---
date: 2020-02-10
title: 02-10-2020 Minutes
source: 2020-02/2020-02-10_02-10-2020 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Stockbridge
Where Community Connects

SUM M ARY MI NUTES
COUNCL
I M EETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 6:00 P.M
M ayo r & City Council Administration
Mayo r Ant 0 ny S. For Rana‘ Knigﬁton City Manager
Mayor_ Pro Tem onso Thomas Cami Moore_ sst. City M r./
Councilma n Elton AlghIexa nder a
Commignitv Dgv. Direc or
Councilwo man Yo la n a Barber Vanessa Holiday, City C|_erk
Councilma n John B Io unt Ra_ndi Rain_ey, Depu_tv City Clerk
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Michael Williams, City Attorney

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.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford.

Invocation by Mr. Otis Brooks.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

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

Councilman Blount motioned to adopt the Agenda; second by Mayor Pro Tem Thomas.
The motion passed 5-0.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to adopt the Minutes for the referenced meetings; second
by Councilman Alexander. The motion passed 5-0.
1. 1/13/2020(SCM)2. 1/13/2020

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. None

Page
CEREMONIAL REVIEW
> Mayor Ford referenced the City’s Finance Team for receiving the GFOA (Georgia
Finance Officers Association) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting (CAFR for FY2018)

and staff
> Mayor Ford referenced Cochran Library Branch Manager Jacqueline Johnson
who received the Annual Black History Month Proclamation which will be displayed during
Black History month.

Delta
> Mayor Ford referenced the National Heart Health Month proclamation received by
Sigma Theta, lnc. Chapter President Debra Abernathy.

members:
> Mayor Ford referenced the Oaths issued to the newly sworn in Youth Council
Kaycie Bell, Bryce Brown, Aaliyah Lott and Mikyla McCowan

PRESENTATIONS
3. District IV Board of Health Update
Presented by Glenda Scott, Environmental Health Manager
Ms. Scott gave an overview of the role of the County’s Environmental
Health Department and specifics relating to District IV and distributed
Emergency Preparedness Packets to the Mayor & Council.

NEW BUSINESS
4. Council Consideration to approve a Resolution appointing the
City’s Auditors for FY2019 Mauldin & Jenkins

Presented by John Wiggins -City Treasurer
Mr. Wiggins noted staff is recommending approval of City’s
Auditors Mauldin & Jenkins to complete FY2019 audit.

Councilman Alexander motioned to approve City’s Auditors for
FY2019 Mauldin & Jenkins; second by Councilwoman Gantt.

The motion passed 5-0.

Councilwoman Gantt inquired about requesting an RFP to look at
other possible auditors. Mr. Wiggins noted the process will start
next year.

Councilwoman Gantt congratulated the finance dept for obtaining
the CAFR award.

5. Council Consideration to approve the City’s Street Light Policy.
Presented Decius Aaron —
Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted there have been several streets within the city
limits for streetlights particularly in the older sections of the
asking
City and is asking for the Counci|’s approval to put a lighting plan
in place. and noted there is not an approved lighting plan by
petitioning the City with a request.

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Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve the City’s Street Light
Policy; second by Councilman Alexander. The motion passed 4-1
(Councilwoman Barber opposed).

Council Consideration to approve the City’s revised Municipal
Utilities Ordinance Title 6 of the City’s Code of Ordinances

Presented Decius Aaron —
Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted staff is in the process of completing all the City’s
Public Works Ordinances to address changes made by the State
and Federal Government, noting these changes remove some
issues pertaining to water & sewer and addresses items that were
not in the previous Ordinance for pretreatment for industrial
facilities.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve the City’s revised
Municipal Utilities Ordinance Title 6 of the City’s Code of

Ordinances; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed
5-0.

Council Consideration to approve the City’s Cross Connection
Control Program (Back Flow Prevention)
Presented Decius Aaron —
Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted the State requires implementation of a back-flow

prevention program once a city reaches a certain population and
noted commercial establishments would be required to test
annually and the City would like all businesses with backflows to
also test annually.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve the City’s Cross
Connection Control Program (Back Flow Prevention); second by
Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to approve the award of the bid for the
replacement of the Reeves Creek Trail Bridge to Steele &
Associates, ITB 2019-00030 in the amount of $1,242,094.45
Funding Source: TBD.
Presented Decius Aaron -
Public Works Director and Lindell
Miller —
Procurement Supervisor.
Ms. Miller requested approval to award the contract to replace
Reeves Creek Trail to Steele & Associates in the amount of
$1,242,094.45.

Councilwoman Barber inquired about the funding source

Mr. Knighton suggested using a combination of SPLOST and
Fund Balance funds and noted the bid would be good for 30 days

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Councilman Alexander inquired about the bid process and asked
when did the bid close.

Ms. Miller stated this request is to award the bid and noted the bid
close date was January 9, 2020.

Councilman Blount expressed concern noting everything should
be putin place and no item expending funds should have a TBD

(To Be Determined) as a funding source being presented to the
Council for approval.

Councilwoman Gantt expressed her concerns with not having a
funding source in place and inquired as to whether this is the
normal practice.

Mayor Ford inquired about the bridges and culverts

Mr. Skip Layton of Falcon Design, the City’s Engineer, noted
there would be (6) six aluminum bridges and (4) four culverts.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to Table for the Council retreat
and more discussion; second by; Councilman Blount. Motion

passed 4-1 (Councilman Alexander opposed).

9. Council Consideration to approve use of the Merle Manders
Conference Center by the Stockbridge High School JROTC on
March 20, 2020.
Presented by Mayor Pro Tem Thomas
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas requested Counci|’s approval for
Stockbridge High Schoo|’s use of the Merle Manders Conference
Center for the Stockbridge High School Naval ROTC on March
20, 2020 for a formal military ball.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas motioned to approve; second by
Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

Lt. Commander Gino Rice of the Stockbridge High School ROTC
thanked the Mayor & Council and noted the group’s commitment
to community service.

10.Council Consideration to approve Key Amendments to the
Restated Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System Defined
Benefit Retirement Plan Adoption Agreement
Presented by City Attorney Michael Williams
Attorney Williams noted the GMA Retirement Master Plan was
amended to address tax law changes and incorporate general

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changes in the Master Plan; and noted GMA has asked the cities
that participate in the plan to adopt the new changes. Attorney
Williams also noted the Retirement Plan Committee met to go
over the adjustments with 2 sub-adjustments being discussed; (1)
to increase the formula for determining retirement beneﬁts for
members of the governing body from $25 to $50 per month and

per year of service, (2) to reduce the vesting period for the one
time death benefit payable for 10 years of continued service, 20

years of combined services and 10 years with a disability.
Attorney Williams stated the proposal is to reduce the periods to 5
years with continued service, 10 years of combined service and 5
years for disability service and would also require a cost study
before being adopted; and the formula for the governing body
would not.

Councilman Alexander motioned to approve Key Amendments to
the Restated Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System
Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Adoption Agreement; second by
Gantt. The motion passed 4-O-1 (Councilwoman Barber
abstained).

11.Counci| Consideration to support allowing citizens to vote on
Casino Gambling.
Presented by City Attorney Michael Williams
Attorney Williams noted several bills are pending which would
allow casino gambling with one proposed location, the City of

Hampton, who recently adopted a Resolution in support of
legislation. Attorney Williams noted the City of Hampton is asking
for support from the sister cities.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve to support allowing
citizens to vote on Casino Gambling; second by Councilman
Alexander. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Ford recommended discussing ltem #12-15 in Executive
Session. The Council agreed by consensus to hear ltems 12-15
following Executive Session.

Consensus of the Council to hear Item #16 prior to presumed
Executive Session. Item #16 was presented followed by
Executive Session.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to convene Executive Session for
Personnel, Litigation and Real Estate; second by Councilman
Alexander. The motion passed 5-0.

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Councilwoman Gantt motioned to end Executive Session; second
by Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Councilman Alexander motioned to reconvene the meeting;
second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

12.Council Consideration to appoint members to the Youth Council
Advisory Committee.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to appoint the following members
to a two-year term: Pamela Warner, Rosalynd Rawls, Ericka

Harvey, Joc’Que|yn Carter, Canton Jones, Bonita Adams and
Jonathan Lee—Co|ey; second by Mayor Pro Tem Thomas. The
motion passed 5-0.

13.Council Consideration to appoint members to the Planning
Commission.
Councilman Alexander motioned to Table Council Consideration
to appoint members to the Planning Commission; second by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

14.Counci| Consideration to appoint members to the Stockbridge
Downtown Development Authority.
Councilman Alexander motioned to Table appointing members to
the Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority; second by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

15.Counci| Consideration to Reclassify the Procurement Supervisor
position, Pay & Reclassification and Organization Chart.
Presented by Renee Wheeler —
Human Resources Manager
Councilwoman Barber motioned to approve to Reclassify the
Procurement Supervisor position, Pay & Reclassification and
Organization Chart; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion
passed 5-0.

INFORMATIONAL ITEM

16.Council opposition of HB302.
Presented by Michael Williams -

City Attorney
Attorney Williams referenced previously approved Resolution No.
R19-1032 passed by the Council opposing legislation HB302 and
the City Clerk was tasked with fonNarding copies of the Resolution
to the Henry County Legislative Delegation.

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COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford congratulated the ELCA Chargers on the 5”‘ consecutive state
championship; congratulated the Kansas City Chiefs for the Superbowl victory;
congratulated Eagles Landing High School Track Alumni Devin Dixon on his
800m #3 U.S. History; referenced the upcoming worldwide remembrance on

February 24”‘ of Kobe Bryant and all others who recently perished in the helicopter
tragedy; wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.

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.

Main Street Advisory Board Meeting Friday, February 14, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall in
the Levi Meeting Room

Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 2019 at
6:30 p.m. -
Patrick Henry Meeting Room

Downtown Development Authority Meeting, Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the
Levi Meeting Room.

Youth Council Meeting, Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. —
Levi Meeting Room

Work Session Meeting Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Council
Chamber

Planning Commission Meeting Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall in the
Council Chamber

UPCOMING EVENT[S[ & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Let's Paint Social at the Ted Strickland Community Center —

Thursday, February 13, 2020
at 6:30 p.m. —

spearheaded by Councilwoman Gantt.

Saturday, February 15, 2020 at the Cochran Library-
Annual African American Exhibit —

spearheaded by Mayor Pro Tem Thomas in partnership with the Henry County Library
System.

Economic Development Business Breakfast Meet & Greet —Wednesday, February 26, 2020
from 7a.m. —
10a.m. at the Merle Manders Conference Center. Free to City of Stockbridge
Business Owners and/or Operators. Contact

Bingo Bash February 26, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. noon at the Merle Manders Center

spearheaded by Councilman Blount. Visit the City’s website or Facebook page for dates
and information.

ONGOING INITIATIVES

Meet & Greet the Mayor Mondays with Mayor Anthony 8. Ford from 10:00 a.m. -
noon every

fourth Monday of the month (appointment required). Please contact LaQuinda Jackson @
678-833-3348 for more information and scheduling.

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Don't Trash Stockbridge No Litter Campaign —

Ongoing -

spearheaded by Mayor Pro Tem
Thomas. Contact: LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

Monthly Bingo Bash from 10:00 a.m. —
noon at the Merle Manders 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.

Welcoming Stockbridge RoundTable every 2”“ Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City
Hall in the Levi Meeting Room —

spearheaded by Councilwoman Gantt. Contact LaQuinda
Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

Quarterly Homeowners and Neighborhood Association RoundTable —

spearheaded by
Councilman Blount. Contact LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to adjourn the meeting; second by Mayor
Pro Tem Thomas. The motion passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

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Vanessa Holiday, City C rk CMC
Anthony S. F 0/rd, Myyor

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