---
date: 2015-05-11
title: May 11, 2015 Minutes
source: 2015-05/2015-05-11_May 11, 2015_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Pagerjil

APPROVED MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
Cll Y OF STOCKBRIDGE

MONDAY MAY 11, 2015 6:00 PM

Mayor 8: City Council Administration

Tim L. Thompson, Mayor Michael Harris, City Manager

Alphonso Thomas, Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Robin Buschman, Councilwoman Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk

Anthony S. Ford, Councilman Michael Williams, City Attorney
LaKeisha Gantt, Councilwoman

Regina Lewis Ward, Councilwoman

The Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Tim L. Thompson at 6:00PM. City Clerk,
Vanessa Holiday was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All members of Council were

present and a quorum was confirmed.

Invocation was provided by Mayor Thompson.

Pledge of allegiance was recited in unison.

Councilman Ford made a motion to adopt the Agenda; second by Councilwoman Gantt;
the motion passed 5/O.

Councilman Ford made a motion to adopt the Minutes of 3/31/2015: second by
Councilwoman Gantt; the motion passed 5/0.

Kira Harris-Braggs, representative of the Leadership Henry Class of 2015 presented the

City with a plaque on behalf of the Hands on Henry projects. Mrs. Harris-Braggs stated that
on April 28, 2015, the Leadership Henry Class in coordination with Henry County Chamber

of Commerce hosted the 2015 “Hands on Henry Day" which brought out over 1,000
volunteers to help work on 15 major projects across the county. Mrs. Harris-Braggs stated
5 of those projects were located in the Stockbridge and included Stockbridge Memorial

Cemetery, Helping in His Name Ministries, Austin Road, Pates Creek and Red Oak
Elementary schools.

City Manager, Michael Harris presented the updated surplus list of items to be included in
the upcoming auction. Mr. Harris stated Phase 2 ofthe surplus list was previously provided
to the Council by the Treasurer, Ms. Linda Nabers. Mr. Harris mentioned this represents
the second phase of the surplus list. Councilwoman Buschman made a motion to approve
the Resolution of Updated Surplus List Items to be included in the upcoming auction Phase
2; second by Councilman Ford; the motion passed 5/0.

May 11, 2015 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Mayor Thompson presented Carolyn McKenzie with a Proclamation for Mental Health
Awareness for the month of May.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to provided; the motion passed 5/0.

Councilman Ford motioned to adjourn Executive Session; second by Councilman Thomas;
the motion passed 5/0.

Councilman Ford motioned to reconvene the Regular meeting; second by Councilman
Thomas; the motion passed 5/0.

Councilwoman Gantt approve the Lee Stuart settlement; second by
motioned to
Councilman Thomas; the motion passed 3/2 with Councilman Ford and Councilwoman
Buschman opposing.

Councilman Ford made the following statement: “Ladies and Gentleman as you well know
I have been a member of the Council for 1 1/2 years. In my normal communication with
the Council I typically send correspondence that address them as my Teammates. We
are a Team, now we may not always get along or may not always agree. We can agree

to disagree, but to be an effective Team we have to move the City forward as best as

possible. The Council knows this, because I have mentioned this before, but I hope I

never, ever sue them or we sue each other or sue the City. You elected us as officials
and to me it is ridiculous for us to sue our fellow Council members, whether we agree with
them or not. We may have to compromise or adjust and try to work it out, now granted no
one is perfect. I am not perfect and would not profess to be. But I will tell you suing each

other is just wrong, absolutely wrong. Just needed to get it off my chest and tell you."

Councilman Ford then made a motion to approve a Resolution for Full Cooperation of an
Investigative Firm; second by Councilwoman Gantt; the motion passed 5/0.

Councilman Ford stated he approved the investigation process to bring everything out that
needs to be seen, heard and known.

“I will tell you Mayor, Council, Citizens in my 30 year career in the Army. I had to conduct
a lot of investigations myself and believe it or not I have been investigated; so by all

practical purposes I survived that investigation. There is an end mean to this for the
betterment, success and goodness of the City moving forward. That is why I originally
approved the investigation process to bring out everything that we need to hear, see,
know and straighten it out for the future.”

At the request of members of the Council, City Manager, Michael Harris presented recent

Unemployment Statistics and jobs information.

Councilwoman Lewis Ward everyone for their support during her time of
thanked
bereavement and also thanked Mr. Pettway for presenting the Public Safety Committee
Report in her absence.

May 11, 2015 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Mayor Pro Tem Thomas invited citizens to participate in the upcoming Memorial Day March
festivities on Monday, May 25, 2015.

Councilman Ford thanked everyone for coming out and asked citizens to remain engaged,
and wished everyone a happy belated Mother’s Day.

Councilwoman Gantt thanked everyone for coming out and invited everyone to come out
the City’s Sounds of Summer concert events on June 6”‘ and July 25”‘ and to ignore the
notice placed by Because We Care Henry to protest all City events, and instead support
and attend City events.

Mayor Thompson thanked everyone for coming out and sent condolences to the Kelley
family.

Tavaras Powell of 515 Inglewood Trace spoke about staying focused on new horizons &

jobs in Stockbridge.

Bishop Irvine Bryer spoke on economic development and bringing in more jobs to the City.

Kathryn Gilbert of 120 Willow Hill Ln. spoke about the litigation and procedures.

Elton Alexander of 920 Maple Leaf Dr. spoke on litigation and jobs being developed in the
City.

Marilyn Flynn of 521 Country Club Dr. spoke on transparency, poverty & education, WIG
and the DDA.

Carlos Smith of 711 Lily Glen Ln. spoke on litigation with the DDA and the aesthetics of the
City.

Keith Peavy of 90 Belair Dr. spoke on litigation, job creation, and protecting the citizens of
Stockbridge.

Melvin Thomas-Fulton of 117 Rosenwald Circle spoke about the Historical area of

Stockbridge.

Elizabeth Yee of 121 Saint Margrit Circle spoke on the Disciplinary Hearing.

The following announcements were made by Mayor Thompson:

Community Relations Committee Meeting Wednesday, May 13, 2015 6pm City Hall Levi

Stockbridge Meeting Room Councilman Alphonso Thomas, Committee Chair.

a Memorial Day March Monday, May 25, 2015. Please visit our
— website:

wvvw.cityofstockbridge.com under Events to sign up and get more information.

o All offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2015 in observance of Memorial Day.

City Council Work Session Meeting —

Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 6pm —

City Hall.

May 11, 2015 6:00pm 4640 N. I-Ienry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
P a g c I4

o TOWN HALL —

Thursday, May 21, 2015 6pm City Hall Chamber.

Councilman Thomas made a motion to adjourn; second by Councilman Ford; the motion
passed 5/0.

Respe I submitted by:
f”“‘K /

Vanessa Holiday, City lhbh{ F Mayor

4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770)389-7900
May 11, 2015 6:00pm
