City Attorney David Mecklin presented a review of the city’s Public Comment Policy, advising that since the last policy was adopted, several decisions have been rendered by Federal Courts which call for a need to refine the Public Comment Policy to bring it into compliance with best practices.
The current policy called for all speakers to be “respectful” in their comments, but the new policy states “conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the council meeting, including threats of harm or violence, yelling over a speaker, or making disruptive noises that prevent the meeting’s business from being conducted, and refusing to yield the floor after time has expired, shall not be allowed.
by Janice Daniel
Mayor and Council of the City of Villa Rica met for a regular monthly meeting Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Holt-Bishop Justice Center, Municipal Courtroom, 101 Main Street, with all councilmembers present. It was a lengthy meeting, with the public comment portion covered in this story.
In Public Comments, the following citizens shared opinions and concerns with the mayor and council:
1. Lisa Connor said she watched the Town Hall Meeting of May 20th, 2026, and that some of the remarks inspired her to do some research. Her concern was how much the home owners would be paid for their property (homes) that would be taken through eminent domain to make way for the Villa Rica Parkway.
She obtained a copy of an email dated June 1, 2017, between Christopher Pike, Director of Downtown Development at that time, and B&M and K President Donald Clarici. This email contained the plans for a one-mile urban connector from Mirror Lake Blvd. to SR20/SR61 at an estimated cost of $3.4 million.
Connor said that Mark Teal, city engineer, stated at the Town Hall meeting that the Villa Rica Parkway is a one-half mile stretch of roadway with a budget of $15.4 million, which is more than four times the cost of the original proposed budget.
Connor said that, according to what Jennifer Hallman (Interim City Manager and CFO) said at the town hall meeting, the city has paid approximately $3 million for the 16 properties they have acquired so far, and that if each property received an equal amount, that would be $225,000 each. [Editor’s note: The correct math is: $3,000,000 divided by 16 equals $187,500 each.] Connor said the median price for a home in Villa Rica is $406,270, well below the average of the price paid for each of the 16 properties acquired by the city.
2. Amy McCoy brought up environmental concerns about hay bales being placed into a creek justified as an Emergency Mitigation action. She said this was actually a violation of state law, and that she asked for copies of documentation or permits for the emergency mitigation and received no reply.
McCoy also stated that the silent protest which occurred prior to the meeting was illegally blocked, a violation of 1st amendment rights, and was only allowed to continue after consultation with an attorney. “The city is ignoring emails and attempting to suppress civil rights. We will not be ignored or intimidated. I ask for immediate reversal of the Eminent Domain.”
3. Nerissa Dobbs said (in reference to Joyce Nalls’ home) “seventy-six years and three generations of memories can’t be bought.” She also mentioned the “AI data center, which will poison water and terrorize wildlife and residents. When will you stand up against developers? I will personally do everything I can to make you all lose your [council] seats.”
4. Pamela Whyte said the people have been asked to “move forward, but with no accountability, we can’t move forward. The city didn’t own the property they put in this contract or the bonds. We will stand with each property owner that does not want to sell.”
Whyte also mentioned the property formerly known as Cleghorn Park which is now owned by the city. “But you’re still allowing people to go there. For the safety of children, you should make the public aware.”
5. Dr. Steve Woodall expressed concerns about the roundabouts and traffic on Punkintown and Old Stone Roads.
Woodall said, “I support responsible growth, and appreciate the city’s efforts to improve safety with sidewalks and curb and gutters on Punkintown Road, but that leaves the larger traffic issues unresolved. One thousand feet of Old Stone Road serves a growing area with a hospital expansion and 500 residential units, and that does not include approximately 1,000 more units within a mile of Old Stone and Punkintown. That traffic issue was not planned for a two-lane road, and what is the city’s long-term plan for that traffic?”
Woodall asked for updated traffic projections after all the approved developments are completed.
6. Jeremy Jermaine stated, “The hypocrisy in this room is staggering. Politicians like McDougal and McPherson placing property above people. You can’t preach unity by throwing people out of their homes. You all have expensive bottled water up there, paid for by the taxpayers.”
7. Linda Parrish said “There’s always a Plan B, an alternative that has not been looked at. These folks deserve respect. I ask you to consider an alternate plan.”
Speaking directly to Councilmember Tyler Barr, Parrish said, “In the town hall meeting you said you were willing to talk to anybody, but we need action – not empty promises.”
In Council Updates, Councilmember Dominique Conteh said “The town hall meeting process has reinforced me to listen closely to residents, especially those directed impacted by their government’s decisions. It will affect how I approach difficult decisions moving forward.”
Conteh also clarified for the public record that the Juneteenth vote and the Villa Rica Parkway vote were two different matters, considered through separate processes and at different times. Juneteenth was in the March Mayor and Council Work Session and the vote on the parkway occurred in May. She also expressed a commitment to serve with integrity and respect, a willingness to listen, learn and lead even in the most difficult conversations.
Councilmember Barr thanked the Mayor and Council for recognizing the pageant winners and those who listened. “They work hard in this community and deserve to be recognized no matter what else is happening.”
Barr also said that in response to his invitation for people to talk to him, he has received many calls and has met with each person except one who has not yet responded, but he also emphasized the need for a presentation of facts. “I’m a businessman and I deal with facts. If you’ve got facts, let’s talk.”
Ward 2 Councilmember Matthew Momtahan recognized State Representative Jett Howard and State Senator Tim Bearden for naming the Villa Rica Parkway a memorial to Dr. J. Larry Boss, a long-time physician in Villa Rica.
“He was before my time,” Momtahan said, “but I got to know him through the Lions Club and going to church with him. Many people have said that there was a time when Dr. Boss delivered every baby born in Villa Rica. He has an outstanding legacy, and without him, Tanner would not have the presence it has in the city.”
Councilmember Conteh requested an executive session for discussing personnel after the conclusion of the regular meeting.
After the Public Comment portion of the meeting, some of the people continued talking and refused to stop when Mayor Leslie McPherson asked them to do so, as they were disrupting the meeting. Many people left the building, but a lot of noise could be heard from outside, including someone speaking into a megaphone.
City Attorney David Mecklin advised council that if this noise was affecting their ability to focus on the business at hand, the meeting could be adjourned. He said he had respectfully asked them to turn the loudspeaker off, but they refused. The noise could not be heard on the livestream through the Mayor and Councilmembers’ microphones, so the consensus was to keep going.
Consent Agenda prepared at the 6/2/26 Work Session was approved 5-0.
Story continued here from July 12, 2026 print issue:
At the beginning of this regular meeting, the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by two of the West Georgia Beauty Pageant winners, each of which were given a proclamation recognizing their service, leadership, scholarship and community impact. Ward 4 Councilmember Tyler Barr read the bio for each winner as follows:
Mara Eva Cline, Miss West Georgia, sang The Star Spangled Banner, showcasing her amazing voice. She is a junior at the University of Alabama seeking a Bachelor’s degree in hospitality with a minor in musical theater. She wants to go to Nashville after graduation from college to perform professionally and work as an event planner. Her community service project is Do-It-For-Donna, raising awareness of the consequences of drunk driving.
Sydney Lively, Miss West Georgia Teen, said she wants to attend the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Medicine School to become a certified equine ophthalmologist. Her community service project is Hope Over Hunger Children’s Program, run by the Making a Difference Foundation to serve individuals from birth to age 25 by providing fresh, nutritious food to help them grow and maintain healthy lives.
Abigail Parham, Miss Carroll County, is currently in the nursing program at West Georgia Technical College, and her community service project is Breaking Bread, a community-driven effort that uses the act of sharing meals as a foundation for connection, support and leadership development. It bridges the talent and opportunity gap by offering a Mentoring Circle model for individuals, small businesses and large organizations.
Miss Carroll County Teen, Caroline Miller, currently attends the University of Alabama majoring in both business and cosmetology to make a career as a hair and make-up artist. Her community service is called Heartwise, promoting a healthy lifestyle for a healthy heart.
Mae’ Kala McCoy, Miss Douglas County, is attending the University of West Georgia while working for TAX PRO Columbus and seeking a degree in English and secondary education, with a goal to create a private academy of innovative education and career preparation for underserved youth. Her community service program is To Self With Love, a mindset and movement that encourages people to treat themselves with kindness and recognize their inherent worth, emphasizing emotional intelligence, mental health and self-empowerment.
Carrington Hayes, Miss Douglas County Teen, wishes to become a dermatologist and her community service is Heart Smiles, a program which emphasizes the importance of dental health and its impact on heart health.
Council member Barr stated that each of them will go to the Miss Georgia competition for the title of Miss Georgia. He emphasized the importance of recognizing young people who are active in community service and dedicated to a future of helping others.
Ward 5 Councilmember Dominique Conteh read the proclamation recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day, the date of June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom. This was more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. This year marks the inaugural official Juneteenth celebration and acknowledgment by the City of Villa Rica, representing a meaningful step toward fostering greater cultural awareness, fellowship, education, and community engagement. The city encourages all residents to come together in honor of this important moment in American history and to continue building a future rooted in respect, opportunity, unity, and inclusion for all people, and encourages all residents to participate in activities and celebrations that honor freedom, heritage, perseverance, education, service, and community unity, to serve as a reminder of the progress achieved and the continued importance of working together to build a stronger, more united, and more inclusive community for generations to come. The Juneteenth Celebration was held Friday, June 19th, 2026 at the Mill, 106 Temple Street, Downtown Villa Rica.
A proclamation recognizing the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County, Inc. as a valued community and cultural partner to expand arts, cultural and educational opportunity for youth, families, and the Villa Rica Community was read by Councilmember Barr, which stated that the City of Villa Rica recognizes the potential for future collaboration with the Cultural Arts Council, and opportunities for residents of the city.
City Attorney David Mecklin presented a review of the city’s Public Comment Policy, advising that since the last policy was adopted, several decisions have been rendered by Federal Courts which call for a need to refine the Public Comment Policy to bring it into compliance with best practices. The current policy called for all speakers to be “respectful” in their comments, but the new policy states “conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the council meeting, including threats of harm or violence, yelling over a speaker, or making disruptive noises that prevent the meeting’s business from being conducted, and refusing to yield the floor after time has expired, shall not be allowed. A motion was made by Councilmember Matthew Momtahan to approve the new language of the Public Comments Policy, seconded by Ward 3 Councilmember Stephanie Warmoth, and approved by Council 5-0.
Police Chief Michael Mansour presented the request made at the June 2nd Work Session, to purchase a new 2026 Ford Escape needed for police department administration personnel. He said they received four quotes, and two of them were standard equipment only. Don-Rich Ford, Villa Rica, Georgia and Vigil Ford, Morrow, Georgia, included the power lift gate and mini spare tire, which Mansour said they definitely need the spare tire. He requested that council approve purchase of the car from Don-Rich Ford in the amount of $29,588.
As in the Work Session, Councilmember Conteh had many questions, some of which were answered during the Work Session, but she asked them again at this meeting:
Conteh: Does the city have a formally-adopted local vendor policy?
Mansour: Yes. We choose to purchase locally if the price is no more than 5% higher or $3,750 higher than the other bids.
Conteh: If any dealership within Carroll County had offered the same vehicle, would staff still recommend the Villa Rica dealership?
Mansour: Nobody else offered the same vehicle, but yes, we would go local.
Conteh: Did the city reach out to other Carroll County dealerships besides the one in the city?
Mansour: We always ask. We call to see if they have the vehicle we need, and if they do, we ask for a bid.
Conteh: What measures were taken to give all vendors the opportunity to compete, and was that information available to the public?
Mansour: Our purchasing policy says we don’t have to go out for a bid through a Request for Purchase (RFP) [as is done with high dollar items]. It was a request for estimates. Some who were contacted did not have one to offer.
Ward 1 Councilmember Shirley Marchman said she has no problem with Don-Rich Ford, but she has received comments from several people that the administration vehicle in question sits in the parking lot all day, and the officer only uses it to go to and from work.
Mansour: The car is assigned to Michelle Landrum, the Sergeant over Court, Certifications, pulling files for background checks, talking to recruits at the academy, not just to take home. It is to use in all her duties at the Police Department.
Marchman advised that a number of police officers also told her that vehicle sits in the parking lot all day.
Mansour: Well, I’m disappointed in that, because any time we have asked for anything, y’all have been supportive. The officer this car is helping has shown dedication to the police department, resilience in coming back from a stroke, and does many things for the city.
Marchman: I had to ask because questions have been coming to me time after time.
Mansour: The car is not to be used for personal trips to ball games, etc., but most agencies which provide cars for work travel allow 60 or 70 miles per day. Our limit is 30.
Councilmember Momtahan stated that, according to the quotes, Vigil Ford was the state contracted vendor, and their quote was $1,000 higher than Don-Rich Ford.
Mansour: Yes, the vendor with the state contract is usually the lowest because the state works with multiple vendors to get the best prices, and we don’t have to get any other bids. That’s what’s been done over the years. In this situation, because we reached out to the state contracted vendor, and got a lower bid from a local vendor, that very seldom happens. We have not bought local when their quote is higher that the state contracted vendor. This one was different. If y’all don’t want to purchase the car, I’ll give her mine.”
Councilmember Jennifer Warmoth made a motion to purchase the 2026 Ford Escape from Don-Rich Ford, Marchman seconded, and council approved unanimously 5-0. Councilmember Conteh again expressed the need for transparency and fairness when approving purchases.
Jennifer Hallman then presented the City Manager’s Report as follows:
Stormwater Utility Study
The next scheduled meeting for the Stormwater Advisory Committee is June 24th. She will present their recommendations to Council on 7/7/26.
Northside Downtown Streetscape
A meeting will be held 6/17/26 to kick off the Phase 2 Environmental studies and the traffic study.
West Industrial Court Culvert Replacement
The city has had a difficult time getting Atlanta Gas Light to complete the relocation of their gas main that conflicts with the proposed culvert. They hope to get that completed soon.
South Carroll @ Tolbert/Reed Road
Reviewing priorities and funding sources for the $1.39 million project.
Villa Rica Parkway Construction
The traffic study on the intersection at Cleghorn Street/Villa Rica Parkway has shown that a traffic signal will be required there.
Construction is expected to begin in July.
Fortune Parkway
Developers responsibilities:
Complete the road to Anderson road
Construct deceleration lane on Anderson Road and Old Stone Road
Contribute $575,000 for the construction of left turn land/Old Stone realignment at Punkintown Road.
On 5/12 Council renamed Fortune Parkway to Robbie Bishop Parkway.
On 6/12 the Robbie Bishop Road Dedication Ceremony took place.
Safe Streets For All (SS4A)
Staff is reviewing the smaller projects to see what can be completed now. They have also submitted a grant application for Punkintown Phase I with expected notification to be November/December.
Dallas Highway/Old Stone Road Waterline Relocation
Completed – working on project closeout with GEFA
Punkintown Road Phase 1 – $7.42m plus easements & ROWs
Phase 1 is from Arpit’s proposed roundabout, which will be immediately north of Towne Creek Drive to a point just north of Parkway Circle.
Acquisition will mostly consist of easements and temporary construction easements for driveways.
4/14/26 Council approved purchase of stream credits (approx. $705k)
5/7/26 Public Information Open House (PIOH)
Currently summarizing questions/comments from PIOH
Complete easement research and acquire easements
Begin bid process and award contract (est. Spring 2027)
Construction approximately one year
Conners Road Park
Phase 1: Drivway, parking lot, detention pond and stormwater pipe complete. Staff will review other in-house options.
Shirley Marchman Park
Grading is complete. On 6/9 Council approved the land swap with the DDA. A public information meeting is to be scheduled, followed by approval of the final plan.
Determine funding sources: $500k CSPLOST
$50k Norfolk Southern Grant
$30k Developer contribution
Need other grants/corporate sponsors
Construction will take place in approximately six months.
Hallman advised that there are already over 775 Summer Camp registrations at Parks & Rec, with more spots available. The link is https://online.flippingbook.com/view/543417274/
The Villa Rica Public Library has many activities for all ages, and their contact # is 770/459-7012.
The Senior Center link is https://www.villarica.orgs/parks
Select “Recreation/Senior”
“Services/Monthly”
“Calendar.php”
The veterans still need donations for their memorial. Their website is www.vrveterans.org.
There is a Farmer’s Market at the Mill every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. from May through September.
Mayor Leslie McPherson asked Councilmember Tyler Barr if it would be okay to table the resolution for a Villa Rica Cultural Arts Center added to the agenda at the last minute, in order to give other councilmembers the opportunity to ask questions and discuss, and that was approved 5-0.
Mayor and Council then went into executive session and the regular meeting was adjourned.