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Record of Proceedings

Norcross Policy Work Session Summary – August 3, 2026

City Council & Urban Redevelopment Agency — Monday, August 3, 2026
BodyNorcross, Georgia
SessionCity Council & Urban Redevelopment Agency
DateMonday, August 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:18:04

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:00

There's a representative here from Rough Draft.

0:03

Can you show that to him?

Speaker 2

0:05

What about the that Friday?

Speaker 3

0:09

I mean, sucked it out.

Speaker 4

0:14

We have to vote on the budget no matter what on the 7th.

Unassigned speaker

0:17

Are you here the 24th?

Speaker 4

0:20

No,

Speaker 5

0:20

Monday, the 10th.

Unassigned speaker

0:21

I don't need next year.

Speaker 5

0:22

Can you be here?

0:22

That's

Speaker 6

0:22

my major.

0:24

Well, you would know.

0:25

So for being here with us tonight.

0:29

We have a very uh robust agenda, as I say often.

0:33

So we're going to try to go through as expeditiously as possible.

0:37

We're going to try to follow the rules, including Mayor and Council, so that we can uh effectively get through the agenda.

0:45

So let me go ahead and move down to item A, which is roll call.

0:52

Let the record show they all are present and accounted for.

0:56

Then we'll move down to item B, which is citizen input.

1:00

Now, relative to citizen input tonight, uh has to be an issue that's on our agenda for discussion.

1:10

Uh for citizen input.

1:17

So at this time, are there any citizens that would like to come to the podium?

1:24

On an issue that's on the agenda.

1:26

I did sign the form for that, so I can speak.

1:30

Okay.

1:31

Anyone else uh would like to uh speak on an issue?

1:37

Brief.

1:37

It has to be uh it's all related on the agenda.

1:43

It's one of the agenda items.

1:45

It's all related to your agenda.

1:48

Yes, but it has to be one of the agenda items.

1:50

It's covered.

1:50

Okay, you may come to the podium.

1:52

Yes, and give your name and address.

Speaker 7

2:06

No,

Speaker 1

2:07

no, no, yeah.

Speaker 8

2:12

These are the handouts.

Unassigned speaker

2:16

Okay,

Speaker 8

2:17

this will be less than two minutes.

2:19

My name is Keith Brent Duncan.

2:22

We've moved here in '81.

2:24

We actually invented most of the artificial intelligence of the internet.

2:27

The system I put in your hand is the most peacemaking revolution in world history, where the people, as a group, will decide the next project, direct funding, and it also means we get to pick and replace any leader at both of government and corporate level.

2:46

So the whole focus is we're going to go back to local community owned banks, and only privately held companies.

2:53

It will take about two to five years for the whole system to go out.

2:56

But the bottom line is everyone will be able to make a picture of someone, look up and do a background background check.

3:02

You're going to know who you're dealing with.

3:04

So the whole focus is the greatest revolution to use the churches and the civic groups to be the place to bring people to educate.

3:12

And the value of the elders is we can teach people at any level how to resolve conflict

Unassigned speaker

3:18

or

Speaker 8

3:18

the ultimate peacemakers and educate the young people how to start up small businesses.

3:24

So our whole focus is to create a world of small businesses that actually run the world.

3:30

And when this hits, you'll have free travel and free trade.

3:33

And it's under one banner called unocracy.

3:36

We also have a new replacement banking system, so the major banks can no longer manipulate the money and the development.

3:43

So it affects everything on your agenda, providing funding to create infrastructure and do it right the first time.org.

3:52

Thank you.

Speaker 6

3:53

Thank you, Keith.

3:54

I appreciate this.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████████25%
Technology and Innovation█████████████████████21%
Historic Preservation███████████11%
Procedural██████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Personnel Matters████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Procurement Process███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Norcross Policy Work Session Summary – August 3, 2026

The Norcross City Council held a Policy Work Session on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at 65 Lawrenceville Street. The meeting, lasting until 8:51 PM, covered a wide range of policy items, including budgetary approvals, zoning amendments, public safety investments, and a contentious debate on a demolition moratorium for pre-1950 structures. Most items were referred to the August 10 Regular Council Meeting, with several tabled to later sessions.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Keith Duncan presented a vision for a global peacemaking initiative called "unocracy," centered on citizen participation in government decisions, local community banking, and privately held businesses. He did not address a specific agenda item but was allowed to speak.
  • Liz Simpson, speaking on behalf of the Norcross Public Arts Commission (NPAC), requested an additional $1,000 for maintenance of existing public art, stating NPAC spent $3,000 on maintenance this year and wants to avoid future surprises.

Discussion Items

  • Rescheduling of Meetings: Due to the loss of Councilmember Marshall Cheek, the council discussed scheduling difficulties. Consensus was reached to hold the next Policy Work Session on August 24, 2026, and the Regular Council Meeting on September 8, 2026 (shifted due to Labor Day). The budget will be adopted on August 10, 2026.
  • Preliminary Plat 2026-002 (Hunt St. & Beutell St.): The applicant presented a subdivision plat with 26 lots (two fewer than originally planned due to expanded detention pond). Discussion focused on pedestrian connectivity to downtown via the Board of Education property. The council encouraged expedited permitting and offered support for school board negotiations. Staff noted that the applicant must provide an update on the land disturbance permit by September (18-month condition), but the council indicated the update satisfied the condition. The item was referred to the August 10 meeting.
  • Demolition Moratorium (Pre-1950 Structures): Councilmembers debated a proposed moratorium on demolishing buildings built before 1950. Councilmember Myers opposed the moratorium, arguing the council already has individual demolition review authority and can act more precisely. Others, including Councilmember Bare, supported the moratorium as a stopgap while a more nuanced historic preservation ordinance is developed. The moratorium was referred to the August 10 meeting for a vote, with a suggestion to shorten its duration from February 2027 to just two months.
  • Downtown Parking Overlay & UDO Amendments (Items H14/H15): Extensive discussion on the proposed elimination of minimum off-street parking requirements for new downtown developments (up to 5,000 sq ft for restaurants, 10,000 sq ft for offices). Councilmembers disagreed on the map boundaries: the current overlay extends to Buford Highway, which some argued is unfair to businesses on that corridor. The council decided to first revisit the downtown dining district map (used for open-container rules) and align the parking overlay with a narrower definition of downtown. The item was tabled to the August 24 Policy Work Session.
  • Livestream Appliance Replacement (Walk-on Item H21): Chief Information Officer Andre Gima requested approval to purchase a Livestream Studio HD550 4K Live Production Switcher for $17,903.05 from AVI-SPL, a local vendor. The existing unit was damaged by a power outage. Discussion revealed that this is a short-term fix; a more comprehensive technology upgrade for council chambers and other rooms is planned as a capital project. The item was referred to the August 10 meeting for funding from contingency.

Key Outcomes

  • Items Referred to August 10 Regular Council Meeting (for potential adoption or further action):
    • Preliminary Plat 2026-002 (Hunt St. & Beutell St.)
    • Property Tax Millage Rate (proposed 6.249 mills, no rollback hearing required)
    • FY2027 Solid Waste Fees (4.7% increase, residential rates increase $8-$16)
    • FY2027 Budget ($62.6 million, 1.5% increase from prior year; adjustments include $15k to contingency for Prospera, $25k to cultural arts for summer series)
    • FY2026 Year-End Budget Adjustments (reallocation of personnel appropriations, no net increase)
    • Authorized Positions for FY27 (new Police Records Clerk, reclassifications; council requested net cost breakdown)
    • Demolition Moratorium (Resolution 2026-264) – (will be voted on)
    • On-Call Contractor Awards for Utility Services (multiple firms to ensure availability during storms)
    • Public Safety Building GMP Change Order ($119,602 for real-time crime center video management, funded by federal grant)
    • Change Order with Kimley-Horn (for Comprehensive Plan and Buford Highway Master Plan)
    • Official Zoning Map Adoption (cleanup of past rezonings, with downtown parking overlay removed pending further discussion)
    • Cybersecurity Assessment (award to Cyber Elite Corp for $48,100, funded by cybersecurity grant)
    • Contract with CityData.ai for Mobile Data Analytics (first year $9,960, subject to check with Georgia Municipal Association for references)
    • Additional Park Swing Benches for Thrasher Park (with consideration of aesthetic upgrade)
    • Special Municipal Election to Fill Unexpired Council Term (paper ballots, hand-counted; winner takes office immediately upon swearing-in)
    • Resolution Rescheduling Policy Work Session and Regular Council Meeting (formalizing August 24 and September 8 dates)
    • Replacement of Livestream Audio/Video Appliance ($17,903.05 from contingency)
  • Items Tabled to Future Meetings:
    • AI Governance & Risk Policy (to a future work session)
    • Municipal Court Base-Fine Schedule (to a future work session)
    • FY2027 Funding Request – Prospera (to August 24 Policy Work Session)
    • UDO Amendments for Downtown Parking Overlay (to August 24 Policy Work Session, pending revised map)
  • Other Notes:
    • Staff was directed to provide a memo on the electric fund transfer calculation and on the net cost impact of proposed position changes.
    • Councilmember Myers emphasized the need for a phased approach to technology upgrades: immediate break-fix, interim off-the-shelf solution, and long-term capital project.
    • The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:51 PM for legal, personnel, real estate, and cybersecurity matters.

Meeting Transcript

There's a representative here from Rough Draft. Can you show that to him? What about the that Friday? I mean, sucked it out. We have to vote on the budget no matter what on the 7th. Are you here the 24th? No, Monday, the 10th. I don't need next year. Can you be here? That's my major. Well, you would know. So for being here with us tonight. We have a very uh robust agenda, as I say often. So we're going to try to go through as expeditiously as possible. We're going to try to follow the rules, including Mayor and Council, so that we can uh effectively get through the agenda. So let me go ahead and move down to item A, which is roll call. Let the record show they all are present and accounted for. Then we'll move down to item B, which is citizen input. Now, relative to citizen input tonight, uh has to be an issue that's on our agenda for discussion. Uh for citizen input. So at this time, are there any citizens that would like to come to the podium? On an issue that's on the agenda. I did sign the form for that, so I can speak. Okay. Anyone else uh would like to uh speak on an issue? Brief. It has to be uh it's all related on the agenda. It's one of the agenda items. It's all related to your agenda. Yes, but it has to be one of the agenda items. It's covered. Okay, you may come to the podium. Yes, and give your name and address. No, no, no, yeah. These are the handouts. Okay, this will be less than two minutes. My name is Keith Brent Duncan. We've moved here in '81. We actually invented most of the artificial intelligence of the internet. The system I put in your hand is the most peacemaking revolution in world history, where the people, as a group, will decide the next project, direct funding, and it also means we get to pick and replace any leader at both of government and corporate level. So the whole focus is we're going to go back to local community owned banks, and only privately held companies. It will take about two to five years for the whole system to go out. But the bottom line is everyone will be able to make a picture of someone, look up and do a background background check. You're going to know who you're dealing with. So the whole focus is the greatest revolution to use the churches and the civic groups to be the place to bring people to educate. And the value of the elders is we can teach people at any level how to resolve conflict

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