OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City of Marietta Committee Meetings and Special Called Work Session - August 25, 2026

City Council Archive View — Tuesday, August 25, 2026
BodyMarietta, Georgia
SessionCity Council Archive View
DateTuesday, August 25, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:24:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

I could call the finance committee meeting to order, please.

0:04

The first item on agenda is approve the meeting minutes from July 28th.

0:12

Oh, sorry.

0:14

Make a message to approve.

0:16

Second.

0:17

All those in favor show by sign raise the right hand.

0:20

3-0 motion meetings approved.

0:24

The next items will take in sequence hotel motel tax, auto rental tax, and finance update by Miss Patina.

0:34

Yes, sir.

0:34

Thank you, Chairman.

0:36

Good afternoon, everyone.

0:39

So I will be reporting first on the hotel motel for the month of July.

0:49

So for our hotel motel uh collections for July totaled $350,846.

0:57

After normalizing the FY25 for payment, the July collections were the lowest July that we've seen in the past four years.

1:05

Historically, our August is the highest month that we see throughout the year.

1:11

So we'll take a look at those collections because that'll be for our July activity as they come in next month.

1:19

Looking at our three percent auto, the auto rental revenues have totaled $99,631.

1:27

And this was slightly below the rolling 12-month 12-month average.

1:57

So for our initial month, we were a little short, but that may change, and the balance will come out as we um go through the 12 months of this fiscal year.

2:10

Then moving to our general fund, the general fund revenue collections for July total 4.2 million, and this was an increase of approximately 170,000 compared to FY July of FY26.

2:25

The variance were in two major areas.

2:31

Um was an increase in franchise fee revenue, and the other was um $99,000.

2:41

Um that was also a timing issue in our um franchise revenue.

2:47

So we had um additional receipts that um came in earlier than the prior year.

2:56

Um and then the operational expenses doubled for our um year over year.

3:04

The annual encumbrances for the professional and technical services as well as their contractual obligations accounted for 1.2 of the 1.3 million dollar increase, and that was just a change in practice.

3:19

Um we had more contractual um obligations for the full year that they um entered into as far as encumbrances in the first month.

3:30

So looking at um our golf on page three, the golf profitability was six hundred thousand dollars higher compared to um July of 2025 and 2026 was slightly higher.

3:46

The favorable variance was primarily because of the 313,000 in capital.

3:52

So our capital investments were lower this year, our capital needs were lower this year, um, and the 146,000 dollars of reduction in equipment and storage facility rental.

4:07

So those were the primary contributors to the $600,000 difference, and then lastly, um on the memo page you'll see a listing of some of the major projects that we have ongoing for the finance department, and I can let you breeze through that.

4:26

And if you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to answer them.

4:33

Only question I have really is on the pension trust custodial management migration, what that is and why it's on hold, whatever that means.

4:41

Okay, so um for our um initially we went through a custodial change, and what that means is um the bank that um does our pension transactions when we have investment changes within the portfolio.

5:02

We had to change our banking um uh our banking vendor because initially we were had um a vendor that was bought out, and so that migration took place, and so we were forced to do that, and that um was implemented in January of this prior year.

5:25

We've had some um issues in the past with that particular vendor, and in doing so, um we went out to uh market to see what additional vendors were out there and talked to about five different vendors to see who would be the best potential to transition to a second time.

5:48

Um and we did find one we just held off on doing that because at the time we also um our actual bank for our normal transaction was acquired, and we had to do a full migration of all of our banking over um in a matter of short months, and that took place that was effective as of uh mid-July, and so and we put the other initial custodial transition on hold in order to make sure that we could focus on the um primary banking.

6:25

Thank you.

6:25

Absolutely.

6:30

Okay, and we just ask that um it be received and filed.

6:39

Okay, we need a motion to receive and file.

6:42

I'll make a motion to receive and file.

6:44

Second.

6:49

Motion pass 3-0.

6:52

The next item is the tree replacement fund.

7:03

Thank you, Chairman.

7:04

Uh, this would be a budget amendment that would allow for the acceptance of uh money donated into the tree fund in lieu of uh planting the full trees for 1339 Owen B drive.

7:14

Uh there's a company located at the site LC distributors, and they're going through a renovation project on site.

7:19

And so uh the unit differential um is approximately 16 units shy of what they should be, but they're well within the uh prescribed uh required density of the tree ordinance, and so that is why the request uh amend the budget for 8800 is before you tonight.

7:38

Um did this request come in under the old price or the new price.

7:42

It did, unfortunately it came under the old price.

7:45

So soon we will start to see the 400, but this is 220.

7:48

Okay, just curious.

7:50

That was a good question.

7:53

Any other questions?

8:00

Yes, motion to uh motion move it forward for approval.

8:04

Yes, sir.

8:04

Approval for Wednesday.

8:06

Well I'll make a motion to approve the budget amendment to appropriate funds and the amount of eight eight hundred dollars from Beltron LLC for construction activity at 1339 OMB track.

8:20

This is for what's the date Wednesday the ninth, yep, okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Data Center Development█████████████████████21%
Travel Expenses██████████████████18%
Parks and Recreation████████████12%
Procedural████████8%
Personnel Matters████4%
Zoning and Land Use████4%
Public Works████4%
Street Closure████4%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Summary of Proceedings

City of Marietta Committee Meetings and Special Called Work Session - August 25, 2026

Multiple city committees met on August 25, 2026, covering finance, personnel, parks, judicial/legislative, economic development, and public works. The meetings included financial updates, budget amendments, policy changes, project approvals, and a special called work session that ended in executive session.

Finance Committee

  • Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously (3-0) from July 28, 2026.
  • Hotel/Motel Tax, Auto Rental Tax, and Finance Update: Presented by Miss Patina. July hotel/motel collections totaled $350,846, the lowest July in four years. Auto rental revenues were $99,631, slightly below the rolling 12-month average. General fund revenue for July was $4.2 million, an increase of ~$170,000 over FY26. Operating expenses doubled year-over-year due to $1.2 million in encumbrances. Golf profitability was $600,000 higher than July 2025, primarily due to lower capital investments. The report was received and filed (3-0).
  • Tree Replacement Fund Budget Amendment: Approved $8,800 from Beltron LLC for 1339 Owen B Drive, accepting money in lieu of tree planting. Unanimous (3-0).

Personnel & Insurance Committee

  • Distinguished Service Award: Motion to honor Mark Maloney with a distinguished service award, to be presented at the September 9th council meeting. Approved unanimously.
  • Board of Zoning Appeals Appointment: Chase Clark appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mark Maloney. Approved unanimously (3-0).
  • Employee Group Benefits Program: Renewal of 2027 benefits presented. Anthem Health Plan projected 2.3% increase; Aetna Medicare Advantage 8.89% increase; stop-loss premiums 20% increase. All employee contributions remained unchanged. Motion to approve passed 2-0 with one abstention (Councilmember disclosed representation of ROG, the legal program provider).

Parks, Recreation & Tourism Committee

  • 2009 Parks Bond Report: Informational; interest earnings of $873.67 received; Larry Spinsky Park grant reimbursement in progress (final 10% pending National Park Service review); Ailborough's Nature Park drain pipe replacement initiated.
  • Recreation Facilities Annual Report (FY26): Custer Park Sports & Fitness Center gross revenue up 2% over prior year. Elizabeth Porter Park Spray Ground attendance increased by 600 to over 27,000, gross revenue flat. Franklin Gateway Sports Complex gross revenue up 7%. Staff requested changing from quarterly to annual reporting; no action required.
  • Motor Vehicle Tax Distribution: Discussion of projects. $1,055,036 available. Approved (unanimous) projects including: Elizabeth Porter Park pavilion, Brumby Hall improvements (bridal suite $175,000 + signage $75,000 = $250,000), and Marietta Cobb Museum of Art request. Additionally, Chalktoberfest funding was approved from auto rental tax funds. Remaining funds for Rottenwood Creek trailhead and pollinator garden were noted but not voted on.
  • Summer Camp Funding: Approved submission of a Boost Grant application for 2027 summer camp (unanimous).
  • Franklin Gateway Community Park Advisory Committee: Slate of 14 members approved (unanimous) with one vacancy to be filled later.
  • Marietta the Gathering Street Closures: Approved Level 4 street closure for Saturday, March 6, 2027 (9,000 attendees in 2026). Unanimous.
  • Custer Park Field Rentals: Updated rental policy discussed, tabled to the Thursday work session for redline comparison.

Judicial & Legislative Committee

  • Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously (3-0) from June 23, 2026.
  • Travel and Training Code Amendments: Presented by staff. Proposed changes included increasing approval threshold from $500 to $1,000, removing travel agency requirement, expanding lodging to resorts/short-term rentals, increasing mileage from 100 to 400 miles for in-state travel, incorporating ride shares, raising per diem from $40 to $50, and tying mileage to IRS rate. Council requested grammatical corrections, clarification on short-term rental safety, and adjustment to IRS rate language. Moved to agenda work session (3-0).
  • Data Center Ordinance and Georgia Tech Proposal: Council discussed the draft ordinance and a proposal from Georgia Tech for community engagement and ordinance development. Concerns were raised about the draft ordinance's one-size-fits-all approach and the need for technical expertise in noise, public health, and electrical engineering. Georgia Tech indicated willingness to include additional experts. No vote; item held for further details and to be brought back to the next committee meeting.

Economic Development Committee

  • CDBG CAPER (FY25): Presented by Kelsey. Allocation of $417,363; total available $583,000; expended $468,000. Six sub-recipients served low-to-moderate income residents: Center for Family Resources (6 households), Marietta Power (35 students), Safe Path (70 children), Sir Familia (14 individuals), The Extension (52 homeless women), YELL (152 youth). Housing rehabilitation served 12 households (average income $24,000; 10 were 62+). Playground at Larry Siminski Park completed. Informational; no vote required.

Public Works Committee

  • Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously (3-0).
  • 2016 SPLOST Update: Rottenwood Creek Trail ribbon cutting set for September 18, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Aviation Park.
  • 2022 SPLOST Updates: Whitlock Drive intersection improvements going to bid; Franklin Gateway Bridge replacement awaiting contract; New Hope Road and Wiley Road awaiting contracts; four mid-block crossing projects completed (Chestnut Hill Road, Victory and Park, Cherokee and Dobbs, Church and Artists). Herbert Drive drainage design in progress.
  • Department Updates: Retirement of John Edwards (29 years) announced. Construction Board of Appeals vacancies and reappointments needed by end of year.
  • Lights of Life Event (Life University): Approved closure of Barclay Circle from November 27 to December 31, 2026 (Sunday-Thursday 5:30-9 PM, Friday-Saturday 5:30-10 PM). Unanimous.
  • Hickory Drive Speed Study: Approved to conduct a speed study for potential traffic calming (unanimous).
  • Artist Street No Parking Signage: Approved installation of no parking signs on both sides of Artist Street from Church to Cherokee Street (vote 2-1).
  • Donation of Right-of-Way for Williams Drive/Guffin Lane: Discussion revealed grammatical errors and missing date in quitclaim deed; moved to non-consent with attorney review.

Special Called Council Work Session

  • Minutes of July 28, 2026 Meeting: Approved (6-1).
  • Executive Session: Motion to enter executive session for legal advice regarding BLW contract (6-1).

Key Outcomes

  • Approvals: Finance reports received and filed; tree replacement budget amendment; distinguished service award; board appointment; employee benefits renewal (with abstention); motor vehicle tax projects (Elizabeth Porter, Brumby Hall, Museum of Art, Chalktoberfest); summer camp grant submission; Franklin Gateway committee; Marietta the Gathering street closure; Lights of Life; Hickory speed study; Artist Street no parking.
  • Tabled Items: Custer Park field rental policy (to Thursday work session); travel and training code amendments (to agenda work session); data center ordinance/Georgia Tech proposal (to next committee meeting).
  • Directives: Staff to obtain corrected quitclaim deed for Williams Drive; council to fill remaining committee vacancy; staff to provide redline of Custer Park policy; further details on Georgia Tech proposal to include specific technical experts.
  • Next Steps: Distinguished service award presentation September 9; Rottenwood Creek ribbon cutting September 18; CDBG public review meeting September 8; public comment on CAPER until September 11; construction board appointments due by November/December.

Meeting Transcript

I could call the finance committee meeting to order, please. The first item on agenda is approve the meeting minutes from July 28th. Oh, sorry. Make a message to approve. Second. All those in favor show by sign raise the right hand. 3-0 motion meetings approved. The next items will take in sequence hotel motel tax, auto rental tax, and finance update by Miss Patina. Yes, sir. Thank you, Chairman. Good afternoon, everyone. So I will be reporting first on the hotel motel for the month of July. So for our hotel motel uh collections for July totaled $350,846. After normalizing the FY25 for payment, the July collections were the lowest July that we've seen in the past four years. Historically, our August is the highest month that we see throughout the year. So we'll take a look at those collections because that'll be for our July activity as they come in next month. Looking at our three percent auto, the auto rental revenues have totaled $99,631. And this was slightly below the rolling 12-month 12-month average. So for our initial month, we were a little short, but that may change, and the balance will come out as we um go through the 12 months of this fiscal year. Then moving to our general fund, the general fund revenue collections for July total 4.2 million, and this was an increase of approximately 170,000 compared to FY July of FY26. The variance were in two major areas. Um was an increase in franchise fee revenue, and the other was um $99,000. Um that was also a timing issue in our um franchise revenue. So we had um additional receipts that um came in earlier than the prior year. Um and then the operational expenses doubled for our um year over year. The annual encumbrances for the professional and technical services as well as their contractual obligations accounted for 1.2 of the 1.3 million dollar increase, and that was just a change in practice. Um we had more contractual um obligations for the full year that they um entered into as far as encumbrances in the first month. So looking at um our golf on page three, the golf profitability was six hundred thousand dollars higher compared to um July of 2025 and 2026 was slightly higher. The favorable variance was primarily because of the 313,000 in capital. So our capital investments were lower this year, our capital needs were lower this year, um, and the 146,000 dollars of reduction in equipment and storage facility rental. So those were the primary contributors to the $600,000 difference, and then lastly, um on the memo page you'll see a listing of some of the major projects that we have ongoing for the finance department, and I can let you breeze through that. And if you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to answer them. Only question I have really is on the pension trust custodial management migration, what that is and why it's on hold, whatever that means. Okay, so um for our um initially we went through a custodial change, and what that means is um the bank that um does our pension transactions when we have investment changes within the portfolio. We had to change our banking um uh our banking vendor because initially we were had um a vendor that was bought out, and so that migration took place, and so we were forced to do that, and that um was implemented in January of this prior year. We've had some um issues in the past with that particular vendor, and in doing so, um we went out to uh market to see what additional vendors were out there and talked to about five different vendors to see who would be the best potential to transition to a second time. Um and we did find one we just held off on doing that because at the time we also um our actual bank for our normal transaction was acquired, and we had to do a full migration of all of our banking over um in a matter of short months, and that took place that was effective as of uh mid-July, and so and we put the other initial custodial transition on hold in order to make sure that we could focus on the um primary banking. Thank you. Absolutely. Okay, and we just ask that um it be received and filed. Okay, we need a motion to receive and file. I'll make a motion to receive and file. Second. Motion pass 3-0. The next item is the tree replacement fund. Thank you, Chairman. Uh, this would be a budget amendment that would allow for the acceptance of uh money donated into the tree fund in lieu of uh planting the full trees for 1339 Owen B drive. Uh there's a company located at the site LC distributors, and they're going through a renovation project on site. And so uh the unit differential um is approximately 16 units shy of what they should be, but they're well within the uh prescribed uh required density of the tree ordinance, and so that is why the request uh amend the budget for 8800 is before you tonight. Um did this request come in under the old price or the new price.

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