---
date: 2020-04-23
title: 04-23-2020 Minutes
source: 2020-04/2020-04-23_04-23-2020 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Page |1

Stockbridge
Where Community Connects

su MM ARY M l NUTES
SPECIAL CALLED
cou N CIL M EET I NG (Via Zoom)

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 2:00 P.M.
Ma yo r &Ci§y Cou n cil Administration
Mayor Ant ony S. For
Cou n crl man E lton Alexander
Rand“ Knlgﬁton
Cam:
City Manager
Moore_ sst. Crty M r./
Councilwo man Yolanda Barbe r Commqmty Dgev. Drrec or
Councilma n John B |o_u nt
Vane_ssa I_-lolrda Crty C|_erk
Coun crlwoman LaKeIs ha Gantt Rand: Rarney, eputy City Clerk
Coun cilman Alphonso Thomas Michael Willrams, City Attorney

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 John Blount

Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

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

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

New Business
1. Council Consideration: COVID-19 Pandemic Response —

Opposing Re-opening of Non-Essential Businesses.
Mayor Ford read City of Stockbridge Resolution no. R20-1163 in its
entirety

Opposing Premature Re-Opening of the State in Light of the Worldwide Covid-19 Pandemic

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has declared the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
a world health emergency and a pandemic;

April 23,2020 2200 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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WHEREAS, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the President of the United States declared a
National Public Health Emergency on Friday March 13, 2020;

WHEREAS, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor of the State of Georgia declared a
State Emergency in Georgia on March 14, 2020;

WHEREAS, on March 21, 2020, Mayor Anthony S. Ford declared a State of Emergency for the City of
Stockbridge;

WHEREAS, on March 24, the Mayor and Council adopted Resolution Number 20-1159 which resolution
mandated the closure of certain businesses and called on all residents of the City of Stockbridge to practice social

distancing and consider sheltering in their homes;

WHEREAS, on April 2, 2020, the Governor of the State of Georgia issued an executive order imposing a
statewide shelter in place mandate;

WHEREAS, the Govemor’s April 2, 2020 executive order also suspended all emergency orders and
resolutions of the City of Stockbridge;

WHEREAS, on April 16, 2020, the President of the United States issued a three—phase set of guidelines
prepared by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) entitled
“Opening Up America Again,” which established certain guidelines for the states to follow prior to reopening for
business;

WHEREAS, the CDC and FEMA have warned that even a cautious and phased approach to reopening the
economy “will entail a signiﬁcant risk of resurgence of the virus;”

WHEREAS, on April 20, 2020, the Governor issued an additional executive order which order allows all
businesses to be open;

WHEREAS, the Govemor’s April 20, 2020 executive order did not even heed the guidelines established by
the CDC and FEMA;

WHEREAS, on April 22, 2020, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases said in response to the Governor’s decision, “that could be setting us back. It certainly isn’t going
to be helpful;”

WHEREAS, on April 22, 2020, even the President of the United States said he “totally disagrees” with the
Govemor’s decision;

WHEREAS, COVID-19 infections continue to increase in the State of Georgia;

WHEREAS, COVID-19 imposes a signiﬁcantly higher threat of mortality to certain minority populations
including the African—American community which makes up a signiﬁcant portion of the population of the City of
Stockbridge;

WHEREAS, in the opinion of the Mayor and Council of the City of Stockbridge, the Governor’s order is
premature and unfounded based on the medical and scientiﬁc advice available;

WHEREAS, in the opinion of the Mayor and Council, the Govemor’s April 20, 2020 executive order should
be rescinded;

WHEREAS, in the opinion of the Mayor and Council, until adequate testing, contract tracing and other
measures are in place as advised by the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health, residents of the City of

Stockbridge should continue to shelter in place and follow social distancing guidelines and that only essential business
functions should be maintained; and

WHEREAS, after due consideration, the City of Stockbridge does hereby ﬁnd and declare that a State of
Emergency due to COVID-19 continues to exist, in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the City and its

April 23,2020 2200 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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citizens, and in order to manage the pending emergency created by the COVID-19 the measures described below must
be implemented:

THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE HEREBY RESOLVES:

SECTION 1. Oggosition to the Executive Order. The City of Stockbridge voices its opposition to the
Govemor’s April 20, 2020 Executive Order and encourages residents of the City of Stockbridge and the State of

Georgia and non-essential businesses to continue to shelter in place and follow the CDC’s and the Georgia Department
of Public Health’s recommended social distancing guidelines and safety protocols (including the wearing of masks
when outside of the home).

SECTION 2. Public Record. This document shall be maintained as a public record by the City Clerk and shall
be accessible to the public during all normal business hours of the City of Stockbridge. A
copy of this Resolution shall
be delivered to members of the Stockbridge legislative delegation, and made available for distribution to the public
and the press.

SECTION 3. Authorization of Execution. The Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem is hereby authorized to sign all
documents necessary to effectuate this Resolution.

SECTION 4. Attestation. The City Clerk is authorized to execute, attest to, and seal any documents which
may be necessary to effectuate this Resolution, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.

SECTION 5. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the Mayor
and City Council of the City of Stockbridge as provided in the City Charter.

SO RESOLVED this 23“ day of April, 2020.

Mayor Ford advised the public to be safe, wear masks and practice social
distancing.

Motion to approve the Resolution as read made by Councilman Alexander; second
by Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Blount; second by Councilwoman Gantt;
the motion passed 5-0.

Res pec bmitted by

jjMC law?” /Mﬂﬂ
Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
W nt ony 8 .
«(EN/la37'é>r

April 23,2020 2:00 p.m 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
