2026-07-17 · City Council · Minutes · Special Called Meeting · Minutes

--- page 1 --- === ) Where Community Connects SPECIAL CALLED MEETING SUMMARY MINUTES FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026 6:00 P.M. Mayor & City Council Mayor Jayden L. Willams At-Large Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexander — Council District 5 Councilmember LaKeisha Gantt = Council District 1 Councilmember Antwan Cloud — Council District 2 Councilmember Kyle D. Berry, Sr. — Council District 3 Councilmember Yolanda Barber — Council District 4 Administration Shawn Edmondson - City Manager Frank Milazi — City Treasurer Cassandra Lester — Interim City Clerk Quinton Washington - City Attorney Megan McCullough — Associate Attorney 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. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Williams called the Special Called Meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The Mayor led the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Interim City Clerk Cassandra Lester conducted the roll call. A quorum was established. Councilmember Kyle Berry arrived at 6:14 during executive session. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Motion to adopt the agenda made by Councilmember Gantt; Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Alexander Vote: Approved unanimously 4-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Exemptions to the Georgia Open Meetings Act O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1) Mayor Williams requested a motion to go into executive session for litigation, cybersecurity, real estate, and other matters. Motion to convene into executive session for real estate, cyber security, personnel, and litigation made by Councilmember Gantt; seconded by Councilmember Cloud. 1|Page --- page 2 --- Vote: Approved unanimously 4-0 Before leaving the dais, Councilmember Gantt addressed the public, explaining that this meeting was specifically for an executive session. She clarified that she was uncertain if a vote would take place. Acknowledging the citizens from District 1, she informed them about a community meeting scheduled for August 5th at 6 PM in the City Hall chambers to discuss issues with the developers. She also noted that the citizens would receive a notification about the meeting. The Council entered executive session at 6:02 pm. The Council concluded executive session at 9:15 PM. Motion to end executive session and return to the special called meeting made by Councilmember Gantt; Seconded by Councilmember Berry: Vote: Approved unanimously 5-0. From executive session Mayor Pro Tem Alexander read the following resolution for council consideration: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE PRIVILEGES AND ACCESS OF MAYOR JAYDEN WILLIAMS, PENDING FUTURE ACTION OF COUNCIL; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, the City of Stockbridge ("City") is a municipal corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Georgia and is charged with protecting the safety, security, and efficient operation of municipal government, including City personnel, facilities, property, information systems, and public resources; and WHEREAS, the City has adopted administrative policies governing physical security, access to non-public municipal facilities, the issuance and use of City- owned vehicles, purchasing cards, fuel cards, and other City-issued property; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that certain temporary administrative measures are necessary to protect City operations, safeguard City employees, and ensure appropriate stewardship of public resources; and WHEREAS, these temporary measures are administrative in nature, do not constitute a determination regarding the merits of any allegations, and are intended solely to preserve the orderly operation of City government; and 2|Page --- page 3 --- WHEREAS, nothing in this Resolution shall be construed as removing, suspending, or otherwise altering any elected office or authority granted by the Constitution or laws of the State of Georgia. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. SUSPENSION OF PURCHASING AND FUEL CARD PRIVILEGES. Effective immediately upon adoption of this Resolution, all City-issued purchasing card ("P-Card") and fuel card privileges issued to Mayor Jayden Williams are hereby suspended pending further action by the City Council or until otherwise authorized by the City Manager. For any trainings, events, or meetings requiring a purchase, such purchase must be pre-approved by the City Manager or his designee, and paid directly by the City. All purchases and expenses submitted for reimbursement must be processed through the Office of the City Manager, and are subject to approval by the City Manager or his designee until further action by the Council. SECTION 2. SUSPENSION OF USE OF CITY-OWNED VEHICLES. Effective immediately upon adoption of this Resolution, all privileges regarding the use and operation of City-owned vehicles issued to Mayor Jayden Williams are hereby suspended pending further action of the City Council or until otherwise authorized by the City Manager. SECTION 3. SUSPENSION OF ALL INITIATIVES OF THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR. Effective immediately upon adoption of this Resolution, all initiatives of the Office of the Mayor are hereby suspended pending further action of the City Council or until otherwise authorized by the City Manager. SECTION 4. RESTRICTION ON ACCESS TO NON-PUBLIC AREAS. Effective immediately, Mayor Jayden Williams shall not access secured or non- public areas of City-owned or City-controlled facilities except: 1. as necessary to attend duly noticed public meetings or official proceedings; 2. with the prior authorization of the City Manager or his or her designee; or 3. as otherwise required by law. Nothing herein restricts access to areas generally open to the public. SECTION 5. RETURN OF CITY PROPERTY. Mayor Jayden Williams shall immediately, but in no instance later than noon, Monday, July 20, 2026, return the following City property to the City Manager,: 1. any City-issued vehicle; 2. all keys, key fobs, access cards, gate transmitters, and other access devices; 3|Page --- page 4 --- 3. any City-issued fuel cards, purchasing cards, credit cards, or similar payment instruments; and 4. any additional City-owned equipment or property identified by the City Manager. The City Manager shall inventory all returned property and document compliance. If City property is not returned by the deadline established herein, the City Attorney is authorized to pursue any lawful civil or criminal remedies available to the City, including referral of the matter to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation of potential unlawful retention or conversion of public property, as may be authorized under applicable Georgia law, including O.C.G.A. § 16-8-4, if warranted by the facts. SECTION 6. COMMUNICATIONS WITH CITY STAFF. To protect City employees and promote orderly municipal operations, any communications by Mayor Jayden Williams directed to City employees shall be coordinated through the City Manager or the City Manager's designee unless otherwise required by law or authorized by the City Manager or City Council. Nothing in this Section prohibits communications occurring during duly noticed public meetings or otherwise required by law. SECTION 7. RESTRICTION ON NON-EMPLOYEE ACCESS. Except as otherwise authorized by the City Manager, no person accompanying Mayor Jayden Williams, who is not a City employee, contractor, or other authorized governmental representative shall be permitted access to secured or non-public areas of City facilities. SECTION 8. PRESERVATION OF LEGAL RIGHTS. Nothing contained in this Resolution: 1. constitutes a finding of misconduct; 2. limits any constitutional, statutory, or charter authority possessed by Mayor Jayden Williams; 3. waives any rights of the City or Mayor Jayden Williams under applicable law; or 4. prejudges the outcome of any pending investigation, hearing, or other proceeding. SECTION 9. ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION. The City Manager, City Attorney, Chief of Police, Human Resources Director, Finance Director, Information Technology Director, and all other appropriate City officials are authorized and directed to take all administrative actions reasonably necessary to implement this Resolution in a manner consistent with applicable law and City policy. 4|Page --- page 5 --- SECTION 10. DURATION. The restrictions imposed by this Resolution shall remain in effect until the adoption of a subsequent resolution of Council rescinding or modifying these restrictions. SECTION 11. SEVERABILITY. If any part of this resolution is adjudged invalid, such judgment shall not affect the remainder of this resolution. SECTION 12. CITY ATTORNEY’S AUTHORITY. Pursuant to the City's charter and with explicit consent of the City Council, the City Attorney is duly authorized to make requisite amendments to all contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and documents, as may be necessary, in order to secure conformity with the express intent of the City Council and to ensure adherence to all pertinent laws and ordinances of the City. SECTION 12. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption. RESOLVED THIS 17th OF JULY, 2026. Mayor Pro Tem Alexader made a motion to temporarily suspend the administrative privileges of the Mayor and authorized the city attorney to engage an independent investigator to look into the evidence in the resolution adopted; Seconded by Councilmember Cloud. Councilmember Barber commented, "I believe in accountability. | support this. | approve." Vote: Approved unanimously, 5-0. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Councilmember Berry: Seconded by Councilimember Gantt: Vote: Approved unanimously 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:26 pm Respectfully submitted by: Cassandra Lester, Interim City Clerk . Williams, Mayor 5|Page