Sandy Springs City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Sandy Springs City Council held a work session and regular meeting on October 6, 2026. The work session included presentations on the Tourism Economic Impact Study and the Housing Needs Assessment Update. The regular meeting featured a proclamation for the October 7th Day of Remembrance, extensive public comment on a grant application for Springway Trail Segment 2C, approval of change orders for the Mount Vernon Highway Multi-Use Path project, and a deferred vote on transitioning city health benefits to a self-insured model.

Proclamation

• Mayor Rusty Paul read a proclamation declaring October 7, 2026, as a Day of Remembrance in Sandy Springs, commemorating the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel and urging the community to stand against antisemitism.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the consent agenda. Councilmember Mary Ford noted that Juneteenth is not listed as a city holiday but a floating holiday is provided, and staff will work the city’s Juneteenth celebration event.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Twenty-three residents provided public comment, primarily regarding the Springway Trail Segment 2C grant application.
• Opposition to the current alignment: Residents of Grogan’s Bluff, Bentwater, and neighboring neighborhoods expressed strong concerns about privacy, tree removal, lack of parking, safety at the Roswell Road/Grogan’s Ferry Road intersection, and the trail’s proximity to single-family homes. Several speakers presented a community-developed alternative route that would use existing parking at Morgan Falls and Big Trees Preserve and avoid residential backyards. They urged the council to pause the application and fully evaluate the alternative.
• Support for the grant application: Proponents, including representatives of the Sandy Springs Conservancy, a local restaurant owner, physicians, students, and residents from other districts, argued that the trail would provide health benefits, boost economic development, connect the community to the Chattahoochee River, and build on the success of the existing Orkin Lake trail. They emphasized that the $3 million Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grant would leverage local funds and that the vote was only to apply for funding, not to finalize the design.
• Additional public comment addressed housing affordability (Theodore Davis) and the importance of trails for youth and active transportation (several student speakers).

Discussion Items

Tourism Economic Impact Study

• Adam Berrios, Executive Director of Visit Sandy Springs, presented the 2025 study prepared by Tourism Economics. Key findings: 2.7 million visitors generated $434.9 million in direct spending and $480.9 million in total economic impact. The visitor economy supported over 4,000 jobs, $179.7 million in personal income, and $36 million in state and local taxes, saving each household $698 in taxes. Food and beverage ($148.8 million) and lodging ($137.8 million) were the largest spending categories. A supplemental City Springs district report showed that the district accounts for 40% of all city visitation, with $169.5 million in spending.
• Council discussion focused on the need for more full-service hotels and attractions, especially youth sports facilities, to maintain and grow visitor demand. Council members asked about current marketing efforts and future initiatives. The mayor noted that the hotel-motel tax helps pay for the City Springs campus.

Housing Needs Assessment Update

• Assistant City Manager Kristin Byars Smith and consultant Christiana Whitcomb (via Zoom) presented the 2026 update to the city’s Housing Needs Assessment. The report found that from 2019 to 2024, job growth (12%) far outpaced population growth (0%), driven by smaller household formations. Home prices rose 41% while homeowner incomes grew only 19%. The rental affordability gap widened: there is a shortage of 5,000 units for households earning under $50,000, and the deficit now extends to households earning up to $75,000. Forty-five percent of renters are cost-burdened. New housing supply has been limited, with most new single-family homes replacing teardowns and multifamily deliveries only recently increasing after code changes in 2016 and 2023.
• Council members discussed how the assessment will inform the comprehensive plan, with policy recommendations forthcoming. Councilmember Melody Kelley asked about the percentage of residents who both live and work in Sandy Springs (about 4%). Councilmember Mary Ford questioned net new home numbers (1,800 over five years) and requested detailed project lists. Councilmember Andrew Chinsky (via Zoom) suggested exploring multi-generational housing and noted the connection between population loss in the north end, school closures, and traffic. The mayor emphasized the challenge of no vacant land and the need to redevelop aging commercial areas for housing.

Mount Vernon Highway Multi-Use Path – Change Order No. 7 (2026-265)

• Public Works Director Marty Martin presented a change order extending the contract with Exceler Construction by 104 calendar days, reflecting a 90-day work suspension and other delays. The project reached substantial completion in August 2026. Council approved the change order without objection.

Mount Vernon Highway Multi-Use Path – Budget Amendment (2026-266)

• Staff requested a $712,922.13 budget amendment from TSPLOST 2016 funds to cover quantity overruns, primarily an error in asphalt paving estimates by the engineer, KCI. The net increase brought the total contract to $13.23 million (6.9% over original estimate). Councilmembers Melissa Mular and John Paulson criticized the estimation error, noting the engineer’s miss of 666% on asphalt quantities. They called for improved internal cost controls and peer review of future projects. The amendment was approved.

Springway Trail Segment 2C – GOSIP Grant Application (2026-267)

• Assistant City Manager Kristen Byars Smith presented a resolution to submit a pre-application for a $3 million Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grant for Segment 2C of the Springway Trail, estimated to cost $13.992 million. Local match sources include $6.995 million from the city, $1 million from PATH Foundation, and $30,000 from Sandy Springs Conservancy; the remaining $2.96 million would be budgeted in future cycles. The trail would connect Overlook Park to a side path on Grogan’s Ferry Road, completing part of a five-mile loop. Renderings showed fencing and screening adjacent to neighborhoods.
• Council discussion was divided. Councilmember Paulson supported the application but requested a critical cost estimate review, better parking plans, and visual screening for privacy. Councilmember Chinsky supported but urged staff to evaluate return on investment, improve sidewalk connectivity, and ensure the trail plan serves all districts. Councilmember Mular supported, calling it a community priority while acknowledging parking and intersection safety concerns. Councilmember Kelley opposed, arguing the city is committing to a fixed alignment and insufficient parking, noting that the only parking (134 spaces at Morgan Falls) already serves other amenities. She highlighted safety issues on Dare Lane, where residents walk without sidewalks. Councilmember Ford expressed concern about the high local match and the prioritization of a recreation trail over needed sidewalks, especially if TSPLOST does not pass. Councilmember Frank Roberts said he would vote for the application but had public safety and sanitation concerns.
• The resolution passed 4-2.

Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (2026-268)

• Sergeant Brandon Smith presented the FY2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, making Sandy Springs eligible for $14,260 with no match required. Funds will be used to purchase blockchain analysis software for financial fraud investigations. The resolution also approved a memorandum of understanding with the City of Atlanta as fiscal agent. Council approved unanimously.

Employee Health Benefits Transition (2026-269)

• Human Resources Director Elizabeth Aubrey presented a recommendation to transition from fully insured to a self-insured health plan administered by Cigna starting January 1, 2027. The projected cost is $10.65 million, with the city proposing an appropriation of $12.73 million as a conservative cushion. Employees would see a small premium increase, but the city would continue to cover about 92% of total costs.
• Councilmember John Paulson moved to defer the item for two weeks, citing the need for additional information on claim auditing, stop-loss protection, and the innovation proposals from all three bidders. The city attorney cautioned against direct vendor contact outside the procurement process. The deferral was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved.
• Proclamation for October 7th Day of Remembrance read.
• Metropolitan River Protection Act certificate for 6525 Riverside Drive approved.
• Change Order No. 7 for Mount Vernon Highway Multi-Use Path approved.
• Budget amendment for Mount Vernon Highway Multi-Use Path approved.
• Resolution to submit GOSIP pre-application for Springway Segment 2C approved (4-2).
• Participation in FY2026 Byrne JAG grant approved.
• Employee health benefits transition deferred to the next council meeting (two weeks).
• Meeting adjourned.