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Record of Proceedings

Sandy Springs City Council Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, November 18, 2025
BodySandy Springs, Georgia
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, November 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 34:18

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:04

I'd like to call this meeting of the Sandy Springs City Council to order for Tuesday, November the 18th, 2025.

0:11

Will the city clerk please make the announcements and call the roll?

Speaker 2

0:14

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

0:15

First, I would like to remind all those in attendance, please silence cell phones and other electronic devices at this time.

0:22

Um individuals who would like to provide a public comment in the city council meeting are required to complete and submit those public comment cards in advance of the meeting.

0:30

Um those providing public comment may be allotted up to three minutes.

0:33

Speak on their single chosen topic.

0:35

As I call roll, please confirm your attendance.

0:36

Mayor Rusty Paul.

Speaker 1

0:38

Present.

Speaker 2

0:38

Councilmember John Paulson.

0:40

Councilmember Melanie Kelly.

0:41

Present.

0:41

Councilmember Melissa Mueller.

0:43

Here.

0:43

Councilmember Jody Rochelle.

0:45

Councilmember Tibby de Giulio.

0:46

Councilmember Andy Bauman.

Speaker 1

0:48

Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Unassigned speaker

0:52

I

Speaker 1

0:52

pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:56

And to the Republican Which stands under God.

1:02

Liberty and Justice For

Unassigned speaker

1:03

all.

Speaker 1

1:07

Madam Clerk, have we received any public comment cards?

1:10

We have

Speaker 3

1:10

not.

Speaker 1

1:13

All right.

1:14

We will close the public comment period.

1:16

Is there a motion to approve the meeting agenda?

Unassigned speaker

1:19

Mr.

Unassigned speaker

1:19

Mayor.

Speaker 1

1:20

Mr.

1:20

DeGiulio.

Speaker 4

1:21

I move approval of the meeting agenda for Tuesday, November 18th, 2025.

Speaker 1

1:26

We have a motion by Mr.

1:26

DeGiulio.

1:27

Is there a second?

1:28

Second.

1:28

Motion by Mr.

1:29

DeGiulio, seconded by Mr.

1:30

Paulson that we approve the meeting agenda.

1:33

Is there any discussion?

1:35

Hearing none, we'll call the question.

1:36

The questions on approval of the meeting agenda.

1:38

All in favor of the motion say aye.

1:39

Aye.

1:40

Opposed no.

1:40

The item is approved.

1:41

The clerk please read the next item.

1:44

Oh, excuse

Unassigned speaker

1:44

me.

Speaker 1

1:45

Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

1:47

I get to read that

Unassigned speaker

1:48

one.

Speaker 1

1:50

Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

Speaker 5

1:52

Mayor Paul.

Speaker 1

1:53

Ms.

1:53

Mueller.

Speaker 5

1:54

I move that we approve the consent agenda for uh November 18th, 2025.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████21%
Personnel Matters███████████████15%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Insurance Management███████7%
Zoning And Land Use██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Arts And Culture████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Sandy Springs City Council Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025

The Sandy Springs City Council held a regular meeting on November 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM with all seven members present. The meeting lasted 34 minutes and included unanimous approval of all agenda items. Topics covered included a river corridor certificate, a paving contract change order, health insurance renewal, and a police equipment budget adjustment.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the November 4, 2025 City Council Meeting.
  • Approved Resolution 2025-11-164 authorizing the purchase of a fee simple right-of-way and temporary construction easement from Sunnykay & Company LLC for property at 6340 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, related to the TS131 Last Mile Connectivity Project.

Public Hearing

  • Agenda Item 2025-266: Approved a Metropolitan River Protection Act Certificate for River Corridor Review RC-25-05SS for 215 Huntcliff Terrace. The property lies within 2,000 feet of the Chattahoochee River. The Atlanta Regional Commission had determined the project was consistent with the Chattahoochee River Corridor Plan. No public comments were received. The council unanimously approved Resolution 2025-11-165.

Discussion Items

  • Change Order #1 to East Coast Grading, Inc. (Agenda Item 2025-267): Public Works Director Martin presented a $1,319,562.70 change order to the existing $6,466,760.00 contract for LRA-funded resurfacing work, using a $1,276,784.86 GDOT distribution and $42,777.84 from Project T-3000. Councilmember Bauman expressed concern about the precedent of extending the contract without bidding, citing timing constraints (work must be completed by June 2026). Director Martin noted East Coast Grading was the original low bidder and unit prices were unchanged. Councilmembers Paulson and Mular requested improved resident notification about paving schedules. Councilmember Kelley asked about PCI score selection criteria. The new total contract value would be $7,786,322.70.
  • Health Benefits for Plan Year 2026 (Agenda Item 2025-268): Human Resources Director Awbrey presented a Cigna renewal at $9,732,120 (4.9% increase) for 479 employees and 1,127 covered lives. Employee premiums would not increase for the seventh consecutive year. A new no-premium high-deductible health plan was introduced. Awbrey noted that multiple other insurers declined to quote, and self-insurance was reviewed but not recommended for 2026. Councilmembers Paulson and DeJulio praised the stability and competitiveness of the benefits.
  • Increase to Confiscated Assets Fund Budget (Agenda Item 2025-269): City Manager Freeman requested a $100,000 increase from fund balance, with $64,000 for lightweight police shields and $36,000 for other small tools and equipment. Councilmember Kelley asked about tracking the fund balance; Freeman said the CFO could provide details upon return.

Reports

  • Mayor Rusty Paul announced the 20th anniversary Picnic in the Park on November 22; highlighted the Veterans Day ceremony and dedication of a Blue Star Memorial plaque; and promoted the Sparkle Parade on December 7.
  • Councilmember John Paulson requested an update from GDOT's contractor on the GA-400 Managed Lanes project, noting tree clearing is underway. City Manager Freeman stated the contractor was unavailable but would follow up after the first of the year.
  • Councilmember Melody Kelley reported on a Sandy Springs Arts Foundation fundraiser and a large food distribution event in District 2, and invited residents to a Thanksgiving-themed lunch on November 27.
  • Staff report (presented by City Manager Freeman in the CFO's absence): September 2025 unaudited financials show the city at 25% of the fiscal year; revenues at 9.85% and expenditures at 20.97% of budget; core revenue receipts are beginning to come in.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions on the agenda were approved unanimously (no dissenting votes).
  • Consent Agenda approved.
  • Resolution 2025-11-165 (River Corridor Certificate) approved.
  • Resolution 2025-11-166 (Change Order #1 to East Coast Grading) approved.
  • Resolution 2025-11-167 (Health Benefits Plan Year 2026) approved.
  • Resolution 2025-11-168 (Confiscated Assets Fund Budget Increase) approved.
  • Meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call this meeting of the Sandy Springs City Council to order for Tuesday, November the 18th, 2025. Will the city clerk please make the announcements and call the roll? Good evening, Mayor and Council. First, I would like to remind all those in attendance, please silence cell phones and other electronic devices at this time. Um individuals who would like to provide a public comment in the city council meeting are required to complete and submit those public comment cards in advance of the meeting. Um those providing public comment may be allotted up to three minutes. Speak on their single chosen topic. As I call roll, please confirm your attendance. Mayor Rusty Paul. Present. Councilmember John Paulson. Councilmember Melanie Kelly. Present. Councilmember Melissa Mueller. Here. Councilmember Jody Rochelle. Councilmember Tibby de Giulio. Councilmember Andy Bauman. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republican Which stands under God. Liberty and Justice For all. Madam Clerk, have we received any public comment cards? We have not. All right. We will close the public comment period. Is there a motion to approve the meeting agenda? Mr. Mayor. Mr. DeGiulio. I move approval of the meeting agenda for Tuesday, November 18th, 2025. We have a motion by Mr. DeGiulio. Is there a second? Second. Motion by Mr. DeGiulio, seconded by Mr. Paulson that we approve the meeting agenda. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll call the question. The questions on approval of the meeting agenda. All in favor of the motion say aye. Aye. Opposed no. The item is approved. The clerk please read the next item.

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