South Fulton City Council Regular Meeting - January 13, 2026

The City of South Fulton City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at City Hall. The agenda listed a 7:00 PM start, but the minutes record that Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs called the meeting to order at 8:39 PM. All seven council districts were represented: Catherine F. Rowell (District 1), Aaron V. Johnson (District 2), Helen Z. Willis (District 3), Jaceey Sebastian (District 4), Keosha B. Bell (District 5), Natasha Williams-Brown (District 6), and Linda B. Pritchett (District 7). Supporting staff included City Clerk Corey Adams, City Manager Sharon Subadan, and City Attorney Sara Kelly. The meeting included a proclamation, a consent calendar, contested zoning cases and two mayoral veto override votes, public comment, council announcements, administrative and procurement approvals, and three first-read ordinances. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 PM. Vote tallies reflect the seven voting councilmembers; the Mayor, City Manager, and City Attorney do not vote.

Note on Executive Session Action in the Transcript

The raw transcript opens with the conclusion of the preceding Alcohol and License/Zoning meeting, in which Councilmember Rowell moved to accept a retirement/separation agreement with Chief Keith Medals following an executive session discussion; the motion passed 5-2. The official minutes for this Regular Meeting state under Item XIV that no executive session was needed. The discrepancy appears to reflect that the executive session and vote occurred in the earlier meeting rather than in the Regular Meeting itself.

Agenda Adoption and Amendments

The council adopted the agenda as amended 7-0. Amendments included: adding effective dates of February 4, 2026 for Natalie Jerome's Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission appointment and Paulette DeVaughn's Zoning Board of Appeals appointment; adding the Mayor's One Heartbeat Senior Sweetheart Day Celebration (February 13, 2026, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM at Enon Ranch); adding Councilmember Willis's resolution to reappoint Kimberly Mays to the South Fulton Development Authority; reordering the gas-station distance-waiver ordinance (Section IX, Item B) ahead of the QuikTrip case (Item A); and adding a first-read ordinance sponsored by Councilmembers Willis, Johnson, Sebastian, Pritchett, and Williams-Brown to repeal Ordinance 2021-033 (regulations for convenience stores and gasoline stations).

Proclamation Presentation

Councilmember Sebastian sponsored a proclamation recognizing Yusuf A. Muhammad Jr., Principal of Phoenix Academy, for more than 20 years of service in education, including establishing the STEAM Academy at George Washington Carver High School and founding Georgia's first PTEC early college school. Muhammad, named Atlanta Public Schools Principal of the Year for 2025-26, was honored with a proclamation declaring January 13, 2026 as “Yusuf A. Muhammad Jr. Day” in the City of South Fulton. He accepted the honor and dedicated it to his staff, family, and community.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the consent calendar 7-0. It included:

• Approval of minutes from the December 9, 2025 Regular Meeting, Work Session, and Alcohol and Zoning Public Hearing, and the January 5, 2026 Special Called Meeting.
• Proclamations spread on the minutes: Richard Edward Hazelwood (Pritchett), Patricia Battle Austin (Willis), Joseph Henry Beasley (Mayor and Full Council), and Dorothy Waites (Rowell).
• A Professional Services Agreement with Chetter Galloway for the development and creation of the first annual City of South Fulton Storytelling Festival.
• A Professional Services Agreement with Eric Spivey for instruction in music, music production, and podcasting.
• An MOU with STAR Ensemble for a senior theater stage production in exchange for four senior theater workshops.
• A donation of $300 from Next World for beverages for the Old National Christmas Party (District 7).
• Board appointments and reappointments, including Kevin Cole (South Fulton Public Arts Council), Rae Pollack (Environmental Committee), Joyce Armster (Board of Code Enforcement), Natalie Jerome (Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission, effective February 4, 2026), Violet Crawford (Parks and Recreation Advisory Board), Tamiko Leverette (Planning Commission), Paulette DeVaughn (Zoning Board of Appeals, effective February 4, 2026), Felix Brown and Aaron Day (Veterans Advisory Board), Imara Canady (South Fulton Public Arts Council), and Karen Norris (Use of Force Board).

Public Comments & Testimony

Speakers were limited to two minutes each, could not yield time, and public comment was capped at 30 minutes.

• Jill Lindsey asked the city to reopen the online chat on its YouTube page (disabled since 2020), expressed excitement about park upgrades in Districts 5 and 6 at Old National, Creel, and Burdette Parks, and voiced strong support for the gas station at Highway 138 and Old National, describing it as a safe haven that is environmentally clean and will bring change to the corridor.
• Glenda Collins (District 5) wished the council a happy new year, congratulated election winners, and said she would hold her questions for her council member until Thursday.
• Demetrius Nelson said at least 21 of his neighbors in the Sandtown Falls subdivision (District 1) opposed the self-storage facility on Riverside Parkway, but the council ruled further discussion out of order because the item had already been voted on. He then urged the council to ensure the city's progress is reflected in good practice and policy and to honor “no” votes fully.
• Debbie Davis, president of the Sandtown Community Association and a District 1 resident, thanked the council for not overriding the mayor's veto of the storage facility; her remarks on the zoning matter were redirected, and she limited her statement to thanks.
• Ivory Denson, an 82-year-old resident, urged council members to work together and avoid airing “dirty laundry” publicly, and congratulated Councilmember Aaron Johnson on his vote.
• Online speakers listed in the minutes included Karen Brown, Dr. Jerome Ratchford, Diana Williams, Marcus Carter, and Juanita Marbury; the provided transcript does not include their remarks.

Alcohol License, Rezonings, Variances, and Modifications

The council amended the agenda to hear the gas-station distance-waiver ordinance (Item B) before the QuikTrip case (Item A).

• Item B - Gas station distance exemption (approved 5-2): Second read of an ordinance sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Linda Pritchett to waive Section 302.15 distance requirements for a gas station at 0 Jonesboro Road and 0 Kenwood Road (Parcels 130196LL0792, 130196LL0818, 130196LL0826) and to codify gas station exemptions under a new Section 302.15.1. Councilmembers Rowell and Bell voted no; Johnson, Willis, Sebastian, Williams-Brown, and Pritchett voted yes.
• Item A - QuikTrip (Z25-029/U25-010) (approved 5-2): QuikTrip Corporation requested a C-2 to C-2 rezoning with a Special Use Permit for a convenience store with gasoline pumps and an accessory car wash at 0 Jonesboro & Kenwood Road (Parcels 130196LL0792, 130196LL0818, 130196LL0826), Council District 7. Staff recommended approval of the rezoning and denial of the special use permit; the Planning Commission recommended denial (7-0) of both. The council approved the rezoning 5-2, with Rowell and Bell opposed.
• Item C - Grundy single-family lots (Z25-031/CV25-004) (approved 7-0): Rezoning from R-3 (Single-Family Dwelling District/Sandtown Overlay) to R-4A to develop three single-family residential lots on 1.65 acres at 4865 Campbellton Road (Parcel 14F0077 LL0558), plus a concurrent variance to eliminate the 100-foot buffer. Staff and the Planning Commission both recommended approval.
• Item D - MK Energy convenience store (Z25-033/U25-014/CDP25-012) (denied 6-0-1): Requested rezoning from AG-1 (Agricultural District/Cedar Grove Overlay) to C-2 with a Special Use Permit for a convenience store with fuel pumps and a future land use amendment from Rural Neighborhood to Community Work-Live at 0 Campbellton Fairburn Road (Parcel 09F310001401098), Council District 4. Staff and the Planning Commission both recommended denial. Councilmember Bell abstained and recused herself, citing a personal conflict of interest.
• Item E - 7210 Old National Highway townhomes (Z25-011/CDP-25-006): The applicant had requested rezoning from C-1 to TR to construct 107 townhomes on 13.4 acres. Staff and the Planning Commission had both recommended denial. The developer requested withdrawal of the application, and the council voted 7-0 to accept the withdrawal and 7-0 to declare the mayor's veto override moot.
• Item F - Riverside Drive self-storage veto override (Z25-001/U25-002) (failed 4-3): The council considered overriding the mayor's veto of a conditional approval for a self-storage multi-facility (and retail) at 0 Riverside Drive (Parcel 14F0132 LL0445) (Fulton Industrial Business Overlay District, Council District 1). Staff and the Planning Commission had both recommended conditional approval. Five votes were required to override; the motion failed 4-3, with Willis, Sebastian, Williams-Brown, and Pritchett voting to override and Rowell, Johnson, and Bell voting to sustain the veto. In debate, Williams-Brown cited approximately 20 emails in support and a prior petition with about 32 signatures, and expressed concern about a coordinated effort to kill the development and exposure to litigation; Rowell said the petition included residents directly adjacent to the property and that no one spoke in support at the public hearing; Willis read a text message she received encouraging her to speak with a resident about the permit and called it “a little overreach” for council members to get involved, while noting she had heard both support and opposition; Pritchett argued the former mayor's veto was used as a weapon that disregarded the council's will; Sebastian noted the prior council vote had been 6-1 and that staff and the Planning Commission had recommended approval.

Administration

• Resolution appointing Councilmember Keosha B. Bell as Mayor Pro Tempore, sponsored by Councilmembers Pritchett, Rowell, and Williams-Brown (approved 7-0).
• New appointment to the Public Facilities Authority: Councilmember Aaron Johnson was initially nominated but withdrew, and Councilmember Linda Pritchett was appointed 7-0. Discussion noted the Authority will select its own chair; Councilmember Willis noted the police headquarters and court will be in Pritchett's district.
• 2026 State Legislative Agenda: the minutes record that this item was voted on in work session.
• Second read of the ordinance to amend Title 12 (Licenses, Permits, and Business Regulations) to add Chapter 6 (Delivery-Based Commercial Kitchens), sponsored by Councilmember Gumbs (approved 7-0).
• Resolution authorizing the Mayor and Council to have full access to all city-owned buildings and facilities, with the sole exception of the City Attorney's office suite, sponsored by Councilmember Williams-Brown: after extensive debate, the item was held 7-0 so reasonable parameters could be developed. Williams-Brown argued elected officials should not have to “beg” or “jump through hoops” to enter buildings where their pictures hang, noting the council approved the $400 million budget that funds those facilities. Pritchett said council members should not be treated like children and described the access restrictions as “absurd” and “insulting,” citing her use of the Economic Development Office for town halls and business meetings. Willis and Johnson argued for delineation, security protocols, and avoiding staff intimidation. Sebastian said he needs front-door access to city hall and the Frederick building but not every city facility. City Attorney Sara Kelly clarified that the proposed security language was quoted verbatim from FBI CJIS and GCIC policies and was not meant to imply council members would steal anything. A related amendment vote was 6-1 (Pritchett opposed).
• Intergovernmental agreement with the City of East Point consenting to the allocation of building and site development permitting services for the property at 4700 Campbell Drive (approved 7-0).
• Second Memorandum of Understanding with Fulton County authorizing receipt and acceptance of $900,000 of TSPLOST funds designated for the City of South Fulton (approved 7-0).
• Marketing services agreement with the ATL Airport District Convention and Visitors Bureau to market South Fulton as a tourism, convention, and meeting destination (approved 7-0).
• Resolution codifying and supporting the Sandtown Village Development Project (the “Hutch Project”) at the intersection of Campbellton Road and Camp Creek Parkway (approved 7-0).

Procurement and Contracts

All five procurement items were approved 7-0:

• RFP No. 25-14 (ADA Compliant Playground Equipment Replacements): award to Playworx Playsets LLC for replacement and installation of ADA-compliant playground equipment at Creel Park, Burdette Park, and Old National Park, with a maximum contract amount not to exceed $812,215.00 and no minimum spend guaranteed.
• RFP No. 25-19 (On-Call Demolition and Facility Support Services): contracts with The M Mitchell Group, The K&E Group USA LLC, and Wilpro Enterprises Inc. DBA Servpro, with a not-to-exceed amount of $1,000,000 per firm and no minimum work guaranteed.
• Police pursuit and special service vehicles: cooperative purchasing through Statewide Contract No. 99999-001-SPD0000183-0005 with Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Inc., with total expenditures not to exceed $2,000,000 annually.
• Police administrative vehicles: cooperative purchasing through Statewide Contract No. 99999-SPD-SPD0000218-0002 with Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Inc., with annual expenditures not to exceed $2,000,000.
• Emergency response vehicle upfitting: use of Dana Safety Supply's GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contract No. GS-07F-0512T under the Georgia Department of Public Safety 1122 Procurement Program, establishing contract authority not to exceed $2,000,000 per fiscal year and ratifying prior expenditures totaling $1,075,633.00 incurred during Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026.

First Read Ordinances

All three items received first reads with no vote taken:

• An ordinance to amend the City of South Fulton Zoning Ordinance to amend regulations related to home-based businesses.
• An ordinance to amend Title 3 (Building Regulations), Chapter 3, to require new conveyor car washes to recycle water, in compliance with the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District's 2022 Water Supply and Water Conservation Management Plan.
• An ordinance to repeal Ordinance Number 2021-033, which amended the regulations for convenience stores and gasoline stations (sponsored by Councilmembers Willis, Johnson, Sebastian, Pritchett, and Williams-Brown).

Walk-On Items

• One Heartbeat Senior Sweetheart Day Celebration, hosted by Mayor Gumbs on February 13, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Enon Ranch (approved 7-0).
• Resolution reappointing Kimberly Mays to the South Fulton Development Authority (approved 7-0).

Council Comments

Council members gave district updates: Bell announced a District 5 town hall for Thursday, January 15, 6:00-8:00 PM at Burdette Park; Sebastian announced a comprehensive plan meeting on January 22 at Elegant Occasions, 758 Spring Bucks Drive, District 4, 6:00-8:00 PM; Willis announced a shred-truck and fresh produce event on January 17 at Welcome All Park and noted more than 200 residents participated in her prior event; Rowell announced an MLK Day community cleanup on January 19 at 10:00 AM at Cascade BMA, a Code Enforcement “Power of Compliance” workshop on January 21 at the Southwest Arts Center, a recycling/shred event on January 24 at Sandtown Park, and the Living Testament art exhibit through January 31; Williams-Brown announced a monthly food distribution with the Atlanta Community Food Bank on January 24 at 10:00 AM; and Johnson said he is planning a District 2 town hall in the first quarter. Mayor Gumbs thanked staff and community members, saying the city is trending across the nation.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda adopted as amended 7-0; meeting minutes approved 7-0; consent calendar approved 7-0.
• Gas station distance exemption ordinance approved 5-2.
• QuikTrip rezoning (Z25-029) approved 5-2; the special use permit element (U25-010) had a staff recommendation of denial.
• Grundy rezoning and variance (Z25-031/CV25-004) approved 7-0.
• MK Energy rezoning, special use permit, and land use amendment (Z25-033/U25-014/CDP25-012) denied 6-0-1 (Bell abstained and recused).
• Withdrawal accepted 7-0 for Z25-011/CDP-25-006 (7210 Old National Highway); the mayor's veto override was declared moot 7-0.
• Override of the mayor's veto for Z25-001/U25-002 (Riverside Drive self-storage) failed 4-3; the veto was sustained.
• Bell appointed Mayor Pro Tempore 7-0; Pritchett appointed to the Public Facilities Authority 7-0.
• Building access resolution held 7-0 pending development of reasonable parameters.
• Administration items A4, A6, A7, A8, and A9 approved 7-0; procurement items B1-B5 approved 7-0.
• Walk-on items (Senior Sweetheart Day event and Mays reappointment) approved 7-0.
• The meeting adjourned at 10:40 PM.