2025-11-10 · City Council · Transcript · Regular Council Meetings

--- title: Regular Council Meetings date: 2025-11-10 source: 2025-11-10_Regular_Council_Meetings.wav --- [0:00:21, 0:00:28]: We'd like to do it right here, the crest right in the background. Okay. So I'm taking a small snippet. So I want you to repeat after me, raise your right hand. [0:00:29, 0:00:48]: Aye and state your name. I just hear Thomas. Okay, board member. Board member. Do Thomas swear and affirm? That I will faithfully perform. That I will faithfully confirm. The duties of the downtown development authority. The duties of the downtown development authorities. Of the city of Stockbridge? Of the city of Stockbridge. And that I will? [0:00:48, 0:00:49]: To the best of my ability. [0:00:50, 0:00:51]: Support and defend. [0:00:52, 0:00:53]: The charter thereof. [0:00:54, 0:00:57]: As well as the constitution and laws of the state of Georgia. [0:00:58, 0:01:00]: In the United States of America. In the United States of America. [0:01:00, 0:01:02]: I further affirm that. [0:01:03, 0:01:04]: Upon assumption of this office. [0:01:05, 0:01:09]: For an assumption of this offer. I do not hold any unaccounted for public money. [0:01:09, 0:01:11]: only count for the money. [0:01:11, 0:01:15]: Do and payable to the state? Doing payable to the state. Any political subdivision of the state. [0:01:16, 0:01:18]: The city of Stockbridge. [0:01:18, 0:01:20]: Or any authority thereof? [0:01:21, 0:01:22]: Lord they'll hold. [0:01:23, 0:01:26]: Any other office of trust of the government? [0:01:27, 0:01:28]: Of the United States? [0:01:28, 0:01:29]: Of this state? [0:01:30, 0:01:31]: Or any foreign state. [0:01:31, 0:01:33]: As prescribed. [0:01:33, 0:01:36]: By the law of the state of Georgia. [0:01:36, 0:01:38]: I saw him affirm. [0:01:38, 0:01:40]: That I'm fully qualified. [0:01:41, 0:01:42]: Under the constitution. [0:01:42, 0:02:02]: And the laws of the state of the laws of the state to hold the office of Downtown Development Authority board member. Downtown Development Authority Board Member. And that I will and that I will perform the duties of my office in the best interest of the city of Stockbridge. To the best of my ability without fear. [0:02:02, 0:02:15]: Favor, favor, affection, affection, reward, or expectation thereof. And it's the tenth day of November November tenth day of November two thousand five and congratulations to you. Okay. [0:02:16, 0:02:28]: But you we have to sign a couple of documents here, but whenever I do this the floor is your the mic is there, the floor is your if you have any comments that you want to make. I do not have any comments. [0:02:31, 0:02:32]: Okay. [0:02:37, 0:02:39]: [171.7, 190.5]: And this is actually for you. All right. We get you started on your way. So no comments, right? No comments. Alright. So you're more than welcome to stage the rest of the ceremony uh part of the meeting. Yes, we could take a picture. No, no, uh right there. Just click? Okay. All right. [0:03:13, 0:03:24]: Congratulations. By the way, I'm sorry. Okay, congratulations. Thank you. Okay. Um that means awareness one, okay? [0:03:25, 0:03:26]: Um [0:03:28, 0:03:31]: Anyone here to receive the Diabetes Awareness Month proclamation? [0:03:33, 0:03:34]: Change it. [0:03:34, 0:03:36]: I will go ahead and read this. [0:03:37, 0:03:42]: Diabetes Awareness Month, whereas November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. [0:03:42, 0:03:47]: The diabetes is a chronic disease in which sugar levels in the bloodstream are [0:03:47, 0:03:51]: Above normal can lead to increased risk for heart attack or stroke. [0:03:51, 0:03:55]: kidney fail failure, amputations, or advanced diabetic [0:03:55, 0:04:00]: Retropopthy, if I got to pronounce right, greatly increasing the risk of severe vision loss. [0:04:00, 0:04:03]: and sir as well as nerve damage. [0:04:03, 0:04:06]: Whereas November fourteenth is World Diabetes Day. [0:04:06, 0:04:09]: And the world's large diabetes awareness campaign. [0:04:09, 0:04:14]: And its date was chosen to recognize the birthday of doctor Frederick Bantin. [0:04:14, 0:04:16]: Who co-discovered insulin? [0:04:16, 0:04:26]: Whereas Diabetes Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase awareness of risk factors and symptoms of diabetes and importance of a healthy lifestyle and diabetes prevention and care. [0:04:27, 0:04:32]: Whereas best practice guidelines to treat diabetes include not only but or limited to insulin. [0:04:32, 0:04:52]: Oral medication, diet, physical activity, daily self-management routines, and free community programs. Whereas World Diabetes Day 2025 theme is diabetes and the workplace, focus on uh access to care, stigma, and mental health in the workplace. Now, therefore, I Anthony S. Ford by Virginia Authority Vessi Mia is in Mary City Stockbridge, Georgia. [0:04:52, 0:04:58]: behalf of city council members Elton Alzani Lana, Barber Kyle, Berry, Luke Sigana, Fonzo Thomas, do hereby [0:04:58, 0:05:01]: recognized November is diabetes awareness month. [0:05:01, 0:05:06]: As an opportunity to provide education about the disease and raise awareness that the simple plus sugar test. [0:05:07, 0:05:13]: or taking of the pre diabetes test has a potential to save lives and positively impact the people in the Stop in Stoppers community. [0:05:14, 0:05:27]: A witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand in the great seal city of Stockbridge, Georgia, on the tenth day of November year of our Lord 2025, and assigned the proclamation along with our finesse holiday. Ladies and gentlemen, okay? [0:05:29, 0:05:49]: Okay. One second, sir. That's one in three Americans. Can we ask that and everyone knows some of our IDs? We don't know that. Can we ask participants in the audience come up for the group of all you don't mind if you're interested? If your mom, dad, or cousin, a neighborhood. Okay, thank you. Thank you for that. [0:05:49, 0:05:56]: So many people we don't know. Come on, that's fine. Matter of fact, uh [0:05:56, 0:06:16]: I'm gonna why why don't you hold this? I don't I don't need yes, why don't you hold this here? Okay. That'll be fine. Thank you for that suggestion. Okay, yeah, some of us come on this side. Yeah, come on, sir. Okay, come on. Oh we got uh uh well why don't we double up a little bit? [0:06:16, 0:06:30]: Come on down here. Uh you all wanna come on down? Let my stand right here please. Not not flying. Is this uh is this good? Can you get everybody in? Okay. [0:06:35, 0:06:40]: Thank you. No. [0:06:41, 0:06:48]: You show us. [0:06:50, 0:06:55]: How about national caregivers? [0:07:02, 0:07:04]: Hello, how you doing? [0:07:05, 0:07:13]: This is National Uh Caregivers Month, whereas during the month of November, we bring awareness to unpaid caregivers and recognize those who gave selfishly. [0:07:13, 0:07:22]: To care for family members and loved ones. It offers an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers. [0:07:22, 0:07:30]: Whereas over ninety million Americans are part of the so-called sandwich generation caring for both young kids and aging parents at the same time. [0:07:30, 0:07:36]: Family caregivers make tremendous sacrifices to be there for the people who need and cherish them most. [0:07:36, 0:07:40]: Where and whereas too many families struggle to afford help. [0:07:40, 0:07:47]: Spending their own retirement savings to pay for and care for their loved ones, or quitting their own jobs to stay home and provide it. [0:07:48, 0:07:49]: Vide it themselves. [0:07:50, 0:08:01]: As they are the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities, there's also many family caregivers who work and provide care experiencing conflicts between competing responsibilities. [0:08:01, 0:08:06]: Research indicates caregiving give takes a significant emotional, physical, and financial toll. [0:08:07, 0:08:10]: Верес нашнол дерна фамилий Карегів Мон. [0:08:10, 0:08:19]: Let us take the time to remember and appreciate the men and women who spend their days caring for others while balancing the responsibilities of their own lives, including employment and raising children. [0:08:20, 0:08:40]: Now, therefore, I Anthony Forbes by virtual authority vest to me as the mayor of Stockbridge, Georgia. On behalf of City Council members Elton Alexander Nilana, Barber Carl, Berry, Lakeisia Gantt, and Fonzo Thomas do hereby recognize National Family Caregivers Month in the great city of Stockbridge. We thank you for your quiet acts of selflessness and sacrifice as you care for the life. [0:08:40, 0:08:58]: loved ones with dignity, kindness, and respect. A witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand in the Great Seal City, Stockbridge, Georgia, 10th day of November, year of our Lord, 2025. And I signed a proclamation along with our clerk for Nessa Holiday, ladies and gentlemen. And I will issue this to my property. Thank you. Thank you. [0:08:58, 0:09:03]: Okay. No. Thank you. The mic is yours. [0:09:04, 0:09:24]: Well, I just wanted to thank Mayor and Council. Um, as soon as I reached out to them, they said absolutely we will um issue this proclamation. So I have been a caregiver for over twenty-something years. I care for my mom, who has been diagnosed with um dementia. [0:09:24, 0:09:41]: dementia and so this is near and dear to me. I have launched my own personal brand as being an advocate for those who care um for caregivers and their families. So thank you so much. [0:09:44, 0:09:48]: You you want to take a picture here? Sana Shana? Oh okay. [0:09:59, 0:10:04]: Thank you so much. Thank you very much. [0:10:08, 0:10:13]: Next proclamation, National Indian, American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. [0:10:13, 0:10:14]: Okay. [0:10:16, 0:10:18]: Anybody here to receive this proclamation? [0:10:20, 0:10:22]: Okay, well we'll go ahead and read it. [0:10:24, 0:10:34]: Whereas the first American Indian Day was celebrated in May nineteen sixteen in New York, the event cultivated with an effort by Red Fox James, a member of the Black Feet Nation. [0:10:34, 0:10:36]: We rode across the nation on horseback. [0:10:37, 0:10:42]: Seeking approval for twenty from twenty four state governments to have a day to honor American Indians. [0:10:42, 0:10:53]: In nineteen ninety, more than seven decades later, then President George H. W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating the month of November, National American Indian Heritage Month. [0:10:53, 0:10:57]: Similar proclamations have been issued every year since. [0:10:57, 0:11:02]: nineteen ninety four to recognize what is now called American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. [0:11:03, 0:11:18]: And whereas according to the twenty twenty census, Cherokee is the largest Indian American Indian alone, or the any combination of population group in the United States in twenty twenty. The native, uh the Jehovahho nation is the most common American Indian along [0:11:18, 0:11:23]: Alone represent roughly three hundred fifteen thousand eight hundred eighty six people. [0:11:23, 0:11:28]: And nine point seven milion in the nation of American Indian Alaska native population alone. [0:11:29, 0:11:45]: and the combination of 2020. And whereas November is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages, stories, and native Indians, Native American, Alaska Native and Affiliated Island communities, and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. [0:11:46, 0:11:53]: This November and every month we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our nation. [0:11:54, 0:12:05]: We celebrate Indian country with its remarkable diversity of American, Indian, and Alaska native cultures and peoples by rem peoples by remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our nation. [0:12:05, 0:12:13]: Now, therefore, our Anthony S. Ford, by virtual authority, Ves and Me is the mayor of Stockbridge, Georgia. And on behalf of City Council members, Elton, Alexander, Yulana, Barber, Kyle, Berry, [0:12:14, 0:12:21]: And Akee Sagan and follow and follows a Thomas do hereby proclaim the month of November is National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. [0:12:21, 0:12:26]: The great city starbridge, and witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand in the great seal city Stockbridge, Georgia. [0:12:27, 0:12:32]: On the tenth day of November year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-five, and sign a proclamation along when I correct Vanessa Holiday, ladies and gentlemen. [0:12:33, 0:12:40]: No, okay. Now I don't know if anybody here that has any relatives or individuals that are from the [0:12:40, 0:12:43]: native Indian uh culture or [0:12:43, 0:12:50]: Alaskan culture. If not, then we'll just Mr. Alexander I just take a picture and we'll go from there. Okay. [0:12:54, 0:12:55]: Okay, thank you very much. Okay. [0:12:58, 0:13:05]: Next is the small business Saturday business owners that are here. [0:13:05, 0:13:07]: Uh Main Street representation. [0:13:10, 0:13:15]: Anybody else? Small business areas. Small business come hold up. [0:13:17, 0:13:18]: All the business come on up here. [0:13:22, 0:13:38]: That does include you, that doesn't matter. Okay. All right. All right. Small business Saturday, whereas launched in twenty ten, small business Saturday was created to spotlight the importance of small businesses. It falls between between Black Saturday and Cyber Monday. [0:13:39, 0:13:50]: Two shopping days often uh dominated by big box retailers and serves as a reminder of the value of shopping locality. And whereas Saturday, November twenty-nint, twenty twenty-five, a small business Saturday, [0:13:51, 0:13:55]: and a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all that they do for their communities. [0:13:56, 0:14:15]: When we choose to shop local, we are not just making a purchase, we are supporting our neighbors, sustaining local businesses within our community. Whereas, according to research from the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses make up more than 99% of all U.S. companies. When customers choose to shop locally, more of every dollar. [0:14:15, 0:14:20]: stays within the community, which means new jobs, stronger schools, thriving main streets. [0:14:20, 0:14:40]: For small business owners, the day offers more than increased foot traffic is an opportunity to introduce new customers to what makes our business unique, strengthen relationships and local patrons, and set the stage for a strong finish of the year. Now, therefore, I Anthony S. Ford by Virginia Authority Vest and Miz, Mayor of Stop Rators, Georgia. And on behalf of City Council members out. [0:14:40, 0:15:00]: Now, Xander, Ilana, Barber, Cowberry, Lake Sagan, and Alfonso Thomas, to hereby urge the residents of our amazing Stockbridge community to support small businesses and merchants today during the Main Street Shop Small Blitz during the entire month of November, participate in small shop small Saturday, November 29th, and support local small businesses. [0:15:00, 0:15:01]: Mm. [0:15:02, 0:15:14]: In witnesses thereof I have here undo set my hand the great seal city of Stockbridge, Georgia, on the tenth day of November, year of our Lord, two thousand and twenty five. And I signed a proclamation alone when I clicked Vanessa holiday. Ladies and gentlemen now [0:15:14, 0:15:34]: I only I only have I only have one of these. So I'm gonna go over to my right side. I'm gonna issue this huge. Okay? All right. Now you you spawn business owners can definitely have the floor if you need to have one, but you have anything you wanted to say? Um so I say this all the time, but I just wanna um uh [0:15:34, 0:15:43]: say thank you to all the to all of um to everybody who patronized our business um because I know we wouldn't be here without them. [0:15:43, 0:15:54]: Yes, thank you. Oh, so I have two beauty supply stores in Stockbridge, um Angie's Beauty and Blossom Beauty, right across the street from each other. Thank you. [0:15:56, 0:15:58]: Did did you ladies want to say anything? [0:15:59, 0:16:00]: You good? Okay. [0:16:01, 0:16:10]: So I have Southern Crescent Women in Business. We are a small women's business chamber. I am the founder of that. I'm Ariel Shaw. [0:16:10, 0:16:17]: And I say support small businesses throughout the year. They are the thread to your community. Thank you. [0:16:19, 0:16:23]: You want to say anything at all? You good? How about you, man? [0:16:29, 0:16:49]: Good evening. My name is Cheryl Lewis. I just started a business recently, and the name of my business is Visions for Leaders Youth Academy. Um, it's been very interesting because when you're working with students, you really see the needs of the children. You see their struggles. Um [0:16:49, 0:16:53]: mentally and emotionally, you see a lot. [0:16:54, 0:16:59]: Thank you. [0:16:59, 0:17:10]: Hi everyone. Um I'm Lisa Fareed. I am the downtown development manager, which means I manage the Main Street program, and each year [0:17:10, 0:17:20]: Um I think since twenty twelve we've been a while. It's been a while, right? That we've been having proclamations for small business Saturday and [0:17:20, 0:17:31]: You're gonna see our banners around the city. You might be able to get a tote bag. We've got plenty of them. What I want you to know is it takes a lot of courage to start a small business. [0:17:32, 0:17:33]: People [0:17:34, 0:17:54]: go out of their way to put their lives and their livelihoods on the line in order to maintain a small business. And there's no guarantee of anything. So we are very happy as a community to be able to support. One of the things that Main Street is doing is that we have an app you could download onto your [0:17:54, 0:18:04]: phone. It gives you a passport, a list of participating businesses from around the city that have agreed to [0:18:04, 0:18:09]: Just participate in the month of November. All small businesses are important. [0:18:09, 0:18:13]: But a lot of brick and mortars where you can do your retail. [0:18:13, 0:18:32]: shopping or perhaps go dining or get a personal care service. Those are the types of businesses that are participating with us. And we hope you download the app. We hope you go visit some small businesses and make s make Stockbridge stronger economically. Thank you. [0:18:35, 0:18:46]: Okay, so let's come on over here and since you proper as you get in the middle along with your children. Come on, come uh come on down, get them up run here. Okay. All right. It's uh [0:18:47, 0:18:47]: Yeah. [0:18:50, 0:18:50]: Okay. [0:18:52, 0:18:55]: Can you get us all in here? Okay. [0:19:07, 0:19:11]: Congratulations. [0:19:12, 0:19:13]: Congratulations. [0:19:15, 0:19:19]: Okay, last proclamation this uh this evening. [0:19:19, 0:19:39]: deals with Veterans Day, which is uh actually celebrated tomorrow. And um I feel feel especially proud about this since I'm also a a veteran and retiree of the Army, thirty year Army veteran. But so for individuals that are veterans, come join me, please. Any in veterans that are here, come join me. I'm gonna read this out. [0:19:50, 0:20:10]: Look, let's look at this, look at this. All these veterans around here, fantastic, awesome. And several, several are members of the staff, outstanding. Okay, Recognition Veterans Day. Whereas honorable service performed in the defense of our nation and our cause is the highest form of citizenship. And whereas the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of America [0:20:10, 0:20:30]: Have made major contributions toward the preservation of the freedom of this nation and her people. Whereas the services performed by these millions of gallant Americans have demonstrated the willingness of our nation to meet the challenges of those wishing to subsequent individual determination through armed conflict. Whereas a national and the free world are internally grateful for the government. [0:20:30, 0:20:37]: for the contributions of American veterans, men and women to the advancement of the cause of honorable world peace. [0:20:37, 0:20:55]: Whereas for many, that sacrifice has ended in permanent injury or death. Yet the spirit remains in in continued preservation of our freedoms and a promise of liberty established as an example for all those oppressed persons in the world. Now therefore I, Anthony S4, by verse authority of Vest and me as a mayor of city of Stockbridge, Georgia. [0:20:55, 0:21:15]: And on behalf of City Council members Elton, Alexander, Ilana, Barber, Kyle, Berry, Lakese, Gandhi, and Fonsel Thomas, we hereby call upon all citizens to observe Tuesday, November 11, 2025, as appropriate ceremonies in honor of those who have served to preserve the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy. A witness thereof, I have here unto you set my hand in great seal, city, starpic. [0:21:15, 0:21:15]: Georgia. [0:21:15, 0:21:18]: On 10th day, November, year of our Lord, 2025. [0:21:19, 0:21:24]: And I sign a proclamation along with our clear Vanessa holidays, ladies and gentlemen. Okay? [0:21:24, 0:21:26]: We have several news. [0:21:27, 0:21:28]: That is yours sir. Oh thank you. [0:21:30, 0:21:50]: So I should have started with the lady first, I'm sorry. In this aspect, Cheryl. All right. I'm sorry about that. And that actually is I have to tell you since uh I said that um uh Sherald and I, uh this lovely lady here, actually served together overseas. [0:21:50, 0:22:10]: Camp Ariadna in uh quait many years ago. And so uh we didn't know each other then, but it just so happens that uh we obviously live in the same era. Oh how how can I forget my city magic? Excuse me, sir. Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations, you two sir. Now no problem, I appreciate it. Now [0:22:10, 0:22:17]: The f as you the floor is yours. All right. So any any of your veterans want to say anything? I know most of you some good portion of your employees here, but that's quite all right. [0:22:18, 0:22:24]: No, it's nothing you guys. No, go ahead, sir. I'm not that much of a speaker. I'm leading away. There you go. There you go. [0:22:26, 0:22:35]: I just my name is Cheryl R. Shaw and uh I thank God for the opportunity to have been able to serve. [0:22:35, 0:22:42]: And in my serving, I served other veterans as well, because as a leader. [0:22:42, 0:22:49]: You're always leading, always serving your veterans or your uh soldiers. [0:22:50, 0:22:51]: For those in the army. [0:22:53, 0:22:55]: And so I thank God for that. [0:22:55, 0:23:02]: And it's good to be here in honor of those that can't even say anything anymore. Amen. [0:23:03, 0:23:03]: Yeah. [0:23:06, 0:23:07]: Any anybody else? [0:23:10, 0:23:13]: Come on, sir, man. Go ahead, sir. Come on, let's go. [0:23:14, 0:23:34]: Uh no, this day is uh very special. Uh it holds near dear to my heart. Uh veterans, um, as we mentioned and as the proclamation says, uh, we risked a lot. Our family, our time, our health, um, but it's for a great cause. And we wouldn't have it no other way. If you talk to any other men and women that have served, they would tell you they'll do it all over. [0:23:34, 0:23:48]: over again. It's a tremendous honor and to be a part of this particular group. No matter where we at in the world, we take care of each other. And just because we put down a uniform don't mean we stop serving. We serve in different capacities. So thank you all. Appreciate it. [0:23:50, 0:24:10]: No, no, I was just gonna say uh aim high. You sure but okay, let me let me just say this too. I I come by this, I think, uh honestly, because my father was a World War II and Korean Korean War v veteran, and uh and I happened to be the oldest son, so he didn't give me much of a choice. He told me this is exactly what I'm gonna do. [0:24:10, 0:24:16]: I'm gonna serve our country and and go to the military. And I told him I didn't want to do that. And he says, Boy, do what I tell you to do, right? [0:24:16, 0:24:19]: So I did. And I have to admit I I thank'em all the time. [0:24:19, 0:24:39]: Since I retired 15 years ago after 30 years of service, and I appreciate that serving the nation and now serving a community and things in this nature is kind of just kind of coincides with that. So I really appreciate that fact that of service of the once again of the nation and and of the community, things that I'll do and plan to do the rest of my life of serving others in this aspect uh as well. [0:24:39, 0:24:59]: the good Lord calls me home in this aspect, but that won't be anytime soon, right? So so anyway, um, you know, I I just really thank you, sir. I just really appreciate the fact of all these veterans here and all the all the things that that we all do and how you support the veterans as they continue to serve. I think there's only about one percent of the nation actually serves in in in any type of military service. [0:24:59, 0:25:15]: So that's a unique unique number of folks that uh are willing to put their life on the line and and uh and for the interest of the nation and and to make sure the freedom is free and that that we're able to live in a in a in a country that uh allows us to do a lot of different things in this aspect as well. But anyway. [0:25:16, 0:25:20]: Now I said, God bless y'all. Thank you very much. Let's take a picture together. Okay, thank you. [0:25:23, 0:25:31]: Come on, come on, let's put on down here. Come on, let's get the let's get the ladies in it. You good? Okay. [0:25:32, 0:25:37]: Oh, you're gonna give this I appreciate it. [0:25:44, 0:25:47]: Are you gonna be in a pick? That's your ones. [0:25:58, 0:26:02]: Thank you, thank you, thank you Molly. Thank you. Thank you. [0:26:08, 0:26:20]: So hello to want to welcome to today, ladies and gentlemen, for our meeting. Uh we'll get started well we'll start it very shortly since it's six oh one now. Um but thank you for being here. [0:31:25, 0:31:33]: No, no, I no I don't recall. That's what I didn't appreciate you, thank you. [0:31:55, 0:32:05]: Us a kind of revenues in the stair. I don't know the ones that I'm the ones that come back when you take it off here and in this [0:32:17, 0:32:23]: All right, ladies and gentlemen, I have six oh seven and uh I'd like to call our council meeting on November tenth. [0:32:24, 0:32:26]: Two thousand twenty five two [0:32:26, 0:32:27]: Order. [0:32:27, 0:32:31]: And on that note, please stand if you can for the invocation. Miss Cynthia Jenkins, please. [0:32:32, 0:32:34]: Come to make sure the mic is on. [0:32:38, 0:32:43]: Good evening. Good evening. Is there a green button there? Is it green? Yep, it's on. Go right here, there, please. [0:32:44, 0:33:04]: Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to discuss the business of the great city of Stockbridge. Give us all the wisdom, all the resources, everything that's needed to make wise decisions for the benefit of the of the community and the benefit of all who participate in the business of Stockbridge. [0:33:04, 0:33:21]: These and other blessings we ask in your son Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Okay. Pledge allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic of which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [0:33:23, 0:33:25]: Madam Clerk, roll call, please. [0:33:26, 0:33:27]: Good evening. [0:33:28, 0:33:34]: Evening. Mayor Ford? Present. Mayor Pro Tem Gantt. Present. Councilmember Thomas. [0:33:35, 0:33:53]: Does the record reflect Council Member Thomas is not in attendance. Council Member Berry. That the record reflect Council Member Berry is not in attendance. Council Member Barr. Present. Council Member Alexander. Present. Mayor Ford, you have a forum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Appreciate that. Uh Miss Gantt, uh have a [0:33:54, 0:33:56]: Oh yes, Mayor. [0:33:56, 0:34:03]: Yes, Mayor, I would like to make a motion to amend the agenda to remove the item number two per staff's request. [0:34:04, 0:34:05]: Is there a second? What's number? [0:34:05, 0:34:11]: Number two is the uh council's consideration to approve Norfolk Southern Parking Lot project. [0:34:12, 0:34:14]: Do it's okay from Miss Gantt to Miss Azar. [0:34:15, 0:34:16]: All in favor, please indicate. [0:34:17, 0:34:18]: Okay, thank you very much. Appreciate now [0:34:19, 0:34:21]: Council, need a motion to adopt the rest of the agenda, please. [0:34:21, 0:34:23]: So moved. [0:34:24, 0:34:28]: Second. Okay for Ms. Cantor, Ms. Alexander, once again, all in favor, please indicate. [0:34:28, 0:34:48]: Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Um earlier, ladies and gentlemen, we had a ceremonial uh section of our meeting. Had a swearing of uh swearing in of a DDA member, Tosheka Thomas, if I have that pronounced right. And proclamations were issued to for the American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month, the National Diabetes. [0:34:48, 0:35:08]: Awareness month and small uh shop small Saturday, and then also the uh Veterans Day, which is actually tomorrow. So, and matter of fact, on that note, if there are any veterans that are present here now that weren't here for a ceremonial portion, uh thank you for being here. Thank you for serving your nation. And if you are here and you weren't here earlier, [0:35:08, 0:35:16]: Please stand so at least we can recognize you if you weren't here earlier. Okay, we have one, one of our police officers or stop responsible. Okay, graduate, stay, sir. [0:35:18, 0:35:19]: Okay. [0:35:20, 0:35:40]: On that note, Madam Clerk, do we have any public comments? There are no public comments, Mayor. Okay, great. The adoption of minutes council for the approval of the budget retreat minute meeting minutes for September twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth, along with the council meeting minutes of October thirteenth and the meeting minutes, a work session meeting minutes for October twentieth. Any motion to accept those, please? [0:35:40, 0:35:44]: So move. Is there a second? From Miss Gantt to Ms. Alzheimer's, all favor please indicate. [0:35:44, 0:36:01]: Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. Let's see here. And what's next is actually going to be our public hearing, which is our first reading for our FY 2026 operating budget and capital improvement plan. So since it's a public hearing, let me read this into the record. [0:36:02, 0:36:06]: Public hearing rules, please mute all cell phones and other electronic devices. [0:36:06, 0:36:10]: If anyone wishes to speak tonight on a public hearing item, please fill out the form. [0:36:11, 0:36:14]: Available on the table and hand it to the city clerk before approaching the podium. [0:36:15, 0:36:35]: After each case is called, the council will hear from the city staff, followed by the applicant and their representative regarding the proposed plans for property along with or any relevant information. The council will be free to ask questions at any time before the vote. Following the applicant, anyone who wishes to speak in favor or opposed to the case will have an opportunity to do so. [0:36:35, 0:36:55]: Each side will be allowed to ten minutes total. Additional time may be extended at the discretion of the counsel. Please keep comments and presentation professional, referring to only to the facts that are pertinent to the case. We will not allow comments or personal attacks toward any individual group. Please refrain from any applause or comments from the audience during the public hearing. After the presiding officer [0:36:55, 0:37:02]: recognizes a speaker, he or she shall direct all comments to the presiding officer and never to members of the council, staff, or audience. [0:37:02, 0:37:07]: All comments will be made from the podium where you will be required to state your name and address for the record. [0:37:08, 0:37:21]: Please note that these hearings are not a debate. Failure to comply will cause you to be removed from the chamber and the building by law enforcement if you just say deviate from these proceedings. Other than an applicant, no person may speak more than once. The applicant any [0:37:21, 0:37:41]: Excuse me, the applicant may reserve part or his or her speaking time as rebuttal and may speak next and last and may use the entire ten minutes allowed for the pro side of the application for questions. If questions are raised, the council may ask the applicant to address questions and or concerns. The presiding officer will call for a motion and a second to that motion and have [0:37:41, 0:37:42]: Yeah. [0:37:43, 0:37:49]: And if the manner is not tabled, presiding officer will call for a vote and recommend approval or denial of the request. [0:37:51, 0:37:59]: Okay, on that note, public hearing is open. First reading of FY2026 operating budget, capital improvement plans. Uh has here Mr. Sean Edmondson, sir. [0:38:08, 0:38:11]: Good evening to you. [0:38:13, 0:38:14]: Well could be. [0:38:29, 0:38:31]: Trying to buy my head. [0:38:56, 0:39:00]: Uh good evening, Mayor Council, even community staff. [0:39:00, 0:39:09]: Uh pursuant to section two dot twenty-one five of the city charter, I am pleased to submit for your review and consideration. [0:39:09, 0:39:13]: The proposed operating and capital budgets for a fiscal year 2026. [0:39:14, 0:39:21]: This budget embodies the city's council vision for responsible growth, efficient governance, and long-term financial stability. [0:39:22, 0:39:36]: It builds on the progress achieved from fiscal year 2025 and incorporates findings from 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, which confirms Stockbridge scrolling financial position and compliance with government auditing standards. [0:39:37, 0:39:41]: Stockbridge remains a key economic driver within Henry County's growth corridor. [0:39:42, 0:39:50]: The city's population is estimated at 38.5 residents within the county of over 250,000 people. [0:39:51, 0:39:54]: Employment has risen more than three percent since twenty twenty three. [0:39:55, 0:39:56]: With the unemployment rate. [0:39:56, 0:39:58]: has held below four percent. [0:39:59, 0:40:05]: Medium household income has surpassed eighty thousand, reinforcing a strong consumer base and sales tax performance. [0:40:06, 0:40:08]: Commercial activity continues to accelerate. [0:40:09, 0:40:20]: In physical year 2025, First Watch Restaurant opened its Stockbridge location, recording the fourth most successful grand opening and second best first week sale since the company's inception. [0:40:21, 0:40:30]: This achievement not only enhanced our local dining and retail profile, but also signaled continued investors' confidence in the city's market potential. [0:40:31, 0:40:32]: Anchors such as Costco. [0:40:33, 0:40:37]: wholesale and sprouts groceries has similar contributed to our commercial growth. [0:40:38, 0:40:41]: Complementing ongoing small business expansion throughout our corridor. [0:40:42, 0:40:48]: Stockbridge balanced physical philosophy anchored in a millet rate of 3.77 males adopted. [0:40:48, 0:40:57]: In 2023, and maintained for three consecutive years, continues to fund expanded services without increasing the tax burden on residents. [0:40:58, 0:41:12]: The fiscal year 2026 budget is a balance at$73,000,280,000 million dollars across all funds with a general fund of thirty four point seven million dollars. [0:41:12, 0:41:18]: This represented an eighteen percent increase from fiscal year twenty twenty five total of sixty two million. [0:41:18, 0:41:20]: The following are highlights [0:41:20, 0:41:23]: Uh key financial trends. Revenue growth. [0:41:24, 0:41:31]: CityRide revenues have grown since fiscal year 2024, driving driven by sales tax performance and new construction. [0:41:31, 0:41:39]: Expenditure management. Operating costs have increased at a substantial rate of approximately nine percent per year while expanding services. [0:41:40, 0:41:50]: Debt elimination, the Stockbridge Amber Theater Bond was fully paid off in physical year twenty twenty five, eliminating one point two million in annual debt services. [0:41:52, 0:42:00]: Financial resilience The city's general fund balance remains above GFOA's recommended reserve threshold. [0:42:01, 0:42:02]: Major program investments. [0:42:03, 0:42:04]: Public safety. [0:42:05, 0:42:06]: Ten point one million dollars. [0:42:07, 0:42:10]: Public works infrastructure four point nine million. [0:42:11, 0:42:13]: Debt service and capital commitments. [0:42:14, 0:42:29]: The Amphitheater debt retirement marks a major financial milestone. Free resources will support the city's next generation of SPLAS six projects, including the Community Development Center, a$12 million invested in the intergenerational programming and civic space. [0:42:30, 0:42:35]: City Hall, Murray Manders Conference Center, renovation, eight million in structural and systems upgrades. [0:42:36, 0:42:40]: Public maintenance facility replacements, four million to enhance fleet and operation capacity. [0:42:41, 0:42:55]: Employee compensation and benefits, a three percent cost of living is proposed for all current city employees, recognizing their dedication and service to the community. Healthcare savings achieved in fiscal year 2025 were preserved with no reduction in coverage. [0:42:56, 0:43:06]: Regional integration and county econom uh economy. Henry County's twenty twenty four audit reflects a seven percent increase in assessed property value and steady commercial expansion. [0:43:06, 0:43:14]: Stockbridge represents over 15% of the county's tax digest and accounts for nearly one-third of hotel rooms countywide. [0:43:14, 0:43:17]: significant drivers of hotel, motel, and sales tax revenues. [0:43:18, 0:43:26]: Through regional collaboration on transportation and stormwater projects, Startbridge continues to leverage county and state partnerships to maximize local returns. [0:43:27, 0:43:31]: uh strategic priorities for twenty fiscal year twenty twenty six. [0:43:32, 0:43:41]: uh safe and resilient communities by strengthening public safety, staffing and technology. Number two, connected infrastructure, advanced transportation, stormwater, and parks investments. [0:43:42, 0:43:47]: Physical accountability and transparency, sustain a balanced budget and robust reporting structure. [0:43:47, 0:43:50]: four. Employee engagement and retention. [0:43:50, 0:44:02]: Promote professional development and competitive benefits. Number five, community vibrancy and economic identity. Expand events and economic initiatives that reinforce Thoughtbridge regional brand. [0:44:03, 0:44:04]: In conclusion. [0:44:04, 0:44:24]: The fiscal year 2026 budget represents a forward-looking plan that maintains physical discipline, reduces debt, and positions the city for sustained growth. It connects strategic priorities to measurable outcomes, invests in infrastructure and employees, and reflects the collective commitment of the mayor and council to a safe, vibrant, and prosperous state. [0:44:24, 0:44:25]: Stockbridge. [0:44:26, 0:44:29]: I now turn it over to Mr. Frank Malazi. [0:44:29, 0:44:30]: All right, thank you, sir. [0:44:37, 0:44:38]: For sure then. [0:44:41, 0:44:43]: I got one question. Oh yes, go ahead, sir. [0:44:47, 0:45:07]: You said first watch did the second most had the second most business ever in First Watch opening. That's correct. That is correct. In the city of Stockbridge. In the city of Stockbridge, sir. Right. So we can still do the first month, right? We can still get we we we in second place for the first all time. All time. [0:45:07, 0:45:13]: We still can get the first month, right? That's definitely a possibility. Absolutely. Let's do it. Yes, sir. Thanks. [0:45:16, 0:45:17]: Good evening, Mayor and Council. [0:45:17, 0:45:18]: Good evening. [0:45:19, 0:45:28]: I'll be getting into details of what the city manager has uh gone through and uh that will be backed up with the numbers that we will have. [0:45:30, 0:45:40]: So revenues and the expenditures are estimates for our fiscal year twenty twenty six budget, our twenty twenty six operating general fund [0:45:40, 0:45:41]: Proposed budget. [0:45:43, 0:46:01]: is at thirty-four point seven, an increase of five point five or nineteen percent from the twenty twenty five approved budget of twenty-nine point uh two million. The total proposed budget [0:46:02, 0:46:08]: That's revenues and expenses for all funds, general fund included, is seventy three point [0:46:09, 0:46:29]: three million for fiscal year twenty twenty six presented for mayor and council's consideration today. And again on the eighteenth, as well as the adoption on the eighth of December. This budget is a total map, a road map [0:46:29, 0:46:40]: fiscal plan for city to continue receiving the services that the council and the staff are providing to its residents. [0:46:44, 0:46:52]: So general fund and all other funds. Proposed general fund is 34.7 million. That's in revenues. [0:46:53, 0:47:04]: And the expenses are thirty four point seven million. That is what it is called balanced budget, revenue, echoes, expenses. They are all estimates. [0:47:05, 0:47:14]: Proposed total budget for all funds, including general fund, is seventy three point three and the expenses seventy three point three. [0:47:16, 0:47:23]: That revenues equals to expenses, that's also we have uh balanced budget. [0:47:25, 0:47:45]: Then I have the breakdown of all those kinds of revenues that we have. We have franchise fees, that's 2.8 million. We have sales tax, 10 million. We have insurance premium, uh 3.3 million, property tax, 7.4, occupational tax. [0:47:45, 0:47:52]: Tax two million, other taxes two point seven, then we have licenses and permits. [0:47:52, 0:47:56]: These are fees, uh what million intergovernmental. [0:47:56, 0:47:58]: Two hundred and twenty one. [0:47:59, 0:48:19]: Chair charge for services, that's eight hundred thousand. Then we have uh fines and forfeitures one point four interest uh four hundred and fifty. This one we have to say that this is the the [0:48:19, 0:48:23]: It's happening because we implemented the or we decided to have uh [0:48:24, 0:48:24]: Um [0:48:26, 0:48:26]: Checking [0:48:27, 0:48:33]: interest bearing account or or where we are putting our money now they are getting interest. [0:48:35, 0:48:41]: Uh then transfers we have two point two for a total of uh thirty four point seven, that's in general fund. [0:48:43, 0:48:49]: And this is the same breakdown but just the distribution in a pie chart format. [0:48:50, 0:48:57]: Uh this is for the past years. How much will be come uh eighteenth or [0:48:58, 0:49:06]: Eighth of December will give you the actuals for twenty twenty-four and then we'll have the adopted for twenty twenty-five. [0:49:09, 0:49:12]: Uh this is the distribution for general fund. [0:49:13, 0:49:25]: how it is being proposed for general fund to provide services to different departments. [0:49:26, 0:49:41]: So we have uh the governing body, we have the city clerk, you have the executive, you have the finance, non governmental. Non governmental means it doesn't belong to one g one department. [0:49:42, 0:49:42]: Um [0:49:43, 0:49:53]: It's all departments that get benefit from that. Then you have business um services, information technology, human resources. [0:49:54, 0:49:56]: Government buildings. [0:49:57, 0:49:58]: And we have municipal court. [0:49:59, 0:50:06]: We have public uh police department, public works, city events, parks. [0:50:07, 0:50:13]: Um we have permits, permitting, planning, economic development. [0:50:14, 0:50:24]: Uh we have Main Street, GIS and other financing for a total of the same thirty four point seven million. [0:50:25, 0:50:29]: And again that's a distribution that is in a pie chart. [0:50:29, 0:50:33]: for the same expenses that we have just gone through. [0:50:39, 0:50:42]: Then we have uh expenses. [0:50:42, 0:50:45]: As we know, the first one is general fund. [0:50:46, 0:50:49]: Thirty seven uh thirty four point seven. [0:50:50, 0:50:53]: The rest of what I have already itemized, I have mentioned [0:50:54, 0:50:55]: That are there. [0:50:56, 0:50:57]: Дегав ревенюс. [0:50:58, 0:50:59]: With expenses. [0:51:00, 0:51:07]: And that's the same thing I think we had that issue in twenty twenty five when we did budget amendment that you are menting. [0:51:08, 0:51:09]: You don't have revenues. [0:51:09, 0:51:25]: You can't make amendment if you don't have revenues. So all these funds you are seeing here, they have corresponding revenues with estimated expenses to be used in twenty twenty six. [0:51:28, 0:51:32]: Here are some major co uh mayor and council [0:51:32, 0:51:37]: priorities that they want these things to take place in twenty twenty six. [0:51:38, 0:51:43]: Some of these ones are capital projects that they will take more than one year. [0:51:44, 0:51:50]: And each one of these they have got uh funding. It's not that all of them funding is available. [0:51:51, 0:52:03]: But this is what they want to see it take place. Community center, then we have T plus projects. Ts plus projects have got T S plus funding. [0:52:03, 0:52:12]: Uh you have uh uh downtown development. We have we're finding. Some of this one we're finding was the um [0:52:13, 0:52:20]: funded in the past by upper funds. And as you all know, upper funds are no longer there. [0:52:20, 0:52:32]: uh come December thirty one, twenty twenty six. Whatever we have now in upper funds are what we obligated. So there is nothing that we can [0:52:33, 0:52:52]: incur new expenses in twenty twenty six but these are what we already incurred and obligated and reported to uh federal government who gave us the grants. So we can't start new expenses on that unless we have uh new funding. [0:52:53, 0:53:05]: Then we have city uh municipal buildings that's likely to come from General Fund, which we is already there, it's already allocated. General fund plus mi um plus six as well. [0:53:07, 0:53:27]: These are some of the highlights that we we may have in twenty twenty six. That's road and sidewalk uh improvements, which are is a continuation and they will be funded with a grant plus C plus six. Public safety enhancement when we have [0:53:26, 0:53:34]: no increase in property tax as you all know since twenty twenty three it has been the same um [0:53:37, 0:53:40]: rate of three point seven seven miles. [0:53:41, 0:53:50]: Uh there will be or is being proposed to have three percent colour to all employees. [0:53:50, 0:53:58]: Public works, uh there's new facility that is under construction. Water um [0:53:59, 0:54:19]: What write off? There are several reasons why we write off and in this case specifically this year we had a lot of amount functions of meters. So you see what we wrote off last year will be much less compared to what we are writing off for uh twenty twenty six. End of this [0:54:19, 0:54:22]: C which will be about eighteen [0:54:22, 0:54:23]: South and [0:54:24, 0:54:27]: А then we have semitar improvements, credit card. [0:54:28, 0:54:34]: credit card what we do now during covid is if someone is buying things online. [0:54:34, 0:54:39]: or paying services online, we absorb fees. [0:54:40, 0:54:46]: And those fees are killing us. So we are proposing to re [0:54:47, 0:54:49]: Uh consider that and go back to [0:54:50, 0:55:01]: user fees that if they decide that they are going to pay through credit card, they will absorb, meaning those that are getting services. [0:55:01, 0:55:03]: 'Cause like now if we are [0:55:03, 0:55:09]: For instance, we have uh a service that is for two hundred thousand or two hundred dollars. [0:55:09, 0:55:11]: And we absorb phase. [0:55:11, 0:55:21]: We have budgeted for two hundred for that service but we don't get two hundred because we have to remove credit fees. So it's not real. [0:55:22, 0:55:23]: Um [0:55:23, 0:55:33]: estimates of our revenues. So come January one if the council consider that we will reinstall the fees. [0:55:35, 0:55:55]: We are proposing again to pay off a GEFA loan. We have about eight hundred and something remaining. And if we pay off, we'll be able to do that. It will save the seat some money. So you see that we are paying off, we paid off amphetra and [0:55:54, 0:56:03]: And we are also to pay off this gefa, that means we are being fiscal responsible. [0:56:07, 0:56:09]: This is our governing body. [0:56:10, 0:56:16]: Um we have our mayor, Mayor Ford, we have District One, our Mayor Pro Tem. [0:56:17, 0:56:30]: Gantt and then we have District Two, uh Council Member Thomas, we have District Three, Council Member Berry, District Four, Council Member Barber, [0:56:31, 0:56:35]: District five, Councilmember Alexandra. [0:56:35, 0:56:46]: Here I will not get into details, but you can read the duties of our elected officials or our governing body, what they do. [0:56:46, 0:56:47]: Uh [0:56:47, 0:56:48]: To be [0:56:49, 0:56:50]: Or to lead [0:56:50, 0:56:51]: Ситов Стокбридж. [0:56:51, 0:56:54]: the governing body provides a strategic [0:56:55, 0:56:57]: uh direction and the oversight. [0:56:58, 0:56:59]: To the city of Stockbridge. [0:57:00, 0:57:02]: And within that they w [0:57:02, 0:57:13]: uh execute those directives through the seat manager, through departments, through different mechanisms that are there, including our different boards that we have. [0:57:17, 0:57:21]: Um there are some key roles of the uh [0:57:22, 0:57:25]: governing body that have been listed [0:57:26, 0:57:35]: And also we have uh governing body staff. As of now we have the executive assistant and we have also administrative assistant. [0:57:35, 0:57:44]: Uh these are the people that would do day to day's requirements that are needed in the constituency. They are needed to um [0:57:45, 0:57:51]: Be in contact with outside world on behalf of our elected officials. [0:57:51, 0:58:06]: And there are activities that also our elected officials are doing that I'm going to mention them. For example, includes district town halls, bingo bash, a free line dancing, community [0:58:07, 0:58:12]: Uh cleanups which we just had this past uh Saturday, mobile [0:58:13, 0:58:15]: Uh, board banks. [0:58:15, 0:58:32]: Women's history celebration, National Day of Prayer, African American Heritage Celebration, Meet the Mayor, Festi Responders, Appreciation, the First [0:58:35, 0:58:55]: First of all, mothers and fathers see day celebrations, a smoke detector, smoke detectors that we find we help out there to see that sometimes they don't, but it's part of the initiatives of our elected officials. And the young and the gifted. [0:58:55, 0:58:56]: Yeah. [0:58:59, 0:59:06]: Then we have uh uh the office of the city clerk. Again um the um [0:59:07, 0:59:10]: Three staff there, you read [0:59:11, 0:59:15]: the main duty of the city clerk is the custodian. So you will [0:59:15, 0:59:19]: have that information you can read. I'll not go in details. [0:59:20, 0:59:21]: Um [0:59:22, 0:59:42]: Then I will get into 2025-2026 goals and projects for the our city crook, ground floor records system, GIS mapping, RFP, City. [0:59:42, 0:59:46]: Cemetery, Bucky Cemetery. Um [0:59:47, 0:59:55]: G get fence repair, city cemetery, memorial and gardens. [0:59:55, 1:00:02]: And all those other services that you be able to read that are under the city clock. [1:00:04, 1:00:20]: Then we get into our seat manager again. Uh there are details that you'll be in. So I'll take some highlights here and there. The office of the seat manager serves as the executive branch of the city of Stockbridge. [1:00:21, 1:00:34]: Then the executive team, you have the executive assistant, Miss Jones. Um then I'll get into the strategic statue. [1:00:35, 1:00:53]: for twenty twenty six what the city manager is planning to do in twenty twenty six or continue to do in twenty twenty six. Beginning twenty twenty six the office of the city manager will roll out a series of initiatives. [1:00:59, 1:01:06]: And then he has got details of what is to be done next year. You have uh next uh [1:01:08, 1:01:16]: Uh next generation readership academy. Then before that you have the Star Power program. [1:01:20, 1:01:32]: Then you have the finance uh department which is the under the city treasure. There are descriptions of what the city treasure is as a financial custodial. [1:01:32, 1:01:34]: Records, financial records. [1:01:34, 1:01:40]: advisor to the financial advisor to the s uh city manager, management or council. [1:01:40, 1:01:43]: to make sure that i they get [1:01:44, 1:01:45]: Financial reports. [1:01:46, 1:01:49]: So they can make a wise decision. [1:01:49, 1:01:52]: For the future of the city. [1:01:55, 1:01:57]: And twenty twenty five um [1:01:57, 1:01:58]: Oh vasio. [1:01:59, 1:02:06]: We changed bank, as I mentioned, we moved from non-interest bearing accounts to interest bearing accounts. [1:02:07, 1:02:11]: Uh, we also met all grantee requirements. [1:02:11, 1:02:17]: that made us not to receive our or to get reimbursed the funds that he we had spent [1:02:18, 1:02:26]: But we met all those and all we have received all the funds that were held up by various federal agencies. [1:02:28, 1:02:40]: Uh we have completed our twenty twenty four audit and we have also filed for excellency uh in the with the Government Finance Officers Association of United States and Canada. [1:02:40, 1:02:43]: uh we have improved operations [1:02:44, 1:02:45]: uh and produce [1:02:46, 1:02:47]: Procedures. [1:02:47, 1:02:50]: For timely recording. [1:02:50, 1:02:52]: And the reporting. [1:02:56, 1:03:16]: We are looking forward to twenty twenty six uh reverging a full uh capacity of ERP. We are not uh really using our system, our tire system as it's supposed to be. So we are planning to fully utilize it. We are paying it but we are not getting the services. [1:03:16, 1:03:16]: Yeah. [1:03:17, 1:03:37]: Uh we have also planned to utilize the employees self service. So there are several things that are in the system but we are not utilizing it. We have to pay or we have to give any time an employee wants their W two, we have to give them. But now once we implement this one [1:03:37, 1:03:41]: They can print at any time they want it, it will be available for them. [1:03:41, 1:03:46]: And sometimes they may need to get a loan from the bank. [1:03:46, 1:03:56]: This system will help them to give them or to verify that yes, he is an employee without literally having a letter from us at no cost. [1:04:02, 1:04:18]: Then we get into community development. The twenty twenty six budget for community development uh has got priorities reflecting straight uh commitment to modernization, uh equity. [1:04:18, 1:04:20]: And the revatrization. [1:04:23, 1:04:27]: And we can read that one in details, then he [1:04:27, 1:04:43]: The final part of the community development say finally the unified development code will be updated to ensure smart growth, transit oriented development, um clarity. [1:04:45, 1:04:47]: Contemporary um [1:04:48, 1:05:08]: relevance and alignment with the city's comprehensive plan and ordinances. The department is implementing new fees schedule in twenty twenty six. Currently our fees for various services are the lowest in the area. [1:05:08, 1:05:12]: I think we several times our [1:05:13, 1:05:33]: Community Development Director has mentioned that, but we feel like this is the time that we should start to uh step up with the changes of the fees schedule. If we keep we live that way, it the difference will be just too much. So come January one, if the council approves [1:05:33, 1:05:35]: Proofs we will be [1:05:37, 1:05:39]: Stepping up with our fees schedules. [1:05:43, 1:06:03]: Uh human resources. Human resources is the that is the responsible for development, employees' development, professional development. So the set of stockbridge workforce is the greatest asset investment. That's the biggest investment that of every company. [1:06:03, 1:06:13]: company is the human resources or personnel. Employees are the engine that drives the city. Staff have a team [1:06:13, 1:06:20]: approach to achieve one common goal across the city and that's to provide quality services. [1:06:21, 1:06:22]: New positions. [1:06:23, 1:06:32]: Have been pro uh presented to council, and some positions have also been presented to council to uh change the titles. [1:06:32, 1:06:42]: And if you allow that you with the back up of the funding, those ones will be effective. [1:06:46, 1:07:02]: The Human Resources Department 2026 budget has increased for several reasons. Increase in risk management, general liability, our general liability has gone up a lot. Uh two years ago. [1:07:03, 1:07:15]: It was at three hundred thousand. Um then came twenty twenty-five. Now twenty twenty-five. Uh we are at [1:07:15, 1:07:16]: Eight hundred. [1:07:16, 1:07:24]: N um about three years ago. It started at three hundred, it went to six hundred, now we are nine hundred and ni almost nine hundred. [1:07:25, 1:07:44]: And the quote that we have, quotation that we have on our general liability is almost uh even though the final is not, but it will not be less than nine hundred thousand. So that has increased the expenses in the human resources department. [1:07:44, 1:07:46]: Our insurances also have gone up. [1:07:47, 1:08:05]: All pre-employment screening are now handled by um human resources. Then we have workers' camp is also handled by human resources. So if you see the increase in human resources um budgets because of those changes. [1:08:11, 1:08:12]: Uh municipal court. [1:08:13, 1:08:26]: has got the twenty twenty-five uh review that they have completed office implementation uh for increased capacity and the [1:08:28, 1:08:37]: better customer services. Then they have also implemented the council approved [1:08:38, 1:08:43]: This is F T A, that's Feria to appear. [1:08:43, 1:08:48]: Uh, if you have a case and you don't appear before the court [1:08:48, 1:08:55]: That was not but it has been implemented, so you will be fined if you don't show up. [1:08:57, 1:09:00]: And then twenty twenty six goes enhanced the [1:09:01, 1:09:16]: technology working with the IT, improve retention of employee by increasing compensation to much skilled set as it is across this s um city. [1:09:19, 1:09:30]: And the here's the summary for municipal court for twenty twenty five. Increase in funding over twenty twenty five budget due to various operation changes, such as court appointed attorneys. [1:09:30, 1:09:39]: uh shredding services, personnel services, postage, utilities, hospital, and statutory charges remission. [1:09:42, 1:09:43]: P D [1:09:45, 1:09:46]: Okay. [1:09:47, 1:09:48]: Um [1:09:59, 1:10:02]: So our police department [1:10:04, 1:10:07]: budget has the actual [1:10:07, 1:10:10]: Our twenty twenty six [1:10:11, 1:10:12]: Budget for payday. [1:10:13, 1:10:16]: is estimated to be eleven point one milion. [1:10:18, 1:10:30]: And that includes the Red Speed Fund, which is the nine hundred and thirty seven, um estimated to bring in revenue nine hundred and thirty seven. [1:10:31, 1:10:39]: With that, that means our PD budget has increased from twenty twenty five budget by two point four million. [1:10:39, 1:10:41]: or twenty eight percent. [1:10:42, 1:10:48]: Uh last year's budget or twenty twenty five budget, current budget is at eight point six million. [1:10:48, 1:10:55]: And we about one million of that increase is uh attributed to uh personnel. [1:10:56, 1:11:16]: The PD, they have said again and again to say that we are losing our officers to neighboring communities because our starting salaries are very low. So now we are proposing if you allow to move from starting salary of fifty six [1:11:16, 1:11:18]: six to sixty. [1:11:18, 1:11:30]: that will enable PD to retain officers at the same time to attract officers with that new salary plus the good benefits that the city provides. [1:11:32, 1:11:35]: Uh currently we [1:11:36, 1:11:45]: lost funding, it expired because of several things that were there as we were organizing the grant um [1:11:46, 1:11:50]: grant operations or grant administration. [1:11:50, 1:11:52]: Uh we lost the [1:11:53, 1:11:56]: The Cops grant that was funding ten [1:11:56, 1:11:57]: Officers. [1:11:59, 1:12:09]: now is covered by general fund. No officer is losing job because of that expiration of the grant. We have also um applied [1:12:09, 1:12:29]: So should we apply uh should we get that that will be an additional funding or that one will replace what we have uh taken money from general fund if we get that funding that we have applied and we are looking forward to getting that. Then we have also listed [1:12:29, 1:12:35]: the areas that are funded by Red Speed Fund. [1:12:36, 1:12:39]: for thirty nine hundred and thirty seven thousand. [1:12:40, 1:12:41]: Yeah. [1:12:45, 1:12:48]: Next summary will be on the public works. [1:12:49, 1:12:53]: Uh the Department of Public Works twenty twenty six proposed budget [1:12:53, 1:12:54]: Uh [1:12:55, 1:12:56]: Which will be [1:12:57, 1:13:17]: budgets, which will be public works, then you have b uh government buildings, then you have parks, uh have increased those budgets have increased to a total of by they have increased by one point three million from five point six one five point one million in twenty twenty five to propos [1:13:17, 1:13:23]: proposed budget of six point four million for twenty twenty six or an increase of twenty five percent. [1:13:25, 1:13:38]: Expenses have uh increased in public works department as city grows and with the annexation of new communities. Uh what uh we have experienced is that there's annexation [1:13:38, 1:13:40]: Communities are coming to the city. [1:13:40, 1:13:43]: Unfortunately, they don't come with funding. [1:13:44, 1:13:48]: uh those expenses were covered by the county [1:13:49, 1:13:50]: But when they come [1:13:50, 1:13:54]: Туда сидіти ви хавту футбилс. [1:13:54, 1:14:05]: on those ones and some of those ones will include um street lights, road paving and light signals. Of course general maintenance is also part of that. [1:14:07, 1:14:19]: twenty twenty five highlights of public works re they have resurfaced five point three miles of roads, replaced four point five [1:14:19, 1:14:20]: Uh Rinif [1:14:21, 1:14:23]: Fate of damaged sidewalks. [1:14:24, 1:14:31]: installed polar pavements in the turred sitting area at the amphitheater. [1:14:32, 1:14:45]: And also initiated design for new public works maintenance shop that is currently under construction and it's expected to be completed mid of next year. [1:14:45, 1:14:50]: joint resurfacing project of Eagles Landing Parkway. Um [1:14:52, 1:14:54]: East Lake, Parkway. [1:14:55, 1:15:02]: Hudson Bridge Road and Flippin Road with the Fer um Henry County. [1:15:07, 1:15:10]: Uh IT twenty twenty five. [1:15:10, 1:15:29]: During this year, the IT department focused on is uh thre threatening infrastructure, improving security and streamlining internal process. Major completed initiatives include equipment and inventory management, printer server. [1:15:30, 1:15:36]: and several other functions. What I need to mention here that [1:15:36, 1:15:39]: Several departments or in the past. [1:15:40, 1:15:42]: departments had their own IT [1:15:43, 1:15:43]: Budgeted. [1:15:44, 1:15:47]: What we have done now is to remove all [1:15:47, 1:15:53]: IT related activities into IT. So you see that IT's budget has the [1:15:53, 1:16:06]: uh also increased because of that. The reason is that it's not all of us we know how to use IT, but we are we don't have the expertise of when we need to uh [1:16:08, 1:16:28]: to update the software or to to do any changes that may be there. So we have removed every department, uh anything IT related, whether they are computers, there are comp um printers or there are copier machines, everything has gone to IT. [1:16:35, 1:16:53]: Uh twenty twenty six summary infrastructure that's IT upgrade outdated the hardware and software to improve speed, liability and capability. Uh migrate to cloud service for better [1:16:55, 1:17:02]: scalability, data s um backup and remove remote access. [1:17:03, 1:17:10]: Then improve network performance with faster switches, better Wi Fi coverage and [1:17:13, 1:17:14]: Redundancy [1:17:24, 1:17:26]: Uh we get into events. [1:17:28, 1:17:48]: Uh twenty twenty five events review uh overview of twenty twenty five. Fifty shades of pink, ranch on and walk, over three hundred breast cancer survivors and supporters. Over eight hundred participants joined in the walk. [1:17:48, 1:17:50]: We supported and honored [1:17:51, 1:18:03]: the event. And there there was job fair that was attended about six hundred uh people uh making a tangible impact on local employment. [1:18:04, 1:18:11]: Of your view of twenty-five continues, uh juneteenth performance. Um [1:18:12, 1:18:13]: Arrested development. [1:18:16, 1:18:31]: delivering a spectacular cultural celebration that drew an incredible f 5,000 people. Then Fourth July celebration. Then we have Bre Bridgefest. [1:18:33, 1:18:53]: All these are success and the highlights of 2025 for events department. 2026, for 2026, the goal should be to focus on the uh three areas: that's community impact. [1:18:53, 1:19:00]: Market efficiency and innovation, which are key trends in events. [1:19:01, 1:19:05]: Um a hundring ten thousand persons uh [1:19:07, 1:19:08]: A cloud [1:19:09, 1:19:10]: Requires [1:19:11, 1:19:13]: Wood o a wood class logistics. [1:19:14, 1:19:16]: Our goal is to make [1:19:16, 1:19:18]: The proces [1:19:18, 1:19:19]: Festa [1:19:19, 1:19:22]: Smarter and less costly. [1:19:24, 1:19:38]: The event landscape is rapidly changing. These goals ensure the department remains on the cutting edge for a growing family oriented community like Stockbridge. [1:19:40, 1:19:41]: With that [1:19:44, 1:19:45]: I [1:19:48, 1:20:08]: End there, if there are questions, comments. Thank you. I'm pretty sure we have several comments, but let me start this off with a simple thing here, I believe. The GIFA loan, the GF uh GEFA loan, I'm w I believe what we call it. That loan is specifically from for the city hall, is that correct? Or is that that is to do with water? [1:20:08, 1:20:09]: Water, okay. [1:20:09, 1:20:15]: So we feel like we have the ability to pay off and we'll save the city money. [1:20:16, 1:20:20]: All right. Unfortunately it has been being paid is [1:20:20, 1:20:26]: It has been being paid from general fund. Okay. It's an enterprise is supposed to be self sufficient. [1:20:29, 1:20:29]: Okay. [1:20:30, 1:20:43]: All right. And the loan on I'm um I've just got to ask the question. Sure. Reference to the city hall. The the the amount that we own the city hall right now, and to plan to to potentially pay that off as well? [1:20:43, 1:20:45]: So um [1:20:46, 1:21:05]: Let me come back to you, ma okay, all right, so be it. I I'll So we ha we have the city hall, then we have another loan that is it's scheduled for th twenty twenty e twenty thirty six and the other one is uh twenty thirty one. Okay, got it, so be it. W but we can talk. Okay, got it. So be it, so be it. So no problem. All right, questions. [1:21:06, 1:21:09]: You all been talking down here? Got got a question, concerns? [1:21:12, 1:21:32]: Well, this is the first reading as far as I'm concerned, Mayor. I'm I'm going to probably meet with the city manager and address my concerns. Thereafter I I would speak listen to the public first and then go from there. I have done the deductions what has increased the dollar amounts and and reasons why. And so [1:21:32, 1:21:38]: I will have some questions and probably definitely some amendments that I'm gonna request. [1:21:38, 1:21:39]: All right. [1:21:39, 1:21:59]: Yeah, I think what we always ask and I always tell the staff, tell me what you need. Now, certainly we're not we might not be able to find everything that you need, but certainly if we don't know you need it, we'll have to go through it to kind of look at it, uh massage it to see exactly where uh we can be good stewards of the [1:21:59, 1:22:19]: citizens money, but certainly the growth has been propelling us in this direction and has been increasing the revenue as we go along the track to match uh the growth in the city. And certainly um you know when people say put your money where your mouth is, you can see whether where our money is going. The money [1:22:19, 1:22:38]: is going in areas such as public safety, which is our top priority. So those areas, public works. People talk about the different infrastructure in the city. And as you read out, we paved Eagles Landing Parkway, we paved Hudson Bridge Road. [1:22:38, 1:22:58]: Patrick Henry Parkway has been paved. Walt Stevens Road has been paved. Spivey Road has been paved, right? We're paving roads all over the subdivision. So Stockbridge is doing a good job in reinvesting in ourselves to make sure that those items are being taken care of. And at the same time, we're being rewarded. [1:22:58, 1:23:18]: With new economic development that's driving the sales in an upward direction. And as the city manager pointed out aptly, is that the rising sales tax numbers are really driving revenue in the city. And to see that the sales tax, which means that people are not just the citizens, [1:23:18, 1:23:38]: But people are coming in from the outside and there are believing in what we're doing. And you know, when we have Costco doing what they're doing, and we have uh Sprouts doing what they're doing, the big numbers and First Watch doing what they're doing, it adequately says we're preparing for the future, and that's kind of what we're really doing. [1:23:38, 1:23:40]: And I'm gonna close by saying this. [1:23:41, 1:24:01]: The amphitheater was an aggressive, an aggressive decision by this council to pay it off within four years. A$22.5 million facility. Now, people look at our overall fund balance and you look at the city's overall health. [1:24:01, 1:24:21]: But to me, that shows the strength that the city was able to exhibit to be able to extract that money from the general fund and pay off literally a 30-year mortgage within four years. That's very, very impressive. And make no mistake about it, that fund has been paid off. [1:24:21, 1:24:23]: And it is at a zero balance, correct? [1:24:25, 1:24:25]: Thank you, sir. [1:24:26, 1:24:31]: I would say on that on that note, I have to admit every time I mention that to anybody, typically [1:24:31, 1:24:45]: ninety eight percent of the time folks folks were really amazed by it that it happened within a four year period. I mean without a doubt. So that is a a plus and uh in that aspect as well. So it's a great thing. On this side, uh well, I'll go to the ladies first, you know. Go ahead. [1:24:45, 1:25:05]: Okay, okay, Kyle, go ahead. Yes again. Um thank you again, Mr. Malazzi, for putting together the first read. And so again, as already been stated, I'm sure there'll be uh some some future conversations and amendments that will be presented. But I I too would like to applaud some of the things that we've accomplished in the two thousand and twenty-five year, but with a still [1:25:05, 1:25:25]: uh a branded focus for looking at 2026 and uh highlighting some some opportunities for infrastructure development and some opportunities to uh enhance green space and parks and things of that nature. So but I won't go into the specific details of that of how we can uh uh show up some of those [1:25:25, 1:25:43]: opportunities uh for 2026 but again um definitely uh a positive outlook for 2025 as well as uh what we anticipate for the new year and uh so this is again the initial but we will have uh future uh discussions and so again I thank you. [1:25:44, 1:25:45]: Ms. Barber, go ahead, please. [1:25:49, 1:26:00]: Thank you, Mayor Ford. Um, I do have a lot of questions, a lot of comments that I do wanna read into the record. I am going to email them also. [1:26:00, 1:26:02]: This is just for [1:26:02, 1:26:03]: The record though. [1:26:04, 1:26:06]: So bear with me. [1:26:07, 1:26:10]: And thank you for your presentation, Mr. Malazi. [1:26:10, 1:26:12]: During the fall [1:26:13, 1:26:19]: Budget retreat in September twenty twenty five. I reiterated my support and commitment. [1:26:20, 1:26:26]: To the two two to three year financial plan, as was approved by the governing body. [1:26:26, 1:26:30]: During our march twenty twenty five budget retreat. [1:26:31, 1:26:32]: To reduce spending. [1:26:33, 1:26:35]: And to build back our fund balance. [1:26:36, 1:26:41]: I have reviewed the proposed FY twenty twenty six budget in its entirety. [1:26:43, 1:26:55]: I will read all of my comments and questions into the record and I will email them to Mr. Edmondson and Mr. Malad Malazi for feedback and just answers. [1:26:57, 1:26:59]: What is the anticipated [1:26:59, 1:27:00]: Millet collection. [1:27:01, 1:27:04]: For FY twenty twenty six. [1:27:06, 1:27:07]: Is their funding included? [1:27:08, 1:27:10]: In the FY twenty twenty six budget. [1:27:11, 1:27:12]: For land acquisitions. [1:27:12, 1:27:15]: And if so, I'd like to know where that is. [1:27:17, 1:27:21]: Is funding included for modifications to windows and doors? [1:27:23, 1:27:24]: Is funding included? [1:27:25, 1:27:30]: To allow homeowners who qualify for all three exemptions. [1:27:31, 1:27:33]: To benefit from all three. [1:27:33, 1:27:35]: Thereby increasing the capital. [1:27:36, 1:27:38]: From twenty five thousand [1:27:39, 1:27:41]: To forty thousand. [1:27:43, 1:27:48]: Was the line item or funding increased as we discussed previously? [1:27:50, 1:27:53]: Is there funding to support moving forward? [1:27:53, 1:27:56]: with the Rock Quarry Road extension. [1:28:03, 1:28:05]: Please provide the following items. [1:28:06, 1:28:08]: And submit to the full governing body. [1:28:10, 1:28:10]: One. [1:28:10, 1:28:12]: The job descriptions. [1:28:12, 1:28:16]: For each proposed FY twenty twenty six new position. [1:28:17, 1:28:19]: That is included in this budget. [1:28:21, 1:28:21]: Two. [1:28:22, 1:28:27]: The job descriptions for each proposed FY twenty twenty six reclassified. [1:28:28, 1:28:30]: And retitled position. [1:28:30, 1:28:32]: With a reason for the change. [1:28:33, 1:28:34]: Number three. [1:28:35, 1:28:39]: FY twenty twenty six pay and classification report. [1:28:40, 1:28:42]: That's included or should be included. [1:28:42, 1:28:47]: In the FY twenty twenty six budget. And I'm sorry, Miss Holliday. All this is for the record. [1:28:48, 1:28:48]: Okay. [1:28:50, 1:28:58]: Four, provide a listing of all employees and positions with current 2025 salaries. [1:28:58, 1:29:00]: And the same. [1:29:00, 1:29:03]: for the proposed twenty twenty six budget. [1:29:05, 1:29:05]: Ah. [1:29:06, 1:29:08]: Provide the list of revenue. [1:29:08, 1:29:12]: From item surplus in twenty twenty five. [1:29:14, 1:29:15]: Number six. [1:29:16, 1:29:18]: Please provide the marketing plan. [1:29:19, 1:29:21]: As was discussed during the budget retreat. [1:29:22, 1:29:24]: То інкріс до ревену. [1:29:24, 1:29:26]: For the Merrill Mandis Conference Center. [1:29:29, 1:29:34]: Seven, the building maintenance plan, as was discussed during the budget retreat. [1:29:37, 1:29:40]: Please also provide the sponsorship plan. [1:29:40, 1:29:43]: as was discussed during the budget retreat. [1:29:43, 1:29:45]: To offset expenses. [1:29:45, 1:29:47]: For free city events. [1:29:47, 1:29:49]: And paid concerts. [1:29:52, 1:29:52]: Um [1:29:54, 1:29:57]: Mr. Malazy just shared in his presentation. [1:29:58, 1:30:02]: That preemployment screenings are now under the HR department. [1:30:03, 1:30:04]: Have a question for that. [1:30:05, 1:30:07]: Which department had been handling this function? [1:30:08, 1:30:10]: Currently or before? [1:30:11, 1:30:17]: I would think that the police department would also be able to provide full background checks. [1:30:25, 1:30:29]: For our human resources, the general liability line item number. [1:30:30, 1:30:35]: one zero zero dash one five four zero zero dash five two three [1:30:36, 1:30:37]: One one zero. [1:30:37, 1:30:38]: Has increased. [1:30:39, 1:30:41]: From two hundred twenty seven thousand [1:30:41, 1:30:43]: Seven hundred and eleven dollars. [1:30:43, 1:30:46]: ін фва твані тварифо [1:30:46, 1:30:47]: To nine hundred thousand. [1:30:48, 1:30:48]: Budgeted. [1:30:49, 1:30:51]: For FY twenty twenty six. [1:30:51, 1:30:53]: This item should be bidded out. [1:30:54, 1:30:57]: GMA should issue the city a quote. [1:30:58, 1:31:00]: with a larger pool of municipalities. [1:31:02, 1:31:03]: I'd just like to know. [1:31:05, 1:31:06]: The rationale behind it. [1:31:09, 1:31:13]: For events. During the budget retreat, the governing body was told [1:31:14, 1:31:17]: That the Merle Manders Conference Center would operate. [1:31:17, 1:31:18]: as an enterprise. [1:31:18, 1:31:23]: And the salaries and benefits would move to the events department or events deput budget. [1:31:25, 1:31:30]: In FY twenty twenty five, the salaries were two hundred and ninety three thousand two hundred. [1:31:31, 1:31:33]: Two hundred and seven dollars. [1:31:33, 1:31:34]: And the amount budgeted. [1:31:35, 1:31:37]: For FY twenty twenty six. [1:31:37, 1:31:39]: It's six hundred seventy seven thousand. [1:31:39, 1:31:41]: Seven hundred and fifty eight. [1:31:42, 1:31:45]: That is a difference of three hundred eighty four thousand [1:31:45, 1:31:47]: Five hundred fifty one. [1:31:48, 1:31:49]: And has more than doubled. [1:31:50, 1:31:51]: Please explain. [1:31:54, 1:31:56]: As discussed during the budget retreat. [1:31:56, 1:32:03]: Sponsorship was going to be the focus of the paid concerts and city events. [1:32:03, 1:32:05]: To help offset costs. [1:32:06, 1:32:12]: The projected sponsorship revenue does not project what was discussed. Please explain. [1:32:15, 1:32:21]: I had hoped and suggested and recommended that our city would move forward with [1:32:22, 1:32:25]: Hiring a third party venue management company. [1:32:26, 1:32:27]: So that [1:32:27, 1:32:31]: Taxpayer funds are not used to fund the [1:32:31, 1:32:36]: Full and total operations of the amphitheater at a hundred percent. [1:32:37, 1:32:40]: But according to the FY twenty twenty six budget. [1:32:40, 1:32:42]: Our city would still be paying. [1:32:42, 1:32:45]: А ген процентов в операцію. [1:32:46, 1:32:49]: En hiring in health staff. [1:32:49, 1:32:51]: To cover most of the labor. [1:32:52, 1:32:54]: and other expenses associated. [1:32:55, 1:32:56]: with operating the amphitheatre. [1:32:58, 1:33:00]: I had hope that the city [1:33:01, 1:33:02]: Would contact [1:33:02, 1:33:03]: Or identify [1:33:03, 1:33:05]: A V management company. [1:33:06, 1:33:07]: Who could foot? [1:33:07, 1:33:08]: The beal. [1:33:08, 1:33:10]: for operating it at a hundred percent. [1:33:16, 1:33:22]: I've asked when will the RFPs and solicitations be posted? [1:33:22, 1:33:24]: For all of the services that [1:33:25, 1:33:27]: that will be used inside of the amphitheatre. [1:33:28, 1:33:30]: That would be security. [1:33:30, 1:33:31]: Janitorial. [1:33:32, 1:33:33]: Ticketing. [1:33:34, 1:33:35]: Concessions? [1:33:35, 1:33:40]: production to include sound and lighting and others. [1:33:46, 1:33:48]: To planning and zoning. [1:33:49, 1:33:51]: I made a request in twenty twenty four. [1:33:52, 1:33:54]: And in twenty twenty five for our study. [1:33:54, 1:33:56]: Of City Council District Four. [1:33:57, 1:33:58]: For a master plan. [1:33:59, 1:34:06]: Specifically the areas along Highway forty-two, Davis Road, Ballyhill Road. [1:34:06, 1:34:12]: I was told that no funds were available. However, when I look at the proposed budget for [1:34:13, 1:34:15]: FY twenty twenty six. [1:34:15, 1:34:19]: The general ledger line item number one zero zero [1:34:19, 1:34:21]: Seven four one zero zero [1:34:22, 1:34:22]: Dash. [1:34:22, 1:34:23]: Five two one. [1:34:24, 1:34:25]: Two zero zero. [1:34:26, 1:34:28]: For professional services. [1:34:28, 1:34:30]: For FY twenty twenty five. [1:34:32, 1:34:34]: It's allocated a hundred. [1:34:34, 1:34:35]: Thousand dollars. [1:34:36, 1:34:38]: But zero has been used. [1:34:38, 1:34:40]: And could have been used for the request. [1:34:41, 1:34:44]: That I made for city council district four. [1:34:44, 1:34:47]: For the study or master development plan. [1:34:47, 1:34:48]: Please explain. [1:34:50, 1:34:54]: There were several positions requested for community development. [1:34:54, 1:34:58]: And the governing body was told the department would be fully staffed, however. [1:34:58, 1:35:01]: General Ledger line item number one zero zero. [1:35:02, 1:35:03]: Seven four one. [1:35:04, 1:35:07]: Zero zero dash five two three [1:35:07, 1:35:08]: A five zero. [1:35:09, 1:35:12]: had twenty five thousand in FY twenty twenty five for [1:35:13, 1:35:16]: Personnel services and abuse zero. [1:35:17, 1:35:20]: The same amount has been budgeted for FY twenty twenty six. [1:35:21, 1:35:22]: Please explain. [1:35:23, 1:35:24]: Permitting. [1:35:25, 1:35:27]: There are several positions requested. [1:35:28, 1:35:31]: For community development and the governing body was told [1:35:31, 1:35:36]: That the department would be fully staffed. However, general ledger line item number [1:35:36, 1:35:37]: One zero zero. [1:35:38, 1:35:40]: Seven two zero zero zero. [1:35:41, 1:35:42]: Dash five two three [1:35:43, 1:35:44]: A five zero. [1:35:44, 1:35:46]: Had thirty six thousand. [1:35:46, 1:35:48]: And FY twenty twenty five budget. [1:35:49, 1:35:53]: for personnel services and use less than five thousand dollars. [1:35:54, 1:35:56]: Why has a hundred and twelve thousand? [1:35:56, 1:36:01]: been budgeted for FY twenty twenty six. Please explain. [1:36:03, 1:36:06]: GIS the general ledger line item number. [1:36:06, 1:36:07]: One zero zero. [1:36:08, 1:36:10]: Seven five seven zero zero [1:36:10, 1:36:11]: Dash five three one. [1:36:12, 1:36:13]: Seven five zero. [1:36:13, 1:36:18]: has budgeted eight thousand dollars for uniforms. Please explain. [1:36:20, 1:36:21]: Business services. [1:36:21, 1:36:22]: General Ledger. [1:36:23, 1:36:25]: Land item number one zero zero. [1:36:25, 1:36:27]: One five one. [1:36:27, 1:36:28]: Six zero. [1:36:28, 1:36:30]: Dash five two one. [1:36:30, 1:36:31]: Two zero one. [1:36:32, 1:36:34]: Professional fees. [1:36:34, 1:36:37]: For the FY twenty twenty four. [1:36:37, 1:36:39]: N FY twenty twenty five. [1:36:40, 1:36:41]: Has [1:36:41, 1:36:42]: Spent. [1:36:42, 1:36:44]: Zero dollars. [1:36:44, 1:36:46]: Why has five thousand dollars been budgeted? [1:36:47, 1:36:50]: For FY twenty twenty six, please explain. [1:36:52, 1:36:53]: For the police department. [1:36:55, 1:36:58]: What is Georgia technical authority? [1:36:58, 1:37:01]: General ledger line item one zero zero. [1:37:01, 1:37:06]: three two one zero zero dash five two three two two zero. [1:37:07, 1:37:18]: FY twenty twenty four and FY twenty twenty five were less than four hundred dollars. Why is six thousand six hundred and fifty dollars budgeted? Please explain. [1:37:20, 1:37:23]: General ledger line item number one zero zero. [1:37:23, 1:37:25]: Dash three two one zero zero. [1:37:26, 1:37:28]: Dash five three one two nine zero. [1:37:28, 1:37:29]: Cable. [1:37:30, 1:37:39]: FY twenty twenty-four and the FY twenty twenty-five were budgeted for a thousand nine hundred and twenty dollars each year and zero was used. [1:37:41, 1:37:47]: A thousand nine hundred and twenty has been budgeted again for FY twenty twenty six. Please explain. [1:37:47, 1:37:52]: I know these are minimal amounts, but I these are still questions. [1:37:52, 1:38:12]: General ledger line item number one zero zero dash three two one zero zero dash five two three nine four zero for postage FY twenty twenty four FY twenty twenty five spent less than a thousand dollars. Why has seventeen thousand five hundred dollars been budgeted for FY twenty two? [1:38:12, 1:38:14]: Please explain. [1:38:16, 1:38:22]: General ledger line item number one zero zero dash three two one zero zero. [1:38:22, 1:38:27]: Dash five two three eight five five Contract Services [1:38:27, 1:38:31]: For FY twenty twenty five spent less than two hundred thousand. [1:38:32, 1:38:38]: FY twenty twenty-six has three hundred and fifty thousand proposed in the FY twenty twenty-six budget. [1:38:39, 1:38:40]: Please explain. [1:38:42, 1:38:44]: For public works. [1:38:48, 1:38:48]: Oh. [1:38:50, 1:38:55]: I need to go back and review the budget retreat presentation for that one. Um [1:38:56, 1:38:57]: For parts. [1:38:58, 1:39:16]: What is the ATT Club and why did the general ledger number one zero zero dash six two two two two two two two two two two two one zero zero five two three two four four four four four four zero go from six hundred dollars spent in twenty twenty five to fifteen thousand budgeted? [1:39:16, 1:39:18]: For twenty twenty six. [1:39:19, 1:39:23]: And then there's government buildings. Line item number [1:39:24, 1:39:24]: Yeah. [1:39:25, 1:39:31]: And I left it off, has budgeted four thousand dollars for uniforms. Please explain. [1:39:32, 1:39:33]: Those were [1:39:34, 1:39:45]: all of the questions um that I had as I reviewed the proposed budget for FY 2026. But I also wanted to [1:39:46, 1:39:49]: read um some things when I [1:39:50, 1:39:52]: Looked at the charter. [1:39:54, 1:40:06]: The City Council recently approved adding new positions to the Oreg chart. However, there were no job descriptions, pay, and classifications or salaries attached to the request. [1:40:06, 1:40:08]: as required by the Charter. [1:40:09, 1:40:10]: My opposition to the vote is [1:40:11, 1:40:13]: was not against the new positions. [1:40:13, 1:40:15]: My opposition to the vote was due to the fact that [1:40:16, 1:40:18]: That none of the required documents were included in [1:40:19, 1:40:21]: And none of the documents have been included. [1:40:21, 1:40:23]: With this new proposed budget. [1:40:28, 1:40:30]: Referencing [1:40:30, 1:40:35]: our code three point oh four dash oh six oh [1:40:36, 1:40:37]: The required documentation. [1:40:38, 1:40:40]: For certain budget amendments. [1:40:40, 1:40:43]: It says whenever the city council shall amend the budget. [1:40:43, 1:40:46]: To provide for a new employee position. [1:40:46, 1:40:48]: The following document shall be included. [1:40:49, 1:40:51]: As exhibits to an ordinance. [1:40:51, 1:40:54]: Providing for the new employee position. [1:40:54, 1:40:57]: Letter A says a numbered budget amendment [1:40:58, 1:41:00]: Which indicates the budget line item [1:41:00, 1:41:05]: where funding for the new employee positions is to be located within the budget. [1:41:06, 1:41:12]: and establishing the amount of funds within that line item allocated for the new employee positions. [1:41:13, 1:41:33]: Letter B of that same code says a restated organizational chart indicates. Point of order. Point of order. We we we employee point. Point of order. Point of order. We've gone on now for ten minutes. This is an offline conversation that can [1:41:32, 1:41:52]: Can be had with the treasurer or the city manager in a group message instead of us sitting here listening to a document A, B, and C. The public is fully unaware of pretty much probably 90% of what we're talking about. Why don't you just set up a meeting with the why don't we just have a [1:41:52, 1:42:12]: separate meeting where we can finish what we're doing. Do we have a particular limit or time? Because this is going on. How much mo how much longer do you need to discuss the the the detail? How much much time do you need? Okay. Well you you ask your point on it. How much time I didn't [1:42:12, 1:42:18]: Okay. So uh continue on, but I have no idea how much l more longer you want to talk on this. Um if you give me [1:42:19, 1:42:23]: Three min less than three minutes. Okay, finish your comments, please. Okay. Um [1:42:23, 1:42:37]: I read letter B of our charter and code, a restated organizational chart indicating the new employee positions, and letter C, a job description and salary range for the new employee positions. [1:42:40, 1:42:41]: Damn. [1:42:42, 1:42:51]: Uh section three point zero four dash oh seven oh limited authorization of certain fund transfers. [1:42:52, 1:43:07]: The treasurer, after consultation with the city manager, shall be authorized to reallocate departmental appropriation among various line item expenditures within their department as said the treasurer believes necessary. [1:43:07, 1:43:18]: The treasurer shall also be authorized to effect interdepartmental transfers in the same fund, not to exceed$50,000. [1:43:19, 1:43:29]: Any such transfers shall identify particular functions that will use the transferred funds and shall be reported to the city council. [1:43:29, 1:43:31]: At his next regular meeting [1:43:32, 1:43:33]: [6213.8, 6214.8]: Into the minutes. [1:43:35, 1:43:36]: As well as reported [1:43:37, 1:43:38]: In the monthly [1:43:38, 1:43:39]: Financial statements. [1:43:44, 1:43:48]: Based on some of the GMA classes I've attended. [1:43:48, 1:43:50]: The contingency fund. [1:43:50, 1:43:55]: А муніципалітись контенсі фон і за фінчу резерв. [1:43:55, 1:43:57]: For unexpected expenses. [1:43:57, 1:43:59]: That were not included. [1:43:59, 1:44:00]: in the annual budget. [1:44:01, 1:44:03]: such as natural disasters. [1:44:04, 1:44:08]: public health crisis or unforeseen infrastructure repairs. [1:44:09, 1:44:12]: Its purpose is to provide a financial cushion. [1:44:13, 1:44:20]: To ensure the municipality can maintain essential services, manage emergencies, and avoid taking [1:44:21, 1:44:26]: On costly debt during the times of financial instability. [1:44:27, 1:44:29]: Key purpose of [1:44:29, 1:44:30]: A contingency fund. [1:44:31, 1:44:32]: Emergency response. [1:44:33, 1:44:37]: Unexpected expenditures, financial stability. [1:44:37, 1:44:42]: budgetary flexibility and major project cut costs. [1:44:43, 1:44:44]: With that. [1:44:45, 1:44:47]: I wanted to um [1:44:47, 1:44:48]: Make a motion. [1:44:48, 1:44:49]: To adopt. [1:44:49, 1:45:05]: An ordinance if I can, sir, if you will allow. No. Well what's hold on a second. Okay, what of ordinance though obviously ordinance to do what we're referring to here? Um so I wanted to recommend that the city follow these principles and guidelines. [1:45:05, 1:45:24]: Where the City of Stockbridge Contingency Fund is a financial reserve for unexpected expenses that were not included in the annual budget, such as natural disasters, public health crisis, or unforeseen infrastructure repairs. Its purpose is to provide a financial cushion. [1:45:24, 1:45:33]: To ensure the municipality can maintain essential services, manage emergencies, and avoid taking on costly debt. [1:45:33, 1:45:35]: During times of financial instability [1:45:36, 1:45:56]: And is presented to the city council for approval. Okay, I'll tell you what. So you've already read all this off. You said it's on the record. You're gonna send an email message to both Mr. Uh Edmondson and Mr. Falazzi, uh Frank here. Uh this this is a new difference. You're talking about a a new ordinance right now. This is on I'm one aware to myself. [1:45:56, 1:46:10]: and the rest of the council, we have our legal attorney, they uh they understand or at least receive that information. I would think we need to postpone anything like that for further discussion after we have some type of discussion with not only with the rest of the council, but also with our attorneys to develop that at this point. [1:46:10, 1:46:21]: You see, so I I so I mean if you can I I you can try you can make a motion of light, but I mean I don't know if it's gonna pass. I'll wait until the next meeting. In fact I'll send all of these comments and [1:46:21, 1:46:31]: my notes and questions to the full governing body and I'll make sure that it gets to Mr. Edmondson and Mr. Malazi and the city clerk as well. [1:46:32, 1:46:37]: Thank you, sir. All right, so on that note, uh if there are no other comments specifically for no [1:46:37, 1:46:53]: the board here, the rest of the legislative body, uh also it's a um public hearing, so I gotta open up for the public for any comments if there are any comments. So I'll open it up now. Any comments, uh initial comments for the current budget or anything of this nature f for the public on my far left side. [1:46:54, 1:46:56]: Any comments from coming from the middle? Four. [1:46:58, 1:47:07]: From our right far right four. If there's anything against of the comments thus far that's been presented, even though we'll have a couple more public hearings on this, so any anything against I'm a far left. [1:47:08, 1:47:09]: In the middle. [1:47:10, 1:47:10]: Okay. [1:47:11, 1:47:23]: Okay, if you have a comment, come on up, ma'am, and far far right. Any any comments against this, okay? Come on up, ma'am. And uh come to the mic, give your name, name and address, and make your comments, please. [1:47:23, 1:47:30]: Mirror. Yes, sir. Is is the heat on? Somebody tell me is the heat on is the heat on [1:47:30, 1:47:35]: Well what I think the s uh the city manager's working on that. Okay. [1:47:40, 1:47:41]: [6478.0, 6479.1]: Name and address, please. [1:48:00, 1:48:02]: Mary Scott, one twelve Creek Circle. [1:48:03, 1:48:04]: Okay. Um [1:48:05, 1:48:10]: I'm really glad that uh Councilwoman Barber brought all of this up. [1:48:10, 1:48:15]: I started looking at the budget this afternoon. I looked at every line item. [1:48:16, 1:48:21]: I got an email a couple of weeks ago from Vanessa to invite me to the volunteer gala. Thank you. [1:48:22, 1:48:23]: Uh which is coming up. [1:48:25, 1:48:33]: On that line item, I see that uh the twenty twenty-four budget was twelve thousand dollars and they spent fourteen hundred. [1:48:35, 1:48:46]: So for fiscal year twenty twenty five they budgeted fifteen thousand. Now the event hasn't happened yet, but I can't see a drop in fifteen grand on the volunteer gala. [1:48:47, 1:48:54]: Uh and your proposed budget is again fifteen thousand dollars. And as Councilwoman Barber has pointed out. [1:48:54, 1:48:58]: This is on every single page of the budget. [1:48:58, 1:49:02]: There's not a nine percent increase as Mr. Malazi said. [1:49:03, 1:49:06]: uh in some cases there's a hundred percent increase [1:49:07, 1:49:14]: And each line item is like this. I'm wondering exactly why. [1:49:14, 1:49:16]: This is like this. [1:49:16, 1:49:19]: Another point that I'd like to make. [1:49:21, 1:49:31]: Is that uh under the enterprise expenses, the fiscal year twenty six proposed expenses for the amphitheater is zero. [1:49:34, 1:49:35]: Is that gonna happen? [1:49:38, 1:49:58]: Thank you. Thank you. All right. Um I I don't know, sir, if if you at this time can in those two two points you take a note, Ms. Mulazi, or whether or not uh Mr. Edmondson, you have any comments on those those two items at all. You know, just want this will offer to and I don't think there are any other comments against I guess what we're saying. [1:49:58, 1:50:02]: I think that's the only one that's been registered. Anything you can say to add to this, sir? No. [1:50:04, 1:50:10]: So the seat manager has prepared the his wish list. [1:50:10, 1:50:16]: As councilman Gantty said, I'll check with him, I'll get information why. Mm. [1:50:17, 1:50:21]: You don't have to give what he has asked for. Mm-hmm. [1:50:21, 1:50:23]: You can go up, you can go down. [1:50:24, 1:50:25]: It's now under you. [1:50:25, 1:50:26]: Right. [1:50:26, 1:50:28]: Until December [1:50:28, 1:50:29]: The ace. [1:50:30, 1:50:32]: What you approve is what [1:50:33, 1:50:34]: He will get [1:50:35, 1:50:36]: with applicants. [1:50:36, 1:50:39]: Department heads are applicants. Okay. [1:50:39, 1:50:41]: To do what you want them to do. [1:50:43, 1:50:48]: So you say priorities, no, this is one is not. Cut it. Cut it. Cut it. [1:50:51, 1:50:56]: So amphitheater budget is not yet prepared. Okay. [1:50:58, 1:51:07]: I don't have documentations of amp theatre budget. All right. So there's nothing that he whether it will be there or what, but it's not yet there. [1:51:08, 1:51:09]: All right. [1:51:09, 1:51:12]: The other one was it to do with the increases. [1:51:15, 1:51:22]: Or spending. There are some, let me talk about spending. There are some last year it was the maybe you budgeted for fifteen thousand. [1:51:22, 1:51:24]: You have not spent it. [1:51:24, 1:51:27]: Why do you have to ask for fifteen thousand this year? [1:51:28, 1:51:32]: It could have been last year they didn't do what they wanted it to do. [1:51:32, 1:51:35]: Now they will be doing it. Look at the amount. [1:51:35, 1:51:38]: If you ask the department then they will be able to explain. [1:51:40, 1:51:42]: This is the reason why. [1:51:42, 1:51:43]: Um [1:51:44, 1:51:46]: Some of them we still have got three months. [1:51:47, 1:51:52]: Two months there are several there are some things that are spent at the beginning of the year. [1:51:53, 1:51:57]: mid year, some way towards the end of the year. So the year is not yet done. [1:51:58, 1:51:59]: For some services. [1:52:01, 1:52:01]: Um [1:52:02, 1:52:12]: But again, you have until that time to say we don't want this. What I've presented here come the eighteenth. [1:52:13, 1:52:17]: I'll have completely different things. One to incorporate your [1:52:18, 1:52:18]: Koment [1:52:19, 1:52:21]: I will make some changes. [1:52:21, 1:52:23]: It will never be the same. [1:52:24, 1:52:25]: Understand. [1:52:26, 1:52:46]: discussions you have with the city manager you have with me, what you hear from people will make some of those changes to be effective. Hi, Mr. Edison, sir. I have a question, Mayor. Okay, go ahead please. Certainly it was stated that the the gallon the volunteer gala was fourteen hundred last year. The meal was more than that. [1:52:46, 1:53:06]: So I would like for you all to go back and look. Maybe there was a typo that was made on the volunteer gala last year, because the meal was more than$1,400. So let's go back and let's kind of look at that number and see what the total expenses on that were. And um certainly uh this year there's certainly [1:53:06, 1:53:26]: Certainly has been talk of honoring our esteemed colleague, Councilman Thomas. We know Councilman Thomas has not been with us for most of the year, and he did not qualify for his uh reelection, but he was a distinguished servant for this city and due to be honored. And we are going to [1:53:26, 1:53:45]: do that because he deserved it for the work that he's put in and his legacy here in the city. So we're certainly not gonna cut that part because it is due and but I would like for you to go back and look at the 2024 budget for accurate expense number. [1:53:47, 1:53:47]: Okay. [1:53:47, 1:53:49]: You have something now or I [1:53:50, 1:54:00]: Go ahead. I d I don't. I think what I'm going to do is and I don't want I I'm not let me just be very clear. I'm not hiding anything and and I know that transparency. [1:54:00, 1:54:03]: Um, is what we do. That's why we're live now. But [1:54:04, 1:54:12]: Um, I don't want a dog and pony show. I don't wanna I'm not here to showcase something I'm not familiar with. Um thank you for presenting today. [1:54:13, 1:54:25]: And I'll get the gather the inform my information and thoughts on some of I've taken notes. I've d looked at every increase, every decrease. I've calculated while we've sat here from beginning to end. [1:54:26, 1:54:46]: And I'll meet with you, Mr. Edmondson, and go over it. Some of the questions I have. And again, some of the things that I'm going to ask be amended. And and that's the way we normally do the process. I'm not here to embarrass you or or anybody over here. I s I do see some zeros. I do have a question about the amphitheater. I do have a question in regards to um [1:54:47, 1:54:48]: That's [1:54:48, 1:55:08]: There's um something listed as expla expenses, but it's more so splah. So it should be on revenues, not necessarily expenses. I don't want to get that confused. And so if we can look at some of those things and I'll be meeting with you guys this week to discuss and then on the second meeting I'll be if once [1:55:08, 1:55:22]: they're changed or edited amongst us, then I'll be prepared to make a better statement. But this is our first go round, so I I I'll I'll take heed to what you've presented today. Thank you. Ms. Evanson Glacer. [1:55:24, 1:55:44]: Now I just want to uh take a moment to to truly thank my staff, uh, my team that worked tirelessly for the last two months. Um, a lot of weekends. I know me and Mr. Malazy met over the weekend and crunching numbers and collecting numbers and uh trying to go with basically the direction from uh the council. And like I say, once again, this is [1:55:43, 1:55:44]: [6945.1, 6965.1]: The proposal. This is an overview. Any questions, anything, we always open um to suggestions, sit-downs, meetings, emails, um to answer any questions that you may have. Uh, but this is our budget. It's not my budget, it's not the staff budget, this is our budget. And uh we look forward to uh few. [1:56:05, 1:56:13]: Future engagement, uh whatever questions you may have, we we have answers. And we'd be more than happy to give those answers out. Thank you. [1:56:14, 1:56:27]: You could all right. So on that note I so we'll take note of all what was c brought forward by the citizen and and we'll work through a process and heard everybody on that aspect. So I'll close the public hearing. On that note, the public hearing is now closed and we'll move on to uh [1:56:28, 1:56:29]: On new business. [1:56:29, 1:56:43]: Council of consideration approved the site engineering to install uh sewer service for the Habitat for Humanity project located at one two one twelve and one fourteen Davis Road in the amount of one hundred fifty nine thousand dollars. Funding source is SPLOS. Mr. Aaron, please. [1:56:44, 1:57:04]: Yes, Mr. Mayor and Council. Uh the city donated some property on Davis Road to Habitat Human for Humanities to build two houses there. And the previous city manager said that the city would supply sewer there. But in looking at records, we realized that the sewer lines for this property had been abandoned. [1:57:04, 1:57:18]: So in order to provide sewer for those residents, proposed residents, we need to run new sewer lines to those residents. And so we're asking our own call uh utility contractor to provide that service for us. [1:57:20, 1:57:40]: Okay. Yes, sir. Yes. I would uh Miss Jenkins is here. She is shears. I certainly would like for her to come up and for her to talk about the project and Habitat for Humanity. And I would like to make just a few comments if I could. Certainly uh the topic of a four [1:57:40, 1:57:46]: Affordable homes is really key. You know, affordable homes is more than just talk. [1:57:46, 1:57:57]: You have to do something about it. And in this case, uh the city was lucky enough to obtain this property on Davis Road. And not only are we going to be able to build one house, [1:57:57, 1:58:17]: one we will be able to build two. And certainly this will be a public park private partnership with Henry County to be able to build these two homes on this location. And in a some confusion in the end, they donate there was six hundred thousand dollars for three homes, not two. [1:58:17, 1:58:32]: And I think there was some misinformation that they were spending that money on two homes, but it's a total of three. This is two of the three. And certainly, uh, we don't want to be overly um [1:58:33, 1:58:53]: We don't want to be put burdens on the homeowner or habitat for humanity for services that should have been provided by the city. So I'm thanking Mr. Aaron and his team for putting everything together and the city manager so that we can uh put skin in the game in this process and uh [1:58:53, 1:59:03]: make sure that we have two affordable homes that are presented to two residents here uh in the city of Stockbridge. Miss Jenkins [1:59:03, 1:59:23]: Thank you all very much for having me this evening. Um I thank you for your partnership and your commitment to affordable housing. We at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity work with working families who just need a hand up, not a hand out. So this project will provide that hand up that two families can. [1:59:23, 1:59:43]: will need. We will provide homes that are to the specifications that you all requested when we came to you originally. We are providing a typical habitat home, which this one's plan is 1,422 square feet. We've expanded it so that it will have a two-car garage at your request. [1:59:43, 1:59:52]: And we have a brick front going on there as opposed to the water table that you all that we discussed as well. We are ready to go. [1:59:52, 2:00:12]: We're just waiting on the sewer to get there. We had hoped that we would be able to have finished this project by the end of our fiscal year, which is June 2026. We are asking for you to do this work so that we can complete this work and have two more citizens added to the city of Stockbridge. [2:00:12, 2:00:32]: Also asking for a letter of support. We have a contract with Henry County who awarded us the$600,000 to build three homes. And because of the delays in the infrastructure and the confusion that we had there, the misinformation that we received, we are going to have to ask for an [2:00:32, 2:00:52]: Extension to that contract to June of 2026. According to what we understand, if this project, if you all approve this expenditure tonight, that it won't take very long for the contractor to get out there and get the sewer work done, which means we can go ahead with our [2:00:52, 2:01:04]: permitting process and start building this home and you all will see it coming out over the winter into the spring and be finished. We're hoping to close on this home in June during homeownership awareness month. [2:01:05, 2:01:07]: That's what we would like to do. [2:01:08, 2:01:28]: Outstanding, appreciate that message. Um yes, sir, without a doubt. So I just need to pro I guess need the proper information and put on a letter of support and uh I will send it tomorrow. All right, and uh put down my letterhead and I would imagine with it with the action that we take tonight be no problem for me to go ahead and sign off on that and ask for that extension to help you out move everything in progress with the county. And I hope that once they get that they'll do [2:01:28, 2:01:33]: They'll move forward and said no problem. We'll go forward with this and allow this tension to occur. [2:01:34, 2:01:44]: Thank you. So on that note though, um first of all, since she's here, I didn't know anybody had any other questions or comments before I asked you. I'm sorry. Go right, please. [2:01:46, 2:01:51]: Thank you, Mayor Ford. And thank you. Nice to meet you, Mayor. Nice to meet you as well. [2:01:53, 2:02:00]: This project is within the city council district that I represent. So I am super excited. [2:02:00, 2:02:03]: To be able to offer this opportunity to families. [2:02:04, 2:02:07]: If there's nothing else, Mayor Ford, I'd like to make a motion to approve. [2:02:09, 2:02:29]: Yeah, sure. Go ahead. I'd like to make a motion to approve site engineering to install sewer service for the Habitat for Humanity project load located at 112 and lot 112 and 114 Davis Road in the amount of$159,000. Funding source from Splost. [2:02:29, 2:02:38]: In this motion, Ms. Barber, that's awesome. Let's see if we can include the recommendation for the extension from for the letter for the extension. [2:02:39, 2:02:45]: For Henry Town. Oh um and uh in this motion I want to include the letter of support. [2:02:46, 2:03:06]: Second. Okay. From Miss uh Barber to Mr. Alexander. And before I ask for the vote, curiosity, uh if I might have missed it, shame on me. What's the start and projected start and end date for this the work to be done? We'd have to meet with the contractor because we was waiting on the approval from mayor and council. We couldn't set a start date until we knew it was gonna be funded. [2:03:06, 2:03:19]: So we'll meet we'll meet with them Wednesday. Wednesday? We'll meet with them to discuss it Wednesday and then we'll come back and give you the date. All right, thank you. I have a question. Go ahead, please. I I just have one question. Um I'm excited about [2:03:20, 2:03:27]: you know, uh affordable housing here. My question is when when we d donated this land. [2:03:28, 2:03:41]: Is it not the responsibility of the the buyer or the the person that's receiving it to do their due diligence on whether or not the sewage is is there? Yes, ma'am and did you guys find that out ahead of time? [2:03:41, 2:04:01]: Yes, ma'am, we did. And so we were told, and I sat in the manager's office myself. My background is architecture. I am not new to development. That is the first question I asked. Are the utilities there? And I was told they were. On the map, he showed me that they were there. And it was [2:04:01, 2:04:05]: Was there, it's just been abandoned, and that was not disclosed. [2:04:06, 2:04:07]: Okay. [2:04:07, 2:04:20]: And you guys didn't do any check or d or due diligence to make sure they hadn't b we just relied on the map that was there, the topography. I received that from the city manager. I didn't think there was another authority that could tell me better. [2:04:20, 2:04:21]: Okay. [2:04:21, 2:04:22]: Yep. [2:04:22, 2:04:42]: Former sorry, I I apologize. The former city manager. Go ahead. So the former city manager uh notified you that the utilities were there. That is correct. And you also looked at the map and it appeared to show that they were there. Yes, ma'am. And but they weren't once we uh transferred the property over, it was discovered. [2:04:42, 2:04:49]: That they were not there. Correct. All right. So had you known that prior, then there would have been uh [2:04:49, 2:04:54]: an assumption or there would have been a um [2:04:57, 2:05:15]: Uh you guys m would have taken that into consideration before receiving the property, correct? We would not have taken the property. Okay. Because we are not um in a position to be able to do that work. Our licensed contractor does residential construction, not this type of construction. Okay. All right. Thank you. No further questions. Just want to clarify. [2:05:16, 2:05:17]: Go ahead, Mr. Edmundson. [2:05:18, 2:05:38]: I just wanted to add and uh I did confirm I saw email literally from the city manager's office indicating that it was land was good to go. So that's why we felt compelled to honor our commitment because she that was the the wrong information. Absolutely. And that's my point. Had that been not the case? [2:05:38, 2:05:48]: and we're donating property, then it would be the responsibility of that person to get whatever utilities or whatever they're supposed to on that. But because we [2:05:49, 2:06:09]: Um the our map indicated they were already there and there was emails in writing for the purpose of the public as well as any other staff or anybody else that has a question on it, then i it is our obligation to fulfill what we uh provided as notice that everything was there. So having said that. [2:06:09, 2:06:13]: I think Mr. Alexander is already second. I'm ready to vote. [2:06:13, 2:06:24]: Okay. Well there are no other questions. The motion has been made. So all favor of the motion, please indicate. Ms. Jenkins. Appreciate you. All right. That was four. Oh. [2:06:26, 2:06:37]: And what we have next, first reading, council consideration to approve the amendment to the purchasing and procurement ordinance, section three point three zero point one six zero exceptions. Mr. Mulazi, please. [2:06:41, 2:07:01]: Good evening, Mayor and Council. Good evening to you. We're doing this on behalf of the police department. And this is just one of a series of amendments that's coming forth. This is just the first one, which is um due to the expedited nature of the request. This on behalf of the police department to amend the code to, as noted in your binders, to repair. [2:07:01, 2:07:21]: For an exception to repair or maintenance of equipment, including city vehicles, which would be point number 16, to just amend the ordinance to allow that to be an exception for the police department to be able to get repairs of the vehicles without having to do the RFP based on the nature of the need to turn around to keep. [2:07:21, 2:07:28]: them patrolling. And so if you wanna ask the police department about it and or any questions then we'll take those. [2:07:30, 2:07:33]: A comments. Assistant chief, any questions, counsel, that you may have? [2:07:35, 2:07:42]: Well tell me exactly what the memo would would do. So if you in your books it should be page two, I mean under the [2:07:43, 2:07:48]: In your procurement code, there are about twenty broad categories of products and services that should be exempt. [2:07:49, 2:07:51]: From the competitive purchasing requirements. [2:07:52, 2:07:54]: And a formal purchasing process. [2:07:54, 2:07:57]: These exemptions are optional and not mandatory. [2:07:58, 2:08:08]: It's such there's an option but not a requirement that these goods or services be obtained without formal procurement. This when you go and look at the actual ordinance itself, which we have in your binders. [2:08:09, 2:08:11]: There's one through twenty in here. [2:08:12, 2:08:14]: Вот ви чайни из лайн Сістін. [2:08:16, 2:08:24]: And the changes noted and highlighted in your book, repair or maintenance of equipment instead of excluding, including city vehicles. [2:08:26, 2:08:42]: And that that's a series, that's the first one, but we have other amendments coming to the procurement code. But this was just to allow them to be able to repair the vehicles, not just not just police department, but the public works as well. [2:08:43, 2:08:45]: outside of the RFP process so they can keep him on the road. [2:08:46, 2:08:47]: Okay. [2:08:48, 2:08:55]: And and the purpose of that is is because it's a special i it's a unique type of uh repair. [2:08:56, 2:09:02]: Yes, and putting them if you're gonna go through RFP and these cars are broken down, you're [2:09:02, 2:09:05]: What's the lag time? Thirty minutes. [2:09:06, 2:09:09]: And we're without those vehicles to provide the services to the citizen. [2:09:09, 2:09:10]: All right. Thank you. [2:09:12, 2:09:15]: Anything else you all wanna add? Do y'all have any vehicles out of service right now? [2:09:17, 2:09:18]: Yeah. [2:09:18, 2:09:19]: A couple. Uh-huh. [2:09:21, 2:09:33]: You got a question. So this is specific to the police fleet or this to additional fleets? Can we get some specificity on Oh, this is all of'em. This is all the all the cars owned by Stock Bridge. All fleet vehicles owned by the CS Stock Bridge. Yes. [2:09:36, 2:09:44]: I I got a question. Are we gonna request a quote at least? Three quotes. We're just gonna pick somebody and say that's who we're gonna go with to fix the vehicle. [2:09:46, 2:09:53]: 'Cause a quote doesn't take anything, right? We can call and get quotes like everybody else calls in the all their departments to get quotes. [2:09:53, 2:10:13]: Yes. So currently because of the nature of the general maintenance and the repairs, we were previously using a dealership to do most of this work. Because we were exceeding that threshold by procurement code, we had to move some of those services. We currently move some of those. [2:10:13, 2:10:33]: To a different dealership. We're using Discount Tire, which is located in the city. We're using Grease Monkey for oil changes, which is located in the city, because we want to bring those tax dollars or this the revenue back into the city of Stockbridge. Unfortunately, for major repairs, there's not a facility within the city to be able to handle those types of repairs. [2:10:33, 2:10:48]: repairs in the time frame in which we need. You obviously know we don't have an abundance of vehicles, so when they do break down or are need a repair, we need a very quick turnaround for those vehicles. And unfortunately the little small shops are not capable of doing that. [2:10:48, 2:10:48]: Okay. [2:10:49, 2:10:53]: Mayor, I like to make a motion unless somebody else has a question. [2:10:55, 2:11:06]: Mm s Miss Barber does. Go ahead, please. I do have a question. Um this is for Mr. Aaron. So what about will this apply to like the street sweepers? [2:11:07, 2:11:27]: N no ma'am, the street sweeper is is separate from this. This is mainly trucks and vehicles that the police department and public works and the city maintain, like the the administrative vehicles that's out in the parking lot. It's for those vehicles. The street sweepers. Yes. And of course the police vehicles. Yes. Not the [2:11:27, 2:11:30]: Yeah. [2:11:30, 2:11:35]: Equipment. That's why I was asking about the not the street sweepers. No. [2:11:35, 2:11:37]: Okay. Thank you, sir. [2:11:37, 2:11:38]: You good? [2:11:39, 2:11:45]: Okay, you wanna make a motion, ma'am? I do. Go ahead, please. I wanna make a motion to um [2:11:49, 2:11:56]: Approve the uh consideration of the amendments of the purchasing and procurement ordinance. Well, this is first reading. [2:11:56, 2:11:58]: Is there was there a reason for that? [2:11:59, 2:12:19]: Oh, so we have to come back. Yes. Okay. But I'm gonna ask that we add in there, oh since we don't have to make a motion'cause this is a reading, I'm gonna ask that we add in it that a there must be at least you have to get the three quotes. Not necessarily procurement process because I know that takes forever, but we do need to call and get quotes. [2:12:19, 2:12:22]: Like we require for everything else in the office. [2:12:23, 2:12:27]: Where where do you want the quotes to be housed at for proof they got? [2:12:28, 2:12:32]: I don't know what the normal process is, whatever the other departments are required to do. [2:12:34, 2:12:54]: Yeah uh Mayor Pro Tem, just to answer your question, uh Assistant Chief Confrey didn't mention it, but we did receive uh pricing. It wouldn't be practical to get quotes for every service that we uh provide, but we can tell you that the vendor that we're using, they do have the lowest service cost of the other uh dealerships around the area that are able to [2:12:54, 2:13:08]: provide that service. So we could get you a general fee of schedules if the council would like to see that so that you can see that we are getting the best price, but to quote out every um repair would would be uh would would be a lot of work. Okay. [2:13:08, 2:13:14]: So calling to say, Hey, we need a new transmission and getting three quotes on it would be a problem. [2:13:15, 2:13:17]: It it it just depends on the [2:13:18, 2:13:26]: A lot of these dealerships are not really responsive. That's part of the issue. We actually went out and put an RFP out there and we tried to get people to bid the services out. [2:13:27, 2:13:47]: And nobody replied back to that. They said we don't need to bid for an RFP because we have plenty of business. Right. So it's hard for us to get quotes sometimes to get vehicles purchased. Mr. Edmondson can attest to that with his vehicle that we recently purchased. A lot of these dealerships are not responsive, and it it's it's a challenge. But we can tell you that they [2:13:47, 2:13:53]: They will provide a general list of service. This is how much we charge for major repair items so that we can see. [2:13:53, 2:14:05]: that if we do need to get a transmission replaced that you can see that they have uh uh uh the the best price is it relates to that. All right, that's good. Okay. Let's do that. A gener is general fee sheet, right. [2:14:05, 2:14:09]: All right, we're gonna just add that language into our next agenda. [2:14:10, 2:14:30]: Well, uh not necessarily three c I I here's the thing. When I need new tires, I can call three places and get new tires. When I need a trem I'm not gonna jinx myself, but if I needed something done on my car, I can just call those different places and they're gonna tell me how much they are. I just don't understand the complications. [2:14:30, 2:14:32]: and getting those. I don't. [2:14:32, 2:14:35]: Um and that's for public works. [2:14:35, 2:14:39]: as well. I I don't understand it. It we we know [2:14:40, 2:14:44]: that those vehicles are specialized vehicles that require certain work to be done. [2:14:45, 2:14:47]: Calling again a quote. [2:14:47, 2:14:53]: on work that needs to be done. I'm not talking about every little nick and cranny. Let me s let me answer. I'm just saying [2:14:54, 2:14:55]: G quote. [2:14:55, 2:15:10]: You know what I mean? I mean if I if I need something done on my house, I can call and say, How much you gonna charge me to put this fence up? How much you gonna charge me? How much you gonna charge me? Okay, I got my three. I'm going with the lowest bidder. That's it. Is that not what the other departments do? [2:15:12, 2:15:13]: Yeah. If I may. [2:15:14, 2:15:34]: Stand by seconds. Hold your comment. Okay. Go ahead, please. Let me just say this, Ms. Gantt. It's the diagnosis that's the issue. You sometimes you don't know what's wrong with the car. And then if you gotta take it to a dealership and these dealerships and these auto parts places have cars just stacked up. So as the chief has indicated, when you come [2:15:34, 2:15:54]: call these dealerships, they like we don't we ain't gotta do all that. We got all this business right in front of us. We doing you a favor by bringing this into you. Otherwise you can take your business and go somewhere else. That's what they're saying to people out there right now, because if you call Senator Jones, he'll tell you his dealership is like backlogged on how many cars that they got to deal with. If it's [2:15:54, 2:16:05]: Something like tires or regular routine maintenance, that might be the caveat. If it's regular routine maintenance, you can get a quote on some tires. But if it's something [2:16:05, 2:16:17]: that might need uh, you know, a diagnosis. You don't know it's the transmission. First you gotta get the transmission checked out. So getting a quote from three people to check the tr to make sure it's the transmission before you [2:16:18, 2:16:28]: actually replace it. That's the issue'cause if I gotta get the transmission inspected by three places, that could take forever. No, I'm not saying expect it. I'm saying one person is diagnosing it. [2:16:29, 2:16:30]: And then I'm just getting [2:16:31, 2:16:32]: I'm just getting my quote. [2:16:32, 2:16:38]: I mean I do it. I mean, we do it. So it's towed in one place and I might have to move it somewhere else, but [2:16:40, 2:16:41]: I get a quote. [2:16:41, 2:16:42]: All right. [2:16:42, 2:16:56]: You came up to podium, sir. Your comments, please? All right. Well, okay, no problem. Miss Barb. No, I was gonna make the point and I understand what you're talking about, um, Councilman McGantt. I agree. Um, any expenditures, uh [2:16:57, 2:17:00]: For repair over like maybe [2:17:00, 2:17:08]: Five thousand or ten thousand dollars, the major repairs. We know we probably should get a quote for that, but [2:17:09, 2:17:11]: The other side of that is [2:17:12, 2:17:18]: If there is a business that we're going to be using regularly, [2:17:19, 2:17:24]: And you know that they're gonna be providing us with services for [2:17:24, 2:17:25]: All of our fleet. [2:17:26, 2:17:28]: They are more inclined to give. [2:17:29, 2:17:31]: A even greater discount. [2:17:31, 2:17:34]: Because they know that we'll be bringing [2:17:34, 2:17:37]: All of our vehicles there for tires. [2:17:37, 2:17:39]: They know that we'll be bringing [2:17:39, 2:17:42]: All of our vehicles there for oil changes. [2:17:42, 2:17:46]: They know that we'll be bringing all of our vehicles there for tune ups. [2:17:47, 2:17:48]: So they will give a greater [2:17:48, 2:17:53]: discount as long as they know that there is a commitment from the city. [2:17:54, 2:17:54]: So [2:17:54, 2:17:56]: I understand. Um [2:17:57, 2:17:57]: What [2:17:58, 2:18:00]: Assistant Chief Godfrey has explained. [2:18:01, 2:18:03]: And what Chief Tramer has explained. [2:18:03, 2:18:06]: I'm okay with this, but I understand exactly what you mean. [2:18:06, 2:18:07]: By getting a quote. [2:18:08, 2:18:13]: Um, but if we're gonna be using one business, they are more inclined to give us a [2:18:14, 2:18:18]: even steeper discount and it's good if he's able to give us a fee schedule. [2:18:19, 2:18:23]: So we kinda know right offhand exactly well. [2:18:24, 2:18:29]: An estimate of what to expect when they do take them in. So [2:18:30, 2:18:31]: Mr. Edmondson, go ahead, please. [2:18:32, 2:18:32]: Oh. [2:18:32, 2:18:34]: They both hit my points. Good. [2:18:35, 2:18:55]: Yeah and then uh I say both uh they both hit my points I was gonna make, so that's why I say I wait. So be it. So since it's a first reading you're saying that you just wanna make an adjustment in in the the reading here, is what it was. Well no, when but that's our first reading and then I will ask that we add on it to include a general fee sheet schedule. [2:18:55, 2:18:56]: Um [2:18:58, 2:19:08]: uh when we are ready to vote on the motion. So just add that to the agenda subject item to add. The sheet will be updated. And the sheet will be updated annually. [2:19:09, 2:19:15]: All right, so you wanna make a motion to add that to this? Yes. Is that what you're asking for? Yes. Clerk Ms. Clerk, you you understand that? [2:19:22, 2:19:24]: Yeah. It's just the fee schedule apparent. [2:19:25, 2:19:28]: We're not passing it tonight, so there's no vote. [2:19:28, 2:19:48]: Right. There's no vote. It's just to add I just want on the next agenda uh to add that information on it that that we're gonna ask for a general fee sheet schedule annually. So just understand to add that to the next time we it comes before us to be added correct. Add the language of the agenda. Yes. [2:19:48, 2:20:02]: You good? Alright, we're good. So the ordinance I have general feed sheet and update annual order. Okay. Tell me you're all good now? All right. We'll we'll move I guess we'll move on. Well thank you. All right. Understood. All right. Good deal. [2:20:03, 2:20:15]: Announcements in uh upcoming meeting events. The council meetings will be held in city council chamber, meeting dates, the locations, the times of subject change or contact city hall offices at seven seven zero [2:20:15, 2:20:35]: 389-7900 or visit the website www.starbridgega.org for updates. Citywide Development Authority meeting, special meeting date, Wednesday, November 12th at 6 p.m. in City Hall, Levi Meeting Room. Community Zoning and Information Meeting C Z I M Wednesday, November 12th. [2:20:35, 2:20:55]: the City Hall Council Chamber. Main Street Advisory Board meeting the second Friday of each month, November 14th and 9 a.m. The Downtown Connection Center, 130 Martin Luther King Sr. Heritage Trail. City Council Work Session Meeting, Special Meeting Date, FY 2026 budget hearing and second reading, November 18th, [2:20:54, 2:21:14]: At 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The Downtown Development Authority Board meeting third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Downtown Connection Center, 130 ML King Senior Heritage Trail, which is November 18th. Uh Council Advisory Committee meeting, third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. City Hall Levi Meeting Room. [2:21:14, 2:21:34]: Which is November 20th. Planning Commission meeting Thursday, November 20th at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Uh Council meeting it'll be the first Monday of each month, 6 p.m. at City Hall, Levi Meeting Room, December 1st. The Citizens Police Advisory, first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Stockbridge Police Department Community Meeting Room. [2:21:34, 2:21:50]: at 4545 North Henry Boulevard December 4th. City Council second Monday of each month, 6 p.m. And it's to be the FY 2026 budget adoption. It's going to be on City Council chambers on December 8th. [2:21:54, 2:22:05]: Upcoming events, city events and initiatives. Join the city of Stockbridge on Tuesday, november eleventh, which is tomorrow, as you honor American veterans during the luncheon at eleven A. M. to one PM at Merrill Manor's Conference Center. [2:22:06, 2:22:26]: The City of Starbury's will host a drive-thru food giveaway on Saturday, November 15th, starting at 10 a.m. while supplies last in the amphitheater parking lot. We will be supporting community members and offering love and support during this critical time. Join me, Mayor Anthony Ford for the monthly Meet the Mayor, Monday, November 17th from 10 a.m. to uh to noon. [2:22:26, 2:22:46]: City Hall meetings are by an appointment. Join Councilman Berry in partnership with the monthly Bingo Bash on Wednesday, November 19th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Merle Manders Conference Center. Lots of fun to be had by all. December event is actually council for this particular uh bingo bash. Join Councilwoman Barber for the Ford District Community. [2:22:46, 2:22:59]: Town hall on Thursday, November 20th at 6 30 p.m. at Merrill Manor's Conference Center. The City of Stockbridge will host its annual drive-thru free turkey giveaway Saturday, November 22nd, starting at 10 a.m. while supplies last in the amphitheater parking lot. [2:23:00, 2:23:20]: Join the senior Stockbridge for the annual tree lighting and holiday festival Friday, November, excuse me, Friday, December 5th from 5 30 until 9 p.m. at the Amphitheater Parking Lot. The Economic Development Department hosts a free business health clinic on the second Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Starbreece Connection Center 130 ML King Senior [2:23:20, 2:23:40]: Heritage Trail. Check the health of your business with this free clinic. Sign up for real-time alerts about severe weather, road closures, emergencies, and regroup app. Visit the city website or social media pages for more information on how and where to sign up and stay safe. Please contact Rosin Ross to schedule an appointment. We meet them. [2:23:39, 2:23:42]: Mayor or more information on council initiatives. [2:23:42, 2:23:43]: Six seven eight. [2:23:44, 2:24:04]: 833-3348 or by way of email raws at stopper is G A dot or R G. And my comments for this evening involve first of all uh happy veterans day to all you veterans and we look forward to a wonderful event tomorrow. Uh since it is falling a little chilly outside, by the way. So COVID-19 boosters, please get your boosters. [2:24:03, 2:24:13]: Please get your flu shots once you remain uh healthy during the holiday season, during the winter months. And happy Thanksgiving to everybody in this case as well. Um [2:24:13, 2:24:33]: I want to take congratulations to the, or at least celebrate in a sense, the birthday, November 10th. The Marine Corps is 250 years old today, so congratulations to the Marines and the Corps itself. Um also want to mention, in a sense, congratulations to Mr. Cloud uh for being elected and joined the council in this Leslie. [2:24:33, 2:24:53]: Body in January. And also congratulations to uh Ms. Gantt here for her re-election in this aspect and uh fantastic. And congratulations to the mayor of Lake Jaden uh Williams for coming in to uh sit here in the management control and and work out with the legislative body to continue for uh uh to help move the city forward and work through as she [2:24:53, 2:24:55]: [8695.6, 8712.0]: and uh do great things. Um appreciate uh you all and then uh we'll have more comments on this a little later as time goes on. On that note, uh c uh excuse me, counsel mayor if I could I'm sorry. Okay. Uh what standby. Yes sir. [2:25:12, 2:25:32]: Based on echoing what you just said about the congratulations and and everything that we're doing, understand folks, my my own purpose of respect, and I think all of us feel the same way up here. We campaign hard, we do what we gotta do, but once the voters are cast and the citizens have spoken, we [2:25:32, 2:25:52]: We work together up here with everybody up here. So welcome, Mr. Cloud. Certainly, Ms. Gabb, congratulations, congratulations, Jaden. We campaigned hard, the votes have been counted, the people have been spoken. We're gonna do what we need to do in order to run the city appropriately, and that's how we m that's how we roll. [2:25:52, 2:25:53]: Thank you. [2:25:54, 2:26:14]: Go ahead, Mr. Mr. Barr. Uh I just wanted to add an additional uh event on November the 15th. At one o'clock PM is uh District Three Community Banks Road Community Day uh with myself as well as the business owners of District Three. Uh we'll be at Mickey D. Cochrane Park at one o'clock PM. Uh in addition [2:26:14, 2:26:34]: Of that, some of the business owners have assisted in procuring some additional turkeys. So, to the citizens, once you uh work with the city's event that morning to pick up your food box, if you need a turkey on the 15th, you can come to Mickey D. Cochrane Park in District 3. It is reserved specifically, though, for Stockbridge Railway. [2:26:33, 2:26:44]: residents, so you must have a stop bridge ID or utility bill to receive a turkey on November the fifteenth and at district three. District three day. All right. Thank you. [2:26:45, 2:26:53]: All right, n on that note, uh then uh ladies and gentlemen, we actually have a executive session with legal, real estate and personnel and cybersecurity. So I need a motion to go in the executive session, please. [2:26:54, 2:26:54]: Oh yeah. [2:26:55, 2:27:15]: Mayor. Yes, ma'am. And real quick before I I forgot to, I'm sorry. Um, and I didn't make this announcement, but I will be having a uh district one decorating holiday decorating contest for each house. And so we're gonna have some judges go around in December and check out some of the homes and give out some great prizes to some of the [2:27:15, 2:27:24]: The top winners. I actually would love to compete with the other districts. So game on, people. Game on. Let's do it. All right. [2:27:25, 2:27:35]: And having said that, um, I would like to go into executive session um for real estate personnel and litigation and cybersecurity. [2:27:36, 2:27:43]: Sir, second the motion. Third. All right. Mr. Alzheimer's saying all fair, please indicate. All right. Announces it. Let's go on the second. We'll be back, folks. Thank you. [2:28:23, 2:28:25]: Feel like we all sack. [2:28:26, 2:28:27]: Okay, so [2:28:28, 2:28:32]: This Hollywood good? Broadcast? [2:28:39, 2:28:43]: All right, council, I need a motion to enter the second session, please. So moved. [2:28:44, 2:28:47]: Is there a second? A second. Okay, from Mr. Berry to Miss Ken Onfair, please indicate. [2:28:48, 2:28:55]: All right. Now I need a motion to reconvene our council meeting, please. So moved. Second. Okay, from uh Ms. Ganttu, Mr. Alzheimer's all in favor, please indicate. [2:28:56, 2:29:00]: All right, and at this point we have nothing to report from exactly session. [2:29:00, 2:29:07]: So now I need a motion to end our council meeting. So moved. So okay, hold on. So moved from uh Miss Gantt, is there a second? [2:29:07, 2:29:08]: I mean, [2:29:09, 2:29:11]: Okay, Ms. Barber Second, all in favor, please indicate. [2:29:11, 2:29:16]: All right. We're uh well we're the unanimous decision. God bless you all. We end our meeting tonight. [2:29:17, 2:29:18]: Good night. [2:29:20, 2:29:21]: Okay. [2:29:21, 2:29:23]: I've always been sick.