---
date: 2020-11-09
title: November 9, 2020 City Council Meeting Via Zoom Minutes
source: 2020-11/2020-11-09_November 9, 2020 City Council Meeting Via Zoom_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Page |1

ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020 6:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Randy Knighton, City Manager
Mayor ProTem Alphonso Thomas Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilman Elton Alexander John Wiggins, City Treasurer
Councilwoman Yolanda Barber Michael Williams, City Attorney
Councilman John Blount
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/85802930045?

II. Call to Order - Mayor Ford

III. Invocation - Councilman Blount

IV. Pledge of Allegiance - All in unison

V. Roll Call - All members present

VI. Motion to amend the Agenda: To add Free Turkey Distribution & Food Drive
Event at the MMCC on Nov. 21st from 10am - noon: Blount/Gantt Passed 5-0.

VII. Approval the Minutes for the following meetings: Barber/Alexander Passed
5-0.

1. 09/09/2020 2. 09/15/2020 3. 09/17/2020 4. 09/18/2020

PUBLIC COMMENTS must be submitted no later than one hour prior to the meeting.
Please Visit the City’s website under the Clerk’s Page to complete the Public Comment Form.
https://stockbridge.seamlessdocs.com/f/20pkdz4mo7xb

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. There were no Public Comments.
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PROJECT UPDATE
5. Amphitheater Construction Update
Presented by Randy Knighton – City Manager, Carl Trevathan - Keck &
Wood - Project Manager, and Kirk Voelkel, H J Russell Construction Co.
Project Manager
Mr. Voelkel presented a video of the Amphitheater progress and gave
an overview with an estimated completion date on the Amphitheater
structure of February 2021; and landscaping, roads, ponds, and interior
finishes of May 2021.

PUBLIC HEARING
6. First Reading of the Proposed FY2021 Operating Budget
Presented by Randy Knighton – City Manager and John Wiggins -
City Treasurer
Mr. Knighton presented the Proposed FY2021 Budget noting this was
the First Reading with the 2nd Reading scheduled for November 24th and
the Final Reading and Adoption scheduled for December 14th; noted the
Budget reflects the City’s Vision and Mission Statements; presented the
budget at $12.8 million dollars, noting the budget had been reduced by
$2 million dollars from what was presented at the Retreat with a
proposed additional Code Enforcement Officer and placeholder
positions for Building Inspections, Building Permit Clerk and Civil
Engineer (P/T) should the City choose to go in the direction of bringing
the positions in-house; added (6) Additional Public Works Technicians,
and (2) Stormwater Technicians from Stormwater; proposed $12,500 for
the inaugural Juneteenth Holiday celebration; and noted there were
more modifications and reductions to the FY2021 budget to come.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas recommended the 3rd Code Enforcement
Officer be a Supervisor Position for much needed oversight, and work in
the field; Councilwoman Barber agreed.

Councilman Alexander reiterated the budget should reflect the needs of
the City and asked Mr. Knighton if he had everything he needed.

Mr. Knighton stated the budget has everything needed to operate the
City and noted additional cuts will be made prior to the adoption on
December 14th.

Public Hearing Opened
Mr. Knighton read a comment from Facebook asking for more
accountability regarding Code Enforcement.

No Speakers in Favor or Opposed

The Public Hearing was Closed.

Mayor Ford noted the next Public Hearing will take place on November
24th for the Second Reading.
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NEW BUSINESS
7. Council Consideration to approve Capital Projects Bonding
Presented by Randy Knighton- City Manager, Ed Wall – Financial
Advisor
There was a consensus of the Council to bring the item back to the
November 24th Work Session meeting with more information on the cost
to complete the Amphitheater, the roads, ponds, landscaping, and
fixtures to make a decision on bonding.

8. Council Consideration to approve Falcon Design Task Order No.
2020.11 the Smith-Barnes Sewer Main and Force Main Rehabilitation
Project in the amount of $62,500.00. Funding Source: Sewer Dept.
Fund Balance.
Presented by Decius Aaron – Public Works Director
Motion to approve Alexander/Barber Passed 5-0.

9. Council Consideration to approve the request authorizing the use of
$120,000 from the Sanitation Division Fund Balance to cover Increased
Landfill Disposal Costs. Funding Source: Sanitation Fund Balance
Presented by Decius Aaron – Public Works Director
Motion to approve Alexander/Gantt Passed 5-0.

10. Council Consideration to amend the Water, Sewer, Sanitation and
Stormwater Fee Schedule. Effective November 9, 2020.
Presented by Decius Aaron – Public Works Director
Motion to approve Barber/Alexander Passed 5-0.

11. Council Consideration to approve RFP No. 2020-0007P for (14) Tractors
and Mowers - State of Georgia Contract No. 99999-001-SPD0000102 in
the amount of $111,212.28. Funding Source: Public Works, Water and
Sewer Department Budgets.
Presented by Decius Aaron – Public Works Director
Motion to approve Alexander/Gantt Passed 5-0.

12. Council Consideration to approve the City’s 2021 Holiday Calendar.
Presented by Renee Wheeler – Human Resources Manager
Motion to approve Alexander/Barber Passed 5-0.

13. Council Consideration to approve the free Turkey Giveaway, Food
Drive, Masks & Hand Sanitizer distribution and free Flu Shots to take
place on Saturday, November 21, 2020 from 10am - noon.
Motion to approve Blount/Gantt Passed 5-0.

DISCUSSION
14. Council Discussion of the PATH Foundation Master Agreement
Presented by Randy Knighton – City Manager
Motion to approve Thomas/Gantt Passed 5-0.
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MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Ford noted COVID cases have increased in Georgia and asked that
everyone be careful and mindful, especially during the upcoming holidays; noted
Pfizer has a potential vaccine on the horizon and would be set to distribute to the
sickest individuals first; noted the Department of Health Free COVID testing phone
number 800-847-4262 and hours this week: Mon - Fri 9am -2pm and next week
10am - 3pm; wished Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans and asked everyone
to joined the City’s virtual celebration on November 11th; congratulated all the
winners of the November 3rd election cycle, and offered special congratulations to
President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris; noted the date
to register for the Special Election in Georgia for two senate seats is December 7th;
Early Voting will take place between December 14th and the Special Election Day
is January 5th for the Run-off election for two Senate seats here in Georgia.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meeting will be held via Zoom until further notice. 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, November 13, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Via
Zoom
• Downtown Development Authority Meeting, Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 6:00
p.m. Via Zoom
• Youth Council Advisory Meeting, Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Via
Zoom
• Planning Commission Meeting, Thursday November 19, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Via
Zoom
• City Council Work Session Meeting, Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Via
Zoom
• City Council Meeting – Monday, December 14, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. Via Zoom

Join Stockbridge Councilwoman Yolanda Barber on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 10 am
to 4 pm at the Ted Strickland Community Center for her Community Blood Drive. For more
information, please call Zenovia Pearson at (404) 565-5109.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS
➢ Public Hearing – Planning Commission Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 6:30 P.M.
Via Zoom
➢ Public Hearing – Second Reading of the Proposed FY2021 Operating Budget
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. Via Zoom
➢ Public Hearing – Adoption of Proposed FY2021 Operating Budget
Monday, December 14, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. Via Zoom
➢ Public Hearing – Rezoning Case No. RZ2020-02
Monday, December 14, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. Via Zoom

All City Offices will be closed Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th
in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Motion to adjourn Thomas/Alexander Passed 3-1-1 (Blount opposed, Gantt abstained).
