---
date: 2013-07-08
title: July 8, 2013 Minutes
source: 2013-07/2013-07-08_July 8, 2013_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

July 8, 2013

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
MONDAY, JULY 8, 2013 6:00 pm

City Council
Administration
Mark Alarcon, Mayor
David A. Milliron, City Manager
Richard Steinberg, Mayor Pro Tem
Rhonda A. Blackmon, City Clerk
Robin Buschman, Councilwoman
Bill Linkous, City Attorney
Harold Cochran, Councilman
Shirley Dabney, Councilman
Alphonso Thomas, Councilman

Call to Order; Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:01pm.

Invocation by Kathryn Gilbert

Pledge of Allegiance

Adopt Agenda; Richard Steinberg made a motion asking to remove item # 6 under old business and
remove Executive Session from the agenda; a second was made by Shirley Dabney; approved 5-0.
CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor explained a consent agenda to the audience. The Mayor then read through the consent agenda
items.

Item # 1 – Presented by Mark Alarcon
The following items were discussed at the July 2, 2013 Work Session and it was the consensus of the City
Council to place the action items on a consent agenda with unanimous approval.

Adoption of Minutes 1. Work Session on May 28, 2013
2. Council Meeting on June 3, 2013
3. Special Called Meeting June 26, 2013

Resolution To withdrawal from the Joint Henry County Zoning Advisory Board and processes

Resolution Authorizing the City of Stockbridge to lease the Old Police Station
Building, the Merle Manders Conference Center Management Building,
Ted Strickland Community Center, Stockbridge Multiplex, and a portion of
the parking lot at the City’s Public Works Building to the City’s Downtown
Development Authority.

Resolution To authorize the sale and disposal of surplus property

Agreement Amend Development Agreement – Monarch Village Commercial
Component

Resolution Funding approval of Community Partnership Grant Program applications:

1. Academy Theatre – $15,000
2. DDJ Event Productions, LLC – $5,000

3. Greater Atlanta Comic Con – $10,000

A motion was made for the consent agenda by Richard Steinberg; a second was made by Harold Cochran; Alphonso
Thomas asked to enter a vote on some of the items. Mayor reminded Mr. Thomas that we have a motion and a
second on the table and he was calling for a vote; approved 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Item # 2 – Presented by Mark Alarcon, Mayor
Resolution – A resolution authorizing the City of Stockbridge to loan $1M to the Stockbridge Downtown
Development Authority for 30 years, approving the loan contract with the DDA, and authorizing the Mayor
to sign all necessary documents. The Mayor explained the item to the audience. A motion was made by
Richard Steinberg; a second was made by Harold Cochran; approved 4-1 with Alphonso Thomas
abstained.

Item # 3 – Presented by Mark Alarcon, Mayor
Ordinance – An ordinance amending the 2013 budget so as to transfer $1M from the City's reserve fund to
the Downtown Development Authority pursuant to a 30 year loan contract, and authorizing the Mayor to
sign all necessary documents. The Mayor explained the item to the audience. A motion was made by
Harold Cochran; a second was made by Richard Steinberg; approved 4-1 with Alphonso Thomas
abstained.

Item # 4 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Resolution – Setting the Tax Millage Rate for 2013; Mayor deferred to David Milliron to discuss the item.
Mr. Milliron elaborated on the item discussing that this is a required form and this was a housekeeping item
as there has not been a change in the property taxes and to keep the City without property taxes. The
Mayor added discussion about LOST and that LOST is the reason that the citizens do not have property
taxes. A motion was made by Robin Buschman; a second was made by Shirley Dabney; approved 5-0.

Item # 5 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Resolution – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Academy Theatre in support of Georgia
Department of Economic Development Tourism Division & Georgia Council for the Arts Tourism Product
Development Agreement Grant Application. The Mayor deferred to David Milliron. Mr. Milliron explained
that this is a partnership between the City of Stockbridge and the Academy Theatre. The Academy Theatre
is wanted to apply for additional grant money. A motion was made by Shirley Dabney; a second was made
by Robin Buschman; Alphonso Thomas stated that at the Work Session he had raised some issues; the
product is good but his issue is that they are from Avondale Estates and he feels we should have done a
search as we could have facilitated a company inside the City to accomplish this type of event; motion
approved 4-1 with Alphonso Thomas as opposed.

OLD BUSINESS

Item # 7 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Resolution – 60-day extension of sign moratorium; Mr. Milliron said this was a procedural piece of
housekeeping. This is pertaining to the already existing moratorium and is asking for an extension as the
sign re-write is in progress. Staff recommendation is to approve. A motion was made by Robin Buschman;
a second was made by Richard Steinberg; approved 5-0.

Item # 8 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Resolution – Authorizing the Downtown Development Authority to enter into an agreement on behalf of the
City of Stockbridge for Cultural and Leisure Services at the multiplex; Mr. Milliron said this would allow a
public-private partnership and it would allow the DDA to entertain negotiating a lease agreement for leisure
services. Mr. Milliron read the agreement. A motion was made by Richard Steinberg; a second was made
by Harold Cochran; approved 4-1 with Alphonso Thomas abstained.

Item # 9 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Agreement – Contract between the City and DDJ Event Productions, LLC for a ½ marathon to be run in
conjunction with Bridgefest event the first weekend of October 2013; Mr. Milliron stated that this is a
contractual agreement in conjunction with the item on the consent agenda for the block grant money
awarded to DDJ. A motion was made by Shirley Dabney; a second was made by Harold Cochran;
Alphonso Thomas asked if Mr. Davey was here. Mr. Milliron said no he was not here. Mr. Thomas asked if
they were for profit or a non-profit organization. Mr. Milliron stated that they were a non-profit. Richard
Steinberg asked if Children Healthcare is the designated recipient of the profits. Mr. Milliron said yes. Mayor
Alarcon said the City will be privy to anything from this event; motion approved 5-0.

Item # 10 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Ordinance – To amend the procurement ordinance to implement a nonbinding local preference for
competitive sealed bids; the Mayor talked about the passion that this Council has for the small businesses.
Mr. Milliron said that once we have a legitimate business under the requirements they will be eligible to
meet any bid that is within 5% and they have five (5) days to match or beat that bid and if they can, they will
be awarded the business. A motion was made by Robin Buschman; a second was made by Richard
Steinberg; approved 5-0.

Item # 11 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Ordinance – To repeal existing ethics ordinance and replace with a new comprehensive regulation of
ethics within the operations of city government; Mr. Milliron said this is simply swapping out one ordinance
for another as the existing process does not work. The bulk of this has come from the Georgia Municipal
Association and is similar to the other documents out there from other cities of ethics. A motion was made
by Robin Buschman; a second was made by Shirley Dabney; approved 5-0.

Item # 12 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Ordinance – To repeal existing parades ordinance and replace with a new comprehensive regulation of
parades, marches, and demonstrations within the City of Stockbridge; Mr. Milliron stated that this was a
directive from the Council at the annual retreat to look over existing codes. This code was
unconstitutionally vague. A motion was made by Richard Steinberg; a second was made by Harold
Cochran; approved 4-1 with Alphonso Thomas opposed.

Item # 13 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Ordinance – To repeal Title 9, Chapter 9.58 (Sections 9.58.010 to 9.58.040) of Code of Ordinances
regarding “Street and Sidewalk Vendors and Portable Eating Establishments”; the Mayor said that if you
are a licensed food vendor you can’t take a trailer and get proper acknowledgement because we don't allow
it. The Girl Scouts for an example, can't sell so we are trying to clean these items up. These are unintended
consequences. Mr. Milliron said that times have changed since the last ordinance was passed. Food
establishments are more regulated currently. A motion was made by Harold Cochran; a second was made
by Robin Buschman; Alphonso Thomas asked Mr. Milliron how this would affect churches that may have
food sales, etc. Mr. Milliron explained the current ordinance would prohibit the Girl Scouts to sell door to
door or stand in front of retail establishments; approved 5-0.
Item # 14 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Ordinance – To amend Title 9, Chapter 9.28 of the current Stockbridge Code be amended by adding a
new Title 9, Chapter 9.28, Section 9.28.040 to the Code of Ordinances with respect to festivals in the city;
Mr. Milliron stated that this Council recently passed an outdoor festival ordinance. This ordinance defines
gatherings to enhance the ordinance and explain in further detail. A motion was made by Robin
Buschman; a second was made by Richard Steinberg; approved 4-1 with Alphonso Thomas as opposed.

Item # 15 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Ordinance – Amend the city’s sanitation ordinance so as to implement a $25 one-time fee per pickup of
special large items such as couches, refrigerators, appliances, or shelving units; Mr. Milliron said that this is
pertaining to the City previously picking up large items but doing so against the policy as the City does not
have the authority to pick up these items. This would comprise the City with the residents to allow us to
again pick up large bulky items such as couches. We are going to outfit two of our trucks to do this task.
Mr. Milliron explained how this would work. He also stated that some of our surrounding cities have this
same type ordinance but with higher fees. This should be operational by the end of this month. A motion
was made by Harold Cochran; a second was made by Robin Buschman; Richard Steinberg wanted to ask
Mr. Milliron if this fee was a one-time fee per pick up and Mr. Milliron stated that it was; motion approved 5-

ANNOUNCEMENT OF UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

All Meetings Will Be Held At City Hall Unless Otherwise Noted. Meetings dates and times are subject to
change so please confirm with City Hall at 770.389.7900 or check the “Agendas & Minutes” section of the
City’s website at cityofstockbridge.com

1. Special Called City Council Meeting regarding Service Delivery Strategy and associated
Intergovernmental Agreements – July 16th at 6:00 pm

2. Downtown Development Authority – July 18th at 3:30 pm

PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Public Comment session is an opportunity for citizens to address the Mayor and Council on items specific
to the published agenda. This is not a public question and answer session. The Mayor will recognize
individuals to speak, whom are requested to confine their comments to no more than three minutes. Please
state your name and address for the record prior to speaking on your topic.

No one came forward for public comments.

MOTION TO ADJOURN; a motion was made by Harold Cochran; a second was made by Richard
Steinberg; the motion passed 5-0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY:

Rhonda A. Blackmon, City Clerk Mark A. Alarcon, Mayor
