2/16/2026 Meeting Preview
You’ll see below some of the agenda highlights for our second meeting in February. I’ve added information from the council agenda memos and background on items that may be of particular interest, along with my thoughts on those issues. You can watch our meetings on the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Our meetings are typically on the first and third Mondays of the month. Workshop Session begins at 6:00 pm; Regular Session begins at 7:30 pm; Executive Session, if necessary, takes place at the conclusion of the Regular Session.
You can access the full agenda packets here.
We welcome your attendance at our meetings, and public comment is available near the start of the meeting, before any actions are taken. You can speak at the meeting by signing up for public comment here, starting at 4:00 pm on the day of the meeting, or by signing up in person at City Hall starting at 4:00 pm. If you have feedback for Mayor and Council directly, you can email us.
This is our fourth meeting with the new public comment policy. In my preview of the November 17, 2025 meeting, I noted my concerns about the adoption of this policy, especially considering it was placed on the agenda the day before the meeting with very little opportunity for the public to weigh in on this significant shift in how we engage with our stakeholders. I still do not agree with this change. I cannot be in support of initiatives that make it more difficult for people to have their voices heard.
A note on Community Enhancement Funds:
In FY 2025–26, each member of the governing body has been allocated $900,000 in community enhancement funds—$500,000 designated for capital projects and $400,000 for non-capital expenditures.
Unlike the formal budgeting process undertaken by staff, where every dollar is tied to a specific line item, my colleagues and I did not go through that level of detail when these enhancement funds were allocated. As a result, some of the items being funded through these accounts are appearing for the first time on the consent agenda without any prior public discussion.
To ensure you have a real opportunity to weigh in on how these public funds are used (especially given the recent changes to the public comment policy), I believe any community enhancement expenditure not specifically identified in the adopted budget should appear in the Regular Business section of the agenda, not the Consent Agenda.
As this fiscal year continues, I will provide updates detailing how your community enhancement dollars are being spent. You deserve to know where and how your tax dollars are being invested.
To see the latest spending information, visit How the Math is Mathing: An Ongoing Series.
WORKSHOP SESSION
1. Presentation on Livable Centers Initiative to the City of College Park presented by Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance. Presented by Shannon James, President and CEO of Aerotropolis Atlanta.
The goal of the study is to create a long-term framework for improving walkability, traffic safety, redevelopment opportunities, and economic activity along the Roosevelt Highway corridor while supporting the existing downtown areas and small businesses in each city included in the study.
LCI studies are planning tools. They do not approve construction or development on their own. Instead, they help cities identify priorities and become more competitive for future regional transportation and infrastructure funding. This study will look at issues such as trail connections, pedestrian safety, redevelopment opportunities, congestion relief, and strategies to increase foot traffic.
The total study cost is estimated at $800,000, with a proposed local match of $160,000 shared among participating cities. College Park’s share would be approximately $29,000 based on mileage within the study area. This is an early planning step aimed at positioning the corridor for future investment. The financial commitment at this stage is for planning only, not construction.
2. Presentation on the Scope of Work and Memorandum of Agreement for the South Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan (SFCTP) and City of College Park participation. Presented by Lenise Lyons, City Planner.
This is another regional planning effort involving all eight South Fulton cities. A Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) is a long-range planning document used to identify transportation needs, prioritize projects, and guide future funding decisions for roads, sidewalks, transit, and mobility improvements.
The plan is largely federally funded, with approximately $990,000 coming from federal sources and a combined local match shared among participating cities. College Park’s contribution would be $15,427, based on population.
The most recent SFCTP was completed in 2020 through a similar process with the same participating cities. This is different from the Comprehensive Plan we recently approved because it is focused specifically on identifying transportation needs for roads, bikes, transit, pedestrians, and then prioritizes transportation projects to fill gaps and address community concerns.
3. Presentation of Budget Modification Hospitality Fund. Presented by Cynthia Hammond, Interim Finance Director.
Projects and funding totaling over $6.13 million has been approved by the governing body since last March, with the source of the funds designated as the Tourism Product Development (TPD) account. TPD funds come from hotel/motel taxes and are restricted by state law. They cannot be used for general government expenses or everyday city operations. Instead, they must be used for projects that promote tourism or help attract visitors to the city.
That typically includes things like parks or attractions marketed regionally, cultural or historic sites, event or gathering spaces, downtown or Main Street improvements, and other capital projects designed to increase visitor activity and overnight stays.
These funds are meant to support projects that bring people into the community, not to fund normal city services.
The list of items to be funded from TPD includes:
Godby Road Park — $2,500,000
Price Barbershop — $1,160,000
Botanical Gardens — $1,832,511.10
Main Street Train Depot — $250,000
College Park Historical Preservation Conservancy — $250,000
Land at 2525 Roosevelt Highway — $145,000
4. Presentation of Budget Modification General Fund. Presented by Cynthia Hammond, Interim Finance Director.
This item includes two separate budget adjustments.
Fire vehicles: The City received loan proceeds totaling $4,973,800 to purchase new fire vehicles. The budget amendment simply adds both the loan proceeds and the corresponding vehicle purchase into the FY2026 budget so they are properly accounted for.
Recreation Capital Projects: An additional $1,465,000 is proposed for recreation capital projects that were underfunded or experienced cost increases. Projects include:
Community House renovation
Phillips Park lighting and restriping
Zupp Park playground replacement
The amendment moves funds from General Fund reserves to cover these capital costs.
I have requested the detail for the Recreation Capital account to understand better why a transfer of nearly $1.5 million from reserves is necessary. When I receive the information, I will share it with you.
UPDATE (2:45 pm, 2/16/2026):
Approximately $2.002 million was budgeted in the Recreation Capital account this year for specific projects:
Brannon Park Enhancements – $400,000
Conley and Wyatt Baby Pool Replastering – $80,000
Godby Road Playground – $625,000
Mural at Zupp Park & Beautification – $50,000
Replace Conley Air Handlers – $62,000
Track Resurfacing – $100,000
Zupp and Phillips Park Restroom Upgrades – $60,000
Zupp Park Playground Replacement – $625,000
As of mid-February, about $1.03 million has been spent from this account.
Some spending aligns directly with those projects. The track resurfacing has largely been completed, pool rehabilitation work has begun, and improvements at Brannon Park include new park amenities.
However, several of the originally identified projects, including the Godby Road playground, Zupp Park playground replacement, mural and beautification work, and Conley air handler replacement, do not yet show expenditures in this account.
A significant portion of spending so far has instead gone toward Phillips Park improvements (approximately $330,000) and the Paws on Main Dog Park project (over $340,000), along with related construction and administration costs. In addition, restroom renovation spending at Phillips Park currently exceeds the originally identified allocation for that work.
REGULAR SESSION
Note: I anticipate there will be another item added for consideration at the meeting that was not published on the agenda. It is a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of College Park and the Airport West Community Improvement District, regarding the electrical services for the Automated Transit Network Demonstration Pilot Project, which will soon be under construction at the Georgia International Convention Center. The MOU confirms and formalizes that the City is not responsible for any of the costs associated with infrastructure or power for the project. This item is time-sensitive, which is why I expect it will be added to the agenda for consideration.
9. Consent Agenda
As I’ve noted before, “[a]ccording to the Georgia Municipal Association’s Handbook for Mayors and Councilmembers, a consent agenda can be a useful tool when a governing body has a lot of business to cover. It typically includes noncontroversial items or those previously discussed and needing final approval, such as permit issuances, street closures, or bill authorizations. While a consent agenda can save time, it should never be used to bypass public participation or stifle open dialogue.”
All of the consent agenda items are from staff and were included in the FY 2026 budget. They appear to be properly vetted and I don’t have any questions or concerns. It’s a consent agenda that aligns with best practices.
10. Regular Business
C. Consideration and action on a request to approve the immediate repair and rental of two chillers at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) under the City’s Emergency Purchasing Policy. This action is necessary to ensure uninterrupted service to clients and maintain operational continuity. Due to the urgency of the issue the City Manager has approved the repair. The total cost of repairs and rental is $101,812. The agenda item is requested by Global Gateway Campus Executive Director Yanous Barner. This is a budgeted item. FUND: R/M Building (G/L #555-4970-52-5740). FY: 2025/2026. This will service Ward 2.
The chillers are a critical part of the building’s HVAC system, and failure to address the problem immediately could disrupt scheduled events and impact the facility’s ability to serve clients. The Interim City Manager authorized the repairs under the City’s Emergency Purchasing Policy so work could begin without delay. Staff indicates the expense is already budgeted in the building repair and maintenance account for the current fiscal year.
The current on-site vendor, Legacy Mechanical Services, was selected based on familiarity with the facility and pricing, with Trane assisting as a third-party technician to ensure the system could be brought back online as quickly as possible.
E. Consideration of and action on a request to approve a new date for the rescheduled March 16 City Council Meeting. This item is requested by Interim City Manager Michael Hicks.
The National League of Cities Congressional Cities Conference is taking place at the same time, and a quorum of the governing body will be at the conference.
F. Consideration of and action on a request to approve and adopt an Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 10 (Municipal Utilities and Services), Article I (In General), Section 10-16 (Keep College Park Beautiful Advisory Commission) to include the appointment of individuals who possess relevant professional experience or subject matter expertise in fields applicable to the Keep College Park Beautiful Board. This item is being requested by Hannah Adeogun, Clearly College Park Program Assistant. This item is at no cost to the City of College Park. This item serves all wards.
This item proposes an amendment to the City’s ordinance governing the Keep College Park Beautiful Advisory Commission to allow the appointment of individuals who have relevant professional experience or subject-matter expertise related to the board’s work.
We’ve had difficulty getting consistent participation from certain designated positions outlined in the current ordinance. Advisory boards only work when members are able to actively participate, and when positions remain vacant or inactive, it can slow down projects and limit the board’s effectiveness.
