College Park City Council
October 5, 2026

Good evening. Welcome to the regularly scheduled meeting of the mayor and city council of the city of College Park. I'm Mayor Bianca Mley Broom. We have a full quorum present with council members McKenzie, Ka, Arnold, and Gay. And so I will call the meeting to order at this time at 7:32 p.m. The first item on the agenda is the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

justice for all. Chaplain Den is doing our invocation this evening. Good evening, Mayor and Council, city manager, and all those who are present. Let us pray. Almighty God, we are grateful for another opportunity to gather on behalf of this city and the people here and at home tonight. Lord, we pray for our

city. We invite your presence into this place, not simply as part of an opening ceremony, but as a presence that can change the atmosphere. We ask that you settle troubled hearts, quiet unnecessary noise, and put to flight principalities, powers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Where accusation, negative news have created tension, let truth be revealed. Where confidence has been shaken, let collaborative actions rebuild it. Lord,

remind us that the city of College Park is greater than any one person, position, project, or disagreement. Lord, bless our mayor and council. Let every decision concerning finances, project development, and the future of this community be handled with a sincere heart to leave this city better than before. Now Lord, remember our city manager, department heads, administrative staff, and every employee whose work may never be seen from the outside. Strengthen our police officers,

firefighters, public works employees, sanitation workers, emergency personnel, and all workers who keep the city functioning day after day. And bless the people of this community and every business that is a blessing. Finally, Lord, let there be an atmospheric shift in our city. Let negativity lose its grip. Let old offenses stop controlling new possibilities. We have gone around this mountain long enough. And when this meeting over, may we leave with more

than decisions made, may we leave with a renewed determination to work together for the good of all. Pray this in the name of the triune God and in the mighty majestic name of Jesus. Amen. >> Amen. Amen. Beautiful. Beautiful. >> Amen. >> Chief or major Deputy Chief, there was a lot of people moving. >> Good evening, Mayor, city manager, and council members, and citizens of College Park. Civility is more than just politeness.

It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one's preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same. civilian is the hard work of staying present even with those with whom we have deep rooted and fierce disagreement. >> Thank you, Deputy Chief. >> Good evening, Chief. >> Good evening. Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tim, city council members, city managers, citizens, visitors. I'd like

to share a brief fire safety message with you. In the event of a fire, please remain calm and proceed to your nearest exit. Exit signs are clearly marked throughout the building. two at the front and two are to the rear. Please follow the direction of College Park staff to designate assembly areas and once outside, please remain there until further instructions are given by city personnel. If you notice smoke or fire during the meeting, please alert staff immediately and follow evacuation procedures. Your safety is our concern. Thank you for attention. >> Thank you, Chief.

Next item on the agenda, additions, deletions, amendments, or changes to the agenda. Are there any? >> All right. Hearing none. Uh, is there a motion to approve the agenda? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Carn. 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. >> That is unanimous. Next item under council appointments, consideration of and action on the W

three appointment of Tiffany McCall to the College Park destination marketing program advisory board. Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Arnold. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member K. Any discussion? Hearing none, we'll move to a vote. All those in favor? >> I. >> That is unanimous. Next agenda item 5A, workshop minutes dated September 21st, 2026. Is there a motion?

>> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Carn. 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. >> That is unanimous. Agenda item 5B, regular session minutes dated September 21st, 20 26. >> Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Arnold. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Horn. Any discussion? >> Hearing none, we'll move to a vote. All those in favor?

>> I. >> That is unanimous. Agenda item 6A under proclamations, resolutions, plaques, and announcements is introduction of new hires.

Good evening, Mayor Council. >> I am here to uh ask those who are employed for the month of September to come down front and tell us who they are and what department they work in.

Um, how y'all doing? My name is Cameron Williams and I'm from Gwynette County and I work for the fire department. How y'all doing? Good evening. I am Ahmad Kelson. I'm from South Florida and I represent the College Park Fire Department.

>> Good evening. I'm Ares Allen from College Park, Georgia. work for California Fire Department. >> Good evening. My name is Cara Franklin and I represent College Park Fire.

>> Yeah, maybe come to the middle beside the That may work out a little better. That's good. Council McKenzie a little more this way. There you go. Perfect. And we're Okay. All right. We got her. All right. On three. One, two, and three. Again. Like that. One, two, and a little smile. Perfect. Thank you.

Agenda item 6B, employee allstar of the month of September. Excuse me. The September all-star of the month is a highly respected and valued member of our team. He has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to improving the city's water and sewer system and serving our comm community each day. He originally began working with the city in March of 2008. In 2023, he stepped away from his position to

care for his mother. Once her health improved, he returned to the city in June 2025. His decision to return is a true testament to his love for the city of College Park, his dedication to our community and the passion he brings to his work. He has an exceptional work ethic, extensive knowledge, and genuine passion for serving others, which makes him an invaluable member to the water and sewer team. His continued commitment to the city and the residents we serve exemplifies the very qualities we

celebrate in an all-star of the month. Please join me in congratulating our September Allstar of the Month, Mr. Damonte Turner, on this well-deserved recognition. Colorado

a little bit more. There you go. Perfect. All right. On three. One, two, and three. Again. One, two, and three. Last time. Perfect. Don't want to lose that.

>> Next agenda item, proclamation, presentation of a proclamation recognizing project torch light. This item is sponsored by Councilwoman Dr. Jamal McKenzie. Come on up. All right.

This is a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful occasion and I am so proud to present this on behalf of the city of College Park. This is a proclamation to project torch light. Whereas the city of College Park recognizes the importance of strong families, positive youth development, neighborhood safety, civic responsibility, and partnerships that empower residents to actively improve the quality of life

within their communities. And whereas project torch light inspired by the teachings and community building principles of the honorable minister Lewis Farrakhan has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening families, developing young people, promoting personal responsibility, and fostering safer, more unified communities. And whereas Project Torch

Light successfully implemented a multi-month community safe self-improvement pilot program in College View Hills, a community managed by the Housing Authority of the City of College Park under the theme, we must make our community a decent and safe place to live. engaging residents and families in neighborhood pride,

accountability, mentorship, unity, and conflict resolution. Beautiful. And whereas the success and community participation generated through the College View Hills initiative created momentum for Project Torch Light to expand into a summer youth development program, providing young people with continued mentorship, thank the Lord. structure,

guidance, and constructive opportunities for personal and community development. And whereas the city of College Park recognizes the dedicated lead leadership and the service of the project torch light staff. Brother Stanley Muhammad, Sister Ruth Muhammad, Sister Fatima Teima Muhammad, Sister Basher Muhammad, Sister Raisha Muhammad, Sister Safaya Muhammad, and Sister Miriam Muhammad,

Brother Tariq Muhammad, Brother Mustafa Muhammad, Brother Master Jabar Muhammad, and Brother Gerald X Hall, whose collective commitment exemplifies the positive impact that can be achieved when residents, community organizations, faith-based leaders, That's right. >> and young people, and local government work together toward stronger families

and safer neighborhoods. Now, therefore, >> be it proclaimed by myself, Councilwoman Jamal McKenzie, the mayor, the mayor pro Tim, and the entire city council of the city of College Park, Georgia, that we recognize Project Torch Light for its commitment to community transformation, youth development, neighborhood engagement, and its service to the residents of College View and the

greater gater College Park community. And may I also say that we experienced a reduction in crime in Ward 1 over the past 7 months due to the work that was being done by Project Torch Light. >> This is proclaimed this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord 22 2022 by the city of College Park. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Thank you for rolling up your sleeves.

>> Thank you for coming into our community. >> Even though there was schism and ism surrounding you being here, you have made the difference and we are forever grateful and I'm so glad that what we have begun in Ward 1 will continue throughout the city of College Park. Just want to see if there's anyone that'd like to say something. Oh, >> Fatima, please. >> Fatima. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. >> Thank you, mayor. Thank you, council. Thank you very much. Thank you, citizens. Thank you.

So, normally I um I just speak from the heart, but this is such an honorable occasion. I wanted to prepare a little something so I get the words right. Um I excuse me if I get a little emotional. This This is a labor I love. And while many may criticize Project Torch Light because our

religious beliefs may be different than yours. >> We do come in the name of Christ. >> That's right. And we do believe in the Christ and we work in his name. And we work to honor the commandments of all the prophets of God to help to make our community a decent and safe place to live. That's right. >> So, I want to say good evening, Mayor,

Councilwoman Jamal McKenzie, members of the city council, and the College Park community. On behalf of Project Torch Light, we humbly and gratefully accept this proclamation. We thank the city of College Park for recognizing the work being done in our community. Project Torch Light was inspired and guided by the book, A to Torch Light for America by the Honorable Minister Lewis Faracan. That guidance helped inspire us to take the principles of self-improvement,

responsibility, service, and community development and put them into action right here in College Park. Our mission is simple but powerful. We must make our community a decent and safe place to live. Through project torch light we are committed to reaching our young people and families through self-improvement mentorship self-defense audiovisisual trade training economic opportunities and direct support for

families in need. This proclamation belongs to every volunteer, parent, child, community member, and supporter who believes that when we invest in our people, we strengthen our entire community. That's right. >> We sincerely thank Councilwoman Jamal McKenzie and the city of College Park for believing in this work and giving us the opportunity to serve. We say in the name of Allah, God, we thank him. We thank Christ. We do this in the name of

all the righteous people. All those who have good in their heart. We're working on your behalf whether you know it or not. Thank you so much. >> Thank you.

Thank you. >> All right. Looking forward. One, two, and three. Perfect. Got it.

Next proclamation is a presentation of a proclamation honoring Cornelius Jones for heroic actions during a residential fire at 2695 Colonial Drive in the city of College Park. This recognition is requested by Sterling P. Jones, Fire Chief.

Chief, you going to read it, Chief Jones? >> No. Uh, we were we were we were we were arm wrestling over it because we're both very excited about this. >> It's It's your chief. >> Go ahead, >> Chief. Yep. >> Okay. U College Park, come down, please. Come on down. and and while we're assembling um thank

you for the liberty of giving me an opportunity to come in and speak before you that uh this honor is mine and I couldn't do the things that I do without my team behind me as they come down you can see that the men and women representing our department we are diverse but we have one goal to be here and do the work of the people. Each and every day we come to work, we are work about service. And that's one thing that draws the College Park team together. It's all about service. And when uh Chief Slaughter told me about a young man that willingly went up and did the thing that we

trained people to do, that's that's the part to take away. When you see a 10-year-old young man go up and do the things that we trained to do that they've done hours and months and months of training and he willingly jumped up and did it, it couldn't be nothing but the proclamation wrote itself. So, as I stand here before, I take the credit from my team stepping forward and doing the thing that I'm most proud of. I think Chief Slaughter, Chief Terry, his family, and everyone. And one thing we can take away is I know we have the

aunt and the sister here that the people in uniform are just one part of the response family. It takes the family behind the responders to actually make it go each and every day as we go up and we do our thing. Without the support of our family, we couldn't do what we do and the things we love without their support. So, thank you for giving me an opportunity to have the liberty to say in a few words before you and let the mayor. But this young man, I am so proud that he can go back in and I look at it as that we look at it as a young 10-year-old boy. But before later,

before later, you going to turn around and see another opportunity. That young man may be some of the new hires standing behind us cuz Chief Slaughter and I's charge was too that we're going to take make it our mission to groom and and guide this young man as much as we can. So if there's any gap within there, we're going to stand in the gap for that young man because that's what we're supposed to do. That's right. >> You know, and we'll do it behind the scenes and we don't need the cameras and the pictures and all that stuff because that comes from the heart. >> It's only about what we do. That's the glory on the other side. What God provides by the things that we can do

and that's my charge. So I turn it over to the mayor so she can we read the proclamation. But thank you for the opportunity. I think all y'all should really be prepared to start standing up when you hear this story. But Cornelius, you want to come come around? Your family want to come up? >> Closest. Whereas on August 16th, 2026,

10-year-old Cornelius Jones demonstrated remarkable courage and presence of mind when he realized that a fire had started inside his family home located at 2690 Colonial Drive. And whereas at the direction of his grandfather, Cornelius climbed onto the roof of the home with a garden hose and took immediate action to help contain the rapidly spreading fire as it advanced to the attic space. And whereas Cornelius's courageous actions

helped keep the fire in check until College Park fire rescue personnel arrived and quickly brought the fire under control. And whereas, according to the responding College Park Fire Rescue Battalion Chief, Cornelius's early actions were instrumental in preventing the fire from progressing to a potentially devastating loss of the home. And whereas Cornelius's actions also provided critical time for his six siblings to safely escape the home without injury. And whereas the bravery

demonstrated by Cornelius at only 10 years of age serves as an extraordinary example of courage, quick thinking, and concern for the safety and well-being of others. And whereas the city of College Park is beyond proud to recognize Cornelius for his heroic actions and the positive example he has set for children and residents throughout our community. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor, mayor prom and city council of the city of College Park, Georgia, that

we do hereby recognize Cornelius Jones for his heroic actions and his exceptional courage. Ladies and gentlemen, Cornelius is a man of few words. And he said he did not want to say anything, but we do need to get a picture. All right. And you know,

you've got this whole new family behind you. Whole new family. They've got your back and we are so so proud of you. >> All right, let's get a You need me up here. Checking

this way. Just a little bit more. A little bit more. our young lady right here. Yes, ma'am. >> There you go. >> There we go. All right, turn. All right, group on three. One, two, and three again. One, two, and three. Last

time. One, two. A little happier this time. One, two, three. College Park Fire Department. One, two, three. >> Fire department. >> Wow. We going to work on that. >> Good job.

Next item, presentation of a proclamation designating October 4th through the 10th, 2026 as National Fire Prevention Week in the city of College Park with the 2026 Fire Prevention Week theme charge into fire by charge into fire safety. Safe charging is a superpower. This item is requested by Fire Chief Sterling P. Jones. >> All righty. Same heroes, different story. Whereas fire prevention week will be observed throughout the United States Sunday,

October 4th through Saturday, October 10th, 2026. And whereas fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire. And whereas College Park residents should be sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of smoke alarms and safe charging practices to mitigate risks. And whereas College Park residents who have planned and practiced home fire safety measures and safe charging habits are more

prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive or prevent a fire. And whereas the College Park Fire Rescue Department is dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention, protection, and education. And whereas the 2026 fire prevention week theme, charge into fire safety, safe charging is a superpower, effectively serves to remind College Park residents of the importance of everyday safe charging habits to reduce

the risk of lithium ion battery fires. And whereas the mayor and council calls upon each resident and visitor of the city of College Park to observe fire prevention week with appropriate programs and activities and to renew efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences for human health and safety. Now therefore be proclaimed by the mayor and city council of the city of College Park, Georgia that the week of October 4th through October 10th, 2026 is hereby proclaimed National Fire Prevention Week. And further, the mayor

and council do hereby commend the College Park Fire Department for its outstanding efforts and service in the protection of the residents of the city of College Park and particularly for its efforts during fire prevention week proclaimed this 5th day of October 2026. >> Good evening folks. Just like to take one more liberty if you would mind. Um just think about as we go through these fire prevention weeks. I know this is just one week out of 52, but understand

that all fires are preventable. Think about that. All fires are preventable. So, it just takes us to do a little bit more vigilance. Think about those smoke detectors. Think about those candles. Think about the battery disposals. If we can think about those small things that we can do to prevent a fire, we wouldn't have a job up here and that would be okay with me. So, have to make sure that you go back and be safe. Think about exit plans and think about how to get your family out safely. As as most of us have been up here several several years,

the worst thing we can do is go into a fire and actually find out that someone was still inside. So please have a plan. Practice your plan. Execute your plan. Thank you. >> And close before you dose. >> Close before you dose. Yes indeed. Yes indeed. If you go to bed, make sure that you are closing your doors. That helps if you have a fire. >> That that helps improve outcomes. It does. It does. >> I learned that from the fire.

Two and three. Last time. One, two, >> next. Next is a presentation of a proclamation designating October 5th through the 9th, 2026 as customer service week. This item

is requested by William H. Scott, customer service manager. Come on up. You're going to get to say a whole bunch of words about your amazing team. >> I'll give them a chance.

Alrighty. Whereas the city of College Park is committed to providing exceptional customer service and highquality services to all utility customers. And whereas the city continually strives to keep its utility customers informed, updated, and aware of matters related to utility billing and service offerings. And whereas the customer service department is responsible for billing water, sewer, sanitation, storm water, and electric services for all utility customers within the city. And whereas

the customer service department's goals for service delivery include effective business management, responsiveness to customer needs, development of employee skills, and meaningful engagement with the community. And whereas connecting with the community and developing strategic partnerships strengthens efforts to improve service delivery and expand utility education for customers and outstanding customer service is an essential component of being a thriving and globally connected city. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor, mayor prom, and city council of

the city of College Park, Georgia, that we do hereby recognize the week of October 5th through October 9th, 2026 as customer service appreciation week, and encourage all citizens and businesses to participate in learning more about customer service operations and utility billing services offered by the city. And be it further proclaimed that all citizens and businesses are encouraged to remain actively engaged in matters related to the city of College Park's utility services and offerings. Proclaimed this fifth day of October 2026.

>> Um just want to say thank you. uh the support from the mayor and council, city manager, directors, the other departments uh always uh is so amazing for uh customer service. But I also want to say thank you to the citizens. Uh the citizens cuz we're not perfect. Uh we bill uh over uh close to 11,000 uh bills each month. Uh uh we have to get uh close to $45 million to the bank. uh we make mistakes but our citizens are so

gracious uh with us as we uh move to new technologies and there's uh transitions uh with that they are very gracious. So thank you Citizens College Park. We will strive every day to be better and better for you and for uh the city. Thank you.

Next is a presentation of a proclamation proclamation designated on October 4th through the 10th as public power week. This item is requested by Hugh Richardson, director of power. This is a really important week in so many different ways. Whereas College Park Power provides our homes, businesses, and local government agencies with reliable, clean, efficient, and cost-effective electricity, employing sound business practices designed to ensure the best possible service at not for-profit rates. And whereas College Park Power

has reduced summer residential rates by 26% in the past four years. I'm going to say that again. College Park Power has reduced summer residential rates by 26% in the past four years and winter residential rates by 19% in addition to introducing a new veterans discount rate. And whereas College Park Power has power resources that are over 90% emissionsfree and has taken on additional stewardship for our

community's well-being through a green power initiative, the first and largest municipal program of its kind in the state of Georgia started in 2004. And now therefore be it resolved that College Park Power will continue to work to bring lowerc cost, safe, reliable, and clean electricity to community homes and businesses just as it has since its creation shortly after the incorporation of the city to serve all the citizens of College Park. And be it further resolved that the week of October 4th through October 10th be designated the 40th

annual Public Power Week in order to honor College Park Power for its contributions to the community and to make its consumer owners, policymakers, and employees more aware of its contributions to their well-being. Now therefore be it resolved that the mayor, Mayor Prom, and city council of the city of College Park do hereby proclaim that the week of October 4th through 10th, 2026 be designated as public power week. Proclaimed this 5th day of October, 2026.

>> Yeah, this is National Bullet Power Week. So over 2,000 county owned and city-owned power companies are celebrating this week and 52 in the state of Georgia. So we want to raise awareness of public power and show our employees to have the appreciation that we have of them. September the 5th was a bad storm that hit us and we appreciate your patience during this recovery and storms like that leave residual things that happen later and so we're still seeing some of that weeks later. But anyway, thank you

for your patience and thank you for this proclamation. Thank you. Good job. >> Next is a presentation of proclamation recognizing October 19th through October 23rd, 2026 is Citizens Academy Week.

This item is requested by Brian Anderson, public works director. Got the whole public works team here. Hello. Hello. Hello. >> So many all stars. So many all stars in

this fun. All right. Whereas the public works department of the city of College Park plays a vital role in maintaining the safety, health, and quality of life of all residents. And whereas the dedicated professionals of public works manage essential services such as streets, sanitation, facilities, storm water, building and grounds, sewer, parks, and environmental stewardship that directly support the daily needs of our community. And whereas transparency, accountability, and open communication

are cornerstone values of our city, ensuring that residents understand, trust, and actively engage with the work performed on their behalf. And whereas the citizens academy, a public works learning project, is being developed to strengthen this connection by providing residents from all wards with an opportunity to explore the public works department in real time in addition to spending time with each division, observe operations in action, and meet the teams who perform this critical work. And whereas now we call upon our

citizens of the city of College Park to take part in this project developed on their behalf and to join us in strengthening the partnership between our community and local government. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and city council of the city of College Park that we recognize October 19th through October 23rd as Citizens Academy Week. Proclaimed this 5th day of October, 2026. I want to first uh thank the uh

governing body, the mayor counselor and Mr. Hicks. Thank you for your leadership as always and um and always tell Mr. Hicks um first time I had a lead that I can talk to and we can bounce ideas off each other. So I'm grateful. Thank you. I want to thank the citizens too for being patient at times where we can't get to you when you want to, but we have a missionary resil to get things done and that is our charge and citizen academy. I'm excited about this. So, I'm challenging the citizens by Friday. I want to have all 16 slots filled. Ward 1, 2, 3, and four. Call me and I'll get

you signed up. It's my honor to have you come to Citizen Academy. And if you could, could you give this exemplary staff a round of applause, PLEASE? Thank you. So, I'm going to get him so they can watch the Falcons game. Good night, gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen,

All right. Two again. One, two, three. Last time. One, two, Good job. >> Good job, man. Okay.

>> Good job, man. All right. >> Good job. >> I just put on hand sanitizer. Appreciate you, >> man. Great job as usual, man. Got a great team. Hey, man. Great job, too, bro. >> Great job. >> All right. >> All right. Let's get it. Next item on the agenda is remarks of

citizens. First is Nolla Tasco. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and Council. It has been about a year since

I last stood before you. I came back to report on Wise and Well, which launched with $40,000 in city community funding sponsored through Councilwoman McKenzie's office. More than 180 seniors were reached. Nearly 100 received structured case management support. 107 residents used our resource platform to find social service connections. And 22 seniors were referred for durable medical equipment. Three events reached over 100 seniors and 22 vendors. At our March 12th nutrition and wellness event,

a cook shared practical ideas about food and health. And hospital in your home also invested $62,000 of its own resources in staffing, the resource platform, clinical services, events, and administration. Hospital in your home now works across six states and is engaged in multi-million dollar partnerships for healthcare transformation. and we want to build on what we started here and expand wise and well in College Park. We're not seeking city funding. We are however seeking stronger partnership and alignment with

the city so more seniors across all four wards can get out, participate and connect with services and I would welcome a meeting with the mayor to plan the next phase. This work reflects our mission, vision, and values. Our experience with Councilwoman Mackenzie's office, however, did not match that vision. Emails and requests, including requests to share event information with residents, often went unanswered. From our perspective, it felt like political performance instead of a practical community engagement. Our concerns went

beyond the program. I saw Mackenzie share information with Webster Wallace, a fake online profile used to berate residents. I also knew her as a person behind the thoughtful elk, a pseudonym commenting about residents online. Things became personal after my mother, Allison Blue, a nurse practitioner who serves community seniors in this community, spoke up about the council's Savannah meeting. McKenzie filed a TPO petition on September 22nd. On September

26th, body camera footage captured her telling police the order would keep Allison from council meetings and from speaking about McKenzie for a year. A judge dismissed the petition. Then on October 3rd, Mackenzie posted an invitation for residents to speak at council meetings. Councilwoman, I urge you to practice the free speech you promote. Welcome criticism and do not seek to keep a critic from public meetings. My family supported McKenzie and donated to her campaign because we

believe that she wanted to serve College Park. But over the year we worked with her professionally and personally, we came to believe she was serving herself more than the community. That is why this is bigger than my family. It is about whether elected officials listen to and serve the people and whether residents can speak out when they believe their leaders have fallen short. The council has a responsibility to protect every resident's right to speak. Thank you. >> Thank you.

>> Patience. Rocky Moa Turner. Good evening. My name is Patient Rocky Mater Turner. I live in Ward One. Thank you for this opportunity to comment. Mayor, council, city manager, city attorney, city clerk, residents, college park, business owners, and other stakeholders. I just want to comment that the work that's being done is

commendable. You know, it's fall, but you're not falling off. Okay. Ward one, Dr. McKenzie, that town hall meeting uplifting. It was resident forward and it was community building. Uh, thank you for always showing up 100% city council meetings and you always show up for us in Ward One. Ward two, Mayor Prom Kin, the gun buyback event was phenomenal. It was quite a success. 25 guns, I believe, were taken off. >> 40. >> 41. >> Oh, 41. Okay. Okay. It went beyond.

That's great. So that's 40 41 fewer potential tragedies. But I will say that a couple of those shotguns look like they should have been on the Antiques Road Show. They may have had some value. And I want to say uh Ward 3 Councilwoman Arnor, congratulations on completing your leadership program. From my understanding is not your first. So congratulations on that. And I want to say Oh yes, give her a hand. Ward 4, Councilman Gay, without a doubt, your event that's coming up on the 10th of

October, so 1010, your 10th anniversary is going to be phenomenal. I was a vendor there last year. I had a great chance uh opportunity to meet up with a lot of different people. I may be out of town, but I hate to miss Winnie Williams. He's going to be there. And mayor, I want to say to you, you posted something on um Instagram. I don't know if it was a repost, but it was a video of this dog and somebody was at the um drive drip through coffee. And I just want to say that posting things like

that is a reminder of how we need to make sure that we are um uh what's the word I'm looking for? I'm usually not out of words. We're supporting our businesses. So, just to see that was a reminder for me because I've not been there yet. And I want to just say one or two other things. was a recycling center. Thank you to the city just for that opportunity. But I was there today and it was kind of difficult to actually place items into the bins because there are like these holes like I guess the gravel maybe is crumbling and they were

filled with water. So I was like teetering trying to get my items in without dropping them out. So maybe that could use a little bit of attention. I'm not sure. And the last thing uh don't forget to sign up for Falcon. I did sign up over the weekend. That's the Fullton County Alert Communication System for weather and emergencies. We, you know, we'll be hitting, you know, um weather soon throughout the fall and into the the winter. So, thank you so much. All right. >> Thank you,

>> Stacy Watson. Good evening. >> Good evening, >> Mayor Council. Um, I appreciate your time. My name is Stacy Watson. I am here tonight representing um the Dylan Scott Foundation and the Dream Builders after school program. But more importantly, um I'm standing here for the children and

the family that depend on us. We are now facing the possibility to have to stop providing the afterchool care. Not because there's not a need, not because the parents don't want the program, not because our children are not benefiting from it. We are facing the chances of closing because there is not enough funding to provide substance for the program.

And I have asked council um I have to ask the difficult question like what are we saying about the priorities when we have money to fund one-day events but can't find the resources to consistently invest in the children who need safe place to have after school for 5 days a week. After school care is more than just babysitting. We help the kids with

homework. We work with reading and math. We have different programs that come in and give them reading skills, math skills. We do STEM projects. We're a safe environment during the critical hours during after school when the parents before the parents get home from work. We're now facing the possibility of having them to stop providing this care where now the parents have nowhere for their kids to go. They are really

trying to figure it out now. Um, and we're not sure why we're at this point again when council can provide money for things outside of the community, outside of the children. So, uh, we also I'm very concerned about Brady Center. This is where first is where we have the after school and I've

been with College Park for 3 and 1/2 years. I've done the summer camp, after school, and spring break. And over the three and a half years, Brady Center gets least of everything from each center. If this community is supposed to be a team and everybody should be on the same level because it's the city of College Park, not Brady Center and Tracy White Center and Connley Center. It is

the city of College Park, but nobody wants to be a team and Brady gets less. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Jason Kiff. Good evening. Jason Kellop, Mercer Avenue, College Park resident.

My name is Jason Kell. I'm a College Park resident and a lot has happened in these chambers in the last two years or actually since 2024. Sorry that's really distracting. All of it comes from this council's own record that's been validated by published minutes. And I'm going to talk about how we've you all have been working to silence the citizens, starting with the mayor. A little bit of a history lesson. So, one of your first acts in 2024 was 202401, the omnibus that barred the

mayor from commenting on matters that are being discussed. That was the first time that you stopped dissension from being allowed in these chambers after this was after the election when the two sitting councilmen decided not to show up to me meetings for two months prior. Maybe they were sitting there and deciding how they were going to silence people then. Maybe with the newly elected officials. I don't know. Lots to figure out because they don't really discuss how they ever come to legislation in this room. Then in May of that year, you all sold

out Bill Evansfield. No public comment, no discussion. That was after you sold out to Next Era, reversing a vote on a technicality. No, with no public comment on that second round, picking up the trend on silencing the public when it matters most. But tonight, you're going to actually be voting on Bill Evans again with no transparency in it. You're going to spend $1.3 million to three vendors with

no proposals, no bids, no costs, no timelines, nothing in the packet. But now you're using new tactics. You're accusing people of abusing open records. Now, so we have to go and find these contracts. We have to look for these things. We are doing what you all should be doing as elected officials, and that's getting the public's business out in the open so we can make informed decisions. Last meeting, there was someone removed

from these chambers for a protective order. That wasn't the first time that a council woman has originated legal action against a citizen in this room. We see the patterns. We know it started with the mayor and it's going to continue. We won't be silenced. We won't stand down. Consider opening up your books, opening up your hearts, and speaking out instead of just going along and hiding in the shadows. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir.

>> Stanley Muhammad, >> you can't donate your time. >> You can't donate your time. I'm kind of stand. >> Yeah, that's right. Without him, could you know you? >> All right. I would like to first of all uh give praise and thanks to Almighty God

Allah for this wonderful opportunity to work and serve the least of this city, our people in College Hills under Project Torch Light. And I give praise and thanks to God for Councilwoman J McKenzie seeing a problem in our community and being proactive and having a wonderful city manager

that sees the same and those council members that support the idea because it's going to take a lot to repair the damage that has been done to our people. And when we look at one of the last standing housing projects in the Atlanta metropolitan area, we've been working there and we have found

that been residents without beds. Eight children with no beds. >> But we would come up here on the podium and talk about we need more trees. But our people don't have beds. Some of our people don't have employment and they're struggling. Some of the children have issues where they don't have

anyone to help them with their literacy and reading. So here, Project Torch Light is going in doing a job that most of the people who come up here and criticize uh Councilwoman McKenzie who is doing the job. You're not around addressing the issues of our community. We just have a disaster preparedness at Brady Recreation Center. We had about 75 people there preparing them for the storm, preparing them for the calamities

that's going to hit College Park and hit America for the injustices like what happens to Nolan Wales. This is not a coincidence. The natural calamities are taking place. But the more we neglect our suffering people in these areas where they're living below poverty, the more God is angry. But the more we do what Sister Jamal is doing and the city manager is supporting every

positive initiative and I commend Councilwoman Arnold for seeing the need in her community and seeing the success of Project Torch Light. We give reports on a regular basis, testimonies, but which of the good works will you stone us for? Which of the good works will you stone us for? Thank you. God bless us all with the light of understanding. Thank you. Peace.

>> Madame Mayor, I do have Ryan Kelly signed up to speak for public comment, but I believe he may wish to speak during the public hearing item 8B. >> Mr. Kelly, are you here for 8B? >> I am. >> Okay. All right. So, we'll we'll hear your comments at that time. >> Okay. And then we have two that actually signed up before 400 pm. Would you like to hear those names?

They I believe individuals may be saving the link and then when I repost it, they're they're signing up prior to it being reposted. >> Well, we have time and they've signed up. So, >> okay. Okay. Marshawn Johnson.

>> Hello everybody. >> Hi Johnson. I'm a little upset that I got to be up here for this reason, but I'm going make the best of it. First of all, I want to express my grave concerns regarding the toxic behavior, racial bias, and personal attacks within the local community group, Speak Up College Park. I initially joined this group to engage positively with neighbors and contribute to our community, but the environment has become hostile and divisive. I was recently removed from the group after

speaking up pensively persuasive disrespectful attacks directed at one particular person, Council Dr. Jamil McKenzie, which included baseless allegations that including she was paying me and I don't even really know Dr. McKenzie. Furthermore, during these interactions, a group member called me a racial slur name, calling me a clown. Thank you, Lord, for my growth. This host this hostility escalated more

following a recent court hearing that I was involved while I was there not involved in it with resident Allison Blue and Dr. McKenzie. Although the judge dismissed the case, not um and notating that this was so personal and Miss Blue, you're not a victim and denying her request for attorney fees of 7,000 plus. How many bills would have been paid out of that, huh? Miss Blue posted in the group immediately after

claiming victory, which sparked further organized character assassination against Dr. McKenzie. Miss Blue even posted in the group. She's not the one to be played with. She's about to post something, some textes communicating between her and Dr. McKenzie. Given the influence you and your husband, Mayor Grooms, that you hold within this group, I urge you and our community leaders to address this unethical

conduct condemning these discriminatory actions and promote a constructive, respectful environment for College Park residents. Yes, I did reach out to you and I would like to have a meeting cuz there are two sides to a story. But at the end of the day, this is so messy. And I did not know that was your husband, Mr. Salisbury. I did not I wasn't aware of that. But this is so messy. And I want to be involved in College Park. I raised 14 kids here, a graduate of Lakeshore High School, and I

have kids in elementary school here. >> That's right. And when I say when nobody here when I was fighting on Garby road with the drugs and stuff going on at the bus stop and everything and I find out that you mayor are over that. >> I haven't seen you at not one martyr meeting. So I'm asking you please address this concern. They are attacking you guys. >> Thank you.

>> You're welcome. Appreciate it. >> You are most certainly welcome. >> Ivory Johnson, >> that's my daughter. She's not here. She's working. >> All right. >> She would love to be here. >> Okay. Thank you, ma'am. >> Not working. She is. >> Ma'am, thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> You're welcome, ma'am. >> Madam Mayor, that is all I have for public comments for those that have signed up. If anyone wishes to speak and they have not had an opportunity to do so, they can come at this time. Madam

clerk, how much time is left? >> 18 minutes 23 seconds. >> Thank you. >> I too. >> Hey, good evening everyone. Um, f first off, I want to thank uh public works and our electric utility for the fine work they did right outside of our house. Randy Godfrey 1966 LA um big trees fallen this scares everybody and

uh made a a real mess. This evening I want to talk about the over $500,000 in real estate commissions uh paid to Keller Williams. Uh it seems to be a topic that we brush under the rug. Ber's own lawyer um indicated that w within the agreements they found that that these payments were made outside the board's approval

um and that BITA wants to recover the money. However, it's not clear on what the next steps are or that we're even pursuing the money. I'm asking that the city give a report on what has happened next. Has Bida taken real steps to get the money back? Has it filed a claim, reached a repayment agreement, or taken any other action? How much money is it trying to recover? Who's responsible for pursuing it? Residents need a clear

update about what's actually been done. In effect, we've lost a house. Five over $500,000 makes for a really nice house in College Park and we even lost that in real estate commissions. I also want to know what these payments were for. Chelsea Gardens was foreclosed in February 2025 and around the same time the largest Keller Williams payment was approved. I'm not saying the two were

connected, but did BET's review check whether any of the payments or agreements were connected to Chelsea Gardens foreclosure or any other deal? If the payments only for the Six West land transfers, please confirm and show the records. If they were covered for other work, tell us what work. Mayor and council, you appoint uh all five of the of the seven board members. What are you doing to make sure BA follows through and gives the public straight answers?

Saying the money is being pursued is not enough. Please tell residents what steps have been taken, what remains to be done, and when we can expect another update. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Chasulo Ajanaku 1840 Mercer Avenue.

Uh, greetings mayor. I love you too. >> I love you. But but anyway, uh council members, city manager, city attorney, I I'm certainly happy to be here with all of you today and I I want to uh continue to report good news. I I certainly see progress here. And so today, I I I want to continue to build on recognition

and credibility of the city manager action committee. Uh we are a group of citizens that are devoted to supporting our elected officials and especially our city manager. Also, we're committed to obtaining financial firsthand information from the city manager and distributing that information throughout the community to build integrity and to and to the people we know. We are

in support of transparency, integrity, and the credibility of of our city government and especially the city manager's office and his staff. I urge you to join us. I I'm speaking to our community. I'm urge you to join us. any community member that's concerned as I am about our city, if you have an opportunity to participate in the city manager action committee to help us

accomplish the purpose and mission of the city of College Park. Please join us. And finally, I want to report more good news. The city manager has filled all the department head positions. He He's to be congratulated and accomplishing this. He's done a great job thus far. Thank you, Mr. Hicks. Thank you, council members. >> Mayor, >> thank you, sir.

>> Thank you. If anyone else wishes to speak all right so we are going to move to the public hearing. No, actually I think 8A is just one set. All right, Madam Clerk.

>> I'm sorry, Madam Clerk. Madame Mayor, before we >> I'm aware, Mr. Denmark. >> Well, I'm sorry. I have to state it for the record uh that we are now entering to the legislative portion of the uh meeting where the uh council members alone deliberate. Thank you. >> Item 8A, consideration of an action or request to set a public hearing for a tax amendment to amend appendix A zoning article one basic provisions and article 3 zoning district intents uses and standards for further define and prohibit boarding homes. This item is

requested by Lenise Lion, city planner. >> Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member K. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Mackenzie. Any discussion >> hearing? No, we'll move to a >> council member K. Council member K. Wait, hold on. Council member K. >> Do you have a question? >> Yes, Denise. Uh, so what's the date on hearing? Uh, I left it open for the mayor and council to decide what date they would like to hear this item. >> Can we have it at the next meeting or uh

is it is it set to go or how long is it? We start the has the advertisement started I'm assuming >> uh we advertised it to for the planning commission meeting but not this meeting. >> It's not required to be advertised for this meeting. >> I have to double check with um city clerk for text amendments. Um, but the the um the text amendment was advertised for the uh the planning commission meeting. >> I'm just trying to figure out what's the earliest we could we could uh hear it.

>> Uh if it would need to be advertised again, I would say it would be 30 days from now. >> And we don't know if it has to be advertised or not. >> It's a public hearing. It's got to be advertised. Yeah, it's a public hearing. It does have to be advertised. >> Is that right, city planner? >> City attorney just said it. >> That's good. City planner. >> Well, I mean, the city attorney just just said it.

>> I heard everybody else. I just wanted to double check and make sure. >> It's a legal thing and the city attorney just said we need to advertise it. So, I think we can go with that. You have any other questions, council member? >> City planner, are we good? >> Uh, if this is a public hearing, then yes, it would need to be advertised. >> All right. Thank you so much.

Any other questions for council member? >> Council member K, do you have any other questions? >> No. All right. Thank you, Miss Lions. >> Okay. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> That is unanimous. >> Item 8B, public hearing and action for reasonable accommodation requests for up to eight unrelated people at 2041 English Lane. This item is requested by Lenise Lion City Planner. This item is

located in Ward One. >> Miss Lions. >> Uh thank you. Uh so this was uh uh the a month ago at the city council we this was item was deferred uh to uh this meeting. Um since then we revertised this uh application for the reasonable accommodation request. Uh we resent we we sent letters to uh uh people within 1,00 uh property owners within 1,00 feet of the property which included both

College Park and the city of East Point. Um and uh we have received um a few phone calls about this item, emails as well. Uh both some on the side of support, some on the side of not nonsup support of this measure. Um but uh again it's before you tonight to decide uh if the reasonable accommodation request should be uh allowed uh for the eight persons un eight unrelated people. Um our current

our code currently uh defines family as up to three unrelated persons. Um and so that's one reason why we have to have it before you because we can't uh exceed what that rule is uh set by our zoning ordinance. Thank you very much, Miss Lines. All right. So, at this time, I'll declare the public hearing open. For those who wish to speak on this matter, they can do so at this time.

>> Pastor William Wallace. I'm going to take my time. Madame Mayor, members of council, my neighbors, I rise in support of the reasonable accommodation request for up to eight unrelated residents at 2041 English Lane. I support the opportunity for people pursuing recovery to live in a supportive environment, hold one another accountable, and to do the work of rebuilding their lives. My position is grounded in grace. As a pastor, I'm a

champion of grace, change, and reconciliation. I believe God is a God of chances and I believe those convictions have to influence how we respond when people ask for an opportunity to move forward. Tonight we have a chance to do something with what we have we say we believe. There's a home at 2041 English Lane and a request before us to make room for people trying to rebuild their lives. I want us to give that request the care we would want if the people asking were the

people we love. The neighbors who have questions deserve to be heard. The people seeking a supportive home deserve to be heard. Supporting this accommodation does not require us to dismiss either one. At the previous hearing, people asked about parking, emergency access, and what they should do if a problem comes up with a neighbor. Those are questions we should be willing to answer. I understand what it means to work, sacrifice, and put years into a home. I would never ask

somebody to act as though that does not matter. It matters and the people asking deserve to know that we hear them. But we also heard a proposal for the city to protect surrounding homeowners financially against possible losses in property value associated with the recovery home. That troubled me. I respect the desire to protect an investment. I also believe we have to examine the assumption that living beside people in recovery is itself a

loss for which somebody should be compensated. What does that communicate to the person trying to begin again? What does that tell the their family about how we see them before they've even arrived? Is there a uh if there's a problem we need to examine? Let's examine it. If there's something that needs to be addressed, let's address it. But let's be careful that we have not already decided somebody will be a problem simply because we know they are in recovery. We have not even met the

people we are talking about. A person pursuing recovery is still a person who deserves dignity, fair consideration, and an opportunity to be to uh belong. At the previous hearing, we heard why living together matters to people in recovery. Having someone there who understands the struggle, someone to hold them accountable, someone to also who is also doing the work. That is why I support this request. We can tell people all day that

we need change. They still need somewhere to go and support around them while they are trying to do it. and who is worthy of that opportunity. Does our willingness to extend grace change according to somebody's income, family name, social standing, or ability to keep a struggle private? Or are we more comfortable with a problem we cannot see than with a person who has acknowledged it and is trying to get help? We know the expressions people use around

alcohol, winding down, taking the edge off, getting through a difficult day. Those expressions alone do not tell us whether someone has an addiction. And I'm not here to diagnose it, diagnose anybody. But I do want us to examine a double standard that gives understanding to a private struggle and suspicion to a public recovery. We should never make honesty about needing help more costly than hiding the need. When someone is ready to seek support, our response

matters. This accommodation is an opportunity to make that support possible in a stable home among people committed to helping one another move forward. My faith is what brings me to this position. I do not expect everybody here to share my faith. I do not expect us to care about whether people are being treated fairly because the respon that responsibility belongs to all of us. My overall position is this. A city cannot champion progress with oppressive and isolating ideologies and governance.

That requires us to examine how we decide who belongs, including in a hearing like this one. Elitism takes hold when those with influence assume they should determine who gets an opportunity. Bigotry takes hold when a label substitutes for knowing a person. Racial and cultural profiling take hold when assumptions about a group are treated as facts about an individual. And exclusion becomes systemic when those assumptions shape our rules, our

processes, and our decisions. I'm not saying that everybody with a question is prejudice. I'm saying I am saying we need to be honest with ourselves about what we know what we fear and what we may be assuming about somebody we have never met. The people often described as the have nots do not have a less worth. People we call voiceless often have something important to say and they need someone willing to listen. And we cannot

claim to speak to what this entire city needs if our conversation is limited to a few blocks. Yes, those blocks matter. The people living there matter, but so do the people beyond them. We have to be willing to hear from the renter as well as the homeowner, the family struggling to make ends meet, as well as the family doing well, and the person seeking recovery as well as the person concerned about living next door. If we only talk to people whose lives look like ours,

there are there there are needs we may never hear about and opportunities we may may never understand. That is why this accommodation deserves a conversation wide enough to include everyone affected. Loving our own neighborhood should should deepen our concern for the rest of College Park. It should make us want to know what our neighbors beyond those few blocks need, too. So when we listen to this accommodation request, let's really listen. Hear the neighbor who is

worried. Hear the person explaining what it took to get their their life back and why they needed other people around to do it. Neither voice should have to compete with somebody's status, somebody's connections, or which leader happens to agree with them. That same principle uh shapes my concern about nonprofits being denied opportunities to do positive work because people disagree with the personal positions of their leaders. Where that is happening, I have a problem with it. Ask whether that

organization can do the work. Ask how it handles its money and how it treats the people it serves. Those things matter. But if the objection is simply that we do not agree with the person leading it, we need to ask why a family needing help should have to pay for that disagreement. If there is evidence of a problem, bring it forward and deal with it. If there are requirements to meet, tell people what they are. And let's hold everybody to the same standard, including the people we like. But consider who pays the price when access

to help becomes entra in entangled in personal conflict. The family waiting for assistance, the resident trying to find resources, the person rebuilding a life very few places to with very few places to turn. And that matters to the people who uh who could live in this home. Having a place to stay does not have to does not make other uh every other need disappear. Someone may still need a job, a ride to work, food, or help finding

their uh next step. Why would we want to make it harder for an organization capable of helping them to reach that that goal? If we want people to rebuild their lives, there the support has to be there beyond the front door. People should not have to pick a side in our disagreements before they can get help, the help they need. This is also why I care about our social events, our charitable events, our public parks, our dog parks, and the things that get people somewhere to go and something

positive to be a part of. I want people to have a life in this city, including the people working to build rebuild one. Of course, we should ask what something costs, who can use it, and how we are going to take care of it. We also need to ask what it means for people to have somewhere to gather, get to know one another and give something back that is has value in a community too. A person rebuilding a life needs a place to live and a community in which to live it.

Recovery should leave room for ordinary life. Knowing your neighbors, enjoying a park, volunteering, and participating in something positive. That is part of why I'm I am proud to see the botanical garden moving forward. Yes, I'm excited about that. I see an opportunity to make room for our next generation for families whose access to experiences like this is often limited by money, transportation, and circumstances. Think

about the child whose curiosity about science has never had somewhere close to home to grow. The parent who wants to give their children an enriching experience but cannot afford admission, travel, and everything else an outing requires. The older uh resident who deserves a place nearby to enjoy beauty, learn something, and remain connected to the community. Their needs belong in our vision for College Park 2. To me, that is making an accommodation for the next

generation. I understand that the housing request before us has a particular legal meaning and has to be considered under those standards. But the question I'm asking us to carry through all of this is simple. Are we willing to make room for what people need, including people whose circumstances are different from our own? I want a child uh in College Park to be able to get there. I want a parent to be able to afford it. I want a resident who with a disability to be

able to enjoy it. I want our schools to have an opportunity to use it when we talk about what we are building in this city. I want us to think about the people who will actually be able to walk through the doors. The measure of the garden success should include the child who discovers something there, the family who can finally enjoy an experience close to home, and the resident who feels that their city's future includes them. That is something worth being proud of

and it's also something worth getting right. And that brings me to another concern we may we we uh we need to uh hear fairly. And let's be honest, it's not unreasonable for people to be upset when they believe decisions that will shape the city's future are being rushed. Who promotes College Park? Who gets to do business with the city? Who are we trusting with public money? And what are we committing ourselves to? People have a right to care deeply, care

deeply about those answers. These decisions affect the city we all have to live in. People want to know how a choice was made, whether the people chosen do can do the work, what other options were considered, and what is going what is it going to cost. They deserve an explanation that can they can understand. We should not dismiss this question because we do not like the passion behind it or because answering it might challenge something we support.

I can be proud of the botanical garden and ask questions about how the money is being spent. I can uh want this city to grow and still ask how it's doing the how the work is doing or getting done and why there this person was chosen. My support does not mean I have stopped paying attention. Those questions are part of caring about whether it succeeds. I believe it is reasonable to ask our leaders to take the time to think things through and bring the public into conversation. A policy or

ordinance can affect people long after the meeting where it was approved. We need to weigh what it will do, what it will affect, and what we may have missed. People should be able to trust that this work has been done. Take that time to get the facts, answer the questions that matter, explain the decision, and then make that decision. People deserve care. They also deserve an answer. We cannot keep telling somebody to wait without being clear

about what we're waiting for. The same responsibility applies to this reasonable accommodation request. The neighbors should know what this home would mean for their street and how their concerns will be handled. The people making the request should know that they will get a fair hearing and a timely answer under the rules that apply. And the people we who need this home deserve for us to consider what has actually been shown about their needs without filling in the gaps with fear.

Public trust grows when people can see the process is fair even when they do not agree with every outcome. That is the connection for me. A city making room for its children to discover a future, for its residents to participate in shaping that future and for people in recovery to rebuild their place within it. Grace should influence both the opportunities we create and the care which we uh make those decisions.

But to do that, we have to be able to hear one another. Told you I was going to take my time. That is where the tension in this city concerns me. How do we give this accommodation a fair hearing if we have already stopped listening to the people speaking? What concerns me is how far these tensions have taken us. The disagreements have become deeply personal, the consequences more serious, and our civility has been pushed to the point that should concern everybody who loves this city. People

are hurt. People are frustrated. Some people feel unheard, some people feel attacked, and some may wonder whether it is even worth speaking anymore. We need to take uh that seriously. We cannot allow this to become what we simply expect from one another. I'm not here to sort through individual disputes or decide whose pain matters more. I'm asking us to recognize that this climate is costing all of us. What happens to a community when every disagreement makes

the next conversation harder? When we be when we become so prepared to defend ourselves that we struggle to hear one another. When when the tension begins to overshadow the work people need us to do. H >> was going to ask you just make sure you're focused on the actual issue. >> Oh, we we getting there. >> Yes, please. I believe we can still turn this around, but we have to be willing to take responsibility for how we move forward, even where we disagree about how we got there. That matters tonight.

This reasonable accommodation deserves our attention, our care, and our willingness to listen. The neighbors asking questions and the people asking for an opportunity uh to rebuild their lives need us to be able to have this conversation without all of the other tensions deciding how it ends. I want us to ask what went unressed before our disagreements reached this point. What behavior did we excuse because of it became somebody we supported? And where

did we have an opportunity to listen, answer, acknowledge them, and intervene constructionally, constructively? If we leave those things resolved, we can reach a point where every request becomes a question of who is behind it and which side they're on. I do not want to have happened that happened to this home. the people applying, the people who could live there and the neighbors asking questions should not have to carry all of the other disagreements into this hearing. And yes, that is also

why the I want to address very briefly into this uh in this matter the controversy surrounding my namesake, my distant dark cousin. >> No, sir, Lester Wallace. >> No, sir. Mm- cuz that doesn't have anything to do with this reasonable accommodation. >> H >> that doesn't have anything to do with this reasonable accommodation. It does, >> sir. I'm not >> Okay, I'll skip it. That's fine. That's fine. But the point is is that you cannot be the venom that kills and the bomb that heals in the same time. So before I close, I want to be clear about

what I'm asking for of us. I'm asking anybody I'm not asking anybody pretend that they have not been hurt. I'm not asking neighbors to abandon legitimate concerns. I'm not asking leaders to overlook misconduct or remain silent when they believe something is wrong. People have real concerns, real grievances, real passions, real pain. Some some want answers uh they feel they have never received. Someone u some an acknowledgement or from harm they believe have been dismissed. And some

are fighting so passionately because they love this city are afraid of what they see is happening to it. That deserves to be heard. So when I call for grace, I'm including those people too. Grace cannot mean that the persons who was hurt has to swallow the hurt so everybody else can feel comfortable. It cannot mean that accountability disappears or that reconciliation is declared before uh anybody has been told the truth. Grace requires us to make room for truth, responsibility, repair and possibility that people can do

better. It also requires us to consider what we are doing with our pain. Are we seeking a resolution that allows a community to move forward? Or are we leaving room for an answer uh for an answer, a change position, an acknowledgement or an effort to make things right? Or are or have we decided who somebody is or who they will always be? That is the question every one of us needs to consider, myself included, because if we want people to change, there has to be somewhere for that

change to lead. There has to be a way to take accountability and still have a future. There has to be an opportunity to ask for help without that request being another reason to reject you. That is why this reasonable accommodation matters so much to me. We are talking about people seeking a place to practice the very things we say we value. Responsibility, accountability, mutual support, and change. The neighbors deserve clear answers. The pro

prospective residents deserve fair consideration. And we are ca capable of taking both seriously. Imagine finally hearing someone you love say, "I'm ready to get help and I'm ready to do the work." What would you want waiting on the other side of that decision? What would would you want support? Would you want accountability? Would you want them to have somewhere to live where others understood the work ahead and were committed to doing it alongside them? The chances we pray for on pray we

should we would pray on behalf of for our loved ones should help us understand that this opportunity means somebody else's is it means what what it means to somebody else's family. So we talk about wanting progress in College Park. We want stronger neighborhoods, healthier families, greater opportunity, and a community our next generation can be proud of to call home. Making room for recovery is essential to that vision. We cannot champion change and progress if we when an opportunity presents itself, we find

every reason to block it. At some point, we have to want we have to we we what we say we want has to be reflected in what we're willing to make possible. That does not mean every proposal deserves approval or that or that sincere questions should be silent. It means we should ask those questions with a willingness to hear an answer and consider a way forward. If we can if we say we support recovery, we ought to be willing to consider how recovery can be have a place here. This request gives us

that opportunity. We have heard people need support around them as they rebuild their lives. Let's give that need real weight alongside the concerns we have heard. Our belief in change has to leave room for somebody to actually change. A person's finding stability to the progress uh finding stability matters to the progress of this city. A family having an opportunity to rebuild matters. A neighbor receiving support before a struggle becomes another crisis

matters. Approving this accommodation will not fix everything that is wrong in College Park. But here is something before us that we can act on. Here are here our people are trying to do the work of change. And here is an opportunity to show that when we speak about grace, recovery, and progress, we mean enough of it to make room for everybody. So let us hear the grievances, answer the questions, take the pain seriously, hold people accountable for harm and let the and and let the way we do that lead somewhere.

Let it lead to understanding where there is assumption, accountability where there has been avoidance, repair where there has been harm, and to the opportunity for people to live differently after they have committed themselves to doing differently. Let it lead to grace. The grace we ask for when the struggle is our own. The grace we pray for when the person struggling is someone we love. The grace that makes room for responsibility, recovery, and a future. I ask you to approve the reasonable accommodation request for 2041 English Lane because the progress

we all want to see in the city we all love has to include people finding their way forward. Let grace have an address in College Park. >> Thank you, sir. >> All right. Um, next Good evening, mayor and council. I'm Sher Godfrey. I reside on Lyall Avenue. Um, I had four step siblings when I was

growing up. They were all older than I was. And the second to oldest, um, was my favorite. He was charming. He was fun to be around. Um, I personally thought he was cute as a little girl, but he was my stepbrother. Um, but we got along really well. And when he he did not live in my hometown, but when he would come to visit, I was always happy to see him cuz I'm like, he's a lot of fun. His name was Ronnie.

Ronnie was a cocaine addict. I didn't really understand what that meant when I was a kid, but I knew he had a condition that was very worrisome to my stepfather. And he always wanted to know that he was okay. Is Ronnie doing well? Is he working? Is he staying busy? He's doing well on his job, which he always did. And sometimes he lost his job and then he would get another job. He was very smart. And one day,

my stepdad told me that Ronnie wasn't here anymore. He died from an overdose, which really was very upsetting to me. I didn't understand all of it, but I just knew he was a young man and but for that, Ronnie would likely still be here. So, I understand the struggle of recovery. Obviously, not personally, but as a family member, that support and

resources mean a lot. The commitment to sobriety is everything. And I'm sorry that Ronnie didn't have all he needed to fight the demons that he was fighting. But I think tonight I want to convey this isn't about giving addicts grace or um making an emotional decision.

This is just really just the legality. Obviously I support recovery people in recovery. I understand they have some protection under the Fair Housing Act. Um, but this request is really about what's being asked. The applicant is asking to house eight residents in a home that's zoned for an ordinance that allows four. The question before you is not about whether recovery

residences in College Park can operate here. It's really about is this expansion that's being asked for necessary? Is it necessary to expand the zoning beyond the limit? Um, and that necessity needs to be shown by the evidence. The accommodation is required only when it's necessary to give the residents an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their dwelling.

I'd ask the council to look for the objective evidence in the record in the packet that was submitted. um not just the assertions that eight residents is needed to be therapeutic um rather than what's needed for the operations business model. If a smaller amount would serve residents equally well, the requested accommodation isn't necessary. Council should also weigh the objectives. Cite the specifics. What's

the lot size? What's the parking spaces needed and available? Um, what's the compliance for fire and ambulatory services? What's the safety codes for that number of people occupying the residence? The same standards would apply if we were considering any group of eight people who were not familiarly related sharing a home. Next, uh, consider look at the operator's qualifications that should be in the record. Is there some

certification for a recognized recovery residence? Is there a standard? What's the on-site staffing or what's the management? What are they going to provide to support the residents in the home? What's the track record of other locations of this company where they've um sponsored or or advocated for for homes that they that they support. And the other thing to consider is College Park. We have a lot of pads homes. I mean, this is essentially a

concept of a padslit. a group of folks living in a home who aren't related. They've got locks on their doors. They come in, they share a kitchen, they share bathrooms, and they go about their way. I think council has already proposed some regulation for this type of situation because it's it's all across our city already. So, the only difference here is these folks are recovering from some substance. Um, I would ask what's the enforcement for

what we already have on the books in the padsplit situation? How are we how are we enforcing compliance for what our code already says about that arrangement? So again, I I don't think while Pastor Wals's comments were were passionate, I don't think he's he's advocating for the people in these residences. Um he's doing a disservice not to consider all these other things. It's more than

grace. It's more than your feelings. Thank you. >> Thank you. Greetings again. I'm Ryan Kelly, 2041 English Lane, and I know nothing I say here matters.

That being said, I'll say it anyway. Um, I'm willing to bet that if any of you sent your kids off to college and they came back with a drug addiction problem, y'all would be down on your knees thanking God for a place like the Houseian house. Matter of fact, my wife's uh one of her best friends she grew up with, she got to live in one for about two years. They ran out of space and she had to move on. died of an overdose and probably within a week

after that. Um, and I also submitted a wellthoughtout PhD level. Yeah, I got one do everybody does nowaday. But a wellthoughtout I've submitted it to the uh journal of community psychology for peer review. It is in review and I sent it to y'all and I bet you none of you read it. It's entitled Nowhere Else to Go. And so what I did in that is I actually outlined every one of the of the necessity arguments that I guess

I've been accused of not providing. Uh and so one specific necessity argument is that the model does not work. We're not talking about financially. We're talking about the model itself. The community psychology behind putting together a group of people if eight in this case has long been held with Oxford House model. It's been tested over and over again with numerous scientific journals, peer-reviewed studies, longitudinal studies, cross-sectional studies. There

is so much overwhelming scientific evidence that I have documented for you. I have cited the sources for you and I see not I don't know maybe you have. I don't but if if y'all have read that any questions that came up on that one are just done at this point. And so then to talk about what was uh brought up about the the cars and the parking and all that. Generally these addicts, they they hit the bottom before they realize that they need to get out of that situation.

They generally don't have cars. And if y'all want to do something about cars, I can do something about parking. That's fine. Um but that was a weak argument. And then the argument about the number of people is also weak because more people lived in there in my family then they're even requesting to live here now. So another thing that came up those standards do apply and what's good for my family I guess now all of a sudden is not good for them because of a of something that has been have been

legally defined as a disability that is protected under the ADA. Look how long has this been going on? Can any of you answer me how long this has been going on? It's been going on for a year now. Um, this is an honest question. How much does this city spend in legal litigation expenses? Does anybody even have a clue? Look, I'm I'm honest question. I'm not trying to get y'all know. I wish y'all would figure that out

before y'all start making these kinds of mistakes. Um, but I will tell you this. The only people winning in this one's your lawyers and their lawyers and the house in house lawyers and the the Georgia Association of Recovery residents, they're going to win. What is going to happen here is the long you keep this going, the more bills come from them. And I will have to pause and say here on this one. Now, you lose either way at this point and what you already pay and probably what you're going to pay. Um, I'm not the judge, but I am the guy that's been reading the

motions and the ridiculous quality of legal work that's coming out of your lawyers that you're paying our hardearned money to pay for misspellings, typos. Let me just read you one of these real quick. Who is Who is Winston Denmark? Is that Are you Winston? Are either one of you Winston Denmark? I don't know. Well, let me read you. >> That's him. Let me read you a little bit. Says it submitted and signed by him

on the 14 Artho day. Finally, adequate representation constitutes the death nail to the You mean like a like a nail you put in a piece of wood. It's not This is a kind of trash. Where did you get your law degree? Look, y'all have to do better with our money. We're paying a tremendous amount for decent legal work and this is what we get. Even if it's against me, it's just

pathetic. And I'm like, look, is there anybody that's overseeing and doing quality review on the work that's been submitted on this city's behalf? Is anybody even looked at any of this? Does anybody even care? Probably not. So anyway, I don't know what amount is too much, but I guess it's no amount when you just simply raise the taxes on all the rest of us while you sit here in this tall as my hall.

You know, he taxes to no end, but you give us no stewardship either. Now, recovery residents, you know, that's one of those workforce housing things I've heard slung around, new place for people to work. Well, that's exactly what this does. It creates productive members. It creates a place for productive members of this community to get out there and work and just stay off the drugs when right now there's nothing else that's working. I'm sure that everybody out here is affected by

somebody or many people that are victims of this drug addiction problem. And yet I see nothing being done about it except for this. And this is the only thing that we know works. If you look through all of the scientific journal articles out there, all of the med all the stuff about the medical things, the medicines, the the treatments, they have one thing in common. They have to have supervision outside of the the clinical setting. All right? So, when they go home and they're

by themselves, they put theirelves into a situation that they know is going bad. I've got a dead nephew, too. So, let's not even talk. I can talk about my lived experiences all day, but it really doesn't matter. You know, I fixed up a dumpster of a gigantic house. Man, it was trashed. I had animals in there. It was just garbage. I bought it practically on a bankruptcy. And me and my children went in there and and we fixed it up. But the way that this is g, let me tell you the first thing I saw when I was stationed

here by the United States Army because that was a vaccine refusal in this place over there on Dolphin Street was known to be a graveyard for army careers. I did not take that vaccine and I won't take that vaccine, but I will say this, the first thing I saw in College Park riding down Main Street was a man that acted as if he had a VR headset on and was doing all his stuff. And it actually disturbed me because I've been I've lived in everywhere in California and I've seen a lot of stuff. But whatever this stuff is, these people are on is is bad. And uh you know, and then when I I

remember out in my backyard, the screams, "Help me, help me, help me." All this violence and all of this this just hyperacelerated madness. It's drugreated. Every last bit of it. So we had to move away. We did because it's just too dangerous for us to live here. It's too dangerous for me to be a part of this community anymore. But if anything, maybe I can use the asset that I did create to maybe do something good for this community and maybe someday I can come back. But as long as y'all

leave matters as they are, no one would live in a place like this. I really do hope that you will do something to get this drug addiction issue under control. I really hope that you'll give these people that need this type of place an opportunity to get out of the mess that they found theirel in and when they're really is nowhere else to go. >> Thank you for your time for whatever it's worth. Y'all have a nice night. >> Thank you, sir.

My name is John Weekes, live at 2050 L. And uh as a recovering addict myself, I could tell you a little bit about my past. I won't go on and on and on and on. The people from my drug addiction days are all dead. Okay? My family members who have become addicted are all zeros. Everybody I know at work that was hardcore addicted to anything

is is flatlined. They they they they cannot rise above their station in life no matter how hard they try or they're dead. And the I quite like my neighborhood. I don't I don't I don't think that I live in a drug addicted part of town. I don't understand what he was talking about. My neighborhood's calm, green. Please pave Lyle. Please pave Lyle. >> Okay, write it down. >> Some of us just get to the point in our

lives where we're like, I haven't got time for this anymore. I just don't I can't deal with this anymore. I can't deal with my family members. I can't deal with my work, my friends, my workmates. I can't deal with people who are addicted to drugs. Not if they live without cars on a dead-end street right in front of my house. Okay? Cuz the only yo-yos I see walking up my neighborhood, and my neighborhood, like I've said, is a lovely neighborhood. You know, I worked my ass off for the last 35, 40 years, I have worked my butt off to be

able to land where I am now. And every once in a while, I'll look out my yard and someone's either trying to steal my catalytic converter. Oh, ain't that cute? My neighborhood's quite nice, you know. Go ahead. every five years, steal my catalytic converter. We're good. But I don't have any faith in drug addicts. Period. I don't have faith in recovering alcoholics. And I'm recovering. And I, you know, this is the this is the reality of people in my situation. They

get burnt out and they're like, "Yeah, I don't want to hear from that guy. You know, I I I know his lies and I and and and a house that's designed for mom and dad and three kids is not a fit place for mom and for for eight non-related adults. Eight people share in a bathroom. Okay. Eight people share in a kitchen. Eight people trying to create their own privacy in a house that's not anywhere near designed for a house to create that kind of privacy. The whole thing is crazy.

what you know, none of us who are against this are against recovery. That's that's that's the the the thing that we all need to make clear is that we're not against recovery. We're just against creating a situation in in in my neighborhood that's crazy. Okay? If if if the logic of of of there's not enough parking is, well, none of them have cars, great. Then they're walking by my house. And I can tell you the walk from my house to the train station is untenable. Nobody is going to do that

every day. It's It's crazy. It's two miles and two miles back and people just won't do it. So, yeah, I'm a nimi. I'm a not in my backyard. I I haven't got time for it. It's It's too heartbreaking and too and and I don't really I don't want to see, you know, the city waste this much time. >> So, thank you. Pave Lyle. >> Pave Lyle. You got it.

Well, good evening everybody. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Ambrose Clay 2000 L. Uh I was here a month ago or whatever the last hearing we had. Uh it's very hard to be against recovery. uh even though the statistics that were cited I believe at the last minute last meeting of of people that ultimately

recover from programs uh is not terribly high still if you were one of those people or one of those people were your relatives you'd be rooting for them to be part of the recovery and as I remember some of the gentlemen here were who were here have been in a recovery situation. So I can understand how they appreciate the magnitude. I think it is um a noble thing that is

being done. The problem I have is in sharing the fallout from it. If you're a neighbor who has been here for 20 or 30 years, say, and your biggest asset, let's say you're my age, and let's say your your biggest asset is your house, and you're terribly afraid

that the value of your house will go down if someone puts something that is considered either undesirable or dangerous. near your home. I can remember when I first came to College Park and and there was a great deal of concern about the airport and we have planes flying over our house. I got technically involved and eventually I got on console, but uh I had to work hard to get the airplanes

back where they were intended to fly according to the FAA. So people who bought into a neighborhood under the flight path, when they bought in, they knew they were under the flight path. And maybe they get a got a discount on their house, maybe they didn't. But in this situation, you're talking about people who have maybe been here 20 years. They're not in the flight path. They're

not they bought where they bought for whatever reason. and they might have their biggest investment in their home. And it's entirely possible that the bringing a halfway house next door is going to significantly devalue their house. So, how do we handle the situation where we want to help the people you guys want to help

and at the same time protect the people who maybe have 20 years of investment in their home? So I don't I I can't argue whether this is going to uh in the future after the decision is made when it's too late to do anything about it. I can't forecast whether that is going to uh create a problem in the neighborhood. Is it going to create a

parking problem? Is it going to create a visitor problem? Is it create a turnover problem? Uh a noise problem? we have other sources of noise problems that we have to deal with. Uh that's why I suggested what I suggested last time and that is if we want to be true Christians, true Muslims, true people who care about other people as a tenant of their

religion, then why don't we do something that benefits everybody? And I made this suggestion last time and I will make it again. And that is I'm not going to say come up with one reason why maybe you can come up with a reason why this home shouldn't be built there, but it will get built somewhere else or installed if it's a used home.

So take care of the people that are impacted by it. I'm not impacted by it. I'm I'm a good I don't know two and a half bucks and it's back in the woods and I'm not concerned and I intend I'm not going anywhere. I'm not particularly concerned about it. But for people who are living next door to it or a few blocks away or worried about who their kids are going to meet on the street who might be a recovering

addict who has fallen off the wavon and might be a danger, those people are really worried. And if they are have all their investment in their house and God knows now with mortgage rates going the way they are and so and the difficulty with finding a new home. What do they do? So I'm not saying don't help the people that want to move in or that you you want to move in. I'm saying

create a safety net for the people who may have to choose to move out. if they have a problem. So I repeat the suggestion that I made at the last time I spoke before you and that was create a safety net for the people that are living within a certain impact distance of the affected house, the affected

property. and guarantee them that the value of their house when they sell it will not go below the current well- evaluated I'm I'm not telling you how to do it exactly I'm giving a framework but you establish a valid real estate value for the house you keep track of the uh consumer price index or the what the

county uses to evaluate the increase in prices on the house where that mechanism is already there. And you guarantee them that their house, if they choose to sell it, will not sell below what it would be if they held it say five years or whatever, how many ever years it is. They hold it so many years and when they go to sell it, you increase the guarantee the selling price

of a certain amount. If those people have to move out and it's very hard I I know having been on console, I know it's very hard to police these things. We have a hard time right now policing people that are have running B&Bs even though it's against the ordinance. A lot of these things you can't enforce accurately. I've tried it. You guys have tried it. It's a common problem. So in this case, this is even more

beyond your control in some ways cuz you bought into it. You passed the ordinance and the people are here and they are going to rotate. This is not a stable population that's going to be here for 5 years or 10 years or what have you. They intend, I believe, if I understand it right, they're going to graduate and go back into society hopefully, well healed. So create create a safety net, a financial safety net. Put in place an

ordinance that will guarantee people within a certain distance, and I you're going to have to figure out the distance. I'm not I'm not in this business anymore. But uh figure out a certain periphery. Maybe it includes my house. I got a notice. I don't consider myself affected by it, but I did get a notice. And put in place a safety net. So if you go to sell your house and it has been devalued by the fact that this place is there and there have been incidents and

so forth then you guarantee the sales price of that house and if you want to stay there and you get along fine and these guys are right that these people are not a detriment to the neighborhood. They are not a threat to the children or the families or what have you there. AND IN FACT, YOU MAY ACTUALLY get to know some of them and be able to help them. I don't know. But I'm saying spread the risk. Create an insurance policy in effect that

guarantees that those are impacted by this particular place have a area around them where the price of selling their home is guaranteed. So if they want to get out, they can get out. if it's so unbearable and at least they will get what would be a fair market price for the house and that would largely solve your problem because and I wouldn't do it for the

second people that come in if someone sells their house and then another another person comes in and they are able to buy it uh and then and they choose to live there. It's their job to know what they're getting into when they move in. So, this doesn't live forever. It only lives for the people that are immediately impacted. And if everything goes well and there are no problems, there's no problem. There's no cost in the program. That's my suggestion. I I

think there's can be a lot of rationale for or against this. I think I agree with them that it is the charitable thing to do. It is the Christian thing. I believe it's the Muslim thing and it probably is the Buddhist thing. Although I don't know. I don't know Buddhism that well. And I would think that that is a reasonable accommodation and it would solve the problem. I don't think anybody's done it. I haven't been following. I've got other things I'm

working on these days. But I would think this could could possibly solve your problem. And I I I know when I suggested it last time, I think somebody thought this guy has gone off. But um I actually think that a solution like that should take the problem away. It won't solve the problem for somebody that's lived in a home for 20 years and they really really hate to go. They're still going to go through the pain. they had in planned to stay there forever or for

another 10 years until their children graduated college or what have you. It's not going to solve the hurt there, but it will at least solve the economic her. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening again. >> Good evening. Um, I just want to say I didn't want to get involved in this, but I'm a volunteer. >> You take your name for the for the I

know >> Michan Johnson. >> Thank you. >> I am a volunteer and a member of Partnership of Domestic Violence. And when I started um really branching out to the hotels, College Park was one of my first places. And I'm looking at how people are really just going at what they want to do with the 2041 address. If I'm correct, it's actually going on in College Park

every day. You have hotels around here that promotes drugs, prostitution. you you have hotels in the college in the college park area in the airport district where the people from the airport don't even go to those hotels and when I'm looking at how people are really targeting without coming with solutions of a recovery home I'm quite sure with my experience this recovery home we'll offer a advocate there I'm

quite sure they're going to look at the charges if people have charges I know it's going going to be a lot to be, you know, looked at before making a decision. But actually, those same things are going on around in College Park today. People don't even know who their neighbors are. People's security is over well beyond. So, let's not just just target not wanting this business to be in the community. Let's try to come with some solutions to

help them make it better for the people who have worked for many years and don't want to get into retirement and then they have a a home come in and it destroys everything the value and everything. So just take a second and look at not to just put down not wanting and and give it such a bad title. Yes, there are people recovering, but they still deserve a second chance.

So, like I say, I'm not I don't try to get into the politics things because some things are just out of our control. But if you come with a problem so heavy, try to come with solutions because if it's for the good for people is good for our community. I mean, it could be good for our community. So let's let's College Park need to come together. You all don't realize how you are talked about on the outside. We need to come

together. We we're so separated and fighting on issues that don't have no weight with us. And and it's it's sad, man. I'm I'm raising kids out here. I should be volunteering somewhere, but I wanted to stay. So what I did, I went and purchased food to go to get it there because the food that I had, I can't take it to them. I wanted to be here. We all need to get out here and get this

village together in College Park. It It's getting out of hand, you guys. We We need to work together. So, let's get together and and as residents and try to see if we can help the group that want to come in and and want to help people and give them a second chance. That's why you all doing the gun buyback. People who don't know how to go give the guns because of their records. You giving them a second chance to give the guns back to get them off the streets.

So, let's take it a little bit further and work together because on the outside, you guys, we're fighting. We are fighting. So, what I I just want to say, let let's work together. Let's get it together. It's so personal. We're coming up here fighting each other about what a council person doing. Let's put all that aside and get it together. You got beautiful people want to work here in College Park. We got subjects

that ain't even really being talked about that needs to be talked about. So, let's get it together, you guys. And let's try to help. Are you over the group that everybody is speaking about now? The Oh, well, I I got it mixed up cuz I'm not all into this. I don't know everybody. I just know the problems we're having. >> On the reasonable accommodation >> that Well, I am. I'm I'm trying to but but at the end of the day, I'm speaking about this home that they don't want in

the community. Instead of just trying to blast it and and and talk bad about it, let's come together as residents, taxpayers to try to see if we can make it better and provide the things that it can have to to accommodate the community and the people who wants to run it cuz no one is going to be 100% happy. Nobody is going to be happy. So that's what I'm speaking

about because I am a volunteer. I know how important it is to have recovery centers for people who want to do better. So that's what I'm speaking about. I apologize if I got thrown off, but that's what I'm speaking about. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hello everyone. My name is Daniel Moore. I'm at 1986 L Avenue and I would just

like to speak uh former councilman and former council woman. Um I have a safety concern. Uh I've only been here for 4 years. Um we came from California. Uh we wanted to put our daughter at Woodward Academy. My wife jogs around the neighborhood and we love it here. We don't want to go to Buckhead or anywhere else. We want to be right here. um and a recovery rehabilitation. Obviously, I'm a believer. I'm a musician at Ebeneza

Baptist Church. So, I believe in uh God's way to be able to heal as well as his way to deliver. Um however, uh I want to have a safety conversation. I don't know the parameters of the people that would be living in this home. I don't know how they're vetted. Um, I just want to know that I can walk my daughter to school. My wife is safe jogging around. I don't want to have to leave and get some big tax uh, you know,

whatever. You know, I want to be able to build value and equity right here in College Park. So, that's it. >> Thank you, sir. >> Rick. >> Good evening, Mayor Council. >> Good evening. >> My name is Rick Pierce. So, I'm at 20 22 English Lane, >> lived there for 22 years. Um, I expressed my opposition the last meeting we had. I still have the same opinion. I'm opposed to it probably for the parking issue and for the congestion and

the additional people that'll be there, but I'm going try to be practical here for a minute. Um, a lot of the issues that come before council and before the the city uh have very little information. We don't have all the details. you vote on something that's not really been discussed and it's hard to get some information and this is one of them. Uh the reasonable accommodation is for eight unrelated people at 2041 English Lane, but I'd like to know what the scope of that is. How long is this

going to be? Is this a oneand done? Is uh does the accommodation stay with the property? Does the accommodation stay with the operator? In the future, if the lease expires, the house is sold, does the accommodation stay with the house forever? As a neighbor, I want to know that. Or uh since it's not a zoning change, does the accommodation only apply to this particular use for this particular property for a particular period of time? And when the use is gone, the accommodation is gone. I'd

like to hear that if that's something that's actually written into the accommodation or is it all just vague and we'll do it now and we'll see what happens later. Can uh either Mr. Denmark or Miss Lions, can you answer Mr. Pierce's question? >> There are a lot of questions. >> Well, what is the scope of the accommodation? Is it with the property? If Helion House

moves on, is the accommodation gone? >> Can you make sure you're at the mic? Sorry. >> If the accommodation, let's say, if the house is sold and Helion House is no longer involved or if the operation stops for two years, is the accommodation gone? Can he resell the property with the accommodation sitting on it for the next person to come in, or does it have to come before another accommodation and public meeting? So, this is kind of vague. >> Let me let me let's see if we can get answers to that question.

>> And I'm assuming this is considering if you all approved it tonight. Um, so uh from their application, it's for uh it's for the applicant, the Houseion House. Contact person is Kai Thurup as the owner. Um, and it would be for eight adults up to eight adults um, in the home. Um, I can only speak for if if this was something like a conditional use permit,

which would be subject to planning commission review and mayor and city council approval. Um, in those instances, uh, we typically would if if approved, we would suggest conditions that are limited to the owner operator. Um, there can be time limitations. Um so say it the uh the permit or something like that would be only uh as long as Kai Thorup is the owner operator house is the owner operator the for a conditional use permit would say it can

uh we could suggest a time limitation and say it's uh uh this conditional use permit is can be for a year and then after a year goes uh expire goes um when the next year comes they would have to come and reapply apply or come back to mayor and council to extend the conditional use permit. Um these things that you are you can consider in in your deliberations. Um but that information we don't have. Um it's uh based on its face it looks like they would like to

operate it under the house as long as uh Mr. Thurup is the uh the applicant and contact person. I don't think he's here tonight to speak on behalf of uh the intent and application. I'm just giving examples of if this were a conditional use permit or a zoning request, this is how we would staff would typically give recommendations like that for conditions. >> Thank you. Thank you, Miss Lions. >> Okay. Well, I hope when this comes under a vote, it's a little more defined than

it is now. This seems like a blanket approval without a be without an end, without a scope. And so, as a homeowner, I'm concerned that this isn't just a temporary thing or that, you know, it's going to outlive me and some of the two-year-olds that are on the street. Now, uh the other question I have is concerned about what happens next with the relationship between the neighbors and the Helion house. concerned about it last time. How do we resolve any issues without angering

anybody or stepping on anybody's toes or getting in any legal issues? But uh the uh I don't have a lot of confidence in the situation with the operator at this point. Um, part of the guidelines from GAR and NAR, uh, the the regular regulating facilities say that you should create something called a good neighbor agreement. That part of the process of coming into a neighborhood is to meet with the neighbors, discuss things, explain how this house is going

to work, uh, what the resolution is for any issues, give us contact information. None of that has been done. I think he came in, gave a quick little uh query to the neighborhood, got some resistance, and said I gave up. So, I've not really seen any neighborly action by the Helion House. Now, the the whole process of recovery, I'm all for it. Again, I mentioned we had a church, we have a church, we had a bunch of people come,

they all lived in apartments, wonderful people. I'm not saying anything about that. But the good faith from the Helion house and how they presented themselves so far, I would like to them to have come and met with the neighborhood, discuss what's going to go on. How are you going to be a good neighbor? How can we be good neighbor? We're all in the dark. So, if you approve this, again, I hope you don't, please define the scope of the accommodation

and please don't abandon us going forward. Thank you. Thank you, sir. >> I promise you I'm not going to be long. I just wanted to say something um in reference to this subject. just to give a standard cuz uh former councilman Ambrose Clay said I don't know what Muslims think Christians think

but here's a standard because I believe spiritual people should guide politics. It's like the the sun governs the planets because you know we we need spiritual guidance. In Islam in the Holy Quran it says that when you come to a city you must first salute the occupants respect. like the gentleman

that came before. He's correct. You don't just come into a neighborhood and establish what you believe is good for the community or what you want. You have to off get the blessings of those people who's already there, >> you know. And that's why in the Bible it says do unto others. as you want others to do unto you. Your home is your your

in the holy Quran it says in chapter 10 87 it says turn your houses into a place of worship that means a place of peace. If those who've invested in their home in that area and they invested with a certain zoning, it's already zoned for that. It's already structured for that. Then we should respect that. And the owner who wants to establish this home

should actually go to the residence and say, "Look, I would like to have a community meeting. Go to the council woman, the mayor, and say, "This is what I would like. I would like to see what the residents think first. >> Yeah, >> that's respect. That's respect. That's the standard. Now, I'm not saying that I believe in redemption because I used to drink I was drinking gin and grapefruit juice before Minister Faracine got me and I was kicked out of my high schools and I was I was bad.

But someone came and redeemed me. I think all of us have something that we're wrestling with, right? Because the Bible said, "Ye without sin, cast the first stone. There's none righteous, know not one." So, we're not talking about not helping somebody because I would help anybody. I would love to meet with uh the man who wants to have the house and see what we can do because the most honorable Elijah Muhammad said, "Don't

go to places where you're not wanted. Don't force yourself into places." >> It's true. It's true. So it seemed like that they're trying to force themsel in a place where the people no we don't want that here. So respect that. So I think that we have to use a standard that people are already invested in this area. Is it zoned for eight people now or are they trying to change the zoning? >> It's it's been changed already. >> Hold on. Oh sir. Sir

>> I don't know. I want to make make sure. Is it >> Miss Lions? if you can answer Mr. Mah's question. >> Currently, it is zoned R2 which doesn't allow um uh group living or group arrangements and so they're seeking a reasonable accommodation um to allow up to eight people. >> Okay. Thank you. So that that's another point, the due diligence. Did you before you talk about establishing a place if it's not zoned for it and people already

there and they they said hey look I chose to live here based upon this zoning but then someone's going to come and say I want to not only not I'm not going to meet with you I'm going to just come and and and and impose my views and oppose what I want on you and I want to change the zoning. I want to change the structure without saluting the occupants,

>> without respecting the people who's already there. Now, those who need help, there's help. They can they want help. They can get help now. There's a lot of help out there. I got help. And we I don't think that no one here from what I know wouldn't want to see them get help. I mean, I've basically known all you all here. Y'all have compassion and have a a great humanity. But I don't think the way the organization done it was proper

based upon the standard of righteousness, the moral standard of doing unto others as you want others doing unto you. I can't go into to uh city manager's home and say, "Hey, I'm here." If he said, "Take off your shoes." I ain't taking off my shoes. I don't have no sock on. But that's that's the rules of his house. In Islam, you can't come into my house without shoes on. I mean with shoes on. Pardon me. Thank you. Moses says God

told Moses, "Take off your shoes for the ground you stand on the holy." So that's our belief. So when you come into a neighborhood, you have to respect the people of that neighborhood. And I'm not saying that what they're it's beautiful what they're doing for the people, but we must respect those who are actually coming. It sounds like the majority of the people don't want it. And I think that the main thing I believe I'm feeling from them, mayor and counsel, I

close with this is because they don't feel respected. you just walked in and you just fill out an application and you say, "I'm going to put this place." And, you know, some people have been victimized by, you know, those on drugs because they're not that they're themselves. When I used to drink, I wasn't myself. So, we have to respect people's concerns. They have children and then then you don't know this person. You don't know what their plans are and

objectives are. So I think that it's very important that the council should do the will of the people as long as the will of the people is not an unrighteous and unreasonable desire, you know. So like me for example, I have a councilman, Councilman Roger Gay, my council. I'm in Ward 4. We had an issue with uh Airbnb. our people. It was it was put there

without our knowledge and the people were upset about that and then there was there was a lot of drug activity and loud music. We had a peaceful neighborhood prior to then. But if someone would have actually see that's the responsibility of council. You can't get up there and just put things on the agenda that you feel like you want. You haven't even That's why we had town hall meetings. Like for example, there's on on something on agenda that I didn't

even know about that my councilman's actually promoting about if someone has a lawsuit against the city, you can't actually get a contract. >> Mr. Mohammed, just reasonable accommodation. >> Well, I'm I'm on that. I'm just dealing with the principle of we have to make sure that we respect the constituents and what they want. I'm just using that as an example that I don't respect when you put something on the agenda

that I don't agree with but you supposed to represent me and that's the purpose of having town hall meetings because that's unlawful to say okay because you have a lawsuit >> comment reasonable accommodation >> okay I'm just using that as example so I'm going to close with this you know I think that the gentleman before me, I don't know what his name is, he made some very sound points and believe it or not, is rooted in the three montheistic

religions. He said they didn't even sit down with the neighbors. I'm not saying that's true or false, but if it if they did not do that, which I'm sure Councilwoman McKenzie and you, Mayor, you live in Ward One, I'm sure you would know if he did that. That's respect. That's respect. And when we start respecting each other, we won't have this controversy and then wind up in litigations. We won't have

that. So, I pray that that community where they want to put that um house in that their will and their desire has been done. And I also pray that that organization comes and sits down with like Project Torch Light and other nonprofit organizations and let's work together and let's see if we can find a fitable a a fitting location for a house like that. And I'm sure Pastor Wallace would

open his heart and we can all have a roundt discussion to find an alternative for those who are actually trying to recover. Thank you for allowing me time as I greet you in peace. Peace be on. >> Good evening, Councilman. My name is Brian Matthysse. You know, listening to him, I wanted to piggyback off what he just said because being a resident in the community, not only did this

operator not sit down with us, this operator has a history of being openly hostile and threatening with the community. They have they even have a lawsuit against this city. The operator has been nothing but hostile to us. So, how can we trust this operator to be a good neighbor? So, right off the bat, we have concerns. The other concern is just simply who carries the consequence when something goes wrong here? The operator can end its lease, close the business, change locations, or simply leave. The

residents cannot. In 2025, last year, the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences received 149 major incident reports from 113 accredited recovery residences. Incidents included physical violence, suspected overdoses, fires, injuries, medical emergencies, and even deaths. That's more than one major incident per facility in a single year. In fact, College Park's own group home ordinance

expressly anticipates emergencies. So, how is the city preparing for these kind of foreseeable emergencies? And how are the surrounding residences expected to prepare to react? What are we supposed to do? If the city is going to permit this kind of operation on an otherwise residential street, then it should also be asking whether existing public safety resources and infrastructure is there to support it. This is why zoning exists. As residents of this street or our

residents, I mean, we're we're simply being treated like villains for asking questions. And that's just not the case. These questions are not about whether people in recovery deserve housing. Of course, they do. This is a question about where this particular operation at this particular location has demonstrated why it should receive an exception from zoning rules. rules established to protect the health, safety, and character of his residential neighborhoods. Because right now, it seems like we're put trying to put a

round peg into a square hole where the city and residents both absorb all the risk while the operator takes all the benefits. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Mercedes Lucas. I am a resident of Ward 3. Um I'm also in property management in real estate. And so um I get it. Um I had some

thoughts on this. Usually when you hear the word reasonable accommodation in real estate, it's it's um ADA compliance issue. So drugs, drug addicts, drug recovery falls under that. Um the last gentleman said round peg square hole and the minister had mentioned about the zoning and if people object to that or if zoning is a particular thing then why are we trying to force it to be something else? But

just weeks ago, we stood in this very chamber and had that same conversation about a building um needing variances and so on and so forth. So that's something that this body does frequently um is make accommodations outside of the current current zoning. I also think that recovering home is a triggering phrase.

Um, many of us are living whether knowingly or unknowingly next to people who have drug issues, next to people who have are are pedophiles or otherwise criminals and so on and so forth. The benefit to having a program like this is that one, you know what their goal is. Their goal is to recover from their drug addiction and they have the support system to help facilitate that. this homeowner um investor

has the ability to rent this home to a market rate tenant to a section 8 tenant who would then have potentially eight occupants in the in the home anyway according to HUD they could have um two heads per room and so that could be a single parent with seven kids or eight kids or you know whatever at least with this program, you'll know who's there. You'll know what their goal is,

and there will be in theory um guidance, oversight, so on and so forth to help mitigate some of these concerns that the residents are raising, you know, the parking, the the noise, the, you know, the safety, those sorts of things. So, um, I would just ask that we not get overly triggered by the recovery

center or whatever it's being called. Um, and I would also I'd also point out that if this were someone's home and they wanted to paint it hot pink, um, some folks might object to that. They may say, "Hey, this is going to bring down my property value." So on and so forth. But who were we to say that someone can't paint their house hot pink, as gross as that might be? Um, so again, I would just ask people not get too triggered.

Um, perhaps give this individual a chance to and, you know, see how it goes. and reasonable accommodations typically fall with the um lease holder for the duration of their lease. So that has been my experience and that is all I wanted to share. Thank you. >> Thank you so much.

>> Hi. Uh my name is Jason Corman. Um I reside on English lane as well. Thanks for the opportunity to um come up here and speak in opposition. I appreciate the um uh delaying this for another month. I wanted to attend last month um was unable to. So uh thank you. Um, I don't want to beat a dead horse um on this or just bring up the same points, but I I do want to provide a little bit more background um from the initial

phases of this. And uh hopefully that'll shed some light that um trying to to come at this not necessarily from an emotional or an ideological perspective, but just a logical perspective. um on September 23rd, 2025, um that was the first advertisement for the Houseion House that um any of us had seen and the listing was for 15 beds, four bathrooms. So, I think that establishes the intent of the operator

um at 15 beds. And I think we can all agree that from a logical perspective, even if it's just eight, but 15 unrelated adults, is very different than having a large family with two parents and the rest kids in there. Um, I know there's been um some arguments uh to dismiss some of the concerns as a not in my backyard type of um type of thing. But I

just try to want to I want to try to um to really get past it like this this isn't just who is going to be living there. Um none of us um in the immediate uh um the immediate area around 2041 um have been as concerned about who is going to be living there, but just the sheer number of adults and the

challenges that that brings with additional infrastructure. Um there's been um arguments brought up and and you know pointed out that English Lane is a narrow street. There are no sidewalks. There are nine houses um towards the dead end beyond 2041 and they must go past that house as they leave. Um with the listings for Houseion House and the way that it was organized, um the garage was unavailable for unavailable

for parking. there was other things in there. You know, they may have been able to, but at most there's going to be two driveway spots, two garage spots, and the rest would have to be on the street with additional adults um that brings additional visitors. So, it's just it's more about the infrastructure to be able to handle um that many people on a dead-end street with a blind curve. Um also so um any kind of cars one of the at the time seven kids uh

that were under the age of five um walking up and down the street it was a safety concern. So I understand the the potential financial fallout and um you know all of the other arguments um that were made here today. Um, and it's, you know, um, it's difficult, you know, being empathetic, not wanting to see, um, or, you know, just knowing that that these type of recovery residences are of value for the community. Um, but there

is merit on assessing them for reasonable accommodation on a case- by case basis. Um, so thank you for your time to talk. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Does anyone else wish to speak? All right, seeing none others, I'm declaring the public hearing closed.

>> Is there a motion? >> Motion to deny. >> Is there a second? >> Second. All right. Council member K made the motion. Council member McKenzie seconded. Any discussion? >> Yes. >> Council member Mackenzie. >> Thank you, Mayor. I want to begin by saying something abundantly clear that I do support the Americans with Disabilities Act. Okay. And the principle of reasonable accommodations. I've heard all of the arguments and I

will say to Mr. Thorp as he's leaving that I had an entire class of 13 to 17year-old scholars scholars from Woodward Academy Global Impact Kip you name it Banaker some of the wonderful schools in our community and I shared this entire packet with them. It's about 50s something pages probably and I had them dissect it and yes they read the nowhere

else to go. They read every aspect that the city had in your packets for this meeting and we broke them up into groups. One group got the information from the perspective of the houseion house. another got the perspective where the city might have been coming from in the denial originally and then we just looked at the issue and we heard from all three groups and I will say that this is one of the most difficult decisions that I've had to make because

as a faith leader who practices Christianity as a nonprofit leader who looks out for people and of constantly doing whatever I can to provide resources. Yes, it is necessary to have homes or places of this nature for persons who are recovering from addiction. So, the

decision was difficult because I see the necessity for these types of programs in College Park because they impact us all. They impact our family. I heard what Sher said. I've heard the stories from so many persons tonight and before tonight. And I've heard the voices of my residents. And so this decision had to not come down to an emotional decision, but a logical factual decision

based on the fact that this particular area is zoned R2. In the city of College Park, this particular zone does not allow for more than three persons that are unrelated to be in a home together and definitely not up to eight. Had they decided that they wanted to allow three unrelated persons, we wouldn't even be

here right now. So, it's not that the city is saying no to assisting individuals with disabilities for allowing this type of a living situation. This is about where it is located. And there has not been proven to me a need for a reasonable accommodation to to to allow that to happen in this case. I love my residents and I hear

their voices. However, this decision could not be made just because they did not want this. But I will say that an individual purchasing a house in R2 is expecting for the homes in their area to remain under the zoning regulations that come under R2. So therefore, this is one of those decisions that does impact people. But not just that, you

know, we look at this and actually I'm I'm I'm going to read um so basically I do not see where Houseion has made uh or or supported enough evidence for us to say that we should accommodate up to eight people at 2041 English Lane. I also want to say that having a family with eight members or 12 members is different than eight

unrelated adults living in a home. So that does impact. We can't compare a family and visitors that come from out of town to a family that are family staying in a house. So um and the last piece was the city's general app um zoning record again they up to three unrelated persons. So basically, the decision is difficult and I know

it's hard, but I will say as a legislator, this decision has nothing to do with me and I would hope my city saying that we don't want this because that's not what this is about. We're just not seeing enough supporting evidence to say that we make a reasonable com. Finally, I'm troubled because our city planner was not able to give a clear response

concerning she was able to say what a condition I've been making this decision while I'm sitting here. I didn't come here with a pre decision. Anybody that texted me during this time knows that I'm really trying to look at all the facts and the logic. I will come back to my kids, my students, my scholars. However, we still don't have a clear answer uh Rick in terms of what happens with reasonable accommodations. We understand what conditional use permits allow, but we still don't know because

what I do know is that a company came to the city of College Park several months ago and selected four houses. I don't know how they came up with those four houses in my ward for reasonable accommodations that they did not have leases for that they did not own that the owners didn't even know I'm trying to calm down Jamal cuz this kind of now I'm getting a little emotional and wanted a reasonable accommodation. How could you even apply for a reasonable

accommodation if you don't already own the property? which makes me to think that it's possible that a reasonable accommodation just travels with the property, has nothing to do with ownership. We need those types of answers to make this type of determination in the affirmative. And so my students, they have done research after they left, but during that session on Saturday after they I mean they tore this thing apart from the bottom to the top. And we do have it

recorded. I just didn't put it on on social media. I wanted to wait till tonight. But it was a difficult decision for them. But they decided by a slight margin that they would deny this had they been the city of College Park based on the information that we were presented and the lack of information that we were not presented with. Any

further discussion? >> I'll just say real quick that uh >> Council Member Car, go right ahead. >> Thank you. Uh, city attorney. Um, I understand that uh we have other areas uh within the city that are zoned to uh accept and accommodate uh you know sober living situations uh for updated adults. Um is that correct?

there there there likely are. But, you know, I I would encourage the council to kind of focus on the four corners of this particular application. They made an application for a reasonable accommodation request uh to exceed what would ordinarily be the case in this zoning classification and the applicant had the burden to show that it was both necessary and reasonable. And so the question, the only question before you and I I urge you in the strongest terms to focus exclusively and

like a laser on the very narrow issue of did the applicant meet the burden to show that the accommodation that they requested was reasonable and necessary within the meaning of the law. Uh we must also focus on the fact that this is not a question about whether or not they can have a sober living facility in the city. The question is can they exceed

what would ordinarily be the limit and go all the way up to eight. And they have to demonstrate that because if they want to do one or two people they wouldn't be in front of you. They want to do eight. And so now going from three to eight, they have to show that that is necessary and reasonable under all of the circumstances. And so the citizens came and they spoke what they wanted to speak. Uh but the law requires you as a council to focus like a laser on the

precise legal issue. So, I would encourage us not to go far a field uh on on abstractions and entertain these notions because we're making a record uh and and a judge uh in the future is reading everything that we're saying right now and house and house and their lawyers are going to point to well council person said this and they said that which demonstrates that they were motivated by factors that the law does not permit. So I think less said it is more. And if you're going to

say anything at all, it should be focused like a laser on necessity and reasonleness of their accommodation request and any evidence induced uh to support that uh request. Understood. Thank you. >> Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. We'll move to a vote. All those in favor of denial. I >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? >> I I >> Okay, so council members K and McKenzie

are in favor of denial. Council members Arnold and Gay abstained. The motion passes. Next agenda item, consent agenda 9A, consideration of an action on a request to approve a soul brand procurement from John Johnson Controls, Inc. in the

amount of 63,244,000 for the replacement and upgrade of the fire alarm node 13 at GICC. This item is requested by executive director Barner. This is a budgeted item. And this will service 2. Item 9B 26-289 consideration of an action on request to remediate the historic college park golf course greens 2 three and at add a new nursery greens behind. Number three we will utilize the services of cutting edge landscapes whose comp competitively priced and an experienced vendor. The

proposed remediation will restore the greens to superior condition, providing an improved golf experience. This is a budgeted item. This will serve as two. Item 9 C, consideration of action on request to approve a change order allowing East Coast Grading, Inc. to perform street resurfacing work on Hawthorne Avenue from Lee Street to Jackson Street and Connley Street from Harvard Avenue to Princeton Avenue in the amount of 61,69548

which will be added to Hawthorne Avenue and Connley Street for resurfacing work which will meet GOT requirements. This is a budgeted item. This will service WS one and three. Item D, consideration of action to approve a PSA for Spells Productions LLC for communication support services in the amount of $4,583.50 per month. This item is sponsored by Councilwoman Tracy Arnold. Item 9E, consideration of an action to approve payment to turn Turnup Seed

Engineers for professional engineering services in the amount of $78,975 for related sewer system improvements and renovation designs for Southeast Station. This will serve as ward two and three. Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member K. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Arnold. All those in favor? I >> that is unanimous. >> Agenda item 10A, consideration of an

action on request to approve a resolution amending the city of College Park purchasing policies and procedures manual regarding vendor eligibility and disqualification. This item is requested by Councilman Roger Gay. >> Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Gay. Is there a second? >> Motion dies for lack of a second. Item 10B, consideration of an action request to approve a resolution amending the city of College Park purchasing policies and procedures manual regarding vendor eligibility and disqualification.

>> I'm sorry, madam click. >> This item is requested by Councilman Roger Gay. >> Is there a motion? >> No motion. Next item. >> C. consideration and authorization to designate specific city streets for resurfacing under the G.2026 LRA funding program. This item is requested by Raymond Cotton, Highways and Streets Superintendent. >> Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Mackenzie. Is

there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Arnold. Any discussion? Uh, >> council member K. >> I wish these were listed by usually they they have award attached to them. I know some of them here pretty well, but uh usually every year we we kind of have that water area attached to to the uh the pavements. But uh if we can get that back, it'd be great. Is this uh >> is this the final list? So would you

like to talk to to public director? >> Uh well yeah just yeah just quick question. >> Mr. Anderson, would you mind coming down?

>> Good evening, Mr. Anderson. >> Good evening, Council Member Cart. All right. Well, I know like always you usually go at the streets that are most in need of repair usual as usual. Um there usually was an area attachment, but I see the areas are I know about the approximate areas for them. But but this is the final list. Is that >> that's correct. >> Okay. And that's going to spend the entire amount there or would there be some leftover or uh >> Well, no. I um don't know just quite

yet. What we're trying to do is go ahead and get this approved. So when So when we um actually get ready to submit, all we got to do is just draw down >> and get and get it done. >> All right. Okay. >> Don't think we can do that till our audit's done, but All right. >> Thank you, Mr. Anderson. >> Sure. >> Any further discussion? >> All those in favor? I >> I >> That is unanimous.

Item D, consideration of action on request approve a resolution for establishment of no parking restriction for West Point Avenue between Sullivan Road and Lesley Drive. This item is being requested by Chief of Police Sheriff McCra and sponsored by Mayor Pro Tim Joe Car. This will service to budgeted item at no cost to police department. >> Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member K. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Arnold. Any discussion? >> Yes. I I just have Arnold. Excuse me for umitis. Um I just want to ask for um a

name change on Leslie. That little piece of street if we could just I mean it says hospitality on one side of the track and then on the other side of the track which is I mean if it's 100 feet is that um it says Leslie. it. Can we just have a the name to be consistent? >> Okay, I'll I'll look into that for you. >> Thank you so much. >> Any further discussion? >> All those in favor?

>> I >> that is unanimous. Item E, consideration of action on ordinance amending the city's blighted property tax and remediation provisions. This item is sponsored by mayor prom Joe Korn. >> Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Is there a second? Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Arnold. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I >> I. >> That's unanimous. Item F, consideration of action on a request for international travel for the

mayor pro Tim K and city manager Michael Hicks to attend Elevate Africa conference in Oka, Ghana. This item is requested by Mayor Pro Tim Joe. Is there a motion? >> Motion. Thank you, Council Member K. Is there a second? >> Motion dies for lack of a second. >> What was there, Mayor? >> Item >> was I had a question.

>> There was no second. >> I had We're moving on. >> I had a question. Point of order and I would like a motion for reconsideration with my question here. >> Do you have a point of order? Do you have a motion for reconsideration? What is your point of order? >> I guess I've got both. >> State your point of order. >> In uh >> my question is, was there an issue? >> Council member, council member, you've you've raised a point of order. Please state it. >> Yes. I'd like to make a motion of reconsideration, but some discussion first. >> Your point of order is not well taken.

>> That's my point of order. >> That your point of order is not well taken. >> Well, I understand that. I still would like to discuss it and I make a motion for reconsideration. What's >> is there a second for the motion for reconsideration? >> Hearing none. There is there is no motion. >> Item 10g. Consideration of action on request to authorize the city manager to enter into necessary agreements for construction of a green space at Global Gateway and Riverdale Road to place the Bill Evans

fall ball field. This item is sponsored by Councilman Roderick Gay and Councilwoman Dr. Jamal McKenzie. Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Mackenzie. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Gay. Any discussion? >> Yes. >> Council member Gay. >> I'd like to I would like to add to the motion that this is a budget item under the uh GL ending in 54 6031.

Council member Mackenzie, you're >> I will amend my motion to include that this is a uh budgeted item under GL 546031. >> All right. And your second still stands, Council Member Gay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Any further discussion? I had a bit of discussion on it. >> Council member Carter. >> Uh as city manager, I wanted to I did

ask a few questions uh of uh Mr. Hall earlier just to get some clarification there. I think I I think I got most of it. Uh I just wanted to clear up an item uh is with uh with Mr. hall if he can >> come down for a quick second here.

>> Good evening, uh, mayor and coun madame mayor and council. >> Good evening. >> Good evening, >> Council Member Carney. You have the floor. >> Uh, all right. Just a couple of things. Uh, you know, we spoke earlier and you I did get some additional questions answered with this. So, my understanding, but anytime you see something with three pages to it for a considerable amount of money, obviously I had some questions that I thought I knew the answer to, but I would imagine the public wanted to make sure that this

thing was, you know, where it was supposed to be. So my understanding is that these outfits uh were outfits that are already contracted doing work uh in that area. Is that right? >> Uh they're doing work with the city. >> Okay. So is that is that does that mean these are going to be piggyback model contracts? Is that essentially what it is? >> Correct. >> Okay. Uh second question. I guess this

is just for the for the public as well. Uh with that, these three contractors uh did bid out for work with the city in a regular competitive bid process. All three of these outfits, >> correct? With their prior um projects, they they were bidded out. Correct. >> Okay. And their contracts are still standing contracts that qualify for piggybacking as they haven't expired. that >> they're still active contract as well.

>> All right. Uh, city manager, I just want to, you know, we want to make sure we got all of the context if we look, you know, looking at this stuff the way we're looking at it. Uh, I would I would make a friendly amendment on this. Um, and this is something we talked about doing, and I don't have any real issue with that. But, uh, my addendum would be, uh, city manager, let's sure, let's make sure that we get

a, uh, proper performance schedule for for this work, whatever's being done, scope of work. And, uh, I do understand this is a piggyback contract, but we just want to make sure we have that uh, for the public. And I did see uh some of the original contracts that these companies had. Uh city manager, it it might not be a bad idea to make sure that well that's it's

a public document, but make sure that's kind of to add that attachment to this so that the public understands that uh this isn't just something somebody pulled out of a hat. Yeah, you know, you vote on something up here or if you support something, you know, one of the requirements is that you have

to make sure you're able to explain it to residents that may ask about it. So, uh, that's all I had. But, uh, that that is I would request those additional documents just for the packet. All right. >> Any further discussion? Mr. >> Question. >> Uh, councelor Cohen, could you state that for me one more time? I think the notes that I took was you were asking to make sure the work performance schedule is included. >> Right. I was asking for a friendly amendment if it's all right. Just that

there's a performance schedule uh and make sure there's a scope of work so folks know what the money's going to be used for. And uh when you when we get that when you get that together and uh uh I guess the contracts that I've I've see that if they're attached that way they know these companies have been vetted. There was a competitive process and uh your contracts allow for uh

extended work. >> All right. So that's my that's my amendment. Well, it's good. It's good conversation, but the motion is already established, >> right? >> Well, whether it's an amendment accepted or not, I would still like that information available. I think it'd be just good to have that so folks, you know, know that this was a, you know,

>> Mayor, >> was that the end of your sentence? Yeah, I was just waiting for him to finish his sentence for us. >> All right. Um, Council Member McKenzie, >> um, I I do agree. Is it Is it not the practice that any projects that we have done in the city are open for inspection for anybody to any member of this body to be able to see how the funds are being allocated, how they're being spent? Is isn't that the practice or is that not? Do we do we just do projects

in the city and no one knows how monies are being spent? >> Usually um like a project manager who's designated to that project that's something that they would identify and keep on record. Um but yeah that's that's that is being done. >> So I the reason I didn't feel it was necessary to amend it because we do that is the practice already. This is this is definitely I don't see how we could as a city spend funds that are taxpayer dollars without having some type of uh

accounting behind that. >> And accountability, I should say. >> Council member Cart, >> and I don't disagree, but I would just say when you're dealing with a, you know, seven figure number, it just might be safer to have that information readily available there. I think it just be good. So that's just my opinion that uh you know you know sometime perception can become reality. So I think it's just

better to make sure we have that information covered. We have the information. Uh we just need to make sure that when it's a sizable amount that it's in the I think it's better if it's in the packet. So, I' I'd like to make sure that's included so that uh Well, again, I won't repeat myself. >> All right. Any further discussion? Council member Arnold. >> Yes. Um I was going to ask if u Mr. Hall

could just explain um I think we've kind of talked around everything and the detail is not here. if you can explain what the piggyback contract is, that way um what um Councilman K has brought up, right, will make sense to those who might want to question um the spend, if you will. >> So, the the term piggyback um is essentially

one entity um piggybacking off of another entity's contract. So you'll have um entity A, entity B, entity B, and entity A wants to use B's contract. So they're just piggybacking off of it. So essentially they're using the same scope, same terms, has to be a active contract. So just the term piggyback is a a purchasing language, but um it's

essentially just copying off another contract. So hopefully that clears that up. >> Council member Arnold. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Hall. >> Council I'm sorry. Um Mr. Hicks, did you want to say something? >> Just want to make sure you you got the clarity you were searching for. Well,

the I I think the the clarity that I was asking or asking for Mr. Hall to provide is because of the conversation that was taking place here on DAS, right? Uh and that it was even brought up to begin with um that that it was questionable, right, on the spend. Um I think uh Councilwoman McKenzie spoke to the fact that um that uh the dollars will be normally tracked regardless. Um

Councilman K brought up um the the whole situation with the piggyback contract. But if the layman that is listening in on this on this particular meeting does not know what a piggyback is, then we need to explain it. >> That's all. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any further discussion? >> Good. Uh one last thing, city >> council member card >> city attorney sir. >> Uh that does that cover the basis. >> The basis of what sir? >> Well just in terms of moving this

forward without any you know future issues with it. I just want to make sure we're good. >> Um sure to to the extent M Mr. Hall gave the explanation and I defer to him because he he's been involved in it. He's a procurement expert and uh his position is that uh it's consistent with uh the procurement policy and I I don't have any particular reason to disagree with him. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure that was clarified, you know, for the record from the public. That way the explanation's there. All right.

>> Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll move to a vote. All those in favor? I >> That is unanimous. City Attorney's Report. >> Uh, nothing this evening. >> Mr. Demark, I do have a question for you. Um, and it's in relation to the previous item 10G. Did your office have an opportunity to review it? >> I I believe my associate Al Wigum uh had

conversations with um Mr. Hall. I believe that's correct. Yes. And mayor and mayor, it was in legal last week. >> I I I have questions for Mr. Denmark. I have questions for Mr. Denmark. I We are out of the legislative portion of this meeting. I have questions for Mr. >> Trying to help you. >> I I Let me Let me Thank you. I appreciate that. But Mr. Denmark, where under Georgia law is the exception for a piggybacked contract

for public works projects in excess of $250,000. >> You're asking me for chapter and verse like to give you the code section because I I don't know it. Do you know of an exception in the Georgia code? >> I I I'd have to look, Madame Mayor. I I don't I mean, it's a complicated code and I I I honestly don't know everything that it says as I sit here now. >> I understand. And I I emailed you about

this yesterday and I didn't get a response from you and I wanted to ask about it because this would be a new project, correct? >> I guess it would. I I don't know. I don't know. >> Okay. But the the cost is not to exceed $1.3 million. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> And without a piggyback under Georgia law, this would be a public works contract. Correct. >> Yes. >> And that would require a bidding

process. Correct. >> Yes. >> Do you know of an exception where we can use piggybacking instead of bidding? >> I know of three exceptions. We just voted on three of them in the last month. the GIC. We done did three piggybacks in the last three months. So, those are three exceptions that I think you need to start with. >> Oh, I I talked about those, too. >> Okay. >> But I'm I'm asking about this one in particular. >> I'm I'm I'm not I'm not certain, Madame Mayor. And let me let me you know so as a general matter uh we we have a lot of

items on the agenda and the subject matter expert it might be you know Hugh Richardson and electric or uh you know Chief McQuary on the police side unless I'm specifically asked I I don't go poking around saying tell me about this tell me about that and trying to unc they they call me they ask me questions and it is my job and my pleasure to assist. Absent that then you know I defer to their expertise because they have an expertise that I lack. So Mr.

Hall is the procurement uh expert for the city. He has vetted this matter and he has stood there in front of the mayor and council and given his position. I have not looked at it and I'm not in a position where I'm going to contradict what he said. I have not looked at this. >> Okay, good enough. Next agenda item, city manager report.

>> Uh since the the hour spent, I think I'm going to hold my comments to executive session. Thank you. >> You're going to wait. You're going to hold >> I've got some things to say in executive session >> that you would have said out here. Uh, I think I want to say before executive session. If I can't say before executive session, then we'll we'll pass on. I'm finished. >> Okay. Does it relate to real estate personnel litigation or cy cyber security? >> Um,

may border on personnel, but I'll I'll pass. I'm good. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Report of mayor and counsel. >> Alrighty. So had the opportunity to uh go to Moonspice Terminal today for their grand opening and it was fantastic. Uh they are in the Virginia Station complex and uh we were we were all blown away. I

think there were a lot of us there enjoying enjoying their food. Uh this week their lunch buffet is $9.99. Uh they will be open until 9:30 during the week and 9:00 on weekends. And uh I wanted to talk a little bit about what one of the owners had to say when we had a conversation because he talked so glowingly about our staff and the process with which the care that he received in dealing

with the staff uh who make this city run day in and day out. He said that it was like a family. He said that it didn't feel like he was dealing with a corporate entity or anything like that. He said that he was able to get his business up and running in College Park within a month because of fire, because of business licenses, because of everybody he met in city hall. He said it was a fantastic process that he had

not encountered anywhere else. and this is his fourth restaurant. And so I wanted to say kudos to the entire staff for all of your hard work because this was an unsolicited testimony from a business owner who is excited to be here and I know that a lot of people have been clamoring for authentic Indian food in our neck of the woods and now it is here. we have the opportunity and so I would encourage you get out uh enjoy Moonspice Terminal and support another

great local business. I had the chance to participate with the Fulton County Board of Health in a community conversation about health and well-being. And it was a great great conversation that we actually continued uh later on in the week and we're going to be collaborating on some things with not only the board of health but uh the South Fulton Chamber. We had some great ideas about how we make sure that businesses are getting the value that they need from their local chamber and

also how we're supporting seniors. Uh because seniors are obviously the backbone of our community. Uh but uh we we had some really really productive conversations about not only how we help seniors age in place uh but we make sure that the caregivers who are supporting our seniors are supported themselves because that can be a very very uh challenging position to be in. But we need to make sure that we are supporting

everybody uh in that regard. And um want to thank uh Council Member K for all of his work to organize the South Fold Municipal Association meeting last week. It was a solid turnout and we had our state reps uh state state representatives Bazemore and Scoffield there who talked about the uh previous session uh and the upcoming session of the Georgia assembly. Obviously, we've got some changes that are coming forth

uh between now and then. And the gubanatorial election and all of the elections coming up on November 3rd are vitally important to our entire community, the state, and honestly the nation because everybody's watching Georgia. But to that end, you still have 1 hour and 5 minutes to register to vote if you are not registered to vote. And you can do so online. You can go to mvp.soss.ga.gov

and register to vote for the November 3rd election. But if you do not do it today, it is your last opportunity. So, please ring somebody up, make sure that they're registered, check your own status. It only takes a minute or two. And it is vitally important that your voice is heard as we move forward into this next election and into 2728 because every year is an election year. There's always something to decide and we always need to hear your voice. I want to

congratulate my fellow mayor Alan Halman for receiving the Jack Linoau Award at the Aeratropolis Honors. I cannot think of a better recipient. Mayor Hullman is a shining light and he has done amazing work in his community and we see it in so many different ways. Um, also honored at Aeratropolis was Ed Bastion uh who heads up Delta for those of you who did not know and all of the work that Delta does in our community uh especially just

in the Tri Cities and the city of Atlanta. Their work is tireless and we heard some very inspirational words from Mr. Bastion and congratulations go out to him as well. And lastly, I think it is really, really important that we continue to hear the voices of our community, however they come, however, however they

want to share the access to your government because it is your government. We don't sit up here removed from you. We are here to represent you. We don't run from you. We don't hide from you. We listen to you. And I'm appreciative of everyone who turned out for the public hearing tonight to share their thoughts. I'm appreciative to everyone who showed up for public comment to share their thoughts because

that's how we need to run in a democracy. We need to have all of our voices heard. This is not a place where we are all going to agree. This is not a situation where we're all going to pat each others pat each other on the backs and and walk out holding hands every meeting. And that's okay. In a community, in a democracy, there is space for disagreement. There is space

for dissent. Disscent is sort of the cornerstone of American democracy. The fact that people can get out in the streets, they can come to their local meetings, they can go to Washington DC, they can go under the gold dome and they can tell their representatives how they feel. That is quintessentially American. We have to fight for that, though.

Because there are times when that gets uncomfortable, but we still need the space for it. We still have to honor that because operating any differently means that we don't hear the voices and we don't have people at the table. I'd rather be in a place where we all get heard and disagree than to have folks folks voices stifled

and we hear an echo chamber. >> Council member McKenzie, >> thank you. I absolutely love the city of College Park. I love how we operate. I love what we represent. We're an international city, Georgia's global city, and these past two weeks have been absolutely amazing in the city of College Park. And that's all I have to

say. just trying to make it simple and showing the importance of making your voice heard because it's not just uh one vote and it's not like it's just going to sink down to the bottom but it's one vote that matters. One vote that could

uh change the outcome of uh an election. On Saturday, October 3rd, our youth leadership council held their first session under the direction of Dean Eleanor Willis and Xavier Ross. And during this time, Miss Landa Little, who is the voter education and outreach manager for Fulton County, came and shared with our students the importance of voting and also letting them know what was on the ballot.

And next month, we will hold elections for the executive board for our youth council. The main message that our council wants everyone to know is that your vote counts. So, make sure you're registered and cast your vote during early voting and on election day. What a wonderful time we had last weekend as we celebrated homecoming with our College Park Rams flag football teams. Oh wow. On Friday night we had

the crowning of our king and queen of the court. And then we went on Saturday to game time and we won one game after the next. Congratulations to our coaches, our athletes, our parents, all of our staff, everyone that came out to make this such an amazing weekend. Let's keep winning. On September 22nd, I attended the CAMX conference in Atlanta. Aerospace is one of CAMX's prim primary

target markets uh showcasing cuttingedge composite manufacturing utilized heavily by aviation giants and uh the interest that I had in this is that wanted to scout out some of these companies that could bring corporate headquarters research labs and logistic hubs into the city limits and more job creation. And speaking of Aeratropolis, on September 24th, I had the distinct pleasure of joining my RLI alumni and

president of Eratropolis, uh, Mr. Shannon James as we had our sixth annual Aeratropolis honors where the principal honore was Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastion. It was great to be with members of our community, city staff, and elected officials. Updates and announcements. On September 25th, the city of College Park was selected among seven cities to be visited by the Highway 29 economic

development bus tour, which was sponsored by Urban Pulse Community Solutions and Urban Pulse Commercial Group. This was a great opportunity to have uh real estate agents, developers, different organizations, and elected officials to come and see what the city of College Park has to offer. On the 26th, we joined Mayor Pro Tim Joe K and the police department for our gun buyback. And now 41 guns are off the

streets, making 41 safer possibilities. In closing, we had a phenomenal Ward One community town hall. I I'm excited. I I love serving, I tell you. And I think the only thing that I can say that I love more than serving is I love City of College Park. And that's what I think motivates me to serve in the manner that we are doing this. And I I just got excited today listening to the team

members because that's what's making it happen. Remember I said earlier, one person cannot do this. One person cannot transition, change, or build a community. It takes a team. >> Just wanted to give you guys a little quick update on the uh World One community meeting that we had this morning. I think it was a great meeting. Very informative. Um and definitely a lot of my questions were answered. >> Hi you guys. This is Patience Turner and I just left the board one town hall meeting. It was a very very productive

meeting. Um they made sure that we understood what was going on in Ward One. We had a chance to meet the team, the staff. They're an amazing staff. They're professionals. They work together and it's all for the residents of College Park. Thank you. This is Dr. Jamal McKenzie with my October 5th council report. We're building College Park better every day. Council member Hart.

>> All right. Thank you. Uh so the gun buyback, uh it was a tremendous success last week. Uh uh over 40 weapons taken off of the streets. Uh the overwhelming majority uh of the weapons were handguns, uh which is what we were looking for in particular. Um we've had several of these over the years, and I want to uh thank my colleagues for coming out. Councilwoman Tracy Arnold who came out and supported it. Councilwoman McKenzie as well as city manager uh staff. Uh want to thank the

chief and the police department uh for the uh logistics and setting things up where we had a safe and successful uh community event. Uh wonderful event, very important event. I saw several College Park neighbors come in and bring in some handguns and I think that was a really good thing. Uh we want those events obviously effective and uh they were always usually no questions asked obviously for things like that. So

we uh did get a good turnout. Uh we also held a wonderful South Folton Municipal Association meeting uh last week which was held at the Gateway Arena. Uh, as the mayor said, a special thank you to our state representatives, uh, Miss Deborah Bazemore and and Representative Kim Scofield. Um, powerful powerful comments and information uh, we received at that meeting. Um, very very important uh,

this fall. Uh, you know, the elections are coming November. Uh, yes, today is the last day to register. over the next couple hours and uh we want to make sure people come on out. I think early voting starts on the uh 13th, I think. Uh so we want to make sure uh if you're voting, it's uh more convenient to vote early, but uh you want to make sure your vote counts. Uh the Aerotropolis honors, it was a great event. I did attend that as well. Uh we had a busy week and weekend uh

last week. Uh, congrats to Ed Bastion at Delta as well as uh, Mayor Halman. U, I met Ed years ago at the fifth runway grand opening ceremony where we got a flight from Delta just to circle around the city. It was really something and uh, it just seems like it was few years ago almost. Uh, I tell you uh, Delta Airlines is a true community partner with the city of College Park. uh next

week uh about 10 days from now they are going to be providing us with a second I repeat a second community playground with uh playful cities and kaboom uh in conjunction with Favor House facilitating yet another community park $100,000 playground once again from Delta. This is the second one uh from Delta Airlines and we really appreciate uh Delta being a community partner for College Park. Uh this was an opportunity

that came up earlier this year and I did offer it to both of my colleagues but logistically I guess you know it wasn't wasn't necessarily doable but I wanted to make sure uh before I had another a second one I wanted to make sure that that base was covered. And uh I definitely appreciate uh them so much for coming back again for a second round uh with the city of College Park. Uh I did attend the College Park football homecoming celebration and parade. It

was really great. Uh parks and recreation. You guys did a first class job as always. Uh thanks for making sure the bookmobile was in the parade. Uh kids look wonderful. The parents look wonderful. Uh we truly uh do have a wonderful wonderful community. Uh lastly, I will say um and I'll just say in general uh zoning, uh you know, it it's a tool and and just

like any other tool, you know, somebody, you know, you must know exactly what that tool is for. And uh in my opinion, in modern-day College Park, uh zoning is used to establish and maintain orderly growth. It's as simple as that for me. So, uh I'll just leave it at that and uh that's all I got. >> Council member Arnold, >> thank you. Um so, I want to start with uh the Arrow Awards um that we all attended on the 24th and I want to thank

Mr. Hicks, who actually got up and represented the city by welcoming um everyone to um um the awards uh program and also making sure that we um had a sponsorship uh with Aeratropolis so that we could give more visibility to the city of uh College Park. Uh on the 26th, I had the opportunity to uh participate in the highway naming uh

for uh the former superintendent of schools in Clayton County, Dr. Anthony W. Smith. And then afterwards uh I joined uh Councilman K's uh gun buyback program uh which is amazing to get that many guns off the street. Um I was asked whether or not if I wanted to turn in my guns and my answer was no. Um but again um it it was um good to get the the the guns that are not operating

um people that no longer want them um out of their homes. Um there was actually a veteran um there that shared uh he actually turned in three guns um while I was there and and he said that you know he had grandchildren in the home uh with him and he did not uh have a way to secure them and the he felt like the best thing to do was to to turn them in. Uh let's see. I also um you may have already heard uh we had a

graduation for uh leadership Clayton on uh last Thursday uh where I um graduated from that program uh 54 year old program that represents um the the county Clayton County and uh I was the first to represent the city of College Park to go through that program. uh learned so much over the past 10 months. Uh and my goal is to continue to apply what I've learned in that leadership program and

to help continue to move the city forward. Uh we also that same day had the South Fullton Municipal Association which you've heard about. Uh we've talked about the or my colleagues have talked about the information that was shared with very informative. Um, Representative Bazemore and Scoffield uh shared their agendas uh their upcoming agendas and also invited us all every um

constituent to while the session is in every Friday is a day that we can go down to the cap to have uh conversations with them about what it is that we want to see. They urged us to participate, to pay attention to those virtual meetings, and if there is something that we need for them to do, they have asked for us to come down and advocate for it, to speak on it, to testify about it. And so, um, I am going to continue to share

that that, uh, request with my constituents. Uh this past Saturday, our drone soccer team uh did not necessarily bring in um first place. And just to give a little history, um this past June, they uh competed in the semifinals and were able to make it to the finals, which were which was this Saturday. Uh so the College Park Sonic Swarm competed in several sessions. Uh

but they did not come in first place. They did not come in last place. They came in second place. Yeah, they did very good. Very good. Um uh they did it was an amazing uh opportunity to watch the young people drive their drones uh to program them, to build them, to replace uh parts. Uh the competition took place at Stone Crest. I'm going get it wrong. Stone Crest Park. That

>> Browns Mill. >> Browns Mill Park. That's right. Thank you, Mr. Hicks. Um, but uh all in all, we we want to congratulate the Trojan Aviation um team uh which is out of uh Douglasville, I believe, and they brought in first place. They will go on to compete for the International Cup in Long Beach, California. Next year is our year. Next year is our year. Um, on Sunday, uh, I participated in the second

annual chili cookoff with the Yurf Barber Foundation where we had, uh, several different, uh, local uh, cooks to participate um to to highlight the best of the best chili here in the city of College Park. Uh the uh individual that won was uh Elegant Creations. It was a turkey chili. Very very good. Um she came in LA

third place last year, but this year uh she won and she took home $300, which isn't a bad prize. Let's see, what else do I have on my list? I want to make sure that I've touched on everything. Um yes, last but not least, uh my colleagues have mentioned earlier uh of course today is the the last day in a couple of hours, not even that about 45 minutes that you need to verify your status to vote. Please make sure you

check on your status to vote and also make sure that you have a voting plan uh so that election day you know how you plan to vote. That's all I have. Thank you, Council Member Gay. >> Thank you, Mayor. My phone died. Does anybody know if the Falcons won? >> They did. >> Thank you. Um, I just have a few comments and actually um some of it is actually important to me. So,

um, it's not for show, it's not for commentary, it's for actually putting this on the record. So, I want to say a little bit about BA, the business industrial development authority that currently has uh Sabrina Willis, Tracy Wyatt, Mayor Pro Tim, Joe K, and the mayor as as members. My appointees, Seisa Jefferson, um left and uh Councilwoman McKenzie's appointee moved out of state. And why am I even talking

about BA? Well, because BA owes the city approximately 2030 million. And I think I'm about the only one up here talking about it. And it matters who sits up here. It really matters. If it didn't matter, I would not have ran for mayor four times. I would have not have filed four lawsuits

against Fulton County to make sure elections are done by Fton County and not by the clerk. So I care who sits up here and I'm going to keep caring who sits up here. And when I start running, W for had about 230 people voted and they all voted for Jack London. Now today we're about 900 strong and they are waiting for me to give them the charge. because we earned that right.

So let that sink in later on. But back to BA, something needs to be done about BA. BAE is out of control. It is done things for cause. I know it's a state agency. I know it's designed by the state, but there has to be a conversation about Biden. And if this current council can't deal with it, hopefully the next one can.

This is not a personal thing that Biden now owns. You do not have control of this city's land. You have a fiscal responsibility of this city's land. Uh, Mr. Wallace, thank you for your commentary about the town of Garden. I appreciate how eloquent you blend the garden with the accommodation houses. I wasn't expecting that, but I guess that's the preacher in you, but I appreciate you caring enough about the

botanical garden to think what he can do for those that come after you. And I also I want to thank Councilwoman McKenzie and even my colleagues, but particularly Councilwoman McKenzie because believe it or not, for two years she was ridiculed about Bill Evansfield. For two years, she took the hits, the arrows, and it wasn't even her legislation. It was Council Member McCin's legislation of which they asked for Ward for support

and we gave them unconditional support, perhaps more support than we've ever given any developer since I've been on council. But I'm not even mad about that because the mayor in Maryland gave a neighbor base to a developer for free. So I'm not caring about that part. The part I'm cons caring about is that when they sold the Brave Stadium, they said Mayor Reed was under federal investigation and the count the

commissioner in Cobb County. They both didn't get reelected. But here's what happened. And Reed said, "Listen, there's going to be a better project for the brave state." I was there when Hank broke the record. My dad took me twice. So it was dear to us. But look what you got in Summer Hill right now and look what you got in C County. Two men had vision and they had to not listen to the naysayers. And their vision has made life better

for millions of people. And so council woman Ken ever how you got to this point you had the vision to roll with it. And now, Lance, I will tell y'all, Morehouse is potentially going to commit to $1 million additional funding that Hank Carman left the school that they were going to take to South Fton that they're now thinking about bringing it back >> and another million dollars that's coming

from the Atlanta Braves. So the people on the social media sites that said all those things about you in fact they they could have been true but what they missed to fail is where we are today. >> Yeah. >> And had it not been for your leadership I mean yours. We wouldn't be here this today. So Ward 4 has a trading partner and we going to keep that relationship going and show this community what we got to do. But

back to BER, I don't even want to tell you publicly how we got this deal done, but it sure as hell went because of BER. And so, city manager, that's $2 million in the account that is going to be start making that field a reality. Now, put that on the record, Miss Kelly. That account, GL, has $2 million in it. That is a budgeted account. Don't come with all that.

I'm putting it on the record. I want to thank Brian Anderson for adding Yates to his streets that needed to be paved. I appreciate that, sir. And I want to thank the staff for the love that they showing for this festival. Now, look, you can say this is my thing. You can say all of that, but I want to tell y'all, I've never seen a group of people who

care about an initiative to where it's not about me. is not about it's about everybody that comes to these meets are actually vetted and that is just that's what need to be being talked about how community comes together and support initiative that's four people and I want to just say briefly mayor about my vote for the accommodations and it's not about the accommodations

but we we changed the zoning at the hotel at 285 in Old National to allow it to be a residency. And you know, I can't get this out my head. This child coming from school, >> getting off a school bus on Old National, going up that little elevator and going down that hallway to her safe space before her mama or her whoever there get home. I just can't get this out my head, but it didn't matter when we voted on

that. It didn't matter. But what mattered was that we spent two hours to talk about English Avenue, but it didn't matter. And it still don't matter. And so my point is it got to it got to matter for all of us. It can't just be matter because it's war one or two. It's got to matter for all of us. There was no impunity when you voted to when we voted to reszone that hotel. And it may be fine, but it may not.

Cuz I wouldn't want my daughter to walk down the hallway when she get out of school on Old National in a hotel. So, also want to say a couple quick more things. The golfers are right. $620,000 is missing. It's missing. It's $420,000.

$240,000. It's missing. And nobody up here on this D is trying to get it back. And I I said I wasn't even going to say that, but now you know what? I didn't get this far to be sitting up here because Dr. King said, "Your silence is just as much as betrayal as everybody else." We need to get that money back. >> Agree. >> We do. You locking up kids on Old National and

car stops all day for some weed and y'all walking out of here with half million dollars. And my other thing I want to say about my uh purchases that didn't get a nod and that's cool but here's what you don't know. People are suing our city and members of council know the people. We should be exempt from even voting on it. Your servants, family, agents, and friends should not be lost, should not

file lawsuits. And we should not vote get get somebody else. And certainly, you should not double dip. You should not come down here and call people white devils. make people retire, you know, and then make people retire and then act that I'm no holier than thou. That stuff done played out.

It's like whoever you pay, that's who talk. It's like you pay them to talk. And if you ever read the art of war, the person that speak last win will. And that's my time. >> Thank you, sir. Is there a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of Hold on. >> For the purposes of uh I think we just have uh cyber security and litigation. Correct. >> Yes. >> That's all we got. Cyber security and litigation. Is there a motion? >> Yep. >> Motion. >> All right. Thank you, Council Member Horn. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Gay. Any

discussion hearing? Hearing none, we'll move to a vote. All those in favor? I >> I >> Council member Mackenzie, is were you in favor? >> Okay. I'm sorry. I just didn't hear you. All right. That is unanimous. We will enter into executive session at this time.