2018-01-08 · City Council · Transcript · City Council Meeting

--- title: January 8 2018 City Council Meeting date: 2018-01-08 source: 2018-01-08_January_8_2018_City_Council_Meeting.wav --- [0:00:00, 0:00:06]: This is gonna be screen, isn't it? [0:00:08, 0:00:09]: That's a good thing. [0:00:28, 0:00:30]: Yeah, earlier today. [0:00:33, 0:00:36]: Just this evening. [0:00:38, 0:00:39]: Yeah. [0:00:51, 0:00:55]: Oh, I printed it for me. [0:01:10, 0:01:18]: Why would he think that? Nobody told him that. [0:01:19, 0:01:20]: We'll just blame it on the weather. [0:01:22, 0:01:25]: Blame on the weather. [0:02:00, 0:02:01]: May I have your attention? [0:02:03, 0:02:06]: Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? [0:02:08, 0:02:19]: Hello. May I have your attention? We'll be starting in about fifteen or twenty minutes. The judge is en route. Um there's traffic and he'll be here in about fifteen or twenty minutes. Thank you. [0:03:15, 0:03:25]: Like I think this photo is going to um part down here. We'll pick it up and let them properly. [0:03:27, 0:03:29]: I'm not gonna [0:03:50, 0:03:54]: Thank you. [0:03:55, 0:04:00]: Yeah, uh [0:04:10, 0:04:12]: Okay. [0:04:12, 0:04:17]: Yeah. [0:04:20, 0:04:35]: Yeah, this is a little bit more than all the coffee and tons of vanilla chicken. [0:04:55, 0:05:15]: Camilla. Camilla. Can we do it this way? So I need you to spread out just a little bit. Where everybody can sit in the gas. And get behind your mom. And they're going to come up. Come back. Okay. [0:05:14, 0:05:34]: You know, I'm sorry. No, I wouldn't say I don't want to go back, but I'll start with that. I don't have to go back. I don't know. No, I don't mind. I just need back. [0:05:34, 0:05:40]: They want you to come off. [0:05:45, 0:05:55]: Where? Okay, that's something that's anywhere. [0:06:08, 0:06:15]: Alright, this one. Okay. All right. [0:06:51, 0:06:53]: Ladies [0:06:55, 0:06:56]: Ladies. [0:07:15, 0:07:25]: Oh yeah, I'm gonna be able to do it. All right, clearly. I'll give you there some better. I'll give you a person. [0:07:48, 0:08:00]: You're closer than I don't know. One, two. [0:08:00, 0:08:12]: I want to make sure. Can y'all look at our house waiting for our city? Can we get our city again? Hold on, representative people, hold on. [0:08:35, 0:08:41]: [562.6, 563.9]: Let's get my dog. [0:10:26, 0:10:30]: Can you test that? [0:10:45, 0:10:47]: [649.6, 651.9]: Yeah. [0:11:00, 0:11:05]: I can't stand your hand. [0:12:09, 0:12:10]: So almost can't. [0:13:02, 0:13:05]: You know what? [0:13:15, 0:13:24]: I've already got Ariana go. One more, one more. One would be a door. [0:13:25, 0:13:26]: [810.9, 811.6]: Get me. [0:13:35, 0:13:38]: And probably [0:13:40, 0:13:49]: Unless it until you're going to be able to do [0:13:55, 0:14:15]: [855.0, 875.0]: You have any more hands here. [0:14:45, 0:14:55]: Can I have [0:14:57, 0:14:58]: Can I have your attention? [0:15:00, 0:15:15]: Can I have your attention? Can we get our elected officials, we have our senator here, Judge Rooks, and any other elected officials to come up to the dais to take one big photo with our mayor Ford, please, at this time? [0:15:16, 0:15:17]: [917.9, 919.3]: Thank you. [0:15:20, 0:15:26]: Yeah, Hamburg, Commissioner Commissioner Hamburg, thank you. [0:15:35, 0:15:35]: Yeah. [0:15:39, 0:15:40]: Okay. [0:15:54, 0:16:14]: No, sir. [0:16:14, 0:16:17]: Yeah, I don't think that's the way I'm going to do it. [0:16:19, 0:16:39]: Yeah, we want the remote. [0:16:39, 0:16:59]: A couple or a couple of things. [0:16:59, 0:17:00]: Yeah. [0:17:00, 0:17:06]: Just being more than a little bit. [0:17:27, 0:17:34]: Alright, yeah. Oh. [0:17:36, 0:17:55]: Alright, thank you very much. Okay. Okay. So we still Okay. So let's just look at the coverage. [0:18:00, 0:18:03]: Oh I'm sorry. [0:18:03, 0:18:23]: Well the the stitches which is uh you wanted to fill up with the work but just show up? No. Oh I think it's rumps. [0:18:23, 0:18:43]: Yeah, ship that's an extra five. We're gonna we're gonna set it. [0:18:43, 0:18:46]: Yeah. [0:18:56, 0:18:58]: [1151.8, 1153.3]: I'm moving, I'm moving, I'm moving. [0:19:43, 0:19:44]: [1184.7, 1186.7]: How much are you gonna eat the issue? [0:20:07, 0:20:14]: Good evening everyone. Welcome to the council meeting January 8th, 2018. [0:20:15, 0:20:33]: It is a pleasure to be with you tonight. I appreciate everyone coming out, especially in this weather, but we are so happy that you are here tonight. I would like to now call up, well first of all let me welcome any officials appointed or elected. May you stand and be recognized, please. [0:20:43, 0:20:47]: I would also call on any clergy to stand and be recognized, please. [0:20:55, 0:21:04]: Now I will call up Pastor Terence Gaddis who will provide our invocation for tonight, followed by the pledge. [0:21:11, 0:21:12]: Let us pray. [0:21:15, 0:21:18]: Oh wise and eternal God, we thank you for this is the day that you have made. [0:21:18, 0:21:38]: We thank you, God, for our elected officials for those who have called for seasons such as this, for those who have stepped up to serve these your people. We pray, God, that your spirit will rest in this place tonight, that you would anoint and appoint our new mayor and all of our city council, God, that you would bless them now with strength, with courage, and especially with [0:21:38, 0:21:58]: wisdom as they seek to uh represent all of these your people uh to make this community a better place for all of us again we pray for them to have strength wisdom and courage we thank you for this evening and we look forward to the great things that's going to happen through this council and through our new mayor we love you and we thank you it is in the match [0:21:58, 0:22:03]: name of Jesus that we pray. Let every believer and citizen say Amen. [0:22:10, 0:22:15]: [1337.8, 1341.1]: It is what they're seeing just wrong. [0:22:26, 0:22:34]: As we call this meeting to order, I will call Judge Matthew McCord forward so that he can issue the oath of office. [0:22:40, 0:22:41]: Well. [0:22:42, 0:22:44]: Mayor Anthony S. Ford. [0:22:50, 0:22:57]: There we go. Before we begin, I I guess I should tell you all that I'm not gonna hold any of you in contempt for me being late. [0:22:59, 0:22:59]: Um [0:23:00, 0:23:20]: And I guess we're starting at six o'clock tonight, so you can go home and say roll tide. Am I right about that? Did you not want me to tell that in front of everybody? I was gonna do that, but okay. I'll take care of that just a bit. Well thank you, Judge. I guess this would be a good time to tell you how much I love serving the people of the city of Stockbridge and how fortunate I am to [0:23:19, 0:23:22]: to be with you. Thank you very much. Yes sir. [0:23:22, 0:23:25]: All right, sir, if you will raise your right hand for me. [0:23:26, 0:23:28]: Do you solemnly swear affirm? [0:23:28, 0:23:48]: That you will faithfully perform the duties of this city, that you will support and defend the charter thereof as well as the Constitution and the laws of the state of Georgia and of the United States of America, that you are not a holder of any unaccounted for public money due this state or any political subdivision or authority thereof, that you are not the holder of any other office or [0:23:48, 0:24:08]: Of trust under the government of the United States, any other state, or any foreign state which you by the laws of the State of Georgia are prohibited from holding, that you are otherwise qualified to hold this office according to the Constitution and the laws of the State of Georgia, that you have been a resident of the city of Stockbridge for the time required by the Constitution and laws of the state [0:24:08, 0:24:25]: of this state and by the municipal charter, that you will perform the duties of your office in the best interest of the city of Stockbridge to the best of your ability, without fear, favor, affection, reward, or expectation thereof, please say I do. I do. [0:24:25, 0:24:28]: Congratulations, sir. [0:24:41, 0:24:54]: Thank you, Matt. Appreciate that, Judge. Very much. So ladies and gentlemen, uh this is great, great for me, great for us, great for us together as a team. And uh I want you to know, I want to introduce you to my wife, our Celia Scott Ford, which is now considered the first lady's outbridge. [0:25:01, 0:25:05]: And I have one and only child, I'd don't are Yana, okay? Now [0:25:06, 0:25:15]: A lovely lady here. Now I want you also to know that uh both of these lovely ladies in my life were members of most gracious ladies of Alpha Cap Alpha Sorti Incorporated. [0:25:18, 0:25:20]: Five Alpha Omega in the house here. [0:25:21, 0:25:39]: Data Sigma, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Alright, now Judge McCord already said that. You understand? I'm sorry, I'm being transparent with you all. Okay. So we are a road tied family. All right. You got that, I'm sorry, but I mean I support my child just like you support your children, right? I'm just supporting my child. [0:25:40, 0:25:55]: He graduates actually in May. His first week in May, so he'll graduate. So uh and we'll go from there in an aspect. Um ladies if you don't mind, you can take your seat for a second. I want you all to know that I have my parents with me, uh, Bill and Anita Ford from Jacksonville, Florida. [0:25:56, 0:25:57]: And my dad right here. [0:25:59, 0:26:04]: My father turns my father turns ninety-four next weekend, okay? [0:26:08, 0:26:13]: And my mother right here has been putting up with him for 61 years. Okay? [0:26:15, 0:26:35]: I have I have my younger sister here, Denise, and with her two children, Zach and Amar. And Denise is also Denise is also a charter member at the University of Rala, uh University of Missouri Rolla, at the initial chapter there for Alpha Capital Alpha Sowatia Incorporated as well. Okay? We got another Sahara in here, okay? I don't I can't remember. [0:26:35, 0:26:55]: chapter of name but she knows that. Uh check it out. I have some good friends with me, Bill and Lisa Hamilton. Uh Bill was my my a boss with me actually when I came to transfer from Fort Lewis, Washington to Fort McPherson at USARC headquarters. We've been good friends actually met at Fort Lewis, Washington. Thank you for being here, Bill without them Lisa for being here and supporting this as well. [0:26:55, 0:27:15]: Uh Rudy, where's Rudy? I have a cousin Rudy. Where's Rudy? I have a cousin right here, Rudy, out of Jacksonville originally. He's now in Tennessee. I appreciate that. All right. And uh if you didn't notice before, I'm a member of Alpha Cap, excuse me, Alpha Fi Alpha. I'm gonna say Alpha Cap. I'm an honorary Sarah. Yeah, yeah, right. Alpha Phi Alpha. [0:27:15, 0:27:21]: incorporated my brothers of uh Road Sigma Lambda came out support this effort. Thank you brothers. I really appreciate that. All right. [0:27:23, 0:27:43]: I I want I want the caps of the cues to know that we do exist. We are here. Okay? Without a doubt. I I'll tell you what, uh I I take this very seriously. Um I'm very blessed and humbled that the citizens came out and vote and you you saw uh in a sense uh confidence in me to become the mayor. And of course the mayor can't do everything by himself. [0:27:43, 0:28:03]: Delphi's got to work with outstanding council. We've got a couple other members that are going to get sworn into sworn in tonight as well. Along with the current council, we plan to do great things for the city. We're going to make the city even greater than what it is now. I also want you to know, if you don't know, right outside in the chamber here is a plaque in reference to the ancestral home of the King family. This was [0:28:03, 0:28:23]: dedicated a couple years ago and actually it was spearheaded by uh going to be current council member Fauso Thomas he's gonna come he he initially spearheaded a couple years ago and the keys now of course on the council at that time so he didn't know that he didn't see that please take a look at the the plaque out here and the fact that Stockbridge is the ancestral home for the King family. Alright so that's very significant I think to us overall. [0:28:23, 0:28:43]: me specifically because of course Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an alpha man. Alright? And in a sense of that, the fact that Daddy King did the right thing and led him down the right path. And these are all, and and of course, the, you know, the the civil rights era, the person that I consider to be the civil rights father of civil rights would be Frederick [0:28:43, 0:29:03]: Douglas, as I read. And then you have the icon of Dr. Daddy King, and of course the civil rights lever, Dr. Martha Lou King, ancestral home here. So the reason why I want to mention that to you, I clearly understand that I'm the first African-American to be in Mayor of Stockbridge. I clearly understand I'm the first African-American mayor to be in Henry County, the four cities, four cities only, and four cities are we. [0:29:03, 0:29:05]: All right. [0:29:08, 0:29:28]: I I know that there have been plenty of people, I've been blessed, and there have been plenty of people that have broken certain barriers over the course of time through the entire uh fight for civil rights and human rights over the course of time. Okay? So I don't take it lightly to the fact that I happened to be first, and I will not be the last. And there are plenty of other first, now probably gonna miss some names, but there are plenty of the first, pretty other first. [0:29:27, 0:29:47]: that excuse me had occurred in Henry County over the years. They're breaking that particular barrier and other folks that follow along. And the ten of it is is that of course you shouldn't judge us by the content of our content or the color of our skin, but the content of our character and the fact that African Americans can do good jobs and do things well as is anybody [0:29:47, 0:30:07]: else we just need opportunity and be able to show them do them and go though do those things okay so in a sense I say that is that I want to in a sense mention a few names of folks that I know have broken down certain barriers and led the way. Senator Jones or Emmanuel Jones okay you got commissioner former commissioner uh Andy uh was it co-cohen Calhoun Calhoun [0:30:07, 0:30:27]: Whom okay, in that aspect. You got even June Wood, D. Clements. All right, on a on school board. You have and they're not here tonight, but there will be uh Miss Edwards and Dr. Donovan Bryan. Give a few choices in that aspect. And our first solicitor, actually, at one time, it was actually our first solicitor was the least Gisela Gantt. Okay, break it breaking that particular ceiling. Judge and my fraternity [0:30:27, 0:30:47]: brother uh uh flanagan Santana Flanagan was a stopbridge at one time you see so I I I I don't take it lightly in this and I what I want to do strictly only thing I want to do is do good for the citizens good for you and good for me in the process and I can't do that without the council and we want to do collective things good for the city of [0:30:47, 0:31:00]: citizen of Stockbridge and lead that path and lead that way and do those things. But I also want you to know, and this is something that you really already know, I just want you to take hold of this, is that the the the right to vote is extremely important. [0:31:00, 0:31:12]: Many people, whether African Americans or black or during the Civil Rights era, we were Negroes, okay, or other unflanitary, not real flanetary type of words we recalled. [0:31:12, 0:31:32]: Blood, sweat, and tears, and people die for the right to vote. Okay? So we don't shouldn't take that lightly. You should you should make the honor to go ahead and vote. Register and vote. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Tea Party or whatever, whether you voted for me or not, or anybody on the council, anybody else, you have the constitutional right to vote. You need to do that. You need to register. [0:31:32, 0:31:36]: and do that. You know, people died for us to have that right. [0:31:37, 0:31:57]: So take charge of that. And for you adults, take charge of that. Make sure the kids understand when they get to 18, they go register. If they can serve their country, potentially die for their country, well they they should vote and register vote and and and use the constitutional right to do that. Okay? It's it's a must. It's something we must do. You don't take it lightly. And I don't take this lightly. [0:31:57, 0:32:17]: in a sense of of breaking that particular barrier. But I didn't do it by myself. I did it with the confidence of you citizens, but I also did the blessing of the good Lord. Could guarantee when I retired from the Army seven and a half years ago, I had no idea that I'd be doing this. I had no idea I'd be serving the municipal government. I thought it would work for a government agency and go play golf every weekend or something like that. Really? That's what I thought. [0:32:17, 0:32:37]: But it's not the path that the good Lord sent me down. So I plan to do whatever I can to do the right things. All right. With the help of you all, you know, listening to you and your what you want and working with the council and working with our staff The doing those good thing doing those good things and then uh I tell you I say you know work the help of my brothers here, they're gonna keep me straight right. [0:32:37, 0:32:43]: Right Fred, y'all gonna keep me straight, right? I know you will. He said, okay. You know. [0:32:43, 0:33:03]: I just want to share that with you folks, that uh I I really appreciate the fact that I have this opportunity. And I won't be the last and we've got to make sure that we continue to strive for excellence in the process. You know, and I would tell you through my upbringing of my parents and my military background and and trying to have a listen here, I I want to do what's good and bad. [0:33:03, 0:33:23]: best and and hold my feet to the fire, hold our council feet to the fire on that. Am I open and transparent? You know I I have to admit ever since being uh identified or winning election and being mayor I've had more and more photographs so I look just like tonight classes up and I gotta get used to that I guess in a sense and I gotta smile more and keep my eyes open. [0:33:23, 0:33:38]: And I gotta work on that. You know, I I realize that I you know, I have a tendency to blink my eyes or not smile and that's a military background thing and I've gotta get used to make sure'cause you don't wanna take a picture of this guy and he's not smiling, right? So whoa look what's wrong with him? You know, so anyway. [0:33:39, 0:33:59]: In February 2016, when I was uh interim mayor, I gave a state of city address. So I will give a state of city address staff on the next month in February, state of city address and outline strategic goals and things we've done in the past, where we're going in the future, so you have that. So I present plan to present that to you at that point, and uh and then we'll continue on. [0:33:59, 0:34:11]: and and uh go forward in twenty eighteen. On that note I guess I need to be quiet until you God bless you and thank you for being out here tonight and I look forward to success that we have together. Okay? Thank you very much. [0:34:18, 0:34:21]: And next we'll have Councilwoman Lakeisha Gantt. [0:34:28, 0:34:32]: I think it needs to be said because you said some things that I want to follow up on. Okay. [0:34:34, 0:34:36]: I say this cautiously and I rarely tell this story. [0:34:37, 0:34:39]: As as your daughter comes up. [0:34:41, 0:34:43]: My your niece. My dad [0:34:44, 0:34:46]: Uh was a civil rights activist in South Alabama. [0:34:47, 0:34:56]: And my granddad was a deacon in a Baptist church and they asked my dad to come preach. And dad preached a sermon on loving your brother as yourself. [0:34:56, 0:35:03]: And in the end of the sermon he said, and I might point out to you that your brother is not always the same color as you. [0:35:04, 0:35:05]: Make a long story short. [0:35:06, 0:35:11]: My granddad was removed from the deaconate and the church and asked to leave. [0:35:11, 0:35:13]: Uh my dad never got to speak there again. [0:35:14, 0:35:16]: But tonight, when I go home [0:35:16, 0:35:19]: I will call my dad on the phone and I will say, Dad. [0:35:20, 0:35:24]: Uh because I grew up here, I will say dad, tonight. [0:35:24, 0:35:32]: I was humbled to swear in the first African Americ I'm stuttering, the first African American mayor of the city of Stockbridge. [0:35:44, 0:35:45]: Come on, my friend. [0:35:46, 0:35:47]: Okay. [0:35:52, 0:36:00]: Me and Miss Gantt go back a long way back to when she was giving me a hard time when I was a defense attorney in the city court. She was merciless as a prosecutor. [0:36:03, 0:36:04]: You'll raise your right hand for me. [0:36:05, 0:36:25]: Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will faithfully perform the duties of this city, and that you will support and defend the charter thereof, as well as the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia and of the United States of America, that you are not a holder of any unaccounted for public money due to this state or any political subdivision or authority thereof, that you are not the holder of [0:36:24, 0:36:44]: Of any other office of trust under the government of the United States, any other state, or any foreign state which you, by the laws of the state of Georgia, are prohibited from holding, that you are otherwise qualified to hold this office according to the Constitution and the laws of the state of Georgia, that you have been a resident of the city of Stockbridge for the time required by the Constitution. [0:36:44, 0:37:02]: And the laws of this state and by the municipal charter, that you will perform the duties of your office in the best interest of the city of Stockbridge to the best of your ability, without fear, favor, affection, reward, or expectation thereof, please say I do. Congratulations. [0:37:10, 0:37:19]: Thank you. Thank you everyone for being here today. Um I wanted my niece to come. My mother's in the back. Mom, raise your hand. I have an aunt in the back and [0:37:22, 0:37:35]: I have two daughters but this is my niece and I'm there's uh something about my niece. She's a a honor student and I want her to know that all things are possible. She's also um [0:37:36, 0:37:38]: An infant diabetic. [0:37:38, 0:37:51]: And so it's important for me to acknowledge and show people and show little girls that look like me that you can become and do whatever you want to do. [0:37:51, 0:37:55]: Now, be patient with me. God is not finished with me yet. [0:37:56, 0:37:56]: Okay. [0:37:57, 0:38:05]: But I I take this and I uh the thought of service, um not as a politician. [0:38:06, 0:38:24]: Paul being a politician's hard, but being an elected official, someone who can represent the community and do things for the community that you want to see your young kids grow up to and want to stay here in Stockbridge, it is so fulfilling. [0:38:24, 0:38:31]: And it is something that I will hold dear to my heart and I thank you for electing me for a second term. [0:38:32, 0:38:34]: I also [0:38:34, 0:38:36]: And and I'll leave you with this. [0:38:36, 0:38:38]: I am only one. [0:38:38, 0:38:39]: But I am one. [0:38:40, 0:38:42]: I cannot do everything. [0:38:43, 0:38:45]: But I can do something. [0:38:46, 0:38:48]: What I can do [0:38:48, 0:38:52]: By the grace of God, I will do. Thank you. [0:39:00, 0:39:00]: Yeah. [0:39:02, 0:39:06]: And we will have Councilman Alfonso Thomas. [0:39:16, 0:39:36]: All right, sir, you ready? Yes, sir. All right. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will faithfully perform the duties of this city and that you will support and defend the charter thereof, as well as the Constitution and the laws of the state of Georgia and of the United States of America, that you are not a holder of any unaccounted for public money due this state or any political [0:39:35, 0:39:55]: subdivision or authority thereof. That you are not the holder of any other office of trust under the government of the United States, any other state, or any foreign state, which you by the laws of the State of Georgia are prohibited from holding. That you are otherwise qualified to hold this office according to the Constitution and laws of Georgia, that you have been a resident [0:39:55, 0:40:15]: President of the City of Stockbridge for the time required by the Constitution and laws of this state and by the municipal charter, that you will perform the duties of your office in the best interest of the City of Stockbridge to the best of your ability without fear, favor, affection, reward, or expectation thereof. Congratulations. [0:40:15, 0:40:17]: Sir. [0:40:23, 0:40:24]: Incrível. [0:40:24, 0:40:27]: I want to thank all of y'all for coming. [0:40:28, 0:40:31]: I truly give all the honor and praise to God. [0:40:33, 0:40:35]: for giving me this opportunity. [0:40:35, 0:40:37]: to be a true servant. [0:40:37, 0:40:39]: for the people of the city of Stockbridge. [0:40:41, 0:40:42]: And to all of the voters [0:40:43, 0:40:46]: And many of you are here tonight and I'm gonna ask you to stand shortly. [0:40:48, 0:40:51]: But I thank you for your trust. [0:40:51, 0:40:52]: In me. [0:40:53, 0:40:56]: To allow me to represent you [0:40:56, 0:41:00]: in the decision-making process here on this city council. [0:41:01, 0:41:03]: That means a lot to me. [0:41:03, 0:41:06]: And I will uphold that obligation. [0:41:07, 0:41:09]: To team Alfonso. [0:41:09, 0:41:11]: And I'm gonna ask you to stand here in a few minutes. [0:41:12, 0:41:15]: I thank you for believing [0:41:16, 0:41:17]: in this campaign. [0:41:19, 0:41:22]: And boots on the ground. When we went out to campaign [0:41:23, 0:41:25]: We went out with a message of hope. [0:41:27, 0:41:28]: Accountability. [0:41:29, 0:41:34]: We went out talking about safe neighborhoods. [0:41:34, 0:41:36]: We talked about [0:41:36, 0:41:40]: Revitalizing our downtown business area. [0:41:42, 0:41:43]: We talked about [0:41:45, 0:41:46]: The [0:41:48, 0:42:00]: Got a little distracted that with the camera. But I I just want to say that when we went out to campaign, we went out with a message. And that message was, we're here for you, we're going to listen to you. [0:42:01, 0:42:05]: There are many things that we need to accomplish. There are many issues. [0:42:05, 0:42:25]: We will and I will continue to push the envelope to work with our school boards to provide quality education for all of our citizens and all of our children here in the city of Stockbridge. That is very important. So not to prolong, and I know it's almost eight, I know go. [0:42:25, 0:42:26]: Dogs. [0:42:28, 0:42:30]: So um [0:42:30, 0:42:49]: I would like for all of Team Alfonso, please just to stand. Because I really, really do appreciate you being boots on the ground for me and carrying that message. And the message is very important that we carry to the citizens. And I'm just going to re-emphasize again, safe neighborhoods. [0:42:52, 0:43:04]: Providing quality education for all of our kids here. Public safety, which is very important. So Team Alfonso, would you just please stand for me? Because without you [0:43:05, 0:43:10]: we would not have been able to be able to make this impact. [0:43:17, 0:43:20]: And many more here, they didn't stand, but it's okay. [0:43:20, 0:43:24]: Uh I want to recognize my spiritual leaders. [0:43:24, 0:43:27]: And there are many of my pastor. [0:43:28, 0:43:32]: Dr. Reverend Jacqueline Johnson and her husband, Minister Rick, would you please stand? [0:43:35, 0:43:36]: Thank you. [0:43:38, 0:43:41]: No Pastor Geddes was here earlier. [0:43:41, 0:43:47]: Um Dr. Spence is here and his first lady. I want to thank them also because [0:43:48, 0:43:58]: Over the years I've gotten to worship with them and they always encourage me to be led by God. [0:43:59, 0:44:06]: And when God was ready for me to take a position back at the table, he would do so. [0:44:06, 0:44:13]: And one of my pastors, Pastor Cochran, always told me that God was using me to stir the pot. [0:44:14, 0:44:19]: And if you know what stirring the pot means is that you have to bring things to the top. [0:44:20, 0:44:38]: And when God get ready for you to take your seat, then he will give it to you. So I just want to thank all of my spiritual leaders, my pastors, for always giving me the words that I really needed. I was able to generate faith and strength. [0:44:38, 0:44:50]: through those sermons. And I if I had the time I would tell you about this sermon uh on on this past Sunday. And I know my pastor's over there smiling now. But we talked about and she preached about [0:44:51, 0:44:54]: Moving forward in faith. [0:44:55, 0:45:01]: And that resonated with me and I told her that that is the message that we all need to take. [0:45:02, 0:45:14]: We need to have faith in going forward. So again, uh I'm gonna take my seat. I know uh we ran late. I know everybody wanna get to the reception, you wanna get to go dogs, so [0:45:14, 0:45:23]: I just want to thank the voters again for your faith and your belief in me and I will represent you to the best of my ability. Thank you. [0:45:31, 0:45:32]: Working. [0:45:34, 0:45:37]: Okay. [0:46:39, 0:46:56]: Got a gap. Can you go? Promise me. Oh a little bit, y'all got a gap. There you go. You could you could do that. Yeah. There you go. [0:47:31, 0:47:38]: Okay, thank you. All right, then start on the I think. [0:48:03, 0:48:06]: We'll proceed with the roll call. [0:48:06, 0:48:08]: Need a roll call, please, clerk. [0:48:12, 0:48:12]: Mm-hmm. [0:48:13, 0:48:14]: Councilman Thomas. [0:48:14, 0:48:31]: Present. Councilman Blount. Present. Mayor Ford. Present. Councilwoman Gantt. Present. Councilman Alexander. Present. Councilwoman Robinson. Present. Mayor Ford, do you have a quorum? Thank you. Appreciate it. Council, I need a motion to adopt the agenda, please. [0:48:32, 0:48:35]: Mayor, I move that we adopt the agenda. [0:48:35, 0:48:36]: Second. [0:48:36, 0:48:39]: Don't got motion is person's uh motion and seconded. [0:48:40, 0:48:42]: Any discussion? Yes. [0:48:42, 0:48:43]: Okay. [0:48:44, 0:48:49]: Lad ladies and gentlemen, I see everybody's m milling about and getting ready to leave, but [0:48:50, 0:49:06]: Time right now is a critical time in Stockbridge history and congratulations to Mayor Ford for being sworn in as the first African American mayor. But before everybody leaves, this is a critical time. We have we're facing uh the city. The city is under attack. [0:49:07, 0:49:12]: uh with the City of Eagles Landing proposal coming before us and I want I would be [0:49:12, 0:49:21]: Uh it would be negligent not to mention that to this crowd here tonight and to understand that the uh Mayor Pro Tem F uh I mean Mayor Ford [0:49:22, 0:49:26]: may not be given more than ninety days of sock bridge as we know it. [0:49:27, 0:49:39]: This is what we face today and I'd like to see if we might be able to amend the agenda to have a discussion, uh a brief discussion on City of Eagles Land the proposed City of Eagles Landing tonight. [0:49:39, 0:49:41]: All right, any further discussion? [0:49:41, 0:49:59]: On that note I'll mention this. If we were going to have anything in particular, I would assume that we would do this um in an executive session if we need to do that. It's not on the agenda right now, but I understand you're asking for uh discussion to be uh uh the agenda to be amended. But anyway, any further discussion at all? [0:50:00, 0:50:03]: And was the mo the mo was the motion actually seconded? [0:50:04, 0:50:07]: It was seconded? Yes. Okay. So, uh all in favor? [0:50:09, 0:50:23]: Okay, all opposed? This is to adopt the agenda. No, this is the adopted agenda. That's to adopt the agenda. The motion was to to to adopt the agenda. Correct. Correct. And it was second it. [0:50:23, 0:50:24]: Okay. [0:50:24, 0:50:27]: But d for comments for discussion [0:50:27, 0:50:47]: There was no motion made on discussion you just made some comments. Right, I made a motion to uh to amend to amend the the motion on the floor to include a city of Eagles Landing. We're having discussion about this particular uh agenda, so I would like to amend that uh and have a discussion before this audience. I do have additional five minutes at [0:50:47, 0:51:07]: uh of time to speak because we we simply cannot pass this night through without being able to address the elephant uh in the room which is is that would it the Georgia legislature has a bill before them right now. One sec one second please he can't amend a current motion and one of the persons making that motion would have [0:51:07, 0:51:27]: to make that amendment. Right. So the the motion was to adopt the agenda. It was and and Ms. Gantt uh uh said approved made that motion and was seconded by uh I think Alfonso Thomas no uh I didn't John Blunder second that motion that's the motion on the floor so we're having discussion but we but obviously the motion on the floor is what we need to vote on. Okay. [0:51:27, 0:51:31]: Okay, so hold on. Any other discussion? [0:51:32, 0:51:32]: Well [0:51:34, 0:51:51]: Any other point of order, Mr. Mayor. Go go ahead, sir. I I like clarification uh on the motion. If I'm hearing correctly, the motion is to amend the agenda to add uh the discussion about Eagles Land in the No it's not. Okay. [0:51:52, 0:52:08]: The motion is to adopt the agenda. There's a first and a second on the floor during discussion. One of the council members asked that the amendment be made. But as it is on the floor, there's a motion to adopt the agenda. As as is. [0:52:08, 0:52:09]: Now. [0:52:10, 0:52:21]: Is there other further discussion? Yes. You still want to discuss this? I do because we have an ad we have a total of five minutes of time to talk and to entertain discussion. All right, Alison. Go ahead. [0:52:22, 0:52:42]: I would just like to simply say to the audience that is here, we need every single person here to call your representative, to email your representative, to say that you want to keep the city of Stockbridge together. At this point right now, we're losing we could lose about 50% of the revenue that we have. [0:52:41, 0:53:01]: have we could use the commercial areas in Eagles Landing, that entire area. And they're trying to give us a junkyard and some other scrap metal type property to replace it. It's unacceptable. It was the city of Stockbridge was whole, it was good before now, and here we are as we sit here today as a material [0:53:01, 0:53:21]: Majority um African American Council and now we find ourselves under attack with our city being split. This is not right. This is wrong. And we must stand up and we must yell at the top of our lungs at the state capitol, uh to your representative, to anybody that you can talk to, to your neighbor. We've been in [0:53:21, 0:53:41]: embarked upon making sure that we got the word out uh in the city. We've d we failed you. It has not happened. And we need to make sure that we do that moving forward in the city of Stockbridge to make sure that we keep the city whole. This is very real. In ninety days or to a hundred and twenty days, half of our city could be no longer [0:53:41, 0:53:50]: Apart and taken away, including my residence. I would be in that new city myself and I'm personally offended. Any further discussion? [0:53:51, 0:54:02]: If no further discussion, we have a motion on the floor, and we have a second, and that is the motion that actually is to have the agenda, approve the agenda as written. Okay? So that's the motion. All in favor of the motion, please indicate. [0:54:02, 0:54:04]: Okay. It's four? [0:54:04, 0:54:18]: All opposed? Sustained. Okay, sustained. Forward one and one sustained. All right. Now, the motion adopted minutes for meetings November 13th and November 28th, both of 2017. Have a motion, please. [0:54:22, 0:54:23]: Motion to adopt the amendments please. [0:54:24, 0:54:25]: Mayor. [0:54:25, 0:54:26]: Yes. [0:54:26, 0:54:32]: I move that we approve the minutes from November thirteenth, twenty seventeen and november twenty eighth, twenty seventeen. [0:54:32, 0:54:33]: There are second. [0:54:33, 0:54:35]: Second. All right. Any discussion? [0:54:37, 0:54:38]: All in favor, please indicate. [0:54:40, 0:54:48]: You got four? All opposed? I I will abstain. I have not had privilege to those minutes at this point. Okay. All right. No problem. Appreciate it. [0:54:48, 0:54:53]: All right. Ms. Clerk, Clerk, any com public comments at all? There are no public comments. [0:54:54, 0:54:58]: Okay, now we go to ceremonial uh piece. All right, I'll come down. [0:55:13, 0:55:28]: Thank you very much. Appreciate this. And um since uh next weekend is uh actually next Monday is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, holiday birthday, we have a proclamation here and I'd like to call up uh State Senator Emmanuel Jones, sir. Is he still here? There he is. [0:55:29, 0:55:30]: Ladies and gentlemen. [0:55:31, 0:55:32]: Stay stay single. [0:55:39, 0:55:59]: Proclamation from the city of Stockbridge and where it says, whereas Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born at noon on Tuesday, January 15, 1929, at his family home in Atlanta, Georgia, to the parents of Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King, natives of the great city of Stockbridge, Georgia. Outstanding. Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King did [0:55:59, 0:56:19]: devoted his life to the advancement of civil rights and public service. He believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all and challenged all citizens to help build a more perfect union and to live up to the purpose of a potential of America. And whereas Dr. King recognized that everybody can be great because everybody can serve. And so during his lifetime encouraged all Americans to serve their neighbors [0:56:19, 0:56:39]: and their communities. And whereas the state of Georgia honors Dr. King's legacy each year on the third Monday in January, and whereas legislation created a federal holiday marketing the birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was signed into law in 1983 and the holiday was first observed in 1986, making 2018 the 32nd anniversary of [0:56:39, 0:56:59]: Of the nationwide observance of Dr. Luther Martin Luther King Jr. and Federal Holiday. And whereas in 1994, Congress initiated the King Day of Service, a nationwide effort to transform the Federal Holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. onto the day of the community of service, grounded Dr. King's teachings that helped solve social problems. [0:56:58, 0:57:18]: Whereas this day focuses on bringing people together and breaking down the barriers that have divided us as a nation. Whereas thousands of Americans use Martin Luther King Day as a day on, not a day off, by spending it performing community service. And where now, therefore, I, Anthony S. Ford, by virtue of authority, vested in me as mayor of the city of Stockbridge, Georgia. [0:57:18, 0:57:33]: And on behalf of the City Council members Elon Alexander, John Blount, Lakeisha Gantt and Neat Robinson, and Afonso Thomas, do hereby encourage each citizen to take part in service that will benefit its citizens providing a fitting memorial to life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [0:57:34, 0:57:47]: In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand on the eighth day of January 2018 to have caused the official seal of the great city of Stockbridge to be affixed hereof. And I signed this along with our clerk Vanessa Holliday. [0:57:55, 0:57:57]: And I'll give this to you, sir. [0:57:57, 0:58:00]: Yeah. Oh, you gonna take a picture now? Okay. [0:58:05, 0:58:06]: For you, sir. [0:58:07, 0:58:10]: First of all let me thank [0:58:10, 0:58:29]: The new mayor of this great city of Stockbridge, Mayor Anthony Ford, and the members of the City Council. I am not accepting this as a state senator. I'm accepting this proclamation on behalf of the Emmer King Advisory Council, of which I've had the privilege to chair since we were [0:58:30, 0:58:50]: uh signing the order by Governor Deal uh seven years ago and I've had the privilege of chairing the Emmer King Council. So on behalf of the council of this great state and we are responsible for the teachings and principles of Dr. King throughout the great state of Georgia and on behalf of the Emmer King Advisory Council I accept this [0:58:50, 0:58:59]: this proclamation. And may I also note that since I've witnessed your signing in ceremony, this must be the first proclamation you presented. [0:58:59, 0:59:01]: Is it highly appropriate? [0:59:05, 0:59:17]: Open that this proclamation be presented on behalf of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on this great city. And thank you. Thank each of you so very much. And I am so proud to be here tonight to be part of this. God bless each and every last one of you. [0:59:18, 0:59:20]: [3567.8, 3568.5]: Yeah. [1:00:34, 1:00:54]: Yeah, one more proclamation for tonight uh from the City Stockbridge City Council. This actually deals with human trafficking and awareness month is the month of January. And um typically what happens here, uh let's do this. Typically what happens here is that uh we have a couple of our school board members, uh Doctor Donald McBride and [1:00:53, 1:01:13]: And Miss Nette Edwards would typically be here for this. And uh but they are actually having their council meeting or their board meeting tonight on on the same night. I think they actually chose to start uh broadcasting uh live uh their uh meetings, which I think is a good thing, and of course ours are broadcast live as well. Um But uh is Mr. Edwards or Donna [1:01:13, 1:01:25]: McBride's Mr. McBride here at all to receive this. Mr. Edwards, come on up. Mr. Edwards is the Henry County Chamber, uh excuse me, Henry County NWSCP chairman or president. You know, sir. [1:01:26, 1:01:32]: Good see? All right, no problem, sir. And uh Jessica Str uh Stromer? Stromer? [1:01:32, 1:01:52]: Jessica? Is she here? Okay. Well come on over here, sir. I'll I'll read this and uh Okay. Whereas human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery and is a crime against humanity that violates the most basic human rights, and whereas human trafficking occurs when an adult or child is r recruited, harbored, attained, or supported [1:01:52, 1:02:12]: through force, fraud, cohesion, or purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or other methods of slavery. Whereas nationally the criminal enterprise of human trafficking is a second only to the illegal drug trade in terms of the speed of growth and being among the most lucrative trafficking typically use multiple [1:02:12, 1:02:32]: means of control. They're victims including beatings, rape, isolation, drug and alcohol dependency, document uh withholding, psychological and emotional abuse. Whereas in the U.S., each year as many as a hundred thousand to three hundred thousand American children are at risk of being trafficked for commercial sex, girls and boys in the commercial sex trade and are as young as [1:02:32, 1:02:52]: 11 years old. Whereas the Henry County School Board representatives Annette Edwards of District 5 and Dr. Donna McBride of District 4, along with the support of Henry County School Student Services Coordinator Jessica Stromer, have been strong advocates throughout our local uh community and school system for providing education, bringing awareness to the issue and all [1:02:52, 1:03:12]: also restore freedom and dignity to survivors. Now therefore I, Anthony S. Ford, Mayor of Stockbridge by virtue of authority, vested in me in the laws of Stockbridge in Georgia, and do hereby proclaim January 2018 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the city of Stockbridge along with Council members Elton Alexander, John Blount, Lakeia Gantt, Neat Robinson, and Afonso Thomas. Encourage [1:03:12, 1:03:30]: citizens to increase their understanding, awareness, and action toward fighting the horrendous crime of sex human sex trafficking. And whereas in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand to the 8th day of January in the year of our Lord, 2018, City of Stockbridge. And I signed this along with Vanessa Holliday, our clerk. [1:03:40, 1:03:48]: On behalf of my wife, she couldn't be here tonight. She had an aboard meeting. I came just accept this for her, she's a hard worker. And don't forget [1:03:50, 1:03:53]: Vote for her again in May. That's just not [1:03:53, 1:03:55]: Thank you so much. [1:04:04, 1:04:08]: Oh my god. [1:04:10, 1:04:12]: [3898.8, 3899.3]: Okay. [1:05:01, 1:05:06]: What is next is the organizational appointments and appointment of the municipal court judge and I need to come down for that one. Okay. [1:05:10, 1:05:14]: Well, Mayor, May first you have to make the resolution for the appointment. [1:05:20, 1:05:30]: All right, organizational appointments. Uh first one's appointment of municipal judge. So I need a a a motion to for the resolution, we said for an appointment of that. So counsel, can I get that please? [1:05:30, 1:05:31]: Mayor. Yes, Mayor. [1:05:32, 1:05:35]: I move that we appoint Judge Matt M Matthew McCord. [1:05:37, 1:05:37]: Second. [1:05:39, 1:05:40]: Okay, is any further discussion? [1:05:41, 1:05:42]: All favor, please indicate. [1:05:43, 1:05:44]: Okay, thank you. [1:05:46, 1:05:48]: Now I can come down. Okay. Thank you very much. [1:06:04, 1:06:24]: Judge McCord, all right. You raise your right hand, sir, and I'm gonna give this in uh small little bits, hopefully, okay. I am please state your name. I'm Matthew McCord. Solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully perform. That I will faithfully perform the duties of municipal court judge of the city of Stockbridge. [1:06:24, 1:06:44]: Then 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 and the United States of America. I further affirm that upon assumption of this office, [1:06:44, 1:07:04]: I do not hold any unaccountable public funds. I do not hold any unaccounted for public funds. Due to payment to the state. Due to payment to the state. Any political subdivision of the state. Any political subdivision of the state. The city of Stockbridge. Or any authority thereof. Or any authority thereof. Nor do I hold any other office. [1:07:04, 1:07:24]: Office of trust of the government of the United States of this state of or any foreign state or any foreign state as prescribed by the laws of the state of Georgia. As prescribed by the laws of the state of Georgia. I do solemnly swear. I do solemnly swear. And I faithfully that I'm fully qualified. [1:07:24, 1:07:44]: qualify under the constitution under the constitution and the laws of this state and the laws of this state to hold the office of municipal court judge of municipal court judge I will perform the duties I will perform the duties of my office my office in the best interest of the city of Stockbridge to the best of my ability to the best of my ability without fear without fear favor [1:07:43, 1:07:51]: Favor, affection, affection, reward or expectation thereof. Reward or expectation thereof. Congratulations, sir. [1:08:16, 1:08:17]: I wanna be really quick. [1:08:18, 1:08:29]: Most people in the state don't know that Georgia has a council called the Georgia Judicial Council that's chaired by the Chief Justice and it only has so many members. [1:08:30, 1:08:34]: They meet behind closed doors and they make decisions that affect all of us tremendously. [1:08:35, 1:08:36]: Last summer. [1:08:37, 1:08:53]: By pure miraculous feat. I was elected by the municipal court judges of the state to serve as the president elect of our council, and this coming summer I will become the president of that council. And as a result of that, every time the Chief Justice gavels that council to a meeting. [1:08:53, 1:09:00]: Sitting at the corner, right down from him, there's a little piece of paper that says Matthew McCord. [1:09:00, 1:09:03]: Stockbridge. Yes. And I sure am proud to sit there. [1:09:21, 1:09:23]: Hello. [1:09:32, 1:09:34]: Okay. [1:09:35, 1:09:45]: Okay, uh next up is the appointment of our city attorney, so I'm gonna need a motion for that as well to ass for that re particular resolution, please. Mayor Ford. Yes, ma'am. [1:09:46, 1:09:52]: I move that we um I would like to make a motion that we uh select attorney Mike Williams. [1:09:52, 1:09:53]: Thank you. [1:09:53, 1:09:54]: Okay. [1:09:55, 1:09:58]: Any further discussion on that at all? [1:09:59, 1:10:07]: Okay, all in favor of that motion, please? Oops, excuse me, I don't have to vote on that. Thank you. Thank you, Mike. [1:10:12, 1:10:20]: Okay. Next is the appointment to a council representative to the downtown uh development authority. Do I have a motion for that, please? [1:10:22, 1:10:30]: Mayor. Yes. Yes, sir. I'm motion to move to appoint uh Alfonso Thomas to the Downtown Development Authority. [1:10:31, 1:10:32]: Okay, is there a second? [1:10:33, 1:10:35]: A second. Okay. Any further discussion? [1:10:39, 1:10:42]: All right, uh no further discussion. All in favor of the motion, please indicate. [1:10:44, 1:10:44]: Okay. [1:10:46, 1:10:47]: In my poles. [1:10:47, 1:10:49]: Okay, motion passes. Okay. [1:10:57, 1:11:01]: Okay, I need an appointment to the council representative to Main Street Advisory Board, please. Mayor. [1:11:01, 1:11:02]: Yes, sir. [1:11:03, 1:11:05]: Sorry, y'all forgive me. [1:11:06, 1:11:09]: I'm reading this uh I'm reading this role. [1:11:09, 1:11:13]: Uh I like to recant that appointment. I don't know if we can do that. [1:11:14, 1:11:16]: Well I don't well I don't know. We'll still get a legal opinion on that. [1:11:17, 1:11:23]: The the the rule is if you reconsider it can happen at the next council meeting. I'm not sure if [1:11:24, 1:11:25]: Yeah. [1:11:26, 1:11:46]: It was a an appointment to the wrong board. Is that what I'm so the the best way to do that if all are in favor is is for the appointment to step down and then you do the motion again. So you would basically councilman Thomas would not accept that appointment to the downtown development authority, creating a vacancy, and then you act [1:11:46, 1:11:46]: Yeah. [1:11:47, 1:11:47]: All right. [1:11:48, 1:11:51]: Mr. Thomas, what we desire. [1:11:53, 1:12:12]: Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Uh I decline the nomination. Okay. Alrighty. So be it. I still need an appointment to a council representative to the downtown development authority. Mayor. Yes, sir. I'd like to appoint Lakeisha Gantt to the Downtown Development Authority. All right. Is there a second? I second. All right. Any further discussion? [1:12:13, 1:12:14]: All flavor, please indicate. [1:12:16, 1:12:19]: All right. Opposed. Okay. [1:12:25, 1:12:25]: Yeah. [1:12:26, 1:12:27]: All right. [1:12:28, 1:12:33]: Council, I need a council representative for the Main Street Advisory Board, please. A motion for that. [1:12:34, 1:12:43]: Mayor. Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am. Excuse me. I moved to a point Alfonso Thomas to the Main Street Advisory Board. Sir, second. Second. Okay. Any discussion? [1:12:44, 1:12:45]: All in favor, please indicate. [1:12:47, 1:12:50]: All right. Anybody opposed? Okay, so all is that is announced. Okay, good deal. [1:12:56, 1:13:08]: The council, I need a motion to select the mayor pro tem, please. Mayor. Yes, sir. I'm like to select uh Lakeesha Gann as the first black female mayor pro tem for the city of Stockbridge. Okay, is there a second? [1:13:09, 1:13:12]: A second. Okay, in discussion. [1:13:14, 1:13:15]: One of war. [1:13:16, 1:13:17]: We have any discussion? [1:13:20, 1:13:22]: All right. All in favor, please indicate. [1:13:25, 1:13:27]: Oh I can't pull from it now. [1:13:28, 1:13:31]: I voted for myself last night. She can't vote for herself? No. [1:13:32, 1:13:33]: You need to vote all all in favor? [1:13:36, 1:13:37]: All right. [1:13:37, 1:13:39]: I guess that's four four does. [1:13:40, 1:13:45]: Abstain. Okay. If I have to. All right. Good deal. Thank you very much. [1:13:51, 1:13:55]: All right. On that note, comments from the city manager. [1:13:56, 1:14:16]: Yes, um I would uh uh certainly like to thank all of the citizens who came out tonight and on behalf of the staff we are here to serve you so please contact us with any questions, issues or concerns that you may have. Also, uh to the mayor and council, uh we're here to support you and all of your [1:14:16, 1:14:23]: initiatives and we look forward and are excited about supporting you to accomplish great things in twenty eighteen. [1:14:24, 1:14:24]: Thank you, sir. [1:14:26, 1:14:26]: City Clerk. [1:14:28, 1:14:41]: Congratulations to everybody. Congratulations to you, Mr. Ford, Thomas, and Miss Gann. I look forward to working with this council in twenty eighteen and having a wonderful year. Thank you. [1:14:41, 1:14:42]: Thank you. [1:14:42, 1:14:44]: Mr. Thomas, sir. Any comments? [1:14:45, 1:15:05]: I just want to reiterate and and thank all my supporters and the voters of the city of Starkbridge for uh getting out and voting in my favor. I do want to mention the fact that uh we have hit the ground running. I do want to share with this council uh one of the initiatives uh which will be an anchor uh in our [1:15:04, 1:15:24]: downtown uh revitalization scheme, uh the cultural art center. Uh few few days ago many of the council members went out to visit uh some cultural art facilities uh uh in this in the metro area. So I just want everyone to know that um [1:15:24, 1:15:25]: Yeah. [1:15:25, 1:15:35]: We have hit the ground running. Um the wheels are turning. Uh and I look forward to that and I just want to thank all of you and just know citizens that [1:15:36, 1:15:37]: You have to get on board. [1:15:38, 1:15:45]: We have to get on board to make this train move and so uh I look forward to working and partnering with all citizens. Uh [1:15:46, 1:15:48]: Future forward, go dogs. [1:15:50, 1:15:51]: Okay. [1:15:51, 1:16:11]: Yeah, take this out. Go ahead. Yeah, I wanna thank everybody even those that are that stayed over. Um I would love to see this at uh every council meeting to see citizens uh staying over then get involved and find out what we're doing as a council. Um my colleagues and I we we did take a trip on Friday to visit uh [1:16:11, 1:16:30]: different facilities because we're we're ready to build here in Stockbridge. We're ready to build and we're ready to serve the community. Um I guess I can see a little bit better now without the glasses. So uh I just want to say I see you all and I thank you all for coming. God bless you all and have a safe, safe year and uh this is a year of prosperity for everyone here. Thank you. [1:16:31, 1:16:33]: Mr. Scan, please. [1:16:35, 1:16:55]: Happy New Year to everyone. Thank you for your love, your support, and your continued prayers. As I look across the room, all I can say is thank you. I see so many great supporters who stood there from holding signs to standing there to coming to the events and things that we have here in. [1:16:55, 1:17:08]: Stockbridge. I welcome you anytime my door is always open. Um it is a blessing again to continue to serve. And I would like to let's give our staff a hand clap of applause for putting this together. [1:17:12, 1:17:32]: Oftentimes um you know, they are behind the scenes working day and night. Miss Holliday this is her home. I I think she stays here more than she does at her home and I can uh I can honestly say that. And I say that with and I just wanna thank you, Miss Holliday. I wanna thank you, Miss Moore. [1:17:32, 1:17:52]: I saw her, this is her second home as well. It is amazing the the staff support and the people here and what they do to make Stockbridge run. What we need is we need to hear from you on what you want and we need you to fight back. You you need to join with us. And so it's it's five. [1:17:52, 1:18:02]: of us and a mayor and it's thirty thousand almost um citizens there in the city and Stockbridge and I'm so proud to be one of your representatives. Thank you. [1:18:03, 1:18:03]: Okay. [1:18:07, 1:18:22]: Yes, uh everyone I always like to thank everybody for com um coming out. Uh this is what democracy looks like. This is it. And we need your participation at every meeting, at every [1:18:23, 1:18:42]: uh opportunity that you can interject because we need to know what you want and we need to be able to fight with you and we need to be able to look over our shoulder and see that you're there with us. Uh because the fight that we're about to enter uh with the proposed city of Eagles Landing is something that we've never seen before. [1:18:43, 1:19:03]: We have a portion of our city which uh could be possibly taken from us and de-annexed and moved to uh the new proposed city of Eagles Landing. That's not something that has ever been done before uh in the history of Georgia. And as you sit in that seat tonight, you need to understand that we're in the red zone. [1:19:03, 1:19:09]: You know how when the Falcons and the dog get to the red zone, it's touchdown time. It's in the red zone. [1:19:10, 1:19:25]: Okay, if the quarterback gets sacked, we're losing. We're losing five, four plus million dollars a year, which may cause us to have to implement a city tax on the rest of the citizens that are remaining. This is critical mass time. [1:19:26, 1:19:46]: Understand that I want tonight to be bleak, but at the same time, you need to understand this is what is in front of us right absolutely right now. The Georgia General Assembly started the session today. That bill is before them. It has sponsorship at this point that uh that's we'll [1:19:46, 1:20:06]: We'll see what happens. But I need you to understand two things is that you need to act today. Everybody here needs to go back to their neighborhood. You need to contact your neighbor. You need to contact whomever, your friend, your associate, and let them know to take action today. Ninety to 120 days from here, you might not. [1:20:06, 1:20:17]: be in the city limits any longer and I definitely would not be in the city limits any longer if this bill passes. That's what we're up against tonight. I would also like to encourage this council [1:20:17, 1:20:37]: to take the lead. We um it's upon us. You elected us to act. And things happen when we act as a group, united to move the downtown forward, to move the amphitheater forward, to move um the revitalization of Highway one hundred thirty eight forward. [1:20:37, 1:20:57]: Those things happen when this council acts as a united front to move those things forward. That's how things happen. You know, Commissioner Bruce Holmes is not here tonight, and uh I know it's must I I I I look up to him because he gets things done here in Heron County as a as a pioneer in the forefront. You know why he gets things done? [1:20:57, 1:21:00]: [4861.5, 4874.2]: abdicate his responsibility. He does not depend on the staff to lead. He leads. And that's what we need and I think that's what Mayor Ford is capable of doing and this entire council because it's a collective action. [1:21:14, 1:21:21]: 2018 is a year that I want to see great things happen in the city of Stockbridge. I was elected two years ago myself. [1:21:22, 1:21:33]: I own two years of what is going on in the city and I want to make sure that 2018 is a year that we make Stockbridge the envy of Metro Atlanta. Thank you. [1:21:34, 1:21:35]: That's right. [1:21:36, 1:21:38]: Robinson, please. [1:21:38, 1:21:38]: Yeah. [1:21:39, 1:21:40]: Yes. [1:21:40, 1:22:00]: Thank you everyone for coming out. Today was a historical day. It was a good day. Um I would be remiss um a lot of the information that comes from each council member. I would like for you all to please hear what is being said. This is very important. The Eagles Landing Matter is very important. I want to go a step further to thank [1:22:00, 1:22:20]: Our senator. He stands strongly for us at the Capitol and for some of the counsels for not wanting this delivery to go forth, it would be shy knowing that he is the one that is fighting for us to ensure that Stockbridge stays whole. So again, Senator Emmanuel Johnson. [1:22:20, 1:22:24]: Holmes, I thank you very much. [1:22:28, 1:22:48]: We're working extremely hard for this city. And regardless who is delivering the message, it is a big message for our citizens. And again, I thank you. And to everyone that is here, there's voting on tomorrow. Please get out and vote. If you're a citizen, you need to vote on tomorrow. [1:22:48, 1:22:55]: tomorrow and know who you are voting for. Thank you so very much. Go dogs. [1:22:56, 1:22:57]: All right, thank you. [1:22:59, 1:23:19]: In reference to this one I mentioned earlier about voting is very important. So yes, without a doubt you need to vote, need to register the vote, need to vote often and all the time and things of this nature. And once again, without a doubt, uh Senator Jones, yes, we appreciate you and the delegate Henry County delegation is the support of our position and and and against the proposal of Eagles Landing. And um and I would say [1:23:19, 1:23:39]: within ninety days or whatnot we'll know the results of that and the results would be the fact that it would have failed and and and Eagles landing the parts of Eagles landing is still in Stockbridge will still be in Stockbridge. That's the intent. And so uh we'll we'll strategically work through that process and then succeed. I I have faith in the good Lord's gonna lead us that way and we're working on doing some good things to do that. We'll we'll make it. Uh [1:23:39, 1:23:59]: Now what I like to also do what I failed to do earlier is to thank the people that actually specifically supported me in reference to my campaign and I slipped my mind. I'll blame it on my gray hair and baldness, okay? Starbon uh LLC. I want to thank them and Maggie and ASC Consulting Aerial and your efforts. [1:23:58, 1:24:18]: there and Robin Alonzo Lauren Yolanda Brooke you know Christine Art Carmen which she normally goes by red uh Stephanie and her two daughters my family and all the supporters that financially supported everything I appreciate the effort on that I don't want to let you down I have no intention on let you down these are the ladies and gentlemen that I'll work with to get things done [1:24:18, 1:24:38]: 2018 will be a very successful, prosperous year, and you'll be the judge of that. You'll see that. We'll hear every we'll hear every month, at least twice a month at the minimum. You know, and it's easy to reach out and talk to us and you'll see all those results. And then I think by the time we end this particular year, I will say you would be proud of the fact that this council has done something good and we have a bright future. [1:24:38, 1:24:45]: and moving the city forward. All right. God bless y'all and I want to tell you, row, tide, row. Okay. [1:24:49, 1:25:09]: Now, do we have a second session? No executor session. Okay, on that note then I will act for a motion to uh oh by the way, we have a reception downstairs folks. Come down to the reception downstairs and hang out and talk with uh talk with folks and talk with us and uh have a bite tea before you go watch the game if that's the case. She's got a few minutes you can give to us, right? I need a motion to end the meeting, please. [1:25:09, 1:25:12]: So move. What okay, have a second in discussion. [1:25:13, 1:25:14]: All in favor, please indicate. [1:25:15, 1:25:18]: All right, announced decision. The meeting has ended. [1:25:24, 1:25:27]: Now, um we're seeing [1:25:27, 1:25:29]: I mean I need to take a [1:25:29, 1:25:30]: I want to take a [1:25:34, 1:25:35]: Yeah. [1:25:46, 1:25:55]: I got questions on that history of Lila. [1:26:35, 1:26:36]: The assumption. [1:26:45, 1:26:46]: Alright. [1:26:46, 1:26:50]: What did you put in my go? [1:26:53, 1:26:58]: We need for somebody to just do a signature page while they're here at the reception and get them to sign. [1:27:00, 1:27:07]: Because getting them to do it tomorrow morning is gonna be hard. Congratulations, Jud. Thank you, sir. Congratulations. Thank you. [1:27:08, 1:27:17]: How s how serious? Elton talks about it and I don't really get a read on it politically, but how serious is it? That's kind of what I thought. [1:27:21, 1:27:31]: We need a signature page or okay. We before y'all leave of that, we need a signature page. [1:28:00, 1:28:20]: So we're gonna be signing up. [1:28:20, 1:28:35]: I clean up. You clean up groups. I mean the outfit. I want y'all, I want y'all uh what we're doing. [1:30:01, 1:30:15]: [5445.0, 5465.0]: I'm sorry, I just have these boxes on the channel. [1:31:05, 1:31:16]: Yeah, guess what? [1:31:16, 1:31:27]: Well she'll tell us what she wants us to say. That and how you want to do that. [1:31:28, 1:31:32]: Move on. Okay, I need everybody shift. [1:31:35, 1:31:40]: One, two, three. [1:31:40, 1:31:46]: One more time. One more. [1:31:50, 1:31:51]: [5511.6, 5527.8]: Okay, if you hold on to the candle camera. Oh you might have to have flash and light. Another way. Okay, good thing. Alright, thanks. Oh sorry. That's it. [1:32:08, 1:32:28]: Okay, Mike's awesome. Mike Mike took the microphone. Alright Deb, we're gonna go downstairs and social light on the quickest cheer there. [1:32:28, 1:32:43]: Alright, congratulations. Yeah, right, exactly right. [1:33:01, 1:33:21]: He wants a dog picture. Yeah, man. See, that's not what I think. [1:33:21, 1:33:30]: [5615.1, 5616.9]: Thank you. [1:33:39, 1:33:44]: Really found. [1:33:55, 1:34:05]: Yeah, but that's what we're gonna be sounding. [1:34:05, 1:34:25]: That's the one. [1:34:39, 1:34:45]: [5700.0, 5720.0]: I don't think I think I'm going to go to the end. [1:35:20, 1:35:35]: Now they're fine for the name of the day and so you want to do it. [1:36:05, 1:36:25]: He wants an reception. We have all that. Okay. [1:36:24, 1:36:32]: [5840.7, 5842.4]: Uh