Dec 16, 2024 City Council

[I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]

[00:00:07]

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER 16TH MEETING OF EAST POINT CITY COUNCIL. MADAM CITY CLERK, ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COUNCIL MEMBER, SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL MEMBER FRIEDLEY WILL NOT BE IN ATTENDANCE. COUNCIL MEMBER. ATKINS. COUNCIL MEMBER. ZIEGLER. PRESIDENT. COUNCIL MEMBER. CUMMINGS WILL NOT BE IN ATTENDANCE. COUNCIL MEMBER. MITCHELL. COUNCIL MEMBER. BUTLER AND COUNCIL MEMBER MARTIN ROGERS. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. MAYOR HOLIDAY, WE HAVE A QUORUM TONIGHT. OUR INVOCATION WILL BE BY PASTOR JAMIE VERNON OF TRI-CITIES CHURCH. PLEASE STAND AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE TO THE FLAG. LET'S PRAY. OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. DURING THIS SEASON OF GIVING, WE PRAY THAT WE'LL HAVE GENEROSITY IN OUR HEARTS, IN THE WAY THAT WE PROCEED TONIGHT, IN THE WAY THAT WE THINK OF OUR FELLOW MAN, AND THE WAY THAT WE THINK OF THIS GREAT CITY. MAY YOU GUIDE THE HEARTS AND THE THOUGHTS AND THE MINDS OF EACH PERSON THAT'S PRESENT TONIGHT. EACH SPEAKER. AND WE PRAY GOD THAT OVERALL THAT THERE'LL BE LOVE IN THIS ROOM. WE ASK IT IN THE NAME OF JESUS. AMEN. AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.

OF. AND SO TONIGHT WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER SEAN ATKINS. HE WAS SWORN IN LAST MONDAY AND HIT THE GROUND IMMEDIATELY, RUNNING AND PARTICIPATING IN ATTENDING THE WORK SESSION LAST MONDAY AND HERE TONIGHT. SO WELCOME ABOARD.

LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU TO MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD. CONTINUE TO MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T START OFF TO THIS EVENING ACKNOWLEDGING THE HORRIFIC GUN VIOLENCE INCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE IN MADISON, WISCONSIN, TODAY. ANOTHER SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE. MORE KIDS LIVES LOST, AS WELL AS THE ADULTS WHO WERE THERE TO HELP EDUCATE THEM. AND WHEN I HEARD EARLIER TODAY, THERE WERE SOME STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION, THERE WERE TWO WHO HAD ALREADY TRANSITIONED, AND THE GUNMAN KILLED HIMSELF. AND SO I DEFINITELY WANT US TO PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE. ME AND MAYOR SATYA RHODES CONWAY SERVE ON A FEDERAL COMMITTEE TOGETHER, AND I WAS JUST WITH HER A COUPLE MONTHS AGO IN NEBRASKA. SO WE'RE DEFINITELY EXTENDING OUR THOUGHTS, OUR PRAYERS, AND JUST REALLY FOR A SENSE OF GETTING THROUGH THIS VERY TRAGIC AND HORRIFIC INCIDENT ON A COMMUNITY. NOBODY PLANS FOR THIS AND NOBODY WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT'S ALWAYS KIND OF LIKE YOU'RE NEVER PREPARED AND WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO SAY. BUT SHE HAS BEEN LEADING TODAY WITH A SENSE OF COMPASSION, CALLING OUT GUN VIOLENCE AS WELL AS ASKING FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO REACH OUT TO 908 IF THEY ARE IN NEED OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND SERVICES. AND SO LET'S PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR MADISON, WISCONSIN, AS WE PRAY FOR CONTINUED JUST STRENGTH, COMFORT AND JUST GUIDANCE THROUGH SUCH A TRAGIC AND HORRIFIC INCIDENT. ALL RIGHT. OUR SERGEANT AT ARMS

[VI.1. Zeta Amicae Proclamation]

TOGETHER, ZETA AMICI. PROCLAMATION. COUNCIL MEMBER, SHROPSHIRE. THANK YOU. AS WE END THE YEAR OUT, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FITTING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK THAT THE ZETAS AMICI HAVE DONE THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW THEY HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO BRIDGE THE GAP AND TO BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES AND STRONGER FAMILIES, AND MAKING AN IMPRESSION ON OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES WHEN THEY GIVE, WHEN THEY DO THEIR SERVICE. SO, MAYOR, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO

[00:05:05]

AND WHEREAS THE MISSION OF ZETA OF EAST POINT IS TO SERVE OTHERS AND BRING VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY WITH THE VISION TO BLAZE NEW PATHS FOR THE FUTURE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING THE VALUES OF FRIENDSHIP, SISTERHOOD, TEAMWORK AND COOPERATION. AND WHEREAS, THE KAPPA ZETA CHAPTER OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED, VALUES THE ZETA AMICI OF EAST POINT AND EMBRACES THE BELIEF THAT ALL WOMEN, REGARDLESS OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO REACH THEIR FULL CAPABILITIES IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES. PRESENTLY, THE ZETA MISSION OF EAST POINT CONTINUES TO STRIVE TO CREATE UNLIMITED LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREAS OF BUSINESS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, HEALTH CARE, THE ARTS, AND GOVERNANCE. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I. DEANA HOLIDAY INGRAHAM, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF EAST POINT, ALONG WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, COMMEND THE ZETA CHI EAST POINT AUXILIARY OF THE KAPPA ZETA CHAPTER OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED FOR ITS PROVEN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, DEDICATION TO POSITIVE CHANGE, AND STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO EMPOWER, UPLIFT AND SERVE OUR RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF EAST POINT. IF YOU ALL COULD COME UP, I WILL PRESENT YOU. MADAM MAYOR. IF I COULD BE RECOGNIZED. YES. I WANT THEM TO COME UP, THOUGH, WHILE YOU'RE BEING RECOGNIZED. THANK YOU.

ANYBODY IS A REPRESENTATIVE COMING UP? DOCTOR BUTLER. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TRULY SAY THANK YOU ON THE RECORD FOR ALL THAT YOU BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADIES DO FOR US HERE. YOUR VOLUNTEERISM IS NOT UNNOTICED. WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH. AND I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU. IT'S WITH GRATITUDE AND HAPPINESS THAT I REALLY SEE YOU. AND THANK YOU, SHARON. IT WAS TRULY FITTING THAT YOU RECOGNIZED THESE STRONG, POWERFUL WOMEN. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, FOR ALLOWING ME TO DO THAT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU WANT TO WRAP UP BEFORE WE TURN IT OVER TO THE AMICI AND HAVE A PICTURE TAKEN? I THINK THE PROCLAMATION PRETTY MUCH SAID EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO, AND THEY ARE TRULY BELIEVE IN SISTERHOOD AND GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY AND SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY.

[00:10:09]

[VI.2. Eastern Star Proclamation ]

AND SO WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU. AND SO I HAVE A PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF THE ELECTED GRAND CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR. WHEREAS THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR IS A FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN AND MEN AFFILIATED WITH THE FAMILY OF FREEMASONRY WHO ARE COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING IMPLEMENTING INNOVATIVE IDEAS, FACILITATING POSITIVE CHANGE AND PLANNING IMPACTFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE. AND WHEREAS, THE ELECTED GRAND CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR SERVES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF GRAND MATRON AUDREY BATTLE AND IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OTHERS. AND WHEREAS THE MEMBERS OF THE ELECTED GRAND CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR GENEROUSLY GIVE THEIR TIME AND TALENTS TO HELP IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND THEIR ACTS OF KINDNESS, HELP BUILD A BETTER AND BRIGHTER FUTURE, AND REMIND US THAT WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER, HEALTHIER AND STRONG. AND WHEREAS, THE ELECTED GRAND CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR MEMBERS STRIVE TO BE EXAMPLES OF FIDELITY, CONSTANCY, LOYALTY, FAITH, AND LOVE AND WORK TOGETHER ON PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT MANKIND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF EAST POINT EXTENDS ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION TO THE ELECTED GRAND CHAPTER FOR THE COUNTLESS HOURS AND INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ITS MEMBERS THAT HELP TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF EAST POINT COMMUNITY EVENTS. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, DINA HOLIDAY INGRAM, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF EAST POINT, ALONG WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, DO HEREBY COMMEND THE MEMBERS OF THE ELECTED GRAND CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR FOR THEIR PROVEN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, DEDICATION TO POSITIVE CHANGE, AND CONTINUING TO REMAIN STEADFASTLY COMMITTED TO EMPOWER, UPLIFT AND SERVE IN THE CITY OF EAST POINT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. FOR WAS. IMPORTANT THAT HE ENDED UP GIVING YOU. CAN YOU TURN ON? SAID I. YEAH. OKAY.

[00:15:20]

OF. IT. YEAH.

THREE, TWO ONE. HOLD ON.

TO. DINA OVER HERE.

BUT NOT LIKE THIS. ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE ANY COMMITTEE REPORTS FROM ANYONE ON THE EITHER THE EAST COUNCIL HR COMMITTEE OR THE BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE? SEEING NONE. CAN WE GET ADOPTION

[VIII. ADOPTION OF THE COUNCIL AGENDA]

[IX. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES]

ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES WILL ALSO NEED MINUTES FROM THE WORK SESSION THIS PAST WEEK. BECAUSE WE TOOK SOME ACTION AT THE END OF THE MEETING. WE HAVE NO PUBLIC

[XII. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS]

ALRIGHT. NEXT ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. CAN I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS THREE THROUGH SEVEN. MADAM MAYOR. YES. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS THREE THROUGH SEVEN. SO MOVED.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL

[XIII.8. Council Discussion and Possible Action on the Legal Department Renovations]

[00:20:04]

I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE VENDOR. JOKE CONSTRUCTION FOR RENOVATIONS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. NOT TO EXCEED 83,000. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER ATKINS AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER SHROPSHIRE. YES. I JUST WANTED TO ASK. SO WITH THAT AND THE MOTION FOR NOT TO EXCEED 83,000, DO WE NEED TO TAKE ANY ACTION IN TERMS OF REPROGRAMING WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT, SINCE THIS BODY HAS ALREADY PASSED OR WE'RE GOOD WITH JUST DOING THE 83,000 NOT TO EXCEED? SO I'M GOING TO HAVE

[00:25:01]

ALL MY QUESTION WAS GOING TO BE WHEN THE MOTION WAS MADE, WAS THE ADDITION OF FUNDS INCLUDED.

AND I SEE THAT IT IS. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER MITCHELL REALLY QUICK, MR. SHANNON. SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE THE FUNDS THERE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT WITHOUT HAVING. I JUST WANTED TO VERIFY THAT BEFORE WE VOTED ON THIS. YES, SIR. SO WHEN IT COMES TO CAPITAL, YOU KNOW, THIS THIS IS THE PROCUREMENT OF THE ACTUAL ITEMS, RENOVATION. THE ACTUAL PROFESSIONAL WORK CAN COME FROM PROFESSIONAL FEES. SO THEY CAN TAKE THAT FROM THEIR OPERATIONS.

OKAY? OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION

[XIII.9. Council Discussion and Possible Action on the Facade Grant Program to be Funded by ARPA Funds in the Amount of $350,000]

SO, MR. ROGERS, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND GOOD EVENING, MAYOR.

COUNCIL. MR. ROGERS, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PER YOUR REQUEST FROM LAST MONDAY, I'VE PUT TOGETHER AND YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED OVER THE WEEKEND, SPECIFICALLY ON YESTERDAY, A FACADE GRANT PLAN AS WELL AS OVERVIEW AND DRAFT FORM. ADDITIONALLY, YOU WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR AN APPLICATION REGARDING THE PROGRAM ITSELF. I DON'T KNOW IF

[00:30:09]

I'M GOING TO JUMP DOWN A LITTLE BIT TO THE BOTTOM. THE PLAN WILL RUN FROM DECEMBER 18TH, 2024 TO FEBRUARY 17TH, 2025, WITH KEY MILESTONES INCLUDING THE LAUNCH OF THE AFOREMENTIONED MARKETING MATERIALS WITHIN THE PLAN ITSELF, SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.

THE PLAN WILL FOCUS ON LAST MINUTE REMINDERS AND URGENCY DRIVEN MESSAGING TO ENCOURAGE APPLICATIONS BEFORE THE DEADLINE. THE LAST PARAGRAPH THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE AN INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE FACADE GRANT PROGRAM ACROSS EAST POINT, A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PROPERTY OWNERS, AND STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN CITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES, FOSTERING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CIVIC PRIDE BY ENSURING BY BY COMBINING INNOVATIVE MARKETING, STRONG COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND STRATEGIC FOLLOW UPS, THIS PLAN WILL ENSURE THE FACADE GRANT PROGRAM IS ACCESSIBLE AND APPEALING TO ALL BUSINESSES PARTICIPANTS. SETTING THE STAGE FOR VISIBLE AND IMPACTFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN EAST POINT'S COMMERCIAL AREAS. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE. THIS IS BROKEN DOWN IN FOUR INTO FOUR PHASES. THERE ARE TWO IMPORTANT DATES THE START DATE, WHICH IS THAT OF DECEMBER 18TH, 2024 AND THE END DATE OF FEBRUARY 17TH, 2025. IT'S BROKEN OUT INTO FOUR PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE WOULD BE PREPARATION AND INITIAL OUTREACH, WHICH WOULD BEGIN TWO DAYS AFTER TODAY PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE PLAN, WHICH WOULD BE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8TH.

THAT'S WHERE WE WILL CONVENE INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS ALONG WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, THE CONTRACTED PR FIRMS KATHY WARREN LLC, DESIGN SHOW MARKETING AND THE IT DEPARTMENT WEB TEAM, AND PROBABLY ALSO INCLUDED WITH THAT GROUP WOULD BE THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT. WE WILL DISCUSS WHAT IS REALLY NEEDED FROM THE PLAN IN TERMS OF TAKING INITIAL ASSETS, OF ASSESSMENT OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THINGS THAT THE RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS MIGHT BE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW. SO WE WOULD PRIORITIZE THAT. AND THEN OF COURSE, IT GOES INTO SOCIAL MEDIA PLANNING DECEMBER 19TH THROUGH THE 20TH CITY WEBSITE UPDATE DECEMBER 26TH THROUGH THE 27TH OUTREACH DATABASE COMPILATION DECEMBER 30TH THROUGH JANUARY 8TH, 2025.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH BRIEFING JANUARY 8TH, 2025. AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE GET INTO THE PHASE TWO ACTIVE MARKETING AND OUTREACH JANUARY 6TH THROUGH JANUARY 10TH OF 2025. THAT INCLUDES SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN LAUNCH ON LAUNCH ON JANUARY 6TH THROUGH THE 10TH, AND THAT WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY. JANUARY 8TH. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PROGRAM. JANUARY 7TH POST TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT AWARDS. THIS WOULD REQUIRE A SHORT VIDEO CLIP FROM 2 OR 3 OF THE AWARDEES REGARDING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS. CONDUCT A CONDUCT A LIVE Q&A SESSION ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IN REAL TIME FLIGHT

[00:35:02]

[00:40:09]

SO I'LL LET HER TALK ABOUT THAT. ALL RIGHT. SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SOME FLEXIBILITY WITH OBLIGATING THE ARPA FUNDS. AND SO THERE'S AN ENTIRE RULE AND FACT SHEET THAT WAS ISSUED BACK IN MARCH, I THINK, 2023, THAT TALKS ABOUT HOW YOU CAN OBLIGATE THE FUNDS INTERAGENCY. I KNOW MISS JESSIE SAID INTERGOVERNMENTAL, BUT IT WOULD BE INTERAGENCY. SO WITHIN OUR CITY. AND SO THE MOU THAT ARE IN YOUR BOOK ARE GOING TO BE FINAL FORM THAT HAVE ALL OF THE NECESSARY PROVISIONS THAT WOULD MEET THAT FINAL RULE. AND SO I GOT AN A DRAFT FROM STAFF AND THEN REVIEWED IT, REVISED IT, SENT IT BACK OUT TO BE PUT IN THE AGENDA TO ENSURE IT MEETS THE RULE ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL REGISTER. MY FOLLOW UP QUESTION IS IN THE MOU, DOES IT HAVE DO WE HAVE TO HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF THE FUNDS PER AWARD OR JUST A GENERAL. NO, NO, THAT'S NOT NECESSARY. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN STILL DECIDE UPON.

CORRECT. THANK YOU. THAT'LL BE A PART OF THE PLAN OVERVIEW OR HOW YOU GUYS WANT TO SPLIT IT UP, BUT TO OBLIGATE THEM TO MEET THE 31ST DEADLINE, THE MOU IS SUFFICIENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. JUST REALLY QUICK. I KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MOU. THIS IS ON ITEM NUMBER 15 ON THE AGENDA, BUT I DID NOTICE I MIGHT BE GETTING AHEAD OF YOU GUYS. IT SAYS NOT TO EXCEED $600,000. AND SO I GUESS I'M ASSUMING WE FOUND FUNDS. ARE WE GOING TO GET INTO THE DETAILS LATER OKAY OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SHROPSHIRE. THANK YOU. MY QUESTION IS THIS IF WE DO THE MOU AND IT'S BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THEN WE DON'T NEED VIDA OR THE DDA TO BE PART OF IT. IT COULD JUST STAY IN-HOUSE. AND I THINK THAT'S THE CONVERSATION, THE PIECE THAT I DIDN'T HEAR. SO THE MOU WOULD BE BETWEEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WHAT ROLE WOULD YOU PLAY IN TAKING THE APPLICATIONS AND HOW WILL THAT HOW WOULD YOU DO ALL OF THAT? YES, MA'AM. SO WE WOULD WE WOULD FORM A TEAM AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE. WHO WOULD BE THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE WOULD BE MADE UP OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMEN, COMMUNICATIONS, LIKELY CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT. OKAY. IN-HOUSE. AND WE WOULD DISCUSS AS WELL.

NOW WE COULD ALSO ENGAGE OUR PR FIRMS IN THIS PROCESS AS WELL. OR WE COULD JUST UTILIZE THEIR SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO ALL OF THE DIGITAL MARKETING AND FLIER DESIGN ASPECTS OF THE PLAN ITSELF, BUT IT WOULD BE AN INTERNAL TEAM THAT WE WOULD FORMULATE. GETTING STARTED AS EARLY AS THE 18TH, JUST WITH THE INITIAL REVIEW AND OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN, PENDING THE APPROVAL.

SO THE TIMELINE WOULD BE THE 18TH OF JANUARY, THE KICKOFF, THE LAUNCH OF THE APPLICATION WOULD BE JANUARY 15TH, AND THE DEADLINE TO GET YOUR APPLICATION IN WOULD BE THE 14TH OF FEBRUARY. NOW, THAT MIGHT SOUND A LITTLE BIT AGGRESSIVE. WE CAN PUSH THAT. WE HAVE A LITTLE WIGGLE ROOM, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT ONCE THE PROCESS GOT STARTED, THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD START EARLY IN THE YEAR AND FINISH BY END OF THE YEAR. THERE MIGHT BE INSTANCES WHERE AS THERE IS A SIX MONTH TIME FRAME IN WHICH TO GET THE PROJECT BY EACH AWARDEE.

FOR EXAMPLE, FINISH WITHIN SIX MONTHS. THERE MAY BE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THEY ASK FOR

[00:45:02]

SO THE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE AWARDEES, THAT WOULD BE A CRAFTED BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SO THAT BECAUSE EVERYONE WITH RESPECT TO RECEIVING THE GRANT WOULD HAVE TO SIGN OFF AND BE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE RULES OF THE APPLICATION ITSELF AND THE OVERALL PROCESS RECEIVING THE MONEY, THE FUNDS, MAKING SURE THAT THE RECEIPTS WERE IN ORDER SO THAT FOR AUDITING PURPOSES, THE FUNDING IS ACCOUNTED FOR WHEN IT'S TIME TO REPORT.

COUNCIL MEMBER YES, THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. THIS IS A QUESTION OF MISS JESSIE, SO I DID, I BELIEVE I HEARD YOU SAY OR HEAR YOU SAY THAT DDA AND VIDA MET FOR. BECAUSE IF WE'RE TALKING IN-HOUSE, WHAT WOULD THEIR ROLE THEN BE? AND FOR THE FOR THEM TO HAVE A NEED TO MEET ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT OR THESE FUNDS, I'M GOING TO LET MACEIO ANSWER THAT. BUT WE WERE TRYING TO COVER THE BASES AS MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD SOMEONE IF THE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT DIDN'T MEET THE LEGAL MUSTER, THAT WE WOULD HAVE SOME OTHER AVENUE. WE DO NOT WANT TO SEND MONEY BACK.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. AND SO THERE'S A TIME CERTAIN THAT THE FUNDS HAVE TO BE SPENT. CORRECT, MISTER ROGERS? YES. SO OBLIGATION BY THE END OF THIS, THIS MONTH, AND THERE IS A TWO YEAR MAXIMUM TIME FRAME FOR THE FUNDS TO BE EXHAUSTED. AGAIN. WE WILL NOT WAIT FOR THAT AMOUNT OF TIME. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ALL OF THE AWARDEES, IF THEY ACCEPT THE GRANT TO GET THEIR PROJECT STARTED WITHIN 60 DAYS OF RECEIVING THEIR THEIR THEIR AWARD AND HAVE IT COMPLETE WITHIN A SIX MONTH TIME FRAME. WE DO KNOW THAT THERE MIGHT BE EXCEPTIONS TO THAT, BUT THEY WOULD REQUEST THAT IN WRITING WE WOULD REVIEW THAT AS AN EVALUATION COMMITTEE AND THEN, OF COURSE, VOTE TO RECEIVE OR TO APPROVE OF THE REQUESTED EXTENSION. OKAY. SO MY NEXT QUESTION THEN IS OF CAPACITY. AND SO YOU FEEL CERTAIN THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS WOULD COLLABORATIVELY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO ROLL THIS OUT, MEET ALL THE DEADLINES, AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO ENGAGE ANY OF OUR AUTHORITIES. SO WE WILL BE TALKING THIS THROUGH ON THURSDAY. AS YOU WELL KNOW, WE ARE WE ARE PRETTY THIN ACROSS THE BOARD FROM ALL DEPARTMENTS. RIGHT. THE INITIAL REQUEST WAS TO HAVE SOME BUILT IN AMOUNT OF

[00:50:05]

BUT IF NOT, THEN WE WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE AS BEST WE CAN. OKAY, BUT YOU WOULD LET THE BODY KNOW IF YOU'RE RUNNING INTO ISSUES WITH CAPACITY. YES. BECAUSE THIS, THIS WILL, THIS WILL BECOME A VERY LOUD AND CLEAR, I GUESS, DISCUSSION ON WEDNESDAY. I KNOW THAT THE TIMING IS KIND OF CRITICAL AS WELL. THIS IS GOING INTO HOLIDAY SEASON, AND I'M VERY AWARE THAT MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE ON VACATION, SUCH AS WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING IN MY DEPARTMENT, AND I KNOW THAT WOULD LIKELY BE THE CASE WITH OTHERS AS WELL. SO KEEPING THAT ALL IN MIND, THERE MAY BE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT I WILL HAVE TO COME BACK AND TWEAK WITH THIS PLAN JUST BECAUSE OF THE TIMING, BUT WE WILL GET IT DONE. IT MIGHT BE PULLING TEETH AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY STRETCHING IT, BUT WE WILL WE WILL GET IT DONE AS BEST WE CAN. IT'S JUST IT'S THE NATURE OF WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW. OKAY. THANK YOU. SO IS THE AMOUNT 350,000, 600,000 OR 950,000. IT'S 600,000. OKAY. SO IT WOULD INCREASE FROM 350 TO 600.

SO ONCE IF APPROVED TONIGHT, THEN THE OPTION OF STILL EXPLORING WORKING WITH DDA AND VIDA IS STILL AVAILABLE TO US. IT'S JUST NOT AN IMMEDIATE DECISION. IT HAS TO BE MADE.

YES, MA'AM. ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? GENERAL DISCUSSION ON THIS. WE WILL DEAL WITH THE MOU WHEN WE GET TO ITEM NUMBER 15. IF NOTHING ELSE ON THIS ONE, LET'S GO TO UNTIL ITEM 15. I

[XIII.10. P2024RZ-006-08 Rezoning Request for Property Located at 2928 Palm Drive from R1-A District to R-3 District (Public Hearing Held November 18, 2024)]

[00:55:07]

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. KIMBERLY SMITH, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, IN REFERENCE TO THIS ITEM, CASE NUMBER P2024 RC 008. IN REFERENCE TO CASE NUMBER P202400608, A REZONING REQUEST FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2928 PALM DRIVE TO REZONE THE PROPERTY FROM R1, A DISTRICT, TO R3 DISTRICT, IN REFERENCE TO THE WORK SESSION MEETING THAT WE HAVE AND THE DISCUSSION IN REFERENCE TO THE REZONING THE APPLICANT ACTUALLY SENT IN A REQUEST FOR A DEFERRAL. WE WANTED TO BRIEFLY JUST GO OVER THE CASE. WHILE WE DO NOT OBJECT TO THE DEFERRAL REQUEST, WE JUST WANTED TO GO OVER SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT WE DISCUSSED WITH THE APPLICANT ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. BUT A QUICK OVERVIEW. THE APPLICANT IS KEITH LOGAN. THE CURRENT ZONING IS R1, A, WHICH IS OUR URBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. AND AGAIN, THE APPLICANT IS SEEKING A REZONING FROM R1, A TO R3. THIS IS SOME OF THE PROPERTY INFORMATION IN REFERENCE TO THE CURRENT SITE. THE PROPERTY IS ABOUT 0.32 ACRES, 14,000FT■!S IN AREA. THEE ARE TWO PROPERTIES LOCATED ON SITE. ONE OF THE PROPERTIES WAS BUILT IN 1948, THE OTHER 1 IN 1955. THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE FIRST PROPERTY IS APPROXIMATELY 969FT■!S IN AREA, AND THE SECOND PROPERTY, THE SECOND PROPERTY ON SITE, IS ABOUT 750FT■!S IN AREA. THE CURRENT ZONING IS R1. A. IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ZONING MAP, YOU SEE THE HIGHLIGHTED SQUARE IN THE LIGHT BLUE. THAT'S THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. AND IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT IT, YOU SEE THAT IT'S ABOUT TWICE THE SIZE AS ITS SURROUNDING PROPERTIES. JUST WANT TO TAKE A NOTE OF THAT. THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION IS REDEVELOPMENT NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR TYPICAL ZONING DISTRICTS OF R1, A, R2, R2, AND R3, WHICH IS WHAT THE APPLICANT IS ASKING FOR. HOWEVER, PLANNING COMMISSION AND ZONING RECOMMENDED DENIAL OF THE R3 BECAUSE OF THE DENSITY, AND IT'S COMPLETELY OUT OF CHARACTER WITH WHAT TYPE OF LAND USES ARE CURRENTLY THERE, WHICH IS SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. WE DID MEET WITH THE APPLICANT WHILE THE APPLICANT WAS NOT AMENABLE TO R2. WHEN THEY INITIALLY SUBMITTED THE APPLICATION. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THEM ON FRIDAY, THEY ARE NOW AMENABLE TO R2, WHICH IS R2 FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION. IF YOU COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, I JUST WANT TO COMPARE QUICKLY. STAFF STILL RECOMMENDS DENIAL OF THE R3 MULTIFAMILY, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PROTECT FROM SPOT ZONING AND TO PRESERVE THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE PROPERTY. LIKE I SAID, IT'S TWICE THE SIZE AS THE SURROUNDING PROPERTIES, POTENTIALLY THE DENSITY COULD BE BUILT OUT TO 17.5 UNITS PER ACRE. SO WE WANT TO PROTECT AGAINST THAT. R2, HOWEVER, IS OUR TWO FAMILY DISTRICT. WHAT THIS WOULD DO IS PROVIDE FOR THE CURRENT SITE, AS IS. IT WOULD BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE TWO STRUCTURE. IT WOULD BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE R2 ZONING DISTRICT. IF THIS BODY WOULD LOOK AT R2 INSTEAD OF THE R3, IT ALSO WOULD BRING THE CURRENT STATUS INTO A NONCONFORMING STATUS. IT WOULD BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE. AS OF NOW, IT'S A LEGAL, NONCONFORMING PROPERTY WITH THE TWO PROPERTIES ON SITE UNDER THE R1, A AND THE R2 ZONING DISTRICT WOULD ALSO PROTECT AGAINST THE HIGHER DENSITY THAT WOULD BE ALLOWED BY R3. THE APPLICANT IS NOT HERE TONIGHT. WE DO NOT OBJECT TO DEFERRING THIS TO NEXT MONTH, BUT WE JUST WANTED TO GO OVER

[01:00:03]

SECOND UNIT IS TOO LARGE. IT'S OVER THE 50%. YES, MA'AM. COUNCIL. SHROPSHIRE. YES, THAT THAT WAS ALSO MY QUESTION. AND SO I DON'T WHAT WOULD WE GAIN IN A DEFERRAL. BECAUSE CLEARLY THE AMOUNT OF THE SQUARE FOOTAGE AS YOU JUST MENTIONED, IS OVER THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT TO QUALIFY. AND SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE GAIN FROM NOW TO THEN. SO THAT WAS MY QUESTION. THAT'S WHY I TURNED MY LIGHT OFF. COUNCIL MEMBER SHROPSHIRE THANK YOU. SO MY QUESTION IS THIS. HE HAS IT. SO THERE'S ANOTHER OPTION R2. YES THAT'S CORRECT OKAY. AND WHAT WOULD BE. SO BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR TONIGHT IS TO GRANT GRANT HIM THE DEFERRAL. DEFER. COUNCIL CAN TAKE ACTION ON IT THIS EVENING OR WE DON'T HAVE TO OR YOU DON'T HAVE TO. OKAY. OKAY. BECAUSE IF YOU VOTE THEN HE WILL HAVE TO WAIT. WHAT. TILL NEXT MONTH, SIX NEXT MONTH TO COME BACK OR IS IT 60 DAYS? NO. ACTION. OKAY. WELL LET HIM COME BACK NEXT MONTH. IF YOU WANT TO DEFER. I THINK ONE CHALLENGE, UNLESS IT'S JUST NOT ON THE ONLINE AGENDA, I DON'T SEE THE ORDINANCE FOR THE R2.

THAT'S CORRECT. IT'S NOT ON BECAUSE STAFF RECOMMENDED DENIAL. SO WE DID NOT PREPARE ON. THAT'S CORRECT. ON THE R IT'S NOT ON. WE DON'T BECAUSE THEY'RE RECOMMENDED DENIAL. WE DON'T HAVE AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE A R2. WE DON'T HAVE ANY TO MY I MEAN I DON'T SEE IT ONLINE. I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S JUST DIDN'T MAKE THE ATTACHMENTS BUT. ATTORNEY. SO JUST FOR CLARIFICATION. SO THE APPLICATION WAS FOR R3. THAT'S WHAT A PUBLIC HEARING WAS ON.

THE STAFF WAS GOING TO RECOMMEND DENIAL OF THE R3 AND EVALUATING THE APPLICATION. THEY MADE A DETERMINATION THAT A R2 WOULD FIT THE PROPERTY BETTER, WHICH WOULD STILL REQUIRE A REZONING BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S R1 A AND SO I'M NOT SURE IF THE PROPERTY OWNER KNOWS OR DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THE STAFF'S DESIRE TO POTENTIALLY SUGGEST THE R2. HE DOES KNOW, AND HE STILL ASKED FOR A DEFERRAL, AND HE STILL ASKED FOR THE DEFERRAL, KNOWING THAT YOU GUYS WOULD SUGGEST AN R2. YES. OKAY, SO THAT'S NOT THE REASON. IT COULD POSSIBLY BE, MADAM MAYOR, THAT HE MAY NOT WANT A R2, RIGHT. I, I JUST SO I THINK A DEFERRAL PROBABLY IS APPROPRIATE JUST BECAUSE HE'S

[01:05:04]

STILL A REZONING. IT'S WITHIN YOUR PURVIEW TO NOT GO WITH THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AND DO SOMETHING ELSE. BUT FOR 100% TRANSPARENCY, THEN IT MAY BE PRUDENT TO HAVE A NEW PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE R2 PROVIDED THE APPLICANT WANTS TO GO THAT ROUTE. WE DON'T KNOW BECAUSE HE'S NOT HERE TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT. AND SO AS OPPOSED TO JUST DENYING IT FLAT OUT, WHICH WOULD LEAVE HIM WITH A YEAR BEFORE HE COULD REAPPLY, NOT TAKE ACTION ON IT, ALLOW THERE TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD ON AN R2 WITH THE APPLICANT'S CONSENT, THAT THAT'S WHAT HE EVEN WANTS TO CHANGE HIS APPLICATION TO, SO APPLICATIONS CAN BE CHANGED.

EVEN AT THIS JUNCTURE, LIKE A NEW APPLICATION IS NOT REQUIRED. IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT DECISION. YES, I WOULD SAY THEY CAN. IT HASN'T BEEN A FINAL DECISION. I DON'T THINK IT'S A PROBLEM IF HE CHANGED IT. OTHERWISE WE WOULD NEED TO MAKE A DECISION AND THEN RIGHT. BUT THEN HE COULDN'T APPLY, RIGHT BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE DENIED IT. SO I THINK IT CAN BE CHANGED, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING. YES, I WOULD SAY FOR OUT OF. OBVIOUSLY THE TRANSPARENCY TO THE PUBLIC IS TO DO A PUBLIC HEARING SO THAT THE STAFF CAN PRESENT THE ARE TWO CONDITIONS, THE R2 ZONING AND WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE FOR THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. AND SO THAT WOULDN'T BE THE NEXT MEETING THEIR NOTICE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH. AND IT WOULD COME BACK AT WHATEVER APPROPRIATE LEGAL JUNCTURE AFTER LEGAL NOTICE. IT COULD POSSIBLY MAKE THE THIRD MEETING IN JANUARY, BECAUSE IT'S 15 TO 45 DAYS, DEPENDING ON WHEN WE CAN GET IT TO THE PUBLIC, I MEAN, TO THE PAPER. BUT TONIGHT WE COULD JUST AGREE TO IT. COUNCIL COULD DO A MOTION TO DEFER IT AND THEN THAT DETERMINE WHEN IT COMES BACK. OR DO WE NEED TO DEFER IT TO A DATE CERTAIN. DEFER TO A DATE CERTAIN? I GUESS I WOULD NEED TO ASK MISS SMITH, THOUGH, ABOUT RUNNING THE ADS TO HAVE ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING. COULD IT MAKE IT FOR JANUARY IF I IF WE ADVERTISE TOMORROW? AS A PUSH? AND THAT WOULD BE THAT WOULD BE FOR THE THIRD MONDAY. SO WHY DON'T WE PUT IT ON THE JANUARY WORK SESSION FOR AN UPDATE AND STATUS. AND YOU'LL TELL US WHEN THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE, IF IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE THIRD THURSDAY AND I MEAN THIRD MONDAY IN JANUARY OR THE FIRST MONDAY AND TUESDAY, LIKE, SO IT COULD BE DEFERRED TO A DAY. COME BACK TO US AT THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY OR A WORK SESSION, I GUESS MAYBE THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY IN CASE THE ACTION WANTS TO BE TAKEN, AND THEN YOU ALL CAN GIVE US AN UPDATE. AND IF IT IF THE NOTICE HAS BEEN PUBLICIZED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING, YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION AND WE'LL KNOW WHAT DATE IS COMING BACK BEFORE US. QUESTION. IF STAFF. MAKES A RECOMMENDATION FOR. R2 AND WE CREATE A ORDINANCE FOR R2. THIS IS A LEGAL QUESTION TONIGHT. NO, MA'AM. OH, CAN'T THE COUNCIL VOTE ON THAT WITHOUT IT BEING RE-ADVERTISED RECOMMENDATION? OKAY, I GUESS THE. YES, ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. I THINK THE CONCERN IS THE PUBLIC WAS NOT AWARE THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE AN ART TO THEY WERE AWARE ABOUT AN R3. SO YES, BUT THAT WAS WITH THEM GIVING THE I THOUGHT THEY WERE GIVING THE RECOMMENDATION TO DENY THE R3.

[01:10:05]

BUT YES, PLANNING AND ZONING IS GOING BACK IN PERSON FOR THEIR REGULAR MEETINGS, NOT THE WORK SESSIONS. SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ANY. C Z. I'M MEETINGS. NO, I'M NOT SURE. MAYBE. LET'S VERIFY.

ARE YOU SPEAKING OF THIS CASE? ARE YOU SPEAKING IN GENERAL? THIS CASE. BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE ZONING, THEN YOU WOULD GET TO HAVE THAT COMMUNICATION WHERE THE POSTCARDS ARE MAILED OUT TO THE RESIDENTS. SO IT WILL ONLY BE ONE PUBLIC HEARING. IT WOULDN'T BE THE CC. WHAT IS IT? OKAY, OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE DEFER THIS TO HAVE IT COME BACK TO WORK SESSION IN JANUARY. BUT STAFF WILL THEN GIVE US AN UPDATE ON WHETHER IT HAS BEEN ADVERTISED OR NOT. SECOND. MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER ATKINS NO, I'M FINE WITH THE DEFERRAL, BUT I MEAN, MY ONLY QUESTION WAS I KNOW THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COUNCIL HAVING THE ABILITY TO DOWN ZONE, BUT MADAM ATTORNEY, WOULDN'T THIS IF WE DID HAVE AN ORDINANCE FOR R2, WOULDN'T THAT BE AN UP ZONING.

SO IT REALLY WOULDN'T BE FROM R1 A TO R2. SO THAT'S REALLY AN UP ZONING. SO I THINK THAT IT IS SAFER TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS BECAUSE THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO WEIGH IN, I THINK. SO MY OTHER THING WAS IN THE EVENT THAT WE DECIDED TO ACT, BUT BECAUSE IT'S AN UP ZONING, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO. SO YOU'LL LET US KNOW THE PUBLIC HEARING DATE ON THE WORK SESSION, CORRECT? ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL THOSE. ANY OPPOSED? ONE. TWO. THREE. YEAH. WE STILL HAVE FIVE MOTION CARRIES. SO NEXT UP, ITEM NUMBER

[XIII.11. Council Approval of the JAG 2024 MOU in the Amount of $35,103]

MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, I'M ASKING OUR POLICE CHIEF, SEAN BUCHANAN AND SHANNON GOLDEN, TO COME UP AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I DO HAVE A QUESTION, MADAM MAYOR. I THINK WE. I THINK WE JUST MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT. YES. SHE MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE IT,

[01:15:12]

CORRECT. SO THANKS FOR THAT. STAFF DOESN'T HAVE TO PUT ITEMS ON THE WORK SESSION BEFORE IT COMES TO US. BUT THAT'S WHY I WANTED YOU TO SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC WHAT IT IS AND IT'S

[XIII.12. Council Discussion and Possible Action on MOU Regarding Obligation of SLFRF Funds (ARPA), Renovations for the Court Department, Not to Exceed $675,000]

MALCOLM MITCHELL IS THE COURT SERVICES MANAGER, COURT ADMINISTRATOR. COURT ADMINISTRATOR? YES, MA'AM. SO WE HAVE ABOUT $5.5 MILLION WORTH OF THESE MINERALS ON HERE TONIGHT.

THIS IS IF YOU ADD ALL OF THEM TOGETHER. ACTUALLY, I NEED TO TAKE OUT 350. SO 5.1. YES, MA'AM. SO ARE ALL OF THESE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS. IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING? YES, MA'AM.

ANY DISCUSSION OR ACTION FROM COUNCIL? OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER BUTLER THANK YOU. SO THIS IS THE MOU TO DO THE TO FOR US TO DO THE RENOVATIONS. A CONTRACTOR HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED YET.

CORRECT? TRUE. BUT THIS MOU GIVES US THE RIGHT TO OBLIGATE THE FUNDS TO DO THE RENOVATIONS AT A LATER TIME. HE CAN COME TO COUNCIL AND PROVIDE THAT CONTRACT AND ALL THOSE DETAILS AT A LATER DATE. BUT THIS OBLIGATES THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND THE COURT FOR THESE FUNDS. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER ASHTON. YEAH, THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. I JUST HEARD YOUR RESPONSE TO COUNCIL MEMBER BUTLER THAT A CONTRACTOR HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED, BUT IS ARE YOU ANTICIPATING ALSO PIGGYBACKING ON THE STATE CONTRACT TO GET THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE FOR THIS? YES. OKAY. THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT THE STATE CONTRACT TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT, JUST AS THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS USING, BECAUSE THEY REALIZE GREAT SAVINGS FROM THAT WHEN WE DO USE THE STATE CONTRACT. COUNCIL. I WAS JUST HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH MISS JESSIE. I HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION ON THAT. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO START TO BID MORE OF THESE PROJECTS OUT SO THAT WE CAN GET LOCAL VENDORS TO PARTICIPATE MORE IN THESE PROJECTS, AND THAT'S MY OPINION ABOUT ALL OF THIS MONEY THAT WE'RE SPENDING. SO THERE ARE TWO OPINIONS IS OPERATIONAL. THIS COUNCIL HAS A OPTION OF TAKING ACTION TO DECIDE WHICH WAY TO GO, OR IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPERATIONAL AND STATE PIGGYBACK CONTRACTS ARE SOMETHING THAT CITIES ACROSS THE STATE USE.

IT'S A PERMISSIBLE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. BUT THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE EXPRESSED TWO DIFFERENT OPINIONS, AND STAFF CAN'T OPERATE OFF THAT. THERE HASN'T

[01:20:01]

PRE-APPROVED A LIST OF VENDORS THAT YOU ALL CAN GO FOR. IS THAT HOW IT WORKS? SO WE WOULDN'T BE DOING ANOTHER SOLICITATION. WE'RE RELYING ON THE SOLICITATION AND LIST OF VENDORS THAT THE STATE HAS ALREADY DONE. OKAY. THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT A PIGGYBACK. OKAY. TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF THAT, I'M ASSUMING MADAM CITY ATTORNEY, WHAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, I KNOW YOU REALIZE SOME SAVINGS WAS THAT THROUGH THE PIGGYBACK OF THE STATE OF THAT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER ATKINS. YES. I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE, I KNOW THAT AS THE MAYOR HAS STATED, THERE ARE SORT OF TWO THOUGHTS HERE. I KNOW THAT COUNCILMAN BUTLER WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT, TO GO OUT TO BID TO MORE LOCAL VENDORS. THE REASON I WAS REQUESTING AND ASKING ABOUT THE PIGGYBACK IS REALLY FOR THAT VERY REASON, AS HOW THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS REALIZED SUCH GREAT SAVINGS. I JUST WOULD LIKE FOR US TO BE VERY PRUDENT STEWARDS OF THE TAX DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE. WHILE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BUSINESSES IN EAST POINT THRIVE, BUT IF THEY'RE QUOTE IS GOING TO BE QUITE HIGHER THAN WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO REALIZE FROM THE STATE, THAT GIVES US MORE DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO USE FOR OTHER PROJECTS WITHIN THE CITY, FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR OPERATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE GREATER SERVICES OR EVEN OTHER RENOVATIONS THAT WE MAY NEED TO DO HERE AT OUR CITY GOVERNMENT. UNDERSTOOD. AND JUST INEXPERIENCED. GENERALLY, LOCAL CONTRACTORS WERE MORE MORE EXPENSIVE JUST FROM EXPERIENCE GENERAL CONTRACTORS AND LOOKING AT DOING THIS. PREVIOUSLY GENERAL CONTRACTORS WERE OF COURSE MORE EXPENSIVE LOCAL SMALLER BUSINESSES YOU KNOW, SO THEY'RE GENERALLY MORE EXPENSIVE. AND WITH THE STATE CONTRACT, THE STATE REP ACTUALLY COMES OUT WITH THE CONTRACT COMPANY AND THE INITIAL VISIT.

THEY MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE SAME PICTURE AND MAKE SURE IT'S COMPETITIVE.

COUNCIL MEMBER SHROPSHIRE THANK YOU. SO WHAT WE WHAT YOU ALL ARE HERE FOR IS JUST THE MOU TONIGHT, CORRECT? YES, MA'AM. OKAY. SO. HERE'S MY THOUGHT. I MEAN, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PIGGYBACK. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES IT ALL THE TIME. THEY CAN LOOK AT BOTH OPTIONS TO SEE WHAT WORKS BEST FOR THE CITY OR WHAT, WHAT WORK BEST, OR WHO'S GOING TO DO TO WHO'S GOING TO PROVIDE THE BETTER SERVICE. WE CAN TAKE THIS BUILDING. WE THERE THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THIS BUILDING IN THEIR PROBLEMS. SO FOR ME, IT'S WHAT WORKS BEST FOR THAT DEPARTMENT. IF YOU SEE THAT IS FEASIBLE TO PIGGYBACK. AND THAT VENDOR HAS DONE GREAT WORK WITH NO COMPLAINTS, THEN FINE.

BUT IF YOU SEE THAT THERE IS A LOCAL MINORITY VENDOR HERE IN THE CITY THAT CAN PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICE FOR THE SAME AMOUNT, THEN YOU GO WITH THAT. BUT LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, THAT'S OPERATIONAL AND YOU DO WANT TO GIVE EVERYBODY A CHANCE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. AND WE TALK ABOUT MATTER OF FACT, WE HAVE A LOCAL LOCAL VENDORS. PREFERENCE ORDINANCE. SO THAT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK INTO AS WELL, BECAUSE WE DO NEED TO START UTILIZING WHAT WE HAVE, I THINK, WHICH WILL BE BETTER FOR THE CITY. BUT I THINK RIGHT NOW WE'RE WE'RE HERE FOR THE MOU. AND SO THAT'S MY STANCE. COUNCILMAN. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. THANK YOU.

COUNCILMEMBER SHROPSHIRE. I AGREE WE'RE HERE TO VOTE ON THE MOU. THE FACT IS, YOU DON'T KNOW WHO'S GOING TO BE CHEAP UNTIL YOU PUT OUT A BID. SO. SO AGAIN, I THINK IF Y'ALL WANT TO HAVE A

[01:25:01]

[XIII.13. Council Discussion and Possible Action on MOU Regarding Obligation of SLFRF Funds (ARPA), E-911 Center Equipment/Enhancement & Prisoner Transport for the Police Department, Not to Exceed $495,000.]

SECOND. SECOND. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. THE FLOOR IS OPEN, MISS JESSIE. MADAM MAYOR, CHIEF OF POLICE. BUCHANAN AND SHANNON GOLDEN ARE HERE TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM. JUST REAL QUICK. OUR POLICE VAN THAT WE TRANSPORT INMATES TO FULTON COUNTY. BACK AND FORTH. IT'S BEEN DOWN FOR A YEAR, SO WE NEED A VAN. WE'VE ALREADY GOT THE PRICE FOR IT IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATIONS. NOW, IN ONE CENTER. IS THIS THE 911 CENTER? YEAH. YES. SO FOR OUR 911 CENTER, WE HAD TO HAVE NEW CONSOLES. WE ALREADY GOT THE PRICING. SO IT'LL BE WAY UNDER 400,000 I THINK TOTAL IS 275 TWO FOR THAT. AND THE EVIDENCE ROOM. YES. SO IT'S STILL UNDER THE 495. ALL RIGHT. SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS ANY ACTION. COUNCIL MEMBER. MADAM MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 13. SECOND AND MOVED IN PROPERLY. SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

[XIII.14. Council Discussion and Possible Action on MOU Regarding Obligation of SLFRF Funds (ARPA), Fire Equipment and Fire Station #5 Renovation for the Fire Department, Not to Exceed $1,298,193]

[01:30:04]

MADAM MAYOR, WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM FINANCE AND FIRE TO TALK ABOUT THIS ITEM.

OKAY. IN REGARDS TO THIS ITEM, THIS IS FOR FIRE STATION NUMBER FIVE, THE RENOVATION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT ALSO INCLUDES FIRE EQUIPMENT THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZED THAT THEY NEED IN THE FIRE STATION. SO TOTAL OF THIS FUNDING REQUEST WAS 1.2 MILLION. COUNCIL MEMBER.

SHROPSHIRE. QUESTION. I'M SORRY, MISS JESSIE. ARE YOU STILL THERE? OKAY. QUESTION. FIRE STATION NUMBER FIVE IS ON WASHINGTON ROAD. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION OR ACTION? COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN ROGERS? YES. I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. AN MOU REGARDING OBLIGATION OF SL F R F FUNDS, ARPA FIRE EQUIPMENT, AND FIRE STATION NUMBER FIVE RENOVATION FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOT TO EXCEED. $1,298,193. SECOND. ALL RIGHT. MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. NEXT UP IS ITEM NUMBER 16. MOTION TO OPEN THE FLOOR FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION. I MEAN, I'M SORRY, I'M LOOKING AT 15. I HAVEN'T EVEN TURNED THE PAGE TO

[XIII.15. Council Discussion and Possible Action on MOU Regarding Obligation of SLFRF Funds (ARPA), Facade Program for the Economic & Development Department, Not to Exceed $600,0000]

WHERE DID THE EXTRA 250 COME FROM? SO WHEN WE IT'S JUST A BACKGROUND ON IT. WITH THE ARPA FUNDS, WE HAD 13.1 MILLION TWO TRANCHES OF 6.5 MILLION APIECE. YOU KNOW, WHEN WE EXPEND THESE FUNDS, WE BUDGETED EVERY YEAR. SO WHAT HAPPENS SOMETIMES IS YOU HAVE A LITTLE LAG THERE WHEN WE REPORT VERSUS WHEN WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, ACCOUNT FOR IT. SO THERE'S A LAG THERE. SO WE WERE ABLE TO FIND THE FUNDS AVAILABLE. THAT MAKES UP THAT 5.1 5.1 MILLION. SO TWO POINT I'M SORRY 250,000. IN ADDITION ADDITIONAL FUNDS, WE HAD ADDITIONAL FUNDS AVAILABLE. SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ENCOMPASSED AND OBLIGATE EVERYTHING. SO YOU'LL SEE 250

[01:35:01]

AND THOSE ENCOMPASS ALL ARPA FUNDS THAT WERE PROVIDED TO THE CITY OF EASTPOINTE. OKAY. GREAT JOB. I THINK THAT WILL BE HELPFUL. SO THANK YOU GUYS. YOU'RE WELCOME. ANY FURTHER QUESTION, DISCUSSION OR ACTION? ON. THIS? COUNCIL MEMBER MARTIN. THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MOU REGARDING OBLIGATION OF ESL F R F FUNDS FOR THE FACADE PROGRAM FOR THE ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT NOT TO EXCEED $600,000. SECOND, FOR DISCUSSION, I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. PROPERLY SECONDED DISCUSSION. COUNCILMEMBER SHROPSHIRE. SO ONCE WE APPROVE THIS, MISTER ROGERS, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO BRING BACK. THE HOW IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE WARDS. WELL, WE CAN BE PREPARED, COUNCILWOMAN, TO BRING THIS BACK ON JANUARY 6TH. OKAY. AND YOU HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT GOES TO EACH WARD. YES. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. COUNCIL MEMBER. YES, MADAM MAYOR. AND WE DON'T DECIDE THIS TONIGHT. BUT THIS IS FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO THE WE. WE ARE ALREADY DOING STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS IN DOWNTOWN, SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER TOO, AS WE DECIDE HOW WE DIVVY UP THESE FUNDS. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD POINT. AND WE HAVE T-SPLOST, LMG AND OTHER GRANT FUNDS THROUGHOUT THE CITY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS OR REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS. SO WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT CITYWIDE. AND AGAIN, EAST POINT, I MEAN, DOWNTOWN BELONGS TO ALL OF US. EVERY RESIDENT OF ALL WARDS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN TO ENSURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS HAVE A PLACE AND SPACE TO GATHER AND ENJOY QUALITY OF LIFE, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS AND LIVE AND ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS WITHIN OUR CITY WITHOUT HAVING TO TRAVEL. AND SO IT'S NOT JUST DOWNTOWN WHERE THOSE INVESTMENTS ARE BEING MADE. THEY'RE BEING MADE THROUGHOUT THE CITY. AND SO I THINK WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT ALL OF IT HOLISTICALLY AND UNDERSTAND THAT DOWNTOWN BELONGS TO ALL OF US.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, ALL THOSE OPPOSED, MOTION

[XIII.16. Council Discussion and Possible Action on MOU Regarding Obligation of SLFRF Funds (ARPA), Playground Equipment and Park Improvements for the Parks & Recreation Department, Not to Exceed $1,510,000]

SO LAURA CAN TALK ABOUT THE DETAILS OF IT, BUT IT IS 1.5 MILLION. 1.3 MILLION OF IT IS FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND 115 IS FOR VEHICLES. ALRIGHT. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. AS SHANNON JUST MENTIONED, WE'VE BEEN GOING REALLY HARD SINCE THE NEW BUDGET. ALTHOUGH IT'S 1.5 MILLION, WE HAVE ABOUT $900,000 OF THESE FUNDS ALREADY WITH CONTRACTS AND WORKING. WE HAVE LIKE ANOTHER $650,000 ROUGHLY TO DISPERSE OUT. AS MISS SHROPSHIRE SAID EARLIER ABOUT MAKING IT EQUITABLE THROUGHOUT THE CITY. WHAT WE'VE DONE SO FAR, WE'VE PURCHASED VEHICLES. WE'VE GOT IT'S ABOUT A 14 WEEK ORDER ON THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR ADA ACCESSIBLE EQUIPMENT THAT WE'VE ALREADY PURCHASED. THE REMAINING FUNDS THAT WE HAVE, WE'LL BE DOING SOME THINGS OVER IN WARD

[01:40:03]

COUNCIL MEMBER SHROPSHIRE, THANK YOU. AND MY QUESTION WAS GOING TO BE WHAT PARKS ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THE IMPROVEMENT? AND THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR? SO AS OF DECEMBER, NOVEMBER 18TH, WE DID NEW PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS IN ALL CITY PARKS. THAT WAS THE ADA ACCESSIBLE EQUIPMENT THAT WE ADDED. THAT WAS ALREADY APPROVED ON A PREVIOUS AGENDA. WE'VE BEEN DOING WORK OVER AT BROOKDALE WITH THE DEMOLITION, DEMOLISHING THE BATHROOM, BUT WE'VE PRETTY MUCH TOUCHED EVERY PARK. THE REMAINING FUNDS THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE WILL BE TO START ENGINEERING DESIGN WORK FOR COMMERCE PARK, WHICH IS A GREEN SPACE THAT'S UNDEVELOPED, AND WARD D RANCH AND PARK. WE'LL BE DOING A NEW PLAYGROUND AND A COMPLETE NEW RENOVATION. WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT SITES PARK. THE PAVILIONS DOWN IN THE LOWER BOWL HAVE A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF GRAFFITI AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. WE'LL BE REFRESHING THOSE SPACES AS WELL. SO WHAT DID YOU DO FOR CENTER PARK AND SUMNER PARK? YEAH, SO WE'RE CENTER PARK. WE'LL BE PUTTING THAT SOLICITATION OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. I HAVE THE CONSTRUCTION DOCS FOR THAT. WE'VE ALREADY PURCHASED THE PLAYGROUND IN THE PREVIOUS AGENDA, BUT WE ALREADY HAVE THE CONSTRUCTION DOCKS. OUR PROCUREMENT WANTED TO PUT OUT SOLICITATIONS AT THE TOP OF THE YEAR, SO WE CAN GET MULTIPLE VENDORS TO BID ON IT. AS FAR AS SOME OF THE PARK GOES, WE'VE ALREADY APPROVED THROUGH COUNCIL THE STAIRCASE THAT WAS DAMAGED. THEY'RE CURRENTLY CLEANING UP GRAYSON, AND WE'LL BE LOOKING TO DO SOME ADDITIONS TO THE PLAYGROUND OVER THERE AS WELL. SO THE THERE HAS BEEN NO EQUIPMENT ADDED TO SUMNER PARK, NO PLAYGROUND YET. IT'S A 14 WEEK ORDER ON THAT. SO DECEMBER 18TH YOU ALL APPROVE FOR THE CITY PLAYGROUNDS, BUT IT TAKES 14 WEEKS FOR THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT TO COME. OKAY. BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS HEARING AND I KNOW ALL THE PARKS BELONG TO EVERYBODY. BUT I'M ALWAYS HEARING ABOUT THE PARKS BEING RENOVATED IN WARD B, AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE WAR A, WAR C AND WARD D GO LACKING. SO I WANTED TO KNOW. I MEAN, I CAN GIVE YOU EQUIPMENT. YEAH, I CAN GIVE YOU A LIST OF ALL OF THE PARKS, BUT WE PRETTY MUCH RENOVATED OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS. ALL THE PARKS BETWEEN A, B AND C WARD D, WE HAVE TO DO CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT FOR THAT LAND. SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON MOVING INTO EARLY 2025. BUT SEE, WHEN YOU SAY RENOVATED I'M THINKING THAT YOU'VE INSTALLED NEW EQUIPMENT FOR THE PLAYGROUND. YOU FIXED THE, THE GRILLS OR REPLACED THE BARBECUE GRILLS. YOU FIXED THE PAVILION.

THEN THERE'S THE PAVILION AROUND THE ROSE GARDEN THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. AND SO WHEN I'M WHEN I HEAR YOU SAY RENOVATE, I'M THINKING YOU'VE MADE THOSE RENOVATIONS. WELL, I MEAN, WE CAN ACTUALLY GO BY THE PARK, AND I CAN KIND OF TELL YOU WHAT WE'VE DONE. WE'VE COMPLETELY RENOVATED EGAN PARK. WE COMPLETELY RENOVATED COLONIAL. SUMNER PARK IS. THAT'S THE SPECIFIC QUESTION WE'VE DONE. THE DOG PARK, THE TENNIS COURT. WE'RE REPAIRING THE STAIRS. WE GOT NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT COMING, AND WE'RE CURRENTLY CLEANING UP GRAYSON. ARE YOU OKAY? MADAM? JESSIE, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE? NO PROBLEM. COUNCIL MEMBER. JACOB. YES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. AND I LOVE THAT WE'RE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY IN OUR PARKS. I DO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE TEN YEAR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FROM THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT. WHERE ARE WE ON THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. SO I MET WITH THEM ON LAST WEEK. WE WERE WAITING FOR THE LAST CHAIR TO BE FILLED. YOU ALL WERE RECEIVING EMAILS FROM FORESITE GROUP IN THE COMING WEEKS ON SURVEYS FOR THINGS THAT YOU ALL WANT TO SEE AND OTHER KEY CONSTITUENTS. AND THEN AFTER WE GET THOSE SURVEYS BACK, WE'LL BE DOING WARD MEETINGS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THEIR WARDS AS IT PERTAINS TO PARKS AND GREEN SPACES. I HAVEN'T TOUCHED IT. SO GET A HOLD OF US. YEAH, I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. BUT YEAH. SO YOU ALL WILL BE RECEIVING EMAILS VERY SHORTLY. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALRIGHT. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTIN. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I JUST WANT YOU TO ELABORATE A LITTLE MORE ON THAT SOUTH COMMERCE DRIVE GREEN SPACE AND THEN THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. I BELIEVE COUNCIL MEMBER SHROPSHIRE MENTIONED THIS EARLY ON ARE SOME OF THOSE IS SOME OF THAT PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND PARK IMPROVEMENTS BENEFICIAL TO THE SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION?

[01:45:08]

OTHER DEPARTMENTS ACTUALLY USE OUR VEHICLES. SO NOW WE HAVE A FOURTH SPRINTER VAN. THOSE HAVE ALREADY BEEN PURCHASED AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY ON SITE NOW AS FAR AS CENTER PARK GOES.

SPECIFICALLY, IT WAS APPROVED ON DECEMBER 18TH FOR A NEW PLAYGROUND. AND ON EARLY JANUARY, WE'LL BE PUTTING OUT THE SOLICITATION FOR THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION WORK TO ELECT AN ACTUAL VENDOR TO DO THE CONSTRUCTION. SO WHAT WE ALREADY PURCHASED IS THE ACTUAL PLAYGROUND. WE PURCHASED ALL THE PARK AMENITIES. NOW IT'S TIME TO DO THE TEAR OUT AND GET A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY TO COME IN TO DO THE NEW DESIGN. SO THAT'S GOING OUT FOR SOLICITATION IN JANUARY. SO LET ME ASK YOU THIS BECAUSE YOU TALKED ABOUT THE TEN YEAR COMP PLAN. YES. AND YOU SAID THAT THAT WOULD BE THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE RESIDENTS TO GIVE INPUT ON WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE IN THE PARKS. YES. SO DO YOU THINK THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD THAT, THAT MEETING BEFORE NOW? BECAUSE THEY MIGHT WANT TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. AND YOU'RE PUTTING THE STUFF IN THE PARK, WHICH MEANS THAT YOU WILL EITHER ADD OR TAKE OUT. CORRECT. SO I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT. SO THE THOUGHT PROCESS WAS WE HAD A LOT OF STRUCTURAL THINGS THAT WERE WRONG. THAT REALLY WASN'T UP FOR AN OPINION PER SE. IT'S LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE BATHROOMS AT BROOKDALE, THOSE BATHROOMS ARE PROBABLY 25, 30 YEARS OLD. THE STAIRWELL IS SOME IN THE PARK. IT WAS BECOMING A HAZARD. THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, A LOT OF OUR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED 20 TO 25 YEARS FROM NOW. SO A LOT OF THE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE COME FOR THINGS THAT WERE BROKEN OR NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY OR NOT ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. SO WE HAVEN'T MADE ANY STRUCTURAL CHANGES PER SE. MOST OF THE PURCHASES SO FAR HAVE BEEN TO MAKE THINGS ACCESSIBLE AND TO DEMOLISH STUFF THAT'S OLD, OR CERTAIN THINGS THAT WERE PARTICULAR HAZARDS. SO IT'S STILL ENOUGH ROOM IN THE TEN YEAR MASTER PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENT, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF UNDEVELOPED GREEN SPACES THAT WE HAVE NOT DONE SOMETHING WITH. SO THEN YOU'RE GOING TO SO THEN THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS TO MAKE THE PARKS BIGGER THAN WHAT THEY ARE, NOT. THE AMOUNT OF LAND WE HAVE IS

[01:50:03]

[XIII.17. Council Discussion and Possible Action on MOU Regarding Obligation of SLFRF Funds (ARPA), No-Cost Minor Home Repair Seniors & Veterans Program and Human Services Program for the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Empowerment Department, Not to Exceed $566,889]

YOU ALL KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A VERY ACTIVE TEAM FOR RESPONDING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED, AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE OTHER EMERGENCIES THAT MAY HAVE TO MOVE FROM THEIR CURRENT PLACE OF RESIDENCE, AND THEY END UP HAVING TO BUY THINGS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS. SO WE WERE ABLE TO ALLOCATE SOME DOLLARS FOR THAT. ALL RIGHT. IN REGARDS TO THIS MOU FOR THE NO COST HOME MINOR REPAIR THAT WAS ALREADY ALLOCATED FOR 350,000, THE REMAINING FUNDS WERE ALLOCATED TO HUMAN SERVICES FOR TWO, I THINK $266,889. I HAVE MR. WHITFIELD HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE HOME REPAIR. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO THAT, I'M SORRY. HOW MUCH FOR THE HOME REPAIR? HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL FOR THE HOME REPAIR WAS? IT'S AT A FLAT 350. SAME. IT'S THE SAME AS IT WAS. IT DIDN'T CHANGE. OKAY. SO WE DON'T HAVE QUESTIONS ON THAT. WHAT'S THE OTHER PART? I MEAN, COUNCILMAN MARK ROGERS OKAY. THE NEXT ONE THE NEXT ONE WAS HUMAN SERVICES. WE ALLOCATED 266,002 16 I'M SORRY. 216 EIGHT 8889 FOR TO HELP WITH HOMELESSNESS. COUNCIL MEMBER BUTLER. I DO. COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO US THAT I GUESS IT'S A TRICKY SITUATION BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO

[01:55:09]

WITH HUMAN SERVICES LIKE INTERIM CITY MANAGER MISS JESSIE INDICATED THEY'VE BEEN BUSY TRYING TO HELP THE INDIGENT. AND I HAVE SHANNON HERE THAT CAN SPEAK IN REGARDS TO THE OPERATIONS OF THAT. MADAM MAYOR COUNCIL. OKAY, SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE USING THE FUNDS TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE. BUT NOT ONLY THAT, IT'S FOR EMERGENCY SHELTERS. AND ALSO WE ARE NOW TRYING TO TARGET THE SENIORS AND THE VETERANS THAT HAVE BEEN DISPLACED AS WELL. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER ROGERS. I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MOU REGARDING THE OBLIGATION OF THE S L F R F FUNDS, NO COST MINOR HOME REPAIR, SENIORS AND VETERANS PROGRAM IN HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM FOR THE OFFICE OF EQUITY, INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT NOT TO EXCEED $566,889. SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. WE

[XIII.18. Local Food Ecosystem]

THIS IS FOR A POSITION SCOPE UPDATE. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTIN ROGERS. YES, MADAM MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE LOCAL FOOD ECOSYSTEM.

CODE. IS THERE A SECOND? IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. SO EVERYBODY HAS TO SAY IT'S ONLY FIVE OF Y'ALL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES, MISS JESSIE. MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, YOU ALL ASKED ME TO BRING BACK OR TO SEND YOU A PROPOSED SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE URBAN AGRICULTURE CONSULTING SERVICES. I SENT THAT OUT LAST WEEK. ON THURSDAY, AND I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY COMMENTS BACK FROM ANYONE. BUT I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE QUESTIONS TONIGHT. AND MISS JESSIE, IF YOU CAN KIND OF JUST WALK US THROUGH A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE AND THEN YOUR PLAN AS TO WHEN YOU WILL RELEASE THE SOLICITATION, BECAUSE I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT THE CONSULTANT. YES, MA'AM. SO THIS SCOPE OF WORK WILL BE A PART OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR AN URBAN AGRICULTURAL CONSULTING SERVICES VENDOR. AND BASICALLY WHAT I DID IS TO GO THROUGH THE CITY'S CITY OF EAST POINT AGRICULTURE PLAN THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED BY THE LOCAL FOOD ECOSYSTEM COMMISSION, ALONG WITH SOME OTHER PARTNERS. THE. USDA, THE ATLANTA REGIONAL COMMISSION, FOOD WELL ALLIANCE AND SOME OTHER GROUPS. I TOOK THAT AND GROUPED THIS INTO THE OBJECTIVES THAT WE WOULD WANT THE CONSULTANT TO ACHIEVE FOR US, OR AT LEAST START SOME ADDITIONAL WORK. SO THE PRIORITIES WOULD BE TO IMPROVE THE EQUITABLE LOCAL FOOD ACCESS, SUPPORT LOCAL URBAN GROWERS, ESTABLISH THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW ACTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE IN THIS ENDEAVOR, AND CULTIVATE ENVIRONMENTALLY RESILIENT PRACTICES TO REALLY PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AND ECO FRIENDLY AGRICULTURE METHODS, AND TO LOOK AT BRANDING EAST POINT AS A LOCAL FOOD DESTINATION. AND THAT WOULD ENTAIL DEVELOPING INITIATIVES THAT SHOWCASE EAST POINT AS A HUB FOR INNOVATIVE

[02:00:06]

[XIII.19. Fulton County's Continuum of Care 2024 Point in Time Count]

ITEM NUMBER 19, COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN ROGERS. YES, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO OPEN THE FLOOR FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON FULTON COUNTY'S CONTINUUM OF CARE. 2024 POINT IN TIME COUNT. SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. SO. AND SPEAKING WITH FULTON COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING WHO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTINUUM OF CARE POINT IN TIME COUNT. THEY WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO BE. THEY WOULD LIKE TO USE OUR ANNEX ANNUALLY, AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE AT LEAST A RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL. AND SO I THINK IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, SO THEY CAN START PLANNING FOR JANUARY 2025, I'D ASK THAT COUNCIL APPROVE PARTNERING WITH THE FULTON COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR 2024. POINT IN TIME COUNT TO ALLOW THE COUNTY TO UTILIZE THE CITY ANNEX FOR THAT COUNT. AND THEN WE COULD BRING BACK SOME TIME IN MARCH OR RESOLUTION FOR COUNCIL TO CONSIDER TO FOR THIS TO BE AN ANNUAL COMMITMENT BETWEEN AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. AND THE POINT IN TIME COUNT IS AGAIN THE FEDERALLY REQUIRED COUNT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITHIN THE COUNTY. AND FOR THE LAST 2 OR 3 YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS UTILIZED THE CITY ANNEX AS THE LOCATION FOR THEIR COUNT IN SOUTH FULTON COUNTY FOR LIKE TRAINING, AS WELL AS FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND EVERYBODY TO MEET UP ON THE ACTUAL NIGHT OF THE

[02:05:06]

ALL RIGHT. A MOTION TO APPROVE FULTON COUNTY'S CONTINUUM OF CARE, 2024. UTILIZING THE CITY'S ANNEX. SO I THINK HERE'S THE CONFUSION. THE EVENT HAPPENS IN 2025, BUT I THINK IT'S THE COUNT FOR THE 2024. SO LET'S JUST SAY THE A MOTION TO APPROVE FULTON COUNTY'S USE OF THE CITY ANNEX FOR THE CONTINUUM OF CARE POINT IN TIME COUNT IN JANUARY 2020. SO MOVED, SO MOVED. IT'S BEEN MOVED. AND IS THERE A SECOND SECOND? IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES THE LAST ITEM. CAN WE

[XIII.20. 100 Black Men of South Metro, Inc. Rites of Passage Academy]

YES, COUNCILMEMBER. SURE. I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE OPEN THE FLOOR AND POSSIBLE ACTION FOR 100 BLACK MEN OF SOUTH METRO. RITES OF PASSAGE. ACADEMY PASSAGE. OKAY, SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. SO AT OUR WORK SESSION LAST WEEK, WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 100 BLACK MEN OF SOUTH METRO PRESENT AND SHARE INFORMATION WITH US ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF PASSAGE. LEADERSHIP ACADEMY THAT SERVES CITY OF EAST POINT YOUTH, BUT ALSO YOUTH IN THE METRO AREA. AND SINCE THEN, OUR CITY ATTORNEY HAS SPOKEN WITH THEM. AND SO I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO HER TO GO OVER THE DRAFT MOU THAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH US. YES, MA'AM. SO YOU GOT PASSED OUT. THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. A COPY OF THE MOU. SO IN THE WHEREAS CLAUSE, WE MADE SURE TO INCLUDE THE PURPOSE OF THE USE OF OUR CITY FACILITIES, THAT IT DOES BENEFIT EAST POINT RESIDENTS, THE YOUTH RESIDENTS, THAT IS THE FIRST SECTION WILL DESCRIBE JUST THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES. WE WILL BE SURE TO HAVE A WAIVER OF LIABILITY SIGNED BY THEM PRIOR TO THEM OCCUPYING FOR INDEMNIFICATION PURPOSES. IF THERE'S ANYTHING WITH REGARD TO NEGLIGENCE OF OUR UPKEEP OF THE BUILDING, THAT OBVIOUSLY WOULD NOT BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. AND THEN THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT, IT'S ONE YEAR WITH SUCCESSIVE RENEWALS UNTIL EITHER PARTY TERMINATES.

AND YOU'LL SEE THE REST OF THAT IS PRETTY SELF-EXPLANATORY. COUNCIL MEMBER ATKINS. YES.

THANK YOU, MADAM ATTORNEY. I KNOW YOU JUST SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE UPKEEP OF THE BUILDING WOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY. IS THERE SOMETHING THAT IS COVERED IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING? THAT WOULD BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY ABOVE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROTECTING OUR ASSET AS WELL. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THE WAIVER, THE WAIVER THAT WE REQUIRE, ANY RENTER WHEN THEY USE OUR FACILITIES WOULD BE EXECUTED. AND IT HAS THAT LANGUAGE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, QUESTIONS OR ACTION? COUNCILWOMAN MARTIN ROGERS, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROV.

100 BLACK MEN OF SOUTH METRO INCORPORATED. RITES OF PASSAGE ACADEMY. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ANY COMMENTS FROM

[XIV. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL]

[02:10:06]

SO AS MY LAST MESSAGE OF THE YEAR, I WANT TO SAY I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. AND I WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR. COUNCIL MEMBER. ATKINS.

YES, THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE CITY THAT HAVE ASSISTED IN MY ONBOARDING. AS YOU ALL KNOW, I'M JUST NEWLY SWORN IN JUST LAST WEEK, AND I THANK ALL OF THE MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR WARM WELCOME. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK OF OUR CITIZENS AS WE MOVE THE CITY FORWARD.

THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SHROPSHIRE. THANK YOU. FIRST I WANT TO SAY CALLING ALL DIVINE NINE, ALL RESIDENTS AND ALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS. WE ARE DOING A HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE THAT'S GOING ON NOW UP UNTIL FRIDAY. YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS AT ANY FIRE STATION IN THE CITY OF EAST POINT BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 8 P.M, AND CITY HALL FROM 8 TO 5, AND THE REALITY IS, THERE'S REALLY A STRUGGLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOLIDAYS, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHRISTMAS WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO FEED THEIR FAMILY. SO WE WANT TO BE THE ONES TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED. AND WE'RE ASKING YOU TO HELP US HELP THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED DURING THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON. BECAUSE CHRISTMAS IS ONE OF THE MOST HARDEST HOLIDAY SEASON THAT WE GO THROUGH. FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T, WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN OTHERS WHO DON'T HAVE. SO IF WE CAN HELP PROVIDE A MEAL FOR A FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS DAY, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. AND IF YOU CAN HELP US BY DONATING NONPERISHABLE FOOD WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A MEAL ON ■CHRISTMAS DAY, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. WE'RE ALSO HAVING A HAND IN HAND HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY ON THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER THE 21ST AT JEFFERSON PARK RECREATION CENTER. STARTING AT TEN. YOU MUST BE AN EAST POINT RESIDENT, AND YOU MUST HAVE A VALID ID. AND SO THAT IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO ON SATURDAY TO HELP ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMUNITY. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THIS, WE ARE ENTERING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, AND THIS IS THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE YEAR. SO WITH THIS YEAR, IT HAS BROUGHT ON A LOT. AND AS COUNCIL MEMBER BUTLER SAID, PEOPLE HAVE LOST PEOPLE IN THEIR FAMILY. SOME I'VE LOST THIS YEAR, SO MANY. MY MOM LOST HER BROTHER, MY AUNT WHO PASSED, HER HUSBAND PASSED. I LOST TWO COUSINS. IT'S JUST BEEN. THIS HAS BEEN A YEAR. SO I SAY THIS.

WE NEED TO BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE. AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS YEAR AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO NEXT YEAR. DIFFERENT. I DON'T DO NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS BECAUSE I DON'T KEEP THEM, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY, JUST LOOK AT THE LOOK AT I SEE THINGS DIFFERENT NOW AND JUST LOOK AT GOING INTO NEW YEAR MORE FOCUSED ON YOUR GOALS, BUILDING AND MAKING IT BETTER AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO TO HELP BRIDGE THE GAP OR MAKE THINGS

[02:15:08]

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTIN. YES, THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. AND I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO START WITH JUST EXPRESSING MY GRATITUDE FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS IN WARD D THAT CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR TO SHOW UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY GATHERINGS. SO I WANT TO THANK THE WARD D RESIDENTS FOR SPENDING TIME WITH ME ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH. AS WE BEGIN TO CLOSE OUT 2024 HEADED INTO 2025. I ALSO WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER SHROPSHIRE BUTLER AND CUMMINGS FOR COMING OUT. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE WILLIAMSBURG COMMUNITY FOR THEIR TOKEN OF APPRECIATION. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN EAST POINT. IT IS A GREAT IT'S MANY DEPARTMENTS IN OUR CITY OF EAST POINT, BUT I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK EVERY DEPARTMENT, OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER, FOR HER GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP DURING THIS TIME ON COUNCIL, BUT ESPECIALLY OUR DEVELOPMENT, OUR DEPARTMENTS ALSO. THAT'S WHY I DID NOT WANT TO START MENTIONING PEOPLE. BUT ON DECEMBER 7TH, OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER CAME OUT, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT CAME OUT, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT, AND I I'M MISSING SOMEONE. THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT ALSO CAME OUT TO GIVE WARD D JUST SOME BRIEF UPDATES ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN WARD D AND THROUGHOUT THE CITY. SO EVERYONE, PLEASE HAVE A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. SO HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE! I WOULD SAY HAPPY HANUKKAH, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY KWANZAA AND WHATEVER HOLIDAYS ARE CELEBRATED, OTHERS MAY CELEBRATE DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR AS WE PLAN TO AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE WINDING DOWN AND WRAP UP OF 2025, I INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN ELEVATING IN 2025. AS WE WIND DOWN THIS YEAR. WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS. WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS WHO'VE TRANSITIONED THE SERVICES FOR BRADDOCK HILL, THE OWNER OF EAST POINT PRINTING WILL BE THIS WEDNESDAY, AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE TRANSITIONED THIS YEAR. BUT AS WE CLOSE OUT THE YEAR AND EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE, BE GRATEFUL FOR OUR FAMILY, FOR OUR FRIENDS, FOR THE GREAT CITY THAT WE LIVE IN, FOR THE STAFF THAT PROVIDES SERVICES TO US EVERY DAY TO ENSURE THAT THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE MET. THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR STAFF, TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHO AGAIN RUN TO TROUBLE WHEN WE I, I KNOW, RUN AWAY FROM IT. WE GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO TO ENSURE OUR SAFETY. AND AGAIN, AS WE WIND DOWN THIS YEAR AND START TO PREPARE FOR A NEW YEAR AND THINK ABOUT THE BEST BEING YET TO COME, LET'S PLAN TO ELEVATE IN 2025. LET'S PLAN TO CONTINUE TO MOVE THIS CITY FORWARD AND CONTINUE TO DO THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE SOMETIMES AGAINST THE GRAIN, BUT DEFINITELY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR RESIDENTS. LET'S BE PEOPLE FOCUSED. LET'S CONTINUE TO PUT PEOPLE OVER PARTY, PROFIT AND POLITICS AND PERSONALITIES AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER THINGS.

IF WE LEAD WITH PEOPLE, WE ALWAYS WIN. AND OUR PEOPLE, OUR RESIDENTS. THE OVER 38,358 RESIDENTS IN THIS CITY ARE COUNTING ON US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND PUT THEM FIRST TO LEAD WITH THEM IN EVERY DECISION THAT WE MAKE. AND WHEN THERE'S A BALANCING ACT THAT WE DON'T PUT THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE STRESSORS THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE ON THE BACK SIDE OF DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE AS, AS A BODY. AND SO AGAIN, HAPPY HOLIDAYS. WE ACTUALLY HAVE TWO MONDAYS OFF AS WE WIND UP THIS YEAR. AND SO ENJOY THE TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THERE WILL

[02:20:06]

THAT'S ALWAYS AN EXCITING EVENT AS WE RIDE THROUGH THE CITY AND PROVIDE TOYS AND JOY AND THERE'S ALWAYS A FIREFIGHTER WHO ACTUALLY DRESSES UP AS SANTA. AND WE HAVE PICTURE OPPORTUNITIES AND ALL OF THAT FOR THE COMMUNITY. BUT AS WE'RE IN THIS SEASON, LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE THERE ARE OTHERS WHO MAY BE IN NEED AND HOW WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP SUPPORT NOT ONLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS BUT YEAR ROUND. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OFFICE OF EQUITY, INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT AND THE WORK THAT IS CONTINUING TO BE DONE. I WAS HERE AT CITY HALL EARLIER TODAY, AND I SAW STAFF MEETING WITH A RESIDENT MEETING WITH A, WITH A, AN INDIVIDUAL WHO I'M SURE WAS IN NEED OF SOME LEVEL OF SERVICE. WE HAVE ARE BECOMING KNOWN FOR A PLACE WHERE WE CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE RESOURCES, THE SUPPORT, THE SERVICE, THE TRAINING. I MEAN, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THAT IS A HUGE AREA, BUT THERE'S ALSO SUPPORT THAT IS PROVIDED THROUGH THE EMPOWERMENT PLAN THAT MISS JOHNSON HELPS INDIVIDUALS WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN EAST POINT IN NEED OF SERVICES TO PREPARE SO THAT THEY CAN BE EMPOWERED TO AND FROM A VERY VALUE BASED PERSPECTIVE AND NOT A NEGATIVE.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ENGAGE WITH EVERYONE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY ARE OR LIKE WHERE THEY LIVE AND. LINING UP. BECAUSE WHATEVER OUR STREET. MOVE OR VEIN, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF EXCITING PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN. IN 2025 AND BEYOND. BUT LET'S CELEBRATE IN

[XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

SO THREE PERSONNEL, TWO LEGAL AND ONE REAL ESTATE. I'M SORRY. SO PERSONNEL. MISS ATTORNEY WIGGINS HAD TWO LEGAL, TWO LEGAL. TWO. TWO. PERSONNEL. ONE. PERSONNEL. TWO. LEGAL. ONE PERSONNEL. MISS JESSIE DIDN'T HAVE ANY. I MENTIONED ONE REAL ESTATE AND ONE PERSONNEL. SO IS IT TWO PERSONNEL? ARE YOU SAYING ONE PERSONNEL? CORRECT. SO YOU MENTIONED ONE. I HAVE TWO, SO IT'S SO IT'S TWO PERSONNEL WHO? THREE PERSONNEL. THREE PERSONNEL AND TWO. FOR LEGAL. FOR LEGAL.

FOR LEGAL. ONE REAL ESTATE. ONE REAL ESTATE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR REAL ESTATE IS. SO TWO REAL ESTATE FOR LEGAL AND THREE PERSONNEL. SO MOVED. SECOND, WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. LET'S MOVE THAT. WE RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR TWO REAL ESTATE FOR LEGAL AND THREE PERSONNEL. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.