1 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:33,820 Thank you for joining us live for the City of South Fulton City Council meeting. We are proud to introduce the leadership and trusted with guiding our city forward. Mayor Carmelita Gums. 2 00:09:36,950 --> 00:09:39,950 District 1 Councilwoman, Dr. Katherine Rao. 3 00:09:43,580 --> 00:09:46,160 District 2 Councilman, Aaron V. Johnson. 4 00:09:49,390 --> 00:09:52,370 District 3 Councilwoman, Latanya Tony Wright. 5 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:57,000 District 4 Councilman, J.C. Sebastian. 6 00:09:59,960 --> 00:10:04,080 District 5 Councilwoman, and Mayor Pro Tem, Kiyosha B. 7 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:14,220 District 6 Councilwoman Natasha Williams Brown District 7 Councilwoman Linda 8 00:10:14,220 --> 00:10:18,600 Becker Pritchie supporting the work of this body and the operations of our 9 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:24,000 city are city clerk Corey Adams city manager Sharon D. 10 00:10:24,220 --> 00:10:31,460 Suba Dan and interim city attorney Sarah Kelly thank you for being the best part 11 00:10:31,460 --> 00:10:34,400 of the City of South Dakota, a city on the rise. 12 00:10:41,270 --> 00:10:47,610 Good afternoon and welcome to our City Council work session for a September the 8th, 13 00:10:47,610 --> 00:10:54,070 2026 at 4 p.m. Mr. Clerk, can you please sound the next item? 14 00:10:56,180 --> 00:11:00,200 Mr. Roll call for today's meeting. The Honorable Catherine F. Ryle, District 1. 15 00:11:00,560 --> 00:11:04,800 President. The Honorable Aaron V. Johnson, District 2. 16 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:12,520 present. The Honorable Lieutenant Tony Wright District 3. Present. The Honorable 17 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:19,120 J.C. Sebastian District 4. Here. The Honorable Kyosha B. Bell District 5. Present. 18 00:11:20,140 --> 00:11:26,460 The Honorable Natasha Williams Brown District 6. The Honorable Linda Bakker Pritchett District 7. 19 00:11:27,300 --> 00:11:34,180 Present remotely. And the Honorable Mayor Carmelita Gums. Here. Madam Mary 20 00:11:34,180 --> 00:11:34,780 We have a quorum. 21 00:11:35,500 --> 00:11:35,920 All right. 22 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,100 Mr. Clerk, can you please stand the next item? 23 00:11:39,060 --> 00:11:41,040 Next item is City Manager's item. 24 00:11:41,780 --> 00:11:47,720 City Manager's Superdain is Dr. Mark Antony Cooper, Assistant City Manager. 25 00:11:48,060 --> 00:11:48,460 Thank 26 00:11:52,300 --> 00:11:52,640 you Mayor. 27 00:11:53,100 --> 00:11:58,380 Council, the City Manager's report has been submitted and writing along with the Finance and Public 28 00:11:58,380 --> 00:12:01,660 Works Report for your review on prerogative. 29 00:12:04,380 --> 00:12:09,660 Council, do we have any questions for Dr. Cooper in reference to the City Manager's report? 30 00:12:09,660 --> 00:12:12,300 or as a Cooper, I almost is. 31 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:16,960 Sorry, it looks like no questions at this time. 32 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:20,740 All right, Mr. Clerk, please sound the next item. 33 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:26,260 Bring us to our presentation for this afternoon. 34 00:12:26,980 --> 00:12:31,160 Say, presentation by the just serve organization. 35 00:12:31,820 --> 00:12:33,840 We have Ms. San Gray with us today, 36 00:12:34,380 --> 00:12:37,620 as well as Ms. Christian Lowe, who will be presenting. 37 00:12:37,620 --> 00:12:38,420 Thank 38 00:12:46,770 --> 00:12:55,050 you for allowing us to be here. I'm Sam Gray and this is Kristen Lo and we are here 39 00:12:55,050 --> 00:13:01,470 as representatives from just serve. Can everyone hear us okay? Or me? I'm the only person talking. 40 00:13:02,550 --> 00:13:09,330 But appreciate the opportunity to be here and to share with you something that's very 41 00:13:09,330 --> 00:13:13,570 to monitor our hearts and that is service in our communities. 42 00:13:14,830 --> 00:13:19,630 And just serve is a wonderful platform that allows organizations, 43 00:13:20,010 --> 00:13:24,330 individuals, and families and opportunity to get involved in their communities, 44 00:13:25,070 --> 00:13:31,750 and to safeguard and protect their communities by volunteering in different capacities. 45 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:37,390 The City of South Fulton is being awarded a just serve city, 46 00:13:37,390 --> 00:13:42,810 which is a wonderful distinction amongst all the other cities. 47 00:13:43,310 --> 00:13:54,010 So we have an award back here that we can give someone that we hope that this council will consider a great distinction. 48 00:13:54,450 --> 00:14:01,450 It means that the city of South Fulton has a great endeavor to be involved in their community and to actually serve. 49 00:14:02,510 --> 00:14:12,730 So we wanted to tell you just a little bit about just serve, how it impacts your city and how it can actually help you with the community with it. 50 00:14:13,770 --> 00:14:19,090 So there is just a quick video we're going to watch and I think it's only about 40 seconds long. 51 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:42,260 Opportunities for service are everywhere. You just need to know where to look. We now have a free community resource. 52 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:44,920 It's called JustServe. 53 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:47,480 This is how JustServe works. 54 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:51,000 Faith, nonprofit, and community organizations 55 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,720 submit their needs on JustServe.org, 56 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:56,100 including how long the service will take, 57 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:57,640 when and where it will happen, 58 00:14:58,000 --> 00:14:59,080 what skills are needed, 59 00:14:59,440 --> 00:14:59,980 and what A- 60 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:06,340 Page is it may be appropriate for. Then you match your situation to their needs. Do you want 61 00:15:06,340 --> 00:15:12,320 to serve in the community, but you only have an hour and a half on Thursday? Go to justserve.org 62 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:17,580 and the site will show you projects that match your availability. Want to find ways for your 63 00:15:17,580 --> 00:15:22,960 family to serve together? Looking for a simple way to recommend service projects, reach out 64 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:29,000 to volunteers or build friendships and unity in the community, go to JustServe.org. 65 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:34,920 Getting involved helps people in need and provides opportunities for you to serve side-by-side 66 00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:36,300 with others in the community. 67 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:40,360 So let's start with our communities and just serve. 68 00:15:47,300 --> 00:15:52,860 Thank you for allowing us to share that with you and just so this council is aware in those 69 00:15:52,860 --> 00:16:01,400 that are present just serve is an app and also an online platform that allows individuals 70 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:09,300 to sit in their own homes or on their jobs and find service opportunities by zip code. 71 00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:16,440 So if you are a family, you can sit in your own home, put your zip code in and find things 72 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:18,840 to do as a family to serve in your community. 73 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:24,880 whether it's to clean up or whether it's to help out a food pantry that falls 74 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:30,640 within your your boundaries. It's actually a really beautiful thing. I know 75 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:38,260 that I live in Mabelton and this is a volunteer opportunity that we do. It is a 76 00:16:38,260 --> 00:16:43,760 free platform and I know that I live in Mabelton with my family even though the 77 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:49,580 platform was created by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is 78 00:16:49,580 --> 00:16:55,000 actually overseeing on the Advisory Council by so many different organizations. 79 00:16:55,860 --> 00:16:59,860 And I believe that you guys should have the paper that shows you who actually 80 00:16:59,860 --> 00:17:04,480 sits on the Advisory Council. It's amazing because you have some of the biggest 81 00:17:04,480 --> 00:17:08,120 volunteer organizations in the world. You have Catholic Charities. 82 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:13,740 You have the 83 00:17:13,740 --> 00:17:17,200 as many people as possible to post their volunteer opportunities. 84 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:25,720 And the church oversees the maintenance of the website only. 85 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:28,940 And for those of you who are not familiar with the church, 86 00:17:29,140 --> 00:17:32,080 we have one that is right here in your boundaries. 87 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:34,840 And this is Cassie Van Dyke. 88 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,040 Her husband is actually the bishop of one 89 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:38,800 of our churches that's right on Lee Street. 90 00:17:40,300 --> 00:17:47,920 so we wholeheartedly want every family to serve and to get involved in their 91 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:48,480 communities. 92 00:17:55,140 --> 00:17:59,540 Thank you all for having us. One way that my family has taken 93 00:17:59,540 --> 00:18:05,880 advantage of the just serve platform is connecting our youth groups to 94 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:12,280 opportunities. So we've made sandwiches for the unhoused. We've put together kits 95 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:20,660 It's for menstruation for women's shelters and it's just a great tool especially to mobilize 96 00:18:20,660 --> 00:18:22,300 people quickly as well. 97 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:28,640 So kind of these standing projects, you know, will be ongoing, the sandwiches and the putting 98 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:36,820 together resources for different shelters, but it's also a great platform to mobilize people 99 00:18:36,820 --> 00:18:49,520 So quickly, whether it's for emergency or disaster responses, it is free, and so makes it 100 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:56,860 an easy entry for any other organizations to put their volunteer opportunities on there. 101 00:18:59,820 --> 00:19:08,820 And with Southhoulton becoming a just serve county and city, you also receive support 102 00:19:08,820 --> 00:19:14,020 that you might need with the platform to kind of understand how it operates and works. 103 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:20,960 And then just some of the initiatives that we've been able to kind of work towards recently 104 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:29,480 there to celebrate an honor America's 250th anniversary we've had food truck 105 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:37,500 deliveries massive semi-trucks with 40,000 pounds of shell-stable food have 106 00:19:37,500 --> 00:19:45,340 been distributed to 250 food banks in the area and across all 50 states as 107 00:19:45,340 --> 00:19:50,780 well. Another nice thing about this is that volunteers can log their 108 00:19:50,780 --> 00:19:56,480 service hours. So I know I have a couple high school students who are trying to get service 109 00:19:56,480 --> 00:20:02,660 hours. So that is a newer feature that people are able to log so they don't have to, you 110 00:20:02,660 --> 00:20:07,880 know, keep Italian a notebook somewhere but it logs it in their account so that they 111 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:11,420 can see over the long term what their impact has been. 112 00:20:11,420 --> 00:20:12,360 So, 113 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:23,680 one of the things we wanted to make clear is that this is the 15th year of Jess Serve, 114 00:20:24,260 --> 00:20:30,540 and Kristen mentioned that this is 250 years of our country, and one of the most beautiful 115 00:20:30,540 --> 00:20:35,660 things that Kristen and I, and Cassie got to participate in, was most of you are probably 116 00:20:35,660 --> 00:20:41,260 familiar with Dr. Carter from Morehouse, who just went out to use the chaplain. 117 00:20:41,260 --> 00:20:47,060 and we were able to donate a food truck in his honor. 118 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:53,340 A complete truck with 25,000 pounds of non-perishable items 119 00:20:53,340 --> 00:20:58,660 that were distributed from over 35 different organizations 120 00:20:58,660 --> 00:21:00,720 that were able to fill up their pantries. 121 00:21:01,740 --> 00:21:04,560 And so these are the types of things that can happen. 122 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:09,400 I see the city of South Fulton posting service opportunities 123 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:18,520 a cleanup day. Wherever you are, you can sign up wherever your family is and go 124 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:23,960 clean up your community. I see libraries needing help and asking for volunteers 125 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:29,520 to come and fill their shelves or to help organize. I see food pantries within 126 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:34,720 your boundaries posting and looking for help. I see youth groups by 127 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:40,160 Christen mentioned different churches being able to sign up and to go and to help in their food 128 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:47,540 pantries. This is an opportunity for us to come outside of ourselves and to help serve other 129 00:21:47,540 --> 00:21:54,220 people. I know that my life has been blessed by being able to do service opportunities because we 130 00:21:54,220 --> 00:22:00,360 know that life is hard and you can get so bogged down by what's happening in your own life. 131 00:22:00,360 --> 00:22:04,280 but as we promote volunteerism in our area, 132 00:22:04,740 --> 00:22:07,160 it will get us outside of what's happening 133 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:12,180 like right in ourselves and get us out serving 134 00:22:12,180 --> 00:22:13,700 with our families. 135 00:22:14,940 --> 00:22:18,020 And just so you are aware, since this inception, 136 00:22:18,220 --> 00:22:21,720 more than 800,000 volunteers have registered 137 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:25,920 and participated in more than 150,000 projects. 138 00:22:26,860 --> 00:22:32,700 And the app and the website are free spaces for the community to post their needs. 139 00:22:33,740 --> 00:22:39,920 It is a wonderful opportunity for the city of South Fulton to become a leader in the state. 140 00:22:40,220 --> 00:22:42,660 You already are with volunteering. 141 00:22:43,380 --> 00:22:50,620 We just hope that you will use the site to garner more opportunities and foster volunteerism 142 00:22:51,340 --> 00:22:52,300 in your boundaries. 143 00:22:53,060 --> 00:22:59,280 but I want to do to meet Cassie because she's pretty amazing and she thanks. I 144 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:03,360 appreciate that. I will take that on behalf of my husband so my name is Cassie. 145 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:08,820 Thank you. My name is Cassie, Marino Van Dyke and my husband, Sebastian Van Dyke, 146 00:23:08,940 --> 00:23:12,420 he is actually the bishop of our congregation. So just for a little bit of 147 00:23:12,420 --> 00:23:16,580 background, we have a lay ministry as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of 148 00:23:16,580 --> 00:23:19,780 Latter-day Saints, everyone that serves in our churches of volunteer. So my 149 00:23:19,780 --> 00:23:22,540 My husband also has a full-time job, which is why he could not be here today. 150 00:23:23,220 --> 00:23:30,240 My full-time job happens to be for the church, so I am a church volunteer, and I'm also a church employee, so I'm able to be here on his behalf. 151 00:23:30,940 --> 00:23:47,500 Our congregations are divided up geographically, so the congregation that my husband oversees encompasses the city of South Fulton goes as far as South as Fairburn, and about as far north as I-20, and encompasses all members of our church friends and neighbors in that community. 152 00:23:47,500 --> 00:23:53,020 So, as a church volunteer, I have helped oversee the youth groups who have participated 153 00:23:53,020 --> 00:23:57,340 in the Sandwich Project, who have helped pack food at the Atlantic Beauty Food Bank, 154 00:23:57,860 --> 00:23:59,180 as a church employee. 155 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:03,500 I'm also the one who's been able to help manage where those food trucks go. 156 00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:07,840 So, just for your context, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a headquarters. 157 00:24:08,300 --> 00:24:13,660 At our headquarters, we have a farm, we have a dairy, we have a canary, and what we do is 158 00:24:13,660 --> 00:24:19,000 we produce enough food to supply storehouses all over the country for members of our church 159 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,720 who might be falling on hard times or who might be in need. 160 00:24:22,060 --> 00:24:28,580 If they are struggling with job loss or maybe displacement of their families due to death 161 00:24:28,580 --> 00:24:33,140 divorce any of those things, they are able to free shop at our storehouses and use whatever 162 00:24:33,140 --> 00:24:35,020 cash they might have to pay their bills. 163 00:24:35,580 --> 00:24:37,880 Now we typically produce way more than we need. 164 00:24:38,380 --> 00:24:40,840 And so when we have excess we put that out in the community. 165 00:24:40,840 --> 00:24:48,040 And so part of my job, part of my responsibility, is to determine where those food trucks will go all over the southeast region. 166 00:24:48,540 --> 00:25:06,740 And so I've had the privilege of being able to participate in setting up food trucks to go to the Atlanta Community Food Bank right now in the street as a paid employee, but also the volunteer at our church, seeing our youth get together and create sandwiches and pack bags and distribute it in the community, help out with cleaning up parks and things of that nature. 167 00:25:06,740 --> 00:25:10,200 So I really appreciate the opportunity to see it from both sides. 168 00:25:10,380 --> 00:25:15,140 I think it will absolutely be a blessing to the community and that will be able to link 169 00:25:15,140 --> 00:25:16,120 arms with one another. 170 00:25:16,300 --> 00:25:19,960 It's open to anybody regardless of background, race, religion. 171 00:25:20,120 --> 00:25:24,160 It's just an opportunity for us to come together as a community and uplift those around 172 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:24,480 us. 173 00:25:29,430 --> 00:25:40,370 So, since the City of South Fulton has already agreed at volunteer, it is awarded as a 174 00:25:40,370 --> 00:25:41,650 And not, 175 00:25:46,740 --> 00:25:51,140 yeah, so this is, I don't know who to get this to, but I will figure that out later. 176 00:25:51,980 --> 00:25:57,820 But we are very grateful for the work that's already been done here in the city. 177 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:02,740 So this council should be commended for all of its hard work. 178 00:26:03,360 --> 00:26:07,180 And so thank you very much for creating a safe and 179 00:26:07,180 --> 00:26:10,920 loving environment for the residents of the city of South Fulton. 180 00:26:10,920 --> 00:26:16,040 and it's created a great role model for other cities so that is 181 00:26:16,040 --> 00:26:21,740 commendable. Thank you to all of you here. We'll do a group picture for you 182 00:26:21,740 --> 00:26:27,880 after we finished with the question. Okay, so don't go away. We will not go 183 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:33,440 anywhere but we just want you all to know that it's amazing what you're 184 00:26:33,440 --> 00:26:43,160 accomplishing in what you're doing. And we actually have a storehouse that is 185 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:50,220 here that's not far from here that has provided non-perishable items to so 186 00:26:50,220 --> 00:26:55,380 many different areas. And it provides so many so much food to different 187 00:26:55,380 --> 00:27:04,880 pantries in different areas so we have a lot of work to do in our in our state and I'm glad 188 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:11,520 that we have an avenue such as Jesser to help us sort of streamline the process so that it is 189 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:18,000 organized and I can't wait to see what the city of South Fulton will do and don't worry we will not 190 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:26,700 leave you hanging. We will help you get started. We will help you get organized and just need to 191 00:27:26,700 --> 00:27:31,640 know who the contact person will be for that. But would love to know if you have any questions 192 00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:41,920 for us, for about just serve or about anything. You have quite a few questions. We'll start with 193 00:27:43,320 --> 00:27:44,320 Councilwoman Rao? 194 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:48,980 First of all, I want to thank the representatives from just serving here and I want to thank 195 00:27:48,980 --> 00:27:52,020 the City Council because we adopted this just serve resolution. 196 00:27:52,020 --> 00:27:53,860 I guess about a month and a half now. 197 00:27:54,620 --> 00:28:01,440 And I want to thank the staff, Dr. Cooper in particular, as we have compiled a list of all 198 00:28:01,440 --> 00:28:06,140 the volunteer opportunities in the city which there's a pretty extensive list. 199 00:28:07,060 --> 00:28:11,800 So that's where we're going to start making sure people in the community know about the opportunities 200 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:27,460 that already exist in the city, but working with non-profit providers in the city to also promote their volunteer opportunities, because as you know is always something going on in the city of Southwood, and it'd be nice to have it park in one place for people who want volunteer. 201 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:36,980 So again, thank the council for your leadership, and we look forward to continuing to promote this and working with public affairs to do that. 202 00:28:37,360 --> 00:28:37,680 Thank you. 203 00:28:37,680 --> 00:28:38,280 Thank you. 204 00:28:38,620 --> 00:28:39,540 All right. 205 00:28:39,980 --> 00:28:40,840 Thank you. 206 00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:45,260 I believe I saw Councilwoman Wright from District 3. 207 00:28:46,460 --> 00:28:47,520 Thanks Madam Mayor. 208 00:28:48,180 --> 00:28:57,380 I'm excited about this program and the opportunities because I grew up volunteering in all my life, so being able to give back to the community is very vital. 209 00:28:57,880 --> 00:29:04,560 I'm just quick question in regards to the app and people being able to go and see the different volunteer opportunities. 210 00:29:04,560 --> 00:29:11,040 Is it somewhere on the app where if people volunteer that they can track what they, you 211 00:29:11,040 --> 00:29:17,660 know, their volunteer hours and then just estimate that the app and the online because 212 00:29:17,660 --> 00:29:22,240 there are some people who don't use apps so you can do the online version of the website. 213 00:29:23,280 --> 00:29:31,560 And you can either create an account by creating an account, it tracks the volunteer hours 214 00:29:31,560 --> 00:29:35,300 and the opportunities that you have engaged in. 215 00:29:35,940 --> 00:29:38,300 You are more than welcome to just go to the website, 216 00:29:38,300 --> 00:29:42,380 put your zip code in, and find opportunities that way. 217 00:29:42,940 --> 00:29:45,440 And that doesn't keep a track of anything. 218 00:29:45,660 --> 00:29:48,460 But if you download the app or you create an account, 219 00:29:48,940 --> 00:29:49,740 you can keep track. 220 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:53,480 And one thing that's amazing is that I believe once you get 221 00:29:53,480 --> 00:29:55,400 to a certain amount of hours, 222 00:29:55,700 --> 00:29:58,800 you are awarded a Just Serve Hero award. 223 00:29:58,800 --> 00:29:59,320 Thank you very much. 224 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:24,780 And the council is able to award that to citizens who have, and students who have accumulated so many hours. And then whoever is determined as the person to work with us, we will help you keep in track. I will call you and say, do you know that San has completed 80 hours? And we will help you give this award, an award, award that to them at the appropriate time. 225 00:30:28,880 --> 00:30:32,980 Mayor Procimeville. Thank you, Mayor. Just had a few questions. And again, 226 00:30:32,980 --> 00:30:39,140 And I appreciate the work that you all do in the community as someone that works in a nonprofit sector and have been for years. 227 00:30:39,540 --> 00:30:43,260 We have had the pleasure of working with some of the gestive volunteers. 228 00:30:43,580 --> 00:30:45,160 So kudos to you and your organization. 229 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:53,820 I've had an opportunity to see you are represented at Georgia Municipal Association and some of the NLC events I do believe. 230 00:30:54,060 --> 00:30:54,720 So thank you. 231 00:30:55,080 --> 00:31:02,320 But I did have a question as it relates to additional nonprofits being added, especially in the sector of providing food. 232 00:31:03,060 --> 00:31:07,800 as you probably know in this particular area we have food and securities and so 233 00:31:07,800 --> 00:31:12,560 we have a lot of nonprofit organizations that partner with various counts of 234 00:31:12,560 --> 00:31:19,160 members to provide food. How can they go about being added to the list especially 235 00:31:19,160 --> 00:31:25,140 as it relates to the food distribution and then we have a lot of college students 236 00:31:25,140 --> 00:31:29,780 who volunteer and so I want to make sure that we can also advertise to our 237 00:31:29,780 --> 00:31:34,220 college students who always they need the hours they need service hours but they're also 238 00:31:34,220 --> 00:31:38,320 going to need those letters so would there be a component where they can get those letters those 239 00:31:38,320 --> 00:31:46,100 two questions thank you she will discuss food I will discuss the award to things like that we 240 00:31:46,100 --> 00:31:51,980 definitely can help with students and being able to get those recommendation letters because we need those 241 00:31:52,710 --> 00:31:58,080 we need those scholarships to come in so we will definitely work with the students and we will 242 00:31:58,080 --> 00:32:02,480 help them keep track, and we will help get them the letters that they need for it. 243 00:32:02,720 --> 00:32:07,640 So you will have a dedicated person to work with you, but just serve. 244 00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:11,360 You're welcome, and then food, yes, so food. 245 00:32:11,740 --> 00:32:16,420 So a part of my job, my actual job title is that I am a welfare self-reliance manager, 246 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:21,500 and so my work is to help people, families, communities that are struggling to be able to get 247 00:32:21,500 --> 00:32:25,380 up on their feet and provide resources, programs, education, things that are going to help them 248 00:32:25,380 --> 00:32:26,280 become self-sufficient. 249 00:32:26,280 --> 00:32:31,060 And so part of the way that we do that, as I mentioned, is that we provide food to the community. 250 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:38,200 What San was sharing is these are full semi-truck loads coming out of our headquarters, coming from that church farm. 251 00:32:38,760 --> 00:32:45,040 And so there's only specific places I can send them to, they have to be able to, they have to have a loading dock, 252 00:32:45,240 --> 00:32:51,320 they have to have warehouse space to bring the food directly inside, it can't be brought outside, they have to have a pallet jack and 253 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:55,720 staff and all the things to be able to receive and store that food. 254 00:32:55,720 --> 00:33:01,920 So typically, I work with large, very large warehouses similar to the Atlanta Food Bank. 255 00:33:02,480 --> 00:33:07,360 And then what I ask is that those smaller food pantries, churches, food banks work with them. 256 00:33:07,760 --> 00:33:11,200 So I know that they support about 200 partners. 257 00:33:11,640 --> 00:33:15,080 And so I would really suggest that if there are churches or pantries for 258 00:33:15,080 --> 00:33:18,980 food shelves that are not partnering with Atlanta Community Food Bank, that they would get with them, 259 00:33:19,280 --> 00:33:20,880 and then get the food directly from them. 260 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:23,920 Because a lot of what we also want to do is build community relationships. 261 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:31,680 We'd rather have them building a relationship and creating an alliance with the Atlantic Community Food Bank than necessarily with us per se. 262 00:33:31,800 --> 00:33:38,400 If that makes sense, we will get the food to the food bank, they will get it out to all those other pantries and then strengthen those relationships within the community. 263 00:33:38,800 --> 00:33:48,540 And how to speak with, there is a community food bank near us, it's Georgia Feeding Family, so I would definitely want to give them that information. 264 00:33:48,720 --> 00:33:53,900 I think this would be great because they do provide food and shelter for products right now. 265 00:33:53,900 --> 00:33:59,680 If they're not on the food pink, if they're not part of their partners, double check with them. 266 00:33:59,680 --> 00:34:01,800 I'm also happy to chat with you afterwards. 267 00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:07,980 We are in a, it's 26 pallets full of shelf stable food and commodities. 268 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:11,140 So sometimes they'll be laundry, detergent, or other items like that. 269 00:34:11,240 --> 00:34:12,860 But there's a lot of food that comes out. 270 00:34:13,220 --> 00:34:16,280 So we have to have very specific guidelines as to where we can send it. 271 00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:18,400 But where they pass it on to, totally up to them. 272 00:34:18,560 --> 00:34:20,480 So we'd like to build those relationships within the community. 273 00:34:20,700 --> 00:34:21,000 Thank you. 274 00:34:23,840 --> 00:34:24,320 Thank 275 00:34:26,980 --> 00:34:32,720 you, ma'am. First of all, thank you guys for what you do. I think this is going 276 00:34:32,720 --> 00:34:41,000 to help us tremendously and also maybe help take a little bit of pressure off of stuff. 277 00:34:42,420 --> 00:34:50,040 One of the reasons why I live where I live is because we tend to reach out and take care of ourselves. 278 00:34:50,040 --> 00:35:03,720 And so we have a lot of volunteers that tend to come forward and to work whenever we put out the call properly, but it's sometimes it's not well organized a little bit. 279 00:35:03,800 --> 00:35:06,120 You have to start early and sometimes make calls. 280 00:35:06,800 --> 00:35:15,440 So I'm looking forward to, you know, having folks join your tool so that we can then use that as a more organized way. 281 00:35:16,780 --> 00:35:24,680 I'm going to go to what you said from the point of view of growing the food because we're 282 00:35:24,680 --> 00:35:31,640 having a lot of discussion about producing food in certain areas of our city, right? 283 00:35:32,660 --> 00:35:43,180 And so the question I have, do you have volunteers at the farm or they just do the events and 284 00:35:43,180 --> 00:35:55,700 And do you also provide any technical assistance for maybe other churches that may have farms and may need some help in increasing their production? 285 00:35:56,060 --> 00:35:56,720 That's a great question. 286 00:35:57,280 --> 00:36:01,620 So the church farm, the canary, the dairy, that is at our church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. 287 00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:03,320 They do not take volunteers. 288 00:36:03,680 --> 00:36:11,920 They actually have, they use it as a job training for refugees who are resettling and need to learn kind of the ins and outs of working in the United States. 289 00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:16,220 being able to feed their families, just kind of trying to get the gist of what it's like to be 290 00:36:16,220 --> 00:36:21,120 here in the United States. And so the church farm, while it produces food for all the storehouses 291 00:36:21,120 --> 00:36:26,240 all over the nation, they also use it as a training ground for people that have just come into the country. 292 00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:33,100 Now, I will say that my specific region, I cover North Atlanta, Columbia, South Carolina, and 293 00:36:33,100 --> 00:36:39,160 Raleigh. I believe I was talking with the Catholic Charities and Raleigh. They were asking a 294 00:36:39,160 --> 00:36:44,280 their question about advice on how to work with farms and so I can get your information 295 00:36:44,280 --> 00:36:48,220 afterwards. I do have some information that I shared with them that I'd be happy to 296 00:36:48,220 --> 00:36:51,920 share with you as well as they were kind of at the beginning of trying to set something 297 00:36:51,920 --> 00:36:55,160 up and ask for our advice and some assistance so I was able to give them some information 298 00:36:55,160 --> 00:36:57,440 I can share with you as well. Thank you. You're welcome. 299 00:36:57,720 --> 00:37:04,900 So last question. So I was at a local farm just last Wednesday. We did a feature for our 300 00:37:04,900 --> 00:37:12,060 community market those are last Thursday on a young farmer so I was at their farm and they have 301 00:37:12,060 --> 00:37:19,360 a patch maybe no bigger than those groups of chairs or maybe a little bit larger than those groups 302 00:37:19,360 --> 00:37:26,700 of chairs that they said last summer produced 500 lemons right and so I found that was amazing 303 00:37:26,700 --> 00:37:33,080 for the size that we were looking on and we I had some discussion with them as to what will they 304 00:37:33,080 --> 00:37:41,820 and others need that have big parts of land that have the ability to plant stuff, then they have 305 00:37:41,820 --> 00:37:46,800 the technical expertise, but they're short and labor. Now, I keep hearing you talk about events, 306 00:37:47,940 --> 00:37:54,660 but do you also try to model a way, I know you talk about your farm being in Utah, right? 307 00:37:55,880 --> 00:38:02,080 But I'm interested in having a model where we have these community farms where people can also 308 00:38:02,080 --> 00:38:05,400 to volunteer and learn their own farming at the same time. 309 00:38:05,900 --> 00:38:08,100 Because we're actively trying to do that, 310 00:38:08,260 --> 00:38:10,100 we're, you know, the community where I live. 311 00:38:10,920 --> 00:38:14,840 Yes, I can share information that I sent to Raleigh. 312 00:38:14,860 --> 00:38:16,140 I'm happy to give you my information. 313 00:38:16,260 --> 00:38:17,360 And we can communicate afterwards. 314 00:38:17,500 --> 00:38:19,140 I can share the information I gave to them, 315 00:38:19,300 --> 00:38:21,000 gave to them, excuse me, with you, 316 00:38:21,280 --> 00:38:23,420 so that you can look through that and see if that's gonna help 317 00:38:23,420 --> 00:38:26,260 get you where you're looking to go with the local farms here. 318 00:38:26,460 --> 00:38:29,120 I think the ones that are out west are so large. 319 00:38:29,480 --> 00:38:30,640 They're a great model to start with. 320 00:38:30,640 --> 00:38:31,800 We don't have anything local, though. 321 00:38:32,220 --> 00:38:35,720 What we have here is the storehouse where all of the produce 322 00:38:35,720 --> 00:38:38,700 and shelf table and supplies and whatnot are stored. 323 00:38:39,080 --> 00:38:40,500 And then our community members, 324 00:38:40,980 --> 00:38:43,140 church members, those people that need a free shop can go there. 325 00:38:43,160 --> 00:38:44,320 But we don't have any farms locally. 326 00:38:45,020 --> 00:38:45,540 Thank you. 327 00:38:45,640 --> 00:38:48,120 If it's one thing we learned from COVID, 328 00:38:48,960 --> 00:38:52,020 we have to be in the position where we produce some stuff 329 00:38:52,020 --> 00:38:52,600 ourselves. 330 00:38:52,940 --> 00:38:53,480 Correct, preparedness. 331 00:38:53,580 --> 00:38:56,720 So when that supply chain gets interrupted for whatever reason, 332 00:38:57,140 --> 00:38:58,560 at least we can feed ourselves a little bit. 333 00:38:58,560 --> 00:38:58,900 Absolutely. 334 00:38:58,900 --> 00:39:00,180 Thank you. 335 00:39:00,440 --> 00:39:00,560 Thank you. 336 00:39:00,660 --> 00:39:00,840 Of course. 337 00:39:02,060 --> 00:39:02,800 Okay. 338 00:39:03,060 --> 00:39:04,060 I have one question. 339 00:39:04,460 --> 00:39:10,440 In reference to your volunteers, is it just how do you go about screening them or just 340 00:39:10,440 --> 00:39:13,220 anybody say they can volunteer and they're accepted? 341 00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:18,140 Each organization that posts an opportunity lists criteria. 342 00:39:18,920 --> 00:39:26,200 You list age, what limitations there are to make sure that you're getting the right kind 343 00:39:26,200 --> 00:39:26,640 of people. 344 00:39:27,540 --> 00:39:33,600 So, we, your person who is assigned to work with you can help to make sure that you stream 345 00:39:33,600 --> 00:39:36,660 line the kind of help that you're actually receiving. 346 00:39:38,360 --> 00:39:38,880 Okay. 347 00:39:39,400 --> 00:39:43,960 So they have to come through an organization they just can't sign up individually and say 348 00:39:43,960 --> 00:39:47,340 they want to come and volunteer if you have an event. 349 00:39:47,400 --> 00:39:53,700 They have to go on the website and so you know who's coming to your event. 350 00:39:54,920 --> 00:39:55,180 Okay. 351 00:39:55,180 --> 00:40:01,400 all right what I don't have any further questions I think we're ready to take the 352 00:40:01,400 --> 00:40:05,920 picture okay all right thank you thank you your presentation was 353 00:40:05,920 --> 00:40:07,320 That's wonderful. Thank you. You're welcome. 354 00:43:39,520 --> 00:43:42,960 Okay, Council, we have no further presentations. 355 00:43:43,620 --> 00:43:46,920 would you all, do we need an executive session? 356 00:43:47,700 --> 00:43:51,780 Okay, City Attorney says that we need to have an executive session. 357 00:43:51,820 --> 00:43:56,460 If there's no objections, we can recess for executive session. 358 00:43:57,740 --> 00:44:01,460 All right, we are officially recessed at 434. 359 01:20:31,250 --> 01:20:49,210 We're going to reconvene if there's no objection. Was there any action taken in executive session? Madam Mayor, there was no action taken in the executive session that requires a public vote. All right. At this time, if there is no objection, we will go ahead and adjourn this meeting. 360 01:20:51,880 --> 01:20:54,760 All right. This meeting is adjourned at 5.11. 361 01:20:58,010 --> 01:21:05,570 Okay. We are opening up our next meeting. Welcome to the alcohol license in zoning public hearing. 362 01:21:05,570 --> 01:21:19,150 special meeting for 5 p.m. What is today? September the 8th, 2026 at 5.11 p.m. Mr. Clerk can you sound 363 01:21:19,150 --> 01:21:20,650 the next item please? 364 01:21:23,030 --> 01:21:27,130 Mr. Roe call for today's alcohol zoning, alcohol licensed zoning public 365 01:21:27,130 --> 01:21:33,570 carrying meeting. The Honorable Captain of Ryle District 1. Present. The Honorable Aaron V. Johnson 366 01:21:33,570 --> 01:21:36,410 District 2. Present. 367 01:21:37,610 --> 01:21:40,630 The Honorable Lieutenant Tony Wright District 3. 368 01:21:41,670 --> 01:21:42,310 Present. 369 01:21:43,570 --> 01:21:45,730 The Honorable J.C. Sebastian District 4. 370 01:21:46,550 --> 01:21:46,870 Here. 371 01:21:49,910 --> 01:21:52,350 The Honorable K.O. should be bailed District 5. 372 01:21:55,250 --> 01:22:00,530 The Honorable Natasha Williams Brown District 6 is coming through the door. 373 01:22:03,130 --> 01:22:06,630 And the Honorable Linda Becker Pritchett District 7. 374 01:22:14,890 --> 01:22:16,490 And the Honorable Mayor, Carmen Lita Gums. 375 01:22:17,290 --> 01:22:18,830 Here. Madam Mayor, you have a quorum. 376 01:22:18,830 --> 01:22:20,610 Thank you, Mr. Clerk. 377 01:22:20,990 --> 01:22:28,490 And we do have Mayor Pro Tem and Councilwoman Williams Brown that are here as well. 378 01:22:29,410 --> 01:22:31,070 Mr. Clerk, please sound the next item. 379 01:22:34,660 --> 01:22:37,780 That brings us to room number three, which is a list of.