College Park City Council · March 18, 2026
22 findings
Financial Scandal · 2:12:11

'Special Place in Hell' Quote Ends Women's History Month

“There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women.”

— Councilwoman Tracy Arnold, quoting Madeleine Albright

Arnold invokes Madeleine Albright quote about women supporting women amid council tensions

Meeting Briefing

What started as a routine council meeting devolved into pure chaos when legal challenges to a $4.7 million roof repair contract exposed deep dysfunction. City Attorney Denmark warned the emergency procurement violated state bidding laws, triggering a heated 30-minute debate over whether the city was breaking the law. Meanwhile, Councilman Gay — who wasn't even present — issued a bombshell statement alleging harassment, retaliation, and a 'block voting structure' controlling city business, while threatening legal action over everything from employee terminations to a disputed $631,000 real estate payment. The meeting featured residents begging officials to stop the negative press, a mother furious about her child being used in political attacks, and rubber-stamped spending that totaled over $8 million with minimal discussion.

All Findings
Financial Scandal

City Attorney: $4.7M Roof Bid Violates State Law

“we cannot call something that we've known about for years an emergency. Uh it may it may be and our policy even says that um you know the fact that we haven't planned or...”

Legal counsel warns council they're about to break Georgia procurement law on massive construction contract

0:37:28
Financial Scandal

Gay Issues Bombshell Harassment Allegations in Absentia

“After nearly 10 years of service, I have never witnessed this level of coordinated action that undermines transparency and accountability”

Missing councilman's statement alleges 'coordinated action that undermines transparency and accountability'

2:16:28
Financial Scandal

Mother Blasts City Over Child Used as Political 'Clickbait'

“it's fair to ask whether this is truly independent commentary or part of a broader city or college park connected effort to shape, direct, or amplify the response to private...”

Dr. James accuses city-connected Facebook admins of dragging her child into political attacks

0:19:25
Financial Scandal

City Spent $67,000 Refunding Arena Clients Due to Roof Leaks

“just spent over $67,000 in giving back refunds to our clients”

GICC executive reveals massive revenue loss from deteriorating facility conditions

1:04:38
Financial Scandal

$8+ Million Approved With Minimal Council Discussion

“Motion. Thank you, Council Member Car. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Council Member Arnold. Any discussion hearing? None. We'll move to a vote. All those in favor? I I...”

Major spending items rubber-stamped through regular session in under 10 minutes

0:43:20
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Resident: 'We Are Absolutely Exhausted From Negative Press'

“We are absolutely exhausted from the negative press and the behavior of adults that we elected to serve. We're exhausted.”

Tanya Austin pleads with officials to stop embarrassing College Park with their behavior

0:24:09
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Alcohol Ordinance Dies for Lack of Second

“That's not businessfriendly. That's not that's not fair to the people who have invested in this community.”

Business-killing ordinance would allow three daily violations to shut down liquor stores

0:46:55
Power Plays & Dysfunction

McKenzie Spending Controversy Reaches Evening News

“If I can't spend $15,000 to celebrate the people of the city of College Park in the amazing work that we have done, shame on me.”

Councilwoman confirms her Ward 1 spending was featured on 6 o'clock news broadcast

1:41:36
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Council Strips Planning Commission Authority Over Public Land

“This next one will remove opportunities from the planning commission to do to work on public land.”

Mayor warns ordinance change removes oversight opportunities from planning board

0:45:55
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Resident Calls Out 'Ego Clashing' and Unprofessional Behavior

“I've never seen such behavior outward. Now, they may have did it in the back room, but when they came before the public, they conducted themselves with dignity, respect for...”

Larry Brady Evans says he's 'never seen such behavior' from College Park officials

0:34:19
Financial Scandal

City Manager Demands 'Same Energy' From Attorney

“I certainly want to see the same type of energy from the city attorney on some other things that I've seen on the agenda before that we didn't get any kind of effort, memos,...”

Hicks publicly calls out lawyer for selective enforcement of procurement rules

1:31:09
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Mayor and Council Member Clash Over Meeting Protocol

“Council member, I would ask that we we maintain civility here.”

Heated exchange over who can direct questions to staff during official proceedings

0:54:41
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Council Sets 50-60% Reserve Fund Target

“the minimum fund balance would be at 50%. However, we will set a goal for 60% fund balance reserve”

New policy requires massive cash reserves far exceeding typical municipal standards

0:51:37
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Gay Alleges $631K Chelsea Gardens Payment Still Unresolved

“concerns regarding prior administrative actions involving the Chelsea Gardens property, including code enforcement activity, tenant displacement under condemnation, and a...”

Absent councilman raises explosive questions about disputed real estate agent payment

2:18:34
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Youth Praise Council for $106,000 in Approved Funding

“I just like to thank you all for investing in the youth and allowing the youth to make an impact in the city.”

Youth council president thanks officials for DC trip and civic initiative funding

0:27:25
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Multiple Residents Support Main Street Lane Reduction

“He has a vision, a vision of the city becoming a model city in the south. and he too is demonstrating his love and work and how it can benefit all citizens”

Business owners and residents back John Duke's proposal to reconfigure US 29 corridor

0:28:26
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Council Approves Unanimous Voting Requirement for Major Financial Actions

“Motion. Thank you, Council Member Korn. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Council Member Mackenzie. Any discussion? Hearing none, we'll move to a vote. All those in favor?...”

New ordinance requires all council members to agree on significant spending decisions

0:52:39
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Gay Alleges Employee Firings Over Refusing 'Improper Actions'

“concerns regarding the termination of former employees, including Lindell Miller and former purchasing manager Jerel Jones, who he states refused to participate in actions they...”

Missing councilman claims former employees were terminated for ethical stands

2:18:34
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Police Make $24,000 Fentanyl Bust With Nine Arrests

“I have to give a big shout out to Charus McCra and the entire police department in the city of College Park for making that phenomenal $24,000 fentinel bust and having nine...”

McKenzie praises major drug seizure as 'the kind of news we need to have in this city'

1:47:23
Power Plays & Dysfunction

City Manager Reveals Power Department Serves Major Data Center

“Our largest customer located on Garby Road is the Clean Spark Data Center. We have been serving them since 2018 and they consume as much power as the rest of the city.”

Clean Spark facility consumes as much electricity as rest of entire city combined

2:15:21
Power Plays & Dysfunction

City Attorney Promises More Legislation to Address 'Organizational Weakness'

“sometimes when I identify areas of organizational weakness or ways that we can improve, I reluctantly draft proposed legislation for your review and consideration”

Denmark warns he's drafting measures to fix personnel and agenda-setting problems

1:30:04