During the Jan. 6 meeting, City Manager Clark told the mayor and council he would correct election information on the city website by 9 a.m. the following morning after members of the public raised concerns that the special‑election page did not list the election date or note that the seat up was to fill the remainder of a term.

Resident Carl Evans told the council the city website did not list the special‑election date and did not explain that the current vacancy would be filled only for the remainder of the term, which ends in November. “Those kinds of things need to be addressed on the city’s website,” Evans said during public comments.

Anne Keith, a resident, said she learned of a developer and builder inspecting a parking lot adjacent to her home only after they approached her with drawings; she said she was surprised and asked how the city can better notify residents about development and committee activity. Clark responded that the referenced development had been denied in a development meeting and explained that a public notice existed on the web site but not on the primary election page; he said staff would correct the page the next morning and that the city is undertaking a full website overhaul to improve distribution of board and committee agendas and rezoning/variance notices.

Clark also described a workforce initiative the city is developing with partners including Clayton State University and Atlanta Technical College; he said the city is finalizing a provider and plans a full presentation at the next council meeting after a final provider meeting the following week.

The manager briefly introduced new employees and asked department directors to present new hires. Police Chief Chris announced two new officers — Officer Burgess (from the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office) and Officer Brown (from Lake City) — and Director Walker introduced Taylor Robertson as the newest member of the code compliance team. Council members welcomed the hires.

In public comments, Zach Parker criticized what he said were performative gestures by the council and called for authenticity in leadership. Clark acknowledged the public comments and pledged to act on the website correction.

Council took no formal policy action on the website overhaul or the workforce initiative during the meeting; Clark said staff will return with more detail at a future meeting.