Norcross City Council Regular Meeting – November 2, 2026

The City Council of Norcross held its regular meeting on November 2, 2026, at 6:32 PM. All council members were present. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, setting of the consent agenda, public comments, a public hearing for a special use permit, and votes on several key items. Citizens addressed the council urging postponement of decisions until after the election. The council proceeded with scheduled business.

Consent Calendar

• The previous meeting minutes were approved by unanimous consent.
• The consent agenda, as approved during agenda setting, included:
  • Resolution authorizing the Main Street program.
  • Amendment to the code of ordinances updating the appointment of the city solicitor and the designation of the indigent defense panel.
  • Extension and amendment of the moratorium on certain demolition permits for homes constructed after 1950.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lynn Ward (6 Wingo Street) requested postponement of all votes until after the election, stating the council and mayor should be full after Tuesday.
• Tiny Wheelis (202 Wingo Street) echoed the request to table votes until after the election, citing the impending new council member.
• Charlotte Osborne (135 North Peachtree Street) specifically urged delaying the vote on the expanded downtown parking project, arguing the plan is short‑sighted and may become obsolete with changing transportation options (e.g., Waymo).
• Kathleen Allen (297 Longview Drive) criticized the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for its handling of the Cotton Gin property, citing lease agreements that restricted free speech, delayed vacancies, and lack of maintenance. She urged the council to address DDA deficiencies and appoint new volunteers.
• Jeff Allen (196 Holcomb Bridge Road) proposed using parking construction funds to reimburse riders of Uber, Lyft, Waymo, etc., to incentivize alternative transportation to downtown instead of building more parking.
• A resident from 6 Gaines Street expressed concerns about a trolley, speeding on Gaines Street, and asked about safety measures.
• A resident from 9 Brunning Lane spoke in favor of parking, stating downtown needs more parking to support businesses and increase visitors. He also refuted earlier criticisms of the DDA, claiming the former tenant of the Cotton Gin property had cost the DDA over $100,000 and had engaged in threatening behavior.

Public Hearing: Special Use Permit 2026‑003

• Proposal: SUP 2026‑003 for 5396 Buford Highway to allow construction of an 8,008‑square‑foot automotive glass repair facility (Low Price Auto Glass) on a 0.65‑acre site currently operating as a service station.
• Staff Report: New Community Development Director Kamal Asalam presented. Staff recommended denial due to inconsistency with the Buford Highway Master Plan and Comprehensive Plan, incompatibility with neighboring uses, the site not meeting the two‑acre minimum requirement for motor‑vehicle‑related uses, and lack of an acceptable sewer connection plan. The Planning and Zoning Board also recommended denial (3‑2).
• Applicant Comment: The applicant stated the business is not a typical automotive repair; it does not accumulate cars. They offered to improve landscaping and connect to city sewer.
• Public Testimony in Favor: Kathleen Allen, Mary Dowdy (69 College Street), Lynn Ward, and Jeff Allen spoke in support, highlighting the applicant’s willingness to negotiate on design and citing the need for small businesses.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember Hickson raised concerns about environmental remediation due to the site’s long history as a service station.
  • Councilmember Myers asked if the economic development team had worked with the applicant to find alternative locations; the economic development director indicated they had not because the applicant already had the site under contract.
  • Councilmember Bear expressed support, noting the building is mostly a warehouse and the site is currently neglected, and that the use would improve the tax digest and visual appearance.
  • Councilmember Gaynor (Mayor Pro Tem) opposed, citing the Buford Highway Master Plan that eliminates automotive use and the violation of the UDO. He argued for consistency with plans.
• Motion and Vote: Councilmember Gaynor moved to deny the SUP. The motion was seconded. Councilmember Hickson added that following plans is important for redevelopment. The motion passed.

Discussion Items

1. Contract Award for Expanded Downtown Parking Project

• The Director of Public Works presented the contract award for constructing expanded parking around City Hall. The net gain is 74 parking spaces. The total budget appropriation requested was $3,061,637, covering the main construction contract (Shift Construction), program management (Mint Engineering), materials testing (NOVA), and geotechnical testing (United Consulting).
• Council discussed the need for parking, the rationale for surface parking over a deck, and future transportation trends. Mayor and Councilmember Hickson supported the project, emphasizing the need to serve downtown visitors and residents.
• Motion: To approve the construction budget appropriation of $3,061,637 and award the contracts. Seconded. Passed unanimously.

2. Award Recommendation for Banking Services

• The city manager presented a recommendation to reject all proposals from RFP 26‑09 for banking services and to instead complete a comprehensive reassessment of the city’s banking requirements and bring forth a request for qualifications (RFQ) in the future.
• Motion: To reject all banking proposals and direct staff to conduct a comprehensive reassessment. Seconded. Passed with one dissenting vote.

3. Renewal of Cigna Dental and Humana Medicare Advantage Plans

• Staff and brokers (Baldwin Group) presented the renewal for 2027. Key details:
  • Cigna dental: 8.4% premium increase for both active employees and retirees. City allocation for active employees: $148,947 (increase of $11,005); for retirees: $22,601 (increase of $2,695). Total city dental allocation: $171,548.
  • Humana Medicare Advantage for retirees: 7.9% premium increase. City allocation: $412,725 (increase of $31,189).
  • Combined total city cost: $584,273 (previously budgeted in the FY 2027 budget).
• Council questions focused on cost breakdown and the share between active employees and retirees. Clarification was provided that the item includes both dental and retiree medical (Humana).
• Motion: To approve the renewal effective January 1, 2027, including proposed premium rates and contribution structures. Seconded. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved previous meeting minutes.
• Adopted consent agenda items (Main Street program, city solicitor/indigent defense panel ordinance update, demolition permit moratorium extension).
• Denied Special Use Permit 2026‑003 for an automotive glass repair facility on Buford Highway (motion to deny passed).
• Approved contract award for downtown parking expansion ($3,061,637).
• Rejected all current banking service proposals; staff directed to reassess and bring back a new request for qualifications.
• Approved 2027 renewals for Cigna dental and Humana Medicare Advantage plans.
• Adjourned to executive session for personnel, real estate, and cybersecurity.