Approval of the Agenda – The agenda was unanimously approved with the addition of item 7A, to remove from the table the discussion with County Commissioner Eddie Rowland during the July 6 City Council meeting.
Forsyth Future Leaders – Middle schooler Gavin Rosier came before Council to share information about his youth-led student organization, Forsyth Future Leaders, that focuses on community service and civil engagement. The organization currently has 3 members but is working to recruit more.
Forsyth Future Leaders will be hosting a booth at the Police Department’s City Fun Day on Saturday, August 15.
Approval of a street closure request on August 22, 2026, for a family reunion – Ms. Davis came before Council with a request to close Powell Street on August 22 for the Zellner/Jones Family Reunion. She explained that most of the homes affected belong to family members who will be in attendance.
Following a motion by Councilman Goodson, Council voted unanimously to approve the street closure request.
Convention and Visitors Bureau quarterly report and World Cup report by Gilda Stanbery – CVB Director Gilda Stanbery presented the Quarterly Report to Council. Ms. Stanbery provided analytics for the CVB’s high performing newsletter, recapped the local projects they have recently supported, and discussed the impact of press pickups.
Ms. Stanbery also provided an exhibition overview for the CVB’s display at the Georgia World Congress Center during the FIFA World Cup. Their exhibition was titled “Forsyth, the Whole Day Through.” The Forsyth CVB crew interacted with more that 2,637 visitors during the 9 days they were present for the exhibit, making connections with individuals from more than 35 U.S. states and 47 other countries.
Public Hearing for Rezoning of parcel F23 068, F23 069, F24 017, and F32 046, PrimePoint Ventures, LLC. – Project Manager Alex Smith presented the staff report and recapped the previous public hearing for a request by PrimePoint Ventures, LLC. to rezone four parcels, two located on Willis Circle and two adjacent, from Residential Moderate Density (R-3) to Residential Multi-family (RM) for the purpose of building an apartment community, called The Grove. The proposal is for eleven, three-story buildings with two apartments per story, totaling 66 units on the subject parcels. Mr. Smith reported that Dr. Finch, Monroe County Schools Superintendent, does not foresee the project causing a burden for Monroe County Schools since plans to increase capacity are already in place, and the City’s Utility Department confirmed capacity and availability to serve the development. The proposed development also shows two entrances/exits, one on Moreland Drive and one on Powerhouse Road. Mr. Smith stated that the proposed rezoning is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Smith provided the results of the vote by the Planning and Zoning Commission. On July 27, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Board voted 4-1 to recommend approval of the rezoning as presented, with Mr. Hal Clarke being opposed for traffic concerns and Mr. Harbuck abstaining.
Mr. Cecil Henderson of Forsyth spoke in support of the request, stating that he thinks it’s a good project because many people want to move to Forsyth, and this could provide housing for them.
Mr. Emami, PrimePoint Ventures, spoke in support of his request. He stated that he listened and adjusted his proposal based on the information and concerns he received at the time these same parcels were annexed into the city with a proposal for a townhouse community.
Mr. Emami stated that the new proposal for apartments preserves green space and allows for more amenities for residents since the buildings have a smaller footprint. He also highlighted that multifamily housing fits the surrounding uses, and that the proposal creates a cohesive plan for the subject parcels. Mr. Emami stated that The Grove will be a professionally managed complex with amenities like a club house, swimming pool, walking trail, sidewalks, and landscaping throughout in addition to upgraded masonry and fiber cement siding.
No individuals were present to speak in opposition to the rezoning request.
After Mayor Goolsby closed the public hearing, Councilman Wilder offered a motion to approve the request with Councilman Dodd providing a second.
During discussion, Mr. Emami addressed traffic concerns, taking on the responsibility of widening and improving Moreland Avenue, and affordability. Following suggestions made by Councilman Hill, Councilman Wilder amended his motion to include conditions that Mr. Emami bear the financial burden of widening and bringing Moreland Avenue up to City standards, provide fencing around all retention or detention ponds in the development, and that the complex must have amenities for residents.
The motion was approved unanimously, and City Attorney Brian Causey provided the first reading of the ordinance to amend the Official Zoning Map of the City of Forsyth.
Removal of Discussion with County Commissioner Eddie Rowland from the July 6, 2026, City Council meeting – City Attorney Brian Causey provided a brief description of the previous discussion and confirmed that the Council had in the July 20 meeting voted to use the Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC) to complete the City’s portion of the Comprehensive Plan.
Councilman Wilder made a motion to decline Commissioner Rowland’s proposal from the July 6 meeting. The motion passed 5-1, with Councilman Hill voting in opposition.
Public Hearing for Annexation and Initial Rezoning of Parcel F32 019, PrimePoint Ventures, LLC. – Project Manager Alex Smith also presented the staff report for an annexation and initial rezoning for the same proposed project as was the subject of the previous rezoning public hearing, The Grove. The request is to annex parcel F32 019, located on Moreland Avenue, into the City for the purpose of building an apartment community. The subject parcel, which is approximately four acres, would hold eight apartment buildings for a total of 48 units. The entire development would be made up of nineteen buildings for a total of 114 units.
Mr. Smith reported that Dr. Finch, Monroe County Schools Superintendent, does not foresee the project causing a burden for Monroe County Schools since plans to increase capacity are already in place, and the City’s Utility Department confirmed capacity and availability to serve the development. The proposed development also shows two entrances/exits, one on Moreland Drive and one on Powerhouse Road. Mr. Smith stated that the proposed annexation and initial zoning are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and surrounding uses.
Mr. Smith provided the results of the vote by the Planning and Zoning Commission. On July 27, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Board voted 4-1 to recommend approval of the annexation and initial zoning as presented, with Mr. Hal Clarke being opposed and Mr. Harbuck abstaining.
With no individuals present who wished to speak in support of or opposition to the annexation application, Mayor Goolsby closed the public hearing.
Councilman Goodson made a motion to approve the annexation and initial zoning. The motion passed 5-1 with Councilwoman Allen voting in opposition, and City Attorney Brian Causey provided the first reading of the ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Forsyth.
Noah Harbuck – Mr. Harbuck came before Council in response to a vote to raise electrical rates that passed in a previous meeting. Mr. Harbuck stated that he had collected the signatures of 155 residents and 14 business owners on a petition requesting the mayor veto the rate increase.
Mr. Harbuck also requested City Council draft an amendment that requires proposed rate changes be subject to the same requirements as proposed millage rate changes and granting zoning variances, with public notices advertised in the Reporter and public hearings.
Approval of the bid award to C.W. Mattews Company for the 2026 TSPLOST and LMIG Asphalt Paving and Resurfacing Project – Councilman Dodd made a motion to accept the bid. The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of change order for the water main project – Utilities Director Mike Batchelor requested a change order to increase the General Contingency Allowance line item from $200,000 to $500,000 based on the recommendation of the City’s engineering firm, Hofstadter and Associates. The increased contingency is expected to minimize delays to the project schedule for necessary field modifications and unforeseen conditions during construction. Mr. Batchelor stated that the project is funded by the City and will be reimbursed by an ARPA grant.
Councilman Wilder made a motion to approve the change order. The motion passed unanimously.
Kynette Properties – City Attorney Brian Causey explained that this item had been discussed during executive session and voted on in a previous Council meeting, and that the Council needs to ratify that vote and name the properties and prices. The first property is 250 Kynette Street with a price of $25,000. The second property is 219 Kynette Street with a price of $30,000. The third property is 223 Kynette Street with a price of $40,000.
Councilman Goodson made a motion to approve the purchases of the three Kynette Street properties.
Councilwoman Allen stated that the properties are being purchased to expand parking for Kynette Park.
Councilman Hill confirmed with City staff that the funding for this purchase would come from the Parks fund.
The motion passed unanimously.
Executive Session – Councilman Holmes made a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel and real estate. The motion passed unanimously.
Following executive session, a motion was made to authorize Mayor Goolsby to sign a new contract with the City Manager per the City Charter. The motion passed 5-1 with Councilman Hill opposed.