---
date: 1998-04-13
title: April 13, 1998 Minutes
source: 1998-04/1998-04-13_April 13, 1998_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

April 13, 1998

EXECUTIVE SESSION

CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
HENRY COUNTY, GEORGIA APRIL 13, 1998

EXECUTIVE SESSION

A. J. Welch, City Attorney, and Bill White, Engineer with Stevenson and Palmer, reviewed the City's plans
for drilling wells to provide drinking water for the City of Stockbridge.

Mr. Welch has contacted the Board of Education with a proposal to secure property for one well. The
other wells will be on property owned by Mozelle Mitchell and the Council authorized Mr. Welch to
negotiate with Mr. Mitchell for the purchase of land.

Council prefers not to purchase a large tract of land but only what is required for each well, easement for
connecting waterlines and pump house.

Discussion to sell Stephen D. Puerifoy Wastewater Treatment Plant to Henry County Water and Sewer
Authority was postponed until Councilman Ronnie Simmons could be present.

Council will hold a Special Meeting on March 17, 1998 at 5:00 P. M. to discuss the treatment plant.

REGULAR MEETING

CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
HENRY COUNTY, GEORGIA APRIL 13, 1998

The Regular Meeting of the Stockbridge City Council was held April 13, 1998 at 6:00 P. M. MayorKelley
presided and members present were Harold Cochran, G. W. Evans, W. A. Gardner, Ronnie Simmons, and
Fletcher Turner.

Harold Cochran made the motion to convene, seconded by G. W. Evans, passed unanimously.

Harold Cochran made a motion to approve minutes of the March 9, 1998 Council Meeting, seconded by W.
A. Gardner, passed unanimously.

Mayor Kelley welcomed guests. Special recognition was given to Boy Scout Troop No. 65, in attendance to
earn merit badges in communication. Mayor Kelley presented each scout with a package of City memorabilia.
Mayor Kelley recognized City employees who volunteered to assist cleanup in Hall County after Tornado
damage. The four employees were Al Barnes, Ray Mangham, Robert Scrandrett and Randy Willis. Mayor
Kelley emphasized how much the Council appreciates these men volunteering on behalf of the City of
Stockbridge.

Ted Strickland read a letter from Mrs. Ellen Holly, Clearmont, GA expressing their sincere gratitude for the
City’s act of kindness sending help after the tornado struck the Hall County area.

ERIC EDEE, EAGLE’S LANDING OF ATLANTA, GA., requested rezoning from RM (single family
residential) to RM (multi-family residential) for 53.3 acres located in Land Lots 19 and 20 of the 7th District,
south side of Country Club Drive. The request is for luxury apartments. Denied by Henry County Planning
Board on January 22, 1998. The rezoning request was to come before the Mayor and City Council on March
9th for final disposition, at the last minutes, Mr. Edee withdrew his request, and therefore, request for rezoning
was tabled by Council.

Mayor Kelley announced that Mr. Edee has asked for another 30-day extension on his request. Mayor
recommended the Council table request for 30 days so Mr. Edee can resubmit request for rezoning. Motion
to table was made by G. W. Evans, seconded by Fletcher Turner, approved unanimously.

GEORGIA POWER COMPANY, 2700 NORTH HENRY BOULEVARD, requested annexation of 2.0 acres
located at the intersection of North Henry Boulevard and Eagle’s Landing Parkway on the south east corner
in Land Lot 1 of the 11th District. Rezone from M-1 (light manufacturing) unincorporated Henry County to M-
1 (light manufacturing) City of Stockbridge.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to approve annexation and rezoning as requested, seconded by Fletcher
Turner, approved unanimously.

DAVID WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT, KILLEARN PROPERTIES, INC. OF GEORGIA, requested annexation of
257 acres located on the west side of Highway 42 and north of Jodeco Road in Land Lots 33, 34, 63 and 64
of the 7th District. Rezone from M-1 (light manufacturing), OI (office/institutional) and RM (single family
residential) in unincorporated Henry County to M-1 (light manufacturing, OI (office and institutional), and RM
(single family residential) in the City of Stockbridge.

G. W. Evans made a motion to approve the annexation and rezoning as requested, seconded by Harold
Cochran, passed unanimously.
SOUTHERN STATES POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, INC. MOROW, GEORGIA request
annexation of 2.0 acres located at the north west intersection of Highway 42 and Brannan Road in Land Lot
1 of the 7th District. Rezoning from M-1 (light manufacturing) unincorporated Henry County to M-1 (light
manufacturing) City of Stockbridge.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to approve annexation and rezoning as requested, seconded by G.W. Evans,
approved unanimously.

WALT STEPHENS ASSOCIATES, LLC OF STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA request rezoning from RM (single-
family residential) to C-2 (general commercial) for property located in Land Lots 24 and 25 of the 12th District;
located on the east side of Speer Road north of Walt Stephens Road. The property contains 4 acres and the
request is for general commercial.

Cal McShan, Director, Henry County Planning Board, reported the Board approved request on March 26,
1998 with eight conditions.

1. All buildings must have facades of brick and /or stucco on the front and side of the building, and
brick, stucco or materials on the backside of the building which compliment the surrounding
residential area.

2. A minimum 40-foot buffer on the rear side of the property.

3. Architectural plans shall be submitted to the City of Stockbridge for review and approval prior to
commencement of construction.

4. Agreement to additional landscaping and placement of vegetation as deemed appropriate by
Community Development during the preliminary plan review process.

5. All parking shall be inter-linked with surrounding commercial sites in order to cut down on excessive
curb cuts on Speer Road.
6. Sidewalks to continue to link between this property and the C-1 property at the corner of Walt
Stephens Road and Speer Road.

7. Acceleration/Deceleration lane to be installed if deemed necessary by the County Engineer and
Henry County Department of Transportation.

8. Left turn land entrance into site if deemed necessary by County Engineer and Henry County
Department of Transportation.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to approve with the eight conditions recommended by Henry County
Community Development, seconded by Harold Cochran, passed unanimously.

WILDWIND SUBDIVSION, UNIT III. Requested final plat approval. All conditions have been met and all
appropriate signatures for approval. Mayor Kelley recommended approval.

Harold Cochran made a motion to approve final plat for Unit III, seconded by Fletcher Turner, passed
unanimously.

HENRY COUNTY SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE. Cal McShan noted that the County’s new subdivision
ordinance would be presented to the Henry County Board of Commissioners on April 21st. This would update
the 1986 version of the ordinance.

A.J. Welch, City Attorney, asked Mr. McShan to send him a copy of the Subdivision Ordinance, so he can
prepare a resolution for the Council’s consideration at the May 11th Council Meeting.

RESOLUTION TO SET CASH AND PROPERTY BONDS. Mayor Kelley advised Council that Municipal
Judge Ernest Blount has prepared a new schedule for cash and property bonds. A.J.Welch has prepared a
Resolution to accept the bond amounts and the only one who can change the fines up or down would be the
Judge. Mayor Kelley recommends approval.

G. W. Evans made a motion to approve Resolution adopting new cash and property bonds, seconded by
Fletcher Turner, passed unanimously.
VALLEY HILL ROAD AND EAST ATLANTA ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS. Henry County
Department of Transportation has nearly completed plans for intersection improvements for Valley Hill Road
and East Atlanta Road. The Norfolk Southern Railroad System wants to charge $12,000 for sign upgrade.
Henry County is asking City to split the cost of the upgrade.

Ted Strickland, City Manager, advised Council that he attended a meeting between the County and Railroad
officials and he got the impression the County wanted to swap out another project rather than contributing to
this project. Council does not need to act on this request at this time and if he misunderstood, it will be
brought back before the Council later. Council instructed Mr. Strickland to follow-up and advise.

G. W. Evans made a motion to table, seconded by Harold Cochran, passed unanimously.

HARRELL DRIVE. Mr. Strickland said the Railroad wants to close the Harrell Drive railroad crossing. Closing
this crossing would cause a hardship for the businesses located in the heart of downtown Stockbridge. No
action needed by Council at this time.

JIMMY GILBERT, 134 EAST ATLANTA ROAD, is asking for a conditional use to continue using this location
for a Church site. Mac Irvin owns the building and the Fellowship Community Church is currently using the
building. The Fellowship Community Church will be moving and Mr. Gilbert would like to continue using the
conditional use on a temporary basis until they can buy land and build a Church. Mayor Kelley recommended
approval on a six months basis.

G. W. Evans made a motion to approve conditional use, seconded by Harold Cochran, passed unanimously.

COCHRAN PUBLIC LIBRARY. Mayor Kelley noted that the SPLOST committee has recommended that the
Cochran Public Library be moved out of the City to Miller’s Mill Road. The location the SPLOST committee
has recommended is quite a ways out of the City. Mayor Kelley would like for the Mayor and Council to go
on record very strongly opposing this move.

Mr. Larry Cochran was very generous to the Library and the City of Stockbridge by giving the property and
funds to build Cochran Library. The Council does not understand the SPLOST committee’s thinking on
moving the Library anywhere out of the City of Stockbridge. The City of Stockbridge has supported Cochran
Library financially and many other ways over the years. Mayor Kelley asked the Council to go on record
being against this move.
G. W. Evans made a motion to oppose the moving of Cochran Public Library anywhere other than the City
of Stockbridge, seconded by W. A. Gardner, passed unanimously.

Council instructed Ted Strickland to notify by letter the Henry County Board of Commissioners and the
SPLOST committee letting them know the Council’s feelings regarding this matter.

LEGISLATIVE ANNEXATION BY REFERENDUM. A. J. Welch noted that the City requested the Georgia
Legislature to enact an Act that would amend the Corporate Charter to allow the City to annex certain areas
adjacent to the City. This is being done to even-up the jagged boundaries of the City. This will obviously
improve the services that can be provided by the City to the citizens in the areas to be annexed and the
existing City residents. The Georgia Legislature approved the Act Number 688 (H.B.1762) on March 27,
1998 by a substantial margin and the Council must now call for an election date. The City must notify the
Henry County Board of Elections to call the Election for July 21, 1998, the regular Primary Date. The election
outcome will determine whether or not it will be annexed.

Harold Cochran made a motion to approve Resolution calling for Election to be held July 21, 1998, seconded
by W. A. Gardner, passed unanimously.

RICK REYNOLDS, 206 RIDGE RUN, addressed the Council asking that Davis Road be resurfaced. Mr.
Reynolds said that he has discussed road conditions on Davis Road from Clark Community Park to North
Henry Boulevard with Mr. Strickland on several occasions.

Mr. Reynolds said that Mr. Strickland had told him that Davis Road is a City/County road; both City and
County must joint venture to resurface the road. The neighbors in the community have come to the
conclusion that Davis Road is well past the life span of the surface that is on there today. Mr. Strickland
informed him that he would contact the Henry County Department of Transportation and see what can be
done to get the road improved and paved. In the process, Mr. Strickland notified him that Ridge Run and
Landover Drive have been scheduled for resurfacing, however, Davis Road is in extremely poor condition
and he will be checking into this matter.

Mr. Reynolds told Council that he wanted to bring this matter to the attention of the City Council as many of
his neighbors have complained that this is a serious condition. Pictures showing the gravel along Davis Road
were presented to the Council. Mr. Strickland responded that the City decided that in lieu of having the edges
of Davis Road paved, gravel was pored along the side of the road to help prevent the washout. Mr. Reynolds
said the intentions of the City were probably good, but in the photographs you will see that the gravel in the
yards is an eyesore to the neighborhood.
Mr. Reynolds invited the Council to come out and view the situation and make notations of the problem.
Where does the matter go from here? What can his community do to help solve the problem?

Mayor Kelley stated that the Council is aware of the problems on Davis Road. Hopefully with the SPLOST
funds that will be available, the City will be able to take care of Davis Road and other roads in the City with
the same problem. The City budgets funds each year toward roads and the City gets funds from the State
of Georgia under the Local Assistance Road Program for resurfacing. Ridge Run and Landover Drive are
being resurfaced this year with SPLOST funds. These are the first streets in the City to be resurfaced under
the five-year SPLOST plan.

Ted Strickland stated that Davis Road from Clark Community Park to Big Oak Villas was resurfaced about
six years ago. The paving began to crack and the City sealed these cracks to keep moisture from getting in
and breaking the road up. The road seems to be holding up fairly well through this area. Around the curve
at Davis Drive, Davis Road is half in City and half is in the County, and is tar and gravel, not asphalt. During
the middle of February, the City received calls from motorists running off the road. The drop-off was from
four to six inches and the decision was to put gravel rather than dirt because of the heavy rains during this
time. This was done as a safety factor because there were several places where the shoulder was badly
washed-out.

Mayor Kelley instructed Ted Strickland to check with Henry County and request this road be placed on the
list to be resurfaced using County SPLOST funds. Mayor Kelley thanked Mr. Reynolds for bringing this
problem to the attention of the Council.

BIDS FOR BACKHOE. The City received the following three bids for a new backhoe:

COMPANY MAKE BID TRADE-IN FINAL BID

METRAC John Deere $54,700 $9,500 $46,200
Southern Power and Equipment Case $59,872 $8,500 $54,700

Ford New Holland Ford $57,426 $7,000 $50,426

Council reviewed bids and it was determined that Southern Power and Equipment met all necessary and
required specifications. METRAC and Ford New Holland failed to meet the required specifications.

G. W. Evans made a motion to purchase the Case backhoe from Southern Power and Equipment, seconded
by Fletcher Turner, passed unanimously.

MAINTENANCE FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS. Ted Strickland advised that drawings for the extension of
the maintenance facility are complete and asked for permission to put it out for bids.
The plans show extending the existing facility by adding four additional bays.

Harold Cochran made a motion to get bids for maintenance facility improvements, seconded by W. A.
Gardner, passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Harold Cochran made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition, seconded by
Fletcher Turner, passed unanimously.

Harold Cochran made a motion to reconvene Regular Meeting, seconded by G. W. Evans, passed
unanimously.

G. W. Evans made a motion to adjourn, seconded by W. A. Gardner, passed unanimously. The meeting
was adjourned at 8:15 P. M.

Respectfully submitted,

Merle Manders, CMC R. G.
Kelley
City Clerk
Mayor
