---
date: 2019-07-30
title: July 30, 2019 Work Session Meeting Minutes
source: 2019-07/2019-07-30_July 30, 2019 Work Session Meeting_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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ACTION MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2019 6:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Randy Knighton, City Manager
Councilman Elton Alexander Camilla Moore, Asst. City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem John Blount Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Councilwoman Neat Robinson Michael Williams, City Attorney
Councilman Alphonso Thomas
Mission: 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.
I. Call to Order – Mayor Ford

II. Invocation – Mildred E. Reed

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Roll Call – All members present

V. Motion to amend the Agenda to: Add Discussion Item #7 – Welcoming
America Request; Add Discussion Item #8 – Legislative Update Request from
State Senators Jones and Strickland; Add Discussion Item #9 – Resolution
Opposing the Closure of Cochran Park; Removing 2nd Qtr. Report for 3 (1) and
3 (4): Alexander/Robinson – Passed 5-0.

Motion to amend the Agenda to: Add Discussion Item #10 - Resolution for a
Personnel Matter: Gantt/Thomas – Passed 3-2 (Alexander/Robinson opposed).

VI. Review of the Minutes for the following meetings:
1. 6/102019 2. 06/26/2019 No Action

July 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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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. You must sign your name, address, and phone number. You will be
able to address the Mayor and Council for three (3) minutes. Speakers must respect all
members of the elected body, officials, and staff. Defamation, unruliness and/or swearing will
not be tolerated while meetings are in session

Ms. Mildred E. Reed noted she was happy to see the City moving forward with Youth/Senior
Center as it much needed in the community; and asked for clarification as to whether or not
the County and turned over Cochran Park to the City of Stockbridge at no cost; and asked
for maintenance records of any and all repairs to Cochran Park.

Mayor Ford noted the City of Stockbridge has never owned or maintained Cochran Park,
and stated the County owns Cochran Park; and further noted any maintenance records
would be in the custody of the County.

Mr. Craig Powell made a plea to the City and the County to resolve the issue regarding
Cochran Park for the benefit of the youth of Stockbridge to have a facility to continue to
play baseball; Mr. Powell referenced Mr. Bill Savage as the baseball forefather of
Stockbridge who likewise is in favor of Cochran Park remaining open for kids to play
baseball.

Mr. Michael Parrish echoed the sentiments of Mr. Powell; noted he is here for the kids and
noted he along with the other coaches not only devote their time, but also personal finances
to assist the kids with transportation to and from the park and they do it from the heart,
noting moving the teams further north would be an additional burden; noted the coaches
are mentors to these young men both on and off the field; noted Cochran Park has 19
teams and Hidden Valley Park only has 4 teams and disputed the logic of the teams being
moved; stated he spoke with Commissioner Holmes about the hardship and received no
empathy to situation; and ended he comment stating it’s about the kids.

Mr. Robert Kolpack showed picture of Hidden Valley Park and referenced a building that
was deemed to be damaged from flooding and was instead roof damage due to negligent
upkeep; stated Commissioner Holmes had spent $8 million of taxpayer funds at Village
Park while neglecting Hidden Valley and Cochran parks; referenced property owned by 4th
District Commissioner Thomas that was dilapidated and in poor condition, stating the
standards should be higher from a Commissioner and noted neither Code Enforcement
Officer Maddox or Burnett was able to address the property issues nor was the City’s See
Click Fix app.

PRESENTATIONS
3. (2nd Quarter Summary Reports 2019)
1. Henry County Public Safety – Stockbridge North Precinct
(Removed)

2. Stockbridge Youth Council (Did not present)

3. Downtown Development Authority – Presented by Councilwoman
Gantt.
July 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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4. Economic Development
(Removed)

5. Community Development – Presented by Camilla Moore
Recommended Force Cleanup Ordinance

6. Conference Center/Events – Presented by CieCie McGhee

7. Main Street – Presented by Kira Harris-Braggs

8. Public Works – Presented by Decius Aaron
Request Public Works Litter Logs to be distributed from the City
Manager to Mayor and Council; Recommendation to put out a bid
for Street Sweeper contractor to increase frequency of street
cleaning.

9. Finance – Presented by John Wiggins
Request for FY2019 Fund Balance Calculations and Projected vs
Actual Planning & Zoning Revenues and Expenditures

NEW BUSINESS
4. Council Consideration to approve a Resolution to fill a vacancy and
appoint a member to the Main Street Advisory Board.
Presented by Kira Harris-Braggs, Main Street Program Manager
Motion to appoint Anita Johnson: Alexander/Thomas – Passed 5-0.

5. Council Consideration to approve a Resolution appointing Bond
Counsel for the City.
Presented by Attorney Downs – Wilson, Morton & Downs
Presented by Kira Harris-Braggs, Main Street Program Manager
Motion to appoint Douglass P. Selby: Blount/Gantt – Passed 5-0.

DISCUSSION
6. Alleyway Project funding source - not to exceed $350,000.00
Funding Source: Various
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager
Funding Sources: General Fund/SPLOST/Fund Balance

7. Council Consideration to approve The Welcoming America Committee
to use of the Merle Manders Conference Center on September 18,
2019 and fund and/or seek sponsorship from $3,000 to $5,000 for a
Civic Dinner.
Presented by Mayor Ford
Motion to approve and include City’s Welcoming Committee Members
and seek sponsorships: Robinson/Alexander - Passed 5-0.
July 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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8. Council Consideration to approve use State Senators Emanuel Jones
and Brian Strick to host a Legislative Update at the Merle Manders
Conference Center on August 13, 2019.
Motion to approve: Blount/Robinson – Passed 5-0.

9. Council Consideration to approve a Resolution opposing the closure
of Cochran Park.
Motion to approve: Alexander/Robinson – Passed 5-0.

10.Council Consideration to approve a Resolution censuring Councilman
Elton Alexander
Motion to approve: Gantt/Blount: Passed 3-2 (Alexander/Robinson
opposed).

Motion to adjourn at 10:32 p.m.: Thomas/Blount – Passed 5-0.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER

COMMENTS FROM THE CLERK’S OFFICE

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Meeting will be held at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates and times are
subject to change. Please visit the city’s website www.cityofstockbridge.com, Facebook
page or contact City Hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates and detailed information.

• Main Street Advisory Board meeting, Friday, August 9, 2019 at 9:00 a.m./Levi Room

• City of Stockbridge Budget Retreat August 14, 2019 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; August 15, 2019
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and August 16, 2019 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Downtown Development Authority meeting, Monday, August 19, 2019 at 6:00 p.m./Levi Rm.

• Henry County Intergovernmental Retreat August 22 – 23, 2019 – Columbus, GA
• Youth Council Advisory Committee, Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 6:30 p.m./Levi Room

• Planning Commission meeting, Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 7:00 p.m./Council Chamber

• Work Session meeting, Tuesday August 27, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Council
Chamber.

July 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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UPCOMING EVENT(S) & ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Monthly Bingo Bash Wednesday, July 31, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – noon at the Ted Strickland
Community Center 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trl – spearheaded by Mayor Pro Tem Blount

• Community Town Hall – Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at Smith-Barnes Elementary
School 147 Tye Street Stockbridge– spearheaded by Councilman Thomas

ONGOING INITIATIVES
• Meet & Greet the Mayor Mondays with Mayor Anthony S. Ford from 10:00 a.m. - noon every
fourth Monday of the month (appointment required). Please contact LaQuinda Jackson @
678-833-3348 for more information and scheduling.

• Don’t Trash Stockbridge No Litter Campaign – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman
Thomas. Contact: LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Monthly Bingo Bash from 10:00 a.m. – noon at the Ted Strickland Community Center
spearheaded by Mayor Pro Tem Blount. Visit the City’s website or Facebook page for dates
and information.

• Quarterly Town Hall – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander. Visit the City’s
website or Facebook page for dates and information.

• Keep Stockbridge Beautiful – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander. Contact
LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Quarterly Clergy RoundTable – spearheaded by Councilwoman Robinson. Contact
LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Quarterly Welcoming Stockbridge RoundTable every 2nd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the City
Hall Levi Meeting Room – spearheaded by Councilwoman Gantt. Contact LaQuinda
Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Quarterly Homeowners and Neighborhood Association RoundTable – spearheaded by
Mayor Pro Tem Blount. Contact LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

July 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
