---
date: 2000-11-13
title: November 13, 2000 Minutes
source: 2000-11/2000-11-13_November 13, 2000_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

November 13, 2000

CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE MINUTES
HENRY COUNTY, GEORGIA NOVEMBER 13, 2000

The Regular Meeting of the Stockbridge City Council was held on November 13, 2000 at 6:00 P. M. and
Mayor R. G. Kelley presided. Members present were Harold Cochran, Fred Evans, W. A. Gardner, Ronnie
Simmons and Fletcher Turner.

Harold Cochran made a motion to convene; Fred Evans seconded, and passed unanimously.

Harold Cochran made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2000 City Council Meeting; Fred
Evans seconded, and passed unanimously.

Mayor Kelley welcomed guests. Special recognition was given to Stockbridge Boy Scout Troop 65 attended
the meeting to earn a merit badge in Communication.

2001 PROPOSED BUDGET HEARING. Mayor Kelley presented information regarding the 2001 Proposed
Budget. Mayor Kelley took formal notice that the Council had been furnished the budget for
comment upon or obtaining additional information.

PLANNING AND REZONING

CLAUDE NARDY AND ADAN ESCOBEDO of Stockbridge, Georgia requested rezoning from M-1 (Light
Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial) for property located inland Lot 2 of the 12th District, located on
Eagle’s Landing Parkway adjacent to The Villages. The property contains approximately one (1.0) acre, and
the request is for a commercial/restaurant center.

There being no opposition, Mayor Kelley called for a vote of the Council. Ronnie Simmons made a motion
to approve request for rezoning to C-2; Fletcher Turner seconded, passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS
GARY HOWELL. Ray Styles, engineer, gave a progress report on the problems they are having getting
water and sewer approval from Clayton County for Mr. Howell’s proposed liquor store on Highway 138
north. The Clayton County Board of Commissioners will hear their request for service in approximately two
weeks. Once they get approval they can proceed to get their plans approved by the Henry County Building
Department.

NEW BUSINESS

PINEHURST CATERING, LINDA AND CHUCK DUBBS, 108 South Lee Street requesting permission to
place an off-premises sign on North Henry Boulevard. They would like to attach a sign to the Henry County
Board of Education sign. Mayor Kelley advised that they should get approval in writing from Henry County
BOE and then get back with the City. No action was taken.

JANE RUTLEDGE wanted to discuss problems she is having with WalMart. Mrs. Rutledge fails to appear.

J.D.J., INC, J. P. EVANS, donated 6.583 acres to City of Stockbridge. The property is wetland and is
located on the southwest corner of Creek Circle and Davis Road. The Council adopted a resolution to
formally accept real property. Mr. Evans will have his attorney prepare the deeds, record and return original
deed to City.

Bruce Vail, City Attorney, pointed out two things the City needs: A determination of fair market value, which
would come from the donor and inserted in the Resolution; A report from the City Attorney’s office
recommending that the City proceed based upon a completed examination of the land and title records.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to accept donation of property conditional upon receipt of report from the
City Attorney recommending acceptance by the City based upon a typed report and other factors; Fletcher
Turner seconded and passed unanimously.

CHRISTOPHER EVANS. Donated 1.122 acres to City of Stockbridge. The property is wetland and is
located north of Turning Point Subdivision and west of Davis Road. The Council must adopt a resolution
to formally accept real property. Mr. Evans will have his attorney prepare the deeds, record and return
original deed to City.

Bruce Vail, City Attorney, again pointed out two things the City needs: A determination of fair market value,
which would come from the donor and inserted in the Resolution; A report from the City Attorney’s office
recommending that the City proceed based upon a completed examination of the land and title records.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to accept donation of property conditional upon receipt of report from the
City Attorney recommending acceptance by the City based upon a typed report and other factors; Fletcher
Turner seconded, and passed unanimously.

DAVID MICKLE, applied for application and permit for billboards on I-75 and I-675. Mr. Mickle advised
Council that he has five state sign permits to install billboards on the ramp getting onto I-675. They will
follow all state laws and regulations.

Bruce Vail instructed Mr. Mickle to get a copy of the City’s sign ordinance that details the fact that the City
follows state law, but the City may have requirements that are more restrictive than state law. Mayor Kelley
instructed Mr. Mickle to get everything together and come back to the December, 2000 Council Meeting.

ORDINANCE TO AMEND WATER AND SEWERAGE RATES. Mayor Kelley announced that the Henry
County Water Authority raised the City’s rates effective October 1, 2000 and the Council needs to adopt an
ordinance to increase the rates effective December 1, 2000 and to be billed on January, 2001.
Ronnie Simmons made a motion to adopt a resolution to raise water and sewer rates; Fletcher Turner
seconded, and passed unanimously

STOP (STUDENTS THINKING OUT PROBLEMS) is replacing the DARE program conducted by the Henry
County Police Department. They are requesting the appropriation of $2,390 to support this program at
Smith Barnes and Stockbridge Elementary schools.

Mayor Kelley recommended continuing funding of the drug program under STOP.

Fred Evans made a motion to approve funding in the amount of $2,390; Harold Cochran seconded, and
passed unanimously.

DARRY JOHNSON, 336 Chase Marian Way, McDonough, Georgia requesting a license to operate a night
club for teens at the Ingles building at the intersection of Highway 138 and North Henry Boulevard.

Mr. Johnson failed to appear.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to table; Fletcher Turner seconded, and passed unanimously.

GROVER RUFFIN AND MARION HARRIS CONDEMNATIONS. Mayor Kelley advised that property
owned by Grover Ruffin and Marion Harris are needed for the development of Memorial Park off Railroad
Street.

A. J. Welch advised that the appraisal has been received and he has not had the opportunity to make the
property owners offers based on the appraisals. He recommends the Council declare the public necessity
for this property, adopt a resolution authorizing the condemnation of the property in the event he cannot
reach an agreement with the property owners, he can proceed with the condemnation proceedings and file
by December 1.

Fred Evans made a motion to declare a public necessity for property owned by Grover Ruffin and adopt a
resolution authorizing the condemnation of the property; Ronnie Simmons seconded, and passed
unanimously.

Fletcher Turner made a motion to declare a public necessity for property owned by Marion Harris and adopt
a resolution authorizing the condemnation of the property; Ronnie Simmons seconded, and passed
unanimously.

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Council needs to appoint members to the Board of Directors
for the Downtown Development Authority.

Ronnie Simmons expired
11/01/99 4 yr term
Fletcher Turner
expired 11/01/99 4 yr term
G. W. Evans
expired 11/01/99 2 yr term
James Love (open)
2 yr term
It was noted that these appointees are willing to serve and the terms of office will be announced at a later
date. Mayor Kelley pointed out that James Love does not live in the City and questioned if this would
interfere with him serving on the Board?

W. A. Gardner made a motion to approve these people to serve on the board; Harold Cochran made a
motion to second, and passed unanimously.

Bruce Vail informed Council that section 8.04.130 of the City Code indicates that; “In the event a director
of the Downtown Development Authority at any time ceases to be a taxpayer residing in the City, his
eligibility to serve as a director shall cease and his term of office shall end”.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to withdraw his motion that included James Love as a member of the board;
Harold Cochran seconded, and passed unanimously.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to table until another person can be found to serve on the board; Fletcher
Turner seconded, and passed unanimously.

FRONT DOOR CHIMES FOR CITY HALL. Fred Evans suggested chimes be installed on the front door
at City Hall for the protection of employees. Someone could be inside the building and the employees
would be unaware. Mayor Kelley expressed his concern that opening and closing the doors on busy days
would aggravate the employees. Council instructed Ted Strickland, City Manager, to check this out and
get back with the Council.

PARK DEDICATIONS CEREMONY. Councilman Turner inquired when the dedication ceremony would
take place for Dabney, Hunter, Simmons Memorial Park? Ted Strickland informed Council that the park is
ready for dedication. Council set the dedication ceremony for Sunday, December 3, 2000 at 2:00 P. M.

CHRISTMAS PARADE. Councilman Simmons reported that as yet, there is no one to take charge of the
Christmas Parade. In the past, the parade route has been too dark and interest has fallen off. He will get
back with TedStrickland later this week to let him know if there is someone willing to take charge of the
parade. In the meantime, Councilman Simmons asked the Council to approve Saturday, December 9,
2000 for the Christmas Parade Municipal.

Fletcher Turner made a motion to approve parade date; Fred Evans seconded, and passed unanimously.

If the parade falls through, a park dedication could be held Sunday, December 10, 2000 at 2:00 PM to
dedicate Municipal Park adjacent to City Hall.

WELL SYSTEM. Mayor Kelley asked Ted Strickland to give an update on the well system. Mr. Strickland
reported that the wells are up and running, pumping 350,000 to 400,000 gallons per day for the last three
weeks.

Harold Cochran made a motion to adjourn; Fred Evans seconded, and passed unanimously. Meeting
adjourned at 6:40 P. M.

Respectfully submitted,
Merle Manders, CMC R. G.
Kelley
City Clerk
Mayor
