2026-01-12 · City Council · Transcript · Regular Council Meetings

--- title: Regular Council Meetings date: 2026-01-12 source: 2026-01-12_Regular_Council_Meetings.wav --- [0:00:01, 0:00:09]: I'm gonna ask that the coaches and the players here present for the Stockbridge Middle School football team join myself and council as we read this proclamation to the front. [0:00:23, 0:00:31]: It's all about y'all. Y'all in the middle. We stand on the edge. It's about you, brother. Appreciate that. All right. Thank you. [0:00:32, 0:00:52]: All right, the Stockbridge Middle School football team, the Tigers. Whereas the Stockbridge Middle School football team, proudly known as the Tigers, have demonstrated exceptional athletic excellence, disciplined teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout its season of competition. And whereas the Stockbridge Middle School Tigers are established of a legacy of grit, tenacity, and hard work, earning the respect of their [0:00:52, 0:00:55]: their peers, opponents, coaches, and the greater stock rich community. [0:00:56, 0:01:16]: During the 2025 football season, the Stockbridge Middle School Tigers achieved an extraordinary and historic milestone by completing an undefeated season, marking the first such accomplishment in the school's history. Whereas this remarkable achievement reflects not only the athletic talent of the student athletes, but also the dedicated leadership and support of the coaching staff, school athletes, [0:01:16, 0:01:18]: [ 79.1, 99.1]: And whereas the accomplishments of the Stockbridge Middle School football team exemplifies dedication, perseverance, and commitment, and serves as an inspiration to the students, families, and the community at large. Now, therefore, let it be proclaimed that I, Jaden L. Williams, mayor of the city of Stockbridge, along with the Stockbridge City Council, Elton Alexander, Yolanda Barber, Kyle Berry, Antoine Cloud, and Lake. [0:01:39, 0:01:50]: Keisha Gantt do hereby recognize and honor the Stockbridge Middle School football team, aka the Tigers, for their historic undefeated twenty twenty five season on this day, the twelfth day of January, twenty twenty six. [0:01:58, 0:02:01]: Regular system. [0:02:02, 0:02:18]: Congratulations. Thank you very much. Absolutely. Thank you very much. Yeah, over here. Yeah, we're gonna come on this. Can you slide over a little bit? [0:02:19, 0:02:21]: That was [0:02:22, 0:02:26]: Overwhelming. [0:02:28, 0:02:30]: That was new about the arms. [0:02:34, 0:02:36]: Yeah. [0:02:45, 0:02:49]: Congratulations. [0:02:50, 0:02:52]: Well that's yeah, yeah. [0:02:52, 0:02:54]: Yeah, absolutely. Coach. [0:02:54, 0:03:01]: Okay. Thank you. Thanks for such your support. Thank you. [0:03:07, 0:03:19]: Next we have the proclamation for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I'm going to ask the councilman of District 2 to come up as well as our connectors of downtown from our business and Main Street services team to come up along and receive this proclamation. [0:03:26, 0:03:30]: You represent the district. [0:03:31, 0:03:51]: Whereas Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born January 15, 1929, at his family home in Atlanta, Georgia, to Martin Luther King Jr. to Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King, natives of our great city of Stockbridge. Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a visionary leader whose unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and non-violent social change. [0:03:51, 0:04:11]: transformed the nation and inspired people across the world. Dr. King's leadership during the Civil Rights Movement helped dismantle segregation and advance civil rights through peaceful protests, courageous advocacy, and unshakable belief in the dignity and worth of every human being. Martin Luther King Jr. Day serves not only as a time of remembrance, but also as a day of service. [0:04:11, 0:04:31]: Encouraging individuals and organizations to honor Dr. King's legacy through all acts of compassion, civic engagement, and service to others. Now, therefore, let it be proclaimed that I, Jaden Williams, mayor of the City of Stockbridge, along with the Stockbridge City Council, Elton Alexander, Yolanda Barber, Kyle Berry, Antoine Cloud, and Lakeisha Gantt do hereby proclaim Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the city. [0:04:31, 0:04:43]: Let's give Doctor King a round of applause for his legacy. [0:05:19, 0:05:26]: Now we'll proceed to the swearing in portion of our boards and committees. I will ask the deputy clerk to join me up and let's start with the first round. [0:05:28, 0:05:29]: Bear with us, y'all. There is a few. [0:05:48, 0:05:51]: Can I have Miss Danita Webb and Miss Candace Jones? [0:05:55, 0:06:00]: Can have Ms. Shurika Zellers and Dr. Alfredo Gurin. Gurden. [0:06:05, 0:06:06]: She's not really. [0:06:11, 0:06:12]: [376.3, 377.4]: I got one card. [0:06:21, 0:06:25]: All right. So I'm going to live in this is your copy to see that. [0:06:26, 0:06:34]: You have your pen. This is your copy. And then these are for the board member. You're gonna sign all of them, but I guess you can start there. [0:06:35, 0:06:36]: I know that. [0:06:39, 0:06:40]: Especially when you look at that. [0:06:40, 0:06:43]: Do you want do you wanna do it by the group? [0:06:48, 0:06:50]: I'll go to the leader. [0:06:59, 0:07:03]: Can I please have the downtown development authority board members to come up at this time? [0:07:12, 0:07:16]: So [0:07:18, 0:07:20]: Thank you. [0:07:21, 0:07:23]: Kings B D E. [0:07:30, 0:07:35]: These are your space, Jerry Ms. Can you cook to see a times? [0:07:36, 0:07:39]: [460.9, 466.3]: Awesome. Mr. Cook? Yes. Mr. May's and then Miss Times, is she here? [0:07:46, 0:07:48]: Miss Thomas Tossiya Thomas. [0:07:51, 0:07:52]: All right. [0:07:54, 0:08:01]: Raise your right hand, please. When I say I you're gonna state your name, I'm gonna read the rest. At the end you can say I affirm or I do. [0:08:01, 0:08:04]: I Kenya Cook. Jerry Mays. [0:08:04, 0:08:24]: Board member do solemnly swear and affirm that I am faithful I will faithfully perform the duties of the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Stockbridge, and that I will do the best of my ability support and defend the charter thereof, as well as the Constitution and the laws of the state of Georgia and the United States of America. I further affirm that upon assumption of this office, I do not hold [0:08:24, 0:08:44]: Any unaccounted for public money due and payable to the state, any political subdivision of the state, the city of Stockbridge, or any authority thereof, nor do I hold any office of trust of the government of the United States, of this state, or any foreign state as prescribed by the law of the state of Georgia. [0:08:44, 0:09:03]: And the laws of the state to hold the office of Downtown Development Authority board member, and that I will perform the duties of my office in the best of my ability for the city of Stockbridge and to the best of my ability without fear, favor, affection, reward, or expectation thereof. I can confirm. Right. Congratulations. [0:09:07, 0:09:10]: Can we get some pictures of these signatures over here, please? [0:09:10, 0:09:11]: Yeah. [0:09:14, 0:09:15]: Uh Mr. Mayes? [0:09:21, 0:09:22]: Yeah, Mr. Goodman. [0:09:23, 0:09:24]: Eagles are. [0:09:26, 0:09:28]: And if you do it one more time, I guess I'll [0:09:38, 0:09:40]: Mm just cool. Thank you. [0:09:40, 0:09:41]: Okay. [0:09:42, 0:09:44]: I guess next question. [0:09:49, 0:10:01]: You wanna get a photo? DDA board means fine possible. Y'all get in the middle. [0:10:13, 0:10:14]: Yeah, if you [0:10:38, 0:10:40]: Can I have solicitor Julie Kurt come up to the front, please? [0:10:45, 0:10:47]: Sorry, thank you. Can I have solicitor Julie Kurt? [0:10:49, 0:10:50]: Just a little bit. [0:11:00, 0:11:03]: And if the ethics board members are here, can I have you all come up, please? [0:11:08, 0:11:13]: Okay, I think it looks like we get some house and it sounds like that, right? [0:11:13, 0:11:14]: This mess. [0:11:14, 0:11:16]: Sure, we've got issue up there yet? [0:11:46, 0:11:47]: Exactly. [0:11:50, 0:11:52]: Well you might have this. [0:11:52, 0:11:53]: Yeah. [0:11:54, 0:11:56]: It's a great one. [0:12:01, 0:12:08]: No. Here we go. Please come up from joining me to get sworn in. [0:12:20, 0:12:30]: I have a slave. There's quite a few other car in order I had to go. [0:12:34, 0:12:36]: Yeah, but I think. [0:12:37, 0:12:45]: [769.5, 771.4]: Smith. [0:12:53, 0:13:10]: Hopkins, um European? We have six four. So I need I mean Miss Hats, Miss Mason, Mr. Hopkins and Yes. [0:13:11, 0:13:14]: Um you wanna start here first. Okay. Just raise your right hand for me. [0:13:18, 0:13:38]: When I say I state your name, I'll agree off and then do hands with I affirm or I do. I will it off this. Come over and also Mason. Board member, do solemnly swear and affirm that I am faithful I will faithfully perform the duties of the Main Street Advisory Board of the City of Stockbridge, and that I will to the best of my ability. Support and defend. [0:13:38, 0:13:58]: Defend the charter thereof, as well as the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia and the United States of America. I further affirm that upon assumption of this office I do not hold any unaccounted for public money due and payable to the state, any political subdivision of the state, the city of Stockbridge, or any authority thereof, nor do I hold any other office of trust of the government. [0:13:57, 0:14:16]: government of the United States, of this state, or any foreign state as prescribed by the law of the state of Georgia. I will perform the duties of my office in the best interest of Stockbridge and to the best ability of my ability without fear, favor, affection, reward, or expectation thereof. This day, the twelfth January 2026. Congratulations. [0:14:22, 0:14:25]: Yeah. And we have the cats come first. [0:14:31, 0:14:34]: Ms. Punks? All right. Thank you. [0:14:39, 0:14:40]: [881.1, 883.9]: Miss Maxon will never make no issue. [0:15:21, 0:15:24]: Awesome. Congratulations. Let's take a quick photo. [0:15:26, 0:15:29]: I think that'll see. [0:15:30, 0:15:36]: Oh and I'll can I get on time copy also. Oh the time copy yes got yes. [0:15:54, 0:15:59]: Wanna grab a quick picture of counts to the mainstream middle ones? [0:16:00, 0:16:05]: Let's do one with the appointees and then we'll bring you all and we'll let's do it that way. Here we go. [0:16:16, 0:16:23]: Good. Uh the rest of the management board, y'all wanna jump in one real quick. Some can come on this side too. [0:16:23, 0:16:25]: [986.5, 989.9]: And a little brown suit colour over here. [0:16:36, 0:16:38]: Here you go. [0:17:00, 0:17:02]: [1023.6, 1035.0]: Okay, you count [0:17:36, 0:17:37]: You know. [0:17:40, 0:17:41]: I think it's just two, right? [0:17:41, 0:17:45]: Yeah, sure. She present the other ones walking in salad. [0:18:02, 0:18:03]: Yeah, really. [0:18:09, 0:18:10]: How you doing? [0:18:15, 0:18:21]: [1102.1, 1109.9]: All right, here we go. If you all could just raise your hand, your right hand. [0:18:30, 0:18:30]: Aye. [0:18:32, 0:18:37]: I gotta say this with love and more power. This a little more. Come on, y'all. [0:18:37, 0:18:42]: Y'all leading our next generation. Let's do this one more time. I've been aware. [0:18:42, 0:19:02]: Awesome. Committee member do solemnly swear and affirm that I will faithfully perform the duties of the Youth Council Advisory Committee of the City of Stockbridge, and that I will, to the best of my ability, support and defend the charter thereof, as well as the Constitution and Laws of the State of Georgia and the United States of America. I further affirm that upon us upon assumption of this office I do not hold any unaccountable. [0:19:02, 0:19:22]: Accounted for public money due and payable to the state, any political subdivision of the state, the city of Stockbridge, or any authority thereof, nor do I hold any other office of trust of the government of the United States, of this state, or any foreign state as prescribed by the law of the state of Georgia. I will perform the duties of my office in the best interest of the city of Stockbridge. [0:19:22, 0:19:28]: change and to the best of my ability, without fear, favor, affection, reward, or expectation thereof. [0:19:30, 0:19:33]: All right, gosh, give me four minutes. Congratulations. [0:19:48, 0:19:49]: No, yeah. [0:19:56, 0:20:05]: [1207.8, 1208.9]: Okay. [0:20:40, 0:20:55]: [1255.7, 1260.0]: My work is one. [0:21:05, 0:21:15]: All right, one more? [0:21:17, 0:21:26]: [1287.5, 1294.7]: All right, and that concludes our swearing ins and proclamations. We'll begin our council meeting properly at six PM. [0:22:21, 0:22:22]: Miss out. [0:22:50, 0:22:53]: [1668.8, 1672.5]: The truth. [0:29:34, 0:29:36]: This is for the user, right? [0:29:54, 0:29:58]: I'm gonna ask all council members to make their ways to their seat. [0:30:09, 0:30:11]: Yeah, Cassandra. [0:30:12, 0:30:13]: The restroom. [0:30:24, 0:30:25]: Praise the Lord. [0:30:27, 0:30:27]: Yeah. [0:30:32, 0:30:33]: It is now six o'clock. [0:30:34, 0:30:35]: I'm gonna call this meeting to order. [0:30:37, 0:30:38]: Magic requirement. [0:30:39, 0:30:45]: I'm gonna have uh Councilman Berry begin us with prayer. Immediately after, please stand and join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. [0:30:47, 0:31:07]: Let us bow our heads. Eternal God, our Father, we thank you tonight. We thank you, Lord, for allowing us grace and mercy to be here one more time. We ask, Lord God, you bless this city. Bless the city of Stockbridge, its residents. Bless now, Lord God, Mayor and Council, and bless, Lord God, the staff of this great city. Lord, give us the guidance and the direction, Lord God. [0:31:07, 0:31:26]: God, to do the bidding and do the work that you have called us to do. Again, Lord God, steady our feet, steady our hand, and steady our mind, Lord God, to explore every avenue and every opportunity, Lord God, to give the best versions of ourselves that we can. And God, we will then give your name all of the glory, the honor, and the praise. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. [0:31:29, 0:31:41]: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [0:31:43, 0:31:44]: Thank you so much. [0:31:45, 0:31:49]: I will now ask our clerk, Clerk Lester, to please do the roll call. [0:31:50, 0:31:51]: Good evening. [0:31:52, 0:32:05]: Mayor Williams? Present. Council Member Gantt? Present. Councilmember Cloud. Present. Councilmember Berry. Present. Councilmember Barber. Present. Council Member Alexander. Present. [0:32:05, 0:32:06]: President [0:32:06, 0:32:08]: Mayor Williams, you have a quorum. [0:32:08, 0:32:15]: Thank you so much. Council, before you all have the agenda, I will now accept the adoption of the agenda. [0:32:15, 0:32:16]: Me. [0:32:16, 0:32:20]: I move that we amend the agenda. I have two items I need to [0:32:21, 0:32:30]: um add to it an uh the resolution in regards to the city council, city of Stockbridge, Georgia requesting the office of Congressman David Scott. [0:32:31, 0:32:34]: And the Henry County Federal delegation to request federal funding. [0:32:35, 0:32:35]: Was it [0:32:36, 0:32:40]: Is it is it I ha I'm sorry, I have it. I'm sorry. Thank you. One moment. [0:32:40, 0:32:57]: Um a resolution of the City Council of Stockbridge to request the Office of Congressman David Scott and the Henry County Federal Deg delegation to request federal funding and assistance for the City of Stockbridge multi-generational recreation. [0:32:58, 0:32:58]: Center. [0:32:59, 0:32:59]: Project. [0:33:00, 0:33:03]: as well as the Henry County Bond delegation. [0:33:04, 0:33:05]: Also. [0:33:06, 0:33:07]: Is there a second? [0:33:07, 0:33:27]: Second, I need to amend that. And we need to also add the um we need to add it one additional, and that would be the transfer. Let me let me handle this res motion and then if you want to make it a a uh amendment at that point, I'll bring it back around before we make the question. Thank you. All those in favor of of making and adding the resolution for David Scott's office and that. [0:33:27, 0:33:30]: that bond from Councilwoman Gantt, please wa uh signal your hand aye. [0:33:32, 0:33:32]: So moved. [0:33:34, 0:33:34]: Councilman. [0:33:34, 0:33:49]: Yeah, so second and we need to amend the agenda to add the transfer of the funds from the Cultural Art Center project to the Recreation Center project to make sure that we get the culture the recreation center out of the ground by the end of the year. [0:33:51, 0:33:51]: I second. [0:33:52, 0:33:56]: There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, please signify by the sign of aye. [0:33:57, 0:34:04]: So moved. Council, I also like uh would like to request that we amend the agenda to add executive session to the beginning of our meeting. [0:34:06, 0:34:07]: Uh some of the [0:34:08, 0:34:09]: There's a motion. Is there a second? [0:34:12, 0:34:16]: Clarification. Um well [0:34:17, 0:34:27]: I am to administer oaths to the following people for our organizational portion. However, I don't know many of them and I know many of you all do. So I'm just asking that we go into executive session for personnel reasons for my confirmation. [0:34:27, 0:34:45]: Certainly, Mayor, if I could be acknowledged. Sure. Certainly I think that would be appropriate if the legal had advised us in the past that if there were more than one candidate, we might be able to do that. Otherwise we had to discuss it out front. So what's the legal interpretation on the ones that we're considering tonight? [0:34:49, 0:34:50]: Please use the mic, Attorney Washington. [0:34:58, 0:34:59]: We have [0:34:59, 0:35:19]: Test we have 13 people for all the various boards, but the way in which it's the way in which it's shaking out, some of them put that they were available to serve in any capacity. And so given that we can't clearly tell how many, but I know for at least the development. [0:35:19, 0:35:24]: [2124.7, 2144.7]: Fewer candidates than we do actually have spots. So unless you want to acclimate and vote for all the people that are in the list to be on to go into the committees, then you would need to hold the process because you you have less members for some of these committees than you actually have seats based on the applicants. So if [0:35:44, 0:35:55]: If you want to vote for everybody to be on, then you can. But if you want to hold the process, then you can as well. Because for some of these in short, you may have five, you may have three applicants and there may be five spaces over there. [0:35:56, 0:36:16]: So if I could follow up. Go ahead, sir. If we have a position, say District 2 Planning Commission, he knows the member that he wants to prom he w wants to a recomm recommend for that particular position. Could those be just could those be moved ahead? Yes. Because if you want to move yes, so if you can [0:36:16, 0:36:36]: If there's only one person for one slot, then yes, if there are multiple slots, then you could go into executive session to discuss that you'd be talking about specific people and personnel. But if it's not more than one person, if it's not more slots than people, you would vote everybody in if you wanted to. [0:36:37, 0:36:41]: Right. There are more s there there's more than one person, but he knows who he wants to appoint. [0:36:41, 0:36:44]: Great. Mayor. [0:36:44, 0:36:45]: Go ahead, Councilwoman. [0:36:45, 0:37:05]: Uh my suggestion is is that we appo appoint only the council liaisons tonight and then review later the other committees and the reason being is it's from my understanding that resumes have not been tendered in. There's been some applications, but we also have certain appointed and each uh council person is to report. [0:37:05, 0:37:18]: appoint as well as you yourself is to appoint a person on the board. Those those are are our designated appointees. So I don't think I think they would go without question. The issue becomes [0:37:18, 0:37:34]: Um there are a lot of applications that have not submitted resumes and a couple other things that I think we can table the committees for now, except for the appointments of the council liaisons, and then come back at a uh following meeting and be ready to appoint committees. [0:37:36, 0:37:39]: Thank you for your feedback. There is a motion on the floor. Is there a second? [0:37:41, 0:38:01]: The issue is that we don't have a functioning planning commission and we do have members that we can actually appoint for that particular board. So I think in that aspect we could appoint some of the members tonight so that the planning commission can function. And then uh some of the other boards may not, but I think Miss Logan [0:38:01, 0:38:21]: Can you come to the mic? Councilman, before you do that, let me let me come back and control real quick. Um the motion is for us to go to executive session to discuss that. Now there was a motion on the floor. Now if there's not a second, then it dies and we can go forward with me giving you the recognition to ask Miss Linda to come forward, but there is a current motion on the floor. So is there a second to that motion? [0:38:21, 0:38:28]: So clarification though, we're doing all of the confirmations early versus at the end. Is that what we're amending? Correct. [0:38:31, 0:38:51]: Fair second. Hearing now it's dead. The motion is dead. Councilman, go ahead. I think we could we could we could spend a little time talking about it. In executive session. Yeah. Let's sp we'll spend I make a motion to go to executive session in courtesy to the mayor to uh review the applications uh tonight. [0:38:51, 0:38:57]: Thank you, Councilman. Is there a second? A second. There's a second. All those in favor, please signify by the safe aye. [0:38:58, 0:38:59]: Any opposed? [0:39:00, 0:39:02]: I oppose. All right. Four one. [0:39:05, 0:39:06]: Now I will open up [0:39:07, 0:39:27]: Just to give a quick overview of our ceremonies. This afternoon I swore in the members of our Main Street Board. I swore in the members of our youth advisory board, as well as our downtown development authority. So congratulations to all the reappointments that were sworn in today. Also during right before the meeting, I gave two proclamations. One was for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day that will be [0:39:27, 0:39:29]: celebrating on this coming Monday. [0:39:30, 0:39:37]: As well as celebrating the Stockbridge Middle School football team for their undefeated season. So, can we give them a round of applause for their undefeated season? [0:39:40, 0:39:48]: And congratulations to our Tigers. At this time, I'll pass it over to our Deputy Clerk for public comments. Sorry, excuse me. [0:39:50, 0:40:04]: We did not do an adoption, we did not have an adoption of the agenda with the said amendments. So let me rewind. Is there an adoption for the tonight's agenda with the recommendations uh stated by council? So moved. Second. [0:40:04, 0:40:07]: All those in favor, please signify by the sound of aye. [0:40:08, 0:40:13]: All right, it's unanimous. Thank you so much. Now I will go into public comments. Madam Clerk. [0:40:14, 0:40:14]: So [0:40:15, 0:40:17]: Name Marion Calhoun. [0:40:33, 0:40:35]: Please come up and state your name and address, please. [0:40:36, 0:40:37]: Mm-hmm. [0:40:58, 0:41:02]: I am Marion D. Calhoun and I live in Stockbridge. [0:41:03, 0:41:23]: My focus today is our newly elected mayor, Jaden Williams. It is common knowledge in not in Stockbridge and throughout Henry County that had not been for me, there would be no Jaden Williams Mayor. I work tirelessly supporting your campaign, believing you would bring about the necessary change we needed in Stockbridge. I never gave it to the [0:41:23, 0:41:25]: [2486.2, 2491.8]: I have come to realize that Stockbridge didn't change, but got an exchange of what we already d had. [0:41:32, 0:41:47]: You're no more than a fallen apple from a rotten tree, exhibiting traits of learned behavior such as being conniving, manipulative, dishonest, and calculating for selfish gain. I stand here today because I want to be transparent about how you will lead. [0:41:48, 0:41:54]: And I will use your own derogatory comments about members of this council and others to prove my point. For example [0:41:55, 0:41:58]: You stated that Janita Johnson was a sloppy drunk. [0:41:58, 0:42:18]: Point of order. Very smart. Point of order. But you place personal attention. I can say whatever I want in open comment and you're not gonna stop me and I can't be arrested. So I'm gonna say what I gotta say. Miss Calhoun, thank you so much for your comments. Please make sure Sergeant at Arms Council escort her out of the court. [0:42:18, 0:42:21]: Engaged in sexual relations with the councilman [0:42:22, 0:42:38]: in s in district five. You smiled in Judge Board said, I you can't make me leave. I've not done anything wrong. And you if you do I'll put your suit. No, you cannot make me leave. [0:42:38, 0:42:40]: I'm entitled to what [0:42:40, 0:42:41]: One too. [0:42:45, 0:42:47]: They will respond. Thank you. [0:42:50, 0:42:50]: Okay. [0:42:51, 0:42:53]: Y'all don't want to fruit. [0:42:56, 0:42:58]: I came to tell the truth. [0:43:00, 0:43:02]: Read the rules. [0:43:06, 0:43:17]: Here are public hearing rules. Please mute all cell phones and other electronic devices. If anyone wishes to speak tonight on the public hearing item, please fill out the form available on the table and hand it to the clerk before approaching the podium. [0:43:18, 0:43:21]: After each case is called the council will hear from the city staff. [0:43:23, 0:43:43]: Followed by the applicant or the respective regarding the proposed plan for property along with other relevant information. Following the applicant, anyone who wishes to speak in favor or opposed to the case will have the opportunity to do so. Each side will be allotted 10 minutes. Please keep comments and presentations professional, referring only to the facts that are pertinent to this case. We will not allow [0:43:43, 0:43:51]: Allow comments or personal attacks towards any individual or group. Please refrain from any applause or comments from the audience during the public hearing. [0:43:53, 0:44:13]: Which one? This one. Thank you. Public comments. All persons wish to speak for public comment must sign in with the clerk prior to the beginning of the meeting. You must sign your name, address, and phone number. You'll be able to speak you will address the mayor and counsel for three minutes. Speaker must [0:44:13, 0:44:23]: Must respect all members of the elected body, officials and staff. Defamation, unruliness, and other swearing will not be tolerated while meetings are in session. [0:44:26, 0:44:44]: Mayor, point of order. She was referring to sexual relations between the person that she named and myself, and which is totally not true. Uh listen, this this this certainly is out of order and it needs to be ended. I make a motion to end these comments. Is there a second? [0:44:46, 0:44:50]: It doesn't mean that I have to stop. If I can't stay here I guarantee I'll sit [0:44:52, 0:45:06]: Please do I make a motion to end these comments because they are defamatory and they are outrageous. I have a I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please signify by the sound of I. Aye. Any opposed? [0:45:11, 0:45:12]: The motion carries. [0:45:14, 0:45:15]: The motion carries. [0:45:19, 0:45:20]: The motion carries. [0:45:22, 0:45:24]: City Ms. Thank you. [0:45:33, 0:45:53]: Thank you so much for being a resident of this great city and thank you for your comments. Let's move forward. Council, we did uh approve to have executive session. I'll I'll accept a motion in a second to move forward into executive session. Sir, I'll take a motion for executive session for personnel real estate and cybersecurity um tonight. [0:45:53, 0:45:58]: Is there a second? All right. All those in favor? [0:45:59, 0:46:01]: We'll reconvene shortly. [1:27:05, 1:27:08]: Council, I'll now accept a motion to reconvene our meeting. [1:27:08, 1:27:09]: So [1:27:09, 1:27:11]: There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. [1:27:12, 1:27:14]: All those in favor, please signify by the sign of aye. [1:27:15, 1:27:16]: Somewhere. Mm-hmm. [1:27:24, 1:27:35]: Yeah, he has to make an announcement. He you have to do your resolution for the orchestra. Yes, if you would turn to me, it would be great. If I could be recognized. [1:27:35, 1:27:55]: Yeah, so we have some matters to discuss. We have to make a motion to reconvene. Is it go ahead? Sorry. Do I have a motion to reconvene from executive session? So move. Is there a second? I second. All those in favor? So moved. Council, we have some dis from decisions from executive session. I'll accept them. [1:27:55, 1:27:56]: [5277.1, 5286.2]: Well we'll have legal to come up to the podium so they could um kinda go over it so we understand what's going on. See it read it. [1:28:11, 1:28:13]: Mayor Cal. Good evening. [1:28:14, 1:28:34]: Good evening, Mayor and Council. This is the resolution approving the settlement agreement between the city of Stockbridge and Grishmar Patel, which is in current litigation in Henry County Superior Court in case number SUCV 202-5000814. And the resolution [1:28:34, 1:28:54]: is to settle by giving the permit to Mr. Patel to open the liquor store as had gone through our Department of Community Development. And so the settlement agreement you all have reviewed and the release, and so we're just asking for a motion to adopt the resolution that you all [1:28:54, 1:28:58]: have in your folders for this to be settled and then the in um community development take it from there. [1:28:58, 1:29:18]: Just wanna understand some for some clarification. We had originally denied this application because that's what uh the council had decided to do, but based on legal advisement, you uh the best advice was to issue it to avoid liability on the city's part, is that correct? That's correct, yes. So [1:29:18, 1:29:27]: So move. Councilman Thomas, let me allow Mr. Anderson to come up and say a few words. Go ahead. Uh excuse me. Alexander. Go ahead and mercy to think it about. [1:29:28, 1:29:30]: Yes. [1:29:37, 1:29:39]: You want me so something? [1:29:39, 1:29:45]: Did you have anything to say in regards to um no, uh not in particular, but um [1:29:45, 1:29:52]: Uh I'm I'm in support of the whether whether whether if it mean anything or not, I'm in support of the um of the agreement and um [1:29:54, 1:29:59]: And we have a and there's still one liquor license left that still you all have to decide. [1:29:59, 1:30:00]: All right. [1:30:01, 1:30:11]: All right. We've heard from the attorney. Is there a motion from the council for the settlement? Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I do want to m ask a question. Sure. With this settlement, is there a dollar amount? No. [1:30:12, 1:30:15]: So the settlement agreement is in lieu of [1:30:16, 1:30:20]: In lieu of future litigation and the city having to pay attorney fees if we were to lose. [1:30:20, 1:30:28]: So we are to liquor license. Yes. Department. Yes. Um this is um regarding my district, if I may, Mayor. Yes, ma'am. [1:30:28, 1:30:31]: So two years ago the Planning Commission. [1:30:31, 1:30:35]: did present to the governing body here in our public meeting. [1:30:35, 1:30:36]: Um [1:30:36, 1:30:48]: Since our population and size has increased, the state requires that we open up a lottery to allow two additional package stores. [1:30:48, 1:30:52]: Our planning for community development director and staff. [1:30:53, 1:30:55]: Presented a presentation. [1:30:55, 1:30:56]: Here in our public meeting. [1:30:57, 1:30:59]: They identified locations where [1:30:59, 1:31:00]: Those [1:31:00, 1:31:03]: Стаф рекоменда до [1:31:04, 1:31:08]: package doors. One of those locations was um [1:31:09, 1:31:10]: Supposed to be. [1:31:10, 1:31:12]: Along Rock Quarry Road. [1:31:13, 1:31:15]: In council district three. [1:31:16, 1:31:27]: The pl the community development presentation pointed out that every district already had a package store. District three is the only district. [1:31:27, 1:31:28]: That does not have a package door. [1:31:29, 1:31:33]: Rock Quarry Road was one of the roads that was identified. [1:31:34, 1:31:36]: in the planning commission's presentation. [1:31:37, 1:31:38]: The council made a decision. [1:31:39, 1:31:40]: That they didn't want. [1:31:41, 1:31:42]: The package store in District Three. [1:31:43, 1:31:44]: Instead. [1:31:44, 1:31:46]: They weren't in my district. [1:31:46, 1:31:47]: I objected. [1:31:48, 1:31:50]: So here we are today. [1:31:51, 1:31:55]: Um and even with the settlement agreement, I'm not going to support this. [1:31:56, 1:31:59]: This is not what I envision for my district. [1:31:59, 1:32:02]: I stand firmly on the decision that I made and [1:32:02, 1:32:05]: The first time. So I'll allow the rest of the council [1:32:05, 1:32:07]: to make whatever decision they want to make. [1:32:08, 1:32:10]: But this is not something that I [1:32:11, 1:32:14]: want to see in my district. Thank you. [1:32:15, 1:32:16]: Thank you so much. [1:32:17, 1:32:19]: So let's move forward. Is there a motion? [1:32:20, 1:32:24]: So is there a second? All those in favor, please signify by sign of aye. [1:32:26, 1:32:28]: Any against? Four to one. [1:32:29, 1:32:44]: All right. Thank you so much. Next on the tonight's agenda we'll do our organizational appointments. First one we have is the council appointment of the municipal court clerk, or excuse me, the municipal court solicitor. And I will administer the oath for that. [1:32:46, 1:32:46]: Somehow. [1:32:47, 1:32:48]: What a form. [1:32:51, 1:32:53]: We have to make the appointment. What's the name? [1:32:57, 1:33:02]: Madam Clerk, please also um share with us the name of the candidate. [1:33:09, 1:33:10]: How to a blank? [1:33:17, 1:33:23]: Good evening. It will be municipal court clerk solicitor Julie Kurt. [1:33:23, 1:33:24]: Mayor. [1:33:24, 1:33:25]: Yes, ma'am. [1:33:25, 1:33:32]: I move that we appoint um the municipal court solicitor of Miss Julia Clark Cl Ms Julia Julia. [1:33:33, 1:33:37]: Kirk as our solicitor. [1:33:37, 1:33:40]: All those in favor, please signify about sign of aye. [1:33:40, 1:33:41]: All right. [1:33:42, 1:33:44]: So moved, I'll now come down and administer the oil. [1:33:57, 1:33:59]: [5643.2, 5645.5]: He's gonna do that. Let's all go there. [1:34:05, 1:34:06]: Okay. [1:34:06, 1:34:08]: Mm-hmm. [1:34:10, 1:34:10]: Okay. [1:34:10, 1:34:12]: Okay. Have you raised your right hand for me? [1:34:15, 1:34:35]: I'm gonna read it and then you can just say I do okay. Okay. I state your name. Julie Heard. Do solemnly swear that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of solicitor of the Stockbridge Municipal Court for the city of Stockbridge, Henry County, Georgia, during my continuance in office, according to law, to the best of my knowledge and ability, without favor or affection to any party. [1:34:35, 1:34:41]: that I will only receive my legal fee, so help me God. I do. Thank you so much. Congratulations. Thank you very much. [1:35:04, 1:35:05]: Thank you very much. [1:35:06, 1:35:12]: Mayor and Council, I look forward to an opportunity to serve for another year. Thank you. Thank you. [1:35:15, 1:35:18]: [5720.7, 5723.8]: Okay, this one. [1:35:28, 1:35:32]: All right, council, next on the agenda is we have the appointment to our city clerk. [1:35:33, 1:35:33]: Yes, sir. [1:35:39, 1:35:41]: Is there any appointment to our city clerk? Yes. [1:35:42, 1:35:42]: Yes, sir. [1:35:43, 1:35:57]: Okay. Um under the advisement um that we've had in discussion, we're gonna appoint Miss Cassandra Lester as the interim uh clerk uh for twenty twenty six. That is the recommendation. [1:35:59, 1:36:00]: I second. [1:36:01, 1:36:04]: Right. There's a motion and a second. [1:36:05, 1:36:07]: By Councilman Claudia. [1:36:11, 1:36:14]: All those in favor, please signify by the sound and uh wave bye. [1:36:18, 1:36:20]: Four to one. Oh any oppose? [1:36:20, 1:36:22]: I oppose. Four to one. [1:36:27, 1:36:29]: Next we have the city appointment to our city treasurer. [1:36:30, 1:36:31]: Council. Yes, ma'am. [1:36:32, 1:36:35]: Move that we appoint Mr. Frank Malazi as our city treasurer. [1:36:36, 1:36:36]: Second. [1:36:38, 1:36:45]: All right, I have a appointment for Mr. Malazzi motion and second and all those in favor please signify by the sound of aye. [1:36:45, 1:36:49]: All right. All right. Any opposed? All right, so moved. [1:36:50, 1:36:56]: Next council, I have the city council appointment for the executive assistant to mayor and council. Is there motion? [1:36:57, 1:37:12]: Mayor. Madam Gamp. I move that we appoint our assistant, Mrs. Rosalind Rawls. And do I do have to do both or do I do just the one. Just one Ms. Rosalind Rawls. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, please signify by the sound of aye. [1:37:12, 1:37:13]: I [1:37:14, 1:37:15]: Right, so moved. [1:37:16, 1:37:21]: Council, I need the appointment to our city auditor. Is there a motion for our city auditor? [1:37:21, 1:37:23]: Mayor. Yes, Mayor. [1:37:23, 1:37:35]: I do have a question regarding this. Um and I'd like for Mr. Malazi to answer. If you can come to the podium, please. [1:37:40, 1:37:51]: Um so I know that last year um Mr. Malazzi brought to the council the contract for um the city's auditing firm Maldon and Jenkins. [1:37:52, 1:37:56]: You made mention that you were putting that contract back out for bid. [1:37:57, 1:37:59]: Um has that contract expired? [1:38:00, 1:38:04]: Unfortunately the contract will expire twenty twenty eight. [1:38:04, 1:38:11]: But the government body can e the governing body can decide as you know that our contracts are annual. [1:38:12, 1:38:16]: But the one that is signed is until twenty twenty eight that I found it. [1:38:17, 1:38:26]: When you um presented to the council last year, you made us aware of that language in the contract, but you also told us [1:38:26, 1:38:27]: That [1:38:27, 1:38:29]: That would be the last year. [1:38:29, 1:38:31]: And that you would be putting that contract. [1:38:32, 1:38:34]: Back out forbid. Is that not the case? [1:38:35, 1:38:44]: It's the case every uh government uh every contract that we have, even we say three years, four years but it's approved annually. [1:38:46, 1:38:58]: I don't know if that answers my question. Will you be will you be advertising a request for proposal from an auditing firm this year? Yes, we'll be advertising but they are free to [1:39:01, 1:39:05]: Will that be done in the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter? [1:39:05, 1:39:15]: I will have to reuse with the uh seat manager. How about if I get back to you in work session? Can you clear the screen? On that. [1:39:17, 1:39:19]: Thank you. Mayor. [1:39:20, 1:39:24]: Yes, ma'am. I move that we appoint Martin Jenkins as our city auditor. [1:39:24, 1:39:26]: Mm. Second. [1:39:27, 1:39:29]: There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? [1:39:32, 1:39:35]: Any opposed? Four to one. [1:39:36, 1:39:50]: Next on the on our organizational appointments, council, there is an appointment to our city attorney. Is there a motion for a city attorney? Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I move that we appoint the Washington Law Firm. Mr. Quentin Washington is the lead uh attorney there. Is there a second? Second. [1:39:52, 1:39:53]: All those in favor? [1:39:56, 1:39:56]: In your polls? [1:39:57, 1:39:58]: I oppose. [1:39:58, 1:39:58]: Four to one. [1:40:01, 1:40:05]: Council next, I need the appointment of our Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. [1:40:05, 1:40:12]: I would like to appoint Councilman Elton Alexander. It is his term to be our mayor pro tem. Is there a second? A second. [1:40:13, 1:40:14]: Are those in favor? [1:40:17, 1:40:19]: Any opposed? I oppose. [1:40:19, 1:40:20]: Abstain. [1:40:21, 1:40:41]: Councilman, how did you vote? Alexander. Okay. Mayor if I could. Sure. I would like to thank the council for nominating me for 2026 as the mayor pro tem of the city of Stockbridge. Uh as we have uh worked here, we wanted to make sure that every person up here had an opportunity. [1:40:41, 1:41:01]: To serve as Mayor Pro Tem as the position is being rotated and being mostly ceremonial. Certainly, it is our hope that everyone will support each candidate on a yearly basis, no matter who it is. And that is the attempt here to unite all of us so that we can be very important. [1:41:01, 1:41:21]: very very cohesive and unified uh as a public facing front. Thank you so much, Councilman. And I and I if I could, if I just a few other seconds, I certainly would like to thank all of you for that because we have an aggressive agenda uh in 2025 starting with the cultural arts, I mean with the recreation center. [1:41:21, 1:41:32]: this year that that we want to make sure comes out of the ground. Thank you so much. Thank you. Council next on the agenda is the appointment to the council liaisons onto the Main Street Advisory Board. Is there a motion? Yes. [1:41:32, 1:41:33]: Yes, ma'am, Madam Barber. [1:41:34, 1:41:40]: Um the Main Street um advisory board has made a recommendation to the council. [1:41:40, 1:41:44]: The Main Street Advisory Board chair is here. Will you allow him to speak? [1:41:45, 1:41:50]: I'll allow him to come and give his recommendation only if that's okay. Thank you. Please come up to the front. [1:42:02, 1:42:22]: Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um, my name is Willie Hopkins. I serve as the chair of the Main Street Advisory Board. The recommendation came as of last year when um Mayor Thomas, I mean say Councilman Thomas was ill. We didn't have an advisory board, liaison at that time. And I just came to the podium and asked it. [1:42:22, 1:42:35]: there'd be a recommendation, a consideration uh for Councilman Barber because that's her district and that's the reason why we asked her to be a part of the advisory team for the liaison for the advisory team. Thank you so much, Chair Hopkins. Is there a motion? [1:42:35, 1:42:41]: I make a motion, sir, um to appoint myself to the main street advisory board. [1:42:42, 1:42:43]: Is there a second? [1:42:44, 1:42:45]: Is there a second? [1:42:46, 1:42:52]: The motion is dead. I have a motion for the council liaison to the Main Street Advisory Board. Yes, sir. [1:42:52, 1:42:53]: Yes, sir. [1:42:53, 1:43:13]: I recommend that Antoine Cloud, the district two council members serve in this capacity. Ms. Yeah, Mr. Uh our council member is uniting for us and certainly that is a voice that we need as we work with the D DA and the council to be able to understand to move the downtown forward. That is my motion. [1:43:13, 1:43:15]: Thank you so much. Is there a second? [1:43:15, 1:43:16]: I second. [1:43:16, 1:43:18]: All those in favor signify by the sound of aye. [1:43:20, 1:43:21]: Any opposed? [1:43:22, 1:43:24]: I oppose. That's my district. [1:43:25, 1:43:27]: It's the district that I was duly elected. [1:43:27, 1:43:28]: To represent. [1:43:28, 1:43:30]: It is why the Main Street Advisory Board [1:43:30, 1:43:33]: has made their recommendation. Thank you, sir. [1:43:33, 1:43:35]: Thank you, Councilwoman. The motion is four to one. [1:43:35, 1:43:50]: Next council, I have the council city council appointment to the council liaison to the citywide development authority. Is there a motion? Yes. Yes, sir. I recommend a councilwoman Lakeisha Gantt to serve to the Citywide Development Authority, continue her excellent service. [1:43:50, 1:43:50]: Is there a second? [1:43:53, 1:43:57]: Second by Kyle Behr. All those in favor, please signify by the sign of aye. [1:43:58, 1:44:17]: Hi. Hi. All opposed? Four to one. Next on the agenda is the mayor's committees. As you all know, council per our charter, uh I am able to create or have committees per the charter that allows the council to also get a their hands a little wet in the system of our government. And so I have a few committees. [1:44:18, 1:44:21]: Appointments for committees that I like to acknowledge and recognize. [1:44:23, 1:44:43]: The first one is our finance committee. The finance committee will provide financial oversight, planning, and policy advice, ensuring physical health by reviewing our budget, monitoring our spending, and recommending financial policies. That finance committee will be chaired by Councilman Barber along with Councilman Berry, Councilman Cloud, and the city attorney. Next is our education committee. [1:44:43, 1:44:58]: The Education Committee advises the local government on school policy, funding, and operations and acting as a liaison between our schools, parents, and the community. That committee will be chaired by Councilwoman Gantt along with Councilman Alexander and Councilman Berry and our economic development director. [1:44:59, 1:45:01]: Next is our information technology committee. [1:45:01, 1:45:10]: The IT committee guides technology strategy, ensuring that IT aligns with the city goals, approving major projects, setting policies for security security procurement. [1:45:11, 1:45:13]: And for data protection. [1:45:13, 1:45:20]: That committee will be chaired by Councilman Cloud, along with uh Councilmember Alexander and Gantt and the IT Director. [1:45:23, 1:45:24]: Public works committee. [1:45:25, 1:45:44]: was set as an advisory board to the city council, advisory body, excuse me, reviewing, discussing, and recommending policies to ensure essential infrastructure and services like streets, water, sewer, parks, and flood control. That committee will be chaired by Councilman Alexander along with Councilman Cloud, Councilman Barber, and the Public Works Director. [1:45:44, 1:45:47]: Finally is our building committee, which would be chaired by [1:45:48, 1:45:49]: Councilman Beery. [1:45:49, 1:46:00]: Along with Councilman Gantt and Barber, this oversees new construction and major renovations acting as their advisory body that review plans to ensure we're in compliance with codes. [1:46:00, 1:46:20]: and guides projects to its completion. Those are my committees per the mayor and our charter appointments. Uh Mayor. Yes ma'am. Point of order. I don't know if you can assign us committees. Um I and I would have to yield to counsel on that. I I've never I think we voted whether [1:46:20, 1:46:40]: or not we were agreeing with those committees and those appointments. A lot of the we had committees years and years ago when I first got on council, and what we found was that it was redundant because the council had to bring everything back to the council to get a vote. [1:46:40, 1:46:45]: and it it just didn't pan out to that degree. So [1:46:45, 1:46:46]: Um [1:46:47, 1:47:07]: It became an issue. And it wasn't recommended in that way. Um, specifically uh some of the examples we received through Georgia Municipal Association as well as through our city attorney, I believe that was Michael Williams at the time, was that it was, you know, committees of such R400. [1:47:07, 1:47:24]: hundred thousand type popul like city of Atlanta um or uh or uh Cincinnati, Ohio, or or you know, Vegas. I mean somewhere where there is a huge population. Um in this instance we have a population close to 40,000. However [1:47:25, 1:47:25]: The [1:47:26, 1:47:28]: Mayor Council would have to vote. [1:47:29, 1:47:38]: on those committees that you suggest. I that's from my understanding. If that's not correct, I would need to hear from legal, because we've never done that before. [1:47:38, 1:47:39]: Councilwoman, if [1:47:39, 1:47:59]: Let me uh also say I I do agree. We have done it in the past. Um however it is not just for larger cities like Atlanta. Smaller cities than us currently actually have those committees because it helps us get a better understanding. And so for example, when we go back to executive session to make some decisions, you can say, oh well, I've already reviewed this. This is kind of what we found and what we've left. [1:47:59, 1:48:19]: laid out. So that was the purpose. And if our city uh attorney wants to look into it, he can go and find the appointment of the committees in our on our charter on uh section two oh four two ten. It's also in two oh four two twenty and two oh four two thirty. Okay. Well then I would yield to counsel on that and and find out whether from [1:48:19, 1:48:39]: legal and see what that looks like. Yes ma'am. In addition to that, um some of the appointed positions of council um in specific departments um may be of issue as well. Yes ma'am give me one second, councilman councilman barber. [1:48:39, 1:48:44]: [6525.0, 6526.6]: Those code sections. [1:48:46, 1:48:49]: Do you have them in front of you? Sure. [1:48:49, 1:49:09]: two hundred four two ten at the first regular meeting of the mayor and council for any calendar year committees shall be appointed to serve for the ensuring year. two hundred four two twenty committee members to be familiar with all aspects of the committee function. Each committee member shall familiarize himself with the Chit City Charter and shall as nearly as possible commit to his memory those portions of the charter [1:49:09, 1:49:29]: Dealing with specifically his area of responsibility. He shall diligently read, inquire to, and fully understand each ordinance, resolution, rule, and regulation as it relates to his area of responsibility. He shall diligently study to the budget and shall not less than monthly study and inquire expenditures and operations of his area. 204-230. [1:49:29, 1:49:49]: Specific duties of the committee members. Ordinances, A ordinance, etc. Each committee member shall discuss any ordinance, resolution, or rule that he proposes for adoption with the city attorney who shall draft or approve as to form all proposed ordinances and resolutions. Upon the introduction of a proposed ordinance, resolution, or rule, the committee member shall be prepared to explain such ordinances. [1:49:49, 1:50:09]: rule or resolution in detail as it relates to city budget, city employees, and in public in general and otherwise. At such time he shall anticipate general questions and inquire of the council and be prepared to answer the same. Part B for that is each committee member sh may in his discretion construct such forms as he deems fit for gathering information [1:50:09, 1:50:15]: Concerning areas under his committee and make them available to each department head at the office of the clerk. [1:50:15, 1:50:18]: Yes, ma'am. So one of the [1:50:19, 1:50:21]: The first code that you read. [1:50:22, 1:50:23]: Mentioned the word shall. [1:50:24, 1:50:26]: Not may, but shall. [1:50:27, 1:50:28]: Meaning that you should. [1:50:29, 1:50:34]: Can you read that section again? Is that under the powers and duties of the mayor? Yes, ma'am. [1:50:35, 1:50:40]: What section read that section again? Two oh four ten. Into the right card. Sorry, two dot oh four dash two. [1:50:44, 1:50:51]: Appointment subcommittees at the first regular meeting of the mayor and council for any calendar year committees shall be appointed to serve for the ensuring year. [1:50:53, 1:51:13]: Thank you, sir. Yes, ma'am. Councilman Alexander? Uh Mr. Attorney, I don't plan on serving on any committees and because I've had this experience before, and certainly it just bogs things down in the city business. And it is one of those things that it just is so redundant and there's so much pull on our [1:51:13, 1:51:33]: time right now and I actually sent an email in December saying asking not to be appointed to any committees because it is a redundant process that just really puts us in a position where we're coming and for me there's nothing more like chalk nails on the chalkboard than meeting for the sake of meeting uh [1:51:32, 1:51:52]: an another meeting and another meeting and another meeting when we can do those particular processes at the at the city. So we need some interpretation on whether or not we're required to serve on these uh committees because it it's it's something that I certainly would not exercise to do. And if that being [1:51:52, 1:52:00]: in the case I certainly would make a motion to uh to change the city charter so that that is not a requirement. [1:52:01, 1:52:02]: Councilwoman Barber. [1:52:04, 1:52:10]: Um Mayor Williams, thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on the finance committee. [1:52:10, 1:52:11]: It is a committee that I have [1:52:11, 1:52:13]: Inquired about [1:52:13, 1:52:14]: Prior. [1:52:14, 1:52:17]: Um in fact, Councilwoman Gantt has served. [1:52:17, 1:52:20]: As a chair of the finance комітіс. [1:52:20, 1:52:23]: Um it's interesting that she doesn't think it's necessary. [1:52:24, 1:52:28]: Now I think it's necessary more than ever before. [1:52:28, 1:52:32]: Considering the mismanagement of funds over the last few years. [1:52:32, 1:52:37]: We need another set of eyes on our city's finances. You've got the right person. Thank you, sir. [1:52:38, 1:52:43]: Thank you so much. Well, those are my appointments, councilman, you council members, you do have the right to [1:52:44, 1:52:45]: Do it or not. [1:52:45, 1:52:46]: Okay. [1:52:46, 1:52:56]: Mayor, I still wanna hear from legal. I don't think that that's the interpretation of the charter. I think he was still looking for it. I was gonna give him the time to look for it. Get the mic, please, Attorney Washington. [1:53:11, 1:53:16]: This is something that I just wanna take under advisement,'cause this is not something I wanna issue a rash ruling on. I wanna make sure that [1:53:17, 1:53:23]: if s once something is said that it's said based on an understanding of the charter and also the amendments and stuff. So [1:53:24, 1:53:41]: I think that we w we'll definitely be able to read out on this before the next before the next work session. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Council, I'll accept a motion to table the mayor's committees until the next work session. So move. Is there a second? I'll say. [1:53:41, 1:53:44]: All right, all those in favor, please indicate by the sound of I. Aye. [1:53:44, 1:53:46]: All right, so move, thank you so much. [1:53:49, 1:54:04]: On to O business. Uh only thing we have on the agenda, Council, is to approve a resolution authorizing a settlement agreement of the matter Flatel and the GRP L O C, a Georgia limited liability company versus the city of Stockbridge. Attorney Washington. [1:54:07, 1:54:10]: We've already done this, so do we have to approve the resolution as well? [1:54:13, 1:54:14]: Okay, great. [1:54:16, 1:54:30]: Awesome. Thank you so much. Own a new business. Council consideration to reappoint Miss Shamari Furch, excuse me if I butcher your name to the Main Street Advisory Board. Term expires twelve thirty-one, twenty twenty seven. So moved. [1:54:31, 1:54:32]: Is there a second? [1:54:34, 1:54:40]: All right. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. Aye. All right. So moved. [1:54:42, 1:54:56]: Next item is council consideration to appoint the planning commission members to fulfill the vacancies in district one, district two, district three, district four, and mayor's appointment at large. Term to be assigned accordingly. Uh Mr. Attorney, would you like to come up and present this? [1:55:01, 1:55:03]: Everybody? [1:55:04, 1:55:05]: Make it up. [1:55:12, 1:55:13]: Mike. [1:55:22, 1:55:30]: And I know we had some discussion about who want to go forward with the various members. And so if you are going to appoint the [1:55:31, 1:55:33]: members that we had were [1:55:34, 1:55:35]: It's hard. [1:55:35, 1:55:38]: Mr. Mayor, if I could. [1:55:38, 1:55:46]: If you would just allow the the council members and the respective districts to nominate the person of their choice, that would probably work out best. [1:55:46, 1:55:46]: Okay. [1:55:48, 1:55:50]: Uh Councilman Cloud, allow you to start us off. [1:55:51, 1:55:57]: Yes, for uh district two my nomination is uh Sharonda Gardner. [1:55:59, 1:55:59]: Sick. [1:56:00, 1:56:06]: There is a motion and a second. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. Aye. [1:56:06, 1:56:08]: Any opposed? So moved. [1:56:10, 1:56:20]: The next one is the mayor's appointment at large. Council I like to appoint Miss Lisa Glenn of Council District Five to the at large appointment seat for the planning commission. Second. [1:56:21, 1:56:31]: Well we need a motion. I'll finish say you can't. So make it so move. Okay, thank you. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. Aye. All right, so move. [1:56:31, 1:56:33]: Thank you so much, Council. [1:56:35, 1:56:42]: Next up on the agenda, we have the council consideration to appoint members to the citywide development authority to fill an unexpired term. [1:56:49, 1:56:50]: [7010.9, 7017.3]: So districts one, districts three, district four. [1:56:59, 1:57:03]: District. District five is already fulfilled on planning commission. It was just the two. [1:57:04, 1:57:15]: Uh mine is done. I'm waiting for the first time. So district one, district three, and district four will be moved to the to the uh made during the district three. Thank you. To the work session. Correct. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. [1:57:17, 1:57:22]: One more time council consideration to r appoint members to the citywide development authority to fulfill an unexpired term. [1:57:26, 1:57:33]: Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I move that we um currently table that until the next work session. [1:57:33, 1:57:35]: So a second there. [1:57:35, 1:57:43]: All right. There is a motion to table until the January twenty s twenty second work session. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. [1:57:43, 1:57:44]: Yeah. [1:57:45, 1:57:46]: Might get so moved. [1:57:48, 1:57:56]: Council consideration to appoint a member to the ethics board to fill an unexpired term to the assigned accordingly. [1:57:57, 1:58:01]: Mayor. Yes, Mayor. I move that we table that as well. Second. [1:58:02, 1:58:06]: All those in favor please indicate by the sound of aye. So moved. [1:58:07, 1:58:10]: Council consideration to appoint members to the public safety authority. [1:58:11, 1:58:15]: Facility, excuse me, terms to be assigned accordingly. Is there a motion? [1:58:16, 1:58:18]: Mayor, I move that we table. [1:58:19, 1:58:27]: Just to confirm we're tabling to the 22nd, correct? Yes. Thank you so much. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor? [1:58:28, 1:58:29]: So moved. [1:58:30, 1:58:40]: Council consideration to appoint members to the Youth Council Advisory Committee for a two year term through December thirty first, twenty twenty seven. Does she have a recommendation? [1:58:40, 1:58:44]: Are there any recommendations as of now for the youth council advisory board? [1:58:44, 1:58:45]: Madam Clerk. [1:58:49, 1:58:58]: Or or Mr. Attorney. But I think that was but it was a group and some didn't some didn't consist of resumes. Correct. [1:59:00, 1:59:02]: Table. Did the board so I moved to table. [1:59:02, 1:59:09]: Right. Is there to the twenty s motion to table to the January twenty second meeting? Yes. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? [1:59:09, 1:59:10]: So moved. [1:59:13, 1:59:20]: Council consideration to appoint a member to the council on aging term to expire twelve thirty one, twenty twenty seven. [1:59:20, 1:59:22]: I move that we table that as well. [1:59:22, 1:59:23]: Thank you so much. Is there a second? [1:59:24, 1:59:24]: Second. [1:59:25, 1:59:31]: All right. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. Aye. So moved. [1:59:32, 1:59:52]: All right, next one the agenda is the mayor's comments. You are welcome to twenty twenty-six. We are excited to serve you all with new ones. I'm sorry, sir. Excuse me, point. We had added a couple three a couple items to the agenda, those three additions with the uh two resolutions and the transfer of the funds. Yes, sir. Thank you so much for that reminder. Indeed, the first one, council, is the [1:59:52, 1:59:52]: Yeah. [1:59:53, 2:00:09]: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Stockbridge, Georgia, requesting the office of Congressman David Scott and the Henry County Federal Delegation to request federal funding and assistance for the City of Stockbridge multi generational recreation center project and for other purposes. Is there a motion? [2:00:10, 2:00:12]: Uh yes. So move. [2:00:13, 2:00:18]: Is there a second? Second. Uh okay, second by Mr. Berry. All those in favor indicate by the sound yes, ma'am. [2:00:19, 2:00:23]: Um I do want to make a comment, if I may. Really brief. Um [2:00:24, 2:00:27]: So I wish that we didn't need to make this request. [2:00:28, 2:00:40]: But due to the mismanagement of funds in previous years, I'm glad to have the support of our Henry County delegation as well as our congressman to assist in the funding of this community center. [2:00:40, 2:00:41]: I suggested [2:00:42, 2:00:43]: To transform. [2:00:43, 2:00:44]: The funds to [2:00:44, 2:00:46]: The community or recreation center. [2:00:47, 2:00:48]: A few years ago. [2:00:48, 2:00:49]: Probably in twenty twenty three. [2:00:50, 2:00:52]: On several occasions after that. [2:00:52, 2:00:56]: But I didn't have the support from the council. I'm glad to see. [2:00:57, 2:00:58]: That there is support now. [2:00:59, 2:01:01]: Um I would like to see a long term plan for it. [2:01:02, 2:01:11]: Um how it will be maintained, financed the liabilities, and the overall pr programming for it. Thank you, sir. [2:01:12, 2:01:12]: Go ahead, sir. [2:01:12, 2:01:21]: I would like to say this is a monumental step. Many of you have asked for a multi-generational recreation center with an indoor pool. [2:01:21, 2:01:41]: And all a similar look to welcome all part. That's what we're attempting to do here. We had a meeting with our legislators. The new the mayor was here as well as all of the representatives, Mayor Ford, former Mayor Ford was here, and we requested additional funding for our state representatives. They were very excited about the project. [2:01:41, 2:02:01]: And I want to thank the voters because the uh in addition to the money that we're about to transfer, there was$10 million that you voted yes on the splot. So if with these two transfers, we'll have$24 million to build the facility, and with the additional funding that we hope to garner from the [2:02:01, 2:02:13]: state and federal level, it could come to fruition by the end of the year. So reach out to your legislators and ask them to advocate on behalf of the Stockbridge Multi-Generational Recreation Center. [2:02:14, 2:02:27]: Thank you. Thank you. There's already a motion and a second on the floor. All those in favor of the resolution please indicate by the sound of aye. Aye. Any opposed? So moved. Next resolution is the transfer. [2:02:30, 2:02:47]: Here we are. A resolution of the Stockbridge City Council in the city of Stockbridge, Georgia, authorizing the transfer of bond proceeds in the amount of fourteen million dollars from the Cultural Arts Center Bond Project to the Multi-Generational Recreation Center Project and for other purposes. Sir. [2:02:48, 2:02:48]: Madam Barber. [2:02:50, 2:02:50]: Yeah. [2:02:50, 2:02:52]: So I can. [2:02:53, 2:03:00]: I made this request um a couple of years ago that we transfer the funds from the community. Um [2:03:00, 2:03:01]: The cultural art sinner. [2:03:01, 2:03:05]: Um to the recreation center because it was much needed. [2:03:05, 2:03:09]: So I'm glad to have the support of my councilmates now. [2:03:09, 2:03:14]: So that we can move forward with the community and Rick Center. That's all. Thank you, sir. [2:03:15, 2:03:20]: Oh I will make the motion to approve this resolution. Thank you. Thank you. Is there a second? I'm a second. [2:03:22, 2:03:23]: Second. [2:03:23, 2:03:28]: One second. Nobody's overhead. All right. All those in fa in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. [2:03:29, 2:03:30]: Yeah. [2:03:30, 2:03:31]: So moved. Thank you. [2:03:38, 2:03:44]: Yeah, we just gotta do the federal one. We did the state, right? We gotta do the federal. [2:03:45, 2:03:58]: No, that was state federal. He just said do we have to vote on the federal You you're ref no, she's refer she's referencing something that I need to swear in all of the city organizational appointments. No. No. Us. [2:04:00, 2:04:00]: No. [2:04:06, 2:04:08]: Elect officials have to be sworn in. [2:04:08, 2:04:11]: Okay, while they confer with that, we're gonna move forward. [2:04:11, 2:04:12]: Council. [2:04:13, 2:04:33]: I'll also uh accept a motion for a resolution of the City Council of the City of Stockbridge, Georgia, requesting the Henry County Legislative Delegation to pursue a eight million dollar in-state funding for the City of Stockbridge multi-generational recreation center project and for other purposes. So move. So move. All right. I have a motion by Cal Berry. Is there a second? I second. All right. [2:04:33, 2:04:37]: All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. Aye. All right. Thank you so much, Council. [2:04:39, 2:04:41]: But we have to get sworn in. [2:04:42, 2:04:44]: Yes. Mr. Attorney. [2:04:49, 2:04:51]: I can't hear you. [2:04:51, 2:04:53]: Does that mic not work on that side? [2:04:56, 2:04:58]: We'd have to guess one. [2:04:59, 2:05:02]: Me infle incentives. [2:05:04, 2:05:06]: But formality we need to make sure that [2:05:06, 2:05:14]: All the new members are sworn in at the first meeting of the year, which would be this one for Councilwoman Gantt and Councilman Cloud. [2:05:16, 2:05:16]: That's correct. [2:05:17, 2:05:18]: Yeah. [2:05:19, 2:05:22]: Madam Clerk, do you have that documentation prepared? [2:05:28, 2:05:40]: It is the same as one of the documents that you've already uh given earlier today. So who's Judge McCord? Judge McCord is not here. [2:05:41, 2:05:52]: Our city attorney can swear us in. Awesome. Uh Councilwoman Gantt, Councilman Cloud, if you can join us, join me on the ground on the floor and the city attorney will swear us in. [2:05:57, 2:06:02]: Is the city attorney not available to swear sin? Are you a judge? Aren't you a judge? No, I'm not. [2:06:02, 2:06:03]: You have been, correct. [2:06:04, 2:06:06]: But he's not actively a judge. [2:06:06, 2:06:11]: Okay. Then then that won't be the case. Can we get Judge McCord and see? [2:06:12, 2:06:13]: All right. [2:06:15, 2:06:16]: Well attorney? [2:06:17, 2:06:17]: One moment. [2:06:21, 2:06:23]: Mm-hmm. At the beginning of the meeting. [2:06:24, 2:06:25]: Okay. [2:06:30, 2:06:45]: And thank you for community for bearing with us as we transpire through our organizational meeting. Some people do it all at once. We do it now. So thank you all for coming out with us this evening. Just bear with us for a few more minutes, okay? [2:06:46, 2:06:55]: I wish I could give y'all some some some chips or water, okay, but uh I ain't got there just yet, but it's coming, okay? So thank y'all. [2:07:04, 2:07:05]: You would do. [2:07:52, 2:07:53]: Yeah, very good. [2:07:58, 2:08:09]: Yeah. Yes ma'am. I d uh I have it's uh one of the people who can swear us in, from my understanding, is a notary public. [2:08:10, 2:08:30]: Um they are a commission not or public, maybe administrator public oats of office. And that is pursuant to what I have seen here. It says also clerks of courts and then also probate judges, commissions of deeds, certain elected officials expressly [2:08:29, 2:08:33]: expressly authorized by statute, but in Georgia [2:08:33, 2:08:35]: Specific [2:08:36, 2:08:44]: Um you a s municipal official can be sworn in by any Georgia notary public. Any Georgia notary public. [2:08:45, 2:08:46]: You are. [2:08:48, 2:08:56]: Well, but you're more than welcome to swear us in so we don't waste time. Yeah, let's let's move forward. We're gonna have the city attorney swear us in. Um then you tell the local. [2:08:57, 2:09:04]: And if anybody questions that, that is in pursuant to OCGA dash section forty-five-seventeen-eight. [2:09:04, 2:09:10]: Awesome. Council members, if you all can join well, Councilman Gantt, Council McClell, please join me down at the floor so that he can swear us in. [2:09:10, 2:09:11]: Okay. [2:09:15, 2:09:16]: Oh well that takes them. [2:09:31, 2:09:37]: First of all, is that necessary? Is this something that we can might beat our members? We have to do that every year. [2:09:38, 2:09:40]: You get to learn it worked. [2:09:45, 2:09:48]: Oh she hear it like oh don't have to have that. [2:10:01, 2:10:02]: Mm-hmm. [2:10:08, 2:10:18]: Okay. But we're going to Shana. Shana. Should we go down there too? Is Shana here? [2:10:21, 2:10:22]: I know so. [2:10:31, 2:10:32]: Okay, we'll do all three. [2:10:35, 2:10:36]: Mm-hmm. [2:10:39, 2:10:42]: Right, deal with the office. I state your name. [2:10:44, 2:10:55]: Do silently swear affirm that I will faithfully perform the duties of mayor and city council for the City of Stockbridge, and that I will, to the best of my ability, support and defend. [2:10:55, 2:10:58]: I need to let y'all read behind me. So [2:10:58, 2:11:02]: Am I gonna read the oath? And y'all affirm. Okay. [2:11:02, 2:11:22]: Right, and defend the charter thereof, as well as the constitutional laws of the state of Georgia and the United States of America. I further affirm that upon assumption of this office I do not hold any unaccounted for public money due and payable to the state, any political subdivision of the state, the city of Stockbridge, or any authority thereof, nor do I hold any office of trust that the government of the [2:11:22, 2:11:42]: of the United States of this state or any foreign state is prescribed by the law of the state of Georgia. I solemnly swerve that I f I solemnly affirm that I am fully qualified under the Constitution and the laws of the state to hold the office of mayor and city council, and that I will perform the duties of my office in the best inside of the city of Stockbridge to the best of my ability. [2:11:42, 2:11:47]: [7909.6, 7912.5]: Right. By that you are officially sworn in. Congratulations. [2:12:00, 2:12:00]: Mm-hmm. [2:12:01, 2:12:02]: This is five. [2:12:10, 2:12:12]: Well it's really. [2:12:15, 2:12:17]: All right. [2:12:18, 2:12:36]: With that, Mayor's Comments, welcome to the new year. Welcome to 2026. We hope you all had a prosperous holiday season going into this new year. We cannot wait to work on behalf of the people of Stockbridge. And if we do otherwise, you come up and you let us know and call us out. Thank you so much for your time. Counsel with that, I will accept a motion to adjourn. [2:12:36, 2:12:40]: So moo Is there a second? A second. Meeting adjourned. Thank you so much. [2:12:48, 2:12:51]: One down twenty what? Twenty four to go? Twenty four twenty four. [2:12:56, 2:13:00]: I don't think that's why I think that's all I'm saying.