---
date: 2024-07-30
title: 07-30-2024 Minutes
source: 2024-07/2024-07-30_07-30-2024 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Where Community Connects

C TY COUNCIL WORK SESS ON EETING
SU MARY M NUTES

TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2024 6:00 PM.
Mayor & City Council
Mayor S. Ford At<Lar e
Anthong
or Pro Tem Kyle erry Councrl istrlct3

CounCI member Elton AlexanderCouncil DlStrlCt 5
Councilmember Yolanda Barber Council 4
Counoilmember LaKeisha GanttCouncillDistrigt l
Councrlmember Alphonso Thomas Councrl DIstrIct 2

Administration
Frederick Gardiner Cit_y Manager

Vanessa Hollda City Clerk
Cagsandra' Lester eputy Crty Clerk
Lakersha Games 7 lnterlm City Treasurer
Qumton Washington City Attorney

Mission: 1'0 provide vrs lonary leadersh ID
and superior munrcrpal servrces that
enhance the quallty of 11f_e for e1t1zens whlle busmess
creating a welcoming
atmosphere focused on susta1nab1l1ty and expansron oflourlsm and cultural events.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford at 6:00
pm.

Invocation by Councilmember Gantt.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

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

Attorney Washington requested the Council convene Executive Session.
Motion to convene Executive Session for Personnel,
Litigation and Real Estate was
made by Councilmember Gantt; seconded by Councilmember Barber. The motion

passed unanimously 5-0.

Councilmember Barber exited Executive Session at 6:39 pm.

Motion to adjourn Executive Session at 7:00 pm. with an Executive Session Affidavit
was made by Mayor Pro Tem Berry; seconded by Councilmember Gantt. The motion
passed unanimously 4-0 (Councilmember Barber was not present on the dais for the
vote).
Motion to approve the transfer of properties 175 Parcel ID No. 032-0103031 and 185
Parcel ID No. 032-01033000 North Park Trail to the Citywide Development
Authority
was made by Councilmember Gantt; seconded by Councilmember Alexander. The
motion passed 4-1 (Alexander, Berry, Gantt and Thomas Approved). (Barber Opposed
noting this is a real estate matter and the properties have not been publicly advertised)
Councilmember Gantt stated the City has established entities and the actions of the
Council are legal and proper.

Motion to adopt the Agenda was made by Councilmember Alexander; seconded
by
Councilmember Barber. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

REVIEW OF THE MINUTES
1. Review of the Minutes for the June 10, 2024 Council Meeting. There was
no action taken.

PUBLIC
,COM MENTS

There were no public comments

NEW BUSINESS
2 LOTTERY PROCESS TO DETERMINE AWARDING OF TWO
ADDITIONAL ALCOHOLIC LICENSES AND POSSIBLY TWO
ADDITIONAL LICENSES TO CERTAIN OTHER TYPES OF
BUSINESSES IN THE CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE. Consideration of
lottery applications which the City of Stockbridge received during the
public notice period, which ended on June 7, 2024, for the
purpose of awarding business licenses to two additional alcoholic
beverage businesses, and possibly awarding licenses to additional
businesses of certain types.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Community Development Director

Mr. Anderson announced the award of alcohol licenses to the two
qualified applicants: Applicant #1, Girishkumar Patel and Applicant #5,
Niral Patel.

Motion to approve the award of potential liquor licenses to Applicant
#5, Niral Patel, and Applicant #1, Girishkumar Patel subject to meeting
the criteria outlined by Community Development and Ordinance set for
specific locations approved at this time; seconded by Councilmember
Gantt. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

3. Council Consideration of a Resolution to accept Tract Two of the
property at 3986 Jodeco Road, near Candler Road, within the
Stockbridge City Limits, to be dedicated to the City of Stockbridge by
its owner, Candler Road Stockbridge Propco, LLC, as a
follow-up to
the executed Dedication Agreement between the parties, dated
December 13, 2023, for use by the City of Stockbridge as a public park,
and for other public purposes. The park is to be constructed by the
property owner according to a mutually-agreeable development
plan. The property comprises Parcel #071B03046000, which is
located in Land 63 of District 7 within Henry County. Tract Two

2|Page
contains 0.489 +/- acres, as is depicted by Exhibit "A" Tract One and
Tract Three of the property
same previously approved for
were
dedication to the City of Stockbridge
by the same property owner at
the February 12, 2024 City Council Meeting.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Community Development Director
Mr. Anderson noted the city has accepted tracts 1 and 3 and asked
that the city accept tract 2.

Councilmember Alexander note the dog park and path have been
installed, further noting the park will need to add parking spaces and
other and other amenities and asked staff to make the to the
requests
owner.

Councilmember Barber asked if the request is advantageous to the
city. noting original agreement for the warehouse location was a
passive park with the owners of the development maintaining the
grounds, and that now with the city taking ownership, the city will incur
the ongoing expenses to maintain the park.

Motion to approve was made by Councilmember Alexander; seconded
by Councilmember Gantt. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

. CASE #DX-2024-O2 FOR THE MANDERLEY
SUBDIVISION, PHASE 2. Consideration of an Ordinance to de-
annex from the Corporate Limits of the
City of Stockbridge nine
parcels within the Manderley Subdivision, representing Phase 2, as
are listed below. The request was made
by the owners of the nine
parcels, which are located in Land Lots 8 and 9 of District 12. The
parcels would become part of unincorporated Henry County. The
City Council previously approved (on April 30, 2024) De-Annexation
Case #DX-2024-O1 forthe Manderley Subdivision, Phase 1, which
concerned ten nearby parcels.
1. 160 Jasper Drive (Parcel
#013A01023000).
2. 165 Jasper Drive (Parcel
#013A01024000).
3. 195 Jasper Drive (Parcel
#013A01050000).
4. 310 Kerrith Drive (Parcel #013A01039000).
5. 320 Kerrith Drive (Parcel
#013A01038000).
6. 325 Kerrith Drive (Parcol
#013A01025000).
7. 510 Portloe Court (Parcel
#013A01049000).
8. 515 Portloe Court (Parcel
#013A01047000).
9. 520 Portloe Court (Parcel #013A01048000).
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Community Development Director
Mr. Anderson presented the De-Annexation Request from residents in the

Manderlay Subdivision, noting the item has been reviewed by Planning &
Zoning Attorney Valerie Ross.

Councilmember Gantt made a request to the Council to Table the item to
allow for an opportunity to speak with each homeowner,
noting there may
be some homeowners who are no longer in favor of the

3|Page
Motion to Table to allow the District Representative to meet with each
of the homeowners and bring back to the
August 12, 2024
meeting was
made by Councilmember Gantt; seconded Councilmember
by Barber.
The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

TEXT AMENDMENT CASE #TX-2024-05 FOR THE MFR

(Multiple-
Family Residential) ZONING DISTRICT. Presentation of a proposed
text amendment to the Unified Development Code
(UDC) to revise
and add new regulations to the MFR
zoning district. The required
front yard setbacks would be reduced from 50 feet to 30
feet, and
new site and architectural
design guidelines would be added.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Community Development Director
Mr. Anderson noted the associated Text Amendment is an effort
by staff to
improve design guidelines and tighten up loopholes whereas
developments would have the desired look of the Council; and solicited
recommendations and comments from councilmembers to be
presented to
the Planning Commission in August and will
present to the Council at the
September 9, 2024 meeting for adoption.

Council consideration to approve the renewal of

Request For Proposal
RFP) Number 2022-0006, On Call General Engineering Services, for the
City of Stockbridge with Falcon Design & Engineering Consultants, LLC.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted this Is the second renewal for Falcon
Design who has
current TSPLOST, Water & Sewer and Infrastructure
Projects with the
city.
Motion to approve was made by Councilmember
Alexander; seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Berry. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

Council consideration to renew Contract No. RFP No. 2018-0010Q Non-
Hazardous Special Waste Disposal Services with
Republic Services in the
amount of $55,000.00. Funding source is from Department Budgeted
Funds.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted that Republic is one ofthe few vendors
providing this
service.

Councilmember Barber noted there was not a contract in the
packet, and
that the renewal document included in the Council
packet
was not
readable.

Motion to approve was made by Councilmember Gantt; seconded
by
Councilmember Alexander. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Alexander,
Berry,
Gantt and Thomas Approved) (Barber Abstained
citing there was not a
contract included in the package for the Council to
review).

Council Consideration for approval of Contract No.
2024-0004, Financial
Audit Services with Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants.
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, City Manager

4|Page
Mr. Gardiner noted the request is to award the bid to Mauldin &
Jenkins to
perform the audit for FY2024, FY2025, FY2026, FY2027 and FY2028;
noting staff reviewed the bids and selected Mauldin & Jenkins.

Councilmember Barber noted the proposed contract does not include
Auditing Services for FY2023, and further noted the Council approved a
directive to staff during the January 8, 2024
meeting to place a Bid
Solicitation out for Auditing Services and to
bring back a recommendation
for the Council to award the bid at the March 4, 2024
meeting.

Mr. Gardiner noted that it is his
understanding that the current Maulding &
Jenkins contract includes FY2023.

Councilmember Barber Referenced an open Ethics
Complaint regarding
the integrity, distribution, and
transparency of the audit from and other
financial information, along with the Auditing Letter of Engagement
that should have been distributed
directly to the Governing Body and did
not happen in 2022.

Councilmember Thomas noted his concern with the
process with
boundaries that should be in place regarding the distribution of the audit
report and asked when the 2023 report would be presented to the Council
and has questions to ask Mauldin & Jenkins.

Mr. Gardiner noted Mauldin & Jenkins is not
present at meeting,
and that the FY2023 Audit report is scheduled to be
presented at the
September meeting.

Councilmember Gantt asked if September is within the normal timeline for
the audit presentation, and asked if the bid was
placed out for bid for
Auditing Services, and if the bids were ranked and scored by staff.

Mr. Gardiner confirmed the bid followed the normal
process; and noted the
2022 Audit was presented in November
2023; noted there was a turnover
of staff for the complete Finance Department,
including the City Treasurer
that began in October 2023, and there were additional
auditing reports for
ARPA and the CARES Act that needed to be included.

Councilmember Gantt noted that it would be reasonable for the
delay
considering the internal turnover of staff, and the new and interim staff
members have a learning curve.

Mr. Gardiner noted he has full faith in staff, and that if the Council is
not
ever satisfied with the Auditing firm, the services can be
canceled; and
noted the goal is to get information to the Council earlier.

Councilmember Barber noted the directive to place the bid for an audit
firm was issued to staff in January 2024 and
bring back the bid to award in
March 2024; noted the turnover in staff in the Finance
department began
in October 2024; and noted staff also received a directive from
members

SlPage
of the Governing Body to withhold the Audit from being released to the

Governing Body until November, after the election, and that staff delivered
acopy ofthe Comprehensive Financial & Accounting Report in April 2024,
ten months after her request for the documents;
noting the Governing
Body has a fiduciary responsibility to make sure there is no waste, fraud or
abuse, and noted the Engagement Letter in the past has been addressed
to the Governing Body, and now includes the City
Manager and staff; and
asked where the city is with rolling out the OpenGov platform.

Mr. Gardiner noted staff is working on rolling out OpenGov soon.

Councilmember Gantt noted the 2022 Audit presentation was Item #5 on
the November 13, 2023 Agenda, noting Ms. Hope
Pendergrass stated the
FY2022 Audit Report and Auditor Adjustments reports
prepared b Mauldin
& Jenkins have been submitted to the Management staff; and
referenced where Councilmember Barber requested the
Engagement
Letter, and noted she does not want to mislead the public and that the
2023 Audit report will be issued in September 2024.

Councilmember Alexander noted Mauldin & Jenkins audits over 300
municipalities in the State of Georgia and has full faith and confidence in
their reporting, noting there are a number of comments with no facts;
noted when he joined the Council in 2016 the budget was $8.6
million dollars and is now proposed for FY2025 at $29 million dollars with
the complexity of the budget changing with the addition of the Police
Department, CaresAct funding, ARPA, and the Amphitheater, which will
require a more involved audit, and noted the changes in staff; and noted
the Amphitheater will be paid off in 2025.

Mayor Pro Tem Berry noted he does not have the history prior to 2024,
and asked if the concern is the results of the audit, follow
up with the audit,
or lack of distribution of the audit.

Mr. Gardiner noted Mauldin & Jenkins is a renowned
auditing firm, and
that there is no perfect audit firm, nor is there a perfect and noted
process;
the current staff has worked really hard to complete the FY2023 audit.

Mayor Pro Tem Berry agreed the Audit should be submitted directly to the
Governing Body.

Councilmember Alexander stated that he believed staff should be included
in the distribution of the Audit.

Councilmember Thomas noted he was elected in 2011 and that his tenure
onthe Council began in 2012 and noted that Mauldin & Jenkins has been
the auditing firm, and that there have been no issues in the
past with the
delivery of the audit; and further stated the importance oftheGoverning
Body receiving financial information to make informed and intelligent
decisions for its residents, employees and businesses in the
city; and
agreed the audit and Engagement Letter should be delivered to the
6 | P a g e
Governing Body with all roadblocks removed, and stated citizens are
expecting all officials to do theirjob.

Councilmember Barber noted the Engagement Letter is
specific and
describes the process and scope of work for the
auditing firm;as
referenced, the November 13, 2023 meeting was to have Maulding &
Jenkins present the FY2022 Audit, however, what was
presented was the
Comprehensive Auditing & Financial Report prepared by staff, not the
audit report prepared by Mauldin & Jenkins, the same
report she has been
requesting for ten months.

Motion to approve the bid to award
Auditing Services to Mauldin & Jenkins
was made by Councilmember Alexander; seconded
by Councilmember
Gantt. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Alexander,
Berry, Gantt and Thomas
Approved). (Barber Abstained). Councilmember Barber asked that the
record include the request that the Engagement Letter and the
Independent Audit Report be delivered directly to the Governing Body.

FY 2024 Mid-Year Review
Presented by: Lakeisha Gaines, Interim City Treasurer
Ms. Gaines presented a FY2024 Mid-Year Review of the
financials,
noting YTD actual expenditures as of June 30, 2024 were $9,534,382,
trending higher than the same period in 2023 by $301,469; noted
Revenue for FY2024 was $9,715,227.89; noted the Debt Services
amount
was $1,039,731.50; referenced the
city's Debt Obligations of Series A
Bond Debt for the Amphitheater Project that will mature
August 2025;
noted the Series B for the Trail Project with a date
maturity of August
2025; and noted that there is a total of $2,785,000 that the city has
available to allocate to future projects in 2026, with a decrease of 45% for
debt services; noted a peak for revenue thus far in
April and a peak for
expenses thus far in May; referenced Amphitheater Updates of revenue
and expenses noting total revenue of $3,133,179.40 and total
expenses of
$3,367,601.12, and includes ticket sales and sponsorships; and asked for
comments/question from the Governing Body.

Councilmember Barber referenced the Amphitheater
figures, noting there
is a full understanding of the finances
being fluid, noting the Amphitheater
budget set and approved by the Council was $2 million dollars and the
report presented shows expenditures of over $3 million dollars with no
budget amendments presented to the Council for approval; and suggested
that someone in finance be assigned to
preparing profit
and loss
statements for the Amphitheater for checks and balance; noted most
municipalities run the operations of this
type of facility, noting it is a
public facility and there needs to be an accounting of all funds in and out.

Ms. Gaines agreed noting going forward,
profit and loss statements will be
provided to the Governing Body for the Amphitheater, along with monthly
and quarter financial reports and will establish a
comprehensive reporting
plan.

7|Page
Mr. Gardiner noted the City
report is forthcoming as well.

Councilmember Alexander noted the public
enjoys the Amphitheater and
referenced the Merle Manders Conference
City where the city subsidizes
its expenses; noting it is going to be a
long road rebuilding the downtown;
noted the extra revenue from the shows allows for
more shows to be
booked; noted the traffic being brought into the downtown will
spur the
economic growth; and asked about the revenue and
expenses for the
Merle Manders Conference Center. Ms. Gaines
responded that the
MMCC revenues are $150,000 and the expenses are
$250,000; and noted investments in the city had not been made
during
prior administrations, funding was saved and not spent.

Ms. Gaines noted October and December are
peak months for revenue
for the City; noted SPLOST (Special
Purpose Local Option Sales Tax),
TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local
Option Sales Tax) and
LOST (Local Option Sales Tax), are all
overperforming, with 21 current
TSPLOST Projects for $12 million dollars and SPLOST
Projects for $19
million dollars, with $10.6 million allotted for
Water, Sewer, and
Stormwater projects.

Councilmember Thomas noted he dives
heavily into the budget during this
time of the year, and noted that his concern is that the
process prior to the
millage rate being adopted should have been a look at the budget and
trends, review the deficit(s) in the budget and then set the
millage rate;
agreed reports should be sent to the full Council to give the officials the
tools and information to make good decisions and
answer questions and
concerns from the public and address concerns for needs and requests for
more patrolling, staff and equipment to do the job at hand.

Ms. Gaines noted that she would follow
up with information regarding the
Municipal Court.

Councilmember Alexander referenced the unfilled
salary positions and the
need to hire staff and offer competitive
wages and by should be
around $4.5 million if the city was
fully staffed.

Ms. Gaines noted the current
year to date salaries are $3.8 million and are
budgeted at $9.4 million.

10. Council Consideration to fill vacancies on the Public
Facilities Authority
Board and appoint members to a
four-year term.
Presented by: Quinton Washington, City
Attorney
Attorney Washington noted there are 4 vacancies and 3 applications:
Antonio Gordon, Mark Glenn, and Samantha Samuels.

Motion to approve the appointment of Antonio
Gordon, Samantha
Samuels, and Mark Glenn to serve a four-year term was made by
Councilmember Alexander; seconded by Councilmember Barber. The
motion passed unanimously

age
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 or visit the website
www.stockbridgega.org for updates.

Stockbridge Citizens-Police Advisory Council meeting 1st Thursday of each month at
6:00 pm. at the Stockbridge Police
Community Room 4545 N Henry Blvd. (Aug 1)
o The Main Street Advisory Board
Meeting on the 2nd Friday of each month at 9am Location
is the Downtown Connection Center 130 M L
King Sr. Heritage Trail. (Aug 9)
City Council Meeting, Monday of each month at 6:00 pm. City Hall Council Chamber

(Aug 12)
. Youth Council Meeting 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30
pm. City Hall Levi Meeting

Room (No August Meeting due to Summer
Break)
Citywide Development Authority Meeting, 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:00
City Hall
Levi Meeting Room (Aug 13)
Planning Commission Meeting, 3Id Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm. City Hall Council

Chamber (Aug 15)
. Downtown Development Authority Meeting, 3rd
Tuesday of each month Stockbridge
Downtown Center 130 M L King, Sr.
Heritage Trail (Aug 20)
Youth Council Advisory Committee
Meeting, 6:30 p.m.- 3rd Tuesday of each month Levi
Meeting Room City Hall (Aug 20)

City Council Work Session Meeting, Last Tuesday of each month: Tuesday, July 30th at 6:00
pm. City Hall Council Chamber (Aug 27)
Community Zoning and information Meeting: Wednesday, Sep 4th from 6:00 pm. 7:00
pm. at City Hall in the Council Chamber (Sep 4)

UPCOMING g ITY EVENTSZ INXTIA TIVES
. Join us at Clark Community Park at 111 Davis Rd.
Stockbridge for Food Truck Tasty
Tuesday from 5:30pm 8:00 pm for live music, great food, and a host of free and games
activities for the kids.
. Join Councilman Elton Alexander for a
Community Cleanup event on Saturday, August 10th
from 9am Parking at the Costco Parking Lot 2245 Jodeco Rd., McDonough, GA.
. The Stockbridge Police Department will host the Zone 2 Public
Safety Forum on Monday,
August 12lh from 6:00pm 7:30pm. Location Stockbridge United Methodist Church 4863
North Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA
. Join Councilman Alphonso Thomas for the
monthly Sen/or Bingo Bash on Wednesday,
August from 10am 12pm at the Merle Manders Conference Center, 111 Davis Rd. for

raffles, prizes, games, snacks and fun!
. Join Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt in
partnership with Atlanta Food Truck Park for Night
Market at the Stockbridge Amphitheater
Parking Lot from 6pm 9:30pm August
There will be vendors, Food Trucks, Activities,
Games, Music, and Vibes Contact Tan
Bowers at tan atlantafoodtruck arkmm for registration and additional information.
. Join Councilman Thomas for the District Curb, Gutter and Sidewalks Town Hall on
Thursday, August 15th from 6:30pm 8:00pm at Floyd Chapel Baptist Church Family Life
Center located at 104 First Street
Stockbridge, GA
Join Mayor Anthony Ford for the
monthly Meet the Mayor on Wednesday, August from
10am noon at Stockbridge City Hall
- 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.
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.

Please contact Rosalynd Rawls to schedule an
appointment for Meet the Mayor and for
more information on Council Initiatives and events at or via email:
rrawls@stockbridgega.org
2024 Stockbridqe Amnhitheater Summer Cone ert Series
0 Saturday, August 3, 2024, Babyface and Special Guests Avery Sunshine and 4Cast
0 Saturday, August Monica, featuring Tamar, Sevyn Streeter, and Pretty Tammy
the DJ. (Divine 9).
0 Sunday, October 20, 2024, (Rescheduled Show) Charlie Willson with Special Guest
El Debarge
0 Saturday, October 26, 2024, Boney James Slow Burn Tourn with Special Guest
Damien Escobar

SAVE THE DATE! BridgeFest 2024 is
coming! Are you ready! The City of
Stockbridge Government is hosting this annual event for the COMMUNITY on
Saturday, September 28, 2024! We will have a live concert, food trucks, vendors,
and more! Get ready for fun at the
Stockbridge Amphitheater! Questions? Please
email bbradley@stockbridgega.org as soon as
possible for vendors who want to
participate.

OMMENTS

Mayor Ford noted the Stockbridge Citizens-Police Advisory Council was a finalist for the
Police Dr. Curtis McClung Award of Excellence and received a
plaque and
$500 to support the committee; noted the rescheduled show for Charlie Wilson with El
Debarge will take place on Saturday, October noted Chris Tucker and Friends, will
perform at the Amphitheater on Saturday, August 24th with live music and comedy and
will benefit the Chris Tucker Foundation; noted SPLOST V! will be on the ballot in
November and that cities and County are looking at a
6-yr SPLOST and an estimated
$470,000,000 with a 68/32 split and is based on the 2020 census numbers, no Level ll
Projects, and the County will have up to $100 million dollars for bonding, and if approved
by the voters, funds will be collected from April 2025 to March 31, 2031, with an
estimated $57,839,000 coming to the City of
Stockbridge at 12.31%, and the IGA
(intergovernmental Agreement) is being revised for signatures; encouraged everyone to
watch the Olympics, noting the USA is doing well with medals in several
categories with
the ladies gymnastics team capturing gold and Simone Biles
going into the history books
as the most decorated gymnast in the history of the
Olympics; noted Flip City South from
Stockbridge finished 2nd highest team in the country in their last national competition and
bringing home medals where they are looking to be the next generation of gymnasts.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 pm. was made
by Mayor Pro Berry; seconded by
Councilmember Gantt. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

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

10')?! OK!
