Mayor Brady appoints new members to Newnan authorities and discusses noise ordinance changes

The Coweta County City Council convened on May 13, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including appointments, ordinance amendments, and community development initiatives.

The meeting commenced with Mayor Keith Brady appointing Jennifer Morrison to the convention center authority. Additionally, he appointed Cindy Ellison to the Newnan Urban Redevelopment Agency and Lily Smith to the Youth Activities Commission, with all appointments receiving unanimous approval from the council. However, due to council member Jenkins' absence, her appointments were deferred to the next meeting.

A significant discussion arose regarding the city’s noise ordinance. Currently, the ordinance mandates that loud noises from construction and landscaping in residential areas cease by 10 PM. Mayor Brady proposed an amendment to require construction noises to stop by 8 PM and landscaping noises by 9 PM. Council members Dustin Kuritko and Rhodes Shell supported this change, leading to a unanimous vote to draft the ordinance amendment, which will be revisited at the May 27 council meeting.

The council then held a public hearing for an alcohol beverage license application from Bell Street Burrito, located at 55 Newnan Crossing Boulevard. With no public opposition, the application was unanimously approved.

Next, the council appointed Council member Ray DeBose as the voting delegate for the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) annual business meeting scheduled for June 20 in Savannah. The council also unanimously approved nominees for GMA District 4 officers for the 2025-2026 term.

The meeting included a review of a report from a council retreat held in late March, which focused on strategic topics for the city. The report was unanimously approved, allowing the council to guide city staff effectively.

Council members discussed updating the city's bicycle and pedestrian facilities plan, emphasizing safer and more accessible transportation options. Council member Jim Thomason proposed two additions: reviewing an ordinance to make the link an amenity option for housing complexes and exploring national certifications for becoming a bike and pedestrian-friendly community. Staff will provide further information on these certifications before any action is taken.

Lastly, the council addressed the potential annexation of 27 parcels of island properties surrounded by the City of Newnan. With five properties claiming homestead exemptions and all receiving municipal water, the council unanimously voted to initiate annexation proceedings for these parcels.

The meeting concluded with a clear agenda for future discussions and actions, reflecting the council's commitment to community development and regulatory improvements.