---
date: 2023-09-26
title: Work Session Meeting Minutes
source: 2023-09/2023-09-26_Work Session Meeting_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

WORK SESSION MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 6:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Frederick Gardiner, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Yolanda Barber Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilman Elton Alexander John Wiggins, City Treasurer
Councilman John Blount Quinton Washington, City Attorney
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt
Councilman Alphonso Thomas
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 at 6:02 p.m.

II. Invocation – Councilman Blount

III. Pledge of Allegiance – Recited by all in attendance.

IV. Roll Call – All members were present.

V. Motion to amend the Agenda to add item #8 for clarification regarding
Reconsideration made by Councilwoman Gantt; seconded by Councilman
Blount. The motion passed 4-0-1. Alexander, Barber, Blount, and Gantt
approved; (Thomas abstained).
VI. Motion to approve the Agenda made by Councilman Blount; seconded by
Councilman Alexander. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

VII. Review of the Minutes – No Action
1. Review of the Draft Retreat Minutes August 10, 2023
2. Review of the Draft Retreat Minutes August 11, 2023
3. Review of the Draft Council Meeting Minutes August 14, 2023
4. Review of the Draft Work Session Minutes August 29, 2023

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PUBLIC COMMENTS
All persons wishing to speak for public comment must sign in with the City Clerk prior to
the beginning of the meeting noting your name, address, and phone number. You will be
allotted three (3) minutes. Speakers must respect all members of the elected body,
officials, and staff. Defamation, unruliness and/or swearing will not be tolerated.
There were no public comments.

NEW BUSINESS
5. Council consideration to approve Task Order No. 44 with Carter & Sloope
for Watershed Monitoring and Reporting (2024 – 2026 Monitoring Years)
in the amount of $70,400.00. Funding Source: Sewer Department Budget.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Motion to approve made by Councilman Blount; seconded by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

Mr. Aaron requested a site visit with the Council to determine the trees to
be trimmed/cut.

Mayor Pro Tem Barber made a Point of Order to request the Agenda be
amended to add the discussion regarding tree trimming and maintenance.

Motion to amend the Agenda to add a discussion for Tree/Trimming and
Maintenance around city hall made by Councilman Blount; seconded by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

Motion to cut down the trees around the flagpole and trim the trees along
East Atlanta Rd. made by Councilwoman Gantt; seconded by Councilman
Alexander. The motion passed unanimously5-0.

6. Council consideration to renew the contract with Amazon, which is a
Piggyback contract with OMNIA Partners Public Sector, through Prince
William County Public Schools in the amount of $75,000.00 under R21-
1386.
Presented by: John Wiggins, Treasurer
Motion to approve made by Councilman Blount; seconded by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

7. Council consideration to amend the Downtown Special Events Program to
increase the maximum funding amount from $2,500 to $5,000 and
allowing for up to $1,500 to be used towards City of Stockbridge fees
related to special events such as staffing needs, street closures, security
detail, cleaning, and City equipment.
Presented by: Kim Allonce, Economic Development Director
Motion to approve with a cap of $15,000 per year made by Councilwoman
Gantt; seconded by Councilman Alexander. The motion passed
unanimously 5-0.

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8. Clarification of the Reconsideration
Presented by Councilwoman Gantt
Motion to issue the directive of the consensus of Council that the staff
shall prohibited from directly hiring anyone for the position of Deputy Clerk
and to yield to will of the City Council to appoint the candidate of our
choice made by Councilman Alexander; seconded by Councilman Blount.
The motion passed 3-2 Alexander, Blount and Gantt approved; Barber
and Thomas opposed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING MEETINGS
UPCOMING MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council meetings will be held in the
City Council Chamber. Meeting dates, locations and times are subject to change or
contact City Hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates.
• Stockbridge Citizens-Police Advisory Council meeting 1st Thursday of each
month at 6:00 p.m. at the Stockbridge Police Community Room 4545 N. Henry
Blvd. (Oct 5)
• City Council Meeting, 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. – City Hall Council
Chamber (Oct 9)
• Youth Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - 2nd Monday of each month - City Hall Levi
Meeting Room - City Hall (Oct 9)
• Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m. -2nd Monday of each
month Levi Meeting Room - City Hall (Oct 9)
• Citywide Development Authority Meeting, 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00
p.m. - City Hall Levi Meeting Room (Oct 10)
• Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, 2nd Friday of each month – Welcome
Center located at 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail at 9am (Oct 13)
• Downtown Development Authority Meeting, 3rd Tuesday of each month
Welcome Center 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail (Oct 17)
• Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - City Hall Council Chamber 4th
Thursday of each month– (Oct 26)
• City Council Work Session Meeting, last Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. –
City Hall Council (Oct 31)

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS/INITIATIVES

o Join the City of Stockbridge for the Annual BridgeFest Festival taking place
Saturday, September 30th at the Stockbridge Amphitheater. This is a Free Event
with Carnival Rides, Food Trucks, Vendors, and a Concert. The gates open at
3:00 pm. Contact the Events Team at 770-389-5982 for more information.
o Join Councilwoman Gantt in partnership with the Southern Crescent Pearls
Foundation and AKA Sorority PSI Alpha Omega Chapter for the Bizness Matters
Entrepreneur and Black Business Expo, Sunday, October 1st from 11am - 5pm
at the Merle Manders Conference Center; contact via
email: paoblack365@psialphaomega.org for additional information.

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o Join Mayor Pro Tem Barber for the 'Breast Friends' Breast Health Awareness
event on Monday, October 2nd at the Merle Manders Conference Center Lower
Level and again on October 9th for the 'My Breast Friend' mammogram
screening event in partnership with Women's Imaging Specialist. There are 20
slots available for women who are uninsured.
o Join Councilman Blount for Bingo Bash, Wednesday, October 18th from 10am –
noon at the Merle Manders Conference Center located at 111 Davis Rd.
o Join Mayor Ford for the monthly Meet the Mayor on Monday, October 23rd from
10am – noon. Please contact Rosalynd Rawls to schedule an appointment at
678-833-3348 or via email at rrawls@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov
o Join Councilman Thomas for the Don’t Trash Stockbridge initiative centered
around education highlighting the causes and effects of Littering and Illegal
Dumping. More information to follow.
o Councilman Thomas is honoring Veterans with a Continuous Salute all year long.
Please send your pictures of Veterans with their name, branch, rank and years of
service to rrawls@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov

Get your tickets for the upcoming 2023 Stockbridge Concert Series by visiting
stockbridgeamp.com or in person at the ticket office located at 4650 North Henry Blvd.
Thursday – Saturday from 1pm – 5pm.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Ford noted COVID-19 is still on the rise and encouraged everyone to get their
vaccinations and boosters to stay healthy as the flu season approaches; noted Costco
is having their grand opening at the Bridges of Jodeco on Thursday, November 16th;
referenced the Candidate Forum taking place on Tuesday, October 10 th with
Stockbridge municipal candidates and will be hosted by an AJC journalist; and
reminded everyone about the upcoming Free BridgeFest event and to get your ticket
to secure seating.
Motion to convene Executive Session for Personnel made by Councilwoman Gantt;
seconded by Councilman Blount. The motion passed 3-2 Alexander, Blount and Gantt
Approved; Barber and Thomas Opposed.
Motion to reconvene the meeting made by Councilman Blount; seconded by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 3-0. Alexander, Blount and Gantt Approved;
Barber and Thomas were not present for the vote.
Motion to transfer properties: 108 First Street, 142 Wilson Avenue and 4498 North
Henry Blvd. to the URA made by Councilwoman Gantt; seconded by Councilman
Alexander. The motion passed 3-0. Alexander, Blount and Gantt Approved; Barber and
Thomas were not present for the vote.
Motion to adjourn made by Councilwoman Gantt; seconded by Councilman Alexander.
The motion passed 3-0. Alexander, Blount and Gantt Approved; Barber and Thomas
were not present for the vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

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