City Council - Regular Meeting

Would you like

people that are here that are thankful and happy. Awesome. He's going to sayformational items all the way at the end.

All right, we will begin in just one minute. Just one minute. We will begin. All righty. All right. Good. All right. Good evening and welcome everyone to the committee meetings for January 13, 2026. The elected body present, Mayor Mayor Mary Robisho, Council Member Christine Hall, Council Member Alan Cells, Council Member Aaron Brumley, Council Member Christopher Zack, Council Member Jennifer Philippy, Council Member Sarah Bon. I'm Randy Knighton, the city administrator along with city attorney [clears throat] Davidson and the executive assistant to the council and deputy city clerk Michelle Miller. The purpose of committee meetings are for the city departments to convey information to the mayor and city council and discuss initiatives listed on the published agenda as well as provide updates of vital information essential to the operation of city government. And by ordinance, the committee consists of the mayor, members of the city council, and the city administrator. And the ordinance mandates that the city administrator serve as the chair of committee meetings. This is a public meeting, but not a public hearing. And therefore, while we certainly welcome members of the public um we do not take public comments um unless or questions during committee meetings unless specifically authorized. Public comments and questions are received at the regular city council meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month and fifth Monday in open forum. We do encourage residents to engage our online platforms. And if you have questions or need information, we certainly encourage

you to reach out to our staff. Also, the city's web service portal is a mechanism to report issues or concerns. And please visit roswwell 365.com for a calendar of events. Um and for our committee meetings, uh the items that will be discussed uh this evening will be explained by um the respective members of our staff. And for those items that will ultimately need a formal approval by mayor and counsel, we'll ask this committee to uh motion and approve those items moving forward to a formal uh mayor and counsel me meeting if they are so inclined. The first item on the uh meeting agenda is the approval of the committee meetings for December 9th, 2025. Motion to approve by council member Bon, second by council member cells. Any further discussion? All in favor? All right, that passes unanimously. Thank you very much. as listed on the agenda. Item number two, consideration of a text amendment to the unified development code, article 9, use provisions, section 9.6.6, warehouse and distribution, and this is for initiation. Um, presented by Jeannie Payton, our planning and zoning director. Miss Payton.

Hi, good evening, mayor and council. Um I have two text amendments to present to you. Um it looks like the first one that got put on the agenda is section 966. So these go alongside the moratorum discussion for data centers and help further refine um our code immediately to allow for clarification of what um interpretation of our code allows for. So the first section is 966 warehouse and distribution. Um you can see that we add the word physical um to further define and reduce like ambiguity about what kind of goods we um define warehouse use for. Um we explicitly eliminate data and digital storage centers as a use that's allowed. And then while we're in here cleaning it up, we also suggested um refining trailer and box truck storage um as temporary and um as a and not allowed as a primary standalone use. Um then we further uh define the use standards for industrial flex area um for warehouse and distribution. So our industrial flex area is a less intense industrial area than our light industrial area. So, this is where we don't want to see those heavy warehouse uses. And so, we refine it by asking it to be um a limitation of on direct vehicular access to a state highway and having a maximum size of 25,000 square ft.

Any questions? Miss Payton, if you would, can you explain just a little bit about the process for initiation and then as it relates to planning commission and ultimately mayor and counsel?

Sure. So when we suggest a change to the code, we initiate it in this committee format and that allows us to um start the process. The next step would be planning commission. Planning commission votes recommendations um and then we bring those recommendations to you in the first reading. The first and second reading at mayor and council allow you to make any changes you want kind of discuss them previous to suggest them and then you have a second even opportunity before the the adoption and so it is required that we have those first and second readings. So text amendments always start with initiation, go via planning commission to gain some recommendations, additions to that text, and then end up at a first and second reading with the mayor and council.

Thank you very much. Council member Bon, I believe you had a question or comment. I did. Um, regarding the question, you said that the data and digital storage center is outright disallowed or has it become a conditional use?

Um, it's so we have not refined the use. The moratorum is for us to explore what that um that use designation will be. But unfortunately we started I should have uh changed the agenda. We want to define it. So when I when we get to the next um definition of 14.2 you'll see where we define it. We h kind of have a hole. Um so what we did was disallow it in the warehouse use. So that way if someone calls and says well you know a data center just has one employee it's just a stagnant warehouse use we have further looked at it and said no that is we definitely know that that's it's it does not align with what we see as a warehouse it's its own separate use.

Got it. Yep. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions or comments pertaining to this item? Yes. Council member cells probably should know this, but would would any other zoning allow a data center commercial or something like that? So, not our code doesn't speak to a data center at all. Right. So, there is Yeah. It could possibly be a use in some other code se or uh zoning.

I think with a misinterpretation of the code. So I would explain it as when our code was drafted, data centers as a use were not a thing. I mean they might have been in the inception phases but not something that our code considered as a use. And so we have uses like this that over time evolve where one time like a smoke shop now has become a vape shop and might be very different than buying uh tobacco for your pipe versus what vape shops have become. This is kind of one of those uses that have evolved over time since our code doesn't speak to it. It does allow for some loopholes of misinterpretation or legal um kind of holes that could be poked in finding a use that is most like it. And that's where warehouse kind of that warehouse cleaning up is important because it's easy for someone to say, "Well, it's most like a warehouse, therefore the zoning director should have said."

I I understand what you're doing here. I'm asking sort of slightly different question and that question is you know if somebody uh came to us and it was already zoned commercial. Yes. And is there a a use case under commercial that would allow that they could say we we have a right to put a data center here as in a commercial space or would not outright. Okay. Perfect. Thank you.

Thank you Council Member Hall. Thank you. Um, just following up on Council Member Cell's question, uh, the definitions as we define them, those will carry through to other zoning areas. So, yes. So, so basically if there is a um uh nebulous area in in CX or CC, we would go to the definition and basically Yes. that.

Yes. So section nine of our code re defines the uses and puts limitations in certain areas. So uses can be permitted, conditional or limited or just the permitted is outright permitted and then not permitted. So section 9 is where kind of that magic of a use is defined. If we need a buffer, that's what that cleaning up is. Um section 14 is where we define those uses. So they then go into all the code where we see whether something's allowed. So if in a district it's allowed as permitted versus limited, we then reference those other sections to make sure the definition fits with the use and that it's permitted in that certain way.

And and you're going to address that next in the next item. Yes. Yes. Because there may be applications that we would consider a data center. Absolutely. And that's what the moratorum is allowing us to research is how we regulate them. Okay. Thank you. Yes, council member Zette. Uh I have a process question. You kind of given two examples of the tobacco store becoming the vape shop and our code not handling that. And similarly, we have the data center. what's the process for kind of identifying those shifts and kind of new um businesses and and how you identify that and bring it up to council for for like a need for a code change.

Um I I think there's a few different processes we use. It's professional development. Um we expect the planners to stay up to date on hot topic items and when we recognize a trend such as requests for uses that are not defined then we identify that as an issue. um and then bring it up, you know, the chain, if you will. Um and then I guess the second thing would be just focusing on requests that come in for information and knowing that we have a hole in the code.

Thank you. Any further questions or comments regarding this item? Seeing none, we'll entertain a motion to move this forward. Uh motion by council member Bon, second by council member Cells. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? All right, that passes unanimously. Thank you very much. Item number three, consideration of a text amendment to the unified development code, article 14, definitions, section 14.2, defined terms. This is an initiation, Miss Payton.

So, another initiation to the defined terms. Um we mention computer or data processing as a term in our code right now but there was lacking any sort of definition of that and that left that hole for someone interpreting a data center as data processing. And then we go one further as to add a definition that we felt is our best um foot forward at this point um for the definition of data and digital storage centers. Um as part of the moratorum we will make sure that this fully encompasses what we define as the definition but right now this closes that loophole that right now exists in our office um code. So in section 9 where the use of office is defined and regulated we have computer and data processing allowed and without a definition and further a definition for data centers themselves that was that's the big gaping hole that we had in the code that we need to take care of this front end. So we've if you'd like I can read um computer and data center processing we define it further as a specific office and commercial use and where electronic data is processed by employees including and without limitation data entry storage conversion analysis subscription and credit card transaction processing telephone sales order collection mail order catalog sales and mailing list um preparation. And you can see where we really drill down on the processing part of it that it cannot be um misconstrued um and interpreted as a data center. And then yeah

um yeah um I don't see anything regarding like mining for Bitcoin that kind of thing. Okay, that's something we can consider. All right. Council member Rumbling. Um yeah, there there are like facilities that that's all they do. They do the data process and I see that um it's not specific that they're just using it just for mining big things.

Would you think that's a size statement? In other words, like I mean I one of my partners did it from his basement, right? So I'm just Are you trying to get at the data center or the act of data mining? What what what's the instructions? Well, I see that the computer or data processing and I see some um analysis that creates grad transaction processing. I think we need to add that in that area. That would be allowed under definition the well computer or data processing. We're just simply making a definitional statement there. Exactly.

And you're going to add data mining to that. And how is computer data processing? This is in the definition. So where in the code does it fall under light industrial? Is that where it is? No, it falls under office. So, this is an office commercial use. You would see it where you'd see an office, retail, um, center. So, if I I imagine I I need to do some research, but that this is something that you would not notice a difference in the intensity or the activity on the site versus an office for like a law firm or um, a real estate agent. Um, so that would probably be most appropriate added to that computer data processing versus a data center.

We're sort of chasing a ball down the hill and I get that. I mean, some, you know, the way we heard about this particular one, there's a transaction that is occurring and one of the potential buyers came mentioned this to us. That's how this came popping up, I guess, is through economic development, I would say. But generally speaking, do we allow um I know they're going away, but server farms, you know, so So, do we have any server farms in the city, Rosel, that you know of?

I believe we have two uses that are kind of alongside what you're defining. I would have to do some further research, but we have the AT&T building here on the corner of Oak and Ellis. And then there's a Verizon location closer to Manzel. And I would say that's more kind of I would define it as like a switching, you know, kind of like there's some computer switching happening, not so much like a data center. So they kind of float between those two. Definitely more industrial, low intensity, but you know, not something you want next to your residential. Yeah. Just I'm I'm really, you know, I hadn't given this a lot of thought. Yeah. Yeah.

And and I know it's it's perking up and and it's a wave for sure, but all a data warehouse is just a server farm on steroids. I mean, it's the same exact it's the exact same actions. Uh and I I would be surprised if we don't have any server farms in Roswell. I' I'd be surprised. I mean, yeah. So, that again is the beauty of the moratorum. gives us that 90day timeline to begin to research these different tentacles of a youth and say how do we define it? How do we define on a big scale what we all recognize as a data center nowadays because we've seen it in the news and a smaller scale for something like what you're mentioning.

There may be some best practices out there that other cities are doing. I don't know. But uh uh obviously this is emerging and we're not like you know cutting edge technology people. At least I'm not. Um, so, uh, and there will be more work dedicated to that with with the data. Thank you. Glad you asked. Yes, Council Member Bon. I'm sorry. Wait a minute. I'm Council Member Hall. She had her hand up. I'm sorry. Council member Hall, you moved over. [laughter]

No, mine's mine's quick. It's um my question was there are a lot of cities and counties, municipalities that are also looking at this and I imagine you're connecting with them and also in the legislature and mayor maybe uh mayor has some connections to find out what they're looking at in these 40 days that that might be helpful. So I just wanted to add that. Yeah. as a basin.

I was just I realize at this point we're purely defining it, but seeing that it's potentially used for light industrial use, my understanding looking at the zoning map is there are some areas that are residential that abut light industrial within our code. Um unlike some other industrial uses, data centers can be quite loud because of air conditioning units that run on the outside of the building. So it's a constant white noise or wor that people can hear inside their homes. That's a complaint from other municipalities. Um, is there a way that we be able to restrict anything that was defined as data digital storage center which for all intents and purposes is a data center. Could we restrict that to conditional use moving forward?

Yeah. So that will happen as part of the work with the moratorum. So what we'll effectively get is if we look back at the 9.6.6 six, we'll end up with a use definition for data centers that takes it beyond just defined terms, defines it on that front end just like we did um warehouse and distribution and then limits it. So if it's a conditional use, here are some things we expect. If it's a limited use, we can add buffers, we can add um you know noise analysis components, um an analysis of you know water consumption, electricity, things like that. And that's that work we'll do with the moratorum. Thank you, Mayor Robashau.

So just um also in the definition of the data and digital storage center, I'm making an assumption on the fourth line where it says including but not limited to those specific things that you state gives us more of that flexibility from a legal perspective as we move forward to consider these things and then set what we believe. Certainly. And I want to assure you again that we will reook at this definition with the the work on the moratorum to make sure that we're capturing everything even beyond the text amendment we're doing now.

All right. Thank you. Any further questions or comments regarding this item? Um all right. With that, we'll entertain a motion. Motion. Motion. Motion by council member Zack. Second by council member Sales. Second by council member Brumley. Can't hesitate.

Um any further [clears throat] any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? All right, that passes unanimously. Thank you very much. Item number four, consideration for the mayor and/or city administrator to award a contract to Ready Power LLC for construction of the water treatment plant generator in an amount not to exceed $210,000. Mr. Watson,

thank you, Mr. Night. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Sorry. Yeah, very excited to be here on your very first committee. Um, and we are excited that we get to talk to you about two exciting projects. Um, the first one is um, basically the last step in the generator uh, that we need for our water treatment plant. Um, we've been actually we've actually come to council five times on this one because it's a it's a federal grant. So each time we make a step, we've got to come back to council to get approval. And so to kind of help with that, since a few of you are are new, we thought we'd give you just a little bit of a a background. But before I get going, I I definitely want to make sure that you uh notice that to my right, your left is Chris Boyd. Um he is our water utility manager and um you've probably seen him in different awards that he and his team have won. Um and he has been instrumental in this uh both of these projects. So I just want to make sure that um you have opportunity to to meet him. So, uh, the history of the the generator, uh, goes back quite a ways. Uh, you know, we have a water treatment plant here in the city. It services about 20% of the city of Roswell. The other 80% is, uh, provided by Fulton County. Um, the water treatment plant that we have now was designed in 2015. And due to cost constraints, there were some things that were pulled out of the design. One of those was a standby generator to basically provide backup power. power. Um we've uh each every three years we get an audit from EPD that looks into our sanitary ser sorry um sanitary survey and uh we have been noted a couple of times that we've had a minor deficiency within our water treatment plant because we did not have a backup generator. The reason we were able to get by with that as a minor deficiency is because even though we do

have a water treatment plant, we also have connections to Fulton County water. So even though if our plant did go down, we do have the ability to still provide residents with water. But from a from the state's perspective, because we did not have a backup generator, it was seen as a minor deficiency. So in 2018, um we were we had that identified. We also had that in 2022. Uh, also in 2022 is when we actually started submitting for federal dollars to obtain uh a standby generator. Um, you can see some of the other dates there. Um, but in January of 2025, we got a notice of award from GEMA that we were uh that we were going to get a generator, which was exciting. Um, the one of the first actions that we did with council after that is we actually had to order the generator because it's a very long lead time. So, back in July of 2025, we ordered the generator and now the exciting part is they're ready to deliver it. So, now we have to get prepared for it. And so, the next step is the actual construction of the site that the uh the generator is going to sit on. So, um this is probably goes without saying, but just to kind of give you some information on, you know, why do we what is the benefit of having a backup generator? Um, it provides an auxiliary power source so that we can meet the minimum standards that have been set by the state. Uh, to give you an idea of some of the costs that it that the utility has incurred, um, this is just going back to October of 2020, the treatment plant lost power for 3 days. Um, like I said, when we lose power, we can actually purchase water from Fulton County. Well, that cost us just under $12,000 to purchase water for those three days. Um, and we also had to replace just over $4,000 of equipment. So, if we would have had a standby generator, that would have been avoided. So, we've got a lot of these instances

where when our plant is down to a power outage, that that generator would have come in come in handy. Um, just to kind of give you all a breakdown of how the costs uh came about. So, you know, the total project cost was just over $600,000. there was a federal component and a state component and then the highlighted there highlighted area is what the the city had to uh to match and that came out of the water utility. So as I mentioned we are in the last phase of this project um which is the construction um we put the project out to bid uh in October um we received one bid in November from Ready Power. uh their bid was just over what we had allocated for construction dollars. Uh so our team worked with um uh not only worked with Ready Power, the contractor, but worked with other parts of the city, namely transportation, who's actually going to be able to uh put together the concrete pad that we're going to put the generator on. So, um we ultimately negotiated with Ready Power uh to $210,000. Um, we also want to allocate $21,000 for any unforeseen uh circumstances that pop up during construction. Um, and with that, I'll take any questions.

Thank you, Mr. Watson. Yes, Council Member Zack. I've got two questions. First is, what's the shelf life for this generator? I want to say 20 years, but is that 20? Yeah, I think it's 20 years. Um, I have to get back to you on the exact number, but I feel like it's 20 years. Okay. They typically are a a very expensive generator could be 30. Um, this is a good size generator, so I'm expecting a 20-year time frame.

Okay. Thank you. And question two. I think you told me that for the procurement process, we had one bidder. This might be a question for Bill. Um, in the scenario where we only get one bidder, do we we have a follow-up process to kind of in the future try to get more people in that process? Uh, we do. This is a very unique situation and and the primary reason that I think that we only had one bidder is because of the size of the generator. It's a thousand kilowatt generator. Um, also when you get contractors and they bid on federal projects, sometimes there's regulations and requirements through what they have to do and what they have to report. So sometimes you'll get fewer people who will respond to those solicitations.

Good question. Yeah. All right. Uh, any further questions or comments regarding this item? Seeing none, we'll entertain a motion. Motion by council member Philippe, second by council member cells and Brumley.

Um, any further discussion? Uh, seeing none, um, will seeing none, all in favor? All right, that passes unanimously. Thank you very much. And then item number five is consideration for the mayor and/or city administrator to approve conversion of a private water utilities to public water utilities for Garrison Hill subdivision and budget amendment 5054400-01-26-26 of $18,942 from additional revenue and expense in the water fund. Mr. Watson.

Thank you, Mr. Niden. Um, so, uh, this is your first committee and this is a very rare policy that gets used. It has been used two times since its existence. So, this is this is exciting. Um, so essentially what this is is there are within the footprint of the water utility, there are several uh subdivisions that have a master meter that services their subdivision. And then once the water goes past that meter into their subdivision, the HOA owns all of the infrastructure within that subdivision. So there is a a policy that the city has that um upon the HOA inquiring, I'm going to take you through a little history, but on basically on the HOA um reaching out to the the city and saying we would like the city to take over our infrastructure. Um there's a process that uh the HOA can go through and Garrison Hills uh was um Garrison Hills, sorry. Um opted to do that and we do have two representatives from Garrison Hill in the um in the audience there, the president of the HOA and her husband. So um if we have any questions, I may have to ask them if you get into details on the HOA. So um let me give you a timeline because this again this is not a common thing that you will see but I think it's uh it's important. So um in 2015 is when the city adopted the policy. Um in 2019 Garrison Hills uh first approached the city about taking over the infrastructure. Um [clears throat] in 2021 um the very first uh system that the city took over was Ashley Manor and in 2023 uh St. Charles Square was the second water system to kind of give you that timeline. So in 2025 Garrison Hills reached back out uh uh basically getting

that conversation moving forward of of the city taking over. Um the HOA submitted a letter of interest to the city which basically is the first step of the process. Um, and to do that, that means their HOA conducted a vote within their members and um, uh, was I think it was unanimous. I have to check on that, but basically to to move forward, um, Chris and his team go out to the site, they evaluate all of the um, uh, infrastructure, identify what costs would need to be incurred by the HOA uh, to convert over. Fortunately, Garrison Hills when the the subdivision was built, the developer actually had this in mind. So, oftent times a lot of the costs that would be incurred are utility easements. Um, but everything was set up that this was a pretty easy conversion. So, uh, from our standpoint, it was it was very nice. And then in uh after we worked out the cost breakdown, and I'll get into what those costs are. Um, we worked with legal, came up with a letter that went out to the HOA. they signed it and that is what is in your packet. That's the signed packet that um that shows all the stipulations of of the agreement. So, in case you do not know where Garrison Hills is, it's off of 120 Marietta Highway uh just west of here. There are 22 homes in the neighborhood. And so, here are the fees that would be incurred. So, there's there's basically two sets of fees. one fee set of fees would actually come from the individual homeowner. So each homeowner would need to purchase a meter which is $2,000 and they would purchase that directly from uh the water utility. The second cost is the $18,942. Um and those costs are to uh rehab the the water vault that is there to do a bacteria test and also to do some casing

piping. Um the the reason that we have to bring this forth to you, this is this is basically uh a break even that the city is not making money on this. Um but because the city receives funds, you all have to vote on it so that it can be incorporated into the into the water utility budget. So um this is basically to accept the funds. So here's the next steps. Um you know, we're presenting tonight. Upon approval, we we'd be coming back to the mayor and council on the 26th of uh January. Um we would then hopefully with February get an executed agreement with both parties. And then the construction would be sometime between February and April, most likely March or April just because of the the temperatures. And then upon uh the conclusion of construction and upon our evaluation, it basically be turned over to the city. Um, and with that, take any questions that you all might have.

Thank you, Mr. Watson. Yes, Council Member Brumley. Um, because I'm all Yes. Um, uh, what what defines that the city takes over the water system as opposed to Fulton County? So, well, there's two reasons. I I'll give one. You probably have another one. If it's within our footprint and it's it's in the the footprint that the water utility serves and we already provide water to the master meter, it would fall upon the city that we we have I don't know if it's first right or refusal would that would is that what you would call it? Yeah.

Um if it was a HOA that was serviced by Fulton County that was in our footprint, I haven't had to deal with that. What would Chris What would that be? So, I'm going to re-emphasize that it's within our footprint. Plus, we're the only water lines in in this community. Now, there are subdivisions that are served by Fulton County within our footprint along Woodstock Road. If they as the HOA decided they wanted to be a Roswell water customer, they would need to come to us and say, "Hey, we want you to be our water customer. They're within our footprint. We would just have to find out how we would tie them in to that service and they would also have to work with Fton County to have their meters hold in time."

Yeah. One of the things that I think was a larger question is um there are service areas per service delivery agreements which are established essentially every 10 years or so every 10 years or so by um the cities the 15 cities and Fulton County service delivery agreement the last one was done back in 2009 and was held in a bandance all of these years um and now we will have to get into this service delivery arrangement with the cities and Fulton County um uh the end of this here be a great retreat topic. Um and yes and so this is this is essentially essentially there are service areas for instance where Fulton County may serve where John's Creek may serve where city of Roswell may serve and that's to avoid the duplication of services in other words to ensure that taxpayers don't pay twice for water lines running down the same street essentially that is the that is the impetus behind it that goes for all services that cities andor and the county provide and so we'll have a very robust a conversation about service delivery which is something that will be done will need to be done essentially by the end of the year with Fulton County and the various cities. Um but that is essentially how that is done in terms of a service area that is established and negotiated by Fulton County and the cities. Again, it's been quite a while since that's been done in that fashion, but essentially that is um the purpose of having those service areas. Any further questions or comments regarding this item? Yes, Council Member Hall,

just a comment. Um, it I noticed on the next slide, are there more subdivisions? I know Stonegate was inquiring. I have a friend in there that was inquiring. There there are there are a few others that have um that could Stonegate is the only Stone Grove. Stone Grove, Weatherford Place. Have they reached out there? I think Stone Grove is the only one that's reached out. Weatherford has reached out. They just have not responded back to me after I sent them the policy that's in place. So, just waiting to hear back from them. Norcross Village had reached out a couple years ago. Um, just had no movement movement on that one. Well, everybody would want to be on Roswell Water if they could. We do have the best utility in the southeast. Yeah.

Yes, we do. Indeed. Yes. All right. Any further questions or comments regarding this item? Seeing none, we'll entertain a motion. Motion by council member Bon, second by council member cells. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? All right, that passes unanimously as well. That does conclude the agenda items for the committee's meeting for Tuesday, January 13, 2026. There are a couple of information items in the packet as well, just for your uh review and information. Um and with that, uh we'll entertain a motion for adjournment. Motion [laughter]

motion by everyone, seconded by everyone. Um uh all in favor. All right. Thank you all very much. Have a wonderful evening. Ready to go.