Meeting discussionsStart with a topic.

2. Staff M&C Agenda Items to Review RFQ25-018: Bo Jones, Water, Sewer, Utility Director, As part of the 30 year rehab plan, Water Sewer Utilities requested unit price bids for yearly CIPP (cured in place pipe) for the city’s 60 miles of clay pipe to be lined. Based off of actual scenarios with unit pricing, Federal EC LLC was the lowest bidder. Our in-house CCTV and inspections division will inspect for deficiencies and when found the contractor will be called to line said area based off of findings such as root intrusion and cracked/broken clay piping. ATH2025-003: This is passing the increase from Cobb County through Smyrna to the customer as is customary.

3. Formal Business and Presentations

A. COW2025-002 Review of the Parks and Rec Financial Sustainability Report – Richard Garland This item will be postponed until the January 16, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting to allow for the Parks & Recreation Commission to be notified and attend.

B. COW2025-004 Review of the Branding Guide – Jennifer Bennett / Andrea Worthy Jennifer Bennett, Community Relations Director presented the following: Graphic Standards: These graphic standards were developed as a method for protecting the graphic brand of the city of Smyrna Georgia. It is important to consult with and follow the enclosed guidelines to maintain the integrity of the brand. If you need any additional information or guidance, please contact: Jennifer Bennett Community Relations Director City of Smyrna 2800 King Street | Smyrna Ga 30080 Phone: (678) 631-5401 jlbennett@smyrnaga.gov Brand Story: Your brand story is the unique narrative of who you are and what makes you special, memorable and sets you apart from everyone else, because it is the story that only you, Smyrna, Georgia can tell. How do you define a place that is at once historic and new, casual and sophisticated, laidback and full of energy? A place where the traditional harmonizes with the cutting edge and growth and preservation go hand in hand. A place that’s minutes away from Atlanta and all its amenities, yet miles away in its own smalltown charm and personality. Is it possible to mutually evoke an urban and rural vibe while acting both sporty and refined? It is when you’ve essentially redefined what a suburb can be. etc. Brand Voice: Your brand voice refers to the overall personality, character and emotional tone the city of Smyrna uses to speak with your audience. It encompasses the attitude behind your words and should be consistent across all communications, including advertising, social media posts, email, newsletters, video scripts, public relations and internal communications. A unified voice in how you talk about yourself will make Smyrna memorable and nurture connections with your audience. More than ever, the power of a strong brand voice is important in setting Smyrna apart. Logo Usage: FULL COLOR LOGO The logo may be represented in full color using either spot color or 4-color process printing techniques.

The spot colors are PMS 2279, PMS 2177, and PMS 2180. ONE COLOR LOGO The logo may be represented in a single color using PMS 2180, PMS 2279, PMS 2177, or black in either spot color or 4-color process printing techniques LOGO ON COLOR The contrast must be at least a 2:1 ratio when printing a color version of the logo on a photo or color background. REVERSE LOGO The contrast must be sufficient when reversing the logo on a photo or color background. RECOMMENDED COLOR PALETTE The color palette provides a guide for keeping a consistent color scheme within the city’s communications. PMS 605, PMS 1525, PMS 2279, PMS 2180, PMS 2177 RECOMMENDED TYPEFACE The following typeface families should be used on all materials OFFICE OR WHEN PREFERRED FONTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE: Arial There are do’s and don’ts of how to use the logo. If approved tonight, Ms. Bennett stated that she would like to transition to the new colors and logo on social media and the website. Councilmember Lindley would like to see a blurb on the website about the fact that the jonquil / city seal is not changing. Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director, stated that some of the entrance signs as entering into the city have been budgeted to be replaced this year.

4. Review of Current M&C Agenda

A. COW2025-003 Review of the January 6, 2025 Mayor and Council Meeting Notice and Agenda Z24-016, ORD2025-002: Russell Martin, Community Development Director, provided the following background: WSE Development LLC. is requesting to rezone 9.8 acres of assembled properties at the north eastern intersection of Dixie Avenue and Windy Hill Road. 0.2 acres is zoned HI (Heavy Industrial) in Cobb County, and the remainder is zoned GC (General Commercial) & LI (Light Industrial) in Smyrna. Maple Drive and Park Drive will be abandoned and incorporated within the proposed development. After abandonment and dedication the development is approximately 10.3 acres. The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing church and parking lot to construct the mixed-use development. The proposed mixed use development includes one four-story building, one four-five split level building at the interior of the property, two garage units at the western perimeter, two four-unit buildings at the northern perimeter, and a two-level parking deck at the north eastern perimeter. The multi-family units will include a pool, amenity area, and fitness facility. The mixed-use development will house 295 multi-family units at a density of 29 units per acre and 30,000 sq. ft. building for civic uses. A central road will connect the multifamily and civic building and incorporate the two uses as a cohesive development. The proposed development will be accessed by two access drives on Davis Road, one access drive on Dixie Avenue, and one access drive on Hillside Drive. The proposed development will have 472 total parking spaces for the multi-family units and 141 spaces for the civic building. The majority of the parking for the development will be surface parking and 146 within a two-level parking deck. There will be two underground stormwater detention facilities planned for the development. Community Development has reviewed the proposed plan against the zoning requirements of the MU zoning district (Section 720 of the Zoning Ordinance) with regards to setbacks, building height and building separations.

The zoning proposal meets most of the zoning requirements of the MU zoning district. Based upon the review of the development by the Transportation Engineer, the city supports the proposed traffic signal at Davis Road and Windy Hill Road. Davis Road will be widened to meet city standards and improved with curb, gutter and sidewalk. The developer will be responsible for all traffic improvements associated with the development. Mayor Norton added that the section designated as a civic building would be a great spot for a future civic project in conjunction with this development. He also stated that this does not commit the city to purchase the land without a vote. The civic building portion is merely conceptual at this point. The apartments would rent at market rates. Councilmember Wilkinson expressed concern about pedestrian traffic from the development to the shopping center across the way. Eric Randall, Public Works Director, explained that there is a safe and easily accessible crosswalk for pedestrian traffic. Discussion took place regarding which schools this development would be districted to and the parking ratio. Community Development was assured that the schools this development could possibly feed are underpopulated and can handle more students. The ratio for parking per unit is 1.5/unit. LIC2025-003: This item is to be tabled to the January 21, 2025, council meeting because the applicant is unable to attend the meeting tonight. Discussion took place regarding “gaming” as it is part of the name of their business. Mr. Martin stated Community Development would reach out to them to get a definition and find out if there is an age- restriction. ATH2025-001: Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director, explained that the City requested proposals for an update and expansion to the Smyrna B.O.L.D. Downtown Master Plan. Fifteen (15) proposals were received on Friday, July 12, 2024, and evaluated by staff from Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, Community Development, Public Works, Community Relations and selected Smyrna residents.

The team selected five (5) firms for presentation/interviews and the final evaluation. The recommended firm is MKSK. This will be an education process when they will hear from the community, make tweaks, attend popups, attend roundtables and city events, etc. Ultimately, the deliverable is a conceptual plan to take to the community. This will be on a one-year timeline. 2025-009: Councilmember Hines asked that there be a process that is front-facing so that dedications can follow the same path forward. Joe Bennett, City Administrator, stated that before anything can come before the council, it should be brought to their ward member. Councilmember Hines explained that there needs to be a standard policy so council is able to articulate guidelines to constituents. Councilmember Lindley mentioned that federal guidelines require someone who has passed away to have been deceased for a minimum of 10 years. Richard Garland, Community Services Administrator, said that Carson Haynie is currently working on guidelines to be presented to council. ATH2025-013, ATH2025-011: Kristin Robinson, Deputy City Administrator/CFO, stated at a previous Committee of the Whole meeting, the Finance department and Administration spoke with Council about allowing for administrative approval for purchases up to the bid thresholds in place of the City’s purchasing policy. There has been some confusion if approval was given up to both limits currently in place. These limits are currently $50,000 for non-public works contracts, and $100,000 for public works contracts, but may change with future revisions to the policy. Finance is asking for formal approval to put this administrative approval in place. Anything over $100,000 for a unit price contract will always go through a formal bid process. CHOR2025-001: Eric Randall, Public Works Director, explained that as previously discussed, staff has worked with the contractor for options to create an aesthetic finish that can be more easily maintained to address the staining that has occurred on the wall surfaces for the Windy Hill Boulevard project.

We have determined the most cost-effective solution is to treat the surfaces with a tinted coating, though this product has a higher unit cost because coverage is not as broad per gallon as the clear coat. The net increase in unit cost is $0.59/gallon. He stated that because of the cold weather, asphalt plants are not open. Realistically, this project will be substantially complete (finish work still being completed but open to traffic) by summer. CHOR2025-002: Mr. Randall also explained that after the pedestrian speed table was installed on the eastbound lanes at the westerly bridge of the Windy Hill Road project and the lane reopened to traffic, there was an apparent and obvious concern that the approach to the speed table was too steep and created a hazardous condition for drivers. City staff reviewed the conditions and design drawings and found that while both are consistent and within guidelines provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation, drivers have become accustomed to traveling faster than the design speed. This has created a potential safety hazard and liability. Working with the contractor we have developed a proposed solution to lengthen the approach ramp from 6’ to 10’, reducing the slope by 4% from 8.33% to 5.00%. Further, to reduce the time for which the lane will be closed to through traffic, the contractor proposes temporarily opening the right-hand eastbound through lane and closing the eastbound local lane from Friday, January 17, 2025 at 8 pm and reopening the local lane by 5 am on Monday, January 20, 2025. Council expressed skepticism that this needed to be done because the construction is not complete, and drivers are not adhering to the reduced speed limit and damaging their vehicles. Mr. Randall explained that if there is an unsafe condition in the roadway, the city could be held liable. Asst. City Attorney Jeffrey Tucker stated that the ambiguity of the Milton case makes this issue a little more complicated. The ideas of more signage, rumble strips, and Georgia State Patrol were mentioned. It was suggested that this be tabled indefinitely. AGR2025-001: Mr. Randall explained that with AGR2023-015, the City entered into a Framework Agreement with Cobb County DOT to administer the plan development process for the South Cobb Improvement project until such time as Smyrna attains its Locally Administered Project certification. The City has now attained that certification, and will start administering the project directly with the commencement of the Preliminary Design Phase of the GDOT Plan Development Process. This agreement is to complete the tasks that have not been started under the Cobb County DOT oversight phase. The funds are part of the 2022 SPLOST project list.

5. Other Business / Staff Comment Mayor Norton stated that at this moment, the retreat is still on. They will make a decision by noon tomorrow once weather issues have been confirmed. If the retreat is canceled, they will still meet later this week at City Hall, and they will reschedule the retreat. Mayor Pro Tem Gould said they had a well-attended and engaging town hall. He thanked Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director, for a great job. Councilmember Hines announced the Black History Month event on February 28, 2025. Tickets will go on sale next week. Councilmember Wilkinson announced that one of her daughter’s got engaged. Councilmember Lindley stated that some people at the town hall meeting mentioned there are too many vape shops. Mr. Tucker stated that small commercial use moratoriums are more difficult. He also stated that some people at the town hall mentioned that part-time library employees were not getting the hours they needed. He feels that this information could only have come from an employee which is not good, and he would like that addressed. Mr. Garland explained that Mary Moore, Library Services Director, offered opportunities to part-time staff to get more hours (book stocking, etc.), but they chose not to take those opportunities. Councilmember Oglesby discussed the crosswalk murals. The first mural has faded significantly from traffic, and the second mural is already starting to come up just a little. In the contract, the artists are supposed to come back and make touch ups. Both artists have agreed to come back, but it has to be at least 50 degrees. Once they complete it, Public Works can place a protective coating on the murals. The artists were initially hesitant to put a coating on it because it can be slick, and the murals are within a crosswalk. Ashley Youmans, Special Projects Manager, announced she will be going to the City of Chamblee to be the Economic Development Director. Kristin Robinson, Deputy City Administrator/CFO, explained that the 3.5% sewer rate change is effective April 1, 2025. That increase will be reflected on the May bills. Cobb County Water Authority also has an increase at 4% and will be reflected on the February water bills. 6. Executive Session (As Needed)

7. Adjournment Mayor Derek Norton adjourned the January 6, 2025 Committee of the Whole / Pre-Council meeting at 6:39 PM. Facilities are provided throughout City Hall for the convenience of persons with disabilities. ******************************* THIS MEETING WAS PROPERLY NOTICED AND POSTED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NOTICING STANDARDS AS OUTLINED IN O.C.G.A. 50-14-3: The City of Smyrna website – www.smyrnaga.gov City Hall, 2800 King Street SE, Notice Boards