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Sandy Springs council approves contracts, grants and appointments in Jan. 7 meeting
Summary
Council approved a design contract for Morgan Falls Athletic Complex phase 3, reappointed and appointed planning commissioners, authorized state grant applications, approved arts grant submittal, signed an MOU with Northside Hospital, donated a training simulator, and set 2025 qualifying fees.
The Sandy Springs City Council on Jan. 7 approved a package of routine but substantive items, including a design contract for Morgan Falls Athletic Complex Phase 3 and several grant applications and appointments.
Key votes and actions
- Morgan Falls Athletic Complex Phase 3: The council approved a contract award to Atkins Realis USA Inc. for design and construction administration services. Brent Walker, director of Recreation and Parks, described the scope as survey and geotechnical services, construction documents, permitting, bidding and construction administration. The design fee was described as “not to exceed $400,000.” Councilmember Dr. Kelly moved approval; Councilmember John Paulson seconded. Council members voted in favor.
- Planning Commission appointments: The council appointed Andy Porter and Sherwin Clemons to the Sandy Springs Planning Commission. The mayor recommended the appointments; Councilmember John Paulson moved approval and the motion passed unanimously.
- Georgia DOT LMIG application: Public Works Director Marty Munn presented the city’s candidate list of street segments and the council authorized the mayor to sign the fiscal year 2025 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant application. Munn said the estimated LMIG allocation was about $1,000,716.61 and the city prepared candidate streets and a 30% match to satisfy GDOT requirements. Council approved the authorization.
- Fulton County arts funding: The council authorized submission of a Fulton County Department of Arts and Culture Contracts for Services application for two signature city events. PAC Executive Director William Hackett said the city would request $50,000 ($15,000 for Juneteenth programming and $35,000 for Bluestone Arts and Music Festival) and that the city would provide a fiscal match from the PAC fund in FY26. The council approved the submission.
- Northside Hospital MOU: The council approved a memorandum of understanding to allow Northside Hospital to share security camera footage with the Sandy Springs Police Department during emergencies, with access restricted to authorized personnel and patient privacy protections. Director Micah Patrick said there would be no additional cost to the city.
- Donation of training simulator: The council authorized donation of a surplus police training simulator to Jasper Police Department; Captain Andrew Spears said the department would have access to a new regionally shared simulator and the donated unit is being given as-is.
- Qualifying fees for the 2025 municipal election: The council set qualifying fees required by state law at 3% of the prior year’s salary. The qualifying fee for mayor was set at $1,260 and the fee for each council seat at $780. City Clerk Raquel Gonzalez described the qualifying window scheduled for mid-August.
Each item was approved by voice vote during the meeting; where motions and seconds were recorded, those names are noted above. The council scheduled follow-up work and implementation tasks as needed for the items that carry future work (design, permitting or grant matches).
