OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Marietta City Council Agenda Review Session - July 8, 2026

City Council Archive View — Wednesday, July 8, 2026
BodyMarietta, Georgia
SessionCity Council Archive View
DateWednesday, July 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 54:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Three minutes.

0:02

I'd like to call the city council agenda review session to order, please.

0:06

The first item of business is the June 10th, Juneteenth, June the 10th, 2026, regular meeting minutes.

0:15

Is there a motion?

0:17

Make a motion to approve.

0:18

Second.

0:19

All those in favor, please raise your right hand.

0:21

Motion carries 7-0.

0:24

City Council agenda review.

0:32

Tonight we're delighted to presentation of a renewed office with the mayor of the police department.

0:40

And I guess the chairman of personnel and the chairman of public safety join them.

0:50

Mr.

0:50

Chair, do you mind presenting that?

0:55

I don't know if I have the proclamation, but I'm happy to present it if I can.

1:00

It's up there.

1:09

Schedule appearances.

1:10

We have uh four people signed up.

1:22

The two minutes for Juneteenth and June 23rd are on consent.

1:26

Any of the objection to those?

1:28

No objection.

1:33

The next item is a motion to table.

1:41

No objection.

1:45

Next item is which one is that.

1:52

D6 North Hill Quest.

1:54

Thank you, Mayor.

1:55

No new information related to this request tonight.

2:06

See nobody say anything.

2:09

The next item is 25 Crescent Circle.

2:14

Yes, sir.

2:15

We also have no new information related to this request as well.

2:32

55 Powers Ferry Place.

2:35

Yes, sir.

2:36

Um this morning staff was provided with an uh letter of stipulation update um dated today by Mr.

2:42

Parks Huff, the representative of the applicant.

2:44

Uh within that letter of stipulation, they've outlined certain things they are agreeable to in relationship to noise attenuation, some other factors related to the site.

2:52

Um that email was provided to council, and I believe we have it at your uh seats as well.

2:57

But if you have any questions, be happy to answer those.

3:03

The uh let the letter was also posted online at the upcoming hearings page, correct?

3:07

That's that's correct.

3:08

Okay.

3:14

Well, the clarity when we what I understood when we left, it was they were talking about 12 megawatts.

3:20

But but the whole package is 18 meals and 12 just for IT and but it's gonna be 18 additional mega watts.

3:29

Yes, sir.

3:30

And they broke it down into purpose, so that's correct.

3:34

Is this question?

3:37

The stipulation letter in our package.

3:39

It's on your desk.

3:40

It's on the desk to the right.

3:43

It was submitted after the packets were presented, so you've got it separately on the desk.

3:48

This is the mission proof.

3:50

Well, there's one that says uh July 8th.

3:54

That's it right there.

3:55

Uh it's uh the right one.

4:10

Yes, July 8th.

4:15

You need a copy, I can provide mine.

4:17

Here we go, we got a copy.

4:19

Okay.

4:20

Yep, thank you.

4:21

Today's date, yeah.

4:24

He's gonna back row.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Pending Litigation████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Arts And Culture████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Marietta City Council Agenda Review Session - July 8, 2026

The Marietta City Council held an agenda review session on July 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The meeting covered approval of minutes, a proclamation, public comments, multiple development items, a temporary moratorium on data centers, and updates on recent events, including World Cup and Independence Day celebrations. Key discussions included procedural questions on zoning, property boundary disputes, and clarifications on the tax freeze.

Consent Calendar

  • June 10, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes: Approved 7-0.
  • Juneteenth and June 23rd Meeting Minutes: Approved on consent with no objection.
  • Schedule Appearances: Four people signed up for two-minute slots; no objection.
  • D6 North Hill Quest: No new information; no objection.
  • 25 Crescent Circle: No new information; no objection.
  • Revised DA for Atlanta NWSL: Moved to consent with no objection; characterized as a minor change (moving a security shack gate).
  • Claims on Consent: One claim added after agenda publication; will be presented at the 7:00 PM meeting for a motion.
  • Tree Replacement and Land Acquisition Funding: First two items on page eight; no objection to consent.
  • Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers: Placed on consent; clarification added that it expires December 31, 2026, or upon ordinance amendment, whichever is earlier (per state law). No objection.
  • Franklin Gateway Park Committee Resolution: Placed on consent as revised; committee will operate under Robert’s Rules as modified by city code. Minor wording change accepted.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public testimony was taken during this agenda review session.

Discussion Items

  • 55 Powers Ferry Place (Data Center): Staff received a letter of stipulation dated July 8, 2026, from applicant representative Parks Huff, outlining agreements on noise attenuation and other site factors. The project includes an additional 18 megawatts total, with 12 megawatts designated for IT. The letter was posted online and provided to council.
  • 1440 Sumter (Preliminary Plat Approval): New information included a letter from the applicant’s attorney responding to objections, plus a plan showing infrastructure placement. A letter from the engineer committed to following stormwater regulations and improving flow. Discussion revealed a property title dispute involving six individuals with interest in a road. Council members noted they cannot act as a quasi-judicial body over real property matters; suggestions included tabling or letting a judge resolve the dispute. Under code section 728.04, a certificate of title will be required at final review.
  • 520 West Atlanta Street: The church clarified pronunciation ("basil," not "basil"), stated no additional gravel will be placed—grass area will be used for parking—and provided an email from the Geminological Society granting permission for off-site parking. Revised plan removes 10 parking spaces along city right-of-way. Council noted parking on grass is not an acceptable surface.
  • Moratorium on Data Centers: Clarification added that the moratorium expires on the earlier of December 31, 2026, or when city council amends data center ordinances (to comply with state law).
  • Temporary Moratorium: Placed on consent; no objection.
  • 102 Murnap: No new information.

Video Presentations and Departmental Updates

  • Polk Street Safety Project: WSB-TV segment highlighted a new $143,000 crosswalk at Westside Elementary School, with 14 lights (most in-ground), to improve safety for students crossing a street with over 5,000 vehicles daily. Project expected to complete by next week.
  • Marietta Square Businesses: Atlanta News First reported a surge in foot traffic ahead of July 4th and World Cup activities; businesses stayed open to capitalize.
  • Lightning Strike Response: Fox 5 News featured Jeannie Mena, who survived a lightning strike on June 2026 at St. Joseph’s Church. Officers Lutvig and Haney performed CPR; Marietta Fire Department arrived within four minutes, used a defibrillator, and transported her to the hospital. Chief noted traumatic arrest recovery rate is typically 1%; life-saving coins were awarded to responders.
  • Park & Recreation Month: Video recognized parks and recreation professionals for maintaining city spaces.
  • Passport to the Past: Six museums participating in America’s 250th celebration; passports available at museums and Welcome Center.
  • Weather Channel “Hot Jobs”: Segment featured Marietta Fire Department training; council thanked for training center support.
  • Eric Black, Parks & Rec Director: Reported 7,000 attendees at combined World Cup watch parties (excluding Monday), 4,400 at Independence Eve concert, 6,100 at parade, and 18,400 on July 4th—highest totals since 2019. Upcoming events: Glover Park concert featuring Seven Bridges (Eagles cover band) and Harvest Fest. Thanked staff and coordinators Byron Gersner and Maggie Moss.
  • Ronnie Barrett: Announced grant award for a digital twin of the transportation network to predict traffic impacts; match will be brought to council in late July. Legislative session: no local or property tax bills passed. Noted Marietta’s homestead property tax freeze since 2002 (0% increase) is better than state’s new 3% cap. Clarified that reported tax increases apply to rezoned commercial/industrial properties and new development, not individual homesteads.
  • Keisha Register, HR: New insurance partner One Digital will launch wellness initiatives, including CPR classes. Budget closed successfully for fiscal year; new balanced budget began July 1st. Council has not raised taxes; millage rate unchanged since 2002, with reductions in four of the last six years.
  • Mayor: Acknowledged the city’s 250th anniversary activities and thanked council for funding the Field of Flags. Noted international media coverage (Brazilian and Colombian news crews) during World Cup watch parties.
  • Town Halls: Mayor announced a town hall on July 30 at 6:30 PM at Marietta Fire Department training room. Ward Six Council Member announced a town hall on July 22 at 6:30 PM at Station 56 on Sawyer Road.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: 7-0.
  • Revised DA for Atlanta NWSL: Approved on consent.
  • Claims on Consent: Held for 7:00 PM meeting.
  • 1440 Sumter: Discussion indicated title dispute may require tabling or judicial resolution; no vote taken.
  • Franklin Gateway Park Committee Resolution: Placed on consent with revised wording.
  • Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers: Approved on consent with clarification on expiration.
  • Meeting Adjourned: Agenda review session adjourned at 11:36 AM; regular meeting to convene at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Three minutes. I'd like to call the city council agenda review session to order, please. The first item of business is the June 10th, Juneteenth, June the 10th, 2026, regular meeting minutes. Is there a motion? Make a motion to approve. Second. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. Motion carries 7-0. City Council agenda review. Tonight we're delighted to presentation of a renewed office with the mayor of the police department. And I guess the chairman of personnel and the chairman of public safety join them. Mr. Chair, do you mind presenting that? I don't know if I have the proclamation, but I'm happy to present it if I can. It's up there. Schedule appearances. We have uh four people signed up. The two minutes for Juneteenth and June 23rd are on consent. Any of the objection to those? No objection. The next item is a motion to table. No objection. Next item is which one is that. D6 North Hill Quest. Thank you, Mayor. No new information related to this request tonight. See nobody say anything. The next item is 25 Crescent Circle. Yes, sir. We also have no new information related to this request as well. 55 Powers Ferry Place. Yes, sir. Um this morning staff was provided with an uh letter of stipulation update um dated today by Mr. Parks Huff, the representative of the applicant. Uh within that letter of stipulation, they've outlined certain things they are agreeable to in relationship to noise attenuation, some other factors related to the site. Um that email was provided to council, and I believe we have it at your uh seats as well. But if you have any questions, be happy to answer those. The uh let the letter was also posted online at the upcoming hearings page, correct? That's that's correct. Okay. Well, the clarity when we what I understood when we left, it was they were talking about 12 megawatts. But but the whole package is 18 meals and 12 just for IT and but it's gonna be 18 additional mega watts. Yes, sir. And they broke it down into purpose, so that's correct. Is this question? The stipulation letter in our package. It's on your desk. It's on the desk to the right. It was submitted after the packets were presented, so you've got it separately on the desk. This is the mission proof.

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