---
date: 2024-06-25
title: Ethics Committee Meeting Agenda Packet
source: 2024-06/2024-06-25_Ethics Committee Meeting_Agenda Packet.pdf
pages: 1
---

STOCKBRIDGE ETHICS COMMITTEE
ETHICS COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
Alicia Barney-Duck - Chair June 25, 2024 6:30 PM
Deron Johnson – Vice-Chair
Karen Charmaine
Calandra Dallas
Angela Jenkins

STOCKBRIDGE CITY HALL

4640 NORTH HENRY BLVD.

STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281

Website: www.stockbridgega.org

Phone: 770-389-7900

Fax: 770-389-7912
AGENDA
ETHICS COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2024 6:30 PM

I. Call to Order
1. Roll Call
2. Approve Agenda
3. Approve Minutes
Approval of the June 17, 2024 Meeting Minutes
II. New Business
4. Accept resignation of Ms. Calandra Dallas and declare vacant seat on
the committee.
III. Closed Session § 50-14-3
5. Review of the following Ethics Complaint: No. 05162024-01 Filed by
Councilmember Yolanda Barber against Mayor Anthony S. Ford
IV. Adjourn
ETHICS COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 17, 2024 6:30 P.M.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Alicia Barney-Duck – Present Calandra Dallas – Absent

Angela Jenkins - Present Karen Charmaine - Present

Deron Johnson - Present

The meeting was called to order by Chair Barney-Duck at 6:34 p.m.
Roll call by Chair Barney-Duck. Members present: Barney-Duck, Charmaine,
Johnson, and Jenkins. Members absent: Dallas.
Motion to approve the Agenda was made by Committee Member Johnson;
seconded by Committee Member Jenkins. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.
Old Business
1. Approval of the May 8, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve was made by Committee Member Jenkins; seconded
by Committee Member Johnson. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.
New Business
➢ Issue a Response to Ethics Complaint 02072024-01 Filed by Connie Snow
against Councilman Elton Alexander.
➢ Issue a Response to Ethics Complaint 03152024-01 Filed by Connie Snow
against Councilman Elton Alexander.
➢ Issue a Response to Ethics Complaint 03152024-02 Filed by Connie Snow
against Mayor Anthony S. Ford.

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Chair Barney-Duck read the following response letter into the record:
In early February and March of 2024, the Stockbridge Ethics Board was
referred three complaints; two regarding one sitting member of the City
Council; and the third regarding the Mayor. Our Board had public
meetings on March 21, April 3, and May 8, providing notice to all parties
to the complaints. The complainant attended the May 8th public meeting.
Councilman, Elton Alexander, attended every meeting. During these
public meetings, the Board recessed to closed sessions to review the
complaints and determine the necessary action to take regarding each
complaint.

Only one complaint herein stated (2024- 02072024-01; Connie Snow
against Elton Alexander, Councilman; Filed February 2, 2024), cited a
violation of the City’s Code of Ordinances under 2.40.055, bringing it
within this Board’s jurisdiction. However, this complaint was broad in
scope and thus did not specify which paragraph(s) was violated under
2.40.055. Despite this deficiency, this Board reviewed the complaint in its
entirety and all pertinent documents attached, including brief in-person
statements heard on May 8th from available parties. The Board did not
find any violation of the City Ordinance within our preview that would
invoke the disciplinary action of the City Council sought by the
complainant.

However, this Board recommends that a discussion regarding decorum in
speech and interaction with the public, including via email and/or social
media, is warranted. While Section 2.40.55 of the Code speaks mainly to
City officials’ communication with each other and the public via city email
accounts and public forums/meetings, adopting the “Quick Tips”
enumerated in 2.40.55 (A)(2)(d) and “The Stockbridge Council Principles
of Proper Conduct” enumerated in 2.40.55. (D), should serve as the
standard for City Councilman conduct/interactions and is good practice
to adopt overall.

The remaining complaints (2024-03152024-01/ Connie Snow against
Elton Alexander, Filed March 15, 2024) & (2024-03152024-02; / Connie
Snow against Anthony Ford, Mayor, Filed March 15, 2024), failed to cite
any section of the City’s Code of Ordinances within this Board’s
jurisdiction. Despite these deficiencies, the Board did not find any violation

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of the City Ordinance within our preview that would invoke the
disciplinary action sought by the complainant against Councilman
Alexander or Mayor Ford.

Upon conclusion of our review of the herein stated complaints, we
determined by unanimous vote, said complaints failed to substantiate
facts sufficient to invoke the disciplinary jurisdiction of the City Council
and are thus dismissed pursuant to Code Section 2.40.070 (C). This is the
Board’s final decision regarding the herein referenced complaints.
Notwithstanding our findings, the complaining party is not prevented
from taking any other action such party might have at law or in equity
against the named city officials.

Respectfully submitted,
Alicia Barney-Duck, Chairwoman
Stockbridge Ethics Board

Committee Members Karen Charmaine, Angela Jenkins and Deron Johson
agreed with the recommendation letter as read and submitted.
Chair Barney-Duck asked if anyone in attendance wanted to make comments.
Mayor Ford thanked the Committee for time, efforts, and due diligence.
Ms. Anne Fields asked the Committee if the City has in place a policy and has
adopted standards for public decorum.
Chair Barney-Duck’s response to Ms. Fields was yes, there is a guide.
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Committee Member Charmaine at
6:44 p.m.; seconded by Committee Member Charmaine. The motion passed
unanimously 4-0.
Meeting Minutes prepared by: Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk in the absence of the
appointment of a Committee Secretary.

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