---
date: 2015-12-14
title: Regular Council Meetings Minutes
source: 2015-12/2015-12-14_Regular Council Meetings_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2015 6:00 PM

Mayor & City Council Administration
Tim L. Thompson, Mayor Michael Harris, City Manager
Alphonso Thomas, Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Robin Buschman, Councilwoman Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Anthony S. Ford, Councilman Michael Williams, City Attorney
LaKeisha Gantt, Councilwoman
Regina Lewis Ward, Councilwoman

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call Present Absent

Councilwoman Buschman __X____ ______
Councilwoman Lewis Ward __X____ ______
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas __X____ ______
Mayor Thompson __X___ ______
Councilman Ford __X___ ______
Councilwoman Gantt __X___ ______

III. Invocation Mildred Reed

IV. Pledge of Allegiance

V. Adoption of the Agenda- Buschman to amend the agenda and movie item #1
after executive session and include 4 new items/ Thomas Passed 5-0.

VI. Adoption of the Minutes 9/29/15, 10/12/15, 10/27/15, 10/27/15 SCM, 10/30/15 SCM-
Ford/Gantt Passed 5-0

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.

December 14, 2015 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Harold Thibodeaux spoke in regards of seeing more transparency and being more
responsible.

Kathy Gilbert spoke in regards to Mayor Thompson “hot head” behavior and the incident
with the City Clerk; also stated Council has the power to do something.

Leonard Yancey wanted clarification about the Ethics Board.

Elton Alexander expressed his concerns with what is going on with council and stated the
citizen’s calls for transparency.

Don Dunlap spoke in regards of restoring the training funds for mayor and council.

CEREMONIAL

Congratulations! Anita Gunnoe, Stockbridge Municipal Court Clerk honored as
Georgia Municipal Association 2015 Court Clerk of the year.
NO ACTION TAKEN

NEW BUSINESS
Item #2 - CONSENT AGENDA Lewis Ward/Ford Passed 5-0.
RESOLUTION- Expansion of Main Street Boundaries

RESOLUTION- Honorarium Proposal to name the former Hamilton State Bank
Operations Center the Carrie Mae Hambrick Cultural Arts & Enrichment Center in
honor of Carrie Mae Hambrick for her dedication to the Stockbridge Community.

RESOLUTION- 2016 Water Rates

RESOLUTION- Write-Off of Expired Probation Fines $82,968

RESOLUTION- Write-Off of City Bad Debt $18,088.33

Item #3 – Resolution – Honorarium Proposal to name one of the State interchanges
after M. L. King Sr. - Spearheaded by State Representative Andy Welch.
Thomas/Gantt Passed 5-0

Item #4 – Ordinance – 2016 Meeting Schedule
Presented by: Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Gantt/Ford Passed 5-0

Item #5 – Resolution – To Appoint City Manager as Local Agency Security Officer
(LASO) for the City of Stockbridge
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Buschman/ Gantt Passed 5-0

December 14, 2015 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Item #6 – Resolution – Contract for Information Technology (IT) Services.
Presented by: Michael Harris, City Manager
Gantt/Ford Passed 5-0

Item #7 – Ordinance– City of Stockbridge Noise Ordinance
Presented by: Dale Hall, Administration and Community Services Director
Ford/ Buschman Passed 4-1 (Lewis Ward opposed)

Item #8 - Ordinance- Procedures for preparing agenda books for Council Meetings
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Gantt/ Ford Passed 4-0

Item #9- Ordinance- Employee rights on non-department heads appointed
employees
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Gantt/ Buschman 4-0

Item #10- Resolution- Adopt conflict resolution policy for the employees of the City
of Stockbridge
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Lewis Ward motioned to table item until new council is appointed/ Ford Passed 4-0

OLD BUSINESS
Item #11 – Ordinance- Adoption of the FY16 Annual Operating Budget
w/Organizational Chart, and Pay & Classifications and Job Descriptions
Presented by: Linda Nabers, Treasurer
Ford/Gantt Passed 4-0 (Mayor Pro Tem Thomas did not participate in the vote)

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS

Michael Harris- None

COUNCIL’S COMMENTS

Councilwoman Buschman- Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Councilwoman Lewis Ward-Spoke about the December 12, 2015 Special Called Meeting.
Mrs. Lewis Ward stated no one should be intimidated; and how the Mayor’s investigation
failed Council due to certain conversations being left out of the report. Mrs. Lewis Ward
stated its council responsibility to open the door for those who have been exposed to a
hostile work environment. Mrs. Lewis Ward also read into the record an email from a
concerned citizen.

December 14, 2015 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Mayor Pro Tem Thomas- Thanked the citizens for allowing him to serve and hopes his
tenure goes a long way. He also thanked the staff members and told the new elected
officials to stay strong. Mr. Thomas expressed it was a pleasure working with
Councilwoman Lewis Ward, Gantt and Councilman Ford and hates they could not stay on
course. Mr. Thomas also spoke in the investigation and stated everyone should be
accountable; and when violated, someone should be held accountable. He wants the
truth.

Councilman Ford- Congratulated Eagles Landing Christian Academy on their State
Football Championship and to Stockbridge High School for their outstanding season as
well. Mr. Ford also mentioned this has been a learning experience for him and wished
everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Councilwoman Gantt- stated she has prayed and asked for guidance and stated
employees deserves respect. Mrs. Gantt expressed how scared she is sometimes leaving
City Hall at night and scared Tim Thompson would retaliate on her. Mrs. Gantt also
expressed how disappointed she is that nothing has been done; and enough is enough.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Thompson- spoke on how there has been a lot of incorrect things said about him and how
no one from City Hall has filed a complaint against him. Mr. Thompson stated this is a character
assassination and it needs to stop.

City Attorney, Mike Williams stated the standards are much broader to speak out being a public
figure.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas expressed he is seeking the truth and facts with the investigation and he
voted to approved to waive the confidentiality. Mr. Thomas stated Vanessa Holiday is a great at
her job and is very professional. Mr. Thomas stated Mr. Thompson stated he would do everything
in his power to keep Mrs. Holiday out and how he did not want her there.

Councilwoman Lewis Ward motioned to issue a 10 day hearing notice pursuant to Section 2.17(b)
(1); Mayor Pro Tem Thomas provided the second

Councilman Ford stated it is with a heavy heart that he agreed with the initial investigation and
was satisfied with the results. Mr. Ford stated he has not had any threats from Tim Thompson;
and if there is bullying, it needs to be checked out.

Councilwoman Buschman stated Councilwoman Gantt brought guidelines on harassment; it is
council’s job to protect staff if they come to them.

Mayor Thompson stated he has heard a lot and it is all politics. No member of staff has filed a
complaint on him. Mr. Thompson expressed it is with a heavy heart that he is resigning as mayor
effective immediately on December 14, 2015 at 10:57pm.

Councilwoman Lewis ward withdrew her motion for the 10 day hearing.

Councilwoman Buschman motioned to accept the mayors resignation/ Lewis ward provided the
second; the motion passed 3-1 (Ford opposed) (Mayor Pro Tem Thomas did not participate in the
vote)

December 14, 2015 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Motion to convene into Executive Session at 7:09pm for Litigation, Personnel and Real
Estate A-F and H
Ford/ Buschman Passed 4-0 (Mayor Pro Tem Thomas was not in attendance for vote.

EXECUTIVE SESSION (Exemptions to the Georgia Open Meetings Act)
 A. Meeting to discuss or vote to authorize the settlement of a matter covered by the attorney-client
privilege as provided in Georgia Code section 50-14-2(1) and 50-14-3(b)(1)(A). The subject
discussed was [identify the case or claim discussed but not the substance of the attorney-client
discussion].

 B. Meeting to discuss or vote to authorize negotiations to purchase, dispose of or lease property as
provided in Georgia Code section 50-14-3(b)(1)(B).

 C. Meeting to discuss or vote to authorize the ordering of an appraisal related to the acquisition or
disposal of real estate as provided in Georgia Code section 50-14-3(b)(1)(C).

 D. Meeting to discuss or vote to enter into a contract to purchase, dispose of, or lease property
subject to approval in a subsequent public vote as provided in Georgia Code section
50-14-3(b)(1)(D).

 E. Meeting to discuss or vote to enter into an option to purchase, dispose of, or lease real estate
subject to approval in a subsequent public vote as provided in Georgia Code section
50-14-3(b)(1)(E).

 F. Meeting to discuss or deliberate upon the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring,
disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or employee as
provided in Georgia Code section 50-14-3(b)(2).

 G. Meeting to interview one or more applicants for the position of the executive head of an agency as
provided in Georgia Code section 50-14-3(b)(2).

 H. Pursuant to the attorney-client privilege and as provided by Georgia Code section 50-14-2(1), a
meeting otherwise required to be open was closed to the public in order to consult and meet with
legal counsel pertaining to pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative
proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against the agency or any
officer or employee or in which the agency or any officer or employee may be directly involved and
the matter discussed was [identify the matter but not the substance of the discussion].

 I. Staff meeting held for investigative purposes under duties or responsibilities imposed by law as
provided by Georgia Code section 50-14-3(a) (1).

Motion to end executive session at 10:08pm- Buschman/ Thomas Passed 5-0.

Motion to reconvene into regular council meeting- Thomas/ Ford Passed 5-0.

Motion to reconvene back into executive session at 11:31pm- Buschman/ Lewis Ward
Passed 4-0.
December 14, 2015 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Motion to end executive session at 11:41pm- Lewis Ward/ Buschman Passed 4-0
(Mayor Pro Tem Thomas did not participate in the vote)

Motion to reconvene back into city council meeting- Buschman/ Ford Passed 4-0
(Mayor Pro Tem Thomas did not participate in the vote)

Motion to adjourn at 11:42pm- Lewis Ward/ Ford Passed 4-0
(Mayor Pro Tem Thomas did not participate in the vote)

December 14, 2015 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
