Roswell Mayor and Council Meeting - July 13, 2026: Budget Amendment, Transportation Contracts, and Appointments
Roswell Mayor and Council Meeting - July 13, 2026: Budget Amendment, Transportation Contracts, and Appointments
The Roswell Mayor and Council met on Monday, July 13, 2026, for a regular meeting chaired by Mayor Mary Robichau. The council approved several commission reappointments, passed the FY2026 mid-year budget amendment by a 4–2 vote, and unanimously authorized a $9.49 million construction contract for the Riverside Road TSPLOST project and an intergovernmental agreement for 2026 TSPLOST proceeds. The meeting included public comments and discussion on budget transparency, road design, and pedestrian safety.
Consent Calendar
- Reappointment of Ron Jackson to the Historic Preservation Commission (motion by Councilmember Beeson, second by Councilmember Philippi, passed unanimously).
- Appointment of Tom Hamlin to the Design Review Board (motion by Councilmember Hall, second by Councilmember Brumley, passed unanimously).
- Appointment of Joe Zirkus to the Design Review Board (motion by Councilmember Zach, second by Councilmember Brumley, passed unanimously).
- Appointment of Patrick Caffrey to the Downtown Development Authority (motion by Councilmember Hall, second by Councilmember Philippi, passed unanimously).
- Approval of a resolution to apply for and accept a National Endowment for the Arts grant (included in consent agenda; motion by Councilmember Beeson, second by Councilmember Zach, passed unanimously).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Courtney Rosier spoke in support of the NEA grant item on the consent agenda, highlighting the story of Nancy Jackson—an enslaved woman who fought for her freedom—and thanked staff for including this history in the Roots Festival.
- Roman Pierzak asked a question about the mid-year budget amendment, specifically inquiring about the components of the $500,000 increase in insurance premium tax revenue and sales tax revenue. Director of Finance Adam Novotney explained the revenue sources.
- Jason Yowell, a former member of the Roswell Transportation Commission, opposed the Riverside Road project design. He argued that the proposed bicycle lanes (striped buffers) are inferior to segregated paths with landscape strips, criticized the north-side sidewalk as unnecessary, and stated the project would increase impervious surface and stormwater pollution. He urged the council to defer the contract for further study.
- Sue DuPont also opposed the north-side sidewalk on Riverside Road, citing safety concerns and low pedestrian usage based on her experience with other city sidewalks. She advocated for keeping the multi-use path on the south side near the river.
Discussion Items
- FY2026 Mid-Year Budget Amendment: Director Novotney presented a $1.1 million amendment (net zero impact) to adjust revenues and expenses for public safety, parks, infrastructure, technology, and personnel. Councilmember Hall expressed strong disappointment, stating the process lacked transparency and criticizing increased mayor’s office staffing costs (from $750,000 to $2.1 million over four years) and the addition of an administrative assistant. She voted no. Councilmember Beeson defended the amendment as standard practice and noted that prior administrations had higher executive staffing. The motion passed 4–2.
- Riverside Road TSPLOST Construction Contract: Director of Transportation Andy Flagar presented the project: an 8–10 foot multi-use trail with lighting on the south side, a 5-foot sidewalk on the north side, a roundabout at River Lake Drive, a new traffic signal at Taman Drive, and buffered bike lanes. The low bid of $9,489,436 from Backbone Infrastructure was recommended. Council discussion addressed lane width, speed impacts, the north-side sidewalk’s necessity, and the feasibility of protected bike lanes. Councilmember Sells questioned whether striped buffers effectively slow traffic. Councilmember Philippi asked about the consequences of deferral—Flagar stated it would require restarting design work and cost several more years. Councilmember Beeson noted the north-side sidewalk connects to Vickery Creek and improves park access. The project was approved unanimously.
- 2026 TSPLOST IGA: Director Flagar explained the agreement allows Fulton County to collect and distribute sales tax proceeds; Roswell’s share is 15.04% based on population. Councilmember Hall asked about the guarantee that $15 million allocated for resurfacing in tier-one projects would not be spent in one year. Flagar confirmed that council would approve each expenditure and that the funds could only be used for listed TSPLOST projects. The motion passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All commission appointments (Historic Preservation, Design Review Board, Downtown Development Authority) were approved unanimously.
- The consent agenda, including the NEA grant resolution, was approved unanimously.
- The FY2026 mid-year budget amendment passed by a vote of 4–2 (Councilmember Hall and one other opposed).
- The Riverside Road TSPLOST construction contract with Backbone Infrastructure for $9,489,436 (plus budget amendment and waterline IGA totaling $10,721,901) was approved unanimously.
- The 2026 TSPLOST intergovernmental agreement with Fulton County was approved unanimously.
- The council voted unanimously to go into closed session on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel, litigation, and/or real estate.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the City of Roswell Mayor and Council meeting on Monday, July thirteenth, twenty twenty-six. I am Mayor Mary Robichau, and I would like to introduce my colleagues and council members present. We have Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember Sarah Beeson, Councilmember Alan Sells, Councilmember Christine Hall, Councilmember Jennifer Philippi, Councilmember Aaron Brumley, and Councilmember Chris Zach. I will now turn it over to City Administrator Randy Knighton to explain how the meeting is run. Mr. Knighton. Thank you, Mayor Robushow, and good evening, everyone. In accordance with section chapter three point seven zero of the city code, the city council shall hold regular public meetings. The purpose of these city council meetings are for the public to participate and speak on items which 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. And also back at the rear of the room. In your word, we're instructed to seek the prosperity of the city and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its prosperity will be your prosperity. So to that end, we pray for your blessing on the mayor and city council and other leaders tonight for wisdom and strength and encouragement as they leave the city. I pray that you would give them peace during challenging times, wisdom and discernment when the path ahead is unclear. Valor in times when unpopular choices have to be made for the greater good. Strength to shoulder the load of responsibility and comfort in times of loneliness that only leaders know. We also pray for the staff and all the departments and the men and women who work so hard to make the city a very special place to be. We pray for their protection, wisdom, unity, and peace. We pray for our police, our fire and emergency services who protect us all. And as we look around this room and outside these windows, we pray for the flourishing of our families and our friends and our neighbors and confidence that as we seek the prosperity of this city, we might enjoy prosperity in return. And Lord, above all, may we grow in love one for another, just as you have loved us. So we pray now that the proceedings of this evening be guided by your wisdom and your love for the flourishing of all who live and work and play here. Thank you, gracious Lord, for your goodness and for shedding your grace upon the city. And we pray this in your mighty name. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. At this time, I would like to invite Sarah Gillespie, our school board member for for Roswell, up to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Mayor Propos. Thank you, Councilmembers. I 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 as I get ready to start the mayor's report uh report, we're gonna have quite a few. We have a few um appointments that we'll be voting on for different of our commissions, but I also do want to take a minute to remind everyone about our upcoming budget workshops. The first one will be Wednesday, July 15th at Roswell Area Park at the Bill Johnson Community Activities Building from 7 to 5 p.m. The second one will be Saturday July 18th at East Roswell Park Recreation Center from 9 to 11 a.m. And again, I'm sorry. The time on the first meeting? I have 5 to 7. I'm sorry, what did I say? I'm sorry. Five to seven. Sorry, dyslexia here. Um so I I apologize. It is 5 to 7 p.m. Apologize. Um, the budget survey is actually now live. So again, please scan the QR code on the flyer outside the council chambers. And for those of you uh visiting us from home, you can visit our finance page on the city website and click the link to please give us your um information about the budgeting information for Roswell. With that, the first item on the mayor's report is an announcement of the reappointment of Nate Porter to the Roswell Housing Authority.
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