Smyrna council approves contracts, ordinances and neighborhood items in broad consent; key votes summarized

At its Nov. 18 meeting, Smyrna Mayor and Council approved a number of routine and substantive items across procurement, ordinance updates, intergovernmental agreements and neighborhood actions. Highlights and formal outcomes are below.

• Pebblebrook Road temporary sales certificate (Item A): Council approved a temporary sales certificate for a Christmas tree lot at Pebblebrook Road (motion by Councilman Oglesby, second by Councilmember Hines). Vote: Approved 7-0.

• Pawn broker license — Atlanta Title Pawn (Item B): Staff recommended denial due to location not meeting the 1,000‑foot distance requirement in the city code (section 22‑85). Applicant Autumn McClellan and Dan Mosera argued the code is ambiguous about measurement. Council moved to deny; vote: Denied 7-0.

• On‑call low‑voltage services (Item 8a): Council authorized on‑call services for low‑voltage fiber optic, security access control and AV systems; two vendors were recommended from an RFQ. Vote: Approved 7-0.

• Workers’ compensation program (Item 8b): Council approved moving the city’s workers’ compensation program to BITCO Insurance Companies for an annual premium of $488,749. Staff cited prior service issues with the incumbent. Vote: Approved 7-0.

• Vape shop zoning amendment (Item 8c): Council adopted amendments to define vape shops and establish location restrictions to protect schools and preschools (amendments to sections referenced by staff). Vote: Approved 7-0.

• Elected officials and alcohol licenses (Item 8d): Council approved amending Smyrna code section 6‑125 to allow elected or appointed officials to hold or have interests in alcoholic beverage licenses under disclosed circumstances; Councilmember Oglesby recused; recorded vote 6-0 (Oglesby recused).

• Petty trespass ordinance (Item 8e): Council added petty trespass to the city code to allow officers to issue local citations instead of immediate arrest/warrant procedures; vote: Approved 7-0.

• Intergovernmental facility agreements (Items 8f & 8g): Council approved a 50‑year lease with the Cobb County School District for Campbell Middle School land (see separate article) and amended a facilities use agreement for Rose Garden Hills School / Argo Road Park for five additional years; votes: each approved 7-0.

• Tolleson Aquatic Center (Item 8h): Awarded contract to Reeves Young LLC for ~$16.23 million; target opening May 2027. Vote: Approved 7-0.

• Concord Linear Park dedication (Item 8i): Council approved dedicating Concord Linear Park to the late Dr. David Martin; vote: Approved 7-0.

• King Street weekend closure (Item J — added): Council approved closing King Street between Bank and Powder Springs on weekends (Fri 3:00 PM to Mon 7:00 AM) effective Nov. 21, 2025, with pedestrian access retained during peak hours; permanent bollards to be installed following implementation. Vote: Approved 7-0.

• Privilege license: Indigo Room (liquor/beer/wine): Council approved a new liquor license for Black Diamond Business Ventures (Indigo Room) at 821 Concord Road SE; applicant outlined hours (lunch through late hours Fri/Sat to 2 AM and brunch Sunday). Vote: Approved 6-0 (hand vote recorded).

• Consent agenda: minutes, first‑responder PTSD insurance renewal, HUD Community Project Grant subrecipient authorization for the Riverland‑Smyrna bridge, and several personnel reclassifications were approved as a package. Vote: Approved 7-0.

These items combined procurement, regulatory changes, neighborhood decisions and grant actions. Several actions were unanimous; the most contested items at the meeting were the Highlands Parkway rezoning (denied) and the Arrow Waste permit (approved 6-1).