---
date: 2021-08-31
title: 08-31-2021 Minutes
source: 2021-08/2021-08-31_08-31-2021 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

StoCkbridge
Where Community Connects

WORKSESS I ON M EETING
SUM ARY M INUTES

TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021 6:00 PM.
Ma 0 r &Ci Council Administration
Mayor Ant hony 5. F0 rd Randy Kni h_ton, Cifty Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Elton Alexander Vanessa gllda , City Clerk
Councrlwoman Yolanda Barber John WI Ins Ity Treasurer
Councilman John Blount aanngtpn, City Attorney

Qumton
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Jeremy T. Berry, City Attorney
Councilman Alphonso Thomas

Mission: To provideyisiona l eadership and s uperjor mun icipal services that enhance the
quality of life for cutgzenslw I Ie creating la wel comgng bu5| ness atmosph ere focused on
sustainability and exp ans Ion of tourism and cultu ral events.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford.

Invocation/ Prayer by Councilman Thomas.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited all in unison.

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

Councilwoman Barber motioned to adopt the agenda: Second by Councilwoman Gantt.
The motion passed 5-0.

Review of the Minutes for the following meetings:
1. 7/6/21 2. 7/12/21 3. 7/27/21 No Action

PUBLIC
,CO MMENTS
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 the webpage on the City
on
page at:
htthJ/stockbridge,seamlessdocs.com/f/Zngdz4m07xb 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.

Peyton Harris comments were regarding a noise barrier being in place between the
Amphitheater and the residents of the Bryant Street neighborhood; and noted 11:00 pm.
Is a respectful hour to shut down.

Charles Marshall comments commended the Mayor & Council for raising the standards
and the progress the city has made; and noted the increase in crime in
nearby and
surrounding areas and noted he is in favor of a Stockbridge Police Department.
Sunny Randazzo noted the Test Concert was very loud and does not support changing
the hour from 10pm to 11pm; and does not support a city tax or the Stockbridge police

department.

Mayor Ford noted the Debate Time Procedures would be in place tonight where
each official would be allotted (3) three minutes to speak with a (1) one-minute rebuttal on
each item, and the Clerk will be the timekeeper.

PRESENTATION
4. Emergency Preparedness Henry County Emergency Management

Presented by Don Ash, Henry County EMA Director

Mr. Ash noted September is Emergency Preparedness Month and there is normally a
presentation made this time of the year, however, COVID has shifted the direction of the
department; noted information would be distributed in regards to the cited a
4- week plan that will focus on emergency preparedness in week one and having a plan
to deal with the heavy wind and rain from instances such Hurricane Ida; second week
would be building an emergency kit for you and your home; third week will focus on low
cost and no cost preparedness things that you can do in your home; and fourth is to work
with the youth, noting they are the best tool to educate and train; and noted the
information would be shared with the Public Information to share via social media
outlets.

Councilwoman Barber asked where the vaccinations sites were located within the
County.

Mr. Ash noted the Public Health Department is preparing to roll out the expansion of sites
within the county.

Mayor Ford noted the Merle Manders Conference Center is slated to be one of the
expanded sites.

Councilman Blount asked about emergency plans for the Amphitheater.

Mr. Ash noted the Amphitheater will be an impact on the city, and referenced
training received a few years ago regarding governmental facilities will be implemented,
along with additional training and best practices.

Councilman Thomas thanked Mr. Ash for his due diligence, noted his tenure has been
long with the county; thanked him for his service as a First Responder, and thanked him
and his Emergency Management team for participating in the Annual First Responders
Luncheon; noted Mr. Ash has always done a great job for Henry County.

Mr. Knighton thanked Mr. Ash for explementary professionalism and dedication to Henry

County and its residents, noted Mr. Ash has always been extremely helpful noted some
on thepanel may not have been made aware that Don will be transitioning soon from
Henry County and wished him the best.

2|Page
Mr. Ash thanked everyone forthe kind words, noting he has been blessed to serve the

Henry County community for thirty years and appreciates the opportunity.

PUBLIC HEARING
5 Council Consideration to approve the Annual (STWP) Short-
Term Work Program & (CIE) Capital Improvement Element for
Transmission to the ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission)
Presented by Brecca Johnson, Community Development Director
Ms. Johnson noted the (STWP) Short-Term Work Program is a 5-year
plan the DCA (Department of Community Affairs) requires Cities and
Counties to maintain to meet the minimum standards for the State
requirements and to maintain the local government status and
is comprised of 8 elements of a comprehensive plan which includes:
community facilities, transportation, housing, land use and several
economic developments. Ms. Johnson noted there are 7 projects that
have been completed within a 5-year period such as the amphitheater,
several road, sewer, and wastewatertreatment projects. Ms. Johnson
also noted the State code requires submittal to DCA (Department of
Community Affairs) which has 30 days to review the documents and
provide comments and will be brought back before council for adoption
before the deadline of October 31, 2021.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander inquired about the splash pad project and the
trail network.

Mr. Knighton noted staff has been conversing with TSW to look at cost
saving measures that will reduce the cost and will create a menu that
will breakdown the various cost of the splash pad and the different
features to determine what will be the product.

Ms. Johnson noted there is a trail study implementation and a park plan
development to look at pocket parks and passive greenspace.

Councilman Blount noted his concerns with the surrounding space
around the Amphitheater not being completed.

Ms. Johnson noted those projects where not apart of the Community
Facilities list and could possibly be a part of T-SPLOST and is why the
Amphitheater is noted to be complete.

Mayor Ford opened the Public Hearing, there were not speakers for or
against. The Public Hearing was closed.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to approve Annual 2021-2026
(STWP) Short-Term Work Program & (CIE) Capital Improvement
Element for Transmission to the ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission):
Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

3|Page
NEW BUSINESS
6. Council Consideration to approve the Voting Precinct Changes for
Stockbridge Municipal Elections
Presented by Attorney Washington, Attorney Berry, and City Clerk
Vanessa Holiday
Attorney Washington noted staff has had meetings with the County, their
legal team, and the Henry County Election board to determine the
locations of where precincts will be located; noted the city ran a Public
Notice in the local paper pursuant to O.C.G.A 21-2-261 to inform the
public the polling place 33-Red Oak precinct will be located at Red Oak
United Methodist Church located at 3894 Walt Stevens Rd. and the
polling place for 39-Stockbridge East/West will be located at First United
Methodist located at 4863 North Henry Blvd. Mr. Washington also noted
staff has been talking to the County, and determining the population, the
city will have those two polling locations as well as the Merle Manders
Conference Center.

Councilwoman Gantt inquired the cost for the two additional precincts
and if it was in the budget.

Attorney Washington noted the city will not know the cost of the polling
locations until the information comes back from the county.

Mayor Ford inquired if Council needed to vote.

Attorney Washington noted yes due to the ad that was ran in the paper
which allows the opportunity to do it 60 days out and if voted on staff
would be allowed to obtain the polling machines for the precincts.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander asked the City Clerk for the total cost with out
the two precincts and what is estimated for the two precincts.

Mrs. Holiday noted the total cost for the 2019 election was $19,000 and
$25,000 was budgeted for FY 2021; and noted new machines may not
be needed due to everyone voting at the Merle Manders Conference
Center location and if expanded to 3 locations, some machines at the
MMCC could be relocated to the new polling locations.

Attorney Washington noted there are 3 proposed precincts locations,
with the Public Notice that has been running for the last two weeks, and
there needs to be 60 notice if council votes to add the precincts,
with this meeting being the last meeting to vote before the 60 days is
oven

Mayor Ford the two proposed polling locations would only be
used on election day.

4|Page
Mrs. Holiday shared the proposed voting map and noted Jodeco Rd,
and Red Oak location would go to the Red Oak precinct, Eagles
landing
Pkwy and Eastlake Pkwy would go to the Stockbridge First United
Methodist Church precinct and going North of Eastlake Pkwy and
Eagles Landing Pkwy would go the MMCC precinct location, noting
population had to be considered as well for the polling locations.

Mayor Ford noted once the population is by the Census, the
polling locations could change.

Councilwoman Gantt noted she wants to make sure to not go over
budget and believes council is rushing and appreciates the City Clerk
and City Attorneys efforts.

Councilman Blount noted less than 10% of the citizens within city
goes
to vote and would like to not exceed going over the $25,000
budget.

Mrs. Holiday noted $25,000 is the cost of the election, not just one
day,
noting increasing the budget was taken into consideration citing prior
conversations with the Council regarding expanding city polling
locations.

Councilman Blount inquired on why there was not a polling location
closer to the Eagles Landing side.

Mrs. Holiday note the intent is to provide more city/county
polling
locations and make it more convenient for all citizens to vote, however,
the polling locations must be a county location and be located in the
Stockbridge city limits; noted the Stockbridge First United Methodist
Church became a polling location after the closing of Smith Barnes
Elementary School ; and noted the group is working on the next election
where the County will have more polling locations located in the city
limits and make the locations both county and city, noting there is an
extensive process to making that happen.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to approve Voting Precinct
Changes for Stockbridge Municipal Elections: Second by Councilman
Thomas. The motion passed 3-2 (Blount/Gantt Opposed).
Councilwoman Gantt noted she opposed citing the potential to go over
budget

Council Consideration to Amend Section 11.26 of the Stockbridge Code
of Ordinances amending the code from 10pm to 11pm.
Presented by Attorney Washington & Randy Knighton, City Manager
Mr. Knighton noted the noise Ordinance has a 10 pm. provision and the
recommendation would be to modify it to 11 pm. on concert nights.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted city should mirror the fireworks
Ordinance for the State.

5|Page
Attorney Berry noted the State Ordinance references to have
end at 11:59 pm.

Councilman Blount noted the city has yet to complete the sound
mitigation portion and should keep the residents in mind.

Councilwoman Gantt noted some type of notice should go out to
residents when there will be concerts.

Councilman Thomas motioned to approve Amended Section 11.26 of
the Stockbridge Code of Ordinances amending the code from 10pm to
11pm: Second by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander. The motion passed 4-0-1
(Blount Abstained).

Council Consideration to approve Task Order No. 35 with Carter &
Sloope for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Pole Barn Design in the
amount of $62,500.00. Funding Source: Wastewater Fund Balance
Presented by Decius Aaron Public Works Director and Brad Holtsinger

Wastewater Superintendent
Mr. Holtsinger noted if approved 150 ft. long and 50 ft. deep pole barn
will be constructed with the existing pole barn being enclosed due to
keeping new equipment needing to be kept above freezing and
protected by weather.

Councilwoman Barber inquired if funding would be reimbursable by
ARPA funding.

Mr. Knighton noted it would not be due to it not falling underthe water,
sewer, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

Councilwoman Barber motioned to approve Task Order No. 35 with
Carter & Sloope for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Pole Barn Design
in the amount of $62,500.00: Second by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander. The
motion passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to approve Site Engineering to raise
(58) manholes throughout the City in the amount of $98,300.00. Funding
Source: Wastewater Fund Balance
Presented by Decius Aaron, Public Works Director and Brad Holtsinger
Wastewater Superintendent
Mr. Aaron noted there have been numerous complaints about the
manholes throughout the city and doing damage to vehicles.

Mr. Holtsinger noted there are 24 manholes located on HWY 42 and the
others are located throughout the city limits; noted the city does not
have access to the manholes if there was a sewer back-up and
raising
them would allow them to have access.

6lPage
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander inquired if funds could be acquired from the
State seeing they are state maintained Highways.

Mr. Aaron noted the city infrastructure and would be responsible and
noted the only involvement GDOT would have been if they were
resurfacing the roads and would raise them.

Councilman Thomas inquired if the General Maintenance department
could take over the project.

Mr. Aaron noted it would be a Sewer department project.

Councilwoman Barber inquired if funding would be reimbursable by
ARPA funding.

Mr. Aaron noted it would not be due to it not falling under the
water,
sewer, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure; noted there is a
spreadsheet given to the City Treasurer on what are considered
reimbursable projects.

Mr. Knighton included the Federal Government Department of
Treasury
is still providing guidance on how ARPA funds can be used.

Councilman Blount inquired what Site Engineering would do that the
city
employees could not do.

Mr. Aaron noted Site Engineering would be able to dedicate 100%, while
city employees have other daily tasks, and it would take much longer to
complete the project.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve Site Engineering to raise
eight (58) manholes throughout the City in the amount of $98,300.00:
Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

10. Council Consideration to TSW, Inc. Architectural On-Call Services for
City of Stockbridge No. 22 Project Assignment Agreement for the
Cultural Arts Center Design, Construction Documents, and Construction
Administration in the amount of $1 ,164,461 .00. Funding Source:
Bond/SPLOST V
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager and Heather Hubble of
TSW.
Mr. Knighton noted this project is in conjunction with previous
approvals
from earlier this year with a total budgeted amount of $18 million; and
noted TSW will have to design the design development plan,
construction documents, and place for bid for construction.

Councilman Blount expressed he would like to know exactly where the
finances are to explain them to citizens if asked.

7|Page
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander commended Heather Hubble of TSW on their
desig ns of city projects and carryin 9 out the vision and bringing
forwa rd A-1 be st in cl ass des

Ms. Hubble noted the Cultural Arts Center
plan will have a theater as the
center piece along with a
gallery, museum, theater, upstairs
ballroom whi ch wil l match the seatir 1
9 capacity of the theater and office
spaces; noted the site plan will include 244
parking spaces, water rental
and green space; noted there will be
more consultants
working with this
proj ect a nd recom men ds using Standard Aquatic 3 ast h efo untain
des igner Focus D esig n as the i nterior de
signers, Vale n tino &
Associates as the Lan d Surveyo rs, Graham, Swift &
Company, LLC as
the theater designer a nd Acustic a for the
acoustic designs; noted if
approved, the design kick-off will begin September the detailed
schematic preference
survey will be between September 6-10th and the
progress presentation will be presented at the
Budget Retreat
September 2021.

Councilwoman Barber inquired what
responsibilities would the
Construction Administration have that Keck & Wood
would not have and
would there be an overlap in
responsibilities.

Ms. Hubble note d there are three
(3) group s that a re invo lved with
construction prOJ ects: Program
Manager or 8 Rep, Con tract
or,
and the Design Team.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander reminded citizens the city is
sound.

Mr. Knighton noted the
city has $17 million in fund balance and $12.6 in
the General fund based on the
report.

Coun cilman Blount noted to
stay sound, a tax will need to be
imple mented on the cit izens.

Mr. Knighton noted he made mention of
a full-scale police
department
pert he study that was done by the Carl Vinson Institute would
call for a
milla ge tax.

Councilwoman Barber inquired on the
funding for the Cultural Arts
Center.

Mr. Knighton noted Council
approved to bond $14 mi llio n and in May
approved to increase to $18 million. l\ Ilr. Knigh ton not ed the ancial
advisor Mr. Wall expressed once the $14 million
has been expended,
other financial sources would be available
such as using the fund
balance at that time.

8|Page
Councilwoman Gantt noted her concerns are how the
city is spending
money a nd suggested listening to some of the suggestions
giv en by the
advisor and include citizens
by having town hall m eeti ngs.

Mayor Ford noted the Council has already approved
bonding for $25
million and if there is not a
way to change it legally, and therefore a
done deal.

Councilman Thomas Motioned to
approve TSW, lnc. Architectural On-
Call Services for City of
Stockbridge No. 22 Project Assignment
Agreement for the Cultural Arts Center Design, Construction
Documents, and Construction Administration in the amount of
$1,164,461.00: Second by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander. The motion
passed 3-0-2 (Blount/Gantt Opposed). Councilwoman Gantt stated her
opposition was not knowing where the additional $4 million dollars was
coming from.

11.Council Consideration to approve Keck &
Wood, Inc. for Professional
Services in assisting the City with
Program Manager Services for the
Design, Bidding and Construction of the Stockbridge Cultural Arts
Center in the amount of $270,000.
Funding Source: Bond/SPLOST V.
Presented by Randy Knighton,
City Manager
Mr. Kni ghto n noted this is to
provide project ma nagement servi ce s for
the GUI tural Arts Center with Keck & Wood i
n th e amount of $2 70 ,000
for design building and construction.

Councilwoman Barber inquired if there were funds available
in
p mfes sional services for a project management and if will it be
so,
b udge ted for 2022.

Mr. Wiggins noted the funds were available
and Council needs to
determine if services will come out of the bond
as well, if not, then it will
need to be budgeted.

Ca rl Treva th an of Keck & Wood not ed if
approved, the thi ng to put
tog e ther is a project management p Ian to address ooncer ns council
any
ma y have; a nd
notedtheywillfocu s on two important things,
the cost of
the project in its entirety and the timeline.

Councilwoman Barber Motioned to
approve Keck & Wood, Inc. for
P rofessional Se Nices in a ssisti
ng the City with Program Manager
S ervices for the Desig n, B iddin a nd
9 Construction of the Stockbrid 99
C ultural Arts Ce nter in the amo unt of
$270,000: Second by Counci lman
Thomas. The motion passed 3-0-2
(Blount/Gantt abstained).

12. Council Consideration to fill vacancies
and appoint Praye Finley and
Vanessa Gibson as members to the Main Street
Advisory Board.
Presented by Kira Main Street Program Manager

9lPage
Mrs. noted the Main Street Advisory Board has
recommended appointing Prayer Finley, CEO of Cakery to serve as
the Business Owner Outside the Main Street District position, and
Vanessa Gibson, Owner and Artistic Director at Eagles Landing Dance
Center to the Arts Organization position.

Councilman Thomas motioned to approve recommended appointments
made by the Main Street Advisory Board: Second by Mayor Pro Tem
Alexander. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Barber Abstained)
Councilwoman Barber her approval of Praye Finley and abstention of
Vanessa Gibson noting she attends her Zumba sessions.

13. Council Consideration to amend Procurement Manual Revisions.
Presented by Attorney Quinton Washington and Attorney Jeremy
Berry
Attorney Quinton Washington recommended tabling item.
Councilwoman Barber motioned to Table at the recommendation of the
City Attorney: Second by Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford wished everyone an enjoyable Labor Day weekend and to be safe; noted the
Coronavirus and Delta virus are still here and we need to remain safe; noted
Henry
County has had 30,510 confirmed cases over the last year with 350 deaths; noted
Piedmont Henry Hospital is overloaded with 150 Covid-Positive patients on
Monday, 88
acute patients, 55 ICU patients; with Dr. Henson noted the hospital is maxed
out; there
are currently 161 COVID positive patients and
places the hospital in the top 10 in the
state with the highest number of cases of Covid in the state; noted the Governor has
mobilized 19 National Guard members who have been brought in to assist in additional to
medical staff who has been brought in as well due to personnel
shortages; stating this is
serious; noted special vaccinations are being planned to be distributed on Saturday at the

Merle Manders Conference Center in coordination with Henry
County and the
Department of Health; COVID Testing taking place Mon Wed from 9am 2pm and
is -

Tue and Thu from 12pm 6pm (no testing on Friday) Free of

charge at Public Health
Department in McDonough; Testing is also taking place at Red Hawk Field by Mako
Medical 9am -

3pm and to call to schedule an appointment at 800-847-4262; noted Pfizer
has been fully approved for ages 16+, and Pfizer has received
emergency authorization
for ages 12-15 and that boosters will start soon; noted 95% of the
hospitalized COVlD
patients are unvaccinated, with a small percentage who can still contract the virus, but not
likely be hospitalized; noted the Delta strain is highly transmissible; noted some Henry
County schools are shut down due to a number of k-12 outbreaks; noted Piedmont Henry
hospital is also now experiencing a shortage of oxygen; noted everyone can help bring
this virus under control by getting vaccinated.

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.

> Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, 2nd Friday of each month 9:00 am. -

Via Zoom -

(Sep 10)

10|Page
> City Council Meeting at 6:00 pm. Via Zoom 2nd Monday of each month (Sep
14)

> Youth Council Meeting, 5:30 pm. Via Zoom -
2nd Wednesday of each month
(Sep 8)

> City Council Retreat at 9:00 am. Via Zoom (Sep 15 -

17).

> Downtown Development Authority Meeting, 6:00 pm. Via Zoom -
3rd
Tuesday of each month (Sep 21)

> Youth Council & Advisory Meeting, 6:30
pm. Via Zoom -
3rd Tuesday of each
month (Sep 21)

> Planning Commission Meeting, at 6:30 pm. Via Zoom 4th Thursday of each
month (Sep 23)

> City Council Work Session at 6:00 pm. Via Zoom Last Tuesday of each
(Sep 28)

CITY EVENTIINITIATIVES
Please join Councilwoman Barber at the Merle Manders Conference
Center for FREE
Zumba (Fitness in the Park) this Saturday and
every Saturday through September 25th at
8 am. at Clark Park 111 Davis Rd.

your opportunity to Meet the Mayor, and voice your questions and/or concerns
Monday, September 20, 2021, from 10 am. to noon. Call City Hall to schedule an
appointment. 770-389-7900.

STOCKBRIDGE AMPHITHEATER EVENT
Stockbridge Amphitheater Grand Opening featuring Award-Winning Musical Giants
Gladys Knight and Patti Labelle, Saturday, September 25th at 7:00 pm. Tickets go on
sale September 1st at 12:01 am. Please visit www.stockbridgeamp.com to purchase tickets.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to convene Executive Session for Personnel, Real
Estate and Litigation: Second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion
passed 5-0.
Councilman Blount exited Executive Session.

Councilwoman Gantt exited Executive Session.

HlPage
ADJOURN

Councilman Thomas motioned to adjourn the
meeting: Second by Councilwoman Barber
The motion passed 3-0 (Blount and Gantt were
not present for the vote).

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk MMC
8. Ford, M yor

12|Page
