---
date: 2024-06-18
title: Downtown Development Authority Agenda Packet
source: 2024-06/2024-06-18_Downtown Development Authority_Agenda Packet.pdf
pages: 1
---

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Downtown Development
AUTHORITY OF THE
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE Authority
BOARD MEMBERS Meeting Agenda
Robert Anderson, Chair June 18, 2024 6:00 PM
Warren Washington, Vice-Chair
Frangela Merritt, Treasurer
Vacant, Secretary
Darrell Stamper, Board Member
Kenya Cook, Board Member
Councilmember Elton Alexander

ADMINISTRATION
Frederick Gardiner, City Manager

Vacant
Economic Development Director

Lisa Fareed STOCKBRIDGE DOWNTOWN CONNECTION CENTER
130 M L KING SR. HERITAGE TRAIL
Downtown Main Street Manager STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281
Website: www.stockbridgega.org
Phone: 770-389-7900
Cassandra Lester, Recorder Fax: 770-389-7912

Blake Sharpton, Attorney
AGENDA
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 6:00 PM

I. Call to Order
1. Roll Call
2. Motions for additions or deletions to the proposed agenda
3. Approve Agenda
4. Approve April 13th MSAB/DDA Joint Retreat Summary Minutes
5. Approve May 21st Summary Minutes
II. Officers Reports
6. Chairman's Comments - Anderson
7. Vice Chair Comments - Washington
8. Treasurer's Update - Merritt
9. Secretary's Update - Vacant
III. Old Business
10. Update on the Joint Sponsorship Amphitheater Table
IV. New Business
11. Rental of Storage Space
12. New Downtown Development Authority Board Member - Kenya Cook
V. City Staff Reports
13. City Council Liaison - Councilmember Alexander
14. Economic Development Department Liaison - City Manager Fredrick
Gardiner
15. Main Street Advisry Board Liaison - Vacant
VI. Executive Session (if needed)
VII. Adjourn
JOINT RETREAT
MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
Merle Manders Conference Center
April 13, 2024 9:00 a.m.
Summary Minutes

STOCKBRIDGE MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD
Willie Hopkins, Chair - Present Shomari Furtch – Vice Chair - Present
Prayre Finley, Secretary – Not Present Linda Jones - Present
Anika Potts – Present Andrea Burnett – Present
Vanessa Gibson – Not Present Camille Reynoso Mason – Present
Crystal Park - Present Frangela Merritt - Present

Councilman Alphonso Thomas - Not Present
Lisa Fareed, Interim Main Street Program Manager – Present
Kim Allonce, Economic Development Director – Present
Christine Chavis, Executive Assistant, Economic Development - Present
Terezy Ocoha, Administrative Assistant, Economic Development – Present

STOCKBRIDGE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Robert Anderson, Chair - Present Warren Washington – Vice Chair – Not Present
Robert Swygert, Secretary – Not Present Frangela Merritt - Present
Darrell Stamper – Present
Councilman Elton Alexander - Present
Kim Allonce, Economic Development Director – Present

STOCKBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Anthony S. Ford - Present Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Berry - Present
Councilman Elton Alexander - Present Councilwoman Yolanda Barber - Present
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt – Not Present Councilman Alphonso Thomas – Not Present
Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk – Present

RETREAT FACILITATOR - Teri Smiley – Starfish Partnership LLC
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The Main Street Advisory Board Chair, Willie Hopkins, called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m. Chair
Hopkins proceeded with the Roll Call. Members Hopkins, Gibson, Burnett, Jones, Mason, Park, and
Potts were present. Member Furtch joined at 9:27 a.m. Councilman Thomas was not in attendance.
There was a quorum.

The Downtown Development Authority Chair, Robert Anderson proceeded with the Roll Call.
Members Anderson, Merritt, Stamper, and Councilman Alexander were present. Members
Washington and Swygert were not in attendance. There was a quorum.

Mayor Ford proceeded with the Roll Call for the City Council. Mayor Ford, and Councilman Alexander
were in attendance. Councilmembers Barber, Berry, Gantt, and Thomas were not present for roll call.
There was no quorum. Mayor Pro Tem Berry and Councilwoman Barber joined the meeting at 9:39
a.m. There was a quorum.

Ms. Fareed gave an overview of the Retreat noting Main Street Program is required to hold an Annual
Retreat per the Department of Community Affairs, and complete and submit the Main Street Work
Plan annually. Ms. Fareed noted the Downtown Development Authority, and the City Council were
invited as a collaborate effort as stakeholders and to all be on the same page as it relates to the
development of downtown Stockbridge. Ms. Fareed read the Main Street Mission and Vision
Statements, and introduced the Retreat Facilitator, Ms. Terri Smiley of Starship Partnership, LLC.

Ms. Smiley gave an overview of her background and experience, and referenced prior retreats for
other municipalities and entities that she has done work for, and asked each attendee to introduce
themselves, and state your “why” for choosing to be on the board, council, or committee they
represent.

Invocation by Mayor Pro Tem Berry.

Pledge of Allegiance recited by all in attendance.
A Roadmap for Board of Excellence
Ms. Smiley presented a Self-Awareness and Reflection presentation where the attendees were able
to identify social styles and interactions of other members, and having this knowledge would give the
members insight on how to feed off each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Ms. Smiley reviewed the importance of Governance, and noted the Bylaws for Main Street must be
approved by the City Council. Ms. Smiley noted Board Members govern; and staff manages; noted
the importance of Board Members serving and not just having a seat on a board, and that in reality,
20% of the members of a Board do 80% the work; noted the Board should have meeting rules in
place, a Strategic Plan, Minutes adopted at each meeting; and noted committees within the Board are
ongoing and that a Task Force is set up for specific matters.

Ms. Smiley noted there should be an annual review, a good strategic plan, and goal setting, as is
being done here today, think about your “wow factor”, and always remember your “why”.

Ms. Smiley noted the main focus of the DDA is real estate; the main focus of Main Street is promotion
of the City; and the main focus of the City Council is funding and support of the DDA and Main Street,
with all entities on the same page with no silos.
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Ms. Fareed stated the DDA builds it, Main Street dresses it up, and the Council gives guidance and
support.

Ms. Smiley reviewed the Mission Statements for the City Council and the DDA; and noted the Main
Street Program is a nationwide 501c.6 organization; and that the Stockbridge Main Street Program
has been recognized nationally for their award-winning efforts.

Review Current Plans for Downtown Stockbridge; 2018 RSVP Plan, DDA-Draft Report of
Downtown Master Plan, City of Stockbridge Economic Development STrateg Plan, 2024, 2023
Main Street Work Plan

Main Street Program Report
Chair Hopkins presented the Main Street Program report noting the focus continues to be the RSVP
Plan where there was a lot of hard work that went into the plan as a collective body; noted the idea of
the RSVP Plan is to get people to come to the downtown area and noted that during the process of
putting the RSVP Plan together, citizens and business owners attended several meetings and gave
their input on what they wanted to see in the downtown area. Chair Hopkins commended the work of
the Stockbridge City Council on the efforts being done in the city and does not want the Council to
forget the RSVP Plan as the wholistic plant that was generated from the citizens and include
connectivity and walkable areas with patrons visiting businesses before and after concerts. Chair
Hopkins noted the largest commercial business in the downtown area is Food Depot; noted downtown
parking needs to be addressed and repaving of the closed street; noting the Main Street Advisory
Board is the hardest working Board in the City, always showing up because they have a vested
interest, and knows their role; and noted Main Street will continue to focus on the RSVP Plan, with a
great interest on the low hanging fruit items in the plan in unison with the City, noting it is okay to
disagree, with the mission being to move forward to make the City of Stockbridge better; referenced
Main Street’s assistance with the Quiet Zone, and noted former Main Street Manager, Kira Harris-
Braggs played a major role with the RSVP, and that in her absence, the Main Street Program has not
missed a beat as Ms. Lisa Fareed has stepped in to the role, and kept everything moving seamlessly.

Councilman Alexander noted the RSVP Book is an excellent marketing tool.

Vice-Chair Furtch noted the information from the RSVP Plan came from the residents and
stakeholders of the City and read a portion of the hundreds of responses that are included in the book
that came from the community.

Board Member Jones referenced the on-line surveys and in-person meetings that were attended by
the community for several months to put the RSVP Plan together, noting that should not be
overlooked.

Ms. Fareed noted Main Street, led the RSVP Plan working with the Carl Vinson Institute of
Government where it was stated by the CVIOG staff that they had never seen such a great turnout
and input from the community.

Councilman Alexander agreed the CVIOG Charrette was great and referenced the marketing analysis
for housing to support the downtown businesses.

3|Page
Mayor Ford noted the Quiet Zone was instrumental and referenced federal funding from
Congressman Scott’s office.

Councilman Alexander referenced additional funding for the feasibility study for the pedestrian bridge
and TSPLOST projects.

Ms. Fareed noted the “Station” was no longer relevant to the RSVP Plan, as the building has been
sold, and the Ted Strickland Community Center is now operating as the Stockbridge Downtown
Connection Center housing the Economic Development, Main Street and DDA Office and Conference
Room; and noted the Troll Village is no longer relevant, noting the downtown area has a need for
more parking, however, there is a need for more art.
Downtown Development Authority Report
Chair Anderson stated he was unsure why the DDA added a Downtown Master Plan when the RSVP
Plan was already in place, noting there are items within the plans that conflict with each other, with the
DDA approving the Downtown Master Plan, and the City did not.

Councilman Alexander noted there is value in the data from the Downtown Master Plan.

Chair Anderson noted that based on the activity downtown, it appears as though the City is
developing an Entertainment District, and that the restaurants are not family friendly.

Mayor Ford stated that the future developments will include more family-oriented facilities.

Ms. Fareed noted the Main Street Program has put on a number of family-friendly events, noting
feedback from residents was that there were not adult activities in the city; and referenced the Funnel
Cake business, the Lemonade Café, and Ice Cream business for families, and agrees there needs to
be more balanced options.

Councilman Alexander referenced the Dance Studio and Peach Cobbler Café that are in the
downtown district footprint, and not within the Main Street boundaries.

Ms. Smiley noted it is not necessary to adopt everything included in a feasibility study, noting these
are recommendations.
Economic Development Report
Mr. Allonce noted that as part of the City’s Strategic Plan, the Economic Development Department
was directed to come up with a unified vision and create an Action Plan noting who will do what as it
relates to the various boards; noted K B Advisory Group partnered with the City and met with each of
the boards discussing the issues, and looked at all of the plans, noting the RSVP Plan was the more
dominant plan, and had a conversation on how to move forward, noting there were five (5)
overreaching goals, noting downtown is the priority, and needs private investment.

Goal 1 – Revitalize and Activate Downtown Stockbridge.

Goal 2 – Support and Expand the Medical Hub with Piedmont Henry Hospital as the Anchor (Citywide
Development Authority will play a major role here).

Goal 3 – Retaining and Supporting the Small/Local Business utilizing the Economic Development
BRICS Initiative.

4|Page
Goal 4 – Developing a Workforce Training Program (Working with Goodwill Industries and Southern
Crescent Community College).

Goal 5 – Improving Connectivity and Quality of Life.

Mr. Allonce referenced the Action Plan document and referenced the Objective, Responsible Board(s)
and Timeframe, and reviewed the Implementation Strategies, noting the desired outcomes of the next
five years, noted for each of the objectives, there are two strategies that are to be considered the
“action Items” for the Economic Development Department and relevant stakeholders to implement;
and noted for each strategy, the table outlines (1) the recommended stakeholder(s) to carry out each
strategy and 92) the estimated timeframe to implement it; and referenced the Key (Stakeholder List)
referencing the responsible party, and that collaboration is key for successful economic development,
so many of the strategies have multiple stakeholders identified; and noted the stakeholder that is
recommended to take the lead role in implementing the strategy is listed first.

Councilwoman Barber asked what role the boards play in attracting businesses to the downtown.

Mr. Allonce noted that if a board member receives information from a potential prospect, the lead(s)
should be relayed to the City’s Economic Development Department.

Mr. Allonce noted the role of Main Street is to support the existing businesses in the downtown with
programs and events that bring patrons, or foot traffic to the downtown area; noted the Downtown
Development Authority (DDA) has tools and incentives to bring and retain businesses to the
downtown area and is currently working on a project; and the Citywide Development Authority (CDA)
has incentive tools and real estate with the hospital and healthcare being the major focus to make
Stockbridge more attractive.

Mr. Allonce noted the City has approved a TAD (Tax Allocation District); however, the TAD needs
approval of the Henry County Board of Commissioners (BOC) and the Henry County School Board
(BOE), and that has not happened, and encouraged each member of the various boards to reach out
to the BOC and BOE members to get their commitment on the TAD; noting the TAD revenues would
allow for infrastructure and landscaping improvements in the downtown, noting Design Standards
need to be implemented for Downtown.

Mr. Allonce recommended the Economic Development Round Table continue, noting each Board
member Chair is invited to participate.

Board Member Furtch noted that there has been a great deal of information in the presentations given
today, and offered an overview whereas we need more people to come to the downtown area; Main
Street needs to offer more activities to bring people downtown; we need more investors to build more
residential downtown to support the businesses; and we need more Council support and funding.

Chair Anderson stated as it relates to the DDA’s role, the Board may need to acquire property to
complete the plan.

Mayor Ford exited the meeting; the City Council no longer has a quorum.

5|Page
The Main Street Approach: The Four Pillars of Mainstreet Stockbridge Mainstreet Survey
Results

Ms. Fareed presented the Main Street 2024 Movie Night Event (June 14th). Motion to approve made
by Jones; seconded by Merritt. The motion passed unanimously 6-0.
Main Street 2023 Work Plan
Ms. Fareed referenced the 2023 Downtown Strategic Work Plan noting this is a 5-year project where
due to the remnants of the pandemic progress has slowed; noting the report has a number of
projects with a delayed status; and noted the area around Burke Street looks blighted and
abandoned, and the Alleyway Project needs to be a priority for the City; and noted the utilities
appear to be the remaining pending item to complete the Alleyway project.

Board Member Merritt offered her services for AT&T to assist in moving the project along.

Ms. Fareed reviewed the Work Plan Tasks, Responsible Person, Organization, Status and Project
Budget, noting there has been ARPA funding allocated to Economic Development for Events, and for
the Façade Grant Program.

Ms. Chavis noted the Business Assistance Program will work in partnership with the Downtown
Development Authority on business facades and exterior features of the downtown businesses,
special events in the downtown, seeking sponsorships, noting small business façade grants have
been awarded to Frozen Smoke, Rico’s, and Ruth’s restaurants; and the Downtown Business
Assistance grants have been issued to Frozen Smoke and the Eagles Landing Dance Studio in the
Publix plaza on East Atlanta Rd.

Mr. Allonce suggested the City continue to fund the Economic Development BRICS Program.

Ms. Fareed noted developments are going up next to Rico’s Restaurant, and the BRICS incentives
and grants will help business owners with renovations and curb appeal that will spur and encourage
more investments.

Ms. Fareed also noted parking continues to be a huge concern in the downtown area, with a battle
amongst the businesses along M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail seeking parking for their patrons, noting
Amphitheater parking is an additional problem with concert goers parking in parking spaces for their
patrons during the concert with no parking enforcement from the police or code enforcement.

Board Member Furtch noted there are a number of individuals unjustly selling parking spaces during
the Amphitheater concerts that don’t own the parking areas.

Councilmember Barber agreed there are parking issues in the downtown area, and noted the City
Council has been made aware of the issues; and recommended when there are violations, to please
call the police if there are illegal attendants spotted, or as the Representative for the Downtown
District 4, to also contact her and make here aware.

Ms. Fareed noted the downtown visitors do not always have a great experience due to the parking
issues.
6|Page
Councilmember Barber noted the Amphitheater Map for parking has been requested to present to
the Council for approval at the April 30th Work Session Meeting.
Councilmember Barber asked why the Boards are not presenting quarterly updates to the Council
and suggested to the Board Chair that presentations be presented so that the Mayor & Council are
aware of issues and actions taken by the Board.

Chair Anderson noted the DDA has submitted their First Quarter Report to the Mayor & Council.

Ms. Smiley noted the S.W.O.T. Analysis has basically been covered in the RSVP Plan and the
Economic Development Plan and referenced the (4) Four Pillars of Main Street: Economic Vitality,
Design (with an emphasis on historic values, murals, and statues), Promotion and Organization.

Ms. Fareed noted the importance of Recreation, Leisure, Dining, and Retail in the Main Street
District is to create a Sense of Place.

Ms. Smiley referenced the award-winning Main Street Program and the Small Business Blitz that is
typically on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, and noted the Stockbridge Program promotes the
Small Business Blitz throughout the entire month of November; and noted the Board needs to keep
the 2 Strategic Goals of implement Arts and Beautification of the downtown area in focus.

Board member Potts noted that with so many pending items, Main Street needs to focus and
address the items under Main Street’s control.

Chair Hopkins agreed, noting the items that are currently noted incomplete, need to be addressed
and completed where possible and feasible.

Group 1 was tasked with creating a Strategy for implementing the Arts and Beautification projects in
the Main Street/Downtown area.

Group 2 was tasked with identifying Arts and Beautification projects for the Main Street/Downtown
area.

Group 2 suggested creating a Task Force to research a small amphitheater stage for smaller events
to be located on the city’s green space adjacent to city hall; explore donations; seek local artists,
musicians, and arts & craft vendors; and install a digital board with announcements; suggested
expanding the white lights to be decorated around the trees along East Atlanta Road, M L King, Sr.
Heritage Trail, N. Henry Blvd. from Burke Street to Municipal Park adjacent to the Police Station,
and along Love Street to identify the downtown area; add seating along M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail;
review a Special Façade Grant for Food Depot; remove the brick wall along M L King, Sr. Heritage to
open up the sidewalk; city to clean and maintain the entrance to the Arts Center entrance along
Burke Street; identify a location near the Amphitheater to install a STOCKBRIDGE Statue with the “I”
space empty to be filled in by a person as a tourist attraction; make improvements in the Love Street
crosswalk, install and create a “You are Here” QR Code and creating a group to identify the
downtown anchors, COS Wayfinding and using the 30281 Zip Code Mural; and have a local Taste of
Stockbridge.
7|Page
Group 2 recommended (6) six Goals to promote the Downtown:
1. Offer financial incentives such as the Façade Grant, and work in collaboration with the City and
Business Owners to allow pop-up shops and pop-up markets.
2. Promote Shop Small throughout the entire year to help generate new customers; highlight
businesses on the city’s webpage, highlighting a “business spotlight of the month”.
3. Collaborate with the City’s Social Media platforms and promoting events.
4. Encourage businesses to bring out samples with the focus on homemade and hand-made
samples.
5. Promote Stockbridge Businesses using a QR Code.
6. Co-market by promoting each other’s businesses.
Goal 3
1. Move forward with cleaning up and completing the Alleyway.
2. Move forward with the first phase of Pedestrian Friendly Pedestrian Bridge.

Ms. Smiley and Ms. Fareed thanked everyone for their participation in today’s Retreat.

Ms. Smiley noted an overall report would be prepared and distributed to Ms. Fareed in the upcoming
week.

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk Robert Anderson, DDA Board Chair

8|Page
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 @ 6 PM
130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail
Stockbridge, GA 30281

Board Members City Staff
Robert Anderson, Chair - Present Cassandra Lester, Deputy City Clerk - Present
Warren Washington, Vice Chair - Present Vacant - Economic Development Director
Frangela Merritt, Treasurer - Present Vacant - Main Street Manager
Vacant, Secretary Fred Gardiner, City Manager - Present
Darrell Stampler, Board Member - Present
Vacant, Board Member Guest Speaker
Elton Alexander, City Councilmember - Present

Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

Chair Anderson proceeded with a roll call; Councilmember Alexander was not present.

Chair Anderson called for a motion to approve the meeting Agenda. Motion to approve the
Agenda made by Treasurer Merritt; seconded by Vice-Chair Washington. The Motion passed
unanimously.

Councilmember Alexander joined the meeting at 6:11 p.m.

Chair Anderson called for a Motion to approve the Minutes of the April 16th, 2024 meeting.
Motion to approve made by Treasurer Merritt; seconded by Vice-Chair Washington. The Motion
passed unanimously.

The summary minutes from the joint retreat between the Main Street Advisory Board, Downtown
Development Authority, and Stockbridge City Council on April 13, 2024, were not approved.

Officer Reports
Chair's Comments-Anderson
Chair Anderson reminded the DDA Board to proceed with integrity and transparency.

Vice-Chair Comments-Washington
No Updates

Treasurer Update-Merritt-Financial Report
Treasurer Merritt presented the balance sheet of the Downtown Development Authority to the
Board Members: The Operating account balance is $28,407.74 – changes are $1,582.10 for
supplies, $7,400.00 to power pressure wash the bridge; Façade's account balance is $30,000,
with no changes; Project's account balance is $210,799.45, including the revenue from the sale
of the 114 MLK Sr. Heritage Trail property for $69,904.61.

Chair Anderson called for a Motion to approve the Treasurer's Update. Motion to approve made
by Councilmember Alexander; seconded by Vice-Chair Washington. The Motion passed 4-0-1,
with Treasurer Merritt abstaining.

Secretary Update-Vacant
No Updates

Page 1 of 3
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 @ 6 PM
130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail
Stockbridge, GA 30281

New Business
Fill the position of Secretary.
The DDA Board will table the discussion until new members join. Treasurer Merritt has
volunteered to take roll-call at meetings in the interim.

DCA 2023FY Report
Clerks' office agreed to provide the training of DDA Board members within the next business
day so the DDA can file for renewal.

Old Business
Sale 114 MLK Sr Heritage Trail.
Chair Anderson announced that the sale of the 114 MLK Senior Heritage Trail was completed
on May 10th, 2024. He stated that he and Treasurer Merritt will meet with the DDA attorney to
complete the paperwork required to satisfy the verbal agreement with the City of Stockbridge,
which involves splitting the proceeds from the sale of the 114 MLK Sr. Heritage Trail 45/55. 45%
to the Downtown Development Authority and 55% to the City of Stockbridge.

DDA Bylaws
Superior Court was not able to record the bylaws because they were not notarized. Chair
Anderson provided the clerk's office with a copy of the updated bylaws for posterity.

Amphitheater Information Tent
The Board agreed to staff the information tent on an event-by-event basis.

Amphitheater VIP Table
The Board reviewed the joint sponsorship proposal from the Citywide Development Authority.
Treasurer Merritt requested an invoice be sent to the DDA Board for the VIP table sponsorship.

Railroad Bridge Washing Project
Chair Anderson informed the Board that the pressure washing project for the Railroad Bridge
has been completed, and the contractor has been fully paid. However, Chair Anderson
expressed concern that the Board did not receive a quote or contract from the vendor before the
project began. Both Vice-Chair Warren and Councilmember Alexander recalled discussing the
details of the power pressure washing during the April 16th meeting. Chair Anderson
emphasized the importance of the DDA Board receiving a written agreement whenever a
contractor performs work on its behalf. In response, Councilmember Alexander mentioned that
the amount and the vendor were indeed discussed during the April 16th meeting, and no one
objected. Chair Anderson stated that the DDA Board cannot hold the contractor accountable for
not removing the vines that were left on the bridge after the work was completed, because the
DDA Board did not have a contract with the contractor. The City Manager assured the DDA
Board that he would have the contractor remove the vines.

City Council Update
Councilmember Alexander states that everything is going well. He mentioned that 114 MLK
Senior Heritage Trail had been cleaned out, and photos were sent to the DDA Board. The
Amphitheater had a good turnout for its first concert, and the traffic plan worked well. He also
noted that the beautification at Lee Street and East Atlanta Road is amazing. He mentioned the
Free concerts on Memorial Day and Juneteenth. Councilmember Alexander stated he had to go
to another appointment. Councilmember Alexander left at 6:51 p.m.
Page 2 of 3
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 @ 6 PM
130 MLK Senior Heritage Trail
Stockbridge, GA 30281

City Staff Reports
Stockbridge Economic Development Director - Vacant
City Manager Fred Gardiner mentioned that the city is still interviewing for the vacant Economic
Development Director position. In the interim, he will work in the Downtown Connection Center
on Mondays and Wednesdays. He stated that the TAD masterplan is complete and will be
presented to the Council at the next scheduled work session. The discussion included an
explanation of how TAD funding works and clarified that it would not increase the millage rate.
Atlantic Station and Camp Creek Parkway were used as comparable projects, he mentioned
that if approved by the Council, the next step would be to seek consent to proceed from the
County. Chair Anderson remarked that growth is beneficial when coupled with integrity and
transparency. Chair Anderson also noted that he believes backdoor deals have made the area
landlocked. Chair Anderson expressed agreement that the Downtown Development Authority
will collaborate with the city to move forward. City Manager Gardiner stated that everything is
being done openly in front of everyone.

Executive Session – Real Estate Matters
No Updates

Vice-Chair Washington had to leave, therefore Chair Anderson called for a motion to adjourn;
Treasurer Merritt motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7 p.m.; seconded by Board member
Stampler. The Motion passed unanimously. The minutes were written by Deputy City Clerk
Cassandra Lester.

Executive Session Criteria GA Code
Discuss or vote to authorize the settlement of a matter covered by the attorney-client 50-14-2(1) and
privilege. Identify the case or claim discussed but not the substance of the attorney-client 50-14-3(b)(1)(A)
discussion.
Discuss or vote to authorize negotiations to purchase, dispose of or lease property. 50-14-3(b)(1)(B)
Discuss or vote to authorize the ordering of an appraisal related to the acquisition or 50-14-3(b)(1)(C)
disposal of real estate.
Discuss or vote to enter into a contract to purchase, dispose of, or lease property subject to 50-14-3(b)(1)(D)
approval in a subsequent public vote.
Discuss or vote to enter into an option to purchase, dispose of, or lease real estate. 50-14-3(b)(1)(E)
Discuss or deliberate upon the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, 50-14-3(b)(2)
disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or
employee.
Meeting to interview one or more applicants for the position of the executive head of an 50-14-3(b)(2)
agency.
A meeting otherwise required to be open was closed to the public in order to consult and 50-14-2(1)
meet with legal counsel pertaining to pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims,
administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against
the agency or any officer or employee or in which the agency or any officer or employee
may be directly involved and the matter discussed was [identify the matter but not the
substance of the discussion.
Staff meeting held for investigative purposes under duties or responsibilities imposed by 50-14-3(a) (1)
law.

Page 3 of 3
