Forest Park council approves a package of contracts, budget amendments and appointments; censures mayor

Forest Park Mayor and Council on June 2 approved several contract and budget actions, appointed a URA board member and voted to censure Mayor Angeline Butler for use of profane language in a public veto memo.

The most consequential votes were procedural and administrative: the council approved a task order for architecture/engineering services on the new city center, adopted a budget amendment to correct year‑end entries, authorized a trade to refurbish a 1998 fire aerial, approved monthly reporting and accounting clarifications for ward (discretionary/award) funds, and appointed a member to the Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA). The council also approved formal censure of the mayor for unprofessional language in an official communication.

Votes at a glance

- Task order PPI‑20020501A (Precision Planning, Inc.) — Motion to authorize construction documents and permitting services for the new city center. Mover: Councilwoman James; Second: Councilwoman Gunn. Not-to-exceed total: $2,227,500 (including up to $18,000 reimbursables). Vote: unanimous in favor.

- Budget amendment (general fund and police special funds) — Motion to approve year‑end budget adjustments to align revenues and expenditures for FY2024‑25. Mover: Councilwoman James; Second: Councilwoman Gunn. Vote: unanimous in favor.

- Fire/EMS apparatus trade — Authorize trade of the city’s 2015 Rosenbauer engine in exchange for refurbishment work on the department’s 1998 aerial; no cash outlay anticipated. Mover: not specified in record; Second: Councilman Gutierrez. Vote: unanimous in favor.

- Resolution on ward (award) funds and monthly reporting — The council approved establishing a monthly, ward‑level reporting process that itemizes adopted budget, month and year‑to‑date totals, and donations/sponsorship credits; staff will reconcile sponsorships to the general ledger and amend budgets as necessary. Mover: Councilwoman James; Second: Councilman Mears. Vote: unanimous in favor.

- Sound‑equipment contract (Digital World Live) — Council directed staff to meet with the vendor about repeated service issues, to explore a short extension or month‑to‑month arrangement that covers summer events while procurement rebids or remedies are pursued, and to present contract items to council at least 90 days before expiration. Mover: Councilwoman Akins Wells; Second: Councilwoman James. Vote: unanimous in favor.

- Censure of Mayor Angeline Butler — Motion to formally censure the mayor for use of profane and offensive language in an official veto memo dated May 5, 2025. Mover: Councilman Gutierrez; Second: Councilwoman Akins Wells. Vote: Council members Gunn, Gutierrez and Akins Wells voted yes; Councilwoman James voted no; Councilman Mears abstained. Outcome: censure adopted.

- URA appointment — Motion to appoint Melanie Carter to fill a URA vacancy (term to 03/14/2028 per clerk’s record). Mover: Councilmember Akins Wells; Second: Councilwoman Gunn. Vote: unanimous in favor.

Process notes and immediate follow‑ups

- The Precision Planning task order comes from SPLOST 2021 / bond funds and moves the city through the construction‑document and permitting phase; staff said a separate task order will follow for construction administration after a GMP is approved.

- The ward‑fund reporting will be produced monthly for each council member and will show debits (expenditures) and credits (donations/sponsorships) and be reconciled to the general ledger under GAAP, per finance staff (Miss Robinson). Attorney Matricardi said staff will draft a formal discretionary/ward funds policy to clarify permissible uses.

- On the sound contract, procurement said the vendor’s current annual renewal covers 15 city events at $77,850; rebidding would likely take ~90 days and could increase costs for single‑event quotes.

What passed, and where to find it

All actions above were approved in the June 2 regular meeting. The official minutes and adopted resolutions will be available from the City Clerk’s office. The council instructed staff to return with draft policy language and with any contract updates for council review.

Ending

The council held a public hearing on the FY2025‑26 proposed budget and continued other business after votes; the city manager and staff said they will supply the monthly ward reports and draft discretionary funds policy for future council action.