---
date: 2023-04-11
title: Citywide Development Authority Minutes
source: 2023-04/2023-04-11_Citywide Development Authority_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 6:00 P.M.
Mark Glenn, Board Member Samantha Samuels, Board Member
Cathy Hill, Board Member Ariel Shaw, Board Member
Kalpesh Patidar, Board Member Gadson Woodall, Board Member
Vacant – Board Member

Other Guest in attendance: Jeremy Harris of JecoPhoto and Attorney Chanel
Patrick of Fincher Demark LLC.
Chairwoman Shaw called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
All board members recited the Pledge of Allegiance in unison.
Board member Dr. Hill was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All members
were in attendance.
Board member Dr. Hill motioned to approve the March 14, 2023 agenda as
printed; seconded by Mr. Glenn. The motion passed unanimously.
Board member Samuels motioned to approve the January 10, 2023 minutes with
corrections made; seconded by Mr. Glenn. The motion passed unanimously.
Board member Samuels motioned to approve the February 7, 2023 minutes with
corrections made: seconded by Mr. Glenn. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Business
By-Laws Update
Attorney Patrick, representative of Fincher Denmark LLC. noted amending the By-
Laws to make them sound better and adding verbiage. Attorney Patrick
recommended the board review the amended By-Laws and submit any
amendments to Chairwoman Shaw.

Chairwoman Shaw suggested that the board review the draft By-Laws and submit
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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any changes within the next fifteen (15) days, and to vote on the By-Laws at the
next scheduled meeting. Attorney Patrick noted she would look at the feedback and
would provide an update to the board.

New Business
Strategy Subcommittee Update
Chairwoman Shaw noted meeting twice with board members Dr. Hill and Ms.
Samuels to come up with several ways without hiring a third party or firm and
agreed on providing a precise way to market what the City has. Chairwoman Shaw
introduced Jeremy Harris of Jecorphoto to present a pitch for marketing the city.

Mr. Harris noted the project's goal would be to produce an engaging promotional
video highlighting the well-known sites and areas of the City and explaining the
benefits of why to invest in the City. Mr. Harris noted his company would produce
a one-minute highlight video which would include drone footage, B-Roll, and
voiceover to use on the preferred website or YouTube, which will also include
highlights and testimonial interviews of current Stockbridge business owners,
elected officials and city staff members.

Mr. Harris noted the project would take between 14-21 days to produce, with an
estimated cost of $4,150.

Chairwoman Shaw noted a second quote was from Gobi Photography and Video,
citing being similar in cost to Jecorphoto, and mentioned a presenter was absent to
present. Board member Samuels noted seeing a cost of $850 for a (1) minute
promotional video and stated the presenter did not have enough time to put
documents together. Board member Hill requested to have documentation provided
to the board.

Chairwoman Shaw presented the Citywide Development Authority (CDA)
Strategic Initiatives and noted throughout Phase 1, the CDA identified the Mission
and Vision, started building a foundation and grabbing low-hanging fruit.
Chairwoman Shaw also noted the CDA is designated with the powers to finance
(by loan, grant, lease, borrow, or otherwise) projects for the public good; execute
contracts and agreements; purchase, lease, and sell property and issue revenue
bonds and notes. Chairwoman Shaw stated during Phase, 1 the CDA plans to
develop “Select Stockbridge” to produce a drone and B-Roll footage of the entire
city, highlighting key areas to include but not limited to:

1. Amphitheater
2. Jodeco Development
3. Proximity to Hwy 75
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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4. Piedmont Henry, now a Level 3 Trauma Center
5. Proximity to Colleges
6. Merle Manders Conference Center
7. Historic References- MLK Sr. Heritage Trail and the birthplace of MLK Sr.
8. Eagles Landing Golf Course
9. Connectivity with trails
10.Highlighting major films filmed in Stockbridge
11.Swan Lake

Board member Patidar suggested adding the proximity to the Airport and named as
the “gateway to the South”.

Chairwoman Shaw noted another addition to add is having a different friendly user
website for prospective investors and more, seeing the current CDA website is a
landing page under the City of Stockbridge web page.

Chairwoman Shaw noted having a quick tour of the City and inventory of
properties with available board members, meeting with Georgia Economic
Development State Directors and Regional Partners, and ways to help beautify the
exit and entryway into the City. Kim Allonce, Economic Development Director,
noted the City Council had a council meeting on March 13, 2023, with no quorum,
but still allowed Sky Designs to present the wayfinding signs (presentations are
available on the city’s website) to identify the gateways into the city.

Chairwoman Shaw noted scheduling a bus tour after receiving a complete analysis
with prospective developers and establishing a location to host an investors
meeting and possible membership with Eagles Landing Club.

Chairwoman Shaw noted receiving the DDA’s Retail Market Analysis which has
allowed the DDA to receive the grant which created the analysis. In contrast, the
city as a whole needed to be qualified to receive the funding. Chairwoman Shaw
suggested going after low-hanging fruit with Mixed Development, retail, and
dining.

Chairwoman Shaw noted with the current market study, Stockbridge stands out as
a leading retail spending destination, meeting many of the needs of the residents
and attracting outside visitors. Chairwoman Shaw noted the initial phase focus
would be on retail, restaurants, hotel/mixed-use, and film, with the secondary being
medical and high-end automobile dealerships.

Chairwoman Shaw noted requesting a meeting with Josh Fenn Executive Director
of the Henry County Development Authority.
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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Board member Dr. Hill inquired about including one item for existing business
retention and holding town hall meetings. Chairwoman Shaw noted the incentive
list would focus on existing businesses and reported holding off on town hall
meetings for the moment.

Chairwoman Shaw suggested to Board member Samuels to retrieve the sample
video from Gobi Photo and video package for voting purposes at the next meeting.

Chairwoman Shaw inquired on the boards thought on “Select Stockbridge” and
noted it’s common for authorities to use the city’s name.

Board member Glenn motioned to accept the Select Stockbridge Strategic
Initiatives: First year; second by Board Member Hill. The motion passed
unanimously.

South Metro Conference Feedback
Chairwoman Shaw noted the conference was great and she was able to speak with
Fayette County Development Authority and wanted insight from the other board
members.

Board member Hill noted focusing on the highlight of the South Metro Area
development authorities such as Fayette, Clayton and Douglas counties and also
spoke with the Council for Quality Growth.

Board member Glenn noted being able to network with other development
authority boards and expressed some boards would be able to come to the city and
speak.

Finance Update- Gadson Woodall, Treasurer
Board member Woodall noted the city opening an account for the CDA with Truist
Bank with the funding available by the end of the week; he also stated the board
has an annual budget of $45,000.

Chairwoman Shaw requested seeing a draft budget.

Board member Dr. Hill noted the Attorney costs $36,000 annually, leaving the
board with $12,000. Chairwoman Shaw stated that if there are no actionable items,
the board will not need to meet monthly, and the attorney fees will not reach
$36,000.

Economic Development Update – Development Authority Director
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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Mr. Allonce noted Sky Designs presented the wayfinding signs (presentations are
available on the city’s website) to identify the gateways into the city at the city
council meeting on March 13, 2023. Mr. Allonce noted having primary, secondary
and tertiary monument with restoration of older signs.

Chairwoman Shaw inquired about digital boards next to the amphitheater; Mr.
Allonce noted a proposed board contingent upon the council's approval and has an
estimated cost of $1.2 million.

Mr. Allonce noted the economic development department putting out ad RFP for a
strategic plan that will go out on March 22, 2023 which will allow a consulting
firm to help develop the strategic plan for the city.

Mr.Allonce noted the city being busy with ribbon cuttings and encourages the
board to attend them, which are held every Friday.

Mr. Allonce expressed deep condolences for the DDA Chair’s partner, who passed
and was part owner of Barn in Beautiful in the Downtown area. Mr. Allonce also
noted the DDA is working on a Downtown Master Plan and would like to have the
same message with marketing.

Mr. Allonce noted acquiring CoStart for marketing purposes which provides
information on vacant properties; he also mentioned implementing policies for
incentives and information on properties and will present to the council during the
council retreat.

Mr. Allonce noted he would attend the capital on March 15, 2023 for Henry
County day; he also noted being in the process of creating business units to help
serve businesses more efficiently and stated adding over 300 new businesses due to
the annexation.

Chairwoman Shaw suggested board members to attend Henry County Day.

Attorney Update-Attorney Chanel Patrick
Attorney Patrick suggested sending out links prior to meetings for any documents
that need to be reviewed.

Adjourn
Board member Hill made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:23pm; second by
Mr. Glenn. The motion passed unanimously.

Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
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Minutes prepared by: Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4060 North Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281
Levi Meeting Room

Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 North Henry Blvd. Levi Meeting Room Stockbridge, GA 30281
