City of Roswell Mayor and Council Meeting – March 9, 2026
City of Roswell Mayor and Council Meeting – March 9, 2026
The Roswell Mayor and Council met on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM (presumed) to address a full agenda including recognition of fire department award recipients, a consent calendar, and several substantive policy items. Key decisions included adding Juneteenth as a permanent city holiday, approving a conditional use for a Quick Trip convenience store with variances, adopting a first reading of an ethics code rewrite, passing a parking pilot program for the Green Street deck and downtown on-street spaces, and authorizing a bond issuance for capital projects. The meeting drew extensive public comment, particularly on the parking proposal.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously, with no speakers or council comments.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Parking (Item 4): 14 residents spoke. Most opposed the paid parking expansion, arguing it would hurt businesses, burden residents, and that the city should absorb operating costs through general funds or a hybrid model (e.g., first two hours free). Several speakers urged the council to slow down the process and consider pilot programs. A small number supported a usage-based fee model to manage demand. Business owners (Ryan Pernice, Jonna Aronowitz, Steve Rockland) highlighted competition with neighboring cities that offer free parking and the risk of deterring visitors.
- Ethics Code (Item 6): Two speakers spoke in favor of the rewrite. A former ethics commission member, Alison Vrollich, called the current code a “joke” and strongly supported the new version with an independent hearing officer. Another speaker, Frederick Guillano, raised technical concerns about missing penalties, definitions, and anti-retaliation protections, but generally supported the overhaul.
- Bond Resolution (Item 5): One speaker, Jason Yowell, opposed the bond, questioning the cost of individual projects such as the City Hall roof and criticizing prior financial decisions.
Discussion Items
- Juneteenth Holiday (Item 1): Director of Human Resources Trisha Redfern presented a proposal to add Juneteenth as a paid city holiday, aligning with federal and state calendars. Councilmember Hall noted the city added two religious holidays in 2023 and suggested the floating holiday could be removed to keep total holidays at 13, but Councilmember Beeson argued that adding Juneteenth without removing the floating holiday was a matter of equity and competitive advantage. The fiscal impact was reported as $75,000 net additional cost, with total holiday pay cost of $195,000. After debate, the council approved the holiday for 2026 and all future years. The vote was 5 in favor, 1 opposed.
- Quick Trip Conditional Use (Item 2): Planning and Zoning Director Jeannie Payton presented a request for a 6,400 sq ft convenience store with eight fuel pumps at 1050 Holcomb Bridge Road (former Red Lobster site). The applicant sought variances to the build-to zone and approval of a 23-foot retaining wall. Key issues included a required left-turn lane on Dogwood Road, which was still under design, and a minor stream buffer encroachment. After discussion, the council approved the conditional use with added conditions, including a statement that no implied variances are granted. The vote was unanimous.
- Data Center Text Amendment (Item 3): A first reading of amendments to the Unified Development Code to define “data or digital storage center” and “computer or data processing” was presented. The Planning Commission recommended striking the new definition and modifying the existing one. The council approved the first reading unanimously.
- Parking Policy (Item 4): Deputy City Administrator Jeff Leatherman presented a comprehensive parking plan covering the Green Street parking deck, downtown on-street spaces, and future Hill Rose/City Hall lots. The 2026 budget projected a $376,000 general fund subsidy for parking operations. The staff recommended paid parking with dynamic pricing, a free Monday–Friday 8 AM–4 PM period at the Green Street deck, and a future Hill Rose policy. After extensive public comment and council debate, a motion passed to approve a pilot program: paid parking at the Green Street deck and downtown on-street spaces (Canton, Elizabeth, East Alley) from opening until December 31, 2026, with a commitment to further public discussion on Hill Rose and City Hall lots. The vote was 4 in favor, 2 opposed.
- Ethics Code Rewrite (Item 6): Assistant City Attorney Joseph Cusak presented a first reading of a complete rewrite of the city’s ethics ordinance. Key changes include filing complaints with the city clerk, using an independent hearing officer (a pre-qualified attorney with no local ties), applying a “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard, and adding due process protections. The current process was criticized as politically biased. Councilmember Sells expressed a desire to include a prohibition on PAC money and to retain resident involvement, but the motion to approve the first reading passed. The vote was not recorded by tally, but at least one member opposed.
- Bond Resolution (Item 5): CFO Bill Gotchal presented a $13.4 million bond issuance through the Roswell Public Facilities Authority (RPFA) for capital projects including City Hall roof, public safety improvements, fire engine reserve, 911 range upgrades, parking deck technology, and Crab Apple Center expansion. The recommended bid was Webster Bank at 4.18% over 20 years, with annual debt service of $1,173,000. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
- Sunbelt Office MOU (Item 7): A resolution supporting a memorandum of understanding with Sunbelt Office One LLC for economic development was approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Juneteenth Holiday: Approved as a permanent city holiday, effective 2026 (5-1 vote).
- Quick Trip Conditional Use: Approved with conditions, including no implied variances (unanimous).
- Data Center Definitions: Approved on first reading (unanimous).
- Parking Pilot Program: Approved for Green Street deck and downtown on-street spaces through December 31, 2026, with further discussion on Hill Rose and City Hall lots (4-2 vote).
- Ethics Code Rewrite: Approved on first reading (voice vote, with opposition).
- RPFA Bond Issuance: Approved (unanimous).
- Sunbelt Office MOU: Approved (unanimous).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, good evening, everyone, and welcome to the City of Roswell, Mayor and Council meeting for Monday, March 9th, 2026. I am Mayor Mary Robishot, and I would like to introduce my colleagues and council members present. Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember Sarah Beeson, Councilmember Aaron Brumley, Councilmember Christine Hall, Councilmember Jennifer Philippi, Councilmember Alan Sells, and Councilmember Chris Zack. I will now turn it over to Chief Administrative Officer and City Administrator Randy Knighton to explain how the meeting is run. Mr. Knighton. Thank you, Mayor Robichot, and good evening to everyone. In accordance with section chapter 3.70 of the city code, the city council shall hold regular public meetings, and the purpose of these city council meetings are for the public to participate and speak on agenda items, which do constitute formal decisions by the elected body. These items are listed on the published agenda, which can be accessed via the city website prior to the meeting. Public comments and questions are essential for Mayor and Council to consider as they contemplate each decision. If you wish to speak on an agenda item, we do ask that you fill out a comment card. We have staff members in the back that will take those comment cards or provide those to you. So if you do wish to speak on an agenda item this evening, we do ask that you would raise your hand and receive a comment card. That comment card will be provided to our city clerk Nancy Long and will be received in the order that they are received based on that specific agenda item. Five minutes will be provided to each speaker on the respective agenda item. And we ask that you if you must have an independent conversation that you do exit the rear doors to the vestibule area. Thank you, Mr. Knighton. I would like to now invite senior pastor Lee Jenkins from Eagles Nest Church to come forward and give the invocation. So tonight we give thanks and we thank you for the leadership of this city, the mayor, the members of the city council, and all the others who are in this room who serve this great community. And may we be a bastion of hope for others to emulate. May your wisdom give us peace today as we make decisions, and may your grace sustain us. So again, we ask your blessings on these people and this city. In your precious holy name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Jenkins. If everyone would stay standing, I would now like to invite Cup Scout Troop 87 and Cup Scout PAC 199 to leave the pledge and present the colors of the United States. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. So thank you to Cub Scout Troop 87 and Cub Scout Pack 199. Next is the recognition of the 2025 Roswell Fire Department C Shift Award recipients, service award recipients. Chief Troche, please come forward to present the awards. Again, another great night for the Roswell Fire Department as we uh present the C Shift Award recipients for 2025. And it's worth repeating for those that are unaware. There's a we work 48 hours on, 96 hours off, and there are three shifts A, B, and C. So we recognized uh the previous shift. Today is C Shift. And these awards are selected by the peers. So I'll be bringing each one of them up here. We could uh recognize them, and then afterwards, we'd love it if you join us for a picture. So, first member of C Shift that we'd like to recognize is the firefighter of the year, and that would be Kyle Phillips. Some of what uh Kyle Phillips peers had to say was firefighter Phillips consistently demonstrates strong performance during both fire and EMS emergency medical services incidents while contributing to a positive and dependable crew environment. He is known for providing outstanding customer service, including assisting early elderly residents with safety needs and helping citizens beyond the initial response. Mayor and Council, just like the previous uh shift and including today, one of the things that you're going to continue to hear is the word care. And it's super important to us because we provide a service in the city of Roswell as a fire department, uh, emergency medical services or fire services, but care is a component that's expected, and the members that you're going to hear about tonight, you'll hear that word often. Next, we want to recognize fire apparatus operator of the year, Nick Leslie. FAO Leslie delivers dependable operations, strong patient care, and excellent support to his crews. He actively participates in committee work and consistently provides thoughtful, respectful service to the citizens during both emergency and non-emergency calls. Next, we have the EMS provider of the year, the emergency medical services provider of the year, and that is John Montehu.
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