Sandy Springs City Council Regular Meeting – May 5, 2026

The Sandy Springs City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in the Studio Theatre at Sandy Springs City Hall (1 Galambos Way). Mayor Rusty Paul presided, and all six councilmembers were present. The meeting was called to order at 6:25 p.m. and adjourned at 8:38 p.m., following a closed executive session from 7:23 p.m. to 8:37 p.m. on real estate and litigation. All votes taken in open session were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda for May 5, 2026.
• The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included the April 21, 2026 work session and regular meeting minutes and Resolution 2026-05-063 accepting the purchase and sale agreement from Mark Humpherys and Christine Humpherys for a driveway easement and temporary construction easement, with a cost-to-cure payment, at 425 Windsor Parkway for the S2161 Windsor Parkway Sidewalk Project.

Presentations

• Mayor Paul read a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Water Safety Month in Sandy Springs. The proclamation noted that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in U.S. children ages 1–4 and the second leading cause in children ages 5–14. Representatives from Swim Safe, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and YMCA Atlanta accepted the proclamation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• There were no public comments during the meeting; no public comment cards were submitted. For the Community Development Block Grant annual action plan, the city had already held a separate public hearing on March 17, 2026.

Public Hearings

2026 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan (Resolution 2026-05-064)

• Grant Administrator Dabney Brand presented the plan. The city's FY2026 CDBG allocation is $500,669, a slight increase from the FY2025 allocation of $485,216. In 2026, staff will continue implementation of the South Roswell Road Multiyear Sidewalk Project south of I-285 and begin design of the Hope Road Sidewalk Project. A motion by Councilmember Melody Kelley, seconded by Councilmember Andrew J. Chinsky, carried unanimously.

Alcoholic Beverage License – Divinely Elegant Vines LLC (ABL No. 28446)

• Revenue Manager Cori Holiness presented the new package wine and wine tasting license for 203 Hilderbrand Drive, applicant Jessena Waldo. The application was submitted March 3, 2026, and the applicant passed the background investigation. No public comments were received. A motion by Councilmember Melissa Mular, seconded by Councilmember Frank Roberts, carried unanimously.

Alcoholic Beverage License – Crave Kitchen & Bistro, LLC (ABL No. 28478)

• The council approved a new consumption-on-premises license for distilled spirits, beer, and wine at 8610 Roswell Road, Suite 140, applicant Habip Reis Gumus. The application was submitted March 25, 2026, and the applicant passed the background investigation. No public comments were received. A motion by Councilmember Kelley, seconded by Councilmember John Paulson, carried unanimously.

Discussion Items

Roberts Drive Sidepath Phase I – Design Contract Award (Item 2026-119, Tabled)

• Staff recommended awarding the design contract to AtkinsRealis USA, Inc. for $901,634.17. The project would build a 12-foot-wide concrete sidepath with landscaped buffer, street tree planting, and pedestrian-scale lighting from Dunwoody Place to Island Ford Parkway, including two midblock crossings near Pride Place and near Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – Island Ford Park, and would connect to the GDOT-reconstructed Roberts Drive bridge over SR 400.
• The RFQ drew eight consultants; four were shortlisted and scored by a five-member staff committee on experience, resources, technical approach, and past performance. The reported consensus scores were AtkinsRealis 850, Infrastructure Consulting Engineering 700, Gresham Smith 675, and BCC Engineering 575. Funding would be 80% federal through ARC/GDOT and 20% TSPLOST 2021.
• Councilmember Kelley questioned how the consensus scores were calculated. Public Works Director William H. Martin Jr. said score sheets were not available. City Manager Eden Freeman suggested tabling the item to May 19. Council voted unanimously to table the contract award so staff could return with scoring details.

Roberts Drive Sidepath Phase I – GDOT Supplemental Agreement #1 (Item 2026-120, Resolution 2026-05-066)

• The council unanimously approved Supplemental Agreement #1 to the original Project Framework Agreement with GDOT. The original agreement provided $216,000 in federal preliminary engineering funds with a $54,000 local match. An independent estimate found the design funding insufficient by $504,307, and ARC increased the award; the supplemental agreement brings total PE funding to $721,307 in federal funds with a $180,327 local match, funded from the TSPLOST S2121 budget.
• Mayor Paul clarified that approving the funding agreement is separate from the contractor decision and that declining the funds could put them at risk. Councilmember Paulson observed that if the eventual contract exceeds the approved amount, the project may need to be re-funded. The motion by Councilmember Paulson, seconded by Councilmember Kelley, carried unanimously.

Mountain Creek Road Stormwater Maintenance Phase 2 (Item 2026-121, Resolution 2026-05-067)

• The council unanimously awarded the construction contract to Excellere Construction, LLC for $404,030.00. The work includes restoration of approximately 90 linear feet of 60-inch corrugated metal pipe using centrifugally cast concrete pipe, installation of one cast-in-place reinforced concrete headwall with veneer, and gabion baskets for streambed protection.
• Bids were opened April 6, 2026: Excellere Construction $404,030.00, HD Excavations & Utilities $478,135.68, and Helix Grading & Utility $523,610.65; the engineer's estimate was $408,153.24. Motion by Councilmember Chinsky, seconded by Councilmember Mular, carried unanimously.

Lake Forrest at Allen Road Roundabout – Right-of-Way Acquisition (Item 2026-122, Resolution 2026-05-068)

• The council unanimously approved the purchase of fee simple right-of-way and a temporary construction easement from Atlanta Board of Realtors Educational Foundation Inc. for the property at 5784 Lake Forrest Drive. The acquisition comprises 3,138.04 square feet (0.072 acres) of right-of-way and 1,877.55 square feet (0.033 acres) of temporary construction easement for $203,700, the city's appraised fair market value.
• Councilmember Chinsky noted that paying over $200,000 for less than one-tenth of an acre shows how much land values have risen and suggested the city should consider whether the roundabout remains worthwhile if GDOT proceeds with a DDI interchange at I-285 and Roswell Road. Director Martin responded that there is still a long way to go on those decisions. Motion by Councilmember Mular, seconded by Councilmember Chinsky, carried unanimously.

2026 TSPLOST Referendum Project List (Item 2026-123, Resolution 2026-05-069)

• The council unanimously approved the project list to submit to Fulton County for the 2026 Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) referendum. Jurisdiction lists are due to Fulton County by May 31, 2026; an intergovernmental agreement is expected in July; and the referendum will be on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Based on 2024 population and tax distribution, Sandy Springs could receive up to $129,191,942 over five years.
• The proposed projects were vetted at public meetings held April 8–16, 2026 and through a public web page. Public Works Director Martin said a more complete TSPLOST voter-education presentation would come around August 2026. Mayor Paul noted that past TSPLOST results showed voters trusted the cities with the funding.
• Councilmember Kelley asked about flexibility to change projects; Director Martin said the program has three tiers and flexibility, with changes brought to council for public votes. Councilmember Kelley also raised Trowbridge Road: current work includes a signal upgrade and curb-line improvements, and a midblock crossing near Trowbridge is contemplated on Roswell Road; she noted Trowbridge's high-injury ranking and the new North Springs High School entrance on Trowbridge. Councilmember Mular asked about prioritization for midblock crossings; Director Martin said there is not a structured scoring method like the sidewalk program, but a comprehensive presentation is planned for August. The motion by Councilmember Paulson, seconded by Councilmember Roberts, carried unanimously.

FY2026 Nonprofit Arts and Recreation Program Contracts (Item 2026-124, Resolution 2026-05-070)

• The council unanimously awarded Fiscal Year 2026 nonprofit arts and recreation program contracts. The program's appropriation was increased to $200,000 for FY2026 from $150,000 in prior years. The second RFP round received nine applications; one was withdrawn, leaving eight eligible applicants. Total requests were $120,000, but only $86,600 was available.
• Evaluation criteria weighted creative programs at 40%, impact at 20%, performance measures at 15%, financial reports at 10%, nonprofit tenure at 5%, program partnerships at 5%, and matching funding at 5%.
• The council approved $15,000 awards to Call for Caring, City Springs Theatre Company, Unique Individual Ranch, Sandy Springs Education Force, and The Healthy Youth USA Foundation. No funding was awarded to Reviving Leaders Collective, Vegan Life Corporation, or Within the Mix in this cycle. Motion by Councilmember Chinsky, seconded by Councilmember Mary Ford, carried unanimously.

Mayor and Council Reports

• Mayor Paul reported on the Georgia Municipal Association legislative meetings in College Park, ongoing Service Delivery Strategy discussions with Fulton County (with a public meeting scheduled for May 12), the city budget process that began May 5 and will end with a public hearing in June, the ribbon-cutting for the new ceramics studio at Abernathy Arts Center, and the opening of the summer concert series; the first City Green concert on May 22 will feature Sister Hazel, with tables selling out in 10 minutes.
• Councilmember Paulson announced that the GA-400 Managed Lanes project received its Notice to Proceed. He also noted polling location changes: the Dunwoody Church is the new polling location for part of District 1, and Lake Forest Elementary precincts have been relocated to the Heritage Sandy Springs facility; early voting is underway.
• Councilmember Chinsky noted Sandy Springs Youth Sports championship week, a visit from Jamaican Ambassador Antony Anderson, and Zoo Atlanta's future panda exhibit.
• There were no staff reports.

Executive Session and Adjournment

• The council voted unanimously to recess into executive session at 7:23 p.m. for real estate and litigation discussion. The executive session ended at 8:37 p.m., and the council returned to regular order. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda and Resolution 2026-05-063.
• Issued Water Safety Month proclamation for May 2026.
• Adopted the 2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan (Resolution 2026-05-064).
• Approved both alcoholic beverage license applications (ABL Nos. 28446 and 28478).
• Tabled the Roberts Drive Sidepath Phase I design contract award; approved the related GDOT Supplemental Agreement #1 (Resolution 2026-05-066).
• Awarded the Mountain Creek Road Stormwater Maintenance Phase 2 contract to Excellere Construction (Resolution 2026-05-067).
• Approved the Lake Forrest at Allen Road right-of-way purchase (Resolution 2026-05-068).
• Approved the 2026 TSPLOST project list for submission to Fulton County (Resolution 2026-05-069).
• Awarded five FY2026 nonprofit arts and recreation program contracts at $15,000 each (Resolution 2026-05-070).
• Held executive session for real estate and litigation and adjourned at 8:38 p.m.