---
date: 2017-04-25
title: April 25, 2017 Work Session Meeting Minutes
source: 2017-04/2017-04-25_April 25, 2017 Work Session Meeting_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

P age |1

Stockbridge
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.

ACTION MINUTES
TOWN HALL & WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 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 Neal

II. Invocation - Pastor Burrell

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Roll Call Present Absent
Councilman Alexander ___x___ _______
Councilman Blount ___x___ _______
Mayor Neal ___x___ _______
Mayor Pro Tem Ford ___x___ _______
Councilwoman Gantt ___x___ _______
Councilwoman Robinson _______ ___x___
V. Motion to Amend the Agenda to add Discussion Items: Policy & Procedures for
Projects and Ordinance Amendment: Section 3.30 made by Councilwoman
Gantt; second by Councilman Blount. Passed 4-0.

VI. Review of Minutes for 3/13/17 and 3/28/17 – No Action

April 25, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
P age |2

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.

Mr. Thomas White spoke in opposition Public Information Officer position.
Pastor Cecilia Green spoke in opposition of proposed City of Eagles Landing.

PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation by North Henry Precinct Captain, Phillip Bratton of the Henry
County Police Department consisting of Public Safety information and
statistical updates.

2. Presentation by Public Works Director, Decius Aaron of the Stockbridge
Public Works Department consisting of projects completed, updates and
future projects.

3. Presentation by City Treasurer, Linda Nabers of the Finance Department
with the First Quarter financial update for the City.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to convene Executive Session for Litigation, Personnel and Real Estate
made by Councilwoman Gantt; second by Mayor Pro Tem Ford. Passed 4-0.

Motion to adjourn Executive Session: Ford/Alexander. Passed 4-0.

Motion to reconvene meeting: Ford/Blount. Passed 4-0.

Motion to extend services of Michael Harris at the current pay rate for 33 days,
through May 31, 2017 with amendments to agreement. Gantt/Ford. Passed 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS
4. Ordinance – 2016 Year-End Budget Amendment #2016-014 & #2016-015
Presented by: Linda Nabers, Treasurer. Gantt/Ford. Passed 4-0.

5. Ordinance – First Quarter 2017 Budget Amendment #2017-001- Draft B
Presented by: Linda Nabers, Treasurer.
Motion to approve staff recommendation to remove N in the amount of
$300,000 Gantt/Ford. Passed 4-0.
Motion to Table J in the amount of $350,000 Gantt/Ford. Passed 4-0.
Motion to approve all items except E & G: Gantt/Alexander - Passed 4-0.
Motion to approve E in the amount of $33,750: Gantt/Ford Passed 3-1
(Alexander Opposed).

April 25, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
P age |3

Motion to approve G in the amount of $10,000: Gantt/Ford Passed 3-1
(Alexander Opposed).

6. Public Information Officer, Pay Class, Job Description and Org. Chart
Presented by: Renee Wheeler, Human Resources Manager
Blount/Ford: Passed 3-1 (Alexander Opposed).

7. Naming the GCIC Agency Head for the City
Presented by: Michael Harris, City Manager
Motion to appoint City Clerk: Alexander/Ford. Passed 4-0.

DISCUSSION
8. Resolution to direct City Attorney to draft policy and procedures for City
Projects and Timelines
Presented by: Councilwoman Gantt. Gantt/Ford. Passed 4-0.

9. Ordinance Amendment Regarding Section 3.30
Presented by: Councilwoman Gantt. Tabled

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Michael Harris thanked everyone for the three years of service to the City, thanked
citizens for embracing him and noted he will remain engaged.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Alexander thanked the City Manager for his service and noted he will
be missed; referenced a recent Sex Trafficking Awareness Event and thanked the
Deltas for putting out the information.

Councilman Blount noted Mr. Harris will be missed; noted his recent attendance at
Global Impact Christian Ministries’ event where they fed the homeless; stated that
better, brighter days are ahead for the City; and wished Michael Harris well.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford noted Mr. Harris has given the City three great years and will
be missed, and that someone has big shoes to fill; keep the faith and God Bless.

Councilwoman Gantt apologized for the length of the meeting and thanked staff for
hanging in there; and thanked everyone.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Neal noted Michael Harris has been a delight to work with and that he has
set the bar high; and asked everyone to remember Merle Manders, the former City
Clerk who recently passed away and who also contributed greatly to the City, and
commended the current Clerk, Vanessa Holiday.
April 25, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
P age |4

City Clerk Vanessa Holiday thanked the Mayor, and also referenced the passing of
Merle Manders noting she was hired by Merle, and uses many of her processes
every day; and thanked Michael Harris for his professionalism and wished him
great success in the future.

Mayor Neal noted the City has started a search for a City Manager and plans to
bring in someone who will make the City proud.

Motion to adjourn: Gantt/Ford. Passed 4-0.

Due to the late hour, news and announcements were not read.

UPCOMING OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS/EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.

 Council Meeting – Monday, May 8, 2017 - 6:00 p.m. City Hall Chamber.

 Memorial March – Monday, May 29, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. at the Merle Manders
Conference Center.

 Council Work Session– Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - 6:00 p.m. City Hall Chamber.
UPCOMING COUNCIL MEMBER COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND/OR INITIATIVES

 Unity in the Community Basketball Game – Hosted by Councilwoman Robinson at
Stockbridge High School Friday, April 28, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.

 National Day of Prayer – Hosted by Councilman Blount – May 4, 2017 at City Hall
in the Council Chamber at 6:00 p.m.

 Non-Profit Social Mixer – Hosted by Councilwoman Gantt – May 11, 2017 at the
Merle Manders Conference Center at 5:30 p.m.

UPCOMING CIVIC EVENTS

 GA Cities Week Activities
Thursday, April 27th at 6:00 p.m. - Stockbridge Trail Mix and Ribbon Cutting at
Reeves Creek Trail (Flippen Rd. entrance)

 Saturday, April 29th from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. - Haul it to the Hall Community
Yard Sale and Recycling Event at Stockbridge City Hall parking lot.

 Annual Carrie Mae Hambrick Celebration
Saturday, May 20th 1:00 p.m. – Trinity UMC – Green Front Café Lawn

April 25, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
