[0:57] We're We're going to go ahead and call this meeting to order. Um, we

[1:02] are going to start with a public hearing, but before we do that, we want

[1:05] to make sure we have a determination of a quorum. Uh, can you state that you're

[1:08] here or present starting with post one? >> Beth Post one, present.

[1:13] » Mark Burrows, Post two, present.

[1:17] » Ryan Smith, Post three, present. >> Amy Nunez, Post four, present.

[1:23] » Dwayne Post five, present. >> Dwayne Brown, Post six, present.

[1:28] » Okay, we have a determination of a quorum. We will go ahead and start our

[1:31] public hearing. Um, our public hearing is for the millage rate. This is our

[1:35] third public hearing. Um, just for the public to know, state your

[1:39] name and address if you want to be recorded into the record.

[1:43] Um, and as well, that council will not be able to respond during public

[1:47] hearing. >> Thank you, Mayor and Council. Before we

[1:50] provide the public with the opportunity to express their feedback,

[1:55] one more time, briefly, I'll go over the different military scenarios, the

[2:00] projected revenue, or any decrease of the budget that we need to consider. So,

[2:04] very briefly, at a rollback rate of 15.8, the rollback rate represents the

[2:09] military rate that will generate essentially the same amount of property

[2:12] tax revenue as the previous year, excluding revenue revenue growth from

[2:17] the reassessment. So, at the rollback rate of 15.8,

[2:21] the 93% collection rate will be 3 3,674,694.

[2:29] So, the city needs to consider a cut of 400,000

[2:36] 427,978.

[2:39] This scenario would not fully fund the city's operational requirements and

[2:43] would likely require service reduction uh the forward capital capital

[2:47] expenditures or the use of reserve funds.

[2:51] For the proposed increase of 16.25 mills, the projection projection of 93%

[2:56] collection is 3,759,367.

[3:02] This still leaves a deficit of 343,305 at a 93% collection. While this reduces

[3:10] the funding gap, it does not fully address the city's budgetary needs.

[3:14] For a military rate of 16.5, the projected revenue for 93% collection

[3:21] is 3,817,203,

[3:25] which will result in a deficit of 285,469

[3:30] at 93% collection. This opportunity effectively balanced

[3:35] the budget only if collection significantly exceeds the historical

[3:38] trends. Proposed increase of 16.75 mills,

[3:43] at a 93% collection, the projected revenue will be 3,875,040,

[3:49] which is a deficit of 227,632 at a 93% collection. This option begins

[3:55] to create a more spine financial fashion while still remaining relatively

[4:00] conservative. The proposed increase of 17.35

[4:04] mills at a 93% collection is 4,013,847

[4:10] with a deficit of 88,825 at 93% collection.

[4:14] This scenario substantially narrows the gap between projected revenues and

[4:18] anticipated expenditures. And finally, we have the proposed increase of 17.5

[4:23] mills which at a 93% collection, the projected

[4:27] revenue will be 4,048,549

[4:31] with a deficit of 54,123 at 93% collection. This option most

[4:37] closely aligns the projected revenues with anticipated expenditures under

[4:41] realistic collection assumption. And now, I'd like to provide the opportunity

[4:45] I'd like to provide the public with the opportunity to express their feedback in

[4:49] both on the proposed millage rate. Thank you.

[4:55] » We'll We'll open it up for public uh from the public hearing.

[5:09] » Abigail Smith, 1203 Park Boulevard. This millage rate increase was planned

[5:15] back in October when the current budget was created.

[5:19] Tax receipts in 2024 were just over 5.2 million dollars.

[5:24] With the same anticipated in the total for the 2025 budget, 5.2 million

[5:30] dollars. This time last year, the council

[5:34] approved the rollback millage rate of 15.827

[5:38] which should have kept the budget flat again in 2026.

[5:43] But instead, a budget was created with an anticipated

[5:47] tax receipts of 5.9 million dollars.

[5:52] 700,000 over the prior 2 years.

[5:56] It's because of that we are now facing a military increase. $700,000.

[6:03] No effort has been made by staff or council to revise the budget and prevent

[6:08] that from happening. I set my personal household budget based

[6:13] on what I anticipated earning. And if I earn more, I get to buy or do something

[6:18] that was not in my budget. Or I save it for retirement. When I earn

[6:23] less, I have to cut back. My home's value increased this year

[6:28] 95,950

[6:32] dollars. Which is 25% more than last year.

[6:37] And it's going to cost me $800 in city taxes additionally.

[6:43] My budget's now blown by a tax increase I didn't anticipate.

[6:48] So, I'm going to have to make cuts to my budget so I can pay my tax bill.

[6:53] Why should I have to do this when the city won't reciprocate?

[6:57] I know you don't control the valuation process.

[7:01] But you do control the budget and military.

[7:04] I hope you vote to do the right thing tonight.

[7:18] » Denise Phillips, 5272 Broad Street. You guys are going to make some big

[7:23] decisions tonight. And it is my opinion that you haven't

[7:28] been given the information to make that decision.

[7:31] You were given two major things last year that threw us

[7:37] over budget. Both are one-time occurrences or what would be in the

[7:42] budget listed as extraordinary. It's like you have a tree falling on your

[7:46] house and you got to pay $100,000 this year

[7:50] to pay for it. Are you going to budget that $100,000 next year?

[7:54] No. And we're not being told what the

[7:56] $100,000 increase is for. We were given financials in the package

[8:03] that agenda package online. It states that we're at 33.33%

[8:08] of budget for revenues this year. The math isn't mathing because we've

[8:12] only gotten 12.8. This is of no concern because we get most of our revenue at

[8:17] the end of the year. But it also says that we're at $25

[8:22] million in

[8:24] um expenses. That's $23 million more than what the numbers say.

[8:32] How are we as citizens supposed to believe and accept that you want to dig

[8:37] deeper in our pockets when we can't even get valid financials?

[8:45] I hope that y'all will consider that people are having a hard time right now.

[8:50] Think about what data you have been given and what you haven't been given.

[8:55] And think about what why we were over budget last year before y'all dig in our

[9:01] pockets any deeper. Thanks.

[9:16] » Congratulations to the New York Knicks who earned the title of 2026 NBA team

[9:24] cup champions. The team was led by Jalen Brunson and I can think of several

[9:29] reasons why he also was named the MVP player uh

[9:34] Gina Stroud Cott. I don't even know how to say that, but anyway, so

[9:39] address on the file. 787 Forest Street, Stone Mountain,

[9:45] Georgia. >> For the record, if this pertains to the

[9:48] millage rate, okay, I got it. >> I will tie it all back together.

[9:53] Trust. Yes, he is a stand-up player on and off the court.

[9:58] He leads with confidence and demonstrates practicing hours and hours.

[10:03] In 2024, Jaylen signed a contract over two uh for the 25-26 season through the

[10:09] 28-29 season for 4-year $156 million contract. At the time, he was eligible

[10:17] for a 5-year contract of $269 million. But, he decided to sign for the 4-year

[10:23] contract giving up approximately $113 million. He He made the decision to help

[10:30] the team. We are the team.

[10:34] It allows funds to be available to help the coaching staff and the owners to

[10:39] build a winning team. So, now you ask, "Gina, well, why do you bring that up?"

[10:44] So glad you asked. Simply put, everyone has a part to play.

[10:50] If you receive a paycheck from this place, we help pay your salaries.

[10:56] So, if you increase the millage rate, then you too should consider where and

[11:01] how your salary should be adjusted. There have been discussions on cutting

[11:06] this program, cutting that event, getting rid of that contract.

[11:11] So, as someone said on social media a few days ago, only two of the six

[11:16] council members gave suggestions on how some funds should be reallocated or

[11:21] increase the revenue. So, if there's something that we all are missing, would

[11:26] you all please so kindly share so that we can get a clear picture of where you

[11:30] all stand.

[11:48] » Hello, I'm Linda Jackson, 5244 Poplar Springs Road. I don't have much to say.

[11:56] I understood years ago when there was a need to raise the rate because of

[12:01] dropping revenue and housing values. But my house has continued to increase

[12:08] in value, which raises my taxes, and that is a strain, and I just wanted that

[12:14] to be on the record.

[12:28] » I don't have them now. >> I haven't been on since I've been here,

[12:31] but I've definitely been online every day.

[12:37] If we didn't make the money with the 13, I'm sorry. My name is Vivian Howard

[12:42] Patterson at 473 Rock Road Terrace. You weren't.

[12:47] If we didn't make the money with the 5.1,

[12:53] what makes you think we going to make it with this 17 month?

[12:58] We went over budget. Yeah, but

[13:02] somebody got to get it in 2025. But what about mid-2026?

[13:09] Because we still do not We still not getting

[13:13] a financial report. I'll do it. This piece is here, piece is here,

[13:19] don't work. It don't work. We got a serious problem

[13:23] in this city. Everybody's taxes is going up.

[13:27] And God knows I wanted the elders in one of these

[13:31] communities. I don't have that kind of money. We

[13:35] can't pay that kind of tax. It's crazy and it don't make sense. And

[13:39] we need to consider our elders, our young ones,

[13:43] and even the young people that come into our city.

[13:47] They didn't have that kind of money. See, this is what

[13:50] The money is got to be fixed. Our money and our power need to be fixed. And your

[13:57] tax Your tax is correct. It isn't. I don't know. We can't own our

[14:01] own property in this town. We need to get this straight.

[14:06] Cuz it's not making sense in my head with my numbers. How many of y'all

[14:10] coming in? But we don't mind. Y'all don't mind it.

[14:13] And he listens to this. It's not making sense.

[14:17] And it do want to make you want to move out of the city.

[14:22] I didn't get too long ago. I raised all my kids up here in the city. I raised

[14:26] three kids up here now. It's I can't afford to live here

[14:31] anymore.

[14:34] But it's Savannah. I love Savannah. I've been here over 27 years.

[14:40] Y'all got to do better with this money. Y'all complaining and complaining about

[14:44] the old. We still got old people on camera.

[14:48] It's not getting better. It's not.

[14:52] Every time somebody says something about the

[14:56] budget, but we keep ignoring it. Y'all still keep spending.

[15:00] He's spending. But y'all ain't working that problem

[15:04] out. That 17 did y'all try to work something out with him?

[15:07] It don't work. It didn't work with the 15. And it's not

[15:10] working because people cannot afford to pay it.

[15:13] So, we need to come up with a new plan. Work on that.

[15:35] » This is Thomas. I'm speaking under my first amendment rights and my civil

[15:40] rights. My address is 110 Terrace, Ellenwood, Georgia 30083.

[15:48] There is no law that I have to say my house address for my comments to be on

[15:54] this open records meeting minutes. In terms of I do what every everything

[16:00] everybody else said. And most of the voters have older people

[16:04] that have been to all these meetings for years.

[16:07] Even new people coming and telling them the same thing.

[16:10] What is appalling to me Y'all should have gone to bed.

[16:15] Three of you up here three of you, four of you new.

[16:19] I'm just going to bed. The uh surprising thing is

[16:26] we have not paid back the money from 2023 audit, $817,000.

[16:33] We have not paid These are illegal funds that the auditor said.

[16:38] It's not in the budget. Are we paying for that through this tax

[16:42] increase? The 2024 auditor said the same thing.

[16:47] Are we paying for that out of this tax increase? In other

[16:51] words, we're saying to us, intelligent people, telling intelligent people,

[16:56] "Oh, we can spend y'all money, but then we're going to make y'all pay for the

[16:59] overage. We're going to make y'all pay for that."

[17:02] The other thing I noticed, it's related. Hope said, "Give me the financial

[17:07] report." One of the other citizens said, "Give me the financial report."

[17:11] The financial report that's in this meeting today

[17:14] is not a balanced budget report. It's general funds.

[17:20] We cannot see slots. So, big problem.

[17:24] All the data is not in here and y'all are spending our slots money on these

[17:28] new projects, but you're not even putting out

[17:31] how much money we have in slots in the financial report that we're reporting on

[17:35] today. That's a big problem. It looks like

[17:39] we're inspiring you to do something. And I guess what's going to be next.

[17:45] Keep it up. I'm doing my research and other people

[17:49] are, too. Y'all need to do the right thing. As I

[17:53] heard people say, "Yeah, they may have to move, but maybe

[17:57] that's the plan. Maybe y'all want us to move."

[18:01] To relocate us, so new people can come in here and y'all can raise their rent

[18:05] and maybe they can afford it. What is the agenda, guys?

[18:09] We invested in this city, but we're not being invested back.

[18:14] For what we put into it. And and you all should be ashamed of

[18:18] yourselves to not listen to us. A fraction of 1% is not enough.

[18:25] And because of the revolution is in the agenda after this meeting, it looks like

[18:29] y'all already made your mind up, like I said last time.

[18:32] What we say up here don't matter, but it's on record. That's okay.

[18:36] Thank you.

[18:53] » There are Excuse me. If there are no other public

[18:56] comments for the millage rate discussion, is there an adjournment to

[19:00] conclude the public hearing? >> I move to adjourn the public hearing.

[19:04] » Second. >> All right. There's a motion and a

[19:06] second. Any further discussion? Okay, we'll call for the vote. Council

[19:10] member Poston. >> Council member Poston, yes.

[19:13] » Council member Poston, yes. >> Ryan Smith post three, yes.

[19:17] » Caitlin Yancey post four, yes.

[19:22] » Elaine Bunn post six, yes. >> Okay, that's a unanimous vote to

[19:25] conclude the public hearing. Uh we will now move into our regular

[19:30] council work session meeting. So, we'll call this meeting to order. We'll do

[19:34] another determination of a quorum starting with post one.

[19:38] » Beth post one, present. >> Mark Aryanez post two, present.

[19:41] » Ryan Smith post three, present. >> Caitlin Yancey post four, present.

[19:47] » Donald post five, present. >> Elaine Bunn post six, present.

[19:51] » Okay, uh that's a unanimous vote. We have a

[19:54] determination of a quorum. We will now have a 30-seconds moment of silence.

[20:34] That's our 30-second moment of silence. We now stand for the pledge.

[20:58] We will now open our meeting for citizens comments. Uh if you did not

[21:01] have a chance to get a citizens comment card, they're out back, but once

[21:05] citizens comments start, we will not take any more citizens comments. The

[21:09] rules of the quorum are on the monitor in the back. Each citizen will be

[21:14] granted three minutes. Please state your name and address for the record to be

[21:19] recorded into the minutes. All right, we will now open it up for

[21:22] citizens comments. >> Mayor, council

[21:38] My name is Beverly Howard Patterson. I live at 473 Rock Road Terrace, Stone

[21:43] Mountain. My topic is about the finance.

[21:48] We need a report.

[21:53] We need to know what's going on in the city.

[21:56] Bottom line. I have asked

[21:59] since the beginning of the year and I feel like when I come up here and

[22:04] put my cards on the table you guys are saying

[22:06] I don't think that you need to know. I don't know what y'all do in that back

[22:11] room or anything like that,

[22:14] but up here we don't see it. We don't see it on paper. The paper that you give

[22:19] us is not what we're looking for. We need a better financial report than

[22:24] what you presented to us today. And like this um Thomas stated,

[22:31] I spoke about the money. You know, we granted the

[22:36] 2 million. I haven't seen that on not one report

[22:40] yet. So, we want to know what the 2 million

[22:43] is It's spread out to where it's going.

[22:49] Can we get a better financial report sometime in this fiscal year before this

[22:54] year is over with? And another question,

[22:58] when is the 2025 audit report is due?

[23:19] » Hello, I'm Ginger Criswell, 6535 James B. Rivers.

[23:24] Um, I mean, I'm here. I've talked about it many, many times, as you know, the

[23:29] area where James B. Rivers sits, Memorial Drive. That area is a major

[23:35] entryway to the biggest tourist attraction in the state

[23:39] of Georgia, which makes me think that that we could get funding, we could

[23:46] get assistance, maybe from some of the senators. We've got one that's up for

[23:50] re-election. He might be able to help with doing something to really, really

[23:55] redo that whole intersection right there, but also that whole area, the

[24:01] little side street that goes off between JBR and the new BP,

[24:08] is really

[24:10] I mean, I've never been to a ghetto, but I feel like I am when I drive down

[24:16] that road. I don't know what a ghetto is like exactly, but I imagine people are

[24:21] doing drugs, there's graffiti, there's garbage, there are vehicles parked there

[24:27] that shouldn't be parked there. There are Yes, uh yesterday there were at

[24:31] least three shopping carts piled up, higher than me, with all kinds of crap.

[24:38] And now my neighbor said he saw a prostitute having sex right next to the

[24:43] dumpster. Now, all of this is visible from

[24:47] Memorial Drive. They go in and out behind the dumpster,

[24:51] and somebody else told me they've actually seen them doing drugs. I saw

[24:56] them doing drugs before it was a BP, when it was the

[25:00] um the whatever it used to be. Um and they

[25:04] shut that down and they tried to do renovations, but how how can two months

[25:10] together? I don't feel comfortable. I didn't go there today to get a diet

[25:15] Coke. I drove way down Memorial Drive because I felt

[25:19] safer. And um

[25:21] I mean that maybe because I'm a teacher. Um

[25:25] every day and they're yelling at me. But anyway, um um

[25:28] So but um

[25:30] but anyways, I didn't I didn't want to get, you know,

[25:35] followed or something. So, or you know, anyway, but it's it I would like for

[25:41] every one of you to please please drive down that street.

[25:46] Go down All you have to do is get on James B. Rivers. We need to work with

[25:50] the county to annex that so that we can get some control over it. Until I

[25:55] started going before the county, sending not before the county, but sending, you

[26:00] know, emails to them and to the city council,

[26:03] they it was never even on their radar at all.

[26:07] Now, I changed my mind. They come out and do a cleanup, but the street has no

[26:10] name. First of all, it needs a name. It needs a stop sign.

[26:14] I mean, they I had people from the county go, "Well, we if it doesn't have

[26:17] a name, we can't clean that." So, >> Thank you.

[26:21] » please do that. Please drive down there.

[26:24] Okay, thanks.

[26:27] » I know what the comment is at the time. >> Okay.

[26:32] There There are no other citizens' comments. We'll move forward to the

[26:35] review of the journal.

[26:40] » Good evening, Mayor and Council. You have before you the May 28th meeting

[26:43] minutes requesting your consideration and approval.

[26:47] » I move to approve the May 28th, 2026 meeting minutes.

[26:52] » I second. >> All right, there's a motion and a

[26:54] second. Any discussion? We'll call for the vote starting with post one.

[26:58] » Post one, yes. >> Mark Brionis, post two, yes.

[27:02] » Ryan Smith, post three, yes. >> Katie Newsome, post four, yes.

[27:10] » Post five.

[27:13] » Post five, yes. >> Post six, yes.

[27:18] » All right, that's a unanimous vote for the consideration of an action on the

[27:21] request to approve the May 28th, 2026 meeting minutes.

[27:25] » Your next set of minutes is from the June 2nd, 2026 meeting requesting your

[27:29] consideration and approval. >> I move to approve the June 2nd, 2026

[27:35] meeting minutes. >> I second it.

[27:38] » All right, there's a motion and a second. Any further discussion? We'll

[27:41] call for the vote starting with post one.

[27:43] » Post one, yes. >> Mark Mark Brionis, post two, yes.

[27:47] » Ryan Smith, post three, yes. >> Katie Newsome, post four, yes.

[27:53] » Post five, yes. >> Post

[27:56] six, yes.

[28:00] » All right, that's a unanimous vote for the consideration of an action on the

[28:03] request to approve the June 2nd, 2026 meeting minutes.

[28:07] » You next have the June 4th, 2026 meeting minutes for your consideration and

[28:12] approval. >> I move to approve the June 4th, 2026

[28:17] meeting minutes. I second it.

[28:22] » We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

[28:25] We'll call for the vote starting with post one.

[28:27] » Post one, yes. >> Mark Brionis, post two, yes.

[28:31] » Ryan Smith, post three, yes. >> I abstain because I was absent that

[28:36] meeting.

[28:39] » Post five, yes. >> Post six, yes.

[28:43] » All right, we have a five

[28:47] person vote with one abstention on the consideration of a on a request to

[28:51] approve the June 4th, 2026 meeting minutes.

[28:55] » And lastly, you have the June 8th, 2026 meeting minutes for your consideration

[28:59] and approval. >> I move to approve the June 8th, 2026

[29:04] meeting minutes. >> I second it.

[29:07] » We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

[29:10] If not, we'll call for the vote starting with post one.

[29:12] » I abstain for that particular date. I was not at the meeting.

[29:16] » Councilman Reynolds, post two, yes. >> Ryan Smith, post three, yes.

[29:20] » Tania post four, yes. >> Councilman Post five, yes.

[29:25] » Councilwoman Post six, yes. >> Okay, we have a five yes and one

[29:29] abstention for consideration of an action on the request to approve the

[29:33] June 8th, 2026 meeting minutes. >> Thank you.

[29:36] » All right, thank you. All right, we have reading of the communications.

[29:40] » There are none. >> Okay, we'll move forward to the adoption

[29:43] of the agenda of the day. >> One revision to the agenda. We would

[29:46] like to add the emergency repair of the HVAC system at the GMC building.

[29:52] Under um I'm sorry.

[29:55] At the depot. Under new business item number one.

[30:01] » So, I move to adopt the agenda of the day adding

[30:05] the GEFA funding for the HPHVAC

[30:10] unit for the Stone Mountain Depot under new business item one.

[30:14] » I second it. >> We have a motion and a second. Any um

[30:19] Any further discussion? We'll call for the vote starting with

[30:21] post one. >> Councilwoman Post one, yes.

[30:24] » Councilman Reynolds, post two, yes. >> Ryan Smith, post three, yes.

[30:28] » Tania post four, yes. >> Councilman Post five, yes.

[30:32] » Councilwoman Post six, yes. >> Thank you.

[30:35] » Okay, we have a unanimous vote here to add uh item under new business, H- the

[30:40] emergency repair for the GE FA funding for the HVAC system at the

[30:46] train depot. Okay. All right. We will now move

[30:51] forward to our committee discussions.

[30:56] If there are any.

[30:59] Or does Council choose Well, I want to table community discussions

[31:04] and move forward to community discussions and I can we can open it up

[31:07] for discussion.

[31:11] » We only have one. >> We only have one. All right, we'll go

[31:13] with community All right, we'll go with community discussion.

[31:17] And we have Solomon Community Garden.

[31:23] » Council and Mayor, >> Good evening.

[31:27] » I you get our report for the record.

[31:32] There are a couple of items that I would like to

[31:35] add to it. Um

[31:39] I want to update you between what's happened

[31:43] since they were committed. And first I want to thank the public

[31:47] works for for the great job they did

[31:50] mowing and taking care of the bathrooms and helping them get ready for the

[31:55] brunch that we had uh over 50 families here from our

[31:59] community garden that 50. And uh here at the park.

[32:05] Uh I want to thank the Mayor and the city council members who

[32:09] uh took their time to participate in the brunch.

[32:12] And with y'all there, I really appreciate

[32:16] it.

[32:18] The brunch was attended by 60 people.

[32:23] Um our gardeners

[32:25] once and volunteer that wanted to pull it all together.

[32:29] And uh

[32:32] we were very pleased with the outcome. Um in fact, many of the gardeners have

[32:37] already met. So, we will do another one in the fall.

[32:45] I want to note that on the 27th of

[32:50] June, there will be a planning meeting in the future.

[32:55] presentation on collecting seeds

[32:59] by uh the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and Food

[33:03] Well Alliance. And also, uh we had a great talk

[33:09] last weekend. Uh we had Carrie Engel from the

[33:13] Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. And they talked She talked about

[33:17] alternative methods for mosquito control.

[33:20] And that was attended by 24 people.

[33:25] Uh lastly, we have three new interns. And I think that is a real blessing. Uh

[33:32] it's uh it's the first time we've ever gotten

[33:34] three interns from Master Gardeners from the Extension Office.

[33:39] And uh their names are Family Pearson Clark,

[33:43] uh from Dr. Ramona Menix, and uh Mr. Reginald Stephen.

[33:49] And I believe they have a strong array of uh

[33:53] good background and what they're going to be bringing to the table.

[33:57] I think it's going to be happening today.

[33:59] Any questions? >> We'll open up for questions if there are

[34:03] any. So, I'm going to close it. >> Um I've had a chance to attend that

[34:08] event and it was really great. Uh good chance to really see how that

[34:12] garden makes an impact on the community and I really love the fact that people

[34:17] maybe came there just to lease a spot or rent a spot, but from what I gathered,

[34:21] they now have developed some great friendships. So, I was excited to see

[34:25] that and share that with my community. Uh to let them know that it's available.

[34:28] A lot of people don't know. So, we need to showcase it more. But again, it was a

[34:31] great great event. Thank you. Thank you for all that you do and your committees

[34:36] and all that's involved. You did a great job.

[34:39] » I have no questions. Thank you for the information. I look forward to I didn't

[34:42] get to make this one, but I will look forward to hopefully maybe a fall one as

[34:46] well. Thank you. >> I have no questions, but thank you for

[34:50] what you do. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I just the event I had

[34:53] a family reunion eating food somewhere else.

[34:56] But I didn't get an opportunity to come out. I'll definitely make it next time.

[35:00] Thank you.

[35:07] » I enjoyed it. >> Great event. Thank you so much.

[35:13] » If that's all for community discussions, we'll now move to our staff reports.

[35:27] » Good evening, Mayor Council. >> Good evening.

[35:30] » I'm here to give you your staff reports for uh

[35:33] public safety. I'll start off with our uh city Stone

[35:37] Mountain crime statistics for 2026 for the month of May.

[35:42] Uh these statistics include our diverse group A crimes, which is our national

[35:45] incident-based uh reporting systems, which used to be uh

[35:50] FBI part one crimes, and simple assault and frauds, which are our diverse group

[35:55] B crimes. Uh we had a total of three aggravated

[35:59] assaults, uh six assault and batteries, one burglary non-forced entry, 12

[36:06] larceny and theft, and uh four frauds reports.

[36:13] And uh as far as our police statistics

[36:18] for our shift activity, we had a total of 189 calls, 26 arrests,

[36:25] 370 citations, 140 warning citations, and

[36:32] 80 parking citations. We had 189 incident reports, 11 domestic calls, and

[36:39] eight accidents. Also, for the month of May for code

[36:44] enforcement, we had a total of 57 new cases.

[36:48] We had a total of 20 citations issued, a total of 54 road signs removed. Also,

[36:55] for blight nuisances, the

[36:59] 935 Main Street, 900 VFW Drive, and 5471 Orr Street.

[37:05] Uh those properties have been designated as blight properties. The property

[37:10] owners have 30 days from receipt of their notification to request an appeal

[37:14] hearing before municipal. Also, there's a nuisance abatement

[37:19] hearing for 806 Wood Avenue. Uh that has been reset for July.

[37:24] That concludes my

[37:28] report for monthly stats. I'm ready to entertain any questions that you may

[37:31] have. >> Okay, we'll open it up for questions

[37:34] starting with Councilman >> I have a question, but thank you. Yeah,

[37:37] I just want to I want to say thank you for all that you all do. Thank you for

[37:41] the police officers. Each day you guys go out and risk your lives. So, we want

[37:45] to let you know we really appreciate all you guys do.

[37:47] » Appreciate it. >> I have no questions. Thank you.

[37:50] » No questions, Chief. Thank you. >> Councilman

[37:54] Do you have anything that we can do to help that street that runs over there by

[37:58] Miss Criswell? Is there any of that mean in in the city?

[38:02] » No. Uh J. Arthur Memorial after certain uh

[38:06] point. >> And that's the side street that she's

[38:08] talking about. >> It's outside of the city limits.

[38:09] » It's outside of our jurisdiction. That'll be the county.

[38:12] And that's one of the problems that the has been going on for a while.

[38:16] And Ginger has been This Criswell, sorry,

[38:19] has been uh

[38:21] great advocate for the city trying to make sure we get a and she's been

[38:26] communicating outside of jurisdiction, but there's it's outside of our

[38:30] jurisdiction. Now, if you would like to take the time to

[38:33] try and get with other constituents to other elected officials and try to send

[38:36] some emails and see what possibly you guys can work out to help out as much as

[38:40] possible. That'd be great. But as of right now, that's just not in our

[38:43] jurisdiction. Maybe we can work on trying to annex it

[38:45] into our jurisdiction and then we got more say so on it.

[38:48] » Okay, I just want to make sure that we none of that's

[38:51] » Yeah. Yeah.

[38:55] » That's it. Thank you. Thank you, Chief. >> The only

[38:58] uh The only comment I would make is

[39:01] that activity is happening at 2 ft outside of the road.

[39:20] » Yes, sir. But again, uh within the power that you possess

[39:24] within your position, uh I would like assistance from you all to be able

[39:29] to reach out to other constituents uh within your field, other other

[39:34] persons or personnel or elected officials or something like that. Send

[39:37] them emails so we can have pressure come on all sides to be able to have some

[39:41] more assistance than what we may need.

[39:53] Excuse me. >> No question.

[39:57] » Yes, ma'am. >> I Thank you so much. And and on on the

[40:01] discussion JBR, I do appreciate the idea of annexation for us to be able to kind

[40:06] of clean up our our boundaries. Um but also as as I guess in this

[40:10] position, I will do my part on reaching out to uh our commissioner and our CEO

[40:15] of the county to see if we can get some assistance on cleaning up our edges. So,

[40:19] thank you. >> Yes, sir. You have a great evening.

[40:21] Well, I'll see you I'll see you soon. >> Thank you.

[40:23] » Thank you. >> All right. We'll now move forward to the

[40:26] city manager's report.

[40:36] » And the city manager's report tonight, there are some statistics with for the

[40:41] number of business licenses that have been renewed and also the number of open

[40:45] records requests that the city clerk office has handled in the period of May

[40:49] 14th to June 11th. A very quick update that in May also our

[40:54] city clerk attended the annual recognition ceremony at the Georgia

[40:58] State Capitol, where city clerks from across the state were acknowledged by

[41:02] Governor Brian Kemp for their service and also contribution to local

[41:06] government. On the side of human resource, we had

[41:10] representatives from Georgia Municipal Association who came to city hall to

[41:14] educate the dedicated employees and also the new employees that we have recently

[41:18] hired on their benefits and the program that we're currently running

[41:25] for the city of Stone Mountain. Let's go to public works, please.

[41:30] Public works department and also storm water continue to make significant

[41:33] progress on regulatory compliance. So, city staff coordinated with DeKalb

[41:38] County Watershed Management and obtained access to the county's GIS system,

[41:43] which is very important for us. We're aware of the infrastructure ownership

[41:47] and also the maintenance responsibilities.

[41:50] We're also providing access to information regarding the water and also

[41:54] the sewer system for the city.

[41:57] Staff completed and submitted the city's storm water management plan to the

[42:01] Georgia Environmental Protection Division. This is a mandatory report. In

[42:05] addition, staff finalized the city's annual MS4 report, which documents the

[42:10] action taken during the previous reporting

[42:13] period to comply with the state stormwater requirements.

[42:16] City staff also successfully obtained level one B for stormwater

[42:21] certification, allowing them to conduct construction and site inspections for

[42:25] the city, and also completed level two plan review certification.

[42:30] This is again within our stormwater department. And the new

[42:34] lady that we have recently hired in the office is the one that received the

[42:37] certification. Public Works and Stormwater staff

[42:40] responded to several citizens and also Police Department concerns related to

[42:45] drainage and stormwater issues, including site visits at Rock Borough

[42:49] Terrace, Rich Avenue, Lucille Avenue, Cheremule Drive, and also

[42:55] Carillon Court. Facility maintenance for Public Works

[43:00] and infrastructure improvements remain a priority for the department. Public

[43:03] Works team is working with the DeKalb County to restore water service to the

[43:07] Medlock Park restrooms, and also coordinating with Georgia Power to

[43:11] restore the electrical services to Medlock Park restrooms.

[43:15] Staff also coordinated with the Handyman Training School

[43:19] on the overall renovation of the depot, which this project is related with the

[43:23] opening of the future museum and visitor center.

[43:26] I'd like to make a note of the next paragraph. There is a minor mistake. The

[43:31] employee that we have hired in the month of May is Eric, and he is the Public

[43:35] Works Supervisor. I just wanted to make this note.

[43:38] Next, we move forward with Public Works completed

[43:41] um numerous roadway maintenance projects,

[43:45] including the pothole repairs of Shepherd Road, Rock Borough Drive, and

[43:49] also Fork Street. And staff also removed several trees and

[43:53] debris from Stone Mountain Side Drive, and repaired six streetlights in the

[43:58] city. The department received an average 14

[44:02] secret fix services requesting in public the request involved clogging storm

[44:06] drains, fallen trees, roadway right-of-way debris, and low-hanging

[44:10] branches. But we do not allow about SeeClickFix. We'll keep educating the

[44:15] community, and we'll keep posting in social media.

[44:19] And advise the community to please submit SeeClickFix tickets.

[44:23] Some of us are even going on vacation or overseeing the day-to-day operations,

[44:27] and we're still receiving either email or papers. We'll keep educating the

[44:32] community, but if any council member receives any complaint or report, please

[44:37] ask the residents to report to the SeeClickFix cuz then they will get a

[44:40] little bit more of a successful project. Next, planning and zoning.

[44:45] Very important updates. Comprehensive Plan. Atlanta Regional

[44:49] Commission will be hosting an open house meeting on June 23rd, so the community

[44:54] is invited to attend

[44:57] that meeting at 5380 Studios at 5:30 p.m. Atlanta Regional Commission will

[45:03] have posters and supporting materials for the current status of the

[45:06] Comprehensive Plan. Suggestions that have been made, and

[45:09] kind of this is an opportunity for the community again to go and provide

[45:14] a final I'll say final overview of the Comprehensive Plan before Atlanta

[45:19] Regional Commission and city staff starts actually putting the draft

[45:23] document together, which will be presented in October to council.

[45:27] Historic historical survey, the historic district survey is scheduled for June

[45:31] 15th and 16th. And during this effort, every property within the historic

[45:36] district will be surveyed. Staff is con- consulting

[45:41] Staff Staff and the consultant that are working on the survey will collect

[45:46] data regarding the property conditions, and will take at least two pictures of

[45:51] each property. We'll also do a social media post so

[45:54] people are aware so these are staff representatives and consultant

[45:58] officials working for the city, partnering with the city

[46:01] when such visits are made.

[46:06] Another important update on the planning department, if any person is interested

[46:11] resident is interested to serve on the planning committee and the HPC, please

[46:15] let us know cuz we have several vacant positions within both

[46:19] committees and we need to move forward with our meetings, but we do need also

[46:23] members to serve. So, if you have any person that is

[46:26] interested, please connect this person with me.

[46:30] And then we have permits and we'll see the number of permits and collection

[46:34] revenue of 7 100 7,500

[46:40] for the month of May.

[46:49] Then we have court and Ms. Bridgette Tucker is the

[46:53] department head for our court department.

[46:56] Um you'll see the statistics for the month of April, which were not included

[46:59] in the previous uh city manager's report, but also you'll see the current

[47:03] one for the month of May. So, the court days have been held for

[47:09] April on April 16th, 23rd. We have an assignment calendar for the

[47:14] 20 20 and also on the 20 20 and also the trial compliance calendar and you'll see

[47:19] the different uh the number of people the defendants that were scheduled for

[47:24] that day and also the total citations that have been issued for that day.

[47:30] Um final amnesty statistics. Amnesty ran

[47:34] for the month of March and those who had to come to court attended court on April

[47:39] 30th. So, there were 59 citations were handled during the amnesty program with

[47:44] 47 paid in full. And then we have the statistics for the

[47:48] month of May with the arrangement calendar of May

[47:52] 21st and also trial compliance again May 21st.

[47:56] And the different number of total citations that have been handled.

[48:02] Next, we're moving forward to the capital projects. The latest and very

[48:07] positive news is that the new city hall parking lot is open.

[48:15] Finally. And now it's available to the public.

[48:18] Very good note to pass on. We're about to put up a sign. The problem is they

[48:22] see the whole parking or public parking. As I see today, they are driving slowly

[48:26] and wondering should they go through the park if they're going to get a ticket or

[48:29] not. No, it's open. It's open within the social media post,

[48:32] but give us some time. We're going to order the signs on both streets so

[48:35] people are aware that this is a public parking for city hall.

[48:38] Long range project, we're in the process of finalizing the agreement.

[48:42] As it is starting to have a kickoff meeting with JLL.

[48:45] In which we're going to discuss the future RFP. So, we're really pushing on

[48:49] this project. Street paving, we're moving forward with Rich Meer.

[48:54] Um the paving of Rich Meer Drive. And

[48:58] within 2 weeks, we're about to know exactly the day

[49:01] the paving will start. So, we're going to do another announcement on the social

[49:04] media and we're going to notify the residents of that neighborhood.

[49:08] Um Depot and also museum, uh we're targeting this Friday celebration for

[49:14] Juneteenth, which can go to the next next page, please.

[49:19] We'll see the flyer for Juneteenth. Uh we're going to have several special

[49:23] guests from the county. The three key speakers, Madam CEO will

[49:28] be one of them. Commissioner Shakira Johnson is sponsor of the Juneteenth

[49:31] event and we appreciate her support. The special event will be kind of around

[49:37] the the gazebo between the depot and also the gazebo green space.

[49:41] It will be this Friday um between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. And

[49:46] residents are invited first to attend the ceremonial speech and later to do a

[49:50] tour preview of the museum where there will be an exhibit of Johnston

[49:56] and historic Sherman town. The historic uh society committee are

[50:00] the ones assisting with putting this exhibit, organizing the exhibit together

[50:04] at the depot. And they have some important pictures of different events

[50:08] that council has attended.

[50:12] And this is the end of the of the city manager's report.

[50:17] Let me know if you have any questions. >> We'll open it up for questions starting

[50:21] with post one.

[50:27] » I don't have any questions at this moment.

[50:31] » Uh no no no questions. The only thing that I would ask is that I did get uh I

[50:36] was reached out to by a neighbor for the Hearthstone um

[50:41] uh drain uh storm water issue. And I just wanted to

[50:45] keep a reminder of I understand that we are being strategic and careful about

[50:50] what projects we're doing, but um at the very least, if we're going to close that

[50:54] out, if we could just like clean that area up

[50:57] and just you know, keep make sure it's safe cuz we kind of started it. And I'm

[51:02] not saying that we need to I don't know what the full plan was, but

[51:06] at the end if we could just get it closed up

[51:09] at the very least, I I'd appreciate that.

[51:11] Thank you. >> Uh my comment is uh on page 33

[51:17] staff also responded to after-hour emergencies including a down tree on

[51:22] Ridge Avenue and trash debris control efforts on Main Street and at Lena Mason

[51:28] Park during Memorial Day weekend. I just want everybody to understand that

[51:34] they are on uh

[51:37] 24-hour clock and they do anything that the city

[51:41] needs. Thank you. >> Post four.

[51:45] » Uh just a few things. I want to emphasize the importance of the citizens

[51:48] using SeeClickFix. I know that it is a great way for our citizens to report

[51:54] things when they see them, whether their lights not working or whatever.

[51:59] But you get immediate you get an email back from them and then you actually

[52:04] have that communication that has been resolved. So it's not left hanging out

[52:08] there. That's one thing. On the historic preservation one, they're going around

[52:12] taking pictures. Do they have identification on them so that

[52:16] people know who they are? >> They they will. They will.

[52:21] » Okay. And then I had one

[52:26] one more thing I wanted to ask on communications with Briana. Can we make

[52:30] sure that we're putting new information on the bulletin board out here on the

[52:34] pathway of things that's happening in the city because there's nothing been

[52:37] posted since I think probably January or February. So

[52:40] it'd be great to get information up there on that. But thank you.

[52:48] » Post five.

[52:51] » For the next report, can we get an advance update?

[52:57] » Sure. I'll connect with you after the meeting so we discuss the formats and

[53:01] the type of report that you're seeking, sir. Absolutely, yes.

[53:08] » Yeah, thank you. >> Post six.

[53:11] » I don't have any questions, but I would like to say that I met the two young

[53:15] ladies this morning and yes, they do have ID because I asked how far away

[53:21] they live in my neighborhood and they did explain to me that they

[53:25] were working for the city and

[53:28] just taking pictures of all the historical homes

[53:31] here. So yes, they did have ID. >> Thank you.

[53:35] » Okay. One last Did you

[53:38] Not sure if you mentioned it or not. Did you mention the JBR enforce that Cinco?

[53:44] » We do.

[54:19] Thank you.

[54:22] All right. Um

[54:25] we'll now move forward with the uh We did operations report. We'll move to

[54:29] the next item on the city manager's report, which is the April 2020

[54:33] 26 financial presentation. >> Good evening, Mayor and Council.

[54:39] I will be presenting the financial analysis for general fund ending April

[54:43] 30th, 2026. I would like to correct the 2026

[54:48] expended column. Um the budget expended on the budget

[54:53] expenditure analysis from 25,551,122.83

[54:59] to 2,551,122.83.

[55:04] And there should be an updated copy in your packet.

[55:09] Okay, and we'll begin. As of April 30th, 2026, the city has

[55:14] completed approximately 4 months of the fiscal year or 33.33%

[55:19] of the budget period. Overall revenues totaled approximately

[55:23] $865,345,

[55:27] representing 12.84% of the annual budget. Revenue

[55:32] collections are consistent with expectations for this point in the

[55:36] fiscal year As property tax revenues have not yet been received and several

[55:42] revenue sources are seasonal in nature. Total expenditures through April were

[55:48] approximately 2.55 million or 33.4% of

[55:55] Excuse me, the annual budget. Overall expenditures are consistent with the

[55:59] straight line benchmark for this point in the fiscal year. However, variances

[56:05] are attributable to timing differences, annual expenditures paid early in the

[56:09] fiscal year, etc. By department, on the expenditure side,

[56:15] we can see administration expenditures are at 27.66

[56:19] overall of their budget and and below the straight line benchmark.

[56:24] Buildings expenditures are at 36.32% of the budget, slightly above the

[56:30] straight line benchmark, due primarily to purchased and contractual services.

[56:36] General government expenditures are at 40.39% of the budget. This is above the

[56:41] straight line benchmark. Variances are being monitored and include

[56:45] timing-related expenditures and allocation adjustments. Court

[56:50] expenditures are at 27.58% of the budget and remain below that

[56:55] straight line benchmark. Public safety expenditures are at 35.52%

[57:01] of budget, slightly exceeding that straight line benchmark.

[57:05] Finance is reviewing expenditure classifications and payroll allocations

[57:10] to ensure costs are reflected in the most appropriate budget categories and

[57:15] that departmental expenditures are accurately reported. Public Works

[57:20] expenditures are at 28.744% of their budget and remain below the

[57:26] straight line benchmark. And Parks expenditures are 18.53%

[57:31] of the budget and remain well below the straight-line benchmark.

[57:35] Staff will continue to monitor departmental expenditures, reviewing

[57:40] expenditure classifications for consistency with the uniform chart of

[57:44] accounts, and identifying any budget amendments that may be necessary as part

[57:49] of the mid-year budget review process. During the review process, Finance did

[57:55] identify opportunities to improve expenditure classifications within

[57:58] certain departments. We are working with those departments to ensure expenditures

[58:03] are coded to the most appropriate accounts, which improves budget

[58:07] transparency, financial reporting, and future budget development.

[58:12] These adjustments do not impact total expenditures, but improve the accuracy

[58:17] of reporting. Also, I would like to bring to the mayor

[58:20] and council's attention that a resolution will be presented tonight for

[58:23] public safety, seeking approval of a confiscated asset fund and account. At

[58:29] the first meeting in July, Finance and the city will be bringing a resolution

[58:33] for the Georgia Fund 1 for three accounts. It will be the Small

[58:37] City IGA, SPLOST 2, and General Fund. And a resolution also authorizing the

[58:43] opening of a separate bank account for the Small City IGA for consideration of

[58:47] approval. I'll be happy to try to answer any

[58:50] questions you might.

[58:53] » We'll open it up for questions starting with Post 1.

[58:56] » I know that we do definitely have a lot of comments

[58:59] with the budget. What it look like when we going to get the budget and just

[59:02] listen to uh what you're stating, you know, a lot

[59:06] of times because of money that are in, they're contracted in, so it's not

[59:10] feasible, but at this point in time, do you feel that we as you mentioned, we're

[59:13] right where we need to be? Uh okay. And then secondly, is there a

[59:17] way that we can make sure that we have reports as the audience or residents are

[59:22] stating, so they'll know where we're at. I mentioned before, I think when we're

[59:26] dealing with different items in their comment, I think visually people will

[59:30] understand it better. I think so if we I know that that's the heart and people

[59:34] have to understand we've gone through a lot of transition and a lot of different

[59:37] accounting people handling and so trying to get back on track. As it was stated,

[59:41] some of our auditing is off or not auditing but as far as tracking finances

[59:46] it's not accurate and it's not up to date. So hopefully we can do that. And I

[59:50] would definitely like to suggest that we do a class, have a class with you sports

[59:54] citizens that we better understand what does government financing look like.

[59:59] It's not your personal finance, it's not your corporate finance, it is a

[1:00:03] different monster all together when you look at compliances, regulations,

[1:00:08] timing, um ordinances, it all plays into that. So I think that if we can get

[1:00:13] scheduled, I'd love to get that on a book, I'll spearhead it

[1:00:17] and get that so you can come in and really help us clearly understand. So

[1:00:20] when we have these questions, we all better understand all of us in our

[1:00:24] financial rules, we don't really understand it but I think you do a good

[1:00:27] job of clearing it up, making it to the point we can understand. So I

[1:00:31] will definitely push for that and get that on the book and schedule that for

[1:00:35] us all have an opportunity to learn more.

[1:00:37] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:00:38] » And finance will be bringing this to mayor and council monthly.

[1:00:43] » Oh perfect. Good. Great, great, great. Thank you so much.

[1:00:46] » What's good? >> Uh just since citizen mentioned public

[1:00:50] comments, is there can we do get a really quick

[1:00:54] brief update on where we're at with the audit and like what what stage we're in?

[1:01:00] » Sure. So finance has put together an RFP for auditors. It is on the Georgia

[1:01:06] procurement site and once we get the bids back and are able to come to

[1:01:13] council with a recommendation, we will do so. In the meantime, we have asked

[1:01:17] Department of Accounts and Audits if we are eligible for an extension in which

[1:01:22] we are um

[1:01:24] » Yeah, I just wanted to say the reason why we're behind schedule on

[1:01:28] the audit process is we had auditors and then we realized that they had a

[1:01:31] conflict of interest with one of the litigation cases that's currently going

[1:01:35] on. They were serving as auditors to someone who was suing the city. So, we

[1:01:39] had to ask for them to step down and so we had to start the process over. So, I

[1:01:43] just wanted to make it clear for the record why we are behind schedule.

[1:01:47] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:01:48] » Thank you. >> Thank you and I appreciate

[1:01:50] » that because finance has been working very hard to put that stuff together.

[1:01:53] So, we are not behind on getting the 2025 stuff together for them.

[1:01:57] » Yeah, I I I know I just asked you that before

[1:01:59] the meeting and that when that question came up I felt it be important to let

[1:02:03] everybody know so I appreciate that. Thank you.

[1:02:06] » The only comment I would have is if you could make a uh

[1:02:10] um one slide that shows the different funds that we have that several of the

[1:02:18] citizens wanted to know. For example, the small

[1:02:22] the small cities funds that and you know all the funds that we have.

[1:02:27] That we could say, "Hey, this is how much is spent This is how much we had.

[1:02:31] This is how much is spent and this is the dates."

[1:02:34] I think that would help a lot of people that

[1:02:39] » Okay. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. >> What's four?

[1:02:42] » Probably the the additional part of that they mentioned SPLOST also. So, making

[1:02:46] sure maybe that we put SPLOST in there. It'll help the transparency. I need to

[1:02:51] say uh publicly that you're doing a great job. I know you've had to pick up

[1:02:55] the ball from from you know, the instability in the past

[1:03:00] and the changeover of health and so just stay steadfast. So, thank you for your

[1:03:04] work, Michelle. >> Well, thank you. I have a great team.

[1:03:09] » What's five?

[1:03:12] » So far we've identified public events

[1:03:17] and cut back where as possible. expenses versus

[1:03:22] » What other measures are we taking to look at expenses? What department heads

[1:03:26] cut expenses?

[1:03:30] » I don't Yeah.

[1:03:32] » There will be more information on that. >> Is this is this in regards to the

[1:03:35] military cuz if this is in regards to the budget.

[1:03:44] » I mean we were just talking. >> Yeah. Is there a question in regards to

[1:03:48] this current budget or is this more geared towards the military discussion?

[1:03:55] » Both sports and fun.

[1:04:02] » Okay. Yes, sir. To keep us on track, this is more for a

[1:04:07] budget review of the kind of year-to-date from I guess January to

[1:04:11] April, correct? >> Correct.

[1:04:12] » Yeah. So, any questions regarding the report?

[1:04:31] Um The one thing I just want to get clarity

[1:04:34] for. So, the benchmarks represent kind of

[1:04:39] a matter of speaking if we're on track or not budget. And this is more of a

[1:04:42] transparency thing or we're not on track in our budget. And it would help our

[1:04:46] council to be able to understand like, "Hey guys, we need to slow down, pull

[1:04:50] back." Or, you know, where we're where not spending enough money. Let me not

[1:04:54] say not spending enough money not in the military. But

[1:04:57] but but but it gives us an idea of kind of where we are in the middle of the

[1:05:01] race. Correct? So, these are really good things for us to be able to look at to

[1:05:05] gauge, you know, for instance, if we're halfway through the year and we're 20%

[1:05:09] up in a in a one line item, then we have to start of looking at that. And is

[1:05:13] finance looking at that? Or hey, what's happening when you see those benchmarks

[1:05:17] over that percentage? >> So, we are looking at the 33.33%

[1:05:22] which signifies the four months that is in this report. So, if we were looking

[1:05:27] at a straight projection, which there are some things that we can look at a

[1:05:30] straight projection, but there's also other expenses as well as other revenues

[1:05:33] that hit seasonally and at different times of the year. So, while we do take

[1:05:38] that into account when we look at general fund in its totality, it is well

[1:05:42] with it. It's within that 33.33%. I think it's at 33.4%.

[1:05:47] Um so, just a little bit above, just a hair above, but we are monitoring at the

[1:05:51] departmental level and having those conversations with department heads.

[1:05:55] » And then the the next question I have as far as reporting, like what what has

[1:05:59] been the best practice that other cities are using to keep the public engaged on

[1:06:03] budget? Are they posting it to their website? Or like what

[1:06:07] what does that look like so we can make sure, you know, as we try to move

[1:06:10] forward in keeping our transparency, we're kind of at the best practice for

[1:06:16] » Um I think it would be a good idea to put this financial analysis, which will

[1:06:19] be a monthly, on our website. And I believe that there is space for to do

[1:06:24] so. >> Right. Okay. Got it.

[1:06:28] Okay. I think that's all. Thank you.

[1:06:30] » Thank you.

[1:06:34] » All right. That was the April 2020 20 April 2026 financials presentation.

[1:06:41] We'll now move forward to council policy discussion topics, which there are none.

[1:06:46] Uh unfinished business, there is no unfinished business. We'll now um

[1:06:50] at new business, and that is the emergency repair HVAC project GEFA

[1:06:57] funding for the train depot.

[1:07:02] » Good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh this matter began uh as you know

[1:07:08] better than anyone city has undertaken significant steps towards

[1:07:13] utilizing the depot for and so

[1:07:16] museum many other actions and we have a

[1:07:20] significant event beginning this Friday. It's very important this city. It just

[1:07:24] so happens that last Thursday as we were taking

[1:07:28] preparation steps towards continuing to get the depot ready.

[1:07:32] I'm going in and I instantly noticed thermostat up in the mid-80s.

[1:07:37] HVAC systems completely out. I checked the HVAC closet.

[1:07:41] Water in it. So, we know we've got a significant

[1:07:44] problem. I don't want mold or any other issues to develop. I instantly

[1:07:49] called um the contractor that we use for this

[1:07:53] building utilizing the same grant funds that you

[1:07:56] have titled on your paper now. The contractor

[1:08:00] was able when I explained the significance to them and the necessity

[1:08:04] that that we have, the contractor was able to get out there the next morning

[1:08:08] uh to evaluate our system.

[1:08:12] In this case, I was aware that we have available grant funds that we haven't

[1:08:16] utilized yet. We have about 26,000 that we were waiting for which facility

[1:08:21] we may need to apply them before going to.

[1:08:24] Um so, that was in the back of my mind but I don't have a diagnosis at this

[1:08:28] point. I'm still waiting on this contractor. He presents my first request

[1:08:33] is what is it going to take to repair this facility, get it ready for

[1:08:37] this coming week because I know just as we expected, the first deliveries for

[1:08:42] items for the historic depot began today.

[1:08:45] And the first thing they noticed was it is hot in here. Yes, it is.

[1:08:49] But we're working on it. So,

[1:08:52] the quote that came in for repairs alone was $5,100.

[1:08:56] Uh and at that point, he also told me that there's no way those repairs are

[1:09:00] going to happen because I have to get it parts for a 2008 unit.

[1:09:06] Uh that's this is significant age and I will not get your repairs done by the

[1:09:10] date anticipated. Uh he he proposed also that you go with

[1:09:15] a new unit. Like you don't need to take use

[1:09:20] $5,100 and put it in a repair that he can't

[1:09:23] guarantee is even going to get you another year.

[1:09:26] And and I also was aware these grant funds, because these grant funds that we

[1:09:30] titled in their report are 100% reimbursable.

[1:09:34] And we all know grant money comes from taxpayers and we're taxpayers.

[1:09:38] So, the first thing we wanted to look at was, will these apply if we were to

[1:09:42] acquire a new unit and then we don't invest in $5,100

[1:09:47] in a repair that is zero reimbursable. $5,100 would come all of our money.

[1:09:54] So, uh as late as

[1:09:57] today was on the phone with GEFA, following up with everything the

[1:10:00] contractor got me in documentation and was able to verify that due to the

[1:10:05] circumstances and due to the fact that we did use the same contractor before

[1:10:09] that was it was quoted, they will support us and can submit this project

[1:10:15] for grant funds that would be reha- 100% reimbursable.

[1:10:19] Uh they understand our situation and they concur.

[1:10:22] Um and this way we do not have $5,100 out

[1:10:26] of our own general budget and get nothing in return for it, basically.

[1:10:30] We were able to get a 5-ton for 5-ton unit.

[1:10:35] Uh the cost on this quote is $17,000. 112 dollars.

[1:10:41] It would be with Legacy Mechanical. And again, it would be uh utilizing

[1:10:46] funding through the GEFA, the state GEFA organization of the Energy Efficiency

[1:10:50] and Conservation Block Grant. Uh

[1:10:54] And this will if if this is approved by

[1:10:57] council, uh we would initially pay for this out of capital outlay buildings

[1:11:03] and then reimburse the same funding. And that would in fact be our

[1:11:08] recommendation. Staff's recommendation comes to

[1:11:12] recommend the approval of the purchase of this HVAC system

[1:11:16] from Legacy Mechanical based upon the emergent

[1:11:19] totality of circumstances in the amount of $17,112.

[1:11:24] And then the submission of the full expenditure to GEDA for grant fund

[1:11:28] utilization through this block grant program.

[1:11:32] Uh this It's unfortunate, but they can commit to

[1:11:37] us that they will get this installed Thursday all day long. And by Friday

[1:11:41] we'll be able to open this facility. It'll be cool in there again. And we'll

[1:11:45] have no concern over people falling out in the heat

[1:11:48] in our brand new open facility. We do not want any

[1:11:52] any issues to happen. That's the recommendation.

[1:11:59] » We'll open it up for questions starting on post point.

[1:12:03] » Do we have any idea in terms of time wise for reimbursement? Do we have just

[1:12:07] kind of cuz I know that'll be the question that will be asked.

[1:12:10] » As soon as we gather what they require. They have verified it based upon review

[1:12:14] of our policy and again the the fact that this other person has already

[1:12:19] installed another unit. We just have to get them the required documentation and

[1:12:23] they they can get that process That's it would be this budget year.

[1:12:26] It has to be in by the deadline of September 30th of this year. All grant

[1:12:31] funds for this program have to be submitted by September 30th. We'll be

[1:12:35] well before that. >> Okay. Great. That's the good

[1:12:38] and we'll get it back. That's the most important

[1:12:40] » The good news is not related to this boat. Sorry to

[1:12:44] interrupt. They've opened up more funds and we're

[1:12:47] going to apply for 20,000 more. And we're we're able to get

[1:12:51] » And that's being smart. >> Already part of my budget.

[1:12:56] » And and that's good news because I mean, when we can look at things like that to

[1:13:00] help offset costs. >> Right.

[1:13:02] » And and people, be mindful when we have a grant writer. It was posed before,

[1:13:07] prior to this council. What can a grant writer do? You have to be mindful that

[1:13:11] what if we were asked, if that grant writer, if a budget is limited, that

[1:13:16] grant writer can only look for a certain amount of grants.

[1:13:19] » That's what they >> That's scope of work. Because when you

[1:13:21] go for grant, it's research, it's time. And so, if you want to go for the big

[1:13:25] one, your budget has to be big in order to allow you to invest in the time and

[1:13:30] resource to go for million-dollar grants and five-million-dollar grants. It's

[1:13:34] cost money in order to get those grants as well. So, I want to make sure people

[1:13:38] know that because that was posed before, that was put before us.

[1:13:44] » Uh the don't you kind of answered it a little bit,

[1:13:47] but I but I was I was going to say this this is the area. You kind of sound like

[1:13:51] you were looking at different areas that would would need these funds, and you're

[1:13:54] saying that this is one that has the most immediate need, right?

[1:13:58] » Well, considering the fact, you know, we were considering GMC. If we're going to

[1:14:01] rejuvenate GMC, who's staffed there? Is that as long as that's being

[1:14:05] considered, we're looking at holding these funds for fixing two AC units that

[1:14:09] are down there? But those units, the two of them, cost

[1:14:12] more than we had left in the budget. So, we're still going to have to say,

[1:14:16] "Okay, now what do we do?" >> That's what you're applying for probably

[1:14:19] for the future, hopefully. >> This starts the next week.

[1:14:21] » All right. Yeah. >> Within the week, we've got This is

[1:14:23] emergency to us. We need to move on it. Okay.

[1:14:26] We'll make that another decision down the road, and we'll get the 20,000 more.

[1:14:30] » Cool. Awesome. Thank you. >> Mr. Elton, will this HVAC system service

[1:14:36] both sides or just one side? >> Just that one side, just like the

[1:14:40] current system. >> So, when we want to

[1:14:43] open the other side for anything, you'll have to have the same size piece of

[1:14:47] equipment, most likely. >> Yes.

[1:14:49] » Okay. Any comment?

[1:14:51] » We hope they do not have a draft system like this because this one this

[1:14:54] particular one will not be here. >> Okay.

[1:14:57] And you mentioned to our finance director that

[1:15:02] they can pay for it now and then the money will

[1:15:05] come back. >> Correct.

[1:15:06] » I mean there's no we got in trouble one time about moving

[1:15:10] money around. I just want to make sure that

[1:15:13] we are all in agreement that that Okay.

[1:15:17] » Yes, I've conferred with the city manager as well as finance director and

[1:15:20] GFO. I wanted to make sure we took no step forward without making sure that

[1:15:25] the state wasn't going to throw a red flag and put us in for that.

[1:15:29] All of that could get time back. >> Thank you.

[1:15:34] » I I don't have any questions, but it sure

[1:15:36] is nice to work smarter and not harder. >> There's no doubt and that's the

[1:15:41] particular question. Part of it is working smarter.

[1:15:44] There are dates on all of this part of this old system that were in the

[1:15:46] mid-90s. From when they would service the old

[1:15:49] portions of it. The newer unit is old.

[1:15:53] So that there are service dates on part of the system back in the mid-90s.

[1:15:57] » Oh, wow. >> Yeah. And we're definitely going to be

[1:15:59] able to show energy efficiency improvement.

[1:16:02] » Great. Great. It's great move. Thank you. Thank you. That's all I have.

[1:16:06] » Vote five.

[1:16:09] » Did you break down the 17,000?

[1:16:14] » Yes, sir. There is a a quote that they provided

[1:16:17] where of course they will remove and dispose of the existing system and all

[1:16:21] the the freon whatever freon's left in the unit.

[1:16:25] And then they provide and install a new Trane system.

[1:16:29] Not not Trane as in Trane but Trane brand system. And it is a split system

[1:16:35] as we currently have and it's a good quality one. I knew there is we want to

[1:16:39] make sure we put something good quality in the depot. We anticipate that the

[1:16:43] post going to be there for many more years just as it has been already.

[1:16:47] It's going to require a new thermostat because of new system and the

[1:16:50] technology. Uh any and all duct work that needs

[1:16:53] adjusting, some of the dates that we found on some of that service

[1:16:58] from the mid-90s relates to some duct work. So, some of the you know, system

[1:17:01] on the return side, a small amount will need replacing but very little.

[1:17:06] But anything else they find while they do their inspection just in case there's

[1:17:09] any where else in that system where water is

[1:17:12] left in where they need to look at it but they'll look at all that.

[1:17:16] And then all the other items reused electrical and modified as

[1:17:21] necessary, condenser drain lines, natural natural gas lines if necessary.

[1:17:26] Uh any and all other materials started test up, 1-year warranty, 5-year

[1:17:31] compressor warranty. Full clean up and get it done within one

[1:17:35] day.

[1:17:38] » I think

[1:17:41] Poll six. >> Yes.

[1:17:44] » Thank you. All right.

[1:17:46] Thank you, Mr. Hilton. >> So, I would move to approve

[1:17:51] the GEFA A funding for the HVAC system for the

[1:17:57] historic Stone Mountain Depot at a cost of $17,112.

[1:18:04] » A second. >> All right, there's a motion and second.

[1:18:07] Um any further discussion? We'll call for the votes starting with

[1:18:11] poll one. >> Denise Booth poll one, yes.

[1:18:13] » Mark Mariano poll two, yes. >> Ryan Smith poll three, yes.

[1:18:17] » Connie yes, poll four, yes.

[1:18:22] » Nancy poll six, yes.

[1:18:24] » Okay, that's a unanimous vote for the emergency repair of the HVAC system at

[1:18:28] the train depot, the GEFA funding will be allotted for this

[1:18:34] project. Thank you. All right, we'll move forward to new

[1:18:38] ordinances and resolutions. We have ordinance 2026-11

[1:18:42] for 5406 East Mountain Street sign variance.

[1:18:47] » Good evening, Mayor and Council. This is the second of this variance ordinance. I

[1:18:52] would like to go over the staff report. Specifically, the standards for

[1:18:58] approving a variance. First, there are extraordinary and

[1:19:02] exceptional conditions pertaining to the particular property in question because

[1:19:06] of its size, shape, and topography. That does not apply here.

[1:19:11] The application of the zoning ordinance to the particular piece of property

[1:19:14] would create unnecessary hardship. The signage has already been erected. It was

[1:19:19] done without permission. They are asking for forgiveness.

[1:19:24] Such conditions are not the result of any action of the property owner. Again,

[1:19:28] the property owner installed the signs without permission.

[1:19:32] The relief if granted would not cause substantial detriment to the public

[1:19:36] good, nor impair the purposes or intent of the zoning ordinance.

[1:19:40] So, the code permits two signs. They want four.

[1:19:45] Staff recommendation was to approve the variance.

[1:19:49] The Planning Commission They have not approved the minutes, but

[1:19:53] it's my understanding that the Planning Commission approved three of the signs.

[1:19:57] Happy to take any questions that you may have.

[1:20:00] » All right, we'll open up for questions. I'm going to pose one.

[1:20:08] » I know So, the three signs that the Planning Commission approved, currently

[1:20:11] they are They wanted to add another one what they would erect.

[1:20:15] » Yes. >> That's it.

[1:20:16] » Yes. So, if you look at this at this picture, the Planning Commission

[1:20:20] approved sign one, which is on the front side of the building. That's a wall sign

[1:20:24] on the building itself. The Planning Commission approved sign

[1:20:27] three, which is a ground sign, as well as sign four, which is a which is a

[1:20:31] ground sign. the wall sign, which is sign number two, facing Fourth Street,

[1:20:35] which is the one that was denied by the bank.

[1:20:38] Okay, that's all I wanted to know. Thank you.

[1:20:43] » I I don't have any questions. Thank you. >> I just wanted to know if there's four

[1:20:48] signs now, um

[1:20:50] is the applicant required to choose which ones they want to leave before we

[1:20:54] vote? >> So, the the motion would need to specify

[1:20:59] which signs the council is approving, if any.

[1:21:03] They're entitled to two. Um and and

[1:21:07] they've got four. I think they've actually taken one down, so I actually

[1:21:10] think they only have three. Um but they're only entitled to two. If

[1:21:15] if this variance is denied, then they will have to pick which two, but those

[1:21:19] signs are still going to have to be permitted.

[1:21:21] Um so.

[1:21:24] » Thank you. >> Okay.

[1:21:26] » Close four. >> And close four.

[1:21:30] » Yeah, I know that I know that they've got three signs up right now.

[1:21:33] Um so we're just going to have to decide

[1:21:36] whether or not we're going to vote for allowing the third one and

[1:21:40] fourth one or not. >> Correct. Yes, because under those under

[1:21:43] those conditions that our zoning ordinance lays out for variances.

[1:21:50] » Close five.

[1:21:53] » The front wall sign

[1:21:56] is currently 16 inches high and 16 inches deep long,

[1:22:01] which is a great deal bigger than what we allow.

[1:22:06] » Yes, I agree. >> Make sure we put that.

[1:22:08] Means the recommendations for the variance are

[1:22:12] 10 inches high and 96 inches. >> Yes, sir. If if any signage is approved

[1:22:18] by council, unless you specifically allow a larger sign, uh it would have to

[1:22:23] be a sign that would otherwise be permitted under our sign ordinance.

[1:22:29] Okay.

[1:22:37] » I think we have this now. There's three signs up.

[1:22:40] » Currently, yes, ma'am. >> They had four. They wanted four signs.

[1:22:43] They wanted it on They wanted on the building itself

[1:22:48] facing Bull Street. That was denied.

[1:22:52] » Correct. >> So,

[1:22:55] » they're only entitled to two under our sign ordinance. What they're asking for

[1:22:59] is four. On the ground currently, what's actually

[1:23:02] currently existing is three. >> Okay.

[1:23:04] » There's two signs. They're still not in compliance.

[1:23:07] » They have three. The city only allowed two.

[1:23:10] » Correct. >> And now they want four. They want an

[1:23:13] additional sign. >> Yes, sir.

[1:23:14] » Okay.

[1:23:17] » Yes.

[1:23:19] » Um a few comments on this.

[1:23:22] Um Just council just as as you all consider

[1:23:27] what decision you're making, consider, you know, the precedent that we will set

[1:23:32] as we make these decisions, and consider we ask code enforcement to do their job

[1:23:37] and the precedent we set for our code enforcement as we look at following our

[1:23:42] ordinances. Um >> So, I will, Mayor, if I may comment on

[1:23:45] that. They were cited, and we handled their code case at the May code

[1:23:51] calendar, and they have paid their fine. >> Correct. Correct. But, where I'm going

[1:23:55] is is if our code enforcement brings this up, and

[1:23:59] we just start allowing variances for anything, it kind of undermines the

[1:24:05] system, even though people pay their fines. People then just

[1:24:09] can't continue to just violate and then ask us for a variance, and, you know,

[1:24:14] you know, you council can risk setting a a bad

[1:24:18] precedent. Um So, um that's that's my only comment. Um

[1:24:24] I I think, you know, two signs are fine in my opinion, but that's just my

[1:24:28] opinion. All right.

[1:24:32] So, if we have questions, is there a motion?

[1:24:39] Well, oh, okay. We need another round of discussion, so we'll have another round

[1:24:43] of discussion starting with post one. >> Okay.

[1:24:46] If the decision as a council decides to just stick with the two eliminate

[1:24:52] sticking in an agreement with the thing I stated,

[1:24:55] would they then have to decide which two that they want to keep?

[1:25:00] » Correct. And and if the because none of them are It's my understanding that none

[1:25:04] of them have been permitted yet, so they can choose to apply for the two that

[1:25:08] they're going to Make sense. Thank you.

[1:25:12] » Post two. >> I think variances in some conditions are

[1:25:16] valid, especially considering the fact that some of our ordinances are outdated

[1:25:20] um or, you know, maybe they need to be reformed in some

[1:25:24] way or another, but I think in this case um

[1:25:28] I don't see the utility of a third or a fourth sign. There's two faces to this

[1:25:32] building that is viewed by the street. Uh

[1:25:36] it's I I um I I was thinking about it or, you know,

[1:25:41] since the last time we did the reading and I don't I just I I can't think of

[1:25:46] where the code would be wrong in not allowing this or um

[1:25:51] or anything like that. So, uh me personally, I'm I'm not in favor of

[1:25:54] approving this uh

[1:25:57] in these third and fourth signs. Thank you.

[1:26:01] » Post three. >> I have no further comments at this time.

[1:26:04] Thank you. >> Post four.

[1:26:06] » The only thing I want to add to addition to about the third sign, it's in the

[1:26:10] parking lot. And so, sometimes I think when you have a land lot that's not on

[1:26:15] the side of the building, but the back of your building it identifies,

[1:26:19] especially when parking is such a a sensitive issue in the city even with

[1:26:23] the businesses. That that would be one thing I think we might want to consider

[1:26:28] on the third sign because it really identifies their parking lot. Uh cuz if

[1:26:32] not, it's street parking and there's no street parking on Fourth Street really

[1:26:35] that's safe. Um but I agree that I wouldn't uh I would have I would be

[1:26:40] against the third sign. But I think I just wanted to add it about the third

[1:26:44] sign cuz it really is

[1:26:48] » Plus five. >> Plus five.

[1:27:01] » So they The No, there's two in front, one up on

[1:27:06] the building and one that's posted in the off. The one that was posted in the

[1:27:12] yard, I believe they did it first

[1:27:16] without getting a permit. >> They got all of them without a permit.

[1:27:21] » They got it. >> Oh.

[1:27:24] Okay. So they need to make a decision if they

[1:27:30] want which two signs they want to keep or this council's got to make a decision

[1:27:35] to let them have their three signs up front.

[1:27:39] » Yes, got you. And I would ask that if you are going to allow any kind of a

[1:27:43] variance that the motion be any sign that is allowed be permitted and um

[1:27:49] unless you want to do a specific size sign that it otherwise meets the sign

[1:27:54] ordinances size requirements.

[1:28:00] » There's a motion on the floor. So I would move to deny ordinance

[1:28:07] 2026-11 for 5406

[1:28:10] East Mount Street sign variance. >> I second.

[1:28:15] » We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

[1:28:19] We'll call for the vote. >> Okay.

[1:28:21] Um in terms of the the I think it's a valid

[1:28:25] question about parking indications. Is is that a Can that be something

[1:28:28] different than than like a sign that says the the funeral home or You know

[1:28:32] what I mean? There's usually smaller signs that that that are that

[1:28:37] say, you know, private. Right. I'm I'm just want to make sure

[1:28:41] that that can still be done. Make it still indicate that they have parking

[1:28:45] without having to create a very large sign. This is all.

[1:28:49] » Sure. Now, I think that would count as one of their signs, though.

[1:28:52] » Oh, would it? >> I I believe so. I don't know if the sign

[1:28:55] ordinance is inside or out, but I I do believe that would count as one of their

[1:28:58] signs. If there's a no parking or parking only for our business, that

[1:29:02] counts as one of the signs. >> Okay.

[1:29:05] All right. That's all. Thank you.

[1:29:07] » Okay. We had a motion and a second. Uh we had

[1:29:11] a little discussion. We're now calling for the vote, starting with post one.

[1:29:14] » This is post one, yes. >> Mark Reynolds, post two, yes.

[1:29:19] » Brian Smith, post three, yes.

[1:29:29] » Kay Núñez, post four, yes.

[1:29:34] » Elaine Vaughn, post six, yes. >> Okay, that's a unanimous uh vote to deny

[1:29:40] ordinance 2026-11 for 5406 East Mount Street sign

[1:29:45] variance. All right. We'll move forward in our agenda to ordinance 2026-12,

[1:29:51] purchasing.

[1:29:57] » This is the second read of ordinance 2026-12.

[1:30:02] This is our attempt to try and modernize our purchasing ordinance in order to be

[1:30:07] able to make our operations and city services run much more smoothly and

[1:30:13] efficiently. I am happy to take any questions if you

[1:30:17] have anything specifically about what was changed, what we presented to you as

[1:30:21] the clean copy, but I do have a redline version if you've got a specific

[1:30:25] question about what was changed or why something was changed.

[1:30:31] » We'll open up for questions starting with pulse one.

[1:30:33] » I don't have any questions. >> I don't have any questions, but I do

[1:30:38] think it's needed just just based on the fact that I know

[1:30:41] the previous city managers weren't even able to, you know, order a new toilet to

[1:30:45] to to fix broken toilets. I mean, I remember that specific example and

[1:30:50] that's this is part of the issue of of our um

[1:30:53] uh not lack of service, but our extended

[1:30:57] timelines on on services coming forward for things that are that are necessities

[1:31:01] and I think that it's it's it's important. Thank you.

[1:31:04] » Pulse three. >> So, my only questions, Attorney Couch,

[1:31:08] is you said that um I assume that the only thing that

[1:31:13] changed was the um amount that they could purchase.

[1:31:17] » No, sir. No, sir. I rewrote it because I was constantly getting questions from

[1:31:22] city management and department heads, can we do this? Can we do that? Is it

[1:31:25] okay if we do this? We have to go to mayor and council for this? Is this part

[1:31:28] of professional services? They So, in order to try and save the city

[1:31:31] money on legal expenses, I took the liberty of trying to make this much

[1:31:35] clearer so that I will have less questions. So, no, it's not just the

[1:31:39] amount, it's an overall. >> Okay.

[1:31:45] That everything? >> That's all. Pulse three. Pulse four.

[1:31:49] » Um no, I I I think that it aligned a lot with the original ordinances except it

[1:31:54] cleaned it up a lot from what I read when I looked at the current ordinance.

[1:31:58] It did give them a a bit more uh ability to make decisions without

[1:32:03] delaying the snail pace of usually how the

[1:32:07] government works is solving problems. So, no, I don't have any questions.

[1:32:12] » Okay. Post five?

[1:32:16] » No questions. >> Post six?

[1:32:20] » Okay. Um this is our second read of the

[1:32:23] ordinance 2026-12 purchasing. So, is there a motion?

[1:32:28] » I move to adopt ordinance 2026-12 purchasing.

[1:32:33] » I second. >> All right, there's a motion and a

[1:32:37] second. Any further discussion? All right, we'll call for the votes and

[1:32:40] I'll go through post one. >> Data backs, post one, yes.

[1:32:43] » Mark Ryan is post two, yes. >> Ryan post three, yes.

[1:32:47] » Yes, post >> Yes.

[1:32:51] » Post five?

[1:32:54] » United Department, post six, yes. >> That is a unanimous vote to approve

[1:33:00] ordinance 2026-12 purchasing.

[1:33:17] What is up here? Put your names.

[1:33:23] All right. Okay. All right, let's stay focused. All

[1:33:26] right, we're moving forward to ordinance 2026-13

[1:33:30] millage rate adoption.

[1:33:37] All right, is the staff ready?

[1:33:57] » Also, at the beginning of tonight's meeting,

[1:34:01] we went over the different scenarios about the military and the different

[1:34:06] projections um for the different military rates,

[1:34:10] what the collection will be at 100%, cuts

[1:34:15] that we need to consider within the budget for the different rates.

[1:34:19] The decision before you ultimately comes down to balancing the tax paying impact

[1:34:24] with the city's responsibility to maintain service levels and also meet

[1:34:28] operational demands. The rollback rate and lower millage

[1:34:32] scenarios create significant budget gaps that will require difficult financial

[1:34:37] decisions. As the millage rate increases, the

[1:34:40] city's ability to sustain public safety operations, employee retention efforts,

[1:34:45] infrastructure maintenance, technology investment, and community services

[1:34:49] improves substantially. Based on the preliminary digest and the

[1:34:54] projected expenditure expenditures,

[1:34:58] the proposed scenarios between 17.5 and 16.75

[1:35:03] mills appear to provide the strongest financial stability while minimizing the

[1:35:08] reliance on services or future budget reductions.

[1:35:11] As respectfully presented, this office for your consideration is staff ready to

[1:35:15] answer any questions that you may have tonight.

[1:35:19] We did another discussion within um our departments. We already had two budget

[1:35:26] project two military rates in three special called meetings

[1:35:30] before uh the public hearing for the military

[1:35:35] and then not only from mayor and council, but we had an opportunity to

[1:35:39] hear from the community and the public their feedback.

[1:35:43] So, city staff had another gathering for um us to consider exactly where

[1:35:49] the cuts or the reduction of the budget will be made

[1:35:53] and tonight I have the finance director she'll go over very briefly

[1:35:59] before we make your final consideration and final discussion

[1:36:03] on the millage rate. We would like to propose to cancel kind

[1:36:07] of new scenario for proposed reduction in the budget.

[1:36:10] Ms. Yuron

[1:36:16] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, staff's original recommendation was

[1:36:20] a millage rate of 17.5 mills. However, after listening to the mayor,

[1:36:25] council, and the citizens throughout the process, staff revisited the budget and

[1:36:30] identified additional opportunities to reduce expenditures while maintaining

[1:36:34] current service levels. I would like to thank the mayor and

[1:36:38] council for scheduling two additional millage rate meetings to allow for

[1:36:43] further review, discussion, and evaluation of available options and

[1:36:47] scenarios. Since the initial recommendation, the

[1:36:50] city manager proposed reducing four approved positions to three positions,

[1:36:56] which was approved by mayor and council at the previous meeting. This action

[1:37:00] resulted in a reduction of approximately $145,000

[1:37:04] in personal services and benefits along with approximately $27,653

[1:37:11] being identified as a reduction in court services. That will generate

[1:37:16] approximately $172,000 in budgetary savings.

[1:37:20] Based on these adjustments and a projected property tax collection of 93%

[1:37:25] staff has concluded a millage rate of 16.75

[1:37:30] mills is sustainable. At this rate, the estimated budget

[1:37:34] shortfall is approximately $227,632.

[1:37:39] Staff's analysis indicates that the city can maintain its current level of

[1:37:44] services at 16.75 mills with the budget reductions already

[1:37:49] implemented, and with the consensus direction provided by the majority of

[1:37:53] mayor and council to identify approximately $56,000

[1:37:58] in additional savings within special events. Thereby reducing the general

[1:38:03] fund contribution to the visitor center by that amount, bringing us to that

[1:38:08] total deficit by uh that that comes with the 16.75

[1:38:13] mills. It is also important to note that the proposed millage rate of 16.75

[1:38:19] mills represents an increase of less than 1 mill over the current rate of

[1:38:24] 15.827 mills. Specifically, the increase is

[1:38:29] approximately 5.83% while still providing the revenue

[1:38:33] necessary to support city operations and services.

[1:38:38] While any tax increase deserves careful consideration, staff has concluded that

[1:38:42] a millage rate of 16.75 mills strikes an appropriate between fiscal

[1:38:47] responsibility and maintaining the level of service our

[1:38:51] residents expect and deserve. Therefore, based on the revisions made

[1:38:55] to the budget and the direction received from the mayor and council, staff

[1:38:58] recommends a millage rate of 16.75 mills for consideration this evening.

[1:39:04] Again, this recommendation reflects staff's effort to balance the concerns

[1:39:08] expressed by mayor and council, the public's desire to minimize the tax

[1:39:12] impact, and the city's responsibility to maintain essential services.

[1:39:19] Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you, Mr. Robin.

[1:39:23] At this point, mayor and council, you do hear from me as the city manager, the

[1:39:26] director of operations, and also our finance director. What are the potential

[1:39:31] areas, line items that we can consider these cuts or reduction of the budget.

[1:39:37] So, I would like to hear from you discussion

[1:39:40] about the millage rate, and we're ready to answer any questions that you might

[1:39:43] have. >> Okay, we're opening up for questions

[1:39:46] starting with post post one. >> First of all, thank you for listening to

[1:39:51] the mayor, the council, and especially the residents. I'm a resident, so I We

[1:39:54] all get it. We all are residents here. Um and looking at that, and then we look

[1:39:59] at times that we're living, we understand

[1:40:01] crisis and all that, the wars and various things. And we also understand

[1:40:05] the increase of gas and food and so many different things. But also we all

[1:40:09] understand the importance of having a city that has a staff that is

[1:40:13] professional, that cares about the city, that's kept down the crime in the city.

[1:40:18] Um and it it it's been a tour because I don't think people take into

[1:40:22] consideration the There've been ridicule, there've been post things

[1:40:26] about us, they've just said some really horrible things. But as I sit back, I

[1:40:31] don't think I've ever run a city before. I don't know how to run a city. I know

[1:40:36] to speak for the residents and be a resident and because it's all about

[1:40:40] everybody. But I don't anybody here has run a city before. So there's some

[1:40:44] things that we know financially, there's some people that have expert in finance,

[1:40:48] some people know expert in corporate arenas and various things. To run a city

[1:40:53] with all the functions of a city is massive.

[1:40:56] And we've had a horrific situation in the city, legal issues and various

[1:41:01] things that have happened, and the city has been off track.

[1:41:05] And we're finally beginning to get on track, and it does not take overnight.

[1:41:10] We've got to correct the wrongs, to correct the injustices, to correct the

[1:41:13] things that were people in positions that did not know what they were doing.

[1:41:17] And at least we can say as a council, we are working together. We're not cutting

[1:41:21] each other down. We're not disrespecting each other. We do genuinely care.

[1:41:27] And I took up many nights worrying, praying, and praying, "How do I just

[1:41:30] make the right decision?" I am concerned about everybody in this

[1:41:35] city. I'm not in it for me. I'm in it for everybody that's in this city that

[1:41:39] affects them. And if we can make a decision that is somehow equal that does

[1:41:44] not allow us to lose amazing employees and also help our citizen and

[1:41:49] educate and find out what resources there are to help with taxes, classes,

[1:41:53] educate us. That's what I wanted. So, I'm excited to

[1:41:57] see that at least there were you did listen, you do care, and we do see that.

[1:42:03] And I hope that everybody knows that we're not in it just for a title.

[1:42:08] I'm concerned about everybody in here. Everybody in here.

[1:42:14] I'm not on social media posting and taking everybody down. I'm concerned

[1:42:19] about the decision of the city manager, our police chief, all the staff, our

[1:42:23] council, our mayor. This is heavy on us.

[1:42:28] And I don't play games. I am serious about what I do here

[1:42:33] and in the community. I hope what I say, not what I say, but

[1:42:37] what I do speaks more volumes than all the noise I've heard.

[1:42:42] That's all I have to say.

[1:42:45] » Councilor Um, you know, I I this is this is this

[1:42:49] is always this is always a hard decision every single year um because our millage

[1:42:53] rate is, you know, I think um overall it it it it it

[1:42:57] it is a burdensome on on on citizens and we are also even though we are council

[1:43:02] members and mayor, we are also citizens. We also feel the uh impact of this

[1:43:06] millage rate. Um that's not something I'm particularly

[1:43:09] happy about in general either, but I think the thing that we need to really

[1:43:12] and I've been saying this since I got in, since before I got in is

[1:43:18] we we we need to be very focused and aggressive on

[1:43:25] balancing our tax digest because if we don't increase our businesses, if we

[1:43:31] don't look into annexation, if we don't look into, you know,

[1:43:36] developing areas that that need to be developed and and and and fixed up and

[1:43:40] getting getting more businesses in here, this is going to be a problem This is

[1:43:44] always going to be a problem. We'll never get away from this problem. And

[1:43:48] the burden will always get heavier and heavier and heavier and heavier onto the

[1:43:51] citizens. Right now, we don't have much of a buffer at all. And and um

[1:43:58] uh I think

[1:44:00] I think that this that this rate that's now been proposed by the by the city

[1:44:06] feels like a reasonable compromise. Um but I but again, it's it doesn't mean

[1:44:12] it's not something I'm going to pat myself on the back on or that I think

[1:44:15] any of us should be happy about. It's a necessity. And I think if we are

[1:44:21] committed to fixing this this mill rate, we need to be committed to diversifying

[1:44:26] our tax revenue. And it needs to be a priority. We have I've been saying this

[1:44:31] since every single every single time we have this mill rate talk, I say this

[1:44:34] over and over again. We We have to do this as a team. We have

[1:44:38] to We have to invest in this town. Or else this will always be a problem.

[1:44:43] Thanks.

[1:44:46] » No, the the

[1:44:48] comment that I had is so I just I had toyed around with um

[1:44:55] why uh we went this year when 2025

[1:45:02] and we had to make a difference. We had to make a adjustment in our

[1:45:07] We had to take money out of our reserves to pay for last year's budget.

[1:45:13] My question is how painful that was to the city and if we have the ability to

[1:45:21] not hit the tax rate as high.

[1:45:27] Um and just pay more at the end of the year

[1:45:31] and continue. We I understand if this is that this keeps the problem going.

[1:45:39] But we're not uh saving any um

[1:45:44] we're not adding to our reserves by taking too much. That's my concern.

[1:45:51] » It's a considerable question, sir. >> Yeah, is there a Specifically, I started

[1:45:56] out with a question.

[1:45:59] » And the assistant manager, my feedback will be for how long, how

[1:46:04] many years you can rely on the reserves save a single time when you don't have

[1:46:08] the expected revenue you're supposed to rely on the reserves? Cuz the purpose

[1:46:11] for the reserves is number one to make sure you have enough funding to cover

[1:46:14] operations for 5 to 6 months in a moment of crisis

[1:46:18] or to carry out the entire year without a fiscal year is January to December and

[1:46:22] you can rely on the reserves, but also reserves are are available supposed to

[1:46:26] go to the Georgia fund line, for example, so we can get some interest or

[1:46:30] maybe uh purchase some property. So, if we're keeping the reserves only

[1:46:35] to balance right now the budget because we did not increase the millage rate, um

[1:46:39] how how do you how many more years you can rely on the reserves right now? But

[1:46:43] I do support council member Mariano's with the statement in the idea of me to

[1:46:47] focus on increasing residential businesses, more businesses, economic

[1:46:52] development within the area, um so we don't we can diversify the

[1:46:57] revenue so we don't rely on one single source, property taxes.

[1:47:02] Um to your question, sir, yes, this is an option to cover right now these uh

[1:47:08] the different um cuts and deficits within the different

[1:47:12] scenarios. Yes, we can use the reserves. But so far, sir, staff had identified

[1:47:18] already several line items and several options by reducing city staff and not

[1:47:24] hiring for several positions, by partially reducing the special events

[1:47:29] budget, we have identified a good amount of money that is bringing

[1:47:33] us closer to 16.75, which at the same time we can handle the operations, we

[1:47:38] can move the projects forward, we can keep the current city staff that we

[1:47:41] have. We're not anticipating hiring more people than the one that we have

[1:47:44] discussed at the previous meeting. Um and at the same time we don't need to

[1:47:48] use the reserves.

[1:47:52] » Thank you. >> Thank you, sir.

[1:47:54] » What's for? >> Uh this is a tough seat to be in after

[1:47:58] being here 5 months. I'm making final decision. I mean, um

[1:48:03] you know, it's hard. It's very hard because we are all taxpayers, we all are

[1:48:07] residents here. Um

[1:48:10] and I you know, I'm not I've been a resident for 27 years. I'm not willing

[1:48:15] and I don't want to kick the can down the road another year of not doing

[1:48:20] anything. I'm not interested in cutting services. I want to see the city grow. I

[1:48:25] want to expand our tax base. I want to grow businesses here because that's

[1:48:30] going to be what's going to make the difference for us long term. And doing

[1:48:33] nothing is going to cost us. I mean, look at the military for what

[1:48:38] they're dealing with. I mean, every city that I've read about has had to raise

[1:48:42] their military. Um so it it it's tough. Nobody likes

[1:48:46] paying any more uh taxes. I know that I was kind of

[1:48:50] playing with this today because I always think about the value of the dollar and

[1:48:53] I think about um just associating my an expense that I I

[1:48:59] go out and I have dinner at Cherokee Rose, just my husband and I. We don't

[1:49:02] drink alcohol. A meal and a tip, I spent $230.

[1:49:06] A month from now, I don't think about that meal. A week from now, I don't

[1:49:10] think about spending that money. I was looking at

[1:49:14] adding the tax value that I'm adding to my gas bill. And that extra $200

[1:49:19] I have our police department that I don't have

[1:49:23] the four fields of what's happening in Memorial Drive in my neighborhood.

[1:49:29] or in your neighborhood or in front of our schools. Um

[1:49:32] I also believe in investing in good uh staffing. Um because without the

[1:49:39] staffing, we can't move forward. We can't have people um constantly changing

[1:49:45] and us moving the city forward. So, this is really difficult. Um

[1:49:51] decision to begin for 5 months into to this job, but I also recognize that the

[1:49:55] cost of everything has gone higher and talent um recruiting good help and

[1:50:01] creating a good management team with the administration is very important, just

[1:50:05] like I think it affects every department uh in staffing. So, I really don't have

[1:50:11] questions. I just have to emphasize it's easy to um

[1:50:16] think about the big tax bill, but we're talking about what you're adding to your

[1:50:20] tax bill and the value added of having the things that we do have

[1:50:25] uh in this city. I mean, Tucker doesn't have their own police department. They

[1:50:28] call 911, they get to Cab to Cab shows up.

[1:50:32] You know, we call the police, we know our police. I mean, where can you go to

[1:50:36] get that? Um you know, I think I'm seeing a lot of change in the city. Uh

[1:50:41] improvement on the website, better communication. I don't want to stop them

[1:50:45] in what we've got going on. Uh cuz going backwards, we've seen what going

[1:50:49] backwards does. 27 years living in the desert here in the village of Stone

[1:50:53] Mountain and we are in fine real estate. We've got the opportunity to do

[1:50:57] something. We need to do it.

[1:51:01] Thank you. >> Post five.

[1:51:15] » third about $1.5 million dollars.

[1:51:19] Meaning we have overtaxed our citizens for the last three years.

[1:51:24] And I believe there's more

[1:51:29] expenses that can be cut. I believe there's more revenues that can

[1:51:33] be had through

[1:51:37] getting our tax digest under control, getting those who are

[1:51:44] using homestead exemptions that they don't qualify for,

[1:51:49] and other things. I I don't know if these look at revenues enough

[1:51:54] to raise

[1:51:57] taxes on our citizens. So, although I believe an increased

[1:52:02] millage is necessary, I believe that our

[1:52:07] reserves and our past taxes that have been paid by our citizens can absorb

[1:52:13] some of this. So, the 6.75

[1:52:18] is is high to me,

[1:52:22] and I believe more in the 16.25.

[1:52:30] That's I'll leave it at that.

[1:52:35] » Council member Bass? >> Yes, first I'd like to thank the staff

[1:52:39] for what you've done. Um and

[1:52:45] thank you for the statement you made, Council member Bass.

[1:52:50] I've been getting a lot of calls, a lot of bad feedback about this.

[1:52:55] I knew running this election, I ain't promised nobody lower no taxes. So, what

[1:53:01] was said the last time, I ain't promised nobody cuz I knew I couldn't do that.

[1:53:06] But,

[1:53:09] just to let you know, I'm citizen too. Yes, 17.5

[1:53:16] in my mind they become hard. It's hard.

[1:53:21] But, I know the military has to go up in order for us to maintain

[1:53:28] the staff that we do have. And and the the staff is leaving, they can go

[1:53:33] anywhere and make the type of money that they should. But, I thank the staff that

[1:53:39] is here helping it out with the city.

[1:53:44] I don't want to see anybody lose their job, especially our staff. I don't want

[1:53:50] to walk in city hall and stand for a hour waiting on somebody to come to the

[1:53:54] window just to wait on me. I don't want to have to call for 911 because

[1:53:59] somebody's breaking in my neighbor's house and nobody never shows up. That's

[1:54:04] what's going to happen if you start cutting the staff.

[1:54:08] So, I I I do thank you, Michelle, for going back over the numbers.

[1:54:14] Um in my mind, like I said, I knew the

[1:54:17] military had to go up, but in my heart, no, I didn't want 17.

[1:54:22] Got three homes over there in taxes now. Retired,

[1:54:26] and the city don't give me enough money to

[1:54:31] So, it's hard. And it's it's and it's hard

[1:54:35] on everybody, but I know every year my taxes are coming. Regardless of the

[1:54:41] amount, it's coming. So, I've learned to save a little a

[1:54:46] little a little. And now it's even harder cuz I got another house that I'm

[1:54:51] having to pay taxes on. But, uh overall, I I I do pray

[1:54:58] that God will guide me and lead me every time I sit in this chair to make the

[1:55:03] right decisions for our citizens.

[1:55:06] Cuz I too am for the entire city. I'm not a Sherman Town councilwoman. I'm a

[1:55:13] city of Stone Mountain councilwoman cuz Sherman Town didn't put me in office.

[1:55:18] I'm for the entire city. Whether they voted for me or not. Know

[1:55:23] all about decisions, I understand, are not going to be the decisions that you

[1:55:28] want to hear. They're not going to be the decision that you feel that is

[1:55:33] right for you, but we have to look at the entire

[1:55:44] tax base. Um

[1:55:47] for what you've done and the making some more adjustments. Yes, we do

[1:55:53] have papers. It was a public to the public, but

[1:55:58] council and mayor, we do have your papers

[1:56:01] where it was cut. A lot of the departments

[1:56:07] scaled back where they felt it was comfortable.

[1:56:12] So, I thank you. Um

[1:56:17] 16.75 is hard, too, but

[1:56:21] it's better than 17.5.

[1:56:29] » Um So, I just have a couple questions and a

[1:56:32] few comments. Um so, one question based on the recommended adjustments to the

[1:56:37] budget, there will need to be a budget amendment once the millage rate is

[1:56:40] adopted, correct? >> Yes, sir.

[1:56:42] » Okay. So, that's that. Um couple comments that

[1:56:47] I just want to make sure everybody's clear of.

[1:56:50] You know, some people say their taxes went up, but I talked to a lot of people

[1:56:54] whose property values went down. Um and so, just in the regular math

[1:56:58] equation, if we have a city that's 93% reliant on residential property taxes,

[1:57:04] and the majority of your city property values went down,

[1:57:07] then immediately that's less revenue coming to the city.

[1:57:11] So, we have to figure out how to adjust that line. Services didn't change.

[1:57:16] The same level of services happened, but property values went down. So, it goes

[1:57:20] back to Councilmember Mariono's point, the city hasn't done a prudent or their

[1:57:25] due diligence on really looking at for the past 20 years how to increase

[1:57:29] revenue. We've been a bedroom community

[1:57:33] and just hoped that it would always work.

[1:57:35] Right now, this council is having to make the hardest decision on how do we

[1:57:38] get to the next level as a city. Um, cuz if property values went down,

[1:57:43] that means your city was declining. You had nothing that was picking your

[1:57:47] city up. You had no increase of of revenue, no increase of development, no

[1:57:51] increase of things like other cities are doing like Abilene who just added 87

[1:57:55] million dollars to their tax digest. So, their conversation's a lot different

[1:57:59] than the city of Stone Mountain right now.

[1:58:01] So, we have to really look at that and focus, and I I I do commend staff,

[1:58:06] um, and and the finance team because we're we're

[1:58:10] initially were proposing a temp- a 10% increase.

[1:58:14] To land at 5% increase, half of what was being proposed, less than a millage

[1:58:20] rate, I think is impressive. Um, Council, I commend you all for

[1:58:25] coming and doing extra meetings to try to figure this out. Staff was here with

[1:58:29] us going over extra meetings, and I I I commend the public for being vocal and

[1:58:33] letting us know kind of where you were because we all did this together.

[1:58:38] Um, as we started to talk about staff, and I I I want to commend our staff for

[1:58:42] wearing multiple hats. That's what a lot of people do not see.

[1:58:46] » Yes. >> One position that I believe was was not

[1:58:49] was eliminated was our HR position. But guess who's going to HR? Our city

[1:58:54] clerk. And so, we have people that are coming

[1:58:57] in working tireless days, sunup to sundown, to wear two hats to provide

[1:59:03] services for these for the city because they believe in where we're going as a

[1:59:07] city. They believe in this council, and they believe in this community. So, when

[1:59:11] we're saying 16.75, remember you have people wearing

[1:59:14] multiple hats that are earning that 16.75.

[1:59:18] Last year, we were at 16, and the council voted for a rollback rate. That

[1:59:23] wasn't the right move. Because what we're having to do now is

[1:59:26] we look at this 16.75, it's trying to put us in a situation we

[1:59:30] don't have to raise the millage rate in 2027.

[1:59:33] Cuz our staff basically told us, "Look, this is a sustainable budget.

[1:59:37] Position that we're not going to fill in 2027, we're not adding them, but things

[1:59:41] that we need, we're going to make sure they're there."

[1:59:44] You know, so I just I want the public I want the council to know like

[1:59:49] yes, the millage rate inflation is at an all-time high. Everybody saw what

[1:59:53] happened with gasoline prices. It shot prices up. A lot of stuff, believe it or

[1:59:57] not, runs on oil. You know, a lot of the products that

[2:00:01] you're buying runs on oil. So, that means those prices are going up.

[2:00:04] So, it's more not a millage rate issue, but

[2:00:08] a revenue generation issue. And our city has to now say, "What city do we really

[2:00:13] want to be? Do we want to be a rural community truly?" Cuz we are a rural

[2:00:17] community about population, but do we really want to be a rural community? And

[2:00:20] let me tell you what's happening in rural Georgia. They're losing hospitals.

[2:00:24] They're losing schools. They're losing fire departments. They're now having to

[2:00:28] go and ask cities can they combine so they can have services.

[2:00:33] But that's didn't happen overnight. That happened over years and years and years

[2:00:38] of not in my backyard. Years of not moving the city forward. So, Stone

[2:00:42] Mountain has a really tough decision to make. And I and I commend mayor I mean I

[2:00:47] want to say mayor I commend council and I commend staff for finding a way to

[2:00:52] meet in the middle, but also this is not the end, guys. We have to

[2:00:57] really look forward because other than that we'll be coming back next year

[2:01:00] asking for a higher millage rate if we do not put in the right work to grow our

[2:01:04] revenues. I want to come here in the next three or four years and we're

[2:01:07] talking about a millage rate that's decreasing because we've added revenue

[2:01:11] and we've added development to our city. So, those are just the comments I have,

[2:01:15] but I again I want to commend staff for for the hard work they put in and those

[2:01:19] that are working tirelessly wearing multiple hats.

[2:01:21] The the the job that goes unnoticed. So, um so, thank you all for that. Um

[2:01:27] I guess that's all the discussion. Um so, there's no more discussion. Um if

[2:01:31] if there's a motion on the floor >> I move to approve ordinance 2026-13

[2:01:37] with the adopted millage rate of 16.75 mills.

[2:01:40] » Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a

[2:01:43] second. Any further discussion?

[2:01:47] Okay, we'll call the vote. Council one. >> Council one, yes.

[2:01:51] » Mark Brown, council two, yes. >> Ryan Smooth, council three, no.

[2:01:56] » Kay Nuñez, council four, yes.

[2:02:00] » Council five.

[2:02:03] » Elaine Vaughn, six, yes. >> That is a 4-2 vote to adopt ordinance

[2:02:10] 2026-13 for a millage rate of 16.75.

[2:02:19] We'll move for resolution 2026-11, city bank account for confiscated funds.

[2:02:48] » Being one more time. So, as um

[2:02:52] the finance director of Vincent, we do have this additional resolution to

[2:02:57] create a new justice asset forfeiture program bank account.

[2:03:03] This is so we will be in line with Department of Justice regulations rules

[2:03:08] regarding forfeiture assets. One proposed One thing that I do think

[2:03:14] we need to change in the proposed resolution 2026-11.

[2:03:18] Um city manager brought to my attention if you look at page um the very last

[2:03:23] page of the agenda packet, page 54. I will read it.

[2:03:28] Three paragraph number paragraph three um is the requirements of the account.

[2:03:35] For B, in the event that the city manager is unavailable, we feel like we

[2:03:39] probably do need to add another signatory and I would propose the mayor.

[2:03:46] And again, that would be, you know, in in the instance when city manager might

[2:03:50] be out of town. Happy to answer any questions you may

[2:03:53] have. >> Before we get started, is this the first

[2:03:55] reading? >> It's a resolution.

[2:03:58] » Is the resolution not No, okay. Okay, fine.

[2:04:01] We'll start with the first starter proposal.

[2:04:04] » That's all at this point. Thank you. >> And this is just about um compliance.

[2:04:09] It's not We don't We don't plan to I know that I think we've asked a while

[2:04:14] back about this about forfeitures and things like that and what we use this

[2:04:18] money for. Um

[2:04:20] There's not anything We're not Are we putting this into that? I know we were

[2:04:23] talking about the Georgia fund one. Are we going to do that?

[2:04:26] » No, this this has to be separate, yeah. Justice

[2:04:30] » Okay. >> financial procedures and we fully expect

[2:04:33] an audit. >> Yeah.

[2:04:34] » Um and so by separating this out and keeping it separated, it will make the

[2:04:38] audit process easier. >> All right. Thank you. That's all.

[2:04:41] So, um if Mr. If Chief Westerfield decides

[2:04:46] uh not to be involved with the city, we have to change this

[2:04:50] ordinance, correct? >> It It's a resolution. Yes, we we we

[2:04:54] would have to change it uh because we would need new signatories anyway.

[2:04:57] » Yeah, I understand. I got it. Thank you. >> Okay.

[2:05:02] » The floor. >> I have no questions at this time.

[2:05:05] » The floor. >> No questions.

[2:05:09] » The floor is open. >> The floor.

[2:05:10] » Okay. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution

[2:05:14] 2026-11 author- author- author-

[2:05:21] authorizing the establishment of a bank account for the deposits of personal

[2:05:25] funds derived from Department of Justice asset forfeiture program, naming

[2:05:29] signatory, and establishing accounting fund policies.

[2:05:32] » Can you Can you also include adding the uh secondary signatory?

[2:05:36] » And also add the secondary signatory to be the mayor.

[2:05:43] » Uh I second.

[2:05:45] » We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

[2:05:49] We'll call for the vote. Councilwoman Poston.

[2:05:50] » Councilwoman Poston, yes. >> Councilman Post two, yes.

[2:05:54] » Councilman Post three, yes.

[2:05:58] » Councilwoman Post four, yes. >> Post five.

[2:06:06] Okay, that is a unanimous vote for resolution 2026-11

[2:06:11] city bank account of confiscated funds with the added signature of the mayor.

[2:06:18] Okay. We now have remarks of privilege.

[2:06:24] » Any remarks of privilege? >> Okay.

[2:06:27] We uh now have announcements by the mayor.

[2:06:31] All right. We got one. >> I do want to I don't want to forget.

[2:06:34] Stone Mountain Day is having a fish fry at Leila Mason on June 19th from 5:00 to

[2:06:39] 7:00. Is it 3:00 to 7:00?

[2:06:43] Is it 3:00 to 7:00? Is it

[2:06:47] 4:00 to 8:00. Okay, but it is on June 10th during

[2:06:55] Okay, so just be sure to keep up with that. It was it's a very It's a very

[2:06:59] well together that people come.

[2:07:04] » Are there no more person privileges? We have announcements by the mayor. Um just

[2:07:08] want to remind everybody our June 10th event is happening on Friday along with

[2:07:12] the fish fry. I think we kind of have same time schedules and that'll be from

[2:07:16] 5:00 to 7:00 and then following that it'll be tunes by the track from 7:00 to

[2:07:20] 9:00. Um other announcements from the mayor, I just want council and public to

[2:07:24] know it's okay to disagree. It it is okay to disagree and that's part of

[2:07:29] having good debate on council and having a strong council. Um so that's all

[2:07:35] announcements I have by the mayor. Um and I think we have executive session

[2:07:41] if there's a motion. >> Yes, I move to adjourn to executive

[2:07:44] session to discuss real estate. >> Second.

[2:07:48] » All right, there's a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in

[2:07:51] favor. >> Aye.

[2:16:09] » Mhm.

[2:18:04] » Mhm.

[2:21:54] » Mhm.

[2:23:49] » Okay.

[2:25:44] » Mhm.

[2:27:39] » Mhm.

[2:29:34] » Mhm.

[2:33:22] » You do.

[2:35:19] » Yeah.

[2:37:14] » Mhm.

[2:38:25] » So I would move to adjourn the executive session where we discuss real estate and

[2:38:30] litigation. >> I second.

[2:38:32] » All right, there's a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

[2:38:36] Okay, we'll call for the vote. Um those sorry, those in favor

[2:38:41] » Denise Glasgow, vote one, yes. >> Mark Reynolds, vote two, yes.

[2:38:44] » Ryan Smith, vote three, yes. >> Amy Hance, vote four, yes.

[2:38:49] » Don Jordan, vote five, yes. >> Goodnight Von, vote six, yes.

[2:38:53] » Okay, that's a unanimous vote to adjourn executive session where we discuss real

[2:38:58] estate and litigation. Now we're at the favorite part of our agenda.

[2:39:01] Um >> Can I ask a question?

[2:39:03] » I move to resume the work session.

[2:39:08] » All right, there's a motion and a second to resume the work session.

[2:39:13] Uh we'll call all in favor. >> Aye.

[2:39:17] » I move to adjourn. >> There we go. Is there a second for

[2:39:20] adjournment? >> I'll second.

[2:39:21] » All right, Mark seconded. Uh is there a motion and a second for

[2:39:25] discussion? If not, we'll call for the vote. All in favor.

[2:39:28] » Aye.

[2:41:03] » He's right here.

[2:41:07] » Yeah, he running. >> Yeah, yeah, I got it.

[2:41:09] » What you want, man? >> That was always you.

[2:41:14] » What What is it? >> What do you want, man?

City of Stone Mountain Mayor & Council Work Session Meeting | June 16th, 2026

Transcript