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date: 
title: 2018 01 08 2018 Minutes
source: 2018/2018_01_08_2018_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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Stockbridge
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.

SUMMARY MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2018 6:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Randy Knighton, City Manager
Councilman Elton Alexander Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilman John Blount Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Michael Williams, City Attorney
Councilwoman Neat Robinson
Councilman Alphonso Thomas
Call to Order was made by City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday.

Invocation was provided by Pastor Terrance Gattis, Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

Judge McCord swore in Mayor Anthony S. Ford, Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt
and Councilman Alphonso Thomas.

Mayor Ford thanked everyone for their support, introduced his family, friends and
recognized Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity; and reminded citizens how important it is to
register and to vote.

Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt thanked everyone for electing her for a second
term, and stated she is ready to get to work.

Councilman Alphonso Thomas thanked everyone for entrusting in him to serve on
the Council once more, and stated he is looking forward to building a great
community; future forward!

January 8, 2018 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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City Clerk, Vanessa Holiday proceeded with a verbal roll call; all members of Council
were present a quorum was confirmed.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to adopt the Agenda as printed; second by Councilman
Thomas. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Alexander abstained).

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to adopt the Minutes of the following meetings:
11/13/2017, 11/28/2017; second by Councilwoman Robinson. The motion passed 4-0-1
(Thomas abstained)

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
1. Mayor Ford presented the Proclamation for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to
Senator Emanuel Jones, Chairman of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory
Council for the State of Georgia.

Mayor Ford presented the Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation
to Henry County School Board Members Annette Edwards (Dist.5), Dr. Donna
McBride (Dist. 4) and Henry County Schools Student Services Coordinator,
Jessica Stormer.

Organizational Appointments
Resolution to appoint of Municipal Court Judge
Councilwoman Gantt motioned to appoint Matthew McCord as the Municipal
Court Judge; second by Councilman. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Ford issued the Oath of Office to Judge Matthew McCord

Resolution to appoint City Attorney
Councilwoman Gantt motioned to appoint Michael Williams as the City
Attorney; second by Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

Resolution to appoint of Councilman Thomas as the Council Representative
on the Downtown Development Authority
Councilman Blount motioned to appoint Councilman Thomas as the Council
Representative on the Downtown Development Authority; second by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.
Councilman Thomas declined appointment.

Resolution to appoint of Councilwoman Gantt as the Council Representative
on Downtown Development Authority
January 8, 2018 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Councilman Blount motioned to appoint Councilwoman Gantt as the Council
Representative on the Downtown Development Authority; second by
Councilman Thomas. The motion passed 5-0.

Resolution to appoint Councilman Thomas as the Council Representative on
the Main Street Advisory Board
Councilwoman Gantt motioned to appoint Councilman Thomas as the
Council Representative on the Main Street Board; second by Councilman
Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

Resolution to appoint 2018 Mayor Pro Tem
Councilman Blount motioned to appoint Councilwoman Gantt as
Mayor Pro Tem; second by Councilman Thomas. The motion passed 4-0-1
(Gantt abstained).

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Mr. Knighton thanked all citizens who came out, and on behalf of the staff, noted
staff is here to serve the citizens and asked all to contact City offices for assistance
and address any concerns they may have; stated to the elected officials that staff is
here to support them and all their initiatives and is excited and looks forward to
accomplishing great things in 2018.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY CLERK
Ms. Holiday congratulated the Mayor & Councilmembers and stated she looks
forward to working with the Council in 2018 and having a wonderful year.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Thomas thanked supporters for re-electing him to the City Council;
noted initiatives coming forward in the new year to include the Cultural Arts Center;
stated the Council has hit the ground running and asked citizens to get on board;
Future Forward and Go Dawgs!

Councilman Blount thanked everyone for attending and ask that everyone continue
to come out to the meetings to support the Council and what the City wants to
achieve; referenced the Council’s recent tour of facilities, noting the City is ready to
build; asked that everyone have a safe 2018 and that this is the year of prosperity
for everyone – God Bless.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt thanked everyone for their love, support and continued
prayers; thanked supporters; commended staff; noted five Councilmembers and
Mayor, and nearly 30,000 citizens and encouraged all to join the officials to fight for
the City and to let the Council know what it is they would like to see for Stockbridge;
and stated she is proud to be a representative of the City.

January 8, 2018 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Councilman Alexander thanked everyone for coming out; stated this is what
democracy looks like; encouraged everyone to be involved and participate at every
meeting and every event as the Council needs to be able to look over their shoulder
to see that citizens are in the fight with them; noted the fight against the proposed
City and the possibility of losing over 50% of the City of Stockbridge would be an
unprecedented action in the State of Georgia, and could cause a potential $4-5
million dollars loss of revenue for the City of Stockbridge and will likely cause the
City to implement a city tax; expressed a sense of urgency noting the bill is currently
before the Georgia General Assembly; and asked residents to contact the State
Legislatures in opposition of the bill because in 90 – 120 days, you may, like him,
no longer be a resident in what is now the city limits of Stockbridge; encouraged
fellow colleagues to act as a united front on moving forward with city projects such
as revitalizing the downtown district, moving forward with the amphitheater, and the
Hwy. 138 Overlay and as elected officials, taking the lead; referenced and
commended Dist. 5 County Commissioner, Bruce Holmes for his accomplishments
and leadership in getting things done; noted he has served on the Council for two
years and wants the Council as a collective body to make sure 2018 is the year
Stockbridge will be the envy of metro Atlanta.

Councilwoman Robinson noted today as a historical day in the City; asked citizens
to listen and hear what is being said regarding the proposed city as it is very
important; gave a special thank you to Senator Emanuel Jones for fighting for
Stockbridge to remain whole, and personally thanked him for speaking on the City’s
behalf; encouraged citizens to vote on Tuesday, January 9th in the county’s Special
Election (State Senator Dist. 17, and House Representative 111) and to know who
you are voting for; and Go Dawgs!

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford encouraged everyone to indeed get out and vote on Tuesday; also
thanked Senator Jones in support of the opposition of the De-Annexation bill
removing portions of the City noting the results should be known within the next 90
days and has faith the City of Stockbridge will succeed; thanked supporters who
worked on his campaign; stated the City has a bright future and together with
colleagues on the Council, will make everyone proud; Roll Tide Roll!

EXECUTIVE SESSION
No Executive Session

Mayor Ford asked everyone to join the reception taking place on the first floor.

UPCOMING OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS/EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.

January 8, 2018 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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 Youth Council Meeting, Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. at City Hall in
the Patrick Henry Meeting Room

 Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, Friday, January 12, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. at
City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room

 All City Offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2018 in observance of the
Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

 Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at
6:00 P.M. at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room
 Planning Commission Meeting, Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at City
Hall in the Levi Meeting Room

 Stockbridge Association of Businesses Meeting, Thursday, January 18, 2018 at
6:00 P.M. at Ted Strickland Community Center 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail.

 Downtown Development Authority Meeting, Monday, January 22, 2018 at 6:00
P.M. at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room

 Council Work Session Meeting, Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 4:00 P.M. at City
Hall in the Levi Meeting Room

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENT(S)
 NAACP Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Program – Monday, January 15, 2018
10:00 A.M. in McDonough, GA near the square and ending at the Henry County
Performing Arts Center.

Councilman Thomas motioned to adjourn the meeting; second by Mayor Pro Tem Gantt.
The motion passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

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

January 8, 2018 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
