Mayor and City Council Regular Session

Mayor and City Council Regular Session Tuesday, September 03, 2024 at 6:30 PM City Hall, 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083 Minutes Mayor and Council: Dr. Beverly Jones – Mayor | Post 3 :Mayor Pro Tem Ryan Smith Post 1: Council Member Anita Bass | Post 2: Council Member Mark Marianos Post 4: Council Member Gil Freeman | Post 5: Council Member Shawnette Bryant Post 6: Council Member Teresa Crowe Staff: Shawn Edmondson - Interim City Manager - City Clerk | Danny Mai - Assistant City Clerk | Jeff Strickland - City Attorney City of Stone Mountain, GA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CityofStoneMtn/ Link to join Webinar: [LINK] Call to Order Mayor Jones called Meting to order at 06:43 PM ET. Determination of Quorum PRESENT Council Member: Post 1 Anita Bass Council Member: Post 2 Mark Marianos Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Ryan Smith Council Member: Post 4 Gil Freeman Council Member: Post 5 Shawnette Bryant Council Member: Post 6 Teresa Crowe Mayor Beverly Jones Invocation and Pledge Mayor Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance at 06:44 PM ET. Mayor Jones led the Invocation at 06:45 PM ET. Citizen Comments – Including comments from public/stakeholders (3 minutes per comment) Comments from the Public The public comments are reserved exclusively for comments from the public and not for immediate reply. The purpose of public comment is to allow the public to voice city related requests, concerns or opinions only during the public comment portion of the City Council meeting. I. The Mayor and City Council reserves the right to extend or limit the length of public comments based on: (1) the issue under discussion; (2) the number of items on the agenda; and (3) the extent to which the speaker remains constructive in their comments and questions. II. The public may not directly confront the public speaker but must direct all comments and questions to the Mayor and City Council. III. Public harassment of or confrontation with a public speaker will not be tolerated. Members of the public violating tenets two or three will be asked to sit down or leave the premises. Citizen Comment #[1] (Eileen Smith): Smith discussed the prior meeting, noting the importance of creating legislative decisions. Smith noted the importance of time management, understanding the charter, and actions of elected officials. Smith additionally noted the differences between the City Master Plan & City Comprehensive Plan. Citizen Comment #[2] (Sara Abrams): Abrams noted the importance of having dialogue including nondenominational inclusive invocations, between other religions. Abrams also noted that there is a diverse community amongst the City of Stone Mountain, and that it is important not to alienate community members. Citizen Comment #[3] (Kay Nunez): Nunez mentioned the importance of respecting and embracing volunteers. Nunez additionally mentioned the importance of having safe crosswalks within City Limits and hopes that the city can identify major crosswalk hazards within limits. Nunez noted that it is important to make them (the crosswalks) safer, and brighter. Citizen Comment #[4] (Ginger Criswell): Criswell noted that JBR should be scheduled for the next round of SPLOST Funding. Criswell additionally mentioned the importance of having crosswalks that are safe within City Limits. Criswell noted that many cars speed well past the speed limits, disregarding speed limit up to 90MPH. Citizen Comment #[5] (Ms. Thomas): Thomas noted that it is important to have collaboration between council members in order to become more efficient. Thomas noted that there needs to be more value given to citizens given the amount of taxes that citizens pay. Citizen Comment #[6] (Joan Monroe): Monroe noted that crime reports are important for Citizens. Monroe is requesting that it becomes mandatory for the city to publish real crime reports weekly. Monroe noted that it is important to do research on city finances before adopting new financial software. Citizen Comment #[7] (B Patterson): Patterson noted that it is important to investigate and look into why the city is looking into getting a new accounting software. Patterson additionally noted that it is important to look at the City Budget. Patterson noted the importance of ordinances and keeping them updated. Review of the Journal (Interim City Manager & City Clerk Edmondson) 1. Request Minutes from City Council Meeting [12.19.2023] be approved MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe Voting Nay: Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant MINUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED 2. Request Minutes from City Council Meeting (Millage Rate) [06.20.2024] be approved MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe Voting Nay: Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant MINUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED 3. Request Minutes from City Council Meeting (Millage Rate) [06.27.2024] at 12:00 PM ET be approved MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos.  Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe Voting Nay: Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant MINUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED 4. Request Minutes from City Council Meeting (Millage Rate) [06.27.2024] at 06:00 PM ET be approved MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe Voting Nay: Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant MINUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED 5. Request Minutes from City Council Meeting [08.20.2024] be approved MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe Voting Nay: Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant MINUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED Reading of Communications Adoption of The Agenda of The Day Interim City Manager Edmondson requested that there be 3 new additions to the Agenda of the Day: - under "Unfinished Business" section #1; subsection #4 Allowing the appointment of Sarah McQuade as the lead for the Town Hall regarding zoning around the City. - under "New Ordinances and Resolutions" section: Resolution 2024-05 "Budget Amendment", ORDINANCE 2024-06 (elating to the approval of text amendments to Article 3 and 5 of Appendix A – Zoning to create definitions and commercial uses for convenience stores, alcohol outlets, package stores, and smoke shop), Ordinance 2024-05 (relating to the approval of text amendments to Article 3, 5, 16, and 17 of Appendix A – Zoning and Article 2 of Chapter 12 – Licenses and Business Regulations to further define and regulate short-term lodging in the City of Stone Mountain) MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA OF THE DAY WITH THE ABOVE CHANGES Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe MOTION PASSED City Manager’s Report 6. Interim City Manager - Shawn Edmondson Interim City Manager Edmondson spoke to council regarding the City Manager's Report. (REPORT IS ATTACHED TO AGENDA PACKAGE) Council Policy Discussion Topics Unfinished Business NEW ITEMS ADDED: #4: Appoint Sarah McQuade as the lead for the Town Hall regarding zoning around the City. MOTION TO APPOINT SARAH MCQUADE Motion made by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Seconded by Council Member: Post 1 Bass. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe Voting Nay: Council Member: Post 4 Freeman MOTION PASSED 7. 2ND READING: Review of the proposed ordinance 2025 relating to the approval of text amendments to Article 3, 5, 16, and 17 of Appendix A – Zoning and Article 2 of Chapter 12 – Licenses and Business Regulations to further define and regulate short-term lodging in the City of Stone Mountain (City Planner Edwards) MOVED TO NEW ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS  Ordinance 2024-05: MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-05 Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe Voting Nay: Council Member: Post 4 Freeman MOTION APPROVED 8. 2ND READING: Review of the proposed ordinance relating to the approval of text amendments to Article 3 and 5 of Appendix A – Zoning to create definitions and commercial uses for convenience stores, alcohol outlets, package stores, and smoke shops. (City Planner Edwards) MOVED TO NEW ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Ordinance 2024-06: MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-06 Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe MOTION PASSED ----------------------------------------------- NEW ITEM ADDED Resolution 2024-05 "Budget Amendment" MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-06 Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 1 Bass. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe Voting Nay: Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant MOTION APPROVED 9. Discussion regarding Part 2 of the DDA Report (CM Gil Freeman)  CM Freeman requested City Attorney Strickland speak to council. CM Freeman requested a written email from City Attorney Strickland regarding his findings. CM Freeman noted that City Attorney Strickland has had the information for 8-10 weeks and noted that City Attorney Strickland should provide a write up regarding the information. City Attorney Strickland requested that the body direct City Attorney to create the write up. MOTION TO COMPEL THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PROVIDE A WRITE UP REGARDING PART II OF THE DDA REPORT Motion made by Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Seconded by Council Member: Post 5 Bryant. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant Voting Nay: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe MOTION FAILS New Business 10. Discussion and Approval of Entering into an Agreement for Questica Accounting Software (Finance Director Danny L.) Interim City Manager Edmondson spoke regarding this item. NO ACTION... ADDITIONAL RESEARCH REQUESTED BY COUNCIL New Ordinances and Resolutions Remarks of Privilege Announcements by The Mayor Executive Session to Discuss Personnel, Legal, Cyber Security and/or Real Estate (if needed) Executive Session MOTION TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Seconded by Council Member: Post 2 Marianos. Voting Yea: Council Member: Post 1 Bass, Council Member: Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem: Post 3 Smith, Council Member: Post 4 Freeman, Council Member: Post 5 Bryant, Council Member: Post 6 Crowe EXECUTIVE SESSION at 09:39 PM ET Adjournment