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Record of Proceedings

South Fulton City Council Regular Meeting – October 13, 2026

City Council & Public Facilities Authority — Tuesday, October 13, 2026
BodySouth Fulton, Georgia
SessionCity Council & Public Facilities Authority
DateTuesday, October 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:16:17

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:08

Mr.

0:09

Clerk, if we want to go ahead and reconvene from executive session, if we have unanimous consent, we can reconvene from executive session.

0:18

Mr.

0:19

Clerk, were there any actions taken in executive session?

Speaker 2

0:22

There were no actions taken in executive session that requires a public vote.

Speaker 1

0:26

All right, at this time, if there are no other grievances or concerns, we can go ahead and adjourn

Speaker 3

0:33

this meeting with unanimous

Speaker 1

0:34

consent.

0:36

All right, we are now adjourned at 7 56.

0:41

All right.

Speaker 4

0:46

Thank you for joining us live for the City of South Fulton City Council Meeting.

0:51

We are proud to introduce the leadership entrusted with guiding our city forward.

0:55

Mayor Carmelita Gums.

1:26

Kiosha B.

1:27

Bell.

1:30

District 6 Councilwoman, Natasha Williams Brown.

1:35

District 7 Councilwoman, Linda Becker Pritchett.

1:39

Supporting the work of this body in the operations of our city are City Clerk, Corey Adams, City Manager, Sharon D.

1:47

Subadan, and Interim City Attorney, Sarah Kelly.

1:52

Thank you for being the best part of the city of South Fulton, a city on the rise.

Speaker 1

2:00

All right.

2:01

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to our city council regular meeting for October the 13th, 2026.

2:07

We are now calling this meeting to order at 7 58 p.m.

2:12

Mr.

2:12

Clerk, please sound the roll.

Unassigned speaker

2:14

It's

Speaker 2

2:15

roll call for tonight's meeting.

2:16

The honorable Catherine Frau, District 1.

Speaker 1

2:19

Present.

Unassigned speaker

2:20

The

Speaker 2

2:20

Honorable Aaron V.

2:21

Johnson, District 2.

Speaker 5

2:23

Present.

Unassigned speaker

2:24

The

Speaker 2

2:24

Honorable Latanya Tony Wright, District 3.

2:27

Present.

Unassigned speaker

2:28

The

Speaker 2

2:29

Honorable JC Sebastian, District 4.

2:31

Here.

Unassigned speaker

2:32

The

Speaker 2

2:32

Honorable Keosha Bell, District 5.

Speaker 6

2:35

Present.

Unassigned speaker

2:36

The

Speaker 2

2:36

Honorable Natasha Williams Brown, District 6.

Speaker 6

2:40

Present.

Unassigned speaker

2:43

The

Speaker 2

2:43

Honorable Linda Becker Pritchett, District 7.

Unassigned speaker

2:47

And

Speaker 2

2:47

the Honorable Mayor Carmelita Gums.

Speaker 1

2:50

Here.

Speaker 2

2:50

Madam Mayor, you have a quorum.

Speaker 1

2:51

I would like to take a moment of personal privilege and ask uh Mayor Pro Temp to read the civility pledge.

Unassigned speaker

2:58

All

Speaker 1

2:58

right, the City

Speaker 7

2:59

of South Fullerton civility privilege.

3:02

The way we govern ourselves is often as important as the positions we take.

3:06

Our collective decisions will be better when different views have had the opportunity to be fully vetted and considered.

3:12

All people have the right to be treated with respect, courtesy, and openness.

3:16

We value all input.

3:18

We commit to conduct ourselves at all times with civility and courtesy to each

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Miscellaneous█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Procedural███████████████17%
Community Engagement██████████11%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████9%
Public Health█████6%
Arts And Culture████4%
Homelessness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

South Fulton City Council Regular Meeting – October 13, 2026

The City Council of South Fulton held its regular meeting on October 13, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 7:58 p.m. after an executive session (no actions requiring a public vote). The agenda was amended to add a walk-on item for Councilmember Sebastian's District 4 recycling/shredding/hazardous waste event, Councilmember Rowell's District 1 holiday party date, and a date change for the District 4 senior holiday event. Councilwoman Pritchett requested to strike the monetary amounts from the in-kind donation agenda item (VII.B), which was allowed. The council adopted the agenda as amended and approved the minutes from September 22, 2026. Public comments addressed several issues, and the council discussed and took action on administration items, procurement contracts, and first-read ordinances.

Consent Calendar

  • Proclamations (Spreading on the Minutes): Approved for Kinship Care Appreciation (Councilmember Rowell), Brunnetta Soward, Luis Alas, Yvette Moïse, Georgia Latino Film Alliance, J&J Family Dentistry, Cliftondale United Methodist Church, Mother Wendy Gail Tate, Kalvin Bennett, Dr. Mary A. Mudd, James Edward Betts, and Westlake High School Mighty Marching Lions.
  • In-Kind Donations: Approved as amended (monetary amounts stricken) for SRG Builders (beverage donations for Azucar Gala) and Georgia Beverage Association (beverage donations for Azucar Festival).
  • Board Appointments: Approved: Ric Ross to Position 1 on Downtown Development Authority (DDA); Joyce Hackett-Scales to Position 5 on DDA; Donald Winbush to Position 7 on DDA; and Kent Artis as District 4 appointee to Impact Fee Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Richard Snellings (District 1): Opposed the proposed ordinance on safeguarding confidential information, calling it unconstitutional, vague, and an intimidation tactic against whistleblowers and residents.
  • Unnamed speaker (single black female, refused address): Opposed the Mayor's emphasis on data centers, arguing they lock land for years and do not bring economic growth. Accused the Mayor of misusing the term "technical hub."
  • Mel Keaton: Opposed the confidential information ordinance, stating it violates First Amendment rights and is hypocritical given the council's stance on ICE facilities.
  • Jill Lindsay (Baseda Road): Requested clarification on the Brightview contract expenditures; reported missed trash pickups on Krill Road, lack of response from public works regarding sweeper schedule, and unaddressed homelessness (tents on Old National).
  • Jermaine Jett (Lowjet, Gwinnett): Pleaded for action on Camelot condominiums after the deaths of his son, brother, and his daughter's father (father of his daughter) at the complex. Called for condemnation of the apartments.
  • Mike Johnson (District 4): Opposed the confidential information ordinance, calling it dictatorial and accusing Councilmember Sebastian of trying to silence critics. Also warned that a recent consent agenda item made citizens pay for elected officials' legal fees.

Discussion Items

  • Administration Items (X.A.1–5): Approved unanimously. Included waiving $8,960 in fees for S.T.A.R. Productions to use Southwest Arts Center main stage (Oct 3–Nov 8, 2026); appointing Councilmember Sebastian as chair of the 2030 Census Complete Count Committee; adopting "Azucar Negra" as official song for Azucar Music Fest; approving an automatic aid agreement with Douglas County Fire and Rescue; and designating Councilmember Williams-Brown as delegate for the 2026 National League of Cities Business Meeting.
  • Procurement and Contracts (X.B.1): Approved unanimously after discussion. The contracts with MaxAir Mechanical, B&W Mechanical, and Daikin Applied for on-call mechanical services (each capped at $1,000,000) were extended by one year with an option to renew for two additional one-year terms. Work is on a task-order basis with no guaranteed minimum. Councilmembers asked about the purpose and duration; the city manager confirmed the contracts were originally bid a year ago and cover any city facility.
  • First Read: Ordinance on Safeguarding Confidential Information (X.C.2): Introduced by Councilmember Sebastian. Extensive debate followed. The city attorney explained it only adds an enforcement mechanism (misdemeanor, fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 6 months) to existing laws that already prohibit dissemination of confidential information (Resolution 2024-063 and Ordinance 2026-027), and does not affect FOIA, whistleblower rights, or free speech. Councilmembers raised concerns about ambiguity, potential for weaponization, and prior similar ordinance (ORD 2023-004, which had been disapproved). Councilwoman Pritchett stated she would not vote for it. Councilman Sebastian defended it, stressing it applies existing law and that he did not consult others to avoid blowback. No final vote; the ordinance remains on first read.
  • **First Read: 2026 Millage Rate (X.C.1) – Ordinance to set millage at 12.3990 mills. Introduced without discussion.
  • **First Read: Zoning Cases (X.C.3 & X.C.4) – Case Z26-024/CDP26-008 (Medina Jett/TDS Capital Two): Rezoning from CUP to TR and CDP amendment for 52 attached dwellings on 59 acres at 4380 Old Fairburn (District 3). Staff and Planning Commission recommended denial. Introduced for first read.
  • Case Z26-019/U26-009 (Alibhai Energy Holding LLC): Request for rezoning from C-1 to C-2 and use permit for a gas station and quick-service restaurant on 1.97 acres at 3985 Roosevelt Highway (District 5). Staff and Planning Commission recommended denial. Introduced for first read.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
  • Administration Items (X.A): All five items approved unanimously.
  • Procurement Contracts (X.B.1): Approved unanimously.
  • Walk-On Items: Approved unanimously: District 4 Recycling/Shredding/Hazardous Waste Event (Oct 17, 9am–12pm); District 1 Holiday Party (Dec 15); District 4 Senior Holiday Event moved to Heart Health Valentine's Event (Feb 4, 2027).
  • First Read Ordinances: All four first-read ordinances were introduced; no final votes taken. The confidential information ordinance generated significant debate and opposition.
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Mr. Clerk, if we want to go ahead and reconvene from executive session, if we have unanimous consent, we can reconvene from executive session. Mr. Clerk, were there any actions taken in executive session? There were no actions taken in executive session that requires a public vote. All right, at this time, if there are no other grievances or concerns, we can go ahead and adjourn this meeting with unanimous consent. All right, we are now adjourned at 7 56. All right. Thank you for joining us live for the City of South Fulton City Council Meeting. We are proud to introduce the leadership entrusted with guiding our city forward. Mayor Carmelita Gums. Kiosha B. Bell. District 6 Councilwoman, Natasha Williams Brown. District 7 Councilwoman, Linda Becker Pritchett. Supporting the work of this body in the operations of our city are City Clerk, Corey Adams, City Manager, Sharon D. Subadan, and Interim City Attorney, Sarah Kelly. Thank you for being the best part of the city of South Fulton, a city on the rise. All right. Good evening, everyone, and welcome to our city council regular meeting for October the 13th, 2026. We are now calling this meeting to order at 7 58 p.m. Mr. Clerk, please sound the roll. It's roll call for tonight's meeting. The honorable Catherine Frau, District 1. Present. The Honorable Aaron V. Johnson, District 2. Present. The Honorable Latanya Tony Wright, District 3. Present. The Honorable JC Sebastian, District 4. Here. The Honorable Keosha Bell, District 5. Present. The Honorable Natasha Williams Brown, District 6. Present. The Honorable Linda Becker Pritchett, District 7. And the Honorable Mayor Carmelita Gums. Here.

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