Stone Mountain, GA — The Stone Mountain City Council on March 2 unanimously approved a contract that will bring back the popular Color Vibe 5K chalk race and fundraiser after a one-year absence.

The council made the move at its monthly meeting on Tuesday. Last year’s event was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Stone Mountain will be the beneficiary this year, with Color Vibe donating $1 per adult participant, or $3,000 — whichever is greater.

The number of participants who sign up will determine whether organizers split the race into two for better social distancing, according to City Manager ChaQuias Miller-Thornton.

“Of course, the city will have its own set of COVID regulations in place, so we’ll make sure we follow their protocol and ours,” she said.

In other news from Tuesday’s meeting, the council unanimously voted to move forward with applying for a Community Home Investment Program grant. A CHIP grant would help the city provide funding to Stone Mountain homeowners for home repairs.

“It just seems like a win-win-win situation all the way around and the city also gets benefits,” Councilmember Diana Roe Hollis said.

The CHIP notice for funding comes out in the fall and funding wouldn’t be available until early 2022, according to Miller-Thornton. Stone Mountain hasn’t been awarded a CHIP grant in a decade. The city is also exploring legislation concerning home rehabilitation and blight removal.

“So we’ll be moving forward with the drafting for proposed legislation for a blight ordinance and at least a resolution that states the city’s commitment to housing rehabilitation within the city,” Miller-Thornton said.

Other highlights from Tuesday’s council meeting:

– Four Stone Mountain residents were appointed to the city’s Garden Committee. The council voted 5 to 1 to appoint Columbus Brown, Juliana Pierre, Pat Sabatelle and Chakira Johnson to the committee. Their terms expire on Dec. 31.

– The council unanimously voted to sell, dispose of, donate and retain a number of city assets that have been stored at the Old Rock Gym facility. The items include office equipment, Christmas decorations, weightlifting equipment, books, paint and soda machines.

– Miller-Thornton presented a cost analysis of having City Attorney Jeff Strickland present at council work sessions and meetings. The city has paid Strickland a total of $10,400 for attending such sessions since he took on the position in June, according to the analysis. Strickland has been paid another $67,300 for general consultation for a total amount paid of $77,700. Mayor Pro Tem Chakira Johnson said it was a “great benefit” to have Strickland present at the meetings. The council will discuss the matter at the March 16 work session.

– The council unanimously voted to have a special call before the March 16 work session to discuss the city’s new health insurance options. “The portfolio that has been presented in my opinion has not been very favorable,” Miller-Thornton said. She will present a better selection of plans and benefits to the council by Friday. The council needs to decide on a new plan on March 16 so open enrollment can begin for city employees. The new plan would begin coverage on April 1.

– Mayor Patricia Wheeler was recovering from surgery and was not in attendance for Tuesday’s meeting.

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