Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

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

invocation was given by Councilmember Johnson.

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 Sandy McGrew

Councilmember Bryan Roach

Councilmember Travis Johnson

Mr. Billy Peppers, City Manager

Mr. Nathan Ingram, Assistant City Manager

Mr. Bobby Dyer, City Attorney

Ms. Melissa Forrester, Finance Director

Mr. Steve Green, Zoning Administrator

Mr. Ken Patton, Housing Initiatives Director

Ms. Brittany Anderson, City Planner

Mr. Kevin Turner, Community Development Director

Mr. Marty Ferrell, Police Chief

Ms. Lauren Johnson, Communications Manager

Ms. Kristin Norton Green, Theatre Events and Facilities Director

Ms. Kelly Pendley, Public Works Operations Director

Mr. Mike Morgan, Information Technology Director

Ms. Annie Fortner, City Clerk

Absent:

None

Consideration to Approve Agenda

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

of real estate and litigation. Mayor Pro Tem Waterman made a motion to

approve the agenda as amended. Councilmember Yawn seconded the motion,

and it was approved unanimously.

Guests and Visitors

Introduction of Police Chief Marty Ferrell

Mayor Grant introduced Mr. Marty Ferrell as the City’s new Police Chief. A

welcome reception will be held at 5:00 pm ahead of the next Council meeting for

all new staff members.

Presentation of Proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month

Mayor Grant read and presented a proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention

Month to Ms. Michelle Meek with The Children’s Haven and Ms. Haley Gagner

with Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services.

Presentation of Proclamation for Safe Digging Month

Mayor Grant read and presented a proclamation for Safe Digging Month to Mr.

Joe Ordway with AT&T.

Presentation of City of Canton Sustainability Plan and Updates on City

Projects - Jen Miller with Schneider Electric - Attachment 4D

Sustainability Plan Presentation

Attachments:

Ms. Jen Miller, Program Director with Schneider Electric, provided a

presentation that reviewed the core project team members and discussed the

program goals and scope overview. Ms. Miller spoke about the financial impact

the projects will have on the City. Ms. Marissa Joseph, Regional Client

Coordinator with Schneider Electric, provided the Council with updates on the

roof replacement project at City Hall and the solar-covered picnic table at

Heritage Park. Ms. Joseph discussed the upcoming projects at Etowah River

Park and City Hall. Mr. Philip Dodson, Construction Project Manager with

Schneider Electric, reviewed the project timeline. Ms. Miller stated another

update will be provided to the Council around August. Ms. Miller presented the

Sustainability Plan. Ms. Miller discussed the plan development process as

developing a vision, capturing progress and identifying metrics, and establishing

goals, tasks, and timelines. Ms. Miller spoke about research and stakeholder

engagement. Ms. Miller reviewed the plan overview and layout. Adoption of the

Sustainability Plan will be asked for at the next Council meeting.

Presentation and Discussion of TBG Residential Project to Include Approval

of Support Letter for Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) and

Proposed Loan - Sarah Buckner and Anna Marie Fulbright with TBG

Residential - Attachment 4E

TBG Residential Presentation

Attachments:

Ms. Sarah Buckner with TBG Residential provided the Council with a

presentation which discussed the history of the company and noted TBG

develops, constructs, and manages their communities. Ms. Buckner spoke about

their current developments within Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee and

provided pictures of some of those communities. Ms. Anna Marie Fullbright

with TBG Residential discussed the proposed Summit at Hickory Creek

development located off Bluffs Parkway and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

Ms. Fullbright stated they are seeking a letter of support from the City to include

in their application to the Department of Community Affairs for tax credits as well

as a potential loan in support of the development. Ms. Fullbright discussed the

conceptual plan and noted there are two phases of the development. Ms.

Fullbright reviewed the proposed amenities, rent ranges to serve residents at

50%, 60%, and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and unit mix within the

four-story buildings. Ms. Fullbright discussed other Georgia Initiative for

Community Housing (GICH) communities they have done in the past which

received awards. Ms. Fullbright spoke about a possible recreational easement

opportunity for acreage within Phase I. Ms. Fullbright discussed the requested

loan of $500,000, the purpose of the loan, and how that could be structured as

well as provided the Council with examples of other loans they have with other

municipalities. Mayor Grant asked the City Manager to discuss this project with

the Canton Housing Authority and asked that if Council has any questions

regarding this project that they submit those to the City Manager.

Public Hearing

Public Hearing, Discussion, and Possible Action on a Text Amendment for

the Expansion of Nonconforming Parcels - Community Development Director

Kevin Turner - Attachment 5A

Expansion of Nonconforming Parcels

Attachments:

Community Development Director Kevin Turner stated that this text amendment

would allow more opportunities for buildable lots that do not meet the current

Unified Development Code (UDC) standards but that were previously legally

divided. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak,

Mayor Grant closed the public hearing. Councilmember Tolan made a motion to

approve the text amendment for the expansion of nonconforming parcels.

Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion, and it was approved

unanimously.

Consideration to Approve Minutes

Council Retreat Draft Minutes - March 15-17, 2024 - Attachment 6A

Minutes - Council Retreat - March 15-17, 2024

Attachments:

Council Meeting Draft Minutes - March 21, 2024 - Attachment 6B

Minutes - Council Meeting - March 21, 2024

Attachments:

Councilmember McGrew made a motion to approve the minutes.

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

Informational Items

Review of February Financials - Finance Director Melissa Forrester -

Attachment 7A

February Financials

Attachments:

Finance Director Melissa Forrester discussed noteworthy activity during February

including the completion of the Fiscal Year 2023 audit, business occupational tax

collections, and the receipt of electric franchise fee payments as well as Fiscal

Year 2024 Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) funds.

Other Announcements

None.

Ten Minute Public Input

None.

10.

Consent Agenda

None.

11.

Old Business

Discussion and Possible Action on Updates to Zoning Map and Other Unified

Development Code Amendments - Zoning Administrator Steve Green -

Attachment 11A

Zoning and UDC Updates

Attachments:

Zoning Administrator Steve Green reviewed all the work that has led up to the

proposed ordinance amendment and noted he has not received any comments

for or against the ordinance amendment as it is currently proposed. City

Attorney Bobby Dyer noted the adoption of the zoning map will come later.

Mayor Pro Tem Waterman made a motion to adopt the ordinance at amend the

text in the Unified Development Code. Councilmember Roach seconded the

motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Discussion and Possible Action on Sunnyside Mural Concept - Theatre

Events and Facilities Director Kristin Norton Green - Attachment 11B

Sunnyside Mural Concept

Attachments:

Theatre Events and Facilities Director Kristin Norton Green reviewed the process

for selecting the Sunnyside mural concept. Councilmember McGrew made a

motion to approve the mural concept. Councilmember Johnson seconded the

motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Discussion and Possible Action on Canton Theatre Lighting and Sound

Upgrade - Theatre Events and Facilities Director Kristin Norton Green -

Attachment 11C

Theatre Upgrade

Attachments:

Ms. Norton Green reviewed the Request for Proposal process which led to the

selection of CCS to be awarded the contract to complete this project. Ms. Norton

Green discussed warranty information for the equipment and spoke about a grant

from the Fox Theatre. Councilmember Roach made a motion to approve the

Canton Theatre lighting and sound upgrade project. Mayor Pro Tem Waterman

seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

Discussion and Possible Action for History Cherokee to Defer Annual

Installment on the Note between the City and History Cherokee to Purchase

the East Marietta Street Property - Assistant City Manager Nathan Ingram -

Attachment 11D

History Cherokee

Attachments:

Assistant City Manager Nathan Ingram discussed identifying services and

products that will directly benefit the City in a Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) with History Cherokee for this deferment. Mayor Grant requested that a

statement be added to the MOU that this is a one-time deferral and encouraged

other municipalities within the County to support History Cherokee.

Councilmember Yawn suggested a vote be taken once the MOU has been

presented.

Discussion and Possible Action to Approve a Quitclaim Deed to the Canton

Housing Authority for Shipp Street Abandonment Right of Way and to Accept

a Sewer Easement Agreement - City Attorney Bobby Dyer - Attachment 11E

Quitclaim Deed - City to Housing Authority - Shipp Street

Attachments:

Mr. Dyer stated the City has abandoned the right of way along Shipp Street

within the Canton Housing Authority’s property. This will convey the title of the

property to the Housing Authority. Mr. Dyer noted that a couple of changes have

been made to the draft in the agenda packet. The sewer easement is necessary

as the City has sewer facilities on the site and need access. Councilmember

Tolan made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the quitclaim deed as

approved by the City Attorney and City Manager and accept the sewer easement.

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

12.

New Business

Discussion and Possible Action on Modernization of City Hall Elevator - Public

Works Director Scott Hooper - Attachment 12A

City Hall Elevator

Attachments:

Public Works Operations Director Kelly Pendley discussed the age of the elevator

at City Hall, quotes received to modernize the equipment, maintenance warranty

information, and timeline for completion. City Manager Billy Peppers spoke

about how staff at City Hall are working to assist and provide all services to

anyone who may need to use the elevator but are not able to at this time.

Councilmember McGrew made a motion to approve the contract to Genesis for

the modernization of the City Hall elevator not to exceed $132,203.

Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion, and it was approved

unanimously.

Discussion of Request for Proposals for Pest Control Services Issued

January 15, 2024 - Assistant City Manager Nathan Ingram - Attachment 12B

Pest Control Services

Attachments:

Mr. Ingram noted the City has been with the current provide for seven years.

Following the Request for Proposals, PestMaster was the lowest proposer at $495

per month. Mr. Ingram stated action will be requested at the next meeting.

Discussion of the Municipal Services Agreement for Animal Control between

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

Attachment 12C

Animal Control Agreement

Attachments:

Mr. Peppers stated the current agreement has lapsed and an updated agreement

has been provided which coincides with the remaining term of the Service

Delivery Agreement.

13.

City Manager's Report

Mr. Peppers reviewed the events planned for Georgia Cities Week occurring the

week of April 22nd.