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date: 2012-11-12
title: November 12, 2012 Minutes
source: 2012-11/2012-11-12_November 12, 2012_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
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November 12, 2012

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE

November 12, 2012; 7:00pm

City Council

Lee Stuart, Mayor

Mark Alarcon, Mayor Pro Tem

Robin Buschman, Councilwoman

Harold Cochran, Councilman (absent)

Richard Steinberg, Councilman (absent)

Alphonso Thomas, Councilman

Rhonda A. Blackmon, City Clerk

Call to Order motion was made by Mark Alarcon; second was made by Robin Buschman;
passed 3-0.

Invocation was done by Eugene Edwards.

Pledge of Allegiance

Adopt Agenda; Mark Alarcon made a motion to remove item # 2, # 6, # 9, # 11 and the
Executive Session portion of the agenda; the Mayor read through each item; Robin Buschman
made the second; Alphonso Thomas asked for an explanation about the removal of item # 6;
Mark Alarcon stated that there was a work session Tuesday of last week to discuss this
opportunity and to get things moving in the right direction. Mr. Alarcon stated he had made a
phone call to Mr. Thomas on Wednesday and then they actually spoke on Thursday and had a
very lengthy and wonderful conversation about things they wanted to accomplish this year.
Mark stated he had suggested to Mr. Thomas that he call the City’s Counsel, Mr. Linkous, to
work out some of the problems that they had discussed and to have Mr. Linkous draft a letter or
something to Council so that they could read and understand the direction of the motion that Mr.
Thomas has made. Mr. Alarcon stated that only three (3) to five (5) minutes before the meeting,
Mr. Thomas gave them a budget outline and a resolution. So, yes he has just sat down to read it;
it is very complex and he wanted more time to look at this and that was the reason for his motion
is that he had not had time to get familiar with this and so that is his motion. Mr. Thomas stated
that he reached out to Mr. Linkous and he drafted this resolution with some of the concerns that
were talked about. Mr. Thomas said that he believes this resolution meets those concerns. He
stated that if we go back and look at past agendas and past information that has been brought to
this Council within two (2) or three (3) minutes of the meeting; this is nothing new to this
Council. We can go back several months and see where agenda items have been brought before
Council within a couple of minutes so he does not understand the reasoning why this is being
taken off. He stated that he thinks that the concerns that were expressed, and when he and Mr.
Linkous talked, he believes that this resolution alleviates those concerns. But as to them just
receiving this, there have been many occasions where he himself, Mr. Alarcon, has presented this
Council with documents within minutes of a meeting. So, Mr. Thomas does not really see that
point. Mr. Alarcon stated that Mr. Thomas was correct and that has happened but he wanted to
ask this; he said Mr. Thomas showed displeasure but he wanted to know when Mr. Thomas
actually received this document and could he tell him, Mr. Alarcon, when he actually received
these documents for presentation. Mr. Thomas stated that he talked with Mr. Linkous on Friday
and they discussed it, Mr. Linkous prepared it, we received it today and Mrs. Blackmon prepared
it. But he still wanted to go back to the concerns that he and Mr. Alarcon discussed. He did not
want to get in to the concerns as Mr. Alarcon is already aware of the concerns. Mr. Thomas
stated that this resolution mirrors the exact resolution that was presented to this Council last year
as a city event. The only difference is the amount. So again, he still does not see why this
agenda item has to be tabled. He also stated that last year, when we went forward with this
event, Black History was celebrated in the month of March and everyone knows that Black
History is in the month of February. Here we are in mid-November; the holidays are upon us; in
order to plan this event for February, we need to move now. Time is of the essence. He knows
that a motion was made and a second but the motion can be withdrawn so that they can move on
with this event. Ms. Buschman stated that she was also just presented with this and she has had
no phone call and no discussion other than Mr. Thomas’ comment at work session that what he
has been hearing is that we are not going to work with this event. She stated that everyone in the
room knows where she stands and knows that she will do anything she can but no one has
discussed an amount, there are no plans on the table, and she has a real problem with this
because it is almost like he, Mr. Thomas, is pushing this. And when he says that things have
been brought before the Council last minute, most of those things, Mr. Thomas, you did not vote
on and you would not vote on. So she has a real problem in that she sits up here, for the record,
and most of the stuff that goes on she is not even involved in. No one calls her or emails her and
just like the Merle Manders event at work session for the Vets and how the Mayor said the City
is going to have a black eye, she has not been privy to any of that. So, she votes for what she
feels is at the best interest of her citizens. She stated she was instrumental at the Black Gala last
year and she will be instrumental this year. She said they have no problem putting this forward
in December. She said if somebody would just sit and talk to her; but when she gets a resolution
three (3) minutes before a meeting, and she is supposed to look at amounts and she is supposed
to decide where to spend her citizen’s money, it has nothing to do with Black Gala History. If
this was anything else she was spending money on, she would want to know and she would like
someone to talk to her about it. So that is where she stands and that is why she is voting to table
it tonight. Now, if you would like to get with her, she stated she would be more than happy to
discuss this with him, Mr. Thomas. Mr. Thomas said that as he stated earlier, the comments she
just made did not appear at this meeting tonight so it is irrelevant. We need to move forward on
this. Again as he stated, we talked about this at the work session and this is nothing new. You,
Ms. Buschman, were a member of that committee last year during the planning. So, we have
talked about moving forward with this event. Again, this resolution mirrors the very same
resolution that was presented last year. He stated he does not know what the issues may be but,
pertaining to his vote, he would rather vote based on something just presented to him. If he votes
against something, he disagrees with the legislation and not the fact that it was just presented to
him. Mr. Mayor made a correction that this was a motion to remove the item and not to table it.
Ms. Buschman said correct. The motion passed 2-1 with Alphonso Thomas as opposed.

Proclamation - National Hospice and Palliative Care Month; Mayor Stuart read the
proclamation and presented it to the organization.

Proclamation - National American Indian Heritage Month; Mayor Stuart read the
proclamation and presented it to the organization.

Adopt the October 2, 2012 Work Session minutes; Mayor Stuart stated that he found one
mistake; a spelling on page three (3) where it says that Robin Buschman stated that she too has
not had any more, anyone come forward with any concerns and then she stated that this is an
exception and a tool and not the norm; he thought it should be “not to rule” and he asked Ms.
Buschman to clarify. Ms. Buschman said correct. Mayor Stuart asked the City Clerk if she was
making the correction and confirmed where the error was in the document. The Clerk stated that
she disagrees about what it should say but that she will listen to the minutes again and confirm.
Mayor Stuart asked if he had a motion to table the October 2nd minutes and everyone agreed; the
minutes were tabled until the Clerk could listen to the recording.

Adopt the October 8, 2012 Council Meeting minutes. Mayor Stuart asked if there was
anything on these minutes. He then went back to the October 2nd minutes and said that on page
nine (9) at the very top, where it says Mayor Stuart stated that is does not matter; that should be
that “it” does not matter. He then said he had nothing on the October 8th minutes. Mayor Stuart
then asked if there was anything on any of the minutes and could they lump them all together.

Adopt the October 18, 2012 Special Called Meeting minutes

Adopt the October 24, 2012 Special Called Meeting minutes

A motion was made by Mark Alarcon to pass the minutes from October 8th, October 18th and
October 24th collectively; a second was made by Robin Buschman; passed 3-0.
Item # 1 - Consent Agenda

Resolution -To authorize Mayor Pro Tem Mark Alarcon to draft the Request for Information
(RFI) and participate in the process for improvements to the City Hall turnaround area pursuant
to the drawings created by Falcon Design, Inc.

Resolution - For Mayor and Council to appoint one (1) Pension Committee Member to replace
the one (1) former member who is no longer employed with the City.

Resolution - Authorizing the City of Stockbridge to write off the balance of unpaid court fines
for 2007.

Resolution - Authorizing the City of Stockbridge to write off the balance of uncollected utility
fees for 2011.

Resolution - Authorizing the City of Stockbridge to participate in the Mayor’s Motorcade with
a $500 donation.

Mayor Stuart read through the resolutions listed under consent agenda. A motion was made by
Robin Buschman to accept the consent agenda; Mark Alarcon made a second; passed 3-0.

OLD BUSINESS

Item # 2- Presented by Brad Holtsinger, Water Reclamation Facility Supervisor

Ordinance - To have the Waste Water System Tech position vacancy be changed to a Waste
Water Collections Operator Trainee vacancy. ITEM WAS REMOVED

Item # 3 - Presented by David Milliron, City Treasurer

Resolution - Authorizing the City to contract with Lanier Contracting Company for the Steven
D. Peurifoy Water Pollution Control Plant-Belt Press Facility Project. Mr. Milliron stated that
this was a staff recommendation to move forward with the Belt Press Project. This is a SPLOST
III project. The award, going to Lanier Contracting, will be for $1,742,579.00. This was the
result of a sealed bid process. This includes the new belt press, conveyor, engineering material,
the SPR sludge pump station and the SCAD equipment. Related work also included the site
demolition, access road improvements and yard piping. The City is already under contract with
Stevenson & Palmer to provide on-site construction management inspection for the lump sum of
$19,340.00. This reward is under bid requirement so the amounts don’t expire. Council needs to
take action on this by close of business on November 28th for the recommendation to move
forward. Mr. Milliron stated that he had a lengthy conversation with Stevenson & Palmer this
day and they still acknowledge that they have the resources to perform the on-site construction
management once Council makes a determination to move forward. Robin Buschman made a
motion to move forward; second was made by Mark Alarcon; passed 3-0.

Item # 4 - Presented by City Attorney
Approve the settlement of claim made by Getty Images; Bill Linkous stated that this is an issue
that has been talked about in Executive Session and voted upon by the City Council. It is
required that the City Council take a follow-up vote to affirm the settlement in public session and
so it is presented for that purpose. Motion to accept the agreement was made by Robin
Buschman; a second was made by Mark Alarcon; passed 3-0.

Item # 5 - Presented by City Attorney
Approve settlement of claim made by Raymond Gibson; Bill Linkous said that this is the same
situation where this was already discussed by the City Council in Executive Session and the
public meetings act requires a public vote for the settlement in a public session so it is being
presented for that purpose. Motion to accept the agreement was made by Robin Buschman; a
second was made by Mark Alarcon; passed 3-0.

Mayor Stuart then stated that for the citizen’s clarification, both of those there are confidential so
we can’t talk to you about it but you can do an open records request and you can find out what
it’s about; so we didn’t do something in the back room that you don’t know nothing about, you
just drop your open records request tomorrow morning or tonight and you’ll know all the details.

Item # 6 - Presented by Alphonso Thomas, Councilmember

Resolution - Authorizing the City to move forward with the Black History Gala planning and
event. ITEM WAS REMOVED

NEW BUSINESS

Item # 7 - Presented by David Milliron, City Treasurer
Agreement - For the City of Stockbridge to contract with The Varsity in Norcross, Georgia to
cater an employee luncheon prior to Thanksgiving. Mr. Milliron stated that this is a contract for
Council review and approval. Under the City Charter and Ordinances, all contracts must be
reviewed and approved. This is a Council approval for the contract and not approval for the
luncheon itself which is under the Mayor’s authority as CEO of the City. Mayor Stuart stated he
could not read the document in his book and asked if Rhonda or David could give him the
amount as all he could read was 18 something. Mr. Milliron stated that he shows the same thing
and that the copier cut it off and that the amount was $1,811, 12, 13; give or take $9.00 Mr.
Mayor. Mr. Milliron said it was at least $1,810.00 but no more than $1,819.00. He stated again
that the Council was to approve the contract itself and not the amount. Motion to approve the
contract was made by Robin Buschman; a second was made by Mark Alarcon; passed 3-0.

Item # 8 - Presented by David Milliron, City Treasurer

Resolution - For the City of Stockbridge to purchase from The Floor Group LLC replacement
carpet for installation in the ballroom of the Merle Manders Conference Center. David Milliron
said that as stated, this was a request for purchase. This is for the Floor Group. He stated that as
they can see in the book, there were actually five (5) quotes. This one was a quote for
$18,422.31 and we are asking for a not-to-exceed of $19,000.00. The carpet sample was passed
around for Council to see. Mr. Milliron said that this was actually a contractor-grade carpet.
This is a special commercial-grade carpet and if you have been over to the Merle Manders
Center, one thing is curb appeal both for marketability and renting the facility and the carpet is
out-dated and has lots of stains. On this particular carpet, the colorization is injected into the
carpet fibers, so we will no longer have to use a bunch of cleaning products but this carpet would
be cleaned with simply water and vinegar so as to get the maximum longevity out of this carpet.
So this is a recommendation for purchase not to exceed $19,000.00 for the stated company; that
being the Floor Group, LLC. Mayor Stuart said he had a couple of questions for Mr. Milliron.
He said that here is one from a Dalton, Georgia company for $18,422.00; we have a local
company here in Stockbridge who bid $18,844 which is basically $422.00 difference; they bid on
Natural Wonders, whatever that…they’re a great volcano tool, whatever that is; but I didn’t see
what the type was from LLC but then we also have a second bid from the same company for all
of $6235, I guess is what the carpet is, $19,032.00. Mayor said his question is we have two bids
from the same company and we get three bids to do this but the local company itself is bidding
against themselves or they are two different kinds of carpet but is that the same carpet as the
company who bid from Dalton. He said he talked to Bill Linkous and there is no law but they
want to do business as much as they can with local people and if they are within five (5) percent
or something like that, that we would be able to do that for a local vendor trying to keep the
business here in Stockbridge and that was only a $422.00 difference so it is kind of a triple
question. Why do we have two bids from one company and one from the other? Are they all for
different carpets? Mr. Milliron stated that it was his understanding that the first vendor that
Merle Manders Center spoke to, they had actually discussed multiple options. Only one of the
bids, obviously, is being used in the process. This company was actually the last to the table.
After they had already talked to the other vendors, this was the third vendor that they spoke to so
they compared the product which was the directive that came down from the Director of the
Merle Manders Center. Mayor Stuart said he does not understand why one company bids two
(2) and the other one is one (1). He asked if they were all bidding the same carpet or not. Ms.
Buschman stated that in the carpet industry, there are so many types of carpet and grades, and so
it looks like, when you look at inventory numbers, they are two different types of carpet so
maybe they were given an option is her only explanation. The Mayor said that was what he did
not understand; if they are all bidding on the same type of carpet, how can you put two (2) bids
about the same type of carpet as the other one? Mr. Milliron said that the company with
multiple bids actually gave us several different scenarios and different level grades of carpet. If
you look at the higher level grade comparable to this one, you will find that that is actually a
significantly higher price. There are three (3) different grades of carpet that are in there. This
particular company; that is one of the highest grade levels of carpet because of the injection dye
system. Mayor Stuart then asked if it was possible that we do that. We’ve got the second
bidder, well they are really the second and third bidder according to the sheets but uh…Mr.
Alarcon said that he would defer to counsel in a second but that he believes, and to go to what
Mayor just mentioned, under the old Council, and Lee is correct in this, he (Mr. Alarcon) is a
small business owner here in the City of Stockbridge; we did put together some type of language
to try to support city limits of Stockbridge businesses and then to broker it to a City of
Stockbridge address. Then we have a third step that would go to a Henry County business.
Then if there was not a qualified contractor or provider, we would go wherever we could get the
best competitive bids. The City Attorney had then told old Council that that would be opening
up a can of worms and Mr. Alarcon had even argued the point at that time, that his company has
been victim of being the lowest bidder and being removed because he was not a resident and his
business was not in the state of South Carolina. Mark told the Mayor that yes they did talk about
that and there was some language that they wanted to see happen but he cautions, he thinks we
are in trouble if we have opened up three (3) different or four (4) different numbers, we have a
qualified bid and then we go back to correct or interject policy procedures to allow for that local.
He said he would tell this, he would be in great support of them moving forward to get their
hands around this and see what new Council guidance might be because he would love for the
citizens within the city limits to have first preference to qualify bid. Bill Linkous said that he
would agree that with this piece of legislation, to go back and change something at this point
would not be appropriate. However, he said he would be happy to work with Council to see
what we could do, or what the limits are as to what the City might be able to do within the law to
look at that problem and that issue. Mayor Stuart said that he suggested that was what we do.
There is all that legal stuff; if you have a contract you got to take the lowest bidder but that’s not
always the lowest bidder we find out and then it escalates but as Mark said, he would like to see
as much as we can…if you can do some wording…they taught us at our first law class that the
lawyers, your job is to make the law say what we want it to say and we have always said we
would like to support local business as much as we can and if there is some way to get a little
wiggle room here where we could help them then that would be…we can’t back up and do it but
when he saw this pop up he said that this was a pretty close competitive bid from a local…course
he put…but he is also the high bid when he did two bids. Mayor also wanted to know why there
was no contract. He said we do a contract for $1,800.00 worth of greasy…he takes that
back…we do $1,800.00 for Varsity food but we don’t do it for carpet. We are doing $18,000.00
worth of carpet and no contract but we need to do a contract for $1,800.00 worth of hot dogs or
hamburgers. Mr. Milliron stated because in catering services they are providing services and the
carpet is installing carpet and you are actually purchasing a durable good. The company presents
no contract; required no contract. David stated that he will tell them first hand that he is in, not
the rental business, but he has lots of rentals and he has never had a contract to ever put in carpet
in any of his rental properties. Mayor Stuart asked Mr. Thomas if he said something and Mr.
Thomas said just amazement; that’s all. Motion was made by Mark Alarcon; a second was made
by Robin Buschman; passed 3-0.

Item # 9 - Presented by Mark Alarcon, Mayor Pro Tem

Resolution – Re-scheduling of December 2012 meetings due to holidays. ITEM WAS
REMOVED

HENRY COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING

No Items

AGENDA REQUEST

Item # 10 - Presented by Grant Houston

Request: To have his property of 64.46 acres (parcel # 069-008003) de-annexed from the City
of Stockbridge. Mr. Houston stated that this was a pretty straight forward request and asked the
Council if they had any questions or did they want him to go into his spiel. Mayor Stuart asked
why he wanted to be de-annexed. Mr. Houston stated that as part of getting the land, he got a
farm credit loan. They do not usually lend money to purchase City property but given the state
of the property, it is zoned manufacturing or industrial and yet it is still in an agricultural state, it
is completely wooded, it is unbuildable basically because it’s pretty much completely in the
floodplain. When he acquired the property they asked him if he would consider removing the
property from the city limits and so he is doing his due diligence and trying to get it removed.
Mr. Alarcon said that Mr. Houston mentioned that he got a loan for the property and he was
briefing the limited deed piece and it’s stating a dollar was transacted but you are saying you got
a loan. Mr. Houston said yes sir. Mr. Alarcon asked then why does the document in front of
them state that Mr. Houston has it outright and that he acquired it for a dollar. Mr. Houston said
that was just the procedure he supposed. Mr. Houston asked if they were referring to the limited
warranty deed. Mayor stated yes. Mr. Houston said it was because the loan paid in full the
seller. Mr. Alarcon said to Mr. Linkous to correct him if he was wrong but he knows you have
to transfer one (1) dollar of currency to make any contract binding but he was just wondering and
he needed clarification, he is not making any accusations. Mr. Houston said that he thinks that
this is just a standard…the clerk printed this as a standard…she did not take the time to go in and
enter the exact dollar amount. She just printed this off and inserted our legal description and
there you go. Mr. Linkous stated that he would also add to this that this is standard language in a
deed document that says for one (1) dollar and other considerations when there may be very well
a loan underlying this document. Robin Buschman asked Mr. Houston if he were de-annexed,
does he have plans or what is he wanting to do with land that is really not developable. Mr.
Houston stated that he just wanted to own some property and this was the perfect piece for
recreation for his children and grandchildren. There are two creeks that run through the property
to be able to fish and ride four-wheelers and hang out. He stated he does plan on put it on
conservation with Henry County Tax Assessors so that it will not be developed. Ms. Buschman
asked if Mr. Houston would be hunting on the land. Mr. Houston stated that was a possibility
but there would not be any rifles or anything like that on the land. Ms. Buschman stated that
would raise concerns with the businesses that back up to that property if guns were in the City
because currently she believes you cannot shoot in the City of Stockbridge within 500 feet. Mr.
Houston stated it was 64 ½ acres so…Ms. Buschman made the comment that she would hate to
be one of the businesses and have a bullet go whizzing by. Mr. Houston stated that was not
likely. Mr. Alarcon asked Mr. Linkous for guidance on this as there are concerns. He stated he
thinks it is wonderful that Mr. Houston wants to own property and have recreational and even
hunting as he enjoys a bit of that himself. It is a little bit close in for hunting but it is 64 and a
good educated, responsible hunter; it probably would not be an issue. Mr. Houston asked for Mr.
Alarcon to define hunting to him. Mr. Alarcon said he was just saying that a knowledgeable
careful hunter could easily hunt, in his opinion, within a 64 acre plat properly positioned and
knowledgeable of the land flow but he was asking Mr. Linkous because he is not sure how this
would affect the City overall. Mr. Linkous said that in terms of the law applicable to this, the
City has the ability to grant it or not grant it. If there are any other legal questions, he would be
happy to answer them. He suggested that they may want to table this and get any other questions
together to discuss this at the next meeting. Mr. Houston stated that Georgia DNR already has
rules and regulations in place for the discharging of firearms within a certain distance of roads
and homes and businesses in order to safeguard against any accidental gunfire. There will not be
any discharging of any high powered weapon of any variety on the property. Mr. Stuart asked if
he was planning on building on there. Mr. Houston said that he was not. He stated that he was a
land surveyor himself and he did the surveying himself and it is, except for one little 1500 square
foot area, it is virtually and completely in the 100-year flood plain which does not make it
completely unbuildable but it does make it very, very, very difficult to build on and he does not
plan on spending the money to do it. Mr. Stuart asked if you can put four-wheel tracks through
there. Mr. Houston said you just cannot disturb the ground, meaning you cannot uproot trees or
disturb dirt in that manner. As far as riding a truck across it or riding a four-wheeler that is not
considered disturbing the ground. Mr. Milliron said that this came in within recent proximity,
not specific to this issue but the discharge of firearms, under current City ordinance, the
discharge of firearms is prohibited in the city limits except for law enforcement or for other
specific usage. In the county, it is a 500 foot setback rule from other properties or the property
lines. As you know, we do not have city taxes levied here in the city so it would still beg to
question as to the intended purpose of the de-annexation which is full consideration. What he
has heard so far this evening is the discharge of weapons. From the Public Safety chair, that is
one question that was just alluded to so he just wanted to advise the board on that specific topic.
Ms. Buschman stated that she also has a concern in that Patrick Henry Parkway, there are several
acres across from Georgia Power, it is privately owned, people are constantly running four-
wheelers; they get on the road, there have been complaints and she understand that if you own
the land, you have the right to have four-wheelers, but if they de-annex you and then next month
there are two-hundred (200) four-wheelers running all over this property and making noise and it
would be within your right but then as Council, we have to answer as to truly why…if you
wanted to put a picnic table out there and enjoy your children, that is one thing, but to put four-
wheelers and turn it into a hunting ground specifically to de-annex it…she is disturbed with that.
Mr. Houston asked Ms. Buschman what her fear is…was she afraid someone was going to get
shot driving down the road by the property or run over on a four-wheeler. Ms. Buschman stated
that right now it is in the City, so they do maintain control and that is valuable low wet lands.
That was the reason Eagle’s Landing had a problem even four-laning and putting a bridge in that,
so there is a lot of…you do de-annex and you do own it. There is a lot of potential wildlife; the
whole ecological upsetting of that area so she is concerned. Mr. Houston stated that is why he is
putting in a conservation so that it will not be upset ecologically. He stated he did not want to
see it developed or disturbed or messed with from an ecological stand point at all. That is why
he wants to put in a conservation and let it remain as is. Mr. Alarcon said that this has been on
the agenda a couple of times but this is the first opportunity they have had to speak with him. He
asked that Mr. Houston be kind enough, as it looked like he did his due diligence here and has
been to the county and he is passionate about his purpose here and Mr. Alarcon respects that, but
would he be amicable, and he would like to make a motion to table this for several reasons;
number one there are a lot of questions not just from the three members there, but there are
absent members, and we have an attorney; they do not know the right questions to ask him in
open forum because they have not dulled into it hard enough. Without upsetting Mr. Houston,
Mr. Alarcon stated he would like to table this until they can look at it next month. Mr. Houston
said he would actually like to have a meeting and discuss what their specific fears are and what
their ideas are. He stated he has a problem, as an ethical respected hunter, that when you say you
are hunting and people think you are out there with a six-pack of beer and a rifle and you are
shooting anything that moves and that just is not the case. It upsets him greatly that people think
that because that is not true. Ms. Buschman said that if we de-annex it, and you’re hauling deer
out on a trailer, we’ve got people driving down 42 or Eagle’s Landing Parkway….Mr. Houston
asked how that was any different than if he killed it at the intersection of Highway 81 and 212.
Ms. Buschman said because they would have de-annexed it so that he could do it. We are going
to have to answer to our citizens and bar none if they make a decision and something goes wrong
we have to answer to it so…Mr. Houston said that the property next to it with 75 ½ acres, is not
in the city; it is in the county and they are doing it there right now. Mayor Stuart said that he
wanted to suggest that he gets with some of the Council to schedule meetings to answer some of
these questions for them. Mr. Houston said that was fine because he wanted to do this right and
that was why he came here instead of just going out and doing whatever. Motion was made to
table this item by Robin Buschman; a second was made by Mark Alarcon; passed 3-0.

Item # 11 - Presented by George Espada
Open Records Request Update. ITEM WAS REMOVED

COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS
No Items

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Citizens are allowed to voice city related concerns, opinions, etc., that are not listed on the agenda,
during this portion of the meeting. 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,
phone number, and specific topic you wish to speak about or you will not be recognized. You will
be able to address the Mayor and Council for three (3) minutes.

Kathryn Gilbert-she had signed up for the item # 11 that was removed so instead, she thanked the
Clerk for her prompt responses and her courteous, timely responses to her requests with the Open
Records Requests. She stated she has never had a problem and she appreciates that.

Vanessa Holiday-Ms. Holiday spoke about several items; resolutions, she first wanted to clarify
that when the resolution came from the City Attorney, as a matter of protocol, that resolution, if it
was in fact given to the City Clerk, it is up to the City Clerk to distribute that resolution to the
Council members and not the other Council member, just for the record. She stated she was very
disappointed with what happened with the Black History Gala and how they struck that from the
agenda. And for Ms. Buschman to say that she wanted somebody to talk to her about that, she was
at the committee meeting when that was discussed; she was at the work session where that was
discussed; so how much talking does she need? Every time the event is mentioned, they ask for
something else. She stated that they had a Municipal Dinner the other day, which by the way the
Treasurer attended, and he was the only Treasurer from any city that attended; it was not a city
event and it was not open to the public but it was held at the Merle Manders Conference Center.
Did the City pay $800.00 to use that building? She said she does not think so. How much staff
was involved; who set it up; who ordered the dinners; how much for the dinners; what about the
décor; how much staff time was used to break down the event; it was not a City event; the City
was not invited. She stated that she did not come to speak about the Black History event because
she thought they would have good sense to pass that considering that it happened in 2012 already.
She said it was a duplicate resolution but now they have to go study. What she came to talk about
was she wanted to know about the City Administrator position. She wants to know why the
Council has continued to neglect its duties by confirming a City Administrator. This City has
26,000 residents and a work force of 65 employees and not one African American is in a supervisor
or management position. Mr. Mayor informed Ms. Holiday that she had fifteen (15) seconds left
and she asked for an extension which Council denied. Ms. Holiday continued that there are four
(4) management and supervisor positions in City Hall and not one is African American. Mr.
Alarcon asked the Mayor for order as Ms. Holiday continued to speak. Mr. Stuart continued to
allow Ms. Holiday to speak. Mr. Alarcon and Ms. Buschman got up to leave. Ms. Holiday spoke
after them to get up and walk away the same way they did at the work session when the heat gets
up on their neck. Mr. Alarcon said he makes a motion to adjourn and Ms. Buschman seconded.
Ms. Holiday continued to shout statements.

EXECUTIVE SESSION - ITEM REMOVED

 A. Meeting to discuss or vote to authorize the settlement of a matter covered
by the attorney-client privilege as provided in Georgia Code section 50-14-
2(1) and 50-14-3(b)(1)(A). The subject discussed was [identify the case or
claim discussed but not the substance of the attorney-client discussion].

 B. Meeting to discuss or vote to authorize negotiations to purchase, dispose of
or lease property as provided in Georgia Code section 50-14-3(b)(1)(B).

 C. Meeting to discuss or vote to authorize the ordering of an appraisal related
to the acquisition or disposal of real estate as provided in Georgia Code
section 50-14-3(b)(1)(C).

 D. Meeting to discuss or vote to enter into a contract to purchase, dispose of,
or lease property subject to approval in a subsequent public vote as provided
in Georgia Code section 50-14-3(b)(1)(D).

 E. Meeting to discuss or vote to enter into an option to purchase, dispose of,
or lease real estate subject to approval in a subsequent public vote as provided
in Georgia Code section 50-14-3(b)(1)(E).

 F. Meeting to discuss or deliberate upon the appointment, employment,
compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation
or rating of a public officer or employee as provided in Georgia Code section
50-14-3(b)(2).

 G. Meeting to interview one or more applicants for the position of the
executive head of an agency as provided in Georgia Code section 50-14-
3(b)(2).

 H. Pursuant to the attorney-client privilege and as provided by Georgia Code
section 50-14-2(1), a meeting otherwise required to be open was closed to the
public in order to consult and meet with legal counsel pertaining to pending or
potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative proceedings, or other
judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against the agency or any
officer or employee or in which the agency or any officer or employee may be
directly involved and the matter discussed was [identify the matter but not
the substance of the discussion].
 I. Staff meeting held for investigative purposes under duties or responsibilities
imposed by law as provided by Georgia Code section 50-14-3(a)(1).

COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES

No Items

ANNOUNCEMENT OF UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
All Meetings Will Be Held At City Hall Unless Otherwise Noted

1. Mayors Bike Ride - Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 3:00pm

2. Closed for Thanksgiving - From Noon on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 through
8:00am Monday, November 26, 2012

3. 2012 Stockbridge Holiday Festival at the Merle Manders Conference Center – 5:00pm
to 9:00pm, Tuesday, November 27, 2012

MOTION TO ADJOURN-Mark Alarcon made a motion to adjourn during Ms. Holiday’s
public comments; Robin Buschman made a second; the two council members left the meeting.
Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by:

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