[6:45] Good evening.
[6:52] Good evening, Stone Crest, and welcome
[6:54] to today's work session. Today is
[6:56] Monday, August 10th, 2026. The time is
[6:59] now 6:02. I am now calling the meeting
[7:02] to order. Madame City Clerk, can you be
[7:05] so kind and take the role?
[7:06] >> Yes, ma'am. Good evening, everyone.
[7:08] » Yes, ma'am. Good evening, everyone.
[7:08] Mayor Jasmine Cabbell,
[7:11] Mayor Pro Tim, Tara Graves
[7:12] >> here,
[7:13] » here,
[7:13] >> council member Alicia Washington
[7:15] » council member Alicia Washington
[7:15] >> here.
[7:15] » here.
[7:15] >> Council member George Turner
[7:17] » Council member George Turner
[7:17] >> here.
[7:17] » here.
[7:17] >> Council member Carisha Smith
[7:19] » Council member Carisha Smith
[7:19] >> present.
[7:20] » present.
[7:20] >> You have a quorum. Thank you madam city
[7:22] » You have a quorum. Thank you madam city
[7:22] clerk. Council, after reviewing today's
[7:25] agenda, are there any proposed
[7:27] adjustments?
[7:31] Hearing none, I entertain a motion.
[7:35] » Pro Tim. Councilman Turner.
[7:37] >> Move to approve the agenda as written.
[7:40] » Move to approve the agenda as written.
[7:40] >> Second.
[7:41] » Second.
[7:41] >> The motion has been properly moved and
[7:43] » The motion has been properly moved and
[7:43] second by Councilwoman Washington. Are
[7:45] you ready for the question? All those in
[7:47] favor of the motion, please respond with
[7:49] yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting
[7:50] with district three,
[7:52] >> yay.
[7:52] » yay.
[7:52] >> District four?
[7:54] » District four?
[7:54] >> Yay.
[7:54] » Yay.
[7:54] >> District five,
[7:55] » District five,
[7:56] >> yay.
[7:56] » yay.
[7:56] >> District one is yay. The agenda is now
[7:59] » District one is yay. The agenda is now
[7:59] approved. Motion carries four to zero.
[8:04] Next on the agenda
[8:07] is the June monthly financial update by
[8:10] Director Kesha Franklin.
[8:29] Good evening
[8:33] The June 2026 financial summary update
[8:38] contains for the month of June, we did
[8:41] have expenditures that exceeded revenue,
[8:44] but overall
[8:46] we still have a surplus of $2.3 million.
[8:49] One of the highlights um of this month
[8:52] is that we met with Barry Dunn. Barry
[8:56] Dunn actually handles our opera
[8:57] reporting for the city. And so during
[9:00] that meeting, we got an update from
[9:02] Barry Dunn that we could potentially use
[9:06] reclassify some of the expenses from
[9:08] prior fiscal years where the audits
[9:10] aren't complete into qualified ORPA
[9:14] expense categories. And so that would
[9:17] assist us in um fulfilling that $3
[9:21] million
[9:23] additional remaining amount that we have
[9:26] to spend for ARPA.
[9:28] So I I have informed the city engineer
[9:31] and we met and we will start to identify
[9:33] different funds that qualify
[9:37] that could have qualified for ARPA that
[9:38] we actually spent from the general fund.
[9:41] And as we do that, we'll submit those to
[9:44] be approved. And then once those are
[9:46] approved, we'll bring those back before
[9:48] council to decide whether or not that
[9:52] those adjustments is something the city
[9:54] wants to do.
[9:57] Then also noted on fund 300 where you
[10:01] see it's a reported deficit that is a
[10:04] timing issue. We do have a project
[10:08] called CDBG related to Fington
[10:10] sidewalks. It is a reimburseable grant.
[10:14] So it's the timing of us spending those
[10:16] funds versus requesting reimbursement
[10:19] for for those funds.
[10:22] And also wanted to add an update that
[10:24] the midyear budget adjustment, it should
[10:26] be posted by the end of this week. I
[10:30] believe it's available for signature
[10:32] tonight.
[10:35] Any questions?
[10:38] >> Council member Tim.
[10:41] » Council member Tim.
[10:41] >> Yes. Council Washington.
[10:44] » Yes. Council Washington.
[10:44] >> Yes. Could you repeat the surplus
[10:47] » Yes. Could you repeat the surplus
[10:47] balance again for me, please? Thank you,
[10:49] Kesha. $2.3
[10:51] million.
[10:52] >> Okay.
[10:53] » Okay.
[10:53] >> Thank you,
[10:59] » Report Tim.
[11:00] >> Councilman Turner,
[11:01] » Councilman Turner,
[11:01] >> continuing down that same line of
[11:03] » continuing down that same line of
[11:03] thought, um projection for the year,
[11:07] we're looking at probably
[11:11] how much of a uh fund balance?
[11:15] I do not have the fund balance printed
[11:18] out right now, but we do have a healthy
[11:20] fund balance. I can bring that um I can
[11:24] provide it via email this evening and I
[11:26] can also make sure I make that part of
[11:28] the presentation next time.
[11:30] >> The numbers I'm looking at indicate that
[11:32] » The numbers I'm looking at indicate that
[11:32] we could be between four and $5 million
[11:34] surplus if we continue at the same
[11:37] trend.
[11:39] And I know we just um
[11:42] laid forth a budget adjustment. So there
[11:44] might be opportunities for us to do some
[11:46] other things. That's not for you to
[11:47] decide. I'm just saying
[11:49] >> that if we are confident that this is a
[11:53] » that if we are confident that this is a
[11:53] real possibility that we're looking at a
[11:55] $4 to5 million surplus.
[11:59] >> Well, we have to look at the timing of
[12:02] » Well, we have to look at the timing of
[12:02] revenues and expenditures. We do have a
[12:04] lot of expenditures that we do need to
[12:08] um get paid before the end of the year.
[12:10] So that will affect the surplus.
[12:14] um say for example right now it's a $2.3
[12:17] million surplus but we do know we have
[12:20] to expand at least $3 million. So right
[12:24] now it's more so of a a timing. um we
[12:27] can do a forecast based on prior years
[12:30] but um based on right now I wouldn't
[12:33] necessarily say that but fund balance
[12:35] and the surplus are two separate things
[12:38] on a month-to-month basis but at the end
[12:41] of the year if you have a surplus it
[12:43] will increase your fund balance and at
[12:44] the end of the year if you have a def
[12:46] deficit it'll reduce your fund balance.
[12:50] >> Got it.
[12:52] » Got it.
[12:52] Um,
[12:55] hate to ask you to repeat yourself, but
[12:57] I was looking at the ARPA
[13:00] >> funds as a $3.5 million.
[13:05] Can you explain how that may not be as
[13:08] much of um being at Flint as it was? You
[13:11] you said something up front about you
[13:14] and Barry Dunn looking at something. Can
[13:16] you repeat yourself, please? So when we
[13:18] met with Barry Dunn, there is a new
[13:21] stipulation that applies to cities that
[13:25] have open audits.
[13:27] So since we have open audits, we could
[13:30] go back and look at some of our
[13:32] expenditures that would have qualified
[13:34] as ARPA funds and reclass them as ARPA
[13:38] funds, which would reduce this $3
[13:40] million balance here as being due back
[13:45] at the end of the year if we don't
[13:47] expend them.
[13:49] So say for example we had a shared cost
[13:52] project one year and so we paid a
[13:55] million ARPA a million from the general
[13:58] fund. We could potentially recclass the
[14:00] amount that we paid from the general
[14:02] fund. So once we identify those amounts
[14:06] we can get Barry done to confirm they do
[14:08] qualify and then when we get that list
[14:10] we could bring it forward because that
[14:12] would have to be it would be crossing
[14:14] funds. So, of course, council will have
[14:16] to approve those journals.
[14:19] >> How far back can we go?
[14:21] » How far back can we go?
[14:21] >> As long as we have open audit. So, we
[14:24] » As long as we have open audit. So, we
[14:24] can go back to 23.
[14:27] >> Good.
[14:30] And
[14:38] there was something in the budget about
[14:42] parks and recreation. You mentioned
[14:45] getting with our engineering
[14:47] to bring that up to date because we're
[14:50] way behind
[14:53] >> parks and rack.
[15:00] » What I um I was referring to the ARPA
[15:03] funds when I spoke about the city. Uh
[15:04] yes, under it says that the parks
[15:07] upgrade
[15:08] uh uh $2.9 million obligated and we've
[15:13] only expended u less than a million
[15:15] dollars. So there's the remaining 2.2.
[15:18] So there's a plan to uh again I'm going
[15:21] out of a year round. I'm just looking at
[15:23] these numbers.
[15:24] >> So are we saying that
[15:28] » So are we saying that
[15:28] we expect to expend that or not?
[15:33] We do expect to expend it. It's just
[15:36] meeting with to see to keep the status
[15:38] of the projects to see how the projects
[15:40] are progressing so that we can spend
[15:42] those funds. So, we meet with the city
[15:44] engineer to get a status of how the
[15:47] projects are moving along.
[15:49] >> Okay. And I know you're working with me
[15:51] » Okay. And I know you're working with me
[15:51] here. Uh I expect things to be even kill
[15:54] all the way down, but I know that's not
[15:56] always the case is that we're midyear. I
[16:00] expected 50% to be expended, but I know
[16:02] that that's it's not realistic. But I do
[16:05] want to get a feel for where we are
[16:07] >> and if there are some real threats to us
[16:10] » and if there are some real threats to us
[16:10] achieving the uh budget goals. And I
[16:15] think as far as timing is concerned from
[16:17] my perspective, we probably started a
[16:20] little behind on some of those projects
[16:23] because um in the beginning of the year
[16:25] they were not able to get POS because
[16:28] they did not have funding. So and as a
[16:31] result the vendors cannot start working
[16:35] if they don't have POS. So that probably
[16:38] pushed some of the deadlines back some
[16:41] from the original anticipated deadlines.
[16:44] But everything that needed POS that we
[16:47] received from the city engineer
[16:49] beginning of the year around March, I
[16:51] believe that was we did a budget
[16:53] amendment for. And all those are cut and
[16:56] those projects are underway.
[16:58] >> Okay. And some things we're doing
[16:59] » Okay. And some things we're doing
[16:59] catchup.
[17:00] >> Mhm.
[17:02] » Mhm.
[17:02] >> Okay.
[17:06] And for the sake of the public,
[17:09] there's an acronym S Lf R
[17:12] S L F RF
[17:17] associated with Barry Dunn.
[17:28] I've got it.
[17:28] >> Lost lost, I guess. State local fiscal
[17:31] » Lost lost, I guess. State local fiscal
[17:31] recovery fund.
[17:32] >> Right. Right.
[17:40] And I made a note here that I'm going to
[17:42] get probably with Miss Cow on the
[17:44] quality trees and tree bank.
[17:53] Don't answer that. I I'll I'll get with
[17:55] Miss Kowi on it. Okay. I know you
[17:58] monitor the tree bank um funds and
[18:02] whatnot and uh I made note quality trees
[18:05] versus treebank and uh I don't know what
[18:08] I made that note for. So you're free.
[18:11] >> Okay.
[18:11] » Okay.
[18:11] >> All right. Thank you very much.
[18:13] » All right. Thank you very much.
[18:13] >> Thank you.
[18:16] » Thank you.
[18:16] Any questions?
[18:18] Council, do you have any other questions
[18:20] for Director Franklin?
[18:28] Thank you so much, Director Franklin,
[18:30] for your time.
[18:30] >> Thank you.
[18:37] » Next on the agenda is
[18:41] a dis from the city manager office.
[18:43] Update,
[18:46] city manager Katherine Turner.
[18:53] Good evening, mayor. In her absence,
[18:55] Mayor Pertim and members of city
[18:56] council.
[18:58] I'm excited to share a few initiatives
[19:00] and updates that are currently underway
[19:03] to improve our day-to-day operation and
[19:05] help position the city to greater
[19:06] efficiencies, accountability, and
[19:08] transparency. There's a lot of positive
[19:11] work that's behind the scenes, and I
[19:12] simply cannot wait until the next
[19:14] council meeting to share some of these
[19:15] updates with you. Payroll audit. We're
[19:18] in the process of partnering with an
[19:19] external firm to do a to do a
[19:22] comprehensive payroll and personnel
[19:23] audit. The goal is to ensure that the
[19:25] city's payroll system is accurate,
[19:28] properly controlled, compliant, and
[19:30] protected from errors, frauds,
[19:32] inconsistency, or or potential issues. I
[19:36] have identified a few areas that warrant
[19:38] a further review, and I believe it's
[19:39] important to be proactively address
[19:41] these matters now to strengthen our
[19:43] internal controls and protect the city's
[19:45] financial integrity.
[19:47] uh director Franklin has already shared
[19:48] with you as far as our audit update. Uh
[19:51] director Franklin and I have established
[19:53] an excellent working relationship with
[19:54] with to ensure that we remain aligned
[19:56] regarding the city's financial position
[19:58] priorities and the overall fiscal
[20:00] health. We meet regularly to review the
[20:02] city's financial status, discuss
[20:04] emerging issues, and ensure that we're
[20:06] making informed decisions that support
[20:08] sound financial management and
[20:10] accountability.
[20:12] The clerk's office. The clerk's office
[20:14] and I met with Mayor Pro Tim to improve
[20:16] our internal agenda posting process and
[20:18] establish a more timely, consistent, and
[20:21] transparent process for citizens to
[20:23] review the upcoming agenda items. This
[20:25] process improves will help the public
[20:27] with greater opportunity to review and
[20:29] understand items before council meeting
[20:32] and will help reduce the number of
[20:33] walk-on agenda items. Code enforcement.
[20:37] I have assigned an employee to work
[20:38] alongside our core enforcement team to
[20:41] ensure the count's the council's
[20:43] beautifification initiative to help make
[20:45] Stone Crest a cleaner, safer, and more
[20:47] desirable place to live, work, and do
[20:49] business. His role is to proactively
[20:51] travel throughout the city. He's going
[20:53] to identify beautifification
[20:55] opportunities and property management
[20:57] concerns. He's document them and report
[20:59] them to the department, the appropriate
[21:01] department, and when necessary, Dicap
[21:03] County for followup. He will also help
[21:05] us identify areas where the property and
[21:08] business owner may need to address
[21:09] conditions and their property and ensure
[21:11] that equable requirements are being
[21:13] followed. This proactive approach will
[21:16] help us identify issues before they
[21:17] become larger problems and promp improve
[21:20] the overall appearance of our city, hold
[21:22] property and business owner accountable
[21:24] for maintaining their property. And our
[21:26] goal is to work collaboratively with
[21:28] code enforcement and our community
[21:29] partners to preserve the quality,
[21:31] appearance, and desiraability of stone
[21:33] crest
[21:35] public works. We're in the process of
[21:37] elaborating on the details with the
[21:39] director of the cab county public works
[21:41] road and drainage division. We're trying
[21:43] to establish a workflow of our work
[21:45] orders and how can we track the status
[21:47] of what's considered in progress and
[21:49] what is considered done. This will allow
[21:51] us to be more proactive on our work
[21:53] orders. human resource department. We
[21:56] have partnered with the consulting firm
[21:57] that start helping us assist the city as
[21:59] they transition from their previous
[22:01] role. They're helping to support us in
[22:02] the interim of our HR department and
[22:04] city manager's office. They bring over
[22:06] 35 years of experience working with the
[22:08] public and private organization and
[22:10] providing uh executive leadership and
[22:12] organization and development skills. She
[22:14] also will be responsible uh for doing
[22:16] our internal audit because they're MD
[22:18] 110 EOCC certified. And the last thing I
[22:22] want to share is security. We are well
[22:25] on our way to ensure that we have the
[22:27] best possible security measures in place
[22:28] at the Stone Crest City Hall. We're
[22:31] working closely with Major Bearing and
[22:33] the Sheriff's Office to strengthen the
[22:35] safety and security of our faculty,
[22:36] employees, and visitors. Major Bearing
[22:40] has been out for the past few weeks, but
[22:41] we wanted to take a moment to welcome
[22:43] her back. And we also want to recognize
[22:46] her for the tremendous work she has done
[22:48] throughout this process. She has been
[22:50] absolutely amazing and we truly
[22:53] appreciate her partnership, her
[22:54] responsiveness, her commitment to
[22:56] helping us make city hall a safer and a
[22:58] better place to be. As the old saying or
[23:01] what my grandmom used to say, give her
[23:03] flowers while she's still here to smell
[23:05] them. So, welcome back, Major Baron. We
[23:08] appreciate you and look forward to
[23:10] continuing to support you and the
[23:11] positive work that you bring to city
[23:13] hall.
[23:19] Come on up. Come on. Come on. [laughter]
[23:25] So, behalf on all the city employees at
[23:28] Stone Crest, the mayor, Mayor Pro Tim,
[23:31] Council, attorney, city clerk, we have
[23:33] something special we want to give you.
[23:35] If you'll turn around,
[23:38] [laughter]
[23:39] just a little token to tell you. He
[23:41] should come on up here. Just a little
[23:43] token. Tiffany,
[23:45] just a little token to tell you thank
[23:47] you. We can't keep our employees, this
[23:50] building, the city when they the staff
[23:52] members, the city when they come up
[23:54] here, we can't keep them safe without
[23:56] you and your team and the sheriff's
[23:57] office. We're so thankful that you're
[23:59] back. We thank God that he covered you
[24:01] and protected you and you brought us
[24:03] back to us safe. So, with those flowers,
[24:05] we want to just tell you thank you and
[24:06] that's a small token of our
[24:07] appreciation.
[24:29] know that's what this was about.
[24:33] >> It wouldn't have been a surprise if we
[24:34] » It wouldn't have been a surprise if we
[24:34] would have told you.
[24:56] Yes, please.
[24:57] >> Um, thank y'all so much. Um,
[25:00] » Um, thank y'all so much. Um,
[25:00] what we do is not for this and I know
[25:04] you all know that. uh we come, we serve
[25:07] because it's our passion, it's our
[25:09] commitment to the city, to all who come
[25:15] work, play here,
[25:17] um and live here. And so we I thank you
[25:20] so much. Um
[25:22] when city manager Turner reached out to
[25:24] me uh while I was on FMLA,
[25:28] you text me
[25:31] and there are some texts I I can't
[25:33] answer with a text. I have to answer by
[25:36] calling and I told her I said you just
[25:39] brought tears to my eyes
[25:41] because um
[25:45] to know that it's just beyond this badge
[25:48] that I'm thought about
[25:50] it means everything and it truly helped
[25:54] me and the officers feel like we are
[25:56] truly
[25:58] the stone crest.
[26:00] I thank you all for this. I really do
[26:02] because you didn't have to because this
[26:04] is not what we do what we do for. We
[26:07] don't do it to, you know, be rewarded.
[26:09] We do it the reward is making sure you
[26:11] all are safe every day. So, I do truly
[26:14] thank you all for this. And y'all some
[26:16] sneaky people. [laughter]
[26:41] I want to join.
[26:58] Yeah. Why you so Yeah.
[27:04] » You look like you sound like me.
[27:10] » I know.
[27:11] >> Oh, we do like this.
[27:12] » Oh, we do like this.
[27:12] >> You know, stand up at least or something
[27:14] » You know, stand up at least or something
[27:14] so
[27:15] >> Oh, you can't
[27:20] » come down. Come on down.
[27:25] You too.
[27:44] They can't see you way back.
[27:48] » Uh, director
[27:51] back over here
[27:53] real quick.
[28:12] Thank you.
[28:12] >> Thank you.
[28:27] trying to go crazy.
[28:34] Okay.
[28:46] council.
[29:00] Do you have any questions for our city
[29:02] manager?
[29:03] >> I wanted to say my ending.
[29:05] » I wanted to say my ending.
[29:06] >> Are you serious? [laughter]
[29:08] » Are you serious? [laughter]
[29:08] >> Again, thank all I have for today. I
[29:10] » Again, thank all I have for today. I
[29:10] want to thank you again for your time
[29:12] and for allowing me to share these
[29:13] updates in the work session. I'm excited
[29:16] about the progress we're making and I
[29:17] look forward to the continued work that
[29:19] we're doing. Thank you,
[29:22] >> council. Now, do you have any questions
[29:24] » council. Now, do you have any questions
[29:24] for your city manager?
[29:27] >> Tim,
[29:27] » Tim,
[29:27] >> Councilman Turner,
[29:29] » Councilman Turner,
[29:29] >> how's the fire holes going?
[29:37] » One thing that's required of you is a
[29:40] financial report by the 15th of each
[29:42] month. And I know that's going to be a
[29:45] challenge, but um we can talk about how
[29:48] it fits in either work session or the
[29:52] it's got to be council meeting because I
[29:54] don't think we ever have a work session
[29:55] before the 15th. So, we're still looking
[29:58] forward to getting that financial report
[29:59] from the city manager's office.
[30:03] >> Yes, you will have that financial report
[30:04] » Yes, you will have that financial report
[30:04] as well as an update on all the progress
[30:06] we're making as well.
[30:07] >> Excellent. And um budget
[30:14] » Excellent. And um budget
[30:14] is in your court as well. And there's a
[30:16] budget calendar that I think has already
[30:19] been put together and I was having
[30:20] trouble putting my hand on it. I'm not
[30:22] sure if there going to be any
[30:23] adjustments, but as soon as we could
[30:26] take a look at the budget calendar
[30:27] because the end of the year is near.
[30:31] >> Absolutely. I've been working with
[30:33] » Absolutely. I've been working with
[30:33] Deputy City Manager Michael McCoy and
[30:35] our director of finance. They've already
[30:37] met with some of the teams already, some
[30:39] of the departments getting their budget
[30:41] request for the year that lines up with
[30:42] some of the initiatives that the city
[30:44] that the council has requested. So,
[30:46] we're working through that process so
[30:47] that we'll be ready for the final
[30:49] approval by the council.
[30:54] » Good. And um at some point you will give
[30:58] us a summary of the vacancies
[31:03] and if there going to be any
[31:05] recommendation to staff adjustments.
[31:08] This is not for an answer tonight but
[31:10] just something we want to take a quick
[31:11] look at.
[31:13] >> Yes, I will have that in my report as
[31:15] » Yes, I will have that in my report as
[31:15] well as when we have uh not asking for
[31:17] one today but when we go in executive
[31:19] session I'll have that information for
[31:21] you.
[31:21] >> Okay.
[31:23] » Okay.
[31:23] And I made the same note I made in the
[31:26] finance area. If there's a $4 million
[31:29] surplus,
[31:32] can we take a look at projects that we
[31:35] can get done FY26
[31:38] if that is a solid projection?
[31:40] >> Absolutely. I heard Director Franklin
[31:42] » Absolutely. I heard Director Franklin
[31:42] mention, and I totally agree, if there's
[31:44] a surplus, we want to get some of our
[31:45] projects complete. So, as many that we
[31:47] can get done during this time before the
[31:49] year's out, we'll work toward it. Good.
[31:51] >> All right.
[31:53] » All right.
[31:53] There's more, but I will yield. May
[31:55] prom.
[31:56] >> Thank you, Councilman Turner. Council,
[31:59] » Thank you, Councilman Turner. Council,
[31:59] any other questions?
[32:00] >> Mayor Pro 10.
[32:01] » Mayor Pro 10.
[32:01] >> Councilwoman Washington.
[32:03] » Councilwoman Washington.
[32:03] >> Um, I know you mentioned the payroll
[32:06] » Um, I know you mentioned the payroll
[32:06] audited. Um, how long will it take for
[32:09] that to go forth?
[32:12] >> I plan to have them engaged by the week
[32:14] » I plan to have them engaged by the week
[32:14] of the 24th. And they told me they could
[32:16] have what's in the agreement is for two
[32:18] years. 2024 and 2025 will be completed
[32:21] in two weeks.
[32:23] >> And you can are you going to give us an
[32:25] » And you can are you going to give us an
[32:25] update u as they move forward with this
[32:27] audit?
[32:28] >> Yes, I'm sometimes
[32:29] » Yes, I'm sometimes
[32:29] >> how often?
[32:30] » how often?
[32:30] >> Yes, I will give you some updates I can
[32:32] » Yes, I will give you some updates I can
[32:32] via email if we're not having a work
[32:34] session or a council meeting. Okay.
[32:36] >> And then I'll give you the other updates
[32:37] » And then I'll give you the other updates
[32:37] during the meeting.
[32:38] >> Thank you. I yield.
[32:40] » Thank you. I yield.
[32:40] >> You're welcome.
[32:43] » You're welcome.
[32:43] >> May I pro him? Councilwoman Smith,
[32:48] » May I pro him? Councilwoman Smith,
[32:48] >> city manager Turner. Hello.
[32:51] » city manager Turner. Hello.
[32:51] >> Hello.
[32:51] » Hello.
[32:51] >> Um, I just have a question as it
[32:54] » Um, I just have a question as it
[32:54] relates, you mentioned public works that
[32:57] you guys are um trying to make some
[33:00] efforts on the things that we submit
[33:02] from a public works perspective. I know
[33:05] that we've done a little bit here and
[33:06] there, Mayor Pro Tim, myself trying to
[33:09] talk to or speaking with Commissioner
[33:12] Marita Davis Johnson and her office to
[33:14] see how they can help us get feedback on
[33:16] things that we've had open for a while.
[33:18] Have you guys been able to make any
[33:20] leeway on getting some direct um access
[33:25] to the the orders or the tickets that we
[33:28] put in from a city perspective
[33:31] um as it relates to updates on anything
[33:33] that's been in? Have you had a chance to
[33:36] make any leeway on that?
[33:39] >> We haven't made a lot of leeway, but
[33:40] » We haven't made a lot of leeway, but
[33:40] we're in the process. Uh, Councilman
[33:43] George uh, Turner is going and I going
[33:45] to meet with Miss Davis to go over some
[33:47] of the concerns that has been brought
[33:48] forth and I also spoke with the director
[33:51] of public works office today and we are
[33:53] setting up a meeting with them as well
[33:54] as our project engineer, Mayor Pro Tim.
[33:57] We're all coming to the table with what
[33:58] our issues are and what are the items we
[34:00] put in the work in their system to see
[34:02] how fast we can get some of those
[34:04] expedited. What we want to do is
[34:05] understand the process meaning when we
[34:07] put in a work order, how long does it
[34:09] take it to get work? when will we know
[34:10] that it's been done and what are any
[34:13] challenges they're experiencing. So,
[34:14] those are the things we're going to
[34:15] bring to the table. We're gonna have a
[34:16] list of items. So, if you have some and
[34:18] that you've identified you want to share
[34:19] with me, we'll make sure it's included
[34:21] in that list.
[34:22] >> Okay. Thank you. And on to the
[34:24] » Okay. Thank you. And on to the
[34:24] beautifification
[34:26] um effort that we've announced that we
[34:29] would like to see happen. Um you
[34:32] mentioned that we have someone who's
[34:34] going to be helping in that area. Now,
[34:37] um my question is
[34:41] if we see something, say something. Does
[34:44] our who we say something to change any
[34:47] or do we still just reach out to code
[34:50] enforcement director Kowi and team if
[34:53] there is something that we see or ideas
[34:57] that we have as it relates to the
[34:59] beautifification initiative.
[35:02] We always welcome your ideas because
[35:04] that's how we're trying to move forward
[35:05] with some of these initiatives. I will
[35:07] share with you an email because I don't
[35:08] know if I can share it on this mic who's
[35:10] going to be working alongside of
[35:12] director Q and then that way you can
[35:14] send it to both of them.
[35:15] >> Okay?
[35:15] » Okay?
[35:15] >> And we plan to work on those issues. So
[35:18] » And we plan to work on those issues. So
[35:18] starting he's here but I don't know if
[35:20] it's okay to say it but he's going to
[35:21] start on them this week.
[35:22] >> Okay.
[35:23] » Okay.
[35:23] >> Um and so as fast as you get some issues
[35:25] » Um and so as fast as you get some issues
[35:25] that you've already seen,
[35:26] >> right?
[35:27] » right?
[35:27] >> Pass them along. Uh, I'll send you the
[35:29] » Pass them along. Uh, I'll send you the
[35:29] email contacts to everyone to tonight.
[35:31] You'll have it in your email by in the
[35:32] morning and then that way we can store
[35:34] go ahead and go and give a list of
[35:35] things that we need to work on.
[35:36] >> Okay.
[35:36] » Okay.
[35:36] >> We're excited about it because we know
[35:38] » We're excited about it because we know
[35:38] some of the businesses that we need to
[35:39] work with to help them clean up some
[35:41] things as well. So, I think this is
[35:43] going to be a great initiative and you
[35:44] all can let us know when it's over.
[35:46] >> Okay. Sounds good. Thank you.
[35:48] » Okay. Sounds good. Thank you.
[35:48] >> You're welcome. Mayor Pro Tim, why are
[35:49] » You're welcome. Mayor Pro Tim, why are
[35:49] you
[35:53] council? Any other questions?
[36:01] Madam city manager, do you have do you
[36:04] happen to know how many work orders um
[36:08] we have pending currently?
[36:11] >> Uh no, not at this time. I'll have to
[36:12] » Uh no, not at this time. I'll have to
[36:12] find out what the total number is and I
[36:14] can get back with you.
[36:16] >> And I also want to say thank you for
[36:17] » And I also want to say thank you for
[36:17] joining our meeting um agenda meeting on
[36:20] Friday along with the city clerk office.
[36:23] Um, if you notice, we did not have a
[36:25] walk-on today. So, thank you so much for
[36:29] being proactive in getting everything in
[36:31] so we can post it for the public. So, I
[36:33] appreciate that.
[36:34] >> You're welcome.
[36:34] » You're welcome.
[36:34] >> Um, as far as the payroll audit, you
[36:38] » Um, as far as the payroll audit, you
[36:38] mentioned it's going the payroll audit
[36:40] supposed to start on August 24th.
[36:43] >> Week of August 24th. Yes. We're just
[36:45] » Week of August 24th. Yes. We're just
[36:45] waiting for um our attorneys to finish
[36:47] reviewing the contract and all the
[36:49] documentation to ensure it's aligned
[36:51] with our our policies and charter. And
[36:53] once they approve it, then we'll get all
[36:55] the signatures. They're ready to start.
[36:56] They're waiting on us.
[36:58] >> They're waiting on us.
[37:01] » They're waiting on us.
[37:01] >> Mayor Pro Tim,
[37:04] » Mayor Pro Tim,
[37:04] >> Councilwoman Smith,
[37:05] » Councilwoman Smith,
[37:05] >> that's the question along the same
[37:07] » that's the question along the same
[37:07] lines. Um, city manager Turner, can you
[37:11] let us know, let all of us, the public,
[37:13] everybody know what our goal is and u
[37:18] what we plan to accomplish with the
[37:20] payroll audit.
[37:24] » What we plan to accomplish is to ensure
[37:26] that all the employees that are being
[37:28] paid are actually employees of the city.
[37:30] That there's no ghost employees out
[37:32] there. to ensure that the payroll is
[37:34] done according to people are getting
[37:36] paid what they should be being paid.
[37:38] Ensure that all the taxes are lined up
[37:40] as they're supposed to, all the
[37:42] retirement. We're just going to audit
[37:44] everything when it comes to payroll
[37:46] because like I said, I've seen a few
[37:47] things that's concerned me. So, I want
[37:49] to ensure that we had an external
[37:51] auditor to come in and review those
[37:53] things. They have a scope of work that
[37:55] they've been given and everything will
[37:57] be lined up in that scope of work to
[37:58] ensure that nothing is missed. And once
[38:00] they give us a comprehensive report,
[38:02] then we'll go back and see if there's
[38:04] anything else we need them to dig any
[38:05] deeper. They will be able to provide
[38:07] that as well.
[38:08] >> Okay. Thank you.
[38:09] » Okay. Thank you.
[38:10] >> You're welcome.
[38:11] » You're welcome.
[38:11] >> Mayor Ban,
[38:13] » Mayor Ban,
[38:13] >> Councilwoman Washington.
[38:15] » Councilwoman Washington.
[38:15] >> Yes. Uh will the payroll audit, since
[38:19] » Yes. Uh will the payroll audit, since
[38:19] we've been having some issues with
[38:20] supplemental pay, will the payroll audit
[38:24] uh give us an evaluation on that also?
[38:28] Yes, I've asked them to take a look at
[38:29] supplemental pay. I mean, they're going
[38:31] to evaluate the entire payroll. Anything
[38:33] that is doesn't look like it's it's
[38:35] supposed to be will be evaluated, but I
[38:37] did ask them specifically about
[38:39] supplemental pay because it's been
[38:40] discussed here, but we also are going to
[38:42] drill down on supplemental pay when we
[38:43] do our audit with Maldin Jenkins.
[38:47] >> Thank you.
[38:47] » Thank you.
[38:47] >> You're welcome,
[38:52] » madam city manager. In regards to
[38:53] supplemental pay, um is it customary to
[38:57] have promotions
[38:59] under supplemental pay? Because I
[39:01] noticed in the packet we received um at
[39:04] our last meeting, it was noted as a
[39:08] promotion, but it was filled out on a
[39:12] supplemental pay form. Is that customary
[39:15] or is that a question for Director
[39:18] Franklin?
[39:20] Uh, from my understanding that is not
[39:22] customary. Uh, from some follow-up that
[39:23] I've already done, that was stated
[39:25] incorrectly. That was a promotion. It
[39:27] was not supplementary pay.
[39:30] >> Director Franklin, do you have anything
[39:32] » Director Franklin, do you have anything
[39:32] else you want to add?
[39:48] I will have to look at the exact item in
[39:51] question that you're referring to.
[39:54] Um I'm not sure.
[40:01] Oh,
[40:03] on the on the back end, the the
[40:07] information that's attached by HR is all
[40:10] that finance has to refer to. I'm not
[40:15] sure exactly what they go about using on
[40:18] the front end for supplementing pay. I
[40:21] don't know if it was a shortcut or the
[40:24] item type didn't get created, but there
[40:27] is a difference even within the
[40:30] pay, not the payroll, but the um HR
[40:33] manual, it describes supplemental pay
[40:37] and salary increase and promotion
[40:40] differently. So why
[40:44] supplemental pay would be used for all
[40:45] three, I'm not sure why that was chosen
[40:49] on the front end, but if you look in the
[40:51] manual, those three things are defined
[40:55] differently.
[40:58] » Okay. I guess we'll find out more about
[41:00] it.
[41:02] >> Yes, I plan to uh I've already followed
[41:04] » Yes, I plan to uh I've already followed
[41:04] up on that because I did realize that
[41:06] that was stated incorrectly. So I will
[41:08] be providing the council an update. um
[41:11] to get that corrected.
[41:13] >> Council, any other questions for madam
[41:15] » Council, any other questions for madam
[41:15] city manager?
[41:17] >> Tim,
[41:17] » Tim,
[41:17] >> Councilman Turner,
[41:18] » Councilman Turner,
[41:18] >> just one um internal auditor.
[41:23] » just one um internal auditor.
[41:23] Barrett done fulfilling parts of that or
[41:26] is that totally separate and we're going
[41:28] to pursue getting an internal auditor?
[41:34] » Oh, you mean an internal auditor for
[41:36] payroll or which internal auditor you
[41:38] speaking of? is for uh city operations
[41:40] period.
[41:42] >> Well, the we have an internal audit that
[41:43] » Well, the we have an internal audit that
[41:43] we're getting for the payroll and then
[41:46] once we dig deeper into that one and see
[41:48] if there's any other issues, then we'll
[41:49] have a further audit. We have one for
[41:50] the audits that needs to be done and the
[41:52] one for payroll. At that point, we will
[41:54] determine if we need any other audits
[41:56] done.
[41:57] >> Okay. I know we had issues with getting
[42:00] » Okay. I know we had issues with getting
[42:00] that position filled either as an
[42:02] employee or as a contract person and I
[42:07] wanted to know that we had resolved all
[42:08] of that and the necessary steps were
[42:11] being taken to get it filled.
[42:15] >> I think the internal auditors are
[42:17] » I think the internal auditors are
[42:17] council uh appointed but we'll be more
[42:20] than happy to work to get us an internal
[42:22] audit because we see some opportunities
[42:24] we want to make better. So if I have
[42:26] that opportunity to be able to move
[42:28] forward with it, then I will.
[42:29] >> Okay. I'll get with you.
[42:30] » Okay. I'll get with you.
[42:30] >> All right. Thank you, sir.
[42:33] » All right. Thank you, sir.
[42:33] >> Thank you.
[42:38] Next on the agenda is resolution for the
[42:41] matrix fee study by director Q and city
[42:45] manager Katherine Turner.
[43:01] April 10.
[43:03] This is the marvelous
[43:05] matrix feast study,
[43:10] citywide fee study for the city of
[43:13] Stonecraft.
[43:17] The study objectives was were to
[43:20] streamline fee structure, time
[43:22] assumptions,
[43:24] the fully burden hourly rates in each
[43:28] department, um comparative survey, legal
[43:31] compliance, and a master fee schedule.
[43:35] The fee study results. The matrix
[43:37] consulting team reviewed 293
[43:40] fee line items which included a
[43:44] department the divisions of um building
[43:47] finance, land development, planning and
[43:49] zoning and parks and recreation.
[43:53] The fee calculation method was again the
[43:56] time estimate time the fully burdened
[43:58] hourly rate for each employee equals the
[44:02] full cost fee
[44:05] which is the maximum justifiable fee
[44:07] that can be assessed.
[44:13] This um attached a snippet of the master
[44:16] fee schedule for the building department
[44:20] listed um in your your packets. This
[44:22] view could be a little bit different. We
[44:25] only submitted the current fees, the
[44:29] consultant proposed fees, city proposed
[44:32] fees, and if there is an a phasing
[44:36] option, you will see um phase year one
[44:41] and phase year two for the matter of
[44:43] this discussion for tonight.
[44:47] Our
[44:50] next steps will be to adopt the fee
[44:52] schedule and to re-evaluate in five to
[44:55] seven years the fees.
[45:01] April,
[45:03] >> thank you, Miss Q.
[45:05] » thank you, Miss Q.
[45:05] This is our favorite item.
[45:07] >> Magnificent.
[45:09] » Magnificent.
[45:09] >> Council, do you have any questions?
[45:14] I want to say thank you so much for my
[45:17] um for my email for I guess the Excel
[45:22] spreadsheet to show um our current fees
[45:26] exactly pretty much what you um showed
[45:29] off
[45:29] >> just to simplify it a little bit better
[45:30] » just to simplify it a little bit better
[45:30] not to interrupt you may pro Tim but you
[45:33] it is the same information that is in
[45:35] your packet is just summarized so you
[45:39] can focus more on what the consultants
[45:41] proposed those fees are based on what
[45:44] the city's proposing and if there is an
[45:48] amount that is over a percentage. There
[45:51] was a recommendation
[45:53] um a few meetings ago that we would
[45:55] phase those fees up to five years. But
[45:59] again, for the matter of this
[46:01] discussion, we only went to 2027. And of
[46:04] course, if you don't see the city's
[46:06] proposed fee, um, for example, we see
[46:08] for um the um fee study that I had
[46:12] earlier, it was um a proposed fee of
[46:16] $175.
[46:18] If that's a $175,
[46:20] that's what it would be in 2026. And of
[46:23] course, that fee will remain for 2027
[46:26] through the duration until the
[46:28] re-evaluation. But if there's an
[46:30] increase of fees, for example, um for
[46:33] $4,000,
[46:35] that will be a phased approach. And on
[46:38] that matrix, you will see the numbers
[46:41] that will be phased until we get to that
[46:43] proposed cost. Of course, if you like,
[46:47] it is at your discretion that you could
[46:50] just assess those fees in any year
[46:52] before we re-evaluate during that
[46:55] five-year um period. Council,
[47:03] do you have any questions for director
[47:05] Q?
[47:06] >> Yeah,
[47:06] » Yeah,
[47:06] >> Timman Turner.
[47:10] » Timman Turner.
[47:10] >> Voluminous, I think is a word we're
[47:12] » Voluminous, I think is a word we're
[47:12] looking for here. That's quite a bit to
[47:15] digest and maybe I'm just the slow one,
[47:18] but uh
[47:21] it takes it takes a lot to digest all of
[47:24] this. And I do appreciate the time spent
[47:27] putting it together, but when you look
[47:30] at the resolution itself, it's a
[47:33] two-part resolution.
[47:36] Uh the heading, if I could go back to
[47:39] it, speaks to
[47:43] the study
[47:46] and part two speaks to
[47:51] adopting this uh the feast study.
[47:56] Well, having a study in place is really
[47:59] great
[48:01] is something that we can reference
[48:04] when it comes to making the adjustments.
[48:07] But adopting it in totality
[48:11] says that we accept everything that is
[48:13] in it
[48:15] is my interpretation of it. So I'm
[48:19] looking to have it done in two parts.
[48:23] It would be my suggestion and that is
[48:25] that the the study was a great study but
[48:29] it compares
[48:31] I think some of the full service cities
[48:34] to what we're doing in Stonerrest and a
[48:38] lot of what we're doing in Stone Crest
[48:40] might not
[48:44] be on the same
[48:46] level as what they're doing in full
[48:48] service cities. And I know we don't
[48:51] recoup penny for penny for what we put
[48:54] into
[48:56] uh providing some of these services, but
[48:58] that's why we're a city.
[49:01] We provide services
[49:04] to attract business to Stone Crest. And
[49:08] I don't want our fees to be a deterrent
[49:15] if it is not necessary to raise them
[49:19] simply because some other city has fees
[49:23] at a higher level. I want it to really
[49:26] be
[49:27] justified
[49:29] and say that uh we're doing it for the
[49:33] benefit of Stone Crest and not just
[49:35] because other people are doing it. So,
[49:37] we need to jack our I won't say jack our
[49:40] fees up, but to increase our fees to
[49:45] match some other city because um I look
[49:48] at who we compared ourselves to and
[49:52] service-wise we're not a comparison
[49:57] and some cases we might be we might
[50:00] excel but uh overall these are cities
[50:04] that have been established for quite
[50:05] some time and they have and they're full
[50:06] service cities. So, I would hate to do a
[50:09] wholesale adoption of a resolution
[50:13] without considering that some of these
[50:16] items might not fit yet. And having the
[50:20] study shows us what it could be
[50:25] when we get there or if we think we are
[50:28] already there. So, I would want to look
[50:30] at this as a two-part resolution.
[50:34] The study is a great study. They did a
[50:36] good job on the study, but are we ready
[50:39] to adopt these fees in a wholesale
[50:44] manner is my biggest concern and I would
[50:47] also draw your attention to the end of
[50:49] the
[50:50] um presentation. In fact, it basically
[50:53] says that
[50:57] when it does in in conclusion,
[51:02] it says overall song generally has
[51:04] current fees that are lower than the
[51:05] fees of other survey jurisdiction. And
[51:10] the last line says as much
[51:13] the results of this survey should be
[51:15] used as a secondary decision making
[51:18] tool.
[51:20] and I'd rather treat it that way.
[51:23] That's coming from your consultant
[51:28] » and you can
[51:30] >> Thank you. Um the feedback that we
[51:32] » Thank you. Um the feedback that we
[51:32] received um on the interviews that staff
[51:35] actually um had these conversations
[51:38] directly with the consultant team did
[51:41] reiterate that last sentence, but also
[51:44] economically um making the city of Stone
[51:46] Crest a little bit more feasible um in
[51:49] the fees that we um currently assess to
[51:53] um some of the services that we provide.
[51:56] It could go again phased as we have
[52:00] recommended or we can just allocate
[52:03] those fees to stay as they are. So
[52:06] either we can update our current um fee
[52:09] study fee schedule I'm sorry which is
[52:12] currently in our ordinance or we can um
[52:15] again phase it um to be more
[52:18] economically um stable and feasible for
[52:21] the city of Stone Crest.
[52:22] >> All right. Well, that's my two cents. Do
[52:25] » All right. Well, that's my two cents. Do
[52:25] I have any change coming?
[52:26] >> We don't have any change.
[52:27] » We don't have any change.
[52:27] >> Okay.
[52:29] » Okay.
[52:30] >> Thank you, Councilman Turner. Council,
[52:31] » Thank you, Councilman Turner. Council,
[52:31] any other questions for Director Q?
[52:38] » Miss Q? No, I have a question. Miss Q.
[52:41] So, when I look at the um spreadsheet
[52:43] that um you forward me myself, it has
[52:48] I want to say I agree with Councilman
[52:51] Turner
[52:53] as far as some of the Because here it
[52:55] says minor and major like modification.
[53:00] What is is there a place where that
[53:02] defines the difference between the minor
[53:04] and major modification? Because I know
[53:08] prior or our current fees now is 250 but
[53:10] we're looking to increase it to 3,000.
[53:15] » Yeah, that's amazing. The
[53:17] recommendations are um to your to your
[53:20] point u Mayor Pro Tim they are in the uh
[53:24] modified and major is in the report. The
[53:26] the difference between major are a
[53:29] significant increase in those fees based
[53:32] on again they the calculation the fee um
[53:36] of how the uh fees were assessed. uh
[53:40] modified as you will see on the uh
[53:44] spreadsheet as well is usually you will
[53:46] see a percentage. The modification could
[53:49] have been a percentage and that we just
[53:52] included a whole number instead of a
[53:54] percentage and some of the values of
[53:56] some of those fees could not be assessed
[53:58] because there are other internal
[54:01] calculations that need to be done um for
[54:04] those particular processes. And um we
[54:07] just move those fees over As far as the
[54:11] discussion is concerned for today, just
[54:13] move those over because there weren't
[54:14] any changes in those.
[54:18] So, you will see duplications
[54:20] and um from the proposed or current. Um
[54:23] if it's new, most of the new fees did
[54:26] come from um parks and recreation. So
[54:29] you will see new but modifications would
[54:32] be percentages
[54:34] um to whole to whole number fees and not
[54:37] the percentages.
[54:40] I hope that helps.
[54:42] >> Yeah.
[54:42] » Yeah.
[54:42] >> Okay. Thank you.
[54:43] » Okay. Thank you.
[54:43] >> Well, council I know this is what the
[54:45] » Well, council I know this is what the
[54:46] fifth time.
[54:47] >> No, it's like um Okay.
[54:50] » No, it's like um Okay.
[54:50] So, um I can share this uh email with
[54:54] you so you can look at the fees um based
[54:56] on where they are now and what the
[54:59] proposed fees are and then we can talk
[55:01] about it so we can be ready to move
[55:03] forward with uh either approving or
[55:07] denying.
[55:08] We're ready to move forward. But now is
[55:10] our time to ask whatever questions we
[55:12] have for Miss Q because she do not want
[55:14] me to put this back on this agenda.
[55:16] >> That would be correct. And um I'm
[55:19] » That would be correct. And um I'm
[55:19] seeking what information that you're
[55:22] seeking so we can make sure that the
[55:25] next time I am before you, I can answer
[55:28] those questions.
[55:31] >> I suggest they ask you the questions
[55:33] » I suggest they ask you the questions
[55:33] before you come back before.
[55:34] >> I really appreciate that as well. and I
[55:37] » I really appreciate that as well. and I
[55:37] can send you the um updated simplified
[55:40] version of the Excel sheet so you can
[55:42] focus mostly on the recommended fees,
[55:47] the current fees, the recommendation and
[55:49] if there's a fee that may have been a
[55:52] major modification, you can see that it
[55:54] was phased.
[55:56] Pro Tim,
[55:57] >> Councilman Turner.
[55:58] » Councilman Turner.
[55:58] >> Uh, Miss Kawi, at some point there was
[56:01] » Uh, Miss Kawi, at some point there was
[56:01] discussion about the fees for in the
[56:04] area of the arborist, the tree cutting
[56:06] piece.
[56:07] >> Yes, as you will see that those fees um
[56:09] » Yes, as you will see that those fees um
[56:09] there was an error on the first um sheet
[56:13] or the first spreadsheet that we gave.
[56:14] We we've modified those fees and um
[56:17] corrected them. So, they should also be
[56:20] in the current um Excel sheet that you
[56:22] do have. U tree permits are $80.
[56:26] not the 4,500 that was listed.
[56:29] >> Okay.
[56:30] » Okay.
[56:30] >> But I do want to tell you that there is
[56:32] » But I do want to tell you that there is
[56:32] a difference between a residential
[56:35] property owner cutting down a tree
[56:38] compared to a major development. So if
[56:41] you see those fees, those are u
[56:44] calculations based on land disturbance.
[56:47] So those fees will be higher based on a
[56:51] full development compared to tree
[56:54] cutting on your single family
[56:57] residential lot.
[57:00] >> And that's where I not necessarily make
[57:03] » And that's where I not necessarily make
[57:03] a disconnect, but accepting the study is
[57:06] easy. Yeah, we accept the studies. get
[57:08] steady like I said but uh adjusting the
[57:12] fees and getting the blanket acceptance
[57:15] versus talking about them in the
[57:17] categories for which they exist
[57:20] uh before we accept the adjustment in
[57:24] the fees. So accepting the study is one
[57:26] thing and that's what this resolution
[57:27] calls for and acceptance of the study
[57:31] and
[57:33] fee adjustment
[57:35] and all I'm suggesting is chop chop two
[57:38] different resolution. One to accept the
[57:42] study and we'll deal with the fees
[57:45] adjustments
[57:46] in whatever categories we find
[57:48] necessary.
[57:50] That's my observation of it.
[57:54] Thank you for that feedback.
[57:55] >> Okay,
[57:58] » Okay,
[57:58] >> Tim.
[57:59] » Tim.
[58:00] >> Councilwoman Smith,
[58:02] » Councilwoman Smith,
[58:02] >> I have a question. Director Kawi. Um, so
[58:07] » I have a question. Director Kawi. Um, so
[58:07] my question is Oh, sorry. My question is
[58:11] if
[58:13] a resident myself, if I had a um a fence
[58:20] variance, I recall coming to a meeting
[58:22] where a young lady wanted to um modify
[58:26] where her line is, fence line or the
[58:29] height of the fence or something. I
[58:30] think it was the height of the fence. um
[58:33] for those type instances. To me, and you
[58:36] can correct me if I'm wrong, according
[58:38] to this matrix, it looks like it used to
[58:42] cost $250
[58:44] and it goes to $4,000.
[58:53] » Do you see?
[58:54] >> And I could be wrong.
[59:00] I wrote it down, but I didn't write what
[59:02] page. So, let me try to find it.
[59:16] Well, Councilman Councilwoman Smith,
[59:18] while you are um searching for the
[59:21] variance request, I'm thinking I'm
[59:23] assuming that is under um variances so
[59:27] that it will be not only uh to the
[59:32] advantage of someone to continue to uh
[59:35] process variances in the city, but to uh
[59:38] deter
[59:39] in the way because a variance is outside
[59:42] of what our ordinance lists. Um there
[59:46] are special um exceptions um for a
[59:49] variance, but we can go back and assess
[59:53] those um fees because as it is listed,
[59:58] it does say city proposed. So, if you
[1:00:01] see any fees that you do not want at
[1:00:06] that number, I'll just say, or at that
[1:00:09] um fee,
[1:00:11] please provide us that feedback so we
[1:00:14] can um update the information. Again,
[1:00:16] these fees are proposed. You will also
[1:00:19] see what is currently assessed by the
[1:00:23] city. So, the current fees are listed on
[1:00:25] the matrix as well for comparison.
[1:00:28] And as council men Turner said that the
[1:00:31] fee schedule is here for uh review and
[1:00:35] comparison um also with the matrix
[1:00:39] itself for current fees,
[1:00:43] the consultants proposed fees, the
[1:00:45] city's proposed fees and again if
[1:00:48] they're high enough we tried to phase
[1:00:50] them out and not assess that fee in one
[1:00:53] in one year. No.
[1:00:55] >> Um, so I found I found it on page 67.
[1:00:59] » Um, so I found I found it on page 67.
[1:00:59] Um, residential single family zoning
[1:01:02] districts base and it is listed under
[1:01:06] variances.
[1:01:08] Any variance whether it be me as a
[1:01:11] residential or person residential
[1:01:13] homeowner or if it's a commercial
[1:01:16] variance the the cost is the same. Is
[1:01:19] that what I'm seeing?
[1:01:20] you probably have that updated um
[1:01:23] variance on your because I don't have it
[1:01:26] the packet so I don't have the matrix
[1:01:28] here with me.
[1:01:29] >> Okay. Yeah, it says that our current um
[1:01:32] » Okay. Yeah, it says that our current um
[1:01:32] current cost
[1:01:35] uh current fee is $250
[1:01:38] and then
[1:01:42] um the proposed or city's proposed fee
[1:01:45] is $4,000.
[1:01:48] And of course, you have in year 1, I
[1:01:51] want to say it was in the 700 range. Why
[1:01:54] did I take my glasses off? Cuz I can't
[1:01:56] see.
[1:02:02] Yes, based on the matrix, it does have
[1:02:04] the the current fee of $250
[1:02:07] and it says the $4,111
[1:02:10] as we discussed today and it's 4,000.
[1:02:13] But of course, again, that's a proposed
[1:02:18] request. The consultants did recommend
[1:02:21] $4,11.
[1:02:24] The city is proposing 4,000, but of
[1:02:27] course, we did not assess those fees for
[1:02:30] 2027. They are phased, so it goes to
[1:02:33] $785,
[1:02:34] 1,321
[1:02:36] until it gets to the five years if you
[1:02:39] want to assess that way. So, if you do
[1:02:42] not want to assess the $4,000,
[1:02:45] you can recommend another fee for us to
[1:02:50] recommend in this matrix.
[1:02:52] >> And again, for clarity,
[1:02:55] » And again, for clarity,
[1:02:55] uh me as a resident or a commercial
[1:03:00] builder, we pay the same amount when it
[1:03:02] comes to variances like such. That
[1:03:04] that's what I want to make sure I
[1:03:06] understand properly. it because of the
[1:03:08] changes in the fees and the consultant
[1:03:11] we we did use the consultant's um
[1:03:13] recommendations even with our proposed
[1:03:16] fees we did re do the recommendations
[1:03:18] you will see a base fee and you will see
[1:03:22] um additional variances on the same
[1:03:25] property you know the the cost will
[1:03:27] increase as well so yes that is a
[1:03:29] correct yes answer
[1:03:31] >> okay I agree with Councilman Turner that
[1:03:36] » okay I agree with Councilman Turner that
[1:03:36] we may want to have this resolution
[1:03:42] divided into two. Um, one, you know,
[1:03:45] accepting the the fee study and then
[1:03:50] discussing
[1:03:51] or determining how we
[1:03:55] phrase and phase um, the increase in
[1:03:58] fees moving forward. And thank you. I
[1:04:01] think I was one of the per I think I was
[1:04:03] the person who recommended maybe we do a
[1:04:05] phased approach and you guys came back
[1:04:07] with some phased approaches. [laughter]
[1:04:10] >> So I appreciate that.
[1:04:12] » So I appreciate that.
[1:04:12] >> So just be mindful if you do accept the
[1:04:15] » So just be mindful if you do accept the
[1:04:15] um the study these fees that are being
[1:04:19] proposed or recommended are in the study
[1:04:21] as well. So we didn't create them on our
[1:04:24] own just for just for your information.
[1:04:27] I think the thought behind it and I'll
[1:04:31] let Councilman Turner speak from his
[1:04:33] thought process is that a the m the fee
[1:04:37] study was done and we received it. We
[1:04:40] understand that it was done. Somebody
[1:04:41] gave us some numbers. The other piece is
[1:04:45] us determining how we're going to accept
[1:04:49] what was given to us and implement what
[1:04:52] was given to us via the feast study. I
[1:04:55] think that's my thought process behind
[1:04:57] breaking it up into the two pieces, but
[1:04:59] I'll let Councilman Turner speak on his.
[1:05:03] You are correct, ma'am. Um,
[1:05:07] the study
[1:05:09] makes suggestions,
[1:05:11] but it's up to us to accept those
[1:05:15] suggestions or to implement those
[1:05:17] suggestions.
[1:05:21] And we can fully implement them as
[1:05:24] outlined or we can make adjustments
[1:05:29] to
[1:05:31] those numbers that have been suggested.
[1:05:33] >> That is our request all along.
[1:05:35] » That is our request all along.
[1:05:35] >> Okay. But to do it blanketly, you say
[1:05:38] » Okay. But to do it blanketly, you say
[1:05:38] you don't want to see this again.
[1:05:40] >> Well,
[1:05:41] » Well,
[1:05:41] >> it would take us a
[1:05:42] » it would take us a
[1:05:42] >> for you.
[1:05:43] » for you.
[1:05:43] >> Okay. It would take quite some time to
[1:05:45] » Okay. It would take quite some time to
[1:05:45] do the whole matrix. And that's why I'm
[1:05:49] saying we need to address the parts that
[1:05:52] are most critical to what you have to do
[1:05:55] on a day-to-day basis and uh address
[1:05:58] that. But the rest of it is good to have
[1:06:02] handy done by a professional and it's up
[1:06:06] to us to accept them line by line, dot
[1:06:10] by dot.
[1:06:12] So I still say two parts accept the
[1:06:18] study make the adjustments separately.
[1:06:23] >> Mayor Pro Tim Councilwoman Smith
[1:06:27] » Mayor Pro Tim Councilwoman Smith
[1:06:27] >> Director Kawi are there any items in
[1:06:30] » Director Kawi are there any items in
[1:06:30] this matrix study that you and staff
[1:06:34] feel need to be prioritized and changed
[1:06:38] like yesterday?
[1:06:43] You don't have to tell me if there's you
[1:06:45] don't have to tell me the exact items. I
[1:06:47] just want to know are there things in
[1:06:48] here that you feel that we are we should
[1:06:53] change as soon as possible.
[1:06:55] >> That's correct. We in our opinion we
[1:06:58] » That's correct. We in our opinion we
[1:06:58] feel like all the fees should be updated
[1:07:02] or amended but yes there are priority
[1:07:04] issues in the study that we need to
[1:07:07] address.
[1:07:09] We don't think that the fees increasing
[1:07:12] will be a deterrent. I can just say that
[1:07:15] part.
[1:07:17] >> Okay.
[1:07:19] » Okay.
[1:07:19] We can discuss a little further. Great.
[1:07:22] >> Okay. Thank you,
[1:07:27] » council. Any other questions?
[1:07:31] Um, Mayor Pro Tim, I think once she send
[1:07:34] the updated report that she has that has
[1:07:37] the different columns in it that you'll
[1:07:39] see it a little bit better than how
[1:07:41] detailed this one is. I think that will
[1:07:43] help. And then what the varian is
[1:07:48] that point what needs not revised. We
[1:07:51] all met on it today.
[1:07:54] >> Mike, please.
[1:07:55] » Mike, please.
[1:07:55] >> She has a revised report that we all met
[1:07:58] » She has a revised report that we all met
[1:07:58] today on to discuss to make it a little
[1:08:00] more cleaner and more user friendly. I
[1:08:02] had some questions too and so she's
[1:08:05] going to forward that report to you.
[1:08:06] It's different than the one that you
[1:08:07] have may prom. We've even broke it down
[1:08:09] a little further and hopefully that'll
[1:08:10] help. It's a lot of information but I
[1:08:12] think the streamline will make it much
[1:08:14] easier to see the var.
[1:08:15] >> Thank you. Yes, it is a lot of
[1:08:17] » Thank you. Yes, it is a lot of
[1:08:17] information and I understand and see the
[1:08:19] information that's in the report. It's
[1:08:21] just um
[1:08:24] I don't feel the most comfortable
[1:08:29] approving or agreeing to a phased
[1:08:32] approach where um the approach is I see
[1:08:36] two years of the phased approach. So how
[1:08:39] do we move forward after the phased
[1:08:41] approach? So if if we're going to
[1:08:46] um approve what we have,
[1:08:51] then what we have is two years, you
[1:08:53] know, are you coming back to us um after
[1:08:57] the two years to to follow up on this?
[1:09:00] Oh yeah, two. Am I reading properly?
[1:09:04] Yeah, it says two years. The current has
[1:09:06] two years because again as um city
[1:09:08] manager Turner did state it's a lot of
[1:09:11] information and we did not want you to
[1:09:13] be overwhelmed or caught in the weeds
[1:09:16] with this cost this and it's going to
[1:09:18] you know you just see two years but some
[1:09:21] of the columns are hidden for the matter
[1:09:24] of this discussion. So we do have the
[1:09:27] numbers for all the way up to five years
[1:09:30] and then the assessment some of the
[1:09:32] numbers go beyond the five years if
[1:09:35] we're gradually phasing the cost to not
[1:09:38] be overwhelmed in one year.
[1:09:41] So but again that's at your
[1:09:43] recommendation that you accept our um
[1:09:46] proposed fees and your recommendations
[1:09:48] you know will help us.
[1:09:50] >> Okay. Again, I'll follow up with you
[1:09:53] » Okay. Again, I'll follow up with you
[1:09:53] offline because I would like to know and
[1:09:55] understand some of the ones that you
[1:09:57] feel you and staff feel are a priority.
[1:10:03] » Miss Q, if I remember correctly, I know
[1:10:05] parks
[1:10:06] um definitely wanted their fees adjusted
[1:10:10] um so they can move forward with some of
[1:10:12] the programming. Yes. that they wanted
[1:10:14] to
[1:10:14] >> and they to submit a justification for
[1:10:17] » and they to submit a justification for
[1:10:17] those and um all of them were not on
[1:10:19] there because they did hear the
[1:10:21] recommendations from the last meeting.
[1:10:23] So you will see new mostly um on the
[1:10:27] summarized one you will see the new fees
[1:10:29] and you won't see any additional fees
[1:10:32] because they're new. So, it was at their
[1:10:35] recommendation that they included these
[1:10:36] fees in here or at your recommendation
[1:10:38] of what they heard before that they
[1:10:41] either lowered the fee or kept the fee
[1:10:43] as it was um currently being assessed.
[1:10:50] » Council, do we have do you have any
[1:10:51] other questions for Director Q, Director
[1:10:53] Kowi?
[1:10:56] » Thank you so much. I appreciate you.
[1:10:59] >> Thank you.
[1:11:01] » Thank you.
[1:11:01] Next on the agenda
[1:11:03] is the cooperation agreement with Stone
[1:11:07] Crest Lonia Industrial Park CI by
[1:11:10] Councilman Turner District 4
[1:11:34] The Storm Crest Latonia Industrial Park
[1:11:37] T is
[1:11:40] up and running and they're ready to hit
[1:11:42] the ground running.
[1:11:44] And with that, we need to make sure
[1:11:47] there are some guidelines in place or
[1:11:52] what's known as a cooperation agreement
[1:11:55] because they are functioning within the
[1:11:57] limits of the city of Stone Crest.
[1:12:01] And with that comes
[1:12:04] an understanding as to what they can
[1:12:07] cannot do, will or will not do or what
[1:12:11] the city can or cannot require of them
[1:12:17] and uh vice versa.
[1:12:20] Um there was a simple draft that follows
[1:12:23] a draft of the cooperation agreement we
[1:12:27] have with the East Metro CD
[1:12:30] and our attorney has looked at it and
[1:12:32] it's been shared with council and staff
[1:12:36] and some tweaks have been offered and uh
[1:12:40] we pretty much have them all fine-tuned
[1:12:44] except for just a couple of items and uh
[1:12:48] I believe that's going to be all in
[1:12:49] place by the next council meeting. But
[1:12:53] if you look at your package, you'll see
[1:12:54] it highlighted
[1:12:57] as to what some of the concerns are.
[1:13:01] And some of those concerns have already
[1:13:03] been addressed.
[1:13:05] And uh without going into a lot of
[1:13:08] detail, it's just a matter of
[1:13:10] understanding that
[1:13:13] this organization
[1:13:17] is a body that is quasi
[1:13:22] governmental
[1:13:24] and uh they work within the bounds in
[1:13:27] this case within the bounds of Stone
[1:13:29] Crest and uh
[1:13:32] some of the things that they will be
[1:13:33] doing may well parallel what Stone Crest
[1:13:37] is doing. There's got to be some
[1:13:38] guidelines as it relates to that and as
[1:13:41] partners, we're working together on
[1:13:44] certain items. So, there's an
[1:13:46] understanding with that as to how we
[1:13:49] shall accomplish certain
[1:13:53] um objectives here. Give you an example.
[1:13:56] uh code enforcement. If they um
[1:14:01] deal with code enforcement issues within
[1:14:04] the CD itself, they may well be able to
[1:14:07] assist the city and getting some of that
[1:14:09] done. But to do it without cooperation
[1:14:12] with the city would not be the best
[1:14:15] approach. So to have this agreement as
[1:14:18] to what we can and cannot do as a
[1:14:22] partnership, so to speak. So, uh, the
[1:14:25] document is there. Uh, we've gone
[1:14:27] through it and our city attorney, as
[1:14:30] Miss Thompson, had the last version of
[1:14:33] it and was, uh, updating
[1:14:38] the comments last received, and I'm not
[1:14:41] sure as to exactly what the status is of
[1:14:44] as of today because I did not discuss it
[1:14:46] today, expecting her to be here with it.
[1:14:48] But, um, Mr. City attorney, do you have
[1:14:51] any updates?
[1:14:53] I'm not 100% sure where she's at in the
[1:14:55] review process, but I can follow up with
[1:14:56] her in the morning and give you an
[1:14:58] update.
[1:14:58] >> Good. We want to have it ready for the
[1:15:01] » Good. We want to have it ready for the
[1:15:01] next agenda
[1:15:03] uh item, mean for the next um council
[1:15:06] meeting as an agenda item so we can
[1:15:09] >> And I want to say attorney Thompson
[1:15:11] » And I want to say attorney Thompson
[1:15:11] should be online.
[1:15:14] >> Is she online? She's not online. Okay.
[1:15:16] » Is she online? She's not online. Okay.
[1:15:16] Thank you.
[1:15:18] >> Okay. But that's all I have on that
[1:15:21] » Okay. But that's all I have on that
[1:15:21] unless there are some additional
[1:15:22] questions. And I know we've talked to
[1:15:24] council about getting your concerns
[1:15:27] either through me or to Miss Thompson so
[1:15:29] we can make sure that we talk about it
[1:15:32] and fine-tune it. And uh again, it's in
[1:15:36] your package. That which is highlighted
[1:15:38] in yellow
[1:15:41] is what's being uh discussed and being
[1:15:43] uh worked out.
[1:15:46] Any questions?
[1:15:50] Mayor Pro Tim Councilwoman Smith.
[1:15:53] >> Um, Senate City Manager Turner. Uh, have
[1:15:57] » Um, Senate City Manager Turner. Uh, have
[1:15:57] you received any feedback on the CD? A
[1:16:00] constituent called me and said that she
[1:16:03] was going to reach out to you because
[1:16:04] she had some questions and concerns as
[1:16:07] it relates to something I actually
[1:16:08] raised in the first meeting. Um, the
[1:16:11] commitment of the staff to
[1:16:15] the time commitment of staff. So, have
[1:16:17] you received any calls on this?
[1:16:20] >> I haven't received any calls, but if you
[1:16:22] » I haven't received any calls, but if you
[1:16:22] can let me know who it is, I can follow
[1:16:23] up.
[1:16:24] >> So, in our previous meeting when we
[1:16:26] » So, in our previous meeting when we
[1:16:26] talked about the C, I mentioned um there
[1:16:30] was no stipulation surrounding how much
[1:16:33] time would be required from the staff.
[1:16:36] And I asked that the city attorney take
[1:16:40] that action item to kind of determine
[1:16:43] how much time commitment you could
[1:16:48] provide and the frequency of the
[1:16:50] meetings for you guys to kind of have a
[1:16:52] discussion on that piece and provide
[1:16:55] some feedback on it. So that's an action
[1:16:58] item for you please. Um and we can
[1:17:00] discuss it a little bit further.
[1:17:03] If I may follow up on that.
[1:17:06] >> Yes.
[1:17:07] » Yes.
[1:17:07] >> It's a matter of how much time will be
[1:17:08] » It's a matter of how much time will be
[1:17:08] required of the staff. It's how much
[1:17:10] time is requested of the staff. And uh
[1:17:13] again, it's up to us as to how much we
[1:17:15] can uh up to staff and city managers to
[1:17:19] how much we can provide. But to be
[1:17:22] requested is one thing and to be able to
[1:17:24] deliver is another. And I can appreciate
[1:17:27] the zealousness and ready to go get it.
[1:17:30] But at the same time we have to be in a
[1:17:33] position to deliver because uh our time
[1:17:37] is demanded from a lot of agencies.
[1:17:42] >> My sentiments exactly
[1:17:45] » My sentiments exactly
[1:17:45] >> my sentiments. Exactly.
[1:17:47] » my sentiments. Exactly.
[1:17:47] >> Okay. Then we're on the same page. Okay.
[1:17:50] » Okay. Then we're on the same page. Okay.
[1:17:50] >> Um and then
[1:17:53] » Um and then
[1:17:53] I I do have a couple other things. Um
[1:17:55] Councilman Turner. Um but I will we can
[1:17:59] have a dialogue. Um because I see some
[1:18:03] things in here like I mentioned in our
[1:18:06] last meeting um the agreement being the
[1:18:08] 50 years. However, either of us can
[1:18:11] decide to
[1:18:13] um terminate in 30 days. So
[1:18:18] maybe we should um discuss a bit
[1:18:21] further. Um the 50-year agreement like I
[1:18:25] mentioned many of us will be might be
[1:18:29] might not be here in 50 years but if 50
[1:18:32] years is something that we want to hold
[1:18:35] fast to or if there's something that
[1:18:38] that's something that we would like to
[1:18:40] or may want to discuss adjusting.
[1:18:44] Um, that's what I think for the
[1:18:46] attorneys and that is that I know that
[1:18:48] when you enter into certain operation
[1:18:51] that might involve bonding or long-term
[1:18:55] commitment with other legal entities,
[1:18:58] uh, that 50 or 100year
[1:19:00] uh, stipulation is common. Is that not
[1:19:03] true?
[1:19:05] >> I think it would depend on the nature of
[1:19:07] » I think it would depend on the nature of
[1:19:07] the agreement.
[1:19:10] >> That's a lawyer answer. Okay.
[1:19:14] » That's a lawyer answer. Okay.
[1:19:14] And um just like you know marriage, you
[1:19:18] enter a marriage, you don't expect
[1:19:19] anything negative to happen. So
[1:19:21] sometimes there are prenuptuals
[1:19:24] that are put in place. What happens when
[1:19:26] the CI and the city don't agree on a
[1:19:31] project? How conflict resolution like
[1:19:34] how do we handle those things? Do we
[1:19:36] outline that in um the resolution that
[1:19:39] we're prop proposing? Is there another
[1:19:43] document or process somewhere that
[1:19:45] regulates that interaction? Where does
[1:19:48] where where do we
[1:19:50] >> I would say that city trumps because C
[1:19:54] » I would say that city trumps because C
[1:19:54] can't do anything without cooperation of
[1:19:57] the city if it overlaps city operations.
[1:20:00] Say for instance they want to change uh
[1:20:03] something that has to do with the
[1:20:04] streets.
[1:20:06] uh unless the city agrees to it, they
[1:20:08] cannot change um anything within the
[1:20:12] rightway.
[1:20:15] No, there there are limits and and this
[1:20:16] is not new. We have I think about 12 or
[1:20:18] 13 CS within the cav county and these
[1:20:22] are typical agreements. Uh so I don't
[1:20:25] think there's any risk of one violating
[1:20:30] the space of the other. That's why we
[1:20:32] need these cooperation agreement and if
[1:20:34] regular communication but the C cannot
[1:20:38] trump city operation. It can't go out
[1:20:40] there and take down your traffic light
[1:20:43] or change the direction of traffic on
[1:20:44] the street. Um if there's a concern with
[1:20:48] it, it has to be worked with in uh with
[1:20:51] the city city engineering and city staff
[1:20:54] to get anything done that impacts city
[1:20:58] operation. I think that's in the first
[1:21:00] part of that agreement and that is that
[1:21:02] they cannot um I forget the word used
[1:21:07] but they cannot trump city operation.
[1:21:13] Okay. Um, the other question that I
[1:21:17] have, and again you can tell me where
[1:21:19] this typically lives, is the what we're
[1:21:22] requesting of the CI as it relates to
[1:21:25] reporting um the as it relates to the
[1:21:29] taxes, financial documents that they
[1:21:32] have. What are we requesting of them?
[1:21:34] And what should they be providing to us?
[1:21:37] I don't see that in here. Um, so is that
[1:21:42] something that goes into this or is
[1:21:45] there another place where those
[1:21:48] requirements live?
[1:21:50] >> They have a board of directors and that
[1:21:54] » They have a board of directors and that
[1:21:54] board of directors has a set of
[1:21:56] guidelines that they must adhere to in
[1:21:58] order to remain um
[1:22:02] what you say uh in compliance
[1:22:05] and uh they will be audited on a regular
[1:22:08] basis.
[1:22:09] I mean regular I would say annually they
[1:22:11] will be audited and uh we have two
[1:22:14] members on that board well two
[1:22:16] appointees on that board and they're
[1:22:20] following the guidelines and regulations
[1:22:21] of all CIDs within the CAB county or
[1:22:24] probably within the state of Georgia. So
[1:22:27] have no fear. Those guidelines must be
[1:22:30] adhered to if they are to remain
[1:22:31] bonafideed as a CD.
[1:22:40] Understood.
[1:22:44] I just want to ensure that if there's
[1:22:46] something that transparency again um
[1:22:50] transparency is important and I want to
[1:22:52] ensure that if we're requesting
[1:22:55] transparency that we're able to actually
[1:22:58] receive transparency and if that means
[1:23:00] that we have to have something
[1:23:01] documented in order to ensure we get
[1:23:04] that transparency or not. You can get it
[1:23:08] document if you're so inclined to get it
[1:23:10] and I was told it's not in writing but I
[1:23:13] can get it in writing that we will get a
[1:23:16] copy of each agenda item I think about
[1:23:20] six to seven days in advance and will be
[1:23:22] published in uh the uh public uh
[1:23:25] newspaper as to when that meetings will
[1:23:27] take place. The minutes of their
[1:23:29] meetings will also be uh published as
[1:23:32] well and uh I'm not sure whether will be
[1:23:34] broadcast live or not but uh you will
[1:23:38] have access to attend and like I said we
[1:23:40] have two members that we appoint to give
[1:23:44] us an upto-date and to participate in
[1:23:47] the process so we'll have access to know
[1:23:50] what's going on with the C and um you
[1:23:54] can attend if you're so inclined because
[1:23:57] they
[1:23:58] been volunteered that that information
[1:24:01] will be made available to not just the
[1:24:05] council but to the general citizens of
[1:24:08] the city of Stone Crest.
[1:24:10] >> Yes. And that is the expectation not
[1:24:13] » Yes. And that is the expectation not
[1:24:13] just the council but to the citizens of
[1:24:16] Stone Crest. And um my plan is to attend
[1:24:19] the first meeting um if my schedule
[1:24:22] permits. I attend I plan to attend. So,
[1:24:26] um, any other discussion or questions I
[1:24:30] have, we can kind of exchange offline.
[1:24:33] Thank you.
[1:24:33] >> Thank you very much,
[1:24:35] » Thank you very much,
[1:24:35] >> council. Any other questions
[1:24:39] » council. Any other questions
[1:24:39] for Councilman Turner,
[1:24:43] Councilman Turner? Um,
[1:24:48] who established what are the baseline
[1:24:50] city services? Do we have a list of the
[1:24:52] baseline city services?
[1:24:57] I really can't address. You said
[1:25:00] baseline city services,
[1:25:02] >> right? That's what's listed in the
[1:25:03] » right? That's what's listed in the
[1:25:04] agreement. They said it would help
[1:25:05] alongside supplement the baseline city
[1:25:08] services. So, I wanted to know if we had
[1:25:09] a list of what those baseline city
[1:25:11] services were. Uh we can get that
[1:25:13] through our engineering and uh I'm open
[1:25:15] to our city manager's office uh as well.
[1:25:19] But um that's rather general as to
[1:25:23] baseline. Uh what are the three services
[1:25:25] that we provide?
[1:25:27] >> So that's what we're referring to.
[1:25:28] » So that's what we're referring to.
[1:25:28] >> That's what I would uh interpret. But uh
[1:25:30] » That's what I would uh interpret. But uh
[1:25:30] don't hold me to that. Let me uh give
[1:25:33] you a clearer answer
[1:25:35] at a later date.
[1:25:38] >> Okay.
[1:25:40] » Okay.
[1:25:40] Any
[1:25:42] other questions for Councilman Turner?
[1:25:47] Next on the Thank you, Councilman
[1:25:48] Turner. I appreciate you as well. Next
[1:25:51] on the agenda is for discussion economic
[1:25:54] development department update by
[1:25:57] Director Lance Randall.
[1:27:32] Thank you. Sorry about that. I'll start
[1:27:35] over. Um,
[1:27:38] I want to thank Mayor Cobble in her
[1:27:39] absence,
[1:27:41] Mayor Pro Tim, city council members, and
[1:27:43] the city manager, those in the audience,
[1:27:45] and also online for the opportunity to
[1:27:47] share information about the economic
[1:27:49] development department of Stone Crest.
[1:27:52] Uh, I want to start off with a brief
[1:27:53] introduction. U, this is the first time
[1:27:56] I've had a chance to present
[1:27:59] and some people may not know who I am
[1:28:01] and may not know who my colleague is
[1:28:03] that that works with me. So I want to
[1:28:06] very quickly introduce myself. I'm Lance
[1:28:08] Randall. Been doing economic development
[1:28:10] for about 32 years on the east coast and
[1:28:12] the west coast. Work for several several
[1:28:15] different municipalities and nonprofit
[1:28:17] organizations.
[1:28:19] And now here in Stone Crest, I'm very
[1:28:21] proud to be in Stone Crest being the
[1:28:23] leader of the department.
[1:28:25] Uh my colleague Katrina McClendon
[1:28:29] um has been doing economic development
[1:28:30] for about 20 years. U most of her
[1:28:33] background is in higher education,
[1:28:36] but she um has been doing economic
[1:28:38] development with with technical colleges
[1:28:40] around the area um in the south part of
[1:28:43] the of the state here in Dicap County
[1:28:46] and also in the state of Col state of
[1:28:49] South Carolina and Colombia. So um we're
[1:28:51] looking forward to um bringing on
[1:28:54] another person that will be a business
[1:28:57] development manager also. Um let me back
[1:29:00] up just a little bit. Katrina focuses on
[1:29:02] recruiting, retention and expansion and
[1:29:05] also workforce development. The new
[1:29:07] person that we want to bring on
[1:29:10] we also focus on recruiting, retention
[1:29:12] and expansion and tourism which is part
[1:29:15] of our target industries in the work
[1:29:18] that we do.
[1:29:21] Just want to show you a definition of
[1:29:24] economic development as given to us by
[1:29:26] the international economic development
[1:29:28] council. I won't read through all of it,
[1:29:31] but the one thing that I wanted to
[1:29:35] highlight at the end of the statement
[1:29:38] about economic development and our role
[1:29:40] as a city,
[1:29:42] our role is to create the conditions
[1:29:44] that better enable businesses to compete
[1:29:46] and thrive. which means that we are to
[1:29:50] be prepared to receive
[1:29:53] any businesses from around the globe who
[1:29:56] decide they would like to operate here
[1:29:58] in the city of Stone Crest.
[1:30:03] We are dedicated to attracting,
[1:30:05] supporting, and retaining businesses and
[1:30:08] industries that drive the city's
[1:30:10] economic growth and community vitality.
[1:30:14] That is our mission. That is what we do
[1:30:15] every day. And that what's that is what
[1:30:18] we thrive to make happen on a regular
[1:30:20] basis.
[1:30:23] Just remind you our um target industries
[1:30:28] consist of well the things that we do.
[1:30:31] I'm sorry business retention expansion
[1:30:32] which is taking care of the businesses
[1:30:34] that we already have here to make sure
[1:30:36] that they can overcome their challenges
[1:30:39] as they continue to try to operate. We
[1:30:41] also work with businesses that looking
[1:30:43] to expand in the community.
[1:30:46] Business traction and recruiting is only
[1:30:48] 5% of our work, but it's very important
[1:30:50] as many businesses from around the the
[1:30:53] world to be honest may have an interest
[1:30:55] in Stone Crest and it's our job to make
[1:30:58] sure when we're on the list that they
[1:31:00] are considering but locating their
[1:31:03] businesses that we stay on the list as I
[1:31:06] mentioned earlier by providing things
[1:31:08] that they need are required in order to
[1:31:11] be able to operate their business here
[1:31:13] in Stone Crest. We also focus on
[1:31:16] workforce development. It's important
[1:31:17] that our students have opportunities for
[1:31:20] employment once they graduate.
[1:31:23] And we also want to make sure incumbent
[1:31:24] workers who lo lose their jobs have
[1:31:26] opportunity to get restrained so that
[1:31:28] they continue to work. and tourism,
[1:31:32] agro tourism in specific which is one of
[1:31:36] the prides of our area with um Arabia
[1:31:40] Mountain and other trails that walk
[1:31:43] around the city. It's very important
[1:31:45] that we focus on tourism to bring people
[1:31:48] here to enjoy the natural beauty beauty
[1:31:51] of Stone Crest.
[1:31:55] Now I want to talk briefly about our
[1:31:58] target industries which are film and
[1:32:00] entertainment, professional services,
[1:32:03] healthc care, light manufacturing and
[1:32:06] transportation and logistics.
[1:32:09] Um we focus on these industries to make
[1:32:12] sure that we're taking advantage of the
[1:32:15] assets that we have that will attract
[1:32:18] these type of businesses to our
[1:32:20] community. So, it's important that we um
[1:32:25] understand what these sectors consist of
[1:32:29] and that we work very closely with the
[1:32:31] existing businesses that are already
[1:32:32] here that are in these sectors to make
[1:32:35] sure they stay in place. And we also
[1:32:37] depend on these businesses in these
[1:32:38] sectors to help us recruit businesses
[1:32:41] that are interested in coming to Stone
[1:32:44] Crest. What better way to encourage
[1:32:47] others who have an interest than to
[1:32:50] present those that are already here and
[1:32:52] let them speak of the things we're doing
[1:32:54] to keep them in place.
[1:32:59] We um also I want to talk about the
[1:33:02] Sunrest Film Commission which is a very
[1:33:05] important part of our department.
[1:33:08] This commission was created
[1:33:11] um as a response to the Georgia
[1:33:12] Entertainment Industry Investment Act of
[1:33:15] 2008 that provided 30% of tax credits
[1:33:18] toward any qualified entertainment
[1:33:20] projects want to come to Georgia. So it
[1:33:23] was established to make sure that we
[1:33:24] could take advantage of that. We do have
[1:33:25] some beautiful sites and locations where
[1:33:28] filming can take place.
[1:33:31] Originally um the responsibility of the
[1:33:35] commission was to assist with filming
[1:33:38] locations
[1:33:40] also doing the permitting providing
[1:33:42] incentives
[1:33:43] things of those nature but uh we have a
[1:33:47] relationship with the cab county film
[1:33:48] commission and they on behalf of all the
[1:33:51] 13 cities here in Dicap County they take
[1:33:54] care of all those things for us which
[1:33:56] means that our role is very limited when
[1:33:58] it comes to the film industry But since
[1:34:02] we are the only film commission in Dicab
[1:34:06] County, other cities do not have one, we
[1:34:08] have one. We want to make sure that when
[1:34:11] people do decide to come and film or
[1:34:15] produce in Stone Crest, that we are
[1:34:17] there to provide support to make sure
[1:34:19] that their time here while they were
[1:34:21] filming was enjoyable and productive.
[1:34:25] We've somewhat shifted gears and focused
[1:34:28] a lot on the entertainment portion of
[1:34:29] the commission.
[1:34:31] They're working with aspiring filmmakers
[1:34:33] and entertainers and they're hosting
[1:34:35] events here in Stone Crest with our
[1:34:38] youth and adults to prepare them from
[1:34:42] opportunities in the film and
[1:34:44] entertainment
[1:34:45] sector. Um they've been very active
[1:34:48] already. They've held a couple of events
[1:34:51] for our youth and have scheduled more
[1:34:53] events for the rest of the year.
[1:34:58] We've established or reestablished our
[1:35:00] relationship with our key partners
[1:35:02] through the Department of Economic
[1:35:03] Development. We're now working very
[1:35:05] closely with them to assist us with
[1:35:07] information and also referrals to bring
[1:35:10] businesses to here here to the um city
[1:35:13] of Stone Crest.
[1:35:15] Georgia Power Economic Development work
[1:35:17] working very closely with them as well.
[1:35:20] We've had meetings with them about some
[1:35:23] industries that have shown interest in
[1:35:24] coming here to Stone Crest and they are
[1:35:28] um waiting for us to reach out to them
[1:35:30] when we have opportunities and they're
[1:35:32] providing opportunities as well. They
[1:35:34] may ask questions about buildings,
[1:35:37] infrastructure needs, things like that.
[1:35:39] So, we are prepared to receive
[1:35:41] businesses that are interested in coming
[1:35:43] to Stone Crest that have power needs. Um
[1:35:46] we are we continue to build and
[1:35:49] cultivate our relationship with the side
[1:35:50] the cab. We depend on them to provide us
[1:35:54] information on sites help us connect
[1:35:56] businesses with key people around um the
[1:36:00] city and even the county and the state
[1:36:02] with Georgia Power as well and they also
[1:36:04] provide us assistance when it comes to
[1:36:06] finding buildings and sites for
[1:36:10] potential prospects.
[1:36:12] The CAB chamber provides different
[1:36:14] events for those businesses that land
[1:36:16] here and different activities to get
[1:36:18] them tied into the network. Discover the
[1:36:21] cab with tourism business alliance of
[1:36:24] Stone Crest East Metro and of course the
[1:36:26] newest partner which is the Lonian
[1:36:28] Industrial Park Community Improvement
[1:36:31] District. We're going to be working with
[1:36:32] them to provide whatever we support we
[1:36:34] can to make them successful, but we also
[1:36:38] are going to rely on them to help us
[1:36:39] recruit um manufacturing light
[1:36:42] manufacturing businesses to the area. I
[1:36:45] want to give you a snapshot
[1:36:47] of the businesses in Stone Crest.
[1:36:51] Currently, we have about 1,110
[1:36:54] businesses
[1:36:55] that we were able to verify through the
[1:36:58] revenue department that have business
[1:37:01] licenses to operate in Stone Crest.
[1:37:04] Of those businesses, the industry
[1:37:06] clusters, the majority of the businesses
[1:37:07] are in retail
[1:37:10] and the second largest is restaurants.
[1:37:13] and then the rest of you see um on the
[1:37:16] graph shows you the breakdown of the
[1:37:18] industry clusters that are operating
[1:37:21] here in Stone Crest.
[1:37:23] The other thing I thought was quite
[1:37:24] interesting for council to see is the
[1:37:27] number of businesses that are in your
[1:37:29] district. Of course, the majority of
[1:37:31] districts are in district one
[1:37:34] and the least amount of businesses that
[1:37:36] are registered to operate are in
[1:37:38] district five,
[1:37:40] but we do have um a database where we
[1:37:42] keep this information and other
[1:37:45] information that we can provide on these
[1:37:47] businesses.
[1:37:49] We want to talk about some stone press
[1:37:51] projects that we're working on.
[1:37:54] U most times projects want to remain
[1:37:56] confidential but these particular
[1:37:58] projects did not have a problem with us
[1:38:00] mentioning them what they have going on.
[1:38:03] Um the old Crystal location that caught
[1:38:07] on fire some years ago at the corner of
[1:38:09] Evans Mill um there was discussion with
[1:38:13] the owner of the Crystal to have a
[1:38:16] Dunkin Donuts and another restaurant to
[1:38:19] come to that location. The question they
[1:38:22] asked us with, could they keep the
[1:38:23] drive-thru? And working with Director Q,
[1:38:26] we determined they could keep the
[1:38:27] drive-thru since one was there before.
[1:38:29] So, we're waiting on them to
[1:38:32] work out the lease arrangements
[1:38:35] with the um property owner so that they
[1:38:38] can move forward with the appropriate
[1:38:40] process. Marshall has a warehouse here
[1:38:42] in Stone Crest. They're looking to
[1:38:45] expand the operation by adding another
[1:38:47] parking lot for their trucks. We're
[1:38:50] working with them trying to find that
[1:38:51] property. Director Q and I met with
[1:38:53] them. We identified a piece of property
[1:38:55] that would require that would require an
[1:38:57] easement. So, they may not be looking at
[1:38:59] that property, but they're still looking
[1:39:00] at something here in Stone Crest, and we
[1:39:02] want to make sure that we keep them
[1:39:04] here. Chipotle has submitted their um
[1:39:09] application to set up a location on
[1:39:11] Coington Highway. Um we're waiting for
[1:39:14] them to finish their due diligence and
[1:39:17] other things they need to do with the
[1:39:18] company to get that going. And then
[1:39:20] three projects that that's come to us as
[1:39:23] of recently. Carver Jones is a market
[1:39:26] that reached out through the Stone Crest
[1:39:28] Chamber, Mr. Thomas Ford who was trying
[1:39:31] to get the chamber reestablished, but
[1:39:34] while he's doing that thought enough of
[1:39:35] us to send us Carver Jones as a
[1:39:38] potential opportunity. We get did get a
[1:39:39] chance to meet with the owner as well as
[1:39:42] JL Collins which is a beverage
[1:39:44] distributor. Had an opportunity to meet
[1:39:46] with them as well. They're taking a look
[1:39:49] at Stone Crest looking at property where
[1:39:51] they can set up their locations here.
[1:39:54] And then just a couple weeks ago,
[1:39:56] um Dr. McClendon, my my counterpart,
[1:40:00] brought in Pin and Feathers, which has
[1:40:01] about nine restaurants around the area.
[1:40:04] They are interested in setting up here
[1:40:06] in Stone Crest.
[1:40:08] want to talk a little bit about the new
[1:40:10] businesses that came in this year and
[1:40:12] part of last year. Busy be Play Cafe
[1:40:16] which is off of M Parkway set up
[1:40:18] operations just recently. Sweet Pepper
[1:40:20] Kitchen
[1:40:22] over there um in the um plaza with Ross
[1:40:24] just set up excuse me and we're still
[1:40:27] waiting in the New York pizza
[1:40:29] um establishment to open up. They've
[1:40:32] been doing a lot of construction. It's
[1:40:34] my understanding that they're trying to
[1:40:35] get some things through the Cab County
[1:40:37] Fire Department.
[1:40:41] As you know, we we lost several
[1:40:43] different businesses. Most of them are
[1:40:44] retail and restaurants.
[1:40:47] Um here's the list. I'm pretty sure
[1:40:48] everyone is aware of it, but a lot of
[1:40:51] people ask the question, how did it
[1:40:53] happen and why did it happen?
[1:40:56] Um there's some national trends that are
[1:40:58] going on with the economy
[1:41:01] and we are not immune to those trends.
[1:41:04] Um we are also being impacted when it
[1:41:07] comes to national national restaurant
[1:41:09] change. Um inflation and the rising cost
[1:41:13] has reduced the margins of these
[1:41:15] businesses. Customers are choosing not
[1:41:17] to go and eat out as much because of the
[1:41:21] of the economy.
[1:41:23] Um there's been a lot of mergers and
[1:41:25] investments from venture capitalists and
[1:41:29] hedge fund managers in purchasing
[1:41:32] different restaurants and merging them.
[1:41:35] Those are not doing very well right now.
[1:41:36] They're falling apart. So they're
[1:41:38] starting to to offload because of cash
[1:41:40] flow issues and we're still having some
[1:41:43] effects from the pandemic. People still
[1:41:44] trying to recover. When you talk about
[1:41:46] retail again, rising cost, here's
[1:41:51] something that's interesting. Too many
[1:41:52] retail retail stores are offering the
[1:41:54] same thing which means that people have
[1:41:56] different choices of where to go. So now
[1:41:58] you have a price wars on similar
[1:42:00] products and some can compete and others
[1:42:02] cannot and those who can't compete they
[1:42:04] shut down.
[1:42:06] Stoppers are also purchasing at bulk,
[1:42:09] which means that they're looking more
[1:42:11] toward the large warehouse operations
[1:42:13] like Costco and BJs and Sam's and not so
[1:42:17] much with the retail operations.
[1:42:19] And then international retailers are
[1:42:22] starting to come in. All these are
[1:42:23] international companies. Others are
[1:42:25] coming in from outside the United States
[1:42:28] and they're bringing their supply chain
[1:42:29] with them and they are competing with
[1:42:31] our domestic domestic businesses that
[1:42:34] are here. and of course the overall
[1:42:36] economy.
[1:42:38] So when you talk about the the closings
[1:42:42] of these businesses, majority of my
[1:42:44] restaurants and retail chains, it's part
[1:42:48] of a national trend. However, when they
[1:42:51] bounce back, we want to be able to be
[1:42:55] prepared to receive them with the
[1:42:56] business climate they deserve.
[1:43:00] So I want to talk about some stone crest
[1:43:02] development projects that are very
[1:43:04] important. One of the things I was
[1:43:06] charged with
[1:43:08] in the
[1:43:11] comprehensive plan was the town center
[1:43:15] and we are working with the Allen
[1:43:17] family,
[1:43:19] a um confidential broker and a
[1:43:23] confidential
[1:43:25] development group.
[1:43:28] We put together the Stone Crest Town
[1:43:30] Center master plan which will include
[1:43:32] everything from government buildings,
[1:43:34] private buildings, mixeduse retail,
[1:43:37] entertainment,
[1:43:39] educational institutions, and possibly
[1:43:41] some healthc care institutions as well.
[1:43:44] Those are the thing that we've discussed
[1:43:45] about having into the strategic plan of
[1:43:48] the master plan for the town center.
[1:43:51] We're are meeting weekly to try to work
[1:43:53] this out and as soon as we get something
[1:43:56] in place. We have to go through a
[1:43:58] process with the development authority
[1:44:00] and then we'll come back to council with
[1:44:02] the final say. So just know that we are
[1:44:05] now moving forward. We're putting that
[1:44:07] master plan together with a contingent
[1:44:09] of people that's can make it happen.
[1:44:14] New Black Wall Street has shut down.
[1:44:15] This is also Allen property. All the
[1:44:18] contents inside have been auctioned off.
[1:44:21] So now we're working with the family and
[1:44:22] their broker to figure out the next use
[1:44:25] for the building.
[1:44:28] Had one that came through that did not
[1:44:30] meet the zoning requirements
[1:44:34] and um it was really not a good fit. I'm
[1:44:37] not going to say what it was, but just
[1:44:38] not a good fit for our community. So we
[1:44:41] want to make sure that as we try to fill
[1:44:43] this space working with the family that
[1:44:45] we are bringing something here that's
[1:44:48] going to bring people to the city that's
[1:44:50] going to create jobs that's going to be
[1:44:52] sustainable and fits within the desires
[1:44:56] of the leadership in the city and also
[1:44:59] the community. So we will keep you
[1:45:02] posted on the effort to do that. We've
[1:45:04] had several different proposals that's
[1:45:06] been presented. We take a look at them
[1:45:08] to make sure that they meet the zoning,
[1:45:10] but also to make sure that
[1:45:12] that they meet the requirements of the
[1:45:14] city. So, you'll be getting more
[1:45:15] information about that as we begin to
[1:45:17] narrow down what we think work best in
[1:45:19] that building, but something will be
[1:45:20] coming um in the near future.
[1:45:25] Um, also working with the Allen family
[1:45:27] properties, they have about 487 acres.
[1:45:30] I'm pretty sure you're familiar with it.
[1:45:32] Um, I've been here not even a year yet.
[1:45:34] And one of the most important things I
[1:45:35] had to do is try to figure out what is
[1:45:38] going on with the property. Um, there
[1:45:40] was an arrangement with the development
[1:45:41] authority, but they have title of the
[1:45:43] property and the family still has the
[1:45:45] property. But we had to make sure we get
[1:45:48] everybody on the same page. Of course,
[1:45:50] um, Mr. Allen, when he was still living,
[1:45:54] um, he was still working with this
[1:45:56] situation, but since he's passed, he was
[1:45:59] transferred over to his daughter. So, we
[1:46:01] had to have a meeting with her, her
[1:46:03] broker, the attorney, and also um some
[1:46:07] potential developers so that we can make
[1:46:10] sure we understand what has to happen
[1:46:12] before anything can be done on this
[1:46:14] property. So, now that we have an
[1:46:15] agreement among all parties, we're now
[1:46:17] working together to try to bring
[1:46:20] development to all those properties that
[1:46:22] Allen family owns um in the area closest
[1:46:25] to the interstate.
[1:46:28] Um, just want to mention real quick, we
[1:46:30] did have a prospect
[1:46:32] that was uh, brought to us by a
[1:46:35] site selector
[1:46:38] out of Massachusetts and they want to
[1:46:40] purchase the Sam's building. We did get
[1:46:42] an appraisal on the building um, for
[1:46:45] them. They were looking to bring a large
[1:46:47] retail operation here and it would have
[1:46:50] brought 125 jobs. We were the last two
[1:46:54] in contention for the um project, but
[1:46:59] then we find out we have a long list of
[1:47:02] prohibited prohibited uses that was
[1:47:05] given to us when we bought the Sam's
[1:47:07] building that limits a lot of
[1:47:11] opportunities for us to bring certain
[1:47:13] commercial operations here. So, we lost
[1:47:15] that project,
[1:47:17] but um we will be having a discussion
[1:47:20] hopefully with the urban development
[1:47:22] authority to determine the path forward.
[1:47:24] Do we continue to try to recruit a
[1:47:26] commercial user
[1:47:29] um or do we take a look at some
[1:47:31] alternative uses?
[1:47:34] So, what I've done is given you a
[1:47:36] snapshot of what we're working on, a lot
[1:47:38] of big projects. Um we are doing a lot
[1:47:41] of touch points with businesses in the
[1:47:43] community.
[1:47:45] maintaining, building more relationships
[1:47:47] and doing what we have to do to keep
[1:47:49] Stone Crest in the forefront of the
[1:47:51] economic development efforts. Want
[1:47:53] people to keep in mind we are still a
[1:47:55] young city of all the cities in Dicap
[1:47:57] County
[1:47:59] and we still have a long way to go, but
[1:48:01] I think um we have what it takes, the
[1:48:04] assets, the ability, and the drive to
[1:48:07] make it happen. And we're going to
[1:48:08] continue to work hard to lead the effort
[1:48:11] to um bring the things here to Stone
[1:48:13] Crest. So we can continue to be stone
[1:48:15] Chris proud. So if you have any
[1:48:18] questions, be more than happy to answer.
[1:48:23] » Council, do you have any questions for
[1:48:24] Director Randall?
[1:48:27] >> Mayor Pro.
[1:48:28] » Mayor Pro.
[1:48:28] >> Councilwoman Smith.
[1:48:30] » Councilwoman Smith.
[1:48:30] >> Thank you, Director Randall, for that.
[1:48:32] » Thank you, Director Randall, for that.
[1:48:32] We appreciate it. Um do you have any
[1:48:35] idea how many businesses
[1:48:38] um we have attracted this year and how
[1:48:44] many we have lost this year?
[1:48:48] >> Well, we only we only attracted one that
[1:48:51] » Well, we only we only attracted one that
[1:48:51] actually had a serious interest. You
[1:48:53] look at different levels. You have tire
[1:48:55] kickers who may reach out, ask some
[1:48:57] questions, but then we don't hear from
[1:48:59] them again. You have some that would go
[1:49:01] as far as looking at property and we
[1:49:04] won't hear from them again. The only one
[1:49:06] that that went all the way through the
[1:49:08] process was the confidential prospect
[1:49:12] that was interested in the Sam's
[1:49:14] building. However,
[1:49:16] we do have
[1:49:18] as I mentioned before
[1:49:21] in the pipeline some smaller retail
[1:49:23] restaurant businesses. I mentioned
[1:49:25] Chipotle
[1:49:26] has already committed to come to going
[1:49:28] through the process. Dunkin Donuts is
[1:49:30] committed to the setup as well. They're
[1:49:32] working out the lease agreement, but
[1:49:34] then they'll be going through the
[1:49:35] process. And Marshalls um well, that's
[1:49:38] more of retention expansion, but they're
[1:49:41] going through the process as well. The
[1:49:43] two that I mentioned earlier that came
[1:49:45] in from Mr. Ford at the Stone um Crest
[1:49:48] Chamber, those um he connected us with
[1:49:51] those businesses and now we're in
[1:49:53] discussions with them about trying to
[1:49:54] find property. So, it's still early. Um,
[1:49:57] council member retention, I mean,
[1:50:00] recruiting is only 5%. Because it's
[1:50:02] really a waiting game. They have so many
[1:50:06] tools and things that they can use to
[1:50:08] evaluate us. And the name of the game
[1:50:10] when they reach out to us is to stay on
[1:50:13] the list because once you get kicked off
[1:50:15] the list for whatever reason, you may
[1:50:17] not have a building,
[1:50:20] you may not u have something, it may be
[1:50:22] a permitting issue, it could be a zoning
[1:50:24] issue. There a lot of things that we can
[1:50:27] control, some we can't. But we're
[1:50:30] gaining traction through our
[1:50:32] partnerships with Georgia Power and the
[1:50:36] Georgia Department of Economic
[1:50:37] Development and through Decide the CAP.
[1:50:39] They are the leads that will be bringing
[1:50:41] us opportunities for recruiting and we
[1:50:44] just have to be ready to receive them
[1:50:46] and do the best we can to bring them
[1:50:47] here with what we have.
[1:50:50] >> Okay. You mentioned the
[1:50:53] » Okay. You mentioned the
[1:50:53] Stone Crest Film and Entertainment
[1:50:55] Commission and you said that Dicap
[1:50:57] County handles pretty much most of that.
[1:51:01] What is it that our committee is
[1:51:04] responsible for?
[1:51:07] What's their purpose?
[1:51:09] What we're pushing them to do now is to
[1:51:11] focus more on bringing entertainment
[1:51:13] events to Stone Crest that will bring
[1:51:15] people here and also provide
[1:51:17] opportunities for aspiring filmmakers
[1:51:20] and entertainment mainly our youth to be
[1:51:23] exposed to people already in the
[1:51:24] industry. So if they want to go down
[1:51:26] that path through workshops,
[1:51:28] throughmies, through different things
[1:51:30] like that that they're hosting to make
[1:51:32] sure that people understand the industry
[1:51:35] and have opportunities to talk to those
[1:51:38] who are in the industry to learn what's
[1:51:39] going on so they can make a decision if
[1:51:41] they want to do it or not. Um also
[1:51:43] supporting other events. Um they will be
[1:51:46] supporting the mayor's um
[1:51:50] um um what you call it um screen on the
[1:51:52] green event. And then are trying to
[1:51:55] bring some other events here, mainly
[1:51:58] outdoor events because of the limit of
[1:52:01] having a building to have something
[1:52:03] inside. So, they're focusing more on the
[1:52:05] entertainment piece, but when it comes
[1:52:07] to film, whenever a producer or
[1:52:11] filmmaker comes to Stone Crest, they're
[1:52:14] charged to going out on site to make
[1:52:16] sure that they serve as a welcome
[1:52:18] committee. No one else is doing that
[1:52:20] because they don't have a commission
[1:52:21] like us. So, we will be making sure that
[1:52:23] when they come here that that their time
[1:52:25] here is pleasant and productive. Um, and
[1:52:28] we will meet any needs that they have
[1:52:30] while they're shooting. So, that is
[1:52:31] their role to make sure that the city of
[1:52:33] Stone Crest is one of the most desirable
[1:52:36] and proactive places to do filming and
[1:52:39] entertainment.
[1:52:40] >> Okay. So, we're focusing on the um not
[1:52:44] » Okay. So, we're focusing on the um not
[1:52:44] on the film part, but more on the
[1:52:46] entertainment piece of it. Our committee
[1:52:48] is focusing more on the entertainment
[1:52:50] piece.
[1:52:51] >> Yes. And um as it relates to the film
[1:52:55] » Yes. And um as it relates to the film
[1:52:55] piece, if I'm hearing properly, we're
[1:52:57] just the welcome committee.
[1:52:59] >> Yes. Um Dicab County has a portal that
[1:53:03] » Yes. Um Dicab County has a portal that
[1:53:03] all 13 cities are in. So when people
[1:53:06] contact the Georgia State Film
[1:53:10] um department, they refer them to DICE
[1:53:14] County, which is our economic
[1:53:15] development lead organization in Dicap
[1:53:17] County. So, it makes sense that they're
[1:53:20] the ones that process all the permits
[1:53:23] and when someone wants to come to Stone
[1:53:25] Crest, then um the money from processing
[1:53:28] permits come to us and we have to make
[1:53:30] sure we approve the application before
[1:53:33] they can come in and film. So they do
[1:53:35] most of the background work on on behalf
[1:53:38] of all the cities to [snorts] make sure
[1:53:39] that everything is covered when it comes
[1:53:42] to film making and production here in in
[1:53:47] Dicap County and we're on the list with
[1:53:48] the other cities. So they serve us and
[1:53:50] everybody else.
[1:53:52] >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. I yield.
[1:53:56] » Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. I yield.
[1:53:56] >> Thank you, Councilwoman Smith.
[1:53:59] » Thank you, Councilwoman Smith.
[1:53:59] Council, any other question?
[1:54:01] >> Pro Tim. Councilman Turner,
[1:54:06] » you mentioned the Allen property.
[1:54:09] >> Yes, sir.
[1:54:09] » Yes, sir.
[1:54:10] >> And within that map, I see you also have
[1:54:14] » And within that map, I see you also have
[1:54:14] the Allen property on Woodro and Evans
[1:54:16] Mill. Uh is that a part of
[1:54:21] >> it's not part of the abatement that um
[1:54:23] » it's not part of the abatement that um
[1:54:23] the most of the property is along with
[1:54:25] um Black Wall Street, but we are working
[1:54:28] with the um family and potential
[1:54:32] prospects who are looking at that
[1:54:34] particular compound. There's some
[1:54:36] challenges with it because of the zoning
[1:54:38] going back to R100 because it has not
[1:54:40] been used in six months or more. So, um,
[1:54:43] as people are expressing interest in it,
[1:54:47] um, we're trying to figure out a way.
[1:54:50] Well, they would like to use the
[1:54:51] buildings as they are, but because of
[1:54:52] the zoning, they can't. So, director Q
[1:54:56] and I are trying to figure out the
[1:54:58] creative way that we can preserve that
[1:55:02] compound where people can use it. Um,
[1:55:04] we'll be talking more about that with um
[1:55:09] with the city council, of course, about
[1:55:11] some ideas to try to see what we can do
[1:55:13] to to make it usable. Those are those
[1:55:15] are historic buildings. They're good
[1:55:17] buildings for filming. Um, they do need
[1:55:20] some cleaning up, but they could still
[1:55:22] be functional and we would hate to have
[1:55:24] to destroy those buildings for single
[1:55:27] family housing if we don't have to.
[1:55:30] >> Okay. Um maybe this for the attorney and
[1:55:33] » Okay. Um maybe this for the attorney and
[1:55:33] that is that you mentioned the project
[1:55:35] with the formerly Sam's Club building
[1:55:41] and some roadblocks that are there and I
[1:55:44] know that they were there when the city
[1:55:46] purchased that property and I don't know
[1:55:49] if we've ever challenged whether or not
[1:55:50] those restrictions
[1:55:53] are enforcable or not. I know that Sam
[1:55:58] said that there's a list of things that
[1:56:01] we could and could not use the building
[1:56:02] for or could and could not dispose of it
[1:56:06] for. Um, but
[1:56:09] when we purchased it,
[1:56:12] uh, I think that's kind of like one of
[1:56:14] those uh, like lifetime easements or
[1:56:17] something restriction. Is there any way
[1:56:20] to work beyond that?
[1:56:22] Obviously, we would have to take a look
[1:56:24] at the agreement to determine um which
[1:56:27] covenants apply and I'm happy to to meet
[1:56:30] with you.
[1:56:30] >> There's a there's a hand in the sky
[1:56:32] » There's a there's a hand in the sky
[1:56:32] there from one who may have a little
[1:56:35] more experience with that.
[1:56:38] Is that true?
[1:56:40] >> Attorney,
[1:56:42] » Attorney,
[1:56:42] >> good evening.
[1:56:44] » good evening.
[1:56:44] >> Good evening. Um just and thank you,
[1:56:47] » Good evening. Um just and thank you,
[1:56:47] Orlando. You're right. Um thank you, Mr.
[1:56:51] Mayor Pro Timmeritus and um Attorney
[1:56:53] Pearson. Um and he's right um there is a
[1:56:57] list of restrictions that we would have
[1:57:00] to review. Um we've looked at them
[1:57:02] previously and um they are part of the
[1:57:06] the documentation that was used to
[1:57:09] secure the land. And just for
[1:57:11] clarification also this the Sam's Club
[1:57:13] building is under the URRA. So it's it's
[1:57:15] not a city-owned property. So this um
[1:57:19] this discussion would be um a little bit
[1:57:21] more relevant um within the urban
[1:57:24] redevelopment ay's meeting, but there
[1:57:27] are list of restrictions that are that
[1:57:29] were bound to um as far as who can own
[1:57:33] the property in the future.
[1:57:36] >> Yeah, that was a question. Are we firmly
[1:57:39] » Yeah, that was a question. Are we firmly
[1:57:39] bound or is there a way to wealle out?
[1:57:45] Well, we can have discussion and see,
[1:57:47] take a look at the documents. I will say
[1:57:49] something else that that has happened.
[1:57:51] The building has been there for quite
[1:57:52] some time. It's been vacant. Um, as a
[1:57:55] result, we've had some people who have
[1:57:57] come and done damage to the building.
[1:58:00] Um, the air conditioning unit is
[1:58:01] completely destroyed. So, it's going to
[1:58:03] cost about a million dollars to replace
[1:58:05] that. And there there's some things on
[1:58:07] the inside of the building where people
[1:58:08] have broken in and done some things. So
[1:58:12] um we have to really take a look at the
[1:58:14] building to make a determination which
[1:58:16] direction do we go. Do we try to
[1:58:17] continue to go down the path of
[1:58:19] commercial with the both um prohibited
[1:58:23] uses and the condition of the building
[1:58:25] or do we take a look at some alternative
[1:58:28] uses? Well, I know it requires another
[1:58:31] discussion, but um if the building is
[1:58:35] demolished, would those restrictions
[1:58:37] still apply to the land if we were to uh
[1:58:41] go in that direction? Because with it
[1:58:43] being the damage to the point that it
[1:58:46] might cost more to repair it than it
[1:58:49] would be to just raise it and start
[1:58:52] over. Uh so I think those questions have
[1:58:55] to be asked in terms of the uh
[1:59:00] and the details of the agreement. Does
[1:59:04] that apply strictly to the building? Uh
[1:59:07] does it also apply to the land and any
[1:59:09] future land use of that site? So, that's
[1:59:13] something for another discussion. Just
[1:59:15] wanted to put that out there that that's
[1:59:16] something we're going to have to deal
[1:59:17] with because that is a very valuable
[1:59:19] site and uh I'd hate for those
[1:59:22] restrictions to hold us up forever.
[1:59:26] >> Okay.
[1:59:28] » Okay.
[1:59:28] agurism. Speak to that again as to what
[1:59:31] we are looking at.
[1:59:33] >> Well, you know, we have some natural
[1:59:35] » Well, you know, we have some natural
[1:59:35] beauty here. I mean, we have Arabia
[1:59:36] Mountain, we have walking trails, all
[1:59:38] those different things. Um, we have the
[1:59:41] South River and we want to make sure
[1:59:44] that um we promote uh natural beauty
[1:59:47] here in Stone Crest. Although we're a
[1:59:49] city, we are a city with a lot of
[1:59:51] natural beauty and we need to promote
[1:59:52] that to get people to come here. Um, as
[1:59:55] we move forward with our town center and
[1:59:57] other things, we still want to maintain
[1:59:59] that agurism. So, we'll be focusing a
[2:00:02] lot in working with discover the cab to
[2:00:05] make sure that we are advertising Stone
[2:00:07] Crest as a top agurism place. You have
[2:00:11] places where you can, you know, I think
[2:00:13] we talked about the the sunflower
[2:00:15] contest. You have places where you can
[2:00:17] pick berries. You have a lot of natural
[2:00:20] beauty which is something that a lot of
[2:00:22] people appreciate. So
[2:00:23] >> I was trying to get a clear definition
[2:00:25] » I was trying to get a clear definition
[2:00:25] of agurism and I don't know somehow I
[2:00:28] had combined uh agriculture and tourism
[2:00:31] to get to agurism and I see the tourism
[2:00:34] and the um nature trails but I don't see
[2:00:38] any agriculture hardly
[2:00:41] uh that uh we can really promote. Did I
[2:00:45] miss something?
[2:00:46] >> No. Well, well, agriculture can also be
[2:00:48] » No. Well, well, agriculture can also be
[2:00:48] natural things that um that just grow.
[2:00:51] Um you're talking about gardens, you
[2:00:53] think about fields where people are
[2:00:55] growing things, but as you walk the
[2:00:57] trails, you will find different types of
[2:00:59] berries and things that you can just
[2:01:00] pick.
[2:01:01] >> Okay. Okay. I just wanted to understand
[2:01:02] » Okay. Okay. I just wanted to understand
[2:01:02] what we were defining as agurism.
[2:01:05] >> Yes.
[2:01:05] » Yes.
[2:01:05] >> You know, I was looking to walk through
[2:01:07] » You know, I was looking to walk through
[2:01:07] a potato field and
[2:01:09] >> and you got feral hogs, too.
[2:01:11] » and you got feral hogs, too.
[2:01:11] >> Oh, okay. Now that's agubis.
[2:01:16] » Oh, okay. Now that's agubis.
[2:01:16] >> But yeah, we're going to really focus on
[2:01:17] » But yeah, we're going to really focus on
[2:01:17] that to make sure that um
[2:01:20] because we are working hard to maintain
[2:01:22] this natural asset that we have and it's
[2:01:24] important that um we promote it to every
[2:01:27] means necessary.
[2:01:28] >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. That was very
[2:01:32] » Okay. Okay. Thank you. That was very
[2:01:32] thorough.
[2:01:36] Council, any other questions for
[2:01:38] Director Randall?
[2:01:42] Director Rando, I want to say thank you
[2:01:44] for this presentation. It was very
[2:01:46] detailed. Um, but I have a couple of
[2:01:48] questions. As far as the new businesses,
[2:01:52] um, most of these are in district one.
[2:01:55] Um,
[2:01:59] I I wasn't aware of some of these new
[2:02:02] businesses um, outside of getting a call
[2:02:05] from a constituent or just riding past
[2:02:08] the new business myself. So, how is
[2:02:11] council notified when a new business
[2:02:16] is here in Stone Crest? And how do we
[2:02:18] welcome them to our city to show that we
[2:02:21] appreciate them choosing Stone Crest and
[2:02:24] maybe do a do a ribbon cutting and say
[2:02:27] thank you and help promote them so they
[2:02:30] can stay.
[2:02:31] >> As a matter of fact,
[2:02:32] » As a matter of fact,
[2:02:32] >> good question. Well, I I submitted a
[2:02:35] » good question. Well, I I submitted a
[2:02:35] report to the city manager and mentioned
[2:02:37] the new businesses that are here. Um, I
[2:02:40] think what we need to do, well, what we
[2:02:42] also do, I forgot to mention this, is we
[2:02:44] working with the communication
[2:02:45] department and they are currently now
[2:02:47] going out doing videos of businesses
[2:02:50] around the community. Um, think what
[2:02:54] what I need to do is to make sure that,
[2:02:57] um, in addition to sending information
[2:02:59] to the city manager,
[2:03:02] um, I can make sure we can send
[2:03:03] something um, when a business shows up.
[2:03:06] A lot of times they're coming in and we
[2:03:08] didn't know they were coming. So they're
[2:03:09] working directly with brokers
[2:03:13] um on particular space like uh Sweet
[2:03:16] Pepper Kitchen. They just showed up. We
[2:03:19] just happened to go over and we find out
[2:03:20] that they were there. Um so that that
[2:03:23] will happen a lot that they will not
[2:03:25] have to come to the city. They know what
[2:03:27] they need looking for the space and they
[2:03:29] work with the broker and then once we
[2:03:31] find out we we cap capture the
[2:03:32] information. So, what we'll try to do is
[2:03:35] make sure that we um we find out that
[2:03:37] we'll get information out and we'll work
[2:03:40] with the communications department to
[2:03:42] try to set up some type of ribbon
[2:03:43] cutting in order for city council to be
[2:03:45] there.
[2:03:46] >> Got it. And that broker, do we have a
[2:03:48] » Got it. And that broker, do we have a
[2:03:48] partnership with these brokers?
[2:03:51] >> Actually, we don't. Brokers love
[2:03:53] » Actually, we don't. Brokers love
[2:03:53] economic development departments because
[2:03:56] um they're representing their clients
[2:03:58] and their role is to try to lease or
[2:04:00] sell their property. Um, we do have a
[2:04:03] website where that some of them have
[2:04:05] access to it where they can just post
[2:04:08] whatever properties that they have,
[2:04:10] commercial properties onto that to that
[2:04:12] platform. And it's we're starting to get
[2:04:15] more and more every day because um
[2:04:18] they're more people are inquiring. Um,
[2:04:21] we get most of our information from
[2:04:25] decide the cab because they have co-star
[2:04:28] and we had it but it's an expensive
[2:04:30] tool. So to save money, we decide to
[2:04:33] work with them and make requests to them
[2:04:35] to get information on sites. So um
[2:04:39] you know, businesses will locate the
[2:04:42] Stone Crest without us knowing about it,
[2:04:44] but then those that that need our help
[2:04:46] reach out and we want to make sure as we
[2:04:48] do that, we let you know so you can be
[2:04:50] part of the celebration when they come
[2:04:51] in.
[2:04:52] >> Do you know what um what's holding New
[2:04:56] » Do you know what um what's holding New
[2:04:56] York pizza from opening? There's they're
[2:04:59] dealing with per permit issues with the
[2:05:01] um the Cap County Fire U Marshall.
[2:05:08] » How are we notified when business are
[2:05:10] closing?
[2:05:12] >> Well, um we are constantly going through
[2:05:15] » Well, um we are constantly going through
[2:05:15] our database. Um we've been going
[2:05:18] through the database the past couple
[2:05:19] weeks and we are searching businesses
[2:05:23] and we're finding a lot of them are
[2:05:24] closed permanently. looking at Google,
[2:05:27] um word of mouth, of course, um you get
[2:05:30] information on social media and in some
[2:05:32] instances when you pass by. So, if a
[2:05:35] business is closing, um especially if
[2:05:37] it's a a well-known business, popular
[2:05:40] business, people going to know about it
[2:05:41] because when they go, it's not there.
[2:05:43] But then there's some smaller ones that
[2:05:45] never really get off the ground. They
[2:05:46] open and they close. We may never know
[2:05:48] who they are, but um it's just a matter
[2:05:51] of going through a database and we get
[2:05:53] it information from Department of
[2:05:54] Revenue every year preloaded and then we
[2:05:58] go through the database to check
[2:06:00] businesses against Google and their
[2:06:02] websites. um if they don't have that
[2:06:04] then we pass by and see what's going on
[2:06:07] and then we make those um reports into
[2:06:10] the system and I can provide you a
[2:06:13] report of businesses that are registered
[2:06:14] with the city to do business have a
[2:06:16] business license but since
[2:06:19] sometime this year they shut down
[2:06:22] and we don't know what happened and most
[2:06:24] businesses um will not contact us unless
[2:06:28] they
[2:06:30] feel that we can help them but a lot of
[2:06:32] things out of our role as far as helping
[2:06:34] sale.
[2:06:38] » So, with the broker, I think it might be
[2:06:42] helpful if we reach out to some of our
[2:06:44] local brokers just to see how they can
[2:06:46] assist get a list of all of our vacant
[2:06:49] buildings. And of course, they work on
[2:06:52] commission, so they'll be more than
[2:06:53] happy to help you, but help us to get
[2:06:56] some of those buildings filled. Do you
[2:06:59] have a list of all of the buildings that
[2:07:02] are vacant currently?
[2:07:03] >> We don't have a list, but um any time a
[2:07:07] » We don't have a list, but um any time a
[2:07:07] prospect or anyone's looking for a
[2:07:09] building. We do use CoStar with decide
[2:07:13] the cab and they do a search and they
[2:07:16] can tell us what buildings are
[2:07:17] available. There are other tools online
[2:07:19] that we can use like loop.net.
[2:07:22] And then I said some brokers just
[2:07:24] automatically put stuff in the system.
[2:07:26] they ask for access to put it into our
[2:07:28] database and we allow them to do that
[2:07:30] and we go to that that list to take and
[2:07:32] see what's available. It's kind of hard
[2:07:35] to keep up with a list like that because
[2:07:38] you know businesses are in a space and
[2:07:40] they're out of space. Um, some
[2:07:43] businesses, some some spaces are not
[2:07:45] listed
[2:07:46] and it's up, it's really the broker's
[2:07:49] responsibility to try to fill that
[2:07:51] space. And it's our responsibility when
[2:07:54] they have someone that wants to go into
[2:07:55] that space to make sure that we can help
[2:07:58] them with permitting and all those
[2:08:00] different things to get into the space.
[2:08:03] Um, we don't own any of those buildings.
[2:08:06] All we can do is when someone says, "I'm
[2:08:08] looking for a certain size," we talk to
[2:08:10] a broker or we look to look at a
[2:08:12] database or contact inside the cab and
[2:08:16] they let us know um we have these many
[2:08:18] buildings available that will meet the
[2:08:20] needs of this particular prospect
[2:08:22] and then what we do is get with the
[2:08:24] prospect, show them the list, and if
[2:08:26] there's anything they have an interest
[2:08:27] in, then we put them in the car. We take
[2:08:29] them to see it and the brokers are there
[2:08:31] to meet us to let us in so they can look
[2:08:33] around, what have you.
[2:08:40] Do you know what's going on with Bank of
[2:08:41] America?
[2:08:43] >> Um, I do know they had an auction. Um, I
[2:08:47] » Um, I do know they had an auction. Um, I
[2:08:47] don't know who purchased the building,
[2:08:48] but I'm pretty sure that that would that
[2:08:50] will come up pretty soon. Um, and since
[2:08:53] we were talking about other buildings,
[2:08:55] um, with Smoky Bones, they are in
[2:08:57] bankruptcy.
[2:08:59] And when the buildings in bankruptcy
[2:09:00] like that, um, they're off limits until
[2:09:03] it's completed because they take they
[2:09:05] seize all the different assets. So, a
[2:09:08] lot of buildings that you see that were
[2:09:10] vacated by these national chains, um, we
[2:09:13] can't touch them just yet.
[2:09:15] Um, the American Signature Building has
[2:09:19] decided they want to have another
[2:09:20] furniture company to come in. And the
[2:09:23] reason why just makes sense because
[2:09:25] they're already set up for a furniture
[2:09:26] company. And if another use comes in,
[2:09:28] then you got to have a discussion about
[2:09:30] tenant improvements.
[2:09:32] So they're laser focused on another
[2:09:36] furniture company. I f I went to them
[2:09:39] about an idea that says no, we want a
[2:09:42] furniture company. So the bottom line is
[2:09:45] a lot of these properties are controlled
[2:09:46] by the owners and they can determine
[2:09:49] what they want into it. But I will say
[2:09:52] my concern that I have is that a lot of
[2:09:55] the property owners and the brokers are
[2:09:57] not keeping the properties up the way
[2:09:59] that they should be. And that's why I'm
[2:10:01] glad that you initiating this effort to
[2:10:04] have one of my colleagues ride around
[2:10:06] and take a look to see so we can get
[2:10:08] code enforcement on it because it's
[2:10:10] difficult to bring businesses in
[2:10:14] look at space and the space doesn't look
[2:10:15] very good and it's not functional.
[2:10:19] So, let's see if we can make some
[2:10:21] improvements there.
[2:10:26] » Council, do you have any other
[2:10:28] questions?
[2:10:29] >> Mayor Pro Tim.
[2:10:30] » Mayor Pro Tim.
[2:10:30] >> Councilwoman Smith.
[2:10:34] » Councilwoman Smith.
[2:10:34] >> Um, I do have one more question. Mayor
[2:10:37] » Um, I do have one more question. Mayor
[2:10:37] Pro Tim asked about welcoming the new
[2:10:39] businesses in. And when a new business
[2:10:42] comes in, I understand the whole broker
[2:10:45] process, but when a new business comes
[2:10:47] in, they should be um obtaining a
[2:10:50] business license from the city of Stone
[2:10:53] Crest. Correct.
[2:10:55] >> Correct.
[2:10:56] » Correct.
[2:10:56] >> Okay. So, that's one way for us to track
[2:10:58] » Okay. So, that's one way for us to track
[2:10:58] them. But if I understand correctly from
[2:11:01] some of our previous meetings, they
[2:11:04] don't always come and get a business
[2:11:06] license from the city of Stone Crest.
[2:11:10] That could be possible. There are some
[2:11:12] businesses that are out there that
[2:11:14] signed the lease
[2:11:17] and there's no way that the landlord
[2:11:18] knows that they don't have a business
[2:11:20] license unless they tell them. And I
[2:11:23] think we had a discussion, me and the
[2:11:24] city manager, might need to take a look
[2:11:26] at some type of policy consideration
[2:11:29] where
[2:11:30] um any property owner that wants to
[2:11:34] lease out their space to a business,
[2:11:38] they must verify that they have a
[2:11:39] business license. Because if they don't
[2:11:42] and code enforcement begins to spec and
[2:11:45] they find out that that business is
[2:11:46] operating in a space without a business
[2:11:48] license, then not only will the business
[2:11:51] be sanctioned, but the property owner
[2:11:53] should also be sanctioned knowing that
[2:11:56] you're allowing a legal business to
[2:11:58] operate in your space. So that's
[2:12:00] something that we we need to look at.
[2:12:02] >> Agreed. Okay. Thank you.
[2:12:05] » Agreed. Okay. Thank you.
[2:12:05] I yield.
[2:12:06] >> Thank you, Councilwoman Smith. Um, Mayor
[2:12:09] » Thank you, Councilwoman Smith. Um, Mayor
[2:12:09] Proin,
[2:12:10] >> Councilwoman Washington,
[2:12:13] » Councilwoman Washington,
[2:12:13] >> um, I know you were mentioning about the
[2:12:15] » um, I know you were mentioning about the
[2:12:16] businesses coming and I know for a fact
[2:12:19] that there was supposed to be a 24-hour
[2:12:21] fitness um, used to be a furniture
[2:12:24] store. Did you hear anything else about
[2:12:26] that? They've been advertising a couple
[2:12:28] of times at some of our events, but I
[2:12:30] haven't heard anything from them. So, do
[2:12:33] you know what's happening with that?
[2:12:34] >> I don't. I reached out to him a couple
[2:12:36] » I don't. I reached out to him a couple
[2:12:36] times. We talked and said they were
[2:12:38] going through the process, but
[2:12:40] apparently something's holding them up.
[2:12:42] Um, I will say that I think a lot of the
[2:12:45] challenges is that we have to go to
[2:12:47] Dicab County, go to the fire marshall to
[2:12:49] get things done and that could take a
[2:12:51] lot of time because we don't have our
[2:12:53] own fire marshall. So, we have to depend
[2:12:54] on them and there's no way to jump the
[2:12:57] line.
[2:12:59] It's a long line of people trying to get
[2:13:00] approval through the fire marshall. They
[2:13:03] have to take a look at those plans in
[2:13:05] detail to make sure that everything's in
[2:13:07] place, that people are safe, and it
[2:13:09] takes time. So, um I've talked to a lot
[2:13:12] of businesses that just waiting on that.
[2:13:14] Uh I wish there was some something we
[2:13:16] could do,
[2:13:18] but when you're in the queue, all you
[2:13:20] can do is wait till your turn and um
[2:13:22] it's it's a challenge that we have to do
[2:13:24] that, but that's just how it is.
[2:13:27] Um I also was curious uh I know how we
[2:13:30] said the importance of tourism is here
[2:13:33] in Stone Crest. Uh Discover the cab um
[2:13:36] do they give you a uh update on the
[2:13:39] things that they do for us here in the
[2:13:41] city
[2:13:43] >> or do can you can they give us what they
[2:13:45] » or do can you can they give us what they
[2:13:45] do to help us in tourism?
[2:13:47] >> I I have yet to receive anything from
[2:13:50] » I I have yet to receive anything from
[2:13:50] them. I do know that we give them a lot
[2:13:52] of money more than
[2:13:53] >> Yeah, we give them money. Right. Exactly
[2:13:55] » Yeah, we give them money. Right. Exactly
[2:13:55] right.
[2:13:55] >> We should receive some type of update
[2:13:57] » We should receive some type of update
[2:13:57] from them about what it is that they do
[2:13:59] to help help tourism here in the city of
[2:14:02] Stone Crest.
[2:14:03] >> I do know they market the Cab County as
[2:14:05] » I do know they market the Cab County as
[2:14:05] a whole and include us. But you're
[2:14:08] right. We we need to know exactly what
[2:14:10] you're doing to support us.
[2:14:12] >> Yes.
[2:14:13] » Yes.
[2:14:13] >> And again, we don't have a lot of stuff
[2:14:16] » And again, we don't have a lot of stuff
[2:14:16] right now, but it's coming. But we do
[2:14:18] have the agro tourism. So, I will make
[2:14:20] it a point to meet with them and say,
[2:14:23] "Listen, you know, we're still building
[2:14:25] the city, but we do have this asset,
[2:14:27] this natural asset, and we need to know
[2:14:30] what are you doing to help get the word
[2:14:34] out about this asset, and depending on
[2:14:37] the answer will determine how we go
[2:14:38] forward. um nothing's being done, then
[2:14:41] we got to put something in place to make
[2:14:44] sure that they understand the money that
[2:14:46] we're giving you, we need you to invest
[2:14:48] to market what we have, which is higher
[2:14:51] tourism.
[2:14:52] >> Yes. Thank you. Appreciate that. I
[2:14:54] » Yes. Thank you. Appreciate that. I
[2:14:54] yield.
[2:14:55] >> Thank you, Councilwoman Washington.
[2:15:00] Director Lance, you mentioned you're
[2:15:01] having um or we're having issues with
[2:15:04] the fire marshal with the cat and that's
[2:15:07] what's holding up. Yeah, in a lot of
[2:15:10] instances, um, a lot of businesses have
[2:15:12] to go when you go into a new space, the
[2:15:15] previous use may not, um, and the
[2:15:19] changes that you're going to make will
[2:15:21] have to be approved by the fire
[2:15:23] marshall. Like, like for example, let's
[2:15:27] take, um,
[2:15:29] let's take the Black Wall Street
[2:15:31] building. Um, it was a Target. And when
[2:15:34] you look at most large retail box stores
[2:15:36] like that, you see a bunch of shelves
[2:15:39] that are not permanent inside the
[2:15:40] building and they're made out of metal.
[2:15:43] When you take all those fixtures out,
[2:15:45] it's just an open space typically with
[2:15:47] metal bars holding the building up. With
[2:15:50] that being the case, they don't need the
[2:15:52] level of fire suppression because they
[2:15:54] don't have the wood, the walls, and
[2:15:55] stuff like that that burns. But if
[2:15:57] someone were to come in and say that
[2:15:59] they were going to renovate the space,
[2:16:01] add a bunch of rooms, offices, and
[2:16:03] things like that, then the fire
[2:16:06] suppression system is going to have to
[2:16:07] be improved tremendously because you
[2:16:10] have to make sure that the new use is
[2:16:12] safe, which means that they have to
[2:16:14] present some type of fire prevention
[2:16:16] plan based on the drawings and they have
[2:16:20] to submit that to to the Cap County Fire
[2:16:22] Marshall and they go through those plans
[2:16:24] with a fine tooth comb And it's very
[2:16:27] frustrating because there's so many
[2:16:30] people that are in the queue trying to
[2:16:32] get their plans approved, including
[2:16:34] ours. And it is a challenge for some
[2:16:36] businesses who have been waiting for a
[2:16:38] very long time. They're ready to go. But
[2:16:41] until they get the okay, that the
[2:16:42] building is safe, then they have to
[2:16:45] continue to wait until they get it
[2:16:46] approved.
[2:16:53] But it's not a slap or anything at at
[2:16:57] the fire marshall. It's just that's just
[2:16:58] the way it is. Um they're trying to
[2:17:00] service all the cap county and other
[2:17:03] cities do the same things as we do, rely
[2:17:04] on them to do the fire marshall work.
[2:17:10] » And my last question, have you had a
[2:17:12] chance to tour Flat Rock?
[2:17:15] Flat Rock,
[2:17:19] you know, um I drive through there every
[2:17:22] day.
[2:17:24] Um I haven't had a chance to
[2:17:27] walk the trails and all that type of
[2:17:28] stuff, but I've done a lot of research
[2:17:31] on it, which I had to do before coming
[2:17:33] here to get this position.
[2:17:36] I think it's it's fascinating. Um I was
[2:17:39] playing golf yesterday, no Saturday of
[2:17:42] the Polola Mountain Golf Course and was
[2:17:45] able to see pondola mountain for the
[2:17:46] first time on the golf course. So I will
[2:17:48] say that um one of the biggest assets
[2:17:51] that we have that we have to capitalize
[2:17:53] on when it comes to tourism
[2:17:55] is the flat rock community which has a
[2:17:57] very significant historical perspective
[2:18:00] which which the first settlers were
[2:18:02] black on flat rock. That's very
[2:18:05] important perspective and how it's
[2:18:07] remain maintained that beauty and and
[2:18:09] the granite and all this type of stuff.
[2:18:11] But eventually I will get a chance to to
[2:18:13] make that walk and really tour the area
[2:18:16] because um I think it's beautiful place
[2:18:19] to see.
[2:18:20] >> Absolutely. I guess you can reach out to
[2:18:22] » Absolutely. I guess you can reach out to
[2:18:22] Mrs. Cheryl Matthysse more and she can
[2:18:25] do that tour with you.
[2:18:28] >> You're right. I think I will do that.
[2:18:30] » You're right. I think I will do that.
[2:18:30] >> Yeah, absolutely. Well, thank you so
[2:18:31] » Yeah, absolutely. Well, thank you so
[2:18:31] much for your presentation unless
[2:18:33] council have some additional questions.
[2:18:36] >> Mayor Pim, I just have one more. Uh
[2:18:39] » Mayor Pim, I just have one more. Uh
[2:18:39] we're talking about fire and the fire uh
[2:18:43] inspections and things like that. It
[2:18:44] brought to mind the um down the street
[2:18:47] uh where they're going to do the new
[2:18:49] fire. I know it's a Dicab County
[2:18:51] project. Have you heard anything about
[2:18:53] when they're going to I know they
[2:18:54] cleared the land. Uh have you heard
[2:18:56] anything more about when they tend to
[2:18:59] build or start that project?
[2:19:01] >> Um I haven't heard anything but I do
[2:19:03] » Um I haven't heard anything but I do
[2:19:03] know that's part probably part of the
[2:19:05] capital budget. So, um it's probably a
[2:19:08] question we need to ask to see where it
[2:19:10] is as far as the capital budget plan um
[2:19:13] when it's going to be done, but um I
[2:19:15] don't know, but I can try to find out or
[2:19:17] ask some questions to see if we can get
[2:19:19] a timeline of when it's going to be
[2:19:21] done.
[2:19:23] >> Thank you.
[2:19:27] » Thank you, Mr. Randall. I appreciate
[2:19:28] you.
[2:19:29] >> Yes, ma'am.
[2:19:31] » Yes, ma'am.
[2:19:31] Next on the the agenda is for
[2:19:34] discussion. Code enforcement department
[2:19:36] update by director Q.
[2:19:43] » Oh, I'm sorry. Good evening. We're going
[2:19:47] to give Director Q a little break.
[2:19:49] [laughter]
[2:19:50] >> Well, thank you, Miss White. I
[2:19:52] » Well, thank you, Miss White. I
[2:19:52] appreciate you. Code enforcement
[2:19:53] assistant director.
[2:19:54] >> Yes. Um, Director Buck couldn't be here
[2:19:57] » Yes. Um, Director Buck couldn't be here
[2:19:57] this evening, but he sends his regard.
[2:20:14] Okay. [laughter]
[2:20:16] Good afternoon, uh, council. Um, I'm
[2:20:20] Tasha White. I'm the assistant director
[2:20:22] for code enforcement. Um, so to get
[2:20:26] started, um,
[2:20:35] So, I'm going start off basically um
[2:20:37] just with our cases um to just kind of
[2:20:41] give you all some of our challenges that
[2:20:45] we're having as far as the post because
[2:20:47] I know that comes up a lot with council
[2:20:50] um just questioning us about a lot of
[2:20:52] things that happen. Um but initially um
[2:20:55] we get um our inspections either from
[2:20:58] the officers being out in the field um
[2:21:01] seeing the inspection uh seeing
[2:21:03] violations or we get the calls, emails,
[2:21:07] stopped in the street etc. um about
[2:21:10] different uh issues going on with the
[2:21:11] city. Um it starts with initial
[2:21:14] inspection. Um if there's a violation um
[2:21:17] usually a notice is uh issued to the
[2:21:19] property owner. Um there are cases where
[2:21:22] we will go straight to citation. It just
[2:21:23] depends on if we've been to that
[2:21:25] property numerous time about the same
[2:21:27] thing. Um
[2:21:30] then uh but normally it goes through our
[2:21:32] notice. We get get a notice of violation
[2:21:34] and they have a date to comply. We also
[2:21:36] offer um extensions for those who have
[2:21:39] hardships or anything like that. They
[2:21:40] have to submit um an extension form
[2:21:43] requesting that time frame, you know,
[2:21:44] requesting additional time. Um sometimes
[2:21:47] we're allowed to give that just depends
[2:21:49] on what the situation is and if they've
[2:21:51] cleared any other violations on the
[2:21:53] property as well. Um and if they have it
[2:21:57] completed by the time that the uh
[2:22:00] compliance date come, a citation is
[2:22:02] issued.
[2:22:04] Um are for the the owner to appear in
[2:22:07] court um to answer to those charges. Um
[2:22:14] and then if they are in compliance is
[2:22:17] that's where our issue comes where we
[2:22:19] have repeated uh citations back to court
[2:22:24] citations back to court if they even
[2:22:26] appear in court. One of our biggest
[2:22:29] problems that we definitely have are our
[2:22:31] FTA which is our failure to appear.
[2:22:35] And I didn't I couldn't get a a
[2:22:37] approximate number, but um just to kind
[2:22:40] of give you an idea, we have over 600
[2:22:42] active cases overall and the 75% of them
[2:22:47] are going through the cycle of repeat
[2:22:50] citations, repeat violations or never
[2:22:53] have been resolved at all.
[2:22:56] Okay. Uh we have been successful with
[2:22:58] some of our egregious properties, but
[2:23:00] that is usually after continuous
[2:23:03] continuous uh citations or new owner
[2:23:06] pops up and they're willing to get the
[2:23:08] property into the flight. That's usually
[2:23:12] how we get some of those involved. Um so
[2:23:16] that's one of our things that we we we
[2:23:18] constantly deal with with um addressing
[2:23:21] violations.
[2:23:25] Okay.
[2:23:27] So, um we have identified our first
[2:23:29] group of abatement properties. Um since
[2:23:32] the abatement process went through, um
[2:23:35] that's something we'll probably have to
[2:23:37] get with our uh city manager now because
[2:23:39] that's where held up the last time that
[2:23:42] uh that we they um we were asked to
[2:23:45] recite the properties and basically
[2:23:48] bring them forth to say what if they
[2:23:50] were what you all wanted to go forth
[2:23:52] with a bait.
[2:23:54] Um but um the most we've had to do is
[2:23:57] identify them, show the reasons, and
[2:24:00] then it is more so a movement of getting
[2:24:03] in front of a judge him or her uh
[2:24:07] approving those viol proving that that
[2:24:09] they should go through abatement that
[2:24:11] that we have just cause and then going
[2:24:13] forward with them. Um
[2:24:16] over the time frame at least about a
[2:24:18] year and a half uh we have addressed
[2:24:20] over 340 businesses kind of um that had
[2:24:24] have either had no business license or
[2:24:26] expired business license. Um some of
[2:24:30] those businesses um have closed because
[2:24:34] they uh just don't want to hear to the
[2:24:36] to the the ordinance of getting a
[2:24:38] business license. They feel they need to
[2:24:40] have a business license. Um, so we uh we
[2:24:43] work with those who uh do attempt to try
[2:24:45] to get their business license. Um, we do
[2:24:48] also know that there there are a lot of
[2:24:49] things that's held up with the fire
[2:24:50] department and we work with those
[2:24:52] businesses as well. Um, we attend
[2:24:55] numerous community meetings, events just
[2:24:58] to educate citizens. Um, we even go out
[2:25:02] to property to talk with the the the
[2:25:05] violators as well as the concerned
[2:25:07] citizens to see if some of the things
[2:25:09] are even enforceable. Some things are
[2:25:11] enforceable, some aren't. Some some
[2:25:13] don't fall into our purview, but we'll
[2:25:15] try to assist as much as we can with
[2:25:17] anything that they have issues with. Um,
[2:25:21] one of the newest ones that I think
[2:25:23] we've come across is the detention ponds
[2:25:28] and those retention areas that were I
[2:25:30] guess one m once maintained by the cab
[2:25:33] county
[2:25:34] and for some reason they're no longer.
[2:25:37] But um what we're finding is that the
[2:25:40] property owners own those where that
[2:25:43] those uh yeah retention ponds are. So
[2:25:47] it's kind of getting left on them. Um I
[2:25:50] have I've had at least three in the last
[2:25:54] two weeks. So I know that's probably
[2:25:56] going to be a concern that does come
[2:25:58] your way. Um I'm not sure what we do
[2:26:00] with those. Those are one of the
[2:26:01] challenges that we do have and we're not
[2:26:03] sure where those are supposed to go
[2:26:05] other than with the property owner, but
[2:26:08] I know for sure that they're going to
[2:26:11] raise some some concerns with that. Um,
[2:26:15] we were able to reduce the number of
[2:26:18] illegal vendors um significantly around
[2:26:21] the the city, mostly because we
[2:26:24] collectively and continuously cighted
[2:26:27] the owners until they've either hired um
[2:26:31] staff to monitor the property to get
[2:26:33] people to leave. Um because one of the
[2:26:35] issues we have come across is that um we
[2:26:38] cannot we can only persuade vendors to
[2:26:42] leave a property. We have no legal right
[2:26:44] to tell them to leave. Um because it is
[2:26:47] private property. When it's private
[2:26:50] property, we have to deal with the owner
[2:26:51] as we would for grass, trash, or
[2:26:53] anything else. We have to notify them
[2:26:55] that they're vendors. And of course, by
[2:26:57] the time they get there, the vendors are
[2:26:59] gone. So, um, a lot of times we're just
[2:27:02] telling them that they may want to get
[2:27:03] someone to monitor their property and be
[2:27:07] the responsible party to contact the
[2:27:09] cab. Uh, we do try to connect them with
[2:27:11] the cab county so they can come into
[2:27:14] some type of agreement about who can be
[2:27:15] on their property, who they're allowing,
[2:27:17] so that it's a little bit uh, smoother
[2:27:19] to get that done. Um, because we can't
[2:27:22] be
[2:27:24] the ones that say they have to go.
[2:27:27] So it has to be a property owner. We
[2:27:28] have come across that the way it has to
[2:27:30] be a property owner that states that. Um
[2:27:32] so we have worked with um because I
[2:27:35] think one of the incidents I think was
[2:27:37] on a Waffle House property off of uh
[2:27:41] Canola
[2:27:43] and I think uh there was a gentleman
[2:27:45] that was living on the property and um
[2:27:49] so we had to get them connected with the
[2:27:51] cab in order to make those reports. So
[2:27:54] that way if we're seeing we can just
[2:27:56] notify them but they already have the
[2:27:57] agreement to have that person removed.
[2:28:00] So a lot of things like that we uh we
[2:28:02] have been working with property owners
[2:28:04] um to resolve a lot of the issues that
[2:28:06] they have. Um one of the other issues
[2:28:10] that we've come across is of course the
[2:28:12] truck parking. That's one that is
[2:28:14] brought up to us a lot. Um
[2:28:19] the newest issue is uh the tow companies
[2:28:22] not wanting to move commercial vehicles
[2:28:26] in a short period of time. Our code does
[2:28:30] allow them overnight does not allow them
[2:28:32] overnight. So,
[2:28:36] how we look at it as officers is
[2:28:38] basically if you allowing a vehicle to
[2:28:40] be parked there and you are closed,
[2:28:43] there's no reason for that vehicle to be
[2:28:45] there. Um
[2:28:48] cuz it's cuz we know the the parking
[2:28:51] lots that usually have these trucks that
[2:28:54] they they just go park and then they go
[2:28:56] home and they leave them there. So, we
[2:28:58] have been working with each of the lots
[2:29:01] that we have the most complaints about.
[2:29:04] Basically, um just trying to get them
[2:29:07] connect. We can't really connect them
[2:29:08] with the tow truck companies. They have
[2:29:09] to find their own. And then there's only
[2:29:12] thing that we require is that they have
[2:29:13] to have some type of signage letting
[2:29:15] those who park those vehicles there
[2:29:17] notice that they can be told at their
[2:29:19] own expense. Um,
[2:29:27] another issue that comes up um would be
[2:29:30] vehicles on the street.
[2:29:32] Vehicles parked on the street, there's
[2:29:33] no way for us to identify those
[2:29:35] vehicles, the owner of the vehicles. Um,
[2:29:38] we rely on the residents to uh state
[2:29:42] that yes, that's my vehicle. After we um
[2:29:44] put our stickers on it, sometimes
[2:29:46] they'll call us and say, "Yeah, that's
[2:29:47] my vehicle." and then we find out where
[2:29:49] they are and we can issue a proper
[2:29:50] notice. But the tagging is really just
[2:29:52] to get them to contact us. Um we we do
[2:29:56] not remove the vehicles. um we uh send
[2:29:59] those over to the cab county um to have
[2:30:04] them removed and that's mostly for
[2:30:06] vehicles that are inoperable, expired,
[2:30:08] tag, abandoned and that type of thing
[2:30:11] because they have the resources to find
[2:30:14] the owners and who who owns that
[2:30:17] particular vehicle.
[2:30:27] Um well I've mentioned a couple of our
[2:30:29] challenges which is the um failure to
[2:30:31] appears having to do numerous repeat
[2:30:35] citations to the owners and some of them
[2:30:38] who pay the fine and and continue to
[2:30:42] keep their property in the conditions
[2:30:44] they are. Um
[2:30:47] we um the the the only thing that we see
[2:30:50] work is to continue to to site them and
[2:30:52] that's the ones that show up. Um we're
[2:30:54] able to normally
[2:30:56] that citation
[2:30:58] assists with uh persuading them to um
[2:31:01] get the property in compliance because
[2:31:03] they see that we we're not going to let
[2:31:04] up. Um but the time frame that it's
[2:31:07] taken has as has a lot most times have
[2:31:10] been years. It is not something that's
[2:31:12] months. It is it's usually the
[2:31:15] cooperation of the person who owns the
[2:31:17] property. If we don't have that
[2:31:19] cooperation, we we're talking years.
[2:31:22] Like I said, a lot of times it's when
[2:31:25] decides they want to do something with
[2:31:26] the property or buy the property and
[2:31:29] that kind of thing. But other than that,
[2:31:31] we we face a lot of um
[2:31:34] standill with with getting those cases
[2:31:38] into compliance. Um
[2:31:42] also businesses that are allowed to
[2:31:44] operate illegally. Um we get a lot of
[2:31:47] calls from the businesses here about the
[2:31:49] businesses that they know are operating
[2:31:51] illegally. Um and we we're doing our is
[2:31:54] all of the ones that are operating
[2:31:56] illegally, but some of them will come
[2:31:58] pay their fine and continue to operate
[2:32:01] illegally. Um so that's something we
[2:32:04] have been working on solutions for. Um
[2:32:08] we tried some things but they are there
[2:32:10] are people who will just pop up with any
[2:32:12] type of business and go to operate. Um
[2:32:15] we do uh
[2:32:18] with businesses um I think it was
[2:32:20] mentioned I think in um Mr. Randle's uh
[2:32:23] presentation that we basically we we we
[2:32:26] do go after the owners of the property
[2:32:28] as well as the business owners.
[2:32:31] Um
[2:32:33] because basically they're allowing the
[2:32:35] land to be used without proper approval.
[2:32:37] Um and that's how we can get the
[2:32:38] business owners for that as well as the
[2:32:42] tenants the tenant or the business owner
[2:32:45] as well. We try to get them both and a
[2:32:47] lot of times the owners aren't even
[2:32:49] aware that it's not allowed and that
[2:32:52] type of thing. So, a lot of that um
[2:32:54] falls into the education part of it. Um
[2:32:56] just being able to educate these uh
[2:33:00] property owners as well as the business
[2:33:01] owners on what has to happen. Um we do
[2:33:04] hold the property owners responsible um
[2:33:08] if it's because a lot of times we might
[2:33:10] not even know the name of the business.
[2:33:12] We may just get the person's name of who
[2:33:16] rented the property, but there's no
[2:33:17] indication of what type of business it
[2:33:19] is. Um, so we have run into some of
[2:33:22] those issues, but we've been able to
[2:33:23] kind of iron those out in court. Um, but
[2:33:27] that's that's one of the biggest issues.
[2:33:29] Um, one of the things that I I believe
[2:33:31] that we should have is a rental
[2:33:33] registry. A rental registry would assist
[2:33:36] with us knowing who's at the location,
[2:33:39] who's renting from you. um us just even
[2:33:42] going out door to door just addressing
[2:33:44] business license. We've come across
[2:33:47] businesses that have basically allowed
[2:33:51] two or three other businesses to run
[2:33:53] businesses within one. Um so we come
[2:33:56] across a lot as we are going out to the
[2:33:59] properties and um addressing those
[2:34:02] things.
[2:34:03] So, I know the rental registry is one.
[2:34:06] Um, having a lean process that kind of
[2:34:09] eliminates us having to go back out to a
[2:34:10] property numerous times for the same
[2:34:13] thing and we know they haven't done
[2:34:15] anything. Um, because they end up on our
[2:34:17] docket and we have to go take a look at
[2:34:19] to see what their current status is on
[2:34:22] the properties and then many times
[2:34:23] they've done nothing and it's
[2:34:25] continuous. We've done amnesty to the
[2:34:27] court and still not much has moved um
[2:34:31] from those efforts.
[2:34:37] Um
[2:34:42] I'll open it up for any questions you
[2:34:45] already have because I know you don't
[2:34:46] have
[2:34:48] >> Thank you, Miss White. Council, do you
[2:34:50] » Thank you, Miss White. Council, do you
[2:34:50] have any questions for Miss White? Mayor
[2:34:54] Pro Tim Smith.
[2:34:57] >> Thank you, Miss White. Um, you talked
[2:35:01] » Thank you, Miss White. Um, you talked
[2:35:01] about the illegal vendors.
[2:35:04] Would those be those people who bring
[2:35:06] their barbecue pits to the different
[2:35:08] properties and set up on the weekends?
[2:35:11] >> Yes, those will be our vendors. Um, the
[2:35:13] » Yes, those will be our vendors. Um, the
[2:35:13] car wash people that decide to just
[2:35:15] choose the parking lot, water, the
[2:35:17] people who sell the food and all that.
[2:35:19] >> The car wash is in a parking lot. Okay.
[2:35:22] » The car wash is in a parking lot. Okay.
[2:35:22] So what I heard was
[2:35:26] code enforcement cannot h make those
[2:35:28] people move. It has to be the property
[2:35:31] owner.
[2:35:31] >> That is correct.
[2:35:32] » That is correct.
[2:35:32] >> Okay.
[2:35:32] » Okay.
[2:35:32] >> We try to persuade them when they are
[2:35:34] » We try to persuade them when they are
[2:35:34] willing to hear from us. Um we have had
[2:35:37] some incidents in in the past. Um we
[2:35:40] haven't had any recently. Um but um that
[2:35:44] they they they kind of know some of them
[2:35:47] know that you can't tell them anything.
[2:35:49] So they they they'll try to intimidate
[2:35:51] our officers and that kind of thing. So
[2:35:53] a lot of times we are just taking
[2:35:54] photographs of what's going on on the
[2:35:56] property and just kind of holding that
[2:35:58] property owner to barricading the area,
[2:36:02] fencing the area. Anything that we can
[2:36:04] get them to do temporarily until they do
[2:36:07] something additional with that
[2:36:08] particular property.
[2:36:10] >> I think there is and I see Major Baron
[2:36:13] » I think there is and I see Major Baron
[2:36:13] in the back of the room. Um, she and I
[2:36:15] discussed a program that Stone Crest
[2:36:19] could opt into. Um, I think it happens
[2:36:22] in the cab
[2:36:24] county now where the owners can sign
[2:36:27] something saying that, you know, if
[2:36:30] somebody's on their pro property
[2:36:31] illegally that the cab can take action.
[2:36:34] But I think because we're our own
[2:36:37] municipality, we needed to have
[2:36:39] something to issue to the the businesses
[2:36:43] in the city of Stone Crest. Have we
[2:36:46] looked into
[2:36:47] >> Yes, we we connect them with with the
[2:36:49] » Yes, we we connect them with with the
[2:36:49] Decap Police Department. Um we try to
[2:36:52] make those connections all the time.
[2:36:53] That's how like I said with the Waffle
[2:36:54] House was my example. Um just bringing
[2:36:57] that owner to the cab and just to gap
[2:37:00] police department and saying, "Hey,
[2:37:02] they're having this issue." You know,
[2:37:04] because it's it's sometime sometimes
[2:37:05] it's a twostep process because if they
[2:37:08] just bending on the property, that's one
[2:37:09] thing. They're vending and then they
[2:37:11] brought the trash with them.
[2:37:14] >> That's two different things. So now we
[2:37:15] » That's two different things. So now we
[2:37:15] have to first get the person to see if
[2:37:17] they're going to remove their trash with
[2:37:18] them and then also the the next step of
[2:37:21] just making sure everything is taken
[2:37:23] care of. Um that one was um an unhoused
[2:37:27] person. So that one was we couldn't just
[2:37:29] call it trash and debris because that
[2:37:31] was somebody's belonging but we knew
[2:37:33] that it was going to take you know some
[2:37:36] time but the I spoke with the
[2:37:40] facilities people for the company and
[2:37:43] connected them with major barren and
[2:37:45] matter of fact major and major barren
[2:37:47] had talked about you know what can be
[2:37:49] done and is it okay that that that we're
[2:37:51] sending them to you all and and then we
[2:37:53] made that connection that that was fine
[2:37:55] and if anything was immediate that we we
[2:37:57] could work out some things to get that
[2:37:59] done. So, we work with um PJ Baron and
[2:38:02] Lieutenant Morris who comes to our
[2:38:03] building a lot who is our liaison
[2:38:06] through the cab that we send a lot of
[2:38:08] our uh requests through when we need
[2:38:10] assistance with certain things. So,
[2:38:12] that's what we've been utilizing to get
[2:38:14] that. Um so, they do have something that
[2:38:16] they use, but um it's just getting the
[2:38:18] property owner to to um to respond and
[2:38:22] to get that done because a lot of things
[2:38:24] we're having to do with mail is not to
[2:38:27] talk to because especially if it's at
[2:38:28] vacant land or like the properties from
[2:38:31] G dot that you know so it's it's just
[2:38:34] trying to find out somebody who's going
[2:38:36] to give you that answer or respond and
[2:38:38] and be willing to do the work.
[2:38:40] >> Okay. I was just wondering if that
[2:38:41] » Okay. I was just wondering if that
[2:38:42] program because it allows the property
[2:38:43] owner sign off and say okay the cab
[2:38:46] county if you see something then you can
[2:38:49] act up on it. So I was wondering if that
[2:38:51] was um something that we could um
[2:38:57] utilize for these type situations.
[2:38:59] >> Definitely we definitely try to open all
[2:39:01] » Definitely we definitely try to open all
[2:39:02] avenues that we can.
[2:39:04] >> Okay. And my other question
[2:39:09] is the lean process because that was one
[2:39:12] of the things I thought about like if we
[2:39:14] we continue having these issues with
[2:39:16] these property owners um then what's the
[2:39:19] process? What do we have to do in order
[2:39:22] to opt into some type of lean process?
[2:39:26] even if we have to go and you know cut
[2:39:29] grass at a property, we should be able
[2:39:31] to
[2:39:32] um put that cost on that property owner
[2:39:35] who has not responded to the numerous
[2:39:37] citations that have been given to them.
[2:39:40] So, do we have we started looking into
[2:39:42] the the lean process
[2:39:45] and what what it would take for us to be
[2:39:47] able to do that? Um we have um had a lot
[2:39:52] of conversations but not much movement
[2:39:55] um because um we've we've had them in
[2:39:57] our other jurisdiction. So, we brought
[2:39:59] that information to just get those
[2:40:00] orders to say that a lean is on this
[2:40:03] property. Um, because that's one of the
[2:40:06] main issues that the constituents have,
[2:40:08] especially when those properties where
[2:40:10] they move out and the owner don't can't
[2:40:13] touch the property for a certain time.
[2:40:14] But, um,
[2:40:17] most of the time it's it's ones like
[2:40:19] that that we really want to be able to
[2:40:20] just go cut that grass or especially um
[2:40:24] emergency borders. Um, that's another
[2:40:27] one of the things. um just getting with
[2:40:29] having a stronger um connection with the
[2:40:32] fire department so we know when those
[2:40:34] where those fires happen. Um a lot of
[2:40:36] times we're on the back end when we find
[2:40:38] out about uh a building that has caught
[2:40:40] fire and um we do not have a we have a
[2:40:44] code that allows us to uh well the
[2:40:47] building department to um do an
[2:40:49] emergency boarding. Um I just believe we
[2:40:52] probably just have to have funds and be
[2:40:54] able to allocate to that. But we do have
[2:40:56] a process there. That's within our um
[2:40:59] unfit abatement building so that we have
[2:41:02] a where where they can do emergency
[2:41:03] boarding. It's just a matter of us
[2:41:06] having what we need to be able to do. So
[2:41:08] um and they probably have to go through
[2:41:09] some type of bidding process. So we're
[2:41:11] just getting that with the right
[2:41:12] departments and getting that connected.
[2:41:14] I think we can make that happen.
[2:41:16] >> Okay. And um Mayor Pro Tim
[2:41:19] » Okay. And um Mayor Pro Tim
[2:41:20] um Attorney Thompson had her hand up.
[2:41:22] She wanted to comment on the lean
[2:41:23] process.
[2:41:25] Thank you. Um, Madame Mayor Pro Tim, I
[2:41:27] was just going to state that we did
[2:41:29] adopt some ordinances a year, maybe two
[2:41:33] or three years back that addresses
[2:41:36] um, how the city can either, you know,
[2:41:40] go on to properties and like you said,
[2:41:43] um, Council Member Smith, cut grass or
[2:41:45] um, take action if the property owner
[2:41:48] um, is not responding to,
[2:41:51] um, the city's ask request to tend tend
[2:41:55] to their property. And then of course
[2:41:56] that lean would be attached to um that
[2:42:00] parcel. So we do have um some ordinances
[2:42:03] in place so I can share those with you u
[2:42:06] so you can review them and you know and
[2:42:08] see how the process kind of works.
[2:42:14] » Thank you
[2:42:17] mayor prom.
[2:42:19] >> Thank you counciloman Smith. Council any
[2:42:21] » Thank you counciloman Smith. Council any
[2:42:21] other questions? Mayor Pro Tim,
[2:42:23] >> Councilwoman Washington,
[2:42:26] » Councilwoman Washington,
[2:42:26] >> um, how you doing? [clears throat]
[2:42:28] » um, how you doing? [clears throat]
[2:42:28] I want to ask a question. I was
[2:42:30] addressed with a question today. What do
[2:42:32] you do like I heard what you were saying
[2:42:35] about
[2:42:36] um when there's uh trucks on private
[2:42:41] property, uh, the limited things that
[2:42:44] you can do when it's happened like that.
[2:42:46] But today, I went to Walmart and the
[2:42:49] manager of Walmart was really concerned.
[2:42:51] He said that every and and maybe even
[2:42:53] Major Baron can help me with this also
[2:42:56] is that he was concerned with the fact
[2:42:58] that every time he pulled up every
[2:43:00] morning there's like 10 or 15 trucks
[2:43:04] just in his parking lot. And that's like
[2:43:06] way past what he can do himself. So he
[2:43:09] wanted to know what it is that he has to
[2:43:11] do to keep these trucks from coming on
[2:43:14] his private property and parking
[2:43:16] overnight and then he comes and they're
[2:43:18] all there. So, uh I don't know what to I
[2:43:22] told him I would inquire on whether
[2:43:24] maybe there is something that code
[2:43:27] enforcement or even uh the cab police
[2:43:29] can help him with this type of situation
[2:43:32] is kind of big for him. He he's his
[2:43:34] hands are tied with how much he can do
[2:43:36] to make sure that because he has such a
[2:43:38] big lot and such all of this space
[2:43:41] they're just taking advantage. So, uh
[2:43:43] what could he do? Um, that's one of the
[2:43:46] one of the things that we are working on
[2:43:48] to find out some different solutions for
[2:43:50] that. Um, I even had uh a property owner
[2:43:53] who just has a a vacant lot and it's in
[2:43:56] a residential area and there would be
[2:43:59] trucks parked and I I issued I gave him
[2:44:02] a notice so he could, you know, know
[2:44:03] that they were parking on his property.
[2:44:06] Um, his the issue he has because he is a
[2:44:10] um because it's not like a commercial
[2:44:12] lot or something like that. I think they
[2:44:15] it seems like the tow companies do
[2:44:16] different agreements with different
[2:44:18] people. So, um the the gentleman I
[2:44:22] talked to his property is on I think
[2:44:25] it's Brownsville Mill and Klondike and
[2:44:28] he just has a flat lot that used to have
[2:44:30] a house on it and he stated that when he
[2:44:33] contacted the tow company, they told him
[2:44:35] it had to be out there 24 to 48 hours.
[2:44:39] That's two days that something's on his
[2:44:41] property and he cannot get told. Um
[2:44:44] because I think initially he just had to
[2:44:46] put signage up. He put signage up and it
[2:44:49] still um became an issue. I mean he it
[2:44:54] took him by the time that a tow truck
[2:44:56] would have come out the truck's gone.
[2:44:59] Right.
[2:44:59] >> Um we've had officers, you know, try to
[2:45:02] » Um we've had officers, you know, try to
[2:45:02] talk to some of the the um truck drivers
[2:45:06] as we see them. Um,
[2:45:09] and it's we just get the excuses of, oh,
[2:45:12] I'm just going home for a second. But
[2:45:14] this, you know, this is not your
[2:45:15] property. You can't even be parked here.
[2:45:17] And
[2:45:19] they just take the risk of, well, we'll
[2:45:21] see what happens because a lot of them
[2:45:24] know that it's going to take a while for
[2:45:26] a a troll truck for that size vehicle to
[2:45:30] come and remove them. So, I think a lot
[2:45:32] of them have found these little
[2:45:33] loopholes to to get around that. And
[2:45:37] like I said, the we've had um another uh
[2:45:41] I think the one is on um the food depot
[2:45:44] plaza. They're having that same issue.
[2:45:47] And um we have been working with that
[2:45:50] property um manager because he got the
[2:45:52] vendors under control, but now we have
[2:45:55] the issue of the parking the commercial
[2:45:56] vehicles along the back of his property
[2:45:58] along the side. And um that's the that's
[2:46:02] the biggest thing of the time frame that
[2:46:04] the tow truck companies are offering.
[2:46:07] But see Walmart had one that they said
[2:46:09] they could do. I think one Walmart
[2:46:11] stated that they could have them gone in
[2:46:13] a few hours. So it's like conflict of
[2:46:16] information. So I'm I'm going to have to
[2:46:17] probably try to reach out to some of the
[2:46:19] tow truck companies, but just as you
[2:46:21] know just to see what their actual
[2:46:23] procedures are if they're getting just
[2:46:25] different answers because talking to
[2:46:27] different people or what have you. But
[2:46:28] that is one of the the issues that has
[2:46:30] come up that um just recently about
[2:46:33] those trucks. So we we're working with
[2:46:35] them as much as we can. I'm not sure
[2:46:38] what um if there's anything Major Baron
[2:46:41] knows that that that can happen for for
[2:46:43] those particular issues, but um we we
[2:46:46] definitely
[2:46:48] >> sound like it's hard to find something
[2:46:49] » sound like it's hard to find something
[2:46:49] to assist because you know even though
[2:46:52] you know we want to make the property
[2:46:54] owners fully accountable of everything,
[2:46:57] but we do have to be somewhat
[2:46:59] understanding if if they're not able to
[2:47:01] do what we're asking. um we have to have
[2:47:04] some kind of consideration and um for
[2:47:06] those things, but some of the things we
[2:47:08] we we have to do, we have to do. But
[2:47:10] some of the the issues that they come up
[2:47:12] with is it's it's it's putting them in a
[2:47:15] hard place. So yeah,
[2:47:24] it being on private property is a big
[2:47:26] challenge because it's private property.
[2:47:29] However, one of the things that um we
[2:47:32] have found is quite helpful to us when
[2:47:35] we're dealing with um um heavy trucks on
[2:47:38] private property is a lot of those
[2:47:39] trucks are not owned by the drivers. So,
[2:47:42] what we do in those instances, we as the
[2:47:45] police to help the business like this
[2:47:48] with Walmart because you don't want to
[2:47:49] find Walmart because they're coming
[2:47:51] overnight. So, what we do is get in
[2:47:54] contact with the company. All those
[2:47:56] drivers have overnight dispatchers for
[2:47:59] the company. We get in contact with the
[2:48:01] company and we tell them that the car
[2:48:03] the um truck is going to be told if it's
[2:48:05] not removed within and we try and give
[2:48:08] people time within an hour or so. And
[2:48:10] that typically works because they know
[2:48:12] it's going to cost them a lot of money
[2:48:15] to have a um a truck that size towed.
[2:48:19] Now also you know there is a law that's
[2:48:24] called criminal trespass. If you ask
[2:48:27] someone to leave the property and they
[2:48:30] refuse to leave or they return back
[2:48:31] after leaving. So other action can be
[2:48:34] taken when you do have someone that is
[2:48:37] not wanting to u follow the requests or
[2:48:40] the orders of the property owners. But
[2:48:44] um one of the things that we do find
[2:48:46] also with businesses is they're not
[2:48:47] consistent. And you do have sometimes
[2:48:50] management is saying yes. Oh, you just
[2:48:53] want to park here for an hour saying
[2:48:56] yes. And then now and that is one of the
[2:48:59] reasons why we stopped having to take
[2:49:01] action without property management or a
[2:49:05] owner or a representative thereof
[2:49:08] because we have found in the past where
[2:49:10] we have been taking action against
[2:49:11] people and kind of find out they were
[2:49:14] telling the truth. I was allowed to be
[2:49:16] here. The manager gave me permission. So
[2:49:18] that's one of the things that um we push
[2:49:21] consistency but making sure that um you
[2:49:26] know we do have that buy in from the
[2:49:28] companies that we are able to come out
[2:49:29] and make those calls and give those
[2:49:32] warnings and then take action. And
[2:49:35] you're going to have property management
[2:49:37] or owners or representative to be there
[2:49:40] with you to take that action because a
[2:49:42] lot of times we are left by ourselves
[2:49:44] trying to fight their battle.
[2:49:48] Thank you,
[2:49:54] » Mayor Pimp.
[2:49:56] >> Councilman Turner,
[2:49:58] » Councilman Turner,
[2:49:58] >> Miss White, I know one in another area,
[2:50:01] » Miss White, I know one in another area,
[2:50:01] probably legal, and that is that we have
[2:50:04] some illegal dumping going on in the
[2:50:06] city, quite a bit of it. And uh the
[2:50:09] question is, can we use cameras to
[2:50:12] identify some of the culprits? Is that
[2:50:15] legal now or did the gap county allow
[2:50:18] such to happen?
[2:50:21] >> Without looking at the county
[2:50:23] » Without looking at the county
[2:50:23] ordinances, I couldn't tell you. I'd be
[2:50:24] speculating, but I can definitely look
[2:50:26] into that for you, Councilman.
[2:50:28] >> Okay. Because I can give you about five
[2:50:30] » Okay. Because I can give you about five
[2:50:30] locations at the regular dump sites and
[2:50:34] it seemed as if we can do nothing about
[2:50:35] it. It's been that way for before I was
[2:50:38] on council and uh it continues to go on
[2:50:41] and on and on and we need to identify
[2:50:44] the culprits. Uh the other area you
[2:50:47] mentioned there 400 cases you uh city's
[2:50:52] working there and all that. Did you say
[2:50:54] 75 cases or 75%?
[2:50:56] >> 75%
[2:50:57] » 75%
[2:50:57] >> 75% of them are repeat offenders. So
[2:51:00] » 75% of them are repeat offenders. So
[2:51:00] we're not getting our message across.
[2:51:04] And where is the failure to communicate
[2:51:07] here? Is that within our court system?
[2:51:10] Um the fines are not stern enough.
[2:51:15] >> They don't come to court. That's that's
[2:51:17] » They don't come to court. That's that's
[2:51:17] the the main issue. The ones that come
[2:51:19] to court, we end up getting to find
[2:51:21] them. Um
[2:51:25] and and we even have probation. We have
[2:51:27] people on probation and still not in
[2:51:29] compliance. I mean, I was told
[2:51:30] >> for years years on probation and still
[2:51:33] » for years years on probation and still
[2:51:33] not in compliance.
[2:51:35] >> So that if I got a seat belt violation
[2:51:37] » So that if I got a seat belt violation
[2:51:37] and don't go to court, the seat belt's
[2:51:40] no longer the issue. The failure to
[2:51:42] appear
[2:51:43] >> is the issue. So who takes care of the
[2:51:46] » is the issue. So who takes care of the
[2:51:46] failure to appear?
[2:51:51] » That would be the court system. I They
[2:51:52] would have to be because they're not
[2:51:55] appearing to their court.
[2:51:56] >> So we're talking to the wrong entity
[2:51:58] » So we're talking to the wrong entity
[2:51:58] here. Yeah, once we get them to court,
[2:52:01] that's that's like, hey, we've done
[2:52:03] everything that we can do to comply, get
[2:52:05] these people to comply. Now, we're
[2:52:07] getting the enforcement part of the our
[2:52:09] compliance. Um, and that part isn't
[2:52:12] happening.
[2:52:13] >> I know a couple of chop shops that's
[2:52:14] » I know a couple of chop shops that's
[2:52:14] been operating in the city for the last
[2:52:17] >> agreed seven years.
[2:52:19] » agreed seven years.
[2:52:19] >> I know exactly which one you're talking
[2:52:20] » I know exactly which one you're talking
[2:52:20] about, too.
[2:52:21] >> And it appears as if we can do nothing
[2:52:23] » And it appears as if we can do nothing
[2:52:23] about it.
[2:52:24] >> Yeah, we did get one that did appear. um
[2:52:27] » Yeah, we did get one that did appear. um
[2:52:27] that is the chop shop and has caused us
[2:52:29] a lot of issues and I think in our last
[2:52:32] um I think it was like a couple of weeks
[2:52:34] ago the judge said hey if the plea does
[2:52:37] not have jail time uh don't bring it
[2:52:40] back to me. So that was one of the ones
[2:52:43] that we got. So he he pled not guilty so
[2:52:45] we have to go to trial for that one. Um
[2:52:47] and he wanted to consult getting a
[2:52:49] lawyer because he was going to have to
[2:52:51] agree to jail time. Um, so we we're for
[2:52:55] the ones that appear we can we can
[2:52:58] we get some it still takes years. It
[2:53:02] it's not been a easy process at all.
[2:53:05] Some of these properties I work for the
[2:53:07] Cab County code enforcement 11 years ago
[2:53:10] and these are some of the same
[2:53:11] properties I dealt with hearing about in
[2:53:14] in that code enforcement. So it is not
[2:53:17] something that that's gone on that we we
[2:53:20] hear about it. We know about it and
[2:53:21] there has been nothing that makes people
[2:53:24] want to
[2:53:25] comply or appear in court. Appearing in
[2:53:28] court is
[2:53:30] the amount of I I wanted to get a number
[2:53:32] of failure to appears. Um but the
[2:53:36] failure to appears are are like we may
[2:53:38] have a hund and something docket and we
[2:53:41] may have 20 30 people that appear
[2:53:44] >> just ignoring no more.
[2:53:45] » just ignoring no more.
[2:53:46] >> Yeah. All together we have them that
[2:53:48] » Yeah. All together we have them that
[2:53:48] show up one time and don't come back. I
[2:53:50] mean, we have a range of different
[2:53:53] failure to appears that that just really
[2:53:56] is is it takes a lot of our time to have
[2:53:59] to go see these failure to appear and we
[2:54:00] just have
[2:54:01] >> if I fail to appear, I fear someone
[2:54:04] » if I fail to appear, I fear someone
[2:54:04] knocking on my door before long. Uh, how
[2:54:06] do we get that fear in the
[2:54:09] heart of these violators?
[2:54:12] >> That's going to have to be through a c
[2:54:13] » That's going to have to be through a c
[2:54:13] process. I know we did a a um court a
[2:54:18] court. Yeah, we had a No, we had an
[2:54:20] analyst that go went over the court
[2:54:22] procedures and our procedures to see if
[2:54:24] we could bring them together, but um we
[2:54:27] haven't I haven't seen those results as
[2:54:29] what what should be implemented or what
[2:54:32] else additionally we can do. But bench
[2:54:36] warrant will be great and um or and and
[2:54:40] even with the even with the fines if
[2:54:41] they get on probation, one of the
[2:54:43] conditions of probation should be
[2:54:46] property must be in compliance so you
[2:54:47] get off probation. anything that holds
[2:54:50] them to it, we give them fines. Some of
[2:54:52] them pay fines and come back when we
[2:54:55] cite them again. So, it's a it's a and
[2:54:59] they just some people I guess it feels
[2:55:00] like it's a cost of doing business
[2:55:02] paying their fines.
[2:55:03] >> I know if I get a $50 fine once every 50
[2:55:05] » I know if I get a $50 fine once every 50
[2:55:05] months. Yeah.
[2:55:06] >> But if I get a $100 fine per day until
[2:55:09] » But if I get a $100 fine per day until
[2:55:09] it's corrected, there's a different
[2:55:11] matter. I know I can't dictate what the
[2:55:12] fine shall be, but
[2:55:14] >> at the same time, we can use um whatever
[2:55:19] » at the same time, we can use um whatever
[2:55:19] limits we have
[2:55:20] >> and take it to the max
[2:55:22] » and take it to the max
[2:55:22] >> and do what is reasonable to force
[2:55:25] » and do what is reasonable to force
[2:55:25] compliance.
[2:55:26] >> It's not about the money.
[2:55:28] » It's not about the money.
[2:55:28] >> It's about compliance.
[2:55:29] » It's about compliance.
[2:55:29] >> It's about compliance.
[2:55:31] » It's about compliance.
[2:55:31] >> And that's why we feel like we're
[2:55:32] » And that's why we feel like we're
[2:55:32] spinning because of the fact that we we
[2:55:35] come to court and they don't appear. And
[2:55:37] then if we get them to some of them that
[2:55:39] get to court, um it's the ones that
[2:55:42] don't that never appear and the ones
[2:55:43] that come to court, pay their fines and
[2:55:45] gladly come back to play it again.
[2:55:47] >> Again, I mean, what element are we
[2:55:49] » Again, I mean, what element are we
[2:55:49] missing here? Are we missing the element
[2:55:50] of not having
[2:55:53] uh the necessary agreement with the cap
[2:55:56] county to pick them up on what some
[2:55:59] would consider minor charges, but for
[2:56:01] us, this is major.
[2:56:03] >> Yeah. A lot of a lot of the ones that we
[2:56:05] » Yeah. A lot of a lot of the ones that we
[2:56:05] have the problems with are major um and
[2:56:07] they are repeat violators because like
[2:56:09] we have some companies that have
[2:56:11] properties and they may have we may have
[2:56:13] four or five different properties under
[2:56:15] that one owner and they are doing
[2:56:18] nothing with any of the properties and
[2:56:20] and they don't come to court at all. So
[2:56:23] that would be a challenge as far as
[2:56:24] finding who who do you arrest from the
[2:56:26] corporation.
[2:56:28] >> Okay. then we need to deal with this in
[2:56:30] » Okay. then we need to deal with this in
[2:56:30] another arena because we've been talking
[2:56:32] about this since we've been a city and
[2:56:35] really you catch the fish but there's
[2:56:38] nobody to clean them.
[2:56:42] This is this is ridiculous.
[2:56:44] Uh, I'll mention a couple of not direct
[2:56:47] cases, but trucks being parked on the
[2:56:50] streets of the Cap County
[2:56:53] and it appears as if they're not being
[2:56:56] addressed because they repeat, repeat,
[2:56:57] repeat, repeat. I get the same call week
[2:57:00] after week, commercial truck parked on
[2:57:03] the street, and I know that's the cap
[2:57:05] county, not you. But we pass it on. So,
[2:57:09] we'll have to deal with the Cab County
[2:57:10] about
[2:57:12] getting those trucks removed.
[2:57:15] >> Correct.
[2:57:17] » Correct.
[2:57:17] >> Okay. And the other one would be the uh
[2:57:19] » Okay. And the other one would be the uh
[2:57:19] retention ponds. Um, how did that happen
[2:57:22] that this is no longer uh the Cap
[2:57:24] County? They gave that to us. We bought
[2:57:26] it. Uh,
[2:57:28] >> that's that's the part that's unclear.
[2:57:30] » that's that's the part that's unclear.
[2:57:30] Um, one of the ones I looked at um just
[2:57:34] the maybe about a week ago
[2:57:40] I don't I don't know. She said that
[2:57:42] every they have been cutting it for
[2:57:43] years and um I've tried to track down
[2:57:46] everything that I can and it when I pull
[2:57:48] up the map it shows is hers which even
[2:57:51] when I she was explaining to me on the
[2:57:53] phone I was like do you have a drain in
[2:57:55] your backyard? And then she was like no.
[2:57:58] I was like okay. So, I said, "I won't
[2:58:00] come out. We'll come out there to see
[2:58:02] it." We go out to see it and it's it's
[2:58:04] it's fenced in.
[2:58:07] >> Well, I guess we need our engineer here
[2:58:08] » Well, I guess we need our engineer here
[2:58:08] because when you build a subdivision,
[2:58:11] there's a retention pond that goes with
[2:58:13] the subdivision, I would think.
[2:58:15] >> Right.
[2:58:16] » Right.
[2:58:16] >> And I would think that either the county
[2:58:18] » And I would think that either the county
[2:58:18] is responsible for it or the subdivision
[2:58:20] is responsible for it.
[2:58:22] >> Right.
[2:58:22] » Right.
[2:58:22] >> And you're now saying that it's deed to
[2:58:24] » And you're now saying that it's deed to
[2:58:24] one of the property owners.
[2:58:25] >> Yeah. And that property owner is
[2:58:28] » Yeah. And that property owner is
[2:58:28] responsible for maintaining the
[2:58:30] retention fund.
[2:58:31] >> Right.
[2:58:32] » Right.
[2:58:32] >> And Peggy to do so results in a
[2:58:34] » And Peggy to do so results in a
[2:58:34] citation.
[2:58:35] >> No, I told her I will not I mean she
[2:58:37] » No, I told her I will not I mean she
[2:58:37] called it in. I
[2:58:38] >> But the process is Yeah. The process I
[2:58:40] » But the process is Yeah. The process I
[2:58:40] told her that if I went went forth with
[2:58:43] it, that's who I would have to address
[2:58:44] with her. So, um, I I gave her a couple
[2:58:48] of departments to contact and I told her
[2:58:50] to run it up the chain to a supervisor
[2:58:52] or management to find out to get actual
[2:58:55] answers and then if she needed other
[2:58:57] assistance, she could contact me back.
[2:58:59] But, um, it's been about at least three
[2:59:01] for this past week that out of the blue
[2:59:04] that they've come across and they've
[2:59:06] contacted the cab first and then they
[2:59:09] come to us and then that's what we find
[2:59:11] after doing our research and finding.
[2:59:13] So,
[2:59:13] >> you know how many retention ponds are in
[2:59:15] » you know how many retention ponds are in
[2:59:15] Stone Crest?
[2:59:18] >> About three 400.
[2:59:20] » About three 400.
[2:59:20] >> So, we just we just got the first group.
[2:59:22] » So, we just we just got the first group.
[2:59:22] Um, so I'm pretty sure they're coming
[2:59:24] because if those three popped up and
[2:59:26] they were getting them done and now they
[2:59:28] having an issue, I'm sure the other ones
[2:59:30] will. That's why I did want to bring it
[2:59:32] to y'all's attention is because that is
[2:59:34] coming and I'm not sure what we do with
[2:59:36] that.
[2:59:36] >> Madam city manager,
[2:59:39] » Madam city manager,
[2:59:39] you got a problem.
[2:59:42] Okay.
[2:59:45] All right. I'm going to
[2:59:47] move on. We need to put this in another
[2:59:49] category in terms of uh
[2:59:53] making this
[2:59:56] out of receipt, but bring about
[2:59:57] compliance. And you guys have done a
[3:00:00] tremendous job in terms of bringing this
[3:00:02] many uh complaints to the courts. But
[3:00:05] when they get there, if they go nowhere,
[3:00:08] at some point you beating your head
[3:00:10] against the wall.
[3:00:12] And I'm not saying stop doing it cuz you
[3:00:16] got to continue to
[3:00:19] sound the alarm. But if we're not doing
[3:00:21] our job on the other end, I understand
[3:00:24] your frustration. I am frustrated
[3:00:27] extremely
[3:00:29] >> frustrated for Yeah. all of you in the
[3:00:30] » frustrated for Yeah. all of you in the
[3:00:30] residents that that call. Yeah.
[3:00:36] are you?
[3:00:39] >> Thank you, Councilman Turner.
[3:00:41] » Thank you, Councilman Turner.
[3:00:42] Council, do you have any other questions
[3:00:43] for Miss White?
[3:00:49] » Mayor Pro Tim.
[3:00:50] >> Councilwoman Smith,
[3:00:51] » Councilwoman Smith,
[3:00:51] >> I don't have any additional questions
[3:00:53] » I don't have any additional questions
[3:00:53] for Miss White, but is this the closure
[3:00:55] of the um code enforcement update? Is
[3:00:58] that all you guys have?
[3:01:01] That that's it. Okay.
[3:01:03] Okay. Well, I would like to take a
[3:01:06] moment to give Director Kawi and um
[3:01:11] Officer Nixon and everybody who is
[3:01:14] involved in getting one of the property
[3:01:17] owners that has
[3:01:20] become a a nuisance or had become a
[3:01:22] nuisance not only for the city but for
[3:01:25] the people who lived in the city. They
[3:01:27] were not taking care of the property for
[3:01:29] the betterment of the people who lived
[3:01:31] in the property. And Officer Nixon along
[3:01:35] with others in code enforcement held
[3:01:38] their feet to the fire and got them
[3:01:40] together, the owners of the property,
[3:01:42] the property management team. um Dicab
[3:01:45] County came out um in order to talk to
[3:01:49] them about the many citations that they
[3:01:51] had received and doing something about
[3:01:55] those citations, what they were cited
[3:01:58] for. So, I would like to and I've seen
[3:02:01] the updates and the progress that has
[3:02:03] been made. So, I would like to recognize
[3:02:06] Officer Nixon, um, Director Kawi and
[3:02:09] team along with Decap County for coming
[3:02:11] out and helping us move this into a
[3:02:14] positive direction. So, thank you all so
[3:02:16] much.
[3:02:20] Thank you, Councilwoman Smith. Thank
[3:02:22] you, Miss Cowie, and the team. I
[3:02:24] appreciate you
[3:02:26] and thank you for all the work that you
[3:02:28] do here in the city. Thank you, Miss
[3:02:29] White. Next on the agenda is for
[3:02:33] discussion Stone Crest Development
[3:02:35] Authority SDA update.
[3:02:39] Mr. Randall
[3:02:51] back again. U most of the information um
[3:02:55] in reference to the
[3:02:58] development authority UR talked a little
[3:03:00] about that information.
[3:03:02] Um I'm not sure what the mayor was going
[3:03:05] to report on but the only thing I need
[3:03:08] to mention about the SDA
[3:03:11] is
[3:03:13] there is a project that we're working on
[3:03:16] with Dope Coffee.
[3:03:19] Um we're still trying to um help them
[3:03:22] get up and running. They are in the
[3:03:24] space trying to renovate, but they have
[3:03:27] made a request um a proposal
[3:03:31] um
[3:03:33] sort of delay
[3:03:36] um some payment on the lease because the
[3:03:38] original investor that they had bailed
[3:03:41] out on them. So they're trying to um
[3:03:45] handle everything on on their own. So,
[3:03:48] um we are
[3:03:51] going to be having some conversations at
[3:03:53] the next development authority meeting
[3:03:55] um being led by the attorney as what
[3:03:58] we're going to do in reference to dope
[3:04:02] coffee and the space occupied. So,
[3:04:05] we'll have more information on that once
[3:04:07] we have that discussion with the
[3:04:09] development authorities month.
[3:04:11] And um
[3:04:14] I think everything else I pretty much
[3:04:17] talked a little bit about the
[3:04:18] development authority and the URA in my
[3:04:20] presentation. So if you have any further
[3:04:22] questions about
[3:04:26] any projects or anything with the URA or
[3:04:29] SDA more than happy to answer those
[3:04:31] questions.
[3:04:35] Council, do you have any questions for
[3:04:37] director?
[3:04:41] » Tim,
[3:04:43] >> are you covering both the URA as well as
[3:04:46] » are you covering both the URA as well as
[3:04:46] the uh development authority in this
[3:04:48] presentation?
[3:04:50] >> Um, in my last presentation, I did talk
[3:04:53] » Um, in my last presentation, I did talk
[3:04:53] about the things that we're talking
[3:04:55] about because I do work with both.
[3:04:57] >> I was just going to have different
[3:04:59] » I was just going to have different
[3:04:59] question for the UR versus the uh the
[3:05:01] SDA.
[3:05:02] >> Okay, that'll be fine.
[3:05:03] » Okay, that'll be fine.
[3:05:03] >> You got both of them now?
[3:05:04] » You got both of them now?
[3:05:04] >> Yes, sir. Oh, okay. Um, same question I
[3:05:07] » Yes, sir. Oh, okay. Um, same question I
[3:05:07] had before about the Allen property and
[3:05:10] the uh the SDA is involved with the
[3:05:15] home. I mean the property at Evans Mill
[3:05:18] and uh Woodro. You're saying that's not
[3:05:21] a part of the SDA,
[3:05:23] >> right? But when it comes to dealing with
[3:05:25] » right? But when it comes to dealing with
[3:05:26] the
[3:05:28] whole situation that is included in it,
[3:05:31] >> no, the the the property at the compound
[3:05:34] » no, the the the property at the compound
[3:05:34] is not part of the baitment that's on
[3:05:37] the property along Interstate 20 and
[3:05:40] also the Black Wall Street building.
[3:05:43] Those are two separate resolutions that
[3:05:45] we issued in n 2019 and 2020.
[3:05:49] Um but the the property at the compound
[3:05:52] is not included in any of those
[3:05:54] abatements. However, there is a zoning
[3:05:58] challenge when it comes to people who
[3:06:00] are interested in that property because
[3:06:03] it has not been used in so long that the
[3:06:06] ordinance says after it has been dormant
[3:06:08] to six months, it reverts back to R 100.
[3:06:11] I think we called it a nonconformative
[3:06:13] use
[3:06:15] until the six months um came up. So now
[3:06:18] it reverted back. So the challenge now
[3:06:21] is how can people who are interested in
[3:06:23] the property to use those buildings as
[3:06:25] they exist. How can it happen when it's
[3:06:28] own or 100 now when it reverted back?
[3:06:31] >> Yeah. Well, my concern is that when I
[3:06:34] » Yeah. Well, my concern is that when I
[3:06:34] look at the map, it seems like this is
[3:06:37] one conversation, but in uh reality,
[3:06:40] this is three different conversations.
[3:06:43] uh the SDA property that's a part of the
[3:06:45] abatement
[3:06:47] >> and as in you're saying that the new
[3:06:49] » and as in you're saying that the new
[3:06:49] black wall street is not a part of the
[3:06:50] uh abatement
[3:06:51] >> the new black black wall street is part
[3:06:53] » the new black black wall street is part
[3:06:53] of the abatement that's one one project
[3:06:56] >> the 400 plus acres along the interstate
[3:06:59] » the 400 plus acres along the interstate
[3:06:59] >> so there are two abatement uh
[3:07:01] » so there are two abatement uh
[3:07:01] >> exactly so those are two and then the
[3:07:03] » exactly so those are two and then the
[3:07:03] third property by the Allen family is
[3:07:05] the compound which is not under an
[3:07:06] abatement
[3:07:07] >> not under abatement so it's it's a
[3:07:09] » not under abatement so it's it's a
[3:07:09] separate conversation
[3:07:11] >> yes sir but we're trying to help out as
[3:07:13] » yes sir but we're trying to help out as
[3:07:13] as much as we can to try to see how we
[3:07:15] can do something on that.
[3:07:17] >> Yeah. In terms of marketing, I
[3:07:18] » Yeah. In terms of marketing, I
[3:07:18] understand, but in terms of reality and
[3:07:21] legalities
[3:07:22] and that is not a part of it.
[3:07:24] >> That's correct.
[3:07:25] » That's correct.
[3:07:25] >> Okay. All right. Just wanted to be
[3:07:26] » Okay. All right. Just wanted to be
[3:07:26] clear.
[3:07:29] Um
[3:07:31] the URRA
[3:07:35] well I had some properties for the
[3:07:38] chair of the URA but I will say most of
[3:07:41] that and that is versus the city own um
[3:07:45] parks plus so the URRA owns
[3:07:50] » club building
[3:07:51] >> this building and what else
[3:07:54] » this building and what else
[3:07:54] >> believe that's it just those two
[3:07:56] » believe that's it just those two
[3:07:56] properties is the URA
[3:07:58] >> yeah I know. I'm just trying to bring
[3:07:59] » yeah I know. I'm just trying to bring
[3:07:59] that out for benefit of the newbies. And
[3:08:02] >> yeah, this those are two buildings that
[3:08:04] » yeah, this those are two buildings that
[3:08:04] the URA owns. This current building
[3:08:06] here, the city hall and the old Sam's
[3:08:09] building is owned by the RA.
[3:08:11] >> Okay, good. Um
[3:08:14] » Okay, good. Um
[3:08:14] the URRA meetings occur twice a year
[3:08:17] regularly.
[3:08:18] That is the first of the year and the
[3:08:21] middle of the year. And there are
[3:08:24] records maintained uh by the secretary
[3:08:27] which just happens to be yours truly. So
[3:08:31] uh those records are there of the
[3:08:33] meetings and the minutes once they are
[3:08:35] approved. So if you and there are
[3:08:37] written bylaws for those who need to
[3:08:40] take a look and that that should be
[3:08:43] online as well the bylaws for the urra.
[3:08:47] I'm not sure about the SDA. uh they
[3:08:50] should be there someplace but I'm not a
[3:08:52] part of that. So uh but I am a part of
[3:08:55] the UR and those bylaws are available
[3:08:58] online for those who need to know.
[3:09:03] Um
[3:09:06] that's it.
[3:09:12] » Okay. I will hold the other questions
[3:09:13] for the chair
[3:09:17] » council. Any other questions?
[3:09:19] Mayor Proim, I do.
[3:09:21] >> Councilwoman Washington.
[3:09:23] » Councilwoman Washington.
[3:09:23] >> Um, there's no I know we're talking
[3:09:24] » Um, there's no I know we're talking
[3:09:24] about property that we own, right? And
[3:09:28] there's no mention and I'm not sure if
[3:09:30] it's under the UR or the SDA, but the
[3:09:33] botanical garden is 66 acres.
[3:09:37] What does that fall up under?
[3:09:39] >> Um, that's a good question. Um, I'm not
[3:09:43] » Um, that's a good question. Um, I'm not
[3:09:43] sure. Um I think it may fall up under um
[3:09:48] director Kawi
[3:09:51] if I'm correct.
[3:09:53] >> Um the Botanical Gardens who does that
[3:09:55] » Um the Botanical Gardens who does that
[3:09:55] follow up under
[3:10:00] » Madam Oh.
[3:10:04] » Yes. Attorney Thompson.
[3:10:06] >> Uh the Botanical Gardens is a city
[3:10:07] » Uh the Botanical Gardens is a city
[3:10:08] project. It's not under the URA or the
[3:10:11] SDA.
[3:10:15] Attorney, should that be considered in
[3:10:17] the same vein as parks property?
[3:10:22] I'm not
[3:10:24] >> I believe so. I know um probably um
[3:10:27] » I believe so. I know um probably um
[3:10:27] expenses come from that account. So
[3:10:29] that's more um I know Mr. U Car Craran
[3:10:32] can can answer that directly, but I
[3:10:35] believe um spending is under the city's
[3:10:38] uh budget and within the general fund
[3:10:41] and or their capital funds.
[3:10:46] » Okay. So, it being up under parks, but
[3:10:49] it still would be considered property
[3:10:51] that the city owns, correct?
[3:10:55] >> Yes, ma'am.
[3:10:56] » Yes, ma'am.
[3:10:56] >> Okay. That that was what I was show.
[3:10:58] » Okay. That that was what I was show.
[3:10:58] Okay. Thank you. Are you
[3:11:06] Council, any other question?
[3:11:10] » Director Lance Randall, what did you say
[3:11:13] about Dope Coffee? Can you repeat that
[3:11:15] for me?
[3:11:16] >> Um, yes. So, Dope Coffee, um, the lease
[3:11:19] » Um, yes. So, Dope Coffee, um, the lease
[3:11:19] has been signed and we'll get the
[3:11:21] attorney to chime in as well. And they
[3:11:24] have
[3:11:26] began to do renovations on the space.
[3:11:29] Um, initially they had an investor that
[3:11:31] was going to be a part of the project
[3:11:33] that walked away which left Dope Coffee
[3:11:36] trying to move this project along by
[3:11:38] themselves which they've been trying to
[3:11:39] do. Um, they sent us a proposal asking
[3:11:44] for some type of forbearance on the
[3:11:46] lease payments while they're trying to
[3:11:48] recalibrate
[3:11:50] to get things in order to get into the
[3:11:52] space. And um, they've made the request
[3:11:56] a formal request. So, we're supposed to
[3:11:59] have a discussion about that proposal
[3:12:02] and um we're going to have that
[3:12:04] discussion at the development authority
[3:12:07] meeting as to what we're going to do. Um
[3:12:10] I'll let attorney Thompson chime in if
[3:12:12] she wants to chime in a little bit on
[3:12:13] that.
[3:12:15] I won't I don't have anything to add to
[3:12:17] that, but I will say I would um maybe
[3:12:20] that conversation can be left to
[3:12:23] um the SDA and then also if um I know
[3:12:27] the city has an interest there and maybe
[3:12:29] that's something we can discuss um
[3:12:33] on another date.
[3:12:37] » When is the um next SDA meeting?
[3:12:41] >> August the 27th.
[3:12:44] » August the 27th.
[3:12:44] But we should be able to get an update
[3:12:46] in September.
[3:12:49] >> I'm hoping for that.
[3:12:52] » I'm hoping for that.
[3:12:52] Um,
[3:12:55] and by the way, this meeting, typically
[3:12:57] the meetings are virtual, but this
[3:12:58] meeting um will have to be in person
[3:13:01] because um of some things we need to
[3:13:04] discuss and some people that may be
[3:13:05] coming in to have a conversation with
[3:13:07] us.
[3:13:10] Council, do you have any other questions
[3:13:12] for Director Randle?
[3:13:20] Actually, I do have another question.
[3:13:23] Um, as far as URA, this this building,
[3:13:26] um, what do we or have you discussed
[3:13:31] what we plan on doing with the space
[3:13:34] um that is vacant?
[3:13:38] >> Well, it's on commercial. We did have a
[3:13:40] » Well, it's on commercial. We did have a
[3:13:40] prospect that looked at it. And then if
[3:13:41] you just mentioned about the long list
[3:13:43] of prohibited uses, we talked about the
[3:13:46] damage to the building.
[3:13:48] >> I'm referring to city hall.
[3:13:49] » I'm referring to city hall.
[3:13:49] >> Oh, the city hall. Oh,
[3:13:51] » Oh, the city hall. Oh,
[3:13:51] >> madam.
[3:13:53] » madam.
[3:13:53] >> Oh,
[3:13:54] » Oh,
[3:13:54] >> yes.
[3:13:55] » yes.
[3:13:55] >> I was going to say uh maybe that is
[3:13:57] » I was going to say uh maybe that is
[3:13:57] something we can discuss in the UR
[3:13:59] executive session. Um as far as the
[3:14:04] potential tenants, is is that what
[3:14:05] you're discussing about?
[3:14:09] I wasn't necessarily asking about any
[3:14:11] tenants, but just kind of an update on
[3:14:14] anticipation of what we plan on doing
[3:14:16] with the space or did they discuss um
[3:14:20] what we are we planning on written the
[3:14:23] space out or we going to expand city
[3:14:25] hall? What was the
[3:14:27] >> Oh, you're talking about city hall
[3:14:28] » Oh, you're talking about city hall
[3:14:28] >> plans. Absolutely. Yes.
[3:14:30] » plans. Absolutely. Yes.
[3:14:30] >> Okay. Um
[3:14:32] » Okay. Um
[3:14:32] I do know that um
[3:14:36] some of the things that are being done u
[3:14:38] there's a second floor renovation going
[3:14:39] on
[3:14:41] and um it's my understanding there's an
[3:14:44] interest from company that wants to take
[3:14:47] a look at moving into that space. So
[3:14:50] that's a discussion that needs to happen
[3:14:52] with the RRA. So when the meeting is
[3:14:55] scheduled, which I hope will be soon,
[3:14:58] that needs to come up along with the
[3:14:59] sounds building about the space that's
[3:15:02] available. So we do have someone that's
[3:15:04] interested in that.
[3:15:06] >> Now, do we currently have the URA
[3:15:08] » Now, do we currently have the URA
[3:15:08] meeting scheduled?
[3:15:11] >> Um I don't know. Um I staff the
[3:15:13] » Um I don't know. Um I staff the
[3:15:13] development authority and that was one
[3:15:15] thing that I was talking to some council
[3:15:18] members about. Um I wouldn't mind being
[3:15:20] the staff also for the URA.
[3:15:23] um since I do work with the RA and we
[3:15:25] were able to do something over the
[3:15:27] spring to bring some money in by using
[3:15:29] the SAM space, but it's discussion that
[3:15:31] you probably need to have um since I do
[3:15:34] staff the SDA
[3:15:37] and I do work with the RA, but I'm not
[3:15:40] an official staff person. So, um I
[3:15:43] really don't know, but I do work with
[3:15:46] the um chair of the development
[3:15:47] authority to put together the agenda for
[3:15:50] the SDA, but I haven't worked with
[3:15:52] anyone with the URA, but would like to
[3:15:55] do so.
[3:15:58] » Well, lucky for you, you have the vice
[3:16:02] chair here tonight. Maybe she's
[3:16:04] listening and noting.
[3:16:08] Councilwoman Smith.
[3:16:12] Any other qu any other questions for
[3:16:14] Director Randall?
[3:16:19] » Director Randall.
[3:16:21] >> Um I think it's a good idea for us to
[3:16:24] » Um I think it's a good idea for us to
[3:16:24] have a staff person. It's a conversation
[3:16:26] like you said we would need to have in
[3:16:28] our meeting. Um we've requested that the
[3:16:31] chair organize a meeting. I will send a
[3:16:35] request again to the chair requesting a
[3:16:38] meeting for us to discuss all the topics
[3:16:41] that we have been anticipating
[3:16:45] discussing.
[3:16:47] >> Sounds good.
[3:16:48] » Sounds good.
[3:16:48] >> Report two.
[3:16:49] » Report two.
[3:16:50] >> Councilman Turner.
[3:16:50] » Councilman Turner.
[3:16:50] >> Uh the council well to vice chair Smith.
[3:16:54] » Uh the council well to vice chair Smith.
[3:16:54] I believe the same rules apply that
[3:16:56] apply to city council that a certain
[3:16:59] number of members of the UR can call the
[3:17:01] meeting without
[3:17:03] necessarily being scheduled. So you are
[3:17:05] at that leisure if so inclined.
[3:17:09] >> Thank you.
[3:17:09] » Thank you.
[3:17:09] >> I mean at the proper time.
[3:17:11] » I mean at the proper time.
[3:17:11] >> Thank you Councilman Turner.
[3:17:18] » Mayor Pro Tim. Madam, city manager,
[3:17:20] >> I was going to ask Councilwoman Smith if
[3:17:23] » I was going to ask Councilwoman Smith if
[3:17:23] she would be willing to host a meeting
[3:17:25] since we do have a potential tenant. We
[3:17:27] don't want to miss out on that
[3:17:28] opportunity uh that would better support
[3:17:30] the city.
[3:17:33] But you have asking we get something on
[3:17:35] the calendar.
[3:17:40] Yes, I will send a additional message to
[3:17:44] the chair and if we are not able to um
[3:17:48] get the chair who's mayor Cowell to get
[3:17:51] the meeting schedule then I will move
[3:17:54] forward with getting a meeting scheduled
[3:17:56] since we have um the consist consensus
[3:18:00] of the members that a meeting is needed.
[3:18:04] >> Thank you.
[3:18:11] So we had the discussion about the SDA
[3:18:14] and URA. Thank you so much Mr. Randall.
[3:18:17] >> Welcome
[3:18:18] » Welcome
[3:18:18] >> for the update. Um is there any need for
[3:18:21] » for the update. Um is there any need for
[3:18:21] executive session?
[3:18:28] » Not on behalf of the city attorney.
[3:18:31] >> Thank you so much. I will entertain a
[3:18:34] » Thank you so much. I will entertain a
[3:18:34] motion.
[3:18:38] Tim,
[3:18:38] >> Councilman Turner move for adjournment
[3:18:40] » Councilman Turner move for adjournment
[3:18:40] of the work session city of Stone Crest.
[3:18:43] >> Second. Okay.
[3:18:46] » Second. Okay.
[3:18:46] >> The motion has been properly moved and
[3:18:48] » The motion has been properly moved and
[3:18:48] second by Councilwoman Smith. Are you
[3:18:50] ready for the question? All those in
[3:18:52] favor of the motion, please respond with
[3:18:54] yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting
[3:18:55] with district three,
[3:18:57] >> yay.
[3:18:57] » yay.
[3:18:57] >> District four,
[3:18:58] » District four,
[3:18:58] >> yay.
[3:18:59] » yay.
[3:18:59] >> District five,
[3:19:00] » District five,
[3:19:00] >> yay.
[3:19:01] » yay.
[3:19:01] >> District one is yay. This meeting is now
[3:19:03] » District one is yay. This meeting is now
[3:19:03] adjourned. Thank you so much for
[3:19:06] attending and Stone Crest have a
[3:19:08] wonderful week. Good night.