---
date: 
title: 2021 02-8-2021 Minutes
source: 2021/2021_02-8-2021 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Where Community Connects

COUNCIL MEET NG
SUMMARY MINUTES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021 6:00 P.M.
Ma o r& Cit C o uncil Administration
MayorA nt onyS .Fora
h Randy Kni hton,City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Elton A | exander Vanessa pliday, City Clerk
Council woman Yolanda Barber
John Wi Ins, CItV Tyeasurer
Councilman John quunt Michael Illlams, City Attorney
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt
Councrlman 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
The meeting was called to order by
Mayor Ford.

Invocation by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander.

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.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to amend the Agenda to add Bonding for Public
Safety, Startup for the Police Department following Presentation; Second
by Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to adopt the Minutes for the following meetings:
Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion 5-0. passed
1. 12/14/2020
2. 12/22/2020
3. 12/29/2020

PUBLIC CO MMENTS
All public comments must be submitted to the Clerk no later than
one hour prior to the meeting
The Public Comment Form can be found on the
webpage on the City page at:
https://stockbridqe.seamlessdocs.comIf/ZOpkdz4mo7xb and the form must include your name,
phone, and email contam information. Commen ts 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. None

Page | 1
CEREMONIAL
Mayor Ford read the following proclamations:
Proclamation Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Proclamation Black History Month

PRESENTATION
Newly elected Henry County Sheriff, Reginald Scandrett thanked the Mayor &
Council for the opportunity to address the citizens of Stockbridge, noting while it is
historic that he is the first African American Sheriff for Henry County, he is more
than that, he is qualified for the position. Sheriff Scandrett noted he intends to build

relationships between law enforcement and the community; noted he intends to
address community concerns and enact community policing, with the emphasis on
building the bridge between law enforcement and the community.

Mayor Ford thanked Sheriff Scandrett and wished him many years of great
success and looks forward to continued dialogue and working together.

Councilman Blount thanked Sheriff Scandrett for coming, noting he has seen him
reach across the aisles and across races, as a beacon of light; and wished the
Sheriff much success in carrying out his vision for the County.

Councilwoman Barber thanked Sheriff Scandrett for his comments and asked the
Sheriff to explain the difference between the and the Henry County
Police Department, noting often citizens are unaware, and asked how the
office would work together with the Henry County Police to bring about a positive
impact on the community.

Sheriff Scandrett noted simply put, the Police deal with crime and the Sheriff deals
with the person; noting the importance of working together and that he intends to
look at the issues and concerns plaguing Stockbridge, noting if it existed before,
that day is changing for the better.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander thanked Sheriff Scandrett for accepting the invitation to
attend the meeting and asked the Sheriff to speak to the growth of the County,

manpower and equipment needs for success.

Sheriff Scandrett noted the office needs 21St century ways of doing things
and must have 21St century equipment to operate effectively.

Councilman Thomas thanked Sheriff Scandrett for coming, noting the recent 10th
Annual African American History Celebration where Sheriff Scandrett was
recognized with the Visionary Award, not because he is an African American, but
for his Vision, encouragement, and motivation; asked that he remain
focused and wished the Sheriff much success.

Page | 2
Sheriff Scandrett thanked Councilman Thomas and noted he has been sworn and
elected to do a job for the 240,000 residents in
Henry County who are waiting on
us to take our rightful position and represent them in the
right way, and stating he
is honored to serve.

Councilwoman Gantt thanked Sheriff Scandrett and welcomed him to the
position
of Sheriff and looks forward to working with him.

Mayor Ford conveyed his appreciation to the Sheriff and thanked him for his
presentation.

NEW B SINESS
4. Council Consideration to approve $3,000,000.00 bonding for the
initial startup of the City of Stockbridge Police Dept. &
Equipment.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander referenced the City of Stockbridge
being the largest populated city in Henry County and not having a
police department, and those Henry County cities with smaller
jurisdictions do; and noted the City is able to move the city
forward with a historic vote tonight by bonding of projects that this

community has asked for, including public safety.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to approve moving forward
with bonding $3 million for the start-up cost of a
Stockbridge
Police Department.

Councilman Blount called for a Point of Order and noted this was
supposed to be a discussion item only and expressed his
concerns of whether the City Manager was aware of the bonding
of the police department being up for a possible vote; noted that
all members of the Council are in favor of a police
department
with proper funding.

Mr. Knighton noted while there have been previous discussions
with implementing a police department, there needs to be a
thorough discussion with direction from Council including Ed Wall,
the Financial Advisor and Doug Selby, Bond Counsel to
discuss bonding.

Councilman Blount inquired on the initial impact with the General
Fund and expenditures and expressed the City would be
obligated to pay the interest rates on the bonds.

Mr. Knighton noted if the bonds are expended, it would come out
of the General Fund for 15 years.

Page | 3
Mr. Wall noted SPLOST IV and V will fund the
Amphitheater and
Trail Project and a large portion will be carried the General
by
Fund, there will be a $970,000 increase in the General Fund with
capitalizing the interest with bonding, with the payment
occurring in August 2022 and the full freight will be in fiscal
year 2023 noting he was asked to run the numbers for $3 million
to add police equipment, vehicles and
furnishing for the new
precinct and noted the re would be a need to borrow a term equal
to the useful life of the equipme nt where 7
years would be the
useful life of equipment and with a and $3 million
bond, that would add another $535,000 to the General Fund until
another source of revenue comes in.

Councilman Thomas confirmed the prior10-year discussions of
the desire to add poll ce services to the City, noting th e need
for the City of Stockbridge t 0 provide
p ublic s afety for our ci tizens.

Co uncilwo man Bar ber expre ssed her
support for the bond ing and
sta rt-up of a pol ice departme nt, fu rther the need for a
noting
police department was expressed by citizens repeatedly during
the cit yhood fight.

Councilwoman Gantt noted she i s in favor o fthe
bonding and
referenced the feasib i lity study w h ich note d if there is no
city ta x
implemented the City would be 0 p eratlng i n the red and would like
to know the actual cost for a start-up and there should
expressed
be a whole plan laid out.

M ayor F 0rd note d having a polic e
department woul d be a gre at
th ing for the City considering the re have been seve ral is sues with
the SDS (Service Delivery Strategies)
Agreement with the
County; and noted his concern would be speaking with citizens
and letting them know there could be a
property tax implemented.

Councilwoman Barber recommended bringing a police chief or
consultan t on board to facilitate town halls workin with the
, g City
Manager, and wan ts the City to stop talkin 9 about it and take
action to make it happen.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander called for the vote.

Counc ilman Blo unt noted the vet e is not again st the police
depart ment but wants to know th e cost due to unkno wns.

Page | 4
Mr. Knighton referred to the Police Feasibility Study as noted the
estimated annual operational cost to be $5.6 million.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to approve moving forward
with bonding $3 million for the cost of a Stockbridge
Police Department; second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion
passed 3-1-1 (Councilman Blount Opposed. Councilwoman Gantt
Abstained).

Amphitheater Project Update
Presented by Randy Knighton City Manager, Kirk Voelkel,
Amphitheater Construction Project Mgr. H J Russell, Carl

Trevathan City Project Manager Keck & Wood and Heather

Hubbell, TSW Architect

Mr. Voelkel noted the landscaping installation and tree
planting
started today in the area near the Food Truck entrance; noted the
interior finishes are underway and near completion; and the lower
parking lot area was ready for topping; and proceeded with a
video presentation of the Amphitheater construction
progress
noting the projected completion to be near the end of May 2021
as the buildings are ahead of schedule, and that Phase II
work,
weather permitting, should wrap up by the middle or near the end
of June 2021.

Mayor Ford noted asked about if the area in front of the stage
was designated for tables and chairs, and Mr. Voelkel confirmed

Councilman Thomas expressed his concerns over the security of
the outer perimeter of the Amphitheater campus and asked if
there would be a sound barrier between separating the
property
owners and the Amphitheater and the homeowner.

Mr. Knighton referenced a proposed vegetative natural buffer,

noting the intent was to make the area around the ponds
aesthetically pleasing with a park atmosphere.

Councilman Blount agreed with Councilman Thomas on
addressing the security concerns.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander stated the pavers have already been
installed, however, he recalled the Council approving the brick
pavers would be purchased by the community.

Page | 5
6. Council Consideration to approve Amphitheater Change Order in
the amount of $ 2,371,922.77 Funding Source: Bond and
SPLOST V.
Presented by Randy Knighton City Manager, Kirk Voelkel,
Amphitheater Construction Project Mgr. H J Russell, Carl

Trevathan City Project Manager Keck & Wood

Mr. Knighton noted the Change Order references the main

parking areas and enhanced landscaping designs around the
detention ponds, noting the prior issue with unsuitable soil which
had to be addressed causing the plan to change from one
detention pond to three detention ponds.

Councilman Blount inquired if there would be buffering to help
with noise and asked if there would be police
presence to monitor
Lee St. and Bryant St.

Mr. Knighton noted there are landscape plans to enhance Lee St.
and E. Atlanta Rd. to help with the of traffic and it would be
imperative to have police presence at certain intersection points.

Mr. Trevathan noted the ponds would include
walking trails
around the ponds.

Councilwoman Barber inquired about line item #31 that
mentioned a fee of 4% ($91,000) and does not give a description

Mr. Trevathan noted that is the profit.

Councilwoman Barber inquired on a total cost of completion of
Amphitheater with another set of numbers for contingencies
which would be around $3.3 million.

Mr. Knighton noted $7 million was allocated to bond and around
$3 million for road enhancements and staff is trying to put the
figures together for the overall amount to bond.

Councilwoman Barber noted the initial Amphitheater project was
approved before being elected which is why when she came on
board, one of the requests she made was to see the
Amphitheater contract where she learned the initial $15.6 million
dollars only covered the cost of the structure of the
building and
wanted to know how much more will it cost to complete the
project, noting a previous $766,000 change order for unsuitable,
soils and this change order for $2.3 million, just
wanting to be
transparent and seeing there is an end in sight.

Page | 6
Mr. Knighton noted $3 million is
required to complete the roads.

Councilwoman Gantt noted the Amphitheater to be a beautiful
facility and referred to previous discussio ns with the City Manager
and City Attorney about the new
change order where the changes
came about after the project was bid out.

Mayor Ford and Councilman Thomas agreed the Amphitheater is
catalyst and game changer for southern metro Atlanta.

Councilman Blount agreed it is a beautiful project and 100% of
the work has been appreciated.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted the facility is best in class which
everyone can be proud of an d motioned to ap pro ve Amphith eater
Change Order in the amount of$ 2,371,922] 7 F unding Sou rce:
Bond and SPLOST V; secon d by Councilwom an Gantt. The
motion passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to approve the Stockbridge Public Facilities
Autho rity Taxable Reve n ueB 0nd (Publi 0 Amphitheater
Project),
to bei ssued in the amo u nt of $70 00,00 0, and the use of
SPLOST V revenues to pay all or a portion of the bond debt
service.
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager and Ed Wall,
Financial Advisor.

Mr. Wall note d there are three (3) bond issu es: A
mphitheater
Project, Cultu ral Arts Center, and the T rails Proje cts. Mr. Wall
noted an additional $3 million was added to the Cultural Arts
Center for police equipment, $5 million was allocated to the
Amphitheater using the General Fund and $6.3 million was
allocated from SPLOST IV. Mr. Wall also noted Keck & Wood
submitted a line item for the tota Iconstruction of the
Amphith eater
which would need a tota l of $19, 875, 300 for
completion with
$200,000 for contingenc i es. Mr. Wall expressed with the $18 ,

125,000 ($5 million from General Fund, $6.3 from SPLOST IV
and $6,825,000 from PFA Bond), that leaves a s
hortage o f
$1,750,300. Mr. Wall noted there is $3 million in SPLOST IV
SunTrust bank account for roadwork, the City could use the funds
from the SPLOST lV account which would leave $1,249,700 for
road work. Mr. Wal I mention ed if th ere is mor9 mo
ney nee ded fo r
road work, there is $4,590,4 58 in S PLOS T V to all ocate to wards
road work. Mr. Wall noted there was $20,525,905 in SPLOST IV
project list which would be collected over a 4-year period starting

Page i 7
April 1, 2021. Mr. Wall noted there was $9,836,695 for Civic
Projects and Buildings from SPLOST and will be used for the
Amphitheater and Cultural Arts Center; the Cultural Arts Center
will cost $14 million, $2,836,000 will be funded with SPLOST V.
Mr. Wall noted the annual payments for the bond debt service will
be made from SPLOST V, the General Fund will
only be
responsib Ie for operat ions and maintenance cost, the Capital cost
will be full y funded wit h all other revenue sou rces Mr. Wall

expressed there will need to be a bond issuance for $11,163,305
and will be p aid from the G enera | Fund and will be a
15-year
bond at 2.25 % with a nnual paym ents 0 f $97 5,000; while the bond
for the Amphit heater and Trails will h ave a
4~ye ar bond paya ble
from 8 PLOST IV. Mr. Wall noted the General F und will need to
have $1,77,000 a nnua My and the $3 m illion for
po lice equipm ent
will be advertised over a 7-year eriod and will ad d $535,000 to it.
Mr. Wall concluded Series 2021A Bond will have a
4-year
maturity and interest rate of 1.32% which will fund the
Amphitheater and a portion of the Cultural Arts Center; Series
2021B Bond will have a 4-year maturity and an interest rate of
1.04% with trails being tax exempt; and, Series 2021 C Bond will
have a maturity with an interest rate of 2.34% to fund the
Cu ltural Arts C enter and add police which would have a
7-year
ma turity and in terest rate of 2 25%

Councilman Bl ount expressed concerns with bonding $25 million
dollars with no clear path cially.

Mr. Wall mentioned there would likely need to be a
property tax.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander expressed the sound financial
position, noting the cities of Hampton and Locust Grove have
police de part ments and neither city has a prop erty tax; noted
LOST co ions and S PLOST revenue 3 were up despite the
pandemic; and asked the C ounci | to lead with courage, step out
on faith and lead the City fo nNard

Councilman Blount noted the City of Hampton has utilities, and
the City of Locust Grove has Tanger Outlet, and that the Council
needs to listen to the Financial Advisor.

Councilman Thomas noted the healthy discussion and
recommendations and called for the vote.

Councilwoman Gantt noted her concerns with where the numbers
are coming from for specifically for the Cultural Arts Center.

Page | 8
Councilman Blount motioned to
approve the Stockbridge Public
Facilities Authority Taxable Revenue Bond
(Public Amphitheater
Project), to be issued in the amount of $7,000,000, and the use of
SPLOST V revenues to pay all or a
portion of the bond debt
service; with the subsequent motion for the 2021A Bond in the
amount of $9,910,000 included the $7 million for the
Amphitheater and $2.8 million of the Cultural Arts Center plus
issuance costs; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion
passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to approve the

Stockbridge Public Facilities
Authority Revenue Bond (Cultural Arts Center and Trails Project),
to be issued in the amount of $3,940,000 on a
tax-exempt basis,
and the use of SPLOST V revenues to
pay all or a portion of the
bond debt service; and the Stockbridge Public Facilities
Authority
Revenue Bond (Cultural Arts Center
Project), to be issued in the
amount of $11,640,000 on a
tax-exempt basis. Presented by
Randy Knighton, City Manager and Ed Wall, Financial Advisor.

Ms. Hubbell noted the current estimate includes an Art
Gallery,
Theater and Ballroom at $18.5 million, and the
proposed bonding
is $14 million and will require cuts.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted the original building was
demolished in 2016 and the lot is still
empty and is why the
citizens lose confidence and the Council needs to construct
another facility.

Councilwoman Gantt noted no one wants to hold
up the project,
but rather account for the funding.

Councilman Blount motioned to Table the item,
noting this action
is not to table progress but to get funds in
place; second by
Councilwoman The motion failed 2-3 (Mayor Pro Tern
Alexander, Councilwoman Barber and Councilman Thomas
Opposed).

Councilwoman Gantt asked for and received confirmation on the
interest rate of 1.04 %.

Mayo r Pro Tem A lexander motioned to approve Series 2021A
bond issue with a 4-year m aturity at an interest rate of 1 t 32% 0
fund the Amphitheater and a small
portion of the Cultural Arts
Center in the amou nt of $9,910,000 Second by Counc ilman
Thoma s. The motio n passed (C oun cilman Blount Opp osed).

Page | 9
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to approve Series 2021 B
bond issue with a 4-year
maturity at an interest rate of 1.04% to
fund a portion of the Trails in the amount of
$1,030,000.00:
Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion
passed 5-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to approve Series 20210
bond issue with a 15-year
maturity at an interest rate of 2.34% to
fund a portion of the Cultural Arts Center and Police
Capital
Equipment in the amount of $14,830,000.00: Second by
Councilman Thomas. The motion passed 3-1-1
(Councilman
Blount Opposed, Councilwoman Gantt
Abstained).

Councilman Thomas reminded Council in-house
permitting could
have brought in revenues of
annually $400-500,000.

9. Council Consideration to appoint a member to the Main Street
Advisory Board.
Presented by Kira Harris-Braggs, Main Street
Program Manager

Mrs. noted this appointment would fulfill the
position for a business owner or operator outside the Main Street
District and wOuld like to nominate Rocio Camacho for the
position for a two-year term.

Councilman Thomas motioned to appoint Rocio Camacho to the
Main Street Advisory Board to s erve a two
-year term; second by
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander. The moti on pa ssed 5-0.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford reminded the public that we are still amid a pandemic and noted the
Free Testing at Heritage Senior Center in
McDonough Mon-Thu from 9am 3pm
and Sat 9am to noon, and to call 800-847-4262 for
an appointment or visit the
Department of website for information; referenced the number to call for
the Phase I vaccination 762-888-8180 and noted the
2nd shots will start tomorrow
at 8:30am at the Atlanta Motor 8
peed way and next Tuesday 15 vacci nation shots
will be administered at J P Mose
ley R ecre ation Center in Stock bridge for Phase I
which includes Healthcare Providers,
Long Term Care Providers, EMS or Police,
Firefighter, Correction Facility Workers, Age 65+ or their Caregivers and noted
additional information regarding COVID,
testing and vaccinations can be found on
the website;.

Councilman Thomas noted he had received the vaccination and
videoed the
event.

Pagel 10
Mayor Ford thanked Councilman Thomas for an outstanding African American
History Program; and noted the passing of Mr. Eugene Edward, former president
of the Henry County NAACP and
longtime Stockbridge resident, and asked for
continued prayers for the Edwards family.

CITY OFFICES ARE CLOSED DUE TO COVlD-19 PRECAUTIONS
As a COVID precaution. City offices are closed to the public until fu rther notice. Staff is
operating under telework protocol. Please contact the webpage
cityofstockbridge.com to contact each department for service and information.

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 for updates.

City Council Meeting at 6:00 pm. Via Zoom 2nd Monday of each month.

Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, at 9:00 am. Via Zoom -
2nd Friday of each
month

Downtown Development Authority Meeting, at 6:00 3rd Tuesday of
pm. Via Zoom -

each month

Youth Council Advisory Meeting, 6:30 3rd Tuesday of each month
pm. Via Zoom

Youth Council Meeting, at 6:30 3rd Wednesday of each month
pm. Via Zoom -

Planning Commission Meeting, at 6:30 pm. Via Zoom 4th Thursday of each month

City Council Work Session at 6:00 pm. Via Zoom Last Tuesday of each month
unless otherwise noted.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING
March 8, 2021 6:00 pm. REZONING CASE #

UPCOMING COUNCIL INITIATIVES
Join Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexander for the 5th Annual History Month
Celebration taking place virtually, March 7, 2021. For more
information, please contact
Zenovia Pearson at

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to adjourn; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The
motion passed 4-0 (Blount was not
present for the vote).

Res lly su itted by

Va City erk C nthon y 8. Ford, M ,yo r

Pagel 11
