For the second time, the Stockbridge City Council considered a proposal to mandate mask wearing in the city.
For the second time, the measure failed.
An ordinance was presented at the council’s August 25 workshop meeting that would require the use of face coverings in public during the COVID-19 pandemic. After its presentation by city attorney Michael Williams, a motion was made by council member Elton Alexander and seconded by council member Yolanda Barber. The motion failed 3-2 with council members John Blount, LaKeisha Gantt and Alphonso Thomas voting in opposition.
In other business, the council amended the agenda to add a proposed moratorium on cigar bars and hookah bars in the city. The vote to amend the agenda and the subsequent moratorium both passed 3-0-2, with Alexander and Barber abstaining.
A proposed amendment to the city’s social media policy, which would allow for post-event press releases and coverage, was approved 3-2 with Blount and Gantt voting against it.
After a discussion regarding possible changes in polling locations in the city, it was the consensus of the council to increase voting space at the Merle Manders Conference Center for the November election by incorporating the upstairs ballroom based on availability of county election staff and voting machines. The council also tasked the city attorney and county attorney with reviewing election law relating to polling locations in and out of the city limits in anticipation of moving ahead with the addition of voting precincts where allowable and submitting the appropriate information to the relevant state legislative officials and the U.S. Justice Department for approval.
A motion to approve a $74,380 increase of the contract for geotechnical engineering services, for work with unsuitable soils for the Amphitheater project, passed 4-1 with Thomas opposed. A $100,000 bid award to a consultant for preparation of a unified development code passed 3-1-1 with Barber opposed and Alexander abstaining.
A $69,673.84 purchase of a box dump truck for the Water Department was approved unanimously.
A streetlight petition for phases 2 and 3 of the Pine Grove subdivision, at an annual cost of $4,835.54, was approved unanimously.
The council voted unanimously to rescind a previous resolution with respect to certain economic development matters, mandating that city staff will notify the governing body upon receipt of application and permits submitted for development within the city.
The council approved the use of the Ted Strickland Community Center for community blood drives, and approved a $61,200 allocation for annual watershed monitoring and reporting. Also approved was a resolution regarding the acceptance of the city’s coronavirus relief funds.
