---
date: 2019-01-31
title: January 31 2019 Work Session Meeting Minutes
source: 2019-01/2019-01-31_January 31 2019 Work Session Meeting_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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ACTION MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019 3:30 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Randy Knighton, City Manager
Councilman Elton Alexander Camilla Moore, Asst. City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem John Blount Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Randi Rainey, Deputy 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.
I. Call to Order – Mayor Ford

II. Invocation – Vanessa Holiday

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Roll Call – All present except Councilwoman Gantt; Mayor Ford noted she
was attending a two-day training conference.

V. Motion to adopt the Agenda – Alexander/Robinson: Passed 4-0.

VI. Review of the Minutes for the following meetings:

1. 12/10/2018 2. 12/18/2018 No Action

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.
No Public Comments

January 31, 2019 3:30 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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NEW BUSINESS
3. Council Consideration for funding of the Leader in Me Program
Presented by: Steve Cash, Executive Director - Henry Council for
Qualify Growth
Motion to properly align funding in the budget for programs and to
establish relationships with the current 4th and 5th District School
Board Representatives to determine the needs at each of the schools
with City of Stockbridge residents where improvements can be made
to improve scores made by: Thomas/Blount. Alexander/Robinson
opposed. Mayor Ford voted in favor. Motion passed 3-2.

4. Council Consideration to approve use of the Merle Manders
Conference Center February 20, 2019 for a musical event.
Presented by: Mayor Ford and Jerry Hesselink
Motion to approve: Robinson/Blount: Passed 3-0. Councilman
Alexander was not present for the discussion and was not present for
the vote.

5. Council Consideration to accept bid from Coggins Construction
Company LLC in the amount of $237,017.71 for replacement of the
Central Line Water Main. Funding is SPLOST IV.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Motion to approve: Blount/Thomas: Passed 4-0.

Decius Aaron introduced new staff members Donnie Mullis, Water
Superintendent and Gary Smith, Facilities Supervisor.

6. Council Consideration to authorize bids for a Public Works Facility in
the amount of $3,000,000.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Motion to approve: Robinson/Thomas: Passed 3-1(Alexander
opposed)

John Wiggins introduced new staff member Lindell Miller,
Procurement Supervisor.

7. Council Consideration to approve 2018 Budget Amendments
Presented by: John Wiggins, Interim Treasurer
Motion to approve: Blount/Thomas: Passed 3-0-1 (Alexander
abstained)

8. Council Consideration to approve 2019 Budget Amendment to
transfer Salary & Benefits from Stormwater to Events
Presented by: John Wiggins, Interim Treasurer
Motion to approve: Thomas/Blount: Passed 3-1 (Alexander opposed).
January 31, 2019 3:30 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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9. Council Consideration to approve bid selection of RFP18ITB103018-DRR
for Broker Services from MSI Benefits Services.
Presented by: Renee Wheeler, Human Resources Manager
Motion to approve: Alexander/Robinson: Passed 4-0.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Randy Knighton announced the completion of certifications for: Randi Rainey -
Municipal Clerk Certification, Shannon Maddox – Code Enforcement Certification
and Renee Wheeler – Human Resources Certification.

COMMENTS FROM THE CLERK’S OFFICE
Vanessa Holiday thanked the Council for all they do and congratulated fellow staff
members of their recent certifications.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Thomas invited everyone to the 8th Annual African-American Heritage
Celebration; read the City’s Mission Statement; and noted his support of the SAB
(Stockbridge Association of Businesses) with a focus on the three “p’s” – Protocol,
Process and Procedure.

Mayor Pro Tem Blount noted the Council is working diligently to make Stockbridge
great and believes we are Better Together; noted citizens want to see progress;
and noted while there may be differences, turn the negatives into positives, and
asked that those differences be hashed out behind closed doors.

Councilman Alexander thanked everyone for tuning in, and is working towards
moving the City forward; noted there will always be a process, but it is up to the
Council to act, noting to act takes courage, vision and leadership; commended the
GMA Mayor’s Day Conference and speakers, and gained a wealth of knowledge
and information on best practices; referenced the Leader in Me Program which
demonstrated results as the low school scores are unacceptable and wants to find
funding resources to replicate the program and other successes, noting funds
were found for other activities and students and education should be a priority.

Councilwoman Robinson congratulated staff members on their certifications;
recited a quote: “actions speak louder than words, something that is told to our
students, and until your actions change, no progress will be visible” and asked that
everyone remember that.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford congratulated staff on their certifications; referenced the Mayor’s Day
Conference and specifically the Legislative Breakfast where officials noted Georgia
being the 8th largest state population wise, and for (6) six consecutive years,
Georgia is #1 for businesses, which started under Governor Deal; and referenced

January 31, 2019 3:30 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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the upcoming Super Bowl taking place in Atlanta and to be aware of Human
Trafficking during this very busy weekend and asked everyone to report suspected
activities and enjoy the game.

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.

• Main Street Advisory Board meeting, Friday, February 8, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall in
the Levi Meeting Room.

• City Council meeting, Monday, February 11, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Council
Chamber.

• Youth Council meeting, Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the
Levi Meeting Room.

• Downtown Development Authority meeting, Monday, February 18, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at
City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room. – Meeting changed to Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

• Youth Council Advisory Committee, Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at City
Hall in the Levi Meeting Room.

• Planning Commission meeting, Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall in
the Council Chamber.

• Work Session meeting, Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the
Council Chamber.

• Council Retreat – February 28 & March 1, 2019 Kennesaw, GA

UPCOMING EVENT(S) & ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Seniors Painting Event Thursday, February 7th at the Ted Strickland Community Center
130 ML King, Sr. Heritage Trail, Stockbridge, GA spearheaded by Councilwoman Gantt

• 8th Annual African-American Heritage Celebration – Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 4:00
p.m. at the Merle Manders Conference – spearheaded by Councilman Thomas

• Rural African-American History Celebration – Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Cochran
Library, Stockbridge, GA– spearheaded by Councilman Alexander

• Quarterly Town Hall – Tuesday, February 19, 2019 Location: Red Oak UMC
3894 Walt Stephens Rd. Stockbridge, GA – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander
• Stockbridge Active – location: Pamela Bennett Fitness 272 E Atlanta Rd Suite 1D,
Stockbridge, GA– Saturday, February 23, 2019 – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander

January 31, 2019 3:30 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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• Monthly Bingo Bash – Wednesday, February 27, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – noon at the Ted
Strickland Community Center 130 ML King, Sr. Heritage Trail, Stockbridge, GA
spearheaded by Mayor Pro Tem Blount

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 Clergy RoundTable – spearheaded by Councilwoman Robinson. 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.

Attorney Williams noted while there were no items for Executive Session
Discussion, he had been made aware of the following item for Council
Consideration.

10. Council Consideration to amend current moratorium on businesses to
accept applications for the same type of business with a changed in
ownership.
Presented by: Camilla Moore Asst. City Mgr./Community Dev. Director
Motion to approve: Alexander/Blount: Passed 4-0.

Code Enforcement Office T. D. Johnson announced his retirement from the City,
thanked the Mayor & Council for their support and noted it has been a pleasure
working for the City.

Mayor Ford and Council Members expressed their thanks and appreciation and
wished Mr. Johnson well in his retirement.

Motion to adjourn: Alexander/Blount. Passed 4-0.

January 31, 2019 3:30 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
