Sandy Springs City Council Meeting - February 17, 2026

The Sandy Springs City Council met on February 17, 2026, following a work session, to address a range of items including modifications to the truck route ordinance, adoption of 2026 city priorities, grant approvals, a construction change order, and several routine matters. The meeting included significant public testimony on the truck route proposal and on police data sharing with immigration authorities.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting agenda (motion by Councilmember Paulson, second by Councilmember Roberts, unanimous).
• Approved the consent agenda (motion by Councilmember Mular, second by Councilmember Ford, unanimous), which included:
  • Meeting minutes from February 3, 2026.
  • Acceptance of a driveway easement at 4810 Lake Forrest Drive (Resolution 2026-02-022).
  • Acceptance of a temporary construction easement at 4822 Lake Forrest Drive (Resolution 2026-02-023).
  • Acceptance of a temporary construction easement and driveway easement at 4990 Lake Forrest Drive (Resolution 2026-02-024).
  • Authorization for settlement and purchase of fee-simple right-of-way at 4684 Roswell Road for the Roswell Road Transit and Streetscape Improvements Project (Resolution 2026-02-025).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Terlemezian (125 Laurian Way) opposed inclusion of Johnson Ferry and Abernathy Roads in the proposed truck route network, citing potential health, environmental, and property value impacts, and requested before-and-after traffic studies.
• Aaron Baker (750 Dalrymple Road) asked the city to clarify whether Flock camera data is shared with ICE and to adopt a policy requiring a judicial warrant for any such sharing, arguing that fear undermines public safety.
• Tara Overzat (303 Dunwoody Chace) requested clarification on SSPD's stance regarding Flock camera data sharing with ICE, referencing a fatal high-speed chase in Chatham County involving ICE, and urged transparency to maintain community trust.
• Cheryl Barlow (250 Landfall Road, president of Breakwater HOA) opposed designating Abernathy and Johnson Ferry as official truck routes, arguing the roads do not meet ARC best-practice criteria (e.g., minimum speed 45 mph, avoidance of residential/environmental areas) and that the city should not invite more truck volume.
• Ginger Bradshaw (425 Johnson Ferry Road NE) opposed adding trucks to residential areas, noting the contradiction of building safety walls for regular traffic while voluntarily inviting heavy trucks.
• Mel Mobley (40 Whispering Way) spoke against the truck route designation, recalling that past widening of Abernathy Road was intended for cars, not trucks, and requested a citizen advisory committee to study pollution and other effects.
• Ronda Smith (76 Long Island Place, president of Mount Air Springs neighborhood and Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods) urged removal of Johnson Ferry and Abernathy from the proposed truck route, citing residential and recreational uses, existing low truck percentages (<0.5% of 43,900 daily vehicles), and the risk that GPS algorithms would reroute more trucks onto the corridor.
• Susan Kicak (6497 Cherry Tree Lane) opposed the truck route proposal, arguing it contradicts the city's safety action plan and ARC freight guidelines, and that heavy trucks (15–25 times heavier than passenger vehicles) would worsen safety and quality of life.
• Judy Bowles (455 Bridges Creek Trail) stated the city has lost focus on community needs by accommodating developers and Cobb County, and requested a traffic engineering study and community commission before any truck route designation.

Discussion Items

• 2026-043: Appointment to Sandy Springs Board of Appeals – Mayor Paul proposed reappointing Kim Gay and Justin Sparano to second terms. Council approved unanimously (Resolution 2026-02-026).
• 2026-044: Adoption of 2026 City Priorities – City Manager Freeman presented priorities: customer service/citizen engagement/innovation, public safety, economic development focused on redevelopment, sustainable growth/environmental stewardship, recreational/cultural enrichment, transportation accessibility/community appearance, and water reliability. Councilmember Paulson requested periodic innovation updates from departments. Councilmember Mular asked for a definition and action plan for innovation, including culture shift and budget implications. Freeman noted an upcoming concept for an Office of Innovation and Delivery. Councilmember Ford requested budget-to-priority mapping and highlighted housing as a missing priority; Freeman noted housing can be tracked under sustainable growth. Councilmember Kelley requested quarterly progress reports via Inside Sandy Springs or staff reports. Approved unanimously (Resolution 2026-02-027).
• 2026-045: Grant Award for Recycling and Waste Diversion – Urban Forester Park presented a $178,461 grant (plus $1,175 local match) from GA EPD for a foam densification project at the Keep North Fulton Beautiful Recycling Center. Total project budget is $179,636. Councilmember Paulson confirmed it is a reimbursement grant. Councilmember Mular asked about maintenance costs; Park said increased investment in electrical and awning should minimize them, with manufacturer warranty for repairs. Councilmember Kelley asked about marketing; Park cited existing email lists and grant-required education/outreach. Approved unanimously (Resolution 2026-02-028).
• 2026-046: FY2026 Public Safety Community Violence Reduction Grant Equipment Project Budget – Intelligence Director Patrick presented a budget amendment increasing the grant budget by $29,517.43 to $510,815 to reallocate funds across fiscal years for technology enhancements (video walls, audio/control systems, infrastructure) at the Sandy Springs Intelligence Operations Center. Approved unanimously (Ordinance 2026-02-001).
• 2026-047: Change Order Four for Mount Vernon/Johnson Ferry Corridor Project – Public Works Director Martin explained a $55,632 change order for additional fiber directional boring at Spruill Lane due to an undersized original design (5-inch bore could not accommodate three 2-inch conduits). This is the fourth change order, bringing the total contract from $15,881,593 to $16,546,792.70 (a 4% increase). Councilmember Mular questioned why the city bears the cost for a design error; Martin stated the contractor is providing required work. Councilmember Roberts expressed concern about repeated change orders. Mayor Paul noted unforeseen underground conditions typical in metro Atlanta. Councilmember Chinsky asked about the city manager's $200,000 signing authority; Freeman explained cumulative changes exceeding that amount trigger council approval. Approved unanimously (Resolution 2026-02-029).
• 2026-048: Modifications to Truck Route Ordinance and Designation of Truck Route Network – Public Works Director Martin presented ordinance changes to clarify enforcement, remove time-of-day restrictions, remove biannual map updates, and adopt a truck route map/list. Staff recommended adding city-owned segments: Johnson Ferry Road from Cobb County line to Abernathy Road, Abernathy Road from Johnson Ferry to Mt. Vernon Highway, Mt. Vernon Highway to Dunwoody, Dunwoody Place from Northridge to Roswell Road, and Northridge Road from Roswell Road to SR 400. Mayor Paul noted that without designated routes, all streets are effectively truck routes, making enforcement impossible. Councilmember Mular moved to substitute the map to only include existing state/federal routes (I-285, SR 9, SR 140, SR 400) and exclude city-owned segments. She argued that allowed access does not equal a designated truck route and that publishing additional routes would invite more truck traffic. Councilmember Paulson expressed concern about Dunwoody Place creating a shortcut from SR 400 to Roswell Road. Councilmember Chinsky thanked residents for 40-50 emails each and noted ongoing transportation master plan and comprehensive plan updates. Councilmember Kelley praised Mular's community outreach. Approved unanimously (Ordinance 2026-02-002).

Key Outcomes

• Board of Appeals: Kim Gay and Justin Sparano reappointed unanimously.
• 2026 City Priorities: Adopted unanimously; innovation added as a core underpinning; quarterly progress reporting agreed.
• Recycling Grant: Award accepted; MOU with Keep North Fulton Beautiful authorized unanimously.
• Public Safety Grant Budget: Amended and approved; remaining grant funds consolidated into FY2026.
• Construction Change Order: Change Order 4 approved; total contract with Vertical Earth increased to $16,546,792.70.
• Truck Route Ordinance: Approved with a modified map limited to existing state/federal routes; all city-owned segments excluded; time restrictions removed; biannual map update requirement eliminated.
• Executive Session: Council adjourned to executive session at 7:52 p.m. for real estate and litigation discussion, returning at 9:14 p.m., then adjourned the regular meeting at 9:15 p.m.
• Mayor’s Report: Mayor Paul testified at the state capitol on HB 1114 and HR 1116, which would phase out homestead property taxes by 2032, potentially reducing Sandy Springs revenue by $19.5 million (12.5% of budget). He urged public engagement and noted ongoing discussions with the legislative delegation.