---
date: 
title: 2019 07 30 2019 Minutes
source: 2019/2019_07_30_2019 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Sto Ckbridge
Where Community Connects

SUMMARY MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING

TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2019 6:00 P.M.
Ma or & Cit Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Rand Knighton, City Mana er
Councilman Elton Alexander Cami Moo_re, Ass_t. City anager
Mayor Pro Tem John_B|ount Vanessa |_-lolida City Clerk
Councilwoman LaKeisha_Gantt Ra_ndi Rain_ey, epu_ty City Clerk
Councilwoman Neat Robinson Michael Williams, City Attorney
Councilman Alphonso Thomas

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.

Call to Order by Mayor Ford

Invocation by Mildred E. Reed.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All members
were present.

Councilman Alexander motioned to amend the Agenda to: Add Discussion Item #7 —

Welcoming America Request; Add Discussion Item #8 Legislative Update Request from

State Senators Jones and Strickland; Add Discussion Item #9 Resolution Opposing the

Closure of Cochran Park; Removing 2"“ Qtr. Report for 3 (1) and 3 (4); second by
Councilwoman Robinson. The motion passed 5-0.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to amend the Agenda to: Add Discussion Item #10 -

Resolution for a Personnel Matter; second by Councilman Thomas. The motion passed 3-
2 (Alexander/Robinson opposed).

Review of the Minutes for the following meetings:
1. 6/102019 2. 06/26/2019 No Action

July 30. 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge. GA 3028i 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.

Ms. Mildred E. Reed noted she happy to see the City moving fon/vard with the
was

Youth/Senior Center as it much needed in the community; and asked for clariﬁcation as to
whether or not the County and turned over Cochran Park to the City of Stockbridge at no
cost; and asked for maintenance records of any and all repairs to Cochran Park.

Mayor Ford noted the City of Stockbridge has never owned or maintained Cochran Park,
and stated the County owns Cochran Park; and further noted any maintenance records
would be in the custody of the County.

Mr. Craig Powell made a plea to the City and the County to resolve the issue regarding
Cochran Park for the beneﬁt of the youth of Stockbridge to have a facility to continue to
play baseball; Mr. Powell referenced Mr. Bill Savage as the baseball forefather of
Stockbridge who likewise is in favor of Cochran Park remaining open for kids to play
baseball.

Mr. Michael Parrish echoed the sentiments of Mr. Powell; noted he is here for the kids and
noted he along with the other coaches not only devote their time, but also personal ﬁnances
to assist the kids with transportation to and from the park,and they do it from the heart,
noting moving the teams further north would be an additional burden; noted the coaches
are mentors to these young men both on and off the ﬁeld; noted Cochran Park has 19
teams and Hidden Valley Park only has 4 teams and disputed the logic of the teams being

moved; stated he spoke with Commissioner Holmes about the hardship and received no
empathy to situation; and ended he comment stating it's about the kids.

Mr. Robert Kolpack showed picture of Hidden Valley Park and referenced a building that
was deemed to be damaged from ﬂooding and was instead roof damage due to negligent ~

upkeep; stated Commissioner Holmes had spent $8 million of taxpayer funds at Village
Park while neglecting Hidden Valley and Cochran parks; referenced property owned by 4th
District Commissioner Thomas that was dilapidated and in poor condition, stating the
standards should be higher from a Commissioner and noted neither Code Enforcement
Ofﬁcer Maddox or Burnett was able to address the property issues nor was the City’s See
Click Fix app.

PRESENTATIONS
3. (2”" Quarter Summary Reports 2019)
1. Henry County Public Safety Stockbridge North Precinct

(Removed)

2. Stockbridge Youth Council (Did not present)

July 30, 2019 6:00 pm. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Downtown Development Authority
Councilwoman Gantt noted the DDA will be attending the Annual
Georgia Downtown Conference conference in Jekyll Island and
have had discussions on how to utilize the old ﬁre station and

looking at other projects.

Ms. Moore added staff recommends dropping the building and

developing a ﬁrst-class structure that will give Main Street and the
DDA ofﬁce space and allow for commercial/retail spaces.

Economic Development— (Removed)

.Community Development Presented

by Camilla Moore.
Ms. Moore noted the City is on track and will have accumulated $3
million in revenue by the end of the year, noting of that,
Occupational Tax Collections are almost all in from businesses;
Code Enforcement is in the process of updating the Code
Ordinance; Planning and Zoning along with Building and Permit are
on the right track with growth in numbers; with a request for 7 new

hotels by the end of the year. Ms. Moore noted GDOT has given
clearance for the monument sign with bids going out soon and
recommended a Force Cleanup Ordinance.

Conference Center/Events —
Presented by CieCie McGhee.
Ms. McGhee noted the Conference Center/ Events has received to
date $129,505 in revenue from rental of the City buildings, event
vendor payments and rental of amenities. Ms. McGhee gave a

breakdown of revenue; the Merle Manders
Ballroom, Meeting
Rooms and Ted Strickland Community Center $ 68,130.00; Room
Rental Amenities $7,775 and Event Vendors/Payments $20,100
Ms. McGhee noted the estimated total of attendance of events from

January to June is 27,650.

Main Street —
Presented by Kira Harris-Braggs
Mrs. Harris-Braggs noted April was a busy month for Main Street;
staff participated in the Taste of Henry, attended Marketing College;
and completed the Historic Marker presentation at the Green Front
Café which received a grant from the State Department of Economic
Development and was unveiled during the Carrie Mae Hambrick
day celebration, which was part of National Historic Preservation
month. Mrs. Harris-Braggs noted Main Street had prepared to host
a movie event in June but was postponed due to inclement weather

and shown later. Mrs. Harris-Braggs noted Main Street is currently
working on the guidelines for the Downtown District.

July 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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8. Public Works —
Presented by Decius Aaron.
Mr. Aaron noted Public Works participated in the Historic

Preservation Marker Unveiling at the Green Front Café, Memorial
March, both Sounds of Summer concerts, Main Street movie night,
a Council Initiative at Rum Creek, Back to School
event and Tasty

Tuesday.

Mr. Aaron also noted there are two bid openings, one for the CDBG
project at Smith—Barnes and Davis Rd. TE project which will be
coming before Council in August for approval.

Mr. Aaron stated there will be a bid opening scheduled for the LMIG
Works building; and has
program and the resurfacing of the Public
met with contractors for the HWY 138 beautiﬁcation program.

Mr. Aaron noted Public Works currently has 109 projects and 57
projects completed; noting the projects in progress are valued at
$12,028,280.

Mayor Ford asked about the additional parking at the trail head on
Flippen Rd; Mr. Aaron noted the plans are being reviewed by the
Building and Permitting Department and once reviewed, it will be
put out for bid.

Councilwoman Robinson requested Public Works Litter Logs to be
distributed from the City Manager to Mayor and Council/

Councilman Alexander recommended putting a bid out for a Street
Sweeper contractor to increase frequency of street cleaning.

9. Finance —
Presented by John Wiggins. Mr. Wiggins.
Mr. Wiggins noted the audit was submitted on time by June 30”‘ ;
noted the Mauldin & Jenkins auditors will present the report during
the FY2020 Budget Retreat; noted there are 10 bids out, with a few
already awarded; department heads have been given budget
worksheet to start the budget process and will be ready at the
retreat. Mr. Wiggins noted the budget to actuals total was
$4,873,009, with actual revenue totaling $4,185,263; expenses was
budgeted at $3,994,231, with the actual totaling 44,895,989.
Request for FY2019 Fund Balance Calculations and Projected vs
Actual Planning & Zoning Revenues and Expenditures.

Councilman Alexander motioned for a 5-minute recess; second by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5~0.

4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
July 30, 2019 6:00 pm.
Page |5

the meeting; second by
Mayor Pro Tem Blount motioned to reconvene
Gantt
Councilman Alexander. The motion passed 4—0 (Councilwoman
was not in attendance).

NEW BUSINESS
and
4. Council Consideration to approve a Resolution to ﬁll a vacancy
appoint a member to the Main Street Advisory Board.
Presented by Kira Harris—Braggs, Main Street Program Manager
has a
Mrs. Harris-Braggs noted the Main Street Advisory Board
candidate,Ms. Anita Johnson of Upscale Fashion to ﬁll the position of
Business Owner outside the Main Street district.

Councilman Alexander motioned to appoint Anita Johnson of Upscale
Fashion to the Main Street Advisory Board; second by Councilman
Thomas. The motion passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to a Resolution appointing Bond
5. approve
Counsel for the City.
Presented by Attorney Downs —
Wilson, Morton & Downs
and
gave a brief description of Mr. Se|by’s resume
Mr. Knighton
recommend Council’s approval.
P. Selby as the
Mayor Pro Tem Blount motioned to appoint Douglass
Bond Counsel forthe City; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion
passed 5-0.

DISCUSSION
6. Alleyway Project funding source not to exceed $350,000.00

Funding Source: Various
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager
Mr. Knighton noted staff has been working towards bringing the project
to fruition by working with the City's Engineer Falcon Design and

looking at various components to make the project work. Mr. Knighton
further noted the bid would be out in August and would use various
Fund
funding sources such as SPLOST, available funds in the General
and Fund Balance.

7. Council Consideration to approve The Welcoming America Committee
to use of the Merle Manders Conference Center on September 18,
2019 and fund and/or seek sponsorship from $3,000 to $5,000 for a
Civic Dinner.
Presented by Mayor Ford
Mayor Ford noted City is apart of the Welcoming America
the
Committee along with (7) other Cities including: The City of Atlanta,
The City of Brookhaven, The City of Decatur, The City of Doraville, The

Ciw of East Point, The City of Clarkston and the City of Norcross; which

4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 3028] Phone: (770) 389-7900
July 30,2019 6:00 p.m.
Page|6

will also host Welcoming Week September 12-22“, with The City of
Decatur having the kick—off. Mayor Ford also noted the committee
would like to have a sponsor civic dinner on September 18"‘ and will
need a venue to handle approximately 200 people which could cost
Ford suggested using the Merle
between $3,000—$5,000. Mayor
Manders Conference Center to hold the Civic Dinner. Councilwoman
Gantt would like to include the city’s own welcoming committee to

participate.

Councilwoman Robinson motioned to approve and include the City’s
Welcoming Committee Members and to also seek sponsorships;
second by Councilman Alexander. The motion passed 5-0.

8. Council Consideration to approve State Senators Emanuel Jones and
Brian Strickland to host a Legislative Update at the Merle Manders
Conference Center on August 13, 2019.

Mayor Pro Tem Blount motioned to approve State Senators Emanuel
Jones and Brian Strickland to host a Legislative Update at the Merle
Manders Conference Center on August 13, 2019 at 7:00 pm.; second
by Councilwoman Robinson. The motion passed 5-0.

9. Council Consideration to approve a Resolution opposing the closure
of Cochran Park.
Councilman Alexander noted he has been in contact with several
coaches, parents and residents, including the Cochran family who
donated the land for the purpose of a park to the County for
recreation and baseball purposes.

Councilman Alexander noted citizens pay County taxes, however the
County does not use the taxes to fund the maintenance and upkeep
of the park.

Councilman Alexander also noted he would like the Henry County
park maintained and re—opened for baseball activities.

Councilwoman Robinson noted she met with County ofﬁcials about
the condition of the park; and referenced a SPLOST meeting with no
mention of Cochran Park; and further noted the Resolution in in
opposition of the park closure and asked staff to reach out to the
County Manger for data on the records of maintenance and repairs.

Mayor Pro Tem Blount noted his support of the Resolution.

July 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
’.:«_;c l7

Councilman Alexander motioned to approve a Resolution opposing
the closure of Cochran Park; second by Councilwoman Robinson.
The motion passed 5-0.

10.Counci| Consideration to approve a Resolution censuring Councilman
Elton Alexander
Councilwoman Gantt read a Resolution censuring Councilman
Alexander regarding Councilman A|exander’s code of conduct
involving social media posts in reference to the proposed
Youth/Senior Center.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve a Resolution censuring
Councilman Alexander; second by Mayor Pro Tem Blount. The
motion passed 3-2 (Alexander/Robinson opposed).

Councilman Thomas motioned to adjourn at 10:32 p.m.; second by Mayor Pro
Tem Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

j،j? [:4

Vanessa Holid y, City Clerk Anthony 8. Ford,

July 30. ZOI9 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. llcnry Blvd. Slockbritlgc. CA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
