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Record of Proceedings

Sandy Springs City Council Regular Meeting – April 21, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 21, 2026
BodySandy Springs, Georgia
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:07:39

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Unassigned speaker

0:00

Order

Speaker 1

0:02

I would like to call this meeting of the Sandy Springs City Council to order for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026.

0:08

Will the City Clerk please make the announcement to call the role?

Speaker 2

0:11

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

0:12

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

0:19

Individuals who would like to provide public comment out of city council meeting are required to conclude and submit those public comment cards in advance of the meeting.

0:26

Public comment cards are always available online at the chamber entrance.

0:31

Just a reminder to those who do provide public comment.

0:33

You may be allotted up to three minutes to speak on your single chosen topic.

Unassigned speaker

0:36

As

Speaker 2

0:37

I call roll, please confirm your attendance.

0:38

Mayor Rusty Paul.

0:40

Present.

0:40

Councilmember John Paulson.

0:41

Councilmember Melody Kelly.

0:43

Present.

0:43

Councilmember Melissa Mueller.

0:45

Here.

0:45

Councilmember Frank Roberts.

Speaker 1

0:47

Here.

Speaker 2

0:47

Councilmember Mary Ford.

0:48

Here.

0:49

Councilmember Andrew Tensky.

Speaker 1

0:50

Here.

0:51

Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Unassigned speaker

0:54

I

Speaker 3

0:55

pledge.

Speaker 1

0:59

And federal report for which we understand.

Speaker 4

1:04

Liberty and Justice.

Speaker 1

1:08

Madam Clerk, have we received any public comment cards?

Speaker 2

1:12

I have not received any public comment cards.

Speaker 1

1:14

All right, we will close the public comment period.

1:16

Is there a motion to approve the meeting

Speaker 4

1:18

agenda?

1:18

Mayor Paul.

1:19

Mr.

1:19

Paulson, I move that we approve the meeting agenda for Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Speaker 1

1:27

A motion by Mr.

1:28

Paulson, seconded by Mr.

1:29

Roberts.

Unassigned speaker

1:31

That

Speaker 1

1:31

we approve the meeting agenda.

1:32

Is there any discussion?

1:34

Hearing none, we'll call the question.

1:36

The questions on the meeting agenda.

1:37

All in favor of the motion say aye.

1:39

Aye.

1:39

Opposed no.

1:40

The item is approved.

1:42

Moving to the consent agenda.

1:43

Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

Speaker 5

1:45

Mayor Paul.

Speaker 1

1:46

Ms.

1:46

Mueller.

Speaker 5

1:47

I move that we approve the consent agenda for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026.

Speaker 1

1:53

Is there a second?

Speaker 5

1:54

Second.

Speaker 1

1:55

Motion by Mrs.

1:55

Fuller, seconded by Ms.

1:57

Ford that we approve the consent agenda.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████████████████████39%
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Procedural█████████████13%
Zoning And Land Use███████████11%
Public Safety███████7%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Environmental Protection██2%
Arts And Culture██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Sandy Springs City Council Regular Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Sandy Springs City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, beginning at 6:41 PM in the Studio Theatre at City Hall. Mayor Rusty Paul presided, and all councilmembers were present. The meeting covered over a dozen action items, including the transmittal of the Annual Capital Improvements Element, the kickoff of the Comprehensive Plan update, the approval of public works and safety contracts, and a report on February 2026 unaudited financials. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • The council unanimously approved the consent agenda (Resolution Nos. 2026-04-049 through 2026-04-052), which included the April 7, 2026 meeting minutes and four right-of-way and easement acquisitions related to the TS131 Last Mile Connectivity and T0019 Roswell Road Transit and Streetscape projects.

Public Hearings

  • Annual Capital Improvements Element (2026-097): Planning & Zoning Manager Michele McIntosh-Ross presented the annual update to the CIE, a financial report on impact fee collections and expenditures required by the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act. The council voted unanimously to transmit the report to the Atlanta Regional Commission (Resolution 2026-04-053).
  • Comprehensive Plan Public Kick-Off (2026-098): The city formally launched the update of its Comprehensive Plan for the 2027–2047 horizon. A contract for $1,146,313 for the planning effort was previously approved on March 17, 2026. This hearing fulfilled the first state-required public hearing. No action was taken on this item.

Discussion Items

  • Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (2026-099): Mayor Paul presented a 12-14 member list. Councilmember Melissa Mular noted the omission of appointee Tyler Ewing from the resolution, which was corrected via a substitute motion. Councilmember Mary Ford requested public dates for steering committee meetings. Councilmember Melody Kelley inquired about her role as council representative on housing topics. Councilmember Andrew Chinsky asked about reviewing the upcoming community conjoint survey before deployment. The committee was unanimously appointed (Resolution 2026-04-054).
  • Surplus Property (2026-100): The council declared certain fleet vehicles and equipment as surplus and directed their disposal via auction or other means (Resolution 2026-04-055).
  • Community Violence Reduction Grant Amendment (2026-101): Criminal Intelligence Unit Manager Jason McCabe explained that $288,862.62 in previously awarded state grant funds were being reallocated from personnel costs to equipment (ballistic shields, trauma kits, headsets) following a funder-approved scope change. The ordinance passed unanimously (Ordinance 2026-04-008).
  • Law Enforcement Certification (2026-102): Police Chief Ken DeSimone presented a resolution to apply for recertification under the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program, moving the department from a Silver to a Gold award. The resolution was approved unanimously (Resolution 2026-04-056).
  • Roswell Road Lighting Maintenance (2026-103): Public Works Director William H. Martin, Jr. obtained approval for a maintenance agreement with GDOT for 29 decorative pedestrian lights on Phase I of Project T0019. Installation costs of $43,500 will be covered by the project budget (Resolution 2026-04-057).
  • Northwood Drive HUD Environmental Review (2026-104): The council authorized the mayor’s signature on a HUD environmental review document, confirming the sidewalk project is categorically excluded from further environmental impact analysis. A March 2026 public open house yielded one favorable comment (Resolution 2026-04-058).
  • LMIG/LRA Supplemental Grant (2026-105): Staff presented a list of 21 streets (4.63 miles) for repaving under a $1,239,762.75 supplemental state grant. The council approved the application and authorized the mayor to execute it (Resolution 2026-04-059). Council discussion included paving notification methods and the PCI assessment schedule.
  • PATH 400 Segment 2 Construction Agreement (2026-106): The council approved a $17,858,413.00 construction agreement with GDOT for the final segment of the PATH 400 multiuse trail. The project is funded 80% federally ($14,286,730.40) and 20% locally ($3,571,682.60), with an additional $750,000 from HUD. Staff confirmed the three-year construction timeline and clarified that design is complete (Resolution 2026-04-060).
  • Trenchless Stormwater Pipe Lining (2026-107): A contract was awarded to NGI Trenchless Pipe & Sewer Repair, Inc. for $227,804.50 to rehabilitate deteriorating pipes at 12 locations. Public Works Director Martin provided an unrelated update, stating that two-way traffic on Johnson Ferry and Mount Vernon Highway is planned for May 15, 2026 (Resolution 2026-04-061).
  • Abernathy South Greenway Land Transfer (2026-108): Recreation and Parks Director Brent Walker secured council approval to accept a quitclaim deed from GDOT. The project design is complete; the bid document is expected to go out in May for a year-long construction project (Resolution 2026-04-062).

Reports

  • Mayor and Council Report: Councilmember John Paulson reported that the April 19 Sandy Springs Invitational Car Show on City Green was a major success, with over 4,000 tickets sold and 124 exotic cars featured, including a $5 million La Ferrari. The event was managed by Caffeine & Octane.
  • Staff Reports – February 2026 Unaudited Financials: Chief Financial Officer Toni Carlisle reported the city is 66.67% through the fiscal year, with revenues at 87.05% and expenditures at 57.02% of the budget. All departments are operating within approved budgets.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes: All eleven action items on the agenda were passed unanimously by the council.
  • Appointments: The Sandy Springs Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee was formally established with Mayor Paul's appointees, including council liaison Melody Kelley.
  • Funding: The city will apply for $1.24 million in supplemental LRA state paving funds. A $288,862.62 budget amendment was approved for police equipment within the Violence Reduction Grant.
  • Infrastructure: Two-way traffic on Johnson Ferry and Mount Vernon Highway is planned by May 15, 2026. Construction on PATH 400 Segment 2 and the Abernathy South Greenway are moving toward mobilization.
  • Next Steps: The Comprehensive Plan will enter its community assessment phase. The city will continue paving projects through the spring construction window.

Meeting Transcript

Order I would like to call this meeting of the Sandy Springs City Council to order for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. Will the City Clerk please make the announcement to call the role? Good evening, Mayor and Council. First, I would like to remind those in attendance to continue to silence all cell phones or other electronic devices at this time. Individuals who would like to provide public comment out of city council meeting are required to conclude and submit those public comment cards in advance of the meeting. Public comment cards are always available online at the chamber entrance. Just a reminder to those who do provide public comment. You may be allotted up to three minutes to speak on your single chosen topic. As I call roll, please confirm your attendance. Mayor Rusty Paul. Present. Councilmember John Paulson. Councilmember Melody Kelly. Present. Councilmember Melissa Mueller. Here. Councilmember Frank Roberts. Here. Councilmember Mary Ford. Here. Councilmember Andrew Tensky. Here. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge. And federal report for which we understand. Liberty and Justice. Madam Clerk, have we received any public comment cards? I have not received any public comment cards. All right, we will close the public comment period. Is there a motion to approve the meeting agenda? Mayor Paul. Mr. Paulson, I move that we approve the meeting agenda for Tuesday, April 21, 2026. A motion by Mr. Paulson, seconded by Mr. Roberts. That we approve the meeting agenda. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll call the question. The questions on the meeting agenda. All in favor of the motion say aye. Aye. Opposed no. The item is approved. Moving to the consent agenda.

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