City of South Fulton Council Regular Meeting - February 24, 2026

The City of South Fulton City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting addressed a wide range of administrative, zoning, and policy items. Key highlights included the adoption of a new gas station and convenience store ordinance, a contested vote on a resolution opposing ICE detention facilities within the city, and the approval of several transportation and environmental grants. The official minutes state the meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the February 10, 2026, Regular, Work Session, and Public Hearing minutes.
• Plats: Confirmed final plats for Harmony Manor Phase 2 (82 lots on 36.6 acres), Sandtown Village (combination of 3 tracts into 1 parcel), and Brooke at Rivertown Phase 1B (154 lots on 88.76 acres).
• Cultural Affairs: Approved an MOU with Egun Omode for educational instruction, arts activations, and public performances.
• Planning: Authorized a letter of support for the US-29/Roosevelt Highway LCI Study to the DCA and ARC.
• Land Acquisition: Approved the acquisition of 4380 Stonewall Tell Road (District 3).
• Grants: Accepted an $80,661 Recycling and Waste Diversion Grant from the GA DNR and a $195,500 Trash Trap Grant from Georgia Rivers for six priority waterways.
• NEA Grant: Authorized a $100,000 grant application to the NEA for the South Fulton Arts Festival, requiring $100,000 in matching funds.
• Transportation Studies: Ratified five $640,000 TIP applications to the ARC for scoping studies on Cascade-Palmetto, Campbellton-Fairburn, Campbellton Road, Cascade/I-285 Interchange, and Riverside Drive, each requiring $160,000 in matching funds.

Alcohol, Zoning, and Modification Cases

• Applebee's Liquor License (IX A): Approved by unanimous consent.
• RS Group Inc. Rezoning (IX B): Approved by unanimous consent.
• M26-001 Rear Setback Modification (IX C): Denied 7-0. Staff recommended denial because the structure encroached on a drainage easement. The motion to deny was made by Councilmember Sebastian and seconded by Councilmember Willis.
• Southern Impression Developments Rezoning (IX D): Approved by unanimous consent.
• Gas Station Repeal Ordinance (IX E): Ordinance to repeal the 2021 convenience store regulations, approved by unanimous consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• State Senator Jaha Howard: Expressed support for the resolution opposing ICE detention centers, stating the city's leadership on the issue is courageous and urgent.
• State Senator RaShaun Kemp: Speaking as a resident and partner, he urged council to approve the ICE resolution, arguing that democracy starts in cities and that the resolution clearly defines the city's values.
• Penny Webster Lewis (District 2): Thanked Councilmembers Johnson, Williams-Brown, Rowell, and Pritchett for responding to her previous inquiries regarding zoning issues.
• Demita Chapman (District 2): Quoted scripture and encouraged the council to listen to residents and work towards unity.
• Yvonne Cole Boone (District 7): Expressed concern about the 5-Year Comprehensive Plan Update designating the Spence Road area as "light industrial," fearing it would invite warehouse development on 188 acres against the wishes of residents who previously opposed a rezoning.
• Glenda Collins (District 5): Questioned the city's use of tax abatements to support for-profit warehouse developments, arguing such abatements would be better used for hospitals or entertainment.
• India Rice (District 7, via Zoom): Supported the ICE resolution and requested public environmental impact information for a proposed Microsoft data center on Stonewall Road.

Agenda Items: Administration

• Gas Station and Convenience Store Ordinance (A.1): Second read and approved by unanimous consent. Councilmembers noted it was a compromise developed through extensive community dialogue.
• 5-Year Comprehensive Plan Update (A.2): Approved for transmittal to the DCA and ARC for review.
• Honorary Street Signs (A.3): Approved for Delano Road (Dr. Jonathon Carter), Enon Road (Dr. Gregory L. Pollard), and Stonewall Tell Road (Senator Donzella James).
• ICE Detention Facilities Opposition (A.4): Approved 5-2.
• Business License Amnesty (A.5): Approved as amended. The resolution was amended to waive late penalties and fees for business license non-compliance for 2023 and all prior years.

Agenda Items: Procurement and Contracts

• Approved contracts with Atrium Health for firefighter physicals ($120,000/yr), National Auto Fleet Group for fleet vehicles ($2,000,000/yr), LION First Responder for PPE ($443,610/yr), and Wade Ford, Inc. for commercial trucks ($2,000,000/yr) and police vehicles ($2,000,000/yr). All approvals were by unanimous consent.

Key Outcomes and Decisions

• Ice Detention Opposition Resolution was APPROVED 5-2.
  • Yea: Councilmembers Rowell, Johnson, Willis, Sebastian, Bell.
  • Nay: Councilmembers Williams-Brown and Pritchett.
• Procedural Discrepancy (Executive Session): A significant discrepancy exists between the official minutes and the transcript. The minutes explicitly state "NO EXECUTIVE SESSION" was held. However, the transcript records the council returning from an executive session recess and voting 6-1 to reappoint the City Clerk (Corey Adams), Chief Municipal Judge (Michael Sheridan), and Interim City Attorney (Sarah Kelly). Mayor Gumbs later publicly congratulated these reappointees along with City Manager Sharon Subadan.
• Modification Case M26-001 was Denied 7-0.
• Unanimous Consent: The Consented Agenda, zoning items IX A/B/D/E, the Gas Station Ordinance, and all Procurement contracts were passed by unanimous consent.

Council Updates and District Announcements

• Councilmembers provided updates on district events, community meetings, and programming. Highlights included Councilmember Pritchett's advocacy for HB 1035 (HOA foreclosure restrictions), Councilmember Johnson's reflection on the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Mayor Gumbs' release of her "First 100 Days" plan.