HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting August 6, 2019
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
AUGUST 6, 2019
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., August 6, 2019, the Hon.
Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. B. Williams, Garrett, Sias, Fennoy, Frantom, M. Williams, Davis, D.
Williams, Hasan and Clarke, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Mr. Mayor: Good afternoon, we’re going to call this meeting to order. We are here to do
the people’s business. I want to welcome you to the people’s chamber. The Chair recognizes
Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Yes, I call your attention to the invocation portion of our agenda which will be
led by Reverend Dr. Michael L. Cash, Senior Pastor, Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church,
after which we will have our Pledge of Allegiance and we will ask Ms. Catherine McKnight, Ms.
Catherine Smith McKnight if she would please lead us in our pledge. Would you please stand.
The invocation was given by Reverend Dr. Michael L. Cash, Senior Pastor, Trinity on the
Hill United Methodist Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
The Clerk: Office of Mayor Hardie Davis Jr., by these present be it known that Reverend
Dr. Michael L. Cash, Senior Pastor Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church is Chaplain of the
Day. His spiritual guidance and civic leadership serves as an example for all citizens of Augusta.
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Given under my hand this 6 Day of August 2019, Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Would you join me in thanking and congratulating (inaudible) (APPLAUSE)
thank you so much. Madam Clerk, as there’s so much and so much I want to talk about, so much
I want to make mention of and let’s do a couple of things first. Madam Clerk has provided an
addition to the regular agenda that is before you. It is in concert with the delegation portion of our
agenda Mr. Lucian C. Williams and the matter of John’s Road. Again the request that’s before
you right now is simply to just add this to the agenda. It is not the adoption of it but rather just to
add it to the agenda if there’d be no objection we’ll had it to the agenda, without objection. All
right, Madam Clerk, I want to take a minute and just mention a few things. As you’ve heard
Reverend Cash during his time of prayer echoed the sentiments that I’m sure all of us are feeling
with regards to the most recent litany of mass shootings. Dayton, Ohio Mayor Nan Whaley, El
Paso, Texas, Mayor Dee Margo both who I call friend, tragic events. I believe Reverend Cash also
noted that in our city we’ve had our own share of killings here over these last several weeks and
more importantly in the month of July. I think it’s important for us to not only recognize that these
things are happening in our city but to do a better job. And we look forward to the Public Safety
Chairman and I will be meeting with our Sheriff to understand what’s going on in our own city.
So let me serve notice on those who are involved in bad acting and not being law abiding citizens
that Augusta will not be the wild, wild west, not today, not tomorrow, not now. We want our city
to be safe for all of our citizens no matter what neighborhood you live in, no matter what side of
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town you live in and it’s important for us to not only understand what’s going on and understand
it in a holistic way. We don’t know the genesis of why so much has happened just in the month
of July, but let me submit to you that if we want Augusta to be a city of opportunity and needs to
be a city of opportunity for everyone and it needs to be a city where you whether you’re brown,
black, Asian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian you know that you live in this city and you’re
going to be protected and you’re going to be safe, you’re going to be able to worship you God at
work, raise your family in the manner that all of us should be able to enjoy. And so to that end I
want to engage our community not just in a conversation but those of you sitting in this room
whether you’re a pastor, priest, police, parishioner or just a private citizen that this is your city too.
You need to know that you’re safe in this city; if you’re Latinex, Hispanic you need to be safe in
this city too. And all of us matter all of us should be able to enjoy the life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness no matter who you are and so we’re calling on our Sheriff to bring his team together
and find answers of why this is happening. To those business owners and employers in this city
I’m calling on you to make opportunities available for people. To the City of Augusta to the degree
that we Ban the Box, Administrator Sims, I want to make sure we have full implementation of it
and no longer should it just be a caricature of our minds but if you are a returning citizen in the
City of Augusta this needs to be a city of opportunity for you. We just can’t have Ban the Box on
paper and then when folks show up here and go through the process we extend and offer to them
and then we come back and say well the background checks says you absconded the law, been an
offender and then we tell you after two weeks that you’ve put in your notice and you’re now
coming to work for us only to be told that you’re not. That’s not only unrighteous but that’s not
how we should be doing business. And so I’m going to challenge this organization that we’re not
just going to have policies but rather we’re going to provide opportunities to people who are
looking for a fresh start, who are looking for a second chance not a handout but an opportunity.
That’s one of the ways that you stop crying. You put folks to work. And there are schools. Let’s
educate them. Superintendent Pringle, we need you to stay in Augusta. We do. We’re right on the
cusp of even greater things and we don’t want that to stall because you leave. So you’re hearing
it from your Mayor. I want you to stay. The 33,000 students need you to stay. We have enjoyed
your leadership and it’s been phenomenal and you have our support. I want to remind all of our
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colleagues that AFCEA TECHNET Conference begins August the 19 through the 23 It is the
largest of its kind in the nation. We will have some 3,500 to 4,000 people who will show up in
our city with assistance from the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence in Industry Experts. This
conference is designed to open the lines of communication and facilitate networking, education
and problem solving. Leaders from across this nation and in fact from the world show up in
Augusta, Georgia during that week to talk about this most important matter of what happens in the
cyber domain. I want to commend our staff, the Chamber of Commerce and our schoolboard for
the most recent Augusta Digital Inclusions Summit. Research has indicated that more than 3,000
students in the Richmond County School System, Reverend Booker, do not have internet at their
home. A few schools within Richmond County have begun and initiative of one-to-one that
provides students with their own laptops. Through the work of our team here in Augusta, the
Administrator and the Joint Collaboration Committee and the GIS Teams we have been able to
identify where the students who do not have internet access live and 30% of those students are
concentrated across five census tracts. 30% of the 3,000 are concentrated across five census tracts.
Fifteen of the 48 census tracts have at least a hundred students without home internet and I want
you to think about that in the year 2019. And so moving forward we look forward to working with
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our community partners and stakeholders to the Commissioner from the 5 to be able to bring
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innovative resources to the over 250 designated parcels that are in the Joint Collaborative area.
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And I want to take a moment in the words of the Commissioner from the 1 a point of personal
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privilege and at least recognize our Schoolboard Liaison the Commissioner from the 2
Commissioner Dennis Williams who has been an ardent champion for the work that’s going on in
our schools. He has been vigilant about bringing that information to this body and I want to
encourage the rest of us to get engaged, to get connected, and to plug in because our students
matter, our schools matter and this is what is helping to shape the trajectory of our city and it
clearly has become a place of choice for people from across this nation to come to live, to learn,
to work, and to raise their families. My final comment, Madam Clerk, is with regards to the census.
We’ve talked loosely about it but this is a most important matter. Working with the U.S.
Conference of Mayors and the African American Mayor’s Association and other leaders and
community stakeholders across this nation, we were successful in keeping the question off of the
census. This is the first time in the history of the U.S. Census where we will have technology
devices available to us and you’ll be able to complete that process online. And so we want to
commend the U.S. Department of Commerce for taking that forward step where the census is
concerned that should allow us to be able to go into communities and mobilize very quickly and
make sure that we get an accurate count. Again this is the first time in the history of us taking a
census that we will have technology available to us in the form of being able to do it online. This
body has again heard from us on two occasions and we will be coming forward at our next
committee meeting with a budget request of $75,000. In the past this body has supported in 2010
with and infusion of $66,000. Based on what we anticipate the budget to be to be able to fully
execute the census in the Year 2020, that $75,000 dollar budget request will be $30,000 this year
and $45,000 in the Year 2020 and so more information will be coming from Marcus Campbell
with regards to that from the Mayor’s Office so that everyone is fully aware of what that budget
looks like and how those resources will be spent for the 2020 Complete Count Committee. A lot’s
going on in our city that we ought to be proud of. Again Augusta continues to be our state’s leader
in terms of our growth of our economy but that economy needs to effect the lives of people in
every corner from Twiggs Circle to Summerville from Summerville to South (unintelligible) and
that’s the city that we want to be able to build and create and it’s going to take all of us working
together in order for that to happen. So with that, Madam Clerk, I’ll turn it back over to you.
The Clerk: Thank you, sir. I call your attention to the Recognition portion of our agenda.
RECOGNITION(S)
Special Presentation
A. Special presentation from the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government
and the Georgia Municipal Association to Commissioner Brandon Garrett and also
Commissioner John Clarke.
The Clerk: Would you please come forward? Mr. Mayor, would you join us?
Ms. Shaw: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners. My name is Mara Shaw. I serve as
your Leadership Development Program Manager at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and
I’m very proud to also have here with me Georgia Municipal Association Training Manager Aileen
Harris. It is certainly our privilege to be here today on behalf of the University and GMA to
commend two of your Commissioners for a Certificate of Recognition acknowledging their effort
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in continuing their lifelong learning and leadership development as Commissioners. We believe
at the University of Georgia and the Institute of Government that we are not in the education
business. We are in business of supporting public officials and staff in serving their citizens better.
We’re extremely proud right now, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, to already have an ongoing
body of work with you and your Interim Administrator and we hope to see that continue with
expanded areas of work not only with your staff but how we continue to support your leadership
development that you may pursue through either GMA or ACCG. So again, on behalf of the
University of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association we want to congratulate
Commissioner John E. Clarke and Commissioner Brandon Garrett in receiving their Certificate of
Recognition. Please join me in congratulating them. (APPLAUSE)
RECOGNITION(S)
Years of Service
B. Congratulations! Years of Service Recipients.
The Clerk: At this time we will have our recognition of our Years of Service.
Congratulation to all of our Years of Service recipients. This afternoon Ms. Sylvia Williams from
our H.R. Department will present those to the Commission, thank you.
Ms. Williams: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Good afternoon Mayor Davis, Commissioners,
special guests, Directors and citizens of Augusta, Georgia. My name is Sylvia Williams, H.R.
Department’s Employee Relations and Training Manager. Today it is my esteemed pleasure to
recognize the July Years of Service Recipients. For the Month of July we have ten employees
celebrating between 5 and 20 years of service with Augusta, Georgia. This afternoon we would
like to recognize our 25 to 50 years of service recipients. For the Month of July the total years of
service in institutional knowledge within this organization that we are celebrating today is 370
years. When I call your name, please come forward. Glenn Dukes, Fire Department 25 years.
(APPLAUSE) Is Chief James here? Would you like to come forward? Patrick Ivey, Fire
Department 25 years. (APPLAUSE) Vickie Adair, Utilities Department 25 years. (APPLAUSE)
Terry Anthony, Utilities Department 25 years. (APPLAUSE) Daryl Bennett, Parks and Recreation
30 years. (APPLAUSE) Donna Williams, Finance Department 40 years. (APPLAUSE) If you are
here and I did not call your name please come forward at this time. Congratulations to our Years
of Service Recipients. Please join me in a round of applause as we thank these employees for their
loyal years of service. (APPLAUSE)
Ms. Williams: And I’m not sure I can do it facing this way; I’m usually turned around the
other way but I’ll try. In July 1979 Mr. Al Slavins hired me as an accountant and I became one-
third of the Richmond County Finance Department. So for the bargain price of $809.00 dollars a
month they got me with a brand new shiny accounting degree from Augusta College and exactly
zero knowledge of Augusta local government. I’ve come a little ways since then I think. Richmond
County at that time had five Commissioners, Mr. Lewis “Pop” Newman was the Mayor of
Augusta, Ms. Linda Beasley was in the Board of Elections and Ms. Lena Bonner was doing what
Ms. Lena Bonner does. And our version of Excel was a 13-column pad and 10-key calculator.
The closest thing we had to Word was an IBM Selectric Correcting Select Electric Typewriter, I
never can get that out ---
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The Clerk: And you still have it.
Ms. Williams: --- yep, still got it, still hidden. And a good portion of our employees right
now they weren’t even born yet. A couple of them like to point that out to me periodically. So
my hope is that 2025, thirty years from now there’s a group of those employees that are standing
right here lined up in this Chamber or whichever Chamber were in right then and they’re
remembering when they took their job and when they started their career and when they joined
this family, so I thank ya’ll. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Bennett: Donna told me to say ditto and she signs the check so I’m going to go with
what Donna said. But I just want to always give Mayor Davis a hard time but 30 years ago when
I started I was in the Athletic Department and our Mayor was a viable part of our athletic division
so 30 years ago I would like to say he did have a jump job 30 years ago.
Mr. Mayor: Since you went there. I met Daryl Bennett on the courts of what we call Bernie
Ward at the time playing church league basketball and we’ve been friends since then and a fine
gentleman, he’s done a fantastic job for our city. I sometimes joke with Donna about you’ve been
here almost as long as I’ve been in the earth and thank you so much for the work that you do, to
each and everyone of you, you do a phenomenal job making the City of Augusta the place that we
all enjoy so very much whether it’s our Public Safety, Utilities and Vicky, you’re also in Utilities
as well. But everything that you do matters to the citizens of this city and those who come into
our community to visit it. It is because of what you do that those eleven of us who sit up on this
dais every day, suit up and come to work to hopefully make a better part of your day the best part
of your day. Thank you for what you do. (APPLAUSE)
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
D. Mr. Moses Todd regarding Memorandum of Understanding between city government
and Sand Ridge Community Association.
Mr. Todd: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, my name is Moses Todd. I reside
at 2115 Noland Connector, Augusta Georgia 30909. Mr. Mayor, I’m going to start with putting
what I would probably end with and that is the Memorandum of Understanding between the City
of Augusta, Georgia and the Sand Ridge Community of Association. Mr. Mayor, don’t amend it,
end it. And I also want to talk about what’s in the daily news cycle as far as the alleged, you know,
political corruption and I’ll do that by starting out that in I think it was February it was the night
of the ice storm 2014 I was headed to Augusta, Georgia to go to Plant Vogtle to work the Previn
Deck and moving from Chicago, Illinois back to Augusta, Georgia. I moved where I gave you my
address at that time. And looking at our government and the problems that we had and the hurdles
that we were trying get over, I sat down and I organized I Love Augusta. And we come down and
we talked to you early 2015 about waste, fraud and abuse and bad practices in government and we
you know and I know that the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government teached
the ethics class in the do’s and don’ts of government. But I thought it was important that I do that
and we started I Love Augusta and since then we’ve come down here several times and talked
about bad practices, mismanagement, corruption in city government. And we’ve never been
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specific. We tried to be as generic as we possibly could but we talked about some of the issues
that’s in the daily news cycle today. And so you know there was Commissioners’ question what
I was talking about or to make me say specifically what I was talking about and we tried to steer
away from that hoping that we could right size and that we wouldn’t you know offend anybody’s
friend or anybody specific that we would have a change in the way we do things as far as best
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practices on this board. September 1 2015 I was down here. I’ve been down here in the last several
weeks and we talked about different issues and I note at times there’s sidebar conversations, there’s
no attention paid to what I’m saying and also at times there’s no comments or no motion to accept
it as information. It was just brushed off that you know Moses Todd, it’s just Moses Todd. Well,
I’m telling you that it’s not just Moses Todd that we have a problem. You done a first good step
on calling for the GBI investigation but the GBI is not going to a forensic audit that’s going to tell
you what you need to do to keep this from happening again. Mr. Mayor, I emailed your office and
the Legal Department and I think the Administrator’s Office help that’s out there, folks that do
forensic audits. Then there’s individuals who want to do a forensic audit of the entire government
and basically I think that would be a waste but I think we need a forensic audit and I call for a
forensic audit of the Recreation Department, of the Sand Ridge Memorandum and Jamestown
funding that was spent. That is not the GBI’s job. That is your job to assure that you have that
audit. It will tell you how to avoid this from happening again. It will tell you whether this has
happened and it will tell you, you know, other areas that you need to shore up or have safeguards
against this possibly happening or what’s alleged is happened in this city over the last 20 years
with taxpayer’s dollars. Mr. Mayor, if you’re going to protect the integrity of the one-penny sales
tax or the ESPLOST or the TIA then it’s essential that you do the right thing here, this board do
the right thing. If you’re going to protect, you know I’m not a supporter of stormwater but if
you’re going to protect stormwater then it’s essential that you do the right thing here. If you don’t
then the public, the taxpayers and the voters is going to do the right thing and that is going to be
to end some other initiatives that’s important to this community. I know I’m right at my time line,
Mr. Mayor. Thank you for your time. I’ve got other places to be and I won’t be able to stay here
but I will stay for any questions or comments.
Mr. Mayor: Okay Mr. Todd, I would please ask you to stay. Again if you’re going to raise
an issue you at least need to stay and take questions okay? All right, the Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. Let me clear up a couple of things real fast here. Number one
when this fella sitting right here do something he owns it. Now let me clear up something else.
There’s one individual in this room today knows exactly what I’m going to say now. I am not
going to ask that person to say anything but let me tell you this. About sixteen years ago the city
came to the Sand Ridge Community Association and they asked us to do something extraordinary,
extraordinary. They asked us to build a building for the government. We did not come to them.
We were not contractors; we were a neighborhood association. We accepted that challenge after
due consideration totally, totally without the necessary tools to do that but the deal was if you want
improvements out here, you do it. When Virgo Gambill and Studio 3 Architectural and Design
Firms stopped by and said here’s the design for what you want. One was $450,000 dollars, the
other one was $400,000. Well, we were bestowed with $130,000. We were bestowed with
$130,000 to do a $450,000 dollar project. I don’t think that leaves much room for fact. I know
doggone well it don’t leave any room for skimming but we got it done and the proof of the pudding
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is all inspections were passed, all required permits were achieved and a Certificate of Occupancy
was issued. That neighborhood association got that project done, got that project done for
$192,000 dollars from a $450,000 dollar estimate and not only did we do that we achieved even
more. Now the ironic part of that individuals like you see the one standing before you and others
have always came to the association attacking the association, not understanding one clue of the
achievements and the things were done out there, the programs that were initiated, the kids that
were served, over 100,000 folks per year. And when you create that kind of toxic atmosphere
about a project or organization you’re going to get false accusations. You’re going to get folks
who had to park in the right place who couldn’t come out and tear up the place. People say they
want something. There are standards for it and we achieved those standards and we required that
the taxpayer’s investments were protected. So I say to the folks who have not a clue except what
they hear on the backside of things find out what the frontside was. You achieve great things out
at Jamestown and I say again if you want to attack me that’s fine but don’t attack my association
and don’t attack the people that are serving. I can handle the attack. Bring it on. However the
achievements that we did out there, they’ll stand there for a lifetime. Check the records. Thank
you.
Mr. Todd: Mr. Mayor ---
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Mr. Mayor: Hold on, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, may I ask Ron a couple of questions as it relates to the Memorandum of
Understanding with Jamestown and other like situations?
Mr. Mayor: Well, you certainly can respond to our delegate who is here today but what I
don’t want us to do is try to debate the merits of the matter that’s before us not withstanding the
fact do I want us to try to attempt to debate the matter that’s before us that we all know is currently
being investigated by two entities.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: To that end as I said in light of the communication that we all received most
recently everything that happens post last Tuesday needs to be handled in a manner consistent with
the law and the rules of engagement as such. And I would encourage everyone on this dais to
again uphold that. You took an oath of office particularly around ethics in how we conduct
ourselves and I just want to just caution us, okay?
Mr. Fennoy: May I continue?
Mr. Mayor: You may.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, the Memorandum of Understanding that exists at Jamestown also
exists at East Augusta. It also exists as the soccer field. And the reason these Memorandum of
Understandings are in place is because the City of Augusta Recreation Department did not have
the resources to have fulltime operations and programs going on in these particular areas. But
there was a need there, there was a need for after school programs, there were a need for little
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league football, baseball and soccer so the neighborhoods stepped in and said that we will work
with you all to provide the services to the community that we cannot provide. So far to my
knowledge all of the organizations have done an outstanding job in providing services to these, to
their community. I think what disturbs me more than anything else is when people come before
the Commission and make accusations and they don’t bring any documentation or they don’t,
there’s no substance associated with the accusations. Now anybody can accuse anybody of
everything and in this country, in this country a person is supposedly innocent until proven guilty
so before I’m willing to throw anybody under the bus or before I want to take any memorandums
back from any organization, I’m going to have some evidence or supporting documentation and I
just can’t respond to what someone says. I’m sorry. I mean you come here, you accuse
mismanagement of money, you accuse a whole lot of but there has been no documentation to
substantiate this. So until I can see supporting documentation, I’m going to treat the person as if
they’re innocent until they’re proven guilty, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. All right, Mr. Todd.
Mr. Todd: --- Mr. Mayor, let the record show that Commissioner Sias was speaking to
Moses Todd when he said the person standing before and let the record also show that Jamestown
Community Center was there in the early 90’s or possibly even in the early 80’s and they done an
expansion to it and some renovation to the kitchen and that the dollar amount of that was eluded
could be looked at and proven that that was wrong. And I won’t tit for tat on this but I think that’s
important and especially Moses Todd is the individual that’s standing here.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you so much, sir. All right, thank you, all right.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
E. Ms. Jacquelyn Troupe transparency, ethics in our government.
Ms. Troupe: Good afternoon. I’m Jackie Troupe, I live in Richmond County. I’m not here
for anything but to make our city great. I love this city. I’ve been here forever and I love the state.
The only thing that I think I would love to say is that when seats are empty, vacant, I just think
that new people should come in sometimes just to fill vacant seats and increase our city and people
and get them into our city better. That’s what I’d like to say and that’s about as much as I know.
But I would also like to say that if you have sound Commissioner seat or other seats move over let
somebody else. A good friend of mine said one day it’s time for the young people to take over
and it’s true. It’s time for us to get younger folks in and let’s old folks just sit down, thank you so
much and I love the city. (APPLAUSE)
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, the County Commission are term limited; you can only serve two terms.
I’m in the seventh year of my second term and I could assure and my term ends in December of
2020. So I want to assure Ms. Troupe and everybody in here that at the end of my second term
I’ll be 72 years old. Once I complete my second term I have no desire to run for office but I do
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have desire to work with young folks to get them involved in the process so that they could take
over. We as an older adult a lot of times say young folks need to get involved in this and young
folks need to get involved in that and time they try to get involved in something we kind of push
them to the side and we don’t want to listen to what they have to say. But I want to assure Ms.
Troupe that once I’m gone I’m gone and I have no desire to seek any more public office.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, thank you, sir. Madam Clerk.
DELEGATIONS
F. Ms. Mary G. Ammon regarding City Ethics Policy, Board Appointments and SPLOST
Funds.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, Item F the Delegation.
Ms. Ammon called the office and asked that her request be deleted from today’s agenda.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
C. Mr. Lucien Z. Williams regarding zoning request for 613 Johns Road.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Mr. Williams, if you would for the record state your name and your
address.
Mr. Williams: Lucien Williams, 709 Hickman Road, Augusta, Georgia 30904.
Mr. Mayor: All right, you have five minutes, sir.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mayor Davis. The reason I’m here today is to relay the message
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that you all asked us after tabling a vote from the June 18 agenda meeting regarding the rezoning
request for Johns Road. Currently Johns Road is zoned for is R-1B for Single Family. All four
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sides of that lot are also R-1B. After some opposition at the June 18 meeting the community has
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come together two meetings and the most recent meeting was June 23 at the Elim Baptist Church.
Everyone standing behind me was present at that meeting led by Pastor George Miller. The
community came to a consensus and unanimously opposed the rezoning request by DOTT Augusta
Investments to rezone. The community is not opposed to redevelopment. They just want it to
remain single family as it’s currently zoned for. One of the reasons is the precedent this might set
if approved today how can you tell the next one he can’t rezone it? And I own about 22 acres half
of which is vacant lots. I don’t have any plans to do attached housing. My plans are single family
but I feel like right now and for years this community has felt like they’ve been neglected, ignored.
They’ve asked why Laney Walker, why not us, why not Sand Hills. They’re tired of the blight
and neglect. Most, not all, but most of the improvements up there over the years have been slow
have been done by private developers tearing down houses. The city has done many of those as
well. But the community, I’m here to relay the message that the community has spoken and they
would just prefer that it stay single family and I feel like to ignore the community again would
probably further deepen that resentment for the city that they have felt ignored for so long. That’s
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really all I’m here today to do is relay that message that the community was unanimously opposed
against it. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, thank you. All right, are there any questions from anyone of
Mr. Williams. The matter that, so here’s our posture and I would encourage Mr. Williams and the
pastoral delegation that they would just yield for a moment. The item that we’ve added to the
agenda after Madam Clerk addresses the issue of consent versus regular agenda this will be the
first matter that we take up, so we’re going to debate this matter that was brought before us that
has been added to the agenda. So if you want to just suspend and just yield right here for a moment
that’ll be fine because you’re going to get a chance to debate here in just a second.
Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got a couple of questions.
Mr. Mayor: Do you want to do it now or do you want to wait until we take this matter up
---
Mr. M. Williams: Well ---
Mr. Mayor: --- you’ll have more time because again ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- I don’t know about how much more time I’m going to have, Mr.
Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: --- yeah ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- when you get around to that I just ---
Mr. Mayor: --- I’m going to give you all the time you need.
Mr. M. Williams: --- while Mr. Williams is here I thought ---
Mr. Mayor: He’s not going anywhere ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- he’s not going anywhere.
Mr. M. Williams: Write that down, ya’ll.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Our consent agenda, I call your attention consists of Items 1 through 32, Items
1 through 32. If there are any objectors to any of our Planning petition would you please signify
your objections by raising your hand.
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Item 1: Is to deny a Special Exception to establish a Family Day Care Home located at
4004 Madison Lane.
The Clerk: I call your attention to the Public Services portion of our agenda if there are
any objectors to any of our Alcohol petitions would you please signify your objection by raising
your hand once the petition is read. I call your attention to:
Item 2: Is a request for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection
with the convenience store located at 3460 Peach Orchard Road.
Item 3: Is a request for a consumption on premise Wine License (Incidental License) to be
used in connection the location at 106 Pleasant Home Road, Suite 2-B.
Item 4: Is a request for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection
with the location at 724 Laney Walker Blvd.
Item 5: Is a request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be
used in connection with the location at 3112 Washington Rd. Ste. J & K.
Item 6: Is a request for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection
with the location at 1052 Claussen Rd.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those alcohol petitions? Mr. Mayor, members
of the Commission, our Consent Agenda consists of Items 1 through 32 with the request to pull
Item Number 1, no objectors to our Alcohol petitions.
Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to pull Agenda Item number 1 and
Number 19.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to pull Item number 9, also Item 21,
well Item 12 as well, Item 12, Item 21, 9, 12 and 21. Just need some clarity. I’m not opposed, I
just need to get some things.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 3.
Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC SERVICES
2. Motion to approve New Ownership: A.N. 19-23: request by Sangita Patel for a retail
package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Aggies II Convenience Store
located at 3460 Peach Orchard Rd. District 6. Super District 10. (Approved by Public
Services Committee July 30, 2019)
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3. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 19-24: request by Michele Ashe for a consumption
on premise Wine License (Incidental License) to be used in connection with Van Gogh and
Vino located at 106 Pleasant Home Rd Suite 2-B. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by
Public Services Committee July 30, 2019)
4. Motion to approve New Ownership: A.N. 19-25: request by Gurpreet Walia for a retail
package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Five Star Fuel, LLC located at
724 Laney Walker Blvd. Ext. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services
Committee July 30, 2019)
5. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 19-26: request by Hardwick Patel for an on-
premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Persis
Indian Grill located at 3112 Washington Rd Ste. J & K. There will be Sunday Sales. District
7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee July 30, 2019a0
6. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 19-27: request by Mitesh Bhula for a retail
package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Red Rock Hospitality located at
1052 Claussen Rd. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee
July 30, 2019)
7. Motion to approve Precision Approach Contract for the Airfield Electrical Project.
(Approved by Public Services Committee July 30, 2019)
8. Motion to approve Tentative Allocation Letter for FY2020 & approval of the Mayor
signing the TA Letter for Daniel Field Airport. (Approved by Public Services Committee
July 30, 2019)
10. Motion to approve a request by Sabrina D. LaBord for a Massage Operator’s License to
be used in connection with Pass Me Knot Massage located at 2010 Olive Road. District 2.
Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee July 30, 2019)
11. Motion to approve the language change as follows: “increasing the salaries of existing
staff as proposed in Table 2; recruit and offer incoming building/construction staff the salary
proposed in Table 2; update the existing career ladder and incorporate the aforementioned
changes immediately” regarding the Planning and Development Department Building
Division Salaries. (Approved by Public Services Committee July 30, 2019)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
13. Motion to approve replacement of one Landscape Truck for the Recreation Department
– Trees and Landscape Division for $49,185.00 using capital outlay. (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee July 30, 2019)
14. Motion to approve Recreation and Parks Department – Municipal Golf Course requests
the purchase of one replacement Compact Utility Tractor at a cost of $25,146.00 using
Capital Outlay. Bid Item 19-222 J & B Tractor Company of Augusta. (Approved by Public
Services Committee July 30, 2019)
15. Motion to approve having a disparity study implemented in accordance with bullet#2
(PowerPoint Presentation) to include Ordinance Drafting, Program Implementation and
Goal Setting, the cost would be approximately $380,000-$400.000 with the cost to be
supplemented with an additional $200,000 and to move it forward to Commission with a
financial update from the Administrator. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee
July 30, 2019)
16. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s)
request to provide funding to assist two (2) low to moderate income homebuyers with down-
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payment assistance to purchase a home. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee
July 30, 2019)
17. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s)
request to provide two (2) HOME funding agreements to J. Lovett Homes and Construction,
LLC to develop two (2) family units for low to moderate income families on McQueen Court
(Twiggs Street Corridor). (Approved by Administrative Services Committee July 30, 2019)
18. Motion to approve bid award contract for RFP# 19-182: ARTS 2045 Metropolitan
Transportation Plan Update to WSP, USA Inc. (Approved by Administrative Services
Committee July 30, 2019)
PUBLIC SAFETY
20. Motion to approve acceptance of a grant from the Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant
Program Funding Committee in the amount of $467,621 effective July 1, 2019 for the
Richmond County Juvenile Court Multi-Systemic Therapy and Aggression Replacement
Training Programs. (Approved by Public Safety Committee July 30, 2019)
FINANCE
22. Motion to approve Additional Funding for Temporary Employees in the Board of
Elections. (Approved by Finance Committee July 30, 2019)
23. Motion to approve Richmond County Extension Service Personnel Reclass. (Approved
by Finance Committee July 30, 2019)
24. Motion to approve to accept the addition of the PSN funds from the Federal Government
to the DA Budget so that equipment can be purchased. (Approved by Finance Committee
July 30, 2019)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
25. Motion to approve funding for Design Consultant Services Supplemental Agreement Six
to Pond and Company in the amount of $38,790.00 for the Berckmans Road Widening,
Realignment and Bridge Replacement Project – Phase II as requested by the AED. RFQ 11-
108. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 30, 2019)
26. Motion to approve entering into an annual contract and two yearly renewal option with
GTSS for the maintenance and monitoring services for the Traffic Engineering ITS network
in the amount of $192,295.00 per year funded thru SPLOST IV reallocation funds.
Requested by AED. RFQ 19-184. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 30,
2019)
27. Motion to approve a request from the Lucy Craft Museum of Black History for the
placement of a cast iron marker issued by the State of Georgia and the Georgia Historical
Society at 535 Telfair Street. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 30, 2019)
28. Motion to determine that Merrimac Avenue North of Old Ironsides Boulevard as shown
on the attached map has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial
public purpose is served by it or that is removal from the county road system is otherwise in
the best public interest, pursuant to O.C.G.A. §32-7-2, with the abandoned property to be
quit-claimed to the appropriate party(ies), as provided by law and an easement to be retained
over the entire abandoned portion for existing or future utilities as directed by Augusta
Engineering Department and Augusta Utilities Department. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee July 30, 2019)
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29. Motion to determine that Smith Lane, as shown on the attached map has ceased to be
used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served by it or that its
removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best public interest, and to receive
as information the results of the public hearing held regarding the issue of abandonment
pursuant to O.C.G.A. §32-7-2, with the abandoned property to be quit-claimed to the
appropriate party(ies), as provided by law and an easement to be retained over the entire
abandoned portion for existing or future utilities as directed by Augusta Engineering
Department and Augusta Utilities Department and adopt the attached Resolution.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 30, 2019)
30. Motion to approve Award of “On-Call Construction Material Inspection and Testing,
Construction Monitoring and Quality Assurance/Quality Control, and Geotechnical
Inspections and Investigations (CMT_Geotech)” Services Contract to ATC Group Services
LLC, Matrix Engineering Group, Inc., and MC Squared, Inc., subject to receipt of signed
contract and proper insurance documents. The Contract is for three years with renewal
option of two additional years. Also, approve $500,000 to fund the CMT_Geotech Services.
RFP 19-179. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 30, 2019)
31. Motion to approve Award of Bid #19-201 for the Construction of Rocky Creek Sewer
Force Main Project to Blair Construction, Inc. in the amount of $3,291,691.00. (Approved
by Engineering Services Committee July 30, 2019)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
32. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Augusta Commission held
on July 17, 2019 and Special Called Meeting held July 30, 2019.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
Motion Passes 10-0. \[Items 2-8, 10, 11, 13-18, 20, 22-32\]
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to the addition item 613 Johns
Road.
The Clerk:
ADDENDUM
39. Z-19-22 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions below a petition by DOTT Augusta Investments II LLC
requested a Special Exception to construct 6 attached townhomes not to exceed 5.5 units per
acre per Section 10-2-a of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia
affecting property containing 1.19 acres and known as 613 John Road. Tax Map 034-2-075-
00-0 DISTRICT 1 1. The development shall substantially conform to the site plan submitted
on date received 4/23/19. 2. The proposed development must adhere to the open space and
buffer yard requirements of Section 13.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Mr. Sherman. Okay, we had a delegation who was here just a
moment ago, Williams and Pastors, and we’ll have you come here in just a second okay? All right,
all right.
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Mr. Sherman: Okay, so at the June 3 Planning Commission Meeting we had an
application to rezone the property at Johns Road, it’s 1.19 acres, 613 Johns Road, to a Special
Exception, an R-1B with a Special Exception to allow six lots. There would be attached
townhouses so there would be six lots, three buildings. Each building has two units attached
townhouses. It would be fee simple single-family residential but they would be attached. The
staff recommended to the Planning Commission that it be approved. At the Planning Commission
meeting there were maybe three objectors there. They expressed their concerns about the density
of the development coming into the neighborhood. The Planning Commission voted 8-3 to
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approve it. We brought it to you on the 18 I believe it was and during the discussion
Commissioner Fennoy asked that we meet with the neighborhood to see if, to get some input from
the neighbors to see how they felt about the development. We did meet with them. We met with
them twice at the two churches up there. The first meeting there may have been 10 or 15 people
there and it was just talked about an old development plan that the Sand Hills Community had
done for the neighborhood and then just talked around this project. And then with the idea of being
to have another meeting and that one was at Elim Baptist Church and I can’t tell you the date, Mr.
Williams’ mentioned it. I forget exactly when it was but we met there and there were roughly 75
neighbors, residents there. We talked about several things but we talked about this project and in
the end when there was a vote taken the majority of the people not everyone voted but the majority
of them 65 I would say voted against it. No one voted for the rezoning. The preference I think
being this is what the preachers will say is the neighbors prefer that it remain single family. Now
when the staff was reviewing it on the east end of the Sand Hills neighborhood there’s no
development taking place at this time. As Mr. Williams’ said they own a good many of the
properties there and they, I think he will say they are not ready to develop at this time. The way
that we looked at it is that it’s a declining neighborhood somewhat. It’s in this area the Planning
Commission agreed that new development would probably be good; it may bring on additional
development. But again once we met with the neighbors and it was the project was expressed to
them described to them the opinion was that they prefer that it remain single family residential.
Now with the zoning that he’s asking for, the Special Exception he’s asking for, it allows 5.5 units
per acre. He has 1.1 so he could get 1.9 so he could get six lots; without the Special Exception he
can get four lots. And I believe the applicant or his representative is here and who may you may
have some questions for him but that’s where we got.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, here’s our posture. I don’t know who the gentleman is but I’m assuming
he may be the developer we’ll come to you in just a moment but I’m going to recognize the
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Commissioner from the 1 and then I’m coming to the Commissioner from the 9, okay because
you had your hand up. Do we want to hear from the petitioner first?
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, if you’ll state for the record your name and address, sir.
Mr. Welch: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission my name is Dennis Welch. I’m with
Cranston Engineering 452 Ellis Street and I’m here on behalf of my client DOTT Investments
Augusta. We’ve asked for this rezoning, a couple points real quick. The proposed zoning is still
single family. It’s been mentioned that the residents wanted it to stay single family. Well, we’re
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not asking for a multifamily zoning. It’s just an increase in the density that the R-1B allowed.
Second I would just like to say that R-1B zoning current allows, requires a 75-foot lot however
that neighborhood throughout that neighborhood there are 50-foot lots you know probably they’re
in the majority as opposed to the minority throughout there. So what we’re asking for is something
that’s fairly consistent with that. And then finally I guess the last thing I’ve got to say my client
went ahead he had a rendering done. You have this front elevation in your package but he had a
rendering of what it might look like and he wanted me to make sure I showed that and we’ll take
whatever questions you might have.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Mr. Welch, thank you. All right, we’re going to go to the
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Commissioner from the 1, the 9 and then the 5.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, first of all I’d like to make a motion to deny.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, thank you.
Mr. Fennoy: And second of all at a couple of the meetings that we have had concerning
Sand Hills, Mr. Welcher was a part of those meetings and we’ve talked about the redevelopment
of Sand Hills like Marion Homes, like parts of East Augusta there’s a lot of abandoned houses and
blight up on the hill. And there’s also a lot of history up on the hill and what a lot of the residents
up there are concerned about is the future of Sand Hills and they don’t want to see the history lost.
Mr. Welcher has been meeting with the residents and to come up with a development plan. There’s
also a guy named Tim Wilson that’s done some spot development in Sand Hills so I don’t know
what the direction my colleagues are heading in but I would like to see a redevelopment plan for
the Sand Hills area, would like to find out from Mr. Williams says he’s got 22 acres of land up
there. I mean when are you going to start putting something on that land? We could tear down
houses but when we tear down houses if there’s no development going on the only thing that does
is create an overgrown lot two years down the road. So I’d like to see some development going
on and would like for Mr. Williams, Mr. Welcher and all those that live and have an interest in
Sand Hills to get together and come up with a development plan.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right, so the overarching comment is that you want
to see a complete or comprehensive development plan for the Sand Hills Neighborhood. All right,
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the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. A couple of things. I guess the first thing is,
Ms. Bonner, I’m going back to when I had to walk from 1856 Welcher’s Lane to Weed Elementary
School. Reverend (inaudible), that was a long time ago but there hasn’t been much change in one
side of that hill section I call it since back then. I’ve been getting several calls up until 11:59 last
night someone called about what was the city doing and I assured them that the city wasn’t doing
anything, that the people the developer may be trying to do something but people are confused
because they don’t understand the process. When they see a sign and talk about developing, they
think the city’s automatically doing it. But the three ladies and they’re offering different addresses
talked to me about their property. They’ve been approached several times about buying their
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properties and they was very dissatisfied with the offer. That’s the first thing they was upset about.
I can remember a lady last night talking about her sister and the property that was willed to them
when they was left and they was concerned that the city was just going to come in and take their
property and I tried to assure her again that the city wasn’t doing anything. I’m not opposed to
development, I’m not opposed to growth, but those houses on one side of Johns Road or on one
side of the hill is one thing on the other side is another one. We know that the growth in Augusta
is growing all over but the people in one side have been forced out. They’re not being bought out.
They’re being forced out, the taxes go up and they can’t afford and end up selling their property
for little or nothing because they’ve got to they’ve got to sell. Now I don’t know the solution to
this problem but there is a problem. I do know that Mr. Williams talked about developing single
family homes but the people that’s been there have been invested. They don’t have very much but
what they have belongs to them and they’re trying to for life to hold on to that. Well, a developer
may develop some stuff and then he’ll go develop something else. Them folks don’t have
anywhere else to go and when you try to relocate, when you try to buy something else, the little
money that they’ve got invested in their own property they can stay there but if they try to go
somewhere else they won’t be able to make it. So I’m saying all that to say I want to know just
what other development was supposed to be coming that way. We know that the golf course is
right behind there, Cumming Grove Baptist Church is right there in the back yard of the gold
course but this ain’t something new. This has been this has been on the radar for a while. This
ain’t, don’t ya’ll think it just come up last week or last month it’s been talked about over the years
and finally it’s come to the table now to be discussed. I met with several people, several meetings
about it myself. Gave them my opinion, gave them my input or what I thought was happening but
Mr. Mayor, I don’t know how we’re going to resolve this because I guess the first thing is let the
people know that the city ain’t coming in and doing anything. They don’t have to sell their
property. They need to understand that. They need to hold on to their property if they don’t want
to sell. It may not be worth much to anybody else but to you it ought to be worth a lot. I don’t
mean an acre. I’m talking about a lot of money. You ought to get the value not just be, you don’t
have to give up your investment I don’t care how small it is. So I guess that’s going to end it right
now, Mr. Mayor, until I hear something else but I wanted to find out what development was coming
besides the one that the young man just mentioned. Is there anything other development, Rob, is
there any other development that we know about? Okay I just want to make sure we’re talking
about one in the same then because there’s been plenty of conversation about the growth on that
end of town. Now we know we all getting older. If you keep on saying good morning, Ms. Bonner,
you’re going to get older and as we get older we eventually die out and that community’s been left
alone for a long time. Mr. Williams said how many 21 lots up there. They’ve been left up there
for a long time and they ain’t been left there for nothing. They’ve been left like that so the next
one will come in and then you end up accumulating them all. No everyone wants to do something
and so I’m going to yield, Mr. Mayor, I ain’t giving up I’m yielding right now okay, I may come
back.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, you hadn’t tapped out yet. I understand. The Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to ask Mr. Sherman a question.
Mr. Mayor: Sure.
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Mr. B. Williams: I believe I heard you say whether we vote for this or not he can still put
four houses on that lot.
Mr. Sherman: Correct. It is zoned single-family residential and he can get four lots
meeting the 75 feet of frontage, 7500 square feet under the current zoning.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay so if we vote for the rezoning he can just get two more on there,
correct?
Mr. Sherman: Correct. He can get six lots. The six lots will not have 75 feet of frontage
but he’ll be doing that with a Special Exception under what we call the R-1E Zoning where the lot
width is not defined. It’s how you can make things work.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’m going back and forth on this. I’d like to make a substitute
motion that we approve.
Mr. Garrett: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ve got a substitute motion with a proper second. All right ---
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I have a question.
Mr. Mayor: --- just hold on, everybody just hold on. That takes precedent we just had an
hour and 45 minute rules meeting so I think everybody knows it takes precedence. So now here’s
our posture. What I want to do now, Ms. Bonner, is hear from our objectors okay, let’s hear from
our objectors. So I’m going to ask Mr. Welcher if he’ll just have a seat there. We’re going to hear
from our objectors and I’m going to get back to a couple of ya’ll, okay? All right, then I’ll go to
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the southside and pick up the Commissioner from the 6 as well so I’m going to hear from
objectors at this time, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Okay we’re asking all objectors would you please raise your hand?
Mr. Mayor: Those that are objecting to the petition please stand and be counted, please
stand.
The Clerk: Eight, oh okay, eight ---
Mr. Mayor: Nine.
The Clerk: --- eight objectors, nine, nine objectors.
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
The Clerk: Okay.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay all right and I want to hear from the Pastors at this time, come on.
Mr. Speaker: Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, thank you so much for hearing from us on today.
Mr. Mayor: Name and address, sir.
Mr. Miller: George Miller. I’m the Pastor of the Elim Baptist Church. Standing here with
Reverend Dr. Victor Thomas the Greater Mt. Canaan Church and Reverend Charles Henderson of
the Rock of Ages CME Church and we also represent Reverend Norris Rouse of the Cumming
Grove Church. Again let us reiterate we are not against development and progress. We are against
the spot rezoning. We’d like to see a masterplan, an overarching plan for the Hill Community.
We do have a lot of our residents who we represent, we speak for. A meeting was held at our
church on July 23rd and an overwhelming majority of the community is against this. They’re not
here today but they are against this rezoning, okay? Again I speak for my colleagues we are not
against progress in The Hill. Everybody wants nice things but we want to make sure that we see
a masterplan, a plan done for the redevelopment of that area and not this spot rezoning which we
believe sets a bad precedent going forward.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Rev. Dr. Victor Thomas: Also what was said was the solution. The solution is in my
opinion as we have been promised a whole lot of action up on The Hill. I’ve been at Greater Mt.
Canaan for 23 years. People have come and have gone saying that they were in the process of
trying to remodel or revitalize The Hill and a new developer comes in, gets all of the attention.
And we were advised, we had a meeting at Greater Mt. Canaan to go back to see what the
community has to say about it and the community spoke that they were not in favor of. So the
solution is if we can, if the community can get some dirt turned up on The Hill first before these
new developments come in maybe we can revisit where we are right now but I think that Sand
Hills is owed something other than promises where nothing happens.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Pastor Henderson: Pastor Charles Henderson, Rock of Ages CME Church. Well, the issue
is basically once you start to change zoning in spots it opens the door for other people to do other
types of zone changes so what we’d like to do is what they are telling us is that this community
we like it the way it is and if you can develop something, come and help us add houses to those
vacant lots and let it all remain the way that it is without having to go through a different type of
zoning that’s basically. Now we want progress. We want to see change occur and I know we kind
of talked a little bit about the tax issue also because if you’re putting some high end houses in a
particular area, it has to affect the tax base unless there’s some special you know way in which
you can take care of that. But usually you know places I’ve been I mean when something comes
in, taxes goes up, the whole base goes up so I don’t know how it works here but those are the
issues that are really coming forward, thank you.
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Pastor Miller: And in closing we are not against, we are not against remodeling, we’re not
against that. We’re just against taxes going up and forcing residents out of their homes. That’s
what we are against. We not against remodeling, thank you.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, everybody just suspend. Okay all right, we’re going to go in this order
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now on my list I’ve got the Commissioner from the 4, the 6 and then the 10 but what I’m
thinking you’re going to do is you’re going to do what I think you’re going to do.
Mr. B. Williams: Yeah, I withdraw.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Hasan: You can take me off the list, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, okay. All right, the Commissioner from the 5 has withdrawn
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his substitute and the Commissioner from the 6 has yielded, all right? The Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner form the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you. I have a couple of quick questions first off for the developer reference
his client from Cranston. Is your client willing to do single family?
Mr. Welch: Yes, sir. Actually the proposed zoning is for single family.
Mr. Sias: I get that, it’s attached together. I’m talking about stand alone.
Mr. Welch: You’re talking about detached, yes, sir.
Mr. Sias: Ya’ll are willing to do that.
Mr. Welch: If they can get the six lots, they’d be willing to do the detached as well.
Mr. Sias: So ya’ll are stuck on six.
Mr. Welch: Well, that’s what we would like.
Mr. Sias: I suggest you be a little flexible, okay? Thank you. I have a question for the
Pastors, either one of them. The Sand Hills Development Corporation, are you all working with
them on anything because they have a certain I guess inside track with Sand Hills so Sand Hills
Community Development Corporation, are ya’ll working with them?
Mr. Welch: We are working with Tim Wilson to answer your question, yes, we’re all in
concert working together.
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Mr. Sias: Well, based on the points that you made have you all sat down and for lack of a
better word gave at least some thought to a masterplan or a master development process for Sand
Hills because I know that group is doing work not only they’re doing work in other areas of
Augusta as well. So I would think you know you take care of home first not necessarily but based
on what ya’ll are saying, you have an entity that you’re working with that can help do a masterplan.
Pastor Henderson: Yes, sir. We have, we are meeting regularly with Mr. Tim Wilson and
that organization. This is our desire. We want to see collaboration with all parties that have a
stake in the Sand Hills area and developers private, public we want to talk to everyone. Tim
Wilson’s been leading us. We’ve seen some plans from years ago. We are looking at those plans
again hoping to update them for the future so that we can see development in that community in
the very near.
Mr. Sias: In my closing comment Mr. Mayor I would suggest then you all, Sand Hills
Development Corporation, our Planning and Development and also Mr. Welcher and his office
that ya’ll sit down and talk because you have all the pieces including this other developer here,
you have all the pieces in place.
Pastor Henderson: Excuse me, we’ve been doing that ---
Mr. Sias: Okay.
Pastor Henderson: --- we’ve been doing that. Mr. Welcher, all those names you mentioned,
we’ve been meeting together on a regular basis.
Mr. Sias: We’ll look forward to that masterplan then.
Pastor Henderson: Excellent.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, I want to make a series of suggestions and it’s consistent with
what’s been said today from each of the Commissioners and in particular Commissioner from the
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4. In all candor the Commissioner from the 1, Director Welcher, myself and the Mayor Pro
Tem were a part of, I know I came to one meeting and you’ve been to two and what I heard today
again consistent with all of those conversations but might I offer the following. Director Sherman,
this area is a prime example of the work that we’re doing with the JCC, prime example. What I’ve
heard is that this might be an opportunity to have cooler heads sit down one more time and perhaps
come up with an overlay for what this zoning should look like consistent with a perceived
masterplan. What I’m also concerned about is that you’ve got Mr. Williams who has
acknowledged that he’s got 22 lots and he has no immediate plans, 22 acres okay 22 acres of land
with no immediate plans on the development and yet you have a developer here or a representative
of a developer who wants to do something and the quagmire is detached single-family versus
attached and the number. What you don’t want to do when we talk about the desire for progress
is for us to mute that progress because we don’t have all of the landowners at the table and that’s
what I see through the lens of this conversation. Perhaps Director Sherman, it’s an opportunity for
us to get all of the landowners in that immediate area to the table and through our public/private
partnerships opportunity to frame an overlay district, an overlay zone that meets the needs of
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whether your 50-foot lot versus the 75-foot lot with a 4-foot setback or whatever we call it all of
those things are germane to this conversation and if we don’t do that, we’re just going to keep
kicking the can down the field and the citizens, residents of Sand Hills and the churches are going
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to keep crying out and the Commissioner from the 9 is going to say the City ain’t doing nothing
and I know before 31 December 2022 I want us to have done something but it needs to be the right
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something. And so if the Commissioner from the 1 and the 9 if it pleases them, the next
conversation really should be a meeting of all of the landowners in that area and I would encourage
you to get the Country Club involved. Now we tout the great windfall that they’ve just had but
they should be good partners. I’m sure they want to be but let’s engage them and make an
investment in the community in which they live in and reside in to be a partner in this conversation
to make Sand Hills the beloved community that you all want it to be that we believe it once could
be and has been before. But instead of taking action and denying this why don’t we just take an
opportunity to table this until a date not certain but we can say three months from now and I’m
okay with that. I like a date certain better than no time at all. But if that pleases this body let’s do
that and give you sufficient enough time to come back and bring all of the landowners to the table
as opposed to denying opportunity. You know my Momma told me Preacher something is better
than nothing but it needs to be the right something and we want to help with that. All right, the
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Commissioner from the 1, no I’m going to go to the 9 let me go to the 9, yes sir.
Mr. M. Williams: I think it’s important, Mr. Mayor, that we be honest up front here when
you talk about The Hill section. That’s probably some of the most beautiful homes you’re going
to find in America on The Hill section. But on the other side there’s probably the most decimated
situations you’re going to find there. Now you’ve got some of these small lots on The Hill and I
heard my colleague saying get together with HND and come up with a plan but you got to have
some room to build something on and then you’ve got to have some money to build something
there. So I don’t mind waiting the three months. I’ve got no problem with that but I don’t want to
tell people get in a room ya’ll talk about it and I mean you want to scramble some eggs but all
you’ve got is shells. You’ve got to have something to work with. If one party owned the lots or
the acreage the other party don’t have a plan. I mean I think coming together will be good but let’s
talk about the folks who’ve been left out. That’s what we’re really getting at now the side of The
Hill that’s been left out all of these years. Now we want to build. It ain’t just on The Hill that’s a
inner city too where we build houses on lots there wouldn’t be enough to put a car in the driveway
and they got some of the same situations on The Hill as well. We’re going to have to face that
sooner or later, Mr. Mayor, but let’s talk let’s have real talk so we can lay stuff out and work
through it versus saying you know the people ain’t getting together. Mr. Welcher did an
outstanding job up on Pine Street but you go down Pine Street and knock on some of the doors
and see who’s in some of those houses ---
Mr. Mayor: Yeah ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- if you can’t afford it, you can’t go in there.
Mr. Mayor: --- well and again I think the suggestion that’s before us gives you an
opportunity as this body to provide that level of leadership. Communities look like we let them
look like. At the end of the day they look like what we let them look like and if you want affordable
22
neighborhoods you have the ability to make that decision sitting right here. And so to that end
again if we’ll just table this for 60 days; let’s table it for 60 days.
Mr. Hasan: You have a motion on the floor, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, you’re correct, Commissioner. All right that original motion
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from the Commissioner from the 1 was to deny. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner
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from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, with that being said I’ll withdraw my motion but I also want to say, Mr.
Mayor, and I think Reverend Thomas couldn’t have said it any better for his long as he’s been on
The Hill the only thing they had was conversations and I think most of the people up there are sick
and tired of conversations ---
Mr. Mayor: I am too.
Mr. Fennoy: --- they want to see some action. So I’m okay with the 60 or 90 days to revisit
it but when it comes back to us I want to be reasonably assured that some action’s going to be
taken. So with that being said I withdraw my motion.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, let’s qualify this, okay? The matter that was before was a land
use question, okay? That is the matter that is before us it the question of land use. And so to the
degree that we are tabling it for a period of 60 days the matter that will be before us 60 days from
now will be the issue of land use absent all parties involved coming together. What likely won’t
happen is a masterplan in 60 days, it likely won’t happen. But what can happen is what zoning in
that area and a framework for redevelopment can and should look like because we have the team,
we have the resources to be able to do that here in this local government. Our staff can do that.
But what we don’t do is we don’t necessarily own the land and so to that end when we say action
we need to qualify what action means. You have a proposed or potential representative of a
developer. They’re the ones who are going to build it. That’s the private sector, that’s who should
be building it. Our role from a government perspective is facilitating that investment and creating
a climate for it to be equitable. That’s my big word of the day, equitable development. So that
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again to your point, Commissioner from the 9, those that historically have been left behind are
no longer left behind. That’s the whole premise behind opportunity zones so that incomes of lower
income communities that historically have been left behind are no longer left behind. And so to
the degree that we’re having this discussion there needs to be a framework for what those actions
should look like. All right, I see you, I’m coming to you, all right, Mr. Welcher, if you’ll approach.
Do you support us tabling this for 60 days to have that conversation or would you rather that this
body take action now?
Mr. Welcher: Yes, sir, we’ll support that ---
Mr. Mayor: All right very well, thank you ---
Mr. Welcher: --- that was my question too.
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Mr. Mayor: --- absolutely, thank you. All right the Commissioner from the 8 you yield.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, that was going to be my question.
Mr. Mayor: All right, very well. I said Welch, his name was Welch.
Mr. Fennoy: You were close.
Mr. Hasan: You buttoned your coat for nothing.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, we’re tabling this for a period of 60 days.
Mr. Brown: Without objection, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: That was without objection, that was without objection. The Chair recognizes
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the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir, I want to ask the Pastor a question.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. B. Williams: With them being able to build four houses without a change in zoning I
mean what can they do different that would change your mind when you come back in 60 days,
what can be done different? They can build four without our permission so what can be done
different? Just asking a question ---
Pastor Thomas: Oh, you don’t want an answer?
Mr. B. Williams: --- yes, sir, I want an answer.
Pastor Thomas: If they build four and we can get some type when I say we I’m talking
about Sand Hills get some type of commitment that action will be taken. We’re not against four.
We’re not against that. We just need some action, the action that we’ve been promised. I mean it
seems like they’re being given more precedent coming in, consideration coming in and we’ve been
there over two decades so the same consideration that they’re getting. I think your question with
all due respect should be if what consideration would they give if we have top priority.
Mr. B. Williams: Well, the only thing that I’m saying they can build four and then they
can do another section and do another four so I’m just asking what could they do different but I’m
good with your answer, thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
Reverend Henderson: Real quick and the big issue I want to know is in terms of these
meetings do you want us as the Pastors to take a lead on gathering the stakeholders together or will
the Commission ---
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Mr. Mayor: --- we’ll take the lead on that.
Reverend Henderson: --- excellent.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ll take the lead on that. All right, without objection this matter has
been tabled for 60 days.
Mr. Hasan: Do we vote on this now?
Mr. Mayor: It was without objection.
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Top to bottom, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
1. Z-19-30 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to deny a
petition by Malisa Wanjala, on behalf of Kimberly Godbee, requesting a Special Exception
to establish a Family Day Care Home per Section 26-1(F) of the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing 0.46 acres and known as 4004
Madison Lane. Tax Map 053-4-012-00-0 DISTRICT 3 (Referred from July 17 Commission
meeting)
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Director Sherman.
The Clerk: The petitioner is here.
Mr. Mayor: And the petitioner, the petitioner, if you’ll please come forward. Okay, Ms.
Burgess.
Ms. Burgess: Good afternoon, Commissioners, Mr. Mayor. This petition if for a Special
Exception to allow a Family Day Care in a residential zone. It is only allowed by Special
Exception because the criteria of administrative approval were not met. The Planning Commission
well first of all the staff recommendation was for denial due to the lack of meeting the criteria.
And then as you know the staff recommendation is made before the public hearing so when the
public hearing came around there was a lot of opposition that came up against having a business
in a residential neighborhood. And so the Planning Commission continued also voted to deny this
application.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, we’re going to hear from the petitioner. If you would state for
the record your name and your address, ma’am.
Ms. Wanjala: I’m Malisa Wanjala, 4004 Madison Lane.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Ms. Wanjala: So when I first talked to the Planning and Development Department they
was basically telling me about a sex offender that was within the perimeter of the on my address.
They told me at first that it had to be a thousand feet away from my location and I could, but they
said the guy was about 974 feet give or take so I can go for a Special Exemption because he was
so far away. When I came to the meeting Mr. Kevin Boyd, he basically said it wasn’t about the
sex offender anymore it was about the safety of the location. If you, the information that they
pulled up about the sex offender he don’t necessarily live within the Burnett Crossing
Neighborhood. He lives outside of the neighborhood which take about a mile and a half to get to
my location. He would have to drive out of Burnett Crossing up Wrightsboro Road down Barton
Chapel and then inside of somewhere so about a mile and a half. So direct line of sight he has
about 974 feet but when you’re looking at him basically coming to the houses and fences it would
just be impossible for him to get to my location. On top of that the property is all the way fenced
in all the way around so it’s no way for anyone to get to the children in that location. He also
talked to me about the crime in the area. When I pulled up the report about the crime it said it was
nothing reported during that time as far as crime that was you know meaning for crime. So Mr.
Kevin Boyd also pulled up again it was about five or six things that was he pulled up it was like
petty stuff like trespassing or something like that so no big crime in the neighborhood. It’s just
basically the sex offender at that point. But once they dropped the sex offender I don’t know what
stops the sex offender from getting to anybody’s children in the neighborhood so why would that
be ---
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Wanjala, would you suspend for a minute?
Ms. Wanjala: --- uh-hmm.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Burgess, what’s the Planning Department’s reason for denial?
Ms. Burgess: The staff recommendation was because, due to the existence of the sex
offender within a 1,000 feet so that’s against our criteria and then also when it was due to the crime
as well that’s one of the criteria’s as it is the public safety and welfare of the business. And so
when we looked at that we looked at the crime map and there was ---
Mr. Mayor: And so, hold on a minute. Are you suggesting that the business is going to be
a criminal element or there’s crime around this.
Mr. Burgess: --- well, we’re talking about the safety of the children so when we look at
things it’s the same thing for when we do a Personal Care Home and locate them in residential
neighborhoods. Lastly however one of the thresholds for ---
Mr. Mayor: Is it not true that there’s a school just down the road from here?
Ms. Burgess: --- yes.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Ms. Burgess: One of the criteria’s for a Special Exception is that it would be in harmony
with the neighborhood and so when the neighbors came out and spoke against it, that to us makes
it seem like it would not be in harmony.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, are there any objectors in the room for this matter?
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to this petition, the petition okay, petitioner.
Mr. Mayor: There are no objectors?
The Clerk: No objectors, are there any supporters?
Mr. Mayor: All right, any questions from this body? All right, the Chair will entertain, all
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right the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2.
Mr. D. Williams: I didn’t hear what the Sheriff’s Department recommendation was.
Mr. Burgess: I’m sorry what was that?
Mr. Mayor: The Sheriff’s Department, there is no recommendation from the Sheriff’s
Department.
Mr. D. Williams: Don’t we normally have a recommendation?
Mr. Mayor: Not on day care.
Mr. D. Williams: Not on day care.
Mr. Mayor: No.
Mr. D. Williams: But if we use the subject of crime there should be some kind of
recommendation.
Mr. Mayor: I would submit to you that the issue is not germane.
Mr. D. Williams: I move ---
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2.
Mr. D. Williams: --- I move for approval.
Mr. Sias: Second.
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th,
Mr. Mayor: I’ve got a motion with a proper second, voting. Commissioner from the 6
his button’s not working.
Mr. D. Williams and Mr. Sias vote Yes.
Ms. Davis, Mr. Hasan, Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Clarke vote No.
Mr. M. Williams abstains.
Motion Fails 2-5-1.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Wanjala, your petition has been denied.
The Clerk: No ---
Mr. Mayor: Well, I’m sorry there is no action taken on this matter.
Ms. Wanjala: What does (inaudible).
Ms. Davis: I mean they can come back, right?
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
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9. Motion to approve bid #19-111 HVAC Routine Emergency Services Contract with 1
Mechanical Services for Airport HVAC needs (44,430.00). This is a 3-year contract with 2
one-year renewal options. (Approved by Public Services Committee July 30, 2019)
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m not opposed to this but it says emergency
services contract and then it’s got this is a 3-year contract with 2 one year. Am I to understand
that this is when you need, when you do need an emergency air or whatever it is this, we won’t
have to worry about finding anybody. These are, okay why are we doing the 3-year with 2-year
options? I mean if it’s a 3-year contract because really it’s a 5-year if you look at it this way.
You’re not going to have a 3-year contract and then go back and say you know we’re going to go
out and get somebody else. So I’m just wondering why it’s a 3-year if it was, when we need a
contractor and we call on this contractor for the first three years then after that we’ve got a two
one year agreement which is the end of the five year, can you explain to me why we’re doing that,
Mr. Judon?
Mr. Judon: Again for your first question yes, sir, the way the contract is set up this
particular company provides routine services so they’ll come out and do seasonal services, filters,
tune ups, etc. of the system. But this is also the same company that will be contracted to us to do
any type of emergency services as well so it covers routine and emergency services. For the second
question again the two-year options just give us flexibility if we decide we want to go in a different
direction but typically we do exercise those options.
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Mr. M. Williams: How do we get emergency tied up with a situation like that because
routine maintenance work we’ve got to have done. But when I hear emergency everybody calls,
Mr. Brown, I was a fireman years ago when let me go on the Fire Department and I stayed a little
while. But when I hear emergency it alarms me it tells me that there’s a particular need, there’s
something that’s, if it’s routine than that’s one thing and I can understand it but when you say
routine and emergency it kind of threw me off so I’m trying to figure out how did we get emergency
with the routine.
Mr. Judon: The way that this contract will be set up is that the again the routine services
like I said those include like your seasonal ---
Mr. M. Williams: Right.
Mr. Judon: --- checks. An emergency service could you know maybe the air goes out or
the air handler goes out and there is a unit, an hourly unit cost that’s associated with any emergency
response from the same company.
Mr. M. Williams: I don’t know, I mean I’m hearing what the Director is saying but I don’t
know that I agree with that or not. If you’ve got a routine maintenance you’re going to, you know
the seasons come in for air and the seasons come in for heat and somebody comes in and changes
out but when I hear the emergency part it makes me think that there’s a specific need right then.
And there’s no knock on the Director. I mean we do this in this government and I don’t agree with
it. I think we ought to be just plain that we’ve got to a routine service that’s got to do twice a year
these people are going to be the ones to do it. But when you say emergency it puts me in alarm
mode that I’m thinking that something doesn’t ---
Mr. Mayor: What do you want to do, Commissioner?
Mr. M. Williams: --- I’m going to yield to my colleague down here somebody might have
---
Mr. Hasan: Motion to approve.
Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes, Commissioner again we’re going to go back
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to the rules meeting everybody just hold on. I’m going to the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. One of the reasons that the Director and the Airport Commission
is planning on doing it this way. Ya’ll recall recently we had lights out a couple times at the airport
and we also had another issue. So in these issues when you have airport operations to go through
even an emergency procurement process can be a disaster so they definitely need to be able to call
a contractor and say move we need you here in 30 minutes or 15 minutes. So with that being said
I feel like I understand the need for this, I move to approve this.
Mr. Fennoy: Second.
29
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 4 has made a motion, he hadn’t been
recognized for a motion ---
The Clerk: Oh, okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- there are rules, Madam Clerk.
Mr. M. Williams: No, those are not the rules, Mr. Mayor, but we’ll let that go today. I’ve
got another comment on this one though.
Mr. Mayor: Hold on just hold on.
The Clerk: Let me get, Commissioner Sias. Who seconded it? Who did that?
Mr. M. Williams: Anybody.
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Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 1.
The Clerk: All right.
Mr. Mayor: All right now. I’m going to remind everybody. I yielded and said again
pursuant to what ya’ll agreed to that no one needs to be recognized to make a second but the
Parliamentarian did say that you need to be recognized for a motion. I’m just reminding
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everybody. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, sir. Now I’m hoping that we’ve got some generators or
something to work if we had a to have something to go out at the airport or anywhere else now. I
know the Fire Department’s got several generators but I’m thinking that if we’re talking about a
contract $44,430.00 dollars, Donna got that so I ain’t worried about the money but what I am
worried about is that why are we, if the lights go out we got to call somebody to come you know
and do the, there ought to be some backup that we’ve got. Now we act like Mayberry sometimes
but this ain’t Mayberry, I can promise you. I mean we ought to at least have some backup.
Mr. Mayor: Well, you do have backup but ---
Mr. M. Williams: So this don’t get it to me.
Mr. Mayor: --- well, when you have auxiliary systems, Commissioner, you put those
auxiliary systems on your primary systems ---
Mr. M. Williams: That’s right.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay and those are for your again ---
Mr. M. Williams: That word emergency, there it goes again.
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Mr. Mayor: --- we have a motion and a second the Chair recognizes the Commissioner
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from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Judon, I keep looking and seeing here it’s the
Daniel ---
The Clerk: Can I get you to speak in your mike, sir?
Mr. Hasan: --- I’m sorry. I keep seeing here there’s a Daniel Village here and I’m trying
to see why Mr. Judon is here I’m just trying to understand the connection.
Mr. Judon: Are you talking about the other item that Daniel Field?
Mr. Hasan: Let me see ---
Mr. Judon: There’s another item that Daniel Field had on the agenda.
Mr. Hasan: --- okay.
Mr. Mayor: We’re on Item Number 9, sir.
Mr. Hasan: What item were we looking at then?
Mr. Mayor: I’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
Mr. B. Williams: Is this to approve, it’s been so long.
Mr. M. Williams votes No.
Motion Passes 9-1.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
12. Motion to amend Augusta, Georgia Code Section 3-5-86(i) so as to specify additional
safety equipment to be included on Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTV’s) that operate
on Augusta streets, and to waive the second reading. (Approved by Public Services
Committee July 9, 2019 – approved by the Commission on July 17 Commission meeting-
second reading)
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you for recognizing me. I’ve got no problem with this issue.
What my question’s going to be is when the PTV’s on the street not just downtown but on the
street anywhere is this rule going to apply to anyone or they are going to be applied to just when
they bring them downtown? I mean in my neighborhood I ride my golf cart when I feel like riding
it so do I have to have I mean because I’m trying to get all of it. I mean you can’t have a rule for
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downtown and somebody’s who’s not downtown got a different rule. If it’s going to be a rule,
let’s use it for everybody all the time. We’ve got a thing about that. There’s a lot of people got
these PTV’s, I’ve got two, Mr. Mayor, I’ll let you use one of them if you want to.
Mr. Mayor: Well, do you have a seatbelt on it?
Mr. M. Williams: No, I don’t.
The Clerk: He’s got a German Shepherd.
Mr. Mayor: He’s got a German Shepherd. That’s right.
Mr. M. Williams: (Unintelligible), Ms. Bonner.
Mr. Mayor: We’ve already approved this. This is effectively I believe, Madam Clerk, the
second reading of this?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ve already approved this.
Mr. M. Williams: So my question still stands, Mr. Mayor. How do we deal with somebody
who’s ---
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to bring out Director Sherman.
Mr. M. Williams: --- ya’ll don’t want to talk about these issues but this is important.
Mr. Mayor: We’re talking about it.
Mr. M. Williams: You don’t want to talk about it. I didn’t say you wouldn’t talk about it.
You don’t want to talk about it.
Mr. Mayor: Rob?
Mr. Sherman: So the ordinance is really talking about three areas: the downtown area out
around Dewey Gray, up around Cardinal Drive, Forest Hills Golf Course. If a neighborhood wants
to allow the neighbors to use golf carts in their neighborhood, the way they’re supposed to do that
is to go through Traffic Engineering and get it designated and I think bring it back to the
Commission for approval. We’re not just talking about golf carts that are not in these three areas
right now. I mean I don’t know what to tell you. I mean if somebody’s driving golf carts in the
neighborhood that are not in these areas, I suppose you would call the Sheriff’s Office and report
them. These, this, I don’t really know how to answer your question.
Mr. M. Williams: Well, I mean ---
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Mr. Sherman: This is really addressing the commercial use vehicles downtown where they
will be carrying say a hotel will be carrying their guests. If it’s a six passenger or more, they’re
required to have the hydraulic brakes. After doing some research, the smaller golf cart size has
ones that they may be using say as commercial vehicle or as an employer carrying an employee.
The smaller regular golf carts those have adequate brakes but once you get into the larger ones the
way we had it you had to have disc brakes and they’re not readily available.
Mr. Mayor: Director Sherman, hold on a second, hold on a second. Mayor Pro Tem, can
you speak to this matter?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. So we had an entertainment zone which was created by
this body last year I think now ---
Mr. Mayor: That was the first step.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- and basically the PTV’s this was created so that we could do
tours and prearranged shuttles in the central business district allowing the history tour all the way,
Laney Walker all the way through downtown that’s what this is for. ETEXTRON is making
vehicles for the CVB. They needed this change on the brakes and that’s all we’re doing. Motion
to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. M. Williams: --- can I respond, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, you can.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you so much because the Classic is coming up very shortly in
fact in September early this year and there’s going to be many golf carts or like golf carts there
and that’s what brought it to my attention. Now I don’t care whether or not, you know, Rob’s
talking about the neighborhood or the subdivision I live in we don’t have a neighborhood
association we don’t have a group to come to. Now we can’t pick and choose for those who have
because the have not’s are still out there so I’m saying if there’s going to be a rule it ought to feed
everybody like you just said One Augusta. You can call the Sheriff, you can call anybody you
want to, the people that’s got these vehicles once we approve this ought to have the same rights as
anybody else and not just downtown, not for just for showing the city to somebody or whatever
else. We create something, it’s got to be for everybody. So ---
Mr. Mayor: The law will apply to everybody ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, the law’s going to apply.
Mr. Mayor: --- it will and today this is just effectively really the second reading of it ---
Mr. M. Williams: Okay.
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Mr. Mayor: --- that’s what you have. We already adopted this, okay.
Mr. Fennoy: We can vote?
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, do you need anything else?
The Clerk: We’re going to carry the vote but I’d like to make an editorial change on the
caption. Where it says and to waive the second reading technically this is the second reading. We
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had an objection to the ordinance on the July 17 meeting so we couldn’t waive the second reading
so we’re going to remove the language here that says waive second reading on this particular
motion, okay?
Mr. Mayor: Okay, voting.
The Clerk: Then when them young folk come and take our place they’ll know what we
did.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I did say we’re voting.
Mr. M. Williams votes No.
Motion Passes 9-1.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
19. Motion to approve the naming of the Lake Olmstead Amphitheater in honor of former
Commissioners Andrew Jefferson and H. Grady Smith, III. (Approved by Administrative
Services Committee July 30, 2019)
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Unfortunately I wasn’t here last week to ask
these questions or bring this to light. As we know, both Commissioners were great men, did a lot
for this community but when you look at naming rights of an amphitheater or stadiums James
Brown Arena named after a musician, Jessie Norman named after a musician, Lady Antebellum
named after a musician. I think that Commissioner Fennoy mentioned last week that it wasn’t
about the venue, it was about naming something in their honor and I seriously say that we should
name something in their honor but I think that naming Lake Olmstead after them really doesn’t fit
in my mind. They’re not, there was no music there. There’s also opportunities maybe down the
road for naming rights of stadiums that you see all across the country and I would love to hear if
Commissioner Fennoy had any other ideas about possibly naming anything else since he
mentioned it last week Commissioner Jefferson and Commissioner Smith.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
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Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I was torn between renaming the Lake Olmstead Amphitheater or the
renaming the Municipal Building after Andrew Jefferson and Grady Smith.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 10.
Mr. Clarke: Yes, sir. I have no real objections of, I seconded Commissioner Fennoy’s
motion last week and I’ve gotten a lot of phone calls this past week and there’s been a lot of ideas
thrown around and I’d like to share it with you a little bit and then we can make a decision. The
bigger cities whenever they build a new arena, auditorium, coliseum, amphitheater they try to get
corporate sponsorship in maintaining that facility and the upkeep of that facility. I think probably
that would be the best venue or the best avenue that Augusta should try to take at this time. Right
now, we’re waiting on another meeting next week I believe to see what the consultants are saying
about doing with Lake Olmstead. There’s another way that we can do something with Lake
Olmstead and honor these two fine gentlemen and that is to like our neighbors in Columbia County
did and name a stage after one person and a theater after the other. That’s a venue or a way that
we can go. But at this time I personally would like to wait until we see what we’re going to do
with the amphitheater if we’re even going to have an amphitheater there. So that’s just my
suggestion, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Oh, I’m good ---
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. B. Williams: --- I don’t have anything to say to this.
Mr. Fennoy: You know, Mr. Mayor, I don’t know how long that baseball stadium’s been
there but it’s been there ever since I’ve been in Augusta, that’s 50 plus years. And nobody wanted
to name it after I think Ty Cobb because didn’t he play baseball here at one time ---
The Clerk: He tried.
Mr. Fennoy: --- yeah, he tried and now nobody sought corporate sponsorship to support
that theater. So now all of a sudden we want to get wait and get corporate sponsorship. I guess I
don’t know anybody that sings that we could name it after. But I think that both Andrew and
Grady were an asset to this city. They were great colleagues of mine. Rarely did I agree with
Grady and rarely did I agree with Andrew but I think we had a mutual respect for each other. You
know losing two colleagues in the same year is tough. Well, it was tough for me and you know I
asked the question who is Olmstead and nobody could tell me and we still don’t know who
Olmstead is. But by naming the stadium after Jefferson and Smith I think 50 years from now
somebody will be able to tell you who Grady Smith was and who Andrew Jefferson was. So I just
think it would be a fitting tribute to two of our fallen comrades to recognize and honor them by
renaming the stadium after them.
Mr. Mayor: I need a motion.
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Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve.
Mr. B. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. D. Williams, Mr. Sias and Mr. B. Williams vote Yes.
Ms. Davis, Mr. Hasan, Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Clarke vote No.
Mr. M. Williams abstains.
Motion Fails 4-5-1.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
21. Motion to approve a Second Amendment of the Contract with Pierce Manufacturing in
reference to RFP 17-137 Emergency Apparatus/Fire Pumper to Pierce to purchase three (3)
Pierce Engines, and to authorize the Mayor to execute the appropriate documents.
(Approved by Public Safety Committee July 30, 2019)
Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve.
Mr. Clarke: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I asked for this to be pulled. I’m not opposed to approving
this but I want to make sure what I’m approving. First of all, this is emergency apparatus/fire
pumper. I want to know what the other emergency apparatus’ are. Are we buying additional
ambulances or what are these other emergency apparatus we’re talking about? It says apparatus
fire/pumpers to Pierce and then you’ve got three Pierce engines so the Fire Chief whoever’s going
to address that can you help me understand what we’re buying here?
Chief James: We’re buying three engines.
Mr. M. Williams: Three engines, okay, so we’re just getting three pumpers so the
emergency apparatus/fire pumpers.
Chief James: Right, in other words the fire pumpers are emergency apparatus.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, I’m glad you explained that, Chief. Mr. Mayor, I’ve got no
problem if that’s what we’re buying. I wanted to make sure that the distinction with fire pumpers
has made me very cautious about what I’m about to vote for.
Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Move to approve.
Mr. Clarke: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Voting.
Motion Passes 10-0.
The Clerk: That takes us to our regular agenda item, Mr. Sherman?
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to Item Number 38.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
38. Discuss Village at Riverwatch Commercial Development Road System and Consider
request from Jorden Trotter Commercial Real Estate accepting Private Segment of Cabela
Drive (432LF) and River Shoals Parkway (150LF) and associated Improvement within its
Right-of-Way into Augusta, Georgia Public Roadway System. (No recommendation from
Engineering Services Committee July 30, 2019)
Mr. Mayor: I think we’ve got a representative from Jorden Trotter. The Chair recognizes
the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I put this on the agenda last week and again
I wasn’t able to be here but this agenda item was brought to the Commission because of a $10 to
$15 million-dollar investment and 100 jobs plus a recreation facility to help the growing needs of
our community. It’s basically two phases. The last segment of Cabela Drive was about 132 feet
that was never dedicated to Augusta but the rest of Cabela Drive was in public so the developer
needs the last segment of this to be dedicated to the city. The developer, Jorden Trotter here, is
willing to make any reasonable repairs to Cabela Drive before deeding it to the city at their cost.
In construction plans in 2013 it was indicated that we were supposed to take ownership once it
was completed but it was never completed there. They also, the second segment is River Shoals
Parkway. That’s 150 feet plus an additional 350-feet extension that will now be built thanks to the
Augusta EDA and then become public once complete. The Augusta EDA is stepping up at the
complete cost to them which will all be spent on public improvements not private. They look at
this as needed investment for job creation, future development and rideshare opportunities. With
that all being said, I’d like to make the following motion and, Ms. Bonner, I’ll hand it to you
because it’s kind of long but it basically is what I just said. Motion to approve the acceptance
of the last segment of Cabela Drive as public roadway approximately 430 feet subject to any
regional maintenance and repairs deemed necessary by Augusta Engineering being
performed prior to acceptance at no cost to Augusta. The second piece the acceptance of
River Shoals Parkway approximately 500 feet as the 350 additional and 150 as public
roadway upon the completion of the extension of River Shoals Parkway and at no cost,
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construction cost to Augusta. Both dedications shall be accompanied by the typical
paperwork and warranties required by Engineering.
Mr. Clarke: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, I want my Attorney to take a look at that. Hand that to him.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We can add it.
Mr. Mayor: I got all the hands, I’m coming to you. All right, Dennis, you want to speak
with this?
Mr. Trotter: Commissioner Frantom’s summed it up quite well. This is, these are some
cleanup items as he stated the first 3,000 feet of Cabela Drive is public. The last few hundred I
think it was a cleanup, a title matter, was designed and constructed to the city standards and needs
to be transferred over to the city. If there’s any minor defects in that road that have crept up in the
last few years of operation of it, we’ll have them addressed and fixed prior to the city accepting it
so the city doesn’t feel like it’s obligating itself to any immediate repairs to the road. That’s not
the intent whatsoever. Again, we’re not asking the city to inherit any defects that would cause it
to spend any money on the River Shoals Extension. We have a somewhat similar situation down
there where the road was constructed and extended. Part of it was never dedicated. We’re
extending that road further with August EDA to facilitate the Top Golf Project in the rear which
is a substantial investment as ya’ll well know in the job creation. So we’ve got the ability I think
to do this in a manner that can meet the Augusta’s Engineering standards. The typical Deeds of
Dedication, typical warranties at no cost to Augusta and hopefully a lot of new property tax, sales
tax and economic development in area.
Mr. Mayor: You alluded to again Top Golf. Does this get us any closer to (unintelligible)?
Just think about it.
Mr. Trotter: We have a handful of loose ends left to get to a more public and formal
announcement and a groundbreaking, this being several of those loose ends we hope to address to
clean up what we and Top Golf sees as title issues and usage issues so we’re getting closer and
closer.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4 and I didn’t say what
you thought I said.
Mr. Sias: I want to make a substitute motion but, however, I’m going to see if my colleague
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from the 7 is willing to amend his. When we talk about repairs as necessary on this road my
colleague’s motion says reasonable. That should be required. We don’t, we’re putting a hamstring
on our Engineering Department. So there’s a standard that these roads have to be that has to be
met and Mr. Trotter’s familiar with that and so I feel it’s unfair to our Engineering Department to
already characterize that. I would love to see the reasonable replaced with required.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do you see any reason ---
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Mr. Trotter: No, sir ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- I mean is what he said that the whole the phone conversation we
had he said whatever Hameed says we need to happen, happens required ---
Mr. Sias: I’ll qualify you on it.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- I’ll change the required from reasonable.
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
Mr. Trotter: Yes, that would be fine. Our intention again is not in the least bit to obligate
the city to any type of repairs that it wouldn’t inherit.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, so my Attorney has that and he’s going to change up the language.
We’ve got the junior attorney speaking now so I’m going to go the real attorney.
Mr. Brown: Mr. Mayor, Commission, I believe that I think I clearly hear the petitioner
consenting to turn the road over to Augusta after the right-of-way requirement standards of
Augusta have been met, is that correct?
Mr. Trotter: Yes, sir, on, well we’ve got I think we have two questions. We’ve got the
Cabela Drive which has been existing for some time now and any repairs required by Augusta
Engineering before accepting the road will be paid at no cost to Augusta.
Mr. Brown: Prior to acceptance?
Mr. Trotter: Prior to acceptance ---
Mr. Brown: Okay.
Mr. Trotter: --- and then on the extension of River Shoals that new road does not exist yet
today. Parts of it do but the last segment that’ll be extended doesn’t exist today. We would propose
that certainly that dedication doesn’t need to happen until the road is constructed, approved by
Augusta Engineering and inspected by Augusta Engineering and the proper documentation filed
and the dedication to Augusta would be the last step. The Deeds of Dedication would be the last
step of that process after construction’s approved and completed.
Mr. Brown: So at this point you are not asking for acceptance of River Shoals Parkway.
Mr. Trotter: We’re asking that Augusta agree to accept it once it is completed and built to
engineering standards, an agreement that you will accept it upon those conditions being met.
Mr. Brown: Mr. Mayor and Commission, is it possible to come back to this matter in a
few moments so I have time to draft ---
39
Mr. Mayor: Absolutely ---
Mr. Brown: --- draft this according, I think both sides are in agreement the thing is ---
Mr. Mayor: --- sure, I think that’s appropriate. All right, so we’ll suspend on this and then
we’ll come back to it okay?
Mr. Trotter: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: All right, all right, very well. All right, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Okay, Item 33 Mr. Sherman, is the petitioner ---
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
34. Discuss and amend 2019 Commission Calendar. (Requested by Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr.
– refereed from July 17 Commission meeting)
35. Discuss and adopt Commission Calendar for 2020. (Requested by Mayor Hardie Davis –
referred from July 17 Commission meeting)
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, just as a matter of record Items 34, 35 we’re going to move
them to the next meeting. My handout, I forgot. I had a handout and I simply forgot it. All right,
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the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, when you mentioned Item 34 and 35 and this is about the second
time that has come before the Commission and I will make a motion to you say to send it back but
I’d like to send it back to committee as opposed to Commission.
Mr. Mayor: I’m quite okay with that. I don’t have a problem with that.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Point of clarity, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Sias: I’ll second that.
Mr. M. Williams: Point of clarity.
Mr. Mayor: All right, he seconds it.
Mr. M. Williams: Before the District 6 Commissioner made that motion you inquired I
guess about sending these back. It belongs to the body at that point; you cannot send it, if you’re
going to go by the rules now. So, Ms. Bonner, I might need you to step in because I don’t know
the rules, I just follow them. So I want to make sure if we’re going to do this rule game we’re
going to do it all right.
40
Mr. Mayor: Right and so I believe pursuant to the rules what I did in the discussion of
going to the next agenda item I suggested that that’s what we want to do. And the Commissioner
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from the 6 graciously said let’s send it back to committee (unintelligible).
Mr. M. Williams: He said this has been done before and he was clarifying it. He didn’t,
don’t try and get over to your wingman now because I’m sitting here listening. You are trying to
do something and he said this has happened before and he wanted it to go back and you had no
problem sending it back to committee not to Commission. So if we’re going to do the rules, now
see you can talk your way out of the rules but I can’t do it, you’ve got the wrong one.
Mr. Mayor: I’m not trying to talk my way out of anything today. All right, so I’ve got a
motion and a second to send it to next week’s committee cycle okay? Voting.
Mr. Clarke out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Now are we going to let Mr. Sherman come up? You can attempt to come up,
Mr. Sherman.
PUBLIC SERVICES
33. Discussion: A request by Chao Tang for a Massage Operator’s License to be used in
connection with H Massage located at 1944 Walton Way. District 1. District 9. (No
recommendation from Public Services Committee July 10, 2019)
Mr. Sherman: Okay Number 33 request by Chao Tang for a Massage Operator’s License
to be used in connection with H Massage located at 1944 Walton Way. District 1. Super District
9. If you would state your name and address for the record.
Ms. Tang: My name is Chao Tang.
Mr. Mayor: So, Rob, just state it for him please.
Mr. Sherman: 2914 Prairie Lane is his address.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, wonderful.
Mr. Sherman: Are there any objectors to this application for massage? If there are no
objectors, the Sheriff’s Office and Planning recommend that it be approved.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
Motion Passes 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: Item 37.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
37. Consider a request from Mr. Wes Childers on behalf of Redemption Church for a refund
of property taxes paid for 2015 (Bill #759185). (No recommendation from Finance
Committee July 30, 2019)
The Clerk: Mr. Childers ---
Mr. Mayor: He’s here.
The Clerk: --- Brent Skelly who’s Pastor.
Mr. Mayor: Pastor, if you’ll state for the record your name and address.
Pastor Skelly: Yeah, my name is Brent Skelly. Address is 714 Gary Street and that’s
Augusta, Georgia 30904.
Mr. Mayor: All right.
Pastor Skelly: So you want me to present?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, please.
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Pastor Skelly: All right, so on May 17 of this year we as a church paid somewhere around
$5,400 dollars to cover property taxes billed from 2015. Our denomination deeded us this building
and at the end of 2014 we began construction and renovations at the beginning of 2015. We began
worshiping at the location in May of 2015 but we were not granted a tax exemption on the property
until after we had already moved in. And when we received the tax bill for 2015 we asked the Tax
Commissioner’s Office to put our bill on account on hold with the understanding that we would
eventually settle that bill. The account was taken off hold earlier this year, we paid the bill in good
faith and are asking Commission for reimbursement of that payment in light of the tax exempt
status as a church.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: What is Steven Kendrick’s position on this as far as your status and when it
changed?
42
Pastor Skelly: I’ve been on staff for three years so all of this precedes me so I mean in
terms of what I understand is that, Wes may be able to answer some more of those questions. He
was just able to get here.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right.
Mr. Childers: I don’t know his current position on this this matter specifically. We are
currently tax exempt. The issue is that the building was deeded over midyear and so we received
the tax bill before we had actually filed for the exemption the following year. We were worshipping
in the building the entire time that we have occupied it. It hasn’t been used for any commercial
purposes. Our denomination purchased the building and deeded it to us when we began
construction in 2015.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If I understand correctly based on what he just said I
don’t think at that time they were not deeded tax exempt so essentially it would be hard to give it
back to him based on the comments he just made to reimburse him, to reimburse him on what he
just said.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: So what year did you all become eligible for tax exempt status?
Mr. Childers: We were formerly recognized the following year but we were eligible before.
We just had not done, because the transition of the ownership of the building happened midyear
we didn’t you know tax bills come the following year so we did not address that. We didn’t know
there was a formalized process to do that, so once we got that initial tax bill we applied for that
status and were granted it. It just wasn’t back dated for the actual billing year I guess if that’s.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Permission to ask Finance to come speak to this. I think they have a little bit
of insight into this.
Mr. Mayor: They’re not the right ones. The Tax Commissioner’s Office would be the
ones more appropriate to speak to this matter.
Mr. Garrett: Is the Tax Commissioner coming down or do we know?
Mr. Mayor: Well, I saw him in here just a moment ago and he disappeared. The Chair
recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Why are we getting this now and not in 2017 or 2018? Like what’s
the reason for three years?
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Mr. Childers: I can’t answer that. We requested it to be put on hold and we just didn’t, we
didn’t get another notice about it again until earlier this year and when we got the notice we felt
like the best way to deal with it was to go ahead and pay it in good faith and then try to work it out
with the city at that point.
Mr. Mayor: So, Pastor Childers, you’ve come before this body with a reasonable request,
a request that on more than one occasion has been denied. You’ve come before this body with a
request that while on the surface you acquired a piece of property that was a taxable property prior
to your possession of it. Maybe the more appropriate step would’ve been to ask the prior owner
to pay the taxes before purchasing it. This body certainly is the deciding body. We have not gotten
a recommendation from the Tax Commissioner with regards to this and so that probably would’ve
been the first step to inquire the Tax Commissioner with regards to whether they would relieve
you of those taxes.
Mr. Childers: Their recommendation was that it needed to be brought in this manner.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Childers: My understanding as well if I could address your point about the previous
owner, it was purchased by our denomination and I believe they would’ve been tax exempt as well
---
Mr. Mayor: They would’ve been.
Mr. Childers: --- so it was not a, you know it wasn’t a commercial transaction, it wasn’t -
Mr. Mayor: Was there a building already on this site?
Mr. Childers: --- it’s the Doris Building on Broad Street, 930 Broad, right next to the
White’s Building so yes there was a building. We did improvements to the building upon acquiring
it.
Mr. Mayor: And was there a church meeting there before?
Mr. Childers: No, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, so it was commercial in nature prior to ---
Mr. Childers: That’s correct.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay, thus the taxation on the property, okay. Okay, I’m going to take two
more comments and then we’re going to allow you to dispose of this matter. The Chair recognizes
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the Commissioner from the 10.
Mr. Clarke: I withdraw my question, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: I’d like to ask the young minister’s preacher’s Pastor a couple of
questions, Mr. Mayor. First question is ya’ll have been tax exempt since I guess ’18 ’17 you were
tax exempt then, 16, 17, ’18?
Mr. Childers: So we were deeded the building in late 2014. We began construction and
renovations in 2015 and began meeting and worshipping there in May of 2015. We’ve been a
church for about 10 years prior but we were not property owners and so we did not have an
exemption status. We were renters at that time.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, my question is since you’ve been there this is ’19 now. I’m trying,
I’m in support. I want to support you, I’m just trying to get to a point. I’m asking you have you
been tax exempt since you paid the initial money in ’15, right, the next year ’16?
Mr. Childers: We settled the ’15 bill in June of this year. When it came off of hold and
we received notice again from the city that it was owed, we paid it then.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, it came off of hold. Did the Tax Commissioner say you owed
any other monies because you’re tax exempt?
Pastor Skelly: No, sir, we’ve been tax exempt since 2016 when we got the (inaudible).
Mr. M. Williams: Okay and that was my question. Now in ’15 is what the question because
they paid it then. We have had that situation happen with the Boys Club came and paid and they
came back and we reimbursed them because we had that authority to do that. I think we ought to
at least ask the Tax Commissioner or Planning and Zoning whoever exempts this body to know
that there’s a church ought to have somebody here from ---
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, but notwithstanding the reality of it is again IRS has provided them
with tax exempt status as of 2016. The building though owned by the denomination who did in
fact have tax exemption status did not again enter into the facility and as a result of that it was still
being taxed and that’s why they were levied the $5,400 dollar tax bill.
Mr. M. Williams: I get that. My question, Mr. Mayor, is someone from the Tax
Commissioner’s Office.
Mr. Mayor: You know we can just, you can just vote on this.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, I make a motion to approve.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a motion to approve.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Kendrick’s is on his way.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, all right, that motion fails without a proper second. The Chair
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recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: I’d like to make a motion that we refer this back to committee to allow the
Tax Commissioner to give us input.
Mr. Mayor: You know ---
Mr. Fennoy: Or you can table it until he gets here.
Mr. Mayor: --- I want you to take action on it. I mean we keep coming back to these
matters, we keep coming back to these matters. The Tax Commissioner kicks it up to you. Again
he shouldn’t do that. He’s going to make a decision and it comes up to us and then you’re trying
to decide whether you’re going to make a decision based on what the Tax Commissioner says and
he’s going to say well that’s within your jurisdiction to make the decision. We’ve been here before
and done that.
Mr. Childers: Mr. Mayor, we’d be willing to let you move on until the Tax Commissioner
could get here. We’d love to get it dealt with today one way or the other. We tried to bring it
before the committee last week and just due to scheduling we couldn’t stay for the whole meeting
so.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I sympathize with the church, however, their tax exempt status
did not exist or at least it wasn’t filed for the complete year of 2015 and that’s what’s been
concerning me. So for me it’s either deny or only a partial reimbursement and that is what I
consider fair in my mind.
Mr. Mayor: Are you making a motion, sir?
Mr. Sias: So I move that we reimburse them 50%.
Mr. Fennoy: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ve got a motion and a second ---
Mr. M. Williams: How do they determine that? How do we determine 50%? It could be
20% if you’re going to go by a percentage now. I mean we need to know the time ---
Mr. Childers: Either I mean if I’m right ---
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, we’ve going to leave that up to each and every one to
determine for themselves. We’ve got a motion in front of us and the motion is to reimburse at
50% okay, voting.
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Mr. M. Williams: How are you going to come up with 50%, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: I didn’t come up with it.
Mr. M. Williams: Anybody.
Mr. Mayor: I’m going to leave it up to each and every one to determine for themselves.
Mr. M. Williams: How am I going to determine?
Mr. Mayor: You are going to vote or not. All right, Madam Clerk.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. D. Williams, Ms. Davis, Mr. Sias and Mr. B. Williams vote No.
Mr. Hasan, Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Clarke vote Yes.
Mr. M. Williams not voting.
Motion Fails 5-4.
Mr. Mayor: No official action was taken on this matter. Attorney Brown, after we, if
you’ll just have a seat there for just a second, Attorney Brown will give you some direction about
the next step.
Mr. Childers: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to Item Number 38.
The Clerk: Take off the table: Discuss Village at Riverwatch Commercial
Development Road System and Consider request from Jorden Trotter Commercial Real
Estate accepting Private Segment of Cabela Drive and River Shoals Parkway.
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes Attorney Brown to read a motion.
Mr. Brown: The following motion request consideration of the following motion by
the Commission: Motion to approve 1: the acceptance of the last segment of Cabela Drive,
approximately 430LF, subject to any maintenance and repairs required to meet Augusta
Engineering Department right-of-way standards and requirements as deemed necessary by
Augusta Engineering Department being performed prior to Augusta, Georgia’s acceptance
of said right-of-way and at no cost to Augusta. And continuing Number 2) The acceptance
of River Shoals Parkway, approximately 500 ft., as public right of way, upon the completion
of the extension of River Shoals Parkway and at no construction cost to Augusta. Both
dedications shall be accompanied by the customary documents and warranties required by
Engineering to ensure that said roads meets AED’s right of way standards and requirements
prior to the acceptance by Augusta, Georgia, provided further and not withstanding the
above, said portions of the Cabela Drive right of way segment shall be allowed at a width of
55 feet or more and 60 feet for River Shoals Parkway.
47
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 7, Mayor Pro
Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: So moved.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second, voting.
Motion Passes 10-0.
thth
Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 8 and 5 we’re waiting on the Tax
Commissioner. Mr. Tax Commissioner, we’re waiting on you, sir. Ms. Bonner, his extension is
2417. Would you call him?
The Clerk: What was that again, sir?
Mr. Mayor: 2417.
Mr. Hasan: I thought we voted on that, Mr. Mayor, we voted on it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, okay, that’s even better. All right, so Pastor this matter should
st
actually should be taken up with the Tax Assessor’s Office okay and that’s on the 1 Floor instead
of going right you go left. So when you go down the stairs on the elevator you come all the way
around and where you’ve gone to the Tax Commissioner’s instead of going there you just go to
the left and you’ll want to see Mr. Alvino Ross who is the Tax Assessor, okay, thank you. All
right, Madam Clerk ---
The Clerk: Item 36:
Mr. Mayor: --- yes, ma’am.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
36. Depot Project. (Requested by Commissioner Ben Hasan.
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Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I think again this body I think the Commissioner from the 6
said it so eloquently that Items 34 and 35 had been brought before this body on multiple occasions
and his wisdom felt that it should’ve been referred back to committee instead of to the full
Commission. The same holds true for this matter. It’s been brought before this body on multiple
occasions and each time we’ve discussed this in its proper setting and that is in Executive Session
in Legal which is the same place it should be discussed today. But once again it’s on the agenda
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so in the spirit of unity in the same manner I yielded to the Commissioner from the 6 preferably
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he’s going to think about that. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
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Mr. Hasan: Let me first say, Mr. Mayor, I think you’re mischaracterizing what I meant
when I said that your item should be going to committee. To the point that the item should have
never, the item, your two items about our calendar should have never been on the Commission
Agenda. They should’ve always been on the committee cycle first. That was that so now the next
thing here is you have no idea what my point is, Mr. Mayor. I would never share something that’s
never been shared. I was going to make a comment, I’m through with it and when I say through
with it I mean as opposed to the comments that we received. That’s what’s I want to do. I want
to do that and you know it don’t need to go into Legal and I think for this matter for the most part
has been discussed publicly on multiple occasions and I think we ought to stop you know playing
the games with this project in thinking that these issues have not been discussed publicly. So now
to my comment. My comment is just really just to say that we’ve got as we know as a body we
know we’ve got some questions from a citizen, former Mayor Bob Young, and as a result of that
I thought maybe the body would answer but we appreciate the Downtown Development Authority
giving an answer to those questions. However, I think those answers was not appropriate answers
in many instances but they’re the answers and so just wanted to make note of that for the record.
They’re answers for sure but they’re not appropriate answers to this and I think once again I would
like to say for the record I think the DDA has totally misrepresented the City of Augusta in my
humble opinion in this matter and I’m through with this, those are my comments.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right, if there’s no additional business before us this
meeting is adjourned.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
Lena Bonner
Clerk of Commission
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy
of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of The Augusta Richmond County Commission held on
August 6, 2019.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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