2026-07-01 · City Council · Minutes · Work Session Meeting · Minutes

--- page 1 --- stockbridge CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING SUMMARY MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 18T, 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 The Work Session Meeting of the Stockbridge City Council was called to order by Mayor Jayden L. Williams at 6:02 PM. Invocation The invocation was delivered by Mayor Williams and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Interim Clerk Lester called the roll. A quorum was established. Councilmember Gantt arrived at approximately 6:03 PM. Councilmember Berry arrived at approximately 6:08pm Adoption of the Agenda Mayor Williams called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Councilmember Barber asked to remove the following item from the consent agenda for discussion. 1|Page --- page 2 --- # 3: CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE TAD EXPANSION: SEEKING COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR A RESOLUTION TO EXPAND THE TAD MAP TO INCLUDE LARGE COMMERCIAL PARCELS IN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREAS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE TAX ALLOCATION DISTRICT Motion to adopt the agenda as amended by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander; Seconded by Councilmember Cloud. The motion passed 4-0. Review of the Minutes Review the June 8th City Council Summary Minutes — No Action. Public Comments One Public Comment: Kathy Walker of 200 Hunting Court. Ms. Walker expressed concerns about recent construction where grading resulted in the removal of mature trees. She emphasized that young replacement trees cannot adequately replace this lost natural buffer. Walker voiced her disappointment when Councilwoman Yolanda Barber’s requests to bring this issue back for public discussion were ignored by the council. She commended Elton Alexander for his recent town hall. Ms. Walker highlighted a sewer smell noticed in the community. She reports that she was told came from the developer letting their license expire. She continued that meetings intended to address these concerns were canceled which raises serious questions about communication, oversight, transparency, and responsiveness from city officials. Presentation CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE TAD APPLICATION: SEEKING COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR A RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT APPLICATION TO THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TAX ALLOCATION DISTRICT #1 Economic Development Director William Smith presented an overview of Tax Allocation District #1 and the process by which the City of Stockbridge would submit a formal application to the Henry County Board of Education requesting their commitment to participate in the district. Council and staff discussed the background of the TAD, with Smith clarifying that a TAD is not a built-in tax increase. Rather, as property values within the designated area increase, the incremental tax revenue generated above the established base value is captured and reinvested into the redevelopment area to fund improvements and attract capital. After the presentation the discussion moved into expanding the Tax Allocation District map to include large commercial parcels in the redevelopment areas that were not included in the Tax Allocation District #1. Continued discussion touched on the legal framework underpinning the TAD expansion. It was noted that once a redevelopment area is formally established under state law, the city gains redevelopment powers, including the authority to create a TAD, but only 2|Page --- page 3 --- within that designated area. The expansion resolution would bring in large commercial parcels that were not captured in the original TAD #1 boundary. Mr. Smith clarified “Before we present anything to the Board of Education, we wanted to expand the TAD within that boundary to give it maximum impact, the application that we put together that will go to the Board of Education, it does include those parcels. But we did not want to send the application until we have permission and consent from you all about what you want to afford — so making sure that having all those parcels included is something you want to afford.” Motion to approve the TAD application made by Mayor Pro Tem Alexader; Seconded by Councilmember Gantt. The motion passed 4-1. Councilmember Barber opposed. CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE TAD EXPANSION: SEEKING COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR A RESOLUTION TO EXPAND THE TAD MAP TO INCLUDE LARGE COMMERCIAL PARCELS IN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREAS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE TAX ALLOCATION DISTRICT #1 This item was discussed in the above presentation. New Business TEXT AMENDMENT CASE #TX-2026-03. (CITYWIDE) CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 9, CHAPTER 9.09 OF THE STOCKBRIDGE MUNICODE TO ALLOW VARIOUS CHANGES TO BE MADE FOR LICENSING AND REGULATION Business Services Manager Uneeda Smith-Sellars presented the proposed text amendment and explained that the revisions were intended to strengthen enforcement of occupational tax and business licensing requirements by establishing a graduated penalty structure for businesses that fail to comply with City regulations. Council discussed the effectiveness of the existing fee schedule and whether the current penalties provided sufficient incentive for businesses to comply. It was noted that some businesses have found it more economical to pay repeated fines than to obtain or renew the required business license, thereby undermining the City's enforcement efforts. Staff clarified that when a Code Compliance Officer issues a citation, the matter proceeds to Municipal Court where the judge has discretion to enforce the ordinance and may grant additional time for compliance. Staff further explained that courts generally rely upon the penalty schedule established by ordinance and that a clearly defined tiered fine structure would provide greater consistency in enforcement. Councilmembers discussed implementing escalating fines rather than imposing the same penalty for repeated violations. Members expressed concern that maintaining a flat $300 penalty for each offense failed to deter continued noncompliance. Staff recommended adopting a graduated penalty schedule that would increase with each subsequent violation while remaining within the limits authorized under Georgia law. 3|Page --- page 4 --- During discussion, staff advised that municipal ordinance penalties are subject to statutory limitations and recommended establishing a maximum administrative penalty of $1,800, after which the business license would be subject to revocation. Staff further recommended authorizing the City Manager to revoke a business license upon reaching the maximum penalty threshold, with reinstatement requiring approval by the City Council after exhaustion of the administrative and judicial enforcement processes. Following discussion, Council reached consensus that the initial penalty should be increased substantially to encourage prompt compliance and reduce repeat violations. Approved Tiered Fee Schedule Council approved the following graduated penalty schedule for businesses failing to comply with occupational tax and business licensing requirements: Violation Approved Fine First Violation $600 Second Violation (after 30 $1,200 days) Third Violation $1,800 After Third Violation Business License Subject to Suspension/Revocation Under the approved amendment, once the business reaches the maximum penalty of $1,800, the business license becomes subject to suspension or revocation. Reinstatement of the license would require further action by the City Council following the applicable administrative process. Motion to approve the proposed revisions and incorporating the revised graduated fee schedule as follows: « First violation: $600 « Second violation (after 30 days): $1,200 « Third violation: $1,800 « Upon the third unpaid violation, the business license shall become subject to suspension or revocation. Made by Councilmember Gantt; Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander; The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 4|Page --- page 5 --- COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROPOSED FLOST DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH HENRY COUNTY AND THE MUNICIPALITIES THEREIN City Attorney Megan McCulloch presented a resolution for Council's consideration approving the proposed Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) distribution schedule and authorizing the mayor to execute an intergovernmental agreement with Henry County and the participating municipalities. She explained that the proposed distribution allocates 13.28% of the municipal share to the City of Stockbridge based on an agreed- upon formula utilizing 2004 population data and Georgia Municipal Association guidance, with an adjustment recognizing Hampton's population growth. Mayor Pro Tem Alexander provided additional context regarding the purpose of the legislation established under Senate Bill 33, explaining that the proposed 1% sales tax would be dedicated exclusively to reducing property taxes and would require voter approval during the November referendum. Alexander noted that, if approved by voters, the measure could substantially reduce the City's property tax millage while also providing county property tax relief for residents. He emphasized that the sales tax revenues could only be used for property tax reduction and that implementation would occur only if approved by voters. Mayor Pro Tem Alexander then thanked Henry County officials and the municipalities for collaboratively reaching the proposed distribution agreement. During discussion, Council clarified that the projected FLOST revenue would replace property tax revenue rather than generate additional revenue for the City. Staff further explained that the proposed funding structure would allow visitors and non-residents contributing through sales taxes, including hotel guests and travelers, to help offset locat property taxes. Council discussed the anticipated financial benefits to both city and county taxpayers. Motion to approve made by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander; Seconded by Councilmember Berry. The motion passed 5-0. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A BLIGHT TAX Community Development Director Ryan Anderson & City Attorney Megan McCulloch presented the proposed Blighted Property Tax Ordinance, explaining that the ordinance is intended to establish a process for identifying and taxing qualifying blighted properties within the City of Stockbridge. The proposal defines blighted property through specific criteria and establishes the legal authority under state law to implement a Community Redevelopment Tax Program. Revenues generated from the tax would be dedicated exclusively to community redevelopment activities. Staff outlined the proposed enforcement process, which includes property identification, inspection, technical review, determination by the appropriate code enforcement officials, notification to the property owner, and formal designation as blighted. S5|Page --- page 6 --- Once designated, qualifying properties would be subject to a tax rate equal to ten (10) times the City's adopted millage rate, with revenues deposited into a Community Redevelopment Fund. In addition, designated properties would be placed on a public Blighted Property Registry and assessed an annual $1,500 regulatory fee. The City Attorney advised Council that revisions were still being made to merge staff's administrative recommendations with the draft ordinance presented to Council. She recommended postponing action until a second reading to ensure the ordinance was fully refined and consistent. Council expressed strong support for creating stronger enforcement mechanisms to address long-standing blighted properties throughout the city, including vacant commercial buildings, abandoned hotels, stalled construction projects, and neglected residential properties that are not owner-occupied. Councilmembers emphasized the need for an efficient enforcement process that complies with state law while minimizing unnecessary administrative delays. Discussion also included: « Clarification that the ordinance targets non-owner-occupied residential properties, commercial, industrial, and vacant structures, rather than primary residences. o The importance of establishing clear legal definitions of blight to support enforcement. « Concerns that property owners have historically paid existing fines without correcting violations, prompting discussion about whether the tax penalty should be increased beyond the proposed ten-times millage rate. Staff noted that state law permits penalties of up to twenty-five (25) times the adopted millage rate. « An estimated enforcement timeline of approximately 30 to 90 days, depending on property conditions, compliance efforts, and procedural requirements. Following discussion, Council agreed additional revisions were appropriate before adoption. A motion was made and seconded to advance the proposed Blighted Property Tax Ordinance to a second reading following incorporation of staff and legal revisions. Motion to move this to a second reading made by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander,; Seconded by Councilmember Gantt. The motion passed 5-0. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SHOPPING CART CONTAINMENT AND RETRIEVAL REQUIREMENTS Motion to remove this item from the agenda made by Councilmember Gantt; Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander. The motion passed 3-1-1. Councilmember Cloud Abstained. Councilmember Barber Opposed. 6|Page --- page 7 --- CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A MASTER INTERGOVERNMENTAL MOU FOR OFF-DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICES AT THE VYSTAR AMPHITHEATER AT THE BRIDGE AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SIMILAR AGREEMENTS WITH HENRY COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES Motion to approve by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander; Seconded by Councilmember Cloud. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. Executive Session Council convened to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing real estate, legal, personnel matters and cybersecurity matters. Motion to adjourn into Executive Session made by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and seconded by Councilmember Cloud. The motion passed 4-0. Motion to end Executive Session was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and seconded by Councilmember Cloud. The motion passed 5-0. Action from Executive Session None Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and seconded by Councilmember Berry. The motion passed 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Cassandra Lester, Interim City Clerk . Williams, Mayor 7|Page