Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

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

invocation was given by Mr. Kendall Jones.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Grant.

Members Present:

Mayor Bill Grant

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

Mr. Steve Green, Zoning Administrator

Ms. Bethany Watson, City Engineer

Mr. Nick Wilson, Land Development Administrator

Ms. Lauren Johnson, Communications Manager

Mr. Ryan Luckett, Finance Director

Mr. Mike Morgan, Information Technology Director

Ms. Annie Fortner, City Clerk

Absent:

Mayor Pro Tem Shawn Tolan

Consideration to Approve Agenda

Councilmember Waterman made a motion to approve the agenda.

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

Guests and Visitors

Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) Team Presentation of

Certificate of Completion

Housing Initiatives Director Ken Patton discussed that the City has been part of

the program for the past three years and has now graduated. The City will

continue to be a Certified Alumni Community. Member of the Georgia Initiative

for Community Housing (GICH) Team include Ken Patton, Brantley Day, Briana

Stewart, Catherine Long, Chris Coulter, Chuck Ware, David Moody, De Gale,

Hope Bowling, Jacquelyn Loberg, Jennifer Hughes, Katherine Ortwerth, Kendall

Jones, Kevin Turner, Lauren Johnson, Leonard Akers, Mitch Hamilton, Nancy

Tucker, Shawn Tolan, Sonia Carruthers, Tannish Welch, and Tracie Sanchez.

Consideration to Approve Minutes

Council Meeting Draft Minutes - November 20, 2025

Minutes - Council Meeting - November 20, 2025

Attachments:

Councilmember Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes.

Councilmember McGrew seconded the motion, and it was approved

unanimously.

Informational Items

Information Only - Cases ZCA2510-003 and VAR2510-001 - Request to

Amend Previous Zoning Conditions to Allow Commercial and Office Use in

Lieu of Condominiums, Eliminate Required Gates on Private Streets, and

Provide Sidewalks along One Side of the Private Streets at River Green

Village - Zoning Administrator Steve Green

ZCA2510-003 & VAR2510-001 Documentation

Attachments:

Zoning Administrator Steve Green discussed that this pod of River Green was

originally planned to have commercial uses. The developer received a change to

the zoning in 2021 to allow more residential in this pod. One of the items

approved in that change were two-12-unit stacked condo buildings and a

commercial building with a drive-thru. Mr. Green explained that the commercial

component within this pod has done well with leasing and sales so the current

developer is seeking to eliminate the two condo buildings and replace them with

two commercial buildings totaling 8,900 square feet. Additionally, the developer

seeks two concurrent variances: 1) Removal the requirement for sidewalks on

both sides of the streets. The developer wants to eliminate sidewalks along the

roadways where it connects driveways at the rear of residential units; 2) Removal

the requirement that the private streets be gated. Mr. Green stated the public

hearing will be held at the first meeting in January.

Information Only - Case RZON2510-005 - Request to Rezone Property at 264

Marietta Highway from O-I (Office-Institutional) to GC (General Commercial) -

Zoning Administrator Steve Green

RZON2510-005 Documentation

Attachments:

Mr. Green informed that the applicant seeks to rezone the property from O-I

(Office-Institutional) to GC (General Commercial) for the proposed use of a

residential facility for treatment program participants. The current O-I zoning

does not allow for residential treatment programs. Mr. Green stated the public

hearing will be held at the first meeting in January.

Other Announcements

Councilmember Yawn spoke a recent open house held for the Georgia

Department of Transportation (GDOT) to discuss upcoming roadway

improvements along Highway 20. GDOT will be accepting public comments

until December 11th. A link to provide feedback can be found on the City’s

website.

Ten Minute Public Input

None

Consent Agenda

None

10.

Old Business

Discussion and Possible Action on Cases ANNX2509-003 and

RZON2509-008 - Request to Annex and Rezone +/- 4.85 Acres for the

Purposes of Developing a Single Family Detached Subdivision Along Fate

Conn Road - Zoning Administrator Steve Green

Fate Conn Road Documentation

Attachments:

Mr. Green reviewed the case details provided at the November 6th public

hearing. After further consideration following the public hearing, staff have

amended their recommendation for approval suggesting that the property be

rezoned to a R-10 (10,000 square foot minimum lot size) zoning instead of the

requested R-4. In addition to recommending approval of a R-10 zoning, staff

would suggest the following conditions: 1) The rear setback line shall be thirty

(30) feet. 2) An eight (8) foot solid wood screening fence shall be constructed

along the north, south and west property lines. 3) A five (5) foot no access

easement shall be placed along the property frontage of Fate Conn Road. This

easement shall be shown on all Land Disturbance Permits and the final plat. 4)

The owner/developer shall donate a mitigation fee per unit as determined by an

agreement between the owner/developer and the Cherokee County School

Board. This mitigation fee shall be paid prior to the issuance of the first building

permit. This shall be paid as one lump sum and not on a permit-by-permit basis.

5) Any non-substantial change may be administratively approved. 6) The

required buffer along the north property line, adjacent to unincorporated

Cherokee County is reduced to twenty-five (25) feet. Councilmember Roach

made a motion to approve cases ANNX2509-003 and RZON2509-008 with a R-10

zoning including the conditions as stated by Mr. Green with a maximum of

fifteen (15) single family homes. Councilmember Waterman seconded the

motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Discussion and Possible Action on Case RZON2503-001 - Request to

Rezone Property at 100 Cherokee Street from R-20 (Single Family

Residential) to CBD (Central Business District) - Zoning Administrator Steve

Green

RZON2503-001 Documentation

Attachments:

Mr. Green reviewed the case details provided at the November 6th public

hearing. Staff recommends denial of the rezoning due to the site not being

compatible with the Future Land Use Map and the absence of adjacent

commercial businesses. Staff believes this would be spot zoning. Mr. Green

stated that if Council wishes to approve, staff recommends the following: 1) The

owner/applicant install concrete or asphalt parking area as required by code. 2)

Approval of the requested stream buffer variance as the encroachment is not due

to measures taken by the owner but rather ordinance change. Councilmember

Roach made a motion to deny the rezoning application. Councilmember

Waterman seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Discussion and Possible Action on Agreement to Provide a Sewer Credit for

Northside Hospital Cherokee's Cooling Tower - Assistant City Manager

Nathan Ingram

NHC Cooling Tower Agreement

Attachments:

Assistant City Manager Nathan Ingram stated that staff recommends approval of

the proposed agreement which outlines a procedure for providing a sewer-only

credit to Northside Hospital-Cherokee based upon the evaporation of water from

its cooling tower. The meters have been installed and are communicating with

the City’s AMI system. Councilmember Yawn made a motion to approve the

agreement to provide monthly sewer credits to Northside Hospital Cherokee and

authorize the Mayor to sign the Resolution. Councilmember Johnson seconded

the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Discussion and Possible Action on Proposed Engagement to Repair/Replace

the Roof on the Public Safety Building - Assistant City Manager Nathan

Ingram

Public Safety Building Roof

Attachments:

Mr. Ingram stated that staff recommends approval of the proposal from Croft

Engineering for architectural services and managing the roof replacement

project. The proposal is for $37,600. It is hoped that the work will be completed

before the beginning of summer. Councilmember Waterman made a motion to

approve an engagement with CROFT & Associates to provide services toward

installation of a new roof on the Canton Public Safety Building, for a cost not to

exceed $37,600. Councilmember Roach seconded the motion, and it was

approved unanimously.

Discussion and Possible Action on River Green Street Lights - City Engineer

Bethany Watson

River Green Street Lights

Attachments:

City Engineer Bethany Watson discussed that there are 50 streetlights along River

Green Avenue and River Bend Way that were purchased and installed by the

original developer of the neighborhood. These lights have not been maintained

by Georgia Power or the City. Ms. Watson noted that Georgia Power has

informed that the cost to replace these lights and wiring is $339,000. Following

the discussion at the last Council meeting, staff has determined that there are 187

lots remaining to be constructed within River Green. If the City were to

implement an Add-On Fee, this would be an estimated $1,800 per lot. Staff

would recommend that the City moves forward with the lights (as there is a safety

concern) on the condition that costs be divided as follows: 25% paid by the City

through SPLOST, 50% paid by the River Green Community (either through the

HOA or through the addition of a streetlight fee to utility bills), the remaining

25% be assessed to unbuilt lots via an Add-On Fee. Councilmember Yawn made

a motion to approve proceeding with the replacement of the streetlights in River

Green using the funding schedule as suggested by staff. Councilmember

Waterman seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Discussion and Possible Action on Replacement Membranes for Water

Pollution Control Plant - City Engineer Bethany Watson

Water Pollution Control Plant Replacement Membranes

Attachments:

Ms. Watson stated that the City will need to replace the membranes at the Water

Pollution Control Plant. Last summer, the City Council approved the removal of

membranes for cleaning and while the cleaning was successful, the cost of the

cleaning per membrane is not efficient given the cost to buy new with warranty.

Ms. Watson discussed that staff negotiated with Veolia, the current vendor, a cost

reduction of the replacement of all 16 membranes or 4 trains from $2.2 million to

$1.7 million. Ms. Watson stated that if these are ordered by December 7th, the

lead time for delivery is 8 weeks. These are manufactured in Hungary and there

is currently a 15% tariff. Ms. Watson noted that orders after December 7th may

result in a 12–16-week lead time. Staff and H2O recommend the replacement of

all membranes and the short time frame as this best lines up with completion of

the plant project. Councilmember McGrew made a motion to approve the

proposal from Veolia for the replacement of membranes at the Water Pollution

Control Plant facility at a total not to exceed cost of $2.2 million.

Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion, and it was approved

unanimously.

Discussion of Atkins Change Order Request for Water Pollution Control Plant

- City Engineer Bethany Watson

Atkins Change Order

Attachments:

Ms. Watson reviewed the following timeline:

AtkinsRealis submitted a Change Order (CO) request to the City of Canton on

February 26, 2025.

1. The request was for $495,469 based upon the revised completion schedule of

December 11, 2025 from the original September 24, 2024.

2. They sought 459 additional hours of project management fees and 2,420

additional hours of resident project representative fees.

At this time of this request, the City was also negotiating a Time Impact Analysis

(TIA) request with Clark/Reeves Young (CRY), the construction team on the

project. CRY was seeking more than $4M based upon time impacts from design

concerns related to the motor control center and the initial AtkinsRealis electrical

designs.

The City approved the TIA with Clark/Reeves Young with CRY agreeing to reduce

the TIA claim to $2.7M. This was approved on September 18, 2025.

AtkinsRealis issued a second Change Order request on October 7, 2025 noting

the completion of the TIA with CRY being completed. Updated in this request

was:

1. Completion date being pushed from December 11, 2025 to April 23, 2026 and

a Change Order cost of $621,332.

2. They sought 506 hours of project management fees and 3,146 hours of

resident project representative fees.

On November 10, the City denied the Atkins CO request based upon the

following:

1. The request was not substantiated based upon evidence that the costs were

result of

Changes to project scope

Unforeseen site conditions

Errors or omissions attributable to the Owner

2. Additionally, the denial noted that an email from the project engineer on

March 7, 2025 acknowledges the merit of the TIA related to the MCC delivery

schedule delay and original design concerns while also agreeing to the 174-day

TIA.

3. The City accepted responsibility for the TIA at $2.7M and noted that it would

not approve additional fees to Atkins related to the same circumstances that have

already been compensated.

AtkinsRealis disagreed with the City’s denial and requested reconsideration from

the City Council with a new letter. A copy of the letter can be found in the

agenda item attachment.

11.

New Business

Discussion of the Proposal for Great Sky Pump Station Odor Control Design

from Black & Veatch in the Estimated Amount of $259,485 - City Engineer

Bethany Watson

Great Sky Pump Station Odor Control

Attachments:

Ms. 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 stated that both

near-term options have been implemented, however concerns are still present.

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 noted that design is expected to take six to eight months.

Discussion of 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. This work includes project management and coordination, assistance

with bid documents, bid question responses, bi-weekly construction meetings,

shop drawing review, pre-construction meetings, responding to requests for

information, up to three construction site visits during construction, final

inspection and punch list, and initial erosion inspection.

12.

City Manager's Report

Mr. Peppers stated that a groundbreaking ceremony took place at the location of

the new South Canton Park. It is estimated that completion of the park will be

around the first quarter of 2027. Mr. Peppers informed that Council will hold a

Year in Review Work Session on December 12th in which staff will discuss the

accomplishments of this year as well as a look of what is ahead in 2026. The

Canton Village Shopping Center is in the process of remediation and demolition

will soon follow. Mr. Peppers provided an update on the pedestrian bridge

across Canton Creek that is currently under construction. Mr. Peppers

recognized Ms. Velinda Hardy as the Team Member of the Month.

13.

14.

Council Introduced Items

None

Mayor's Report

Board and Commission Appointments

Mayor Grant made the following nominations for the Canton Housing Authority:

Wes Latimer to replace Darrell Rice (unexpired term ending December 31,

2027)

De Gale to replace Jeanette D’Amico (term expiring December 31, 2025)

Mayor Grant also made the following nominations for the Canton Tourism Board:

Keith Johnston to replace Micki Farley (nominated by Mayor Grant)

Chicka Elloy to replace Phil Hardwick (nominated by Mayor Pro Tem Tolan)

Councilmember Johnson seconded the nominations and they were approved

unanimously.

15.

Adjourn to Executive Session to Discuss Real Estate and

Litigation

Councilmember Waterman made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to

discuss real estate and litigation. Councilmember Yawn seconded the motion,

and it was approved unanimously.

_______________________________________

Bill Grant, Mayor

Attest:

_______________________________________

Annie Fortner, City Clerk

_______________________________________

Dates Minutes Approved by Council