South Fulton City Council Regular Meeting - August 25, 2026

The City Council of South Fulton, Georgia, held its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at City Hall. Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs presided; all seven councilmembers were present, with Councilmember Linda B. Pritchett attending virtually. The minutes record a 7:02 p.m. start and an 8:44 p.m. adjournment. The council adopted an amended agenda, approved consent and zoning items, conducted the first FY2027 budget public hearing, passed several ordinances on split votes, and approved walk-on items including a convention-center MOU.

Agenda Adoption and Minutes

• The council adopted the amended agenda by unanimous consent. Amendments included adding the Airport Centennial Celebration Festival, District 7 Block Party, District 5 Canvas & Courts, District 2 'Ask Aaron' series, a non-binding Westwood at SoFu convention center MOU item, and the Le Chateau Estates final plat; holding the Paramount Consulting agreement to September 22; removing zoning case Z26-020; and recording Councilmember Rowell's August 24 food distribution at Anthem 1-3.
• Approved the August 11 regular meeting, work session, alcohol and zoning public hearing minutes, and the August 18 emergency special called meeting minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Approved proclamations for Ikon Filmworks LLC, the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., and Harriett Bryant.
• Approved the Georgia Power Company Relocation Agreement for TSPLOST I OSI-613 Old Fairburn Road at Union Road and OSI-615 Stonewall Tell Road at Union Road roundabouts in the amount of $65,574.00.
• Approved the District 5 'Carving Memories' Thanksgiving Luncheon for Seniors at Burdett Park on November 17, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Confirmed the Final Plat for The Broadwell Phase 1: 38 single-family lots on 71.22 acres in Council District 4.
• Held the Professional Services Agreement with Paramount Consulting Group, LLC ($140,000) to the September 22, 2026 Council meeting.

FY2027 Proposed Budget Public Hearing #1

• Mayor Gumbs opened and closed the hearing; no speakers registered or spoke in favor or opposition.

Zoning and Development Approvals

• Zoning case Z26-020 was removed from the regular agenda at the request of the City Attorney because the ordinance required additional revisions.
• By unanimous consent, the council approved items B through F:
  • U26-006: special use permit for a farmers market in the AG-1 district on 6.1 acres at 4269 Stonewall Tell Road (District 3); staff and Planning Commission recommended approval.
  • M26-003: modification to remove a required 100-foot natural buffer and additional 10-foot setback at 5400 Bethlehem Road (District 4); council approved despite staff's denial recommendation.
  • M26-004: modification to allow an adult day care serving up to 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at 3890 Stonewall Tell Road (District 3).
  • M26-005: modification to permit automobile sales and related commercial uses and to remove the 5,544-square-foot floor area limitation at 5120 Cascade Palmetto Highway (District 4).
  • Z26-010/CV26-002: rezoning to Senior Housing with concurrent variances to develop a 50-unit senior community for residents age 62 and older on approximately 13.8 acres at 7490 Butner Road (District 4); council approved despite the Planning Commission's denial recommendation and staff approval recommendations.
• The first read of Z26-013 (75 single-family detached homes on 25.50 acres at 7000 and 7050 Bishop Road) was removed/held and not heard.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jewel Johnson, 4660 Arkney Lane, said stakeholders had sent three emails requesting a meeting with the mayor, council, city manager, and CFO to discuss impact fees and collaboration, and asked for a response.
• Mike Johnson alleged corruption involving the mayor, city manager, and police department leadership; questioned the timing of an emergency trip and the reassignment of police majors; and said he could not trust the mayor.
• Damita Chatman thanked the mayor and advocated naming the first city hall after William 'Bill' Edwards rather than the Southwest Arts Center.
• Dr. J. Jaz Thomas-Jones, a Lakes of Cedar Grove resident since 1991, opposed the tree ordinance and data centers, urged preservation of trees, air, and water, criticized unnecessary development in District 4, and questioned a proposed senior unit next to a landfill.
• Shavar Brown attempted to speak about 5120 Cascade Palmetto Highway but was not allowed because zoning-related comments are prohibited during public comment.
• The minutes also list online commenters Rasushanah El-Amin-Foster, Aneria Johnson, Tonya Anderson, Sharon Moore, and Damita Chatman; their remarks are not included in the transcript.

Council Comments

• Councilmember Sebastian (District 4) responded to public criticism by stating the tree ordinance was not being changed for data centers, that there are no industrial parcels in District 4, and that residents should not be 'miseducated' about development.
• Mayor Gumbs delivered closing remarks defending her leadership, condemning personal and derogatory attacks, and saying she would not leave or quit.
• Other councilmembers provided district announcements including food distributions, career fairs, youth programs, and community events.

Administration Ordinances and Resolutions

• Tree Preservation Ordinance (A.1): A substitute motion by Councilmember Rowell to remove multifamily from Section E.3 failed for lack of a second. Sponsors said the multifamily category addressed a lack of diversified housing and could be changed in future reviews. The ordinance was then approved 5-2, with Councilmembers Rowell and Pritchett voting no.
• Ethics Ordinance (A.2): After debate about retroactive application, a substitute motion by Councilmember Rowell, seconded by Councilmember Pritchett, to strike 'it may be applied retroactively' in Sec. 1-5002 failed for lack of four affirmative votes. The transcript indicates the two affirmative votes were Rowell and Pritchett; the minutes list Mayor Gumbs and Pritchett. The interim city attorney cited Bickford v. Yancey Development Co. and argued Georgia case law permits retroactivity when clearly stated; Councilmember Sebastian cautioned against on-the-fly amendments. The council then approved the ordinance 5-2, with Rowell and Pritchett opposed.
• Legal Fees for Elected Officials (A.3): The ordinance, which authorizes coverage of legal fees for elected officials and appointees and caps reimbursement at $20,000 after an investigation or lawsuit concludes without malice findings, was approved 6-0-1. Councilmember Pritchett abstained, citing personal litigation with the city; the interim city attorney said she was unaware of active litigation but was aware of a workers' compensation matter involving Pritchett.
• Sandtown Village Roundabout (A.4): Approved by unanimous consent. The city will fund at least 60% of the GDOT-approved multi-lane roundabout design and construction cost, not to exceed $5 million, at Campbellton Road and Camp Creek Parkway.
• 2030 Census Complete Count Committee (A.5): Approved by unanimous consent.
• FY2026 Budget Amendment (A.6): Approved by unanimous consent; reallocates appropriations between departments and funds to align budgeted amounts with actual revenues and expenditures.

Procurement and Contracts

• Approved amendment to RFP No. 26-19, Light-Duty Fleet Maintenance and Repair Services, increasing authorized contract capacity to not exceed $1,000,000 per vendor for Element Fleet Management, MFWPS/Clutch Car Care Center Inc., and Moon's Service Center.
• Approved amendment to RFP No. 26-09, standby solar system maintenance and support services, adding Elkins Sustainability LLC in an amount not to exceed $100,000 and Infinite Energy Advisors in an amount not to exceed $150,000.

Walk-On Items

• Approved the Airport Centennial Celebration Festival on September 10, 2026, 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Wolf Creek Amphitheater.
• Approved the District 7 Block Party on August 29, 2026, at Creel Park, noting it was not a District 7-exclusive event.
• Approved District 5 Canvas & Courts, co-sponsored by Councilmember Wright, on September 11, 2026, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at South Fulton Tennis Center.
• Approved the District 2 'Ask Aaron' Community Engagement Series at Cliftondale Park Community Center, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., on September 15, October 1, October 8, October 14, and October 15, 2026.
• Approved the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for the proposed Westwood at SoFu convention center development.
• Approved the final plat for Le Chateau Estates in District 4, 23 homes near Rivertown Road and Cedar Grove Road.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted the amended agenda and approved the August 11 and August 18 minutes.
• Approved consent calendar with the Paramount agreement held to September 22.
• Held the FY2027 budget public hearing with no comments.
• Approved all zoning and modification items B-F by unanimous consent; removed Z26-020; held first read Z26-013.
• Passed the tree preservation ordinance 5-2, the ethics ordinance 5-2, and the legal fees ordinance 6-0-1.
• Approved the roundabout funding agreement, 2030 Census resolution, FY2026 budget amendment, and both procurement amendments.
• Approved all walk-on events, the Westwood at SoFu MOU, and the Le Chateau Estates final plat.
• No executive session was held; the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.