Lee Blitch

The Regular Meeting of the City Council included several public hearings and discussions on land rezoning applications, primarily concerning the development of townhome communities and data centers. Key discussions during public hearings involved resident concerns regarding data center impacts on traffic, water supply, noise levels, and health, leading to conditional approvals for multiple data center rezoning requests. Approvals were also granted for several items on the consent agenda, including an amended resolution for real property acquisition and resolutions authorizing CDBG funding applications. Proclamations and awards recognized the Employee of the Month for November and December, the 2025 Employee of the Year, and the 2025 Citizen of the Year. The council also agreed to close the city offices on December 26, 2025.

The meeting focused on new business involving three concurrent public hearings (Cases 2025RZ-010-01, 2025RZ-011-01, and 2025RZ-012-01) submitted by TA Realty LLC to rezone properties from PUD or GC districts to the OI district for the purpose of developing a data center. Staff recommended approval subject to 19 conditions covering cooling, noise, traffic, landscaping, and green infrastructure, alongside commitments for STEM education support and Diverse Business Enterprise participation. The developer further detailed noise compliance, a 150-foot buffer, and a $100,000 donation to county parks. Citizen opposition centered on concerns regarding water/power usage, site compatibility, and perceived lack of community benefit. A motion to deny Case 2025RZ-012-01 passed 2 to 1, with an amendment adding a 20th condition.

The City Council Work Session addressed several new business items, all added to the consent agenda. Key actions included reviewing a resolution for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), approving submittals for professional services from Quality Communication Inc., and renewing an agreement with ATL Airport District Marketing Services for tourism promotion. The governing authority reviewed minutes from previous work sessions and regular meetings held in December 2025. Further actions involved considering an amendment to the charter to move the organizational meeting from January to December, and approving a resolution appointing the Mayor Pro Tempore with the appointment of Councilmember Mealing. Several key municipal positions were up for one-year reappointment, including the Municipal Prosecuting Attorney, Assistant Municipal Prosecuting Attorney, City Attorney, Assistant City Attorneys, Chief of Police, Chief of Fire and Emergency Services, Director of Public Services, City Engineer, and Medical Director. Additionally, the City Clerk position was identified and filled with the appointment of Sharday Freeman. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss one Real Estate item and two sets of Executive Session Minutes.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. Key activities included the recognition of the Employee of the Month for January, Monica Moore, and the induction and pinning ceremony for the 2025-2026 Youth Leadership Council Members. A presentation by The Collaborative Firm regarding revisions to the Union City Zoning Ordinance took place. During the public comment section, residents addressed the potential use of a data center for community benefit and raised public safety concerns. The extensive Consent Agenda involved numerous actions, such as reviewing a resolution for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), approving submittals for professional services and tourism promotion renewal, reviewing minutes from previous meetings (Work Session and Regular Council Meeting dated December 16, 2025), and approving amendments to the charter regarding the organizational meeting date. Several key officials, including the City Attorney, Chief of Police, Chief of Fire and Emergency Services, and City Engineer, were reappointed for one-year terms. Council members provided reports and announcements, including acknowledgments regarding the MLK Clean Up event and looking forward to future events like the South Metro Development Outlook.

This Comprehensive Safety Action Plan outlines Union City's strategy to achieve zero traffic fatalities by 2050. Utilizing the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe System Approach, the plan focuses on safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds, safer roads, and enhanced post-crash care. It employs a three-pronged approach encompassing policies, education and enforcement, and projects, providing a roadmap for implementation to enhance safety for all road users.