Public Meetings - South Fulton, Georgia

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.

The City of South Fulton City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM (called to order at 5:21 PM) to conduct public hearings on rezoning cases and related matters. The meeting included a public hearing on two zoning cases, an executive session, and a subsequent reconvening at 7:01 PM. One case was deferred, and the other received public comment before being closed. The council also acted on a memorandum of understanding during executive session. Public Comments & Testimony - Tonya Anderson (resident of District 2) spoke in opposition to Case Z26‑020. She expressed concerns about traffic congestion and asked how many townhomes would be built and whether traffic improvements would occur before construction. She clarified her interest as a resident wanting to ensure the development was not encroaching on her area. Staff (Reggie McClendon) responded that traffic improvements are part of the plan and that the proposal was well thought out by staff and Councilman Johnson. Discussion Items Case Z26‑013 – Rezoning at 7000 & 7050 Bishop Road - Staff Request: Reggie McClendon, Managing Director of Community Development, asked for the case to be deferred to the September 8, 2026, Zoning Public Hearing because final details with the community were still being worked out. The deferral was approved by unanimous consent. Case Z26‑020 – City‑Initiated Rezoning (Vandiver Litigation Settlement) - Staff Presentation: The city attorney explained that this rezoning of ±255.35 acres at multiple parcels on Enon Road, Vandiver Road, and Merk Road was a city‑initiated action resulting from ongoing litigation (the Vandiver lawsuit) that the council had previously agreed to settle. The public hearing was required as part of the settlement process. - Councilman Aaron V. Johnson (District 2) stated that the plan was designed to reduce the footprint of what the developer felt entitled to, making it more conducive for the community. He noted the litigation had lasted three to four years and that extensive work had gone into the plan. - Councilmember Catherine F. Rowell (District 1) inquired about a small triangular parcel in District 1 (across Camp Creek Parkway). Staff confirmed that parcel was included and that the plan still contemplated office use, with final adoption deferred to a future meeting to ensure accurate legal district descriptions. - The public hearing was closed after one commenter; no vote was taken on the rezoning itself at this meeting. Executive Session - The council recessed into executive session at 5:31 PM by unanimous consent to discuss real estate, personnel, litigation, and cybersecurity. - Reconvened at 7:01 PM. The council voted to add the approval of a non‑binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the proposed Westwood at SoFu Convention Center Development to the 7 PM Regular Agenda. Key Outcomes - Case Z26‑013 deferred to the Zoning Public Hearing on September 8, 2026, by unanimous consent (no vote on the merits). - Case Z26‑020 public hearing held and closed; no vote taken. Final adoption deferred to a subsequent council meeting to allow refinement of legal descriptions and office‑use considerations. - Executive session action: Council directed adding the Westwood at SoFu MOU to the Regular Agenda (approved by unanimous consent after executive session). - Meeting adjourned at 7:01 PM.

Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM on August 25, 2026, and a quorum was established after roll call. The only substantive agenda item was the presentation of the proposed FY2027 budget by City Manager Sharon D. Subadan and the city CFO. No executive session was held, and the work session adjourned at 5:21 PM by unanimous consent. Discussion Items - FY2027 Budget Presentation and Overview: City Manager Subadan presented a $390,889,455 proposed FY2027 budget under the theme 'Let's Build,' covering October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The proposal includes a $186 million general fund, $159 million in capital funds, and $44.9 million in other funds. She described the operating budget as one of the most important annual policy decisions and said the budget continues previously approved initiatives while building parks, facilities, and a team that cares. - Tax Digest Delay and Property Tax Impacts: The CFO explained that the 2026 tax digest is delayed because Fulton County has not fully assessed all real and personal property values, per an August 4 court order. The county is issuing temporary 2026 property tax bills using 2025 millage rates; residents may owe more or receive refunds after reconciliation. She noted a state homeowner tax relief grant expected to save Georgia homestead owners about $500 on 2026 bills, but cautioned that it is not recurring. She also outlined new senior school-tax exemptions: up to 25% reduction in assessed value at age 65 and up to 50% at age 70 for homesteaded properties meeting eligibility criteria. - Revenue Highlights: The proposed citywide budget includes approximately $283.1 million in operating revenues, $40.8 million in interfund transfers, and $66.9 million in budgeted use of reserves. Property tax is projected at $67.9 million, up $2.5 million; local option sales tax is projected at $40 million, up $2.1 million; and bond proceeds decrease from about $96 million to $64.9 million because of the timing of police and fire construction. General fund recurring operating revenues are projected at $151.6 million. No change is proposed in the millage rate. - Expenditure Highlights: Public safety remains the largest citywide investment at $136.7 million; the $27 million, or 16.5%, decrease is tied to reduced public safety capital spending and not to operational cuts. Public works increases by about 9.5% to $86 million citywide. General fund personnel costs increase because of annualized merit increases and the collective bargaining agreement. Purchased and contracted services decrease to approximately $19.5 million, a reduction of about 13.3%; supplies decrease by $1.2 million to $6 million; and capital spending drops $3.6 million because fewer vehicle purchases are budgeted. Total general fund transfers out are $38.6 million, including $23.9 million to the capital improvement plan, $7.4 million for public safety bond debt service, $2 million to the E911 fund, and $1.9 million for grant matches. The total proposed general fund budget is $186.2 million. Councilwoman Rowell asked about reserves; staff said the city remains well above the 25% reserve requirement. - Special Revenue, Enterprise, and Capital Funds: The 2027 budget includes special revenue funds, with the last ARPA grant budgeted at about $284,000. Solid Waste and Wolf Creek enterprise funds total $12.2 million; Wolf Creek, about $994,184, is fully funded by the general fund. The tree fund/refundable escrow is budgeted at $2.7 million, and the South Fulton Development Authority is budgeted at $275,892 using its own fund balance. Capital funds decrease 16% overall due to public safety construction timing; TSPLOST increases; LMIG decreases about 17%; and the capital improvement plan drops from $34 million to $23 million. Debt service increases about 80% because the budget recognizes the full principal and interest payment on the new public safety bond. TSPLOST is budgeted at $55 million, drawing on fund balance, and will be on the November ballot. - Council Questions and Positions: Councilman Sebastian asked about hiring strategy; City Manager Subadan said mission-critical public safety, public works, and frontline positions continue to be filled, with broader hiring expected to reopen in October if the budget is approved. Councilman Johnson noted Fulton County has not coordinated a citizen communication plan and suggested using the tagline 'don't be alarmed, do stay informed' in outreach. Councilwoman Rowell asked about reserves, Wolf Creek revenue, the tree fund, and the senior exemptions; she called the tax digest page the most powerful slide and requested clear communication materials. Councilwoman Williams Brown flagged a discrepancy between citywide culture/recreation decreases and general fund increases, then said inflation should prompt reconsideration of signature and secondary event funding. Councilwoman Wright asked about the $150,000 Welcome All cooling system line item; City Manager Subadan said it is an estimate for continued improvements to the only pool serving 115,000 people. Councilman Sebastian commended the no-millage-rate-increase proposal. Key Outcomes - The Council received the proposed FY2027 budget; no formal vote was taken at the work session. - City Manager Subadan confirmed the one-pager, PowerPoint, and budget-in-brief booklet will be posted to the city website and shared on social media. - City staff agreed to prepare and share county property tax bill communication materials for council use. - City staff agreed to provide a clearer breakdown of citywide versus general fund budget categories and a multi-year tax trend once the tax digest is certified. - Council requested consideration of inflation-adjusted funding for signature and secondary events and an outward-facing TSPLOST campaign before the November ballot. - Next budget steps include a public hearing at the same evening's 7 p.m. meeting, an informational presentation on September 8, and a public hearing and adoption on September 22. - No executive session was held; the work session adjourned at 5:21 PM by unanimous consent.

On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM, the City of South Fulton, Georgia, City Council held an emergency special called meeting at City Hall. Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs presided, and all seven councilmembers were present, with Councilmember Keosha B. Bell participating via Zoom; a quorum was established. The sole action item was a request for council approval of the city's participation in the Atlanta Regional Commission's 2026 LINK mission to Mexico City. After discussion, the council withdrew an initial motion and approved the mayor's attendance and a waiver of the 30-day notice requirement by a 6-1 vote. The meeting adjourned at 11:18 AM. Discussion Items - ARC 2026 LINK Mission Request: Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs requested council approval for the city's participation in the Atlanta Regional Commission's 2026 LINK mission to Mexico City, explaining that the LINK trip is an international trip triggering the city's international travel policy. She described it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for South Fulton to be at the table, noted the city had never been invited to a LINK trip, and said the city was waitlisted and approved in July. - Funding and cost: Mayor Gumbs stated the trip would be funded from her discretionary travel budget, with a total estimated cost of $5,800, including airfare and the LINK registration/program fee. - Councilmember Pritchett's compliance concerns: Councilmember Linda B. Pritchett objected that the international travel policy adopted by resolution on April 8, 2025, required a written request, detailed itinerary, estimated cost, and council approval by majority vote at least 30 days before departure. She said she had not received a detailed itinerary or estimated cost, that the mayor's memo was dated Friday but she first learned of the trip by email on Sunday, and that the trip was scheduled to begin the day after the meeting. She also noted she had not agreed with the policy when it was passed but that it was in effect. - Councilmember Sebastian's position: Councilmember Jaceey Sebastian said international participation is important and the city's policies are a work in progress, but he asked about the source of funding and the timing of the request. - Councilmember Bell's questions: Councilmember Keosha B. Bell asked for overall cost information and whether the mayor would be traveling with anyone. Mayor Gumbs provided cost details but did not specify travel companions. - City attorney and city manager advice: The city attorney advised that the council could waive the 30-day notice requirement given the exigency that the trip started the next day, if all other requirements were met, and could then approve or deny the request. The city manager confirmed there was sufficient funding in the mayor's budget. - Timing dispute: Councilmember Pritchett said the mayor had known about the opportunity for about a month before requesting the emergency meeting, and criticized the timing as done at the mayor's pleasure. Mayor Gumbs said she made the decision to attend after the opportunity was offered and after speaking with many people, and that it was her role to represent the city. - Councilmember Rowell's motion: Councilmember Catherine F. Rowell said representation at these tables is important and moved to approve the trip and waive the 30-day provision. - Procedural handling: Councilmember Jaceey Sebastian made an initial motion to approve, seconded by Councilmember Natasha Williams-Brown. After discussion, that motion was withdrawn. A motion to withdraw passed 7-0. Councilmember Sebastian then made a new motion, seconded by Councilmember Williams-Brown, to approve the mayor's attendance at the ARC 2026 LINK mission and waive the 30-day notice requirement. Key Outcomes - The council voted 7-0 to withdraw the initial motion to approve the LINK trip; Mayor Gumbs did not vote. - The council voted 6-1 to approve Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs' attendance at the ARC 2026 LINK mission to Mexico City and to waive the 30-day notice requirement. Voting yes: Councilmembers Rowell, Johnson, Wright, Sebastian, Bell, and Williams-Brown. Voting no: Councilmember Pritchett. Mayor Gumbs did not vote. - Mayor Gumbs adjourned the meeting at 11:18 AM by unanimous consent without objection.

This special meeting of the South Fulton City Council, held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 5:05 PM in City Hall, was devoted to zoning public hearings, use permits, and modification cases. The meeting included presentations and public testimony on several development proposals, but no final votes were taken on any zoning or modification cases. All matters were either deferred to future meetings or set for a vote at the next regular council meeting (August 25, 2026) or later. The meeting was recessed for executive session at 6:17 PM and reconvened at 7:13 PM before adjournment. Public Comments & Testimony - Z26-010/CV26-002 (Senior Housing at 7490 Butner Road): Applicant Josh Mahoney (Battle Law PC) presented a proposal for a 50-unit senior residential community (age 62+) on 13.8 acres, including 22 cottage units and 28 townhome-style units. He requested variances to reduce buffers for site access and to protect the adjacent Hornsby Cemetery. Opponents Mike Johnson (District 4) and Charles Mitchell (Chair, Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission) expressed strong opposition. Johnson argued that the application misrepresented plans (e.g., no garages, unit size and pricing concerns) and that the development would not benefit the area. Mitchell requested a 50-foot buffer around the cemetery and noted the existing ordinance protections. The applicant agreed to an archaeological survey and to abide by state cemetery protection statutes. Council deferred the item to August 25, 2026, for a vote. - U26-006 (Farmers Market at 4269 Stonewall Tell Road): Applicant David Renfro presented a request for a special use permit to operate a farmers market on 6.1 acres. He described plans for vendors, a farm stand, and future kitchen/restaurant. Councilwoman Wright (District 3) welcomed the project, noting it addresses food desert concerns. No public opposition was recorded. The item was deferred to the August 25 council meeting for a vote. - M26-003 (Buffer Modification at 5400 Bethlehem Road): Applicant Jeffery Peters (Elite Engineering) requested removal of a 100-foot natural buffer condition to allow completion of a 146-lot single-family subdivision. Opponents Mattie Lee, Peggy Woodall, and Jack Woodall (residents) spoke against the modification, citing loss of tree buffer, neighborhood character, and environmental impact. Staff recommended denial, citing historical conditions. The applicant stated willingness to accept a 50-foot setback condition. Council questioned the site plan and history. The item was deferred to August 25, 2026. - M26-004 (Adult Daycare Modification at 3890 Stonewall Tell Road): Applicant Kiana Augustus (KA Solutions) requested modification to allow an adult daycare serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (capacity 50) in an existing building. No public opposition. Council raised questions about capacity, services, and accessibility. Staff recommended approval with no additional conditions. Deferred to August 25 vote. - M26-005 (Automobile Sales Modification at 5120 Cascade Palmetto Highway): Applicant Shavarr Brown requested removal of a 1978 condition restricting use to a construction office, allowing automobile sales. Staff recommended approval with conditions (fencing, hours, parking surface). No public opposition. Council expressed support. Deferred to August 25 vote. Consent Calendar - Deferrals approved by unanimous consent (no public hearings or discussion): - Z26-013 (75 single-family homes at 7000 & 7050 Bishop Road): Deferred to August 25, 2026. - Z26-001/CDP26-003 (Light industrial campus at Campbellton/Chattahoochee Drive): Deferred to September 8, 2026 (requested by applicant via staff). - Z26-011 (Subdivision at Cedar Grove Road): Deferred to September 8, 2026 (staff noted re-advertising issue). - Z26-012/CDP26-005/CV26-003 (Senior housing at 4685 Cascade Road): Deferred to November 10, 2026. - Z26-014/CDP26-004 (Two single-family homes at 5250 Northfield Blvd): Deferred to September 8, 2026. - Z26-015/U26-007 (Gas station/drive-thru at Flat Shoals Road): Deferred to September 22, 2026. Key Outcomes - No final decisions or votes were taken on any zoning, use permit, or modification cases during the meeting. All items were either deferred (to August 25, September 8, September 22, or November 10) or set for a vote at the next regular council meeting on August 25, 2026. - Council recessed into executive session for real estate, personnel, litigation, and cybersecurity at 6:17 PM and reconvened at 7:13 PM. No action was reported from the executive session. - The next meeting for voting on these items will be the regular council meeting on August 25, 2026.

The City of South Fulton City Council held a work session on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs presided; City Clerk Corey Adams took roll call, and all seven councilmembers were present, establishing a quorum. The session included the City Manager’s monthly report, a Streetlight Program Update, an overview of proposed data center legislation, and no executive session. The work session adjourned at 5:04 p.m. by unanimous consent. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comment period was held during the work session. The transcript then transitions to a separate alcohol license and zoning public hearing, which is outside the work-session agenda. Discussion Items City Manager Monthly Report - City Manager Sharon D. Subadan presented the monthly report and noted that the comprehensive transportation plan for South Fulton County is about to begin. - Councilmember Linda B. Pritchett asked about the business license amnesty program. Ms. Subadan said few businesses came into compliance during amnesty, but awareness increased; a third-party option was rejected, and the FY27 budget will include hiring a team to supplement business licensing enforcement. Councilmember Pritchett expressed concern that many businesses remain confused and suggested a written, streamlined process, a lunch-and-learn, and a broader outreach campaign; she noted unlicensed businesses cannot operate within city limits under the charter. Mayor Gumbs added that code enforcement has been active and that a 48-hour business licensing process is being pursued. - Councilmember Catherine F. Rowell flagged animal control data showing 420 stray/loose animal calls and 116 vicious-animal complaints, and asked for repeat-call analysis, education, and enforcement work with Fulton County. The City Manager said calls are often duplicated and that staff would try to identify repeat cases. - Councilmember Jaceey Sebastian asked about the Cedar Grove Park contract and the status of EV chargers. The City Manager said the park contract is with the contractor for signature, and EV charger expansion had been paused because of Georgia Power subcontractor issues; 70 chargers are installed and the partnership is being resolved. - Councilmember Natasha Williams-Brown asked about street sweeping on National Highway, which appeared in the report as monthly. Assistant City Manager Anthony Cooper clarified that public works confirmed street sweeping is occurring weekly. Streetlight Program Update - Public Works Director Antonio Valenzuela and Deputy Director Jim Martinez presented the update. The streetlight master plan was approved on July 9, 2024, and guides new lighting based on poor illumination, traffic volume, pedestrian activity, supplemental lighting, and complete-street design standards. - Staff reported installations or planned pedestrian lights on routes including New Hope Road, Campbellton Road, East Stubbs, and locations such as Green Tree Trail, Elba Drive, Bruce Place, Loch Lomond, Farley, Dove, Zone Avenue, and the Cascade Hill subdivision. A solar initiative would add 160 solar pedestrian lights along Enon Road from Lynn Arbor Lane to Sanford Jones, pending contract approval. - The proposed FY27 budget is $3.5 million: approximately $2.7 million committed to Georgia Power and Greystone for annual consumption and related work, with about $800,000 for the priority list from the master plan. The City Manager emphasized these are recurring annual costs, not one-time purchases; grant funds generally cannot cover recurring operating costs, though solar lights purchased outright could be grant-eligible. - Councilmembers made district-specific requests: Mr. Sebastian asked for lighting along Hall Road near schools; Ms. Pritchett requested District 7 corrections and lighting on Old Jonesboro Road, Westbridge Road, and the Beseda Road/Jonesboro Road corridor, citing pedestrian fatalities and poor visibility; Mr. Johnson requested lighting around Wolf Creek Amphitheater; Ms. Rowell asked how outages are tracked and suggested sensors, public education, night audits, solar lighting behind the Wolf Creek stage, and coordination with the Fulton Industrial CID; Ms. Bell asked to clarify the $3.5 million budget and the $800,000 remainder; and Mr. Sebastian requested lighting at South Fulton Parkway/Highway 92 and coordination with GDOT because the area has a new transit stop and pedestrian activity. - Staff said the priority list is fluid and will be circulated to councilmembers; requests can be submitted through Assistant City Manager Cooper. On state roads, GDOT coordination is required and the state will not pay for lights; the City Manager said the federal grant received is for a Vision Zero master plan, not direct implementation, and once the plan is complete the city can pursue implementation funding. Overview of Proposed New Data Center Legislation - Interim City Attorney Sara D.E. Kelly presented an overview of the proposed ordinance. The current moratorium, established by Resolutions 2025-94 and 2026-43, expires September 9, 2026. Sponsors attended multiple trainings and conferences before drafting the legislation. - Key revisions since the last meeting: the buffer was revised from a half-mile to a quarter-mile minimum setback from residential/mixed-use property; a population correlation requirement was removed; and the mandatory lot size was reduced from 20 acres to 10 acres. - The new ordinance would require a special use permit and would add: utility capacity certifications and annual certifications; a detailed infrastructure upgrade plan with a utility certification that upgrade costs will not be passed to existing ratepayers; closed-loop or best available technology for water; lower noise limits than the previous 65 dBA daytime/55 dBA nighttime standard; environmental compliance with EPA and Georgia EPD requirements; EPA Tier 6 emission standards for diesel generators; quarter-mile setbacks; 100-foot buffers adjacent to residential zoning and 50-foot buffers otherwise; 30-foot street buffers; tree/shrub and eight-foot fence requirements; masonry or decorative fencing around mechanical equipment; dark-sky-compliant lighting; and stormwater compliance with city regulations. - Attorney Kelly explained the legal basis under Georgia zoning law, including special use permit standards and factors courts consider. She stated that, to her knowledge, no Georgia municipality has lost on data center legislation. She also outlined procedural guidance for council, including avoiding prejudgment and ex parte communications. - A slide showed six data centers in operation, under construction, or permitted inside the city, plus centers near city borders. - Councilmember Sebastian congratulated the sponsors and said the legislation should be passed and refined over time. Councilmember Rowell thanked co-sponsors Councilmembers Williams-Brown and Bell and Councilmember Sebastian for input. Councilmember Johnson praised the legislation. Councilmember Pritchett said she was not consulted, noted she represents the Oakley Industrial corridor, has consistently voted against data centers, and worried the legislation could affect neighboring jurisdictions or backfire. Mayor Gumbs called the legislation good, said the community needs more information, and announced a community talk around town on August 13 with Microsoft representatives expected to attend. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or ordinance decisions were made during the work session; the items were informational and for council discussion. - The streetlight priority list is to be circulated to councilmembers, and individual council requests can be added or substituted because the list remains fluid. - The proposed data center ordinance is expected to come before the council for future consideration; no vote was taken at this work session. - No executive session was held. The work session adjourned at 5:04 p.m. by unanimous consent.

The City of South Fulton City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 7:10 PM at City Hall, presided over by Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs with all seven councilmembers present. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 PM. Key actions included approval of numerous procurement contracts, a zoning case, a resolution for a three-week moratorium on events for the city's 10th anniversary, and the first reading of a new data center ordinance. One alcohol license application was deferred. Consent Calendar - Approved meeting minutes from July 14, 2026 (regular, work session, and alcohol/zoning public hearing). a- Procurement: Awarded contracts for Special Events Cleaning Services (RFP No.26-21 corrected from26-15) to L&A Family Cleaning Services, The Cleaning Advantage, Project Soy Cleaning, and System 1 Inc.; initial term 1 year, up to $300,000 each. Fire Rescue Heavy Duty Vehicle Maintenance (RFP No.26-14) to Ten 8 Fire Equipment, Randall Brackett, Springs & Suspension; up to $500,000 per year. Piggyback agreements with Bridgestone (tires, up to $350,000/year), Staples (office supplies, up to $250,000/year), Fastenal (MRO supplies, up to $325,000/year), Michelin (tires, up to $150,000/year). Municipal Fleet Collision Repair (RFP No.26-25) to Akins Ford, Brilliant Motorsports, Element Fleet, MEWS d/b/a Clutch Car Care; up to $250,000 per year per vendor. - Approved the "Tea with Toni" monthly listening session events for District 3, presented by Councilmember Wright. - Confirmed minor plats: split of a 7.4-acre parcel at 8475 Campbellton-Fairburn Road (District 4) and combination of five tracts into 45.94 acres at 2224 Bethsaida Road (District 7). Public Comments & Testimony - Jewel Johnson (resident): Urged the Council to advance the impact fee study, stating it would generate revenue without tapping city funds. - Brandan Fulton (District2 resident, address 3332 Butner Road): Argued that the city fire department lacks jurisdiction over agricultural burns on parcels over 5 acres, citing state law and the city's own website, and criticized the city attorney for failing to respond to his requests. - Mike Johnson (District4 resident, address Cameron to Fabin Road): Accused Mayor Gumbs and City Manager Sharon Subadan of complicity in police department issues and lawsuits, alleged attempts to fire a staff member, and questioned city spending on a company linked to a convicted individual. - Dr. Gloria Milow (District5 resident): Requested technology classes for mature citizens, noting she holds advanced degrees but cannot use computers. Mayor responded that staff would connect her with existing classes. Councilmember Updates - Councilmembers reported on community events: back-to-school giveaways, food distributions, National Night Out (August4, 6-9 p.m. at World Changers Church), arts programming, and upcoming concerts (Babyface at Wolf Creek on August9,2026). Councilmember Rowell announced she was selected for the Atlanta Regional Commission's 2026 Regional Leadership Institute. Discussion Items - Alcohol License Deferral (South Side Touché, 5495 Old National Hwy, STE B-15, District5): Councilmember Bell moved to defer the item to the August11,2026 Council meeting. The motion passed unanimously (7-0; Mayor, Interim City Attorney, and City Manager did not vote). - Zoning and Special Use Permit (Z26-009/U26-005): Bryant T Marks requested rezoning from R-3 (Single-Family Dwelling/Cliftondale Overlay) to AG-1 (Agricultural/Cliftondale Overlay) and a Special Use Permit for a Country Inn at 0 & 4965 Butner Road (District2). Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Council approved by unanimous consent. - Resolution for Three-Week Moratorium on Events for City's 10th Anniversary (Mayor Gumbs): A resolution establishing a moratorium from April17,2027 through May8,2027 (the anniversary is May1,2027) to focus resources. Council approved by unanimous consent. - First Read: Data Center Ordinance (TA26-003): An ordinance to repeal Ordinance 2024-034 and establish new regulations for data center development, including zoning, permitting, population limits, and performance standards. This was a first reading only; no vote taken. Key Outcomes - Alcohol license application (South Side Touché) deferred to August11,2026 Council meeting. - Rezoning (Z26-009) and Special Use Permit (U26-005) for the Country Inn at Butner Road approved. - Resolution establishing a three-week moratorium on events (April17-May8,2027) for the 10th anniversary approved. - Walk-on items approved: donation of $6,000 from Delivering Opportunities through Vocational Education Services (DOVES) for District4 school supplies; appointment of Jane Williams as District7 representative to the Code Enforcement Board; addition of two events (Randolph ES Open House on July30,2026 and "Camera-Ready/Film Ready: Georgia's Booming Film Industry" on August6,2026). - All votes were unanimous (either by consent or show of hands with 7-0 on the alcohol deferral).

The City of South Fulton convened a Special Meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, advertised to start at 5:00 PM but called to order at 6:25 PM by Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs. All council members were present, constituting a quorum. The meeting featured a public hearing on a proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance (TA26-003), several proclamations and awards, and concluded with the transition into the regular council meeting. Proclamations and Recognitions - Municipal Leader Certificate: A certificate was presented by Councilmember Pritchett to Freddie Broome for the Municipal Leader Community and Workplace Culture Course. - Swordfish Swim Team: The team was recognized for their dominant performance at the GRPA District 4 Championship (26 gold, 7 bronze medals) and the A State Championship (3 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze medals, 10 ribbons). Coaches and athletes were celebrated for representing the city with distinction. - Finance Department: Recognized for receiving the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the first time. City Manager Super Dan praised the budget staff and public affairs team. - Unity in the Community Award: Presented to Mayor Gumbs by Dr. Christy T. Jones of the South Fulton National Day of Prayer Committee. - Anthony "Rocket" Knight Proclamation: A posthumous proclamation was presented to his family for his over 25 years of dedicated service to youth development through Fulton County and Atlanta Parks and Recreation, mentoring countless young athletes. Discussion Items - Data Center Zoning Ordinance (TA26-003): The council held a public hearing on a proposed text amendment to repeal and replace the existing data center ordinance. - Staff and Planning Commission Recommendations: Staff recommended approval. The Planning Commission recommended approval with several conditions, including restricting data centers to M-2 districts, reducing minimum lot size to 10 acres, requiring utility capacity letters, infrastructure repair requirements, screening for utility towers, and provisions for solar power and glycol cooling. - Public Testimony: - No speakers signed up in favor. - Attorney Michelle Battle (Battle Law) spoke in opposition on behalf of clients including Amerigold. She stated she supports "guardrails" for data centers but argued this ordinance was overly restrictive. She criticized the population cap of one data center per 30,000 residents (effectively preventing new centers due to 6 existing/pending sites consuming the capacity for the 112,000 population), the risk of certificates of occupancy being withheld if population drops, the impractical 2,640-foot setback from residential areas, and the lack of tiering for different data center sizes and types. - Written comments were submitted by Doris Clark. - Council Deliberation: - Councilmember Johnson questioned the city attorney on the mechanics of the population cap and its impact on existing and future projects. - Councilmember Sebastian expressed strong concern that the ordinance was overly stringent, potentially pushing development out of the city while regional impacts remain. He advocated for a more balanced revision. Key Outcomes - Public Hearing Concluded: The hearing for TA26-003 was formally closed. - Ordinance Revision Direction: With the Mayor acknowledging this was a first reading, council direction implied significant revisions were needed to the population cap and setback requirements before a final vote. - Transition to Regular Meeting: The special meeting was adjourned. The regular council meeting was immediately called to order with the full council. - Regular Meeting Agenda Adopted: The council adopted the July 28 regular meeting agenda with several additions, including events for Randolph Elementary and the film industry, a $6,000 donation from DOVES for school supplies, and the appointment of Jane Williams to the Code Enforcement Board.

Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs called the City Council work session to order at 4:00 PM (the transcript says 4:01 PM) on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at South Fulton City Hall. Roll call established a quorum with the Mayor and all seven councilmembers present. The session included a city manager report, two presentations, and no executive session; it adjourned at 6:25 PM by unanimous consent. City Manager Items - City Manager Sharon D. Subadan introduced Jill Strickland as interim Public Affairs Director, Bailey Boyd as the newest constituent service representative for District 3, and members of the inaugural intern class. Community Development and Regulatory Affairs Process Improvement - Reginald McClendon, Managing Director of CDRA, and Byron Marshall of NFBPA presented an operational assessment of the Community Development and Regulatory Affairs (CDRA) department. - Marshall reported the assessment included interviews with councilmembers, the mayor, city staff, and developers; a four-day staff workshop; and benchmarking against other jurisdictions. - Key findings: inconsistent staff communication; no published performance metrics or service-level agreements; insufficient staff capacity and morale concerns; a cumbersome permitting process that can take up to eight months; misalignment between governance and politics; and economic-development equity concerns. - Marshall noted about 75% of permits in the area go to jurisdictions north of South Fulton; about 50% of CDRA applications come from homeowners and small businesses; and only 11% of developers responded to 250 surveys sent. - Senate Bill 447 was highlighted as requiring planning departments to act on complete applications within 45 days and on resubmissions within 14 days, with non-response treated as approval. A public-facing permitting dashboard is required by January 1, 2028, and the city is working toward Tyler ERP implementation. - Recommendations included standardized response protocols, a centralized knowledge base, published performance metrics, concurrent departmental reviews, an express permit desk and permit concierge, a public-facing GIS dashboard, post-permit surveys, and regular development forums. - Councilmember Pritchett said she did not recall being interviewed and questioned the move away from SAGES; McClendon said the consultant would confirm the interview, and City Manager Subadan said the city had purchased Tyler before her tenure and was working with Johns Creek, Roswell, and Clayton County on lessons learned. - City Manager Subadan said she still supports the consolidated CDRA model because separated business licensing had led to improperly issued licenses. She also described upcoming business-license compliance sweeps and said short-term rental enforcement would ramp up in stages beginning in the fourth calendar quarter of 2026. - Councilmember Johnson asked whether an income-gap figure (stated in the transcript as $45,000/$44,000) referred to the city or the region; the presenter said he would confirm the figure. - Councilmember Sebastian asked about using AI to streamline routine permitting; McClendon said AI is being studied but may need to wait until Tyler is online. Sebastian also suggested that projects changed drastically after staff review should be sent back through the public process. - Councilmember Williams-Brown asked about low internal trust and when the council would receive the findings; Marshall said the full findings and recommendations report could be available the following Monday, while the implementation plan may take about another 30 days. Data Center Regulation Discussion - Interim City Attorney Sara Kelly introduced the discussion as a precursor to the first read of the city’s proposed data center ordinance. Celine Benoit, Principal Planner for Water Efficiency at the Atlanta Regional Commission, presented on data center trends and impacts, and Attorney Brandon L. Bowen of Jenkins, Bowen & Walker, PC, presented legal and siting considerations. - Benoit reported that Metro Atlanta is second only to Northern Virginia in data center construction capacity; a 50-megawatt data center could serve roughly 32,000 homes; and Georgia Power’s forecasted peak demand increased by nearly 10 gigawatts across 2022, 2023, and 2025 updates, with about 80% of that growth driven by data center proposals. - She explained that about 30% of data center power use goes to cooling; evaporative cooling can lose up to 80% of water to the atmosphere, while closed-loop or non-evaporative systems use far less. Examples included one proposed site requesting 9 million gallons per day versus another requesting 5,000 to 50,000 gallons per day. She noted Metro Atlanta is about 99% dependent on surface water and is currently in a Level 1 drought. - Benoit outlined local considerations including tax revenue, limited long-term employment, community benefit agreements, land use and zoning, noise, air quality, wastewater, stranded-asset risk, and heat-island effects. Councilmembers asked about air quality, noise, wastewater/reuse water, parking requirements, water supply, why Metro Atlanta is attractive to data centers, facility lifespan, and whether developers are moving to rural communities. - Bowen described data centers as warehouses containing servers that require power, fiber, water, and sewer. He said Georgia’s regulated power system, existing fiber routes, and available land make it an attractive location, and that modern data center operators can engineer facilities to meet noise performance standards at the property line. - Bowen cited potential revenue benefits, including property taxes, personal-property taxes on equipment, and municipal franchise fees, and said Loudoun County, Virginia, receives well over $1 billion a year in data center tax receipts. He noted data center jobs are limited but well paid, with average pay around $118,000. He also noted data centers over 500,000 square feet are developments of regional impact requiring ARC review. - He said the proposed special use permit approach is an effective way to review data centers case by case. Interim City Attorney Kelly confirmed that the subject-matter experts reviewed the draft ordinance, which includes closed-loop cooling, buffers, landscape performance metrics, and special use permits, and that data centers would not be exempt from impact fees. - Councilmember Johnson asked whether residents bear power or infrastructure costs; Bowen said the data center projects he has worked on pay their costs, and Georgia Power/PSC arrangements are designed to avoid shifting those costs to ratepayers. Councilmember Johnson also recounted a neighborhood GroupMe complaint attributing spotty cell phone service to a data center under construction, but did not treat it as confirmed. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or binding decisions were made during the work session. - CDRA findings and recommendations were expected to be provided to the City Manager the following Monday, with an implementation plan to follow in about 30 days. - The proposed data center ordinance was expected to have its first read later in the July 28, 2026 City Council meeting; the work session was held to inform that discussion. - The work session ended without an executive session and was adjourned at 6:25 PM by unanimous consent.