Woodstock City Council Swears In Mayor, Three Council Members and Approves Key Infrastructure Contracts at Jan. 12, 2026 Meeting

The Woodstock City Council convened Jan. 12, 2026, at The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St., opening one of the most ceremonially significant meetings of the year with oaths of office for Mayor Michael Caldwell and three council members before moving through a full agenda of infrastructure contracts, board appointments, and financial reporting.

Following the agenda items Woodstock Community News previewed ahead of the meeting, the session proceeded largely as anticipated, with all major items passing. Judge Robert Tidwell administered oaths of office to Mayor Caldwell, Council Member Warren Johnson (Ward 1), Council Member Colin Ake (Ward 3), and Council Member Brian Wolfe (Ward 5), formally beginning their new terms.

Mayor Caldwell's son, Oliver Caldwell, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rector Tyler Kerley from Resurrection Anglican Church of Woodstock delivered the opening prayer.

One notable change from the anticipated order of business: the minutes reflect that Mayor Caldwell took all votes on appointments and reappointments prior to administering the oaths of office for board members.

Council Member Colin Ake was appointed as the new Mayor Pro Tempore, succeeding Council Member Brian Wolfe, whom Mayor Caldwell thanked for serving in that role over the past year. The motion to appoint Ake was made by Wolfe, seconded by Council Member David Potts, and carried.

The council approved a series of reappointments to the Downtown Development Authority. Lisa Morton was reappointed on a motion by Johnson, seconded by Potts. Spencer Nix was reappointed on a motion by Ake, seconded by Potts. Melissa Madigan was reappointed on a motion by Wolfe, seconded by Potts. All three motions carried. Trent Chambers was also reappointed to the DDA on a motion by Johnson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Wolfe - but as anticipated, Chambers was unable to attend and will perform his oath of office at a future meeting.

On the Planning Commission, Rob Hogan was reappointed on a motion by Ake, seconded by Potts. Chase Roth was reappointed on a motion by Johnson, seconded by Wolfe. Ali Najafi was reappointed on a motion by Wolfe, seconded by Ake. All three motions carried. Brandon Williams was also reappointed to the Planning Commission on a motion by Ake, seconded by Johnson - but like Chambers, Williams was unable to attend and will take his oath at a future meeting.

The council approved appointments and reappointments to the Ethics Board in a single motion made by Wolfe and seconded by Johnson, which carried. Reappointments included Ron Richmond, Jimmy Wolfe, Paula Nix, David Hacker, Brandon Williams, Trent Chambers, and Mark Brague. New appointments included Tim Mawhinney and Scott Stoke.

The council also approved reappointments to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on a motion by Johnson, seconded by Wolfe, which carried. Those reappointed were Valerie Harty and Lisa Mosely (Mayor's appointments), Dennis Conway (Ward 1), Mike Singletary (Ward 3), and Stephen Faletra (Ward 5).

City Manager Jeff Moon was reappointed to the Cherokee County Development Authority on a motion by Ake, seconded by Wolfe, which carried.

On the infrastructure front, the council approved an agreement with Kimley Horn for professional engineering services related to the Haney Road Extension Project, covering project management, data collection, and preliminary design - and, if authorized, final plans, limited bid administration, and construction services - for an extension of Haney Road from the existing three-legged roundabout to Rope Mill Road. The council also approved Resolution No. 2026-001, authorizing an interfund loan to the TSPLOST I Fund to help finance the Haney Road Extension and other undesignated capital transportation projects. Both items were on the consent agenda and passed.

Also on the consent agenda, the council approved awarding a contract under RFB 2026-02 to NextEdge Networks for a generator upgrade at the City Annex and replacement of fixed generators at four pump stations. The project is funded in part through a federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award and carries a price not to exceed $590,261.

The council approved an expanded alcohol license for Sizzling Spices, LLC, the restaurant at 106 Main St., Suite A-1. Owner Mabrur Rahman applied on behalf of the business - co-owned with Rojesh Shakya and Madhav Rupakheti - to add Sunday sales to an existing license for on-premise consumption of malt beverages and wine.

During the presentations portion of the meeting, Chief Financial Officer Ron Shelby introduced Justin Wilbanks, Audit and Accounting Supervisor for Nichols Cauley, who delivered the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Single Audit presentation.

One resident, Gopi Govindaraj, signed up to speak during the public comment period and addressed the council on the topic of TSPLOST projects.

Newly appointed Mayor Pro Tem Ake read the meeting announcements: City offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the Work Session of Mayor and Council scheduled for that day has been cancelled. Mayor Caldwell is also scheduled to deliver his 2026 State of the City Address on Friday, Jan. 30, at a breakfast hosted by IN WDSTK at Woodstock City Church. Residents can register at inwdstk.org.

No items were tabled or continued to a future meeting, with the exception of the pending oaths of office for Trent Chambers and Brandon Williams, who were absent and will be sworn in at a later date.