Town Council Meeting

TYRONE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES August 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM Eric Dial, Mayor Gloria Furr, Mayor Pro Tem, Post 4 Jessica Whelan, Post 1 Brandon Perkins, Town Manager Dia Hunter, Post 2 Dee Baker, Town Clerk Billy Campbell, Post 3 Dennis Davenport, Town Attorney Also present: Randy Mundy, Police Chief Sandy Beach, Finance Manager Absent: Brandon Perkins, Town Manager I. CALL TO ORDER II. INVOCATION III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Comments are limited to three (3) minutes. Please state your name & address. Comments that require a response may not be answered during this time. The Council or staff may respond at a later date. Lisa Landsberg, who lives on Windchime Way, spoke regarding golf cart path safety on Castlewood Road The traffic is too fast, and there is not enough space between the path and road. She also shared her concerns regarding the condition of the signs of a few businesses in the area. She asked that code enforcement take a look. V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made to approve the agenda. Motion made by Council Member Campbell, Seconded by Council Member Hunter. Voting Yea: Council Member Campbell, Council Member Furr, Council Member Whelan, Council Member Hunter. VI. CONSENT AGENDA: All matters listed under this item are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will not be separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered separately. 1. Approval of August 7, 2025, minutes. 2. Approval to renew the Crossroads Christian MOU for the use of the Town facilities in the event of an emergency evacuation. Page 1 of 6  A motion was made to approve the consent agenda. Motion made by Council Member Furr, Seconded by Council Member Campbell. Voting Yea: Council Member Campbell, Council Member Furr, Council Member Whelan, Council Member Hunter. VII. PRESENTATIONS VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS IX. OLD BUSINESS 3. Consideration of revisions to the designs of new sections of multi-use paths along E. Crestwood and Briarwood Roads. – Phillip Trocquet, Assistant Town Manager Mr. Trocquet shared that the Briarwood Road and East Crestwood Road path projects are or would be in property acquisition. Briarwood is slated to be a 12-foot path, and East Crestwood Road a 10-foot path. The item was brought back for discussion due to concerns regarding the width of the path, and property value concerns raised at the August 7th meeting. Mr. Trocquet shared a map of the Briarwood Road path. He explained that the Briarwood Path would connect the paved Laurelwood Road to the unpaved section of Laurelwood Road, essentially connecting to downtown. Council Member Hunter shared his personal research findings and pictures indicating the differences between 8, 10, and 12-foot cart paths and the many obstacles facing the less than 12-foot paths, as they were safer. Council Member Campbell shared that he felt that both areas were more rural and 10-foot paths were sufficient, with less property taken. Council Member Hunter stated that the two paths would not be taking citizen property as it was public property and that the projects were under SPLOST, which was voted by the citizens. Council Member Whelan shared that she agreed with 12-foot paths where appropriate, 10-foot paths were appropriate for Briarwood and East Crestwood. She understood that the County was moving toward initiating 12-foot paths. Golf carts were made to drive on the grass; drivers can go around others. She added that the land in front of homes was perceived as being “a taking”, which legally, it was not. Mayor Dial pleaded that Council not always lean toward a 10-foot path because the entire County would eventually be constructing only 12-foot paths. Council Member Hunter mentioned that during his outings along the Peachtree City paths, he noted that they had clear and wooded areas for passing that the Town did not. Council Member Furr asked if there would be a curb cut. Mr. Trocquet stated that there would be. Mr. Trocquet began a discussion regarding the reduction in feet per the change in path width. The consensus was to make a one-foot subtraction on both sides of the road. Council Member Furr asked if the Town would maintain the right-of-way. Mr. Trocquet stated that the Town would, however, if the homeowner wanted it cut more frequently, they could do that also. Page 2 of 6  A motion was made to make the Laurelwood Road and E. Crestwood Road cart paths 10 feet wide. Motion made by Council Member Campbell, Seconded by Council Member Whelan. Voting Yea: Council Member Campbell, Council Member Furr, Council Member Whelan Voting Nay: Council Member Hunter. 4. Discussion regarding the Town of Tyrone Sign Ordinance. Phillip Trocquet, Assistant Town Manager Mr. Trocquet continued a conversation that was held at the last Council meeting regarding internally lit and digital signage. He also touched on billboards and murals. Currently, the ordinance does not allow digital displays or internally illuminated signage. He added that billboards were explicitly prohibited in the ordinance, which was a legal challenge. He suggested reclassifying them as freestanding signs which have size requirements. Council Member Campbell questioned the Town’s use of murals and added that he was not in favor of digital displays. Mr. Trocquet stated that the Town was exempt as it would be Town property. Mayor Dial shared that the Legacy Theatre inquired if they could have a digital sign. Mr. Trocquet explained that if digital signs were allowed, he would ask that the prohibition on internally lit signs be removed for consistency. Mayor Dial asked why they would be grouped together. Mr. Davenport explained that digital signs were internally lit signs. Their display time needed to be regulated as they were a traffic hazard. Mayor Dial clarified that digital signs need to be addressed and regulated for the sake of safety. Mr. Trocquet stated that additional regulations could also be in place regarding styles and colors. Council Member Hunter inquired about the approval process. Mr. Trocquet explained that new buildings would normally include signage, and it would be approved by the Planning Commission. Others, staff would issue a permit, and code enforcement would follow up. Council then discussed colors and types of businesses that would apply. Mr. Trocquet shared that usually those types of businesses were assembly uses, such as churches, the Legacy Theatre, or venues such as Glendalough Manor. Council Member Whelan shared that she wished to keep signs externally lit. Council Member Hunter inquired about assembly businesses and various zoning classifications. Mr. Trocquet clarified that the ordinance was set up as residential and commercial. Council Member Whelan directed the topic to billboards and stated that the Town only had two. Mr. Trocquet stated that they were grandfathered in. Removing the prohibition of billboards and placing them under freestanding signs would allow for only approximately 70 sq. ft. Council Member Hunter inquired about murals on the sides of businesses. Mr. Trocquet stated that currently, businesses are not allowed to place murals on their property; however, the Town could commission someone to paint a mural on public property. Page 3 of 6  He added that in theory, a business owner could paint their sign on their street-facing wall if it complied with the ordinance pertaining to wall signs, and it would be regulated the same. Mr. Trocquet clarified that Council did not wish to change the internally lit, and the mural sections. He would come back with the change to the billboard section, regulating them as freestanding signs. NEW BUSINESS 5. Consideration to Award the Shamrock Lake Dam – Outlet Pipe Replacement project number PW-2024-11 to Limitless Concrete in the amount of $298,225 - Scott Langford, PE Public Works Director & Town Engineer Mr. Langford explained that the project was to repair the outfall structure at Shamrock Park Lake Dam and would be funded through the General Fund and SPLOST funds. He stated that one to five trees may need to be removed but were not part of the tree removal project. Council Member Campbell asked for the design plans. Mr. Langford stated that he believed that it was brought before Council at a previous meeting. He then explained the construction details. Currently, the pipe goes under the path and into a ditch. The improvements would stop the erosion, and the upper ditch would also be protected. Council Member Hunter and Mr. Langford clarified that the lake would need to be slightly drained, and the path would be temporarily closed for repairs. Council Member Whelan asked if the project was within the budget. Mr. Langford stated that it was. Council Member Campbell asked if the cost included engineering. Mr. Langford stated that it was just for construction. A motion was made to award the Shamrock Lake Dam outlet replacement project number PW-2024-11 to Limitless Concrete for $298,225. Motion made by Council Member Whelan, Seconded by Council Member Hunter. Voting Yea: Council Member Campbell, Council Member Furr, Council Member Whelan, Council Member Hunter. 6. Consideration to Award the Public Works Trailer to the Big Tex Trailer World in McDonough, Georgia, in the amount of $18,249 for a Big Tex 22PH, Pintle, 25-foot Trailer. - Scott Langford, PE Public Works Director & Town Engineer Mr. Langford shared that Council approved the budget for the trailer, which had a gross vehicle weight rating of 23,900 pounds and a cargo capacity of 17,800 pounds, which was sufficient. A motion was made to award the Public Works 25-foot Big Tex 22PH Pintle, trailer to Big Tex Trailer World of McDonough for $18,249. Page 4 of 6  Motion made by Council Member Hunter, Seconded by Council Member Whelan. Voting Yea: Council Member Campbell, Council Member Furr, Council Member Whelan, Council Member Hunter. XI. PUBLIC COMMENTS: The second public comment period is for any issue. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes. Please state your name & address. Comments that require a response may not be answered during this time. The Council or staff may respond at a later date. XII. STAFF COMMENTS Ms. Baker shared that election qualifying was held Monday through Wednesday this week. She announced that incumbent Billy Campbell had qualified unopposed for Council Post 3 and Ms. Maureen Wheeler had qualified for Council Post 4. She added that the election would be held on November 4th and that the deadline to register to vote would be on October 6th. She also gave a shout-out to the Assistant Town Clerk, Ms. Ciara Willis. Ms. Baker and Mr. Perkins had received a wonderful email from a new business owner who had experienced exceptional customer service from Ms. Willis. Mayor Dial congratulated both candidates. He also congratulated Council Member Furr for serving on the Council for 20 years. XIII. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council Member Hunter reminded everyone to always speak into microphones during the meetings. A citizen reached out to inform us that it was difficult to hear at times. Mayor Dial asked staff to reach out to the sound system company. Mr. Trocquet stated that they have reached out to Atlanta Sound Works (ASW). The microphones were set up to remove ambient noise. They were coming to make some adjustments. Mayor Dial informed everyone again regarding the status of the Federal Post Office located in Tyrone. He has spoken with a congressman many times regarding the issue. Neither Tyrone nor Peachtree City currently has a Postmaster. He asked staff to gather all building inspections and added that inspections were elevated to a rush status. Not only had he received complaints from Tyrone citizens, but the surrounding cities as well. He added that our post office is important to many. The fire occurred in March of 2023; it has been 29 months. This was incompetence and a waste of taxpayers’ dollars. He had gained a relationship with the property owner in California, and they didn’t understand why it was taking so long. Mayor Dial stated that it is hideous, they should be ashamed of themselves. The congressman received word that it would open in October. He explained that once they have received their certificate of occupancy, they would then have to go through their own inspection process and outfitting. He gave an example that one failed inspection was due to there being no signage indicating male and female restrooms. It then took months to call for another inspection. They have received their certificate of occupancy. The Federal Post Office reached out to the congressman; the Town has never been contacted. Mayor Dial apologized for their incompetence and their lack of communication. Page 5 of 6  He apologized that the citizens do not have a post office that they deserve. Tyrone citizens deserve communication, and the Tyrone Council was doing everything it could to move things quickly along. He added that this week, the post office was dedicating the Peachtree City Post Office to a fallen soldier and understood that delay. He added that he requested all correspondence on behalf of a Tyrone citizen per their wish. Council Member Whelan questioned why there were no Postmasters. Mayor Dial stated that the staffing dynamics were unclear. He added that this was a sad situation and offensive and that he did not blame the postal workers; this was no fault of theirs. Mr. Bob Swenson, who lives on Castlewood Road, spoke regarding the post office flag and how deplorable it was. Mayor Dial thanked Mr. Swenson and added that he had received complaints regarding the flag. It was not the Town’s property, and we were not allowed on their property, nor was it our responsibility to replace the flag. He added that Council did not like seeing a tattered flag either, so he also mentioned that to the Congressman. A Tyrone citizen took it upon themselves to change the flag. That is not the way it is supposed to be. This is pathetic. Mayor Dial added that he had notified the newspapers in hopes that his comments would also be in the paper. XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION XV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made to adjourn. Motion made by Council Member Campbell. Voting Yea: Council Member Campbell, Council Member Furr, Council Member Whelan, Council Member Hunter. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. By: Attest: Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk Page 6 of 6