South Fulton City Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the South Fulton City Council convened at City Hall for its regular meeting, starting at 7:00 PM. Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs presided, and all council members were present except the vacant District 3 seat. The meeting opened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting. The council approved a consent agenda, conducted a zoning vote, heard public comments, made announcements, and adopted several administrative, procurement, and public works items. Four ordinances were introduced on first reading.

Consent Calendar

• Proclamations: Recognitions for Congressman David Albert Scott, Robert "Bob" Willis, and Bishop Craig L. Oliver, Sr. were spread on the minutes.
• Plat Approval: Confirmed the final plat for 2860 Butner Road, splitting a 1.87-acre parcel into three lots in Council District 2.
• Grants and Agreements:
  • Authorized application for a $416,173.10 cybersecurity grant (with $178,359.90 match).
  • Authorized application for a $100,000 NFWF Five Star Grant (with $60,000 in-kind match).
  • Accepted a $59,202 FIFA World Cup Grant for SWAT operational support (no match required).
  • Authorized acceptance of a $560,000 GDOT trail feasibility study grant (with $140,000 match from Trust for Public Land).
  • Authorized submission of a $1,716,602.88 LRA assistance grant for Boat Rock Boulevard reclamation.
  • Approved MOU with Atlanta Quilt Festival for quilting classes at Southwest Arts Center.
• Donations: Accepted donations totaling $11,500 for the State of the City event and art supplies from Blick Art Materials for Chalk the Block.
• Proclamations: Approved a resolution proclaiming June as "Men's Health and Wellness Month" (amended from "Men's Health Month") and a resolution declaring South Fulton a JustServe City.
• Appointments: Dr. Gloria Milow (Code Enforcement Board) and Mr. Richard Harris (Environmental Board) appointed as District 5 representatives.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary Bing (representing Congressman Scott's office) attempted to address a zoning item but was ruled out of order per meeting rules.
• Mike Johnson (District 4) expressed concerns about accountability, questioning the use of taxpayer funds for police officers to attend a funeral in Savannah and demanding repayment of funds received from Fulton County's inmate welfare fund, referencing Helen Willis.

Council Comments and Announcements

• Councilmember Rowell highlighted District 1 events: community cleanup, Chalk the Block festival, PAL volleyball, Citizens Fire Academy, and summer reading program.
• Councilmember Johnson noted street dedications, recognized National Police Week, and reminded about I-285 closures.
• Councilmember Sebastian announced a legislative town hall on May 21 and a Men's Health event on June 6.
• Councilmember Bell recapped a social media documentary screening, a community baby shower (60 mothers served), and workforce development programs.
• Councilmember Williams-Brown promoted a weekly food distribution at Creel Park (May 16) and mental health awareness resources.
• Councilmember Pritchett thanked sanitation staff for a recycling event and confirmed her attendance at National Police Week events in Washington, D.C.
• Mayor Gumbs celebrated the successful State of the City event, congratulated graduates, acknowledged National Police Week and the recognition of fallen Officer Garcia, corrected a rumor about seeking a raise, and invited small businesses to an Amazon vendor workshop.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Case Z26-007 (Second Read): Council approved the rezoning of 13.82 acres at 2210 Wallace Road from R-3 (with conditions) to R-3 to allow 18 single-family homes. Two conditions were amended: (10) exterior finishes must be brick, stucco, or stone; (12) Hardie Plank and wood are permitted only as accent materials on rear elevations. The vote was unanimous.
• Administration:
  • Approved an ordinance requiring new conveyor car washes to recycle water, aligning with the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District's 2022 plan.
  • Extended the moratorium on data center development applications until September 9, 2026.
• Procurement and Contracts: Authorized five procurement actions by unanimous consent:
  • Piggyback fuel delivery contract for the Fire Department (up to $100,000).
  • Increased funding for electrical on-call maintenance with Face N Sons, LLC (up to $384,450/year).
  • Awarded roadway resurfacing contract to C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc. for $11,030,891.96 (base plus 10% contingency), covering 14 corridors.
  • Piggyback agreement for police vehicle outfitting (up to $500,000).
  • Piggyback agreement for administrative vehicle purchases (up to $2,000,000).
• Public Works:
  • Approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with GDOT for roadway upgrades at State Route 70/Cascade Road (matching funds $704,357.07).
  • Approved an MOA for pedestrian upgrades on State Route 70 from Lakeview Court to Westpark Place (matching funds $446,398.77).

First Read Ordinances

Four ordinances were read for the first time and will return for second reading and a vote:

1. Unauthorized Public Camping: Prohibits camping on public property; defines terms; establishes notice and storage procedures.
2. City-Sponsored Special Events: Standardized protocols for planning and conducting city events; defines roles and official recognition.
3. Panhandling Enforcement: Requires mandatory incident documentation and reporting to ensure consistent enforcement.
4. Zoning Case Z26-002 (First Read): Application for rezoning from AG-1 to CUP to develop 35 single-family homes on 15 acres at 4700 Welcome All Road. Staff recommends denial; Planning Commission recommends conditional approval.

Key Outcomes

• All votes on the consent calendar and agenda items were unanimous.
• The moratorium on data center applications was extended to September 9, 2026.
• The city authorized over $13 million in procurement and public works contracts, including an $11 million roadway resurfacing project and two GDOT matching agreements.
• The council introduced four first-read ordinances that will be subject to a future vote.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.