Regular Council Meeting

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 02, 2025 at 7:00 PM THREADMILL COMPLEX MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER A. Invocation – Pastor John Bailey – Gospel Nation Christian Fellowship Church B. Pledge of Allegiance C. Add Items to Agenda 9B - Cobb County Emergency Communications Presentation 15A - Cobb County Service Delivery Strategy Resolution Motion to add items to the agenda made by Anderson, Seconded by Leverette Voting Yea: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Elder, Lamar 2. CONSENT AGENDA – INFORMATION AND UPDATE (No action required by Council – See Specific Department Director before a Meeting) 3. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve Bills B. Approve Legal Bills C. Approve Minutes of Regular Council Meeting Motion to approve made by Myrick, Seconded by Leverette Voting Yea: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Elder, Lamar 4. EXCEPTION TO CONSENT AGENDA 5. CITIZENS REPORT Derek Caffe - has concerns about real estate in the city and the vision of the city. Pat Burns - Concord Covered Bridge District - Ms. Burns provided an invitation to Mayor & Council for the Juneteenth event on June 14, 2025. 6. GAS SYSTEM REPRESENTATIVE Ollie Clemons  Attorney Kimbrough stated that everything is about the same as of right now. 7. FINANCE REPORT Valerie Anderson, Chairperson Rachel Yarbrough, Interim Director A. Finance Report B. 2025-26 Proposed Budget The 2025-26 Fiscal Year Budget has been prepared to include the following significant changes:  Increases in employee salaries and additional positions  New Fire Tax of 2 mills  Increase in General Property Tax of 3 Mills A public hearing was held on May 19, 2025. It is the recommendation of the Finance Department to approve the proposed 2025-26 Fiscal Year Budget. Motion to approve made by Anderson, Seconded by Myrick Voting Yea: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Elder, Lamar 8. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Devon Myrick, Chairperson Elizabeth Young, Director A. No Report 9. POLICE DEPARTMENT Sandra Leverette, Chairperson Shameta Jones-Harrell, Interim Police Chief A. Stats B. Cobb County Emergency Communications Presentation Cobb County gave a presentation of the last year in review since the city turned 911 over to them. 10. FIRE DEPARTMENT Meredith Adams, Chairperson Brandon Merritt, Fire Chief A. Monthly Run Report 11. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Marlin Lamar, Chairperson Bo Garrison, Director A. No Report 12. PARKS DEPARTMENT Devon Myrick, Chairperson Darrell Weaver, Director A. No Report 13. COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Melanie Elder, Chairperson Darrell, Weaver, Director A. Code Enforcement May 2025 Monthly Report B. Public Hearing: 2025-02SLUP Special Land Use Permit request by Angel Caring Hands to allow for a personal care home located at 5989 Bowden Street. Application 2025- 02SLUP: by Angel Caring Hands, LLC for a Special Land Use Permit to allow for a personal care home located at 5989 Bowden Street. Both the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend denial. The full staff report and supporting documents are attached. Attorney Kimbrough opened the public hearing. No one was present to speak on behalf of the applicant, and no one spoke in opposition. Mr. Myrick made a motion to close the public hearing. Seconded by Mrs. Adams. Motion passed. 6-0 Motion to deny made by Elder, Seconded by Myrick Voting Yea: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Elder, Lamar C. Public Hearing: 2025-01SLUP Special Land Use Permit request by Evergreen Tropical to allow for truck leasing/rentals located at 2401 Clay Road. Application 2025-01SLUP: by Evergreen Tropical for a Special Land Use Permit to allow for truck rentals (U-Haul) located at 2401 Clay Road. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval with the following stipulations: The full staff report and supporting documents are attached. Attorney Kimbrough opened the public hearing. The applicants came forward and Mr. Kimbrough swore them in. No one spoke in opposition. Mr. Myrick made a motion to close the public hearing. Seconded by Mrs. Adams. Motion passed. 6-0 Motion to approve made by Elder Voting Yea: Elder Voting Nay: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Lamar D. Public Hearing: Update the City's Buildings and Construction Ordinance, Nuisances and Administration sections (Chapters 2, 8, 28) of the City's Code of Ordinances pertaining to the International Property Maintenance Code.  After much research and consideration, Staff is recommending amending the City’s Code of Ordinances, which adopted an outdated version of the International Property Maintenance Code as well as other supportive enforcement sections that pertain to the International Property Maintenance Code. Doing so will allow the Code Enforcement Division greater ability to enforce the City’s Codes and Ordinances. Motion to approve made by Elder, Seconded by Myrick Voting Yea: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Elder, Lamar 14. HUMAN RESOURCES Melanie Elder, Chairperson Michelle Page, Director A. May Workforce Stats 15. ATTORNEY, DUPREE & KIMBROUGH Attorney Kimbrough stated they need to go into executive session regarding the Cobb County SDS. Ms. Elder made a motion to go into executive session. Seconded by Mrs. Anderson. Motion passed. 6-0 Mayor Clemons stated no motions were made and no votes taken. Mrs. Anderson made a motion to go back into the regular council meeting. Seconded by Ms. Elder. Motion passed. 6-0 A. Cobb County Service Delivery Strategy Attorney Kimbrough stated that this had to be revisited since the City of Mableton and Cobb County finally reached an agreement. Motion to approve made by Elder, Seconded by Myrick Voting Yea: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Elder, Lamar 16. MAYOR’S REPORT A. Recommendation for Finance Director It is my recommendation to appoint Rachel Yarbrough as the Finance Director. Rachel holds a BBA in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. She has served as Assistant Director in the Finance Department for over 10 years. Rachel has been with the city full-time for over 10 years and has done a phenomenal job. I feel extremely confident that Rachel has the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary to lead the City of Austell Finance Department. Motion to approve. Motion to approve made by Elder, Seconded by Anderson Voting Yea: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Elder, Lamar B, Recommendation for Police Chief  It is my recommendation to appoint Shameta Jones-Harrell as Police Chief. Shameta’s experience and dedication during her roughly 25 years in law enforcement has prepared her to lead the department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and has served as a Major with the City of Brookhaven prior to her appointment as Deputy Police Chief in Austell. I feel confident that Shameta possesses the experience and leadership necessary to lead the City of Austell’s Police Department. Motion to approve. Motion to approve made by Myrick, Seconded by Anderson Voting Yea: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Elder, Lamar 17. ADJOURN Motion to adjourn made by Adams, Seconded by Lamar Voting Yea: Anderson, Leverette, Myrick, Adams, Elder, Lamar Mayor Attest ____________________________ ___________________________ Date ____________________________