Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

The Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag was led by Mayor Grant and an

invocation was given by City Manager Billy Peppers.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Grant.

Members Present:

Mayor Bill Grant

Mayor Pro Tem Dwayne Waterman

Councilmember Farris Yawn

Councilmember Shawn Tolan

Councilmember Bryan Roach

Councilmember Travis Johnson

Mr. Billy Peppers, City Manager

Mr. Nathan Ingram, Assistant City Manager

Mr. Bobby Dyer, City Attorney

Mr. Marty Ferrell, Police Chief

Mr. Ken Patton, Housing Initiatives Director

Ms. Bethany Watson, City Engineer

Mr. Kevin Turner, Community Development Director

Ms. Linda Buchanan, Customer Service Manager

Ms. Kelly Pendley, Public Works Operations Director

Ms. Hannah Stringer, Accountant

Ms. Amy Thomas, Human Resources Coordinator

Mr. Anderson Nations, Code Compliance

Ms. Marietta Carlisi, Records Technician

Mr. Alec Robles, Crime Analyst

Ms. Arielle Hill, Customer Service Representative

Mr. Russell Martin, IT Systems Analyst

Ms. Annie Fortner, City Clerk

Absent:

Councilmember Sandy McGrew

Consideration to Approve Agenda

Mayor Grant stated an Executive Session needed to be added for the

discussion of real estate and litigation. Councilmember Yawn made a motion

to approve the agenda as amended. Mayor Pro Tem Waterman seconded the

motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Guests and Visitors

Mr. Peppers provided an introduction of new City staff members:

Ms. Amy Thomas, Human Resources Coordinator

Ms. Hannah Stringer, Accountant

Mr. Austin Phillips, Building & Fire Safety Technician

Mr. Anderson Nations, Code Enforcement

Mr. Larkin Wilson, Police Department Cadet

Mr. Marty Ferrell, Police of Chief

Ms. Marietta Carlisi, Records Technician

Mr. Richard May, Police Department

Ms. Arielle Hill, Customer Service Representative

Mr. Walker Bunch, Public Woks Technician

Ms. Ashley Hartwig, Theatre Assistant

Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial

Report - Clay Pilgrim with Rushton & Company Certified Public

Accountants - Attachment 4A

2023 Financial Report

Attachments:

Mr. Clay Pilgrim with Rushton & Company, LLC presented the audit report for

the fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2023 noting an unmodified opinion

on the financial statements has been given to the City. Mr. Pilgram thanked the

entire Canton team for being helpful throughout the audit process. Mr. Pilgrim

reviewed the City’s net position and change for the last three years and

discussed revenues, expenditures, and fund balance of the General Fund. Mr.

Pilgrim further reviewed the operating revenues and expenses of the Water and

Sewer Fund. Mr. Pilgrim stated no material weaknesses and no significant

deficiencies were noted in the internal controls of the City of Canton and no

instances of material noncompliance or other matters were noted. Lastly, Mr.

Pilgrim discussed current and future reporting changes.

Presentation of 2023 Annual Report from the City of Canton Police

Department - Crime Analyst Alec Robles - Attachment 4B

Annual Police Department Report

Attachments:

Crime Analyst Alec Robles provided the Council with the 2023 Operational

Report. Mr. Robles discussed the department’s new reporting system, how it

differs from the previous system, and the conversion of data. Mr. Robles

reviewed information of the total calls for service, Group A crime cases, and

accidents for 2023. Mr. Robles spoke about the Criminal Investigations

Division’s total cases and the intake and disposition of property and evidence.

Mr. Robles informed of the number of training hours received by the

department, promotions, and citizens served by the Records Department.

Consideration to Approve Minutes

Council Meeting Draft Minutes - April 4, 2024 - Attachment 5A

Minutes - Council Meeting - April 4, 2024

Attachments:

Mayor Pro Tem Waterman made a motion to approve the minutes.

Councilmember Tolan seconded the motion, and it was approved

unanimously.

Informational Items

Mr. Peppers reviewed the upcoming Georgia Cities Week events and activities.

Other Announcements

None.

Ten Minute Public Input

Mr. Michael Burnley spoke about parking and speeding concerns in the Hidden

Creek neighborhood.

Consent Agenda

Approval of Adopting the City of Canton Sustainability Plan - Public

Works Operations Manager Kelly Pendley - Attachment 9A

City of Canton Sustainability Plan

Attachments:

Approval of a Contract for Pest Control Services - Assistant City Manager

Nathan Ingram - Attachment 9B

Pest Control Services

Attachments:

Approval of the Municipal Services Agreement for Animal Control

between the City of Canton and Cherokee County - City Manager Billy

Peppers - Attachment 9C

Animal Control Agreement

Attachments:

Councilmember Yawn made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.

Councilmember Roach seconded the motion, and it was approved

unanimously.

10.

Old Business

Discussion and Possible Approval of the Letter of Support for the TBG

Senior Residential Project Application with Georgia Department of

Community Affairs and Update on Funding Request - Housing Initiatives

Director Ken Patton - Attachment 10A

TBG Residential Project

Attachments:

Housing Initiatives Director Ken Patton discussed the application process with

the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the point system they use

for approval. The letter of support will help obtain points for this state-wide

competitive process. Mr. Peppers stated the Canton Housing Authority will

have a board meeting next week and the City will provide them with a

Memorandum of Understanding for their consideration if they would like to

participate as the lender on this project on behalf of the City. Mr. Patton

discussed the number of affordable housing units within the proposed project

as well as throughout the City. Mayor Grant noted the letter of support would

be for Phase 1 (96 units) of this project. Mr. Patton stated that was correct.

Councilmember Tolan made a motion to approve the drafting of a letter of

support for TBG’s application for the competitive Low-Income Housing Tax

Credit program of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and authorize

the Mayor to sign such letter. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion,

and it was approved unanimously.

11.

New Business

Discussion of Title VI Annual Update - City Engineer Bethany Watson -

Attachment 11A

Title VI Update

Attachments:

City Engineer Bethany Watson stated this item is a yearly update required for

the City to remain Local Administered Project (LAP) certified and manage

federally funded projects. Ms. Watson noted there are no changes from the

previous policy.

Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution to Submit Application for

Transportation Improvement Project Solicitation 2024 and Funding

Commitment - City Engineer Bethany Watson - Attachment 11B

TIP Solicitation

Attachments:

Ms. Watson stated this request is for both the State Route 140 at State Route 5

(Marietta Highway) and State Route 140 at State Route 5 (Reinhardt College

Parkway) projects. Ms. Watson noted there is an increase in cost for both

projects as the original estimates were provided back in 2017. The resolution

is for the City’s 20% match portion. Of the 20% cost, 34.2% will come from

Impact Fees and the remainder will be paid for with Special Purpose Local

Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). Mayor Pro Tem Waterman made a motion to

approve a resolution to submit the application for TIP Solicitation 2024 and

funding commitment. Councilmember Roach seconded the motion, and it was

approved unanimously.

Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution to Authorize the City of

Canton to Enter into a Local Government Lighting Project Agreement with

the Georgia Department of Transportation - City Engineer Bethany

Watson - Attachment 11C

Lighting Project Agreement

Attachments:

Ms. Watson discussed that the project mentioned in the previous agenda item

at State Route 140 at State Route 5 (Reinhardt College Parkway) will become a

roundabout. During this project, the Georgia Department of Transportation will

be installing lighting. The agreement states that the City is responsible for

energy, maintenance, and operation of that lighting. Councilmember Roach

made a motion to approve the resolution to authorize the City of Canton to

enter into a Local Government Lighting Project Agreement with the Georgia

Department of Transportation. Mayor Pro Tem Waterman seconded the

motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Discussion of West Main Street Pedestrian Corridor - Right of Way

Acquisition Services and Drainage Redesign - City Engineer Bethany

Watson - Attachment 11D

West Main Street Pedestrian Corridor

Attachments:

Ms. Watson stated the anticipated scope of work includes right of way project

management services, right of way negotiation services, and redesign of

drainage. Ms. Watson stated the pricing would be a worst-case scenario. Staff

will be contacting the nine property owners within the project area.

Discussion and Possible Action on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Transition Plan Update - City Engineer Bethany Watson - Attachment 11E

ADA Transition Plan Update

Attachments:

Ms. Watson stated there is a requirement to have an Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan to receive federal funds for projects. The

plan was originally adopted in 2012. Ms. Watson discussed the self-evaluation

conducted at all City buildings. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will look

at ADA within all City parks. Ms. Watson stated funding will be requested

during the fiscal year 2025 budget for an evaluation of City sidewalks.

Councilmember Tolan made a motion to approve the ADA Transition Plan

update. Councilmember Yawn seconded the motion, and it was approved

unanimously.

12.

City Manager's Report

Mr. Peppers stated the March Operations Report is now available. Mr. Peppers

stated the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) approved a Tax Allocation

District (TAD) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a multifamily

development at The Mill on Etowah. They are currently working on a

Development Agreement which will come before the Council in the next few

months. Mr. Peppers stated an agenda item will come to Council at the next

meeting for the Police Department to enter into a contract with Axon for

body-worn and dash cameras. Mr. Peppers provided information received at a

recent meeting with the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority

(CCWSA). Mr. Peppers provided the background of the establishment of

CCWSA, spoke about how the multiple jurisdictions within the County buy and

sale water to serve their residents, and discussed the possibility of having the

City’s wholesale customer capacity changed from around 700,000 gallons per

day to up to 270,000 gallons per day. This is due to a policy set by the CCWSA

Board. Mr. Peppers spoke about issues that may arise from this and noted he

will be attending CCWSA’s next board meeting to discuss these issues. Mr.

Peppers recognized Ms. Josefa Hart as the Team Member of the Month,

Corporal Courtney Rogers for receiving a scholarship through the Rotary Club,

Officer Alex Bacon for his upcoming six-month deployment, and the Public

Works Department for their efforts during the recent storm cleanup and CDL

learners permits received. Mr. Peppers reviewed the upcoming budget and

millage rate timeline. Mr. Peppers addressed the comments received during

the Ten Minute Public Input. Mr. Peppers discussed the City’s traffic calming

policy and possible parking solutions. Mr. Peppers stated that the

Homeowner’s Association should provide a proposed solution to the City.

13.

14.

Council Introduced Items

None.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Grant appointed Mr. Jim Ledford to the Board of Appeals.

Councilmember Johnson appointed Ms. Teresa Ramsey to the Canton Tourism

Board and Mr. Jared Teutsch to the Environmental and Sustainability Advisory

Board. Councilmember Yawn seconded the appointments and they were

approved unanimously.

15.

Adjourn

Mayor Pro Tem Waterman made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to

discuss real estate and litigation. Councilmember Roach seconded the

motion, and it was approved unanimously.