Georgia's newest and seventh-largest city opened for business just after midnight when its charter officially took effect. Soon after, Sandy Springs first-ever mayor and four city council members opened the new city's first-ever business meeting with an emergency session early Thursday.
The session was called to adopt a new set of laws and swear in staff. Even though they'd been sworn in earlier Wednesday night, Mayor Eva Galambos and council members were re-sworn in after midnight just in case.
While the meeting lasted only 35 minutes, it was just long enough to adopt all but one of Fulton County's ordinances until Sandy Springs can write its own. The city's new leaders did not adopt Fulton's adult entertainment code and instead passed a 30-day moratorium on any new adult businesses and on any renewals. Council members said they want to clean up the image such businesses have created.
"People are very concerned about the impact of adult entertainment on our business district, on the residential areas, on the areas around our schools, so there's no question there's a tremendous amount of concern about it," Councilman Rusty Paul said.
Two of Sandy Springs council seats remain vacant until next Tuesday's runoff elections. The new city hopes to hire its own police and fire departments within six months. Until then, they're paying Fulton County to continue those services.
Say goodbye to Insurrections and LuvShack on Roswell Road
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