College Park City Council · February 16, 2026
24 findings
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Financial Scandal · 28:13

Resident Calls $6M Spending 'Gambling Not Budgeting'

“Money is moving into the general fund at the commitments already made. That's not budgeting, that's gambling.”

— Resident

Finance director admitted projects were approved from accounts that were never funded

Meeting Briefing

The February 16th council meeting devolved into chaos when Councilman Roderick Gay delivered a rambling 15-minute rant accusing colleagues of 'jealousy' and 'hatred' while defending his spending record. Meanwhile, council quietly approved nearly $6 million in budget modifications with minimal discussion, including $4.97 million for items that the new Finance Director admitted weren't properly funded. Residents lined up to blast the city's reckless spending, with one calling it 'gambling' not budgeting. The meeting also featured the hiring of three new department heads and Gay's bizarre claim that he single-handedly negotiated major city deals while serving just one year as mayor pro tem.

All Findings
Financial Scandal

Gay Delivers 15-Minute Rant Against 'Jealous' Colleagues

“We until we can get out of that until we can stop hating on each other. We can stop being systematically sick and community of color never going to grow.”

Councilman accused colleagues of 'spiritual wickedness in high places' and racial hatred

1:29:14
Financial Scandal

Council Approves $6M Budget Transfer Without Discussion

“I mean I'm totally in favor of this but I also to clarify that uh we did not determine in the workshop meeting to go forward with $6 million tonight.”

Nearly $5 million moved from reserves plus $1.4 million for recreation with minimal debate

55:17
Financial Scandal

Three Department Heads Hired in Single Meeting

“We finished the interview for our finance director and we had some pretty if I use the term heavy hitters on that panel and those two people that were on the panel had about 60...”

Finance Director, HR Director, and Police Chief positions filled simultaneously

57:37
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Resident Warns New Finance Director Won't Last

“I'm afraid she might not be on the job too long because she went against this tax. And you can't do that in College Park.”

Predicted Hannah would be fired for telling council the truth about unfunded spending

28:43
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Johnny Williams Again Demands Sanitation Raises

“They need more money. It is also what they make. They cannot survive on the money they make. I wish all of you would consider giving them a good rates.”

Resident continues monthly plea for garbage worker pay increases

19:16
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Mayor's $225K Participatory Budget Pilot Explained

“Mayor Bianca Motley Bianca Motley Broom introduced this participatory budgeting pilot to answer this call as a trust building mechanism between the city and its residents.”

Legislative aide detailed four-phase process for resident-driven spending decisions

12:52
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Gay Claims Credit for All Major City Deals

“I negotiated in one year nicely to purchase six ways. I said over there that GC needs to lease it for probably three four months.”

Councilman boasted about negotiating Six West, salary deals, and building leases

1:33:39
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Resident Blasts Mo for Threatening City Employees

“You going to threaten people. You threaten Dr. D from here and hell back. You going to threaten Mr. Hicks?”

Accused Mo of intimidating staff and said employees can file harassment complaints

39:41
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Gay Threatens to Reveal More Damaging Information

“if you keep talking, this this city going to know a whole lot more. So, let's figure out who you want to come at.”

Councilman warned colleagues to stop attacking him or face more revelations

1:41:04
Power Plays & Dysfunction

GICC Emergency Equipment Repairs Approved

“this action is necessary to ensure uninterrupted service of clients and maintain operational continuity”

Council approved $101,000 for controllers under emergency purchasing policy

51:02
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Mayor Pushes for Email Public Comments Again

“this is our fourth meeting of the year. So this is the fourth meeting where we have not had the opportunity for people who cannot get here uh who may have other commitments uh...”

Fourth meeting request to restore remote participation for residents who can't attend

1:06:25
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Gay Accuses Colleagues of Racist Motivations

“I thought it was racist but it was principality and spiritual witness in high places.”

Councilman said he initially thought opposition was racial but called it spiritual

1:43:11
Public Comment

Temple 281 Presents Awards to Mayor and Police

Fraternal organization recognized city leaders for outstanding service

21:01
Public Comment

South Metro Development Conference Praised

Multiple council members attended conference where mayor received public service award

1:16:48
Public Comment

Barrett Park Shade Structure Returns This Week

Mayor announced playground shade will be professionally reinstalled Thursday or Friday

1:08:31
Public Comment

City AI System 'College' Now Answering Calls

New automated system can read agendas and answer resident questions

1:00:55
Public Comment

Council Requests Senior Help Desk for Online Signups

Mayor wants assistance for seniors who struggle with automated meeting registration

1:09:32
Public Comment

Gay Claims He Raised $130K for Festivals

Councilman defended his spending record and said he personally fundraised

1:31:29
Public Comment

Two Board Appointments Approved Without Discussion

Sarah Low and Alan Willis appointed to city commissions unanimously

8:27
Public Comment

Staff Candy Gram Fundraiser Raised $400

City employees raised money to help residents pay utility bills

1:01:28
Public Comment

Representative Thanks City for MLK Parade

State Rep Brenda Bernal praised city's professional organization and staff

1:26:39
Public Comment

Mayor Warns About Property Tax Elimination Bill

House proposal could phase out homestead exemptions for cities like College Park

1:05:53
Public Comment

Gay Brags About Botanical Garden He Says Isn't Built

Councilman asked how he profits from '20 years on a botanical garden that you hating on and it ain't built'

1:42:38