Canton, Georgia  
110 Academy Street  
Canton, Georgia 30114  
Minutes - Final - Final  
Thursday, December 18, 2025  
6:00 PM  
City Hall  
110 Academy Street  
City Council  
1.  
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. Following the invocation,  
Councilmember Sandy McGrew was presented with a rocking chair and thanked  
for her 12 years of dedicated service to the City of Canton.  
2.  
Call to Order  
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Grant.  
Members Present:  
Mayor Bill Grant  
Mayor Pro Tem Shawn Tolan  
Councilmember Sandy McGrew  
Councilmember Dwayne Waterman  
Councilmember Bryan Roach  
Councilmember Travis Johnson  
Councilmember Farris Yawn  
Mr. Billy Peppers, City Manager  
Mr. Nathan Ingram, Assistant City Manager  
Mr. Bobby Dyer, City Attorney  
Mr. Marty Ferrell, Police Chief  
Mr. Kevin Turner, Community Development Director  
Mr. Tyler Peoples, City Planner  
Mr. Jakob Allen, City Planner  
Mr. Ken Patton, Housing Initiatives Director  
Ms. Bethany Watson, City Engineer  
Mr. Nick Wilson, Land Development Administrator  
Mr. Scott Hooper, Public Works Director  
Ms. Lauren Johnson, Communications Manager  
Mr. Russell Martin, IT Systems Analyst  
Ms. Annie Fortner, City Clerk  
Absent:  
None  
3.  
4.  
Consideration to Approve Agenda  
Mayor Pro Tem Tolan made a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember  
Johnson seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.  
Guests and Visitors  
None  
5.  
Public Hearings  
A.  
Public Hearing, Discussion, and Possible Action on Update to City of Canton  
Impact Fee Methodology and Fee Schedule - Community Development  
Director Kevin Turner  
Update to Impact Fee Methodology and Fee Schedule  
Attachments:  
Community Development Director Kevin Turner stated that two public hearings  
are required. The only change that has occurred since the last public hearing  
was the inclusion of TSPLOST. Mr. Turner reviewed the information that was  
presented to Council at the November 20th public hearing. A copy of the Impact  
Fee Methodology and Fee Schedule as well as the PowerPoint presentation  
provided to Council can be requested from the Office of the City Clerk. Mayor  
Grant opened the public hearing. Mr. Taylor Steele spoke thanking Council for  
taking on the endeavor of studying the methodology and fee schedule. Mr.  
Steele also discussed concern with basing costs on house size and suggested  
that Council consider a flat fee. Mayor Grant closed the public hearing and  
opened the discussion to Council. Mayor Grant discussed the benefits of  
increasing the City’s Impact Fees and spoke about the standards the City has to  
guide growth. Councilmember Johnson asked if other jurisdictions use flat rates  
for residential Impact Fees. Mr. Turner stated that some do however the  
consultants are recommending to implement a tiered approach. Councilmember  
Roach asked if Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) would be charged Impact Fees.  
Mr. Turner stated no. Council and staff discussed the reasoning and concerns  
regarding the tiered structure for residential Impact Fees. Impact Fees are  
generally studied/reviewed every 5-10 years. Councilmember Waterman made a  
motion to approve the update to the Impact Fee Methodology and Fee Schedule.  
Councilmember McGrew seconded the motion. The motion passed with Mayor  
Pro Tem Tolan, Councilmember Yawn, Councilmember Johnson,  
Councilmember Waterman, and Councilmember McGrew voting for the motion.  
Councilmember Roach voted against the motion.  
B.  
Public Hearing, Discussion, and Possible Action to Transmit Capital  
Improvements Element Amendment - Community Development Director  
Kevin Turner  
Capital Improvements Element Amendment  
Attachments:  
Mr. Turner informed that the recently approved methodology must be reported  
and reviewed by the state. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing. There being  
no one signed up to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing.  
Councilmember Yawn made a motion to approve the resolution to transmit the  
Capital Improvements Element Amendment. Councilmember Johnson seconded  
the motion. The motion passed with Mayor Pro Tem Tolan, Councilmember  
Yawn, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Waterman, and  
Councilmember McGrew voting for the motion. Councilmember Roach voted  
against the motion.  
6.  
Consideration to Approve Minutes  
A.  
Council Meeting Draft Minutes - December 4, 2025  
Minutes - Council Meeting - December 4, 2025  
Attachments:  
Councilmember Yawn made a motion to approve the minutes. Councilmember  
Johnson seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.  
7.  
Informational Items  
None  
8.  
Other Announcements  
None  
9.  
Ten Minute Public Input  
Mr. Taylor Steele spoke about concerns with growth including schools reaching  
capacity, traffic congestion, complaints about current infrastructure, and loss of  
greenspace. Mr. Steele cautioned Council about any new annexations.  
10.  
Consent Agenda  
None  
11.  
Old Business  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Action to Ratify the Appointments of the Two  
At-Large Positions and the Cherokee Office of Economic Development  
Position for the Cherokee Regional Land Bank Authority - Housing Initiatives  
Director Ken Patton  
Regional Land Bank Authority Appointments  
Attachments:  
Housing Initiatives Director Ken Patton discussed that in August, the City Council  
approved an intergovernmental agreement with Cherokee County to start a  
Cherokee Regional Land Bank Authority. This was approved unanimously. In  
September, the City Council approved the City’s appointment to the Board of the  
Cherokee Regional Land Bank Authority, Mr. Bobby Dyer. Mr. Patton noted  
there are two at-large seats on the board. Those are nominated to be Greg Elder  
and David Moody. Additionally, the new authority includes a representative from  
the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED). That board member has  
been nominated by COED to be Ashley Holcomb. Mayor Pro Tem Tolan made a  
motion to approve the appointment of Greg Elder and David Moody for the two  
at-large Board positions and ratify the appointment of Ashley Holcomb as the  
appointment for the Office of Economic Development Board position.  
Councilmember McGrew seconded the motion, and it was approved  
unanimously.  
B.  
Discussion and Possible Action on the Proposal for Great Sky Pump Station  
Odor Control Design from Black & Veatch in the Amount of $259,485 - City  
Engineer Bethany Watson  
Great Sky Pump Station Odor Control  
Attachments:  
City Engineer Bethany Watson discussed that Black & Veatch was given Task  
Order 11 to review the odors in the area and determine mitigation options. They  
provided two near-term options and two long-term options. Ms. Watson  
explained that both near-term options have been implemented, but concerns  
linger. Staff recommends moving forward with long-term Alternative 2 which  
installs a hybrid system combining biotrickling filtration and dry adsorption in a  
single vessel. Ms. Watson provided a background of the pump station and the  
odor complaints received. It was noted that this option should not need any  
major replacements for ten years. Ms. Watson stated that this proposal is for  
design and bidding services as well as engineering services to include  
preliminary investigations, field surveys, design and construction documents,  
and bid and pre-award services. Councilmember McGrew made a motion to  
approve the proposal for the Great Sky Pump Station Odor Control Design from  
Black & Veatch not to exceed the amount of $259,485. Councilmember Johnson  
seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.  
C.  
Discussion and Possible Action on BCC Engineering, LLC d/b/a Heath &  
Lineback Construction Administration Services for the River Mill Pedestrian  
Bridge and Trail at The Mill on Etowah in the Amount of $97,500 - City  
Engineer Bethany Watson  
Heath & Lineback Administration Services  
Attachments:  
Ms. Watson stated that with construction documents nearing completion, staff  
recommends approval of a proposal with BCC Engineering, LCC d/b/a Heath and  
Lineback for construction administration services for the project in the amount of  
$97,500. Councilmember Roach made a motion to approve Engineering, LLC  
d/b/a Heath & Lineback Construction Administration Services for the River Mill  
Pedestrian Bridge and Trail at the Mill on Etowah in the amount not to exceed  
$97,500. Mayor Pro Tem Tolan seconded the motion, and it was approved  
unanimously.  
12.  
New Business  
A.  
Discussion of the Replacement of the Laurel Canyon Parkway Guardrail  
Utilizing the Safety Action Plan Grant - Public Works Director Scott Hooper  
Laurel Canyon Parkway Guardrail  
Attachments:  
Public Works Director Scott Hooper stated that the City was awarded the Safety  
Action Plan Grant in the amount of $138,460 with a 30% match to City. A section  
of guardrail along Laurel Canyon Parkway was identified as needing replacement  
due to damaged and deteriorating wood. Mr. Hooper noted that several  
contractors were contacted to place bids on this work. One contractor provided  
a bid to replace the wooden guardrail with a brown coated steel guardrail. Staff  
recommends the steel replacement due to the ease of maintenance.  
13.  
City Manager's Report  
Mr. Peppers stated that City offices would be closed December 24th – 26th for the  
holidays. The City will hold the organizational Council meeting on Thursday,  
January 8th. The State of the City Address will be presented on Thursday,  
January 29th. Mr. Peppers provided slides reviewing the work and initiatives of  
Councilmember McGrew during her 12 years in office.  
Councilmember Waterman asked if staff has followed up with River Green  
regarding the streetlights. Mr. Peppers stated staff is working to set up a meeting  
with the HOA.  
14.  
15.  
Council Introduced Items  
None  
Mayor's Report  
Mayor Grant discussed the important work being done by the Downtown  
Development Authority and with there being a vacancy on that board, it has been  
difficult at times to have a quorum at meetings. Mayor Grant stated that  
members of Mayor and Council are allowed to serve on that board and appointed  
himself to serve until other appointments can be made. Mayor Pro Tem Tolan  
seconded the appointment. Council discussed that this could be an interim  
appointment and be reevaluated later. The appointment was approved  
unanimously.  
Mayor Grant thanked Councilmember McGrew for her service and wished her  
well. Mayor Grant also thanked Council and staff for a productive year and  
wished everyone Happy Holidays.  
16.  
Adjourn  
Councilmember McGrew made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Yawn  
seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.  
_______________________________________  
Bill Grant, Mayor  
Attest:  
_______________________________________  
Annie Fortner, City Clerk  
_______________________________________  
Dates Minutes Approved by Council