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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

South Fulton City Council Regular Meeting – May 26, 2026

City Council & Public Facilities Authority — Tuesday, May 26, 2026
BodySouth Fulton, Georgia
SessionCity Council & Public Facilities Authority
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 51:23

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:28

Of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the visual with liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 2

0:47

All right.

0:49

Thank you.

0:51

Mr.

0:51

Clerk, can you please sound the next item?

Speaker 3

0:57

Madam Mayor, that brings us to the adoption of the council agenda.

1:02

I do have uh one addition that needs to be added, which is a special event

Unassigned speaker

1:09

for

Speaker 3

1:09

June 27th

Unassigned speaker

1:11

from

Speaker 3

1:11

9 a.m.

1:12

to 12 p.m.

1:12

at the Southwest Arts Center by South Fulton Home Buyers Workshop placed on the agenda by Mayor Gums.

Speaker 2

1:21

Okay.

1:22

And we also need two changes where we will be um tabling two items.

Speaker 3

1:30

Yes, ma'am.

1:31

So

Unassigned speaker

1:33

the

Speaker 3

1:33

council would like to table items under 11a number one, which is the second read request council approval and ordinance

Unassigned speaker

1:47

of

Speaker 3

1:47

the city of South Fool and Georgia to amend title 15 to prohibit unauthorized public camping to define camping and related terms to establish notice removal and storage procedures to provide enforcement and documentation requirements to protect health safety and access to public spaces.

2:04

That item is tabled as well as item number two, which is second read

Unassigned speaker

2:12

request

Speaker 3

2:12

council approval ordinance to establish standardized protocols

Unassigned speaker

2:16

for

Speaker 3

2:16

the planning coordination and conduct of city-sponsored special events to define roles and participation eligibility to provide for recognition of elected officials to establish enforcement mechanisms.

Speaker 4

2:47

What was the date for

Unassigned speaker

2:49

that?

Speaker 3

2:55

June 27th.

Speaker 4

3:00

Yeah.

3:01

So I I have so okay, it's June 27th.

3:04

And what time and where?

Speaker 3

3:08

9 a.m.

3:09

to 12 p.m.

3:10

at the Southwest Arts Center.

Speaker 4

3:14

This event is being sponsored by who?

3:18

Me.

3:19

The mayor.

3:20

So we're supposed to be somewhere else, but you okay.

3:25

And then where's uh Dr.

3:31

Cooper?

3:31

Dr.

3:32

Cooper, can you confirm if there are any other events that are happening on that day?

Speaker 5

3:47

We've already confirmed, it's alright.

Speaker 4

3:49

I did I'm gonna do my question is are there any other events in the city on that date?

Speaker 5

3:55

There are no events that would conflict with that event, no, but there are other things going on like an exhibit and different things of that nature, but nothing that would conflict.

Speaker 4

4:05

Okay, thank

Unassigned speaker

4:06

you.

Speaker 2

4:09

Okay,

Unassigned speaker

4:11

if

Speaker 2

4:11

there are no objections, the agenda is adopted as noted with the changes.

4:18

Any objections?

4:20

Mr.

4:21

Clerk, please sound the next item.

Speaker 3

4:23

I'm sorry, Councilman Morale has her hand

Unassigned speaker

4:25

up.

Speaker 6

4:29

I just wanted to bring to the attention of council that is the GMA convention in Savannah.

Speaker 2

4:37

I'm aware I'm traveling that evening to go to Savannah.

Unassigned speaker

4:47

All

Speaker 2

4:47

right, if there are no further objections, the agenda is amended as noted.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████████████████████████████████████46%
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Public Safety████████8%
Zoning And Land Use█████5%
Youth Programs████4%
Public Health███3%
Disability Rights███3%
Food Security███3%
Economic Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

South Fulton City Council Regular Meeting – May 26, 2026

The City Council met on May 26, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting was originally scheduled for 7:00 PM but was called to order by Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs at 7:46 PM and adjourned at 8:39 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Proclamations: Proclamations were spread on the minutes for Alyssia Bandele, Kalee Simone Arnold, Zada Staples, Alfonso Jerome “A.J.” Jenkins, Jr., South Fulton Run Club, Alkin Academy, Juanita Osborne Hixon, James Chappelle, and Lt. Colonel Mark Hill.
  • Plats: Council confirmed development plats for 4275 Shirley Drive, 2860 Butner Road, 6750 Short Road (Belleview Manor Phase 1), and 7329 Bethsaida Road.
  • MOU with World Changers: Approved a partnership for workforce development using The Rise Building.
  • Special Events: Approved the South Fulton Run Club 5K (May 30) and later added the NPHC of Greater Atlanta 5K/9K (June 13) as a walk-on item.
  • Resolutions: Approved support for the Capital Improvement Element (CIE) transmittal and appointed Councilmember Natasha Williams-Brown as voting delegate for the 2026 Georgia Municipal Association Convention.

Public Comments & Testimony

Five residents spoke during the public comment period. Zoning cases were explicitly excluded from comment.

  • Brandon Fulton raised a formal complaint against police and fire personnel regarding an incident on his property, alleging improper detainment and a lack of protocol.
  • Joyce Carroll (District 2) expressed full support for the city’s “White Affair” event for seniors, defending it against media criticism and thanking the Mayor and Councilmember Johnson for not canceling it.
  • JoFrances Williams (District 2) defended the “White Affair,” stating it was a positive community event with no electioneering by council members, and criticized the negative news coverage as a “slow news cycle.”
  • Mike Johnson (District 4) criticized the “White Affair” for potential election law violations. He further alleged that Mayor Gumbs and former councilmember Helen Willis used city-issued P-Cards for campaign expenditures with the political firm First Edition Strategies, demanding accountability and the return of taxpayer money.
  • Kimberly King praised Parks and Rec staff member Joan Troop, supported the Divine 9 5K/9K event, and defended the “White Affair” as a voter who felt no pressure or intimidation.

Discussion Items

  • Tabled Ordinances: Two ordinances were formally tabled until the July 14, 2026 council meeting: the Ordinance to Prohibit Unauthorized Public Camping and the Ordinance to Establish Standardized Protocols for City-Sponsored Special Events.
  • Panhandling Ordinance (11A.3): A second-read ordinance amending Title 15, Chapter 7 to establish mandatory incident documentation and enforcement reporting requirements for panhandling was approved by unanimous consent.
  • Injured Police Officer Benefit (11A.4): A resolution amending the HR manual for an Injured Police Officer Supplemental Benefit Policy was approved (6-0). Councilmember Williams-Brown noted the fiscal impact statement was not in the packet, but staff clarified the cost varies by case and currently impacts one officer.
  • Tire Service Contract (11B.1): A contract for tire services was awarded to Southern Tire Mart and Snider Tire. Combined annual amount not to exceed $500,000. Approved by unanimous consent.
  • TSPLOST III and Speed Limit (11C.1 & 11C.2): Council authorized the TSPLOST III five-year transportation program (funding collection 2028-2033) and approved a speed limit reduction on Enon Road. Approved by unanimous consent.
  • First Reads: Council received first readings of an expanded loitering ordinance (sponsored by Williams-Brown and Pritchett) and an ordinance prohibiting campaigning at city-sponsored events (sponsored by Williams-Brown). No votes were taken.

Council Comments

Councilmembers provided extensive community updates:

  • Councilmember Rowell: Announced a Code Enforcement Workshop and the South Fulton Run Club 5K.
  • Councilmember Johnson: Congratulated all graduates, specifically his son (Brown University MPH). Promoted Wolf Creek events, Juneteenth, and the South Fulton Run Club.
  • Councilmember Sebastian: Congratulated graduates (including his son Jeremy), highlighted Men’s Health Month, Slingfest, and the upcoming special legislative session on redistricting.
  • Councilmember Bell: Announced a Recycle & Shred Event, a free camp for individuals with disabilities, and the “Bells Rhythms Revealed” jazz and spoken word event.
  • Councilmember Williams-Brown: Reported a food distribution serving over 200 families. Announced a town hall on Senate Bill 405 (HOA regulations), a “Teen Takeover,” and a back-to-school carnival.
  • Councilmember Pritchett: Promoted the Amazon Small Business Workshop, Global Running Day, Summer of Safety, Juneteenth concert and golf tournament, Men’s Health Expo, and Homebuyers Workshop. Recognized Public Works Week and shared a letter of condolence sent to Coral Springs.

Key Outcomes

  • Z26-002 (Welcome All Road) Denied: The 35-home rezoning was denied. Motion by Bell, Second by Pritchett. Passed 6-0.
  • M26-002 (Koweta/Dodson Road) Approved: The 293-home site plan modification was approved. Motion by Sebastian, Second by Williams-Brown. Passed 6-0.
  • Policy Enactments: The Panhandling Documentation Ordinance and the Injured Police Officer Supplemental Benefit Policy were enacted.
  • Contract Awards: The tire service contract was awarded (up to $500,000 annually), and the TSPLOST III program was authorized.
  • Referrals: The public camping and special events ordinances were formally referred to the July 14, 2026 council meeting.
  • Future Action: First reads on the loitering and campaigning ordinances were received, setting the stage for future votes.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the visual with liberty and justice for all. All right. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, can you please sound the next item? Madam Mayor, that brings us to the adoption of the council agenda. I do have uh one addition that needs to be added, which is a special event for June 27th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Southwest Arts Center by South Fulton Home Buyers Workshop placed on the agenda by Mayor Gums. Okay. And we also need two changes where we will be um tabling two items. Yes, ma'am. So the council would like to table items under 11a number one, which is the second read request council approval and ordinance of the city of South Fool and Georgia to amend title 15 to prohibit unauthorized public camping to define camping and related terms to establish notice removal and storage procedures to provide enforcement and documentation requirements to protect health safety and access to public spaces. That item is tabled as well as item number two, which is second read request council approval ordinance to establish standardized protocols for the planning coordination and conduct of city-sponsored special events to define roles and participation eligibility to provide for recognition of elected officials to establish enforcement mechanisms. What was the date for that? June 27th. Yeah. So I I have so okay, it's June 27th. And what time and where? 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Southwest Arts Center. This event is being sponsored by who? Me. The mayor. So we're supposed to be somewhere else, but you okay. And then where's uh Dr. Cooper? Dr. Cooper, can you confirm if there are any other events that are happening on that day? We've already confirmed, it's alright. I did I'm gonna do my question is are there any other events in the city on that date? There are no events that would conflict with that event, no, but there are other things going on like an exhibit and different things of that nature, but nothing that would conflict. Okay, thank you. Okay, if

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