2023-09-26 · City Council · Transcript · Work Session Meeting

--- title: Work Session Meeting date: 2023-09-26 source: 2023-09-26_Work_Session_Meeting.wav --- [0:01:20, 0:01:22]: All right, ladies and gentlemen. I have uh [0:01:23, 0:01:33]: Six oh two, it is Tuesday, September twenty-sixth for a council work session. I'd like to call it to order. And on that note, um Councilman Blount, could you please give him the invocation? [0:01:35, 0:01:35]: I'm sorry. [0:01:36, 0:01:38]: Call the I call the order. Invocation. [0:01:39, 0:01:43]: Ro roll call comes after invocate. Roll call comes after play, sir. Okay, invocate. Please stand if you can. [0:01:49, 0:01:50]: Well no. [0:01:51, 0:01:55]: Dear Heavenly Gracious Father, we come to you first, thank you for your grace and we thank you for your mercy. [0:01:56, 0:02:08]: We ask now that you would come upon our midst, Heavenly Father, and that you would guide us and lead our hearts and our minds. Give us the wisdom that you would give to the disciples, Heavenly Father, and that you've given to the prophets to move in your will and that your will be done. [0:02:08, 0:02:23]: We thank you, God, for all that you're doing in this season, in this section, Heavenly Father, and in our lives. We as you continue to cover this great city that we call Stockbridge, Georgia. That you would cover the leaders, that you would cover those that are on staff in Heavenly Father, those that would come and volunteer and work. [0:02:23, 0:02:33]: Continue to protect us right now, Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, from those things that will come against us, Heavenly Father, those sicknesses that are trying to rise up and those illnesses that will come against us. [0:02:33, 0:02:35]: We thank you for all that you do. [0:02:35, 0:02:38]: We just trust you in all things, heaven, father. It's in Jesus' name we pray. [0:02:39, 0:02:52]: Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [0:02:53, 0:02:55]: Madam Clerk Rocal, please. [0:02:57, 0:02:59]: Mayor Ford. Present. [0:02:59, 0:03:14]: Mayor Pro Tem Barber. Present. Councilman Alexander. Present. Councilman Blount. Present. Councilwoman Gantt. Present. Councilman Thomas. Present. Mayor Ford, you have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh Council, I need a motion to adopt the agenda, please. [0:03:17, 0:03:24]: Mayor. Yes ma'am. I move that we amend the agenda to include um uh [0:03:24, 0:03:31]: a portion uh uh uh to include clarification on a motion for reconsideration. [0:03:31, 0:03:45]: Is there a second to that and that motion to be amended to the agenda? Second. Mr. Alexander, second that. All flavor, please indicate. Okay, all posed. Abstain? [0:03:46, 0:03:51]: Okay, so I have three four abstention. Miss Barber, you w what we should vote? [0:03:54, 0:03:56]: I approve the amendment. I'm sorry? [0:03:57, 0:04:13]: I approve that. Okay, so it's full so it's four four zero one. Four zero one. And to do that, we'll put that at uh item number eight. We'll have that at item number eight, which will come after the presentation by Mr. K Kimmelant. [0:04:17, 0:04:23]: Okay. On that note, uh now I need a motion to adopt the entire agenda, please. [0:04:24, 0:04:25]: Uh Mr Blount, is there a second? [0:04:26, 0:04:28]: My second. Okay, Miss Scandi. All favor please indicate. [0:04:29, 0:04:49]: All right, fantastic. It's a unanimous decision. On that note, Council, please review the draft minutes from the retreat. The minutes of August 10th of 23, August 11th to 23. Um, also the draft minutes from August 14th to 23, and then August 29th. There's draft minutes over council work session on August [0:04:49, 0:04:50]: was twenty ninth as well. [0:04:51, 0:04:58]: Uh Madam Clerk, uh any uh public comments at all? There are no public comments, Mayor. Okay, thank you. [0:04:58, 0:05:01]: And for new business. [0:05:02, 0:05:20]: Council consideration to approve task order number forty-four with Carter and Sloop. Watershed monitoring and reporting twenty twenty-four to twenty twenty-six monitoring monitoring years in the amount of seven uh seven thousand four hundred dollars, seventy thousand four hundred dollars, funding source, sewer budget. [0:05:21, 0:05:24]: Okay, and it's Mr. Aaron and Mr. Brad Holzinger. [0:05:25, 0:05:25]: Thank you. [0:05:26, 0:05:46]: Uh yes, Mr. Mayor and Council. The city's MPDS permit requires us to do perform watershed monitoring of the stream that we're discharging into. And so this is a task order to complete that as that assessment and monitoring is paid out of the uh sewer department budget. Each year we budget for the [0:05:46, 0:05:47]: Watersea monitoring. [0:05:48, 0:05:56]: And so we're asking council to approve this but these budgeted funds for the watershed monitoring. Okay, council, any question for Mr. Aaron? [0:05:58, 0:06:18]: And if not any motion to accept this uh proposal. Mr. Blount. I second. From Mr. Blount and Ms. Gantt on favor, please indicate this unanimous decision. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, if you permit me, can I make a request that if there's time after this meeting, we can look at what trees count [0:06:18, 0:06:28]: Council wants removed from City Hall that was discussed at the retreat so that we're on the on the correct path and everybody has the same idea as to what trees will be removed from City Hall. [0:06:29, 0:06:31]: You gotta look right out the window now. [0:06:31, 0:06:38]: Well, I mean, I wish you had did that earlier. So you're asking for us to to amend the gender to talk about this. I w No? [0:06:38, 0:06:50]: I just want clarification and clarity on what trees council wants removed. Y it was mentioned at the budget retreat that we were going to remove. Right, it's it right. I got ya. What's your point of order? [0:06:51, 0:06:52]: What's bonur? [0:06:53, 0:07:04]: I believe what Mr. Aaron is speaking of is not on our agenda. If you want that to add that discussion, then we need to amend the agenda to add that discussion. [0:07:04, 0:07:22]: Right. So so w and I w that's why I was wondering initially, but um it's probably need to have something maybe I don't know if we need to talk about it right now or whether or not uh you need to have some discussion with folks uh offline and through email in reference to getting a guest. I thought I saw email about that originally. Okay? Yes, yes, sir. [0:07:25, 0:07:30]: This isn't on the agenda but we got an email from Mr Aaron. Right. Asking [0:07:30, 0:07:32]: Mayor Ford, point of order. [0:07:32, 0:07:34]: Yes, your porter owner. What's your porter owner? [0:07:35, 0:07:36]: This item [0:07:37, 0:07:42]: That mister Aaron and Councilman Blount wants to discuss is not on the agenda. [0:07:42, 0:07:50]: Can we vote to amend the agenda to add a discussion of what Mr. Aaron wants to present to us? Mayor, I'd like to amend the agenda. Okay. [0:07:50, 0:07:55]: to continue this discussion about clarity. Clarity. [0:07:57, 0:07:58]: Is there a second motion? [0:08:00, 0:08:02]: Okay. All in favor, please indicate. [0:08:03, 0:08:06]: All right, fantastic. Now it's just now while what [0:08:06, 0:08:20]: What what one second, sir. So now that we've done that, since you're already here, all right, so we'll put that right now. This and so this goes actually before the next item, which was going to be by Mr. Wiggins. Uh so we'll we'll talk about it now since you're here, Mr. Aaron. All right. So [0:08:21, 0:08:32]: Go right ahead with your your comments and then we'll have discussion. I just no need to know which trees that council wants removed because once they're removed we can't plant them back. These are mature trees, so [0:08:33, 0:08:41]: I just wanna be clear on that. So if you don't come in here one day and all of that looks different around City Hall, somebody's saying, Well, what happened? So [0:08:42, 0:09:02]: All right, Mr Mr. Blount, I guess you wanted to speak on this. Mr. You sent us something um at one time showing almost an aerial view of of the areas of trees. I I would like to see that I'm I'm fine with whatever this council decides to do, but I would like to see what we're removing. [0:09:02, 0:09:04]: And and reason and why. [0:09:04, 0:09:24]: So Mr. Blount. Okay. All right. Go ahead. Blount me sounds. Yeah, I actually sent you that picture and that picture was actually from uh twenty eighteen. It was an aerial shot. It just looked like there's just a b uh a forest over there. And um I sent you an additional picture of [0:09:24, 0:09:44]: When City Hall closer to uh maybe 20 uh 12, 2013, where that area was where there was very few trees in the area. And the discussion was those trees were planted there at a time when there was term political turmoil to [0:09:44, 0:10:04]: Hide the flower shop. That was their only purpose. And that's why it looks like it looks with all of those trees over there. It wouldn't and just think about it. How many times have you seen a flag area with trees? You don't put trees in the flag area. The flag area is the show place where the flag or the tall. [0:10:04, 0:10:16]: [616.9, 636.9]: So the uh the the my uh my thought was we would go back to the original plan where there wasn't any political influence where those w all of those wintergreen trees were planted to hide the flower shop and then to hide a political sign. That was the reason that they were planted from from what I understand. Yes, sir. [0:10:36, 0:10:56]: you know well then just to keep it clean is this council okay with mr uh since the director been given and we know that trees in certain areas in a certain area that something can be sent to us similar to what mr alexander sent to a showing area and then the senses director we get a consensus yeah yeah that's what we're talking [0:10:56, 0:11:16]: Yeah, we're okay with it because I just need something in writing staff before you all move to have a full understanding from all of us to you on when you move remove the trees, they're gone. So if the council, my colleagues, the members to that, if you send us the air review, circle where you're gonna remove it. [0:11:16, 0:11:26]: the tree and we say and we can just home in on the email because it doesn't need to be voted on. It's already been a directive that's already been been been uh sustained to I'll send that tomorrow. [0:11:27, 0:11:29]: Is that that that's fine with the counts? [0:11:29, 0:11:31]: Mayor. Yes, ma'am, go ahead please. [0:11:31, 0:11:40]: I I was gonna ask counsel, let's take field trip outside and go walk around and check out these trees and figure out which ones. Not not necessarily right now today. [0:11:41, 0:12:01]: Um, maybe tomorrow, whenever, but we get together and we literally start from the front and work our way around this area in general, all you know, to figure out what trees we're talking about. I know I was concerned more so for visibility, um, to kind of open up visibility for the impact. [0:12:01, 0:12:19]: And I believe that was maybe in the back on that side I saw a bunch of rows and I figure if we open that up, because right now it's kind of hidden. Like some people still don't know it's still here, right? And and that's got a lot to do with our wayfinding stones and things that we're gonna work we were working towards. [0:12:19, 0:12:20]: But [0:12:20, 0:12:21]: I don't [0:12:21, 0:12:34]: I'm a visible person. So me getting a aerial shot and then we take down a a mature tree and can't regrow it, I don't want I don't want to run that risk. I would like to like literally see it. See what we're talking about. [0:12:36, 0:12:56]: Okay, I'm sorry. You sent us something, right? Because it was the day at 5 30, right? No, but I I just think it's probably best if everybody look at it and so we know that we're on the on the same page. So Mr. Thomas, go ahead, please. Uh I I'm okay with the field trip, what have you, but let me [0:12:56, 0:12:56]: I mean [0:12:57, 0:13:00]: correct the record uh [0:13:00, 0:13:03]: Councilman Alexander,'cause I hate for [0:13:03, 0:13:04]: Misinformation. [0:13:05, 0:13:07]: uh to go out about [0:13:08, 0:13:12]: that particular time in the city of Stockbridge, um [0:13:14, 0:13:26]: Those trees were not planted because of that. Um there some things did happen in that vein, but it was not the planting of those trees. But I do agree that [0:13:26, 0:13:29]: Uh where the flag poles are [0:13:29, 0:13:32]: We may need to to cut that, but [0:13:32, 0:13:34]: I want to caution us though on the [0:13:35, 0:13:36]: Cypress trees. [0:13:37, 0:13:49]: Uh when we built the amphitheater, you know, we had a number of those, um, beautiful, very expensive, and we we took those down, we don't really know what happened. But in the [0:13:51, 0:13:52]: Get my baron, but in [0:13:53, 0:13:55]: In that area, um [0:13:56, 0:13:59]: А тин до сапотреї ісвос блокин. [0:13:59, 0:14:09]: the amphitheater and I think we m definitely need to go and look at that before we actually cut those down. Those are very beautiful trees. They're very expensive trees. [0:14:09, 0:14:11]: And I think we just need to make sure. [0:14:12, 0:14:15]: That this is what we really want to do, but I will say [0:14:15, 0:14:17]: Well the flag poles are [0:14:17, 0:14:19]: I think we may need to cut. [0:14:20, 0:14:21]: Also [0:14:22, 0:14:24]: On the other side in the [0:14:24, 0:14:25]: Grassy area. [0:14:26, 0:14:30]: Those trees just need to be pruned. They'll sort of hanging way too low. [0:14:31, 0:14:39]: And that was more of my concern on East Atlanta Road. Those trees need to be pruned. Right, right. So again, I do think we need to [0:14:39, 0:14:45]: go out and look and just be one hundred percent sure and identify what we really want to do. Yes. [0:14:46, 0:15:05]: Alright, so otherwise if you're gonna do that in reference to looking uh questions made about tomorrow, not sure if everybody can make it tomorrow, I would think that probably need to send some type of message or at least we come to agreement what if it's tomorrow, Wednesday. I mean what tomorrow is Wednesday, right? Thursday or Friday, whatever it would be, wouldn't make a qu to do a little field trip in this aspect. [0:15:06, 0:15:14]: It's only gonna take five minutes to look out the window or to go out there. We're talking about anything difficult. Okay, fine. So be it. We got a time for tomorrow. [0:15:14, 0:15:18]: Yes. What time? Ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Ten o'clock tomorrow morning. [0:15:18, 0:15:34]: You got you good? Ten o'clock tomorrow morning? I've already given my input. I I don't need to see it. I have core. So are we just talking about the ones by the side school? Is that the only ones with the Uh uh uh that wasn't what I was talking about. I was talking about that and then the crepe myrtle trees that are all overgrown. [0:15:35, 0:15:41]: Yeah, yeah, but but we've but then uh we're saying we're talking two different things because I cutting back trees and cutting down trees. [0:15:41, 0:16:01]: Right. But the o only trees were to be cut down is over there by the flagpole Erie. The other trees were to be cut back on along East Atlanta. Well I'm o I mean if we want to if we all can agree with the flag I'm I'm okay with the flagpole. Okay. I'm okay with the flagpole and cut down and I'm okay with and I definitely want the East Atlanta crepe myrtles. I want that. [0:16:01, 0:16:16]: Mayor Ford. Yes, yes, ma'am Okay, I believe this area is in my district, so I need to speak and say something in reference to it. Um I do agree. Um those cypress trees that are covering up the flag hole. [0:16:16, 0:16:25]: We do we do need to remove those. And those trees along East Atlanta Road that are hanging over the power lines and the lights. [0:16:25, 0:16:28]: Those need to be trimmed back. I do agree with those. [0:16:28, 0:16:35]: But the cypress trees or crepe myrtle trees, I mean, that you mentioned, Councilman, I don't know where those are. [0:16:35, 0:16:45]: Those are the trees. Along the sidewalk. Mm-hmm. Yeah. The ones that you're talking about. The ones that ha okay. That's what we're talking about. Those just need to be [0:16:45, 0:16:54]: I agree and support that those do need to be cut back. Those are the ones that is hanging over the sidewalks and the power lines and lights. Correct. [0:16:54, 0:16:55]: Right. [0:16:55, 0:16:59]: No uh what not merely you might buy it. No, go right, sir. [0:16:59, 0:17:19]: Do we cut the caps off those crate margins in the wintertime? Because everybody does. I got no we don't. Like the ones on Jim Clark. They Yes. Oh man, come on. Because I have to cut for my crate murder and I got ten across my backyard. We have to cut all of those caps off. And what it is, it keeps'em it keeps [0:17:19, 0:17:37]: them from growing higher the next year when you cut the caps off. Yes. But if you don't then they grow higher and higher. The next thing you know you you have that situation. So I don't know if we cut the caps off or not. Uh because that makes them kind of get too elongated up in the uh [0:17:38, 0:17:58]: Yes. Alright, so what we agreed to we're gonna I've got some people have already agreed facted what what what needs to be done, but uh but still what some folks still need to see a walkthrough and whatnot. Mayor. Yes ma'am. I would like to make a motion that we cut down the trees near the uh around the uh flagpole and trim, prune the trees. [0:17:58, 0:18:10]: He's uh gone down East Atlanta, the crate myrtles. Second. Okay. We had plenty of discussion. All in favor, please indicate. See, NAMC. Okay, fantastic. Now you got your marching order, sir. Okay. Now we'll continue on. [0:18:11, 0:18:19]: Uh council consideration to renew the contract with Amazon, which is a piggyback uh contract with OMNIA partners public sector. [0:18:20, 0:18:40]: Through Prince William County Public Schools contracts and an annual amount of seventy-five thousand dollars under R twenty one thirteen eighty six. That's what it says here. Okay, John Wiggins. Mr. Wiggins, please. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Evening. This is a renewal on a contract that that's been [0:18:40, 0:18:47]: In the works since uh 2021. It's um piggyback on the uh Amazon contract. [0:18:48, 0:18:49]: This contract [0:18:50, 0:18:52]: Which uh helps us kind of [0:18:53, 0:18:55]: Keep everything in in um [0:18:55, 0:19:15]: It helps us keep keep us in line with capping how much we spend at Amazon. Uh since Amazon has has come on the scene, everybody's been using Amazon and collectively we have we have we have grossed over about 50, 50 something thousand. So um [0:19:15, 0:19:17]: It's kinda [0:19:17, 0:19:28]: outshine Walmart and everything else. So what we have to do collectively, this is why it was put in place in in 2021, was to help cap us, give us a cap on how much we can spend. [0:19:28, 0:19:30]: And the limit that [0:19:31, 0:19:32]: I'm um [0:19:33, 0:19:36]: Asking you to approve seventy five thousand. [0:19:36, 0:19:56]: Last year was a hundred thousand, but we haven't reached that that that much anyway. This just to cap it off. This also helps us when uh we have to get a purchase order for Amazon. Most of our uh purchases to Amazon is through the uh our requisition uh PO system. I know we have a few that go [0:19:56, 0:20:08]: we have to do credit card, but that's that's fine. Uh but this right here keeps a track of it helps us keep a uh second track on how much we're spending and then it kind of caps us at 75,000. So I asked council [0:20:09, 0:20:10]: to approve this uh renewal. [0:20:11, 0:20:31]: All right, council questions for Mr. Wiggins. I have no questions. I just need to motion. Go ahead you got a question? Go ahead, please. Uh when we do the um when we do the requisitions that we get POs for for those purchases with Amazon, those that are done by credit card, how do we track those those purchases if they're not if they're [0:20:31, 0:20:51]: Down about a PO uh how do we track these prerequisitions that are then put in place prior to purchase or how that's no that uh it it how we how we do that is we put descriptions on the the the credit card uh charges and when we do a search. [0:20:51, 0:21:11]: through the vendor for uh the vendor Amazon, everything will come up. It'll have all the POs which is attached to Amazon and then anything that's that's uh that we put in the description as far as the vendor being Amazon it comes up also. So what I'm just saying what systems in place to since there's a [0:21:11, 0:21:21]: How do you manage it now when everybody has credit cards that are now put in the system at purchase time that doesn't have a PO4? [0:21:21, 0:21:25]: had been totally planning for recognition of what put in the system. [0:21:30, 0:21:35]: over seventy five thousand when everybody can use their credit card to do it. That's what I'm trying to figure out. What's the system in place for that? [0:21:35, 0:21:55]: When we run when we run um the uh the monthly reports, I I can see where we're we're where we're making a lot of our purchases. And um Amazon has not reached over like for the past two years it's been like close to 55,000 once I tally up everything. So [0:21:55, 0:22:15]: So I usually go through and see how much that's gonna be to kinda keep a cap. No, no. Last year we did a contract we did the contract amount to cap it off for a hundred thousand. This year I'm lowering it to seventy five thousand because we haven't even reached reached that far and it makes no sense to um encumber that much. [0:22:15, 0:22:18]: Okay. [0:22:20, 0:22:25]: So any other questions from Mr. Wiggins? And once again, if not, need a motion to accept this proposal. [0:22:26, 0:22:28]: Mr Blount so moved. A second. [0:22:28, 0:22:31]: My second. Ms. Gantt second, all in favor, please indicate. [0:22:32, 0:22:35]: All right, unanimous decision. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Aaron. Uh Mr. Wiggins, I'm sorry. [0:22:37, 0:22:43]: All right, council consideration to amend a downtown special events program to increase a maximum [0:22:43, 0:22:59]: Funding amount uh from two thousand five hundred to five thousand and allowing for up to fifteen hundred to be used toward city stoppage fees related to special events such as staffing needs, street closures, security detail, cleaning and city equipment. Mr. Lance, please. [0:22:59, 0:23:19]: Good evening, Mayor and Council. Kimalon's Economic Development Director. Uh after implementing any new program, it is always a good idea to go back and assess what's working, what's not working, whether or not the program is meeting its intended goals. In that case, we had several conversations with folks who are even organizers and promoters. We asked them about this particular [0:23:19, 0:23:39]: Program and what we've heard so far is that the funding amount that we have currently is not enough to help move the needle. And one of the reasons why is because it is quite expensive to host an event here in the downtown area. Just to give you an example, if somebody were to say, hey, I want to host a 1,000-person family-friendly event. [0:23:39, 0:23:59]: or festival in the downtown area and I want to close the street. The estimated cost for that just for city fees is about$4,100. So we offer$2,500. So that is definitely not enough. So we know that increasing the amount is just one ways that we can help, one way that we can help, but [0:23:59, 0:24:15]: We definitely need to take a look at ways that we can remove some of these barriers to actually encouraging people to come to the downtown area and have events. With that being said, I'll take any questions. Yes, sir. Go ahead, Mr. Thomas. Mr. Lawrence, thank you, sir. [0:24:15, 0:24:21]: Um I I I I think this is a very good um [0:24:21, 0:24:33]: opportunity for organizations, but I'm trying to get a better understanding on the history and what separates this from [0:24:34, 0:24:38]: uh the event staff and what they do [0:24:39, 0:24:41]: Main Street. [0:24:41, 0:24:43]: And what they do [0:24:44, 0:24:50]: So i i is there a difference in this and I was trying to recollect in the budget [0:24:51, 0:24:53]: Uh this line item. [0:24:53, 0:24:54]: Um [0:24:56, 0:24:59]: And I guess my memory, but I I just don't recall. [0:25:00, 0:25:02]: uh this line item in [0:25:02, 0:25:04]: Twenty twenty three. [0:25:05, 0:25:07]: So can you give me a little history? [0:25:07, 0:25:11]: Um and and the difference between [0:25:11, 0:25:13]: What the event staff may do [0:25:14, 0:25:16]: Um and what Main Street may do. [0:25:17, 0:25:23]: I'm just trying I I I just don't want us to duplicate or is this a collaboration? [0:25:25, 0:25:27]: Sure, I'll be more than happy to. Um [0:25:28, 0:25:48]: One of the ways that you activate your downtown is by you know having multiple events. And because we not only have budget constraints, but we also have uh staff constraints. So we cannot be as a municipality, we cannot do every single event that we would want to see in the downtown area. So we created this program. [0:25:48, 0:26:08]: program to encourage other people to come and do events that will activate the street. So what we say we would do is providing some financial incentive for them to come and host the event. So in that case, city staff wouldn't be involved. They put the event on, they have to follow the procedure, apply for the special event permit fee, do everything that they need to do. They put on the [0:26:07, 0:26:27]: the event and after the event they send us a report and then we um you know issue the grant to them. Now as it relates to the budget um this particular program is part of our BRICS initiatives that council approved about two or three months ago and it is the line item for the this particular [0:26:27, 0:26:30]: program is for [0:26:32, 0:26:39]: Let's see, events we have fifteen thousand in that um line item for for this particular program. [0:26:39, 0:26:43]: Okay. Um is the [0:26:45, 0:26:47]: Vinus Association [0:26:49, 0:27:00]: I'm not sure which which name we're gonna use this time'cause we keep flip flapping on the name. But the uh business association, would they be involved in um [0:27:00, 0:27:15]: engaging or coordinating with uh some of these organizations that may want to come into downtown. I'm j I'm trying to I'm trying to see the the um the collaboration and the coordination to make sure that [0:27:15, 0:27:22]: i you know, we're all sort of moving in the same direction. But I think it's a great idea and I and we do want to promote [0:27:22, 0:27:38]: uh activities in our downtown. So I want to make sure that is clear, but I just want to get a better understanding on the uh collaboration and the and the various um connection with other entities. Sure. Such as the the event staff. [0:27:38, 0:27:58]: Sure. So the business partnership when it is fully functional with the board, um, we have a meet and greet uh on Thursday at Frozen Smoke and that is at six PM where we're inviting all businesses to come and learn more about the business partnership. As you all know, uh we need to put the board, they need to apply and then you all [0:27:58, 0:28:18]: Need to approve the board. Now, once that is established, if they want to go ahead as a board, you know, um, or put on an event in the downtown area, that would fall under, you know, a city initiative. Because when we as a city put on an event, let's say it's event staff or main street staff. [0:28:18, 0:28:38]: Staff, there are certain fees that are not associated with that particular event. Now, this particular program is for outside groups. Let's say, for example, we want to host a silent night block party disco in the downtown area, but we want another group to come and do it. The amount of money that we would spend. [0:28:38, 0:28:53]: spend to do that event is gonna be less than what, you know, we're gonna spend it's gonna be more, excuse me, more than what we would spend on the grant, for example, which is twenty five hundred now, if you approve it, it will be five thousand. [0:28:54, 0:29:14]: So the goal is to get more people to come and do events that we necessarily as staff do not have to put energy and you know staff time towards. Last question, ma'am. The muscles show that uh that's a part of Bridge Fest. Do we see this? [0:29:13, 0:29:27]: event which is a great event. Do we sort of see this event sort of moving from under the city auspices to um an organization sponsoring [0:29:27, 0:29:33]: uh that that car competition and and then they applying for the grant to do that. [0:29:34, 0:29:51]: So this particular event, I know it's something that um that has been very successful from what I've heard and something that our department, our main street staff take really a great pride um in you know putting it together. So I think the opportunity and what we're trying to get at is really [0:29:52, 0:30:12]: to get people to do things that we've not done before. So you know I talked about your disco silent party. Uh we actually have a potential event that we're considering at the moment, which would be a day of the dead kind of festival where it's gonna be family friendly with people in the downtown area. As a matter of fact, the DDA has agreed to uh help us. [0:30:12, 0:30:22]: with that event. They have allocated some money towards it at their last meeting. So um we're hoping with this we can provide more help so we can bring that event to downtown in October. [0:30:23, 0:30:43]: Thank you, Mayor. I yield. No problem. Thank you. Mr. Blount, go ahead, please. Yeah, Mr. Blount, thanks for your presentation. When this is set up, I think it's a a great idea because it does cut down some cost to promote uh activities downtown through the business and uh other uh connections like that. Now who would hope with with the event? [0:30:43, 0:30:48]: Bench Park Department oversee the process? Who oversees the process? [0:30:48, 0:30:53]: If someone wants to come and do an event downtown, what is the connective process that they will go through? [0:30:53, 0:30:55]: Sure. [0:30:57, 0:31:01]: what the city has, you know, the rules that that we've already had. [0:31:01, 0:31:21]: Sure. So right now any any any any person who wants to do a special event in the downtown area or anywhere in the city, they have to go through a special event permit process. And that process is handled through community development, the public works is involved, the police department is involved. So they handle that after assessing [0:31:21, 0:31:41]: All the after the organizer applies and submit all the required documents and pay uh all the required fees, the special event permit is issued to them. So um that pro this program that we have will work the same way. The only thing that we're adding is saying when you do um put the event together after [0:31:41, 0:31:45]: the event is done, you know, we you have to [0:31:45, 0:31:55]: get a report and then we say, you know, yes, it was what we approved, then you get the grant from us. Right now it's twenty five hundred and what we're asking is that we increase it to five thousand. [0:31:56, 0:32:16]: Yeah, but what and you asked the part of it, but the other part is when I said going with it through the process, because obviously with what we have going on with downtown, which is connected down to theater and other events. There obviously gonna be blackout days that we don't wanna have two events going on at the same time. So that's gonna happen. [0:32:16, 0:32:20]: from staff wise to say hey now those dates aren't open. [0:32:20, 0:32:26]: So who is the connecting person when I'm trying to try to figure out who carries that through? [0:32:27, 0:32:33]: Because that's gonna be a lot. Once this once this goes out that that that this is amenable to happen. [0:32:33, 0:32:45]: is going to open up a door for people to say, hey, we can go down and see the shop, we can do this this. So who carries that through? Because that's going to be a lot just putting on one department, even the economic development department. Who carries this? What department [0:32:46, 0:33:00]: Sure. So as far as this program, uh our economic development department manages this program. Now just to give you a scenario, let's say someone wants to um put on an event and they come to us and say, hey, I'm thinking about doing this. Um [0:33:01, 0:33:21]: Would you consider sponsoring it through this grant? We say, well, it looks good what day that you're thinking about, that it would be, you know, I'm thinking September 30th, which is Bridge Fest. We'll say, no, that can't work. I'm thinking about October 21st, which is, you know, ludicrous coming here. We're looking at whether or not, you know, we have the [0:33:21, 0:33:24]: [2005.0, 2024.0]: The police department has to get involved with security detail depending on how many people we're gonna have, you know, required number of police officers, which is what they they do through that process. So they handle that. Now, once the event permit is issued, we tell them, okay, great, you have the event permit, now we can move forward, we're gonna sponsor this. [0:33:44, 0:34:04]: Uh you have to make sure that you know the event is successful. You have to give us a report to let us know, hey, you know, we said we were gonna have 500 people, we had 500 people, or we didn't have 500 people, here's why. And then we say, okay, you are able to get the grant. And the grant because it's 5,000, as we're recommending here. [0:34:04, 0:34:06]: the city manager would have to approve it. [0:34:07, 0:34:07]: Yeah, of course. [0:34:08, 0:34:15]: What's the time frame? If I if I say I want to have an event on business or somebody wants to have an event downtime. [0:34:15, 0:34:22]: How far out of a of a notice I have to give?'Cause if I give one, say, from now nine months out. [0:34:23, 0:34:26]: It may fall on the weekend, but now [0:34:27, 0:34:45]: The empathy to say, hey, we can't have this show because they're having this. So how do we not shoot ourselves in the foot? What is the time frame to be able to book events downtown versus when we're when we can actually have those events? How do you calor how do you calend that event? [0:34:45, 0:34:48]: from from the perception that they even happen. [0:34:48, 0:35:08]: Yeah. So two things. I think first the community development through business services, they typically ask that, you know, the permit, the special event permit is the application is submitted rather about, you know, ninety days to thirty days in advance. So that way we have time to plan for it. Uh so we know [0:35:08, 0:35:28]: Now, in that instance, I think it it's hard to, you know, uh think about that particular situation because if it's something that we we get and it's nine months out, and you know, it's gonna be hard for us to to know if it's concert season, then we know we may say, hey, um, you know, that date may not become available because it's concert season. [0:35:28, 0:35:32]: So I think it's something that we would have to look at. [0:35:32, 0:35:36]: So in in in in tragedy we have to say dates are subject to change. [0:35:37, 0:35:52]: Yes. I mean things are always because I just don't want us that's why I'm asking who cares this and who all who's the what's the collaboration'cause I just don't want us opening this up, which is a great idea, but I don't want to end up being something that ships us in the foot. You see what I'm saying? Understood. [0:35:53, 0:35:59]: Okay, any other questions? Uh Miss Barber Glay, please. Yeah. And thank you, Mr. Alant. Um [0:36:00, 0:36:00]: I [0:36:01, 0:36:05]: I understand the purpose of it. I'm just concerned about [0:36:05, 0:36:08]: Um the line item in the budget. [0:36:08, 0:36:08]: And [0:36:09, 0:36:12]: We don't have the financial information. We haven't even approved. [0:36:12, 0:36:14]: The twenty twenty four budget just yet. [0:36:15, 0:36:16]: Um [0:36:17, 0:36:24]: And again, I have the same question or concern that with this particular line item in the budget. [0:36:24, 0:36:26]: Which department does it fall under? [0:36:27, 0:36:32]: Does it fall under events department? Does it fall under economic development? [0:36:34, 0:36:54]: Sure, I'll be more than happy to answer. Um as you may recall, um City Council, I think maybe uh three months ago approved uh ALPA funding to go towards economic development. Yes. And uh in total, uh the council approved 300,000. [0:36:54, 0:37:14]: And we had a number of initiatives that were part of that uh three hundred thousand. And um just to give you a breakdown, we have you know citywide marketing, we have entrepreneurship program, we have events and meetings, we have workforce development, we have public arts, we have um downtown business assistance program, we have [0:37:14, 0:37:32]: Cape Stockbridge Beautiful, we have uh Stockbridge Wayfinding, well that's not part of it, but we have um Stockbridge Business Partnership, we have the citywide facade program that we created, all of these initiatives and programs are being uh funded through ARPA that was allocated um for the economic development department to use. [0:37:33, 0:37:38]: So this program, however, is not being is it being funded under ARPA? [0:37:38, 0:37:39]: Yes, it is. [0:37:40, 0:37:42]: Okay. Is that [0:37:43, 0:37:46]: Is it eligible to be used under ARPA? [0:37:47, 0:37:57]: So um yes, and I think you know the finance director can provide more more guidance on That is a legal question I'd like to ask Mr Washington. [0:38:03, 0:38:08]: Yeah, and I think it was used as a [0:38:10, 0:38:11]: Uh-huh. [0:38:16, 0:38:17]: Two. [0:38:18, 0:38:20]: I'm a little bit more. [0:38:31, 0:38:46]: You know, I need to check on that to see. Because the thing is that we could use ARPA funds. We could use ARPA funds to supplement something else in the general fund and take it out of the general fund to do it because of the ARPA funds that we have. So I just [0:38:47, 0:39:07]: I think this should be fine. I just wanted to check on the data. It falls upon the ten million that's allotted for us to be able to use opera funds for any kind of category that we need. Anything beyond the ten million, we can't do, which we already have. So it's like one point one six eight [0:39:07, 0:39:23]: that we can we that is that is restricted but this is this is unrestricted we can use that I can't hear that's that came from the the the United States Treasury can you step to the microphone Mr. Wiggins I can't hear let him let him let him go ahead and explain it again please go ahead and make [0:39:24, 0:39:44]: Queen States Treasurers had deemed early on that we can use 10 million of opera funds for uh these particular type of categories. Um we've already you've already uh gave him um uh permission to use 300 some thousands along with five hundred five hundred [0:39:44, 0:39:53]: seventy three thousand for Wayfi Wayf Wayf uh the Wayfire signs yeah the way finding uh signs. But United States Church should already give us uh [0:39:53, 0:39:57]: A lot of ten million for us to use. So yeah, these are these are okay. [0:39:57, 0:39:58]: So what [0:39:59, 0:40:00]: Whatever you all are reading. [0:40:01, 0:40:01]: Can I see that? [0:40:02, 0:40:05]: Yeah. It's just a budget report. [0:40:07, 0:40:07]: Yeah, cheaper. [0:40:14, 0:40:25]: Mr. Blount, you still had a question? Yeah, uh while she agrees, what's the cap amount on this?'Cause uh it doesn't have a cap amount. [0:40:26, 0:40:34]: On on the uh program itself? Yeah. If if you go through the cycle for the whole year, what's what's the cap amount? [0:40:34, 0:40:36]: Oh, it's fifteen thousand. [0:40:36, 0:40:40]: Fifteen programs. That's five programs. That's three three [0:40:40, 0:40:53]: Yeah, that's that's three grants. Three grants. Okay. Well, if we were to increase the the amount from twenty five hundred to five thousand. It'd be three. So three events. Three events, yeah. Okay. So you said fifty thousand. [0:40:54, 0:41:00]: Fifteen down. So in the line item we have fifteen down. Three events. Three events. [0:41:01, 0:41:21]: All right. Mr. Alexander, do you have another question? Thank you. I do. I I just want to thank you, Mr. Alliance, for bringing some outstanding stuff. We've been trying to move things like this forward to get events in the downtown. We we just gotta stop the micromanaging. We we just really do. It it is it is an outstanding program. [0:41:20, 0:41:31]: The staff has done the due diligence to put the work in place. And we gotta start trusting the staff. We really do. It is a situation where [0:41:31, 0:41:51]: The thing that you brought to us is as far as the meeting that you're having at Frozen Smoke, it's exactly what we wanted. It's exactly what we've been aspiring to do to move these things forward. We got so many programs in the city that we got so many onerous regulations, we can't even get Frozen Smoke a uh [0:41:51, 0:42:08]: uh a facade grant because the regulations are so onerous. We gotta be more business friendly. These processes have got to be a lot easier for the businesses to access so that they can use them and that they can move forward. We know frozen smoke is open, right? [0:42:09, 0:42:15]: We know that they are an outstanding business in downtown. Why is it so hard for them to get a facade grant? [0:42:16, 0:42:31]: These businesses, these kind of things that we we're dealing with, and when we put these programs into action and you put more regulation on top of regulation on top of regulation, businesses have to figure filter through the regulations. [0:42:31, 0:42:37]: Sometimes you gotta think about it from the side of the business owner who has to apply for it. [0:42:37, 0:42:39]: Now I just found out the other day that [0:42:40, 0:42:45]: In order to qualify, the business has to take a customer service class. [0:42:45, 0:42:45]: What? [0:42:47, 0:42:48]: Who asked for that? [0:42:49, 0:42:52]: What are we talking about? For the facade grant. No way. [0:42:54, 0:43:14]: These these regulations I would not ask you to and and and Main Street and all y'all to go back to look at the regulations and the requirements because we have all of this money at the DDA and the citywide authority and the DDA has not been dispensing these because of all of these onerous regulations. So I want you to [0:43:14, 0:43:21]: Uh I would ask and I would ask the councilmates to look at it because we're not d it's not getting to the public. [0:43:21, 0:43:32]: I'm telling you right now, it's not the money is there, but it's it's all of these regulations that are keeping the money from getting to the businesses. We gotta make it easier. Continue. [0:43:32, 0:43:35]: All right. Mr. Thomas, go ahead please. Right. [0:43:36, 0:43:37]: Mr. Lance, I [0:43:39, 0:43:41]: I don't think we are micromanaging [0:43:42, 0:43:44]: I think we have to understand [0:43:46, 0:43:49]: When when we come to council meetings [0:43:51, 0:43:53]: Go ahead, please. Go ahead, Mr. Thomas. [0:43:53, 0:43:59]: I don't think we are micromanaging. I I think we have to understand the process. [0:43:59, 0:44:02]: When we have council meetings [0:44:02, 0:44:05]: Staff come to make a presentation. [0:44:06, 0:44:10]: We have folks here in the audience. We have people viewing. [0:44:11, 0:44:12]: It's about [0:44:13, 0:44:16]: disseminating the information. [0:44:16, 0:44:19]: So when we ask questions [0:44:19, 0:44:21]: It's in the process of [0:44:21, 0:44:23]: Clarification. [0:44:23, 0:44:25]: А микіншо. [0:44:25, 0:44:27]: that the information is correct. [0:44:28, 0:44:43]: making sure that we as an elected body have the correct information. So when we go out and speak to the public, we are speaking correct information. So it's not micromanaging. It's about educating ourselves. [0:44:44, 0:44:57]: And educating the public. And I and I think, see, even the question about the ARPA funds, we know that we have to spend these funds correctly. So when a question is asked. [0:44:58, 0:45:00]: It's out of that concern. [0:45:01, 0:45:04]: Та миксюр да ви а не комплієнс. [0:45:04, 0:45:07]: And this is our role as elected official. [0:45:08, 0:45:11]: as you as a staff person, the city manager, the attorneys, [0:45:11, 0:45:31]: We have to make sure that we are doing things correctly. So I don't have a problem with the discussions. And this is all it is: it's discussion. It's not micromanaging. It's a discussion to make sure that we're doing things correctly: the process, the procedures, and making sure that we as a council we're educating. [0:45:31, 0:45:42]: educated and when we go back out and talk to cause some folks are viewing this and they will come up to us on the street and ask us questions about this program. We need we have to be able to [0:45:43, 0:45:51]: Explain the program to them. So that's why we have to have that knowledge. So whom and that's our role. [0:45:52, 0:45:59]: to be able to go back out and to talk to the citizen about these programs. So let's not continue to [0:45:59, 0:46:11]: badger when when we're just trying to get educated. My last question, uh for those citizen that may be viewing, can you refresh our memory of [0:46:11, 0:46:28]: the boundaries because you may have some folks out there saying, well, I may want to do something here in this particular area. Is that in the boundaries? Can I do that? So can you just refresh our memory on on the boundaries that this grant will apply to? [0:46:28, 0:46:29]: Sure. [0:46:29, 0:46:49]: And I'm uh I'm always happy to answer questions if I have the answers. And if I don't, I'll make sure to call on whoever has the answers. So um definitely it's always a pleasure to answer any questions and provide any clarification that is needed. Um as far as the boundaries, we use the DDA boundaries for this particular grant and the D D A boundaries they [0:46:49, 0:47:09]: on East Atlanta they go all the way down by the Publix and if you're on North Enry Boulevard you go all the way down to Walquarry and then if you're going up it's all the way by uh after you pass the Methodist church. So those are the what we consider as the DDA boundaries for um for this particular program. That's what we [0:47:09, 0:47:29]: Use. Now, if I may, Mehir, I would love to provide some clarification on the facade program and the idea that we require a customer service for a facade program. That is simply not the case because the facade program does not require. [0:47:29, 0:47:49]: customer service training. Now um in that particular instance um for the facade program itself uh we did get an application and we reviewed the application and the document that was provided was not accurate and we've um asked for additional documentation because [0:47:49, 0:48:09]: For us to approve work to be done by a contractor, we have to make sure that the contractor is licensed and insured in the state of Georgia. So if that's not the case, then we can't we can't approve for a number of reasons. Um and then as it relates to the customer service, um the downtown business assistance program, which that [0:48:09, 0:48:29]: business that you mentioned um is going to receive that grant. And as part of the terms and conditions, which is uh part of the guidelines, it says that you have to agree to the terms and conditions. And one of the conditions is that as we see this as a partnership with Visit Enry, and we want to encourage any of our hospitality partners to take that [0:48:28, 0:48:34]: [2915.7, 2917.8]: Let him finish his comment first, please. [0:48:38, 0:48:58]: Sure. Go ahead, finish your question. So our partnership is with you know Visit Enry, and we want to make sure that if you're in the hospitality industry, if it's a uh the downtown business assistance program is geared towards specialty retail, uh restaurants, entertainment, all these businesses are customer oriented and customer focused. So we want [0:48:58, 0:49:18]: So it's not um per se a um punishment. We don't see it as a punishment towards a business, it's just a probably ninety minutes or you know two hour course that you have to take for their you know staff on customer service training. But you just uh okay. [0:49:17, 0:49:22]: You said it wasn't required, then you said it was required as a part of the other part of the program. [0:49:22, 0:49:31]: Sure, I I said that the customer service training, it is not a requirement for the facade program. We would but it is a requirement for [0:49:33, 0:49:46]: The downtown business assistance program. Yes, we asked that when the grant that's the umbrella program. That's the that's the business assistance the downtown program. You can't get the other grant unless you own part of the downtown assistance program. [0:49:46, 0:50:06]: The grants are sep the grant programs are separate. We're we're talking about a number of different grant programs. So the downtown business assistance program, just to refresh um uh you know the the memory uh um just just to keep it focused. The part of the downtown assistance program requires them to do [0:50:06, 0:50:08]: A customer service class. [0:50:09, 0:50:12]: To be a part to participate in the program. [0:50:13, 0:50:33]: To be in compliance. That's participation, right? Yes. So there i it is required to be a part of the downtown assistance program. Yes. And the same way we also require them after they receive the grant that they have to remain in the downtown area for a minimum of three years. That is part of I mean compliance and monitor. [0:50:33, 0:50:47]: monitoring or just part of any other program. We did not say we're not gonna approve the pro the grant. We actually approved it and I believe they they went to the training and we're we're moving forward. Okay, so they are getting yeah. Thank you. [0:50:47, 0:50:48]: All right, go ahead, Ms. Mayor. [0:50:49, 0:50:58]: Okay. So now that you made clarification of that, I appreciate that'cause I was concerned when you said it was a requirement for customer service. But [0:51:00, 0:51:01]: Um [0:51:03, 0:51:23]: That customer service program is online. Mm-hmm. It's literally like an hour if that hour, hour and a half. And then they take a quiz afterwards and they get a twenty five dollar coupon to what other other stores are gonna like that have taken the class. They get like their employees as well. And it's a really [0:51:23, 0:51:24]: Really? [0:51:25, 0:51:27]: Great look. Um Christy Dean [0:51:27, 0:51:34]: from Drip Through is actually the narrator of it. And it's um through Visit Henry. [0:51:36, 0:51:50]: And it actually is a really good program. I actually use it to train my employees because they need to know good customer service. And in order for it's it it's not a hindrance actually, now that I think of it, because [0:51:52, 0:51:59]: We want the business to get business, but we don't want them to have a bad attitude down here either. We want the reputation of [0:51:59, 0:52:05]: We also are providing you with free it's free too. You don't pay for it. You just go log in and [0:52:06, 0:52:25]: You can stop and start, but it's not like it's the long class. It literally might be an hour and 15 minutes, hour and 30 minutes, maybe, if that. So if anybody's complaining about that, I would be concerned because um all it's doing is benefiting them and their employees. Their employees get the$25 coupons too. [0:52:25, 0:52:27]: So it's it's something that [0:52:28, 0:52:31]: Their tactics are based off of Disney World. [0:52:32, 0:52:35]: And Chic filet and other well known [0:52:36, 0:52:41]: customer service friendly and it helped me get a national award and get business of the year. [0:52:42, 0:52:45]: So I I r highly recommend it. [0:52:45, 0:52:55]: I I certainly agree with you. I just don't know if that's a good idea. So [0:52:56, 0:53:04]: It it it it it is not a requirement to get the facade grant, but it's a requirement to be a part of the downtown assistance program. [0:53:04, 0:53:07]: But what comes with the downtown assistance program? [0:53:08, 0:53:16]: It is twenty thousand dollars worth of money, um, interior improvements, capital equipment, marketing and rent abatement, depending on whether it's a new business or not. [0:53:17, 0:53:18]: So each business gets that? [0:53:19, 0:53:24]: In each illi eligible business, yes. So why wouldn't we as a city [0:53:26, 0:53:46]: want to have some type I I want to make it easy for them, but this is easy. All you gotta do is go online and talk about customer service. There's no way I want to give people$20,000 and then they have a bad attitude. But that's not our responsibility. It's the this is a private sector business that is dealing with the public. If they're not giving good customer service, they're gonna go out of business. [0:53:46, 0:53:59]: I this is these are these are this see this is my issue with this right here. See, this is bu bureaucratic red tape that if you go out and talk to the business owners, they're saying there's so much red tape [0:53:59, 0:54:05]: here with these various programs, it's hard for them to navigate when they're trying to keep their doors open. [0:54:05, 0:54:25]: That's what I'm talking about. It's it's just a n it's not that it's a bad program. It's just that it's another layer on top of all the other stuff that they gotta deal with. Well, I don't know what else they are required to do for twenty thousand dollars, but twenty thousand dollars can almost pay for a hood. It can pay for a grease trap. That's major. It's ten thousand, right? [0:54:25, 0:54:28]: It's a twenty thousand dollars with a ten thousand dollar match. [0:54:28, 0:54:44]: I'm saying whatever it is. The downtown business assistance program does not have a match. Okay, so it's not a m okay. So whatever whatever the case, twenty thousand dollars, that's a lot. We should have some type of restrictions. And you w you want the business to stay there, so it's only beneficial to them. And I get the red tape. [0:54:44, 0:54:50]: I'm more concerned about when they come down and do an application that they um [0:54:51, 0:55:08]: you know, are told up front certain things. Some people start renting buildings and then find out they can't do the business there or they are taken through red tape just trying to get their foot in the door instead of having everything done up front. There there's some policies and procedures that I wanna deal with about that. [0:55:09, 0:55:11]: But if we're giving them money [0:55:11, 0:55:30]: They need some type of requirement. And this, I promise you, you can watch this thing within an hour and be done. Like and you literally click a button and you're over. It's not like it's a may exam with pass or fail. Well, they show you if you pass them questions, but it's stuff that they need to know. And [0:55:31, 0:55:51]: I think it's beneficial as a whole. It's not red tape. It's not red tape when we offer them free business sessions on how to go about writing and getting grants for their business or business advice about how to form their LLCs. It's not hurting us then. We're not micromanaging them. I think this is beneficial. What we're seeing. [0:55:51, 0:55:53]: [3355.0, 3359.8]: wants to make sure you get it. We want really we want good customer service. We want [0:56:00, 0:56:11]: nice businesses, professional businesses, and we are giving you the tools to m to be successful. This is what we demand. We're gonna give you some money. [0:56:12, 0:56:15]: Make sure you come here with excellence. [0:56:15, 0:56:19]: And so we're gonna give you those tools to make sure that you're excellent. So I don't I don't have a problem with that. [0:56:21, 0:56:34]: My my my issue is not that. My issue is is is is I agree that there should be certain requirements. The problem is the results. We got all of these programs and nobody is getting the money. [0:56:35, 0:56:55]: This is the problem. When I say that, we got all of these programs out there, but nobody is getting the money. Go talk to the business owners out there. How many facade grants do you see with North Henry Boulevard looking like it looked, or downtown looking like it looked? They're not getting the money. And that is my problem. So I [0:56:55, 0:57:07]: I want them to look at whatever onerous, whether it's that one, or whatever is causing the money not to go out. I want that fixed so we can get these businesses the money because they are struggling. [0:57:08, 0:57:28]: All right. Uh Miss Ms. Barber, go ahead, please. Mr. Alon so that I'm clear. Um this downtown special events program that is completely separate from the facade program that we're talking about, right? We're talking about two different things. Yes. Thank you. The next question is um the facade program is um [0:57:28, 0:57:28]: Um [0:57:30, 0:57:33]: Managed by the downtown development authority. [0:57:33, 0:57:40]: So they have their own criteria or structure in which they issue those facade grants, correct? [0:57:41, 0:58:01]: Yes, so uh w there are two facade programs. There is a city wide facade program that was approved through um BRICS about I think it was approved in June or July. Uh so that's fairly new. And the D D has its own um program. And we had a discussion about [0:58:01, 0:58:18]: you know, the DDA facade program and they actually uh took a step forward by increasing the funding amount, uh the maximum that a business could get. They increased that amount and uh we've been, you know, uh promoting the program. With any facade programs, the um [0:58:19, 0:58:39]: The issue that or the challenge that you have with facade programs is that most of them require a match and the work has to be done first. Now, the way that you overcome that is by providing funding that would make people wanna take the work um, you know, in the [0:58:39, 0:58:59]: first place. For example, when I when I was in Orlando, when I got there, the facade program was up to 20,000 and we weren't getting any uh applications at all. And you know, I reviewed the program and we took that amount from 20,000 to 100,000 and we started get a lot of getting a lot of applications. [0:58:58, 0:59:15]: It is it is tricky because the owners have to take the first step. They have to spend the money first to get the work done and then they get reimbursed. Now, if council would love for us to look at other ways that we can assist uh businesses through uh [0:59:15, 0:59:30]: it exterior improvements that may not require that. We would be more than happy to explore uh other opportunities, but facade grants overall are just that's the challenge with them. You just have to offer the money that would allow somebody to take the first step. [0:59:31, 0:59:34]: Thank you, sir. I do have a question. Who determines [0:59:35, 0:59:44]: Going back to this downtown special events program, that is the item on the agenda. Who determines the eligibility when a business wants to [0:59:44, 0:59:47]: Host a special event. [0:59:47, 0:59:52]: The eligibility for the program or the eligibility for a special leave for a reimbursement. [0:59:54, 1:00:08]: So uh basically staff, economic development staff would um do the the work first and then, you know, with the amendment that we're proposing, because it is five thousand, then the city manager would approve the grant. [1:00:08, 1:00:12]: So it's up to five thousand dollars per event. Yes. [1:00:12, 1:00:13]: Thank you, sir. [1:00:13, 1:00:15]: No problem. Mr. Blount, go ahead, please. [1:00:16, 1:00:18]: Mr. Lance uh question is that [1:00:19, 1:00:25]: 'Cause I thought Main Street had a facade grant program also. At one time. I thought we I thought they did anyway. [1:00:26, 1:00:45]: Uh with those facade grants, is there stipulations pertaining that that these uh businesses are given that shows the do's and don'ts of what we expect to see downtown? I mean I'm just trying to figure out how do we how do we provide grants and uh [1:00:46, 1:00:47]: And we don't and [1:00:49, 1:01:01]: Well, I'll I'll talk to you about that later. Something happened. I I don't wanna go too deep and into the sky blue stuff. Uh but also I have to agree with Councilman Alexander. [1:01:01, 1:01:10]: Is that I I I I I want us to promote downtown. And you I you you you've came on board and you're doing something I haven't seen since I've been in office. [1:01:11, 1:01:19]: And that's somebody diligently working to promote downtown in the way that you're doing. You're putting a plan in place and you're putting and you're and you're executing. [1:01:20, 1:01:40]: And you when you come to us, you're not coming to us saying what we want to do, you're saying, hey, this is what I would like to do, and you're executing. But I I I have to agree with Mr. Alexander, I don't want to see us into the management or business part. Because if you open up a business and you're rude to people or you're not [1:01:39, 1:01:48]: not giving good customer service, you're gonna end up just like that church's chicken over on 138 that's gone. I can say it now because they're gone. So [1:01:49, 1:02:09]: But good business brings in people. And when you open up a business, you have to have a plan in place on how do you keep people coming back, because you only have one time to make a first impression. So I don't want us to make so many stipulations inside the criteria that we find those stipulations also manageable. [1:02:09, 1:02:15]: managing businesses versus allowing the marketplace to manage itself. So I'm in agreement with that part. [1:02:16, 1:02:36]: All right. This is a final comment. Let me tell you, Mr. Lut, I've patted you on the back a thousand times since you got here because you're doing a ma magnificent job. My comments are targeted toward what you were doing because these programs were already in place when you arrived, weren't they? They were already here. The facade grant program, the DDA. Now originally [1:02:36, 1:02:56]: The DDA program, the the requirements were actually, it might have been as Mr. Blount indicated under a city department before we turned it over to the DDA. Because it seems as though the DDA, the rules are very similar, and that the rules may have actually been written by us. Not sure whether that's [1:02:56, 1:03:16]: That's the case or not, but I think it is. Is the the requirements are very similar to what they are. I think the DDA pretty much adopted what the staff recommended that they do. My thing to you is not to say uh that uh that that it's you. My thing to you was to say it's [1:03:16, 1:03:36]: Is is at the council was agreeable to go back and look to see what it is that we can do to make it easier to change the result. Whatever that is that's best that you come up with, not us, that can get these facade grants up. You know, I was at the DDA. [1:03:36, 1:03:56]: Meeting and the clerk suggested, Miss Holliday was there, she takes the notes, that we give them some give them some of the money up front so that they could actually do the work. It is not like that, it's unwritten that you couldn't do that. Because if you were a business owner and you're nickel and dime and you're trying to get your doors open, and you say, [1:03:56, 1:04:16]: Well, uh, do I have 10? You don't have ten thousand dollars. But if you had the money, and where we might have paid the contractor directly instead of giving the money to the business, you pay the contractor directly. The mut the business never touches it. They the money goes directly to the contractor that you know. [1:04:16, 1:04:33]: is licensed and insured and all of the above. I'm not saying we will do that. I'm asking you to look at all of the possibilities of what we can do to change the results so we can start getting these grants out citywide and the downtown development authority. Will do. [1:04:33, 1:04:34]: All right, go ahead, Ms. Kent. [1:04:35, 1:04:46]: Uh Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve this downtown special events program to increase the maximum funding amount from twenty five hundred to five thousand. Second. Okay. All favor please indicate. [1:04:47, 1:04:51]: Do you all oppose? You obstain? Question. Question. [1:04:51, 1:04:52]: Question. [1:04:53, 1:04:58]: I wanted to know what and maybe you answered it, what is the twenty twenty four proposed budget? [1:04:58, 1:04:59]: For this program. [1:05:00, 1:05:02]: The maximum amount. Do we know? [1:05:03, 1:05:18]: So again, this is ARPA funding that we're using. So uh this program is not part of our economic development budget for twenty twenty four. But we want to continue it after the ARPA funds runs out. So [1:05:19, 1:05:32]: This won't be a line item in the budget for twenty twenty four or twenty twenty five. We just don't foresee us doing it after then. Say three. Maybe twenty twenty five. Until it reaches it's already in there. [1:05:35, 1:05:49]: I thought you said three events a year. Yeah. So if we do three if we do we're already in September, so let's say we do one event. We do one event this year and then uh next year we'll we'll only be able to do two and that that's it for that program. [1:05:49, 1:05:52]: So three different businesses will host [1:05:52, 1:05:53]: An event. [1:05:53, 1:05:57]: It can be a business or an organization, non profit or an in yeah. [1:05:58, 1:06:16]: Thank you, sir. Mm-hmm. I support this. Thank you, Mayor Ford. Oh, all right. So we took a vote. So let's just do this one the ma motion was made, miss second from Miss Gantt to Miss Downs and all in favor, please indicate. Real quick, I just wanna make sure the cap is fifteen thousand total, right? Five ten fifty fifteen thousand. [1:06:16, 1:06:24]: Is the cap for this event for this? Yes. Okay. I want just to include that in there that the cap is fifteen thousand per year. [1:06:26, 1:06:27]: per year. [1:06:27, 1:06:28]: For this. [1:06:28, 1:06:42]: Certainly, and and it's worthwhile to continue it. I could see it going to the general fund budget in twenty twenty five at fifteen thousand. Right. Yeah. Per year. Right. Right? Yes. All favorite pleas indicate. [1:06:42, 1:06:57]: Okay, got a unanimous decision. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Okay, thank you, Mr. Lance. Okay. What we have next is the uh reconsider uh reconsideration of a motion. Um Miss Gantt, you brought this forward. I would think um Mr. Washington, you need to come to the podium, please, sir. [1:07:02, 1:07:22]: And I know that you sent everybody, I don't know if everybody read it, but you sent some type of clarification uh to the entire council about this as well. Yes. And so we were just asking for clarification on the the final outcome of everything that was discussed when going back and reviewing was that there was a resolution that was passed that was a three-two vote. [1:07:22, 1:07:35]: vote. There's a question about whether or not because the there was a prior motion that was not ruled upon, which could be looked at as a motion to reconsider, whether that obstructed council's intent. And so to clarify council's intent, [1:07:36, 1:07:38]: We're asking counsel as to whether or not you want to. [1:07:39, 1:07:40]: A point. [1:07:41, 1:07:42]: Be a resolution. [1:07:43, 1:07:44]: Deputy City Clerk. [1:07:44, 1:08:04]: Or whether you want to let it go through the normal hiring process, which will be done by the city manager as he directs. And so those are the two matters. And if it's going to be that you all want to do what was expressed, the resolution as a three-two. [1:08:04, 1:08:20]: then I would just ask that that be done that way and so the meeting minutes can be clear. And if you want to do it through the regular hiring process, ask that you do it that way so that the minutes can be clear. Or if there's a third option that you all have, do it that way. [1:08:21, 1:08:23]: Yeah, sir. Go ahead, please. Okay. [1:08:23, 1:08:43]: Did you I just think we need to go ahead and move forward. Sure, that's no problem. Okay. I'll make the motion uh uh for this particular um it is the directive of the consensus of council that the staff shall be prohibited from directly hiring anyone for the position of deputy clerk and to yield to the will of the council to appoint the candidate. [1:08:43, 1:08:45]: [4126.4, 4128.7]: Dead second by Ms. Blount. I'm fair, please indicate. [1:08:50, 1:08:50]: I'll pose. [1:08:52, 1:08:56]: Okay, discussion. Okay, three one. [1:08:57, 1:09:00]: What's your what's your point? Please. [1:09:00, 1:09:16]: So with this motion, the city clerk is not able to hire directly um to fill the position of the deputy city clerk. That's correct. So we're going to leave the ordinance as it is currently. [1:09:16, 1:09:21]: Um which gives the council the authority to hire. [1:09:21, 1:09:34]: Well see, that's where the confusion came in. There was never an ordinance on the issue. Okay. You all had voted in well, not you all, prior counsels had voted to have the deputy city clerk appointed. [1:09:35, 1:09:37]: And so because [1:09:37, 1:09:55]: councils cannot bind successive councils, then there's the c the question is what do you all want to do with this process? And that is best expressed via an ordinance. I mean b be ordinance or resolution. This is a resolution. Yeah. Okay. [1:09:55, 1:09:56]: Mm. [1:09:57, 1:09:57]: All right. [1:09:58, 1:10:01]: A motion was made by Mr. Alexander, second by Mr. Blount. [1:10:01, 1:10:03]: I'll tell you again, all in favor of that motion please indicate. [1:10:03, 1:10:04]: Maybe. [1:10:05, 1:10:10]: Um I have one question. One I'm sorry, one question just for the attorney. Go right in the paper. Go right in. [1:10:11, 1:10:11]: So [1:10:12, 1:10:16]: Because there was a motion for reconsideration, that was part of the question. [1:10:17, 1:10:22]: Should Councilman Alexander not do the motion for reconsideration and then we vote? [1:10:22, 1:10:23]: On the second part? [1:10:24, 1:10:25]: So [1:10:27, 1:10:28]: If that was at issue. [1:10:29, 1:10:29]: So [1:10:30, 1:10:32]: There are a couple of ways that they can be looked at, right? [1:10:32, 1:10:33]: This [1:10:34, 1:10:54]: Some things a province of the chair. So if the chair, if a motion is given by the chair, or if a motion is taken up by the chair and it is not voted upon, right? It can be assumed that if it's not voted upon in that meeting, then it can die in that meeting, or the chair can bring it back. However, if you all don't express anything about it, [1:10:53, 1:10:54]: [4254.6, 4257.2]: then there's no action that's taken. [1:10:57, 1:11:05]: Because no action is taken, right? If there's a motion, any motion that there's no action taken, there's been no action taken by this council. [1:11:05, 1:11:25]: Okay, none. Right, no. That's your position. If you all want to have taken an action on it, then the majority could override and say, we didn't vote on this, we'd like to there was a vote called and go from there. The what the what the decision was was to be clear on what you all wanted to come back and act. [1:11:25, 1:11:29]: Ask so that that way what would be taken up and [1:11:30, 1:11:34]: the directive be given for you all to vote on that. [1:11:34, 1:11:39]: as you all already have, and that's the clarification, so that if there is [1:11:40, 1:11:50]: any other procedural matters that you've clearly expressed what you all want to do in this situation and there are no other motions currently pending about that matter. [1:11:51, 1:12:11]: What I would think is that uh the from the resolution motion to pass three two for the council to approve and from what I've seen electronically in emails and even tonight in the motion, I would think we need to just move on and think this will the council to go ahead and be part of the process to appoint the deputy city clerk. [1:12:10, 1:12:16]: will and if I have any say so I think that's just a will at this point. Uh stand by please stand by. Yes Mr Blount. [1:12:17, 1:12:17]: Um [1:12:19, 1:12:26]: One of the things with me, I like for stuff to be clean, cut, and dry. What we just did tonight. [1:12:28, 1:12:28]: Just did. [1:12:30, 1:12:32]: Is on a recording and video. [1:12:32, 1:12:35]: From the last meeting, the exact same thing. [1:12:37, 1:12:39]: That's inefficient to me. [1:12:39, 1:12:39]: Mm-hmm. [1:12:41, 1:12:43]: Биказ адесп. [1:12:43, 1:12:51]: The vote could now change if it if if if if it was a will to change. So then we would be voting on the same item. [1:12:52, 1:12:57]: And to get two different results because we just did the exact same thing. [1:12:57, 1:12:59]: That's on film. [1:13:00, 1:13:03]: And on v on video and it was stated. [1:13:03, 1:13:05]: The exact same thing. [1:13:06, 1:13:12]: What does the minutes say? Does the minutes sh does the minutes from the clerk show a flaw in the in the process? [1:13:13, 1:13:20]: Then let's address the flaw in the process. What was the flaw in the process? Because if we don't j address it right now [1:13:20, 1:13:38]: We're gonna have the same exact same thing come up to us. Why? Because we did the exact same thing that's already been done. What flaw do we need to address? Because I don't want us ever coming up here and having to do the exact same thing when the when the decision already been made. Right. And I think [1:13:39, 1:13:51]: I was clear on what the decision was, right? And so since there was some confusion about it, I'm going to always make sure if there's confusion about what you all have done, I was clear that it was a three-two and if there was some procedural [1:13:52, 1:14:02]: issues surrounding that, right? At the end of the day, you all said what you want to do. You reiterated what you want to do. This is just the final point of clarification to make sure that it's clearly understood. Mr. Washington. [1:14:03, 1:14:03]: Mm-hmm. [1:14:03, 1:14:11]: Let me tell you what happens at the end of the day. At the end of the day, you're our attorney. Yeah. Nobody else in this room. [1:14:12, 1:14:17]: And it was if it was clear to you and legally clear to you that we did it properly. [1:14:18, 1:14:20]: We should not even have to vote again tonight. [1:14:21, 1:14:32]: And if there's some conflict and confusion that has a problem with that, then bring that to council because we have executive session rooms that we can deal with, uh uh we can deal with uh um personnel. [1:14:33, 1:14:37]: personnel uh uh uh real estate in in in litigation. [1:14:39, 1:14:42]: But we if you are a city attorney and you said it was clear to you. [1:14:43, 1:14:58]: This is a part of the night that should never even happen again because now later on it could be flawed if we ever do this again. Not with this situation, but another one. No, I I and our time is being wasted because if somebody got a problem with what this council has done. [1:14:59, 1:15:02]: Then bring it to the council and tell us what the problem is. [1:15:03, 1:15:23]: No, I listen, I can I can understand how you say it. I'm just going to always, as a lawyer, always say out of an abundance of caution. So we've done this. I appreciate y'all's time and consideration. I'm I'm ready to move on. We we voted vote. We voted the same the vote is the same. And uh so we need to move on. I'm I'm [1:15:23, 1:15:34]: Pretty sure she recorded it vote. We need to make sure that there's nothing else flawed with the decision we just made because we just is there a flaw in the decision we just made, uh Ms. Holliday? [1:15:36, 1:15:36]: Mm. [1:15:37, 1:15:39]: No, no, asking you a question because you're taking notes. [1:15:48, 1:15:50]: What's the right thing? [1:15:53, 1:16:01]: I'm okay, okay. Let's hold on. Let me make something clear. That's why I anytime something is flawed out here. [1:16:02, 1:16:04]: We get it from the clerk. [1:16:04, 1:16:12]: That there's a motion and there's a second on the floor, Mayor, and she corrects it so that when she puts it in a minute, there's not a flaw in it. [1:16:12, 1:16:22]: And I'm asking you now, because you've always done that since I've known you and since I've been coming to council meeting, is there a flaw in what we just did that's gonna be in your minutes? [1:16:30, 1:16:34]: Okay. All okay, motion has been made. All in favor of the motion, please indicate. [1:16:35, 1:16:36]: Opposed. [1:16:37, 1:16:45]: You oppose, sir. So three you oppose as well? Three two motion passed. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. Now I'll still ask again, is there a flaw in the process? [1:16:46, 1:16:51]: May I um may I ask the question? Miss Holliday, um [1:16:52, 1:17:10]: We had to come back to the meeting tonight because from my understanding you thought that the last meeting there was a flaw, that something didn't take place in the right procedure. Was that corrected tonight? [1:17:10, 1:17:21]: Or is there still a f do you consider it still a flaw? Because usually you correct what we're saying is. Any other time it's been corrected. It'll be like, wait, y'all didn't take a vote. [1:17:21, 1:17:24]: Because this is dealing with the deputy clerk. [1:17:25, 1:17:27]: And because you are the clerk. [1:17:27, 1:17:30]: And you came up and presented the last time. [1:17:31, 1:17:34]: Із зер а до ю консир. [1:17:34, 1:17:45]: this a flaw at this point in time because the that from my understanding your clarification uh what's been going on is in in regards to the motion for reconsideration. [1:17:46, 1:18:05]: I am going to defer to legal counsel. I cannot override your legal counsel. Okay. All right. Uh the mo the motion passed three two. Unless legal counsel has anything additional to say at this time, we'll move on to our next item. Yes, sir. I would like for us for clarity and clear to be clear. [1:18:06, 1:18:14]: To ask legal, do we need to revisit the reconsideration from Mr. Alexander and vote on that tonight to go along with this? [1:18:15, 1:18:20]: [4701.6, 4706.9]: But that but that was understood at the last meeting. So I don't want so at this point [1:18:27, 1:18:38]: We don't need staff or anybody addressing anything pertaining to this because we can't keep going in circles. Whatever need to be cleared up, we just need to clear it up now. That's why I'm asking the questions. [1:18:44, 1:18:45]: Thank you, sir. [1:18:45, 1:19:05]: All right, we'll now move on to announcements of upcoming meeting events. Council meetings will be held in the city council chamber. Visit the city's website www.stopbridge at uh stopbridgega.org or visit the city's Facebook page or contact the city hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates. [1:19:05, 1:19:25]: Stockbridge Citizens Police Academy Council meeting is the first Thursday of each month, 6 p.m. at Stockbridge Police Community Room, 4545 North Henry Boulevard. City Council meeting, second Monday of each month, 6 p.m. City Council Hall Chambers, October 9th. U Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. second Monday of each month, City Hall, leave [1:19:25, 1:19:45]: Levi Meeting Room City Hall October 9th. Youth Council Advisory Committee meeting 9:30 p.m. Excuse me, 6:30 p.m. Second Monday of each month, Levi Meeting Room, City Hall, October 9th. Citywide Development Authority meeting, second Tuesday of each month, is 6 p.m. City Hall, Levi Meeting Room, October 10th. Main Street Advisory. [1:19:45, 1:20:05]: Board meeting second Friday of each month. Welcome center located at 130 north 130 Art Luther King Senior Heritage Trail, 9 a.m., which is October 13th. The Downtown Development Authority meeting is third Tuesday of each month. Welcome Center 130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail October 17th. [1:20:05, 1:20:18]: Commission meeting 6 30 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers fourth Thursday of each month, October 26th. The City Council Work Session meeting last Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers, October 31st. [1:20:19, 1:20:39]: Join the city, City of Stockbridge for an annual bridge fest uh festival taking place Saturday, September 30th, Stockbridge Amphitheater and surrounding area. And to include uh the um to include across the railroad tracks there. And uh we have free free event, carnival rides, fruit trucks, vendors, and a concert. Uh [1:20:39, 1:20:59]: For the amphitheater, the gates open at 3 p.m. and contact the event staff at 770-389-5982 for more information. Be a wonderful weekend with British Fest. Join Councilman Councilwoman Gantt in a partnership with the Southern Crescent Pearls Foundation and A.K. Swarty, Siapha Omega. Um [1:20:59, 1:21:07]: Alpha Cypher Omega chapter for the Business Matters Entrepreneur and Black Business Expo. Saturday, October 1st at [1:21:08, 1:21:15]: Is it Sunday? Yeah, Saturday's a third. Sunday, October first. That's right. That's this coming Sunday. Thank you very much. [1:21:16, 1:21:30]: At eleven a.m. to five p.m. Mermanus Conference Center, contact uh via email PAO Black 365 at PSI Alpha Omega.org for additional information. [1:21:33, 1:21:53]: Join Mayor Pro Tem Barber for the Breast Friends Breast Health Awareness event on Monday, October 2nd at Merrill Manters Conference Center, lower level, and again on October 9th for the My Breast Friend mammogram screening event in partnership with women's imaging specialist. Mayor Ford, can I just add there are twenty [1:21:53, 1:22:05]: slots for free mammogram screening. Twenty slots. For Oc October s ninth activity? Yes. Okay, twenty slots available. For those that don't have insurance. Okay. Yes, thank you. [1:22:05, 1:22:25]: You're welcome. Join Councilman Blount for the Bingo Bass Wednesday, October 18th from 10 a.m. to noon at Murray Manor's Conference Center located at 111 Davis Road. Join me, Mayor Ford, for the monthly meet the mayor on Monday, October 23rd, from 10 a.m. to noon. Please contact Ros and Rawls to schedule an appointment at 678-200. [1:22:25, 1:22:32]: eight eight three three three three four four four four four eight or via mail rawls at city of stopbridge dash g a dot gov. [1:22:33, 1:22:53]: Join Councilman Thomas for Don't Trash Stockbridge Initiative centered around education, highlighting the causes and effects of littering and illegal dumping. More information to follow. And also join Councilman Thomas for honoring veterans, honoring veterans and a continuous salute to all year long, these veterans. Please send you pictures of veterans and their names, brands, [1:22:53, 1:23:13]: rank and years of service to R. Rawls at City of Stockbridge dash G dot G O V. And by the way, of course, the uh October is breast cancer awareness month. So be aware of those particular activities that we have at the City of Stockbridge as well. And I believe the luncheon is I think October 12th and you have to [1:23:13, 1:23:33]: Sign up for that one and with the event staff. And then we have right, and then on the 14th, we'll have our Pretty and Pink Love Walk at Clark Park, and that starts roughly seven o'clock on that morning, I believe it is. And the luncheon starts at, I think, at 11 a.m. Okay. Get your tickets for upcoming 2020. [1:23:33, 1:23:39]: Stockbridge concert series by visiting stopbridgeamp.com [1:23:39, 1:23:51]: Or in person the ticket office located at 4650 North Henry Boulevard, which is right behind City Hall. The Wheel Call area ticket office located open from Thursday to Saturday, one to five P.M. [1:23:51, 1:24:00]: Okay. And our season is ending very shortly here. So we only have a few more concerts left before we get into the 2024 season. [1:24:00, 1:24:08]: And this uh Sunday, uh our blues concert is uh blues concert in Southern Soul is already sold out. [1:24:08, 1:24:14]: Uh so we still have a comedy show on October fourteenth with Monique nephew Tommy, Dominique [1:24:15, 1:24:26]: Rodney Perry Jr. and Tony Roberts. That's Saturday, the 14th of October. And then the last concert, pay concert of the year, will be Saturday, October 21st with Ludacris and Rich the Kid. [1:24:27, 1:24:40]: And sometime before the end of the calendar year, some probably late November, December, we'll be able to announce the twenty twenty four season uh for a concert series and look forward to that as well. [1:24:40, 1:25:00]: COVID-19 is still on the rise, so please make sure you take your current booster shot. There's a new booster shot out there for you. And as well, take your flu shot for the fall into the winter season here. We want you to be healthy, uh, folks, and uh be alive for a long time. You've got to be healthy though, right? And cost goes. Cost goes that the bridge. [1:25:00, 1:25:04]: Jodeco has a grand opening. [1:25:04, 1:25:17]: On Thursday, November sixteenth, eight AM. So get ready and as a matter of fact you can go to Costco's on that day, all that week and get ready for Thanksgiving. Buy all the things you need from Costco for your Thanksgiving dinner with your family, friends and relatives. [1:25:18, 1:25:38]: And October 10th in Murray Manor's Conference Center, we will have a candidate forum, which is a public event for our current uh current uh council members that are up for re-election. And that'll be moderated by the uh eight eight excuse me, Atlanta Journal Constitution Journalist will moderate that's a seven p.m. at Murray Manors on the tenth of October. [1:25:38, 1:25:42]: On that note, uh council, I need a motion to go into executive session. [1:25:42, 1:26:02]: Yes, sir. I think we we we certainly did a good job of talking about the um paid concerts, but we just need to let everybody Angie Stone is coming for free. Okay. The Fleetwood Mac band and uh tribute band's coming for free. Several free concerts on Saturday for those who partake in our biggest festival of the year, Bridge. [1:26:02, 1:26:22]: That's right. And we got a country star, Mark Wares coming through there and a tribute band for Stevie Wonder. So lots of different music. Uh once again the the Amphitheater opens up at three. Concert starts at five, I think five to ten. And it is free. You need you need to have a ticket to get in and to have a Pacific seat. Okay? And now I need a motion to go to the second session, Council. So move. [1:26:22, 1:26:27]: Well I've got Mayor, I moved over to go to second session for personnel, litigation and real estate. Okay. [1:26:28, 1:26:31]: Mrs. Blount. So move, Mr. Blount, all in favor, please syndicate. [1:26:31, 1:26:35]: All right. I'll pose you you pose? [1:26:35, 1:26:38]: You oppose. So three two will go into cycle session. [1:26:38, 1:26:39]: Pass. [1:27:15, 1:27:19]: Council, I need a motion to end the second session, please. So move. [1:27:19, 1:27:23]: Okay for Mr. Blount, is there a second? Mr. Dow is now a second. All in favor, please indicate. [1:27:24, 1:27:44]: All right, council. We uh need a motion to reconvene our our work session, please. So moved. Okay. Mr. Blount? My second. Second. Ms. Ms. Gantt, second in all favor, please indicate. All right. And from our executive session, we have something we need to mention here. Ms. Gantt, please. Mayor, um, I would like to move that we transfer the five. [1:27:44, 1:27:47]: Following properties to the URA. [1:27:47, 1:27:49]: One oh eight First Street. [1:27:50, 1:27:51]: And stop bridge. [1:27:53, 1:28:13]: Okay. 142 Wilson Avenue in Stockbridge and 44998 North Henry Boulevard in Stockbridge. So move. Okay. Mr. Alison, do you second that? Sir. Okay. All in favor, please indicate. All right. Thank you very much. Now I need a motion to end our city council uh work session. So move. Is there a second? From Ms. Gantt to [1:28:13, 1:28:16]: Mr. Blount, all favourite please indicate. God bless y'all. Good night.