Author: H Ermes

--- title: January 9 2017 City Council Meeting date: 2017-01-09 source: 2017-01-09_January_9_2017_City_Council_Meeting.wav --- [0:00:00, 0:00:10]: [ 55.0, 59.0]: [0:01:00, 0:01:01]: [ 64.5, 65.0]: No. [0:01:10, 0:01:15]: [ 83.2, 85.2]: Um [0:01:31, 0:01:32]: Gentlemen. [0:01:33, 0:01:46]: Ladies and gentlemen, if we can get everyone to come inside, if anyone wants to speak tonight, they will need to quickly get a copy of the form outside and fill it out, hand it to the clerk. [0:02:01, 0:02:14]: At this time I would like to call the official Stockbridge City Council meeting to order and at this time we'll have our invocation and I'm gonna say the prayer tonight. [0:02:14, 0:02:17]: Unless I can find the bishop that was [0:02:17, 0:02:22]: I was talking to Bishop, would you like to come up and s give us a little prayer for the evening? [0:02:29, 0:02:30]: I think. [0:02:37, 0:02:38]: Let us pray. [0:02:41, 0:02:43]: Eternal Al wise God, we thank you so much. [0:02:45, 0:02:49]: For all that you're doing in each of our lives and we thank you so much for being in control of everything. [0:02:51, 0:02:53]: We pray now that your blessings will be upon this meeting. [0:02:55, 0:02:58]: upon these council persons and the mayor of the city of Stockbridge. [0:02:59, 0:03:03]: as we do what you have assigned our hands, our hearts and our minds to do. [0:03:03, 0:03:07]: Which is to better lives of individuals everywhere. [0:03:07, 0:03:10]: In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. [0:03:10, 0:03:14]: If you would please stand for the pledge to the American flag. [0:03:16, 0:03:25]: Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the Republic for [0:03:37, 0:03:41]: At this time we'll ask our clerk if she would please to call the roll. [0:03:59, 0:04:05]: Councilman Alexander, present. Councilman Blount. Present. Mayor Neal. Present. [0:04:05, 0:04:11]: Ford Councilwoman Gantt, President. Councilwoman Robinson. Present. Mayor Neal, you have a quorum. [0:04:14, 0:04:25]: At this time I'd like to ask if there uh if we could have a motion for the uh agenda or if there are any changes to the agenda before that motion is made. [0:04:26, 0:04:29]: I'd like to I'd like to make a motion to amend the agenda. [0:04:30, 0:04:36]: And that would be to item number nine, which is a resolution for engineers engineering services [0:04:36, 0:04:43]: Um like to uh take it off for tonight and it also be addressed at our next work session which is thirty one January. [0:04:43, 0:04:44]: Second. [0:04:45, 0:04:45]: Mm-hmm. [0:04:47, 0:04:50]: Then uh is there any discussion on that motion? [0:04:52, 0:04:53]: No discussion. [0:04:54, 0:04:56]: I'll call for the vote. All in favor? [0:04:59, 0:05:00]: All opposed? [0:05:04, 0:05:15]: All right, at this time we're going to uh I need a motion to adopt the minutes from eleven fourteen twenty sixteen and eleven twenty-nine twenty sixteen. [0:05:16, 0:05:17]: Meno. [0:05:18, 0:05:21]: I move that we adopt the minutes for um [0:05:21, 0:05:24]: November fourteenth, twenty sixteen, and November twenty ninth, twenty sixteen. [0:05:25, 0:05:26]: Do I hear a second? Second. [0:05:27, 0:05:28]: Any discussion? [0:05:30, 0:05:32]: No discussion. I'll call for the vote. All in favor? [0:05:34, 0:05:35]: Thank you. [0:05:35, 0:05:36]: Motion passed. [0:05:38, 0:05:47]: At this time uh the next item on the agenda is uh regarding the reappointment of the city attorney. Do I have a motion for that? [0:05:47, 0:05:48]: [348.6, 350.6]: I'd like to make a motion to [0:05:51, 0:05:58]: Uh actually appoint our city attorney Mike Williams for another year to be our attorney for the city of Stockbridge. I second. [0:05:59, 0:06:03]: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Do I hear any discussion? [0:06:05, 0:06:09]: No discussion. I'll call for the vote. All in favor? [0:06:11, 0:06:15]: Any opposed? Okay. It's a five vote. Thank you. [0:06:17, 0:06:17]: F [0:06:18, 0:06:38]: At this time we'll move along to our ceremonial portion of our meeting and we're delighted tonight to have uh four items that we're gonna take up. I'm gonna read all four of'em at one time and then we're gonna take care of'em one at a time. The first one is going to be a proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr. [0:06:38, 0:06:47]: Junior federal holiday celebration. And the second one will be uh regarding National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. [0:06:48, 0:07:08]: The third one will be a letter of commendation presented to Stockbridge High School football team. And the fourth one will be a letter of commendation presented to Eagles Landing Christian Academy football team. And I think what we're going to do with these, I'm going to go down and I'm going to present one at a time. And when I finish one [0:07:08, 0:07:26]: One, um, we'll just go right to the next one. And at that point we will make some photographs after we finished all four of'em. And uh you guys up here would just push the chairs back. I'll bring them up one at a time and we'll make the photographs. Is that okay? All right. Thank you. [0:07:28, 0:07:28]: [473.3, 493.3]: Okay, we're going to start with a proclamation of the City of Stockbridge, whereas Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born at noon on Tuesday, january fifteenth, nineteen twenty nine, and his family home in Atlanta, Georgia, to the parents of Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King, natives of our great city of Stockbridge. [0:08:13, 0:08:32]: And whereas doctor Martin Luther King Junior devoted his life to the advancement of civil rights and public service, he believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all and challenged all citizens to help build a more perfect union and to live up to the purpose and potential of America. [0:08:32, 0:08:52]: And whereas Dr. King recognized that everybody can be great because everybody can serve, and so during his lifetime encouraged all Americans to serve their neighbors and their communities. And whereas the state of Georgia honors Dr. King's legacy each year on the third Monday in January. [0:08:52, 0:09:12]: January. And whereas legislation creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was signed into law in nineteen eighty three, and the holiday was first observed in nineteen eighty six, making twenty seventeen the thirty first and [0:09:12, 0:09:32]: anniversary of the nationwide observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday. And whereas in nineteen ninety four Congress initiated the King Day of Service, a nationwide effort to transform the Federal Holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. into a day of community [0:09:32, 0:09:33]: Service. [0:09:34, 0:09:54]: grounded in Dr. King's teachings that help solve social problems. And whereas this day focuses on bringing people together and breaking down the barriers that have divided us as a nation, and whereas thousands of Americans use Martin Luther King Day as a day on and not a day out. [0:09:54, 0:10:04]: off by spending it performing community service. And whereas nonprofit organizations, volunteer managers, AmeriCorps [0:10:04, 0:10:05]: And sing your core. [0:10:06, 0:10:15]: members across the nation have organized hundreds of projects for volunteers to engage in service honoring the goals of the King Day of service. [0:10:15, 0:10:29]: And whereas the King Day of Service, which falls on january sixteenth, this year, is an opportune time for the people of Georgia to recognize doctor King's teachings on advancing equality and opportunity and [0:10:30, 0:10:50]: For all but can by contributing their own time and talents in a day of service. And whereas the King Day of Service is an excellent opportunity to take the first step in making service a regular activity in the lives of Georgia residents and to deepen citizenship that comes with serving one's help. [0:10:49, 0:10:57]: Now therefore I Judy Neal by virtue of authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Stockbridge. [0:10:58, 0:11:03]: And on behalf of City Council members, Elton Alexander, John Blount, [0:11:04, 0:11:24]: Anthony S Ford, Lakeisha Gantt, and Neat Robinson do hereby encourage each citizen to take part in service that will benefit its citizens, providing a fitting memorial to the life of Martin Luther King junior and witness whereof I have here unto set my hand on the nine of the [0:11:24, 0:11:33]: ninth day of january twenty seventeen and have caused the official seal of the great city of Stockbridge to be affixed hereto. [0:11:45, 0:11:57]: The next proclamation, a little bit shorter, but it is about something extremely important. This is a proclamation of the Honorable Stockbridge City Council about human trafficking. [0:11:59, 0:12:19]: Whereas the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day started in twenty eleven through President Obama's declaration of January as the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and whereas since then on this day is observed annually through the help of various non government organizations. [0:12:19, 0:12:39]: Organizations and whereas it was concerned groups who are responsible for bringing this worldwide human abuse to the United States government's attention. And whereas human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery and is a crime against humanity that violates the most basic human rights. [0:12:39, 0:12:59]: Rights and whereas human trafficking occurs when an adult or child is recruited, harbored, obtained, or exported through force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, involuntary servitude, and the fact that the world is a very important thing. [0:12:59, 0:13:02]: debt, bondage, and other methods of slavery. [0:13:03, 0:13:23]: Now therefore I Judy Neal, Mayor of Stockbridge, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of Stockbridge in Georgia, do hereby proclaim january eleventh, twenty seventeen as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the city of Stockbridge, along with Council. [0:13:23, 0:13:43]: Members Elton Alexander, John Blount, Anthony S. Ford, Lakeisha Gantt, and Neat Robinson, and encourage citizens to increase their understanding, awareness, and action toward fighting the horrendous crime of human sex trafficking. [0:13:43, 0:13:51]: I'll set my hand this ninth day of January in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen in the city of Stockbridge, Georgia. [0:14:00, 0:14:04]: Okay. Oh, sure. Go ahead. [0:14:07, 0:14:11]: Human trafficking is the notion that one person's life [0:14:11, 0:14:13]: Liberty and f future. [0:14:14, 0:14:17]: can be under the absolute control of another. [0:14:17, 0:14:20]: and be sold, bought or used. [0:14:20, 0:14:22]: at the will of the owner. [0:14:23, 0:14:24]: It enslaves. [0:14:25, 0:14:26]: It derails. [0:14:27, 0:14:32]: It treats one as a piece of property in which they were never designed to be treated. [0:14:33, 0:14:35]: The average age [0:14:35, 0:14:36]: Of a child. [0:14:37, 0:14:38]: Forced into this act. [0:14:39, 0:14:40]: It's thirteen. [0:14:41, 0:14:44]: The victims are subjected to limited movement or isolation. [0:14:45, 0:14:47]: They are scarred for life. [0:14:48, 0:14:51]: They have wounds that are difficult to heal. [0:14:52, 0:15:00]: They have experiences that are sketched in their m memories that remind them of the pain and torture that trafficking had on their lives. [0:15:01, 0:15:02]: What an uncomfortable way. [0:15:03, 0:15:04]: Turn of a life. [0:15:05, 0:15:11]: are the circumstances that makes an individual enslaved and raped of the freedom of choice. [0:15:12, 0:15:20]: With the raised level of awareness, attention and focus heightening this area, we as a community of concerned citizens can educate ourselves. [0:15:20, 0:15:32]: We can work with other agencies in our community to help us empower our young people to be mindful of how enticing this can seem as they browse internet sites that can lure them into this kind. [0:15:33, 0:15:34]: of activity. [0:15:35, 0:15:37]: We can provide safe havens for children. [0:15:38, 0:15:45]: We can encourage our parents to be more involved in the lives of their teenagers and monitor the use of their electronic devices. [0:15:46, 0:15:50]: As a leader in this community, I invite you to help us protect our children. [0:15:51, 0:15:53]: Help us to nurture our children. [0:15:53, 0:15:55]: Help us to love our children. [0:15:56, 0:16:01]: and help us to to develop them to become the productive citizens that they were created to become. [0:16:01, 0:16:05]: There is a proverb that says, It does take a village. [0:16:05, 0:16:06]: to raise a child. [0:16:07, 0:16:10]: So I encourage you to partner with us. [0:16:10, 0:16:12]: To help make every child [0:16:12, 0:16:14]: All of our responsibilities. [0:16:15, 0:16:16]: Help us educate. [0:16:17, 0:16:18]: Help us to develop. [0:16:19, 0:16:20]: And help us. [0:16:20, 0:16:20]: Help them. [0:16:36, 0:16:41]: So just give us a minute. [0:16:41, 0:17:01]: This is a letter of commendation. As elected officials of the great city of Stockbridge, Georgia, it is both our pleasure and a duty to recognize great programs such as the twenty sixteen Stockbridge High School Football Program. And whereas this honorable body commends rare athletic achievement and gives special honor and [0:17:01, 0:17:21]: and commendation to those athletic teams who pursue such excellence that they become examples for the youth of this community. Once again the Stockbridge High School Tigers continue to make us proud. The twenty sixteen season was magical going on a thirteen zero run in finishing the season [0:17:21, 0:17:41]: At 13 to 1, hailing as region champs and returning to the state semifinals. Once again, the Stockbridge High School Tigers continue to make us proud. The 2016 season was oops, read that already. Coach Kevin, the Admiral Whitley, and a talented coaching staff have brought the first. [0:17:41, 0:18:01]: Brought a tradition of winning to Tiger Nation. The twenty sixteen season was another impressive year for the Tigers. Region four, five A Champs. Coach Kevin Whitley, Region Four, Five A Coach of the Year. Thirteen all region team selections, including defensive. [0:18:01, 0:18:16]: Player of the year, Vinton Cox, first team selections, Vinton Cox, Jalen Holston, Marquez Azard, Austin Donaldson, Kendrick Duncan, Kelton Dawson. [0:18:16, 0:18:26]: Chris Hall and Nazir Greer, second team selections, Aaron Robinson, Brandon Lopez, Mike Prince. [0:18:26, 0:18:45]: and honorable mention selections Abu Van Gura, Jordan Douglas, Jordan Brown, Wesley Gulford, uh Nadarius Alexander, and Ryan Massey. We look forward to another exciting year for the Tigers in twenty seventeen. [0:18:46, 0:19:06]: We commend the Stockbridge High School administration led by Principal Eric Watson for your leadership both in the classroom and on the field. Having a great athletic program offers many of the Tigers an opportunity to continue their athletic and academic careers with well deserved scholarships. This body of [0:19:05, 0:19:11]: It honors the tigers and wishes you the best of luck in your future endeavors. [0:19:25, 0:19:45]: Now we have another letter of commendation as elected officials of the great city of Stockbridge, Georgia, it is both our pleasure and duty to recognize great programs such as the twenty sixteen Eagles Landing Christian Academy Football Program. And whereas this honorable body commends rare athletic achievement and gives special [0:19:45, 0:20:05]: Honor and commendation to those athletic teams who pursue such excellence that they become examples for the youth of this community. Congratulations on your repeat 4A private state championship for the second consecutive year, finishing the season with a f fantastic 14-0 record. [0:20:05, 0:20:25]: And special honors for Allstate Team, Class A, Private, Defensive Player of the Year, Harrison Taylor, Place Kicker Alex Ersri, linebacker George Shockley, linebacker Harrison Taylor, defensive back Trey Douglas, and honorable mention running back Trevor Grig. [0:20:25, 0:20:45]: Gear. We commend the Eagles Landing Christian Academy Administration led by Principal Doug Campbell for your leadership and noting the ELCA mission to glorify God by assisting parents and involving their children in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ through Kingdom Education. Our advocate [0:20:45, 0:21:05]: Athletic program should support this commitment through Kingdom Athletics. We use athletics as a tool to train our students to win the day as part of their lifelong Bible-based Christ-centered process of leading a child to Christ, building a child up in Christ, and equipping a child to serve Christ. [0:21:05, 0:21:19]: Christ. We look forward to an amazing season in twenty seventeen. This body tonight honors the Chargers and wishes you the best of luck in your future endeavors. And this is signed by the Mayor and Council. [0:21:30, 0:21:45]: While we're making ready up on the dais if every we could get all the chairs moved to the side, everyone who is here tonight for the Doctor Martin Luther King uh proclamation, would you please come forward? I saw Mr. Edwards. Who else is here? [0:21:47, 0:21:50]: Here we go. You want to come out and receive this, Mr. Edwards? [0:21:52, 0:22:00]: Mr Edwards is president of the Henry County and double ACP, so I would assume that you would be the perfect person to take this away. [0:22:01, 0:22:03]: [1373.7, 1381.4]: Okay, on a count of three. One, two, three. One more. One, two, three. [0:23:02, 0:23:03]: Thank you. [0:23:23, 0:23:32]: Okay, now if I could ask uh Bishop Strickland to come back up and anyone that might be with you that's interested or working on the issue of human trafficking. [0:24:05, 0:24:07]: I'll hear by Shift to Malle. [0:24:09, 0:24:12]: Funchinha, okay, much better. [0:24:13, 0:24:17]: Okay, on a count of three, one, two, three. [0:24:18, 0:24:22]: One more, one, two, three. Thank you. [0:24:30, 0:24:38]: If we could have the Stockbridge group come up. Let me see how big that Stockbridge group is and we'll know where we're gonna make a photograph. [0:24:38, 0:24:41]: Wow big. [0:24:42, 0:24:48]: All right, let's let's start up here and just come up. Everybody come on up. [0:24:49, 0:24:52]: So it's more accurate. [0:24:54, 0:24:56]: Okay. Could you hear me? [0:24:58, 0:24:59]: Like that. [0:24:59, 0:25:08]: And was we can just remix it. [0:25:10, 0:25:16]: Paulus guys in the back. [0:25:20, 0:25:24]: Okay. [0:25:24, 0:25:34]: Absolute really tall people in the back. [0:25:36, 0:25:44]: Oh, we got even some sponsors here. How are you? Working on that it had a problem. [0:25:45, 0:26:05]: Oh sorry. Come on, hold it down. Hold that, hold that jump. Alright, this is the code. Right here before you're not there. No, just kinda [0:26:04, 0:26:09]: [1570.9, 1572.7]: On a zero? [0:26:13, 0:26:26]: Well no I'm saying for more [0:26:26, 0:26:46]: Are we getting everybody or does some need to come to the bottom? Y'all can bunch in a little bit more on this side. Everybody think small. Move a little bit to the center. [0:26:46, 0:26:48]: Yeah. [0:26:48, 0:27:08]: Alright, I have everybody. We're gonna do excuse me, three shot. Everybody look at me. Wanna count of three? One, two, three. One more. One, two, three. Another one, one, two, three. Thank you. [0:27:08, 0:27:10]: [1638.4, 1642.5]: Really? [0:27:25, 0:27:28]: Yeah, next one. [0:27:35, 0:27:40]: Okay, once these young people are seated we're gonna ask the ELCA team to come up. [0:27:41, 0:27:45]: Chargers, the chargers from a heavy [0:27:55, 0:28:13]: Good job. Julie Neal, good to see you. [0:28:13, 0:28:20]: Go in front soon. It's quite light for you. [0:28:21, 0:28:24]: Oh, do you want to hold the proclamation? [0:28:27, 0:28:29]: [1710.7, 1713.6]: Well tried by the coach, that'd be great. [0:28:34, 0:28:36]: Pani Przewodnicząca. [0:28:37, 0:28:50]: Okay, everybody, dead center on the count of three, one, two, three. One more, one, two, three. Thank you. [0:28:52, 0:28:54]: [1736.1, 1737.7]: [0:29:00, 0:29:11]: Thank you, congratulations. Thank you so much. Congratulations. Going next year in the news stage. [0:29:14, 0:29:19]: We're gonna take a one minute break and let those that are leaving exit. [0:30:10, 0:30:11]: Mm-hmm. [0:30:16, 0:30:19]: Close those doors. Close the doors. [0:30:34, 0:30:35]: Yeah. [0:30:37, 0:30:42]: At this time we would like to ask anyone in the audience that filled out a paper um [0:30:43, 0:30:44]: Wishing to speak. [0:30:45, 0:30:47]: If you have done that and presented it to the clerk. [0:30:48, 0:30:52]: We'll have that now. Um, Madam Clerk, could you tell us who signed up? [0:30:52, 0:30:54]: Pastor Cecilia Green. [0:30:55, 0:30:57]: Pastor Cecilia Green, you have three minutes. [0:31:06, 0:31:15]: Good evening, Mayor and City Council. I stand before you as a concerned citizen of the audience concerning uh smoking. [0:31:15, 0:31:19]: uh in the car with our youth, our children. [0:31:19, 0:31:22]: I'm sure this is something that you guys have already heard about. [0:31:23, 0:31:27]: I'm gonna tell you why I am actually for this ban. [0:31:27, 0:31:28]: Um [0:31:29, 0:31:33]: Unfortunately when I was growing up, both of my parents smoked. [0:31:34, 0:31:44]: And I can tell you sometimes that as much as I love my parents, I was always asking them, you know, not to smoke in the car. [0:31:45, 0:31:45]: Um [0:31:46, 0:31:51]: There's a lot of things that can happen with second hand smoke. [0:31:51, 0:31:52]: Uh [0:31:52, 0:31:54]: You it's not something that you can just turn aside. [0:31:55, 0:32:09]: Because even though you're not the smoker, when you inhale the toxins from the second hand smoke it it can also damage your lungs as well. And there are cases that have been proven concerning this. What I hope to see [0:32:09, 0:32:24]: is that this would be taken more seriously for the sake of our young people. You gotta think about children. Children have not fully developed until they have reached a certain age. And a lot of the kids that have to take in this smoke [0:32:25, 0:32:45]: You know, it it's really not bad, but it's also not good. And what I'm hoping to see with this is that this audience will pass and that something will happen with this for the sake of our young people. They don't deserve to inhale secondhand smoke. And I think we ought to show them more love. [0:32:45, 0:33:05]: And more concern and more respect, and just try not to smoke when you're in such a tight um situation as a car. You know, sometimes you can roll the windows down uh and and that will take some of it out. But you still got to smoke inside of the car. And so I am proposing that you guys will sit. [0:33:05, 0:33:24]: Consider this for the sake of our young people, for the sake of their lives. We want them to grow up and be healthy and strive. And so this will help them to have stronger lungs and to go on and do greater things. Thank you for caring enough to listen and may God bless each and every one of you. [0:33:24, 0:33:25]: Thank you. [0:33:27, 0:33:28]: Is there anyone else? [0:33:30, 0:33:31]: Yes. [0:33:33, 0:33:33]: [2014.9, 2017.5]: Mr Stephen Gutler? [0:33:46, 0:33:58]: Good evening, Madam Mayor and City Council. Uh I was asked to come and speak tonight. My name's Steve Gutler. Some of y'all know me, I'm Stevie G. I put on Noel in November. Thank y'all for your help this year. We did real good things. [0:33:58, 0:34:10]: I say that to tell you I do everything I can to help kids. My kids are grown. I'm trying to help other people's kids. With Noella November, with coaching football and baseball, with the karate schools I've owned over the years. [0:34:11, 0:34:17]: One thing I've never understood is how a parent can bring a child to a karate school and a child get out of the car reeking of cigarettes. [0:34:18, 0:34:21]: I've never understood that, then expect that child to do the best that they can [0:34:22, 0:34:24]: at that time when they're expected get out on the mat. [0:34:26, 0:34:31]: I d I'm not gonna take three minutes to stand here and say the right thing to do is [0:34:31, 0:34:48]: to pass this ordinance saying smoking in cars is ridiculous. If you have a minor in the car, they don't have a choice. Kids don't have choices unless we as adults help them have choices. Kids aren't going to make it through this world and become productive citizens, as the bishop so eloquently put in his speech earlier. [0:34:49, 0:34:55]: unless we give them the opportunity to do so. I hope you'll seriously consider this measure and uh thank you for your time. [0:34:55, 0:34:56]: Thank you. [0:34:57, 0:34:58]: Anyone else? [0:34:59, 0:35:00]: There are no further comments. [0:35:03, 0:35:10]: Okay, at this point we are going to move on with our old business and the first thing we're going to um [0:35:11, 0:35:25]: have on Old Business is a presentation about the Stockbridge bicycle, pedestrian and trail plan presented by Matty Fuchetti from ASLA of WLA Studio. [0:35:25, 0:35:41]: Thank you, Mayor. As their as Matty and Keys are coming forward, just wanted to again introduce them and let the council and the citizens know that this initiative started last year by the council. They um elected to move forward with establishing the creation of a master trail plan. [0:35:42, 0:35:42]: Um [0:35:43, 0:35:44]: The purpose of which [0:35:45, 0:35:49]: Um it's a plan that aims to to make recommendations to develop [0:35:50, 0:36:06]: An integrated pedestrian and bicycling network that accommodates a wide range of users and abilities from children to seniors. By developing a bicycle and pedestrian trail plan, the city will provide a safe, connected, efficient transportation system for the citizens of Stockbridge. And with that I will turn it over to Mighty for her presentation. [0:36:09, 0:36:10]: [2172.8, 2175.8]: Just get the presentation pulled up and I'll get started. [0:36:24, 0:36:34]: Again, I'm I'm Madey Fischetti. I'm um with WLA Studio. We're a landscape architecture and planning firm in Athens, Georgia. We've been in bus business about uh over thirty years. [0:36:34, 0:36:37]: And I'm here tonight with our principal Keys Williamson. He's [0:36:37, 0:36:41]: sitting back here. He's also a resident guru in um [0:36:41, 0:36:50]: Georgia DOT plan development process and so I I brought him along with me in case you all have any questions about any any of the planning process. [0:36:50, 0:37:10]: Um but as as Michael stated, uh we started on this project kind of at the beginning of this summer and our project team includes you all, City Council. We've also worked with the administration and and commit community services division from your city and worked closely with the Main Street Advisory Commission. [0:37:10, 0:37:10]: [2231.2, 2238.9]: Um that group informed us in some of our very first meetings, um and also aimed to have a lot of public input and that was one of our [0:37:19, 0:37:21]: are ways to get additional public input. [0:37:21, 0:37:22]: Um [0:37:22, 0:37:42]: Our firm has been in business for about 30 years. Again, we're in Athens, Georgia, Gainesville, and also have a an office in Atlanta. And we we love these kinds of projects that that create connectivity for communities. It's the kind of project where we really get to meet citizens and see um how the planning process is going to help you all. [0:37:42, 0:37:42]: [2263.5, 2273.3]: Um so this plan was started by the city because there wasn't currently a comprehensive plan that showed connectivity in the city. Um [0:37:53, 0:38:13]: From my understanding, the way improvements were being made is project by project basis and there wasn't necessarily a network plan that showed how of all of those projects were tying together. So when there was a need for a sidewalk somewhere, that sidewalk was installed, but there really wasn't a big picture plan for how all of those sidewalks would connect. [0:38:13, 0:38:28]: connect together. There were related plans that have been developed previously, such as the LCI study, and what we tried to do was build on those studies, not just take them and say we're not going to use them. We looked at the recommendations that those studies made. [0:38:28, 0:38:30]: and then tried to take them a step further. [0:38:31, 0:38:36]: specifically in regards to pedestrians, bicyclists, and off-road greenway trails. [0:38:37, 0:38:57]: Um so the main goal is to create a safe, connected and efficient transportation system for the citizens, and that's alternate transportation or active transportation. So your legs, your arms, whatever it takes you to get through on a vehicle, but um not getting in your car, getting out, um safe ways to do that. [0:38:57, 0:39:00]: that for all ages and all different ranges of abilities. [0:39:01, 0:39:06]: Um and aga and again this is an integrated pedestrian and bicycling network. We're not just looking at [0:39:06, 0:39:14]: putting sidewalks next to busy roads. We're looking at where in the community we can make connections that might not necessarily have been made before. [0:39:14, 0:39:24]: Um so the first phase was inventory analysis. We even brought our bikes over here one day to experience what it was like to be a bicyclist in Stockbridge and [0:39:24, 0:39:44]: Um the assets you do have are the Reeves Creek Trail and that was a great bike trail. In fact it was a day off from school when I was here um and that was the only place I saw any children. Nobody was playing in front in their front yards. They were on the greenway um and kind of between the two parks. Um so that that's really where you see people are on [0:39:44, 0:39:52]: the existing trails, on Reeves Creek Trail, in the existing parks, using the active recreation pieces that are already in place here. [0:39:53, 0:40:13]: Um but getting between those pieces was challenging and frankly a little scary. Um riding your bike on flipping road, um people come up behind you about fifty-five miles an hour and it you don't feel safe. So our goal is to really look at how we can get all of those pieces connected. Um so phase two, we started [0:40:13, 0:40:26]: looking at opportunities, how can we connect those? What are your right of what does the right-of-way look like in the city? Um is there a road where there's extra wide right of way, 80 feet, where we could actually get one of these off-road trails adjacent to a road? [0:40:26, 0:40:28]: Where are the utility corridors? [0:40:29, 0:40:34]: Um where are the existing streams? Sometimes those are good places to look for greenway opportunities. [0:40:34, 0:40:46]: And then our last step, and that's where we are right now, is looking at those final recommendations after we've looked at prioritizing with the public and getting your input to finalize the plan. [0:40:47, 0:41:07]: Um so we've we've given you a copy of the draft master plan document. I believe you've all received that. Um so what that includes is mapping and narrative that tells you where, what, when and how much these types of recommendations are going to cost, recommendations for policies, programming and infrastructure improvements. [0:41:07, 0:41:12]: And then also some standard cross sections and guidelines for future development. [0:41:13, 0:41:33]: Um so i in the process of of coming up with our big ideas and the network, um we input we got a lot of input. Not only did we do a physical assessment of what's on the ground here in Stockbridge, but we also did a survey, I think, um, or conducted a survey, I think a lot of you all filled it out. Um [0:41:33, 0:41:53]: We had it online. We also went in person to one of the the food truck events that you have on the square and got a lot of input that way. And then we also looked at other studies, both local and regional. So we wanted to look at ARC plans, Atlanta Regional Commission plans. How can this plan tie into a regional study? [0:41:53, 0:41:56]: system. [0:41:56, 0:42:06]: Henry County Com Comprehensive Transportation Plan that was developed in two thousand seven and looked at what the city of Stockbridge could do to really um tie into that transportation network. [0:42:08, 0:42:22]: Um so again we looked at what the assets are here, uh the existing trails that are in parks, um the sidewalk network, the Martin Luther King Senior trail that's been developed by the Main Street uh program here in town. [0:42:23, 0:42:43]: um looked at what cultural assets are available, what people want to walk between schools, churches, community assets here in the downtown core, where there are sidewalks. And actually you all have a lot of really great sidewalks, especially in some of the smaller neighborhoods. So those are we're seeing those as assets. [0:42:43, 0:42:46]: And we're just looking to see how we can tie all of those together. [0:42:46, 0:42:55]: Um we also looked at items such as crash data from Georgia DOT. Um we looked at all the pedestrian bicycle facilities. [0:42:55, 0:43:04]: Um and looked at intersection conditions to see if those are ADA compliant. So are there ramps, are there um push buttons for pedestrians so the signal will change. [0:43:06, 0:43:15]: Um our survey results found that your citizens do value these types of um services. They like the resources for b bicycle and pedestrians. [0:43:16, 0:43:23]: Um they do want additional resources. I don't think we interviewed one person who said, I feel like the system is perfect, don't change a thing. [0:43:23, 0:43:31]: Um most people who answered the survey said that they wanted to expand the network to improve safety. [0:43:31, 0:43:35]: and um to nurture a culture for health and fitness [0:43:35, 0:43:40]: and also to improve the environment. So those were kind of the top priorities. [0:43:40, 0:44:00]: So we took that and we said, okay, so those are people's priorities. What do they mean? One would be trails. There was an emphasis in the survey findings that people wanted these off system trails, not just sidewalks next to streets. They like the trails where you can get off the road a little bit and exercise, like the Reeves Creek Trail. They like the recreation opportunities. [0:44:00, 0:44:12]: opportunity. Um again completing the sidewalk network. There are some neighborhood streets that don't have sidewalks and some do have some through traffic so it's important to get especially children walking to school off of those streets. [0:44:13, 0:44:27]: um intersection improvements, improvements to accessibility and signage, and also bicycle facilities such as bike lanes and improved alternative transportation connections with a focus on neighborhoods and schools. [0:44:29, 0:44:45]: So we took um those those ideas from the survey and we came up with some different ideas for how they could be implemented on the ground. What is this going to look like on the ground? So for instance, um we have a board here from a presentation we made. Um [0:44:45, 0:45:05]: I think it was in at the end of October. Um so we we made this presentation where we showed the citizens options. If you have an eighty foot ride of way on Rock Quarry Road, how can you get pedestrian bicycle facilities on this road? Um and then we also found out from Henry County Transportation there's currently [0:45:05, 0:45:25]: A SPLOSS project being developed for this road that includes four-laning. So we looked at the full width of the road, how can we use the right-of-way to the citizens' advantage? And we showed some different options, including having a ten-foot wide trail with a wide buffer beside it, a sidewalk right adjacent. [0:45:25, 0:45:31]: to the road. So we showed them some different options and we asked them to vote. And the votes were done with stickers. Citizens came up [0:45:32, 0:45:37]: and put stickers on their favorite type of facility and also their favorite type of project. [0:45:37, 0:45:46]: So we had a different we had lists of projects and different configurations for these projects. And from that we developed a priority project list. And that that's included in your report. [0:45:47, 0:45:58]: Um we also had them evaluate the entire system, what projects they felt like were priorities for the entire system, and what we did was divide the um [0:45:58, 0:46:18]: the city limits into some quadrants. The city limits are a little funky. I guess you guys know that. There's not really a circle or northwest area or a southwest area, but we did our best to kind of divide it into quadrants so that people could see things in a little better detail. And what you'll see up here are areas where [0:46:18, 0:46:37]: The cultural resources for the city are kind of concentrated. Those are all your little symbols. We show where all the little all the resources are and where the major north-south and east-west thoroughfares are. And then we started to make connections either on-road or off-road and made recommendations based on the entire system. [0:46:38, 0:46:58]: And um I'm sorry I'm a little limited in time that I can't go through every single recommendation, but you all can read those in detail. They're in the report. But what I will do is um come down to our our list and kind of let you know what the public input told us when we showed them the the project list. That really the everybody's favorite idea [0:46:57, 0:47:17]: was the greenway routes. And those are off-road multi-use paths. How they get developed really is dependent upon the condition in which they are placed. So in some places you might have a ten foot wide asphalt trail, some places you might require boardwalk if there's a wetland area. And sometimes you might have a soft surface trail if something [0:47:17, 0:47:37]: something like a a gravel or a crusher run if you're in a more environmentally sensitive area. So there are different ways that those can be surfaced, but for the most part they're off road, they're not right next to a road, or at least the buffer is wide enough that you don't feel like you're right in traffic. Um and they're usually following some sort of utility or stream corridor. [0:47:37, 0:47:57]: So the Reeves Creek Trail is a good example of that. We looked at different greenway routes. Our main priority for greenway routes was to try and connect people to schools and also to try to get people toward the Panola Mountain Greenway Trail. That is a great example of public-private partnership and a success. [0:47:57, 0:48:17]: Success story. There's a currently an agreement with Austin Middle School to bring Pinola Mountain Trail to that middle school. The involved parties are Georgia DOT, Path Foundation, the County, all of those entities are working together to fund and construct that project. [0:48:17, 0:48:35]: So we're trying to get Stockbridge connected to that network. Unfortunately, your city limits don't quite go that far. So what we're trying to do is send some fingers out that hopefully can become part of a countywide transportation plan to bring that system through the city. [0:48:35, 0:48:45]: My vision for you all is that there's a missing link between Panola Mountain and Atlanta and the Belt Line, is that Stockbridge becomes part of that missing link. [0:48:45, 0:49:01]: Um you all have a great potential to be to become part of the link between Canola Mountain Trails and the Atlanta Belt Line. Um and this is one of the times that you can show we've got the planning document in place that we are ready and willing to to be one of those links. [0:49:02, 0:49:10]: Um North Henry Boulevard right now is is kind of a nightmare for pedestrians because it's so far in between signalized crossings. [0:49:10, 0:49:14]: So we have some recommendations in our report for for mid block crossings that are signalized. [0:49:15, 0:49:21]: Road specific improvements include Davis Road, Old Conyers Road, Walt Stevens, Red Oak. [0:49:21, 0:49:24]: Flippin' Road, Rock Quarry Road. [0:49:24, 0:49:44]: And also the completion of the Martin Luther King Senior Trail. The main priorities as far as the road improvements go are establishing a better north-south connection for your citizens. Right now, it's kind of there's some parks in the north, there's the greenway in the middle, and then there's some new construction. [0:49:44, 0:49:55]: construction down um near Eagles Landing where people have bike lanes and sidewalks and pedestrian amenities. But there's really no way to get north south. Flippin' Road and Rock Quarry Road. [0:49:55, 0:49:58]: There are no pedestrian or bicycle amenities. So [0:49:58, 0:50:01]: So to me those kind of move to the top of the list. [0:50:04, 0:50:08]: So this is our priority project list based on public input. [0:50:08, 0:50:28]: Um there are detailed cost estimates in the report that detail um exactly how much these these projects would cost per linear foot. And the costs are pretty comprehensive. They include pedestrian lighting, um, they include hard surface construction. Sometimes the project [0:50:28, 0:50:45]: is uh the priority at this point would be planning. Um the Greenway projects right now, those would probably need to go into a planning stage. So there needs to be another bridging document before those go into construction phase, some sort of comprehensive master plan for [0:50:46, 0:50:51]: each particular greenway that looks at right of way acquisition and how how the route can actually work. [0:50:52, 0:50:56]: Um but again this is the priority project list based on public input. [0:50:56, 0:51:03]: Um they are categorized by kind of a range of years for completion and how much they would cost. [0:51:04, 0:51:05]: Um [0:51:06, 0:51:10]: additional priority projects here. These are um [0:51:11, 0:51:22]: connection type projects. And again, you'll see over on the left, this is the type of typical section, cross section that we show and plan view that we show for each project in the report. [0:51:24, 0:51:44]: The last part of our report looks at potential funding. We look at both public and private funding. And as I just mentioned, with um with the Panola Mountain Greenway Extension, a lot of times those are public-private partnerships. And it's smart to have this kind of planning project in place when you go after funding. [0:51:44, 0:51:52]: Because it shows that your community is ready to make these projects part of a comprehensive plan, that it's not just a piece. [0:51:52, 0:51:56]: la you know, an outlier as part of a connected future plan. [0:51:56, 0:52:16]: Um so putting this plan in place before going after any of these grants is really important. Some grants that are coming up, um there's a LMIG plan, uh grant that's coming up in February. It's a off system safety grant, um so that might be something you all want to pursue. There was a deadline um December thirty first for LMI. [0:52:16, 0:52:32]: IG grants, but they are still taking applications is what I understand in my conversations with GDOT. And it's just a two page application. So if there's a particular project that you're thinking that's a kind of a off system, so off-road. [0:52:32, 0:52:33]: Type of project? [0:52:33, 0:52:39]: Those could be ones that kind of get pushed to the forefront and some grants could um it's you could start to pursue some grants. [0:52:41, 0:52:52]: We also looked at private funding. There's a a number of foundations, especially related to health and obesity, um, that are offering grants for just this type of project right now. [0:52:54, 0:53:10]: Um and the last piece of the puzzle is updating policy, um, not only zoning but also city uh zoning and city ordinances but also city education citywide education programs, how this can tie into economic development. [0:53:10, 0:53:16]: Um a lot of that will help the grant writing. Um if this is tied into policy and there's policy to back this up. [0:53:17, 0:53:20]: So we made specific code recommendations. [0:53:20, 0:53:23]: Um for how some code language could help support [0:53:23, 0:53:24]: An off road. [0:53:24, 0:53:34]: system, also um things like bicycle parking at multifamily developments, really specific zoning ordinance um language that could be adopted to help support [0:53:35, 0:53:35]: This plan. [0:53:37, 0:53:55]: Um so what next? Uh the city would need to help start to implement some of these policy recommendations, launch education and encouragement initiatives around, develop a capital plan for bicycle and pedestrian improvements and projects, and that's what some of this cost estimating should help you do. [0:53:56, 0:53:59]: Um and then design and can construct infrastructure improvements. [0:54:00, 0:54:01]: So um we wish you luck. [0:54:02, 0:54:08]: And please let us know how we can help you push this plan forward. Do you all have any questions? [0:54:09, 0:54:12]: Does anyone have a question? [0:54:12, 0:54:32]: Councilman. Yes. Alexander. Actually th th there's more a question than a statement. First of all, I see I was glad to see everybody out tonight. And one of the things and part of building a solid community is pedestrian friendly connectedness. How many uh many of us out here have grandkids incl including myself? [0:54:32, 0:54:41]: And children. And you know what we said when we talk to those young people when we do exit exams, when they enter hi uh exit high school? [0:54:41, 0:54:44]: They say to us, We don't want to come back to Henry County. [0:54:45, 0:54:49]: We want to move on. We want to be in a more pedestrian friendly uh [0:54:49, 0:54:54]: corridor where we can ride our bikes, where we can enjoy our times outside. [0:54:54, 0:55:06]: This is one of the things that I'm attempting to do that I support that put for for we want to see our grandkids come back. We want to see them spend time with us. We want them to be able to get out on the road, be safe. [0:55:06, 0:55:26]: And the surveys told us number one is that the two things that young millennials and seniors have in common is to uh be very active. And I'd like to um ask you uh in terms of the the safety data that you looked at, in terms of you said North Henry Boulevard was a nightmare, which I I believe you, and dried enough [0:55:26, 0:55:45]: up and down flipping road. We had a a surgeon that was actually killed over in Hampton that was hit riding his bike and that was something that we don't want to see. Uh what is it that um you would do first in terms of improving the safety measures uh in the city so our kids and our seniors could be safe out on the roadway? [0:55:46, 0:55:48]: But I think the first thing would be to do [0:55:50, 0:55:56]: I definitely think that um since you already have such a walkable downtown area [0:55:56, 0:56:16]: um getting some of those mid block crossings, signalized mid block crossings on North Henry Boulevard. There is an established pedestrian community on both the north and south side of that road. Lots of neighborhoods, lots of kids. And I think I think that would definitely help people get to [0:56:16, 0:56:18]: and from your existing amenities. [0:56:18, 0:56:19]: Easier. [0:56:20, 0:56:20]: Um [0:56:21, 0:56:23]: And I also think that one [0:56:23, 0:56:25]: One of the north south [0:56:25, 0:56:27]: corridors needs to be addressed. [0:56:27, 0:56:29]: There's just no way to get [0:56:29, 0:56:40]: between um Reeves Creek Trail, it's not really connected to the downtown. So that could actually be done with the Martin Luther King Senior Trail. [0:56:40, 0:56:41]: Um [0:56:41, 0:56:47]: And then maybe connect in, flippin' as well. So I think those are those are probably the priority [0:56:47, 0:56:49]: Areas as far as existing [0:56:50, 0:56:52]: network connections. [0:56:53, 0:57:00]: And I think that you could probably easily go after some G DOT funding for the North Henry Boulevard section. [0:57:02, 0:57:03]: Well thank you so much. [0:57:03, 0:57:05]: Okay. Any other questions? I do. [0:57:06, 0:57:07]: Uh councilman. [0:57:08, 0:57:19]: May Mayor Protam. No, actually it's more of a comment than anything else. First of all, I appreciate the presentation. I think you did an excellent job on that. I know you set aside the priorities that you that that are in front of us. [0:57:20, 0:57:26]: And so you gave us some more verbal content of that. So we'll work on that and we'll obviously have to work on the grant issues and things of that nature. [0:57:26, 0:57:45]: And we're also I'd like to tell you we're also working on our corporate city limits. We understand how it's jagged. We know that. So we're working on it. Okay, so we can make it all comprehensive all together. So we're working on it as well. But thank you, you and your company, for the presentation and and the hard work and uh and I appreciate the fact that it's a good product and we've got something to work with. Thank you very much. [0:57:46, 0:57:47]: Other comments? [0:57:48, 0:57:48]: I did it. [0:57:48, 0:57:57]: Mm um it's Mom Robbins. Mayor Neil. Thank you. I noticed you mentioned the um grants. So is this something that Michael we can definitely [0:57:58, 0:58:17]: We yeah, we absolutely can. You know, being once you have the plan approved and adopted and you have it as a document, that opens the door for being able to go back through and pursuing these type of grant opportunities and other funding mechanisms. The next step, um as uh Mighty has alluded to, is you know the the adoption of the policy recommendations [0:58:17, 0:58:27]: Tonight was an opportunity to introduce what's been done so far thus far, you know, kinda show everyone, the council, mayor and citizens, you know, the efforts that's gone forward so far. But [0:58:28, 0:58:48]: What we'd like to have the council do at this point is go back through, review the documents that have been received, take a look at it, any comments that you may have, um recommendations or things you may want to see amended, um because eventually the goal is to actually adopt this plan as an adopted master trail plan and then once it's adopted then we can start [0:58:48, 0:59:08]: Taking steps towards pursuing these grants. Again, because one of the first questions that GDOT or other funding sources will ask is where is it in your plan? Do you have a plan? Is it included in your plan? So this will be able to carry over into and again as as Mighty alluded to, we work in conjunction with I think Jacobs was doing the update to the comprehensive [0:59:08, 0:59:28]: Comprehensive transportation plan, so it was noted in there as well. And so as the GDOT lists come forward and opportunities are um avail themselves, we'll be able to take the plan and move forward and say, it's been identified, we've gone through, we've done the research, we've identified what products are needed, and you know that certainly bolsters your argument to be able to go out there and solicit for funds. So that certainly is the intent. [0:59:28, 0:59:35]: to um now that once the plan is adopted and passed and um then from there we'll go and start looking at the alternative funding sources. [0:59:36, 0:59:39]: Are there any other discussion? [0:59:39, 0:59:41]: Points that w anyone wants to make. [0:59:43, 0:59:52]: Thank you. Thank you all so much for allowing us to work on this plan. It's been a pleasure to work with your constituency. Your your citizens really did give us a lot of input. [0:59:53, 0:59:59]: And um I think the vision that you're setting for for your future citizens is is really great. [0:59:59, 1:00:01]: Thank you so much. [1:00:02, 1:00:09]: At this time are we going to have a motion to accept the plan or do you want to wait on that, Michael, for later? [1:00:09, 1:00:18]: Well certainly why I know the the the council just recently received it so certainly want to give you all an opportunity to review the plan, um make any comments, um any questions you may have. [1:00:19, 1:00:22]: And then to the next council meeting. [1:00:38, 1:00:52]: Yeah, at the council's discretion we can if it's up for consideration if there's no other if there's no other questions we can hear it at the next one. It can either go on consent agenda or if the council is comfortable with actually voting on it in the January tw thirty first meeting. [1:00:52, 1:00:54]: Either one. What is your pleasure? Council. [1:00:57, 1:01:09]: Yeah, Ma Mayor, if you don't mind, I I'm ready actually I'm ready to vote on it tonight to accept it personally. I mean but uh uh really I I mean I go study it but I yeah, this is a good plan. What I've c what I [1:01:09, 1:01:29]: Definitely thus far it's a good plan. I would like to accept it. But I will tell you from a staff standpoint we have reviewed it. We uh we've kind of worked back and forth on a couple of made a couple of slight amendments, but again we think it is a very comprehensive plan. It looked at a number of different options, it provided a detailed um cost um estimates as well. So we're pleased about that. So again I [1:01:29, 1:01:35]: I think it is a very comprehensive, well put together plan. Certainly appreciate the effort that WLA has put forward on this. [1:01:36, 1:01:38]: Do I hear a motion that we move forward with it tonight? [1:01:40, 1:01:42]: Okay, I'd like to make a motion, you don't mind, Mayor. [1:01:42, 1:01:44]: I'd like to make a motion that we accept this um [1:01:44, 1:01:51]: Second. [1:01:54, 1:01:57]: All right. Is there any discussion? We've had a motion and a second. [1:02:00, 1:02:03]: No discussion. I'll call for the vote. All in favor? [1:02:05, 1:02:08]: It's a unanimous vote. Thank you. Thank you so much. [1:02:09, 1:02:22]: At this time, uh under O Business we have an ordinance that we are about to bring up. It's banning smoking in vehicles containing minors and it will be presented by Councilman John Blount. [1:02:25, 1:02:27]: First of all I wanna thank everyone for coming out that uh [1:02:27, 1:02:29]: have supported this um [1:02:30, 1:02:31]: This have been [1:02:32, 1:02:32]: A [1:02:34, 1:02:37]: interesting venture um to say the least. [1:02:38, 1:02:56]: But it's been dear to my heart because when I see so many youth and we're committed to the community, when I see so many youth and we're committed to the athletes in this c these sit in the city, we're committed to the education and I think we should be committed to the health of our of our youth. [1:02:56, 1:03:05]: And so when I look at this and we the council has asked for more information on this and it has been provided not only by myself and [1:03:06, 1:03:08]: uh the council members also by our attorney. [1:03:09, 1:03:14]: And the consensus shows that second hand smoke and even third hand smoke is is dangerous. [1:03:15, 1:03:21]: And when we have our children involved, we have to be divorced for those children. [1:03:21, 1:03:31]: And that's the intent of this ordinance as a whole, to be divorced to those children. When we see the increase in pneumonia and asthma and bronchitis and [1:03:31, 1:03:51]: an increase in sudden infant death syndrome and I can go on and on and when I talk to uh pediatricians this week and I talked to the allergies and asthma uh uh clinics and when I've talked to the citizens I've talked to and one of the things we was concerned about was was uh how do we police this? Well I talked to police [1:03:51, 1:03:59]: officers and I've talked to our Commissioner Blake Princeton. I've talked to so many people pertaining to this to cover all areas. [1:04:00, 1:04:12]: And the only c conclusion I say is that there's no downside to this, but the upside to this is a healthier child to be the as healthy as they can be. And I think that irresponsible parents [1:04:12, 1:04:32]: should be looked at like any other irresponsible person and that we could be the voice of our youth. So with that being said, I would like to move right now and ask that in motion that we would take this ordinance right now and make a motion that we would pass this ordinance to ban smoking and ch and uh smoking in cars with children's present. [1:04:33, 1:04:35]: That would be in all vehicles. [1:04:35, 1:04:40]: All vehicles, smoking in all vehicles while children are present, minors are present. [1:04:40, 1:04:45]: We have a motion to move forward with this ordinance. Do I hear a second? [1:04:46, 1:04:46]: My second. [1:04:47, 1:04:49]: We have a motion and a second. [1:04:50, 1:04:52]: Is there further discussion? Yes. [1:04:53, 1:04:54]: Councilman Alexander. [1:04:55, 1:04:58]: I think that everybody's sitting up here on this board. [1:04:58, 1:05:05]: is against second hand smoke. I think the data is undeniable that second hand smoke [1:05:05, 1:05:11]: um causes tremendous uh medical issues for our youth and for individuals themselves. [1:05:12, 1:05:32]: I think my concern with this entire process is I do not want to see uh citizens hit with a five hundred dollar fine or any fine for that uh matter because you know we had the city has already written off fifty thousand one time, fifty thousand another time to prevent us from [1:05:31, 1:05:35]: um running a debtor's prison because people were not paying [1:05:36, 1:05:38]: The citations that they were already hit with. [1:05:38, 1:05:46]: Let's in the day's light of what we see right now, uh this issue is a probable cause issue. [1:05:46, 1:05:51]: You are driving down the street, a police officer sees you [1:05:51, 1:05:53]: And they see smoke in the car. [1:05:54, 1:05:58]: They're making a judgment call to pull you over. It's a probable cause to be pulled over. [1:05:59, 1:06:19]: That's the issue that I have with it, that it's a probable cause to be pulled over, and that in this day and light and time I don't want that officer risking their life and I don't want a citizen to make a empt uh innocent move and be another victim of an innocent situation but getting pulled over for something as innocently as [1:06:19, 1:06:30]: as being smoking, whether there was smoking uh in the car or not. I don't wanna see any adults smoking in the car with children. I'm one hundred percent against that. [1:06:30, 1:06:33]: My solution to this issue is this. [1:06:33, 1:06:41]: Uh every month the citizens uh the Henry County Police writes out about three hundred warnings to citizens in the community. [1:06:42, 1:06:51]: They warn citizens when they pull'em over, you get pulled over for speeding, you get pulled over for uh lane change or a violation. [1:06:52, 1:06:56]: They issue a war they that the police officer has the discretion to issue you a warning. [1:06:57, 1:07:17]: My solution to this issue is not to create another law which is expansive reaching into a citizens' lives and we've heard complaints about the city wanting to be, you know, a nanny raising kids and stuff like that. I'm not trying to do that. What I would like to see us do is to move forward um [1:07:17, 1:07:20]: with instructing the Henry County police [1:07:21, 1:07:22]: When they see this issue, [1:07:22, 1:07:26]: in a regular stop. They'll already stop this person [1:07:27, 1:07:45]: They see the person who stopped for speeding, they see the person will stop for a legal lane change or an accident, and they observe smoking in the car, what they would do is that their discretion would be taken away. That person is automatically getting a ticket for the original violation. [1:07:45, 1:07:51]: The original violation which is speeding or whatever the case may be, they're getting a ticket for that. [1:07:51, 1:07:56]: I have some concerns, like I said, with uh issuing a new law. [1:07:57, 1:08:14]: which is, you know, our police have a lot going on right now. They have a lot of things that they have to already police uh in this world and the last thing that I wanna do is hit one of you citizens with any additional fines that we h then what we have already on the books. [1:08:14, 1:08:33]: I think we have enough laws. I think we just need to enforce the laws that are on the books like they are written and and support our police officers. But I I'm not in favor of having another situation where we issue a fine up to five hundred dollars for uh this particular violation. I'm not in favor of that. [1:08:34, 1:08:35]: Mayor. [1:08:36, 1:08:39]: We um thank you I like to tell my both. [1:08:40, 1:08:40]: Okay. [1:08:40, 1:08:45]: Uh each person has up to five minutes to speak on this issue and [1:08:45, 1:08:51]: Um Ms. Gantt had noted first and I'm coming back to you in just a moment. Thank you. [1:08:51, 1:08:52]: Um [1:08:53, 1:09:13]: There have been concerns and one of our state legislators will be presenting um the same exact type of ordinance, similar ordinance, um v through the state legislators stating that the whole entire state should ban children, ban people from smoking in the cars because [1:09:13, 1:09:14]: Children in it. [1:09:14, 1:09:34]: There are several states that have already enacted this law. This law is no different from texting while driving and getting pulled over. This law is no different from um if your tail light was out and they pulled you over. This law is no different from if you were uh [1:09:34, 1:09:53]: Well, you're texting while driving, your taillights out, or any other signific if if you're speeding, as we stated before, and the officer just happened to walk up and you were smoking and a child was in the back of the car. This law is no difference than you're driving and you have a seatbelt violation. So [1:09:54, 1:09:57]: You you know, it sounds like we're making excuses. [1:09:58, 1:10:01]: But we have a seatbelt violation which is our right. [1:10:01, 1:10:21]: whether or not we want to save our life and wear our seatbelt and there's a law there to prevent us from being hurt. So this is about the health safety and well being of our children who can't speak for themselves, who are in the back seat of a car who can't drive, most of them. Um this is I think that [1:10:21, 1:10:23]: [4223.8, 4234.0]: uh would be a great asset here for the city of Stockbridge. It would be a great example with Georgia. There are other states that have already have this law. Um [1:10:34, 1:10:35]: In place. [1:10:35, 1:10:36]: And not only that [1:10:37, 1:10:44]: It is we're starting something new. Uh you could say, Well let the state do it. No, why why not start with us? [1:10:44, 1:10:46]: We're we're thinking outside of the box. [1:10:46, 1:11:06]: We can do things as well. Scott Bridge can be the first and we can be used as a lobbyist for the state of Georgia, for our state representative Sandra Scott, as she presents it for the entire state. So I say that I think this is a great example of us showing that we care about the hast health safety and well being of the [1:11:06, 1:11:07]: Yeah. [1:11:09, 1:11:21]: Uh thank you. Uh we have two more uh council people who would like to speak and I'm going back to would you like for me to save you for last? No, I can Okay. All right. Uh Councilman John Blount. [1:11:21, 1:11:23]: I'm just gonna say this last thing on here. [1:11:24, 1:11:30]: If an irresponsible adult doesn't tie a child into a car seat and has an accident, that child doesn't have a choice. [1:11:31, 1:11:32]: But to be injured. [1:11:32, 1:11:35]: Who's gonna be divorced for that child that child? [1:11:35, 1:11:41]: If you don't put a seatbelt on a child and that child is injured in an accident, who's gonna be divorced for that child? [1:11:42, 1:11:55]: Well we sit out here and we can be in to b for irresponsible adults to put children in danger and the dangers that second hand smoke causes is not one that's just immediate, is one for a lifetime. [1:11:55, 1:12:02]: It's one that's gonna be critical to these child these children. I'm not here at any point in time to play politics. [1:12:02, 1:12:18]: This ordinance is to is for our children and for our children only. When I go to a grocery store and I see two adults get out of the car and smoke porn out and they can barely breathe and they go and strap the child out of that car, I have a problem with that. [1:12:18, 1:12:32]: I have a problem with that. Spanking somebody on the hand doesn't stop them. Spanking us on the hand doesn't make us drive fifty five miles an hour. It's the cost to us to know to drive fifty five miles an hour. We don't want cost. [1:12:32, 1:12:44]: So I'm here to say to you all that this needs to be done and we are a cutting edge council and I believe that we should pass this ordinance without playing politics with it. [1:12:44, 1:12:51]: Thank you. And now we'll go down to the end to uh Councilwoman Neat Robinson. Thank you, Mayor. [1:12:53, 1:12:57]: I'm for this ordinance, however. [1:12:59, 1:13:00]: Not right now. [1:13:01, 1:13:03]: I'm for resolution. [1:13:04, 1:13:10]: Being said, our State Representative Sandra Scott, as Councilwoman Gantt said, she's going to the Capitol. [1:13:11, 1:13:13]: She's presenting this. [1:13:13, 1:13:17]: This to me should be on the state level, not [1:13:18, 1:13:19]: a city level. [1:13:20, 1:13:38]: We had examples of all the other seat belts, all of that. That's on a state level. This should go through legislation. And we just had breakfast um just some months ago with state representatives Sand Sandra Scott and other representatives here that represent us. [1:13:39, 1:13:41]: It was presented then. [1:13:41, 1:13:51]: And when it's but presented by the state representative, I feel if we're going to rally, we need to rally uh behind her. Um [1:13:52, 1:14:01]: We need to be educated more. As Pastor said, Pastor Green said, she grew up with it. So did I. I grew up with it. I'm asthmatic. [1:14:03, 1:14:05]: I don't leave home without it. [1:14:05, 1:14:18]: Okay. Have a parent. My father smoked heavily. Some of you would know if you go in someone's home, if they've smoked in the house, these children are in the homes. It dwells in your clothing. It dwells in the [1:14:19, 1:14:20]: Fabric. [1:14:20, 1:14:22]: So I understand, I truly understand. [1:14:23, 1:14:32]: But at the same time to me we have to educate. We have a lot going on in Stockbridge. I've noticed that a lot of our um [1:14:33, 1:14:53]: We've had with our police we've had a lot of citations that have doubled since last year. We need to look at that. We're going to be doing our own police force. Once we do that, we have the feasibility study. Once that comes back, that is something that we can revisit. Because why? We already said we [1:14:53, 1:14:58]: We understand, but at the same time there again we need to educate. [1:14:59, 1:15:08]: Because like I said, I grew up with it. We need to educate. We have our state representative who is introducing that to the Capitol this year. [1:15:09, 1:15:21]: So if we're gonna do anything, I'm an agreance for us to rally behind State Representative Scott and see what needs to be done so Stockbridge can be that bridge. [1:15:21, 1:15:29]: And I just want to end on that. Again, I understand, but I'm in agreement to a resolution right now. [1:15:30, 1:15:30]: Thank you, Mayor. [1:15:31, 1:15:32]: Thank you. [1:15:32, 1:15:39]: Uh Pro Tem uh Anthony Ford has a comment. Yeah, thank you, Mayor. Um actually this is more or less uh [1:15:39, 1:15:59]: question basically from Michael Harris. In reference to our SDS agreement right now, um it's my understanding that the that the Henry County police unless we have the special duty first won't be able to enforce this. It's really our code enforcement officers that have to do this until we change our agreement. Is that correct or can you further explain? [1:15:59, 1:16:10]: Well, our code enforcement officers obviously yeah, because they would that's their their charge with enforcement of our ordinances, but also those officers that we those off duty officers that we hire [1:16:10, 1:16:12]: they would be able to enforce as well. [1:16:13, 1:16:32]: So during a normal day if if if if somehow a Here and County police officer just driving through the city, he's he's on his regular duty and he's doing his his his due diligence there and he sees something like this, he he you can stop them and can he still write a citation the way our S D S's agreed agreement goes right now. [1:16:32, 1:16:35]: Do you know? Do you know I don't know if there's something from Mike to answer. [1:16:36, 1:16:36]: [4597.7, 4615.6]: They would have the authority to issue a citation. The the situation that you're really alluding to is whether they would because of our arrangement with Henry County and because of what their recent decisions have been as far as not enforcing our local stockridge codes. [1:16:56, 1:17:15]: Okay. So and of course if once that changes, if it ever changes, or whenever we ever get to a own police department some years or a year or so from now, and then that will be able to enforce that in that aspect. Okay. All right, thank you. That's what I think. Okay. We've had a full discussion on this ordinance. Um [1:17:15, 1:17:18]: And at this time I'm gonna call for the vote. [1:17:18, 1:17:25]: All in favor of voting for the banning smoking in vehicles containing minors. [1:17:25, 1:17:27]: Please raise your hand. [1:17:29, 1:17:31]: We have three votes. Do I have to do that? [1:17:31, 1:17:33]: You need no votes. [1:17:35, 1:17:35]: Okay. [1:17:36, 1:17:38]: The ordinance passes. [1:17:39, 1:17:39]: Okay. [1:17:44, 1:17:55]: We had somewhat a conflicting uh resolution on our um new under new business. Do we want to go forth with that? [1:17:55, 1:17:56]: Yes. [1:17:56, 1:18:01]: I would motion that we would remove this uh item number seven from our agenda. [1:18:01, 1:18:05]: There is a motion to remove. Do I have a second? [1:18:07, 1:18:12]: Second from uh Councilman uh Alexander. Any discussion? [1:18:12, 1:18:31]: Yes. Uh I would imagine it has to be you can't do a if we just pass the ordinance you can't do a resolution anyway, is that correct? Well this particular resolution as written does not conflict with the ordinance you just passed, so it it's your discretion whether you want to proceed with it or not. Um obviously the the author or the the sponsor has [1:18:31, 1:18:38]: um seconded the motion. So that pretty much operates as a withdrawal in my mind. All right. Thank you. Okay. [1:18:38, 1:18:39]: Any further discussion? [1:18:40, 1:18:47]: To remove. We're removing um number seven resolution banning smoking in vehicles containing minors. [1:18:48, 1:18:49]: All in favour. [1:18:50, 1:18:51]: Whoops. Discussion. [1:18:51, 1:18:53]: Okay. [1:18:53, 1:18:54]: All right, all in favor. [1:18:55, 1:18:56]: Okay. [1:18:57, 1:19:01]: And it's it's [1:19:01, 1:19:14]: Well well what is meant. Did you vote yes or no to remove? You made the motion, so you voted yes. Okay, okay. I'll explain it to'em. Okay. Here we go. [1:19:14, 1:19:17]: We passed an ordinance [1:19:18, 1:19:21]: We just took off a resolution. [1:19:21, 1:19:26]: Had similar wording, we passed the ordinance. Is everybody clear on that? [1:19:27, 1:19:40]: Okay. Everybody up here clear on that? Okay. All right, we're good to go. All right, then we're gonna move on to uh we've already removed item number nine. We're going to number ten. [1:19:41, 1:19:41]: Um [1:19:43, 1:19:55]: Did I skip eight? Oh I sure did. Sorry. Thank you. Uh number eight, we're gonna call up Kira Braggs, who's going to come up and present the resolution regarding Main Street Memorandum of Understanding. [1:19:56, 1:19:58]: And this is our main strict director. Thank you. [1:19:59, 1:20:07]: Good evening, Madam Mayor and Council. I come before you today asking that you um approve [1:20:08, 1:20:11]: The resolution for um [1:20:12, 1:20:23]: basically um renewing our memorandum of understanding with the Department of Community Affairs for the state of Georgia, which allows us to maintain a Main Street program in the city of Stockbridge. [1:20:24, 1:20:26]: Do I hear a motion? [1:20:26, 1:20:28]: I'll make a motion, Mayor, if you don't mind. [1:20:28, 1:20:30]: All right. Do I hear a second? [1:20:31, 1:20:38]: Well my motion is to accept the MO the MOU that we actually agree to it and get signed so we continue with our Main Street program. [1:20:38, 1:20:42]: Yes. That's what you need. Thank you. Okay. [1:20:42, 1:20:44]: All right. Is there any discussion? [1:20:45, 1:20:49]: Okay. Okay. Councilman, I'm sorry. No idea, no I don't know. [1:20:49, 1:20:52]: All right. We'll call for the vote. All in favor? [1:20:53, 1:20:54]: I'll opposed. [1:20:54, 1:20:58]: All right. Thank you. We're moving along. [1:20:59, 1:21:00]: [4861.7, 4881.7]: And now we're moving on to item number ten, that would be the resolution to introduce at the regular twenty seventeen session of the General Assembly of Georgia local legislation providing for the revision of the corporate city limits of the City of Stockbridge. This will be presented by our attorney Michael Williams. [1:21:22, 1:21:24]: Good evening, Madam Mayor and Council. Um [1:21:25, 1:21:33]: If I can just borrow the word from our consultant from the trail project, uh this is a resolution to deal with our funky city borders. [1:21:33, 1:21:35]: Uh you all had a uh [1:21:35, 1:21:44]: uh a study given to you um that the Carl Vinson Institute uh did on annexation um [1:21:44, 1:21:51]: a number of months ago and this resolution picks that up and takes it to the next level and asks [1:21:51, 1:21:53]: the General Assembly to [1:21:54, 1:21:58]: uh consider introducing legislation that would annex certain [1:21:58, 1:21:58]: Uh [1:21:59, 1:22:03]: portions of land into the city to clear up our city borders. [1:22:04, 1:22:04]: Um [1:22:05, 1:22:11]: If uh d if approved, then we would send copies of this to our entire Henry County delegation and [1:22:11, 1:22:22]: We would be uh working with them over the next week or so to identify someone to be the lead in both the House and Senate to to actually introduce legislation [1:22:23, 1:22:28]: uh with the hopes that the General Assembly would approve an annexation plan [1:22:28, 1:22:46]: Um with respect to the commercial areas that would could be done just by an act of the General Assembly. With respect to some of the residential areas, it would uh require, based on the levels of population, actual referendums to occur in those areas if it's adopted by the General Assembly. [1:22:47, 1:22:50]: So we're recommending approval of the resolution. [1:22:50, 1:22:52]: Do I hear a motion? [1:22:53, 1:22:53]: Mayor. [1:22:55, 1:23:05]: I would like to make a motion to introduce at the regular twenty seventeen session of the General Assembly of Georgia local legislation providing for the revision of corporate city limits of the city of Stockbridge. [1:23:05, 1:23:07]: Do I hear a second? [1:23:08, 1:23:11]: All right, I have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? [1:23:12, 1:23:12]: Yes ma'am. [1:23:13, 1:23:22]: Okay. Pro Tem Forward. Thank you. Appreciate it. Um I'm in favor of this, but I'd like to ask you counsel and the counsel at you counselor and the council [1:23:23, 1:23:32]: How can we make sure before we d send this forward to the delegation that we can explain this to the citizens and so they understand exactly what we're doing? [1:23:32, 1:23:39]: We may have a better we may have some understanding, but I'm saying how can we explain this to them to make sure they understand exactly what we're doing? [1:23:40, 1:23:46]: Uh can I make a suggestion to the attorney if you would come and face the audience and bring your microphone with you? [1:23:56, 1:23:59]: Ladies and gentlemen, um [1:24:00, 1:24:14]: I think Mr. Harris is looking to see if we actually have a map um of the areas that we're proposing. Um if if you were here and you saw the uh trails uh presentation, there's a [1:24:14, 1:24:17]: A slide that showed the city limits. [1:24:17, 1:24:25]: And if you've ever looked at the city limits, it's really a hot of different areas. The original city limits. [1:24:26, 1:24:46]: decades ago was really a one um mile diameter circle centered pretty much where we're standing. And over the years different bits and pieces were added to the city. Um in some cases with a specific uh plan in mind, in other cases [1:24:46, 1:24:48]: sort of with an eye towards the future. [1:24:48, 1:25:05]: Um but when you do annexation like that over the years what happens is you create pockets um of areas that were overlooked, that were missed, um and as a result anyone who's driving down certain streets in Stockbridge [1:25:05, 1:25:05]: Um [1:25:07, 1:25:27]: You'll be driving down a stretch of road and you'll be in the city limits and before you know it you're in unincorporated Henry County and then if you keep driving you'll be back at the city limits and there are certain neighborhoods where some neighbors are in the city limits and some neighbors aren't. And this is an effort to clean up [1:25:26, 1:25:32]: that up and to make the boundaries of the city of Stockbridge uh [1:25:33, 1:25:53]: you know, clearly understandable, easily identifiable so you know if you're in stock region, if you're not. And I think to answer the Mayor Proten's specific question, we can put the maps that were prepared by the Carl Vinson Institute on the website so you can see exactly what's in [1:25:53, 1:26:13]: Stockbridge and you can see there are about five or six areas that we're proposing that the General Assembly add to the city of Stockbridge so we eliminate some of the holes and some of the pockets and make it much more understandable for residents to know are you in or you're not. [1:26:13, 1:26:14]: Mm. [1:26:14, 1:26:18]: Okay, thank you. Is there any other discussion? Yes. [1:26:19, 1:26:37]: Okay. Councilman Alexander. I just I'm one hundred percent behind moving forward with this. This is long overdue. Long overdue. We just recently annexed uh Carriage Lake into the city limits of Stockbridge. Carriage Lake, if you go down and watch Stevens Road, [1:26:37, 1:26:43]: Brentwood was in, uh Monarch Village was in, Carriage Lake was not in. [1:26:43, 1:26:48]: The community that I lived in that I live in right now, I live off of Jodico Road. [1:26:48, 1:26:51]: It's it's kinda un into an island onto itself. [1:26:52, 1:27:12]: We need to have especially if we're moving forward with uh the police uh feasibility study, what's gonna happen if we have our city limits looking like Swiss cheese and then you get a call here and Henry County's gotta overlap Stockbridge and Stockbridge gotta overlap. We gotta get this into a situation where we understand [1:27:12, 1:27:22]: And you're in Stockbridge, you're in Stockbridge. When you're in Henry County, you're in Henry County. That's what we need to make sure that we have in place. [1:27:22, 1:27:42]: I get it. We get these calls all the time. Okay, and just like right now, we made it we made an agreement with uh the service delivery agreement with uh Henry County'cause you used to drive down Walt Stevens Road or Rock Quarry Road, you would see this part cut, then the other part you wouldn't see it cut, then this part you would see it. We just [1:27:42, 1:27:59]: made an agreement with them to cut it off, but it really needs to all be in the city limits so we have control over it. You know, just like at I seventy five, we have a tremendous litter problem. Uh and when people get off that exit, they see Henry County, but they see Stockbridge. [1:28:00, 1:28:20]: And we need control of our exits so we can maintain them, so we can deal with this tremendous litter problem that we have in the city. It's embarrassing in some places and especially uh with the grass. We've dealt with that as well. So I'm wholeheartedly behind this. And there's uh when you look at the entire situation [1:28:20, 1:28:24]: that we're dealing with right now, we're simply saying make Stockbridge whole. [1:28:25, 1:28:31]: Make us into one uh community, identifiable community that uh we're all is one. [1:28:32, 1:28:43]: Thank you. Uh we now have the map in the room, so I'm gonna turn it back over to our city manager and city attorney and we'll give uh the audience a good picture of it. [1:28:46, 1:28:54]: If I may. Um this is for the benefit of of everyone and we'll leave this out in the lobby so that everyone can see it. [1:28:55, 1:28:55]: But [1:28:56, 1:29:15]: i uh and no you know folks out in the audience this is far away but what you will see is the city limits, the dark purple, if you will, is what is currently the city of Stockridge. And then there are I guess some pink of areas labeled A through G. [1:29:15, 1:29:31]: that are proposed to be added to the city of Stockbridge um via an act of the General Assembly. Now G most of G is already in the City of Stockbridge via the city council's action from a couple of weeks ago. But [1:29:32, 1:29:52]: This would fill in as you can see A is right smack dab in the middle of the city limits, uh but that is not presently part of Stockbridge. Um B very similarly is very much in the center. C down here is where the hospital is. Um again that's surrounded by the city of Stockbridge, but it's not [1:29:52, 1:30:12]: in the city limits of Stockbridge. And the the rest kind of speaks for itself, but with your permission we'll put this in the lobby so people can see it when they exit. Okay, after the meeting and I would ask that our city manager be with the map after the meeting and possibly answer any questions that anyone has. [1:30:12, 1:30:21]: Yes. Okay, so um we have a motion, we have a second, we've had a healthy discussion. Do any more comments? [1:30:22, 1:30:34]: Thank you, Mayor. Uh uh what I'd like to make note, uh w what the attorney says that the we'll put some documents online for people to see this and so understand that. So I would hope that we'll be able to allow them to [1:30:34, 1:30:54]: Say if we pass this and I allow them to make any comments and we'll be able to take those comments and then maybe uh send those comments on to the delegation if they if they are prudent to how we want to develop this aspect itself. Want to make sure that the citizens at least have some say so and what's going on, at least have an idea to express their opinion on this. And so [1:30:54, 1:31:14]: As it goes on the website for viewing, just like the document out here, there is a way for people to comment on that and somehow it's gathered by the staff and then it's filtered through and if it needs to get to the delegation it needs to get there if that's the case or provided of course that the council agrees to those comments and those things. What are we going to [1:31:14, 1:31:15]: [5475.6, 5479.9]: I don't want to make sure they have a opportunity to at least voice their opinion on this adequately. [1:31:20, 1:31:21]: Okay, thank you. [1:31:21, 1:31:26]: Okay. I'm gonna call the discussion closed and let's vote. All in favor? [1:31:28, 1:31:29]: Okay, it's a unanimous vote. [1:31:31, 1:31:51]: We're going to move on to items eleven and twelve. I'm going to kind of merge those together with the permission of the council. Um this is um a presentation from the mayor. Um having been here several weeks, I've looked around and uh the ideas that I have to streamline [1:31:51, 1:32:11]: our meetings so that they um are more cohesive and they work better and we don't have to stay here for hours and hours and hours. I would would like to read the following statement and then uh ask the council if they if I can get a a motion. After being involved with our very active city council since I was [1:32:11, 1:32:28]: Thus I have several suggestions to streamline our time management process. The purpose is to organize our work sessions to assure that each council member. [1:32:29, 1:32:49]: The city manager, the mayor, and city attorney are given every opportunity to present ideas for discussion to assure that all items are thoroughly examined and studied prior to moving them along to a future council agenda. Also, I want to streamline our city council meeting agenda to assure that we have [1:32:49, 1:33:09]: We get right to the business at hand at each meeting rather than have attendees sit in the audience for up to two hours sometimes before we get to the agenda item of interest to them. Also, I want to limit the time that city staff members are required to work at night past their regular work day. [1:33:08, 1:33:28]: These goals I'm asking the council tonight to agree to retain our 2017 council meeting and works session dates with the following changes. All ceremonial photographs, which we took earlier tonight, you saw all that. All of that [1:33:28, 1:33:48]: That the proclamations, awards, and recognitions that meet city protocol will be removed from the council and work session meeting agendas. The council may choose between presenting these agreed upon awards quarterly or monthly up to thirty minutes or one hour. [1:33:48, 1:33:51]: hour depending on how many we have to present. [1:33:51, 1:34:04]: Um do that only on City Council meeting dates to assure that ceremonial activities are finished before 6 p.m. when the council meeting begins. [1:34:05, 1:34:25]: Each group or individual recipient will be asked if possible to stand for acknowledgement at the six PM meeting. If they choose to attend the full council meeting, of course they may stay. If they choose to leave as they did this evening, the mayor will pause the meeting a moment to allow them to [1:34:25, 1:34:31]: come to exit the council chamber quietly, after which the meeting will resume. [1:34:31, 1:34:51]: Regarding the monthly work session, I am asking the council to agree to the following changes. Move the work session monthly meetings to the large Levi Conference Room where we can actually work together. Begin each work session at three PM specifically for the following reasons. [1:34:51, 1:34:52]: [5692.6, 5705.9]: W I want to allow the council, the mayor and the staff to work cohesively around a table where we can bring our papers, we can lay'em out, we can all discuss and we will work together. [1:35:06, 1:35:15]: Number two, to have access to staff without asking them to work beyond their regular business hours and having to work at night. [1:35:16, 1:35:31]: Third, I would like to allow full vetting and planning regarding any ideas or matters pertinent to the city in the presence of attendees other than those by law required to be discussed in executive session. [1:35:33, 1:35:53]: Also I would like to allow citizens who work evenings are those who do not drive at night, many of whom I met on my journey campaigning. They would like to come sometimes, but some cannot drive in the evening. I would like to allow them an opportunity to attend at least one of the two. [1:35:53, 1:35:55]: two city meetings monthly. [1:35:56, 1:36:03]: That would allow one in the afternoon beginning at three until work is completed and one at six o'clock. [1:36:03, 1:36:18]: All voting will occur at the regular city council meeting, such as we're having tonight. Except any item determined at a work session that is an emergency item. [1:36:19, 1:36:20]: By either the city [1:36:21, 1:36:23]: attorney or the city manager. [1:36:24, 1:36:38]: And all executive sessions would be attached to a regular council meeting, such as we're having tonight, except those that might be an emergency. [1:36:39, 1:36:44]: And those would be determined by the city manager or the city attorney. [1:36:45, 1:37:05]: Those are my requests. I really do believe if we do this we will uh our staff will be a lot happier with us and we will be able to get you all in and out of meetings and you'll be able to sit through an entire meeting because we're gonna shorten them by moving some of our ceremonial things to the [1:37:05, 1:37:18]: decide. I would like to ask if I could get a vote for this and if so that would include items eleven and twelve are just bonded together in this one letter document that I read. [1:37:18, 1:37:20]: Do I have a motion? [1:37:21, 1:37:22]: No. [1:37:22, 1:37:30]: Excuse me, if you don't mind Mayor. Uh council, uh can we actually put join them together or should be one on one on one? I mean I uh [1:37:31, 1:37:51]: Well I I I believe you can. I mean th this recommendation, at least as it relates to the ceremonial uh and the proclamations, you we you all had been given a version of that um in the past, um but it all relates to your beatings and and the meeting decisions. [1:37:51, 1:37:55]: Decision making is is the Council's decision to make. [1:37:56, 1:38:12]: Yeah, honestly, I would like them separated out because I'm for one part and I'm against the other part. So in in order to have me vote for at least one part of it, then I would need them to be separate because [1:38:12, 1:38:25]: I just generally do not want to move the s the work sessions to three o'clock in the afternoon because I'm a working person and I probably wouldn't be able to make some of those meetings myself. [1:38:25, 1:38:45]: Okay, well in excuse me for interrupting. Okay, well let's just separate'em out and that'll solve the problem. Okay. The first one uh that we're gonna do would be the um to remove number eleven, we will remove the ceremonial piece out of the regular city council meeting. [1:38:45, 1:38:46]: Meeting. [1:38:47, 1:38:48]: Do I have a motion? [1:38:52, 1:38:53]: Question. Okay. [1:38:53, 1:38:57]: Okay, so number eleven, we're basically saying the ceremonial will do [1:38:58, 1:38:58]: earlier. [1:38:59, 1:39:03]: That is correct. We'll have our council meeting at six o'clock just like always. [1:39:03, 1:39:13]: Any um ceremonial piece of it, if we have one item, we're good to do that at five thirty. If we have twenty, then we might have to start at five o'clock. [1:39:13, 1:39:14]: Okay. [1:39:14, 1:39:24]: I would like to make a motion to um s change our scheduling of the ceremonial presentations to um five thirty. [1:39:25, 1:39:26]: Is that good? [1:39:26, 1:39:43]: Do I have okay. So Madam Mayor, if I may make a suggestion is that you change the ceremonial the uh word of motion so that the time begins at the call of the mayor so that depending on how many you can make the call, whether it's five thirty or five. Okay. Well basically at the mayor's discretion. [1:39:43, 1:39:43]: Okay. [1:39:44, 1:39:54]: I make a motion um to item number eleven to scheduling the ceremonial presentations at the mayor mayor's discretion when needed. [1:39:54, 1:39:54]: Okay. [1:39:55, 1:39:56]: Do I hear a second? [1:39:58, 1:40:09]: I I see a look on somebody's face. Let me I think I can explain that. If we have one ceremonial piece, we might do it at um five forty. [1:40:10, 1:40:14]: If we have seven, we might start at five fifteen. Is that [1:40:14, 1:40:16]: sound logical. [1:40:16, 1:40:17]: To everybody. [1:40:18, 1:40:33]: Yes, Mayor. I just I m my concern was at least no earlier than five. I won't. No, it would not be before five o'clock at earliest. No that would only be if we had a lot. Okay. We have a motion [1:40:33, 1:40:39]: Do we have a second? All right, we have a second. Is there further discussion? Yes. [1:40:39, 1:40:43]: The the one caveat that I would like is let's say we have [1:40:44, 1:41:04]: um a group that is to be honored and they just can't make it by five. Is is there some you know something that we can do to say, okay, well, they can't make it by five, maybe we can honor them uh during the six o'clock meeting because, you know, the next motion calls for only voting [1:41:04, 1:41:14]: and only presentations at one meeting. So do we have some uh leeway to allow them to do that? I think we're gracious enough to work with the group so [1:41:15, 1:41:15]: Fuel. [1:41:16, 1:41:19]: Leave that to the discretion of the mayor. We'll work it out. [1:41:19, 1:41:20]: Mm. [1:41:20, 1:41:21]: Mayor Neal. [1:41:22, 1:41:23]: Mayor Neil. [1:41:23, 1:41:25]: I have a coun a question for council. [1:41:26, 1:41:32]: Does that any way change the current policy for issuing proclamation? [1:41:33, 1:41:33]: Yeah. [1:41:34, 1:41:50]: No, in fact when we presented that policy a version of this was suggested that they do the proclamations prior to the meetings uh to get the specifically because of the pictures that require a lot of logistics, so I don't think this conflicts with that at all. [1:41:51, 1:41:51]: Many oh. [1:41:53, 1:41:53]: Council. [1:41:54, 1:42:09]: Number two, um on the suggestion. So are we only changing the time and not changing anything on item eleven except we're moving the ceremonial out to five o'clock. No earlier than five o'clock. [1:42:10, 1:42:15]: It the it will be at the discretion of the mayor, probably end up being about five thirty. But [1:42:16, 1:42:19]: The motion was at the discretion of the mayor. Okay. Okay. Thank you. [1:42:20, 1:42:23]: All right, we have a motion, we have a second. Do we have a discussion? [1:42:24, 1:42:32]: Okay. I just want to make sure that this is of course at a council meetings uh monthly, not quarterly, but every month. This is this will be this will be available to us. [1:42:33, 1:42:53]: Uh right. So monthly is what we'll do something. Okay. Okay. We're good. All right. Any any other comments? It is one five thirty or five o'clock. Is it five thirty? Her motion was at the discretion of the mayor, depending on if there's one item or five. We might do it at five thirty, we might do it at five. [1:42:53, 1:42:57]: five forty but you all would be advised well in advance. [1:43:00, 1:43:05]: We're striving for five thirty. Well five thirty, I'm okay with five thirty. Okay. [1:43:07, 1:43:09]: All right. Do I hear [1:43:10, 1:43:13]: Any more discussion? If not, let's call for the vote. [1:43:13, 1:43:14]: All in favour? [1:43:16, 1:43:36]: All right, that's unanimous. Thank you very much, Council. I hope that works for us. Okay, number two, the second one is our work meetings, our work sessions, to move those to the Levi room so we can actually spread our papers out and work together instead of sitting up here. The public would be welcome at that meeting. [1:43:36, 1:43:43]: and it would begin in the afternoon at three o'clock so that we would prevent our staff people from having to work after hours. [1:43:44, 1:43:47]: They work after hours an awful lot and we're trying to [1:43:48, 1:43:50]: bring that in just a little bit. [1:43:51, 1:43:53]: Do I have any comments? [1:43:54, 1:43:55]: Or do I hear a motion? [1:43:56, 1:43:57]: I'm coming. [1:43:58, 1:44:00]: Do I hear a motion? [1:44:01, 1:44:03]: Well we're going to make the motion and then discuss. [1:44:08, 1:44:09]: Thank you, Pony. [1:44:09, 1:44:11]: Okay. Go ahead, Councilman. [1:44:11, 1:44:15]: I um with this like I said, that's why I want them separated out. [1:44:16, 1:44:24]: There's a couple of issues that I have with this particular measure. There's a lot of citizens out here, maybe you're one of'em, that watch these meetings televised. [1:44:25, 1:44:32]: Moving the meeting to the Levi room, there's no camera in there. You will not be able to see it. You will not know what um [1:44:33, 1:44:38]: you will be able to see the notes, but if you can't make the meeting you will not be able to see it. [1:44:38, 1:44:58]: And then um personally for myself I will not be able to make some of those meetings and then I won't be able to see them either because they won't be on uh any type of video uh so for us to see. Um I'm for uh discussion to do whatever we need to do. Uh I want to be efficient, but I don't I'm not an over [1:44:58, 1:45:01]: rush to do the people's business, I'm okay. [1:45:01, 1:45:06]: Uh if that takes a little bit of extra time and then discussion uh for what we have to do. [1:45:06, 1:45:22]: Uh the second piece again is the uh three p.m. time which would cause me uh some issues and it probably may cause some of you some issues. Uh if you have a job and you're working, if you work at nine to five you wouldn't be able to make any of'em. Um [1:45:23, 1:45:43]: And then the second uh i the third issue that I have is I like being able to vote at the work session because if we have something uh not maybe even not a non emergency uh that we can bring back to the work session, we can vote and move that forward. I think back to uh when we were dealing with the library issue [1:45:43, 1:46:03]: We we tabled it, but we were able to bring it back two weeks later with because it was time sensitive and we were able to get the libraries open because we did that. All of the Henry County libraries are open now. I like to reserve that right to be able to vote. It makes the government more efficient to me if we have an issue. [1:46:03, 1:46:20]: should be for us and we agree to vote. Just like tonight, Mayor Pro Tem uh made a motion to go ahead and pass the trail plan. If we're discussing that at the work session and we give up our right to vote, then we won't be able to vote at that time. So those are my concerns. [1:46:21, 1:46:22]: Okay, any other discussion? [1:46:23, 1:46:23]: Mayor. [1:46:24, 1:46:24]: Yes. [1:46:24, 1:46:25]: Councilman Bullet. [1:46:26, 1:46:30]: I've uh I think I've spoken to you about the time change. Me personally it'll be [1:46:31, 1:46:35]: Um I can't commit to those earlier times for myself and [1:46:35, 1:46:37]: Um if you all know that [1:46:38, 1:46:50]: uh it's full time projects but not full time pay for city council members. So we do have to go out and make a living ourselves. So that time change would I would uh definitely have a problem with that time change. [1:46:50, 1:46:52]: And also um [1:46:52, 1:46:55]: I would have to agree with Councilman Alexander. I would like for [1:46:55, 1:46:59]: anything that we do pertaining to the public to be televised, if we can [1:46:59, 1:47:01]: Make sure if we're somewhere [1:47:01, 1:47:05]: other than the chambers that it's gonna be streamed for the uh public that [1:47:05, 1:47:08]: even at those times they can't make it to be able to uh [1:47:08, 1:47:10]: Watch those uh [1:47:10, 1:47:12]: watch what we're doing uh on streaming. [1:47:12, 1:47:13]: Okay. [1:47:13, 1:47:14]: Any other discussion? [1:47:16, 1:47:18]: Okay, thank you, ma'am. Appreciate it. [1:47:18, 1:47:25]: Uh three o'clock um is really too earlier even too ear early for me to have this meeting. I think it's need to stay at six o'clock itself, actually. [1:47:26, 1:47:46]: The the Levi room doesn't have a uh capability for a camera to televise everything. Granted it's not a requirement for us to actually televise our meetings, but I think it's a good thing for us to do to show you show the citizens that we are being transparent as the best as possible and people can watch it at their convenience, whether it's online and they do it sometime later can do [1:47:46, 1:47:47]: Do it live. [1:47:48, 1:47:59]: And I know several years ago the the city government attempted to do that, have a work sessions in the library, have a c small camera that do this and I don't think it worked pretty well uh at all. But uh [1:47:59, 1:48:07]: I'd rather us have it where when we have the capability of of uh of of televising things so citizens know [1:48:07, 1:48:10]: Exactly what we're saying live, if they want to watch it live. [1:48:11, 1:48:14]: Um and the other thing is is if you go to Levi's room [1:48:14, 1:48:19]: Um if you get a large crowd of citizens there, where are they gonna sit? Uh they're on top of each other. [1:48:19, 1:48:22]: Or you have to jam everybody in there. [1:48:22, 1:48:28]: Uh so and and that's how they all show up. A lot of people show up. So that's it's a little inconvenient in that aspect as well. [1:48:28, 1:48:29]: Um [1:48:29, 1:48:32]: So I just want to share those thoughts with you. Thank you. [1:48:34, 1:48:47]: May Mayor. Any other comments? Yes. Um well first of all, Mayor, thank you for at least taking this in consideration with the you know, for everyone. Like you were saying, some could come in at certain times. [1:48:47, 1:48:52]: But considering that the council is kinda hard for everyone to get here. [1:48:53, 1:49:13]: Um three o'clock even me personally, uh working for the school system, I would have to try to take off but I was willing to try to do that normally it's w once a month. Um but you know, now listen to my colleagues that is kinda hard for them. I just don't see where that's gonna be, you know, for us to be able to do it at three. Um but [1:49:13, 1:49:17]: you know, hopefully going down the road if that's something that we can revisit. [1:49:18, 1:49:30]: Uh again, like I said, I'm willing to make the changes to see, you know, do the trial and error if need be. But at this point then I would have to say that we will leave it at six o'clock. Thank you. [1:49:32, 1:49:39]: Well, those people that can't drive at night have just been excluded. Our staff is gonna have to work late. [1:49:39, 1:49:43]: Um how about me n negotiating a four o'clock time frame? [1:49:50, 1:50:00]: I I would like to offer you the you know to say, you know, I need that meeting to be at five thirty or six o'clock. Now [1:50:00, 1:50:03]: I think the council has kind of really spoken at this point. [1:50:03, 1:50:06]: Either I mean, you can withdraw or we could vote. [1:50:06, 1:50:07]: Yeah. [1:50:08, 1:50:12]: At this point I'm prepared to make a motion to deny it if you could would like to withdraw. [1:50:12, 1:50:13]: You can do that. [1:50:14, 1:50:20]: Well, it's obvious that I don't have the votes. I'm very disappointed. I was hoping that we could really [1:50:21, 1:50:41]: uh kick in kick in together and work in a work session and just build some camaraderie there. So that p that's a piece of the puzzle that your mayor is is a little bit disappointed about. But I'm a very good loser so I lost that round and I accept that and we'll move forward. Um at this time if our [1:50:41, 1:50:44]: City Manager would come up. He may have some closing comments. [1:50:44, 1:50:51]: No comments. No comments. Okay. Uh do any of our council members have any closing comments? Yes. [1:50:52, 1:51:12]: I would like to thank everybody for coming out tonight and let you know that this council works and endeavors to make Stockbridge the best of Metro Atlanta every single day. We might not agree on how to do everything, but once the vote is cast, it's a united team. And we're gonna move forward and we're gonna embrace [1:51:12, 1:51:22]: embrace the policies that we put forward and to know every single day we think about it when we wake up to we go to bed that makes a stockbridge the best of Metro Atlanta. [1:51:24, 1:51:26]: Uh next comment. [1:51:26, 1:51:27]: Councilman Blount. [1:51:28, 1:51:32]: I just want to thank everyone for coming out and those that are still here. Um [1:51:33, 1:51:38]: I know sometimes up here I seem real passionate about things and I am passionate about'em. Um [1:51:39, 1:51:45]: I thank everyone for those that have supported even the ordinance for tonight that we passed. [1:51:46, 1:51:52]: And I just wanna say God bless each and every one of you and I hope that uh each and every one of you have a successful twenty seventeen. [1:51:54, 1:52:14]: Uh Mayor Pro Tem Ford. Thank you, Mayor. Appreciate it. Citizens, thank you for coming out once again. I'm glad that uh you're tuning in and still stay engaged with us. I want to give you some highlights here real quick with the Building Committee four quarter report, City Hall and Municipal Court H HVAC issues, and the City Hall and Municipal Court HVAC issues have been resolved. The city is now on a route to [1:52:13, 1:52:23]: maintenance schedule was strictly mechanical. Uh the for the municipal court uh the city has uh in the was in the process of getting estimates to replace a carpet in a court. [1:52:23, 1:52:43]: That aspect at Strickland Center, if you've been there recently, you realize that we have new floors have been installed, walls have been passed and repainted, HVAC uh leaks have been repaired, and we're working on getting a pricing for the ice machine as well. Rural manners, uh HVAC up HVAC upgrades have been completed. The city is collecting quotes for upgrading [1:52:43, 1:52:44]: The audio system [1:52:45, 1:53:05]: And uh the the Kerry May Hamrick building and uh course here we have RFP for demolition of the Kerry May Hamric building, the building that is now reached knock it down and then we restructure that building. So uh we're looking forward to some uh RFPs to come through in January this month, uh before the month's out. And uh hopefully some [1:53:05, 1:53:10]: time this spring uh we'll be able to clear it and you'll you'll be uh br uh updated on that as things go on. [1:53:11, 1:53:18]: And uh we also have preliminary plans for Maze Road pipe reconstruction and building proposal for the trailer utility trailers. [1:53:19, 1:53:33]: uh incorporated behind the Southcrest office park and that aspect. I also want to tell you citizens that um I wish the Falcons luck this weekend. I hope they win. I'm a I am a Saints fan, but I will bow down to the Falcons this weekend, okay? [1:53:36, 1:53:40]: I also wanna tell ya, I gotta tell this too, roll tie road. [1:53:42, 1:53:44]: Uh Councilm Woman Gantt. [1:53:45, 1:54:05]: Um, I just wanna thank everyone for coming out. And uh I thought we were gonna cut out the comments unless people want to. It's kinda like you feel obligated to say something after everybody goes down the road to say it and I d don't but honestly when you're with the crowd and the citizens are out here you're like, Well, everyone said thank you for coming out. [1:54:05, 1:54:25]: Thank you for coming out. Thank you, God bless. So hopefully, you know, we can limit some of our comments even then to the point where unless we have something really pertinent or something we have to respond to that we will actually say. Um I say that to say um you know again, thanks for coming out. [1:54:25, 1:54:34]: I look forward to the new year and I look forward to working with my team here. I think we have some great things going on and I'm I'm ready to work. Thank you. [1:54:35, 1:54:55]: Uh Councilwoman Robinson. Yes. Um wanna thank everyone that is here and those that left. Wanna thank the um young students that were here, the athletes, want to definitely thank um Elka as well as Stockbridge High School who was here and um Bishop Strickland who stood in um for trafficking, human trafficking. Um [1:54:55, 1:55:15]: Um also just even just tonight, I just want to call on my colleagues to make sure that tonight is just not a stop. As I mentioned earlier, Representative Cassandra Scott is pushing to um have this law um through the legislation. So I'm just hoping that everybody that [1:55:15, 1:55:35]: was here, stay tuned'cause I know Sandra Scott is going to be able to let everyone know is Stockbridge is still moving um with that power push to make sure that it's passed. So again calling my colleagues to make sure it doesn't stop here that we rally behind our representative who has always been supportive of us that we [1:55:35, 1:55:44]: help her on the state level um for that org um for it to pass through legislation legislation. But again, thank everyone for coming out and have a great evening. [1:55:46, 1:56:06]: We have just a quick announcement. Uh we have some meeting dates and I would suggest that if you go online, if anyone has a computer and can go online you can sign up to be notified of various things and that is a a good way to not forget your meetings. Uh Main Street, um that will meet [1:56:05, 1:56:25]: Meeting will be on January thirteenth. Um, all city offices will be closed January sixteenth for Martin Luther King, Junior Day, and then the D DA Downtown Development Authority Board meeting will be on January twenty third, uh Stockbridge Zoning Advisory Board January twenty. [1:56:25, 1:56:26]: Yeah. [1:56:27, 1:56:35]: And the council work session will be on january thirty first. Thank you for coming tonight. Mayor Neal, excuse me. Yes. [1:56:37, 1:56:38]: I'm sorry, one moment. [1:56:57, 1:57:00]: You're gonna have to jog me. I'm not sure what you're talking about. [1:57:06, 1:57:07]: Thank you. [1:57:18, 1:57:21]: Okay. At this time do I hear a motion that we adjourn? [1:57:22, 1:57:25]: Or does our attorney have a comment? Um [1:57:25, 1:57:29]: Unfortunately I have to uh ask the council to have a [1:57:29, 1:57:32]: in executive session to discuss the personnel matter. [1:57:33, 1:57:39]: Okay, that means we'll be going into executive session. If you would like to wait, do you have an estimate of about how long it might take? [1:57:40, 1:57:51]: Um given the subject matter I do not, I'm sorry. Okay. If you would like to wait in the audience, you may, and uh if not, um thank you for coming and we look forward to seeing you again. [1:57:52, 1:57:57]: We need to call for the vote. [1:57:58, 1:58:03]: I'm sorry. Go ahead. I would like to move that we go into executive session for personnel matter. [1:58:04, 1:58:08]: Do I hear second? Second, Mayor. Okay? All in favor? [1:58:10, 1:58:13]: Yep, the discussion. [1:58:14, 1:58:15]: So [1:59:05, 1:59:15]: [7165.8, 7170.0]: [1:59:40, 2:00:00]: [7199.9, 7219.9]: [2:00:19, 2:00:31]: [7235.0, 7245.0]: [2:00:55, 2:01:15]: Right, right. Oh you'll be got that one because I think that's a good thing. [2:01:15, 2:01:20]: [7280.0, 7300.0]: Yeah, probably the switch clock. [2:01:40, 2:02:00]: Yeah, I can start working at all. Thank you. [2:01:59, 2:02:15]: Oh no. [2:02:23, 2:02:25]: We need to um [2:02:28, 2:02:33]: May I need to reconvene here. So do I hear a motion that we reconvene our session? [2:02:34, 2:02:37]: Mayor Neal, I I move that we reconvene our regular scheduled meeting. [2:02:38, 2:02:38]: Second. [2:02:39, 2:02:40]: Any discussion? [2:02:42, 2:02:44]: Okay, now I see a vote. [2:02:46, 2:02:48]: All right, now we need a vote to adjourn. [2:02:48, 2:02:50]: Mandel, I move that we adjourn. [2:02:51, 2:02:52]: Second. [2:02:53, 2:02:54]: Second. [2:02:54, 2:02:55]: Discussion. [2:02:57, 2:02:59]: No discussion. All in favor? [2:03:00, 2:03:02]: Okay, thank you very much. [2:03:03, 2:03:04]: Yeah. [2:03:05, 2:03:07]: [7390.0, 7391.2]: Sorry. [2:03:13, 2:03:18]: Oh well. [2:03:20, 2:03:40]: [7420.0, 7440.0]: Yeah. [2:03:59, 2:04:01]:

--- title: December 27 2016 Work Session Meeting date: 2016-12-27 source: 2016-12-27_December_27_2016_Work_Session_Meeting.wav --- [0:00:20, 0:00:20]: Yeah. [0:00:22, 0:00:26]: I want to ask a question if anyone publicly speaks [0:00:29, 0:00:40]: Find those out in the lobby if you want to during the the evening. So if you have not, um go get your phone. [0:00:42, 0:00:44]: three minute period to speak. [0:00:48, 0:00:48]: Uh [0:00:49, 0:00:53]: I need a motion to open it. Uh no, call to order and you hit the head. [0:00:55, 0:01:07]: I wanna tell y'all this is my coach. He has been the mayor of Pro Cham for the year, so um Anthony Ford, uh our mayor Pro Chim. Okay. [0:01:08, 0:01:23]: Thank you. Okay. Now then officially we'll get started with this meeting. We're delighted to have everyone here this evening. And at this point I would um do we need a motion to open the meeting? No, no ma'am, you need invocation. Someone to give invocation. Okay. [0:01:24, 0:01:37]: All right. I'll tell you what I would love to do at this time. If you would uh bear with me one more time, I would love to do the invocation for the evening. So if I could ask everyone to please stand and bow your heads. [0:01:40, 0:01:44]: Dear Heavenly Father, we ask you that you be in this space with us this evening. [0:01:44, 0:01:48]: Give us pure hearts that we're here for the right reason. [0:01:48, 0:01:53]: to run the business of our city in a very cohesive manner. [0:01:54, 0:01:55]: We're all on one team, Lord. [0:01:56, 0:02:01]: And we just ask that you would guide us and direct us so that whatever decisions we make [0:02:01, 0:02:07]: will be for the benefit of our wonderful city, the city of Stockbridge. This prayer we ask in your name. Amen. [0:02:08, 0:02:12]: And if you would at this point uh join me in pledging the flag. [0:02:13, 0:02:17]: But do we specify how we can understand? [0:02:19, 0:02:23]: But what it says one nation, one job, one [0:02:27, 0:02:31]: Uh before you sit down, I want you to do something else for me. [0:02:31, 0:02:31]: Um [0:02:32, 0:02:45]: I am used to being in the state Senate this time of year, right after Christmas, and every day there we pledge the Georgia flag. And there's a dollar bill that I'm gonna give to the person that tells me that they know the pledge to the Georgia flag. [0:02:47, 0:03:05]: Okay. All right. Listen up, we're gonna learn it because if we're gonna have it up here, we're gonna honor it. Otherwise we have to move it out of the room. So here it goes. There are three key words to the pledge of the Georgia flag, and those are made up by the motto of the state of Georgia. And the motto is real simple. [0:03:06, 0:03:07]: Wisdom? [0:03:08, 0:03:09]: Justice. [0:03:09, 0:03:10]: in moderation. [0:03:11, 0:03:14]: That's the Georgia Matto wisdom. [0:03:14, 0:03:16]: justice and moderation. [0:03:17, 0:03:20]: And the flag pledge is very similar to that. [0:03:21, 0:03:24]: I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag. [0:03:25, 0:03:29]: and to the principles for which it stands. [0:03:29, 0:03:33]: wisdom, justice and moderation. [0:03:33, 0:03:34]: Okay? [0:03:34, 0:03:40]: Now if you have trouble remembering those words, I'm going to take just a minute to tell you how you can remember'em. [0:03:41, 0:03:42]: I'm gonna be Wilson. [0:03:43, 0:03:45]: Councilman Blount, it's going to be [0:03:46, 0:03:47]: Wisdom, justice. [0:03:48, 0:03:52]: And Councilman Alexander over here is gonna be moderation. [0:03:52, 0:03:57]: So you got it? Wisdom, justice, moderation. Okay, let's pledge the Georgia flag. [0:03:59, 0:04:05]: I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands. [0:04:06, 0:04:09]: wisdom, justice and moderation. [0:04:10, 0:04:11]: Okay, we're good to go. [0:04:16, 0:04:17]: [258.1, 259.9]: At this time um [0:04:20, 0:04:22]: Let's ask for a roll call. [0:04:23, 0:04:26]: Councilman Alexander. [0:04:26, 0:04:27]: Councilman Blair. [0:04:27, 0:04:27]: President. [0:04:28, 0:04:29]: No? [0:04:29, 0:04:31]: Present. Councilman Ford. [0:04:32, 0:04:40]: Mayor Pro Tem Ford, present. Mayor Pro Tem Ford. Thank you. Councilwoman Gett? Present. Councilwoman Robinson? Present. Mayor, you have a corn. [0:04:42, 0:04:43]: [284.8, 289.1]: At this time we are going to um [0:04:50, 0:04:58]: Adopt the agenda for the evening if you all have your agenda in front of you. [0:05:01, 0:05:03]: [307.0, 323.9]: Okay. All right. We're gonna review minutes before we do that. So if um everybody you have your minutes in your book, we've already read those. Do I hear a motion that we accept the minutes from eleven fourteen? We have to [0:05:27, 0:05:38]: All right, that's good. He's coaching me that we are going to review the minutes tonight, but we won't vote on them until we get to the regular council meeting. So is everybody okay with that? [0:05:39, 0:05:44]: Okay, have you all already read all your minutes? Everybody's review. Okay? So that's all we have to do. [0:05:46, 0:05:50]: Right, unless there are any questions unless they have any questions on that. All right, now [0:05:50, 0:05:54]: If you have questions, let's hear those right now, otherwise we'll move forward. [0:05:56, 0:05:56]: Okay. [0:05:57, 0:06:04]: At this time, um again, if you have your public comment sheets back in, take those to the clerk. [0:06:09, 0:06:13]: No, that's this like a card youth. [0:06:16, 0:06:26]: Yeah, because we don't have to send page. Madam Mayor. I'm going to take this back. Okay. Okay. [0:06:29, 0:06:30]: Madam Mayor. [0:06:31, 0:06:38]: Madam Mayor, um I would like to make a motion to adopt the agenda. [0:06:38, 0:06:41]: Okay. Thank you very much. [0:06:41, 0:06:50]: Okay. We've done the minutes, we've adopted the agenda and now we have discussed the public comment options. Excuse me, Mayor, you have to make a motion. [0:06:52, 0:06:53]: It was secondary. [0:06:53, 0:06:56]: Th there's a motion on the floor, it just needs to be voted on. [0:06:56, 0:06:57]: Okay. [0:06:58, 0:06:59]: All right. All in favor? [0:07:01, 0:07:02]: A post? [0:07:02, 0:07:05]: Okay, we're good to go. Sorry that we got off track there. [0:07:06, 0:07:08]: Okay, at this point um [0:07:08, 0:07:18]: On our agenda is old business and that will deal with our public hearing on the final reading and adoption of our proposed [0:07:21, 0:07:24]: Do we have any public comments? Okay. [0:07:25, 0:07:26]: All right. Well [0:07:26, 0:07:37]: It looks like we need to just back up and start over again. Okay. Uh would you call the names of the people who signed up for public comments and then we'll have them come up and they have three minutes each to speak. [0:07:38, 0:07:40]: Okay. Miss Melinda West, please. [0:07:47, 0:07:50]: And you can both come on up, that'll be fine. [0:07:51, 0:07:56]: And when you come to the microphone, would you state your name and your address where you live? [0:08:05, 0:08:08]: [492.8, 493.4]: Oh [0:08:14, 0:08:23]: Hello, Robert West, uh one thirty five Winsong Drive. Robert West, one thirty five Winsong Drive. [0:08:24, 0:08:24]: Uh [0:08:26, 0:08:30]: First of all, congratulations, um mayor. [0:08:33, 0:08:35]: I mean I'll make it brief, but [0:08:37, 0:08:39]: I was here to let everyone know [0:08:40, 0:08:41]: That uh [0:08:42, 0:08:43]: I'm the owner of [0:08:43, 0:08:46]: French quarter entrees, which is uh [0:08:47, 0:08:50]: Package ice cream, wholesale retail business. [0:08:51, 0:08:52]: Uh [0:08:53, 0:08:55]: tried to join the food truck Tuesday. [0:08:56, 0:08:56]: Event. [0:08:58, 0:08:59]: Was denied. [0:09:00, 0:09:01]: Well [0:09:03, 0:09:07]: acts to submit business license and [0:09:08, 0:09:12]: Put your insurance in the name of the city of Stockbridge [0:09:12, 0:09:14]: And all of this [0:09:15, 0:09:16]: Uh [0:09:17, 0:09:19]: By Ms Grant. [0:09:21, 0:09:22]: Like we were gonna be in it. [0:09:23, 0:09:24]: Never happened. [0:09:26, 0:09:27]: Phone call to my wife. [0:09:27, 0:09:28]: Saying. [0:09:29, 0:09:31]: We don't want that kind of business. [0:09:31, 0:09:32]: Uh [0:09:33, 0:09:35]: You gotta get with the food truck people. [0:09:37, 0:09:39]: This, that and the third, you know [0:09:40, 0:09:44]: Never, ever, ever apply to this again. [0:09:44, 0:09:51]: You know, you have to go through all these levels and all this, talk to the food truck peop okay, well okay, I talked to the food truck lady. [0:09:52, 0:09:57]: heavy set African American lady. She just sits in the car down on the hill. [0:09:57, 0:09:59]: Well she said uh [0:10:01, 0:10:04]: We need to join Food Truck Coalition's five hundred dollars. [0:10:04, 0:10:07]: Well how much is it going to be to get in? She don't know. [0:10:09, 0:10:10]: Uh [0:10:11, 0:10:13]: You just, you know, come out here and just [0:10:14, 0:10:20]: set up and y she don't know how much it's gonna be. You just you're gonna give her part of whatever you make. [0:10:21, 0:10:24]: Like, okay, well, that's not how I [0:10:25, 0:10:27]: I do business, you know what I mean? I raise four kids in this [0:10:28, 0:10:29]: County. [0:10:29, 0:10:30]: Yeah, been uh [0:10:32, 0:10:33]: You know, citizen with [0:10:34, 0:10:35]: Clean record. [0:10:37, 0:10:37]: You know. [0:10:38, 0:10:42]: Police will call it, I set up by myself that property owner's permission. [0:10:43, 0:10:44]: Way down from Nibia. [0:10:45, 0:10:50]: Police will call, told me get off the property. City manager came out and told me [0:10:51, 0:10:53]: Well where's your licence? Where's your [0:10:54, 0:10:55]: Oh [0:10:56, 0:10:57]: You're right to sell. [0:10:57, 0:10:58]: And all this [0:10:58, 0:11:00]: What a property owner. I submitted all that. [0:11:02, 0:11:06]: Next thing I know, the police came and got me off the property, told me [0:11:06, 0:11:07]: The license no good. [0:11:08, 0:11:08]: Yeah. [0:11:09, 0:11:11]: You know, cardner the city manager. [0:11:12, 0:11:12]: And your [0:11:13, 0:11:14]: You know you gotta leave. [0:11:15, 0:11:18]: And I've lost money since then. [0:11:18, 0:11:20]: You know, and uh [0:11:21, 0:11:31]: Something you know. Something you know uh Mr West, your three minutes are up. I appreciate your comments and we will deal with those um after [0:11:31, 0:11:35]: tonight, Mrs. West, at the same address. [0:11:35, 0:11:46]: Okay. Melinda West, one three five Winston Drive. First of all, I want my husband and my statements to vote be included in these m meeting minutes officially. [0:11:46, 0:11:47]: Um [0:11:47, 0:11:53]: Actually, uh my husband was explaining that we were treated like common thugs on the street. [0:11:53, 0:11:54]: Swept off the streets. [0:11:55, 0:12:00]: uh probably um I'm sure it was all Lakeisha Gantt because she called me. [0:12:00, 0:12:07]: on the phone and told me that the type of business we had was not needed in the city of Stockbridge and that the people [0:12:08, 0:12:17]: in the city o of Stockbridge, we would not have to use the Atlanta Food Corps coalition if the people in the city would kick their game up. [0:12:17, 0:12:18]: And I say, Well [0:12:18, 0:12:22]: Are we allowed to get in after we went and got insurance? [0:12:23, 0:12:28]: We followed all the processes and procedures and policies that you all had in place. [0:12:28, 0:12:29]: But of course [0:12:30, 0:12:45]: I have documents that was changed throughout the process. We never was told that we had to that you all had a contract I had to go through and follow up myself after my husband and I had went through [0:12:45, 0:12:51]: bringing documents here and uh following up and and and actually being misled [0:12:52, 0:13:00]: that we were gonna be a part of a food truck coalition. Then we were I was dem uh talked to in a diminishing way [0:13:01, 0:13:20]: de degraded and humili publicly humiliated because my husband and I was um had oh say okay we left the food truck alone in the city of Stockbridge and we went down the street and got a private owner who I also have a copy of his letter saying we was okay to sell there and and we were [0:13:20, 0:13:30]: follow up with a police officer approaching us and pushing us off the lot. Which in course we lost a lot of money and like I said publicly humiliated. [0:13:31, 0:13:34]: And as my husband said, we have raised four kids. [0:13:34, 0:13:38]: We lived in Henry County for I think this is going on about [0:13:38, 0:13:43]: maybe eighteen years. Now we've been in the city of Stockbridge maybe three and a half years. [0:13:43, 0:14:02]: But we have lived in Ellen Wood and the Stockbridge area for quite a while and we are familiar with the area. And our questions are before my three minutes uh is uh over, I would like to this people in the city of Stockbridge and the Henry County residents, I would like [0:14:03, 0:14:05]: Us to be [0:14:06, 0:14:07]: the people dead. [0:14:08, 0:14:14]: we go to for businesses and to be considered for all the public events. [0:14:15, 0:14:27]: so that it can be community oriented, so that the community can put the money back in the community po uh pockets, the taxes. I think that's what the entire community would want. [0:14:27, 0:14:38]: not to have the money flowing outside of the community. I think whoever made the contract was kinda foolish because that's not really beneficial to the community at all. [0:14:39, 0:14:49]: I want to thank both of you for coming and presenting your case and all of your comments will be taken up when the food truck Tuesday event is planned for next year. [0:14:49, 0:14:51]: If it is if it is pliant. [0:14:52, 0:14:55]: your comments will be printed up and put in before the committee. [0:14:56, 0:14:59]: Thank you so much. And congratulations, I'm sorry. [0:14:59, 0:15:00]: Thank you. [0:15:01, 0:15:05]: Okay. Now then we've heard about um [0:15:05, 0:15:10]: some things that have gone wrong, but let's hear about something that hopefully is gonna go right. [0:15:10, 0:15:15]: And this is uh taking up uh we're moving into our public hearing [0:15:16, 0:15:17]: At this point in time. [0:15:17, 0:15:20]: Do I need a motion to go into public hearing? [0:15:21, 0:15:21]: Followed. [0:15:22, 0:15:22]: Okay. [0:15:23, 0:15:37]: Then we are going to start with our city manager who is going to present a portion uh or get us started on our budget for twenty seventeen. The goal of the budget is to have a balanced budget. So [0:15:38, 0:15:41]: Let's hear what they are bringing to us at this time. [0:15:41, 0:15:43]: Okay. Um thank you, Mayor. [0:15:43, 0:15:45]: Good evening, Council. [0:15:45, 0:15:51]: Uh this is the third official hearing rehearing of the of the of the budget. [0:15:52, 0:16:03]: after the last meeting um in conversation with the mayor and based on some of the conversations that took place after the last hearing a request was made to go back and look at [0:16:03, 0:16:20]: um making modifications to the proposed draft to get it to the number that would not involve dipping into the fund balance at all. So myself working in conjunction with our treasurer missiles and neighbors, we went back and identified several items um that could be [0:16:21, 0:16:24]: removed from the current proposed budget [0:16:25, 0:16:45]: Certainly for future consideration should that be the case, but the the thought was with the intent of having a budget that matched expenditures matching revenues without the need for going into fund balance. I believe that's been presented to all the council members for your consideration. So uh myself, Miss Neighbors, I [0:16:44, 0:16:47]: [1013.9, 1021.6]: Councilman Alexand I mean sorry, uh Councilman Ford who is serving as our president pro tem of the [0:17:01, 0:17:02]: Right. [0:17:03, 0:17:11]: All right, let's start this off here. First of all, um council, mayor and citizens, initially when this budget was presented [0:17:11, 0:17:14]: A couple of months ago, about two months now, I guess it is. [0:17:15, 0:17:16]: It seems like that anyway. [0:17:16, 0:17:19]: Um the one point three five seven [0:17:20, 0:17:23]: point five, right? Million dollars come out of fund balance. [0:17:24, 0:17:25]: That [0:17:25, 0:17:26]: Okay. [0:17:26, 0:17:32]: That is not illegal. To pull money out of fund balance, to balance your budget budget is not illegal. [0:17:32, 0:17:44]: It's a different way or method methodology to get a balanced budget. It's probably not the preferred method method, but it's not illegal. And I want to make sure that you understand that since I presented this. [0:17:44, 0:17:49]: I didn't do anything illegal. The council wouldn't do anything illegal if we adopted it originally as proposed. [0:17:49, 0:17:50]: Okay. [0:17:50, 0:17:51]: Now [0:17:52, 0:17:56]: All the items that were in that budget primarily [0:17:57, 0:18:03]: were things that the council had agreed to to do during fiscal year two thousand seventeen. [0:18:03, 0:18:16]: Once again, reband rebranding initiative, amphitheater design, a comprehensive plan, opportunity opportunity zone uh zone applications. All right, help move the city forward. Fiber optic network for the city buildings. [0:18:16, 0:18:30]: replacing any type of aging equipment, light towers and message boards, all those items. Okay? One time purchases to help the city move forward, to build up our downtown area and and have economic uh develop work on the economic development for the city itself during the downtown area. [0:18:31, 0:18:37]: Now I'll tell you, if all those items are not taken out of fund balance now and we balance the budget without that [0:18:38, 0:18:40]: You know what's going to happen during the course of the year? [0:18:41, 0:18:56]: The council has already agreed to these doing the course you will have to have amendments and we'll take make amendments for each of those items and we'll take it chances are we're gonna take it out of fund balance and we'll make several different amendments, whether it's in February, March, June, October, November, whatever. [0:18:57, 0:19:00]: So it's just a methodology, whether you take it out now [0:19:00, 0:19:01]: Or you take it out later. [0:19:02, 0:19:03]: Okay? [0:19:03, 0:19:04]: Should [0:19:04, 0:19:08]: As long as we the council agrees and that there's items that we talked about [0:19:09, 0:19:12]: in our last organized finance meeting [0:19:12, 0:19:15]: that we said that we wanted to have all these things. [0:19:16, 0:19:19]: You know, uh fine, as long as we do those things. [0:19:20, 0:19:25]: That's the bottom line. Now, I can agree to the fact about the land acquisition [0:19:26, 0:19:39]: uh coming out and that was one of the big contentious type items before. You know, but you public and the people that are listening know that we've have been discussing this. Fine, if we want to take it out to help balance but so be it. [0:19:39, 0:19:47]: Eventually if we get to purchase land, guess what? It's gonna come out of fund balance anyway. And you'll know it because we're gonna tell you we know it uh that we're doing this. You'll know that. [0:19:47, 0:20:06]: Same thing I admitted uh last time we were together about our public affair uh information officer. And I believe that uh the and I agree that that after some training and some education problems and other other folks in other cities, then I agreed in the sense that uh that most likely will come out of fund balance as well and I agree the fact we should have that. The city needs that. [0:20:06, 0:20:07]: In that aspect. [0:20:08, 0:20:09]: So on that note [0:20:10, 0:20:14]: Whether we take it off on balance now or later is gonna eventually most likely. [0:20:14, 0:20:25]: the chances are it'll come out of fund balance. If it didn't, there'll be some other pot of money and you would know that because we wouldn't do it without you knowing it in the first place. But I just want to make sure that you understand when the initial budget was presented [0:20:26, 0:20:27]: By me and presented. [0:20:27, 0:20:29]: There was nothing illegal about it. [0:20:30, 0:20:36]: It's perfectly legal to balance the budget that way. It's a different methodology and it's probably not the preferred methodology. [0:20:36, 0:20:40]: But if it's going to help get our budget approved [0:20:40, 0:20:47]: and get it through for twenty seventeen, make the council and the majority of maybe citizen out here happy, so be it. [0:20:48, 0:20:55]: But eventually as we go down the road to make these improvements the things that we agreed to and it come back for addendums. [0:20:55, 0:21:02]: It is gonna have to come out. Once we get it presented to us, we pull it out, have that discussion, it'll come out of fund balance anyway. [0:21:02, 0:21:04]: So whether it's now or later, [0:21:05, 0:21:08]: I just want to make sure I say that at this point. Thank you. [0:21:10, 0:21:11]: Madam Mayor. [0:21:13, 0:21:18]: I I would like to explain something to the audience just to help [0:21:19, 0:21:20]: Um [0:21:21, 0:21:25]: The audience understand uh the comments that were made. [0:21:26, 0:21:27]: A budget [0:21:28, 0:21:30]: When it is put together [0:21:30, 0:21:31]: has to be [0:21:32, 0:21:32]: Um [0:21:33, 0:21:37]: funded on the revenue estimates that are coming in. [0:21:37, 0:21:39]: That is Georgia law. [0:21:40, 0:21:43]: If you go beyond that [0:21:43, 0:21:50]: you do have to dip into your fund balance or emergency fund, whatever title you want to put on that. [0:21:50, 0:21:58]: So that's that's the point of discussion here tonight. And uh does anyone else have a comment they would like to [0:21:59, 0:21:59]: Hi. [0:22:00, 0:22:01]: Councilman Alexander. [0:22:01, 0:22:09]: Yes, uh ladies and gentlemen. Uh uh speaking to uh Mayor Pro Tem's uh point and the overall budget. [0:22:09, 0:22:12]: The one thing that uh this council endeavoured to do [0:22:13, 0:22:21]: was to make Stockbridge uh the great city that it should be, that it could be, that it ought to be, that it used to be. [0:22:22, 0:22:42]: As you drive around the city, one of the things that we did uh we took some money out of the reserve fund to help with um cleaning up the litter and um making sure that we had the grass cut uh when you get off the interstate. So when you pulled off the interstate and the sign says Stock Bridge in Henry County, you wouldn't be embarrassed. [0:22:43, 0:22:49]: Those are the type things that we put in this budget that we fought for. Uh when you come uh down I seventy five [0:22:49, 0:23:09]: and you're looking at the exit to pull off on, uh in order to keep our tax base low, we need to have those exits maintained because if you're a traveler and you're traveling south, we want you to stop in stockbridge. Because every time you spend a dollar for gas or every time you spend a dollar for food and lodging, that's a tax dollar that you don't have to pay. [0:23:10, 0:23:20]: We look at this uh these adjustments as investment uh into the city. Um as Mayor Pro Tem said, you know, this is a collective body and we work together as a team. [0:23:21, 0:23:36]: Uh the compromise position is there was one point five million dollars set aside out of fund balance. Uh the compromise position uh to myself would be to remove the one million dollars in property acquisition as Mayor Pro Tem said, but to leave [0:23:37, 0:23:55]: the remaining money uh into the budget. One of the things that we're trying to do to endeavor is to increase the infrastructure. You've heard a lot about that. One of the key infrastructure to bring quality jobs and development to Henry County is fiber optic connectivity. We're trying to be on the front end. [0:23:56, 0:24:07]: There's a tremendous amount of competition going on uh in the Metro Atlanta area. And I say this, there are gonna be the halves and there's gonna be those that are left behind. [0:24:07, 0:24:09]: If you're not competitive [0:24:09, 0:24:19]: and we want high wage, high paying jobs, you gotta invest in fiber optics and the infrastructure that you need to do to improve your community. [0:24:19, 0:24:23]: I say and I commit it to you all when I was running for office [0:24:23, 0:24:43]: that uh I'm not satisfied with the way North Henry Boulevard looks. And for us to do something about it, we have to invest in it. We can't simply say w we want to make change, we want to make improvement and not put any money there. It is kinda not disingenuous to say that we're going to make all of these changes, but when the time comes, you know [0:24:43, 0:25:03]: Put any money in that column. You just simply cannot do that. And what I ask I'll call on to do is that we're working as a collective body. Let's compromise, take part of it out, uh the property acquisition out, which is over a million dollars, and then use to invest in our city to make it the best that it can. [0:25:03, 0:25:04]: [1507.7, 1509.0]: Any other comments? [0:25:10, 0:25:13]: I have one more for my second time. [0:25:13, 0:25:15]: [1517.1, 1537.1]: The rule I was told they get five minutes on each discussion. So your five minutes are up. Mayor um Madam Mayor, it's actually each council member gets five minutes and they get two five minute sessions actually. So if they want to have a comment and then they want to rebut it, as of now the ordinance hasn't been [0:25:37, 0:25:55]: and changed to list anything but they get to speak twice and after that they have to ask counsel, yield to counsel for extended period of time. But let me ask the counsel because I was told that each person could speak twice for a total of five minutes, so I need a ruling on that. [0:25:55, 0:25:57]: I would like to make a motion, please. [0:25:57, 0:26:02]: Beg your pardon? I think Mike Mike's gonna Mike's gonna the attorney's gonna do this. I'm pulling it up. [0:26:06, 0:26:16]: I may be allowed to just read from the ordinance. Uh it says no member while councils in session shall speak on the matter under discussion without first being recognized by the presiding officer. [0:26:17, 0:26:23]: Nor shall we speak longer than five minutes, nor more than twice upon the same question without the consent of Council. [0:26:25, 0:26:27]: Okay. So was that right? [0:26:28, 0:26:32]: Th the five minutes w is correct. Um [0:26:33, 0:26:37]: If he wishes to speak, if the council so desires to allow him to speak, they can [0:26:37, 0:26:39]: decide to allow'em a speech. [0:26:39, 0:26:40]: Mm-hmm. [0:26:41, 0:26:42]: Okay. [0:26:42, 0:26:43]: Do I have a [0:26:44, 0:26:52]: Yes, you have a motion to extend the uh amount of time for to allow Mayor Portem to make his uh comments. Second. [0:26:53, 0:26:56]: Okay. Motion is second. [0:26:57, 0:26:59]: Discussion. Anybody want to discuss that? [0:27:00, 0:27:01]: Okay. [0:27:01, 0:27:05]: I'm okay with it either way. I'm just trying to follow the the rules that I was told. [0:27:06, 0:27:07]: Okay. [0:27:07, 0:27:08]: All in favour? [0:27:09, 0:27:10]: Okay. [0:27:11, 0:27:16]: On that note, what I forgot to mention earlier is that uh on a document that is before the council and I believe [0:27:16, 0:27:21]: Uh our uh city manager Mike Harris is gonna uh bring this up and further explain some things. [0:27:21, 0:27:24]: It talks about uh concerts and what I wanted to [0:27:24, 0:27:27]: make known is that I'm in favor of having [0:27:27, 0:27:30]: Uh three concerts, uh June, July and August. [0:27:30, 0:27:32]: А форта сидис. [0:27:32, 0:27:38]: And for the second concert to be somewhere around the fourth of July week uh holiday time frame. [0:27:38, 0:27:55]: And also to look at having fireworks uh for that, since that is something that has not occurred in the southern part of the Atlanta metro area that I know of. Um but I would want to mention that as well, be part of this uh budget process, make sure we properly fund for those three concerts. [0:27:55, 0:27:58]: Fourth of July, fireworks for our citizens. Thank you. [0:28:01, 0:28:03]: Anyone else have a comment? [0:28:03, 0:28:05]: Madam Mayor, I have a question. [0:28:05, 0:28:07]: Um thank you. [0:28:07, 0:28:27]: Uh Mr. Harris and and maybe Ms. Napers can answer this question for me. In regards to our twenty seventeen budget, does it not include possible land acquisition revenue that's coming in? We we haven't included that as of yet, correct? So that if we received some revenue from [0:28:27, 0:28:47]: Um either revenue, expected revenue from whatever type of um whether we were to sell land or something of that nature. If it is not included, we then can amend the budget to include these items that are taken out at this time. That's correct. Um the prospect [0:28:47, 0:29:06]: of revenues from potential sales of city properties is not included in in the estimated in the current draft budget. And if I if I could just kind of clarify a couple of points, I think it is important to kind of go through the list of items that were considered for um to be backed out of [0:29:07, 0:29:20]: the proposed that made up to one point five. That did include uh land, uh some of the money is set aside for land acquisition, also the fiber optic initiative, as well as the d disaster recovery um redundancy. [0:29:20, 0:29:22]: that we've talked about before. [0:29:22, 0:29:25]: Um one of the Sound of Summer Concerts. [0:29:25, 0:29:27]: A light tower, a message board. [0:29:28, 0:29:30]: The design of the amphitheatre [0:29:30, 0:29:31]: Um [0:29:31, 0:29:34]: using actually taking that out of general fund [0:29:35, 0:29:45]: monies and using SPLOSS funds for that. We've researched that and found that as a viable um a viable option. And we also were able to um realize some [0:29:45, 0:29:46]: insurance cost savings. [0:29:47, 0:29:50]: Um actually based on mayor coming in and not taking insurance. [0:29:50, 0:29:51]: That's where that came from. [0:29:51, 0:29:54]: So those items, removing those items. [0:29:54, 0:29:56]: That makes up that one point five [0:29:57, 0:29:59]: Seven, one point five three seven. [0:29:59, 0:30:03]: that would have been coming over from fund balance. But I think it's important to note [0:30:03, 0:30:05]: This does in any in any [0:30:05, 0:30:25]: way, shape, or form mean that these cannot be added back in when the council deems appropriate to be used at a different time. Certainly um the fiber initiative and the disaster recovery initiative are initiatives that we feel are important for us to move forward with. There's a number of steps that need to take place and happen prior to us being ready to actually move forward, but sure that's something we would anticipate happening this year. [0:30:25, 0:30:26]: Yeah. [0:30:26, 0:30:46]: as well as everything else. And we would anticipate that whether that's a budget amendment that takes place b in January, February, or mid year in June or Jan or June or July, you know, the council consumer to dictate when uh when it would be deemed most appropriate. Certainly the staff will be making recommendations to the council on when we feel it would be the best from a time [0:30:46, 0:30:56]: timeliness standpoint. Um so those are the items that make up the the gap of that one point five three seven uh million dollars that was going into the fund balance. [0:30:57, 0:31:02]: So basically so the audience the the people who are the actual [0:31:02, 0:31:05]: citizens of Stockbridge can understand. [0:31:05, 0:31:10]: They're not pulling anything out of the budget that's just gone forever. [0:31:10, 0:31:25]: it's gone so that we can go forward with a balanced budget without dipping into reserve funds. Some of those items might that money might not be needed like right away. Is that correct? That's correct. I think it's [0:31:26, 0:31:46]: One thing this city has been really mindful of doing over the course of the last two or three years is building our fund reserves back up. And you know again I credit Miss Neighbors and her staff for doing such a good job of building our reserves back up to the levels it was at now, because in three years ago it was less than half a million dollars and then we're well beyond that right now. There are a number of items and initiatives that the [0:31:46, 0:31:50]: Council has identified that are very important and again we think are certainly [0:31:50, 0:31:55]: important to the to the viability and success and the thriving and advancement of this of the city. [0:31:56, 0:32:16]: Uh the thought being let balance the budget based on our anticipated revenues and then when deemed appropriate we can go back into the fund balance and utilize those funds to do those things, acquire land as needed, um, move forward with some of the techno technological um advancements that we need to make to to continue to enhance our services. [0:32:17, 0:32:17]: Okay. [0:32:18, 0:32:19]: Any other comments? [0:32:19, 0:32:20]: I'd like to make a motion, please. [0:32:22, 0:32:23]: Okay. [0:32:23, 0:32:28]: I'd like to make a motion to Councilman Alexander. Thank you. [0:32:28, 0:32:31]: I would like to make a motion to enter these [0:32:31, 0:32:36]: The budget, uh with the exception of the land acquisition. [0:32:37, 0:32:48]: uh portion of the budget um to leave these items in and to remove the nine hundred and four thousand dollars in land acquisition. [0:32:50, 0:32:52]: Is there a second to that motion? [0:32:56, 0:33:04]: There appears to be no second to that motion. Do I hear any discussion or another motion? [0:33:04, 0:33:06]: Madam Mayor. [0:33:06, 0:33:07]: Okay? Okay. [0:33:07, 0:33:27]: So basically you're saying this is to have a balanced budget going into twenty seventeen that we can revisit once we have the revenue coming from other areas, we can revisit this. Is that what you're saying? Absolutely. At any time. You know, we can revisit it at any time because we do have a a healthy fund balance at this point. Okay. [0:33:27, 0:33:33]: So basically this would actually take us going in twenty seventeen with a balanced budget. [0:33:33, 0:33:38]: It would have a budget where the expenditures match our anticipated revenues. [0:33:38, 0:33:39]: Yes, ma'am. [0:33:39, 0:33:59]: One other point I would like to add has also been brought up, um the position of uh public information officer. Um did also contemplate making some additional uh amendments. That's something that we can certainly use fund balance for as well. I anticipated not likely filling that position until later on, later part of the year, probably in um [0:33:59, 0:34:01]: middle part of the year. Um [0:34:02, 0:34:20]: We had the job description, I think the council has seen the job description previously, but um certainly a thought would be also adding that in as well and either we could utilize fund balance for that when that time became appropriate or we could reduce in another area in order to make up that difference. But that's something also for council's consideration. [0:34:21, 0:34:24]: Okay. Is there a motion? [0:34:26, 0:34:28]: A comment from Councilman Blount. [0:34:29, 0:34:29]: Um [0:34:31, 0:34:33]: One of the things that are made clear to [0:34:34, 0:34:43]: in discussions to this prior to coming is that this uh this doesn't change anything that we've agreed upon as a council. Uh it doesn't [0:34:44, 0:34:46]: Change anything, so [0:34:46, 0:34:54]: With that being said, I would like to make a motion to accept the recommendations and to re and to visit these uh items in order to [0:34:54, 0:34:58]: balance the budget that we would I would motion that we accept the budget. [0:34:58, 0:35:01]: And then revisit these items that we will be removing. [0:35:03, 0:35:19]: There is a motion on the floor to accept the presented budget um to make it balanced. That would be by removing one million five hundred thirty seven thousand five hundred dollars worth of items to balance the budget. Is there a second to that? [0:35:20, 0:35:21]: I second. [0:35:22, 0:35:24]: Yes. [0:35:26, 0:35:32]: Ladies and gentlemen, I disagree with that decision. I'm gonna vote against this budget. [0:35:32, 0:35:36]: The reason that I'm gonna do that is because I wanna be honest with you. [0:35:36, 0:35:42]: And being honest with you means if I'm gonna do something just like you do in your household, you got a budget for it. [0:35:43, 0:35:46]: Not no not one of us sitting in these seats. [0:35:47, 0:36:07]: would go out and uh into twenty seventeen saying every time that you needed to do something you're gonna change your budget incrementally as you go along. Is this is this ingenuous for us to say, you know, we're gonna make these changes uh when they occur or when they happen. I ran on [0:36:07, 0:36:19]: reinvestment. I ran on actually giving you a distinguishable downtown. There's money in the budget for that. I ran on cleaning up the stockbridge streets. There's money in the budget for that. [0:36:20, 0:36:26]: We've been kicking the can down the road in Stockbridge for years. [0:36:26, 0:36:33]: This is why our city looks like it does now. It's embarrassing in some areas because we don't invest in it. [0:36:34, 0:36:54]: This is not acceptable to uh to you or to anybody sitting on this path. What date are we gonna deal with cleaning up Highway one thirty eight? What date are we gonna deal with uh recreating the downtown? What date are we gonna deal with doing fiber optics uh in the community? I went to train [0:36:54, 0:36:56]: [2217.3, 2227.2]: The training at the Georgia Municipal Association that trains all of us says that we need to have twenty five percent in reserved rainy day funds. [0:37:07, 0:37:25]: Contrary to what you have heard, the city has eighty-seven percent fund balance. That means we're supposed to have twenty-five, but we have eighty-seven. That means that we have seven point eight million dollars as of last year's audit in the bank to reinvest in Stockbridge. [0:37:25, 0:37:33]: The reason that Stock Ridge looked the way that it did previous in the leaders when we were proud of it is because the city reinvested. [0:37:34, 0:37:41]: Rudy Kelly and and Tip um and P and Tip Strickland reinvested in the city. They thought it was important. [0:37:41, 0:38:01]: And you have to put that into the budget in order to make it look the way that it needs to look. I say to each and every one of us up here, I would not go through uh twenty seventeen changing my budget monthly when we could put it out there right now, tell you what we're gonna do. We just heard members sitting on this very board. [0:38:01, 0:38:10]: forward that said, We're gonna do it in twenty seventeen. If you're gonna do it in twenty seventeen, why would you not budget it? That makes no sense. [0:38:11, 0:38:15]: Madam Mayor. Thank you for your comment. Are there any other comments? Madam Mayor, may I? [0:38:16, 0:38:18]: Yes. Councilman Robinson. [0:38:20, 0:38:27]: I I have a question because on the list that was provided, these are the only items that we're taking off, correct? [0:38:28, 0:38:48]: And I'm I'm in this saying land, fiber, disaster recovery, on one concert, light tower, message board, amphitheater design, um which we possibly use the SPLOSS for fund for that, um and then the insurance cost savings. Will this interfere with any of the [0:38:48, 0:38:59]: the beautification efforts that we've already started and we've already have foreseen for twenty seventeen. No. All other budgeted items are remain intact. [0:38:59, 0:39:05]: So it's just these items that if so we can revisit later. That's correct. [0:39:05, 0:39:08]: Okay, thank you. Any other comments? [0:39:10, 0:39:10]: Madam Mayor. [0:39:11, 0:39:22]: If I may. I I um understand where Councilman Alexander's coming from and it is my opinion and and my intention that as soon as [0:39:23, 0:39:43]: if we are to receive revenues um coming in um that will help us balance out these items in the near future, then I planned on amending the budget that one time to place those items in there and hopefully sooner than later. Um and I I think that that would be a I would feel [0:39:43, 0:39:50]: feel comfortable with a balanced budget um going in twenty seventeen. Um [0:39:50, 0:39:59]: making sure that we have we're not spending more than what we have. I understand the argument of twenty five percent general reserves. [0:39:59, 0:40:00]: However, we've heard [0:40:01, 0:40:21]: other arguments at state that's uh more for small rural towns who really don't have any funds and they're saying at bare minimum keep that at least twenty five percent. Um you know, if a disaster were to happen or something were to happen, I would hate to have a city with only twenty five percent um of our reserves. [0:40:21, 0:40:39]: at that point in time. But I wanted everyone to know that it is my intention to do everything that we say that we want to do, including the amphitheater and including the fiber optic. I think we all can agree on that. Right now our concern is doing what we need to do to balance our budget. That's my concern at least. [0:40:41, 0:40:42]: Okay. Any more discussion? [0:40:43, 0:40:50]: We have a motion on the floor to remove items that would total in the amount of one million five hundred thirty seven dollars. [0:40:51, 0:40:53]: Uh thirty seven, five hundred dollars. [0:40:55, 0:40:57]: At this point we've had um [0:40:57, 0:40:58]: Healthy discussion. [0:40:59, 0:41:04]: Uh all in favor of that um motion, please raise your hand. [0:41:06, 0:41:09]: The vote is three to two. The budget is balanced. [0:41:11, 0:41:18]: Opposed. Oh, sorry. All opposed. I got really excited about pa passing that budget. Uh all opposed? [0:41:21, 0:41:22]: For staying. [0:41:23, 0:41:25]: Okay, you got the vote. [0:41:27, 0:41:29]: Okay, Stockbridge, you can be very proud tonight. [0:41:30, 0:41:32]: Your city council passed a balanced budget. [0:41:33, 0:41:36]: And I think we need to I know it was not easy. [0:41:36, 0:41:40]: for them to make this decision but I'd like for you to give them a round of applause. [0:41:46, 0:41:53]: Okay. Do we need a motion um Mr Ford to come out of our public hearing? No. [0:41:53, 0:41:55]: No motion. All right, we'll move on. [0:41:55, 0:42:02]: Okay, the next thing we have on our agenda tonight is um Main Street. [0:42:02, 0:42:04]: advisory board appointment. [0:42:05, 0:42:08]: And I think our city manager, Michael. [0:42:08, 0:42:10]: Harris is going to [0:42:10, 0:42:12]: Come and tell us something about that. [0:42:12, 0:42:13]: Yes, thank you again. [0:42:14, 0:42:15]: Um [0:42:16, 0:42:20]: Our Main Street manager, Ms. Kirch Bragg, was before the council [0:42:20, 0:42:22]: Couple of weeks ago [0:42:22, 0:42:26]: um making a recommendation for [0:42:26, 0:42:34]: the proposed new board appointments. At that time the council opted to um [0:42:34, 0:42:53]: because at the same time we're also annexing in some additional properties, particularly Carriage Lake property. So the directive that came back from the uh city council was let's defer that appointment for um I think at least thirty days, additional thirty days to allow them time to come in and those who in that community may be interested so they can apply. [0:42:54, 0:42:56]: Um she said that's fine. But as he went back [0:42:56, 0:43:03]: Um and look what would that would it would because we have a number of members that are rolling off the term expires at the end of the year. [0:43:03, 0:43:13]: we would not have enough members to form a quorum beginning the first uh meeting in January. So the reason why this is coming back for consideration by the council is [0:43:14, 0:43:18]: Um again there's two items related to Main Street tonight. One is to [0:43:19, 0:43:39]: um appoint at least three members so we could have a quorum coming into tw twenty sixteen that would still leave a number of uh three additional three or four additional members that still need to be appointed, giving them time to um to make the appointments to to for curious leg consideration, but also adding a person but I believe the other two appointments [0:43:39, 0:43:59]: appointments are business owners, businesses within the Main Street area. Um so we're the second piece on the Main Street item tonight is the bylaws and one of the proposed amendments to the bylaws is the addition of another position which could be filled by that carriage lake. Um [0:44:00, 0:44:00]: option. So [0:44:00, 0:44:02]: Again, the first item is [0:44:02, 0:44:03]: Um [0:44:04, 0:44:06]: [2647.3, 2649.3]: to reappoint [0:44:09, 0:44:20]: Again, at least three of the members. That fourth member is the actually the council appointee, which currently is being um handled by Mayor Pro Tem Ford. [0:44:20, 0:44:22]: And certainly we would also ask that that be [0:44:23, 0:44:40]: um um handled as well if the the council so d so desires. But again the issue here is to be able to make sure we have a quorum to be able to meet in January. It still will leave two additional business owner positions and a newly added um resident at large position. [0:44:41, 0:44:49]: Uh would it be the council's pleasure that we do that in public meeting or would you like to discuss that um [0:44:49, 0:44:51]: those appointments in executive sessions. [0:44:52, 0:44:53]: Yeah, well. [0:44:54, 0:44:55]: Exactly session. [0:44:56, 0:44:56]: Oh. [0:44:59, 0:45:02]: Any other comments before I call for a vote? [0:45:02, 0:45:03]: Okay. [0:45:03, 0:45:09]: You said that the recommendation is from Main Street to r to reappoint the three positions. [0:45:10, 0:45:13]: that are currently in and then to [0:45:14, 0:45:14]: Um [0:45:16, 0:45:26]: Re reappoint either reappoint Mayor Pro Tem Ford or appointment. So three position and Mayor Pro Tem Ford? That's correct. That's rec recommendation from Main Street. Right, as a minimum for for tonight. [0:45:26, 0:45:36]: 'Cause there were some re other recommendations but again the council wanted staff to hold off and put those back out in case anyone from the Keraslet community w had an interest in applying. [0:45:38, 0:45:44]: Okay. Any other comments? Okay. Councilman Robinson. Um Michael [0:45:45, 0:45:45]: [2745.6, 2747.2]: Is it a way [0:45:47, 0:45:54]: requirement they have a meeting in January that they have to have this meeting that we can't wait. I mean [0:45:55, 0:46:08]: Yeah, Lisa. We've had other appointments uh that we're waiting, so I I'm just trying to see w what's the rush for this one if we have to have a meeting in January. I'm gonna bring in Miss Lisa Fareed, the assistant to Miss Bragg's. [0:46:08, 0:46:09]: on that issue. [0:46:10, 0:46:14]: Thank you, Madam Mayor and members of the Council, City of Stockbridge. [0:46:15, 0:46:18]: Yes, ma'am, Council Member Robinson. Um [0:46:19, 0:46:20]: If we [0:46:20, 0:46:24]: are not in compliance with these bylaws which we have submitted to [0:46:25, 0:46:26]: The state [0:46:26, 0:46:27]: Four. [0:46:27, 0:46:27]: Um [0:46:28, 0:46:30]: our accreditation. We will be [0:46:30, 0:46:31]: out of compliance. [0:46:32, 0:46:33]: And so um [0:46:35, 0:46:38]: I guess what the problem is because we were a start up [0:46:39, 0:46:40]: Two years ago. [0:46:41, 0:46:46]: All of our initial appointments were made at the same time, so several of them are rolling over at the same time. [0:46:46, 0:46:50]: They'll be staggered more from this point out. [0:46:50, 0:46:51]: Um however [0:46:52, 0:46:56]: As of December thirty first, we have um [0:46:56, 0:46:57]: For [0:46:58, 0:47:02]: um members who would like to be reappointed. Um [0:47:03, 0:47:12]: If they are reappointed, we can go on with our January meeting and have an actual quorum. We do have some applications that are [0:47:12, 0:47:13]: Um [0:47:13, 0:47:18]: you know, being examined and we're also trying to you'll see in our next [0:47:18, 0:47:21]: presentation open a new position [0:47:21, 0:47:27]: for a third resident so that we can include more members of our community and have a good cross section. [0:47:28, 0:47:30]: But we would be out of compliance. [0:47:32, 0:47:38]: Any other comments from council members? Yes, Mayor. Um if you don't mind. [0:47:39, 0:47:48]: I'm okay with going ahead and reappointing. Um I don't see a need for executive session on this. There may be some other reason, I don't know, but [0:47:49, 0:47:55]: I'm okay based off of what we had heard before and from the understanding there needs to be a quorum for the next meeting. [0:47:56, 0:48:00]: And being that our Main Street department is fairly new [0:48:00, 0:48:06]: you know, the foundation has been laid there. So I totally understand when it comes to boards [0:48:07, 0:48:10]: Well the amount of time it takes, especially volunteer board. [0:48:10, 0:48:13]: of of this sort. They've act they've worked really hard. [0:48:14, 0:48:15]: They got things moving. [0:48:15, 0:48:19]: And if it's the recommendation of our staff members [0:48:19, 0:48:21]: to at least reappoint [0:48:21, 0:48:30]: those that were already on the board, I'm okay with that. I'm I'm willing to go ahead and move forward with making that recommendation. The the question that was on the floor was [0:48:31, 0:48:36]: Do you want to do this in public session or in executive session? [0:48:36, 0:48:40]: Did anyone else have a comment about that before we move forward? [0:48:42, 0:48:44]: Okay. Councilman Ford. [0:48:45, 0:48:46]: Keeping mine of my five minutes, right? [0:48:46, 0:48:48]: Yeah. Five minutes. Okay. [0:48:48, 0:48:57]: What it amounts to since I'm the uh council representative to the Main Street, uh there are several recommendations that are in front of you council and and that the [0:48:57, 0:49:00]: Main Street manager is is uh is identified. [0:49:00, 0:49:04]: as uh three uh recurring individuals that want to remain [0:49:05, 0:49:09]: and two additional folks uh the applications that were before you as well. [0:49:09, 0:49:29]: For me specifically, uh if we approve all these folks or at least enough at least uh uh five people this evening, uh we'll have more than enough for a quorum to conduct our meeting. Uh specifically for me and the council, we can do that at our meeting in January and whether or not uh the council prefers me to remain [0:49:29, 0:49:32]: Fine. If not we can appoint someone else from the council. [0:49:32, 0:49:40]: it I mean what is the council's uh intent whatever the council's intent is on that on that aspect. I do also to answer the Pacific question [0:49:40, 0:49:47]: Um I I feel that maybe we need we want to discuss this in a secular session, then come back out of the second session and tell you exactly who [0:49:47, 0:49:51]: uh we would want to appoint. I would think it'd be more beneficial to do it that way. [0:49:52, 0:49:53]: In that aspect. [0:49:54, 0:49:55]: uh take on this at this point. [0:49:56, 0:49:57]: Any other comments? [0:49:58, 0:50:04]: Do I have a motion as to which way we're gonna go? Executive session versus um [0:50:04, 0:50:05]: Public session. [0:50:05, 0:50:06]: No. [0:50:07, 0:50:13]: I'll make a motion that we re reconsider these uh appointments in executive session. Do I hear a second? [0:50:14, 0:50:15]: I'll second that. [0:50:15, 0:50:16]: Discussion. [0:50:18, 0:50:20]: No discussion. All in favor, please raise your hand. [0:50:23, 0:50:24]: Those opposed? [0:50:27, 0:50:27]: Okay. [0:50:28, 0:50:32]: Got the vote. It looks like we're going into executive session. I'm thinking [0:50:32, 0:50:52]: uh that we won't be in there long if you want to wait um and see how this goes we'll try to make it as quick as possible. If you do wait, I would encourage you to get up out of your seat, go uh all over the room and introduce yourself. Stockbridge is strong and it's people, so we want all of you to get to know each other. [0:50:56, 0:50:58]: We'll be back quickly. [0:51:10, 0:51:16]: Well you can talk if you can make it. [0:51:16, 0:51:20]: [3090.0, 3095.1]: [0:51:50, 0:51:51]: Yeah, I think it's [0:52:05, 0:52:10]: [3131.7, 3140.0]: I wouldn't like. [0:52:23, 0:52:27]: Forward and we're going back into our regular, get a boat, get a boop. [0:52:29, 0:52:33]: [3154.2, 3155.1]: Okay. [0:52:36, 0:52:40]: Now that I'm really confused. [0:52:41, 0:52:49]: We're we're going we have a motion and we're gonna vote. All in favor? Okay. Five? [0:52:50, 0:52:51]: And maybe the version of weekly. [0:52:51, 0:53:03]: Yeah, I got it. I got it. The coach's helping and throwing me off all at the same time. Okay. At this time we're gonna reconvene our regular meeting. Do I have a motion that we reconvene? [0:53:05, 0:53:06]: To reconvene. [0:53:07, 0:53:09]: Thank you, Councilwoman. [0:53:09, 0:53:11]: All right, second. We're back. [0:53:11, 0:53:13]: So do we have discussion on that? [0:53:14, 0:53:16]: No discussion, then all in favor? [0:53:18, 0:53:30]: Okay, we're back into our regular meeting. We were in executive session. There is a recommendation that's coming out of executive session, so I'm gonna turn to our mayor Pro Tem who's gonna present. Okay. [0:53:30, 0:53:34]: Madam Mayor, I'd like to make a motion that uh the members of the uh [0:53:35, 0:53:41]: Uh recommended members for the um Main Street would be Anika Potts, which is a Stockbridge resident. That'll be for [0:53:42, 0:53:47]: uh two year term ebony gurney for uh a two year term also Stockbridge resident. [0:53:47, 0:53:52]: And then Miss Leah Sanders is a new applicant and business owner which is outside the Main Street district. [0:53:53, 0:53:55]: And that business is Olympia Pizza. [0:53:55, 0:54:00]: and Mr. Don Gordon is a new applicant, business owner outside of the Main Street district. [0:54:00, 0:54:02]: And his business is airstrike photography. [0:54:04, 0:54:08]: Okay, you've heard that motion. Do I hear a second? A second. [0:54:09, 0:54:18]: All right, we have a motion and a second. All in favor. Oh no, discussion, discussion, I got it. Yes. We've got to have a discussion at this point. Yes. [0:54:18, 0:54:35]: Um I just wanna make note that um there is also a position for the Downtown Development Authority which crosses over to Main Street. However, the Downtown Development Authority it's our duty to appoint that person and for the council to confirm that meeting will be held January twenty third. [0:54:37, 0:54:38]: Any other discussion? [0:54:38, 0:54:40]: If not, all in favour? [0:54:42, 0:54:44]: It's a hundred percent. [0:54:44, 0:54:47]: No opposed. Thank you. [0:54:47, 0:54:49]: Uh okay, let's do that. [0:54:53, 0:55:04]: At this time um we are going to take up some new business and that that is going to deal with the bylaws for the Main Street program. [0:55:07, 0:55:08]: Thank you again, Mayor. [0:55:08, 0:55:10]: Council. Um [0:55:10, 0:55:30]: This last item is again it's a resolution to approve the revised set of bylaws. Um one of the primary changes or revisions in this year is the addition of an additional position. Uh one of the things that came out of the last meeting was a request to add a position for consideration by those in Carriage Lake to give them some opportunity to go back through and apply. [0:55:30, 0:55:42]: apply and look at the position and look at the credentials that are needed. So that's one of the main additions. I'm gonna kinda defer to Miss Lisa Fare to kinda give you some of the uh kind of some of the highlights of some of the other amendments that are being proposed in this revise. [0:55:42, 0:55:43]: Mm. [0:55:45, 0:55:47]: Please if you can. [0:55:47, 0:55:50]: Thank you again, Madam Mayor and Members of Council. [0:55:50, 0:55:51]: Um [0:55:52, 0:55:55]: So in Article eight at section eight [0:55:55, 0:56:05]: Point zero one, it states that the Main Street Advisory Board bylaws may be modified at any time upon the recommendation of the board and approval by the Stockbridge City Council. [0:56:06, 0:56:09]: Um and we believe you've received those notes. [0:56:09, 0:56:12]: Um in addition, according to section [0:56:12, 0:56:27]: three point zero five C of the Main Street Advisory Boards, the addition or removal of board positions as listed in Article three, Section three point zero four of these bylaws must be approved by the mayor and council. [0:56:28, 0:56:40]: Therefore, the Main Street staff recommends the following. We ask that Madam Mayor and Council approve our submitted bylaws and the changes speak to verbiage consistency. [0:56:41, 0:56:41]: Voting. [0:56:42, 0:56:48]: Increasing the number of resident Main Street Advisory Board positions from two to three. [0:56:48, 0:56:50]: individuals and [0:56:50, 0:56:53]: having each a two year term. [0:56:53, 0:56:54]: And this would um [0:56:55, 0:56:58]: only be adding one additional resident position. [0:56:58, 0:57:00]: So the result of that would be that [0:57:01, 0:57:01]: Um [0:57:01, 0:57:05]: This will increase the number of board positions from eleven to twelve. [0:57:06, 0:57:11]: And most importantly, it would allow for those who are submitting applications through the extended [0:57:11, 0:57:13]: thirty day application period. [0:57:13, 0:57:16]: An opportunity to be appointed to the border as a resident. [0:57:17, 0:57:20]: or to any of the other open positions that they may be qualified. [0:57:22, 0:57:22]: Okay. [0:57:23, 0:57:25]: You have heard the presentation. [0:57:26, 0:57:29]: Is there a motion to accept the bylaws? [0:57:29, 0:57:31]: Mayor Present. I mean Madam Mayor. [0:57:32, 0:57:32]: Sorry. [0:57:33, 0:57:35]: Um I would like to move to approve a resolution [0:57:36, 0:57:39]: Um for the revised bylaws of the Stockbridge Main Street Advisory Board. [0:57:40, 0:57:41]: Say a second. [0:57:43, 0:57:44]: Councilman Block. [0:57:44, 0:57:45]: Is there discussion? [0:57:46, 0:57:46]: Yes. [0:57:47, 0:57:57]: Yeah, I just want to mention, thank you, Mayor, that uh part of attachment A deals with the increased boundary of Main Street. Just wanna make sure the councillors understands that, how we the Main Street area has is expanded. [0:57:57, 0:58:06]: Yeah, I think that's a that's a great thing there. And of course, as you well know, everything uh all the new changes are all outlined in red, so you can easily read those changes. Thank you very much. [0:58:06, 0:58:09]: Okay. Um all in favour? [0:58:11, 0:58:15]: No opposed. Thank you. Passed. Yeah, thank you. [0:58:15, 0:58:23]: At this time before our city manager sits down, I'm gonna ask if he has any comments he would like to have. Just one very brief comment. Um [0:58:24, 0:58:29]: often sometimes it goes overlooked but just want to say a special congratulations to Sergeant Webster and she's [0:58:30, 0:58:33]: She's out there she is. Sergeant Webster. [0:58:33, 0:58:41]: Um congratulate her. She was um recipient of one of the Chiefs Awards this year for Henry County and you know she serves up here so once I congratulate her. [0:58:47, 0:59:01]: Thank you. All right, we are almost to the end of our evening. Um if we do have any pertinent comments uh from our council, we'll start down here. If you don't have anything, it's okay to pass and go on down the line. [0:59:01, 0:59:03]: I like the yes, me. [0:59:04, 0:59:05]: Woman I recognize. [0:59:06, 0:59:26]: Yes, Councilman. Yes, I would like to thank everybody for coming out to uh the meeting tonight and for participation. And I'd like everybody out there sitting in the audience to know that you can apply for these board positions that we just came up with, and we need you all to be actively involved in everything we do. I want to make [0:59:26, 0:59:32]: Make sure that every uh everybody has hop happy holidays and hope you had a merry, very, merry Christmas and a happy new year. [0:59:34, 0:59:35]: Councilman Black. [0:59:36, 0:59:38]: I'll also like to thank everyone for coming in, uh [0:59:39, 0:59:44]: It's good to see a room full of people still uh participating when we come out of executive session. [0:59:45, 0:59:51]: Um hope you all had a safe holidays and I say look forward to twenty twenty seventeen to be an awesome year in here in the city of Stockbridge. [0:59:53, 0:59:55]: Thank you. I'd just like to say welcome. [0:59:55, 1:00:01]: I want you to go home tonight, bring one person with you next time and let's start filling up the house. [1:00:02, 1:00:22]: Thank you, Mayor. Um I want to tell folks thank you for being engaged once again. Hopefully you had a great Christmas, so happy holidays to you and happy new year. We're gonna have a very prosperous, outstanding, very successful New Year. Uh obviously you were here and listening to all the budget conversations over the course of time and you're gonna see that we're gonna produ uh be balanced budget, but you're also gonna see improvements in your [1:00:22, 1:00:42]: downtown area, economic development and improvements in the city of Stockbridge and the intent is to make the city of Stockbridge the best city in the state of Georgia, without a doubt. Okay? So keep keep keep the faith, keep with us. We're gonna get it done right and we'll have this continue to have this dialogue with you and uh make everything proper and good. God bless you all. Thank you. [1:00:44, 1:01:04]: Uh yes. Um Mr. and Mrs. West are no longer in here, but I wanted to get an opportunity to speak to them in regards to the food trucks and wanted to give you a little updated information about that. We've been really successful this past year with the food trucks and look forward to a new year. Um we um you know it [1:01:04, 1:01:24]: It was our first year doing it, so of course we have some trial and errors. But you're more than welcome to go on a City of Stockbridge website and look at the forms and the criteria. Um one of the things is you must be a food truck and you must have a specialized item. So the item purchased from the ice cream, um purchased out of a store [1:01:24, 1:01:44]: would not be sufficient for the food truck day. And I'm hoping that they're watching. If not, then I'll get the information and give them a call and speak to them in that regard. Um but we definitely want if you are a citizen of Stockbridge or a Henry County resident and you have a food truck to let [1:01:44, 1:02:04]: you know that you are definitely a priority when it comes to attending events such as these and we make that known and we have made that known and we've spoken to several restaurants in the community about that. So if you have a truck or if you know someone who has a truck that's local, please tell them to give us a call because we want to get that started off um [1:02:04, 1:02:24]: Right and we tried to do that exact same thing last year for vendors as well. There's a if you go on the City of Stockbridge website and you click up click on um events, click on food trucks, everything will pop up. The application is very detailed. We did our homework from several cities in Atlanta metro area. [1:02:24, 1:02:42]: And if you have any question, comments, and concerns, please feel free to reach out. Um having said that, I would just like to thank you and for all your support and your continued prayers. I'm excited about our new year with our great team up here and we're headed in the right direction. We want to do what's right for you. So thank you and God bless. [1:02:43, 1:02:59]: Thank you all so much for coming out. Also wanna um thank my colleagues for having a great meeting tonight, having the great dialogue, and Merry Christmas to everyone um and happy new year, and we'll see you in twenty seventeen. Thank you. [1:02:59, 1:03:19]: Before we close quickly, I want to just uh tell the audience that every time you come to a city council meeting there are agendas out in the front and I would encourage you to get one. Um if you did not get one tonight when you get ready to leave, um there are announcements of upcoming meetings and all of these events will be [1:03:19, 1:03:36]: held at the city hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates and times are subject to change and if you have access to a computer you can always visit the city website. If not, um we would encourage you to call and double check. [1:03:37, 1:03:41]: if there's a meeting you're interested in, just to make sure everything's safe. [1:03:41, 1:03:51]: But um I'm not gonna read all these meetings, I'm gonna encourage you to stop out front, get your own copy, take it with you and you'll have all your meeting notices for the next um couple of weeks. [1:03:52, 1:03:55]: Uh anything else? Otherwise, do I have a motion to adjourn? [1:03:56, 1:03:57]: Madam Mayor. [1:03:58, 1:04:00]: I move that we adjourn our meeting. [1:04:01, 1:04:03]: Okay. Uh all in favor? [1:04:04, 1:04:08]: Oh gosh, we've got to have discussion again. Do you want to discuss adjourning? [1:04:09, 1:04:10]: [3850.4, 3852.8]: Uh okay. All right. Then um [1:04:13, 1:04:19]: All in favor, please raise your hand to adjourn. Thank you. Let's note that we're out of here at seven thirty. [1:04:26, 1:04:27]: Good ending. [1:04:31, 1:04:32]: Mm-hmm.

--- title: December 16 2016 Special Called Meeting date: 2016-12-16 source: 2016-12-16_December_16_2016_Special_Called_Meeting.wav --- [0:00:22, 0:00:35]: [ 60.8, 61.2]: Okay. [0:01:02, 0:01:02]: Sure. [0:01:06, 0:01:08]: Yeah yeah. [0:01:35, 0:01:46]: [108.6, 110.0]: Yeah, [0:01:50, 0:01:51]: Yeah. [0:01:52, 0:01:53]: [116.4, 120.0]: Man, I got some paperwork. [0:02:32, 0:02:35]: But okay. How are you doing, ladies and gentlemen? [0:02:35, 0:02:39]: I'll call it a meeting order. This is a council meeting uh for uh Monday, December twelfth. [0:02:40, 0:02:42]: And I have about six o'clock, which is right on time. [0:02:43, 0:02:44]: That's called'em in order. [0:02:46, 0:02:47]: Uh could you please stand for the invocation? [0:02:48, 0:02:52]: Pastor Ed Goldworth, I guess with Canon Cleveland uh tuna home, please. [0:03:00, 0:03:02]: That's probably [0:03:02, 0:03:22]: Our father, we thank you for the opportunity of being here. We thank you for this community and for the city of Stockbridge. Thank you for the work that we do cooperatively together as we share and we uh anticipate the good things that are going to happen becomes we celebrate a new mayor and for the opportunity as Judy Neal will be uh installed tonight as our new mayor. [0:03:22, 0:03:42]: We pray for her that you will give her wisdom, give all of the counsel wisdom as we work together, as we seek the better good, as we seek to do good things. But most of all we pray that you would guide us and lead us and open up our hearts, that we would just be joined together in a spirit of oneness and fellowship, we pray, in Jesus' name. [0:03:42, 0:03:47]: Yeah. [0:03:49, 0:03:59]: [242.0, 243.9]: Madam Clerk, I need a roll call, please. [0:04:04, 0:04:15]: Councilman Alexander. Present. Councilman Blount. Present. Mayor Pro Tem Ford. Present. Councilwoman Gantt. Present. Councilwoman Robinson. Present. Council Yabakorm. Thank you very much. [0:04:16, 0:04:19]: Council, I need a motion to adopt agenda, please. [0:04:20, 0:04:26]: Mayor Protam? Yes ma'am. I'm making a motion to adopt the agenda. Okay, any discussion. [0:04:26, 0:04:28]: All in favour, please indicate. [0:04:28, 0:04:29]: Okay. [0:04:31, 0:04:36]: the motion to uh adopt the minutes from october tenth, twenty sixteen. [0:04:36, 0:04:38]: October twenty fifth. [0:04:38, 0:04:40]: which is a special call meeting two thousand sixteen. [0:04:40, 0:04:44]: And uh October twenty fifth as well, two thousand sixteen. [0:04:44, 0:04:47]: I would think that you had a chance to review them already. [0:04:49, 0:05:00]: There are a motion to accept those minutes. I'll make it go ahead, go ahead. Mayor Portem. Yes ma'am. I'll move that we accept the minutes from October tenth and twenty fifth, twenty sixteen. [0:05:00, 0:05:06]: And the special call meeting on the special call meeting on the second. Second. There you go. Any further discussion? [0:05:06, 0:05:07]: All favor, please indicate. [0:05:08, 0:05:10]: Okay, thank you very much. [0:05:10, 0:05:12]: Now we go to a ceremonial part of the [0:05:12, 0:05:13]: Meeting? [0:05:13, 0:05:16]: And swearing um uh swearing in of mayor. [0:05:16, 0:05:17]: Judy B Neil. [0:05:18, 0:05:23]: Um Matt McCord, Judge McCord, there you are you are, sir. Going down there. [0:05:54, 0:05:56]: Ms. Neal, I said to my daughter this morning. [0:05:57, 0:06:12]: Uh my two year old uh that tonight Daddy was going to swear in the first female mayor in the history of the city of Stockbridge. I don't think she understands what that means, but I told her that it was an honor and she'd be here tonight to watch, uh but I wanted you to have all the dignity that you deserve. [0:06:14, 0:06:20]: What I'm gonna do is read this oath to you and at the end of it, if you will, if you will just say I do, if you'll raise your right hand. [0:06:21, 0:06:33]: Do you solemnly swear affirm that you will faithfully perform the duties of this city, and that you will support and defend the charter thereof as well as the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia and of the United States of America? [0:06:33, 0:06:40]: that you are not a holder of any unaccounted for public money due this state or any public sub political subdivision or authority thereof. [0:06:41, 0:06:51]: That you are not the holder of any other office of trust under the government of the United States, any other state, or any foreign state which you by the laws of the state of Georgia are prohibited from holding. [0:06:52, 0:06:57]: That you are otherwise qualified to hold said office according to the constitution and the laws of the state of Georgia. [0:06:58, 0:07:17]: That you have been a resident of the City of Stockbridge for the time required by the Constitution and laws of this state and by the municipal charter, that you will perform the duties of your office in the best interest of the City of Stockbridge to the best of your ability, without fear, favor, affection, reward, or expectation thereof. [0:07:18, 0:07:19]: If you will say I will. [0:07:21, 0:07:26]: Then it's my privilege to be the first to say, Madam Mayor. Thank you. Congratulations. [0:07:44, 0:07:45]: Mm. [0:07:56, 0:07:57]: [480.2, 486.7]: Uh only done office a second. We're down to bureaucracy already. Three copies. [0:08:28, 0:08:37]: I'm gonna just take a moment. Um, if everyone will bear with me just for a second. I have a few things I'd like to say. [0:08:37, 0:08:38]: Um [0:08:38, 0:08:39]: to to all of you. [0:08:40, 0:08:46]: And and I'll be talking back and forth uh to the council and so that we have um I have my back to you. [0:08:46, 0:08:48]: But after a long [0:08:49, 0:08:51]: hard eight month campaign. [0:08:52, 0:08:54]: I am very happy to be here tonight. [0:08:54, 0:08:58]: accepting the gavel of office for the city of Stockbridge. [0:08:59, 0:09:00]: I am [0:09:01, 0:09:02]: A a a bit of a poem? [0:09:02, 0:09:04]: What a privilege it is. [0:09:04, 0:09:06]: And what an honour it is. [0:09:06, 0:09:09]: And what a great responsibility it is. [0:09:09, 0:09:13]: to all the citizens of this historic city. [0:09:13, 0:09:17]: that um I can step forth and be your mayor. [0:09:18, 0:09:20]: My worthy opponents [0:09:20, 0:09:26]: um, have my greatest congratulations and appreciation for good race. [0:09:26, 0:09:33]: I think we all stayed within the realms of civility. I think we all worked hard. We stayed in good taste. [0:09:33, 0:09:38]: And at the end it was a a wonderful race. [0:09:38, 0:09:44]: Of course, I'm especially grateful to all the people who gave up their precious time. [0:09:44, 0:09:49]: in their energy, not just to me, but to all the candidates that were in this race. [0:09:49, 0:09:52]: Because that is what community is all about. [0:09:53, 0:09:56]: is when people pull together to help each other. [0:09:56, 0:10:08]: And I made only a very minimal amount of promises when I was going door to door and the reason I did that is because the mayor does not have the vote. [0:10:08, 0:10:16]: But what I did promise, I hope that I will always be able to live up to my minimal promises that I made. [0:10:17, 0:10:23]: I think as I went door to door I began to realize that I had spent most of my life [0:10:23, 0:10:26]: preparing for this particular moment. [0:10:27, 0:10:28]: I had um [0:10:29, 0:10:36]: witnessed and observed politicians for many years and I already knew that every um [0:10:36, 0:10:41]: Fairy tale uh does not always begin with once upon a time. [0:10:41, 0:10:45]: And neither do um some political things. [0:10:45, 0:10:54]: Uh but they usually don't always begin with once I'm elected, I promise you this. I can assure you that I do not [0:10:54, 0:10:56]: make many promises. [0:10:56, 0:11:01]: Because I felt that I wanted to be able to honor what I promised you. [0:11:02, 0:11:06]: And throughout my term of office I will try to live up to that. [0:11:06, 0:11:10]: Nothing will be allowed to supersede that mission that I'm on. [0:11:10, 0:11:14]: You'll be pleased to know that this is not my first rodeo. [0:11:14, 0:11:27]: Uh, even though I've never held an elected uh position, I have been um around government for many years. I actually ran a state agency and both a state authority [0:11:27, 0:11:33]: And I have been responsible for many, many projects, some big, some small. [0:11:33, 0:11:38]: And in addition to that, I also ran a trade organization post retirement. [0:11:40, 0:11:44]: And in fact, it seems that these various experiences throughout my whole life [0:11:44, 0:11:46]: prepared me specifically [0:11:47, 0:11:48]: for this particular job. [0:11:49, 0:11:51]: And it is a great challenge. [0:11:51, 0:11:57]: It's no secret that we've had recent controversy in our city government over a number of years. [0:11:57, 0:12:01]: stagnation and misdirection in our local government. [0:12:01, 0:12:05]: Sadly, much of it has been paraded on television. [0:12:06, 0:12:10]: in the in the Metro Atlanta news, which goes all over the world. [0:12:11, 0:12:13]: So I want to assure each of you [0:12:14, 0:12:17]: And and my colleagues on the dais tonight. [0:12:17, 0:12:24]: that the anchor for bad publicity for Stockbridge has ceased is I why [0:12:25, 0:12:37]: I will not play that game, I will not be in that ball enough. I'm interested in doing the white thing for the citizens of Stockbridge. [0:12:38, 0:12:44]: I am interested that we not make those same mistakes again. I learned from my mother [0:12:45, 0:12:48]: that a mistake is not a mistake if you don't repeat it. [0:12:48, 0:12:50]: You get forgiveness on that first one. [0:12:50, 0:12:55]: But you don't when you continually do the w the things over and over again. [0:12:55, 0:13:07]: So I want to in a spirit of unity tonight with my colleagues on the dias to put out a hand of friendship so that we can wipe our slates clean and we can start [0:13:07, 0:13:14]: in twenty seventeen with an absolute clean slate start over and let's see if we can't move forward. [0:13:15, 0:13:19]: in the best interest of Stockbridge everything that we start to do. [0:13:20, 0:13:21]: As a beginning I [0:13:22, 0:13:26]: As I said, I st extend a hand of friendship to the city council members. [0:13:26, 0:13:46]: And I want to assure them and you that I will be working t together with them to extend to the citizens of Stockbridge the very best services that we can render so that we will make a name for ourselves, but it won't be a negative name. It will be one that they go, wow. [0:13:46, 0:13:51]: Ah, have you heard about those people in Stockbridge? We want that for our city. [0:13:51, 0:13:52]: Um [0:13:53, 0:13:57]: One of the things that I will focus a lot on in my leadership [0:13:57, 0:13:59]: is that I am accustomed [0:13:59, 0:14:02]: to working with um budgets. [0:14:03, 0:14:06]: And I have always considered it a primary duty. [0:14:07, 0:14:11]: to match all budgets with legitimate monies. [0:14:12, 0:14:16]: that are set aside for that purpose, estimated revenues. [0:14:16, 0:14:19]: I will do everything within my power as mayor. [0:14:19, 0:14:35]: to see that the citizens of Stockbridge um receive the same due diligence that I've always given looking after a budget. If we have the money, we can use it. If we don't have the money, I will not be supporting that. [0:14:35, 0:14:40]: Georgia law requires that every budget in city, county, state [0:14:40, 0:14:43]: in the state have to be that have to be balanced. [0:14:43, 0:14:48]: That simply means you have to match'em to your revenue estimates that are coming in for the next year. [0:14:49, 0:14:52]: And so as a as a point, knowing that [0:14:52, 0:14:55]: It will be my goal to always do that. [0:14:55, 0:14:57]: So I will [0:14:57, 0:15:01]: not be depending on emergency funds or other funds. [0:15:01, 0:15:05]: to under um support to support a budget. [0:15:07, 0:15:07]: Fue muy [0:15:07, 0:15:09]: set out a goal of [0:15:10, 0:15:17]: planning a budget, we can't use our linear thinking there because we only can use that that we have. [0:15:17, 0:15:21]: All of us in the last number of years have learned [0:15:21, 0:15:23]: That what we think might happen [0:15:23, 0:15:24]: Doesn't always happen. [0:15:25, 0:15:32]: We saw that happen in Henry County, we thought our county was moving forward and that level was never gonna burst. [0:15:32, 0:15:33]: Well when we [0:15:34, 0:15:36]: We start dipping into our reserve funds. [0:15:37, 0:15:40]: That bubble will and can burst more often than not. [0:15:41, 0:15:46]: So I will be a supporter of managing our money very wisely. [0:15:46, 0:15:51]: A second banner that will be prominently waived throughout my administration. [0:15:51, 0:15:54]: is strict compliance with Georgia laws. [0:15:55, 0:15:57]: The city of Scottridge Charter. [0:15:57, 0:16:06]: and rules of ethics and morality that citizens expect all of us who are in public office to guide our actions. [0:16:06, 0:16:10]: Except where allowed and required by law. [0:16:11, 0:16:15]: Any business that I conduct as your mayor will be done with the door open. [0:16:16, 0:16:17]: Um [0:16:17, 0:16:21]: with full reporting to the council and to the citizens of Scott Ridge. [0:16:22, 0:16:23]: Stockbridges. [0:16:24, 0:16:27]: so ideally located to attract [0:16:27, 0:16:29]: Business and industry. [0:16:29, 0:16:38]: that I will work diligently with all of our departments, with Henry County officials as well as state and utility agencies. [0:16:38, 0:16:40]: So that we can attract [0:16:40, 0:16:41]: Good job. [0:16:41, 0:16:45]: and good positions for the people that live in our community. [0:16:45, 0:16:53]: Of primary concern to all of us is the necessity of keeping good businesses that we already have in our community. [0:16:54, 0:17:09]: Unfortunately there are communities in Metro Atlanta that have had one bed one business closed after the other. And that happens oftentimes until you look around one day it starts gradually and you look around one day and you're down to um [0:17:10, 0:17:17]: a kind of a ghost town that's left. A lot of empty buildings, inconvenience stores, nail salons and things like that. [0:17:17, 0:17:22]: But Stockbridge has currently a great variety of restaurants. [0:17:22, 0:17:42]: We have a good uh line of fast food stores. We have a lot of things like that and it's crucial for us to keep things that we have. But we are also blessed to have a huge medical community uh partially located within the city limits. Part of it is in the county part [0:17:42, 0:17:43]: [1063.7, 1066.8]: But we are so blessed to have that. [0:17:47, 0:17:48]: partially in our city limits. [0:17:48, 0:17:51]: It's convenient to every Stockbridge citizen. [0:17:52, 0:17:56]: We also have many other services, whether it's a print company [0:17:56, 0:18:01]: or any number of other businesses in our community. [0:18:01, 0:18:05]: It makes life better for those of us who live in Stock Rouge. [0:18:06, 0:18:09]: We have things that are convenient and affordable. [0:18:09, 0:18:19]: And as we seek more business and more industry for our community, we must all make certain that our current businesses are nurtured [0:18:19, 0:18:22]: and made to feel welcome in our community. [0:18:23, 0:18:26]: That will be one major thing that I will focus on. [0:18:27, 0:18:30]: They are our treasures and we want to keep them. [0:18:30, 0:18:42]: No one wants to drive twenty minutes to go to the bank or shop for groceries or visit a doctor. So to make sure that we keep what we have not only as services [0:18:42, 0:18:44]: but also as our tax base. [0:18:44, 0:18:45]: Uh [0:18:45, 0:18:48]: pledge to be visiting with business owners [0:18:48, 0:18:51]: and business managers of our community. [0:18:52, 0:18:52]: And [0:18:52, 0:18:55]: any industry, business that's here. [0:18:55, 0:19:07]: I want to visit with them and make sure that they understand we value them being here and we want to focus attention on what we can do to make their businesses better. [0:19:07, 0:19:12]: They are not our piggy banks to always go to asking for something. [0:19:13, 0:19:17]: It is us that needs to make them feel a great part of our community. [0:19:18, 0:19:20]: So I want to stand ready to do that. [0:19:21, 0:19:26]: One factor that will scare money out of a community faster than a streak of lightning. [0:19:26, 0:19:29]: is simply when we have rampant clime. [0:19:30, 0:19:35]: An early priority for me would be to visit with our Henry County police. [0:19:35, 0:19:43]: so that I can review all the crime records for our community to make sure that the services for which we contract [0:19:43, 0:19:45]: are adequate to the task. [0:19:45, 0:19:50]: of keeping all of the citizens of Scott Bridge safe and visitors who come to our city. [0:19:51, 0:20:04]: We want to make sure that all properties are secured and that people when they go into our restaurants, into our businesses, they don't come back to find a broken window in their car. We want to make sure that everyone is safe. [0:20:04, 0:20:14]: We cannot thrive if Scott Ridge, as with some other communities, is being shamed in the news every night, with crime uh being paraded on our televisions. [0:20:15, 0:20:16]: So when it comes to [0:20:16, 0:20:20]: facet, every facet of the security of our citizen. You can [0:20:21, 0:20:30]: depend on the mayor of Stockbridge being on the front line, encouraging our council to all of us to be that be a lead thing that we focus on. [0:20:30, 0:20:31]: So that's where I stand. [0:20:32, 0:20:33]: With fewer than [0:20:33, 0:20:36]: fewer than thirty thousand citizens in the city of Stockbridge. [0:20:37, 0:20:38]: It's not a big city. [0:20:39, 0:20:49]: But for all the people here and for me, our uh city manager and all the employees, our attorney, it's a big job to manage a city of our size. [0:20:50, 0:20:52]: And I have no doubt [0:20:52, 0:20:53]: That [0:20:53, 0:20:56]: I will be able to I'm I'm going on a lot of faith. [0:20:57, 0:21:05]: But the reason I'm doing it is because I know a lot of prayers are going up in this community. They're going up by the millions, literally. I've never seen anything like it. [0:21:05, 0:21:07]: And we are praying. [0:21:07, 0:21:09]: That God will remove [0:21:09, 0:21:10]: Every [0:21:11, 0:21:12]: Every barrier. [0:21:13, 0:21:15]: in the way of the city of Stockbury. [0:21:15, 0:21:18]: And if we are the barrier personally [0:21:18, 0:21:28]: Or if you're the barrier, the citizens, then we have to pray that barrier away so that we can move forward and do great things for our community. [0:21:29, 0:21:30]: So as we [0:21:30, 0:21:39]: come together tonight. I want to let you know that my background in government has always been I'm always firm [0:21:39, 0:21:41]: But boy am I sad. [0:21:42, 0:21:58]: And and my good to the people that want to move us forward. And that is what I pledge. I will respect every voter. I do not care who they are, where they live, or what their circumstances, they will be high on my list. [0:21:58, 0:22:00]: I do not see colour. [0:22:00, 0:22:01]: I seek people. [0:22:02, 0:22:05]: I see policies and I see procedures. [0:22:05, 0:22:08]: I see competence and incompetence. [0:22:08, 0:22:11]: So tonight I pledge to you. [0:22:11, 0:22:15]: That I will try to be the best person I can be. [0:22:15, 0:22:21]: And I want to close with a little quote that you've heard me say, many of you have heard me say this before. [0:22:22, 0:22:32]: by Martin Luther King. It's one of my favorites. I don't agree with everybody everything everybody says, but I like to pick the best of everybody that I see and I know. [0:22:33, 0:22:37]: and take those best comments and use them to make me a better person. [0:22:38, 0:22:40]: And I want to share my closing thoughts. [0:22:40, 0:22:42]: The Martin Luther King cross quote. [0:22:42, 0:22:47]: Which simply says it's always the right time to do the right thing. [0:22:48, 0:22:52]: And tonight in Stockbridge, I believe it's an opportunity for us. [0:22:52, 0:22:53]: [1373.6, 1375.2]: Put out hands of friendship. [0:22:55, 0:23:00]: And we're gonna work together and we're gonna have fun doing it. It's not gonna be [0:23:02, 0:23:07]: I don't like the dark side. I don't play in the dark side. I play on the in the sand pile with [0:23:07, 0:23:08]: Happiness. [0:23:08, 0:23:12]: So I want to be that kind of mayor so that no matter what happens [0:23:13, 0:23:16]: They're gonna say, Boy, those people in Stockbridge have got it going down there. [0:23:17, 0:23:24]: And that's what I invite all of my colleagues to join in on that because I know we can do it. [0:23:24, 0:23:30]: And we can do it together. So I thank you all for coming tonight and I thank you for letting me share these thoughts. [0:24:05, 0:24:22]: invites someone that I am extremely fond of who um have a pra medical practice in the Eagle Slanding Unit. It's Dr. Kathy Mallow and I'm gonna ask her if she would come up. Uh there is a somebody has a [0:24:24, 0:24:42]: They don't leave. I'm I'm gonna brag on her before I come down there real quick. Um, doctor, come on up. Um, if you've not had a child in her pediatric practice, you need to tell all your friends and neighbors about it. She promotes reading and that's what we're gonna talk about here. [0:24:59, 0:25:15]: I just want to tell you that she has a library in her practice to teach children to read. That's one of her big things and that's what we're going to be reading about tonight. But if you haven't been to Cher Library, I encourage you to go and take a book and donate it. [0:25:16, 0:25:18]: But she would be so happy if you did it. [0:25:21, 0:25:30]: As elected officials of this great city, it is our pleasure and duty to recognize individuals who are doing wonderful things here in the Stockbridge community. [0:25:30, 0:25:33]: Doctor Catherine T and I'm gonna let you pronounce [0:25:34, 0:25:35]: [1536.4, 1548.5]: Close. Um Dr. Maurer, MD joined the nationwide campaign Reach Out and Read, a nonprofit program to promote early age literacy for her patients. [0:25:48, 0:25:53]: The Reach Out and Read Literacy Organization provides training [0:25:53, 0:25:57]: to pediatricians with a goal to prepare their young patients for scoop. [0:25:58, 0:25:59]: Excuse me, for school. [0:26:00, 0:26:08]: Through this program doctors prescribe books for patients to read and the doctors also encourage families to read together. [0:26:08, 0:26:15]: To promote reading for her young patients while attending visits to her office, there are no televisions. [0:26:17, 0:26:28]: Instead there are reading rooms in the waiting areas. The office waiting room is decorated vibrantly with mechanical games, brightly colored artwork, and a library of books. [0:26:29, 0:26:39]: Dr. Maurer also involves parents by offering advice on the importance of reading to their children in teaching their children to read for themselves. [0:26:40, 0:26:54]: We commend you, Dr. Maurer, for your commitment to literacy and to the Stockbridge community. Thank you for the wonderful work that you do. We also would like to congratulate you on your recent accolades of being included in [0:26:54, 0:27:01]: on the best docks in Atlanta list. We agree and we wish you continued success. [0:27:20, 0:27:21]: Want us down there? [0:27:31, 0:27:32]: Let me get one more. [0:27:55, 0:28:05]: T-shirt was the one that followed up to his um ideas. I don't know. Okay, no three. One, two, three. [0:28:05, 0:28:09]: Well, one, two, three. [0:28:10, 0:28:15]: [1724.7, 1725.1]: Yeah. [0:28:53, 0:28:55]: We do, we have Ms. Darlene Jackson. [0:28:58, 0:29:00]: Barlene Jackson, if you would [0:29:12, 0:29:20]: Hello everyone at the city council. Thank you. Morning. Evening. Um I brought this well, I best better state my name and my address. [0:29:20, 0:29:25]: Uh Darlene Jackson is my name. I leave at four two eighteen Ahealy Court, Stockbridge. [0:29:26, 0:29:26]: Um [0:29:27, 0:29:29]: My question that I'm bringing tonight [0:29:29, 0:29:49]: is the second time that I brought uh to the council uh pertaining to the water authority. I wanted some investigation into why we're paying it on our tax bill as well as paying the city of Stockbridge for doing the same job. Um after talking with Mr. Birch [0:29:49, 0:30:02]: I've even talked with uh Mr. Curry as opposed to why uh we're paying this and it was a bond that was given to the water thirty years ago to help sustain themselves. [0:30:03, 0:30:05]: Um I'm hearing now that they can [0:30:06, 0:30:10]: So I'm wondering why are the bonds still open? [0:30:10, 0:30:28]: where they're able to add if they wanna say they need uh maintenance work done on the lines or whatever, we have no means of uh seeing that this is being done. Uh the citizens have no uh say on whether it should be staying uh open or not. [0:30:29, 0:30:36]: And I'm just trying to get to the bottom of it before I decide to leave. I've been here since two thousand five. [0:30:36, 0:30:38]: And [0:30:38, 0:30:58]: They do the same thing. City of Stockbridge does the same thing as the Water Authority. Why is this bond still open? Why are they able to add it? Why can't we vote on it staying open? And then my second question was about public safety. What exactly are we going to pay for? I know it's been added to our uh tax pay. [0:30:58, 0:31:03]: feel but I I would like it outlined on exactly where my money is going. [0:31:06, 0:31:20]: They have and and the rest people can say we have people that functions are functions. I'm not sure that our speeches are not around. [0:31:25, 0:31:27]: [1888.3, 1894.1]: Yeah, we spoke before, yeah. So I will talk to him and [0:31:37, 0:31:40]: Okay. Thank you for your time. Uh oh. [0:31:46, 0:31:48]: Ms. Nancy Strickland. [0:32:08, 0:32:13]: Council and Mayor, I'm Nancy Strickland. I live at one oh two Wexford Court. [0:32:13, 0:32:14]: In Stockbridge. [0:32:15, 0:32:17]: I just want to thank you all. [0:32:17, 0:32:19]: We've had so much. [0:32:19, 0:32:25]: turmoil along the way and I just want to tell all of you how much I appreciate y'all [0:32:25, 0:32:26]: And what you've done. [0:32:27, 0:32:29]: My husband was teared stripped one. [0:32:29, 0:32:33]: And if I get emotional I'll just go sit down but [0:32:33, 0:32:34]: Um [0:32:35, 0:32:38]: And I want to thank Michael so much for the good job that he's done. [0:32:40, 0:32:41]: But uh this is um [0:32:42, 0:32:45]: a time that we've had an election now. [0:32:45, 0:32:50]: And I just hope that we can settle down and get back to business. [0:32:51, 0:32:51]: Oh [0:32:54, 0:32:57]: There's nobody in the world, I guess, that loves Stockbridge more than I do. [0:32:58, 0:33:04]: And I want to let y'all know that I will be available at any time to help in any way that I can. [0:33:04, 0:33:06]: And also um [0:33:06, 0:33:08]: Judy mentioned the budget. [0:33:09, 0:33:17]: Has the budget already been settled for this year? Okay. Is this budget balanced? [0:33:18, 0:33:21]: Mail, can you on it? [0:33:23, 0:33:25]: Okay. [0:33:25, 0:33:30]: Okay. I just wanted to make sure this is a level playing film now. [0:33:31, 0:33:31]: We've got [0:33:32, 0:33:33]: To start over. [0:33:33, 0:33:34]: And uh [0:33:34, 0:33:38]: Just want to make sure that it it's it's balanced without any reserve. [0:33:39, 0:33:41]: being used or anything like that. But [0:33:42, 0:33:47]: Most of all I'm just so proud of y'all and uh I'm I'm proud of the job that Judy's going to be doing. I've [0:33:48, 0:33:54]: I've worked with her since our kids were in PTA in elementary school and she's a worker. [0:33:54, 0:33:59]: And she's gonna do well. And thank y'all so bad for listening to me. [0:34:05, 0:34:06]: There are no public comments. [0:34:12, 0:34:13]: To order a blue sexy. [0:34:17, 0:34:18]: And um [0:34:20, 0:34:22]: First thing that would be [0:34:25, 0:34:26]: I don't think that's [0:34:26, 0:34:46]: But I'm gonna ask a favor of the council tonight. Um please I got here and um I've got this big book and everything and and the box and things that we need to learn. Um would you I would like because you designed a change that you can explain, there's a both you [0:34:46, 0:34:57]: [2098.1, 2107.0]: Hey, can we balance I think we're going to come to turn them? I'm gonna ask our council tonight if we want to [0:35:07, 0:35:25]: They may not and I would like for us to put a twenty five those and five not have a chance to have a formal conversation yet with our [0:35:26, 0:35:29]: I want to ask that everything on this [0:35:29, 0:35:49]: Uh we'll probably work session on January month. If we shall have that time, we will all have the time to have some conversations. I think there are lots of ways to solve the problems. I'm not going to spend around seven fifteen and [0:35:50, 0:35:57]: And saying that solution to the case. They would do it with why not being there for it. [0:35:58, 0:36:04]: So I would like to make that as a recommendation and if anybody will support me on it, I would like to hear from [0:36:06, 0:36:18]: Madam Mayor, you don't mind. Um I'd like to ask the uh uh uh uh uh a council here, can we go into a new fiscal year without having a balance of Mayor's asking for January, can we do ac action for do that first of all? [0:36:20, 0:36:24]: My understanding is it would be for the December twenty seventh, um [0:36:24, 0:36:25]: Or two uh [0:36:26, 0:36:33]: December twenty seventh is the work session in December and then January is you referred to the meeting in January. So [0:36:35, 0:36:37]: I actually want us to wait and [0:36:40, 0:36:48]: the at the end of this month and and that is something the council could certainly do. Um, Madam Mayor, if I could make a recommendation [0:36:49, 0:37:09]: We'd advertise tonight for the public hearing. You could still have the public hearing and hear from the public tonight and that would satisfy the legal requirements so that you wouldn't have to have another public hearing. You could if you wanted to and hear from the public again. But I would recommend you go ahead and have the hearing tonight and if the council [0:37:09, 0:37:14]: What's the way to make a final decision on a doctrine, then they could do that on the twenty seventh. [0:37:17, 0:37:19]: All right. Uh can I continue on here? [0:37:19, 0:37:21]: Um a couple things. Um [0:37:21, 0:37:24]: The one point five million come out of fund balance. [0:37:24, 0:37:35]: Um obviously we'll have additional conversation about this, but uh my understanding is that we're not doing anything illegal. We're not doing anything illegal by doing that. Now, mind you, [0:37:35, 0:37:37]: [2260.7, 2276.7]: Well for the public hearings for the public to address us. I mean I I was thinking that you wanted some comments in reference to this now. I mean I could s I'll say the comments later. I just need to get this whatever I want to say off my chest and and and say these things. [0:37:56, 0:37:58]: To ensure that um [0:37:58, 0:38:01]: uh that at least get publicly known. [0:38:02, 0:38:03]: Well excuse me. [0:38:04, 0:38:09]: One second. Okay. So I mean I'm looking at you, sir, once again, for any legal advice here. [0:38:10, 0:38:17]: Well, it it's the council's decision whether or not they want to delay final adoption of the budget for [0:38:18, 0:38:27]: you know, another for two weeks. Um so it's my understanding the mayor is asking you all to make that decision now before you proceed [0:38:29, 0:38:33]: All right. I'll I'll I'll wait for my comments. I'm I'm pretty sure other people want to speak. [0:38:34, 0:38:35]: Madam Mayor, if I may. [0:38:35, 0:38:40]: Um, I think uh and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think one of [0:38:40, 0:38:42]: The issues is um [0:38:42, 0:38:45]: Mayor Pro Tem is addressing [0:38:45, 0:38:52]: his issues with the budget or whether or not we're gonna discuss it, I don't know. I'm a little confused. Do we talk about [0:38:52, 0:38:58]: discussing it or do we go ahead and make a motion to allow for public comments? [0:38:59, 0:39:00]: Well [0:39:00, 0:39:16]: Madam Mayor, if I may respond, it's my understanding, you know, the public comments will proceed in due course if the council makes no decision that that's on the agenda and you already have that set. And so what's being requested is a change from the agenda [0:39:16, 0:39:21]: for the council to consider delaying final adoption but [0:39:22, 0:39:29]: All I've recommended is if you do that you should probably still go ahead and at least have a public hearing portion tonight. [0:39:29, 0:39:35]: And then but you should decide what you want to do as far as final adoption before you have that public hearing. [0:39:36, 0:39:37]: Madam Mayor. [0:39:41, 0:39:45]: Um one of the things I've always contended here on the council is that [0:39:46, 0:39:50]: Uh lack of understanding always breeds two things and that's conflict and confusion. [0:39:50, 0:39:54]: And so until everybody get a clear understanding of the budget because there is still some [0:39:54, 0:39:58]: uh things that we haven't as a council agreed on pertaining to this budget. [0:39:58, 0:40:02]: So if we whatever's gonna go on tonight, if we're gonna do an extension [0:40:03, 0:40:03]: Uh because [0:40:04, 0:40:06]: as the budget is laid out before the public to see. [0:40:07, 0:40:12]: over ten million dollars and we only have a general fund that comes in is eight point eight, eight point nine. [0:40:12, 0:40:17]: I would not agree to the budget tonight myself, pertaining to what's shown to the public tonight. So [0:40:18, 0:40:26]: if there's an agreement to move forward to uh for us to make those adjustments, then I'm for that. Well mayor. [0:40:33, 0:40:46]: So you're saying that you really need to open it up for public hearing and it it was online. [0:40:47, 0:40:50]: You're you're saying that we would not have a public hearing. [0:40:51, 0:40:52]: After we [0:40:53, 0:40:55]: After we maybe have [0:40:55, 0:41:15]: Let me clarify. I'm just saying you've already advertised for the public hearing tonight, so I'm recommending that you at least have that. You c you are still fully within your rights as a council to receive additional public comment again in two weeks if that's your decision to delay it. But I just don't want you [0:41:15, 0:41:20]: you to not have the hearing tonight after you've already uh advertised it. [0:41:30, 0:41:33]: It's all the budget's already been presented, so uh I think it'd be appropriate [0:41:34, 0:41:35]: Yes, ma'am. [0:41:37, 0:41:50]: Yes, uh I uh uh this is what I want clarification on. I think uh Madam Mayor asked the council for us to have what we thought about moving this item two weeks. [0:41:51, 0:42:11]: That is discussion. So I think what Mayor Pro Tem did was absolutely appropriate in that the request was for us to talk about or to decide. I think we would want the public to know what our thoughts are on whether or not um we were for that. Um personally like um Mayor [0:42:11, 0:42:31]: Pro Tem said I I want to make sure that we do everything that's legal and in accordance with where we're trying to go uh to establish the budget. But the state does outline uh a budgeting process. There was three advertised meetings, and tonight was actually supposed to be the last one of those three advertising. [0:42:31, 0:42:51]: advertised meetings. We've had them three s uh two of them success that was opened up to the public as well as all council members. Uh there were several members of the public who attended all of those meetings and we kinda decided uh you know what uh was going into the budget. I would like to call on [0:42:50, 0:43:09]: uh Madam Mayor to go on record to tell us what her concerns are uh with the budget, seeing that we've had uh three meet this is our third meeting, so we could kinda talk about where we wanted to go and if there was any concerns that you've had with the process uh s thus far. [0:43:13, 0:43:17]: The question on the table is where is the council point? [0:43:19, 0:43:39]: That me enough. I've been in office for like five months, budget. And we do want to go to the city's suppliers of seventeen budget. I'm asking for a full two week so that I can study the budget, be better prepared, and that we can [0:43:39, 0:43:41]: [2622.5, 2640.3]: on a solution to cities collected for two. I mean I'm not faulting anybody, I'm not criticizing anybody, I'm just saying that at this point I would like that two weeks period of time so that we can [0:44:00, 0:44:01]: Yeah. [0:44:01, 0:44:02]: Yeah. [0:44:02, 0:44:03]: Thank you. [0:44:03, 0:44:09]: budget that is finally passed is the budget that we can live with. That is my request. [0:44:14, 0:44:15]: Madam Mayor. [0:44:17, 0:44:28]: I move that we allow the public to speak in regards to the final reading and adoption of the proposed fiscal year twenty seventeen operating budget. [0:44:30, 0:44:41]: However, I move that after the public speaks that we table and allow you time to review the budget for a couple of weeks. Sorry. I'm in agreement with that. [0:44:42, 0:44:43]: All in favor? [0:44:44, 0:44:46]: Discussion please. [0:44:48, 0:45:02]: Mm-hmm. I I can agree to this, uh, but I also want to make sure that uh during discussion after the public speaks I have some comments that I like to make to help us along this process. I need to get it off my chest before we leave here tonight. Okay? Thank you. [0:45:02, 0:45:04]: Yes discussion as well. [0:45:10, 0:45:10]: We take a vote. [0:45:11, 0:45:13]: Madam Mayor, you need the the yeas and nays. [0:45:14, 0:45:17]: No you no no you didn't. All right. All in favor? [0:45:19, 0:45:20]: Um [0:45:22, 0:45:31]: Mayor Neal, I just need a clarification on the date. Did you say the twentieth s the work session? Is that where we're delaying this? Twenty session. Okay. Thank you. [0:45:39, 0:45:43]: Madam Mayor, you'd open the public hearing and and ask for comments. [0:45:49, 0:46:05]: Not as familiar with the budget, but if you have comments that you want to make um the budget, that's what we're hearing about that mail just about the it will um come to closing one dot one as a comment. [0:46:05, 0:46:07]: Part one structure. [0:46:10, 0:46:23]: Actually the public hearing in itself has a certain amount of time for the public hearing. Ten minutes for your public hearing. In favor or opposed? If anyone wants to speak. [0:46:30, 0:46:35]: Those in favor should come forward first. Those in favor. [0:46:37, 0:46:43]: Those in favor of the of the budget should come forward first and then those opposed would come second. [0:46:46, 0:46:48]: I I want them to have enough [0:46:54, 0:46:55]: That's the other one. [0:46:56, 0:47:08]: Is that okay? So we're gonna mix it in. Alright, so uh uh you don't have to tell us quickly for like before you come to the podium if you have any statement you wanna make about the budget, please come to this time. [0:47:11, 0:47:14]: No mess, start from this way and come all the way over. Okay. [0:47:15, 0:47:25]: We'll just start up and start over here, or then we'll do that two minutes and I'll sort of about three minutes to the first one. [0:47:27, 0:47:30]: [2851.9, 2856.2]: Mayor Neal, the three minute rule does not apply. It's open to ten minutes. [0:47:38, 0:47:44]: If he talks ten minutes, that's the entire hearing. [0:47:46, 0:47:51]: M my name is Joe Bates, uh eighteen thirteen Chick Court, Stockbridge, Georgia. [0:47:52, 0:47:57]: And I want to encourage the entire council not to have a budget. [0:47:57, 0:47:58]: That is not balanced. [0:47:59, 0:48:05]: Uh my understanding with the state law is fairly simple. I'm not a lawyer and I'm not an official. [0:48:05, 0:48:18]: But I just uh don't believe that uh having an unbalanced budget would be in the best interest of anybody here and certainly not myself. So that's all I have to say and thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. [0:48:22, 0:48:23]: Discussed. [0:48:41, 0:48:59]: Council, um I just wanted to clarify the reason I mentioned budget to start with is because my husband was Ted Strickland and I know when budget time came up they worried and worked and all of this and I just wanted to make sure I didn't know whether this would even come up or not. [0:48:59, 0:49:02]: But I wanted to make sure that uh the [0:49:02, 0:49:11]: Everything is level ground at this point and and we can move from here. Thank you. [0:49:20, 0:49:40]: My name is Lou Goldie and I live at 172 Garden Walk in uh Stockbridge. I've lived there for eighteen years. Uh my question is does next year's budget include uh provision for city police? I know it's talked about, I just haven't heard any more about it. Uh I'd just like to know if that's included in the budget next year, if anything's been approved on. [0:49:40, 0:49:42]: That's the only question I have. Thank you. [0:49:45, 0:49:47]: I mean [0:49:50, 0:49:54]: Um I think that would be that [0:50:01, 0:50:05]: I'm Shirley Wallislong at three ten Tory Trail here in South Bridge. [0:50:05, 0:50:10]: I wanna know, I haven't had an opportunity to even review the proposed budget. [0:50:10, 0:50:13]: Or what you was going to discuss tonight as a citizen. [0:50:13, 0:50:16]: I would like to be able to see that budget myself. [0:50:17, 0:50:19]: And also when you have your next meeting [0:50:20, 0:50:22]: Make it to where everybody [0:50:22, 0:50:26]: who wants to attend to give their opinion about the the pu the budget. [0:50:27, 0:50:29]: Make it where we can speak instead of [0:50:31, 0:50:33]: It just coming up and this is what it is. [0:50:33, 0:50:34]: Um [0:50:34, 0:50:34]: Yeah. [0:50:35, 0:50:39]: That's what a lot of people are concerned about at this particular point. [0:50:39, 0:50:44]: And if if that can just be presented to where whether you listen it on [0:50:44, 0:50:45]: The website [0:50:46, 0:50:48]: 'Cause most of us here do have access to the website. [0:50:50, 0:50:54]: then that would be good to give at least me as a president of my community to [0:50:54, 0:51:02]: get it to my community so they can take a look at it and not all of us will be able to come in, but at least a consensus where we could all [0:51:03, 0:51:06]: get our our questions together and at least have one representative. [0:51:10, 0:51:30]: Mayor Neal, the the budget was placed on the website with the first hearing. When there were changes made to the first hearing, those changes were also made public on the website. In addition to the website, we have a copy in the receptionist area as we indicate, and we also have a copy in our finance office for the public. [0:51:29, 0:51:30]: Public to view. [0:51:37, 0:51:40]: That would be an open records request from Ms. Long. [0:51:42, 0:51:58]: It's it's available to view, but if she wants a copy, then we would have to do that via open records report. And I'll it's also on the website. [0:51:59, 0:52:00]: [3129.8, 3131.2]: We're at six minutes. [0:52:19, 0:52:25]: My name is Richard Ordonas, I live at one hundred twelve men Boulevard. My wife is a lifelong resident, born and raised here in Stockbridge. [0:52:26, 0:52:28]: We've taught our kids. [0:52:28, 0:52:28]: Two. [0:52:29, 0:52:30]: Spend what you have. [0:52:30, 0:52:32]: Safer any David, don't go over that. [0:52:33, 0:52:35]: I expect and I would like to see. [0:52:35, 0:52:36]: Our city council did the same thing. [0:52:37, 0:52:38]: The budget should be [0:52:39, 0:52:39]: Um [0:52:40, 0:52:44]: within the realms of what we have to spend and not over that we should be balanced. [0:52:45, 0:52:49]: If I did not balance my budget at home, I may not be able to pay my water bill or my taxes. [0:52:49, 0:52:51]: And then who do I have to come to? [0:52:51, 0:52:53]: City of Stockbridge and explain it. [0:52:53, 0:52:55]: So I think that it who's everybody [0:52:56, 0:53:00]: to be within a balanced budget for whatever city they specifically Stockbridge because they live here. [0:53:01, 0:53:04]: But I've always taught my kids to maintain that [0:53:04, 0:53:10]: and how it is so that when they're down the road, they get older, they're able to provide for themselves. [0:53:10, 0:53:14]: And things like that. So I would like to make sure and see that our balance our budget is balanced. [0:53:14, 0:53:18]: So that we don't have to keep going back and back and trying [0:53:18, 0:53:25]: get more money from the s the businesses, from the citizens, or some other place in order to meet the balance budget. Thank you. [0:53:27, 0:53:42]: And um at this point as a little bit of some of our platform people that have a foot camera. Um next the work session would be [0:53:44, 0:53:45]: Okay for that. [0:53:46, 0:53:47]: [3227.7, 3232.3]: It's the twenty seventh of December. [0:53:53, 0:53:56]: I know. She wanna come back for that. [0:53:58, 0:54:04]: At at this point I'll see my coming out and then uh typically coming up. [0:54:05, 0:54:17]: We are talking about and and I know that um Georgia law says we have to balance our budget the [0:54:22, 0:54:23]: And you have [0:54:25, 0:54:40]: actually estimated the exact medium uh pockets that we're starting from us. So that's basically what I think um uh project boards would like to do that. I'll start with the people on that. [0:54:42, 0:55:02]: Thank you, Madam Mayor. Appreciate that. In the process of going through a budget, uh we wanted to see we're seeking basically economic development. We want to do what we can to bring businesses and bring you all downtown and develop the area right around here, the city hall and our main street area, things of that nature. So part of the budget uh coming out of fund balance dealt with [0:55:02, 0:55:06]: with the rebanding initiative, also dealt with apitheater design. [0:55:07, 0:55:16]: Okay, that we want to have back here as well. A comprehensive plan, which is actually a two year process, and half of it would be paid in in in twenty seventeen, the other half in twenty eighteen. [0:55:17, 0:55:21]: opportunity zone, uh tax zone information to bring businesses downtown. [0:55:22, 0:55:29]: And uh fiber optic network for all our city buildings. That's part of it what we would want to take out of uh the fund balance as well. [0:55:29, 0:55:35]: Now we we have all these uh Tasty Tuesdays and we have all these these events downtown and we were renting [0:55:35, 0:55:47]: out uh lights. So we want to purchase uh uh light towers for our public works and also message boards to get information out to you all, the citizens, that all came out that was all coming out of fund balance as well. [0:55:48, 0:55:59]: And the the biggest concern I I think and the council will speak to this themselves if they want to, I think the biggest concern dealt with roughly five hundred thousand dollars of the of the one point five million [0:56:00, 0:56:20]: easily to dealt with any purchases of land for development of the downtown area. If if we were looking at expanding what we would pay potentially pay to expand everything on the downtown area. That was kind of the more of the concern of how about to go go about the process of going about doing that, whether you you amend the budget later or whether or not you identify it up front. Another I think a [0:56:20, 0:56:32]: concern dealt with a public informations officer uh that the staff uh had wanted and council members had mentioned as well. Now granted I was uh I was opposed to that last time we talked about this. [0:56:32, 0:56:35]: To fund anything like that a new position. [0:56:35, 0:56:54]: it also has to come out of fund balance. And that's one of the things I said publicly in our two uh previous uh uh budget hearings is that there were things that Mr Harris and our and our treasurer Linda neighbors had told me and I just said, No, I think I want to go down this road which generated additional conversation which is why we're having this now, which is perfectly fine. [0:56:54, 0:56:55]: Um [0:56:55, 0:56:57]: Now I have to tell you that uh [0:56:57, 0:57:00]: Uh the GMA, the Jordan Municipal Association [0:57:00, 0:57:20]: has a plenty of classes and educates our municipal officials, elected officials and just last week I went to Tifton, Georgia for how do you effectively brand and market your city. Okay. Once again I mentioned earlier rebranding an initiative which is this that we want to start here in in Stockbridge and and have and we started those type of things with [0:57:20, 0:57:33]: with our Main Street program, which is in this general facility, and uh we're looking at uh the hiring and uh some contractors that help us with rebranding our our our city itself. Well I went to this particular class with open mind [0:57:33, 0:57:53]: And talking getting an education, spend three hours learning some things and talking to some other officials in some other cities and around the state. And after thinking about it and understanding where we where I think this council wants to take the city and the fact of of what the s what uh city officials of the p full time staff have mentioned to me, I'm now of the mindset to go ahead and say, Okay, I think we probably [0:57:53, 0:58:04]: need a public information officer. All right? Whether it's full time or part time. But even since I've changed my mind and I say that, guess what? If we do that, that funding event's gotta come out of fund balance to do that. [0:58:05, 0:58:16]: See all these things it's a process. All these things that we want to move the city forward uh comes out of fund balance. Now there are some things with splots initiatives, some other funds we can use, but the m the to move as aggressively is what this council wants to do. [0:58:17, 0:58:19]: Funds balance is how we're gonna have to solve it. [0:58:19, 0:58:30]: If we don't do that then there are things that we will be able to do but become very slow and it'll take several years. We wanna move faster. And we can do it faster. [0:58:30, 0:58:37]: I just wanted to mention that in that aspect. Uh that is for m for right now, that is my two cents. Thank you. Madam Mayor. [0:58:42, 0:58:46]: Um, the only comment I uh um really have in regards to the bo um [0:58:46, 0:58:47]: Budget. [0:58:47, 0:58:49]: And just so the audience knows. [0:58:50, 0:59:00]: We have as a finance committee chair, anytime there's a quarterly report or any update on what's going on, feel free to go online to the City of Stockbridge website. [0:59:00, 0:59:04]: Um whether it's the agendas, whether it's the quarterly [0:59:04, 0:59:17]: updated everything is on the website for you. Um if you were to come and ask for a copy here you would have to go through open records. So I I don't have any comments tonight in regards to the budget. Thank you. [0:59:20, 0:59:21]: Pani Przewodnicząca. [0:59:22, 0:59:35]: I just want to say a lot of the training that we're receiving through GMA, um, we're doing just as what we were tr we're trained to do. Um we're using the information and just like Miss Strickland said, um [0:59:36, 0:59:56]: A lot of the drawings that are in our clerk's office are from the previous counsel and mayor. They had drawings of having an amphitheater. So what we're trying to do is their vision was there as well. It's just now the time is now. And we just need the public support to be um we have [0:59:56, 1:00:16]: have the council meetings as we stated the budget and we went through the process. We just need your help to come out and attend these meetings. Even when we're saying with the branding, a lot of people aren't on social media, but we can at least let you know with our new branding with the signs to say there's a council meeting [1:00:16, 1:00:22]: meeting on this day. So that way you're aware and you can come out just like you have done this evening. [1:00:22, 1:00:27]: But again I just wanna state that um the drawings and I wish we could have had it um [1:00:27, 1:00:47]: out here but um mister Ted Strickland and all of them they had that vision and and it wasn't the time but we're basically still in line with everything that they were trying to do is what I see. Um and we just want to bring that to pass and I thank you for your prayers. We're definitely gonna need it. Um but they have [1:00:47, 1:01:07]: And like I said, if you want to come to the clerk's office, you'll be willing to show anyone um those drawings that they had. Um but again the information is there on the webpage, but we're just trying to make a change for Stockbridge. Stockbridge is um growing, people are moving here, and we're just trying [1:01:07, 1:01:09]: [3670.0, 3676.3]: a welcoming city and that we know that we can be. But definitely keep us in your prayers and um [1:01:17, 1:01:37]: Madam Mayor, um I am in agreement to sitting down. Um hopefully I was hoping we could have had a special call meeting before tonight and we could have done this, but it didn't happen. But I do feel that we all need to be on the same page and if we're gonna be a team and be as one, we have to sit down at the table, have a conversation. [1:01:37, 1:01:41]: and then that way we can come together, be it your way or this way [1:01:42, 1:01:45]: Whatever, as long as we're doing it for the city, I'm in agreement with that. [1:01:52, 1:02:04]: I just want to say that uh in in in government, in any body of government, there's always the perception of the truth and then there's always the the truth. One presents what could be reality and the other presents reality. [1:02:04, 1:02:11]: And what the coun this council has to do and the way we need to operate is that we need to make sure that the perception that you get [1:02:12, 1:02:13]: is the reality. [1:02:13, 1:02:24]: Because if your perception is shown differently, maybe we could be going in reality in the right way in something of the truth. But if we give you all the wrong perception, that's what you're gonna go off of. [1:02:24, 1:02:34]: And I and and I petition each one of my colleagues here and the mayor that we come to you with not perception but the reality of the truth. [1:02:35, 1:02:47]: And how do you do that? You do that strategically by making a plan and everybody come together and say, What's the best plan that we can make this happen where it doesn't look like a perception of something that would not be s pleasing to the citizens? [1:02:48, 1:02:52]: My opinion and my opinion only, I can only control this area right here. [1:02:52, 1:03:01]: There's things about this budget that I don't agree with and I've made that clear. There's things about this and I told them even tonight that I would not agree on this budget. [1:03:01, 1:03:10]: Each one of my colleagues know this. But that's me right here in my section uh in my space, so I would not give you all a perception of something. [1:03:11, 1:03:12]: That's not the truth. [1:03:15, 1:03:31]: Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the this is what it really comes down to. Madam Mayor and everybody ran up here. I think I'd like to thank Mayor Pro Tem Anthony Ford for doing an outstanding job of stewarding the city uh in the last eleven months and twelve days. [1:03:36, 1:03:48]: We have endeavored to make Stockbridge one of the best cities in Metro Atlanta. We developed a new vision statement to actually outline that to put it in writing. [1:03:48, 1:04:08]: But when it really comes down to it where the rubber meets the road, Georgia is the number one place in America to do business. And it's not it's no accident that Stockbridge has been left behind in many occasions. You gotta put skin in the game. The state established incentive programs that we're trying to establish called enterprise. [1:04:08, 1:04:28]: Zones. If you, as a business owner, want to bring a business downtown, you would be rewarded every time you created a new job, getting a$3,400 tax credit. But in order for us to do that, we have to submit a bid to DCA in order to have it certified as an enterprise zone. Economic development. [1:04:28, 1:04:31]: Saying those words get you elected. [1:04:32, 1:04:46]: I am determined for myself personally to not just be a politician that talks, to get things done and to make sure that we move forward with the things that we promise the citizens, like downtown redevelopment. [1:04:47, 1:04:51]: And many times our downtown is completely indistinguishable. [1:04:52, 1:05:09]: We have set forth to outline a master plan to uh have a distinguishable downtown, to draw new businesses, restaurants and shops, and to help those existing business owners repair their businesses through facade grants through the DDA which helped us. [1:05:09, 1:05:11]: Let me say this to you right now. [1:05:12, 1:05:22]: All the training that you pay for at Georgia Municipal Association, which is twelve thousand dollars in last year's budget, taught us, it said to us [1:05:22, 1:05:40]: Fiscal responsibility requires twenty-five percent savings and everybody here has a save personal savings account that they live on uh that they have for a rainy day. The Georgia Municipal Association establishes that rate at fifteen to twenty-five percent. [1:05:41, 1:05:55]: Contrary to what you probably heard in the media or in the news, Stockbridge had an eighty seven percent fund balance. Means that we had we're supposed to have twenty five, but we have eighty seven percent. [1:05:56, 1:06:15]: mean which means that we have a almost a year's supply of extra funding. I challenge each and every one of you in this council as we are putting this budget together to say part of the reason that the city of Stockbridge looks like it does in areas right now is we haven't been spending enough money. [1:06:16, 1:06:25]: We need to reinvest in our city to make it look and appear the way that we want to, to attract the kind of businesses that we want to attract. [1:06:26, 1:06:46]: If we use this budget, which is fund reserve, we plan the budget calls for us to use uh a pro um to take us down maybe one point five million dollars out of that reserve. What that does it takes us down to about seventy percent fund balance, which is we still have [1:06:46, 1:07:06]: have a seventy percent savings rate, which the Georgia Municipal Association requires twenty five percent. So we still have substantial savings. I hope many of you have noticed some of the improvements that we made uh as you come down Rock Quarry Road. It was so silly to me that [1:07:06, 1:07:20]: we would cut part of Rock Quarry Road, then the county wouldn't cut apart, and then we would cut another part, and you would drive down and it looked like somebody had a haircut and part was right here, this part wasn't cut. You know what I said to this council? [1:07:21, 1:07:23]: The citizens just want to see it cut. [1:07:24, 1:07:44]: And that's what we start doing. We invested in you because we want Stockbridge to be one of the best places in Metro Atlanta to live. And please do not have it be misinterpreted that we would do anything illegal. We were not going to pass a budget that is not balanced. Yes, we are going to take reserve funds. [1:07:44, 1:07:53]: funds. But those reserve funds take us down to still seventy percent of fund balance for a rainy day in case things happen. [1:07:53, 1:07:54]: In this city. [1:07:55, 1:08:15]: But you cannot go to these new new we're trying to attract jobs to the city. You can't go go to these businesses empty handed and say economic development. They're not going to hear that. They're going to put you at the bottom of the list. I'm calling for this money to be investment into the city to improve our standards of living here so we can [1:08:15, 1:08:24]: can attract the jobs that our citizens need. Every time I look at the unemployment data in Stockbridge, we're like number four from the from the top. [1:08:25, 1:08:45]: Our rate is like two to three percent higher than anybody in Metro Atlanta. That's completely unacceptable. Completely unacceptable. And to answer in just thirty more seconds, if I could, to answer the gentleman's question, we have a feasibility study underway right now from Carl Vincent Institute paying. [1:08:45, 1:09:05]: For to establish a Stockbridge Police Department or to tell us whether it would be appropriate to establish a Stockbridge Police Department. I ran on establishing a Stockbridge Police Department because the county resources are spread so thin. And those are the type of things that we have to do. And that's where the budget comes from. [1:09:05, 1:09:25]: You can't have that safety and security without putting the money in the game. And that's what we're asking to do by balancing the budget, using some of our reserve funds to invest in our city in sidewalk and police services and in fixing up the city. So when you get off the expression [1:09:25, 1:09:29]: [4169.2, 4173.2]: that there's not litter everywhere. That's what we have in this budget. [1:09:36, 1:09:36]: Um [1:09:39, 1:09:44]: Do I have any objections to us moving our agenda forward? [1:09:51, 1:09:54]: You would need to close the public hearing formally. [1:10:00, 1:10:05]: Okay, at this time in the public hearing is [1:10:16, 1:10:18]: Um would you say that at this point I [1:10:22, 1:10:27]: Uh madam, um there are some other items on the agenda that are not related to the budget. [1:10:28, 1:10:30]: I thought we were gonna move the whole media. [1:10:30, 1:10:31]: No. [1:10:32, 1:10:34]: No, just the idea. [1:10:35, 1:10:38]: Yeah we we misunderstood. We we thought you were just referring to the budget. [1:10:57, 1:11:00]: Madam Mayor, uh the city council [1:11:00, 1:11:05]: Um this item I'm gonna rely heavily on Ms. Harris Bragg's. Um there are a number of uh [1:11:06, 1:11:12]: either current vacancies or soon to be vacancies that will uh require appointments. [1:11:12, 1:11:13]: by the Council. [1:11:17, 1:11:18]: Thank you. [1:11:20, 1:11:25]: Madam Mayor, Council members, um I come before you today because we have several [1:11:25, 1:11:29]: Um positions that are now vacant on the Main Street Advisory Board. [1:11:30, 1:11:46]: Since receiving its accreditation in twenty fifteen Stockbridge Main Street program has been very busy establishing the framework for downtown development under the four point approach that includes design, organization, promotion, and economic vitality. [1:11:46, 1:11:51]: Key to our success has been a very hard working and dedicated board. [1:11:51, 1:12:00]: We currently have several positions open and have received um applications and letters for renewal of [1:12:00, 1:12:02]: um terms on the Main Street Advisory Board. [1:12:03, 1:12:05]: Um you all should have received [1:12:05, 1:12:06]: Copies of [1:12:06, 1:12:08]: Those um applications. [1:12:08, 1:12:10]: And you also should have received [1:12:10, 1:12:11]: The letters but [1:12:11, 1:12:12]: But um [1:12:12, 1:12:17]: have been submitted as well as statements of intent to continue with the Main Street Advisory Board. [1:12:18, 1:12:21]: We have received statements of intent from [1:12:21, 1:12:22]: Um [1:12:23, 1:12:24]: Councilman Anthony Ford. [1:12:25, 1:12:32]: Um with regard to our city ma city council member position, which serves as an ex officio officer on the board. [1:12:33, 1:12:35]: We also um have a [1:12:35, 1:12:39]: Um position open for two Stockbridge residents. [1:12:39, 1:12:41]: Um those two positions are up [1:12:42, 1:12:44]: for um reappointment. [1:12:44, 1:12:49]: Anika Potts and Ebony Gurndy have um submitted their statements of intent. [1:12:49, 1:12:53]: um to remain on the Main Street Advisory Board in these capacities. [1:12:53, 1:12:56]: We've also received um [1:12:56, 1:12:57]: Two [1:12:58, 1:13:01]: um recommend two um requests [1:13:02, 1:13:20]: for the available positions under um Stockbridge property owners or operators. Um we've received actually I'm sorry we've received several applications for that particular position. Um Leah Sanders for Outside the Main Street District business owner, Don Gordon for a business outside the Main Street [1:13:20, 1:13:21]: um district. [1:13:22, 1:13:27]: We also received two citizen applications for Miss Shirley Wallace and um [1:13:28, 1:13:28]: Sharp. [1:13:28, 1:13:31]: I'm not sure how to pronounce this name. [1:13:31, 1:13:33]: But um I think it's Rangadiv. [1:13:34, 1:13:35]: Um Chakra Bari. [1:13:37, 1:13:40]: The Main Street program advisory board [1:13:41, 1:14:01]: Um based on our um current cons uh current uh makeup as far as our um positions that are currently filled and those that need to be refilled, we would like to make the rec recommendations for reappointment of Anika Potts to Stockbridge resident position, reappointment of Ebony Gurndy [1:14:01, 1:14:03]: to the Stockbridge resident position. [1:14:03, 1:14:09]: And then as far as our positions that are open for property owners outside the Main Street District. [1:14:09, 1:14:11]: Leah Sanders. [1:14:11, 1:14:12]: And Don Gordon. [1:14:15, 1:14:31]: With regard to council member, that would be um whatever your pleasure would be, but we would like to recommend that Mr Anthony Ford be reappointed to the board. And then as the representative from the Downtown Development Authority, Mildred Reed, who was currently serving, has also [1:14:31, 1:14:33]: um extended her [1:14:33, 1:14:36]: um request to be reappointed to that board as well. [1:14:38, 1:14:40]: I hear a motion to accept. [1:14:42, 1:14:45]: Madam Mayor. [1:14:47, 1:14:53]: I I would like to move that we accept these recommendations um given by Ms. Kirabrax. [1:14:54, 1:14:56]: I'll second that. [1:14:56, 1:15:00]: Discussion please. No discussion. [1:15:00, 1:15:18]: Yeah. On the on the discussion. I appreciate the recommendation that the the Main Street uh advisory board has conducted for me specifically, but of course that is up to the council to make that decision. And I thought that w those appointments will happen in January. Is that right? So so actually so it's up to the council whether or not they [1:15:18, 1:15:28]: Want me to still do that and out or whether or not someone else wants to do that. So that happened at January meeting. Okay. That's true. Okay. I just want to make sure that we know that. Oh thank you. [1:15:32, 1:15:36]: Yeah. Um I would like for us to actually move [1:15:36, 1:15:42]: this to thirty days after the annexation of Carriage Lakes because this is a new community that's coming in. [1:15:42, 1:15:55]: And I would like for that community to have an opportunity to be a part of uh a part of what we're doing actually in Stockbridge and I think it would be a good gesture from the city to open that uh open these positions up, citizens' positions up to Carriers Lake. [1:15:56, 1:16:00]: to also put in their applications for for those positions. [1:16:00, 1:16:07]: Um I ris in due respect to your recommendations, but I think that that f as a city this would be a good uh [1:16:07, 1:16:14]: good opportunity for us to welcome them in and let them know that they they can actually come in and uh put in application to be a part of uh [1:16:14, 1:16:19]: part of what we're doing here in the city. So I would like the council to actually move in that direction. [1:16:20, 1:16:27]: Have a motion on the floor to move forward and we have a second, so we'll we've heard what we [1:16:27, 1:16:28]: Failure. [1:16:31, 1:16:33]: I think he's still got still got discussion there. [1:16:34, 1:16:45]: Yes, as far as the discussion is concerned, generally we get to in the past we went in executive session and kinda talked about these applications to um look over them to see [1:16:46, 1:16:52]: Uh what we recommended I are surely you made a recommendation and could you go over the the the names again? I did [1:16:56, 1:17:00]: Um with regard to uh reappointment [1:17:00, 1:17:02]: Those names are Ebony Gurndy. [1:17:02, 1:17:04]: A Nick Apart. [1:17:04, 1:17:09]: And then Mildred Reid, who is the D D A representative on our board currently. [1:17:10, 1:17:13]: And then we received additional applications. [1:17:13, 1:17:15]: From Leah Sanders. [1:17:15, 1:17:16]: Don Gordon. [1:17:17, 1:17:18]: Shirley Wallace [1:17:18, 1:17:21]: And Mrs. Schab Schabert. [1:17:22, 1:17:23]: [4643.2, 4645.3]: Shaka Porti. Yes, thank you. [1:17:25, 1:17:27]: Okay, and you recommended [1:17:28, 1:17:35]: Um my recommendations were reappointment of Ebony Gerny and Anika Potts in the citizen positions. [1:17:36, 1:17:39]: Um Mildred Reed as the DDA representative. [1:17:39, 1:17:46]: Leah Sanders and Don Gordon as businesses outside the Main Street District. Those are the positions that we are recommending. [1:17:47, 1:17:54]: Okay. I I like I said, I'd like we generally discuss those in executive session. I'd like time to do that. [1:17:56, 1:17:58]: Madam Mayor, if I may. [1:17:58, 1:18:10]: I would like to withdraw my motion um so that we can allow time for uh carriage plates to be annexed in and for us to discuss um the appointment positions. [1:18:12, 1:18:12]: A second. [1:18:13, 1:18:15]: A second? Yeah, here I said. Yes. [1:18:17, 1:18:18]: Draw. [1:18:19, 1:18:29]: Uh well, they would have to vote. You don't have to it's just a withdrawal. You don't have to vote on that. If she's original motion, she made an original motion you can withdraw any time. And I don't second so I don't have to do that. [1:18:30, 1:18:31]: So be it. [1:18:32, 1:18:35]: I I believe that districts with that matter. [1:18:40, 1:18:40]: Yeah. [1:18:46, 1:18:53]: Good evening, Madam Mayor again, uh members of the council. Um you have before you a resolution that would appoint [1:18:54, 1:18:57]: five uh volunteer members on a [1:18:57, 1:19:00]: a fairly informal committee [1:19:00, 1:19:04]: that would be uh put together to assist the city and the staff [1:19:05, 1:19:06]: In creating [1:19:07, 1:19:10]: a a curriculum and program for a youth [1:19:10, 1:19:15]: council for the city. And this would be very similar to the youth councils that you see [1:19:15, 1:19:18]: All across the state and indeed across the country. [1:19:18, 1:19:21]: Which would essentially be a leadership development program for [1:19:22, 1:19:24]: Um certain of the city's youth um [1:19:25, 1:19:29]: Uh about two months ago or maybe a month ago the city opened up [1:19:29, 1:19:30]: Uh [1:19:30, 1:19:32]: uh advertisements for [1:19:33, 1:19:36]: members of the community to apply to serve on this board. [1:19:37, 1:19:40]: We've received five applications. [1:19:40, 1:19:44]: Um the persons who applied were Miss Pam Warner [1:19:45, 1:19:46]: Diane Miller. [1:19:46, 1:19:48]: Emma Lewis, Jacqueline Carter. [1:19:49, 1:19:50]: And Ken McFarland. [1:19:51, 1:19:51]: Um [1:19:52, 1:19:57]: These were the uh if I'm not mistaken, these are the only uh applications we've received [1:19:57, 1:20:02]: Um th this committee would be an informal, unpaid committee. [1:20:02, 1:20:03]: Um [1:20:03, 1:20:14]: And it unlike s the various other committees and and boards that the city has, there would not be specific terms. This isn't necessarily a a permanent committee that would be in place. It's really [1:20:15, 1:20:17]: created for a discrete purpose, that is to [1:20:18, 1:20:22]: Help the city formulate the program, establish the the program and get it up and running. [1:20:23, 1:20:27]: um has been discussed by the council a number of times. [1:20:27, 1:20:30]: We we have an idea but we don't have [1:20:30, 1:20:32]: The meat on the bones, if you will. [1:20:32, 1:20:33]: Um [1:20:34, 1:20:37]: the city currently in the budget has budgeted a line item [1:20:38, 1:20:42]: But that's just it. It's a line item. So what that money would be used for [1:20:42, 1:20:46]: This committee would formulate a a recommended curriculum and program. [1:20:46, 1:20:56]: which would then be brought back to the city council for a final approval and that would form the uh the basis for w within which [1:20:56, 1:20:59]: the funds and the budget would be spent. Um [1:21:00, 1:21:07]: So th there you have it. I frankly, Madam Mayor, members of the council, I I'm not in a position to make recommendations as to [1:21:07, 1:21:14]: these individuals because I just don't know know them but it's up to the council how you want to proceed. [1:21:18, 1:21:20]: I hear a motion to move forward. [1:21:20, 1:21:21]: Mayor. [1:21:22, 1:21:33]: If I will it's it okay to to bring this I would like to do the also the same thing with this instead of us voting on it tonight is allow Carries Lake the gonna be annexed in on the sixteenth. [1:21:33, 1:21:36]: to actually put in applications and be a part of this. [1:21:37, 1:21:39]: So I would take I would like to table it until [1:21:40, 1:21:45]: Give them thirty days and and and welcome them to also be a part of this if they would like to. [1:21:46, 1:21:48]: Mayor Fabet. [1:21:48, 1:21:55]: If I may, um I would like to extend both the um in regards to [1:21:56, 1:21:57]: Are items four and five? [1:21:58, 1:22:11]: Just extend the deadline for applications in general and to include carriage lakes, but just to extend the applications in general. Right. Do we have a date to extend [1:22:12, 1:22:12]: Mm. [1:22:13, 1:22:16]: Are we extending that thirty days after the annexation? [1:22:16, 1:22:24]: I would prefer that. Because you we've given other cities I'm sorry. Cit January work sessions. Okay. [1:22:27, 1:22:28]: Councilman blind. [1:22:30, 1:22:35]: That was the that was the recommendation in my mind that thirty days after the sixteenth. [1:22:36, 1:22:39]: would give them ample time like we've done other citizens. [1:22:40, 1:22:47]: to put the application in, to get the application in. That gives the time for them to get the information and and make decisions to put the application in. Thank you. [1:22:48, 1:22:48]: Right. [1:22:57, 1:22:58]: Sorry. [1:23:01, 1:23:02]: I just want to do that. [1:23:02, 1:23:03]: Okay. [1:23:03, 1:23:12]: I just want to make sure we we did a proper motion on that, I guess. I mean with all the details. Correct. Councilman Blount made the motion, a second by Councilman Alexander. [1:23:13, 1:23:22]: Okay and and with the right d amount of date and thirty days past and everything, right? Thirty days past the sixteenth which case. Okay. All right. Excuse me. So be it. [1:23:42, 1:23:44]: Um can [1:23:46, 1:23:49]: [5029.3, 5032.1]: Oh, it's nice. It's nice to vehicle. It's not a vehicle stuff, please. [1:23:53, 1:23:57]: These would be in private motor vehicles or w really any motor vehicle. [1:23:57, 1:24:00]: That's driven within the city limits of Stockbridge. [1:24:01, 1:24:06]: Um this ordinance uh really came up after the conversation I had with [1:24:06, 1:24:12]: Um Councilman Blount, um who had inquired about whether there was any regulation [1:24:12, 1:24:14]: um of this kind and [1:24:14, 1:24:19]: U I had mistakenly been under the belief that the General Assembly had already [1:24:19, 1:24:20]: enacted [1:24:20, 1:24:23]: a state code um to this effect, but in [1:24:24, 1:24:28]: one was introduced and passed by the Georgia State Senate [1:24:28, 1:24:32]: but never adopted by the House and therefore never uh entered into law. [1:24:33, 1:24:37]: Um so what is before you is a modification [1:24:37, 1:24:38]: of that bill. [1:24:39, 1:24:39]: Um [1:24:40, 1:24:49]: which would make it a civil um violation to drive a motor vehicle within the city limits of Stockbridge [1:24:49, 1:24:51]: Um and smoke with [1:24:51, 1:24:52]: Uh [1:24:53, 1:24:55]: persons below the age of fifteen in the car. [1:24:56, 1:25:01]: And it defines smoking as to inhale, exhale, burn, or carry a lighted cigarette. [1:25:01, 1:25:02]: Cigar, pipe. [1:25:02, 1:25:06]: weed plant regulated narcotic or any other combustible [1:25:06, 1:25:10]: uh substance. So if you're doing that in a car, that's considered smoking. [1:25:11, 1:25:14]: Um and if there's a person fifteen years of age [1:25:14, 1:25:17]: or younger in the car at the same time. [1:25:17, 1:25:21]: that would be considered a crime or actually it would be considered a civil [1:25:22, 1:25:26]: uh violation under this ordinance. This ordinance would not make it a crime. [1:25:26, 1:25:31]: It would make it uh make the person subject to a civil fine. [1:25:31, 1:25:33]: Of up to five hundred dollars. [1:25:33, 1:25:36]: Um this it so it very much follows the state [1:25:37, 1:25:40]: bill on the matter, what was proposed in the General Assembly [1:25:41, 1:25:46]: was again a civil violation, not a crime, so it wouldn't be a misdemeanor or a felony. It would just [1:25:46, 1:25:49]: subject the violator to a civil [1:25:50, 1:25:52]: penalty. Um in the case of the state [1:25:53, 1:25:59]: uh bill the violation uh would result in a fine not to exceed a hundred dollars. [1:26:00, 1:26:04]: what's proposed before you would result in a civil penalty [1:26:04, 1:26:06]: not to exceed five hundred dollars. [1:26:07, 1:26:11]: And that's based on the severity of the crime. So it would be in the judges [1:26:11, 1:26:27]: municipal court judges discretion of how high to set the penalty based on the circumstances of the propo of the actual violation. So that's before you um and is really in the the council's hands whether how you want to proceed. [1:26:36, 1:26:40]: I came to um [1:26:40, 1:26:45]: our attorney about this because I when I w uh it's too many times I'm riding through the city of Stockbridge [1:26:46, 1:26:48]: And I'm seeing supposed to be responsible adults. [1:26:49, 1:26:53]: Get out of their car, smokes are pouring out of the car and then they go unbuckle a child. [1:26:53, 1:26:54]: out of a car seat. [1:26:55, 1:27:15]: And when I started looking at the statistics in America, how many kids are getting bronchitis and and pneumonia annually, it's it's it's stunning. And when you look at the infant death uh uh the CIS, the it's increasing in CIS deaths uh uh in this country. And also you're looking at uh uh uh children are particularly at risk because over [1:27:15, 1:27:18]: eighteen percent of homes have smokers in them. [1:27:20, 1:27:26]: We are not trying to govern people's lives to be responsible. We're trying to protect the kids from irresponsible people. [1:27:28, 1:27:36]: So I believe that this this would not only set a standard for other cities to join in because the state didn't pass it. [1:27:36, 1:27:42]: that they will join in and and and we the reason we said a fine up to five hundred dollars [1:27:42, 1:27:43]: Because [1:27:43, 1:27:53]: That's gonna be dependent on what the court says. If you smoking in the car and you have a minor in there and that's one kid, what happens to that person that's riding around with three, four kids in the car? [1:27:54, 1:28:06]: So that'll be up to the courts. We have to do something to to to provide something in our city and let the city know that we are not only we're in economic development mode, but we're in a citizen concern mode also. [1:28:18, 1:28:19]: May I [1:28:20, 1:28:20]: Yes, uh [1:28:25, 1:28:25]: Mayor. [1:28:27, 1:28:35]: I move that we adopt this ordinance for the city of Stockbridge to pass the uh ban on smoking in vehicles contain uh containing miners. [1:28:35, 1:28:36]: A second. [1:28:38, 1:28:39]: Of Sh. [1:28:39, 1:28:40]: Yes. [1:28:42, 1:28:43]: Yes, about the [1:28:44, 1:28:47]: I just like to ask a couple of questions. I mean we [1:28:48, 1:28:55]: It sounds uh it sounds like a laudable thing that we're doing, uh, in order to move forward with that. [1:28:55, 1:29:03]: But it seems like big government and just being very intrusive uh in order to [1:29:06, 1:29:07]: Enforce it. [1:29:07, 1:29:25]: What is the enforcement mechanism? Can we talk w I mean, what do you do? The cops the d the the police officers have a lot going on already. The they see somebody driving down the street, uh they pull somebody over and say, Okay, I'm gonna give you a ticket, you're smoking with someone less than fifteen in the car [1:29:26, 1:29:33]: How does it work? And how in practical application. The state didn't move on it, so what was the reasoning behind them not moving on it? [1:29:35, 1:29:42]: Madam Mayor, uh I honestly can't speak for the rationale for why the the House didn't adopt this uh ordinance. [1:29:43, 1:29:44]: Or uh uh the code. [1:29:45, 1:29:47]: Um I will say as it relates to enforcement [1:29:48, 1:29:52]: something that unfortunately I have to say a lot, which is, you know, the police [1:29:53, 1:29:54]: Don't pull over every speed or [1:29:55, 1:29:57]: Um enforcement sometimes it [1:29:57, 1:30:03]: i is difficult. Uh what would be required here is the police would have to see someone smoking [1:30:03, 1:30:05]: And see a child in a vehicle. [1:30:05, 1:30:07]: And make the decisions you [1:30:07, 1:30:09]: take the time to issue a citation. [1:30:10, 1:30:10]: And [1:30:11, 1:30:14]: You know, I can't look you all in the eye and say that's gonna happen every time. [1:30:15, 1:30:22]: But when it does happen, you know, at least that's one opportunity to send the message if that's what the council decides to do. [1:30:26, 1:30:28]: Further discussion, anyone else? [1:30:31, 1:30:35]: I would like to say that this is this doesn't con uh pertain to a big government. [1:30:36, 1:30:41]: Because when a council member comes and says, Hey, do we have a a law to pull your pants up? [1:30:43, 1:31:03]: Then you come back and say a law that's gonna protect our youth and protect our kids from irresponsible adults. This is not big government. This is this is what you call caring for our children. Caring for the future of this not only this country, but the future of our kids. Not putting something in them because of irresponsible adults. So it's not big government, it's big concern for [1:31:03, 1:31:03]: [5466.5, 5467.6]: Further discussion. [1:31:08, 1:31:18]: I would just like to say is there any way that we can get some more information on practical application where this has been passed at? [1:31:18, 1:31:21]: to see what effect that it has on it. [1:31:21, 1:31:35]: I'm for doing this or for moving forward with this, but before we move forward with it, I'd like to see more information on the practicality of this before citizens start complaining about being harassed [1:31:35, 1:31:55]: and such um when I say big government, big government means intrusive. That means that, you know, police officer has no other reason to stop you and they see, okay, well, this is a probable cause now for me to stop you because I see smoke in the car. I thought I saw a child. So I'm not against what you're [1:31:55, 1:32:07]: proposing I would just like some more time before we go out and we start s having another fine or another violation and to see what the practical effect is. [1:32:11, 1:32:14]: Uh anybody else have a comment on the council? [1:32:16, 1:32:36]: Yes, ma'am. I'm in in agreeant to getting more information um on this.'Cause like I said, we're already with our having questions with our police force. I just don't want to add extra things um for his enforcement until we get more information. [1:32:36, 1:32:48]: and and establish things, have things in place and then we can move forward at that time. But again, it's a great idea, um but I just would like to have more information and tonight I will not vote on it. [1:32:49, 1:32:50]: Mayor. [1:32:55, 1:32:57]: Think that uh Councilman Gantt was next. [1:32:57, 1:32:59]: Thank you. [1:33:00, 1:33:08]: Really I was just gonna go ahead and vote for it, but since there are concerns on what happens and more information [1:33:09, 1:33:09]: Um [1:33:10, 1:33:13]: Any time an officer is on duty [1:33:13, 1:33:19]: Um whether they're stopping someone for speeding or whether they saw someone run a red light. [1:33:19, 1:33:20]: Um [1:33:22, 1:33:42]: Everyone doesn't get caught but when they do get caught, sometimes other things are in their vehicle. That's not what we're saying here today. What I believe um this ordinance is doing is it's about the health, safety and well being of our youth, of our children. Um with nicotine space. [1:33:41, 1:34:01]: smoke being in a isolated in a in a car enclosed with our minor children. Um it is a known fact that cigarettes and nicotine causes cancer. Um and these children are inhaling this smoke involuntarily, basically. Um whether it's something new [1:34:01, 1:34:21]: or whether we're the first person to put our foot down, I commend us for trying to do so. Um and how do you monitor that? Well it's a code ordinance violation, but it's a civil uh code ordinance violation like any other code ordinance violation. If a dog bit someone or [1:34:21, 1:34:41]: Or somebody ran off and something was done in a yard, everything might not necessarily be monitored. Sometimes it's actually, you know, you're given a warning. Sometimes you're given a a fine of fifty dollars. Sometimes I mean you you the max is up to five hundred. That doesn't mean it will be five hundred. Maybe they're habitual buyers. [1:34:41, 1:35:00]: violator of it. Um this ordinance is to protect our youth, their health, safety and well being. Um and government entities are to do that. That's why we make up laws, we create laws. Um and if an officer happens to stop a vehicle for speeding [1:35:01, 1:35:08]: And he gets out and I can use this in d as an example. He gets out. He stopped at a vehicle for speeding, he gets out. [1:35:08, 1:35:14]: And he goes up to the car and there's a child in the car and he rolls down the window and the cigarette smoke is coming out. [1:35:15, 1:35:22]: Well then you're getting a speeding ticket and you're getting a ordinance violation for smoking with a minor child. [1:35:22, 1:35:39]: Those that that's what I foresee is happening. Um it's kinda like no texting and driving. People may text and drive. The officer may not necessarily see it, right? But they have that law out there. So I will be voting in support of that tonight. [1:35:40, 1:35:42]: [5742.9, 5745.6]: Okay, one more comment and then [1:35:48, 1:36:08]: Okay, what I want to say here is that uh and actually uh Councilwoman Gantt hit most of it for me, but uh uh the time frame we're talking about, say for instance we don't uh uh approved this tonight and want more information, what time frame we're looking at? Uh thirty days, uh what w where would you get the information from anyway? I mean you would have to s you can't you can't do much [1:36:08, 1:36:12]: with the state. I guess you probably have to go outside the state or some federal agency I I would imagine. [1:36:12, 1:36:26]: Um Madam Mayor, we would have to go out of state. There are a number of other states that have adopted this type of legislation and and there are a number of activist groups that promote this and they have data. So we could pull that fairly quickly. [1:36:26, 1:36:34]: All right, so so maybe thirty days from now we might have enough information to make a decision if you decide not to approve this ordinance tonight, I guess. [1:36:34, 1:36:36]: Okay. All right. Thank you. [1:36:36, 1:36:38]: Okay, we have a motion on [1:36:43, 1:36:45]: Yeah. [1:36:48, 1:37:05]: The motion is still on the table. Okay. The the the motion is still on the table because whatever information needs to be gotten is all in the ordinance and this is only to protect the s protect kids. And so this the the motion is on the table. All in favor of the motion, please acknowledge. [1:37:09, 1:37:10]: Votes, those closed? [1:37:13, 1:37:15]: That's fair. [1:37:16, 1:37:17]: Yeah. [1:37:18, 1:37:37]: Okay. On that note though I thought that uh what we would want to do is is is to revisit this with additional information. So I'd like to make a motion, if you don't mind, that we re look at this after we get some additional information to help validate our decision uh in the future, roughly we're probably gonna address this next month, I would imagine. [1:37:41, 1:37:44]: Yes, sir. At the at next coun regular council meeting. [1:37:49, 1:38:05]: Well I I think it probably a motion because otherwise it it it dies and it's n there's no act th there's no there's no directive to bring it back. Okay. [1:38:05, 1:38:06]: After we get additional information [1:38:07, 1:38:09]: to help help make us a more informed decision. [1:38:09, 1:38:10]: I said. [1:38:10, 1:38:11]: Wait a minute. Neil Neo. [1:38:12, 1:38:18]: This would be a motion to reconsider and Mr. Ford can bring that up because he was in the majority of the [1:38:19, 1:38:26]: motion failing the origin. Yes, he would, but it's a motion to reconsider. Okay. Thank you. We have a motion. We have a set. [1:38:28, 1:38:30]: Motion and a second, any discussion? [1:38:32, 1:38:33]: Uh [1:38:34, 1:38:35]: All in favor? [1:38:37, 1:38:39]: Yeah. [1:38:40, 1:38:45]: It was majority. For clarification, it is to bring the item back when. [1:38:45, 1:38:49]: [5930.0, 5939.3]: December or January. January. Next official well um coun city councilman, not the work session. J I'll say January ninth. Whatever our first one in of the year is January ninth, yes. [1:39:01, 1:39:04]: Okay, we'll move on to the next um item on the agenda now. [1:39:06, 1:39:08]: [5952.0, 5957.8]: Madam Mayor, um I'm looking at the city manager uh for strength so that I [1:39:18, 1:39:20]: Make sure all my comments are [1:39:21, 1:39:26]: proper um we we joke about this because this particular ordinance is one of the [1:39:27, 1:39:27]: ordinances that [1:39:28, 1:39:30]: Every uh few years a state. [1:39:30, 1:39:33]: tells all the cities you have to adopt our model ordinance. [1:39:34, 1:39:35]: Um [1:39:35, 1:39:38]: It is frustrating because they tell us to adopt it. [1:39:39, 1:39:42]: or else. This is an adopted or else situation. [1:39:43, 1:39:49]: It's really a readoption of our soil and erosion and sedimentation pollution control ordinance. [1:39:49, 1:39:51]: Um currently Henry County [1:39:51, 1:39:56]: uh manages that for us by contract. Um so this is any time there's any sort of [1:39:56, 1:39:58]: So all disturbance related to any [1:39:59, 1:40:03]: uh development, um they have to follow the dictates of this ordinance. [1:40:04, 1:40:04]: Um [1:40:05, 1:40:06]: The reason this ordinance is [1:40:07, 1:40:09]: somewhat humorous in adopting is because [1:40:10, 1:40:12]: Primarily the only change [1:40:12, 1:40:20]: from this the model code from what we already have is an additional buffer requirement for coastal marshlands. [1:40:20, 1:40:23]: And I haven't found any in the city of Stockbridge. [1:40:24, 1:40:27]: But I'm sure there's there th to be found somewhere. [1:40:27, 1:40:32]: Um but in any event I'm recommending you adopt this ordinance um per the state request. [1:40:33, 1:40:37]: and and move forward. But other than that, it it's essentially the same ordinance we currently have on the books. [1:40:38, 1:40:39]: [6040.5, 6046.0]: Mayor, I would like to move that we adopt the solar rushing control ordinance. [1:40:46, 1:40:47]: Second. [1:40:50, 1:40:52]: Session then all [1:40:56, 1:40:56]: Thank you. [1:41:00, 1:41:01]: Yeah. [1:41:05, 1:41:05]: So [1:41:08, 1:41:09]: I will. [1:41:11, 1:41:21]: Thank you. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um it was requested this has been an ongoing project we've been working on for several months now. This is the master plan, um master trail, pedestrian trail plan. [1:41:22, 1:41:22]: Um [1:41:23, 1:41:28]: It was asked to kind of bring it back. They've been working back and forth diligently. We've had a number of public [1:41:28, 1:41:30]: um hearings or or public [1:41:30, 1:41:34]: venues in which they came back, presented and received public input as well. [1:41:35, 1:41:45]: The plan draft has been completed. What I provided um the council members and the mayor on the dais is just the summary, executive summary and the initial introduction. [1:41:46, 1:42:04]: We are still as a staff going through about eighty hundred page document right now. I've been in contact with the consultant that that drafted the plan, um uh the Jaeger company and they they will be coming into the January meeting to formally present it. There are some um [1:42:05, 1:42:25]: few items that I've already identified that want them to go back and make some adjustments too prior to them bringing back the formal document. But um the council can plan on receiving this would be on the January ninth agenda for them to come back and formally present it. It'll be in your hands well be well well before then so you can have an opportunity to review it and and [1:42:25, 1:42:30]: um formulate any questions that you may have in regards to it. But we're thrilled about this. Um I a couple of points I did want to make [1:42:30, 1:42:33]: I think it's it's it's it's it's it's uh [1:42:33, 1:42:34]: Pertinent. [1:42:34, 1:42:41]: Um it takes into you know what the plan does, it takes into c um into consideration the existing conditions of the area. [1:42:42, 1:43:02]: um policies, zoning ordinance and the like and and how those would apply to a master trail plan. Um there was a great deal of public outreach that went in with this plan as well. Um we had uh Food Truck Tuesdays, they came out, did surveys with the citizens, got a great cross section of of of um information from the citizenry. [1:43:02, 1:43:12]: Also at some of our Main Street events they came as well, presented documents, presented boards, got input from citizens as well. So again we feel really strong about the public involvement component. [1:43:12, 1:43:27]: Um we reviewed our Henry County's um uh currently recently updated comprehensive transportation plan that was just recently updated using with um Jacobs in conjunction with the county and the other cities. So it took that those components into effect as in in into play as well. [1:43:28, 1:43:48]: Um some of the areas it looked at, Walt Stevens Flip and Road, the MLK Senior Heritage Trail, um that's a big piece of it and some of the future plans for the sidewalks in that area and pedestrian trails in that area. Um further it looks at you know the typical sections and we got a great deal of feedback during some of our main street events on what the type of section, typical section for a road [1:43:48, 1:44:08]: That individuals would like to see that would make them feel comfortable having a bike trail in a particular area. And finally, lastly, the funding options. It also explores different funding options, grant options that may exist. So all that will is included in the plan. Again, as we as a staff complete our review of the document and they make their subsequent changes. [1:44:08, 1:44:26]: A final document would be forwarded to the mayor and council well prior to the January 9th meeting. So again, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have, but the limited knowledge that they have is we're still going through the review, but um I didn't want to let the council know that we will they will be back, um the consultant will be back in January to do their formal presentation. [1:44:28, 1:44:29]: Yeah. [1:44:30, 1:44:48]: Yeah, thank you for that Mike and the staff. Um I think this is great. Uh this also uh fees into our long term economic development for the whole city. Uh live, work and play concept. I think it's outstanding. I think the citizens are really gonna enjoy this once it all gets in play and we start building this trail plan. It's gonna be wonderful. Thank you very much. Thank you. [1:44:49, 1:44:49]: [6291.9, 6311.9]: Comment yes, ladies and gentlemen. I I I'm a big proponent of this particular project, uh the Master Trail Plan. And you know, one thing nothing brings people together like this one issue, which has been sidewalks, trails, and connectivity. Uh seniors and millennials alike have one thing in common. [1:45:11, 1:45:31]: The number one thing on their list to decide where they're going to live is connectivity, trails, sidewalks, connectivity in the community. Those things like that raise property values. You look at the economic development driver, such as the Atlantic. [1:45:31, 1:45:51]: Belt line and then even in the suburbs, Carrollton has a green belt that circles their city. Economic development drives these trails drive economic development. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to take a trail from uh downtown uh through Memorial Park [1:45:51, 1:46:11]: onto uh flipping road, Walt Stevens, Highway one thirty eight because right now I see cyclists and I see'em if you're early in the morning you see'em, the runners and the biker, they're running down the road and tragically we've had people hit and killed because it wasn't safe for them to ride or [1:46:11, 1:46:31]: to access a location and they're trying to uh exercise or they're trying to live a healthier lifestyle. We need to do whatever we can to be supportive of those types of measures in our community so we can increase quality of life. Sustainability is tied to these to the [1:46:31, 1:46:51]: Multi use trails. We have uh you know we're so close to uh Panola Mountain State Park. And if you never been out to Panola Mountain State Park, it is a marvel out there the trail system that they developed. At some point we like to tie into that. And the the region itself has embarked upon [1:46:51, 1:47:11]: on a connectivity um uh of a regional bike trail that connects the cities so uh uh we can actually be able to ride a bike from Stockbridge all the way uh to downtown Atlanta or to the belt line in the not too distant future. And those are the types of things that we want to do uh [1:47:11, 1:47:31]: One of the things that we talked about uh previously here is the Davis Road Sidewalk Project. It's been on the table, uh on the shelf, on somebody's desk for quite some time now. And as part of this I hope that we'll we'll see uh that corridor have uh the sidewalk program extending down Davis. [1:47:31, 1:47:39]: Road uh all the way to Highway 42, uh adding connectivity so you can safely uh traverse that corridor. [1:47:39, 1:47:59]: um connecting the community. As well as you know, many of you may not be aware that Highway 42 is going to be widened as well from um the Walmart location there at one thirty eight to I six seventy five. That's going to have a ten foot multi use path along it all the way [1:47:59, 1:48:19]: way to I-675. So the trail plans are in there and that's a state funded project. So anytime that we could have those funds come that don't have to come directly from our local taxpayers, we need to do that. And this is one of those forward steps in order to get us to that location and then to be able to [1:48:19, 1:48:35]: walk to our downtown area, um, being able to just walk it or bike it to be able to enjoy it uh in a connected way with all the communities. You know, the suburbs is known so much for you know, everybody's got their own little cluster. [1:48:35, 1:48:47]: But we want to try to see if we can break out that a little bit so you can know your neighbor and that you can actually walk and enjoy and meet them. Nothing quite does that like connectivity, getting out walking. [1:48:54, 1:49:14]: you'll get uh an official presentation and um we are uh fastly approaching um um uh as a box encouraged uh allow us to in future I would like to see our meetings shorter so that the public will stay to the original instead of to keep the [1:49:14, 1:49:20]: So I wanna thank you. [1:49:20, 1:49:23]: Manager uh has some close income. [1:49:24, 1:49:44]: Very brief. Um just wanna introduce our new public works director, Mr. Deshus Aaron. He began on December fifth and I can assure you he has hit the ground running. Um we're excited to have him here. Over twenty plus years of experience in public works arena, so excited about what he brings to the team. So [1:49:44, 1:50:04]: At this time if you have any more closing comments, uh I'd like to minimize those um talked about a lot of things, but if you have something just pertinent that you want to say, do it. Try to get out of here. [1:50:04, 1:50:05]: And what [1:50:07, 1:50:20]: Councilman Alexander, I think he's already talked told us just about everything, but maybe he's got one more minute. I got one more minute, we're how about that lady? I want to invite everybody here to the town hall that we're having Thursday. [1:50:21, 1:50:31]: uh at r at um Floyd Chapel Baptist Church. And my attempt in these town hall is to have'em all over town. So you don't have to come to City Hall. We will come to you. [1:50:31, 1:50:44]: You will be able to hear about police service, you'll be able to hear about fire service and everything that's going on in the city'cause these meetings are very formal and you will be able to ask questions of the police and the fire and all of our officials. [1:50:45, 1:50:46]: Oh Councilman Blount. [1:50:47, 1:50:50]: [6650.5, 6658.2]: Um, I just wanna say that uh uh my philosophy for government is to work from the from the inside and then expand out. [1:50:58, 1:50:59]: Meaning that [1:51:00, 1:51:06]: The closest way to find out about a problem is to talk to the people and look at the situations closest to the problem. [1:51:07, 1:51:12]: That means if we see things going on that we can help and make our citizens better [1:51:12, 1:51:21]: Then those are the things we do and then we expand out. We expand out to growth. We expand out to programs. We expand out economic development because it all comes together. [1:51:21, 1:51:23]: in in one pool. But I believe in [1:51:24, 1:51:42]: hitting the center first and then working my way out. But I'd like to thank everybody for being here in the time of a discussion to see this many people in here. So and I also like to welcome you, our mayor, to and to know that we're gonna work closer, all of us are gonna work closer together and you can all uh rest assured that uh our plans is to uh [1:51:43, 1:51:52]: Just to do the right thing in the city of Stockbridge. Do the right thing and uh be good stewards of the city's funds. And I think that's the uh idea for everybody sitting up here. [1:51:52, 1:51:53]: Thank you. [1:51:56, 1:52:00]: Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate it. Appreciate you all uh citizens coming out tonight. [1:52:00, 1:52:20]: But uh what I really want to also tell you is that um yeah, I wanna thank you citizens and the council for the last eleven months as I handle the marital type of duties as the mayor pro tem. Uh thank you for that and the flank for the effort and and the team effort to to make things right and do the right thing. So I want you now to take that same effort citizens and uh also council [1:52:20, 1:52:26]: to support our current elected mayor mayor Judy B. Neal as we continue to look forward to move everything forward with the city. [1:52:26, 1:52:40]: and do what we can, the best we can for the citizens of Stockbridge. This is all team effort and I'm gonna continue to say team effort and I'll always use that in my correspondence because I truly believe in working together as a team we can make a s a successful improvement and do the best we can. [1:52:40, 1:52:48]: in an aspect and and besides that I want to tell everybody happy holidays and Merry Christmas. Be have a safe holiday and enjoy yourself and your families and friends. God bless you all. Thank you. [1:52:51, 1:53:00]: I just want to thank everyone for attending tonight. Um I ask for your continued prayers and support. Um and I wish you happy holidays. [1:53:03, 1:53:21]: El Smore Robbins. Yes, thank you, Mayor. Um again, thank you everyone. Mayor, thank you um for a great meeting. Um Mayor Pro Tem, thank you so much for um being the lead for us um during the duration that you um did so. Um you did a excellent job. [1:53:22, 1:53:24]: Um and just want to thank you for that. [1:53:24, 1:53:27]: I know it was a lot of hard work. So thank you. [1:53:28, 1:53:48]: Um I did want to say that we have some events that I don't see that's on our announcement, but I do have to where we're giving back to our historic district during the holidays. Um so we're collecting gently warm um coats any age um and also blankets. Um we wanted to go through the historic district [1:53:48, 1:54:06]: um on Christmas Eve and we want to be able to give back to our community. So on this Wednesday at Poppy's um on Rock Quarry, if you have any gently worn coats of any size or some blankets, we would love for you to st drop that off between the time of five to seven. [1:54:06, 1:54:10]: Yeah, five to seven. Um, it would be greatly appreciated. [1:54:10, 1:54:30]: Because on New Year's Eve we're going to walk through the community and just try to give back. Um so we just want to be able to do that and hopefully that you can support us um here at the city while we're trying to do so within our community. Um and that's basically it. Happy holidays or I'll say Merry Christmas to everyone and maybe [1:54:30, 1:54:31]: you all have a safe holiday. [1:54:33, 1:54:47]: I'd like to thank everyone for coming and I hope that you will make this um a fun outing in Stockbridge. Come to city council meeting and be a part of your community. Thank you all. Merry Christmas. Happy holidays and [1:54:47, 1:54:48]: Anything else? [1:54:49, 1:54:49]: We good? [1:54:50, 1:55:01]: All right. Do we need a motion to adjourn? No ma'am. We've got announcements to read. Oh, we do have announcements. I forgot about that. [1:55:02, 1:55:12]: Okay. We do have some announcements coming up. Um these are, I believe, posted on our website, is that correct? Correct. [1:55:12, 1:55:13]: Okay. [1:55:13, 1:55:18]: Uh we have um Public Works committee meeting is coming up. [1:55:19, 1:55:26]: Thursday, december fifteenth, if you're interested, Town Hall Public Safety Committee, Thursday, December fifteenth. [1:55:27, 1:55:28]: Um [1:55:29, 1:55:31]: It's already been mentioned, uh Floyd Chappell. [1:55:32, 1:55:36]: Special call meeting of the council will be December sixteenth. [1:55:36, 1:55:39]: Six PM City Hall, Council Chamber. [1:55:39, 1:55:45]: Downtown Development Authority meeting Monday, December ooh, that's been counseled. Okay. [1:55:46, 1:55:51]: And council work session meeting, the one we've talked about earlier, december twenty seventh. [1:55:52, 1:55:58]: Um that will be at City Hall Community Relations Committee meeting Thursday, December twenty ninth. [1:55:58, 1:56:09]: Um that would be at six PM. And going back up to the Downtown Development Authority known as the D D A, that next meeting will be January twenty third. [1:56:09, 1:56:26]: All right, comment over here. Um Madam Mayor, uh we need a very brief executive session just for real estate, no other topics. Okay. Um that sounds like an executive session where we will not be coming back out to vote, so all of you may be um [1:56:27, 1:56:42]: like to leave at this point. So at this time uh do have a motion for executive session. Madam Mayor, I would like to move that we go into executive session for the purpose of real estate. Okay, that's fine. Got a second. All in favor. [1:56:43, 1:56:47]: Okay, we're gonna take a five minute break and then we'll be in executive session. [1:56:50, 1:56:52]: Thank you. [1:56:52, 1:56:55]: How we'll forget it. [1:57:14, 1:57:15]: [7051.2, 7070.0]: Well that you know, yeah. [1:57:55, 1:57:58]: I'm one of them council members to go out of the community. [1:57:59, 1:58:02]: Uh, right over the uh uh Jackson bombershop. [1:58:02, 1:58:09]: Uh right there, uh it's dying across from uh the the uh Walmart and Wall Street who where the uh we over there with the bottom. [1:58:35, 1:58:55]: Oh go past elco. Oh my day. [1:58:54, 1:58:59]: Yeah, I know exactly. [1:59:00, 1:59:19]: Upon a heel council. Okay. [1:59:20, 1:59:22]: [7164.2, 7169.6]: But they did that because I changed the other two. But but are we annexing but if you had next [1:59:30, 1:59:32]: Oh under control in my area, man. [1:59:35, 1:59:38]: Um in your phone, man. [1:59:39, 1:59:40]: Time to do. [1:59:45, 1:59:48]: [7190.0, 7198.6]: Celebrate the ones and volunteer and they bring their ideas. Man, give me [2:00:00, 2:00:01]: Yeah, I said. [2:00:07, 2:00:09]: Well you know about leadership. [2:00:09, 2:00:12]: That's what I'm saying. [2:00:15, 2:00:35]: Yeah. [2:00:35, 2:00:40]: [7242.1, 7249.1]: Yeah. [2:00:50, 2:00:55]: [7270.0, 7280.1]: [2:01:55, 2:01:59]: [7325.0, 7345.0]: [2:02:30, 2:02:50]: Yeah, no drawing job. [2:03:00, 2:03:13]: Yeah, that's all right. [2:03:14, 2:03:15]: Right. [2:03:20, 2:03:30]: [7411.4, 7412.9]: [2:03:34, 2:03:54]: Uh yeah, they don't have this one. [2:03:54, 2:04:00]: [7452.7, 7472.7]: Oh no, you can watch the [2:04:32, 2:04:35]: [7485.0, 7505.0]: [2:05:05, 2:05:25]: Yeah. [2:05:24, 2:05:38]: [7545.0, 7557.9]: Yeah, but they're not going to be able to do and maybe I'll not be able to do that. [2:06:45, 2:07:05]: [7624.9, 7630.0]: [2:07:20, 2:07:36]: [7667.6, 7687.6]: [2:08:07, 2:08:09]: [7694.1, 7700.1]: One of the [2:09:02, 2:09:06]: