6/16/2025 Meeting Preview
You’ll see below some of the agenda highlights for our second meeting in June. 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
3. FY 2024 Audit Report Presentation presented by Albert Butler and David Moore with Banks, Finley, White & Co.
At our last meeting, I asked if the audit was complete. I was told by Mr. Butler that they were “pencils down at this point.” He said we would receive a full copy of the audit by our June 16th meeting. We have not received a final copy of the audit yet. I look forward to this discussion.
REGULAR SESSION
8. Public Hearings
A. Public Hearing for the 2025-2026 Recommended Budget
This is your last chance to weigh in on the FY 2026 budget.
B. Public hearing and action on June 16, 2025, to rezone property at 2099 Hospitality Way from BP (Business Park) and HC (Hospitality Campus) to HC (Hospitality Campus); Ordinance No. 2025-XX. This item is requested by Lenise Lyons, City Planner. This item is located in Ward 2.
C. Public hearing and action on June 16, 2025, for a Conditional Height Permit for property at 2099 Hospitality Way; Ordinance No. 2025-XX. This item is requested by Lenise Lyons, City Planner. This item is located in Ward 2
This proposal is for a dual-branded property with a traditional hotel on one side and an extended-stay hotel on the other. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval with the following conditions:
The site shall be developed in accordance with the proposed conceptual plan entitled “APG Rezoning” prepared by Prime Engineering Incorporated, and stamped received by the City Planner on April 29, 2025.
Allow up to 30% of the hotel rooms in Building B to be "extended stay."
Applicant must submit a safety plan to the Police Chief and Fire Chief to address human trafficking and safety prior to the issuance of building permits.
9. Consent Agenda
G. Consideration of and action on a request to approve change order for Great Southern Recreation and additional project and park needs in the amount of $294,047.74. This is a request from Councilman Gay. This is a budgeted item with funding coming from Community Enhancements under Recreation Facilities-Parks (G/L Account # 100-6122-54-7851).
From staff: The City of College Park budgeted $ 625,000 for a Playground at Phillips Park in FY 2026 budget using Car Rental Tax funding. On December 2, 2024, Great Southern Recreation was awarded the bid for a playground build from the Omnia State bid in the amount of $ 625,000. This project has also been awarded $120,000 for 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from Fulton County and additional funding anticipated for 2025 award. The request for additional approval of a change order for Great Southern Recreation and additional needs for the Phillips Park project cost breakdown are as follows:
1. Additional Playground equipment and benches: $ 55,022.49 (Great Southern Recreation)
2. Adult Fitness Equipment: $ 36,406.10
3. Sod Installation: $ 37,717 (Great Southern Recreation)
4. Fencing: $ 38,716.00 (Great Southern Recreation)
5. Contingency 10%: $ 16,786.15 (Great Southern Recreation)
6. Lighting: $ 20,000: (City’s Power Department)
7. Security Cameras: $ 20,000 (City Information Technology)
8. Irrigation 1" Water line Allowance and Water Fountains: $ 47,000 (City On Call Services)
9. Project & Grant Management: $ 22,400 (Metrocorp)
Total Project Amount: $ 294,047.74
Once complete, I think the new Phillips Park playground will be an amazing amenity for the community. I’m interested in understanding why we have overshot the initial budget for this project by this amount.
J. Consideration of and action on a request to approve vendor, Trees Atlanta, to provide an eco-friendly service treatment to remove the existing kudzu at the Brady Trail. The cost of this service is $20,000. This item is being requested by Mayor Pro Tem, Jamelle McKenzie. This is a budgeted item. FUND: Community Enhancement (G/L#100-6110-54-1400). This will service Ward 1.
I am unclear as to the motivations for the structure of the contract. The contract itself was supposed to begin May 1, 2025. Three invoices ($6,666,66; $6,666.67 and $6,666,67) are dated for the same day - May 27, 2025. I think based upon the total amount, this may need to be competitively bid.
L. Consideration of and action on a request for approval of the proposed residential electric rates to be effective July 1, 2025. This agenda item is being requested from Director of Power, Hugh Richardson. This is a budgeted item FUND: Residential Revenue (G/L Account #510-4600-344110). This will service all Wards.
Staff is recommending a reduction in rates of 8% for all residential customers. Seniors will still benefit from a $10 base rate and an additional 10% discount. This would take effect in the upcoming fiscal year starting July 1st.
P. Consideration of and action on a request to award ITB 2025-053025 Improving Student Outcomes to ABACUS MIND MATH TUTORS, LLC. The City of College Park is seeking a vendor to supplement and expand our recreation and cultural arts program. This agenda item is being requested by Councilman Joe Carn of Ward 2. This is a budgeted item.
Other than the Council Agenda Memo, there is no supporting documentation attached. While the goal is laudable, there is no information about the structure of this program and how it will be administered.
Q. Consideration of and action on a request to contract Harpscape Environmental Design as the contractor for Ward 2 in reference to ITB 2025-060425 Dog Waste Station. The amount is for $57,120.00. This item is being requested by Councilman Joe Carn. This is a budgeted item. FUND: Community Enhancement G/L Account #100-9980-52-6130
I think the need for dog waste stations is citywide, and not just in Ward 2. However, I do have questions about the plan to refill these stations and ensure any waste receptacles are emptied on a routine basis.
R. Consideration of and action on a request for approval of a City School Utility Credit Pilot. This agenda item is being sponsored by Councilman Joe Carn. This is a budgeted item for FUND: Community Enhancements (G/L Account #100-9800-52-6130). This will service citywide.
This is a novel idea. I have questions about the legality of the program and also why it does not cover the charter schools in our community, where many parents choose to send their children.
S. Consideration to piggyback Rockdale’s contract, ITB #21-10 (Landscape and Grounds Maintenance for General Services) to Pinnacle Maintenance, LLC for $100,000 annually. Contract will be effective from the date of Council award and expires June 2026. This agenda item is being request by Councilman Joe Carn. This is a budgeted item. FUND: Contractual Services G/L Account #100-5195-52-6170. This contract will service all Wards. Staff will request insurance upon their award.
There is a lot of information in the packet from Rockdale County and the bid Pinnacle won in that jurisdiction. However, there is no proposed contract for the scope of work they would do for us. I have questions about the proposed scope of this company’s work in College Park and how they would work in tandem with our Buildings & Grounds department.
10. Regular Business
C. Consideration of and action on a request to consider waiving the business license penalties/interest fees in the amount of $28,176.00 for Unifi Aviation LLC (North and South Terminal). This item is being requested by Sabrina Walters, Inspections Operations Manager.
From staff: Unifi provides ground aviation in both the North and South Terminals at the Airport. Unifi mailed its renewal applications for occupational tax certificates on August 16, 2024, to former Occupation Tax Revenue Administrator Belinda Wilder and again to current Administrator Kesha Clark on September 18, 2024. Administrator Clark asked for additional information to process the application. However, Unifi was unable to gain access to the City’s portal to upload its applications and process payment until after the June 30, 2024 grace period expired. After gaining access in April 2025, Unifi filed its 2024 applications and paid the requisite fees, but the City’s portal rejected the applications and payments for 2025 due to a processing error. Unifi was finally able to submit the 2025 applications and payments on June 11, 2025. Shortly thereafter, Unifi requested a fee waiver for the late payment penalties in the amount of $28,176.00 ($14,088.00 for Unifi Aviation North Terminal and $14,088.00 for Unifi Aviation South Terminal) due to its difficulties with the City’s portal.
D. Consideration of and action on a request to consider waiving the business license penalties/interest fees in the amount of $61,229.00 for City of Atlanta Department of Aviation. This item is being requested by Sabrina Walters, Inspections Operations Manager.
From staff: The City of Atlanta is required to pay occupational taxes to College Park on its proprietary activities at the airport within the city limits, including activities like parking, rentals, fuel storage fees, water service, etc. Occupational tax certificates expire annually on December 31st . Renewal applications and occupational taxes payments must be submitted by March 31st of the following year, otherwise late fees are incurred at 10% plus 1.5% each month until paid. Atlanta paid its 2025 occupational taxes in the amount of $249,914.00 on June 6, 2025, and was assessed a late fee in the amount of $61,229.00. Atlanta is now seeking a fee waiver from the City for such amount.
