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date: 
title: 2017 02 09 2017 Minutes
source: 2017/2017_02_09_2017_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
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CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
APPROVED RETREAT DRAFT SUMMARY MINUTES
February 9 - 10, 2017
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. & 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

ayor City Counci d inistration
ayor udy ea ichae arris City anager
ayor ro Te nthony S Ford anessa o iday City C erk
Counci an E ton e ander a ida obinson E ssistant
Counci an ohn ount ichae i ia s City ttorney
Counci o an a eisha antt
Counci o an eat obinson
Mayor Neal called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m.

Mayor Neal provided the invocation.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All members of
council were present with the exception of Councilwoman Robinson and a quorum was
confirmed. Also in attendance: City Manager Michael Harris, Executive Assistant to
Mayor & Council DaVida Robinson, City Attorney Michael Williams and Retreat
Facilitator, David Stewart.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford motioned to adopt the Agenda and to adopt the Minutes of the
Facilitator’s report; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 4-0.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to convene Executive Session for the purpose of Real
Estate; second by Mayor Pro Tem Ford. The motion passed 4-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford motioned to adjourn Executive Session; second by Councilman
Blount. The motion passed 4-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford motioned to reconvene the meeting; second by Councilwoman
Gantt. The motion passed 4-0.

The City of Stockbridge held a Mayor and Council planning retreat on February 9 and 10,
2017. The retreat was held in Newnan, Georgia, at the Hampton Inn. The intent of the

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meeting was to review progress on goals set during the two previous retreats, establish
priorities and direction for the coming period and work on forming a unified voice.

The retreat began with a review and validation of the City’s Vision, Mission and Value
Statements. In addition, the group affirmed the authority of the recently passed Code of
Conduct.

Vision Statement

To be the most progressive business and family oriented community in Metro Atlanta with
a focus on enhanced Quality of Life initiatives which promote a sustainable “Live, Work,
Play” environment.

Mission Statement

To provide visionary leadership and superior municipal services that enhance the quality
of life for citizens while creating a welcoming business atmosphere focused on
sustainability and expansion of tourism and cultural events.

Values

Professionalism

Excellence

Adaptability

Communications

Ethics

The retreat participants were provided a special presentation from Candace Boothby,
President and CEO, Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce, and Randy Cardoza,
Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development (retired). The pair
discussed the history of economic development in Coweta County, the steps that were
taken to reverse the perception of a divisive community and make it attractive for
investors and business.

The group participated in a short consensus building exercise. The drill emphasized the
value of differing opinions and how discussion and new information can change
perceptions.

Councilman Blount motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 pm; second by Mayor Pro
Tem Ford. The motion passed 4-0.

End of Day 1

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Day 2

Mayor Neal called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

Councilman Blount provided the invocation.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All members of
council were present with the exception of Councilwoman Robinson (who arrived later
at 12:15 p.m.), a quorum was confirmed. Also in attendance: City Manager Michael
Harris, Executive Assistant to Mayor & Council DaVida Robinson, City Attorney Michael
Williams and Retreat Facilitator, David Stewart.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford motioned to adopt the Agenda and to adopt the Minutes of the
Facilitator’s report; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 4-0.

evie of oa s fro ecent T o etreats
February etreat
I. SPLOST Issues
A. SPLOST management program
i. On-call management service
ii. New Public Works Director
iii. Plans for a new Public Works building
iv. New water meter program
v. New park equipment
vi. Two pumping stations under construction
B. Widening of Rock Quarry Road
i. Funds are being held in SPLOST account
ii. These funds may be moved to the Jodeco Road project which has a
higher priority
II. Beautification Issues
A. City-wide plan
i. $30K has been approved for improvements at I-75 exits 224 and 228
ii. This will be an ongoing process
iii. Need to identify partners (programs and entities)
1. Adopt-A-Road (as one example)
iv. Take action of pursuing options with the Georgia Department of
Transportation
III. Downtown Development Authority/Economic Development Issues
A. Multiplex Building
i. Decision make to raze building and replace with new construction
(due to constraints associated with renovation of current structure)
ii. Bids for demolition coming
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B. Economic Plan
i. This process will involve the DDA and Main Street Advisory Board
ii. New Economic Development Director is being hired and should be
onboard by late March, 2017. Development of a new economic
development plan will be a primary responsibility
C. Park Place property
i. Progressing
IV. Police Services Issues
A. Security force
i. Plan has been scrapped
B. Feasibility study on City of Stockbridge Police Force
i. Carl Vinson Institute of Government is preparing a feasibility study
ii. The study will provide data, e.g., cost and staffing, to take to the
citizens for public input
iii. County now sends citations to State Court. Proceeds from fines go
to the state without the city and county receiving any portion
iv. Action: work with the county to negotiate a win-win solution
V. Recreation/Youth Program Issues
A. Community Pool/Splash Pad
i. Project has been approved
ii. Feasibility study in process
B. Youth Advisory Council
i. Members set to be appointed February 13, 2017
ii. The Youth Advisory Council will develop programs to be brought
before City Council for approval
1. Aiming for summer programs
C. Pocket Parks – Walt Stephens and Tunis at Jodeco
i. Walt Stephens property price recently reduced
ii. Is Rock Quarry Road also a candidate; investigate for consideration?
iii. Pocket parks should be considered along with the Beautification
Plan
D. Library open on weekends
i. Done
E. Walt Stephens and Flippen sidewalks
i. Have been identified as areas to be included in the trail plan under
the City’s Master Plan
F. Senior Programs
i. Ongoing development
ii. Need to investigate City/County partnership
iii. Action: Community Development Director to take the lead for the
City
VI. Marketing/Public Relations/Branding Issues
A. Public Relations

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i. Staff hiring decision on hold
ii. Pursuing a branding initiative
1. Action: City staff will provide recommendation to City Council
by February 28, 2017
B. Market City Development
i. Project for new Economic Development Director
VII. Annexation Issues
A. Make City whole – Moving ahead with City-w
B. ide Annexation Proposal per Council/Legislative Delegation meeting
VIII. City Council Code of Conduct
A. Approved and signed by members

Review August 25 & 26, 2016 Retreat

I. Communications
A. New Vision and Mission Statement for the City
i. Completed
B. Score carding
i. In process
II. Economic Development
A. Director position posted; closed February 10, 2017
B. Anticipate onboarding by March 31, 2017
III. Planning
A. Develop a City-wide Master Plan
i. RFP for Comprehensive Plan
1. Plan development will be a 16-18 month endeavor
ii. Plan 138 overlay
1. Have reviewed proposals; working out agreement
2. Proposal is within established budget
3. Should have contract around March 1, 2017
4. Approximately four months to complete overlay plan
iii. Update Planning & Zoning requirements
1. Formatting has been cleaned up
iv. Meeting with DDA and stakeholders
1. Ongoing
v. Add funds to the 2017 budget
1. Done
vi. Complete annexation
1. Ongoing
vii. Develop infrastructure Investment Plan
1. In process
2. Engineer is on board
viii. Identify pool location
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1. In conversation
IV. Downtown Development
A. Engineering design for amphitheater
i. Working on RFP; should be ready by mid-March, 2017
ii. Splash pool – see earlier notes
iii. Develop options for Main Street office and Welcome Center
iv. Initiate downtown redevelopment master plan – see earlier notes
V. Public Relations and Branding
A. Hire Public Information Officer
i. Job description has been written
ii. Position is not currently funded
iii. Pursue bringing on PIO later in the year
B. Implement Phase I Branding Plan
i. See earlier notes
VI. Police
A. See earlier notes
VII. Staff Management and Accountability
A. Scorecard is in place; to be used at next staff meeting
B. Reviewing communications, relationships and processes
VIII. City Events
A. Calendar of city events to be developed

Councilwoman Robinson arrived at 12:15 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford motioned to convene Executive Session for the purpose of
Personnel; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford motioned to adjourn Executive Session; second by Councilwoman
Robinson. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford motioned to reconvene the meeting; second by Councilwoman
Robinson. The motion passed 5-0.

Envisioning the City of Stockbridge Three to Five years in the Future
The participants were taken through an exercise where they were asked to see the City
as it is now and then envision where it will be three to five years out; what has been
accomplished, what changes have occurred.

The responses were then grouped into categories of the group’s designation. The eight
groups and examples of issues:

1. Economic Development
a. Fine dining restaurants
b. Mixed-use development

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c. Downtown development
i. Hotel/conference center
ii. Vibrant district with shopping, restaurants and residential
iii. Preserving historic downtown
d. Trail system connecting parks, neighborhoods and downtown
2. Transportation
a. New, expanded transit options throughout the city
b. Improve traffic signals
3. Services
a. Youth center
b. Stockbridge Police Department
4. Quality of Life
a. Community center for seniors and youth
5. Tourism
a. Main Street Welcome Center
b. Coliseum/arena
c. A beautiful City of Stockbridge marque
6. Culture
a. Art gallery
b. Performing Arts Center
7. Education
a. New state of the art elementary school
8. Beautification
a. New signage on businesses
b. Attractive landscaping along North Henry Boulevard

After a short discussion, it was decided that the primary driver for all the issues was
economic development. Therefore, the balance of the retreat was spent concentrating on
this subject. While the discussion reiterated many of the same comments listed above,
these concepts were expanded on as well as new ideas generated.

Economic Development

I. Downtown
a. Fine Dining
b. Shops
i. Art
ii. Coffee/sandwich shop
iii. Boutique shop
iv. Virtual office space
c. Way-finder signage (not necessarily limited to downtown)
d. Sidewalk seating
e. Improve downtown parking

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II. Trail System; connecting:
a. Residential
b. Green space
c. Downtown
d. Existing and future trails outside Stockbridge
III. Empty buildings? Task for new Economic Development Director to form a plan to
address this issue
a. Redevelopment
b. Take steps to focus on higher end businesses
c. Attract professional businesses, e.g., doctors, dentists, veterinarians,
accountants/CPAs, cosmetologists/stylists – study to see what works for the
area
d. Incentives – Opportunity Zones
IV. Retail – to attract foot traffic and to encourage new businesses
a. Conduct a survey of existing businesses
b. Develop a package for potential entrepreneurs
i. Demographics
ii. Available space
iii. Traffic count
iv. Amenities
1. Parks and Recreation
2. Points of Interest
3. City events
V. Perception regarding the City of Stockbridge
a. How do we build continuous improvement of Stockbridge’s image?
i. Avoid negative vibes
ii. Media training
iii. Be proactive regarding Eagle’s Landing community – common
interests between Eagle’s Landing and Stockbridge
iv. Lead by example

Mayor Pro Tem Ford motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:00 pm; second by Councilman
Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

End of Day 2
Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk CMC Judy Neal, Mayor

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