---
date: 2020-09-29
title: September 29, 2020 City Council Work Session Meeting Via Zoom Minutes
source: 2020-09/2020-09-29_September 29, 2020 City Council Work Session Meeting Via Zoom_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

WORK SESSION
ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING (VIA ZOOM)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 6:00 P.M.

Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Randy Knighton, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Alphonso Thomas Camilla Moore Asst. City Mgr./
Councilman Elton Alexander Community Dev. Director
Councilwoman Yolanda Barber Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilman John Blount Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Michael Williams, City Attorney
John Wiggins, Treasurer
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.
I. Call to Order – Mayor Ford

II. Invocation – Mayor Pro Tem Thomas

III. Pledge of Allegiance – All in unison

IV. Roll Call – All members were present

V. Motion to amend the Agenda: To add Item #9 to be heard following Item #3,
followed by Item #8, and the present Item #5 followed by an Executive Session
for Personnel, and return to hear Item #6 and #7: Barber/Thomas Passed 5-0.

VI. Review of the Minutes for the following meetings:
1. 8/10/2020 2. 8/25/2020 No Action.

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. None
NEW BUSINESS.
3. Council Consideration to approve Wayfinding Signage for the City.
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager
Motion to approve the Wayfinding Plan for Gateway Signage #2,
Wayfinding Signage #1, Pedestrian Signage #3, and Breakaway
Wayfinding Signage #2 and prioritizing the Amphitheater directional
signage: Alexander/Gantt – Passed 5-0.

4. Council Consideration to approve (GEFA) Georgia Environmental
Finance Authority Loan Modification Agreement
Presented by Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Motion to approve - Blount/Barber Passed 5-0.

5. Council Consideration to bring the functions of Building, Permitting and
Inspections In-House.
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager/Mayor Pro Tem Thomas
Motion to Table – Blount/Gantt Failed 2-3 (Alexander, Barber, Thomas
Opposed)

Motion to Table to be heard for a vote at the October 12, 2020 Meeting
Alexander/Gantt Passed 5-0.

Motion to convene Executive Session for Personnel, Litigation and Real
Estate at 9pm– Alexander/Blount Passed 5-0.

Councilman Blount joined Executive Session at 9:21 p.m.

6. Council Consideration to create the positions of Building Official,
Building Inspector and Permit Clerk.
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager
No Action

7. Council Consideration to amend the FY2020 Organizational Chart
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager
To be presented following Executive Session

8. Council Consideration to adopt the City Council Project List Tool
Presented Randy Knighton, City Manager
Motion to approve – Thomas/Barber Passed 5-0.

9. Council Consideration to approve a Resolution to apply for Matching
Grant Funding for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Grant
Up to $250,000 and The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program’s
Conserve Georgia Grant up to $750,000 to facilitate Phase I
Implementation of the City’s Bike and Pedestrian Trail Plan and
Enhancements at Reeves Creek Trail.
Motion to approve Gantt/Barber Passed 4-0-1 (Councilman Blount
abstained).
Motion to adjourn Executive Session - Gantt/Alexander Passed 4-0.

Motion to reconvene the meeting – Alexander/Gantt Passed 4-0.

Attorney Williams noted a motion would be in order to authorize the
Mayor to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of
Stockbridge and the Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority
and all related documents relative to the sale of a downtown property:
Alexander/Gantt failed 2-0-2 (Barber/Thomas abstained). Councilman
Blount was not present for the vote.

Motion to approve the modified contract for the City Attorney –
Barber/Alexander Passed 4-0.

Councilman Blount joined the meeting.

Motion to approve the amended FY2020 Organizational Chart to align
Main Street under the Economic Development Department; and Events
Department reporting under the City Manager and eliminating the
position of Assistant City Manager – Alexander/Barber Passed 5-0.

Attorney Williams noted no action was taken on the item and called for
a motion would be in order authorizing the Mayor to sign an
Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Stockbridge and the
Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority and all related
documents relative to the sale of a downtown property –
Gantt/Alexander Passed 3-0-2 (Barber/Thomas abstained).

Councilwoman Barber noted for the record she had not had an
opportunity to review the Intergovernmental Agreement.

Attorney Williams note a motion would be in order based on the
consensus of the Council to disapprove of Containers projects in the
downtown district – Gantt/Alexander Passed 3-0-2 (Barber/Thomas
abstained).

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford reminded everyone to complete the Census before tomorrow’s deadline by
visiting the Census.gov website, noting $2,300 is allocated for every individual for the next
10 years and will help with funding for schools, hospitals, public safety, and determine the
number of state and federal representatives we have in our area; noted the upcoming
election on November 3rd and the registration deadline is October 5th, early voting begins
October 12th and referenced the early schedule and locations, visit the city’s website
cityofstockbridge.com for details; noted the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19
phone number 800-847-4267 to call for an appointment for testing, or visit the Heritage
Senior Center location in McDonough Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 8am -1pm,
Tuesday 8am – 1pm and 2pm -7pm, and encouraged everyone to wear a mask, wash
your hands and watch your distance by remaining 6 feet apart; noted proclamations
scheduled for today will be read at the October 12th meeting.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Meeting will be held at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates and times are
subject to change. Please visit the city’s website www.cityofstockbridge.com, Facebook
page or contact City Hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates and detailed information.

• City Council Meeting, Monday, October 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Via Zoom
• Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, Friday, October 14, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Via Zoom
• Downtown Development Authority Meeting, Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Via
Zoom
• Youth Council Advisory Meeting, Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Via Zoom
• Planning Commission Meeting, Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Via Zoom
• City Council Meeting, Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Via Zoom

CITY EVENTS HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY POSTPONED

Motion to adjourn – Barber-Thomas passed 5-0.
