COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — In College Park, a controversial rezoning vote is renewing calls for increased transparency at city hall.
At least nine complaints alleging violations of the Open Meetings Act were filed with the Georgia Attorney General's Office in the last month, according to a records request from 11Alive.
"This council acts in complete disregard to their obligation to be open to the public," one citizen wrote in their complaint, alleging that the city council held a meeting with a quorum without proper notice on March 28.
"This disregard for regulatory procedure raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability," wrote another in a lengthy email about the rezoning vote on March 18.
The state reviewed those complaints and seven others — including four sent by the mayor of College Park — and wrote three mediation letters to the City Attorney. It will review the city’s response once it’s been received and provide it to the complainants. Its next steps are then determined by what is contained in the response.
"I believe that the only way we're going to get some resolution to this situation is for some outside people to say enough is enough, or at least say, hey, what's going on over in College Park," Marcia Knox said. "I think they've deteriorated to a level of just disheartening behavior from the people that we have in office. A lot of the most recent events that have been taking place seem to — for me — give off an air of secrecy."
Knox and her neighbors in College Park are concerned about whether their city council members are acting in the best interest of their constituents.
"We live here. We love this community, and we want to participate in the city's governance. But unfortunately, our current leaders on the council are trying to keep us out of decisions that are going to affect the city that we love for decades to come," said Lincoln Turner. "We're really facing a fundamental issue of democracy."
Each letter from the state contains a disclaimer that they are not aware of all the circumstances surrounding the alleged meetings and are not assuming that the city violated the law. However, they do request a response to the allegations within 10 business days.
11Alive reached out to the City Attorney Thursday evening but had not yet heard back as of Friday at 11 p.m.