College Park City Council · March 23, 2026
25 findings
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Financial Scandal · 59:20

$4.8M Roof Contract Approved Despite Legal Warning

“We cannot call something that we've known about for years an emergency. Those things are real, but those things don't constitute an emergency.”

— City Attorney Winston Denmark

City attorney said the emergency roof contract violated Georgia law — council approved it anyway with parliamentary tricks

Meeting Briefing

The March 23rd council meeting turned into a legal and political battlefield when City Attorney Winston Denmark warned that a $4.8 million roof contract violated Georgia bidding laws — but council approved it anyway with creative parliamentary maneuvering. The drama peaked when absent Councilman Roderick Gay had his office issue an explosive statement alleging harassment, intimidation, and a coordinated 'voting block' undermining city governance. Meanwhile, residents confronted council about children being used as 'clickbait' in political Facebook posts, and McKenzie accused Mayor Motley Broom of weaponizing public records to attack her $15,000 Ward celebration. Council also rubber-stamped $3.6 million in other spending with minimal discussion.

All Findings
Financial Scandal

Gay's Explosive Harassment Statement Read On Record

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

Absent councilman had office read bombshell statement alleging harassment, intimidation, and coordinated voting bloc

2:16:28
Financial Scandal

Mother Confronts Council Over Child 'Clickbait' Posts

“Instead of keeping a disagreement where it belonged between adults, he was made into a mocking political post.”

Dr. Shakita James accused city-connected Facebook admins of using her son's name and AI image for political posts

19:25
Financial Scandal

McKenzie Accuses Mayor of Weaponizing Records

“The mayor rather than communicating with me about my state of the ward expenses did an open records request... and they were given all of my financial spending for the month of...”

Councilwoman said mayor leaked her $15,000 spending records to create negative press instead of communicating directly

1:41:07
Power Plays & Dysfunction

$2.5 Million Tourism Projects Passed in 31 Seconds

Council unanimously approved massive tourism spending with zero discussion or details provided

43:50
Power Plays & Dysfunction

$1.165 Million Park Project Approved Without Debate

Over $1 million for Godby Road Park phase one passed unanimously with zero discussion

45:25
Power Plays & Dysfunction

City Manager Hicks Named Sole City Manager Finalist

“I want to congratulate you, Mr. Hicks on being the sole finalist for the city manager position”

Interim city manager congratulated on permanent appointment while Gay's statement alleges influence over the selection

1:33:14
Financial Scandal

Resident: 'We're 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 wore 'Integrity Matters' shirt and demanded council stop the chaos and corruption

23:39
Power Plays & Dysfunction

1959 Native: 'Never Seen Such 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 said current council conduct is unprecedented in 67 years of living in College Park

34:19
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Youth Council President Thanks Council for $106K DC Trip

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

Eugene Turner thanked council for funding youth trip to visit Congresswoman Nikima Williams' office

26:53
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Multiple Residents Support Main Street Lane Reduction

“Our city of College Park can be the chief benefactor from its citizens seeking to improve the plight of all citizens in College Park.”

Three residents spoke in coordinated support of John Duke's proposal to reduce Main Street from four lanes to three

28:26
Financial Scandal

Gay's Statement Alleges $631K Payment Cover-Up

“Council member Gay also raised concerns regarding prior administrative actions involving the Chelsea Gardens property, including code enforcement activity, tenant displacement...”

Absent councilman's statement claims disputed Chelsea Gardens real estate payment hasn't been pursued

2:18:34
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Gay Statement Cites Employee Retaliation Pattern

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

Statement claims former city manager and purchasing manager were terminated for refusing improper actions

2:18:34
Financial Scandal

City Manager Criticizes Attorney's Selective Energy

“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 complained that Denmark only shows legal concern on some questionable procurements

1:31:09
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Council Unanimously Requires Unanimous Votes

New ordinance gives any single council member veto power over major financial decisions

52:09
Power Plays & Dysfunction

50% Reserve Requirement Sets Conservative Standard

Council approved extremely conservative 50% minimum fund balance with 60% goal

51:05
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Alcohol License Ordinance Dies for Lack of Second

“A store could be out of business in three days and just get cited on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.”

Carn's motion to approve stricter alcohol penalties couldn't find a single supporter

46:55
Power Plays & Dysfunction

GICC Chiller Emergency Costs $69,782

Convention center approved emergency chiller repairs under city manager's emergency authority

41:42
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Arnold Quotes Madeleine Albright on Women

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

Council member ended meeting with pointed quote about women not helping other women

2:11:40
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Police Chief Praised for $24K Fentanyl Bust

“That's the kind of news that we need to have in this city... having that drug off the street makes all of us safer.”

McKenzie congratulated Chief McCray for weekend drug bust that resulted in nine arrests

1:46:53
Power Plays & Dysfunction

$67,000 in GICC Refunds Due to Roof Leaks

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

Convention center had to refund clients because roof leaks disrupted events during busy season

1:04:38
Financial Scandal

Attorney: Delayed Maintenance Doesn't Equal Emergency

“The emergency exception applies only where a project is necessitated by an emergency which is generally understood to mean a sudden unforeseen condition. Sudden and unforeseen....”

Denmark cited Georgia law requiring emergencies to be 'sudden and unforeseen' — not years of known problems

1:08:56
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Carn Pushes $10M Glideways Transportation Project

“That's a $10 million plus project and investment in the city of College Park. No taxpayer dollars, y'all.”

Council member showed video of autonomous transit system connecting airport to convention center

1:59:35
Power Plays & Dysfunction

Power Department Highlighted Despite Infrastructure Issues

“When you come into your house and cut on the light switch, you expect the power to stay on. It's our job to make sure it stays on.”

City manager showcased municipal power company serving 8,800 customers with 152 miles of lines

2:13:17
Power Plays & Dysfunction

McKenzie Calls for Unified State of City Event

“Is there a reason why this city cannot come together and have one amazing, fantabulous state of the city event where we celebrate everything rather than operating in silos and...”

Councilwoman questioned why College Park can't have one celebration like other cities instead of ward silos

1:45:20