Duluth MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF DULUTH, GA MARCH 24, 2025 PRESENT: Mayor Whitlock, Council members Harkness, Thomas, Doss, Graeder, and Holloway, City Manager, Asst. City Managers, Department Directors, City Attorney Mayor Whitlock called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. I. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was necessary to hold an executive session on Real Estate, Pending/Potential Litigation, Personnel. A motion was made by Councilmember Harkness, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, to adjourn to executive session at 5:30pm. Voting for: Council members Harkness, Thomas, Doss, Graeder, and Holloway Motion carried. After the discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Thomas, seconded by Councilmember Graeder, to adjourn to special called meeting at 5:40pm. Voting for: Council members Harkness, Thomas, Doss, Graeder, and Holloway Motion carried. II. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councilmember Thomas, seconded by Councilmember Graeder, to adjourn from the special called meeting to the regular work session. at 5:40pm. Voting for: Council members Harkness, Thomas, Doss, Graeder, and Holloway Motion carried. Spec Call M&C Meeting/WK Sess Agenda March 24, 2025 Page 2 of 4 WORK SESSION NOTES MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF DULUTH, GA I. PUBLIC COMMENTS 1. NOISE CONCERNS - STAGE 3 FITNESS/TOP CYCLE LLC [AI Ahmed Kamali, Michelle D'Souza, Matthew Underwood and Sharon Fowler oft the Riverbrooke subdivision came forward to submit a public nuisance petition complaining about noise from Stage 3 fitness located at 2456 Main Street. They noted major disruption at several different points during each day, and have tried to contact the gym owner directly for resolution but it has not subsided. II. DISCUSSION TEMS/PRESENTATIONS/UPDATES 1. CENTENNIAL EVENT PLANNING (BI Economic Development Director Chris McGahee came forward to explain that Duluth is celebrating its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary in 2026. America celebrates its sem-quincentenna or Quarter Millennial (250th) anniversary as well. Council had requested observance options related to these celebrations. Event Coordinator Jessica Gross came forward to present. She explained that the reason for such early planning for this is because deposits would be due in the FY26 budget, decisions would have to be made soon for any large scale event. Staff anticipates that up to a $30,000 deposit might be required as a fireworks show at Scott Hudgens Park on July 3 would cost approximately $94,000. Staff presented various ideas and options and explained the budgetary impacts of those potential options and their impact on other events. Council supported the idea of investigating a laser show for July 3rd, enhancing the Fall Festival concert, and theming" more of the 2026 events around Duluth's birthday. Staff will come up with a timeline and other recommendations within the next few months to bring back before Council. 2. ELECTION EQUIPMENT AGREEMENT - GWINNETT COUNTY Asst. City Manager/City Clerk Teresa Lynn presented a new agreement between the City of Duluth and Gwinnett County for the use of their election equipment for the 2025 municipal general election. The City Clerk was authorized to place the agreement on the April 74th consent agenda for approval. 2 Spec Call M&C Meeting/WK Sess Agenda March 24, 2025 Page 3 of 4 3. ANNUAL TITLE VI UPDATES [CI Community Development/Engineering Director Margie Pozin gave the annual update on Title VI requirements, reporting, and accompisnments, Council had questions regarding the deciding factors for which materials were translated, and also whether the department heads attend any type of annual training on this matter. Ms. Pozin said that certain materials are required by law, such as elections, and other efforts relate to staff availability and skillsets. Staff was authorized to place the agreement on the June 9th consent agenda for approval and submission to Georgia DOT prior to June 30. 4. HB581 COMPLIANCE- 2025 ESTIMATED ROLLBACK RATE [D! The City must provide an estimated rollback rate to the County Tax Commissioner before April 15, 2025 that will be included on the 2025 notice of assessment. Staff is working to comply with the new procedural changes required by HB 581 Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption and FLOST as it relates to the City's upcoming 2025 property tax billing. An upcoming requirement is that the levying authority (Duluth) certify an estimated rollback millage rate that will be used on the Annual Notice of Assessment which will be mailed to taxpayers later this year. Staff was instructed to certify the estimated rollback rate using the current 2024 millage rate to be used on the annual notice of assessment. 5. AMENDMENTS TO DULUTH CODE - CHAPTER 3 ALCOHOL Staff and the City Attorney have been reviewing Chapter 3 of the Duluth Code regarding changes to the alcohol ordinance. Several of the recommendations are "housekeeping" items and not policy decisions, but those will be forthcoming as well. Ms. Lynn also reported that a representative from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation came to City Hall last Thursday and said that the Business Office is not in compliance with current requirements to be authorized to conduct background checks on potential city employees (through the HR department) or for alcohol handling permits (through the Alcohol Officer). Therefore, our access to GCIC information has been turned off. This is a new circumstance, and staff will research and make recommendations for going forward. Staff was authorized to place an ordinance on the April 74 consent agenda to address the housekeeping'rems at this time. 3 Spec Call M&C Meeting/WK Sess Agenda March 24, 2025 Page 4 of 4 6. RED CLAY THEATRE RENOVATION UPDATE [E! City Manager James Riker gave a presentation updating Council on the renovation plans for the Red Clay Theatre. III. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL Appreciation for HOA meetings, Police Award banquet, LEAD class, and Bunten Park and Festival center cleanliness and maintenance. Landscaping on George Rogers Avenue Rogers Bridge closed 3/31-4/4 and 4/13-4/16 for warranty repair work on the deck DFAL Art Show "Our Duluth" April 16th 6:30-8:00pm IV. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:25pm. Approved this 1 day of Apal 2025. Pnl MHhh MayorGreg Whitlock ATTEST: w) 3B Asst/City Mgr./City gerk, Teresa Lynn 4