---
date: 2022-04-26
title: Work Session Meeting Minutes
source: 2022-04/2022-04-26_Work Session Meeting_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2022 6:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Frederick Gardiner, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Alphonso Thomas Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilman Elton Alexander John Wiggins, City Treasurer
Councilwoman Yolanda Barber Quinton Washington, City Attorney
Councilman John Blount Jeremy T. Berry, City Attorney
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt
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. Zoom Meeting Information
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83979628788
II. Call to Order – Mayor Ford

III. Invocation – Pastor Lavell Sanders, Stockbridge First UMC

IV. Pledge of Allegiance – Recited by all in attendance

V. Roll Call – All members were present except Councilwoman Gantt

VI. Motion to amend the Agenda - To remove Item #3 Henry County Board of
Education Presentation, Add Item #10 City Resolution approving Second
Intergovernmental Development Agreement with the DDA; Add Item #11
Second Intergovernmental Development Agreement; Add Item #12 City
Resolution Regarding Restatement of DDA Activation and Clarification of
DDA’s Name: Thomas/Alexander passed 4-0.

VII. Motion to adopt the Agenda- Blount/Thomas Passed 4-0.

VIII. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES – No Action
1 Draft Minutes March 14, 2022
2 Draft Minutes March 29, 2022

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PUBLIC COMMENTS - All public comments must be submitted to the Clerk no later than
one hour prior to the meeting. The Public Comment Form can be found on the City’s
webpage on the City Clerk’s page at:
https://stockbridge.seamlessdocs.com/f/20pkdz4mo7xb and the form must include your
name, phone, and email contact information. Comments are limited to (3) three minutes
and will be read by the Clerk during the meeting, respecting all members of the elected
body, officials, and staff. Comments including defamation, unruliness and/or swearing
will not be accepted. None

PRESENTATION
3. Henry County Board of Education 5-year Strategic Plan
Item Removed from the Agenda

OLD BUSINESS
4. Council Consideration to fill a vacancy and appoint a member to the Downtown
Development Authority Board.
Presented by: Alan Peterson, Economic Development Director, DDA Liaison
Motion to appoint Frangela Merritt to fill the unexpired term through 12/9/2023
Alexander/Barber Passed 4-0

Councilwoman Gantt joined the meeting.

NEW BUSINESS
5. Council Consideration to approve a list of roadways for use of speed detection
devices.
Presented by: Police Chief Frank Trammer and Sergeant Jonathan McIlvaine
Motion to approve Alexander/Barber Passed 5-0.

6. Council Consideration to fill vacancies and appoint members to the Stockbridge Ethics
Committee.
Presented by: Quinton Washington, City Attorney
Motion to appoint Deron Johnson and Angela Meyers Jenkins through 12/31/2025
Alexander/Barber Passed 5-0. Mayor Ford noted his selection of the Chair would be
forthcoming.

7. Council consideration to review and approve the design concept for the Cultural Arts
Center.
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager – Brecca Carter, Community
Development Director – Heather Hubble, TSW and Carl Trevathan, Project Manager,
Keck & Wood
Consensus of the Council is to follow up with 3/3 meetings with officials, staff, TSW and
Project Manager to review design and cost and bring back to the Council for approval.

8. Council consideration to amend Title 9 – Licensing and Regulation, Chapter 9.110
Standards for Certain Businesses, Section 90.110.030 Spacing to reduce the distance
requirement from 1 mile to 5 miles.
Presented by: Brecca Carter, Community Development Director
Motion to Deny Alexander/Gantt Passed 4-1 (Councilwoman Barber Opposed and
referenced the legal opinion of the UDC Legal Advisor relating to this matter).
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COUNCIL DISCUSSION
9. Update of GMA GIRMA Insurance
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager
Mr. Gardiner noted he has been in discussions with GMA staff regarding the application
process and will bring the information back to the Council at the next meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas motioned to Reconsider Item #8; second by Councilwoman
Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Ford called for the vote: Motion to Deny Alexander/Gantt Passed 3-1-1 (Thomas
Abstained, Barber opposed and referenced the legal opinion of the UDC Legal Advisor
relating to this matter).

10. Council Consideration to approve City Resolution approving Second
Intergovernmental Development Agreement between the City of Stockbridge and the
Downtown Development Authority of the City of Stockbridge.
Presented by: Quinton Washington, City Attorney
Motion to approve Alexander/Blount Passed 5-0.

11. Council Consideration to approve the Second Intergovernmental Development
Agreement between the City of Stockbridge and the Downtown Development Authority
of the City of Stockbridge.
Presented by: Quinton Washington, City Attorney
Motion to approve Blount/Gantt Passed 5-0.

12. Council Consideration to approve City Resolution regarding the restatement of the
DDA Activation and Clarification of the DDA’s name.
Presented by: Quinton Washington, City Attorney
Motion to approve Alexander/Gantt Passed 5-0.

Councilman Alexander noted with this action, the DDA’s name is returning to its official
name as established in 1983 and is a great opportunity to differentiate from what
occurred in 2013 with a new and fresh start with the name the Downtown Development
Authority of the City of Stockbridge.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford noted we are still in a pandemic with the numbers going down and
vaccinations numbers going up; noted the Department of Health is administering the
Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations five days a week, Monday – Friday from 9am –
11:30 am and from 1pm to 2:30 pm, noting you can call 470-664-0005 to make an
appointment; noted testing was available at Red Hawk Field on Henry Pkwy. on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday from 9am – 3pm, along with other locations in and around
Stockbridge where you can receive COVID tests and vaccinations; wished the ladies on
the City Council, staff and citizens of Stockbridge a Happy Mother’s Day pointing out the
love and respect due to mothers every day of the year; noted for all the football fans that
the NFL Draft is coming up and hopes it goes well for the Atlanta Falcons, and hopes
they draft well and have a great upcoming season.

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UPCOMING MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Meetings will be held in the City
Council Chamber and some Board/Committee meetings will continue to take place via
Zoom unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Please visit
the city’s website www.cityofstockbridge.com for the meeting invitation link, Facebook page
or contact City Hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates.
➢ City Council Meeting, Second Monday of each month – Via Zoom (May 9)
➢ Youth Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m. - 2nd Wednesday of each month Levi Meeting
Room - City Hall (May 11)
➢ Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, 2nd Friday of each month 9:00 a.m. Via Zoom
(May 13)
➢ Downtown Development Authority Meeting, 6:00 p.m. Via Zoom - 3rd Tuesday of
each month Via Zoom (May 17)
➢ Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - 3rd Tuesday of each month
Levi Meeting Room - City Hall (May 17)
➢ Planning Commission Meeting, 4th Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Via Zoom – (May 26)
➢ City Council Work Session Meeting, Last Tuesday of each month – Via Zoom
(May 31)
UPCOMING CITY EVENTS/INITIATIVES
• A Continuous Salute to Veterans: Please forward pictures of Veterans including
name, branch, rank, and years of service as Mayor Pro Tem Thomas presents a
special tribute to our local veterans. Pictures should be submitted to:
zpearson@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov Thank you for your service!
• Please join Councilman John Blount for the Virtual National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Watch it on Facebook Live at
@StockbridgeCityHall
• Tasty Tuesday Food Truck Takeover begins Tuesday, May 3, 2022 from
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Clark Park and will return on Tuesday, May 17th,
Tuesday, June 7th and Tuesday, June 14th each day from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Come out and enjoy great food and family fun!
• Come out and enjoy the Funk Festival concert, Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the
Stockbridge Amphitheater featuring Morris Day & The Time, Shelia E., and
Midnight Star. Doors open at 7 p.m., the concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets and other
venue information can be found online at Stockbridgeamp.com
• Here is your opportunity to Meet the Mayor, and voice your questions and/or
concerns Monday, May 23, 2022 from 10 a.m. to noon (In-Person). Call Zenovia
Pearson to schedule an appointment. 770-389-7900 ext. 248.
Motion to convene Executive Session for Real Estate, Personnel and Litigation:
Thomas/Barber Passed 5-0.
Moton to adjourn Executive Session: Thomas/Barber Passed 3-0 (Blount/Gantt were not
present for the vote).
Moton to reconvene the meeting: Thomas/Alexander Passed 3-0 (Blount/Gantt were not
present for the vote).
Moton to adjourn: Thomas/Barber Passed 3-0 (Blount/Gantt were not present for the vote).
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