---
date: 2016-12-12
title: December 12, 2016 City Council Meetings Minutes
source: 2016-12/2016-12-12_December 12, 2016 City Council Meetings_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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Stockbridge
Bringing People Together

ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 6:00 p.m.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Judy Neal Michael Harris, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Anthony S. Ford Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilman Elton Alexander Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Councilman John Blount Michael Williams, City Attorney
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt
Councilwoman Neat Robinson
I. Call to Order Mayor Pro Tem Ford

II. Invocation Pastor Ed Galbreath

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Roll Call Present Absent

Councilman Alexander ___X____ _______
Councilman Blount ___X____ _______
Mayor Pro Tem Ford ___X____ _______
Councilwoman Gantt ___X____ _______
Councilwoman Robinson ___X____ _______
V. Adoption of the Agenda Robinson/Alexander: Passed 5-0.

VI. Adoption of Minutes for 10/10/2016, 10/25/2016 SCM, 10/25/2016
Gantt/Alexander: Passed 5-0.

December 12, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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CEREMONIAL

1. Swearing In of Mayor Judy Neal - Administered by: Judge Matthew McCord
Followed by Mayor Neal’s acceptance speech.

2. Letter of Commendation presented by Mayor Neal to Dr. Cathy Mauer of The Kids
Specialist Pediatric Group, Stockbridge, GA for the Reach Out and Read Literacy
Program.

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. Darlene Jackson – Question regarding billing for water services on County Property
Tax Statement and billing monthly from the City. Question regarding Public Safety on
Property Tax Statement – request details for services.

Mrs. Nancy Strickland – Welcomed new mayor; commended City Manager, Michael Harris;
looks forward to the City settling down and getting back to the business of city; loves
Stockbridge and is available to help in any way needed.

NEW BUSINESS

PUBLIC HEARING
3. Final Reading and Adoption of Proposed FY2017 Operating Budget
Motion to hold the Public Hearing and to Table the Adoption of the Proposed
FY2017 Budget to be heard on December 27, 2016: Gantt/Alexander: Passed 5-0

Public Hearing:
Name Inaudible – urged the Council to pass a balanced budget.
Nancy Strickland – noted the importance of passing a balanced budget.
Louis Goglia – Questioned if proposed FY2017 Budget included police services.
Shirley Wallace Long – asked for transparency to review the proposed budget.
Clerk noted proposed FY2017 Budget was available in City Hall and online for
viewing.
Richard Ordonez – urged the Council to pass a balanced budget.
Public Hearing Closed

4. Main Street Advisory Board Appointments
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney & Kira Harris-Braggs, Main Street
Program Manager
Motion to extend the acceptance of applications to allow soon to be annexed
residents of Carriage Lakes the opportunity to apply and to discuss the applicant
appointments in Executive Session: Gantt/Blount Passed 5-0.

5. Youth Council Advisory Committee Appointments
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney

December 12, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Motion to extend the acceptance of applications to allow soon to be annexed
residents of Carriage Lakes and opportunity to apply: Blount/Gantt: Passed 5-0.

6. Ordinance – Banning Smoking in Vehicles Containing Minors
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Motion to approve: Blount/Gantt Failed: 2-3 (Alexander, Ford, Robinson Opposed)
Motion to reconsider and bring this item back to the Council on January 9, 2017:
Ford/Robinson: Passed 5-0.

7. Ordinance – Soil Erosion Control
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Motion to approve: Gantt/Ford: Passed 5-0.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION

8. Master Trail Plan for the City of Stockbridge
Presented by: Michael Harris, City Manager
Mr. Harris presented a Draft Overview of the Master Trail Plan: Jaegar Company will
come forward with a formal presentation on January 9, 2017.

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS
Michael Harris introduced the new Public Works Director, Decius Aaron.

COUNCIL’S COMMENTS
Councilman Alexander invited everyone to attend the Public Safety Town Hall
meeting on Thursday, December 15th at Floyd Chapel Baptist Church at 7pm – the
thought is to bring meetings to the public rather than coming to City Hall; topics will
cover public safety and have an opportunity to ask questions.

Councilman Blount noted the Council needs to work from the inside out; prefers to
talk to people closest to the problem; thanked everyone for attending and
welcomed Mayor Neal; noted Council will work to do the right thing and be good
stewards.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford thanked the Council and citizens for their support as he
served as acting Mayor over the last eleven months; asked everyone to make the
effort to support the new Mayor.

Councilwoman Gantt wished every Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas; thanked
everyone for attending and asked for continued prayers and support; and to be
safe.

December 12, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Councilwoman Robinson thanked everyone for coming out; thanked Mayor Pro
Tem for his service over the last eleven months; referenced the Council Initiative of
distributing coats and gently worn blankets in the Historic Downtown District with
the next drop-off location on Wednesday, December 14th at Papi’s on Rock Quarry
Road from 5-7pm; Happy Holidays.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judy Neal thanked everyone for coming out and asked citizens to return to
the meetings to be a part of their community.

Mayor Neal read the following news and announcements:
ANNOUNCEMENT OF UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
All meetings 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.

 Public Works Committee Meeting – Thursday, December 15th at 5:00 p.m. in the
Patrick Henry Meeting Room – Councilwoman Robinson, Committee Chair.

 Town Hall (Public Safety Committee) – Thursday, December 15th at 7:00 p.m. at
Floyd Chapel Baptist Church 104 First St. Stockbridge Councilman Alexander,
Committee Chair.

 Special Called Council Meeting – Friday, December 16th at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
in the Council Chamber.

 Downtown Development Authority Meeting – Monday, December 19th at 6:00 p.m.
at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room.

 Council Work Session Meeting – Tuesday, December 27th at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
in the Council Chamber.

 Community Relations Committee Meeting – Thursday, December 29th at 6:00
p.m. at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room.

Motion to convene Executive Session for Real Estate: Gantt/Blount: Passed 5-0.

Motion to adjourn Executive Session: Robinson/Alexander: Passed 5-0

Motion to reconvene Council Meeting: Gantt/Alexander: Passed 5-0

Motion to adjourn: Gantt/Robinson: Passed 5-0

December 12, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
