Mayor and Council - Regular Meeting

You're important.

What's happening here? Everybody ready? here. Hold on. Good evening everybody.

Got a full house. Little excitement in the room. Sorry, Council Member Pickicket is also driving for work. Um, we'll start with invitation and pledge. Pastor Joel E. Smith from Smyrna Presbyterian Church. If you'll please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you join me in prayer. Oh God, you are the great God that is to be praised. We thank you this day for who you are. That you are the creator and maker of all things, the provider, the sustainer, the source. In you we live and move and have our being. Lord, we come you to you this night humbly praying for this great city, city of Smyrna, Georgia. We thank you for the years of history, for those that have gone before us, and on the shoulders we stand. We pray that our best days would yet be ahead. We pray for the councilmen and women this night. We ask that you give them wisdom, insight, discernment to lead the people of Smyrna, Georgia. give them the leadership that they need that they would do so out of a willing and a servant's heart. We pray for our first responders, our city workers, our businesses, our churches, our community centers and ministries around our town. Be with them, protect them, use them. God, you are good. Would we, the citizens of Smyrna, rise up and praise

and bless your name. And we do so with thanksgiving and give you thanks, with gratitude in our hearts to you. We pray all this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen.

Mr. Gould, if I could just make one announcement. Uh our church, Smyrna Presbyterian Church, the last year has undergone a renovation and an expansion. And uh we've been outside of our building uh since October. And we are anticipating getting back within the next month. And so we are hoping to have an open house and love to invite the council as well as well as the city on June 20th which is a Saturday 1 to 5:00 p.m. for an open house uh for the uh be able to tour the building and then we're going to have a dedication service on Father's Day u morning 10:30 uh a.m. on Sunday June 21st would invite the community and the council to come and join us if you can. Thank you

pastor. Thanks so much and congratulations early congratulations on the construction. See it's busy over there. So and thanks for what thanks for all that you do for the community. Appreciate it. Thank you sir. All right we're on to the fun stuff of the meeting. We are we'll start with uh no agenda changes. Um, mayoral report only reminder and I think our city clerk Heather Peacock Korn will remind us also. Uh, tomorrow is election day. So, if you have not already voted, please do so. Uh, your polling places, it's easy to find on the Cobb County elections website if you don't know them, but please do go out get out and vote tomorrow. Um, proclamations and presentations. We'll start with uh proclamation for small business week. As a small business owner, been in business for 26 years or so. I understand the trials and tribulations and the ups and downs that that you all deal with on a regular basis, right? So, didn't have any gray hair before I started uh started our business and you see what happens, but we're still we're still kicking after 26 years. Um proclamation and recognition of of National Small Business Week and to honor businesses in Smyrna celebrating 20, 25, and 50 plus year anniversaries. and uh welcome Andy Worthy, our economic development director to kick this off.

Are we on? Yes, we are. Good evening, mayor and council and citizens of Smyrna. Uh today, we're going to recognize and celebrate Smyrna small business owners. They're really the backbone of our community and our local economy. Uh and as uh Councilman uh Ghoul pointed out, their journey is not easy. They face challenges every day these days from rising costs, workforce shortages, navigating regulations, changes in the market, and balancing the personal sacrifices that come with entrepreneurship. Yet, despite these obstacles, they continue to innovate, create jobs, and invest in our city of Smyrna. Their resilience and commitment deserve our gratitude and support. We have approximately 268 legacy businesses who have been here 20 years or longer. Um this year's honores um we will be celebrating 20 25 30 40 50 and we have a 70 and an 80y year business that we'll be celebrating. Um they represent a variety of industries personal services such as dry cleaners and salons, health care, your favorite restaurants, home repair, child care, and business services. Uh several of them are here this evening uh in person with us. Um we after the proclamation is read I will invite them up um for a couple of different group photos. Uh and with that I believe Councilman Oglesby will read the proclamation.

Yes I will be. Thank you. Uh uh small business owners have a special spot in my heart as I have joined the ranks of small business ownership recently within the last four months. I have a I have a newfound respect for small business owners, especially those who have been in the business for 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, and 80 years. That is absolutely amazing. You all should clap for yourselves. You really should. All right. Proclamation. Whereas the president of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week every year since 1963 to highlight the programs and services available to entrepreneurs through the US Small Business Administration and other government agencies. And whereas the country's 32.5 million small businesses create nearly two out of three jobs in our economy, generate nearly half of US GDP, and represent 99% of all private sector businesses. The city of Smyrna supports and joins in this national effort to help America's small businesses do what they do best, grow their business, create jobs, and ensure that our local communities remain as vibrant tomorrow as they are today. And whereas in 2026, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 20 years in our community. First Choice Automotive, Cutsa Diamond Hair Salon, Genesis Healthc Care Associates, Georgia Luxury Automotive, International Counseling and Consulting, Jim and Nicks Barbecue, Jenseno Martial Arts, Jr. Cricket, South

Cobb, Oakdale Family Dental, Pistons Automotive, Rothboom, I Care, Sports Chiropractic Institute, TRC Chiropractic, Warner Fuller Consulting, Wright Financial Group, and whereas in 2026, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 25 years in our community. Al Faroh Dental Care, Carter and Sons HVAC, Dream Makers Youth Foundation, Ivy Springs Retirement Cottage Life Care Center, Jay's Unlimited Tax Services, Jose Auto Center, Quan's Hair Design, King Springs Cleaners, Los Bravos, Monterey Mexican Restaurant, Nita Fence, PSC Learning Center, Stone Meroy, and associates whatever it takes transmission and parts and whereas in 2026 the following small businesses in Smyrnner are celebrating 30 years in our community Frank's chiropractic center Ross Tool and Fasteners and whereas in 2026 the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 40 years in our community fire systems Joe Dubau's Insurance Agency, Low Country Catering, Vinings Landscape Group, Smyrner Police Distributors, and whereas in 2026, the following small businesses business in Smyrnner is celebrating 50 years in our community. Jay Wallace and the Wallace family, Carmichael Funeral Homes, Highland Rivers Behavior Health,

and whereas in 2026, the following small business in Smyrna is celebrating 75 years in our community, Cochran and Edwards. And whereas in 2026, the following small business in Smyrna is celebrating 80 years in our community, Williams Enterprises of Georgia. And whereas during National Small Business Week, the city of Smyrna acknowledges and celebrates the achievements made by all small businesses, including those celebrating significant milestones in our community. Now therefore, I, Derek Norton, mayor of Smyrna, do here pro hereby proclaim May 3 through May 9, 2026 as National Small Business Week in Smyrna and a week of recognition for all the small businesses in Smyrna and encourage all city residents, officials, and staff to acknowledge and support the small businesses in our community. Clap for yourself. Just uh thanks council member. It was well read. Um just a couple quick notes. It's really important for the city, right, to support our small businesses. You all are part of the important part of the fabric of our city and our community and really appreciate what you do. Um Andrew Worthy who leads our economic development also serves as I do on the small Smyrna business association and we have Burke Scott who's on the business association and small business owner and I think that might be it. But if you all you know reach out to the city for help assistance and that's really what what uh economic development is here for and the same with the business association. So just want to

make sure I mention mentioned that part of it but Andrea what's next for us? Yeah, I thought we'd take a couple of photos uh probably in a couple of groups. So, those of you that were here celebrating 20 and 25 years, will you step up here uh to the microphone? I believe uh we have Jim Nicks here tonight, uh Oakdale Family Dentl, Roth Bloom Eye Care, Sports Chiropractic Institute, and Warner Consulting, as well as Carter and Sons maybe here, DreamWorks, Ivy Springs Retirement Cottage. I think I think that's everyone with 20 25 years. Let's have a picture up here. Yeah. entrepreneurs, right? Love it. That's awesome. Flight up here.

Congratulations. Congratulations.

Andrew, are you gonna be in the picture? Thank you. And then for this second photo, if we could have those that are celebrating, I believe 40 years, we have Joe Deose Insurance Agency, uh Smyrna Police Distributors, um and those celebrating 50 years, which would be Adventure Outdoors, uh the Carmichael Funeral Homes and Highland Rivers Community, uh Service Board. Thank you. And then we might as well, if we would like to have our 70-year um business, step up to the podium and have his picture made. Mr. Scott Cochran representing Cochran and Edwards.

Congratulations. Didn't take long Squeeze together.

All right. It's awesome. All right. I'm sure most of you have to go go and get back to work. So, don't uh don't feel obligated to stay. You're more than welcome to, of course. Um, we're going to move on to proclamation in recognition of Poppy Month and National Poppy Day.

Good evening and thank you. My name is Lisa Oaks. I am the first vice president and poppy chair of the American Legion Auxiliary Smyrna unit 160 and I am accompanied today by June Burgess our treasurer. Wonderful. Thanks for being here. Yes.

When the American Legion Auxiliary was organized in 1921, the poppy was adopted as the memorial flower. The American Legion Auxiliary pledged 100% of donations received from Poppy distributions would go to help veterans, service members, and their families. For over a 100red years, the American Legion Auxiliary has been honoring this pledge. This fulfills the true meaning of the poppy, an emblem of faith, faith which is being kept with all who died through service to the living. I want to highlight two programs that unit 160 was able to support through the generous donations received from Poppy distributions. The SPC the back to school brigade. We purchased and distributed back to school supplies for families at Dobins air reserve base and operation courage is beautiful. This is an organization whose mission is to bring a little joy and femininity to our active duty deployed US service women through care packages geared for women. These are just a few of the ways that we are helping veterans and active duty military and their families throughout the year. Thank you for this proclamation in recognition of Memorial Day poppy distributions for May 2026 and for allowing us here this evening.

Thank you, Lisa. We gonna uh read uh Council Member Wilkersonson has a proclamation to read.

Yes. And thank you all for being here tonight. Um this is a proclamation by the mayor of the city of Smyrna in recction recognition of Poppy Month and National Poppy Day May 2026. Whereas America is the land of freedom preserved and protected willingly and freely by citizen soldiers. And whereas millions who have answered the call to arms have died on the field of battle. And whereas a nation at peace must be reminded of the price of war and the debt owed to those who have died in war. And whereas the red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all wars since 1919. And whereas the American Legion Auxiliary has pledged to remind America annually of this debt through the distribution of the memorial flower in May. Now therefore, I, Derek Norton, mayor of the city of Smyrna, Georgia, do hereby proclaim the month of May in 2026 as Poppy month and May 26, 2020, I'm sorry, May 22nd, 2026 as National Poppy Day and ask that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the Memorial Poppy. Thank you. So if anybody has a a dollar dollar bill, that's the that's the trai the tradition and that goes into the funds that the

American Legion uses to support our men and women who are uh veterans or active service at Doppins Air Force Base. And they'll take something bigger than a dollar also. Can we interrupt the um just get a quick picture? You guys can keep selling.

June's got customers she wants to talk to. Thank you. Thank you so much, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. All right, we'll keep uh we'll keep moving and uh um but June and and Lisa, thanks for thanks for what you do and thanks for supporting our again men and women in uniform. Now on to the next fun activity is a recognition of a citizens academy graduation. Um a lot of graduations are happening these days, right? That's awesome. We have Eevee will explain and give us some background. Absolutely.

Good evening, Mayor Pro Tim and council. Um, for everybody who is up here, I believe all of y'all know a little bit about the Citizens Academy, but for the people that do not, um, Citizens Academy is an 11week program that we welcome citizens of Smyrna to come into and learn all about the city departments. So, they learn from finance to public works to court. They learn about PD and fire, which I heard that fire was their favorite this year. So, that's exciting. Um, but they've they have dedicated every Tuesday night from six o'clock to 8:30, we have 25 members and they have put in so much effort to their attendance. I keep hearing back every single Wednesday morning from the department heads that these people are just so engaged and so excited to learn about Smyrna and they really love Smyrna. So, we're super excited to recognize them tonight with a graduation ceremony. And I would like to personally congratulate our group of 25 because they're not only are they just so engaged, they're just wonderful people. Um so I'm super excited and thankful that they're here and glad to have your attention for this. So without further ado, we're going to call up um each name one by one and we're going to have everybody line up for a picture.

So is this like the final test that they can follow? Follow the instructions. All right. Yes. and um and we'll go ahead and get started. Great. Okay. So, first I'd like to recognize Miss Leah Vanader and she can come up here. Congratulations, my dear. You come stand up and you can face the audience. It's wonderful. Next is Miss Sonia Fenil. Congratulations, Miss Sonia. Thank you, Eie. Next is Tamari Tarpley.

Making her debut. Beautiful. I said making your debut. Congratulations. Thank you. You're welcome. Katherine Curley. Oh, thank you. Next is Miss Angela Tara.

Congratulations. Next is Patricia Hartley. You're welcome. Next, we have Nikki Hill.

I'm glad you made it. Congratulations. Yes, I did. Thank you. All right, Janaki Tambi. Congratulations. You're welcome. April Miller turn on.

You're welcome. Remy Simmons. Congratulations. You're welcome. Amy Caleritis.

Congratulations. You're welcome. We're huggers over here. See, I told y'all they were so sweet. Lindsay Disheroon in here as well. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Courtney Phillips.

Congratulations. Thank you. You look so Shannon Matox. You're welcome. Enjoy Anthony Low.

Congratulations. Appreciate you. Kate Bar. Congratulations. And with marriage, Kate also just got married, you guys. Dr. Reita J. Stamper. I had to do the full. Congratulations. You're welcome.

You can stand. I was gonna say if we need to scoot up and squeeze in, we can. Miss Michelle Murphy in all her glory. I would like to thank Lauren Matthews. Thank you. Congratulations, girl. Thank you so much. You're welcome. Amos Omi Wonderful. Congratulations,

Jean Seville. Thank you so much, Miss Lana Streger. Congratulations. You're welcome. And we also have Naisha Loving.

Congratulations. I'm so glad you made it. And let's see if she's here. Is Courtney Han here? I don't think so. I think that's everybody. All right. Well, we can do another round of applause for our wonderful. All right. And we can come up front in front of the podium and we'll get a couple council members to come in as well.

Anybody? All right. Thank you. One, two, three. in effect. Here we go.

Looking red. Now I know why the fire department should have got one for the baby. We're gonna miss you.

Thank you. as over. Thank you, Evie.

Nice job, Eevee Carson. Thank you very much. Thank you all for participating. I know it takes time out of your your schedule to do it, so hopefully it sounds like you found it rewarding. You're welcome to stay if you want to. All right, we'll get moving on to the stuff that's not nearly as much fun, but equally important. Community development items 7A 2026-181 public hearing comprehensive plan update. First public hearing, community development. That's a hard act to follow, Rusty.

I know. Go ahead. Well, good evening. Uh we're having a public hearing tonight to officially kick off our uh 10-year update to our comprehensive plan. Um this is a statemandated process that all mun municipal governments have to do um on a regular basis. Um I'm going to turn this over to uh Kyle May. He is our consultant and our project lead from NKSK. Um, you all know them as the group that did our, uh, downtown redevelopment plan. So, uh, with that, I'm gonna turn it over to Kyle. Thank you.

That is a a very difficult act to follow. So, thank you very much for the agenda. Uh, good evening, council. Mayor Pam, thank you so much for this opportunity. Uh, was asked to provide a a brief presentation as we uh, set out on this process together. A couple things I wanted to cover tonight. I think one just the overall on what a comprehensive plan really entails uh what we're up to when we're doing this work uh as a community the research we're doing the conversations we're initiating I want to talk a little bit about the process itself so the engagement activities that we're hoping to uh to we actually have initiated but we also want to be running throughout the summer and then ultimately uh where our goals are for this project in terms of deliverables and final report uh and and and goals for ourselves. So thank you again for this opportunity. I'm representing uh our project team made up of Luis who I know I believe you know Luis Calvo Brena Diaz Flores and our partners with BAE and Stantech um as a collective here we've been formed intentionally to uh to work through this set of questions that you all have as part of the process MKSK and myself really serving as uh the lead in terms of land use planning community engagement uh and the analytical work but we're also supported by BAE who's here to study market uh dynamics, housing, economic development, and our partners from Stantech looking at physical infrastructure below ground, above ground, the systems that support this what is obviously an incredible uh town. Um, couple things if I can get this to advance. I don't have to do it. Okay, sorry. Is there a mouse here? U Joey, hold on. Page down. That'll do. Okay. I can start here with just uh some basics on comprehensive plan 101. Um Georgia is among a number of states in the the United States that requires municipalities to regularly consider

their land use pattern. Uh develop out a a framework uh for that land use and as well as develop policies around major topics like housing, economic development, parks and recreation. So when we do a project like this, you know, one of the things that we're really up to is studying uh the dynamic trends that are existing in your community. So you obviously exist within a major uh region. There's lots of change. There's a lot of movement. We want to understand the the the uh the the nature of those trends, how they're affecting your community, both in good ways and in ways you may wish to uh to change. It is an opportunity, a real excuse to have a a a big conversation with your community. Part of that's education. Part of that's uh letting them know how this place works. It's incredible to have an academy by by the way like that where you're bringing community members in just to show them all the work that the great work that you're doing as a place and also how that work uh uh interlocks with regional work as well. Uh this is a chance to really develop around a cohesive land use strategy and one of the benefits of doing regular comprehensive planning is that we don't necessarily have to start from scratch. a lot of the basics around the vision, the direction, the goals. I bet a lot of that work and and a lot of that direction is actually uh quite consistent in the work that we would identify here. But ultimately what we develop in a comprehensive plan is an act of preparation knowing you can't predict the future, but how can you prepare yourself with the best information uh and the best framework for decision-m moving forward. What we don't do in a project like this, but what we may tee up is not a comprehensive zoning rewrite. We don't also go parcel by parcel and develop a a watercolor master plan. Uh this is really more about policy. It's about high level direction. And again, it's not a major departure from the work that you all have done previously. Uh and last but not least, uh we're learning here just in these first agenda items. This is a very unique community and your plan should reflect uh and and tailor uh to you. um in terms of uh overall new challenges and this is a very dynamic time as I mentioned there's a lot of fluidity and

a lot of the trends that we're going to study whether that has to do with land use or the users of that land the office market retail market even residential uh there's been a lot of changes that have come uh to this region uh postcoid planning is a almost entirely different animal so as we think about looking at you from the top down couple things that we want to do one is get our arms around what those major your trends are where there's flux and movement. We want to understand what's pivotal in that data and then we want to seize on the opportunities that exist while also mitigating some of the challenge that might come up. So a big word that we're going to be using a lot in this has to is usually started with the word re whether it's about reuse, revision, redevelopment, whatever that might be. Not saying that that's a prescription for everything, but being a community like you are kind of locked in your size. That's going to be a major topic that comes up in our conversation. And a big part of this is about anticipation of community needs uh and and ranking and prioritizing those needs as we move forward. Some major outcomes uh that we're hoping um I think to address in this and have already began to have discussions on in our committee community outreach and engagement talking about downtown talking about issues related to housing also thinking about village green park reinvestment recreation the word comprehensive we really do mean it. Uh, I think when we get into this work, we start by by casting a wide net, but we also want to be able to zoom in on whether that's topics or issues that are particularly pertinent to the city right now or if it's special geographies that you all know there's just a high susceptibility to change and you all want to provide a strong signal about what that change should look like. Um, so this overview of the of a project, yes, I mean it is a regular process that we're embarking on here, but I think every project is unique in the sense of when you're doing the work and of course where you're doing the work and the community that you seek to do the work with. Um, one of the the key emphasis points from from staff as far as getting along getting involved here is about involving the community in a real way. I think a goal

we have on your behalf when we think about this comprehensive plan is that everybody in this community that cares about this community has an opportunity to to participate in this process. That means that they are aware that the process is going on and how it may affect them. So that's a big goal for the work that we're going to do. We lean on leaders like you all, leaders that just exited the room as well to share the message about why this is important and why the community should get involved and to establish these quality of life and quality of place high priorities for Smyrna moving forward. Um, I'll quickly run through this just in terms of our objectives and the process that we're running. We've worked hard here to establish a base around the existing plans. A community like yours is very active. You've done a lot of topical plans, a lot of geographic work. You also are the beneficiary of regional planning work that's gone on as well. As I mentioned, you're part of big systems, whether it's about infrastructure or transportation or broad goals around economic development. So, one of the first steps that we've taken here on your behalf is to get our arms around everything that's been said by you or for you. We want to build a data driven plan as well. So, we're developing a portal uh uh for that data, but also a key reporting along the way. conditions and trends assessment is one of our major deliverables to to emerge through this process. What you'll see in that is the most pivotal trends that you all as leaders need to be aware of right now because they're impacting you. Like I said, either for better or for worse, these are the things that are moving right now. The community vision, the strategic direction, well, that really ought to emerge from that community discussion that we we seek to be having here over the summer months and building on uh into this actionable and implementable focused recommendation. So ultimately the currency of the plan is in projects, it's in policies, it's in programs. It's really in the action agenda, the short-term work program that you all uh will adopt as part well hopefully adopt when we're done with this work as your um uh as your uh progress or or or plan to move forward. So effective implementation and

long-term success in each of those actions we really want to set this group up with an implementable roadmap for how the work is done. again whether that's based on a project or whether that's based on a policy to be implemented. We want to make it very clear about who does what eventually in this work and ultimately on your behalf deliver a plan that is is attractive is a clear signal and is very very usable for you all not just for the first year but for every year that it is applicable to you moving forward. Uh where that looks like in our schedule well we're really kind of right at the beginning right now. Uh we're going to be holding stakeholder meetings uh in a week from now, engaging in some really robust discussions with leaders from all angles into this conversation, building up this foundations and alignment statement through April and September, and then engaging in community engagement all along the way. So, we've already held one popup event. We're going to be continuing to hold popup events. with the World Cup going on, with all the exciting things happening uh in the summer, we've got a great opportunity um to bring people in, ask them some big questions about the future of this place and join this coalition of forming this new comprehensive plan. So, in terms of those activities, we've got public meetings in August and in winter, formal public meetings. Come to us. We call those meetings, but we're also going to be holding, as I mentioned, pop-up events, Junth and StillFire. uh we want to be active and quite frankly everywhere I think where people are talking about the issues that affect this community. We also know this is a very busy place and busy people need other ways to get involved. So we're also developing an online survey and an interactive map if this group and the group behind me has a chance tonight. We'd love if you guys could pop on there. I'll show you the QR code here in just a minute that will have a project website. We'll let you know everything that's going on, everything we learn. We'll post there. We'll grow that site as we grow, but we'll always give people a call to action, an opportunity to share their voice and their idea. I have a QR code for those leaders uh behind in front of me right now. If you'd like to go on and and peruse the website, the

first thing that we'll share with you is that interactive map where you can zoom in, you can take a look uh at Smyrna from the top down and tell us the places, the spaces where you think there's opportunity, where there may be challenges uh and ultimately where you see this community moving moving positively forward. So with that, I want to thank you all for this incredible opportunity to guide this process and I would ask that you join us in this really critical work uh on your behalf. If there's any questions, I believe Rusty, happy to take those otherwise. Thank you, Kyle. Appreciate it. Uh, anybody on council have any questions or

I have a question for you, Kyle. So, when you're doing those popup events and you're going to solicit public input, is your focus specific to the people who live here in Smyrna or the people who visiting or passing through and and using the businesses and the facilities here?

That's a great question. So, one of the things that we always want to do as we're having community conversations, whe those are big events or it's an online survey, we always collect what's called an exit questionnaire. So, as we're collecting data, we're going to collect a little bit about demographics, location, and also their relationship to the city. So, as I mentioned, one of the key tests here is if you care about the city, we want you to be involved in this process, but we also know that people are coming at this from different angles. So, one of the ways we'll be able to parse the data on the back end is do you live in Smyrna? Do you own a business in Simmer as we learned about today? Are you raising children? These are different ways to look at the data and help to understand where some of those priorities are coming from. But we'll absolutely be asking those questions. Yeah. Thank you, Kyle.

Thank you very much. So, this is a public hearing. If anybody like to come up and uh have comment, please come up and be sworn in by your city attorney. Great. We got one person Good evening, Mayor Pro and Council. Please uh let the let the Scott swear you in.

I do. Thank you. Uh please state your name and address for the record, please.

My name is John Saunders. I live at 2446 Reed Street here in Smyrna. Uh thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. I would humbly like to suggest a few um guiding goals and possible methods for the city to consider during this comprehensive plan update. Uh, as a person who lives in Smyrna and loves it deeply, I I hope that the council and mayor will consider efforts to vastly improve the affordability in and near downtown to ensure that the shops and restaurants and offices in the new downtown area will have uh the requisite critical mass of patrons in walking distance. That we'll take the opportunity to grow the tax digest to ensure financial support for Smyrna's great plans. and that we'll take the opportunity, even though it's not necessarily a built-in part of the comprehensive plan update process, to codify what we love about Simrna's character, to protect and enhance it. And to do so, I I humbly suggest that we take the opportunity to update the future land use uh map and the walkable and bikable core of downtown. that we also update the residential zoning classes and requirements that we concurrently and preemptively upzone these areas to match the future land use map uh to facilitate development as well as provide uh opportunities for missing middle housing options. I have this report that I'd like to submit to the clerk for distribution if that's possible. Uh yes, there should be a copy there for him as well.

Okay. Sorry. Yep. Thank you all. Thank you. Thanks very much. Thank you.

Any uh anybody else like to speak? All right. Seeing that we'll close the portion of the public hearing. There's no vote required on this and unless anybody on council has any other comments or questions. We'll move on. Okay. Thank you very much. Thanks, Rusty. Thanks, Kyle. Um, item item 7B Z26-101, plot approval allow subdivision of 3490 Pineree Drive into two parcels within the R20 zoning district, 1.01 acres, land lot 555, 3490 Pineree Drive, applicant to Shawn Murphy. Um I think if Rusty or Joey are you going to speak with us?

Joey Stabs, planner two with community development. This is a 1acre um property that has an existing home on it. The applicant is requesting to subdivide the lot under the R20 zoning district. It meets all the R20 requirements. Um so we're just bringing it to council for formal approval. Anybody in council have any questions for for staff? Mr. Cochran, would you like to share any insight on this particular application? No questions. All right. Like to entertain a motion.

So moved by Council Member Oglesby. Do you have a second? Second by Mr. All in favor motion passes 52 I mean 550 5. Thank you. Uh moving on to item Z26-002. It is a public hearing. Zoning request Z26-002 allowing reszoning from LC to GC.26 26 acres land lot 450 3475 South Cop Drive Phyllis Ridgeway is the applicant. This is Mr. Lindley's Ward.

Okay. This is reszoning case C26-002. The applicant is Phyllis Rididgeway. The planning and zoning commission heard this on April 11th. Recommended approval 7 to zero. The subject property is 3475 South Cobb Drive. It's about a quarter of an acre. Um it is currently zoned limited commercial, but as you can see, most of the the properties along South Cobb Drive are zoned general commercial. That's what she is requesting to allow a massage practitioner in her um hair salon. The Future Land uses comm community activity center. and so are the other um South Cobb Drive facing properties. To the back of it is zoned is future land use moderate density residential. This is the aerial of the subject property. They are not planning to um develop the property. They're using the the building as it currently is. Community Development recommends approval of the resoning from limited commercial to general commercial with the following uses um prohibited. Automobile broker office, automo auto parts and tire stores, automobile repair, automobile sales and service, uh car washes, drive-through restaurants, motorcycle sales, package stores, service stations, hookah bars, vape shops, parking or storage of commercial vehicles, impromptu weekend markets, and adult and novelty shops as defined by the city's code. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Any questions at all? All right, seeing none, this is a public hearing. Anybody who wish to be heard, please come on up and be sworn in by your city attorney. Okay, seeing none, we'll close this portion of the public hearing and turn over to Travis, Mr. Lley. Thank you. Um, is the applicant here? you mind stepping up and just telling us a little bit about the the proposed business?

Oh, thank you for having me today. Um, the business currently is a salon and um I wanted to lease a portion of the building for um massage services for another tenant. And are is it a new business or are you moving here? The massage business I've been there for nine years. The massage business will be new. Okay. Well, thank you for doing business in Smyrna. Thank you for having me. I'm excited. Hopefully, we'll be back for the small business recognition, right? Yes. Is it okay if I ask a quick question? So, you heard the list of prohibited uses? I did. Are you agree to those?

I do. I do. Any other questions? We're good. I have a question. Thank you very much, ma'am. I have a question. Go ahead. That's okay. Uh, one of the uses that sometimes we exclude, I didn't see on there, was a tattoo parlor. I don't know if the council is would be interested in excluding that, but would you be open to that exclusion or? Um, I'm very open to that. I like the space and I work in it. I'm trying this out um for now, but I intend on staying there. So, I'm not looking to service another um entity. Are you

okay? You're f you're fine with that list. That's correct. No, I think um so we'll make sure you're asking the applicant if she's willing to make amend the the application. Okay. And u do you have a response? Yeah, I just I don't and this is maybe speaking to Scott. I don't know if that's proper to do. We would have to let you guys unusual to do. Then I'll be honest, she's adding she said she didn't hear

that was not a part of what my understanding is proposal for. Yeah. And I don't know if we can do that from it's up to you guys. I I am good to motion do pass is presented. Second. We have a motion uh motion for pass. Second by motion by Travis Lley, second by Latonia Behind. All in favor? Motion passes 5-0. Thanks for doing business here in Smyrna. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Thank you. All right, moving on. Item 7D Z26-00003 public hearing zoner request Z26-003 allowing reszoning from R15 to RMC8 for the redevelopment of four single family homes at a density of 7.54 units per acre 53 acres land lot 809 2719 Bell Drive EIB properties LLC this is in Mr. W Mr. Welch's ward. Oh, Mr. Pickkins, I'm sorry. Thank you. He is traveling for work, but Cork is going to fill in for Thank you.

Yes, sir.

This is reasonzoning case Z26-003. Applicant is EIB Properties LLC. Planning and Zoning Commission heard this on April 11th and recommended approval 70. Subject property is 2719 Bell Drive. Um it's about half an acre. It's currently one lot and the proposed U is four single family detached homes. The current zoning is R15 and the proposed zoning would be RMC8 conditional. Um, if you see below the the subject property, there's two lots there that the applicant has already gotten approval for seven single family detached homes. This will be a second phase of that development. The re uh future land use map is regional activity center and this um zoning is compatible with that land use. This is the subject property. They're putting four homes. Two that face Bell Drive, two that face um Woodrift. Um it they will look exactly the same as the other seven that have been approved. They will be using the storm water detention from the the lower part of the development. And they'll be adding five foot sidewalk and two foot grass strip on both road frontages. There's six variances. Um, one to allow a reduction of the minimum lot area from 12,000 to 5,000 70 square ft. To allow a reduction of the minimum lot width from 100 ft to 49.6. Allow a reduction of the minimum front setback from 50 feet to 15 feet. Allow reduction of the minimum side setback from 10 feet to 5T. Allow reduction of the minimum rear setback from 30 ft to

25 ft. and to allow an increase in the maximum lot coverage from 35% to 45%. Those are the same variances that we granted the the resoning from last year for the seven homes. This is just an example of showing the four lots and then the seven lots currently entitled to that property and the storm water management facility at the the lower part of the development. These are the proposed elevations subject property and adjacent properties. Staff's recommending approval of the reasonzoning from R15 to RMC8 conditional for four single family homes at a density of 7.54 units per acre. The following conditions, standard conditions regarding the architectural components of the building. um they'll have to meet our tree ordinance, landscape plans. Special conditions are the variances that I uh discussed, installation of sidewalk, rightway dedication where required and this would be condition to the site plan and elevation submitted with the application. Be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Joey. Joey, what's the lot width? 49.6 49.6 49.6 Can you bring back up the elevations we were looking at?

Okay. Um, one question I had, were we u requiring a sprinkler all these to be sprinkled? No, they have will have a minimum 10 foot separation. So I thought that was when we did Belmont Hills. That was one of the requirements. Those were like three feet of separation. Sorry, the detached units were like 3 ft apart. Belmont if they're less than 10 ft apart. They're required to have sprinkler if it's less than 10 ft.

Um Okay. I don't have any other questions. It's developer in any other questions for anybody. We're good. Is you have a question? I'm sorry. So, is there the width to build these homes? Is that what you were asking, Corki? Corki was asking about sprinklers in the house, and Joey's answer was if it's it's 10 feet, so they don't need to be sprinkled. Okay. Well, I guess mine would be uh the width is 49 and a half, you said,

correct? And the is that enough room to build the the what's in the um the renderings of the elevations the width with the Yes. I mean that's 50 minus 10 is 40t wide to build a 40 foot wide house.

And these are conceptual elevations. It's not exactly the lot, the the width or the the roof angles. It's just conceptual. It'll it'll be this type style of house when they get built. Are the um the variances that are being requested are they um the same variances that have been approved for other That's correct. developments on that same street. Okay. Thank you. is the applicant here. You'd like to come up and tell us a bit about the project, please.

Good evening, Mayor Prom and council members. I'm David Woodbury for the applicant. Um almost exactly a year ago, this council approved the adjacent development that u that this property will be a phase two for. And as as Joey mentioned, the stipulations, the conditions, the lot sizes are basically all identical. Um, and we're going to tie into that same storm water system. We were able to get that to public works before construction started so that it could be enlarged to handle the additional water runoff here. Um, the lot widths are the same. All those lots along Bell Drive are 100 feet wide. And basically what these the plan last year and this one does is just divides it in half. Um and the homes that are on the elevations are the stylistic u the details the widths are all fit within those lots but the you know the exact detail and the exact architecture um finishes will uh you know are in design plan right now. it.

So, it looks like they'll have two uh each house would have two garages. Is that correct? Yes, ma'am. That's correct. Okay. Thank you. So, David, this will be a continuation of your existing project, just adding on, building on to it. That's correct. Okay, great. Great. You you answered my question. I think you do understand you're going to have to go back for for a detention revision on your existing lot. Correct. Yes, sir. Okay. Uh, thank you. Thanks. Project. Uh, this is a public hearing. If anybody like to be heard, please come on up and be sworn in by your city attorney. All right. Seeing none, we'll close this portion of the public hearing and turn it back over to Mr. Welch.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I make a motion to approve item 7 Z26-003 as presented. Got a motion by Mr. Welch. Do I have a second? Second.

Second by Mr. Lindley. All in favor? Excellent. Motion passes 5-0. Russ and Joey, thanks for your work on it. Thank you. Thank you, David. Uh, we have no privileges, license, and show cause hearings. Moving on to formal business, the highlight of the meeting, Landon O'Neal Show. Um, 2026 182 public hearing fiscal year 2027 proposed budget. Can we start the clock? Landon is presently making a long presentation.

Heather, do you know where this is?

Down there. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

All righty. As a reminder, this is uh an overview of the FY27 budget, not a detailed explanation. I would refer everyone to the bottom right corner. Most of these slides have page numbers. if you want to know more detailed information, we'll try to get through this uh thoroughly but efficiently. So, just an overview of what we'll be going over tonight. The we'll kind of hit most of our funds, our general fund, E911, hotel, motel, water, sewer fund. That's where the majority of uh the operations of the city run out of those funds. and then go through our personnel, our new personnel recommendations, any fee changes we have, debt obligations, capital projects. So, just to look at our total FY27 proposed budget, we'll see this is actually showing as a decrease over the FY26 revised budget. Uh, going through these quickly, the general fund, we do have an increase. That's typical for what we see in our general fund. That's where the majority of city operations run from. Then our special revenues fund. We're seeing a decrease there. Uh two of the big reasons for that is we had a big grant, just a one-time grant for this year that we won't be having next year. And then our ARPA fund, that's the American Rescue Plan Act, uh from federal government. All that money had to be spent by the end of um last year. And then we do have increases in a few of these special revenue funds like Hotel Motel. Uh our donations and special fees are spending a little extra money from a few of those projects. our capital projects went down. The the large number you see the 7.59 million for the FY26 revised uh represents what we spent or what we budgeted for our 2016 splast. So what we do is we budget a zero amount going into the into the year proposed and then we'll adopt through the year and we have a better idea what we'll spend. So that uh 3.55 million will likely increase. That's currently just our capital

improvement plan. Uh the number for that our internal service fund that is our vehicle replacement funds. We see that number went down from 3.6 to 1.8. Uh we are spending uh less money on vehicles, cheaper vehicles. We bought a $ 1.7 million firet truck last year that we won't be buying this year and then we're buying fewer. We bought 24 last year. We're planning on 21 this year. Our enterprise funds, that's mostly our water, sewer, uh storm water, water, sewer, CIP, that went up the biggest amount for that is our transfer in from our water sewer fund to the general fund. We'll talk about that in a minute increased along with an additional water meter replacement project that you all approved a few months back. So just kind of an overview of some of the revenues and where we get those mostly as you'll see uh the vast majority of our general fund revenues are from property taxes about it's about 61% uh our real estate property taxes are make up the biggest portion of the property tax. We're projecting an increase of that from about 3.5% over what we've uh budgeted to or we're projecting to collect through the end of the year this year. And then as we move down to charges for services, the biggest thing we'll see there, that's uh our sanitation, what we collect for sanitation and any or the majority of parks and wreck fees. Other taxes, uh by far the biggest for this would be our insurance premium tax collected from uh all insurance providers throughout the city. It's almost a little over $6 million. Inter fund transfers uh as I discussed before that would be our water sewer transfer and uh hotel motel transfers and some which we'll hit on that again as well license and permits business licenses things like that intergovernmental intergovernmental that's money that we would get from Cobb County for shared services between the city and the county that's based on an an agreement and then fines and

forfeitures is most of that would be the municipal court fines for tickets police right and things like that and miscellaneous is kind of a catchall. You'll see our total general fund budget there, 73,584,427. And then we'll see the corresponding amount for expenditures. So, this just breaks it down by category. Public safety is our highest. That would be police and fire. General is kind of the catchall for administration, community development, uh human resources, things like that. Uh parks would be in there as well. Public works. Uh most people would know what public works is. It's our highways and streets department, our facilities, um sanitation, things like that. Insurance and other benefits. That's where we hold in one account, most of our insurance. We'll hit on a few of those notable expenditures on on the next slide here. So, what you would expect, health insurance, prescriptions, retirement, uh debt payments would uh come next after that, 6.2 2 million. We'll show you a debt slide as well along with CIP and vehicle replacement. Just a few notable expenditures that we pulled out here. So what we do is we budget the insurance and benefits on however many employees uh as a percentage um of all employees in the city are budgeted out of a specific fund. So we have employees budgeted budgeted out of the general fund, E911 fund, uh hotel motel fund and water sewer fund. So 90% of that is comes from the general fund. So overall for insurance and benefits we're looking at a $713,000 increase about 5.4%. One of the bigger ones there is our health insurance. We're increasing that for the total city um from 6 million to 600 20 6,250,000. Been seeing a few increases there uh for both our liability insurance or the line that we budgeted in is just other insurance. So, it's kind of a catch-all

cyber things like that. We saw a bit of an increase for our premium there as well as our claims. So, we're increasing that by about 10%. Then our retirement contribution has increased about 7% as well. We did receive our premium for that hoping it should be a little lower than this, but we feel comfortable with this number. We are recommending going down to the next line a use of 1.37 million of committed funds. So these are funds that over the course of I believe dating back to 2018 that council has allocated to be held in these funds for specific purposes that they have to be used for that. So that the the things that we're looking at here would be vehicle uh capital projects which vehicles are capital but more of a capital improvement projects debt health insurance and retirement. We've been using this money for retirement at least for the last six or seven years. We've used about 100,000 of that. Uh and then for a few of these vehicles, we're budgeting a fire uh firet truck upgrade for 490,000. So we're proposing to use that committed those committed funds for that. And then for CIP, we have a specific IT project for the uh network refresh and upgrade we're recommending for that as well. If we go down to the next line, contingency, this is the contingency we have for our entire city. So the first line for merit raises uh as a note for both merit raises and the cola that'd be a cost of living adjustment. These are contingent um as the name would suggest on council's approval. So we budget these for half a year beginning in January. Those will come back before the council will be approved. Uh for merit raises that's uh as high as three and a half% based on performance evaluations across the city for all employees. The cost of living adjustment. This would represent a 3% increase over our current pay grades. However, we are budgeting for a class and compensation study this year run through our HR department. Last time we did that was five years ago. So essentially that just comes in and measures if we're where we need to be at

compared to other municipalities. So we've since we you all have done a good job the last five years of keeping us hopefully consistent with uh with the rate of inflation. hoping that it won't be a big increase like it was when we did this the last time because at that point we hadn't done one of these in probably over 10 years. So it was a a big jump. So we're planning to use that money, the cost of living adjustment money toward whatever that class and compensation study tells us. And then we have the unallocated amount. That's just a plug for anything that might come up. Running through a few of those funds that I discussed earlier, revenues and expenditures for those. So the city does have its own E911 center. So if you make a 911 call in the city, it gets routed to our dispatchers. That number, that 1.45 million has stayed around the same for for some time now. So all these revenues and expenditure numbers are the same as last year except for the transfer from general fund, which has actually gone down a little. The reason for that is that we did have an employee budgeted any 911 that was working out of the police department. So, we moved their salary over to the police department. So, it's really uh not an increase there. And then for intergovernmental revenue, this would be our Georgia Crime Information Center. It's money that we receive from other cities that run that. So, then you see a breakdown at the bottom of salaries and benefits. You'll see uh as is the case for any city and especially ours that the vast majority of money would be paying the people that do the work. Going next to our hotel motel fund, we do have a pretty significant increase for hotel motel taxes. That's B that's an increase based on the budget. This is actually around the same that we're projecting to collect through hotel motel taxes. Uh for a few big expenditures we are budgeting a use of reserves of $597,000

going and going down to expenditures there. There is a set formula for it says payments to Cobb Galleria transfer to general fund. Whatever uh set percentage of that money that we collect for hotel motel taxes has to go to the general fund and to payments to the Cobb Galleria. So we're budgeting a little bit of an increase with that. And then we'll also see operating costs and benefits with that fund as well. Then our water sewer fund. So on our next slide, we'll talk a little about rates, but just to cover cover that here for our water sewer base rate and usage, which would be 23.5 million, obviously our biggest expenditure. I'm sorry, that's our revenues. And if we go down to look at wholesale purchase of water for expenses, 13.8 million. So we get our water from the Cob Marietta Water Authority, uh they usually give us yearly increases that had been around two two and a half% over quite some time. uh this year was 5% and I believe they're planning on at least three and a half percent over the next several years. So we have an automatic pass through of those increases built in. So those are usually consistent with both the wholesale purchase of water and the base rate and usage that's that is build out is consistent with those increases we pay for water and then the citizens pay. We also have use of uh water sewer reserves budgeted as revenue here about $ 1.77 million. The reason for that, as I discussed earlier, and I think Kristen will hit on in a minute with our CIP, is we do have a water meter replacement project budgeted. There's $2 million that you all approved a few months ago in FY26, and then we have $2 million for FY27 and then 2 million for FY28. So, we typically budget uh money to reserves from here. So, normally our revenues are greater than our expenditures. So, we've built up a substantial uh reserves in our water funds. are very comfortable using that for a specific

project. And then we'll see our transfer to water sewer CIP. So we transfer out to fund those CIP projects. This is about a $ 1.9 million increase. Once again, consistent with the $2 million water meter replacement project. And then the water fund transfers to the general fund each year. So that covers uh expenses the general fund is essentially conducting for the water fund. So this would be things like HR, finance, employees in the general fund that do work uh to the water fund. This is a bit of an increase from last year as well. Then just some proposed fee changes quickly. I discussed with you the water and sewer fees. That's the only one they have now. I will say I believe I noted this Thursday that they are looking at a few fees. uh maybe significant overhaul of their fees, the water, sewer, which we might bring back to you all before we adopt this budget or just after uh Paul and his and his team are working on that right now. And then for storm water utility, uh that's another one that we are trying to evaluate to make sure both we're billing that correctly and we're billing what we need to fulfill all of our obligations for storm water work without the city. And the budget now has contained a 2% increase, which is either a seven or eight percent depending on the some decimal points. And then for parks and wreck, we are uh not any huge changes. Most of the things that are actually hard fee changes will be decreases, but we are adding back fees that were previously off the schedule for Talison uh aquatics facility reopening and then for the splash pad as well. We're adding those. We had some placeholders for splash pad, but kind of firming those up. Uh what we did have was $5 for just like a general admission for that which is has been lowered to somewhere between two and a half and $3 depending on uh their criteria. We've also decreased the rental rates for baseball and softball fields from 300 to $200 to try to help uh facilitate

rentals there. And then they've added some just to make sure or hopefully increase rentals in city facilities during the weekdays. So, this is Monday through Thursday before 5:00 pm, they've implemented a 30% discount on those room rentals there. And then the community center after 5:00 pm there's a 20% discount uh between Monday and Thursday. And lastly, if you look in your book, uh if you see any changes there, they have converted, we've begun using a new software. So, to simplify the process for our software, they've converted those numbers to hourly rates rather than just like a fixed set of time. I think a lot of them were four hours. So, it's not that the rate has changed, just they're showing it differently at an hourly rate rather than a big block of time. And once again, with this, there are several fees. I would refer um even even if you don't we don't have that many changes, but just to make sure you're aware of all the fees. See, page 27 is where it starts. I'd refer you to that if you want to get a little more detail. With that, I'll pass it to Kristen.

All right. So, I'm going to go over the personnel request. Um we have um we're recommending funding for three new positions. One of them in our facilities department um for a new m maintenance tech. Um we've got four people in that department currently and we've got new facilities coming online. So we need some help with that. That position is budgeted for 50% of the year. And then oops sorry come back. Sorry that's fine. No worries. Um and then we are um recommending the funding for two parks maintenance tech ones. Those are budgeted for 25% of the year. Um with the new pool coming online, um we're thinking that towards the end of the year is when we're going to need those positions to help out with uh parks maintenance. Um we had five additional uh full-time positions and two part-time positions that were requested from the departments. Um we are not recommending funding for those. The annual impact of those positions was $471,000. And so we're we're holding off on recommend recommending those. The three that we are recommending are going to have an impact to the to the next fiscal year of about $63,000. Um there were also um a lot of reclasses that were submitted for consideration, but as Landon mentioned, we're going through a comp and class study. And so we're going to use that study to evaluate the positions and see if we need to do reclasses instead of doing them during the budget process. And then the last thing on here is the fire department has requested an increase for their mandate pay, which is the fire prevention division of fire. They're currently getting two and a half% and they want to increase that to 5% um going forward. Uh budget impact is almost $13,000. Uh debt obligations, the $66.2 million is principal and interest

outstanding and the 8.9 million is what's scheduled for FY27. You can see the breakdown here. Um 122,000 from the TAD fund, 6.2 2 approximately from general fund. We're going to use 219,227 of previously committed funds which Landon touched on a minute ago. And then the balance of that is about 2.5 million from Splast. Um I will mention on the TAD even though 122,000 is the amount that is due we pay um every everything on the above the um increment we pay to pay that bond debt down. So last year we paid an additional 1.9 million and we are um going to we're hoping to pay that bond off in full this year um with about $2.1 million is what else stand on that bond. Um if we had not been able to make those additional principal payments that bond would have stretched out through 2040. Um the general fund has got uh the 2005 park bonds. It's got the um portion of the 2021 bonds and we've got our Smarter Grove bonds in there as well. Um the 2021 bonds are split between the general fund and that splice on the bottom, that $2.5 million number. General fund CIP. Um this year we're recommending $3.5 million of CIP. This is an increase of 1.5 million compared to last year's adopted budget. We had been funding our CIP for several years through ARPA funds that had come from the federal government. We have um expended all those funds and so now the CIP goes back into the general fund. I will um note that a million of this is for green energy projects which has its own revenue funding source um that comes on the property tax bills through the

street light funding. And we're going to use $300,000 of committed funds as Landon mentioned earlier um for an IT project. Water, sewer, and storm water. Um a lot of these projects are just repeat projects um from year to year with an increase. There's a 7% increase for infrastructure and drainage each year. We are finishing up the lead and copper inventory projects. Um and so those are going to be done hopefully in the next two years. The new project that Landon uh mentioned earlier is we are doing a meter replacement. We're upgrading to AMI technology. Um as he mentioned, y'all have approved $2 million to start that project and so we have $2 million in the next two fiscal years to finish out that project. Um and then storm water. Uh this also has just a standard increase every year, but as Landon also mentioned, we're going through trying to evaluate what we're collecting on that and what we need to collect. Um we're going through a storm water analysis right now. So trying to make sure that the numbers um that we're budgeting are what we need to budget as we move forward to make sure we take care of our storm water. Uh vehicle replacements. Um you can see we have a total of 21 replacements this year. Um 1,874. Um as Landon mentioned, this is a decrease from last year. Um, but we will be going back up next year uh with our replacements because we do have a fire truck and a sanitation truck coming in in 28. Um, you can see there's 21 uh scheduled replacements. Four of these are new uh requests from uh departments. Um, one for environmental services. Uh, there's two pieces of equipment for parks. And then with the new position that we're recommending uh for facilities um we're also funding an F-150 for that position. Um Landon mentioned earlier the use of committed

funds. We are recommending funding um an upgrade to um a for the fire department to a transport capable um rescue. And so we're using the the reserves that we have for that $490,000. And then 22's lost. Um, I think we touched on this on Thursday. We have um we budgeted the 22 splast in full for the life of the project. Uh, when we started that project, we I'm sorry, when we started the splice collections, we are now in the position of um collecting additional money over the initial projection. And so we will be amending the budget annually for that. Um, and um, we have about $9.4 $4 million planned for FY27. A big portion of that is for resurfacing. And then um of course the aquatic center that we're hoping would be finished up um and ready to go. And um we have bond payments in there. And then we have facility improvements and sidewalks, trails, and greenways to complete that 9.4 million. Uh the budget book, um you can find it on our website. If you go to the website and go under departments under finance, go under the annual budget financial and audit reports. You can find it there electronically. There's also a hard copy at the um library and with the clerk's office if you would like to look through the book yourself. Um tonight is the required public hearing and then um we will come back on June 1st and we will um hopefully formally adopt the budget.

So do y'all have any questions? Any questions? We could Landon has done a fantastic job. He's been working on this since November. He does a great job. So, just give him a public shout out for all he does. Yeah, he has done a great job. Christian, you do a great job for the city as well. Thank you'all both so much.

Yeah, thanks guys. Very well done. All right. Thank you both. Uh moving on item 9B H City attorney highlighted. This is a public hearing. If you like to have a comment, please come on forward and be sworn in by the city attorney. Okay. Seeing none, close the portion of the public hearing and move on to item 9B. uh ATTH 2026-065 authorization to amend the fiscal year 2026 adopted general fund budget to increase the expenditure budgets for general government allocations in the amount of $500,116 for the initial costs related to the Campbell Middle School project and parks administration in the amount of 105,299 for the purchase of an additional screen authorization to amend the adopted budget adopted project length budget in the general fund CIP fund to increase transfers in from the general fund and to add a new expenditure project for Campbell Middle School both in the amount of $58,716 authorization to amend the adopted project length budget in the water cip fund to increase the project project budget the amount of $38250 $38,250 for the Project 52609 and transfer in from from the water fund by the same amount. Authorization to amend the fund fiscal year 2026 adopted water fund budget increase transfers out of water CIP in the amount of $38,250 for the additional equipment necessary for the AMI meter upgrade. authorization to amend the adopted project length

budgets in the American Rescue Plan Act, AA ARPA, to to adjust expenditure budgets for the close out of all related projects in the total amount of $47,825 and the revenue budget in the amount of $438,587. And hopefully Kristen can explain this.

Thank Thank you for reading all of that so I didn't have to. Um what all that means is is that at a previous meeting, council agreed to use general fund reserves to start the Campbell um middle school project. And so this is just trueing up that budget line item to amend um for the transfer from the general fund into the CIP project fund where that's going to be funded from. And then the water CIP um as mentioned previously uh council approved a project to start the AMI U meter upgrade and there is uh some equipment that needs to go in the ground as a part of that. So, this is amending the budget to include uh the boxes and the lids that go along with that project. And then the last thing, uh the ARPA projects um was a federal funding that we received and we had to do our final report for them as of March 31st. And so this is just trueing up all of the budgets for all of the spending of the ARPA funds over the last several years. That's all a lot of words for that. true up budgets, right? Make sure the line items are adding correctly. Uh, any questions? Any comments? So, Mr. Lindley is our finance chair. Would you like to make a motion?

Motion do pass as presented. I have a second.

Second by Mr. Welch. All in favor? Motion passes 5. Thank you, Kristen. Item 9 C AGR2026-018 authorization to award RFP26-016 consultant services for the Chattahuchi Riverlands Trail Bridge to Kimley Horn and Associates 1200 Peach Street Sweet 800 Atlanta, Georgia 30309 for $800,000 to be paid from a reimburseable grant fund and to authorize the mayor to sign and execute all related documents. This project is fun funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative Community Project. So I think that means this whole thing is paid by outside sources. Mr. Jones, any background?

Yes. So the city requested proposals to determine what the most feasible bridge location would be to connect the regional green well trail essentially connecting the Atlanta side to the city of Smyrna side. Um the consultant that's part of this will be providing project administration, public engagement, site investigation, due diligence and also providing do concept developments. There were four proposals that were received. Three of these firms uh made presentations and interviews and after the final valuation was complete. The recommendation of the group is for Kimley Horn and we recommend authorization to award RFP 26-016 consultant services to Chattahuchi Riverland Trailbridge to Kimley Horn Associates in the amount of 800,000 and as you mentioned to be paid for from reimburseable grant fund.

Awesome. Thank you, Mr. Jones. This is down in Council Member Oglesby area. I know he's been paying a lot of attention to the riverline and and uh like to turn it over to you if you like to make a motion. moved by Mr. Oglesby. Do we have a second?

Second by Mr. Lindley. All in favor. Motion passes 5-0. Moving on. Similar item uh item 9D AGR2026-020 approval for the memorandum of understanding between the city of Smyrna and the trust for public land for the cooperation towards the completion of.7 miles portion of the river riverlands trail that is located along river road between river view park in the city of Smyrna and discovery park in Cobb County and authorized the mayor to execute any related documents. Mr. Oglesby Mr. Jones, sorry.

So in 2020, the trust for public land and the city were among multiple groups and agencies that completed the Chattahuchi Riverland study and since that time trust for public land has identified the initial portion of the trail be located in the south part of Cobb County which includes about.7 miles in the city of Smyrna um along riverview road. So the trust for public land will construct the recreational trail and all the associated amenities using philanthropic dollars. Uh this is a memorandum of understanding that would grant trust for public land a temporary easement for access construction on this portion of the city-owned rideway and recommendation is for approval of theou between the city of Smyrna and the trust for public land.

Thank you Mr. Jones. Exciting stuff down there by on the river Mr. Yes absolutely. If you haven't gotten down to the river uh in a few months, you may want to come down and check out Rofy Road. It's beautiful. The trails all soon. The park's going to be amazing. With that, I like to recommend approval. We have a motion. Do we have a second?

Second, Mr. Lindley. All in favor? Motion passes 5. All right. Item 9E, resolution 2026-006, approval of resolution res 2026-006 to continue being a subreipient of the Cobb County Community Development Block Grant CDBG program and to enter into a cooperation agreement for Cobb County, Georgia, and the city of Smyrna program years 2027 through 2029 and authorize the mayor to sign and execute all related documents. Mr. Jones. So, the past several years, the community development block grant funds have been invested in the city and they have funded numerous public improvements within the city of Smyrna. And the city desires to continue to be a subreient to uh Cobb County CDBG program. So, this will be a three-year renewal for the program years 2027 through 2029. And staff recommends approval of resolution 2026-006. Awesome. Any questions? Have a motion, please? Motion by Mr. Welch. Second, please. Second by M. Wilkinson. All in favor? Motion passes. 5-0. Uh, item 10, consent agenda. Mr. Jones, please.

So, there are four items on the agenda. The first three are approval of the April 30th, 2026 committee the whole meeting minutes. Item B is approval of the May 4th, 2026 pre-consil meeting minutes. Item C is approval of the May 4th mayor and council meeting minutes. And item D is an authorization to approve a request to close Belmont Circle to through traffic at Atlanta Road to Woodland Trail from May 19th to May 22nd, 2026 and authorize the mayor to sign and execute all related documents. Thank you, sir. Can I have a motion for approval, please?

Motion by Mr. Lindley, second by Signs. All in favor? Motion passes 5-0. On to citizen participation and we have Mr. Paul Edson from 1278 Daniel Drive left me a message earlier today. Thank you, sir, for being here. Could you just uh state your name and address for the record, please?

Um, my name is Paul Edson. I am I don't know that I pronounced that very well. It's Edson and um I am at 1278 uh Daniel Drive um within Mr. Gul Sward and I'm here to do really kind of three things at the same time. I want to advocate for a sidewalk along um uh Daniel Drive and request that the board uh that the council uh do something to um whatever it is the council has to do to um uh make sure that that happens. and um to ask for the council's input to me um for anything that I should be doing to get this project underway. Um the issue is this. Um, Daniel Drive is a twob block drive that runs basically between King Street and um, uh, Dunn. And it is a it is the only east west street between those major streets and other major streets that go north and south. Those north and south streets are um um the neighborhood is quiet, but those streets are wellused and there is no sidewalk on um um Daniel Drive. And what we have there are all sorts of east west traffic. um uh basically um uh sports cars um small uh vehicles and we also have um big trucks, furniture delivery trucks, other things of that sort. There's a hard there's

hardly a time that I stand on my porch and cannot within three or four two or three minutes um see um a big truck of that sort. And we have a lot of people on the street. And the issue here is um elderly people who are trying to keep their health. Um middle-aged people with children sometimes kids uh younger people with uh children um people walking their dogs, running, um walking, um people talking, having a good time. But there is a conflict between the um vehicular traffic and the running and walking traffic. And um something happened just last week that shattered me really. And I um came immediately to the front office or to the rep receptionist receptionist here and I said, you know, we have to do something about this. Um, and so let me just simply say I've I think I've laid out a case for sidewalks along that uh area. It really only has to be um on one side or the other of the street. The north side of the street uh is a pretty pronounced um direction upward. And I don't think the city wants to try to fight with the the hill. Uh but the south side of the street can work uh for a sidewalk. And it's the health and safety of the people, the numerous people every day who don't have anything but the trucks and the and the cars to

cope with. And so I'm advocating for that. I'm asking the council please to instruct me as to what I need to do to pursue this. uh and uh asking the council please to advocate wherever it needs to be done uh to get this project started. It is a health and safety issue. It is very important uh that the council act on this. So far as I'm concerned, Mr. Edson, thanks for one for your call and two for being here through the whole meeting to to talk about this. You have the right people in the room. It really is important.

It's very important, right? You have the right people in the room. So Mark Wolf, who's our city engineer, um his his group will partially lead the uh um the design of it, this the design of the sidewalk, and we'll look into uh the we'll look into the design, and I'll circle back with you what with what we find of where it can go and and timing and all that type of thing. So we have we have a traffic coming committee that uh Mr. Lley chairs and uh myself, Corky, and Susan are on that and it's all around helping make sure our neighborhoods are safe. So really appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Yes.

Thank you so much. Thank you very much, Madison. Thank you. That's all I have to say. Thank you. All right. Move on to um let's see, ward reports. Start with uh with Miss Hines. Um, I do not want to steal the thunder of of Council Member Oglesby, but we do have a big holiday coming up for June 19th, and I will let him explain. Thank you. We'll keep it in suspense, Mr. Lindley.

Uh, thank you. Uh, just a quick update. Last week, a number of us got to tour uh the work site that is Talison pool and the new aquatic center that is being built and uh it is coming along nicely. Uh the the main takeaway is that we are on time for a delivery next spring. So, uh we will continue to watch that closely. Also, uh a number of us are uh putting out uh newsletters that time of the year. Uh so we've posted those on uh various social media platforms. If you're listening and would like a copy, just reach out. With that, I defer. Thanks, sir. Mr. Welch.

Thank you, sir. I'll be very brief. Uh sort of following up what Travis said, if I've got some constituents out there that want to be included in my newsletter, please send me your email address. Uh you can find my email address on the web page at the city Thanks, sir. Miss Wilkinson, thank you. Um, I want to send a shout out to the citizens that participated in the citizens academy and um, their graduation. Um, that was really neat to hear about tonight. With that, I yield. Thank you,

Mr. Oglesby. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, few things. Uh I want to remind the the citizens in Ward 7 and also uh citywide that the new splash pad at Riverline Park is now open. We now have a place to have fun with family and friends and stay cool in these hot day summer months on the south end of the city just right on Odell Road. Beautiful, beautiful park. Uh Splash Pad Park. Um also uh well tomorrow is voting day, right? So, let's not for if you haven't voted already, you're going to need to go to your precinct. Just know that W 7 precinct has changed at least temporarily. So, please please uh contact your Cobb County election board or look at the websites to give those get information for your precincts. Uh so, you'll know where to go vote. All right? And bring everything you need to vote. Lastly, Junth is coming. Our Junth festival is on June 19th. It's on Friday. It will be Friday evening. We have a wonderful, wonderful lineup of activities and entertainment and uh so it'll be right here on the green starting at 6 PM. So, I'm excited. We all are excited. This is year two, so it'll be bigger and better. With that, I I yield back. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Anything?

Nothing to add. All right, Mr. Cochran. Kristen, Heather,

I do. Um, tomorrow is the general primary election. You will need to vote in your precincts from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Smyrna 1A is at Covenant Church. 2A is at First Baptist Church. 3A is at Shiloh 7th Day Adventist Church. 4A votes at the Little Cottage on Concord Road. 5A is a Glacia Pentecostal Church. 6A votes at the American Legion. And 7A is voting at a temporary location, Indian American Cultural Association on Cooper Lake Road.

Thank you. Um, all right. Just Yeah, just follow up on that. Please do get out and vote if you're not done. So, it is 8:45. Meetings adjourned. in the Jungle City.