2026 8 18 Regular Session Packet council 1

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ATHENS CITY COUNCIL  
MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION  
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 
 
 
 
 
Page 5 of 5 
 
G. Special Called Session Scheduled 
 
By unanimous consent, Council agreed to hold a s pecial called session regarding the Patriot 
Memorial Project, due to the time-sensitive nature of the matter, on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 5:00 
p.m. 
 
 
REPORTS 
 
A. Community Development Quarterly Report 
 
B. Finance Department Monthly Report  
 
C. Fire Department Monthly Report  
 
D. Police Department Monthly Report  
 
 
 
REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER 
 
A. Japanese Students from Chinzei Gakuin High School will be visiting City Hall on July 22, 
2026, and City Officials from Isahaya, Japan, our Sister City, will be visiting the City of 
Athens during the week of October 18th through 23rd. 
 
 
CITIZENS COMMENTS 
 
• Glenn Whiting commented on the use of called meetings and executive meetings, the letter of 
recommendation of the former City Manager, and lack of transparency of the city. 
• Everett Gillespie, a member of SOCM (Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment), 
commented on the needs of North City residents, particularly youth and families, and requested 
that consideration of designating property in North City as a public park be placed on the 
August agenda. 
• Reed Clayton advocated for the designation of the North City School property as a public park. 
• Jeff Eastman advocated for the designation of the North City School property as a public park. 
• Jane Chastain advocated for the designation of the North City School property as a public park 
and asked for it to be added to the August agenda. 
• Austin Sauerbrei advocated for the designation of the North City School property as a public 
park and for a community center and requested that the discussion be added to the August 
agenda.  
 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
Councilmember McCowan moved to adjourn the meeting , second ed by Councilmember 
Duggan. 
 
Roll call vote:  
YEAS: McCowan, Duggan, Sherlin, Curtis 
NAYS: Eaton 
 
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m. 
 
 
 
   Larry Eaton, Mayor 
    
    
Bridget Roberts, Interim City Manager    
 
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