Holly Springs council approves routine contracts, grants and amendments; public comment raises tree and municipal court concerns

The Holly Springs City Council on May 19 unanimously approved the consent agenda and a series of routine measures, while receiving public comments about tree removals and municipal court procedures.

Public comment: Mayor Pro Tem read the city’s public‑comment rules and called on Thomas Weaver, who asked council to accept a written letter and consider a resolution related to House Bill 268 and school campus property provisions. Allison Fawcett read a statement from Sarah Walker of Harmony in the Lakes detailing concerns about tree removals tied to sidewalk repairs; Walker’s letter said more than 100 trees have been cut down and urged individualized evaluations and replacement plantings. Thomas Brangan told the council he was issued a 2023 speeding ticket and alleged municipal court clerk Donna Sanders refused to provide subpoena or evidence‑request forms, quoting her as saying, “we don't have it. Google it.” Brangan said his complaint to Rob Logan produced no documented action and that he received a cease‑and‑desist letter; he asked what the city will do.

Votes and approvals: Council approved the consent agenda and the following items by unanimous vote (5‑0): • Item A — Adoption of the continuity of operations/line of succession plan requested by Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency. • Item B — Ratification/authorization to execute the Cherokee County Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) for 2025–2029 once approved by the county and partner cities. • Item C — Quote from North Cherokee Electric not to exceed $11,850 to remove 11 pedestrian lampposts and relocate an electrical service point on Holly Springs Parkway to accommodate the Parkway Phase 3 project. • Item D — Time extension for Crown Services contractors for the Town Park Center parking deck electrical project (RFB 2024‑06) to December 31, due to Georgia Power delays. • Item E — First amendment to the sale and purchase agreement adding the Hardin House parcel; the Downtown Development Authority would receive 18% of the gross sales price and Suncast Homes will pay $50,000 per lot plus true‑up at closing (authorization pending city attorney approval). • Item F — Resolution ratifying submittal of the Georgia Department of Transportation 2025 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Safety Action Program application; city eligible for up to $100,000, staff identified an example project (striping and raised pavement markers on Holly Springs Parkway) with a projected cost of $130,505 and the difference to be paid by "Splast." • Item G — Special events permit for Harmony in the Lakes' July 5 Fourth of July festival (includes fireworks and food trucks); permit issuance contingent on the applicant providing the required fireworks permit from Cherokee County. • Item H — Amendment to the police lieutenant job description to change FLSA classification to nonexempt and add duties such as schedule coordination and overtime management. • Item I — Ratification of a sidewalk‑repair quote to Douglas Outdoors LLC not to exceed $2,650 for repairs on Ellington Place. • Item J — Landscaping maintenance contract awarded to Hutchison Horticultural Company at $7,440 per year for Town Center landscaping along Hickory Road.

Staff report and next steps: Several items noted dependencies on external approvals (county LEOP adoption, Cherokee County fireworks permit, Georgia Power schedule) or pending city attorney review. Council moved and seconded to adjourn into executive session for litigation and the meeting recessed into executive session.

The meeting record shows unanimous approval for the listed motions; the council did not take formal action on the Wildcat Area Plan presentation beyond hearing the consultant and directing staff to pursue design and funding strategies.