2021-10-11 · City Council · Transcript · City Council Meeting

--- title: October 11 2021 City Council Meeting date: 2021-10-11 source: 2021-10-11_October_11_2021_City_Council_Meeting.wav --- [0:00:00, 0:00:00]: quoi [0:00:03, 0:00:06]: Okay, folks, we are now recording and the webinar has started. [0:00:11, 0:00:12]: F five fifty four. [0:00:17, 0:00:21]: Welcome, Mr. Harris, uh Chief Trammer. Welcome, gentlemen. [0:00:24, 0:00:26]: Hello everyone. [0:00:26, 0:00:27]: Good evening all. [0:00:28, 0:00:31]: I'm sorry. How are you doing, Mildred? Good good evening to you as well. [0:00:41, 0:00:45]: Good evening, everyone. Forgive me, I'm driving, so I'm gonna mute myself here. [0:00:48, 0:00:49]: Good deal. No problem, sir. Be safe. [0:01:04, 0:01:05]: Yeah. [0:02:03, 0:02:03]: [124.5, 125.1]: Yeah. [0:02:50, 0:02:50]: Okay. [0:03:01, 0:03:02]: Yeah. [0:03:18, 0:03:20]: Gabriella, good evening to you. [0:03:34, 0:03:40]: Hey, Christy Tucker, good evening to you as well. Ladies and gentlemen, we're now on Facebook Live. [0:04:15, 0:04:15]: Yeah. [0:04:38, 0:04:40]: [290.3, 291.8]: [0:05:42, 0:05:49]: All right, ladies and gentlemen, I have uh six p.m. We're gonna get this uh council meeting started. This is the council meeting for Monday, October. [0:05:49, 0:05:52]: Eleven of twenty twenty one, which is Columbus Day, by the way. [0:05:53, 0:05:58]: So on that uh note, uh Ms. Gantt, invocation, please. [0:06:00, 0:06:02]: Let us buy our heads in prayer. [0:06:03, 0:06:15]: Father, we are so grateful to be living in a democracy where many play a part in making sure the needs and desires of this nation's citizens are heard and met. [0:06:15, 0:06:27]: As our leaders work together to find solutions to difficult problems, we ask that you guide them to speak respectfully and with humility to one another. [0:06:27, 0:06:30]: Гелден шоу Christ like love. [0:06:30, 0:06:32]: To those they interact with. [0:06:32, 0:06:36]: And be an advocate for their constituents and others. [0:06:37, 0:06:42]: These and other things we these and other blessings we pray in your name. Amen. [0:06:42, 0:06:43]: Amen. [0:06:43, 0:06:45]: Uh please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. [0:06:46, 0:06:47]: Okay. [0:06:47, 0:06:47]: [409.3, 419.3]: As allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic which stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [0:07:01, 0:07:03]: Madam Clerk, we'll call it. [0:07:05, 0:07:06]: Mayor Ford? [0:07:06, 0:07:07]: Present. [0:07:07, 0:07:09]: Mayor Pro Tem Alexander. [0:07:09, 0:07:10]: Present. [0:07:10, 0:07:11]: Councilwoman Barber. [0:07:12, 0:07:12]: Present. [0:07:12, 0:07:14]: Councilman Blount. [0:07:17, 0:07:21]: Let the record replay, Councilman Blount is not in attendance. Councilwoman Gantt. [0:07:22, 0:07:23]: Present. [0:07:23, 0:07:24]: Councilman Thomas. [0:07:24, 0:07:25]: Present. [0:07:25, 0:07:28]: Mayor Ford, you have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I appreciate it. [0:07:29, 0:07:31]: Uh I need a motion to adopt the agenda, please. [0:07:34, 0:07:36]: Mayor Ford. Yes, ma'am. [0:07:36, 0:07:38]: I'd like to amend the agenda. [0:07:38, 0:07:38]: Okay. [0:07:39, 0:07:42]: I'd like to amend the agenda to add Mr. [0:07:42, 0:07:45]: Um Michael Harris our tax commissioner. [0:07:46, 0:07:52]: Okay. Is there a second to that? I second. Mr. Thomas, Mr. Thomas, second that. All in favor, please indicate. [0:07:54, 0:08:00]: Okay, okay, Mr. Blount, you're online. Did you you affirm? [0:08:03, 0:08:03]: Mr. Blount? [0:08:05, 0:08:10]: Mayor, I didn't even I didn't even hear what was what am I f um apprentice. [0:08:10, 0:08:15]: Okay, we're adding we're adding to the agenda a briefing by our tax collector, Mr. Harris. [0:08:17, 0:08:18]: Task Commissioner. [0:08:19, 0:08:30]: Tax gov tax commissioner, excuse me. It does collect taxes though, but commissioners is properly excuse, Mr. Harris. I know you hear me. I'm sorry, sir. All right. Ms. Blount, is that yeah, is that a yay or a nay? Or are you abstain? [0:08:31, 0:08:51]: Excuse me. Okay. So make it unanimous. Okay. Okay. Now, what I also like to mention to you is that for a we have public hearing, there's a rezoning case, RZ 2021-1. The actual applicant uh would want to defer this uh until next month. And now Ms. Johnson is online and believe the applicant's online as well, but they wanted [0:08:51, 0:08:56]: prefer that they want to have additional information or different commerce tip additional conversations. [0:08:56, 0:08:58]: uh say with the community before they come before the council. [0:08:59, 0:09:01]: Is that correct, Miss Johnson? [0:09:02, 0:09:19]: Yes, uh yes, sir, mayor, that is correct. The applicant would request a deferral to the November 8th council meeting so that they have time to talk more with the community and some other neighboring property owners regarding the rezoning and with staff as well. [0:09:19, 0:09:26]: Okay. So council, I need a motion uh to accept that uh removal for the time being until next month. [0:09:26, 0:09:29]: So move. Okay, Mr. Dalzan, so move is there a second. [0:09:29, 0:09:33]: A second. Okay. Mr. Thomas, thank you very much. So all in favor, please indicate. [0:09:35, 0:09:38]: Okay, fantastic. I think that is unanimous. And that I okay now. [0:09:39, 0:09:42]: On that case, that'll come off. Now I need a motion to accept the overall agenda, please. [0:09:44, 0:09:45]: A moved. Okay, they're a second. [0:09:47, 0:09:49]: Ms. Barber Second's that all in favor, please indicate. [0:09:51, 0:10:07]: Okay, that's unanimous as well. Okay. Thank you very much. On that note, uh motion to approve the minutes. You have the minutes from the August 16th council meeting and also the minutes from the August 31st council work session. Unless there are any changes or any motion to accept those minutes into the record. [0:10:08, 0:10:09]: Oh no. [0:10:10, 0:10:13]: Barber, so move, second. Is there a second? Second. [0:10:14, 0:10:18]: I got you, Miss Barbers. Second. Second. Mayor Pro Tem, I think, spoke up for a second. [0:10:18, 0:10:20]: Any discussion? Yeah. [0:10:20, 0:10:22]: Oh Ms. I got you, Mayor Pro Tem, you got the second, sir. [0:10:23, 0:10:25]: Okay. All favor, please indicate. [0:10:25, 0:10:26]: Of the motion. [0:10:27, 0:10:32]: Okay, I see a unanimous as well again. Okay, good deal. Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. Um [0:10:33, 0:10:37]: Ms. Holliday, uh we have any public comments at all? There are no public comments, Mayor. [0:10:37, 0:10:38]: Okay. [0:10:38, 0:10:43]: Well, on that note, then we'll go on a ceremonial session. I have four proclamations, ladies and gentlemen. [0:10:43, 0:10:49]: And for uh individuals to receive these proclamations. So bear with us. Oh, by the way, I'm sorry, excuse me for a second. I just remember something. [0:10:50, 0:10:57]: Mr. Harris, we added you to the agenda. We're going to have you come on after the fourth proclamation. That's early enough in the program. We got a long agenda tonight. [0:10:58, 0:11:13]: So we'll have you come after that fourth proclamation and um and also Chief Tremors online if need be, if you need to speak or be addressing anything at this time as well. Okay, on that note, I will read the first proclamation, which actually deals with National Hispanic Heritage Month. [0:11:13, 0:11:16]: which is actually September 15th to October 15th. [0:11:17, 0:11:22]: Whereas in the earliest days of our Republic, Hispanic Americans have written crucial chapters in our nation's history. [0:11:23, 0:11:29]: including defense of our country, business ownership, teaching, and pioneer science excuse me, scientific. [0:11:29, 0:11:38]: And technological breakthroughs, and whereas Hispanic Americans represent an array of distinct and vibrant cultures which enrich communities in valuable ways. [0:11:38, 0:11:45]: Whereas Hispanic Americans embrace the promise of the United States that a better life should await anyone willing to work for it. [0:11:45, 0:11:49]: And the love of liberty and justice that this country promises to all. [0:11:49, 0:12:03]: Whereas the observation began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson. Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration cover a 30-day period between September 15th and October 15th. [0:12:03, 0:12:11]: September 15th is significant because of its anniversary of independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. [0:12:11, 0:12:15]: Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th. [0:12:15, 0:12:17]: And September eighteenth, respectively. [0:12:17, 0:12:27]: The United States Congress has passed public law one hundred-four oh two as amended, which authorizes and requests that the president issue an annual proclamation designating September 15th. [0:12:27, 0:12:31]: through October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. [0:12:31, 0:12:33]: Whereas this year's theme. [0:12:33, 0:12:36]: Uh Esperana, Esper Esperana. [0:12:36, 0:12:42]: If I pronounced it right, a celebration of Hispanic heritage and hope encourages us to reflect on the legacy of Hispanic people. [0:12:43, 0:12:48]: Who have influenced our nation's history and serve today as leaders in all aspects of our nation national life. [0:12:48, 0:12:53]: and from their Supreme Court and halls of Congress, boardrooms, and main streets across the United States of America. [0:12:54, 0:12:59]: Whereas the mayor and the city council of the city of Stockbridge wishes to show their support for the Hispanic community. [0:12:59, 0:13:05]: In the city throughout and throughout the United States by acknowledging National Hispanic Heritage Month in the city of Stockbridge. [0:13:05, 0:13:13]: Now, therefore, I, Anthony S. Ford, mayor of Stockbridge, Georgia, along with the council members Elton Alexander, Elanda Barber, John Blount, and Keisha Gantt. [0:13:13, 0:13:27]: And Founders of Thomas do hereby proclaim October 11th, 2021 as Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day and the Great Day of City Stockbridge, Georgia. And I signed this on the 11th of uh day of October, and along with Vanessa Holiday, a clerk. [0:13:28, 0:13:32]: And uh and to receive this, Gabrielo Torres di Amenda. [0:13:33, 0:13:36]: If I pronounce that right, uh ma'am, you have any comments or questions or [0:13:37, 0:13:38]: Or acknowledgments that you want to make. [0:13:38, 0:13:46]: And uh let me ask you this, could you please uh also the theme of this year, could you pronounce it properly so I can understand what the proper pronunciation is? [0:13:47, 0:13:56]: for uh what are what are what did you ask me to pronounce yeah it says it says the year's this year's theme Esperanza I guess it's called [0:13:57, 0:13:59]: Esperanza і mienzhop. [0:13:59, 0:14:16]: Okay, there you go. And Pro Temp Alexander and Ariel Shaw who have been amazing help um in our business at Bobo Bouti and just really I'm really honored for this um [0:14:17, 0:14:20]: uh proclamation that you have given our [0:14:20, 0:14:37]: company and um I'm really thankful. Thank you so much for the city of Stockbridge that has helped our business grow through difficult times uh like COVID and uh trying to get back like we were before COVID. But thank you so much for this. It's an honor for to me. [0:14:37, 0:14:51]: You're welcome. And what I need to do is sometime when within the next week or two, hopefully sooner than later, I'll make a point to have the not only the clerk put this in a frame, but make a point to but deliver this to you in person so you can have this in framed, okay? [0:14:51, 0:15:00]: Oh, that sounds great. Sounds lovely. Thank you. No problem. Congratulations. Absolutely. Absolutely. You can stay, stay as long as you like, by the way, as well. Okay. [0:15:00, 0:15:20]: All right. Um next I have now is a proclamation dealing with the domestic violence awareness month, which is October. And I'll make a point to sometime at hopefully I remember this on Thursday. Screw me back up in the end of the month, which will be our uh work session on Tuesday. I'll make sure I wear purple versus when I'm trying to have on pink, but I'll have to wear purple uh the next meeting, okay? [0:15:20, 0:15:20]: Yeah. [0:15:20, 0:15:21]: Now [0:15:21, 0:15:25]: Whereas far far too long, domestic violence was considered a family issue. [0:15:26, 0:15:37]: And was left for families to address in private. Today we recognize the important roles of public and private sectors, nonprofit organizations, communities, and individuals in helping to prevent and address domestic violence. [0:15:37, 0:15:40]: And create a culture that refuses to tolerate abuse. [0:15:41, 0:15:43]: Whereas during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. [0:15:44, 0:15:47]: There is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of these issues. [0:15:47, 0:15:56]: share resources and most importantly, support survivors. It takes courage for the survivor of sexual assault or domestic violence to share the story with anyone. [0:15:57, 0:16:01]: Never underestimate the power to affect the course of a survivor's healing journey. [0:16:02, 0:16:07]: Whereas during COVID nineteen pandemic domestic violence has become a pandemic within a pandemic. [0:16:07, 0:16:11]: With many victims facing the added pressures of increased economic insecurity. [0:16:12, 0:16:29]: increased time in isolation with their abusers and limited contact with their support networks. This has made it even more difficult for victims to assess the life-saving services and support they need to streeten our to strengthen our response to domestic violence in all forms and gender-based violence. [0:16:30, 0:16:45]: My American Rescue Plan allocated an additional$450 million to increase support for domestic violence and sexual assault services providers and to further assist survivors in the short and long-term transition away from the abusers. [0:16:45, 0:16:50]: And whereas this month we recommit to standing with survivors of domestic violence. [0:16:50, 0:17:10]: And to do and to doing our utmost to extend hope and healing to all we need, all who need it, excuse me. If you or someone you know needs assistance, we encourage you to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE. Once again, 1-800-799-SaVICE. [0:17:10, 0:17:11]: seven nine nine save. [0:17:12, 0:17:21]: Or visiting www.thehotline.org. Now, therefore, I, Anthony S. Ward, by virtual authority vested in me as a mayor of city of Stockbridge, Georgia. [0:17:21, 0:17:41]: And on behalf of Councilmembers Elton, Alexander, Yolanda Barber, John Blount, Lakeese Gantt and Afonso Thomas, to hereby proclaim October 2021 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We call on all Americans to speak out against domestic violence and support local efforts to assist victims of these crimes in finding the [0:17:41, 0:17:42]: help and healing they need. [0:17:43, 0:17:53]: A witness whereof I have here here unto set my hand on the eleventh day of October, this year of our Lord of 2021. And I assign this along with our um [0:17:54, 0:17:55]: Clerk Vanessa Holliday. [0:17:55, 0:18:05]: Okay. And Christy Tucker, Sims, ma'am, please comments that you have in reference to re us receiving giving this a proclamation to you. [0:18:05, 0:18:10]: First of all, thank you, Mayor Ford. Thank you, Councilman Alexander. Um [0:18:10, 0:18:30]: all of the council members, constituents, and friends for this honor, for this proclamation. Um, being acknowledged as as both a survivor and an advocate is sometimes the fuel that we need to keep going. So I don't take this lightly. It isn't my honor and my pleasure to accept this on behalf of my team, um, my supporters and the Christie [0:18:30, 0:18:50]: Sims Foundation. Thank you so much to the city of Starkbridge for your continued support, for your continued um support of what we do. Thank you so much. More than welcome once again. Congratulations. Once again, uh we'll coordinate with you, uh working through the clerk there to have seven appointment to also have this frame and present this to you in person. Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much. [0:18:50, 0:18:52]: Or and more work to say is not. [0:18:53, 0:19:06]: Thank you. I'll I'll be here a few more minutes. I need to have another meeting. I need to sign out in about about 15 minutes. Okay. Good deal. So be it. Thank you. The next proclamation is uh breast cancer awareness month for October. And that's why I have on pink tonight. [0:19:07, 0:19:11]: Once again, I need uh I obviously mentioned this publicly, I need to wear purple next time we get together. Okay. [0:19:12, 0:19:12]: Uh so [0:19:13, 0:19:14]: Whereas every year two [0:19:15, 0:19:19]: Many Americans are touched by the pain and hardship caused by breast cancer. [0:19:19, 0:19:27]: A disease that among women is not only one of the most common cancers, but also one of the leading causes of a cancer-related death. [0:19:27, 0:19:36]: And whereas during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we honor all those who lost their lives to breast cancer and we recognize the courageous survivors who are still fighting it. [0:19:37, 0:19:57]: Whereas for these individuals and for their loved ones who give their unwavering support during the most trying times, we recommit ourselves to the essential and necessary work for forging a future free from cancer in all its forms. And whereas hundreds and thousands of Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, the tens of thousands will lose their [0:19:57, 0:20:17]: Battle with the disease. Among both women and men can't have breast cancer, women are of higher risk. And whereas we encourage all women to find out if they are have increased risk and learn more about recommended screenings by speaking with their health care providers and by visiting www.cancer.gov/slash breast. Early detection and treatment. [0:20:17, 0:20:37]: Treatment can save lives. Now, therefore, I, Anthony S. Ford, by virtue of authority, vesting me as a mayor of city of Stockbridge, Georgia. And on behalf of Council Members Elton Alexander, Yolanda Barber, John Blount, Makisha Gantt, and Afonso Thomas, to hereby proclaim October 2021 as a National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the great city of Stockbridge, Georgia. We encourage citizens. [0:20:36, 0:20:48]: government agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and all the all other interested groups to join in activities that will increase awareness of what Americans can do to prevent breast cancer and where witness whereof. [0:20:48, 0:20:52]: I have hereunto set my hand eleventh day of October, the year of our Lord. [0:20:52, 0:20:53]: Uh twenty [0:20:54, 0:21:07]: uh thousand twenty one. Uh signed this along with our uh clerk Vanessa holiday and uh Mildred Smelts, ma'am, we honor you and give you this to you as well. You have any comments, ma'am, at all and that you want to make it this time. [0:21:09, 0:21:10]: Thank you, Mayor, for [0:21:12, 0:21:19]: I wanna really thank the city of Stockbridge for standing with the courageous men and women. [0:21:19, 0:21:22]: Ув'ян діанос від брест канцер. [0:21:22, 0:21:25]: And honor those who have lost their lives. [0:21:26, 0:21:34]: Thank you so much, the city of Stockbridge, for standing with us. I'm a three-time breast cancer survivor. [0:21:35, 0:21:48]: And I really do appreciate and accept this proclamation on behalf of all of those who are still suffering and those who have lost their lives. Thank you, City of Stockbridge. [0:21:48, 0:22:01]: You're more than welcome. Thank you very much. Once again, I will coordinate along with the clerk to um make a meeting so I can present this to you in a frame uh sometime here shortly. Okay. And you once again, you're more than welcome to stay as long as you like. [0:22:01, 0:22:10]: All right. And for the fourth proclamation, and they're all equal proclamations. So I'm Michelle I'm sorry you're number four tonight, but someone had me four. Okay. [0:22:11, 0:22:13]: National Women's Small Business Month. [0:22:14, 0:22:18]: Whereas National Women's Small Business Month takes place each year during the month of October. [0:22:19, 0:22:28]: This is a time to recognize a marriage of activities of our country's female entrepreneurs and the positive impact they are making on jobs and the economy. [0:22:29, 0:22:49]: Whereas in October, Natural Women's Small Business Month highlights the benefits and industry women bring to communities when they own a small business. With over 11 million and growing women owning small businesses in the United States, there's plenty of opportunities to get involved. And whereas throughout the month, organizations, businesses, and aspiring entrepreneurs, [0:22:49, 0:23:08]: Share resources and advice that support women-owned businesses. Like any small business, the benefits to the community are enormous. Locally owned small businesses bring revenue to communities. Small companies are more likely to support local organizations, schools, and projects. They also provide a tremendous number of jobs, keeping local economies going and growing. [0:23:09, 0:23:29]: Whereas when you include women in small business businesses factor, you increase business diversity. When women are see other women still succeeding, they are motivated to secede. Now, therefore, I, Anthony S. Ford, Mayor City Stockbridge, Georgia, along with council members Elton Alexander, Ilana Barber, John Blount, Lakeese Gannon and Alfonso Thomas to hereby proclaim October. [0:23:29, 0:23:47]: as National Women's Small Business Month, the great city of Stockbridge, Georgia, and witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand on the great seal of the city of Stockbridge, Georgia on the 11th day of October of the year our Lord 2021. And I assigned this along with our click Vanessa Holiday. Ms. Shaw, please. Thank you. Congratulations. [0:23:48, 0:24:08]: Thank you. Um, and I, Ariel Shaw, president and founder of Southern Crescent Women in Business, accept this proclamation recognizing October as National Women's Small Business Month. There are between nine point nine million and thirteen million women owned businesses in the United States of America with an impact of one four. [0:24:08, 0:24:12]: point eight trillion dollars to the US economy. [0:24:12, 0:24:32]: While women-owned businesses are starting at the fastest rate, there is so much more work to do as it relates to funding women-owned businesses. We recognize that without proper funding and the ability to grow our workforce, scaling our businesses becomes much more difficult. Thank you, Mayor Anthony Ford, and all countries. [0:24:32, 0:24:41]: Council for honoring and recognizing women-owned businesses in the city of Stockbridge, in the Southern Crescent, and nationwide. [0:24:41, 0:24:42]: Thank you. [0:24:43, 0:24:57]: Thank you. Thank you very much. My same thing with you, ma'am. I will work with the clerk to uh meet with you sometime and give you a frame uh proclamation here, here within the next week or so. Okay. And you also are warned and welcome to stay as long as you like. [0:24:57, 0:24:58]: Thank you. [0:24:58, 0:25:00]: And then [0:25:00, 0:25:01]: Yes, sir. [0:25:01, 0:25:05]: Yeah, if you would, I like to take the temperature of the council. [0:25:05, 0:25:08]: These proclamations are so powerful. [0:25:08, 0:25:10]: Every single month. [0:25:10, 0:25:11]: We read them. [0:25:12, 0:25:16]: I would like for our social media department to air. [0:25:16, 0:25:36]: These proclamations that you read on our social media every single month. So these individuals can just not get recognition here that they will be shared on our social media page uh continually, just getting the attention that they need, not with the rest of the meeting, but just by the [0:25:36, 0:25:45]: themselves every single month. Because we have so many outstanding citizens that we need to recognize. I just like you would be reading this portion. [0:25:45, 0:25:54]: So where you start reading the proclamations from beginning to end with air on our social media site as a separate clip every month going forward. [0:25:55, 0:26:10]: All right, we'll take that on advisement without a doubt. I'm gonna talk to the public uh information officer about that as well. We look forward to that recommendation falling through. On that note, uh all the proclamations are read for this evening and we'll move on. And the next item would be Mr. Harris, our tax commissioner. [0:26:11, 0:26:13]: Not collector, but commissioner. [0:26:13, 0:26:19]: Mr. Harris, please. Good evening. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor and Council. [0:26:21, 0:26:31]: I was contacted by your treasurer, Mr. Wiggins, um about a week or so ago and about the potential tax implication should the city decide to. [0:26:32, 0:26:41]: um forego the current county police services and begin their own police department utilizing a three mil city tax. [0:26:42, 0:27:02]: In speaking with Mr. Wiggins, there's two key pieces of information he was looking for at the time. The estimated amount of taxes that will be generated from the implementation of three mills by the city, and also what the impact could have on the on a residential property. Um, I've provided him with that. Um [0:27:02, 0:27:14]: last week, but I think you know, at per the request of the council has to kind of come up and give a little bit more of an explanation and addressing the questions that you may have and that I'm at I'm able to answer at this time. [0:27:15, 0:27:18]: So just as a quick overview. [0:27:19, 0:27:39]: And again, these numbers are estimates because they're based on the current digest that was just recently approved by the state. But based on that, and in my understanding of the approach that the city's taking, the you know, on the current tax bill right now, there is a mill of 1.824 mils that [0:27:39, 0:27:43]: is in place for county police services. [0:27:44, 0:27:55]: Should the city determine and decide to forego the county services, that 1.824 mil would go away and would subsequently be replaced by a three mil city tax. [0:27:56, 0:28:00]: Now based on again, based on last year's digest, that [0:28:01, 0:28:10]: Three mil would generate approximately three million one hundred and seventy-one dollars in um levy taxes for the year. [0:28:11, 0:28:31]: Taking that number and that estimate, um, I wanted to go back through and just kind of again, the request was for what the impact on a residential property would be. So looking at a home valued at um 225,000. And the reason why I use the 225,000 is because based on the state, that is the average mean um value of a home. [0:28:31, 0:28:36]: in Henry County. It's their number. They they provide that every on an annual basis. [0:28:36, 0:28:42]: Um based on that and again taking a couple criteria points in in into play because again it would get too [0:28:42, 0:28:46]: confusion if we if we put everything in in in in into motion. [0:28:47, 0:28:52]: But looked at this at again a fair market value at two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. [0:28:52, 0:29:03]: No homestead on the property because again, not knowing the level of homesteading, I want to make sure we're doing a comparison of apples and apples. So no homestead on the property, no exemptions that's age or veterans. Um [0:29:05, 0:29:25]: What that would yield would be a um an increase of roughly$105.84 for the for that person's annual taxes. Again, obviously if you uh factor in things like homestead and and potential exemptions, that's gonna have a um a bit another [0:29:25, 0:29:30]: impact on that, but just trying to do a straight comparison and give everyone an idea of what that number can look like. [0:29:31, 0:29:51]: That's where it would be. Um the turn the current millage rate is 38.030. That's overall, that's including the school, which again, I just want to emphasize the school millage represents roughly 58 to 60 percent of the of the taxes that are paid. And that remainder um is [0:29:51, 0:29:54]: county county taxes that come in, county and water authority taxes. [0:29:55, 0:30:03]: Um if the city were to again forego the county police services that would eliminate the 1.824 mil. [0:30:04, 0:30:20]: That would add to 3.0 mil. And so the new millage rate in the city of Stockbridge would then be 39.206. And again, we estimate that would yield approximately an increase of$105.84. [0:30:21, 0:30:34]: So again, like I said, these were the first two pieces of information that I was asked to kind of look into and want to just kind of provide a just a high level overview of what those preliminary numbers look like. As I know there's been a lot of conversation amongst the mayor and council there. [0:30:35, 0:30:41]: So Mr Mr. Harris, that's$105.84 per household per year. Is that correct? [0:30:41, 0:30:58]: That's correct. Again, based on a home valued at 225,000 with no a with no homestead or no exemptions in place. So if the home was only 150,000, it would be less than$105, I would imagine. That's correct. Okay. Thank you very much. Uh questions, council. [0:30:59, 0:31:00]: Ms. Barber, go ahead. [0:31:01, 0:31:05]: I do. Thank you, Mr. Harris. Um so [0:31:06, 0:31:10]: This thirty-one point two oh six that includes [0:31:10, 0:31:12]: All of the taxes. [0:31:12, 0:31:14]: Including school [0:31:15, 0:31:21]: Um public safety and everything else that the county provides for us. Is that correct? Where did he go? [0:31:22, 0:31:26]: He's he's here. He's still here. Yeah, I'm right here. Yeah. Oh, okay. I see you now. You go anywhere. [0:31:27, 0:31:27]: Not now. So [0:31:28, 0:31:31]: I'm sorry, you're saying so your question is [0:31:31, 0:31:34]: The thirty one point one seven one milyen. [0:31:35, 0:31:37]: No, you said thirty-nine point two oh six. [0:31:38, 0:31:58]: 39.206 is simply the millage rate. That would be the new rate for the um for the for the county. Right now, and that that means that includes the 20 mills that comes from the school board, three plus mills for the school board, um, school bond, two mills from the water authority, and then your remainder amount. [0:31:58, 0:32:07]: from the uh for county services. Okay, one follow-up question. Yes. So we only want to um look at specifically [0:32:07, 0:32:10]: Вот виблік safety. [0:32:10, 0:32:19]: Correct. Can you once again tell me out of that 39.206, how much of that is for police services? [0:32:20, 0:32:28]: Well, the thirty-nine point two oh six would be the new rate should the council um decide to [0:32:29, 0:32:49]: Forego the county services, which would remove again what you're paying right now and what you played last year in police services equated to roughly$1.928 million. Okay. And that was based on the 1.824 millage rate. Should the county decide to forego the county services, [0:32:49, 0:32:51]: That one point eight two four would go away. [0:32:51, 0:32:57]: And it would subsequently be replaced by the three mils, which would generate again, approximately 3.1 million. [0:32:57, 0:33:00]: Gotcha. Thank you very much. You're welcome. [0:33:00, 0:33:02]: Okay, Miss Ken, go ahead, please. [0:33:02, 0:33:09]: Thank you. Um, Mr. Harris, uh you said that it's gonna be three mils, not three point five. Is that what you're estimating? [0:33:09, 0:33:19]: Yeah, that now's uh that's based on the number that was provided to me. And we could certainly run scenarios, different scenarios if you'd like, but this is the one that Mr. Wiggins provided for me at the time. So we just ran it based on that. [0:33:20, 0:33:29]: And if the three males, what does the city of McDonough, what is their millage rate for um fi for um public safety? [0:33:30, 0:33:35]: Um I don't know specifically for public safety. They don't so they so same thing, they don't have [0:33:35, 0:33:46]: They don't the 1.824 does not apply is not apply to City of McDonald residents be because they have their own police force. They do have so it'd be very similar. [0:33:46, 0:33:57]: This setup that you're proposing would be very similar to the setup in McDonough, where they do not have the 1.824, but they do have a city millage of roughly 3.6. [0:33:58, 0:34:00]: And that includes fire, correct? [0:34:00, 0:34:02]: Pardon? That includes fire. [0:34:02, 0:34:13]: Yeah, they also have their own fire services as well. So with a three with their millage rate, right at like a three point uh three point six, I was I thought ours is gonna be around three point five roughly. [0:34:14, 0:34:18]: Theirs includes fire and they had a rollback at 1.824. [0:34:19, 0:34:19]: Right. [0:34:20, 0:34:22]: Okay. And are you aware that [0:34:23, 0:34:25]: Um our financial advisor. [0:34:25, 0:34:34]: As well as our city manager and our treasurer had given us a financial statement. And I think they had in that statement, they talked about when they discussed with you. [0:34:34, 0:34:35]: That [0:34:36, 0:34:41]: They also stated we would have to do a three percent increase every year thereafter. [0:34:42, 0:34:57]: No, I hadn't heard that. Um I I'd read some of the reports in reference to the the report from the financial advisor, but I hadn't heard any any specifics in reference to um the long the on the ongoing implications of the cost, what the cost would be. [0:34:57, 0:35:05]: I think on June 7 at 2021 at 717 13 PM Eastern Standard Time. [0:35:05, 0:35:18]: Our um city manager did give us a financial projection about a state tax that we would I mean a city tax that we would have to have. And he also attached a financial document breaking down. So I I do want Mayor Council to be aware that. [0:35:19, 0:35:24]: Um the financial statement actually states that we will have a three percent increase every year. [0:35:24, 0:35:29]: And it also shows our fund balance going down by half in 2024. [0:35:30, 0:35:31]: So um [0:35:32, 0:35:35]: I appreciate you, Mr. Harris, for giving us that information. [0:35:35, 0:35:40]: I'm glad to see you by the way. Good to see y'all as well. Michelle. Yeah. Good to see you. [0:35:40, 0:35:41]: Um [0:35:41, 0:35:50]: And um thank you so much for updating us with that. Um I I really appreciate that. Um looking here at the 1.824 rollback. [0:35:51, 0:35:57]: And if that's the same, do does uh McDonna get a higher rollback than we do because they have fire? [0:35:58, 0:35:59]: Yeah. [0:36:00, 0:36:02]: I'd have to go back and look at uh exactly what the what [0:36:03, 0:36:03]: Yeah, yeah. [0:36:04, 0:36:05]: Because there's a [0:36:05, 0:36:09]: There's a separate agreement in place in reference to their fire because um [0:36:10, 0:36:25]: And I'm not sure how it's worked out between the county and the city. But again, we have some supplemental. Right. So there is a mill um associated for fire that the majority of the cities also have in place, which is 1.105, I believe it is. [0:36:25, 0:36:26]: Mm-hmm. [0:36:26, 0:36:32]: Um now again that would stay in place. So you'd have again, um last year we just we [0:36:32, 0:36:39]: The county opted to move forward with a break. They kind of took the the millage rate. The mill rate has not the county mill rate has not gone up. [0:36:40, 0:36:41]: But they simply [0:36:41, 0:36:51]: They simply broke it down to make it a little bit easier for people to understand and be able to see. So they broke down some select services, those being police at 1.824. [0:36:51, 0:37:05]: Um fire at 1.0 1.105, recreation at 0.685, and then um other county services for unincorporated areas at point three one three, I believe it is. [0:37:06, 0:37:24]: Thank you. So this financial projection that I got in June 3rd, 2021, and the other date that they sent the email, it actually states that I know you did yours off of three point three mils, but Mr. Knighton, as well as Ed Wall, our financial advisor, and rent um John Wiggins, our treasurer. [0:37:24, 0:37:44]: Actually states that the city's extra millage rate will be 3.5 mils. There will be a property tax will increase by 3% each year. Court revenues are projected at$750,000 per year. License and permits, charges for services to intergovernment and other revenues will remain constant and if [0:37:44, 0:38:04]: If no increases, fine and forfeitures will be restored prior to COVID, and interest earnings are low due to low interest rates, assumes the rates of investment of cash at 0.05%. And therefore, it goes on to show us from 2019 what our revenues. [0:38:04, 0:38:12]: Are and what our reserves are from our fund balance of 18 mil all the way down to 2027. [0:38:12, 0:38:14]: I mean twenty twenty four. [0:38:15, 0:38:16]: Of our loss. [0:38:17, 0:38:37]: profits there it looks like we would then have about in right now we have 20 well in 2018 we had about 26 months worth of reserves by 2024 we'll have um 11.4 and each year it goes down down down with the three percent increase every year so I [0:38:37, 0:38:41]: I I appreciate you giving us that tax information. [0:38:41, 0:38:48]: But this says 3.5 as well. And I'm sure that doesn't make a break us more than$20,$10 if that. [0:38:49, 0:38:53]: But I'm concerned about that three percent increase without our citizens having the input first. [0:38:54, 0:38:58]: All right, Ms. Thank you, Ms. Gamp. Appreciate that. Um Mr. Thomas, go ahead, please. [0:38:59, 0:39:08]: Thank you, Mayor. And uh Ms. Harris, I I thank you for coming and sharing this information. Um, I got a couple of questions, if I may. [0:39:09, 0:39:13]: Um the scenario that was just presented. [0:39:13, 0:39:15]: Uh it's based on [0:39:16, 0:39:19]: uh a po a police budget [0:39:19, 0:39:22]: A five point five mil. [0:39:23, 0:39:26]: a budget just for the um police department. [0:39:27, 0:39:30]: We control that. We control. [0:39:30, 0:39:31]: The budget. [0:39:31, 0:39:33]: for the police department. So [0:39:34, 0:39:38]: Uh would you say that is a a true fact and then therefore [0:39:38, 0:39:42]: The calculation is is a little different. Would you agree with that? [0:39:42, 0:39:44]: Well, what I'll say is [0:39:45, 0:39:56]: Again, typically jurisdictions, whether it's county or municipalities, they'll make a determination on what they what they want their mill rate to be based on their budget. First you establish your budget. [0:39:56, 0:39:57]: Um and then [0:39:58, 0:40:18]: working with you through your job digest, your mill rate will determine how much you need to generate and levy taxes in order to meet those budgetary um require budgetary needs. So typically your budget is established first and then from there you establish your mill rate to generate the the amount of um levy taxes in order to meet [0:40:18, 0:40:20]: meet meet your your expense needs. [0:40:20, 0:40:24]: And and and also the the number the [0:40:25, 0:40:25]: Uh [0:40:26, 0:40:29]: The the size of the police department. [0:40:29, 0:40:31]: Also um [0:40:31, 0:40:35]: determines um that calculation as well. Is that correct? [0:40:37, 0:40:45]: Yeah yeah, I mean as far as the specific and what goes into determining how you know the the the budget for the police station. [0:40:45, 0:40:46]: Um [0:40:46, 0:40:47]: Um [0:40:48, 0:40:57]: I'm not prepared to address that at all. I mean, I was just simply looking at it from a from a taxation standpoint. I you know, I think at the end of the day, and and my conversation with Mr. Wiggins were simply [0:40:57, 0:40:58]: Um [0:40:58, 0:41:04]: What number do you want to use as a as a plug for now? Again, this was a couple weeks ago. So if that number, if that proposed millage has changed. [0:41:04, 0:41:13]: Yeah, we could certainly go back and rerun the numbers, but it would typically be based on the establishment of the budget first and then you work and back your way into the um into your military. [0:41:14, 0:41:22]: Okay, I'm I'm gonna apologize for hypotheticals. That's okay. That's okay. Well, let me ask you this. Um [0:41:22, 0:41:25]: When it comes to um [0:41:25, 0:41:31]: seniors and exemption. So I know the figures that you just gave. [0:41:31, 0:41:34]: Did not include any exemptions. [0:41:34, 0:41:37]: So just from your [0:41:38, 0:41:40]: uh professional [0:41:40, 0:41:41]: Um [0:41:41, 0:41:45]: knowledge, if you will, about exemptions. [0:41:45, 0:41:47]: Would you say um [0:41:48, 0:41:50]: Мос о [0:41:51, 0:41:52]: Homeowners. [0:41:54, 0:41:55]: A mortgage on us. [0:41:55, 0:41:56]: There are some [0:41:57, 0:42:05]: exemption and and i'm i'm asking that to lead into for for the seniors and i know i i read also where [0:42:05, 0:42:08]: Uh seniors do have this exemption. [0:42:08, 0:42:10]: And and one fact being that [0:42:11, 0:42:12]: Um [0:42:12, 0:42:17]: They are excluded because uh they do not have. [0:42:17, 0:42:22]: uh school age children uh in in the system [0:42:22, 0:42:26]: So for the most part, uh I and I guess this is a question. [0:42:26, 0:42:28]: That without a doubt, uh, seniors. [0:42:29, 0:42:31]: We'll have some type of [0:42:32, 0:42:34]: of exemption and in in your opinion [0:42:35, 0:42:43]: Uh most property owners, or there's some type of exemption uh that goes along uh with with with their mortgage. [0:42:45, 0:43:05]: Yeah, for the majority of them. And we're always we're constantly working to make sure we get the word out to help educate our residents to make sure that they're realizing and utilizing all the available exemptions. The way the school board has it, it is there's a stepped approach where it begins at age 62, um, that exemption increases at 65. [0:43:05, 0:43:11]: five increases again at 68 and at age 70 they're no longer paying any any school taxes. [0:43:11, 0:43:13]: Now if the count if the city [0:43:14, 0:43:18]: In the it in the incorporation of their military also wants to include [0:43:19, 0:43:21]: And exemption, that would be a separate step. [0:43:21, 0:43:41]: Um that because you know those exemptions would apply to those to the school and the county taxes. Um if you want to do an exemption within this for the for specifically for the city tax, then that'd be have to be this determination made by the um by the city directly. But right now, those exemptions that are in play, those are in place for the um school. [0:43:41, 0:43:50]: school taxes and the um county taxes. So with the exception of veterans exception of veterans that that that can that also applies to the cities as well. [0:43:50, 0:43:55]: Okay, Mayor, last question. Yes, sir. So considering um [0:43:55, 0:43:59]: some type of exemption or some then [0:43:59, 0:44:01]: That calculation [0:44:01, 0:44:03]: changes and then I would imagine [0:44:03, 0:44:05]: Uh it decreases. [0:44:06, 0:44:07]: Is that correct? [0:44:08, 0:44:16]: Yeah, again, you know, incorporating exemptions is certainly going to have an impact on on individual on individual um tax bills. [0:44:17, 0:44:32]: The example I gave was again to try to run through every single scenario would be relatively almost impossible. So I want to just kind of give one word just kind of gave you know a higher case scenario where it's ex it's it's it's not taking any exemptions into okay into account. So [0:44:32, 0:44:33]: Um [0:44:34, 0:44:43]: Typically it would likely be, you know, your tax burden was like would be lightly slightly less because there are going to be some exemptions on your county and your and your um [0:44:44, 0:44:46]: and your school taxes, but that amount. [0:44:47, 0:44:52]: based on that difference from paying 1.82 mils to now paying three mils. [0:44:52, 0:45:03]: that would be fairly consistent at that one point oh one one point oh five because again there's not going to be any real exemptions applied to that for city taxes unless that's the city's choice. [0:45:03, 0:45:07]: With the exception of veterans, veterans apply across the board. [0:45:07, 0:45:13]: All right. Thank you, sir. Uh Mayor, I yield back. No problem. Thank you very much. Councilwoman Barber, you had your hand up next. [0:45:15, 0:45:24]: Wanted to ask um Mr. Harris. So as our tax base or our tax digests increase, um, we should expect that the [0:45:24, 0:45:28]: Millage rate or the amount that each home [0:45:28, 0:45:31]: Owner would be responsible for will decrease. [0:45:32, 0:45:33]: Based on [0:45:33, 0:45:40]: the estimate of a fair market value of a home with$225,000, correct? [0:45:41, 0:45:47]: Yeah, so I I can tell you what what's been happening over the last several years. Um [0:45:47, 0:45:50]: from a county's perspective while the [0:45:50, 0:45:53]: um values property values have increased. [0:45:54, 0:45:55]: Um [0:45:55, 0:45:58]: The tax rate has remained the same. [0:45:59, 0:46:07]: You know, the determination of how taxes are are calculated is simply the value or assessed value, which is forty percent of the fair market value. [0:46:07, 0:46:08]: Times that rate. [0:46:09, 0:46:11]: So with the rate remaining fixed. [0:46:11, 0:46:18]: The only reason why people have seen an increase in their tax bills because obviously the the value has gone up and increased. So you can [0:46:20, 0:46:40]: You can continue but so you can continue to, you know, as your as your value goes up, if that amount you want to re continue to keep that same tax rate, you certainly can and roll back that that that additional that it would generate. Um, and say, you know, you're not going to imply that and impose that and keep it at that same or roll back your. [0:46:40, 0:46:53]: your your millage rate, um again, that'd be the determination that the that the that the city can make. Okay. One follow-up question. So as more residents um come into the city. [0:46:53, 0:47:03]: Um what should they ex well, what should we expect as far as our millage rate? Um would that decrease? [0:47:04, 0:47:10]: based on the number of resident or number of homeowners and the values of their home. [0:47:11, 0:47:16]: Yes. So what it's tied to is your your digest, which which [0:47:16, 0:47:26]: speaks to um you know the value of all the property there in stockbridge. So as that value increases based on more people moving in. [0:47:27, 0:47:31]: The higher the value, if you want to keep one fixed number. [0:47:31, 0:47:51]: Okay. If that value increases, you you have the option of being able to reduce that rate in order to stay at that one fixed number. Or you keep the rate the same as your value increases, what it generates increases as well. So you can adjust that again. That's the millage rate itself is can be determined and set by the governing body. [0:47:51, 0:47:56]: In this case the city of Stockbridge. I guess what I'm asking about is the more [0:47:57, 0:47:57]: Um [0:47:59, 0:48:04]: The more businesses and more residents that enter into the city. [0:48:05, 0:48:09]: then our taxes or the millage rate should [0:48:09, 0:48:10]: decrease [0:48:11, 0:48:12]: Because you have a larger [0:48:13, 0:48:17]: Um, population of residents and businesses who are sharing in the cost. [0:48:18, 0:48:19]: Oh [0:48:20, 0:48:22]: The taxes. Correct. [0:48:23, 0:48:24]: That's correct. Like I said. [0:48:25, 0:48:29]: The more businesses and the more homes that come into a jurisdiction. [0:48:30, 0:48:36]: the greater the value of the property is in that jurisdiction. So your your digest increases. [0:48:36, 0:48:45]: Okay. If you have a fixed number of well, we need this from again, like I said, you start with your budget number. If you're if that budget number remains fixed, [0:48:45, 0:49:05]: then then perhaps you can roll back because your value is going to be your value is going to be increased. So if your rate stays the same and your value increases, the amount of taxes levied will increase. If your value increases and you want to stay at that fixed number, then yes, you can adjust [0:49:05, 0:49:10]: Thus you can reduce your rate that remain at that same fixed number. That's an option. [0:49:12, 0:49:13]: Thank you. [0:49:13, 0:49:15]: Councilman Blount, go ahead, please. [0:49:17, 0:49:19]: Thank you, Mayor. Um [0:49:19, 0:49:28]: Let me first of all before I uh Mr. Mr. Harris, thanks for coming. First of all, my pleasure. Just let me say this. Um the conversation being had now. [0:49:29, 0:49:31]: By the elective body should have been had. [0:49:31, 0:49:34]: uh months ago prior to getting to this point. [0:49:35, 0:49:38]: Let me let me just put something that are facts in place. [0:49:39, 0:49:49]: When you talk about an increase in our budget for a police department sustainability around one five point eight uh five five point eight million dollars, that's on the feasibility study. [0:49:50, 0:49:53]: When you look at now our financial advisor has already told us. [0:49:54, 0:49:57]: We're looking at one point something mil a million dollars. [0:49:57, 0:50:04]: on the twenty-five million dollars that's already been bonded. So you're already now over six, almost seven million dollars. [0:50:05, 0:50:09]: And when we talk about the decreases from the increases on projects. [0:50:10, 0:50:12]: We're not even calculating that. [0:50:13, 0:50:18]: We' we're we're talking millist rate and then we gotta talk about our budget. [0:50:19, 0:50:31]: How do you surplus a budget? Because you just told us it would bring in about$3 million. Now we're almost at seven. So the millage rate we're talking about now won't even cover the excess on that. [0:50:32, 0:50:52]: Let's get that clear. Now let's talk about services. Because we get a rollback from the county, that doesn't mean we still don't have to put in a service delivery SDS agreement with the county for extra service. We don't have a jail nor any detention centers or any other extra services that police provide. So there still has to be an agreement in place. [0:50:52, 0:51:01]: So services may not be taxed with a role because we get a rollback, but those increases in our budget would have to be put in place to pay for those services. [0:51:01, 0:51:07]: We're talking we're talking millions beyond taxes that's gonna decrease our budget. [0:51:08, 0:51:28]: Not so much see, we're getting so fixated on how much the tax is going to be because the tax rate that we're talking about is not going to cover the increase in the budget that's been put in place. And so when we talk about that three mil, that's not going to cover seven point or seven to eight million dollar increase in the budget. It's not going [0:51:28, 0:51:46]: Going to do that. And so when we sit here as elected, that's the elected body and we keep talking about this three million. Anytime you increase in houses, you increase in services. Anytime you increase in services, you decrease in budget, unless you have those bins that come in. [0:51:47, 0:51:51]: But the the bottom line, we're not just talking about taxes. [0:51:52, 0:52:12]: We have to talk about the increased budget. What are we going to do to cover that budget? And that has yet to be discussed. So we can talk apples and apples and uh apples, but we're talking oranges when it comes to the whole budget. We do not have a plan in place as a city of Stockbridge to cover$8 million increase in our budget. [0:52:12, 0:52:13]: That's a fact. [0:52:15, 0:52:17]: All right, uh Mayor Pro Tem, go ahead, please. [0:52:17, 0:52:21]: Uh let's let's see. This is what happens when you [0:52:21, 0:52:24]: Go through these hypothetical situations. [0:52:25, 0:52:35]: The real fact of the matter is nobody is going to know what a potential tax would be until the shief sits down and puts pencil to paper. [0:52:35, 0:52:38]: And tells us what the department is gonna look like. [0:52:39, 0:52:50]: How many officers is he going to require? And the total package. The exact reason that we hired the police chief was so he could come out and he could put the police department plan together. [0:52:51, 0:52:54]: The feasibility study was put together by [0:52:54, 0:52:56]: People who do numbers for a living. [0:52:57, 0:52:59]: Accountants and and such. [0:53:00, 0:53:04]: What really happens is now the police professionals get involved. [0:53:05, 0:53:06]: And they sit down. [0:53:07, 0:53:09]: In partnership with the community. [0:53:09, 0:53:19]: Because nothing's going to be planned until the chief goes out and talked to the public and says, what type of police force do you want to see? [0:53:19, 0:53:21]: In combination with him. [0:53:21, 0:53:23]: And the citizens review board. [0:53:24, 0:53:37]: We will get together. The chief will put a plan together. He will bring it back to the city council. Once he's brought it back to all of us, we've agreed upon the plan. Then it will be time to move forward to look back, look at the entire plan. [0:53:38, 0:53:40]: And see what the dollar amount is going to be. [0:53:41, 0:53:42]: Up until that point. [0:53:42, 0:53:43]: I can throw out. [0:53:43, 0:53:48]: You know, it's just like algebra. I could th I can make x equal anything that I want to. [0:53:49, 0:53:56]: until I have concrete tangible numbers to assign to those values. [0:53:56, 0:54:10]: It's it uh it could go either way. But in the end, no nobody's sitting up here. We just have projections. Nobody can tell you whether there's going to be a city tax. Hampton has a police department without a city tax. [0:54:11, 0:54:11]: Right. [0:54:11, 0:54:12]: Hmm. [0:54:12, 0:54:15]: Locus Grove has a police department without a city tax, right? [0:54:16, 0:54:31]: But until the numbers are finite, we understand what they are, and then actual operations will tell you, uh, and then those numbers will be fine, fine-tuned even more once our actual operations start. [0:54:32, 0:54:37]: But until that point, all of these hypotheticals can go east, west, north, and south. [0:54:38, 0:54:45]: But the real fact of the matter is nobody here can sit here and tell you definitively what's going to happen. [0:54:45, 0:54:48]: But in the end, it is our job. [0:54:48, 0:54:57]: To be able to come in to make the decision when the city has a nearly$16 million fund balance. [0:54:58, 0:55:00]: Mr. Wiggins verified that two days ago. [0:55:01, 0:55:05]: We just received we're gonna receive nine million dollars from the Biden. [0:55:05, 0:55:16]: uh administration program, uh the ARPA funds, the American Rescue Fund. The city has never been in a better financial pl place than it is right now. [0:55:17, 0:55:18]: We know that Congress is debating. [0:55:19, 0:55:20]: The infrastructure bill. [0:55:21, 0:55:23]: We could get eight to ten million dollars more. [0:55:24, 0:55:36]: And and yes, the funds for the ARP are restricted, but they're restricted right down the lane. It's a home run. Why? Because what does the city need more than anything? Infrastructure. [0:55:37, 0:55:41]: So the infrastructure costs are covered for the city. [0:55:41, 0:55:52]: Also, we we are in the middle of a pandemic, right? What can these funds be used for? We have a shortfall or whatever. We have pandemic funds to make that up. [0:55:52, 0:55:55]: But as our treasurer will tell you [0:55:55, 0:56:00]: And the tax commissioner will tell you, and Mr. Harris can answer after I finish speaking. [0:56:00, 0:56:02]: Revenu is surging. [0:56:03, 0:56:06]: It's at a all time high for Henry Cow. [0:56:06, 0:56:15]: We did not lose any money during the pandemic because what happened was all of those residents that were exiting our community to work. [0:56:15, 0:56:18]: Now they stay here on a daily basis and they work from home. [0:56:19, 0:56:23]: So we're seeing revit lost revenue surge in the community. [0:56:23, 0:56:27]: to make up the difference to to to take us to another level. [0:56:27, 0:56:34]: So in essence, we have a sixteen nearly sixteen million dollar fund balance. Revenue is growing. [0:56:35, 0:56:36]: On a monthly basis. [0:56:37, 0:56:48]: As SPLOSS revenue is growing, right? Okay. If the T-Splos passes, which I pray it certainly does, 30 million more dollars will be coming to the city coffers. [0:56:48, 0:56:49]: Restrictive funds again. [0:56:50, 0:57:02]: But there's no better time to do the what we're doing, to do what we're doing right now, because the city's financial structure is sound in every situation that it possibly can be. [0:57:02, 0:57:05]: And I will close by simply saying [0:57:05, 0:57:08]: You know, the answer to the question is the homeowners. [0:57:09, 0:57:09]: Okay. [0:57:10, 0:57:20]: Is that we are have embarked upon building the amphitheater and rebuilding the downtown and economic development so we can do what Cog County has done. [0:57:20, 0:57:22]: Winnett County and Fulton County. [0:57:22, 0:57:25]: They have businesses carrying the weight. [0:57:25, 0:57:29]: Henry County has homeowners carrying the weight. [0:57:29, 0:57:34]: As more industry and more high paying quality jobs come here. [0:57:35, 0:57:55]: The tax burden on the property owners will decrease. That's what will happen. And that that's why Cobb County, Fulton County, they have lower tax rates than we do, uh, because they have so much industry. And when you have industry, the property owners aren't soaked. And it's unfortunate. [0:57:55, 0:58:00]: But that's the reality of what we have in Henry County because of the lack of industry. [0:58:00, 0:58:04]: But every day each member of this Marin Council goes out. [0:58:04, 0:58:10]: to be able to increase economic development and with three thousand people. [0:58:10, 0:58:11]: Yeah. [0:58:11, 0:58:14]: Downtown Stockbridge on a regular basis for the amphitheater. [0:58:15, 0:58:21]: We did that. And we will continue to do that with the Cultural Arts Center and every business that we bring here. [0:58:22, 0:58:26]: Stand by a second, please. Mr. Harris, did you need to respond to any of that at this time? [0:58:26, 0:58:31]: The ta I want them to respond to the tax revenue and how it has increased. [0:58:32, 0:58:52]: Well, I I will say, you know, much like we saw at the state level, I think a lot of local jurisdictions are also seeing increases. Uh, you know, our our collection rates have been, you know, ninety-eight, ninety-nine percent over the last couple of years. Um, so we are seeing an uptick in the amount uh spending has, I mean, from um from sales tax revenues and things of that nature. [0:58:52, 0:59:12]: So much like we've seen at the state level, a lot of local jurisdictions are seeing that same kind of that same kind of um influx and and um increase in in um taxes levied over the course over the course of the last year and a half, two years. You know, some of those are certainly on the um state level is attributed to [0:59:12, 0:59:32]: they've um they were able to pick up on more. They incorporated a uh a mechanism for online taxation here within the state. And that went in that went into effect about a year and a half ago. So that was part of it. But I think across the board and talk to my my peers throughout the throughout the state, I think we're all seeing some of the [0:59:32, 0:59:35]: the same similar trends that we're seeing on a statewide basis. [0:59:37, 0:59:40]: Okay, thank you, sir. Mr Ms Gantt, uh your second time, please. Go ahead. [0:59:41, 0:59:54]: Thank you, Mayor. Sorry, point of order. Point of order. Point of order. Point of order. This is not the second time. This is like the third or fourth time. I believe I only had this only second time, as well I understand. Go ahead, Ms. Kent. [0:59:54, 0:59:56]: Thank you, Mayor. Um [0:59:58, 1:00:03]: As I heard all the the the pros and the cons or or everyone's statement. [1:00:03, 1:00:10]: Um I looked at the police report, the updated one from 2019 that we received in 2020. [1:00:11, 1:00:12]: And [1:00:13, 1:00:15]: The first statement was from [1:00:15, 1:00:17]: Uh councilman Alexander. [1:00:18, 1:00:31]: Who mentioned that this report was just done by some researchers and accountants, and that's not true. Some of the numbers and some of the report were done by officers of public safety as well as experts in PhD. [1:00:31, 1:00:43]: uh with the Carl Benson Institute as well as with Henry County Police Department that provided the numbers and their equipment totals and whatnot. They also looked at all of the cities. [1:00:43, 1:00:49]: um comparing them from McDonough and other cities that are are within our volume. [1:00:50, 1:01:05]: And again, one of the issues of concern was, and their summary, they actually stated that maybe we should, based off of these financials and the benefit, whether or not the benefit outweighs the burden. [1:01:05, 1:01:10]: speak more with the county and work out something because it makes sense. [1:01:10, 1:01:11]: Two [1:01:12, 1:01:14]: do it the way we've been doing it. [1:01:14, 1:01:34]: You can find it on page three or page 30 on the summary. On page 25, it kind of refers to some of the information and data it received some from some of the police officers. And so that takes care of that. It's not just accountants. Um the accountants did a financial report in June, and I believe received the email also in July. And if anybody wants that, [1:01:34, 1:01:36]: I'll make sure I get those dates for you. [1:01:36, 1:01:41]: The next thing is Hampton and Locust Grove have utilities. We don't. [1:01:42, 1:01:44]: Um and [1:01:44, 1:01:58]: The statement that Mr. Knight made on the email that I suggested earlier states that it is pretty much inevitable that we would have to have a tax. Now, right now that tax is only for the police department. [1:01:59, 1:02:19]: However, let me remind my colleagues that although we bonded out$25 million, we established 14 mil for our art center. And that's not going to cover the remaining four mil after we increase the size of the art center and the way we want it to. [1:02:19, 1:02:39]: appear. So that's an additional four. We don't limit, we don't have a cap or we can well, I don't know if we could put in there that we would limit this only to police services. But we are right now you can't hold one council hostage from another. So that cancels that. [1:02:39, 1:02:41]: We also talked. [1:02:42, 1:02:43]: Um [1:02:43, 1:03:03]: The um councilwoman barber made a good point. What if we annex in? Well, what if we put what if more people moved here? And the truth is the feasibility study gave us steps as well as I would ask all of my council members, and I can send you documentation like how to start a police department 101 that I've read recently. [1:03:03, 1:03:23]: From a cops organization that says that we first that in this study, it states we first should annex in. We have some jurisdictional line issues that may not benefit us. It will actually possibly cause a more of a delay because our boundaries are so messed up that the Henry County Police Department. [1:03:23, 1:03:31]: Or the city of Stockbridge Police Department will be confused as to where our jurisdictional lines are. So that may cause a delay. [1:03:31, 1:03:35]: I agree with Councilman Blount that we should have had these discussions before. [1:03:35, 1:03:55]: And I also think we should have had these discussions with our constituents. I think that we should have put this on the ballot for them. And I I I've heard, you know, this doesn't happen on startups, but I've also done that people just go out and they don't ask their citizens whether or not they want to be taxed. [1:03:55, 1:04:07]: Um, but I've heard different. Those startups came with new cities and they were on referendum ballots. So feel free to go look up any information that I have given you tonight. [1:04:08, 1:04:20]: Um, I plan on having a live myself documenting each and everything. Don't mind doing that. Don't mind giving you the dates and times of those documents. I've already printed them just in case they get ghost. [1:04:20, 1:04:33]: So if you don't have any mom, um I'm what I'm saying is, who is it to say that right now it says our estimate is a 3% increase each and every year? We've done this totally backwards. [1:04:34, 1:04:40]: totally backwards. We didn't follow the feasibility study that we paid for. [1:04:40, 1:04:43]: and hired experts, neither none of us, not one of us. [1:04:44, 1:05:03]: Unless one of you can tell me, have been a first responder besides Mr. Mayor Ford here, who was in the military. No one has been a first responder to the point where they know the logistics of how to start up a police department. So I relied on the experts that we paid. [1:05:04, 1:05:07]: We've done this totally backwards. [1:05:07, 1:05:08]: And [1:05:09, 1:05:12]: I hope that the citizens realize what we've done. [1:05:13, 1:05:16]: And I plan on continuing to let that be known. [1:05:17, 1:05:17]: Thank you. [1:05:18, 1:05:21]: Thank you. Mr. Blonde, go ahead. Mr. Blonde, go ahead, please. [1:05:23, 1:05:24]: Thank you, Mayor. [1:05:25, 1:05:28]: Uh, you know, when we talking to the citizens. [1:05:29, 1:05:33]: You know, when our organizational chart, the citizens come first and then the elect the body. [1:05:35, 1:05:41]: And I can say right now to the citizens, and Mr. Harris, if you bear with me, and I'm gonna get with with you one second. [1:05:42, 1:05:48]: You know, I learned about this our thriving to go toward the police department just as well as Councilwoman Gantt. [1:05:49, 1:05:51]: When there was amendment to the agenda. [1:05:51, 1:05:52]: To add three million dollars. [1:05:54, 1:06:01]: There was no discussion with this council, with our financial advisor, on how strategically we would or methodically we would move to start this police department. [1:06:02, 1:06:05]: It was put in place, and as you s right now. [1:06:06, 1:06:07]: Is this council? [1:06:08, 1:06:11]: moving because anytime we tell you about anybody we hire. [1:06:12, 1:06:14]: Financial advisor, city manager. [1:06:15, 1:06:19]: Our finance director that doesn't matter, those are hypotheticals. [1:06:20, 1:06:23]: Let's just continue to move forward on the council's agenda. [1:06:23, 1:06:25]: That's not what we was elected for. [1:06:26, 1:06:33]: One of the things one of the things that why we see this such a spike right now in our economy, and you correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Harris. [1:06:35, 1:06:39]: During twenty twenty that was there was still there was substantial spending. [1:06:40, 1:06:56]: But there was an increased spike because of the trillions that was put in our budget by the federal government. This is why you find over a hundred ships off the coast of LA and you got over 80,000 uh containers sitting in Savannah right now. [1:06:57, 1:07:02]: Because the country was not ready for that spike because of the money that was put into the government. [1:07:02, 1:07:04]: That don't last always. [1:07:05, 1:07:10]: So we can't sit here with that hypothetical believing that that's gonna last always. [1:07:11, 1:07:21]: So when you talk about goods and you talk about uh hardships and you talk about this pandemic, we're all talking hypotheticals. This is why you do a feasibility study. [1:07:22, 1:07:27]: And a feasibility study is what we have to go by to move forward. This council has to go by. [1:07:27, 1:07:33]: Other than that, why pay the taxpayers money to do it? We just allow three council members to tell us what we're gonna do. [1:07:34, 1:07:37]: And that's where we are. But Mr. Harris [1:07:38, 1:07:39]: My understanding [1:07:40, 1:07:42]: Із the spike in this economy. [1:07:42, 1:07:44]: Came through the [1:07:44, 1:07:49]: um trillion I think it was two point whatever trillion that came in to the government. [1:07:49, 1:07:53]: And that's in the in the dick keep keep an increase. [1:07:53, 1:08:00]: But this is why the economy, the the the uh everybody wasn't ready for that spike. That's why the shells are empty. It's not that the goods aren't there. [1:08:01, 1:08:17]: Is that they there's nobody to to to move those goods. You got over 80,000 containers sitting in Savannah and over a hundred ships sitting out sea in in LA. But none of this can say, none of us can sit here and say this is sustainable. [1:08:17, 1:08:21]: is what's coming in is an increase in our uh local option sale tax. [1:08:24, 1:08:30]: Um mayor and councilman, I I was trying to say I'm I'm certainly not an economist by by any stretch, but [1:08:30, 1:08:32]: Um I would I would certainly [1:08:33, 1:08:45]: weighed in to say that certainly that influx of of funding coming in certainly has had an impact not just not just in Henry County, not just in the state of Georgia, but you're right, nationwide. [1:08:45, 1:09:00]: And then but beyond that, I mean, like I said, I'm not an economist. So as far as what that looks like in projections, that's that's not that's not I'm I'm not I'm not skilled to be able to to provide that information. But yeah, certainly I think common sense would dictate that that had an impact, certainly. [1:09:00, 1:09:03]: But just to follow up on what I was thinking, Mr. Harris. [1:09:03, 1:09:05]: The la the last thing. [1:09:05, 1:09:06]: You know [1:09:08, 1:09:12]: What this council is doing, I'm vested in the city of Stockbridge. [1:09:12, 1:09:14]: My home is here. [1:09:14, 1:09:15]: And I'm besting. [1:09:16, 1:09:22]: We've got no citizens involved in this process. That's what I'm hearing each and every day with phone calls. [1:09:22, 1:09:25]: citizens that don't know all this council had to do [1:09:26, 1:09:30]: is vote to send out a send out a mailer to tell the citizens the direction we're going in. [1:09:32, 1:09:33]: That's all they had to do, but they didn't do it. [1:09:34, 1:09:37]: Because you came over here and amended the agenda. [1:09:37, 1:09:39]: to increase three million dollars. [1:09:39, 1:09:43]: We can we cannot continue to play politics with the taxpayers' money. [1:09:44, 1:09:45]: That's my final thing. [1:09:46, 1:09:50]: Uh Councilman Thomas, go ahead, please. Thank you. Um [1:09:52, 1:09:55]: I have read the feasibility study. [1:09:55, 1:09:57]: I've read a number of documents. [1:09:58, 1:09:59]: Um [1:09:59, 1:10:01]: Discussing how you [1:10:02, 1:10:05]: uh develop a police department. [1:10:05, 1:10:06]: Um [1:10:07, 1:10:11]: These are documents that are out there, but they are not the the holy grail. [1:10:12, 1:10:14]: Uh even in the feasibility study. [1:10:15, 1:10:17]: There are pros and cons. [1:10:17, 1:10:18]: Uh to that. [1:10:19, 1:10:22]: And they talk about uh many of the advantages. [1:10:23, 1:10:25]: That the city will have [1:10:25, 1:10:28]: in in going forward and and forming those. [1:10:29, 1:10:29]: But [1:10:29, 1:10:32]: Feasibility studies and and documents. [1:10:33, 1:10:36]: They are nothing more than twos. [1:10:37, 1:10:38]: And framework. [1:10:39, 1:10:55]: to give you how you start up or how do you build something. It it's anything that you build, uh it's it's a framework, it's a tool. How? It doesn't tell you not to, it just tells you how to. [1:10:55, 1:10:56]: Uh that's number one. [1:10:57, 1:11:01]: I I'm going to agree with the mayor pro tem and and and I and those were [1:11:01, 1:11:04]: Uh great facts and opportunities that he spoke of. [1:11:05, 1:11:07]: And and when we look at these um [1:11:08, 1:11:15]: Federal dollars, and this is the thing that that I saw as well that we subsidize. [1:11:15, 1:11:17]: Да викан субсидіз. [1:11:18, 1:11:20]: Many of the [1:11:20, 1:11:40]: uh budgetary items that we normally would have to pay for. And that's the advantage that we have in just analyzing and looking at the the influx of finances that coming in. Because just just one um notion that we we identify with that uh these rescue [1:11:40, 1:11:55]: funds can be used up to once you establish your police department, they could be used up to 2024. And so all your infrastructure needs, that takes that weight off of your budget. [1:11:55, 1:11:56]: And let me just say this. [1:11:57, 1:12:02]: That's why we have budget hearings. That's why we just had recently uh a budget workshop. [1:12:03, 1:12:08]: We control the budget as long as it is balanced and it and everybody know. [1:12:08, 1:12:10]: That there's always things that [1:12:11, 1:12:12]: You don't have to have. [1:12:12, 1:12:15]: It's just like a Christmas wish list. [1:12:15, 1:12:25]: Your kids won't want everything, but that doesn't mean they're gonna get everything. So I'm just saying that we we have control. We control the budget. [1:12:25, 1:12:30]: uh we cut the waste where there's waste but let me just say this overall [1:12:30, 1:12:32]: I I still don't see a reason to wait. [1:12:33, 1:12:35]: Um we were elected. [1:12:35, 1:12:41]: uh to lead and I've also talked to a number a number of citizens. [1:12:42, 1:12:43]: And [1:12:43, 1:12:46]: I've heard some that have some some questions. [1:12:46, 1:12:48]: Um but overwhelmingly. [1:12:49, 1:12:49]: Um [1:12:49, 1:12:51]: Citizens say yes. [1:12:52, 1:12:58]: We need public safety. We need uh neighborhood patrol. Business owners say yes, we need that. So [1:12:59, 1:13:01]: I'm I'm just saying, um [1:13:02, 1:13:05]: We have to plan today for tomorrow, I think. [1:13:05, 1:13:06]: We have made a start. [1:13:07, 1:13:08]: Um, we determine [1:13:09, 1:13:11]: How fast? How slow? [1:13:11, 1:13:12]: And where? [1:13:12, 1:13:30]: But I I think and I and I support uh this stand uh where we are actually going. And I think this is a tremendous start, and we have to start somewhere in order to plan for tomorrow. I and I still I still have not heard of any legitimate reason why why to wait, because in my mind, [1:13:31, 1:13:32]: The path forward is very clear. [1:13:33, 1:13:38]: So Mayor, I'm going to end with that. And I know, Mary, I know you you want to try to move this agenda along, but [1:13:39, 1:13:43]: Uh, I'm still excited about the path forward, and it's still clear to me. [1:13:44, 1:13:47]: Um that that vision and that that pass forward. [1:13:47, 1:13:55]: Thank you. And Mr. Harris, I just want to thank you again for coming and sharing that information. And it was information that. [1:13:55, 1:14:09]: Uh we had already uh digested because I know that uh Mr. Wiggins uh and Mr. Knight have talked to you on on a number of occasions and I've had these discussions with Mr. Wiggins and Mr. Knight. And uh so this is just [1:14:10, 1:14:20]: We're just asking you tonight. These discussions have been going on for a while. I know I've asked and I'm satisfied with the answer that I received back. So thank you again, Ms. Harris. [1:14:20, 1:14:27]: Maybe council members want you to know that when Mr. Alexander speaks, that'll be two times from everybody. [1:14:27, 1:14:28]: On en tire council. [1:14:28, 1:14:30]: So and then uh we're gonna move on. [1:14:30, 1:14:32]: No go ahead, my protein. [1:14:32, 1:14:34]: Thank you, sir, for keeping count. [1:14:34, 1:14:38]: Uh we uh this is what I want to close on saying but generally. [1:14:38, 1:14:40]: We had a town hall in December. [1:14:41, 1:14:44]: Everybody was available that town hall was open to everybody. [1:14:46, 1:14:47]: The the mayor. [1:14:48, 1:14:49]: Castlevan Blount. [1:14:49, 1:14:50]: Councilman top uh [1:14:50, 1:14:51]: Uh [1:14:51, 1:14:56]: Councilwoman Blount, Councilman Blount, Councilwoman Gantt, everybody was on that town hall. [1:14:57, 1:14:59]: The potential of a city tax was mentioned then. [1:15:01, 1:15:02]: We had a town hall. [1:15:03, 1:15:05]: I was on the town in my town hall. [1:15:06, 1:15:07]: That was open to the public. [1:15:07, 1:15:13]: The city manager gave a full detail how the city how the plan was gonna be rolled out. [1:15:13, 1:15:14]: That was in April. [1:15:14, 1:15:26]: He gave a slide presentation on the plan. He didn't just talk about it. He had a side slide presentation, told the public we were looking for a police chief, getting ready to hire a police chief. [1:15:26, 1:15:46]: And guess how how many other conversations have we had just like this at every single meeting? We've had one of these conversations, almost every single meeting. So the message not being out is just ludicrous because we talk about it just like we're talking about it right now. [1:15:46, 1:15:50]: All the time, regularly, at almost every meeting. [1:15:51, 1:15:56]: mister Blount says the same thing, tax, tax, tax. Miss Gantt says the same thing. Tax, tax, tax. [1:15:56, 1:15:59]: We've had all the figures at our budget retreat. [1:16:00, 1:16:12]: We are having the chief that we hired to come on, but one thing was missed in this entire discussion. Henry County says, get your own police force for the last six to eight years. [1:16:12, 1:16:16]: They've been beating on a drum saying, get your own police force. [1:16:17, 1:16:30]: Over and over again. Just look at all of them meetings over and over again. They tried to end our police service in 2015 altogether, but the law wouldn't allow them to do it. So they gave us. [1:16:30, 1:16:32]: A halfway situation. [1:16:33, 1:16:34]: You know what? [1:16:35, 1:16:37]: I was at the swearing end of Chief Tremor. [1:16:39, 1:16:44]: Councilman Blount and Councilwoman Gantt didn't even bother to show up. But I know who did show up. [1:16:45, 1:16:48]: Chairwoman Colotta Horrell showed up. [1:16:49, 1:16:52]: Henry County Chief of Police Ammerman showed up. [1:16:53, 1:16:55]: Deputy Chief Ireland showed up. [1:16:57, 1:17:00]: I know that Henry County is in support. [1:17:00, 1:17:12]: of the fact that the city of Stockbridge is starting their own police department because they like the fact that McDonough has a police department. They like the fact that Locust Grove and Hampton have police departments. [1:17:12, 1:17:13]: And they have said it. [1:17:14, 1:17:26]: Too many times to count. Get your own police department stock bridge. Carry your own weight. We spent ten years trying to negotiate a deal. [1:17:27, 1:17:29]: Да газ а мільян дорз. [1:17:29, 1:17:49]: In rent in fine and forfeiture revenue going to the state instead of coming to the city. A million dollars in so when somebody gets a ticket in the city of Stockbridge, you know how much we collect? Zero, none, because the money doesn't come to us, because the county has been diverting it for years. So in the [1:17:49, 1:17:55]: last six wheel years we lost five or six million dollars in revenue that didn't come to the city. [1:17:56, 1:17:58]: But I'm gonna close by saying this. [1:17:58, 1:18:04]: If you don't if you don't understand that Henry County wasn't interested in negotiating with us. [1:18:05, 1:18:06]: Ask the chairwoman. [1:18:07, 1:18:08]: Ask your commissioners. [1:18:09, 1:18:22]: And verbatum, every last one of them will say Stockbridge needs their own police department. They support this decision. They want us to get off of them so they can defend the rest of the unincorporated area. [1:18:23, 1:18:33]: And again, if you had been at the swearing in of the chief, you could have talked to the chairwoman. She was glowing, smiling ear to ear, saying, yo, Stockbridge, it's time. [1:18:34, 1:18:39]: The Henry County supports us having our own police department and we're moving forward. Thank you. [1:18:40, 1:18:48]: Okay, ladies and gentlemen, uh Chief Frank Tramor. Sir, you're online. Uh all this discussion surrounding your department, your task. [1:18:49, 1:18:55]: I just want to offer you the opportunity to speak at this point if you want anything any comments or anything that you need to feel you need to say. [1:18:56, 1:18:57]: The floor is yours, sir, if you want it. [1:19:00, 1:19:08]: Well thank you, Mayor, and I apologize. I'm not able to look at you directly. I'm sitting in a line of traffic here just south of the city now. I actually headed back uh back home. [1:19:08, 1:19:17]: But um I I just wanna say I certainly understand the uh the concerns and I think that there are a lot of uh valid points on both ends that have been made. But what I do look forward to [1:19:18, 1:19:24]: is working together with everybody to actually outline a plan. And I know that there may um [1:19:25, 1:19:36]: Th there's still some some conversations. There's still some discussions. There's still some decisions that need to be made and certainly uh council and members of our community need to be involved in those conversations and discussions. [1:19:37, 1:19:55]: And a lot of things as it relates to budget uh is uh uh surrounding a police department is gonna be contingent upon the desired level and scope of service that the citizens want and um uh desire from their police department. So a lot of these things still um are uh estimates that are hypotheticals. [1:19:55, 1:19:59]: And um I certainly think that that when we have the opportunity to get everybody to [1:20:05, 1:20:10]: All right, sir. Yeah, I uh looks like you've frozen and a number of these uh these concerns. [1:20:14, 1:20:19]: Okay, Chief, you must be going through a uh some type of area there. We you're going in and out, sir. [1:20:25, 1:20:26]: Can you hear me now? [1:20:26, 1:20:27]: Now now I can hear you too. [1:20:28, 1:20:30]: Okay, very well. [1:20:31, 1:20:32]: Um [1:20:33, 1:20:36]: Work of [1:20:36, 1:20:45]: Summary of the scarlet they desire will be able to uh say more uh conclusively, more concretely. [1:20:45, 1:20:53]: uh what it's going to take in order to accomplish that objective. And I certainly do want the community's input in terms of [1:20:54, 1:20:55]: Uh what they want to see. [1:20:59, 1:21:00]: Department. [1:21:00, 1:21:02]: Based on that [1:21:02, 1:21:07]: I think that will largely determine move forward in uh in terms of uh budget to provide that level of service. [1:21:11, 1:21:13]: All right, we lost you again, Chief. You're going in and out. [1:21:14, 1:21:14]: Okay. [1:21:19, 1:21:19]: Okay, I [1:21:20, 1:21:22]: I know. Apologize. Can you hear me? [1:21:22, 1:21:24]: Here yeah, hear you now again. [1:21:26, 1:21:32]: Okay, okay. I'm so sorry for the technical difficulties. Where did you pick up on any of that? [1:21:32, 1:21:36]: Well, it about the last minute or so it's been in and out. Yeah. [1:21:36, 1:21:40]: We can maybe pull back uh about a minute and then repeat it again or maybe we'll catch it all. [1:21:41, 1:21:43]: And if hopefully that'll work. If not, we'll have to move on. [1:21:46, 1:22:01]: Okay, very well. So what I wanna say is that yeah, there's still a lot of things that have to be determined as it relates to implementation of the department and what that looks at community and uh we we want our elected body to be involved in those conversations and those discussions. [1:22:02, 1:22:06]: And the budget for the police department is gonna be contingent upon the desires of the community. [1:22:06, 1:22:12]: There are several different models that I've considered and uh the cost of those models is gonna be again contingent upon [1:22:12, 1:22:14]: The wishes of the community. [1:22:14, 1:22:20]: And um I think that when we have an opportunity to sit down and work together that this will be a lot more clear to everybody. [1:22:21, 1:22:23]: And we certainly again want to involve the community in [1:22:23, 1:22:24]: Yeah. [1:22:25, 1:22:27]: Uh, share those figures with them. [1:22:28, 1:22:35]: But um I I I think that they certainly need to be involved in that. And once we have the community input, we'll have a better idea. [1:22:35, 1:22:38]: In terms of what we need to fund this police department moving forward. [1:22:40, 1:23:00]: All right, sir. Thank you. Thank you for that, Chief. Have a safe trip back home. Uh obviously you can stay connected as long as you like, sir, in that aspect. Okay. And um on that note, uh just in case people don't know, I will at least tell you that uh I'm support of what we have we've done thus far to hire uh Chief Frank Tramor to start to play. [1:23:00, 1:23:20]: Police department. I think it's something that we need to do. We'll work through the process, give them the opportunity to engage the citizens, come up with a plan and have make sure you have the citizens' input in this aspect. We have had town halls over the course of the years, off and on. We've been discussing this for several years and this aspect. So it's not time to move forward. So we now have an individual that we [1:23:20, 1:23:40]: We've hired and that has the mission to develop this program, develop this department, he's going to get an opportunity to do so. And you citizens will be involved in that process and we'll continue to make go forward and make things work in this aspect. So we'll see. Uh we're up for the challenge. We're going to make it work one way or the other. And if for some strange reason doesn't, we'll regroup. But he's going to [1:23:40, 1:23:48]: get the opportunity to go forward with this. On that note, uh uh Mr. Harris, anything else you need to add before we close out this session of the meeting? [1:23:49, 1:24:01]: No, not at all. Um, should the council have any other questions, my me or my staff are always available for to address any issues or concerns or to meet again. That's what we're here for. So happy to help anyone we can. [1:24:02, 1:24:13]: Thank you, Tax Commissioner. Henry County Tax Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Michael Heron. Thank you for your time in Savannah. So have much of a good time. I will. All right. Good to see you, Mike. Y'all as well. Good to see y'all. [1:24:13, 1:24:15]: Take care now. Bye bye. Bye bye. [1:24:16, 1:24:36]: Old business council. Council consideration to approve request for proposal. RFP number 2019-0032P. Facility security equipment system services for related equipment and supplies. The procurement division is requesting approval to increase the contract amount of Johnson control. Security solutions L L C. [1:24:36, 1:24:56]: Tyco Integrated Security LLC, an amount of$496,332 and 6 cents for installation cost plus$7,995.88 for service cost and monitoring cost, monitoring cost of a total for a total of$504,320. [1:24:56, 1:25:02]: $27.94. This is presented by Miss Miller and Mr. Aaron, please. [1:25:05, 1:25:23]: Uh yes, Mayor and Council. This is uh the city has been for the last two years engaging and upgrading this access control, uh, inclusion monitoring and fire monitoring. So we're uh asking Mayor and Council to allow us to move forward with this project. We've already got [1:25:23, 1:25:25]: Several buildings, uh [1:25:26, 1:25:45]: the amphitheater, the public works building that has the security system. And also we've got to build a municipal court and city hall that have outlast their useful life as well as the municipal court is on a different system. But we want to consolidate all of those systems into one platform that the city [1:25:45, 1:25:47]: would be able to use and I'll let uh [1:25:47, 1:25:52]: Mr. Dean from Johnson Control, answer any questions if there are any. [1:25:53, 1:25:55]: But one thing to mention that this is [1:25:55, 1:26:00]: We'll be financed over a five year period. We've looked at it. We we'll budget for the [1:26:00, 1:26:03]: monthly annual payments for this project. [1:26:05, 1:26:09]: Thanks, sir. Um council, any questions for uh [1:26:09, 1:26:13]: Mr. Aaron or anybody else? Yes, sir. Go ahead, Mayor Protell. [1:26:13, 1:26:20]: So let me ask you a question. When I hear the word financing, I think about, you know, obviously, is the financing free? [1:26:23, 1:26:30]: I'll let Mr. Dean speak to this. Was the city manager did not want to take that amount out of fund balance? [1:26:31, 1:26:36]: with all the projects that were going on. So that's why we looked at this option. [1:26:38, 1:26:40]: But I'll let Mr. Dean speak to that. [1:26:40, 1:27:00]: Certainly. And let me just start by saying um, you know, appreciate the opportunity to be in front of everyone here to uh answer any questions. Certainly appreciate the opportunity to follow up the tax commissioner. That's always a fun conversation. Um, but certainly in terms of the financing, uh, Mayor Pro Tem. [1:27:00, 1:27:01]: Alexander it [1:27:02, 1:27:11]: Yes, to your to your point. It is a five-year agreement. It's done through a third party uh financing company that we utilize. Um [1:27:11, 1:27:20]: where it is going to be some sort of cost. I don't have the exact figures because unfortunately I'm standing in as you can see by the name that I'm identified by. [1:27:20, 1:27:36]: Uh our senior accountant executive uh Will Bush just happens to be on uh on vacation uh today celebrating a wedding anniversary. Um so I'm stepping in for him, but in terms of the exact details and the cost of that, I don't have those exact figures. I apologize. [1:27:36, 1:27:46]: Mr. Aaron, do you have a ballpark figure on what we're talking about? We I mean what what type of money are we talking about financing for five years? [1:27:46, 1:27:49]: Versus I mean you have millions of dollars in your own [1:27:49, 1:27:51]: uh funds. [1:27:52, 1:28:03]: Uh uh different water enterprise water fund, sewer fund, all these other funds. You got all this money too. So we even count it. So let's let's talk about that. So what how what are we talking about? [1:28:04, 1:28:13]: These are for general fund buildings. These are not water and sewer building. This is for city hall, the municipal court, the Merrill Manders, the Ted Strickland. Um [1:28:14, 1:28:24]: And I think that's that's it in reference to city buildings. The cost is based on a price of four hundred and seventy-four thousand one hundred and thirty-nine dollars. [1:28:25, 1:28:29]: Okay, so I mean, how much that's this is what I wanna know. [1:28:29, 1:28:42]: We have four hundred thousand dollars to spend. Is it going to c how much is it gonna cost to finance? I wanna know how much the finance before I'm ready to move forward. I wanna know how much the financing is. If the financing is not significant. [1:28:42, 1:28:44]: I suggest we just pay for it. [1:28:50, 1:28:51]: Are you able to answer that Mr. Aaron? [1:28:52, 1:28:53]: Um [1:28:57, 1:28:59]: Based on what I have [1:28:59, 1:29:00]: Uh [1:29:01, 1:29:03]: Just a quick and [1:29:07, 1:29:09]: It looked like a hundred and forty thousand dollars. [1:29:09, 1:29:11]: If we financed it over five years. [1:29:13, 1:29:18]: We're gonna pay a hundred and forty thousand dollars to finance this over fire. That's what you just said. [1:29:19, 1:29:20]: Roughly, yes, sir. [1:29:20, 1:29:28]: That makes no sense. Let's just revisit this. And I'm I'm recommending that we table this, circle back to it, and look at. [1:29:28, 1:29:32]: Uh what we can do uh in order to [1:29:32, 1:29:45]: actually pay this off because it makes no sense when we have all of this fun all of these funds in the bank to pay a hundred and forty thousand dollars in interest in five years when we have the money. That makes no sense. [1:29:46, 1:30:01]: Is that a motion? I don't I don't know. I I I certainly would I mean I'll let I'll let the conversation continue, but I my my suggestion is we table this because we need to pay for this. We got the money. We got well just talked about all the money that the city had. [1:30:01, 1:30:14]: in order for us to do this. Why would we give away$140,000 when we got all sixteen million dollars in fund balance, nine million dollars in the bottom infrastructure plan, and more money coming in every month? That don't make any sense. [1:30:14, 1:30:16]: Okay, stand by please. Miss Gantt, go ahead, please. [1:30:17, 1:30:18]: Thank you, uh Mayor. [1:30:19, 1:30:29]: Um, Mr. Wiggins, do you know why Mr. Knighton wanted us to finance this project? Exactly. What were the concerns about the projects and the funds that we have? [1:30:30, 1:30:33]: Um because although we have those money showing in [1:30:34, 1:30:44]: you know, fund balance. They've already been accounted for in spending. I I always say we can't keep spending the same two million dollars on 20 projects. [1:30:45, 1:30:47]: We used to do that a lot. [1:30:47, 1:30:48]: Um [1:30:49, 1:30:58]: A while ago we would name all these different projects we could spend on the two point five or the three million dollars that we sold, we would sell a piece of property and say we're gonna spend it on that. [1:30:58, 1:31:03]: And we spend it, but we can't spend it like five times. So [1:31:04, 1:31:05]: There has to be a reason. [1:31:06, 1:31:11]: For something like this for a and what's the dollar amount of the project again? [1:31:15, 1:31:17]: I think the dollar amount is about um [1:31:18, 1:31:21]: A little less than five hundred thousand dollars. Five hundred and four thousand dollars. [1:31:21, 1:31:22]: I think the [1:31:23, 1:31:25]: The thinking the thinking on this at the time. [1:31:26, 1:31:27]: was when um um [1:31:28, 1:31:32]: We was going back and forth with uh Johnson control on [1:31:32, 1:31:36]: What needs to be um secured um [1:31:37, 1:31:42]: the amphitheater was just just uh getting started during the course of it. [1:31:42, 1:31:43]: Uh [1:31:44, 1:31:46]: you know, finishing the project. [1:31:47, 1:31:48]: The thing it was uh [1:31:48, 1:31:50]: We go ahead and finance because at the time. [1:31:51, 1:31:54]: We're looking at all the funds for this particular year. [1:31:55, 1:31:58]: That's the thing we have to look at if you're gonna try to pay for it all at once. [1:31:59, 1:32:02]: You gotta see w where you're gonna all at once pour the money from. [1:32:03, 1:32:04]: And at the time [1:32:04, 1:32:08]: the uh the uh the money wasn't in one bucket because we didn't budget them. [1:32:09, 1:32:13]: This is this was something that that that was coming to fruition. [1:32:13, 1:32:16]: through the uh amphitheater. And then at the time [1:32:16, 1:32:18]: Really was just for the amplitude about the [1:32:18, 1:32:21]: Like Mr uh uh like D should see it. [1:32:22, 1:32:24]: We looked at the whole we it's it it was time to look at the whole city. [1:32:25, 1:32:27]: And making sure that the whole city is secure. [1:32:27, 1:32:31]: And that's the reason why the price is i it is, because I think [1:32:31, 1:32:34]: At in the beginning we was looking at was around ninety nine. [1:32:34, 1:32:37]: Some uh hundreds, some thousand dollars. [1:32:37, 1:32:39]: Maybe uh go out to maybe uh [1:32:40, 1:32:41]: Maybe two hundred, some thousand. [1:32:41, 1:32:43]: It was just for the amphitheater, but [1:32:43, 1:32:44]: Since we incorporated [1:32:44, 1:32:45]: The whole city. [1:32:46, 1:32:52]: to grab all of the general f all all all of the buildings. That's why the uh you have the five hundred thousand. So um [1:32:53, 1:32:53]: Okay. [1:32:54, 1:32:57]: I I don't think we looked at it again. I think the financing [1:32:58, 1:33:00]: Uh that we looked at before was [1:33:01, 1:33:01]: The sound. [1:33:02, 1:33:03]: But um [1:33:04, 1:33:05]: You know. [1:33:06, 1:33:08]: But the council's council's will and you know [1:33:09, 1:33:11]: You know, in further discussion. [1:33:12, 1:33:17]: If we want to try to pull uh some money together with using the fund balance. [1:33:17, 1:33:20]: That that that that is a decision for the for the council. [1:33:21, 1:33:24]: Listen, I I have some concerns. [1:33:24, 1:33:25]: Um [1:33:26, 1:33:41]: We we spend way too much. It's not okay to just say spin, spin, spin, spin, spin, because look at our fund balance. The auditors have said it, our financial advisor has said it. Mr. Knighton even had put it in writing. You know, we're gonna put strain. [1:33:41, 1:33:56]: on our on our budget and on our balance. I take pride in the fact that we do have some savings. It was also advised that we don't go to the 25% let minimum, you know, that we've heard often. [1:33:56, 1:33:59]: And you know, I don't want that blood on my hands. [1:34:00, 1:34:03]: I I have a concern that we [1:34:03, 1:34:08]: Are if we're financing something like this, that raises a red flag to me. [1:34:09, 1:34:10]: All day, every day. [1:34:11, 1:34:13]: And it should raise a red flag to you all too. [1:34:15, 1:34:15]: Um [1:34:15, 1:34:20]: You know, we've allocated money for other projects. [1:34:20, 1:34:22]: That's why we're having to finance this. [1:34:23, 1:34:24]: We're just spending. [1:34:26, 1:34:30]: That's uh and and you know, I can't agree to that. [1:34:31, 1:34:41]: Our infrastructure is important. These are in very I mean it's important, but we put this together and and here we are. It's five hundred thousand dollars. You telling me I need to finance it. [1:34:44, 1:34:46]: That's a telltale sign there that there's [1:34:46, 1:34:48]: An issue with spending. [1:34:49, 1:34:50]: That we need to be aware of. [1:34:53, 1:34:54]: Ms. Barber, go ahead, please. [1:34:56, 1:35:02]: I was actually prepared to abstain from voting on this because I don't see any supporting documents. [1:35:02, 1:35:04]: Pertaining to this item. [1:35:05, 1:35:06]: Okay. [1:35:06, 1:35:07]: Mr. Thomas, go ahead, please. [1:35:08, 1:35:13]: Uh we're done. You're not you were not done. I thought you were done. [1:35:13, 1:35:15]: No, I wasn't done. Go ahead, please. [1:35:17, 1:35:19]: What I wanna ask is [1:35:20, 1:35:22]: What is the recommendation? [1:35:22, 1:35:23]: From Mr. Aaron. [1:35:24, 1:35:25]: On how to [1:35:26, 1:35:27]: Handle this. [1:35:27, 1:35:30]: Is he asking council to approve? [1:35:32, 1:35:35]: This um spending from general fund. [1:35:36, 1:35:37]: Is he asking? [1:35:38, 1:35:41]: I mean, I don't know how we plan to finance this. Um [1:35:41, 1:35:43]: Mr. Aaron, can you answer that please? [1:35:44, 1:35:56]: Yes, ma'am. This pro as I said, this project has been ongoing for two plus two plus years. And there's some issue with outdated equipment when it comes to ours, security and access control monitoring. [1:35:57, 1:36:04]: And we've had this conversation with the city manager. And his concern was at the time the city would had a lot of projects going on. [1:36:04, 1:36:19]: He didn't want to take a large amount out of fund balance. So we went back to jobs control and realized that there was a financing option. The money was always there in fund balance if the city wanted to pay for it up front, but the city manager just felt at the time. [1:36:20, 1:36:40]: With all the projects that were going on and we were using fund balance for this project and that project, he didn't want to spend that larger amount out of fund balance. So that's why we came to council with the financing option because there are some equipment that needs to be replaced that's outdated, that's original to the city hall building, original to when the city [1:36:40, 1:36:42]: Took over the municipal court. [1:36:42, 1:36:54]: And so with the police department is getting started up. This project's gonna take a while. There are some features that need to be added to the the courtroom over there as well as the building. So we was trying to get these things in. [1:36:54, 1:37:10]: in place and done. Like I said, this has been going on for two years and we're just trying to bring it to a resolution. And at the time when we sat down with the city manager, he didn't want to take that amount of money out of fund balance with all the projects that was going on. So that's why we looked at this option. [1:37:11, 1:37:18]: So is this the same services? There was a gentleman who actually came and presented to the council. [1:37:18, 1:37:21]: All the buildings that he [1:37:21, 1:37:21]: Um [1:37:22, 1:37:24]: did an audit of [1:37:24, 1:37:25]: Is this what [1:37:26, 1:37:28]: He was doing as well, or is this something separate? [1:37:30, 1:37:46]: As far as I know, this is something separate. Like I said, we had uh we've got the updated security monitoring at the amphitheater. We've got it at the new public works building, but we wanted to update what we had at City Hall and Municipal Court. We don't have anything in the mural managers or the admin or the Ted Strickland. [1:37:46, 1:37:49]: And we want to bring those facilities online as well. [1:37:50, 1:37:53]: Okay, can you well um I [1:37:53, 1:38:02]: I am willing to second Mayor Pro Tem's uh motion to table this. If you could just bring back the supporting documents at our next meeting. [1:38:02, 1:38:05]: Then of course I believe this is something uh [1:38:05, 1:38:06]: critical that we do need. [1:38:06, 1:38:07]: Um [1:38:07, 1:38:10]: It's a security and monitor monitoring system. [1:38:11, 1:38:11]: We need them. [1:38:12, 1:38:13]: So thank you. [1:38:14, 1:38:15]: Come on. Mr. Thomas, please go ahead. [1:38:16, 1:38:22]: Yes, uh Mr. Aaron, thank you. Uh and I I I guess one of the issues that I have when you mentioned [1:38:22, 1:38:28]: Um this been in the pipeline for two or three years and I'm trying to gauge [1:38:28, 1:38:37]: um you know what were those issues um three years ago as to why it didn't come forward. Secondly I wanted to hear from procurement. [1:38:38, 1:38:39]: Um, just to [1:38:40, 1:38:43]: Um, you know, get another uh opinion on it. So [1:38:43, 1:38:45]: Uh can Mrs. Millis out a [1:38:46, 1:38:48]: Uh, give us some insight on this issue. [1:38:51, 1:38:51]: Ms. Miller? [1:38:57, 1:38:58]: Miss Miller. [1:39:05, 1:39:08]: Ah yes, I'm sorry. I do apologize. I was having some technical difficulties. [1:39:09, 1:39:11]: Um regarding this agenda item. [1:39:12, 1:39:12]: Um [1:39:13, 1:39:16]: My recommendation um is to pull the item and um [1:39:17, 1:39:17]: Bring it back. [1:39:17, 1:39:19]: Um with additional information. [1:39:19, 1:39:20]: Yes, I did. [1:39:20, 1:39:21]: Advice um [1:39:22, 1:39:24]: The city manager and Dashes. [1:39:27, 1:39:28]: Uh Ms. Thomas, another question, sir. [1:39:29, 1:39:44]: Well, I I I I guess it makes sense then to uh bring back the su supporting documents so we can actually uh review and analyze. So I would be in favor of that as well. But no without a doubt, you know, uh security uh is needed. [1:39:46, 1:39:47]: Thank you, Mayor. [1:39:47, 1:39:51]: No problem. Uh anybody else? Any other anybody else? [1:39:52, 1:39:53]: Uh Mr. Blanc, go ahead, please. [1:39:55, 1:40:04]: Thank you, Mayor. M Mr Aaron, is this when you talk about justice control, not because I don't have any supporting documents on it either. Um [1:40:05, 1:40:07]: Did you mention City Hall with this? [1:40:08, 1:40:11]: Yes, sir. There's some uh [1:40:11, 1:40:19]: Uh some things I'd rather not speak about in the open meeting, but there are some upgrades that are needed at City Hall as well as the municipal court building. [1:40:19, 1:40:23]: Okay, some that are needed, but in this [1:40:23, 1:40:26]: In this amount, does that include City Hall? [1:40:26, 1:40:30]: Yes, sir. City Hall, the municipal court, the mural manders. [1:40:30, 1:40:31]: And it's strictly. [1:40:35, 1:40:35]: Okay. [1:40:36, 1:40:37]: That that's all. Thanks. [1:40:38, 1:40:40]: Back to you, Mayor Portan. Do you want to make a motion here? [1:40:41, 1:40:46]: I wanna say just a couple of words real quick. There has l let me say something real quick. [1:40:46, 1:40:47]: To my knowledge. [1:40:47, 1:40:51]: We have nearly sixteen million dollars in the reserve funds. [1:40:51, 1:40:59]: I don't know anything about any of it already being reserved for anything else because it hasn't been reserved for anything else, the reserve fund. [1:40:59, 1:41:01]: We have splots dollars coming in. [1:41:02, 1:41:18]: That we allocated to pay for a lot of these projects. So we basically we took low interest loans in order to move those projects forward so they could be paid back over five years from the splots. That's what we did. So the 16, the nearly 16 billion dollar fund. [1:41:18, 1:41:20]: uh balance that we have. [1:41:20, 1:41:25]: That money hasn't been allocated to anything to my knowledge, because this council hasn't voted. [1:41:25, 1:41:35]: to allocate it for anything. Has the money been, Mr. Wiggins, has the sixteen nearly sixteen billion dollars been allocated for any projects that you're aware of? [1:41:36, 1:41:39]: No, it's not allocated to to [1:41:39, 1:41:42]: specific projects. It's it's just that um [1:41:42, 1:41:44]: You know, you you want to keep [1:41:45, 1:41:45]: Um [1:41:47, 1:41:49]: You know, uh fun uh uh uh [1:41:50, 1:41:55]: Our budget is about 12.8 million. You want to keep about that much in there. [1:41:55, 1:41:55]: Uh [1:41:56, 1:42:00]: going from year to year so you can uh you know, in in case of uh [1:42:00, 1:42:03]: Some catastrophic uh emergency, but [1:42:03, 1:42:07]: far as the funds, funds are not adequate, you know, uh dedicated to [1:42:07, 1:42:10]: specific uh uh project or any kind of uh [1:42:11, 1:42:14]: you know, uh purchase of our equipment, anything like that. [1:42:14, 1:42:15]: It's uh [1:42:15, 1:42:16]: Is is there [1:42:17, 1:42:18]: For reserve. [1:42:18, 1:42:20]: Is there for [1:42:21, 1:42:23]: City council make a decision on [1:42:23, 1:42:24]: What do you want to use it for? [1:42:25, 1:42:35]: Which is an exact situation like this, where we can save$140,000 over five years. Where are we getting the money from? A loan shark at twenty percent? [1:42:35, 1:42:43]: Over five years, who's financing this? This that's just certainly not wise. And we can save a hundred and forty thousand dollars. [1:42:43, 1:43:03]: Over five years, think what we can do with that. It makes sense to me. This whole process is uh it needs to be reviewed, and we need time uh to bring this back because uh that makes no sense that we're moving down uh that particular road. And then and again, revenue and everything is growing. So I'm gonna make a motion to. [1:43:03, 1:43:10]: revisit this it to table this item to bring back additional documentation and to look at the city actually going ahead [1:43:11, 1:43:14]: And paying this saving a hundred and forty thousand dollars. [1:43:15, 1:43:15]: Second. [1:43:20, 1:43:21]: You muted, Mayor. [1:43:23, 1:43:32]: Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Anyway, motion made by Pro Tempor Tem Alexander, segmented by Councilwoman Barber. And any further discussion? [1:43:33, 1:43:44]: Let me let me get let me be clear on the uh motion there. Go ahead. So it's the make is the motion to revisit to get documents, but you also put an end, Mr. Alexander, to [1:43:44, 1:43:51]: move forward to paying the the amount in totality. Is that part of your motion to say we're gonna pay the amount in totality? [1:43:52, 1:44:12]: My my motion does include that, but it's up to the council to decide what we do. But that's my motion because there's no sense to to waste$140,000. We got the money in the bank. No, I I get that. I just want to understand the motion. Yeah, that's that's my motion right now. And and the reason let me explain a little bit first. [1:44:12, 1:44:22]: The reason that I'm doing that is because again, we have the money in the bank. We have available funds to us and we can save$140,000. Yes. [1:44:23, 1:44:24]: Uh [1:44:25, 1:44:28]: So the motion should include non f not financing. [1:44:29, 1:44:30]: I believe I'm Mayor Pro Tem. [1:44:32, 1:44:51]: I'm if he yeah, well you can you can say it that way if he wants to mayor if you will because uh because if if he just says he wants to revisit it, all of that can be uh understood on the re whenever we revisit it. And uh we can actually uh talk through uh how how we can go through that. I don't think you need to actually say that. [1:44:51, 1:44:54]: If we're gonna revisit it. But I would say that that um [1:44:55, 1:44:57]: I I would that this had would have been done. [1:44:58, 1:45:05]: uh in the process of of all the construction that was going on because there's some discussions we need to also have. [1:45:05, 1:45:10]: on allotments of money, monies that uh if those allotments wasn't [1:45:11, 1:45:11]: Um [1:45:12, 1:45:13]: Uh depleted. [1:45:14, 1:45:20]: uh where are those fines going and uh and in certain areas which separate discussion in itself. [1:45:20, 1:45:21]: Um [1:45:22, 1:45:24]: But I I'm I'm I'm okay with revisiting. [1:45:25, 1:45:32]: uh this and get in further documents, but we um um it's just that last part. I I just want to make sure that [1:45:33, 1:45:35]: What is needed is needed. [1:45:35, 1:45:41]: But I just wanna make sure we're getting there in the right way. And and I'm just trying to figure out how do we get here now when [1:45:42, 1:45:49]: This should have this is why we why we you know putting the uh you know this should have been done. That's all I'm gonna say. [1:45:50, 1:45:51]: All right. [1:45:51, 1:46:11]: Uh Mirapal Tim, you uh your motion is what it is. You have no intention on changing the uh the verbage in the motion, is that right? I I just said what it meant, which is we you know we're revisiting this and and the intention is to pay for it unless something dynamite comes out and says this is not the way. I don't see anything coming up saying that$140,000 being saved. [1:46:11, 1:46:22]: is not a good idea. So I would certainly hope that we would move through with paying for it, but we'll revisit it. We don't want to make the decision here tonight, but we certainly need to look at it. And that would be my intention. [1:46:22, 1:46:30]: All right. Uh so Ms. uh Clerk, uh I'm assuming you got all that there. Uh stand by m uh Mr. Thomas, stand by please. Miss Miller, go ahead, please. [1:46:30, 1:46:34]: I I just wanted to add, um I will go ahead and um [1:46:35, 1:46:45]: modify the agenda to include a comparable so that council can see if it was finance, what it would cost, what the overall would cost as well. So it would be in one agenda. [1:46:45, 1:46:50]: along with the additional backup information which will show the actual breakdown of the entire cost. [1:46:51, 1:46:52]: All right. Mr. Thomas, go ahead, please. [1:46:53, 1:46:59]: Well, I I I think that should always be the norm anyway. I think the more information that we have. [1:47:00, 1:47:02]: Uh to make these type of decisions. [1:47:02, 1:47:09]: uh that kind of information is needed. And I think we sort of talked about that before. But let me ask Mr. Eric, because I'm trying to [1:47:09, 1:47:20]: recall during the recent uh budget retreat uh in your bill and uh maintenance budget uh that you include any of this? [1:47:21, 1:47:30]: That uh the last conversation I had with the city manager, we did some changes to the budget to account for if we were financing this. [1:47:31, 1:47:31]: This project. [1:47:33, 1:47:35]: To make those annual payments. [1:47:37, 1:47:47]: So if if I go back and and and revisit the what you presented at the budget retreat, I will be able to see some uh detailed information. [1:47:47, 1:47:49]: In your presentation. [1:47:49, 1:47:56]: There's a line item in the budget in the government buildings budget that says security upgrades. That's what that would be. [1:47:58, 1:48:02]: But in your presentation, you did not elaborate per se. [1:48:03, 1:48:15]: No, sir, because this, like I said, this has been going on for two years and prior to the city manager leaving, we finally got to go ahead and I guess Mr. Berry reviewed it to put this item on the agenda. [1:48:16, 1:48:17]: to move forward with. [1:48:19, 1:48:23]: So that's why it wasn't presented during the budget presentation. [1:48:25, 1:48:27]: Okay, well I I won't [1:48:27, 1:48:32]: further that discussion. But I I'll talk with you about this later. But as I sort of alluded to [1:48:33, 1:48:43]: And I know we've sort of talked about this before. See, in order for us to make these decisions, uh, we have to have this information. And I think staff. [1:48:43, 1:48:45]: Uh has to [1:48:45, 1:48:48]: become aware of that at some point in time. [1:48:48, 1:48:50]: That you know, you have to provide information. [1:48:51, 1:49:02]: Uh and we could call you up, you know, before the meeting if we had the information to be able to digest. So I'm just recommending that, you know, in the future, and I know we've said this before. [1:49:02, 1:49:06]: Just, you know, give us more information so we can make informed decisions. [1:49:06, 1:49:08]: I yield back, Mayor, and thank you, Mr. Aaron. [1:49:09, 1:49:09]: No problem. [1:49:11, 1:49:16]: Thank you, sir. No problem. Uh okay, so motion's been made, been seconded. There's no further discussion. [1:49:16, 1:49:26]: I do have one point I'd like to make, Mayor, just very quickly, is that you know we it was brought up tonight that we don't want to go down to 125 uh 25% fund balance. [1:49:27, 1:49:30]: We have a hundred and fifty percent fund balance right now. [1:49:31, 1:49:36]: Okay, let's contrast that. Henry County has a twenty-five percent. [1:49:36, 1:49:37]: Fun balance. [1:49:38, 1:49:39]: plan that they go to. [1:49:39, 1:49:51]: I don't suggest we go to that, but we're nowhere near the basis. The Georgia Municipal Association recommends the 25% fund balance as a minimum as well. [1:49:51, 1:49:56]: So not only are we above that, we're about seven times above that. [1:49:57, 1:50:02]: That that tells you, okay, we are in a financial position to be able to do something about that. [1:50:02, 1:50:07]: So in essence, again, we should move forward with this. So call for the vote. Thank you. [1:50:08, 1:50:11]: No problem. Motion has been made in a second. So all in favor of the motion, please indicate. [1:50:13, 1:50:16]: Yes, so Mr. Blonde, are you voting, sir? [1:50:19, 1:50:26]: Are you voting, Mr. Blount? This is this is to revisit it. Yes. Yes, sir. So it's a unanimous decision. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. [1:50:26, 1:50:33]: Okay, we're gonna now go on to uh matter of fact, uh Mr. Will Bush. Thank you for being here, sir. Uh you can stay as long as you like. Appreciate it. [1:50:34, 1:50:51]: Uh we're now going to public hearing and rezoning case RZ202021-01 has been postponed for at least 30 days based on the applicant. So we're now going to go into the first reading, council consideration uh to approve the Unified Development Code UDC. [1:50:51, 1:51:11]: City of Stockbridge Planning Commission and the City of Stockbridge Mayor and City Council review the community development department's proposed new Unified Development Code, UDC, which includes the city's zoning code, the new UDC, will comprise both of up an update and rewriting of the existing UDC for the purposes one, making needed corrections and clarifications. [1:51:11, 1:51:17]: Two, revisiting the allowable zoning districts in the city. Three, making the document more user-friendly. [1:51:17, 1:51:19]: Ms. Johnson, please. [1:51:25, 1:51:28]: Good evening, everyone. Can you all hear me all right? [1:51:28, 1:51:48]: We have you hear we hear you now. Awesome. Thank you, Mayor Ford, Council members and residents and colleagues. So yes, we are finally bringing the UDC to you all formally for the first public hearing. We wanted to bring it as a first reading for to collect comments from the council members here. [1:51:48, 1:51:57]: uh and also the public and then come back for a second reading and and um subsequent approval in the october 26th. [1:51:57, 1:51:59]: meeting coming up in a few weeks. [1:52:00, 1:52:08]: So the process for the UDC has been underway for the past 11 months. It started in November of last year. I came on board in April. [1:52:08, 1:52:13]: And have uh been able to to kind of pick things up and work with a consultant to [1:52:13, 1:52:20]: um uh obtain public input, input from our staff, input from our planning commission, and this council. [1:52:21, 1:52:31]: Uh at this point, the Planning Commission has approved to move forward and recommend approval of the document as of September 23rd, 2021. [1:52:31, 1:52:42]: It is currently under legal review and thanks. I appreciate each of the council members and planning commissioner members for the one-on-one meetings so that we can get your specific input. [1:52:42, 1:52:51]: and incorporate that into the code. You won't see those changes in the version you have today because we've had this is a working document. [1:52:51, 1:53:03]: And this will be a working document between now and adoption. So um I'll go ahead and let Ms. Casey Kurzik from our consultant team, the collaborative firm. [1:53:03, 1:53:10]: go ahead with the presentation and we'll I may step in here and there during the presentation, but over to you, Casey. [1:53:10, 1:53:30]: Perfect. Thank you so much, Recca. And thank you, Mayor and Council members, for allowing us to be here tonight. This has been a very exciting process. I know you all have been with us from step one. So we are in the final stretch here. So if it's okay, I'm going to share my screen. [1:53:30, 1:53:50]: screen and we will kind of kick off the presentation because really the purpose for tonight is really to conduct a public hearing. So we want to make sure that all of the residents have the most updated information. I know we met um through your uh council retreat and then also met [1:53:50, 1:54:10]: With seven several of the members just last week. So as Miss Bruca said, this is currently um being updated daily to incorporate all of those um comments we received and just kind of improving on some of the sections that we already had written. So if you recall, we have [1:54:10, 1:54:30]: Several bullets that we've really tried to identify through this entire process. And that is to improve organization and user friendliness for all users. So that's staff, that's council members, that's planning commission, that's residents, that's engineers, architects, everyone. Update the zoning and overlay decisions. [1:54:30, 1:54:38]: Districts, integrate those architectural and site design requirements, and define and streamline those review processes. [1:54:38, 1:54:58]: Now we do have a little bit of a new UDC organization, which we've talked about a little bit before. And that's really because your previous organization really kind of held all of the zoning and the site development regulations and even a lot of those stormwater and traffic regulations in two to three different sections. [1:54:58, 1:55:17]: So we just wanted to kind of do a little bit of a reorganization. So when people are looking for information, you know, even if it's as simple as they want to build a fence in their backyard, or if it could be as great as a plan development, multi-stories, multiple lots, that they will be able to find all the information. [1:55:17, 1:55:21]: Um, so I want to kind of kick off with the zoning districts itself. [1:55:22, 1:55:42]: Currently, you have 19 zoning districts within your zoning code, primarily those residential uses, commercial uses, industrial uses, and mixed use. Throughout this process, we've really identified some districts that are really kind of have similar [1:55:42, 1:55:51]: standards. There may not be a high demand for such things as the rural residential anymore. And we've also looked at combining [1:55:52, 1:56:11]: some districts expanding certain districts and uses because we do have more going on especially in the realm of housing opportunities and then also creating new districts. So if we go to the next one you'll kind of see let me move everyone's face so I can read through these. [1:56:12, 1:56:20]: What we did is this is kind of this is actually in your zoning code, and we have um really regulated and spelled out where the [1:56:20, 1:56:32]: um districts were combined. So your RA and your R1, which are your single family districts, will become your new rural residential districts, still having a minimum standard of one acre. [1:56:32, 1:56:52]: Your R2 and R3 have been combined into a suburban residential district. You probably know most of these as kind of your 1990, maybe early 2000 build-outs of your single-family homes, really coming in about maybe 30,000 square feet. And then your residential. [1:56:52, 1:57:12]: Duplex district was really a little underutilized. So what we did is really kind of expand the uses here. And we'll talk a little bit more about that. But that's going to allow different types of housing, kind of a smaller lot footprint, and more specific areas in the city that those can be used. [1:57:12, 1:57:32]: comes to your multifamily, you actually had multiple districts. And it really seemed like the one that was being heavily used was your RM district. So we really combined all of those to create one multifamily district with guidelines. All the other districts tend to be a little bit the same. We did create a new down [1:57:32, 1:57:52]: Downtown zoning district for you. And we'll talk about that shortly. And then we did take a look at your mixed use districts and how they were being utilized. And what we found is you really have a lot of planned unit developments out there that you were really kind of missing a zoning district for. So we wanted to clean that up for you. [1:57:52, 1:57:59]: And that would be allowed to have mixed use across the land or even vertical in the buildings. [1:58:00, 1:58:20]: Now, here's kind of the new exciting things. Um, we do have a two-page layout for each zone district. Um, I know uh for staff, I think this will be a great help. Um, they can actually go to just two pages in the code. This will help developers. So you'll have your district intents, all of the permitted uses that. [1:58:20, 1:58:21]: That are allowed. [1:58:21, 1:58:40]: Any conditional uses or accessory uses all spelled out. And then the second page will also have those minimum lot area requirements, the lot frontage requirements, your front yard, side yard, rear yard setback, some height requirements, and the minimum lot coverage. [1:58:41, 1:59:01]: Now, in addition to that, which I know staff is really excited about, we also created a use table. So what this does is if you're kind of in our planning world, everyone will either ask us the question because they know where their property is, they know exactly what their property address is, and they just [1:59:01, 1:59:03]: want to know what they can build there. [1:59:03, 1:59:23]: Which you would use the previous table on. But sometimes people come with their use. Let's just say it's a restaurant, and they want to know what districts they should be looking for when they work with their real estate agent. So this here is going to show all of those specific uses, whether they're permitted, conditional uses, or [1:59:23, 1:59:42]: accessory uses within each zoning district. And then also if there's any additional regulations that they have to know about, maybe it's a distance requirement or fencing requirements or outdoor storage, then they'll know exactly which section to go to. [1:59:43, 2:00:03]: Um, as we talked about, the one new thing that came out of all of the discussions we heard, especially in the public arena, was the need for a true downtown Main Street zoning district. Um, you have your downtown Main Street area. Of course, you guys are working very hard on your amphitheater, your cultural arts center. You obviously have your new buildings and courts. And so we've [2:00:03, 2:00:23]: Really just wanted to expand on that a little more. You do have the overlay that's still in place in downtown, but really honing in on that downtown specific and making sure that the uses you want to have down there can be there by right. Those are going to be your apparel and retail stores, your bakery. [2:00:23, 2:00:43]: In your cafes, certain day spas, possible breweries, ice cream stores, professional offices, things of that nature. And then the one thing we did build in, because we know, you know, other things can happen, is that there can be residential on the upper stories of these existing. [2:00:43, 2:00:54]: for new bills that may come. And then we also added in um some additional options for housing when it comes to duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes. [2:00:54, 2:01:14]: Your downtown is getting more walkable every day, every time the city has a new venture that connects these things. So we want to make sure that we have people down there who can walk around and enjoy. And it's not just always we have to come and we have to park. Um, and those would be allowed through good conditional use permits. So you can really determine exactly where. [2:01:14, 2:01:17]: where they're most appropriate places for that location. [2:01:19, 2:01:27]: And then when it comes to that zoning district, um, we really focused on just placing that new zoning district. [2:01:27, 2:01:44]: on those existing buildings in the downtown that exist. Those are going to be your uh civic buildings, your recreation areas, and then of course um the the primary businesses in the downtown will carry that zoning. [2:01:46, 2:02:06]: And then we were talking previously about the expanded uses in the residential district. Right now you just allowed in that city center district to have single family homes or duplexes. But we also wanted to allow some additional options, and those would be for triplexes, quadruplexes. [2:02:06, 2:02:23]: I know a big discussion right now are accessory dwellings. So if you and I can think about that, that might be if you have an in-law, whether it be in the house or in the rear of the yard, we've actually spelled out some requirements for that. And also making sure that there's a place for senior housing. [2:02:23, 2:02:31]: Um, to make sure that they can have the benefits of these areas where they can walk and dine and shop and enjoy their time. [2:02:33, 2:02:53]: Now, when it comes to the PD district, like I said, we actually combined three of your districts here to create your plan development. And this will allow a combination of uses, whether they're horizontal or vertical. It's going to promote the most flexibility in the development standards. [2:02:53, 2:03:13]: A lot of the city is built out, but you do have areas where we've we've heard from developers they just need a little more flexibility, whether it's just a kind of a setback standard or really they kind of have a new idea coming in. Primarily it could be focused even on senior housing and facilities that. [2:03:12, 2:03:32]: That could utilize that. And we're really hoping this would be a catalyst for new development and even redevelopment patterns in the city. As we know, there's a lot of things exploding and going on in the south side specifically. So as development comes, we really want to arm you with flexibility, but also with [2:03:32, 2:03:38]: with the control that you guys need to get the development that you want in the end. [2:03:40, 2:04:00]: Now we also did spell out a kind of a new process for this plan development district. So what would happen is if a developer would come in, they would come in with their preliminary concept plans that would have to be reviewed by planning commission, city council. And of course, your city staff would have comments and reviews. [2:04:00, 2:04:20]: on that. And if that concept is ultimately approved by you as the mayor and city council, then what they would be required to do is put together their full master development plan. So this is really going to spell out the specifics a little more engineering detailed, will actually specifically know building envelopes, what the [2:04:19, 2:04:28]: The setbacks are, what the exact uses will be in properties and things like that. And those will then be conditioned to that site. [2:04:30, 2:04:50]: And then I know this is um kind of a separate item, but I do want to make sure that you can actually see the um new zoning map here. So what we did is we really took your existing zoning map and then we looked at the areas that were being combined or potentially those areas that were being created new, especially when it came to the down. [2:04:50, 2:04:54]: downtown area and then we created a new map for you. [2:04:56, 2:05:07]: Another thing that came up time after time again was your overlay districts. Um, and also um we heard a lot of discussions about [2:05:07, 2:05:15]: Joe designers that are actually linked per zoning to a piece of property down there at Johtoco, as you're aware. [2:05:15, 2:05:33]: So when we looked at those overlay districts, you actually have three of them: the High Rise District, the Highway 138 district, and the Highway Corridor District. What we really saw is there's actual areas in the city where a property can be in all three of these, which [2:05:34, 2:05:54]: There isn't real guidance on which one should supersede. And the purpose of an overlay is that these are additional standards based upon the existing zoning district. So what we did is we began to look at them and we began to really combine those districts. [2:05:54, 2:06:14]: And we really wanted to focus on allowing that mixed-use development by right. We also wanted to make sure that properties where they would have the benefit, especially closer to the interstate and access that would be easier, that they could uh benefit from increased heights compared to other areas in the city. [2:06:14, 2:06:26]: And we also spelled out some reduction of parking, really more shared parking is what we're calling this. So when you do have a true mixed use development, you have different things that are happening all at different times. So [2:06:27, 2:06:31]: As residential, maybe out in the workforce. I know that's changing a little bit now. [2:06:32, 2:06:52]: From home. But you're also going to have restaurants and shopping and dining where people will just be walking instead of driving to and moving every step where they drive and where they visit. And then also including landscaping, lighting, architectural materials, things of all that. And we really went back and focused more. [2:06:52, 2:07:12]: Or on the guidelines that you had originally adopted recently on the, I believe it's, well, I'm not sure the name of it now, but I know it was called Jodoko Station at one time. I feel like I might not have the right one right now. But looking at what the staff and the city already approved there and really building upon. [2:07:12, 2:07:13]: On that. [2:07:14, 2:07:23]: And then if you can see in the green, those are going to be the new proposed overlay district standards and locations. [2:07:25, 2:07:45]: Um, and then if you recall, we did talk about creating that new downtown district. And you do have a downtown village overlay district, which was really just your historic downtown area. And we really kept that in place. We didn't want to convert every single parcel to that downtown one because you actually have a good variety and mix of. [2:07:44, 2:08:04]: Of residential, commercial, institutional, and actually a whole lot of recreation and open space. So we really wanted to keep that balance. So we did keep that overlay district, making sure that the permitted uses are still impact, allowing outside dining and special events, honing in on the architectural. [2:08:04, 2:08:14]: features and those permitted colors and materials, keeping the streetscape, the parking lot locations, and the height and the bulk standards. [2:08:16, 2:08:18]: Now this is the one thing that's a little new. [2:08:19, 2:08:39]: Um and what we did is when we did look at combining some of the overlays, we realized that you still have main corridors and we wanted to make sure that you could still feel that architectural fabric. You would know you're in the city of Stockbridge driving through it. [2:08:39, 2:08:59]: So, what we did is we really updated and almost created true citywide development standards for you. So, these are going to be architectural requirements on residential uses, on mixed-use buildings, and commercial buildings. And once again, we based a lot of this tech. [2:08:59, 2:09:19]: Technical design standards on those Jodico design guidelines. Also making sure that there's open space, outdoor lighting, and then that all of new construction on major highways will be required to have a 10-feet wide pedestrian travel zone and a 10-feet wide. [2:09:19, 2:09:27]: Feet wide planning fixture. And if you can really imagine that in your head, I know we talk a lot about what these words are, but that's really building your streetscape. [2:09:28, 2:09:43]: You know, so as you're driving the ro down the road, you would see the street trees, the lighting poles, the sidewalks. And then you would also have those architectural components from the um commercial buildings or residential buildings or whatever is being built in that area. [2:09:44, 2:10:04]: Um, kind of more a little bit of some housekeeping items. Um, we did review all of your zoning processes. Um, those are the ones you you handle every single day. We're actually part of this process right now. I know Breca and your planning commission are all on top of it regularly. And those are your rezonings, your conditional use permits, comprehensive. [2:10:04, 2:10:15]: of plans, text amendments, and variances. We really just reviewed and updated these as needed just to create some consistency throughout all the processes. [2:10:15, 2:10:16]: And make them harmonious. [2:10:18, 2:10:31]: Um, one new section um that we really did uh rewrite from scratch was actually your tree protection ordinance. Um I'm not sure if you knew this before, but they were really just a paper copy that were in the clerk's. [2:10:32, 2:10:43]: um office. So we really went through and looked at those industry standards and we spelled out the specifics on you know what an applicant needs to provide when it comes to the tree survey. [2:10:44, 2:10:48]: how they need to provide to protect those trees that they are willing to keep. [2:10:49, 2:11:09]: Um and also making sure that there are density and tree replacement requirements. So the idea is that no one can just come in and completely clear-cut a site. There will be trees that remain. There may be trees that they'll have to replant depending on what they remove. Just so you can keep that tree. [2:11:09, 2:11:14]: canopy and areas and then of course those um final inspection processes [2:11:15, 2:11:35]: Um, another one that really wasn't so clearly defined was your subdivision regulations. So we really went back through and really created those for you. And those are going to be your preliminary plat process, which you do all the time. So staff already knows how to do it. So you don't have to worry about that, but we really solidified it within the community. [2:11:35, 2:11:55]: code itself, the final plat process. And then we also built in the requirements that you had and some additional ones that we've been talking about when it comes to open space requirements, amenities in subdivisions, lighting in subdivisions, and things like that, just to make it clear within the code. [2:11:56, 2:12:16]: Um, your and you have another section that's all of your environmental protection. And really, what we did here is made sure that you met all of the federal and state standards. We really wanted to make sure you that you had overall compliance. So those are your soil erosion and sedimentation controls, uh, your floodplains, your stream bottoms. [2:12:16, 2:12:20]: offers your stormwater management and your illicit discharge. [2:12:21, 2:12:31]: Um and then one other thing that we really had to kind of really rewrite, but you you the code actually referenced Henry County standards. [2:12:32, 2:12:52]: But what we found is those standards have kind of been updated over the past two decades. We won't talk about how long. Um, but um your code reference data that was actually in the mid-90s. So we really went and we looked at what the the county codes were, and then we really adapted them and created them for. [2:12:52, 2:12:57]: you in the city of Stockbridge. So this is going to be your true roadway design and construction. [2:12:57, 2:13:13]: Um, when traffic studies should be implemented, access requirements, visibility, pedestrian access and sidewalks, street names, street lights. So now everything is in the code and everyone will be able to find it. [2:13:14, 2:13:20]: Um so here we are tonight. I know we met with several, so we do have um some [2:13:20, 2:13:40]: Some ordinances that we are updating from the comments received last week. And I believe we already have a meeting set with the attorneys on Thursday. So we will keep trucking along. Um, but the real purpose for here tonight is just to hear and open any public comment that may be out there. Um, because you know, I I promise you, and Miss Brecka knows this already. [2:13:40, 2:14:00]: We will be making changes probably right up to that solidification adoption date, which we currently have planned for October 26th. And that's okay though, because your ordinances should always be looked at and reviewed. And we really just want to make sure we get all of those items during this adoption. [2:14:00, 2:14:09]: And flush those all out from you as the counsel, from city staff, from the attorneys, and of course from the public, because we have engaged them this entire time. [2:14:10, 2:14:12]: So with that being said. [2:14:12, 2:14:16]: I'll I'll turn it back over to you, Mr. Mayer, I believe. [2:14:16, 2:14:23]: Thank you, KC. I appreciate your presentation. Council, any questions for KC? I see what okay, I see Mayor Potem, you're on muted. Go ahead, sir. [2:14:24, 2:14:33]: Yeah, I certainly appreciate that and I certainly appreciate the process, but in doing what we're doing, we we need to give a little bit more information to the public. [2:14:33, 2:14:36]: Because we get questions uh on a regular basis. [2:14:37, 2:14:40]: But I know this is already in there, so it's gonna be repetitive for you. [2:14:40, 2:14:42]: Sure. [2:14:42, 2:14:43]: What do we do about [2:14:44, 2:14:45]: You know. [2:14:45, 2:14:47]: Uh when uh properties are [2:14:47, 2:14:55]: dilapidated properties are are in and and how are they being dealt with? How are we getting to uh zero tolerance? [2:14:55, 2:14:56]: For [2:14:56, 2:14:58]: For businesses along corridors like [2:14:59, 2:15:03]: North Henry that are substandard, what are we doing to impact them? [2:15:03, 2:15:06]: Uh to move to a situation where [2:15:06, 2:15:09]: That behaviour is being corrected. [2:15:09, 2:15:14]: whether then that whether then being allowed to permeate or continue. [2:15:14, 2:15:16]: Let's talk about that. [2:15:16, 2:15:20]: Things like again, uh, you know, when you go in a shopping center parking lot. [2:15:20, 2:15:22]: And it's completely littered. [2:15:22, 2:15:25]: And and the parking lot has potholes in it. [2:15:25, 2:15:29]: Talk about those things that the public see every day. [2:15:29, 2:15:32]: And how and breck could probably be one to answer this and how [2:15:32, 2:15:35]: This new code is designed to impact. [2:15:35, 2:15:36]: D stings. [2:15:36, 2:15:39]: uh in uh in moving us forward [2:15:39, 2:15:42]: Ту імпроводи квалів. [2:15:42, 2:15:46]: and actually hold uh uh businesses accountable. [2:15:46, 2:15:49]: And for the increased appearance of our city. [2:15:50, 2:16:01]: Sure, no problem. So oh go ahead, Ns Barka. Okay. Um so so thank great question, um, and good to point out is it's kind of a two-pronged process. [2:16:01, 2:16:05]: So initially with the code we would set up um [2:16:05, 2:16:06]: We call [2:16:07, 2:16:08]: Awesome. So it's [2:16:08, 2:16:09]: Okay, okay. [2:16:11, 2:16:11]: Uh. [2:16:13, 2:16:15]: There's more time to come to roll. [2:16:16, 2:16:17]: There we go. [2:16:17, 2:16:18]: The folk park. [2:16:19, 2:16:20]: It's on you. [2:16:21, 2:16:21]: Maybe. [2:16:25, 2:16:27]: Miss pro Miss Johnson is going in and out. [2:16:27, 2:16:28]: I can't hear. [2:16:30, 2:16:33]: The shots you're going in and out. We kinda you lose the connection and you come back. [2:16:34, 2:16:35]: Um [2:16:35, 2:16:37]: Looks like you're frozen right now, actually. [2:16:46, 2:16:47]: Oh. [2:16:49, 2:16:51]: Bear with me for one moment. [2:16:53, 2:16:53]: Right. [2:16:56, 2:16:57]: Can you hear me now? [2:16:57, 2:17:01]: Hear you now, hopefully you'll stay there. [2:17:04, 2:17:05]: You muted. [2:17:21, 2:17:24]: Okay. Can you all hear me now? Yes, we can hear you now. Good deal. [2:17:29, 2:17:32]: Now it looks like you're frozen again. No, see muted. [2:17:33, 2:17:37]: I think she's trying to call from her phone, but she muted the phone as well. [2:17:40, 2:17:42]: Yes, um with a two prom [2:17:43, 2:17:47]: laws in which we are going to ensure that bring their property into compliance. [2:17:48, 2:17:59]: Additionally, our code enforcement process makes it so that we are continuing to manage our major [2:17:59, 2:18:03]: corridors throughout the city. Can you also hear me? [2:18:03, 2:18:04]: Go ahead, please. Go ahead. [2:18:04, 2:18:06]: We can hear you now. Go ahead. Okay. [2:18:08, 2:18:21]: Super. So we make it so the code enforcement effort makes it where we will ensure that we are continuing to monitor our major thoroughfares like North Henry Boulevard and 138 Eagles Landing and [2:18:22, 2:18:26]: looking at all the other all the businesses within those areas. [2:18:26, 2:18:37]: One of the things that I'm looking to implement and bring after we come conclude the UDC and zoning map process is to really look at our fee schedule. [2:18:38, 2:18:51]: We currently do not have a fee schedule in place for code enforcement, which means that we aren't able to enforce any type of additional fees for repeat offenders, folks who are either out of state, who are not complying with the code. [2:18:51, 2:19:11]: But we are going to go through the process to change that and bring that before you all. So we've got to look at it's a multifaceted process. Additionally, working with economic development for some opportunities for grants, for facade improvements. These are all things that we're working to ensure. [2:19:11, 2:19:16]: but that we're able to create a situation where people can update. [2:19:16, 2:19:27]: all of what they need to in order to um to bring properties under current compliance with the code. So that's that is that is what our goal is going forward. [2:19:28, 2:19:28]: Yeah. [2:19:30, 2:19:30]: Yeah. [2:19:31, 2:19:35]: Uh any other questions for uh Miss Johnson or for K C [2:19:38, 2:19:41]: Mr. Thomas, go ahead, please, sir. See I see you now, sir. Go ahead. [2:19:41, 2:19:43]: Thank you, thank you. [2:19:43, 2:19:44]: Um [2:19:44, 2:19:46]: I just wanna say um [2:19:47, 2:20:07]: I'm so appreciative of this process. I've advocated for this for about four years. And it took us to a point to get this. And where I'm going with this is um I've sort of been speaking about some of these issues. And Ms. Johnson, as you know, just in the last couple of days. [2:20:07, 2:20:14]: Uh Mayor Ford and I had a conversation with you about an issue that was um [2:20:15, 2:20:19]: Within the neighborhood that had been in in existence for about [2:20:19, 2:20:20]: Three weeks in [2:20:21, 2:20:23]: And you know, we didn't get a chance to cover that, but [2:20:24, 2:20:26]: The the point of my conversation is [2:20:27, 2:20:31]: And I want uh you and uh Ms. Ms. Cursis sort of speak to this. [2:20:32, 2:20:37]: When I look at the future of the sід of Stockbridge. [2:20:37, 2:20:42]: And the reason why I advocated for this process because I do understand [2:20:42, 2:20:44]: That we have to [2:20:44, 2:20:45]: Um [2:20:45, 2:20:46]: Create [2:20:47, 2:20:48]: The framework [2:20:48, 2:20:50]: And the twos [2:20:50, 2:20:52]: Ти то муви сити форва. [2:20:53, 2:20:53]: Um [2:20:55, 2:21:03]: We know that when developers come and we, you know, we've we've gone in and out of moratoriums, we've gone in and out of parking in the street. [2:21:03, 2:21:10]: Uh we didn't have the enforcement piece to it. We didn't have the touring piece to it. Um [2:21:10, 2:21:18]: You know, there was always holes uh in this process. And so I'm excited about this because again. [2:21:19, 2:21:23]: Um, and I advocate for planning for the future. [2:21:23, 2:21:26]: And I and I think this document here. [2:21:26, 2:21:31]: gives us, gives the city of Starkbridge that up to date. [2:21:31, 2:21:47]: um um framework in order for us to uh grow this city. Uh and then I'm excited about that. And the reason I'm sort of harping on this because um you know there's been some forums here recently um [2:21:48, 2:21:50]: Um in the community and [2:21:51, 2:21:52]: There is a notion. [2:21:53, 2:21:55]: Детисен [2:21:56, 2:21:58]: don't have an input into [2:21:59, 2:22:04]: uh what's going on in the city. And I just want you all to sort of to to speak to [2:22:04, 2:22:05]: Um [2:22:05, 2:22:25]: And I know you, you know, you you have done this before. So excuse me for asking you to do this again, but there are probably some citizens that that missed this because again, you know, uh this is some of the rhetoric that we hear that citizens don't have an input into these processes. And and we sort of know. And I [2:22:25, 2:22:45]: I know you all have done your due diligence in making sure that we've had the uh the hearing session. And just like tonight, you know, public hearing. So citizens do have an opportunity to have to be a part of this, but I just want you to sort of speak again uh to the uh process of citizens. [2:22:45, 2:22:51]: having input uh into these processes. And so I'll just talk about. [2:22:51, 2:22:59]: The reason why we are updating uh this code because we have to have these things in place in order for us to. [2:23:00, 2:23:18]: go forward and to build the city correctly. And as this document has to coincide with the comprehensive plan. So all of these things sort of go in together. And now Ms. Johnson, you may have said something earlier about, you know, there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle. [2:23:18, 2:23:22]: But I'm I'm excited about this, but I think we need to let the citizens. [2:23:22, 2:23:41]: understand and educate them just a little bit more of what this process entailed and how we are planning for the future. And once this document is updated, then when developers come and as we mentioned about the code enforcement piece and parking in the street and all these other things. [2:23:41, 2:24:01]: These are the tools, these are the entities that's going to be in place for us to really to grow and to build. So I just want to just dispel the notion that uh citizens do not have an input uh into this process and just talk about maybe you know the the purpose and the reason. [2:24:01, 2:24:05]: reason uh for this type of document, if you will. [2:24:07, 2:24:16]: Absolutely, Councilman Thomas. So thank you so much for that statement and for the support from you and from the other council members. [2:24:16, 2:24:29]: during this process. It's been a long kind of a long process. I know uh case can speak to um the specific meetings and um her involvement with the steering committee prior to my coming on board. [2:24:30, 2:24:38]: But we really have spent quite a bit of time trying to ensure that the customers know what's going on. And when I'm on the phone with a customer, [2:24:38, 2:24:42]: And I have my staff on the phone, we're talking about we have a new code coming. [2:24:42, 2:24:44]: And there are specific things that [2:24:45, 2:24:52]: You know, people have concerns about like fences, like parking on the street, like the width of the road, things like that we have. [2:24:55, 2:24:57]: To be very spot on and too. [2:24:58, 2:25:12]: And the public has been a part of this from the start. I'll kind of let Casey elaborate a little bit more on the specifics and how we have it set up for the zoning process to take place. [2:25:12, 2:25:32]: Sure, thank you very much. So we actually held three large community meetings and we also had a uh steering committee that was really representatives from the cities. Um so that was your engineers, your building officials, your planners of course. [2:25:32, 2:25:52]: Um the previous city manager was on that. And um right, wrong, or indifferent, I know nobody wants to believe it because I love zoning, but nobody really thinks of zoning. You know, who wakes up in the morning and thinks, oh, there's, you know, this this large book of words that I have to read about how my house is designed. [2:25:52, 2:26:12]: But really, it is the framework for what people will see, residents, just passers through of the city, on what they will see when that development happens. Unfortunately, we can't actually control property itself. You know, if we had a large expense account, you know, you could go buy the [2:26:12, 2:26:27]: Those lands and build exactly what it is. But through our public process, we really wanted to not only engage your citizens, but really educate them on the importance of zoning, because a process that may come in tomorrow. [2:26:27, 2:26:35]: Um may not even begin construction for another year, depending on the size of the development and those review processes. [2:26:36, 2:26:36]: So [2:26:37, 2:26:57]: Even through our first public meeting, we made sure that we engaged residents, that we really asked them um simple questions. And this may sound really simple, but you know, when it comes to dining, when it comes to shopping, you know, where do they go? If they're not shopping in Stockbridge or Henry County, where are they going? Because that kind of leads us to believe that they're [2:26:57, 2:27:17]: There's something missing. And of course, you're, you heard it. You're many of you were with us there. And I know we presented about the findings of the community. You know, they want those restaurants, they want those retail experiences. They want to have entertainment for kids, for adults, um, for everyone. They want to be able [2:27:17, 2:27:37]: To walk. They also um your residents were really involved in thinking and forward thinking at that about housing options and what they saw the future to be. Um so not only did we engage them on just simple questions of that, we actually pulled them through real visual pressure and surveys, you know, if we had this kind. [2:27:37, 2:27:57]: Commercial development, which architectural style do you like best? And as we went through that whole process, you'll see that really everything we focused on really got incorporated into these new regulations and updated regulations throughout this entire process. [2:27:57, 2:28:17]: And really the uh new zoning districts really came out of what we heard from the public so far about really focusing on the downtown. Everybody knew the amphitheater was coming. They could see it under construction, so it was still sharp in their mind. Um, and now you've reached that situation where it's open. So now it's really just adding those. [2:28:16, 2:28:36]: additional tools um looking at the properties around it how they could benefit from it what those transportation networks may look like what your streetscape may work like and how people would actually walk and access these places um so i know it's kind of hard um to really define sometimes because you're really [2:28:36, 2:28:38]: Really talking about [2:28:38, 2:28:50]: regulations that you may not ultimately be able to see on land, you know, tomorrow it could be five years down the road, but we're really focused on making sure that um [2:28:51, 2:29:11]: The city is recognized that when you come into the city, you know you've arrived in the city of Stockbridge. And you're not really wondering: oh, am I an unincorporated Henry? Am I another jurisdiction? And really making sure that it flows. And also understanding that there are new. [2:29:11, 2:29:19]: Types of commercial businesses. There are new types of constructions occurring everywhere. And we really want to make it um [2:29:20, 2:29:38]: uh easy i i say easy but really beneficial for both a developer and the city to get that higher standard of development that you are looking and searching and placing all of the importance in this code for. And we heard that throughout the public process. [2:29:38, 2:29:39]: Right. [2:29:39, 2:29:58]: Uh lastly, Mayor, if I may, uh is Mr. Aaron still on the call? Uh yes, he's still there. Um uh Mrs. Johnson, um, you don't have to elaborate on this, but the issue that um Mayor Ford and I brought to you a couple of days ago. [2:29:58, 2:30:01]: Um samwe samhao. [2:30:02, 2:30:05]: You know, we have to be able to catch. [2:30:05, 2:30:07]: Those kind of situations. [2:30:07, 2:30:09]: Uh that situation. [2:30:10, 2:30:10]: Um [2:30:11, 2:30:15]: had been in existence for about three weeks or a month. [2:30:15, 2:30:25]: And and no one from the city caught that. And I pointed out a a couple others. And I the reason I asked for Mr. Aaron, I know a few years ago. [2:30:25, 2:30:28]: А ви пчес. [2:30:29, 2:30:31]: And it was indicated then that [2:30:31, 2:30:32]: Um [2:30:32, 2:30:35]: This vehicle would be available. [2:30:35, 2:30:36]: To [2:30:37, 2:30:38]: Um catch. [2:30:38, 2:30:45]: uh some of those kind of situation miss johns you don't really have to get into this now you know if if you don't want to but [2:30:45, 2:30:47]: My only concern is [2:30:48, 2:30:50]: We have to have a presence. [2:30:50, 2:30:54]: And I and I know we're moving toward an adoption of this document. [2:30:55, 2:30:56]: But we still have to [2:30:57, 2:31:07]: uh exist, we still have to function. We still have to do what we need to do every day until this is adopted. So my concern is [2:31:08, 2:31:10]: We have to be able to catch. [2:31:11, 2:31:14]: These kind of incidents that that was existing. [2:31:14, 2:31:28]: For at least a month. And there may be others out there now because it is a reflection on all of us. And uh citizen was really upset about this particular incident and reading I asked for Mr. Aaron. [2:31:28, 2:31:29]: Um [2:31:29, 2:31:44]: Ms. Johnson, you and Mr. Aaron probably need to talk and talk about these kinds of situations because someone, uh whether it's public works, code enforcement, or a combination of both, have to take action. [2:31:44, 2:32:04]: uh to alleviate and to eradicate uh these kind of situations uh in the community and i'm sure miss johnson you went by and looked at that so you you saw the the um the gravity of that kind of situation that had been existing in the community so i'm going to close with that but i just want to [2:32:04, 2:32:09]: bring that to your attention in closing that we cannot let these kind of situation [2:32:10, 2:32:11]: Um just [2:32:12, 2:32:15]: You know, just just be there. We have to take action. [2:32:16, 2:32:16]: Thank you, Mayor. [2:32:17, 2:32:20]: Welcome, sir. Uh any other comments from the council? [2:32:22, 2:32:23]: Anybody else? [2:32:24, 2:32:32]: Okay, I won't see anybody at this at this time. All righty. So this is actually a this is actually a open a public uh hearing. [2:32:33, 2:32:53]: So what I'd like to do is on this particular topic, uh this first reading of the unified development code, I'd like to open up for any public comments if there's anybody online or ready in or in this or I guess standing by to make any uh comments for the UDC. And I I honestly I don't see those at this point. So I'm looking to [2:32:53, 2:33:13]: to UMs holiday and or our IT support to indicate whether or not there's someone that is uh in the in the queue at all. That's for this particular um UDC. There's no one in the Zoom queue, but um the PIO is monitoring Facebook as well for any questions. [2:33:13, 2:33:13]: Yeah. [2:33:13, 2:33:14]: Okay. [2:33:15, 2:33:18]: Well then if that's the case, uh then our PIO. [2:33:18, 2:33:30]: Um Shana, do you is there anybody that with anything that has anything uh for the public hearing that you can read or or somehow we can get that message uh for the positive in this aspect at all? [2:33:30, 2:33:33]: Good evening, Mayor and Council. Not at this time, Mayor Ford. [2:33:33, 2:33:53]: Okay, if no comments on the positive side, then I'd like to open it up for anything on the negative side. Any comments per se that anybody would have against the UDC that that any anything that they want to say. Um so if Ms. Hallday you can't see that, I want to know from uh Miss Dorton whether or not there's anything on uh on on the uh on the website. [2:33:53, 2:33:58]: site or scream on Facebook or whatnot uh that is there to indicate any other comments. [2:33:58, 2:34:03]: On the negative side, same question for IT and PIO. [2:34:06, 2:34:06]: Anything at all? [2:34:09, 2:34:09]: No. [2:34:10, 2:34:11]: Okay. [2:34:11, 2:34:19]: And Miss Thornton, I'm imagining you have none as as well. Is that correct? Yes, sir. Not at this time. Okay, thank you. So on that note, then I'll close the public hearing. [2:34:19, 2:34:36]: And uh and council before uh this uh this is uh a reading, first reading, so we'll have another reading at the end of the month in our our council work session. So another comments from the council, and I'll move on to our next item for the public reading, uh our first reading. Okay, no other comments. All right, I'll move on. [2:34:36, 2:34:40]: This is the first reading. Council consideration approved City of Stockbridge adoption. [2:34:41, 2:34:42]: An official zoning map. [2:34:42, 2:34:59]: The City of Stockbridge Planning Commission and the City of Stockbridge Mayor City Council reviewed the proposed official zoning map to be amended in conjunction with the Unified Development Code UDC, which includes the City Zoning Ordinance. This item will run concurrently with the UDC. Ms. Johnson, please. [2:35:01, 2:35:13]: Absolutely. Thank you, Mayor and Council. So this particular item is a um part B uh to uh A1 and part N A and B. [2:35:13, 2:35:33]: And this, what this is, is the zoning map, which officially we need to update in order to coincide with the new UDC. Of course, we stated we condensed our 19 zoning districts into 13. And we and within that 13, we created a downtown district. So the zoning map is just reflected. [2:35:33, 2:35:39]: It is our visual to actually reflect those new zoning districts. [2:35:39, 2:35:44]: the conversion of existing zoning districts. [2:35:44, 2:35:51]: So um I'm I'd I'll pass it along to Casey if she has anything to to add um to this presentation. [2:35:52, 2:36:12]: Thank you very much. Actually, you said it most eloquently. If we're adopting a new zoning ordinance that has new districts in it, we therefore have to make sure that your map matches correctly. So hopefully you can see that. That is the proposed new zoning map. [2:36:12, 2:36:25]: And that will actually incorporate all of the uh zoning districts and the overlays that uh we just talked about that are written in text. So this is essentially the equivalent of the map. [2:36:28, 2:36:33]: Okay, thank you. Any questions, counsel for uh uh Casey andor Ms. Johnson? [2:36:37, 2:36:46]: Yeah, I don't see any hands at this point. Uh anybody at all? Okay. Yeah, seeing none. Okay, so this once again is a public hearing. [2:36:46, 2:36:54]: For the first reading. So I'd like to open this up for any public comments for uh positive questions in reference to the zoning map. [2:36:55, 2:37:07]: Once again, ladies, uh Ms. Holiday or uh also um uh Miss Thornton, whether or not you see anything uh out there for someone that wants to make a positive comment, uh citizens, uh in reference to the zoning map itself. [2:37:08, 2:37:11]: Question to IT and P I O. [2:37:17, 2:37:20]: I T anything that you see? [2:37:21, 2:37:23]: Uh Miss Thornton, anything you see at all? [2:37:23, 2:37:25]: on a for a positive comment. [2:37:26, 2:37:27]: Mayor not at this time. [2:37:27, 2:37:43]: Okay, so now we'll go to any negative comments, whether or not there are any negative comments or comments that someone is apprehensive about us doing this, if they have anything they need to say. Is anything um on on that side or the negative side? Once again, IT and you know and the PIO. [2:37:49, 2:37:53]: Mayor Ford, this is public information officer, not at this time for Facebook. [2:37:54, 2:37:55]: Okay. [2:37:56, 2:37:56]: No. [2:37:56, 2:38:15]: Okay, all right, then thank you. So there are no positive for or against uh this aspect of the zoning map. So I'll close the public hearing and uh council. This is our first reading, so we'll have a second reading at the end of our end of the month. There are no further comments, we'll move on to the new business. And new business starts with council consideration. [2:38:15, 2:38:27]: To approve ratification of emergency information technology equipment purchased for the amphitheater complex in the amount of fifty one thousand two hundred ninety-three dollars and twenty cents from SHI. Mr. Wiggins, please. [2:38:29, 2:38:30]: Yes, um [2:38:31, 2:38:34]: Mayor and Council, the IT department is requesting ratification. [2:38:34, 2:38:36]: Of an emergency [2:38:36, 2:38:37]: IT purchase. [2:38:38, 2:38:40]: For the amphitheater complex. [2:38:40, 2:38:43]: The net were infrastructure in the amount of sixty one thousand. [2:38:44, 2:38:47]: Two hundred and ninety-three dollars and twenty cents from SHI. [2:38:48, 2:38:50]: The network equipment was critical. [2:38:52, 2:38:53]: Um to the opening. [2:38:54, 2:38:56]: It had it had um [2:38:57, 2:38:57]: Uh [2:38:58, 2:39:03]: Something to do with uh audio and TV, the security and the internet infrastructure. [2:39:06, 2:39:12]: And we're and we're asking for you just to ratif ratify because it was an emergency purchase at the time. [2:39:12, 2:39:21]: Well, uh Mr. Wiggins, just in case. Now, I I've I read what I had in front of me was fifty one thousand. I think you said sixty one. So which which is a correct number, sir? I just need clarification on that. [2:39:23, 2:39:26]: I have sixty one thousand two hundred and ninety-three dollars and twenty cents. [2:39:27, 2:39:36]: All right. All right. Well, I have a misprint, I suppose, then but I have fifty one thousand in my reading. But okay. So it's sixty one. So you can verify sixty one. So be it. [2:39:39, 2:39:42]: All right, council. Any any questions for Mr. Go ahead, Mr. Blount. [2:39:43, 2:39:48]: Well Ms. Wigan, this this these are funds that are already been expended. Right. [2:39:48, 2:39:49]: Yes. [2:39:49, 2:40:01]: Well, m Mr. Knight, um um I mean that's nothing to say, but uh I'd like to go ahead and approve the uh council considerate to approve the ratification of the emergency uh information uh technology equipment purchase for sixty-one thousand. [2:40:01, 2:40:06]: Uh two hundred ninety three dollars and twenty cents. I mean it's already been spent. Well I mean what are we gonna do? [2:40:07, 2:40:08]: All right, the motion was made. Is there a second? [2:40:09, 2:40:10]: A second. [2:40:10, 2:40:12]: Can't second any further conversation or discussion. [2:40:14, 2:40:15]: If not on favor, please indicate. [2:40:18, 2:40:23]: Okay. Uh okay, m okay, so it's an ambition decision. Thank you very much. All right, Mr. Wiggins, appreciate it. All right. [2:40:25, 2:40:30]: Council consideration improved site engineering to perform stormwater improvements. Uh [2:40:30, 2:40:44]: One hundred, one thousand, hundred, well, wait a minute. Along, excuse me, uh stormwater improvements along one oh one, one oh three, and one hundred five turning point in the amount of seventy-five thousand four hundred five hundred and forty dollars, funding source, American Rescue Plan Act. [2:40:44, 2:40:46]: Fantastic. Uh Mr. Aaron, please. [2:40:47, 2:41:04]: Yes, Mr. Mayor and Council. This is a project that will resolve a stormwater issue that we have along the rear of these properties and keep some yards from being flooded with stormwater. So we're using our own call water and sewer contracts to make these repairs. [2:41:06, 2:41:08]: Any questions for Ms. Aaron Council? [2:41:10, 2:41:11]: Uh, Ms. Barber Gray, please. [2:41:11, 2:41:20]: I just want to hear Mr. Aaron uh reiterate um the funding source for this. It's coming from opera funds. [2:41:20, 2:41:25]: American rescue funds. So we'll be actually embersed reimbursed. [2:41:26, 2:41:28]: For this expenditure, correct. [2:41:28, 2:41:32]: Yes, ma'am. And what's the amount of this again? [2:41:32, 2:41:35]: Seventy five thousand five hundred and forty dollars. [2:41:35, 2:41:40]: Thank you, sir. Mayor Ford, I'd like to make a motion if there are no other questions. [2:41:40, 2:41:43]: Motion's been made uh to accept this proposal. Is there a second? [2:41:43, 2:41:44]: I see. [2:41:45, 2:41:49]: Okay, Miss Gantt, second that and if no further discussion, all favor, please indicate. [2:41:50, 2:41:53]: All right, got a unanimous decision. Okay, appreciate it. Thank you very much. [2:41:55, 2:42:11]: Council consideration approved site engineering to perform stonewater improvements along 904 Needletop Court and 817 Rock Lane in the amount of$26,514. Once again, funding source, American Rescue Plan Act. Mr. Aarons, please. [2:42:11, 2:42:23]: Yes, Mayor and Council. This is another project that will resolve a stormwater issue at 904 Needletop. Uh uh property is flooding due to stormwater, so this will resolve that problem. [2:42:25, 2:42:27]: Mr. Blount, go ahead, please. [2:42:28, 2:42:32]: Yeah, I'd like to go ahead and motion to approve the twenty-six thousand six hundred and fourteen dollars. [2:42:32, 2:42:33]: For funding for the need of [2:42:33, 2:42:35]: Uh need a top court uh project. [2:42:37, 2:42:37]: Okay. [2:42:38, 2:42:44]: Okay. No problem. Uh thank you, Ms. Gantt. Second that motion that Mr. Blount put in action. Mr. Thomas, please. [2:42:44, 2:42:46]: You had a question or you just vote give me a vote? [2:42:46, 2:42:47]: All favor, please indicate. [2:42:49, 2:42:54]: Fantastic. Unanimous decision on that. Okay, good deal. Thank you very much. All right. [2:42:56, 2:43:05]: Council consideration to approve CNC fence to install 354 linear feet of fencing at the Public Works Administration Building. [2:43:05, 2:43:08]: An amount of thirty two thousand one hundred and seventy dollars. [2:43:08, 2:43:12]: A funding source, Department General Fund Budget. Uh Mr. Aaron, please. [2:43:13, 2:43:29]: Yes, Ms. Mayor and Council. Uh staff is requesting that we uh install additional fencing at the Public Works Administration building. We've had numerous burglaries and break-ins since the project started. And in fact, on September 29th, we came in to work. [2:43:29, 2:43:49]: And found a car parked inside the maintenance shop that had broken through some gates. So the building is kind of out of the way. So we just want to add an additional layer of security because once we move in, we'll have vehicles parked in at the facility as well. So uh CNC fencing installed the initial fencing with the contract. [2:43:49, 2:44:05]: built the building but uh we wanted to go directly to CNC ourself and not have to pay a markup for the contractor to install the additional fencing. So we're just asking to be able to install additional fencing and another gate for security reasons at the building. [2:44:05, 2:44:11]: Am I to assume that uh you got a we have a police report on all this stuff? Yes, sir, we do. [2:44:11, 2:44:23]: Okay. All right. And and you no one's been caught thus far. No one's been arrested or anything like that? No, sir. They they told the car out of there, had a Rockdale County uh tag on it. That's the only information we had. [2:44:24, 2:44:29]: And so we're still reviewing camera footage because we do have cameras at the maintenance shop. So we're still [2:44:30, 2:44:31]: Going through the camera footage. [2:44:32, 2:44:36]: Thank you. Uh Mayor Pro Tem, go ahead. It seemed like you had your head up first there. [2:44:37, 2:44:43]: Yes. Uh I'm disturbed by what you just said, which is there's been numerous break ins. How what [2:44:44, 2:44:50]: This is the first that I'm hearing about this. So talk about that. So we got a city facility. [2:44:51, 2:44:53]: That's obviously marked city facility. [2:44:53, 2:44:57]: And we we're having somebody repeatedly break in this facility. [2:44:58, 2:45:03]: This this was during the construction phase, you know, some of the materials and supplies people love. [2:45:04, 2:45:06]: Air conditioning and copper wiring and [2:45:07, 2:45:13]: pipes and things of that nature. So the break-ins occurred while it was under the control of the contractor. They had [2:45:13, 2:45:30]: on several occasions. You know that VP on East Atlanta Road has been burglarized numerous times. So that building is behind the BP. So and it's out of the way and several times we've gone down. I've gone down on my way into work early in the morning you see cars parked back there with [2:45:30, 2:45:40]: No business being back there, but we just want to have another layer of security. We do have lighting back there, but as I said, it's out of the way and isolated from the main flow of traffic. [2:45:40, 2:45:52]: Boy, you sure are hearing about a lot of things I haven't heard of. So the BP been burglarized now too. So they've been burglared that you said several times. So who where are you getting this? They told you that when you go in there, they've been burglarized several times? [2:45:53, 2:46:01]: Oh well we've seen the police down there. We talked to the courts because you know we buy most of us purchase our fuel from the BP station, so [2:46:03, 2:46:23]: And and this is something that I want to make sure because I think a lot of times this stuff like this happens and bubbles up to the surface. This is something that we as council uh should be made aware of. If we got somebody breaking into a city facility, stealing materials or whatever that may be, I certainly would like to be made aware of that. [2:46:23, 2:46:26]: And then, you know, from time to time I'm hearing [2:46:26, 2:46:38]: that we have these robberies and these break ins and nobody that's not bubbling up to me. I'm I don't know about the rest of you all. I hear about things like I heard about the business owner getting robbed on TV. [2:46:38, 2:46:39]: How is it that [2:46:40, 2:46:58]: What can we do that we communicate to law enforcement, but that we need to be a point of order of these can we can we either prove this or disapprove and then I mean I'm talking about an issue that's central to what's going on right now. What what is it that we can do to get some of this bulk we are aware of it? [2:46:59, 2:47:03]: That standby point. What we would do, what we would do. [2:47:03, 2:47:08]: and other cases for other issues has nothing to do with approving this fence right now. [2:47:08, 2:47:21]: We either get a lot of people. You're not concerned about the BP being robbed multiple times. Mr. Alexander, I'm very concerned, but I'm talking about the business at hand. We have to have some type of order in this meeting. And that's what would let's deal with this and then we'll deal with that later. [2:47:22, 2:47:24]: I mean it's not gonna go anywhere, it's not gonna change. [2:47:25, 2:47:29]: I mean the citizens don't want to hear uh they they ready for us to deal with the agenda. [2:47:29, 2:47:38]: All right. Got it. Um, we'll move on. Any other comments on reference to what's on the agenda to talk about in reference to security of the fence for the public works department? [2:47:39, 2:47:48]: If they're not, I need a motion to accept uh the proposal, Mr. Aaron, prevent prevent it, present presented. So move, Ms. Gans so move. There's a second. [2:47:48, 2:47:51]: All right, Mr. Blount second in all in favor, please indicate. [2:47:52, 2:47:55]: Okay, looks like a generic side. Thank you very much. We'll move on. [2:47:56, 2:47:57]: Thank you, Sor. [2:47:59, 2:48:10]: Council consideration approved extension of uh request for uh proposal RFP number 18 RFP 103018 DRR. [2:48:10, 2:48:28]: MSI Benefits Group Incorporated. The Human Resources Department is requesting approval to extend RFP 18, RFP 103018-DRR broker services for health insurance for MSB MSI benefits group. [2:48:28, 2:48:47]: Uh incorporated approved by the council on the 31st of January 2019, R19 desk 1027. The contract terms include one year with a two year, with a two one-year renewable options. Ms. Miller, please, along with the Ms. Willer, please. Thank you. [2:48:47, 2:48:55]: Good afternoon, Mayor Council. Um, as stated, the Human Resources Department is requesting approval to extend the contract awarded pursuant to the RFP. [2:48:56, 2:49:14]: Uh 18 RFP 103018 DRR broker services for health insurance for MSI benefits, which was approved by council. As stated, the contract was awarded for one year and it did have an option to renew for two one-year periods. Currently there are no renewals remaining. [2:49:14, 2:49:20]: So the human resources department is requesting a contract extension through December 31st. [2:49:20, 2:49:23]: Twenty twenty three, uh just a little bit about this contract. [2:49:24, 2:49:27]: Basically, um this is a broker services for health insurance with MSI. [2:49:28, 2:49:32]: Uh benefits group pro which provides the city with a consultant that offers. [2:49:32, 2:49:38]: review of the city's health benefits and assess opportunities for improvement of in cost savings. [2:49:38, 2:49:51]: guidance regarding the most advantageous um information concerning insurance markets from standpoints of cost service and coverages uh basically the [2:49:52, 2:49:57]: RFP was solicited um back in 2018 by my prede predecessor. [2:49:58, 2:50:03]: And on January 28, 2019, the city manager submitted the agenda. [2:50:03, 2:50:04]: For approval. [2:50:05, 2:50:10]: And um just to add, the city attorney has reviewed and approved this council recommendation for him. [2:50:13, 2:50:21]: Okay, council, any questions for Ms. Miller about this uh benefits uh uh information here for the staff, for the employees? Yes, Ms. Barber Goya, please. [2:50:22, 2:50:28]: Wanted to ask Ms. Wheeler. Um, so what Ms. Miller just said was this. [2:50:29, 2:50:30]: The original [2:50:30, 2:50:31]: Контракт воз [2:50:32, 2:50:33]: Signed in twenty eighteen. [2:50:34, 2:50:35]: Or twenty nineteen. [2:50:36, 2:50:37]: Twenty eighteen. [2:50:37, 2:50:39]: Okay. I believe. [2:50:40, 2:50:43]: So we have not gone back out to. [2:50:43, 2:50:47]: Um, see what the market looks like as far as these services. [2:50:48, 2:50:50]: We use a broker for that. [2:50:50, 2:50:52]: Part we would use a broker for that. [2:50:52, 2:50:55]: Our broker that we currently have goes out to the market. [2:50:56, 2:50:57]: And [2:50:57, 2:50:59]: markets the benefits [2:51:00, 2:51:03]: And comes back to us with a proposal. [2:51:03, 2:51:06]: Which you uh received back at the budget retreat. [2:51:07, 2:51:08]: On the uh [2:51:09, 2:51:11]: benefits package that we currently have. [2:51:12, 2:51:14]: So we use a broker to do that. [2:51:14, 2:51:21]: Okay, so what is this contract specifically? This is the contract to recontinue with the broker that we have on record. [2:51:22, 2:51:25]: To continue to provide the benefit services. [2:51:25, 2:51:26]: that we currently have. [2:51:26, 2:51:28]: Okay, so it's for broker services. [2:51:29, 2:51:31]: Yeah. Okay. [2:51:31, 2:51:34]: Have we have we ever compared the cost? [2:51:34, 2:51:37]: Um for these brokers, I'm just curious. [2:51:37, 2:51:41]: There is no cost for the broker. The broker just provides the services. [2:51:42, 2:51:43]: They [2:51:44, 2:51:46]: Commission is paid by the [2:51:46, 2:51:46]: Vendor. [2:51:47, 2:51:50]: So we utilize them to be a [2:51:50, 2:51:52]: Arm to the HR department. [2:51:52, 2:51:55]: Where they administer our benefits. [2:51:55, 2:51:58]: So they are cut acting as our benefits administrator. [2:51:58, 2:52:01]: instead of that being in ho in house. [2:52:02, 2:52:06]: Okay. So you're just requesting that we extend this until the end of next year. [2:52:07, 2:52:07]: Correct. [2:52:07, 2:52:13]: Okay, so next year we're gonna be looking to compare the cost with another broker or another. [2:52:14, 2:52:20]: If it depends on um it really depends. MSI benefits provides a great service to us. [2:52:20, 2:52:25]: And with the service that they do provide, they're able to go out to market and bring us the best. [2:52:25, 2:52:27]: costs benefit based on our [2:52:28, 2:52:30]: employee population and our claims. [2:52:31, 2:52:32]: So thank you. [2:52:32, 2:52:37]: What is it that they are able to do better than what GMA? [2:52:37, 2:52:41]: could do for us because I know GMA also offers. [2:52:42, 2:52:43]: benefit services. [2:52:46, 2:52:48]: Well, I I mean I've preferred the MSI. [2:52:51, 2:52:52]: But [2:52:52, 2:52:55]: Okay, so how do I know what is the best? [2:52:56, 2:52:58]: approach if we're not comparing [2:52:59, 2:53:01]: What this current broker is providing. [2:53:01, 2:53:03]: Versus what GMA [2:53:03, 2:53:07]: and the services that they provide. How do we know which is best? [2:53:08, 2:53:11]: Well, it's best on the premium that we receive. [2:53:11, 2:53:16]: Um the count the city had GMA at one point moved away from that. [2:53:16, 2:53:19]: And uh we've went out to on [2:53:19, 2:53:23]: On bid for services okay and um GMA. [2:53:24, 2:53:28]: has not provided um did not provide anything to us [2:53:29, 2:53:37]: So we have used GMA in the past. So you were able to prior prior to me coming on board, I understand that the city possibly had GMA. [2:53:38, 2:53:39]: Okay, thank you. [2:53:41, 2:53:44]: Any other questions uh for the ladies here, council? [2:53:45, 2:53:46]: Ms. Blount, go ahead, please. [2:53:48, 2:54:07]: Yeah, from my understanding, I think at the uh budget ret at the retreat also, uh, it wasn't advised for us to dip back into trying to um with um with the information that were given us to dip back into trying to go and bid do other bidding and uh for uh for as um [2:54:07, 2:54:15]: policies and stuff. I mean, I don't want to get into that, but I I like to go ahead and approve the uh council consideration, approve the extension request proposal. [2:54:16, 2:54:19]: Okay, and made that a motion. Is there a second to the motion? [2:54:19, 2:54:22]: My second. Ms. Gantt second any further discussion. [2:54:23, 2:54:25]: If not all flavored a motion, please indicate. [2:54:26, 2:54:29]: I see looks like is it uh [2:54:29, 2:54:38]: I can't see Mr. Thomas. I abstained. Okay, Miss Barber abstains. Mr. Blount says yes. Gantt says yes. Alexander, sir, Mayor Pro Tem. [2:54:39, 2:54:40]: What do you vote, sir? [2:54:41, 2:55:00]: I'm just a little confused about the fact that we did not go back to um GMA or we did not get a um is it possible to even get a quote from GMA to see where they are to compare to what the final outcome is? What not at this stage, Mr. Alexander, we cannot. [2:55:01, 2:55:05]: We already have our benefits ready to go for January first. [2:55:05, 2:55:10]: Mm-hmm. GMA starts their package on July first. They are in a different [2:55:10, 2:55:14]: Um fiscal year than we have, so we would have to wait till next year. [2:55:14, 2:55:16]: In order to go to GMA to get [2:55:16, 2:55:18]: What their prices are for the [2:55:18, 2:55:20]: Um cost of there. [2:55:20, 2:55:22]: Health insurance to make a comparison. [2:55:24, 2:55:29]: At this point, you won't, if you don't go with them, you won't have any benefits come January 1st. [2:55:30, 2:55:30]: All right. [2:55:30, 2:55:39]: Once again, Miss Okay, I'll stand by stand by. Hold on a second. Mr. Thomas, uh I think that answers your question, Alexander. I hope anyway. Mr. Thomas, go ahead, please. [2:55:39, 2:55:42]: Yeah, I I want to just confirm, uh seeming like I heard um [2:55:43, 2:55:46]: Two dates the end of twenty twenty two and twenty twenty three. [2:55:47, 2:55:49]: Uh which which is it? [2:55:53, 2:55:57]: The HR department wanted it to be extended through twenty-three. [2:56:00, 2:56:20]: Okay, good. Could we extend it through to the mayor? I'm sorry. I know what he's gonna say is that we had a motion on the floor. I asked for discuss a second, I asked for discussion and went to the vote and then we started discussing. So what it amounts to is that the motion does still still on the floor and we it's a second, but if we I asked for discussion earlier, but we went to I'm okay. [2:56:20, 2:56:25]: with the discussion mayor. I mean I I just want the council to have a full understanding of what's at hand here. [2:56:26, 2:56:28]: Uh the budget retreat. [2:56:28, 2:56:33]: We was told we was told that what was at hand at the budget retreat and when we approved [2:56:33, 2:56:36]: Uh, this at the budget retreat. [2:56:36, 2:56:41]: Only thing was to do was to come here and finalize it after everything was made up. [2:56:41, 2:56:49]: And written up and set up by the broker and HR. So now we got to this point where if we don't do this tonight. [2:56:49, 2:56:52]: Then then we find ourselves in in a predicament. [2:56:52, 2:56:58]: These and this goes back to what I was saying. Their conversations about things that we've approved. [2:56:58, 2:57:06]: That needs to be had those conversations prior to approving them out front in order to push those things forward. Because this was a this. [2:57:07, 2:57:09]: was actually approved by the whole council as a whole. [2:57:10, 2:57:12]: At the budget retreat, we all approve this. [2:57:13, 2:57:16]: And now we're sitting here questioning something that we [2:57:16, 2:57:27]: At this point, where now if we don't approve it, we won't even have insurance in January. We got to we have to have these discussions prior to council meetings. [2:57:28, 2:57:30]: And we all approve this already. [2:57:31, 2:57:36]: Uh Mr. Mayor, I I I believe I had the floor. May I finish? Yeah, go ahead, sir. [2:57:36, 2:57:41]: Okay, I'm I'm asking because I've I've heard conflict and dates. [2:57:41, 2:57:44]: I've heard, I think, Mrs. Wheeler say [2:57:45, 2:57:48]: Twenty twenty two, Miss Mill said twenty twenty three. [2:57:48, 2:57:50]: I just want to confirm which is it. [2:57:52, 2:57:55]: The agenda reads the agenda reads twenty three. [2:57:57, 2:58:00]: Okay, and and and the renewal is with Cigna. [2:58:02, 2:58:05]: We're renewing the we're using the current broker services. [2:58:07, 2:58:10]: That is what the renewal is with MSI benefits. [2:58:10, 2:58:11]: Okay. [2:58:13, 2:58:16]: Thank you. You've already approved the Cigna. [2:58:17, 2:58:18]: Uh [2:58:18, 2:58:20]: benefits at the budget retreat. [2:58:21, 2:58:23]: When the presentation was given. [2:58:23, 2:58:24]: Thank you. [2:58:26, 2:58:27]: All right. Um [2:58:27, 2:58:36]: But back to Ms. Barber, I guess here. You had a question then, I suppose. I know I thought we were all getting already voted. I wanted to give an explanation for my [2:58:37, 2:58:42]: Me abstaining. Okay, stand stand by please. Mayor Pro Tem, are you satisfied now? Are you you ready? You ready? [2:58:43, 2:58:43]: You good? [2:58:46, 2:58:52]: I I just want confirmation that there's no I mean, uh Miss Wheeler just said we're not gonna have insurance and we don't [2:58:53, 2:58:55]: move forward with it. So at this point there's no [2:58:56, 2:58:58]: Room for any time. [2:58:58, 2:59:08]: to e even research whether or not um DMA or to be able to uh change the date to twenty twenty two so next year we could get a um [2:59:09, 2:59:12]: uh estimate from GMA instead of extending it for two years. [2:59:14, 2:59:21]: All right. The motion was was made and it was seconded motion made by Councilman Blount. Um and the second was made by Councilman Gann, I believe. Is that correct? [2:59:22, 2:59:31]: Okay. And Miss Holday, you you got the motion. You understand that? Yes, I do. That is the motion. Okay. All right. Now we'll try this again. All in favor of motion, please indicate. [2:59:32, 2:59:32]: One, two. [2:59:34, 2:59:35]: Two, four. [2:59:36, 2:59:40]: Two for the motion. Uh uh anybody against the motion. [2:59:42, 2:59:45]: Okay. One against is abstain abstention? [2:59:47, 2:59:48]: Two extensions. [2:59:49, 2:59:59]: Now you realize by two one two, that means that if that's this fails, then that means uh we we have no insurance for our employees. I'm gonna make an alternative motion. [2:59:59, 3:00:03]: No, bear forward. Stand by. Stand by. [3:00:03, 3:00:08]: Uh stand by. Miss Barber, you want to explain something about the why you're abstaining, I suppose. [3:00:08, 3:00:20]: Yes, I don't like the council being put in these kinds of situations. Um, when we know we need to make a decision like this, I don't like feeling pressured to make a decision. We need to be able to compare the cost. [3:00:21, 3:00:25]: I know that our insurance or health care is through Cigna. [3:00:26, 3:00:29]: If we approved anything, it was Signa, our health care. [3:00:30, 3:00:34]: This broker is something completely separate. We can find another broker. [3:00:35, 3:00:38]: However, what is presented to us today is this. [3:00:39, 3:00:39]: M S I [3:00:40, 3:00:41]: What I'm asking. [3:00:42, 3:00:43]: I'd like to see [3:00:43, 3:00:44]: Um [3:00:44, 3:00:45]: The cost [3:00:45, 3:00:47]: Um compared. [3:00:47, 3:00:50]: I want to see what it looks like. [3:00:50, 3:00:52]: with GMA and what they offer. [3:00:53, 3:00:54]: And [3:00:54, 3:00:57]: maybe MSI and any other broker. [3:00:58, 3:00:59]: I wanna see. [3:00:59, 3:01:02]: So I think what you have to understand is that we're [3:01:03, 3:01:06]: Way too late to do that at this process. [3:01:07, 3:01:12]: If this was going to be done, I mean, we went through the budget retreat. We had MSI. [3:01:12, 3:01:18]: Who is our broker who provides the benefit services for us? He goes out to market. [3:01:18, 3:01:26]: And he came back with the cost so that we would not have such an increase in our premiums by staying with Cygna. [3:01:26, 3:01:29]: Now what we need here is just basically [3:01:29, 3:01:40]: to continue the contract as it was in the RFP in twenty eighteen, to continue with the current broker as is. And if you choose to go out [3:01:40, 3:01:51]: next year and you want to do a comparison, we can do that at that time. But since we're on an annual basis for our benefits and not on a July 1st to a June 30th. [3:01:52, 3:01:54]: Which is what GMA is on. [3:01:54, 3:01:57]: It would be difficult at this time. [3:01:57, 3:01:58]: To come back, to go out. [3:01:59, 3:02:11]: to get costs and then to come back and to provide a benefit package for the uh employees. With our claims history as high as it is this time, our premiums will be very high. [3:02:11, 3:02:18]: Right. And I understand that. I know that when the gentleman came and spoke with us, he spoke to us about our health care benefits. [3:02:19, 3:02:36]: He didn't speak to us about broker services. Okay, but it's all that is what we use. We use a broker to provide healthcare benefits. I understand that, but my point is when we know that we have contracts that are going to expire. [3:02:37, 3:02:38]: Please. [3:02:38, 3:02:40]: Do your due diligence. [3:02:40, 3:02:43]: Bring me comparable. I want to be able to see. [3:02:44, 3:02:47]: I want to be able to make the decision based on the information. [3:02:48, 3:02:49]: That is presented to you. [3:02:49, 3:03:02]: I don't want it to appear as though now my back is up against the wall. Now I have to make a decision. Absolutely not. This council has the right to make a decision. I know timing is important. [3:03:02, 3:03:14]: When these items are presented to us, all I'm asking is that staff do their due diligence first, bring that to us, allow us to make the decision on who we want to go with. [3:03:14, 3:03:15]: But [3:03:15, 3:03:18]: We're now here. We're here now and I don't [3:03:18, 3:03:23]: I don't feel comfortable with just extending something just because um [3:03:24, 3:03:27]: This contract is going to end in a couple of months. [3:03:27, 3:03:29]: So I'm just abstaining. [3:03:29, 3:03:32]: For that reason. I hope that next year. [3:03:32, 3:03:45]: that before um May or June, whenever GMA their benefits rolled out, that we're able to get prices so that we can compare the cost. That's all I'm saying. [3:03:45, 3:03:53]: It's not that I'm against MSI. I'm not. I want to be able to have something to compare it with. And I don't. That's all. [3:03:54, 3:03:58]: Stand by Mr. Blount. Mr. Thomas, you had something, sir, earlier? Well [3:03:58, 3:04:05]: And and I guess I I know we'll approve Signa, but the the whole issue of MSI and I I guess the overall [3:04:06, 3:04:08]: Concern I have is [3:04:09, 3:04:11]: And and and I mentioned this earlier. [3:04:11, 3:04:15]: It just seemed to be not enough information. [3:04:15, 3:04:16]: available, you know. [3:04:17, 3:04:20]: So MSI was the only broker that that came forward. [3:04:20, 3:04:31]: And as Ms. uh Councilwoman Bar, we we don't have anything to compare with. And and it just seemed that this is always, you know, it's the same problem. And I don't know what council can say. [3:04:31, 3:04:36]: uh to get us past you know this this this point right here. [3:04:37, 3:04:38]: Um [3:04:39, 3:04:44]: You know, and I understand the deadlines and those kind of thing, but we just keep running into the same wall. [3:04:45, 3:04:48]: And uh it just leaves us in a position of [3:04:48, 3:04:49]: You know [3:04:50, 3:04:51]: Well, we don't have a choice. [3:04:53, 3:04:54]: It's a black way, please. [3:04:56, 3:04:57]: Uh Miss Wheeler. [3:04:58, 3:05:02]: Was that Msi that gave us the presentation at the budget retreat? [3:05:03, 3:05:04]: Yes, yes, sir. [3:05:04, 3:05:13]: So MSI gave us a presentation at the budget retreat. So it's no, it's no secret that they're the they were the ones going to be doing this. No secret. [3:05:14, 3:05:17]: No secret. What they prov what I think the council doesn't understand. [3:05:18, 3:05:21]: Let me say every single council member here. [3:05:21, 3:05:24]: Got the same presentation from this broker. [3:05:25, 3:05:26]: Okay. [3:05:27, 3:05:36]: One of the things this city probably needs to do is get rid of every department here that are making decisions because this council wants to manage and be the elected body. [3:05:37, 3:05:48]: We sit here as a whole. Every single council member on here voted with this broker and said, okay, to what's being brought forward. Now you just said. [3:05:49, 3:05:54]: that we can go and revisit this in a year with this broker. [3:05:54, 3:06:13]: But this broker is the one that brought the brought the proposal of what we were going to do right now forward. It makes no sense. So now you got the team going to do their thing and going through what they're going through. Now it's a problem right now when this this council sit here and approved it with this broker. [3:06:13, 3:06:15]: It makes no sense to me. [3:06:18, 3:06:19]: All right. Um [3:06:20, 3:06:21]: Any further comment. [3:06:24, 3:06:28]: I I would just like to say that the what the broker provides is a service. [3:06:29, 3:06:32]: The broker provides a service to the HR. [3:06:32, 3:06:33]: Department. [3:06:34, 3:06:36]: to administer their benefits. [3:06:36, 3:06:39]: That is all they provide. They come. [3:06:39, 3:06:44]: They give us information regarding the service that they can provide. [3:06:44, 3:06:47]: What I look for is if they can do an online portal. [3:06:48, 3:06:59]: Can they do booklets, which you receive every year? Can they provide benefit statements? Those are the services that they provide to the HR department. [3:07:00, 3:07:17]: They also have the ability to work with various vendors, Cigna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Humana, Aetna, whoever will go out when they go out to the market, who wants the book of business based on our employment. [3:07:17, 3:07:23]: Population based on our claims history. They come back with the premium. [3:07:23, 3:07:41]: that will be paid by those services. And that is what he presented to you all at the budget retreat to let you know if we stay with Cygna and have their business, this is how much the cost will be to the city based on premiums. [3:07:41, 3:07:53]: Now, yes, he could have gone out and had Blue Cross, Blue Shield if they would bid on us, but they're because we're so small, there's a very limited number of vendors. [3:07:53, 3:07:55]: That will come or [3:07:56, 3:07:59]: Medical providers that will come in. [3:07:59, 3:08:01]: Give us a a cost. [3:08:02, 3:08:03]: For our uh [3:08:03, 3:08:05]: For our premiums. [3:08:06, 3:08:07]: So that is how it's done. [3:08:09, 3:08:11]: So Signa came back. [3:08:11, 3:08:19]: Would not increase the benefits but a certain percentage. And we decided to go with Signer for all of our benefit package. [3:08:21, 3:08:35]: MSI acts as the go-between between those various benefit providers. That's all they do. And they provide those services to HR and they handle all the benefits so that it is not a burden to the [3:08:35, 3:08:36]: HR department. [3:08:38, 3:08:45]: They're an extension as if you had your own benefit department in-house, that is what they provide for us. [3:08:47, 3:08:56]: Mayor, if I may, this is Jeremy. Just further clarification, this is just a contract renewal to extend the term of this contract for the broker that Ms. Wheeler and the city have been working with. [3:08:56, 3:09:01]: For a couple years and and right, as Miss Wigler explained, this is just to help find the [3:09:01, 3:09:07]: the health insurance for the the the city. This isn't replacing Cygna or anything else. This is just [3:09:07, 3:09:08]: Hiring an expert. [3:09:09, 3:09:09]: To help. [3:09:09, 3:09:15]: To assist the city find the plan that's the right fit. And this is just simply a contract renewal. [3:09:16, 3:09:23]: Uh and if they want to switch plans or switch brokers down the road, that's certainly the city's prerogative, but this is just a renewal of a contract. [3:09:26, 3:09:36]: Okay, Ms. Barber, this is the third time, but go ahead. Well no, I wanted to just provide uh clarity to uh Mr. Berry what my concern is. Um [3:09:36, 3:09:44]: I've seen a lot of contract renewals and extensions. I don't want to see contract renewals and extensions. [3:09:44, 3:09:48]: Where we can compare costs. [3:09:49, 3:09:50]: And decide. [3:09:50, 3:09:53]: If we want to stay with the same vendor. [3:09:54, 3:09:54]: Or not. [3:09:55, 3:10:05]: I'm seeing a lot of requests to extend contracts and we're not comparing the cost. I know that this is just for broker services. I know that. [3:10:06, 3:10:08]: All I'm asking [3:10:08, 3:10:11]: Is the next time when we have to do this? [3:10:11, 3:10:15]: that we compare cost with GMA or any other broker. [3:10:17, 3:10:18]: I've seen too many. [3:10:19, 3:10:26]: Request to extend contracts when we have not done the work ahead of time and comparing the costs. [3:10:27, 3:10:33]: I don't know if this this broker and his services that he provides is cheaper. [3:10:33, 3:10:35]: Or he provides [3:10:35, 3:10:39]: better quality or services. I don't know that. [3:10:40, 3:10:41]: All I've been given. [3:10:42, 3:10:54]: is just a request to extend a contract that we've been using well with a service brought provider that we've been using for three or four months, three or four years. [3:10:55, 3:10:56]: I wanna stop. [3:10:57, 3:11:00]: Just using the same people. [3:11:00, 3:11:03]: That we've been using over [3:11:03, 3:11:05]: And over and over again. [3:11:05, 3:11:09]: We need to be able to compare the cost. That's all. That is what my concern is. [3:11:09, 3:11:14]: I don't believe we're going to be without health insurance if this does not get approved. [3:11:14, 3:11:15]: Um [3:11:16, 3:11:17]: He's already done that. [3:11:18, 3:11:20]: During the budget retreat, he did his presentation. [3:11:20, 3:11:22]: For health insurance. [3:11:23, 3:11:24]: He's just a broker. [3:11:24, 3:11:26]: Or this company is just the agent. [3:11:27, 3:11:29]: We can find another agent. [3:11:30, 3:11:33]: I just want to be able to compare the cost and we have not done that. [3:11:33, 3:11:37]: That is what my concern is. The cost for broker services. [3:11:38, 3:11:40]: That is what my concern is. That's all. [3:11:41, 3:11:43]: All right. Well excuse me, Ms. Gantt. Go ahead, please. [3:11:44, 3:11:45]: Thank you. Um [3:11:46, 3:11:48]: Do we pay for broker services? [3:11:48, 3:11:49]: No. [3:11:50, 3:11:50]: Okay. [3:11:52, 3:11:53]: We don't pay for broker services. [3:11:56, 3:12:05]: Ms. Barber, you you've already spoken three times. Well, I'm looking at this Mayor recommendation form that says um fifty thousand dollars. Point of order, Mayor. [3:12:05, 3:12:05]: Yeah. [3:12:06, 3:12:12]: So which is it? Do we pay for it or not? Ms. Gantt, Ms. Barber, please. Okay. Ms. Gantt, go ahead, please. [3:12:14, 3:12:18]: Ms. Willer, we don't pay for broker services. That's what you just said? [3:12:18, 3:12:25]: Yeah, we don't we pay it is the broker gets his money, the commission is paid by Cygna. [3:12:25, 3:12:26]: Yes, okay. [3:12:27, 3:12:30]: So this really actually could be centered [3:12:31, 3:12:33]: Could be considered a professional service. [3:12:33, 3:12:36]: Is that not correct, Jer um um Jeremy? [3:12:36, 3:12:37]: Attorney. [3:12:38, 3:12:41]: Council member, I I mean I think that's probably correct. I think so. [3:12:42, 3:12:43]: So [3:12:43, 3:12:45]: We've been through this. [3:12:46, 3:12:49]: And I I respect the d the debate and and questioning. [3:12:50, 3:12:50]: But [3:12:51, 3:12:55]: We don't have to go through this. This is a professional service. [3:12:56, 3:13:00]: And I'm not going to say I'm tired of seeing the same [3:13:01, 3:13:07]: people do our services if they're the best or if that's the best bid that we receive. [3:13:07, 3:13:11]: Or because it's a professional service. [3:13:11, 3:13:13]: It really doesn't have to go out to bid. [3:13:15, 3:13:19]: in the first place, then we can leave it up to our HR [3:13:20, 3:13:21]: And allow [3:13:22, 3:13:23]: For our [3:13:23, 3:13:26]: pri for our directors, our staff to do their job. [3:13:28, 3:13:31]: There's a lot of intermingling going on right now. [3:13:33, 3:13:35]: There I have an issue [3:13:35, 3:13:37]: You know, with us online. [3:13:38, 3:13:42]: Saying, hey, we want to see other people. Well what if other people don't apply? [3:13:43, 3:13:50]: We've caused delays in contracts because we've only gotten one person to come and bid in the past. So be it. That's who wanted to do it. [3:13:52, 3:13:52]: We [3:13:54, 3:13:56]: Need to educate ourselves. [3:13:58, 3:13:59]: On the process. [3:14:00, 3:14:01]: It is imperative. [3:14:02, 3:14:08]: that we figure we know the difference sometimes between the professional services, what we do have to have and what we don't have to have. [3:14:09, 3:14:10]: We are not paying this broker. [3:14:14, 3:14:19]: That should be alarming within itself. I will not haul our staff's insurance. [3:14:20, 3:14:23]: I will not ha haul insurance because [3:14:24, 3:14:25]: Of the fact that we're just [3:14:27, 3:14:29]: We want to see what another broker will bring us. [3:14:31, 3:14:34]: Brokers and agents are shopping for rates. [3:14:35, 3:14:40]: This is a professional service that does not have to be bid out, nor are we paying for it. [3:14:43, 3:14:43]: Now [3:14:44, 3:14:49]: But while I was in being interrupted, I over I heard Councilwoman Barber state. [3:14:50, 3:14:56]: asking a question about fifty thousand dollars. Can anyone tell me if we're paying the broker fifty thousand dollars? [3:15:00, 3:15:06]: No, basically um in section three point three oh it just states that if a contract values but the con [3:15:06, 3:15:09]: If a contract values over it's an ordinance section. [3:15:09, 3:15:15]: But the ordinance references that the council has the authority to renew or extend the contract. [3:15:16, 3:15:17]: Okay. [3:15:17, 3:15:21]: So but we also can all agree that this is a professional service. [3:15:22, 3:15:29]: I mean, everybody's not an agent that's going out to look for insurance company rates. And that's what a broker does. They're looking for the rates. [3:15:29, 3:15:33]: This broker has found reasonable cheat rates that haven't been hiked. [3:15:37, 3:15:42]: And if you read in between the lines of what our HR management is saying, that would make sense. [3:15:44, 3:15:46]: I would like to move forward with the motion, Mayor. [3:15:47, 3:15:53]: At this time. We'll try this again. The motion was made by I believe Councilman Blount. Is that correct? And this can you second that motion. [3:15:54, 3:15:54]: Right. [3:15:55, 3:16:06]: I'm sorry, what are we voting on? I have a um 212 vote on this item and then it went into discussion right with Ms. Councilwoman Barber explaining her vote. [3:16:07, 3:16:07]: Right. [3:16:08, 3:16:11]: Okay, well I would like to make a motion that we approve. [3:16:11, 3:16:20]: at least up to a year, even if it was two years, so that just in case, but I think this is a professional service, I would like to make a motion. [3:16:20, 3:16:22]: That we approve. [3:16:23, 3:16:25]: The requ um request by [3:16:25, 3:16:26]: Miss Wheeler. [3:16:27, 3:16:29]: After we've had a discussion and discovered [3:16:29, 3:16:31]: That we don't pay for broker services. [3:16:33, 3:16:39]: All right. So that'd be a new motion. Uh Miss Holliday, I believe, did you have all that motion written down? You have that accurately? [3:16:41, 3:16:44]: The motion is as as presented. [3:16:45, 3:16:48]: Before but are you adding to that motion, Councilwoman can't? [3:16:49, 3:16:50]: For one year. [3:16:50, 3:16:51]: For one year. [3:16:52, 3:16:54]: She's making a new motion. [3:16:54, 3:16:56]: That's through twenty twenty two. [3:16:57, 3:17:00]: Yes, and we can extend it. I mean, here's the problem I have. [3:17:00, 3:17:06]: It needs to be a professional service instead of bidding out anyway, especially if we're not making a payment. [3:17:07, 3:17:10]: And when you do your re when you do research on it. [3:17:10, 3:17:14]: Anyone can go, just like you guys go and get quotes. [3:17:14, 3:17:22]: And look at different things. We the directors get different departments coming in, different businesses coming in and said, Hey, this is what we can do for you. [3:17:23, 3:17:23]: Right. [3:17:24, 3:17:25]: I mean [3:17:27, 3:17:29]: Well, some of us have have been in business before, but [3:17:30, 3:17:32]: That that is what I'm trying to say. [3:17:33, 3:17:33]: So [3:17:33, 3:17:35]: I I think that [3:17:35, 3:17:37]: You know, there's no need of us going round and round. [3:17:38, 3:17:40]: On something that is imperative to have. [3:17:42, 3:17:43]: Your health care. [3:17:44, 3:17:46]: With a br about a broker. [3:17:46, 3:17:47]: Who we don't pay. [3:17:50, 3:17:53]: And our HR, who we hired. [3:17:54, 3:17:55]: To do a job. [3:17:56, 3:17:59]: Her job specifically recommends [3:18:01, 3:18:02]: This [3:18:02, 3:18:03]: Healthcare plan [3:18:04, 3:18:06]: In the manner that we have it in. [3:18:07, 3:18:08]: And has explained why. [3:18:10, 3:18:12]: I think that's imperative that we move forward with that. [3:18:14, 3:18:16]: Stand by. Is there a second to the motion? [3:18:17, 3:18:18]: Second yeah. [3:18:18, 3:18:26]: Ms. Bruce, second. Mr. Thomas, please. Well, I was just gonna say I I I can I'm willing to approve for the for the one year if that's in the motion. [3:18:27, 3:18:35]: It I I believe it is. Matter of fact, Miss Holliday, what did you have right written down for the motion? I have that, but my question is, and this may be for our attorney. [3:18:35, 3:18:37]: Because what is presented is [3:18:38, 3:18:39]: Um an RF. [3:18:40, 3:18:41]: Is this an RFP? [3:18:42, 3:18:45]: So it is this an all together brand new item. [3:18:46, 3:18:49]: on the agenda, not having anything to do with number fifteen on the agenda. [3:18:50, 3:18:53]: Because number fifteen references an RFP. [3:18:56, 3:18:58]: The original contract, I believe. [3:18:58, 3:19:05]: And I perhaps Miss Wheeler, uh Miss Miller could speak to this, but I I believe it originally was bid some years ago and it was. [3:19:06, 3:19:11]: It must have been bid in 2018 because it says RFP number eighteen RFP. [3:19:11, 3:19:15]: So right, this is just extending the term of the contract under that. [3:19:16, 3:19:19]: And they're it's not a it's not a brand new RFP. [3:19:19, 3:19:22]: And and as Councilwoman Gantt said before, if [3:19:22, 3:19:26]: That's the council's prerogative that still could just be done as professional services. [3:19:26, 3:19:28]: Without a a procurement. [3:19:28, 3:19:29]: Bye. [3:19:30, 3:19:32]: I think that us doing that. [3:19:32, 3:19:37]: I mean, we should rely on the professionals. I think we're micromanaging way too much. We're crossing the line. [3:19:39, 3:19:42]: All right. So um Mr. Blanc, go ahead, please. [3:19:43, 3:20:03]: Mayor, I I I'd like for us to go ahead and take the vote for the RFP because I thank Ms. Wheeler for the courtesy. But if we don't approve it tonight, then she has the right to go ahead and move forward with his professional services anyway, rather than have every employee and everybody sit back with no insurance come January the first, because our professional or department head has just said that. [3:20:03, 3:20:21]: So I don't want us to sit here and continue to play games. Take the vote and if it doesn't pass, Ms. Wheeler, it's on you to make sure every employee and everyone still has insurance by January the first with professional services. Council, I don't agree with that because Mayor Council is directing staff. [3:20:22, 3:20:23]: And we've had a lot of [3:20:24, 3:20:27]: hearsays of threats and everything else already. No. [3:20:27, 3:20:28]: I don't agree with that. [3:20:29, 3:20:40]: Okay, the motion either go with that or not. The motion's been made. It's been seconded. Ms. Uh Holiday, read the motion one more time before we take this vote. Make sure we understand this motion is right. Please. Okay. [3:20:41, 3:20:48]: Motion by Councilwoman Gantt, uh second by uh councilman Blount to extend the contract for one year. [3:20:50, 3:20:52]: For broker services. [3:20:54, 3:21:04]: Is that the motion? But MSI. Yes, that's the that's the sir. That's the um motion. That's I okay. I would ask that mayor council consider it a professional service. [3:21:05, 3:21:10]: Okay. Mr. Blount seconded that particular motion. All in favor of motion, please indicate. [3:21:12, 3:21:22]: All right, I got four and um uh one abstention. All right, motion passed. All right, Hord, I'd like to add and comment for my abstention. [3:21:22, 3:21:34]: So Councilwoman Gantt made reference to this moving forward as a professional service agreement. I do believe any expenditures that exceed the authority limit. [3:21:35, 3:21:47]: of the city manager. What is that? Is it$25,000? It is necessary. Okay. I assume our medical benefits exceed the amount of$25,000. [3:21:47, 3:21:47]: So [3:21:48, 3:21:57]: That contract doesn't spend money. This is just finding someone to to bring on a health insurance company. They get paid by the health insurance company. [3:21:57, 3:21:58]: Not by the city. [3:21:59, 3:22:02]: Okay, so this was advertised as an RFP. [3:22:04, 3:22:07]: The request was to extend the contract that derived. [3:22:07, 3:22:09]: from this RFP. [3:22:09, 3:22:11]: So if I'm extending a contract. [3:22:13, 3:22:16]: Obviously there had to have been some funds. [3:22:17, 3:22:24]: I just we don't have enough I don't have enough information that I feel comfortable with voting on this. So I'm gonna abstain. That's all. [3:22:24, 3:22:26]: But I i if I may, real quick, the [3:22:28, 3:22:38]: The city has the option always to bid professional services, always has that option, but it also has the option, because it's an exception to procurement, to not bid it. [3:22:39, 3:22:42]: So someone made a decision in twenty eighteen to bid this work. [3:22:43, 3:22:48]: That I mean, I think that must have I wasn't here at the time. Someone must have made that decision. [3:22:48, 3:22:53]: But because it's an exception to the procurement code doesn't mean it always has to be done that way in the future. [3:22:55, 3:23:00]: Well, because I'm being asked to make a decision, I'll abstain because I don't feel comfortable. [3:23:00, 3:23:01]: That's all. Thank you. [3:23:02, 3:23:06]: Four zero one to motion pass. All right, now onto comments uh by me. [3:23:06, 3:23:07]: Good night. [3:23:08, 3:23:10]: Ladies and gentlemen, good night. Ladies and gentlemen. [3:23:10, 3:23:12]: Uh we're still in a pandemic. [3:23:13, 3:23:16]: So the public health department uh update in reference to um [3:23:16, 3:23:20]: How about testing for COVID 19, Red Hot Field? [3:23:20, 3:23:35]: 143 Henry Parkway. It's right across from the Henry County government office. And so COVID-19 testing is done every uh Tuesdays to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. [3:23:36, 3:23:38]: Okay. You just go by there and get tested. [3:23:39, 3:23:59]: And of course, uh you can also go to Dissi4 Health uh Department, uh the public health department there, and uh you can uh get tested there as well in this aspect. Um so please do so. Vaccinations are uh are uh free of charge and a lot of different organizations uh that have been working with the public health department and/or [3:23:59, 3:24:01]: core nonprofit organization and [3:24:02, 3:24:08]: uh different churches and organizations have been f financing or or presenting those uh to the public so please do so [3:24:09, 3:24:20]: And if you want a public health uh department to give you a vaccination, you can call 888-847-4262 to make an appointment. Once again, it's 888-847-4262. [3:24:21, 3:24:41]: And uh you can do that. Of course, they're gonna talk about the demographics, your health, uh, history, your age, any type of past, infections that you may have had, uh, COVID-19 testing that you may have, and things uh things of this nature. So please do that on this aspect. And of course, uh more information will be coming out of uh [3:24:41, 3:25:01]: uh in reference to uh uh what the type of FDA approvals will go on for Pfizer or Moderma to get the younger uh children uh vaccinated as well. That's coming shortly. And of course there are some boosters being offered now for folks that have underlying health conditions in a certain age group. So you got to keep [3:25:01, 3:25:18]: vigilant of this and uh continue to uh uh be safe, wear your masks, use hand sanitizer, wash your hands, watch a distance and uh get vaccinated. There's plenty of places in the public that you can actually do this free of charge or they'll take your housing services. You have that as well. [3:25:19, 3:25:39]: Tomorrow is starts early voting. Early voting for the municipal elections as well as for T S PLOS. Let me talk about T S PLOS in just a bit. So early voting starts tomorrow and uh several different locations around the county, but the main location for early voting for City of Stockbridge will be Merrill Mounters Conference Center. And [3:25:39, 3:25:42]: And uh that is if I understand right, a seven to seven. [3:25:42, 3:25:45]: And uh that includes weekends as well. [3:25:45, 3:26:05]: And then on the day of election, which is November 2nd, besides Merrill Manors, it'll be the Stockbridge United Methodist Church, as well as Red Oak United Methodist Church. It really depends on where what your your registration card tells you where you need to go on the day of the actual um uh uh [3:26:05, 3:26:07]: election which is November second. [3:26:07, 3:26:27]: And uh if you vote at those particular locations, you can do that for the municipal location as well as T S PLAS. Uh if you have that actual uh registration card indicating that. And I want to make sure that we have all the updates uh of uh early voting and the voting on November 2nd are updated on the website. [3:26:27, 3:26:47]: Holiday make ensures that that is done in that aspect. So it's your constitutional right to vote. And so hopefully you use the right to vote. If you haven't registered to vote already, it was too late for this election, because I think you had to do that by the 4th of October. So hopefully everybody uses their constitutional right and that many people have fought hard, get blood, sweat, and tears. [3:26:47, 3:26:59]: In a life for your constitutional rights. So please vote. Regardless of who you vote for, you need to go vote. Now, in reference to T-SPLOST, I will tell you you need to vote yes for T-SPLOST, transportation, special options. [3:27:00, 3:27:03]: Local sales tax, right? You have to do that. [3:27:03, 3:27:11]: Uh that if you do that, the city of Stockbridge over a five-year period would get roughly a little more than thirty million dollars. [3:27:11, 3:27:31]: Okay, that that would be for road expansion. Say, for instance, uh, that's just a little penny additional penny tax on the dollar, sales tax on the dollar for everything that is bought in the county. And that includes folks that are traveling through and or visitors, or my sister comes to visit me and goes shopping, she gets taxed that penny additional penny tax as well, along with all the citizens here. [3:27:31, 3:27:35]: Listen, thirty million dollars, almost thirty point five million dollars is projected over five year period. [3:27:36, 3:27:38]: If we pass and we must do so. [3:27:38, 3:27:43]: what that's going to do for us give an idea that would take uh the rock quarry widening [3:27:43, 3:27:58]: From Hudson Bridge Road to Hospital Drive to service route 138, which is North Hernan Boulevard, and we'll share that cost with the county. All right. And uh so we need to do that. We need to expand that and and widen that road for transportation purposes. [3:27:58, 3:28:10]: All right, that also involves with the county project for the SPLOS. Once we pass it and you vote yes, that deals with the um actually with the Hudson excuse me with the uh [3:28:10, 3:28:30]: Rockquarry widening as well. Uh excuse me, Rockquarry widening from Hudson Bridge Road to Hospital Drive, 138. Also Hudson Bridge Road, E. L. Parkway, resurfacing to from Willis Drive to Service Route 42. That's a joint project with the county. Something good that we're doing with them as well. So that's what would happen. And those projects. [3:28:30, 3:28:50]: Projects together involve uh well with the uh Hudson Bridge Road, Eagles Landing, and that is combined with the county, roughly um uh quite a little under$2 million for that one. And then of course the the uh Rock Roy writing project to Hudson Bridge Road with the uh with the actual uh county. [3:28:50, 3:29:10]: Uh that is roughly uh$25 million to do that. And now, and following that, of course, would be the extension. We're looking at the extension of Rock Quarry that would go uh north uh from the intersection of North Henry Boulevard, cross O'Conyas Road, and and swing around to hit uh Valley. [3:29:10, 3:29:10]: [12551.3, 12557.8]: So that's also projected and and in that funding uh once we pass this uh TLUS on November 2nd. [3:29:18, 3:29:22]: Or you can go tomorrow and vote and pass start passing it right there tomorrow because the the the polls will be open. [3:29:23, 3:29:43]: The other thing that's will happen with this uh thirty million dollars that we will get once you say yes to split T Splash, right, is that we got our trail network and uh that would be a span of within the within the city. We got additional um uh sidewalks and curbing and pedestrian walkways that'll be added through. [3:29:43, 3:29:49]: The county, screw through the city as well. Trails such as Reese Creek Trail extension. [3:29:49, 3:29:51]: The Bush Creek Trail extension. [3:29:51, 3:30:06]: Rum Creek Trail Extension, Patrick Henry Parkway, East Atlanta Road, and North Henry Boulevard, all part of the trail process. And we're talking about uh uh different types of Walt Stevens Road that'll be involved, Oak the Red Oak Road, Oak Honyers. [3:30:07, 3:30:27]: Flip and roll, Martin Luther King Senior Heritage Trail, all part of the trail network, even though we we we authorize a$1 million bond, but this will be also additional funds from T Splots to help with the transportation process. And then you're gonna take a look at all the other cities and the under underserved community part of stock bridge with uh curbs and butt gutter and [3:30:27, 3:30:47]: sidewalks, pedestrian walkways, crossways to keep people safe, the connectivity that we'll have between our communities uh and and leading people downtown this aspect as well. Um so we need to do this folks. You need to vote yes. And we'll continue to uh emphasize this all through the campaign, all through the election season. So please. [3:30:47, 3:30:59]: uh vote yes on this as well. We need it. We need uh the dollars and we need and matter of fact if we don't do this we're all gonna suffer everybody will suffer if it doesn't pass countywide we're all gonna suffer the next five years or more [3:30:59, 3:31:03]: And so uh let's uh let's uh make ourselves happy and pass this, please. [3:31:04, 3:31:07]: Uh one other thing I'd like to mention is that um [3:31:08, 3:31:24]: Uh as you as you probably will know now our city manager Brandy Knight has moved on to another different assignment. Uh he's now uh going to be signed uh and work for Roswell City Government. Uh so we are now actively in the process of finding our next city manager. And hopefully we'll be able to accomplish this within the next three. [3:31:24, 3:31:40]: a month or so and in the first part of the year we'll should have one on site. So have a new new uh city manager. So we're looking forward to that in this aspect. Uh so we we're we're missing that for right now, but we'll continue to move forward with the help of the staff and the council we'll continue to move the city forward in this aspect as well. [3:31:41, 3:31:48]: On that note, I'll uh end on my particular comments and I'll go to announce Mr. Upcoming meetings. Next city council. [3:31:49, 3:31:49]: Yeah. [3:31:50, 3:32:02]: Yes. Real quick, I just want to make sure that we we're we're being very clear. Stockbridge's voting location will be Merrill Mandas, but Henry election is going to be open for early voting too. Is that correct? [3:32:03, 3:32:08]: I'm sorry. Yes. Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry. Yes, you can early early voting can ha happen now at the uh [3:32:09, 3:32:28]: um down at downtown um uh it's on forty forty eleven forty eleven street right forty last donna i guess you could you do that if you're you can also vote uh but it's in uh locust growth in happened if you're all the way if you're down there as well on this aspect. What are the addresses off top your head miss holiday yeah for the additional for early voting that is if you have those handy [3:32:28, 3:32:31]: Uh Fortson Library and also in Hampton. [3:32:32, 3:32:35]: Forty Atlanta Street, McDonough, and Merrill Manders Conference Center. [3:32:36, 3:32:45]: Okay. For the early voting, which is twelve October to thirty October. Correct. And that includes the Saturdays, seven to seven. That includes those Saturdays as well. [3:32:46, 3:32:48]: Well Saturdays are Saturdays are not seven to seven. [3:32:49, 3:32:55]: Saturdays are nine to five and the one there's two Saturdays and then one Sunday is one to five. [3:32:56, 3:33:01]: What what what date I don't have in front of what date do you know the date of the I don't have that in front of me, Mayor, but [3:33:01, 3:33:06]: It's on a website. The schedule is on the city's website. It's on the website, ladies and gentlemen. Schedule's on the website, okay? [3:33:06, 3:33:26]: So um early voting 12 tomorrow, 12 October to 30 October. Please vote. Your constitutional right. Um city council meeting at 6 p.m. via Zoom, uh second Monday of each month, which is gonna be uh October 11th, which is tonight. Main Street Advisory Board has uh rescheduled to meet at 9 a.m. by way of zoom on October 15th. [3:33:27, 3:33:32]: youth council meeting is five thirty by way of zoom second Wednesday of each month, which is October thirteenth. [3:33:33, 3:33:38]: Downtown Evelyn Authority meeting is 6 p.m. by way of Zoom, third Tuesday of each month, which is October 19th. [3:33:39, 3:33:52]: Uh the youth council advisory meeting is 6 30 by way of zoom, third Tuesday of each month, 19 October. The city council work session by 6 p.m. by way of Zoom, last Tuesday of each month, uh which will be 25 October. [3:33:52, 3:34:00]: And the planning commission meeting is 6:30 by way of Zune, fourth Thursday of each month, which is 28th October. [3:34:00, 3:34:10]: And please join Councilwoman Barber at the Marmano's Conference Center for Free Zuma Fitness in the Park Saturdays at 8 a.m. at the Clark uh Park Pavilion A, B, and C. [3:34:11, 3:34:21]: Please join Councilman Barber once again at Normand's Conference Center Saturday, uh this coming Saturday, October 16th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a blood drive partnership with the Lifesto. [3:34:22, 3:34:29]: A pretty and pink love walk Saturday, October 16th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clark Park, uh walking trail located one one. [3:34:29, 3:34:37]: One Davis Road and Forest and Star Ridge, and special tribute to co-founder of this particular uh pretty and pink glove walk, CC McGee. [3:34:38, 3:34:45]: Uh Stockbridge Amateur concert featuring award-winning artist Freddie Jackson and Chaka Khan, the main event. [3:34:45, 3:34:51]: Saturday, October twenty third, eight PM. Matter of fact, if you haven't got your ticket yet, go to StockbridgeAMP dot com. [3:34:52, 3:34:57]: And see what's available and purchase your ticket. Once again, Stockbridgeamp.com. [3:34:57, 3:35:03]: And uh find out what's available, purchase a ticket and come and hang out and enjoy the concert of these two outstanding entertainers. [3:35:04, 3:35:09]: And it's opportunity to meet the mayor and voice your questions and concerns on Monday, October twenty fifth. [3:35:10, 3:35:21]: 10 a.m. to noon and uh that'll be virtual and you need to call city hall and schedule an appointment with Zenobia Pearson and you can do that by 777-389-7900. [3:35:21, 3:35:27]: On that note, uh council, do we need to go to Zecklar session at all? Um do we have a motion to go to Zecklar session? [3:35:30, 3:35:37]: All right, I've no one's motion, so we need a motion to end our uh council meeting. So move there a second. [3:35:37, 3:35:40]: Our second. Okay. All third, please indicate. [3:35:41, 3:35:48]: It looks like we have an amusement decision. Okay. Goodbye, everybody. God bless you all. Stay safe. Have a good safe good night, evening, week. [3:35:49, 3:35:51]: Good night. Good night.