---
date: 2024-03-26
title: 03-26-2024 Minutes
source: 2024-03/2024-03-26_03-26-2024 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Stockblidge
Where Community Connects

WORKSESS ON EETING
SU ARY INUTES

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024 6:00 P.M.
M ayo r & City Council
Mayor Anthon Fo rd
Ma or Pro Te m 35.
Kyle erry Councilistrict 3

Co unCi member Elton Alexander Council District 5
Councilmember Yolanda District 4
Councilmember LaKeisha Council District 1
Councilmember Alphonso Thomas Council District 2

Administration
Frederick Gardi ner City Manager
Vanessa Hol City Clerk
Cassandra Leste r7 eputy City Clerk
Vacant City Trea_surer

Quinton Wa shington Attorney
Samantha Embry City ttorney

Mission: To p eadership and s uperj or municipal services that enhance the
aryjl
quality of lif6 for Citizens _w i Ie creating la wel comi ng busmess atmosph ere focused on
sustainabil ity a nd expans ion of touri sm and cultu ral events.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford at 6:04
pm.

Invocation by Mayor Ford

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All Members
were present except Councilmember Gantt.

Motion to amend the Agenda to remove Items B, C, D and E from the Consent
Agenda
and add under New Business Items No. 5, 6, 7 and 8 made
by Councilmember
Thomas; seconded by Councilmember Barber. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

Councilmember Ganttjoined the meeting at 6:07 pm.

Motion to amend the Agenda to add Items 9
Resurfacing Section of Eagles Landing
Parkway under Discussion made by Councilmember Alexander; seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Berry. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

Motion to adopt the Agenda as amended made by Councilmember
Alexander;
seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Berry. The motion passed
unanimously
Review of the February 12, 2024 Minutes No Action.

llPage
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments

CONSENT AGENDA
2. A Council Consideration to approve a Resolution to fill vacancies on the

Youth Council Advisory Committee to fill an unexpired 2-year term.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda and appoint Valerie Richmond-
Reese and Kaitlynn Nash as recommended made by Councilmember
Alexander; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Berry. The motion passed
unanimously 5-0.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. Ordinance to allow additional licenses and locations in the City for several
types of businesses: Council Consideration of an Ordinance to amend the
City of Code of Ordinances relating to dealers in distilled
spirits, pawn shops, tire shops, used car dealerships, and precious gems,
so as to clarify the number of licenses available, and to provide a
process
for allowing additional licenses based upon Census data. Planning
Commission recommendation Approval. Staff recommendation
Approval.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Community Development Director
Mr. Anderson presented a map of the proposed liquor store locations and
referenced Section 9.040.090 of the Code of Ordinances; noted
Council District 3 is the only district in the city without a liquor store.
Mr. Anderson noted the recommendation was to repeal 9.040.090
and 9.01.120, noting liquor stores are governed by the UDC (Unified
Development Code) and require a Special Use Permit approved by the
City Council.

During discussion, the Council recommended amending the Code to
include allowing liquor stores in mixed use developments, requiring a
minimum of6,000 sq. feet stores, and not to repeal Sections 9.04.090 and
9.01.120; and referenced the (5) five locations that have been identified
with restrictions in place, and proposed one of the stores at Jodeco.

Mr. Anderson noted the Code requires a lottery process for different
businesses based on the population as it increases in 5,000
increments; and noted he consulted with the Zoning Attorney
regarding a liquor store in Council District 3 who advised you cannot
preclude one are of the city; and confirmed the distance requirements for
churches and schools are mandated by the State.

Motion to approve moving fonNard with the Lottery process with the
following requirements for Liquor Stores: Minimum store size shall be
6,000 sq. feet; amendment of the Code to allow for liquor stores in
Mixed-Used developments; applicants must file a Special Use Permit
and received approval of the City Council; and meeting all requirements in
the (UDC) Unified Development Code made by Councilmember
Alexander; seconded by Councilmember Gantt. The motion passed
unanimously 5-0.
2 | P a g e
NEW BUSINESS
4. UDC (Unified Development Code) Mailed Notice Requirement. Council
Consideration of an amendment to the Stockbridge Unified Development
Code (UDC) to change the provisions of the "mailed notice requirement"
pertaining to zoning cases to be heard at public hearings.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Community Development Director
Mr. Anderson referenced the request for staff to research the distance for
the Mailed Notice Requirement whereas (20) twenty municipalities were
polled, with 13 responses and in consultation with the Zoning
Attorney, the recommendation is 500 feet; and noted the recommendation
would be submitted to the Planning Commission as a Text
Amendment for approval and returned to the Council for final approval.

Motion to approve the 500 feet Mailed Notice Requirement as
recommended by staff and the Zoning Attorney was made by
Councilmember Barber; seconded by Councilmember Gantt. The motion
passed unanimously 5-0.

5. Council consideration to approve a Resolution to enter into an lGA
(Intergovernmental Agreement) between the City of Stockbridge and
Henry County for Patrick Henry Parkway road improvements. The
total cost share is not to exceed $540,000.00.
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager
Mr. Gardiner noted the work has been completed as agreed upon, and
this item is a housekeeping item to ratify the action.

Motion to approve was made by Councilmember Alexander; seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Berry. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

6. Council consideration to approve a Resolution to create a Police
Department Code of Ethics Policy for all civilian employees.
Presented by: Renee Wheeler, Human Resources Manager and Chuck
Groover, Police Department Accreditation Manager
Ms. Wheeler introduced Mr. Groover, the Accreditation Manager brought
on board by the Police Department who reviewed the Ethics policy
and needs to make amendments to the policy in order to receive state and
national accreditation.

Mr. Groover noted that upon review of the current policy, there are

necessary amendments for the state and national accreditation standards

Motion to approve was made by Councilmember Barber; seconded by
Councilmember Gantt. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

7. Council consideration to approve a Resolution to update the
Employee Manual and Handbook with general housekeeping items to
keep current policies updated.
Presented by: Renee Wheeler, Human Resources Manager

3|Page
Ms. Wheeler referenced the Employee Manual noting there are (3)
three Sections being amended. Section 3.70.000 Vacancies Approved
Exceptions for Vacancy Announcements: No. 6 Internal promotions are
similar to position upgrades and likewise not require external job
postings unless no qualified applicants apply; Section 690.000
Additional Pay for Exempt and/or Non-Exempt Employees: No. 1 This
policy allows for special compensation for work performed by
Exempt/Non-Exempt employees over and beyond their normal job
responsibilities, and would return to their normal compensation once the
vacancy is filled; Section 9.00.00 Holidays No. 1 Update to add Veterans
Day to the approved holidays.

Councilmember Alexander suggested reviewing filling the
vacancy in a
department and combining departments in a cost-saving effort.

A Point of order was made by Councilmember Barber to remain on
topic,
upheld by Mayor Ford.

Motion to approve the updates as recommended
by the Human
Resources Manager was made by Councilmember Thomas; seconded
by
Councilmember Barber. The motion passed unanimously 4-0-1 (Alexander
Abstained).

Council consideration to approve a Resolution to
accept federal funding in
support of the Youth And Senior Center Project.
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager

Mr. Gardiner noted the Congressional visit in 2023 did have the Arts
Center as the primary project, however, during the with
meeting
Congressman Scott in 2023 he specifically stated that the facility would
not receive funding if Arts, Cultural Arts, or
Performing Arts was included
in the verbiage, noting it would not
pass through Appropriations; noted
there has been an expense with the drafting of the
Conceptual Design of
the Youth and Senior Center and would show the
legislatures that the City
has put some skin in the game; and noted that the current
Resolution, if
approved, would be submitted to Senator Ossoff, Senator Warnock, and
Congressman Scott.

Councilmember Thomas requested the following statement be included in
the record:

To be clear, I have been an advocate for the Youth and Senior Center from
day
one. In 2019, I hosted a Town Hall at Smith Barnes
Elementary School to get
input from Stockbridge citizens on what they wanted to see in a Youth and Senior
Center. lplaced a Survey online and received more than 500
responses from the
community for programs for the center. I advocated for the land to be purchased
and earmarked to build the Youth and Senior Center. 80 let me
put to rest any
and all notions that I am not in favor of the Youth and Senior center. I
support this
project 100%. I certainly support any assistance that Congressman David Scott,

4|Page
and any and all agencies, and grants that can assist the
City with funding to bring
this project to fruition. However, I do have questions.

The Resolution attached to this item says the City of Stockbridge has
already
allocated funds for the preliminary conceptual design and has established a
construction budget for the Youth and Senior Center When did the Council vote
to approve that? Where is the funding coming from?

Please include in your response to this email when the City Council
approved a
budget for the Youth and Senior Center and when the funding was approved for
conceptual design, engineering, and construction. Also, please include in your
response the SPLOST List that is referenced indicating the amount of funding to
go towards this project. How much funding is being allocated? My recollection is
that TSWpresented a rendering of the Cultural Arts center with all the bells and
whistles that we asked for, and then presented a rendering of a $30 + plus
million-dollar design of the Youth and Senior Center with a pool, and indoor

walking track and the entire room went silent after hearing the price tag.

Yes, we all want to see the Youth and Senior center. Yes, we want the
Congressman's office to assist us with funds to help to build the facility. I am on
board with that and offer my full support. But we cannot exclude the Arts. I want
to remind the Council that at the last retreat in February of this we all
year,
agreed on a campus that would be called the CAMPUS CONNECTION that
would be a combined faculty that would include the Arts as well as the Youth and
Senior Center. That seems to have been omitted from the resolution and it needs
to be included.

During my entire tenure on the City Council, I have been a true advocate for the
Youth, the Seniors, and the Arts for this City.

I have been a strong proponent advocating and
recognizing the youth of this
community for years including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, instrumental in
facilitating Eagle Scout projects, the Gates Millennial Scholars, Musicians,
Dancers, and Vocalists who have been able to showcase their talents at various
initiatives over the years. During the upcoming week, I will Honor more than

eighty elementary, middle, and high school (" Young & Gifted Honors") students
throughout the various Stockbridge school clusters for their outstanding
academic and extracurricular achievements.

I wholeheartedly support and recognize that our children and adults need a

community center where they can go to participate in physical activities, as well
as how the Arts will advance their knowledge and growth, and
career opportunities.

I say that to say this, I have been an advocate for
youth not only highlighting their
academic accomplishments, but also highlighting their artistry in music, dance,
and dramatics. As was by the Associate Superintendent of the Henry
County Schools who presented to the City Council, music and the Arts have a
profound positive impact on students and the correlation to their academic
SUCCESS.

I ask this Council for your support to amend the Resolution to include the Arts as
discussed and approved by unanimous consent for the Campus Connection at
the February retreat.

5 | P a g e
Councilmember Thomas made a motion for Arts to be included in the
Resolution verbiage. The motion failed for lack of a second.

A Point of order was made by Councilmember Alexander to remain on

topic, upheld by Mayor Ford.

Councilmember Gantt made a motion to approve the Resolution as
presented; seconded by Councilmember Alexander.

Councilmember Barber stated that it was her intent to second the motion
once the Mayor called for a second.

Mayor Ford acknowledged that he did not hear, or call for a second to the
motion, and asked the attorney to provide a legal opinion if he is required
to do so.

Attorney Embry was asked to provide a legal opinion as to whether or not
the Presiding Officer is required to solicit a second to a motion. Attorney
Embry opined that it is not required.

Councilmember Alexander noted the proposed Resolution is being
submitted to show support for federal funding of $15 -

$18 million dollars
to go towards building a Youth and Senior Center in the city of

Stockbridge; and asked Councilmember Thomas to withdraw his motion.

Mayor Ford noted the motion failed, and withdrawal of the motion would
not be necessary.

Councilmember Barber stated that she attended Councilmember
Town Hall in 2019 regarding the Youth and Senior Center; and noted that
in 2020 she questioned why the Council had selected the Youth and
Senior center as the Priority project #3 instead of #2 behind the
Amphitheater, noting she supports both projects, but viewed the Youth
and Senior Center as a more immediate need and could not
garner
support at that time; and supports the Resolution to be submitted to the
Congressional legislature for federal funding for the Youth and Senion
Center, noting federal funding for the Arts Center has not been offered.

Councilmember Gantt noted that based on the statement referenced by
the City Manager, Mr. Gardiner, that it would not be advisable to include
the Arts verbiage in the Resolution, noting that doing so could put the

funding of $15 $18 million dollars at risk and this funding is critical with

assisting the city to fund the Youth and Senior Center, further noting the
loss of potential funding would be financially detrimental to the City, and
made a motion to approve a Resolution to accept federal funding in
support of the Youth And Senior Center Project; seconded by
Councilmember Alexander. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

6|Page
DISCUSSION
9. Council discussion of resurfacing a section of Eagles Landing Parkway,
noting safety concerns near Piedmont hospital.
Presented by: Councilmember Elton Alexander
Councilmember Alexander referenced the joint road improvement project
with Henry County to resurface Eagles Landing Pkwy. in the year 2025,

noting the section of the road near Piedmont Hospital that needs to be
resurfaced sooner as a safety concern; noting the patching of the potholes
have not remedied the problem.

Mr. Gardiner noted staff will find out the cost of the resurfacing of the

proposed area and bring it back to the Council for approval along with the
funding source. Mr. Aaron recommended an Engineer do an analysis,
noting it would not be beneficial to repair and the City/County project go in
and tear out that section ofthe road in 2025.

Motion to task staff with obtaining an Engineering Assessment of the cost
to resurface a section of Eagles Landing Parkway was made by
Councilmember Alexander; seconded by Councilmember Gantt. The
motion passed unanimously 5-0.

UPCOMING MEETIN & ANNOUNCEMENTS Council meetings will be held in the
City Council Chamber. Meeting dates, locations and times are subject to change or
contact City Hall offices at or visit the website www.stockbridgega.org for
updates.

Stockbridge Citizens-Police Advisory Council meeting 1st Thursday of each
month at 6:00 pm. at the Stockbridge Police Community Room 4545 N. Henry
Blvd. (Apr 4)
City Council Meeting, 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 pm. City Hall Council

Chamber (Apr 8)
Youth Council Meeting 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. City Hall Levi

Meeting Room (Apr 8)
Citywide Development Authority Meeting, 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:00 pm.-
City Hall Levi Meeting Room (Apr 9)
Main Street Advisory Board Meeting 2nd Friday of each month Stockbridge
Downtown Connection Center located at 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail at 9am
(Apr 12)
Downtown Development Authority Meeting, 3rd Tuesday of each month
Welcome Center 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail (Apr 16)
Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm. Tuesday of each
month Levi Meeting Room City Hall (Apr 16)

Planning Commission Meeting,3rd Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm. City Hall -

Council Chamber (Apr 18)

City Council Work Session Meeting, last Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. -

City Hall Council Chamber (Apr 30)

7|Page
UPCOMING CITY EVENTS/INITIATIVES

Join Councilman Alphonso Thomas for the monthly Senior Bingo Bash on

Wednesday, March 27th from 10am 12pm at the Merle Manders Conference
Center, 111 Davis Rd. for raffles, prizes, games, snacks and fun!
. Councilman Alphonso Thomas will be honoring Young and Gifted students on
Thursday, March 28th at the Merle Manders Conference Center from 5pm 7pm
This is a FREE event.
Join Mayor Anthony Ford for the monthly Meet the Mayor on Monday, April 15th
from 10am noon.

Join Councilman Alphonso Thomas for the monthly Senior Bingo Bash on

Wednesday, April 17th from 10am 12pm at the Merle Manders Conference

Center, 111 Davis Rd. for raffles, prizes, games, snacks and fun!
Join Councilwoman Yolanda Barber in partnership with JJ Smiles for the 2024
Annual Cookout & Fundraiser for donations of Backpacks and School Supplies
for students on April 20th at Clark Park from 2 6pm. This is a FREE Event
Join Councilwoman Yolanda Barber for the Annual Day Tea Brunch
on Sunday, April 21St from 2pm to 5pm at the Merle Manders Conference Center

This is a FREE event honoring mothers and the grace they carry.
Join Mayor Anthony Ford for the Annual State of the City Address on Tuesday,

April 23rel in the City Hall Council Chamber at 6:00 pm.
. Join Councilman Thomas for the Trash Stockbridge initiative centered
around education highlighting the causes and effects of Littering and Illegal

Dumping. More information to follow.
Councilman Thomas is honoring Veterans with a Continuous Salute all year long
Please send your pictures of Veterans with their name, branch, rank, and
years
of service

Note: All City Offices will be closed on Friday, March 29, 2024 for Good Friday.

Please contact Rosalynd Rawls to schedule an appointment for Meet the Mayor
and for more information on Council Initiatives and events at or via

email:

COMMENTS

Mayor Ford noted Spring is here, and COVlD-19 is still with us and encouraged
everyone to get their boosters and flu shots to remain healthy; and wished everyone a
Happy and Safe Easter holiday.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm. was made by Mayor Pro Tem Berry;
seconded by Councilmember Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk ony S. Ford, Ma r

8|:Page
