4/7/2025 Meeting Preview
You’ll see below some of the agenda highlights for our first meeting in April. 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 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 submit an e-mail with your name, address, and comment or remark to pcomment@collegeparkga.com no later than 7:30 pm on the evening of the meeting. The City Clerk will read your name, address and comment into the official record. If you have feedback for Mayor and Council directly, you can e-mail us.
WORKSHOP SESSION
1. Presentation by external auditors, Banks, Finley, White & Co., on the status of the FY 2024 financial statement audit.
I am quite concerned about our FY 2024 audit. It was due to the state on 12/31/2024. Despite discussions as early as September 2024 that it was imperative to have the audit done on time, then communication in November from the auditor that the audit should be completed by mid-February 2025, then our finance director sharing at our March 3, 2025 meeting that the he hoped the audit would be completed by the end of March, it is still not finished. We received correspondence from the auditors this morning indicating there are still a number of outstanding items they need to complete the audit and hope to have it done by May 31, 2025.
Without a completed audit, we have a number of issues. For one, we cannot access Local Road Administration funds from the state. An audit is also necessary for federal compliance and a number of other reasons. Additionally, we are fast approaching FY 2026, which starts on July 1, 2025. If there are any glaring issues that arise from the FY 2024 audit, we are coming close to not being able to change course for the upcoming fiscal year to improve operations. I look forward to this conversation to learn more about the plans of Banks, Finley, White & Co. to get us back on track.
2. Presentation: Diamonds in the Making: Workforce & Entrepreneurial Development Academy. Presented by Ms. Tiffane Nicol and sponsored on behalf of Councilwoman Tracie Arnold.
I’m not clear from the PowerPoint presentation exactly what the ask of the city is. While there is a request for official recognition and access to city resources, the financial and logistical implications of such a designation are unclear. I would hope we could consider a formal agreement with Style Mobb that would include the scope of services, measurable outcomes, funding requests, and reporting expectations to ensure accountability and equitable support among similar organizations before moving forward with a partnership.
3. Comprehensive Plan Update Assistance presented by Keri Stevens, Program Manager, Community Development Department Atlanta Regional Commission.
Our comprehensive plan is due for renewal this year. There will be a number of community meetings to lay out our vision as a city for the next five years. I hope all of you will participate when the opportunity arises.
4. United Action for the Advancement of Humanity (UAFAH) - Phase One Reporting and Phase Two Request for Funding Presentation. Presenter: Dr. Chisulo Akono Ajanaku. This item is sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie.
I am interested in learning more about the funding sources UAFAH has sought other than the City of College Park. The presentation discusses the organization’s upcoming budget and a request for the city to fund $100,000 of UAFAH’s anticipated $179,400 budget for FY 2026. UAFAH’ s phase one report has limited clarity on deliverables and outcome measurement. Much of the reported activity—social media campaigns, community events, and a pedicab purchase—while community-focused, lacks quantifiable impact. The proposed phase two budget of $179,400 includes line items such as “Ambassador Services” and “Beloved Community Workshops,” which may be difficult to evaluate in terms of effectiveness or public benefit. I believe it would be prudent to request a clearer scope of work and performance metrics before considering further funding. Additionally, this proposal should be weighed against competing budget priorities and existing city initiatives to ensure resources are being allocated where they can have the greatest demonstrable impact.
5. Pedicab ordinance revision to expand the scope of streets to include the Pedestrian Bridge. Presented by Dr. Chisulo Akono Ajanaku. Sponsored on behalf of Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie.
Council passed a pedicab ordinance prior to 2024. This proposed ordinance expands the streets upon which pedicabs can operate.
6. Price Barbershop Historic Preservation presented by Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. Requested on behalf of Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie.
This is part of the initiative of PHOAA, Preserving the Heritage of the Original African Americans of College Park. PHOAA has worked tirelessly to commemorate the inhabitants of the One Square Mile community that was forced out of the city due to airport expansion. The ongoing operations of the facilities is something that still needs to be examined along with other details regarding the renovation of both buildings.
7. Presentation on the Municipal Options Sales Tax (MOST), for funding improvements to our city infrastructure by using our On Demand Contractors. Presented by Timothy Lewis, Water and Sewer Superintendent.
We have primarily used MOST funds for emergency projects thus far. Having a comprehensive plan for the use of these funds is in the best interest of the city and will allow our stakeholders to have a better understanding of how these tax dollars are being used.
REGULAR SESSSION
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.”
We regularly utilized consent agendas in 2023. The items on the consent agenda were part of the workshop session for discussion and then approved in the regular meeting. Any member of the body could pull an item off of the consent agenda in the regular session for individual consideration. This process ensured each elected official understood the business at hand before a vote. This hasn’t happened with the use of consent agendas in 2024 and so far in 2025.
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C. Consideration of and action on a request to fund $100,000 for the 9th Annual City of College Park Citywide Festival at 4400 Charles Phillips Esq. Park scheduled for October 11, 2025 from noon to 6:00p. This item is sponsored by Councilman Roderick Gay. This item is located in Ward 4.
This is noted as a budgeted item. However, we have not approved a budget for FY 2026, which begins July 1, 2025 and ends June 30, 2026. In fact, we have not had nor have we scheduled any budget hearings, which is highly unusual at this point in the year. This $100,000 request should be included in the FY 2026 budget for consideration instead of being placed on the consent agenda.
This is a substantial amount of public funding for a single-day event, and the agenda packet provides no line-item budget, cost breakdown, or supporting documentation. This is twice the amount that was requested from the city for the 2024 festival. Without transparency on how the funds will be spent—whether on entertainment, staging, security, staff overtime, sanitation, or equipment rental—it is difficult to evaluate the prudence of the expenditure.
Additionally, the proposal does not detail efforts to offset the cost through corporate sponsorships, grants, or vendor fees. Aggressively pursuing private or nonprofit partnerships may be a missed opportunity to stretch city dollars further.
D. Consideration of and action on a request to approve Stantec Consulting Services not to exceed $42,500. This item is requested by Brian Hooker, Interim Director of Economic Development. This is a budgeted item. This item is sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie. This item is located in Ward 1.
While this is noted as a budgeted item, there is no indication in the packet of the source of funds for the expenditure.
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L. Consideration of and action on a request to approve ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc) in the amount of $15,000 for term 05/07/2024 to 05/06/2025 enterprise agreement fee. This item is request by AB Woldehana, City Engineer. This is a budgeted item. This supports City functions.
While this is noted as a budgeted item, there is no indication in the packet of the source of funds for the expenditure.
M. Consideration of and action on request to approve the change order for Prime Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $196,570.00. This change order request is for additional construction management services for the Global Gateway Connector Bridge Project. Presented by Kalyn Keeney, PE, Leed AP, BD+C, Principal Civil Engineer. This is a non-budgeted Item. Budget carry forward funds will be used for this change order. Sponsored by City Manager Dr. Emmanuel Adediran.
This is a change order from the engineering company that has been providing project management services to the city for the bridge that is in the process of being installed over Camp Creek Parkway. The project has taken considerably longer than expected and this change order encompasses additional review time for contractor submittals, coordination with the Georgia Department of Transportation, additional travel for inspections and other tasks. We are hoping most of these costs will eventually be reimbursed by the Atlanta Regional Commission. I have inquired with the city manager about the source of the “budget carryforward funds” to be used to pay for this expenditure.
N. Consideration of and action on a request to approve an invoice payment for The Collaborative Firm, LLC in the amount of $15,632.50 for College Park Planning Services. This is a budgeted item. Sponsored by City Manager, Dr. Emmanuel Adediran.
While this is noted as a budgeted item, there is no indication in the packet of the source of funds for the expenditure.
O. Consideration of and action for the City of College Park and GICC to partner with Helping Hands Holiday Dinner for an in-kind donation in the amount of $30,000 for a December 20, 2025 Dinner event. This is in Ward 2, represented by Councilman Joe Carn.
There is no supporting documentation in the packet for this request. Furthermore, this expenditure would take place in FY 2026. However, we have not approved a budget for FY 2026, which begins July 1, 2025 and ends June 30, 2026. In fact, we have not had nor have we scheduled any budget hearings, which is highly unusual at this point in the year. This $30,000 in-kind request should be included in the FY 2026 budget for consideration instead of being placed on the consent agenda.
P. Consideration of and action on a request for approval to host the annual Kidsfest 2025 event on August 2, 2025 at the GICC. This event is in Ward 2 led by Councilman Joe Carn.
This is noted as a budgeted item. However, we have not approved a budget for FY 2026, which begins July 1, 2025 and ends June 30, 2026. In fact, we have not had nor have we scheduled any budget hearings, which is highly unusual at this point in the year. This $50,000 request should be included in the FY 2026 budget for consideration instead of being placed on the consent agenda.
Q. Consideration of and action on a request for the Boys II Men Rites of Passage Summit to be held at the Gateway Center Arena on July 9th, 2025. This item is sponsored by Councilman Joe Carn. This event is in Ward 2.
This is noted as a budgeted item. However, we have not approved a budget for FY 2026, which begins July 1, 2025 and ends June 30, 2026. In fact, we have not had nor have we scheduled any budget hearings, which is highly unusual at this point in the year. This $20,000 request should be included in the FY 2026 budget for consideration instead of being placed on the consent agenda.
10. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Consideration of and action on a request to approve a power sales contract with Clean Spark Data Center. This item is requested by Hugh Richardson, Director of Power. This is a budgeted item. This item is located in Ward 2.
When this data center is up and running, it is anticipated to bring in revenue of $18 million per year. Clean Spark is paying for construction of the data center and it will be located in an area that is adjacent to other businesses on Edison Drive, so it will not impact residences. These contracts with data centers should allow us to take another look at residential power rates and hopefully bring them down in the next fiscal year.
B. Consideration of and action on a request to approve a power sales contract with ATL Data Centers. This item is requested by Hugh Richardson, Director of Power. This is a budgeted item. This item is located in Wards 2/3.
This contract will align with the other contracts for Clean Spark data centers. ATL Data Centers is a division of Clean Spark. The facility is located on Godby Road. Annual revenue is expected to be $5 million.
C. Consideration of and action on a request to approve a power sales contract with Clean Block Data Center. This item is requested by Hugh Richardson, Director of Power. This is a budgeted item. This item is located in Ward 2/3.
This contract will align with the other contracts for Clean Spark data centers. Clean Block is a division of Clean Spark. The facility is located on Godby Road. Annual revenue is expected to be $13 million.
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F. Consideration and action on a request to approve an invoice from Robert Half Staffing in the amount of $13,600 as presented by Rose Stewart, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management
This is not a budgeted item and there is no indication in the packet of the source of funds for the expenditure.
H. Consideration of and action on a request to authorize Tourism Product Development Fund, to approve the Price Barbershop and Duplex Restoration Funding in the amount of (2024 Cost Estimate of $927,693 plus 25% due to inflation and tariffs=) $1,160,000. This is not a budgeted item. This item is sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie. This item is located in Ward 1.
The assessment in the packet was done last June. There have been a number of economic changes since then, so it would be appropriate to have additional funds budgeted for this project. I am not certain 25% is the number, but hopefully Stantec will shed additional light on the projections. These properties are owned by the Business and Industrial Development Authority, so it would be prudent to have an Intergovernmental Agreement between the city and BIDA for this project to move forward.
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J. Consideration of and action on a request to approve the revision of the Pedicab Ordinance to expand the scope of streets to include the Pedestrian Bridge. Presented by Dr. Chisulo Akono Ajanaku. Sponsored on behalf of Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie.
See above.
