---
date: 2023-11-28
title: 11-28-2023 Minutes
source: 2023-11/2023-11-28_11-28-2023 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Where Community Connects

WORK SESS ON EET NG
SU MARY NUTES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 6:00 PM.
Mavor & Citv Council
Mayor An thonv 5. Ford At-Lar ge
Mayor Pro Tem Yol anda Coun ci| District 4
Councilman Elton Counci l District 5
Councilman JohnBlount Council Distri_ct3_
CounCIiwoman LaKeisha Gantt Council District 1
CounCIlman Alphonso Thomas CounCII District 2

Administration
Frederick Gardi Manager
Vanessa Hol Igiay City Clerk
Vacant City Treasurer
Quinton Washin gton City Attorney

Mission: To rovidevisiona leadership and superior municipal services that enhance the
quallty of Ife for Citizens.w Ile creatinga welcoming busmess atmosphere focused on
sustainability and expansuon of tourism and cultural events

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford at 6:04 pm.

Invocation by Councilwoman Gantt

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All Members
were present except Councilman Blount.

Motion to amend the Agenda -
to add Item # 11 Transfer of Properties to the Citywide
Development Authority made by Councilwoman Gantt; seconded by Councilman
Alexander. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

Motion to adopt the Agenda Motion to adopt the Agenda made by Councilwoman
Gantt; seconded by Councilman Alexander. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

Review of Draft Minutes for the following meetings with no action:

1. Council Meeting Minutes October 9, 2023

2. Work Session Minutes October 30, 2023

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PUBLIC COMMENTS
All persons wishing to speak for public comment must sign in with the City Clerk prior to
the beginning of the meeting noting your name, address, and phone number. You will be
allotted three (3) minutes. Speakers must respect all members of the elected body,
officials, and staff. Defamation, unruliness and/or swearing will not be tolerated.
There were no public comments.

PRESENTATION
3. Presentation -

Transportation Improvement Project for Valley Hill Road.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director and
Frederick Gardiner, City Manager
Mr. Gardiner referenced a meeting with the County Manager, noting the

County did an assessment of the deteriorating roads and agreed to a
partnership for road improvements.

Mayor Pro Tem Barber expressed her support of the collaboration and
requested the full assessment.

Councilman Alexander commended Mayor Pro Tem Barber and
Commissioner Robinson for working together on infrastructure
improvements.

Mr. Aaron stated he would provide the road assessment reports as

requested.

Motion to approve collaboration between the City of Stockbridge and Henry
County to repave sections of Valley Hill Road 50/50 Split with the County

$200,000 each entity with the City utilizing SPLOST funds made by
Mayor Pro Tem Barber; seconded by Councilman Alexander. The motion
passed unanimously 4-0.

4. Presentation -

Improved Service Delivery for Building and Development
Inspections. Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Chief Planner
Mr. Anderson noted the Engineering positions would remain with the
contractors as they are providing excellent service, and that the Building
Official, Building Inspector and Permit Technician positions would be
brought in-house in the Community Development Department.

Councilman Thomas referenced the request and presentation he
presented to Council for this action and is glad to see that this is now
moving fonNard.

Motion to authorize staff to move fonNard with Improved Service Delivery
for Building and Development Inspections positions in the Community
Development Department made by Councilwoman Gantt; seconded by
Councilman Thomas. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

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5. Presentation Potential future development of area under an approved
Master Plan that will provide for the coordinated growth of a new mixed-
use project.
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager
Mr. Gardiner presented Patrick Henry Master Plan noting an opportunity to
develop the Southern Crescent; noted the city has been working with
property owners in the area with a portion already dedicated for
development with several entities expressing interest and will include
public/private partnerships; noting this would be a huge win for the
southside, with the goal of adoption by the Planning Commission and
Governing Body.

Councilman Alexander noted the proposed Master Plan will change the
map for Stockbridge, and the standards will be those presented in the
rendering.

Councilwoman Gantt expressed excitement, noting this is very much
needed for the City.

Councilman Thomas stated the presentation was great and is in favor.

Mayor Ford noted the Master Plan would be presented to the Planning
Commission in February and to the Governing Body in March 2024.

No Action Taken.

6. Presentation Proposed Streetlight Assessment Program (3 Options)
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron presented options for streetlights in the city, noting costs are

escalating, and the County is turning the subdivisions previously in the
county over to the city. Option 1 (Shared Cost by every Parcel)
Option (City pays for lights on major thoroughfares, shared cost by every
parcel in subdivisions/neighborhoods). Option 3 (City pays 100% costs).

Mr. Aaron noted the current cost is $850,000 and that number does not
include the newly annexed areas.

Motion to approve Option 2 The City pays for streetlights on major
thoroughfares and intersections and residents pay for streetlights in
neighborhoods and subdivisions. Homeowners not located in a
neighborhood or subdivision would be considered as if they were on a
major thoroughfare; staff shall return the assessment to Council for final
approval made by Councilwoman Gantt; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Barber. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

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7. Presentation Proposed SPLOST VI List.
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager and
Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Gardiner referenced the timeline and meeting dates and noted an IGA

(Intergovernmental Agreement) will need to be I place; discussion included
meetings with the City Managers from sister cities sooner to agree upon a
percentage; talk with citizens to get their buy in; and include the item on the
February 2024 Retreat Agenda to prioritize and categorize projects.

PUBLIC HEARING
8 Second Reading of the Proposed FY2024 Operating Budget and Capital
Expenditures.
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager
Mr. Gardiner presented an overview of the proposed FY2024 Operating
Budget and Capital Expenditures, noting the city's growth, and the costs
associated with providing services to the current and future residents and
businesses throughout the city; and the importance of investing and
making renovations and improvements where needed to remain
competitive; fielded questions and comments from the Council including
Other Fees and Taxes, Hotel/Motel Tax, Sanitation, Subsidizing the Merle
Manders Conference Center and developing a strategy or marketing plan
to help offset expenses; noted the increase in businesses in the downtown

spurred from the Amphitheater, and businesses associated with the lottery
due to the increase in population; discussion from the Council included a
referenced to the proposed Other Fees and Taxes line item being
drastically lower than 2024, where Mr. response was that the
2023 numbers had been overstated; Councilman Alexander noted the
transfer to offset the expenses of the Conference Center is excessive and
there needs to be changes to better market the facility and reduce
expenses; Mayor Pro Tem Barber recommended the city engage in more
partnerships and requested the Engagement Letter and Budget
Adjustments and Audit Adjustment Reports for 2022; Councilman Thomas
noted the City Events should place more emphasis on the intention of the
event; and noted the budget report numbers were low in comparison and
requested a more current YTD2023 Budget Report for comparison to the
proposed FY2024 budget. Mr. Gardiner confirmed, noting the reports
contains YTD numbers through July 2023.
Public Hearing Opened. No opponents spoke in favor. Speakers Opposed:
Tasha Kemple.
Public Hearing Closed.
No Action Taken. Next Reading and Adoption Scheduled for December 11,
2023 at 6:00 pm.

NEW BUSINESS
9. Council consideration to approve Site Engineering, Inc. to perform the
water utilities relocation for the Georgia Department of Transportation State
Route 138 and State Route 42 project (PI 322050) underthe Annual
Contractor Agreement in amount of $239,832.50. The funding source is
from SPLOST V.

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Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Gantt; seconded by Mayor Pro
Tem Barber. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

10. Council review and consideration of Property Tax Homestead Exemption
Plan and Ordinance for 2025.
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager
Mr. Gardiner noted the request to mirrorthe Henry County
exemptions that would take effect January 2025 following approval by the
Council and submission to the Local Delegation for approval by the
General Assembly and a ballot referendum; noted the 3.77 mil assessed
by the Council and the proposed exemptions could cause a $200,000 gap
if implemented as proposed; discussion of the Septic Exemption where
staff was tasked with bringing an assessment to the Council for approval
and an overall cafeteria list of exemptions for Council consideration and
approval.

11.Council consideration to transfer city property parcel ID No. 032-010-30015
(North Park) to the Citywide Development Authority for development.
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager

Motion to approve claw back included made by Councilwoman
Gantt; seconded by Councilman Alexander. The motion passed 3-0-1
(Alexander, Gantt and Thomas Approved) (Baber Abstained).

ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING MEETINGS

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

City Council Chamber. Meeting dates, locations and times are subject to change or
contact City Hall offices at 770-389-7900 or the website .
stockbridqeqaorq for
updates

0 Stockbridge Citizens-Police Advisory Council meeting lst Thursday of each
month at 6:00 pm. at the Stockbridge Police Community Room 4545 N. Henry
Blvd. (Dec 7)
0 Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, 2nd Friday of each month Welcome
Center located at 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail at 9am (Dec 8)
0 City Council Meeting, 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 pm. City Hall Council
Chamber (Dec 11)
0 Adoption of the Proposed FY2024 Operating Budget Public Hearing at 6:00
pm. City Hall Council Chamber (Dec 11).
0 Youth Council Meeting, 6:30 pm. 2nd Monday of each month City Hall Levi

Meeting Room City Hall (Dec 11)

o Citywide Development Authority Meeting, 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00
pm. -

City Hall Levi Meeting Room (Dec 12)
0 Downtown Development Authority Meeting, at the Welcome Center 130 M L King,
Sr. Heritage Trail Rescheduled Date (Dec 19)
0 Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 pm. City Hall Council Dec/Jan
Meetings to be announced.

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0 City Council Work Session Meeting, last Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm.
City Hall Council (Dec 19)
Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm. -3rd Tuesday of each
month Levi Meeting Room City Hall (Dec 19)

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS/INITIATIVES

o Councilman Thomas wants the community to be safe during the holiday season
and will be distributing FREE Smoke Detectors to the community. Date and
Location to be announced. Stay tuned for more information.
0 Join Mayor Ford for the monthly Meet the Mayor on Monday, December 18th from
10am noon. Please contact Rosalynd Rawls to schedule an appointment at
678-833-3348 or via email at rrawls@stockbridgega.ogg .

Join Councilman Thomas for the Trash Stockbridge initiative centered
around education highlighting the causes and effects of Littering and Illegal
Dumping. More information to follow.
0 Councilman Thomas is honoring Veterans with 3 Continuous Salute all year long.
Please send your pictures of Veterans with their name, branch, rank, and years of
service to rrawls@stockbridgega.org .

o The Annual Holiday and Tree Lighting Festival is scheduled to take place
on Friday, December 1St from 5:30 9:00 pm. at the Stockbridge Amphitheater
Parking Lot. However, the event may be rescheduled due to the threat of rain.
Stay tuned to the Facebook page and website for updates.

COMMENTS

Mayor Ford noted COVlD-19 is still actively among us and encouraged everyone to get
vaccinated, get boosters and flu shots and stay healthy; offered condolences to the
Carter family for the recent passing of former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who was a
great humanitarian, and asked that everyone keep the Carter family in prayer; noted
Early Voting for District 2 Commissioner was undenNay at the Merle Manders
Conference Center, with the Special Election Runoff Day on December 5th; hoped
everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family; congratulated the
Atlanta Falcons with the win over the New Orleans Saints; noted the upcoming SEC
Championship game between Alabama and the Georgia at the Mercedes Benz Stadium
this Saturday; referenced an outstanding performance by the Lighthouse Jr. Choir and
Dance Team that took place last Saturday at the Merle Manders Conference Center,
and thanked State Representative Angela Moore and El Mahdi Holly for inviting the

group to perform in Stockbridge; and noted the city Holiday Festival is scheduled to take
place this Friday, but to stay tuned due to approaching bad weather..
Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Thomas; seconded by Councilwoman Gantt.
The motion passed unanimously 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 pm.

Respectfully submitted by

Vanessa H oliday, Cl'ty Clerk m nyS. Ford,
U yor

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