2016-11-14 · City Council · Transcript · City Council Meeting

--- title: November 14 2016 City Council Meeting date: 2016-11-14 source: 2016-11-14_November_14_2016_City_Council_Meeting.wav --- [0:00:00, 0:00:10]: [ 20.0, 22.6]: [0:00:43, 0:00:45]: Yeah, that's the [0:01:03, 0:01:04]: That is. [0:01:17, 0:01:20]: So we have a problem. [0:01:24, 0:01:25]: Thank you. [0:01:34, 0:01:40]: [104.9, 107.0]: How you doing? Good to see you. God bless you. [0:01:51, 0:01:54]: Oh, that'll never stop. That'll never stop. [0:02:21, 0:02:23]: [145.0, 147.4]: [0:02:28, 0:02:43]: [180.3, 183.6]: [0:03:04, 0:03:05]: Yeah. [0:03:10, 0:03:12]: Okay. [0:03:14, 0:03:19]: I don't know if you have a lot of people. [0:03:21, 0:03:24]: [210.7, 212.2]: [0:03:36, 0:03:50]: And so we have a little thing on the side. [0:04:00, 0:04:01]: What is this? [0:04:03, 0:04:03]: Mm. [0:04:07, 0:04:08]: Who's that for them? [0:04:09, 0:04:20]: [270.3, 275.1]: Apologize the issue. [0:04:35, 0:04:38]: Are you ready, Madam Clerk? Okay. [0:04:39, 0:04:42]: Hi, ladies and gentlemen, sorry about the delay. I have roughly [0:04:42, 0:04:45]: It looks like from here about seven minutes after an hour or six. [0:04:46, 0:04:50]: I want to open up the council meeting for the city of Stockbridge Monday, November 14th. [0:04:51, 0:04:51]: Out of order. [0:04:52, 0:04:55]: Invocation. Uh Ms. Mildred Reed, please. [0:04:58, 0:04:58]: Everybody please stand? [0:04:59, 0:05:00]: If we're able, that is. [0:05:11, 0:05:28]: Heavenly Father, as I stand before you this evening on behalf of the Council and the citizens, I want to thank you for your grace and mercy you have bestowed on each of us, even though we have not always been obedient to your word. [0:05:28, 0:05:35]: Let this council me uh meeting and let the members do your will for Stockbridge. [0:05:35, 0:05:38]: Uh at this time I want to take a moment. [0:05:38, 0:05:43]: Uh we have a moment of silence for the passing of Winona Williams. [0:05:43, 0:06:02]: the city utility clerk who passed this past Saturday last Saturday. And the funeral will be at Red Oak United Methodist Church next Saturday, November nineteenth, eleven A. M. If we can just have a few moments of silence for prayer for her and her family. [0:06:10, 0:06:23]: Amen. I do want to add and on behalf of the staff because a lot of staff members have really been affected by this, so we'll ask the citizens to please be mindful. Thank you. [0:06:24, 0:06:35]: I delegance on the [0:06:42, 0:06:43]: Madam Clerk, roll call please. [0:06:46, 0:06:48]: Councilman Alexander. [0:06:48, 0:06:50]: Councilman Blount. [0:06:50, 0:06:50]: President. [0:06:51, 0:06:52]: Maybe [0:06:53, 0:06:56]: Councilwoman Gantt. Present. Councilwoman Robinson. Present. [0:06:57, 0:06:59]: Mayor Protein, May Abacorn. [0:06:59, 0:07:01]: Any emotion to adopt the agenda, please? [0:07:03, 0:07:06]: Mayor Potem? Yes, Mayor I move that we adopt the agenda. [0:07:07, 0:07:19]: Okay. Excuse me please. Mayor Pro Tem, I make a motion to table item number thirteen was the annexation number AX sixteen dash forty seven. [0:07:20, 0:07:27]: and a motion to move item number fifteen up on the agenda under new business following item number twelve. [0:07:27, 0:07:28]: Thank you, sir. Second. [0:07:29, 0:07:29]: I second. [0:07:30, 0:07:43]: Any further discussion? Yes, I would like uh the the representatives from thirteen are here. If we might be to give'em an explanation. I think I talked to Mr. Williams earlier'cause they were anxiously anticipating this going forward tonight. [0:07:44, 0:07:45]: Mr. Wales? [0:07:46, 0:07:47]: Or Ms. Harrison. [0:07:47, 0:07:54]: Yeah, I I'll start Mike can help chime in. Um as we're going through the annexation process, um [0:07:55, 0:08:08]: found out that th that Carrick Lake actually has a very unique um zoning classification currently under the counties um under the counties jurisdiction. It's it's a P D development [0:08:09, 0:08:29]: uh P D zoning, plan development zoning, we don't have that same zoning classification here within the city. So as you're going through it, as we're exploring it, we still need to make sure a again with any property that gets annexed into the city, it has to be it has to annex in with with a very similar type of of zoning. So in [0:08:29, 0:08:30]: In order to [0:08:31, 0:08:51]: do this annexation properly, we also are going to have to annex the property. I think we under the understated we thought again it was like a R two, R three, as it turns out again it was a P D it was a planned development from years back. Um so we'll be rezoning from a P D along with [0:08:51, 0:09:02]: with the annexation from a current P D to a R two and R three, which is the most similar rezoning that we would have that would meet ours. So certainly hate that it's it's [0:09:02, 0:09:22]: defers you know where we're going. It doesn't. N nothing is is hindering the annexation. But again, after having gone for so long in this case, and this has been going on for quite some time, we wanted to make sure that we had all the I's dotted and T's crossed and it was everything was done absolutely correctly. So um while we hate to have to defer it, we think it's a prudent step to make sure [0:09:22, 0:09:24]: Yeah. [0:09:24, 0:09:44]: Oh yeah and and and and and we mentioned the time frame. Um right now it has been advertised already to be heard by the z the the new stockwards um d um zoning advisory board at the latter end of this month on november twenty eighth. Correct, six o'clock. And then that'll be heard by the [0:09:44, 0:10:00]: the council here on december sixteenth in connection with some of the others uh coup uh with a few other annexations that we already have planned as well. So um so it is slightly deferred but again we just wanted to make sure that it was done everything was done in the proper order. [0:10:00, 0:10:09]: Mikey. Could we speak with them uh privately, I guess, and kind of uh maybe kind of they're in the audience and we're expecting something different. [0:10:09, 0:10:29]: If it well you know and I if if it's the councillors determination if we want to go through and get to that item and allow for a comment, that would certainly be reasonable. That's something the council wants to consider. And if there are any questions that the um uh residents may have, be happy to try and address as best we can. It would just we would not be presented for action at this time. [0:10:29, 0:10:30]: Time. [0:10:30, 0:10:45]: All right. We can table any action taking place, but we certainly can hear if c if residents want to speak and and and engage in conversation. Okay. So uh you would like to I'm imagine who wants to hear them speak on this issue? You do? You uh well, sir, do you have a comment? [0:10:45, 0:10:58]: So look like we're dealing with formalities right now just to make sure we're in line with the so they're they this will be done before the year is out also, is that correct? That's correct. Right now it's scheduled to be heard by this council on [0:10:59, 0:11:00]: December sixteenth. [0:11:00, 0:11:01]: But at this point. [0:11:02, 0:11:13]: The way we was gonna do the annexation was gonna be done before the year's out. This way we have to do it to make sure we're in line is gonna be done before the year's out, which we got roughly a month and a half left, so [0:11:13, 0:11:16]: Um I mean if there's any citizens here I think that [0:11:16, 0:11:21]: I think their satisfaction to me would be that it's gonna be done before the year's out. [0:11:21, 0:11:22]: Any comments on this side? [0:11:24, 0:11:28]: All right, so if we do that, then that means we have to rescind this particular motion because the motion [0:11:29, 0:11:38]: Or or you can allow a special comment period right after the public comment just for the Carriage Lake residents. All right. [0:11:39, 0:11:46]: We can do that. Do we have to amend the agenda for that as well? Okay. So we need to pass this one then then have another motion, I would imagine. All right. [0:11:46, 0:11:50]: So we have a any more discussion. Got a motion on the floor and uh [0:11:50, 0:11:51]: It's been seconded. [0:11:52, 0:11:53]: So all in favor of the motion? [0:11:55, 0:12:06]: All right. Now so we'll we'll take it off now for special comments. Now I need a motion for any special comments after the public uh comments that we have already is what you're referring to. So I need a motion for that. [0:12:07, 0:12:20]: Anybody? Mayor Purton? Yes, ma'am. I move that we um allow special comments in regards to the annexation um of Kerch Lakes um right after the public comment. Certainly. Okay, any further discussion? [0:12:20, 0:12:21]: All favored the motion? [0:12:22, 0:12:23]: Okay, there we have it. Now. [0:12:24, 0:12:25]: Uh [0:12:25, 0:12:27]: I need a motion to adopt [0:12:27, 0:12:29]: The minutes from September twelfth. [0:12:30, 0:12:32]: And also from uh September twenty seventh, please. [0:12:34, 0:12:40]: Mayor Pro Tem, I'm making a motion to adopt amendments from um the council meeting on September the twelfth. [0:12:42, 0:12:47]: Second. On the twenty second. Okay. Second. All right. Any further discussion? [0:12:47, 0:12:53]: All in favor, please? Indicate? All right, synonymous. All right. Now, public comments. [0:12:55, 0:13:05]: We have three public comments. One public comment is pertaining to the budget which um we have a public hearing [0:13:06, 0:13:15]: Okay. All right. So that's okay, so we'll do that at the time of the public hearing. Okay? Okay. Ms. Milford Reed? Okay. [0:13:28, 0:13:31]: Ms. Reid, your name and address please? Yeah, I'm sorry. Name and address, please. [0:13:32, 0:13:34]: Noted we five thirty creep view overlook. [0:13:36, 0:13:37]: Have you heard? [0:13:38, 0:13:47]: S uh Stockbridge was granted uh funds from the uh Henry County C D B grant money to use [0:13:47, 0:14:07]: We are now focusing on it's being focused on the Tha Street corridor area. Anyone living in that area where you are invited to attend our information seminar, which is free. It's gonna be the first one will be held November, Wednesday, November the 16th at 7 p.m. This will be a floor. [0:14:07, 0:14:13]: Chapel Baptist Church. The second one will be Saturday, November the nineteenth. [0:14:13, 0:14:33]: at 10 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church and the last one again will be December the 10th at 10 a.m. at Trinity. If anyone is interested in getting some more information in the Tastree Corridor Corridor area, you can see me after the meeting and we'll [0:14:33, 0:14:36]: We will get you uh some information. Thank you. [0:14:37, 0:14:37]: Thank you. [0:14:42, 0:14:44]: Ms. Carolyn Williams. [0:14:45, 0:14:48]: Ms. Williams, come forward please, your name and address. [0:14:56, 0:14:59]: Good afternoon, Mayor, members of the Council. My name is Carolyn Williams. [0:15:00, 0:15:01]: And I live in Stockwritch. [0:15:01, 0:15:04]: Yeah. [0:15:05, 0:15:06]: Um [0:15:07, 0:15:11]: I've done research as for is how many dogs are allowed in a neighborhood. [0:15:11, 0:15:14]: And my neighbors have eight. [0:15:15, 0:15:15]: in this city. [0:15:16, 0:15:19]: And the county, from what I've researched, is only four. [0:15:20, 0:15:23]: And there have been issues with the dogs as far as getting out. [0:15:23, 0:15:25]: uh sometimes roam in the neighborhoods. [0:15:25, 0:15:34]: Uh there have also been uh times I live right next door to the people that own the dog, but there have been times when they let the dogs out. [0:15:35, 0:15:36]: They're just um [0:15:36, 0:15:40]: There it's on Sanitari actually. Uh fecal smell in the air. [0:15:41, 0:15:41]: Things like that. [0:15:42, 0:15:44]: So my question is [0:15:48, 0:15:50]: In in my opinion, in the county [0:15:51, 0:15:52]: There is no limitation. [0:15:53, 0:16:03]: I don't understand why that's not reversed as far as being in the city, you should have a limited amount of dogs, but in the county there is no that you have a limit. So what can be done [0:16:04, 0:16:06]: to remedy this situation. [0:16:06, 0:16:12]: All right, I'm gonna plead maintenance for a second. Do we actually have a limit in in the city? An ordinance that covers that? Okay. [0:16:13, 0:16:14]: Um [0:16:14, 0:16:28]: I don't know if what I could um I could be happy to meet with Ms. Williams um offline and to hear about the specifics of her situation and look into it, research our ordinance and see what we have in place and uh follow back up with the council after that. So [0:16:28, 0:16:30]: All right. [0:16:31, 0:16:33]: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [0:16:35, 0:16:36]: There are no private comments. [0:16:38, 0:16:40]: I don't I don't know. I didn't ask her. [0:16:41, 0:16:50]: Uh that's all for public comments. Alright, so now we'll open up for uh any comments I guess specifically for the carriage like individuals that are here. Uh if you want to make any comments one one way or the other. [0:16:51, 0:16:55]: specifically about the annexation and the delay that we we're gonna have. [0:16:55, 0:16:58]: If you want to come forward, you come to the mic, give your name and address, please. [0:17:07, 0:17:22]: My name is Denise Lewis, I live at twenty seven Carriage Lake Drive. Okay, I've been on this process since two thousand and eight, trying to get us annexed on. We went through getting all the required signatures, packets getting lost. [0:17:22, 0:17:28]: took over a year before finally Councilwoman Gantt tracked down where the packages were. [0:17:28, 0:17:48]: By then it was too late. We had that the time had expired of how long you're given to require all of the signatures. So what I want to confirm tonight is this is just the formalities of you switching over to this new category for our subdivision, but that this is going to happen before the year is out of us getting annexed. [0:17:48, 0:17:56]: I think that's a good question. That's correct. [0:17:56, 0:18:16]: We want to make sure, because it's taken so long that we do do it absolutely correct. And that was one of the problems when it was tried attempted a couple of years back. There was a there was some confusion and not actually getting it was a number of property owners as well as number of registered voters. And so that was part of the problem. So we don't want to have to go through that again. So we've gone through and meticulated [0:18:16, 0:18:32]: looked at the um every aspect of the annexation to make sure this is the final thing that's required. We've been in we've conferred back and forth with the county as well. Okay. They're in they're in they're in agreement, so this is the last step. So right now it's certainly our intention to have this completed on december sixteenth. Okay. [0:18:32, 0:18:33]: All right, that's what I needed to hear. [0:18:34, 0:18:39]: Thank you. [0:18:39, 0:18:43]: No, no, no. You're you're fine. You're fine. Any other members on Care's Lake? [0:18:43, 0:18:45]: Anybody else who cares like want to say anything about this? [0:18:47, 0:18:48]: All right, this will go right here. [0:18:48, 0:18:49]: Castman, sir. [0:18:50, 0:18:52]: Ron is coming up to you. [0:19:00, 0:19:05]: My name's Ron Fassadag, I live at two thirty one Lakeview Place, Stockbridge. [0:19:05, 0:19:19]: I'd just like to say thank you for all your help and everything I know w it's a lot been a long process and and and it's been frustrating at times, but I'd just like to thank the council and the people been involved for all your help and everything you've done for us. [0:19:20, 0:19:40]: Okay. Thank you. Welcome. All right. Anybody else from Carriage Lake? Okay. Not Councilman Latin, go ahead. [0:19:39, 0:19:56]: I believe that the city manager and the city attorney are doing everything necessary to make sure that that happens. And believe me, sitting in this chair, we're gonna be sitting back here December sixteenth. If all possible, nothing else, we're gonna get this done for you all. We're gonna get it done. [0:19:57, 0:20:03]: All right. On that note, any other council members comment on this issue? Okay. We'll go on the ceremonial uh part of the programme. [0:20:18, 0:20:24]: Just so you know they can tell my time all the right here because I want to read this. Fair with me. [0:20:41, 0:20:42]: This first uh [0:20:43, 0:20:48]: part of the ceremony and deals with a letter of commendation. It's actually dated ten October two thousand sixteen. [0:20:49, 0:20:56]: And this involves the uh Stockbridge uh high school STEM program. Uh there's a Mr [0:20:57, 0:20:58]: Uh Moen Mohan? [0:21:00, 0:21:02]: Okay is anybody here from Stoppard High School? [0:21:04, 0:21:04]: Okay. [0:21:05, 0:21:07]: He's he's not the right guy. [0:21:08, 0:21:09]: Okay. [0:21:11, 0:21:12]: I okay. [0:21:13, 0:21:15]: Well we got okay, so be it. [0:21:16, 0:21:16]: Right. [0:21:16, 0:21:18]: What's what's next? [0:21:22, 0:21:42]: Stockbridge high school. Um yeah the the city of uh Stockbridge is in a partnership with several different high schools that are within the city and or students that actually attend those high schools obviously and the city is an as is uh in a partnership of five hundred dollars of to those high schools for athletic type of programs. And so the representatives from Stockbridge High School, the any of the [0:21:42, 0:21:45]: [1307.4, 1307.7]: Okay. [0:21:48, 0:22:03]: A football player. Well, I ra I appreciate that and I wish you and I wish you well in getting to the state championship. Then we'll all be jumping for joy. But I I I think we need to really issue this to officially to to a coach or athlete director or principal. [0:22:04, 0:22:04]: Okay. [0:22:05, 0:22:05]: What's next? [0:22:07, 0:22:09]: It's uh okay, Union Grove High School. [0:22:11, 0:22:12]: There we go. Okay. [0:22:13, 0:22:14]: Walmart, please. [0:22:15, 0:22:35]: And once again this is in reference to a partnership the city is as is uh get with the done with the Union Grove High School in reference to uh the athletic program. And uh we've also the city council is also in the past and and I will say in the future will be part of the discussion we have initially for our budget in reference to um uh partnership with the with the [0:22:35, 0:22:55]: Henry County uh school system itself as we go into schools and talk talk about career days and try to mentor kids as well. And and last year we also gave us a five thousand dollar uh uh partnership, uh identified partnership uh with the uh Cotton Indian elementary school as well. So those are the type of things that we do from time to time as a uh uh governing monitoring. [0:22:55, 0:23:11]: municipal government. Um while she's working on something uh you are? I'm Kelly Smith. I'm the athletic director at Union Grove High. Ryan Liggs, principal of Union Grove High. Outstanding. Glad to meet you both. I'm sorry I said this earlier. Okay. And um what it is is that uh [0:23:11, 0:23:25]: I guess I guess we'll pressure take a picture with all the entire council. All right. So could the council come on down now? Okay. Wanna be able to present this to you all. Okay. And actually I'll tell you what, why she's working on it. [0:23:25, 0:23:37]: We just certainly appreciate the partnership with the with the City Council of Stockbridge and and certainly appreciate the support of our our school and our athletic program and and sincere thank you to uh to all of you guys uh for your support. [0:23:37, 0:23:53]: Okay. We have um outstanding athletes who will be the recipients and benefiting from your sponsorship and we certainly do appreciate you thinking of us. Um we do have some fine kids coming out of those athletes that are in your [0:23:53, 0:24:00]: district, I guess city of Stockbridge. And um thank you for considering us and remembering us. No problem. Thank you. Okay. [0:24:03, 0:24:05]: Are you ready? We are ready. [0:24:12, 0:24:16]: [1461.2, 1474.4]: I guess shift down this way. This way a little bit, yeah. All right. Okay, perfect. All three. One, two, three. One more. One, two, three. [0:24:35, 0:24:41]: [1485.0, 1489.5]: And [0:24:49, 0:24:55]: So I have the original thing. [0:24:59, 0:25:04]: I do well, I mean I I'm gonna be up here for a little while for you. [0:25:06, 0:25:19]: Well the next proclamation is for uh on our small business Saturday. So any of the folks that are in here that are part of small business community, could you come up please? Small b any b uh any entrepreneurs, small business community? [0:25:19, 0:25:20]: Come on up. [0:25:21, 0:25:25]: Gonna read this proclamation with you all present. We should have a big crowd of folks, right? [0:25:32, 0:25:34]: Come on up, folks. [0:25:45, 0:25:47]: Down? [0:25:47, 0:26:07]: Okay. In honor of Small Business Saturday, whereas the City of Stadbridge celebrates our local small businesses and contributions they make to our local economy and community. According to the United States Small Business Administration, there are currently twenty eight point eight million small businesses in the United States. They represent ninety nine point seven percent of all businesses with employees in the United States. [0:26:07, 0:26:13]: States are responsible for sixty three percent of the new net jobs created over the past twenty years. [0:26:14, 0:26:21]: Whereas small businesses employ over twenty nine per excuse me, over forty nine percent of all businesses with employees in the United States. And whereas [0:26:21, 0:26:37]: Eighty-nine percent of consumers in the United States agree that small businesses uh contribute positively to the local uh community by supplying jobs and generating tax revenue. Eighty-seven percent of the consumers in the United States agree that small businesses are critical to the overall economic health of the United States. [0:26:37, 0:26:57]: Ninety three percent of consumers in the United States agree that it's important for people to support the small businesses that they value in their community. And whereas the City of Stopbury supports our local businesses that create jobs, boast our local economy, and preserve our neighborhoods, and whereas advocacy groups as well as public and private organizations across the country have endorsed this Saturday as a [0:26:57, 0:27:17]: Thanksgiving at Small Business Saturday. Now therefore I, Anthony S. Ford, by virtue of authority vested in me as a mayor pro tem of the city of Stockbridge, Georgia, and on behalf of Councilmembers Elton Alexander, John Blount, Lakeisha Gantt and Neat Robinson do hereby proclaim Saturday, november twenty-sixth, twenty sixteen, as Small Business Saturday. We encourage all citizens to go shop local and shop small. [0:27:17, 0:27:17]: No. [0:27:17, 0:27:25]: And witness that whereof I have hereunto set my hand on the fourteenth day of November, the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen. Outstanding. [0:27:26, 0:27:27]: [1647.8, 1648.9]: [0:27:29, 0:27:31]: Is it is it necessary down here? [0:27:33, 0:27:45]: That's what's all me down there? Okay. No, no, no, no. Uh oh you want us up okay, you want us all up there? So we can take a picture. Okay. We'll go up. I'll leave you something. Okay. Everybody up front, move out the chair, we'll take this last time. [0:27:55, 0:28:01]: [1689.5, 1700.0]: [0:28:21, 0:28:38]: Okay. Are you tattoos all or do we need to make a test? I'm gonna need some yeah, see y'all on the back or on the front. [0:28:38, 0:28:50]: I have everybody. [0:28:50, 0:28:53]: Okay. On three. One, two, three. [0:28:54, 0:29:08]: Right on time. One, two, three. One more. One, two, three. Thank you. [0:29:15, 0:29:17]: [1758.3, 1760.1]: Yeah. [0:29:21, 0:29:26]: [1768.8, 1783.8]: Just wanna let you know for all you small businesses there's only one proclamation. Kira's gonna keep that and what she's gonna do, she's gonna make copies of that proclamation, send it to each one of you all that were here. So you get a copy of the proclamation, okay? And all of you will get that. All right? [0:29:48, 0:29:48]: All right. [0:29:50, 0:29:52]: Reverend Doctor Jacqueline D. Rose Tucker. [0:29:53, 0:29:56]: Red Oak, Adam Methodist Church, the man. [0:29:57, 0:29:58]: And your congregation. [0:30:01, 0:30:03]: Come on up. [0:30:04, 0:30:05]: Red Oak. [0:30:06, 0:30:09]: [1815.6, 1819.4]: Yeah, let's go come on, scoot on downside. Come on down. Come on down a little bit. [0:30:20, 0:30:30]: I just want to because you've got a lot of folks on that end, just want to get them a little bit more. [0:30:32, 0:30:43]: Yes sir. Why? Yeah, it's time one point. [0:30:44, 0:30:45]: Okay. [0:30:46, 0:31:06]: Let me see. I'm gonna if you don't mind, I'm gonna you're taller. I'm gonna sit right in here. I don't want to block the path. Okay, check that out. Okay. Celebrating Red Oak United Methodist Church hundred and fiftieth anniversary. Whereas in early in eighteen sixty six a small group of Christians band together in Henry County, Georgia to share mutual love for God and to worship our Redeemer like so many other black people. [0:31:06, 0:31:15]: searching for direction and meaning to freedom. And whereas in the spring of that same year those beloved Christians received two acres of land donated by Mr. Jim Lee [0:31:16, 0:31:36]: Among the founders of Red Oak Methodist Church were Joe Jordan Hensman and Simon Stewart. To conduct worship services, these Christians built a bush arbor, tent-like structure made from logs and free branches to shelter them while listening to the rousing sermon. And whereas led by Reverend W. H. Lovelace, the congregation first sat [0:31:35, 0:31:40]: that on the area of land where it was formerly a part of the Jim Walton plantation. [0:31:41, 0:31:54]: A congregation which consisted of only a few faithful saints purchased two additional acres of land from Lee estates. As the congregation grew, it became necessary to establish more permanent buildings for the worship services. Shortly thereafter, a wooden structure was built. [0:31:54, 0:32:04]: Whereas the Methodist Church became aware of a shortage of preachers, Red Oak became part of a four point charge. The churches in that charge are Red Oak, Andrews Chapel, Bentley Hill, and Trinity. [0:32:05, 0:32:13]: In nineteen thirty the charge was rearranged into a three-point circuit, discharged under the leadership of Reverend A. C. Cobb, consisting of Red Oak, Bentley Hill, and Trinity. [0:32:13, 0:32:20]: And whereas under the leadership of Reverend Simmons, a building committee was established and the dream of building a church, Persionist, became a reality. [0:32:21, 0:32:27]: In nineteen eighty four the Parson His was completed. Dedication services were held and the Parson His became a beautiful addition to the Red Oak family. [0:32:28, 0:32:42]: And whereas in nineteen eighty five, Red Oak was awarded a North Georgia Conference Evangelism Certificate. Under Reverend Owens' leadership, Red Oak embarked on a mission to construct a new s sanctuary. The building committee was formed in late eighteen uh nineteen eighty six and the planning and fundraising began. [0:32:43, 0:32:49]: Whereas in june nineteen eighty nine, Reverend Doctor John W. Pace began his service as Pastor of Red Um Oak. [0:32:49, 0:33:09]: He rekindled the fire under the building committee, which resulted in a renowned sense of urgency to build a new sanctuary. Church was built and completed under his leadership. On Palm Sunday, nineteen eighty nineteen four, excuse me, on Palm Sunday, nineteen ninety four, the old sanctuary burned to the ground. Many came to our aid and services were held each Sunday with our sister church, Jonesboro First United Methodist Church in Dallas. [0:33:09, 0:33:16]: downtown Jonesboro. After completing renovations, Reddock returned home by walking all the way from Jonesboro first and I left his church. [0:33:16, 0:33:19]: Whereas in May nineteen ninety five when a doctor pace [0:33:19, 0:33:25]: Middle began building a multipurse uh purpose building to extend our commitment to the God and to the community. [0:33:25, 0:33:27]: Thus birthing the Family Life Center. [0:33:27, 0:33:38]: And whereas one hundred and fifty years later Red Oak is still standing and under the outstanding leadership of Reverend Dr. Jacqueline D. Rose Tucker, the first African American female to serve on the cabinet of the North Georgia Conference. [0:33:38, 0:33:39]: Hallelujah. [0:33:39, 0:33:40]: Amen. [0:33:41, 0:34:01]: How therefore I, Anthony S. Ford, by virtue of authority vesting to me, as mayor pro tem in the city of Stockbridge, Georgia, and on behalf of the council members out in Alexander John Blount, Lakisha Gantt and Neat Robinson do hereby congratulate Red Oak, United Methodist Church on the hundred and fiftieth anniversary. May God continue to bless this wonderful congregation for many years to come, and witness whereof I here unto set my hand the cause of the world. [0:34:01, 0:34:06]: the great seal of steady stop bridge to fix this says the tenth day of october twenty sixteen. [0:34:06, 0:34:08]: Dobra. [0:34:15, 0:34:15]: Yeah. [0:34:16, 0:34:22]: Uh just um proud of Red Oak United Methodist Church has always been a part of this community. [0:34:23, 0:34:30]: And we'll continue to be in partnership um with this community and I guess we could be considered a small business as well. [0:34:31, 0:34:32]: So [0:34:32, 0:34:42]: We thank you for this proclamation and we thank the members for showing up and I just thank God that I'm a part of this tremendous tradition. [0:34:43, 0:34:44]: Yeah, I'm not sure. [0:34:47, 0:34:56]: We're gonna go back to the back here if you don't mind, okay? And oh this is a good idea. [0:35:04, 0:35:11]: Yes, it is. [0:35:15, 0:35:18]: Uh we have to [0:35:25, 0:35:40]: I don't almost stand in the back, but we've got you took out about six five, I'll tell you that. [0:35:45, 0:36:05]: Yeah, they want to slide in the back. Tall in the back. More giants. Sure, absolutely. [0:36:05, 0:36:12]: Okay, is everybody ready? All right. [0:36:14, 0:36:19]: Everybody have their places? Okay, on three, give me a big smile. One, two, three. [0:36:20, 0:36:23]: One more, one, two, three. [0:36:23, 0:36:24]: Thank you. [0:36:30, 0:36:50]: [2210.0, 2213.0]: That's right. That's right. [0:37:08, 0:37:09]: Okay. [0:37:09, 0:37:20]: For the last one for this evening. But uh it's great it's great as well. This is with Trinity United Methodist Church celebrating a hundred and sixty years. So any everybody that's here from Trinity, please come forward. [0:37:21, 0:37:23]: [2252.4, 2254.3]: Everybody from Trinity, okay? [0:37:38, 0:37:41]: You don't, that's it. All right. Yeah. [0:37:42, 0:37:43]: Okay. [0:37:44, 0:37:45]: Okay. [0:37:45, 0:38:05]: Whereas Trinity Trinity Methodist Church was organized in eighteen fifty-six under the leadership of Reverend OglTree. At the foun uh founding, Trinity was part of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for several years the first place of worship was located at Old Stockbridge, in an area that was settled in eighteen twenty-nine when the Concord Methodist Church uh pres present [0:38:05, 0:38:25]: Day Stockbridge First United Methodist Church was organized near Old Stockbridge Road. And whereas as time passed and the surrounding area grew, and Stockbridge was incorporated as a town in 1895, as a city in August 6, 1920, as the boundary lines of the city moved from old to the new Stockbridge, Trinity built a new church located on East Atlanta Road, not four. [0:38:25, 0:38:45]: Far from Stage Coast Road. Whereas in 1930, a three-point Methodist charge was established and Trinity was added to a circuit along with Bentley Hill and Red Oak Methodist churches. And whereas in 1950, Reverend G. P. Wilson was appointed senior pastor. Under Reverend Wilson's leadership, both he and the current membership recognized the need to relocate. [0:38:45, 0:38:59]: the church to a new location. As a result, Mr. J. W. Clark donated two acres of land located at the corners of 2nd Street and Wilson Avenue, located across the the railroad tracks northeast of the township near the old hamrick estate. [0:38:59, 0:39:17]: to which Trinity is still located there to this date. Because of his leadership it is a p petition that the street directly in front of the church be renamed in on his honor. Thur um Thusley, Wilson Avenue, was named after Reverend G. P. Wilson. And whereas Trinity served as a triage facility [0:39:17, 0:39:37]: As Henry County Health officials and members of the CDC set up booths inside the church to treat local citizens during the tuberculosis outbreaks in the late 1950s and early sixties. Whereas in 1965, Reverend Reverend Fernandad Hunter was appointed senior pastor of Trinity Methodist. Trinity experienced a large increase in membership while under [0:39:37, 0:39:39]: Yeah. [0:39:39, 0:39:59]: During Reverend Hunter's time, the newly associated United Methodist Church was created on April twenty third, nineteen sixty eight. Across the nation and abroad, many Methodist churches joined ranks with the newly formed United Methodist and Trinity Methodist. It was one of them. In May nineteen sixty eight, Trinity connected with the United Methodist Church, and its name changed from Trinity Methodist Church to Trinity Methodist. [0:39:59, 0:40:00]: United Methodist Church. [0:40:01, 0:40:12]: And Trinity United Methodist Church has stood at the current location for sixty three years now and was renamed uh the remained the hub of this community. On july first, two thousand nine, Reverend Jacqueline Johnson [0:40:12, 0:40:18]: appointed. Okay. As Trinity's first female pastor and is the current pastor to the state. [0:40:18, 0:40:19]: On her leadership. [0:40:21, 0:40:41]: Under her leadership, Trinity continues to witness and share gospel story to everyone, everywhere, as we believe the world is our parish. Now therefore I, Anthony S. Ford, Mayor of Pro Tem and the St uh Stockbridge, by virtue of the authority of Vested to mean by the laws of Stockbridge, Georgia, along with Councilmembers Elton, Alexander John Blount, LakishiGantt, and Meet Robinson issue a proclamation [0:40:40, 0:41:00]: Of congratulations, honor Trinity United Methodist Church, the hundred sixtieth year anniversary celebration. May God continue to bless you and this wonderful congregation for many more years to come. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord, two thousand sixteen, in the city of Stockbridge, Georgia. I assigned this along with Vanessa Holiday, our clerk. [0:41:00, 0:41:05]: [2468.0, 2473.1]: Wanna thank you and this uh council and Stockbridge for recognizing us. [0:41:13, 0:41:18]: One hundred and sixty years is a long time to stand on the faith of [0:41:18, 0:41:34]: uh all people who believe in a better world. And so we look forward to working with this leadership and all of the business and leaders in this community in the city of Starkbridge to make it a better place for all citizens. [0:41:35, 0:41:45]: [2521.0, 2525.5]: [0:42:12, 0:42:18]: [2550.8, 2554.3]: Okay, one three. One, two, three. [0:42:35, 0:42:38]: One more. One, two, three. [0:42:39, 0:42:39]: Panie Przewodniczący. [0:43:20, 0:43:21]: Okay. [0:43:22, 0:43:30]: That was outstanding. Um old business number seven says uh council consideration of ordinance for soliciting nonprofits. Mr. Williams, please. [0:43:31, 0:43:44]: Good evening, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem and Council. Um I had previously forwarded this revised draft of the uh nonprofit solicitation ordinance to you all. Um [0:43:44, 0:43:50]: following up on our last meeting where it was first introduced. [0:43:50, 0:43:55]: And there are a couple of comments related to the previous draft [0:43:55, 0:43:56]: That this draft [0:43:56, 0:43:58]: addresses. Um one of the [0:43:59, 0:44:02]: Comments was concern about the limitation. [0:44:02, 0:44:07]: on a number of uh individuals who could be part of any one [0:44:07, 0:44:10]: solicitation um effort [0:44:10, 0:44:12]: Um so this version [0:44:12, 0:44:14]: Uh does a couple of things. [0:44:14, 0:44:17]: The first thing it does is it it makes it clear that [0:44:18, 0:44:23]: persons under the age of eighteen are not required to have a [0:44:23, 0:44:24]: A uh [0:44:25, 0:44:27]: a permit in order to [0:44:27, 0:44:30]: participate in non profit activities, however [0:44:31, 0:44:34]: It does require that you have one person [0:44:34, 0:44:37]: uh above the age of eighteen who is permitted [0:44:38, 0:44:39]: for every four. [0:44:39, 0:44:43]: persons under eighteen. So you have some sort of uh adult supervision [0:44:44, 0:44:46]: uh at a ratio of one to four. [0:44:46, 0:44:52]: Um that ratio, um, as I previously communicated to the council was [0:44:52, 0:44:56]: somewhat arbitrary but it's kinda based on, particularly for younger kids [0:44:57, 0:45:02]: uh related activities, uh typically you'll see a recommended ratio of one to four. [0:45:03, 0:45:05]: Um um when you're dealing with [0:45:05, 0:45:06]: No. [0:45:06, 0:45:10]: elementary age kids, um, although this would apply all the way through high school. [0:45:11, 0:45:11]: Uh [0:45:12, 0:45:13]: So [0:45:13, 0:45:26]: That is the first change is that we've eliminated w we've eliminated the overall limitation on the number of persons. So you could have in theory y if you had a a Girl Scout cookie sale or a bake sale or [0:45:26, 0:45:28]: you know, car wash, you could have [0:45:28, 0:45:31]: An unlimited amount of kids um [0:45:31, 0:45:35]: participating as long as you have one adult for every four kids. [0:45:35, 0:45:36]: Um [0:45:37, 0:45:38]: The [0:45:38, 0:45:58]: The next change was related to that because we've eliminated the overall number of persons that could be part of a nonprofit solicitation uh in general, what we did do uh in the draft was maintain a limitation on the number of persons who could participate in a nonprofit [0:45:58, 0:46:00]: at activity near the right of way. [0:46:01, 0:46:04]: So if you're off the right of way there's no limitation. So if you're in the [0:46:04, 0:46:11]: Walmart parking lot or what have you. You can have as many people as you want provided there's adequate adult supervision. [0:46:11, 0:46:14]: If you're within fifteen feet of the right of way. [0:46:15, 0:46:33]: You cannot have any kids within fifteen feet of the right of way and there's there is still a limitation of five persons who can participate again and so you just don't talk about activity um near the right of way, but all of those five persons needs to be above eighteen. Um [0:46:35, 0:46:36]: Think that yeah. [0:46:37, 0:46:40]: that that for non profit activities [0:46:40, 0:46:43]: near the right of way, within fifteen feet [0:46:43, 0:46:49]: It's a limitation of five persons who can be permitted and they all have to be above eighteen. [0:46:50, 0:46:55]: Uh those are the the major changes. Other than that it it's still um [0:46:56, 0:47:04]: allows non profits or requires that they get a permit, but for nonprofit organizations there would be no fee. [0:47:04, 0:47:08]: uh under what's proposed here. It's just more of a registration [0:47:08, 0:47:15]: effort, they would still need to get background checks for just like we do for other s uh solicitors and peddlers. [0:47:15, 0:47:16]: Um [0:47:16, 0:47:30]: And they would still be issued Nile from the city. So any members of the community would you know recognize that they have been duly permitted by the city so that they'd have some level of comfort that [0:47:30, 0:47:33]: You know, they're participating and and contributing. [0:47:34, 0:47:39]: is to a you know, a an organization that has had some betting from the city. [0:47:39, 0:47:42]: So those are the major changes. Um [0:47:42, 0:47:46]: I haven't received any feedback, although I think what's presented [0:47:47, 0:47:52]: is in a form that can be adopted by the council, but if you want to make additional changes on [0:47:52, 0:47:54]: Happy to receive that input. [0:47:55, 0:47:57]: All right. Thank you, Mr Williams. [0:47:57, 0:47:58]: Uh comments. [0:47:58, 0:48:04]: Any comments? Yes, sir. Go right ahead, please. Yeah. The only changes I see in in uh exhibit A [0:48:05, 0:48:11]: 'Cause I would change the time from seven to seven. That's due to uh summer times. A lot of times um [0:48:12, 0:48:14]: Organizations do things for breakfast. [0:48:15, 0:48:21]: And if you started at ten it would just alleviate that totally. So I I would recommend we do seven to seven. [0:48:23, 0:48:28]: Okay. And that's in section nine point thirteen point oh one oh? Yes sir. Okay. [0:48:30, 0:48:37]: Well let me ask you this then. Uh you put ten for what particular reason? Is it deal because of uh s uh Completely arbitrary. Yes, you know [0:48:38, 0:48:40]: Just daylight hours. [0:48:40, 0:48:41]: Primarily. [0:48:42, 0:48:47]: Yes, because in the winter months or it has to be the fall and late winter it'd be still be dark kinda since the seven o'clock. [0:48:48, 0:49:08]: Actually seven o'clock in the evening as well, though. Yeah. Okay. All right. Any other comments? Mayor Plutton? Yes, ma'am. Go right ahead, please. I move that we approve this ordinance with the amendment on section in exhibit A section nine one nine point one three oh one zero to read seven A. M. to seven PM. [0:49:09, 0:49:10]: So a second. [0:49:10, 0:49:11]: Back in. [0:49:11, 0:49:12]: Okay. [0:49:12, 0:49:13]: Any further discussion? [0:49:14, 0:49:20]: All in favor of that change in an amendment, approving this amendment, please indicate? Okay, it's unanimous. There you go. [0:49:21, 0:49:33]: New business, uh council consideration a resolution to approve water sewer write offs in the amount of twenty one thousand oh excuse me, yeah, twenty one thousand one hundred and fourteen dollars and eighty two cents. Miss Neighbors. Thank you. [0:49:40, 0:49:43]: Good evening. Good night. [0:49:44, 0:49:52]: So today we have before you to write off twenty one thousand one hundred and fourteen dollars and eighty two cents. [0:49:53, 0:49:58]: And um this represents less than one percent of our sales. [0:49:58, 0:50:01]: And the auditors recommend us [0:50:01, 0:50:04]: Um doing this in steps. [0:50:04, 0:50:07]: So you don't take a huge write off in one year. [0:50:07, 0:50:10]: This does not um [0:50:11, 0:50:12]: This does not this write off [0:50:13, 0:50:14]: Does not let the customer [0:50:15, 0:50:19]: be out of collections. They still owe us the money. This is basically [0:50:19, 0:50:21]: an auditing uh [0:50:23, 0:50:27]: exercise for lack of better words, so we don't take the hit. [0:50:27, 0:50:30]: over in uh one year. [0:50:30, 0:50:38]: So um I would ask that we write that off and like I said it doesn't make the customer not still obligated to pay that. [0:50:40, 0:51:00]: All right, any questions? Go ahead, please. Yes, um thank you, Miss Neighbors. And uh I know this is required. It's uh administrative charge or accounting charge that we kinda deal with. So are you saying that there'll be more of these or you just this twenty one thousand is exactly what we're writing off today for this year. [0:51:00, 0:51:08]: [3069.0, 3089.0]: Uh maybe can answer the question is is how do we get to this point where we have to write off twenty one thousand dollars. I mean, uh I guess to the layman person it'd be like you didn't pay the bill, we turned the bill, turned the tap off or because you didn't pay. So kinda walk us through how we get to the point where we're have a twenty one [0:51:29, 0:51:32]: one thousand dollar s um write off. [0:51:32, 0:51:38]: An indust industry standard is anywhere from two to five percent, just so y'all are cognizant of that. [0:51:43, 0:52:03]: of someone moves um away from an area, you know, we we you know we continue to pursue again we use we'll go through every step we can take on our end um while they're present, but then after a while after a term we'll go back and actually employ a collection service to go back through and and seek after and then find services but but you know [0:52:03, 0:52:23]: Like it happens in any other jurisdiction. I mean it's just, you know, as people move away and and and and fail to adhere to their obligations, um, that's just a a challenge that we have. So we know there's gonna be some. I think we've done pretty well to kind of keep it regul regulated as best we can, but um you know, it's just one of those unfortunate instances of of of government. [0:52:23, 0:52:43]: You know, it it's you know, we do we maintain a record of those areas so if someone's coming back, you know, within those areas we're able to kind of maintain a record of saying if we have their name, so if they come back they'll still be due. Again, it doesn't come off the books from that standpoint, but from an accounting standpoint we do have to capture it once a year to be able to clean our books up. [0:52:43, 0:52:44]: Um [0:52:44, 0:53:01]: But we are taking provi we continue to take provisions to make sure that we have um safeguards in place as best we can. You know, we still require deposits to be done, you know, up front. But um unfortunately there are some cases where, you know, people can get away and just you know, we're just left trying to track'em down. [0:53:02, 0:53:16]: Yeah, Putin. Plus just won't be budgeted from the general fund and once collected this will be added to fund balance. Well this is actually in the water sewer fund so it doesn't [0:53:16, 0:53:19]: impact the general operation operating [0:53:20, 0:53:22]: It just would be in the water sewer. [0:53:22, 0:53:26]: And if they collect it will go back into just like a revenue. [0:53:26, 0:53:32]: Okay. And like I said, it doesn't alleviate the obligation. They still are obligated to pay this. [0:53:32, 0:53:32]: Thank you. [0:53:33, 0:53:35]: [3215.5, 3235.5]: I'm pleased that it's less than one percent when the average is between two and five. So I'm um when I first came into office I was like, Oh my god, why are we whitening this off? But um over time things happen and we understand that this especially at the end of the year, we get things like this. Having said that, I would like to move that the [0:53:55, 0:54:03]: The council approves the consideration of resolution to approve water and sewer write-offs in the amount of twenty one thousand one hundred and fourteen dollars and eighty-two cents. [0:54:03, 0:54:04]: Sir a second. [0:54:05, 0:54:08]: Second. Okay. Further discussion. Anybody else need to have any comments? [0:54:09, 0:54:09]: Okay. [0:54:10, 0:54:12]: No other comments? All in favor of the motion please indicate? [0:54:13, 0:54:16]: Panie Przewodniczący. [0:54:16, 0:54:19]: Actually the next one for you all is what is this? The uh [0:54:20, 0:54:25]: Yeah, council consideration for resolution to approve surplus auction list. It says you, Miss Neighbors. It is. Okay. [0:54:26, 0:54:33]: Um so uh I think you have the listing of what we have asked to surplus and these are things [0:54:33, 0:54:39]: Uh the first group is from the sanitation, which is also an enterprise fund. [0:54:39, 0:54:41]: That is uh where we have [0:54:41, 0:54:43]: Uh I actually had three [0:54:43, 0:54:44]: garbage trucks. [0:54:45, 0:54:49]: all who have a net book value of zero. So um [0:54:52, 0:54:55]: What what will happen is it would um [0:54:56, 0:55:01]: Your assets will be written down but it's also been fully d depreciated, so [0:55:02, 0:55:05]: In essence it's no impact, it just will change the position. [0:55:06, 0:55:07]: Um and [0:55:07, 0:55:15]: What we'll do with these surplus items is uh either see if other jurisdictions would like to buy the garbage trucks [0:55:15, 0:55:22]: We have several interests in'em uh or we'll sell'em on gov deals or other auction [0:55:23, 0:55:23]: Um [0:55:25, 0:55:26]: Procedures. [0:55:27, 0:55:29]: Govdales is online. [0:55:30, 0:55:33]: auction and then that you could have a physical auction too. [0:55:34, 0:55:39]: Here I asked you a question. We don't sell these outside the that these items do not go outside the continental United States, is that correct? [0:55:40, 0:55:43]: Well again on Gov deals, anyone is open to bid on'em. [0:55:43, 0:56:03]: Um they have to they have to physically come here and pick them up. So we're doing we're we're looking at we've done Gub deals in the past and it's been very successful. There's another auction house that um we're exploring, our procurement officer uh Mr. Riley's exploring, where they actually come in physically pick up the materials and take them to a site, almost kinda hold them on consignment and get them sold that way. So [0:56:03, 0:56:23]: So we're we're kind of weighing the the benefits on both, but we will be in the next couple of weeks we'll have a we'll be looking at moving these items. The other question must seem like my simple assumption is that even though these are surplus, that means we already have items in place that do the mission of these particular pieces of equipment. We have newer models already in place at this time. Yeah. Um i that's a great point. You know, in in some cases again [0:56:23, 0:56:43]: Like the like the the trash trucks, those um no longer become became necessary once we went to privatization of our sanitation services. However, we were we are going to retain one one of those trash trucks just in case of emergencies should we need it for a for a situation. Um also on the list are um like seventy [0:56:43, 0:57:03]: plus picnic tables. Um last year or over this past summer, our public work staff replaced all the picnic tables in all of our parks. So while the you know they the other ones were about twenty years old, they've gone through, they'd clean them, pressure washed them over and over and over, and it was time for them to be replaced. Structurally they're still in very good condition and [0:57:03, 0:57:18]: there I'm sure there's a jurisdiction out there that very well may have a use for'em, but it was time for us to upgrade ours. So those were on a list. So in that case, you're right, there was a case if we've replaced them with something else. In the case of the um sanitation vehicles, there's just no longer a need for them. [0:57:19, 0:57:21]: Okay, thank you. Any other questions? [0:57:21, 0:57:22]: Mayor Portan. [0:57:23, 0:57:26]: Um I move that we approve um for [0:57:27, 0:57:27]: Um [0:57:28, 0:57:33]: The I motion that we approve the resolution to approve the surplus auction list. [0:57:33, 0:57:40]: Um that includes the sanitation surplus list for twenty sixteen and the public work surplus list for twenty sixteen. [0:57:40, 0:57:44]: Second. [0:57:44, 0:57:46]: All in favour of motion please indicate? [0:57:46, 0:57:48]: Okay, it's unanimous. Okay. Good deal. [0:57:51, 0:57:51]: Okay. [0:57:52, 0:57:57]: Council consideration resolution to approve five percent water sewer increase. Mr Harris, please. [0:57:57, 0:58:17]: Thank you. And just one other quick aside in regards to the surplus, part of those items are items that were had previously been stored in the multiplex. So that was part of one of the steps toward moving forward with the demolition was getting those things moved, the surplus, and subsequently um sold so we can move forward with the uh demolition plans from the multiplex. So just wanted to add that caveat. Um [0:58:17, 0:58:37]: The resolution before you is to um increase our water and sewer rates for the calendar year twenty seventeen. Um this would be a five percent increase on the volumetric charges, not the base charges. Um it should be noted that currently the City of Stockbridge has one of, if not the actual [0:58:37, 0:58:41]: to a lowest base charge of any of any of any jurisdiction around. [0:58:42, 0:58:43]: Um [0:58:43, 0:58:45]: And even our volumetric [0:58:46, 0:59:06]: charges at currently at eight dollars and ten cents at between four thousand and nine thousand gallons. Most residential um sites use less than the four thousand gallons. Again it keeps them at that base level it's one of the lowest that we have that that that exists within the um you know in in the area. Once you get [0:59:06, 0:59:15]: beyond that four thousand for that next that next category um we're asking for an increase there of just five percent. Um [0:59:16, 0:59:16]: You know [0:59:17, 0:59:37]: A lot of this is in keeping with what the Henry County water sewer does. I think they increased theirs two percent this past year. But part of ours is, you know, one you just heard a minute ago in regards to having to write out certain losses that we're not able to recoup, but also just make sure that we are able to book our depreciation for all of our for all of the um capital [0:59:37, 0:59:57]: capital assets for our water department. Um you know certainly whenever you come back before come before a council asking for an increase in in a rate, you know, I think it's important to note that um what's going on within that department. You've seen even this year we move forward with the new water meters that we think will be far more efficient and ultimately save citizens a great deal of money as we [0:59:57, 1:00:17]: We'll be able to capture the potential any any water lakes that much earlier. But also we are upgrade making upgrades throughout the entire system with our adding water lines on a regular basis and upgrading our our our some of our electronic systems as well. So um Mr Lynn think this even with this uh minor increase we'll still be on the lower side of other local jurisdictions. [1:00:16, 1:00:20]: Um [1:00:21, 1:00:26]: 'Cause typically for those who charge volumetric charges, it's between um [1:00:26, 1:00:29]: four to six thousand, up to nine uh up to [1:00:30, 1:00:49]: um ten, twelve or even eighteen thousand, ours just goes to seven thousand. So the majority of the resins be captured within that in those smaller categories. Again with the lower base charge that we have um for zero to four thousand gallons and then again with this just a slight increase on the volumetric side for those that are um [1:00:50, 1:00:51]: four thousand to nine thousand gallons. [1:00:52, 1:00:57]: Okay. Thank you, sir. Any questions here at all? Anybody go right? Yes, sir. [1:00:59, 1:01:02]: Um [1:01:03, 1:01:11]: I understand, I get what you're saying, I understand that. And we're also moving toward um opening a you know, getting another way also we can [1:01:12, 1:01:16]: move toward a hundred percent uh of supplying water to [1:01:16, 1:01:18]: our citizens in Stockbridge. [1:01:19, 1:01:25]: But we have to make sure we get what you just told us in our understanding out to the public. [1:01:26, 1:01:29]: Because for me personally to make this decision in here with [1:01:30, 1:01:31]: Just a small amount of people in here. [1:01:33, 1:01:37]: People not having this information is only gonna look like this council well, this councilman [1:01:38, 1:01:39]: Increase their water. [1:01:40, 1:01:45]: I can't make that decision until I'm fully satisfied that the public understand the need here. [1:01:46, 1:01:50]: and understand what we're actually why why we need an increase. [1:01:50, 1:02:08]: So m me personally, I can't make that decision. So my my move is to table this until we get the information out to the public in the way we need to get that out to them, whether that's town hall or forum or whatever, so they understand that that this increase that's gonna be there, mm, that's not temporary, it's an increase. [1:02:08, 1:02:22]: that they have full understanding. Right. And and and I would like to add that in past years, the way our ordinance is written, uh either way there will be an increase in the water rates because our rates are tied directly to those of Henry County Water and Sewer Department. [1:02:22, 1:02:27]: They have they increased in the past years they've historically increased five percent. [1:02:28, 1:02:42]: every year. And so our pri per our ordinance it automatically increases at the same rate as Henry County Water and Sewer Authority. This year they're increasing by two percent. So what we're asking for is to go ahead and bridge that additional three percent to help [1:02:42, 1:02:48]: meet with our some of our depreciation costs which haven't been getting captured in past years. So [1:02:48, 1:03:08]: Either way there will be a a percentage increase on on stockbridge water per our ordinance, whether that's two percent or five percent is the the differential. Just a follow up. Yes sir. I get it. Mm-hmm. Yes sir. I just need to make sure the citizens get it. Mm-hmm. Because we was we was el I was elected so they understand [1:03:08, 1:03:22]: every move that's being made in the city hall and I don't think enough citizens understand this in my opinion, from my position, that they don't understand this increase. So for me to make a decision I can't make I can't make a decision on [1:03:22, 1:03:28]: Can any other comments decide? Sir you had a comment? Go right. [1:03:29, 1:03:32]: No, no, no, no. [1:03:32, 1:03:36]: He well I don't know if you no, I don't I didn't get that. I just I'm asking for comments. [1:03:37, 1:03:44]: I got I got a comment that I thought she had one I wanted to defer. So it's hers I honestly I have Henry County water. [1:03:45, 1:04:05]: I don't have stock breach water. So I know so break it down for me in terms of how does our water rate compare to uh what Henry County's uh is charging so the citizens can actually see. I mean this is probably the closest comparison that we can actually uh have. [1:04:05, 1:04:10]: Is it the new or the old? Uh well this is what [1:04:10, 1:04:24]: This does not include the new rate. Gotcha. Our our current base rate for residential water, and that's from zero to four thousand gallons, is six dollars. Mm-hmm. Henry County's is twelve dollars and thirty nine cents. [1:04:25, 1:04:28]: base rate and that's from zero to six thousand gallons. [1:04:28, 1:04:37]: So anything from zero to six thousand gallons, you're paying at twelve dollars and thirty nine cents as a base rate. For City Stockbridge, you're paying six dollars as a base rate. [1:04:37, 1:04:40]: their volumetric rate, rate per thousand [1:04:41, 1:04:46]: Um for city of Stockbridge between four thousand and nine thousand gallons. [1:04:47, 1:04:50]: It is eight dollars and fifty one cents. [1:04:51, 1:04:52]: And the [1:04:53, 1:04:56]: per thousand rate for Henry County. [1:04:57, 1:05:00]: for six thousand to ten thousand gallons. [1:05:00, 1:05:02]: It's six dollars and thirty seven cents. [1:05:02, 1:05:03]: per gallon. [1:05:03, 1:05:08]: So while it's a slight increase on the volumetric side above four thousand [1:05:08, 1:05:11]: It's substantially almost fifty percent. [1:05:11, 1:05:12]: Thanks. [1:05:13, 1:05:15]: Mm a hundred percent lower than [1:05:15, 1:05:16]: the base rate on the other side. [1:05:17, 1:05:20]: Okay. The second a follow up question. In terms of [1:05:20, 1:05:22]: Uh notification. [1:05:22, 1:05:41]: Uh if this rate were to be approved, w when would it go into effect and then what is the notification process for notifying the January one of the twenty seventeen and it will be noted on everybody's water bill that there would be an increase you also post the uh public notice in the paper. [1:05:42, 1:06:01]: Okay, so there'll be a public notice in the paper and it would go on their bill uh I guess December bill to let them know that uh that was w uh is that standard like thirty days or is there more time than that than normally? I yeah yeah, I think this is the standard time frame because this is typically we typically would gauge ours in the same manner that um [1:06:02, 1:06:06]: Henry County does theirs. So this is about the same time they do this every year, so we we [1:06:07, 1:06:08]: Respond accordingly. [1:06:08, 1:06:12]: Any clarification. Uh maybe it's just a small thing here. [1:06:12, 1:06:32]: When you mention this you s you mention say gallons uh uh price per gallon and I'm and when I way I'm reading this is actually a price per thousand gallons is zero thousand gallons. So so y so really zero to four thousand gallons is five what I had I'm just picking out a number here, five eighty two per thousand uh gallons. Not [1:06:32, 1:06:48]: per gallon. It's not a si like a six hour chocolate per every gallon of water. Thank you for the clarification. That's the rate per thousand gallons. Alright. I want to make sure I understand. Yes. Thank you very much for the case. Thank you for the clarification of the chance. So are you this is what I'm gathering. So you're saying [1:06:48, 1:06:50]: Regardless, there's an ordinance. [1:06:50, 1:06:52]: And it's and it's going to happen. [1:06:53, 1:07:03]: There will be an increase based on the increase by Henry County. Right. Um our ordinance is tied to their rates. So whatever their rate increase is, our rate follows accordingly. [1:07:04, 1:07:20]: They opted to rate raise the rates two percent. Now keep in mind Henry County also has a millage on your tax that they pull from as well. We don't have that. So and and and so that two percent is in addition to the millage that everyone pays for on their annual tax bill. [1:07:20, 1:07:36]: Um obviously we don't have property, we don't have that millage increase as well. So for us, you know, we do need to help supplement some again. Again for us again a lot of it is just our the appreciation costs that we've talked about that that it we need to make sure we're covering those appreciation costs from our aging system. [1:07:38, 1:07:58]: And this is the standard notifications that has been done in previous years I've been doing this. This is the sa this will be the second year that we've done this because Henry County has always gone up five percent every single year, and so ours has been going up that way. And what um happened over the last several years is uh [1:07:57, 1:08:17]: The general fund was bearing the cost of all the insurance, all the legal fees, any administrative that the general fund had been bearing those costs as opposed to the expenses being allocated to enterprise funds as it should have been. I mean they have like uh four [1:08:17, 1:08:37]: forty percent in water sewer of our inventory or assets that we paid insurance on that the general fund have been paid. So by us trying to, you know, level a playing field, I guess, for lack of better words, then um, you know, this is really what how we can align [1:08:37, 1:08:52]: And like I said, I really feel that they're um you know, they come off of user fees, which is the revenue that they generate and you know, likewise they ought to be paying the insurance that we you know, the general fund has historically been paying. [1:08:54, 1:08:57]: Mayor Protein? Yes sir. This is the last thing. [1:08:57, 1:08:58]: For me. [1:08:59, 1:09:02]: Is that the county's going two percent and we're going five percent? [1:09:03, 1:09:08]: The county supplies sixty percent of our water. We only supply forty percent of the citizens' stock rate. [1:09:08, 1:09:16]: So when we s we we're looking at an interesting situation here in Stockbridge when it comes to expenditures and services that are rendered to the citizens. [1:09:17, 1:09:20]: We we we got an interesting situation here, so I [1:09:20, 1:09:23]: Wish we could have ha at least had this in a newsletter or something. [1:09:23, 1:09:26]: before bringing it to the council tonight. [1:09:26, 1:09:40]: I wish we could have done this a different way, but needless to say that and you say the increase is gonna happen because of the county, then w I think we need to get that information out to uh to the citizens because then it's not a council decision. [1:09:40, 1:09:44]: It's a decision because of the interest uh because of the raising what's going on with the county. [1:09:44, 1:09:45]: He's not a calcedon. [1:09:46, 1:09:47]: The two percent [1:09:47, 1:09:54]: is based on your ordinance. The additional three percent on top of that would that's why we're coming to the coun otherwise there's no need to come to the council. [1:09:54, 1:10:14]: In all sincerity, you know,'cause it again it follows suit with the ordinance and we're just giving you notification it's gonna it's gonna increase by such and such amount per our ordinance. It's already in place. But because we're asking to go uh beyond the two percent, our ordinance is tied to whatever rate they increase at. So if they increase that two percent and we say we're we're gonna stay at two percent, then there'd be no need to come back to council. [1:10:14, 1:10:21]: Yes sir. I I understand. I just want to make sure for the public I want to make sure we just did uh [1:10:22, 1:10:27]: say that that was what their increase was going to be just probably at the annual [1:10:27, 1:10:30]: That's yeah, at the municipal dinner I had a conversation with the um [1:10:31, 1:10:32]: Um [1:10:32, 1:10:33]: But uh [1:10:33, 1:10:38]: water authority representative and they just recently published that information. So [1:10:38, 1:10:43]: Any more comments? Oh w well excuse me. Yes, go right ahead. [1:10:43, 1:10:49]: Um I I just want clarification again. I know you uh Mr Harris you had read off numbers of the county. [1:10:50, 1:10:51]: And just for clarification [1:10:52, 1:11:12]: then right now if someone is receiving county water instead of the city water, they're paying they're actually paying more than what the citizens in the that live in the city that have the city water is paying, is that correct? Yes. And what is that m what's the difference in the amount again? Well again the base rate for that initial four thousand gallons [1:11:12, 1:11:16]: And that rate per thousand gallons at the county is [1:11:17, 1:11:30]: twelve dollars and well yeah, well the the base rate residential rate per thousand is four dollars and sixty eight cents and the residential rate from the um from the city is five dollars and fifty four cents but their base rate [1:11:30, 1:11:37]: is for the county is twelve dollars and thirty nine cents. The base rate for the City Stockbridge is six dollars even. [1:11:37, 1:11:43]: And we have, again, part of the way the lowest base rate of any jurisdiction in the area. [1:11:43, 1:11:57]: Okay. So once we increase to the f if we were to increase to the five percent, would we be m right around the same ballpark figure or would still be a little bit below the county? My my c uh as a city still lower. [1:11:58, 1:12:15]: Yeah. Would still be below, correct? We would be. We'd be uh their monthly cost again, we had a breakdown of monthly costs for a typical household using four thousand gallons per month in the city in Henry County be about thirty one dollars, and the city stockbridge would be about twenty eight dollars. Okay so we're still about three dollars less. Thank you. [1:12:16, 1:12:20]: That answered my question. It still be less. [1:12:21, 1:12:23]: All right. [1:12:23, 1:12:29]: We have a resolution in front of us here, uh right, and uh so I need a motion to accept this uh increase. [1:12:31, 1:12:31]: Their motion. [1:12:34, 1:12:35]: No motion? [1:12:37, 1:12:37]: Okay. [1:12:42, 1:13:02]: All right, I tell you what. Mayor Pont. I was gonna say I'll make a motion then we'll go and then we'll put on record. But go right in. I I was about to say before I even make the motion. People don't like to give people increases, just so you know. I'm telling based off of the numbers and we're still under what the county, if you have county word and paying, I understand the need and I understand we have to [1:13:02, 1:13:11]: increase. Um it's just something we have to do. Mayor Pro Tem I make a motion to approve the resolution adopting water [1:13:11, 1:13:15]: and sewer rates for calendar year twenty seventeen. [1:13:15, 1:13:18]: Is there a second? All right, there we go. Any further discussion? [1:13:18, 1:13:18]: Yes. [1:13:19, 1:13:19]: Correct? [1:13:20, 1:13:21]: I say once again [1:13:22, 1:13:29]: I'm removing myself from this vote and I'm voting no because I want the citizens, not just this room. [1:13:29, 1:13:34]: Everyone to have an understanding of what we're doing before we m before I make that decision. [1:13:34, 1:13:36]: All right. Any further discussion? [1:13:36, 1:13:37]: All in favor of the motion please indicate? [1:13:39, 1:13:39]: Kenneth. [1:13:39, 1:13:40]: All opposed? [1:13:41, 1:14:01]: Before one it passes. Thank you. Thank you. And you know, the SAP will certainly work on making sure we get the all the notifications and much other information we get out via our website, Facebook page, and other mechanisms necessary to make sure the information is disseminated. Thank you. Thank you. Um so ba based on if I got this right, based on the uh adjustment to the agenda [1:14:01, 1:14:08]: Uh actually what's up next will be Mr. Stark to talk to us about the mission and vision. Mr. Riley, stand fast, we'll get you next. [1:14:09, 1:14:11]: So Mr Stark, come forward please. [1:14:12, 1:14:15]: He's gonna discuss our mission and vision statement that we've come up with. [1:14:17, 1:14:18]: All right. [1:14:20, 1:14:23]: Well, good evening. Nice to be with you all. [1:14:24, 1:14:26]: Uh I wanted to uh [1:14:28, 1:14:38]: The uh purpose of our of my being here this evening is to provide an update to you all for the work that we did at the last meeting. [1:14:39, 1:14:42]: with respect to establishing a vision [1:14:42, 1:14:54]: and a mission and a set of values for the city of Stockbridge. So this evening what I wanted to do is uh present to you what we developed. There'd be some been some modifications to it. [1:14:55, 1:15:00]: Um and share these updates with you and uh see if they meet with your approval [1:15:01, 1:15:02]: uh to move forward. [1:15:02, 1:15:02]: Okay. [1:15:03, 1:15:05]: Um so [1:15:06, 1:15:15]: The vision that we um developed for the city of Stockbridge, and this was after looking at a lot of other communities in the area. [1:15:15, 1:15:24]: But we felt like this would really represent the community well is to be the most progressive business and family oriented community in Metro Atlanta. [1:15:25, 1:15:28]: with a focus on enhanced quality of life initiatives. [1:15:28, 1:15:32]: which promote a sustainable live work play environment. [1:15:33, 1:15:36]: So that is that's what we're aiming for. [1:15:37, 1:15:39]: as a community. That's our [1:15:39, 1:15:42]: That's the light on the hill. That's where we're going. [1:15:43, 1:15:51]: And to the degree obviously that you all put forth programs and initiatives to be business friendly and to be family friendly, then we are [1:15:51, 1:15:53]: Living out our vision. [1:15:53, 1:15:54]: No. [1:15:54, 1:15:58]: This is what we developed last time vision, the mission. [1:15:58, 1:16:05]: The mission just as a reminder is really um the vision is where you're going in the future. The the mission [1:16:06, 1:16:07]: is what you do today. [1:16:08, 1:16:13]: So this mission reads to provide visionary leadership, superior municipal services, [1:16:14, 1:16:25]: that enhance the quality of life for citizens while creating a welcoming business atmosphere focused on sustainability and expansion of tourism and cultural events. [1:16:25, 1:16:34]: So a little bit of a mouthful, but if somebody asked us what what do we do, what's our mission, this is what we wake up in the morning and do. [1:16:35, 1:16:37]: The sist the stopbridge mission. [1:16:39, 1:16:42]: The value uh the values that we developed um [1:16:43, 1:16:47]: interestingly, um ended up spelling the word peace, P E A C E [1:16:48, 1:16:53]: professionalism, adaptability, excellence, communications and ethics. And as I mentioned last time we met [1:16:54, 1:17:08]: Uh values are like guardrails and if you're traversing a uh winding mountain road you don't want to fall off the mountain so you have guardrails. So these values [1:17:08, 1:17:13]: are like guardrails for us. They keep us on the road where we need to be. [1:17:14, 1:17:15]: Um [1:17:15, 1:17:20]: Professionalism, we basically said we will value those we encounter with respect. [1:17:20, 1:17:24]: fairness, compassion and we will listen and understand to their interests. [1:17:25, 1:17:30]: We will not allow for personal attacks, insults, defaming, or derogatory language. [1:17:32, 1:17:35]: Um that that demeans others. [1:17:36, 1:17:38]: So professionalism. [1:17:38, 1:17:44]: excellence we will perform our duties in a manner that exudes outstanding performance. [1:17:44, 1:17:46]: In every facet of our organization [1:17:46, 1:17:48]: We will not stand for mediocrity. [1:17:50, 1:17:52]: And if we see unacceptable performance [1:17:53, 1:17:57]: On our teams, we will speak out and discuss paths to excellence. [1:17:59, 1:18:05]: adaptability. We will remain flexible in meeting the changing needs and desires of our citizens. [1:18:06, 1:18:17]: There will be no excuses for not being flexible and available for citizens and other urgent priorities, but we will not let excessive adaptability hamper excellence. So we want to be excellent. [1:18:18, 1:18:20]: Yet we want to be adaptable at the same time. [1:18:21, 1:18:25]: C is communication. This is a big one for any city or any county. [1:18:26, 1:18:27]: uh staff [1:18:28, 1:18:33]: Council, we will be transparent in our actions and promote collaboration. [1:18:33, 1:18:43]: and unity at every level of our organization to ensure success in attaining our strategic uh objectives. We are not in favor of communication silos. [1:18:44, 1:18:47]: of unclear communication or [1:18:47, 1:18:51]: My idea is best thinking. We don't want that. [1:18:52, 1:19:03]: Lastly, uh ethics we will always operate in a manner that's honest, respectful, truthful, and transparent. If we see or hear of unethical behavior, we will aggressively speak and out [1:19:04, 1:19:06]: A and act out against it. [1:19:07, 1:19:22]: Um that that concludes the the the values part. The really only other question uh for you all to consider going forward is how you want to uh communicate this vision and mission and these values to the citizens. [1:19:23, 1:19:26]: um how you want to come into agreement [1:19:26, 1:19:30]: as a as a s as a city staff, as a as a council. [1:19:31, 1:19:31]: Um [1:19:32, 1:19:38]: And how you might want to demonstrate we talked about perhaps Una plaque or some sort of signed document. [1:19:38, 1:19:41]: uh that we would have here in City Hall. So we want to promote these values. [1:19:42, 1:19:44]: And let the citizens know this is the kind of city we want to be. [1:19:45, 1:19:47]: And want to promote our vision so the city [1:19:47, 1:19:56]: Um and the citizens see where it is we we intend to take the city. So that uh concludes um the thoughts. [1:19:56, 1:20:00]: And the work on the project. Any any questions? [1:20:00, 1:20:02]: Yeah, I'll go go right in there. [1:20:02, 1:20:09]: I'd I'd like to thank you for the great work that you have put in and that the team um contributed to. [1:20:10, 1:20:16]: I think the one thing personally that I wanna say to the citizens is that we wanna set the bar high. Mm-hmm. [1:20:17, 1:20:21]: And I think uh the mission and the vision sets the bar high. [1:20:21, 1:20:23]: I think too many times um [1:20:24, 1:20:34]: that word mediocrity has been associated with the city and no longer do we want that to be the charge. We want the charge to be when they talk about the best [1:20:35, 1:20:55]: of Metro Atlanta we want the city of Stockbridge mentioned in that breath every single time. And you know if you're gonna aim they always say shoot for the move you know because you wanna be the best at what what we do in every single capacity, starting with the basic government services, municipal services, deliver [1:20:54, 1:21:14]: those in a in a capacity that is uh on a superior level at uh at its best and I always talk to the team on my personal behalf about uh customer service. I think the first thing that we do is uh we serve the citizens in a in that capacity and [1:21:14, 1:21:26]: And from no matter whether someone's out on a route with public works, that person's is serving in a capacity of that. So I appreciate the work that you did and I'm in wholehearted support of aiming high. [1:21:28, 1:21:38]: Okay. Council? Go right in, please. Thank you again. Um, this is excellent. Um thank you for taking the time. [1:21:39, 1:21:59]: You know, even just with this council, I mean, I just love the you know, we just have to adapt. Um, each one of us are different. Um, when you become a part of a team, um we're all are different, but once we have this vision, a mission statement and we learn to um work together and look at each [1:21:59, 1:21:59]: [4920.2, 4922.1]: um person as a teen. [1:22:02, 1:22:04]: Mm. And on a team everybody's gonna be different. [1:22:05, 1:22:15]: So you have to look at that person and try to say, How can I adapt? How can I work with that person? So this is a s good start for us and for those that um [1:22:16, 1:22:21]: Um come on board. Hopefully you'll s see this as well because we'll have a new mayor soon. [1:22:21, 1:22:26]: And then that way with this council we've basically had um eleven months now. [1:22:27, 1:22:29]: So um and it's still growing. Um [1:22:29, 1:22:36]: And that's why we're coming up with this. So hopefully I think we we're learning each other. I mean it still takes gonna take time. [1:22:37, 1:22:45]: But that's what it takes. And in order for this to be broken down with the peace, and I thank our attorney for identifying that [1:22:46, 1:22:48]: Um this is a great start for us. [1:22:48, 1:23:01]: And I mean this is in in in order to get where we wanted to go to move, you have to start somewhere. So again, uh hopefully I'm just saying this strongly for, you know, others just to know that this is a start and [1:23:02, 1:23:03]: Number two, which is the A [1:23:04, 1:23:05]: Yeah, they're dare. [1:23:06, 1:23:07]: Thank you so very much. [1:23:08, 1:23:09]: In other comments. [1:23:09, 1:23:13]: Yeah, Mayor Pro Tem, I want all the citizens to know this is tangible. [1:23:13, 1:23:15]: So you all can access this. [1:23:15, 1:23:20]: So now you all can hold us accountable to every word that's written on this paperwork. Uhhuh. [1:23:21, 1:23:21]: So [1:23:22, 1:23:22]: Short. [1:23:25, 1:23:26]: [5007.4, 5009.5]: What w what it is is that um [1:23:30, 1:23:31]: You want something to say, sir, I'm sorry? I did. [1:23:32, 1:23:52]: Well what I was saying is I you know now that it's been presented, if this is something that the full council is in agreement to, I think it'd be appropriate to move towards an adoption of these as the new formalized vision and mission um and value statements. Actually that's what I was gonna say. [1:23:52, 1:24:05]: on this particular statement, this mission and vision. If we have n no other comments and we're all in agreement, we might as well go ahead and vote to accept this now and then make sure we make it publicly known uh and and start advertising or bringing that out in that's what I was gonna say. [1:24:05, 1:24:12]: [5052.8, 5072.8]: You know, to have it framed in place throughout all of our public facilities so anyone coming into the facility understands and knows this is a direction, this is what you know the current um um governing body has determined is the direction we're going in and this is how we're going to get there and these are the values we're going to espouse as we as we function in the day to day process. So we [1:24:32, 1:24:39]: We would like to go through and um once it's adopted go back, get things framed, get them placed throughout the city buildings. [1:24:40, 1:24:55]: Absolutely. Sounds great to me. But anyway, on that note though, is there uh is there a motion to accept all this if the council is in agreement? You want to make a motion, sir? Yes, I'll make a motion to accept the mission and vision statement as outlined to move forward to the next step. Is there a second? [1:24:55, 1:25:15]: There we go. Any further discussion? Yeah, just change this around where it says peace. Yeah. Oh. Yeah. It says pace. Oh. We we we're a little more shifted down. You you um the motion I believe was for vision admission. Did you want to also include the value? [1:25:15, 1:25:25]: Yes, it's vision vision, mission and values to move to the next step. Okay. That'll take another second to make sure we got that right. Is that another second down here? [1:25:26, 1:25:28]: Okay. Any further discussion? [1:25:28, 1:25:29]: All favor please indicate. [1:25:30, 1:25:33]: There we go. Unanimous. Thank you, Mr. Starr. Appreciate your time and effort on that. [1:25:33, 1:25:34]: No problem. [1:25:35, 1:25:44]: Mr. Riley, you're up next, sir. Council consideration resolution to approve the senior user single user version of GIS operating program. [1:25:56, 1:26:07]: Good evening, Mr. Mayor Pro Temp and members of the Council. Donald Riley of the Finance Department Purchasing Division here to present items numbers eleven and twelve. [1:26:09, 1:26:10]: I can [1:26:10, 1:26:14]: Uh present them together or separately? How do you want me to proceed? [1:26:15, 1:26:28]: Okay, good point. I'm I'm sorry about that. Um it uh do one at a time please. It's council consideration of resolution to approve bid award to Mays Row uh Mays Road Covert. I'm sorry about that. No problem. All right, yeah do one at a time please. Okay [1:26:29, 1:26:45]: Th the first item number eleven is for sixteen RFP O nine two eight one six F D C for Mays Road covert improvements. I had a total of seven bidders and it came in on November fourth, twenty sixteen. [1:26:46, 1:26:56]: The awarded vendor is McElroy out of Zebulon, Georgia, in the amount of seventy seven thousand two hundred and ninety two dollars and twenty cents. [1:26:57, 1:27:07]: Falcon design had helped vet this particular vendor and so I don't I see that we should go forward with the recommendation of awarding to [1:27:07, 1:27:08]: Mikhail Roy. [1:27:09, 1:27:12]: Okay. Um questions, Council. [1:27:12, 1:27:24]: Yeah, and what capacity did Falcon I'm sorry, Mr. Go go right in. What capacity did Falcon help them? They were the actual um consultant with the bid, with the construction of the bid. [1:27:25, 1:27:30]: And they also did the design for the um the design for the uh repair work as well. [1:27:33, 1:27:37]: [5257.4, 5261.3]: to the citizens this is something that's been out there for quite some time now. [1:27:41, 1:27:45]: And I'm good I'm glad to see that we're finally about to move forward. [1:27:46, 1:27:55]: uh with this project because this road pro has been closed off for quite some time now. And I think that we worked long and hard in understanding that [1:27:55, 1:28:06]: This was something that occurred. It was right between the city and the county line. There was a dispute between whether it was on county property or whether it was on city property. [1:28:07, 1:28:21]: And the city as a team decided that we wanted to move forward because the citizens come first when uh we did not get the support from Henry County that we had expected. So I appreciate that. Thank you. [1:28:21, 1:28:23]: Mayor Purton. [1:28:24, 1:28:38]: I move that we approve the um council consideration of resolution to approve the bid for Mays Road culvert, um bid number sixteen RFP zero nine two eight one six F D C. Your second. [1:28:40, 1:28:42]: [5322.6, 5327.5]: [1:28:48, 1:28:50]: Um excuse me. [1:28:51, 1:29:00]: Again, I wanna thank Michael, our city manager, for working um hard on this because we keep bringing up in our public works. Um [1:29:01, 1:29:02]: Committee meeting. [1:29:02, 1:29:08]: And I know he's been working very hard, so I thank you guys because it is definitely an eyesore. [1:29:08, 1:29:13]: to be driving out East Atlanta, um coming into the city limits and it's right there. [1:29:14, 1:29:20]: So thank you guys so much. Um so that way we can go ahead and get this done. But I did want the citizens to know that we were [1:29:20, 1:29:25]: discussing this continuously at our public works meeting, um so it didn't go unnoticed. [1:29:26, 1:29:32]: And I'm just glad we're here now that we're gonna be able to um go ahead and move forward with it. So again, thank you guys so much. [1:29:32, 1:29:33]: Any further discussion? [1:29:35, 1:29:39]: Okay, we've got a motion on the floor in a second to res uh to accept this bid for McCleroy. [1:29:40, 1:29:41]: Um [1:29:42, 1:29:43]: quit the company of lose coal. [1:29:45, 1:29:47]: So uh all in favor of the motion, please indicate. [1:29:48, 1:29:49]: Okay, so now this is thank you very much. [1:29:51, 1:29:53]: All right. Now uh Mr Riley. [1:29:53, 1:29:57]: Council consideration for a resolution to approve a single user version of GIS. [1:29:58, 1:30:01]: Yes. I have before me this uh [1:30:02, 1:30:12]: The user version of GIS Who's maintenance contract, this maintenance contract expired in twenty thirteen and we had several updates since then. [1:30:12, 1:30:32]: The single user actually cost us about eleven thousand seven hundred dollars. So we're trying to use a multi-user version in which it will allow seven users to actually access the software. And we have two particular vendors that we're wanting to use. ESR [1:30:32, 1:30:35]: R I as well as GIS Inc. [1:30:35, 1:30:37]: And the reason for that is because [1:30:38, 1:30:40]: They are these [1:30:40, 1:30:43]: It's a split award so that we can use [1:30:45, 1:30:52]: so that we can save money as well as get the services back to us within a timely reason. Because [1:30:54, 1:31:00]: ER ESRI is out of California and it's a sole source version of that. [1:31:00, 1:31:08]: is GIS is based out of Florida, so we want to actually split the services so that we can have [1:31:08, 1:31:12]: in the amount of fifty six thousand five hundred and seventy six dollars. [1:31:16, 1:31:17]: Okay. [1:31:19, 1:31:19]: Questions. [1:31:22, 1:31:27]: All right. Uh you may need to go okay, so otherwise let's let's think here. [1:31:28, 1:31:38]: Liberty Technology which does our IT services, you're involved in this as well. Correct. You said SoulSource comes out of California. This company comes out of California. But you also mentioned something about Miami. [1:31:38, 1:31:43]: I believe it. Out of Jacksonville, Florida. Jacksonville Florida. What's G I S Inc [1:31:44, 1:31:50]: Okay will provide us with the data migration setup the and the training. [1:31:51, 1:32:08]: For the particular software. Okay, so the training comes the training for the individual that will run the program comes out of Jacksonville, Florida. Yes. Not not the individuals out of California. Even though s even though since they're sole source uh sole source, they also know how to train if they're uh that but it is too far away, I would imagine. Yes, sir. Okay. [1:32:08, 1:32:13]: Okay. Um Mayor Partun if I may. Yes sir. Um and again [1:32:14, 1:32:34]: the the functionality of this software is for you know utilizing again it talks about some of the handheld device we'll be able to use out in the field to be able to um get more accurate up to date coordinates on of our our our utility structure, our water lines, our stormwater lines, our wastewater lines [1:32:34, 1:32:54]: lines, good conditions, be able to map all those things. So eventually we're moving towards and it's the process has been started, but we were looking to move towards being able to have a fully integrated, comprehensive map of our utility system, and that's what this will aid towards. And it should also be noted that the funding for this would be through our SPLOS, not through our general fund. Okay. Good. [1:32:54, 1:32:55]: Good to know that. [1:32:55, 1:32:57]: Uh any questions at all? [1:32:57, 1:32:58]: For me, but [1:32:58, 1:33:07]: Okay. Well, no c questions now. Is there a a motion to accept this these different contracts as we go forward on our GIS program? [1:33:09, 1:33:11]: The motion on the floor to accept this resolution. [1:33:12, 1:33:32]: Mayor Portem. Yes, ma'am. I have one question. Um it says that the training plan includes sixteen days of on-site training for staff. Right now we have a GIS um person, Mr. Um Justin Kilgore. Will he be the only one being trained or uh are we doing cross training? Will it be public works? [1:33:32, 1:33:41]: Who's gonna who's gonna receive this training? Yeah, I think we're gonna look at having multiple individuals trained certainly and depending on the time frame for hiring the um [1:33:42, 1:34:02]: economic development and community development position, we certainly want to have them involved in it as well. So it just depends on um how soon they can get it scheduled. It takes some time'cause we have to get everything ordered, everything has to be come in first before we can do it. So hopefully from a timing standpoint, it will likely be about the first part of the year as we're getting ready to get into the holidays. So hopefully by then we'll have all the staff um in place. [1:34:02, 1:34:06]: But it certainly would be intent to have multiple individuals trained on this. [1:34:06, 1:34:07]: on the software. [1:34:07, 1:34:13]: And so what the software and the equipment or whatever is being used to map out [1:34:13, 1:34:20]: Um, who's gonna use that? Is that gonna be the public works department or will it be a single individual? I'm trying to figure out [1:34:21, 1:34:27]: why uh I understand we have a single user now on the software and we're gonna upgrade [1:34:27, 1:34:47]: And I understand that, but uh do we have people in place to utilize this system? That's the direction we're moving towards, you know, to be able to have more people, you know, so people within our our water guys know where their water systems are far better than anyone else's. You know, so having a person designated, much like with our sewer person, they have a person they go out and do other sewer [1:34:47, 1:35:07]: repairs and what needs to be done, but if it's a they have individuals that are specifically trained for the camera use. Um and there is some cross training that's taking place with that now, but we usually have a couple people that can do that in the same manner. We'll have somebody with wastewater, somebody with stormwater, somebody with um code enforcement, yeah, that's another good point. Co enforcement [1:35:07, 1:35:16]: Um and planning as well. Those are some of the big ones um from a code enforcement. That's one of the components that they've been trying to tie together. So when they're out in the field they'll be able to be able to pull up [1:35:17, 1:35:18]: Um whether it's [1:35:19, 1:35:25]: Where the new the the nearest sewer is, but information like that that they need um have readily available as well. That's a good point. [1:35:25, 1:35:27]: Thank you. [1:35:27, 1:35:31]: Yes sir, go right ahead, please. Okay, ladies and gentlemen. Hopefully y'all are paying attention. [1:35:32, 1:35:40]: Did y'all hear our city manager say that we're adding a economic development director position which we're looking at doing for the city? [1:35:41, 1:35:45]: this uh particular uh measure put forth [1:35:45, 1:36:05]: That person will be able to use this along with uh the community service position. The city is growing and as part of the city growing, uh we're trying to put forth the best technology and the best equipment and uh technology for these very capable individuals to use coming to the city. [1:36:05, 1:36:08]: [5769.2, 5770.3]: This is it. [1:36:11, 1:36:16]: Okay. Any uh comments. I don't know. I think down here. Okay. [1:36:16, 1:36:33]: At this point we don't have a list. I'm sorry, where you go go ahead. At this point we don't have a list of who all is going to be trained once this is approved. Because it's not coming out of general funds anyway, it's gonna be coming out of squash. So the funds funding is there, so we don't actually know but who's gonna be trained on this right now. [1:36:34, 1:36:42]: We can give you the names, we can get people for you. I mean they obviously are co enforcing folks or there'd be a water person, a wastewater person, a stormwater person as well. [1:36:44, 1:36:52]: I I'm I'm not sure. No, no, it's fine because we we talked about GIS before here in the city and we talked about [1:36:53, 1:37:10]: getting trained people in place and making sure that we have the proper people in place. So when we bring in this training, we just want I personally just want to make sure that we ha we're training the proper people for the position so we don't have to worry about lack of training, try to train somebody that needs training. [1:37:11, 1:37:13]: [5834.5, 5845.1]: So when we bring people in to train, I wanna make sure the classroom is in there for people that are training to train those that are gonna be trained'cause it's gonna be facilitating the uh the system. [1:37:25, 1:37:28]: That that's what that's where I'm going with it. Okay. [1:37:29, 1:37:40]: Mayor Putin. Yes, ma'am, go right in. I move that we approve the GIS update and the amount of fifty six thousand five hundred and seventy six dollars that will come out of our bus funds. Okay. Any further discussion? [1:37:41, 1:37:44]: All in favor of the uh motion please indicate. [1:37:45, 1:37:46]: Casey Nellis, great. [1:37:46, 1:37:48]: Thank you, Mr. [1:37:49, 1:37:55]: What's next now would be the public hearing in reference to the first reading of the proposed two thousand seventeen operating budget. [1:37:56, 1:38:14]: And it says presented by me. But um what Michael Harris says, the city manager's gonna pass out to each one of the council members is this just in case you didn't have a copy, well some of the budget discussion items which we'll go through first. Uh we'll cover those items first and then if there are any additional items to cover be covered tonight we'll go around the horn to do that as well. [1:38:14, 1:38:20]: Uh what I wanna mention to you is that uh I presented this I worked with let me say this. I worked with uh [1:38:20, 1:38:24]: uh Mr. Harris uh and with uh Linda Neighbors our treasurer. [1:38:25, 1:38:45]: over this a couple of different uh meetings and um and obviously you as counselors you well know we have excellent staff and uh they gave me recomm and recommendations and thoughts on how this should go and what uh what how should this should be presented and what should go in these numbers. Some of those ideas and suggestions I listened to and some I did not. Okay? Some of those [1:38:45, 1:39:05]: things I I knew that it would be uh that are in the budget right now and that's what we're gonna talk about that may be consideration that the the council may not want to do certain things that I put in there. That's quite alright. That's why you have an a operating budget, you have a a hearing with the public and you discuss this. I'm perfectly fine with that. [1:39:04, 1:39:24]: Okay. What I also want to say to the council, help me uh help ourselves in this aspect. When we discuss these budget items, please try to keep the comments to at least two comments per item. Uh so we don't get too long winded and and and back and forth on these particular issues. What I also want to note and I wanna say congratulations to um the [1:39:24, 1:39:30]: the the two mayor of the candidates that are going to be in a runoff here on December sixth. They're in a chamber at this point. [1:39:30, 1:39:50]: Regina Lewis Ward and and Judy Neal. Both these individuals, uh one one of the both these individuals will be around for a little bit longer, and one of these two individuals will be uh be nominated excuse me, be elected as a mayor and will be the mayor most likely sworn in prior to the fact of the final budget being approved. So they're here as well in the audience too and and probably well intended. [1:39:50, 1:40:00]: tune to what's going on with this budget because it's something that one or the two of them will have to be dealing with in the two thousand seventeen year as well. And by the way, congratulations to you ladies for making it this far. [1:40:01, 1:40:21]: Um now. So on that note, once again I'd like for I'd like for us Michael asked the council to come together and come meet with him and with Linda and give some of your comments to the budget itself. So you have some things in front of you. I'd like for us to go through those things, dis discuss them, have have a debate if need be and whatever the case may be. Discuss it. [1:40:21, 1:40:23]: we need to vote on things or change things, we can do that. [1:40:24, 1:40:41]: Obviously. And then once we go through this list once again, if there are other things that uh council members need to say or didn't get a chance to sit down with Michael and or w with with Linda, we need to go through those tonight to finalize the first reading and the first adjustment, so be it, we can do that as well. Okay. [1:40:41, 1:40:42]: So [1:40:42, 1:40:57]: Um I want to turn it unless there's any uh initial comments by any council member, I'll turn it over to Mr. Harris to go down this list. Okay. And I didn't want to add for you know I thought I forgot about something. I gotta get public uh comments first, Ron, don't I not? What what comes first? I'm sorry. [1:40:57, 1:41:02]: You you can present sort of an overview of the budget and then invite public comment. [1:41:05, 1:41:07]: [6067.5, 6086.9]: Um and again just to to reiterate this is the first hearing, first public hearing of the budget. There will be another hearing on November twenty ninth and right now the adoption is scheduled for December twelfth. Um the budget has been online, it's been published, it's been online for a couple of weeks now for people to look at. [1:41:27, 1:41:28]: Um [1:41:29, 1:41:40]: J just you know, the kind of the highlight points and you can just d the brief overview and just running through the different departments and then from there I'll defer and go into um [1:41:41, 1:41:52]: the specific issue areas. Um governing body um proposed this year a slight increase from two hundred and forty six thousand to two hundred and eighty five thousand. Um [1:41:53, 1:41:56]: uh executive department. Um [1:41:56, 1:42:03]: increase from six hundred and fourteen thousand to seven hundred and thirty nine thousand. Again that does contemplate a few new positions. [1:42:03, 1:42:05]: Um administration [1:42:05, 1:42:12]: a slight increase from one point five eight million to one point seven and again that also contemplates some new positions. [1:42:13, 1:42:17]: IT support and services. Um [1:42:18, 1:42:34]: While it certainly on the surface, look at this is a a a tremendous increase from ninety three thousand to six hundred and ninety thousand, the vast majority of that is for um the phase three of our disaster recovery um system, computer system here at the city. [1:42:35, 1:42:55]: Um which would be about thirty about one hundred and fifty thousand and then another big portion of that increase is the contemplation for um fiber connectivity amongst all the city buildings, run the fire connectivity amongst all the city buildings, and that cost estimates about three hundred and fifty thousand. So when people see that that large [1:42:55, 1:42:57]: increase one to make sure they're clear that there is a [1:42:58, 1:43:00]: It's it it's comprised of those two primary elements. [1:43:01, 1:43:02]: Um [1:43:02, 1:43:09]: A slight decrease in our general government buildings from seven hundred and twenty two thousand to six hundred and seventy two thousand. [1:43:10, 1:43:23]: Uh municipal court again you also see another s dramatic decrease there from seven hundred and eighty two thousand to two hundred and sixty five thousand and this has been brought about by the um city the decision from the county to begin [1:43:23, 1:43:30]: sending all municipal tickets or tickets state on state violations to the state court rather than to our municipal our municipal court, so [1:43:31, 1:43:33]: It's severely reduced our [1:43:33, 1:43:43]: um revenues coming in and so it's subsequently we've had to make some additional changes there, reducing staff and reducing our expenses to to meet what the anticipated new revenues would be coming in. [1:43:45, 1:43:59]: Um police services. Subsequently that went down from what been what was budgeted last year seven fifty five to four hundred, which is um c continues to contemplate additional supplemental police services and there's some still some decisions that need to be made from the council standpoint. [1:43:59, 1:44:06]: Um public works, a state of about balance, about two point two million, state of about two point two million every year. [1:44:07, 1:44:14]: Um city events um increase on based on some of the events that are being proposed from one hundred and ten thousand to two hundred and thirteen thousand. [1:44:15, 1:44:17]: Um parks department [1:44:17, 1:44:32]: Um slight increase, fifty six thousand up to sixty thousand. And again it should also be noted that we are utilizing a lot of our SPLOS funds, SPLOSS park funds to do a lot of the new things that you're seeing in our parks right now will continue. So a lot of this funds that are in parks is primarily for maintenance. [1:44:34, 1:44:35]: Um code enforcement. [1:44:36, 1:44:49]: Um slight decrease from two hundred oh nine um adopted budget last year to one hundred two. A lot of this has to do with we had vehicles need to purchase, purchase those this year. Those aren't in the budget for this year because we had some one time expenditures last year. [1:44:50, 1:45:04]: Um slight increase in our Main Street department. Again we it was budget last year for a half person and now we are the realizing the full a full year of an additional person there in our Main Street program and you're already seeing a lot of the great benefits of what that program is doing. [1:45:04, 1:45:13]: Um and in planning development. Um a slighting well it's it it it again, it looks like a tremendous increase there, but again a lot of that is um [1:45:13, 1:45:16]: involves a number of different plans. Um [1:45:17, 1:45:20]: Opportunity zone plans, overlays, as well as [1:45:20, 1:45:21]: Um [1:45:21, 1:45:22]: I believe some land. [1:45:24, 1:45:38]: Planned acquisitions as well. So we felt that that was from a planning standpoint that was most appropriate to put it in. We can go into those specifics later on, but just wanted to make sure everyone was clear on what you know, when you see those large increases, what you know, what's actually behind them. [1:45:39, 1:45:42]: So that's kind of the just a general overview. [1:45:43, 1:45:50]: Um and that's based on the budget that was prepared by Mayor Pro Tem and submitted by Mayor Pro Tem a couple of weeks back. [1:45:50, 1:46:10]: And speaking with council members and there are going to be a question. Mr Williams, I I I I want to make sure to get the public involved in this. So I'm thinking that they I mean they can go first now and then we can have this minute detailed discussion or we can go to the minute discussion and then they have comments later. But I would like to get to comments initially before we [1:46:10, 1:46:18]: [6379.1, 6379.4]: Mm. [1:46:20, 1:46:22]: Yeah, well they have it's a public hearing. [1:46:23, 1:46:30]: So uh so either we get comments from them now before we go down this list, or we go down the list and then get comments. [1:46:31, 1:46:35]: Oh now they won't be any s once we're going through the budget they [1:46:36, 1:46:49]: All right, we we d I I just want to make that's fine. So you all fle have comments after we go down this list. Right, because so we can Okay, all right, so be it. We can do it that way. I'm flexible. Gotta be. All right, Mike, excuse me. [1:46:51, 1:46:52]: I I should have stopped you go right, sir. [1:46:52, 1:46:53]: Okay. [1:46:54, 1:46:57]: I understand that sir, absolutely. Me too. [1:46:58, 1:46:59]: Perfect. [1:46:59, 1:46:59]: Right. [1:47:00, 1:47:02]: Gonna live it out right now. [1:47:02, 1:47:05]: Okay, going through the list I had an opportunity to speak with um [1:47:06, 1:47:22]: several council members and again I go through the list. There have been some other things that were mentioned to me that we're not on the list now to hit those as well. Um but under some and again these are changes based on what was presented and what was shown on the [1:47:22, 1:47:26]: budget that was um included on the city's website [1:47:27, 1:47:35]: Under governing body um recommendation was made to reduce printing and binding by two thousand dollars. [1:47:36, 1:47:38]: In talking with staff members, we [1:47:38, 1:47:38]: We [1:47:39, 1:47:40]: We think that this could be [1:47:41, 1:47:45]: a a problem knowing I think a lot of the increase was based on the number of [1:47:46, 1:48:05]: um events we had and I'm not sure I think when we reviewed this, I think it's Councilman Robinson and p um G and I had this conversation. I don't think it was showing all of the expenses at the time, but we know we've had a number of additional out outstanding expenses under printing and binding and I'll defer to Madam Clark on where we stand. [1:48:10, 1:48:17]: Yeah, come on. I feel like if there is this abduction made you're gonna end up having a budget amendment along the year, which is something that you don't wanna do. [1:48:19, 1:48:20]: Okay. [1:48:21, 1:48:41]: That's you know again, my my thought here, I I I again I I certainly defer to the process that you know the Mayor Preteminity Council wants to go through. If I take'em one by one, I can go through all of them, you can go back and revisit them. We can address them one at a time and move on to the next. Well, what I what I like to do if we can is the things that you have here in front of us that the council members have come through, you had some discussion. [1:48:41, 1:48:53]: discussion. They go through those and then if this you mentioned and I knew there are a couple of other things that that were they're not on the list and then go through those other things that are not on the list and open it up to the council on the additional things. [1:48:53, 1:48:57]: And then discuss those as well. [1:48:57, 1:49:03]: And then we can go back and just hit'em one by one. Alright, correct answer. All right. Under governing body again, printing binding. [1:49:04, 1:49:10]: Um another item was the council initiatives. Um there was a recommendation to increase it by five thousand [1:49:11, 1:49:29]: Um back to the previous amount of twelve thousand five hundred which would contemplate um two thousand five hundred dollars per council member. Should be noted I noted in my notes that did that did not include uh a an allotment for the mayor that was only for council members, and that's the way it was originally set up I think some two years ago. And it stayed that way. So I want to make sure that was clear. [1:49:30, 1:49:35]: Um also in the governing body adding twenty five hundred dollars for ARC training. [1:49:37, 1:49:38]: Um and [1:49:40, 1:49:45]: A a reduction in the civic events. We were recently notified that the circus [1:49:45, 1:49:54]: that is sponsored by Gas South every year. Um again we were sadly informed recently that they will not they they would not be hosting that that event this year. So [1:49:54, 1:50:04]: Um them and the Mayor's Association of Metropolitan Atlanta. Um typically they've been coming together for the last X number of years to to coordinate that, yes sir. [1:50:05, 1:50:05]: Uh [1:50:05, 1:50:06]: One second, yes sir. [1:50:07, 1:50:12]: When we're using acronyms, could we explain to the public what those acronyms mean, please? [1:50:12, 1:50:16]: Um let me go back. ARC training, that's Atlanta Regional Commission training. [1:50:17, 1:50:17]: Um [1:50:18, 1:50:22]: Add the twenty five hundred dollars for and again the [1:50:23, 1:50:30]: The last one was reduced the civic events by eliminating the five thousand dollars that had been allocated for the circus. [1:50:32, 1:50:46]: Um moving on, administration. Um are we gonna be able to Yeah we're gonna comment after I'm gonna hit them all, then we'll come back and hit them one by one. So you get an opportunity. You y everybody will get a chance to talk, guaranteed. Along those same lines, um [1:50:47, 1:50:48]: contract services [1:50:49, 1:50:55]: is an area and we've had some discussion about this previously where we have um [1:50:56, 1:51:16]: Um partnership community partnerships have been typically listed in this area and so the recommendation was to add the five thousand dollars from the circus into the contract services and utilize of that five thousand utilize two thousand of that to go toward the booster clubs and much the same [1:51:16, 1:51:27]: same manner that we saw this evening and the remaining three thousand dollars would go towards other um community partners that provide charitable services and um here within for citizens within the city. [1:51:27, 1:51:38]: Um the addition to that when it's not on your list was in reference to the public information officer. Um that was a uh that was a position that had been previously discussed. [1:51:38, 1:51:47]: And the budget contemplated removing that position, so that was one that was asked the recommendation made that that position be added back on. [1:51:48, 1:51:54]: Um under courts um recommendation was made to increase the print and binding by four hundred dollars. [1:51:55, 1:51:56]: Um under police. [1:51:57, 1:51:59]: Uh there's recommendation to reduce the amount [1:52:00, 1:52:11]: uh fifty reduced that to re reduce the budget about fifty thousand to eliminate the those police officers that currently are used in our parks to patrol our parks. [1:52:12, 1:52:22]: Um ifin Public Works uh recommendation to reduce overtime by ten thousand dollars from twenty thousand now down to ten thousand dollars. [1:52:23, 1:52:32]: Also under public works at thirty thousand dollars for landscaping, for interchange, landscaping at State Route one hundred thirty eight and Hudson Bridge Road. [1:52:32, 1:52:49]: And under city events, um again pretty in pink, it's uh it was a new item that came up this year. Um it was to keep that, keep it at the five thousand but wanted to designate that half of those funds, twenty five hundred would go toward a luncheon, and another half twenty five hundred would go towards a walk. [1:52:50, 1:53:00]: Um food truck, there was recommendation to reduce that amount from this year it's twenty one thousand down to ten thousand. I think it was shown in the current budget as fifteen thousand. [1:53:00, 1:53:08]: And lastly, also in the city events, the Veterans Day Parade recommendation was made to reduce that to eight thousand [1:53:08, 1:53:12]: from ten thousand that we've had in the past years. [1:53:12, 1:53:20]: So with that, those are the items that again I was made aware of. Um and be happy to go back up to the top and walk'em down one by one. [1:53:21, 1:53:37]: All right. Um so if that's the case on this list here. So we'll go back to government body then and then what we're talking about here, the first thing was printing and binding to reduce by two thousand you said, was what the recommendation was based on uh comments from the council. [1:53:38, 1:53:39]: Um [1:53:39, 1:53:47]: And you mentioned earlier that comments came from the um staff about the amount of printing that we do all right now and a lot of that deals with [1:53:48, 1:53:51]: I'm assuming with events and all the events that we have, things of that nature. So [1:53:52, 1:53:56]: And and the original number uh original number was what what was the original number now? [1:53:56, 1:54:01]: I've not half a minute. I don't know it off the top of my head. Uh maybe five or four yeah. [1:54:03, 1:54:06]: It was four thousand for your proposed twenty seventeen. [1:54:08, 1:54:15]: It was four thousand? For proposed twenty seventeen? Right. Yes. Okay. So from four thousand to two thousand? [1:54:16, 1:54:17]: Uh [1:54:21, 1:54:29]: I'm I'm thinking that that came from the initial four thousand and all I just endorsed that that really came from the staff itself that deal deal with all the printing all the time. [1:54:29, 1:54:32]: [6872.8, 6892.3]: We looked at some historical costs and no and they I believe our cost I I don't think it was reflected at the time. I don't know if we had additional expenditures that had not yet been booked, but I know we had some high printing printing costs this year. Um and again a lot of that was based on number of flyers that were done. Um [1:54:53, 1:54:54]: For [1:54:54, 1:54:57]: various events and council initiatives. [1:54:59, 1:55:10]: Okay. Well I I like to keep it at four thousand personally, but uh w what what does the council have to say about this recommendation? So that can I thank Mayor Pro Tem. [1:55:10, 1:55:16]: The reason why that came up'cause when I spoke with them on page three [1:55:16, 1:55:18]: It shows that it was four thousand. [1:55:19, 1:55:24]: Then my question was I came again on page six for printing and binding. [1:55:24, 1:55:37]: Um that was a discussion. There's twenty five hundred there. So my question was there was two um printing and binding and my question was what was page six? [1:55:37, 1:55:47]: Okay, paid six is under administration cost not having anything to do with any elected official printing and binding. Okay. Seeing that was my question. Okay. [1:55:48, 1:55:48]: I [1:55:51, 1:55:52]: Any other comments on this, please? [1:55:53, 1:56:00]: So you said in the past it was four thousand? Right. And and your recommendation is four thousand? Yes. I agree with that. [1:56:01, 1:56:04]: I agree with that. I agree with that. Okay. I don't know. All right. [1:56:04, 1:56:07]: So I think we just saw the first one. We're gonna we're gonna keep it at four thousand dollars. [1:56:07, 1:56:09]: Do we need a formal formal vote on that, sir? [1:56:15, 1:56:33]: for amending the draft budget. Okay. And so presumably the final version of the draft budget that's presented to you in about a month will have these bonifications. Right. And and yeah, the attorney's correct what we'll do based on the comments we received back this evening, we'll go back to amend [1:56:33, 1:56:39]: the budget and represent that as the amended version and that'll be what will be discussed at the [1:56:39, 1:56:41]: meeting on the twenty ninth. [1:56:42, 1:57:02]: You had I thought on this one. I wanted to we're gonna move on. Okay. Mayor Temper real quick before just to get clarification, I know we're going through this list, but I'm also looking at things that were missed, um, such as there's nothing down for Downtown Development Authority, nor is there anything down for the Historic Preservation Committee. [1:57:02, 1:57:22]: committee that we're gonna have with Main Street this upcoming year and a couple of other questions. When do we address those? Are we gonna go down the list from where council members had some discussion already and then talk about those as well? Uh how are we gonna do this? Right. [1:57:22, 1:57:42]: Mr. Clark and I I believe I talked to the you all um staff about that. There's a reduction in what the DDA wanted in this case. That's correct. There was a reduction. And um it was based on my thought process along with some comments uh from uh Mr. Clark himself who was here and he just just left not too long ago, but uh but I did to get a initial document. [1:57:42, 1:57:47]: So we gotta locate that and and make sure we put that in here. [1:57:48, 1:57:49]: Mayor Porta. Yes, Mayor. [1:57:50, 1:58:05]: I was looking to see if Kira was here from the Main Street, but the council did approve um the Historic Preservation Committee a couple of ordinances back a couple of meetings ago. So that was uh something that you all have approved. [1:58:07, 1:58:07]: Of freeze. [1:58:08, 1:58:23]: Now I do see an increase in the Main Street budget. So is that perhaps captured in the increase in the Main Street budget? No went from like what you look at page nineteen, other financing uses [1:58:23, 1:58:26]: Um transfer to S D A. [1:58:26, 1:58:28]: Linda, I believe that's where you capture it. [1:58:28, 1:58:33]: And you'll see forty five thousand there for Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority. [1:58:33, 1:58:35]: And again it's page nineteen of twenty one. [1:58:37, 1:58:37]: No. [1:58:41, 1:58:51]: So that is a reduction from the original proposal, I think it was ninety four. I know there were some conversations in regards to their legal fees and th what their cost would be, so [1:58:52, 1:58:52]: Um [1:58:54, 1:58:56]: It was presented back at forty five thousand. [1:58:57, 1:59:17]: Mayor Plotin. Yes yes, Mayor. I would like to suggest that we um speak with Ms. Bragg's and try to get some type of itemization on w what an estimate would be to put that historic pres some money in for the historic preservation committee, especially since that's gonna be very important this year um part of Main Street. [1:59:17, 1:59:18]: Great. [1:59:20, 1:59:35]: Now during the during the internal budget process, I mean you y there was uh I thought all the the staff t sat down with you, Mr. Harrison and Linda, and gave their ideas and thoughts on that. So what we're talking about now is not added in there because it didn't come up in the conversation or [1:59:36, 1:59:37]: Or what? [1:59:38, 1:59:43]: recall uh specifically hor historic preservation [1:59:43, 1:59:44]: Take a look at C. [1:59:47, 1:59:56]: Well we can certainly go back and revisit that and and double check and find out'cause I know that came about after our initial conversations with the Main Street staff. [1:59:57, 2:00:03]: But we can certainly go back and revisit with them and speak with them on their estimated um [2:00:06, 2:00:08]: Estimated budget amounts. [2:00:10, 2:00:12]: [7220.0, 7226.2]: Okay. Next item is um consideration regarding council initiative funding. [2:00:26, 2:00:32]: Um what was proposed was reducing it down to seventy five hundred, which [2:00:32, 2:00:33]: Um [2:00:33, 2:00:34]: Contemplates. [2:00:35, 2:00:40]: fifteen hundred dollars per council member. And once again that does not include [2:00:41, 2:00:42]: The mayor's position? [2:00:43, 2:00:53]: Um and the recommendation was to increase that back up to the previous amount of twenty five hundred dollars per council member. So it'd be an increase total increase of [2:00:53, 2:01:13]: Five thousand dollars. Okay. I reason I but I did that is looking for ways to uh cut back on some things on the budget. Figured that uh if you go to fifteen hundred for each one of the council initiatives there'll be five thousand dollars. I said in my uh cover letter that I wanted to put that additional five thousand dollars into the youth council, as I stated in my cover letter there. That's where that thought process [2:01:13, 2:01:33]: that came from at the time that that was written and and and done the um city the circus was still on and now since then the circus has come off uh so in that aspect but uh I'm still of the mindset uh that uh some of those items that uh council initiatives or some of the things we do are probably more or less city events uh but obviously if the council [2:01:33, 2:01:42]: Council wants to go back to twenty five hundred, we can we can vote on that and come to that agreement. But I still think it should be fifteen hundred for each council member. So be it. Comments. [2:01:44, 2:01:44]: Um [2:01:45, 2:01:51]: I had a actual concern with that one. Um because if with if we [2:01:52, 2:02:03]: decrease the amount and just say with certain counsel um because the next item that is on here um like saying do an outside additional training [2:02:05, 2:02:08]: to improve um [2:02:08, 2:02:16]: the knowledge of what we're what we're trying to do for as the region, that that funding that can be used towards that. [2:02:17, 2:02:20]: as well, because that's the council initiative. [2:02:20, 2:02:21]: Um [2:02:22, 2:02:29]: I'm just kinda concerned with that because I know you did say in the newsletter for our youth but [2:02:29, 2:02:36]: to me funding that should be a priority of funding instead of pulling from one place to make that happen. [2:02:37, 2:02:42]: So it's like um we're decreasing in some areas to make that happen. [2:02:43, 2:02:50]: And we have civic events like we just did tonight stating to the schools that this is something we're doing, but then we're [2:02:51, 2:02:52]: Pull him back. [2:02:52, 2:02:53]: funding. [2:02:53, 2:02:56]: And and I just I'm just concerned and maybe I just [2:02:57, 2:03:01]: Somebody could tell me the difference in that. So I guess that's why we're here so we can discuss it. [2:03:01, 2:03:08]: Because I I I'm just looking at if we're saying w you know that we're gonna do s certain things but then we're gonna take out [2:03:08, 2:03:12]: things that we are already doing that are real positive. [2:03:12, 2:03:32]: um with the community. Well I'm I'm looking personally looking at the things that was sponsorships and things of that nature with the school system that we did tonight, things we did last year with um Cotton Indian, um a partnership with the Henry County Education or with the Board of Education, do things with them. I'm looking at more or less as a city type of of event or cost versus that initial council [2:03:32, 2:03:52]: initiative. Basically is why I did that. And once again I'll say again, when I originally did that and put that in the uh the cover letter is that I was thinking about the youth council and trying to make sure that we had enough startup fees because of the kind of conversation we had previously about the youth council give that five additional five thousand dollars to to the youth council to get that off and run it. That's where my thought problem [2:03:52, 2:04:12]: So I guess we can say then that we're gonna still remain with the schools doing what we just did tonight. I would think we would. Okay. I I would think we would. Well tonight that's that's that's also a council that's a council decision and aspect as we go d I think as we go down the road to do certain partner with them on certain things, certain schools within the city or where once [2:04:12, 2:04:21]: Once again, where children uh tend that are from the city of Stockbridge that may attend a school that may not be in the city limits of the of the city itself. So we're supporting those those educational programs. [2:04:22, 2:04:26]: Because I'cause I guess when I was going over the budget it says that we decreased [2:04:27, 2:04:32]: the the civic events w that would that budget that would that [2:04:32, 2:04:34]: That's where that mu that funding would come from. [2:04:35, 2:04:48]: So Michael, can you because that was something that we talked about forwards that funding it changed? Yeah, so we're we're we're talking about two different items now. So the training, the civic events [2:04:48, 2:04:53]: the recognition was to reduce that by five thousand and take that five thousand and move it into [2:04:54, 2:04:57]: contract services and add the five thousand two contract services [2:04:57, 2:05:05]: Um where two thousand of that five thousand would be designated to the booster clubs and three thousand would be toward other community partners. [2:05:05, 2:05:07]: um that provide charitable services. [2:05:08, 2:05:11]: So but that's so [2:05:11, 2:05:13]: Speaking to [2:05:13, 2:05:19]: the booster clubs and those that's addressed in here, but that doesn't address the council initiative directly. Right. [2:05:20, 2:05:40]: Yes, sir, go right ahead. Uh uh first of all I wanna say b thank you for the job that you did. These are tough decisions. I mean these is there's no uh you know what you what you do you you g take here, you go there, but I agree with your thought process that said the circus is not there. You can took [2:05:40, 2:05:58]: you can put those funds back possibly in the council initiative that thought process because like you said before those dollars weren't there. And at the same time if the council chose to do those things out of their initiative funds you would be able to do that. So I kind of follow that thought process. All right, so be it. [2:05:58, 2:06:00]: Uh Mayor Putin. Yes, sir. [2:06:00, 2:06:07]: Uh I'm in agreement with uh reducing if we n uh to reduce the uh council initiatives to fifteen hundred dollars'cause I think that [2:06:08, 2:06:15]: If we have any initiatives, the one of the important things about initiative and great thing about initiative is get uh community involvement. [2:06:15, 2:06:18]: Um when we start to say, look at the budget [2:06:19, 2:06:31]: and decrease expend general expenditure so that we don't have to balance it with fund balance, then I don't think with that we take money and shift it. I think we look at monies that we can just alleviate. [2:06:31, 2:06:40]: And if we're not gonna have a circus this year, then that five thousand dollars just be removed. It it doesn't have to be shifted in general funds, it just needs to be removed because [2:06:41, 2:06:53]: Looking at this budget, we're over general fund bal general funds anyway and we're gonna have to go into fund balance anyway. So I my mindset is we're not gonna be doing those services, it's just remove the money. [2:06:53, 2:06:58]: And if we're gonna have council initiatives, then we get the community involved to make it happen. [2:06:59, 2:07:01]: Not necessarily on the taxpayers' backs. [2:07:03, 2:07:03]: Okay. [2:07:04, 2:07:05]: Comments on this side? [2:07:06, 2:07:08]: Um Mayor. Yes, Mayor. [2:07:08, 2:07:26]: In in regards to well it's twofold. Um because we've already talked about m moving money over to the contract services for the events. And I think that's uh based off of the reading of this, uh that's what it stated was moved to, um, in regards to um [2:07:27, 2:07:28]: Because of the circus and all of that. [2:07:29, 2:07:29]: Um [2:07:30, 2:07:50]: I'm okay with reducing of the fifteen hundred to fifteen hundred dollars um for council initiatives. I've also stated um in the past we've increased tremendously on council initiatives and although it's a good thing I want to see some buildings going up. I wanna see some some room. [2:07:50, 2:08:10]: Real things that we've been planning on doing um get done. And with all the events and everything that we have going on and taking place, it takes time away from the staff. So I always say I want to see a bulldozer and I want to see some tractors and I want to see some cranes. [2:08:10, 2:08:30]: I'm okay with r reducing the initiative. Um also in regards to we since we've already spoken about the events um in in regards to the five thousand dollars moved to charities and boosters, um in our press past financial finance committee meeting, we discussed at a [2:08:30, 2:08:50]: agreed that we would just have some money set aside for nonprofits and for schools. I don't really want to label it boosters get a certain amount and charities get a certain amount. I think we have partnered with and we have already made a resolution to partner in education and that's just not for high schools. [2:08:50, 2:09:01]: That's for elementary, middle and high. So I don't want to, you know, separate and say a specific fund, just have some funds available for that nonprofit category. [2:09:03, 2:09:05]: Okay. Any other questi questions? [2:09:06, 2:09:15]: Yes. Um council initiatives to me, um, when I first came, is is set aside to be involved in the community. [2:09:15, 2:09:16]: Um [2:09:16, 2:09:36]: You're we're elected to be out in the community so they can see what they elected us to do. We're here to set policies, but they also look at us being in the community doing positive things. Um we have our job fairs, uh we have different things, coffee with a cop. These are activities that the community [2:09:36, 2:09:56]: community are looking that these are ideas that we come up with um to have them involved. And and to me that's how you involve yourself with the community. They want to see us. They want us to be transparent. You know, some may do more than others, some may just [2:09:56, 2:09:58]: want to you know not do them. [2:09:58, 2:10:00]: But to me [2:10:00, 2:10:07]: it should still be an opportunity so that way we can be involved with our citizens outside of [2:10:07, 2:10:19]: you know, just certain events during the year. This is something that they're showing creativity with small businesses, um, that we can bring out bring them out so that way they can say that, okay, [2:10:19, 2:10:31]: you hear our voice. We're in the community. It's an outlet for them so that way um non profits can come out and be a part to let the residents know that they're here in our community. [2:10:32, 2:10:52]: I just feel we can do more um with that because normally I know what what I do is a lot of times it's nothing outside of the work day unless it's you know a couple hours but at the but at the same time is giving our citizens and our small businesses an opportunity to be out [2:10:53, 2:10:55]: in the community with [2:10:56, 2:10:57]: their elected officials. [2:10:58, 2:11:06]: What I think I hear is that the council is is in favor what I hear is is is is in favor of go taking the council instances to fifteen hundred. [2:11:06, 2:11:09]: And the five thousand dollars that came from the circus [2:11:10, 2:11:16]: to put that five thousand dollars into those contract services. Is is that what I understood, the majority of the council? Is that agreeable? [2:11:17, 2:11:31]: Is that what I hear? No, that's not what you hear. That's not what uh I mean I'm majority. I'm I'm looking at a majority. Uh our three is a majority here. Is that is that what I hear? Okay, let's go back let's go back to council initiative. Am I hearing council initiatives sh could be reduced, stay at uh fifteen hundred? [2:11:31, 2:11:32]: Is that what [2:11:32, 2:11:42]: Uh that's my understanding. Right now it's proposed that being reduced to fifteen hundred. So I guess the r the recommendation is to increase it back up to twenty five hundred dollars per council member. I think that's the [2:11:42, 2:11:49]: question of consideration. Okay, I thought our I thought uh through the conversation I thought these three of us were in agreement that it can go to fifteen hundred. [2:11:50, 2:11:51]: Council Misters. [2:11:52, 2:11:53]: What I thought I heard. [2:11:54, 2:11:55]: Okay. [2:11:56, 2:12:05]: At fifteen hundred. Okay, so okay, excuse me. So it does not go excuse me, it does not go to twenty five. Fine. Okay. So the five thousand from the s from the uh from the um [2:12:06, 2:12:09]: circus that we we're not gonna use. Okay, that five thousand [2:12:09, 2:12:16]: Is scheduled to go where? Mr Blount says it needs that this go on never never land, not to use it, not to touch it, if I understand that correctly, right? [2:12:16, 2:12:19]: Yeah, my understanding if we are reducing [2:12:19, 2:12:22]: services and events that [2:12:22, 2:12:27]: gonna be extra for the for the citizens anyway and those those services are reduced. [2:12:27, 2:12:47]: then it reduced the general fund that we should be looking for for the year and it shouldn't be shift, it should be alleviate and just remove the five thousand dollars. Because I agree with Councilwoman Gantt and I think I talked to you about this, Michael. I don't agree I agree that if we want to have a partnership with the schools, let's do that. [2:12:47, 2:13:07]: I don't agree with saying, Hey, we're gonna get a booster club because now see we can't be the responsible parties in order to get community involved for us forcing ourselves on on these booster clubs to say, Hey, we're gonna give booster clubs money to do what you're supposed to be doing anyway. When I deal with booster clubs, we got out in communities and we we raised [2:13:07, 2:13:08]: Mm-hmm. [2:13:09, 2:13:15]: But when I got when we partner with schools, whatever the school does, that's up to the schools if we're gonna partner with the schools. [2:13:16, 2:13:21]: But the director would say we're gonna be connected to booster clubs. I don't think that's what the citizens [2:13:21, 2:13:40]: Citizens want and if they do, then let their voices be heard on that. That's not I'm not gonna put my name on that. So on council initiatives we're saying keep that at fifteen hundred. Yes. And we we kinda jumped around. So the other question in regards to the five thousand is simply [2:13:41, 2:13:49]: Is the council agreeable to eliminating that five thousand from civic events? It sounds like the consensus is yes. [2:13:49, 2:14:00]: The second part of that question is what to do with that five thousand, either leave it off or reallocate it. But the answer to the question of reducing the current budget by five thousand, it sounds like that is [2:14:01, 2:14:03]: Agreeable with the full council? [2:14:03, 2:14:03]: [8044.9, 8046.8]: I I can have a couple of years. [2:14:07, 2:14:10]: First of all, in this entire argument [2:14:11, 2:14:14]: I'm not in favor of doing anything to reduce funding to our youth. [2:14:15, 2:14:35]: And this five thousand dollars is dedicated toward a youth program. Just because the circus was eliminated does not mean we need to eliminate the youth funding. This money was dedicated to go toward youth programs. We just decided today, I mean we just decided and I applaud you for going up to ten thousand dollars in [2:14:35, 2:14:37]: the youth council. If we take [2:14:38, 2:14:50]: and eliminate five thousand dollars. What we just did was we fail we really did not increase funding to our youth. And we continuously talk about increasing funding to our youth. [2:14:50, 2:15:10]: This five thousand dollars is in the budget. We're not uh you know eliminating it, simply does that. We're right now with the ten thousand dollars in youth uh in the youth youth council, the five thousand dollars that's additional money. If we take it and we just put it back in the fund balance which we're [2:15:10, 2:15:20]: We're already at eighty seven percent fund balance as it as it is right now. We basically we're banking money that we could allocate toward our youth. [2:15:21, 2:15:24]: I'm not I'm not in a position to say today [2:15:25, 2:15:28]: I know that there's need in this community for that money. [2:15:28, 2:15:48]: So putting it back uh into the piggy bank, knowing that we will need it uh on some services is is is what I'm in favor of and I think the city manager has recommended that we transfer the money over. It keeps the money live versus having at some point I think we've already cut nonprofit funding [2:15:48, 2:16:08]: Too far. So in the middle of the year we can be honest with ourselves now and leave the money in the budget or come June or July have to do a budget amendment. We said that we were gonna be honest and handle the budget correctly this year. Putting that money away just simply d kicks the can down the road and puts us in a position. [2:16:08, 2:16:28]: clarification the five thousand dollars that I wanted to add or did add it into the youth uh council that was that was the five thousand dollars that came for council initiatives. That was the original five thousand that you know reducing council initiative twenty one five hundred to fifteen hundred took that five thousand put it in the youth the youth council. Okay that's where that goes from. This other five thousand was it came after [2:16:28, 2:16:48]: After the fact, after everything was published, we found out the circus, that's a different five thousand. You see. So uh my c my thought then is that that five thousand is what we're trying to figure out what to do with that five that five thousand. I think the youth is still good to go since we're good to go at the youth council there was no questions that were posed in regard to the youth council at ten thousand dollars. Exactly right. So [2:16:48, 2:17:03]: So th th it's the five thousand dollars for the circus that we found out about a week or so ago after this was published and wasn't even in the p uh the equation is what we're discussing on what to do with that particular five thousand dollars, come to some mutual mutual agreement. [2:17:03, 2:17:14]: Yes, sir. It's it's that line item. Right. That line item. The first question is, is everyone amenable to amending that line item under civic events and reducing that by five thousand? [2:17:15, 2:17:17]: for the elimination of the circus [2:17:18, 2:17:36]: Unless there's something else. Well, under civic events specifically we're talking about. Well I would think I would think I would hope that that we will say yes to that and then we've got to figure out the next piece is where do we put that five thousand? Where did it go? Okay. Okay. So yes to civic events. So civic events reduces by five thousand. Okay. Now the question is where does that five thousand go? [2:17:40, 2:17:40]: So [2:17:40, 2:17:46]: The recommendation in regards to the five thousand dollars was to add it into contract services. [2:17:47, 2:17:51]: Um which is currently at nine thousand. That includes [2:17:51, 2:17:52]: Um [2:17:55, 2:17:57]: uh funds that we have for [2:17:59, 2:18:04]: animal control software that we partner with the county on, as well as other [2:18:04, 2:18:05]: Um [2:18:05, 2:18:11]: partner community partnerships that in place, but they're not designated. Okay. They've been designated. So [2:18:11, 2:18:18]: I think of the nine thousand, about three thousand that went toward the software and the remainder would be determined by the council. [2:18:18, 2:18:18]: Um [2:18:19, 2:18:22]: You know, at the council's discretion. So the recommendation [2:18:23, 2:18:27]: that was presented to um Miss Neighbors and I was [2:18:27, 2:18:28]: So [2:18:28, 2:18:32]: add five thousand dollars to contract services [2:18:32, 2:18:36]: And that would be designated two thousand to go toward booster clubs. [2:18:37, 2:18:38]: And three thousand to go towards [2:18:39, 2:18:43]: um community partnerships that provide charitable services to citizens. [2:18:43, 2:18:54]: I would s I would say my thoughts are take the five thousand dollars, put it in the contract services, but don't designate booths and cubs or or charities. Just put it in the in the contract services period. I'm okay with that with that. [2:19:01, 2:19:04]: Is that acceptable by at least the majority of the council that we do that? [2:19:05, 2:19:07]: I'm in agree with that? Okay. So we'll do that. [2:19:07, 2:19:08]: All right. [2:19:09, 2:19:11]: Thank you. And if we can jump back up. [2:19:11, 2:19:20]: One of the other items um was the training to add in the twenty five hundred for eight for uh training through Atlanta Regional Commission ARC. [2:19:21, 2:19:35]: Okay, uh pretty much so ARC okay, so we got GMA training and we have a training line for that already. So this is something over and above the GMA training line that we have in governing bodies what we're referring to. Strictly for ARC type specific training. [2:19:35, 2:19:51]: Is that what I I maybe it's been too simplistic here, but uh guys Councilwoman Bob Yes because I brought it up. Um G um GMA does the municipal training. ARC does our region, um it di it entails [2:19:52, 2:20:12]: the entire region transportation, everything that we have. Um learning for as um the economic development, if something is what I'm learning, if you don't need a certain building or certain um complex or certain things in your community, what works for Kennesaw, what works for [2:20:11, 2:20:31]: for Smarter may not work for Stockbridge. So it's it's showing the demographics of we may want something, but entails that may not be what we want what we need. So um even like now there's malls, people are ordering online and malls are basically maybe coming obsolete. [2:20:31, 2:20:35]: And that's why you see different malls. But [2:20:35, 2:20:49]: the Atlanta region shows you a more broad what is the changes that are gonna be taking place and just like we're saying with Atl you know, south of Atlanta, what's going on at the airport, different things, what's going on um [2:20:50, 2:21:10]: And the northern end, this keeps us up on what's going to be coming down south and and and we can all come in together. Um and and it also builds um relationships, um, networking. I've met a lot of people, even s a lot of things that are coming up in the near future is by being networking. [2:21:10, 2:21:15]: being at these different events. So I put that there, even though I know some that you know [2:21:15, 2:21:35]: Don't go outside of Stockbridge, but I wanted to put that there just in case. And then I was talking with Michael um that if it doesn't pass there's other avenues. So he just said put it on here, but there's other avenues that we can utilize that um if we don't do it this year, I mentioned to him it could be, you know, next year or [2:21:35, 2:21:45]: the year after but he was just saying put it on there anyway. It's nothing that is definitely needed in twenty seventeen. If the council says no, you know, for now, then we can, you know, revisit it later. [2:21:46, 2:21:48]: [8509.4, 8529.4]: I say we take it off and the only reason I say we take it off is because um in the past in twenty fourteen, maybe twenty fifteen, I've been to ARC training through our training. We have um just money allowed it for training. It's not particular that it has to be for GMA or anything or any category. I took training through ARC. [2:22:09, 2:22:25]: R C through our training account. So there's no need to add any additional or anything. I think that we utilize the training funds that we already have for whatever training we go to. And so not to, you know [2:22:25, 2:22:37]: be Kurt or anything, just we have a a line for training and it's not just for GMA, it's for all training. And I I actually took the ARC trains. [2:22:39, 2:22:59]: Well I was my thoughts are simply this. If you do twenty five hundred this was coming out of something. It was not we're not reducing anything by twenty five hundred, you just adding this twenty five Okay. Well actually I'm in agreement with Ms. Gantt here that training is training and and we have a allotment for that. And um uh uh so and that in all actuality uh there's uh beside [2:22:59, 2:23:00]: Besides the [2:23:00, 2:23:08]: The mayor coming on ne for next fiscal year, everybody else is uh is is pretty well set in some of the training. So I think uh we what we have in training should be [2:23:08, 2:23:11]: For GM training should be fine. That's my thoughts on it. Gentlemen down here? [2:23:12, 2:23:13]: I'm in agreement. Uh we'll just [2:23:13, 2:23:16]: Whatever we have a lot of for training, we use it. Okay. [2:23:17, 2:23:18]: [8598.8, 8603.2]: So on that note it seems like twenty five hundred is not gonna happen on that. Okay. So take that off. [2:23:25, 2:23:38]: All right, the next item was the ad item and put this under administration and this would be the um public information officer that was mentioned. Um the current contract the current budget [2:23:39, 2:23:41]: Um has removed that position. [2:23:41, 2:23:48]: Um and again not working I think with the with the intent of looking at trying to combine some of the services with the [2:23:49, 2:23:49]: Uh [2:23:50, 2:23:52]: Economic development slash marketing position. [2:23:53, 2:23:55]: Um this is a position that had been discussed, you know. [2:23:56, 2:23:59]: for a while amongst the council. [2:24:00, 2:24:04]: that the council wanted to uh uh what I understand the council wanted to go forward on economic director. [2:24:04, 2:24:24]: And so my thought process was, you know, well a public information officer that's another full time employee it's gonna be very costly. Once again I'm looking at cutting costs, thinking that uh that maybe the public information officer can uh I mean excuse me, the economic director can have some public information officer type of duties and responsibilities built into that job description. I look at the fact that [2:24:24, 2:24:44]: The clerk does some uh uh public information things. Uh we have uh uh Mike has a assistant that does public information things. Uh our assistant does public information things as well. Understand we want to kind of we want to eventually uh get someone in full time to do all this as we expand and grow and that's probably necessary to do that. I just [2:24:44, 2:24:48]: necessary for this upcoming fiscal year based on the fact that we would want to [2:24:48, 2:24:49]: eventually higher [2:24:50, 2:24:52]: economic director. Those are my thoughts on that. So [2:24:53, 2:24:57]: understand there's open for debate and discussion, obviously. But anyway, go right ahead. [2:24:58, 2:25:18]: Well, I I actually I think I kinda fall in line with what you just said, which is the priority should be the economic development director and that position can kinda encompass some of this. And that not to say that we're not gonna need a public information officer but maybe in steps, maybe in the following year. But I I agree with that. [2:25:18, 2:25:18]: Yeah. [2:25:19, 2:25:36]: Yes, yes, ma'am. Um for the past two years at our retreats, one of the number one things on our agenda always and out of our summary has been that we need a PR person. And every single time we [2:25:37, 2:25:44]: push it aside and push it aside and push it aside. And then we realize we need a PR person. We need that person that [2:25:45, 2:25:52]: that, you know, produces those flyers, that writes those articles, that sends out those newsletters, that responds to the media. [2:25:53, 2:26:11]: that can be a and is a full time job. Otherwise it wouldn't be n one number one and two on our list for the past two or three years at our retreats. And I think that us putting and combining jobs have we've we've come to realize that when we do that, um [2:26:12, 2:26:32]: that we we're setting that staff member or admin person up for failure. We're setting them up not to be able to do their their main focus job. Um and so economic development is totally different from you having a PR person, someone who is there to communicate and and to be out there in the forefront for us as a [2:26:32, 2:26:39]: representatives speaking and writing um things that we need. I think that's really important. Um and [2:26:39, 2:26:44]: That's I I can't s stress it enough. I mean if we've put it on the retreat [2:26:44, 2:26:52]: over and over again and we come out with these summaries and we don't do what the summaries say, then why are we doing it? [2:26:53, 2:26:59]: It's I think it's time for us to move forward with that. And I I don't think that if we combine that position [2:26:59, 2:27:14]: That's just like having a community development director who has to do planning and zoning and direct and then you want'em to do twenty different things and they can only focus on one project. We we need more staff and we need that PR, we need that P O I. [2:27:16, 2:27:17]: Thank you. Uh any comments at all? [2:27:18, 2:27:24]: Any other comments? Is this [2:27:24, 2:27:27]: These positions are operating [2:27:28, 2:27:32]: funds out of the general fund. The operations have to be paid for. [2:27:33, 2:27:41]: the things that we're doing um on the other side, uh we're doing with the economic development director is actually to generate [2:27:42, 2:27:44]: additional revenue for the city. [2:27:44, 2:27:53]: I don't think that I'm saying or anybody up here is saying that we don't need a public information officer. I think the issue is whether or not we can afford it this year. [2:27:54, 2:28:02]: versus having next year. You know, sometimes in these budgets I think Mayor Pro Tem did a great job. You gotta make tough choices. And this is a tough choice. [2:28:02, 2:28:22]: The choice is this, you know, we're gonna get to both of'em, but in this year in twenty se in in in the upcoming budget, we need revenue. The revenues in the city are not where we need'em to be at. The person that um that can help us do that is the economic development director. I think that like [2:28:22, 2:28:42]: like I suggested that we do in the um in the uh finance committee meeting is that we stage these and say okay well will we do it in twenty eighteen or will we do it in twenty nineteen and just have a comprehensive plan on when we're gonna add it. I think all of us are in agreement with the fact that we need one. But I don't want to do any [2:28:42, 2:29:00]: Anything that's gonna put us in a position of jeopardizing the economic development director which is already adding nearly a hundred thousand dollars to the budget already. So we're trying to cut. I I applaud Mayor Pro Tem for making that tough choice. I want both of them too, but can we do that? [2:29:00, 2:29:20]: Mayor Portem. Yes, Mayor. I believe we can do it and the reason why I believe we can do it is again, um you have t we have to provide the staff and administration with the proper tools in order for the city to be successful and do what they need to do, in order for us to accomplish this great branding [2:29:20, 2:29:26]: and this new mission statement and this new vision. We have to have a person in place. [2:29:27, 2:29:30]: We have to have an economic development director too. [2:29:30, 2:29:50]: We can't say in one thing, oh, we have so much money in our general funds and we can go and pull and we need to be at a certain percentage for fund balance and we do these different things. We can't say that in one breath, but yet in another not give our staff and admin team the proper amount of people. [2:29:50, 2:30:08]: in order to make this city successful. And that includes all the way around. And that's just not for events. That's for getting those buildings done. Getting that youth building up and the the the big facilities that we want and things we want for the community. And so [2:30:09, 2:30:28]: We're taking away from the people with the executive assistants. They're writing our letters and they're doing different things for us. But what about the media? What about those people, a person that specializes, who may not know any of us? Someone from the outside coming in and, you know [2:30:30, 2:30:31]: Actually [2:30:31, 2:30:42]: showing that brand that we're trying to do. I mean that's been n number one and two in our goals for a while. So I say we need both. And I think it's important that we go there and get that. [2:30:43, 2:31:03]: All right. Um so on that note I'm thinking and this need to get a nod if we're not taking an official vote here, I'm thinking that uh the public information officer still remains out. We only go to economic director and the p economic director would have some of those that's my understanding. But I will uh I'm in favor of that obviously. Okay. I know you're and and if and if I could I okay. [2:31:03, 2:31:03]: I would say [2:31:04, 2:31:09]: You know, Ms. Gann and Mr. Alexander, uh you again both very compelling arguments. [2:31:10, 2:31:20]: I I I agree. I mean I I it was added in, I certainly think from a staff standpoint, um it is needed now, based on I think the creation and the [2:31:21, 2:31:29]: the the thought of the position was based on the events that we are currently doing, some of the things we're currently doing. Again, it's it's I've said it before and I I'll I'll I'll [2:31:30, 2:31:47]: continue to say it, you know, this is a very aggressive council that wants to do a number of things and a big part of that is is getting the word out, being able to disseminate information to folks. We talked about that tonight in regards to the um um water rates. Um so that's uh I I think again, I think the duties [2:31:48, 2:31:50]: are needed today. I would [2:31:50, 2:32:10]: to your point, recommend, you know, first getting the economic development person and then that person'cause again that w I think the way it's envisioned is that PIO would kind of serve under that um economic development slash marketing person. So I think from a sequencing s standpoint I think it would be first that person and then that person would have um [2:32:10, 2:32:16]: um a lot of a lot of in input and insight on the selection of the PIO person, but [2:32:17, 2:32:24]: I certainly again from a staff standpoint I'm gonna think the my recommendation is to budget it for this year. While I may uh while I don't think it would be [2:32:25, 2:32:39]: Because depending on when it gets filled, obviously maybe some cost savings there, but um certainly m my recommendation would be to the budget for it this year and then you know begin sequence it after the economic development positions fill. [2:32:40, 2:32:41]: All right. Yes, sir, go right ahead. [2:32:41, 2:32:48]: Um I'm in agreement with what we because we just approved to have uh um the Brandon uh [2:32:48, 2:32:56]: uh fixed for the city of Stockbridge. So when we started to take positions like economic development director [2:32:56, 2:32:59]: And we start to put cross duties on that person. [2:32:59, 2:33:07]: That's one of the problems we've had here in the cities, putting duties on people that couldn't be efficient in those duties because they had other duties to do. [2:33:08, 2:33:14]: Uh one of the things we probably need to make clear is where we're starting from with the general funds and where those money's gonna come from. [2:33:15, 2:33:17]: And because we I'm look we're looking at uh [2:33:17, 2:33:23]: over ten thousand dollars in the budget, but we don't have over ten thousand dollars when it comes to general funds. [2:33:25, 2:33:41]: Ten million? Oh I'm sorry, ten million dollars. I'm sorry. Okay, I'm looking for the other. We don't have over ten million dollars when it comes to general funds. So we have to educate the citizens of where we're starting from with these positions. So we're starting from a place where we gotta pull now anyway. Correct. [2:33:41, 2:33:45]: So we have to make sure that when we put these positions in place [2:33:45, 2:34:01]: that we don't have the residual of general fund that we have to pull from here then in order to make it work. We can't balance the budget with fund balance. That's just not economically sound. I I I wholeheartedly agree. And I think, you know, a lot of that is in [2:34:02, 2:34:10]: while it's not directly shown on here, a lot of that is contemplated based on um land acquisitions. Um rather than [2:34:11, 2:34:17]: listed in on the budget and designating it up front, an option that the for the council to consider would be to [2:34:18, 2:34:26]: pull it off, however, with the understanding that if the council has continued to pursue acquiring parcels as needed based on [2:34:26, 2:34:27]: or um downtown development. [2:34:28, 2:34:46]: when it's time to make those purchases then you know that you have fund balance available to do just that. But uh I I agree to your point. This becomes misleading to the public because we're looking at general funds. And when we talk about land acquisitions well which we can bring from fund balance one time expenditures [2:34:47, 2:34:57]: Uh it's it's it's not in it's not educating the public well to show over ten million dollars in general fund when we show those land acquisitions. [2:34:57, 2:35:17]: We show those money is not going to be for land acquisition and so all the the public see is that we got over ten million dollars and we're not getting that through the general fund. So where the money is gonna come from when they don't understand that we can have one time expenditures out of fund balance for what we wanna do for the citizens, but we have to be cautious in areas of [2:35:17, 2:35:32]: residual funding, uh yearly funding for pri uh for positions uh like a PTO or economic development director that would come from the general fund in itself. So we have to make sure that we [2:35:33, 2:35:34]: are able to [2:35:35, 2:35:41]: this like I said, decrease where there's areas to decrease because we do have something for the youth coming up. We do have a [2:35:42, 2:35:58]: uh building over here that uh we're gonna tear down and and and build it up that it's gonna be viable to the communities. We have a lot of projects that we have spLos funds for that's gonna be via for the viable for the youth that we can bring to fruition if we stay focused on what we need to [2:35:59, 2:36:01]: Be doing and qu and and reduce the [2:36:02, 2:36:08]: reduce some of the spending that we're doing in the fund balance. I'm saying the general fund. Right. We have to reduce our spending. [2:36:09, 2:36:12]: in some areas and and and make sure that we [2:36:13, 2:36:16]: uh taking care of projects and getting people in place [2:36:16, 2:36:24]: But we have to be mindful that we have a treasurer that's telling us one thing and we have a council that's ready to focus on others. So we have to be careful in those areas. [2:36:26, 2:36:27]: Uh another comment on this thing. [2:36:28, 2:36:48]: So right now I I don't know if there's a convincing argument to change that. Right now the public information officer is still not in and uh I don't think there is a okay, she's not in, no. And okay, so I I think it remains the same. Public information officer is not in at this time and um and that economic director's gonna get some other taskings when they get in here. [2:36:49, 2:36:49]: All right. [2:36:50, 2:36:57]: All right, moving forward, printed and binding, recommendation to increase that by four hundred dollars. Um [2:36:58, 2:36:59]: Yeah we [2:36:59, 2:37:06]: We can do that. It's probably needed. I mean [2:37:06, 2:37:08]: Uh is this I'm sorry, go ahead. Okay. [2:37:09, 2:37:10]: I'll desk. [2:37:11, 2:37:19]: Last year they had twelve twelve hundred dollars and so this year they dropped it down to one hundred. [2:37:20, 2:37:39]: I mean for twenty seventeen but so far this year twenty sixteen they've used five hundred and eighty one dollars. So that's why I said that it we should just increase it back up to a thousand dollars. Well, to increase it um four hundred dollars so that way they can have that instead of a hundred dollars. [2:37:41, 2:37:46]: Okay, I know they've they've they've gotten they don't have as quite as much business going on, uh, but um [2:37:49, 2:37:50]: Nine. [2:37:51, 2:38:01]: Yeah, and and and I'll say, you know, when we again when we met with the court staff, this is their recommendations based on, you know, what they were anticipating, but um [2:38:02, 2:38:05]: That's sort of the council's discretion. [2:38:05, 2:38:21]: Okay. It makes a difference to me because we shouldn't increase any monies to the courts right now. We we're losing over a million dollars because of uh pertaining to the courts right now, so why would we increase and we're even reducing staff to the courts? The courts are [2:38:21, 2:38:27]: Th the the l what we are doing with the courts is decreasing, so why will we increase [2:38:27, 2:38:28]: any monies to the court. [2:38:32, 2:38:32]: Okay. [2:38:34, 2:38:35]: Any thoughts on this air? [2:38:36, 2:38:39]: Has the courts asked for any increase? [2:38:39, 2:38:45]: No, the one hundred was there based on their recommendations. Okay, well I'll go with whatever the court asked for. [2:38:49, 2:38:50]: Okay. [2:38:50, 2:38:53]: You say this was re re requested? [2:38:55, 2:38:56]: What have you requested? [2:39:00, 2:39:04]: Um I haven't looked at it. I I tell you what. [2:39:04, 2:39:10]: Because John asked y last year their budget was twelve hundred dollars. [2:39:11, 2:39:15]: Now they've saying that they just need a hundred dollars. [2:39:15, 2:39:34]: for twenty seventeen. So far Michael said they've used five hundred and eighty one dollars. So when stating that so that way we wouldn't they wouldn't have to come back again to us then to go ahead and just increase it by four hundred dollars to where it'll be five hundred dollars in there for them. Okay. [2:39:34, 2:39:41]: Because they've already used five hundred and eighty one dollars so far this year. And that was the conversation. [2:39:42, 2:39:45]: And they've been operating a reduction all year long anyway, right? [2:39:45, 2:39:57]: Basic they've been operating a and r uh reduced staff and and and'cause that that took a the county took took that extra c revenue from us at the end of last year. Yeah, the staff will be reduced beginning next year. [2:39:58, 2:40:01]: That's already so the budget contemplates a reduction in the staff. [2:40:01, 2:40:03]: So this year to date [2:40:04, 2:40:05]: Um [2:40:06, 2:40:11]: Yeah, I think right now they are at binding, six hundred and eighteen dollars spent so far today. [2:40:13, 2:40:13]: Okay. [2:40:14, 2:40:17]: Okay, so you're saying there is reduction in staff? [2:40:19, 2:40:24]: Yes. Okay, that wasn't stated, so I mean I would go with the hundred dollars. [2:40:24, 2:40:34]: Yeah well the the the current budget contemplates a reduction in the staff and that's I think we shared that conversation with the um council that we're gonna reduce the staff by one person. [2:40:35, 2:40:36]: Okay, one person. [2:40:38, 2:40:47]: All right. But you're still in favor th they suggested one hundred dollars, you're in favor. Okay, and you well okay, so it doesn't get increased then. It sta it's it remains the same. It doesn't get increased. [2:40:48, 2:40:48]: Take it up. [2:40:51, 2:40:51]: All right. [2:40:54, 2:40:55]: Park police. [2:40:57, 2:40:59]: recommendation to reduce [2:41:00, 2:41:08]: Well, police in general recommendation to reduce that by fifty thousand and that would be for the elimination of the [2:41:08, 2:41:10]: Park patrols. [2:41:10, 2:41:30]: Yeah go ahead. I got some book waiting. I'm just gonna say this and I think I've registered but I don't wanna do that. I what I wanna do is if we do anything, I don't want to increase as public safety chair, I don't want to do anything to decrease uh public safety funding. What I would like to do is possibly look at uh reassigning those of [2:41:30, 2:41:40]: offices so they're not just stuck to park duty that they monitor the parks as well as the rest of the city. I I just think right at this point that [2:41:40, 2:41:51]: that is an area that we just n not don't do not need to dwell in at all with uh some of the incidents that we've seen here lately with things going on and [2:41:51, 2:42:05]: break ins and windows getting smashed at different locations. Um I just I just wanna s I uh if I take five cents out of there, I don't want to take nothing out of that line item. Well the thought was [2:42:05, 2:42:11]: And i i i was that, you know, to use utilize again park rangers or another [2:42:11, 2:42:15]: another agency in lieu of [2:42:15, 2:42:18]: Um the thought being that there could be some dish some some [2:42:19, 2:42:21]: cost savings from there. So that was the [2:42:21, 2:42:41]: nature of the conversation I believe. Well I would think this that um first of all park rangers and security force is totally out based on the feedback from the community several months or so ago when we look talked about a security force. I think that's totally out. The other thing is is that we need to uh also we'll also eventually get the here shortly maybe next month [2:42:41, 2:43:01]: or two months max probably the report from Carl Instant uh uh Carl Vincent Institute in reference to the police force and then we'll have to uh d start going down those particular measures and have that debate and get things ready for our own city of police department. So uh reduction, reducing anything, I'm not in favor of that at all. And and we just mean have maybe have clarity about [2:43:01, 2:43:12]: about the Henry County police and the time being of how they patrol uh the streets and make sure that they whatever we gotta do extra to get them into the parks as he's indicated and things of this nature. [2:43:12, 2:43:16]: I mean and uh whether it's at the trailheads our parks or whatever. [2:43:16, 2:43:36]: And and then of course we'll we'll revamp all this once we get once again the report back from Carl Ins of Carl Vincent Institute about the uh police force and my hope is you know I've been outspoken about this, is you know the the Board of Commissioners are about to change. Fi half of the board is about to change. Um so certainly at the beginning of the year [2:43:36, 2:43:56]: I think it it merits having a conversation with them in regards to what we feel is in the best interest of both sides. Um i i if even on an interim basis until such time, depending on what the council's desire is regarding the fully staffed police force, how that would look, you know, but certainly that can involve some coordination with with Henry County PD. [2:43:56, 2:44:09]: So I I think certainly beginning of the first first part of the year I think it'd be prudent to sit down with with um the folks there at the county and look at other options to help supplement what we currently have in place. [2:44:10, 2:44:20]: All right. I I th yeah, yeah, I I think we're Mrs. Right. All right. I'm sorry. Yeah, you got something, sir. [2:44:21, 2:44:22]: I mean uh [2:44:22, 2:44:26]: I d I don't I'm not uh in favor of using Float Rangers, but if we [2:44:26, 2:44:32]: hire another code enforcement officer that's gonna be out on the street, this covers uh salary plus benefits. [2:44:34, 2:44:35]: Maybe a thought to look at. [2:44:36, 2:44:41]: Uh that'd be with benefits that'd be tough to get it under that number. [2:44:42, 2:44:45]: Well if you're looking at uh the base salary for colon fourth is offers a [2:44:46, 2:44:46]: Well [2:44:46, 2:44:51]: Plus about uh seventeen uh fourteen to seventeen thousand dollars of benefits which each employee gets. [2:44:52, 2:44:53]: You're looking at this amount anyway. [2:44:54, 2:44:55]: Pretty close to [2:44:56, 2:45:00]: It it's something that's you know, we can that's a consideration the council wants to make, we certainly can. [2:45:01, 2:45:03]: Mayor Pretin. [2:45:04, 2:45:06]: Is this the city's recommendation? [2:45:07, 2:45:13]: that we do this or is it a council members recommendation that we reduce the entire amount of the fifty thousand and lose? [2:45:14, 2:45:17]: Everything on this list were recommendations from council members. [2:45:17, 2:45:18]: Okay. [2:45:18, 2:45:38]: From a council member. Don't say council member. From a council member. From various council members. There we go. Okay. I'm confused. I didn't know if council member made that recommendation. Made that recommendation. You did, I'm sorry. She said she didn't read it so you all know because we were saying we thousands and [2:45:38, 2:45:50]: And a lot of times if you're saying parts and we get parts. Parks. A lot of times these officers are not getting out walking the parts. [2:45:50, 2:46:01]: or you just park there. So just like other local cities they have park rangers. They're on bicycles or whatever those things you can sit. [2:46:02, 2:46:15]: Segways. Segways. Segways. But they're in the parks. They're won't move it throughout the parks. With these officers we're paying them and if you look at it, it's park police. [2:46:15, 2:46:20]: So that's why I said when we're doing it, the wording has to be differently. [2:46:20, 2:46:40]: But there are park rangers in other cities, numerous cities, um, and they're actually getting out. Our officers are just being parking, sitting in their car. They're not getting out walking. Yes. That's that's the reason why. Right. So we need to have the discussion. Okay. Well that that that's very um thank you for [2:46:40, 2:47:00]: I did not know that. But the the bottom line is what I I I said to the city manager is that to change the designation of these officers because they're per post certified. We've already went down that line of I think Mayor Pro Tem alluded to the public has completely rejected that. So I don't think we want to revisit [2:46:59, 2:47:19]: that but at the same time reassigning these officers to patrol the streets, not just having them designated as park because like you said, they're probably not doing as efficient job. But if they're patrolling North Henry Boulevard and they stop somebody's window from being smashed uh at a shopping center, that would be a plus. [2:47:19, 2:47:20]: Yeah. [2:47:23, 2:47:35]: All right. Well I think we got a consensus we're taking this item off. So moving on to public works, it was a recommendation to reduce overtime by fifty percent from twenty thousand to ten thousand. [2:47:35, 2:47:43]: Um again I think the emphasis of a lot of this was because you know, and again I think it's it should be noted that [2:47:44, 2:48:04]: i th the the sometimes people have a misconception that just because someone has an amount in their budget that they're gonna go scurry about and just try to spend whatever they have. And that has not been the case. I mean y you know our our our staff has really done a tremendous job. You know, we started implementing austerity cuts that we had to two years ago because of the dire stress that we were in [2:48:03, 2:48:04]: [10084.7, 10094.8]: you know, th the the staff members, public works in particular, was very amenable to it and they I mean they did what they could to make sure that we they weren't that they that they were [2:48:15, 2:48:28]: being mindful of the austerity cuts that we're trying to put in place. Just because there was a budget in the month didn't mean they were going out there and just willy nilly going out and assigning people the overtime. And they haven't they've been very mindful, they've been very good about it. It certainly um while we haven't [2:48:29, 2:48:49]: gotten to that point of um utilizing twenty thousand over the last few years. They've done very good about it. I I I would certainly say a a re a a a reduction I think um fifty percent reduction is a is a bit much because you know there are inevitabilities that occur that can come up that we you know sometimes you just cannot plan for you know [2:48:49, 2:48:51]: quite frankly. So I think certainly having [2:48:51, 2:48:56]: uh conservative amount in there I think is important as well. [2:48:56, 2:48:58]: I'm sorry. And um [2:48:59, 2:49:03]: So m these are suggestions from council members. [2:49:03, 2:49:11]: I didn't make any of these suggestions. I'm just gonna let it be known. But one of my biggest concerns is [2:49:11, 2:49:31]: the things that we're discussing here are not big ticket items. I mean we you're over here talking about four hundred dollars for printing and binding and increasing and decreasing, these are things that we can have discussions on and we've had a finite we have two finance committee meetings. We've had different things and I respect for everyone's time in council [2:49:31, 2:49:37]: Well uh no offense and I know we can we we're still gonna go through these line items, but [2:49:38, 2:49:58]: you know, there's a reason why the history showed what is shown in the past. We have here since twenty thirteen and you can look at each line item and see what was used and what was not used and you're supposed to have cushions there. You don't want to go over budget. Um so I recommend that we leave things the same and [2:49:58, 2:50:10]: And I think we should look at some of the big ticket items. And and that's why the POI and the the you know, D DA and the historic preservation and those things are things I brought up. Um [2:50:11, 2:50:29]: are things that are items that help us to function for the city. And we really need to consider those. These things we've taken almost an hour to discuss are small line items compared to the big bill items that we really have to deal with in order to make the city function. Mayor Pro Tem Yes ma'am, go ahead. Um [2:50:30, 2:50:30]: Mm. [2:50:31, 2:50:37]: I wanna say this, that we all had the opportunity to come in and discuss each line item. [2:50:38, 2:50:56]: um outside of the finance committee because they're at during that time, if you're not on the committee, you didn't get the opportunity to actually discuss. So this was an opportunity to discuss. Um I actually asked um our foun finance [2:50:56, 2:51:04]: um Linda neighbors and Michael to pull a detailed report so that way I'll have a understanding of the revenue. [2:51:05, 2:51:09]: um and also um the ex revenue and expenses. [2:51:10, 2:51:12]: And which no one actually asked for that. [2:51:13, 2:51:22]: So some of these items that are on there it will clearly show and I'll give this to um for public record that some things [2:51:23, 2:51:27]: we're still not being good stewards over over the spending. [2:51:27, 2:51:47]: 'Cause even with the overtime, just like other cities, and please I want our public works and anyone that is working to understand, they're doing a great job. But at the same time we as council and we can actually be better stewards because if they come in on a weekend, they can be all [2:51:47, 2:52:07]: during the week. That is what other cities are doing. That is what basically the reason why I brought this. So I want everybody to be clear, it's nothing to nitpick, it's basically because I'm looking at the itemized detail on different spending. And once we get to the others, this will be for public records as well. [2:52:07, 2:52:27]: So that's why I ask and you know for it to be on there and we can have the discussion. If council says we don't need to change it, we don't need to change it. But this is the opportunity for me to be able to speak on what I learned and sat down for two hours because that's what each one of us had the opportunity. [2:52:27, 2:52:35]: [10355.4, 10375.4]: This is once again, this is um uh the opportun opportunity for any council member collectively to sit down with Mr Harrison, Alinda Neighbors to talk out the particular concerns of this budget that was submitted by me. Okay? Now so I mentioned earlier that we'll go down this list in honor or respect of those council members that came forward with that data and then we will go down [2:52:55, 2:53:15]: Yes, Mayor Portem McClane. Um in regards to the Finance Committee meeting, everyone, including yourself, on every single issue in my item had an opportunity to do that. [2:53:15, 2:53:16]: Yeah. [2:53:16, 2:53:36]: on everything. Um the committee members spoke first and then I went around the entire room to include citizens and ask their input as well as yourself and Mr. and Councilman Alexander. However, what I'm saying here is and and I I respect that we I know we are almost done with this. [2:53:36, 2:53:39]: So we can continue on but [2:53:39, 2:53:59]: I thought these were some I I kept looking at the numbers compared to the the big ticket items that we're doing and we're spending an hour and we're we're discussing four hundred dollars here and there and where the circus is gonna be moved to or what's gonna happen with this. And so those were my concerns because those the [2:53:59, 2:54:19]: the staff, the the main key ticket items and uh are things that I thought we should really be concerned on. And I I totally respect your opinion, Councilman Robinson. I was just asking once I found out that these are all the opinions or suggestions from council members, I was asking [2:54:19, 2:54:25]: P you know, we're going line item by line item on some very specific um [2:54:26, 2:54:46]: topics and that's that's just all. But I I get your point. I would think it needs to remain at twenty thousand and and then uh hopefully we'll be good stewards of that and we won't even get close to it. Yeah yeah and I do want to say y you know and and again [2:54:47, 2:54:52]: Councilman Robinson and I we we did have this conversation. Um you know, and just for the public's edification, there [2:54:53, 2:55:01]: This past year they've spent about five thousand in overtime, which is not a big number, so there is some of that. [2:55:01, 2:55:02]: Um [2:55:02, 2:55:22]: shifting of time as much as possible but and again I've said this before we we do operate a very lean staff. So based on especially during the summer months there's not a lot of leeway to be able to have people out because everyone that we have quite frankly is critical. I mean every everyone everyone works. You know, our foreman work, our superintendents they work, they're all working folks so [2:55:22, 2:55:41]: So um so it becomes a challenge if we have a lot of overtime to have a lot of people out. It's right during the summer people are on vacation, so you can't it's tough to to stagger that, but they have. I think they've done an exceptional job in keeping those overtime hours down. Um with a budget of over two million dollars, two point two million dollars, they [2:55:41, 2:55:43]: Again, they they're [2:55:44, 2:55:53]: their overtime costs were just right just slightly over five thousand dollars, which is a s a small, small, minuscule percentage overall of the of the budget. So [2:55:53, 2:55:54]: Um [2:55:54, 2:55:56]: So again it's not a case where [2:55:57, 2:56:01]: I again i inevitabilities, emergency situations that may occur. [2:56:01, 2:56:05]: You know, we do you know, we're we're not talking about today, we're talking about solely um [2:56:06, 2:56:25]: um general fund, but in our enterprise funds and our water and our wastewater, again there's overtime in there as well and those guys use it. I mean I I I you know just the other night we had the a water line break over on Rockway Road. They're there at the they're there at by eight, nine o'clock that night. I mean so those are just some of the inevitabilities that occur throughout the course of a year. [2:56:26, 2:56:28]: Mayor Protein. Yes, Mayor. [2:56:30, 2:56:42]: Okay, I wanna go back because I wanna make sure that when we're saying overtime that was more so just not with the water and all of that. Right, just that was city events that I was talking about. [2:56:42, 2:56:44]: Because that's where I [2:56:45, 2:56:48]: calculated the four thousand is it doesn't include [2:56:49, 2:56:55]: the wastewater and all of that. I'm saying that's this city events. [2:56:55, 2:57:11]: So please let so we understand I'm not saying wastewater to let them come in another day. I'm this was particularly for city events. Okay. No. But there were some under city events as [2:57:12, 2:57:17]: y you know, and and and how we structure and how we do city events going forward certainly [2:57:17, 2:57:20]: Uh you know, food truck is a perfect example. [2:57:20, 2:57:25]: Great event. It was an outstand you know, but that was something that was not budgeted. [2:57:25, 2:57:44]: And those first couple of weeks we needed a lot of boots on the ground. We needed to have a lot of people. So the vast majority, I think I did some calculations at one point, I think eighty percent of all the overtime that was that was logged towards events was in the first few weeks. Just as'cause we're just trying to figure out what to do. In the last [2:57:44, 2:57:46]: Month and a half, two months, I don't think there was any. [2:57:47, 2:57:50]: Right. Because they c you know, at that point we'd headed down to a science. [2:57:50, 2:57:59]: Right. So and that's why even like you're saying with the city events, I have here eight thousand six hundred and seventy four dollars and fifty cents. [2:57:59, 2:58:19]: So with the changes that we're decreasing the time frame that sh that will change. But I'm just saying that's what we did this year. So when we go in in twenty seventeen we can be mindful of okay, do we need to have all this every you know, every week or whatever? That'll give us a better outlook on what we did [2:58:19, 2:58:21]: prior year not to do the next year. [2:58:22, 2:58:25]: Yeah, and I think it's mindful that, you know, for the events in particular of [2:58:26, 2:58:45]: You know, the more advanced notes we have, the better we're able to plan for them and so we should be able to do just that, eliminate a lot of those expenses again, because the vast majority of those just in those first few weeks. Um but for the line item as related to public works, again they've done they've done a a really exceptional job of keeping it low. So it sounds like at this point [2:58:45, 2:58:48]: We've got a whole pad at where it is. If if that's [2:58:48, 2:59:04]: Uh moving on, next item under public works. Um it was a request to add thirty thousand dollars towards um landscaping enhancements at our interchange, at two of our interchanges, one at State Route 138, [2:59:04, 2:59:07]: Um and also at Hudson Bridge Road. [2:59:09, 2:59:12]: Yeah. [2:59:13, 2:59:15]: Leave it, I think. [2:59:15, 2:59:16]: No. [2:59:16, 2:59:18]: Not to reduce it. Not to reduce it. [2:59:19, 2:59:20]: Right. Correct. Correct. [2:59:21, 2:59:31]: You're welcome. You want to talk about the last game, sir? Yes, this was something that I uh suggested. Uh we have a a new public works um director that we'll be starting. [2:59:32, 2:59:40]: The gentleman has had extensive experience uh working with GDOT and maintaining um the expressway exits. [2:59:40, 2:59:49]: There's nothing that quite drives uh sales tax revenue uh uh i uh in our city like those interchanges. [2:59:50, 3:00:10]: Uh the one things that w the things that we could do is to have our exits be the exits or the stopping points in South Metro Atlanta. You know, you go up to Ginnett County, you go up to Carr County, you see these beautifully manicured, um attractive looking exits, it makes you want to stop. [3:00:09, 3:00:10]: [10811.1, 10831.1]: Versus you come to our our exit sometimes they have trash along them, the grass is not cut and maintained. We want to be again just like that vision statement says, superior in everything that we do. We know that uh as as um travelers come down the I seventy five corridor. [3:00:31, 3:00:51]: They're paying attention to how your expressway excess looks or your interchanges look. And we want to be the very best at that. We have the new Fairfield Inn coming at Highway 138. We have a new bet uh new hotel coming there, another office space. We want to change. [3:00:51, 3:01:11]: Change around that 138 interchange to uh because of the stigma that is associated with it, and have it be best in class. We're financing a guidelines and overlay study for that particular area. Also, on the Eagles Landing interchange, the Eagle Eagles [3:01:10, 3:01:30]: Landing Community Association does a outstanding job of maintaining their side of Exit two twenty four. We owe it to those citizens who are come who go in their own pockets to take care of their area to make sure that that Hudson Bridge interchange is maintained in a superior fashion as well. [3:01:30, 3:01:50]: Not just having a grass cut, but a actually maybe adding some beautification there and then in a step phase, maybe twenty seventeen add something, twenty eighteen add something, to just make that exit stand out. I mean adding lighting some points, there'll be lighting grants available. But we have to put skin in the game to show the [3:01:50, 3:02:10]: State and the county that we're interested in improving uh those interchanges so they are very attractive. We know that we don't have a city tax here and the only way that we can increase revenue is to increase sales tax revenue. The Fairfield Inn, which is probably now the best will be when it's open. [3:02:10, 3:02:30]: in January the best hotel probably south of I twenty. It would that's what it will be. And if we want people to stay there, they can't pull off that intersection and see trash all along it and the grass unkept and unmaintained. So we gotta step to the plate and make sure that we do the right thing there. And that's what that is for. [3:02:30, 3:02:38]: or in addition to adding maybe some tre uh small shrubbery and trees in the Hudson Bridge exit and some planting there as well. [3:02:40, 3:02:41]: Got a question for you though. [3:02:42, 3:03:01]: And this is one of those things that will be a one time cost that we discuss as pulling this money um, you know, from an area because it's a one time um cost and then it will be maintained by the city staff as we get it to how we want it to be. [3:03:01, 3:03:21]: Yeah, I'm sorry. I thought the one thirty eight that would be a C I D issue that Well the C I D issue is pretty much uh it's gonna be a a little bit longer term, long term, because at this point we we would have to introduce that legislation, get it to the state legislature, have them pass it and then for us to act upon it. But at this [3:03:21, 3:03:41]: point we haven't even engaged the business owners in order to even do that, so not much very much has been done on that. Ideally it would be great once we got everything established to have a CID in a cooperation with Henry County and Clayton County to uh actually maintain it. That would be the best case scenario. But [3:03:41, 3:03:55]: In the meantime, uh we have to do something in order to do that. I've heard that from citizens so many times that uh you know they want to see something done about Highway one hundred thirty eight. We we we're we're putting funding there here. [3:03:56, 3:04:03]: How do you propose that's a one time charge if you once you establish the landscape it would have to be maintained weekly or bi weekly at the minimum? [3:04:04, 3:04:24]: Well when I say a one time charge I mean the cost for adding the beautification items. Of course we'll have to maintain those items and sort of right now we already have a contractor that maintains the median uh on the Hudson Bridge and uh we would obviously have to partner with the county in order to maintain the highway. [3:04:24, 3:04:44]: We're cutting that. Okay, we're cutting the middle. Mayor Purton. Yes, ma'am, go ahead, please. Um Councilman Alexander, I agree that we need some type of beautification on one hundred thirty eight and then our gateways. I think that is important. [3:04:44, 3:04:45]: Um [3:04:45, 3:05:05]: I also think that once our new public works director is on board he can tell us a little bit more about what we should get, you know, whether it's l something low maintenance and you know, g when you do plants and shrubberies you have to replant and I mean I see it in my neighborhood in Monarch Village. I know [3:05:05, 3:05:25]: they're doing things all the time. So it's not just a one time cost. But then I also want us to look at other revenues um other avenues in getting that beautification done as well. Are we gonna do the um some kind of monument thing or some some name? I mean just allocating thirty thousand [3:05:25, 3:05:30]: thousand dollars and not knowing what we're gonna do, um, you know [3:05:31, 3:05:51]: I would prefer to get the opinion of our new public works director, number one. And number two, you know, d can we use community development block grant? Can we use some other type of funds? Can what can we do at this point in time? I'm not against it. I'm just saying and I and I understand you putting it out there [3:05:51, 3:06:02]: I don't know if I can just say yay or nay tonight. I w want more information on what the actual cost will look like and what ideas do we have to make that look look even better. I mean [3:06:03, 3:06:11]: Yeah, it won't take much to make it look better. But to t what ideas are there out there basically in a price range point? Well I I w I think we [3:06:12, 3:06:13]: Um [3:06:13, 3:06:26]: drawn upon some expertise. And m m Mr City Manager, could you talk about that a little bit and our what we talked about um in our meeting about uh exact and I and then at the same time we [3:06:26, 3:06:28]: When that new [3:06:28, 3:06:48]: public works director comes on board if there's no money set aside to do these things he can't do them. I'm not saying I don't want to draw out the plan that says plant A is gonna be here, plant B is going to be here, even if the funding is not used in um in in twenty seventeen. [3:06:48, 3:07:08]: I want to have that money allocated on the table and then have the stakeholders, the businesses, as well as our new public works director engage in the process of deciding exactly what to do. Like I said, the reason that I voted for this individual was that he had previous experience in doing [3:07:08, 3:07:13]: [11234.1, 11239.5]: Yeah, and in in in based on the conversation with um Councilman Alexander and I, I mean it was [3:07:20, 3:07:32]: Um it was broad. It wasn't anything specific as far as I want this in particular but we kinda went back and forth on the numbers and um the the thought being, you know, bring it down some from what was initially discussed. [3:07:32, 3:07:42]: to start something, to start somewhere, do we something something at you know, the the the big media net and Hudson Bridge. There's really nothing there, it's more dirt than anything else. So actually [3:07:43, 3:08:03]: you know, get some plannings in there and look at what the cost would be, put something uh even if we're starting relatively small, but have something started. Again it wasn't e it wasn't it wasn't planned out and detailed out as far as what it would be, but said let's allocate some funding if the council's agreeable and then from there as long as we knew what the we have an amount and then we can kinda plan to the [3:08:03, 3:08:04]: [11285.0, 11296.8]: We're looking at putting out our landscape bid later on, try to get it out before the end of the year, and say, Hey, l here's how much we have, what can you do and get proposals based on a set amount. So I think that was the kind of the mindset. [3:08:17, 3:08:19]: What's that current landscaping them out? [3:08:20, 3:08:24]: Uh I think we're right at ninety thousand. [3:08:25, 3:08:29]: Is that right? I'm getting a thumbs up, Bob Park hundred thousand. [3:08:30, 3:08:31]: Yeah. [3:08:31, 3:08:51]: So otherwise, uh say we approve this. I was gonna say where's where's the money coming from or or otherwise if we approve this you said it can't put potentially go into the landscape contract bid. Is that what you're getting at? Yeah, I think you know when you when you designate your as we go through the bid process we would you know, this is an area we could designate [3:08:51, 3:09:11]: Um we have X amount. We need proposals on what it would take to what could you do for this amount of money. This is what we had set aside. Um we've done a few others that way. But right now we do we have about again a hundred about a hundred thousand for landscaping in general and that's for Yangan City Hall, the courts, Merrill Manders. Um [3:09:11, 3:09:15]: Some of our main street areas as well, some of the designated areas. [3:09:15, 3:09:16]: How much have we spent? [3:09:16, 3:09:17]: Thus far. [3:09:19, 3:09:21]: Um I think we're gonna get about every bit of that. [3:09:21, 3:09:26]: 'Cause we actually added some to it this year, so I think we're gonna be every bit of spending a hundred thousand. [3:09:27, 3:09:37]: And then we added like a forty thousand dollar budget amendment earlier this year too, correct? Right. I'm I'm saying with the amended amount, that's about where we are right now, about ninety um [3:09:40, 3:09:40]: And [3:09:49, 3:10:01]: And you did say we are still gonna be looking to um change so that way we can get more um bang for our buck. So that's certainly our hope. Yeah for you. Yes, sir. [3:10:02, 3:10:22]: Well if if if this is gonna be one a one time pool and we don't actually know how that's gonna look because we have a the uh new uh public works director's hasn't gotten in place and uh sat down with us to tell us how is how that's gonna look and what he's gonna need to staff it and how that residual is gonna look per year pulling from the general fund. [3:10:22, 3:10:28]: Then I my suggestion is we wait on wait on him to come in and show us what we need to do since it won't be pulled from [3:10:28, 3:10:31]: general funds anyway, we're looking at pulling it from uh [3:10:31, 3:10:34]: From balance one time for the planning, but we need to know what we're [3:10:35, 3:10:39]: putting his money up for for his uh residual work that needs to be done in the area. [3:10:40, 3:10:41]: We uh I just don't like [3:10:42, 3:10:45]: I'm I just don't like going the blind or something like that. [3:10:46, 3:10:48]: If it could be forty thousand. [3:10:48, 3:10:56]: Who said th who you know, who's the said third? Why don't we let the the person in the position that we just put in a position to tell us what we need to do? What he what does he recommend? [3:10:57, 3:11:04]: I don't want to start the council to start stepping over boundaries and making decisions for people with paying money to do that this do that for us. [3:11:04, 3:11:08]: The only challenge with that, Councilman, is he starts on the fifth of December. [3:11:08, 3:11:24]: And the budget vote would be a week later. The money's gonna be coming from fund balance anyway if if if you talk about a one time one time expenditure. So that's gonna be on the fifth and that's gonna be here next year if we're talking about one time amongst it. You can do it as a budget amendment for that for that particular for that specific item. [3:11:24, 3:11:30]: That's certainly an option. So then why don't we wait on the person we're paying the duties, make that decision, make the decision what we need to do? [3:11:33, 3:11:36]: We have to be careful to continue to put stuff on here. [3:11:36, 3:11:44]: that we're gonna be pulling from fund balance on one time expenditures when we're showing the public that we're in c i it continue to show that we're increasing [3:11:45, 3:11:50]: something or that's gonna be residual, that's not really gonna be residual, but we don't know until the person we've hired [3:11:51, 3:11:58]: to put in a position that let us know what it's gonna cost to maintain. We haven't made any agreements with Clayton County, we haven't made any agreements with Henry County. [3:11:59, 3:12:00]: On who who's going to help? [3:12:01, 3:12:06]: give us money to maintain it'cause we're gonna hear from the citizens once we s starting to go ac I agree. We need to [3:12:07, 3:12:10]: Fix one thirty eight, but as soon as we go across those lines we're gonna start hearing it. [3:12:11, 3:12:15]: Why are we maintaining Clayton County? Why are we maintaining Henry County? [3:12:16, 3:12:36]: You you see what I'm saying? It's because it it's just like when I came to my recommendations. It's just like when I came to you and talked to you about why are we going all the way down Rock Quarry Road and you told me that the county and the city are kinda working together on that. Then let's see pus let's put agreement in place when it comes to one thirty eight. Because it's not j the wealthest parts of one thirty eight to me is those [3:12:36, 3:12:39]: Mm. [3:12:40, 3:12:54]: Okay. You and I, Michael, have even spoke I guess with the intergovernment agreements. Um I mentioned it earlier this year that district five commissioners saying that we can work something out. [3:12:54, 3:13:04]: Have you reached out to him? Because this is now is coming back because it could have been something that we you know, probably could have had in place. So how long does it take to actually [3:13:04, 3:13:09]: work uh in a government agreement. [3:13:10, 3:13:13]: Okay. Okay. So is there something we can [3:13:14, 3:13:18]: we can do because I mean I because I I remember mentioning that [3:13:18, 3:13:27]: Um,'cause I I was approached to say, you know, can stop ridge, you know, maintain that and then, you know, you stayed in a intergovernmental agreement. [3:13:27, 3:13:28]: So [3:13:28, 3:13:39]: you know, hopefully that's something that we can do'cause I understand what Councilman Blount's saying. I mean, we don't have that agreement there but I mean they're reaching out to us. So I guess if we can go ahead and [3:13:39, 3:13:48]: go ahead and initiate that then we can move forward. [3:13:48, 3:13:50]: With doing a intergovernmental agreement. [3:13:51, 3:13:58]: to maintain again for for the maintenance of this area. I mean it's it's it's a cost, main survey and that's something we need to take into consideration. [3:13:59, 3:13:59]: So [3:14:00, 3:14:20]: But the the the thing that I want to say is first of all, we're not going into Clayton County. I think honestly that the worst areas along there belong to us. That's undeniable. If you drive down Highway one hundred eight, that area by Kroger and uh Chase Bank, they're doing a tremendous [3:14:20, 3:14:36]: this job, we're failing. And that's what it really comes down to. We need to step it up, not them. And uh, you know, when it when it comes to um uh laying these programs out, I've had personal conversations with the commissioner and he tells me [3:14:36, 3:14:56]: When are y'all gonna do something? Wha what are y what's taking so long? When are y'all gonna step to the plate? I'm not hearing st hold on, I'm hearing come on man, what y'all doing? So I think we just really need to step to the plate and do this uh uh for our citizens, not doing anything extravaGantt and [3:14:56, 3:14:58]: And I think like the city manager said [3:14:59, 3:15:04]: Uh the gentleman starts on the fifth. And this is what really confuses me about this council. [3:15:04, 3:15:08]: I'll sit at these tables on a regular basis and I hear us say [3:15:09, 3:15:12]: We don't want to do all these budget amendments yet. [3:15:12, 3:15:28]: Here we are talking about doing a budget amendment. We're here to make tough choices and do the right thing. I suggest we move forward. Okay, uh let me ask you this, uh, Mr. Harris. You mentioned about our contract with our landscape contract w that we have. When is that do you have any idea when that's due? [3:15:29, 3:15:49]: Is it is it uh like at the beginning of the year or something like that or it's it's just ongoing right now. Yeah, we can we'd s we'd have to get the new one drafted and I think it's just a thirty, sixty day notice. So if we increase that contract, the the funding for that con that increase, an increase in that contract, where does it come from? Does it come from [3:15:48, 3:16:05]: It comes out of fund balance. Yes. It would. Yes. Okay. All right. That's all I said. All right. So be it. Alright, so what did we have here? Uh thirty thousand dollars we're looking at interchange landscaping for one thirty eight and Hudson Bridge. I know we're not taking a formal vote, but uh what's the consensus here? That we do that? [3:16:05, 3:16:12]: I know you say yes, you say yes. I I say no. I don't know we don't know how that's gonna look. We don't know how that looks. [3:16:13, 3:16:14]: Do you have an idea? [3:16:14, 3:16:20]: I don't know. I'm leaning towards increasing it even more than that and I don't know. I don't I don't I'm not ready to make a decision. [3:16:21, 3:16:21]: Hi. [3:16:21, 3:16:30]: So I say yes, so we'll start with thirty thousand dollars and that'll come out of fund balance and that's something that we'll probably have to look under contract itself, yeah as well. [3:16:31, 3:16:37]: Alright, moving on to city events. Um, the first one's pretty simple. It was uh pretty in pink and the comment was [3:16:38, 3:16:58]: No changes. I mean what was proposed in the current budget was five thousand dollars for the pretty in pink, um but simply to break that out into two pieces, one being um half of that for the luncheon and half designated towards a walk. I'm wanna make sure I'm saying that correctly. Well when we had the conversation and I should have got that with you before you [3:16:58, 3:17:11]: printed this. So I did speak with C C um and that's something that she said couldn we can work, but I guess we don't need to itemize it. Okay. Um just leave it at the five thousand and she she can take it from there. [3:17:11, 3:17:17]: That was just a conversation and um I should have got back with you but we did speak and she [3:17:17, 3:17:37]: And she can handle that. So it sounds like nothing's needed. Nothing's needed. All right. Moving on to the next one. Okay. Current budget list for the blue truck is for fifteen thousand. That's reduction from last year's twenty one thousand. And it was a recommendation to further reduce that by another five thousand down to ten thousand dollars. Here's here's my initial thoughts why I said uh [3:17:37, 3:17:39]: Yeah. [3:17:40, 3:18:00]: Wait, I know we're gonna have to somehow renegotiate the contract. And and and in the process of renegotiating the contract I think we're gonna have to come to agreement what a start point, an end point, it won't be as long and won't be as new possibly not as numerous of of a weekly basis based on um uh what we did last year, like every week maybe we'll go to every other week. [3:17:59, 3:18:09]: definitely it'll be a shorter period of time. And also looking at the fact that when when we renegotiate the contract we have to look at how the city can get a little more [3:18:09, 3:18:29]: revenue out of this versus putting out more. I mean and and and look at more sponsorship. So that's why I took the initial thought to reduce it and that aspect because we have to be smarter I say or more efficient in the contract initiation and execution of the contract wherever how we do that. For bidding process or whatever. Now [3:18:29, 3:18:49]: Uh that was that was going to fifteen thousand. Now reducing the additional five uh five thousand that came as a recommendation from elsewhere. But uh so I ob so I start that way is why I initially took the f took the initial reduction. Go right ahead. Yes, sir. That was me. Um and the reason why uh back to the detailed report that I asked them to pull. Um [3:18:49, 3:18:51]: I just had questions. Um [3:18:53, 3:19:01]: on the revenue because looking at the itemized is showing um different amounts uh people paying for a booth. [3:19:01, 3:19:05]: um to come in and it was up and down, up and down. [3:19:05, 3:19:08]: Um one I noticed we had one of our um [3:19:09, 3:19:10]: I guess uh [3:19:11, 3:19:12]: One of our candidates. [3:19:13, 3:19:18]: they paid a certain amount and then when I look further we had another candidate um [3:19:18, 3:19:38]: who was there multiple times but they actually paid the same amount. So looking at this and which is on the detail report it shows different prices and and for as the revenue it just wasn't there and I guess the consistency [3:19:38, 3:19:43]: that's something that we should look at um moving forward. So it like again [3:19:44, 3:19:52]: knowing what we did the prior year, what changes we can do again before that. So again this detailed re um itemized report [3:19:54, 3:20:14]: was pulled and it's you know, everyone c have access to it but that's the reason why I brought that up because if anything, like you said, we're looking to m try to make money, uh reaching out to someone that you know, the changing so that way we can do things differently. But with this report, that's why I brought it up so we can have the conversation. Um [3:20:13, 3:20:18]: Um because it does show where different vendors had different amounts. [3:20:19, 3:20:21]: um for their booths. [3:20:21, 3:20:22]: Mayor Purden. Yes, Mayor. [3:20:23, 3:20:43]: Um if you there are certain packages for different vendors, whether they're a nonprofit organization, whether they're for profit, whether they are campaigning, um there are several different packages. Some vendors um they get a discount if they um like a [3:20:42, 3:21:02]: uh let's say work out any time fitness if they are gonna go throughout the entire fifteen well at that time the entire um thirty weeks or whatever the the thick case may be. So you'll see there that each item or whatever that um we would have to speak to [3:21:02, 3:21:22]: you know, um Cece or Conywell on that. We don't handle that part. The thing is is that it's a city event. It's not here to make money. We don't want to spend out a lot of money on a city event, but it's one of the most, if not the most, popular event that we've had. Um it's something [3:21:22, 3:21:27]: that the northern side of town has and it's been brought here. [3:21:27, 3:21:47]: Um for the first year it was really successful. We have had discussions about reducing it, but you still have to take into consideration DJs. If you want to step up something or step up a theme or do different things, there were times where I even paid money out of my pocket, like I bought a snow machine and different things for Christmas. [3:21:47, 3:22:05]: Christmas. That didn't come from the city. I actually paid for it out of my own pocket and donated. Those things are things that we don't consider but they turned out to be great a great contribution because we had snow in July. So these if you want nice things and events, I recommend that we keep [3:22:06, 3:22:26]: The um amount where it is and I think we probably should have a cushion there. I really was hoping we would just keep even though we would reduce the event amount, we never know what sponsorships we're gonna get. Some might drop off, some might come up, it may be popular, we might get it uh when we do an RFP or whatever the case may be. [3:22:25, 3:22:45]: Maybe hopefully that person or that third party, you know, will have other contributions. But we are in a in a territory on the to of the unknown and I don't want us to mess up such a great event that's been in newspapers and magazines and billboards and that's been advertised for [3:22:45, 3:22:48]: City of Scott Bridge actually has [3:22:48, 3:23:08]: A food truck cart. Okay, clarification for me. I reduce it to fifteen thousand, this says take the ten thousand. You say keep it at the same amount, you're referring to keep it at twenty thousand, twenty one thousand? Is that what you refer to? I was saying keep it at the cushion amount of the twenty one thousand and if it's not spent it's just not spent. I don't think we would spend that type of money. [3:23:08, 3:23:28]: People were throwing out rumors stating that we spent money to have the food trucks come here. That is so not true. The money that we spend are on generators and lights and different well we are if we're gonna get the lights then we can take that out. But generators and lights and entertainment and what [3:23:28, 3:23:48]: little whatnots, whether it's the um tablecloths or whether it's um the overtime a lot of it, a lot of the money was spent on overtime. So that could reduce. So fifteen thousand could work, especially since we're reducing it. I'm not saying it wouldn't. I'm saying it's still good to have a cushion [3:23:48, 3:24:07]: and we have such a popular event now. It's one of our signature thing. It overnight, I mean it became a a success on day one. Um and I I um yeah, I I'm an advocate for it. Yes, I brought it to Stockbridge, but it has nothing to do with the [3:24:07, 3:24:27]: the the public and w how they feel about this event. And so those sponsorships, we can't the numbers there, we can't look at that. We don't know what it'll be next year. And you know, things fluctuate. But what we do know is is that a successful event we might we definitely have agreed that we probably will reduce the weeks um [3:24:27, 3:24:47]: that we have it. Uh but but I'm saying we still need that cushion and it I it would be a disappointment to not be able to fulfill um the things that we have had in the past or to enhance it by reducing the budget to such a small amount. Again Mayor Protein? Yes Mayor I [3:24:47, 3:24:59]: I also wanna say and and thank you for saying, you know, like you're saying with overtime, that's why I brought that up earlier, because even with the finances, you know, just like you said, that's probably the bulk of it as or [3:24:59, 3:25:01]: portions of it there. [3:25:01, 3:25:21]: But also looked at the detail report where we did our um Bridge Fest, Hispanic Fest, which was one day, okay, with that event. And looking at that event, we brought in ten thousand dollars because um like Councilman Blount said earlier, we need to reach out to the community and hopefully if we were able to raise the [3:25:21, 3:25:30]: that amount for the revenue for one day with Bridge Fest, then maybe we can look at doing the same manner when we doing the food trucks. [3:25:30, 3:25:35]: Because they were consistent on what they were what they were bringing in. [3:25:35, 3:25:52]: And it brought in a lot of revenue. So even with that, like you're saying, we were spending out. We just need to look at trying to see if we can do it differently. We already stated if it's not gonna be every week, um, that that will be a big help. But all I'm saying is I'm [3:25:53, 3:25:58]: I'm bringing it to Say again. It'll be every week, just not as many months. [3:25:58, 3:26:03]: Okay. However we decide, but at the same time I'm just looking at [3:26:04, 3:26:17]: what we have here on the detailed report on what we've did and what we can do differently to bring in the revenue because that's something that we need to look at. And and I'm just asking [3:26:18, 3:26:19]: You know, is here [3:26:20, 3:26:27]: In black and white. May I pretend the Bridge Fest for one day actually costs what is the budget for Bridge Fest? Like twenty thousand? [3:26:27, 3:26:28]: Hammert. [3:26:29, 3:26:31]: Twenty five thousand for one day. [3:26:32, 3:26:36]: N yeah, but it's twenty five thousand for one day. This is a thirty [3:26:37, 3:26:38]: Weak. [3:26:38, 3:26:39]: Event [3:26:39, 3:26:59]: once a week. And again, we had to bill sponsors kind of trickled in at first and you know, not knowing what the crowd would look like. And then we started having kind of a waiting list and then it kinda died off. So you just you don't know. And I'm saying that it's to me it's safer to have a cushion for [3:26:59, 3:27:02]: for such a successful event. [3:27:02, 3:27:04]: Um [3:27:05, 3:27:08]: We got to be careful when we start to compare [3:27:09, 3:27:17]: one event to another because one would bring this value, the other one brings another value. I don't think it's one council member up here that don't want to bring value to the city. [3:27:18, 3:27:20]: That being said, I think that we should [3:27:20, 3:27:27]: put a budget on this food trucks I I think it was a very successful event. Could it be uh modified in some areas that it's uh [3:27:28, 3:27:34]: Uh to make it better, of course it can be. But I don't think what is we should come out with a ten thousand dollar budget [3:27:34, 3:27:45]: uh and and say, hey, we're gonna start out by not being successful, by not being uh uh this way or that way. We should uh okay, fifteen thousand dollars. [3:27:45, 3:28:01]: We start right there, you know, and and then we shorten the weeks and we m uh make uh uh uh do whatever we have to do with the vendors. But we can't look at problems in a system that we just implemented. We fix the problems and then we make it better. [3:28:02, 3:28:06]: But we can't reduce it because we know we are able to because we plan on reducing the weeks. [3:28:07, 3:28:12]: that is gonna be operating. So I think fifteen dollars fifteen thousand dollars is a good starting point. [3:28:13, 3:28:30]: All right, thank you for that. And listen Al Center? Yeah, I uh actually I concur with that that uh fifteen thousand would be a a good starting point. And I wanna commend Councilwoman Gantt for this great event. It is a great event. But we have to understand that this event is a asset. [3:28:31, 3:28:43]: we should be making that we should be generating revenue off the event. And by setting the budget at fifteen thousand it puts pressure on us. Because I do recall the dis original discussion [3:28:43, 3:29:00]: surrounded upon sponsorship. We have a tremendous asset where we have one thousand people here during the peak times in the middle of the summer where we should be having it every week when school is out that we need to reap the benefits of. [3:29:00, 3:29:20]: We need to have those food trucks or that vendor provide parking fees to us to be here. We need to charge these vendors individually. We need a policy to set forth, look, you can't show up for free. I don't care who you are, there is benefit in being on this property for this amount of time. [3:29:20, 3:29:40]: Everybody has to be charged. I'm sorry, there is no w more waiving of the fees. This is how it is. But the bottom line is we need to treat this event as a asset and it's a privilege for you to be here and it should generate revenue uh versus anything else. Because that's what it's all about, generating revenue for the city. [3:29:39, 3:29:43]: And I was kinda disappointed I did not [3:29:43, 3:30:01]: We did not attract a new business which was I thought which which what we really need to do here uh with this particular event. But the fifteen thousand is a good start and I think all of us should challenge ourselves to uh contribute to it and bring some sponsorships. [3:30:01, 3:30:06]: All right. So on on that note it seems like fifteen thousand is is fine and we'll stay with that. [3:30:06, 3:30:15]: All right. Last item on the list is Veterans Day Parade. There's a recommendation to reduce that from current amount of ten thousand down to eight thousand dollars. [3:30:16, 3:30:36]: That was an error? Okay, fine. I mean if that was an error, fine. I think it stays at ten thousand. I think we had a great activity. So ten thousand is lest someone has any change? Okay, see none? Okay, we'll leave it at ten thousand. What was the majority cost for? It's historically it runs about anywhere from seven to eight, eight, five, nine for the last couple of years. Ten gives that b but [3:30:36, 3:30:45]: Buffer to that. Yes sir. Okay, we'll remain that. Michael Williams. Sir, this is what I was afraid of. You know you know it's a public hearing. [3:30:45, 3:31:05]: All right. And I can go around and ask for comments. But I will get comments from what? The staff. I need comments from the public. This is as counsel this is kinda why I was wondering whether or not we should get comments up front. But I uh but guarantee next time we do this we'll get comments before we get in discussion. But I'm I'm gonna go through the routine because it is a public hearing. I'm gonna go through [3:31:05, 3:31:11]: the routine. Okay, I'm gonna open up the public hearing. Alright. So I do any comments from my left side. [3:31:11, 3:31:19]: No comments from the left side. Any comments from the middle? None from the any comments from the right side. Public hearing is now closed. No comments, sir. [3:31:19, 3:31:19]: Yeah. [3:31:20, 3:31:27]: Oh d I'm sorry, d oh cool, I don't do oh well I'm sorry, do I have any comments? Do I have any comments? I mean I'm I'm s [3:31:28, 3:31:30]: Do I have any comments? I'm sorry. [3:31:32, 3:31:34]: Well do I have I mean. [3:31:34, 3:31:47]: If you have any comments, come forward. Excuse me. So sorry. And then they see this tape. All right. Please state your name and your address, please. [3:31:52, 3:32:08]: I have I I realize I have to make this comment. I wanna make sure excuse me, Mildred Reed, five thirty Creek View Overlook. Thank you, go ahead, please. And listening to the discussion. Okay. My initial reaction and I know this was a public hearing. I know you posted the budget [3:32:09, 3:32:12]: on the website for us to review and look at. [3:32:13, 3:32:16]: I think for some reason I'm not quite sure why. I'm a little disappointed. [3:32:16, 3:32:21]: within the council because some of the questions and discussions that's being asked now [3:32:21, 3:32:33]: I felt that you all should have known the answer. Why why was it such a long discussion about the budget? And then I also want to correct um publicly correct um [3:32:34, 3:32:46]: Elfin Alexander on a comment that he made, and maybe I misinterpreted it so we can get it straight. Uh you mentioned about Eagles Landing, Hudson Bridge, keeping the area looking beautiful. [3:32:47, 3:32:48]: Yeah it's a good one. [3:32:48, 3:32:53]: And you said they come out of their own pocket. They have a masters homeowners association. [3:32:54, 3:32:56]: that the DDA has contributed [3:32:57, 3:33:02]: Uh oh, one thousand dollars plus towards see so Stockbridge is paying into that. [3:33:03, 3:33:11]: It's things like that. I just again you can correct me if I'm wrong, but it's things like that that we need to be more in tune to all of us. [3:33:11, 3:33:14]: Me too is I'm listening. I understood. [3:33:14, 3:33:30]: Particularly John Blount, uh Councilman Blount, you know, the things that we need to talk about and the budget. You lost the audience because we were going too long with discussions. We really should not have lost this audience here because other people. [3:33:30, 3:33:40]: Now I stuck it out because I wanted to and I'm trying to learn and understand. But some of this discussion with with the council should have been held. [3:33:41, 3:34:00]: during the work session, during the finance meeting, because I'm I said to myself, where were they? I wasn't at the finance meeting, had other commitments, but I felt the council members, knowing this budget was serious, everyone should have been at the finance meeting to talk about some of these issues so that when it comes to us [3:34:00, 3:34:11]: My brains will be spinning trying to figure out what direction you're heading in. That's all I have to say. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Mill. Can I say something? Okay. Um are any other comments from the audience? [3:34:12, 3:34:12]: All right. [3:34:13, 3:34:33]: Did I say so? From the aud from an audience. Yeah, you can say something in a second. From the audience. That's why I'll make sure I close the public hearing from the audience. Okay. Yes. Counsel, do you have a respond? I I just want to respond to Ms. Mildred and thank you so much for being supportive to all of us. But it was um requested [3:34:33, 3:34:46]: that we have a special meeting so that way some concerns that were on here that we could discuss it that never happened. So sometimes I mean uh I've requested with the city manager [3:34:46, 3:35:00]: Um and we just didn't it didn't happen. So I'll p w ap apologize along with everybody, but I did request that so that way I can have a understanding because some and I was in the finance meeting but certain things that [3:35:01, 3:35:21]: you know, were asked and I even had a concern there that I wanted to know so that way I get a understanding because this detailed report is what I was asking and that wasn't available. So when I had the opportunity to sit down with the city manager, I received that information and I asked for us to be able to have a meeting just with council, but that [3:35:20, 3:35:22]: That never happened. [3:35:22, 3:35:25]: So I just wanted to let you know that the request did go forth. [3:35:25, 3:35:26]: Okay. [3:35:26, 3:35:26]: Thank you. [3:35:27, 3:35:28]: Yes, yes sir. Go ahead, please. [3:35:29, 3:35:29]: Um [3:35:31, 3:35:34]: Thank you, Ms. Sareb, for your comments. [3:35:34, 3:35:38]: One of the things that that's not happening here tonight that I thought was gonna happen [3:35:39, 3:35:46]: is some of the things that we did discuss as a council in the in the uh finance committee meeting. We discussed about having [3:35:47, 3:35:57]: two songs of summers instead of three. We discussed about having one bridge fest instead of two. That wasn't discussed here tonight. That'll save us twenty thousand dollars. If we if we take [3:35:58, 3:36:07]: If we take the forty thousand dollars and have two Sounds of Summers and make it thirty thousand, we're saving ten thousand dollars. If we take two bridge fests and make it one at uh [3:36:07, 3:36:21]: At uh fifteen thousand that'll save us another ten thousand dollars. That's twenty thousand dollars that we didn't discuss, that I thought we all had discussed as a council. I didn't think we had to do a individual meeting to bring these issues back up and saving money. [3:36:22, 3:36:37]: I thought we was gonna be dis I didn't know I I think saving twenty thousand dollars is more d better dispute than th whether we're gonna pay uh the you know, do I'm talking about to me that's solid. I thought we were gonna discuss that tonight, but we didn't. [3:36:37, 3:36:41]: If if I m if I may, uh y you know, again the [3:36:43, 3:36:47]: This is the council's budget and the council is free to discuss anything they'd like to discuss. [3:36:48, 3:37:08]: Yeah, the invitation I put forward was to get specific ideas from each council member as far as what were areas of concern in order so when we came in here for the meeting today we have some kind of a guide to follow on. I'm happy to discuss anything. Those who who who who opted to meet and provided me with items, that's what I brought forward. [3:37:08, 3:37:13]: other items certainly it's at the council's discretion to bring those up. But I I you know I I [3:37:14, 3:37:16]: So I'm not I'm not sure if if if you're not sure if you're [3:37:16, 3:37:36]: You the anticipation was that I was going to bring those up. I mean I was simpl that that's why I extended the invitation to council members to find out specifically what every item is that they wanted to discuss. This is my I'm I'm newly elected, so this is my first budget hearing. [3:37:36, 3:37:53]: So what I expect if it doesn't happen, I'm gonna question that and so if there's a remedy for it then we'll remedy it right now. Because I'd like for us to talk about having one uh two sounds of summons instead of three because we come right back with a bridge fest and have one bridge fest instead of two. [3:37:54, 3:37:57]: Uh you know, that's three concerts. [3:37:58, 3:38:02]: and that we can have in sequence that can save us twenty thousand dollars. [3:38:04, 3:38:13]: I one one s hold on a second. Are you are you done with that commentary? Okay, go ahead please. I I wanna say this and I think hopefully this is not the last meeting. [3:38:14, 3:38:23]: There's there's three budget hearings. So this is just the first one. So there's two more after this one. Well is that's two I th this two or three. [3:38:24, 3:38:44]: And you take public we do take public a comment uh at that when we approve it we do take so there's total of three times that you will get to express your opinion. So if you did not get heard tonight, there's a sub there's uh subsequent opportunities in in [3:38:44, 3:38:46]: in order to in order to do that. [3:38:47, 3:39:07]: I I just want to say uh to the public, thank you, Miss Reed, for your for your input and just know one thing. I think we're all on the same team here and we wanna see things get done. And my mentioning the Eagles landing committee does not raise that community above anything else. It just states the fact that they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars [3:39:07, 3:39:07]: Yeah. [3:39:08, 3:39:28]: maintaining their own right of way so the city does not have to do that. So I pointed to that because that is something that they do. Each homeowner uh actually contributes in the m to the Master Association. So my my pointing is not to say that they're better than anybody else. It just simply says that that that [3:39:28, 3:39:29]: That's what they do. [3:39:29, 3:39:44]: in order to maintain their side uh of the bridge. So I thought that we should probably do something as well. It was not to elevate them above uh anybody else. If I did that was that was not uh my intent to do that. Thank you. [3:39:45, 3:40:05]: All right. There was a c another comment down here? Well, um just you know, a concern and I may just call a finance committee meeting, but that's one of the reasons why I suggested us having another sit down at the table when we uh once the like in the past, last year, if the mayor proposed to [3:40:05, 3:40:21]: a budget change then we had another meeting to discuss those those line items so that when we get here to the public meeting that the public knows that des even though the finance committee meeting's public, that city council meeting th like the meeting tonight [3:40:21, 3:40:41]: we can eliminate some of the small things and hand out I would like for the public to be able to see it online or whatever wherever it is, hand out the actual budget and not go over these small line item discussions. To me that's why I personally thought that we should have had [3:40:41, 3:40:57]: had another finance committee meeting in in regards to that and we may still do that so that we can iron out some of the other details. Um especially when we have other questions in regards to some of the items. I've seen several items here that are just missing numbers, period. [3:40:58, 3:41:18]: So we we need to, you know, know what we're gonna do with those and come to some final resolution. Um I I apologize to the public that is still here and those of you that are watching, hopefully, you know, next time we'll have, you know, some more concrete numbers, but we have to work through this. I think that Mayor [3:41:17, 3:41:32]: Pro Tem did an excellent job at doing what he had to do to get it to where it is at this point. Um, I just think that some of these discussions can be done at a work session setting and the best place to do that is in our finance committee meeting. [3:41:32, 3:41:52]: I would just simply say this. Uh and I think the the city manager and Mayor Pro Tem really did an outstanding job under tough circumstances. I think what really happened is I took advantage of that individual meeting. Ms. Robinson did too. [3:41:52, 3:42:11]: And I think our stuff our items are off the table. I just really think that, you know, maybe m Councilwoman Gantt you and Councilman Gantt Blount should subsequently have those same individual meetings so at the next council meeting we can discuss the items that you want to bring to the table. Huh? [3:42:13, 3:42:33]: Well th we well we we w I s I I received information that each council person was supposed to come in uh to have an individual meeting with the city manager and the finance direct finance uh department so we could discuss w the items under the budget that were brought to our attention. That's what I that's [3:42:33, 3:42:53]: That's what I received. I don't know whether you received it. All right, let me let me interject here. That's absolutely correct. Now what's happening folks, I I presented the I present but because of the responsibility that I have and functioning comp and as an interim mayor, I submitted this budget proposal and I appreciate the other comments in reference to uh myself and the city manager along with the treasurer did a good job [3:42:53, 3:43:13]: this and I appreciate all that. But what it amounts to after f further conversation and and and taking a taking an initial um request from uh uh Councilwoman Robinson about having a special call meeting after initial convers uh additional conversation opted and I'll take the responsibility opting not to do that but opted opted to have any comments that [3:43:13, 3:43:33]: uh the council may have to direct those comments to have a meeting with Mr. Harris and the treasurer, collect those data, that data, and then we go through this first hearing together in that aspect. And versus having a a another public type of meeting in that aspect. So that's the decision and the direction we went down. And and Mr. Harris did say [3:43:33, 3:43:53]: sent out an email in reference to all the for you council members to come forward and and to sit down and and hash through that uh with that because I actually I did not want to have individual meetings or I d I didn't think it was necessary to have a finance meeting and I've already mentioned that in an email and also uh to uh Councilwoman Gantt on the phone thinking that this is now the [3:43:53, 3:44:13]: the the the this is now the uh budget. Uh to me the financial meeting is is off the table because it's a budget for us to discuss and I personally not want to discuss uh the budget in totally unless I had the entire council. That's a position I I I took on that uh to be in a public setting like this to have this conversation because I submitted this. [3:44:13, 3:44:33]: Um and so I think that when I have deep conversation about it I need to have an entire council uh present to do that if I'm going to be involved anyway. And I think that's proper for me in this position to do that. Uh and I understand it what what my what the budget is and it it may it may not certain things the budget uh may not pass. That's fine. I'm fine with that. [3:44:33, 3:44:53]: I'm I'm probably fine'cause it's all about debating, it's all about doing the best for the citizens and and coming together and making a decision. So um I so I'm fine. But I didn't want to do that and gonna be conversation unless I had the tired council present. So um so there's still an opportunity obviously and and I said earlier and if if we need to go [3:44:53, 3:45:02]: down through all those things about the concert and and British Fest right now, so be it. I mean I mentioned that earlier three or four times already, if we need to do that. Yes ma'am. [3:45:03, 3:45:04]: Thank you. [3:45:04, 3:45:24]: Thank you so much. Um for everything that you've done and even stating that, you know, we did have conversation. Same way with Michael. Um you guys s set the platform. Um we took it some took advantage of it because that what was there. And all I'm saying is it the opportunity was there. We all have [3:45:24, 3:45:25]: Yeah. [3:45:25, 3:45:45]: Um a lot of things probably go our way. A lot of things may not go out go our way. But having the conversation, um, that's the way it was played tonight. So I appreciate you. Um however it didn't, you know, may not turn out the way you want it to, but at the end of the day we had the conversation and each council had [3:45:45, 3:45:50]: a voice and again like our vision statement we have to respect that [3:45:50, 3:45:58]: Either way it goes because that was laid out by our city manager and our mayor pro tem and that's the way it played out. So I appreciate you. [3:45:59, 3:46:19]: All right. Now, I mean if you know the comments now I mentioned it's up to now uh once again, it's up up to the council. It it's it's a simple majority. Three. So do we need to continue on with all those particular issues that people have concerns about that we didn't cover tonight. Do you want to keep going? I mean, yeah it's late, but hey, if you want to do this we can go. [3:46:19, 3:46:21]: I'm this I'm this I'm the same. [3:46:22, 3:46:25]: I mean do what else do we need to cover to see? Yes sir. [3:46:25, 3:46:45]: In the future, why don't we be more specific then I guess. Okay. To say we'll discuss what we haven't already discussed. Bring any issues that we haven't already discussed. Because when we sit in a finance committee meeting and we discuss this and everybody shaking their head, and where I'm coming where I come from that still mean yes or I I'm in agreement. [3:46:45, 3:46:50]: And so we in agreement with something and then we come here to knight [3:46:50, 3:46:58]: And we got everything else on the table. These things I agree with Miss uh Miss Reed. These things should have been paying out long before coming in here. [3:46:58, 3:47:07]: You know, we should still have the public sitting here i interjecting. You know, uh we got staff here tired, been here all day yawning. [3:47:08, 3:47:12]: You know, I'm just saying if we're gonna if we're gonna discuss the budget [3:47:12, 3:47:20]: Then we need to call meetings in between. If there's not an understanding between us, we should be understanding something when we come and sit in this chamber. [3:47:21, 3:47:31]: And right now we're just not it this shouldn't happen again. May Okay. May I pro tip? Yes ma'am. Thank you again for acknowledging that you were [3:47:31, 3:47:51]: requested to do another meeting. It didn't happen. But it happened. So we can just move forward. Okay. Okay. So anything else? Do we need to do we I do I I just look because I mean there's other things that's still covered on the agenda. I just wanna know if we need to continue on with this further. I just need to uh I mean hey I mean I don't do this by myself. [3:47:51, 3:47:51]: Oh. [3:47:52, 3:47:53]: Removal. [3:47:54, 3:47:55]: May pretend. [3:47:55, 3:47:56]: I um [3:47:57, 3:48:17]: I think and and this is just a suggestion for me. We have other hearings and so in the meantime we can look over the budget and maybe discuss um you know, send a email or we have a another call work session or something in a in a relaxed environment where we can discuss these items at another time when we you know, go through the budget. [3:48:17, 3:48:21]: budget a little bit more but as of tonight we have those items up. [3:48:21, 3:48:41]: Um if unless someone has something um y'all want to discuss right now, we can always still we're still it's still a working budget in coming together. So we can bring up those other things at the next meeting. Well my suggestion is if that's the case if if and uh that those other items, additional items, once again filter those items too [3:48:41, 3:48:52]: Mr Harris, or sit on top with Mr Harris and Linda neighbors who collect those items, he'll bring he'll collect those items, give uh send them back out to everybody and we'll have the discussion at the next budget hearing. Yes ma'am. [3:48:53, 3:49:03]: I'm confused because I thought w it was just stated we just had finance meetings and we've no and we've already went through the budget. So while we asking the questions [3:49:04, 3:49:24]: Am I looking at this? Well the what I understand there are additional questions about the budget that have not been addressed thus far. Okay. They didn't attend the meeting. If someone has something that has not yet been addressed, uh we can stay here and address them tonight. But if that's not the decision, they can they can have a meeting. We'll set it down on time, as Michael Harris said this [3:49:24, 3:49:37]: City Manager mentioned and sent an email to everybody, along with Linda set up a time and and sit down and talk about those issues that we haven't already addressed and then pres present those back to the entire council for our next budget hearing to go through them. [3:49:37, 3:49:57]: Mayor for Tim. Mayor It's not about who attended a meeting. Um I think we had we we went to a finance committee meeting, we looked at the um items and then you made changes. I did. And and I know. Right. And and so you brought those back to us. I'm looking at the budget tonight. [3:49:57, 3:50:17]: night and there are numbers missing like there's um Main Street, there's no number there. We talked about historic um preservation committee. We talked about there's nothing on DDA right now. So those things are things that we're gonna address and just send over. Has nothing to do when I last I knew the f we had all the [3:50:17, 3:50:37]: already set the budget of the fifteen thousand, let's say for example food truck. We already agreed so if someone brought it to us, you know, maybe we should just get it in advance, say these are the issues and and what try to work those out before coming to our public meeting that's scheduled for the so that the public can see what that concrete [3:50:37, 3:50:57]: document looks like. I'm just saying it it has nothing to do I think the point is being missed has nothing to do with who met with who. It's about the actual it's it's about the actual budget and items that are actually missing at this point. Okay. How about how about this? We we let's move on to uh we'll we'll we'll we got another budget here in [3:50:56, 3:51:00]: We'll move on to city manager's comments, sir. You got any comments? [3:51:01, 3:51:08]: No, just uh again it was mentioned earlier, but please continue to keep the Williams family and thoughts and prayers. Okay, thank you. Councilman Alexander. [3:51:08, 3:51:28]: Yes, I would like to thank everybody who was uh very patient with us. I'm not in a hurry, ladies and gentlemen. The bottom line is we're here to be s good good stewards of the citizens' money. Uh when documentation was brought forward by Miss Robinson, I applaud that because she brought documentation with facts. [3:51:28, 3:51:35]: And I listened. And you know what? I will do that every single time. These meetings are supposed to be public meetings. [3:51:36, 3:51:56]: Where we entertain. I didn't think the process was to bring a finished budget to the public because we gotta hear from the public and then we might actually make more changes based on what the public says. So I'm okay with this process and the state set this process out that there would be these successive hearings. [3:51:56, 3:52:04]: hearings. So let's take advantage of those and do what is proper. But uh on my actual comments themselves, I would say that [3:52:05, 3:52:25]: I'm appreciative that we're actually moving forward with the Economic Development Director position because that is something that we need somebody working on that every single day, one hundred percent of the time. We're working on the one hundred thirty eight overlay uh with design guidelines to be put in place to protect the value of those business owners [3:52:25, 3:52:30]: and homeowners in that area. And the last thing that uh I would like to say is [3:52:30, 3:52:34]: Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to have the discussion on transit. [3:52:35, 3:52:55]: in Stockbridge. We need to have we need to start that discussion today because our citizens are suffocating in traffic and we have to do something about that issue. Whether that's rail, whether that's bus service, whatever that is, we need to address these issues uh head on in the upcoming years and have a plan. Thank you. [3:52:56, 3:52:56]: Cut from a blank. [3:52:58, 3:53:01]: Yeah, I'd like to thank everybody that's still tuning in. Um [3:53:02, 3:53:07]: This city has a lot of work to do and I believe we do have the people in place to make things happen. [3:53:08, 3:53:11]: Uh Mr. Stark came by and he talked about our vision statement. [3:53:13, 3:53:16]: And it's not so much the what we say, it's so much about what we do. [3:53:17, 3:53:20]: And so if we're gonna be a teen [3:53:21, 3:53:25]: Then that representation representation of a team has to be shown to the public. [3:53:26, 3:53:30]: And when we're sitting in public and we don't look like a team [3:53:30, 3:53:33]: Then it doesn't matter about what we say, it's about what we do. [3:53:34, 3:53:37]: So I believe this council is aggressive and want to move the city forward. [3:53:38, 3:53:39]: But we have to do it as a team. [3:53:40, 3:53:41]: We have to look like a team. [3:53:42, 3:53:45]: We have to make things happen as a team because we can't move individually. [3:53:46, 3:53:55]: So how does that team look? That team looks like everybody being transparent about what they want to do, how we wanna do it, and let's move forward in doing it. So thank you everybody for being it. [3:53:56, 3:53:57]: Got some one gap. [3:53:58, 3:54:18]: I just wanna thank everyone for being here. Thank you for your continued support. Um, you know, um Stockbridge is headed in a great direction and plu uh please enjoy your holiday season. This is one of my favorite times of the year and just th thank our team for staking it out with us. Um [3:54:18, 3:54:20]: through these late hours. And stop small. [3:54:23, 3:54:24]: Castlewoman, Robinson. [3:54:25, 3:54:28]: Yes. Um thanks to the staff. [3:54:29, 3:54:35]: Um, I know it's kinda hard to to do what you do, but thank you. Um [3:54:36, 3:54:56]: again to the city manager, thank you for the outline that you had. Um so that way we can go through the budget tonight. Um the opportunity was there and I just want to say, you know, to you and Mayor Pro Tem it was a lot of hard work and we definitely appreciate you both for that. Um a lot of the citizens that were here [3:54:56, 3:55:16]: They didn't get to stay for the ending. Um, but we do have some that Miss Mildred she got to speak out and I'm glad she did, so that way she would get the full understanding that the request did go forth. Um Mayor Pro Tem made the decision for for it not to happen. Um so we're here, but we make the best of it. Um [3:55:16, 3:55:21]: And when we're talking um and I agree with Councilman Blount, when we're talking team [3:55:21, 3:55:23]: Everyone has a voice. [3:55:24, 3:55:25]: And [3:55:25, 3:55:31]: I may not like what one may say, but guess what? That's their voice and I must listen. [3:55:32, 3:55:34]: There's nothing to be jokeful with. [3:55:34, 3:55:36]: [14136.6, 14147.0]: Your voice is no louder than theirs. Because if you're a part of a team, if they have a question, just like you tell kids, no question is a stupid question. [3:55:47, 3:55:53]: Ask the question so that way you'll know. And then the person that's on on the team [3:55:54, 3:55:56]: If anything, just listen. [3:55:57, 3:56:17]: Because in order for us to move forward we have to work together. Not one person is different than the other. We're all one and we're a team. And until we get there, I mean we just got to listen and let that person or persons have their voice. And again, um I want to be in prayer with um Winona's. [3:56:17, 3:56:28]: family been knowing her t all my life and it it really hit hard so definitely keep the family in their pr in your prayers and um [3:56:29, 3:56:44]: And if we can do anything for the family, um I know the staff is here and we'll be definitely there for them. And just say ha everyone have a good evening. Um and again thank you for those citizens that are here and staff for your patience. [3:56:45, 3:57:02]: Appreciate it. Thank you. And um I also want uh s mention about Winona Williams and the fact that uh condolences to the family of prayers to the family in in this most difficult time. Saspian I believe she's a uh at least a ten plus year employee of of the city. Uh so and I I'm pretty sure that uh [3:57:02, 3:57:05]: that uh plenty of us will attend a funeral here next Saturday. [3:57:05, 3:57:08]: To give due respect to her and her family in this aspect. [3:57:08, 3:57:16]: It's uh past uh Friday we had an outstanding Aventors Day uh activity uh parade and luncheon. It's the biggest parade we've had thus far and the luncheon went very well. [3:57:17, 3:57:24]: and uh appreciate uh the support from the staff and from the community and and the council here for supporting our veterans in the area. [3:57:24, 3:57:26]: Had a great time. Look forward to next year as well. [3:57:27, 3:57:47]: Um and also uh appreciate the the the amount of folks the citizens are out here uh tonight earlier for all the proclamations and and readings that we did but also uh to be engaged as we go through this budget the initial budget process and uh the reading here and we'll make sure that we'll get the public hearing and public comments maybe up front this time. [3:57:47, 3:57:51]: [14272.4, 14279.3]: Um and I I don't think we actually meet uh uh before we have Thanksgiving. So happy Thanksgiving everybody. [3:57:59, 3:58:07]: Uh have a good time with your family and friends and loved ones uh for the Thanksgiving Thanksgiving holiday and continue to be safe during that particular holiday. [3:58:07, 3:58:13]: On that note I'll read the announcements here. Uh I got a community housing forum Thursday, november seventeenth. [3:58:13, 3:58:14]: Six PM [3:58:14, 3:58:18]: It right here at City Hall and the Chin Council Chamber, spearheaded by Councilwoman Robinson. [3:58:19, 3:58:24]: Noel in November, Friday, November eighteenth, six PM to six uh to eight thirty PM [3:58:24, 3:58:26]: At Merrill Manor's Conference Center. [3:58:26, 3:58:27]: And [3:58:28, 3:58:29]: And the mission [3:58:29, 3:58:32]: For that mission you have to have one or more unwrapped toy to bring. [3:58:33, 3:58:43]: Coffee with a cops, Saturday, November nineteenth, eight thirty at Epson's uh Delhi, eight thirty ten actually Epson's Delhi, fourteen forty five Rock Quarry Road, spearheaded by myself. [3:58:43, 3:58:50]: down to the development authority meeting Monday, november twenty first, six PM, right here in City Hall at the Levi meeting room. [3:58:53, 3:58:53]: That's careful. [3:58:54, 3:59:01]: Mm-hmm. Okay. [3:59:01, 3:59:07]: Council Worksteps session uh meeting is Tuesday, November twenty ninth, six PM right here in City Hall in the council chambers. [3:59:08, 3:59:11]: Uh Christmas Gala, Thursday, December first. [3:59:11, 3:59:21]: five thirty to nine PM at Merrill Manors Conference Center, which is uh and they actually we have a free shuttle service from City Hall from five until ten PM to get you down to Merrill Manors. [3:59:21, 3:59:27]: Uh building committee meeting Tuesday, December sixth, um six PM right here at City Hall in the Patrick Henry meeting room. [3:59:28, 3:59:30]: And I will uh I'm the committee chair for that. [3:59:30, 3:59:32]: Council meeting Monday, December twelfth. [3:59:33, 3:59:40]: Uh that's the six PM right here in City Hall Council Chambers and that is uh the actual f uh final public budget hearing and adoption, December twelfth. [3:59:41, 3:59:45]: Uh I forgot to mention that work session on the twenty ninth is our second budget reading. [3:59:45, 3:59:48]: On the nineteenth on the twenty ninth, I'm sorry. [3:59:48, 3:59:49]: That's the second budget ring, correct? [3:59:50, 4:00:03]: Yes, yes, that's correct. And I believe right now we auto tentatively have a zoning advisory board meeting on that Monday the twenty eighth. Okay. Monday twenty zoning advisory board meeting, okay,'cause it's not on this list here. Okay. [4:00:04, 4:00:07]: Okay. [4:00:08, 4:00:14]: But uh duly note it and we'll put that on the on the website and um and uh to let everybody know that as well. [4:00:15, 4:00:18]: uh public works committee meeting dis uh Thursday, december fifteenth. [4:00:19, 4:00:24]: It's five o'clock uh PM in Patrick Henry meeting room and Councilman Robinson's a committee chair for that. [4:00:25, 4:00:29]: In a town hall meeting, public safety committee, Thursday, december fifteenth, seven PM [4:00:29, 4:00:33]: Location is Floyd Chapel Baptist Church one oh four First Street. [4:00:33, 4:00:37]: Right here in Stockbridge, of course, and Councilman Alexander is the chairperson for that. [4:00:38, 4:00:41]: And then uh okay. [4:00:41, 4:00:44]: It has here a special call meeting Friday, December sixteenth. [4:00:45, 4:00:48]: At six PM at City Hall in the Council Chambers. [4:00:48, 4:01:08]: Sir. And that goes back to the conversation regarding the annexation. Um that would involve the Carriage Lake property as well as the Jodico property. Okay. And the sixteenth is that is that date and that's because of the time frame that is needed to from the For advertising purposes. We have to make sure we meet certain advertising requirements. [4:01:08, 4:01:09]: Are you ready? [4:01:10, 4:01:11]: Well we don't [4:01:11, 4:01:13]: Relish having [4:01:13, 4:01:25]: council meetings on Friday evening but we think it will be a relatively quick one and and I think it certainly it it it bears getting done as soon as possible. I mean but business is business, huh? All right. All right. [4:01:25, 4:01:35]: On that note, are there any other uh announcements or meetings that uh not published here I need to mention? And if not, I would assume that we have an executive session still. Is that correct or not? [4:01:35, 4:01:38]: Staff does not have the atoms for execution. [4:01:38, 4:01:42]: Well, let me ask the council, do we have any items for a second session? [4:01:42, 4:01:43]: Anybody. [4:01:44, 4:01:44]: Okay. [4:01:45, 4:01:51]: I g uh say no to that. All right. So I guess what I need then is a is a motion to adjourn. [4:01:55, 4:01:58]: All right, the second. My second. Anything further discussion? [4:01:59, 4:02:01]: Well let's let's end this meeting. Meeting's over. [4:02:35, 4:02:55]: [14574.9, 14590.1]: Oh yeah, I'm not sure. [4:03:12, 4:03:15]: