City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, Stone Crest. Today is Monday, February the 23rd, and the time is now 6:10. We will call this meeting to order. Madame City Clerk, can you be so kind and please take the role? Yes, ma'am. Good evening, everyone. Mayor Jasmine Kbble think she is present via Zoom. We'll come back to her. Mayor Pro Tim Tara Graves here. Council member Terry Fi present. Council member Alicia Washington present. Council member George Turner here. Council member Carisha Smith

present. Mayor Jasmine Cabbell. We have a quorum. Thank you. Next on the agenda is invocation by Pastor Quincy Barneswell. Okay, there we go. Can Can everyone hear me? Yes, sir. Yes.

Good evening, mayor, council, city staff, and residents. I just want to thank you all for this opportunity to share the invitation uh tonight. And uh just so we all know that public service is a very uh one of the highest experiences expressions of stewardship and those who sit uh in the seats carry the weight of decisions uh that affect family, businesses, schools uh safety and opportunity. And scripture reminds us in Proverbs 11:14, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety." And so tonight, we just want to simply recognize the importance of wise counsel, uh, thoughtful dialogue, and leadership marked by integrity. Uh, leadership is not simply about authority. It's about responsibility. It requires courage to stand up for what is right, humility to listen well, and compassion to remember the people behind every policy. And so what I want to do is just offer a word of prayer if we can. Can we all bow our heads? Heavenly Father, we thank you for this city, Stone Crest. We thank you for its families, businesses, it schools, its first responders, and every resident who calls this place home. We pray for our mayor. We pray for our uh council members. God, I pray that you grant them wisdom that's rooted in justice, decisions shaped by compassion, and leadership marked by humility. God, help them to honor the dignity of every resident regardless of background, income, or neighborhood. I pray that you heal the visions where they exist. I pray that you strengthen

unity where it is forming. Let the city of Stone Crest be known not only for growth and development, but for fairness, opportunity, and respect. We pray for our young people in our community that they we will see examples of leadership and believe that their voices matter. And may this chamber always reflect the highest ideals of service and the shared responsibility we carry toward one another. And so we pray tonight that you guide every decision, guide every discussion, and may the work done here contribute to a future that reflects justice, equity, and peace. It's in your holy name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Next on the agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Alicia Washington. Can we all please stand? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councilwoman Washington. Is Pastor Bonwell still in the Can you please come up front for me? I want to say thank you so much for coming here today. You are a special guest of Councilwoman Alicia Washington Smith and she has a little something for you. Did I Alicia? Oh no, Carisha. I'm sorry. Councilwoman Carisha Washington Smith. Um, Pastor Barnwell, on behalf of the council, city of Stone Crest, we appreciate you being here with us today. We appreciate the prayer that you prayed over us. Um, we appreciate you and your community right in district five, in my district, District 5. um and all that you do for the city of Stone. Chris, thank you again for being here.

Next on the agenda is the approval of the agenda itself. Council May yes council men turner under appointments I'm sorry under reports and presentation I wanted to uh add two presentation is it necessary to uh adjust the agenda or am I allowed to just simply make those presentations I didn't quite hear you say that one more time for me

I want to add two presentations is it necessary to add that uh adjust the agenda or can I just add it? Um I want to move um presentation before after um review and approval of the minutes and the two items you would like to add.

Very well. Um that is to recognize Mr. Michael Armstrong from the um zone of vote of appeals and to recognize Miss Pearl Hollage from the planning commission. Okay, so that's the report and presentation to move after the review and the approval of the minutes and the two items with Michael Armstrong and Miss Pearl Hollis. Are those the only two items? Yes, ma'am. Any other adjustments? Um, Mayor Prom.

Yes, Councilman F. Um, so just for clarification, we're moving the reports and presentations above public hearing or above public comments. Um, just to make just just for clarification. Um, we going to move it above public comments. Any other adjustments? Um, may I make a request um that we move it below public comments so we can or some of the residents who need to speak today, we can hear them first then hear the present reports and presentations. Is that your wish?

I concur. Thank you. Any other com any other adjustments

Tim? Yes. Councilman move for approval of the agenda with the stated uh adjustments. Second. The motion has been properly moved and second. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two, yay. District three. Yay. District four, yay. District five. Yay.

District 1 is yay. The motion carries 5 to zero. The agenda has been amended and the agenda has been approved. Next on the agenda is the approval of the meeting minutes for the special call meeting for January the 2nd, 2026.

Repro Tim. Yes, Councilman Turner. Move for approval of the minutes from special call meeting of January 2nd, 2026. Do I have a second? Second. The motion has been properly moved and second by Councilwoman Smith. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two, yay. District three. Yay. District four, yay. District five, yay.

District 1 is yay. The minutes for the special call meeting January the 2nd, 2026 has been approved. Next on the agenda is the approval of the meeting minutes for the work session January 12th, 2026. Mayor Pro Tim. Yes, Councilman Smith. I move that we approve approve the minutes from January 26 work session 12 12th I'm sorry January 12th work session

second the motion has been properly moved and second by Councilwoman Washington. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion please respond with yay. All those opposed nay. Starting with district two yay. District three. Yay. District four, yay. District five, yay. District one is yay. The motion carries 5 to zero. The minutes for the work session January 12th, 2026 has been approved. Next on the agenda is the approval of the meeting minutes for the special call meeting January the 21st, 2026. Are there any needs for adjustments?

Mayor Poin. Yes. Councilwoman Washington, I would like to approve the minute meeting minutes for the special call meeting for January the 21st, 2026. Second the motion. The motion has been properly moved and second by Councilman Turner. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two, yay. District three. Yay. District four. Yay. District five. Yay.

District one is yay. The minutes for the special call meeting for January the 21st, 2026 has been approved. Next on the agenda is the approval of the minutes for the city council meeting January the 28th, 2026. Council, is there any need for adjustments hearing? None. I entertain a motion. Me? Yes. Councilman Turner. Move for approval of the minutes from the city council meeting of January 28th, 2026. A second.

Motion has been properly moved and second by Councilwoman Washington. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two. Yay. District three, yay. District four, yay. District five, yay.

District 1 is yay. Motion carries 5 to zero. The minutes for the city council meeting January the 28th, 2026 has been approved. Next on the agenda is public comments. Madame city clerk, can you be so kind to read the rules for public comments? Yes, we'll do. And Mayor Prom Communications did let us know that Mayor Kbble is on via Zoom. Thank you.

Citizens wishing to make a public comment may do so in person. Citizens may also submit public comments via email to city clerk at stonerga.gov by 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting to be read by the city clerk. All members of the public wishing to address the city council shall submit their name and the topic of their comments to the city clerk prior to the start of any meeting being held by the city council. There is a threeinut time limit for each speaker submitting or reading a public comment. Individuals will be held to those established time limits. We did receive several um emails in reference to slup 25-005 which is on the agenda under old business as the public hearing was held at the last city council meeting in January. Those comments will not be read on this evening. Additionally, there were two emails sent in for RZ25006 which was also uh the public hearing was held in January and those emails will not be read on this evening. First public comment is FA Koffield. Good evening, ladies. The green light is on. I don't know if you can hear me. Okay. Good evening,

ladies and gentlemen. Uh, tonight I want to talk about a couple of things. Number one, I want to talk about the fact that there is no lighting on Lyonia Industrial from I20 westbound all the way to Bishop Long Parkway. We are the only city in this area that got roads built that did not get lighting done. Henry County when they did Anvil Road, they got lighting. It is extremely dangerous over there, especially because there's no lighting under the bridge. So, people have to walk that way. In addition, they took down the lighting that was on Bishop Long Parkway, which was paid for privately, and it's dark when you hit that intersection. So, I I wonder if anybody's going to talk to DOT about that. Okay. And then the other thing I just want to answer to this. It's my understanding you're about to enter into an IGA with the city of Lyonia to be able to use their police officers to come over and provide services here and at other uh facilities. My concern is since the city of Lyonia is a city and we're a city and I think you have to be deputized by the sheriff to you know work you know that's usually what happens at least that was happening back in the day when I was in you know in city policing. So I want to know who is going to be responsible for the insurance for these officers. I mean, you guys can do whatever you want to do with hiring them, but who is going to be responsible for their insurance? And the reason I state that is because when there are incidents involving police officers, Chicago, they actually had to start issuing bonds to pay for the

liability claims against police officers. And in Minneapolis when they had the George Floyd case, they also had to issue a bond to pay that $40 million claim. So the question becomes, who is going to be responsible for the insurance for these officers? And like I said, you know, I mean, I'm just at a point right now I'm beginning to agree with everyone else. We've been a city for eight years and I can't look at anything that we have accomplished or anything that has really changed that other than the fact that we have all these truck parking lots and uh gas stations and storage facilities. So, I'm in favor of us going back to the county. The next public comment is B. Williams. Good evening. My name is Beatric Williams. Not B. Williams. I'm Beatric Williams. And I reside in Christian Springs subdivision. I was over here the last time I was here about a lot of garbage in the neighborhood. Somebody has sold the house and moved and I still got garbage on another corner right across in front of me again. And I also want to comment about the you all hind the lonia police. Is that correct? Will anybody just nod your head or do something? Are you planning to Well, I hope not because this city was formed in

19 in 2017 and I haven't seen anything to substantiate us being a city and right now I feel like we don't need a city not for the services that we're heading. The mall is closing down. We're named after a darn mall instead of getting a decent name. And the mall is losing business all around. So, what is y'all value to the city of Stone Creek? I need to know that. Sean Pitman.

Hello, my name is Sean Pitman. Uh, I want to first thank the city of Stone Crest council members for uh taking the opportunity to uh for your service and for your support and protection of the invested family homes within the Stone Crest community as a genuinely concerned homeowner residing at 3835 Budgate Court for over 25 years and located within 1,000 ft of a petition. efficient home of 382 Buttongate Court residence. My wife and I highly oppose the intent of 3802 Buttongate Court becoming a CCI. On behalf of my family, we request City of Stone Crest to deny the approval regarding the sluck 25-005. So, I wanted to uh as the years have progressed, one of the things that I've observed, my wife and I and my family, unfortunately, we've observed noticeably uh concerning downward trends of unsafe um activities uh from approximately 2013 through 2023. uh two specific concerning examples that I wanted to point out that I was observed specifically with Miss Francine's home at 3802 Butgate Court residence was in 2013 many police and undercover agents blocked off the neighborhood or the at least the neighborhood drive the neighbors driveways in the culac and placed some individuals in handcuffs from inside Miss Francine's home at the 382 button gate residence Um it was a very eerie scenario but I don't know the context of the details but that was something that you know

many of the neighbors and myself were like a little taken back on but even more even more um this particular it was approximately 2018 an extremely dangerous multi-shooting incident took place late at night upon the home of Miss Francine Williams unfortunately where 3802 Gate Court was specifically targeted. My family and I were abruptly awakened by approximately 30 high-powered gunshots raining out. From my bedroom window, I witnessed a pickup truck driving past the home of driving past my home with an asalent located on the back of the truck bed continuously firing toward the direction of Miss Francine's home. and uh the neighbors came outside afterward due to extreme high concern of this disturbing activity as well as the presence of police. But the very next day, I observed that the house outside the structure of Miss Francine's home specifically was riddled with numerous large bullet holes. Uh again, very unfortunately, but thank God no one was reported killed in that residence after that egregious attack.

Mr. Pitman, that's time. Okay. Thank you. Hill Smith. Um, Mayor Prom, and I'm I apologize. Um, just for a general note for everyone, if you could please, because we want to make sure we get you in the record. Um, speaking to the mic. I'm I'm having trouble. I I just got a received a message and a couple of people are having trouble hearing you and we just want to make sure that your important comments are recorded and added to our minutes. just a general line. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Can you hear me? Wonderful. Good evening, mayor, council members. My name is Hill Smith and I live in this subdivision of uh Southland. Excuse me, not Southland. Um I've been here for 27 going on 28 years and I respectfully oppose slup 25-00005. Um, this is not a personal objection. Um, and it is not in opposition to helping youth. This to me and to my community is a land use issue that has long-term implications for our neighborhood and the city as a whole. Our subdivision is a single residential community. We do not have homeowners association. So zoning decisions are the only mechanism we have to preserve the character and stability of our neighborhood. This application would convert a single family home into a licensed childaring institution. And by definition, that is an institutional use, not a residential one. So this proposal allows for, I understand, a minimum of six youth and up to 16 unrelated youth with rotating staff, shift changes, and scheduled coverage. That level of occupancy and operation is not comparable to a traditional household. The operational impacts are significant. increased traffic from staff, visitors,

and transportation vehicles. Activity at nonresidential hours due to staffing shifts and ongoing commercial style operations inconsistent with single family living. The application also indicates the facility would serve older youth with complex needs, which this reasonably raises concerns about increased demand for policing, emergencies, and municipal services. Impacts that extend beyond the property line and infect the entire neighborhood. Equally important is precedent. according excuse me approving this slope establishes a pathway for additional institutional uses in single family zones. Once that president is set, it cannot be easily undone and incremental approvals can fundamentally change the neighborhood that I purchased in close to 30 years ago. So finally, zoning stability.

Mr. Smith. That's time. Thank you,

CA Nation. Good evening. My name is CA Nation and I want to thank all of y'all for showing up here tonight. Taxation without representation. due process and the rule of law. This afternoon or later on today, y'all are going to vote on an issue that came up before y'all in the last meeting in which my entire neighborhood objects to this. But yet, my neighborhood voice have not been heard. It hasn't been heard by the board of commissioners, by planning, by my city council member, or the mayor, and I've tried to contact them all. Last time I was here, y'all tabled that motion so more discussion can be had. I was hoping that y'all would take it into executive session and the community would have an opportunity to speak to the petitioner and my government. That has not happened. So I'm going to ask you again today to table that motion on your vote today. And I also would ask you for a

moratorum on any commercial enterprise that wants to enter into a res residential property. I'm asking for a moratorum for all petitions that you have currently and I'm asking you to kill the current the petition that y'all going to vote on today. Second thing I'd like to talk about is y'all hiring the city of Lthonia Police Department. I would ask you to do your due diligence. Remember a few years ago they almost lost their certification. So I'm asking you to do your due diligence before you unleash them on us. I am a part of unincorporated Lonia. I have history with them. My neighborhood has history. Y'all need to listen to us before y'all make that move. I thank you for your time.

Marie Coulson,

good evening. Can you hear me? Is this in reference to RZ25006? Two. Is this in reference to 25006 and 007? Can we wait till the when it comes up or no? Both RZ25006. Okay. in reference to 25007. That is a crack house. We've been having problems for the last 10, 12 years. I don't see why you want to put a commercial in a residential area. I can't believe it. It's unbelievable. It's appalling. This came before the council five or six times. I appreciate that, man. CD Nation. I was busy doing something else. volunteer with kids and everything. The first council meeting October the 9th, no show. November something else, no show. Third time she came. The fourth time in front of planning commission, uh, Commissioner Hubard, he he disrespected him so bad. I I wish you would look at it one day. He disrespected this veteran. I appreciate you fighting for us not to have no commercial in a residential zone. It's disrespectful. She should stay in the front with that 25006. Please, I oppose that cuz if you let that happen, other people going to come and do it, too. Have respect. Would you like somebody have say, "Okay, move over. We're going to put commercial in your neighborhood." No. Thank you, Leander Charles.

Good evening, council members. My name is Leanda Charles. I would like to ask if any of the residents of Burlington subdivision here, could you please stand? Okay. Okay. My name is Lyanna Charles and I live next door to homeowner at 3802 Buttongate Court. I am here this evening to respectfully express my opposition to slop 25-005 and to ask that you carefully consider the long-term impact this decision could have on our neighborhood. Our community was established as a residential subdivision. Families moved here with the understanding that this would remain a quiet lowra neighborhood made up of single family homes. Approving this special land use permit would significantly change the character of our community by allowing a residential property to operate as a child care institution. There are several residents with the Berlin subdivision who share these concerns. This is not just one household objection. It is a broader concern about preserving the stability and integrity of our neighborhood. Based on past experience, I am concerned about the potential for increased disruptions. Child care institution often serve older youth, many of whom may have complex emotional or behavioral challenges. Why I understand and sympa sympathize with the need to provide care for these children. It is a reason it is reasonable for neighboring residents to

be concerned about possible loitering increased activity on an adjacent property and a change in the overall sense of security and quiet enjoyment of our homes. My research indicate that when children are removed from their homes, they are typically placed in foster care first. Child care institution generally serve youth who have not been able to successfully adjust in traditional foster settings. That that distinction is important as it reflects the higher level of supervision and structure often required. Additionally, while the city of Stone Crest ordinance limits occupancy to six youth, state regulation may allow up to 16. If the home qualifies, I am concerned about how the city would effectively monitor and enforce the six youth limitation to ensure compliance over time. I believe there are other locations within the city that would be better suited for this type of facility. Locations that are not directly embedded within a quiet residential subdivision. To be clear, I support efforts to provide care, structure, and opportunity to children in need. However, I respect

Charles time.

Okay. Jackal and Bryant. Good evening everyone. Can you hear me? Okay. I'm Jacqueline Bryant. I uh actually am a resident of Dicab County. I'm here because Right across the street from me is Stone Crest, the city of Stoner Crest. So what happens in Stone Crest affects me as well. My comments are in reference to Metro Green, a commercial recycling business. Uh they might not have See, Metro Green had no legal authority to come to Stone Crest. My understanding Stone Crest was transitioning to licensing a city. I believe uh Metro Green received illegal uh illegal illegal permit from EPD. I am still requesting Stone Crest not issue a permit to Metro Green. I am very thankful the work has not has uh been stopped for several months. My hope is they will just relocate to another area that's better suited for their business as uh we are a residential area. Could you provide the status of uh what's going on now between Metro Green and Stone Crest? If not tonight, then maybe at uh another meeting. uh the

community would like to know where we stand or what is going to be done in the future. Thank you,

Renee Kale.

Thank you. Um, good evening city councilors, Mayor Prom. As Miss Bryant stated, Metro Green should have never come to Stone Crest. We have been in this battle since 2019. We are exhausted, but we feel it's very important that we advocate for the residents of our city. Metro Green did not follow the rules. And if I don't follow the rules, I'll probably get locked up. Metro Green followed. They are in an M1 zone doing solid waste management is M2. They have no business being there. So, I'm hoping in your negotiations, thank you, Attorney Denmark, that they are out of our community. All of the communities around us are bustling. Go to Cumberland, work and play. All the restaurants you want. I don't like going to Cumberland, but I'd like to stay in my own neighborhood with a great restaurant. And this city is a diamond. So with I'm hoping that you all will please get Metro Green out of Stone Crest. They have Metro Green one that's in Dorville. They have another one in Atlanta. They have a Metro Green in Kville near Blueberry Farm. So, they need to go somewhere else because when they leave our area, they don't go to recycling plants or cement plants or asphalt plants. They don't wreck their neighborhoods. They come into African-American neighborhoods, neighborhoods of brown, low income, overburdened people. So, we want them out. And I thank you so much because I did complete the survey on zoning. Appreciate

Brenda Whitaker. Good evening. My name is Brenda Wood. Okay, that's better. Okay, thank you. My name is Brenda Whitaker. I'm up here to ask you all please do not bring Metro Green or not. It's already here, but please do not let them stay. individuals as I am, well my age, it's harder on us than you all, but it will happen to you and it will hurt you as well. So, I'm here to ask you, please make Metro Green leave. Do not let them stay. Thank you. Toana Morgan. This time isn't exactly

So, my name is Toana Morgan. I am a resident. Um, I'm actually in the same neighborhood as the CCI at 3802 Buttongate Court. Um, like right around the corner, about not even.3 miles or so, something like that. I'm here at Miss Williams request. And just to be clear, we not friends, right? Like I just know her as Marquan Mama, but I am here because I do believe in community. So, I wanted to start off with that. Um, I understand that there have been some concerns circulating about crime and commercial use. So, I wanted to just address that very um quickly and directly. First of all, about crime, there's no credible evidence at all that a licensed residential care facility increases neighborhood crime rates. It's not a thing. That's a myth. But what research does show is that instability, untreated trauma, repeated displacement, those are the things that increase negative outcomes for youth. Stability helps to lower risk of crime. And I know this because I do criminal defense. That's That's my trade. Structure is what helps to reduce risk. Supervision reduces risk. Georgia has over 11,000 children in foster care right now. And these children, these aren't hypotheticals. They exist in our state. They exist in our neighborhoods. They exist in our schools and in our communities. They're already here. And so the question is not if there is some instability um being experienced, but whether or not we're going to assist in regulating and helping with supervised housing. On the issue of commercial use, the fact that a special land use permit, this doesn't turn this into a business activity, no different from a foster care system that does receive state aid.

So it doesn't suddenly turn into a commercial impro um enterprise. It is still residential care is which is what stability offers. Stone Crest own website highlights Dec County's $7.8 million um initiative to expand housing stability as something Stone Crest wants to do. So, how can we publicly champion housing stability as prevention and then reject it when it's proposed in proximity? I want to make sure to point out the council should have all received a copy of a petition with 45 signatures supporting this proposal. It's not a onesided conversation. It seems like it, right? Because it's a lot of people, a lot of emotion saying that they're opposed, but there are people that are in support that don't have a problem with it. And so, I just want to say that the narrative the narrative that this community speaks in one voice and opposition is inaccurate. So at some point in our lives, we have all benefited from some grace that we did not earn. And so I am asking that we be if we don't care about our children, ain't nobody going to care about them, right? So we need to be a vessel for this grace. Fear reacts more times.

I'm asking that you leave.

That was our last comment. Thank you, madam city clerk. Do we have any comments via email? Just the comments that were sent in addressing public hearing for SLEP 25005. So the only public comments we have is on slup 25005. We have several on the slop 250005 and two on RZ250006 which that public hearing was also held last month at this January city council meeting.

Okay. So we would not read those comments because on this agenda is for decisions decision only. Thank you Tim. Yes, Councilman Turner.

It's a point of order. Um, for public comments, uh, is the public not allowed to speak on any subject they so desire? My point is that um just because they said it was for public hearing and we had public hearing at the last meeting and they still wanted to make comments on the public comment heading. Is this not allowable? So, madam city clerk, does it say public comment or public hearing? Some reference public comment, some reference public hearing.

Okay. Okay. So, the one that referenced public comment, can you read them? Yes. Thank you. We have six a little over six minutes left and I can just read.

Okay. Thank you. The first one is from Nicole Fe. I oppose RZ250006 and RZ250007 for reszoning from residential to commercial. And again that is from Nicole Feith. The next one is from Mercedes Feith. I oppose RZ25006 and RZ250007 for reszoning from residential to commercial. The next one is from Jay Hicks. I am writing to in strong opposition to slup 250005 for 382 Buttongate Court. Buttongate Court is a quiet single family residential culde-sac. Excuse me. The proposed conversion of this home into a licensed child caring institution operating 24 hours a day represents a fundamental shift from residential use to an institutional business style operation. Unlike traditional foster care, this type of facility may house six or more unrelated youth, potentially up to 16, with rotating staff, shift changes, increased traffic, and ongoing commercial style activity. This intensity of use is incompatible with the character, infrastructure, and design of our narrow residential street. The potential for increased congestion, parking strain, service costs, and long-term impacts to neighborhood stability and property values raise serious concerns. Approving this request would also set a precedent for additional institutional encroachment into established single family neighborhoods. We respectfully ask that you please deny SLEP 25005 and preserve the residential integrity of

Buttongate Court and the surrounding community. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and service to our city. Sincerely, Jay Hicks. The next one is from Kelsey Driver. Dear Mayor and council members, as the hearing has already taken place for this issue, please read my comments. My name is Kelsey Driver and I reside at 3938 Wolverton Circle Stone Crest. I am writing to formally express my opposition to the special pen use permit 250005 request to convert the single family residence located at 382 Buttongate Court into a licensed child caring institution. Our neighborhood is a quiet established residential community made up of single family homes where families choose to live specifically because of the peaceful environment, limited traffic, and residential character. The proposed use introduces operational elements that are inconsistent with the design and intent of this neighborhood, including rotating staff, shift changes, transportation vehicles, additional visitors, and increased activity levels throughout the day and evening hours. Benton Gay Court is a narrow culde-sac with limited parking capacity and minimal rooms to accommodate additional vehicles without creating congestion or safety concerns. Increased traffic flow from staff, service providers, and transportation associated with a facility of this nature could create challenges for residents, including blocked access, reduce emergency vehicle, and safety risk for children and pedestrians who currently use the street for normal neighborhood activities. I am also concerned about the long-term impact on neighborhood stability and property values. Home owners have made significant financial investments based on the expectation that the area would remain zoned and utilized for traditional style family residential purposes. Introducing an institutional style operation into this setting creates uncertainty and could negatively

influence the desiraability and market value of nearby homes. Additionally, approval of this request could establish a precedent for further institutional or commercial style vehicle and usage within residential neighborhoods which may gradually erode the character and intent of these communities. Zoning protections exist for a reason, and maintaining the integrity of residential areas is important for residents who rely on those protections when choosing where to live. My opposition is not to the mission of supporting children in need, which I recognize as important work. However, I believe this type of facility would be more appropriate in an area that is properly zoned or better suited to support the operational demands associated with a child caring institution without negatively impacting an established residential neighborhood. For these reasons, I respectfully request that the city council deny the special land use permit Slept 25005. Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to our community. Sincerely, Kelsey Driver. The next one is from Mr. Pitman, which he read his comment in person. The next comment is from a concerned homeowner. As the hearing has already taken place for this issue, please read my comments. I'm a proud member of the Burlington Ridge subdivision. and I resign on Cumbrian Lane. I am the original owner of my home and I have been in this area and this community since 2000. I am asking today that you please consider the impacts of operating institution of this nature a private residential neighborhood has had and and will have on the residents who live here and call this home and not a business complex. Staffing visitors, friends, and other service providers will increase traffic and activity in what is presently an extremely quiet

neighborhood. We have had similar businesses operate in our neighborhood, and with that came increased incidents that impacted our neighborhood negatively. I am asking that you do not approve this business, but instead refer the applicant to an area that is not traditionally zoned for residential living. Thank you very much. concerned homeowner. Madame city clerk, what is our time on? We have one minute left.

And this next one is, thank you for the opportunity to submit this letter and give attention to our community on Buttongate Court in Stonerest. My husband and I are Linux and High Douglas. Uh we are strongly opposing the proposed type 2 child care home at 382 Buttongate Court. Buttongate Court is not an appropriate or safe location for this type of operation. Our street is a small narrow culde-sac with only one way in and one way out and it simply cannot support the heavy repetitive traffic that a type 2 child care business brings. And that is the 30 minutes allotted for public comments.

Thank you madam city clerk. I appreciate you. The comments were read as they were received to the clerk's office. Public comment is now closed. Thank you. Next on the agenda is report and presentation is Roman Reed. in the building. District one I got the mic.

Mayor Cabo, are you on among the most elite youth martial artist in both the United States and internationally. And whereas in addition to his national success, Roman represents team USA, the city of Stone Crest, Leadership Preparatory Academy, and his proud Reed family. While competing internationally in Toronto, Canada, He competed in a prestigious grand champion circle against the top competitor from around the world and earned gold in traditional. So I'm going to skip down and say therefore we proclaimed that Mayor Mayor Jasine and the city of Stone are proud to honor Roman Reed for his extraordinary achievement values of perseverance leadership and service that inspire youth throughout the community

declares February the 23rd 2026 Roman Reed day here in the I'm thankful for my and my and um my um school.

Next on the agenda is a letter of recognition. Is Mr. Chad Brooks in the audience? Hello, Mr. Brooks. You look different from the last time I was.

Okay. Mr. Brooks, the city of Stone Crest would like to recognize and commend you on your exceptional customer service and community spirit. While preparing for a recent town hall meeting, I visit a local store to purchase supplies for the event. While two carts filled with soda, water, I was making multiple trips to my vehicle. During this time, a high school employee, Mr. Brooks, who was stocking in the back, noticed I was struggling and volunteered to step in for assistance. When I asked if he had been directed to help, he humbly replied that he simply saw someone in need and wanted to provide the kind of customer service the store strive for. Mr. Rook's initiative, awareness, and willingness to serve without being prompt reflect strong character and leadership beyond his years. It's the young people like him who give us confidence in our future and our community in our community. with warm regrets and heartfelt appreciation from the mayor, the council of the city of Stonerest as we proud as we are proud to recognize Chad Brooks outstanding example and thank him for representing the city of Stonerrest with integrity and excellence and showing great customer service that we strive for here in our city. So, thank you so much. Would you like to say something? What school do you go to?

I go to Stevenson High School. What grade are you? 12th grade.

I want to say thank you so much for your customer service and stepping in willing to help. It was several people that just walked past even the manager, but he came from the back and asked for assistance. So, I want to say thank you, Mom. Why not? Okay. Council. Next on the agenda.

I was trying to continue the meeting from meeting from down there. Next on the agenda is a is a a recognition for Michael Armstrong by Councilman Turner. Pro Tim. Yes. Councilman Turner.

Mr. Michael Armstrong served on our zoning board of appeals from day one with the city of Stonerest until his death. and um he passed January of last year and we declared January 18th, 2025 as Michael Armstrong day in the city of Stone Crest. Uh one thing his family mentioned is that we left out a very important part about Michael's life. Michael was the first elected African-American chair of the Georgia Committee of Blind Vendors where he served faithfully until his demise. And the family wanted us to add this to the proclamation. So the proclamation that we issued on January 18, 2025 will have a line added says whereas Michael was the first elected African-American chair of the Georgia Committee for the Blind Vendors where he served faithfully until his demise will be added. and they wanted me to mention that during this month of February, Black History Month. And here's another soldier who had great accomplishments in his life. In addition to that, Miss Pearl Hollis served on our zone on our planning commission since the inception of the city and she served faithfully although she was ill. She went through several bouts of cancer and we did replace her on January of this year, but Miss Pearl Hollis passed on the 19th of February. And I wanted to mention that to uh the

city and to staff that arrangements are being made and we'll let you know when the funeral is going to take place and she will be honored for her faithful service to the city of Stone Crest. Just a recognition, Mayor Pro Tim. Thank you, Councilman Turner. Would that complete your Yes, ma'am. More will come for Miss Hollis as we get the information on the arrangements. Thank you. Next on the agenda is public hearing.

Madam city clerk, would you please read the rules for public hearing?

Citizens wishing to participate and comment during the public hearing portion of the meeting may comment in person. You may also submit your request, including your full name, address, position on the agenda item you are commenting on, whether it is for or against, via email to city clerk at stonequestga.gov by 2 p.m. on the day of the public hearing to be read into the record at the meeting. A Zoom link for the meeting will be sent to you upon your request. When it is your turn to speak, please state your name, address, and relationship to the case. There is a 10m minute time limit for each item per side during all public hearings. Only the applicant may reserve time for rebuttal. Thank you, madam city clerk. The first item for public hearing is RZ25004 2374 Cove Lake Road. Presented by Mrs. Cowey.

May I pro Tim? Yes, Miss Cowey. The applicant has requested a deferral until the March 23rd Marit Council meeting. So requesting a deferral to the next council meeting. Yes, Mayor. Go ahead. Mayor Pro Tim.

Yes. Council me. So, um, council for reference, um, both the HOA, um, in CO on Cove Lake and the applicant are both, um, finalizing their agreements and they in a, um, and have requested both on both parts. So, both attorneys can review, make sure that all parts are good with the agreement before, prior prior to this coming to public hearing. um while attending and being a part of those um not a part of the negotiations themselves but just a general observer I did let both the applicant and the HOA know that while we are amanable to allowing this deferment we have heard this item before our agenda three times um and we are in the business of the city must continue and so let it let it be known for the record that I am okay with doing a deferment for the final time, but the Mar but March is where the buck has to stop and we must not kick the can down the road anymore. So, I just wanted to say that for the record.

Thank you, Councilman F. I will entertain a motion. So, moved. Oh, for uh Mayor Prom. Yes, Councilman F. I move to defer I move to defer RZ25-004 23- 237 um excuse me 2374 Cove Lake Road um until our next scheduled council meeting on March 23rd. Second motion has been properly moved and second by Councilman Turner. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two. Yay. District three. Yay. District four. Yay. District five.

Yay.

District one is yay. The motion carries 5 to zero. RZ250004 2374 has been def Cove Lake Road has been deferred to our March 23rd council meeting. Next on the agenda is old business for decision ordinance for slub 25005 3802 Buttongate court presented by Mrs. Cowie. This is a special land use permit request to operate a child care institute f um a little bit of background. The future land use map has the property as suburban. Zoning is R100. This is an aerial map of the location of the property. The submitted site location is 3802 Buttongate Court, interior photos, and staff's recommendation. Based on the review of the application to operate a childare institute at 3820 Buttongate Court, staff did recommend denial of the special land use permit. Planning Commission did recommend full cycle deferment including the February the 12th, 2026, but at Mayor City Council meeting it was for decision.

Repeat that last part for me one more time. During the um staff did recommend denial, but during the planning commission um their recommendation was a full department that will include that would have included February 12th planning information meeting, but the final decision by council was to have a decision only at tonight's meeting. Thank you, council. Member Tim. Yes, Councilman Turner.

This is in district 4. And at the last meeting, I uh made a request for the 30-day deferral. I was looking at some matters that had come to my attention that I was unfamiliar with and I've had a chance to look it up and that is the Georgia score and the requirement for an RBW that is a room board and watchful oversight of institutions like this and it does say child care institution uh on the application by the um opponent. And while it is great to hear from the neighbors and their concern about whether it should or should not be and we heard quite a bit from those who were opposed. And the applicant did submit to me a list of those who were uh in support by way of petition. although it has not been validated by way of uh written petition and it was sent to us by way of email, but I only saw two signatures on the email that was sent. So, she did give this to me just for information. But the thing that concerns me the most is we have a professional staff that's in place to review these type of applications and give us their professional opinion on what we should do in terms of whether or not this fits the criteria for a personal care

facility. our institution and they made a recommendation for the now. And in that recommendation for the now, they listed 12 items supporting their recommendation for the now and it's in the package and given that um I will be moving to deny this petition or this application. Council, any other questions?

Hearing none. I entertain a motion. Me Tim. Yes. Councilman Turner. Move for denial of the petition to establish a child care home on Button Gate Court. And that petition number is don't have it in front of me now. Someone can help me with that. Okay, here it is. Uh, slub 25-0053802 Buttongate Court. Second.

The motion has been properly moved and second by Councilman Fi. All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two. Yay. District three. Yay. District four, yay. District five, yay.

District one is yay. Motion carries 5 to zero. Slub 250005 3802 has been denied. Next on the agenda is ordinance for RZ250067511 Coington Highway by Mrs. Cowey. This request is a reszoning and map amendment of the parcel for from R100 residential medium lot to C1 local commercial for a proposed hair salon and boutique. This is for a decision only. A brief summary is that the property is according to the future land use map an urban neighborhood. The zoning map again has it zoned as R75. This is an aerial map of the location. The first parcel um under review is 7511 Cington Highway. These are site photos and staff did recommend approval of the resoning request from R75 to C1 commercial to allow the expansion of the existing African braiding salon subject to the following conditions. Conditions of of approval with the use limitation. The property shall be used only for hair braiding, salon, and related personal care services. Any change in the use shall require separate reviews and approval by the planning department. Hours of operation shall be limited to Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Parking and access to the parcel shall come from the access for 750 Coington Highway. A site plan showing all required off streetet parking must be provided to serve clients and staff. The site plan must address storm water management

requirements. Signage and exterior modification. Any new signage or exterior modification to the building or property shall comply with city codes and require approval from the planning and zoning department. The applicant shall upgrade as necessary all applicable health, safety, building, and fire codes. And the applicant must submit a lot combination plat within 90 days of approval of the application requesting the following lots or combined 7505 and 7511 Coington Highway and 6760 if approved with a resoning request. Chuck Road. Mayor Proim. Thank you, Miss Cowey. Council, any questions?

Uh, Mayor Pro Tim. Yes, Councilman F. Uh, Director Cowi, is the applicant from last meeting here today? Yes. Okay, perfect. Good evening. I'm sorry. Uh, good evening. And if you could remind me of your name one more time. Ramada. Miss Miss Simpson. Um, and please correct me if I mispronounced your name. Um,

I just wanted to double check with you about the initial difference between the 7 7511 property. Um, you were hoping these all three of these parcels are part of your business expansion, correct? Yes. So, the Coington Highway piece is right next to your existing business. You'd like to turn this Coington Highway piece into a um into a bookshop. Correct. into a um extension of the hair braiding salon. Yes, ma'am. Okay. And then the shut road one piece is, as we recall from last time, going to be an office in the back that you're that you're planning to do, correct? Yes.

And that's in the and that's on the other side near the residence. Correct. Yes. On the back road. um is and if the reasonzoning piece okay I think I have the the um the answers I need. Thank you so much for answering that council. Any other questions? Tim. Yes, Councilman Turner.

Uh this is for staff. I guess both of you could answer it and and and and that is again we have three pieces of property that we're ultimately dealing with. One's already commercial and one is on Coverton Highway that you want to make commercial. One's on Chup Road that you also desire to turn into commercial. So ultimately that would be three pieces of property combined to make one. Yes. and aggregate um square footage of the buildings.

Yes. Um the first one 7505 that's business already. Yes. That one is uh 1,200 square foot. The one 7511 Coington Highway that one is 1,800 square foot. And then the one in the back road is 1100 square foot. And these businesses will never be physically connected. They'll always be separate. Yes, they will not be physically connected because we have to use the property between them for parking. Okay. And the access to only one of them is from Chap Road.

Yes. Mhm. The one on Chap Road has entrance on Chap Road, but we don't need that entrance. So, we're going to use the Coington Highway because that one is on the highway. So both of them uh there are two on Coverington Highway. They have interested from Coveton Highway. Yes. Okay. Can you access the one on Chup Road from Covington Highway? Yes, you can. So all three can be accessed from Coverington Highway. Yes. Mhm.

Okay. And can either one of the three be functional um within itself such that if you had all three of them approved, you'd be good. But if you only had two of them approved, you still could conduct your business. Or if you only had one of them approved, you are where you are now. Well, the one I have right now need to be expanded. That's why I wanted to do it. So I have that one since two since 1998. Okay.

30 years. So we just have uh more business ideas development to increase our services to be able to serve more people. But we know that after we extend to the next one, we need a place to be able to have an office to that's why we want to use the back cuz it's kind of in the backside. But if you only had the one that's already in existence on Covenant Highway and the extra one on Covenant Highway combined,

you could still function. Well, the back one if it stays residential, it will be back to commercial area. It'll be between the shopping center with the pound shop and subway and then the 7511 which will be commercial and 7505. It'll be the only residential in that area. So, I'm afraid if somebody moves into that property, that person will be surrounded on both side by commercial properties. That's why we said why not using that for commercial also so that we can separate that with from our neighbor which is a res residential area. Uh looking at the map it looks like a block. So that's the only one that would now I looked at it earlier but that's the only one that would remain residential within that block.

Yes. Okay. Right.

The only one. And then what I want to add also when we try to rent the properties people who are trying to rent the property complain that it's you know it's uh in commercial area so they feel like it should be commercial because it's backing up because we have subway on the right side and then all that. So we said since I mean we're going to resone that one it will be easier for us and plus it will be easier for us to have an office next to our business you know so that we will not be using those property for office purposes. So that's why in the back we say we don't even need access there or anything because you know we're going to be doing business in the front but the back side could be all the offices and stuff and then we're going to have a hard time to rent as residential because it'll be surrounded by commercial properties.

I'm just trying to get a feel. So the whole block will be commercial. Yes, the whole block not mixed commercial and residential. No, everything will be commercial from the front to the back. Okay. Make you out of order, man.

Thank you very much, council. Do you have any other questions? Hearing none, the chair moves to approve ordinance RZ 250006 7511 Covington Highway. Second. The motion has been properly moved and second by Councilman Fi. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion will appro Tim. Yes.

I believe the city clerk and I apologize. I believe the city clerk has is trying to say something. I can't hear you say that again.

Yes, please. An ordinance by the mayor and city council of the city of Stone Crest, Georgia, to reszone property located at 7511 Covington Highway, parcel ID 16137 310 from R75 residential medium lot to C1 local commercial to allow for the expansion of an existing hair braiding salon and boutique. to provide severability, to provide for repeal of conflicting ordinances, to provide for an adoption and effective date, and to provide for other lawful purposes. Thank you. The motion was properly moved and second by Councilman Fi. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two,

yay. District three. Yay. District four, yay. District five, yay.

District one is yay. The motion carries 5 to zero. RZ250006 7511 Covenant Highway has been approved with the stated conditions. Next on the agenda is ordinance for RZ25007 6760 Chup Road presented by Mrs. Cowi. Mayor Tim, this is a reszoning and mayor and map amendment of the parcel from R75 residential medium lot to C1 local commercial. This is a decision decision only and a small background. The future land use map has this property as office professional. Zoning is R75 residential medium lot. This is an aerial map of the location of the property. This is the submitted reszoning plan site photo and staff did recommend approval of the resoning request from R75 to C1. Also, planning commission added an additional condition as on 7511 Coington Highway was that no commercial signage will be on the frontage of Chuck Road. May

thank you, Miss Cowie. Council, do you have any questions? May. Yes, Councilman Turner. Um I'm sure I have it in the package, but go back over the recommendations for approval by the U staff. Were there conditions with that?

Yeah, the conditions I will read again. They were on the same conditions as 7511 Coington Highway. The use limitation, the property shall be used only for well office a hair branding salon because she was relating them together and a personal and personal care services. Any change in the youth shall require separate reviews and approval by the planning department. The hours of operation shall be limited to Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Parking access to the parcel shall come from the access of 750 Coington Highway. And again, a site plan showing all required off parking off street parking must be provided to serve clients and staff. The site plan must address storm water management requirements. Signage and exterior modification. Any new signage or exterior modification to the building or property shall comply with the city codes and require approval from the planning and zoning department. The applicant shall upgrade as necessary all applicable health, safety, building, and fire codes. And again, the applicant must submit a lot combination plat within 90 days. Approval of the application requesting that the following three lots are combined. 750 7511 Coington Highway and 6760 Chup Road and the additional condition from the planning commission that no commercial signage shall be on the front edge of Chuck Road.

Thank you. Thank you council. Do we have any other questions at this time? Hearing none, chair moves to deny RZ250076760 Chub Road. Second. The motion has been properly moved and second by Councilwoman Smith. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two, yay. District three, yay. District four, nay. District five,

yay. District one is yay. Motion carries five to zero. Correction. That's it. Councilman Turner, you said nay. Nay.

Okay. Motion carries 4 to one. Ordinance RZ250076760 Chub Road has been denied. Again, 4 to one, Councilman Turner. Yay. Nay. Next on the agenda is new business for decision IGA for Execution, City of Lonia Law Enforcement Service by Mrs. Boyin. Can you guys hear me? No.

All right. Can you hear me now? Okay. Pull it down for you tall people.

Want to say it should be a microphone. It's not an additional mic. cuz you got the soft voice. There it is. Good evening and council mayor pro town procurement manager procurement official at the city of St. Chris. We are here tonight to discuss um entering into a new contract with the city of Lethonia for our police officer services that we receive um at the city of um city hall browns Mills and our other um city facilities. Um we are asking to enter into a one-year term agreement with four automatic renewal options um in an effort to continue to receive our police officer, security guard services that we currently receive. Um, I'm here to answer any questions that you may have. Tim,

yes, Councilman Turner, Miss Bon, is there an emergency or has the I understand the existing contract has expired or has it not? Yes, it did. It expired on December 31st. So, we are here now to um go ahead and secure a new contract to continue the services that we've been receiving with the city of Lethonia. So, for the last six weeks um almost two months, we've had no agreement.

That is correct. We have not had a contract, but because of the the amount hourly amount that we pay for security services, um it's within the ability to allow us to pay without having a contract in place. It was over an oversight and so that is why I'm here tonight to remedy the situation with our services with um the city of Lethonia. Okay. Uh what I'm getting at is might there be time to work this through to either the finance committee or some other committee to gain a better understanding as to what we're about to embark upon.

It is my understanding that it is the exact same contract terms that we had before with the exception of the purchase of the vehicle because that was a part of the original contract that we had in place. So now we're just here to um secure the hourly rates in which we pay the security officers for the services they provide at the city. Okay. Perhaps everybody else understand it undeni. So um I'll yield prom. Council any other questions in regards to the IGA? May I pro Tim?

Yes. Councilwoman Smith. I think I'm kind of with Councilman Turner um having some time to to hash out some of these questions that I have as well. But I will um there's one thing that I saw as it relates to the um automatic renewal. Yes, ma'am.

So, um the agreement says that we automatically renew for four years. um do we necessarily need that there in that takes away our opportunity to um re-evaluate our situation? Right? If we have an automatic renewal,

um what happens is that um the process that's been put in place is that 6 months into the contract period, we reach out to the lead departments and have them do a vendor performance evaluation. So, we still have the ability to evaluate them and if there's any service issues prior to the renewal period, we would address them. And if the council or city elects to not renew, we're able to address that prior to that um ending period for the renewals. So, even though it's written as one, it's four automatic one-year renewals. So it'll be renewed annually, but if we have any performance issues like we do with our existing contracts, we try to address them way in advance before the renewal period. So if it's okay, everything is worked out and resolved, we would renew or we would have the option to seek services through another uh different means. But it is language within the um contract draft that addresses if they're um satisfactory or dissatisfactory services, how we go about addressing them and working those um those issues out with um the city.

Is the automatic renewal piece something that was put there because to avoid us being in the situation that we're in right now?

Well, in some of our contracts, we do have that language already in there. And so what I did was I leaned on that because the way the original contract with Lethonia was set up was kind of weird. It was like for a fivemon period and then one year and so it's customary what I've seen being here at the city of Stone Crest is for us to have one year with five with four renewal options. We just put the automatic in there just you like I said you like you just called out to make sure that we do not have a breakin service during that period but because of the language that's in the contract and because of our internal process we still go through vendor you know our evaluations on performance if there's any issues we still have the ability to with notice to terminate the contract if we're not satisfied May potent.

Councilwoman Smith, are you did that conclude all of your questions for the moment? I yield. Thank you. Council woman Washington. Yes. Um, right now we're uh seeking a public safety officer. Would that affect the contract with Lethonia, the IGA with Lethonia, if we once we hire a public safety officer?

I'm not able to speak on that. I do know that within the contract we do talk about a public safety officer and if memory serves me correctly, they would be working with them. But I'll lean on um legal to provide clarification on that. Okay. Thank you,

Madam Mkeleton. Um to answer council member Washington's question, those are um these are two separate um considerations. So, this uh contract with the city of Lyonia addresses police services um around the city, the city's buildings and parks and um the public safety officers a completely separate consideration. Is it I'm sorry. Um is it possible that we can see the contract for the uh IG for the police? I did provide a copy of the draft in which we received um but I will um share that with you guys again. Okay. Thank you very much.

Council, any other questions? Mayor Pro. Yes, Mayor Kbble. I just wanted to uh ensure that this was clear. Is the IGA that you are considering not in the council packet today? It is not.

Can you double check that, will you? It's not it's not in the um packet. I was uh I did the agenda meeting. We didn't have it in time to place it in a packet. Okay. Thank you.

You're welcome. Any other questions, council? May pro Tim. And uh to the mayor's point, I mean, I looked at it in the package that this has a solicitation summary uh without any details. and we have an IGA with the CAB county and I'm trying to understand uh the separation of the two uh why couldn't we get this from the CA county or this would be considered extra extra and something beyond this normal scope of what the cap county would provide.

Mayor prom I can give some feedback on that. Um the summary that is in the cover sheet is the same detail that's in the existing um IGA. Uh there literally no changes other than extending the time frame because as Tanisha mentioned uh the contract the original contract has already expired. So you actually have you do have the contract from the first adoption of it because nothing literally nothing changed but the dates of expiration. Uh but Councilman Turner, the same discussion we've had from day one about Dicab County, which has been some um misinformation spread, is that this particular IGA replaces our police services with Dicab County, which is emphatically uh false and incorrect. Dicap County does not offer their services to secure our parks nor our buildings. Dicap County serves as a law enforcement arm uh for the city of Stone Crest to respond to crimes and other public safety matter, public safety related matters that are um life critical and life-changing. Uh they do not have the personnel uh to satisfy our events and our buildings on a day-to-day basis, which is why we contracted with the city of Lethonia uh last year or a year and some change ago, a year and five months, I believe. Um so no DAB cannot provide this service. They are doing the best they can to provide the service that we are all paying taxes toward which is to secure the city um from those bad actors. So that's why we had it in place then why we have it in place now. Keep in mind that every day that you walk into a city building or a city uh park or even your city events that there is a law enforcement presence to ensure the safety. Uh so the longer you prolong this then surely um we can continue to try to keep this relationship with the city of Lethonia. Um but we want to ensure that we're good partners on both sides. They're offering their services to us and we have a

mutual need for their service. So just want to make sure that we're keeping that in mind. But again, there's no changes to the to the meat of this IGA. It was necessary then. It's absolutely necessary now. We want to ensure that our our visitors to our parks, our facilities, and our staff are secured. Even now today, you're sitting in a council meeting and there are Lethonia officers present uh because that is important to us to keep both you staff and our visitors to our building safe. Uh the deputy chief of police for Lethonia is sitting in the audience as well can certainly answer maybe any questions you may have about services and performance. Danish has done a fantastic job explaining the contract management side of it. Uh we want to make sure that we are keeping the safety of all of our citizens, our stakeholders, our visitors uh in mind as they patronize city events and certainly our city buildings and parks.

Prior to the um contract with Lthonia, we had a private was it a private or was that just overtime officers from the cap county providing the service?

No, we you're correct. We contracted with third-party vendors who were only security, not law enforcement. We went with the city of Leonia because one, they're post-certified. They're actual law enforcement officers, uh not um not u security officers, which is a complete a completely different service. We had third-party partners in that security. We had performance issues also safety concerns uh because they could not perform a law enforcement duty should something escalate to that uh to that degree. So we moved away from just kind of a regular security officers who were not weapon carrying officers and again did not have a postcertified u uh d uh designation to be able to to actually arrest in the event there there that was necessary. So, we moved to a law enforcement services that were able to keep our citizens safe and also respond very quickly uh without uh using third-party security officers.

Thank you. Uh there was something else about the purchase of an automobile. Was that in the last contract? In the last contract that's removed from this one. We're obviously not repurchasing that vehicle. It is already purchased titled to the city of Lethonia. The prior language said that once this contract and these services were terminated that that vehicle will be titled to the city. Because Lethonia officers are the drivers and all the insurance and its coverage and their coverage belongs to the city of Lethonia, it is absolutely required that the title of the vehicle remain with that with the individuals who are insured and that would be on the Lethonia side.

Okay. And I'm just looking at the solicitation and I didn't quite understand how that was worded. And it says uh for a not to exceed amount of $75,000 for the purchase vehicle and $55 an hour yada yada yada. Okay. I just need to probably read it three more times. And I just want to clarify that this was not a solicitation, Councilman Turner. There is there was no solicitation. This is an intergovernmental agreement. Okay, I yield.

Thank you, Councilman Turner. Any other questions from council? Mayor Kbble, you're still here.

So, I know we had a contract with a third party prior to the contract with Lonia. Um the contract is now expired, so that's why we're here now. But I just wanted to know, have we had a conversation with the cab um without needs for security or additional police around our buildings and parks since absolutely new since the new CFO has taken place? Uh I don't know who their CFO is. I do know who their CEO is. CEO is. I'm sorry.

Um Oh, okay. Um and yes, we've had multiple conversations even um with um Chief Pedrich who was the interim chief of police and now is the chief of the permanent chief of police. Uh we are in constant conversation about the needs uh of the Stone Crest area. Uh it has been much conversation around their ability to provide more human resources. Uh and those those efforts are focused on serving uh the public for crimes. uh they are not uh and have they do not have the ability uh to provide officers uh for events, activities uh and parks uh that we have with the city of Lethonia. They that is um more than they can handle at the moment. Uh and also um when we did use offduty officers with the cab county, their price was actually higher uh than the hourly rate that the city of Lethonia is offering and has offered. So, not only have we have an efficiency and uh having the officers available to serve us for our events, parks and facilities, we also have a lower rate than Dicap County was uh was able to offer. Um so, the human resource is not available. Uh they are focused solely on ensuring that when the 911 calls come in and then when we have obviously life-threatening incidents that they have enough officers uh on each watch uh to be able to serve our community for life safety needs. Thank you,

council. Any other questions? Mayor Pro Tim. Yes, council member Councilwoman Smith. So, there was a question that came up earlier as it relates to insurance of the officers, how the insurance works between us and the city of Lon. Can you guys provide shed some light on that?

I certainly uh can can give some context and then our deputy chief of police is there and can answer maybe go into more detail. Um but as I stated before, the city of Lethonia officers um are insured through the city of Lethonia. Uh they are covered whenever they are performing their duties. Uh they actually swear in under our city oath. Um so they are uh certified to uh execute services within the city and um uphold all of our codes and laws here, but they are 100% insured through their human resource department while they were on while they are on duty. Luckily, the city of Lethonia is a city just like the city of Stonerest is. So, we you we all use Georgia Municipal Association insurance. They carry Garma just like we do. Uh and so all that was flushed out in in the uh in the first contract. So, no changes here. Uh the city is well insured. Uh the city of Stone the city of Lethonia rather is well insured and actually the city of Stonerrest uh has immunity uh as the city of Lethonia will cover all of their expenses uh and when they're in the line of duty under their own insurance. But if deputy chief wants to go any uh into more detail um certainly um I can't I can't see you but he's certainly sitting right behind Tanisha. Oh, he's at the podium. Wonderful.

Good evening Mayor Pro and Council. Good evening.

Chief, you want to elaborate a little bit on the insurance if I didn't cover something? you you pretty much covered it on insurance, mayor. Uh we're insured by the city of Lthonia and it's all listed in the IG as the uh insurance goes. And a couple other things I'd like to clarify that was spoken here earlier. The city of Lthonia has never been in jeopardy of losing their certification. I've been in law enforcement here in Dicab County for over 30 years. I've been with the city of Lthon for the last uh three years. In addition to that, uh we are uh deputized the officers that work this are deputized by the sheriff of the cab and also the mayor of uh the city of Stone.

Okay. Thank you. Um there is a uh line in the contract that speaks about Lthonia reserving the right to charge Stone Crest the actual cost of any specific non-basic services. Um, is there a I mean you I I want to look at possibly including something that gives us a not to exceed and if there is something that we can have in the contract to say that there has to be some type of permission or okay prior to those services being rendered. And just for clarity, just to understand. Yeah, I I hear you, Winston, loud and clear. U and I apologize. I can't see you, so I'm sorry. I can't see who's getting ready to respond. Um but certainly um you know, there's always an opportunity to to add um language to the contract. I just want to make sure I understand your question in it in its uh totality. Um you are you saying not to exceed a certain amount of hours um per month uh for specific services? Are you saying not to exceed a certain dollar amount? The rate is set at $55 an hour. Uh so just wanted some clarity on uh your um limit to not to exceed. Is that in the amount of hours? Is that per activity? Uh you have a little bit more detail on that.

That would be the cost. I'm speaking of the cost and and in the contract it I'm speaking of the non-basic services. If the city of Lonia does anything for us that's non-basic as we have outlined in our contract, um it it highlights that the city of Lthonia is able to charge Stone Crest the actual cost of whatever that non-basic service is.

That's that's pretty much uh referring to the special events when you have special events and hours are set for those special events and we provide the the services for those hours set for those uh special events. And if we don't receive permission for overtime, then we don't provide any more hours over than was already set for that event.

And can I add something? Um because what we can do there is maybe define what non-basic services means. So there's clarity between between police services and the um the basic services that the city of Latono police department would provide the city and maybe those non-basic services um whether the police are called on to do something um in addition to what those basic services are. So I think maybe if we define that in the contract that will help provide clarity on what those services are. Okay, thank you.

Councilwoman Smith, do you are you finished with your questions? Yes, Mayor Pro Tim, I am. Thank you. Council, any other questions? Mayor Pro Tim.

Yes, Councilman F. Um, Miss Bon and um, if I could ask since we are in a currently a lapse, um, what is the what is currently going on in the interim as we, um, go go through the contract, um, are I see we have police um, we have security here present, but for the go but going forward, what's what's in the interim? Are we just continuously acting as if the contract is still valid and still paying as if or could you kind of describe what's go what's on that piece?

Well, um we are um able to obtain services with based on our um updated threshold amounts, right? That is why they're able to continue to provide the services. We're in a new year. Um the contract expired, so we're in January. So, as long as it does not exceed what would be the city manager's award authority, we're able to maintain the services, which is why the intent was for us to bring it tonight to try to, you know, secure a contract. But, you know, we do have the ability based on thresholds available to us to justify and um them continuing to provide the services because they are needed and it is a security risk to not have them in place. And what is the Oh, it's the um it's a previously approved threshold amount. So that's under 50,000. Correct.

Correct. Okay. Right. And council member five, if I may,

um what we'll do u in the next um meeting, we'll bring a resolution before council to ratify the agreement because like you said, there's a space and time that the agreement has is has not been acted. you want to ensure that that space and time is covered by some type of terms that govern the actions of the two parties. So, what we can do is bring a resolution to ratify that space and time and then that way the time that the agreement wasn't active, it'll the city essentially um will um will provide um some type of um legal coverage for that time space and time.

Okay. And so, and Deputy City Manager McCoy, I might need you to help me out on this. What are we at now currently paying? And I understand we have the $50,000 threshold. How much are we paid of that 50,000? I'll be able to give you an accurate report tomorrow um morning, but I do know that um we are based on just by my memory recollection of requisitions that I've approved of recently, we are within the city manager's authority still. So um we have not exceeded that yet. Are we at 50% spent? I'm I'm asking if council wanted you

close to maybe 20 25 30%. I can't really say off the top of my head and I don't like giving misinformation. That's fair. That's fair. I prefer to um provide you an accurate um amount tomorrow and keep me legal. Keep me legal. Um so if that's the case and what is the potential risk? There's a potential insurance risk if we go without having having sec or having security in the building for let's say up until the March 23rd. Is that correct?

Yes, that would be the next council meeting. I would I mean just based on what they do and the fact that we have the public in here, we have the ability to to write up an emergency because it is a public safety. Um public comes in here, security checks them, check their bags. We have council member that are here, regular employees that deal with the public. Sometimes we have to tell them no. And so I think it's for our safety of staff and for the um dental office that is housed within the building that it is important for us to maintain those services without a separation of break. Okay. And um

may I also add to that Councilman F that keep in mind we also have a rec center that runs programs uh every almost every day throughout the day. So we want to make sure that our participants are are safe as well. So just the conversation of contemplating uh removing law enforcement from our buildings, facilities, and events even for the next two weeks um is certainly walking a slippery slope, especially when the rate is the same, the contract terms haven't changed, the insurance is covered, uh where, you know, it's it's, you know, you'd have to have a real compelling reason to put your participants, your staff, and the the public at risk. Ye

Yes. And so which legal brings me to a next qu to my final question. Council could approve this contract tonight, read through some of the terms, modify it, and then bring it back to council for reapproval and just talk just go between Lethonia and ourselves to be able to modify that. Um, I would say that you if you want to make some adjustments to the contract, um, and then have a final approval of the contract, then you probably should wait until you have that those terms ironed out. Unless you do approve it um, pending, even if it's a pending review by legal, you still want to kind of wait till those terms are ironed out. But also, has the city of Lethonia approved this agreement yet?

I have provided them a copy of the draft that we received and so no, we have not received it back from Lethonia. I believe that they probably were waiting on us to, you know, get back to them. But let me add that the chief of police and the mayor have reviewed and don't uh have any additional changes or feedback seeing as literally the IG contract the IGA is exactly the same. Both have reviewed it and don't have any feedback. I guess my my question is there's not been a vote of the mayor and city council of the city of Lythonia to approve the IGA and as by my recollection they meet on the first and third Mondays and so um even if you approved it tonight they will still it would still require a vote of the Lthonia Council on the third Monday whenever that is um provided they vote on their third Mondays uh and so um or I guess it'll be the first Monday now which would be March the second would be their next opportunity to approve it.

Yes, sir. Attorney Denmark, and they are prepared to add that to their agenda um post and improvement, an approval uh from the city of Stone Crest. Obviously, we're soliciting their services. Uh so, they certainly would like to know that we have approved our own request for services from them before uh they offer it the other way around. So, I think that the order of it kind of makes sense. Kaylin mayor pro Tim I withdraw. Thank you Councilman F. Any other questions? Council

pro Tim. I'm trying to understand. So So what you're saying it matters who approves it first or it doesn't matter. those. I mean, it technically does not matter who approves it first, but if I'm reading the council correctly, you want to take a little bit more time to consider this, and I was just trying to determine whether or not that time was afforded to you based on the necessity of the city of Lyonia voting to approve this agreement. Also, I understand that they're going to meet on March the 2nd and that's around the corner and that doesn't allow us to wait until um March the 23rd. And so even if you don't approve it tonight, the clock would still be ticking and you would have to consider either a special call meeting or to see whether or not Lyonia would approve it on the uh March the second. Even though I understand the mayor's point that that's a little bit unusual since we're trying to get the services from them. Uh but if I'm hearing the council correctly, you want to take a little bit more time and I'm just trying to find avenues that will give you the time to consider this matter more thoughtfully.

And you're reading this correct. You're reading me correctly. I did want to take a little more time uh to look at the details and uh understand it a whole lot better. Although I know it's already been put in place and sometimes we rush into this because things need to be done without fully understanding it and it's time that we gain the full understanding uh before we continue with this. Now, uh, from what I hear you saying is that the way we have security tonight is this through basically, uh, gentleman's agreement, so to speak, that they're being paid and they're providing the service as if there was a contract until we decide whether that will or will not be a bonafide contract.

Well, what I can say is that they've continued to show. I have been in communication with their chief of police in reference to the situation and um we are able to continue to maintain the services under um a I guess a mutual understanding that they are still performing under the same terms and conditions of the previous agreement um to maintain um safety at our facilities and making sure that we're covered until we get this resolved. Okay. Thank you. Mayor Pro Tim. Yes, Councilwoman Smith.

So, I just want to be clear. Um, if we do not sign this tonight, if we defer it, then based on the budget that we spoke about earlier, we have not we have some leeway um to continue to spend like we have been for the services that are being offered until we sign on the dotted line for this new contract. That is correct. But like um attorney um Denmark, I'm sorry, I just had a me I'm sorry. Anyway, um as Denmark um has already spoken, um if it requires it to go before their council or their administration board, we want to make sure that we address any of your concerns post haste. So, we can go ahead and do this the right way, which is um securing a new contract based on, you know, the mutual agreement of the changes that you guys wish to see. And that gives us also the time to talk with Lethonia on any contract modifications or changes that you guys want to make sure we're all satisfied as we move forward.

Okay. Thank you. And with that being said, we believe first, thank you to the city of Lthonia for securing our buildings. We appreciate that. Um, with that being said, we believe that the city of Lthonia will not withdraw services from us, um, if we need a little bit more time to, uh, review and solidify the contract.

Well, I know that by my conversations that I've had with their chief, um, they're satisfied and, you know, they're here to help us with what we need. And so I will go back and get confirmation, but I believe that um Major may also be able to to possibly confirm that as well. But I know that they have been working with me um communicating with me on a regular basis about the status of the contract and they let me know that they are willing to um enter in the contract with us. But I just need to see what your recommended changes are, requested changes are work with legal to, you know, make sure they're we're all good to continue.

And council, if I could add, it's not just your buildings, the parks and stuff that we secure for you. At times when the cab is backed up and can't get the calls at the mall, can't get the calls in this area, you know, our officers respond over here to address the calls and make sure your citizens, you know, have a officer there at the time of need and not sitting waiting and for a long ETA response from a police officer. So, we work in collaboration with the Cab County Police Department to enhance the public safety in the city of Stone Crest. And that's something I just wanted to uh add and wanted you all to think about while you go on and consider the contract as it relates to the government buildings, the parks and things of that nature. We do much more for you guys than that.

I'm glad you I'm glad you mentioned that. Um relationships matter. our relationship not only with our government partners uh but also with the trust we have um that our citizens, our stakeholders and certainly uh our patrons of our programs over at the rec center um it means something to them. You certainly can bring back items to council agendas uh at any meeting at any time. uh you can approve the the one that you have in front of you today which has literally no changes other than the date of expiration uh and then have legal and procurement continue to work uh through changes that you have recommended bounce those back over to the city of Lethonia. Remember it is a mutual agreement. So your changes also must be accepted by them as well. In the meantime, we can approve the the IGA uh that you have in front of you today to ensure that there isn't an interruption in services, but also shows an appreciation for the services that they provide. What you don't want to do uh is is even show uh that there is some uncertainty and and what they're doing, how their services are provided. Uh and certainly we know that their cost is lower than anyone, including the private companies that we used in the past. Um, so I just want you to keep that in mind uh as you contemplate this in the next few minutes. You certainly can bring it back as you've seen and as you've done many times um over and over and over. There is no limitation to that. Um but securing the relationship but also the trust that our buildings are secure, our state, our staff is safe uh is important. This cont uh is no different than the one that was before you uh that you voted on a year and five months ago. Uh it is a short one, not very lengthy at all. Uh and so I have no doubt that you'll be able to provide your feedback quickly uh and we can get that back on the agenda even if it is after March 2nd. Uh but we do want to keep in mind that the city of Lethonia also has to agree uh to your changes today. They have agreed on what is presented before you now and will be

presented before you in March. I'm sorry, before them in March.

And based on that, with having a good relationship that we have right now, I am hopeful that the city of Lonia will provide us the time that we need to do due diligence. I didn't vote on the previous one. So, um I would appreciate if we had time, if that's what we needed, a little more time, that um the city of Lthonia will work with us to to do our due diligence. Thank you. I yield. Miss Boyin, outside of this contract, um how do we track the city city contracts expiration date? Um with all the other contracts we have in the city, how is that tracked?

Okay, so um when I got here, we were using bidnet. Um I think because of as everyone knows the staffing we have not been able to um upload of our all of our contracts into bidnet but I know that was a source being used mainly if we did solicitations to procure and enter into agreements we would um generate the contract in bidnet. Another um another option that we are using is an active contract log. We have been in discussion with Tyler in reference to a contract module. Um is $0 to us. We just they just need us to sign up on the agreement to activate that contract module, which is something that we've been internally discussing. And that will take care of all of our contract management and being able to properly um monitor any expenditures as well as ex um expiration dates and renewal periods. So, we are working on um ushering that into implementation so we'll have a better control over our contracts. Thank you,

council. What is your pleasure?

Tim. Yes, Councilman Turner. Move to defer this item to the March 9th work session for decision. Second. Motion has been properly moved and second by Councilwoman Smith. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two. Nay. District three. Yay. District four. Yay. District five. Yay.

District one is yay. Motion carries four to one. Councilman Fi Nay. The IGA has been deferred to the work session for decision only. Next on the agenda is the resolution for personnel budget amendments. Mayor Pro Tim. Yes, Councilman. I move to go into executive session to discuss personnel.

Second. I'm sorry, Mayor Prom. I had an item I'd like to discuss with you in executive session. I don't know if you're going to come back out and go in a second time, but if we're going to executive session, I'd like to discuss an item with you, a litigation matter. I'm sorry. So, if Councilman F is agreeable to go into executive session, discuss the personnel item and litigation. I would appreciate it. So, before we move forward, I just want to be clear, we're going into executive session before the resolution for the personnel budget amendment.

Yes, ma'am. I was trying to get the motion passed with the votes, but if the rest council is meaningable, I will most certainly expand that all expand that executive session request to discuss real estate, cyber security, andor litigation with personnel. We'll have a second. Second. Motion has been properly moved and second by Councilman Turner. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two, yay. District three. Yay. Yay. District five.

Yay. District one is yay. We are now adjourned to executive session. Someone will please give me a call when you go to executive session. Thank you.

Thank you council. I will entertain a motion to come out of executive session. So moved. Second. The motion has been properly moved and second by council men Turner. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two. Yay. District three, yay. District four, yay. District five, yay. District 1 is yay. We are now adjourned to our regular council meeting. Mayor Pro Tim. Yes. Councilman F. I move to approve the minutes from the executive session. Second. The motion has been properly moved by Councilman Turner. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two,

yay. District three. Yay. District four. Yay. District five. Yay. District 1 is yay. Motion carries 5 to zero. The minutes from executive session is now approved. Council, I move to approve a resolution for a personnel budget amendment for our finance director position. Second. The motion has been properly moved and second by Councilman Turner. Are you ready for the question?

Tim, are you ready for the question? Tim. Yes. Council, is there a resolution attached? I just asked uh Attorney Thompson Um, a resolution by the mayor and city council of the city of Stonegress, Georgia to amend the FY2026 city of Stonerest budget for the purpose of funding um the finance director's position.

Thank you. Are you ready for the question? The motion was properly move was properly moved to second by Councilman Turner. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion will respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two, yay. District three. Yay. District four, yay. District five, yay.

District one is yay. The resolution for the personnel budget amendment for the finance directive position has been approved. Council, I think we're down to 15. I can't hear you, Mayor Pro. I mean, I can't hear you, Councilman Turner. Oh, I have no other comments other than say that we're down to item 14.

Madame Mayor Pro, I think there's you should entertain a motion to in regards to the Jacobs settlement. Yes, I entertain a motion. Mayor Broim, yes. Councilman F. I move to accept the Jacob settlement as discussed in executive session. Second. The motion has been properly moved and second by Councilwoman Washington. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion, please respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two, yay. District three. Yay. District four, yay. District five. Yay.

District one is yay. The settlement for the Jacobs has been approved. Five to zero. Shout out attorney Denmark.

Next on the agenda is well next on agenda is comments, but before we move to comments, I have a a question. I just want to clarify um attendance. I know um Mayor Kbble is virtual and we do appreciate her joining us in this meeting today, but I just want to confirm when you are virtual, what are the requirements or because according to our charter, I didn't see anything in regards to a virtual attendance.

Yes, ma'am. Under the Georgia Open Meetings Act, a member of the governing body can participate virtually if that individual is outside the jurisdiction. Um, second rule in regards to virtual appearances, there has to be a physical quorum uh in the chamber, which we have. And so um so if the person is not present in the jurisdiction and we have a physical quum uh in the chamber then a member can participate in a meeting virtually and that's under the Georgia meetings act. Thank you. I just want to get clarification. Next on the agenda is p is uh comments

comment related to your that prior subject. Is there a a specific concern you'd like to discuss about my attendance? Well, since you asked, we did have a lot a couple of constituents was wondering um if you were going to be in today's meeting. Um so I got several calls about your attendance, which I made it clear that um we did receive notice that you wasn't going to be in attendance if you was not here and technically you only missed one meeting. So, I know I received a lot of calls in regards to that. So, because of the transparency that we're trying to do moving forward, I just thought we can make it clear for the constituents.

Okay. So, I want to make sure there's a couple things that are clear. One, whenever anyone else misses a council meeting and constituents reach out, I want to make sure that we're we're also consistent in that transparency to get on the dis and have the same conversation with all those uh who will miss meetings as well. Secondly, I do want to address that if you do get a call uh regarding my office or my attendance that you would please refer that to my office so that we can uh contact our constituents directly and be able to speak on my own behalf. Thirdly, the charter, as you very well know, outlines all the requirements for attendance uh and including those that are automatically excused. Uh even though I am away for work, I am still multitasking in order to serve our community. So, in the future, if there are any concerns, and this is for those listening to this call, those in attendance, and those on social media, feel free to reach out to my office at any time, and I'll be glad to discuss with them my attendance. The city has already been down this road one time before in litigation was not successful and cost itself much money. We probably should be very careful in that accusation again, but certainly my office is wide open to be able to answer those questions on on my own behalf.

Well, thank you, Mayor Cabo, for your comments. Again, I was just trying to show transparency for the people that did act and however we are going to be fair with all the elected officials here. Wonderful. Just asking that that transparency is equitable across all of the members on the People did ask me about your attendance. I did tell them to reach out to you or to reach out to your assistant. Wonderful. I surely appreciate that cooperation.

I'm glad you do. Thank you. Now, next on the agenda is comments from our city attorneys. I just want to uh thank the council for your foresight and vision in approving the Jacob settlement. It's been a long and tortured road. I think it was a successful outcome for the city and so I appreciate uh everything that the city council and the city staff did over the years to get us to a favorable outcome. Thank you.

Thank you. City manager, do you have I mean not city manager but deputy city manager, do you have any comments from the city manager's office? Thank you. I appreciate you as well. Mayor Cabo, do you have any comments for the for the city? No further comments than the ones I've already made. Thank you. Thank you. Councilman Fi, do you have any comments?

Yes, I do. um two comments recently. Um first off, I want to thank First off, I want to thank um the city the city's code enforcement department, especially um specifically Terrence Stewart for some of the amazing work that they've been able to do um especially in district 2. We had several trucks parked in our residential areas um alongside the DAT alongside Dicap Medical in Hillendale. And one of the things we got to do this week was actually be able to reach out, contact specifically the truck some of the trucking companies to be able to make sure that they were aware of our truck parking ordinance. So again, to members of the community, again, we hear you when you're talking about some of those concerns with public safety and the use of our roadways, especially as we use taxpayer dollars on them. So, know that if you ever find a truck that's in the area or in the in or um parked on the side of a resident's road in a rideway that's stopping you from being able to enter your residence, please reach out to us. Um it's so important that we get the chance to be able to talk to those folks. Make sure that we um reach out to these trucks, these trucking companies to them and hear and so that way they're able to hear from a city official, whether it's myself, Mr. Stewart, or any of the other wonderful people in um in code enforcement. the city has the capability to tow, not tow ourselves, but reach out to towing services. So, please let us know so we can go ahead and take care of that. And then secondly, I'd like to apologize again to the Hillale Commons community um for the weather that interrupted our ability to do a walkthrough in your neighborhood on Saturday. Mother Nature herself will act in many act of God and as many and as we see on Polish Scholes, Mother Nature going to do what Mother Nature's going to do. So we are going to work very hard to reschedule that rescheduled that walkth through so we can go through meet the neighbors work listen to some of your concerns and be able to work through that and with that mayor prom I withdraw.

Thank you Councilman Thank you Councilman Fi district three do you have any comments?

Yes. Yes. Thank you. I want to thank everyone um our CEO, the elected officials, family and friends, and our constituents for supporting us on our February uh 7th inaugural event. Um, Councilwoman Councilwoman woman Tara Graves and Councilwoman Kamisha Washington Smith. We were definitely honored at you all support and the encouragement that you gave us and that we received on that day. Thank you.

Thank you, District 4. May repro Tim just to echo what I mentioned earlier and that is that one of our members of the planning and zoning commission passed away that's Miss Pearl Hollis and her service will be held according to her family uh middle of March and they will let us know the details as we go along and I will post it for those of you who are interested and uh she was a beloved member of our planning and zoning commission. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. I'm sorry. Can I Yes.

Councilwoman Washington. Yes. Uh as we are in this month of uh Black History, I wanted everyone to please remember uh Reverend Jesse Jackson and his family to uh definitely hope have your prayers for them both in support. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Washington. District five, do you have any comments?

Yes, I do. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. First, I want to say thank you and kind of piggyback on Councilwoman Washington's response to the CEO, to um our representatives, to the constituents, to our neighbors, friends, um and um to this council um for the attending our event, our inaugural event. Thank you for all the support. Um, I also want to extend my gratitude to the staff as well as these council members for welcoming on me on board and being cooperative and helping guide my way through um, learning the ropes here at the city of Stone Crest to ensure that we're doing what we can do together to make Stone Crest better. So, thank you all. Um, I also would like to announce District 5. We are having our District 5 live event. So, our first town hall um discussion is going to be happening on Thursday, March 5th at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. right here at City Hall. So, District 5, I would love to see your faces there. We're going to um meet your neighbors, learn about what we've done in the past 60 days, as well as talking to you to get your um ideas and questions, concerns addressed so we can um path the the so we can pave the pathway for for 2026. So, please come out. Even if you're not in District 5, if you want to come out, come out, talk to us, and um let's let's do what we need to do in order to make Stone Crest better together. Thank you.

Thank you, District One. The only comment I have um is to look ahead for our next work session. And I know everyone is looking forward to this, but we're expecting to hear from our auditors at our next work session as well as our finance director to get an update on where we are financially. Um the goal for this council is to show transparency and to listen. And I will say this a thousand times over. We are here as the gatekeepers to ensure ensure that the voices of our citizens here in Stone Crest is heard. Um so thank you again for being here with us. Thank you for trusting us in this journey and I hope everyone in the city of Stonerest have an amazing week. Council, I will entertain a motion for a German.

So moved. Second. The motion has been properly moved and second by Councilwoman Smith. Are you ready for the question? All those in favor of the motion will respond with yay. All those opposed, nay. Starting with district two, yay. District three, yay. District four. District five, yay. District 1 is yay. Stonerest, have an amazing week. This meeting is now adjourned.