---
date: 2021-01-11
title: 01-11-2021 Minutes
source: 2021-01/2021-01-11_01-11-2021 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Stockbridge
Where Community Connects

COUNCIL M EETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 6:00 P.M
Mayor & City Council Administration
MayohAnthony S. Ford Randy Kni hxon, Cijty Manager
Councnlman Elton Alexander Vanessa pllday, Clty Clerk
Councilwoman Yolanda Barber John Wi Ins, City Treasurer
Councilman John Blount Michael illlams,CItyAttorney
Councjlwoman LaKeisha Gantt
Counculman 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 Randy Knighton

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 Alexander motioned to amend the Agenda to reverse Item #5 & 6: Second
by
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas. The motion passed 4-1 (Councilman Blount opposed).

Councilman Blount motioned to hear all appointments following Executive Session;
second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion failed 2-3 (Councilman Alexander,
Councilwoman Barber, Mayor Pro Tem Thomas opposed.)

Ceremonial:
Mayor Ford presented the following proclamations:
Martin Luther King, Sr. Birthday
Proclamation -
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Both proclamations were presented to Pastor Erik Vance 0f
Floyd Baptist Church,
Stockbridge, GA

Pastor Vance thanked the City for the proclamations
noting ironically, he was the 2019
winner of the Martin Luther King Sr. Award, one of the highest honors
given by the
Morehouse School of Religion; referenced the history of the Church and looks forward to
a great partnership here in the Stockbridge
community.
Pagel 1
DDA Service Awards
Mayor Ford thanked former Downtown Development Authority members for their
volunteer service and presented service awards to Calvin Gleaton, Rodney Hornes,
Aneta Lee and Renee Shaw (not present).

Ms. Lee noted it was an honor to serve in her capacity on the DDA and looks forward to
other opportunities to serve as well.

Mr. Hornes thanked the City for the opportunity to serve and looks to become more
involved in the future.

Councilman Alexander motioned to adopt of the Minutes for the following meeting
second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.
1. 11/09/2020
2. 11/24/2020

PUBLIC COMMENTS
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 pate at:
httgs://stockbridge.seamlessdocs.comIf/ZOdez4mo7xb 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 and
body,
staff. Comments including defamation, unruliness and/or swearing will not be accepted.
There were no Public Comments.

NEW BU SINESS
3. Appointment and Oath of Municipal Court Judge
Councilman Blount motioned to appoint Matthew McCord as Municipal
Court Judge: Second by Mayor Pro Tem Thomas. The motion passed
Mayor Ford issued the Oath of to Judge Matthew McCord who stated
it is a privilege to serve and welcomes anyone to visit the court, once
opened, noting the closure due to the pandemic.

4. Appointment and Oath of Municipal Court Solicitor
Councilman Blount motioned to appoint Julie Kert as Municipal Court
Solicitor: Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Ford issued the Oath of Office to Solicitor Julie Kert who thanked the
Mayor & Council for the appointment, noting she is available by email for
any questions, policies, or matters pending before the Court.

5. Appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem and create a policy for rotation.
Councilman Alexander noted each member of the Council had served in the
capacity of Mayor Pro Tem, with the Mayor serving twice, and the exception
being Councilwoman Barber, and himself, and motioned to appoint
Councilman Elton Alexander to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the year 2021
and to create a policy to rotate the position allowing all members to serve.

Mayor Ford asked for a legal opinion if a member could

Attorney Williams confirmed there is no rule that prohibits the action.
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Councilman Alexander motioned to appoint himself as Mayor Pro Tem for
the year 2021: Second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 3-0-2
(Councilman Blount, Councilwoman Gantt abstained).

Appointment of the City Attorney
Motion by consensus not to renew the City contract, thanked Mr
Williams for his service to the City; noted the City was moving in a new
direction and to issue a 30-day notice; tasked the City Manager with
providing details to Mr. Williams and the overseeing the transition with the
option to bring the position in-house.

Councilwoman Gantt noted she had not been consulted on the
action as presented and referenced several actions all year where
there was a 3-2 vote, calling the actions both unprofessional, and
disrespectful, and needed to stop.

Councilman Blount echoed the comments from Councilwoman Gantt; noted
for the record a statement made by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander where he
had consulted with his colleagues did not include him and called the
votes a power move and lacking transparency.

Councilman Thomas noted he has had several discussions with all
members of the Council noting the 3-2 votes of the Council are not new and
while he will refrain from naming members, he reminded the Council of the
history of past meetings over the years will confirm prior 3-2 votes.

Councilwoman Barber stated her decisions are based on facts and
information; noted she has watched the 3-2 votes of the Council for years
prior to her being in and noted there is no power move here. but
rather her actions are always made in the best interest of the City.

Councilman Alexander called for the vote.

Mayor Pro Tern Alexander motioned to not appoint and renew the contract
with Michael Williams as the City Attorney: Second by Councilwoman
Barber. The motion passed 3-1-1 (Councilwoman Gantt opposed,
Councilman Blount abstained).

Attorney Williams stated it has been his honor to serve the City for seven
years and thanked the Council for the opportunity and stated the City of
Stockbridge has great potential; and noted he prefers a 5-0
and respects the decision to move in a new direction; is available for
a smooth transition; and is available should the Council reconsider.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford congratulated Jon Ossoff and Senator-Elect Raphael Warnock
on their victories andjoining the U. 8. Senate and congratulated Lauren McDonald
on his re-election as the Georgia Public Service Commissioner; noted free COVID
testing
was available from 10am -3pm days per week at the Heritage Senior Center in
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McDonough and to call the Department of Health (DPH) at 800-847-4262 to schedule
testing; noted the County also has (3) mobile testing sites: Mondays at Hidden Valley Park
in Stockbridge, Wednesdays at North Mount Carmel Park in
Hampton, and Fridays at
Warren Holder Park in McDonough; noted vaccinations were beginning tomorrow and
would be issued in phases from 8:30am 4pm at the Atlanta Motor Speedway by
reservation only and Phase 1A Healthcare Worker in a clinical setting, Nurses

Physicians or EMS workers, Technicians, Environmental Services. Staff and Residents of
Long-Term Care Facilities, Law Enforcement, Fire Personnel, adults age 65 and over and
their caregivers; noted vaccinations are already booked, and the next
vaccination date is January 26th and you must contact the DPH for a reservation at 800-
847-4262 or visit the website at www.district4health.org.

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

UPCOM ING 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 and detailed information

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

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

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

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

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

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

PUBLIC HEARING
January 26, 2021 6:00 pm. -
Council Consideration to approve the Adoption of the 2020-
2025 Short-Term Work Program/Capital Improvement Element
(STWP/CIE).

CITY EVENTS
None scheduled at this time.

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Join Mayor Pro Tem Alexander for the annual King Holiday Service Day Project taking
place January 16, 2021, a day of service on the Saturday prior to the Martin Luther
King,
Jr. Holiday from 10am -

noon. Please plan to meet at City Hall and contact Zenovia Pearson
at (404) 565-5109 for more information.

HOLIDAY CLOSING
Monday, January 18, 2021 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned not to convene Executive Session: Second by
Councilman Thomas. The motion passed 3-2 (Councilman Blount and Councilwoman
Gantt opposed).

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to adjourn the meeting: Second by Councilman
Thomas. The motion passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, Clerk thony S. Ford,

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