---
date: 2025-01-21
title: Downtown Development Authority - CANCELED Agenda Packet
source: 2025-01/2025-01-21_Downtown Development Authority - CANCELED_Agenda Packet.pdf
pages: 1
---

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Downtown Development
AUTHORITY OF THE
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE Authority
BOARD MEMBERS Meeting Agenda
Kenya Cook, Chair January 21, 2025 6:00 PM
Warren Washington, Vice-Chair
Vacant, Treasurer
Vacant, Secretary
Robert Anderson, Board Member
Jerry Mays, Board Member
Darryl Stamper, Board Member
Councilmember Elton Alexander

ADMINISTRATION
Frederick Gardiner, City Manager

Gerald Sanders
Economic Development Director
STOCKBRIDGE DOWNTOWN CONNECTION CENTER
130 M L KING SR. HERITAGE TRAIL
Lisa Fareed STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281
Website: www.stockbridgega.org
Downtown Main Street Manager
Phone: 770-389-7900
Fax: 770-389-7912
Cassandra Lester, Recorder

Blake Sharpton, Attorney
AGENDA
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025 6:00 PM

I. Call to Order
1. Roll Call
2. Approve Agenda
3. Approve December 10th Minutes
II. Officers Reports
4. Chairman Comments - Cook
5. Vice Chair Comments - Washington
6. Treasurer's Report - Vacant
7. Secretary's Update - Vacant
III. Old Business
8. 2025 Joint Sponsorship Amphitheater Table Promotions
9. Review the statuses of Façade Grant Applications
IV. New Business
10. Parking Lot Renovation Payment
V. City Staff Report
11. City Council Liaison - Councilmember Alexander
12. Economic Development Department Liaison - Gerald Sanders
13. Main Street Advisory Board Liaison - Lisa Fareed
VI. Executive Session (if needed)
VII. Adjourn
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 @ 6 PM
130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail
Stockbridge, GA 30281

Board Members City Staff
Robert Anderson, Chair - Present Cassandra Lester, Deputy City Clerk - Present
Warren Washington, Vice Chair - Absent Gerald Sanders, Economic Development Director - Present
Vacant, Treasurer Lisa Fareed, Main Street Manager – Absent
Kenya Cook, Secretary - Present Frederick Gardiner, City Manager – Absent
Darrell Stampler, Board Member - Present
Jerry Mays, Board Member - Absent Guest Speaker
Elton Alexander, City Council Liaison - Present

Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Chair Anderson proceeded with a roll
call. Board Members Jerry Mays and Warren Washington were absent.

Chair Anderson called for a Motion to approve the October 15th, 2024, meeting minutes. Motion
to approve made by Secretary Cook; seconded by Board Member Stampler. The Motion passed
unanimously.

Officer Reports
Chair's Comments-Anderson
Recited the mission statement.

Vice-Chair Comments-Washington
No Updates

Treasurer Update - Financial Report
No expenditures reported and no balance provided. No vote was taken to approve the financial
report.

Secretary Update-Cook
No Updates

Old Business
Update on the DDA/EDD/CDA Joint Sponsorship Amphitheater Table
No Updates

Update on 122 MLK Sr Heritage Trail Façade Grant
The business owner is in the process of securing a 3rd quote.

New Business
Review of Bylaws, Duties, Training and Elections of DDA Officers for FY2025
Chair Anderson provided an update to the Board on mandated training requirements. The
following Board Members were elected to serve in 2025 unanimously:

Chair - Kenya Cook
Vice Chair - Warren Washington
Treasurer - Vacant (Chair Cook will act as Interim)
Secretary - Vacant
Main Street Liaison - Vacant

Page 1 of 3
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 @ 6 PM
130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail
Stockbridge, GA 30281

Parking Lot Invoice
There was a discussion about responsibility for paying the parking lot renovation invoice. It was
decided that this issue would be addressed at the DDA's next meeting, when the city manager
is available.

Special Called Meeting
Economic Development Director Gerald Sanders requested a special-called meeting on behalf
of City Manager Frederick Gardiner to discuss a property transfer with the Downtown
Development Authority.

120 MLK Sr Heritage Trail Façade Grant Application
Economic Development Director Gerald Sanders submitted a façade grant application to the
DDA for consideration. Chair Anderson noted that the application was submitted on an outdated
form and did not comply with the current façade grant guidelines. It was recommended that the
applicant complete the correct application and resubmit the request. Chair Anderson also
emphasized that all façade grant applications should be directed to the DDA Board. In
response, Gerald Sanders stated that the Economic Development Department would enhance
the DDA Board's effectiveness, as they are in-house and in close proximity, allowing them to act
as liaisons between business owners and the DDA Board. Chair Andrson stated that the correct
information needs to be supplied to the business owners from the start to maintain the integrity
of the program.

City Council Update
Councilmember Elton Alexander stated that the Holiday Fest was a great success. It served a
dual purpose: the citizens enjoyed the entertainment and had the opportunity to see and utilize
the renovations made in the downtown area; Councilmember Alexander welcomed Gerald
Sanders, noting that he is a valuable resource; He highlighted the SPLOST allocation of $10
million dedicated to the construction of a multigenerational recreation center. Additionally, the
pedestrian bridge is scheduled to receive over $1 million dollars collectively from Congressman
Scott and through remaining SPLOST funds; States the Railroad area will be cleaned up,
allowing parking to be opened to the public; Adds the Tax Allocation District is currently awaiting
approval from the school board and the county; Reminded the Board that Henry County has a
first-time homebuyers program available for Stockbridge, which is worth exploring and more
information can be found on the Henry County website; Encouraged the Board, stating that the
decisions made now may not yield immediate results, but they are laying the groundwork for
positive outcomes in the future.

City Staff Reports
Economic Development
During the meeting the Economic Development Director Gerald Sanders expressed his
excitement about joining the team and has good plans for the City of Stockbridge. He
emphasized that he has a wealth of experience and sees this as an opportunity to elevate
Stockbridge to the level of other cities experiencing similar population growth.

Executive Session – Real Estate Matters
No Updates

Page 2 of 3
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 @ 6 PM
130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail
Stockbridge, GA 30281

Chair Anderson called for a motion to adjourn; Secretary Cook motioned to adjourn the meeting
at 7:12 p.m.; seconded by Board Member Stampler. The Motion passed unanimously. The
minutes were written by Deputy City Clerk Cassandra Lester.

Executive Session Criteria GA Code
Discuss or vote to authorize the settlement of a matter covered by the attorney-client 50-14-2(1) and
privilege. Identify the case or claim discussed but not the substance of the attorney-client 50-14-3(b)(1)(A)
discussion.
Discuss or vote to authorize negotiations to purchase, dispose of or lease property. 50-14-3(b)(1)(B)
Discuss or vote to authorize the ordering of an appraisal related to the acquisition or 50-14-3(b)(1)(C)
disposal of real estate.
Discuss or vote to enter into a contract to purchase, dispose of, or lease property subject to 50-14-3(b)(1)(D)
approval in a subsequent public vote.
Discuss or vote to enter into an option to purchase, dispose of, or lease real estate. 50-14-3(b)(1)(E)
Discuss or deliberate upon the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, 50-14-3(b)(2)
disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or
employee.
Meeting to interview one or more applicants for the position of the executive head of an 50-14-3(b)(2)
agency.
A meeting otherwise required to be open was closed to the public in order to consult and 50-14-2(1)
meet with legal counsel pertaining to pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims,
administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against
the agency or any officer or employee or in which the agency or any officer or employee
may be directly involved and the matter discussed was [identify the matter but not the
substance of the discussion.
Staff meeting held for investigative purposes under duties or responsibilities imposed by 50-14-3(a) (1)
law.

Page 3 of 3
