Stonecrest council adopts multiple policy revisions, accepts grants and approves preliminary plat; appoints purchasing official

At its March 24 meeting the City of Stonecrest council approved a package of administrative policies, authorized grant activity and approved a preliminary plat for a townhome project. Several items were unanimous or carried by clear council majorities; one purchasing policy vote recorded a single dissent.

Policy updates and appointment - Fleet policy: Council adopted revisions clarifying authorized drivers, minimum age and Georgia driver’s‑license requirements and delegating authority to the city manager to approve take‑home vehicles. Motion carried 5–0. - Purchasing policy: Council approved revisions intended to standardize procurement processes and documentation; vote 4–1. - Purchasing card (P‑card) policy: Council approved revisions and added an amendment clarifying that, although state law allows elected officials P‑card access, the City of Stonecrest policy will not issue P‑cards to elected officials; motion carried 5–0. - Travel policy: Council updated travel reimbursement rules to permit, in special circumstances and with prior approval, reimbursement for overnight lodging for elected officials traveling under 50 miles for training or city business; motion carried 4–1. - Financial management policy: Council adopted the updated financial management policy as the city’s official finance policy document; motion carried 5–0.

Appointment: The city manager announced the appointment of Tanisha Boynton as the city’s purchasing agent/purchasing official. Staff said this appointment does not require council approval but was announced to the council and public.

Grants and capital projects - Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): Council accepted $500,000 in CDBG funding administered by DeKalb County for the Farrington Road sidewalk project; motion carried 4–0 (one council member temporarily absent). Planning staff said the grant funds will be used to construct sidewalks to improve walkability in an underserved area. - Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP): Council authorized staff to apply to the Georgia Department of Transportation for a TAP grant to build a shared‑use path along Thompson Mill Road from Winding Grove Drive to the city limits at Stapfinger Creek Bridge. Staff estimated total project cost at $3.8 million with a proposed GDOT grant request of $3,040,000 and a city SPLOST2 match of $760,000; motion to apply carried 4–0.

Development approval - Klondike Station preliminary plat (SDP 24‑001): Council approved the preliminary plat for a proposed development at 2955 Klondike Road. The application proposes a 72‑unit attached townhome development (three‑bedroom townhomes) on an 11.61‑acre parcel; the developer indicated the street right‑of‑way would be dedicated to the city and that utilities and some pavement are already in place. Motion to approve the preliminary plat carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The policy changes update internal controls and procurement procedures, clarify responsibilities for procurement and travel, and set the rules that will govern staff and departmental operations. The grants advance pedestrian and ADA‑accessible infrastructure projects. The plat approval moves a sizable housing project into the construction permitting phase.

Procedural notes: Council and staff said department directors and the city manager will produce or finalize administrative forms and processes (for example, a written request template for take‑home vehicles and training for P‑card management and travel rules) and that training for staff will follow adoption of the revised policies.

Votes at a glance (selected): - Fleet policy revisions — Approved (5–0) - Purchasing policy revisions — Approved (4–1) - Purchasing card policy (with amendment clarifying elected officials will not hold P‑cards) — Approved (5–0) - Travel policy revisions — Approved (4–1) - Financial management policy revisions — Approved (5–0) - CDBG acceptance (Farrington Road sidewalks) — Approved (4–0), amount $500,000 (DeKalb County administered) - TAP grant application (Thompson Mill shared‑use path) — Authorized to apply (4–0); total project est. $3,800,000, grant request $3,040,000, city match $760,000 (SPLOST2) - SDP 24‑001 Klondike Station preliminary plat (2955 Klondike Road) — Approved unanimously; project: 72 attached townhomes on 11.61 acres

Provenance: Each policy, grant and plat action appears in the staff reports and the council roll call recorded in the March 24 meeting transcript.