[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6334501,"mediaKeyId","2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a","parentId",2295566,"title","Council debates short‑term rental ordinance first read; members seek more resident notice and HOA protections","audioSeconds",920,"startMs",11695000,"endMs",12615000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a&start=11695&end=12615","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a/thumbnail_11695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6334501/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Council-debates-shortterm-rental-ordinance-first-read-members-seek-more-resident-notice-and-HOA-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334501-e5602cabb6e9a4e8f19cbe5649cf045f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164450&Signature=WRPgW9aeukg~PW7s-VsURMc7MZMU~p9tu5Mb7OyuB6WfDPAyXyiZTUdlfJJhutpL8lJmkQMluJZUhDvQf5u41WvEZePCqj31wkVLNW-OLNiUROaxX62zjqFm-KDWsbLnZmeWJbk3cjwgEcfvaCVH36~T7NTLNxek4c04v8iNgbdSJ215PmLHfd3lwOWbqZHDH0XcgFdrkkd0TcVmpSrJMFzXS~sPotKb3d9J8FteDSTFmG4V83t2zolbktgIfMyEeutONEkJRh-oidHZfJXcWIE4kF1cvwMX~879~GqBjln5PbQQEpDEiPo7wUeJuCVxziMVy~L~C3axzkTI~w5KSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-13T08:45:05.247Z","article","Council members on Feb. 11 held a first reading of proposed changes to the city’s short‑term rental rules and urged staff to add explicit notification and homeowner‑association protections before the measure returns for a second reading.

What staff presented: City staff and the city manager said the proposed changes are intended to make the licensing process more consistent and to bring currently operating listings under an enforceable city permit so the city can inspect and regulate them. City staff told council that 600‑plus short‑term listings are already visible on commercial platforms and that the current multi-step public‑hearing model was creating a backlog and preventing effective compliance and enforcement.

Council concerns on notice and HOAs: Multiple council members asked staff to add a clear, administrable notification requirement so surrounding neighbors would receive formal notice that a short‑term rental permit application has been filed and to carve out a clear path where HOA covenants would be enforced or recognized. Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis and others stressed that residents should be able to see which properties in a neighborhood are licensed and to have a brief window to object or document neighborhood covenants. “I am not against Airbnbs … I am asking that residents know,” Willis said; other members urged staff to work with the city attorney to craft enforceable, equitable standards.

Staff position: The city manager said the purpose of the rewrite is to allow the city to license and, where necessary, inspect properties rather than continuing a multi‑month special‑use process that left many listings unregulated. Staff said the rewrite will make it feasible to bring more properties into compliance, but confirmed the council may add a notification step or other procedural language for the second reading.

HOA and legal constraints: City legal staff reminded council that ordinances that conflict with a private HOA’s contract-like covenants can raise legal issues; staff said those conflicts must be carefully drafted to avoid potential claims such as tortious interference with private contracts. Council members asked for a short staff memo showing options — including resident notice periods and how an administrative objection window could be framed — ahead of the ordinance’s return to council.

What’s next: The ordinance is at first read. Council asked staff to return with an updated draft that includes a practicable, low‑cost notice mechanism for nearby residents, clearer language about HOA covenants and a proposed operational path for bringing existing platform listings into the city’s licensing system.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 2/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a Feb. 11 first reading, South Fulton councilmembers discussed a rewrite of short‑term rental rules designed to bring platform listings into a city licensing system but asked staff to add explicit resident notification and clearer language on HOA covenants before the second reading.","taxTitle","South Fulton, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2961,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6334515,"South Fulton council presses city manager on litter, street sweeping and park-ranger rollout",735,350000,1085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a&start=350&end=1085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a/thumbnail_350000.jpg","/articles/6334515/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/South-Fulton-council-presses-city-manager-on-litter-street-sweeping-and-park-ranger-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334515-33b3dae42cb014066df55d299d1d8814/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164450&Signature=CiaMSc-yV0yM5a8NS1A~mMrlZpujK2R18L-EOZkU0i2WgzU~74AnKPqGGPLOy2lZ3lfmbud0N~~4imDRPHtwiQQpimdqlRr4fQpAvqkDha4yhuaJQTdionLL-sUKPLw-mrgSvIDLbDF4JOhOvhy37YH1jkW5b47wS0Ixs26ZYV-DoxuzJSOxwiS4lVorUXoM9l8jGCvYuCGEySy8ytzKy76TzV3dU2-uBfqfZHKBJWnqPt8576hve8714aXJLQIYkpCbqPWS~4VmFJ7uFgGgx3sqEc1~ZED95U3q0raZRwFHXvFJBOGMRyHG2v7GB~3kmgQNXjFhXdxsthuCsDONpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Fulton City Council members pressed city staff on Feb. 11 over persistent litter, illegal dumping and whether the city’s current cleanup cadence is sufficient as traffic picks up in spring.

City Manager Sharon d Subbanan told council the city now does weekly litter pickup on main corridors and biweekly leaf collection; minor arterials and neighborhood cleanups still rely on resident reports. “We’re planning to launch a cleaning campaign in the spring,” Subbanan said, adding the campaign will combine education and enforcement.

Why it matters: Council members said they keep seeing trash on major roads such as Camp Creek Parkway and Fulton Industrial Boulevard and want the city to consider higher-frequency cleanup or more staff. Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis and others asked whether the city should revive a paid “green team” or other programs to provide predictable, proactive neighborhood service rather than only responding to reports.

Subbanan and staff outlined current steps and constraints. She said public works coordinates weekly corridor pickups with Georgia Department of Transportation and that the city has added smaller sweepers to allow spot cleaning. Subbanan told council the weekly pickup was an increase authorized in the current budget and that moving to a higher frequency would be a policy and cost decision for council: “If we need to go to a higher frequency, it’s just a matter of the cost. And so that’s a policy decision we can bring forward,” she said.

Council members asked for an estimate of the additional cost to increase frequency on four major corridors; Councilman JC Sebastian and Councilwoman Natasha Williams Brown asked for a short report showing options and dollar figures. Subbanan said staff will return with numbers and recommended targets. She also confirmed the city budgets about $1,300,000 on litter removal contracts and related services this fiscal year.

Other related items discussed:
- Park-ranger program: Subbanan said the city intends to expand the park-ranger program “across all parks that we have” and will report back with how many positions are filled.
- Illegal signage and enforcement: Subbanan said code enforcement is notifying sign owners, removing illegal signs and escalating persistent cases to municipal court; Councilwoman Carmelita Gumbs praised recent removals (reported as 425 signs in one month in the manager’s report).
- Adopt-a-Road and community education: Several members urged a spring education push in schools and renewed outreach to faith and neighborhood groups. Councilmembers suggested more visible city signage, pressure-washing requirements for shopping centers and stronger code follow-up for chronic commercial dumping.

What’s next: Staff will prepare a short report with cost estimates to increase litter pickup and street-sweeping frequency on the four corridors council members flagged, and will return with details on the park-ranger rollout and the adopt-a-road program.","South Fulton City Council members pressed city staff on Feb. 11 over persistent litter, illegal dumping and whether the city’s current cleanup cadence is sufficient as traffic picks up in spring.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6334497,"South Fulton council revokes mayoral access, directs return of city equipment after executive session",233,18968000,19201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a&start=18968&end=19201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a/thumbnail_18968000.jpg","/articles/6334497/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/South-Fulton-council-revokes-mayoral-access-directs-return-of-city-equipment-after-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334497-d6934b696a998553278e2d0b18f8dfc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164450&Signature=orYI9Ba6hn-Zt~aUFSeVnHiYMe6IjCepNh6yC9vpmnqXhDE3Gq0LH73EkoIBoQbgBl-A9hnU3rW5nqOkoWh--TZs4x-1adTKsA-TuWCvmSE2EiUg0x~-H5IP6y4cLcvBOeUwfIBxjLrXImrHmrj7GuIYDcNMjXeUsDjnlNNnGXXMzJnMv-iV0kdHHRNPI5HY2thdBiaexl9KlB-7-ksbWmHELAWKuSd9oPXMrD2iZ15yGSjnH~jYrfegyfVplTvspp0i9fOgtPT1MR4etIYpgEcgtITCrybfS5yASfJUOdFz3fDoQyUsV6guu91qLgHa5dqkJ8xin3qvV6mGHmkNaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After a lengthy Feb. 11 executive session, the South Fulton City Council announced a set of formal directives affecting mayoral access to facilities, city property and staffing.

Actions voted in open session: The council reconvened and recorded a set of decisions it said were taken in executive session. The council’s public record lists the following directives:
- The council ordered that access to the mayoral budget be shut down except for the mayor’s salary and benefits, and ordered removal of a pool table from the mayoral suite.
- The council directed the city manager to draft and distribute an immediate all‑employee directive to “cease and desist all interaction with the mayor,” and warned that employees who violated the directive would face disciplinary action.
- Film‑studio equipment acquired without prior authorization was ordered returned to the vendor; if impossible, the council directed that the equipment be transferred to Public Affairs for city use.
- Three Mac devices (computers) held in the mayoral suite were ordered to be turned over to the IT department, and all equipment — including a drone — was to be delivered to the city manager by the next morning.
- The council directed General Services to secure the mayoral suite by changing the locks and said the mayor’s access to city buildings and facilities was revoked.
- The council said it would remove the assigned city EV and reinstate a travel allowance pending formal adoption of a mayoral-vehicle policy.
- The council voted to reclassify the film-and-media manager position to a special-projects manager and directed the new position to report to the city clerk.

Council statement and next steps: Council leaders characterized the package as temporary measures taken “until such time as all city investigations are complete,” and said the measures responded to what they described in open session as misuse of city resources. The city attorney and clerk were asked to prepare a written record of actions for distribution to council and external counsel. The council recorded the decisions in open session after returning from executive session late the same night.

What remained on the record: The council recorded those directives as formal actions taken in executive session and affirmed the steps publicly; no individual findings of fact or disciplinary actions naming staff or elected officials were read into the public record at that time. The council chair asked the city attorney to provide the written directive and to forward it to the council and to outside counsel for ethics matters.","After an executive session late Feb. 11, South Fulton City Council voted on a package of actions including removing mayoral access to city facilities, ordering return or reassignment of film-studio equipment and reclassifying a film-and-media staff position.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6334506,"Solid-waste fund running deficits; council debates disposal fees at Merck Miles transfer station",356,3689000,4045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a&start=3689&end=4045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a/thumbnail_3689000.jpg","/articles/6334506/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Solid-waste-fund-running-deficits-council-debates-disposal-fees-at-Merck-Miles-transfer-station","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334506-db8100073ab58b5e6fd7b04fb85a1ddb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164450&Signature=BWJX2fWvk1YpOJGi7Aw7MrmrwiiANzSPhQwki0cx2ve3FEkOIxcaPeBLROFjroWTCu9goBw1lliHtYA~1bqh4RrOq9W~qBZFlV8VPy3FdbDZ0sXjUSPqRNlwcIJ0QbJplPLEk7k7uLUTkva~WpYFU46PxAlZwya17cD1NZSFt-JyaNHdPZLemPVvDUi18SS9~M8FR6SpuHhDEcitVJ4oQ0GRx~KjTTLtO0rcUHbKulrC1uToaakonVs3nK8mQvSWeRiBJg4NGHNQ6fE~IUuu0WBbHrc-At5F9r4nbNNy9Vjso1p3qCWi0EzeWVTkbh1869u~kjdGJmlI-yGmSEoUXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on Feb. 11 told council the city’s sanitation program — including the Merck Miles transfer station — ran at a deficit in 2024 and will likely run short again in 2025 unless adjustments are made.

Solid-waste coordinator Gordon Burkett briefed council on revenues and expenses. He said the solid-waste program had actual revenues of about $9,374,000 in 2024 but net expenses exceeded revenues after a $1,800,000 one‑time purchase of carts, producing a negative result. Burkett said the Merck Miles operation had an operating agreement fixed cost of roughly $420,000 plus disposal of roughly $193,000 last year, producing total operating costs around $613,000 and a profit-sharing-related loss just over $600,000.

Staff summary and recommendations: Burkett said disposal rates have increased (about a 9% rise recently) and that the solid-waste fund had absorbed roughly $2,500,000 in initiatives without a fee increase, with the general fund covering the shortfall. For 2025, Burkett estimated a $408,000 shortfall in the fund and urged the council to consider options including keeping the current fee and continuing the subsidy, or increasing fees.

Resident-fee debate: Council members discussed whether resident disposal pricing should be made more favorable. Councilman JC Sebastian and Councilman Lewis (referred to in the meeting as Councilman Lewis) argued that many residents cannot afford higher unit costs and urged re-evaluating the current per-weight thresholds. Councilman Lewis said the city’s sanitation bill currently includes a line-item of $17.57 that she characterized as the city’s subsidy for Merck Miles and proposed restoring a 360‑pound customer tier priced at $10 for residents (the fee level previously in place). Staff cited a model prepared in October that estimated returning to the 360‑pound/$10 resident tier would increase operating losses by approximately $66,348 annually (staff projected that change would increase disposal tonnage and vendor costs). Burkett also said about 60% of customers at Merck Miles currently fall under the 150‑pound/$10 tier.

Other operational details discussed: staff said the facility serves roughly 1,500 vehicles per month and that curbside recycling remains a revenue‑neutral part of the sanitation agreement. Burkett confirmed the city does not own Merck Miles — the facility remains under county arrangement tied to a county consent decree — and that nonresident and commercial users are charged higher rates; nonresident/commercial rate was reported as $20 up to 150 lbs while resident rate is $10 for the same threshold.

Council direction: Several council members asked staff for disaggregated data showing the number of residents and nonresidents at each weight tier, amounts of revenue by tier, the proportion of material brought by contractors versus households, and the cost impact of altering the resident tier. Councilwoman Natasha Williams Brown asked staff to prepare an options memo with costs for expanding city-provided bulk pickup and litter pickup so council can weigh paying for more collection versus changing Merck Miles pricing.

Next steps: Staff said they will prepare the requested breakdowns and return with modeling of options, including the fiscal impact of changing disposal tiers, account-level counts by tier and recommendations on fee timing.","City staff told the council Merck Miles operated at a loss in 2024 and the sanitation enterprise fund is projecting shortfalls in 2025. Staff recommended maintaining current resident sanitation fees but warned the fund is subsidized by the general fund; council members urged changes to disposal fee tiers and asked for disaggregated customer data.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6334511,"Council approves Cedar Grove concept with indoor pool, splash pad; design funding in budget",479,2373000,2852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a&start=2373&end=2852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2295566-71864bd107308ea164383741c37c061a/thumbnail_2373000.jpg","/articles/6334511/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Council-approves-Cedar-Grove-concept-with-indoor-pool-splash-pad-design-funding-in-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334511-e7f351aa38c0541667237849f8e12ce3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164450&Signature=GmZoyIpTXXk9DhI68bHEka1DZYFmGlrF0i6PBXa7FHbKSvem353v3NnOGpo3xg0pF1dpvR99yYYay1tMRAlOUNIKPqB46rBK2Awrn4UC26jJUIvgreQNk35SM1MOMzEgJexEYvIMt5JuFXMdzgv~Djj5UOzDnuNPeArjBxjgKUj0SuHbQQB1DGl5lXAS2wr3oXLFlzMMC5LaX41TNfvXpjPHFRrZ8PqYC6H~z8yT~GA0fMyFvullJ-aknOzTZE4g4ARR~P0a5p29CbJ8LES5Ueh7RS3jL7QIr6SVWX44l7sp8CMBBwCjySFPdZ2dNwxmM7sWqadf~v6CJ0DKAlCo7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials on Feb. 11 endorsed a preferred concept for Cedar Grove Park that would add a new community center with an indoor pool, a splash pad, a playground and expanded parking.

Perez Planning and Design consultant Carlos Perez and Parks Director Tannar Turner presented three conceptual alternatives that had been developed from community input. Perez said a concept that combined an indoor pool, splash pad and expanded parking drew the strongest support from residents who attended project meetings in June and July. “This was the concept that residents were most supportive of, and wanted to see move forward,” Perez said.

Costs and next steps: The consultant presented planning-level cost estimates. Perez said the base facility construction estimate for the preferred option was roughly $11,000,000, with contingencies and other allowances bringing the planning-level project budget to about $17,000,000; staff also provided a yearly operations estimate for the community center. City Manager Sharon d Subbanan told council the FY25 budget included an incremental parks allocation and that this year the city set aside $2,900,000 for design and site development work on park projects.

Vote and implementation approach: Council voted to advance the preferred option and authorize design work; the motion approving “option 3” passed unanimously. The city and consultant noted multiple delivery strategies (design-bid-build, design-build) will be evaluated as part of the next phase and that design will include a closer review of costs at 30/60/90 percent milestones.

Why it matters: Council members framed Cedar Grove as a priority for District 4 and an effort to reduce pressure on more heavily used parks by creating new multi-generational facilities in a part of the city identified in the parks master plan as underserved. Councilman JC Sebastian, who led community engagement, said the concept was designed for multi-generational use so “young parents… teenagers and the older adults have something there.”

What’s next: Staff will bring a design-phase scope and recommended project delivery strategy to council; the council also discussed incorporating EV charging infrastructure and potential solar or resilience features into new park buildings.","Council approved the preferred conceptual master plan for Cedar Grove Park on Feb. 11, endorsing a community center with an indoor pool plus a splash pad and expanded parking as the preferred option. Planning-level construction costs were presented with a wide contingency; council approved moving the project to design.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates short‑term rental ordinance first read; members seek more resident notice and HOA protections

South Fulton council presses city manager on litter, street sweeping and park-ranger rollout

South Fulton council revokes mayoral access, directs return of city equipment after executive session

Solid-waste fund running deficits; council debates disposal fees at Merck Miles transfer station

Council approves Cedar Grove concept with indoor pool, splash pad; design funding in budget