---
date: 2013-11-11
title: November 11, 2013 Minutes
source: 2013-11/2013-11-11_November 11, 2013_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

November 11, 2013

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2013 6:00 pm
City Council
Administration
Mark Alarcon, Mayor
David A. Milliron, City Manager
Richard Steinberg, Mayor Pro Tem
Rhonda A. Blackmon, City Clerk
Robin Buschman, Councilwoman
Bill Linkous, City Attorney
Harold Cochran, Councilman
Shirley Dabney, Councilwoman
Alphonso Thomas, Councilman

Call to Order by the Mayor at 6:01pm

Invocation by Kathy Gilbert

Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison

Mayor recognized anyone that has or is serving in the armed forces and asked them to stand.

Mayor then recognized the Mayor-Elect Tim Thompson and Council-Elect Anthony Ford.
Mayor addressed the incorrect information put out by the Henry Herald.

Mayor wanted to address the procedure that this current Council will adhere to. He asked that
we not proceed with police services at this time.

Adopt Agenda; Mayor asked for a motion; a motion was made by Robin Buschman; a second
was made by Shirley Dabney; Mr. Thomas asked to strike; Mayor asked that we move forward
with the motion first and asked if there was any discussion; Mr. Thomas stated that he did not
believe that we should bind the incoming Council with item #5. Mr. Steinberg also agreed on
this; the motion passed 3-2 with Alphonso Thomas and Richard Steinberg as opposed.

Adopt Minutes: Work Session October 15, 2013

Emergency Special Called October 15, 2013

Council Meeting October 21, 2013

Mayor asked for a motion to engross the above minutes for adoption. Richard Steinberg made
a motion to approve the minutes listed; a second was made by Harold Cochran; the motion
passed 5-0.

CEREMONIAL

Item # 1 - Presented by Mark Alarcon, Mayor

Proclamation: “Kindness Works, Pass It On” Week; Mayor asked if Mr. Welch or a
representative was here. No one was here to receive this.

Item # 2 - Presented by Mark Alarcon, Mayor

Proclamation: Papi’s Restaurant; the Mayor then called anyone from Papi’s to come forward.
Mayor then read the proclamation and presented it to the gentlemen.

CONSENT
Item # 3 - Presented by David Milliron, City Manager

Resolution: North Lee Street Lease with Downtown Development Authority; David Milliron gave
a brief overview of the locations of this property and the resolution. Richard Steinberg made a
motion; a second was made by Shirley Dabney; the motion passed 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Item # 4 – Presented by David Milliron, City Manager

Approve: 2013 Employee Holiday Compensation; David Milliron spoke on what Council
passed last year at this time. He mentioned that it has been asked that we do this earlier this
year. Mr. Milliron also spoke on a one week salary is given as a holiday compensation and
therefore, it is being asked that Council passes a one week salary compensation for the
employees for the holiday this year; Richard Steinberg made a motion to approve; a second
was made by Harold Cochran; the motion passed 5-0.

OLD BUSINESS

Item # 5 - Presented by David Milliron, City Manager

Resolution: Spyglass Telecom Audit Agreement; the Mayor went over this item stating that this
would be at no cost to the City. Mr. Milliron gave an overview of what the company will do for
the City during this audit. Mr. Milliron also stated that this is a cost-recovery audit. Mayor asked
for a motion also stating that this is not binding but merely an audit. Robin Buschman made a
motion to approve; a second was not made; the motion died for lack of a second. Richard
Steinberg made a motion to discharge this agreement due to some concerns he has and stating
that this is not a rush or anything that needs to be addressed right away; Alphonso Thomas
asked for a point of order stating that the motion did not receive a second and asked the city
attorney for his opinion. Bill Linkous stated that he agreed with Mr. Thomas that this item died
for a lack of a second. Mr. Steinberg withdrew his motion of opposition.

Item # 6 - Presented by David Milliron, City Manager

Ordinance: Discharge Permit Fee Ordinance; Mr. Milliron gave an overview of this ordinance
stating a discharge fee for non-domesticated kitchens. The city has ordinance to charge a fee
for a service that it is not providing. Staff recommendation is to amend ordinance accordingly;
Robin Buschman made a motion; a second was made by Harold Cochran; the motion passed 5-

Item # 7 - Presented by David Milliron, City Manager (Public Hearing)
Discussion: Proposed 2014 COS Budget; David Milliron stated this is a public hearing and
Council Rule #3 will apply.

Mayor asked for anyone to speak for the 2014 budget draft to please come forward at 6:33pm.
No one came forward. Mayor asked the city attorney for advisement. Mr. Linkous stated that
we give the opportunity to speak and then we have done our due diligence. Mayor then asked
again for anyone to speak for or against the proposed 2014 draft budget. No one came forward.
David Milliron informed the Mayor that he could have the Council discuss any budget items as
well. Richard Steinberg stated that he will have a meeting with City Manager on Monday on
behalf of the citizens. Alphonso Thomas stated that several citizens had expressed concerns
about not being able to view the budget online. Mr. Milliron stated the budget will be placed
online at the conclusion of the public hearings. The budget will go to a work session and two
more public hearings prior to the adoption of the budget. He then said the budget itself has been
publically available at city hall which is required by law and was advertised on the website,
Facebook page and in the newspaper as to the availability of the budget.

PLANNING & ZONING

Item # 8 - Presented by David Milliron, City Manager (Public Hearing)

Ordinance: Re-Adoption of COS Sign Ordinance; Mayor stated that this was a public hearing to
re-adopt the sign ordinance correcting some typographical errors and grammar changes. There
have been no other changes to this document. Mayor asked for anyone to speak against this
item to come forward.

George Hawxhurst at 126 Eagles Club Drive stated that he was not here for or against this but
he wanted to state that there are several projects that this ordinance will impact. He would like
to know if he should speak now or under public comments. Mr. Hawxhurst came forward to give
a presentation. At his three-minute limit, the additional eight citizens that were also speaking to
this item, stood and yielded their time for Mr. Hawxhurst to continue speaking for the remainder
of the fifteen minutes. Mr. Hawxhurst completed the presentation.

Mr. Hawxhurst spoke on the parkway expansion that occurred in 2009 where signs, landscaping
and fencing were impacted. He said the neighborhood came together to work with the county
and entered into an agreement for a right to cure. The impacted communities were Eagles
Landing, Parkside and the Villages. He said when the bridge came the communities lost their
identity. He stated they came up with a master conceptual signage plan to bring a cohesive
signage to the community that would promote the city and provide a better quality of life. He
also spoke on the agreement with the city to erect the gateway garden. He said we are now in
the bidding process.
Mr. Steve Moore at Moore Bass Consulting 324 Industrial Blvd., McDonough, GA with Moore
Bass came forward to speak on the item.

Mr. Bill Bush from the Parkside Community came forward to speak on this item. He said the
Eagles Landing family and communities have suffered for years due to the parkway expansion.
He requested the assistance from the elected officials. Homeowners have waited patiently and
they expect results soon. He said let’s work together to get this project completed and thanked
council for their consideration.

Mayor reiterated the reason for this re-adoption was only for corrections to the document.
Mayor referred to the City Planner, Vicki Coleman to clarify the process that is available to the
citizens.

Ms. Coleman stated that there are some provisions as to the limitations relating to variances.
She said we will be able to accept an application, but there are some clear provisions that states
where there are some limitations. She said we will not prevent an applicant from submitting an
application but it will spell out the criteria and the limitations on granting the variances.

Mayor talked about applying for variances and turning them in to the City.

Richard Steinberg made a motion to table this item until next month; a second was made by
Harold Cochran; Mr. Milliron wanted to make everyone aware that this item has already been
adopted and that there are some definition language that is contradictory. It would make sense
to codify this with the corrections due to applicants coming forward to apply under the ordinance
as it is. Mayor agreed stating that this ordinance is already in place. Alphonso Thomas asked
that Mr. Steinberg re-address his comments. Mr. Steinberg clarified his motion. Robin
Buschman also reiterated that this was already adopted and that Council is willing to work with
the community on this. Mayor called for a vote; Robin Buschman, Shirley Dabney and Harold
Cochran opposed; the motion failed 2-3.

Mayor asked for a motion to support the item; Robin Buschman made the motion to re-adopt the
ordinance with the grammatical and typographical changes; a second was made by Shirley
Dabney; the motion passed 3-2 with Richard Steinberg and Alphonso Thomas as opposed.

The Mayor wanted to go on record with numbers from past budgets from 2010 to the current
draft budget numbers. Mayor read the yearly numbers stating that over the last four years we
have had a reduction of over 37%.
The Mayor then went on record to state that the City of Stockbridge has a fund balance that will
increase our reserves. He said we are in a good financial position. The Mayor also announced
that the City of Stockbridge received its designation as a Main Street City by the Department of
Community Affairs. He said the city will now have access to state resources for revitalization of
the downtown area.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

All Meetings Will Be Held At City Hall Unless Otherwise Noted. Meetings dates and times are
subject to change so please confirm with City Hall at 770.389.7900 or via
www.cityofstockbridge.com

? November 21: Downtown Development Authority Meeting at 3:30pm in the Library at City
Hall.

? November 28-29: City Hall closed in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday

? December 2: Urban Redevelopment Agency Meeting at 5:00pm in the Library at City Hall

PUBLIC COMMENTS

The Public Comment session is an opportunity for citizens to address the Mayor and Council on items
specific to the published agenda. This is not a public question and answer session. The Mayor will recognize
individuals to speak, whom are requested to confine their comments to no more than three minutes. Please
state your name and address for the record prior to speaking on your topic.

Mayor called for anyone to speak on the agenda.

No one came forward.

Motion to Adjourn; Richard Steinberg made a motion to adjourn; a second was made by
Harold Cochran; the motion passed 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:21pm.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY:
Rhonda A. Blackmon, City Clerk Mark A. Alarcon, Mayor
