Elton Alexander, Yolanda Barber and John Blount were sworn in January 13 to start the first regular meeting of the Stockbridge City Council for 2020. Barber is beginning her first term while Alexander and Blount are now in a second term. They were administered the oath of office by Municipal Court Judge Matthew McCord.

  Alphonso Thomas was appointed mayor pro tem by a 5-0 vote, and McCord’s reappointment was also unanimous. McCord was sworn in by Mayor Anthony Ford.

  City attorney Michael Williams was reappointed but the vote was 3-2, with Alexander and Barber opposed. Blount, Thomas and LaKeisha Gantt voted in favor.

  Only two items of new business were on the meeting’s agenda. The council approved the annual Short-Term Work Program and Capital Improvement Element update for transmission to the Atlanta Regional Commission, as well as the requested use of the Merle Manders Conference Center for the 2020 Bingo Bash Initiative. It is scheduled for January 29 from 10 a.m. until noon.

  The council convened in a special called meeting the afternoon of January 13, two hours before the regular meeting. Nearly all of that time was spent in executive session, as that was the only item on the agenda. The stated reason on the agenda was personnel, and there was no discussion or action taken in the public session.