Jan 06, 2026 City Council

[00:00:01]

STUFF. IT'S NOT. IT'S USUALLY. I WAS JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE I NEVER. YEAH. GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING. MY NAME IS EDEN FREEMAN. I SERVE AS THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS. AND I AM THRILLED AND HONORED TO WELCOME YOU THIS EVENING TO JOIN US IN THE SWEARING IN OF THE SIXTH CITY COUNCIL SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THE CITY IN 2005. PLEASE RISE AND JOIN US IN 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. THANK YOU. YOU

[Additional Item]

ONE OF THE BEST. AND CANDIDLY, WELL THOUGHT ABOUT ACROSS THIS STATE, BUT ALSO ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IN FACT, THEY WERE ONE OF THE FEW DEPARTMENTS THAT RESPONDED TO ANOTHER STATE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WAS ASSISTANCE NEEDED. SO I JUST THINK WE'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT SERVE SANDY SPRINGS. SO WITH THAT, MAYOR. FAMILIES COMING.

THIS IS JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET. AND IF IT'S OKAY, CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? YES. YES. OKAY.

I'VE NEVER BEEN QUIET NATURE. AND IT'S EASIER FOR PICTURES TO BE TAKEN IF THEY DON'T STAND WITH YOUR BACK TO Y'ALL. IF THAT'S OKAY WITH EVERYBODY. SO IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A FEW MORE. YEAH. COME ON OUT HERE. AND YOU'VE DONE THIS BEFORE. YOU PLACE YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME. I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM. I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF MAYOR OF SANDY SPRINGS, AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, SUPPORT, DEFEND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF GEORGIA, AND THE CHARTER, ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS. AND THE CHARTER, ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS. I FURTHER STATE I AM NOT THE HOLDER OF ANY UNACCOUNTED FOR PUBLIC MONEY. I FURTHER STATE I AM NOT THE HOLDER OF ANY UNACCOUNTED FOR PUBLIC MONEY. DO THE STATE, DO THE STATE, OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR AUTHORITY THEREOF, OR AUTHORITY THEREOF? I'M NOT THE HOLDER OF ANY OFFICE OF TRUST. I AM NOT THE HOLDER OF ANY OFFICE OF TRUST UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ANY OTHER STATE, ANY OTHER STATE, OR ANY OTHER FOREIGN STATE WHICH I ANY FOREIGN STATE WHICH I BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, AND PROHIBITED FROM HOLDING AND PROHIBITED FROM HOLDING, I AM OTHERWISE QUALIFIED TO HOLD SAID OFFICE. I AM OTHERWISE QUALIFIED TO HOLD SAID OFFICE. ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS FOR THE TIME REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION, FOR THE TIME REQUIRED OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE, AND BY THE MUNICIPAL CHARTER AND BY THE MUNICIPAL CHARTER. I WILL TRULY, I WILL TRULY, HONESTLY, AND FAITHFULLY, HONESTLY AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF MY OFFICE. DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF

[00:05:03]

[00:10:05]

SOUNDS GOOD. WHY DON'T WE STAND OVER HERE IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM AND GET THIS PAPER OUT OF THE WAY? AND IF YOU WANT TO HOLD THE BIBLE, SURE WE CAN. AND IF YOU WANT ONE WITH YOUR HAND UP, YOU CAN DO THAT AS WELL. OKAY. OKAY. THREE. TWO. ONE. I'LL TAKE ONE MORE. THREE.

TWO. ONE. OKAY. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. THREE. TWO. ONE. THREE. TWO. ONE. IT'S MUCH.

YOU DO. ONE. ONE MORE. THREE. TWO. ONE. THREE. TWO. ONE. AND ONE MORE. THREE. TWO. ONE. TWO.

YEAH. AS SOON AS WE GET THROUGH, I'LL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. ALL RIGHT. I'M GOING TO CALL THE NEW COUNCIL TO ORDER. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE AT LEAST A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE. I SEE TWO OF OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER BAUMANN AND COUNCIL MEMBER DEGIULIO. THANK YOU, I, FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY. BOTH OF YOU HAVE SERVED FOR MANY YEARS AND THE SERVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND BEING PART OF THE TRADITION OF PASSING THE TORCH TO THE NEXT

[I. Call to Order]

[00:15:04]

[IV. Public Comment]

HELLO. CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYBODY. I'M LAURA KURLANDER, I'M A RESIDENT OF SANDY SPRINGS, AND I'M ALSO THE SECRETARY OF THE FULTON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. AS A RESIDENT OF SANDY. AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT AGENDA ITEM NINE. ITEM 11, WHICH IS THE REQUEST FOR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE FULTON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SHALL NOT OPERATE WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS WITHOUT APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR OR THE COUNCIL. AS A RESIDENT, I AM. I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU INTRODUCED THIS RESOLUTION, BUT AS A BOARD MEMBER OF DEVELOPED FULTON, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS RESOLUTION. FOR THOSE OF YOU UNFAMILIAR WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, FULTON COUNTY, WE'RE A STATUTORY ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS ALONGSIDE OF FULTON SELECT. FULTON IS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARM OF THE FULTON COUNTY, AND WE FACILITATE FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. WE LOOK AT THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE, AND WHEN WE'RE LOOKING FOR NEW BUSINESSES TO MOVE INTO THE AREA, THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT WE WORKED ON IN SANDY SPRINGS AND PROVIDED A TAX INCENTIVE. AND THIS PROJECT HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL AND THAT AREA IS REALLY PROSPERED. I'M HERE, AS I MENTIONED, BECAUSE I WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN OF THE RESOLUTION ONLY TODAY DEVELOPED. FULTON SEEKS TO PARTNER WITH ALL OF THE LOCAL CITIES. WE DON'T WANT TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY. I FEEL LIKE THIS RESOLUTION WAS DRAFTED AS A RESPONSE TO FORMER COUNCILWOMAN RICE SHELLS BLOCK OF A PROJECT THAT WE WERE WORKING ON THE RESERVE OF AT RIDGEWOOD. WE WERE SEEKING TO UPGRADE THE PROPERTY THROUGH A BOND RESOLUTION. I REACHED OUT TO HER TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT, AND SHE SAID THAT ANY IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS PROPERTY WOULD BE, IN HER WORDS, PUTTING LIPSTICK ON A PIG. I ALSO REACHED OUT TO MAYOR PAUL, BUT WE NEVER CONNECTED. AS A RESIDENT IN SANDY SPRINGS, I WANT OUR APARTMENT COMPLEXES IMPROVED AND I WANT OUR CITY TO BE AFFORDABLE. AND I ALSO WANT TO PROMOTE SMART BUSINESS GROWTH. AND I KNOW THAT WE CAN DO THIS IN COLLABORATION WITH DEVELOP FULTON. I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THIS RESOLUTION, BUT I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE TO KEEP SANDY SPRINGS A GREAT COMMUNITY. I'M HERE WITH SARAH ELIZABETH LANGFORD, WHO'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FULTON, AND WE'RE HERE TO TALK TO YOU. AND WE'RE ABSOLUTELY AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF ALL PROJECTS COMING TO SANDY SPRINGS TO WORK TOGETHER AND COLLABORATE RATHER THAN BEING INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATIONS. THANK YOU, MISS HERLANDER. YES.

HAVE YOU EVER APPEARED BEFORE THIS BODY BEFORE? I HAVE NOT. YOU JUST ANSWERED THE PROBLEM.

OKAY. YOU HAVE NOT COLLABORATED WITH US. YOU HAVE NOT COME TO SEE US. YOU HAVEN'T SAT DOWN AND TALKED TO US ABOUT ANY OF THE PROJECTS THAT WERE BEFORE THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. AND YOU VOTED FOR PROJECTS IN SANDY SPRINGS WITHOUT COLLABORATING WITH THE CITY OFFICIALS AT ALL.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE WHERE WE ARE, I UNDERSTAND. I WAS I'VE ONLY BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. THAT'S PLENTY OF TIME TO SHOW UP. WE MEET EVERY TWICE A MONTH. OKAY, I UNDERSTAND THAT. I DID REACH OUT TO YOUR OFFICE. I DID MEET WITH COUNCILWOMAN ROCHELLE, AND I'VE SPOKEN TO OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THIS IN SANDY SPRINGS. BUT I UNDERSTAND WE NEED TO PRESENT THIS, THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS THIS WITH YOU. BUT I HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE AT A PUBLIC MEETING THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY SIT DOWN TOGETHER AND TALK OVER A CUP OF COFFEE, RATHER THAN BEING SUCH A FORMAL KIND OF THANK YOU MEETING.

THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE VLADIMIR SLUTSKY. MR. SLUTSKY. OH, OKAY. HELLO, I'M VLADIMIR SHKLOVSKY. YEAH. CONGRATULATIONS ON ELECTIONS FOR EVERYONE. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. YESTERDAY ON ROSWELL ROAD, A CAR CRASHED OFF THE ROAD, FLEW UP IN THE AIR, KNOCKED HALFWAY THROUGH A TELEPHONE POLE AND THEN TOTALED A DAYCARE TEACHER'S CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, DRIVER KILLED A PEDESTRIAN ON THE SAME

[00:20:03]

IT HAD TO BE REBUILT BECAUSE OF A DRIVER. THERE USED TO BE A YELLOW BOLLARD ON THE SOUTHERN CORNER OF THE PROPERTY THAT WAS DESTROYED BY DRIVERS. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THIS PATTERN OF CRASHES AT THAT LOCATION ENDS IN TRAGEDY. THERE'S BEEN A LONG DELAYED SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT ALONG THAT STRETCH OF ROSWELL ROAD, AND HOPEFULLY THAT STARTS SOON.

HOWEVER, A BETTER SIDEWALK IS NOT ENOUGH AS ROSWELL ROAD ENTERS THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE CITY, DRIVERS SPEED UP THE HILL AND THE ROAD BENDS, BUT DRIVERS CONSISTENTLY KEEP GOING STRAIGHT AND CRASH RIGHT AT THAT SPOT. WE NEED BOLLARDS, GUARDRAILS, SOMETHING TO PROTECT THAT AREA. THE PEOPLE ON THAT SIDEWALK, THE PEOPLE AT THAT BUS STOP AND THE CHILDREN OF THAT DAYCARE. AND COUNCIL MEMBER FORD, CONGRATULATIONS. THIS HAPPENED IN OUR DISTRICT.

THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE DISTRICT HAS A LOT OF NEEDED INVESTMENTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, RECREATIONAL SPACES, A LOT OF PRIORITIES TO GET TO. BUT I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE BUILT PRETTY QUICKLY, PRETTY CHEAPLY, AND WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO START THIS CITY COUNCIL. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ANY OTHERS? ALL RIGHT. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

[V. Approval of Meeting Agenda]

[VI. Consent Agenda]

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED. NO CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. MOVING TO

[VIII. Public Hearing]

WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. YOU'VE HEARD THE REPORT OF THE REVENUE MANAGER. WHAT'S THE DESIRE OF COUNCIL? DOCTOR KELLY, I MOVE APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM 2026-00 FOR CONSIDERATION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR STARLITE LOUNGE LLC. DOING BUSINESS AS STARLITE LOUNGE AND GRILL AT 8610 ROSWELL ROAD, SUITE 690, SANDY SPRINGS, GEORGIA 30350. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION BY DOCTOR KELLY. IS THERE A SECOND SECOND SECONDED BY MR. PAULSON. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. WE'LL CALL THE QUESTION. THE QUESTION IS ON AGENDA ITEM 2020 604, APPROVING AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR STARLITE LOUNGE, LLC, DOING BUSINESS AS STARLITE LOUNGE AND GRILL AT 8610 ROSWELL ROAD, SUITE 690, SANDY SPRINGS, GEORGIA. THE APPLICANT IS AVID FOR CONSUMPTION OF OF THE PREMISES ON THE PREMISES OF WINE, MALT AND DISTILLED SPIRITS. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. WE'LL CALL THE QUESTION. THE QUESTION IS ON AGENDA ITEM 2026 ■004, THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR STARLITE LOUNGE. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, SAY AYE. OPPOSED? NO. THE ITEM IS APPROVED. THE CLERK WILL PLEASE READ THE NEXT ITEM. THIS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2020 605.

THAT'S ABL NUMBER 28 289. CONSIDERATION OF AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION

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THE APPLICANT IS ALSO FOR PACKAGED BEER AND WINE PRESENTED BY REVENUE MANAGER COREY HOLINESS. MISS HOLINESS, THANK YOU. ALCOHOL LICENSE FOR DISTRICT FIVE. THIS IS A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP. ALCOHOL LICENSE FOR PACKAGE OF WINE AND MALT BEVERAGE 5345 MOBILE FOOD MARKETS INC 5345 ROSWELL ROAD, SANDY SPRINGS, GEORGIA 30342. THE APPLICANT HAS MET ALL REQUIREMENTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. MADAM CLERK, IF WE RECEIVED ANY PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS. ALL RIGHT, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. YOU'VE HEARD THE REPORT OF THE REVENUE MANAGER. WHAT'S THE DESIRE OF COUNSEL, MISS FORD? I MOVE THAT COUNCIL APPROVES AGENDA ITEM 2026005. ABL NUMBER 28289. REQUEST FOR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR 5345. MOBILE FOOD MART, INC. AT 5345 ROSWELL ROAD, SANDY SPRINGS, GEORGIA 30342. WE HAVE A MOTION BY MISS FORD. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? SECONDED BY MR. CZYNSKI. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. WE'LL CALL THE QUESTION. THE QUESTION IS ON AGENDA ITEM 2020 605, A ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR 5345 MOBILE FOOD MART AT 5345 ROSWELL ROAD, SANDY SPRINGS, GEORGIA. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? NO. THE ITEM IS APPROVED. THE CLERK WILL PLEASE READ THE NEXT ITEM. THIS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2020 606. THAT'S ABL NUMBER 28 273.

CONSIDERATION APPROVAL OF AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR BEYOND THE CORNER, LLC. DOING BUSINESS AS WAGGA GROCERIES FOR 5975 ROSWELL ROAD BUILDING D, SUITE TWO, 37, SANDY SPRINGS, GEORGIA 30328. THE APPLICANT IS TAKASHI OTSUKA FOR PACKAGE WINE AND MALT BEVERAGES, PRESENTED BY REVENUE MANAGER COREY HOLINESS. MISS HOLINESS, YOU'VE BEEN BUSY.

I KNOW RIGHT? THANK YOU. THIS IS AN ALCOHOL LICENSE FOR DISTRICT THREE. THIS IS A NEW APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE. LICENSE FOR RETAIL PACKAGE. WINE AND MALT BEVERAGE.

BEYOND THE CORNER LLC, DBA WAGAYA GROCERIES, 5975 ROSWELL ROAD BUILDING D, SUITE TWO, 37, SANDY SPRINGS, GEORGIA 30328. THE APPLICANT, TAKASHI OTSUKA, HAS MET ALL REQUIREMENTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS? WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. YOU'VE HEARD THE REPORT OF THE REVENUE MANAGER. WHAT'S THE DESIRE OF COUNCIL MAYOR PAUL? MISS MUELLER, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE. AGENDA ITEM 2022 6006 ABL NUMBER 28 273 FOR THE APPROVAL OF AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR BEYOND THE CORNER LLC. DOING BUSINESS AS WAY GAIA GROCERIES AT 5975 ROSWELL ROAD, BUILDING D, SUITE TWO, 37, SANDY SPRINGS, GEORGIA. MOTION BY MISS MUELLER. IS THERE A SECOND SECOND MOTION BY MISS MUELLER, SECONDED BY MR. PAULSON, THAT WE APPROVE? AGENDA ITEM 2020 606 AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR BEYOND THE CORNER, DOING BUSINESS AS WAGAYA GROCERIES AT 5975 ROSWELL ROAD. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. WE'LL CALL THE QUESTION. THE QUESTION IS ON AGENDA ITEM 2020 606, THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATION BEYOND THE CORNER. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? SAY AYE. OPPOSED? NO. THE ITEM IS

[IX. New Business]

MISTER ROBERTS MOVES THAT WE APPROVE. MR. PAULSON AS MAYOR PRO TEM. IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND MOTION BY MISTER ROBERTS, SECONDED BY MR. CHINSKY, THAT WE, MR. PAULSON, BE NOMINATED AND ELECTED AS THE MAYOR PRO TEM? IS THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? HEARING? NONE.

WE'LL CALL THE QUESTION. THE QUESTION IS ON APPROVAL OF JOHN PAULSON TO BE THE SANDY SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MAYOR PRO TEM. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? NO.

CONGRATULATIONS, MR. PAULSON. THANK YOU. CLERK. WILL PLEASE READ THE NEXT ITEM. EXCUSE ME.

THIS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2020 608. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE SANDY SPRINGS PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY. PRESENTED BY CITY ATTORNEY DAN LI. MR. LI, MAYOR, COUNCIL. AS YOU KNOW, THE LEGISLATURE ADOPTED THE PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY,

[00:30:06]

AND WE REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $769,719. A LITTLE BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT. THE CITY HAS DEVELOPED PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND ASSOCIATED INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS TO INCLUDE WIDENING LONG ISLAND DRIVE, REALIGNING THE DRIVEWAY ENTRY INTO ARLINGTON MEMORIAL PARK TO ALIGN WITH LONG ISLAND DRIVE, CREATING EFFECTIVELY A FOUR LEGGED INTERSECTION AND ADDING NEW SIDEWALKS AND CROSSWALKS, AND PROVIDING INTERSECTION LIGHTING TO IMPROVE VISIBILITY AND TRAFFIC SAFETY AT THIS INTERSECTION. TO THAT END, ON OCTOBER THE 21ST OF THIS YEAR, THE CITY ISSUED AN INVITATION TO BID SEEKING BIDS FROM QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS TO CONSTRUCT THE PROJECT. A NONMANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING WAS HELD ON OCTOBER 29TH, AND ON NOVEMBER THE 20TH OF THIS YEAR, THE CITY RECEIVED SIX BIDS FROM CONTRACTORS.

AMONG THOSE BIDS RECEIVED SAW CONSTRUCTION A CONTRACTOR. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY DONE SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS WITH HERE IN RENDERING CITY PROJECTS, WAS THE APPARENT SUCCESSFUL BIDDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $769,719 COMPARED TO THE ENGINEER'S COST ESTIMATE. SAUL AND THE OTHER BIDDERS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN THIS CASE, THE ENGINEER WAS THE HIGH BIDDER AND THE ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE WAS 1.1 MILLION $16,942. WITH THE REVIEW OF THE BIDS, REVIEW OF THE REFERENCES PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACTORS, STAFF RECOMMENDS AWARD TO SAUL CONSTRUCTION AS THE MOST RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE BIDDER FOR THE PROJECT. YOU'VE HEARD THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. WHAT'S THE DESIRE OF COUNCIL MAYOR PAUL? MISS MUELLER, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE. AGENDA ITEM 2026 009A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT AWARD TO SOLE CONSTRUCTION, LLC TO CONSTRUCT THE LONG ISLAND DRIVE AT MOUNT VERNON HIGHWAY INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT. WE HAVE A MOTION BY MISS MUELLER. IS THERE A SECOND SECOND MOTION BY MISS MUELLER, SECONDED BY MISS FORD, THAT WE APPROVE? AGENDA ITEM 2020 609. THE CONTRACT AWARDED TO SOLE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LONG ISLAND DRIVE AT MOUNT VERNON HIGHWAY INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. ANY DISCUSSION, MISS MUELLER? SO HEY, MARTY, HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW YEAR. QUESTION. SO WE ALWAYS GENERALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE ESTIMATES, WHAT MADE THE ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE SO MUCH HIGHER. IS THERE AN IDEA ON THAT. I FORGOT TO LET EVERYBODY SPEAK. WE'VE HAD A VERY STRONG TREND WITHIN TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I THINK THE ENGINEER OVERESTIMATED THE THE TREND. HONESTLY, COUNCIL MEMBER, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE GROUPING WITH THE BIDS, COMPARATIVELY, FIVE OF THESE SIX CONTRACTORS WE'VE DONE SUCCESSFUL WORK WITH HERE IN THE CITY, THEY'VE DONE PROJECTS FOR US. THEY'VE COMPLETED THEM WITHIN THE COST AND THE SCOPES INTENDED. SO WE BELIEVE ALL OF THESE BIDS TO BE GOOD. THEY WERE VERY TIGHT CLUSTER. AND SO THEY REFLECT MAYBE A DAMPENING OFF OF THE INFLATION WE'VE SEEN SPECIFICALLY IN HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS HERE IN

[00:35:01]

OPPOSED? NO. I'M GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE HERE. I MADE A MISTAKE, AND IT'S WRITTEN HERE IN VERY BOLD TYPE FROM THE CITY CLERK, THAT AFTER THEY WERE SWORN IN, EACH MEMBER OF COUNCIL WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE A MOMENT TO TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS. WE'RE GOING TO FINISH THIS AGENDA AND THEN WE'VE GOT TWO MORE ITEMS. AND THEN I APOLOGIZE TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR MESSING THAT UP TO BEGIN WITH AT THE VERY OUTSET. AND IT WAS RIGHT HERE.

BUT IT'S ON THE WRONG SHEET OF PAPER FOR ME TO LOOK AT. SO THAT'S MY FAULT AND I APOLOGIZE.

SO WE'LL WE'LL DO THAT VERY SHORTLY. BUT LET'S HAVE THE CLERK READ THE NEXT ITEM AND THEN WE'LL GET TO IT VERY QUICKLY. THIS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2026 ZERO TEN.

CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE FULTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE FY 2026 CONTRACT FOR SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY'S SIGNATURE EVENTS, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT.

THIS IS PRESENTED BY THE PERFORMING ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILLIAM HAGGIT. MISTER HAGGIT. MISTER MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBERS. STAFF. RECOMMENDS THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND, IF AWARDED, ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH FULTON COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 CONTRACT FOR SERVICES PROGRAM FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF $50,000 TO SUPPORT THE CITY'S SIGNATURE EVENT SERVICE SERIES. A LITTLE BACKGROUND IN NOVEMBER 2025, FULTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE ANNOUNCED FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026. CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES. FUNDING CYCLE FUNDING AWARDS CAN RANGE FROM $10,000 TO $50,000 FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND FULTON COUNTY, WITH A GOAL OF INCREASING ACCESS TO CULTURAL ENRICHMENT THROUGH ARTS PROGRAMING. SCHEDULED BETWEEN JANUARY 1ST AND DECEMBER 31ST, 2026. IN 2025, FULTON COUNTY AWARDED $3 MILLION IN FUNDING TO SUPPORT 172 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLIC ENTITIES, AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO RESIDENTS, INCLUDING ART CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, RESIDENCIES, FESTIVALS, EXHIBITIONS, CONCERTS, AND ACTIVITIES. THE CITY INITIALLY RECEIVED A 2025 AWARD AMOUNT OF $10,500, AND THEN RECEIVED A SECOND AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,000. THIS FUNDING WAS UTILIZED TO FUND PORTIONS OF THE CITY'S JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, AS WELL AS THE BLUE STONE ART AND MUSIC FESTIVAL. THE FUNDING IS AWARDED FOR SEVERAL PRIORITIES, INCLUDING PROVIDING CULTURAL ACCESS FOR THE DIVERSE CITIZENRY OF FULTON COUNTY WITH A FOCUS ON YOUTH, SENIORS,

[00:40:02]

FULTON COUNTY EXPECTS ALL APPLICANTS TO BE REVIEWED AND SELECTED BY JUNE 2026. SINCE OPENING CITY SPRINGS TO RESIDENTS IN 2018, THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS HAS ENHANCED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PRIDE BY PROVIDING A DIVERSE RANGE OF FREE EVENTS. THESE EVENTS HAVE PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BY OFFERING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, CULTURAL ENRICHMENT, AND ENTERTAINMENT. IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE NUMBER OF EVENTS HELD HAVE INCREASED, DRAWING LARGER CROWDS AND ENGAGING MORE RESIDENTS. THE SUCCESS OF THESE PROGRAMS HAS HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING TO OFFER THESE SERVICES AND EXPANDING THEM TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND. HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL DEMANDS ASSOCIATED WITH HOSTING THESE EVENTS HAVE ALSO GROWN. COSTS HAVE RISEN DRASTICALLY OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN THE HIGH QUALITY OF THE EVENTS HAS BECOME MORE PRESSING. TWO EVENTS, THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AND THE BLUESTONE ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, HAVE ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF ATTENDEES EACH YEAR, SERVING AS AN IMPORTANT CULTURAL CELEBRATION AND ATTRACTING TOURISM, GENERATING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THESE EVENTS, THE CITY IS SEEKING A $50,000 GRANT TO COVER THE INCREASED EXPENSES, ESPECIALLY THOSE RELATED TO VENDOR CONTRACTS AND ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND ART PROGRAMING. THE CITY PLANS TO INCLUDE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, BLUESTONE ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, AS WELL AS AS SOME NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING.

THIS GRANT WILL ALLOW THE CITY TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY AND SCALE OF EVENTS, WHILE ALSO ENSURING THE PROGRAMING WILL REMAIN FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY COVERING IMMEDIATE INCREASES IN COSTS, BUT ALSO SUPPORTING THE LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF THE SIGNATURE EVENT SERIES AS IT CONTINUES TO GROW IN BOTH SCOPE AND POPULARITY. TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM, THE CITY WILL NEED TO ALLOCATE THE REQUIRED $50,000 MATCH FROM THE CITY'S PERFORMING ARTS CENTER FUND TO SUPPORT THESE EVENTS. IN FISCAL YEAR 25 AND FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGETS. ALTERNATIVELY, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL CAN CHOOSE NOT TO APPLY FOR THIS GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH WILL LIMIT THE PROGRAMING AND RESOURCES FOR THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, BLUESTONE ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING. ALTERNATIVELY, OTHER FUNDING SOURCES CAN BE EXPLORED. THOUGH THE GRANT PRESENTS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THE OFFERINGS OF SIGNATURE EVENTS IN 2026. FURTHERMORE, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MAY CHOOSE TO APPLY FOR ONE OF THE TWO PROPOSED PROJECTS, REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF GRANT FUNDS REQUIRED.

ALL RIGHT. YOU'VE HEARD THE REPORT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. WHAT'S THE DESIRE OF COUNCIL MAYOR PAUL DOCTOR KELLY? I MOVE APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM 2026-010 SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE FULTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE. FISCAL YEAR 2026 CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM AND FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE I MEAN, FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY'S SIGNATURE EVENTS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT. WE HAVE A MOTION BY DOCTOR KELLY. IS THERE A SECOND SECOND, SECONDED BY MISS MUELLER. ANY DISCUSSION, DOCTOR KELLY? SO ONE OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE, AT LEAST FOR FISCAL YEAR 25, IS THAT THE CALENDAR THIS IS ON, ACTUALLY, COINCIDENTALLY, WE DIDN'T RECEIVE OUR AWARD UNTIL I WANT TO SAY IT WAS JUNE 19TH OR JUNE 18TH, WHICH MADE IT KIND OF CHALLENGING TO APPLY THE FUNDS. IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN WE CAN. IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN NAVIGATE THAT IN A WAY THAT OR HOW DO YOU PROPOSE WE WE NAVIGATE THAT FOR FUTURE FOR THIS YEAR, IF I MAY, COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDLY, WE ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE FUNDER. SO WE CAN'T REALLY CONTROL WHEN THEY DO DECIDE TO MAKE THAT AWARD. BUT YES, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO BALANCE THE EXISTING APPROPRIATION WITH ANY AWARDS THAT ARE RECEIVED. IF YOU'LL RECALL, WE WERE ABLE TO GO AND APPLY SOME OF THE FUNDS BACK TOWARDS THAT BECAUSE IT DID. IT WAS SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PROGRAM. SO WE WERE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THE DOLLARS THAT WE GOT THAT WE RECEIVED. OH, OKAY. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT. OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. PAULSON. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU. BILL, I MAY JUST MISS THIS. DID YOU SAY THERE'S A MATCHING REQUIREMENT FROM THE CITY FOR THESE 50,000? THIS $50,000? YES. IT'S AN EQUAL MATCH. AN EQUAL MATCH.

[00:45:01]

THE LEGISLATURE, VIA HOUSE BILL 155, NOW CODIFIED IN 3660 2-4.1, SAW FIT TO ENDORSE A LAW THAT ALLOWS IN THOSE COUNTIES WHERE IT IS MAJORITY MUNICIPALIZED, AS IS FULTON COUNTY, THAT THE FULTON, THE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. IF BY RESOLUTION THE CITY REQUIRES SUCH HAS TO COME TO THE CITY IN ORDER TO OPERATE WITHIN THAT MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. THE RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU WOULD REQUIRE FULTON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO GET PERMISSION BEFORE THEY COULD DO A DEAL IN THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS. YOU'VE HEARD THE REPORT OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.

WHAT'S THE DESIRE OF COUNCIL MAYOR PAUL? MISS MUELLER, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE. AGENDA ITEM 2026 DASH 11, THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE FULTON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SHALL NOT OPERATE WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS, GEORGIA, WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION AND PRELIMINARY AGREEMENTS BY THE MAYOR OF SANDY SPRINGS ON ANY PROPOSED INDUCEMENT OPPORTUNITY. YOU HAVE A MOTION BY MISS MUELLER.

IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND A MOTION BY MISS MUELLER, SECONDED BY DOCTOR KELLY, THAT WE APPROVE. AGENDA ITEM 2026 OH 11 A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE FULTON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SHALL NOT OPERATE WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMITS OF SANDY CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION AND PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT BY THE MAYOR OF SANDY SPRINGS ON ANY PROPOSED INDUCEMENT OPPORTUNITY, ANY DISCUSSION. I HAVE A QUESTION. LET ME LET ME BEFORE I CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE YOU, SINCE IT'S PUTTING ME ON THE SPOT, WHICH I'M FINE WITH, BUT HISTORICALLY, THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND SANDY SPRINGS HAD A A INFORMAL AGREEMENT THAT THEY WOULD CONSULT WITH THE CITY BEFORE THEY DID ANY INDUCEMENTS AND THAT OPERATED.

THEY EITHER HAD TO TALK TO THE CITY MANAGER OR THE MAYOR OR BOTH TO INFORM US AND PROVIDE OUR INPUT ON THESE PROJECTS. THAT HAS CEASED TO HAPPEN. IN FACT, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PROJECTS, ONE WHICH MISS HERLANDER NOTED, WHERE IF I HADN'T GOTTEN A PHONE CALL FROM ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, NOT HOURS THAT IT WAS ON THE AGENDA, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN.

WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A MAJOR PROJECT GOING ON. AND IT'S HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. AND THIS JUST SIMPLY, AT LEAST AT ONE POINT IN ITS HISTORY, THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAD A POLICY THAT IF A MUNICIPALITY HAD A POLICY, THEY WOULD OPERATE UNDER THAT POLICY WITHIN THAT JURISDICTION. I PRESUME THAT POLICY STILL IN EXISTENCE. SO FOR THEM TO BE REQUIRED TO DO THAT, WE WOULD HAVE TO PASS AN ORDINANCE OR A RESOLUTION OF THIS TYPE TO REQUIRE THAT THEY COME SIT DOWN WITH US. I'VE GOTTEN A FEW PHONE CALLS THROUGH THE YEARS FROM MR. HALL, WHO'S THE CHAIRMAN, BUT NOT REALLY ABOUT PROJECTS IN OUR CITY. IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE. SO I THINK THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHILE THE THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DOES NOT HAVE ZONING POWERS, ONLY THIS BODY HAS THE ABILITY TO ZONE PROPERTY IN THIS CITY. THEY'RE INDUCEMENTS HAVE A REAL IMPACT ON OUR LAND USE POLICIES, ON THE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. AND THE ONLY THE ONLY POINT OF INPUT THAT WE HAVE IS WHEN THEY COME IN AT FOR PERMITS AND THEY SUBMIT THEIR PLANS. THAT'S THE ONLY TIME THAT WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON THESE PROJECTS.

AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESOLUTION IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE INFORMED, NOT JUST INFORMED, BUT WE'RE COLLABORATED WITH, CONSULTED, DISCUSSED THESE PROJECTS BEFORE THEY'RE INDUCED. AND THAT'S WHAT A PARTNERSHIP DOES, IS THAT WE WORK TOGETHER IN COLLABORATION. WITHOUT IT, WE DON'T HAVE A PARTNERSHIP. SO THAT'S THE PURPOSE BEHIND THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION. AND WITH THAT, TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND AND WHY WE'RE DOING

[00:50:02]

[X. Reports ]

SO MR. SHINSKY, AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE. THAT WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT ON MY PART. MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL AND FELLOW SANDY SPRINGER'S, AS WE BEGIN OUR NEXT CHAPTER OF SANDY SPRINGS, OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE PROUD TONIGHT. OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, WE LED THE CITY HOOD MOVEMENT IN METRO ATLANTA AND BUILT A NEW CITY FROM SCRATCH. OUR CITY SHINES AS A BEACON THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF GEORGIA, YET THIS MOMENT PRESENTS US WITH NEW OPPORTUNITIES. WHILE WE UPHOLD OUR CORE FUNCTIONS, FROM PUBLIC SAFETY TO STREET PAVING, WE FACE QUESTIONS LIKE WHAT KIND OF CITY DO WE WANT TO BECOME? HOW DO WE RESIST COMPLACENCY? HOW DO WE MAXIMIZE OUR TALENT AND RESOURCES? HOW DO WE INVEST IN THAT? YOUNG FAMILIES AND SENIORS CAN THRIVE, AND HOW DO WE SUSTAIN THE NEXT GENERATION TO MOVE US FORWARD? TONIGHT, I CANNOT PREDICT EXACTLY HOW WE WILL ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, BUT A FEW PRINCIPLES WILL GUIDE MY APPROACH OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. FIRST, I WILL BE DELIBERATE IN EVERY DECISION. I WILL LISTEN FIRST, CONSIDER THE FACTS AND LORE OF EVERY ISSUE AND VOTE WITH INTEGRITY BASED ON WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CITY. SECOND, I'LL ACT WITH PATIENCE AND HUMILITY. I'LL TAKE MY DUTY SERIOUSLY WITHOUT TAKING MYSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. THIRD, I'LL BE COLLEGIAL AND RESPECTFUL. WE ARE LITERALLY NEIGHBORS. THIS ONLY WORKS IF WE WORK TOGETHER, AND IF WE DISAGREE, WE CAN DO SO WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE. ACTING ON THESE PRINCIPLES WILL ENHANCE OUR SERVICE TO SANDY SPRINGS AND ROLE MODEL CIVILITY AND GOOD BEHAVIOR. I WANT TO END WITH SOME GRATITUDE TO MY WIFE, ALLIE. THANK YOU FOR BEING AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO MY KIDS. I'M DOING THIS FOR YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING CURIOUS AND EXCITED, AND THE BEST YARD SIGN HELPERS TO MY EXTENDED FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO ARE FAMILY TO MY KITCHEN TABLE CABINET, AND ANYONE WHO SHOWED ENOUGH INTEREST IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO VOTE, AND TO ALL THOSE LEADERS WHO HAVE COME BEFORE US, INCLUDING THOSE IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO FURTHER YOUR LEGACY. THANK YOU ALSO TO TEMPLE SINAI FOR THE BEAUTIFUL COPY OF THE BIBLE ON WHICH I TOOK MY OATH OF OFFICE. THE WORK OF BUILDING OUR CITY WILL NEVER BE DONE, BUT I AM THRILLED TO DO THE WORK WITH EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM AS WE KEEP STRIVING TOWARD OUR FULL POTENTIAL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. MISS FORD. THANK YOU, MAYOR PAUL. I AM HONORED TO JOIN THE SIXTH COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS AND TO WORK WITH MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR PAUL OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. I RECOGNIZE THAT MY PATH TO THIS SEAT UP HERE IS DEEP WITH APPRECIATION ON SEVERAL FRONTS. FIRST, TO MY NEIGHBORS WHO ENTHUSIASTICALLY SAID, MARY, WE NEED YOU TO RUN FOR COUNCIL AND THE SUPPORT OF TB TO JULIO, WHO SAID, MARY, YOU'LL DO A FINE JOB. SO THANK YOU, TIBBY, FOR THAT. I'M ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE PROGRAMS THAT HELPED MYSELF AND OTHERS PREPARE FOR OUR ARRIVAL HERE. FROM LEADERSHIP ATLANTA TO LEADERSHIP PERIMETER, THE SANDY SPRINGS CITIZENS ACADEMY AND THE POLICE ACADEMY, THOSE PREPARATIONS HELPED DEEPEN MY APPRECIATION FOR OUR CITY AND

[00:55:06]

WELL, I'M NOT MUCH OF A SPEAKER, SO I'LL KEEP THIS SHORT. I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE FOLKS WHO VOTED FOR ME AND SUPPORTED ME IN THIS ENDEAVOR. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE STAFF IN CITY HALL. AND I AM A BELIEVER THAT WE CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD THINGS FOR THE CITY AS LONG AS WE HAVE GOOD PEOPLE WORKING FOR IT. I'VE WORKED WITH THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS BEFORE, AND I HOPE I'LL DO A GOOD JOB IN THIS FUTURE THAT'S COMING UP. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. ROBERTS. MISS MUELLER. SO THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. SO I'M GRATEFUL TO BE SWORN IN AND REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT THREE FOR ANOTHER TERM. THANK YOU TO OUR RESIDENTS FOR YOUR TRUST, FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND FOR YOUR FAITH IN THAT. WHAT WE ALL CAN ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER. DURING THE CAMPAIGN, WHAT I HEARD WAS VERY CONSISTENT. PEOPLE CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT SANDY SPRINGS, AND THEY WANT US TO PROTECT THE CITY AND WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE SAID THAT THEY WANT STRONG PUBLIC SAFETY, A GOOD QUALITY LIFE AND VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS. LOOKING AHEAD, I'M FOCUSED ON FOUR MAIN AREAS.

OF COURSE, THINGS COME UP ALL THE TIME, BUT PUBLIC SAFETY, CONTINUING TO INVEST IN OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE OUR TWO NEW FIRE STATIONS AND THE MAJOR RENOVATION TO ONE THAT WE HAVE PLANNED COMPLETING CITY SPRINGS PHASE TWO DONE RIGHT AND SHAPED WITH THE COMMUNITY INPUT. THE NORTH END REDEVELOPMENT DONE WITH CLEAR STANDARDS AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT IT. CONTINUED EXPANSION OF OUR IMPROVEMENTS TO PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES SO OUR FAMILIES HAVE MORE PLACES TO GATHER, PLAY AND STAY ACTIVE.

THANK YOU TO OUR CITY STAFF FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE MAYOR, MY NEW COUNCIL, MY CURRENT RETURNING COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY STAFF TO DELIVER RESULTS TO KEEP SANDY SPRINGS MOVING FORWARD. AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS TERM. I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A LOT OF REALLY GREAT THINGS. DOCTOR KELLY. ALL RIGHT. GREAT. AND, MAYOR, TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT COUNCIL REPORT, RIGHT. THIS IS YOU CAN USE IT FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE YOU CHOOSE. OKAY. COOL. I WANT TO USE THIS SPECIFICALLY TO ADDRESS THE SWEARING IN. BUT I MAY HAVE OTHER COMMENTS LATER MAYBE. ALL RIGHT. ENTERING INTO ANOTHER FOUR YEARS OF THIS WORK, ONE OF THE BROADER CHALLENGES I'VE BEEN GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT IS HOW TO AVOID, HOW TO AVOID POLITICAL INERTIA, HOW TO ENSURE THAT MY SERVICE DOES NOT DRIFT INTO STASIS. FORTUNATELY, I HAPPEN TO REPRESENT A PART OF THIS CITY WHERE THERE IS STILL A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO BE DONE. SO, DISTRICT TWO, I KNOW YOU WILL KEEP ME BUSY, AND I WANT TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO THANK THE MANY RESIDENTS, NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO HAVE HELPED SHAPE WHAT I VIEW, QUITE FRANKLY, AS A CLEAR MANDATE GOING FORWARD. A LITTLE OVER FOUR YEARS AGO, IN DECEMBER OF 2021, THE CITY APPROVED A NEW ZONING DISTRICT FOR THE NORTH END MIXED USE DISTRICT, OR CALLED THE NORTH END MIXED USE DISTRICT. IT WAS INTENDED TO INCENTIVIZE PRIVATE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AT THREE SITES ALONG NORTH THE NORTHERN ROSWELL ROAD CORRIDOR. THAT ACTION WAS QUICKLY FOLLOWED IN 2022 BY A REZONING APPLICATION FOR WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT. AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS A SENSE OF MOMENTUM FINALLY BUILDING IN THE NORTH END. HERE WE ARE FOUR

[01:00:05]

DON'T YOU KNOW SHE'S TEXTING ME THAT RIGHT NOW? SO ARE YOU HAPPY? AM I POSITIVE? YEAH.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, MR. PAULSON. THANK YOU. MAYOR, I'LL KEEP THIS SHORT. A COUPLE OF OBSERVATIONS. ONE IS THIS IS NOW THE LONGEST JOB I'VE EVER HELD, SO I'M NOT TOO SURE IF THAT'S GOOD OR BAD, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS. EVERY COUNCIL I'VE SERVED WITH HAS HAD CHALLENGES, A VARIETY OF CHALLENGES THAT THEY'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH. THEY'RE ALL DIFFERENT. AND AS THE CITY IS NOW IN ITS 21ST YEAR, THERE'S NEW CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO FACE THAT WE DIDN'T FACE BEFORE THAT. THAT'S ALL PART OF A CITY BEING NOT NECESSARILY MATURE, BUT MORE MATURE THAN WHEN WE FIRST STARTED. WE GOT A NEW COMP PLAN COMING WITH FIRE STATION, OTHER THINGS THAT ARE MENTIONED. THERE'S A LOT GOING ON IN THIS CITY, AS THERE ALWAYS IS, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IS GOING TO BE THE SAME AS IT'S BEEN NOW. THAT SAID, I BELIEVE IN THIS COUNCIL AND I BELIEVE THIS COUNCIL IS UP TO THE TASK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU IN THE FUTURE. LET'S CONTINUE TO MAKE SANDY SPRINGS AN EVEN BETTER CITY THAN IT IS TODAY. OKAY, DOCTOR KELLY, YOU INDICATED YOU HAD SOMETHING ELSE. NO, I CHANGED MY MIND. ALL RIGHT, WELL, THAT I JUST WANT TO CLOSE BY SAYING THAT AGAIN, I APPRECIATE I HAD I HAD SOME PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT WHO WORKED VERY HARD FOR ME DURING THE CAMPAIGN, AND SOME OF THEM LEFT, AND I WISHED I HAD SAID THANK YOU THERE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET EVERYBODY BACK TOGETHER BEFORE THE BEFORE TOO LONG AND AND I'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT THEN. THIS IS A GREAT COMMUNITY. IT'S A GREAT CITY, GREAT PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT GREAT. IT'S PEOPLE. PEOPLE WHO CARE PASSIONATELY ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY. I THINK ALL SEVEN OF US SAW THAT DURING THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS OF CAMPAIGNING, AS WE WENT FROM NEIGHBORHOOD TO NEIGHBORHOOD, WHAT STRUCK ME WAS THE THE REAL PASSION THAT RESIDENTS HAVE FOR THIS COMMUNITY, WHICH PUTS AN EXTRA RESPONSIBILITY ON ALL OF US TO LIVE UP TO THEIR ASPIRATIONS. AND I KNOW WE'LL DO THAT, OR WE WILL DO EVERY. WE WAKE UP EVERY DAY TRYING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER, TO TRY AND ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE SET OUT FOR US. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW COLLEAGUES THAT WE HAVE. WE'LL MISS SOME OF THE OLD COLLEAGUES WHO'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE AND DECIDED TO GO DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH THEIR LIVES, BUT I APPRECIATE I THINK WE'RE ON THE THRESHOLD OF SOME EXCITING TIMES IN SANDY SPRINGS, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. ANY STAFF

[XI. Executive Session]

ANY DISCUSSION HEARING? NONE WILL CALL THE QUESTION. THE QUESTION IS ON SUSPENDING REGULAR ORDER AND MOVING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ALL IN FAVOR THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? NO. WE WILL SIMPLY GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WHEN WE COME BACK, WE WILL SIMPLY RETURN AND ADJOURN. AND THERE'LL BE NO FUR THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR READING YOUR BIBLE, MAYOR PAUL. LET ME BE. WELL, LET'S GET, LET'S GET LET'S GET A MAJORITY IN HERE. HERE. ALL RIGHT, MR. PAULSON, DO WE CLOSE OUT? EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE'RE BACK IN REGULAR ORDER. HAVE A MOTION BY MR. PAULSON TO SUSPEND OR TO END THE EXECUTIVE

[01:05:03]

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE WILL CALL THE QUESTION. THE QUESTION IS ON RECONVENING IN REGULAR SESSION. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? SAY AYE. OPPOSED? NO. WE'RE IN. WE'RE IN REGULAR ORDER, MR. PAULSON. MR. PAULSON MOVES ADJOURNMENT. IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY DOCTOR KELLY. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? NO. WE ARE ADJOURNED AT

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.