---
date: 2019-01-14
title: January 14, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes
source: 2019-01/2019-01-14_January 14, 2019 City Council Meeting_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.

ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 6:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Randy Knighton, City Manager
Councilman Elton Alexander Camilla Moore, Asst. City Manager
Councilman John Blount Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Mayor Pro Tem LaKeisha Gantt Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Councilwoman Neat Robinson Michael Williams, City Attorney
Councilman Alphonso Thomas
I. Call to Order – Mayor Ford

II. Invocation – Pastor Cecilia Green

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Roll Call - All members of the Council were present.

V. Motion to amend the Agenda to remove Item#2 and add Item #8 & #9.
Robinson/Alexander: Passed 5-0.

1. Adoption of the Minutes for the following meetings: 11/27/2018
Robinson/Alexander: Passed 5-0.
Review of Ceremonial
“Pop In” for City’s New Branding Launch
Adopt a Family Volunteer Appreciation
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Proclamation
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
H.E.R.O. Awards presented to the City by Strongside Solutions
Annie Carr of the Negro Council for Women thanked the City for partnering with
them on the Diabetes Education Forum.
January 14, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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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. 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

Mr. Greg Horton noted his confusion regarding the Stockbridge Association of
Businesses (SAB) and asked that the Council meet with the businesses owners
prior to a vote to establish to board as an independent entity outside of the City.

Mr. Roger Custin echoed Mr. Horton’s sentiments, noted he appreciated funding
from the City, and asked the Council to hold off on a vote until businesses owners
had an opportunity to meet with Council.

OLD BUSINESS
2. Discussion of 2019 Voting Schedule for the City of Stockbridge
Presented by: Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk and Tina Lunsford,
Henry County Elections Superintendent
Item removed from the Agenda.

NEW BUSINESS
3. Delta Sigma Theta Ex-Offenders Job Fair Presentation
Presented by: Brenda Winston and Gloria Lee Hawkins
Motion to approve use of the Merle Manders Conference Center
September 20, 2019 from 9am – 3pm for an Ex-Offenders Job Fair
Gantt/Alexander: Passed 5-0.

4. Organizational Appointments:
Appointment & Oath of the Municipal Court Judge
Motion to appoint Judge Matthew McCord Municipal Court Judge
Gantt/Robinson: Passed 5-0.
Oath administered by Mayor Anthony S. Ford

Appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem
Motion to appoint John Blount to serve as Mayor Pro Tem
Gantt/Thomas: Passed 3-2 (Alexander/Robinson opposed)

Appointment of the City Auditor
Motion to appoint Mauldin & Jenkins - City Auditor
Alexander/Robinson: Passed 5-0.

Appointment of the City Attorney
Motion to appoint Michael Williams - City Attorney
Robinson/Gantt: Passed 4-1 (Alexander opposed).

January 14, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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5. Council Consideration to approve a Resolution authorizing the City of
Stockbridge to join the Henry County Complete Count Committee.
Presented by: Randy Knighton, City Manager
Motion to approve Resolution omitting funding.
Gantt/Robinson: Passed 5-0.

6. Council Consideration to approve use of the Merle Manders
Conference Center March 22-24, 2019 for the GMA Youth Summit.
Presented by: Councilwoman Robinson
Motion to approve Robinson/Gantt: Passed 5-0.

7. Council Consideration to approve an Ordinance to establish the SAB
(Stockbridge Association of Businesses) Option 1 City-Created Entity
or Option 2 Business-Created Entity
Presented by: Camilla Moore, Asst. City Mgr./Community Dev. Dir.
Motion to Table: Alexander/Blount Passed 5-0.

DISCUSSION
8. Council Consideration to approve membership with Welcoming
America in the amount of $1,500.00
Presented by: Councilwoman Gantt
Motion to approve: Gantt/Blount: Passed 5-0.

9. Council Consideration to approve 1-year membership with
Aerotropolis Atlanta in the amount of $500.00
Presented by: Councilwoman Robinson
Motion to approve: Robinson/Gantt: Passed 5-0.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Mr. Knighton thanked the citizens who came out to participate in the City’s
unveiling of the City’s new brand “Where Community Connects”.

COMMENTS FROM THE CLERK’S OFFICE
Wished everyone a Happy New Year!

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Thomas invited everyone out to the 8th Annual African-American
Heritage Celebration taking place Saturday, February 9th at the Merle Manders
Conference Center at 4:00 p.m. with Bishop Michael A. Strickland as the Keynote
Speaker and featuring the 90+ member Henry County Community Senior Choir;
and noted this event is free to the public.

Mayor Pro Tem Blount thanked everyone for coming out to the City’s Brand
Launch and for remaining for the meeting; thanked colleagues for the Mayor Pro
Tem appointment; stated his greatest prayer is that every councilmember be
January 14, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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successful, even as you agree to disagree; noted the upcoming Bingo Bash taking
place on Wednesday, January 23rd from 10:00 a.m. – noon at the Ted Strickland
Community Center.

Councilwoman Gantt wished everyone a Happy New Year! Thanked all of the
business owners who have been involved with the SAB, along with staff and sees
a great opportunity for businesses in the City; stated that citizens should start to
see things happening in the City that they have asked for, as there are wheels in
motion; thanked Main Street for their leadership with the City’s branding efforts
and thanked the citizens who participated in the surveys online and at the Food
Truck events and focus groups; noted that while you can’t satisfy all, the City hears
your concerns and will do what is in the best interest of the City; asked everyone to
sign up to participate in the Welcoming Stockbridge initiative where there will be a
quarterly roundtable of diverse and all-inclusive group friends and neighbors of the
Stockbridge community having a discussion and to visit the City’s website for more
information.

Councilman Alexander thanked everyone for attending and participating today;
referenced the wonderful Adopt-A-Family event where there were numerous
partnerships who distributed over 2200 toys to families and noted how the idea
started as a gesture he had along with another empty-nester who were both
blessed, and bestowed blessing upon others; referred to the City’s new tagline
“Where Community Connects”; noted the upcoming event of picking up litter on
January 19th during the King Week celebration to take a day on/not a day off, and
noted Henry County has approved the upcoming beautification project; noted the
Eagle’s Landing Community Association was not part of the Eagle’s Landing
Cityhood movement and thanked those residents for participating with the $75
association fee to keep the roadway maintained; refuted claims where he is
perceived as negative and referenced several city accomplishments; stated he did
not take his seat to get re-elected; will do what is right and is guided by God.

Councilwoman Robinson thanked everyone for coming out; referenced the
success of the DDA’s 2-day Retreat and thanked Mr. Touchton for his planning
efforts and also thanked staff for work; noted all members of the Council were
elected and deserve to be heard; asked that you always show yourself friendly
because if you don’t you will always have a negative halo surrounding you; invited
everyone to come out to the MLK, Jr. Parade on Monday, January 21st where the
Stockbridge Youth Council will be participating; and stated we are Better Together,
cited the City’s new tagline “Where Community Connects” and asked that
everyone connect to love.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford wished everyone a Happy New Year; referenced the City’s new
tagline “Where Community Connects” ; referenced the DDA’s 2-day Retreat and
gave a special thanks to James Touchton and is looking forward things
January 14, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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highlighted; referenced the upcoming Superbowl taking place in Atlanta and asked
that everyone enjoy friends and family; kept the faith and hopefully some of the
money being spent over the Superbowl weekend will make its way to Stockbridge.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Meeting will be held at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates and times are
subject to change. Please visit the city’s website www.cityofstockbridge.com, Facebook
page or contact City Hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates and detailed information.
• Planning Commission meeting, Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall in the
Council Chamber. Canceled – No Items

• Work Session meeting, Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Council
Chamber.

UPCOMING EVENT(S) & ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Job Fair – Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Merle Manders
Conference Center 111 Davis Rd. Stockbridge, GA

• Keep Stockbridge Beautiful – Saturday, January 19, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. at the Walmart Hudson
Bridge location – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander

• All City offices will be closed Monday, January 21, 2019 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
holiday celebration.

• Monthly Bingo Bash – Wednesday, January 23, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – noon at the Ted
Strickland Community Center 130 ML King, Sr. Heritage Trail, Stockbridge, GA

ONGOING INITIATIVES
• Don’t Trash Stockbridge No Litter Campaign – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman
Thomas. Contact: LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Monthly Bingo Bash at the Ted Strickland Community Center – spearheaded by Councilman
Blount. Visit the City’s website or Facebook page for dates and information.

• Quarterly Town Hall – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander. Visit the City’s website or
Facebook page for dates and information.

• Keep Stockbridge Beautiful – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander. Contact
LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Quarterly Clergy RoundTable – spearheaded by Councilwoman Robinson. Contact LaQuinda
Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Quarterly Welcoming Stockbridge RoundTable – spearheaded by Mayor Pro Tem LaKeisha Gantt.
Contact LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

Motion to convene Executive Session for Personnel: Robinson/Alexander – Failed 2-3
(Blount/Gantt/Thomas opposed).

Motion to adjourn: Robinson/Gantt: Passed 5-0.

January 14, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
