Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the board of commissioners meeting for 04/28/2026. I am presiding officer and district four commissioner Shakira Johnson. We will get started with our agenda, starting with our inspirational speaker. Reverend doctor Durley, if you'd like to start making your way to this front podium for us please. Reverend Doctor.

Gerald L. Durley is widely recognized as a global ambassador for civil rights, environmental justice, and faith based leadership with a distinguished career spanning education, psychology, interfaith engagement, and public service. Today, is both an honor and a privilege to recognize a national leader and a friend of DeKalb County whose life's work has shaped movements, strengthened communities, and challenge all of us to strive for a better strive for better, a civil rights advocate, a pastor, a bridge builder, and a steadfast champion for both people and the planet. Reverend Doctor. Gerald L.

Durley has been a powerful force for change from his service during the civil rights movement to his global work through the Peace Corps and through decades of leadership across Metro Atlanta. Throughout it all, he has remained unwavering in his commitment to justice for all. As we observe Earth Month and confront the urgent moral imperative of climate change, it it is especially fitting to welcome him today to share a message of inspiration, reflection, and hope. Good morning, sir.

No. I'll stand.

Okay. Okay.

Oh, really? Yeah. Oh, yeah. Already.

Good morning. Thank you for being with us.

Good morning.

Good morning. Good morning.

I'm moving a little slow. Lee, because I just got out of the hospital about eight hours ago. Oh. And because this means so much, said I would come. I had no idea on Friday that I'd be dehydrated and that I would have a blood clot in my left leg go to my lungs. And so they released me at yesterday around 08:00, and I said, no. I'm not coming. I don't care if it is DeKalb County or not. I'm not coming. But I wanted to come.

Terry's such a good friend. But let me say good morning, chair Johnson, commissioners, friends, distinguished guests, and citizens of DeKalb County. It is both an honor and a sacred responsibility to stand before those of you who've been entrusted to shape the direction, the future of this county. When I think about it, DeKalb County is more than an infrastructure of budgets and policies. It is families.

It is hope in motion. It is prayers whispered in the early morning and dreams carried into long days and hard nights. And whether spoken or unspoken, many of those hopes are placed in you. The planet is dependent on you. 1970, they came out with Earth Day.

Fifty six years ago, they talked about the planet and what it meant and what it means and how God created something that was so important for all of us, yet we treat it like a rental car. And so the pardons of your coming together this morning and all of the policies are so important. So I'm glad to be here because leadership at its highest level is not just administration, it's spiritual stewardship. I never thought that I would be involved in climate change, global warming, not me. Not missus Dirley's boy.

Not a kid in 1960 who started with another kid named John Lewis. He was an old man. He was 20. I was 18. Jesse was 18.

Andy Young was 28. This next week, I'll be 84 years old. So but all of them and all of those times, we never thought when we were fighting for civil and human rights, how important the climate and environmental rights were. So what I began to understand was that we must begin to combine our environmental justice with our civil rights and our human rights because everyone has a constitutional right to clean energy, clean water, clean air. But what could I care about a polar bear who couldn't make it to the next glacier?

Mine was about injustice. Mine was about situations that destroyed individuals. But a young lady came to Atlanta about twenty years ago, and she wanted to work with young teenage black girls. And she said, would you come with me to address a group of people? So I said, okay. I didn't know the young lady. You never know where you're put in a certain situation at a certain time to make a difference in people's lives. So I went out to the airport with the young lady, and she was talking about young women, teenage pregnancy. So a young man in the back said, who are you? Her bodyguard?

I said, am I a bodyguard? Because I'm tall, black. Does that make me her bodyguard? He said, no. But if have you got a PowerPoint to make a difference? I said, I've got a PowerPoint. Well, use it. And I said, no. I'm not gonna use it. Use a PowerPoint or leave the room. I didn't like his arrogance. So the young lady said, leave it alone. It's not that important. I said, no. He's insulting me. So I said, I'll say something. So I got up front and I said, let me point to my power. My power has never gone flat. And I went on talking about teenage pregnancy. And at the end of the meeting, she said, I'd like to introduce you to my husband.

He talks like you. And I said, ma'am, I've had it today. She said, no, I want you to meet him. Her name was Jane Fonda. His name was Ted Turner. And in that, you can keep it. In that, she started talking about environment, and I started combining civil rights with human rights and justice. So today, I wanna briefly speak about three quick words and then I'll sit down. Purpose, pressure, and power in the presence of God and God is in all of it. No.

I'm not gonna get preaching. I'm not here to do a sermon today. It's not Sunday morning, so you don't have to sit back and go to sleep. DeKalb is not just a collection of roads, budgets, ordinances, and depart and departments. It is the people. It is families. It is dreams waking up every morning, hoping for opportunities, expecting friends, and depending on leadership. You are the leadership and that's where you come in. You're not simply policymakers. You are stewards of possibility.

Every vote you cast echoes beyond this chamber. Every decision you make touches lives you may never meet. Every moment of courage or hesitation writes the story of DeKalb County. Three things I would like to for you to meditate and think about this morning. Purpose, pressure, and power. No one arrives in the seats where you're sitting today by accident. You've hustled. You've sacrificed. You've taken risk. And you said, want to be here because I want to make a difference.

I want to do something to make a difference in the people's lives of those I'm called to serve. Somewhere along your journey, you felt a calling. You felt you could make a difference. You felt you had an idea, a suggestion, maybe even a solution. You not only wanted to succeed, but you wanted to serve.

Not just to lead, but to lift. In the day to day demands, the meetings that you have, the debates, I know you never get into any arguments, but in the fights, the disagreements, the deadlines, it is easy to drift from the original purpose. Easy to get caught up in the process and forget the only reason that you and I exist are for the people. The people that we are called to serve. The people that get up every morning wondering what is it that they can do to make a difference.

We can come down and comfortably sit here. We have our own our health care system, our own kinds of jobs, but there are those that do not have that. That's what we're here. It's about leadership. But purpose purpose is your compass. When conversations get complicated, purpose simplifies it. When noise gets loud, purpose clarifies it. When the road gets hard, purpose steadies it. The citizens of DeKalb don't just need representation, they need intentional leadership. Leadership for who you ask.

Who benefits from this? Who might be left out? Who will be named today to make a difference? Purpose reminds you that this is not about the work. It's about the impact that you make. Yes. We each must have a purpose. You got up this morning not just to get up, but there had to be some purpose in your life. And when you have purpose, there's something that comes into life. I've learned in life, the more of that pressure comes purpose comes in, the more pressure that you face.

Pressure is a friend. Pressure is an ally. Pressure, embrace it. Do not avoid it. When the storms come into your life, get in the storm, but don't let the storm get in you. Pressure from constituents, pressure from competing priorities, pressure from limited resources, pressure from all of the expectations that you have every day. Pressure, that's what's so important in life, but pressure is not your enemy. Diamonds are formed under pressure. Great communities are shaped under pressure. Strong leadership revealed under pressure.

The question is not where the pressure will come. The question is how you will respond when you're under pressure. Will pressure divide or will it drive collaboration? Will pressure create fear or fuel courage? Will pressure lead to compromise of values or clarity of the vision? The best leaders don't run from pressure. They refine themselves through it. They listen more clearly, they think more deeply, they act more boldly. DeKalb doesn't need leaders who are comfortable. DeKalb need leaders who are committed.

Finally, power. Power. Use it wisely. Use it well. Each of you in this room hold power, not just legal authority, but moral influence, true power, shape policy, allocate resources, open doors, set the times in your life and what it is that you must do.

This is your time and this is your moment. Power is not measured by control. It is measured by service. Power is at its best when it lifts others, when it amplifies unheard voices, when it creates pathways, when barriers once stood. My friends, the most powerful question that you can ask this morning is, what do I do to make DeKalb County a better county?

What does this mean to become a better county? Because when you align power with the needs of the people, you don't just get power, you transform an area. DeKalb is beautifully driven economically, culturally, politically, and environmentally. Your destiny is not a weakness, it is a strength. Your diversity is your strength, but only if it is united by a shared commitment to fairness, to progress, to the common good.

Disagreement is inevitable. Division is critical. You can't debate without devaluing. You can stand firm without shutting out others. Great leadership is not about always green. It's always about advancing. One day, those in this room who are listening to me, you will be voted out. People will rise up against you depending on how you come together Amen. And you begin to collaborate and listen and tender to the voice of the people. What the people are saying, what the people are feeling, what the people are going through, that will make the difference.

It will not be how many meetings that I attend, how many motions that I pass. The question then and now, am I making a difference? Did your neighborhoods become stronger? Is the environmental cleaner? There's opportunity to become more accessible. Do people have more trust in the local government? Did the people of DeKalb feel seen, heard, and valued? That should be your legacy. Today is the beginning of the rest of your service as a board member, as a person of this community. Are you clear in your purpose, strong under pressure, responsible with power, and fully committed to service?

If so, lead with integrity, decide with courage, and serve with humility. Never forget that behind every policy is a person. Behind every statistic is a story. Behind every decision is a future being shaped, behind every decision that you make. DeKalb is not watching you.

DeKalb is dependent on you. And when you get up every morning and you know that there is something that no one else can do but you, no one else has the strength, the tenacity, the perseverance to do it. It's not just coming to a job. You've got to understand and say to yourself, I will not bend, I will not bow, I will not break, I will not back up. I will stand boldly on the principles and ethics that DeKalb County must be the greatest county, and it will be the greatest county because I am here. Thank you very much. Never back up. Never bend. Never bow. Never break. Always stand for the county of DeKalb County. It is a county that understands that there is power in the people, and the people will always rise up and make

a difference. Don't just think you've been elected to be here to sit. You've been elected to serve. God bless

you. Thank

you, sir. If you'll have a seat, and we'll be down to pin you in a minute. At this time, commissioner Bolton had a couple announcements for us, and then we'll do our pledge and proclamation. Proclamation. Thank

you, madam presiding officer. On behalf of the board of commissioners, we just wanted to take an opportunity to acknowledge two pillars in the community, both across DeKalb County and across the state. We want to extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of, as you guys know, congressman David Scott, whose decades of public service left a lasting impact in our communities across Georgia and, of course, across the nation. But also in DeKalb County, we also we want to honor the life and legacy of Robert Brown, whose architectural leadership and contributions to our libraries, our schools, other civic public spaces, and facilities who helped shape the landscape of DeKalb County and whose son, Robert Junior, who's still doing work in the county, who's worked with many of us in this room, we just wanna make sure that the community knows and the family knows you guys are in our hearts, our condolences to you. And thank you, madam presiding officer, for allowing me to say this.

And if we can just have about ten seconds, a few seconds of silence. Thank you for honoring these wonderful men of our community.

Thank you, madam deputy presiding officer for that. And next we'll have pledge of allegiance by commissioner Morita Davis Johnson, and then we will meet on the floor for our presentations. Thank you.

Good morning, everyone. Good I'm commissioner Ted Tier, your super district six commissioner, and welcome to celebrating Earth Month here in DeKalb County. Thank you, reverend Durely, that inspirational those inspirational words, and really, really appreciate everything that you do for our community. Earth Month is a reminder that we don't inherit the planet from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Let's return it in better shape than we were given.

And if it was a rental car, let's make sure we, you know, clean all the trash out and vacuum up before we return it. To do this, it takes each and every one of us to do our parts in action, in education, and of course, if you're here today, advocacy. Today, we're actually celebrating not just Earth month, but everyone who participates in being that advocate to be our climate champions. Because when we say that we celebrate our DeKalb County climate champions, we're not talking about someone far away. We're talking about the people present right here in this room and those who may be watching at home.

Our coworkers, our neighbors, our friends, you are doing the work. You were literally planting the seeds in your communities. Literally, as in we have acres and acres of wildflowers that will be popping up very soon now that it's finally rained. We're rethinking how we reuse and revitalize land, our energy, and our resources. We're proving that sustainability is not just about policy, it is a practice every single day.

It's how we live, it's how we lead, and it's how we show up for one another. We also must be honest about where we are. This moment calls us to a higher point, a power point, reverend Dirley. And just like we point at the power, the power comes down to the people. So I point back at you because that's where the power is.

So together, we need to keep the work going to celebrate the work we've done in the cab and the work that we still have to do. We have to think bigger. We have to move faster. Our world depends upon us. So in in April is Earth month, but every day is Earth Day in my mind.

And the proclamation that we'll be reading here in a minute today serves as a reinforcement and equally important a call to action. One of the many organizations in DeKalb County working for environmental justice and organizing residents for climate change is the Georgia Interfaith Power and Light Organization, which reverend Durley has been chair of. And I'd like to call up and recognize Cody Norred, Gipple as we call it, executive director. Come on down, Cody. Today for some brief remarks about what Gipple has been doing in the community as words of welcomed as well as welcoming to say a few words that call us to a higher calling for continued action. Cody?

A few brief words after what doctor Dureley said. I have quite a few words to say. First of all, it's my honor and privilege to be here to celebrate some climate champions in DeKalb County. Just briefly, for over twenty three years, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light has sought to inspire and equip congregations, communities, and people of conscience across the state of Georgia to organize, implement practical climate solutions, and advocate at the local, state, and federal level for climate solutions. And more importantly, our entire history, we've worked across the state from our home and headquarters right here in DeKalb County.

So it's been a great joy to work with many people in this room in DeKalb to educate our citizens on the links between the environment, our health, community resilience, and the impact on our energy bills. We've worked across the county to increase energy efficiency and solar through energy efficiency plans, energizing and electrifying Decatur DeKalb, solarized programs, through joint resiliency task force. But specifically, I wanna take the opportunity to name some of our congregational climate champions that don't often get recognition here in DeKalb County. We've got 16 of our green teams here that I'm gonna briefly read through. Central Congregational Church of Christ, Congregation Beth Havarim, Congregation Sheriff Israel, Embry Hills United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, First Baptist Church of Decatur, Glen Memorial UMC, Kirkwood UCC, Mohammed Schools Neighborhood Church, Oakwood Presbyterian, Shallowford Presbyterian, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, UUCA, Clarkston Community Center.

There's a lot of people here doing a lot of good work. Out of only 40 congregations across the state of Georgia who have gone solar, 25% of them sit in this county. Neighborhood church, Shallowford, Immaculate Heart of Mary, North Decatur UMC, Oakhurst Pres, Atlanta Friends Meeting, North Decatur Presbyterian, Saint Timothy Episcopal Church, Holy Trinity. It's lists and lists and lists of people here doing incredible work. So I lift these congregations up by name as those who truly embody our call to care for this sacred earth and I celebrate their leadership.

Before I sit back down, I would also be remiss if I didn't pour out a heap of gratitude and blessing for reverend doctor Gerald Durley, who's been a friend and mentor of mine for a very long time. He served faithfully as the president of the board of directors for National Interfaith Power and Light, and Georgia Interfaith Power and Light would be nothing had it not been for his leadership. And this is not the first time that I've been somewhere very important where doctor Dureley has showed up after saying, I was just in the hospital a few minutes ago. I had something important to do just an hour ago. He shows up and challenges us to show up as well.

We all have the capacity to transform this county. Each of us with our hands in the soil, we can renew the world and our living about for mutual flourishing. We're reminded today that our call to protect our earth is also an invitation to do right by our neighbor. So we celebrate all the work we have done in this county and we leave here with ever more to be done. So thank you for all that we have done and what we will continue to do and for everybody who's participating in this process to make this county more green and more hospitable for our neighbors. Thank you.

Thank you, Cody. So at this time, I'd like to, call up anyone in the audience who might be, with our resilient decal climate champions advocacy group or anyone else in the audience who would like to come up and celebrate Earth Day. Come on down as as the clerk reads the proclamation.

Whereas for over half a century, Earth Day continues to be the catalyst for action, reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect, preserve, and sustain the natural environment for current and future generations. And climate change is the most urgent challenge of the twenty first century. A range of environmental crisis directly impact food security, public health, housing, and economic vitality, with vulnerable populations disproportionately bearing the brunt of these effects, including inequitable access to clean air, water, and green space. Whereas DeKalb County's bold leadership, innovative solutions, and collective action at the local level have resulted in spearheading a clean energy and transportation transition plan to move DeKalb off fossil fuels and do our part to reduce our carbon footprint. And community leaders, educators, youth, faith institutions, and advocates are our DeKalb County climate champions, pioneering grassroot efforts to protect natural resources, promote clean energy, expand green space, and address environmental injustices to build healthier, more resilient spaces for every creed and creature that calls Mother Earth home.

And whereas the DeKalb County Governing Body acknowledges reverend doctor Gerald l Jerley as one of our change agents advocating how environmental justice is inseparable from social and economic justice and furthering the uncomfortable dialogue needed to influence community driven solutions. Now therefore, we, the DeKalb County Governing Body, proclaim April 28 as DeKalb County Climate Champion Day. We salute you for your leadership, service, advocacy, and commitment to an evergreen future proclaimed this 04/28/2026.

Thank you, madam clerk. Alright. So in our final minute before we close here, I would be remiss if we did not end Earth Month without recognizing a person who has shown up for what it looks like to lead with faith, courage, and conviction. I met this person almost fifteen years ago when I was working on the Georgia Public Service Commission campaign, at a meeting of the concerned black clergy. And we were talking about solar, we were talking about climate change, And I I remember being at that meeting and one of the preachers, after hearing us talk about the campaign, said, it sounds great, but we'll be watching you.

We'll see. And it's that call to action that has inspired me personally in my political career. But through his leadership and partnership with the Georgia interfaith power and light, he has mobilized faith communities across our state to take action, reminding us that caring for the environment is a responsibility we all share. Environmental justice is social justice. So today, we proudly honor reverend doctor Gerald l Durling as the inaugural recipient of the DeKalb County Climate Champion Award.

Doctor Durley, your life's work is a blueprint and your leadership will continue to guide us as we build a more just, sustainable, and resilient DeKalb County. You are our Super District 6 Green Giant with a legacy that will far succeed beyond today. We are forever forever grateful.

That the Jolly Jean Grant?

The just just the Green Giant. Thank you, sir. Whoo. That's a heavy award. Final remarks?

Never quit, never give up, never bow, never bend, never break, never back up. This is your time. This is your moment. There are two ways to tell time in the Greek. Chronos mean, we get the word chronological. It means there are sixty seconds in a minute, so many minutes in an hour. But there's another word called kairos, k a I r o s. It means it is divinely inspired Yes. By something greater than yourself. Right now, you are in a Kairos moment. Follow the leadership of a deity greater than yourself, and you'll always be successful.

Amen. Thank you.

Alright. Everybody on three. 123.

Thank you.

Nikki, I just told her that you're one of my great, great mentees, and I love you very much, and stay strong.

Good morning, everyone. DeKalb County I mean, DCTV. Are we ready to do the video?

It was a cold autumn morning that you went away. Why not say the day before that you had no plans to study?

That kiss on my cheek wasn't I'll see you tomorrow, it carried the unknown, a silence with sorrow. Your final embrace goodbye, I didn't yet see was the last piece of love that you left with me.

On that gloomy day that you became our angel above, music lost its rhythm and light lost its love.

The air became heavier, time quietly stood still. How could this possibly be part of God's will?

A rug pulled from underneath, no warning, no sign, a fracture in places too deep to define.

A wound that still lingers is very tender and real from a nagging ache to a beautiful memory once time beside the hill. Etched in our soul is the grace you've shown. The lives that you've changed, the love that you

have sown. The hearts that you've touched even more than you knew. A legacy living in all that you grew.

Carrying wisdom like a quiet flame, so gentle and wise. You are more than a leader, a heaven sent guide.

You gave me the courage to dare to dream, open wondrous doors I had never seen. You saw something in me I needed to embrace by speaking life into the forgotten space. You taught me to trust, to rise to believe, and more than the doubt that I used to breathe.

Your unforgettable kindness, soft as a whispered song, still guides us gently when the days feel long. My dearest Kathy, how can we describe our love for you? The only way possible is in everything we do. With every brave step, in every new phase, we walk in the majestic light of your trailblazing ways. Thank you, mister speaker.

I rise today in honor of the remarkable life of my longtime friend, my wife's lifelong best friend, and also my district director, Kathy Register, who passed away unexpectedly last month. When I first took office in 2007, I promised the people that I would take care of home first. And as Kathy did as district director, that's exactly what we did. And she is largely responsible for the citizens of the 4th District returning me to congress since 2007. She has been deeply appreciated by all who she served and all who she worked with.

We're gonna miss her so very much. But her life has been a life of service, not just to the citizens of the 4th District, but to her family. Her mother, Jenny, and her two sons, Anthony and Tito, survive her along with her friends and colleagues in my office, both in DC and in Decatur, Georgia. So thank you, Kathy. Rest in peace.

Jeanette, y'all come forth. Today is my honor. Today is Kathy's birthday. So heavenly birthday, Kathy. Yeah.

Kathy was my best friend. We went to elementary school together, to middle school, high school, college. We were graduated from college. She moved to New York. I moved I went to law school in Texas, and we ended up marrying two guys that lived one street apart in Atlanta.

And I told them that we it would have never happened if we had planned it. Our grandmothers were best friends. Our mothers was best friends, and we were best friends. She was a woman of excellence, grace, joy, strength, and she loved life. She loved people, and she knew how to make every moment count.

So I'm not gonna say much, but I do wanna say this. So she worked hard on behalf of DeKalb County. She lived in DeKalb County. She was Hank's district director. End of this year.

And prior to her retirement, she wanted wanted to to make make sure sure that excellence stayed in that office. And so she was training up Candace to become to replace her as the district director and so I'm going to now let Candace say a few words

I'd like to take

the time to thank commissioner Johnson for the privilege of being able to bestow honor on someone that it was so instrumental in my life. My predecessor and my beloved mentor, Kathy Register. Kathy loved deeply, and she felt deeply. At the end of the day, it's not about how much money you make, what title you have, or what kind of car you drive. You can't take any of those things with you, and Kathy obviously knew that.

It's about how you treat others. The Bible says the least of these, and that's what Kathy did. She cared about planting seeds and mentoring others, and that's what she did for me. She was just a country girl from Tennessee. Unlike the congressman, absolutely loved the constituents of Georgia's 4th Congressional District.

That was the legacy she left, humility and authenticity. And that's the the legacy that I hope to continue to carry in her name. We the staff of congressman Henry Haint Johnson, we love you Kathy forever and always. Thank you.

Okay. Could you read the proclamations?

Whereas commissioner Marita Davis Johnson and the DeKalb County governing authority paused to honor, commemorate, and celebrate the life, legacy, and lasting influence of Kathy Gail Holt Register, whose grace, strength, and servant leadership profoundly touched all whom she encountered. And whereas on the occasion of what would have been her 70 birthday, we take this moment to reflect upon and celebrate a life so beautifully lived and a legacy so powerfully felt throughout this community and beyond. Kathy was educated in the Davidson County Public School System and later graduated from Tennessee State University, where she cultivated the excellence, discipline, and determination that would categorize her extraordinary life. And whereas after spending time working in New York, Kathy made Georgia her home, first residing in Marietta and later in Decatur. Following a successful career with the Clorox Company, she embarked upon a second career that she embraced not merely as employment, but as a calling to serve others.

And whereas from 2007 until 2025, Kathy faithfully served as district director for congressman Hank Johnson, leading Georgia's 4th Congressional District Office with professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication to public service, and secured more than $100,000,000 in relief and assistance for veterans, seniors, students, nonprofits, and families throughout the 4th Congressional District, leaving a legacy of advocacy that improved countless lives across DeKalb County and the 4th Congressional District. Whereas though she carried great responsibilities in public service, Kathy's heart remained devoted to family and friendship. She was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, and a cherished confidant and friend to commissioner Marita Davis Johnson and a distinguished citizen in DeKalb County. Kathy Register's life stands as a shining testimony of leadership, sacrifice, elegance, faith, and love. Her memory will forever live on in the countless people she helped, the family she adored, and the community she strengthened.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that commissioner Marita Davis Johnson and the DeKalb County governing authority do hereby honor the life and memory of Kathy Gail Holt register and proclaim 04/28/2026 as Kathy Holt register day in DeKalb County, encouraging all residents to reflect upon her legacy of service, compassion, and Ellis elegance. And

before before we take pictures, I just wanna say a couple of more words for a couple of more people. And one is Robert L. Brown. Robert was a dear friend of mine also. Robert started his architectural firm at our office.

Hank and I had a building in DeKalb County. He had one office. By that next year, Robert had two offices in our building. And then going into that third year, he was talking to us about another office. And I told Robert then, I said, Robert, you don't move us out of here.

And so Robert was a person of integrity, hard work, and determination. And Robert built his he had one of the biggest architectural practices in DeKalb County and I was just so honored that I was able to know him from the beginning and stayed with him to the end. Very humble person. David Scott, we all know David. David's wife, Elfrida Scott, served with me as a spouse, a congressional spouse.

My heart goes out to David and his family and Alfreda. And I know that him and Robert both are looking down on us, and the only thing that I can say about both of them is a job well done. So thank you, and let's take.

Okay. At this time, we will start our public comments. Madam Clerk, if you'll read in the instructions.

The purpose of public comment is to allow the public to voice county related requests, concerns, or opinions during the commission meeting. Speakers will only have the opportunity for one public comment per meeting. Each speaker must please complete a speaker card and present it to the clerk before the beginning of the public comment portion of the meeting. Cards turn into the clerk from the time the general meeting is convened, generally nine a. M, and by the beginning of public comment portion, generally following presentation on the agenda.

The clerk will accept cards on a first come first served basis. Prior to the clerk's call for public comment, speakers who are residents of DeKalb County shall be allowed to speak before residents of other counties are allowed to speak. Speakers will be allowed to speak for three minutes each, and public comment shall not exceed thirty minutes in length. When the buzzer sounds to indicate that time has run out, the speaker will be expected to immediately cease speaking and to yield the podium. Those who submitted speaker cards but did not speak because of the time allotment will be allowed to speak first at the next regularly scheduled commission meeting without regard to residents.

Speakers should always talk directly to the microphone and begin by stating their name, full address, and the name of any organization they represent. Abusive, profane, or derogatory language, holding up signs, clapping, yelling, standing, or laying in the aisles to show support for or opposition to a speaker will not be permitted. But a show of hands or quietly standing in place will be permitted to show support for or opposition to a speaker's position.

First speaker, please. Thank you, ma'am.

Our first speaker is Christina Roberts.

Good morning, Ms. Roberts.

Good morning, commissioners. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to speak to you today. My name is Christina Roberts and this is Doctor. Jewel Blackman, the founder and executive director of Camp Jewel House Academy, a K through 12 performing arts school located at 2801 Candler Road in Decatur. Our school operates out of a transformed 44,000 square foot facility that was once a 12 screen theater, now reimagined as a vibrant space for education, creativity, and opportunity.

At Camp Joule House, we believe in developing the whole child. That means not only nurturing artistic talent, but strengthening academic foundations, building confidence, and creating pathways for long term success. This summer, we are preparing to host a comprehensive creative summer camp designed to serve 200 young people, many of whom would otherwise have limited access to a safe, structured, and enriching summer experience. Our program is intentionally well rounded. Each day, students will engage in core academic instruction, including math, reading, and writing, ensuring that learning continues even while school is out.

At the same time, they will be immersed in a variety of performing art disciplines, acting, dance, music, and film, giving them the opportunity to discover talents they may not even realize they have yet. We also believe in learning beyond the classroom. Our scholars will participate in meaningful field trips and real world experiences, including swimming, bowling, and horseback riding. Activities that build confidence, teamwork, and life skills. But beyond the programming, what we are really offering is access and opportunity.

Many of the youth we serve come specifically from District 3, District 5, and Super District 7, communities where we have built strong, trusted relationships. For many of these children, summer can mean a lack of structure, limited supervision, and very few positive outlets. This camp becomes more than just a program, it becomes a safe haven, a place where they are seen, supported, and encouraged to grow. Today, we are seeking $90,000 which will allow us to fully fund 100 of those 200 students, ensuring that half the children we serve can attend at no cost to their families. Equally important, we want to emphasize that this is a shared effort.

We are actively working to partner with local businesses, organizations, and community stakeholders to secure funding for the remaining 100 students. Our goal is to build a coalition of support so that every child who needs the opportunity can have access to it. We thank you for your time, your leadership, and commitment to our communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker.

Lance Robertson.

Good morning,

Hello. I could tell you something. Former seventeen year residence of DeKalb County, former congressional employee of the 4th District under Cynthia McKinney, and former DeKalb County Staff as chief of staff twenty six years ago. I feel like I'm home. Good morning, presiding officer, commissioners, staff, and pillars of this dynamic county of DeKalb.

My name is Lance Robertson. I serve as director of government affairs and community relations for Natsun Hotel Group. It's the largest private hotel in the state of Georgia. We are north of over 200 hotels, over 30 different flags. We're in 19 counties, 24 cities, and we have eight here in DeKalb County.

I'm here to reintroduce myself and bring you greetings on behalf of Sarah Patel, our CEO, and our thousands of Georgians that we employ. We are proud contributors of the hotel motel tax. It's a critical funding source that drives tourism, supports economic development, and DeKalb County's lifestyle. We have supporters and firmly support education awareness of the human and sex trafficking. We advocate for that, and we are open to collaborations with local counties and municipalities.

We firmly and we applaud DeKalb County's leadership in helping and trying to solve the national housing crisis. We are here to be part of the solution. Short term,

we can

provide housing stability for through the voucher program for emergency disaster programs and prevent for the unhoused. We're here to help. Long term, we are here to start public private partnership conversations of hotel to affordable and attainable housing conversions, repurposing studio our hotels to studios and one bedroom apartments. Today, DeKalb County will tell you we are here to be part of the solution. Thank you so much.

Thank you, sir.

Jan

Good morning, Ms. Dunaway.

Jan Dunaway, Stone Mountain and at DeKalb Swan Water Conservation District supervisor. The data center text amendment last updated 01/22/2026 continues to have many gaps that must be addressed. Commissioner Terry has offered some amendments, but it's not enough. The fallacy that closed loop cooling system solves all the issues couldn't be further from the truth. Yes.

After the initial fill of drinking water of about a million gallons, it is recycled for a period of time, all the while concentrating hazardous chemicals and picking up new chemicals along the way that cannot be filtered out by our water treatment plants. Not unlike swimming pools with sand filters, they periodically must be washed backwashed to clean the filters, keep the pool clean, and data centers require the same. They continue to use about a 100,000 gallons of drinking water per day to replace the blow down leaks and evaporation. It's not a one and done. Do we have enough drinking water capacity to fill and replenish the data centers and leave enough drinking water for the citizens of DeKalb.

The hazardous chemicals cannot be released into our broken water system, and we should require companies, and there are many, that handle chemically infused water to take the hazardous water away first. And then we must test the remaining water prior to discharge. Will the water treatment plants be overwhelmed by the amount of discharged water? Who will make that determination? There must be public disclosure during the slip process and the data centers must be held accountable.

Right now, Georgia is on fire. We are experiencing the worst drought in twenty years. As of yesterday, we're under a level one drought restrictions with fires breaking out even in DeKalb County. Data centers wish to be considered critical infrastructure to guarantee water before the citizens and of DeKalb and Georgia. This is a provision for the drought plan, but who gets priority?

The consent decree will not be met by 2027 deadline requiring an extension, which appears to have been recently up approved. These updates need to be available to the public to ensure full transparency. The citizens of DeKalb have already given so much to conserve water use, low flow toilets and faucets, water restrictions over the years, and increases in our water and sewer bills year after year for ten years to overcome the government's historical inertia. You represent the taxpayers and the citizens of Decam, not just the billionaires.

Thank you.

Gina Mangum.

Miss Mangum.

Good morning. It's kind of ironic we're celebrating Earth Month, and then we're talking about putting these huge data centers in our community. So would someone please explain to me how hyperscale data centers and data center campuses contribute to helping our environment. And in fact, no one can actually say with a straight face that they don't take away from our environment rather than add to it. And this is just part of the problem.

Today, I'm here to talk about transparency. And there's been some troubling events lately. We keep hearing that Shadowbox, a huge proposed development, is kind of a done deal. In fact, it was announced at a luncheon of the Metro CID that Shadow Box was a development that was going to happen. So why are we here?

Why are we going through this process if it's just lip service to us who are really looking at the needs and desires of the residents of DeKalb County? This raises ethical, if not legal, issues. Look at the timeline. Shadowbox gives a $1,000 contribution to Robert Padrick while he's sitting on the Decide DeKalb board. The next thing that happens is Shadowbox and Blackhawk are meeting with the community in near Cedar Grove, where they said they did not want these things.

And then the next thing we hear is that it's a done deal. They're just waiting for the moratorium to leave. So are we really being transparent about this process? Now, we have done some things, at least talked about them. They haven't been put in the text amendment. But we also need to be transparent there. We need to use terms that are industry terms, minor, major. This means nothing to the people. We need to be talking about hyperscale and data center campuses, which the public has made clear we do not want. We also, under the frequently asked questions, it says, are there data centers in DeKalb?

And it says, yes, there are two. But the two data centers in DeKalb are light years from what we're talking about developing under this text amendment. So let's be clear. And lastly, I understand now that we're having a town hall ten months into the process on June 2. People are confused. What's happening on May 12? Is there going to be a public hearing? Get the proper information out to people so they know where we are in the process.

Thank you. Jackie Malcolm. Miss Malcolm. Good

morning, commissioners. My name is Jackie Malcolm. I live in District 3 off of Bouldercrest near where they're have an application in for a data campus that is 2,000,000 square feet. It started off with us at Cedar Grove. Back in March 2025, we met mister Ombre, mister Morris Williams, mister Frank Redding, and someone from the CID set this meeting up with us.

And they began to talk about they want to put a computer center. As they began to talk on and on, we realized they were talking about our data campus. And we told them this is something that we do not want to see come to our community because what was pledged to come was 300 plus homes that we were welcoming. So we told mister Umbrey and his people that they can come and have a meeting with us at the Cedar Grove community. They did, and once they had the meeting, everyone there, not one person, said they want this data campus, not one.

Okay? So after we met with them, moving along to 2025, in December 2025, mister Jeff Weber told us to take a tour of several people from the Cedar Grove community. We took a tour on a 155 acre land of shadow box. Once again, in the meeting, he said he would like to put maybe two to three or he's not sure, don't quote him, a data campus. We can think of many more things, a better land use of another data campus.

Then we heard word about Shadowbox want to do a data campus. That is three data campuses all within a three to five mile radius. This is ridiculous. And we told mister Jeff Weber that we are concerned about our water. We are concerned about the toxins, our environment, and our health. Okay? Moving along. Back in April 2025, this year, the CID was celebrating their ten year anniversary. Mister Weber was one of the speakers at that event. He stated as though that this was already approved.

I'm not quite sure, but we wanna know if it was approved, who approved it, when, why, where's the transparency. Are we talking about Shadowbox or are we talking about Black Hole Studios? Because they're like right there together. So we would like answers. Thank you.

Thank you.

Larry Foster.

Good morning, mister Foster.

I'm Larry Foster, a 48 resident and civic activist living at 2572 Raintree Drive in unincorporated DeKalb County. I normally do not like to call out people by name, but today, I'm going to call you out by name, Robert Patrick, because I believe you do not represent the best interests of your District 1 constituents. Instead, you have deliberately and willfully worked against your constituents' wishes and interests by vigorously supporting the most damaging expansion of infrastructure and flight operations in PDK Airport's history. Ironically, you used to live just north of the perimeter in the direct flight path of PDK Airport After a PDK plane crashed into a townhome just blocks from your home, killing several people in 2019, you moved away from PDK, far away from PDK. Normally, one would expect such an experience to cause someone to show some concern, empathy, and compassion for similarly impacted residents.

Instead, you have emerged as the most gung ho supporter of damaging PDK hangar and operations expansion. At a regularly scheduled BOC meeting on the November when the PDK master plan wasn't even on the original BOC agenda, you cast the deciding four to three vote for the master plan. When I asked you why at a public meeting that evening, you callously said that anyone who decides to live near an airport should be smart enough to know that what they are what they are getting into. And if they don't like living there, they should move. Wow.

Easily said, but not so easily done. After more than two years, when critical citizen emails blocked approval of the Sky Harbor contract, you cosponsored a poorly organized virtual town hall on November that started twenty minutes late, cut off the chat section after just a few minutes due to negative comments, and featured only pro Sky Harbor speakers. A week later, after complex machinations, you managed to secure approval for an RFP to build the first Sky Harbor hangars and get a still incomplete version of the Sky Harbor contract approved for county review. I can't say more here, but let me turn to the political bottom line for you. Two years ago, when you ran for reelection, you faced an opponent who had a very positive record of public service on the Doraville City Council and really cared about people.

He appeared to have a strong chance of defeating you until just a few weeks before the primary when he showed he had feet of clay by getting a DUI into a d DUI accident that seriously injured a young lady. You won handily after that. Thank you. May not be so lucky when you run for reelection

two years from now.

Mister, next speaker, please. Hope that

our candidate will come across

the challenge Mister Binnie, your about making life good.

Good morning, mister Binnie.

Good morning, commissioners. As most of you know, I have attended many meetings, maybe too many. But apparently, some of you don't realize that I do not speak for other commissioners or do their dirty work. During my public comments, I speak only for myself with the hope of creating a better decal with the help of my fellow citizens. Recently, the majority of commissioners have been acting like children who have not done their homework, arguing back and forth while protecting their little fiefdoms.

Many decisions are based on what is good for my district versus what is best for the county. This shows a lack of maturity. Last meeting, saw miss Davis Johnson, miss Messiah, and miss Bolton slip away from the meeting together to form their own little cabal, leaving only the bare minimum number of commissioners to run the meeting. It reminded me of a teenage high school click. Whatever it was, there is no doubt that it was unprofessional.

Last meeting, there were three called to votes. The meeting before that, it was also used once. It had been used twice in the previous two years before that. The call to vote option is a very serious part of your rules, but you are starting to use it like a play toy. County commissioners need adults to get things done, not children who look like adults.

I know some 21 year olds who have more maturity than its commission shows at times. There is an aura of childlike arrogance when a commissioner says they know what is right for their district without bothering to ask their constituents. An aura of childlike greed in calling a commissioner's reserve funds my money, and no one is going to tell me how I can spend it. An aura of childlike stubbornness when asked to speak to a charter review member to explain what the intent of putting the subpoena power request in the charter was refuses to do so because they don't need their opinion. The subpoena power may not be needed under this CEO, but under past CEOs, it sure was.

And under future CEOs, it may be a tool you would wish was in your tool bag. Mrs. Davis Johnson said the internal auditor provides information and could be an option for obtaining information. I remind her that the internal auditor withheld watershed audit information from the commission for over two years under a previous CEO. If you are afraid the subpoena power will be misused, then require a supermajority five two vote to issue one.

There are there are another two items on today's agenda that are over a year old. One of them has been on the agenda for almost two years. While I understand the desire to be careful and the possibility of unintended consequences, I am also aware that the desire for perfection can freeze the march towards improvement. If there turns out to be problems with the legislation, you can always fix it through making adjustments as needed. That is your job, I believe.

Thank you.

Thank you, mister Benny. Good morning, miss O'Neil.

Good morning. And

I just wanna say, my heart goes out to Commissioner Johnson and family and friends. I do understand the loss of a childhood friend. I just want to say, and when you watch the news today on my street on Larkspur Terrace, we lost a US postal worker carrier yesterday. Yesterday evening, I heard the crash when I was getting out of my car, witnessed the truck turn over, and I don't even wanna describe how horrific it was. But a week before, Thursday before, last Thursday, had neighbors, elderly neighbors right at that same intersection that were in an accident at the same spot.

So something's got to happen. Something's got to help us. I feel sorry for the young man who actually got out of his car, was walking around screaming and crying. She was under the bus, under the truck. So the neighbors came out and we were gonna they wanted to move the truck, I said, can't. It's a crime scene. It was really, really a very sad situation yesterday. But, just wanna say, don't know what would what it takes to make this easier for speed humps to be put in the neighborhood. I tried twenty years ago on my street. We had more property owners than we had renters.

Now we have more renters than property owners, and you know that it has to be the property owners to sign the petition because of the taxes, $25 a year. So we're 95 we're 95% homeowners. Now we're about 35, just on my street. We need some help. We're gonna need some help to help with getting speed humps in in neighborhoods. And I just wanna say I did did tell the three ladies that came up that spoke about the hyperscale data campuses in our communities. We don't need it. It's dangerous. And I just want to say that we talk about Earth Day and health. We need to really, really strongly consider what we're doing with our communities.

300 homes compared to data campuses. That doesn't work. It doesn't match at all. If it's a puzzle, it won't fit in place. So I now also want to say that I'm still looking for time frames for the sidewalks on La Mesa to Glenmore. Need a time frame. Need to know what's going on. I've had some report, but I'm still looking for more that would actually give us an update of what we're doing. Thank you, madam CEO and DeKalb County Police Department for shutting down Glenwood nightmare day. I thank you all for all the work that they did to support our community because it's coming up to $2.85 in Glenwood.

And it was just going to be a horrific situation again. Our DeKalb County court system is failing us. Code enforcement right violations, they go to court.

Thank you And Ms.

The judges dismiss or suspend the fine.

Thank you Ms. O'Neil. Thank you.

Sue Sullivan.

Good morning.

Sherry McCoy.

Good morning.

Sue Sullivan. I am the director of Park five hundred, DeKalb County's new transitional housing program. I'm Sherry McCoy of Blessing Bags of Warmth currently contracted with Park five hundred. So we're both here today to support the unhoused plan. We both were on the working group, which I'm really glad to see our whole crew here.

This is a really important, we need to really get this passed and push through and do things for our unhoused people in DeKalb County. Sherry and I I'm represent families and children. There are others here, I'm sure, who are going to talk that are going to be talking about the unhoused that are walking on the streets, no place to go. I am proud that DeKalb County is starting to do things for our unhoused. I'm glad that we have Allen Ferguson who is in place, who's really opening up these conversations.

But the time is now. And it also is extremely important that there is a plan in place. The day center is a reaction. It needs to be discussed.

I'd simply just like to say that I also applaud all of the initiatives that have been placed, Part 500, other initiatives. However, more needs to be done. More should have already been done. We have been bringing this to your attention for quite some time now, but now is the time to make a faster move in the right direction.

That's all I have. I'm sure I have others in the group who are happy to get up here and talk.

Thank you. Next speaker, please.

Mariel Sibley. Good morning.

Good morning. It's such a pleasure to be able to be with all these amazing supporters and I love these t shirts. I love them. It says serve with compassion and kindness. I want to also lift up Mr. Ferguson and the work he is doing towards this. I think it's tremendous to have this unhoused plan be incorporated in the comprehensive plan. My only concern was would be that the elements would not be delayed by doing that, that you still move forward the pieces that are, you know, lower to the ground, smaller lifts that don't need to be incorporated into that larger plan. Otherwise, it's potentially going to take too long. And we have people on the ground who need services faster.

So the unhoused plan is amazing. It's collaborative. It's the correct balance between financial efficacy and supportive services and we need to lift it up. I also want to make a quick note that it's very, very difficult to find parking here and it makes it hard for constituents to be here and to speak. If there's a possibility for some kind of other discussion of parking or some other options, I think it would be very beneficial to the constituents. Thank you.

Thank you.

Shelly Good morning.

Thank you for this opportunity to speak. I'm Shelly Fine, 225 East Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur, and I'm with a home for everyone in DeKalb. I want to also speak to the in house support and services plan. And in particular, I want to say that I'm very concerned about the human beings. Yes.

Human beings that this country and other countries have relegated to the streets as their homes. I'm here to advocate specifically for one of the recommendations of the committee regarding a noncongregate shelter for families and stress its importance. I could even live with a simple shelter if that's the best we can do, but preferably private units. I say this because what I am most concerned about are the children. Because what I know from being a family therapist, and I'm sure I don't have to tell any of you this, no child can grow up unscarred when they do not have basic stability in their lives.

We all know the effects of stress on the brain and especially for the young developing brain. How can children possibly learn what they need to learn in school, assuming they are even able to go to school with the chaos in their lives? And how can they learn to cope with life's challenges when their thinking brains, their cerebral cortexes, are constantly flooded with anxiety, wondering whether they will have a roof over their heads and food to eat. And the worst of it is, the cycle will just continue when these children get older and have their children. We have to put a stop to it, and I know it's possible if we have the understanding of the causes of homelessness and if we have empathy for those who've had much more difficult lives than most of us have had.

Thank you. Next speaker.

We have one minute left

and we

have nine cards.

So this will be our last speaker.

Our last

speaker, Judy Kelly.

Good morning, Ms. Kelly.

Good morning. My name is Judy Kelly. I reside for the last thirty seven years at 3602 Crown Point Court, part of District 3. I am seventy seven seventy seven years old. I spent thirty two years with the Cab County Board of Education, had a wonderful time getting people off to a good start.

This morning when I came in, I was just elated at the positive things that I kept hearing from the inspiration and from people speaking. I said, Judy, you must be in a twilight zone. Judy, you must have arrived at the wrong planet. This is not what has happened to you at 3602 Crown Point Court. In fact, DeKalb County has turned their backs on you and made you feel like less than a citizen. In 1996

Please continue. I'm going let you finish.

In 1996, Roads and Drainage discovered a water problem. It was flooding me out. Leanna Levitan and Bill Brown came out to take a look. The water was so swift, it was moving railroad ties that I had put in my backyard to try to control the water. I went into an agreement with DeKalb County.

It's a written agreement. I have the documents because they told me to keep them. And a mister Glover was over roads and drainage at that time. They came out. They buried two four foot junction boxes in my backyard and ran a 24 inch pipe across my yard with the understanding and a written agreement that they would maintain that, that I would not pay property taxes on that because indeed it wasn't mine.

I waited and waited and waited. They never came. So I was the person that was taking the top off of that off of the junction box, putting a ladder down there, and cleaning out all of that debris. I did that. I still do that. For the last two years, I haven't been able to do that, though. I financially supported it, or I did it myself. I have contacted everybody in this county, from the CEO down to Ms. Allen, who is never in her office. I keep a log.

I have called her over a 100 times. I have been in here at this council meeting three, four times begging for help, begging to come out. I fell. I had to get an operation on my knee. I get injections in my back now. I can't go back down in that hole. I can't build a garage for my kids to park their cars. When I look outside, I almost get physically ill. I bricked in my back door because water was rushing in. My my floor in my kitchen is just a mess right now.

When it's mosquito time, I called the health department and ask them to send some out with someone out with those little larvae pills that they can put down those junction boxes because there should be no standing water, and there's always standing water in those junction boxes. Or I spray it myself. We got so tough last year, We started bringing burning old rags on top of your junction box just to keep a smoke out there to keep the mosquitoes down from us. I have been mistreated. How would you like for your mom to have lived with this? I come here. I beg. I plead. Help me. Me.

Help me. I have put in three complete air conditioning and heating units in that thirty seven years that I've been there. Ripped in the back door, cut down all my trees so there wouldn't be leaves going down there. I have physically gotten down and I brought bags of garbage here with me to say, where does this come from? My I'm not throwing stuff in that junction box.

It's coming from other streets. So I give up now. My request for years have been, you know, compensate me for what I'm doing or come out and help or just fulfill your agreement that you would maintain this and if I wouldn't be charged in my property taxes for this. But you haven't come. I give up. I'm old now. I'm tired. I've been lied to. They brought a a a roads and drainage. Mister Cox brought a surveyor out there.

It was a scam. They they said he was coming to survey. I said, this is this is last year, year before last. I said, where's the report? Can you show me what land I don't need to pay taxes on so I can take it to the appraisers? They can give me back some of my tax money, whatever. He said, there's no report. I have had it. So today, I come to give you your pipe. I'm going home. I'm gonna sit down, and I'm gonna want to look for your bulldozers, your backhoes. Come get your pipe. You win.

COO Williams, can you have someone with administration meet with her? Thank you. Thank you for that. At this time, we do need to start our public hearing. If you'll read in the directions, thank you.

Citizens may speak for or against an item that is considered by law to be a zoning ordinance, and each side will have ten minutes to present its case. Citizens may also speak for or against an item that is placed on the public hearing agenda, but it's not a zoning ordinance. In that case, each side will have five minutes to present its case. In the event there's more than one speaker per side, speakers must divide their time in order to complete their full presentation within the ten minute time allotment or the five minute time allotment. When the buzzer sounds to indicate that time has run out, the speaker will be expected to immediately cease speaking and to leave the podium area.

Prior to speaking, a speaker should complete a speaker card and present it when approaching the podium. If a speaker has any documents for the commissioners, the speaker shall provide 10 copies when approaching the podium. Seven copies are for the commissioners, and the remaining copies are for the planning director, the county attorney, and the clerk. In all zoning ordinance and traffic common cases, staff shall make their recommendation for action to the commission first, followed by applicants or citizens speaking in favor of the item. Applicants in zoning ordinance cases shall have the right to reserve time for rebuttal.

Opponents of the zoning ordinance item shall have no right of rebuttal. For all other items placed on the public hearing agenda, applicants or citizens speaking in favor of the item shall speak first followed by the opponents of the item. Once the citizens have finished speaking, staff shall make a recommendation for action to the commission. At this point, citizens are no longer allowed to speak unless called to the podium by an individual commissioner to answer questions or provide information. Speakers should always talk directly into the microphone and begin by stating their name, address, and the name of any organization they represent.

Abusive, profane, or derogatory language will not be permitted. Holding up signs, clapping, yelling, standing, or laying in the aisles to show support for or opposition to a speaker will not be permitted. But a show of hands or quietly standing in place will be permitted to show support for or opposition to a speaker's position.

Thank you, ma'am. We have one item under the public works and transportation. It is a District 4 and District 7 item. So I will be passing the gavel to commissioner Messiah.

Thank you so much, madam Peo. That's agenda item two zero two six dash zero five two two. Commission districts 4 And 7 traffic common petition Post Road Pass Pass between Martin Road and Lost Creek Circle East. The cost of the county is $15,100. Great morning.

Good morning.

Let's try that again. Good morning, commissioners.

Great morning.

This agenda item is to establish a special tax district to install traffic calming measures on Post Road Pass between Martin Road and Lost Creek Circle on the East side. With 68.75% of the property owners voting in support, staff recommendation is for approval.

Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Is there anyone that is here to speak for this agenda item? Great morning. Approach the podium. Thank you so much. You begin. Good morning. Great morning. My name

is Laurie Williams. I live at 5140 Post Laurel Pass. I am in favor of this speed coming on our street. We have lots of speeding. We have this has been a cut through now for our neighborhood. We've had property damage because of the speeders coming through. We also have no sidewalks there, so it is endangerment to those who are walking along our roads. So I do ask for your approval of this traffic calming measure for

our street. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Next speaker is there someone else that's here in the to support this agenda item? Anyone else here to support? Seeing none, is there anyone that is here to speak against agenda item ending in five twenty two? Anyone against? Seeing none, staff can you reiterate what the position is?

Yes ma'am. With, 68.75% of the population or the property owners voting in support staff recommendations for approval.

Thank you so much. And I have a motion to defer.

No. Actually it will be a motion because I haven't said what I need to say yet. So update this.

They updated it. So now we have a call for motion.

Motion to approve item zero five two two. Thank you so much. Second.

I have a proper first and a second that is updated to approve. Is there anyone commissioner Terry?

Yes. Thank you, madam chair. County attorney Phillips, we've heard a couple times that public comment regarding some streets and neighborhoods that have a high number of investor owned homes in those streets and that sometimes that precludes or makes it difficult for the petitioners to get the signatures from the owner because they might be someone who lives out of state or they might be owned by an LLC. I know you all have been working on a couple other solutions for the tax district, whether it's tweaking the petition process or looking at it from legislative fiat side of establishing a tax district. Is that something that we can work on just to address the what appears to be a more common occurrence of streets having more investor owned homes and making it difficult for those speed bump petitions to get gathered and signed.

Commissioner, I hear you asking that we research if there are legally permissible alternatives to finding those absentee or possibly corporate owners?

Well, honestly, going around them because if they're not reachable and we can't even get them to sign and that's the five or six homes we need to get that 60%.

Action.

Zero six six four, commission districts one and six, termination of standardized t hanger space lease agreement with Bruce Bryce Engle at No Costume County.

Move for action.

Under board of commissioners, item zero seven six three, approval of the minutes of the April 2026 committee of the whole. Move for action. Thank you. Top of page six. Item twenty twenty six dash zero seven four six, commission district one to approve the appropriations for an amount not to exceed a 125,000 to the mind of a winner for district one's 2026 event management and program support.

Move for action.

District two item zero six five eight allocation of $10,000 from district two reserve for appropriation to Tucker First United Methodist Church to support their cold weather shelter and shower ministry. Ministry.

Move for action.

Item zero seven two one, allocation of $10,000 of district two reserve for appropriation to Compassionate Atlanta to support the Creature Corner at the twenty twenty six Compassion Con.

Move for action.

Okay. So we're gonna pull seven one eight. So now we're on zero seven two seven under district five, an item to allocate a $100,000 from district five ARP interest account to Decatur Legacy Project Inc. For the express purpose of assisting in financing the creation, dedication, and placement of phase two of the memorial to the late John Lewis on county owned property. Move for action.

Top of page seven, item zero seven four nine, an item to appropriate $50,000 of the District 5 ARP interest accounts to the district 5 beautification mini grant program and for other purposes. Move for action. District six items, item zero six eight five to allocate $5,000 from the 2026 district six reserve for appropriation account to support Nia's Place supervised visitation and exchange center.

Move for action.

Item zero six eight six to allocate $10,000 from the twenty twenty six district six reserve for appropriation account to support 38 participants in the Omani Women's Sewing Academy initiative.

Move for action.

Item zero seven four three to appropriate amount not to exceed $5,000 from the twenty twenty six district six reserve for appropriation to Divine, Georgia for removal of invasive species at Anderson Family Cemetery.

Move for action.

Under chief executive office, item twenty twenty six dash zero seven zero six, acceptance of $3,259.50 in grant funds from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia Civic Affairs Foundation to fund one executive intern economic development position through the 2026 Georgia County internship program summer program.

Move for action.

Top of page eight. Item twenty twenty six dash zero six four three approval of minutes of the special call meeting of 03/26/2026.

Move for action.

Item zero six eight eight approval of the minutes of the board of commissioners meeting of 04/14/2026.

Move for action.

Under juvenile court, item zero six four five, approval of the criminal justice coordinating council, dollars 6 $6,159 emergency sub grant award accountability court grant.

Move for action.

Item zero six four eight, approval of the criminal justice coordinating council, $28,008 emergency sub grant award accountability court accountability court grant.

Move for action.

Tongue twister. Under planning and sustainability, we do have a substitute for this item. Item twenty twenty six dash zero six three three application of the director of planning and sustainability to modify the twenty twenty six dash 27 zoning slup and land use amendment calendar to reflect the public hearing date change for the July board of commissioners zoning meeting from 07/23/2026 to 08/13/2026.

Move for action.

Madam presiding officer, could you pull, 2026Dash633?

Okay. Because it's a sub. Yes. Understood. Thank you.

Okay. And then we're gonna go back to also pull out of the consent item ending in zero seven two seven under district five items. That was on bottom of page six. So moving on to top of page nine, item ending in 0695, seeking approval to accept the Victims of Crime Act fiscal year twenty six grant award from the prosecuting attorneys council of Georgia in in the amount of a $122,528. Move for action.

And then finally, under superior court item zero six six zero, criminal justice coordinating council grant to the DeKalb County adult felony drug court supplement supplemental funding, $16,200.

Move for action. And with that, madam presiding officer, I move to approve items two zero two six zero five nine three zero six six three zero six six four zero seven six three zero seven four six zero six five eight zero seven two one zero six four three. And we're on page eight now. Zero six eight eight.

Wait. Did you skip seven? Page seven. You went six and Excuse

me. I sure did skip page seven. So at the top of page seven, zero seven four nine zero six eight five zero six eight six zero seven four three, zero seven zero six. Now we're at the top of page eight, zero six four three, zero six eight eight, 0645, 0648. At the top of page nine, zero six nine five and zero six six zero.

Thank you. Is there a second? Second. And we had a request to speak by commissioner Terry. Yes.

Thank you, madam chair. Just a quick comment. I wanted to just recognize the $5,000 allocation from the district six reserve for Nia's Place. Nia's Place is a supervised visitation and safe exchange center operated by the Women's Resource Center to end domestic violence. And I just wanted to give appreciations to our Solicitor General, Donna Coleman Stripling, for her leadership with the DeKalb Dancing with the Stars and all the money that has been raised for that.

Let's give her a round of applause, please. And I'll let the chair decide about the speaking, but I just wanted to say thank you for your leadership. And because your office asked all of us to pitch in and support the effort. This is going to support that because because you asked and because you've been a great leader. So thank you.

Thank you so much. And when you mentioned Nia's Place, like, oh, that's exactly the work that's being done, that's the Women's Resource Center. But it's always wonderful to support them in their endeavors. And thank all of you all because you you came out and you supported, whether you donated or bought a ticket attended sponsored many of you sponsored or danced won I then I absolutely appreciate it and certainly just I'm still going to ask Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson if one year she'll dance and maybe, maybe, maybe. But I really do appreciate all of you all and thank you.

Thank you for that continued support and that effort. And once again, you for the one of the grants that was mentioned today was also from my office and that was my reason for being present here. And my director of victim services here, Brenda Pueblo, who is always supporting those endeavors. Once again, thank you.

Thank you, ma'am. So now if we will open the machine for the vote on the consent agenda. Motion carries. Thank you. So now we'll go back to the items from District 5 that we pulled out of the consent agenda. Item twenty twenty six, we're back on page six, twenty twenty six dash zero seven one eight, an item to appropriate $25,000 from the district five reserve for appropriation account to provide legal aid assistance support to the DeKalb Lawyers Association and for other purposes? Yes.

I'd like to amend that to the $25,000 coming is coming from my ARP interest account. Okay. And with that, I'll make a motion to approve.

Approve that substitute. Second. Yes. All in oh sorry. Please open the machines for the vote. Thank you. We're missing there we go. That motion carries. Now we're on item zero seven two seven, an item to allocate a $100,000 from district five ARP interest account to Decatur Legacy Project Inc. For the express purpose of assisting in financing the creation, dedication, and placement of phase two of the memorial to the late John Lewis on county owned property.

And I would like to change that $100,000 to $50,000, which is coming also from the ARP interest account.

Alright. Thank you. I had a is there a Second. Motion to approve that substitute? Please open the machine with the vote.

That motion carries. And so now we'll go back to bottom of page eight. Let me get the right item. Item twenty twenty six dash zero six three three. This is under planning and sustainability application of the director of planning and sustainability to modify the twenty twenty six twenty twenty seven zoning swap and land use amendment calendar to reflect the public hearing date change for the July Board of Commissioners zoning meeting from 07/23/2026 to 08/13/2026. All other Board of Commissioners zoning meeting dates will remain the same. Is there a motion?

Motion to approve.

Thank you. Second. Motion and a second. Please open the machine for the vote. Motion carries. Thank you. So now we are on preliminary items middle of page nine item twenty twenty six dash zero seven two nine. All commission districts request to update the Board of Commissioners Committee areas of responsibility. This is an ops item. Zero seven two nine. Okay.

Yeah. I make a motion that this item be approved as approved, in the ops committee. Second.

The motion and a second. I see a request to speak from commissioner Longspears.

Thank you, madam presiding officer. I'm not certain who to direct this question to, perhaps the ops chair. But the recommendations, I believe, were to move, what, animal services from ops to IRPS. What was the second one?

Fleet to PWI.

Fleet to PWI. Those are the only two changes. Alright. Thank you so much. Yield back.

Thank you. Seeing no other requests to speak, please open the machine for the vote. Motion carries. District 2 item, item twenty twenty six dash zero seven two eight, an ordinance to amend the code of DeKalb County, Georgia chapter five to regulate the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits and pet shops. And this is an IRPS item.

Yes, ma'am. And we're still having discussions. So on behalf of the IRPS committee, I move to defer item two zero two six zero seven two eight for two weeks, and that should be the May 12 b o c with a prior stop in IRPS. Second.

Motion and if you hit the machine, Commissioner Longstreet. Yes, ma'am. We have a motion and a second. No request to speak. Please open the machine for the vote. That motion carries. Thank you. Top of page 10. I'm not out of order. Yes. Top of page 10, the district six item zero seven four four, a resolution adjusting all DeKalb County tire tip fees to $1. And this is PWI.

Yes madam presiding officer motion to defer two weeks to the May 12 BOC with the prior stop at PWI.

Is there a second? We have a motion and a second. No request to speak. Please open machine for the vote. That motion carries.

We are now under a finance item, and there is a substitute for this. Item twenty twenty six-six 68, a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of tax anticipation notes, 10/2026, due 12/15/2026 in the aggregate principal amount of a $142,300,000 to PNC Bank for the purpose of obtaining a temporary loan, pay current expenses during the 2026 calendar year. Thank you. Then we'll have a

Yes, motion to approve.

To approve.

Yes. Motion to approve. Second.

All right. And madam chair, I'll recognize our treasurer, Mr. Atkins.

Hello. And I have from PFM, Elise, who you've met before. She's going to give you just a quick summary.

Good morning, commissioners. As some of you may I was here at the FAB Committee meeting presenting on kind of the preliminary note resolution at the March before we went out and obtained bids. And now I'm here to present on kind of the results of the bids and who we recommend awarding me tan to. So the purpose of the tan is really just to manage the expenses from when y'all receive your bulk of your property revenues in October through December and manage the expenses through the rest of the year. So on Friday morning, this past Friday, April 24 at 10AM eastern time, the county and PFM received competitive bids for the TANS from banking institution in response to a term sheet that we distributed on April 8.

We distributed that term sheet to probably 40 ish banks knowing that most of them are not gonna respond, but we want to kinda keep them all on the list. We did receive responses from a total of five banks, which is kind of what we expected. They're the five who typically bid on the county's TANS almost every year. Those were from PNC Bank, Truist, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, and US Bank. After the bids were received, we verified that PNC Bank submitting the winning bid for the TANS with a net interest cost of 3.1%.

A summary of the bids is in front of you. I do wanna note that the JPMorgan and US Bank interest rates are incorrect on here, so we have a new one coming your way. The order is correct, but those interest rates are just a carryover from last year. The ones that they actually proposed were 3.33% versus the 3.78 we have in there, and then a 3.42 versus the four point o four. So much closer in range from the 3.1 to the 3.42 than what we have here.

So we'll get that corrected over to you, and I apologize. But p n PNC did submit the winning bid at 3.1 with Truist and Wells Fargo right behind them at 3.18. The Tanzer will mature on December 15, at which point the principal and interest will be due in full. And based on the foregoing and PFM's knowledge of tax exempt debt, we believe that the interest in terms of the TANS are appropriate for the county based on current market conditions, and we would recommend that you award the TAN to PNC Bank. And I'm happy to answer any questions you'll have.

Thank you. Commissioner Longspheres has requested to speak.

Thank you very much. Could you repeat the percentage rates? You read through them quickly.

Yes. Sorry. The JPMorgan Mhmm. Is a 3.33.

Okay.

And then US and I have this coming to you, so you should have a corrected one. But the US Bank is a 3.42.

US Bank 3.42?

Yes.

So the first three were correct. It's just those last two that

we Understood. Thank you. Yield back.

Madam presiding officer, we need a substitute approval of the substitute for this item.

I believe that was his original motion was approve the substitute.

Yes, I'll clarify. Just the motion is to approve the substitute, which recognizes PNC Bank as the winning bidder in the principal amount of $142,300,000 at the all in true interest cost of 3.16%.

Correct.

My second stands.

Thank you. And we can't push the button, but Commissioner Bolton has a question.

Just curious to know, for US Bank, were there any specific determinants that caused them to go from over just over 4% to less than three and a half?

So the this was my bad and I apologize for the confusion. The JPMorgan and US Bank were carryover from last year. So last year, all of the rates we received were higher. Like, the winning bid on the 10 last year was higher than what we currently received this year. And that's because rates were higher last year. Just short term interest rates were higher.

I wanna restate my question.

I'm sorry.

Yes. So it was 4.4 last year.

Yes. 4.404.

So it was just over 4% last year. This year is just under three and a half. We're just curious, were there any specific determinants that prompted them to go more than a half percent lower in just twelve months?

I don't know that I can give US Bank pers specifics, but usually when we see that drop, it is a result of interest rate drops. So they usually their spread is off current one year in tax exempt interest rate interest rates, and those have dropped significantly since last year. Mhmm. So all of the rates were bid dropped significantly since last year so that's why they came down. I'm sure there's something going on with their portfolio that kind of affects how they bid with certain types of credits and stuff like that. But in general, it's due to the drop in interest rates just from last year at this time to this year.

Gotcha. Thank you so much. I yield back.

Thank you. Anyone else requesting to speak? Okay, seeing none. If we can take the presentation off of our screens. Thank you. And open the machine for the vote. Motion to approve the substitute carries.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Okay. Now under human services, item twenty twenty six dash zero six three six, transfer funds in amount of $850,000 from the general fund to senior citizen service grant This well, this is a tax item.

In her absence, motion to defer this item for two weeks.

Is there a second? We have a motion to Second. For two weeks. Please open the machine for the vote. Motion to defer carries. We're now under police services, Item 2026 Dash0592, all commission districts amend the f y 2026 Metro Atlanta multi jurisdictional DUI task force or HEAT grant to include a county match of $30,194.84 and this is Ertz.

Move for action.

Thank you. Item 202035, all commission districts collection and analyzation upon second hand scrap metal recycler offer up an eBay transaction data multi year purchasing policy exemption for use by the Department of Police Services to obtain subscription to leads online power plus investigation system to search for and identify stolen items, potential suspects, and criminal activity patterns. Awarded to leads online LLC amount not to exceed $239,484.96.

Move for action. And with that, madam presiding officer, I move to approve items 20260592 and two zero two six zero six three five.

Thank you. Second.

We have a motion and a second. No request to speak. Please open the machines. That motion carries. We're now public works and transportation items. Item twenty twenty six at zero five eight eight, all commission districts renewal of master agreement with PATH Foundation Inc.

Yes. Based on the recommendation from PWI, motion to approve.

Thank you. We have a motion and a second. No request to speak. Please open the machine for the vote. Motion carries.

Now we are under purchasing and contracting items for the IRPS committee. Item 2026Dash0532, RFP number 2025Dash142, Fire Station 516 And 27, build multi year contract for use by the Department of Fire Rescue to complete the construction of a new fire station at Tucker, Decatur, and Lithonia. Recommend award to the highest scoring proposer, Cooper and Company General Con Constructors Inc. Amount not to exceed $26,588,000

And Madam Peel, we were waiting for some information to come back from audits.

Okay. So

on behalf of the IRPS committee, I move to defer item two zero two six zero five three two for two weeks, which is the May 12 meeting with a prior stop in IRPS. Second.

Motion and second. If you'll hit your machines, please. Thank you. Open the machine for the vote. That motion carries.

We're now on top of page 12. Item twenty twenty six dash zero two seven eight. Excuse me. Change order number one to contract number 1384581. On call heating ventilation and air conditioning annual contract with two options to renew for use by the departments of facilities management, recreation parks and cultural affairs, watershed management and fire rescue to obtain an on call HVAC services seeking contract funds increase awarded to B and W Mechanical Contractor Inc. Amount not to exceed $300,000

Move for action.

Move for action. Yes, ma'am. Item zero two seven nine, change order number 2 to contract number 1To44308, and change order number 1 to contract number 1244310, uniforms for public safety personnel, annual contract with four options to renew, for police services and e nine one one to obtain work uniforms, ratifying term increase, an increase in contract funds and term through 12/31/2026 awarded to Galls LLC and Smyrna Police Distributors. Total amount not to exceed $560,000.

Move for action.

Item zero seven six one, statewide contract, audio visual equipment and related services for use by the Department of Facilities Management to obtain audiovisual equipment for the Maloof Annex Auditorium awarded to Atlanta SoundWorks LLC amount not to exceed 1,000,000.

Move function. Let them present in office. I would like to pull twenty six zero two seven eight.

Yes, ma'am.

And I'd like to make a motion to approve 0279 and 260761 as approved in the ops committee.

Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Thank you. Seeing no request to speak, please open the machine for the vote.

That motion to approve carries. We will go back to item twenty twenty six dash zero two seven eight, and we were handed a substitute. Yes. So I'll read it again. Change order number 2 to contract number 1384963 and change order number one to contract numbers 1384581 and 1384955.

On call HVAC annual contract with two options to renew for use by the departments of facility management, recreation parks, cultural affairs, watershed management, and fire rescue to provide on call HVAC services, seeking contract funds, increase in SPOSS two allocation of funds awarded to B and W Mechanical Contractors Inc, Galgan HVAC Mechanical Services Inc, and Mechanical Company LLC. Total amount not to exceed $1,458,043.70.

I'd like to make a motion to approve and I'd like for the CEO to come up.

Approve the substitute.

Well, explain the substitute.

I still need a second and then we can have a Thank you. Second. Mr. Williams.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer, members of the board. So what we have, and I actually commend staff for the forethought in doing this. As you'll recall, about two weeks ago, we came before you with about $13,500,000 of investment in our SPLOS dollars for health facility upgrades, HVAC, roofing, plumbing and so forth. What we didn't have at that time are the contractors to do the work. This item was already moving when we sought the allocation.

But what we're doing is taking the opportunity to add dollars on these contracts so that we can get that HVAC, specifically that work done. And recognizing the timeliness of it, with summer coming, you've allocated the funds already in a previous item. So we're taking advantage of these contractors to get them working as quickly as possible. So that's what we have.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any questions on this item? Seeing none. Oh, I'm sorry. Commissioner Bolton.

I just wanna make sure I'm seeing this correctly. So the original agenda item for 02/1978 says amount not to exceed $300,000 whereas on the substitute is one almost 1,500,000.

Yes, ma'am. And what that does is that that allocates those dollars. What was not on here originally is the allocation to repair the HVAC and such at the health facilities. That was a separate item to allocate money to do that, but we didn't have contracts to put the money against and that's what this does.

Okay, I see it. I see.

Thank you. To clarify even more, the original one only had it to one contractor where there's multiple contractors. Thank you.

Yield back. Thank you.

Seeing no other requests to speak, please open the machine for the vote. That motion carries, thank you. We are now moving to the top of page 13, purchasing and contracting for the PEX Committee. Item 202008, statewide contract number, statewide contract, integrated security and surveillance products and services for use by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs to obtain cameras for security surveillance awarded to Convergent Technologies LLC amount not to exceed $201,986.78.

Move for action. Yes, ma'am.

Item 0432 contract number renewal for contract numbers 138200471138200499.

I'm sorry, can we just address that particular item because we just got

A substitute.

A substitute, I'm sorry.

That's okay, I will start over. Thank you. Item 20208, there is a substitute state ride contract for integrated security and surveillance products and services for use by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs to obtain cameras for security surveillance awarded to Convergent Technologies LLC amount not to exceed $201,952.18

And I have a motion to defer this agenda item motion to defer the substitute to the May 12 BOC meeting with a stop impacts to be heard today. My understanding is the change in the between the substitute and the original is the there was a typo in the amount to exceed that now differs slightly and is actually reduced. Second.

Hit your buttons for me please. Thank you. Seeing no request to speak, please open machine for the vote. Motion to defer carries. Item 2026Dash0432, renewal of contract numbers 13824711382499, and 1382509 Plumbing Services for the Community Development DeKalb Cares seeking to exercise the first renewal option through 06/30/2027 awarded to J2 Connect Inc.

Facility Maintenance and Services Group and Raw Plumbing and HVAC Services LLC. Total amount not to exceed $1,926,356.50.

Move for action.

Item 0475, RFP number 2025Dash122, Kensington LCI master plan study update for purpose by the Department of Planning and Sustainability to obtain an update to the Kensington Livable Center's initiative master plan study, recommend award to highest scoring proposal proposers, excuse me, Tunnel, Spangler and Associates amount not to exceed $250,000

Move for action Madam Pio. I have a motion to defer agenda items and again zero four three two and zero four seven five to the May 12 BLC meeting with a stop to be heard in PEC's committee today.

There's a motion and a second. Yes, Mr. Williams.

Right. I believe Madam Presiding Officer to the commissioner that April we deliberately put here because it was time sensitive And we did not send it to PEX when we had the opportunity.

Agreed. So, if we could, and I'm sorry for not catching that COO. If we could retract that and we'll just take these two items separate if we could. So just amending so that we can go back to agenda item ending in four thirty two to be called separate from that of four seventy five.

Yes. I will just read the agenda item. I'm not reading the whole thing again. Item twenty twenty six-four 32 is there a motion?

Motion to defer this agenda item to the May 12 BOC with the stop impacts today. I'm sorry with the stop impacts today April 28.

Second.

There's a motion and a second to defer. Please open machine for the vote. Motion to defer carries. Now back to item twenty twenty six dash zero four seven five. Is there a motion?

Motion to approve. Second.

Motion and a second with a request to speak from Commissioner Messiah.

I'll just handle it offline.

Okay, thank you. Please open machine for the vote. Motion to approve carries. We are now on purchasing and contracting for PWI. Item twenty twenty six dash zero five one zero, cooperative agreement, plastic refuse refuse and recycling containers with related technology solutions. Source well contract number 120324REH for use by Public Works Sanitation to obtain various sizes of new garbage and recycling roll cards awarded to Re Higgs Pacific Company, amount not to exceed 654,271.

Move fraction.

Thank you. Top of page 14. Item twenty twenty six Dash zero five seven nine. Change order number two to contract number 2000167 CNG fueling station maintenance and repairs for use by public works sanitation to obtain routine and on call repair and maintenance services to the CNG fueling stations located at the Seminole Road landfill and the Central Transfer Station seeking increase in contract funds and term through 11/30/2026 awarded to Atlanta Gas Light Company amount not to exceed $35,000.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. Move for action and I'd like to follow that with a motion to approve agenda item twenty twenty six-five ten and twenty twenty six-five 79.

We have a motion and a second. I see no request to speak. Thank you. That motion to approve carries. Item twenty twenty six-six zero four, Snap Finger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility wet weather pumping storage emergency for use by the Department of Watershed Management to obtain design and implementation of wet weather pumping storage seeking to ratify an emergency purchase awarded to Ruby Collins Inc.

Amount not to exceed $10,000,909,989,000 dollars. I haven't seen that five times fast. Move fresh. Thank you. Item 2020 six-six zero six, construction of the Snap Finger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Phase 3C for use by the Department of Watershed Management to build out and upgrade s f a w t f membrane capacity in clusters one through four seeking to ratify an emergency purchase order to Ruby Collins Inc. Amount not to exceed $32,371,087

Move for action.

Top of page 15, item six thirteen, Snap Finger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility. Phase three c, Influent Lift Stations Pumping System Upgrades for use by the Department of Watershed Management to assess upgrade and maintain the pumping capabilities of ILS seeking to ratify an emergency awarded to Cole Technology Inc. Amount not to exceed $4,277,957

Move for action. Madam Presiding Officer, I'd like to make a motion to defer the following items to the May 12 BOC with a prior stop at PWI. These are agenda items twenty twenty six-six zero four, twenty twenty six-six zero six, and twenty twenty six-six 13. We have a standing policy in PWI as well as other committees that anything $3,000,000 or larger needs to go through audit. And so Mr. Lavoie Campbell is looking at these items as well as another item that's coming up just to make sure that the numbers do square up so that we have assurances that our dollars are being put to the best use and most accurate use. So with that, that's my motion.

Thank you. Is there a second? Thank you, Commissioner Terry. Please open the machine for the vote. That motion to defer carries.

Item 202017 change order number three. The contract number is 1309232, 1309234, and 236 239, storm drainage infrastructure system construction for public works storm water project for use by public works roads and drainage and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs to obtain storm drainage system construction services seeking increase in contract term through 12/31/2027 awarded to Kimi Construction Inc, A and S Paving Inc, Site Engineering Inc, and GS Construction Inc.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. Based on the recommendation of PWI, motion to approve.

Thank you. Thank you for the second Commissioner Terry. Seeing no request to speak, please open the machine for the vote. Motion to approve carries. Item 2026Dash0627, Snap Finger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Membrane Bioreactor for use by the Department of Watershed Management to obtain the membranes to upgrade phase two equipment to reliably treat plant design flow seeking to ratify an emergency purchase. A contract will be developed in a form acceptable to the county attorney or ordered to Covalus Separation Solutions LLC, amount not to exceed $5,360,000.

Thank you, madam presiding officer. Based on the recommendation of PWI, and again, is over $3,000,000 Motion to defer two weeks to the May 12 BOC meeting with a prior stop at PWI.

You. You Commissioner Terry for your second. Thank you. Please open that machine for the vote. Now we're on top of page 16 and we are oh, I'm sorry, we're missing one vote. It's me. I was moving on already. I'm sorry. Top of page 16. We were just handed a substitute for item twenty twenty six dash six zero two. Twenty twenty six summer food service program and this is a PEX item.

Thank you so much Madam Pio. My motion is gonna be to defer this agenda item to the substitute to the May 12 POC with the stop in PEX where it'll be heard by committee today. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Thank you Commissioner Long Spears for that second. Please open the machine for the vote. Motion to defer carries. Watershed management items, item twenty twenty six dash zero six six one, agreement for the construction and financing of sewer upgrades with Wesley Woods Senior Living Inc, with a contribution of $591,500.

Move fraction.

Item 2026Dash0662, agreement of the construction and financing a sewer upgrades with related development LLC with a contribution of $922,500

Move for action. Madam presiding officer, I'd like to make a motion to approve the following items. Agenda item twenty twenty six-six sixty one and twenty twenty six-six 62. And I have a comment.

Thank you. For the second Commissioner Terry, you have the floor Commissioner Patrick.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. I just wanted to say that these two items right here reflect a county that is growing and also bringing on more residents, more opportunities for residents to live within DeKalb County. Think that's a very important benefit for all of us. So thank you very much.

Thank you, Commissioner Patrick. Please open the machine for the vote. Motion to approve carries. We're now at bottom of page 16, items for decision by the board. District one item, item twenty twenty five-six 83 to approve a resolution to address egregious littering and the illegal dumping of scrap tires. And this is in IRPS.

Yes, ma'am. On behalf of the IRPS committee, I do move to defer this item for two weeks to the 05:12 meeting with a prior stop in committee.

Please hit the machine. One more time. There we go. Is there a second? Commissioner Davis Johnson, thank you for that second. Commissioner Patrick, you have requested to speak.

Yep. Thank you, Madam Chair for hearing this item as well as thank you to our central staff and the administration for working on this item. It has become something of great interest to a variety of people, not just within DeKalb County, but seemingly across the region. So thank you, everybody, for your partnership. Commissioners, I believe Chief of Staff May had sent out the most current version of the language. So I hope that all of you will take a chance to review that as it comes back into committee. And then hopefully we can move it forward. Before my birthday, not asking for a lot, but it would be nice. You.

Thank you, Commissioner Patrick. Please open the machines for the vote. Motion to defer carries. District 2 item, item twenty twenty four dash zero eight four two resolution to review and amend the board of commissioners standing procedural rules and this is in ops.

Okay, that's on page. Motion to defer, this item, to the five twenty six Board of Commission meeting with the staff and ops.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. No requests to speak. Please open the machine for the vote. That motion to defer carries. Now we are on page 20. We are cooking today, guys. Item twenty twenty six dash zero three eight five, all commission districts, a resolution of the governing authority of DeKalb County, Georgia, urging adoption of on house support and services plan, establishing implementation expectations and accountability and for other lawful purposes. And we were just handed a substitute. Correct? Correct. Yes. I see

it now.

Thank you. I'm gonna read it again just to make sure. Item twenty twenty six dash zero three eight five, a resolution of the governing authority of DeKalb County, Georgia, urging consideration of recommendations of the unhoused support and services plan as part of the broader housing plan of DeKalb County, establishing implementation expectations and accountability, reaffirming the housing strategies currently in place and for other lawful purposes.

Motion to approve the substitute with comment, please.

Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Long Spears, you have the floor.

Thank you so much. Alrighty. So first, I would like to thank the commissioners for your interest in this resolution, all of the public debate, and then most recently, your suggestions to strengthen the resolution. So I thought I would go through all of the changes that you all requested to my knowledge. Before I do so, is Doctor. Ferguson present with us today? Oh, there he is. Okay, come on up, sir. And please correct me if I miss something or I'm wrong, sir. Thank you.

Alrighty. So at the very top of the resolution itself, we did make a change there, that again, this is really focused on those eight recommendations and specifically the change from Commissioner Bolton reaffirming the housing strategies currently in place. And I will get to some of those later in the resolution. Majority of Page one remains the same other than just some very minor changes there. Then you can go to the very bottom of Page one, and this is a whereas statement that's addressing what we're currently doing.

It was important to some of the commissioners that we articulate through this resolution that there are projects and initiatives in place right now, and we look forward to continuing and building on that success. Then we had, on the top of Page two, five, bullets, if you will, on what's currently going on. And so we did try to, take what you all sent us and include it in the resolution. So if we miss something, certainly let us know. Then moving down to the now therefore be resolved.

This is where we're very specific that these are eight recommendations. We're operational operationally, fiscally and legally be feasible and permissible. Basically, all of these recommendations will fold up into the broader DeKalb County comprehensive housing plan. At the bottom of page two, the be it further resolved, this is an important statement because it does give the authority to the Chief Housing Officer, our fabulous Doctor. Ferguson or his designee to lead the efforts moving forward. And so that is primarily the changes for the resolution itself. Now

excuse me. I know.

It's all that pollen. At the top of Page three, it references C Exhibit A. Exhibit A is this document here. You can excuse my pink and yellow. That was me going through it.

But it is a scope of work for an interagency work session to address the recommendations and the way that it was designed from Doctor. Ferguson, brilliant by the way, thank you for this, I enjoyed reading it, I look forward to it actually happening, is he set up two different work sessions. The first work session is to plan review current activities and a feasibility assessment. The second work session is the strategic alignment prioritization and plan integration. And then you go to Page four.

Do you all have oh, you do. Okay, fantastic. You go to Page four, where he does outline the post session outputs, there are three bullets, as well as overall expected outcomes. And so, after reviewing this document, again, you, sir, so much, I believe that you've hit on, at least from my perspective and my expectations, all of the key areas that I believe will help us continue move this work forward and to build on the efforts that our unhoused advocates, our affordable housing advocates have been engaged in now for quite some time. And certainly under your leadership, I strongly believe that we're going to be able to address this problem humanely, with courage, with compassion, and leading with love.

Thank you so very much. Before I turn it over to you guys for any additional questions, I did want to give Doctor. Ferguson, I'll give you some of my time, sir, to just talk about your perspective and where we're at now with this. Thank you.

Sure. Good morning. Good morning, Presiding Officer and Board of Commissioners. Thanks, Commissioner Spears, for the opportunity to speak. So where we are now is really at the cusp of beginning this conversation to review the recommendations, go through an analysis, really kind of out of three boxes, what's operationally viable, what's legally permissible, what's financially feasible.

So then we can determine, you know, which recommendations we can advance and move forward and lift them up and incorporate them into the comprehensive housing plan. So, some of you probably don't know, some of you have met her already. I just have on boarded a new project manager, Paige Mitchell. So, will be joining me and leading these sessions and so we'll get them scheduled. Yes. Right. She's right here. Thank you. So Paige will be joining me and leading these sessions so we can get them scheduled fairly quickly. We can have these engaging discussions and move this process along expeditiously.

But as was mentioned and was also pointed out in resolution is that we already have current activities underway and in play. Specifically, just this morning, director Mitchell and I engaged in the conversation on trying to plan in advance our day shelter services center. So regardless of, you know, how this, you know, kind of plays out from an approval standpoint resolution, we're committed and we're dedicated to continuing the work, you know, to try to serve the unhoused and under house populations here in DeKalb County. So, you know, with that, have been said more than happy to answer any additional questions that you have. You'll see that Exhibit A is provided to you as a draft because we still want to add some additional parties and put some specific placeholders around certain activities that we're going to have in the work session.

Page is actively working on helping us plan that. But we anticipate putting those work sessions on the calendar fairly soon. And we'll advise the Board of Commissioners when those work sessions get scheduled in case you like to, you know, join in and participate and witness the discussion.

Thank you so much. I also wanted to give a shout out to the behavioral health stakeholder group. Over two dozen entities were represented in the planning process that began last May. A lot of work went into providing the eight recommendations. Several of those folks were present with us today.

I don't know if you'll notice, but there were yellow shirts. On this side of our auditorium, we probably had two dozen people here. And I believe that our community is ready, and we have the right people at the right time prepared to move this initiative forward. And I think with with the plan that we the recommendations that we currently have, once you review them and you determine how they sync with what's currently going on, what you've proposed, you certainly are doing a gap analysis, which you addressed in the plan as well. I think once we really spend the time in those two work sessions, all of the stars will align.

And we'll have the overall support and buy in from those two dozen stakeholder groups, hopefully from my colleagues up here. I hope from our CEO as well, but to move this in for this whole program forward. I did want to point out before I yield back my time. On the fourth page of the scope of work that you provided, one of the most important statements in this entire document is that third bullet under expected outcomes, which is the coordinated strategy linking homelessness response and housing policy. Last summer, I led a group of 21 individuals representing 21 different entities to the state of Texas, to Bexar County and Harris County, which is San Antonio and Houston respectively.

One of the biggest messages and key themes we continue to hear from that trip, we were joined by commissioner Terry is around coordination. That was something that just resonated with me. It was repeated over and over and over again. And I think it's something that with you in place, sir, as our chief housing officer, is that you're going to be the person that really can bring all the players together to coordinate an effective strategy moving forward. So thank you very much doctor. Fergus, and I'm grateful you're on board. And I yield back to you, madam Pia.

Thank you. Commissioner Massai, you're next.

Thank you so much, madam Pia. I really do appreciate it. One I like to understand, because I see work group, that we actually are Okay from legal to have a work group. Because we've had discussions before between a working session and a work group and special call. So I just wanna make sure we're still we're good with the work group when we're addressing things like housing.

Commissioner, we'll gladly take a look at that and make sure it conforms to your rules.

Thank you so much. I appreciate that. And then, you know, I've had a number of folks just being a real estate professional for over thirty years, and conversations with a number of constituents, a lot of which were professionals in housing. And there were some concerns that they had brought up as I do, one of which was related to the behavioral health stakeholders group and housing. And so when it comes to behavioral health and substance abuse, that is one tall feat in and of itself.

And then when they are taking on housing, it sometimes can get distorted as to what the actual focus is supposed to be. So there's some grave concerns there. But I see we have a behavioral health stakeholders group and a behavioral health work group. Can we understand the difference between the two?

So, it's my understanding, you know, quite frankly, it's just semantics. That it was probably a reference to the behavioral health, you know, work group, which is actually kind of the coordinating body, if you will, that participated in the creation, you know, of the study. So, I think it's more, just semantics and language scribblers ever.

So, they're not two separate groups because behavioral health stakeholder group and then behavioral health work group. So, they're not two Not separate

from my understanding.

All right. So, that may be be something that in this language we make clear because it's identifying two separate groups. All right. Then in terms of the two dozen individuals that are part of either the behavioral health stakeholder group or the behavioral health work group. Can we identify who those 12 are?

Yes, certainly. I can, you know, provide a list to the Board of Commissioners of the different groups and entities that participated in those stakeholder discussions. And those are the entities, if you will, that will receive

And that may be more of a question for Commissioner Longspears in terms of identifying, since this is her resolution, I understand that. So, don't feel compelled in any way to answer any of these questions specifically. It's better for me to get those details from Commissioner Longspears. And then lastly, well, I think when it comes to just the need impact, you know, and I appreciate law and the tweaks that was suggested just based on my colleague here. But where the DeKalb County governing authority has developed a comprehensive plan, I think that's what should be stated, not the while the behavioral health stakeholder group has developed Specifically, the governing authority has.

And that is gonna be, how we lead in terms of any comprehensive planning when it comes to housing. Because, again, with yourself, the experts involved, you're paying attention to affordable housing and not using it as a buzzword. It's, Okay, what does that AMI really look like? And is the housing truly affordable, not just called affordable housing? So I think those important elements go into the comprehensive plan that the governing authority is created through what you're creating specifically and is anticipated to be rolled out.

And so I would like that language to reflect that the governing authority has developed a comprehensive plan because that's what we're going to focus even though we may take recommendations in and that's what we put here is that we will be mindful of their recommendations. So not their specific plan. With that, I yield back to

you madam Peel. I'll accept that friendly amendment. Thank you.

Thank you. Commissioner Fulton, you're next.

Thank you madam Peel. And I just wanted to take an opportunity to give you and your team kudos, Paige, as well as, Evan and some others. I know some of our partners, housing partners from the stakeholder group joined us on yesterday. Commissioner Shakira Johnson was there, Jackson from d five, and I think there was a d two representative there as well. But we took a bus, a MARTA bus across the county looking at the different projects, like, about the vision, having discussions about some of the things that have been mentioned here, which is why it was especially important to me to reassure the community that work is already being done even though we're trying to streamline the strategy.

I thought it was extremely valuable, the bus tour that we took. I actually think it would have been a great idea for, residents to have some insight into some of what we experienced. It was very well organized, organized, very very thorough. It was great to hear from the partners in the field that are on the ground doing the work. So just wanted to make sure everybody know what an amazing job that you did with that on yesterday, and thank you for including us. Thank you for the invitation. And with that I yield back.

Thank you commissioner Bolton and I cosigned her statements on the bus tour. It was a great tour. Commissioner Davis Johnson. Good

morning and thank you. Hey. Good morning. On this last whereas when we're talking about monies, and we're looking at paragraph five on the second page of the resolution I just want to make sure that everything inclusive in that paragraph is correct

Are you referring to the fifth bullet that begins Yes. The expansion of coordinated believe that information is correct. That's information that I received from director Mitchell who's organized and who's implementing those efforts so those are funds under director Mitchell's purview

okay and with the friendly amendment that commissioner gave with the governing authority during the development of the on house support. Is this resolution consistent with what you all are doing or what you're doing as chief housing? Is this consistent? Yes. There's no contradictions or there's no there's no problem in you doing your job with what is in this what is in this resolution?

No, I don't view it as a conflict with my job or my role. I think, you know, to take in input from different organizations to inform and feed our comprehensive housing plan should be an integral part of the process. And our comprehensive housing plan is and I've mentioned this before, it's not just a plan around affordable housing or low income populations, it's really around the diversity of the housing needs and challenges in DeKalb County. And that includes the unhoused and underhoused population and how we're going to serve that population. So it's always been my intent as well as the intentions of the team.

And thank you for your comments in regards to the bus tour. I have to give kudos to Eva and Nicole and the rest of the members of the plan and sustainability team. They really carried the water on pulling all of that off and planning. But it's always been a part of our intent to make the comprehensive housing plan inclusive of the homeless and unhoused population. I this is as

did not go on that bus tour because I know that each jurisdiction is unique.

Yes.

It's not saying that you can't get certain points, information

Mhmm.

From other jurisdictions. But I know each jurisdiction is unique when you're dealing with housing.

Yes.

Absolutely. It depends upon a lot of different factors. Yeah. And so I understand that, but I can appreciate that trip. Trip. Okay. I'm good. Alright.

Commissioner Massai for your second time.

Thank you so much, madam Peel. And so also, Ferguson, you and I had had discussions in terms of, like, safety cap. Is this somewhere you would have liked or a document like this where you would like that initiative to be introduced? And just for the benefit of my colleagues, you know, essentially, the idea is that while the county is completely dedicated and as, you know, doctor Ferguson, all of his staff, and everyone, madam CEO of this board in ensuring that we have we address homelessness and the unhoused and all of the different facets that it actually comes in, which is, again, multidimensional. And obviously, you know, one initiative isn't gonna resolve resolve everyone's issues and all the issues that some of our unhoused have.

There are some individuals that are residing in their cars. And so we talked about things like road to road to home, not just, you know, hotel to home, but road to home where there are some individuals that actually are living out of their vehicles that are in need of housing themselves. And the proceeds and some folks may not know this, but the proceeds and even some of the efforts of our individuals that are going to hotels and trying to help people to go from hotels to, homes aren't have the capacity to actually serve specifically those individuals that are living in their cars. It is a a clear differentiator, and I've heard from some of the folks that are actually doing that work as well. So just to offer an opportunity where specifically those people that are living in their homes can actually have a place to live and be able to address those unhoused as well.

Additionally, there are some folks that, again, living in their cars that need things like being able to take a shower. And so, or just somewhere to park their their car where they feel safe and not worried about somebody breaking in, you know, to their car or robbing them while they're sitting in the car. So just what the county specifically can do to address those specific concerns on that area of the unhoused. So is this somewhere in this particular document that you would like for those recommendations and initiatives to be included?

So, it's not specifically within this document per se, but it is something that we have been hard at work and diligently pursuing ever since budget approval in 2026. Actually, we're at the cusp right now. We kind of think we've gotten the right format for the program. And so, we're at the point now where we're looking to try to identify what are going to be the spaces for that safe space initiative. And, you know, commissioner Messiah, you know, I have to give you, you know, all the credit, you know, for, you know, bringing that, you know, to our attention.

There was definitely a gap, if you will, in the ecosystem in regards to serving the homelessness community. But I can tell you, every party that we've had conversations with about trying to advance that initiative is absolutely excited around, you know, trying to create this type of opportunity in DeKalb County. So, we're hard at work, pursuing that initiative and it will advance and we're anticipating hopefully to launch that program in the latter part of fiscal year twenty twenty six.

Yeah, I just didn't want to be duplicitous. If there is a preference for yourself that as you're looking at what's being provided here to address the issue. If there was a preference for it to actually go in and you guys consider the recommendations at once then fine. I just wanted to make sure that I'm not making it more difficult unnecessarily because my focus is to work with particularly since you guys will have to to implement it. And so thank you for that response. With that I yield back to you madam Peel.

Thank you. Commissioner Patrick for your first opportunity.

Thank you madam presiding officer. Commissioner Spears, I just noted, and I and I apologize for not seeing this in the previous version if it was included in there. Under the second whereas pardon me, the yeah, the second whereas. Top of page two, under Section four, the approval of $100,000 in supplemental funding from Commissioner Patrick to expand homeless street outreach efforts resulting in additional personnel capacity. If we could just know that was from 2025.

I am looking at what we can do for '26, and and, you know, I had put in $200,000 already for transportation, and I just need to make sure I do have that available before I commit to that.

May I respond on your time?

I'm sorry, say

May I respond on your time?

Yeah. Oh, yes.

Okay. So just confirming, I'm making note of all the friendly amendment. So the approval of a $100,000 in 2025. Yep. Gotcha. Okay. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

You yield commissioner Patrick. Alright. Commissioner Long Spears for your second opportunity.

Thank you very much, madam presiding officer. Alrighty. I am going to go through all of the friendly amendments. If I did not capture yours, please do advise. So the first one is what commissioner Patrick just stated. Page two, the approval of $100,000 and $20.25 in supplemental funding. The next change and this is a friendly amendment for me. It's just a small, grammatical error. Be it further resolved on line two, is respectfully urged to consider the recommendations. Remove the word is it actually in that document.

Then we move over to the cover page, the agenda item page, the substitute. And we had commissioner Messiah requesting to change while the behavioral health stakeholder group will put while the governing authority instead has developed a resolution or a comprehensive plan. So that change has been made. And then, sir, doctor Ferguson, under exhibit a, earlier commissioner Messiah, referenced some confusion between behavior health work group or behavior health stakeholder work group. Could you just under participating entities make that change there and add the word stakeholder after health?

Yes. So everyone's clear this is one group?

Yes.

Alright. That is all that I noted. Any other recommendations or changes commissioners? Seeing none. Alrighty. Thank you again all so much. We appreciate your leadership. I appreciate all of, the commissioners providing input. And I do hope and pray that we can get this across the finish line today. Thank you so much. I yield

back.

Thank you, Commissioner Long Spears. So I see no additional requests to speak. There is a motion to approve the substitute with the friendly amendments by Commissioner Long Spears seconded by Commissioner Bolton. Please open machines for the vote. That motion carries. Thank you. So quick time check before we move on to the next item. We are moving to the top of page 21. We have 11 more items to go. I'd like to maybe try to go to twelve ten, twelve fifteen, and see how far we get. So I think we can I think we can get there? Okay.

I'm gaining the power through.

Let's power through. Alright. Top of page 21, item twenty twenty six dash zero five nine six, all commission districts, an ordinance to regulate the restraint and transportation of animals and for other purposes. This is Erps.

Thank you, madam PO. With this item, 20260596, I move to defer it for two weeks. That's the May 12 meeting with a prior stop in IRPS, and this is on behalf of the committee. Second.

I'm in IRPS.

Okay. Second.

You don't have to I can second even if I'm not in the committee. But go ahead. You can have it.