Sandy Springs City Council Meeting Following Work Session – June 2, 2026

Mayor Rusty Paul called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Studio Theatre in Sandy Springs City Hall. All six councilmembers were present. After the Pledge of Allegiance, no public comments were submitted. The council unanimously approved the agenda and consent agenda, held a first public hearing on the FY2027 budget, approved two alcohol licenses, a Planning Commission appointment, the Microsoft license renewal, and a Georgia Power relocation agreement, then recessed into executive session and adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the May 19, 2026 City Council meeting minutes and the May 20, 2026 special called meeting minutes.
• Approved right-of-way and temporary construction easement agreements for the T0019 Roswell Road Streetscape Improvements project with Broaderley (U.S.), Inc. at 5549 Roswell Road, Stars Oil, Inc. at 5701 Roswell Road, and Securus Properties, LLC at 5163 Roswell Road.
• Approved a driveway easement from Progeny Investment Company for property at 5165 Roswell Road related to the T0019 project.
• Approved right-of-way and temporary construction easement agreements with Costco Wholesale Corporation on two tracts at 6350 Peachtree Dunwoody Road for the TS131 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Last Mile Connectivity Project.
• The consent agenda was adopted unanimously as Resolutions 2026-06-080 through 2026-06-085.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment cards were submitted. Public comment portions of the meeting and each public hearing were closed without testimony.

Public Hearings

FY 2027 Budget – First Public Hearing (2026-152)

• City Manager Eden Freeman said the line-item detail in the packet was unchanged from the formal proposed budget presentation on May 26, 2026, with added analysis linking proposed appropriations to council priorities.
• The proposed General Fund budget is $170,400,000, and the All-Funds budget is $1,089,000,000. The City Manager stated the tax rate remains the same as at incorporation, with no proposed tax or fee increases.
• Council priorities were listed as public safety; transportation and community appearance; recreation and cultural enrichment; sustainable growth and environmental stewardship; customer service, citizen engagement, and innovation; economic development and redevelopment; and water reliability. Public safety remains the top priority, and the city has built 56 miles of sidewalks since incorporation.
• Innovative programs cited included the Police Department information intelligence operation center and the Fire Department drone-as-first-responder program.
• No action was taken; a second public hearing and vote are scheduled for the next meeting, with FY27 budget adoption referenced as June 16, 2026.

Alcohol Beverage License – Dagwoods Pizza and Deli (2026-153)

• Revenue Manager Cori Holiness presented a change-of-ownership application from Devang Patel for consumption on premises of wine and malt at 7746 Spalding Drive, submitted March 16, 2026, with a completed background investigation. Council unanimously approved the license.

Alcohol Beverage License – Arabian Nights LLC / Arabian Cafe (2026-154)

• Holiness presented a new application from Lucas Butris for consumption on premises of beer, wine, and distilled spirits at 8347 Roswell Road. Staff recommended approval, and council unanimously approved.
• Discrepancy note: The written minutes for this item contain an apparent copy-and-paste error describing the Dagwoods application and Devang Patel. The agenda and transcript identify the applicant as Lucas Butris for Arabian Nights LLC / Arabian Cafe, and the motion was for agenda item 2026-154.

New Business

Planning Commission Appointment (2026-155)

• Mayor Paul recommended Jay O'Meara to fill the unexpired term of Elizabeth Kelly, who resigned due to personal matters. Paul said Kelly was a conscientious member and that the commission had drifted from its original balance between neighborhood and real estate representation. He described O'Meara as knowledgeable about the Sandy Springs and Perimeter commercial real estate markets and not a developer.
• Councilmember Paulson praised Kelly as a sharp contributor. Council unanimously approved the appointment; Resolution 2026-06-086.

Microsoft License Renewal (2026-156)

• TJ Martin, IT Help Desk and Systems Administrator Manager, requested approval of the city's Microsoft Enterprise Enrollment renewal. The city has had an agreement with Microsoft since 2006, currently through reseller SHI International Corp.
• The renewal covers May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027, as part of a three-year licensing term, and includes Microsoft 365 GCC, Entra ID P1, Exchange Online, Microsoft 365 F1, Power Automate Premium, Power BI Pro, Teams Phone, Teams Rooms Pro, Teams Shared Devices, Windows operating system licensing, Project Standard, SQL Server Standard Core, Visio Standard, Windows Remote Desktop Services CALs, and Windows Server Datacenter Core.
• The total annual renewal cost is $277,619.22; $46,269.87 will be charged to the remaining FY26 months and $231,349.35 to FY27, contingent on adoption of the FY27 budget on June 16, 2026. The amount exceeds the City Manager's purchasing authority; the purchase will be made through Microsoft's State and Local Government licensing program under cooperative purchasing. Council unanimously approved; Resolution 2026-06-087.

Georgia Power Relocation Agreement – Lake Forrest Sidewalk Phase II (2026-157)

• Public Works Director William H. Martin, Jr. presented a Georgia Power relocation agreement for the S2185 Lake Forrest Sidewalk Phase II project. The project will construct approximately 3,300 linear feet of 6-foot sidewalk on the west side of Lake Forrest Drive from the city limit to 4822 Lake Forrest Drive and from 25 Pine Lake Drive to 4990 Lake Forrest Drive, completing the sidewalk from the city limit to Mt. Paran Road.
• The total estimated relocation cost is $310,889.00; under the franchise agreement the city will pay 90 percent, or $271,700, from the TSPLOST sidewalk program. The relocation covers roughly 10 poles on Lake Forrest Drive.
• Discussion included construction timing, utility relocation responsibilities, and past pole-relocation delays. Martin said the project should be put out for construction bids within about two weeks after final property acquisition closes; Georgia Power or its contractor will perform the utility relocation. He explained that pole moves require sequential work by multiple parties, including Georgia Power, Comcast, and AT&T. Councilmember Roberts raised concern about a Georgia Power pole on Mount Vernon; Martin said conduit is still being accepted so other parties on those poles can move underground. Councilmember Chinsky asked to be contacted if his personal involvement is needed. Council unanimously approved; Resolution 2026-06-088.

Reports

Mayor and Council Reports

• Mayor Paul reported Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) talks have narrowed to three major issues: the water issue between the City of Atlanta and Sandy Springs, animal control for some cities, and jail services after the Fulton County Sheriff stopped accepting misdemeanor cases. Mediation must begin by June 25. He described the SDS process as a ten-year review to prevent duplication of services and double taxation, with public, live-streamed, archived meetings.
• City Manager Freeman said the managers group continues to meet, municipalities are submitting their intergovernmental agreements, and the state Department of Community Affairs is not interested in agreements with private providers. Another meeting with the Board of Commissioners is scheduled for the next week.
• Councilmember Kelley reported the Next 10 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee held its first meeting on May 20, one of four public meetings; Rhonda Smith was selected as chair. Kelley's monthly live community engagement forum featured Jessica Corbitt of Fulton County External Affairs. MARTA may provide an upgraded bus stop serving North Springs High School.
• Councilmember Mular reminded residents that Food that Rocks is Thursday, June 4, and the Starship concert featuring Mickey Thomas is June 12 at City Green.
• Councilmember Ford said applications for the Sandy Springs Citizens' Leadership Academy opened Monday, the District 5 fire station community meeting is Monday, June 15, the Comprehensive Plan recording is available online, and the first public meeting is June 23.
• Councilmember Chinsky suggested considering a youth leadership academy, noting a program in Tucker. He reported that Morgan Falls fields were heavily used by all-star league teams, the parking lot was overflowing, the dirt-infield upper fields were unplayable after rain, and the turf lower fields drained well. He expressed support for continued investment in turf as money well spent because the fields will be used often.
• There were no staff reports.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Alcohol beverage licenses for Dagwoods Pizza and Deli and Arabian Nights LLC / Arabian Cafe approved unanimously.
• Jay O'Meara appointed to the Planning Commission (Resolution 2026-06-086).
• Microsoft Enterprise Enrollment renewal approved (Resolution 2026-06-087).
• Georgia Power relocation agreement for Lake Forrest Sidewalk Phase II approved (Resolution 2026-06-088).
• Council unanimously recessed into executive session at 7:24 p.m. for real estate and litigation discussion, returned to regular order at 8:16 p.m., and adjourned at 8:16 p.m.