2025-01-28 · City Council · Transcript · Work Session Meeting

--- title: Work Session Meeting date: 2025-01-28 source: 2025-01-28_Work_Session_Meeting.wav --- [0:00:00, 0:00:01]: Oh yeah. [0:00:02, 0:00:04]: Yeah, yeah, too. Two different time. [0:00:05, 0:00:08]: Oh, scan. [0:00:08, 0:00:11]: Then it's way there. [0:00:12, 0:00:13]: And you're so [0:00:20, 0:00:21]: Where you were. [0:00:30, 0:00:36]: That's right. [0:00:36, 0:00:40]: They may do it. They have to set their thing. [0:00:46, 0:00:47]: Yeah, yeah, okay. [0:00:58, 0:01:10]: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I have uh 604 and like to start our city council work session uh call it to order. And on that note, uh please stand for invocation. [0:01:13, 0:01:33]: And actually I'll give that tonight. Lord, thank you for bringing us together once again to do the city's business. Allow us to have good logical conversations as we continue to move our city forward. Be us always, Lord, to make the best decisions we can for our constituency and our citizens in in our community. Be us always, Lord, in your name. Amen. Okay, do the Pledge Allegiance? Yeah. [0:01:33, 0:01:43]: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [0:01:44, 0:01:46]: Madam Clerk, Rockaw, please. [0:01:48, 0:01:49]: Good evening. [0:01:49, 0:01:58]: Evening. Mayor Ford. Present. Mayor Pro Tem Gantt. Present. Council Member Alexander. Present. Councilmember Barber. Present. Council Member Berry. [0:02:00, 0:02:05]: Let the record reflect Council Member Berry is not in attendance. Councilmember Thomas. [0:02:05, 0:02:11]: Mayor Ford, you have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk, appreciate that. Council, I need a motion to adopt the agenda, please. [0:02:11, 0:02:16]: So move. Is there a second? A second. Okay from Mr. Alezander and Ms. Kenneth. All in favor, please indicate. [0:02:16, 0:02:18]: Thank you very much. Appreciate it. [0:02:18, 0:02:22]: And uh Madam Clerk, do we have any uh public comments? [0:02:23, 0:02:43]: Okay, we're going to review the minutes. Council please review review the minutes for the January 8th, 2025 council retreat that we had in reference to House Bill 581. And of course, our uh council meeting uh minutes from January 13th, 2025. And of course we will look at those uh we will actually approve those minutes at our next meeting. [0:02:43, 0:03:03]: And so on that note any changes or additions, additions, or whatever the case may be, please let the clerk know that. And then what's up next was uh presentation actually from Path Foundation presentation, strategic plan for implementation and master plan for the trails. Mr. Cantor, if I got that right, and uh Dash. [0:03:03, 0:03:05]: Aaron, please come forward and give the presentation. [0:03:05, 0:03:06]: Mm. [0:03:13, 0:03:33]: Thank you very much, uh Mr. Mayor. Thank you very much, Council. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you this evening. My name is Eric Gantther. I'm with the Path Foundation. We were hired by the City of Stockbridge. Is your mic on, sir? Um I believe so. Is it on? Am I am I loud enough? Do I need to [0:03:33, 0:03:53]: Okay, very good. So we were hired by the City of Stockbridge to conduct a strategic master plan for trails that is about uh that continues some of the work that you've done in the past. And we wanted to talk to you, give a presentation tonight about highlight of our recommendations and to get some feedback. [0:03:53, 0:03:57]: from you all on what we're seeing and the opportunities that we see. [0:03:58, 0:04:07]: So we'll go over a a draft report overview, some implementation strategies, talk about a model project, and then next steps. [0:04:09, 0:04:29]: Draft report overview. So this uh we'll have a table of contents, five chapters covering how we laid this out, and we'll go over some of the steps here. The master planning goals, the Stockbridge strategic implementation, and master plan for trails will provide guidance to implement trails that connect. [0:04:29, 0:04:37]: All residents in Stockbridge to parks, schools, greenways, commercial areas, and regional destinations. [0:04:38, 0:04:54]: So we've gone through a process. We kicked off last February. We've met with a number of city leaders. We've been guided by city manager Frederick Gardner and um Mister Aaron from Public Works. Been very supportive. [0:04:55, 0:05:00]: So when we do this kind of planning endeavor, what we ask. [0:05:00, 0:05:12]: out front is well where do you want to go on trails? That's always the first question. We want trails to be popular day one. We want them to get places people want to go so they will use them. [0:05:13, 0:05:33]: And when we look in in the city of Stockbridge, the circles there are what people told us those are the places that they wanted to go. That is the public, that is the stakeholders that we spoke to. And then we have the kind of b the larger flow that we see in your city on how they would connect. [0:05:33, 0:05:36]: Connect the places that people want to go. [0:05:37, 0:05:38]: So [0:05:39, 0:05:45]: Kinda to cut to the chase with this, we envision the Stockbridge trail network of twenty four miles of trails. [0:05:47, 0:05:52]: So these are uh these are all ages, all abilities trails? [0:05:53, 0:06:00]: And they connect to the key parts of your city, the uh starting with a downtown and blossoming out from there. [0:06:01, 0:06:10]: They include trails along your creeks, along your streets, and that connect your schools and your parks, as you can see on this map. [0:06:11, 0:06:31]: So when you have 24 miles of trails, that's a lot of trails in a city the size of Stockbridge. And when we lay this out for cities, we do this in a phased process so that you can take smaller bites of that and uh with the idea of accomplishing it in a [0:06:31, 0:06:32]: Reasonable time frame. [0:06:33, 0:06:53]: So, what you're looking at here, the program segments are in blue. That's where you already have work underway. That includes uh Rock Quarry Road, the rebuild on that. You've got Tie Street that is being rebuilt as well. There is the DRI, the large project there on. [0:06:53, 0:07:04]: on Flippin' Road, the Flippin' Road DRI, so that's the blue piece there on Reeves Creek that extends your really lovely Reeves Creek Greenway. [0:07:06, 0:07:26]: Other pieces in um so that that would connect. You you've got a nice foundation for a network there. Then there's the proposed phase one that is five miles of trails. We s we focus on the downtown, this the core, the historic core of the city, but then also are [0:07:26, 0:07:45]: Looking at out Walt Stevens Road. Then phase two after that, 10 miles, looking at extending that Reeves Creek Trail up towards the Walmart, and then going in the other direction, following Little Cotton Indian Creek out to the east side of the city. [0:07:47, 0:08:07]: So gives you a sense there. Uh these are the trail types. So when we are doing trails planning, we look at this these types of trails that we think are appropriate for Stockbridge. Those are greenways. So your Reeves Creek Trail is an example of a greenway, really beautiful side paths. [0:08:07, 0:08:22]: Those are trails that are adjacent to streets. Here's an example of one in Atlanta where you can see it has a stripe in it. That's a multi-use, that's a shared use side path. And so that is um [0:08:23, 0:08:43]: That is the kind of legal description of what a side path is. And then there are calm streets. Calm streets are streets where typically in a in a residential area where we have families with children and people who want to be on the street. We we can uh have those for short distance. [0:08:43, 0:08:50]: To make important connections in the network. We'll talk about what those look like here. [0:08:50, 0:08:54]: Ненвел з тварифом trails, what we're seeing. [0:08:56, 0:09:16]: Um, is the opportunity to really connect. And we know that uh from the from the surveys that we've taken, over 60% of p of stock bridgians would use a bike facility if it's separated from vehicles. So that's really the key here. We're wanting to have a network. [0:09:15, 0:09:35]: that is separated from vehicles on all ages, all abilities network that is safe and inviting. This is a really important part of economic development for uh cities today, especially in the Atlanta region. You're competing with other cities that have these amenities that people have stated that they want. [0:09:35, 0:09:36]: [577.1, 596.2]: So when we look at the at these uh trail types in relation to those trails, so you can see here the green are greenways, the mustard, those are the side paths along your bigger streets. And then we've got a few examples of Calm Street that we would add into the mix here as well. [0:10:00, 0:10:20]: Now the uh here are the names. We think it's important to name trails so that they have their own identity. And that builds that builds a brand with the people and helps identify a network so that you can have signage that would indicate, for example, the Brush Creek Greenway, the Brush Creek Green. [0:10:20, 0:10:40]: Greenway, we think, is going to be really the star or one of the stars of the trail network here in Stockbridge. Then you've got the amphitheater trail, the Stock Bridge. You know, we can talk about the name of that, but I thought that would be kind of a fun way to reference it. That would be a bridge here over the railroad tracks. [0:10:40, 0:11:00]: Uh the Rock Conyers Trail, so you've got Rock Quarry Road and Old Conyers Road. We might combine those to call that the Rock Conyers Trail. Heritage Trail, of course, that's Martin Luther King Sr. Heritage there. Um Reeves Greenway, which you already have, the Red Oak Trail, note that. [0:11:00, 0:11:08]: That one actually is uh the idea there is to go to the Red Oak Elementary School along Walt Stevens Road and Flippin' Road. [0:11:10, 0:11:30]: So the Brush Creek Greenway, we really feel like this is going to be a huge opportunity for the city. And why? Because it connects two of your parks. Right now you've got two parks right next to each other, but there's a railroad in between them. And that's Cochrane Park and Clark Community. [0:11:30, 0:11:35]: Community park. So the idea here is to pop a tunnel. [0:11:35, 0:11:55]: Thro underneath that railroad berm, underneath where that railroad is, that's Norfolk Southern. We're in discussions with Norfolk Southern on several places in the state of Georgia, so we're cautiously optimistic that we can get permission to do this. Look at what that will do. It'll connect two parks with a really [0:11:55, 0:12:04]: Compelling underpass. And it's not too long, so it isn't going to be creepy. So you've got an opportunity for art and light in there. [0:12:04, 0:12:07]: And then those two parts become one. [0:12:07, 0:12:16]: Right now, to get around, you have to it's a long drive to get around to get between the two parks, and people really don't see them as a connection. [0:12:16, 0:12:27]: So we really feel this is a uh the foundation of a really good trail network and a fantastic place um to begin in the near term. [0:12:29, 0:12:35]: Along this is the Red Oak Trail, the proposed side path on Walt Stevens Road, the bridge. [0:12:36, 0:12:56]: So you're familiar with this. This is on the west side of town. That's a fairly busy road. It is, there's a lot of width on the right-of-way there. That was designed, that was purchased a right-of-way or created right-of-way for a much bigger road, with the idea there would be an intersection. [0:12:56, 0:13:09]: or interchange with the interstate, that did not happen. So we have some opportunity as a result of that. And we know that that was in your T S Plus. So we want to talk about that as well. [0:13:11, 0:13:24]: Another example, here's the heritage trail. So in this image that's Memorial Park in the background. And that is Second Street, let me think. No, no, Jennings. [0:13:24, 0:13:35]: Jenningsway, thank you. Yeah, Jennings Way. So Jennings Way has on either side, you can see on the left of that image, there i there's a cemetery there. [0:13:35, 0:13:55]: And to the right there are a couple of homes, but we see an opportunity to close this street at least beyond those residential driveways and create a greenway very affordably with land that you control that's already paved. It would be a great [0:13:55, 0:13:57]: addition to the network for not a lot of money. [0:14:00, 0:14:20]: Here's the stock bridge, as we've discussed. This is a parallel structure to North Henry Boulevard. And that is it is a really useful connection and an opportunity to brand the center of the city. So we need to, you know, if we fast forward what is stock bridge? [0:14:20, 0:14:40]: Going to look like 30 years from now. And I think it's going to be very different. I think you're going to have a dense center. I think your zoning is set up for that. Stockbridge is really ideally located in lots of ways for economic development, residential, business opportunities in the center of a city that. [0:14:40, 0:14:51]: is thriving with pedestrian and bicycle activity. That is a potential real future vision that I want us to hold on to when we're thinking about these trails. [0:14:53, 0:15:13]: So when we went uh we went out, we've been out to the public. There's been a bunch of work, and I need to acknowledge that the city has done a bunch of work in the past on trails. You had a a uh a trail plan from twenty seventeen, you've had some downtown sidewalk plans. Um there have been other work in this area, and we were hired. [0:15:13, 0:15:33]: To kind of tie some of that together and be strategic about how we can get some of the stuff done. So, as a result of that, the city didn't need or want to spend a lot of money on a bunch more public outreach, but we did feel it was necessary to do some of that, really just to float some ideas around, to focus. [0:15:33, 0:15:53]: Folks, give them an opportunity to give us some feedback. So we had a public meeting and a survey. We didn't get a huge outpouring of response there, but it was even small numbers of people will give you a sense. If people are going to be really mad about something, typically they're going to show up and scream, as you're, you know, I'm sure. [0:15:53, 0:16:09]: Well aware. And we did certainly have not had that. The the feedback that we've had has been very positive with the stakeholders that we've spoken with, the public that we've spoken with. So I want to assure you that that that is an important piece for us. [0:16:10, 0:16:30]: Um here's a summary of the community feedback. You can see it's mostly positive here. Um some you know concerns about a long the the one up here in the middle that in red long overdue progress in the area to enhance pedestrian safety and walkability. So people want it, and I think they're a little impatient. [0:16:30, 0:16:32]: patient. That was what I was getting out of that. [0:16:33, 0:16:53]: All right, implementation strategies. That's really what we're here to talk about. So there's that trail network, and we've broken this out into uh program segments and phase one segments. So what we could do, and we want to start there. Uh the the idea is to start phase one with number one, rush brush uh crack. [0:16:53, 0:17:00]: Creek Greenway Segment One and then slowly build those up from there. And [0:17:00, 0:17:15]: And then here's a phase two. So this is you can see here, we're building the core. We're building off of what you've already started and trying to leverage as much of that as possible so that pieces connect. [0:17:15, 0:17:24]: That is a really important thing. We want to build stuff that people are going to use and they're going to use it if it goes somewhere. So that is an important piece of this. [0:17:25, 0:17:30]: Then phase two, once we've done that the the core of the network. [0:17:30, 0:17:47]: and we're comfortable with that and people have started using it, then what you're gonna hear, you're gonna hear from them. They're gonna say, hey, when are you gonna start building those other pieces? We're excited about this stuff. So that's when we've got the phase two plan kicks in. That's gonna be a few years from now. [0:17:48, 0:17:53]: So we've done cost estimating. Path foundation, all we do is build trails. [0:17:54, 0:18:14]: We're a nonprofit organization. We've built 340 miles of trails, mostly in Georgia, mostly in the Atlanta area. We've been in business as a nonprofit for 34 years. So when we estimate costs, we are very we stand behind those. The numbers that are included here [0:18:14, 0:18:16]: Here are from twenty twenty four. [0:18:16, 0:18:22]: They include construction, uh, standards, signage, landscaping, trail amenities. [0:18:22, 0:18:25]: And a contingency that's important. [0:18:25, 0:18:27]: They do not include. [0:18:27, 0:18:29]: Easement and property acquisition. [0:18:30, 0:18:46]: That's a big one, public art, maintenance, lighting, security cameras, and construction management. But I wanna say that if Path is hired to do the work, we provide construction management included in the package, and that's a six percent off the top savings. [0:18:47, 0:18:51]: Now phase one cost summary, these are some big numbers. [0:18:52, 0:19:12]: But this is a long-term project. And so if we think about Stockbridge and roll forward, you know, what can we do in 10 years? What can we do in 12 years? And we feel like this is conceivably possible in 10 to 12 years. Um, if as your city grows, you're up to 35,000 residents now. [0:19:12, 0:19:32]: Probably going to be adding more in the future. That's a broadening tax base. There are splost opportunities. Uh, there are state funding opportunities and grants that we can apply for, and developers. So Councilmember Alexander certainly knows this. I'm sure some of the others of you do too. That when you [0:19:32, 0:19:43]: you get a good development in there and you can s and they wanna build, if there is a plan that shows a trail alignment, then you can negotiate with them to build that trail for you. [0:19:44, 0:19:53]: That is part of the deal in building the development. And that's part of the value of adding this into the city planning documents. [0:19:54, 0:19:56]: All right. Model project. [0:19:57, 0:20:02]: What makes a successful model project? Basically, it goes where people want it to go. [0:20:02, 0:20:18]: Right. You want it to be a hit day one. You want it to be something when the ribbon is cut, people are using it, and they're every time they see you, they stop you and they say, Councilmember Gantt, thank you so very much for supporting this trail because we use it all the time. That's the kind of success we want to see. [0:20:20, 0:20:21]: Um [0:20:22, 0:20:42]: Okay, and then is the trail safe and inviting? So it's gotta be nice. It can't just be a trail, you know, uh that's necessarily like cheek to jowl on the side of a road where you've got truck traffic. That isn't nice. We want that to be something where where people are feel welcome, where they s they [0:20:42, 0:20:46]: want to go, they want to take their friends and their family members to go see it. [0:20:48, 0:21:08]: And then is it relatively easy to implement? So we can cook up lots of ideas, and there's certainly been a lot of planning efforts in this area, some of which didn't really consider the ease of implementation. So one of the benefits of the Path Foundation's experience is we know where you're going to run into trouble, and we seek to avoid that trouble. [0:21:08, 0:21:16]: from the very beginning. So this trail plan is feasible, it's doable. We're not cut we're not um [0:21:16, 0:21:26]: uh dealing with a lot of private property owners, we've stayed away almost entirely from single family homes because we know that can be challenging politically. [0:21:28, 0:21:37]: All right, so the recommended model project Brush Creek Greenway Segment One. We wanna get started, we wanna get started soon. [0:21:37, 0:21:39]: And this is the opportunity. [0:21:39, 0:21:59]: Um it's a short piece, but I think it's a compelling piece. It's going to connect it it'll begin the connection going west from Clark Community Park. That's on uh largely on publicly owned land. It is entirely along a sewer easement. There is a development there. [0:21:59, 0:22:06]: that we'll talk about in a minute. But you can see here relatively short quarter mile. [0:22:07, 0:22:19]: Construction cost uh one point nine million. That includes a pretty hefty contingency. We think we're gonna be able to beat those numbers significantly for you. The design cost, 110. [0:22:20, 0:22:26]: And that again that excludes the ca uh construction management cost. So if you were to go out. [0:22:26, 0:22:46]: To other entities, to private entities, you're going to have construction management on top of that. Construction management is something that Path brings for free on these projects. Not for free, of course, but that's why we're in business. So here's a little zoom in so you can see the parcels that we're talking about. [0:22:46, 0:23:00]: talking about the city of Stockbridge owns two of them. That's along Brush Creek. And then QMS Enterprises, which is in the process of building a townhome community, is on the end of Club Place there. [0:23:01, 0:23:07]: And so we've seen that design, and we know that this trail alignment will not get in their way. [0:23:07, 0:23:27]: um of that design. And it is a fantastic amenity that at this point especially would be useful for them and make their townhomes more marketable, frankly, because you've got a lovely greenway connecting to a park, an amenity that people around the Atlanta region have wanted [0:23:27, 0:23:28]: Wanted. [0:23:29, 0:23:49]: So some images here. This is looking east at Clark Community Park. There's Brush Creek. And so imagine a 12-foot trail alignment there going into the park. So that's looking east from Davis Road. And then here we are on the other side, looking west on Davis Road. And that's that sewer alignment that we have. [0:23:49, 0:24:04]: we've talked about. So you've got the creek and the sewer alignment, and that is an opportunity. We like working on sewer lines. We're good at working on sewer lines. We understand how to do that. Sewer lines can't have trees growing on them. [0:24:05, 0:24:25]: And they can't have buildings on top of them. So they're really perfect candidates for trails. And this, we think, is a good place for y'all to begin this next round of trail building because the city owns most of the land. It's a relatively small project that can be achievable, and people want to see. [0:24:25, 0:24:29]: results and this I think will be it'll have enough bang for the book. [0:24:30, 0:24:31]: Um [0:24:31, 0:24:34]: It will be compelling. So [0:24:35, 0:24:55]: If you know if you all approve this as part of the uh plan that that you have the opportunity to vote on possibly on February 10th, um then we would if if you all approve, we would get to work right away. We'd start survey. That's the first thing you have to do is survey. We'd work with a landowner to make sure. [0:24:55, 0:25:01]: QMS and work with them on getting an easement on the edge of that project. [0:25:01, 0:25:20]: Then do 30%, 60% design of um leading into the summer, uh do permitting coordination and uh getting permits by the fall, get all the easements lined up, and then the goal would be substantial completion February of 27. So in two years. [0:25:21, 0:25:23]: Soup to nuts, you'd have a trail. [0:25:24, 0:25:44]: And we can show the residents of Stockbridge that we can do something. We can begin that Brush Creek Greenway. While we're doing that, we can be having our discussions with Norfolk Southern to see if we can get a permit to do that tunnel underneath to connect the parks. So you can start to send then see. [0:25:44, 0:25:46]: see how we can build the network out. [0:25:46, 0:26:06]: All right, next steps. Um we we've given you a copy of the report. Uh our apologies. I believe it was delayed a bit by weather last week, uh, but I'm hoping that everyone has a copy of that. We would like your feedback on that. We don't have a lot of time. Uh we're we're you know we're hooked. [0:26:06, 0:26:16]: hoping to get some feedback from you soon that we can then incorporate into that and then uh have the opportunity uh to vote on that on February 10th. [0:26:16, 0:26:24]: So if that happens and you approve and and we're able to move forward, then in March we're going to begin the work. [0:26:25, 0:26:34]: So it's it is a it's a quick build, but we know that you've done this planning. We know people want this stuff, so we are hopeful uh for your vote. [0:26:35, 0:26:53]: Okay, that's um I'm Eric Gantther. Nico Shen is our designer. It's uh it's Chinese New Year this evening, is the is the New Year's Eve in on the lunar calendar and and she's of uh uh Chinese descent, so she's with her family tonight, uh, but sends her regards. [0:26:54, 0:27:14]: No problem. Appreciate the briefing. Um, I would tell you that um there's several things I like about the plan, several. And the connectivity, I would say, between uh Gardner Park and Car Park, which is our biggest part, to have that connectivity underneath the rail line is wonderful. I'd like to see that, obviously see that happen. May take some time, but like to see it happen on working with the railroad. [0:27:14, 0:27:34]: can be sometimes a little difficult, but uh we've made some headway with them over the over the past year here out of quiet zone, so it can be done. Um the uh the east-west uh connection downtown uh east west connection through the downtown area right uh next to Martin Luther King Senior Heritage Bridge there is [0:27:34, 0:27:41]: Fantastic for pedestrian bridge there to connect both sides of the downtown area to one another. It's a fantastic idea as well. [0:27:42, 0:27:55]: Uh there's plenty of plenty of great things to say about the trail plan and uh look forward to uh further information of course from the council's uh comments and I know I would say the council has plenty of comments in this place, so who will have to go first? [0:27:56, 0:27:57]: Well, Miss Cannon, go ahead, please. [0:27:58, 0:28:02]: All right, thank you, Mayor. Um thank you for this presentation. It was excellent. [0:28:02, 0:28:18]: I know Councilman Alexander has been an advocate and really pushing this and have been going to the meetings and has really spearheaded getting this started for us. Um so I I thank you too, Councilman Alexander, for that. This is a job well done. Um [0:28:19, 0:28:33]: And I really appreciate it. I I'm excited about seeing where we're getting the ball moving. We're starting to get some things accomplished with the trail. Reeves Creek Trail is used. People want mobility. They want to exercise. They want to be out. [0:28:33, 0:28:37]: And іт there's a a dire need for it. [0:28:37, 0:28:40]: Um I'm also excited to see in my district that [0:28:41, 0:29:01]: you guys are taking into consideration to begin on Watts Stevens. There's that Lake Spivey area where the park has this beautiful trail that people go to both in Henry and Clayton County specifically. A lot of people in Henry County go over to that park because of the trails and because they're able to work out, they're able to ride. [0:29:01, 0:29:09]: You you see bike, um, people running their bikes, and then it ends, right? And so to be able to connect to that. [0:29:09, 0:29:12]: Um, and go all the way to Reeves Creek. [0:29:13, 0:29:16]: And just tie in from that from that west side. [0:29:16, 0:29:17]: Would be [0:29:18, 0:29:22]: Absolutely, you know, amazing. It would be awesome. It it helps. [0:29:22, 0:29:42]: With the larger picture of us actually tying into another county. Yes. Within a quick fix, you know, not necessarily a quick fix of it, but it shows the potential of what we can do all the way to Panola Mountain if we wish to do so at some point and extend. So it's a great opportunity and a great starting point. And so I thank you [0:29:42, 0:29:43]: You guys for considering that. [0:29:44, 0:29:50]: And I know that my constituents in my district would look forward to that. That's wonderful. [0:29:50, 0:30:04]: So I'm all for it. Whatever we need to do to get the ball rolling. We had a class um this weekend we went to all of us went to Cities United, which is a Georgia Municipal Association. And SWANE actually [0:30:05, 0:30:10]: did one of the underground tunnels. I remember years ago when Lee Stewart was trying to get [0:30:10, 0:30:30]: Um former mayor one of our former mayors was trying to get an underground tunnel tunnel path, you know. Um and that's always been a vision to connect those parks. To be able to connect that or and and know that a lot of people, oh, it's not gonna be possible, it's costly. But to know that the railroad, they've worked with us on a quiet zone, you know. [0:30:30, 0:30:46]: You know, that we are willing to partner and do what we can for the betterment of our community and we have those partners out there. I mean, I I think it can get done. So I just wanna say thank you guys. Thank you so much for all the work you've done thus far and continue to do. [0:30:47, 0:30:50]: That's great. Thank you very much. Mr. Thomas, go ahead, please. [0:30:50, 0:30:51]: Thank you. [0:30:53, 0:31:02]: Good evening. Good evening. I want to also echo what all of our council members are really saying. We are excited about uh this project. Um [0:31:02, 0:31:16]: I was in the class that Mrs. Gantt was referring to and we we talked about the trail. And one of the questions I asked cost then and cost today. [0:31:18, 0:31:21]: I'm curious as to what that would actually cost. [0:31:25, 0:31:40]: But what I like to do is drill down a little deeper into the um the coordinations. Um I read over this uh last night. [0:31:41, 0:31:42]: El [0:31:43, 0:31:45]: А I see the connectivity. [0:31:48, 0:31:54]: That is a T-splosh project that deals with uh curbing gutters and sidewalks. [0:31:55, 0:31:58]: And um they are working on the [0:31:58, 0:32:14]: TI Street project right now. It also will deal with the uh Emil King and I know we have a a property owner here that lives uh in the uh trail district. Um and so [0:32:15, 0:32:20]: And I know uh I see Mr. Aaron back there and I think he may can respond to some of this. [0:32:21, 0:32:24]: Is there a coordination? [0:32:26, 0:32:26]: With the [0:32:27, 0:32:28]: Trail plan. [0:32:29, 0:32:32]: And with the curb and gutter project. [0:32:32, 0:32:33]: Also [0:32:34, 0:32:36]: We have talked about [0:32:37, 0:32:39]: The widening of [0:32:39, 0:32:48]: flipping road. I know road project it take a zillion years, so I know we won't hold up waiting on that to happen. But I just wanna make sure that [0:32:49, 0:32:53]: Any trail plan on flipping. [0:32:53, 0:32:56]: Is with the understanding that eventually [0:32:56, 0:32:58]: That widening is going to happen. [0:32:59, 0:33:18]: And so I just want to make sure if there's some coordination. Now within the uh ML King community, um there are the curb and gutter projects and some sidewalks. And as you know, when you do uh curb, so you eventually gonna wipe. I just wanna make sure that [0:33:18, 0:33:27]: These two projects are being coordinated. And I don't know, Mr. Aaron, if you want to respond to any of this, but I do know on Tight Street. [0:33:27, 0:33:30]: Uh sidewalks are going in, they're planning now. [0:33:31, 0:33:31]: Um [0:33:32, 0:33:49]: Where you have Memorial Park, that is a master plan that we are considering now. You mentioned Jennings Way. There is some conversation about Jennings Way being a one way. Uh we're not really, really sure. [0:33:50, 0:34:02]: And but we're talking about an another access in from M L King or Rock Quarry. So you got to have these kind of thing because if you close Jen and Way and just make that a one way. [0:34:03, 0:34:06]: And it's a very frequent part. [0:34:07, 0:34:16]: And so you had to consider if you close Jen and Way, you're bringing all of that traffic through the interior of that neighborhood. [0:34:16, 0:34:36]: And it is well, well visited. So I'm throwing all of this out hoping that all of these issues are in consideration of what we do as far as the the curb and gutter projects and the path. For sure, we're all in favor and we understand the connect. [0:34:36, 0:34:56]: And how we bring all of these neighborhoods and these communities together, as well as health and wellness. Folks are walking the dog, they pushing the baby strollers, they jogging, they walking, they riding their bike. So we get that, and that is really great for all of this. But I just want to make sure. [0:34:56, 0:34:58]: [2098.6, 2100.3]: The Path Foundation [0:35:00, 0:35:01]: Is [0:35:02, 0:35:22]: informed of what the Curb and the Gother project and the sidewalk project, especially on Tie Street, on ML King, um Harris's Trail, so we don't step over each other. As long as we are coordinating and we know that this project is come, one may come before the other, but we will allow [0:35:22, 0:35:25]: The space, the footage to accommodate the [0:35:25, 0:35:29]: That future when it does happen, as I mentioned, flipping. [0:35:30, 0:35:31]: You know, who knows? [0:35:31, 0:35:37]: But that is the plan to widen that. So I just want to make sure that whatever we do on flipping. [0:35:38, 0:35:40]: It is it with the understanding of [0:35:40, 0:36:00]: what may happen in the future. But but specifically though, I want to sort of drill back into uh Jennings way and and we just don't know just yet, but um we've had a couple of town halls, but we still never did decide just yet on what to do with Jennings Way. As you mentioned, [0:36:00, 0:36:03]: There are cemeteries on both sides. [0:36:04, 0:36:05]: So [0:36:05, 0:36:25]: I I I just don't know. Um before I ask my other question, uh Mr. Aaron, did you want to sort of respond to uh Memorial Park and Jenny's way? Yes, Councilman Thomas. There has been coordination between the Path Foundation, Falcon Design, and TSW so that there's not a duplication or redundancy of efforts from three different entities. [0:36:25, 0:36:35]: entities. So everybody is working in coordination with each other. We had that joint meeting and one of the decisions the council made was to close the transfer station which would [0:36:36, 0:36:47]: provide a new entrance into Memorial Park. And so that will allow us to do the things that's proposed for Jennings Way because it'll take that traffic that comes to [0:36:47, 0:37:07]: Uh Memorial Park off of Jennings Way and bring'em into the new entrance off of Martin Luther King Senior where the current transfer station now sits. But yes, sir, there has been cooperation among everybody so that we all are in unison and not everybody is working on their separate plans which conflict with each other. So yes, there is coordination. [0:37:07, 0:37:16]: And and that and that's what's important for me. Um, I do understand, you know, the the out of picture as you just presented. [0:37:16, 0:37:36]: But I do understand that once you get into the minutiae of it and and the actual planning, I know sometimes that we can sort of bump into each other. But I but I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Aaron, that that is a coordination. And so I'm satisfied with that. Um I live in the Memorial Park community and I know. [0:37:36, 0:37:41]: I know I see it every day, especially during the summer months. Uh [0:37:41, 0:37:49]: the the the packedness or the the jamming of the traffic trying to get in and out of my murder and right now most folks [0:37:50, 0:38:08]: don't really know how to get there. And so they'll come through the neighborhood and they're looking. But I think with the with the future plan and as Mr. Aaron started mentioned with the transfer station being gone. So it's just good to know that we are working on that. And I I'm excited to see how all of this is gonna work out at the end. [0:38:08, 0:38:28]: And I think uh Mrs. Ganttz ought to mention about our citizens. I know they are excited about this, and I know this council is excited. So um I reserve the time. I have a couple other questions, but I'm gonna allow some of my other councilmates to ask a couple of questions. Um but I am excited about this and I wanna thank you for that information. Um my only [0:38:28, 0:38:48]: concerned at this point was about Memorial Park and Jennings way uh being able to connect Reed's Creek Trail, especially coming off of Flipping, coming off of Tyre, and then into uh the Memorial Park area. And I just was a little concerned about that. But I think uh Mr. You saw explained that and that that coordination is definitely [0:38:48, 0:38:51]: Yeah, uh everybody's meeting and it's being talked about. [0:38:51, 0:38:59]: Yeah, also be reminded that the city did also purchase that additional lot next to the transfer station, which will also help with [0:38:59, 0:39:10]: parking for Memorial Park as well. And just wanna everybody know that Path Foundation their specialty is in is trails. So anything that's trail related, we have [0:39:10, 0:39:23]: turned it over to the Path Foundation. Falcon is mainly working on infrastructure such as widening the roads and curving gutters. So the trail part is remaining with PATS so that we ensure those projects move quickly. [0:39:24, 0:39:33]: Thank thank you, Mayor. Okay, no problem. Thank you, sir. Yeah, Ms. Kent, you can't have a coup one more question and Mr. Aaron, maybe you can help me with this too. So and [0:39:34, 0:39:54]: T Sploss has 3.3 million allocated to the Walt Stevens Trail Area. But I see there there are two numbers. There's one part of it's listed as part two, like two segments, it's broken into two segments. The first segment is right there in like around the Marnark village area. The second one actually is like near. [0:39:54, 0:39:57]: listed as number eight project that is tied [0:39:57, 0:39:59]: over to the Lake Spivey area. [0:40:00, 0:40:01]: Twofold, I have spoken to Count. [0:40:02, 0:40:05]: Uh Commissioner uh Robinson, this is her district. [0:40:06, 0:40:08]: And um this is one of those projects where [0:40:09, 0:40:14]: We had talked about maybe trying to implement some of the funding to help. [0:40:15, 0:40:19]: you know, make sure that the connectivity from Lake Spybee from the Clayton County. [0:40:19, 0:40:26]: crosses on over. Is that 3.3 for both segments or is that just for segment one? [0:40:26, 0:40:30]: And is it possible that we can work on that segment together? [0:40:31, 0:40:36]: or or what's the challenge there? Because I what I like is the idea of [0:40:36, 0:40:38]: The connectivity from one [0:40:39, 0:40:42]: Big part, the huge part we're talking about, that water part. [0:40:42, 0:40:47]: Um in Lake Spivey with all the trails they have going and people utilising that area. [0:40:48, 0:40:53]: Where it's starting to connect and we're starting you'll see that connectivity to re towards Reefs Creek. [0:40:54, 0:40:59]: So w is it possible to do that in one as one segment or [0:40:59, 0:41:06]: Is that the funds allocated the three point three for the first segment? How does that work? What what does that look like for us? [0:41:08, 0:41:28]: So the yeah, what you're referencing we're calling the Red Oak Trail. The Red Oak Trail would would use Flippin and Walt Stevens as a as a way to get to Red Oak Elementary School and that neighborhood that used to be called Red Oak Road before it was called Walt Stevens. So so Red Oak seemed like a nice name for it. [0:41:28, 0:41:48]: And the we broke it into two segments because we find that when you have a slightly smaller project, it's easier to build. And we really want to be considerate of what is needed from city staff to deliver a project successfully. [0:41:48, 0:42:08]: Successfully for you. So that way with two pieces. So now you you asked about the 3 million and the T splost. And the 3 million, as you can see, would be a little less than half of what is needed for Red Oak Trail Segment One. So we've got there's some strategies here that we could look at. [0:42:07, 0:42:27]: One of which would be to use that$3 million as a local match for both segments. So if we look at segment one and segment two, we're looking at about 13.5 million. If there's a 20% match, that$3 million could be used in that fashion to [0:42:27, 0:42:30]: Attract ARC funding. [0:42:31, 0:42:32]: As an option. [0:42:32, 0:42:51]: Right. So that would be or if if the city is able is able to come up with the uh another three million, then you could focus on one of those segments. Um, you know, it would be a little bit more on segment two is that piece that goes from the school west uh to um [0:42:52, 0:43:12]: Clayton County and then we need to coordinate with Clayton County on that, but we think that's a good opportunity for Henry and Clayton to work together. And you know, so but I think that's a that that will need to be determined as um Councilmember Thomas said, it's really about coordination. It's coordination within [0:43:12, 0:43:20]: In the city departments, and then between city and Henry County, and s and then Henry County and Clayton County. Okay. So there's a lot there. [0:43:21, 0:43:23]: Did you want to add anything? Ms. Alexander. [0:43:24, 0:43:30]: I was gonna let Miss Barber you have any comments? I was gonna speak last if you have you don't have any comments. [0:43:30, 0:43:50]: Okay, I appreciate that and um certainly I'm supportive of what Councilwoman Gantt has indicated. I think that would be truly a a game changer to be able to connect uh the Lake's Five Park with Reeves Creek and basically it would help those residents to be able to actually go. [0:43:50, 0:44:10]: I'm all the way into downtown into the amphitheater once this whole project is built out. So it would not only just connect it to Rees Creek, it would actually continue to Martin Luther King Heritage, to Rocori, uh, you know, on down to the amphitheater area. And the new STEM school, as you mentioned, cut. [0:44:10, 0:44:30]: Trying to get to points of con uh points of interest, such as Red Oak Elementary, you know, Stockbridge Elementary, all right there, Cotton Indian, Stockbridge Elementary, all of those points of interest it allows kids to be able to go to school and it allows everybody to get to the grocery store, the food depot, or to get to public [0:44:29, 0:44:49]: Publics. All of those uh indicators will will be very key to what we're doing. And as you said, we should be very anxious about being able to pursue funding because we just went to the GMA conference and the dollars are going to be on the table. Uh the governor in his speech said there's going to be 250 million a day. [0:44:49, 0:45:09]: additional dollars uh in addition to the transportation funding that is already available. So we're gonna be trying to chase those dollars and hopefully with your assistance we will be able to acquire it because this project should be at the top of the list, not just here, but in the region because it certainly would highlight uh a lot of things that we're trying to do. [0:45:09, 0:45:29]: Do here uh in the city of Stockbridge. So I honestly, and w as Councilman Thomas has indicated, uh in his area, it will give us access to the Greenfront Cafe, Tie Street, the Memorial Park, all of those and uh or interests. And I know you you're very sensitive as most people coming here. I appreciate [0:45:29, 0:45:35]: You bringing us a project that's one point nine million, right? Or one what was it, one point [0:45:35, 0:45:55]: It is. And I will say that is also in your splost. Right. And that's what I'm saying. It was a and let me say within your splost amount. We don't that's we could that's why we could begin the mid on February tenth if you say yes, we'll sign the documents by the end of the month. March first will off to the races because you've already got the funding. [0:45:55, 0:46:15]: That was part of the idea there. We looked at Red Oak Trail too, because we know as you both described, that is really an important trail for the community just as a connecting piece. But there's not enough spLOS money there. So we thought, where do you already have money that we can out the gate get going? Because you've told us. [0:46:15, 0:46:35]: Get going. We want to see some trails built. We want to see some action. And I so we hope that's well what I want to do is I I think you're being sensitive that we want to be good stewards of the city's money and what have you. But certainly a bigger number wouldn't happen to scare us because we're trying to look at uh making [0:46:35, 0:46:40]: making this happen uh in the short term. Mr. Malazzi, will you come up for us please? [0:46:42, 0:47:02]: I think one of the things that we did was uh Mr. Aaron, you can remain up front as well. We talked about the total dollars that were available in various accounts. And I think the number that you gave me, I think we had maybe twelve million in one of the accounts and then fifteen million um uh in the in in one of the TC. [0:47:02, 0:47:10]: Flice accounts, do you have those numbers available or would I don't I didn't bring them up here or would you do would you be able to [0:47:10, 0:47:30]: Find them for us. I think we had twelve million in one count and then fifteen million in one account. So we got a significant amount of money uh in the T Sploster count and in the Sploster count uh splot. And then we are about to start collecting money on splot six, which will start in April. So [0:47:30, 0:47:50]: So in addition to that nearly$30 million that we have uh in those two existing SPLOSS accounts, we're about to start collecting money on a third SPLOSS account, uh the SPLOSS 6 account. So there will be significant amounts of funding that will be available for us to be able to move forward. [0:47:50, 0:48:10]: At a if with funding not being of essence because of 1.9 is where we are now, and there's about 30 million in those two accounts for various projects, then there's 30 million just in the T that's 22 million, 21, 22 million in the T. [0:48:10, 0:48:28]: T-SPLOST just for trails. So it whatever whatever we need to do to be able to help finance some of those projects, that's twenty million dollars uh that will be collected. And I thunderstand we're collecting about what, five hundred thousand dollars a month or so. Uh could you speak on that? [0:48:29, 0:48:32]: So in the past all our [0:48:32, 0:48:52]: available funds were just put in the checking accounts. So there was nothing that we're getting actually we are paying fees. But now we moved them, we put them in the interest earning check um checking accounts. No when I say that I'm not talking about the bond. I'm talking about the actual T Splas collection, the one p [0:48:52, 0:49:04]: The one cent collection. So yeah, so they are all and them even we have money, we are still getting interest on that. Right. But the most important thing is that he has said that you whichever we get the money [0:49:04, 0:49:06]: We have to use it as a [0:49:06, 0:49:22]: local march so that we go for the grant. So we don't exhaust whatever we have for other projects. If we can get three million, three point something million and they help us to get the grants, that will be an excellent option to take. [0:49:23, 0:49:39]: Absolutely. And the funding was there as we're pursuing the Flip and Road project, right, Mr. Aaron? I mean I'm sorry, the um Tie Street project. Those projects are actually and the pr the projects in Councilman Thomas' district are actually moving forward as well, correct? [0:49:40, 0:50:00]: Yes, sir, they are. Okay. So I just don't want everybody to think that this is the only project that we're working on. There's additional projects that are being worked on as we move uh through this uh one thing I would like to just caution. Correct. A twenty per a twenty percent match couldn't [0:50:00, 0:50:08]: Unlock state and federal money. The challenge with state and federal money is that it's really designed to build a highway. [0:50:09, 0:50:19]: And it turns a one-year take it turns a two to three year trail project and turns it into a seven to ten year project. And I'm not exaggerating. [0:50:20, 0:50:40]: Because it triggers all kinds of environmental stuff and there's political and financial processes that the f state and federal funds come with so many strings. Now, all money is good money, but some money is better than others. And when you have local money, you don't have any of that. [0:50:39, 0:50:50]: So what we don't want to do is hamstring too much of your local money into these federal projects that could stretch out until we're all retired. [0:50:51, 0:50:51]: Mm-hmm. [0:50:51, 0:51:10]: Right. You know, so we if you want to see action, the best thing to do is use your local money to get something out there to show people that it can be done and then go back and ask for more. I mean, the nice thing about trail projects, I mean, I'm not saying thirty seven million dollars is nothing. Of course, that's a huge amount of money. [0:51:11, 0:51:15]: But in the realm of things of transportation infrastructure. [0:51:16, 0:51:36]: These are basically fat sidewalks. So if for for the amount of that, wow, the the the impact on that is huge. So to the extent that you can use local money, let's do that and get some stuff rolling. And then where we're stuck, because sometimes splost money is [0:51:35, 0:51:43]: Has to be in a certain project, although Walt Stevens wasn't defined. So we have some flexibility there. [0:51:43, 0:51:51]: Um, we just want to make sure we can get something done. We don't want to have more bureaucracy, more red tape, and more delay for you all. [0:51:51, 0:52:11]: Absolutely. So that's certainly I'm gonna I'm gonna close. Uh so I appreciate you clarifying that. And certainly again if the the the money sum total that you mentioned, certainly we want to be able to use that uh some of it to chase grants uh for the longer term or the the projects that are down the road and then uh for the project. [0:52:11, 0:52:24]: we're working on now, certainly be able to incorporate as many projects as possible. The best thing about that flip and road project is the developer is building it uh to extend it to Walt Stevens for us. [0:52:24, 0:52:40]: Yes, and that's in this this dashed gray line up there. That is we're putting that in the funded because they're already doing that. Because you had the foresight to ask that developer to do that. You ha had an understanding of the value. So that's fantastic. [0:52:40, 0:53:00]: Thank you. Thank you, sir. I would think the one point nine million you refer to as our money to get things stuffed on on Brush Creek would be helpful. And then of course in a couple uh maybe about six, eight weeks from now, we're gonna have a a a retreat anyway. And obviously we'll have further discussions during that particular retreat, I would imagine, on how on the way to go forward and make sure we're properly utilized. [0:53:00, 0:53:07]: Mr. Thomas, great, please. Thank you. [0:53:07, 0:53:10]: I just want to make sure, Miss Malazy, um [0:53:10, 0:53:28]: We we we talk about T Splosh, um, the Curb and Gutter project, those funds are earmarked and those are safe. I just don't want us to get into a com mingling of of the funds, so am am I correct? That is earmark and safe. [0:53:29, 0:53:43]: That's the reason why I was getting into taking a bit of it because if it's your already earmarked, you can't um re allocate it somewhere else unless the priorities have changed. [0:53:43, 0:53:54]: Well, I I I hope not because promises have been made. But let me also just throw this out. Now I've just uh read this today. Um the federal administration [0:53:55, 0:54:15]: That is a freeze on all loans and grants. So, and I don't know for how long. And another another reason to consider local funding, which you have for your Tie Street project. So when we've coordinated and we have, we've had several meetings with Falcon Engineering on Tie Street specifically and in [0:54:15, 0:54:35]: Your neighborhood specifically. I love that neighborhood. I want wonderful things for that neighborhood. You've got money to invest there. We want to make sure that when we're doing it, if the if the difference between a five-foot sidewalk and an eight or nine or ten-foot sidewalk turns a sidewalk that I can't ride a bicycle. [0:54:34, 0:54:37]: [3277.8, 3297.8]: Well let's go ahead and do it. There's the the cost differential once all the stuff is out there, that's a relatively small cost to like bump it out just a little bit more. Bang for the buck, good coordination, bring these pieces together and then use the money appropriately. Yeah, I I think we all advocate for the wider and [0:54:57, 0:55:15]: I I I hear Councilman Alexander already I hear him already saying, Oh yeah, we definitely walked the ten foot. So m Mr. Garner, do you have any insight and we don't know, you know, when Federal put a freeze on loans and grants, we don't really know, but do you have any insight? [0:55:15, 0:55:20]: My understanding of it, it's free started at five o'clock today. [0:55:21, 0:55:41]: And supposed to be re-looked at at February tenth was my understanding of it. Um but yeah. So how how how do you see that freeze affecting uh municipalities as far as some of the projects that we sort of projected in twenty [0:55:40, 0:55:41]: Yeah. [0:55:42, 0:55:52]: And now we're in twenty twenty five and we are now confronted with a whole different administration with freezes and those kind of thing. So what did your crystal ball tell you? [0:55:52, 0:56:02]: for most of our projects, sir, um little to none. Okay. Um you know, d the issue is if if the [0:56:02, 0:56:22]: One of the big grants that we get here, uh, obviously is the transportation monies, but remember we also have our local state match monies that we get. So that doesn't affect those. Um your C D B G, your home, those fundings potentially could get impacted if the county hasn't already drawn down those monies. [0:56:22, 0:56:26]: into their system to pay out for existing programs. [0:56:26, 0:56:27]: They'll cut it off at that point. [0:56:28, 0:56:35]: Right. Um, so the example I gave someone today was if you were a first-time home buyer who was receiving [0:56:35, 0:56:42]: first time assistance through C D B G or Home, but you hadn't drawn they hadn't drawn that money down through the system. [0:56:42, 0:56:49]: you're probably now not gonna get that. So whatever closing you might have had is probably impacted. So you buying your house would be impacted. [0:56:49, 0:57:02]: Right. Um, if you had a water sewer program through C D B G and you hadn't drawn that monies down yet, that monies is now frozen. So that project, if it was later to start within the next day or two or next week [0:57:03, 0:57:14]: or next month might be impacted for the start of that program, that project. So that's the problem that it has. It's a wide sweeping executive order that doesn't really take into account [0:57:15, 0:57:35]: what's out there, uh how it impacts, and who it impacts, because and and I surmise the GMA will probably see something from GMA, ACCG, um, as well as potentially the governor's office, right? You're gonna have some pushback from states, um, mayors, [0:57:35, 0:57:44]: to the both Republican and Democrat that utilize this month these monies to get things happening where you know, as I tell folks, you know, roads, water, sewer don't have a party. [0:57:45, 0:57:46]: They don't. [0:57:46, 0:57:50]: So when you stop funding there, it affects everyone. [0:57:50, 0:57:51]: Um [0:57:52, 0:57:58]: But I wanted to make sure that I I mentioned this too. Um I think Miss Gantt mentioned the tunnel that you see. [0:57:58, 0:57:59]: So [0:58:00, 0:58:02]: Apparently the city had monies to build a tunnel. [0:58:03, 0:58:04]: It was approved by [0:58:05, 0:58:06]: Um f um [0:58:07, 0:58:08]: Norfolk Southern. [0:58:08, 0:58:10]: back in oh eight, oh nine. [0:58:11, 0:58:13]: Um and there was monies. [0:58:13, 0:58:17]: set aside from David Scott office to make that tunnel happen. [0:58:19, 0:58:39]: And I'll leave it there. Um so Whose office? David Scott. Representative Scott. Okay. Um actually earmarked money for I think it was eight or nine hundred thousand that was put towards getting that tunnel built over fift fourteen years ago. And decided it's still a vision. Um [0:58:39, 0:58:48]: Um but I will tell you guys, so one of the things I'm doing to complete is your legislative pocket for NLC. [0:58:50, 0:58:51]: This is on there. [0:58:52, 0:59:04]: So please, please, when you get in that room, please ask for that to come back this way because as she as Eric said, this is a this is a catalytic project right there. [0:59:04, 0:59:06]: To link those two parks. [0:59:07, 0:59:10]: Right? So definitely if it was done before. [0:59:10, 0:59:26]: Obviously we don't have shouldn't have to go back through all the red tape with Norfolk Southern because they've already approved it once. Nothing's changed. The train track's still there. They didn't add another track that would change any of the factors. So you should be able to get the approval from them fairly easy to go back again. [0:59:28, 0:59:47]: Right. Um and and Representative Scott, but as you see as we just heard, we don't know what the landscape politically gonna look like. Um, but I will tell you that a that projects um like this one which is pedestrian, uh, is valued by both sides of the aisle. [0:59:48, 1:00:05]: Right. Yes. And so that's the benefit is pedestrian bridge, especially when you're linking neighborhoods, they're supported by both sides of the aisle. So hopefully, you know, by the time we get to NLC there'll be some more clarity as to what's going on with as it relates to this. Um [1:00:06, 1:00:26]: So we'll see. But as it relates to the impacts right now, um we shouldn't see any impact right now. I mean it's a it's only a few what a week or two week or two, I think, yeah. So if it gets extended beyond that, then I would start we need to start looking at wood all price. [1:00:26, 1:00:41]: projects we have out there. Um specifically the monies that we got from the for to do the infrastructure two years ago, a year ago, that we got from through Senate through Representative Scott's office and the bridge would probably get [1:00:42, 1:00:57]: Halt it. So when you get up there, remember you got a lobby, lobby, lobby. You I'll have your list of all the projects that I think we've already spoken about that we think are important to us will be in that pocket for you guys. So just remind them that, hey, you did it before, do it again. [1:00:58, 1:00:58]: And um [1:00:58, 1:01:11]: Mayor last question. Go ahead, Speaker. Um I was looking through the packet to see if there was another uh citizen engagement meeting. Can you uh confirm [1:01:11, 1:01:31]: There was not. There was one. And this and there was the decision I believe was made, and I don't want to speak too out of hand here, but there had been public engagement prior um with the previous planning efforts. And the I think the idea was they didn't want to go back again on the same topic. They did we went once and [1:01:31, 1:01:36]: You know, but that is that's that was the the rationale there. [1:01:37, 1:01:57]: Thank you. Sir. Go right, please. Look, let me say this and uh thank you again for the work that you've done. And Councilman Thomas, I think certainly you did some public engagement as well. You had multiple um town hall meetings with Falcon Design, which was uh awesome. I attended one of those myself, so thank you for having some additional. [1:01:57, 1:02:17]: additional meetings as far as that's concerned. I just want to point out to my councilmates, there is no district C, there's no district five on here, right? You notice that, right? So I wasn't being selfish with the participation. The focus was on downtown as the downtown development authority liaison, the development was around downtown. [1:02:17, 1:02:25]: We actually could you talk about the coordination a little bit with the the the the proposed trail around the STEM school? [1:02:26, 1:02:30]: Uh yes, so that is let me pull [1:02:32, 1:02:52]: So you have the map up here. So yeah, the idea with the STEM school, out here you've got there's a road, it's Ward Street, I believe, and it used to have a crossing of the railroad, so it served a purpose. When Norfolk Southern and the state of Georgia decided to close some of the railroad [1:02:52, 1:03:03]: crossings on little towns across Georgia, that was one that was closed. It doesn't really have a purpose from a traffic perspective except for school connection. [1:03:04, 1:03:24]: And so as the STEM school is being built and or rebuilt and that that uh space is being recalibrated for schools and entry levels, et cetera, where people are coming in, we see an opportunity to extend that street, convert it to a greenway. It's already paved again. We like those. [1:03:24, 1:03:44]: When you've got a street, it's already paved, ready to go, very low cost, but then extend that. So what we're looking at here is extending that over then to Rock Quarry Road along South Lee Street. And that would be an opportunity for y'all then to, you know, the vision there where we're [1:03:44, 1:04:04]: Where we're creating a future for our kids, and the kids learn to go to school on a bike or they walk with their family, that is a big cultural shift and a real opportunity that Stockbridge has that a lot of other communities don't have. Because they were all built out, all car oriented, and the [1:04:04, 1:04:08]: kids get driven to school every day without fail. This is a chance to change that. [1:04:09, 1:04:29]: Absolutely and certainly the d the graphics on that are amazing. District five, don't get jealous. We got a couple things coming too, and we've been fortunate to have some private developments such as the bridges at Jodico. Uh Patrick Henry Parkway will have trails. Country Club Drive will have trails uh certainly. And the Western Parallel Canal. [1:04:29, 1:04:49]: Connector will have some as well. So even though not indicated, that's that's the direction we're going in, and that'll be another phase and where we're going in the city. And hopefully, as we move forward and we complete Rock Quarry Road widening with the multi-use path from Eagles Landing Parkway down to North. [1:04:49, 1:05:09]: One day you'll be able to take a golf cart, possibly, from the country club and get to downtown, or take your bike and get from get to downtown. So let's continue to push forward and maybe uh show the residents that we're doing the right things with these dollars, and then maybe they'll approve another T-Sponse. [1:05:09, 1:05:15]: flies for us so we can go and get those second and third phases uh done and funded locally. Thank you. [1:05:15, 1:05:35]: In reference to this uh Ward Street connection, taking it uh pathway by the STEM school and onto Rock excuse me, onto yeah, Rock Cory, that means the rail line is gonna be as you go s uh actually going kinda like in a southerly direction basically. And so so the railroad line is to your to the right. [1:05:35, 1:05:55]: Correct. Alright, so somehow there has to be a point that well I'm I'm thinking of going that in that direction, that south direction railroad so a l to you right. So what amounts to I guess there's have to be some type of connection uh to somehow get to that bridge over Rock Cory or connect it to the Rock Cory itself, because the rail line is there, so you're gonna have to [1:05:55, 1:06:05]: kind of cross it some type of way. Okay. You'll have Heritage Trail following that on the [1:06:05, 1:06:25]: Sorry, east side of the railroad. And then on the west side of the railroad will be this um uh the amphitheater trail that we're calling. The amphitheater trail tracks along Ward Street and then cuts off as an independent trail on the south side of that STEM school project over [1:06:25, 1:06:35]: to South Lee Street where then it becomes side path over to Rock Quarter. Gotcha now. Now I got it. Okay. Yeah. Appreciate it. Thank you. No of course. Okay. All right. Any other questions? [1:06:38, 1:06:58]: So otherwise by the timeline and up to this evening, uh you'll be coming back to us on February tenth for a final approval of this process. That's what we're hoping for. If there's any if anybody has any specific questions, please let me know. We'd like to finalize the draft. I'm gonna work with Mr. Aaron and Mr. Gardner to make sure we have all the data accurate. Uh Mr. Allen. [1:06:58, 1:07:18]: Alexander referenced some projects on the south side of the city. We want to make sure that those are that show up on the on the map, because then this becomes official document, and that's an important thing for you all as you are coordinating to Councilmember Thomas's uh point earlier. Then we're coordinating across the departments. [1:07:18, 1:07:26]: And then Councilmember Thomas can say, Oh, that's in the trail plan. So you need to make sure that that is done right. So that's that's the opportunity. [1:07:26, 1:07:27]: Okay. [1:07:28, 1:07:48]: All right. Go ahead, please. I wanted to ask that um community survey, is it still is that link still available for the public to add feedback? No, we no, we we gave it uh we gave it three weeks and then that was during that crazy storm that we had, and so we extended it a few weeks and we pushed it. [1:07:48, 1:08:02]: through community channels at uh with the city hall and with a downtown uh group and I you know we got some responses. I think, you know, not of course you always want more, but uh yeah. [1:08:03, 1:08:04]: All right. [1:08:04, 1:08:11]: If you know the questions at all. Thank you, sir. We look forward to seeing you. Thank you very much. I look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. Yes indeed. [1:08:12, 1:08:13]: Okay. [1:08:14, 1:08:34]: What's the next council is a consent agenda item consider the council consider the use of the mural managers conference center on Saturday, March 29th of 2025 for the youth council expo. And uh Mr. Who's presenting this? Mr. Gardner, are you presenting this, sir? Yes, sir. What's the present? All right. Any qu okay [1:08:34, 1:08:38]: Okay. It is consent, that's true. So our input. [1:08:38, 1:08:41]: Go ahead, I'm sorry. I just I'll move to approve it. [1:08:41, 1:08:44]: Okay from Miss Gantt to Miss Barber. All in favorable indicate. [1:08:45, 1:09:05]: All right, so unanimous decision. All right. And then what we have next, believe it or not, announcement of upcoming the meetings and events. Council meetings will be held in the city council chamber. Meeting dates, location, and times are subject to change. Contact City offices at 770-3897900 or visit the website of www.com. [1:09:05, 1:09:25]: The U Council meeting is the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. City Hall Levi Meeting Room, which is February 3rd. Stockbridge Citizens Police Advisory Council meetings first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. the Stockbridge Police Community Room at 45, 45 North Henry Boulevard. [1:09:25, 1:09:45]: February 6th. Our next city council meeting is well city council meeting the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers, which is February 10th. The Citywide Development Authority meeting is second Tuesday of each month. The City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room at 6 p.m. on February 11th. The community zoning informational meeting, Thursday, January 10th. [1:09:45, 1:09:48]: Well that's already happened. January second's already [1:09:49, 1:10:08]: Anyway, so 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the city council chambers, February 12th is the next community zoning informational meeting. The Main Street Advisory Board meeting on the second Friday of each uh month at 9 a.m. Location with the Downtown Connection Center, 130 ML King Senior Heritage Trail, which is February 14th. [1:10:08, 1:10:28]: The Downtown Development Authority meeting is third Tuesday of each month at the Downtown Connection Center, 130 ML King Senior Heritage Trail, which is February 18th. Uh Youth Council Advisory Committee meeting six thirty PM third Tuesday of each month to leave our meeting room. The next one is uh February eighteenth in the city hall. The planning commission meeting the [1:10:28, 1:10:48]: Third Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, February 20th. And a city council work session for the month of uh February. Of course, this is last Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, which is actually February 25th. Uh upcoming city events and initiatives. Join uh Council [1:10:48, 1:11:08]: Councilman Barber for the annual prom dress collection and giveaway at Merrill Manters Conference Center, accepting donations of new or gently used prom dresses on Sunday, February 9th and 16th. And a free giveaway of addresses to local teens on Sunday, February 23rd. And since there are more information to follow, join Councilman Thomas. [1:11:08, 1:11:28]: In the monthly Bingo Bash on Wednesday, February 19th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Murray Man's Conference Center. And lots of fun, of course, to be had by all. Join Councilman Alexander for the quarterly town hall, Thursday, February 20th, 7 p.m. And more information to follow on that. I would imagine that'd be the location. Join Councilman Thomas for the annual African-American celebration of [1:11:28, 1:11:48]: On Saturday, February 22nd. The program will be streamlined, I guess, from 5 to 7 p.m. on the city's Facebook page. And join me, Mayor Ford, for the monthly meeting the mayor, February 24th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, the city hall. And meetings are by appointment. Councilman Thomas will also be honoring veterans with the [1:11:48, 1:12:08]: continue salute to all year long. Please send your pictures of veterans and their names, branch, rank, and years of service. And also join Councilman Thomas with Don't Trash Drop Bridge initiative centered around education highlighting the causes and effects of littering and illegal dumping. And of course more information to follow about that. Please con Rosalyn Rawls to schedule an appointment to meet the [1:12:08, 1:12:26]: The mayor with more information for or more information on council initiatives is 678-833-3348 or by way of email ralls at stopbridgega.org. This is still January 2025, so please get your flu shots. The winter months are still here. Obviously we had a snow. [1:12:27, 1:12:47]: problems of about a week or so ago, but uh we got through that one. If you haven't had your booster, your covet booster, please do so as well, the current one. Um we d actually we the council myself just uh finished our Cities United summit with GMA just last couple of days and uh down downtown Atlanta and connected with our local other elected officials [1:12:47, 1:13:07]: Around the state as well as our state uh legislators, so that was a very good conference in that aspect. And um today we had a wonderful um ribbon cutting at the bridge of Jodico with uh Hacienda Bar and Grill. Fantastic ribbon cutting event. Wonderful. I would imagine that anybody, any time, go and go to our [1:13:07, 1:13:27]: There and check them out, get some uh good Mexican food and and have fun. Worked out well. We had a great time. Mr. Alexander and I, along with staff members and uh and the actual uh deputy chair of of I guess you call me Robinson is the vice chair of a commission joined us for that as well. And of course, if you are any football fans, [1:13:27, 1:13:38]: uh of course you got a Super Bowl coming up so you know if you like Kansas City root for them. You like Philadelphia Eagles root for them. If you don't like football, huh, you know, I guess enjoy the game anyway. Right. So uh [1:13:38, 1:13:58]: And I I'm gonna tell you, I'm gonna put it out there. I'm a Philadelphia Eagle fan right now. So yes, sir. Okay, uh you asked about my town hall. It's gonna be at the Oaks at Eagles Landing um community uh on Pat at 2700 Patrick Henry Park. All right, good deal. Uh be safe, folks, and we want you healthy and strong, so make sure you're gonna be able to do [1:13:58, 1:14:13]: sure you take care of yourself uh health wise and for that note that I don't know of any executive session issues so I need a motion to end our meeting. So move. I say for Mr. Alexander and Ms. Ken all in fair please indicate. So you have to see and God bless you all. Good night. [1:14:16, 1:14:16]: Yes. [1:14:18, 1:14:18]: Yeah.