[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6543111,"mediaKeyId","3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4","parentId",3745649,"title","Votes at a glance: key DeKalb County Board actions, June meeting","audioSeconds",11059,"startMs",2610000,"endMs",13669000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4&start=2610&end=13669","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4/thumbnail_2610000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6543111/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-key-DeKalb-County-Board-actions-June-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543111-91dac20eddefe981cbbe727a9157c36d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442716&Signature=hweSfvBn6-3YG1WiQ~C9YJnyoK1dO6BsEGl-n6DDbKpHGUear4yjnwOrDppZNQEHvA-QQTNuLyS2LSfTjQKKKgBzJHl1qkOH1knKMexAsDLiIGQZD48gqKigBJwjVavpphw8HuXM~VzcUOIW7xr~-0XU54HXQrZTT1FujOqG9FyqVBAReJo7PObitWGyqkMMrghZnKsTEh1UiB7To~T39sAHCug0WQRqvsZieWpTTkVeumuFoMRIEra9rWWtvJwCLQ0Puu5jC0MGwEidqcOl94TPWkWquUy-wycWIH1gscYmwS~qrNwPaiw7FiOn6POQnSm0SdNR7D37MJQtgBYepg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeKalb County","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","Here are the key formal outcomes recorded in the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners meeting.

1) Rezoning and land‑use
- Hollingshead Materials LLC / Cara Bridal Hercules (Fayetteville Road, Districts 3 & 6): Board approved rezoning and a special land‑use permit for a ready‑mix facility with a substitute and 17 conditions (air monitoring, native buffers, dark‑sky lighting). Motion moved by Commissioner Messiah; \"Motion passes\" recorded.

2) Alcohol‑outlet application
- Donna Pittman (2615 Shallowford Road, Districts 1 & 7): The board approved a motion to deny the alcohol‑outlet permit application (motion by Commissioner Bolton). The motion carried; the application was not approved.

3) Appointments and personnel
- Appointment of a part‑time associate judge for probate court (Camilla h Ruffin, name as printed): This appointment was deferred to the Finance, Audit and Budget (FAB) committee and to the June 24 meeting for further consideration.

4) Policy/resolution
- Independent CIP monitor resolution (board substitute): The board approved a resolution establishing an independent capital‑improvement program monitor role to oversee implementation of the county's CIP; the substitute added an explicit prohibition on the monitor or affiliated firms bidding on CIP work and removed a redundant budget amendment reference (funding had previously been provided in the FY2025 budget). Commissioners Terry and Davis Johnson were noted for work on the measure; the motion passed unanimously.

5) Contracts, change orders and procurement (selected)
- Multiple purchasing and contracting items were approved as part of the consent and committee items, including: interpreter services contract change order for police 9‑1‑1; temporary staffing contracts term extension; general contractor on‑call increases; watershed repair contracts; playground equipment purchases (deferred by motion to a later meeting for committee stops in some cases). Several large Watershed Management construction and consent‑decree related change orders were deferred for audit review and return to the June 24 agenda.

6) Grant / program contracts
- Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program contracts (Scottsdale Early Learning Inc. and New American Pathways): The board approved contracts at no cost to the county for program delivery.

7) Executive session outcomes
- Workers' compensation settlement: After executive session, the board approved a settlement payment of $150,000 to Raymond Johnson Jr. to resolve two workers' compensation claims. The payment is conditioned on approval by the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation and the employee's employment with the county will terminate upon the State Board's approval; the CEO or designee is authorized to sign settlement documents.

Why it matters: The slate of actions shows the board balancing neighborhood concerns, county procurement needs and internal oversight measures. The CIP monitor resolution and the workers'‑compensation settlement were among the higher‑profile items for governance and fiscal oversight.

Ending: The meeting included many additional consent‑agenda and committee items; the clerk's full minutes and staff agendas list detailed contract numbers, dollar totals and committee actions for each item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeKalb County - Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - Jun 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved multiple land‑use, procurement and policy items at its June meeting, including a contested ready‑mix facility approval, a denial of an alcohol‑outlet application and the creation of an independent CIP monitor; the board also approved a workers'‑compensation settlement after executive session.","taxTitle","DeKalb County, Georgia","taxId",3571,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543116,"Public commenters raise threats to Entrenchment Creek Park, water billing and neighborhood infrastructure concerns",563,2600000,3163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4&start=2600&end=3163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4/thumbnail_2600000.jpg","/articles/6543116/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Public-commenters-raise-threats-to-Entrenchment-Creek-Park-water-billing-and-neighborhood-infrastructure-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543116-b19b6fd6eef3e26020049b068cc37939/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442716&Signature=EIW1Rs3adAypT6FROLgmpbV1YnMVbgXKyEhITL3ExZFFtdcm8WUlnnItLRGvdW9SdheoKbYVwsCB1Otte7TEplZk99kzhoF~TJbOaTwaod~56eToq6gim0c-XJzZ3kikm7oWS~Zjh6gouGIVpP3y7sT~Dy3-UHprLpklLPL2MH8xH5DvGo6hbeXWR53p-za~tdQJI1rOS4raGBlXWbBC7pl~kL9Gk2pbOvC8rycTMaClUIXsT60eFxSiQtVvbTQKvHX2jbRdsQmZ0mzmEOELlf3jSnAn1jRyCSVtcJbVRm4ok251N20gaCnlFB~HtMqbiovOm36-HzB5EZRzte9zRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public used the commission's public‑comment period to press county leaders on a range of neighborhood and infrastructure issues, most notably the fate of Entrenchment Creek Park and longstanding water and road maintenance problems.

A resident asked commissioners to support a motion by Commissioner Ted Terry at the next meeting to reverse a land swap that they said transferred parkland at Entrenchment Creek Park to Blackhall (a film studio developer) and then, following a subsequent sale, could permit non‑park uses including a data center. The speaker said the Georgia Supreme Court dismissed a related suit on a procedural ground and urged the county to stop the swap's \"current trajectory\" or else restart litigation to resolve the matter on the merits. The speaker asked the commission to \"help us retain this extremely rare parkland as it was deeded to us in perpetuity as a park by the Arthur Blank Foundation.\"

Other public comments during the period included:
- Questions about the county's water billing statistics and whether delinquent accounts included short late payments or large accounts; 1 speaker urged consideration of a water‑billing amnesty modeled on other cities. That commenter said about $104 million in unpaid water bills was reported and suggested large portions were tied to apartment complexes with master meters.
- Several residents from Water's Edge and surrounding neighborhoods requested follow‑through from county departments on storm damage, road debris and long‑standing piles of asphalt at neighborhood entrances; speakers said promises had been made but work years later remained incomplete.
- A speaker thanked county staff for a large tire removal effort along Covington Highway but said additional work remained to finish the cleanup.

Why it matters: Public comments flagged potential irreversible changes to a park transferred via a land swap and outlined ongoing infrastructure and billing problems that directly affect residents' daily safety and pocketbooks.

Ending: Commissioners did not take immediate action on the Entrenchment swap during the public‑comment period, but the speaker urged colleagues to adopt Commissioner Terry's pending motion at the next meeting. Several commenters requested departmental follow‑up and increased responsiveness to long‑running maintenance issues.","Residents used the public‑comment period to press the Board of Commissioners to halt a land swap that they say threatens Entrenchment Creek Park, and to call for more timely action on water billing, potholes and neighborhood maintenance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543121,"Board denies alcohol‑outlet permit for Shallowford Road grocery after neighborhood concerns",302,2694000,2996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4&start=2694&end=2996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4/thumbnail_2694000.jpg","/articles/6543121/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Board-denies-alcoholoutlet-permit-for-Shallowford-Road-grocery-after-neighborhood-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543121-b68bcd6a16afe24e0bfa29c490ac8a20/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442716&Signature=Xlw-3JKuMxNRwJwC4yXVPk45cpqzL3TFxaddDu2fintJ9hb6bHJacFewQMRbfHbetxmj58PPOaTeueLxXfA58ggx3gat~6CFQu6fnUDrnF63nmrnNhJ5xbNxghW8GMFULg0CAUc87CmqaaEUaVedFKk7dmjU9Z4NiHdxSbcS5aogXsYoJNQT2ZFmaE7bkMdmH~KMTsMRv1KPNYhRzfLZbldu8pD-tpUBV2ydWVJDfxY54ku9XEE~-DJyFXxcV4Rb8fqgnnV5P5UOywwtE2a~ATjKn3JruMR18e3s6B7lnf63Id20yp-oMYv92qO0RZ9YWGLuepBYAFjR35KgiXiRiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday denied an application by Donna Pittman for an alcohol‑outlet permit at 2615 Shallowford Road, a small grocery that serves a local Hispanic clientele.

Commissioner Ladina Bolton moved to deny the application for purposes of discussion and explained concerns raised in public and staff review about oversaturating the neighborhood with alcohol outlets and potential loitering near the site. The applicant and the store manager, who identified himself as Riaz, said the store had cleaned up a previously neglected property and that customers had requested 6–8 specific beer brands not available at the nearby Publix or Shell; the applicant said the grocery primarily serves grocery shoppers and not an alcohol‑only clientele.

Commission members said the neighborhood already has two nearby sellers of alcohol (a service station and a grocery), and commissioners noted the need to balance neighborhood revitalization against risks of increased loitering. The motion to deny carried.

Why it matters: The decision rejects a permit sought by a small, community‑oriented grocery operator and underscores the board's use of licensing decisions to consider neighborhood context and cumulative impacts of alcohol retailers.

Ending: The applicant may reapply in the future. Commissioners said they wanted to see sustained property maintenance and proof that the site would not become a focal point for loitering before supporting alcohol sales at the location.","The commission voted to deny a request by Donna Pittman for an alcohol sales license at a small grocery at 2615 Shallowford Road, citing concerns about oversaturation, loitering and community impact; the applicant said the license was sought to serve Hispanic customers requesting specific beer brands.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543126,"Commission approves ready‑mix facility permit on Fayetteville Road with 17 conditions",116,2551000,2667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4&start=2551&end=2667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4/thumbnail_2551000.jpg","/articles/6543126/DeKalb-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-readymix-facility-permit-on-Fayetteville-Road-with-17-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543126-c3a2b9ffe92ac2231088900a3a40ac21/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442716&Signature=Vh6a8jU1GGdYx180ddmLKkdkLF3MwaQ2-4PGx8Sxb~NhLnnGOd-cIEsa-qpBe0mZpwUbj58aCbLm3xFxNIVt6R-uGrwepvYwgY~UrkOyAA8r13hX-5bT5UugBLZH9aL~VyzdDj4xEdw0IcUATmxTiwFJCH9s2fQDpg97vsro7z2iM0clYKSkf3sfa16geuYVskqaD8Mf7D7drzqBqmzFIc1hKjxqIJq4lTuQnerCrrj7PPx2YwEKg8olwk10-4QpTgtJMxe5GeIUeZXZUEUMFhBie8q1laq8oTza-4bGG93WO~F7ug4-W99qeGKIKxooJT7RrEoqQ2FSVLyjTx57TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted to approve an applicant's rezoning and special land‑use permit to allow a ready‑mix operation at 3298 and 3272 Fayetteville Road.

Rachel Bragg, the county zoning administrator, presented the staff recommendation for approval with a substitute that includes 17 conditions. Commissioners discussed the application and a number of stakeholders, including neighborhood representatives and the Metro South Community Improvement District, met with staff and the applicant to refine conditions.

Commissioner Ted Terry said the project as refined will be a \"ready mix\" facility rather than an asphalt plant, noting the zoning code lacks an explicit definition for \"ready mix.\" He said the conditions strengthen environmental protections, including coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Georgia EPD on air quality, groundwater and stormwater monitoring. Terry also said the CID will install two EPA \"purple air\" monitors to provide localized particulate monitoring for nearby neighborhoods.

The substitute conditions require buffer and landscaping plans (with native species), dark‑sky‑compliant lighting and additional air quality monitoring. Commissioner Messiah moved to approve both the rezoning and the special land‑use permit consistent with the substitute and conditions; the motion carried.

Why it matters: The approval allows a large industrial site near residential areas to operate under specified environmental and site‑design conditions meant to limit emissions and visual impacts. The board and staff emphasized monitoring and conditional approvals rather than an outright ban.

Ending: The developer and CID will be required to meet the board's conditions before full implementation; details of monitoring and final landscape plans must be submitted and approved by county staff.","The Board approved a rezoning and special land‑use permit for Hollingshead Materials LLC/Cara Bridal Hercules to operate a ready‑mix facility at 3298 and 3272 Fayetteville Road, approving a substitute with 17 conditions addressing air quality monitoring, buffers and landscape plans.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543131,"DeKalb proclaims Public Works Month; Public Works Department wins APWA accreditation",399,1217000,1616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4&start=1217&end=1616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4/thumbnail_1217000.jpg","/articles/6543131/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-proclaims-Public-Works-Month-Public-Works-Department-wins-APWA-accreditation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543131-96523ea0410f22f65eba7818173d1715/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442716&Signature=bpAHtCaIhkp94Jzjr--LI7E2Bnvzx-D1zNLW0wjdcgCwX5grzxWEfvxux0vhMPeDl0HmZ7Gl2MmtlYMIe3YTzSUqEwnfCy~Rona68r2WsttDG62X4iC6hhO0tLobQqRoN-WOUTuyLoIPjUlRTGoqGQbpfCuQHlVCHVkn7uBOU2uloEYY7FO6uJ32RMrfKW6sg5V0aEnlBIMvNdp~YgqxYQT9Yo5neewZrTwtZ8oaaVK45t73mb28H3dqbQifW-dQ6Ba0vzjNrpdGprwmq3ngRtgOQi~1ixCJbaW663il25ABaKjhEoqRI1b5hoqhhgGniOCtzSB6ObMvFJKccAHjAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DeKalb County on Tuesday proclaimed National Public Works Week and recognized the county Public Works Department's recent accreditation by the American Public Works Association (APWA).

Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran Johnson presented the proclamation and praised the department's role in maintaining roads, drainage, sanitation and county fleets for \"more than 768,000\" (speaker's estimates varied) residents. She told the board the county's Public Works Department had achieved APWA \"accredited agency\" status, which she described as national recognition of best practices.

Peggy (identified in the meeting as the department director) said DeKalb is one of roughly 200 agencies in North America to achieve APWA accreditation, and contrasted that with the roughly 30,000 public works agencies nationwide to underline the rarity of the recognition. \"There is something to the vicinity of 30,000 public works agencies,\" she said, calling accreditation an \"incredible achievement\" for DeKalb.

Why it matters: Accreditation signals the department has met APWA standards for planning and service delivery; county leaders said the recognition reflects internal reforms and will be used to reaffirm commitments to infrastructure maintenance and service delivery.

The proclamation text celebrates the county's sanitation, roads and drainage, fleet and transportation teams and cites 2025 as the 65th annual National Public Works Week. Commissioners invited Public Works staff to the dais for photographs; no new funding or policy action was announced as part of the proclamation.

Ending: County officials said the accreditation and the proclamation highlight Public Works' role in county operations and will be used as a platform to promote continued investment and public awareness of infrastructure services.","CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson presented a proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week and announced the DeKalb County Public Works Department received accredited agency status from the American Public Works Association, a milestone officials described as rare among North American agencies.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543136,"DeKalb County designated a 'County of Peace' in proclamation recognizing HWPL work",236,551000,787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4&start=551&end=787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745649-1b4aa22f2e0b96ef12732e5f97f2edf4/thumbnail_551000.jpg","/articles/6543136/DeKalb-County/Georgia/DeKalb-County-designated-a-County-of-Peace-in-proclamation-recognizing-HWPL-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543136-3d67177f9f117f33b390718f71936bd5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442716&Signature=nTXcmRAvPVVFE2lAEw2Wj0SqjFETvDNh-0zsTWH~WYHO3Coaq4dczwJ32jkYOiKW8Vr0zXNwjwjeQBx92eij1Atiq0uAjrBKM096aV4GOyQjhEwRzjPgSRNFSDDloLiz2WeHyJz7eBCKaNVoJ99IDVgnY4qHQVwtQlsW4UAKICWnkA8x6vLw0N-UEfsDR8HuXQAzalk2KkkCejRHK8tpkDx0DA14jyGkRS3j31AJKPxTnGV6iPJs00Ls~Jy2A-19mJI6e31rj0EIz9x4y3WDCkebLC0MKbf0i1CK90Ng-ppXyuDCUmTnQSIlcSVlivc6LCnpD0Oaemon1PtP0Vscxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DeKalb County commissioners and Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran Johnson on Tuesday proclaimed DeKalb County a \"county of peace\" and presented a proclamation recognizing the work of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) in the region.

The proclamation, read into the record by the clerk and presented by Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, cites HWPL's work on community revitalization, legislative peace programming and youth peace leadership academies and notes the group's special status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The board formally designated June 2025 as the month to encourage expansion of peace education across county schools and community organizations.

Why it matters: The board's action is ceremonial but intended to signal county-level support for peace-focused curricula and community engagement programs. HWPL representatives and local partners said the designation will help them expand youth-focused peace education and interfaith programming in the Atlanta metro area.

Kim Thomas, identified in the meeting as HWPL's chief branch manager, accepted the proclamation and thanked county officials for the recognition. \"We are dedicated to making this county a county of peace,\" Thomas said, adding that local school and community partners had already been involved in HWPL programs.

Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who sponsored the proclamation, read the county's formal declaration into the record and called for other municipalities across Georgia to consider similar efforts.

The proclamation notes memorandums of understanding between HWPL and some local institutions for Peace Leadership Academy programming, and it encourages expanding related educational and community activities. No funding or binding county policy change was attached to the proclamation.

Ending: County leaders and HWPL said they intend to continue coordinating on programming and outreach to schools and community groups, with further details to be developed by the organization and its partners.","The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson officially proclaimed DeKalb a \"county of peace,\" honoring Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and its local programming. HWPL representatives accepted the proclamation and committed to expand peace education locally.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key DeKalb County Board actions, June meeting

Public commenters raise threats to Entrenchment Creek Park, water billing and neighborhood infrastructure concerns

Board denies alcohol‑outlet permit for Shallowford Road grocery after neighborhood concerns

Commission approves ready‑mix facility permit on Fayetteville Road with 17 conditions

DeKalb proclaims Public Works Month; Public Works Department wins APWA accreditation

DeKalb County designated a 'County of Peace' in proclamation recognizing HWPL work