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You're important. What's happening here? Everybody ready? here. Hold on. Good evening everybody. Got a full house. Little excitement in the room. Sorry, Council Member Pickicket is also driving for work. Um, we'll start with invitation and pledge. Pastor Joel E. Smith from Smyrna Presbyterian Church. If you'll please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you join me in prayer. Oh God, you are the great God that is to be praised. We thank you this day for who you are. That you are the creator and maker of all things, the provider, the sustainer, the source. In you we live and move and have our being. Lord, we come you to you this night humbly praying for this great city, city of Smyrna, Georgia. We thank you for the years of history, for those that have gone before us, and on the shoulders we stand. We pray that our best days would yet be ahead. We pray for the councilmen and women this night. We ask that you give them wisdom, insight, discernment to lead the people of Smyrna, Georgia. give them the leadership that they need that they would do so out of a willing and a servant's heart. We pray for our first responders, our city workers, our businesses, our churches, our community centers and ministries around our town. Be with them, protect them, use them. God, you are good. Would we, the citizens of Smyrna, rise up and praise and bless your name. And we do so with thanksgiving and give you thanks, with gratitude in our hearts to you. We pray all this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Mr. Gould, if I could just make one announcement.

Uh our church, Smyrna Presbyterian Church, the last year has undergone a renovation and an expansion. And uh we've been outside of our building uh since October. And we are anticipating getting back within the next month. And so we are hoping to have an open house and love to invite the council as well as well as the city on June 20th which is a Saturday 1 to 5:00 p.m. for an open house uh for the uh be able to tour the building and then we're going to have a dedication service on Father's Day u morning 10:30 uh a.m. on Sunday June 21st would invite the community and the council to come and join us if you can. Thank you pastor. Thanks so much and congratulations early congratulations on the construction. See it's busy over there. So and thanks for what thanks for all that you do for the community. Appreciate it. Thank you sir. All right we're on to the fun stuff of the meeting. We are we'll start with uh no agenda changes. Um, mayoral report only reminder and I think our city clerk Heather Peacock Korn will remind us also. Uh, tomorrow is election day. So, if you have not already voted, please do so. Uh, your polling places, it's easy to find on the Cobb County elections website if you don't know them, but please do go out get out and vote tomorrow. Um, proclamations and presentations. We'll start with uh proclamation for small business week. As a small business owner, been in business for 26 years or so. I understand the trials and tribulations and the ups and downs that that you all deal with on a regular basis, right? So, didn't have any gray hair before I started uh started our business and you see what happens, but we're still we're still kicking after 26 years.

Um proclamation and recognition of of National Small Business Week and to honor businesses in Smyrna celebrating 20, 25, and 50 plus year anniversaries. and uh welcome Andy Worthy, our economic development director to kick this off. Are we on? Yes, we are. Good evening, mayor and council and citizens of Smyrna. Uh today, we're going to recognize and celebrate Smyrna small business owners. They're really the backbone of our community and our local economy. Uh and as uh Councilman uh Ghoul pointed out, their journey is not easy. They face challenges every day these days from rising costs, workforce shortages, navigating regulations, changes in the market, and balancing the personal sacrifices that come with entrepreneurship. Yet, despite these obstacles, they continue to innovate, create jobs, and invest in our city of Smyrna. Their resilience and commitment deserve our gratitude and support. We have approximately 268 legacy businesses who have been here 20 years or longer. Um this year's honores um we will be celebrating 20 25 30 40 50 and we have a 70 and an 80y year business that we'll

be celebrating. Um they represent a variety of industries personal services such as dry cleaners and salons, health care, your favorite restaurants, home repair, child care, and business services. Uh several of them are here this evening uh in person with us. Um we after the proclamation is read I will invite them up um for a couple of different group photos. Uh and with that I believe Councilman Oglesby will read the proclamation. Yes I will be. Thank you. Uh uh small business owners have a special spot in my heart as I have joined the ranks of small business ownership recently within the last four months. I have a I have a newfound respect for small business owners, especially those who have been in the business for 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, and 80 years. That is absolutely amazing. You all should clap for yourselves. You really should. [applause] All right. Proclamation. Whereas the president of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week every year since 1963 to highlight the programs and services available to entrepreneurs through the US Small Business Administration and other government agencies. And whereas the country's 32.5 million small businesses create nearly two out of three jobs in our economy, generate nearly half of US GDP, and represent 99% of all private sector businesses. The city of Smyrna supports and joins in this national effort to help America's small businesses do what they do best, grow their business, create jobs, and ensure that our local communities remain as vibrant tomorrow as they are today. And whereas in 2026, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 20 years in our community. First Choice Automotive, Cutsa Diamond Hair Salon, Genesis Healthc Care Associates, Georgia Luxury Automotive, International Counseling and Consulting, Jim and Nicks Barbecue, Jenseno Martial Arts, Jr. Cricket, South Cobb, Oakdale Family Dental, Pistons Automotive, Rothboom, I Care, Sports Chiropractic Institute, TRC Chiropractic, Warner Fuller Consulting, Wright Financial Group, and whereas in 2026, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 25 years in our community.

Al Faroh Dental Care, Carter and Sons HVAC, Dream Makers Youth Foundation, Ivy Springs Retirement Cottage Life Care Center, Jay's Unlimited Tax Services, Jose Auto Center, Quan's Hair Design, King Springs Cleaners, Los Bravos, Monterey Mexican Restaurant, Nita Fence, PSC Learning Center, Stone Meroy, and associates whatever it takes transmission and parts and whereas in 2026 the following small businesses in Smyrnner are celebrating 30 years in our community Frank's chiropractic center Ross Tool and Fasteners and whereas in 2026 the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 40 years in our community fire systems Joe Dubau's Insurance Agency, Low Country Catering, Vinings Landscape Group, Smyrner Police Distributors, and whereas in 2026, the following small businesses business in Smyrnner is celebrating 50 years in our community. Jay Wallace and the Wallace family, Carmichael Funeral Homes, Highland Rivers Behavior Health, and whereas in 2026, the following small business in Smyrna is celebrating 75 years in our community, Cochran and Edwards. And whereas in 2026, the following small business in Smyrna is celebrating 80 years in our community, Williams Enterprises of Georgia. And whereas during National Small Business Week, the city of Smyrna acknowledges and celebrates the achievements made by all small businesses, including those celebrating significant milestones in our community. Now therefore, I, Derek Norton, mayor of Smyrna, do here pro hereby proclaim May 3 through May 9, 2026 as National Small Business Week in Smyrna and a week of recognition for all the small businesses in Smyrna and encourage all city residents, officials, and staff to acknowledge and support the small businesses in our community. Clap for yourself. [applause] Just uh thanks council member. It was well read. Um just a couple quick notes. It's really important for the city, right, to support our small businesses. You all are part of the important part of the fabric of our city and our community and really appreciate what you do.

Um Andrew Worthy who leads our economic development also serves as I do on the small Smyrna business association and we have Burke Scott who's on the business association and small business owner and I think that might be it. But if you all you know reach out to the city for help assistance and that's really what what uh economic development is here for and the same with the business association. So just want to make sure I mention mentioned that part of it but Andrea what's next for us? Yeah, I thought we'd take a couple of photos uh probably in a couple of groups. So, those of you that were here celebrating 20 and 25 years, will you step up here uh to the microphone? I believe uh we have Jim Nicks here tonight, uh Oakdale Family Dentl, Roth Bloom Eye Care, Sports Chiropractic Institute, and Warner Consulting, as well as Carter and Sons maybe here, DreamWorks, Ivy Springs Retirement Cottage. I think I think that's everyone with 20 25 years. Let's have a picture up here. Yeah. entrepreneurs, right? Love it. That's awesome. Flight up here. [applause] [applause] Congratulations. Congratulations. Andrew, are you gonna be in the picture? Thank you. [applause] And then for this second photo, if we could have those that are celebrating, I believe 40 years, we have Joe Deose Insurance Agency, uh Smyrna Police Distributors, um and those celebrating 50 years, which would be Adventure Outdoors, uh the Carmichael Funeral Homes and Highland Rivers Community, uh Service Board. Thank you. And then we might as well, if we would like to have our 70-year um business, step up to the podium and have his picture made. Mr. Scott Cochran representing Cochran and Edwards. Congratulations. [laughter] Didn't take long Squeeze together. All right. It's awesome. [applause] All right. I'm sure most of you have to go go and get back to work. So, don't uh don't feel obligated to stay. You're more than welcome to, of course. Um, we're going to move on to proclamation in recognition of Poppy Month and National Poppy Day. Good evening and thank you. My name is Lisa Oaks. I am the first vice president and poppy chair of the American Legion Auxiliary Smyrna unit 160 and I am accompanied today by June Burgess our treasurer. Wonderful. Thanks for being here. Yes. [laughter] When the American Legion Auxiliary was organized in 1921, the poppy was adopted as the memorial flower. The American Legion Auxiliary pledged 100% of donations received from Poppy

distributions would go to help veterans, service members, and their families. For over a 100red years, the American Legion Auxiliary has been honoring this pledge.

This fulfills the true meaning of the poppy, an emblem of faith, faith which is being kept with all who died through service to the living. I want to highlight two programs that unit 160 was able to support through the generous donations received from Poppy distributions. The SPC the back to school brigade. We purchased and distributed back to school supplies for families at Dobins air reserve base and operation courage is beautiful. This is an organization whose mission is to bring a little joy and femininity to our active duty deployed US service women through care packages geared for women. These are just a few of the ways that we are helping veterans and active duty military and their families throughout the year. Thank you for this proclamation in recognition of Memorial Day poppy distributions for May 2026 and for allowing us here this evening. Thank you, Lisa. We gonna uh read uh Council Member Wilkersonson has a proclamation to read. Yes. And thank you all for being here tonight. Um this is a proclamation by the mayor of the city of Smyrna in recction recognition of Poppy Month and National Poppy Day May 2026. Whereas America is the land of freedom preserved and protected willingly and freely by citizen soldiers. And whereas millions who have answered the call to arms have died on the field of battle. And whereas a nation at peace must be reminded of the price of war and the debt owed to those who have died in war. And whereas the red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all wars since 1919. And whereas the American Legion Auxiliary has pledged to remind America annually of this debt through the distribution of the memorial flower in May.

Now therefore, I, Derek Norton, mayor of the city of Smyrna, Georgia, do hereby proclaim the month of May in 2026 as Poppy month and May 26, 2020, I'm sorry, May 22nd, 2026 as National Poppy Day and ask that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the Memorial Poppy. Thank you. [applause] So if anybody has a a dollar dollar bill, that's the that's the trai the tradition and that goes into the funds that the American Legion uses to support our men and women who are uh veterans or active service at Doppins Air Force Base. And they'll take something bigger than a dollar also. Can we interrupt the um just get a quick picture? You guys can keep selling. June's got customers she wants to talk to. Thank you. Thank you so much, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right, we'll keep uh we'll keep moving and uh um but June and and Lisa, thanks for thanks for what you do and thanks for supporting our again men and women in uniform.

Now on to the next fun activity is a recognition of a citizens academy graduation. Um [applause] a lot of graduations are happening these days, right? That's awesome. We have Eevee will explain and give us some background. Absolutely. Good evening, Mayor Pro Tim and council. Um, for everybody who is up here, I believe all of y'all know a little bit about the Citizens Academy, but for the people that do not, um, Citizens Academy is an 11week program that we welcome citizens of Smyrna to come into and learn all about the city departments. So, they learn from finance to public works to court. They learn about PD and fire, which I heard that fire was their favorite this year. So, that's exciting. Um, but they've they have dedicated every Tuesday night from six o'clock to 8:30, we have 25 members and they have put in so much effort to their attendance. I keep hearing back every single Wednesday morning from the department heads that these people are just so engaged and so excited to learn about Smyrna and they really love Smyrna. So, we're super excited to recognize them tonight with a graduation ceremony. And I would like to personally congratulate our group of 25 because they're not only are they just so engaged, they're just wonderful people. Um so I'm super excited and thankful that they're here and glad to have your attention for this. So without further ado, we're going to call up um each name one by one and we're going to have everybody line up for a picture. So is this like the final test that they can follow? Follow the instructions. [laughter] All right. Yes. and um and we'll go ahead and get started. Great. Okay. So, first I'd like to recognize Miss Leah Vanader and she can come up here. [applause] Congratulations, my dear. You come stand up and you can face the audience.

[laughter] It's wonderful. Next is Miss Sonia Fenil. [applause] Congratulations, Miss Sonia. Thank you, Eie. [laughter] Next is Tamari Tarpley. [applause] Making her debut. Beautiful. I said making your debut. Congratulations. Thank you. You're welcome. Katherine Curley. [applause] Oh, thank you. Next is Miss Angela Tara. [applause] Congratulations. Next is Patricia Hartley. [applause] You're welcome. Next, we have Nikki Hill. [applause] I'm glad you made it. Congratulations. Yes, I did. Thank you. All right, Janaki Tambi. [applause] Congratulations. You're welcome. April Miller [applause] turn on. You're welcome. Remy Simmons. [applause] Congratulations. You're welcome. Amy Caleritis. [applause] Congratulations. You're welcome. We're huggers over here. See, I told y'all they were so sweet. Lindsay Disheroon [applause] in here as well. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Courtney Phillips. Congratulations. Thank you. You look so Shannon Matox. [applause] You're welcome. Enjoy Anthony Low. [applause] Congratulations. Appreciate you. Kate Bar. [applause] Congratulations. And with marriage, Kate also just got married, you guys. Dr. Reita J. Stamper. [applause] I had to do the full. Congratulations. You're welcome. You can stand. I was gonna say if we need to scoot up and squeeze in, we can. Miss Michelle Murphy in [applause] all her glory. I would like to thank [laughter] [gasps] Lauren Matthews. [applause] Thank you. Congratulations, girl. Thank you so much. You're welcome. Amos Omi [applause] Wonderful. Congratulations, Jean Seville. [applause] Thank you so much, Miss Lana Streger. Congratulations. [applause] You're welcome. And we also have Naisha Loving. [applause] Congratulations. I'm so glad you made it. And let's see if she's here. Is Courtney Han here? I don't think so. I think that's everybody. All right. Well, we can do another round of applause for our wonderful. [applause] All right. And we can come up front in front of the podium and we'll get a couple council members to come in as well. Anybody? [laughter] All right. Thank you. One, two, three. in effect. Here we go. Looking red. [laughter] Now I know why the fire department should have got one for the baby. We're gonna miss you. Thank you. as over. Thank you, Evie. Nice job, Eevee Carson. Thank you very much. Thank you all for participating. I know it takes time out of your your schedule to do it, so hopefully it sounds like you found it rewarding. You're welcome to stay if you want to. All right, we'll get moving on to the stuff that's not nearly as much fun, but equally important. Community development items 7A 2026-181 public hearing comprehensive plan