---
date: 2013-11-05
title: November 5, 2013 Minutes
source: 2013-11/2013-11-05_November 5, 2013_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 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, Councilwoman
Alphonso Thomas, Councilman

Call to Order by Mayor Mark Alarcon

Invocation by Kathy Gilbert

Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison

Adopt Agenda; the Mayor called for a motion; a motion was made by Richard Steinberg; a
second was made by Robin Buschman; the motion passed.

Review Minutes: Work Session October 15, 2013
Council Meeting October 21, 2013

NEW BUSINESS

Item #1 -
Presented by Mark Alarcon, Mayor
Proclamation: “Kindness Works, Pass It On” Week; the Mayor talked about this being brought
forth by Buddy Welch with Smith, Welch, Webb and White in relation to the passing of his son.

Item # 2 -
Presented by Mark Alarcon, Mayor
Proclamation: Papi’s Restaurant; the Mayor talked about this restaurant and their Cuban as well
as Caribbean cuisine.

Item # 3 -
Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Informational: Spyglass Telecom Audit Agreement; David Milliron talked about the budget
reflecting some cost recovery analysis and efficiencies. This is a zero cost contract for us. This
group will go through our telecommunications invoices and cost utilization of the telephones and
network. if we have been over charged they will go after the money. The Mayor added they are
only getting a percentage of the funds that are found but there is no cost if they don't find
anything. Richard Steinberg asked who else they had done work for. Mr. Milliron stated that they
have done work in various places to include Henry County.

Item # 4 -
Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Informational: North Lee Street Lease with Downtown Development Authority; the Mayor stated
that we took action to purchase the First Baptist Church and everything has been signed off on.
With this property, there were two homes that were included. Mr. Milliron stated that there are
three home behind the ball field and two of them now belong to the City. Those addresses are
114 and 112 Lee Street. One of the homes is occupied by a youth leader from the church. We

November 5, 2013; 6:00pm
have let them know that we have no immediate plans for the property as of yet. The DDA has
agreed to handle this property if the Council should approve the resolution that is before them.
The City is already maintaining the property and the Public Works Department has cleaned up
back there today. Mayor asked for this item to be put on consent agenda. The group agreed and
this will be on consent.

Item # 5 -
Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Informational: Re-Adoption of COS Sign Ordinance; Mr. Milliron stated that the version in the
books is not the new ordinance and that is why this states informational. The Council has already
adopted the ordinance and the adoption of the ordinance has been advertised with changes. Ms.
Coleman stated that the revised version will be available in the notebooks to Council forthe
November 11"‘ meeting. Mr. Milliron stated that the new Rule Three ordinance will apply at the
public hearing.

Item # 6 -
Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Ordinance: Discharge Permit Fee Ordinance; David Milliron stated that there is no reason forthe
City to be charging a fee as there are already regulations by the state to cover this and therefore,
we are wanting to repeal the existing ordinance on the books.

Item # 7 -
Presented by David Milliron, City Manager
Discussion: Proposed 2014 C08 Budget; the Mayor stated that this is a working budget product.
He will go through the
Mr. Milliron stated that this is a condensed revised version of the budget.
main points of this and answer any questions. Also, there will be two public hearings on the
budget.

Mr. Milliron first talked about the general fund. He stated that the two columns “2013 Total
Budget” and the “2014 Total Budget" are the most important. Mr. Milliron also spoke on
purchases which will take place by December 31, 2013.

Next he talked about the Governing Body, page 4. Mr. Milliron stated to keep an eye on
Healthcare and Benefits. We have been told to budget for a 22% increase by our broker and
current provider. Mr. Milliron stated that this does not mean we will be going out to shop.

Next he talked about Executive. These are the salaries for the executive team. Mr. Milliron stated
that in the past, there were some positions showing in Administration and they should have been
in Executive. This is corrected. Also, he stated that the Council approves the salaries for the
executive staff and the budget is reflective of the top of the pay scale for these positions.

Next was Financial Administration where he talked about the Council wanting the City to be
responsible for building permits and planning and zoning.

Mr. Milliron then went to Government Buildings showing where the budget was cut.

Next was the Court. A pay parody study was done and the Judge and the Solicitor are requesting
to be increased. The increase is in line with other cities pay ranges for these positions.

Police Administration; Mr. Milliron talked about the capital budget for the police department and
the SDS agreement with Henry County related to the Police Department. He spoke about two
additional police officers per shift per the agreement and that police salaries for extra duties for
meetings and city events being in the budget. These amounts are reduced pending startup of a
police department in Stockbridge on July 1. He also stated a large amount has been allocated for
computer software related to communication and infrastructure related to the police department.
He also spoke about these items being reimbursed pending SPLOST IV.

November 5, 2013; 6:00pm
Next is Public Works. The salaries are calculated at a 5% increase which does not mean that
everyone will be getting that increase. Employees are evaluated and based on the anniversary
dates and pay steps will determine if an increase is provided.

City Events is next and because we will be starting a Main Street Program, the budget was not
changed in this area.

Next is Parks; we have taken all staff out of Parks this year and those staff put in Public Works.
Mayor said the excess money can be used to enhance the parks for the kids.

At the top of page 17, transfers to the Merle Manders Center in the past; we will not have to ask
for any transfer over. The facility is a self-sustaining facility as of now. The Mayor talked about
items being coded correctly and that was not being done completely in the past. Mayor stated
that Mr. Bush is working diligently to get all of the items in the correct placing. Mr. Milliron talked
about the transfer forthe URA. There is a bond on city hall. The money coming in is from the
franchise fee. This is a pass through item that pays the interest and principal. The Ted Strickland
Center transfer is also zero now.

Hotel/Motel is a pass-throughiitem.
The money is used to promote the facility and the City. This

money is required by law to be spent in certain areas.

Next is Financial Administration which is a pass-through item.

Interest left from the SPLOST ll fund will be utilized for Rock Quarry, Eagles Landing and
Memorial Park. We anticipate doing a ground breaking in the next 30 to 45 days. We will also do
a ground breaking for the Reeves Creek Phase ll project.

Parks; is a pass-through item.

Next is URA; money comes in from the insurance check and this money must then go out.

Debt Services; Secured Debt and GEFA loan.

Next is Cemetery Fund; interest only. The interest can only be utilized.

Government Building; pass-through item.

Next is Water/Sewer; projecting that flat. The revenues are on target.

Water Department; water rates will go up by 5% due to the increase in Henry County. If SPLOST
IV doesn't pass, we will consider a governors financing bond referendum and do a low interest
loan to begin a well project to locate wells and have our own water.

Next is Storm Water; on the bottom of page 34 where it says from reserves; we were borrowing
money from reserves and we now do not need to.

Sanitation/Solid Waste; budgeted flat. Recycling next year, scenario one is to bring in a third party
company; two is to do a private/public partnership; three is to outsource both residential and
commercial. Mr. Milliron asked if there were any questions on the three scenarios. Robin
Buschman said companies have shown us how we can save money. Richard Steinberg also
stated that he wanted to be cognizant of the sanitation staff as a lot of them have been here a
long time.

November 5, 2013; 6:00pm
Next is the Merle Manders Conference Center; changed a few things; we lowered the rental
amount intake. Rate structure was approved and so there are a la carte services and different
cost models for that.

Government Buildings; there is a reduction there.

Ted Strickland Community Center; authorized management to DDA. Council approved staff
changes.

Mr. Milliron then turned to the Mayor and the Mayor wanted to go on record saying that this
budget document shows that the numbers in 2012—$12,550,994; 2013—$9,006,073; 2014-
$8,568,385; total reduction of 4.85 from last year and from 2012 to 2014 is a 31.7 reduction in the
overall budget while providing morejobs and more services.

Mike Bush handed out a document to everyone. Mr. Bush stated that this is an overview of what
Mr. Milliron had just gone over with the budget. Mr. Bush went through the differences and said
that this is a summary of what we have done up through today but with the Capital Projects to
come.

The Mayor stated that we did not go over the capital and the SPLOST.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

All Meetings VVrll 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 via vvvvw.cityofstockbn'dge.com

- November 5: Election Day from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Ted Strickland Community
Center, 130 North Berry Street, in Stockbridge, and at all county precincts

November 11: Veteran's Day

November 21: Downtown Development Authority Meeting at 3:30pm in the Library at City
Hall.

- November 28-29: City Hall closed in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday

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.

The Mayor asked if there was anyone who wanted to speak on the agenda.

Kathy Gilbert of 120 Lily Glen Lane asked when the budget will be online. Mr. Milliron stated that
by morning, the budget should be online. The delay has been that our conversion to lncode has
had a couple of glitches and Mr. Bush is working on those issues.

Ms. Gilbert also addressed her concern with not being able to download the agenda and meeting
packet from the website.

November 5, 2013; 6:00pm
Motion to Adjourn; Harold Cochran made a motion to adjourn; a second was made by Shirley
Dabney; the motion passed 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 7:14pm.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY:

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

November 5, 2013; 6:00pm
