---
date: 2021-01-26
title: 01-26-2021 Minutes
source: 2021-01/2021-01-26_01-26-2021 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

StOCkbridge

Where Community Connects

WORK SESSION MEETING
SUMMARY M | NUTES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 6:00 PM
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony Ford Randy Kni hxon, City Manager
Mayon Pro Tem Elton Alexa nder Vanessa pllday, City Clerk
Counulwoman Yolanda Bar ber John WI Ins, Cltv Treasurer
Councilman John Blount Michael illiams, City Attorney
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt
Councilman Alphonso Thomas

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 Councilman Thomas.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited all in unison.

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

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to amend the Agenda to add a Ceremonial
Proclamation for National Slavery & Human
Trafficking Prevention Month and Item
#8 Moratorium on development of homes for rental: Second by
Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Councilwoman Gantt joined the meeting.

Review of the Minutes for the following
meetings: No Action
1. 12/14/2020
2. 12/22/2020
3. 12/29/2020

PUBLIC COMMENTS
All public comments must be submitted to the Clerk no later than one hour
prior to the meeting.
The Public Comment Form be found the
can on webpage on the City page at:
hugs://stockbridge,seamlessdocs.com/f/ZOdez4mo7xb 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.

Page | 1
Comments including defamation, unruliness and/or swearing will not be
accepted.
The Clerk read the Public Comment from Concerned Citizen in the
Glynn Addy
Subdivision who
questioned why the City has not shored up the boundaries following the de-annexation efforts;
requested a progress and cost update on the Amphitheater project; and expressed safety and
health concerns with unmasked individuals playing basketball in the parks, and the City not
passing a mask mandate.

CEREMONIAL
Mayor Ford read the proclamation for National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention
Month and presented it to Debra Abernathy, President of the
Henry County Alumnae
Chapter Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

Ms. Abernathy thank the Mayor & Council for the proclamation and recognized Chapter
officers and members; President Abernathy thanked the City for their work and
recognizing
service by bringing awareness to this issue, noting their efforts to educate and inform the
Stockbridge and Henry County community by hosting forums, donating to various
organizations who provide assistance, providing information in airports, bus stations and
truck stops with a toll-free hotline that victims can call for help.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted the City of Stockbridge was the first city in Henry County
to introduce a Proclamation in 2016, noting the importance and bringing awareness to
Human Trafficking in our community.

OLD BUSINESS
4. Council Consideration to establish Voting Precincts.
Presented by Henry County Elections Director Ameika Pitts, Henry County
Polling Manager, Brook Schreiner, Henry County Attorney Patrick Jaugstetter,
Michael Williams, City Attorney. Randy Knighton, City Manager, Vanessa
Holiday, City Clerk
Councilwoman Gantt motioned to Table; second by Mayor Pro Tem Alexander.
The motion passed

PUBLIC HEARING
5. Council Consideration to approve the 2020-2025 Work
Program and Capital Improvement Element (STWP/CIE).
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager
Mr. Knighton noted the Comprehensive Plan is updated
every ten years,
and in the interim, the State requires an update of the Short-Term
Work Program/Capital Improvement Element noting this action to be a
requirement of DCA (Department of Community Affairs) and upon approval by
the City is then transmitted to ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission. Mr.
Knighton
noted the report includes projects, funding source and project status and once
approved, the report will be returned to the City for final adoption, noting the
referenced projects listed on the report are updated annually and are goals in
which the City hopes to accomplish.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander asked Mr. Knighton to speak about some of the City's
key projects that are in the works.

Mr. Knighton noted the Amphitheater is the major project with more updates
and information to be presented at the next Council meeting in February,
noting
Page | 2
the Amphitheater was included in the LCI and the leadership of the Council was
able to bring the project to fruition; noted the proposed Cultural Arts Center which
is proposed to include a 300+ seat ballroom and 300+ seat theater
along with
meeting rooms; ballet room and culinary arts space; and a proposed Youth and
Senior Center, which is in the concept phase with a full
gym, basketball court, poll
and indoor track; noting these projects will enhance the quality of life for citizens
here in the Stockbridge community and ensure the vision of the City.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted the City has a solid Comprehensive Plan and is
in a strong financial position.

Mr. Knighton the comments from Mayor Pro Tern Alexander, noting
the City utilizes Financial Advisors and will continue to be fiscally sound and seek
other funding avenues such as Grants, SPLOST, and a TSPLOST scheduled for
the November 2021 ballot.

Mayor Ford opened the Public Hearing.
No Speakers in Favor
No Speakers Opposed
The Public Hearing was closed.
Motion to approve Gantt/Thomas Passed 5-0

NEW BUSINESS
6. Council Consideration to approve participation in the Graybar OMNIA Partners
Program OMNIA Contract #EV2370 for the installation of a new phone
system via Spectrum VOIP in the amount of $2,207.37 per month. Funding
Source: Information Technology
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager and Jonathan Van Horn and
Laura Mathwig of Spectrum VOIP.
Mr. Knighton noted OMNIA would be able to modify and enhance overall

phone system and introduced Jonathan Van Horn of Spectrum VOIP who
noted the new system would have lP phones, VOIP systems and will be able to
transfer calls.

Mayor Ford inquired if more buildings are added would they be included.

Mr. Van Horn noted they would be included at no additional cost to the
City and
noted it would cost $2,000/month which includes all expenses, system support,
installation, unlimited training, and all equipment.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander inquired what the new system will bring vs. the
current system.

Mr. Van Horn noted the new system would be a host system that has over 100
features such as: transfer of calls, record calls, monitor call and each
employee
would have a extension.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander inquired on calls being transferred when employees
are off site.

Page | 3
Mr. Van Horn noted staff would have the ability to take the
phones anywhere
and would have the ability to transfer calls.

Councilwoman Gantt inquired if there were issues with the current system and
is it cost

Mr. Knighton noted the current system is outdated and the new
system would
be more modernized and is cost efficient.

Mr. Wiggins noted the City currently pays three (3) vendors: Aire
Spring-
$57,000/year for long distance calling, Milner Support Services $5,2000/year
and AT&T Club Service for all lines and $172/monthly for
faxing services.

Councilwoman Barber inquired if this would be an agreement and what would
happen to the older phones.

Attorney Williams noted it was a proposed unsolicited agreement and proposes
using a cooperative agreement through their partner organization Graybar.

Mr. Wiggins noted the older phones
may be inventoried and surplused on
GovDeals.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve participation in the Graybar OMNlA
Partners Program OMNlA Contract #EV2370 for the installation of a new
shone system via Spectrum VOlP in the amount of $2,207.37
per month;
second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to approve Falcon Design Consultants Task Order No.
2021.01 to review the Amphitheater Master Plan for a
Ridesharing Area in the
amount of $1500.00. Funding Source: Amphitheater
Project.
Presented by Randy Knighton, City Manager
Mr. Knighton noted staff has had further discussion with Falcon
Design to
review all Amphitheater plans to determine the most appropriate location for a

Ridesharing location.

Councilman Thomas thanked Mr. Knighton for bringing the requested item
back to the Council for discussion and noted he knows and parking will
be an issue and believes the Rideshare location would alleviate and help
patrons to enjoy any festivities without worrying about parking. Councilman
Thomas also noted the Federal Administration Climate Environment are
proposing to eliminate combustion vehicles with companies such as GM, Ford
and labor unions being involved.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander thanked Councilman Thomas for bringing the item
forward and for having the leadership and foresight to include the
option of
implementing a Ridesharing Location for the Amphitheater.

Page i 4
Councilman Thomas motioned to approve Falcon
Design Consultants Task
Order No. 2021.01 to review the Amphitheater Master Plan for a
Ridesharing
Area in the amount of $1500.00; second by
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander. The
motion passed 5-0.

Motion to approve establishing a Moratorium on the

acceptance of any
applications related to the development of any buildings for residential rental
purposes.
Presented by Michael Williams, City Attorney
Attorney Williams noted there is a proposal for the City to adopt a Resolution
for a 180-day moratorium on the acceptance of
any applications of any kind for
any development involving residential renting properties which includes
building permits land and disturbance permits. Attorney Williams further noted
there has been a development in the City that has been
acquired for the
purpose of all remaining empty lots to develop single-family homes to be built
and made available for rent opposed to
purchase of owner occupancy.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander noted once Pineview Subdivision was approved, he
noticed most of the neighborhood remains vacant and the
rdevelope changed
the sign from a $200K sale to rent for 561,6 00/mon th, with 0 ver 30-35 lots that
are vacant lots.

Councilwoman Gantt noted this was a trend in other areas as well.

Councilman Thomas noted this should be addressed with the UDC
Development Code).

Mr. Knighton and noted it would be addressed along with other
issues regarding the codes.

Councilwoman Barber expressed she does not see how the
developer was
able to circumvent the original proposal.

Mr. Knighton noted the zoning was approved as a
home; the
issue is how the builder designed a mechanism to deal with owners vs. rental

occupancy.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned to approve the Resolution for the
Moratorium; second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford noted the recent passing of Pastor Spencer T. of Global Impact
Christian Ministries and Pastor Phillip Kouns of The Bridge First Christian Church of
Stockbridge, noting the tremendous loss to the Stockbridge community offered
condolences to their families and church families and asked for continued
prayers; noted
the passing the Hammering Henry Aaron as a baseball legend, Homerun King, Civil
Rights activist, great man and a class act who was well respected; noted the pandemic
remains with us and if you show
any symptoms to call 800-847-4262 to make an
appointment to get tested; noted testing will take place this week on Wednesday and
Thursday with the Henry County and Department of Public Health mobile testing sites at

Page I 5
No. Mt. Carmel Park in Hampton from 10am 3pm and Friday at Warren Holder Park in
Locust Grove from 10am 3pm; noted mobile testing sites will eventually cease with testing
by appointment taking place Monday Thursday at the Heritage Senior Center in
McDonough from 9am 3pm and Saturday, 9am noon, noting there would be a reduction
in testing as there will be an emphasis on
vaccinations, which for Henry County are taking
place at the A tlanta Motor Sp eedway by reservation, Tuesday, February 2nd and February
from 9am noon for 2nd vaccine tion at 1 d to
please check with local pharmacies for
vaccinations as well, noting the vaccinations are being
given to Phase IA: healthcare
providers, seniors age 65 and older or their caregivers, long-term care facilities,
responder, police, fire and high-risk categories; noting the Moderma vaccination is given to
those age 18+; vaccination is given to those age 16+. Mayor Ford
encouraged
everyone to continue to wear masks. wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, and
stay out of crowed spaces; keep the faith as we will get through this; and hopefully the virus
will be under control to have a grand
opening of the Amphitheater as we embark upon 80-
90% herd immunity.

CITY OFFICES ARE CLOSED DUE TO COVlD-19 PRECAUTIONS
As a COVID precaution, City are closed to the public until further notice. Staff is
operating under telework protocol. Please contact the webpage
cityofstockbridge.com to contact each department for service and information.

UPCOMING MEETINGS 8; ANNOUNCEME NTS
Meeting will be held via Zoom until further notice. Meeting dates and times are subject
to change. Please visit the 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 at 6:00 pm. Via Zoom 2nd Monday of each month.

. Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, at 9:00 am. Via Zoom -
2nd Friday of each
month

Downtown Development Authority Meeting, at 6:00 3rd Tuesday of
pm. Via Zoom -

each month

Youth Council Advisory Meeting, 6:30 pm. Via Zoom -
3rd Tuesday of each month

0 Youth Council Meeting. at 6:30 pm. Via Zoom -
3rd Wednesday of each month

Planning Commission Meeting, at 6:30 pm. Via Zoom 4th Thursday of each month

City Council Work Session at 6:00 pm. Via Zoom Last Tuesday of each month
unless otherwise noted.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS
None scheduled at this time

Page I 6
UPCOMING COUNCIL INITIATIVES
Join Councilman Alphonso Thomas for the 10th Annual African American
Heritage
Celebration taking place virtually, February 6, 2021. For more information,
please contact
Zenovia Pearson at 404-565-5109

UPCOMING HOLIDAY CLOSING

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Pro Tem motioned not to convene and Executive Session.

Mr. Knighton asked to introduce the new Economic Development Director, Alan

Peterson, who came on board the first week of January and noted he has hit the ground
running and looks foward to the wealth of knowledge he will bring to the City.

Mr. Peterson stated he looks forward to
working with everyone to advance the City forward
as far as economic development is concerned.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander motioned not to convene and Executive Session.

Councilwoman Gantt noted she did not 2nd the motion, but rather had a comment for the
record: over a month now, we have an HR
independent 3rd party study and I feel that
it is being negligent and being done on
purpose not attending Executive

Councilwoman Barber noted this report as well as other issues such as the Procurement
Policy can be discussed at the upcoming Retreat.

Councilwoman Gantt noted the report and other legal matters need to be discussed in
Executive Session to address the concerns of staff and the administration.

Councilman Blount noted the HR report needed to be discussed in Executive Session and
that cannot be done at the Retreat, with staff in attendance and there were other
pending
litigation updates that were needed to be heard in Executive Session with a member of the
governing body whom it concerns motioning not to convene Executive Session.

Councilwoman Barber noted original email from the consultant had an incorrect email
address where she noted the correction and sent to the
governing body; noted the report
was reviewed with the Mayor and
every member of Council and there was nothing urgent
that could not wait until the Council convenes at the Retreat where Executive Session
matters could be discussed.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander stated that every member of the Council can speak to and meet
with the City Attorney and/or City Manager, or
any official at any time as he has done and
will continue to do, noting items have often been referred to be
presented at the Retreat
and agrees that would be the proper time.

Mayor Ford noted there are legal matters that are reserved for Executive Session.

Page | 7
Councilman Thomas noted that he made a request for a
Special Called Meeting with an
Executive Session last week and while it is not the
policy, the Mayor asked for a unanimous
consent to hold the meeting, and trying to
oblige requests, there were members who failed
to respond to the Mayor's call for the
meeting.

Mayor Ford noted his request for unanimous consent of the Special Called Meeting

Councilwoman Gantt noted it is her understanding that the information has been shared
with all members of the Council individually, however, it is
important to hear the information
with all members present to discuss and share information and
ideas; and to avoid
discussing the report could be deemed negligent.

Councilman Blount noted he did not hear the information
separately, but rather with
Councilwoman Gantt and Mayor Ford.

Councilman Thomas he has been a member of the Council for a while
noting when the
Council has these back and forth exchanges makes us all
losers; there are no winners
here; noted the meeting up to this point had been productive; and stated this has to
stop;
noted the citizens have made the Council aware
they do not like these exchanges, and that
there are better ways for the Council to
agree to disagree and noted that he would be
signing off from the meeting as he did not want to be a of
part Councilman Thomas
losing.
exited the meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and Councilwoman Barber exited the meeting.

Due to the lack of a quorum, the meeting ended.

Respec sub mitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
nthony 8. Ford,

Page | 8
