---
date: 2019-04-08
title: April 8, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes
source: 2019-04/2019-04-08_April 8, 2019 City Council Meeting_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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ACTION MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019 6:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Randy Knighton, City Manager
Councilman Elton Alexander Camilla Moore, Asst. City Manager/
Mayor Pro Tem John Blount Community Development Director
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilwoman Neat Robinson Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Councilman Alphonso Thomas Michael Williams, City Attorney
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. Call to Order – Mayor Ford

II. Invocation – Mr. James Turner

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Roll Call – All members present

V. Motion to amend the Agenda to remove Item #8 – Blount/Gantt: Passed 4-1
(Alexander opposed).

VI. Approval of the Minutes for the following meetings:
1. 2/11/2019

2. 2/26/2019

3. 2/28/2019

4. 3/01/2019
Motion to approve: Gantt/Robinson – Passed 5-0.

April 8, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
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. None

CEREMONIAL REVIEW
Mayor Ford reviewed the ceremonial presentations for:
Proclamation – Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month
Proclamation presented by the Henry County Board of Elections

Swearing-In of City of Stockbridge Fire Marshal, Demetries Wells

Mr. Wells thanked the City for the opportunity; referenced his 22 years of experience and
noting this was his second job since college; looks forward to doing great things in the City,
specifically, the quickness of issuing Certificates of Occupancy.

OLD BUSINESS
5. Council Consideration to amend Ordinance No. OR19-478 regarding
Chapter 4.08 – Fire Prevention and protection of the Code of the City
of Stockbridge, GA and amending Resolution No. R19-1029,
Resolution No. R19-1030 an Resolution No. R19-1031 with an effective
date of April 9, 2019.
Presented by Michael Williams, City Attorney
Motion to approve: Alexander/Gantt- Passed 5-0.

6. Council Consideration to transfer Planning & Zoning services from
Henry County to the City of Stockbridge effective April 9, 2019.
Presented by Michael Williams, City Attorney
Motion to approve; Alexander/Gantt- Passed 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS
7. Council Consideration to approve the request for use of the
Ted Strickland Community Center on May 1, 2019 for the Greater
Atlanta Homebuilders Association Luncheon.
Presented by Mayor Ford
Motion to approve w/Community Development taking the lead, and to
include other Builders and Developers in the invitation: Thomas/Blount
- Passed 3-2 (Alexander and Robinson opposed).

8. Council Consideration to approve the request for use of the Merle
Manders Conference Center on September 8, 2019 for the Council on
Aging Fundraiser event.
Presented by Randy Knighton – City Manager
Item Removed from the Agenda

April 8, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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9. Council Consideration to approve the request for use of the Ted
Strickland Community Center on April 19, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00
p.m. for the Youth Council Art Show
Presented by Councilwoman Robinson
Motion to approve: Robinson/Alexander- Passed 5-0.

10.Council Consideration to approve the request for use of the Merle
Manders Conference Center on May 4, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00
p.m. for the Youth Council Workshop
Presented by Councilwoman Robinson
Motion to approve: Robinson/Alexander- Passed 5-0.

11.Council Consideration to approve the Printing and Marketing Services
for the City to be awarded to - Curtis 1000, a Subsidiary of Taylor
Strategic Relationships (TSR) RE: Contract No. 111815, City of
Stockbridge Contract no. 2019008P not to exceed $50,000.00
Presented by Lindell Miller – Purchasing Supervisor
Motion to approve: Gantt/Robinson- Passed 5-0.

12.Council Consideration to approve RFQ for qualified contractors to bid
on the Amphitheater Project.
Presented by Randy Knighton – City Manager
Motion to approve: Gantt/Robinson- Passed 5-0.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Randy Knighton commended staff for continuing to do a top notched job for the City;
referenced the TSW architects and the pain staking process to get the Amphitheater
project off the ground, noting in the end, everyone will be proud.

Upon request from Councilman Alexander, Mr. Knighton provided a projected
timeline with a 2-tiered process with the RFQ going out for 30 days and coming back
to the City for recommendations to be presented to the Council and then placing a
bid out for constructions for 30 days and following the same process followed by a
ground-breaking event.

COMMENTS FROM THE CLERK’S OFFICE
No comments

April 8, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Thomas reflected on the First Responders Appreciation Luncheon he
hosted earlier in the day noting the courage and commitment of each of the men
and women who answer the call every day and noted the Department leaders
thanked the City for recognizing them; referenced the Community Prayer Vigil held
for the wounded officers and the Smith family to help the community come together
and heal; thanked staff for their assistance, and anyone else who had a had in
making the event a success.

Mayor Pro Tem Blount concurred with the comments of Councilman Thomas, noting
the luncheon was awesome and that he knows Officer Webb and had spoken with
him and referred to him as a hero; referenced the Community Prayer Vigil, noting
the family was thankful and stated there is no right or wrong way to comfort and love
noting the City’s new tagline “Where Community Connects”; noted the imaginary
line between cities and counties that can’t stop communities from coming together;
referenced Cities Week and invited all seniors age 55+ to attend the Bingo Bash on
April 24th from 10am – noon.

Councilwoman Gantt thanked the First Responders and all of the surrounding cities
for their support, noting they all truly showed what happens when we all come
together when we have a tragedy hit this close to home, noting she greatly
appreciates the First Responders; noted the Community Prayer Vigil was great and
asked that you continue to keep the families in prayer, and noted one of the victims
was an innocent 16-year old young man who attended Dutchtown H.S.; asked for
continued prayers for the City and County noting Stockbridge is “Where Community
Connects”; and invited everyone out for the Art Painting event during Cities Week
on April 25th at the Ted Strickland Community Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Councilman Alexander thanked everyone for coming out and tuning in; thanked all
of the First Responders; noted he enjoyed the Community Prayer Vigil, noting he
had met with the White family earlier in the day and stated the family needs help
and support and referenced the GoFundMe account that he has shared on his
personal page to assist the White family; referenced the Cities Week Trail Alive
event taking place on April 27th from 10am – 1pm, and encouraged everyone to stay
active because Henry County is #1 for heart disease.

Councilwoman Robinson referenced Officers Taylor Webb and Keegan Merritt who
love our community and asked for continued prayers for them; thanked Pastor
McBride for opening his arm to the family for the viewing on Wednesday; noted the
NAACP Youth Council would be hosting a Prayer Vigil with the support of the
Stockbridge Youth Council at Mickie D. Cochran Park on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
noting the youth are hurting as the kids come off Spring Break, this was one of their
classmates who is now gone and ask that the community support the youth;
referenced the Amphitheater, noting the Council has put things in motion to make
this happen; asked that you share your thoughts, suggestions and ideas.
April 8, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford noted that in light of the discussion surrounding the Facilities Use Policy,
the Cities Week Meet the Mayor event will take place at City Hall on April 22nd;
referenced the November Diabetes Education forum and an Economic Summit
taking place in June; thanked the First Responders Officer Webb and Officer Merritt;
referenced the Community Prayer Vigil, and noted the incident received national
attention as Stockbridge is on the map where he noted, people are watching, good
or bad; wished everyone a Happy Easter and asked that everyone keep the faith as
the City moves forward.

Mayor Ford read the upcoming meetings and events.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Meeting will be held at City Hall unless otherwise noted. 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.

• Youth Council meeting, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 5:30 p.m./ Levi Room.

• Downtown Development Authority meeting, Monday, April 15, 2019 at 6:00 p.m./Levi Rm.

• Community S.P.L.O.S.T. meeting, Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Merle
Manders Conference Center 111 Davis Rd. Stockbridge, GA

• Youth Council Advisory Committee, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 6:30 p.m./Levi Room

• Planning Commission meeting, Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 7:00 p.m./Council Chamber

• Work Session meeting, Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Council
Chamber.
UPCOMING EVENT(S) & ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Taste of Henry – Harper Event Center Friday, April 12, 2019 – McDonough, GA at 7:00
p.m. The City of Stockbridge Main Street and Events Team will have tents and Food
Truck present.

• Tasty Tuesday Food Truck Takeover, Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from noon to 2:00 p.m. at
Wal-Mart on Hudson Bridge Rd.

• Job Fair, Thursday, April 18, 2019 – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Merle Manders
Conference Center 111 Davis Rd. Stockbridge, GA

ALL CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FRIDAY, APRIL 19TH FOR GOOD FRIDAY

April 8, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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CITIES WEEK ACTIVITIES:
April 22 – Mayor’s Meet & Greet Luncheon – City Hall.
Registration Required

April 23 – Scouts Appreciation– Ted Strickland Community Ctr.- closed event

April 24 – Bingo Bash – 10:00 a.m. – noon – Ted Strickland Community Ctr.

April 25 – Paint Mixer – Ted Strickland Community Ctr. – 6:30 p.m.
Registration Required

April 26 – Unity in the Community – Eagle’s Landing MS – 2:30 p.m.- closed event

April 27 – Trail Alive – Reeves Creek Trail/Memorial Park 10:00 a.m.
ONGOING INITIATIVES
• Meet & Greet the Mayor Mondays with Mayor Anthony S. Ford from 10:00 a.m. - noon every
fourth Monday of the month (appointment required). Please contact LaQuinda Jackson @
678-833-3348 for more information and scheduling.
• Don’t Trash Stockbridge No Litter Campaign – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman
Thomas. Contact: LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Monthly Bingo Bash at the Ted Strickland Community Center – spearheaded by Councilman
Blount. Visit the City’s website or Facebook page for dates and information.

• Quarterly Town Hall – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander. Visit the City’s
website or Facebook page for dates and information.

• Keep Stockbridge Beautiful – Ongoing – spearheaded by Councilman Alexander. Contact
LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Quarterly Clergy RoundTable – spearheaded by Councilwoman Robinson. Contact
LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Quarterly Welcoming Stockbridge RoundTable – spearheaded by Councilwoman LaKeisha
Gantt. Contact LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

• Quarterly Homeowners and Neighborhood Association RoundTable – spearheaded by
Mayor Pro Tem Blount. Contact LaQuinda Jackson @ 678-833-3348 for more information.

Motion to adjourn: Blount/Thomas – Passed 5-0.

April 8, 2019 6:00 p.m. 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
