---
date: 2021-05-10
title: 05-10-2021 Minutes
source: 2021-05/2021-05-10_05-10-2021 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Where Community Connects

SUMMARY M NUTES
COUNCIL M EETING

MONDAY, MAY 10, 2021 6:00 PM.
Mayor &iCitv Council Administration
Mayor 5. Ford Randy City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexa nder Vanessa Clerk
Councilwoman Yolanda Bar ber John quldag,ItyCity
Treajsurer
Councilman John Blount aanngton, City Attorney

Qumton
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Jeremy T,
Councilman Alphonso Thomas Berg, City Attorney
Decms Aaron, ubhc Works Director
Alan Peterson, Economic Dev. DIr.

Brecca Johnson, Communlty Dev. Dlr,

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.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford

Invocation by Councilman Blount.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited all in unison.

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

Councilman Blount motioned to adopt the Agenda; second by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander
The motion passed 5-0.

Councilman Blount motioned for the approval of the Minutes for the
following meetings
second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.
1. 3/8/2021 2. 3/30/2021

PUBLIC COMMENTS
All public comments must be submitted to the Clerk no later than one hour
prior to the meeting.
The Public Comment Form be found the
can on webpage on the City page at:
httgsdlstockbridge.seamlessdocs.com/f/209kdz4mo7xb and the form must include your name,
phone, and email contact information. Comments are limited to (3) three minutes and will be read
by the Clerk during the meeting, respecting all members of the elected body, officials, and staff.
Comments including defamation, unruliness and/or swearing will not be
accepted.
> Dr. Chaleetra Homes noted the initiatives put forth by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander
and supports him remaining on the Stockbridge City Council.
> Ms. Zenoa Griffiths supports Mayor Pro Tem Alexander
remaining on the Stockbridge
City Council.
> Mr. Charles Marshall supports the elected body of
Stockbridge and the positive efforts
made by the City and supports Mayor Pro Tem
remaining on the Stockbridge City
Council.
> Mrs. Yvonne Marshall supports the Economic Development and efforts of
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and supports him remaining on the Stockbridge City Council.
> Mr. Maxwell Sears supports the support of businesses
by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and
support him remaining on the Stockbridge City Council.
> Resident of Bryant Street asked the Mayor & Council to
please investigate the
equipment that was running for several hours on the night of April 29, 2021 at the
Amphitheater construction site.

CER,EMO NIAL

Mayor Ford presented the following proclamations:
Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation
Mayor Pro Tern Alexander encouraged diversity and noted the City of Stockbridge
stands with the Asian-American Pacific Islander
community, especially considering
recent tragedies, stating all are welcome, noting
Stockbridge celebrates and recognizes
all members of the community noting value and thanked Dr. Henson for
being present to represent the Asian-American Pacific Islander community.

Dr. Lily Henson of Piedmont Henry thanked the City for
presenting her with the
proclamation and spoke of her history and sacrifices that pave the way for her
and her siblings to attend college and made her what she is and
represents today; and
thanked the City for recognizing the Pacific Islander heritage and
contributions to the community.

National Nurses Appreciation Week Proclamation was presented.

National Appreciation Week Proclamation was presented.

Annual Professional Municipal Clerk Week Proclamation
City Clerk Vanessa Holiday thanked the Mayor & Council for the proclamation and
recognized the members of the Office Team, Randi Rainey, Sharee Lane, Kerri
Stewart and Zenovia Pearson and gave a brief overview of their roles and thanked the
Mayor & Council and City Manager for investing in the team with education, training and
technology which prepared the Office to operate seamlessly during COVlD-19.

National Day of Prayer Proclamation was presented.

NEW BUSINESS
3. Council Consideration to approve the Development Agreement to
complete requirements for Rezoning Case for property
located at 438 East Atlanta Rd. Stockbridge, GA
Presented by Randy Knighton City Manager and Brecca Johnson

Community Development Director
Ms. Johnson noted this property went through rezoning in 2003 with
Henry County to be rezoned from Residential Agricultural (RA) to

2|Page
Residential Multiple Housing (RM-3). Ms. Johnson noted
one of the
zoning conditions during that time was to make sure a development
agreement was pul into place to build out and needs approval. Ms.
Johnson noted the property is located 438 East Atlanta
Rd, sits on
2323 acres with proposing to build 201 condominiums.

Mayor Ford ask if the property was part of the Living Centers Initiative
(LCD and located inside the designated downt own area.

Ms. Johnson noted it was not a
part of the LCl and is inside the
downtown district.

Mayor Pro T em Alex and er a sked if East Atlanta Rd. would be a part of
the highway overlay corr idor

Mrt Knighton noted one issue with t hat is
trying to appro ve a
development agreement that has al ready been re zoned under certain
conditions

Mayor Pro T e m Alexand er n oted having the sidewalks at 3ft. would be
a n d would lik e to increase the int erior
sidewalks on both
sides to 4 ft. li ke the last zon ing
completed.

Councilman Blount noted his concern is lo
oking at an Id
development agreement and making su re it fits with the establis hed
requirements and noted more needs to be discussed

Councl lwoman Barb er noted her con cerns with the
walking paths and
current standards vs .
o Id standards.

Councilman Thoma 8 noted exhibit C has information that is of
concern
to Council a nd aske d a
repr esentative to go into furth er details.

Mrv Steven Moore of Moore, Bass
Consulting noted Page 2-E holds off
an issuance of Land Disturbance projects and one of the
conditions on
accepting Item C would be determined during the design phase.
Mr, Moore also noted the sidewalks will be 10 ft. with
a 4 ft. interior
sidewalk, the original master plans will be applied to the 2021
standards, and 54% of the site has been reserved for preservation,
leaving roughly 12 acres for development

Alto rney Battl e, represent ing the appl icant,
p resented t he propos ed site
plan and wen t i nto further details of w hatth e condomi n iums woul d l ook
like.

Mr. Moore n ote the condominiums would be
between 1500-9 00 Sq. Ft.
with two~car carriage
garages with three different r planst

Counc ilman Thomas suggested
getting more details and documents
before approval.

3|Page
Councilwoman Gantt inquired on the actual number of units to parking
ratio.

Ms. Battle noted there would be 201 units with 4 parking spaces within
the unit which would be a total of 804 spaces and an additional 126

spaces for side parking.

Councilman Thomas motioned to Table to be heard at the May 25th
Work Session meeting; second by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander. The
motion passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to approve the 2021-2022 renewal of the
Liability Insurance Policy
Presented by Randy Knighton -

City Manager and Chris C. Walker, Sr.
VP Marsh & McLennan Agency
Mr. Walker noted the City has been with Travelers Insurance which
was still the lowest with a 4.2% increase including the $20 million
increase with the Amphitheater and will need to make a few
adjustments to the numbers, noting not everything will be insurable with
the Amphitheater such as land and sight clearing, but will insure the
structure, contents, and physical items. Mr. Walker stated the proposed
change over from the construction developer to the city is June 15,
2021, and the Amphitheater is currently covered under the risk
coverage and will continue to be covered. Mr. Walker also noted the
City currently does not have law enforcement legal liability coverage
which will be needed for the new Police Chief once hired.

Mayor Ford noted his concern is approving when adjustments need to
be made.

Mr. Walker noted the $261,565 will increase the full value of the

Amphitheater of $20 million with the numbers only getting lower and not
higher.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve the 2021-2022 renewal of
the Liability Insurance Policy: second by Mayor Pro Tem
Alexander. The motion passed 5-0.

Council to approve Change Order No. 3 for Wastewater Treatment
Plant Improvements in the amount of $302,800.00.
Funding Source: Wastewater Fund Balance
Presented by Decius Aaron Public Works Director and Brad
Holtsinger Waster Water Superintendent
Mr. Holtsinger noted the Wastewater Department is having permit
violations due to failed equipment with a great deal of work being
completed within the last years at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
with two (2) major components that have not been replaced and needs
to be.

4|Page
Councilman Blount questioned staff for not
bringing the item forward
sooner to replace equipment and using the competitive bidding
process.

Mr. Holtsinger noted he always tries to
get all the use out of equipment
that he cans.

Councilwoman Gan tt motioned to approve the
Change Order No. 3 for
Wastewater Treatm nt Plant Improvements in the amount of
$302,800.00; secon (1CD by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander, The moti on

passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to approve installation of Surveillance
cameras

at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of
$25,606.13 and
Annual Monitoring Fee of $3,249.29
Funding Source: Wastewater Treatment Operating Budget
Presented by Decius Aaron Public Works Director and Brad
Holtsinger Waster Water Superintendent
Mr. Aaron noted the sewer department has a
budget of $24,300.00 with
an annual monitoring fee of $3,249.29 to install surveillance cameras at
the Wastewater Treatment Plant and is the
only City building without
surveillance or intrusion monitoring.

Mayor Pro Tem A lexa nder inquired if there was a plan in place as
cameras are insta lled across the city.

Mr. Knight on noted there are camera 3 a I severe l facilities and
parks,
and the W WTP is a n area that needs to be cove red.

Councilman Thomas motioned to approve installation of Surveillance
cameras at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of
$25,606.13 and Annual Monitoring Fee of $3,249.29; second by
Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to approve the renewal of RFP

(Request for
Proposal) 2019-0002P for Office Furniture for the new Public Works
facility utilizing State Contact No 99999-001-SPD0000100-002 (expires
February 2, 2022); estimated at $200,000.00. Funding Source: New
Public Works Facility Account
Presented by Lindell Miller Procurement

Manager and Decius Aaron
Public Works Director
Ms. Miller noted this is a furniture purchase for the New Public
Works
Administrative Building with the purpose of
providing competitive
discounted pricing.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve the renewal of RFP
(Request
for Proposal) for Office Furniture for the new Public Works
facility utilizing State Contact No 99999-001-SPD0000100-002 (expires
February 2, 2022); estimated at $200,000.00; second by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

5|Page
8. Council Consideration to approve lTB (Invitation to Bid) No. 2021-001
for the City's LMIG (Local Maintenance Improvements Grant) for Roads
and Resurfacing awarded to East Coast Grading, lnc. Funding Source:
SPLOST V $1,002,387.88; GDOT $260,854.32 for a total amount of
$1,263,242.20.
Presented by Lindell Miller Procurement Manager and Decius Aaron
Public Works Director
Ms. Miller noted this would be awarded as a contract to the lowest
responsive bidder which would be East Coast Grading in the amount of
$1,263,242.20.

Mr. Knighton noted there is a concern with the $1,000,000
coming out
of Fund Balance and questions about using SPLOST V
money which
has not started being collected and will start within the next couple of
months. Mr. Knighton noted SPLOST V has about $4.5 million out of
roads, bridges, streets, etc. Mr. Knighton also noted SPLOST lV funds
were utilized
every year to help supplement the resurfacing program
and recommends having SPLOST V to be able to supplement for the
street without depleting the fund balance.

Councilman Blount noted Council has not received the list of sidewalks
with a comprehensive plan.

Mr. Aaron noted the project is a state mandated
program and have
received funding from the state, and the city will try to formulate a plan
like the LMIG plan with a goal of resurfacing 5 miles a
year and staff will
come up with a list of sidewalks that will be completed yearly but would
need to identify a funding source.

Mr. Knighton noted the list of sidewalks were apart of a rating system
and evaluation that was completed, noting when there is an issue with
safety with sidewalks, staff needs to know about it to address it, and a
more recent issue with sidewalks not connecting in subdivisions which

should be the developers issue to make sure sidewalks connect.
Mr. Knighton mentioned staff will bring before Council to consider

bonding of subdivisions and if the bond is broken, the city would be
able to connect sidewalks.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve ITB (invitation to Bid) No.
2021-00 1 for the LMIG (Local Mainten ance l mprovem ents Grant)
for Road 3 and Resurfacing a warded to East Coas t Grading, Inc.
Funding Source: SPLOST V $1,002,387.88; GDOT $260,854.32 for a
total amount of $1,263,242.20; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The
motion passed 5-0.

6|Page
9. Council Consideration to approve RFQ (Request for Quote) No. 2021-
0001 E for Link Media Outdoor for advertising City Events and
Destination Facilities for (4) four billboards in the amount $37,700.00
Funding Source: Tourism.
Presented by Lindell Miller Procurement Manager and CieCie
McGhee Events Manager
Ms. Miller noted staff is recommending approval to hire Link Media
Outdoor for advertising City Events and Destination Facilities for
four billboards. Ms. Miller noted the billboards will be seen on the
interstates of l-285 and l-75 based on the rates for an annual amount of
$37,700.00 for a period of one (1) year.

Councilwoman Barber inquired if the Amphitheater would be advertised
if the management company would incur the cost of
advertising and
should the management company be selected first.

Mr. Knighton noted the Amphitheater would be included for
advertisement and recommends approval with looking at the
management terms of what additional services may be
provided.

Councilman Blount inquired if the funds from the 2020 events budget
line could be used to pay the annual fee for the next year while the
management company maps out details going forward.

Mr. Wiggins, City Treasurer noted these are Hotel/Motel Tourism funds
and the City would have been using the same
company to advertise for
the Merle Manders Conference Center, Ted Strickland and local events
and noted the advertising would appeal to highway drivers.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve RFQ (Request for Quote) No.
2021-0001 E for Link Media Outdoor for advertising City Events and
Destination Facilities for (4) four billboards in the amount $37,700.00:
second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed

COUNCIL DISCUSSION
10. Council Discussion Cultural Arts Center
Presented by Randy Knighton City Manager
Mr. Knighton noted during the Retreat in March, Council looked at

reducing the Cultural Arts Center from $18 million to $14 million but
was concerned the $14 million selection would not meet the visual
needs of the Council. Mr. Knighton also noted he believes it is time to
move forward and staff could move forward with the development plan,
construction drawing, etc.

Councilwoman Gantt expressed she believes a development plan
should not be started yet and would like to have an in-depth discussion
in person with planning and does not want to see a theater that can not
hold a professional performance.

7|Page
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander expressed the city is financially stable with
funding available in the reserve fund and the Water and Sewer fund
and to stick to the original plan. Mayor Pro Tem Alexander inquired on
how much was collected in taxes during the previous
year, Mr.
Knighton noted Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) was up significantly.

Councilman Thomas noted he agrees with Mayor Pro Tem Alexander
and was confident the funds would be available in 2022.

Councilman Blount noted he needs a clear plan in writing that will show
how the city will repay back the $25 million with the additional $4 million
added for the Cultural Arts Center.

Mr. Knighton noted majority of SPLOST IV, $9 million of civil projects
and the General Fund would be used to pay back the bonds and noted
he would resend Council the information on how the bonds would be
paid back.

Councilwoman Barber expressed her concerns with going over budget
and recommended tabling the item until the were prepared.

Councilman Thomas motioned to approve moving forward with the
Cultural Arts Center Project at the $18 million dollar level: Second by
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander. The motion failed 2-1-2 (Blount
opposed/Barber and Gantt Abstained).

Councilman Blount asked to rescind his vote; Mayor Ford called for a
second vote. The motion failed (Barber/Blount/Gantt Abstained).

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford reminded everyone that we are still in a pandemic and noted things are
getting better with the number of sick people, hospitalizations, deaths all being down;
noted Governor Kemp had opened the State and asked everyone to continue to be
careful and wear your masks and get vaccinated; noted vaccination are the
priority focus
right now and you call make a reservation by calling 888-457-0186 Mon-Fri from 8am -

8pm, Sat & Sun 8am -5pm; noting vaccinations are being administered at the Atlanta
Motor Speedway every Tuesday from 8:30am 1pm; noted you can call for a reservation

or make a reservation online and in either case
you will be asked for your demographics,
race, age, gender, medical history, Covid history, recent illness and contact information;
noted while vaccinations are the priority, Covid testing is available through the
Henry
County Department of Health Dist. 4 location at the Henry County Senior Heritage Center
in McDonough and to call for an appointment Mon Thu 9am 3pm and

Sat 9am noon noting both testing numbers and vaccination numbers have
gone down;

referenced a agency call CORE who is reaching out to underserved
communities to educate and inform residents on testing and vaccinations, and also
provide transportation to get tested and receive vaccinations; noted he was visited last
week by the former pastor of Floyd Chapel Baptist Church, Erik Vance, who
gave the City
of Stockbridge a donation of his Martin Luther King, Sr. award received from the
Morehouse School of Religion, along with his first sermon at Floyd Chapel Baptist Church
as asked that it be placed in the archives.

8|Page
CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, MAY 31ST IN OBSERVANCE OF
MEMORIAL DAY.

CITY EVENT -
Please join the City of Stockbridge for a Virtual Memorial Day Musical
Tribute and Remembrance -

Monday, May 31, 2021 at 8:00 pm.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Meeting will be held via Zoom until
further notice. Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Please visit the website

www.cityofstockbridge.com for the meeting invitation link, Facebook page or contact City
Hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates.

> Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, at 9:00 am. Via Zoom -
2nd Friday of
each month (May 14)
> Downtown Development Authority Meeting, at 6:00 pm. Via Zoom -
3rd

Tuesday of each month (May 18)
> Youth Council & Advisory Meeting, 6:30 pm. Via Zoom -
3rd Tuesday of each
month (May 18)
> City Council Work Session at 6:00 pm. Via Zoom Last Tuesday of each
month unless otherwise noted. (May 25)
> Planning Commission Meeting, at 6:30 pm. Via Zoom Thursday of each
month (May27)
> City Council Meeting at 6:00 pm. Via Zoom 2nd Monday of each month.

(June 14)
EXEC SESSION

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to convene Executive Session for Personnel, Litigation and
Real Estate; second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to End Executive Session; second by Councilwoman
Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to Reconvene the Meeting; second by Councilwoman
Barber. The motion passed

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to adjourn; second by Councilman Blount. The motion
passed 5-0.

Res Hy bmitted by

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk MMC Anthony 8. Ford, Mayor

9|Pagc
