---
date: 2017-02-13
title: February 13, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes
source: 2017-02/2017-02-13_February 13, 2017 City Council Meeting_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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Stockbridge
Bringing People Together

ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 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 Steve Murell (First Baptist Church of Stockbridge)

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___ _______
Adoption of the Agenda Gantt/Alexander: Passed 5-0.

V. Adoption of Minutes for 12/12/2016, 12/14/2016, 12/16/2016, 12/27/2016
Ford/Alexander: Passed 5-0.

February 13, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Mayor Neal recognized ceremonial items presented prior to the meeting: Black History
Month Proclamation, Letter of Commendation for Commissioner Bruce Holmes and
Letter of Commendation for Naval Academy Candidate Karina Patel.

VI. Organizational Appointment: Mayor Pro Tem – Anthony S. Ford
Motion to approve: Alexander/Robinson – Passed 4-0-1 (Ford abstained)

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 asked for City sponsorship and citizen support of Council on Aging – Miles
for Meals event taking place on Saturday, May 1, 2017.

PRESENTATION

1. 2017 Paint Henry Blue – Raising Awareness for the Prevention of Child Abuse
Kick-Off Month in Stockbridge Thursday, March 30, 2017. Request Use of
Merle Manders Conference Center 111 Davis Road 5pm -9pm
Presented by: Susan Crutchfield
Motion to Table to be heard on 2/28/2017 Gantt/Ford – Passed 5-0.

OLD BUSINESS

All appointments approved by Slate: Robinson/Alexander Passed 5-0.

2. Appointment of Council Representative on Main Street Advisory Board

ANTHONY S. FORD TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

3. Appointments to the Main Street Advisory Board

WILLIE E. HOPKINS TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2018

GREG HORTON TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2018

4. Appointment of Council on Aging Representative

TYRONE C. ANDERSON, SR. TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

5. Appointment to the Zoning Advisory Board

SHIRLEY WALLACE TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

February 13, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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6. Appointment of Youth Council Advisory Committee

EMMA LEWIS TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

KENNETH MCFARLAND TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

DIANE D. MILLER TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

JOC’QUELYN E. CARTER TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

XAVIER ROSS TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

PAMELA WARNER TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

KALI ROBINSON TERM EXPIRES 12/31/2017

PUBLIC HEARING

7. Variance Request – VR-16-14-S – PUBLIC HEARING
Waffle House Inc., of Norcross GA requests a variance from development
regulations for the property located at the Southeast Corner of the intersection of
Eagles Landing Parkway and Parkside Lane, Land Lot 1 of the 11th District. Parcel
ID no. 069-01-008-009. The property consists of 0.898+/- acres, and the request
is for wall and ground signs. Presented by: Michael Harris, City Manager
Public Hearing:
Applicant Sanford McAllister spoke in favor.

Ms. Janet Beuchler noted her questions were answered by the applicant.

Ms. Sandra Reichert spoke in opposition.

Public Hearing was closed.

Motion to approve Wall and Ground Sign variance made by Ford. Failed for lack of
a second.

Motion to approve Ground Sign variance made by Gantt/Second. Failed 2-3.
(Alexander, Blount and Robinson opposed).

8. Annexation Request – AX17-51– PUBLIC HEARING
City-Initiated annexation request consisting of 2.87+/- acres of parcel no. 030-
01002000 415 Flippen Rd. in Land Lot 38 of the 12 District.
Presented by: Michael Harris, City Manager
Public Hearing: No speakers in favor – No speakers opposed

Public Hearing was closed.

Motion to approve annexation: Alexander/Ford – Passed 5-0.

February 13, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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9. Update of the City’s Official Zoning Map – PUBLIC HEARING
Presented by: Michael Harris, City Manager
Public Hearing: No speakers in favor – No speakers opposed

Public Hearing was closed.

Motion to approve Official Zoning Map: Gantt/Blount – Passed 5-0.

10. Request for Amendment of the City’s Zoning Code – PUBLIC HEARING
In regards to brick facade.
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Public Hearing: No speakers in favor – No speakers opposed

Public Hearing was recessed until March 13, 2017 meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

11.Council Consideration to approve the 2017 voting schedule for the City.
Presented by: Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Motion to approve Option 1 with an estimated cost of $23,500 and estimated budget
amendment in the amount of $7,500: Ford/Robinson – Passed 4-1 (Gantt opposed)

12.Council Consideration to approve use of the Merle Manders Conference
Center for Non-Profit Mixer to be held on April 19, 2017.
Presented by: Councilwoman Gantt
Motion to approve annexation: Blount/Gantt – Passed 5-0.

13.Council Consideration – Proposed Budget Amendment for Fiber Optics
Connection $350,000.00
Presented by: Councilman Alexander
Motion to Table for up to 60 days or date closest to the March 25, 2017 meeting:
Alexander/Ford – Passed 5-0.

DISCUSSION

14.CID (Community Improvement District) Consultant
Presented by: Councilwoman Robinson
Presentation by: Vivian Thomas – One Henry CID meetings are held on the 1st
Thursday of each month at Heritage Bank 830 Eagles Landing Pkwy #100,
Stockbridge, GA 30281 at 3:00 p.m. 2nd Floor.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
No Comments

February 13, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Alexander thanked citizens for coming out and taking part of the
democratic process; noted Council was embarking on monumental tasks and need
to avoid the pitfalls of destruction; and to put water under the bridge to move the
City forward.

Councilman Blount stated the importance of his character, noted that prior to being
an elected official, he was in his church and community every day; and thanked
Mr. Willie Hopkins for volunteering for the Main Street Advisory Board;

Mayor Pro Tem Ford thanked everyone for being engaged; referenced the recent
Council Retreat where goals and objectives were set by the Council; referenced a
recent award to the City of Stockbridge from Goodwill Industries for the 2016 Job
Fairs spearheaded by Councilman Alexander; noted he was hurt behind the
Falcons’ Super Bowl loss; and wished everyone Happy Valentine’s Day.

Councilwoman Gantt thanked everyone for attending; asked for continued prayers;
noted tough decisions are being made by the Council, and that it is not an easy
task and City is headed in the right direction; noted the City recently held a
wonderful Retreat; and reminded citizens that she is accessible, and to reach out
to her with your questions and/or concerns referencing contact information on the
City’s website.

Councilwoman Robinson congratulated Commissioner Holmes and Karina Patel
for their ceremonial commendations; congratulated everyone appointed to the
Youth Council Advisory Committee and noted the City Attorney would be in
contact with each of them.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Neal noted the City of Stockbridge would host (4) four official Town Hall
meetings at City Hall quarterly and include finance updates along with any
additional updates regarding City business; and individual council members would
host Community Meetings as their individual initiatives off-site referencing a
Community Meeting to be hosted by Councilman Alexander at Red Oak UMC on
Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 7pm.

Mayor Neal read the following News and Events referencing City Events and
Council Initiatives:

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.

February 13, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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 Community Meeting – Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Red Oak
United Methodist Church 3894 Walt Stephens Rd. Stockbridge, GA 30281
Spearheaded by Councilman Alexander (Council Initiative)

 Stockbridge Zoning Advisory Board Meeting – Thursday, February 23, 2017 at
6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room.

 Coffee with a Cop – Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Bridgeview Country Cooking
4727 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Spearheaded by
Mayor Pro Tem Ford. (Council Initiative)

 Downtown Development Authority Board Meeting – Monday, February 27, 2017 at
6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room.

 Council Work Session – Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in
the Council Chamber.

Motion to convene Executive Session for Real Estate, Personnel and Litigation:
Robinson/Gantt – Passed 5-0.

Motion to adjourn Executive Session: Neal/Ford – Passed: 4-0. (Councilwoman
Gantt was not present for the vote).

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

Motion to adjourn: Ford/Blount – Passed 4-0.

February 13, 2017 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
