2020-01-13 · City Council · Transcript · City Council Meeting

--- title: January 13 2020 City Council Meeting date: 2020-01-13 source: 2020-01-13_January_13_2020_City_Council_Meeting.wav --- [0:00:10, 0:00:13]: Yeah. [0:00:14, 0:00:16]: So we like the [0:01:05, 0:01:06]: The council. [0:01:07, 0:01:09]: Council, I need you to die us, please. [0:01:30, 0:01:32]: Council, I need you to die us, please. We need to get started. [0:01:36, 0:01:45]: Are we uh are we reconvening or are we starting over? We're starting over. Okay, gotcha. Brand new meeting. [0:02:03, 0:02:05]: I know I'm going to look too. [0:02:10, 0:02:20]: [142.9, 150.0]: Mm-hmm. That's what I am. That's what I am. [0:02:30, 0:02:32]: This is crazy. [0:02:46, 0:02:48]: Mm-hmm. [0:03:01, 0:03:02]: Madam Clerk. [0:03:04, 0:03:04]: Sorry. [0:03:07, 0:03:17]: All right ladies and gentlemen, we're gonna convene our first meeting of this 2020 calendar year, which is Stockbridges' 100th centennial celebration. [0:03:17, 0:03:28]: It's Monday, January thirteenth, and I have roughly uh a minute after six. Meeting is in order. Invocation today will be given by the city's chaplain, Pastor Terrence Gaddis. Sir, please. [0:03:28, 0:03:30]: Everyone please stand if you can. [0:03:43, 0:03:44]: Let us pray. [0:03:46, 0:04:06]: O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name. We thank you, God, for this new season, this new decade, this new opportunity to serve your people. We thank you, God, for this council, God. We thank you, God, for this community. We thank you, God, for our newly elected officers. We pray, God, now that you would be in this midst of this. [0:04:06, 0:04:26]: This meeting, have your way, that we might be decent and in order, and considering the needs of those who this council serves. We thank you again for all that you're going to do for us this year. And again, we thank you for our community. We love you, honor you, and we praise you. It's in the name of our Savior that we pray, let every heart say, Amen. [0:04:26, 0:04:27]: Amen. [0:04:28, 0:04:43]: Ladies and gentlemen, Pledge Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which stands one nation, underpowered, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [0:04:47, 0:04:54]: And actually what's next on the agenda is the actual swearing in our newly elected uh council members. [0:04:54, 0:04:56]: And that would be presided by our [0:04:57, 0:05:09]: Our court judge, a city court judge, Judge Matthew McCord, as he gets on his robe and he's ready to go at this. So I would imagine Ms. Mc uh Judge McCord, you're gonna do all three at the same time? Is that correct or individual? [0:05:10, 0:05:20]: Okay, so councilman is that's good with you? Yes. No please go down to the front floor? Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry? Oh oh excuse me. Gosh. [0:05:21, 0:05:28]: Okay, it's a gray hair folks. I'm sorry. Miss Miss Kelsey Bunn is going to sing the National Anthony. Do you wanna be have to use the mic? [0:05:30, 0:05:31]: Okay, go right here, please. [0:05:33, 0:05:35]: You stand for national anthem, please. [0:05:44, 0:05:45]: So much of him. [0:05:52, 0:06:10]: Oh, say can you see by the don't early light what so proudly we held? [0:06:10, 0:06:17]: at the twilight's last cleaning. [0:06:17, 0:06:30]: Whose broad stripes and bright stars Through the Python [0:06:30, 0:06:42]: O' the rap birds we watched were still. [0:06:44, 0:07:04]: And the raggets friend the bumps bursting in proof through the nights than our flag would. [0:07:03, 0:07:06]: Just do there. [0:07:07, 0:07:22]: Oh city does that stars bangle b [0:07:23, 0:07:31]: Or the land of the front. [0:07:32, 0:07:35]: And uh [0:07:36, 0:07:38]: Ah [0:07:43, 0:07:47]: Outstanding. Outstanding. [0:07:50, 0:07:51]: Okay. [0:07:54, 0:07:58]: Now we what we need to do is get her to to sing in one of our [0:07:59, 0:08:02]: City events. Outstanding, Ms. Bunn. Outstanding. Okay. [0:08:04, 0:08:09]: Yes, why don't you want to go down the front floor? The three of you, Elton, Yolanda, John, and the front police. [0:08:10, 0:08:11]: Yeah. [0:08:12, 0:08:14]: Yes, absolutely. There you go. Absolutely. [0:08:16, 0:08:17]: On you just McCorser. [0:08:19, 0:08:20]: What's that little girl's name? [0:08:20, 0:08:23]: Kelsey Bunn. Kelsey Bunn. [0:08:23, 0:08:25]: Y'all remember that name. [0:08:26, 0:08:28]: [509.0, 522.9]: Kelsey, did you know that I have a degree in music? Before I became a lawyer, I was a music teacher. And when they told me that you were gonna be singing, I thought, sure she is. I thought I you stood up here, a little little you, and I thought, we'll see if she can sing or not. Young lady. That took courage and it was amazing. [0:08:50, 0:08:51]: All right. [0:08:54, 0:08:57]: We're gonna do all these at one time? Is that how we wanna do it? Sure. All right. [0:08:59, 0:09:05]: This is kinda long. It's like getting married, Councilman Alexander. You just kinda follow the preacher. [0:09:05, 0:09:09]: Here we go. If you'll raise your right hand, repeat after me, I and state your name. [0:09:12, 0:09:13]: Council member. [0:09:14, 0:09:15]: Do solemnly swear or affirm. [0:09:17, 0:09:22]: That I will faithfully perform the duties of the council member of the city of Stockbridge. [0:09:26, 0:09:28]: Let's do that again. That I will faithfully. [0:09:30, 0:09:31]: Perform the duties. [0:09:32, 0:09:34]: Of the council member of the city of Stockbridge. [0:09:35, 0:09:36]: Also. [0:09:37, 0:09:40]: And that I will to the best of my ability. [0:09:41, 0:09:45]: Support and defend the charter thereof. [0:09:46, 0:09:48]: As well as the Constitution. [0:09:49, 0:09:51]: And laws of the state of Georgia. [0:09:52, 0:09:54]: And the United States of America. [0:09:56, 0:09:57]: I further affirm that [0:09:58, 0:10:00]: That upon assumption of this office [0:10:02, 0:10:06]: I do not hold any unaccounted for public money. [0:10:09, 0:10:10]: Due and payable to the state? [0:10:12, 0:10:14]: Any political subdivision of the state. [0:10:16, 0:10:20]: [621.9, 624.9]: Nor do I hold any other office of trust. [0:10:27, 0:10:29]: Of the government of the United States. [0:10:30, 0:10:36]: Of this state or any foreign state as prescribed by the law. [0:10:38, 0:10:39]: Of the state of Georgia. [0:10:40, 0:10:44]: I'll solemnly affirm that I am fully qualified. [0:10:45, 0:10:46]: Constitution. [0:10:50, 0:10:52]: To hold the office of council member. [0:10:53, 0:10:55]: And that I have been a resident [0:10:56, 0:10:58]: [659.0, 660.8]: For the entire period of time. [0:11:02, 0:11:03]: Required by the Constitution. [0:11:05, 0:11:06]: And laws of the state of Georgia. [0:11:08, 0:11:10]: I will perform the duties of my office. [0:11:11, 0:11:14]: In the best interest of the city of Stockbridge. [0:11:15, 0:11:17]: To the best of my ability. [0:11:18, 0:11:25]: Without fear, favor, affection, reward, or expectation thereof. [0:11:27, 0:11:27]: Congratulations. [0:11:52, 0:11:53]: Jumping off. [0:11:57, 0:11:59]: Yeah, no. [0:12:38, 0:12:47]: And once everybody signs, um I'd like to give the mic to each one of the council members to give at least three minutes of uh to address the citizens of Stobbridge. [0:12:48, 0:12:55]: And uh I make a recommendation that you let the newest member of the council go first. [0:12:57, 0:12:58]: Would you want to go first? [0:13:00, 0:13:01]: Oh, you need your phone. [0:13:25, 0:13:32]: Let me see that let me see that for a second. It's right. Is it any different? I don't think so. Okay, let me just [0:13:33, 0:13:35]: [822.3, 823.4]: I had to write something. [0:13:45, 0:13:56]: Yeah, so I got that here. I had to write something, otherwise I would get out here and just completely forget my train of thoughts. So [0:13:56, 0:14:09]: Um in short, I'm truly honored by the opportunity to serve as your councilwoman elect to help shape the future of our community. I thank you all so much for your support over the last two years. [0:14:10, 0:14:16]: I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge those who share my passion for our community. [0:14:17, 0:14:19]: One person in particular. [0:14:20, 0:14:21]: Linda Mitchell. [0:14:22, 0:14:24]: Who passed away a few few weeks ago? [0:14:25, 0:14:27]: For all who knew Linda [0:14:27, 0:14:32]: would agree she's left an indelible mark in our hearts and in our community. [0:14:33, 0:14:39]: I am so appreciative of everyone who sacrificed and believed as Linda and I did. [0:14:40, 0:14:42]: The stock bridge is worth saving. [0:14:43, 0:14:48]: These are indeed exciting times for our community. [0:14:49, 0:14:55]: We're celebrating our centennial, the amphitheater, and several other developments to follow. [0:14:55, 0:14:57]: We've got more work to do. [0:14:58, 0:14:58]: And we'll do it. [0:14:59, 0:15:00]: Together. [0:15:01, 0:15:05]: I hope you all will stay engaged as we make Stockbridge. [0:15:05, 0:15:09]: The premier city in Georgia. Thank you all so much for coming out. [0:15:19, 0:15:39]: I want to thank everybody for coming out. And I'll at the beginning, at the end of each meeting, I always thank everybody for partaking in the democratic process. Because that is indeed, we serve the people. It is about you. We work for you. Out on the campaign trail and during this campaign, I got to meet many of you. [0:15:39, 0:15:59]: Meeting you was a joy and delight. What it showed me and rewed and reinvigorated in all of us out on the campaign trail, what we already knew. This is a great place to live. This is a great place to work, and this is a great place to play. [0:15:59, 0:16:19]: Holiday, we went through a tremendous social struggle to keep our city together. This is the definition of what community is all about. Every person that reached out, that talked to someone, that knocked on a door, that sent an email, that conversed with a neighbor, it was [0:16:18, 0:16:38]: Truly a national story that captured the attention of the entire world because it was a right situation. We kept the city together. We made sure that we did right by every citizen here while understanding that you deserve the best community in Metro Atlanta. We start from the [0:16:38, 0:16:58]: The top up at Highway 138 to Eagles Landing Parkway down to Jodeco Road, making sure that we drive those streets and we walk those streets every single day to make sure that we represent all of you. I understood from the moment that I raised my hand to take this job that it was a true honor. [0:16:58, 0:17:15]: And it has been a true honor over the last four years to serve each and every one of you. Because I truly believe in this community and will not rest until we draw the distinction of the best community in Metro Atlanta. Thank you so much for allowing me to serve. [0:17:18, 0:17:20]: Oh baby. [0:17:21, 0:17:32]: How y'all doing? Thanks for coming out. Let me address the elephant in the room, okay? It's hot in here. All right? Can the church say amen? Amen. That's the elephant in the room, okay? Let me go ahead and get the elephant out of the room, okay? [0:17:32, 0:17:36]: Uh, one of the things that I can always say is that when when people see me out there [0:17:37, 0:17:40]: Campaign when they see me out and about the city. [0:17:42, 0:17:46]: When I got reelected, the first thing some people asked me [0:17:46, 0:17:48]: Was what was your strategy? [0:17:49, 0:17:50]: My strategy is serving the people. [0:17:51, 0:17:54]: Because I believe if you serve the people, that's your first campaign. [0:17:55, 0:17:57]: And it'll be your last campaign. [0:17:58, 0:18:00]: Because when you are people minded [0:18:00, 0:18:03]: That's what we're elected for. To make those decisions. [0:18:03, 0:18:06]: for the people and be the voice of those people. [0:18:07, 0:18:09]: In the city here in the city of Stockbridge. [0:18:09, 0:18:13]: Because I believe we're in a great opportunity in the city of Stockbridge right now to make an impact. [0:18:14, 0:18:18]: I've always said that perception is greater than the truth if you don't know the facts. [0:18:19, 0:18:29]: So I wanna give you guys a couple of facts, okay? The fact is that everyone elected right here, everyone on this body is out for your best interest. That's a fact. [0:18:29, 0:18:31]: No matter what perception is put out there. [0:18:32, 0:18:33]: Another fact. [0:18:33, 0:18:36]: Is that whatever we do, we're listening to you. [0:18:37, 0:18:38]: We hear your voices. [0:18:38, 0:18:40]: We hear what you're saying. [0:18:40, 0:18:42]: And we're gonna act on those things. [0:18:42, 0:18:43]: That's a fact. [0:18:44, 0:18:50]: And one of the things I can truly say to you all, I thank you all for reelecting me because you saw something in me. [0:18:50, 0:18:52]: That says we like what you're doing. [0:18:52, 0:18:54]: We know that you're for us. [0:18:54, 0:19:01]: And we want to see you around to continue some great work to help continue great work in the city of Stoppers. I tell everybody, I'm only one vote. [0:19:02, 0:19:04]: I'm only one vote. [0:19:04, 0:19:09]: But when you have the respect of your council members and your mayor and your staff. [0:19:10, 0:19:13]: To help move this city forward, we can achieve so much. [0:19:14, 0:19:16]: Because if we ever sit out alone. [0:19:16, 0:19:17]: Then we'll be alone. [0:19:18, 0:19:20]: But when we come together we're making great things happening. [0:19:21, 0:19:25]: Next year, this year, and the end of this year you're gonna see a awesome amphitheater go up. [0:19:26, 0:19:28]: You're gonna see a cultural arts center coming. [0:19:28, 0:19:45]: You're gonna see a youth and and senior uh facility coming. We're building our public facilities, uh uh uh new public facilities uh uh down the street here on off of East Atlanta. So much is going on, so much opportunities here in Stockbridge. And I thank you all for reelecting me to serve you four more years. [0:19:59, 0:20:02]: We'll wait till everybody get some place before we take roll call. Okay. [0:20:05, 0:20:05]: Switch. [0:20:15, 0:20:17]: Madam Clerk Rockaw, please. [0:20:17, 0:20:30]: Councilman Councilman Thomas. Present. Mayor Pro Tem Blount. Present. Mayor Ford. Present. Councilwoman Gantt. Present. Councilman Alexander. Present. Councilwoman Barber. Present. Mayor Ford, you have a quor quorum. [0:20:30, 0:20:31]: Thank you. [0:20:31, 0:20:37]: Council, I need a motion to adopt the agenda, please. Mayor. Yes, sir. I'd like to amend the agenda to add um [0:20:37, 0:20:41]: Uh to add to ask for use of the Merrill Mendis Comferson. [0:20:43, 0:20:44]: Okay. [0:20:44, 0:20:46]: He wants to add to the agenda, is there a second for that? [0:20:46, 0:20:47]: A second. [0:20:48, 0:20:49]: Okay, all in favor of that. [0:20:50, 0:20:50]: Please indicate. [0:20:52, 0:20:52]: Favored emotion? [0:20:53, 0:20:56]: Okay. And was it unanimous? I didn't uh catch it all. [0:20:57, 0:21:06]: Okay. Mayor Ford. Yes, ma'am. I abstain. Okay, there we go. All right, so be it. I will add that on and that will come [0:21:08, 0:21:11]: After our new business uh public hearing. [0:21:13, 0:21:15]: Okay. Be item number four. [0:21:18, 0:21:25]: All right, so now on that note, uh adoption of the minutes for the following meetings. The council meeting which was November [0:21:25, 0:21:27]: Eleventh, twenty nineteen. [0:21:27, 0:21:32]: A special call meeting which was on November twelfth, two thousand nineteen. That was with the county right here. [0:21:32, 0:21:33]: You know, Chambers. [0:21:34, 0:21:40]: The uh November twenty sixth uh special call excuse me, um the uh work council work session. [0:21:40, 0:21:44]: And then also council meeting on the December ninth. [0:21:44, 0:21:55]: And then we had a special call meeting on the twelfth of December and uh that was about the IGA and the city public affili uh facilities authority, excuse me. [0:21:56, 0:22:02]: Need a motion to adopt all those uh particular minutes for those meetings. Mayor Ford. Yes, ma'am. [0:22:02, 0:22:06]: I move that we adopt the minutes as y uh based off the dates that you've read. [0:22:06, 0:22:11]: Okay. Second. Okay. Any further discussion? If not, all favor, please indicate. [0:22:13, 0:22:19]: You don't you pose? Therefore. I abstain. Sustain okay. No problem. So before me. [0:22:20, 0:22:23]: Organizational appointments. I need a motion to appoint a municipal court judge. [0:22:24, 0:22:35]: Mayor Ford. Yes ma'am I move that we apport uh we appoint Judge um Matt McCord. Okay. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor, please indicate. [0:22:35, 0:22:40]: All right, Ms. McCord, Judge McCord, come where is he? Let's swear you back in, sir. [0:22:54, 0:23:10]: I give you a stuff. A little further down. Same. Okay. Could you have P set over there? Excuse me. Could you no I'm talking. Okay, I'm sorry. Could you have P set? We'll take the metal. [0:23:10, 0:23:30]: Okay. So what's the states you make? I'm at the board. So I'm going to swear or affirm. And I will faithfully perform. And I will faithfully perform. The duties of the municipal court judge. The duties of the municipal court judge. On the city of Stockbridge. On the city of Stockbridge. And that I will? And that I will to the best of my ability. [0:23:30, 0:23:50]: best of my ability. Support and defend. Support and defend. The charter thereof. Charter thereof. As well as as well as Constitution and laws. Constitution and laws. The state of Georgia. The state of Georgia. And the United States of America. United States of America. I further affirm upon assumption of this office. Upon assumption of this office. I do not hold any. I do not hold any [0:23:50, 0:24:10]: unaccounted for public money unaccounted for public money doing payable to the state doing payable to the state any political subdivision of the state any subdivision of the state the city of stock range or any authority thereof or any authority thereof nor do I hold nor do I hold any other office of trust any other office of trust of the government of the government of the United States of this state [0:24:10, 0:24:30]: Or any foreign state or any foreign state as prescribed by the laws of the state of Georgia. As prescribed by the laws of the state of Georgia. I solemnly affirmed. I solemnly affirmed. That will fully qualify under the constitution and the laws of the state. To hold the office of municipal court judge. To hold the office of municipal court judge. I will reform. I will reform. [0:24:29, 0:24:46]: In my best interest of the city. Best interest of the city. Stop breathing. Your best liability. Best of my ability. Without fear. Favor. Favor. Flexion. More. Expectation thereof. Expectation thereof. And this is on the thirteenth day of January 2020. [0:24:47, 0:24:50]: Yeah. [0:24:57, 0:24:58]: We [0:24:58, 0:25:01]: You have any other comics, sir, that have you had questions? [0:25:03, 0:25:17]: I'll be brief. I I just finished a term last summer as president of the Council of Municipal Court Judges for the whole state. So think about that. Every time I sat down, there was a nameplate in front of me with the Chief Justice of the State of Georgia that said Stockbridge. [0:25:17, 0:25:23]: And I would get asked every now and then when we were going through all that we were going through, what was it like to serve in a city that was a subject of so much attention? [0:25:24, 0:25:26]: So here's what I'll tell you my answer is. [0:25:27, 0:25:35]: If you remember a city called Muscle Shoals, there was a guy named Percy Sledge, and they found him singing as an orderly in a hospital. And they brought him in and he sang a song called When a Man Loves a Woman. [0:25:37, 0:25:46]: There was a recording studio in New York that said that they called down to Muscle Shoals and they said, We want that same black soulful sound to back up our singers that you've got in Muscle Shoals. [0:25:46, 0:25:52]: So they flew down this guy who sang a song called In the Midnight Hour. Some of you will remember that. [0:25:53, 0:25:55]: And here's what he found when he got muscle shoals. [0:25:56, 0:25:58]: Percy Sledge's backup band. [0:25:58, 0:25:59]: was a group of [0:25:59, 0:26:03]: White country boys from the mountain hills of Alabama that calls themselves the Swampers. [0:26:04, 0:26:07]: But when they all got together in that studio in Muscle Shoals. [0:26:08, 0:26:10]: It didn't matter where you were from. [0:26:10, 0:26:12]: [1572.5, 1576.6]: What mattered was we were human beings and we were gonna do something beautiful together. [0:26:17, 0:26:17]: Here's my point. [0:26:18, 0:26:34]: Never, ever, ever allow yourself to make a decision about another human being based on the color of their skin or their race or their creed or their preference or their faith. This world can't afford another generation who makes decisions like that. [0:26:35, 0:26:36]: It's this simple. [0:26:37, 0:26:41]: There's a principle that I learned a long time ago that said, Love your neighbor as yourself. [0:26:42, 0:26:50]: And in this city, my neighbor is Elfin Alexander and Lakeisha Gantt and John and Mayor Ford and Yolanda. [0:26:51, 0:27:09]: Alfonso. And Alfonso who's been with me since the beginning and all of you. And whether you're a judge or a city councilman, if you do business that way, then we get it right and we get to stay together and the rest of the state gets to watch. [0:27:19, 0:27:21]: Lloyd, did you get all the pictures you needed, sir? [0:27:21, 0:27:22]: Did you get all the things? [0:27:22, 0:27:30]: We need to you know what? I know we'll do it at the end. How about that? We'll do it at the end. No problem. We got it together. All right. Council, I need an appointment for our city attorney, please. [0:27:31, 0:27:33]: Mayor Ford. Yes, Mayor. [0:27:33, 0:27:38]: I would like to appoint m uh attorney Mike Williams as our city attorney. Okay, so a second. [0:27:39, 0:27:41]: Okay, and further discussion. [0:27:42, 0:27:43]: All in favor, please indicate. [0:27:45, 0:27:48]: And and please indicate if you w you if you're improving an appointment. [0:27:50, 0:27:53]: Okay, two? Oh three? Okay. Opposed? [0:27:55, 0:28:05]: Sustained. Okay. Okay, go right ahead. I'm sorry, excuse me. Question. [0:28:06, 0:28:17]: I wanted to be able to have an opportunity to speak with directly you will. You will. Okay. You will. All right. Well at this time I'm not ready. Okay. Understand. [0:28:18, 0:28:20]: Okay. Back back to the vote. All in favor of the motion, please indicate. [0:28:21, 0:28:25]: All right. I'll oppose or sus you oppose? Sustain. [0:28:26, 0:28:31]: You system? Oh you oppose as well. All right. Three, two. All right. [0:28:31, 0:28:36]: All right, and uh council I need a um a motion to select our mayor pro tem. [0:28:37, 0:28:39]: Mayo oh, it's not I'm sorry. [0:28:40, 0:28:40]: Go ahead. [0:28:41, 0:28:41]: Mayor. [0:28:42, 0:28:48]: Yes, sir. I move to nominate uh Councilman Alfonso Thomas. I second. [0:28:49, 0:28:52]: Okay. Any further discussion? [0:28:52, 0:28:54]: All in favor of that, please indicate. [0:28:56, 0:29:01]: Okay, there we have it. All right. Congratulate Mr. Thomas here, Mayor Pro Temp. [0:29:06, 0:29:16]: Now what I was a what I was alluding to earlier was a about a photograph. I mean, do we do we would we want to photograph with our our judge again and uh attorney? I'm I'm just asking or do you wanna keep going with the meeting? [0:29:16, 0:29:17]: Skip the roll. [0:29:19, 0:29:25]: All right, sir, no problem. I just wanna leave it. Okay. [0:29:26, 0:29:34]: Okay, do any public comments, Ms. Clerk? We do, Mr. Bruce Smith Senior. Okay, Mr. Smith, come forward please and name and address. [0:29:50, 0:29:52]: Good evening, Mayor. Good evening. Council. [0:29:53, 0:29:54]: Uh [0:29:55, 0:29:57]: City attorney, Miss Fun Miss Holliday. [0:29:58, 0:30:00]: Congratulations too. [0:30:01, 0:30:02]: Councilman Alexander. [0:30:03, 0:30:05]: Councilman Balber, Councilman Blount. [0:30:06, 0:30:10]: Uh two of you on your reelection, one on your election to the council. [0:30:11, 0:30:17]: Along with several people in this auditorium, we've been rocking with the city council for over sixteen years. [0:30:17, 0:30:20]: And uh this is the first time [0:30:20, 0:30:26]: That we come in with a new election. That this council has not had any serious major problems before. [0:30:27, 0:30:28]: Oh. [0:30:29, 0:30:32]: You've accomplished a lot of things in the past ten years. [0:30:33, 0:30:36]: We've had some whole lot troubles in ten years. [0:30:36, 0:30:40]: So now we're in a new decade, a new year, and it's time for a new start. [0:30:41, 0:30:44]: Uh whatever happened in the past is in the past, we can't do anything about it. [0:30:45, 0:30:49]: So what we need to do is get fresh and get started on. [0:30:49, 0:30:51]: A new way of doing things in the council. [0:30:52, 0:30:53]: and in the city of Stockbridge. [0:30:54, 0:30:55]: I happen to know. [0:30:56, 0:31:02]: that there are several large investments that are interested in the largest city in this in this in the Henry County. [0:31:03, 0:31:06]: There are several things on the drawing board that are planned for this city. [0:31:07, 0:31:10]: And in doing so, we need to be on one accord. [0:31:11, 0:31:12]: We don't need [0:31:12, 0:31:15]: regress back to the past or hold grudges or [0:31:15, 0:31:17]: holding any kind of rat or anything like that. [0:31:18, 0:31:20]: We need to be about the people's business. [0:31:21, 0:31:22]: Um [0:31:23, 0:31:26]: One thing, uh two things, three things. [0:31:26, 0:31:29]: As the growing city in Henry County. [0:31:29, 0:31:40]: Uh there are certain things that we need to address. We can't hide on anymore, like a police station, uh city police, like uh di like uh districts. [0:31:41, 0:31:47]: Other serious things here in the in the city of Stockbridge for a growing community. [0:31:48, 0:31:53]: А тэнкифою сервіс да тютнфордє. [0:31:53, 0:32:01]: And I hope that everything of the past is in the past and we can move together, forward together, progressively forward together. [0:32:02, 0:32:06]: without any distractions, because we have a lot of work to do here. [0:32:07, 0:32:08]: And the city stock bread. [0:32:09, 0:32:10]: Thank you. [0:32:12, 0:32:14]: For further comments? Okay. [0:32:15, 0:32:35]: No further comments, so we'll talk new business here. It's actually a public hearing. Council consideration to approve the annual 2019 to 2024 short-term work program, capital improvement element, update for transformation transmission to the ARC, land and regional commission. Miss Moore, please. Good evening, Mayor and Council. How are you tonight? [0:32:35, 0:32:40]: What staff is bringing before you tonight is to adopt a resolution that allows us to transmit the [0:32:41, 0:32:45]: Um short term work pr program at CIP to DCA. [0:32:45, 0:32:49]: an ARC the um package is in your book [0:32:49, 0:32:53]: There's a couple of changes that we'd like to bring to your attention and the [0:32:53, 0:33:10]: Changes have been provided to the clerk. If you go to page two under item five, uh there's a slash under the fire station that basically says bond funding and to be determined since that particular project has been given to the [0:33:10, 0:33:15]: Development authority for them at some point in time when they decide how to move forward on that. [0:33:15, 0:33:35]: Then we will do that update for further clarification. On page three under item two, under economic development, uh, that twenty thousand dollars. And let me, I'm sorry, let me back up a little bit for the public information. The purpose of a short-term work program and capital improvement element, it is a five-year strategy. [0:33:35, 0:33:55]: For the city to do projects. And while items are before you in each category, you have five years for that to be reflective in your budget at some point in time. So the items that are before you tonight, you may fund them this budget, you may fund them in budget 2021, you may fund them [0:33:55, 0:34:15]: Fund them in budget 2022. What this does, though, is that it allows the state of Georgia, DCA, and ARC to understand that somewhere within a five-year period, that these items will be acted upon by this mayor and council. And with that being said, returning to page three, item two, the 20,000. [0:34:14, 0:34:34]: That has been set aside for economic development to deal with the creation of a business association. Is that this is over a five-year period? And I wanted to speak to that. And then the last item shows up on page five. From 2013 forward, there was an item called Burke's. [0:34:34, 0:34:54]: Street Streetscape. And so we did some investigation today. So you did do some work on Burke Street that did account for about 1.5 million, but it wasn't Streetscape. It involved some of the items. So we decided to pull that item from submission to DC8 until we get further clarification on how that 1.5 million. [0:34:54, 0:35:14]: million dollars was submitted and then this next update we will provide that information. There are no other changes to this. On page six and page seven is the actual CIP project list that was adopted and approved by Mayor and Council. And then on page seven is the funding sources for how those projects should be paid for. [0:35:14, 0:35:27]: within the next five years of where those revenues will come from. And finally, the last couple of pages is our update to DCA on impact fees. And that's basically it. If there are any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer. [0:35:27, 0:35:46]: All right, council, you have any questions for just one. You got one, sir? Uh I could I'll get you next, sir. Go right ahead. Just real quick, on the one for uh Burke Street uh are we concerned about how it was presented to DCA? That is correct. That's correct. The expenditure of the funds has that been exhausted though? [0:35:46, 0:36:06]: When I talk to finance, expenditure of the funds were exhausted, but they weren't for street skate. They were for uh demolition of some properties, acquisition of some properties, some testing with asbestos. And so, and they're in different categories. So we made a decision to pull it until we can give a better. [0:36:06, 0:36:12]: Better description to DCA because it wasn't for street skate, it was actually for other things, but the funds have been expended. [0:36:13, 0:36:23]: Okay. We we we I guess later on we get uh how those funds were disseminated through to came up to that number. Yes, sir. Thanks. Mirapal Tim Thomas. Thank you. No problem. Uh [0:36:23, 0:36:41]: Mrs. Moore, I want to thank you and City Manager, Mr. Randy Knighton, for entertaining um some of those questions that I asked in our conference. Uh you spoke to them um just a minute ago, and I just want to thank you and Mr. Knighton for doing the research. Um [0:36:41, 0:36:58]: As I indicated, uh I wanted to address some of those issues uh rather than prolong this meeting. And I just want to thank you and Mr. Knighton for clarifying some of those things that you just spoke to. Now I do understand that um [0:36:58, 0:37:11]: This is just a process for us to submit to DCA and ARC. But I guess one of the questions that I'd asked both of you earlier today, uh when will this return back? [0:37:11, 0:37:20]: To this council for adoption, if you have in a timeline. Well, once we submit it, DCA will look at it and make a determination whether or not it meets muster. [0:37:20, 0:37:40]: And then when it comes back, then you would do another resolution. But what we're submitting is a draft for them to look at and approve. And if there's anything that you want to change, um, this, as you remember, we did our comp plan and uh an update this summer. And really, this should have been submitted together with the same information. But we decide to do an update now that we [0:37:40, 0:38:00]: We know that the amphitheater and all that information is in. So the next time you will actually get to do a submission like this will be the end of the year, which will give even more of an update. So if there's anything in here which is different from what we've already submitted, like we're not submitting Berk Street anymore, then you have from now until the next time that we submit it to make any changes. [0:38:00, 0:38:01]: Yeah. [0:38:01, 0:38:08]: Right. And and I do just want to share this with the council, uh, in reference to that Brook Street uh streetscape. [0:38:08, 0:38:14]: Uh the city acquired um a piece of property was a house on Burke Street. [0:38:14, 0:38:24]: And um the city demolished that and that was in reference to that uh it was mislabeled as Burke Street Streetscape. [0:38:25, 0:38:29]: Uh but it was just a acquisition and demolition. Thank you. [0:38:30, 0:38:50]: Mr. Sound Great, sir. Yes, thank you so much. Uh w how we normally handle these situations for their audience's attention. We normally have these graphics uh on the display board for them to be able to see them so they can kinda understand what we're talking about. Uh do we have these documents available for them for the public to inspect them? [0:38:50, 0:39:10]: We do, um, but I was asked that in consideration of the ceremonial that you had to do tonight, if I would just defer that uh and discuss it to you verbally. Uh but going forward after tonight, as you're correct, we will always bring this information and have it on the screen. But I will have uh documents for public. [0:39:10, 0:39:26]: If they want to see it afterwards, place it on the website. We can have it place it on the website as well. Okay, and then one other question as well. You do like a quick maybe you and Mr. Knight and do like a real quick kind of blip update on the top projects like the amphitheater. [0:39:27, 0:39:46]: Culture Arts Center, the and maybe the youth center. They're in process. I know we sent uh the the youth center to design that kind of thing. So the public can kinda get excited about the direction we're moving in. Not all the project, but maybe like a couple of highlights on So um for those that may not be aware, Capita Improvement uh Plan [0:39:46, 0:39:53]: is a plan that is adopted by any municipality that deals with capital improvement projects over a period of time. [0:39:53, 0:40:13]: And that can range anywhere from one year to 25 years. What the state of Georgia asks municipalities to do though is to phase them out in five-year periods. And if the project is not started on during that particular five-year period, then it rolls over to another five-year period. And so I'm just gonna list the capital improvement projects as approved by this mayor and council. [0:40:13, 0:40:30]: of the amphitheater, the monument sign, a cultural arts center, a multi-purpose facility, a public works facility, an alleyway project, renovation of the old fire station, Slash Pad Park, Road Improvement and Infrastructure Improvements. [0:40:32, 0:40:32]: Mm. [0:40:32, 0:40:35]: I'm sorry, one second, are you done, sir? That's it? [0:40:35, 0:40:55]: Yeah. Okay. Go ahead, please. The um old fire station has now been is the DDA. Yes, ma'am. So is that okay for it to still remain on here? Uh it it it is or it may come off. We're only leaving it on here until some decision is made by you, and at that point in time it [0:40:55, 0:40:58]: it would no longer show up as a part of our CIP. All right. Thank you. [0:40:59, 0:41:00]: Council, any further comments? [0:41:00, 0:41:03]: And if not, but our standards of public hearing. [0:41:03, 0:41:07]: So I it says a a public hearing on on it. So I need to open this up. [0:41:07, 0:41:11]: This aspect. Mr. Night, before I do that, do you have any other comments right now, sir, at all? [0:41:11, 0:41:31]: Okay. So it's a public hearing, ladies and gentlemen. So what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna start on my far uh left side, this section over here, and anybody that has any comments uh in favor of this particular process we're going through dealing with uh the capital improvement program and and the short-term projects that we have listed on the left side. [0:41:31, 0:41:33]: Seeing none anybody in the middle? [0:41:34, 0:41:36]: Seeing on anybody on the far right. [0:41:37, 0:41:41]: Okay, I'll start anybody against that has any comments negative about this whatsoever. [0:41:42, 0:41:43]: My far left side. [0:41:44, 0:41:44]: Saying none. [0:41:45, 0:41:45]: In the middle. [0:41:46, 0:41:50]: Once again, seeing none, far right. Seeing none. Public hearing is closed. [0:41:50, 0:42:01]: And on that so on that note, uh then I need a motion to accept this uh uh this this short term work program, capital improvement element update. Yes sir. [0:42:02, 0:42:09]: I make a motion to move forward with the recommendation of the short term work program as recommended by staff. Okay, is it second? [0:42:10, 0:42:16]: A second. Okay. Okay. Any further discussion? Any questions? If not all in favor of the motion, please indicate. [0:42:18, 0:42:25]: Okay. You sustain again? I abstain. Okay. This item proceeded to So so be it four zero one. [0:42:25, 0:42:26]: Okay. [0:42:26, 0:42:36]: What's next is uh we're gonna talk about uh Merl Manners and I guess in utilizing the uh uh Meral Manors for a a council initiative. Mr. Blount, please. [0:42:36, 0:42:38]: Yes, Mr. Mayor, um [0:42:39, 0:42:51]: What has happened is that uh when um I started the um seniors bingo bash along with uh my volunteers uh Mr. Uh Tyrone Anderson uh and [0:42:52, 0:43:12]: When we started the Bingo Bash in 2018 of October, um we did not know that it would get as large as it has uh since then and and we're at we're we're almost pretty much almost at capacity at the uh Ted Strickland Community Center uh with this. Uh we checked [0:43:12, 0:43:25]: with uh the events department uh because this event is once a month uh usually uh usually around the last Wednesday and it's and it's during the morning times for two hours from ten to from ten to twelve. [0:43:26, 0:43:28]: And what I'm asking is that [0:43:29, 0:43:49]: Because we are kinda at a standstill or actually um promoting it like we want to because we're almost at capacity right now. And so if we actually really go out and promote it, we would see a even a bigger growth than what we see now. Um it's almost uh we're we're getting close to a hundred uh seniors. [0:43:48, 0:44:08]: Every month, and this, and that's without really diligently promoting this uh event. So one of the things that we did is we got some tentative dates from uh the events department uh because before I bring it to you all, I want to make sure we covered our grounds. Um so one of the things I'm coming to ask, because I know that we have a [0:44:08, 0:44:27]: policy in place, but policies are put in place. Uh one of the reason policies are put in place that no uh that that no abuse of any policy or any uh entity of a policy would be abused, but policies are never put in place to hinder uh [0:44:27, 0:44:45]: uh activities and benefits to uh a city or its citizens. And so that's why I'm coming now um asking for the dates that have been solidified through the events department for the Murray Manager once a month for two hours in the mornings from ten to uh noon. [0:44:46, 0:44:58]: So that my motion is to ask for a permission for that use because we've outgrown the uh Ted Strickland. So m I'm motioning to use the uh Ted Strickland for those dates. Oh, you made a motion. Is there a second to the motion? [0:44:59, 0:44:59]: A second. [0:45:00, 0:45:01]: Okay, further discussion. [0:45:02, 0:45:04]: Mr. Mayor? Yes, sir. [0:45:05, 0:45:06]: Uh please. Airport ten. [0:45:07, 0:45:16]: Uh what I like to add to this um motion as uh Mr. Blount indicated that there is a policy in place. [0:45:17, 0:45:28]: The only thing I would say and what I would recommend is that we um amend the policy. What I'm fearful of is [0:45:30, 0:45:37]: All of us uh will come behind this and ask for dates. [0:45:37, 0:45:39]: Um I don't have a problem with it. [0:45:40, 0:45:42]: I'd just like for us to [0:45:42, 0:45:47]: uh I mean the policy and man of you know that I'm a stickler for [0:45:47, 0:45:56]: policies and as Councilman Blount said, that policies are not put in place to hinder or to stop. So [0:45:57, 0:46:17]: Just to make this clean, I I just refer that uh we come back and to uh amend a policy that would allow all council members to be able to um engage in activities in the future. Okay, thank you. Any further discussion? Mayor Ford. No writing please. [0:46:17, 0:46:17]: Um [0:46:18, 0:46:38]: Well, I do wanna say that it's great news, Councilman Blu uh Councilman Blount, that this activity um has grown. And I think that that's what our goal is for the community. For different activities that we do, we eventually at some point we turn them over to the city because they [0:46:38, 0:46:50]: grow and we're what we're doing as a council, we're providing or working on providing buildings to hold those type of events in the future. Um in regards to amending [0:46:51, 0:46:52]: The [0:46:52, 0:46:56]: Policy, Mayor Pro Tem Thomas, I'm not in agreement. [0:46:57, 0:47:02]: Because if you admit one of the things I think we should be mindful of. [0:47:02, 0:47:04]: This is due to the volume. [0:47:05, 0:47:13]: and that the and the capacity of the bit to be able to fit everyone into the Ted Strickland. If we amend the policy and say [0:47:13, 0:47:17]: We can just have the tet the Merrill Manders any time we want. [0:47:17, 0:47:26]: then it becomes that issue. I I think that we should leave the policy the pr policy like it is. And if someone else needs to come up here, [0:47:26, 0:47:38]: to utilize the facility more than once, then they come and get a vote for that, for that exception. Because the policy really is staying that we we're limited to the amount of times that we use it. [0:47:38, 0:47:48]: just so the the citizens would know. Because it's a it's for profit and it's for people to rent out and weddings and receptions and um [0:47:49, 0:47:57]: the reason that Councilman Blount wants to utilize that is because of the you know, it's just the overflow at this point. [0:47:58, 0:48:13]: If we just open the door to that, you know, we I could get it any day, anytime, and may only have ten members, ten people come out. So I ask that we keep the policy the same and anytime we need an exception, we come back to the council and ask for it. [0:48:14, 0:48:33]: Mr. Mayor? Yes, sir. Go right, please. Mayor Pro Tem. I I appreciate that and I can agree with the exception uh codicle to to the policy. I don't have a problem with that. Um well spoken. Um and I can accept uh the exception and I would agree that [0:48:33, 0:48:41]: Any council member wanna come back before the council to uh ask for the use, I'm I'm okay with that. Yeah. [0:48:41, 0:48:42]: Any further comments? [0:48:43, 0:48:58]: So no further comments, the motion is on the floor to utilize the mural manners for um um bingo bash on the Wednesday and this was each each and every once a month, each and every month. Uh for the last what's it's the fourth Wednesday of every month? [0:48:58, 0:49:07]: We try to keep it to the board. Okay. We have specific dates. Don't move, Mr. Mayor. Okay. Well your motion's already made. I'm just trying to make sure. So all all in favor of the motion, please indicate? [0:49:08, 0:49:10]: All right, so it's pass unanimously. [0:49:10, 0:49:12]: There you have it. Okay. [0:49:12, 0:49:15]: All right, comments from the city manager. Sir, do you have anything we need to say? [0:49:17, 0:49:37]: Uh I would just say to Mayor and Council and uh to citizens here, we have uh uh some wonderful things we are going to accomplish in the city of Stockbridge in twenty twenty. Everybody knows that this is our centennial. Uh we ask citizens to be engaged in our uh various activities which will be announced through. [0:49:37, 0:49:57]: throughout the course of the year and how we will celebrate um our 100 years. Um we have a very hardworking staff uh and we will do everything that we can do to support the vision of this council to move the city forward. There will be great things accomplished in the city of Stockbridge and I am looking forward [0:49:57, 0:49:58]: Thank you. [0:50:00, 0:50:01]: So, yeah. [0:50:02, 0:50:13]: Mayor, I just simply want to congratulate this council. I welcome our new member and I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you. Thank you. [0:50:15, 0:50:35]: Mirable Tim Thomas. Uh thank you, Mayor. First, I'd just like to again recognize um Miss Kelsey Bond. I had the pleasure of meeting her um some years ago. She was probably at the age of 11. Uh she participated in my African American Heritage Celebration. [0:50:35, 0:50:35]: Um [0:50:36, 0:50:37]: That voice [0:50:38, 0:50:40]: When I saw her, I'm sorta like the judge. [0:50:40, 0:50:44]: Uh but when I heard that I said Jennifer Hudson in the room somewhere? [0:50:44, 0:50:47]: And so uh but I do wanna just um [0:50:47, 0:51:03]: Just say Kelsey you're you're doing great. And I wanna recognize Mom, Mom Bond. Uh Kelsey is is um is a home student and she's doing well. So uh Mother Bond, would you just stand because is it's it a uh a testament to you. Thank you. [0:51:05, 0:51:21]: Uh also I wanna I wanna thank this council for a show of um um leadership and I will continue to exemplify those leadership to uh to move the city forward. Also I wanna take this opportunity to invite all of you to the [0:51:21, 0:51:24]: Ninth annual African American Heritage Celebration. [0:51:25, 0:51:26]: Uh Saturday [0:51:26, 0:51:28]: February the first [0:51:28, 0:51:39]: At the Murray Mountains Conference Center, 4 p.m., uh the Reverend Belinda McCastle, uh pastor at Red Oak United Methodist Church, will bring the keynote. [0:51:39, 0:51:59]: Uh real briefly, someone asked me uh when they saw the plaque outside, they asked me I I can't see the time so I'm talking a little fast. So someone asked me what did the M. L. King Senior Heritage Trail represented and I know we have the former Mayor Lee Stewart and his wife here and [0:51:59, 0:52:16]: This is something that we was involved with several years ago. So let me just say the Heritage Trail, as you know, across the country, you have Emil King Junior, Road Street, Boulevards, and all of that. But you will only find the trail here in the city of Stockbridge, uh the birth home of Daddy King. [0:52:17, 0:52:21]: And what that represent is the footprint of the King family. [0:52:21, 0:52:22]: Um [0:52:22, 0:52:42]: They sharecropped here. They attended school here. Daddy King preached his first sermon at Florida Chapel Baptist Church. The family worship at several churches. Daddy King's mother, father, and a sister are buried at Rocky Mount. So when you talk about the [0:52:42, 0:53:01]: King family as the ancestral home of the King family. The footprint is wide. So hence the name Harris's Trail. Uh Daddy King's father worked at the Rock Quarry, and we can imagine him with his mule and wagon uh on the way to the quarry. So again, [0:53:02, 0:53:03]: The Heritage Trail, thank you. [0:53:04, 0:53:05]: Mr Blount, please. [0:53:05, 0:53:25]: Yes. Um I wanna say um one uh another congratulations to uh um our newly elected uh Yolanda Barber. Um looking very forward to uh her being upon the team and working with her. Um also I wanna just say again that the uh bingo bash is gonna be on um [0:53:25, 0:53:45]: January the twenty-ninth from ten to noon uh at the Meryl Mendes Conference Center now. Thank you guys. Yes, yes. Um I want to say something. Uh I'm gonna kinda go off script on what I was gonna say and just say this that um you know one of the things [0:53:45, 0:53:57]: that uh I I like to be an advocate for and I like talking about to people is that in this country we have twenty-two veterans committing suicide a day. [0:53:58, 0:54:03]: Uh in this country we're finding out now that w there are thousands of officers [0:54:03, 0:54:06]: Um past and present committing suicide. [0:54:07, 0:54:11]: Uh mental illness is running rapid in our in our country. [0:54:11, 0:54:22]: And so um when I heard this uh awesome news and I get goosebumps, I'm elated and I'm also elated when I look out here and see so so many of you here that supported me, thank you for coming. [0:54:23, 0:54:25]: But I this officer that [0:54:26, 0:54:28]: was called to help out a situation. [0:54:29, 0:54:30]: Um [0:54:31, 0:54:48]: of a person, uh veteran that uh young veteran that could have potentially taken his own life. Uh and I believe that this intervention saved saved one of'em. And uh that officer's here and Officer Scott, I wanna just say thank you for talking to that person. Uh he got he got commended uh [0:54:49, 0:55:09]: That's he got commended by uh by his uh commander and everybody and and the work that this veteran does. Officer Scott has definitely been a pillar of breath fresh air in the city of Stockbridge and surrounding he does so much. He volunteers so much. You ask him anything, he's [0:55:09, 0:55:16]: He's willing to answer the question. Uh you are you are you're an angel guy set on this earth, but you're wearing a uniform and thank you for what you're doing. [0:55:19, 0:55:21]: Awesome. Awesome. Um [0:55:24, 0:55:44]: And I just wanna say that, you know, it's a beautiful day right now to be a part of this team and to be a part of this city and to be a part of you all's lives and just sitting here and watching you all look at us and making us feel like we're somebody. Uh but I just wanna thank you all for coming and and this is beautiful. [0:55:44, 0:55:49]: One of the things I've always tell people, if I could see this like this. [0:55:49, 0:56:02]: at every council meeting, then that tells me you got citizens wanna be informed. Don't let it get crowded when you want to complain. Let it get crowded when you wanna make a progress in this city. When you got ideas and when you wanna see this city go forward. [0:56:03, 0:56:06]: That's when I like to see this. Stay informed. [0:56:06, 0:56:07]: Stay informed. [0:56:08, 0:56:10]: And so I just thank you all for coming and God bless you. [0:56:11, 0:56:12]: Ms. Gantt please. [0:56:15, 0:56:24]: Thank you, Mayor. Um, to my council members, to Miss Barber, welcome. We we thank you for being here. Thanking you for getting involved. [0:56:25, 0:56:36]: And to the citizens of Stockbridge, it is still a great honor to serve you. Um we couldn't do it without you. And uh I don't take it lightly. Um I'm always available. [0:56:37, 0:56:49]: I want I I would right now Stockbridge has had two members as citizens of our community. Um Miss Barber mentioned um one of the citizens, Miss Linda Mitchell. [0:56:50, 0:56:52]: Um who has passed away? [0:56:52, 0:56:57]: Сі кнопки Статбрич тоге. Сіган актив. [0:56:57, 0:57:17]: citizen here in the community picking up trash down our neighborhoods or whatever the case may be. And I want us to let's not forget her and the spirit that she has because it takes more than just the six of us up here. It takes our neighbors, it takes a village, whether we're [0:57:17, 0:57:20]: raising the children, whether we're [0:57:20, 0:57:29]: Helping each other out. Um, I just ask that we pull together as a community and continue to move this city forward because we are. [0:57:29, 0:57:31]: The best city here in Henry County. [0:57:34, 0:57:44]: And and and in addition to that, I also want to remember Miss Ola Martin. Miss Ola Martin was on our Stockbridge Youth [0:57:46, 0:57:47]: Council. [0:57:55, 0:57:57]: And she loved the children. [0:57:58, 0:57:59]: She loved her. [0:58:00, 0:58:01]: She was [0:58:01, 0:58:05]: On she attended the meetings from her bed in the hospital. [0:58:05, 0:58:09]: Unfortunately she lost her life to cancel cancer. [0:58:09, 0:58:13]: And so she has young children that are in elementary school. [0:58:14, 0:58:21]: She sacrificed her time to make Stockbridge a better place. And that's what it takes for all of us. [0:58:23, 0:58:26]: Аз лідер, ветерів орна. [0:58:27, 0:58:35]: Um, I I I've started a committee called Welcoming Stockbridge. It's part of a larger committee. [0:58:35, 0:58:51]: out of the state of Georgia and National and Mayor Ford as well is on it. We are one of the steering commit we're on the steering committee. And Stockbridge is the only city on the south side of town that is a part of this welcoming committee. And that committee, what it does is [0:58:52, 0:59:06]: Um, it brings about diversity. It acknowledges that there are different cultures here. And so I welcome each and every one of you anytime to come fellowship with us. Just check wait for an announcement or if you know someone who could be a part. [0:59:07, 0:59:21]: Um, but I'm grateful and I'm thankful for each and every one of you here today. I'm looking forward to working with each and every teammate here today. And I just want to thank you for your continued support and prayers. Thank you. [0:59:22, 0:59:23]: Mr. Alexander, please. [0:59:25, 0:59:45]: Uh thank you everybody for coming out and uh I just wanna say thank you all for for allowing me to serve this community. This is a great community and I don't take it lightly that uh you all went out and cast ballots for everybody up here, for those who voted for me and those who did not, I represent all of you. [0:59:45, 1:00:05]: And I make sure that the bar is raised high amongst this team. And let me tell you, I truly believe in this country. Our patriotism is a great thing. This is the greatest country on the planet Earth has ever known. We complain, but we have the right to complain. [1:00:05, 1:00:08]: Because we have a first amendment that allows us to do so. [1:00:09, 1:00:29]: I exercise that the community up here, the council up here does the same thing. Campaigns are just that, they're campaigns. But once the people vote, the people have spoken. You've elected the people that you wanted to serve. It is my job and every council member up here to work with each person. [1:00:29, 1:00:49]: Person that is up here. I pledge to you from this day forward, I will do that. I will make sure that we work collectively as a team to make sure that the historic accomplishments that we have put in place over the last four years are moved forward. We will move forward with the amphitheater. Ground clearing is underway. [1:00:49, 1:01:09]: We will move forward with the Cultural Arts Center and honor Miss Carrie May Hambrick. We will move forward with the Youth and Senior Center for this city. We sent that project out for design. We're committed to do so. You will get to partake in each one of those processes because we will bring it back. [1:01:09, 1:01:29]: Before you, and we will get your input before the Cultural Arts Center and the Senior Youth Center move forward. We understand without your buy-in, we're nothing. It's about you. We work for you. Just on tonight, we recognized Human Trafficking Month. January is [1:01:29, 1:01:44]: Human Human Trafficking Month. The city of Stockbridge introduced the first human trafficking proclamation in 2016. And tonight we gave that proclamation to a brilliant young man, Mr. Jaz Lee Coley, who I will outstand because of his great work. [1:01:47, 1:02:07]: He has presented and he is in the trenches every single day from the state capitol to at meetings all over this community, making sure that we are aware of this, the signs to look for. And when we have town halls, please show up to support these causes. Because when you're on a plane and someone's on that plane, [1:02:07, 1:02:27]: and the young lady gets up and go to the restroom or the young man and that person gets up to go with him, you need to know that that's a sign of human trafficking. You need to be aware and you need to be able to report it. It's very important that that take place because the very first human documented human trafficking case to take place in Georgia [1:02:27, 1:02:31]: was a young lady in him in Henry County that was trafficked. [1:02:33, 1:02:53]: A a study came out just a little while ago where the d uh there was no active, active human trafficking cases at that time. That changes and that could move forward. In your eyes, when you see something, say something, it truly matters to this community to raise awareness on this particular issue. And let's give this [1:02:52, 1:02:58]: Showman another round of applause because he is really truly serving us. Thank you so much. [1:02:59, 1:03:05]: All the things that we put in place. Thank you. Miss Barber, please. [1:03:08, 1:03:09]: Um [1:03:10, 1:03:12]: So forgive me. [1:03:13, 1:03:16]: Me hearing about Ola was the first time you mention it. [1:03:17, 1:03:19]: I'm just now hearing about that. Um [1:03:27, 1:03:28]: I'm humble. [1:03:30, 1:03:31]: А вмет со мені. [1:03:32, 1:03:34]: Amazing people. [1:03:34, 1:03:35]: In this community. [1:03:36, 1:03:38]: Over the past two years. [1:03:39, 1:03:40]: A lot of them. [1:03:42, 1:03:42]: Are here today. [1:03:44, 1:03:46]: There are people who live here in Stockbridge. [1:03:48, 1:03:51]: I know they have high expectations, but [1:03:52, 1:03:53]: Not just of me. [1:03:54, 1:03:57]: But the butt of this entire council. [1:03:59, 1:04:03]: Is folks like Ola Martin, Linda Mitchell? [1:04:04, 1:04:06]: Who are a part of the movement last year? [1:04:08, 1:04:09]: Those people. [1:04:10, 1:04:11]: Or the reasons why [1:04:13, 1:04:16]: I kept fighting and move going door to door. [1:04:17, 1:04:17]: Every day. [1:04:19, 1:04:21]: They believed in our community. [1:04:23, 1:04:24]: They want to see change. [1:04:27, 1:04:28]: I believe we can make it happen. [1:04:29, 1:04:30]: We will. [1:04:31, 1:04:33]: I thank you all so much. [1:04:33, 1:04:34]: For your support. [1:04:36, 1:04:38]: Not just those people. [1:04:38, 1:04:41]: Who've been with me for the past two years? [1:04:41, 1:04:42]: Okay. [1:04:43, 1:04:49]: For for those people I've known years prior, I have to admit. [1:04:49, 1:04:51]: I wasn't as active. [1:04:52, 1:04:54]: here in our community. [1:04:54, 1:04:57]: I've been a resident of Stockbridge for seventeen years. [1:04:58, 1:05:00]: It wasn't until [1:05:01, 1:05:02]: The whole city had fight. [1:05:03, 1:05:08]: Да I saw how critical it was to get involved. [1:05:09, 1:05:10]: Stay engaged. [1:05:11, 1:05:12]: Expect more. [1:05:13, 1:05:14]: From your leaders. [1:05:16, 1:05:17]: Don't just tell'em what you want. [1:05:18, 1:05:20]: Hold them. [1:05:20, 1:05:21]: Accountable. [1:05:23, 1:05:24]: Hold them accountable. [1:05:25, 1:05:26]: Home mean. [1:05:27, 1:05:28]: Accountable. [1:05:30, 1:05:31]: I wouldn't be up here. [1:05:32, 1:05:35]: If I could not be my authentic self, said [1:05:38, 1:05:43]: I'm here for only one purpose to save you all, to serve you all. [1:05:45, 1:05:47]: Question. [1:05:48, 1:05:49]: Why me? [1:05:50, 1:05:58]: My family this side over here is mostly family who come out to support me today. [1:05:59, 1:06:01]: I even have my VP who showed up. [1:06:01, 1:06:02]: Today. [1:06:03, 1:06:04]: They all wonder. [1:06:04, 1:06:08]: You politician [1:06:08, 1:06:10]: question myself every day. [1:06:12, 1:06:14]: But it's the love for this community. [1:06:15, 1:06:16]: We have [1:06:17, 1:06:21]: A great opportunity here. I thank you all so much for coming. [1:06:21, 1:06:22]: Thank you all. [1:06:30, 1:06:49]: Ladies and gentlemen, I will tell you, congrats uh to my new teammates uh for another for another four years. Congratulations on your four years of that. Uh happy Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day to you all. It's a day on uh in a sense to be a s of service. So please do that and enjoy yourself and give back to your community. [1:06:50, 1:07:03]: Uh we've talked quite a bit here recently about the amphitheater, the cultural arts center, boys and girls, I'm not boys uh youth center, things of that nature. But what we haven't discussed and what we haven't mentioned is Jodico South or the bridges at Jodico. [1:07:03, 1:07:13]: Uh-huh. I get this all the time from my own spouse. What's going on, honey? You know? What's going on? It's coming folks. It's coming. And see, this is what's gonna be great about Stockbridge in Henry County. [1:07:13, 1:07:33]: When we get that going on, that means you don't have to travel to downtown if you don't want to. You don't have to travel to Buckhead if you don't want to. Up north, you'd be traveling right here in your own community. It's coming. Believe us, it's coming. And this council's gonna work hard and been working hard to make sure that comes to fruition. It's coming. So us expect uh, I'm gonna go out another limb here. Expect uh ground breaking soon. [1:07:33, 1:07:53]: Right? Soon. And next few months, okay? It's coming. I know staff's gonna make sure that I don't step on it again, right? But listen, it's coming folks, and this is great. You know, strategically seventy five, six, seventy five you get anywhere around Atlanta metro area, and you know that. Closer to the airport, closer downtown. You live in a great place. Stockbridge is going to even get uh larger, we're gonna get better. [1:07:53, 1:08:13]: and larger and we're moving the city forward. Remember, this is also our census. Census here. So make sure you fill out your census documentation and be properly counted because it means federal monies to the city of Stockbridge. Roughly$2,300 per individual that's properly counted that comes to our city and comes to this area. And we need that to continue to grow. And we'll continue to be the largest city in Henry County. [1:08:13, 1:08:24]: I I wanna put a mark on the wall. I think when it's all done we'll be about thirty four thousand. Won't that be great? It'd be wonderful. Okay? Listen, and centennial year. Outstanding. [1:08:25, 1:08:28]: Can't get enough of that. All year long we're gonna celebrate one hundred years old. [1:08:29, 1:08:30]: We are one hundred years old. [1:08:30, 1:08:50]: Official days, of course, is August 6th. But each and every month, we're gonna drive it home and you're gonna be part of it. We want people from all over around Henry County, surrounding counties to come in and join us. Bring the tourism here and bring the dollars here. Amphitheater is gonna be the callous to to bring up a downtown. It's coming, and you're gonna see it. And yes, hold us accountable on that note. God bless y'all. [1:08:50, 1:08:58]: And I'll tell you what, keep engaged. You're in the most wonderful city you can possibly be in. We're gonna make it work for you, and we're gonna have a listener for you at all times. [1:08:59, 1:09:08]: Uh well it's coming, sir. It's coming. It's coming in my notes. I'll get to uh the actual uh notes here. New council meeting Wednesday, January fifteenth. [1:09:08, 1:09:10]: At uh five thirty Levi meeting room. [1:09:11, 1:09:16]: Downtown Development Authority meeting, Tuesday, January twenty first, six PM Levi meeting room. [1:09:16, 1:09:21]: U Council Advisory Committee meeting, Tuesday, January twenty first, six thirty, Patrick Henry meeting room. [1:09:21, 1:09:28]: Planning Commission meeting Thurs uh Thursday, January twenty-third, City Hall Council. Our next work session, January twenty-eighth. [1:09:29, 1:09:48]: at City Hall at six PM and then all actually I'll I'll get to this in a second. And we already mentioned about uh keep Strawberry's beautiful Mr. Knight I mean excuse me uh Mr. Alexander already mentioned that. Of course all city offices are closed Monday, January twentieth, in service of Arnold Luther King Junior holiday, the ancestral home of the King family. Outstanding. [1:09:49, 1:09:52]: Where else can you live in the country and say that, right? Right here. [1:09:52, 1:10:12]: Unity Monument Park dedication, Wednesday, January 22nd, 10 a.m. Unity Park uh Unity Monument Park is that little pocket park located at uh Rock Court and Eagles Landing Parkway. We're gonna do a dedication at 10 o'clock on the 22nd. And a hundred year celebration kickoff is Tuesday, January 28th, 5 p.m. right beside the side. [1:10:12, 1:10:21]: before our work session. Five PM on the twenty eighth. We kick off the hundred year celebration and we'll be celebrating each and every month. Matter of fact, each and every day. How about that? [1:10:22, 1:10:25]: Hundred years every head. How many of y'all wanna live the hundred and be healthy? [1:10:25, 1:10:38]: Live it 100 be healthy. There you go. God bless y'all. Uh oh, stop well. How can I forget? Stockbridge where community connects. Remember that's a tagline. Stockbridge where community connects. On that note, Council, we only need a motion to uh to amend the meeting. [1:10:38, 1:10:57]: Adjourn the meeting, excuse me. So move. Like this like I said, it's a gray hair. It's a second. Okay. Uh yes, ma'am. I was gonna mention that as we close out. Okay. Is it a second? Got a second. All okay all favor the motion? Please indicate. All right folks. Meeting is closed, but [1:10:57, 1:10:58]: Yeah, there's in a description. [1:10:59, 1:11:00]: Any discussion? [1:11:00, 1:11:20]: Yeah, I forgot to mention my wife, y'all. I I just want to say that before y'all before y'all get out of here. My wife sitting in the front row there. And uh my sister and I like my wife sitting in the front row. Way your hand, Mary Joe. There you go. A motion's been made, been second. All in favor of of adjourning the meeting. Please indicate. Thank you. The meeting is just. [1:11:20, 1:11:27]: And by the way, reception downstairs, folks. Reception downstairs. Come and hang out for a while. Woo! All right. Good job.