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Lilburn council swears in reelected members, adopts municipal court rule and approves settlement in code-enforcement case
Summary
At its meeting, Lilburn officials swore in reelected council members Michael Hart and Lehi Puella, approved appointments to boards, adopted an amendment allowing municipal court forms and procedures, and approved a settlement agreement in a long-running code enforcement matter at no cost to the city.
The Lilburn City Council began its meeting by swearing in reelected council members Michael Hart and Lehi Puella and hearing short ceremonial remarks before moving to routine business and several votes.
The council approved the meeting agenda and then approved draft minutes from the Dec. 8 meeting as recorded. The mayor announced a series of appointments for 2026, including James Hampton to the Planning Commission (a fifth term), several zoning board of appeals and merit board appointments, and municipal court appointments naming Charles Barrett as municipal judge. Newly appointed board members were sworn at the dais.
The council held a public hearing and approved an ordinance to add construction/restoration requirements into the code of ordinances to address restoration of cobblestone streets after utility cuts. City staff said the change will require utility companies to repair roadways to original design specifications; staff reported no public comment on that hearing.
Council then considered ordinance 2026-665 to amend chapter 30 of the code (municipal court) to add a section allowing the municipal court to develop forms and operating procedures. Roy Whitehead and staff characterized the change as a procedural allowance to facilitate court operations. The council moved to approve the ordinance; the mayor announced the item passed "4 votes to 0."
On a separate agenda item, City Manager Jenny Simpkins presented a proposed settlement agreement (contract 2026-01) in a code-enforcement case involving property at 4415 Lower Industrial Way. Simpkins said municipal court had previously found the owner guilty on 35 of 38 counts in February 2025 and imposed a $10,000 fine and 24 months' probation; the Gwinnett Superior Court later vacated that judgment in September 2025 and the city pursued an appeal before negotiating the settlement. "This agenda item ends a long, lengthy path that code enforcement has followed with our city attorney," Simpkins said.
Council discussed and approved an amendment to the proposed settlement to require completion of the stated contract conditions within 120 days of council approval; the amended settlement was then approved as amended and the chair announced it passed with no opposing votes recorded.
The mayor closed the meeting, thanked the scouts in attendance and adjourned.
