---
date: 2018-12-18
title: December 18, 2018 Work Session Minutes
source: 2018-12/2018-12-18_December 18, 2018 Work Session_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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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
WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018 4:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Randy Knighton, City Manager
Councilman Elton Alexander Camilla Moore, Asst. City Manager
Councilman John Blount Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Mayor Pro Tem LaKeisha Gantt Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Councilwoman Neat Robinson Michael Williams, City Attorney
Councilman Alphonso Thomas
I. Call to Order – Mayor Ford

II. Invocation – Pastor Kenneth McFarland

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Roll Call Present Absent

Councilman Thomas ___X___ _______
Councilman Blount ___X___ _______
Mayor Ford ___X___ _______
Mayor Pro Tem Gantt _______ ___X___
Councilman Alexander ___X___ _______
Councilwoman Robinson ___X___ _______
V. Motion to adopt the Agenda: Blount/Thomas – Passed 4-0.

VI. Review of the Minutes for the following meetings:
1. 11/27/2018 No Action

December 18, 2018 4:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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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
Pastor Kenneth McFarland referenced the Stockbridge Youth Council noting
members participation at City events and councilmember initiatives and was here
to answering any questions or concerns from the Council.

Mr. Ronald Wong asked the Council to reconsider the 2019 LMIG list for street
resurfacing and include streets of the Winslow subdivision; and noted the
subdivision developer left the roads unfinished and uneven, and further noted this
was a concern that was noted the proposed city referendum.

Mr. Clay Lloyd, a consultant, noted he had been invited by Councilman Alexander
to speak to multi-use trails in the City and was available to help; noted he had
been a Henry County resident since 1980 and has seen the community grow over
the years; appreciates what the City has done thus far with its trails, and noted
trails would be a good source of exercise for the community.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt joined the meeting.

OLD BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Continuation of Third Reading & Adoption of the FY2019
Operating Budget
Presented by: Randy Knighton, City Manager and
Mr. Knighton presented the proposed FY2019 Operating Budget at
$10.879,841.88; Mayor Pro Tem Gantt requested Line Item 100-15160-531132
under the Business Services Department funds in the amount of $30,000 be used
only for the SAB (Stockbridge Association of Businesses) and not interchangeable
within the department; Councilman Thomas agreed and requested the funds be
set aside until the necessary steps are taken to establish the SAB Board by
Resolution in January 2019 followed by the appointment of Board members.
There were no objections.
Mayor Ford opened the Public Hearing: There were no speakers. The Public
Hearing was closed. Motion to approve the FY2019 Operating Budget:
Alexander/Gantt – Passed 5-0.

OLD BUSINESS
3. Council Consideration to approve the City’s Branding Tagline
Presented by: Kira Harris-Braggs, Main Street Manager
Motion to approve the City’s branding tagline: “Where Community Connects”
Gantt/Alexander: Passed 5-0.

December 18, 2018 4:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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NEW BUSINESS
4. Council Consideration to approve a Site Agreement with Extenet
Systems for AT&T small antennas – New poles cost = $1500 per
year; existing poles cost = $500 per year.
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Motion to approve: Gantt/Blount – Passed 4-0-1 (Alexander abstained as he was
not present during the discussion).

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Mr. Knighton thanked the Mayor & Council for their support and approval of the
FY2019 Operating Budget; referenced information provided to Governing Body by
Camilla Moore regarding the SAB (Stockbridge Association of Businesses) and
asked that Ms. Moore give a brief summary of the timeline. Ms. Moore referenced
the history of the original (SBA) Stockbridge Business Association and its notation
in the City’s STWP (Short-Term Work Program) and spoke to the process to
revamp and change the name to the (SAB) Stockbridge Association of Businesses
where a Resolution would be presented to the Council to create the Board in
January 2019; and introduced business owner LaSonya Cato who spoke to the
proposed SAB’s mission and vision for businesses of the City regarding retention,
beautification, assisting with training, becoming Partners in Education and
businesses being held accountable, further noting she is reading to jump in to help
to make Stockbridge businesses wonderful.

COMMENTS FROM THE CLERK’S OFFICE
Mrs. Holiday wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Thomas thanked everyone who participated in the “Don’t Trash
Stockbridge” year-end celebration and noted the Spring kickoff would be
approaching soon.

Councilman Blount thanked everyone who came out to the last Senior Bingo Bash
where the seniors of the community come out and really enjoy themselves and
noted the success of this event with more to come in the future.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt wished everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
noting now is the time to give; referenced the upcoming Welcoming Stockbridge
Roundtable encouraging everyone to apply and attend; thanked staff for the
Volunteer Appreciation Gala where a great time was had by all.

Councilman Alexander reflected on his three (3) years in office and the City’s
many accomplishments during that timeframe which includes the approval of the
amphitheater, technology, extended hours at the Cochran library, beautification
efforts in the City, extended Code Enforcement and he looks forward to the City’s
future projects including a Youth/Senior center and continuing to serve.
December 18, 2018 4:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Councilwoman Robinson wished everyone Happy Holidays, thanked staff;
referenced the Youth Council and asked that if there are any questions or
concerns to attend the meetings or reach out to her; noted the Youth Council
recently attended the National League of Cites Conference in Los Angeles and
was paid for by business sponsors; noted the Youth Council recently completed
their annual Service Project filling Christmas Stockings stuffed with love for the
Henry County Public Safety Officers; and invited Youth Council Chair, Kelli Crews
to say a few words: Miss Crews stated she had learned a lot over the past two (2)
years about local government and is grateful for the opportunities and wished
everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays; Councilwoman Robinson
continued with an announcement that the City of Stockbridge is partnering with the
Georgia Municipal Association to host the annual GMA Youth Conference March
22-24, 2019; asked that everyone get involve and noted the City is Better
Together.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford referenced the City’s new tagline “Where Community Connects”;
thanked everyone for the recent Volunteer Appreciation Gala; continues to look to
move the City forward; asked that everyone enjoy family and friends during this
holiday season, God Bless and enjoy the holidays.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
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.

• Youth Council Advisory Committee meeting, Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room

• Youth Council meeting, Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Levi
Meeting Room

• Downtown Development Authority Retreat, Friday, January 11, 2019 and Saturday,
January 12, 2019 Location: Smyrna, GA

• Stockbridge Main Street Advisory Board meeting scheduled for Friday, January 11, 2019
at 9:00 a.m. has been canceled. The next meeting will take place on Friday, February 8th
in the Levi Meeting Room.
• Council meeting Monday, January 14, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Council
Chamber.

• Planning Commission meeting, Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the
Council Chamber.

• Work Session meeting, Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Council
Chamber.

December 18, 2018 4:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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UPCOMING EVENT(S) & ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Adopt-A-Family Christmas Toy Giveaway, Saturday, December 22, 2018 from 10:00 a.m.
– 12:00 noon at Red Oak United Methodist Church 3894 Walt Stephens Rd. Stockbridge
spearheaded by Councilman Alexander in partnership with Red Oak United Methodist
Church Vulcan Materials, Eagles Landing Baptist Church, Toys for Tots, Because We
Care Henry – Atlanta South, Smoothie King – Eagles Landing Pkwy.

• All City offices will be closed Monday, December 24th and Tuesday, December 25, 2018 in
observance of the Christmas holiday.

• All City offices will be closed Tuesday, January 1, 2019 in observance of New Year’s Day.

• Job Fair – Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Merle
Manders Conference Center 111 Davis Rd. Stockbridge, GA

• All City offices will be closed Monday, January 21, 2019 in observance of the Martin Luther
King, Jr. holiday celebration.

• Monthly Bingo Bash – Wednesday, January 23, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – noon at the
Ted Strickland Community Center 130 ML King, Sr. Heritage Trail, Stockbridge, GA

ONGOING INITIATIVES
• Don’t Trash Stockbridge No Litter Campaign – Ongoing – spearheaded by
Councilman Thomas. Contact: LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Monthly Bingo Bash at the Ted Strickland Community Center – spearheaded by
Councilman Blount. Visit the City’s website or Facebook page for dates and information.

• Quarterly Town Hall – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander. Visit the City’s
website or Facebook page for dates and information.

• Keep Stockbridge Beautiful – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander. Contact
LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Quarterly Welcoming Stockbridge RoundTable – spearheaded by Mayor Pro Tem
LaKeisha Gantt. Contact LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

Motion to approve Executive Session for Personnel, Litigation and Real Estate:
Robinson/Alexander – Motion Failed 2-3-0. (Blount/Gantt/Thomas opposed).

Meeting adjourned.

December 18, 2018 4:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
