---
date: 
title: 2018 02 27 2018 Minutes
source: 2018/2018_02_27_2018_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
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Stockbridge
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.

SUMMARY MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2018 4:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Randy Knighton, City Manager
Councilman Elton Alexander Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilman John Blount Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Mayor Pro Tem LaKeisha Gantt Michael Williams, City Attorney
Councilwoman Neat Robinson
Councilman Alphonso Thomas
Call to Order by Mayor Ford at 4:00pm.

Invocation by Ms. Mildred Reed

Pledge of Allegiance was recited in union.

City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All members of
Council were present except Mayor Pro Tem Gantt and Councilman Alexander.

Councilman Thomas motioned to adopt the Agenda as printed; second by Councilwoman
Robinson. The motion passed 3-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt joined the meeting at 4:03 P.M.

Review of the Minutes of the following meetings: 1/8/2018, Public Hearing 1/8/2018 and
1/30/2018 No action by the Council

PUBLIC COMMENTS
All persons wishing to speak for public comment must sign in with the City Clerk prior to the
beginning of the meeting. You must sign your name, address, and phone number. You will be
able to address the Mayor and Council for three (3) minutes. Speakers must respect all
members of the elected body, officials, and staff. Defamation, unruliness and/or swearing will
not be tolerated while meetings are in session

February 27, 2018 4:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Ms. Reed, asked for the support of the Mayor & Council for the Henry County
Council on Aging Annual Miles for Meals Walk. The walk will take place
May 5, 2018 (the 1st Saturday in May) at the Jason Harper Event Center from
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Ms. Reed also referenced Mr. Tyrone Anderson and Mrs.
Mary Jo Blount and herself as Stockbridge representatives on the Council on
Aging board for Henry County.

Mr. William Roberts informed the Mayor & Council of the growing trend of Pickle
Ball in Henry County and surrounding areas and asked that the tennis courts at
Gardner Park be striped to accommodate the sport. No action by the Council.

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Council Consideration to approve Agenda and Meeting Procedures Policy.
(2) year contract.
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Mayor Pro Tem Gantt motioned to approve the Agenda and Meeting
Procedure Policy; second by Councilman Thomas. The motion passed 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS:
2. Council Consideration to approve Judicial Alternatives of Georgia Probation
Services Agreement for the Stockbridge Municipal Court.
Presented by: Michael Williams, City Attorney
Mayor Pro Tem Gantt motioned to approve Judicial Alternatives of Georgia
Probation Services Agreement for the Stockbridge Municipal Court; second
by Councilwoman Robinson. The motion passed 4-0.

3. Council Consideration to establish a new division under the General Fund –
De-Annexation - Division #15700
Presented by: Randy Knighton, City Manager
Councilwoman Robinson motioned to establish a new division under the
General Fund- De-Annexation- Division #15700; second by Councilman
Blount. The motion passed 4-0.

4. Council Consideration to approve the use of the Ted Strickland Community
Center on March 22, 2018 for the Senior Fun Day event.
Presented by: Mayor Pro Tem Gantt
Item Postponed at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Gantt.

5. Council Consideration to approve the use of the Merle Manders Conference
Center on April 26, 2018 for the Non-Profit Mixer event.
Presented by: Mayor Pro Tem Gantt
Councilman Blount motioned to approve the use of the Merle Manders
Conference Center on April 26, 2018 for the Non-Profit Mixer event; second
by Councilman Thomas. The motion passed 4-0.

February 27, 2018 4:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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DISCUSSION:
6. Council Consideration to review Resolution No. R18-910 for Roadway
Lighting Assistance for Western Parallel Connector from Hudson Bridge to
Jonesboro – P.I. No. 0014482;
Presented by: Randy Knighton, City Manager
Councilman Thomas motioned to hold signing the agreement for 30 days;
second by Mayor Pro Tem Gantt. The motion passed 4-0.

Councilman Alexander joined the meeting at 4:20 P.M.

QUARTERLY BOARD & COMMITTEE REPORTS
(Will present at the April 24, 2018 Work Session meeting)

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Mr. Randy Knighton noted he and Mayor Ford attended the Georgia Power
luncheon and received the annual check for Franchise Fees payable to the City.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY CLERK
Mrs. Vanessa Holiday noted the City has added CodeRED the City’s website; a
free app to receive alerts from Henry County 911 in the event of weather-related
emergencies.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Thomas thanked the community for their support, with special thanks
to the faith-based community, along with staff and the Council to Keep Stockbridge
Together.

Councilman Blount thanked everyone for following the course of Keeping
Stockbridge Together as the efforts are effective and noted he is looking forward to
a positive outcome.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt thanked everyone for attending, commended the works of
staff with a special thanks to City Manager, Randy Knighton and Community
Development Director, Camilla Moore for their due diligence in working to Keep
Stockbridge Together; and noted her confidence in a victory for the City.

Councilman Alexander noted it was a challenge arriving for the 4PM meetings;
referenced the item approved by Council related to the Agenda and meeting
procedures; (Mayor Ford noted the Council had approved the Item earlier in the
meeting); Councilman Alexander referenced an item that he had asked to be
placed on the Agenda and had not been (Mayor Ford noted the item was being
heard at the March 27th meeting); Councilman Alexander noted he was opposed to
funding the lobbyists; encouraged citizens to be engaged as the bills in the
General Assembly had already crossed over and urged citizens to rally to Keep
Stockbridge Together.
February 27, 2018 4:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Councilwoman Robinson noted all members of the Council were elected officials
and each one has a voice; thanked Congressman David Scott for allowing the
Youth Council to visit his office and thanked PIO Officer, Shana Thornton for her
attendance as well; thanked staff and wants the City to be successful in their bid to
Keep Stockbridge Together.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford noted that a consensus was three votes of the Council; noted the
Council has voted on a strategy and that while someone may not approve of the
strategy, the Council would move in the direction based on the consensus; noted
he believes the City is moving in the right direction; noted the House Bills & Senate
Bills are not all passed and that Crossover Day is tomorrow, February 28th; asked
everyone to keep the faith and God Bless.

Mayor Ford read the following News & Announcements:

• Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, Friday, March 9, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. at City
Hall in the Levi Meeting Room

• City Council Meeting, Monday, March 12, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall in the
Council Chamber

• Planning Commission Meeting, Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall
in the Chamber

• Downtown Development Authority Meeting, Monday March 19, 2018 at 6:00 P.M.
at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room

• Youth Council Meeting, Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. at City Hall in
the Chamber

• Council Retreat, Tuesday, March 20th and Wednesday, March 21st from
8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Buford, Georgia

• Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at
6:00 P.M. at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room

• Stockbridge Association of Businesses Meeting, Thursday, March 22, 2018 at
6:00 P.M. at Ted Strickland Community Center 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail.

• Council Work Session Meeting, Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 4:00 P.M. at City Hall
in the Levi Meeting Room

UPCOMING EVENT(S) & ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Youth Symposium – Location: Stockbridge High School, Saturday, March 5th from
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Councilman Blount)
February 27, 2018 4:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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• Senior Fun Day – Location: Ted Strickland Community Center,
Postponed (Mayor Pro Tem Gantt)

• Paint Henry Blue – Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 7:00 PM at McDonough
Municipal Court 369 Macon St., McDonough, GA 30253.

• All City Offices will be closed Friday, March 30, 2018 for Good Friday.

EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
Councilman Thomas motioned to convene Executive Session for Personnel, Real
Estate and Litigation; second by Mayor Pro Tem Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

Councilman Blount motioned to adjourn Executive Session; second by
Councilwoman Robinson. The motion passed 5.0

Councilman Blount motioned to reconvene the regular meeting; second by
Councilman Thomas. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt motioned to sign engagement letter with the law firms Balch
Bingham, Robbins Firm and Wilson Morton & Downs for potential litigation; second
by Councilman Blount. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Alexander abstained).

ADJOURN
Councilman Blount motioned to adjourn the meeting; second by Councilman
Thomas. The motion passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk CMC Anthony S. Ford, Mayor

February 27, 2018 4:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
