2026-03-09 · City Council · Transcript · Regular Council Meetings

--- title: Regular Council Meetings date: 2026-03-09 source: 2026-03-09_Regular_Council_Meetings.wav --- [0:01:02, 0:01:06]: Testing, testing, testing, testing one two, testing, testing, one two. [0:01:25, 0:01:27]: All right, good afternoon. [0:01:29, 0:01:48]: We will get started with our March Council meeting uh with the ceremonial potion right before our meeting. And today I'll be doing a proclamation to adopt the role program for the men of the Zeta Mu chapter of Omega Psy Five Fraternity Incorporated. So I ask you guys to join me up front. [0:01:49, 0:01:53]: King. What you prefer? [0:01:55, 0:01:57]: You all can join me on this side. [0:01:58, 0:02:11]: Have it. Mr. May, how are you? How are you seeing the reaches I could see? [0:02:13, 0:02:13]: Yeah. [0:02:16, 0:02:23]: I'll take your body in. All right. I go. Here you go. Okay, that's wrong. [0:02:24, 0:02:25]: All right. [0:02:26, 0:02:30]: Now I'm gonna have the councilman join me down and I also have Mr. Aaron come on and join me up here as well. [0:02:45, 0:03:05]: Awesome. How y'all doing? Good, brother. How you doing? Good to see you all in there. Pastor, how are you doing? Come on, Pastor. Don't take don't take all day back. Come on, Pastor. Turn your phone off, Pastor. [0:03:05, 0:03:07]: Taking breast control pills. [0:03:09, 0:03:29]: Whereas the city of Stockbridge is committed to maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for residents and visitors, and whereas community partners play a pivotal role in preserving the beauty and sustainability of our city, and whereas the Zeta Mu New chapter of Omega Psi 5 Fraternity Incorporated, an organization founded on the principles of manhood scholarship, [0:03:29, 0:03:49]: Perseverance and uplift has demonstrated its dedication to community service and civic engagement. And whereas the members have volunteered their time and effort to participate in the City of Stockbridge Adopt a Road program, helping to keep our roadways clean and enhancing the quality of life in our community. And whereas the City of Stockbridge [0:03:49, 0:04:09]: Stockbridge recognizes and appreciates the commitment of organizations and individuals who actively work to improve our community through service and environmental stewardship. Now, therefore, I, Jaden Williams, mayor of the City of Stockbridge, in collaboration with the Stockbridge Council members Elton Alexander, Yolanda Barber, Kyle Berry, Antoine Cloud, and Lakeisha Gantt. [0:04:09, 0:04:25]: Do hereby recognize and commend the Zeta Munu chapter of Omega Psi 5 Fraternity Incorporated for their participation in the Adopt a Road program and for their continued dedication to serving the citizens of Stockbridge, signed the ninth day of March, 2026. Congratulations. Thank you, sir. Thank you. [0:04:27, 0:04:28]: Okay. [0:04:32, 0:04:37]: All right, we're gonna uh we're gonna do a quick group photo. [0:04:37, 0:04:47]: I'm gonna um all right, who's the president? Who's your who's your vice president? Okay, pass this one to your vice president and then I'm gonna [0:04:47, 0:05:07]: Okay. Come on down. Sure. And then I'm going to present you officially with your adopter role. Louisiana. Uh you guys can come on down first this way as well. Yeah, we're trying to group around us. [0:05:07, 0:05:22]: You're gonna get you're gonna be married back here for a chapter. Say what if we go up there and take a front of the seal. We can do it right here for chat. You you have more space up there. Yeah, we can do it right here. [0:05:23, 0:05:25]: You got it? [0:05:25, 0:05:31]: Yeah, that's a lot of myself. Alright, here we go. [0:05:57, 0:05:59]: [360.0, 371.5]: So good evening, Mr. Mayor, distinguished members of the council and citizens of Stockbridge. My name is Randall Slaughter. I'm the bossless of Zaydemunu, the Henry County chapter. [0:06:11, 0:06:14]: Oh Omega Sapphire Paternity Incorporated. [0:06:14, 0:06:17]: And on behalf of all one hundred and six brothers of the chapters [0:06:18, 0:06:21]: We wanna let you know what a honor it is for us to [0:06:21, 0:06:24]: Дуа сма пар і кіпін а ком'юніті бютифу. [0:06:25, 0:06:28]: Uh not only that, but we also wanna let you know that we [0:06:28, 0:06:32]: Give scholarships to high school seniors in the Henry County area. [0:06:34, 0:06:46]: Just do a whole host of other things for the community and it's in fact indeed a delight for us to be a community partner. So thank you very much for this recognition and hope we'll be back soon. [0:06:48, 0:06:49]: Thank you so much. [0:06:54, 0:07:08]: And I'm just gonna say on the record, I look forward to the first invitation to your road cleanup. So please let us know. At this time I wanna close out the ceremonial portion and the Stonkbridge City Council meeting will reconvene and begin at six o'clock PM. [0:07:20, 0:07:25]: I'm now gonna call this meeting to order and I ask council members to join us on the DS. [0:07:34, 0:07:40]: Right. At this time I'm gonna ask Councilman Beard to lead us in an invocation and then following we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance. [0:07:45, 0:08:05]: Let us let us pray. Eternal God, we thank you tonight, Lord God, for being just who you are. We thank you for your grace. We thank you for your mercy. God, we ask, Lord God, that you will lead us and guide us in this meeting tonight, Lord God, that you will bless the citizens of Stockbridge. Lord God, that you will bless the leadership, Lord God, that you will allow us, Lord God, continued love of this community. [0:08:05, 0:08:24]: Love of our fellow man and God that love of this country and this land that you continue to bless everything that we put our hands and our hearts and our minds to. Lord God, we thank you for the steps of a good man are indeed ordered by God. And so God, we give your name all the glory, the honor, and the praise. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. [0:08:27, 0:08:39]: 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. [0:08:41, 0:08:42]: Thank you so much. [0:08:45, 0:08:48]: At this moment I'll ask Madam Clerk to call the roll. [0:08:52, 0:08:53]: Good evening. [0:08:54, 0:09:14]: Mayor Jaden L. Williams. Present. Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexander. Present. Councilmember Lakeisha Gantt. Let the record reflect that Councilmember Gantt is not in attendance. Councilmember Antoine Cloud. Present. Councilmember Kyle D. Berry. Present. Councilmember Yolanda Barber. [0:09:14, 0:09:15]: Present. [0:09:15, 0:09:17]: Mayor Williams, you have a quorum. [0:09:17, 0:09:37]: Thank you so much. Council, before you have the tonight's agenda, I would ask that we have two amendments to the agenda. Um to remove item number four, which is the confirmation of our police chief, and to add to the consent agenda, uh to add that we are now a city of stability, what we discussed in past during our [0:09:37, 0:09:45]: Council retreat. So I have a motion. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. [0:09:46, 0:09:48]: All right. Four to zero. [0:09:48, 0:09:49]: Mayor. [0:09:49, 0:09:59]: Yes, ma'am. I'd like to make a motion to amend the agenda. Yes, ma'am. Um to add an item for the confirmation of the human resources director. [0:10:00, 0:10:03]: That position wasn't included on the original agenda. [0:10:06, 0:10:17]: Yes, ma'am. I um I will ask the attorneys because I asked the city manager prior to, uh, did we need to add this to the consent agenda since it's just a promotion rather than a new hire? [0:10:23, 0:10:31]: It certainly can be added to the agenda, um, but since it was already um discussed and approved by council, um it could simply just be an announcement. [0:10:32, 0:10:38]: I have a motion to add the confirmation of the new HR director. Is there a second? [0:10:39, 0:10:41]: On the consent agenda? Yes, ma'am. [0:10:41, 0:10:43]: All those in favour, please indicate by the sound of aye. [0:10:44, 0:10:44]: Yeah. [0:10:46, 0:10:53]: five zero. Thank you so much. Now with those um amendments, Council, I'll accept a motion to adopt the agenda. [0:10:54, 0:10:56]: Someone. [0:10:56, 0:10:57]: A second. [0:10:58, 0:11:00]: All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. [0:11:00, 0:11:00]: Yeah. [0:11:01, 0:11:12]: All right, five to zero. Thank you so much. Council before you incent was the ad uh the meeting minutes for the February twenty-fourth, twenty twenty six work session. At this time I'll accept a motion to approve. [0:11:14, 0:11:15]: Some more. [0:11:16, 0:11:17]: Is there a second one? [0:11:17, 0:11:18]: A second. [0:11:20, 0:11:21]: Any discussion? [0:11:22, 0:11:27]: You see none. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of aye. Five to zero. [0:11:30, 0:11:50]: All right, now we'll move on to public comments. All persons wishing 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 will be able to address the mayor and counsel for three minutes. Speakers must respect all members of the elected body, officials, and staff. Defamation, unruliness, and or swearing with what [0:11:50, 0:11:55]: Madam Clerk, do we have any public comments? [0:11:57, 0:12:05]: Have six public comments and in no particular order. Um the first public comment is from Judy Neal. [0:12:08, 0:12:12]: Thank you so much. Miss Neal, when you come up, please state your name and address, please. [0:12:23, 0:12:43]: Club Drive in Stockbridge. I grew up visiting in Stockbridge often at the homes of my mother's two wonderful sisters, Sarah Grant and Ruby Gardner. In later years, I lived just up the street while my two sons attended both Stockbridge Junior and Senior High Schools. During that time, I was very [0:12:43, 0:12:52]: Active in PTA supporting my sons, both Stockbridge Junior and Senior High Schools, and the many activities connected. [0:12:52, 0:12:58]: Recently, when my sons and I learned of the possibility of a name change for Lee Street. [0:12:58, 0:13:18]: Our blended response was something like, Wow, that would be a shame. Just seeing the street sign brings back a flood of happy memories and funny stories for the many hundreds of former students, most of which involved various students. [0:13:18, 0:13:25]: Students from time to time, and the one and only senior high school principal, Coi Pridmore. [0:13:26, 0:13:46]: Who will forever and always remain the legend of Lee Street? Most of all, I support the owners of affairs by Pinehurst Catering, whose business we have all enjoyed and benefited from for many years. They have respectfully asked that you do. [0:13:46, 0:13:48]: Do not vote for the street name change. [0:13:49, 0:14:07]: What might have sounded like a good idea when brought up for discussion, exploring it has proven that is unfavorable to many residents. Therefore, I hope you will respect your constituents and vote no when the vote is called. [0:14:07, 0:14:13]: Thank you all, uh Mayor and Council for the opportunity to speak on this subject. Thank you. [0:14:13, 0:14:14]: Thank you so much, Ms. Neal. [0:14:21, 0:14:25]: The second public comment is from Marvin Gross. [0:14:27, 0:14:28]: Okay, open it back on. [0:14:33, 0:14:35]: Please state your name and address, please. [0:14:36, 0:14:48]: Uh yes, my name's Marvin Gross. I live on one fifteen North Lee Street. Um from Stockbridge. My family's been here eighty something years. And um [0:14:49, 0:14:53]: My house over here is was built in the early sixties. [0:14:54, 0:15:00]: brick house. It stood the test of time on that street with that Northley Street name. [0:15:01, 0:15:09]: I don't want the name changed to anything. I don't care if it's Martin Luther King or Donald Trump. I mean it doesn't make any difference to me. [0:15:10, 0:15:11]: It needs to stay [0:15:12, 0:15:14]: what it's always been it's gonna cost [0:15:14, 0:15:30]: you know, some money uh uh for the city, I'm assuming, to to change the signs and and do different things. Uh it'll cost residents some money because you'll have to change the uh your driver's license and I'm assuming we have to change the street. [0:15:30, 0:15:36]: numbers because they're the same number, some of'em on South Lee as they are northly. [0:15:36, 0:15:40]: So I I I just it just doesn't make sense to me. [0:15:41, 0:15:51]: you know, f to change it at all. Like I say, I I'm not opposed to necessarily to the name that it wants to be changed to. I'm just opposed to changing it, period. [0:15:52, 0:15:54]: I I I don't really understand why we're doing it. [0:15:55, 0:15:56]: Um [0:15:56, 0:16:04]: my research and and what I was taught growing up, it was named after the Lee family. Now I've read where some people think it's named after a [0:16:04, 0:16:06]: Uh Robert E. Lee, but I [0:16:07, 0:16:08]: I don't know. I can't find that. [0:16:09, 0:16:11]: I wasn't taught that. I I I [0:16:12, 0:16:25]: You know, I I don't know. We went to school here and I I don't know anything about all that mess. We didn't none of that went on with us and and my friends. So I I I don't really know about all that. [0:16:26, 0:16:27]: But but I know that [0:16:28, 0:16:28]: That it [0:16:28, 0:16:32]: In my opinion, doesn't need to change. I realize there's not a whole lot of people [0:16:33, 0:16:34]: That live on the street. [0:16:34, 0:16:35]: Oh North Lee. [0:16:36, 0:16:37]: You know, my house was [0:16:38, 0:16:45]: probably it was built there. It wasn't brought in. You know, there were some houses on that street. That other brick house there was actually brought in. [0:16:46, 0:16:46]: But [0:16:47, 0:16:51]: It's not gonna affect a whole lot of people there, I don't guess, but [0:16:51, 0:16:53]: It it it definitely affects me. [0:16:54, 0:16:57]: Um I don't get involved with politics much. I I don't like to [0:16:58, 0:17:10]: I d I I just I don't like politics a lot to be honest. It it it's a lot of arguing and I don't like to argue, so uh but this affects me directly and I I just [0:17:10, 0:17:14]: I could not say anything. Y'all gonna do whatever it is you're gonna do, I guess. [0:17:15, 0:17:20]: But but I can tell you, you know, the people that well, people I know don't want it to happen. [0:17:21, 0:17:22]: And uh [0:17:22, 0:17:24]: I've never come up in here before. [0:17:24, 0:17:29]: And y'all there's been a lot of things happening in Stockbridge I wasn't necessarily in agreement with. [0:17:29, 0:17:30]: But [0:17:31, 0:17:33]: It's where I live. I used to be [0:17:33, 0:17:35]: Real proud of this place. [0:17:35, 0:17:36]: But uh [0:17:37, 0:17:39]: Not as much anymore. [0:17:39, 0:17:41]: to be honest with you, with the crime and [0:17:42, 0:17:50]: you know, just different things that's happened because of the growth. But thank you so much, Mr. Gross. That's your time. All right. Thank y'all. Thank you. Appreciate you listening. Thanks. [0:17:54, 0:17:57]: The next public comment is from Corinne Randanzo. [0:18:05, 0:18:06]: I hear in council. [0:18:07, 0:18:10]: Corn Michael Randezzo, one eleven Bryant Street. [0:18:11, 0:18:22]: Renaming Stockbridge Leaf Street to MLK M L K Junior Way may appear progressive, but the city's dishonesty about why it was renamed undermines the true honor of doctor Louzo. [0:18:22, 0:18:30]: doctor Martin Luther King Junior's Legacy. The street wasn't named after Robert E. Lee, but rather the local Lee family of Stockbridge. [0:18:31, 0:18:38]: By claiming otherwise, the city created a false narrative that devalues both historical truth and doctor King's memory. [0:18:38, 0:18:43]: The deception matters because doctor King fought for truth and justice throughout his life. [0:18:43, 0:18:48]: He believed in honest reckoning of history, not convenient fabrications. [0:18:48, 0:18:52]: When a city lies about why a street rename needs renaming [0:18:52, 0:19:00]: It suggests that the change is more about political optics than genuine commitment to equality. Dwell magazine documented [0:19:01, 0:19:02]: Streets now. [0:19:04, 0:19:06]: Named after MLK Across America will have [0:19:07, 0:19:10]: become battlegrounds for equality rather than thriving communities. [0:19:11, 0:19:29]: In St. Louis, where Mr. Melvin White founded Beloved Streets of America, Darton Martha Luther King Drive cuts through neighborhoods filled with abandoned buildings and vacant lots, hardly the vibrant community King envisioned. Symbolic renaming without substance fails to honor what Dr. King stood for. [0:19:30, 0:19:36]: He fought not just for recognition, but for economic justice and community prosperity. [0:19:37, 0:19:47]: Stockbreed has already demonstrated a willingness to prioritize narrative over prosperity. Dr. King's life was built on integrity and honest confrontation of America's failure. [0:19:48, 0:19:50]: Honor requires more than a new sign. [0:19:51, 0:19:52]: It demands honesty about history. [0:19:53, 0:19:54]: Commitment to action. [0:19:55, 0:20:01]: Without these, renaming Lee Street becomes another example of honoring the civil rights icon. [0:20:01, 0:20:06]: with words, while neglecting the substance of his life's work. [0:20:07, 0:20:08]: Thank you. Thank you, sir. [0:20:16, 0:20:18]: Is from Brandon Dubbs. [0:20:24, 0:20:26]: Please come up, say your name and address, please. [0:20:27, 0:20:31]: Hello, Brandon Dubbs, one eighteen, Lake Terrace, Stockbridge. [0:20:33, 0:20:43]: I'm Brandon Dubbs. My parents, Linda and Chuck Dubbs and I have run Affairs by Pioneers Catering Advents over on South Lee Street for over thirty years. [0:20:44, 0:20:51]: That address isn't just a dot on a map. It's where we raise families, fed communities, and turn strangers into regulars. [0:20:53, 0:21:10]: I'm not here to fight change. I understand Stockbridge wants to grow. New names, new schools, new energy. I'm all for it. But I'm asking you to stop, maybe pause and reconsider that the names have been here for a long time. [0:21:12, 0:21:15]: We moved here around forty seven years ago. [0:21:16, 0:21:20]: Give or take, forty plus years ago, my mom started a catering business. [0:21:21, 0:21:24]: Thirty years ago she thought Stockbridge was worth investing in. [0:21:25, 0:21:28]: So she bought this piece of property on South Fleet Street. [0:21:30, 0:21:39]: We turned it into an events facility. We've had many weddings, many events, many things that have gone on there that I hope have brought a lot of fond memories for people. [0:21:41, 0:21:42]: This isn't about the name of the street. [0:21:43, 0:21:45]: This is about hard working people. [0:21:45, 0:21:46]: that have put their time in. [0:21:47, 0:21:48]: And [0:21:48, 0:21:49]: Yeah. [0:21:49, 0:21:51]: They'll have to reprint cards. [0:21:52, 0:21:54]: And they'll have to rewrite ads. [0:21:54, 0:22:04]: And they'll have to change their addresses and they'll have to get in touch with Google Maps and GPSs and all that kind of stuff to make sure that when you have these out of town people that come in for whomever's wedding. [0:22:05, 0:22:06]: They know where they're going. [0:22:08, 0:22:10]: That's why we're asking you just to reconsider. [0:22:11, 0:22:13]: We believe in Stockbridge. [0:22:13, 0:22:15]: We believe investing in the community. [0:22:17, 0:22:20]: And we hope that with that people will vote no on this. [0:22:22, 0:22:24]: Thank you. [0:22:25, 0:22:25]: Mm. [0:22:30, 0:22:33]: It's public comment is Mary Braun. [0:22:41, 0:22:50]: Mary Brown, uh 115 North Lee Street. Uh thank you for having this opportunity for the citizens to come out today and speak to you all. Um [0:22:51, 0:23:03]: some of the people here I'm not real sure. I was born and raised in Henry County, the north end of Henry County, so Stockbridge High School was my school, um before it became the alternative school. Just just so y'all know. [0:23:03, 0:23:04]: Um [0:23:04, 0:23:15]: I'd like to just say that Lee Street has always been a part of our life. That's where we went to school. That's where we everybody knew where the tasty freeze was and all that stuff. You just go down to Lee Street. [0:23:15, 0:23:20]: So to change it to me is taking a part of history away. Um [0:23:21, 0:23:22]: Sorry. [0:23:26, 0:23:36]: I would like to make a suggestion that instead of changing the name, I'm really sorry, this is I didn't realize I was gonna get upset. Um, instead of changing the name, [0:23:37, 0:23:44]: Why don't you guys consider um a beautiful bronze plaque or a [0:23:47, 0:24:06]: to go out front. You can put it at either one of the entryways or both entryways. It would be less financial drain on the people who live on these streets, some of which are elderly on fixed incomes, having to change their addresses and stuff for their business. Um [0:24:06, 0:24:26]: To be honest, street signs disappear, uh kids damage them. Um, but a bronze plaque is something that would honor uh Dr. Reverend King and let him know or let the people know that it was named after him. It would be something that the city, I guess. [0:24:26, 0:24:46]: guess would pay for, but the citizens would not have to come out of pocket and pay for that. I've seen those plaques. They're absolutely gorgeous. And I think that that would give the recognition that would would warrant something like that. And it wouldn't cause the disturbance with the citizens that are living on that street. So I'm asking [0:24:46, 0:24:48]: asking you tonight to vote no. [0:24:50, 0:24:59]: Um the name change. I'm so sorry. Lord have mercy, y'all aren't filming this, are ya? Thank you so much, Ms. Brown. [0:25:03, 0:25:08]: public comment is from Linda and Chuck Dubbs. [0:25:20, 0:25:23]: What I'm gonna read to you is a little background. [0:25:23, 0:25:26]: Mr ch Mr Debs, say your name and address for me, please. I'm sorry. [0:25:26, 0:25:33]: Uh Chuck Dubb's address is uh one hundred eight South Lee Street in Stockbridge. That's our business location. [0:25:35, 0:25:39]: Give you a little history of how Lee Street actually became. [0:25:40, 0:25:50]: Former Stockbridge Mayor R. E. Lee and his wife Mildred, a longtime Stockbridge elementary school teacher, lived in their home on the hill directly across the street. [0:25:50, 0:25:55]: from Stockbridge Elementary and later Stockbridge Junior High and High Schools. [0:25:55, 0:26:00]: Official minutes obtained from the historic Stockbridge City Council meetings. [0:26:01, 0:26:07]: indicates Lee was mayor of the quiet little sleepy town for over two decades. [0:26:07, 0:26:08]: Okay. [0:26:09, 0:26:18]: In the early to mid nineteen hundreds, R. E. Lee was a Stockbridge leader who would ultimately become the city's mayor, who literally [0:26:19, 0:26:27]: Electrified Stockbridge. He was the mayor who physically brought the city into the electric future where tons [0:26:28, 0:26:40]: tons of thousands of of residents currently call their home. Eventually the city council later chose to name the quiet little dirt road after Stockbridge's leading family. [0:26:40, 0:26:45]: Lee Street, the street wouldn't be paved until nineteen sixty eight. [0:26:45, 0:26:57]: Another of the many resources reason Stockbridge has become the bustling city is today was because one hundred years ago R. Il Lee, as noted in the City Council minutes, [0:26:57, 0:27:01]: Committed the city to a partnership with the state and county. [0:27:01, 0:27:03]: In paving Highway forty two [0:27:03, 0:27:05]: For the first time. [0:27:06, 0:27:07]: That's quite a feat. [0:27:09, 0:27:13]: Currently the Stockbridge Mayor and those who serve on the Stockbridge City Council. [0:27:14, 0:27:15]: have a proposal to rename [0:27:16, 0:27:19]: Lee Street. This would sadly erase the historical Lee. [0:27:20, 0:27:21]: Namesake from our north. [0:27:22, 0:27:23]: Uh Henry County, a community. [0:27:24, 0:27:35]: This family worked together for years and years for the enhancement of the quality of for those excuse me who cruze Stockbridge as their home then and now. [0:27:35, 0:27:49]: as a longtime Stockbridge community resident who traveled Saint Lee's or South Lee Street, attending school and school related events and activities for decades, and yes, even having misses Lee as a teacher. [0:27:49, 0:27:54]: I respectfully ask the mayor and those who serve on the city council to [0:27:54, 0:28:06]: To not rename Lee Street for such action would forever erase historical value along with the honor bestowed upon the Lee family and its descendants. [0:28:08, 0:28:08]: Okay. [0:28:08, 0:28:11]: Thank you so much, Mr. Dobbs. You're welcome. [0:28:13, 0:28:16]: That'll close our public comments portion of our tonight's meeting. [0:28:17, 0:28:36]: In regards to our ceremonial council, today we presented a adopt a road sign and proclamation to the Zeta Mu Nu chapter of Omega Psi Fi Fraternity Incorporated. So super excited to be joining them in some upcoming road work and road cleanings. Council, before you we have three items on our consent agenda. [0:28:38, 0:28:40]: Wanna take one by one or all at at one time? [0:28:41, 0:28:41]: Mayor. [0:28:42, 0:28:42]: Yes, ma'am. [0:28:42, 0:28:45]: I move that we approve the consent agenda. [0:28:45, 0:28:50]: Have a motion. Second there's a second. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of I. [0:28:51, 0:28:51]: Hi. [0:28:52, 0:28:53]: Any opposed? [0:28:55, 0:28:56]: Any abstention? [0:28:59, 0:29:05]: What's your vote? Uh okay. Motion to approve the consent agenda. Okay. Yes. [0:29:06, 0:29:07]: All right. It's five zero. [0:29:10, 0:29:18]: All right, moving on to old business, council consideration to approve the Norfolk Southern Lease Agreement. It'll be presented by Megan McCullough and City Manager. [0:29:26, 0:29:28]: Alright, I looked at it. [0:29:29, 0:29:32]: Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. [0:29:32, 0:29:45]: Um as discussed at the planning retreat before you is the uh Norfolk Southern lease agreement for that parking lot. Um as discussed at the planning retreat, um [0:29:47, 0:30:03]: It is our intention to make sure that this lease is in the best interest of the city. At that at this point it's currently not, um in our opinion, uh my opinion. Um and as discussed, we would like to work on cr uh fixing that um before you guys approve it. [0:30:05, 0:30:18]: And it's my it's my understanding that um reps from the city of Stockbridge will be meeting with um certain members and certain elected officials um in order to help facilitate that as well. [0:30:18, 0:30:21]: Yes, yes, sir. Motion the table. [0:30:21, 0:30:23]: Okay, there's a motion to table. Is there a second? [0:30:23, 0:30:24]: I second. [0:30:24, 0:30:30]: There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, please indicate by sign of by. All right, five zero. Thank you so much. [0:30:32, 0:30:38]: All right, now we have public hearings. Let me read the public hearing rules. [0:30:40, 0:31:00]: Public hearing rules, please mute all cell phones and other electronic devices. If anyone wishes to speak tonight on a public hearing item, please fill out a form available on the table and hand it to the clerk before approaching the podium. After each case is called, the council will hear from city staff followed by the applicant or their representative regarding the proposed plan for property along with any other relevant information. The council will [0:31:00, 0:31:20]: will be free to ask questions at any time before the vote. 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 ten minutes total. Additional time and be extended at the discretion of the counsel. Please keep comments and presentations professional referring only to the facts that are pertinent to the case. [0:31:20, 0:31:40]: We will not allow any comments or personal attacks towards any individual or group. Please refrain from any applause or comments from the audience during the public hearing. After presiding officer recognizes the speaker, he or she shall direct all comments to the presiding officer, and never to a member of council, staff, or the audience. All comments will be made from the podium where you will be required to state your name and address. [0:31:40, 0:32:00]: Address for the record. Please note that as these hearings are not a debate, failure to comply with calls will cause you to be removed from the chamber and the building by law enforcement if you deviate from these proceedings. Other than the applicant, no person may speak more than once. The applicant may reserve part of his or her times as a rebuttal and may speak next and last and may use [0:31:59, 0:32:19]: The entire ten minutes allowed for the pro side of the application. If questions are raised, the council may ask the applicant to address questions and concerns. The presiding officer will call for a motion and a second and have any necessary discussion. If the matter is not tabled, the presiding officer will call for a vote to recommend approval or denial of the request. First [0:32:19, 0:32:39]: First up for the public hearing is the capital improvements element for 2026. Consideration for a resolution to adopt the United, the updated Capital Improvement Department of Community Affairs, ensuring continued compliance with state impact fee and comprehensive planning requirements. This adoption is presented as a standalone City of Stockbridge capital improvement element. [0:32:39, 0:32:59]: Separate from the Henry County CIE to accurately reflect the city's independent service delivery, capital projects needed, and growth projects. Mr. Anderson. The purpose of this is to request adoption of the Stockbridge Capital Improvement Element to guide infrastructure. [0:32:59, 0:33:07]: Planning. CIE amendment adoption enables strategic budgeting and scheduling for future city infrastructure and service demand. [0:33:07, 0:33:26]: Uh also it allows us to be in local government compliance. Adopting the CIE ensures compliance with state laws and maintain eligibil eligibility for state programs and grants. Uh the city specific CIE coordinated plannings across services like park safety and utilities. [0:33:31, 0:33:45]: Uh the j legal mandate for the CIA. Georgia law requires local governments to adopt the capital improvement elements for impact fee compliance and planning. The Georgia Department of Compute Community Affairs sets compliance standards to maintain qualified local government status. [0:33:46, 0:34:00]: Stockbridge expansion requires a city-specific CIE to address local infrastructure demands and funding priority. The legal framework ensures impact fees fund only growth-related projects and protect the city from illegal risks. [0:34:02, 0:34:22]: Why the city requires a CIE. The city's current CIE is still based on the 1993 joint CIE, where we was part of Henry County with the other local jurisdiction as Local Grove, McDonnell, and um Hampton. All the other local jurisdictions have adopted their own CIE and Henry County. [0:34:22, 0:34:27]: Henry County amended it, amended the document to make it a standalone document. [0:34:27, 0:34:34]: for only Henry County. Um that precipitated the need for the city to adopt its own CIE. Uh [0:34:35, 0:34:55]: So Georgia Department um requires every local government to maintain a current locally adopted CIE within its comprehensive plan. A CIE must include projected infrastructure needs, a five-year schedule of improvements, and defined funding sources with which mandate updating or amending older CIEs. Creating a standalone CIE ensures [0:34:55, 0:35:04]: Stock brid Stockbridge's plan reflects city-specific service areas, growth patterns, and capital needs rather than outdated county-level assumptions. [0:35:05, 0:35:16]: The ARC in Georgia DCA, which stands for Department of Community Affairs, must review and approve all CIE updates and amendments before adoption, reinforcing the need for an updated compliant document. [0:35:19, 0:35:39]: Uh why what is the capital improvement element amendment? The CIE is the city's long-range plan for building and funding major public facilities. It identifies the infrastructure need needed to support population and economic growth through 2050. It's required by Georgia Development Impact Fee Act to implement and collect lawful impact. [0:35:39, 0:35:48]: Fees ensures the city maintains adopted service levels for park, roads, water, sewer, stormwater, public safety, and cultural affairs. [0:35:51, 0:35:55]: This is a copy of the old um Henry County uh joint. [0:35:57, 0:36:07]: CIE, which allowed the city to collect water and sanitary sewer fees. It included McDonald, Hampton, Stockbridge, and Locals Grove. This plan has been amended and outdated. [0:36:08, 0:36:13]: And and that also precipitates the need for the city to develop its own comprehensive improvement element. [0:36:15, 0:36:35]: The CIE matters for Stockbridge. Our population is projected to increase about 53.9% by 2050, driving demand for roads, parks, utilities, police services, and cultural facilities. The CIE ensures we stay ahead of that growth instead of reacting to it. Supports the [0:36:34, 0:36:37]: twenty twenty three annexation impacts. [0:36:37, 0:36:57]: The annexation added 5,368 new residents and expanded our service area dramatically. The CIE provides the roadmap to serve those new neighborhoods with proportional infrastructure, ensures development pays its fair share. Impact fees generated through an adopted CIE shift the cost of growth. [0:36:57, 0:37:17]: Growth away from existing residents, protecting our taxpayers, and preventing strain on the general fund. It improves roads and mobility citywide. Growth will account for 62.38% of new traffic, making projects like Rock Quarry Road improvement essential. The CIE lets us fund these needed projects. [0:37:17, 0:37:37]: Projects equitably through the collection of impact fees. It strengthens public safety capacity. With projected day-night population increases of 43,000 and 760 people, SPD will require expanded facilities and additional vehicles. The CIE identifies exactly what is needed and ensures [0:37:37, 0:37:57]: growth contributes to these costs, expands trails, parks, and quality of life amenities. The trail system alone needs 33.5 new miles to meet LOS standards. The CIE allows us to build these improvements using growth-related [0:37:57, 0:38:05]: Revenue maintains our state qualified local government status. Adoption keeps Stockbridge eligible for state grants, partnership, and impact fee authority. [0:38:08, 0:38:28]: Benefits of a new CIE. Without an adopted CIE, stockbridge without the fund new growth entirely from property taxes, splosh, or debt. The CIE ensures new development pays a proportional share, delivers better services where residents need them most, from parks to police response times to water reliability. [0:38:28, 0:38:48]: CIE directs investments that maintain our house service levels as the city grows. It promotes fairness and transparency. Every capital project is tied to a documented need, cost estimate, and funding source, building public trust in how we plan and spend. Supports economic development and quality of life. Well-planned infrastructure makes stock. [0:38:47, 0:39:04]: Stockbridge more competitive for new businesses, walkable neighborhoods, cultural amenities, and family-friendly community spaces. It ensures orderly and responsible growth. The CIA guides project timing so infrastructure is available before development causing strain, not after. [0:39:09, 0:39:29]: Highlights the CIE plans upgrades like athletic fields, trail expansion, and playground improvements to meet service standards and residents need. The trail system, like I previously mentioned, needs over 33 miles of expansion by 2050, including projects like Walt Stevens and MLK Senior Heritage Trail Extension. [0:39:29, 0:39:48]: Water and sewer capacity, projected system load increase demands water treatment and sewer upgrades to support population growth by 2050. Roadway and public safety improvement, road widening, pedestrian enhancement and new public safety facilities addressing addresses congestion and service demands through 2050. [0:39:50, 0:39:52]: Why is the adoption needed now? [0:39:52, 0:40:12]: Uh for legal compliance and funding. Adoption ensures compliance with state requirements, maintaining qualified local government status, and eligibility for state grants and loans. Impact fees and fiscal stability. Timely adoption allows lawful collection of impact fees, preventing reliance on general funds. [0:40:12, 0:40:32]: And minimizing physical vulnerabilities. Infrastructure and growth planning. The CIE integrates demographic data and infrastructure needs into long-term planning, supporting growth management and service delivery. Strategic coordination and budgeting adoption supports inter-departmental coordination in alliance with capital budget cycles. [0:40:32, 0:40:34]: for effective project scheduling. [0:40:37, 0:40:57]: What we're asking council to do is we're asking council to approve the adoption of the Stockbridge Capital Improvement Elements Plan as part of the comprehensive plan. Also, this approval allows authorization to send the adopted CIE and supporting documents to regional and state agencies for required review. Administration [0:40:57, 0:41:15]: Implementation. Approval enables staff to integrate CIE into planning, update schedules, and prepare for reporting and impact fee collection. Also, lastly, ensures compliance and growth. Council action ensures compliance with state laws, supports funding for growth, and position the city for future infrastructure projects. [0:41:17, 0:41:17]: Thank you. [0:41:18, 0:41:20]: Are there any questions from council? [0:41:25, 0:41:29]: Now now open up to public hearing. Okay. [0:41:30, 0:41:40]: All those th all of those that wish to speak in favor of the council to approve the capital improvements elements for twenty twenty six, please come forward. [0:41:41, 0:41:42]: State your name and address. [0:41:49, 0:41:57]: How are you doing Mary Council? And obviously, this is a different twist for me. But uh I tell you, it's uh fantastic that uh, you know, you may not know this, but [0:41:58, 0:42:00]: Georgia, the fittest states in the Union. [0:42:00, 0:42:02]: And Georgia is in the top ten. [0:42:03, 0:42:07]: of those fifty states with the growth in population, overall population. [0:42:07, 0:42:25]: And you know, but it's not the top ten when it comes to area wise, but population wise. The s the the state is growing. And we it's a known fact that the state is is it's been for about ten years or so the best state to do business with. People are coming here. Look at today. This is what, February eighth, I'm excuse me, March eighth. [0:42:25, 0:42:41]: And look at how warm it is outside. People come for better weather, better job opportunities, and we got to properly prepare for that growth. This project for CIE, if you adopt this, it'll help you set up the for success as you continue to grow. Because folks are coming. They're definitely coming. You see it. [0:42:42, 0:42:50]: Just acknowledge that and be prepared for that so uh as folks continue to move to the state itself, to Henry County, one of the fastest growing counties in the country. [0:42:50, 0:43:02]: All right. You're not gonna get away from that. It's g you can't keep people from having coming,'cause they l they love coming this way. I know I'm from the Midwest, so is my spouse, and uh I'm not going back to that cold weather ever again. [0:43:02, 0:43:05]: God bless you and thank you. Stockbridge with Community Connects. [0:43:05, 0:43:10]: Thank you so much, Mr. Ford. Any other comments from the public for approval? [0:43:12, 0:43:20]: Any other comments for approval? Hearing none closing the portion, any other comments against council approval of the CIE? [0:43:21, 0:43:28]: Second call for anyone against. Third call against. All right, I'll now close the public hearing. [0:43:29, 0:43:31]: With that counsel, I'll accept the motion. [0:43:32, 0:43:33]: Mayor. Mayor. Yes, Mayor. [0:43:35, 0:43:43]: I do have a question. Yes, ma'am. Um I wanted to Mr. Anderson, can you just highlight some of those projects that are affected by this? [0:43:44, 0:43:54]: Well so that the public is aware. A any type of major um roadway projects, uh Can you name specific roadway projects? [0:43:55, 0:44:12]: Um it's for relatability. Well not r not right off my hand not right off hand, I can't name any, but it's this is basically for future um roadway projects. Once we identify'em they're identified in the pl in the plan that is submitted in your um in your document. [0:44:13, 0:44:25]: Well I saw a Rock Quarry Road extension. Yeah, that's already already funded. So I wanted you to just name a couple of them if you could think of any. Oh okay. Well um [0:44:26, 0:44:46]: What um You say uh roadway improvements for like Walt Stevens Road, uh improvements out of Jodico, uh improvements on Flippin Road, uh improvements on Highway one thirty eight, uh improvements on uh East Atlanta Road, improvements on uh um North Henry Boulevard. There are [0:44:46, 0:44:55]: There are a host of proposed projects that we have. So basically, this allows us to collect impact fees from developers to help support that initiative, those initiatives. [0:44:56, 0:45:01]: Thank you, sir. All right. Thank you so much, Mr. Anderson. Council I'd now accept a motion. [0:45:01, 0:45:14]: Mayor. Yes, Mayor. I move that we approve the capital improvement element 2026. I have a second. All those in favor, please indicate by the sign of aye. Aye. Five to zero. Thank you so much, Mr. Anderson. Okay. [0:45:14, 0:45:19]: All right. Item number seven is the street name change for North Lee Street and South Lee Street. [0:45:19, 0:45:36]: Uh consideration of a resolution to change the names of both North and Lee North and South Lee Street to Martin Luther King Junior Way. This action is intended to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King while aligning the corridor with a name that reflects the community's historical and cultural values. Mr. Anderson. [0:45:36, 0:45:56]: Okay, the purpose of this proposal is to name a street within the city stockbridge uh limits to honor and commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions to the heritage of the city. Uh rationale to recognize the contribution of Martin Luther King to the city, in addition to already recognizing and commemorating the contribution of [0:45:56, 0:46:10]: Martin Luther King Sr. to provide a more familiar and unifying name to his street, which has high visibility due to his location near the s near City Hall in the amphitheater. Here's an aerial photo of the Lee Street area. [0:46:11, 0:46:12]: Both North and Lee Street. [0:46:21, 0:46:41]: Uh background information on Lee Street. Um staff did research and uh the earliest reference of Lee Street appears in 1949 City Council member um meeting minutes. It is true, uh there's a lot of information out there that states that the street was named after General Robert E. Lee, but that's not the case when staff uh did his research. [0:46:41, 0:46:45]: We found out that street was named for a former city of Stockbridge mayor. [0:46:49, 0:47:06]: And there was a commemoration memorial to the former Mayor R. E. Lee back in club is uh in nineteen fifty two I can't see. Okay. I can't see that. I need to let me try to let me let me try to increase that uh that uh um [0:47:06, 0:47:12]: Can I get somebody uh is IT here for me for me, please? [0:47:12, 0:47:15]: Okay, I see it. [0:47:16, 0:47:25]: Uh so you see the from our research we found that it was a commemoration to the former mayor in nineteen fifty-two the street was named after him. [0:47:25, 0:47:26]: Where? [0:47:34, 0:47:36]: This is [0:47:37, 0:47:40]: Perry Ward Where is [0:47:41, 0:47:54]: already and the reason why I say that because I was doing research and I couldn't find it but I read a lot of the comments and I I do wanna, you know, do my research. So but I'm saying what I don't see it. Let me try to highlight it. Let me see. [0:47:56, 0:47:58]: I can go on to Municode. [0:48:19, 0:48:23]: It you found you said it was in the minutes of the meeting? Yes. [0:48:25, 0:48:28]: Come to the party. [0:48:29, 0:48:49]: I can't it's in this document. I can't blow it up. You'll able you'll you'll be able to see the meeting minutes um on the Stock Ridge website for the city clerk and the city clerk minutes on at the February nineteenth minutes for for nineteen fifty two. And you'll be able to read the entire document, which is a memorial to the former [0:48:49, 0:49:03]: Mayor R. E. Lee um upon his passing at February the on February the third and it outlines all the significant things that he did for the city of Stockbridge during his tenure from 1927 to 1932. [0:49:03, 0:49:18]: Okay. Thank you. I'm I'm I'm trying to pull it up now. I don't see it. But I I want to s I don't see the name. But I oh I see Mr. Lee's last dreams. I see something. I do. I can't blow that shit up. [0:49:19, 0:49:23]: Mm. [0:49:30, 0:49:30]: Well. [0:49:33, 0:49:39]: Where is it? I saw it. Going down, going down. Button. [0:49:40, 0:49:41]: Whoop on that. [0:49:41, 0:49:51]: Okay. Mays and carried by vote, council requests and city clerk to write a memorial to the memory of our beloved mayor. [0:49:51, 0:49:51]: I know. [0:49:52, 0:49:53]: are eatily [0:49:53, 0:49:59]: and that it be spread upon the minute, and that a copy be sent to the family of the deceased, [0:49:59, 0:50:01]: which reads as follows. [0:50:03, 0:50:05]: Screening. Scroll over to next page. [0:50:07, 0:50:15]: I I I just I wanna read it. I wanna see for myself. Scroll up. [0:50:15, 0:50:16]: What? [0:50:18, 0:50:35]: So I think back in the days that we struggled with a Georgia Power Company trying to get electricity into our little city. After this was secured, he went to struggling for a paved road on highway through our town. And after this was accomplished, he went to work trying to get a water work system in town. [0:50:36, 0:50:38]: Which requires several years of work and study. [0:50:38, 0:50:46]: but was finally accomplished and completed and the water was turned on may fifteenth, nineteen forty nine. He was very happy over the success. [0:50:47, 0:50:59]: In the year of nineteen fifty he went on to work to get natural gas distribution systems in the city, and on january sixteenth, nineteen fifty two, a franchise was was granted to the Newton County Gas Corp [0:50:59, 0:51:02]: An application was made for a surplus of sixty four milyen. [0:51:03, 0:51:23]: C U cubic feet of gas per day, which is flowing through the line that is not being used. The application was made to the Transcontinental Pipeline Company, which has presented before the Power Commission in Washington, D.C. on J January 16, 1952, but was put off until March 3rd. [0:51:23, 0:51:28]: for us this application will be accepted as it was mister Lee's dream. [0:51:29, 0:51:49]: We realize that we're going to miss him in many ways, and especially in our city affairs. He always had the welfare of others in mind, and he was ever mindful of a supreme being. He stood for the right to the best of his judgment, and we trust our loss in his eternal gain. To the family, we we wish and experience. [0:51:48, 0:52:00]: express our heartfelt sympathy to you and your loss and we pray God's richest blessings upon each of you along life's way. And if we can serve you in any way, we'll be happy to do so. We are. [0:52:01, 0:52:14]: The clerk was instructed to write mister Ray Lambert a letter of thanks for the stone and the time he spent on the cemetery the day that mister Joseph Mann was buried, and also thank them for many favors he had done to [0:52:14, 0:52:15]: For the CD. [0:52:16, 0:52:36]: Also, the clerk was instructed to write Mr. J.O. Cohen, County Commissioner, a letter of thanks for work he had done recently in our little city. Upon a motion by Perry G. Foster and seconded by A.P. Ward and carried by a vote of counsel requiring all citizens to have garbage can with a lid and designated. [0:52:35, 0:52:46]: place for it to be located. Also requiring citizens who have livestock of any kind such as hogs, cows, chickens, ducks, geese, dogs, or any other [0:52:47, 0:52:48]: Next page. [0:52:54, 0:52:54]: The letter? [0:53:03, 0:53:05]: Doesn't say what [0:53:05, 0:53:07]: Well it didn't say a street. [0:53:11, 0:53:13]: Right. Come to the mic. [0:53:16, 0:53:36]: But I mean there's a street named Lee Street, so it could very well be after but it doesn't say that in this m in the minutes. There's no significant in there's no real indication that it was actually named specifically for Lee Street. But that is the oral history of the city of Stockbridge, that it was that was him. [0:53:36, 0:53:56]: History is first and then oral history from. We got that from other places online, but it was not something that we could where did you get it from? There is a couple of websites that we were able to find where they're talking about the oral history and or the oral history of it, but we couldn't put that here because it's something that's not citable. And because what we have to do, we have we we have to put here what [0:53:56, 0:54:09]: we can prove. Um so to confirm, you're basically saying Lee Street is not named after anybody. It's just Lee Street. Yes, this is the history. And this is the closest reference to Lee Street and its association with the name Lee. [0:54:11, 0:54:23]: Turn your mic on. There is no there's no statement. In nineteen forty nine. That's the first mention of it in the city of Stockbridge meeting minutes, Lee Street. It's nine in nineteen forty nine. [0:54:23, 0:54:43]: Immediately after this. Yes. No, this is actually prior to this because this was noted in 1942. I mean 1952. He died jay he died February 3rd, 1952. He was still in office when he passed away. Lee Street was in it was an active street prior to his prior to his uh prior to him being becoming deceased as well but [0:54:43, 0:54:50]: But it's assumed that it's his name it's named after his family and himself because of all of the dedication and hard work he did to the city. [0:54:51, 0:54:55]: Thank you. Any other questions from council? Yes. Go answer. [0:54:56, 0:55:16]: W in situations like this, emotions are high. We gotta have facts. We can't have you come to the podium and and and definitively say something and we don't have the facts. We we have to do that because what what we base we we we what we base this on was the previous clerk, Miss Holiday, had done [0:55:16, 0:55:36]: The research and told us uh once we were trying to change a bunch of Confederate names in the city, this was one of them. But it's not the only reason that we want to change the name, it's because of the legacy and the dynamic history that we're trying to do. But what I'm trying to say to you is please, when you come to that microphone, we got [0:55:36, 0:55:56]: I charged emotions in here. We gotta have the facts. What you just stated as fact to us right now was not fact. And what we what we what need we need to operate now here is on facts. Because what you stated was we have the staff has discovered that and that is the fact. That is not the fact because the [0:55:56, 0:56:00]: The ne and then what I don't want us to do [0:56:00, 0:56:15]: is to rely on Wikipedia where anybody can put data into there and then oral history where someone could say this, that, or the other. Let's rely on the facts because motions are charged. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Uh Councilman Barber. [0:56:16, 0:56:31]: Thank you, Mayor. Um Lee Street, North and South Lee Street is within the city council district that I represent. I wanted to make it clear for the record, this is not an initiative that I brought forward. [0:56:33, 0:56:37]: This is not a priority of city council дистриct four. [0:56:37, 0:56:39]: This was an idea. [0:56:39, 0:56:42]: That Mayor Pro Tem Alexander brought forward. [0:56:43, 0:56:44]: We now know. [0:56:44, 0:56:49]: It is not a fact that Lee Street is named after the Confederate general. [0:56:49, 0:56:50]: We have [0:56:51, 0:56:51]: Facts. [0:56:52, 0:56:53]: Right in front of us. [0:56:54, 0:56:57]: What I asked my councilmeates is to please. [0:56:57, 0:56:59]: Please show compassion. [0:57:00, 0:57:02]: As this is a very sensitive [0:57:03, 0:57:06]: Topic for those who have rich history here. [0:57:07, 0:57:10]: I ask my councilmates to please keep in mind. [0:57:10, 0:57:13]: We must preserve our сі ситі'с хістрі. [0:57:13, 0:57:14]: Get in bed. [0:57:15, 0:57:17]: I do not support the renaming. [0:57:17, 0:57:19]: Of Lee Stri at this time. [0:57:20, 0:57:25]: Наксайн супо ренами. [0:57:26, 0:57:27]: Our city [0:57:28, 0:57:31]: needs a thorough and robust strategic plan. [0:57:31, 0:57:33]: On how we will grow. [0:57:33, 0:57:36]: and reimagine the future of our downtown. [0:57:36, 0:57:43]: It seems like there are ideas that are just being thrown against the wall and it's just fragmented. [0:57:43, 0:57:47]: Um I would much rather for the council to task staff. [0:57:47, 0:57:49]: We're bringing back to us. [0:57:49, 0:57:50]: A real [0:57:51, 0:57:51]: Vision. [0:57:52, 0:57:58]: On how we will develop and reimagine our downtown, changing a street name. [0:57:58, 0:58:01]: It's just not um [0:58:02, 0:58:05]: Something that we should be gong ho about right now. [0:58:06, 0:58:09]: We're going against the desires and concerns. [0:58:09, 0:58:14]: by approving this of the residents who have expressed their concerns here. [0:58:16, 0:58:25]: So those are points that I want my councilmates to consider. I will not be in support of this and [0:58:25, 0:58:32]: What else I want to make for the record? Um I believe staff city staff initially um [0:58:32, 0:58:40]: Well, they brought us back the research. I believe the Downtown Development Authority Board are also one of the ones who are driving this request. [0:58:41, 0:58:44]: All of our city's boards and committees are recommending boards. [0:58:46, 0:58:49]: The governing body makes the final decisions. [0:58:54, 0:59:06]: Is that all Council Barb? No, one more. Um, okay, so our city already has uh an MLK street. Um I don't want there to be another MLK. [0:59:06, 0:59:07]: Naming. [0:59:07, 0:59:08]: Of a street. [0:59:08, 0:59:09]: in my district. [0:59:10, 0:59:13]: I am hopeful that my councilmates will be respectful to [0:59:14, 0:59:18]: I am duly elected to represent this district. [0:59:18, 0:59:24]: As you can see, there are homeowners and other stakeholders who are here who are upset. [0:59:25, 0:59:29]: This is a very sensitive topic, so I asked you all to please. [0:59:30, 0:59:32]: Please let's table this. [0:59:32, 0:59:37]: So that we can have a broader discussion on how we will reimagine our downtown. [0:59:37, 0:59:48]: Thank you. Thank you. I'm gonna have uh I see your hand, sir. When I open up public comments, you all can then speak. I'm gonna let Councilman Gantt finish her comments and I'm gonna let you finish your presentation. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Um [0:59:49, 0:59:50]: So [0:59:50, 0:59:53]: I don't see where [0:59:54, 1:00:12]: there was any mention of naming Lee Street after Lee St or the Mayor Lee Street. There there might need to be some we we need to do some research in history on mayors and and people anyway. We stu what I've noticed is when I do a lot of research it's kind of hard. We really don't have [1:00:13, 1:00:18]: Um I remember uh Mike Moon did some research at one point. I remember a couple of people. [1:00:19, 1:00:23]: having research done, but we really don't have anything concrete like a real history. [1:00:24, 1:00:37]: a book or anything about about Stockbridge that we can just g go off of. My one of my one of and we may, but I'll if they do, y'all can let me know. But I one of my things that um [1:00:38, 1:00:41]: One of the things I wanna clarify is that was stated. [1:00:42, 1:00:58]: I'm not I wasn't in support of changing the name of Lee Street because it was supposedly Confederate. No one told me that. I I wasn't that wasn't it. I didn't think of it as a Confederate street. It was just called Lee Street. [1:00:58, 1:01:00]: Right? People are removing [1:01:00, 1:01:20]: statute confederate statutes or whatever they're moving, that's that's that's a different topic. I that wasn't my thought process. So one with all due respect, one council member's opinion of the street isn't everybody's opinion of the street. I was only saying, okay [1:01:20, 1:01:39]: we can honor Martin Luther King, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on a STEM school street, or we can or uh you know honor a scientist or whomever because there's not a lot of houses on the street and not a lot of businesses on the street. And at the time, I honestly [1:01:40, 1:01:57]: In twenty twenty three, I thought Pinehurst was put up for sale. And I looked on there and it's on for it it says that it's still up for sale. So and it wasn't being operated. So I was like, you know what? There's not a lot of businesses or anything being affected. [1:01:57, 1:02:00]: Not that it was anything to do with [1:02:00, 1:02:07]: a Confederate or or Yankee or whatever you want to say, I that wasn't my thought process. [1:02:07, 1:02:11]: I so I just want you guys to know that. It was [1:02:12, 1:02:15]: It it it wasn't about that. It's more so about [1:02:16, 1:02:20]: Attracting people to downtown, creating a history and a narrative. [1:02:21, 1:02:25]: talking about some of the things that we had to do in order to get that history and narrative here. [1:02:26, 1:02:41]: Pastor Mike Moon actually was one of the people who spearheaded the Whig Councilman Alfonso Thomas. And they didn't do it here in City Hall. They did it over in Burke Street at 107 Burke Street at my old law firm. We were in a conference room trying to figure out and speak with the King family. [1:02:41, 1:02:43]: To keep everything on a hush. [1:02:43, 1:02:52]: Because some people didn't want people to know that Daddy King originated or was born and raised here in Stockbridge. I was an attestation to that, I was actually here. [1:02:53, 1:02:55]: It wasn't it wasn't [1:02:55, 1:03:06]: Me, it wasn't it was Mike Moon, Pastor Mike Moon and oh God, if I wouldn't have thought of his name right there, and his his cousin, um [1:03:07, 1:03:17]: What's his cousin name? Alfred was there. Alfonso Thomas was there. Um Sam [1:03:18, 1:03:19]: Um [1:03:20, 1:03:32]: Sam, there were quite a few. So it what it this has nothing to do about that. It's all about creating a tourist place for the birth the birth the father. [1:03:32, 1:03:49]: Daddy King and his family. That's what we were trying to create w along with that thing in my head. So I just want you guys to know that. And I'm looking over here based off of it kind of skips and jumps the minutes. It didn't even say what they actually did besides give a letter. [1:03:50, 1:04:03]: of recognition for what was done. But it didn't say but the street was already here. Lee Street was still there. I don't know if the ma if r Robert it would be interesting to know if he lived on that street. [1:04:03, 1:04:09]: Right? But but I and just t you can tell me in minute public comments. [1:04:09, 1:04:10]: But [1:04:10, 1:04:30]: But just know that this has nothing to do with Confederate soldiers to me. Okay. Yeah. Once we put the legal ad out and sent out the public notification, we were getting called we got received several calls from residents stating that the street was named after the former mayor. And staff uh tried hard to research. [1:04:30, 1:04:42]: to find um that exact information, but we felt for the sake of transparency that that could be a a possibility. So we included that information in this presentation, that there was a former mayor named Lee. [1:04:42, 1:04:49]: In the city of Starbucks. There's probably a former mayor named Mays and Evergent or whoever, but that doesn't mean they named after me. [1:04:49, 1:05:09]: That's true. Like the there is these are common names. Like I you have to give me something else. Burke. I need some history. Like we know Strickland, you know, I'm just saying there has to be some more. There's no our normally a street named after a person has their [1:05:09, 1:05:12]: their full name or their initials, right? [1:05:12, 1:05:15]: It'll be R. E. Lee. [1:05:15, 1:05:15]: or [1:05:16, 1:05:26]: Um El Gantt. Make sure y'all do my whole initial cause I want to buy Sandinate mine. But what I'm saying to you is, and I use that to you know, Judy Neal. [1:05:27, 1:05:33]: Right. It would have or J Neil, it would have something that indicated that that's what it's for. This is common. [1:05:34, 1:05:35]: Right? [1:05:35, 1:05:36]: A Ford. [1:05:36, 1:05:38]: A S for. I mean [1:05:39, 1:05:40]: That's what it would do. [1:05:40, 1:05:42]: We're talking about [1:05:42, 1:05:46]: You're uh we're grasping for straws and I'm getting a little upset. [1:05:46, 1:05:46]: Mm. [1:05:48, 1:05:48]: So [1:05:49, 1:05:59]: Let me I'm gonna allow you to finish your presentation, Mr. Anderson. That's it. Okay, you're done? Yeah. Any other okay, I have two questions. Yeah. Um we'll pass it over to Councilman Cloud and then back to Councilman Bear. Go ahead, sir. [1:06:01, 1:06:15]: Yep, so just for clarification purposes, uh the uh the mayor who we feel like or what sorry, who we feel like that we're speaking of [1:06:16, 1:06:30]: passed away after our first record of research that the Lee Street was named, right? Yes. Did I ask that correctly? Yes. Okay. So for the public to hear this, [1:06:31, 1:06:35]: I guess in the time period of this research, did we exhaust [1:06:36, 1:06:39]: All the measures that we could to validate. [1:06:41, 1:06:43]: This this street. [1:06:43, 1:07:03]: Well we put it in there. I mean, we're not saying that it was named after him. We're saying that there is a there is a there is a possibility. Right. We're we're saying we couldn't find anything that was named after General Robert F. So we're s we just put that this information we include this information in this presentation for the sake of transparency because we got several calls from residents. [1:07:03, 1:07:22]: stating that it was named after the former mayor. Staff did research trying to find that information and we did the best we could and we found what we did. And so we included in the presentation just to bring that up to council for the sake of transparency. So the biggest part of that was that we exhausted the measures that we could to do that research. Yes, we did the best we could, yes. [1:07:23, 1:07:33]: Is Lee Street the original name for the street? It first appeared in nineteen forty-nine, so uh I'm not sure we can't f we couldn't find any research indicating that it had a previous name. [1:07:33, 1:07:53]: Thank you, sir. Mr. Bear? Yeah. Thank you first of all to everybody who's and your patience. And and I know we got a lot of uh, you know, personal connections to this as it as it should for those who live here and not. Um I I think the point of this is is that when the history is is being debated and discussed, that we we really owe our [1:07:53, 1:08:07]: ourselves to do the due diligence to make sure that we have the history correct. Um when you look at General Robert E. Lee or any Confederate general, but him in particularly, he passed in 1870. [1:08:07, 1:08:27]: 1870. This this street began in 49. Oh no no no it didn't 1949. No, that's the first mention. That was the first mention of the thing. Let me finish. Let me finish. And and so [1:08:27, 1:08:30]: based in the city itself started in nineteen twenty. [1:08:33, 1:08:34]: Nineteen twenty. [1:08:35, 1:08:55]: Which is fifty years after the death of General Robert E. Lee as well. I'm not saying either side is factual or in or incorrect, but what I do know is we don't have enough information to say one side or the other is correct or wrong. And when you don't have that information and and and and a lot of times with our history in the South period, it's it's [1:08:55, 1:08:55]: It's verbal. [1:08:56, 1:09:16]: It's we we didn't write a lot of stuff down. It it was passed along word of mouth. It was story told. It was, you know, generational conversations. And so with these wide gaps, right? You you you have a Confederate general who died in 1870. You have a city that began in 1920. You have a road that began under [1:09:15, 1:09:35]: Another thirty years after that in nineteen around nineteen fifty, these are huge gaps. These are huge gaps that we we can't account for. And we we have a responsibility to get to the bottom of it as best as we can. I don't think we're gonna do it tonight. I don't think we have the ability to do it tonight, but I do. [1:09:35, 1:09:50]: You know we owe the citizens who live on this street, the business owners who who work on this street, uh, there's too much of a discrepancy for us to be able to make a decision tonight. We need to do the right thing and do more information and more fact finding and more digging. [1:09:51, 1:09:52]: Yeah, so um [1:09:54, 1:09:55]: One more question from council. [1:09:56, 1:09:58]: It's not a question, Mayor. I wanna make a motion. [1:09:58, 1:10:16]: A motion? Yes. Well I need to open up public comments. At this time I'll now open up public comments for constituents or members in the audience who are in favor of the name change to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Please come forward. State your name and address, please. [1:10:21, 1:10:41]: Anthony 4708 Lily Glenn Lane, of course, right here in Stockbridge, and I know it's March 9th. My previous comments are set at the wrong date. I will tell you, in my last 12 years of my life, as I traveled around the state, whether Atlanta metro area, around the state, even people outside the state, I talked to one or live in Stockbridge, and I mentioned about the ancestral home of the King family. They don't know. They didn't realize it. A lot of folks [1:10:41, 1:11:01]: Don't realize even African Americans or other diverse communities don't realize that. So I think it's great that we embrace that ancestral piece of this particular city and the king legacy. Now, obviously, we have Martin Luther, excuse me, Martin Luther King Senior Heritage Trail on the west side of our downtown area. Now, once approved that this is approved, this would be Martin Luther King Jr. [1:11:01, 1:11:21]: Your way on the east side. And we're looking at developing a downtown area itself. So you have both these wonderful men of the King legacy on both sides of the downtown area. Now, actually I will say to you, I'm thinking that you have uh if it's approved, you have the stop the amphitheater right there, you have a courthouse, a police uh police headquarters, and then if you [1:11:21, 1:11:41]: You go further down, then you'll have the new STEM school right adjacent to this. I'm assuming this will go all the way to Rock Croix Road. If that's the case, both of these gentlemen's street names, if approved, will touch Rock Croix Road, which is also connects to the to the legacy of the King family because Taddy King's father, as I understand, worked [1:11:41, 1:12:01]: to the rock quarry many many years ago, well over 100 years years or so ago. I will tell you that this is uh this is a way to continue to market uh the city for its growth for historical aspect upon approving. Now there were some gestions made earlier about maybe having a plaque or something at both ends. That's something for you all to think about if you want to do that. And if this is a [1:12:01, 1:12:21]: approved, maybe think about any compensation for the residents on the street in reference to the type of name change or type of things they have to do in reference to whatever personally in that aspect. That's something to think about if that's if that's legally, if you can do that, that might be help out the situation. On that note, thank you for listening. God bless you. And once again, StopRidge where community connects. Thank you so much, Mr. Ford. Mayor Protimia. [1:12:21, 1:12:22]: [4342.5, 4362.5]: Yeah, let me just say this real quick. I certainly appreciate everybody and the time. I appreciate everything that we've had conversations uh to go over this. But the one thing that we haven't talked about, and I I'm glad you came to the mic, Mayor, was the actual vision. The vision uh came from the DDA and uh [1:12:42, 1:13:02]: Uh what the prop the the the plan includes is right by the police department you have municipal park. Municipal park now for some reason has a statue of liberty in the middle of it, right? Not sure what why that decision was made. Uh we have taken it upon ourselves in the DDA. [1:13:02, 1:13:22]: will be sending forward a resolution to the city council to put a statue of Daddy King at that location and to change that location usage to so every day when students come to the STEM school, they will pass by the statue of Martin Luther King Sr. every single day. [1:13:22, 1:13:42]: And when people traverse the city of Stockbridge, they'll cross over Martin Luther King Senior Heritage, and they will pass by Martin Luther King Jr. Book away, and they would not be able to pass it without seeing the statue of Daddy King right there. Right across from the Justice Center, right across from the police department. [1:13:42, 1:14:02]: Department symbolically creating a vision of justice. Now we've been in conversations with the STEM School so that we would have, and I want to make this quick, that we will have a multi-use trail that runs along the railroad tracks between Martin Luther King Way and then Martin Luther King. [1:14:02, 1:14:22]: Senior Heritage Trail connecting the King Legacy, where you will have the church, where you will have the statue connected to uh Floyd Chapel Baptist Church, where people can actually walk the trail between the statue, the STEM school, and Floyd Chapel Baptist Church. That is the vision. [1:14:22, 1:14:42]: And as Ms. Gantt said, that we we that wasn't the only reason that we were changing it. We were changing it because of the symbolic STEM school coming up. And certainly we wanted to have that be the branding of downtown. And as the mayor has indicated, and I'm closing in thirteen fifteen seconds, we will have Martin Luther King Jr. Way on one. [1:14:42, 1:15:02]: One side, you will have Martin Luther King Senior Heritage on the other side. And this will be a location like none other, because some of the times they put it in a d undesirable areas. But this will be the best Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard way in the country with a$70 million STEM school on one side and the amphitheater. [1:15:02, 1:15:20]: On the other side. We're putting it in the best area in the city, not necessarily a depressed or d necessarily diverse area. Thank you. Anyone else want to speak in favor of the name change? Final call for anyone wanting to speak in favor. Right. Anyone that would like to speak oppose. [1:15:20, 1:15:25]: Okay, come up, state your name and address, please. [1:15:27, 1:15:36]: Desho, 111 Bryant Street. This is from the Henry County Weekly in 1900. Uh there was a function. [1:15:36, 1:15:50]: The those present were Melissa Edna Hightower, Mary Hightower, Lily Clark, Ruth Upchurch, Annie Lee, Annie Ellis, Mesters R Walter Hightower, Ben Hightower, Homer Harold, Richard Lee, and Oliver Ellis. [1:15:51, 1:15:53]: From the Henry County Weekly in uh [1:15:55, 1:15:56]: eighteen eighty. [1:15:57, 1:16:01]: doctor Hightower is riding all night and day and says [1:16:01, 1:16:03]: He has more calls than he can attend, but [1:16:05, 1:16:07]: High Tower and Lee together. [1:16:08, 1:16:19]: have a nice assortment of dry goods and groceries which they will sell cheap for cash and for good notice. Now, one note, the High Tower house was one seventeen East Atlanta. Mm-hmm. [1:16:20, 1:16:21]: Oh [1:16:23, 1:16:29]: Now, the oldest history comes from nineteen twenty one, it's written by mister AG Harris about Old Zoar Church. [1:16:30, 1:16:50]: The church, one among the first in the county, was located five miles north of McDonald on the McDonald Atlanta Road. That's East Atlanta now. The church was organized about eighteen thirty five. One acre of land was deeded to the trustees Matthew Gilbert, Benjamin McCrabb, and Alan E. Johnson by Ownsby, and the preacher in charge at the time was A Dorman. The writer attended [1:16:49, 1:16:55]: attended a school attended school at this place in the fifties, eighteen fifties. [1:16:57, 1:17:01]: with some prominent young men. Among them was doctor Raleigh Hightower. [1:17:01, 1:17:06]: High Tower Hospital, B. S. Elliot, Silas Walker, Chick Spears, Silas and Robert Ogilby. [1:17:07, 1:17:08]: All of these have passed over the river. [1:17:10, 1:17:26]: Some of the pretty and attractive girls of the day who attend school were Miss Sis Smith, Miss Tommy Glass. That's both Sheriff Glass's sisters, or aunts or great grandmothers. Miss Missouri Glass, Miss Jenny Walker. In eighteen eighty four Zoar Charge was moved to Flippin'. [1:17:26, 1:17:29]: Where it still remains in the stockbreak surgery. [1:17:30, 1:17:37]: Um I probably do not have time to find [1:17:38, 1:17:40]: The other one, bear with me, please. [1:17:43, 1:17:45]: Executor sale [1:17:45, 1:18:01]: One house and lot in the town of Stockbridge, said state and county containing one half acre more or less, bounded north by a lot of JT May, east by Thurman Askew, south by Miss Sally Lott, West by Lee Street. [1:18:03, 1:18:06]: West by Lee Street, nineteen eighteen. [1:18:07, 1:18:27]: Also vacant lot fronting fifty feet on and it doesn't say the street, bounded north by a lot of JW High Tower, east by a lot of Miss Pearl King, south by a lot of MP Lee, West by South by a lot of MP Lee, west by street. So to purpose of distribution. [1:18:27, 1:18:31]: Uh eighteen seventy nine. [1:18:34, 1:18:54]: All persons hereby notified that four weeks after the date, application will be made to the court of ordinary Henry County for leave to sell certain mill property to Whitley's Mill, situated lying and being in the original twelfth district of said county, the same being a portion of a lot of land said district upon which now resides one James Gilbert, belonging to the state of. [1:18:54, 1:18:57]: Samuel Lee eighteen seventy nine. [1:18:57, 1:18:59]: Thank you. That's her that's your time. Thank you so much. [1:19:00, 1:19:02]: Any other comments against? [1:19:07, 1:19:08]: Name and address, please. [1:19:10, 1:19:25]: Brandon Dubbs, 118, Lake Terrace. Um the place of business that we have that's on Lee Street, I think it's like one of the only places of business besides the concrete place that's over there on that side. [1:19:25, 1:19:27]: Before was a place of business. [1:19:27, 1:19:29]: From our understanding [1:19:29, 1:19:32]: It's one of the oldest houses in Stockbridge. [1:19:33, 1:19:36]: Mrs. Lee was a teacher at Stockbridge. [1:19:37, 1:19:38]: She lived in that house. [1:19:38, 1:19:39]: Her husband [1:19:40, 1:19:41]: Raise cattle. [1:19:41, 1:19:42]: In that house. [1:19:42, 1:19:44]: Believe it or not, when we took [1:19:44, 1:19:53]: And brought all that place down and tried to remodel it. There was big barns out there, and it was a pasture right over near to where that apartment was. So [1:19:54, 1:19:59]: Yeah, apparently he died in the field. I'm assuming that is the same Lee. [1:19:59, 1:20:06]: But the cool you know, the coincidence of the Lee, who we're talking about that was the mayor that did all these things that helped [1:20:07, 1:20:11]: Bring stockbridge into a you know the fine feature it is now. [1:20:12, 1:20:15]: That might be consideration to look into a little bit more, I would say. [1:20:16, 1:20:36]: I did a title search and I didn't see that being the same name, Lee. But go ahead. I I like I was trying to pull stuff too. Yeah. I I'm I'm I'm not trying to knock it. I just couldn't find it. If somebody can find it, find it. Let me let him teach you I'm sorry. Go ahead. Yeah, that was the impression that we had, and that was the impression as far as like his wife had taught school there forever. [1:20:36, 1:20:36]: And then we're going to do it. [1:20:37, 1:20:49]: We'd ran into people that had dealt with her and how she used to raise dogs there and all this kind of stuff and I don't know. But anyway, like you were saying, maybe it's a little more consideration to find out if the facts are the facts before any [1:20:49, 1:20:56]: Big decision has been made. Okay. And I am excited about the STEM school. I hope it's good for everybody in the community. [1:20:56, 1:21:01]: Yeah. Right. Thank any other comments against. Final call aga come on, sir. [1:21:04, 1:21:07]: One second. Okay, when we finish. I got all my microphones. [1:21:07, 1:21:09]: Sure. [1:21:11, 1:21:13]: Chuckdubbs, one to eight South Lee Street. [1:21:14, 1:21:17]: You had a question about the authenticity of the address. [1:21:18, 1:21:23]: The information I read to you was done by Steve Cash. [1:21:23, 1:21:26]: Who used to be involved in the city council here? [1:21:27, 1:21:31]: These are minutes are taken from the city council meeting. [1:21:32, 1:21:34]: That he was named [1:21:34, 1:21:35]: Male [1:21:36, 1:21:37]: And the street was named after him. [1:21:38, 1:21:40]: It was a dirt road at first. [1:21:40, 1:21:42]: And then they paved it. [1:21:43, 1:21:45]: So it's his street. [1:21:47, 1:21:48]: Okay. [1:21:48, 1:21:53]: Great, thank you so much, sir. There's no question as to them being named after him. [1:21:54, 1:21:57]: None. Council meetings. That's where it came from. [1:21:58, 1:22:01]: All right. Thank you. Thank you. Let me ask you a question. [1:22:02, 1:22:05]: Why Martin Luther King Jr. The public comments you address me. [1:22:05, 1:22:07]: I'm sorry. Thank you. [1:22:07, 1:22:10]: Um yeah, why Martin Luther King Jr.? [1:22:10, 1:22:12]: Why not uh Patrick Henry? [1:22:14, 1:22:20]: Will uh why? Tell me why. Mayor Protein. Mayor Protein. My question is answer my question. [1:22:21, 1:22:23]: Why Martin Luther King Jr.? [1:22:23, 1:22:38]: Well i you give us all your questions and then we'll answer when your remarks are over because you're on a timer, so we want to give you as much time as possible to say all your questions. I don't need any more time. I c I might just wanted that question. Why? He'll answer it when I recognize him. Thank you, sir. Okay. Okay. Um go ahead, Mayor Pro Tem. [1:22:39, 1:22:43]: Uh c the close the public hearing. What's the time? [1:22:45, 1:22:48]: Okay, I have one more public uh mention against [1:22:52, 1:22:54]: Gotcha. I just say it was. [1:22:55, 1:22:56]: Yeah, I wanted to. [1:22:59, 1:23:04]: Marvin Gross, one fifteen North Lee Street, Stockbridge. [1:23:05, 1:23:08]: I'm I'm hearing some some conversation about [1:23:10, 1:23:14]: maybe negatively about M LK being the name. [1:23:15, 1:23:30]: I don't know that that's should be the the reason. I I mean, uh you know, the Kings, I mean, obviously they're honored you know, not just in Stockbridge, but there's a national holiday. I mean, you know, he did a lot of great things. [1:23:30, 1:23:31]: That's obvious. [1:23:32, 1:23:33]: The leads [1:23:33, 1:23:35]: And high towers and [1:23:35, 1:23:42]: Lots of other ones in Stockbridge did a lot of great things for Stockbridge, not for the world b but for Stockbridge. [1:23:43, 1:23:43]: Um [1:23:44, 1:23:46]: one of the ladies and I don't know the name. [1:23:47, 1:23:53]: But you know, was was very instrumental about bringing the electricity and and the water here. [1:23:53, 1:23:55]: Which obviously is very important. [1:23:55, 1:24:08]: Uh the street that we're talking about on North Lee Street, it got paved in 1968, I believe. Seven or eight, I'm not sure, because it was a dirt road when when I was there to begin with. [1:24:08, 1:24:10]: Um and it was muddy a lot. [1:24:11, 1:24:14]: I I can guarantee it played in it, so I know. [1:24:15, 1:24:15]: Oh. [1:24:16, 1:24:16]: But [1:24:17, 1:24:19]: Again, I d I I don't want it changed to nothing. [1:24:20, 1:24:24]: Just leave it the same. And and everything you said, somebody said about [1:24:24, 1:24:31]: uh the statue, the changing this the whatever's up there now and all that. It sounds really good. I mean I I'm not against that. [1:24:31, 1:24:35]: At all. I just don't want to change the names of the streets. [1:24:35, 1:24:40]: through there because it's been that way for so long and it just will affect us, that's all. [1:24:41, 1:24:42]: I I I just [1:24:42, 1:24:46]: And and the kids and all that, I mean, obviously they're gonna be affected by [1:24:46, 1:24:53]: where they go to school and the people around'em and and the statue and and everything Stockbridge is trying to do, I understand. [1:24:53, 1:24:56]: But I just don't see why we have to eliminate [1:24:57, 1:25:02]: that part of our history here in Stockbridge. Thank you all. [1:25:02, 1:25:04]: All right, thank you. I've now closed the public hearing. [1:25:06, 1:25:08]: Go on to a few more council remarks. Go ahead. Mayor Protein. [1:25:09, 1:25:29]: L let me just say this. Uh you know, certainly it's been eye-opening to see this. We've had a mention of the street in 1918, long before uh we got to this point. We've had a mention of the street in 1800. So obviously the staff did some research on this. [1:25:29, 1:25:49]: And we need to do some additional research because if the street existed in 1918 or it existed in 18 uh such and such, then obviously this was long before we got to the point where we were we noticed this um notation in in the street. And certainly. [1:25:49, 1:26:09]: Let's just say Dr. King is fitting of uh of honor in any city, on any street, anywhere in America, at any time. And certainly this particular situation that we have here, and we can't not be cognizant and not understanding that a lot of [1:26:08, 1:26:28]: Of things happened during that time. And certainly if the street existed in 1918 or existed in uh 1875, uh 1800. So uh there's some pre-existing stuff there, and it's it actually older than the city uh indicated that it it is. So um [1:26:28, 1:26:48]: The public hearing is now closed uh as we have indicated and pres uh Councilman Berry as has indicated that we need some additional research. And and I think that might be fitting at this point is that we give we charge the I make a motion to charge the staff. Mayor Protein, I have a few more questions. [1:26:48, 1:26:50]: From council. [1:26:50, 1:26:54]: Before you make your motion. [1:26:56, 1:26:57]: I got one more down here. [1:26:58, 1:27:04]: Uh okay, I'll come come back to a minute. Okay. Councilman Barber. I actually was gonna make a motion, Mayor. [1:27:05, 1:27:15]: I'd like to make a motion. Well uh uh he was in the middle so I thought you had a question. Um but I'm gonna allow him to make the motion since he was already making a motion. [1:27:15, 1:27:24]: No, my I indicated that I wanted to make a motion before the pu you opened it up for public hearing. You told me to wait. [1:27:25, 1:27:29]: Mayor Pointer this yeah. Yes. [1:27:30, 1:27:48]: No. Let me I would just point of order. I just want to go ahead and make the motion. I deferred the floor to ask a question. It should come back to me. That's procedural order. Yes, sir. So I would like to make a motion to defer point of order. Oh please. [1:27:50, 1:28:10]: I would like to make a motion to defer this to the very next meeting to give staff the extra time to do the due diligence to look into it and do everything that they can. Now they said that they have gone to so many different lengths, but I want them to go to the F degree to before the next meeting. [1:28:10, 1:28:16]: meeting and then we'll bring this back and we'll reconsider it at that time. Motion made. [1:28:16, 1:28:18]: Have a motion, is there a second? [1:28:18, 1:28:37]: A second. I motion a second. Before there's any uh before I call the vote, I do want to say uh council, I really want us to look into this because clearly staff has already said there is no record on the city's base of any recollection of anybody being named after that street. I think it's befitting of this council. [1:28:37, 1:28:57]: To make it to where Lee Street remains the same and we make it necessary because we control the narrative of the city. We go out and put a placard saying this street is named after the very first mayor of this city. We do that recognition and we honor what we already have. However, he's not the very first mayor. He's the first mayor. I got the list from the clerk's office. [1:28:57, 1:29:17]: He's the very first mayor, Ari Lee. How about we back? Ariel is the very first mayor. If it the the the pavement was not pre-existent, which is I think is the question at hand, but there is a motion to table until the next meeting to allow council to staff to get more information and bring it back before [1:29:17, 1:29:21]: For the council. I have a second. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of I. [1:29:23, 1:29:25]: To postpone it to the next meeting. [1:29:26, 1:29:29]: Is there s uh all those in favor, please indicate by the sign of by? [1:29:29, 1:29:29]: Yeah. [1:29:30, 1:29:31]: In the opposed. [1:29:31, 1:29:33]: I oppose. Yes, ma'am. [1:29:33, 1:29:35]: And I'd like to add a comment as to why. [1:29:36, 1:29:38]: We need a comprehensive plan. [1:29:39, 1:29:42]: on how we're going to reimagine our downtown. [1:29:43, 1:29:45]: What I don't want is for this council. [1:29:46, 1:29:48]: To assume that they [1:29:48, 1:30:04]: Well, they have the authority to m just arbitrarily make changes that affect the people who elected me to represent them. I do not support this name change at all. We've wasted a month already. [1:30:04, 1:30:10]: You're upsetting the people in this community and you don't even have all the facts. [1:30:10, 1:30:11]: Please. [1:30:12, 1:30:22]: Let's not even discuss this for another month until we have uh good plans on how we're going to reimagine this downtown. Thank you. [1:30:22, 1:30:37]: Yes, ma'am. All right, council. Moving on to new business. Item number eight is de annexation case, DX dash twenty twenty six dash oh one for the Manderley subdivision phase nine. The consideration is to deannex from the city limits, two parcels within the subdivision. [1:30:37, 1:30:51]: The request was made by the owners of the two parcels. The Henry County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution on January twentieth, twenty twenty six to consent to the deannexation and allow the parcels to become part of unincorporated Henry County. Mr. Anderson. [1:30:51, 1:30:52]: Mayor. Yes, ma'am. [1:30:53, 1:31:01]: I move that we table this matter and place if we're going to executive session, briefly talk about it for real estate purposes. [1:31:01, 1:31:21]: You want to amend litigation, real estate litigation and personnel. You and cybersecurity. I'm just saying I would rather move it. I don't think that this um discussion, I mean it's a public hearing in regards to de-annexation, but now that we have legal memorandums that are are for attorney client prisoners. [1:31:21, 1:31:25]: privilege, I think we need to discuss that portion first. [1:31:27, 1:31:40]: So you like to move the you like to move the deannexation cases to after or move executive session to before new business? Yes. If that's if this is the only new business we have. Yes, ma'am. Okay. I have a motion. Is there a second? [1:31:41, 1:31:41]: Second. [1:31:42, 1:32:02]: All right, have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please indicate by the sound of I. All right. All right. Five zero. We will now adjourn to executive session. Council, I'll accept a motion to end meeting and go into the executive session. Mayor, I move that we go into executive session for real estate personnel, litigation, and cybersecurity and in our regular scheduled meeting at this time. Well [1:32:02, 1:32:13]: You know, I and go into executive session. Is there a second? Second. Are those in favor? All right. So moved. Five zero. We'll return after executive session. Thank you so much. [1:32:22, 1:32:31]: Council, I'll accept the motion to uh uh reconvene, adjourn executive session and reconvene our moves. Is there a second? I have motion second, all those in favor please indicate by the sign of aye. [1:32:31, 1:32:35]: All right, so move we're back into our regular scheduled session. [1:32:37, 1:32:51]: There ain't no clock. There ain't no clock. All right. We have two items on new business that we said we would come back to um at this time. Council. I know. I will accept a motion. [1:32:53, 1:32:54]: It's my district, huh? [1:32:55, 1:32:56]: Mayor. Yes, Mayor. [1:32:57, 1:33:00]: I move that we deny. [1:33:01, 1:33:03]: Agenda item number eight. [1:33:05, 1:33:17]: All right. I have a motion and a second to deny uh deannexation case DX dash twenty twenty six dash oh one. And a second, all those in favor please indicate by the sound of I. All right, five zero. [1:33:17, 1:33:21]: No. Council may I Mayor I will abstain. [1:33:22, 1:33:31]: I don't have enough information to vote on this. Thank you. Yes, ma'am, four zero-one. All right. May I have a motion for item number nine. [1:33:31, 1:33:33]: Mayor. Yes, Mayor. [1:33:34, 1:33:38]: I move that we based [1:33:40, 1:33:40]: Up of [1:33:45, 1:33:50]: Legal explanation. I move that we del deny [1:33:51, 1:33:53]: Agenda item number nine. [1:33:53, 1:33:54]: I have a motion. Is there a second? [1:33:55, 1:33:59]: Second. All right, all those in favor, please indicate by the sign of I. [1:33:59, 1:34:02]: Any in nays? Any abstention? [1:34:02, 1:34:08]: I will abstain. I don't have enough information to vote on this. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Four zero one. [1:34:09, 1:34:24]: Mayor, if I may. Yes, Mayor. Just for the record, we received a attorney client privilege doc legal document. We had to go in executive session. It was very detailed. It was about three pages, I believe. How many pages is that? Two and a half? [1:34:24, 1:34:25]: Or three. [1:34:26, 1:34:38]: Four pages answering questions and given legal authority um based off a state code. And so we had to make our decision based off of whether or not [1:34:39, 1:34:45]: based off a legal whether or not something was legal or not. So that's where we came up with this decision. [1:34:47, 1:34:48]: Smith. [1:34:48, 1:35:08]: Thank you so much. In regards to Mayor Commons, I'm just gonna say to the citizens, welcome to the spring. And we're super excited for what we get to do here in the city while it's hot and it is no longer cold and we can get active. So I'm super excited for that. Stay tuned for some council initiatives and engagement opportunities that mayor and council will be producing. And if you have any questions, please report to our executive assistant, Ms. Rosenro. [1:35:08, 1:35:14]: R.A.L.S. at R Ralls at Stockbridge GA.org. With that counsel, I will accept a motion to adjourn. [1:35:14, 1:35:19]: So moved. It's there a second. All right. Adjourned. Have a good night, y'all. [1:35:22, 1:35:23]: Who [1:35:24, 1:35:27]: So that was the second one, which eight and nine five is all the best.