---
date: 2025-03-20
title: 03-20-2025 Minutes
source: 2025-03/2025-03-20_03-20-2025 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

StOCkbridge
Whom Community Conn-m

CITY COUNCIL PLANNENG RETREAT
SUMMARY MINUTES
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025
9:00 AM.

Mission; Is to_ rovide yisiona leadership and superior municipal services that enhance the
quality of | e for atrzenslw Ile creatrnga welcomgng buslness atmosphere focused on
sustainablllty and expansron of tourism and cultural events.

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Mr. Price noted they have talked to the PATH Foundation and advised them of the
restrictions from an engineering standpoint and noted the walkway along the city's
property.
Councilmember Barber asked if it would have been more suitable to place the path on
the opposite side of the street.

Mr. Price noted utilities can be an issue, and that the Red Oak Road/Flippen Road
culvert is an issue and will be very costly.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt asked what the city should do now, in the event they would want
to sell the property with the suggested path on Tye Street.

Mr. Price suggested the city re-plat the property with the walkway along the city's
property, noting the ditch is servicing stormwater runoff; and noted that per the
discussion with Councilmember Thomas. the sidewalks were to be to the park as not
to invade on the properties, noting the PATH Foundation cannot ignore
utility and also noted because of drainage issues in the Tye Street area, the
sewer cannot be moved.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt noted that she met with the family who owns the lot adjacent to
the property who are willing to deed the property to the city at no cost and will
follow up.

Mr. Price noted GDOT approved the path along Hwy. 42, and what is needed is an
easement document from the First Baptist Church. tying the path together from N.

Henry Blvd. to City Hall to the Amphitheater; and noted the contractor, DAF Concrete,
who had been working with the easements, cannot be located.

Mr. Price gave an update on the Alleyway Project, noting the request to change the
parking lot from gravel to paved; noting the easements have been secured, and that the
estimate submitted four years ago was $395,000.00.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt noted the gravel lots were part of the RSVP Plan, and noted if the
area is paved, it would have to be torn out, and is why gravel was the option; and

suggested a community grease trap in the downtown area to market to restaurants.

Mr. Price and Mr. Aaron both stated the grease traps should be individual and
underground.

Councilmember Barber noted there were projects that were bonded prior to her being
elected to the City Council and asked staff to provide the status of projects, and wants
to see the City Council prioritize the projects.

Councilmember Berry joined the meeting at 12:22 pm.

ZlPage
Mr. Price gave an overview of the Signalization project @ Country Club Dr., noting
decorative printed pavers and black mast poles wil! be installed. and the cost of the last
poles installed was $200,000.00 per pole; and noted that developers will be asked to
pay for the fourth leg.
Mayor Pro Tem Gantt exited the meeting at 1:30 pm.

Councilmember Barber asked about the use of Impact Fees.

Mr. Anderson szted the Impact Fees are used citywide for Parks and Recreation, and
roads and infrastructure improvements.

Mr. Price noted he is working with Mr. Aaron on Stormwater Billing and will complete the
repc't by May 31"; noted Falcon completed a Boundary Survey for the new
Maintenance Shop at 351 Taylor Drive; and reviewed the Pates Creek Bridge that was
annexed into the city by referendum, noting Henry County received recommendations to
repair the bridge prior to the annexation. and that the information should be available
from the County.

Mr. Price reviewed the plans to improve the paths to Memorial Park in the Tye Street
neighborhood, where 8' paths are proposed and converting sidewalks to noting
several homes have utility issues due to very little right of way and tne water main is
close to the edge of the road, and noted they are putting together a set of plans for the
city to analyze, noting the streets in the area have aged; and noted the plan has been
reviewed for piping to be installed in the area.

Mr. Price referenced a plan for Jennings Street where there are two homes near the
entrance of Memorial Park and suggested adding removable bollards; and referenced
the Rock Quarry Road extension design of roadway with $2million dollars allocated by
the City of Stockbridge.

Councilmember Barber noted no previous Council can bind another Council, and that
the proposed develooments are in District 4, and she is unaware of.

Mr. Price stated he will get with the County on the proposed Rock Quarry Rd. and T-
intersection of Rcck Quarry Rd. & North Henry Blvd. and determine the right-of-way.

Mr. Aaron noted the Bid Opening for the Rock Quarry Road Widening project will take

place on April 23"; and noted he was advised by Roque Romero that the County will
resurface Hudson Bridge Rd, East Lake Pkwy., Eagles Landing Pkwy, and
Road from North Henry Blvd. to its end.

Mr. Aaron reviewed the approved T-SPLOST list; noted the Brush Creek Trail project will
be presented at the March Work Session meeting; and noted the Public Works
department needs to purchase multiple trucks and equipment.

3lPage
Mr. Milazi noted there is $2.5million dollars available in Capital Improvements. and the
funds would need to be reallocated, and would be ready to present at the April
meeting.

Mr. Aaron noted the Bid Opening for the grassy area project at the Amphitheater are
due on March 24"1 and will be presented at the March 25"I Work Session meeting.
Councilmember Berry noted he visited the Sandy Springs Amphitheater, where they
wereinstalling the turf during the City last visit. and the project has been
completed and looks great.

Councilmember Alexander suggested a product of some kind to be installed in the Pit
area of the Amphitheater to help to absorb the heat.

Mr. Sanders gave an update on the Court Renovation. noting the project has been
completed with a cost of $73,471.66; noted the Signs Phase I signs will
begin installation on May 1; noted the city is in talks with Norfolk Southern regarding a
parking lot on .54 acres and installing 35-40 parking spaces. similar to downtown Locust
Grove. noting pricing has not yet been received for the project; noted the PATH
Foundation item is scheduled to be presented at the March Work Session meeting;
and the Georgia Power Utility Relocation Plan Preliminary Engineering Agreement has
been signed in the amount of $13.000.00.

Mr. Milazi referenced OpenGov. stating he has met once with the representatives. and
that the software does not integrate with the city's software, Incode, and that
staff would be required to duplicate information; noted the city has invested $200,000 in
the product coordinated through the City Manager's office.

Councilmember Barber noted the OpenGov software and project was approved in
February 2023. and because the program has not been implemented. the city should
renegotiate the contract; noting the City is paying for something that has not happened.
and there needs to be a conversation with OpenGov about the rollout.

lVr. Milazi stated he will review the contract and meet with OpenGov representatives
and ask them to report on a potential or expected rollout date. and report back to the
COanit. noting the efforts will be coordinate-d with the City's Management Analyst.
Jamayca Cole. who has been the Point of Contact for the project.

Amphitheater Harold Young Amphitheater Consultant

Mr. Young stated the Stockbridge Amphitheater nas made a big impact on the Atlanta
market. and that seeking out artists must begin in October. and noted the marketing and
media has started earlier for the 2025 concert season.

Mr. Young referenced the replacement of grass. noting it is not financially feasible to
continue to move chairs inlout of the area and out the grass. and that improvements to
the Amphitheater in other areas wili continue in phases.

4|Page
Mr. Young reviewed the marketing strategies for the upcoming concert season, noting
the Stockbridge Police Department has recommended the city adopt a Clear Bag Policy
for patrons entering the venue.

Ms. Thornton expressed concerns over getting the messaging out prior to the concerts
starting, and to those patrons who have already purchased tickets.

Councilmember Berry suggested having lockers for patrons at the gate.

Councilmember Barber agreed with the lockers and also expressed concern with getting
the message out, especially being so close to the concert and needs more details
on the logistics of the lockers.

Mr. Young referenced a meeting with the CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau)
regarding hotels in the area, and a 3-day Southern Soul Festival in Stockbridge the
weekend fo.lowing Labor Day, where Stockbridge would be a destination, and noted
Mayor Pro Tern (sand would provide more information on the Southern Soul Festival
and noted a Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis tribute on August 30"" and August 31".

CouncilmemberAlexander stated the city needs to have Reader Boards in place for
visibility with concert information, and other pertinent information regarding the city.

Mr. Sanders noted the Digital Signs are moving forward.

Councilman Alexander noted the Digital Signs have already been approved by the City
Council and designed by Falcon Design Consultants.

Mr. Young stated Amphitheater have been ordered. and there will all be billboard
visibility advertising the concerts; noted there are rentals for the Amphitheater; reviewed
Part I, and Part 2 of the 2025 Concert Series; noted the Rideshare locations have
changed, and that getting the word out will be critical; and referenced the rigging
manuals are incorrect and that the corrective action has been included in the H J
Russell proposal along with black curtains, an electrical panel, stage and Amphitheaters
repairs.

Mayor Pro Tern Gantt rejoined the meeting at 3:43 pm.

Mr. Young noted Big Chic would be the new concessions vendor, and Whiskey Tee's will
be the alcohol vendor with a two-year contract.

Councilmember Barber asked if security services, janitorial, tickettng, alcohol or
concessions were advertised.

Mr. Milazi referred to the contract whereas all responsibilities of the are under
the city.

5|Page
Mayor Pro Tem Gantt noted the decision-making for the Amphitheater remains with the
city. as well as

Councilmember Barber noted that considering the contract. once the city identifies the
vendors. that should be given to Mr. Young to put forward; noted the city has not been
operating in the right way, as she has been asking for monthly reporting. and
that discussions should be had with the Governing Body prior to contracts being
executed.

Mr. Young stated that no one from the city has sat down with him to ask what is required
to run the operations of the Amphitheater. and that he was given marching orders to
make it happen.

Mr. Milazi stated the process needs to change with approvai of the City Council.

Councilmember Barber noted she has been asking questions for four years about the
Amphitheater. noting it is a public venue. not a private venue. and that it is a major issue
when information is not known to the public.

Councilmember Alexander motioned to approve a Resolution for a Clear Bag Policy and
to select a provider to manage locker service for the Amphitheater; seconded by Mayor
Pro Tern Gantt. Councilmember Barber questioned the unknown cost for the locker
service provider. Councilmember Berry noted the service would be customer to
customer transactions with no cost to the city. The motion passed unanimously 4-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt presented Boots on the Ground Southern Soul Festival in
coordination with the King George concerts September 5 with Stockbridge being a
destination. and will include several activities including line dancing. and card games,
and perhaps eliminating BridgeFest.

CouncilmemberAlexander noted Henry County has agreed to partner with the City of
Stockbridge with HispaniFest during BridgeFest and cover all expenses outside of the
Arphitheater.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt requested approval and support of the Boots on the Ground
Southsm Soul Festival in collaboration with the Amphitheater concert September 5

Councilmember Barber noted that she supports the idea. however. wants to make sure
the logistics are in piace not to disrupt the lives of the residents in the area, and to make
sure they are affected as little as possible.

There was a consensus of the Council to move fonuard with the Boots on the Ground
Southern Soul Festival as presented.

6|Page
Mr. Young made a request to the Council for a meeting going fonuard, prior to the
Retreat to answer and address any questions or concerns regarding the Amphitheater
management.

Councilmember Barber referenced her requests that she has made for two years to
resurface Valley Hill Rd. and add lights and trails. and questioned how the funding is
now available to resurface Hudson Bridge Road and Eagles Landing Parkway.

Mayor Pro Tern Gantt noted there have been challenges.

Councilmember Alexander noted the County gets a better deal because they have a
greater volume to resurface.

Mr. Aaron noted it is better to collaborate with the County when city roads and county
roads connect, which would be more cost effective.

Councilmember Barber emphasized the importance of rebuilding the relationship with
the County in hopes of collaborating on future projects.

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk nthony S. Ford,

7|Page
