3/17/2025 Meeting Preview
You’ll see below some of the agenda highlights for our second meeting in March. 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 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
Presentation on Fulton County School Update presented by Dr. Cherisse Campbell, Fulton County School Zone Superintendent
There is no supporting documentation for this agenda item.
Municipal Court Presentation/Questions and Answers
There is no supporting documentation for this agenda item.
Discussion on a request for policy consideration to support increase of pavilion rental fee in the parks to $35 per hour with a max of $350 per day.
From staff: The pavilion rentals are currently $25 per pavilion. The pavilions are available for rental during high season April-October when the Park Attendants are in place. It has been recommended to increase the rental fee for the pavilions to $35 per hour with a maximum cost of $350 per pavilion. Due to concerns for parking and safety in the parks a capacity for each pavilion has been determined by the College Park Fire Marshal.
I think there is a balance to be struck between affordable access for our residents to our amenities and a fee that encourages responsible use. I’m not sure that the numbers proposed strike that balance. I’m looking forward to the conversation.
Presentation for Update for Fee Waiver Program from Recreation & Cultural Arts Department.
Since the implementation of the program, 15 families have applied for the fee waiver; 9 have been approved, 4 were denied and 2 did not complete the application. The yearly registration fee of $15 for each participant in our programming has generated nearly $27,000; the revenue loss from the fee waiver program thus far has been a little more than $7000.
Presentation from Charles Green and members of the College Park Gardening Circle to support Community Gardens throughout the City of College Park. Sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie.
I think an initiative such as this would be a perfect addition for discussion in our upcoming Comprehensive Plan update. I am interested in learning more about the efforts of this group to foster relationships with other organizations outside the city as well.
Consideration of an action on a request to authorize 2.5 million dollars from the TPD Funds to create a park on Godby Road for the planned upcoming reduction in green space within the city. Sponsored by Councilwoman Tracie Arnold.
I look forward to learning more about this proposal.
REGULAR SESSSION
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.
A. Consideration of and action on a request to approve the City Wide Literacy program by purchasing technology equipment for Improved Literacy Skills – Interactive apps encourage reading and writing. Increased Access – Ensures students have learning tools outside the classroom. Closing the Achievement Gap – Provides equal opportunities for all students. Fostering Digital Literacy – Equips students with essential technology skills. Encouraging Family Involvement – Strengthens learning at home. This is a budgeted item and is sponsored by Councilman Joe Carn.
I have several concerns regarding this agenda item. First, I have asked for clarification on the account number in the budget from which this purchase is being drawn to ensure proper allocation of funds.
Additionally, the documents attached to the agenda do not clearly demonstrate compliance with our own purchasing policies. I have requested the solicitation that led to these bids. If our standard procedures were not followed, I would like to understand why that was the case.
I also have questions about the bid documentation itself. Specifically, I noticed that each of the estimates and quotes has SWA Connect LLC listed in the name/address block, and they appear to have been generated using the same invoice software.
Further, AmeriMex does not appear to provide these types of services based on its website, as it primarily offers SIM cards. I am uncertain how this company was identified as a viable vendor. Similarly, EZ Reach Mobile does not appear to have a website. I have similar concerns about how this company was found.
Finally, I would like clarification on how giving away these tablets to individuals at no cost aligns with the gratuities clause of the Georgia Constitution. There is also no information about who will be the custodian of these tablets.
B. Consideration of and action to approve the purchase of 2 golf carts in the amount of $20,309.00. This is a budgeted item and is sponsored by Councilman Joe Carn.
I have a lot of questions about this issue as well. We recently purchased two golf carts from this same vendor. I want to understand why we need two more and what their intended purpose will be.
Additionally, I want to ensure that we are following our own purchasing policies. The documents attached to the agenda do not clearly show whether Gadsden Golf Carts has a state contract or if there was a competitive bidding process. If this vendor was selected without following the city’s standard procurement procedures, we need to know how this company was chosen.
I also noticed that the contact for this purchase is listed as Councilmember Carn. This raises the question if this purchase ever went through the city’s purchasing department at all.
There are also budget and financial accountability concerns. I have asked for clarification regarding which account in the budget was used for the first two golf carts and which account will be used for this new purchase. We must ensure that funds are being allocated appropriately.
Finally, insurance and maintenance must be addressed. I have requested documentation from the city manager confirming insurance coverage for the two previously purchased golf carts. I have also asked the city manager about the plan to insure these new golf carts, who will be responsible for operating them, and which department will oversee their upkeep and maintenance.
I could foresee a situation in which these vehicles and the tablets in item 9A could be used for purposes other than the stated intent. It is imperative we utilize city funds and resources in a manner that is transparent and devoid of political purposes, even in an election year.
10. Regular Business
D. Consideration of and action on a request to approve the purchase for Strategic Equipment LLC in the amount of $166,622.68. This is a request from Interim Convention Center Director, Yanous Barner. This invoice is for the replacement of the commercial dishwasher. This transaction has been classified as an emergency purchase.
I have inquired as to why TriMark was selected as the company for this contract when Don | Build was the lowest bidder. Since this is classified as an emergency purchase, I believe this is a ratification of the city manager’s prior approval of the expenditure.
E. Consideration of and action on a request to approve the change order for Prime Engineering in the amount of $196,570. This is a request from City Manager, Dr. Emmanuel Adediran. This invoice is for construction and engineering inspection services for the Global Gateway Connector Bridge Project.
This is a change order from the engineering company that has been providing project management services to the city for the bridge that is in the process of being installed over Camp Creek Parkway. The project has taken considerably longer than expected and this change order encompasses additional review time for contractor submittals, coordination with the Georgia Department of Transportation, additional travel for inspections and other tasks. We are hoping most of these costs will eventually be reimbursed by the Atlanta Regional Commission. I have inquired with the city manager about the source of funds for this expenditure because the agenda memo lists “budget carryforward funds” to be used.
F. Consideration of and action on a request to approve the invoice for C.W. Matthews Contracting Company in the amount of $922,742.72. This is a request from City Manager, Dr. Emmanuel Adediran. This invoice is for services rendered for the Global Gateway Connector Bridge project.
It is my understanding after consultation with Prime Engineering this is not actually a change order and is instead part of the contract that was approved several years ago when C.W. Matthews was selected as the contractor for the project. Consequently, I think this actually is a budgeted item, despite the description in the agenda memo. I have inquired with the city manager about the source of the funds.
UPDATE (3/17/2025, 5:15 pm): Please see the responses from staff regarding my inquiries.
