The Roswell City Council convened on January 12, 2026, to begin the new council term with installation ceremonies, public safety recognitions, and legislative actions regarding data centers. The meeting featured the swearing-in of Mayor Mary Robichot and council members, including Jennifer Philippi and Chris Zach (transcribed as Chris Ack in the oath), followed by the election of Councilmember Sarah Beeson as Mayor Pro Tem. The session concluded with a unanimous vote to impose a temporary moratorium on new data centers and a motion to enter a closed session regarding personnel and real estate litigation.
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the city of Roswell, Mayor and Council meeting of Monday, January twelfth, twenty twenty six. I am Mayor Mary Robichot, and I would like to. And I would I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our council members present, Councilmember Sarah Beeson, Councilmember Alan Sells, Councilmember Christine Hall, Council Councilmember Jennifer Philippi, Council, Councilmember Aaron Bromley, and Councilmember Chris Zach. I now would like to turn this over to our Chief Administrative Officer and City Administrator Randy Knighton to explain how the meeting will run. Mr. Knighton. Well, thank you all so much for being here this evening, obviously. This is a very large crowd. Glad to see everybody, and we certainly invite you to all of our mayor and council meetings. Um the purpose of city council meetings are for the public to be informed and participate and speak on agenda items that constitute formal decisions by the elected body, and these items are listed on the published agenda, which can be accessed via the city website prior to the meeting. Public uh comments and questions are essential for mayor and council to consider as they contemplate each decision. And tonight uh there are certain items on our agenda that do uh require formal public hearing. Um and if you wish to speak on an agenda item, we just ask that you fill out a comment card to ensure an accurate record of meeting and provide that comment card to the receptacle uh next to the podium. Uh, once you are recognized by the mayor to speak. Again, we thank you all for being here this evening. Thank you, Mr. Knighton. I would like to invite Dr. Savan Strickland, pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church to come forward and give the invocation. We're gonna begin, of course, with a moment of silence, and then I will commence in our prayer. Grant them unity of purpose, even amid differing perspectives. Help them to work t together with mutual respect, open hearts, and a shared commitment to the common good of our great city. May integrity guide their decisions, wisdom shape their conversations and insight illuminate their path forward. Give them the the courage to do what is right, the humility to listen well, and the discernment to lead faithfully. Bless the city of Roswell, our neighborhoods, our families, our businesses, and our future, along with the many agencies that helped this city to operate as it should. May this council serve with diligence and compassion, and may their work bring peace, progress, and hope to all. It is in the name of your son that we do pray this prayer. Let us all say together, Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Strickland. We'd now like to invite United States Air Force Master Sergeant Eric Evans to lead us in come forward and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. So we will be starting the with this program with the installation ceremony for the newly elected. But also at this time, I would like to just um invite everyone, all the elected to join me down in the front of the desk. So at this time, our city clerk Nancy Long will be reading my um oath of office. I solemnly swear that I state your name. And that I will in all respects observe the provisions of the charter and ordinances of the city of Roswell. And that I will in all respects observe the provisions of the charter and ordinances of the city of Roswell. And I will well and truly perform the duties of the Office of Mayor. And I will well and truly perform the duties of Office of Mayor. And that I will to the utmost of my skill and ability endeavor to promote the interest and property of said city. And that I will, to the utmost of my skill and ability endeavor to promote the interest and property of said city without fear, favor or affection, so help me God. Without fear, favor or affection, so help me God. I solemnly swear that I, Jennifer Philippi. Will support the Constitution of the United States and the State of Georgia. That I will and all respect observe the provisions of the Charter. An ordinance of the city of Roswell. And I will well and truly perform office of a member, the office of a member of the city council. I will to the utmost my skill and ability.