2/5/2024 Meeting Preview
You’ll see below the agenda for our first meeting in February. I’ve added information from the council agenda memos and background on items that may be of particular interest. You can watch the meeting on the city’s Facebook or 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.
You can access the entire agenda packet here.
If you have feedback for Mayor and Council, you can e-mail us.
This is a really long agenda, but there are important issues we’ll be tackling at the end of our business, so I would encourage you to stay engaged and informed.
Workshop Session
1. FY2023-2024 Financial Status Update Presentation
Each member of the governing body has been offered an opportunity to be briefed by our finance director and financial advisor prior to the meeting, because there is a lot of information being presented. The topics include:
a. Fiscal Year End 2023 Overview
b. Three-Year Financial History
c. Current Year's Budget Highlights
d. Comparative Analysis Focus: Comparing revenue and expense outcomes from the previous fiscal year and evaluation of current fiscal year trends to date.
2. Presentation of the One Meeting technology upgrade for the College Park Agenda and Council Chamber by Granicus.
From staff: Our Mayor/Council chamber is 30 years old and is in desperate need of a technology upgrade. We currently have Granicus as our software vendor for Minutetraq, adding the chamber upgrade to our existing software is the proper process for adequate pricing. We will have the following features/functions: Electronic agenda, Citizens collaboration, new cameras, voting technology, transcribe technology, and video capture.
There are a number of companies that provide these services. I have asked my colleagues in other cities about their experience with Granicus and the reviews have been mixed. To my knowledge, this is not something that has been put out for bid so we could compare features from various providers. Finance has shared with me that because we are already using Granicus as our vendor to manage agenda items, we can piggyback additional services. I do think it is prudent to explore the market, however.
Regular Session
…
7. Other Business
A. Consideration of and action on a request for council agenda and council chamber upgrades by Granicus in the amount of $58,289.28. This is not a budgeted item.
See my earlier comments. Staff has shared that since this is not a budgeted item, “funds can be appropriated from revenues received in excess of budget. Amendment will follow once item is approved by Council.” I’m not certain where the revenues in excess of budget will come from. Staff has already been directed to find savings in the budget for employee incentive pay earlier this year that was in excess of $400,000.
B. Consideration of and action on a request from the USA Boxing Sanctioned event "Fight for the Youth” on June 1, 2024 at the College Park Tracey Wyatt Recreation Center from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ward 3.
From staff: If granted free facility rental there would need to be a staff charge for any hours outside our facility hours of 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. This also may affect any regular scheduled programming in the facility to provide space for this program. Hold Harmless Agreement and proof of special event insurance required if approved.
The organizer of the event is asking for the City to donate the use of the facility for the day. With 150-200 people expected, I have questions about the necessity for officers and other staff. Typically by the time someone comes to Mayor & Council with an event such as this, they already have insurance and show proof of it in the application. That is not part of the packet in this case. I also have questions about access for our residents during this time as June 1st is a Saturday. Our recreation centers are usually quite busy on the weekends and I would not want to displace the regular users of the facility for an entire day.
C. Consideration of and action on a request to approve Tracey Wyatt Recreation Center proposed mural design.
From staff: Economic Development and Recreation & Cultural Arts staff have been working collaboratively to increase art and cultural arts activity within the Old National Corridor. Due to removal of signage, the entry wall was left bare. Staff saw this as an opportunity to beautify the buildings entry with a mural paying homage to the Old National and Godby Rd community. Petie Parker, well known Atlanta artist and muralist was selected. Petie Parker have visited the center over the course of several months to view ongoing programming and participants. The attached image is the personification of the spirit he envisions the community and center as holding.
The funds for this project would come from Economic Development’s “Miscellaneous Services” line item, which was budgeted for $15,000 this fiscal year.
D. Discussion of Peachtree Government Relations Contract (State Lobbyist Consultant).
From staff: On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Interim City Manager, Emmanuel Adediran was tasked with including this item to discuss the City’s state lobbying contract (Peachtree Government Relations), by Councilman Joe Carn. The above-mentioned contract is managed within the City Manager’s Office via Airport & Governmental Affairs. Peachtree Government Relations contract with the City of College Park began in December 2019. They have a current contract that was approved by the College Park City Council on June 5, 2023.
E. Consideration of and action on a request for a contract agreement between the City of College Park and Ikon FilmWorks for video production services.
Ikon Filmworks has been our videographer for council meetings and other city events for seven years. I have been impressed with their level of professionalism and their work. Staff has recommended approval of the renewal of their contract for $51,000. This is a budgeted item.
F. Consideration of and action on a request to repeal Ordinance 2023-04 approved on October 16, 2023 to codify departments under a new organizational restructuring.
On October 16, 2023, our former City Manager put forth a request to restructure departments within the City to better align with the strategic plan and organizational goals. That request was unanimously approved (see Action Item 9). The consideration before Council now would be to repeal that ordinance.
In the last several weeks, there has been fairly steady messaging from some of my colleagues about returning things to the way they were. I appreciate and respect the tradition of service in College Park. Concurrently, I recognize the need for us to adapt and have a progressive view of our responsibilities. This moment in our collective history requires us to look forward and think broader than ever before. While I had questions about some of the restructuring, I believed overall it was putting us in a posture that better reflected the needs of the community. We did not have the opportunity to give it a chance because the accompanying proposed first quarter budget modifications were never adopted by the governing body due to a lack of quorum at our meetings at the end of 2023. Essentially for three and a half months, the restructuring has been an unfunded mandate.
I would like to see us stay the course because I believe it would better serve all of our stakeholders in the long run.
G. Consideration of and an action on a request for Proposal (RFP) for Employee Benefits Insurance Broker Services.
NFP has served as our health insurance broker for the last three years. The current contact with NFP expires on June 30, 2024. Aetna is the current health insurance provider. Prior to NFP, RLP Corporation subcontracted with SCR Consulting LLC to serve as the City’s health insurance broker for six years. During that time, Kaiser was the health insurance provider. Our Fulton County Chairman, Robb Pitts, is the President/Owner of RLP Corporation.
H. First reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-03 to amend Article VII (City Court of College Park) of the City's Charter to effectively separate the Municipal Court from the Police Department.
This has been a discussion since last year. The court, for various legal reasons, should be separate from the police department, where it is currently housed for organizational and budgetary purposes. We were unable to complete the separation because we did not have a quorum at our meetings at the end of 2023. Because the ordinance requires two readings, we had to start the process again in 2024.
I. Consideration of and action on a request on a contract to One Talent, Inc. for the administration, management, distribution and reporting of The Jack P. Longino Mayoral Scholarship Fund.
Staff has recommended approval. I have some questions considering we have received opinions from the city attorney questioning the legality of this based upon Article III, Section VI, Paragraph VI of the Georgia Constitution, known as the gratuities clause, which says the General Assembly does “not have the power to grant any donation or gratuity or to forgive any debt or obligation owing to the public.” We’ve been told a workaround is to contract with an organization with education as part of their mission. Based upon my understanding, One Talent does have education as part of their mission.
The City is in possession of funds totaling $39,247.26, which were either designated by the City or raised from private charitable donations to support the Jack P. Longino Scholarship, which is a program created by the former mayor of College Park to provide post-secondary scholarships to students in the College Park and South Metro area. In previous years, the Atlanta Airport Rotary Club (AARC) managed the Jack Longino Scholarship Fund. They are not able to administer it at this time.
J. Consideration of and action on a request to accept bid for the Brady Recreation Roof Rehabilitation submitted by Caliber Construction roof upgrades in the amount of $364,915.70.
Staff has recommended we accept the lowest responsive bidder. The roof at the Brady Recreation Center Roof is over 60 years old and is having issues with leaks and constant repairs and patches over the gymnasium floor.
$46,200 is budgeted for Brady roof repair in the current fiscal year budget. Additional funding is required in the amount of $318,715.70. The recommendation is to finance the remaining balance of $318,715.70 from the Car Rental Tax Fund. This is considered a request for an emergency fix.
K. Consideration and action on a request for approval of a change order for S.H. Creel Contracting for 10 day brush and balance as required for new re-plaster curing for both the Conley and Wyatt main pools in the amount of $24,195.94.
Staff is recommending approval. On November 6, 2023, Mayor and Council approved the award for S.H. Creel Construction for the re-plaster project for the Conley and Wyatt pools. The manufacturer for the Diamond Brite pool finish requires a specific regiment for the startup procedure to maintain the warranty. This start-up procedure must be followed precisely and is extremely important to keep the warranty of the manufacturer. Due to the strict requirement to meet warranty for the product, this is a request for a change order to add the appropriate funding for the brush and balance specification laid out by the warranty. While $11,304.06 was budgeted for this part of the project, an additional $24,195.94 is needed for this service. Funding can be provided from the Swimming Pool Supplies and Services line item in the Recreation & Cultural Arts budget.
L. Consideration of and action on a request to approve Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, Sports Matter 75FOR75 grant award for $ 75,000 for sporting equipment.
In March of 2022, the U.S. Soccer foundation, with the support of Dick's Sporting Goods, awarded a $100,000 grant to sponsor a soccer mini pitch for Zupp Park. With the collaboration of the mini pitch an introduction was to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Community Marketing Manager for Atlanta, Michael Lee, who attended the mini pitch grand opening event. Because of the relationships built with the City from the initial grant, Mr. Lee nominated the City of College Park’s Recreation and Cultural Arts Department and our community for the Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Matters 75FOR75 grant for $75,000 to support sports equipment for our programming. We were fortunate enough to receive the grant.
Staff is planning to purchase equipment based on programming needs, including score boards at Zupp and Brannon Parks, another score board at Brady Gym, replacement of the gymnastics floor at the Conley Rec Center and the replacement of basketball goals the the Ken Ross Gym. Staff is working with Fulton County Schools on the Ross Gym upgrades as it is located in the building that will house the Promise Career Institute, opening this fall. The grant does not have a match requirement. If additional funding is needed to support equipment needs it would be included in the upcoming FY 2024-25 budget.
M. Consideration of and action on a request for the Metro Atlanta Cities Wellbeing Initiative Agreement which supports for a $ 4500 stipend to assist with the food desert initiative for the City of College Park.
In partnership with the National League of Cities, Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia City Solutions, the Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement supported six metro Atlanta cities to strengthen their capacity to use data to inform actionable policies to improve wellbeing in their communities. The City of College Park was invited to participate with five other metro Atlanta cities to include Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Atlanta, and East Point from January to August of 2023 to identify and initiate a program for the city. Through the eight-month initiative the City of College Park was provided with a steward to assist with gathering data to help determine health issues for the community in the City of College Park. Data provided through the initiative shows that the City of College Park has the issue of access to fresh fruit and vegetables due to the lack of a grocery store within a mile of proximity which is a factor in the health and wellness of the citizens. This stipend of $4500 will help assist with making a better community for our citizens through access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
N. Consideration of and action on a request to purchase Mobile Pro Systems for a mobile surveillance trailer camera to be located city-wide, in the amount of $45,288.00.
While the agenda memo title indicates this will be located citywide, the staff recommendation is to have this placed in Ward 4. I am unclear if this will be for the whole city or if it will be stationary in Ward 4. The camera would allow our police to have a force multiplier in areas where we have particular concerns about crime. This is a budgeted item.
O. Consideration of and action to disburse payment to Speedway Ford for services rendered on Building & Grounds vehicle unit# 128 F350 in the amount of $12,858.12 for engine replacement and repair cost.
This truck has experienced several mechanical issues in the past from transmission, fuel pump, and turbine issues to a host of other operational issues. The engine became inoperable and was diagnosed with complete engine failure by Speedway Ford. Staff has recommended approval; this is a budgeted item.
P. Consideration of and action on a request to approve the voting delegate resolution for Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia.
The Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power), of which we are a member, requires a resolution from participants if there is a change in the voting delegate. The resolution authorizes a delegate or alternate delegate to vote at MEAG Power annual meeting board elections, the next scheduled for July 30, 2024. In the past, the voting delegate was the Mayor and the alternate was the Director of Power. Based upon previous voting delegate selections this year, I would anticipate my colleagues will select a councilmember for the position.
Q. Consideration of and action on a request for the Municipal Competitive Trust Fund resolution.
MEAG Power requires strict authorization for accessing the Municipal Competitive Trust (MCT) fund documents and therefore each participant should complete the required forms each year. The MCT was formed in 1999 in anticipation of deregulation of the electric power industry in Georgia. Since deregulation did not occur, the restricted funds were credited to MEAG power bills through 2018 until they were depleted. Flexible account funds are still available for deposits or withdrawals. College Park typically deposits part or all of the MEAG Power year-end-settlement (YES) funds each year into the MCT fund. In the past, the authorized officials were the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem. Fund withdrawals require signatures from both authorized officials.
R. Consideration of and action on contracting Contemporary Services Corporation as one of our Unarmed Event Security vendors at the Arena and the Georgia International Convention Center.
Staff has recommended approval. CSC met the criteria for the Request for Proposal (RFP) and they have an established relationship with the Arena and the GICC. They have a good reputation within the sports industry and it was recommended by the head of NBA security that we increase our security staff to prevent a breach of league requirements. CSC is familiar with our campus eliminating the learning curve. Further, each member is fully trained in CPR, crowd management, State of Georgia Emergency Evacuation Training, as well as ADA training. This is a budgeted item.
S. Consideration of and action on a request on the renewal and amendment of the Johnson Controls Fire Protection Fire Protection Services contract.
Staff is recommending renewal of the fire protection services contract that includes the convention center and other city buildings. The contract does not currently include the Gateway Arena, however. Staff wants to include the Arena under the renewal to consolidate our coverage. Sourcewell issued a public solicitation for facility security systems & related services and Johnson Controls was awarded the contract. Sourcewell is a service cooperative that offers procurement services to governments. This eliminates the need for the City to issue an RFP and we can maintain our services without interruption. These are budgeted items.
T. Consideration of and action on a request to approve Johnson Controls Fire Protection Services, our current fire service vendor to repair and replace a leaking valve and leaking clapper valve on the dry sprinkler system.
Staff has recommended approval. Valves on the dry sprinkler system at the GICC loading dock are leaking, causing the system to trip. This is a budgeted item.
U. Consideration of and action on a request to approve the replacement of ten (10) Risers necessary to achieve the client's set up requirements and to continue to provide quality service.
Ten of our risers in the GICC’s inventory are at least 20 years old and need to be replaced. We have received a price for replacement from Sico America, Inc., a registered vendor of Sourcewell Government procurement services. The cost is $37,270.00. Staff has recommended approval; this is a budgeted item.
V. Discussion on the travel policy.
Councilmember Gay has requested this be placed on the agenda. Other than the travel policy itself, there is no supporting documentation. This policy was passed unanimously March 2, 2020 (see item 15).
One of the items listed under expenses that are not reimbursable are expenses for family members. I think this is entirely appropriate. In my view, each member of the governing body was elected; their families were not. If family accompanies an elected official to a training event or conference, I do not believe our city’s taxpayers should be responsible for their expenses while they are there. It is one thing for family members to stay in the same hotel room at an event; it is entirely another to rent an additional hotel room and have the city pay for it, or pay for a family member’s meals. I am not certain this particular issue is one my colleague wishes to discuss in regard to the policy, but based upon prior feedback it would not surprise me if the topic was raised. Regardless of whether or not the policy is changed to permit expenses for family members, it will not change my actions. I will not use city travel funds for my family.
W. Consideration of and action on a request to allow elected officials access to their Ward constituent's contact information that includes name, address, phone number and email.
Councilmember Gay has requested this be placed on the agenda. I do not support this measure. I have deep concerns that this runs afoul of the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.(a)(20)(A). Public disclosure of records that share an individual’s personal e-mail address or cell phone number is not required under the act. In other words, if a person who is not an elected official made an Open Records Request for some of this information through the city clerk’s office, it would not be shared. I do not think we should operate under different rules in this situation, because there are other ways to communicate with residents.
I understand the city attorney has drafted a form that elected officials are to sign if they want this data, but once it has been released to a member of the governing body, it is out of the city’s control. It is subject to less rigorous security protection than if it stays within the city’s servers. Additionally, if we need to disseminate information to constituents, we can always request that the communications department push it out. When people shared their e-mail addresses and phone numbers with the City, they were not informed this would be a use of the information. At the very least, we should give people the opportunity to opt in or opt out before the information is used in this manner.
X. Consideration of and action on a request to draft legislation to amend the City Charter to allow Special Called Meetings to be required by the consensus of three City Councilmembers.
Councilmember Gay has requested this be placed on the agenda. Pursuant to our laws since 1963, the mayor has had the authority to call a special meeting when in his or her “discretion the exigencies of the case shall require such meetings.” The mayor must call a special meeting when “a majority of the members of the council request same.”
In my opinion, this doesn’t need to be changed. It has been in place for over sixty years. It is curious why there would be an attempt to strip the office of the mayor of the authority now. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I did have to call for several special meetings to address the evolving circumstances of that crisis. I have not called for any this year; the two special called meetings of the Mayor and Council in January were requested by my colleagues. Unfortunately, I believe this is a move rooted in personal animus instead of good policy.
Executive Session
I anticipate we will have several action items coming out of executive session so I would encourage you to watch the entirety of the meeting or remain at City Hall if you attend in person.
