Woodstock City Council to Meet February 23, 2026: Tree Fine Appeals, Trail Projects, Fee Changes on Agenda

The Woodstock City Council will hold its next regular session Monday, February 23, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. The agenda includes two public hearings, a pair of zoning fine appeals, multiple infrastructure-related votes, and recognition of city employees marking 20 years of service.

The meeting will open with several ceremonial items, including recognition of Boy Scout Troop 994, a proclamation for National Reading Month, and the city's annual Arbor Day employee recognition. Seven city employees who have reached their 20-year work anniversaries will be honored with dedicated trees: Greg Roach, Stormwater Operations Manager; Kerry Vanderpool, Fire Captain; Sean Mulvihill, Fire Captain; Rodney Kendall, Fire Captain; Bobby Dean, Master Firefighter; Jordan Carter, Fire Sergeant; and Shane Tetterton, Fire Battalion Chief, who is marking 30 years of service.

Two public hearings are scheduled under Item 7. The first involves an update to the city's Development Impact Fee Program, including preparation of a new Capital Improvements Element under the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act. The hearing is required by state law. The second public hearing concerns proposed amendments to the city's fee schedule for water, sewer, and stormwater services - specifically Sections 7.1.2 and 7.1.3, covering other charges and deposits and connection and system development charges. Residents with questions about utility rates or development fees may wish to attend.

Under new business, the council will consider two zoning fine appeals involving protected tree removals. In the first case, staff recommends amending a $22,200 fine assessed to Roger Connett for the felling of five protected trees in the rear yard at 308 Winchester Way, with the recommendation that replanting be required in lieu of payment. In the second case, staff recommends amending a $9,600 fine levied against Alejandro Petz for the removal of three protected trees without approved plans or permits at 142 Bentley Parkway, also allowing replanting in lieu of payment. The Petz case was previously tabled at the August 25, 2025 council meeting.

The consent agenda - a block of items typically approved in a single vote - includes several notable items. The council will consider awarding RFQ 2026-03 to Pond & Company for design and engineering services for a Noonday Creek Trailhead, with a final contract to return to council at a future meeting. Also on the consent agenda is Change Order #11 for the Noonday Creek Trail Extension from J.G. Leone Enterprises in the amount of $79,832. The change order would fund construction of a concrete turn-up wall to protect bridge piles supporting the State Route 92 bridge over Noonday Creek, after excavation for the trail revealed that existing pile encasements did not extend far enough downward. The solution has been approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The council will also consider ratifying the acquisition of right-of-way and easements associated with Parcels 45 and 46 for the Neese Road (North) Roadway Improvement Project. The acquisition covers a combined total of more than 11,900 square feet across both parcels, including right-of-way, permanent drainage easement, and temporary construction easement.

A budget amendment - MAJBA JE 20763 - would authorize $20,000 from council contingency funds to provide dedicated 16-hour-per-week patrols of the city's parking deck, along with funding for up to 27 additional patrol hours if needed. A separate budget amendment, MAJBA JE 20738, would recognize additional Tax Allocation District revenue and transfer it to SPLOST VII to cover additional costs for the CDBG Dupree Road Connection Walkable Woodstock sidewalk project. Those added costs stem from unforeseen right-of-way acquisition expenses, a change order, and concrete repair work required at bridge transition points for ADA compliance.

The council will also consider approving Arcadis Work Authorization #58 for construction review submittals and request-for-information services related to the Towne Lake Parkway Widening project, at a cost not to exceed $10,000, covering the period from February 11 to June 1, 2026.

On the events front, the council will consider approving alcoholic beverage caterer permits for the 2026 Summer Concert Series, band contracts with RCS Productions for the same series, and road closures for both the July 4th Spectacular and the Christmas Jubilee Parade of Lights on December 6, 2026. The agenda notes that closures will include Main Street and Rope Mill Road, from Woodstock Elementary School at 230 Rope Mill Road to Highway 92, as well as East Main Street in front of The Park at City Center, for both events.

The council will also consider authorizing the surplus and trade-in of various police weapons to Smyrna Police Distributors for credit toward new equipment.

Departmental reports for January 2026 - covering information technology, investments, parks and recreation, and economic and organizational management - along with a February 2026 public works project status report and the FY 2025 Revenue Manual, will be presented for council review.

The meeting is open to the public. Hearing assistance is available upon request. The full agenda is posted at the City of Woodstock's online agenda portal.