh three being limited to to the front just that front pit for the two feet there?

Correct.

Second your motion.

Further questions.

Hearing none, please indicate your vote.

I motion carries 7-0.

Thank you.

Next item is unscheduled appearance with uh each speaker's allowed five minutes, and Mr.

Handy, will you conduct the Yes sir?

Is there anyone that would like to come forward on the unscheduled appearances?

You have five minutes if you'll state your name and address.

Please come forward this time.

Good evening.

Uh my name is Leon Washington.

I'm part of Alturik Temple and War 5 over off of Montgomery Street.

Um we're here tonight to come to you all to let you all know that we are here in the neighborhood, Al Tariq Temple.

Uh we do a lot of stuff in the community, and we're trying to put together a program, uh, amnesty program for don't ask, don't tell, trying to get weapons off the street.

Um I spoke with uh I might have his name wrong.

McFamily McFillamy.

We've we actually fed the Marietta Police Department on Saturday.

Um that's our way.

What better way to break ground than feed somebody?

It opens up conversation.

Um so we're we're trying to put this amnesty program together in the city of Marietta to try to get guns off the street.

I heard the gentleman talk about the shooting on Franklin Roads constantly.

I don't care if we only get one gun.

But we're trying to put this together and get the support of you all to make that happen.

It can't happen without you all's help.

So we come into you all tonight.

We are actually putting a plan together to make this happen.

We will be speaking more with the Marietta Police Department.

I don't know if he brought that up to you yet or not, but um we spoke with him about that on Saturday.

Us as an organization here in Cobb County, we try to do everything that we can to make our community better.

We partner with Fair Oaks Elementary.

Tomorrow we'll be at Fair Oaks Elementary Field Day helping them.

We always give book bags to the community, to Fair Oaks.

It's one of the more underprivileged schools in Cobb County.

I mean, I'm sorry, in Marietta.

So we do everything we can to help them over there.

And also the fire department.

We've had the fire department.

It's basically getting more visibility in the community and say, hey, we are here, and we're willing to help any way that you all see fit.

But the biggest thing we have now, we want to try to do this amnesty program.

Don't ask, don't tell.

Is we're also going to be soliciting donations from businesses in the community.

Because let's just be honest, and I seen it in other cities.

They've always given something in order to have them to be able to do that.

They're not just going to say, come here and say, Here, I got this gun.

You can have it.

They always want an incentive.

Let's just be honest and true with each other.

So with hopefully the support we're putting this together, we can have you all support in trying to make this happen.

Like I said before, if it's only one gun, that's one gun off the street.

We would love more, but that's my time, and thank you.

Anyone else that would like to speak under unscheduled appearances?

Anyone else?

Mayor Tumlin, I believe that's it.

I'm not to close unschedured.

Is any reason for JC's session?

Yes, sir.

No further matters, so I'd like to adjourn to me.

Maiden adjourned.

Thank you.