THE CITY STONECREST GEORGIA CITY OF STONECREST, GEORGIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MINUTES 3120 Stonecrest Blvd., Stonecrest, GA 30038 Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM Mayor Jazzmin Cobble Council Member" Tara Graves - District 1 Council Member Terry Fye - District 2 Council Member Alecia Washington - District 3 Mayor Pro Tem George Turner - District 4 Council Member Tammy Grimes - District 5 Citizen Access: Stonecrest YouTube Live Channel I. CALL TO ORDER: George Turner, Mayor Pro-Tem The meeting began at 6:07pm. II. ROLL CALL: Sonya Isom, City Clerk All members were present. III. INVOCATION: Jeremy Reid, City of Stonecrest & Pastor of. Discovery Pointe Church, Snellville, GA IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Alecia Washington, District 3 Councilmember V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Terry Fye to approve the agenda as stated. Second by Councilmember Tammy Grimes. Motion passed unanimously. VI. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approval of Meeting Minutes - Special Called Meeting, December 23, 2024 Motion - made by Councilmember Terry Fye to approve the meeting minutes from the Special Called Meeting, December 23, 2024. Second by Councilmember Tara Graves. Motion passed unanimously. b. Approval of Meeting Minutes - Work Session, January 13, 2025 Page 1 of5 City Council Meeting Agenda Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM Motion made by Councilmember Tara Graves to approve the meeting minutes from the Work Session, January 13, 2025. Second by Councilmember Alecia Washington. Motion passed unanimously. C. Approval of Meeting Minutes - City Council Meeting, January 27, 2025 Motion - made by Councilmember Alecia Washington to approve the meeting minutes from the City Council Meeting, January 27, 2025. Second by Councilmember Tammy Grimes. Motion passed unanimously. VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS Citizens wishing to make a public comment may do sO in person. Citizens may also submit public comments via email to peterk@sonereagagon by 2 pm on the day ofthe meeting to be read by the City Clerk. AIl members ofthe public wishing to address the City Council shall submit their name and the topic oftheir comments to the city clerk prior to the start of any meeting held by the City Council. There is a three (3) minute time limit for each speaker submitting 01 reading a public comment. Individuals will be held to established time limits. Monica Robinson - Opposed to the city opting out of the Homestead exemption. Dr. Stacey Johnson - Wanted to show gratitude to Councilman Fye and Mayor Cobble for supporting the students at Lithonia High School and attending PTA Day at the State Capitol. Plaques were presented to both Mayor Cobble and Councilman Fye. Carlene Anderson = Thanks to Mayor Cobble and Councilman Fye from Lithonia High School PTA President, for helping with their event. Faye Coffield- Concerns about situation at I-20 and extending sound barriers to Lithonia Industrial, the need for additional streetlights and quality development and stated she would like for the City of Stonecrest to get a Tree Ordinance. Joy Graham (via email)- Commended the Council for adjusting the traffic flow at the Turkey Giveaway event, commented on how much people enjoyed the "Light It Up Stonecrest" event and thanked the Council fori the additional parking and new benches at Salem Park. She also gave high fives all around for the 100% increase in revenue. Wesley Smith- Waiting on return call from council member, concerned that he may lose his home due to past due HOA fees, and stated he would like city leaders to work with citizens to make Stonecrest better. VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS Citizens wishing to participate and comment during the public hearing portion ofthe 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 (for 01 against) via email Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting Agenda Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM to dpder@.oneregager by 2 pm the day ofthe Public Hearing to be read into the record at the meeting. A zoom link for the meeting will be sent to you. When it is your turn to speak, please state your name, address and relationship to the case.. There is a ten (10) minute time limit for each item per side during all public hearings. Only the applicant may reserve time for rebuttal. a. Public Hearing - Intent to Opt Out ofHB 581, 3rd Public Hearing - Michael McCoy, Depuly City. Manager & Ed Wall, Financial Advisor Introduction ofi item by Deputy City Manager McCoy and Financial Advisor Mr. Wall mentioning this is the 3rd and final public hearing required by law for this matter. There was a review and explanation oft the millage rate and how property taxes are calculated in Georgia. Staff provided an understanding on the Floating Homestead Exemptions, effects ofHB581 on final property tax, property tax impacts and why opting out ofHB581 is the best choice for Stonecrest. Motion = made by Councilmember Terry Fye to open the 3rd public hearing for the Intent to Opt Out ofHB581. Second by Councilmember Tammy Grimes. Motion passed unanimously. The City Clerk read the preamble. In Favor Faye Coffield Monica Robinson Renee Cail Adrenna Latham Joy Graham via email In Opposition Sabrena Farmer Gwendolyn Brown Patricia Jackson Motion made by Councilmember Terry Fye to close the 3rd public hearing for the Intent to Opt Out ofHB581. Second by Councilmember Tara Graves. Motion passed unanimously. b. For Decision - Intent to Opt Out ofHB 581, 3rd Public Hearing Michael McCoy, Deputy City Manager & Ed Wall, Financial Advisor" The City Clerk was asked to read the preamble a second time. Motion made by Councilmember Tammy Grimes to approve the Intent to Opt Out of HB581. Second by Councilmember Terry Fye. Motion passed 3-2 with Councilmembers Tara Graves & Alecia Washington voting Nay. Page 3 of5 City Council Meeting Agenda Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM IX. CONSENT AGENDA X. APPOINTMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS XI. REPORTS & PRESENTATIONS Presentation by representatives from Lithonia High School to Mayor Cobble and Councilman Fye for their participation during Georgia PTA Day. a. Street Resurfacing Accomplishments 2024 - Hari Karikaran, City Engineer Presentation by Mayor Pro Tem George Turner highlighting accomplishments ofthe City of Stonecrest Street Resurfacing projects in 2024. Deputy City Manager McCoy shared a video of the street resurfacing and paving program. It was also stated roads are being resurfaced with SPLOST funds. XII. OLD BUSINESS a. For Decision - City Closure Approval - Mayor Jazzmin Cobble Presentation by Mayor Cobble stating there is a consensus for a city closure on December 26, 2025, as the city is currently scheduled to be closed on December 24th and 25th for the holidays. Motion made by Councilmember Terry Fye to approve a city-wide closure on December 26, 2025. Second by Councilmember Tammy Grimes. Motion passed unanimously. XIII. NEW BUSINESS XIV. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS No comments. XV. CITY MANAGER UPDATE Stated there will be several policies coming before the council for both the March Work Session and the City Council Meeting. Registration for the Citizens Academy is now open and will end on March 14, 2025. The academy dates are March 20, 2025, through April 17, 2025. The: new city website is now public, and she would like to thank all staffi involved in the launch. The city is ready to launch the new city app and would like to give citizens an opportunity to help name the app. Submissions will be accepted beginning on March 3, 2025, and the deadline will be March 31, 2025, with the winner being announced in April. Launch of the new city app will be June 1, 2025. Georgia Cities Week is April 20-26, 2025. The city has a position open for an Arborist. The HR Policy is also under revision. City Manager Scruggs also addressed some oft the public comments that were made. XVI. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS District 1 - Tara Graves - No district updates. Congratulations to Mayor Cobble and Councilmember Fye on the Lithonia High School recognition. Page 4 of5 City Council Meeting - Agenda Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM District 2 - Terry Fye - Thanks to Parks and Recreation staff for the execution oft the Battle of the Drumlines at Miller Grove High School. March 1st will be the first ride along with Code Enforcement and you can send an email with comments. District 3 = Alecia Washington = The Battle of the Drumlines Event was awesome. Thank you to the staff. Everyone have a great weekend and be safe. District 4 - Mayor Pro Tem George Turner = Sympathy to the Grimes family. The Battle of the Drumlines Event was exhilarating. Stated he is planning to attend the Real Men Read event at Salem Middle School. District 5 - Tammy Grimes = Please pray for the Grimes family as this weekend will be the 4th funeral since January. Salem Middle School will host Real Men Read on this Friday, February 28th. Asking any men who would like to read to the scholars at Salem Middle School between the hours of 9am - 12pm, to please contact Councilmember Grimes at (470) 456-0066. Congratulations to Mayor Cobble and Councilmember Fye on their recognition from Lithonia High School. Mayor Cobble - Will be at Murphy Candler Elementary School tomorrow morning for the Mayor's Reading Club and will read to 3-5 classrooms. The Women of Wonder Gala is on March 29, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is also our City Manager's Birthday. Please come out to celebrate the wonderful women of Stonecrest. This event is free, but you must register. XVII. EXECUTIVE SESSION (When an executive session is required, one will be calledj for the following issues: 1) Personnel, 2) Litigation, 3) Real Estate, 4) Cyber Security XVIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion = made by Councilmember Terry Fye to adjourn the meeting. Second by Councilmember Tammy Grimes. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:37pm. As approved on the 24th day of March, 2025 CITY OF STONECREST, GEORGIA ATTEST: - Jonys Um City Clerk Americans with Disabilities Act The City of Stonecrest does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, activities and employment practices. fyou need auxiliary aids ands servicesfor effective commmication (such as a. sign language interpreter; an assistive listening device or print material in digital format) or reasonable modification to programs, services or activities contact the ADA Coordinator; Sonya Isom, as soon as possible, preferably 2 days before the activity 01" event. Page 5 of5 City Council Meeting Agenda Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM