---
date: 2025-01-28
title: 01-28-2025 Minutes
source: 2025-01/2025-01-28_01-28-2025 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

StOCka'idge
Where Communky Connects

COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES

January 28, 2025 6:00 PM.

Mission: To provide visionary legidershi _and sup_erior municipal serviges that
enhance the of life for Citizpns w ile creating a welcpmmg busmess
tguality
atmosphere ocused on sustainability and expansmn of tourism and cultural events.

The meeting was called to crder by layer at 3:24 mm.

nvocation by: Mayor Card

:led-ge cf Allegiance was recited by all 'a attenuawm.

Oak, .essa was asken 97336929 a verbal rcll sail. All members
res except Scansi'membe' Ee'ry.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
A sxzrider; secczdea by
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PUBLIC COMMENT
.3" arts.

REVIEW OF THE MINUTES
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1|Page
2. PATH Foundation presentation of Strategic Implementation & 'Viaster Plan
for Trails.
Presented by: Eric Ganther, PATH Foundation and Deoius Aaron,
Dublic Works :irectcr
Mr. Ganther noted the City of Stockbridge hired the PATH Foundation to
conduct a Strategic clan for the Implementation & Master Plan for
building off the old plans previously approved by the city; reviewed the
Master Planning Goals: The Stockbridge Strategic implementation &
Master Plan for Trails will provide guidance to implement trails that
connect all residents in Stockbridge to parks, schools, greenways,
commercial areas, and regional destinations.

Mr. Ganther presented the proposed plan noting the implementation, and
the next steps for the 24-mile trail plan, noting guidance has been
received from the City Manager, Frederick Gardiner and Public Works
Sirector, Decius Aaron; and referenced public input from the community
in-perscn, aiong with a pubiic survey placed on the city's website, which
was extended to allow feedback.

Mr. Ganther reviewed the Plan Process, Trail Destinations and
Connections, and noted the proposed Stockbridge Trail Netwcrk
consisting of 24 miles, starting with downtown, consisting of Greenways.
Side Paths and Calm Streets; noting the trails need to be popular and
separated from vehicle use, noting 24 miles is a lot for a city the size of
Stockbridge; and noted Phase I would consist of miles of trails. building
off what was already stared; and Phase ll would wnsist of 10 miles after
the core of the network.

Mr. Ganther referenced a proposed Tunnel. not too long, that would
connect Clark Dark and Gardner parks; referenced the proposed Red Oak
Trail on Walt Stephens Rd. with Stockbridge signage over the bridge;
referenced the heritage Trail along M L King Sr. Heritage Trail,
recommending the closing of cennings way to one-way entering
Memorial Park; referenced the Stock Bridge Trail and the proposed
pedestrian ..ge in Downtown Sicckbridge; noting the planning included
a public meeting on October 23. 2024 with 11 attendees and a Public

Survey placed on the o'ty's website Cctaber 23 December 4, 2624 with
49 responses.

W. reviewed the 2024 material and labor pricing and what is and
is not included. =hase it would include:

Trail construction per design standards; signage; landscaping; trail
amenities; trail amass to neighborhoods; survey, design and permitting;
construction management and a contingency estimated at
3' 8.977. C .23. noting this is a long-term project ,and that if approved at
rebruary meeting. has 5 on the proposed timeline, a substantial
portion of the trails would be completed in two years, and would be
meeting with hcrfclk Southern regarding the proposed tunnel.
ZIPage
Mayor Ford noted he likes the connectivity of the trails throughout the city.
and referenced the time it took to get the Quiet Zone approved between
the City of Stockbridge and Norfolk Seuthem.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt commended Councilmember Alexander as an
advocate for trails and is excited about the plan and its implementation
and the potential connection to the Lake Spivey trails and upwards to the
Panola Mountain trails; and referenced the city of Suwanee's underground
tunnel.

Councilmember Thomas echoed the sentiments of the Council, and noted
the city's T-SPLOS" projects in the Tye Street area for curb, gutter and
sidewalks, the widening of Flippen Road project, and the proposed access
changes to Memorial Park, noting he supports trails and the health and
wellness of the community, however. it is important to make sure the
PATH Foundation coordinates with staff and the Project Managers of
those projects that are currently undenNay.

,Vlr. Aaron the PATH Foundation, Falcon Design and
Engineering Consultants. and TSW (Tunnel, Spengler & Walsh) have
conducted joint meetings. and referenced the approval to close
the Transfer Station to allow for new access to Memorial Park; and also
purchased the lot next to the Transfer Station, noting Falcon is working on
the infrastructure.

Mr. Ganther noted smaller projects are easier to build and allow staff to
deliver a successful project; and stated a 20% match on a $3 million dollar
project could be used as a match and attract ARC (Atlanta Regional
Commission) funding.

Councilmember Alexander stated his support of the Trails Plan, and
referenced the points of interest connecting schools. grocers. retail and
neighborhoods, and that the city should pursue funding, noting Governor
Kemp announced an additional $255 million in infrastructure funding
during the GMA Cities United Summit Conference; noted the PATH
Foundation has secured $1.9 million toward the trail plan, and the city has
allocated T-SPLOST and SPLOST funding of $22 million dollars, with
SPLOST VI collections to begin in April 2025,

W. Milazi noted the importance of local match funding. and the SPLOST
and T-SPLCST projects are funded as approved and allocated.

Mr. Ganther agreed with the importance of seeking grants, noting the
challenge with federal and state money is the funds are primarily to build
highways and comes with restrictions; and that it is best to use local
money and go back to agencies and ask for additional funding.

Mayor =crd noted the Governing Body would discuss funding sources at
the upmming Retreat in March.

3|Page
Councilmember Thomas asked Mr. Milazi to confirmed that the Tye Street
area curb, gutter, and sidewalk project has funds that have been
earmarked for that project.

Mr. Milazi the funding has been earmarked and cannot be
changed unless the priorities change.

Councilmember Thomas asked how the President's Order on the halt of
federal funding to programs affects the current projects.

Mr. Gardiner stated there would not be much of an effect on the
monies, however, CDEG and SEFA loans may be affected, and that the
Governor, SMA and ACCG should be preparing a response to cities and
counties on this matter.

Mr. Gardiner noted Norfolk Southern approved a Tunnel Project in 2008,
with $800,652 earmarked frcm Congressman David Scott, and the
information has been included in the .NLC (National League -::f Cities)
packet for the conference in Washington, DC in March, and that projects
that connect neighborhoods receive support from both sides of the aisles.

Councilmember Thomas asked if the PATH Foundation plans to conduct
additional citizen engagement opportunities

Mr. Ganther noted there are no additional meetings planned.

Councilmember Alexander referenced the townhall meetings held in
District 2 by Councilmember Thomas that included discussion of the Trail
Plan with a focus on downtown and also referenced the trail plan around
the STEM school, noting as the school is under construction, there is an
opportunity to create a cultural shift with students walking or riding bikes to
school; and noted that while there are no trails in District 5 in this plan.
there are trails ooming that are included in other developments in the
district.

Councilmember Berry joined the meeting at 7:38 pm.

Councilmember Barber asked if the survey like is still available for
comments.

Mr. Ganther stated the survey had been closed, noting it had been
previousy extended and promoted on the city's social media Diatforms.

Mr. Ganther asked members of the Governing Body to review the plan
and submit feedback ny '= ruary and place item on the cebruary 10,
2325 Agenda, and up .-val, .
would begin. felicwea by
Phase II noting fundiag Is in place.

4|Page
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Council Consideration for use of the Merle Manders Conference Center
on Saturday, March 29, 2025 for the Youth Council Expo.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was made by Mayor Pro Tem
Gantt; seconded by Councilmember Barber. The motion passed
unanimously 5-0.

UPCOMING MEETINGS G ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council meetings will be held in the

City Council Chamber. Meeting dates, locations and times are subject to change or
contact City Hall at or visit the website wwwstockbridgegaorg

for updates.

. Youth Council Meeting 1st Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. -

City Hall Levi
Meeting Room (Feb 3)
Stockcriog-e Citizens-Police Advisory Council meeting 1st *hursday of each
month at 9:36 pm. at the Stockbridge Police Community Room 4545 N. Henry
Blvd. -
(Feb 6)
City Czuncil Meeting, Monday of each month at 6:00 pm. City hall

Council Chamber (Feb 10)
Citywide Sevelcpment Authority Meeting Tuesday of each month at City
Hall in the Levi Meeting Room at 6pm (Feb 11).
Community Zoning and Information Meeting: from 6:00 pm. 7:00 pm. at City
Hall in the Council Chamber (Feb 12)
- The Vain Street Advisory Board Meeting on the 2nd Friday of each month at
9am .coation is the Downtown Connection Center 130 M L King Sr. Heritage
"rail. (Feb 14)
- Downtown :evelcpment Authority Meeting, 3" Tuesday of each month at the
Downtown Connection Center 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail (Feb 18)
. Vouth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 3rd Tuesday of each
month _evi Meeting Room City Hall (Feb 18)

Planning Commission Meeting, 3'd Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm. City -

Hall Council Chamber (Feb 23)
City Council Work Session Meeting held on the last Tuesday of the month at
623-0 cm. City Hall Council Chamber (Feb 25)

UPCOMING CITY EVENTSflNITIATIVES

. uoir. Councilwoman Barber for the Annual Prom Dress Collection and

Giveaway at the Merle Manders Conference Center. Accepting donations of
new and gently uses. prom dresses on Sunday, Febmary 6a and the
FREE Giveawy cf dresses to local teens on Sunday, February 23". More
intern-ail: n to fcitow.
. C:uncilrnan "homas c: the monthly Bingo Bash on Wednesday, February
nccn at the Merle Wanders Conference Center. -cts of to

be had all.
. Joir C: Iman Alexanderfora Quarterly Town l-lall on Thursday, February
22'" at Vore informaticn to follow.

SlPage
- Join Councilman Thomas for the Annual African American Celebration on
Saturday, February The program will stream from 5pm 7pm on the
Facebook page.
- Jain Mayor Ford for the monthly Meet the Mayor on Monday, February 24m
from 10am noon at City Hall. Meetings are by appointment.
- Councilman Thomas is honoring Veterans with a Continuous Salute all year

long. Please send your pictures of Veterans with their name, branch, rank, and
years of service.
. Join Councilman Thomas for the Don't Trash Stockbridge initiative centered
around education highlighting the causes and effects of Littering and Illegal

Dumping. More information to follow.

Please contact Rosalynd Rawls to schedule an appointment for Meet the
Mayor and for more information an Council at or via

email: We:

MAYOR'S COMMENTS

Mayor Ford noted we are in winter months, cold and season, and encouraged

everyone to get vaccinated and booster shots; refe:enced the rare snow event in

Georgia; noted the Council is returning from the 2:25 GMA Cities United Summit where
connected with fellow colleagues thrcughaLt the State and received training;
referenced a new business opening and the ribbon cutting for the Hacienda Bar & Grill at
.odeco; and referenced the upcoming Superbowl game featuring the Kansas City Chiefs
and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Councilmember Alexander noted the District 5 *own Hall on February 20"I will take place
at the Oaks at Eagles Landing located at 2700 Patrick Henry Blvd.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 pm. was made by Councilmember Alexander;
seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gantt. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa -'c!iday, City Clerk

6|Page
