---
date: 2021-03-19
title: 03-19-2021 Minutes
source: 2021-03/2021-03-19_03-19-2021 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Where Community Connects

COUNCIL RETREAT
March 19, 2021

Summary Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford

Invocation by Councilman Blount.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

Roll call: Mayor Ford, Mayor Pro Tem Alexander, Councilwoman Barber, Councilman Blount,
Councilwoman Gantt, Councilman Thomas all in attendance.

Staff Attendees: Randy Knighton, City Manager Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk, John Wiggins, City
Treasurer Alan Peterson, Economic Development Director Decius Aaron, Public Works Director,
Quinton Washington & Jeremy Berry, City Attorney, Robert Bonds, IT Support.

DAY THREE AGENDA
Facilitated by Randy Knighton City Manager

Recap of Day Two -

Randy Knighton, City Manager
Mr. Knighton noted the previous day to be very productive with input from the Council
directing some
items forward; Amphitheater Update -
Kirk Voelkel and Chirag Venkatesan of H. J. Russell presented
an overview of the project status; reviewed the pond area, walking trails and promenade; noted
several noting the addition of a sidewalk on the main road and fencing and buffer behind Bryant

Street properties; Police Department Chief Grogan presented information on the
establishment of police department and made recommendations on a hiring matrix,
ordering vehicles and equipment, training, incentives and a possible timeline to implement;
Annexation maps with different options were presented with a general consensus of the Council to
move forward with Phase I with a necessary conversation with property owners and businesses and

an analysis of commercial and residential percentages; Project Updates Falcon Design Consultants
reviewed the Amphitheater parking and will submit the cost to add 50 parking spaces on

approximately 3 acres on N Lee Street, reviewed the road widening project for E. Atlanta Rd./Lee
Street noting documents for bid are due next week and black arm traffic signals will be added to the

1|Page
traffic documents; noted design and quote for a new sidewalk on the main internal road will come

forward; Wayfinding signage & Alleyway will be put out for bid soon; Procurement Discussion led by
Attorney Jerry Berry with a general consensus to ensure that we continue to evaluate procurement
processes and bring to the Council NlGP codes and vendor analysis; and previewed the TSW
presentation referencing proposed Splash Pad design options which will require a decision today;
noted the Cultural Arts Center has been funded at $14 million dollars
turnkey and bonded and the
Council will need to determine what may need to be modified to remain at that level of
funding as it
relates to the design; noted the City is making moves that are unprecedented and wants to move
forward in the most cost efficient manner.

Architectural Projects Update -
Heather Hubble, Bryan Bays and Peyton Peterson of (TSW) Tunnel-

Spangler-Walsh
TSW presented Splash Pad Option 1 The Spillway Concept Location would be adjacent to the
new ponds; Square Foot 2,900 square feet, 80-140 users.
Pros: Easy access from the new parking lot, underground cistern would
capture flowthrough water
and repurpose it for irrigation around the ponds.

Cons: Must be a flow through system due to there being no restroom within of the area; flow
through systems do no recirculate water, which means there is always new water being pumped to
the Splash Pad; low flow fixtures limit Splash Pad capabilities
(Pressure, height of sprays, etc.);
currently HJ Russell is constructing the parking lot and ponds area, this would impact their current
scope of work in that area.

TSW presented Splash Pad Option 2 The Panola Concept Location would be adjacent to the
Amphitheater; 3,300 square feet, 90 165 users.
Pros: Educational opportunity the regional landscape; flow
through or recirculating Splash Pad option;
recirculating would need a restroom building within 150'; adjacent to the Amphitheater provides
programming and pre-function space for the central lawn area behind City Hall; Splash Pad would be
visible from City Hall/East Atlanta roadway.
Cons: Constrained access; surrounded by roadways on four sides; Current
roadway between
greenspace/Splash Pad and City Hall is being proposed as being closed for pedestrian access only;
no immediate parking.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander thanked TSW for the presentation and creating the vision; noted
recirculating the water and conserving water, and less water usage is a cost savings over time; noted
Splash Pad into the overall project plan and noted the foot traffic would draw visitors to the
downtown area like Centennial Park.

Mayor Ford noted the maintenance of PH levels; recirculation means not as much water used; upfront
capital cost and maintenance; and asked about fencing around the Splash Pad.

TSW responded there the Splash Pad is proposed to be an
open and not enclosed

ZlPage
Councilwoman Gantt noted a Splash Pad was part of the original LCI, and appreciates the

presentation noting she is hopeful the project within the City's budget.
Councilman Thomas noted the Splash Pad is a great feature and mentioned there had also been

conversations of a seasonal skating rink for several years now which adults would be able to enjoy as

well; and expressed concern about the proposed location and wants to see the cost of the project.

Councilman Blount noted he came into office in 2016 and now many of the projects are
coming to
fruition and thanked Councilwoman Gantt for bringing the project forward noting the Council is

aggressively moving forward and needs a financial plan to sustain it; noted it is a great day in the City
and appreciates the work the staff is doing.

Councilwoman Barber noted there needs to be a concrete monument sign on East Atlanta Rd. with
the AMPHITHEATER verbiage and Wayfinding signage throughout the city.

Mr. Knighton noted there will be a monument sign near the fountain installed after the roadway
project; and Option 2 of the Splash Pad Concept Panola will include a water feature.

Councilman Blount agreed with Councilwoman Barber on the concrete AMPHITHEATER sign and

Wayfinding signage to get citizens excited and should get it out immediately.

Mr. Knighton noted the estimated cost of Option 1 The Spillway Concept is $500,000.00

TSW noted the estimated cost of Option 2 The Panola Concept is $1.7 million dollars; and noted

Option 1 is a proposed Splash Pad where the infrastructure already exists but needs a restroom.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander stated restrooms and vending would be necessary

Mayor Ford agreed the park would need a restroom and that being familiar with a pool, having a
restroom close by is a necessity.

Mr. Knighton noted the Amphitheater restrooms are internal for Amphitheater patrons and secured

when not in use.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted there is Park money in SPLOST V

Councilman Thomas asked if design cost was included in the estimated $1.7 million dollars

TSW confirmed design costs would be additional

Councilwoman Gantt reminded Council of CDBG grant funding and the ice rink conversion should be
on file.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander agreed with applying for CDBG funding and using SPLOST V

3|Page
Mr. Knighton noted the interactive water feature would be a
great feature and noted the Facilities
Building for Management has two offices at Will Call and could be used as a cost savings.

Cultural Arts Center Mr. Knighton noted there were renderings presented in 2018, 2019 and 2020
with over 300 seats, and a ballroom, and noted the last
rendering in March 2020 had amenities that
ranged from $13 -
$26 million dollars, noting the Council approved and funded an budget of $14
million dollars.

Ms. Hubble noted the City Manager advised their firm of the
approved budget and needed detailed
cost estimates, noting the March 2020 rendering was more than what was
approved by the Council
and needed to be reduced by $6.4 million dollars

Councilman Thomas noted the Arts and Economic Development
go hand in hand with the Arts Center
being a revenue generator for the City.

Mayor Ford noted there would be operational expenses with full-time staff to manage the facility

Ms. Hubble noted upon approval, construction could
begin by the end of the year.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander, Councilman Blount and Councilman Thomas agreed not to change the
design or vision of the facility.

Mr. Knighton noted that due to the $14 million dollar budget, the Council may need to look at reducing
the size of the building, contingencies, furnishings, or other soft costs.

Ms. Hubble noted in 2019 the Digital Media room was removed and in 2020 the Dance room was
removed with the focus being on the theater, museum, gallery, and ballroom with the Flex
Space left
to be used as a classroom.

Councilwoman Barber supported reducing the square footage and removing the water feature.

Councilwoman Gantt noted the square footage was needed for professional shows
along with more
seating and to remove that would short-change the project and asked the Council to look at other
funding opportunities.

Councilman Thomas agreed with Councilwoman Gantt noting he sees the
potential for showcasing
the arts, performances, events, and other activities on the southside,
noting the Cultural Arts Center
would enrich schools and the community.

Mr. Peterson, the Economic Development Director noted the Cultural Arts Center could be a
tool to capitalize on in coordination with Main Street and falls in line with the
Amphitheater as an

4|Page
anchor with plays, tourism and connectivity attracting restaurants and retail to the downtown area with

patrons wanting to stay and eat before and after shows and making it all day attraction.
Councilman Thomas agreed with the Amphitheater and Cultural Arts Center being two anchors that
would be magnets spurring future developments.

Ms. Hubble presented the latest rendering and began to highlight specific items to reduce cost
by
removing design features and/or amenities and proposed removal of the elevator that serves the
balcony and the balcony area with 80 seats, removal of the ballroom/multi-use space, deleting the
water feature, changing the site pavers to concrete, reducing the windows. and reducing the finishes

Councilman Thomas expressed his support of the Arts Center adding value to the community and
referred to areas in the Operating Budget that could be reduced by $1.2 million dollars by
tightening the belt on some expenses, noting the City should look at other funding sources to bring
this facility to fruition.

Mayor Ford asked how you would gain access to the 2"d floor should the elevator be removed

Ms. Hubble note there is a commercial elevator that would remain for access to the 2nd floor

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander recommended the City participate in the next cycle for the Henry County
CDBG program and asked how much the City is entitled to.

Mr. Knighton estimated the City is entitled to a couple of hundreds of thousands of dollars
maybe a
little bit more the City may be entitled to in this cycle in CDBG funding; suggested
bringing back a
new rendering of the facility with reduced square footage and let the Council know what that looks like
and then determine what you would like to maintain or keep or
any additions that need to be made as
the best option along with seeking other available funding sources; noted what he is
hearing from the
Council is the will to maintain the vision that you as councilmembers want and want to see for the
Cultural Arts Center and making sure that it creates the environment or economic development

opportunities for people to be able to come here and the residual impact of the type of building that
you ultimately construct, meaning the additional investments that private sector entities will take a
look at for the City of Stockbridge, and what businesses will
emerge with a result of the Cultural Arts
Center being here and those benefits that come along to the City, and the quality of life that
offering
would be in a Cultural Arts Center that are currently not provided here and there is no cost that
you
can affix to that in terms of how it enhances a community and will look at bringing a viable
option back
to the Council.

Councilman Thomas noted he was not sure if funds could be used on this building in the proposed
location and asked the City Manager to check to see if the Cultural Arts Center was eligible.

Councilwoman Barber asked ifa slope could be constructed in lieu of an elevator

5|Page
Ms. Hubble responded a slope would take
up a great amount of space noting the SW Arts Center is
one level without an elevator.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted the facility should remain ADA compliant and include an elevator.

Mr. Knighton suggested bringing back a
rendering that may be over $14 million that will keep the
Council's vision and seek additional funding sources.

Youth/Senior Center TSW noted in 2020 there was a quick concept of a Youth and Senior Center

presented to the Council that included a gymnasium, locker room, small office, community room and
small classrooms with 92 parking spaces with an estimated cost of $10
$20 million dollars.
Following the presentation, members of Council requested the facility include an indoor pool, covered
terrace, aerobics and fitness area, indoor walking track and they went back to the drawing board to
incorporate the added requests noting the building increased in square footage and went from one
story to a two story building with a full gymnasium, swim center with a college length/Olympic short
swim pool, space and lounge, office space and elevator, community room for activities; 2nd floor
has the fitness room with windows, two studio
spaces that overlook the pool and two classrooms and
outside terrace space for things like meditation and/or outdoor
yoga, suspended walking track; noted
the square footage space is 58,884 sq. ft.; noted the corners were
pulled back due to the proposed
location in a neighborhood, and comes in at an estimated cost of $27 -

$35 million dollars; noting
there is escalation built into that number of about 2%
per year for construction.

Mayor Ford asked what had been budgeted for the Youth/Senior Center.

Mr. Knighton noted the project had not been
budgeted noting the Council charged staff with bringing
forth a rendering with the features requested.

Mayor Ford asked if the pool is a priority.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted the facility is on the wish list noting the community
deserves it, however, the budget may make this rendering unaffordable and would be interested
in
perhaps a partnership noting $14 $20 million may be financed in the next SPLOST.

Councilman Thomas noted the proposed location does make the
project eligible for CDBG funding

Councilwoman Barber noted she supports a Youth/Senior Center and noted
partnerships are
certainly important along with CDBG funding.

Councilman Blount noted once the Amphitheater is
up and going, the potential of what can be will be
seen by others and the anchor buildings will bring investors to the City.

Mayor Pro Tern applauded modern looks with the vision

6|Page
SPLOST/TSPLOST -

Randy Knighton, City Manager
Mr. Knighton presented the final SPLOST V project list
(based on $29 million dollars projected):

Civic Projects $9,852,437 Culture Arts Center, Senior/Youth Center,
City Hall Annex 48%

Road Projects $4,720,959 Sidewalks, Roads, Trails -
23%

Sewer/Water Stormwater Infrastructure Projects $4,720,959 SewerNVater/Stormwater
Infrastructure -
23%

Park Improvements $1,231,554 Park Improvements 6%

Mr. Knighton presented the proposed TSPLOST Project List
(based on $240 million dollars projected)
to be presented at the upcoming joint meeting on April 15, 2021 at 6:00 pm. with Henry County and
the cities of Hampton, Locust Grove and McDonough:

Curb and Gutter, Sidewalks and Widening Wilson Avenue, Nolan Street, Childs Street,

Wilson Street, Walker Street, Welch Street, Jennings Way, Second Street. First
Street, Tye
Street, Church Street and Carrie Mae Lane. $4,500,000.00

Resurfacing and Sidewalks -
Davidson Parkway $3,600,000.00

Resurfacing and Sidewalks -
Old Atlanta Rd. $3,600,000.00

Sidewalks Tye Street $2,500,000.00
Curb and Gutter and Sidewalks from Shields Rd. to Clark Park Davis Rd. $4,350.000.00

Reeves Creek Trail 2-Mile Extension -

$2,800,000.00
Brush Creek 1.5 Miles -

$2,400,000.00
M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail Spur to Floyd Chapel .25 mile $425,000.00

M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail, Green Front Cafe -
.25 mile $355,000.00

Continuation of M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail .75 mile $625,000.00

Potential Trailhead Location with Reeves Creek Trail Link at M L
King, Sr. Heritage Trail
$500,000.00

Traffic Improvements -

Country Club Drive $1,000,000.00
Sidewalks and Pedestrian Improvements -
Burke Street $500,000.00

Sidewalks and Pedestrian Improvements -
Love Street $500,000.00

Trail 1.75 miles -
Walt Stephens Road -

$3,000,000.00

Executive Session for Personnel, Litigation and Real Estate Matters -
No Action.

Recap of Day Three -

Randy Knighton, City Manager
Mr. Knighton noted the presentation from Heather Hubble and TSW staff on the two
options for a
Splash Pad noting the consensus of the Council favored Option 2 near City Hall and various
7|Page
interactive features and that TSW will present a more specific cost estimate; Cultural Arts Center
Ms. Hubble referenced various iterations of the Cultural Arts Center noting the current
configuration
needs to be reduced, however there was a concern from the Council that the vision would be lost,
and wanting to maintain the theater, ballroom and museum and discussed other
cost-saving
measures such as reducing the footprint square footage; noted staff was charged with seeking other

funding sources to attempt to preserve the vision at a reduced cost; Senior/Youth Center TSW
presented one and two story renderings with cost estimates between $27 -

$35 million dollars based
on the amenities requested by Council; noted this facility has been placed on the wish list for future

years and looking at partnerships as funding sources; TSPLOST noted there will be a TSPLOST
Referendum on the ballot in November of 2021 of approximately $240 million dollars for

Transportation Projects and the City of Stockbridge could receive an estimated $29 million dollars if
voters approve; noted the project list includes Bike & Pedestrian Trails along with other
transportation infrastructure projects and noted a joint meeting with Henry County and all four cities is
scheduled for April 15, 2021 at 6pm and will take place virtually; noted overall it has been a
very
productive 2 1/2 days, thanked the Council for their extensive input and direction, noting citizens have
been informed.

Mayor Ford dittoed the City comments.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted the Retreat resulted in historic progress for the City

Councilman Thomas requested a copy of the proposed TSPLOST project list.

Councilman Blount requested a copy of the LMIG Sidewalk list.

The meeting was adjourned

Res lly su by

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk MMC
ony S. Ford,

8|Page
