Meeting discussionsStart with a topic.

4. Formal Business and Presentations

5. Review of Current M&C Agenda

A. COW2025-111 Review of the November 17, 2025 Mayor and Council Meeting Agenda LIC2025-037: Russell Martin, Community Development Director, explained this is application for an already approved license for fall/autumn items, and now she wants to add Christmas trees. LIC2025-039: Russell Martin, Community Development Director, stated that Smyrna’s code requires 1,000 linear feet distance between other pawn establishments. There is another title pawn location within 850 linear feet. The applicant is arguing that if one were to take direct path of travel it is 1,044 feet, but that is not what code says, so staff is recommending denial. There is no provision in the ordinance to allow for this as reviewed by counsel. Z25-007: Russell Martin, Community Development Director, explained that the applicant is requesting a rezoning from OI to MU-Conditional for a mixed-use development with 250 multi-family units and 2,500 sq. ft. of retail. The future land is Industrial and a land use change to Mixed-Use is required. Community Development is not supportive of the change in zoning from OI to MU- Conditional and the accompanying land use change from Industrial to Mixed Use. No land use changes have occurred to the surrounding area since the adoption of the 2040 Comprehensive Future Land Use Plan, thus, there are no changing conditions to support the proposed zoning and land use change. A rezoning to MU-Conditional is incompatible with the surrounding uses and the MU- Conditional zoning does not provide greater benefit to the city compared to the current OI zoning. Additionally, Community Development has concerns with the introduction of multi- family units along the Highlands Pkwy corridor which is occupied with commercial. Both the Planning and Zoning Commission and Community Development recommend denial of the rezoning from OI to MU-Conditional at 0 Highlands Pkwy. The next major Comprehensive Plan that is done every ten years has to be completed by October 2027. Blake Brady with Wood Partner presented brief highlights.

Councilmember Oglesby mentioned that having a traffic light added will help with traffic flow. Mr. Brady stated that after speaking to Councilmember Oglesby, they will set aside five affordable units with rents at 80% area median income. The property is located within the Highlands Parkway Property Owner’s Association. The Highlands Parkway Board recommended approval and ownership overwhelmingly supports this development with 18 ‘yes’ votes out of 24 total members. Councilmember Hines recommended that the presentation be handled on Monday. Z25-013: Russell Martin, Community Development Director, explained that Arrow Waste has applied for a special land use permit to allow a modular office and storage container at 6310 Riverview Road. A 6,000 gallon above ground fuel tank will also be utilized which has received approval by the City and State Fire Marshal. The fuel tank is not part of the Special Land Use permit. The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve the request by a vote of 4-1 at the October 13, 2025, meeting. The subject property is 2.06 acres in area and is zoned HI (Heavy Industrial). The subject property is used for storage of commercial and passenger vehicles for a waste company. The adjacent properties to the north, south, east and west are zoned MU (Mixed Use). The property to the north is occupied with townhomes and multi-family to the east. The property to the west is vacant, and the property to the south is occupied with a parking facility. Arrow Waste provides dumpster rentals for residential and commercial companies and stores commercial and passenger vehicles on site. The business is requesting approval of a 60’ by 12’ modular office, a 6,000-gallon fuel tank, and a 40’ x 8’ storage container. There are no stream buffers that enter the subject property, and the property is on the northwest side of Riverview Road. The applicant does not intend to create any additional land disturbance on site, and the parking area consists of gravel.

The Community Development Department and the City and State Fire Marshal have reviewed the application and will require a UL2085 fuel tank with a maximum capacity of 6,000 gallons. The fuel tank will have a minimum separation of 5’ between the fuel tank and another structure and a minimum separation of 15’ from any property line. The State and City Fire Marshal have approved the fuel tank installation and location. The property does not have sanitary sewer service to the property and will require regular maintenance from the applicant for any restrooms. The applicant has a permit request pending for a water meter for the property. The applicant is requesting a special land use permit to allow a 60’ by 12’ modular office and a 40’ by 8’ storage container. Community Development recommends approval of the requested special land use permit. Arrow Waste is seeking approval for the modular office and storage container at 6310 Riverview Road. Community Development recommends approval of the request with the following conditions: 1. The modular office and storage container shall only be allowed for a period of 24 months after the date of approval. If the applicant requires the modular office and storage container for a longer period of time, the applicant shall reapply for approval. 2. The modular office, storage container and fuel tank shall be removed from the property when the occupational tax certificate has been canceled by Arrow Waste or it has not been renewed within the appropriate time limits. Mike L. Jones, City Administrator, explained that the only issue council is considering is the temporary modular building. If this had been a permanent structure, council would not even be hearing this. Councilmember Oglesby stated that he will not support this. Mr. Martin stated that the building is already there, this is just to make sure the building is in compliance.

He also recommended that council should not want a permanent structure there which would provide an impediment to future redevelopment. ATH2025-171: Dat Luu, IT Director, stated that the City of Smyrna requested qualification proposals to provide on-call services for low voltage cabling, fiber optic infrastructure, security camera systems, access control systems, and audio/visual systems. The selected vendor will be responsible for installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and system upgrades on an as-need basis to support city facilities and operations. Three (3) proposals were received on Monday, October 13, 2025, and reviewed by a selection committee comprising staff from Information Technology and Public Works. Two (2) firms are selected for the on-call contract and hourly rates and fees will be negotiated: NetPlanner Systems, Inc. - primary All N One Security Services Inc. - secondary ATH2025-178: John Knop, Oakbridge, explained that they recommend BITCO Insurance Companies for Workers Compensation. • Public-Entity Expertise • Financial Strength You Can Trust • Partnership-Focused Claims Approach • Proven, Cost-Savings Claims Services • Online Claims Portal • 2026 BITCO with Deductible $488,749.00 ORD2025-009: Research indicates that the proximity of Vape Shops to schools may increase the likelihood of youth exposure and use of vaping products. The City Council finds that it is in the public interest to regulate the location of vape shops to reduce the potential for youth initiation of vaping and to protect the health of Smyrna’s young people. This amendment to the zoning ordinance defines Vape Shops, Elementary and Secondary Schools and Principal Product Line and specifies that a Vape Shops is authorized in the General Commercial zoning category provided that it is not located within 1000 feet of certain schools, kindergartens, daycare facilities or other Vape Shops, all as defined by the ordinance. ORD2025-010: Councilmember Oglesby recused himself from the meeting for this conversation at 7:42 PM.

Jeffrey Tucker, Assistant City Attorney, stated that Section 6- 125 of the Smyrna Code of Ordinances prohibits elected or appointed officials from holding a license to sell alcoholic beverages or having an interest in a business that has a license. This provision is outdated and limits potential restaurants within the city. This amendment revises this ordinance and allows these officials to hold such a license or have an interest in a business holding a license, in certain circumstances provided that they publicly declare that interest and do not participate in official city action regarding the license. Councilmember Oglesby returned at 7:47 PM. LIC2025-047: Russell Martin, Community Development Director, stated that Councilmember Rickey Noel Oglesby, Jr will be the registered agent responsible for the sale of alcohol at 821 Concord Rd SE, STE C. The applicant has been given a copy of the Alcoholic Beverage ordinances and attended the mandatory alcohol awareness workshop. A background investigation conducted by the Smyrna Police Department failed to reveal information that would preclude issuance of this license. Mr. Oglesby has agreed to abide by the guidelines set forth by the City of Smyrna ordinance governing the sale of alcohol. ORD2025-011: Mike L. Jones, City Administrator, stated this ordinance prohibits anyone from entering a premises for an unlawful purpose, entering a premises after being told not to do so, or remaining on a premises after being told to leave. Representatives of the police department have requested that an ordinance dealing with Petty Trespass be adopted. PH2025-029: Greg Teague, Croy Engineering, explained that for the Tolleson Aquatic Center, four very qualified bids were submitted all within 2.5% of each other. They required several criteria: company background, financial stability, litigation records, relevant experience, personnel who will be on the job, and schedule. They recommend Reeves Young as the chosen contractor at $16,228,529.69. If this contract is approved, they begin mobilizing December 1, 2025.

Councilmember Lindley asked that appropriate communication take place for neighboring areas about work hours and potential construction noise. ATH2025-176: Carol Sicard, Human Resources Director, stated Starting January 1, 2025, Georgia House Bill 451 (2024) required all public entities that employ or have volunteers as first responders to provide lump-sum and income replacement (long-term disability) PTSD benefits. There are two coverage components mandated by House Bill 451 (2024): 1) Lifetime Critical Illness Lump Sum PTSD Diagnosis Benefit 2) Lifetime Long-Term PTSD Disability Benefit (Income Replacement). The Ashley Wilson Act (HB 451) specifies certain coverage features for the disability portion of PTSD benefits. Our current group long-term disability policy does not fulfill the disability benefit requirements of the Act. ATH2025-184: Paul Osburn, Deputy Public Works Director, explained this is a request based off a necessary need for departmental restructuring after an evaluation was conducted in the Water & Sewer and Engineering Departments. The request is for three (3) reclassifications within the Engineering Department and one (1) reclassification and one (1) title change within the Water & Sewer Department. The summary comparison shows the impact to the current FY26 budget; however, due to the current vacancies in each of the departments, there will be no impact to the FY26 budget. There will be slight impacts to the FY27 budget but will be accounted for during the budgeting process in February. Kristin Robinson, Deputy City Administrator / CFO, explained that the money that was allocated to the senior positions no longer needed in Water/Sewer will go toward a Project Manager position that will be in Engineering. A job description needs to be created, and it will likely come before council after the first of the year.

6. Other Business / Staff Comment Councilmember Lindley spoke about the Concord Linear Park and its renaming to Dr. David Martin Park. The ceremony will be some time in February. Councilmember Welch spoke about the water tasting a little earthy due to the lakes turning over. The water is safe to drink. Mayor Pro Tem Gould said he has a meeting with the Forest Hills community next Tuesday about the church development. 7. Executive Session (As Needed)

8. Adjournment Mayor Pro Tem Tim Gould adjourned the November 13, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting at 7:23 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