Smyrna council approves IT upgrade, splash-pad contract and extends sign-permit moratorium; several routine items passed unanimously

The Smyrna Mayor and Council approved a series of measures at its March 3, 2025 meeting, voting unanimously to amend the general fund and capital improvement budgets for an immediate computer upgrade project, to award construction-administration services for the Riverline Park splash pad, to renew the city’s commercial sanitation contract for one year, and to extend a moratorium on freestanding sign permit applications for 90 days beginning March 10, 2025.

The council approved an amendment to the fiscal year budget to create a new capital project for computer upgrades and to transfer $342,000 into that project. City staff explained the change was prompted by the planned end of support for Windows 10. City staff member Joe Bennett said, “Windows 10 is at the end of life effective October 2025.” When asked whether affected machines would stop working, Bennett added, “They will still work, sir, but they may have some security flaws.” The council recorded the vote as 7-0 in favor.

The council also authorized an agreement with Corry Engineering for construction-administration services for the Riverline Park splash pad in the amount of $131,900, to be paid from the 2022 SPLOST account. Mr. Bennett told the council the parks and recreation department and city administration recommended the proposal. Councilmember Welch made the motion; Councilmember Oglesby seconded the motion. The vote was 7-0.

On planning and development, the council continued a moratorium on accepting or processing applications for freestanding sign permits for 90 consecutive days beginning March 10, 2025 while the city’s legal review of the sign ordinance continues. The moratorium extends prior resolutions adopted since July 2024. The resolution is recorded in the meeting record as resolution 2025-007. Councilmember Wilkinson moved to approve the extension; Councilmember Lindley seconded. The motion passed 7-0.

The council approved a one-year renewal of the city’s commercial sanitation service contract with Waste Management for the period March 1, 2025–February 28, 2026, with staff planning a future RFP to reassess service options. Councilmember Lindley moved to approve the renewal; Councilmember Pickens seconded. Vote: 7-0.

Other personnel and policy items approved unanimously included a parks and recreation financial sustainability and cost-recovery policy, and a reclassification of two positions within the Public Works Streets Division with a net-zero budget impact. Consent-agenda items—approval of recent meeting minutes, an extension of a road closure on Powder Spring Street (closure through March 14, 2025 due to a failed storm drain pipe), and approval for use of council chambers for a homeowners association meeting on March 16, 2025—were adopted as presented (vote 7-0).

The council also approved a privilege (beer-package) license for Cousins Brothers Barbecue (doing business as C & B Barbecue) with LaDawn Bernadette Moran designated as the agent; the license application was reported as having completed the required alcohol-awareness training and a background check that did not reveal disqualifying information. The motion to approve that license passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance - Approve FY amendment and create computer-upgrade CIP project, transfers out $342,000 — vote: 7-0 — outcome: approved. - Approve Parks & Recreation financial sustainability and cost-recovery policy — mover: Councilmember Gould; seconder: Councilmember Pickens — vote: 7-0 — outcome: approved. - Reclassify two Public Works Streets Division positions (warehouse reorganization) — mover: Councilmember Welch; seconder: Councilmember Lindley — vote: 7-0 — outcome: approved; notes: $5,424 total salary increase offset by removal of supervisory position; no net budget impact. - Extend moratorium for freestanding sign permits (Resolution 2025-007), 90 days from 03/10/2025 — mover: Councilmember Wilkinson; seconder: Councilmember Lindley — vote: 7-0 — outcome: approved. - Approve agreement with Corry Engineering for Riverline Park splash pad construction administration, $131,900 from 2022 SPLOST — mover: Councilmember Welch; seconder: Councilmember Oglesby — vote: 7-0 — outcome: approved. - Renew commercial sanitation contract with Waste Management (03/01/2025–02/28/2026) — mover: Councilmember Lindley; seconder: Councilmember Pickens — vote: 7-0 — outcome: approved; note: staff will pursue an RFP later. - Approve beer-package privilege license for Cousins Brothers Barbecue (C & B Barbecue), agent LaDawn Bernadette Moran — vote: 7-0 — outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (minutes, road closure extension at 560 Powder Spring Street through 03/14/2025, council-chambers use for HOA meeting 03/16/2025) — vote: 7-0 — outcome: approved.

What the votes mean - The IT funding reallocates existing FY funds to buy replacements and upgrades ahead of the Windows 10 end-of-life deadline in October 2025 to address potential security vulnerabilities. City staff reported the replacements affect multiple device classes in the municipal fleet. - The splash pad administrator contract authorizes oversight and construction-administration work for the Riverline Park amenity using previously approved SPLOST funding. - The sign-permit moratorium remains in place while legal review of Chapter 82 of the Smyrna Code of Ordinances is ongoing; the moratorium has been extended several times since July 2024.

Next steps and follow-up - Staff to proceed with ordering and replacing affected computers under the newly created CIP project and to report back as procurement progresses. - Parks and recreation will execute the Corry Engineering agreement and proceed with construction administration for the splash pad. - Administration will proceed with an RFP process for commercial sanitation services at a later date.

Sources: meeting transcript of the Smyrna Mayor and Council, March 3, 2025 (city staff presentations and roll-call votes).