---
date: 2022-01-25
title: 01-25-2022 Minutes
source: 2022-01/2022-01-25_01-25-2022 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

Stockbridge

Where Community Connects

WORK SESS l ON MEETING
SU MM ARY M INUTES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2022 6:00 PM.
Mavor & Citv Council Administration
Mayor Anthony 5. Ford Frederick GardinerlCit Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Al phonso Thomas Vanessa Hollday, Clty Ierk
Counci |man Elton Alexand er
John Wi ins City Treasurer
Councilwoman Yolanda Barber Qumton ashmgton, City Attorney
Counc_llman John Blpunt Jeremy T. Berry, City Attorney
CounCIlwoman LaKelsha Gantt

Mission: To rovidelyision a l eadership and s uperjor mun icipal services that enhance the
quality of Ife for cltgzens _w I le creating la wel comgng bUSI ness atmosph ere focused on
sustainabll Ity a nd expans Ion of tourism and cultu ral events.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ford.

Invocation by Councilman Blount.

Pledge of Allegiance recited in unison by all in Attendance.

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

Councilman Alexander motioned to amend the Agenda to add Discussion Item
Warming Centers; Second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Councilman Alexander motioned to adopt the Agenda; Second
by Councilwoman
Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

Review of the Minutes No Action Taken.

Draft Minutes for Special Called Meeting 12/9/2021
Draft Minutes for Council Meeting 12/13/2021
Draft Minutes for Special Called Meeting 12/15/2021
Draft Minutes for Work Session Meeting 12/21/2021

PUBLIC COMMENTS
All public comments must be submitted to the Clerk no later than
one hour prior to the meeting.
The Public Comment Form can be found the
on webpage on the City page at:
htth://stockbridge.seamlessdocs.com/f/209kdz4mo7xb 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.
Comments including defamation, unruliness and/or
swearing will not be accepted. None
OLD BUSINESS
5. Council Consideration to appoint members to the Downtown
Development
Authority Board.
Presented by Quinton Washington, City Attorney
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas motioned to approve the recommendation of
appointees from the DDA Committee to re-appoint Roger Custin and Bob
Swygert to 4-year terms; Second by Councilwoman Barber. The motion
passed 4-0-1 (Gantt Abstained).

Councilwoman Gantt noted she wanted to vote
separately for Robert
Swygert and not collectively for the recommendation.

6. Council Consideration to appoint Council Liaison to the Downtown
Development Authority.
Presented by Quinton Washington, City Attorney

Mayor Ford noted the DDA Committee has recommended either
Councilman Alexander or Councilwoman Barber.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas noted he would like to hear from both nominees.

Councilwoman Barber noted the DDA did recommend her, and she is ok
with the vote and will abstain from voting.

Councilwoman Gantt noted she believes Councilman Alexander will do well
on the board given his real estate background.

Councilman Blount noted he voted on Councilman Alexander due to his
seven years of experience on the Council.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to appoint Councilman Elton Alexander:
Second by Councilman Blount. The motion passed 4-0-1
(Barber
Abstained).

7 Council Consideration to temporarily waive
spending authority limits to
authorize the City Manager to approve Police Department
start-up
purchases not to exceed a designated amount and/or specified costs for
pre-approved categories.
Presented by Frank Trammer, Police Chief
Chief Trammer noted it is becoming to maintain and purchase
supplies with purchases over $25,000 which require approval by Council;
noted he has had conversations with Council and other law enforcement
professionals who have allowed under certain circumstances in the
procurement department to waive bidding on certain items; and made the
request for the Police Department be granted a limited waiver of the current
procurement process up to $75,000 for essential purchases only for the
Police Department which will be vetted and
approved by the City Manager.

ZlPage
Mr. Gardiner noted he agrees seeing time is of the essence and
recommends the limited waiver.

Councilman Blount noted there should be a lump sum amount and to work
with that amount and inquired if there was a projected amount.

Chief Trammer noted he has spoken with Mr. Wiggins, City Treasurer who
stated the Police Department has currently accrued around $4.8 million in
ARPA funding with a projection of needing $5.5 million with an additional
need between $500-$700,000.

Mr. Wiggins noted majority of the large purchases have come to Council for

approval such as vehicles, technology, and equipment; noted the extra
$500,000 being proposed is already in the ARPA funds but has not been
on what it will be used for.

Councilwoman Gantt noted she is with it, as long as in the budget
and each department is able to have that same leeway at some point.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas noted he understands the urgency and is ok with
the process and spoke on an email that was sent by him requesting reports.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve to temporary waiver spending
authority limits to authorize the City Manager to approve Police Department
purchases not to exceed a designated amount and/or specified
costs for pre-approved categories; second by Councilman Alexander. The
motion passed 5-0.

Council Consideration to approve the Residential Code Enforcement Fee
Schedule.
Presented by Fred Gardiner, City Manager
Mr. Gardiner noted during the December meeting the Council approved the
Commercial Code Enforcement Fee Schedule and requested the proposed
Residential Code Enforcement Fee Schedule with more clarification and is
what is being presented.

Councilwoman Gantt inquired if warnings will be given out prior to being
fined.

Mr. Gardiner noted it is his understanding that will happen first.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve the Residential Code
Enforcement Fee Schedule; Second by Councilman Blount. The motion
passed 5-0.

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NEW BUS INESS

9 Council Consideration to approve Change Order #27 for work conducted by
H. J. Russell & Company in the amount of $38,268.33 for the purchase and
installation of Stage Perforated panels (Acoustical) at the
Amphitheater. This Change Order was recommended as a mandatory
design change by the architect, TSW. The acoustical panels were installed
in August 2021.
Presented by Fred Gardiner, City Manager
Mr. Gardiner noted this would limit the amount of sound and to mitigate the
sound adjacent to neighborhoods and surrounding areas and has been
recommended based on comments with work being already completed in
August 2021.

Carl Trevathan, Project Manager (Keck & Wood) clarified and noted the
expenditure for the change was contemplated in the previously approved
budget in February 2021 and will need no additional funding and does
exceed the threshold amount the City Manager is able to approve.

Councilwoman Barber inquired on how it would work and requested a visual
image.

Ms. Heather Hubble of TSW noted there was no visual to present, however,
it would be located at the ceiling of the stage with wood paneling and

directly above the stage is a gray perforated panel which allows sound to
come up and be absorbed by a soft acoustical blanket that traps the sound

which keeps it from bouncing to additional locations.

Councilwoman Barber inquired if these panels were installed prior to the
September and October 2021 concerts.

Ms. Hubble confirmed they were installed in prior to the concerts and noted
there are still concerns with sound even with the installation and wondered
if additional work could be completed.

Carl Trevathan noted it was only meant for the acoustics of the stage and
listening environment of the audience and not beyond the amphitheater.

Mr. Gardiner noted staff would needs to look at if from a cost standpoint to
address equipment that could be utilized whether it be natural or man-
made.

Councilman Blount noted there were previous conversations prior to the
completion of the Amphitheater on what barriers would be used to mitigate
sound from the Amphitheater.

Councilwoman Gantt noted she sent an email to the previous City Manager
regarding citizens wanting the city to look at a digital hertz sound to help
reduce sound coming from the back of the Amphitheater.

4|Page
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas noted for the record he made several requests for
sound barriers between the Amphitheater and the adjacent neighborhood
prior to the completion of the Amphitheater but received no support from
Council.

Councilwoman Barber stated she was sworn in the year the construction
started for the amphitheater and was not a part of approval process on
where and how to construct the amphitheater. Councilwoman Barber noted
she does recall having meetings and suggesting putting up walls, fencing
and trees as barriers.

Councilman Alexander noted there will always be a sound problem for
citizens living close to the Amphitheater and cannot put out a false hope
that the sound would go away completely.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve Change Order #27 for work
conducted by H. J. Russell & Company in the amount of $38,268.33 for the
purchase and installation of Stage Perforated Panels (Acoustical) at
the Amphitheater; Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

10. Council Consideration to extend Moratoria pertaining to Resolution
1259 relating to building residential rental properties and R21-1286 relating
to hookah Bars and/or Lounges and Cigar Bars and/or Lounges R21-1360
Moratoria Extension.
Presented by Fred Gardiner, City Manager
Mr. Gardiner noted staff has requested an extension of the Moratorium
while the process of the UDC Development Code) is being
reviewed by Legal with an adoption date of March 14, 2022.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas noted to the date has moved on the UDC
completion date and asks staff to adhere to the March 14th date.

Councilman Alexander noted for the citizens knowledge regarding the
Moratorium, Council previously passed a Resolution that limits certain types
of businesses that would saturate the city and wants to put a limit to how

many can be within the city.

Councilman Blount noted there should be something in place that
the Moratorium pertaining to certain businesses.

Councilwoman Gantt noted her concern is there are existing lounges, bars
and restaurant bar/lounges that may have hookahs and noted there is a
difference with having hookahs and cigars, where one may just sell
hookahs and the other cigars; and noted the way the resolution is written
states any existing facilities that are present and active are not allowed to
have multiple selections of hookah flavors.

SlPage
Mr. Gardiner noted if a previous establishment was open prior to the
Moratorium, they cannot be shut down and the Moratorium only pertains to
new businesses wanting to be established.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve the extension of Moratoria
pertaining to Resolution R21-1259 relating to building residential rental
properties and R21-1286 relating to hookah Bars and/or Lounges and Cigar
Bars and/or Lounges R21-1360 Moratoria Extension; Second by
Councilwoman Barber. The motion passed 5-0.

11. Council Consideration to approve Task Order No. 33.2 with Carter &
Sloope
GIS Mapping program for Stormwater in the amount of $134,570.00.
Funding Source: ARPA.
Presented by Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted the city currently holds an M84 Stormwater permit and
part
of the permit requires the city to map and identify all the stormwater
infrastructures, noting the city has over 20,000 and staff is required to
inspect one-fifth of the structures yearly; and asked for approval for staff to
have GIS located and

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve Task Order No. 33.2 with Carter
& Sloope GIS Mapping program for Stormwater in the amount of
$134,570.00; Second by Councilman Alexander. The motion passed 5-0.

12. Council Consideration to approve the Stockbridge Youth Council
request to
adopt Tye Street from North Henry Blvd. to Red Oak Rd.
program.
Presented by Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted in October 2021 Council adopted the

program with one of the requirements being the requestor would need to
come before Council to formally adopt a road; noted this item was originally
scheduled for the January 10th meeting but was pushed back and the Youth
Council has already done their first clean-up during the King Holiday
weekend.

Councilwoman Gantt thanked the Youth Council for making a hug
community effort and

Councilman Blount concurred and noted he was proud of the Youth Council
and noted during the GA Cities Summit, the Youth Council received praise
from everyone and thanked Chairwoman Ericka Harvey and Youth Council
Staff Liaison Randi Rainey.

Councilman Alexander concurred and noted the Youth Council showed up
and showed out at the Martin Luther King service project and keep

Stockbridge beautiful.

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Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve the
Stockbridge Youth Council
request to adopt Tye Street from North Henry Blvd. to Red Oak Rd. (Adopt-
a-Road) program; Second by Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

13. Council Consideration to accept the FY17,
FY18, FY19 and FY20 CDBG
Sub-recipient Ag reement fo r the Ci ty of St ockbr
idge in the amou nt of
$305, 25.00 from the Hen ry County Comm unity Develo pment for the Smith-
Barnes Sewer Basin Rehabilitation Phase II
Project.
Presented by Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted staff and Falcon Design have been
working on the
rehabilitation project for the overall sewer system infrastructure
improvement program which is one of several projects that is ongoing; and
noted this area has been an issue for over 15
years and the project will
improve and correct issues with the sewer spills in the Smith-Barnes Sewer
Basin.

Councilwoman Barber inquired if this would be a lump sum.

Mr. Aaron noted the city received
funding for Phase 1 and this would be
Phase 2 funding.

Councilwoman Barber motioned to approve and to accept the FY17,
FY18,
FY19 and FY20 CDBG Sub-recipient Agreement for the
City of Stockbridge
in the amount of $305,25.00 from the
Henry County Community
Development for the Smith-Barnes Sewer Basin Rehabilitation Phase II
Project; Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

14. Council Consideration to award a fixed contract to the lowest
responsive
bidder RDJE, Inc. re; Invitation to Bid (ITB) Number 2021-0012 for the
City
of Stockbridge Smith-Barnes Sewer Basin Rehabilitation Phase II in the
amount of $1 204,505.00. Funding Source 898,780.00 (ARPA) and
$305,725.00 (CDBG).
Presented by Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Mr. Aaron noted this is the awarding of the
project to begin the rehabilitation
of the Smith-Barnes Sewer Basin.

Councilman Alexander inquired on the city applying for additional ARPA
funding.

Mr. Aaron noted the date was pushed back to show the ones who would be
awarded funding.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve award a fixed contract to the
lowest responsive bidder RDJE, Inc. re; Invitation to Bid
(iTB) Number
2021-0012 for the City of Stockbridge Sewer Basin
Rehabilitation Phase II in the amount of $1,204,505.00; Second
by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed (Barber Abstained).

7|Page
15. Council Consideration to approve the purchase of pistols for the
City of Stockbridge police Department in the amount of $28,162.00.
Funding Source (ARPA).
Presented by Frank Trammer, Police Chief
Chief Trammer noted staff is seeking approval for the purchase of
pistols from Public Safety using a GA State contract in the amount of
$28,162.00 and using ARPA funding.

Councilman Blount noted Council just approved a procurement process and
inquired if it was used for the pistols.

Chief Trammer

Councilwoman Barber motioned to approve the purchase of pistols
for the City of Stockbridge police Department in the amount of $28,162.00;
Second by Councilman Alexander. The motion passed 5-0.

16. Council Consideration to approve the purchase of forty patrol for the
City of Stockbridge police Department from Public Safety Supply in the
amount of $37,080.00. Funding Source (ARPA).
Presented by Frank Trammer, Police Chief
Chief Trammer noted staff is seeking approval forthe purchase of forty
patrol from the lowest bidder Public Safety Supply in the amount
of $37,080.00 and using ARPA funding.

Councilwoman Barber motioned to approve the purchase of forty patrol
for the City of Stockbridge Police Department from Public Safety
Supply in the amount of $37,080.00; Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The
motion passed 5-0.

17. Council Consideration to appoint members to vacancies on the
Stockbridge Ethics Board.
Presented by Quinton Washington, City Attorney
Attorney noted a Resolution has been drafted to fill the vacancies for the
Ethics Board.

Councilman Blount inquired how many are currently on the board and what
is the max of people for the board.

Ms. Holiday noted the Ethics Board is a 5-member board and there are
currently two vacancies.

Councilwoman Gantt inquired if council received notice of applications for
the Ethics Board.

Ms. Holiday noted the applications have been posted for some time, noting
the loss of Dr. Flynn, and Mr. Binion stepped down.

8|Page
Councilwoman Gantt requested to be notified of new Ethics Board
applications.

Mayor Ford noted the referenced applications are included in the Council
packets that shows which board they would like to be a part of.

Councilwoman Barber motioned to approve to appoint members to fill
vacancies on the Stockbridge Ethics Board; Second by Councilwoman
Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

DISCUSSION
18.Warming Centers
Presented by Councilman Alexander
Councilman Alexander noted there is a concern as the city grows there are
no warming centers during cold nights or senior citizens are going without
heat in their homes; noted he would like Council to charge staff, through a
consensus, with moving forward with research and to come back to try to
establish a center.

Mr. Gardiner noted at his previous employment, they utilized fire stations as
warming centers and used ARPA funds and worked with non-profit
organizations to provide shelter; noted the city could look at using a
station close by and any city building that is vacant as a warming center;
and noted there should be discussions with the County and
organizations as a collaborative effort.

Mayor Ford noted he shares the same concerns and noted there would
need to be bedding and food and mental health on-site and will take a
coordinating effort.

Councilman Blount noted he is on board.

Councilwoman Gantt noted she thinks it is something that is needed
throughout the county.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas noted he is in support.

Councilman Alexander inquired if a vote was needed.

Attorney Washington noted as long as there is a consensus with Council,
no action is needed.

Mr. Gardiner noted an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) may need to
be put into place.

9|Page
COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Ford read the National Human Awareness Month proclamation; noted
we are still in the midst of a pandemic and hopefully things are
getting better, noted free
vaccinations and the booster are available to everyone age 16 and up and are being
given at the Henry County Public Health Department 135 Henry Pkwy. in McDonough
and the number to call for an appointment is 470-664-0005 where the and Moderna
vaccinations are being administered; noted COVID Testing is taking place Monday thru
Friday from 9am 3pm at Red Hawk Field in McDonough; note Free COVID Test Kits are
available (check social media sites for information) maximum of (4) kits
per household;
noted you can cross over on Pfizer and Moderna Booster shot, but
you must start and
finish shots 1 and 2 with the same Pfizer or Moderna vaccination; noted individuals
age 5
and up are eligible forthe vaccine as authorized by the CDC; encourage everyone
to always check with your doctor for guidance and noted you can always reach out to the
District Headquarters for Public Health in LaGrange, GA at 800-847-4262.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Meetings 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.

> Youth CouncilMeeting, 5:30 pm. -
2nd Wednesday of each month Levi
Meeting Room City Hall (Feb 9)

> Main Street Advisory Board Meeting, 2nd Friday of each month 9:00 am. Via
Zoom (Feb 11)

> City Council Meeting -
2nd Monday of each month 6:00 pm. Location TBD
(Feb 14)

> Downtown Development Authority Meeting, 6:00 Via Zoom 3rd
pm. -

Tuesday of each month Via Zoom (Feb 15)

> Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm. -
3rd Tuesday of each
month Patrick Henry Meeting Room -

City Hall (Feb 15)

> City Council Work Session Meeting, Last Tuesday of each month Via Zoom
(Feb 22)

> Planning Commission Meeting, at 6:30 pm. Via Zoom 4th Thursday of each
month (Feb 24)

UPCOMING CITY EVENTSIINITIATIVES
. A Continuous Salute to Veterans: Please forward pictures of Veterans including
name, branch, rank, and years of service as Mayor Pro Tem Thomas presents a
special tribute to our local veterans. Pictures should be submitted to:
Thank you for your service!
. Please join Mayor Pro Tem Thomas for the 11th Annual African American Heritage
Celebration to be presented virtually, Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 4:00
pm. The
Honorable Pastor T. J. McBride of Tabernacle of Praise will be the Keynote Speaker.
10 | P a g e
Here is youropportunity to Meet the Mayor, and voice your questions and/or
concerns Monday, February 28, 2022, from 10 am. to noon. Call Zenovia Pearson

to schedule an appointment. 770-389-7900 ext. 248.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Councilwoman Barber motioned to convene Executive Session for Personnel, Real Estate
and Potential Litigation; Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion
passed 5-0.
Councilman Alexander motioned to adjourn Executive Session; Second
by Councilman
Blount the motion passed 4-0 (Barber not present).

Councilman Alexander motioned reconvene; Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion
passed 4-0 (Barber not present).

Councilman Blount motioned to adjourn; Second by Councilwoman Gantt. The motion
passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk M S. Ford,

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