by Janice Daniel
The Mayor and Council of the City of Villa Rica held their monthly Work Session on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holt-Bishop Justice Center, Municipal Courtroom, 101 Main Street, Villa Rica, with Ward 2 Councilmember Matthew Momtahan absent, and Ward 4 Councilmember Anna McCoy coming in late.
Mayor Leslie McPherson read a proclamation naming October 28th, 2025 as National First Responders Day, including public works professionals, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, 911 operators, paramedics, and other emergency personnel who stand on the front lines of communities, selflessly serving and protecting the citizens in times of crisis. First Responders respond swiftly and courageously to emergencies, often putting their own lives at risk to ensure the safety and well-being of others, whether in natural disasters, accidents, medical emergencies, or public health and safety threats. The year 2025 marks the 7th annual National First Responders Day sponsored by bipartisan resolutions in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The Mayor urged all Villa Rica citizens to join in all activities, events, and ceremonies paying tribute to the city’s first responders.
Present at the meeting were David Harmon, Fire Marshall, the crew from Fire Truck #9, Captain Nicole Brigham, Deputy Chief Tyler Suddeth, Jeremy Dukes, Manager of Grounds, Street and Stormwater Departments, representatives of the Fleet Maintenance crew, Solid Waste and Public Works, along with “Cindy” who is the “hub of all the departments.”
Mayor McPherson explained this recognition was done at the work session rather than the regular meeting because of pulling so many people out of work.
The Consent Agenda was prepared as follows:
1. Request by Steve Dutton, Fleet Manager, to auction on GovDeals five (5) of the city’s small equipment and vehicles which are no longer running or feasible to repair, in order to free up space in the Avanti Building.
2. Virgil Chappell, Stormwater Manager, said the city has chosen to hold its 2025 clean-up event during the weeks of October 13th and October 20th. Wednesday, October 15th and Wednesday, October 22nd are the days they will assist seniors with large item removal. Chappell said a flyer was sent out in the last month utility bills and another will be sent out this month, and that anyone needing more information may call City Hall or his office. Items available are small appliances, furniture and miscellaneous junk. This event helps the city satisfy their part of the Phase II MS4 Stormwater Permit. He also advised that they are talking about doing this event two times per year instead of just the once, but that has not yet been finalized.
3. Utilities Director and Interim City Manager John Bain presented some Development Regulations Revisions amending Sections 400 and 500 for sewer and water, which staff has identified need to be updated to meet current standards, manufacturing methods, and/or to align with efforts to standardize stations and pump/piping fittings. Section 400 dealt with the type of materials and brands acceptable for equipment under the Sewer Regulations. Section 500, the Water Regulations, section 13, said that meter yoke requirements for residential services are to be removed, and section 10 dealt with fire hydrant installation in new developments only. New fire hydrants will be painted red with the bonnets painted per the current NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommended fire code, with black meaning that hydrant is out of service. Other colors indicate how many gallons that hydrant can pump per minute.
4. A resolution for a rental agreement between the city and the Veterans Memorial Park for $10.00 per year.
5. Georgia Power Lighting Agreement for SR8 from Rocky Branch Road to SR61 for approximately 36 streetlights for roundabouts scheduled to be started possibly in July, 2027 and maybe completed around the summer of 2029, at an estimated monthly cost of $900.00 to be built into future budgets.
6. Georgia Power Lighting Agreement for new streetlights on West Bankhead Highway, West Wilson Street, Candler Street, Westview Street, and to upgrade three (3) lights from HID to LED in alleys between South Carroll Road and Westview Drive. The cost will be $24,600, using a portion of the remaining LMIG (Local Maintenance Improvement Grant) for city streets, current undesignated. This same fund will be used for the monthly charge as well.
7. Consideration of naming December 26th, 2025 as an employee paid holiday this year only.
The Council then went into Executive Session and adjourned the Work Session.