---
date: 2016-12-27
title: December 27, 2016 Minutes
source: 2016-12/2016-12-27_December 27, 2016_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

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Stockbridge
Bringing People Together

APPROVED MINUTES
WORK SESSION
COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2016 6:00 p.m.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Judy Neal Michael Harris, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Anthony S. Ford Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilman Elton Alexander Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk
Councilman John Blount Michael Williams, City Attorney
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt
Councilwoman Neat Robinson
Call to Order by Mayor Neal at 6:00pm.

Invocation provided by Mayor Neal.

Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and Georgia flag was recited in unison.

Deputy City Clerk, Randi Rainey was asked to proceed with a verbal roll call. All
members of Council were present and a quorum was confirmed.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve the Agenda; second by Councilman Blount.
The motion passed 5-0.

Review of Minutes for 11/14/2016, 11/29/2016 - No action taken.

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.

Robert West congratulated Mayor Neal on her victory and expressed his dissatisfaction with his
ice cream cart business unable to participate in Food Truck Tuesday.

December 27, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Melinda West echoed the sentiments of her husband.

Mayor Neal thanked Mr.& Mrs. West for coming and expressing their concerns and noted their
comments would go before the committee for Food Truck Tuesday.

OLD BUSINESS

PUBLIC HEARING
1. Final Reading and Adoption of Proposed FY2017 Operating Budget
Presented by: Michael Harris, City Manager and Linda Nabers, Treasurer

Mr. Harris noted this is the third and final hearing for the proposed FY2017
Budget, and noted a request was made to modify the proposed budget not to
include monies from Fund Balance noting the intent is to have matching
expenditures with matching revenue without touching the fund balance.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford reiterated that it is not illegal to pull funds from Fund
Balance to have a balanced budget, further noting, there are items proposed in
the budget that the Council agreed needed to be done in FY 2017 such as the
rebranding initiative, amphitheater design, comprehensive plan, and fiber optic
networks connecting city buildings, noting all are one-time purchases that will
help the City to move forward and build up the downtown area. And, if Council
approves the FY2017 Budget without including Fund Balance to pay for these
items, the budget would need to be amended throughout the year.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford stated he agrees to remove land acquisition from the
proposed FY2017 Budget; however, if there is land that needs to be purchased,
those funds will come from Fund Balance.

Mayor Neal stated the budget must be funded on the revenue estimates coming
in, which is Georgia law.

Councilman Alexander expressed his displeasure with City’s aesthetics,
specifically North Henry Blvd., noting reserve funds were used to clean up areas
along the interchange leading into Stockbridge; and agrees with Mayor Pro Tem
as a compromise of the collective body to remove land acquisitions from the
FY2017 Budget. Councilman Alexander further asked the Council to increase
infrastructure as this is a must if it is the desire of the Council to make
improvements in the community with fiber optics and attracting business to bring
in high paying jobs and wants the City of Stockbridge to be competitive and not
left behind.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford’s attempt to address the Council was denied by Mayor
Neal, stating he had utilized the 5-minute rule.

Councilwoman Gantt stated it was her understanding, the rule was 5 minutes for
each councilmember, with an opportunity for rebuttal.

December 27, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Mayor Neal stated it was her understanding that each member had 5 minutes for
discussion and asked Attorney Williams for clarification.

Attorney Williams confirmed the 5-minute rule as stated by Mayor Neal was
correct.

Councilman Alexander motioned to allow Mayor Pro Tem Ford to have additional
speaking time; second by Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford noted would he in favor of keeping three (3) concerts from
June-August, having the second concert around the 4th of July along with
fireworks.

Councilwoman Gantt inquired if the proposed FY2017 budget includes possible
land acquisition revenue coming in, and if so, could the budget be amended to
include those items that are proposed to be removed. Mr. Harris explained
potential sales are not included and noted the items proposed to be backed out
of the proposed FY2017 Operating Budget: Land Acquisition, Fiber Optics
Initiative, IT Disaster Recovery, the Third Sounds of Summer Concert, Light
Tower, Message Board and Amphitheater Design – SPLOST Funds would be
used for the amphitheater design along with insurance cost savings.

Councilman Alexander motioned to approve they FY2017 budget removing land
acquisition in the amount of $904,500; there was no second. The motion failed.

Councilwoman Robinson inquired if Council could revisit the budget once
revenue starts coming in from other areas. Mr. Harris responded yes, when the
timing is appropriate.

Councilman Blount motioned to approve the proposed FY2017 Operating Budget
with the recommendations as stated by Mr. Harris, and agrees to revisit budget
regarding each of these items as funds are received; second by Councilwoman
Gantt. The motion passed 3-1-1 (Alexander opposed – Ford abstained).

2. Main Street Advisory Board Appointments
Presented by: Michael Harris, City Manager & Lisa Fareed-Muhammad,
Main Street Program Assistant
Mr. Harris noted this item came before council a few weeks back with the
recommendation for the proposed new board appointments noting that this was
during the same time Carriage Lake Subdivision was going through the
annexation process and Council voted to defer the appointments by 30 days to
allow those newly annexed residents and opportunity to apply for board
positions.

Mr. Harris further noted the Main Street Advisory Board has a few appointments
expiring at the end of the year and without three (3) members appointed prior to
the January meeting, would cause the board to not have a quorum and be out of
compliance.

December 27, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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Mayor Neal asked if the discussion should this item be discussed in Executive
Session.

Councilwoman Robinson asked if the meeting in January was a required
meeting.

Main Street Program Assistant Lisa Fareed-Muhammad responded yes, to
remain in compliance with the State and retain accreditation.

Councilman Blount noted the recommendations presented for the Main Street
Advisory Board were staff recommendations.

Councilwoman Gantt expressed she was fine with making appointments from the
dais and was accepting of the recommendations made by staff.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford noted the Council representative appointment could wait
until January, and that he was in favor of entering into Executive Session to
discuss the board appointments.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Councilman Alexander motioned to discuss and consider item #2 Main Street
Advisory Board appointments in Executive Session; second by Mayor Pro Tem
Ford. The motion passed 3-2.

Councilwoman Robinson motioned to end Executive Session; second by
Councilwoman Gantt. The motion passed 5-0.

Councilwoman Robinson motioned to reconvene the regular meeting; second by
Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford motioned to approve the recommended appointments of:
Anika Potts (2 yr. term), Ebony Gurndy (2 yr. term), Lea Sanders (2 yr. term) and
Donald Gordon (2 yr. term) to the Main Street Advisory Board; second by
Councilwoman Gantt. Councilwoman Gantt noted there is an open position for
the DDA which crosses over to Main Street; however, the DDA has to appoint
that position and will hold a meeting on January 23, 2017 to make that
appointment.The motion passed 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

3. Main Street Advisory Board By-Laws Update
Presented by: Michael Harris, City Manager & Lisa Fareed-Muhammad,
Main Street Program Assistant
Mr. Harris noted the request from a previous meeting to add a position for
consideration of the newly annexed subdivision of Carriage Lake.

Ms. Fareed-Muhammad referenced Article 8, Section 8.01 of the Main Street
Advisory Board By-Laws which states, the number of positions could be modified
December 27, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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at any time upon the recommendation of the board and approval by Council. In
addition, according to Section 3.05 (C), the additional removal of board positions
listed in Article 3, Section 3.04 must be approved by the Mayor & Council.
Ms. Fareed-Muhammad noted Main Street staff recommends: approval of the
By-Laws as submitted, with the changes speaking to verbiage consistency,
voting, increasing the number of resident Main Street Advisory Board positions
from 2 to 3, with a 2-year term; this would only add an additional resident
position. Ms. Fareed-Muhammad noted this will also increase the number of
board positions from 11 to 12 and will allow the newly annexed Carriage Lake
Subdivision an opportunity to apply to any board.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford noted the new Main Street boundaries and changes to the
By-Laws were outlined in red for review.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to approve revised Main Street Board By-Laws;
second by Councilman Blount. The motion passed 5-0.

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS
Michael Harris offered a special congratulations to Sargent Webster as one of the
recipients of the Chief’s Award from the Henry County Police Department.

COUNCIL’S COMMENTS
Councilman Alexander thanked everyone for coming out and expressed there is still time
to apply to Board; and wished everyone Happy Holidays.

Councilman Blount thanked everyone for attending and wishes everyone a safe holiday;
and noted 2017 will be an awesome year for the City.

Mayor Pro Tem Ford thanked everyone for being engaged; wished everyone a Happy
New Year and stated 2017 will be a prosperous year; everyone will also see
improvements with the Downtown area and Economic Development with the intent in
making the City the best City in the State.

Councilwoman Gantt noted it was unfortunate Mr. & Mrs. West were no longer present at
the meeting and would follow up with them; noted 2016 was the first year of the event
and acknowledged a few hiccups; went on to explain that citizens can access forms
online and look at the criteria in regards to being an approved Food Truck, noting the
main criteria having is own a food truck with a specialized item and noted the residents of
Stockbridge or Henry County are priority with food trucks; thanked everyone for their
continued support and prayers and expressed to citizens to reach out with any questions
they may have; and stated she is also excited with having a new team.

Councilwoman Robinson thanked everyone for coming out; thanked colleagues for the
great dialogue and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and will
see you in 2017.

December 27, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
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MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Neal welcomed everyone and encouraged citizens to bring one person with them
the next time they attend a Council Meeting to fill up the room.

Mayor Neal noted News and Announcements were printed on the Agendas and
encouraged citizens to contact City Hall for updates.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
All meetings 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.

• All City offices will be closed on Monday, January 2, 2017 in observance of New
Year’s Day. City services will resume at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

• Council Meeting – Monday, January 9, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Council
Chamber.

• Main Street Advisory Board Meeting - Friday, January 13, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at City
Hall in the Levi Meeting Room.

• All City offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, 2017 in observance of Martin
Luther King, Jr. Holiday. City services will resume at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday,
January 17, 2017.

• Stockbridge Zoning Advisory Board Meeting – Thursday, January 20, 2017 at
• 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room.

• Downtown Development Authority Board Meeting – Monday, January 23, 2017 at
6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Levi Meeting Room.

• Council Work Session – Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the
Council Chamber.

Councilwoman Gantt motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.; Councilman
Alexander provided the second. The motion passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by:

Randi Rainey, Deputy City Clerk Judy Neal, Mayor

December 27, 2016 6:00pm 4640 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900
