[I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
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WELCOME TO THE JULY 21ST MEETING OF THE EASTPOINTE CITY COUNCIL.MADAM DEPUTY, CAN WE GET A ROLL CALL, PLEASE? COUNCIL MEMBER, SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL MEMBER.
ATKINS. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER.
ZEIGLER. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER.
MITCHELL. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER.
WE HAVE A QUORUM, BUT ALSO THE MAYOR AND HER FAMILY.
THEY WON'T. THEY'RE IN INDIANAPOLIS FOR HER SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT, SO SHE WON'T BE HERE. OKAY.
THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANYONE HERE FOR INVOCATION? ANYONE? IF NOT, COULD WE ALL STAND FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THE PLEDGE TO THE FLAG? ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. ALRIGHT. TONIGHT, OUR SERGEANT AT ARMS IS CAPTAIN ROBINSON.
ROBINSON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
NEXT, CAN WE GET A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA?
[VI. ADOPTION OF THE COUNCIL AGENDA]
MADAM MAYOR PRO TEM. YES.MOTION TO ADOPTED. IS THERE A SECOND MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA? SECOND, IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED. THE MOTION PASSES.
CAN WE GET A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL?
[VII. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES]
MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING ON JULY 7TH.CITY COUNCIL. REGULAR MEETING MEETINGS FROM JULY THE 7TH.
IS THERE A SECOND? IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT. WE DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS.
NEXT IS PUBLIC COMMENTS PER CHAPTER TWO, SECTION 2-2002 RULE 28.
[IX. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
THE PUBLIC MAY SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE AGENDA.SPEAKERS MUST COMPLETE A COMMENT FORM PRIOR TO THE START OF THE MEETING SUBJECT MAY INCLUDE ANY SUBJECT OF CHOICE.
THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT FOR EACH SPEAKER.
SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK MAY HAVE ALL OR PART OF THEIR TIME, UP TO THREE MINUTES TO ANOTHER SPEAKER, FOR A TOTAL OF SIX MINUTES OF SPEAKING TIME.
SPEAKERS MAY ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ONLY DURING THIS TIME OF THE AGENDA.
SPEAKERS MUST IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND THEIR ADDRESS PRIOR TO SPEAKING.
QUESTIONS FROM THE SPEAKER MAY NOT BE ADDRESSED DURING THE PUBLIC SPEAKER SECTION OF THE AGENDA. EASTPOINTE RESIDENTS.
WILL GET WILL HAVE PRIORITY OVER OTHER SPEAKERS.
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF NO MORE THAN 60 MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
SPEAKING SECTION OF THE AGENDA.
SPEAKERS MAY ONLY ADDRESS THE PRESIDING OFFICER.
SPEAKERS. OBSERVE OUR RULES OF DECORUM.
NO DEBATE, DISRESPECT, OR SENTENCES WILL BE TOLERATED.
IT. THE PRESIDING OFFICER SHALL RULE ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL OUT OF ORDER THAT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING. MADAM DEPUTY, DO WE HAVE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK TONIGHT? YES. WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
MY ADDRESS IS 2281 SPRINGDALE CIRCLE, SOUTHWEST ATLANTA, GEORGIA. 30315. AND I AM HERE TO DISCUSS GUESS A TRAFFIC ISSUE AND OTHER ISSUES CONCERNING AETOS. CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL, WHICH IS ON MY STREET.
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NOT THAT MISS HARVEY CAN'T SPEAK, BUT SHE'S NOT A RESIDENT, SO EASTPOINTE RESIDENTS HAVE TO SPEAK FIRST.I THOUGHT SHE SAID ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
THAT IS MY ADDRESS. THAT'S IT.
THAT'S NOT MY MAIL IS OUT OF THE LAKEWOOD OFFICE.
I AM THE LAST RESIDENT HOUSE ON SPRINGDALE CIRCLE IN EASTPOINTE.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. YOU CAN CONTINUE.
YES. WE HAVE A REAL TRAFFIC PROBLEM IN EASTPOINT.
ON SPRINGDALE CIRCLE ABOUT 4 OR 5 YEARS AGO, A CLASSICAL ETHOS CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL MOVED INTO WHAT WAS A SMALL CHRISTIAN CHURCH, AND THEY PROCEEDED TO BUILD A THREE STORY SCHOOL HOUSING APPROXIMATELY 600 KIDS.
ALL OF THE STUDENTS ARE TRANSPORTED BY CAR AND OUR DAYCARE BUS.
THEY ARE BLOCKING OUR STREET IN THE MORNING AND IN THE AFTERNOON.
THE MAJORITY OF THE TRAFFIC IS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STREET, WHICH IS THE RIGHT HAND SIDE.
IF ANY OF YOU KNOW WHERE LAKEWOOD CHRISTIAN MANOR IS, THAT'S THE RIGHT HAND SIDE COMING DOWN.
THAT'S THE SIDE THAT THE TRAFFIC IS ON.
AND SOMETIMES TRAFFIC IS ALSO ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET, WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO GET OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAYS.
SOME OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN CITED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET TO THE MAILBOXES TO PUT THE MAIL IN THERE, AND IT HAS BECOME A REAL, REAL PROBLEM. AND WE HAVE TRAFFIC THERE IN THE MORNINGS WHEN THE CHILDREN ARE BEING TRANSPORTED TO SCHOOL.
WE HAVE TRAFFIC THAT STOPPED BUILDING AGAIN AROUND 1:00 EVERY DAY WHEN PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS, UNCLES OR WHOEVER ARE TRANSPORTING THE CHILDREN START COMING BACK TO PICK THEM UP. AND SINCE THEY WANT TO BE FIRST OR SECOND IN LINE, THEY TRAFFIC STOP BUILDING AT 1:00, EVEN THOUGH THE CHILDREN ARE NOT LET OUT UNTIL 3:00. THEY DON'T GET OUT OF SCHOOL UNTIL 3:00.
WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.
I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MY COUNCILPERSON CONCERNING THIS.
I MET COUNCILMAN BUTLER HERE AT ANOTHER MEETING.
THEY PUT TRASH IN OUR YARDS AND THIS IS A VERY QUIET STREET.
THEY SPEED ON ON IT. AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT RESIDENTS OF OUR AREA.
THEY ARE COMING FROM ALL OF THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES BRINGING THESE CHILDREN IN.
I HAVE NO OBJECTION. WE HAVE A FEW CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WALK, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE CHILDREN ARE TRANSPORTED BY CAR, AND YOU CAN HEAR THE RADIOS IN THE MORNING ON THE CARS AND IN THE AFTERNOONS.
AND IT JUST HAS BECOME A REAL DISADVANTAGE TO US.
OKAY. YES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CALL.
TIME. OKAY. LET ME JUST SAY THIS.
45 YEARS. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE JABARI HEMMING.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL.
I'M JABARI HEMMING OF 2197 PENRHOS DRIVE.
AND I JUST HAVE TWO THINGS TO BRING TO YOU THIS EVENING.
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CHANGING THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA THAT ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO SPEAK SOONER. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT STEP TOWARD WANTING US TO ENGAGE IN THIS PROCESS, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THE SECOND THING I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR AND ACKNOWLEDGE IS THAT YOU JUST PASSED THE BUDGET, AND I THINK THE SINGLE SMARTEST THING THAT YOU DID WAS TO MOVE THE MONEY OUT OF WHAT WAS CONSIDERED THE THE COUNCIL'S DEPARTMENT CODE OVER TO THE CITY MANAGER.
I WAS REVIEWING THE ORDINANCE, AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WANT TO READ FOR YOUR HEARING TONIGHT, BUT HAVING THAT MONEY THERE, YOU MAY HAVE BEEN IN VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE, HENCE THE REASON WHY YOU MOVED IT. SO I WANTED TO APPLAUD YOU FOR BEING FORWARD THINKING AND PROTECTING OUR CITY'S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
AND THEN THE LAST THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, AND I'LL READ SOMETHING JUST QUICKLY FOR YOU, IS I WAS VERY DISTURBED BY THE CONVERSATION THAT WAS HAD AT THE WORK
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SESSION. YOUR CITY MANAGER DID A PHENOMENAL JOB, WHICH WAS TO COME TO YOU AND ASK YOU ABOUT PROCUREMENT PROCESS, BECAUSE IT'S YOUR LEGISLATIVE DUTY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING THE ORDINANCE.AND THE ORDINANCE IS VERY DETAILED ABOUT PURCHASING.
SO I JUST WANT TO READ TWO THINGS FOR YOUR HEARING.
JUST AS A REMINDER, AS YOU ARE MOVING FORWARD AND ASKING YOU TO START PREPARING FOR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. SO SECTION 5-101.
SEE, IT'S TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION.
IT SAYS, AMONG MANY THINGS, THAT THE BUDGET SHALL PROVIDE A COMPLETE FINANCIAL PLAN FOR FOR THE FUNDS OF THE EXCUSE ME? FOR ALL CITY FUNDS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.
AS REQUIRED BY LAW OF THE CHARTER.
AND THEN IT GOES ON TO SAY IT SHALL BE IN A FORM DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE CITY MANAGER OR REQUIRED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
SO I HEARD YOU ALL MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE 41 MEETINGS.
WELL, PART OF THAT IS THAT YOU'RE NOT DOING YOUR ROLE, WHICH IS TO GIVE SOME ADVICE TO THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT HOW THE BUDGET SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO YOU ALL. SO IF THERE'S A CONCERN ABOUT THE BUDGET NOT BEING IN ITS PROPER FORM OR SHAPE THAT ACTUALLY FALLS IN YOUR LAP, NOT THE CITY MANAGER OR THE FINANCE DIRECTOR.
THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO READ FOR YOUR HEARING IS OUT OF SECTION 43203, AND THIS IS TALKING ABOUT THE AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE PURCHASING AGENT.
AND THE FIRST SECTION, IT LAYS OUT THAT WE HAVE A PRINCIPAL PURCHASING AGENT IN THE CITY.
BUT IMPORTANTLY, WHAT I WANT TO NOTE IS THAT IN SECTION TWO UNDER DUTIES IT IS VERY CLEAR.
IT SAYS THAT HIS DUTIES OR HER DUTIES ARE TO PROCURE OR SUPERVISE THE PROCUREMENT OF ALL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION AND PROFESSIONAL OR CONSULTANT SERVICES NEEDED BY THIS CITY.
AND AS I LISTENED TO THE MEETING, AND YOU ALL ARE PAYING INVOICES AND NOT HAVING CONTRACTS, AND YOUR CITY MANAGER CAME BEFORE YOU AND ASKED YOU ALL TO DO YOUR ROLE, WHICH IS TO LEGISLATE AROUND HOW HE COULD OR COULD NOT PROCEED.
THERE WAS AN HOUR LONG CONVERSATION WHERE YOU ALL CONTORTED.
SO I'M ASKING YOU TO CONTINUE TO DO BETTER AND FOLLOW THE ORDINANCE.
THANK YOU. THERE ARE NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENTS. ALRIGHT.
ONE SECOND. NEXT WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL.
[X. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL]
COUNCILWOMAN ROGERS. YES.THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, RESIDENTS, FOR JOINING US HERE THIS EVENING.
I WANT TO EXTEND A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MR. DOUGLAS MERRIWEATHER JUNIOR, WHO TURNED 80 YEARS YOUNG, AND HIS WIFE, MISS ROSA HOWARD MERRIWEATHER, WHO TURNED 70 YEARS YOUNG.
A FEW SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MERRIWEATHER ARE.
DURING HIS TIME IN VIETNAM, HE WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION AND HONORED WITH A PURPLE HEART. HE DEVOTED OVER 25 YEARS TO THE COLUMBUS FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHERE HE BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN BATTALION FIRE CHIEF.
MISS ROSA HOWARD MERRIWEATHER CARVED OUT A DISTINGUISHED 27 YEAR CAREER IN ENGINEERING WITH WESTERN ELECTRIC, AT&T, AND LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES AS ONE OF THE FEW AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN HER FIELD AT THE TIME, ROSA NOT ONLY EXCELLED PROFESSIONALLY, BUT ALSO MENTORED THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS. SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MR. AND MRS. DOUGLAS AND ROSA MERRIWEATHER, THE TEACHER BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE IS HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY, JULY 26TH FROM 8:30 A.M.
UNTIL 1:00 PM. VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED.
PLEASE CONTACT THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE AT (404) 270-7090.
LASTLY, MR. CITY MANAGER, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR INTENT OF RESPONDING AND COPYING MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO AN EMAIL ORIGINALLY SENT TO YOU BACK ON JULY 10TH THROUGH AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST.
I HAVE GATHERED EMAILS FROM OTHER COUNCIL FROM OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL IN WHICH NO MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL WAS COPIED, NOR THEIR COLLEAGUES.
IN SOME INSTANCES, COUNCIL MEMBERS DID COPY ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THIS WAS AN ANEMIC ATTEMPT TO FORCE ME INTO SUBMISSION AS IT RELATED TO A COMMUNITY MEETING I HELD IN REFERENCE TO THE EL CERCLE REALIGNMENT PROJECT.
I HAVE SENT THE CITY MANAGER OVER 40 EMAILS IN REFERENCE TO THIS PROJECT, AND TO REQUEST A FOLLOW UP MEETING AS FAR BACK AS MARCH.
I CAN GUARANTEE YOU, NO ONE ON THIS COUNCIL HAS HAD TO MAKE THAT MANY ATTEMPTS FOR RESOLUTION. IN APRIL, I MET WITH THE CITY MANAGER TO DISCUSS THE
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PRIORITIES FOR WARD D, SEEKING HIS SUPPORT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, AIMING TO IDENTIFY A SHARED GOAL.SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH RESIDENTS TO ACHIEVE TANGIBLE PROGRESS TOWARD THOSE GOALS. HOWEVER, THE CITY MANAGER HAS NOT DEMONSTRATED THE SAME LEVEL OF COMMITMENT.
INSTEAD, HE HAS APPEARED MORE FOCUSED ON ADVANCING HIS OWN AGENDA OR THAT OF CERTAIN COUNCIL MEMBERS, OFFERING EXCUSES, RESCHEDULING MEETINGS DESPITE RECEIVING AMPLE NOTICE, AND PRIORITIZING INFORMAL ENGAGEMENTS SUCH AS LUNCH AND DINNER MEETINGS, OR RETREAT WITH LESS THAN A MONTH FOR QUALIFYING OVER COLLABORATION EFFORTS.
MR. CITY MANAGER, I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT I DO NOT WORK FOR YOU.
I SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF WARD D AND THE RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF EASTPOINTE, GEORGIA. HOWEVER, THE TONE OF YOUR EMAILS AT TIMES SUGGESTS OTHERWISE, WHICH I FIND CONCERNING.
ADDITIONALLY, BASED ON THE OPEN RECORDS REQUEST, IT APPEARS THAT RESISTANCE OR PUSHBACK HAS ONLY BEEN DIRECTED TOWARDS ME IN COUNCIL MEMBER SHIRE. THIS IS.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLING, AS I HAVE DONE NOTHING MORE THAN FULFILL MY DUTY BY BRINGING THE CONCERNS OF WARD THESE RESIDENTS TO YOUR ATTENTION.
I BELIEVE IT WAS MENTIONED LAST WEEK THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE SHIFT IN YOUR PRIORITIES FOR SEVERAL REASONS.
NUMBER ONE, LAST MONDAY, AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE CITY. THERE WAS A PRESENTATION THAT YOU HAD LITTLE TO NO INPUT ABOUT.
YOU WERE ASKED WHERE WE WERE GOING TO GET THE 33 MILLION AND THE QUESTION STILL WASN'T ANSWERED. YOU WERE ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE COST OF THE OLD CITY HALL IN THE AUDITORIUM, AND AGAIN, YOU HAD NO CONCRETE ANSWER.
YOU ALSO PLACED AN ITEM ON THE SAME AGENDA ABOUT WEDNESDAY WIND DOWN, WHICH SEEMS TO BE YOUR PRIORITY.
WE PASSED THE BUDGET AND THAT GAVE YOU THE AUTHORITY TO WORK WITH COUNCIL MEMBER SHIRE, AND WE DISCUSSED THAT ITEM FOR OVER TWO HOURS.
SINCE MARCH, I HAVE SENT NUMEROUS EMAILS IN REFERENCE TO THE CLEANLINESS OF CAMP CREEK MARKETPLACE AND WARD. THEN AGAIN, YOU OBJECTED TO IT, ONLY TO SHARE LATER THAT THE CITY DOES NOT SHARE IN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KEEPING THE MARKETPLACE CLEAN. BY THE WAY, WHAT WILL BE THE LITTER PICKUP SCHEDULE? YOU HAVE SENT OUT THE SAME CITY MANAGER'S REPORT, OFTENTIMES WITH NO DELIVERABLES OR TIMELINES.
LATELY IT HAS BEEN LATE OR NOT RECEIVED AT ALL.
WHEN WILL WE RECEIVE THE AUDITS FOR FY 2024 AND 2025? WE ALSO DISCUSSED ADDITIONAL OUTREACH FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
WHERE'S THAT UPDATE? ALSO PER RESOLUTION 148020.
AS A DIRECT REPORT, YOU SHALL ACKNOWLEDGE IN WRITING RECEIPT OF THE MATTERS OF CONCERN FROM THE DATE INDICATED IN THE COMMUNICATION WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY.
YOU SHALL ALSO PROVIDE A WRITTEN RESPONSE WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE CONCERNS SLASH QUESTIONS IN SUCH A RESPONSE SHALL INCLUDE AN UPDATE AND A RESOLUTION TIMELINE. MOVING FORWARD.
AND IN THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, I WILL COPY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ON MY CONCERNS TO ENSURE EVERYONE IS FULLY INFORMED. I BELIEVE THIS APPROACH WILL SUPPORT YOU IN BETTER STREAMLINING YOUR PRIORITIES, HAVE A SHARED UNDERSTANDING AND UPHOLDING MUTUAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
WHEW! WOW. OKAY. FIRST, ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO MISS HARVEY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO HER SENTIMENTS.
I HAVE BEEN TO HER HOUSE TWICE AT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES.
AND THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT SHE AND HER NEIGHBORS MUST DEAL WITH IS EGREGIOUS.
THAT SCHOOL IS AN ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOL.
CHARTER SCHOOL, AND THE WAY THEY BLOCK HER DRIVEWAY AND HER NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY MUST BE ADDRESSED. AND I'M GLAD THAT SHE CAME TO TALK TO COUNCIL ABOUT THAT.
THAT STREET HAS ITS HALF EASTPOINTE, HALF CITY OF ATLANTA.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO COUNCILMAN ANTONIO LEWIS ABOUT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IS ABOUT US TRYING TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.
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HE'S GOING TO REACH OUT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.BUT IT IS A PROBLEM. AND I'M FRANK, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE IT, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
I THINK MY COLLEAGUE MAY HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS FOR US, SO I CAN'T WAIT FOR HER TO SHARE THAT BECAUSE SHE MAY HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
BUT I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PROBLEM.
I WANT TO KNOW LET YOU KNOW THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO US, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR VERY BEST TO SEE HOW WE CAN SOLVE THAT ISSUE.
AND JUST FOR A HISTORY, IT WAS A CHURCH, I THINK IT WAS.
AND THEN THEY SOLD TO A SCHOOL.
AND THAT SCHOOL HAS SINCE EXPANDED.
AND ALL DAY THERE'S TRAFFIC AND IT'S IT'S A BURDEN ON THEIR LIFESTYLE IN THAT AREA.
SO YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE CITY THAT I WILL BE WORKING.
WITH A CHURCH. LET ME GET ALL THE DETAILS SO WE HAVE THEM.
MOUNT OLIVE SDA CHURCH FOR A HEALTH FAIR AND BOOK BAG GIVEAWAY.
WHY? WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? BECAUSE. AND THAT. LET ME GIVE THE DATE.
THE DATE IS AUGUST 10TH FROM 12 NOON TO 4 P.M..
WE PROMISED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES.
AND PLEASE EXCUSE ME FOR BEING MY TARDINESS.
I'M GOING BETWEEN DIFFERENT SCREENS HERE.
SO THERE WILL BE CANCER SCREENING.
THERE WILL BE PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING, SCREENING FOR DIABETES, BLOOD PRESSURE. THERE WILL BE EDUCATION ABOUT NUTRITION.
WE'RE HAVING A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MOBILE UNIT THERE SO THAT WE CAN DO THESE SCREENINGS. IN ADDITION, THE CHURCH WILL BE GIVING OUT SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR CHILDREN. SO I'LL REPEAT THAT.
THAT'S ON AUGUST 10TH AT 12 NOON TO 4 P.M..
AND THE SCHOOL IS ON MOUNT OLIVE.
THE CHURCHES ON MOUNT MOUNT OLIVE, DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM ASA HILLIARD SCHOOL, AUGUST 10TH, 12 NOON.
ACROSS THE STREET FROM ASA HILLIARD.
THERE IS ONE THING I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
IN ADDITION. MY COLLEAGUES AND I WERE NOT HERE DURING THE WORK SESSION, BUT I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A CONVERSATION ABOUT FINANCING AND HOW WE PLAN TO PAY FOR THE RECREATIONAL CENTER IN WARD D, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY GIVE SOME DETAILS ABOUT THAT AS A POSSIBLE OPTION TO THAT.
SO CURRENTLY WE HAVE PROPOSED BUDGET OF $33 MILLION.
IN FACT, WHEN WE TRY TO ATTEMPT TO DO THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO BEFORE COVID, WE WERE THINKING WE COULD DO THIS FOR HALF OF THAT $15 MILLION.
IT'S MUCH WHERE I WOULD RATHER FOR US TO BE, BUT THE COST IS TO THE COST.
SO WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A PLAN THAT WE WILL FLOAT BONDS.
WE'RE LOOKING TO FLOAT AND THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR PUT OUT SOME NUMBERS.
BUT LET'S SAY LET'S DO FLOAT THE BONDS FOR 33 MILLION.
I THINK $45 MILLION. THE DEBT SERVICE ON THAT BOND.
SO IMAGINE YOU HAVE A MORTGAGE.
THE DEBT SERVICE IS ABOUT $3.4 MILLION ANNUALLY.
PART OF THAT COVERAGE OF THE DEBT SERVICE IS ALLOCATED FROM THE HOTEL MOTEL TAX, NOT THE PART THAT GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND, BUT THE PART OF THE TAX WHICH WE CANNOT SPEND ONLY TO BRING IN TOURISM AND SOMETHING LIKE THIS. SO $1.4 MILLION PER OUR ESTIMATE WOULD GO TO SERVICE THAT DEBT.
SO THAT STILL LEAVES US $2 MILLION SHORTFALL, WHICH WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
BUT WHAT I PROPOSE THAT WE DO IS WE TAKE THE ADDITIONAL $2 MILLION FROM THE MICROSOFT DEVELOPMENT, BECAUSE MICROSOFT IS OFFERING US A $2 MILLION PER YEAR FRANCHISE FEE FOR
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US NOT USING THEM AS OUR USING EAST POINT POWERS THEIR POWER COMPANY.SO GEORGIA POWER WOULD PAY US $2 MILLION IN A FRANCHISE FEE FOR ALLOWING THEM TO COME IN OUR TERRITORY AND PROVIDE POWER.
THIS IS A POSSIBLE WAY FOR US TO SHORE UP THE GAP IN THE FINANCING OF THE BONDS.
IT'S ONLY ONE OPTION, BUT IT IS AN OPTION FOR US TO CONSIDER.
AND JUST TO EXPLAIN WHAT THAT FRANCHISE FREE IS.
IT IS A $2 MILLION FEE THAT WE PAY NOTHING FOR.
WE GET IT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WAS AGREED TO IN THE TERMS. SO THAT WOULD GIVE US THE MONEY THAT WE NEED TO DO THE DEBT SERVICE ON THE BOND ISSUANCE WITHOUT HAVING TO COME INTO THE GENERAL FUND FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
SO HAVING SAID THAT, I HOPE THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL OPTION THAT WE MAY CONSIDER, BECAUSE I WAS JUST SPEAKING WITH A COLLEAGUE WHO IS SAD ABOUT THE DEATH OF MALCOLM-JAMAL WARNER, WHO DROWNED THIS WEEKEND, THUS REITERATING WHY WE NEED TO HAVE A POOL TO HELP TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO SWIM.
I LEARNED HOW TO SWIM IN THE KENNEDY CENTER AS A KID, AND THAT HAS SERVED ME WELL, AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THESE SERVICES TO OUR RESIDENTS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THEM SAFE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYONE WHO MADE THAT COMMENT.
COUNCILMAN ATKINS. YES, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR PRO TEM. I JUST FIRST OF ALL, WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A FEW THINGS THAT OCCURRED HERE IN OUR CITY OVER THE WEEKEND.
ON SATURDAY, WE HAD A REALLY BEAUTIFUL TOUR OF GARDENS.
AND I'D LIKE TO PUBLICLY THANK MISS DEBORAH HARGROVE FOR ORGANIZING AND EXECUTING THAT.
SHE DID A SUPERB JOB ON THAT AND I'M SPEAKING TO HER ON SATURDAY AT THE FINALE, AND SHE SAID THAT IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM OF HERS TO DO THAT. AND SO SHE WAS QUITE PLEASED. AND I THINK THAT WE WILL SEE MORE OF THAT IN COMING YEARS.
SO I'D LIKE TO THANK MISS HARGROVE FOR THAT AND FOR HOSTING THE FINALE AT HER HOME IN OUR BACK GARDEN, HAVING A WONDERFUL GARDEN PARTY FOR ALL OF THE ATTENDEES AND THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE EASTPOINT TOUR OF GARDENS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT ON SUNDAY WE HAD HERE AT CITY HALL ELEVATED RHYTHMS, WHICH IS A PART OF OUR PUBLIC ARTS PROGRAM, AND THAT WAS PRODUCED BY MR. CHRISTOPHER SWAIN, WHO HEADS UP OUR PUBLIC ARTS DIVISION.
AND IT WAS REALLY WONDERFUL TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE COME OUT.
THERE WERE KIDS, AND IT WAS JUST REALLY A GREAT, DIVERSE GROUP OF EASTPOINTE RESIDENTS TO COME OUT TO ENJOY THE SATURDAY SUNDAY WEATHER AND THE MUSIC THAT WAS PROVIDED FOR THAT.
LASTLY, I'D LIKE TO REMIND ALL EASTPOINTE FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN THAT I WILL BE WORKING WITH BRYSON CONSTRUCTORS AS OUR MAJOR SPONSOR FOR THE BACK TO SCHOOL BASH THAT WILL HAPPEN ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 2ND AT IMPACT CHURCH, WHICH IS LOCATED AT 2323 SYLVAN ROAD.
THIS IS ALSO IN CONJUNCTION WITH IMPACT CHURCH AND COMMUNITY IMPACT.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET AS MANY KIDS AS POSSIBLE TO COME OUT.
WE WILL HAVE BACKPACKS FULL OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES, BOUNCE HOUSES, FACE PAINTING, FOOD, INTERACTIVE STATIONS, AND THE LIKE. SO PLEASE COME OUT ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 2ND BETWEEN THE HOURS OF NOON AND THREE.
FOR ALL OF THE FUN, FAMILY FUN AND THE BACKPACK FULL BACKPACKS FULL OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES. SO THANK YOU, MISTER MAYOR PRO TEM.
ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMAN ZIEGLER.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY WHO CAME AND TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
THANK YOU, MISS HARVEY, FOR COMING TONIGHT.
AND SPEAKING ABOUT THE THE CHARTER SCHOOL ISSUES.
I HAVE I THINK THAT WE WE SPOKE LAST YEAR ABOUT THE TRAFFIC CONCERNS.
AND AND I'VE WHILE EVERYONE ELSE WAS MAKING THEIR COMMENTS, I'VE BEEN EMAILING PEOPLE AS WELL.
TRYING TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS.
I'M SORRY IT'S TAKING SO LONG, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAN THAN WE WOULD HOPE.
AND AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS SOLVED.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND COUNCILWOMAN CUMMINGS.
AND THANK YOU, EVERYONE WHO'S COME OUT THIS EVENING.
THAT ARE HERE FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING, BOTH IN PERSON AND VIA LIVESTREAM.
I WANTED TO INVITE EVERYONE OUT TO SYKES PARK THIS SATURDAY, JULY 26TH. THAT ADDRESS IS 3235 DODSON DRIVE CONNECTOR.
WE WILL BE SHOWING OUR MONTHLY SCREEN IN THE SCREEN ON THE SCREEN.
THIS WILL BE FOR THE KIDDIES THIS WEEKEND. IT'S GOING TO BE MONA TWO.
WE'RE GOING TO BE PROVIDING POPCORN AND BEVERAGES FOR EVERYONE.
AND ALSO THE FIRE PIT STYLE CATERING COMPANY,
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THE SOCIAL PIT. THEY'LL ALSO BE ON SITE CHILLING AND GRILLING, AS THEY SAY. I'M SERVING UP THEIR PIT STYLE CUISINE.SO WHAT EVERYBODY TO COME OUT ON THIS SATURDAY AND WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE THIS TIME IF IT RAINS. WE GOT RAINED OUT LAST MONTH.
AND THIS TIME, IF IT DOES RAIN AGAIN, WE'LL HAVE NO, WE'LL SEND SOME SORT OF NOTIFICATION OUT AND WE'LL BE POSTED THERE AS WELL.
BUT WE WILL MOVE OVER TO JEFFERSON PARK REC CENTER.
SO THAT WILL BE THE LOCATION THAT WE'LL GO TO IN THE EVENT OF RAIN.
BUT I'M LOOKING AT THE FORECAST, SO EVERYTHING SHOULD BE NICE THIS SATURDAY.
SO WE HOPE TO SEE EVERYBODY OUT ON THIS SATURDAY.
AND MISS HARVEY, MISS HARVEY, I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THE THE TRAFFIC SITUATION OVER AT THE SCHOOL, AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THEY ON DOTSON DRIVE. IT USED TO BE FORMERLY FORTUNE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. THEY HAVE THEIR SIGNAGE AND EVERYTHING THERE, AND I THINK THEY ARE MOVING THAT LOCATION TO THAT.
THAT'S GOING TO BE THEIR NEW FACILITY THERE.
IT'S THE FORMER FULTON LEADERSHIP ACADEMY THAT'S ON DODSON DRIVE.
NOW, BEFORE I REALLY JUMP OUT THERE AND SPEAK, I DO KNOW THAT THE SIGNAGE IS THERE AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO, I THINK ONE OF JUST ONE OF THE ONE OF THE PARENTS, AND THEY SAID THAT WAS THEIR NEW LOCATION.
BUT I WANT TO FIND OUT SOME CONCRETE INFORMATION TO LET YOU KNOW.
BUT IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I DO KNOW THAT THAT SHOULD BE THEIR NEW LOCATION ON DOTSON DRIVE, WHICH IS THE FORMER FULTON LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. SO I'M GOING TO GET YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, SEE IF I CAN'T REACH OUT TO SOMEONE OFFICIALLY OVER AT ETHOS TO CONFIRM THAT THAT WILL BE THEIR NEW LOCATION. IF THAT'S THE CASE, YOU WON'T HAVE THAT TRAFFIC ISSUE ANYMORE. AND I DO, YOU KNOW, DO APOLOGIZE FOR THAT INCONVENIENCE, I DO UNDERSTAND. SO AS SOON AS I I'LL FIND THAT INFORMATION OUT AND I'LL GET BACK WITH YOU. I'M TOMORROW BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS.
AND I GUESS NOW I HAVE AN ASK FOR.
I GUESS IT'LL BE TIME TO DO AN ASK.
SO ON AUGUST. WE'RE LOOKING AT A DATE OF AUGUST 2ND FOR THE USE OF SYKES PARK.
I NORMALLY PARTNER WITH MY HOME CHURCH, WORD OF FAITH, AND THEY DO AN ANNUAL BOOKBAG GIVEAWAY AS WELL.
I MEAN BACK TO SCHOOL ON BOOKBAG GIVEAWAY AS WELL.
SO I WOULD LIKE MY ASK IS FOR THE USE.
IS THAT A MOTION? IS THAT A MOTION? YES, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
IT'S GOING TO BE IT'LL BE SATURDAY, AUGUST 2ND FROM 9 TO 1:00.
IT'S NOT REQUIRING ANY STAFF OR ANYONE.
THE MOTION IS GOING TO BE FOR THE USE OF SYKES PARK ON AUGUST 2ND FOR A BOOK BAG GIVEAWAY. I PARTNERED WITH THEM ON LAST YEAR, WORD OF FAITH LOVE CENTER.
AND WE'LL BE I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER ATKINS IS DOING ONE AS WELL, BUT WE'LL JUST WE'LL SPREAD THE LOVE OUT ALL OVER.
THE PLAN IS TO GIVE AWAY 500 BOOK BAGS.
IT'S GOING TO BE AUGUST 2ND AT SYKES PARK.
GOD BLESS YOU. YES. AUGUST 2ND FROM NINE TO I'M 1:00, AND THE CHURCH, THEY WILL BE PROVIDING ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS THAT WE'LL NEED FOR THAT EVENT. ALL RIGHT. SECOND, BUT I HAVE A QUESTION.
SO IT'S BEEN SECONDED. SO ANY ANY DISCUSSION? DISCUSSION. SO LET ME ASK YOU THIS.
ANY BOOK BAGS LEFT OVER BECAUSE THE POLICE DO NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
CAN Y'ALL DONATE THEM TO THEM SO THEY CAN GIVE IT OUT AT THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT? YES. ANY SCHOOL SUPPLIES? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. NO PROBLEM.
ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.
THE MOTION PASSES. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
I JUST LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT.
OKAY. NEXT, WE HAVE PRESENTATIONS.
WELL, I DON'T SEE ANY PRESENTATIONS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS.
ALL RIGHT. NOBODY. CAN WE GET A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA?
[XIII. CONSENT AGENDA]
ITEMS ONE THROUGH 16. SECOND.IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? SORRY. ARE THOSE OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. THE MOTION PASSES.
[XIV.17. Council Discussion and Possible Action on an Ordinance for Tennis/Pickleball Court Facilities]
ITEM NUMBER 17. CAN WE GET A MOTION TO OPEN THE FLOOR FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION. ITEM NUMBER 17.CAN WE GET A MOTION TO OPEN THE FLOOR? OH, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. IT'S BEEN SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. THOSE OPPOSED.
AND I SEE WE HAVE A PRESENTATION.
MR. LLOYD? OH, NO. I MAY OPEN THE FLOOR FOR DISCUSSION, BUT YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND PRESENT.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR FOR THAT.
MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL, LAST WEEK, I APPROACHED YOU ALL ABOUT AN ORDINANCE TO SET SOME RULES FOR USAGE OF THE PICKLEBALL COURT.
ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, WHEN I VISITED ALMOST $140,000 TO RENOVATE
[00:35:02]
ALL THE COURTS HERE IN THE CITY, SOUTH PARK BEING ONE OF OUR MAIN HUBS, OUR BIGGEST COURT SITE HAS ABOUT SIX DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COURTS ALONG WITH FOUR DEDICATED TENNIS COURTS.AND WE'RE GETTING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC, A LOT OF POSITIVE PROGRAMING.
AS I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, WE JUST FINISHED ROLLING OUT ALL THE NEW CUSTOM SIGNS THROUGHOUT THE CITIES IN THE PARKS.
SO NOW OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO SET RULES IN DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE CITY.
BUT MY FOCUS TONIGHT IS ON PUTTING MORE RULES IN PLACE FOR USE OF OUR TENNIS COURTS.
I HAVE A QUESTION. COULD YOU REPEAT? I'M SORRY. FORGIVE ME.
GO AHEAD. CAN YOU REPEAT YOUR ASK ABOUT THE TENNIS COURTS? REPEAT OR. YES. I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T HEAR THE LAST PART YOU SAID.
OH, YEAH. WELL, THE ORDINANCE WOULD ALLOW ME TO ACTUALLY SET RULES FOR COURT USAGE.
THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY HOW IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE ORDINANCE. AND WE'LL BE PUTTING SIGNS UP ON THE COURTS REFERENCING THE ORDINANCE ON BASICALLY SHARING THE SPACE.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH PEOPLE.
I GUESS DOMINATING COURT TIME.
SO WE WANT TO TRY TO LIMIT THAT USE TO AT LEAST AN HOUR.
WE HAVE SITUATIONS WHERE CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE HOSTING PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENTS.
SO PEOPLE NOW ARE LOOKING AT THE CASH OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN MAKE BY HOSTING IT IN THIS SPACE. WHAT ELSE? HAVING A PARK RANGER NOW.
NOW I'M IN A BETTER POSITION TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO PUT IN PLACE. DO YOU HAVE A ASK OF COUNCIL TONIGHT? YES. TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE THAT WE PRESENTED LAST WEEK AT THE WORK SESSION.
COUNCILWOMAN ROGERS? YES, I WAS GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION.
YEAH. ARE YOU MAKING THE MOTION? OKAY, I THINK WE. I THINK WE OUGHT TO WAIVE THE FIRST READING FIRST.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE FIRST READING FOR THE ORDINANCE FOR TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL COURT FACILITIES.
PROPERLY SECONDED. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? YES. I WAS IN FOR A QUESTION, COUNCILMAN.
PINKY, CAN YOU JUST GIVE A VERY HIGH LEVEL QUICK SUMMARY OF WHAT THE THE SORT OF THE CHANGES ARE IN THE ORDINANCE THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING? WAIT, WAIT. I THINK THE THE MOTION IS TO WAIVE WAIT THE FIRST READING AND NOT DISCUSSION ON, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT WILL BE DISCUSSION AWAITING THE FIRST READING, AND THEN ONCE THE MOTION IN THE CITY OF THE CAN CORRECT ME, AND THEN ONCE THE MOTION IS BROUGHT BEFORE THEN THAT'S WHEN DISCUSSION IS, IF I'M CORRECT, WE NEED TO WAIVE THE FIRST BECAUSE THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR IS TO WAIVE THE FIRST READING. YEAH.
I MEAN I WAS IN DURING THIS PRESENTATION, BUT EITHER WAY IS FINE.
IF I CAN GET MADAM SOLICITOR VOTE, WHAT IS THE RULING? SO CAN HE ASK QUESTIONS BECAUSE HE MAY NOT WANT TO WAIVE THE FIRST READING? I GUESS DEPENDING ON THE QUESTION IF THAT OR I JUST WANT FOR EVERYONE LISTENING AND HERE TO HAVE A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SPECIFICS OF THIS CHANGE BECAUSE MR. PICKETT HASN'T GIVEN ANY SPECIFIC DETAILS.
SO THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO WAIVE THE FIRST READING.
I BELIEVE YES, THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.
OKAY. WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE THIS DISCUSSION? I GUESS WE STILL HAVE TO TAKE ACTION ON IT.
OKAY. ANYONE? OKAY, SO THE MOTION IS ON THE FLOOR TO WAIVE THE FIRST READING.
THAT WAS THE DISCUSSION PORTION. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
SO NOW IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 17? I'D LIKE TO ASK MY QUESTION NOW.
CAN CAN WE GET A MOTION TO OPEN THE FLOOR? I MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE ASK BY THE PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND IS THAT FOR YOUR MOTION IS TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE? YES. OKAY. OKAY. YOUR MOTION IS TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE.
YES. ALL RIGHT. HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? YES. YES, PLEASE.
[00:40:03]
COUNCILMAN FRIEDMAN, I WAITED PATIENTLY, IT FEELS LIKE.DO I NEED TO REPEAT MY QUESTION? ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. SO FROM A HIGH LEVEL STANDPOINT OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE ARGUABLY THE BEST OUTDOOR SPACE FOR PICKLEBALL.
WE'VE BEEN DOING PROGRAMING IN PICKLEBALL, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, SINCE 2018.
SO WE'VE GONE BEYOND JUST YOUR HAPPY GO LUCKY PICKLEBALL SPACE TO A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE PICKLEBALL AND THE TENNIS COMMUNITY.
SO WHAT? WE'RE RUNNING INTO OUR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS USING OUR COURTS AS IF IT'S A PRIVATE FACILITY. SO IF A RESIDENT COMES OUT AT 630 ON A RANDOM DAY WE'RE HAVING PICKLEBALL GROUPS SET UP AND BASICALLY RUN THEIR COMPANIES ON OUR COURTS.
SO IF A RESIDENT COMES BY AND SAY THEY WANT TO PLAY TENNIS OR PICKLEBALL, THEY ARE DOMINATING THE SPACE TO THE STANDPOINT OF THESE ARE OUR COURTS.
NOT PER SE, THAT MESSAGE, BUT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH US.
EXAMPLE THIS WEEKEND WE HAVE A GROUP OUT THERE POTENTIALLY TELLING PEOPLE WE HAVE THE COURTS, AND WE HAVE ALSO AN ALTAR TENNIS TEAM THAT USES THE SPACE THROUGH OUR PARK SYSTEM.
AND THEY ARE IN A CHALLENGE ABOUT WHO HAS ACCESS TO IT.
SO WHAT I'M ASKING IS TO BE ABLE TO BE ALLOWED TO PUT SPECIFIC RULES IN PLACE, TO BE ABLE TO PUT THOSE ON THE COURTS WITH, ALONG WITH MY STAFF AND OUR PARK RANGER TO HELP ENFORCE THOSE RULES.
ONE OF THE RULES IS ABOUT LIMITING THE NUMBER OF HOURS YOU CAN BE ON THE COURT.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RUN A TOURNAMENT THAT YOU GO THROUGH OUR PERMITTING PROCESS.
BUT WE HAVE FEES STRUCTURED ALREADY.
BUT I NEED SOMETHING MORE CONCRETE TO PUT IN PLACE THAT MY PARK RANGER CAN HELP ALONG WITH MY STAFF, ENFORCE THE USE OF THE SPACE AND PEOPLE NOT DOMINATING AND TREATING IT LIKE THEIR PRIVATE TENNIS OR PICKLEBALL FACILITY.
SO THOSE SIGNS WILL BE MADE ONCE THIS ORDINANCE IS PUT OUT.
I'M GOING TO ALSO REFERENCE WITH THE QR CODE.
I THINK THE MAYOR MIGHT HAVE MENTIONED IT, BUT WE ALREADY HAVE LIKE A REDESIGN OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. SO WHAT I WOULD DO IS PUT A QR CODE ON THAT SIGN THAT READS RIGHT TO THE ORDINANCE, AND IT'LL HELP MY PARK RANGER HAVE SOMETHING THEY CAN STAND ON AND ENFORCE. ALL RIGHT. ANY MORE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR ARE THOSE OPPOSED.
NEXT IS ITEM 18. COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION OF SINGLE SOURCE VENDOR HOUSE
[XIV.18. Council Discussion and Possible Action of Gametime 2025 Community Champions Playground Grant with Matching Funds Up T0 $100,000]
PRO ATL AND GREEN HART CONSTRUCTION FOR THE MINOR HOME REPAIR AND HOUSING REHABILITATION WORK AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 250.YES. THANK YOU. INTERIM DIRECTOR LAWRENCE DORMAN WILL WALK US THROUGH THIS ITEM.
THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, COUNSELOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM.
STAFF IS SEEKING THE JUSTIFICATION OF APPROVING HOUSE PROUD AND GREEN HART AS THE SINGLE SOURCE FOR THIS PROJECT.
AS YOU ALL DISCUSSED AT THE LAST MEETING.
THE MINOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM IS VERY ESSENTIAL TO THE CITY.
AND IN THIS CASE, PUTTING THIS BACK OUT FOR BID WOULD DELAY THE PROCESS BY A MONTH MINIMUM. SO WHAT WE DID HERE, WE LOOK AT THE JUSTIFICATION.
WE HAVE PUT THIS OUT BEFORE FOR AN RFP.
THEN WE ALSO PUT IT OUT FOR AN RFQ.
AND WE'VE ONLY HAD TWO VENDORS THAT RESPONDED IN THAT PROCESS IN THE PROCUREMENT WORLD.
YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO UTILIZE THOSE TWO VENDORS AS A SINGLE SOURCE.
THOSE TWO VENDORS ANY ADDITION TO THAT, IT WOULD DISRUPT ANY SERVICE THAT'S GOING ON.
IT PROLONGED AGAIN. BUT IF YOU CAN SEE THE JUSTIFICATIONS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CONTINUITY AND EFFICIENCY.
AND OF COURSE THERE'S NO NEED FOR FURTHER COMPETITION.
SO AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE'RE JUST SEEKING FOR THE APPROVAL OF A NEW CONTRACT WITH THESE TWO VENDORS TO CONTINUE AND NOT HAVE ANY DISRUPTION WITHIN THE PROGRAM ITSELF. ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILMAN ROGERS? NO, I'M READY TO MAKE THE MOTION.
THE ON THE AGENDA, IT SAYS NOT TO EXCEED $250,000.
IS THAT THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BUDGET AMOUNT FOR THIS ITEM?
[00:45:01]
YEAH. TURN IT OVER TO THE THROUGH YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.THAT $250,000 IS THE AMOUNT THAT YOU ARE ALLOCATED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 26.
THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN BUTLER, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONTRACT. THE SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT FOR THE TWO LISTED VENDORS.
SECOND, IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ARE THOSE OPPOSED? ALREADY PASSES. THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER 19.
[XIV.19. Council Discussion and Possible Action of Single-Source Vendors HouseProud ATL & Greenheart Construction, for the Minor Home Repair and Housing Rehabilitation Work; Amount Not to Exceed $250,000.00]
COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION OF GAME TIME.2025 COMMUNITY CHAMPION PLAYGROUND GRANT WITH MATCHING FUNDS UP TO $100,000.
I'LL HAVE PARKS AND REC WALK US THROUGH THIS ITEM.
THANK YOU. OKAY. ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.
BACK AGAIN WITH SOME GOOD NEWS.
SO A LOT OF THE WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING IN THE PLAYGROUND SPACE THE LAST YEAR HAS PAID SOME DIVIDENDS. I WAS APPLYING IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS FOR THIS PARTICULAR GRANT. IT'S A $100,000 MATCH GRANT THROUGH GAME TIME.
ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY OCTOBER 17TH.
AND DELIVERIES HAVE TO BE MADE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE GOOD THING ABOUT IT IS, IN MY CAPITAL PROJECTS OR MY CAPITAL REQUEST THAT WAS APPROVED. WE'RE LOOKING TO DO SOME UPGRADES AT SUMNER.
I WANT TO SAY SUMNER, COLONIAL HILLS, UNITY AND BRYANT PARK.
BUT THIS GRANT ACTUALLY IS GOING TO HELP ME EXPAND MY MONEY.
BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY MUCH A 50% DISCOUNT.
SYSTEMS WILL GET 50%. ANYTHING BETWEEN 25 AND 75,000.
THIS ALSO INCLUDES OUTDOOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT.
PROBABLY ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, I CAME BEFORE YOU ALL.
WE'RE BUILDING AN OUTDOOR FITNESS PARK IN SYKES PARK, WHERE I'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF RENOVATIONS. THE GRANT CAN ALSO BE USED FOR THAT, BUT THIS IS REALLY A GOOD THING FOR THE CITY.
WE'VE BEEN GOOD STEWARDS OF THE MONIES BEING INCLUSIVE AND BUILDING SPACES THAT ALL CAN PARTICIPATE. AND ONE OF THE REWARDS IS US GETTING THIS $100,000 GRANT.
YES. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION.
YES, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE GAME TIME 2025 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS PLAYGROUND GRANT WITH MATCHING FUNDS UP TO $100,000.
I THINK WE SAID IN ON THE DISCUSSION WE HAVE.
MR.. WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION? SO WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR ASK OF COUNCIL FOR US TO ACCEPT THE AWARD FOR THE GRANT, ACCEPT THE AWARD FOR THE GRANT.
AND DOES THAT REQUIRE ANY FUNDING ON THE PART OF THE CITY? SO THE WAY THEY DO IT THEY DISCOUNT ME ON THE ACTUAL QUOTE OF THE PRICE.
SO IT'S NOT LIKE YOUR TYPICAL MATCH GRANT WHERE WE HAVE TO PUT UP A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY FIRST. SO WHEN I FIND A PLAY SYSTEM, THEY ARE DISCOUNTED BASED ON THEIR TIER THAT I WAS DISCUSSING THROUGH THE QUOTE.
OKAY, SO THEY'LL DISCOUNT US UP TO $100,000.
CORRECT. AS A RECIPIENT OF THE GRANT.
OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND HAS BEEN SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ARE THOSE OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT.
THE MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 20.
[ Additional Item]
COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE AMICUS BRIEF IN THE CHANG VERSUS CITY OF MILTON APPEAL PENDING BEFORE THE GEORGIA STATE GEORGIA SUPREME COURT.MR.. OH, WELL, THAT WAS THE MAYOR'S.
SO. DO WE PUT IT ON NEXT? THE NEXT AGENDA, OR I THINK THAT THIS IS THE LAST MEETING.
BEFORE THE BRIEF IS, DO I THINK THAT THIS IS THE LAST MEETING BEFORE THE BRIEF IS DO? SO WE CAN'T PUT IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA? I THINK THE THE REQUEST IS WHETHER THE CITY WILL PARTICIPATE IN AN AMICUS BRIEF WITH THE CITY OF MILTON. ON THE ISSUES OF.
WHETHER THERE'S MUNICIPAL IMMUNITY UNDER THE DEALING WITH RIGHT OF WAY.
[00:50:01]
AND FOR FOR THE. WELL, BASICALLY, THE SUPREME COURT GRANTED A WRIT OF CERTIORARI IN THE CITY OF MILTON VERSUS CHIANG.THE CITY SUPPORTED THE INITIAL BRIEF RESULTING IN THE THE SUPREME COURT AGREEING TO HEAR THE CASE. NOW, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, INCLUDING THE CITY OF EASTPOINTE, TO SUPPORT TO JOIN IN THE AMICUS BRIEF.
AND I BELIEVE THAT IS THE ISSUE THAT IS ON THE AGENDA THIS MORNING, THIS AFTERNOON OR THIS EVENING.
AND I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A CONSENSUS ON THAT THIS EVENING, BECAUSE THE BRIEF IS GOING TO BE DUE BEFORE THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
OKAY. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY OBJECTION WITH US? I DID. WAIT, WAIT. I MEAN, HOLD ON.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ADD TO THE AMICUS BRIEF.
THIS CASE INVOLVES WHERE, TRAGICALLY, A PERSON DIED OR WAS INJURED IN A RIGHT OF WAY, AND THEY HIT AN OBSTACLE, AND IT DIDN'T APPEAR THAT.
AND MAYBE LET ME SAY IT THIS WAY.
WE SHOULD PARTICIPATE BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE PERSON WAS AWARDED COULD POSSIBLY PUT CITIES INTO BANKRUPTCY.
AND SO THIS IS WHY WE SHOULD SUPPORT THIS LAWSUIT WITH THIS BRIEF, IN ORDER TO PROTECT OUR OWN INTERESTS REGARDING LITIGATION AND LIABILITY.
COUNCILWOMAN SHROPSHIRE, THANK YOU.
AND I WAS GOING TO SAY THE SAME THING.
WE ACTUALLY HAD THIS ON THE AGENDA BEFORE, AND WE VOTED FOR IT BEFORE.
AND THIS IS ANOTHER THING, RESOLUTION OR ANOTHER PART THAT WE HAVE TO SIGN, VOTE FOR AND SIGN OFF AGAIN ON THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF IT.
BUT THAT IS CORRECT. WE VOTED ON I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHEN IT WAS PROBABLY.
I THINK IT WAS THE LATTER PART OF APRIL OF LAST YEAR WHEN WE INITIALLY VOTED FOR THIS.
SO IT'S JUST A CONTINUING OF WHAT WE'VE ALREADY DONE IS TO SHOW SUPPORT, ALONG WITH THE OTHER CITIES THAT ARE SUPPORTING IT AS WELL.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN FREELY. YEAH.
MY QUESTION WAS JUST I, I SEEM TO RECALL THAT THIS HAD COME UP PREVIOUSLY. SO I GUESS I'M JUST CONFUSED, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN ANSWER.
MADAM CITY SOLICITOR, WHY ARE WE DOING THIS AGAIN? AND I CAN'T STAY SAY SPECIFICALLY WHY IT'S BEING ADDRESSED AGAIN, OTHER THAN IT APPEARS THAT THE ORIGINALLY, THE SUPREME COURT GRANTED THE WRIT OF CERTIORARI IN THE CITY OF MILTON VERSUS CHANG, AND THAT WAS SUPPORTED AND I THINK NOW THAT THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO HEAR THE, HEAR THE CASE, THAT THE BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF MILTON IS THAT WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR IS AN AMICUS BRIEF ON ON THAT ISSUE NOW GOING BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.
I DON'T KNOW IF EARLIER IT WAS A DIFFERENT PROCEEDING.
THAT AND, YOU KNOW, FRIENDS OF THE COURT WERE SUPPORTED FOR THE CITY OF MILTON.
BUT I CAN'T I DON'T WANT TO SAY SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WHAT THE VOTE WAS ON, BUT I DO KNOW THAT IT IS A CONTINUATION OF THAT CASE.
AND THEY'RE SEEKING THE CONTINUED SUPPORT.
OKAY. THANK YOU. I HAD A QUESTION.
SO IS THIS SO THE ACTION WOULD BE A MOTION TO SUPPORT THIS.
IS IT SOMETHING WE SIGN, OR DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT WORKS? WELL, GENERALLY I DO NOW WITH THE WITH AN AMICUS BRIEF, IT WOULD BE SIGNING ON NOTHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO INDEPENDENTLY, BUT THAT WE WOULD BE, FRIENDS OF THE COURT.
THE AMICUS BRIEF SAYING THAT WE AGREE WITH THE BRIEF THAT IS BEING SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MILTON.
OKAY. THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS ITEM? I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION.
OKAY. THAT WE APPROVE THE MILTON RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE AMICUS BRIEF. IS THERE A SECOND? IS MOVED AND SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ARE THOSE OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT.
ANY EXECUTIVE SECTIONS, ITEM SECTIONS, ITEMS. I HAVE ONE LEGAL. OKAY.
[00:55:07]
MADAM. SOLICITOR. THERE.NONE. OH, NICE. OKAY. CAN WE GET A MOTION TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ONE LEGAL
[XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
ITEM? ONE LEGAL MATTER IN ONE PERSON.IS THERE A SECOND? IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.