7/21/2025 Meeting Preview

You’ll see below some of the agenda highlights for our only meeting in July. 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 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

2. Presentation: Pathway to Success Workforce Development Project. Sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie.

3. Presentation: Fulton/Atlanta Community Action Authority, Inc., presented by Dr. Howard Grant and Economic Development Consultant Brain Hooker. The contractor will provide professional services to the City regarding Employee Readiness Program. This item is sponsored by Councilman Carn.

Both of these initiatives speak to a goal we all share—helping our residents gain the skills and support they need to succeed in the workplace. Whether it’s someone seeking their first job, transitioning careers, or re-entering the workforce after a setback, these programs can be a lifeline. And I appreciate the passion and dedication behind each proposal.

That said, as we look to invest a combined $70,000 in these two efforts, it’s important that we make sure our support is also paired with clear expectations and follow-up. What are the goals? How many people will be served? What kinds of skills or services will participants walk away with—and how will we know whether the programs are making a difference?

When we’re clear on outcomes and work closely with our partners, we create stronger, more sustainable programs that are well-positioned to grow over time. And when we hear from our community—especially those who participate—we can make sure future investments are even more impactful.

I’m looking forward to learning more about both initiatives and seeing how they can complement the work already happening in our city to support residents and strengthen our workforce. With collaboration, clarity, and care, I believe we can build something truly transformative together.

REGULAR SESSION

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.

There are an extraordinary number of items on tonight’s consent agenda—36 items in fact, with a total projected cost of nearly $9 million. We will be discussing some of these items in the workshop session, but not most of them. I continue to maintain we need an opportunity to substantively address some of these items before spending your tax dollars.

N. Consideration of and action on a request to approve the renewal of Suga 2020 Limited Co. for Technology Assistance for Seniors and Community Garden contract in the amount of $30,000 with $ 10,000 for equipment for a total of $ 40,000 for the programming. Programming is located at the Brady Recreation Center in Ward 1. This is a budgeted. FUND: (FY26 Recreation Program - Contractual Services (G/L Account #100 6110 52 6170)).

When we allocate money to support programs—whether for technology assistance, senior engagement, or community outreach—I believe it's our responsibility to ensure that funding is producing real, measurable outcomes. This isn’t about saying any organization is doing a bad job—many of these groups are doing important, even life-changing work. But it’s about stewardship. When public dollars are involved, we owe it to our residents to follow up and ask: What did these programs accomplish? Who was served? What changed as a result?

We’ve supported several nonprofit partners in recent months, and while I believe in the goals they’ve outlined, we have yet to receive formal reports detailing the impact. That’s a gap we need to close. Deliverables matter. If we fund a program to help seniors navigate technology, we should know how many were served, what they learned, and whether the program created ongoing benefits. If we fund outreach and communication efforts, we need to understand how that message is reaching people, especially in the neighborhoods most in need.

Accountability doesn’t mean doubt—it means partnership. It means working with these organizations to build systems that measure progress, celebrate success, and learn from challenges. That’s how we grow trust. That’s how we ensure that every dollar we spend serves a real purpose. And that’s what our residents expect and deserve.

W. Consideration of and action on a request for approval for Brannon and Phillips Park enhancements and renovations with project management and design with Metrocorp Development Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $52,000 and total project approval of $500,000. This is located in Ward 4 and Sponsored by Councilman Gay, Funding to come from G/L # 100 6122 54 7920-Recreation Capital Projects in the amount of $ 400,000 and $ 100,000 from Ward 4 Community Enhancement.

The proposed enhancements include everything from design and engineering to actual upgrades that will improve the space for residents and families who use it. $52,000 is earmarked for planning and project management by Metrocorp Development Enterprises, Inc., with the remaining $448,000 going toward construction and improvements. Funding for this project would come from a combination of our Recreation Capital Projects fund and the Ward 4 Community Enhancement fund.

This is a meaningful investment—but as with all public projects, it’s important to get it right. That means ensuring the design reflects what the community actually needs, confirming the work aligns with our long-term maintenance plans, and making sure procurement and contractor oversight are handled responsibly. It’s important that we hear from the community before final decisions are made as well.

AC. Consideration of and action on a request to authorize the City Manager to select a professional service provider to conduct an appraisal of approximately 169.5 acres at an cost not to exceed $30,000. This item is requested by Economic Development Consultant Brian Hooker. This is a budgeted item. FUND: Ward 2 Community Enhancement (G\L Account# 100-9980-52-6130 FY2026). This will service Ward 2.

There is no supporting documentation for this item, so I am unsure what land will be appraised.

AD. Consideration of an action to authorize the engagement of the following firms to provide professional services for Phases 1 and 2 of the comprehensive design of the Botanical Garden project, located at 4320 Herschel Road, College Park, GA 30337. •Prime Engineering - $258,431.00 •Metracorp Development, Inc. (Joint Project Management Team) - $75,000.00 •Turner & Townsend Heery, LLC (Joint Project Management Team) - $160,000.00 •Jardine Corporation (Land Acquisition Consultant - 7.5-acre proposed parking lot) - $29,500.00 •Denmark and Ashby Law Firm (Eminent Domain for approximately 40 acres - former Helmwood Apartments, including real estate appraisal, boundary survey, and litigation court costs) - $70,000.00 Subtotal: $592,931.00 Contingency (10%): $59,293.10 Total Allocation: $652,224.10 This is a budgeted item. Funding will be provided from Tourism Product Development (TPD) funds. All services shall be procured in accordance with the City of College Park’s procurement policy and will include civil engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical services, project management, landscape architecture, land acquisition consulting, and eminent domain legal services.

In my opinion, we should be considering these items separately. While professional services do not require a bidding process, there are a number of expenses to consider in this single agenda item.

10. Regular Business

F. Consideration of and action on a request to approve a power sales agreement with 4570 Edison PSA, LLC data center. This item is requested by Hugh Richardson, Director of Power. This is a budgeted item. This item is located in Ward 2.

G. Consideration of and action on a request to approve a power sales agreement 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.

H. Consideration of and action on a request to approve a power sales agreement 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.

These three contracts allow us to align our power sales agreements with Clean Spark. 4570 Edison PSA, LLC, Clean Block Data Center and ATL Data Centers are all divisions of Clean Spark. The annual revenue for the Edison Rd. facility is expected to be $18 million; Clean Block’s annual revenue is expected to be $13 million and ATL Data Centers’ annual revenue is expected to be $5 million. I’m hopeful we can continue to drive down rates for our residential customers with these agreements.

I. Consideration of and action on a request to approve or deny the Charter Review Commission Membership Ordinance.

We just approved this ordinance recently. I’m unsure why there is a proposal to eliminate two of the positions. The idea that we would not have representation from our state delegations seems odd, as they would be the ones putting forth any charter amendments.