2017-04-10 · City Council · Minutes · April 10, 2017 City Council Meeting · Minutes

P age |1 Stockbridge Mission: To provide visionary leadership and superior municipal services that enhance the quality of life for citizens while creating a welcoming business atmosphere focused on sustainability and expansion of tourism and cultural events. ACTION MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2017 6:00 p.m. Mayor & City Council Mayor Judy Neal Mayor Pro Tem Anthony S. Ford Councilman Elton Alexander Councilman John Blount Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Councilwoman Neat Robinson Administration Michael Harris, City Manager Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk Michael Williams, City Attorney I. Call to Order - Mayor Neal II. Invocation - Reverend Andy Postel, Stockbridge First UMC III. Pledge of Allegiance IV. Roll Call Councilman Alexander Present ___X___ Absent _______ Councilman Blount ___X___ _______ Mayor Neal ___X___ _______ Mayor Pro Tem Ford ___X___ _______ Councilwoman Gantt ___X___ _______ Councilwoman Robinson ___X___ _______ V. Adoption of the Agenda – motion to amend the Agenda to add Public Information Officer Discussion Item made by Councilman Blount; second by Mayor Pro Tem Ford. Passed 5-0. April 10, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900 P age |2 VI. Adoption of Minutes for 2/9/17, 2/10/17, 2/13/17, 2/20/17 and 2/28/17 Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Robinson; second by Councilman Alexander. Passed 5-0. VII. Review of Ceremonial Presentations Letter of Commendation presented to: Dr. Renata Hannah for receiving the President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Services, a prestigious national honor offered to outstanding citizens in recognition of sustained volunteer services. Proclamation presented to Amanda Blanton (whose son is autistic) accompanied by family and friends on behalf of National Autism Awareness Month. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ms. Aneta Lee noted she had spoken with City Manager, Michael Harris regarding Citywide broadband and bringing in Google Fiber. Katie Young with You Deserve It! (YDI) proposed a partnership with the City for a Youth Empowerment Program. NEW BUSINESS 1. REZONING: RZ-16-39-S – PUBLIC HEARING WetSet Scuba and Water Sports, Inc. of Stockbridge, Ga requests a rezoning from C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to C-2 (General Commercial) for the property located at 5104 N. Henry Blvd in Land Lot 59 in the 12th District. The property consists of .75 +/- acres and the request is for a swim school. Presented by: Camilla Moore, Community Development Director PUBLIC HEARING: No Speaker Opposed. Applicant Bruce Brown spoke in favor. Public Hearing Closed. Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Gantt; second by Councilman Blount. Passed 5-0. 2. VARIANCE: VR-17-02-S – PUBLIC HEARING Station Two, LP of Atlanta, Ga requests a variance from development standards for signage for the property located at 4475 N. Henry Blvd. The property is located in Land Lot 61 in the 12th District. The property consists of .89 +/-acres and the request is for signage. Presented by: Camilla Moore, Community Development Director Councilman Alexander recused himself from this item noting the owner has advertised with his business entity. PUBLIC HEARING: No Speaker Opposed. Applicant Dean Normandy spoke in favor. Public Hearing Closed. Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Gantt; second by Councilwoman Robinson. Passed 4-0-1; Councilman Alexander abstained from the vote. April 10, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900 P age |3 3. Resolution – To establish a Timeline for selecting a Design company and rebuilding a State-of-the-Art Community and Cultural Arts Center. Presented by: Councilwoman Gantt No Action. DISCUSSION 4. Council Discussion to amend the Facade Ordinance. Presented by: Councilwoman Gantt No Action. 5. Council Discussion regarding North Henry Blvd. Facade Grants Presented by: Councilman Alexander No Action. 6. Council Discussion regarding reconsideration for Council Districts Presented by: Councilman Alexander No Action. 7. Council discussion regarding new City Parks and Pocket Parks as it relates to the City’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan Presented by: Councilman Alexander No Action. 8. Council Discussion – Public Information Officer (PIO) Presented by: Councilman Blount Item to be placed on the April 25th Work Session Agenda COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER None COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL Councilman Alexander stated that he does not take for granted when the citizens come out to the meetings and appreciates the comments and feedback he receives from citizens. Councilman Blount stated God Bless you, American and the City of Stockbridge. Mayor Pro Tem Ford referenced Autism Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month and the symbolism of the color blue; wished everyone Happy Easter and to keep the faith in the Council as the City moves forward. Councilwoman Gantt thanked everyone for coming out; referenced the 3rd Annual Non-Profit Mixer on Thursday, May 11th at the Merle Manders Conference Center where there will be a keynote speaker and information on grants; and to please email her for any questions, information and concerns. April 10, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900 P age |4 Councilwoman Robinson referenced the Georgia Cities Week activities noting the Unity in the Community Basketball Game at Stockbridge High School with Public Safety vs High School Senior Students to be held on April 28th at 6pm; noted she would not be in attendance for the April 25th Work Session/Town Hall meeting. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Neal referenced the upcoming News and Events and asked that everyone check the City’s website and sign up for e-notifications; and noted any issues or concerns should be called in to City Hall and the calls would be routed accordingly. UPCOMING OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS/EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS Meeting will be held at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Please visit the city’s website www.cityofstockbridge.com, Facebook page or contact City Hall offices at 770.389-7900 for updates and detailed information.  All city offices will be closed on Friday, April; 14, 2017 in observance of Good Friday.  Council Work Session/Town Hall – Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 6:00 p.m. City Hall Chamber. UPCOMING COUNCIL MEMBER COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND/OR INITIATIVES  National Day of Prayer – Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 6pm at Stockbridge City Hall Location: Council Chamber UPCOMING CIVIC EVENTS  GA Cities Week Activities Thursday, April 27th at 6:00 pm - Stockbridge Trail Mix and Ribbon Cutting at Reeves Creek Trail (Flippen Rd. entrance) Friday, April 28th at 6pm - Unity in the Community Basketball Game at Stockbridge High School. Saturday, April 29th from 8am – 2pm - Haul it to the Hall Community Yard Sale and Recycling Event at Stockbridge City Hall parking lot. Motion to convene Executive Session for Litigation, Personnel and Real Estate made by Councilman Alexander; second by Mayor Pro Tem Ford; Passed 5-0. Motion to adjourn Executive Session: Robinson/Ford. Passed 5-0. Motion to reconvene meeting: Alexander/Gantt. Passed 5-0. Motion to adjourn Ford/Blount. Passed 5-0. 9:05 PM April 10, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900