Mayor and City Council Work Session

Mayor and City Council Work Session Tuesday, September 17, 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: [https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81079327852] Call to Order Mayor Jones Called the Meeting to order at 06:35 PM ET Determination of Quorum RESENT 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 06:37 PM ET. Major Jones led the invocation at 06:37 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 (Joan Monroe): Monroe emphasized the importance of having a comprehensive safety plan for the entire city. Monroe also advocated for regular publication of crime reports on the city website. Citizen Comment #2 (Dave Thomas): Thomas addressed the treatment of the DDA by City Council members and highlighted that "Tunes by the Tracks" is a significant event that fosters community involvement from outside the city. Citizen Comment #3 (Ms. Thomas): Thomas expressed gratitude to the Interim City Manager for the new lights on the signage and specifically thanked the City for the white directional signs. He emphasized the need for additional maintenance on Rockborough Court, noting that it still requires severe repairs. Thomas also called for an official accounting of SPLOST I, as well as a total accounting of SPLOST II to date. Additionally, he requested that the 2023 audit be presented to ensure transparency for citizens. Citizen Comment #4 (Johnnie R. Ellison): Ellison thanked the city for the Rockborough signs but pointed out that the quality of the street signs was below standard. Ellison cited potential liabilities and hazards due to the poor signage and urged the City Council to ensure higher quality in future projects. Citizen Comment #5 (Carl Wright): Wright commented on the day's agenda, suggesting the removal of several items. Wright questioned the inclusion of an outside attorney and inquired about who would cover the costs for the attorney's presence. Citizen Comment #6 (Cheryl Dudley): Dudley thanked the city for promoting Constitution Day and stressed the importance of early voting and maintaining updated voter registration rolls. Dudley emphasized the need for civility in council meetings and suggested a review of the City Charter to identify potential improvements. Citizen Comment #7 (C. Monroe): Monroe highlighted the importance of civility in city interactions and the tone used when addressing one another. Monroe thanked city staff for the new light-up crosswalk signs but stressed that both signs should activate simultaneously from either side. Monroe also spoke about the significance of the city's rural designation. Review of the Journal (Interim City Manager & City Clerk Edmondson) 1. Request Minutes from City Council Meeting [09.03.2024] be approved Interim City Manager requested that the meeting minutes from 09.03.2024 be approved. 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 MINUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED. Reading of Communications Interim City Manager request that council recognize the City Employee of the Month. The City Employee of the Month is Vicki Tucker, information is in the City Manager Report. Adoption of The Agenda of The Day MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA OF THE DAY, REMOVING ITEMS 2-5 of new business. 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 APPROVED. Committee Discussion Items 2. Economic Development/Downtown Development Authority DDA Report in AGENDA PACKAGE. 3. Historic Preservation Commission REPORT IN AGENDA PACKAGE 4. Stone Mountain Community Garden  REPORT IN AGENDA PACKAGE 5. Parks and Recreation Committee REPORT IS IN THE AGENDA PACKAGE 6. Planning Commission REPORT IS IN THE AGENDA PACKAGE Staff Reports 7. Public Safety- Police Chief- James Westerfield Jr REPORT IS IN THE AGENDA PACKAGE Chief Westerfield noted that Detective Swisher became the first member of a special unit called "Cyber Children Crimes" and achieved certification in that role. 8. Administration- Interim City Manager-City Clerk- Shawn Edmondson Combined with the City Managers Report REPORT IS IN THE AGENDA PACKAGE City Manager’s Report 9. Interim City Manager - Shawn Edmondson REPORT IS IN THE AGENDA PACKAGE Council Policy Discussion Topics Unfinished Business 10. Discussion regarding Part 2 of the DDA Report (CM Gil Freeman) CM Freeman asked City Attorney Strickland whether the Stone Mountain DDA is currently on probation. CM Freeman mentioned that he has obtained a letter from the Department of Community Affairs confirming that the DDA is on probation. He emphasized the importance of the contract related to "Tunes by the Tracks," citing various potential risks he identified. CM Freeman stated that this agenda item will be included in every future agenda until a resolution is reached and all relevant information is presented to him 11. City Staff request the approval to enter into the agreement with Questica Accounting Software to replace ClearGov (Finance Director Danny L.) Mayor Jones proposed to table the item until Danny L. can be in attendance.  MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT: Made by CM Crowe; seconded by CM Bass. SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO TABLE: Made by CM Freeman; no second was provided. The substitute motion failed due to lack of a second. CALL TO QUESTION: MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT: Made by CM Crowe; seconded by CM Marianos. MOTION TO TABLE: Made by CM Freeman; seconded by CM Bryant. Motion made by Council Member: Post 4 Freeman. Voting Yea: Post 4 Freeman, Post 5 Bryant. Voting Nay: Post 1 Bass, Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem Post 3 Smith, Post 6 Crowe. The motion to table failed. MOTION TO APPROVE: Made by Council Member Post 6 Crowe; seconded by Council Member Post 1 Bass. Voting Yea: Post 1 Bass, Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem Post 3 Smith, Post 6 Crowe. Voting Nay: Post 4 Freeman, Post 5 Bryant. The motion was approved. 12. City Staff request the approval to enter into the agreement for the Enterprise Fleet Management Program to manage and monitor maintenance and inventory of the City of Stone Mountain's Vehicles. The budgeted funding lines are (01-5040.52.2220 Vehicle Repair & Maintenance) (Chief Westerfield & Interim City Manager & City Clerk Edmondson) The City Manager noted that there are officers without patrol cars, pointing out that the city has been spending a significant amount on maintenance. The City Manager expressed concern that, without a clear plan, the city's fleet would be neglected, resulting in patrol officers' vehicles being out of service. A discussion took place between Chief Westerfield, Interim City Manager Edmondson, and Enterprise Representative Lucus. MOTION TO APPROVE: Made by CM Crowe; seconded by CM Bass. CALLED TO QUESTION: Made by CM Crowe; seconded by CM Bass.  Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Post 3 Smith; seconded by Council Member Post 2 Marianos. Voting Yea: Post 1 Bass, Post 2 Marianos, Mayor Pro Tem Post 3 Smith, Post 6 Crowe. Voting Nay: Post 4 Freeman, Post 5 Bryant. The motion passed. 13. Discussion on directing city staff to search for a firm to complete a forensic audit (Mayor Jones) MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO RESEARCH AND OBTAIN QUOTES (THREE BIDS) FROM A FORENSIC AUDITING FIRM FOR 1-YEAR, 2-YEAR, AND/OR 3-YEAR AUDITS, INCLUDING CONTRACTS, CREDIT CARDS, AND ALL FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO CITY MATTERS. NOTICE: This motion is not a vote to approve any audit but to obtain quotes. Motion made by Council Member Post 4 Freeman; seconded by Council Member Post 5 Bryant. Voting Yea: Post 1 Bass, Post 2 Marianos, Post 4 Freeman, Post 5 Bryant, Post 6 Crowe. Voting Nay: Mayor Pro Tem Post 3 Smith. The motion passed. 14. Discussion on a proposed Downtown Development Area boundary modification (CM Gill Freeman) Discussion occurred between Council Members and Interim City Manager Edmondson. New Business 15. Presentation by Attorney Walker regarding possible community improvement grants, and a program assisting with blighted homes within the Stone Mountain Community (Mayor Jones) Attorney Walker spoke to council regarding the presentation. PRESENTATION ATTACHED IN AGENDA PACKAGE 16. Discussion on the removal of dead peach tree and clear branches and overgrowth along both fences, as requested by the Stone Mountain Community Garden Committee (Mayor Jones) REMOVED FROM AGENDA 17. Discussion on the control of rodent activity in and around the storage building and shed, as requested by the Stone Mountain Community Garden Committee (Mayor Jones) REMOVED FROM AGENDA 18. Discussion on the removal of weed piles from stalls and replenishment of the depleted compost supply, as requested by the Stone Mountain Community Garden Committee (Mayor Jones)  REMOVED FROM AGENDA 19. Discussion on addressing the drainage and safety issue near the entrance of SMCG, as requested by the Stone Mountain Community Garden Committee (Mayor Jones) REMOVED FROM AGENDA 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) Adjournment