---
date: 2022-03-14
title: 03-14-2022 Minutes
source: 2022-03/2022-03-14_03-14-2022 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

StOCkbridge
Where Community Connects

CITY COUNCL M EET l NG
SUM M ARY M INUTES

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022 6:00 PM.
M a 0 r & Ci Council Administration

MayorAnth ony 5. Fo rd Frederick Gardi
Manager
Mayor_ Pro Tem Alphonso Thomas Vanessa thday,CIty lerk
Counc1 |man Elton Alexander John Qty Treasurer
Councilwoman Yolanda Barber W|%g|n_s,
Danielle aws, Clt Attorney
Councilman John Blount Jeremy T. Berry, tty Attorney
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt

Mission: To rovideyision eadership and sup erjor mun icipal services that enhance the
aryfl
quality of Ife for cmzens [w I Ie creatlng la welco mmg DUSI ness atmosph ere focused on
sustainabil Ity a nd expans ion of to urism and cultu ral events.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford

Invocation by Councilman Blount

Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance

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

Councilman Alexander motioned to amend the Agenda to remove Item #7: Second by
Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

Councilman Alexander motioned to adopt the Agenda: Second by Mayor Pro Tem
Thomas. The motion passed 5-0.

Councilman Blount motioned for the adoption of the Minutes: Second by Councilwoman
Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.
Draft Minutes January 4, 2022
Draft Minutes January 10, 2022
Draft Minutes January 25, 2022

PUBLIC COMMENTS -
All public comments must be submitted to the Clerk no later than
one hour prior to the meeting. The Public Comment Form can be found on the

webpage on the City page at:
https://stockbridge.seamlessdocs.com/f/20pkdz4mo7xb and the form must include your
name, phone, and email contact information. Comments are limited to (3) three minutes
and will be read by the Clerk during the meeting, respecting all members of the elected

body, officials, and staff. Comments including defamation, unruliness and/or swearing
will not be accepted.
Sunny Randazzo submitted a comment questioning the recent retreat, asked the
city to address the noise mitigation regarding the Amphitheater prior to the 2022
concerts; and to respond to risque sponsorship.

CEREMONIAL
4.Women's History Month Proclamation Read by Mayor Ford

PUBLIC H EARING
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE READING
The City of Stockbridge Mayor and
City Council will review the Community Developm ent
Department's proposed new Unified Development Code (UDC), which includes the C
Zoning Code, Sign and Development codes The new UDC would comprise both an
update and a rewriting of the existing UDC for the purposes of 1)
making needed
correction 8 a nd s; 2) revising the allowa ble zoni ng districts in th e city ; and
making th e d ocument more use r~friendly. etc. 0n 8 eptemb er 23, 2021, the Plan ning
Commissi on recommended ado ption of the UDC. At the October
26, 2021 Council
meeting, the Council appro ved for the Legal T eam to review the UDC i n more deta il.
Presented by: Brecca John son, Director of Co mmunit
y Development a n d Kc Krzic of the
Collaborative Firm

Ms. John son refere nced the previous Public Hearin
gs, no ting in October 2021, the
Legal 00 uns el reco mmended a legal review before adopt ion, noting the review has been
complete d.

Ms. Krzic presented theproposed UDC (Unified Development Code) highlighting the
change in the number of Zoning Districts fron 19 to 13; the document being user-
friendly; new Tables for specific use; combined Overlay Districts; the Downtown
Village
Overlay Districts being clear and concise.

Ms. Johnson introduced Ms. Valerie Ross, who conducted
the legal review of the UDC.

Ms. Ross noted the document has been reviewed line
by line and referenced the
Moratoria for "Build to Rent" and referenced H81093 and 83494
that were pending as of
today and we are waiting to see if the bills pass or not to see if this Is
something the cit y
could do under state law as a
municipality; and noted Hookah/cigar bar or lounges are
now added in the code and permitted in commercial districts C-2 and
C-3.

Councilman Alexanderthanked Ms. Johnson, and Ms. Krzic forthe
updated code as this
document will control the standards of what is
implemented in the city, asking what area
of the code addresses parking lot litter and maintenance
to repair potholes, etc.,
requiring business es to maintain and cleanup their parking lots as a cost of doing
business and not doing so is un acce ptable and asked that the information
get out to the
business owners as soon and as quickly as
possible.

Ms. Krzic no ted t his would be addressed
by the Code Enforcement and believes it
is under the Envi ronmental se ction of the code.

Ms. J ohnson noted the Code does reference
property mai nten ance and agreed the
Code Enforcement departme nt would addres s the
unkept busi ness entit ies.
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas asked if the city could require businesses to have trash
receptacles in front of their businesses to encourage patrons to throw away trash and
keep it from being tossed in the parking lot.

Ms. Krzic noted the design guidelines require streetscapes to install decorative trash
receptacles.

Mr. Gardiner noted he recognizes the issue and noted an example of a strip center with
seven businesses and each having a trash receptacle would not be aesthetically
pleasing and challenging because there could be the potential of an of garbage
and asking business owners to be required to empty the containers throughout the
business day, especially during high peak times or peak seasons.

Mayor Pro Tem asked if the strip center owner could be required to have containers in
the plaza rather than each of the businesses having an individual container at each
business.

Mr. Gardiner noted this would be addressed with the new developments as a good start
but does not favor retroactively making this a requirement.

Mayor Pro Tem agreed, noting it is up to the Code Enforcement Department to do
their part to hold the businesses accountable.

Councilman Blount asked about the Donation Boxes where there appears to be
more and more of them in the city, while recognizing the need during these times, but
asked if the maintenance of the boxes is being addressed in the Code.

Ms. Johnson noted the Donation Box Ordinance requires the box to be registered, the
owner have a permitted business license fee and maintain the box.

Councilman Alexander asked if the signage was being addressed in the new code.

Ms. Johnson noted the Sign Ordinance has also been update in the UDC and is
outlined in the Code.

Public Hearing Open No Speakers in Favor No Speakers Opposed
Public Hearing Closed
Councilman Alexander motioned to approve the new Development Code (UDC)
Second by Mayor Pro Tem Thomas. The motion passed 5-0.

6. CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE ADOPTION OF THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP &
OVERLAY DISTRICT THIRD READING The City of Stockbridge Mayor and City
Council will review the proposed Official Zoning Map & Overlay District Map to be
amended in conjunction with the Unified Development Code (UDC). This item is running
concurrently with the UDC.
Presented by: Brecca Johnson, Director of Community Development and Kc Krzic of the
Collaborative Firm

3|Page
Public Hearing Opened No Speakers in Favor No Speakers Opposed
Public Hearing Closed

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve the proposed Official Zoning Map & Overlay
District Map to be amended in conjunction with the Unified Development Code (UDC):
Second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Frederick Gardiner, City Manager, introduced the Grants Administrator, Kellie
Russell who brings over 25 years of experience in grant writing and grants administration
having worked for a number of federal, state, and non-profit agencies to include the
Justice Department, FEMA, Department of Health and Human Services, and HUD, and
has worked on numerous grants related to each of those various different departments
from law enforcement grants to the CARES Act to ARPA and state grants such as LMIG
(Local Maintenance Improvement Grant); noted Ms. Russell has a Degree in
Human Resources from Central Michigan University, and is a member of the National
Grants Management Association, and is currently working on her Grants Management
Specialist Certification; and asked that everyone welcome her, noting today was her first
day where they met to discuss working on the policies and procedures regarding grants
to be presented for approval next month; and is looking into police and COVID grants as
well.

Mayor Ford welcomed Ms. Russell and thanked her for choosing Stockbridge as her
next assignment.

Ms. Russell noted she is happy to be with the team; noted today was her first day with
the city and she received a very warm welcome from colleagues and looks forward to
working with each of you and doing great things for the city.

NEW BUSINESS
7. Council consideration to Amend Title 9 Licensing & Regulation, Chap. 9.110

Standards for Certain Businesses to remove hair salons, barbershops & nail salons from
the one mile spacing/distance restriction, Section 9.110.03OA (1 & 2).
Presented by: Brecca Johnson, Director of Community Development
Item removed from the Agenda

8. Council consideration to approve the Renewal Contract for RFP No. 2020-0027
Professional Permitting & Building Inspection Services -
SAFEbuilt
Presented by: Brecca Johnson, Director of Community Development
Ms. Johnson noted staff is requesting to renew the contract with SAFEbuiit which

manages the permitting, plan reviews, inspections, and civil engineering for all
residential, industrial, and commercial plans; and noted she was able to negotiate for a
reduction for the overall cost of revenue payment to SAFEbuiIt from 60/40 to 55/45.

Councilman Alexander noted he has heard of issues in the permitting office from
developers in terms of overall timeliness and inquired if deadlines are given and if
SAFEbuilt has any contact with the public.

Ms. Johnson noted plan review, both residential and commercial, are being reviewed by
multiple reviewers and simultaneously by the Fire Chief, Engineer, Building inspector

4|Page
and the Planning and Zoning department with staff having a turn around time between
10-15 business days; however, the ultimate goal is to have plans back within ten
business days. Ms. Johnson also noted plans are submitted to the permitting department
in which SAFEbuilt staff processes where the plans are then uploaded and reviewed
by
city staff who submits comments back to the developer, if necessary.

Councilman Alexander noted it might be helpful to familiarize people with the
process.

Ms. Johnson noted there are plans to do a roll out soon.

Councilwoman Gantt expressed she too has heard complaints from developers and
inquired with who would the developers go to get a call back or questions answered

Ms. Johnson noted she has always made herself available, returns all emails and
phone
calls, an noted her contact information is online and stated she has not heard of any
complaints.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas thanked Ms. Johnson for entertaining his questions and
understands it will take time to build the permitting department to stand on its own.

Councilwoman Barber motioned to approve the Renewal Contract for RFP No. 2020-
0027 -
Professional Permitting & Building Inspection Services SAFEbuilt: Second by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed

9. Council consideration to approve the purchase of Phosphorus 002050 removal
chemical from CedarChem in the amount of $40,000.00. The funding source is from
Sewer Department budgeted funds.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director and Brad Holtsinger, Wastewater
Mr. Holtsinger noted this is a product used to remove phosphorus which is a
parameter
set by the EPD permit and after several tests, this product is the recommended choice.

Councilwoman Barber motioned to approve the purchase of Phosphorus 002050
removal chemical from CedarChem in the amount of $40,000.00: Second by Councilman
Alexander. The Motion passed 5-0.

10. Council Consideration to approve the FY2023 LMlG (Local Maintenance &
Improvement Grant) list.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted the list of streets was generated from the recent updated streets and
sidewalks assessment and will also start the process to get out the 2023 LMIG
program
running. Mr. Aaron noted the proposed streets for resurfacing are: Cheyenne Lane (from
Summerhill Circle to Banks Road in the Summerhill subdivision); Lorraine Lane (from
Summerhill Circle to the cul-de-sac in the Summerhill subdivision); Sawtooth Lane (from
McKinley Loop to Aspen Brook Drive in the Summit); Pine Knoll Trace (from Windsong
Drive to in the Windsong subdivision); Ashland Grove (from Windsong Drive
to Sycamore Walk in the Windsong subdivision); Piccadilly Circle (from
Buckingham
Place to cul-de-sac in Wingate enclave); Borrington Lane (from Piccadilly Circle to Kent
Manor in the Wingate subdivision); Ventura Trail (from Brentwood Pkwy to cul-de-sac in
the Brentwood subdivision); Bay Court Drive (from cul-de-sac to cul-de-sac in Bay Court

5|Page
subdivision); Bay Cove Court (from Bay Cove Drive to cul-de-sac in the Bay Court
subdivision); Bay Cove Drive (from Tye Street cul-de-sac in the Bay Court subdivision);
Appleton Blvd. (from Flippen Road to cul-de-sac in the Appleton subdivision); Grandiflora
Drive (from SR 42 to Drive in the North Bridge Drive (from
Flippen Road to cul-de-sac in the North Bridge Station; Applegate Lane (from Nightwind

Way to Winter View Way in Monarch Village); Breakwater Trail (from Parkwood Drive to
in Monarch Village) and MLK. Sr. Heritage Trail (from Rock Quarry Road to 8.

Berry Street) and equals 4.66 miles.

Councilwoman Barber inquired if the resurfacing would be paid with grant funds.

Mr. Aaron noted a portion would be paid by grant funds from GDOT and the
city would
use SPLOST funding for the balance.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve FY2023 LMIG (Local Maintenance &
Improvement Grant) street list: Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0

11. Council consideration to approve the purchase Elgin Regen X Street
Sweeper under
Georgia statewide contract number 99999-001-SPD0000177-0009 with Environmental
Products Group in the amount of $267,450.00. Funding source is from Stormwater
Department budgeted funds.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted city streets are swept four times a year with major
thoroughfares being
swept monthly; noted there were concerns with the number of times the streets are
swept and is therefore making a request to add an additional street sweeper to increase
the frequency of services.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas inquired as to how much more often would the neighborhood
streets be swept with the addition of this equipment.

Mr. Aaron noted the frequency would double to start and noted staff would review the
matrix and then determine if additional sweeping needs to be scheduled.

Councilman Alexander expressed there were conversations of having someone
sweep
daily and inquired with Mr. Aaron if he has the staff to sweep daily.

Mr. Aaron noted the current street sweeper is used daily when not in the
shop and is
also used at night to sweep the thoroughfares and high traffic areas
quarterly.

Councilman Alexander inquired on the agreed upon numbers with the commercial
corridors such as Eagles Landing Pkwy and Hudson Bridge Rd.

Mr. Aaron noted he would have to look at the matrix and would have to first make sure

they are complying with the EPA permit and noted street sweep is not for esthetics, but
for stormwater pollution prevention.

Mr. Gardiner noted the street sweepers tend to break down easily and staff would need
time assessing to see how they are made and how they will work.

6|Page
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas inquired if they would be used simultaneously or would be
alternated.

Mr. Aaron noted they both would run at the same time.

Councilwoman Barber inquired on the warranty of the proposed equipment.

Mr. Aaron noted there is a one ( 1) year warranty with the option of
purchasing and extended warranty.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve the purchase Elgin Regen X Street Sweeper
under Georgia statewide contract number 99999-001-SPD0000177-0009 with
Environmental Products Group in the amount of $267,450.00: Second by Councilman
Alexander. The motion passed (Gantt was not present for the vote).

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford noted we are approaching two years for the pandemic with wearing masks,
and vaccinations, which hopefully is coming to an end soon; noted the
Henry County
Department of Health located at 135 Henry Pkwy., can be contacted at 470-664-0005 to
schedule the or Moderna vaccination and you can also get tested there as well;
noted you can also request the free COVlD testing kit, up to 2 packs for 4 kits per
household by calling referenced the recent groundbreaking development
event that took place last Friday at Bridges at Argento by the Sterling Group and will be a
$50 million dollar Luxury Apartments with retail, and shops mixed-use development and
looks forward to future development of the Jodeco site.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Meeting will be held via Zoom until
further notice. Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Please visit the website
www.cityofstockbridge.com for the meeting invitation link, Facebook page or contact City
Hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates.

> Downtown Development Authority Meeting, 6:00 pm. Via Zoom -
3rd Tuesday of
each month Via Zoom (Mar 15)
> Planning Commission Meeting, 4th Thursday at 6:30 pm. Via Zoom (Mar 24)
> City Council Work Session Meeting, Last Tuesday of each month Via Zoom (Mar
29)
> Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, 2nd Friday of each month 9:00 am. Via Zoom

(April 8)
> City Council Meeting, Second Monday of each month -
Via Zoom (April 11)
> Youth Council Meeting, 5:30 pm. -
2nd Wednesday of each month Levi Meeting
Room -

City Hall (April 13)
> Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm. -
3rd Tuesday of each month
Patrick Henry Meeting Room -

City Hall (April 19)

7|Page
UPCOMING CITY EVENTSIINITIATIVES
A Continuous Salute to Veterans: Please forward pictures of Veterans including

name, branch, rank, and years of service as Mayor Pro Tem Thomas presents a

special tribute to our local veterans. Pictures should be submitted to:
zpearson@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov Thank you for your service!
Please join Stockbridge Councilman Elton Alexander on this Saturday, March 19,

2022, from 9 am to 11 am for his Keep Stockbridge Beautiful initiative (attendees
should park cars in the At Home parking lot). Meet at Highway 138 and l-75 in
Stockbridge to participate. Attendees should dress comfortable for the community
activity.
The Stockbridge Youth Council will host its 2nd Annual March Madness Event,
Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 10am 4pm at the Jimmy Lee Smith Recreation

Center located at 5883 Hwy 155 N. Stockbridge, GA 30281. Please contact Youth
Council Staff Liaison, Randi Rainey at 770-389-7900 ext. 264 for more information.
0 Here is your opportunity to Meet the Mayor, and voice your questions and/or
concerns Tuesday, March 22, 2022 from 10 am. to noon. Call Zenovia Pearson to

schedule an appointment. 770-389-7900 ext. 248.

Councilman Blount noted he was attending the National League of Cities conference
in Washington, DC and plans to bring information on Infrastructure Funding back to
the Council.

Councilman Alexander thanked everyone who assisted on the History
Month Committee; noted the video of the program will air on the Facebook

page on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 7pm and asked that each honoree and
committee member receive a copy of the 2022 proclamation.

Councilman Alexander motioned to convene Executive Session for Personnel,
Litigation and Real Estate: Second by Councilman Blount. The motion passed

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas motioned to end Executive Session: Second by
Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 4-0 (Councilman Blount was not in
attendance for the vote).

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas motioned to end Executive Session: Second
by
Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 4-0 (Councilman Blount was not in
attendance for the vote).

Councilman Alexander motioned to adjourn: Second by Mayor Pro Tem Thomas.
The motion passed 4-0 (Councilman Blount was not in attendance for the vote).

Respectfully submitted by

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk MMC Anthony 8. Ford, Mayor
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> Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm. 3rd Tuesday of each
month Patrick Henry Meeting Room -

City Hall (April 19)
> City Council Work Session Meeting, Last Tuesday of each month Via Zoom
(Apr 26)
> Planning Commission Meeting, 4th Thursday at 6:30 pm. Via Zoom (Apr 28)
> City Council Meeting, Second Monday of each month Via Zoom (May 9)

UPCOMING CITY EVENTSIINITIATIVES
o A Continuous Salute to Veterans: Please forward pictures of Veterans including

name, branch, rank, and years of service as Mayor Pro Tem Thomas presents a

special tribute to our local veterans. Pictures should be submitted to:
zpearson@cityofstockbridgggaAgov Thank you for your service!

Councilman Alexander will host a Quarterly Town Hall Thursday, April 14, 2022 at
7:00 pm. and will take place virtually. Please stay tuned to the website and
Facebook page for more information. (POSTPONED)

0 Job Fair, Thursday, April 21, 2022 10:00 am. 1:00 pm. in the Amphitheater
parking lot. City-wide job fair with Goodwill and Omega Fraternity and Delta
Sorority; and includes an Ex-Offenders Job Fair. There will be on-site with resume
assistance and immediate hirings.

Here is youropportunity to Meet the Mayor, and voice your questions and/or
concerns Monday, April 25, 2022 from 10 am. to noon Call Zenovia
Pearson to schedule an appointment. 770-389-7900 ext. 248.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to adjourn: Second by Councilman Alexander. The motion
passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk MM 8. Ford,

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