CITY COUNCIL

Summary Minutes

City of Stockbridge

Regular Meeting

Monday, October, 13, 2014

6:00 PM

Council Chambers, City Hall

4640 North Henry Boulevard
Stockbridge, GA 30281

MAYOR

Tim L. Thompson

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Mayor Pro Tem
Alphonso Thomas

Councilwoman
Lakeisha Gantt / Councilman
Anthony Ford

Councilman
Richard Steinberg

Councilwoman
Robin Buschman / City Manager
Michael C. Harris
City Attorney
Mike Williams / City Clerk
Stephanie Tigner

· Achieve stability of leadership and government (elected officials and staff)

· Staff the government appropriately

· Update the Charter and commission an ordinance review

· Improve internal communications

· Improve the economic development program including revitalizing the Downtown Development Authority

· Reinvigorate the use of proclamations and other recognition tools to connect with the community

· Generate a Capital Improvement Program

Attendee Name / Title / Status / Arrived
Tim L. Thompson / Mayor / Excused
Alphonso Thomas / Mayor Pro Tem / Present
Anthony Ford / Councilman / Present
Lakeisha Gantt / Councilwoman / Present
Richard Steinberg / Councilman / Present
Robin Buschman / Councilwoman / Present
  1. Call to Order by Mayor Pro Tem Alphonso Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:01pm. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas chaired the meeting due death in Mayor Tim L. Thompson’s family. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas wanted to take some time to send prayers to Mayor Tim L. Thompson and his family due to the death of his mother.
  1. Invocation was provided by Councilwoman Robin Buschman
  1. Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison
  1. Adopt Agenda Mayor Pro Tem Thomas stated there were changes made to the agenda and asks that Council approve the amended agenda that is before them at tonight’s meeting.

Councilman Ford made a motion to approve the amended agenda as printed; a second was provided by Councilman Steinberg; the motion passed 4-0.

  1. Review Minutes Councilwoman Gantt made a motion to approve all minutes as printed; a second was provided by Councilman Ford; the motion passed 4-0.

Work Session Meeting September 2, 2014 at 6:00PM

City Council Meeting September 8, 2014 at 6:00PM

Special Called Meeting September 8, 2014 at 4:30PM

Special Called Meeting September 17, 2014 at 5:00PM

Special Called Meeting September 22, 2014 at 5:00PM

CEREMONIAL

Item #1-Presented by: City Manager, Michael Harris

Proclamation: Honoring Retired Educators Day; Mayor Pro Tem Thomas read and presented a Proclamation honoring Retired Educator’s day to Kathy Hill. NO ACTION TAKEN

Item #2- Presented by: Mayor Pro Tem Alphonso Thomas

Proclamation: Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month; Mayor Pro Tem Thomas read and presented a Proclamation to Rocio Camacho and the Smiley Moy Foundation. NO ACTION TAKEN

Item #3- Presented by: Council Members Lakeisha Gantt and Robin Buschman

Proclamation: Honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Councilwoman Gantt and Councilwoman Buschman read and presented a proclamation to Jeff Cooper of Piedmont Henry. NO ACTION TAKEN

The City of Stockbridge also presented a $1,000 check to the Piedmont Henry Foundation.

Item #4- Presented by: Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt

Presentation: Honoring Reverend Mike Moon; Councilwoman Gantt presented a plaque to Dr. Reverend Mike Moon for all of his contributions and providing the City the history of Stockbridge. NO ACTION TAKEN

Item #5- Presented by: Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt

Presentation: Recognition of Flip City South; Councilwoman Gantt and Councilman Ford presented a certificate to Mr. and Mrs. Riley of Flip City South. NO ACTION TAKEN

CONSENT AGENDA; Councilman Steinberg made a motion to approve all consent agenda items; a second was provided by Councilman Ford; the motion passed 4-0. APPROVED

Councilwoman Buschman stated the Consent Agenda items were discussed at the work session meeting.

Item #6- Presented by: Main Street Manager, Kira Harris- Braggs

Agenda Item: Main Street Advisory Board Member Consideration APPROVED

Item #7- Presented by: City Manager, Michael Harris

Resolution: Amendment to SPLOST IV Agreement APPROVED

Item #8- Presented by: City Manager, Michael Harris and Public Works Director, Kevin Walter

Agenda Item: Approval for Purchase of a CUES Mobile Sewer Camera under NJPA Government Contract APPROVED

PUBLIC HEARING

Item #9 - PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED: Presented by City Manager, Michael Harris

Resolution: Approval of Six Month Conditional Use Permit for Greater House of Prayer; City Manager, Michael Harris gave a brief update to Mayor Pro Tem and Council on the six (6) month Conditional Use Permit for Greater House of Prayer.

Speakers in Favor: Mr. Larry Tyler is in favor, but did not speak.

Speakers Opposed: None

Councilman Steinberg made a motion to approve the Six Month Conditional Use Permit for Greater House of Prayer; a second was provided by Councilwoman Buschman; the motion passed 4-0.

Item # 10- PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED: Presented by City Manager Michael Harris

Variance Item: Hudson Bridge Plaza, VR 14-08-S; City Manager Michael Harris provided a brief update to Mayor Pro Tem and Council on Variance VR-14-08-S.

Speakers in Favor: None

Speakers Opposed: None

Councilwoman Buschman made a motion to approve the Variance VR-14-08-S; a second was provided by Councilman Steinberg; the motion passed 4-0.

Item # 11- PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED: Presented by Henry County Planning Staff, Stacy Jordan

Variance Item: McDonalds VR 14-09-S; Stacey Jordan from Henry County Planning and Zoning gave a brief update to Mayor Pro Tem and Council on Variance VR-14-09-S.

Speakers in Favor: None

Speakers Opposed: None

Councilwoman Buschman made a motion to approve the Variance VR-14-09-S; a second was provided by Councilwoman Gantt; the motion passed 4-0.

Item #12- PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED: Presented by City Manager, Michael Harris

Resolution-To Adopt the Short Term Work Program; Mr. Harris stated this item has to be submitted to the DCA before October 31, 2014. The Resolution was approved on August 11, 2014.The City had to wait until the DCA submitted their letter of approval, which was sent the City Manager on Monday via email.

Speakers in Favor: None

Speakers Opposed: None

Councilman Steinberg made a motion to approve the Short Term Work Program; a second was provided by Councilman Ford; the motion passed 4-0.

OLD BUSINESS

Item #13- Presented by: City Manager, Michael Harris

Ordinance: COS Vesting Period; Mr. Harris provided Mayor Pro Tem and Council a brief overview of the Vesting Period. Mr. Harris stated the City reached out to other jurisdictions to see what their vesting period were. The majority of the jurisdictions went with a five (5) year vesting period. Mr. Harris stated anyone hired during the 2 year vesting period will be grandfathered in, anyone hired on or after November 1, 2014 will vest in the five (5) year vesting period.

Councilman Steinberg made a motion to approve the five (5) year vesting period; a second was provided by Councilwoman Gantt; the motion passed 4-0.

Item #14 - Presented by City Manager, Michael

Informational Item: Council Compensation; Mr. Harris provided Mayor Pro Tem Thomas and Council a brief overview on Council Compensation. Mr. Harris stated at the last Work Session meeting, there was a discussion regarding increasing the current compensation of the Mayor and Council. Mr. Harris provided Mayor and Council with two (2) proposals which were:

Option 1: To increase the compensation to equal the current Population Group (B) Cities, based on the DCA’s 2013 Municipal Wage and Salary Survey.

Councilmembers: $8,400 to $9,000

Mayor: $10,800 to $ 13,633

Option 2: To increase the compensation to equal that of the City of McDonough:

Councilmembers: $8,400 to $12,000

Mayor: $10,800 to $18,000

Councilmembers Steinberg and Buschman were in opposition of approving. Councilmembers Ford, Gantt and Mayor Pro Tem Thomas were in favor of Option 2; there was no vote on this item.

Item #15- Presented by City Manager, Michael Harris

Agreement Item- Law Enforcement Services Agreement; Mr. Harris provided Mayor Pro Tem Thomas and Council with an overview of the Law Enforcement Agreement.

Councilman Ford made a motion to approve the Law Enforcement Agreement as written; a second was provided by Councilwoman Gantt; the motion passed 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Item #16-Presented by City Attorney, Mike Williams

Ordinance-To Amend Regulations Related to Tattoo Studios; City Attorney, Mike Williams stated he has heard from other representatives from local establishments. There are three (3) concerns within the Ordinance that needs to be addressed.

  1. Requiring a nurse or licensed medical personnel beyond staff;
  2. Maintaining certification from various listed schools;
  3. Maintaining a physician;

Mr. Williams stated before Council is an amendment with minor changes to the existing Ordinance. The 1st change in Section 1 will remove the requirement to maintain a physician on staff; the 2nd and 3rd relates to the medical certificate from a medical doctor. The establishments are certified with Henry County Health Department, and the City has added, they can provide proof the applicant has been issued a permit by the Henry County Health Department.

Councilman Steinberg made a motion to approve the Amendment to the Regulations related to Tattoo Studios; a second was provided by Councilwoman Buschman; the motion passed 4-0.

COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS; There was no council discussion.

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.

  1. William Powers, 606 Fairgreen Trail; did not speak
  1. Vivian Smith, 250 E. Atlanta Rd; thanked Mayor and Council for acknowledging Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She invited Mayor and Council out to the TooLooPeas fundraising event “Pink Bow Ties and Pink Champagne”. The event will take place at 250 E. Atlanta Rd. Advance ticket price for the event is $25.00. For more information, please visit tooloopeas.com. She urged everyone to attend.
  1. Houston Nelson, III, 2504 Walter Way; spoke about the City bringing a curbside recycling program. Mr. Nelson stated he believes if the City decides to bring this in, it would make the City more clean and attractive. Mr. Nelson also stated he has heard mixed reviews with the newly constructed Gateway Monument, and believes that money could have been used for the recycling program.
  1. Toye Powell, 515 Inglewood Trace; spoke about the City looking into getting the City an overlay and putting limits on undesirable and redundant businesses coming to the City.
  1. Tavaras Powell, 515 Inglewood Trace; read the official response from Family Dollar. Mr. Powell also spoke on the City having an Overlay added to the City.
  1. Elton Alexander, 920 Maple Leaf, spoke on the opening of Reeves Creek Trail and stated he thinks this is an outstanding project. Mr. Alexander is in favor of Council receiving an increase. He encouraged council to increase salaries of the elected officials in stages.

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

  • Work Session Meeting- Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 6:00pm
  • Veterans Day Parade-Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 10:00am
  • Ribbon Cutting for Reeves Creek Trail, October 17, 2014 at 11:00am

Councilman Steinberg invited everyone to come to the first Stockbridge Business Association Meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 7:00pm at Pinehurst Event Facility. The speaker will be Laura Luker of HCCC and Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Item #17 – Presented by City Attorney, Mike Williams

Executive Session: For the purpose of items A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H or I

Lakeisha Gantt made a motion to go into Executive Session for Personnel and Litigation Matter; a second was made by Anthony S. Ford; the motion passed 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:52pm.

Councilman Steinberg made a motion to reconvene; a second was made by Councilman Ford; the motion passed 4-0.

Councilwoman Gantt made a motion to nominate as Treasurer and set the salary at

$74, 822.80; a second was made by Councilman Ford; the motion passed 4-0.

Councilwoman Gantt made a motion to confirm Dale Hall as the Administrative and Community Services Director and to set the salary at $89,107.20; the motion passed 4-0.

MOTION TO ADJOURN; Councilwoman Buschman made a motion to adjourn the meeting; a second was made by Councilwoman Gantt; the motion passed 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.