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CITY COUNCIL

Next Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 9 • 10AM

South Fulton's
South Fulton City Council (l to r): Catherine Rowell (District 1, Cascade) ● Carmalitha Gumbs (District 2, Cliftondale) ● Helen Z. Willis (District 3, Welcome All) ● Mayor William "Bill" Edwards ● Naeema Gilyard (District 4, Cedar Grove) ● Corey Reeves (District 5, Flat Shoals) ● Councilman khalid (District 6, Old National) ● Mark Baker (District 7, Hwy 138)
November & December Regular Meeting Schedule
Work Session & Regular Meeting Combined
Tuesday, November 10 • 10AM
Tuesday, December 9 • 10AM
In acknowledgement of the upcoming holiday season, South Fulton's City Council is combining its 2nd Tuesday Work Sessions and 4th Tuesday Council Meetings in November and December.   

Read the entire 263-page Meeting & Work Session agendas and watch the Council Meeting live at the links below.
November 10 Work Session • 10AM
November 10 Regular Meeting • 12PM
City Council Work Sessions, which begin at 10 a.m., are where city officials discuss complex topics in deep detail.

​Topics to be discussed at the November 10 Work Session include the creation of a mixed-use development called Campbellton Crossroads at Cascade-Palmetto Highway (S.R. 70/154) & Campbellton-Fairburn Road (S.R. 92) (pg. 3 of 55);  a $14-million park/trail project at Wolf Creek (pg. 39 of 55); and an update on federal CARES Act spending from South Fulton's new, Interim City Manager.  
The Regular City Council Meeting begins at 12 p.m., where requests from developers to rezone land and requests from business owners for liquor licenses are made.  Topics to be discussed at this month's Zoning Hearing include a new subdivision on Wallace Road (pg. 53 of 211) and a new townhouse & detached home subdivision on Camp Valley Road (pg. 28 of 211). 

Old National Councilman khalid held several meetings with the Camp Valley developers, PGO Investments, to address resident concerns about the development. The developer has made several concessions, including reducing the number of townhouses & homes to 153; adding a traffic circle to the dangerous Camp Valley curve; adding sidewalks to trails and amenity areas and a small clubhouse for HOA meetings & events.

Watch Councilman khalid's meeting with Camp Valley developers and submit your questions and comments on this project at khalidCares' Zoning Page.
After the Zoning Hearing, the Regular Meeting begins with Public Comment. Citizens can submit their questions, comments & concerns on any topic, including those discussed in the work session. Topics covered in the Regular Meeting include extending a Zoning Moratorium for Like Uses (liquor stores, gas stations, hair stores, etc, pg. 82 of 211).

Also on the Agenda are controversial ordinances written by Mayor Edwards requiring increased security expenses for restaurants with dancing  (pg. 164 of 211) even as many of these businesses suffer from reduced revenues due to the Coronavirus pandemic. At their October 27 meeting, City Council voted unanimously to hold these ordinances until the mostly Black business owners could meet with the Mayor. That meeting has yet to be scheduled. ​
Council Votes to Hold New Restaurant Regulations until Business Owners Meet with Mayor
​A Special Called Meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. to discuss the overhaul of South Fulton's Zoning Code.  The Zoning Ordinance governs everything from what kinds of businesses are allowed in what areas of our city to what kinds of materials must be used in the construction of homes or commercial storefronts. Today's meeting will be the first of two such meetings before the Rewrite is approved. Learn more at our Zoning Page.

November Meeting First For New (Interim) City Manager

Smyrna City Manager Tammi Saddler Jones has been named as South Fulton's new Assistant City Manager. khalidCares.com/News
Smyrna City Manager Tammi Saddler Jones has been named as South Fulton's new Assistant City Manager.
Tammi Saddler-Jones, who joined the City of South Fulton’s executive leadership team in late October to serve as the Assistant City Manager, has been promoted to Interim City Manager. The promotion came in in the wake of the sudden departure of former City Manager Odie Donald. The November 10 meeting will be Saddler-Jones' first in the new position. 

Saddler-Jones has over 20 years of experience in local government, most recently as the City Administrator for Smyrna since 2017. In 2018, Smyrna made Money Magazine’s 50 Best Places to Live in the United States. Tammi Saddler-Jones earned a Bachelor's in English from Tougaloo College, a Master of Public Administration degree from Ohio State University, and a certificate ICMA Leadership Program.

CITY CALENDAR

Upcoming City of South Fulton, GA Zoning Meetings khalidCares.com/Zoning
Upcoming City of South Fulton, GA Zoning Meetings

ZONING REWRITE HEARINGS
The City of South Fulton is overhauling its Zoning laws, which govern everything from what kinds of businesses are allowed in what areas of our city to what kinds of materials must be used in the construction of homes or commercial storefronts.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 • 3PM

​CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
November & December Regular Meeting Schedule
Work Session & Regular Meeting Combined
Tuesday, November 10 • 10AM
Tuesday, December 9 • 10AM
Work Sessions usually occur the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Work Sessions will not run longer than three hours, from 4PM to 7PM. City Council does not vote in Work Sessions, but uses them to discuss complex issues in deep detail.

Regular Meetings is where voting occurs. These meetings are usually held the 4th Tuesday of each month at 10AM. As is the case with many traditional government bodies, the most contentious topics are placed at the end of the agenda. Regular meetings currently have no set end-time. They begin with Proclamations, Zoning Hearings and Public Comment (this is where citizens can send in or deliver questions & comments directly to City Council). Historically, Council Meetings of this nature last about 6-8 hours.

Daytime meetings were proposed to accommodate daytime work hours of city staff, architects & lawyers for developers (who attend Zoning Hearings) as well as Senior residents. 

Emergency and Special Called Meetings may be called by the Mayor alone, or a quorum (majority) of City Council Members at any time as long as 48 hours notice is provided. 

SOUTH FULTON 101
Understanding Our New City

City of South Fulton, GA Map - Zoomable PDF (khalidCares.com/SouthFulton101)
City of South Fulton, GA (Zoomable PDF)

Do I live in the New City?
Who is My Councilperson?

Step 1: Click the button below to find what Voting Districts you live in for City, County, State & Congressional Elections.

Step 2: Enter Your Street Address in the Fulton County Voting Districts Map.
​
Scroll down to see your City Voting District.

South Fulton
​City Districts & Councilpeople

Click on Concilperson's name to send an email.
District 1
​(Cascades, Fulton Industrial/FIB)
Catherine Rowell
(470) 809-7701
District 2
​(Cliftondale, Wolf Creek)
Carmalitha Gumbs
(​470) 809-7702​
District 3
​(Welcome All/Red Oak)
Helen Z. Willis
(470) 809-7703
District 4
(Cedar Grove, Hwy 92)
Naeema Gilyard
(470) 809-7704
District 5
​(Flat Shoals/Buffington Rd)
Corey Reeves
(470) 809-7705​
District 6
(Old National)​
Councilman khalid
(470) 809-7706​
District 7
(Hwy 138, Oakley Industrial, Fife)
Mark Baker
(470) 809-7707

CITY COUNCIL NEWS

Executive Exodus:
City Manager, Clerk & HR Director Resign
Will Firings of City Attorney & CFO Be Next?

Executive Exodus: City Manager, Clerk & HR Director Resign Will Firing of City Attorney Be Next? (l. to r.) City Manager Odie Donald, City Clerk Diane White, HR Director Anquilla Henderson, City Attorney Emilia Walker khalidCares.com/News
(l. to r.) City Manager Odie Donald, City Clerk Diane White, HR Director Anquilla Henderson, City Attorney Emilia Walker
The final item in the 851-page agenda for South Fulton's City Council meeting this Tuesday is the implementation of House Bill (HB)  921. Earlier this year, State Legislators Roger Bruce & Debra Bazemore authored controversial House Bills (921 and 1019) which dramatically expanded the Mayor of South Fulton's power.

HB 921 could force City Council to create an in-house legal department, estimated to cost between $600,000 and $1 million. City Council allocated no funds in its 2021 Budget to cover such costs. 

The appearance of this item on the Council Agenda comes just weeks after resignations by the City Manager, City Clerk and HR Director; and the resignations of the Assistant City Manager and Communications Director this Summer. 

Also on the Agenda for Tuesday is a City Charter Amendment that would abolish the role of City Treasurer and place the job of Chief Financial Officer under the City Manager's supervision. This means Mr. Milazi, who has served as both Treasurer & CFO since the City was founded, could also be fired this month. ​

Augusta Offers City Manger $240K.
​Will City Council Match Augusta's Offer?

Augusta-Richmond County offered Odie Donald $240K to become their County Manager. khalidCares.com/News
Augusta-Richmond County offered Odie Donald $240K to become their County Manager.
Thursday, October 13 — Last week, Augusta-Richmond's County Commission voted 9-1 to hire Odie Donald II, the city manager of South Fulton, Ga., at a salary of $240,000. The news comes shortly after an announcement of Assistant City Manager Melanie Winfield's resignation to pursue opportunities in the private sector.  

Donald was also a finalist for Savannah's City Administrator position. But Savannah never made Donald a job or salary offer and decided last week to eliminate all three of its finalists and begin the manager search anew, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson told the Augusta Chronicle. 

At the time of this publication, Mr. Donald has announced whether or not he will accept Augusta's offer. Whether or not the South Fulton's City Council will try to match Augusta's offer is also an open question, but Councilman khalid believes it is not a good idea. 

"We passed a City Budget with millions in unfunded public works projects and other issues our residents are eager to see addressed," says khalid. "I like Mr. Donald, but we cannot compete with Augusta — nor should we. They have a much bigger budget and the job there comes with a lot more responsibility."
Augusta-Richmond's total budget in 2019 was $852 million, as opposed to $100 million for the City of South Fulton. khalidCares.com/News
Augusta-Richmond's total budget in 2019 was $852 million, as opposed to $100 million for the City of South Fulton.
Augusta-Richmond is a consolidated city-county government with an $852 million-dollar budget. In addition to the functions of South Fulton's City Council, the 11 members of Augusta's Commission oversee a Board of Elections, airport, animal control, utility company, courts, and 21 citizen boards, including Housing, Ports and other development authorities. ​

In the meantime, City Manager Odie Donald has filled critical vacancies in the City's executive leadership with the hire of a highly-experienced Assistant City Manager (article above)

City Council Considers New Meeting Times

South Fulton's City Council is discussing changing its meeting times. In March, Council voted to move 4th Tuesday's Regular Meeting from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.  These meetings begin with Zoning Hearings — covering building applications from developers, liquor licenses for businesses, etc. — which last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours before 4th Tuesday's Regular Meeting Agenda begins. 

South Fulton Councilman khalid made the original suggestion to move these meetings to 10 a.m. to align with the work schedules of both Zoning Applicants & their attorneys, as well as out of concern for city staff. 

Since 2018, khalid has been calling for to begin Council Meetings in the mornings — as is the practice of Atlanta City Council and the Fulton County Commission. His 2018 proposal, which called for meetings to begin at 1 p.m., included a data trend analysis of all South Fulton Council Meetings since the city was formed (see below).  These data showed the average council meeting time ran 5.5 hours and was growing longer. 
Picture
What Do Other City Councils Do?

SOUTH FULTON'S 2021 BUDGET

A primary responsibility of every level of government — from Congress to your local City Council — is passing a Budget. The City Budget determines how tax dollars collected by the city are spent. The Calendar by which governments (and businesses) spend money is known as the Budget Year or Fiscal Year (FY). 

The City of South Fulton's Fiscal Year begins each October 1 (just like a school calendar, where the 2021 School Year begins in Fall 2020). 

The Federal Government's Fiscal Year also beings October 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County begins January 1.
The Fiscal Year for Fulton County Schools begins July 1. 
The Fiscal Year for the State of Georgia begins July 1. 
Click to read South Fulton's entire FY 2021 Budget khalidCares.com/Budget
Click to read South Fulton's entire FY 2021 Budget.
After holding several Public Hearings to get citizen feedback on the  2021 Budget, South Fulton's City Council will make final decisions on the budget at a Special Council Meeting this Tuesday.

Our 2021 Complete Budget is nearly $110 Million, including T-SPLOST, federal grants and special funds.  Learn more on our Budget Page at the link below. 

#ShopSouthFulton - October Spotlight
​VVS Restaurant & Bar
6175 Old National Hwy, 30349

South Fulton Councilman khalid offers a Sneak Preview of the Southside's hottest new lounge: VVS Restaurant & Bar). From Versace wallpaper to a full menu of late-night dining featuring New Orleans Fusion Cuisine, owner Arle Alston has spared no expense. The Soft Opening is Thursday, October 15. The restaurant is open daily from 12PM to 2AM.

Make and see more #ShopSouthFulton recommendations at the link below.

GOOD NEWS from SOUTH FULTON

Councilman khalid Remembers Civil Rights Legend John Lewis on CBS This Morning

Councilman khalid recalls meeting Congress John Lewis after reading his memoir, Walking with the Wind, which moved him to follow in Lewis' footsteps from protests to politics.  

 ​FREE Confidential HIV Testing
Now at Creel Park

Councilman khalid is on a mission to transform South Fulton's recreation centers into holistic, Community Health Centers. He kicked off this initiative — and National HIV Awareness Month — by bringing FREE, Confidential HIV Testing to Creel Park. Watch hiim take a live HIV test in the video below.

In his 2nd Video Newsletter, City of South Fulton Councilman khalid explains city plans to overhaul it's Parks & Recreation Department, which includes a study of the effectiveness of Athletic Associations, and bringing health screenings & Senior programming to more of the city's parks.  ​

Councilman khalid Promotes South Fulton at Facebook's NYC HQ

1 July 2019 — City of South Fulton, GA Councilman khalid tours Facebook/Instagram’s New York Headquarters with the company's Northeast Public Policy Director. khalid discussed how to build the City's brand and increase South Fulton's visibility on social media.

City of South Fulton is Hiring

Georgia's 5th Largest City from the day of its inception, Atlanta's new Twin City, South Fulton, is always hiring. Click the links below to view current job postings & sign up for new job alerts at the links below. 
Donate to Councilman khalid's Mayoral Campaign via ActBlue https://secure.actblue.com/donate/khalidforMayor
Help Councilman khalid make America's Blackest City Black On Purpose.
South Fulton, GA: Atlanta's New Twin City & The Blackest City in America.
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