City Council - Regular Meeting

Well, as the story goes, a watch pot never boils, but it's boiled and at 6:00, so we can get started. I will call the May 5th meeting of the mayor and council to order. Everyone, please rise and we'll have the pledge of allegiance. [clears throat] I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Councilman Bridges, would you do our invocation, please?

Could [clears throat] you please stand? Let us go to God in prayer. Dear great God of heaven, we thank you for this day. We thank you for allowing us to get up in our right minds and our health and strength. Father God, just lead us in this meeting on tonight. Every child, every adult, every person in this room, Father God, that you would grace your spirit and your blessing upon them, dear heavenly father. And as you bless this mayor and counselor to lead this city according to your will, Father God, these and all of the blessings in your dear son Jesus Christ's name we all do pray and let every heart say amen. Amen.

Thank you. The next item on our agenda is citizens comments and we don't have any. Okay. So, the next item will be our minutes from our April meetings. Do I have a motion to adopt the minutes as presented? So, move. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Have a motion and a second to adopt the minutes as pro as presented. All those in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? Same sign. Hearing none. Motion carries. Uh the next item on our agenda is our mayor and council announcements and we'll start with Councilman Gibbs. Good evening. I don't have lot a lot. I'd just like to say for all the mothers, grandmothers, uh guardians, aunts, everybody that takes care of somebody, I want to wish you a happy Mother's Day on Sunday.

I agree. Happy Mother's Day to everyone. Um, I know this past weekend was a little damper on the uh, Mayfest, but I think everyone that stuck around had a good time. And uh, my wife went up and spent some money, so as usual. And um, I hope everyone else that that wanted to go took that opportunity. That's all I got. Okay, Councilman Ogden.

Good evening. Great to have such a big crowd tonight. Uh, I'd like to say thank you to John Lang and the sports and recreation department or parks and recreation department. You think it's sports and wreck, but it is parks and wreck. And uh the pickle ball, which is just staying packed, and the uh castle, the renovation of castle playground. You folks with little ones, I hope you've been out to to see it and enjoy it. Uh thanks to April and Ally for producing the Mayfest uh extravaganza this weekend. We got market nights coming up and lots of exciting things at the amp. And I would also want to wish every mom and future moms happy Mother's Day.

Okay, Councilman Bridges, of course, all us want to say happy Mother's Day. But I came up the uh MLK on my way over here to the meeting and the water was just going everywhere at the water park. Just everywhere. And my granddaughter said, "Nana, put over. Let me be the tester." I said, "Girl, you going to get pneumonia." But uh the water park is getting ready to be open on March the 24th. You guys bring your kids. Also, it's a lot going on at the AMP. Take the kids to the AMP. There's a lot of activities for the kids at the amp. [clears throat] Make sure you utilize the amp for the kids this summer and it'll be awesome. But everybody should be ready for the water park and just glad you all are here tonight and bless all these babies. Congratulations. It's just awesome to see the babies in the audience and get being recognized and that is that is honor. Thank you.

Thank you. I just want to say I want to thank our employees, April and Ally and that whole group that works so diligently every year to get our Mayfest going and the other the police department, the fire department, the street department, they all worked together and made it a a really a great day. Even though it rained, it didn't put the damper on our um our spirits because we still still stopped raining and people still came out. So, it was great. Okay, Mr. Brooks.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. I just want to echo uh what council Uglam said about Mr. Lang and the job he's doing with uh with our parks and wreck department. He's uh been in the position about a year now. He grabbed the bull by the horns and made some great changes, some great upgrades along with the current leadership. He's been able to hire some uh leaders from outside the city that's come in and made a huge impact. So, just thankful. If you go by any of our parks, you'll see that they're all well manicured and well taken care of. So, just appreciate the job he's done. Again, I'd be remiss if I didn't uh thank April and Ally for the Mayfest and it was a driving rain. It was a cold rain and it would slack up a little bit and it'll start raining again. So, I I come up in the middle of the the rainstorm and they were still a good crowd and a lot of folks. So, we were excited that we had the turnout that we did. And then [clears throat] congratulations to our youth council. They had a great year. We had opportunity to spend some time with them throughout the year, but we just finished with uh some time together upstairs before the meeting started and they've done a great job. It's been the most active youth youth council that we've had and really one of the most informative in terms of keeping the mayor and council, myself, informed of everything they have going on. And uh congratulations to our youth with the track team uh and the the things that they've done. And had the opportunity to work with with youth my for for 30 years. And a lot of times you hear people talk about well I don't know what what this world's coming to or we're going to be in trouble with this with these kids these days. You know that kind of thing. But I'll tell you from firsthand experience and being able to work with them. We're in good hands. We got some great youth and some great leaders coming up. So thank you guys for what you've done.

Okay. [clears throat] Well, as you know, people do things in our city. We like to show them our gratitude. And um we have a really special one tonight that um Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just going to skip over the approval and go on down and recognize our officer. Okay. Uh I have um two amendments to the agenda for approval. So the first one would be um the mental health uh awareness month proclamation that will be added in with our other proclamations which is item number six. And then um fiscal year 2025 2026 budget public hearing is going to be at the end and that will be item 13. So do I have a motion to approve the agenda as presented with those two amendments?

So move. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Have a motion and a second to approve the agenda items for consideration with two amendments. All in favor say I. I.

Any oppose? same sign hearing. None. Motion carries. Okay. Now, let's get to the fun stuff. Yeah. [laughter] So, um but [clears throat] anyway, we we try to recognize any employee. You've heard us re uh talk about John today and and April and but we have um one of our outstanding police officers here tonight. And um Chief Richards, you want to come up and tell us why we're recognizing this nice young man, Corporal Kain Moore?

Thank you very much. So, uh on March 13th of this year, Corporal Kane Moore responded to the Wells Fargo Bank on Bankhead along with a lot of other officers to a call of a person in the parking lot with a gun loading it and was going to go inside and shoot the employees. And so again, a lot of officers were in route, but Corporal Moore arrived first, encountered him in the parking lot, and was able to take him into custody without anybody being injured. And so I wanted to recognize him here tonight. Um, it's an honor and privilege for me. I've watched Kane grow up uh through church through the years, and uh he graduated from Central High School in 2015, joined the United States Marine Corps, went served our country overseas, and then came back and joined us in 2020. And it's been an honor to work with him. And so it's an honor and privilege for me tonight to recognize him. And I want to present him with the the chief's challenge coin that we have for the police department. And I think Mr. Brooks would like to present something to Yeah. As and uh as chief presents him with the uh the chief's challenge coin for the police department. I would also like to present him with a city challenge coin um for the work that he did that day, but not just that day, but for the work he does uh every time he goes on shift. So we really appreciate what you do and that was a job well done the other day. [applause]

[applause]

Thank you, Kane, very much. Okay, now for the moment we've all been waiting for with all of our stars that are here, all of our young people. We're so excited. We have our uh recreation track and field 2024 and 2025 um state champions here tonight we're going to recognize. And what I'm going to do is I'm going to read the proclamation um for the 2024 first and read off those names and then I'll read the 2025. And a as I call your name, if you'll come stand right here in front, then we can have a picture. Okay. Whereas it gives the mayor and council a tremendous amount of pleasure and pride to express to all players, coaches, and parents of the Carolton Parks and Recreation track and field team. our sincere congratulations for qualifying and competing in the 2024 Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state track and field competition. Whereas the 140 athletes that competed this season with [clears throat] coach Oura Chisum and coach Tristan Mchuan had an exceptional year. And whereas the team had 60 individuals along with seven relay teams qualify for the GRPA state track meet of which 40 individuals and seven relay teams placed in the top eight in their individual events. Whereas 26 individuals along with six relay teams earned a medal by placing in the top three places. Whereas Carolton

has had a record 23 GRPA state champions, 13 individuals, and six relay teams crowned and first year in history for the state record for six state records and all four I think it's 400 4 by 100

four by 100 relays to earn the state title. Now, therefore, we're pleased to publicly recognize the following first place winners of the 2024 state track and field competition. So, if I call your name now, if you'll come and stand down front. Trinity Ackles, Gimma Baskin, Hayden Beexley, Peyton Beexley, Dan Chisum, TJ Clifton, Destiny Collier, Austin Coverson, BK Crawford, Will Crawford, Balen Hagen, Jaden Harris, Tyler Harris, Tamara McKenna, Kylie Merrill, Cartson Mor, Moran, I'm sorry. Copeland Phillips, Kobe Pinkard, Mason Reese, Deshawn Riggginings, Cava Roads, Jaden Row, Rayley Russell, Amavi Smith, Jordan Taylor, and Grayson Wthal. Okay. All right. [applause] Okay. Do we have the coaches here also? Y'all want to come up and join us and go get that photo up. [applause]

Everybody Thank you so much.

[applause] [applause]

So thank you. Oh, wait. I gave her the wrong one. Yeah. Oh, I gave you the wrong group. I gave you the 25. The 24.

Is that 24? Okay, now for the 25 track and field. Um, office of the mayor, Carolton, Georgia, certificate of recognition, Carolton Parks and Recreation, track and field team, 2025 GRPA state champions. Whereas it gives the mayor and council a tremendous amount of pleasure and pride to express to all the players, coaches, and parents of the parks and recreation track and field team our sincere congratulations for qualifying and competing in the 25 GRPA state track and field competition. Whereas 110 athletes that competed this season with coach Ora Chisum and coach Tristan Mcuan has an exceptional year. And whereas the team had 54 individuals along with four relay teams qualify for GRPA state track meet of which 40 individual and four relay teams placed in the top eight in their individual events. whereas 30 individuals along with four relay teams earned a medal by placing in the top three places. Whereas Carolton had a record nine GRPA state champions, six individuals, and two relay teams crowned the state title. Now therefore, we are pleased to publicly recognize the following first place winners of the 25 [clears throat] GRPA state track and field competition. So as I call your name, if you'll come back and stand in the front. Trinity Eckles,

Dan Chisum, Star Collier, Brilen Hagen, Carson Moran, Copelan Phillips, Kobe Pick Pickard, Jaden Row, and Cheyenne Walker. Okay, let's give them a hand. [applause]

[clears throat] device. and then

[applause]

So Jared's like, "You got to get over that." Okay. Well, well, that's cool. Yeah. So, I'm excit So, I So, I guess we're playing more ball. I just don't know when or where. So, yeah, it's exciting. We'll move it back for a photo.

All right.

Oh, Lord.

We'll give them a minute to get out. I'm I'm sure they want to stay for the main event. [clears throat] Next item on our agenda is Carol County Chamber of Commerce milestone recognition. And I want to say we had a great event on Saturday night. It was lots of fun. We had run with the roses and uh we all wore our hats and our what do you call them? Fascinators.

Fascinator. What? Fascinators. Yes. And the guys were dressed up, too. So, yeah, it was a lot of fun. You Well, yeah, David would have had a hard time wearing one, but and we had such a great time. Thank you all for being there. You're welcome.

Mayor Kase, Mr. Brooks City Council. On behalf of the Carol County Chamber of Commerce and Carol Tomorrow, we're proud to recognize the city of Carolton as a milestone member in celebration of 40 years of membership for the Carol County Chamber of Commerce. As the chamber celebrates the 70th anniversary, we are grateful for the city's continued commitment to working alongside us to strengthen and grow businesses throughout Carol County and Carolton, Georgia. This ongoing collaboration remains essential to building a vibrant forward-thinking community. We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the mayor, city council, and the entire city of Carolton and your team for your steadfast commitment to business growth in Carol County and city of Carolton. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Oh, wow. Great. [laughter] Okay, come on, David. You need to be in this one, too. I'm at the stage handing my resume after this. Congratulations. will be talking about the betray.

All right. Um, the next item on the agenda is the Chamber of Commerce trade mission trip. Thank you again, Mayor and Council. Appreciate you having us tonight in addition to the 70th anniversary of Carol County Chamber. We are celebrating this year the 25th anniversary of Carol tomorrow, our public private partnership economic development agency. and began in 2000. And interestingly enough, the first project that Carol worked on and recruited and was awarded was Magna Decoar, the Canadian company out of Toronto located in the Carolton Industrial Park and really started the process over the last 25 years of some very positive activity on behalf of Carol and all of our members inclusive of the city of Carolton and how we do business recruitment countywide. And so it's been an exciting uh process for that organization as well. Kind of a sister organization to the chamber as we walk through that process. And over the years, for the most part, we've recruited companies through the state department of economic development through Georgia. We've had opportunities to recruit international firms. We've had opportunities to recruit local businesses who are family-owned and stay here and grow here over the years. uh in most recent years we did that very thing in the recruitment of Yachio Manufacturing of America. They're a Japanese firm. They came through the state process. But in doing so, in doing that recruitment activity, we visited them on two occasions in Tokyo. Uh once before they decided to locate and once immediately after they made the decision to locate where they were. In fact, that was 20 beginning of 2014 was the second visit they had just announced and it was right when Carolton High School won the baseball state

championship. So, we awarded them uh baseball hats which was the same week that the Little League World Series was won by the Tokyo team. Um it was just it was a neat part of the process of being there. But and I've been able to do that uh and been fortunate to do that in the communities that I've served over the years. But direct foreign investment recruitment is a very hard thing to do and to maintain because it requires relationships. And so when we identify companies that we we may want to try to recruit, it takes background information. It takes research to do that. And then it ret takes really relationships. Those are the key things. I had the opportunity last year to accompany then President Kelly with University of West Georgia to visit the study abroad program in Spaltto, Italy. It was my hope that I would be able to visit existing industry in that region and potentially identify companies that may make sense to have a location in Georgia. What I found out uh was a whole lot more. Uh, University of West Georgia is celebrating their 12th year on the study abroad program in Italy. And what I found was a great deal of similarities between uh the city of Spaltto and the city of Carolton and the way they engaged education, health care, and existing industry and workforce needs. Their economic base is built on legacy family business ownership in much the same way that Carolton is. Uh we met with the city council. Uh WWG had just signed an agreement to extend their partnerships beyond the humanities and the arts and and education. And then they just signed a deal last year to work with the healthc care industry to have nursing students attend study abroad programs. And so they're going

from one cohort to at least three and are continuing to grow. In doing so, we met with the Spaltto City Council and we I was amazed at their excitement and interest in doing more with the city of Carolton. We met with their chamber of commerce. They asked to be involved with our businesses. They asked, "What could we do to further engage uh relationships and in doing so, what could their companies and their family-owned businesses do to engage ours?" And so immediately came back and started looking at how we grow that partnership because again one of the things that was missing in a lot of our direct foreign investment activities was sustainability and the relationship piece and I think we found that uh in Spaltto Italy. So uh I want to turn it over to uh Mr. Brooks kind of let him walk you through the opportunity that's in front of you guys. But this is really, excuse me, [clears throat] this really is answering a request on behalf of the city and their business community to do more outside the scope of what the university has done so successfully up until uh now and as they continue their study abroad program and that is how do we engage each other? How do we foster business development uh both culturally and uh from a manufacturing standpoint? I think we may have found an incredible opportunity to do so.

Thank you, Brian. We are we were very fortunate to be invited by the chamber to be a part of this this year's trade mission that will take place later this month. And uh we've been in uh contact indirectly with officials from Spaltto, Italy. And um we have been working through uh some sister city uh proclamations and and uh resolutions and we we hope to enter into uh that type of agreement with Spaltto. This will be a uh delegation of local business leaders about five or six local uh Carolton grown businesses that will be meeting with local spaltto business leaders in [cough] Italy. We'll our delegates from the city, delegation from the city will be meeting with the elected officials in Spaltto as well as some healthc care officials and also with some uh the the exchange program with the University of West Georgia to try to see how we can foster continue to foster those types of relationships. And so what we would ask tonight is for you guys to vote to just support the city's delegation in entering into conversation with the officials of Spaltto. At the minimum, a memorandum of understanding of of uh our partnership in working towards the sister city uh status.

Okay. Well, you've heard um what the request is and um I think this is a great opportunity for our city, for our university, and for our business owners and our economic development here. So, do I have a motion to support the chambers trade mission and also um support our delegation as going uh on this trade mission with the hope of becoming a sister city with Spaltto, Italy. So, move. Okay. All right. I have a motion. Do I have a second?

Second. Have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Same sign. Thank you. Motion carries. Okay. Thank you, Brian.

Okay. Well, we're back to our proclamations. [laughter] Our next proclamation is for the Salvation Army Week and this is May 12th through the 18th. And um you know we we are so blessed to have uh a Salvation Army place here in our city and they do a lot of work and they um keep in touch with us as to you know what's going on and their training and all of those kind of things and opportunities and of course you know they have the the store over there where um you can take stuff to repurpose and let somebody else enjoy. And Mr. Uglam, are you still on the board?

I am. Okay. And we have our one of our council members, Mr. Bob Uglam, that serves on the board there and has served for quite a while. Yes. Yes, ma'am.

All right. So, uh, this is from the office of the mayor of Carolton, Georgia, proclamation. National Salvation Army Week is May 12th through the 18th. Whereas the Salvation Army has been serving those in need across the world for 154 years. And wh whereas the Salvation Army has been serving the people of Carolton for 29 years both physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Whereas more than 40 million Americans live in poverty and millions more live near the poverty line. And whereas approximately half of America live paycheck to paycheck and onethird of adults between 18 and 64 live in lowincome households. And whereas the Salvation Army is present wherever needs are greatest, especially during times of crisis where vulnerable citizens are more at risk of becoming homeless, food insecure, addicted, or spiritually tired. And whereas the Salvation Army invites the people of Carolton to show their love and support to their neighbors and help the organization continue to pro provide lifech changing aid to those who need it most. And whereas it is fitting and proper during the National Salvation Army week to recognize the tremendous impact of philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service in the city of Carolton. And whereas the National Salvation Army Week is an opportunity to encourage citizens to serve their neighbors in need alongside the Salvation Army with their resources and their time. And whereas the Carolton Salvation Army location is providing daily thrift store events through National Salv National Salvation Army week as a representation of customer appreciation.

Now, therefore, I, Betty Kase, mayor of the city of Carolton, do here pro here hereby proclaim May 12th through 18th, 2025 as National Salvation Army Week in the city of Carolton and encourage all citizens to join together to give back to the community in any way that is personally meaningful. In witness thereof, I have here to set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Carolton, Georgia to be affixed this fifth day of May, 2025. Okay. Well, congratulations. Do we have someone here? We do.

Okay. All right. So, if y'all come up and we'll present this to you. And the other thing about Salvation Army and it I think it's kind of appropriate to mention this is the fact that this is mental health month. And I don't know that a lot of people ever even realize that Salvation Army offers mental health support to a lot of people. Uh, and that's just another one of the great things they do.

[applause]

Our next proclamation is for our National Historic Preservation Month and that is also May is a busy month in case you didn't notice. I'm sorry, Madame Mayor. You amended the agenda to make number six the mental health awareness. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. So, what am I going to do? So you do mental health and then do Yes. Oh, okay. Thank you. All right. Sorry.

Okay. Get our proclamation straight here. And this is uh May is also, as I stated previously, mental health awareness month. And um our Carol County mental health advocacy program is one of the most near and dear to my heart. Not that the others are not, but we all work together with partnerships. But anyway, I'm I'm really um excited that they're here and you'll see the city lit up in green this week and that is for our mental health awareness. Office of the mayor, Carolton, Georgia proclamation mental health awareness month, May 2025. Whereas mental health is essential to everyone's overall health and well-being. And whereas all American experience times of difficulty and stress in their lives, and whereas promotion and prevention are effective ways to reduce the burden of mental health and conditions. And whereas a strong body of research that supports specific tools that all Americans can use to better handle challenges and protect their health and well-being. And whereas mental health conditions are real and prevailent in our nation [clears throat] and in our local community. Whereas with early and effective treatment, those individual with mental health conditions can recover and lead full and productive lives. And whereas each business, school, government, agency, health care provider, organ organization, and citizen is responsible for promoting mental wellness and supporting prevention efforts. Now, therefore, I mayor of the city of Carolton, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of Carolton and Georgia, to hereby proclaim May 2025 as mental health awareness month in the city of

Carolton. Together, let us foster an environment where mental health is prioritized and every person feels empowered to seek support without fear or shame. Through awareness and education, we can make a min meaningful difference and create a more inclusive and supportive society for all. I have thereto I have here unto set my hand and caused the seal of the city of Carolton to be affixed to this proclamation on the fifth day of May 2025. And I see Miss Lori is here and if anybody else is here with the mental health And we have Gloria has been our executive director for quite a while and we have a new executive retired for several years now.

It's official now. Congratulations. [applause] I don't know if any of y'all are familiar with chair yoga, but I saw the other day that if you got up and down 40 times, it helped your [laughter] balance. I think we've earned our our chair yoga certificate for tonight. I got one more and this is our historic preservation month and we're so excited to have um a committee that works very hard to preserve our history here in the city. So um from the office of the mayor Carolton Georgia proclamation national historic preservation month May 2025 whereas the national trust for historic preservation established May as historic preservation month in 1973 as a way to promote historic places for the purpose of instilling national and community pride, promoting heritage tourism and showing the social and economic benefit of historic preservation. Whereas historic preservation month can instill awareness of local historical significant buildings and landmarks to

the residents of Carolton and surrounding community. And whereas historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth and sustainable development, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride, and maintaining community character while enhancing livability. And whereas historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life, and all ethnic backgrounds. and where it's important to celebrate the role of our h of [clears throat] history in our lives and the contributions made by dedicated individuals in helping preserve the tangible aspects of the heritage that has shaped us as people. And whereas Carolton Community continues to demonstrate its commitment to preservation as it grows and develops through ongoing historic resources surveys. the nomination of historic resources to the National Register of Historic Places, the protection of its traditional neighborhoods, and the recognition and rehabilitation and restoration of historic properties. Now therefore, by the authority vested in me, this governing body, and on behalf of the mayor and council of the city of Carolton, Georgia, council members do hereby proclaim May as National Historic Preservation Month, and call upon the citizens of Carolton to join their fellow citizens across the United States in recognizing and participating in this special observance. In witness whereof I [clears throat] have here unto set my hand and caused the seal of Carolton to be affixed to this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord 2025. All right. Congratulations. And we've got some members here to accept [applause]

the board years. when you said that and I want to recognize Dr. Tom who's been our board chair for the last

torch. So anyway, we're very excited. in the right place.

Madam Mayor, thank you so much for your support. Thank you and many more years to come. She recruited I hadn't read this much aloud, I don't think, since high school. [laughter] The next item on our agenda is the U resoning request of 415 Matthews Avenue and Matthew Avenue. Okay. from uh R15 single family residence to C3 neighborhood commercial. The applicant is higher ground properties. Before we get into that, I have something I need to read to you. Um at this time, we'll hear reszoning request. Since many of you may have not previously attended a public hearing on a zoning request, I want to quickly review our procedures. No person in attendance shall speak unless formally recognized. Upon rising to speak, each person recognized shall state their name and home address. Speakers must not employ tactics of intimidation, profanity, or threats of violence in their comment. All comment shall be directed to the mayor and council, not to the petitioner or those in opposition. In accordance with Georgia law, each side, not each

individual, is allowed 10 total minutes of public input. This means that all those speaking in favor of the request shall have a total of 10 minutes and all those speaking in opposition of the request have a total of 10 minutes. Time devoted to questions and answers that the elected officials may ask should not be counted against the time limitations. Since we do have limited time, please try to avoid restating what another may have already stated. The applicant shall be allowed to speak first in order to present the application. Others may then speak indicating first their support or opposition of the application. The applicant will then [clears throat] be allowed time for rebuttal. Rebuttal must be limited to points or issues raised by the opponents to the application at the hearing. Okay. And we have Miss Stutard now that will explain. Oh, okay.

Yeah. Now, I just wanted to add I will be keeping the time for the 10 minutes for both sides and I will let you know when you get [clears throat] to within two minutes of the 10 if you if you get that far just so I don't didn't want anybody to think I was interrupting them. And I'll also be keeping up with any questions that folks speaking against might have to uh so that the uh petitioner would be able to address those questions. Okay, Miss Stutter.

Thank you. Uh the only reasonzoning item you have on your agenda uh this evening is a resoning request from R15 which is single family residential to C3 which is neighborhood commercial. Uh the applicants higher ground property are requesting a reszoning of two parcels uh totaling 1.32 acres. Um, and the request, the purpose of this request is to create a common zoning designation for these two parcels with 924, 926, and 932 Maple Street in anticipation of a mixeduse development that will be along the Maple Street corridor. The planning commission reviewed this request at their April meeting. Uh, they did recommend approval of the requests with a vote of 3 to2. Uh, they also included a couple of conditions um as part of that recommendation. I'm going to go over those briefly. Uh, number one, no commercial structures are permitted on the 1.32 acre tract. The portion of the property fronting Matthews Avenue must remain single family residential. Currently, there is a single family home there owned by the applicants. I do believe the intention is for that home to remain, but we did want to memorialize that with a condition. Uh, number two, no public access is permitted on Matthews Avenue. If required, fire lane access shall be gated with a NOX lock or a similar apparatus that is approved by our fire marshal to prevent residents or the general public from utilizing this drive. Uh there was some discussion because the applicants provided a concept for the entire development plan, not just this this track that's being resoned. Um about access on Matthews Avenue. Uh this would eliminate any sort of public access. Uh it would be a gated uh entrance. um if the fire marshall does require them to have a secondary access for the development off of Maple Street. I do believe the applicant is here if you have any additional questions. Okay. Good evening y'all. My name is Brad

Wilks. Um, [clears throat] like the members of this council and the rest of the community, uh, my partner Keith and I, um, want to see Maple Street, the look of it, the use of it, greatly improved. And we believe that this request can be, um, a small step in that in that direction. Um these two [laughter] tracks would support our [cough] um as uh Miss Stutterard indicated these two tracks would support our larger development that would be along uh the Maple Street corridor. I do think it is important to emphasize that this is a residential to commercial zoning in name only. These two tracks will remain entirely residential. uh 415 Matthews will remain single family uh residential. That was always our intention. Um and in fact we it's the the actual overall use of this project is the opposite of moving from residential to commercial. We are actually taking a large portion or proposing to take a large portion of our commercial tract and make it residential. We think that that will better protect the the neighboring properties from what would otherwise more likely be a full commercial development.

But uh I'm here if you have any questions.

Anybody have any questions? I I do. Uh [snorts] I think this is a great project, but is uh the woods that are back in there, are they like natural growth, old forever trees? Do you know? There has been a tree survey done uh back in 2019. Yes.

I have not reviewed that. Certainly not lately. Um but I do know that there there has been a tree survey done that identified you know uh the large growth sort of trees back there um that you there was a project that uh ultimately got nixed by the um pandemic um that uh identified those trees. So I we do have a tree survey of it um and I mean a lot of it is just pine but there are some uh larger hardwoods back there I believe. Well, and my question would be if uh our our tree ordinance about uh preserving certain size trees. Can you talk on that, Erica?

Uh yes, sir. Uh we do have a section in our landscaping ordinance uh relating to specimen trees. Unfortunately, it's not a preservationbased tree ordinance. It's really a replacementbased tree ordinance. And so if you do have a tree that is identified as a specimen tree, for example, an oak, a hardwood, if it's 27 inches uh in diameter, breast at diameter, breast height, uh in in diameter, then they would be required to replace that tree with two larger specimen trees of the same species. So, um, uh, for instance, if for there was a a water oak, for instance, that was 30 in or 36 in, they would have to go in and replace that oak with two oaks that are at least 4 in um in diameter, which is a little larger tree. Uh, but that's really we really just have more of a kind of a recompense versus a preservation as it relates to

And when you say replace on that property, uh, somewhere on the on the development tract, yes, we do not have a tree bank currently. Well, uh I don't know. I haven't walked those woods, but uh it occurs to me that [clears throat] Maple Street was named Maple Street probably because it had maple trees up and down it at one time and there's not a tree on the street now. And I think that's kind of sad that if we if you could possibly preserve some uh older growth trees, I think they'd add tremendously to your [clears throat] project. But I'm real excited about it.

I'd ask and encourage you to absolutely duly noted and and quite frankly uh I know sometimes uh graders disagree but but I know it's it's expensive to take down big trees. So um and I live on Kramer Street where surrounded by large trees. So, uh, absolutely. We'll do our best to, uh, maintain any of that that we can. Okay.

I actually ran a business out of one of those buildings that's on this property, the the one that sits further back off of Maple Street. Uh, my brother and I started a garden center in that location about 45 years ago or something like that. And so I'm familiar with the property and um you know that that property has set dormant for decades now and I'd be excited to see something really pretty and useful to our community built there. So appreciate that. Okay. Any other comments? I I I got one another couple questions. Okay.

Uh, refresh my memory about fence or how you do a buffer zone or anything for this. That's another good Erica question, but I will say that um as as I recall that um putting up a fence is the way to get the most efficient um buffer. So um we obviously are trying to uh have a relatively dense project. So, we want to be efficient with our land use. So, we definitely would include uh I would imagine we would include a privacy fence. Yes, ma'am.

All right. Uh and and he's correct. Um so, you have options as it relates to buffers uh with um unlike uses. So, the property that is adjacent to and we're really talking about just keep this in mind that we're really talking about the larger development tract and not the tract necessarily that's that's um up for resulting consideration tonight, right? Um but you can do anything from a 10-ft buffer with a fence and landscaping to a 20 foot planted or a 50- foot undisturbed. And what Brad means by efficiency is you'll get the most efficiency land basically space-wise to do the the fence and the planted at 10 ft. So, and how high a fence?

Um, I mean it doesn't necessarily state, but typically they're, you know, 6 8 foot privacy fences when we see that. Again, all of that would be dealt with in plans review when the larger development um tract is being considered. Okay. Any other questions? Um, not right now.

You know, I I'll I'll add to um we we obviously we want to apply for the TAD um designation when we do this project. That is going I I think that is going to give the city a and the redevelopment authority um lots of stakeholders ample opportunity to uh to work with us to get the project that everybody wants. Yes. Okay. All right. Any other questions or comments? Okay. All right. Thank you, Brad. Is there anyone here to speak in opposition of this project?

Madame Mayor, Council, my name is Curtis Spivey. I live at 631 Long View, the second family to live there in 125 years. And uh so I'm familiar with the area. Um as far as Matthews Avenue property is, I've talked with some firemen who in their opinion thinks there'll never be a fire truck get in and out of there and make any turns into a development. It's way too narrow and uh uh this area will be steep and in a turn. And the way I see it, not shown on here, but the way I see it coming in and u this just appears to be another way to ease in to C3 zoning around the area, but I'd ask that you'd consider that. And since the applicant has mentioned the larger track, our property is 60 feet from it. And so that is very close. And I would hope that you would address the drainage issue from Long View about three and a half acres and then the the uh drainage of the property itself because the houses be very close together and there could be a river running between them at some times. We ask that you would uh also address as nothing shown in this drawing as a retention pond underground above ground with a weird structure to accommodate a 7 in and 24-hour flood. once in a hundred years and that the priv privacy fence you have mentioned would have no less than a top height of 10 feet. It could be two feet off the ground but the visual obstruction would be there on all the property that joins off of Matthews Long View and Tugle. We also would ask that any lights be put up would point away from the adjoining properties to maintain the quiet and hospitable neighborhood that we're all

accustomed to. So now I would ask that not only would you make this consideration a dollar consideration, but you just make a good sense consideration for our community that's been there for well over a hundred years. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Spivey. Anyone else?

City Council, how are you? Richard Aquatada, 414 Matthews Avenue. I also represent 418 Matthews Avenue. Not necessarily in opposition to the project at all. I think that uh Maple Street could use the beautifification. I think that where it stands today is just not what it could be. Um the only the only exception I would say is kind of you know echoing what Mr. Spivey says and probably a lot of folks in the community. Um Matthew Avenue is a narrow street. Um our largest fire truck can't traverse that street as it reaches Long View and Matthews. So um I I don't know how you rectify that. I I don't know how the four curb cuts that are currently at this property on Maple Street don't suffice in some way. Um, but I just ask that you leave the tree lines of Matthews, leave the access of Matthews. Um, do a speed study on Matthews. Go out there and take a look at the street. If city council comes up with the fact that it it is accessible and we can we can operate it through there. I mean, who am I to fight that, right? But I will say do the due diligence. Take a look at it. Um, we have four curb cuts on Maple Street. Maple Street is due to be widened at some point. Why push that traffic that way? And I understand it's oh we have a gate. How many apartment complexes in the city of Atlanta, city of Douglasville, surrounding areas? When those aren't maintained, Mr. Wils will probably sell it at some point. And when it's not maintained, that will be a thorough affair. That will be a thoroughare. It will be created. Um from my house, if I want to go to Target, I go left. If I want to go to Tanner, I go left. I can go right on Red. It is a shortcut from the west of Carolton, the square that is Matthews Avenue is a racetrack. Come out and see it. Run that speed study. Take a look at it and see if you still feel comfortable on it. Um, but you do have to plan. You guys have a a responsibility here. It's a plan for 30 years. You guys will You guys will be

gone. I'll be gone when this becomes an issue. If it becomes an issue. Um, I love what he's doing. I absolutely love it. I think it's going to be great. I really do. Um, I think some of the concerns that people have brought up as far as, you know, drainage and things like these are all things that need to be considered and these guys are good at what they do and I think they will consider those. All I'm asking for is to leave Matthews Avenue alone. That's it. That's it. But I appreciate your time. I know you guys are busy people and there's a lot of things to do with your lives. So, um, thank you for hearing me out and I appreciate again what Mr. Wilson are trying to do over there. I just just like to leave Matthews like it is. Thanks, guys.

Thank you, Mr. Auata. Anyone else to speak in opposition or in favor of it? Okay. Hearing none. Um I've got a question. um really pertaining to this particular track um that that we're being asked to look at for reszoning is very close to Matthews Avenue and ties on to a larger track that fronts Maple Street. Um what's the current zoning on the larger track next to this one acre uh C3 commercial neighborhood?

Okay. Yeah. So, um, [clears throat] and and Mr. Spy, um, you indicated that this development was going to be within 60 ft of your property that corners Tugle and Long View Street. Yes. Um, okay.

Right. Yeah, I'm just I'm just looking at it on the tax map and I'm not seeing that your property would adjoin any of the property. I'm sorry, Madame Mayor. For the record, we need the audience to come to the microphone because we can't pick it up otherwise. Okay. All right. Mr. Spivey, if you'll come back to the microphone so we can make sure everyone is heard. I believe you'll see there 92 acres on Long View Street up one house from the corner. Right. Okay. And then there's a lot on Tugle Street that separates us from this property. Okay. Okay. And the property to us

joins this property, right? And the the property that's already zoned, what they're asking for now is the property that that adjoins that Avenue property. Okay. The lot that they own, right? Yeah. That property the property that you're referencing now that's 6 foot that's really not in question tonight. No. But what we're asking along with this total consideration is everything that can be done to maintain our privacy both visually and audibly.

Yeah. I I just don't know that the property that's in question tonight is is going to be affecting your property at all. Well, it'll affect the the total development because the applicant addressed it on the front page of the newspaper showing that it would Yeah, I I understand that he's, you know, but he's already got the zoning that he's requesting for this property on the property that's 60 ft from your property. just leave Matthews as it is. Good thing. Thank you. Yeah, thank you. I just wanted to clear that up. I was just looking at it on the tax map. So, thank you.

All right. So, um do I have a motion? Madame Mayor, could I just clarify a couple of things before we get a motion?

So, there [clears throat] were really there were no questions for the petitioner to address. They were all just statements of concern which can't can't be uh tied to this zoning. In other words, you can't put the those conditions because they they don't have approval for their planned development there that they have shown that in full transparency they've shown what they intend to do through all parcels of land. Um but the things that they have that uh Mr. Spivey and Mr. what I've talked about with the fire trucks being able to get in the drainage issues from long view retention pun. All of that will be addressed in site review and plans review once the uh development [clears throat] has been uh has been approved when they come back to us for uh approval of plan development and uh and the TAD funds and things of that nature. Lights and things and and all the things that they've asked about can be conditioned to their plan development when they get to that point. But in terms of what they're asking to be reszoned tonight, it's just uh there there would be no conditions of that like that on there.

Okay. Um but the conditions that the planning commission has recommended, those will be included in what we vote on shortly. And just to, you know, we take all this very seriously and and I've talked to some of you and, you know, there may be some alternatives that we can do to help Matthews Avenue um to cut down on some of the traffic through there. So, but again, we'll we'll look at those. And um we we appreciate people coming out and voicing their opinion because if you don't then we don't we don't know anything. And we also appreciate people who are willing to invest in our community. So with all that said, do I have a motion to grant the resoning request to 415 Matthews Avenue?

Yes. I'd like to make a motion that we approve the resoning. Okay. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Yes. As I stated, we would uh um with the conditions that would be at the recommendation of the planning commission. Those will be included in this motion. Okay. All right. So, I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? Same sign. Hearing none. Motion carries. Okay. The next item on the agenda is resolution '0525, rightway abandonment, and this is a portion of North Cliff Street. Mr. Brooks,

thank you, Madame Mayor. as we've [clears throat] been talking about for quite some time now. We uh we issued that RFP it seems like years and years ago, but uh we've been working towards this uh day to be able to develop the uh the downtown lot in partnership with uh the developer. And so the first steps of that is going to be abandoning North Cliff that will be when the development is completed will become a pedestrian uh walkway between the mixeduse development, the hotel and our new uh uh conference center. So we basically will just be abandon abandoning that road.

Okay. So do I have a motion to approve this resolution? So move. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? Same sign. Hearing none. Motion carries. The next item on our agenda is the downtown development master agreement um for the property west of the art center. And this is um I'm going to entertain a motion to authorize Mr. Brooks uh and our city attorney, Miss Melissa Griffith, to execute any documents that are necessary that we've in conjunction with this project. So, we've already approved the project. So, we just now need to give Mr. Brooks and Miss Griffith uh the authority to execute the documents that's necessary.

Madame Mayor, we also need you will be executing some of the documents as well. So authority for you to execute those as well, please ma'am. Thank you. Okay. All right. So do I have a motion to make that a u approve the execution of the documents by Mr. Brooks, myself, and Miss Griffith under what has already been agreed upon. So moved. Okay. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Have a motion and a second. Is there any [clears throat] questions or discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I.

I. Any opposed? Same sign. Motion carries. The next item on our agenda is board appointment for Historic Preservation Commission. As you heard me say, Dr. Ford um is stepping down as chair. So, we have some other ones that um we have Can't get my computer to work. Okay. So, Miss Stutard, you want to make that presentation, please?

Sure. Um, the we do have a few um appointments uh to the Historic Preservation Commission this month. Miss Susan Biggers uh had to resign from the Historic Preservation Commission. And at this time, I'm asking or requesting that you replace Susan uh with Mr. Lacy Robinson. Uh he has indicated that he is willing to serve and I think he will make a valuable member to the board. Uh also Miss Cara Johnson who was here earlier uh to receive the proclamation. Uh she was initially appointed in 2024 uh to fulfill a partial term and so she has had excellent attendance uh and she's been great on the commission so far. So we're asking that you reappoint her to a full three-year term uh which would begin uh immediately. And then we also u as uh Mayor Kase mentioned uh Tom Ford has fulfilled his two full terms on historic preservation commission. And so we are um asking at this time that you replace Tom uh with Julia Mloud. Uh I've spoken with Julia and she has indicated um a desire uh to serve if you guys should so choose. All right.

So, at this time it would be a reappointment of Cara Johnson and then appointments uh of Lacy Robinson and Julia Mloud if y'all want to do that as one motion. Okay. Do I have a motion to reappoint Cara Johnson and to uh appoint Lacy Robinson and Julia Mloud to the historic preservation committee? So moved. Have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Is there any question or further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Same sign. Motion carries. The next item on our agenda is the library board. Mr. Brooks.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. As we discussed in our work session, Miss Carol's term is coming up. It expires June the 30th and we would ask that you uh she's been a very good member. Uh Mr. Hower really likes her and she's been a productive member of the board and so we would ask that you uh would vote to appoint her to another full three-year term. Okay. All right. Do I have a motion to appoint um Lisa Carol? Lisa Carol. I'm Did I even say your name when I was going through it? No. [laughter] To the library board? I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. All those in favor say I. I.

Any oppose? Same sign. Hearing none. Motion carries. Okay. The next item on our agenda is our um budget hearing and we have uh Mr. Bush here to present our 2526 proposed budget.

All right, Madame Mayor. Good to see everybody tonight. I know I'm separating a lot of us from taco night, so I'm ready to get out of here. So, we'll we'll try to make this as quick as we can. Um you received a copy of the draft budget a few weeks ago at our budget retreat. Um, and we've just made a few modifications since then for some of our insurance and county fire reimbursements. So, that's pretty much the same way. The final draft was submitted on our city website a week ago. It was also made publicly available to the public and a notice of this hearing was addressed in the Times Georgia to the public. So, that's some of our protocols that we have to follow. We follow those. Um, and today is our public hearing on the budget. Um, we want to really quickly go over a few highlights for the public and also just to refresh your memory. Um, first of all, I'd like to say on behalf of the finance department, special thank you to Mr. Brooks and also all the department heads for all the hard work that goes into this um each and every year. Uh, the department heads, as you know, do a great job managing their budgets each year and that's why we're so fiscally stable is because of the way that they handle that and we're just so appreciative in the finance department. Uh the total projected budget for our three main operating funds, general, water, and sanitation for FY26 is 68,58,321. Um I'll go over just a few of the highlights that we have. On the revenue side, we're very blessed with a diverse mix of revenue sources. Um that helps us weather any economic downturns and most of our revenues for this year are projected based on our actual results for this year. So we feel that these um all these revenue figures can be easily maintained for this next year and any growth which we do expect would be able to help us do any other things that we need to do. Um we have a chart up here that kind of displays all that. I'm going to start um with the blue uh which is one of the biggest portions of $7.1 [clears throat] million and that is our advalorum taxes. Um that represents 19% of our general fund revenue. The current uh projected budget for property taxes is $6 million and title avalorum taxes on vehicles are a million25. Next is our

sales tax revenue of $7 million. That is a 19% portion of our budget. That's a 4% increase over the previous year due to our strong retail economy and obviously with the price of goods going up that increases the cost of everything which translates to sales tax. Um we've seen this resource revenue resource do really well in the past few years. Um, and that will benefit us for our budget. Um, next in the green, $3.1 million. 8% of our budget is for utility franchise fees. Um, this is a slight increase from the previous year. Um, $200,000 of that increase is from um, electrical utility and we're seeing a slight decrease in cable um, utility, which kind of makes sense as people are moving to streaming services and away from some traditional cable options there. So, but overall that still is being successful. The largest portion that you see is the $10.9 million, the 29% of our budget which is listed as intergovernmental. Um that is concentrated of revenues from intergovernmental agreements with federal, state, and local grants as well as our internal transfers. Um this year we have uh $4,25,000 transfer from our water fund and $750,000 transfer from our sanitation fund. Also, we do salary and benefit reimbursements from those funds to reimburse the general fund for the core administrative services, finance, HR, general administration um and also indirect costs in that as well. Um this also includes our county wreck reimbursement um of $130,000. That's from county residents utilizing our rec services and so we receive a reimbursement from the county for that. um as well as nutrition grants that uh provide si senior citizen meals and home delivery which is a great benefit to our seniors our community and also our city school board reimbures us for school officers and um resource officers and the crossing guards and that's about $415,000 a year. So that's a big chunk but a lot of it's internal but some of it's also from our grant income. As

y'all know, Haley does a great job trying to seek out all opportunities to help us fund budgets through intergovernmental uh opportunities, and we're so grateful for her for that. Um, fines and forfeitures is your next portion. That's our police fines. We budget a million dollars a year every year for that. Um, insurance premium tax is 7% of our budget and has increased $200,000 from the previous year. Occupation tax for our um new and current businesses represents 3% of our budget. Um miscellaneous revenue of $834,000 is 2% of our budget. Most of this is from our interest income which has done really well as well as facility rentals for the depot and other recreational facilities from the public. Um our tax revenues of $1,97,000 other taxes that's our beer and wine taxes, energy excise and intangibles and then also license and permits and charges for services for recreation cultural activities. So that kind of comprises our whole revenue from general fund. Um and then also we have balanced this year's budget with no use of fund balance. So the budget is completely balanced without using any prior year fund balance. All right, we'll go to the next slide which is our expenditures. You kind of get our overview here of our major functions with this. We have our police, our fire, recreation and cultural arts, streets and engineering, general administration, and our community development. Um some highlights of all these as you know there's a salary increase for employees that we discussed at budget retreat is included in this. Uh we did group insurance at 10% increase. Um we actually won't get that medical increase until 2026 calendar year. Um so but we've already projected a 10% increase for that for next year's fiscal year. Um property liability insurance is at a 15% increase based on actual quotes we've received. Um and then pretty much our strategy is for any capital items, we fund those through our SPLOS fund and try to minimize those to only essential

needs within the um general fund. And so pretty much there's very little capital within this fund. Um police, as you see, comprises 33% of our budget at about 12.1 million. Fire 21% at just over 8 million. Recreational and cultural arts also 21% at just about 8 million. streets and engineering is 5% of our budget and general administration which is finance HR general admin everything else um our facilities uh city hall all the buildings is just over $6 million and community development includes not only community development department but also our uh downtown marketing main street and that's just over $1.3 million a year. So that's kind of the summary of our um general fund on our water fund. Our budget next year is 23,39,876. We have a a broad revenue mix here of both water water sales, sewer sales, also taps from um new housing, new commercial that's coming into our community. Uh we feel like these are all doing very very strong in the coming year. Um and we feel like all of these revenue sources will be maintained. Uh the water fund does have the same highlights as the general fund about the salary increases um group group health and property insurance. We also includes $200,000 of repairs and maintenance on our water tanks. Over $1.2 million is just for chemicals to keep our water clean as y'all seen in the uh paper recently. Uh you know, we've awarded very well on that because our guys do such a great job with that and it takes a lot to make that happen. So, um, and we also have over $3 million in infrastructure and equipment upgrades that's included in that water fund. Um, on the intergovernmental side, we also have about $6 million of expenses on the water fund. That is from the indirect cost and s reimbursements and the $4 million transfer to general fund. The water fund also was balanced this year with no use of fund balance. Moving

on to the sanitation fund. The budget for next year is 7.7,738,713. Um the biggest portion of this most all of this is for um landfill fees um and our sanitation fees that have come in. Um our b biggest expense is the landfill fees to put all of that trash in into Carol County landfill. Um those are budget $2.2 $2 million for this year and also an indirect cost of 1.1 million and a $750,000 transfer to the general fund. We also have budgeted $460,000 year this year to purchase a new garbage truck, as you know, which we expect to fund from fund balance. And that's the only use of fund balance that we have in those three major funds. Also [snorts] included in this budget package, that's that's the big chunk, but we also have all of our special revenue funds, our hotel motel tax, which does great things for our tourism product development in our area. Um, also our contracts with the chamber and the visitors bureau. Um, that's going to be about $1.1 million of revenue this year which we can utilize for those. And we also have special revenues for the tax allocation district, police technology, opioid settlement funds, hazmat, drug task force, drug seizure funds, and the neighborhood stabilization program. And those are all captured within the wider budget that will be um passed next month. So, as I said, this is our required public hearing on the budget. not voting on it tonight. The vote will occur in June. And Mr. Brooks and I are both available if y'all have any questions between now and then. All right, that's it. [laughter]

All right. Is any other any questions? I've got a few, but I'll ask them later. No, I meant from the public. Not from Not from me. Not from you. No.

All right. Okay. since we have no questions. Thank you Kevin and thank you all for um the hard work on this. I know this is not an easy task and it does start about March and so from March till we get it approved so they've worked very diligently in getting this all put together for us. Okay. Um do I have a motion to adjurnn? So move. Do I have a second? Second. [laughter]

Motion and second to adjurnn. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Same sign. Meeting adjourned.