2020-03-09 · City Council · Transcript · City Council Meeting

--- title: March 9 2020 City Council Meeting date: 2020-03-09 source: 2020-03-09_March_9_2020_City_Council_Meeting.wav --- [0:00:00, 0:00:06]: 605 and I'd like to call the March 9th council meeting to order. [0:00:07, 0:00:09]: And uh invocation. [0:00:09, 0:00:17]: Um you know I tell you what's happened here. I forgot to identify somebody, so unless Mr Christian, would you want to do invocations this this evening at all? [0:00:17, 0:00:21]: Come on, come on up, please. There we go. On the spot. Appreciate it, sir. [0:00:25, 0:00:26]: Please stand if you can, folks. [0:00:29, 0:00:29]: Great, sir. [0:00:34, 0:00:48]: To do the people's business. Lord, we ask for your wisdom, your guidance, your instruction, to the the best of our ability to come to the right decisions to the betterment of the entire community. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen. [0:00:50, 0:01:01]: Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which stands one nation, one God, indivisible, with liberty and justice all. [0:01:02, 0:01:04]: Okay. [0:01:11, 0:01:17]: All right, uh Madam Clerk, roll call please. [0:01:26, 0:01:28]: Here. Present. [0:01:38, 0:01:39]: Present. [0:01:40, 0:01:40]: Present. [0:01:42, 0:01:43]: Thank you. And uh [0:01:45, 0:01:50]: I wanna councilman pro Mayor pro tem Thomas is present now. [0:01:50, 0:01:51]: Okay, I [0:01:52, 0:02:03]: Okay. Check it out. All right. And I uh have a motion to vote the agenda and I have uh tasking for Mayor Pro Tem Thomas, if you can please. Mr Mayor. Yes, sir. [0:02:04, 0:02:21]: like to amend the agenda to add on the new business a resolution to oppose House Bill 937. This is a bill that takes away home rule for the city of Stockbridge as relates to design standards. [0:02:22, 0:02:31]: Mayor for the family, would you repeat the number, please? Uh it is a resolution to oppose House Bill 937. Okay, thank you. [0:02:33, 0:02:35]: Okay, is there a second to the motion? Second. [0:02:36, 0:02:37]: All in favor of motion, please indicate. [0:02:39, 0:02:43]: Thank you, appreciate that. And that'll be under new business. [0:02:46, 0:02:57]: All right, council. I have a uh motion to uh for for adopt the minutes for the follow-up meeting, which will be the uh work session, council work session on September excuse me, on uh January twenty eighth. [0:02:58, 0:03:18]: So moved. Oh thank you. All all approved for the motion? Yes. Okay. All approved? We all approve? Second. A second, excuse me. I didn't have enough water yet. Second for the motion. I'm sorry. Second. Okay. All approved for the motion. Thank you very much. All right. Uh madam clerk, uh any public comments? [0:03:20, 0:03:25]: Okay, Miss Reed, name and address when you come to the mic, please. [0:03:30, 0:03:45]: Good evening. My name is Mildred Reed, 530, Creek View Overlook. Uh I see that the city is um having a town hall meeting the schedule for Tuesday, March the 17th to 630. [0:03:45, 0:03:54]: One of the items is a proposal from the Norfolk Southern Railroad at the closing of the street at Nolan Street and MLK. [0:03:55, 0:04:11]: It appears that to me that this will have a tremendous impact on the community. And just a couple of questions which I know you all cannot answer. I just want to put it on the universe. What benefit will the community receive from Norfolk Southern with this uh proposed closure? [0:04:12, 0:04:24]: The other item of discussion is also on the agenda having to do with the 2018 Stockbridge Renaissance Strategic Vision Plan. That's the RSVP. [0:04:25, 0:04:32]: And um that's been out for two years now. And so far we I have not seen any uh [0:04:33, 0:04:53]: Action taken on that vision plan is almost as if we did it and just put it aside and don't seem to be following through or trying to follow through on it exactly. And I am aware that there's several low-hanging fruits that we could have gotten started on in the first year, but we have not done that. And that's all I have. That's just comment. [0:04:53, 0:04:54]: [295.3, 302.1]: Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Any other com uh public comments, uh Madam Clerk? Yes, Mr. Bennett Bryan. [0:05:02, 0:05:06]: Okay, Mr. Bryan Ben Brian, name and address please. [0:05:11, 0:05:31]: Good evening, Mayor. Good evening. And members of the council. My name is Bennett Bryan. I reside at 920 Memorial Drive. I am the Appellate Division Chief for the DeCab County Law Department. I'm also a Marine Corps veteran, but I'm here to thank you all for your service because local government work is very important work. Sometimes it's thankless work. [0:05:31, 0:05:51]: Work. And so, you know, I think it's really important that you guys um devote and dedicate your time to this important work. And um and again, because I work with uh with local government officials like yourself, uh I understand what it is y'all do. And um I think it's important for people that have experience in local government to [0:05:51, 0:06:04]: be um to be on the bench, to be judges, to be deciding cases involving cities and counties. And that is why I intend to run for the Georgia Supreme Court. So I just wanted to introduce myself and thank you all. Have a good night. Thank you. Appreciate it. [0:06:07, 0:06:21]: Thank you. Appreciate that. Ladies and gentlemen, during uh our uh prior to the meeting we had uh several different uh items of of ceremonial type of review items and uh several s squaring ends. So um [0:06:22, 0:06:26]: I swore in uh a new member of the Planning Commission member as a David Planchon. [0:06:27, 0:06:30]: Downtown Avama Authority members that were sworn in. [0:06:30, 0:06:33]: Uh, today also was Mr. Art Christen. [0:06:34, 0:06:54]: The Youth Council advisory committee members that were sworn in were Erica Harvey, Miss Adams, Jaz Lee Coley, Captain Jones, Miss Carter, and I believe Roblin Rosalind Walls and did that as well. We also honored our city [0:06:54, 0:07:00]: staff, the females on our city staff, uh with a pro their own particular proclamation of Women's History Month. [0:07:00, 0:07:05]: Um we've done that and welcome them and thank them for all the service they do day in and day out. [0:07:06, 0:07:26]: And uh we also had a a special celebration for recognition of the Women's History Month um Committee that worked with Councilman Alexander uh for the uh initiative that her occurred on on March first and uh and and recognize all those individuals for their countless hours and and put on such a great program. [0:07:26, 0:07:40]: program and we gave a special recognition to Dr. Phillips, which is a business owner in the Stockbridge area and has done some great things to help out the school system, the kids in the school system here in Henry County as well. [0:07:42, 0:07:51]: On that note, uh we'll go to old business. Council consideration approved change order number one for public works facility for additional evacu uh evacuation. [0:07:53, 0:07:58]: And subgrade st of stabilization in an amount of uh hundred and five hundred and fifty five thousand [0:07:59, 0:08:01]: Five hundred three hundred and forty three dollars and ninety cents. [0:08:02, 0:08:07]: Funding source of SPLOSS, presented by mister Aaron and Lindell Miller, please. [0:08:08, 0:08:27]: Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Council. Come for you tonight. We discussed this at the retreat about the findings of some unsuitable soils at the building site for the public works building. We've got to remove that soil and replace it with some better soil so that we can build and construct the building and parking lot and roads for the facility. [0:08:28, 0:08:34]: I'll take any questions. Okay, thank you, Mr. Aaron. Any questions for Mr. Aaron? Yes, sir, go right, please. [0:08:35, 0:08:55]: Uh before we approve this uh or or disapprove, I just wanted to let the council know that I've spoken with Mr. Aaron and and the uh engineers and uh all the parties to be on on this project. And what it amounts to is that the soil tested in two different areas and in this area it needed to have some [0:08:55, 0:09:15]: Upgrading in the in the in the groundwork on that for lack of a better term. And it's gonna come to this amount, but per the contract, this should be the only change order pertaining to this project. Is that correct? [0:09:14, 0:09:27]: that they don't see no additional change orders will be presented to the city for the discovery of unsuitable soil or necessary foundation work. So this is for the s foundation of the building. [0:09:27, 0:09:46]: So for as far as the soil and foundationally, this is it because everything else is included in the yes sir. In the agreement, right? Yes, sir. The only thing that could come up maybe if something in the building we want to change, but other than that, we don't have any plan changes, but this addresses the issues that were found in the the testing conducted by Gio. [0:09:47, 0:09:48]: Okay. [0:09:49, 0:10:09]: Any other questions for Mr. Aaron? Yes, I will. Go right in, sir. I just, as we talked about this particular project uh at the retreat, I just want to go on record to make sure that, you know, as Councilman Blount says, this uh particular area and this particular uh expenditure. [0:10:09, 0:10:29]: Is not gonna turn into this repeated cycle on this particular building because of the issues that we talked about, that this um floodplain situation. No, so this this addresses the issues of unsuitable saws, which is commonplace sometimes in building construction. You gotta replace saw. [0:10:29, 0:10:37]: with saw that's compatible to what you're to build the structure. So this addresses those issues so that they can go ahead and start building. [0:10:37, 0:10:57]: Does this have any type of effect on potential expansion to the building if we are we going that extra level? Now we're compacting the soil for this particular weight or I I don't know how that works. I'm not an engineer. But if we say we want to put on a second story to the building or whatever, um [0:10:57, 0:11:01]: I i we covered for that for future expansion to the building too. [0:11:02, 0:11:03]: No. [0:11:11, 0:11:20]: This this change order, as I understand it, would be for the building pad that has already been designed for this building, which is a one story building. [0:11:22, 0:11:22]: Well. [0:11:23, 0:11:25]: Okay. You got another question, sir? [0:11:25, 0:11:31]: Uh if I c could add on to Mr. Adizana, because that was one of the question that came up. I think foundationally [0:11:32, 0:11:41]: In order for that to happen, this building has to be built in a certain way that it would take the impact with the soil packing that's gonna be done now. [0:11:42, 0:11:42]: Two. [0:11:43, 0:11:57]: handle another story and I don't that that hasn't even been determined if it th that won't that's not even in in in sight of of of it even happened to to be even be done. [0:11:58, 0:12:13]: Right. I guess to follow up on that is that we're at this point. There's no turning around. Right? We're here where we are. Before we go up with the building, is there anything that can be done to accommodate future expansion? [0:12:14, 0:12:31]: Not vertically. We looked at it, uh we were requested to take a look at adding an additional floor that would have added an additional cost that's what was one point five million dollars. Then you'd have to do some additional work for the footing and the foundation in order to support a second floor. [0:12:31, 0:12:51]: Right. I just I I'm not talking about adding that to it at this particular point in the future. You know, the city's going to grow. So the next time we come back, I don't wanna be back in the same place where we gotta build a completely another building when we can make those uh arrangements now to build this uh to at least have the foundation suitable. [0:12:51, 0:12:55]: for a two story building should we decide to expand in the future. [0:12:57, 0:13:11]: Mr. Mayor. One second, please. Uh before you go, m Mr. Knight was gonna answer it is a one story building. Okay, I j uh I'm just saying, is there anything we can do? No, you're saying no, there's nothing we can do. Not at this point based on this design. No. Okay. [0:13:11, 0:13:31]: Mayor Pro Tem Thomas. Um along that same line, if you if we in the future wanted to be on the flank, not up top, but just on the flank of this building, will we have the same issues for as the soil? You probably run into some unsuitable soils because it'll be outside the building. [0:13:31, 0:13:40]: Building area that they're building on. Okay. There's that possibility. This is just to get the foundation and the building pad for this particular building. [0:13:41, 0:13:42]: Ms. Blount, go ahead, please. [0:13:42, 0:13:52]: Uh Mr. Alexander also to add to that, when I talk to the engineers, you only go on about three feet on this, if I'm correct, that that they did to saw testing. [0:13:53, 0:14:08]: And so we're going an additional two and a half feet below that recommendation. But if it was g if we was gonna do two stories, you would actually have to go lower than that. Yes. For the foundation and we're not doing that. So you won't be able to put another top on that building. [0:14:08, 0:14:17]: No. Are any other questions for Mr. Aaron? If there are not any motion um for this particular item. So moved. Is there a second? [0:14:18, 0:14:21]: A second. All right. Any further discussion? [0:14:22, 0:14:23]: All favor of motion please indicate. [0:14:24, 0:14:28]: Fantastic, appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You're welcome. Thank you, sir. [0:14:28, 0:14:48]: A new business. Council consideration to approve the annual back to school initiative to a city event. An amount of ten thousand dollars funding source would be contingency. Mr Knight Ms. Knighton, please. Yes, sir, Mr Mayor and Council. This is um before you to consider approving uh the back to school initiative, which had been a council initiative [0:14:48, 0:15:08]: And making it a city event. As many of the initiatives and events that we have in the city of Stockbridge, they've proven to be very successful and have grown over time. This particular event uh has grown uh exponentially um over time as well. And so this proposal is to make it take it from a council initiative to a city event. [0:15:08, 0:15:27]: uh that would um enjoy some of the um additional support uh for this event since it reaches uh so many young people, so many children in the Hendred County school system, uh and to have it as a city event to provide that support up to an amount of uh ten thousand dollars. [0:15:27, 0:15:29]: Thank you. Mr. Blount, please. [0:15:30, 0:15:50]: Yeah, I just wanted to uh make some comments on this because I I think when we when we switch from council initiatives to city events, um first thing we take in mind, let me talk about initiatives real real quick. Um when you talk about initiatives with uh you talk about three different areas, you're talking about feasibility. [0:15:49, 0:15:57]: You talk about what service is going to provide, and you want to talk about what impact you're going to have in the future with those uh events. [0:15:58, 0:16:00]: Um the two [0:16:00, 0:16:05]: areas that have the greatest vision for those events are service and impact. [0:16:06, 0:16:23]: And then we come with what how do we make this feasible? Now when you talk about service and impact, that becomes a vision, but is this feasible is where you get your biggest concerns. When you know that you only have a a limited amount of council initiative funds, how do you make this vision work? [0:16:24, 0:16:42]: And when it comes to big events that the city have seen for as initiatives, uh when you look at the first responders when you're maxing out, when you look at the uh black history uh program when you're maxing out the women's history program and uh back school kickoff and now the bingo bash movie, when you look at those [0:16:43, 0:16:51]: Uh initiative that have uh uh an impact and provide a service as the back to school kickoff does, then you say. [0:16:52, 0:17:03]: Wha how do you fund this with with with minimal funds from council initiative funds? Well you look at getting donors and you look at uh getting sponsors. [0:17:04, 0:17:07]: So when you start to move it from a council initiative. [0:17:09, 0:17:10]: To a city event. [0:17:11, 0:17:15]: One of the things you don't ever want to do is not be able to fund it. [0:17:15, 0:17:27]: through the city because as anyone knows that has done initiatives on this level, and I think Councilman uh uh Councilman Alexander has done it and Mayor Pro Tem uh Thomas has done it. [0:17:28, 0:17:40]: There's no guarantees on funding from outside sources, but we would like those guarantees, but there's no guarantees. So how do you find a balance between what you want to come in and what you already have? [0:17:41, 0:17:46]: Those become the concerns of being feasible and it has nothing to do with the vision of the [0:17:46, 0:17:57]: of the initiative. And so what happens is is that when you change it over and you make it happen year in, year out, it's a lot, it's a lot on each council member doing it and it's a lot on our [0:17:57, 0:18:01]: Executive assistant and it's a lot on everyone to make it happen. Volunteers don't [0:18:02, 0:18:05]: To take out that element of unnoun. [0:18:05, 0:18:14]: You have to fund it because when you look at this initiative that has been costing seventy-eight thousand dollars, seven to eight thousand dollars a year. [0:18:15, 0:18:18]: You can look at the money to spend, but you did not count. [0:18:19, 0:18:34]: those incomes that came in that you didn't have to pay for. You didn't count those people that have volunteered their services that you didn't have to pay for. So there are incidentals and there are uh uh uh uh amounts that has to be paid [0:18:34, 0:18:38]: When you're doing council initiatives to this magnitude. [0:18:39, 0:18:44]: And so where there's a if if s anyone you have to understand [0:18:45, 0:18:46]: First of all [0:18:47, 0:18:48]: What you're voting on. [0:18:49, 0:18:55]: When you look at a number of what came in, if it says seven thousand dollars. [0:18:55, 0:19:08]: That's not the magnitude of what it costs because you're not counting in kind and you're not c counting volunteer services that may not may or may not be there for the next event. [0:19:08, 0:19:12]: And so this is why I want it with become a city event. [0:19:13, 0:19:16]: Ten thousand dollars is a good number because [0:19:17, 0:19:18]: It cuts out [0:19:20, 0:19:22]: Everything and makes it feasible. [0:19:22, 0:19:33]: Whether it may take the ten thousand or not, you don't know, but it becomes feasible and it still is a service not only to the schools and surrounding areas and the teachers. [0:19:34, 0:19:45]: But it's now feasible without having to count on in kind donations, sponsors and all this, and when those things come in, it only uh shortens the amount that was paid anyway. [0:19:45, 0:19:45]: Sure. [0:19:46, 0:19:48]: Yeah, go right, please. Yeah. [0:19:48, 0:20:08]: If I could. I kinda I concur with that. And uh, you know, now that you explained it that way, uh it makes a lot of sense. What I'd like to do if you would uh hum uh allow me, Mayor, is to call Miss McGee to the podium since the city will be taking over this particular event. And maybe if mister's okay with Mr. Knighton. [0:20:10, 0:20:11]: Ms. McGee? [0:20:11, 0:20:17]: Yes, ma'am. UCC. The fabulous. [0:20:26, 0:20:45]: The only question that I have for you is in general, if we put ten thousand dollars with this event, the city event staff is still gonna go out and pursue um sponsorships for the event as you would, and you would spend the money accordingly. You would only spend what you would have what that you would need to spend. Is that correct? [0:20:46, 0:20:46]: That's correct. [0:20:47, 0:20:47]: Okay, thank you. [0:20:48, 0:20:51]: Okay, any other questions for Ms. McGee since she's here? [0:20:52, 0:20:54]: If not, you know the questions in generally. [0:20:55, 0:20:59]: If not, then I need a motion ma'am, you can have a sit down please. Ma'am. Yes, ma'am. [0:20:59, 0:21:04]: I'd like to move to approve the back to school program in the amount of five thousand. [0:21:04, 0:21:09]: Amount of five thousand. Five thousand. Okay. Is there a second to that motion? [0:21:11, 0:21:12]: Is there a second to that motion? [0:21:15, 0:21:22]: Mayor. There's not a second to the motion, sorry. Yes, sir. I'd like to move to approve the ten thousand dollar for the back to school kickoff. All right, is there a second to that motion? [0:21:22, 0:21:24]: Second. Okay, any further discussion? [0:21:25, 0:21:26]: Discussion. Yes, sir. [0:21:26, 0:21:27]: Correct. [0:21:28, 0:21:47]: I I really wanna gonna understand and and I I heard the comments about um service impact and uh feasibility in having the ability to carry out this mission. Um [0:21:49, 0:21:51]: I was somewhat prepared to [0:21:53, 0:21:57]: When I saw this, I was prepared to suggest a low amount. [0:21:57, 0:21:58]: Um [0:21:59, 0:22:02]: But now since I sort of heard the explanation [0:22:02, 0:22:07]: Uh I I do sort of understand it as uh Councilman Alexander stated. [0:22:08, 0:22:09]: Um [0:22:10, 0:22:10]: I'm hoping. [0:22:11, 0:22:11]: That [0:22:12, 0:22:14]: Um the sponsorship would [0:22:15, 0:22:21]: lessen this amount that we will have to use. Um [0:22:23, 0:22:33]: And I would wanna call Mrs. McGee back up, but I won't because I thought it was just a a foregone conclusion that we would just approve the ten. Um [0:22:34, 0:22:54]: So uh I just wanted to to just to make that comment, but I do understand even uh Mrs. Barber's standpoint of because I originally thought it was too much also. Uh but with the explanation now I do understand. So uh I just wanted just to speak that and hopefully uh we will [0:22:54, 0:22:56]: would not have to use the tin. [0:22:57, 0:22:58]: Right. Okay. [0:23:00, 0:23:00]: Yes. [0:23:01, 0:23:02]: Yes. [0:23:04, 0:23:15]: I am. You need to come to the podium, uh Miss Moore? [0:23:16, 0:23:21]: We get taught we have to advertise more. [0:23:24, 0:23:24]: Oh yeah. [0:23:25, 0:23:38]: What we would just add is that one of the things that we talked about is anytime we move from a city initiative a council initiative to a city initiative, we deal with it differently. So therefore the reach and that expansion [0:23:39, 0:23:41]: normally goes a little bit further. [0:23:41, 0:23:44]: in terms of the type of people that participate. [0:23:44, 0:23:47]: And so that's why we felt the amount of ten thousand. [0:23:47, 0:24:05]: would work simply because we're probably reaching more people. We're gonna try to get the sponsorships, but that was one of the reasons why because we, you know, you have your all of your media inside and you're actually pushing it, saying it's a stock bridge event versus a council initiative. So our reach is a little bit further. [0:24:05, 0:24:25]: All right. Now that you're here, any more questions for these two ladies here? Yeah, I just uh not for the two ladies. I just have an additional comment. Okay. Please have a seat. Go right ahead, sir. I'd like to commend Councilman Blount on the outstanding job that he's done to take this event to where it is right now. He's really done a really good job of bringing it where it is. Uh to [0:24:25, 0:24:45]: today. And I think this is the kind of thing that this council brings to the table where when the events get to this point that we turn'em over to the staff. We trust the staff is gonna do a very good job and that um, you know, uh this is what we do here uh in the city. So thank you. And uh we wanna I I I I support [0:24:45, 0:25:05]: with this and I think it what it does is it gives everybody up here on this board. We all we participated in some way in donations or whatever, but again the reach will be a little bit greater with the additional funding that will be coming on board. So thank you. All right on that note the motion was made. It's been second if there no other comments, all in favor of motion please indicate. [0:25:05, 0:25:07]: I do have a comment. [0:25:09, 0:25:29]: Okay. Excuse me. What's your comment, please? My concern is um if we turn this particular initiative into a city event, then all the other events that have been successful, if we decide to turn those into city events, ten thousand dollars. [0:25:29, 0:25:30]: And it's up. [0:25:30, 0:25:31]: Quickly. [0:25:31, 0:25:35]: With major capital projects that have already been approved. [0:25:35, 0:25:49]: It just concerns me with the way that we're spending money. I know that this back to school program, it is a hit um for the kids in this community, but ten thousand dollars just seems a bit much, but [0:25:49, 0:26:09]: Okay, let me no let me I'm gonna answer this first. I will tell you that um several initiatives that become city events may not be ten thousand dollars. And a class example, believe it or not, is nine eleven. It was originally my initiative and it turned into a city event, but it doesn't cost that much. See, so it really depends on what it is. You see, it may not be ten thousand. I think uh for [0:26:09, 0:26:11]: For nine eleven is is less than a thousand. [0:26:12, 0:26:23]: You know, in that aspect. So it's a small, small amount, but it but it's it is a city event. But initially started with me, uh in that aspect. But anyway, I just want to s put that on the record. Yes, sir. Go ahead, please. Mayor, let me uh just say something real quick. [0:26:25, 0:26:29]: Back to school kickoff is not a hit. It's a service. [0:26:30, 0:26:34]: A hit is used when you're talking about something that's [0:26:35, 0:26:43]: Not a service. This is not a hit. This is a service. It services schools or surrounding schools with book bags, supplies. [0:26:44, 0:26:48]: And it gives that to elementary school, middle school, high school, and we do teacher bags. [0:26:49, 0:26:54]: And if we get donations that are odd donations, we donate those to the schools. It's a service. [0:26:55, 0:27:02]: So if we want to call a service a hit, then so be it. But I call it a service. And that's what we're all here for is to serve the citizens. [0:27:02, 0:27:03]: All right. [0:27:03, 0:27:05]: Mayor. Yeah. Okay. [0:27:05, 0:27:15]: Okay. One more time. I used the wrong term. However, my point still stands. All right. I am concerned with [0:27:15, 0:27:20]: the expenses and the fact that I know as a council initiative [0:27:20, 0:27:24]: sponsorship was used. I do have um a printout [0:27:25, 0:27:42]: from last year expenses that total up to roughly seven thousand dollars. So it lets me know that approximately um seven thousand dollars was spent for this event. Why are we, if we're gonna be seeking sponsorships, why are we now [0:27:43, 0:27:50]: wanting to budget ten thousand dollars for this particular event if the city is gonna also be using sponsorships too. [0:27:52, 0:28:10]: My understanding earlier explanation was it's just it's a number to utilize. It may not go that far to go uh emphasize sponsorships and it's a placeholder, I would say. Well, five thousand dollars would be a good placeholder. Well that right now we do have a motion on the floor, it's been set. Okay. Okay. So unless there's other no other further comments. Yes, sir. We're briefly. [0:28:11, 0:28:11]: Commissioner? [0:28:12, 0:28:14]: I I think we got a second over here. [0:28:14, 0:28:31]: Um this this this initiative um us and service is real sensitive to me because um I conducted the very first one in in twenty fifteen and and I know the the impact. [0:28:31, 0:28:51]: I know the the work that goes involved. So it's real sensitive to me and and and I appreciate uh Councilman Blount taking it over uh the very next year because I I left the council and and he took it over and took it to the next level. Right. And I and I think in in many of our [0:28:51, 0:28:53]: Service projects [0:28:53, 0:28:54]: Um [0:28:55, 0:29:02]: We need to actually to grow it as opposed to uh standing at the quote. [0:29:02, 0:29:05]: Right. But definitely not going back in it. [0:29:05, 0:29:11]: Uh so this is I'm very sensitive to this and I do understand the need [0:29:11, 0:29:16]: Ак, а с something that I will never forget. [0:29:16, 0:29:21]: the first year and we was out in the hot sun, now we do it indoor. [0:29:21, 0:29:25]: But the smiles and the laughter [0:29:25, 0:29:28]: on those parents' faces and those kids. [0:29:28, 0:29:32]: Uh, you had a parent that that had five and six kids. [0:29:32, 0:29:33]: And it was no way. [0:29:34, 0:29:45]: uh for her to be able to make these purchases book bags stuffed with these school items. You know, when we was in school, uh all we had to do was just show up. [0:29:46, 0:29:50]: But now these kids are required to come in with calculators and [0:29:50, 0:30:10]: And markers and pencils, certain types of pencils. So uh and I uh I as we are conversating, I still can see those faces of those kids and those parents. So um I understand this this conversation and this dialogue, but I'm just hoping that you know we can continue and we can continue to bring [0:30:10, 0:30:18]: Bring the smiles and the laughter to these parents and to these kids' faces. [0:30:18, 0:30:22]: Motion is made. It's been second. All in favor of the motion, please indicate. [0:30:22, 0:30:25]: All opposed. Are you are you for or against? [0:30:27, 0:30:44]: I approved. Excuse me? You approved? Yes, sir. So it's unanimous. All right. Thank you. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Um the next one we added was House Bill 937, uh, which is is which is actually a um what you call it a design standards preemption bill. [0:30:44, 0:31:04]: It's a new revised bill. Uh last year it was actually House Bill 302, but they revised it somewhat. And this is this actually takes against home rule. It was going to allow the the legislature to have design guidelines for each all the cities. Whereas that we need to be have home rule and we need to control all our design. [0:31:04, 0:31:20]: standards in our own Pacific community. And I wanted us to have this discussion and to uh look at updating this resolution and pose it actually. So on that note, I don't know if if the attorney wants to spend anything else on this at all, or Mr. Knight, and then we'll open it up for any further. [0:31:21, 0:31:30]: No sir. I mean this is essentially the same resolution you all approved last year, just with a different number for the bill. And so I would encourage you all [0:31:33, 0:31:40]: Okay. Any f any comments else from the council at all? Yes. Go right in, sir. Uh uh this bill so the public understands and everybody. [0:31:41, 0:31:46]: Who's tuned in, you understand. It's critical that you talk to your legislators, you talk to the [0:31:47, 0:31:48]: The senators to let them know. [0:31:49, 0:32:09]: That this bill is a bad bill. We believe in home rule. We've established things in this community like 50% brick construction. That's key. We've established things in different areas such as uh the cut the um cement fiber board, no vinyl. Those things protect the value of [0:32:09, 0:32:29]: Of your home. That's right. It keeps unwanted businesses out of our community, and it is key. If we lose that, we lose control of what we have in this community. Right. And we need you, not just us, to call and demand that your senators and your representatives oppose the [0:32:29, 0:32:35]: this bill and keep the control in our hands so we can give you the community that you want, not [0:32:36, 0:32:37]: What the builders want. [0:32:38, 0:32:51]: All right, any further comments from the council? Yes, sir. Uh Mr. Mayor, I I move that we support a resolution opposing nine thirty seven. All right, so second. Second. Okay, all in favor of the motion, please indicate. [0:32:51, 0:33:11]: Fantastic. Appreciate that. Uh what's next is uh comments from me. Madam Clerk, you can time me on this, please. Uh obviously month uh uh March is Women's History Month. We've already started off the month and the first day of the month with recognition of uh several different uh influential women in the in the community and recognize those volunteers that helped. [0:33:11, 0:33:15]: out with this process earlier tonight. Uh so we'll continue to recognize and [0:33:16, 0:33:36]: And thank women for all the all that you do in the community, not only for this month, but each and every day. Right? Each and every day. And uh so I thank you ladies uh for being being there and and doing what you do to keep our family straight and do things in the community as you you done. The other thing I'd like to mention is that um Friday evening I had the luxury to [0:33:36, 0:33:44]: Go down to Macon, Georgia, to watch the Dutchtown Bulldogs boys basketball team win the state championship. [0:33:46, 0:33:57]: Five A championships for Dutchtown High School, the boys, first time in school history. I believe it's only second time a um public high school in Henry County w took a state championship in basketball. [0:33:57, 0:34:17]: E was landing did it about in 2013. So congratulations to those Bulldogs. And I have to admit, I understand I'm the mayor of the city, but I have to I'm a little biased to Dutch Cow. My one only child went to Dutch Town. And I was a proud I was with a cheerleader, so I was a proud cheer dad. So I really appreciate that. But fantastic. [0:34:17, 0:34:37]: Absolutely. There you go. So on that note though, I want you all folks to know that continue to keep the faith. The city's gonna move forward. The council's gonna make sure that along with your yeah, with your comments and the ideas and things that you have to say. We have a listener for that move everything forward. Oh yes, and also [0:34:37, 0:34:40]: [2080.3, 2100.3]: All right, have to be safe to wash your hands, twenty seconds or more, use a lot of hand sanitizer. Be comfortable with that, whether you put bump bump fists, elbows, whatever the case may be. And of course if you don't feel right or feel sick or whatnot, make sure you stay home, don't go to school. And hopefully this thing uh get over pretty quickly. Uh obviously starting to change things we do in our society. [0:35:00, 0:35:20]: Be careful and uh be safe and make sure you once again wash the hands clearly and uh few and use a lot of hand sanitizer. All right. And we'll do that here at City Council as well as uh at the city itself. When you come to the city, we'll make sure we're very careful about that as well. On that note, uh I will read some uh [0:35:20, 0:35:21]: Some meetings here. [0:35:21, 0:35:31]: Downtown Development Authority Meeting Tuesday, March 17th, uh 6 P.M. Levi uh meeting room. Uh Council Advisory Committee meeting room is Tuesday, March seventeenth. [0:35:31, 0:35:35]: At uh six thirty Patrick Henry meeting room. There's a town hall. [0:35:36, 0:35:52]: on this uh on the seventeenth as well, North at Mural Manage Conference Center and dealing with Norfolk Southern Railroad and uh uh potential cross uh closing of of Nolan Street closing and will be part of the main uh topic there along with the discussion of quiet zone in reference to a downtown area. [0:35:52, 0:36:02]: New council meetings Wednesday, March 18th at 5 30 PM in Levi Meeting Room. Planning Commission meeting is Thursday, March 26th, 630 in the City Hall Council Chambers. [0:36:03, 0:36:07]: Our next work session is Tuesday, March thirty first, six P. M. right here in the council chambers. [0:36:09, 0:36:29]: Upcoming events. So you have the Bingo Bash March 25th at uh noon at Merle Manders Commerce Center, spearheaded by Castman Blount. And then also tomorrow night, which is March 10th, it will be a town hall in the Eagles Landing area at Savane Funeral Home that starts at 6 p.m. as well. On that note, uh that [0:36:29, 0:36:41]: That is all the announcements and we have an executive session. And uh I need a motion to go to executive session, please. Mayor, I move that we go to executive session for real estate personnel and litigation. Okay, is there a second? [0:36:42, 0:36:48]: Perfect. Okay, all in favor of going to exec session, please indicate. Thank you very much. Folks, we'll go into exec session. We'll be back in a little bit. [0:37:42, 0:37:42]: Tired. [0:38:24, 0:38:30]: Oh yeah, well we got [1:09:51, 1:09:51]: Right. [1:10:01, 1:10:10]: [4249.9, 4252.5]: Yes, it's shocked we really. [1:11:08, 1:11:21]: I I didn't want to cough in the room. I'm gonna give it to you all. No, hey, it's it'll disappear before we get over that. [1:12:45, 1:12:47]: Today. Yeah. [1:15:02, 1:15:04]: Yeah, yeah. [1:18:41, 1:18:46]: I know it's the problem on my head. [1:21:53, 1:21:56]: But if that she's a I mean, I don't know about kids in a protocol. [1:22:08, 1:22:10]: Even [1:22:40, 1:22:41]: Also this is really hard. [1:22:42, 1:22:44]: I'm visiting the afternoon. [1:22:45, 1:22:45]: Okay. [1:22:46, 1:22:53]: Well who's hanging out to one of your latest gas? I think it's a new I would be on. [1:23:16, 1:23:17]: I don't see it. [1:23:21, 1:23:23]: Good luck. [1:39:00, 1:39:03]: Oh yeah, sorry. I'm not actually. [1:39:33, 1:39:35]: [5999.0, 6001.0]: Is earlier and I know. [1:58:24, 1:58:25]: It is. [1:58:26, 1:58:27]: I think. [1:58:28, 1:58:30]: No, we're still meeting. [1:58:50, 1:58:51]: Mm-hmm. [1:59:26, 1:59:27]: Interesting so [1:59:37, 1:59:39]: Later, I should say. [2:00:29, 2:00:30]: No. [2:00:33, 2:00:33]: Okay. [2:00:38, 2:00:40]: But yeah, we're going to call the thing. [2:00:41, 2:00:43]: Central. [2:00:43, 2:00:50]: She tracked it and I didn't say one. Well I asked her what was she said to me. She said she lost it. [2:01:11, 2:01:13]: Yeah. [2:02:01, 2:02:05]: Yeah. It's a lookouts one day. [2:02:24, 2:02:25]: Yeah. [2:41:52, 2:41:55]: Or we go find that. [2:42:04, 2:42:06]: It'll be all right. [2:42:53, 2:42:56]: Mike, before you go on, need to talk with you. [2:43:08, 2:43:09]: You ready, ma'am? [2:43:23, 2:43:26]: Yeah we do, but she's she's gotta be in place though. [2:44:17, 2:44:20]: Huh? No, we're gonna be all right. [2:44:41, 2:45:01]: Okay. Council, I need a motion to end the executive session, please. So move. Is it a second? Okay, seconds down here. All in favor, please indicate. Thank you. Need a motion now to reconvene our council meeting, please. So move. Is there a second? All right. All in favor, please indicate. We have nothing to report from the executive session, so I need [2:45:01, 2:45:06]: motion to end our council meeting. Is there a second? All right. Yes ma't [2:45:10, 2:45:14]: Okay, thank you. You I imagine you have a good time on that as well. [2:45:15, 2:45:19]: Call in favor of ending our council mean please indicate. [2:45:19, 2:45:21]: Meetings adjourned.