---
date: 2024-07-16
title: Downtown Development Authority Agenda Packet
source: 2024-07/2024-07-16_Downtown Development Authority_Agenda Packet.pdf
pages: 1
---

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Downtown Development
AUTHORITY OF THE
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE Authority
BOARD MEMBERS Meeting Agenda
Robert Anderson, Chair July 16, 2024 6:00 PM
Warren Washington, Vice-Chair
Frangela Merritt, Treasurer
Vacant, Secretary
Darrell Stamper, Board Member
Kenya Cook, Board Member
Councilmember Elton Alexander

ADMINISTRATION
Frederick Gardiner, City Manager

Vacant
Economic Development Director

Lisa Fareed STOCKBRIDGE DOWNTOWN CONNECTION CENTER
130 M L KING SR. HERITAGE TRAIL
Downtown Main Street Manager STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281
Website: www.stockbridgega.org
Phone: 770-389-7900
Cassandra Lester, Recorder Fax: 770-389-7912

Blake Sharpton, Attorney
AGENDA
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2024 6:00 PM

I. Call to Order
1. Roll Call
2. Motions for additions or deletions to the proposed agenda
3. Approve Agenda
4. Approve June 18th 2024 Minutes
II. Officers and City Staff Reports
5. Chairman’s Comments – Anderson
6. Vice Chair’s Comments - Washington
7. Treasurer’s Update – Merritt
8. Secretary’s Updates – Vacant
III. Old Business
9. Delivery of proceeds to the City from the 114 MLK Sr. Sale
10. Update on the Joint Sponsorship Amphitheater Table effort
IV. New Business
11. Welcome and introduce the new board member - Mr. Kenya Cook.
12. Adjusting the starting time of monthly meetings
V. City Staff Report
13. City Council Liaison - Councilmember Alexander
14. Economic Development Department Liaison – City Manager Frederick
Gardiner
15. Main Street Advisory Board Liaison – Lisa Fareed
VI. Executive Session (if needed)
VII. Adjourn
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 @ 6 PM
130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail
Stockbridge, GA 30281

Board Members City Staff
Robert Anderson, Chair - Present Cassandra Lester, Deputy City Clerk - Present
Warren Washington, Vice Chair - Present Vacant, Economic Development Director
Frangela Merritt, Treasurer - Present Lisa Fareed, Main Street Manager – Not Present
Vacant, Secretary Frederick Gardiner, City Manager – Not Present
Darrell Stampler, Board Member - Present
Vacant, Board Member Guest Speaker
Elton Alexander, City Council Liaison - Present

Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:14 p.m.

Roll was not conducted verbally. However, it was observed that Board Member Stampler, City
Manager Frederick Gardiner, and Main Street Manager Lisa Fareed were not in attendance.

Chair Anderson called for a motion to approve the meeting Agenda. Motion to approve the
Agenda made by Treasurer Merritt; seconded by Vice-Chair Washington. The Motion passed
unanimously.

Chair Anderson called for a Motion to approve the Minutes of the April 13th MSAB/ DDA joint
meeting. Treasurer Merritt requested to change the verbiage on page 6 under Main Street 2023
Work Plan to "Board Member Merritt offered to consult with AT&T to assist with utility
relocation." Motion to approve Minutes with changes made by Councilmember Alexander;
seconded by Vice-Chair Washington. The Motion passed unanimously.

Chair Anderson called for a Motion to approve the Minutes of the May 21st meeting. Motion to
approve made by Treasurer Merritt; seconded by Vice-Chair Washington. The Motion passed
unanimously.

Board Member Darrell Stamper joined the meeting at 6:34 p.m.

Officer Reports
Chair's Comments-Anderson
Chair Anderson acknowledged the June 3rd “Ethics for City Officials” handout and asked the
Board to review the updated information at home. The Chair also requested that the Board
acknowledge receiving “Senate Bill 171” handout. Chair Anderson discussed the delivery of the
proposed 2 hours of additional training that would become required per Senate Bill 171.

Vice-Chair Comments-Washington
Vice-Chair Washington requested updates on the Breezeway Project, Alleyway Project, Facade
Grant Project, and Parking Lot. He mentioned that $30,000 had been designated for the parking
lot and expected its completion prior to the first amphitheater concert. Vice-Chair Washington
expressed concerns about missed deadlines for these projects and the limited information
provided to the DDA Board regarding the project’s status. The Board discussed the impact of
the absence of the Economic Development Director and Main Street Manager at the Downtown
Development Authority meetings. Additionally, Vice-Chair Washington inquired about the
progress of removing the stain left on the bridge after power pressure washing.

Page 1 of 3
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 @ 6 PM
130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail
Stockbridge, GA 30281

Treasurer Update-Merritt-Financial Report
Treasurer Merritt presented the balance sheet for the Downtown Development Authority. The
operating account holds a balance of $24,625.74, which includes an expense of $3,782.00 for
two-year liability insurance coverage of the Downtown Development Authority. The Façade
account remains at $30,000. The Project account holds a balance of $210,799.45. Treasurer
Merritt mentioned an upcoming payment of $6,450.00 to attorneys Butler and Snow. Treasurer
Merritt states that she plans to arrange a payment to the City of Stockbridge of $31,880.21 for
the sale of the 114 MLK Senior Heritage Trail. The Board decided to make both payments using
the DDA's Project account. Chair Anderson called for a Motion to approve the Treasurer's
Update. Councilmember Alexander made the Motion to approve, and Vice-Chair Washington
seconded. The Motion passed 4-0-1, Treasurer Merritt abstaining.

Secretary Update-Vacant
No Updates

Old Business
Joint Sponsorship Amphitheater Table
Chair Anderson drafted a resolution proposing that the DDA provide meals for guests at
promotional events and presented it to the Board for consideration. After reviewing the
document, the Board decided to postpone making a decision. Councilmember Alexander
suggested that the Board consult with the DDA attorney to ensure the creation of a legally
appropriate resolution. The Board agreed to revisit the resolution after the legal review.

New Business
Rental of Storage Space
Chair Anderson presented a quote from a local self-storage to the DDA Board's consideration.
He highlighted the necessity of a central storage facility to securely store DDA documents and
tourism items, which are currently housed in various locations. He also attributed the need for
storage space to the DDA's lack of office space and restricted access to the Downtown
Connection Center. The Board discussed details of the storage unit. The proposed 10x10
storage unit would cost $86.00 monthly, with seven keys provided for DDA members. The total
cost for a 12-month rental would be $1,032.00. Councilmember Alexander suggested consulting
with City Manager Frederick Gardiner to address the lack of office space for the DDA and to
clarify the agreement governing the use of office and storage space for the Downtown
Development Authority. Chair Anderson called for a Motion to approve renting the storage
space. Motion to approve made by Treasurer Merritt; seconded by Vice-Chair Washington. The
Motion passed unanimously.

New Downtown Development Authority Member – Kenya Cook
Chair Anderson invited the DDA Board to the swearing-in of new Board Member Mr. Kenya
Cook at the upcoming city council meeting on July 8th at 5:30 p.m.

City Council Update
Councilmember Alexander highlighted the successful beautification efforts, including adding
three lanes to East Atlanta Rd, are drawing positive attention from citizens. He states as the
downtown area prepares for Juneteenth; business owners were encouraged to make a lasting
impression on the anticipated influx of 3500 visitors to the city. Councilmember Alexander also
mentioned improvements to the box office process, which should ensure ticket holders are
present at the concerts. He also mentioned the positive reception of Mainstreet movie night.
Page 2 of 3
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 @ 6 PM
130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail
Stockbridge, GA 30281

The update included the ongoing cleaning white boxing efforts of MLK Senior Heritage Trail and
the timeline for the S.T.E.M. school project were shared, Councilmember Alexander states
demolition is expected by late summer and construction bids should go out in the fall. He
anticipates construction will start in 2025 for the 2027 school year.

Councilmember Alexander expressed excitement about plans for a new coffee shop in the
downtown area within the next 12-18 months and the development of a mixed-use area
comprising retail, multifamily units, and a multi-level parking garage. He notes approval from the
School Board and County Commissioner is crucial for advancing the Tax Allocation District
project. Councilmember Alexander emphasizes the vision for the downtown Stockbridge area is
to become an economic hub and a central access point for businesses, local parks, museums,
and other attractions. Finally, he mentioned notable events such as the Stockbridge
Amphitheater acts and the Police Department's second anniversary.

City Staff Reports
No Updates

Executive Session – Real Estate Matters
No Updates

Chair Anderson called for a motion to adjourn; Treasurer Merritt motioned to adjourn the
meeting at 7:32 p.m.; seconded by Board Member Stampler. The Motion passed unanimously.
The minutes were written by Deputy City Clerk Cassandra Lester.

Executive Session Criteria GA Code
Discuss or vote to authorize the settlement of a matter covered by the attorney-client 50-14-2(1) and
privilege. Identify the case or claim discussed but not the substance of the attorney-client 50-14-3(b)(1)(A)
discussion.
Discuss or vote to authorize negotiations to purchase, dispose of or lease property. 50-14-3(b)(1)(B)
Discuss or vote to authorize the ordering of an appraisal related to the acquisition or 50-14-3(b)(1)(C)
disposal of real estate.
Discuss or vote to enter into a contract to purchase, dispose of, or lease property subject to 50-14-3(b)(1)(D)
approval in a subsequent public vote.
Discuss or vote to enter into an option to purchase, dispose of, or lease real estate. 50-14-3(b)(1)(E)
Discuss or deliberate upon the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, 50-14-3(b)(2)
disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or
employee.
Meeting to interview one or more applicants for the position of the executive head of an 50-14-3(b)(2)
agency.
A meeting otherwise required to be open was closed to the public in order to consult and 50-14-2(1)
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.
Staff meeting held for investigative purposes under duties or responsibilities imposed by 50-14-3(a) (1)
law.

Page 3 of 3
