HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting March 3, 2020
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
MARCH 3, 2020
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., March 3, 2020, 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: All right, good afternoon, everybody. We’re going to call this meeting to
order. We are here to do the people’s business. Let me in advance of us bringing our Pastor of
the Day for the invocation. In fact I’ll wait, I’ll wait until after, the Chair recognizes Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Thank you, sir. I call your attention to the invocation portion of our agenda
which will be delivered today by Reverend Moses D. Anderson, Pastor of the Historic First
Ebenezer Baptist Church after which we would like to ask Ms. Joyce Law if she would please lead
us in the Pledge of Allegiance, please stand.
The invocation was given by Reverend Moses D. Anderson, Pastor Historic First Ebenezer
Baptist Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
The Clerk: Pastor, I know you’re on the run could we just, would you please come? Office
of Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr., by these presence be it known that Reverend Moses D. Anderson,
Pastor of the First Ebenezer Baptist Church is Chaplain of the Day his spiritual guidance and civic
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leadership serves as an example for all citizens of Augusta. Given under my hand this 3 Day of
March 2020, Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Would you join me in congratulating Pastor Anderson. (APPLAUSE)
The Clerk: And, Ms. Law, thank you. Do you have a PSA?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, I am. Thank you for that, Madam Clerk. I like the way you said that. I
want to take a moment to as best we can assure all of our citizens and certainly those of you who
are in attendance today that as this nation grapples with this thing called Coronavirus COVID-19
that your city working in concert with our community partners and stakeholders, our EMA Director
that we are taking all of the precautions necessary to plan and prepare for any situation as it relates
to that. There have been no confirmed cases in Augusta-Richmond County. While last night our
Governor provided an update that there are two confirmed cases in Fulton County both in the same
house I want to make certain that we are doing those things to assure our residents that Augusta is
preparing in the event that something like that would happen. I also want to encourage everyone
to take the basic precautions and keep hands out of faces, to make sure that you wash hands and if
you cough cover your mouth, all of the things that we do from a day to day perspective that are
the first line of defense in terms of making sure that we’re demonstrating cleanliness and good
personal hygiene because those are the basic things that are necessary to keep us from transmitting
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any of these types of viruses and/or germs. That’s my PSA for now. Now back to our regularly
scheduled program.
The Clerk:
RECOGNITION(S)
Employee of the Year
A. Congratulations! Ms. Evelyn Chanti, Information Technology Department, 2019
Employee of the Year.
The Clerk: All right, I call your attention to the Recognition portion of our agenda we
would like to offer our congratulations to our Employee of the Year Ms. Evelyn Chanti,
Information Technology 2019 Employee of the Year. Would you please come forward along with
representatives of our IT Department who would like to participate in this recognition please come
forward. As they make their way forward, Dear Mayor Davis, the Employee Recognition
Committee has selected Evelyn Chanti as Augusta’s Employee of the Year for 2019. Evelyn has
22 years with Augusta joining the Information Technology Department in 2005. She is truly
passionate about her profession and continues to remain passionate to this day. She enjoys helping
customers to use GIS Data to make their work easier and more accurate. Evelyn is one of the
hardest working, reliable, dedicated and innovative people working with Information Technology.
She’s a leader in her chosen profession and solid team member up for many challenges or tasks.
She continuously strives to take Augusta’s Information Technology GIS Division to the next level.
She provides exemplary customer support to departments, citizens, outside organizations including
the local development communities, state and federal organizations. She frequently supports large
scale projects and her data skills have saved the city from having to hire outside consulting firms
during many largescale projects. As a couple of recent projects of voter verification and
redistricting Georgia Power Street Light Audit, Censors 2020 addressing and the FEMA Flood
Management and Community Rating System. She continuously receives recognition for her work
by department heads, elected officials and citizens. She contributes to the IT GIS team receiving
our Special Achievement Award in GIS. Evelyn plays a major roll in the Mayor’s Fight Blight
Initiative by providing data, analysis, data collection and field training for this important
community initiative. She saw the collaboration was essential to this initiative and she created a
WEB APP for the team to share data from multiple systems which updates in real time. This map
has helped Environmental Services, Code Enforcement, the Marshal’s Office along with other
departments to see the value of the data and the cleanup of our community. One outstanding
example of Evelyn’s customer service came when train carrying deadly chlorine derailed in
Bartow, Georgia in January 2019. This small jurisdiction does not have its own GIS staff or map
making capability. Emergency Management alerted Tameka Allen and she called Evelyn in the
middle of the night to request a map of the affected area so that they could contain the damage and
possible hazard. Her fast response made it much easier for emergency personnel to keep people
safe and manage a potential very dangerous situation. Evelyn has also created 3D Indoor Data to
support facility maintenance during their City Works Implementation. This work is extremely
innovative and has been featured at the International ESRI Conference. This project has been
given special recognition for being one of the first in Georgia. Evelyn is a great asset to our
community and our IT GIS System. She has trained staff, citizens and community organization
on Augusta’s Property Search Tool Augusta Maps and received numerous accolades for her
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patience, professionalism and knowledge. Based on the nomination on this nomination Evelyn’s
outstanding contribution to IT and her service to Augusta, Georgia the Employee Recognition
Committee would appreciate you in joining us in recognizing Evelyn as the 2019 Employee of the
Year. (APPLAUSE)
Ms. Chanti: Thank you so much. First and foremost I want to thank Michele Pearman for
the nomination, Tameka Allen of course for her fearless leadership of the IT Department. I want
to thank the committee for this election and Mr. Mayor and the Commissioners for this recognition.
And last but definitely not least I want to thank the people standing in the back and those that
couldn’t be here, the rest of the IT Department. They truly are a wonderful group of people to
work with. They are tremendously intelligent and dedicated to what they do. So thank you guys
I really do appreciate every single one of you and it truly feels good to have a management team
behind you that appreciates what you do on a day to day basis and recognizes the work that you
put in. Thank you. (APPLAUSE)
Ms. Allen: Many of you have heard me say on many occasions I am phenomenally blessed
to have such great people that I work with and here’s another contribution to showing and
demonstrating that I work with some awesome, awesome people in the Information Technology
Department. And I want to thank Evelyn for being one of those people that have been truly
committed to what she does and the passion that which she shows in what she does. So thank you,
Evelyn, congratulations well deserved and thank you for everybody else that I work with in
Information Technology who continuously, continuously pushes me to be a great leader and want
to be a great leader, thank you. (APPLAUSE)
The Clerk:
RECOGNITION(S)
Robert E. Knox, Jr. Leadership Institute
B. Congratulations! February Years of Service Recipients.
The Clerk: At this time we will have Ms. Pamela Griffin from our H.R. Department to
please introduce as the Mayor and Commission offer our congratulations to our February Years of
Service Recipients, Ms. Griffin.
Ms. Griffin: Good afternoon Mayor Davis, Commissioners, Administrator, Madam Clerk,
Directors, special guests and citizens of Augusta. My name is Pamela Griffin, H.R. Department’s
Employee Relations Team Lead for Augusta, Georgia. Today it is my esteemed pleasure to
recognize the February Years of Service Recipients. For the Month of February 2020 we have ten
employees celebrating 5 to 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 February the total years of
service in institutional knowledge being celebrated today is 235 years when I call your name please
come forward William Quarrels, Sheriff’s Department, 25 Years of Service. (APPLAUSE)
Cheryl Shields, Sheriff’s Department, 25 Years of Service. (APPLAUSE) Carl Butler, Fire
Department, 25 Years of Service. (APPLAUSE) Jasper Jones, Fire Department, 30 Years of
Service. (APPLAUSE) If you are here and I did not call your name please come forward at this
time, congratulations to all of our Years of Service Recipients, we do have one? Daryl Grooms,
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Sheriff’s Office 30 Years of Service. (APPLAUSE) Congratulations to all of our Years of Service
Recipients please join me in a round of applause as we thank these employees for their loyal service
to Augusta, Georgia. (APPLAUSE)
The Clerk:
RECOGNITION(S)
Robert E. Knox, Jr. Leadership Institute
C. Congratulations! Mayor Pro Tempore Sean Frantom on receiving the Robert E. Knox,
Jr. Leadership Certificate of Excellence from the Georgia Municipal Association and
University of Georgia Institute of Government.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, Sean Frantom, would you please come forward. Mayor
Pro Tem Frantom, on behalf of the Georgia Municipal Association and the University of Georgia
Institute of Government along with the congratulations of your fellow colleagues, members of the
Augusta Commission on receiving the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Leadership Certificate of Excellence.
Congratulations, sir, well done. (APPLAUSE) Sir, I think that equates to 120 hours of continuous
training hours to achieve that level of certification.
Mr. Mayor: I believe, Madam Clerk, he’s official now.
The Clerk: Okay then. I call your attention to our next item on our Recognition.
The Clerk:
RECOGNITION(S)
2020 CSRA Heart Walk
D. #Team One Augusta American Heart Association 2020 CSRA Heart Walk. (Requested
by the Administrator)
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes Administrator Sims and the team.
Mr. Sims: Thank you all. We will have a presentation from Ms. Kayla Cooper who is
representing her organization as our Team One Augusta American Heart Association Team Lead.
Thank you, Ms. Cooper.
Ms. Cooper: Good afternoon. I would like for all of the other Team One Augusta coaches
you are here if they could come up here and stand with us. Okay so this is going to be a very brief
presentation. Basically I want ya’ll to know who we are and who we are is Team One Augusta.
We’re made up of different departments but we have one goal in mind. What is that goal, you
say? That goal is to hit a homerun for hearts for the 2020 CSRA Heart Walk Campaign and our
fundraising goal is $10,000 dollars. When is the Heart Walk you ask? You ask such great
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questions. It’s going to be next Saturday March 14 Where? It’s going to be at SRP Park right
across the bridge. Registration is free, all are welcome to come. The activities start at 8:00, the
walk starts at 9:00. How are we reaching this goal? We are doing creative things such as Parks
and Recreation they had their first annual golf tournament this past Saturday at The Patch and Ira
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Miller and his staff and Gary and his team they were phenomenal and we actually raised over
$2,000 dollars for that fundraiser. (APPLAUSE) Other departments such as Central Services they
sent Candygrams. Other departments are doing other fundraising initiatives but we still need your
support. We need you all to get onboard and we need you all to assist us. And the most important
question is why, why do we do this? I’m sure everyone has a story of someone who’s been affected
with heart disease but I want you all to do a little exercise for me, everybody and participate on
this part and it’s free. So if you’re heart is beating in your chest right now raise your hand. If you
realize you need your heart to live raise your other hand. So if you don’t have a Y, look at yourself
and look around the room. This is why. So I just to thank ya’ll very much and we invite all of
you all to help us reach our goal, thank you. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: Do you all want a picture?
Ms. Cooper: Sure.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, I believe we’ve had some great recognitions today.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I think you’re absolutely correct.
The Clerk: I call your attention to the Consent portion of our agenda which consists of
Items 1 through 20, Items 1 through 20. For the benefit of any objectors to either of our Alcohol
Petitions would you please signify your objection once the petition is read. I call your attention
to:
Item 1: Is a request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be
used in connection with the location at 2416 Windsor Spring Road Suite 2.
Item 2: Is a request for consumption on premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used
in connection with Topgolf USA located at 437 Topgolf Way.
Item 3: Is a request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be
used in connection with the location at 2801 Washington Road.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to either of those alcohol petitions? Mr. Mayor and
members of the Commission, our Consent Agenda consists of Items 1 through 20 with no objectors
to our Alcohol Petitions?
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ll entertain any motion to add or remove from the Consent Agenda.
All right okay I’m going to ask the Administrator to push his speech button on his, all right the
Chair recognizes Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, at the request of the Civil and Magistrate Court they’re asking that
Item 16 be deleted from today’s agenda.
Mr. Mayor: Without objection. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from
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the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: (Unintelligible).
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, okay the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to pull Item #8.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Motion to approve.
Mr. B. Williams: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC SERVICES
1. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 20-03: request by Ginger Rene Thomas for a
consumption on premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with
Cliffism’s located at 2416 Windsor Spring Rd. Suite 2. There will be Dance. District 6. Super
District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 25, 2020)
2. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 20-02: request by Eldridge A. Burns, Jr. for a
consumption on premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Topgolf
USA AG, LLC dba Topgolf Flex located at 437 Topgolf Way. There will be Sunday Sales.
District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 25, 2020)
3. Motion to approve New Location A.N. 20-04: request by Xie Yue Lin for an on premise
consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Kung Fu Crab
House located at 2801 Washington Rd. Suite 105. There will be Sunday Sales. District 7.
Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 25, 2020)
4. Motion to approve the Director’s Purchase Authority in the amount of $25,000.00 as
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approved by the Aviation Commission at the January 30 2020 Aviation Commission
Meeting. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 25, 2020)
5. Motion to increase the Daniel Field grant budget by $268,650. The additional local match
$4,430 will come from fund balance appropriation. (Approved by Public Services Committee
February 25, 2020)
6. Motion to approve request by Miranda Wade for a Massage Operator License to be used
in connection with Miranda’s Therapeutic Touch Massage located at 3458 Peach Orchard
Rd. Suite B. District 6. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee February
25, 2020)
7. Motion to approve amending Augusta, Georgia Code, Noise, Section 3-6-2 (b and d), so
as to amend the hours for events at the Olmstead Stadium, 78 Milledge Road, and to provide
an effective date. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 25, 2020)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9. Motion to approve District Attorney’s office requests the purchase of one Ford Explorer,
$30,130.00, from Allan Vigil Ford. Bid Item 19-215. (Approved by Administrative Services
Committee February 25, 2020)
10. Motion to approve Engineering Department-Maintenance Division request to approve
purchase one new compact all-wheel steer loader from Bobcat of Augusta for $67,679.12. Bid
Item 19-207. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee February 25, 2020)
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11. Motion to approve Richmond County Sheriff’s Office request to purchase 27 pursuit
utility vehicles, $1,107,756, from Wade Ford. Bid Item 19-171. (Approved by Administrative
Services Committee February 25, 2020)
PUBLIC SAFETY
12. Motion to approve Richmond County Sheriff’s Office request of funding to support the
Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) Region #5 Chemical, Biological,
Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive (CBRNE) team; in the amount is $22,400.00. (Approved by
Public Safety Committee February 25, 2020)
13. Motion to accept a grant award in the amount of $17,500.00 from the Department of
Homeland Security for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Bomb K-9 Unit. The monies
will assist RCSO in sustaining the Bomb-K-9. (Approved by Public Safety Committee
February 25, 2020)
14. Motion to approve the allocation of funding for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office
(RCSO) in the amount of $69,000.00 to implement the Department of Homeland (DHS) State
Homeland Security Grant Program. (Approved by Public Safety Committee February 25,
2020)
15. Motion to approve the award of Bid Item #20-128 Furniture and Exercise Equipment for
New Fire Station 2 to Modern Business Furniture and authorize the Mayor to execute the
appropriate documents. (Approved by Public Safety Committee February 25, 2020)
FINANCE
16. Motion to approve Civil and Magistrate Court budget transfer request $17,000.00 be
transferred from Org. Key 101021613/Object Code 5111210 (Perm Part-Time S&W-
Regular) to Object Code 5212999 (Other Professional Services). (Approved by Finance
Committee February 25, 2020)
17. Motion to approve authorizing the Administrator to appropriate no more than $10,000
from contingency funds for matching grant funds required for a veterans’ cemetery.
(Approved by Finance Committee February 25, 2020)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
18. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held February 18, 2020 and the
Special Called meeting February 25, 2020.
SUBCOMMITTEE
Pension Committee
19. Motion to approve an Ordinance and Resolution Adopting the 2020 Restatement of the
Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System Defined Benefit Retirement Plan II and
General Addendum. (Approved by the Pension Committee February 18, 2020)
APPOINTMENT(S)
20. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Michael Woods to the Augusta Housing &
Community Development Citizens Advisory Board representing District 2.
Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem.
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Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to let it be known for the record
that I am abstaining from Number 2.
Mr. Mayor: All right, voting.
Mr. Frantom abstains.
Motion Passes 9-0-1. \[Item 2\]
Motion Passes 10-0. \[Items 1, 3-7, 9-20\]
Mr. Mayor: All right, so for those of you in the audience what we’ve done is just approved
a Consent Agenda and the only item that was not approved was Number 8. It is being debated
under the Regular Agenda. So if you have a petition or items you are certainly welcome to depart
at this time. Number 8, Madam Clerk:
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
8. Motion to approve the amended leased area for the Warrior Alliance Double Eagle
Performance Center. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 25, 2020
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I would like for Mr. Houck to try to give
us some clarity around this and is this just the same organization or entity about a week prior to
this coming on the agenda that was before us giving us an update on what they had done on the
greens at the golf course.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Mr. Houck, Director Houck.
Mr. Houck: So if I’m understanding your question, Commissioner, this particular agenda
item expands the leased area that the Warrior Alliance Program has with the Double Eagle
Performance Center which is the Veteran’s Training Center. And the need for this expansion is to
allow them to put a structure on property that’s leased to them that will house equipment they got
donated to them to maintain that Double Eagle Performance Center.
Mr. Hasan: So, Mr. Mayor, can I do a follow up?
Mr. Mayor: Please do.
Mr. Hasan: So my question is is this the same organization, the same entity that you made
a presentation the week prior?
Mr. Houck: Yes, sir, it is.
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Mr. Hasan: Okay, you just made a statement saying that that was leased, the land that was
leased to them. They’re trying to expand their footprint on this lease, right?
Mr. Houck: For the training center, that’s correct.
Mr. Hasan: Right, so currently that particular land is not leased to them. You’re asking
for us to expand their footprint once again.
Mr. Houck: Yes, in order to be able to again put a building on the site so it would be on
their leased property for equipment again they’ve got donated to maintain that leased area.
Mr. Hasan: And how much is their lease?
Mr. Houck: It’s zero.
Mr. Hasan: It’s zero ---
Mr. Houck: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hasan: --- okay. Mr. Mayor and to my colleagues, I recommend we not do this. We’ve
been dealing with this entity for about 4 years now and we do know by their own admission that
they’re behind in their fundraising ability. The thing that we did agree to when they were here
was to give them a letter because they said they needed some support from the city so they can
leverage to the entity that it was attempting to raise solicit funds from that it has our support. They
did not mention at all that they needed additional space. I actually was surprised just the very next
week that this was request would be a part would come before us. So my position was currently I
do have a problem expanding their footprint because they’re so far behind in terms of where they’re
supposed to be right now. But at the same time we agreed to give them a letter and you’re supposed
to be bringing a letter back for us and then we can take a look at it and this Commission can sign
off on it. I prefer for me is to when we get the letter and they start soliciting funds if that goes well
for them then to give them additional property that’s just me. I think many times we get ourselves
in these positions because we get ahead of ourselves and want to be nice to everybody and at the
end we end up paying a price. And that’s my concern. I just think we should do this at this time
and I make a motion that we deny.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes. Mr. Mayor, I was up at The Patch a couple of weeks ago ---
Mr. Mayor: Suspend. That motion fails without a proper second.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Continue.
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Mr. Fennoy: --- okay, yeah, I was up at The Patch a couple of weeks ago and I saw about
10, 15 veterans that were there to be a part of this program. The area that the Alliance is asking
for really has, it’s an area away from the golf course and it would have no impact on the operations
of the golf course except for the training facility of our veterans. The reason from what I
understand is that they have had some equipment that was donated to them and I want to assume
that the reason the equipment was donated is because of the letter of support that the Commission
gave this organization. So with the, with this organization having little or no impact on the day to
day operation with the good that and the opportunities that this would provide for our veterans
then I’d like to make a motion to approve this project.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor: I’ve got a motion and a second to approve the amended lease request. Okay,
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all right, there’s more discussion. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ron, I guess I would like to ask you have they
started doing some work? Have they shown some interest in what we agreed on in the initiative?
I mean this was supposed to have been a good program. I thought it was working good. I’ve got
no problem with expanding the footprint but because they have not raised the funds yet is there
any other thing they have done that would make you believe they intend to do what the agreement
said?
Mr. Houck: Well, they’re in their second week of their training program. Each training
session is 8 to 9 weeks, they’re in the second week now of the veteran’s training. When Scot
Johnson was here a few meetings ago he did present to the Commission their fundraising efforts
what they’ve collected so far. What they’re trying to do as Commissioner Hasan said we were
bringing a letter of support that’ll be on the next committee cycle. So we feel good that they’re
making the effort they came to us with and we’re hoping that their fundraising efforts can continue
to be in a positive manner.
Mr. M. Williams: Let’s not forget that the first full week in April we’re going to be
entertaining the world in the sport of golf here in Augusta and anything that we can do to continue
and I think everything associated with golf ought to be done here in Augusta in my opinion now.
I’ve got one of those, Ron, I mean some folks try to take that but I won’t let them do it but my
opinion is that if we can do anything to increase the golf activity, if we can increase the interest in
veterans and not just those but anybody that knows how important golf is. Mr. Mayor, you’ve
heard me say many times I’ve been to the Augusta National but I’ve never seen the ball go in the
hole. That’s not my sport. I walk around for a few minutes and I’m ready to go. But people who
enjoy that and you’ve got to understand that it’s a viable sport that is really known all over the
world and the first full week in April you’re going to have all eyes on us. So I support it. I think
we’ve got a motion and a second, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, we do.
Mr. M. Williams: --- I’m in favor of keeping doing what we’re doing with it.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay fantastic. All right, I’m going to go down the list the Commissioner
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from the 10, Commissioner Clarke, the Commissioner from the 10.
Mr. Clarke: Yes, sir. just I have one question. With the disparity that we have in our lease
agreements with different organizations here in Augusta through this government when they build
the building, will that property then convert to Augusta property or if and when this program ends
we’ll have to reimburse them the price of the building?
Mr. Houck: No, I believe they’re going to put in a modular building but the property
remains with the City of Augusta. They’re just leasing that space.
Mr. Clarke: Okay, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: A substitute motion that we deny.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a substitute with a proper second. All right, let’s vote ---
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: --- we’re voting on the substitute and that is to deny the request for the
amended lease. Let’s just vote it up or down, all right, voting.
Mr. D. Williams, Mr. B. Williams, Mr. Hasan and Mr. Clarke vote Yes.
Mr. Fennoy, Ms. Davis, Mr. Sias, Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett and Mr. M. Williams vote No.
Motion Fails 4-6.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’re back to the main motion and that is a motion to approve the
amended lease, voting.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. D. Williams, Ms. Davis, Mr. Sias, Mr. Frantom and Mr. M. Williams vote
Yes.
Mr. B. Williams, Mr. Hasan, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Clarke vote No.
Motion Passes 6-4.
Mr. Houck: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Madam Clerk, I’d like to go to Item #25.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
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25. Ms. Joyce Law, Lucy C. Laney Museum of History regarding historical markers and
monuments in the City of Augusta. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy – referred from
February 25 Engineering Services)
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes. Mr. Mayor, one of the reasons I had this item put on the agenda is that
it takes nearly an Act of Congress to recognize or have a state marker put up. And what I’m
recommending and Ms. Law will give more information is that we have local markers that we
could put up to recognize Augustans that have achieved greatness. Jim Dent is an example of that,
Vernon Forest is an example of that, what was the football player that went to Laney, Emerson
Boozer was an example of that. And when you look at the work that’s being done to revitalize
downtown, when you look at the work that the Visitors and Convention Bureau is doing to identify
destination points for the City of Augusta if we have the ability to put up local markers that would
identify the greatness that has come out of Augusta, I think that we’re moving in the right direction.
So I asked Ms. Law to come here and talk about the difficulties and how hard the procedure is to
for state markers and the benefit from having this community having the ability for local markers.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, Commissioner. All right, the Chair recognizes Ms. Law,
thank you.
Ms. Law: Good afternoon. My name is Joyce Law. My address is 560 Martin Lane in zip
code 30909. Thank you for this opportunity to discuss this issue of state markers versus local
markers. Augusta is a colonial age city and so to that fact we have an enormous concentration of
historical achievements and events that are worthy of recognition that will also greatly increase
our tourism revenue. The difference between the state and the local markers in order to receive a
state marker the individual or the event has to be relevant at the state level. That includes everyone
in the state. It’s a highly competitive process. There are only a certain amount of markers that are
approved each year and that committee is composed of individuals from throughout the State of
Georgia and is also expensive and is also it could be as much as a decade worth of research to
confirm the facts because it is factual based whereas local markers could be something relatively
simple, it’s flexible. We have not just one standard of marker. You could use the sidewalk, you
could use pedestrian walks, you could have markers on homes, it's just a variety of different things
you can do. You can also create corridors that become under the local ordinances Heritage Trails
and once you do that then you are in prime position to be a recipient of federal funds because this
is something that is of national concern. And so you have a higher level of visibility why people
want to come to Augusta and what would make them stay longer to see all of these different places.
So part of it, now last fall I did a southeastern tour gathering a lot of different examples because
Historic Augusta and Laney, Lucy Craft Laney Museum have been working jointly to establish a
local marker program for several years. But the loss of Dents Funeral Home really puts into focus
why we need to strengthen our concern for our local historical assets. The particular area near
Dents Funeral Home that’s a conjunction of the Golden Blocks which is overlapped with Little
Dublin and all of the streets around that area it’s just they’re layered of historical significance. For
example Carrie Street which is the first perpendicular street to D’Antignac Street a long list of
distinguished families that are also connected to other major cities. It’s also where Booker T.
Washington had dinner when he visited Augusta in the early 1900’s and that’s a name practically
12
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everybody’s who’s been up to the 5 grade knows that name so we need to be taking advantage of
all these different facts. We have, we are a part of the Historic U.S. 1 Corridor but where is our
recognition for that? That’s a very important South Augusta Gateway that we need to take
thththth
advantage of that to establish a Heritage Trail. We have 12 Street, 11 Street, 13 Street, 9
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Street, 8 Street and then we have the Twiggs Street area. And then there are major streets that
cross those areas that lead you into other places in Augusta that do have state markers so we just
have an enormous opportunity that’s been overlooked. It’s almost as if we have this huge piñata
that’s just been waiting to be broken into so that we can take advantage of all of these, this treasure
chest of historical achievement and places that are relevant to Augusta that will bring in not only
increased knowledge about our city but also the opportunity for increased tourism revenue.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I think I just didn’t (inaudible) I apologize.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, no worries. All right, the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: I’m (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right so what I have not heard is what you’d like to see accomplished
I’m going to ---
Ms. Law: Okay and so to specify that it would be for a committee and it would be a joint
committee most likely just as we are today under the auspices of Engineering Services, the Land
Bank, Engineering Services, a representative from the Lucy Craft Laney Museum, Historic
Augusta to send forth a proposal for renaming not necessarily changing names that already exist
but a supplemental just like we have the gateway signs for the Medical District and the other
destination signs in Augusta but to officially establish corridors and Heritage Trails so we can
continue to build additional campaigns for tourism, different brochures and also make it easy to
get local markers in place and the Historic Preservation Commission I’m quite sure would also be
involved in that. And the applications will be very simple in order to qualify for the program to
have local marker recognition.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, I think that’s certainly a good background. There’s still some
I think a couple of things that really should happen. From a background perspective what Ms.
Law is referring to is the Georgia Historical Society’s Marker Program. They receive some
funding from the State of Georgia but generally they’ll contribute up to $2,500 dollars towards a
marker. They do not generally support items of local significance but they, the things that they
support have to have some statewide implication. So for example if you’re Ms. Lucy Craft Laney
they’ll likely to support a marker associated with that because of the statewide implications. And
so to that end the establishment of a local recognition opportunity that’s consistent with our local
code would be appropriate. The second piece of that is then how do we fund that because you
even with the Georgia Historical Society they have sponsors who support many of their efforts as
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well. So I think it’s appropriate to the Commissioner from the 1 as someone who has brought
this before us it’s not necessarily an engineering matter but it can be part of the Engineering
Services Committee. This really is a matter of how do we take occasion to recognize great
13
Augustans, how do we recognize efforts of even committees of great Augustans and do that in a
substantial way that can be funded in perpetuity, I think that’s what I’m hearing.
Ms. Law: And also to Mr. Mayor and to the Commission as mentioned it helped to clarify
the marker for Georgia Historical Society it runs between $2,500 and $5,000 dollars depending
upon what position you landed on the approval so number one and number two will get a 50% and
assistance from Georgia Historical Society and then the institution that is for that has been
approved they provide the other $2,500 of the funding whereas a local program, because you’re
able to have flexibility and versatility it can be something very small or something that could be a
little bit more elaborate and individuals themselves would be able to choose what type of marker
they would like to have that’s within their price range.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, my final comment and then I’m going to defer to the
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Commission from the 9. Might I suggest that the author of this agenda item consider doing
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something similar to what the Commissioner from the 8 did a couple of weeks ago with the
creation of the NSBLD Task Force. And perhaps you should establish the Augusta Georgia
Historical Marker Society Task Force and bring a group of people together that you then work on
this over the next 90 days and bring a proposal back to the Commission. The Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If I’m not mistaken I think we have already
established a Trace and Trail already. My question would be is do this city have to get permission
from the state to recognize, I mean I just asking the question to recognize an individual or people
who contributed to this community? I mean if the price of the plaque or the placement or whatever
it is is the issue not coming from the city? There could be other ways to generate those monies. I
don’t think we need to wait on the horse to get here when we’ve got the wagon rolling down the
hill when we can already say this is what we want to do. Now we’ve got to create a group to come
back to us and we can just recognize all over Augusta not just in one area but I think I mean this
is relatively easy in my mind. Ms. Law has brought us some information and she’s got a wealth
of knowledge through the Laney Museum, Commissioner Fennoy had put this on the agenda
before we talked about it. We already established a James Brown Trace and Trail we haven’t put
up anything so if we’ve got a Trace and Trail we can start with that to put markers out so we can
attract people to those qualified recognitions and events in this city and we’ve got a lot of history
that we just hadn’t you know publicized. So I don’t know what, I’m trying to figure out what the
issue for us not doing it.
Mr. Mayor: Well, I think what Ms. Law has came and presented to this body is that going
through the state route has presented its own set of challenges. Largely those challenges are the
state Historical Society will determine whether or not they’re going to recognize the entity and/or
person who they want to have recognized because of the criteria associated with state significance,
state implications that then translates into whether they’re going to fund it and then there’s a
priority funding list attached to that as well. So to your point we absolutely have said we have the
James Brown Trace Heritage Trail to your point absolutely we’re now just seeing the first phase
of work with the vinyl albums that will be in the sidewalk. But the challenge you have is a funding
mechanism that you can then do what they’re talking about doing but it needs to be agnostic
because to the degree that Ms. Law comes and says I want to put a marker here then the Ben Hasan
14
Organization for South Richmond County will say I want a marker as well, I’m just using that as
an example. And it needs to be agnostic which means there’s a process and a way that is repeatable,
that allows you to recognize and/or acknowledge anyone that’s all we’re saying. So you need to
document that and say that this is how it happens every single time which is what the state
Historical Society has done, that’s what missing.
Mr. M. Williams: We just need to do that though we need to explain what the process is
but we need to just do that versus trying to figure out can we do this, can we do that and we need
to do that.
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Mr. Mayor: We can do it. I think the Commissioner from the 1 is about to make a motion
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to that affect but have some more discussion, the Commissioner from the 6 then the 4.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think one of the other things the most important as
well and Ms. Law made mention of the research. You know just because we vote to put a marker
out there’s a lot of research involved and that’s why I think the committee is important as well
because she said for one thing she wanted to try and get as factual as humanly possible with the
information that you put on the markers, that’s important. But also you just said the second part
to take a vote to allow if you’re going to support being our colleague to go ahead on and getting
that committee started having one to start that. But two things like I say taking a vote on it like
you suggested just now but at the same time to get your knowledge base and your facts in order as
well as you move forward and start putting these markers out with people’s names on them and
dates and times and things would happen in their lifetime and what their impact on was the city. I
think that’s important that appropriate people be there that can research adequate research from a
historical perspective can be added to the marker, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 4.
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Mr. Sias: Thank you. I move that we task if our Commissioner from the 1 is willing
him and Ms. Law to bring back a recommendation whether we form a new committee or we
join with the existing I think the existing Heritage Trail committee you all mentioned in that
way they not fit the same thing. One has a specific purpose but we can ask them to bring
back in a week to the Engineering Committee a recommendation on how to form that
committee, who should be on it.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
Motion Passes 10-0.
Ms. Law: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Number 26.
The Clerk:
15
APPOINTMENTS
26. Appoint Robert S. Wynn and Jane Ellis to fill two open seats on Downtown Development
Authority. (Requested by Commissioner Mary Davis)
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the distinguished Lady from the 3.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Cameron Nixon the Chair of the DDA Board brought
this to Commissioner Fennoy and myself to just kind of talk to the Commission and see where, if
we were in support of the two people that they nominated which are Robert Wynn and Jane Ellis,
the Board did. There was a third person James Heffner I believe is his, is it James? Okay but they
had sent to me the first and second choice and these were the two. I mentioned it to most
Commissioners if not all I know Commissioner Frantom I don’t think we’ve talked about it and
everybody seemed in support. But since Commissioner Fennoy is a representative on that Board
I’ll just send it to him and see what his thoughts are and we can move forward, if that’s okay.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I would like to nominate Mr. Heffner and Mr. Wynn to the Board.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
The Clerk: Well, wait just a minute since, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Yes, since we have two nominees we’ll need two, well, can you nominate Mr.
Wynn and you Mr. Heffner?
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and then we can vote on them, to each seat, right, open seat?
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct.
The Clerk: There’s one other caveat. I need to know who they will be replacing. That was
not identified. I think you have a list before you.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I have the DDA Director here, Ms. Margaret Woodard. Maybe she
can just answer that question for us. I don’t know if it’s in your book. Probably is.
Ms. Woodard: Thank you, Mayor and Commissioners. The two empty seats are David
Hutchinson who sat on the Board and he was the owner of The Tavern and the second seat was
Dr. Natalie McCloud. She owned a piece of property on Broad Street and she resigned from the
Board at the end of last year.
16
The Clerk: So we could say Mr. Heffner will be replacing Ms. Natalie McCloud and Mr.
Wynn would be replacing Mr. David Hutchinson.
Mr. Mayor: So you’re effectively nominating two males with removing one female from
this, okay ---
Mr. Speaker: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: --- I don’t know I’m just asking. I’m just asking, I mean now that we know
who they are I’m just asking a question ---
Mr. Speaker: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: --- I think that’s what Madam Clerk is trying to do.
The Clerk: You have your list, right? Okay.
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Mr. Mayor: All right so the Commissioner from the 1 is going to make a nomination,
well, he just made a nomination ---
The Clerk: And Mr. Hasan ---
Mr. Mayor: --- is seconding ---
The Clerk: No, sir, he’s nominating ---
Mr. Mayor: --- Heffner for one of those slots.
The Clerk: --- Mr. Wynn.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so that’s the one slot we’re about to vote on here right now. All
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right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, sir. We had, I think Margaret just stated that we had a male and a
female that was on the board then we’re going to replace the female back with another male we’re
going to put two males on the Board versus putting ---
Mr. Mayor: I was just asking.
Mr. M. Williams: --- I’m trying to see about the balance here now I want to make sure,
huh?
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on, hold on, all right.
17
Mr. M. Williams: My question is, my question is can we ---
Mr. Mayor: I think it’s well within your right to do whatever you want to do. I mean you
can.
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay I’m going to make a motion to nominate (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am, hold on. Everybody suspend.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. McCloud, Ms. Natalie McCloud, Dr. Natalie McCloud’s seat.
The Clerk: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: All right, so we have one nominee that is before us right now to fill the seat
that’s currently held by Ms. Natalie McCloud. That is what is before us, that is what we’re about
to vote on.
The Clerk: We have one nomination, Mr. Heffner, are there others?
Mr. Mayor: All right, voting. You’re voting on James Heffner.
Mr. Clarke votes No.
Motion Passes 9-1.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the distinguished Lady from the 3 for a
nomination.
Ms. Davis: I’d like to nominate Ms. Jane Ellis to fill David Hutchinson’s seat on the
DDA.
Mr. Hasanr: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second. All right, we’re voting on Ms. Jane Ellis,
voting. For those of us in the breakdance world there was a song called Push the Button.
Mr. Fennoy: That was before my time, Mr. Mayor.
The Clerk: Way before mine.
Motion Passes 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: The non-break dancers don’t know what I’m talking about or if you purchase
things from Staples there’s something called the Easy Button spoken from a non-dancer. All right,
Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Where are you headed top to bottom?
18
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am, top to bottom.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
21. Discuss the authority level of the Compliance Director as it relates to workplace
complaints and/or unfair practices. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I had this item put on the agenda to come to this
full body to get the level of understanding of the Compliance Director when there is a issue or a
complaint of an issue, discrimination or unfair practices. I want to know what’s the rule or what’s
the limit as far as, if there is any, as far as an investigation is concerned. Now we spent a bunch
of money here a few years back on a Disparity Study. It came back to Augusta; it said that Augusta
was discriminating against women and minorities. So we finally hired a Compliance Director we
had one before you know but we finally got a Compliance Director. And I just need to know
what’s her role because in my opinion or the way I understand it is once there’s been an allegation
of a complaint or a discrimination there is no door that she can’t go in. I mean there’s no line that
she can’t cross concerning to the law so I just need some clarity. I didn’t ask her, I put it on the
agenda to talk with this body because she works for this body and not the Administrator, not the
Clerk. She don’t work for the Attorney, she’s an independent agency for this body to make sure
that the employees of this government be treated fair. So can you enlighten me or can anybody
even the Attorney help me understand that process?
Mr. Mayor: Well, I think that on any other day we generally have this conversation in
Executive Session. That’s where we’d have this conversation and I would offer that it’s
appropriate for us to do that on next Tuesday so that we can have a full discussion as it relates to
this. And while it seems on the surface a very simple question that is the authority level of the
Compliance Director and I think it’s appropriate to have this conversation. I think I have a general
idea of what your concerns are that’s probably where we need to have this discussion at.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, if I can respond ---
Mr. Mayor: You can.
Mr. M. Williams: --- thank you, thank you, if I can respond I totally disagree with taking
into Legal and to any private conversation. We’re not asking for a, this is not about a particular
person or a particular department. These are the rules that the government ought to be able to tell
any taxpayer, any citizen that if you’re an employee of this government this is your rights to if you
have a complaint and it should be investigated. But I guess my question should be relatively
simple. If there is a barrier or if there is a line that the Compliance Director can’t go into that could
be simple. If there is I need to hear that. From my understanding you talking about being the
Dean of this Commission and institution of knowledge, Mr. Mayor, from what I know from what
I’ve been struggling with here with the fairness that had not been transpired in this government
19
I’m certainly interested in knowing what’s the limits if there is a limit. So if you need Ms. Edwards
to come up I’ve got no problem with her talking. If Purchasing come up but somebody needs to
tell something. I’m not going to put this off again to try to get in the backroom that nobody know
---
Mr. Mayor: Sure ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- everybody ought to know that.
Mr. Mayor: --- yeah, well let me qualify this with the following and I’m going to call on
our General Counsel in a moment but this body several years ago established what we now refer
to as the Compliance Department ---
Mr. M. Williams: Correct.
Mr. Mayor: --- what was chartered was the focus around the Disadvantaged Business and
EEO related matters. In its current form this office, this department has a prefold primary function
and that is the issues of Disadvantage Business Enterprise with the Local Small Business
Opportunity Program, EEO matters that’s Equal Employment Opportunities which would in fact
make certain that any of the 2,700 plus employees that we have have a voice that when there are
matters of employment and workplace that they get an opportunity to have their day heard. And
then of course the third piece is the Americans with Disabilities Act. That is what this body
established the Compliance Department to do and/or to be focused on. And so I believe that those
functions are being carried out and I’ll pause there and ask my General Counsel, our General
Counsel, who probably doesn’t just like I don’t have the “job description” in front of us to speak
to that matter.
Mr. M. Williams: He knows state law, Mr. Mayor. I guarantee he knows state law.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Attorney Brown.
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: All right, my specific question is pursuant to the creation of the Compliance
Department the question before us is the authority of the Compliance Director to review and
investigate workplace complaints and/or workplace practices, is that within the right of that office?
Mr. Brown: Well, I think we need to really not talk about the title Compliance Director
which is something that the Commission or the former Administrator created. Her duties in terms
I think Commissioner Williams Marion Williams is talking about for EEO matters, correct? Are
your talking about DBE ---
Mr. M. Williams: No, I’m talking about ---
Mr. Brown: --- or ADA?
20
Mr. M. Williams: --- let me back up. I’m talking about the if there is a complaint of
discrimination and that’s what I use now you want to go I say you want to go but we don’t want
change get off this horse we’re going to ride this one we’re riding right now and if he don’t go
across the water we’ll get another one. I want to talk about this particular one here. What we
asked about if was there a complaint of discrimination which I stated earlier that we spent $500,000
dollars for a study that came back and told us that when we did the Disparity Study. It had not
changed very much since then but I’m asking if there is a complaint does the Compliance Officer
stop at the door of any department, any Commissioner, anybody, the Clerk, anybody.
Mr. Brown: Let me ask you, let me begin back to answer your question. The EEO Officer
for Augusta which is under Compliance Director I think we still have to talk about EEO Officer,
Compliance Director include two other matters that you’re not talking about.
Mr. M. Williams: Right.
Mr. Brown: Okay, so I don’t use the work Compliance Director because that involves
more than EEO ---
Mr. M. Williams: Okay ---
Mr. Brown: --- that’s an EEO function ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay ---
Mr. Brown: --- right?
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, out of those three functions we’re talking about one. If one is
alleged discrimination whether it’s a bookkeeper or EEO Director if that, under those three that
one has got an alleged discrimination, does that department stop at anybody’s door until they
investigate it? It’s a simple answer. If it’s yes, just say yes. If it’s no, say no.
Mr. Brown: The EEO Office has authority to investigate EEO charges, EEO complaints.
All complaints that employees make are not EEO. So I would not agree with your idea that there’s
no limit to which an EEO Officer can go. She has, he or she has limits.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, explain to me then how can the compliance person ---
Mr. Brown: EEO ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- he or she EEO have the authority to investigate an alleged if you
don’t investigate I mean because I can tell you you’ve been discriminating against me for a long
time but that’s just me saying so. But after it’s been investigated, after being investigated and it
has to be investigated. So if she if he or she in that department is not going to investigate then who
do it? Do we call the Law Department to investigate?
21
Mr. Brown: No, it is the EEO Officer’s job to investigate EEO complaints. They don’t
have to prove it before they investigate it. If there’s an EEO complaint, the EEO Officer has full
authority to investigate and EEO complaint anywhere in the government except for elected
officials unless they have, unless they have opted in.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay when you say except for elected officials, Mr. Attorney ---
Mr. Brown: Unless they have opted in. If they opt in then she can investigate those too.
Mr. M. Williams: --- well, I ain’t got my lawyer hat on. Bill Fennoy, I ain’t got my lawyer
hat on because when you say opt in what, tell me what you’re saying, talk plain to me.
Mr. Brown: Okay that’s in the PPM. The PPM provides that EEO Officer applies any
employees of Augusta, Georgia, any employees under the control of the Mayor and the
Commission, and the elected officials if the elected officials opted in to our PPM.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, let’s suspend, okay.
Mr. M. Williams: Because he’s way out in the woods.
Mr. Mayor: All right, okay, all right, let’s suspend. Thank you, Attorney Brown. So let’s
put that conversation in the parking lot. If you’re one of 2,700 employees in this government and
you have an EEO complaint, there’s an agent and an agency of which you are able to levy that
complaint and that is independent of the name, (unintelligible) what we call it, it is in the
Compliance Office and there is an EEO representative there who is responsible for handling said
matters.
Mr. Brown: Correct.
Mr. Mayor: In the event that you surpass that agency and agent, you can go directly to
Atlanta and file a complaint with EEOC, okay? So to that end your question is a simple one, it is.
If John Doe or Susie Doe says I have a complaint independent of department and I’m going to go
have a conversation. The agent and agency of record is what we refer to as the Compliance Office.
And there’s nothing statutorily that should hinder or prevent said conversation from happening.
Mr. M. Williams: Simple answer. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, but her name is Susie Mae. It
ain’t Susie.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, okay.
Mr. M. Williams: And that was my simple question. If there is alledged, I mean let me
explain why this is even on the agenda. I’m not talking about investigating Commissioners or the
Mayor or anybody else. I’m saying if there’s alledged ---
Mr. Mayor: If there’s an active discrimination alledged and perceived or real they have an
agent and an agency to thereby file that with ---
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Mr. M. Williams: --- okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- that is correct.
Mr. M. Williams: And the reason I said earlier about putting this on the agenda that no
one can tell the Compliance Director he or she that you can’t investigate that because if there’s a
complaint, now if Susie Mae wants to go to the state and don’t come to her she’s got the right too
and that’s totally different if they don’t come but if they come to this body and we have had cases
that came to this body and never got to this discussion, went straight went to Atlanta because we
waited or didn’t know about it for months and the people got tired of waiting and had to do
something else because we didn’t as a body we didn’t address it. Through our not this agency not
this Compliance Director but through previous attorneys and directors so I’m telling you now this
dog ain’t going to.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so I’m going to go back to my prefaced statement and that is this is
an appropriate conversation but not for really out here and that we ought to have this conversation
in as detailed the level of discussion as you want in the appropriate setting. I know that doesn’t
set well with you ---
Mr. M. Williams: I got my answer ---
Mr. Mayor: --- okay.
Mr. M. Williams: --- you gave me my answer I mean and I’m not that’s that was a simple
question could’ve been answered a long time ago just with what you just stated. If there’s an
alleged complaint then it should be handled that proper channel he or she whoever it is not DBE,
not if there’s an alleged discrimination and someone brought an issue it had to be investigated, it
had to be checked out.
Mr. Mayor: There is a criteria of complaint that is statutorily established that says if you
have a complaint that meets this criteria you have an agent and an agency whereby which you are
able to file that complaint whether that be here at the local level or if you go to EEOC, okay all
right. Number 23 ---
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: --- okay, I’ve got a series of folks I’m going to go the Commissioner from the
ththth
6 then the 5 then the 4.
Mr. Hasan: --- Mr. Mayor, I hear my colleague saying he got his answer but his answer
can’t be that quite, it’s not that simple, it’s not that simple. I think and I want to do the same thing
you want to do and respect the process and potentially do it in Executive Session, have a full blown
conversation around that because if you leave it like it was answered you say you have answer that
the Compliance Director don’t want to get to some kind of discrimination, if you leave it like that
I think it sets a dangerous precedent because everything is like you said it's not an EEO complaint.
23
And when we some of the things that have happened as recently that was said it was not so I think
that is something I would at this time encourage everybody not to opt in until we can have a full
throated conversation about this because I think it’s a dangerous statement to say that they could
have universal authority just to walk in and investigate because a complaint was filed because
some of the things you’re going to find relate to some concerns or fall in the Administrator’s lap
and some are going to fall in the EEO. And sometimes you don’t make those distinctions and
we’ve shown and we’ve seen the propensity to do both ways. I’m trying to be a vague as possible
in this, Mr. Mayor, and if I need to be specific to say some things I don’t mind doing it but I don’t
think it’s in the best interest to do that but I think that answer is not sufficient.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Motion to receive as information.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Item #22. Yeah, I mean we’ll receive it as no objection to receive it
as information. We’ll move to Item #22.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
21. Discuss process for hiring headhunter relating to filling the position of administrator.
(Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I put this on the agenda to find out where we
are. We vote on a process to go out to get a headhunter. We had not brought back the headhunter
to go out to look for the administrator yet. My position is where are we with that process if that’s
the process we approved why don’t we have at least a selection of headhunters to select from if
that’s the way we do.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I couldn’t agree with you more in terms of ya’ll voted on a process.
I was absent that day but it’s out there, it’s been adopted and talked about and the next step was to
in fact as you said identify a headhunter and move forward with that process. All right, I’ve got
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the Commissioner from the 6 I believe, are you in the queue?
Mr. Hasan: Yes, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Go ahead.
Mr. Hasan: --- I think the first order of business that we’re supposed to be scheduling a
date for the Commissioners including the Mayor to come in and to look at what we had in terms
of the qualifications and see that they meet the standards that we want to do and add something or
delete something from the last one that was out there because we do have a framework. And once
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we do that I think at that particular time we do something different but that was the first step.
That’s step one was to get together, look at all the descriptions and we talk about the job
descriptions and see do we want that to stand as it is or change some things and from there we
proceed on to step two. Now I don’t have all the steps before us but I can assure you that is step
one.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, that’s all right, that’s new, that’s good, so all right so then I
think what’s before us then is I’m not aware of multiple job descriptions. I think there’s only one
job description.
Mr. Hasan: Well, it is one job description but does it have the criteria what we’re looking
for so I know but one job description, I get that.
Mr. Mayor: All right so at our next Executive Session then that’s the appropriate place for
us to have that conversation, no?
Mr. Hasan: No, I don’t think so.
Mr. Mayor: Okay well then we’ll have it at the next Administrative Services Committee
meeting. I mean it’s a public conversation at this point. Attorney Brown, is that not true?
Mr. Hasan: No, that’s (unintelligible) by itself.
Mr. Brown: (Inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I mean in terms of based on what I just heard there is the process that’s
already been adopted by the Commission. Now the next steps were ---
The Clerk: Let me put it on the screen.
Mr. Mayor: --- the next steps were to review the job description –
Mr. Brown: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: -- and then select a headhunter.
Mr. Brown: No. I believe if my memory serves me correct the process would be the
Commission would develop a job description they want for this particular candidate then that
would be submitted ---
Mr. Hasan: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Brown: --- excuse me, then it would be submitted to H.R. and General Counsel for
review and then you would select a headhunter. I believe those are the two steps before I think
that’s what you passed, that’s what the body passed, oh, here they are. Yes, Commission review
current Administrator’s job description once agreed upon for a final job description.
25
Mr. Mayor: So all right, so then this needs to be, I think what’s happening right now is
we’re in the huddle and we’re in the huddle and you can’t execute or play the game unless you’re
on the field. So if we’ve got one, two, three, five things that are here has the Commission been
provided with a current copy of this job description? Has that happened?
Mr. Hasan: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, has that been reviewed by the members of this body? Okay, all right,
so some say yes. All right, then the next item before us then is tasking the H.R. Director with
General Counsel to make sure the job description, one and two should’ve been the same I mean
unless you’re making changes. And number two, one and two effectively are the same. I can’t
imagine having a job description that’s not consistent (inaudible).
Mr. Hasan: No, sir, Mr. Mayor, see you’re moving a little fast.
Mr. Mayor: I’m going to recognize you ---
Mr. Hasan: Okay, all right.
Mr. Mayor: --- I’m going to recognize you ---
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- so we don’t have to do that anymore. All right, so if there are changes then
we need to have a meeting to make changes, so that needs to happen. Madam Clerk, on the next
Administrative Services committee we will put discussion of the current job description for the
Administrator’s position ---
The Clerk: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- and we’ll have that conversation and if there are changes at that time we’ll
make those changes and/or bring any additional criteria for that role. That’s the next
Administrative Services meeting.
Mr. M. Williams: I’m in the queue, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: I know, I’m coming to you.
Mr. M. Williams: --- it ain’t working I’m telling you now the queue ain’t working so I’m
trying to follow but.
Mr. Mayor: I’m coming. And so Item #3 once review is completed post next week then
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we’ll select a firm, okay. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 and then
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I’m going down to the 6.
26
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, on what we had before and the job description for an
administrator and there’s a lot difference between a manager and an administrator. Now here we
are talking about the job description as if we’re going to change that from an administrator to a
manager. Now this government when we consolidated it was consolidated in ’96, Ms. Bonner?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay in ’96 it gave us an administrator now you can want a manager all
you want to but it gave us an administrator and that’s what we’re been having an administrator and
an administrator don’t do what a manager does. A manager once you hire a manager they can hire
and fire anybody they want to; they run the day to day operation. And administrator takes out the
will of the Mayor and the Commission. You ain’t got to like that, that’s what it is. When you took
that oath when you ran for office you should’ve know what you were running for, you should’ve
know what you we’re going to be working with. That ain’t you, Mr. Mayor, that’s anybody. So
I’m just disappointed now we want to look at changing the job description now we’re going to
pick out another job description. An administrator’s job everyone that came in here had the same
identical job description. In fact we met with the headhunter and shared with them what’s the
difference between a manager and an administrator. A lot of cities got a manager, a lot of cities
got an administrator so we’re looking for an administrator. I don’t know why we got to go back
and do this. That’s just another smoke screen that they’re trying to hide behind but I’m tired of
hiding. I ain’t doing none of that no more.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’m fine. I’m just letting you know what you just made mention
to do what about on the agenda?
Mr. Mayor: On the Administrative Services agenda we’re going to address Items 1, 2 and
3 and if that changes we’ll do that as well.
Mr. Hasan: Well Mr. Mayor at some point in time I hope you realize now I’m not going
to try to make a decision today but I just want to say for the record you know you at some point in
time because of the way this process operates you are excluded from this process so just remember
that.
Mr. Mayor: Say that again?
Mr. Hasan: You are excluded from this process because you’re going to end up with three
candidates you’re going to put before the Commission.
Mr. Mayor: I’m excluded from what process?
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Mr. Hasan: You’re going to be excluded probably at some point in time when the
headhunter comes in and meet with the Commission and all that kind of thing we have to put those
three candidates before you to choose from.
Mr. Mayor: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Mr. Hasan: Okay ---
Mr. Mayor: That’s yeah that’s ---
Mr. Hasan: --- you don’t know what I’m talking about either. The Mayor can’t participate
in this whole process; that doesn’t happen.
Mr. Mayor: --- the Mayor’s a member of the Commission ---
Mr. Hasan: No, not in this, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. M. Williams: We’ve got to present three candidates---
Mr. Mayor: --- I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Mr. M. Williams: --- and, Mr. Mayor, you may have to present them but we can, six votes
are going to tell them who gets the job.
Mr. Mayor: I couldn’t agree with you more.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, that’s not the way that goes. If you’re going to use it as an example
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well my colleague from the 9 ---
Mr. Mayor: All right, so we’ve got a item on the agenda for next week ---
Mr. Hasan: --- Mr. Mayor, hold up. I’ve got the floor now, you gave me the floor let me
finish, okay, thank you. Ms. Bonner, is there any precedence for how this process has been
operating previously?
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: From our former search for the administrator it’s had similar process. There
was a subcommittee appointed by the Commission to review at that time the current job description
and to make any revision it saw fit. There were revisions made to the job description. Each
member of the Commission was invited to attend and participated, to participate with the
subcommittee on revising the new job description. Once that was done the General Counsel as
well the H.R. Director was tasked to make sure that all applicable laws were State of Georgia were
contained with the document. And it pretty much outlined here and once they got to I believe to
meet with the recruiter the subcommittee and the Commission selected the headhunter and once
that process was done along with the H.R. Director and then at that point the Commission clarified
28
the process with the headhunter to determine what it is that the city was actually looking for in the
potential candidates.
Mr. Hasan: What role did the Mayor play in that, Ms. Bonner, if any? If I’m wrong, I’m
wrong. Just let me know.
The Clerk: Well, that process was handled by the subcommittee and the Mayor came into
play once the Commission selected those candidates. That was referred to the Mayor in order for
him to recommend the top three candidates to the Commission.
Mr. Hasan: So did the headhunter meet with the Mayor as well?
The Clerk: I’m not sure if he met with him or not because at that point the subcommittee
handled the process.
Mr. Mayor: I’ve spoken to every Mayor who proceeded me and they not only met with
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the headhunters but were involved in that process. From day one the Commissioner from the 6
has used every occasion to attempt to extricate the Mayor from this process. That’s not going to
happen.
Mr. Hasan: Well, Mr. Mayor, that’s what the process has done. I didn’t do it. I’m just
trying to live by the law.
Mr. Sias: Can we get along?
Mr. Mayor: No, we’re not going to use, we’re not going to be blunt objects and again take
this approach. We’re not doing that in 2020. We’ve got an item on the agenda for Administrative
Services for next week and I’ll send you an email to such effect that will help us navigate through
this as opposed to us sitting in the hole. Item #23.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
23. Receive 2019 report from Finance Dept. regarding overtime payouts for employees in the
Augusta Utilities Department. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is another item I had on the agenda to
determine the overtime associated with the Utilities Department. And I’ve got some information
I’ve got some paperwork that I could show, Mr. Mayor, but I wanted to get Finance to just kind of
bring me up to speed as to where they are with the overtime and how the overtime is being shared
in the Utilities Department.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got representatives from the utilities ---
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The Clerk: We don’t have a quorum, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay. All right if you would state ---
Mr. M. Williams: We don’t have a quorum, Mr. Mayor, they done ---
Mr. Mayor: We’ll just listen.
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay we can just listen. They can come back, they will be back.
Mr. Henderson: Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, Administrator Kelsy Henderson, Assistant
Director of Utilities Construction and Maintenance Division.
Mr. Mayor: Do you have a presentation or questions?
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir, your question is the overtime for the Utilities Department. Our
overtime is based on work that needs to done in staffing. We’re currently in the Maintenance and
Construction Division, we consolidated on Wylds Road in 2004. Since that time we have not been
fully staffed. We have a system that is has piped at 6 years old or better and we maintain that
system within our response time and a lot of those calls come in after hours.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay let me get to some specific questions then because I understand
about the utilities. Trust me, I ain’t but just sitting up here going back and forth with the Mayor.
I’ve been watching a lot of situations that’s going on with this city. But my question is about the
overtime has been directed to certain employees and not everybody. If it’s overtime the department
does my question I guess be does the overtime be spread among that department or is it several
people or more get the overtime?
Mr. Henderson: All positions that are have a position that could be worked after hours,
there are a lot of overtime based on your position we have an overtime schedule. I mean all
employees that fit the criteria I’m sorry are being put on that schedule. Some opt out of it and
exchange overtime with others but everyone that’s eligible we give them overtime, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, so there is no particular unit or no particular part of Utilities where
every Friday or every Monday or every one day of the week where “A” employee makes overtime?
Mr. Henderson: We do have projects that are scheduled that ---
Mr. M. Williams: No, no, no, no my question was is there any department, any areas where
one or maybe two or one or more in that department makes overtime every week?
Mr. Henderson: --- no, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, now is there any particular areas that do more overtime I guess
than others?
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Mr. Henderson: My area would be the largest area that has overtime, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, I don’t know your area ---
Mr. Henderson: Construction and maintenance.
Mr. M. Williams: --- construction and maintenance.
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, so is there anybody in construction and maintenance that do
overtime in your area every week?
Mr. Henderson: We do have overtime employees because we are short staffed, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: No ---
Mr. Henderson: We do have employees that have overtime every week. Our working staff
construction and maintenance crews they always have overtime, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, I get that. You always got overtime so that means ---
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: --- that somebody’s doing overtime, every week there’s somebody doing
overtime.
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, is the same employees making overtime every week?
Mr. Henderson: No, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, I think we’re getting somewhere now. I’d like to see a copy of
your overtime records where you this department you’re in handling overtime ---
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: --- I’d like to see the names and the hours that have been put in for the
last year in your department.
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir, we’ll get that to you.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay. Mr. Mayor I’m going to stop my questions with him because the
information I’ve got is totally different from that. But I’m going to wait to get this information so
I can compare what I’ve got to what they say they got in that department.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Henderson: I’d like to make one more remark, sir. Our overtime is also justified
through Cityworks. Any work that we’ve done overtime is listed in our work order and we can
justify the work orders in time done with pictures as well, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: I hope you can justify it. I’m hoping you can. I mean I’m ---
Mr. Henderson: I’m sure we can.
Mr. M. Williams: --- what I’m concerned about is the same people making overtime
because that’s another way of a pay raise in my opinion. If I could do all overtime or more the
majority of overtime once a week it would put my pay different from somebody else’s.
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir. We also have guys that consistently ask for overtime to do the
project. We have guys that ---
Mr. M. Williams: Even if they ask for it, I’m sorry, even if they ask for it that would be
wrong now. So just give me the information ---
Mr. Henderson: --- yes, sir, we will ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- and leave it right there.
Mr. Henderson: --- you have a great day.
Mr. M. Williams: All right.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I have a question for him.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Henderson, if you’ll come back we have some more questions.
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: I also want to pause just for a moment, everybody just pause. Under Tab 23
I believe that there’s a Utilities Overtime Report for 2019 under Tab 23 okay, and it’s by name
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and it has the amount of overtime included, okay? All right, the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Kelsy, right?
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hasan: --- yes, sir. You’re saying you’re construction and maintenance?
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir. Assistant Director for Construction and Maintenance, sir.
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Mr. Hasan: So what has to happen for your team to get involved in overtime? What
happens?
Mr. Henderson: We get an emergency call to our dispatchers, 311 will give us a call, or
we’ll schedule a project that is best done after hours.
Mr. Hasan: You talking about water main breaks and things of that nature?
Mr. Henderson: Water main breaks, sewer backups, we have a road collapsing due to
sewer main failures, that types of things, sir.
Mr. Hasan: So are you the only to your, well, I think that may be something Mr. Steve
Little but I just want to make sure in terms of what your overtime consisted of, what body of work
is being done. Something you said road improvements, water main improvements, go ahead, you
say it again.
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir, we have water main breaks, we have sewer main failures, we
have service lateral backups, we also have road failures due to these layers collapsing and/or
failing. And also we have outages and the scheduled outages in order to make repairs that we can’t
make during normal business hours, sir.
Mr. Hasan: So all your staff that’s including yourself and I’m going to say works under
you I think we all work together but I’ll say work under you ---
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hasan: --- all of them can do that body of work that you just mentioned?
Mr. Henderson: Anyone that’s trained or eligible to do that type of work, they are eligible
for overtime, sir.
Mr. Hasan: Okay all right, thank you.
Mr. Henderson: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Henderson, and I don’t know if you generated this report if you did that’s
in our tab now it’s a Utilities Overtime Report for 2019. If you would provide us with that same
report but if you would sort it from greatest amount to least amount i.e. all the zeros show up at
the bottom and then send that back to us that would be helpful.
Mr. Henderson: Yes sir, thank you, I’ll do that.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. Are there any other questions for us? Okay. All right,
Madam Clerk, we’ll go the next item Number 24.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
24. Discuss/receive information relative to the procurement process for small equipment
purchases under $1,500.00. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Ms. Sams and the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Ms. Sams, it looks like just me and you the rest of them do what they
do best and that’s walk out but you and I are still here so can you help me understand how
purchases of equipment on jobs whether it be Utilities or any other job where you have to buy a
piece of equipment under $1,500 dollars. How does that process work?
Ms. Sams: Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, Ms. Bonner. The procurement
process for small purchases $1,500 dollars or less is at the authority of the user’s agency. In
accordance to the Augusta Code Section 1-10-54 Informal Bid Selection Method. So when you
say $1,500 dollars or less that’s a very small purchase for the size budget we have but when you
review your Procurement Code 1-10-54 which addresses that you will find the condition of use,
request for quotation or specifications, you will find a public notice, receipt for quotations,
evaluations, corrections or withdrawal of quotes, type quotes, awards and we may take a minute
to talk about agency purchases under $1,000 dollars and its limitations because see for something
of $1,500 dollars or less there are rules and regulations that says equipment and furniture cannot
be purchased under this particular group. Now the Procurement Code allows the director of the
department to make purchases such as desks, some small equipment and they have to make a
decision about what that’s going to be. I did run numbers for you, Mr. Williams, after you know
I got the request from you. There were 12,701 purchases orders let for under $1,500 dollars. 701
of the 7,704 went to local vendors. The total amount of purchase orders going to, the total amount
of purchase orders issued for those 12,000 purchase orders was $6,300,000 dollars. The total
amount going to local businesses was $3.4 million dollars. The percentage of purchase orders to
local vendors was 61%, the percentage of dollars issued to local vendors was at 55%. I thought
that that would be important to mention but it’s also important to mention that the Augusta-
Richmond County Code has price ranges and the range in which you have asked me to look at
comes within and I can read it from the reports and I’d also like to give this to Ms. Bonner. The
Augusta, Georgia Code has dollar ranges in which indicate what type of process and procedure
you have to follow and for $1,500 dollars to $5,000 dollars according to the code there’s three
quotes that you have to obtain from three different vendors. And the process includes the
departmental director’s approval, procurement director’s approval, a copy of all documentation
should be sent to the Procurement Department. An approved process is done through the system
so Mr., Commissioner Williams, if you could give me an item or you could give me something
that could narrow it down because you could see I have so many purchases in that dollar range.
Mr. M. Williams: I understand, Ms. Sams, and I’m going to give you an example if we
needed a chainsaw with all of these purchases and I’m trying to find a way that we are tracking
34
them, how are we tracking all of these purchases under $1,500 dollars? Now I use fifteen I could
have used $1,000 dollars but I thought $1,500 dollars would be a little bit easier for you to track.
I’m trying to figure out how do we know that these orders or these purchases is going through the
procurement guide that you’ve been trying to hold to. Now you just you gave me a number how
many millions was that?
Ms. Sams: Six figure.
Mr. M. Williams: Huh?
Ms. Sams: $6.3 million.
Mr. M. Williams: $6.3 million ---
Ms. Sams: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: --- and these are the small purchases. When you’ve got a job or you’ve
got a project and these not listing the projects these are after the project, is that right?
Ms. Sams: Well, it will vary.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, to get to these numbers I’m trying to figure out how do we know
the process was done by the procurement code that we’re supposed to be going by? How do we
balance that? How do we know that? How can we determine that?
Ms. Sams: These numbers were determined by the number of purchase orders issued and
its process. Now those processes has to be approved by the department director and then it comes
to the Procurement Department electronically and we look over it to see if everything has been
met. Now there are other purchases that are made outside of the Procurement Department that we
don’t necessarily see, um ---
Mr. M. Williams: So do you all see all of the projects under $1,500 dollars?
Ms. Sams: --- no, sir, not all of them.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, you don’t see all of them. Okay do, is there a purchase order
given or do they have liberty to just say well I need this piece of equipment and go buy it?
Ms. Sams: Again let me take you back to the code because the code has authorized the
department head in that department to authorize his or her staff to purchase certain items. Now if
that item is $1,500 dollars or less, he will be within his the code to do so and that code in the
system as it relates to that if you would like to follow me it’s in Section 1-10-54(i).
Mr. M. Williams: Ms. Sams, let me try to jog your memory a little bit because I get that a
lot with mine.
35
Ms. Sams: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Do you remember when we had and it was in Recreation. I’ve got no
problem remembering that it was in Recreation and we had a charge, we had two charge cards
maybe three and they was put in somebody else’s hand. They was charging Sams Wholesale.
They came to your office and somebody changed it to a post office box and you went back and
changed it from the post office box back to your office and somebody changed it back and added
two or three more cards.
Ms. Sams: Yes, sir, I remember.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay this is institutional knowledge, Mr. Mayor. This is what I’ve been
dealing with up here and this is another situation that I’m going to do everything I can to find out
to get to the bottom of how this money’s being spent. That’s a lot of money that’s been spent and
there’s no way of tracking it because the code says or the department head can have somebody go
and spend that money and we don’t have a way to keep up with it.
Ms. Sams: Well, you will eventually have a way to get up with those purchases that does
not come through the Procurement Office because every vendor, every purchase that’s made the
vendor’s going to expect a check so there’s a lot of truth to follow the check. Now when working
with the Finance Department and we do often work together in trying to track down different things
and sometimes we have questions about invoices that they may receive and it did not have a
purchase order. They would send that invoice to me and I would check the invoice to see what
was purchased, who purchased it, if they followed guidelines and procedures and if they didn’t, I
would notify the Administrator.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, Ms. Sams, let me ask you a simple question and I’m going to let
you go. I just need to know if there is a need to purchase something from a vendor, a business not
a contractor do we pay contractors for equipment or do we pay the vendor of record for that
equipment? For instance John Deere just using this for an example. Lawnmowers. Do we pay
John Deere or do we pay the vendor for the John Deere?
Mr. Hasan: (inaudible) representative.
Mr. M. Williams: Representative, well I mean I’m trying to get it as simple as I can.
Mr. Mayor: So, so ---
Ms. Sams: But you are asking ---
Mr. Mayor: --- Commissioner, the vendor is John Deere.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay ---
Mr. Mayor: The vendor is John Deere.
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Mr. M. Williams: --- and I used tractor, a John Deere tractor. If we had to buy a John
Deere tractor do we pay, do a vendor go ahead and purchase that from John Deere and sell it to
the city or do we purchase it ourselves as a department director not you but the department head
said we’re going to John Deere and buy this tractor but buy it through the procurement or do we
pay the vendor or the contractor, do we pay the contractor for getting equipment? See, there’s a
difference in the money we spend in the contract for the job ---
Ms. Sams: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: --- but then we need equipment for that job whether it be sand, be rocks,
be wood, be whatever. We got to go and buy that too because the contractor that’s doing the job
may say well I need a load of sand, I need a load of rocks. Who, where that money goes? Who
takes care of that? How’s that balance out? That’s what the $6 million dollars I’m talking about.
Ms. Sams: Okay, Mr. Williams, I’m sorry Commissioner Williams, you have two different
scenarios. You have one going with a contractor who has been contracted to perform a project or
something for Augusta.
Mr. M. Williams: Right.
Ms. Sams: And the equipment and anything he uses to complete that task will be a part of
his bottom line.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, Ms. Sams, I apologize ---
Ms. Sams: But now if we are going to buy a piece of equipment from John Deere then the
city pays John Deere for that piece of equipment.
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, I apologize. The young man just left said that he got a lot of
overtime. Commissioner Hasan asked a question, stuff gets broke at night and the rain and the
cold. They have get equipment, they have to get materials to work with and in all that overtime
you can’t tell me that all that overtime that they don’t need nothing they just go back and say you
know what we took a wrench and tightened it up because a pipe done burst and they had to have
equipment to work with. I’m trying to figure out how we spent this $6 million dollars and not
have, not have but don’t explain how it’s purchased.
Mr. Mayor: So Director Sams ---
Ms. Sams: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- hopefully this might be a little helpful in that I offer the following questions.
$6.3 million dollars has been appropriated across amounts up to $1,500 dollars ---
Ms. Sams: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- to the tune of 12,000 plus transactions ---
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Ms. Sams: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: --- can you provide the Commissioner from the 9 and this body with a list of
how many of those were repeat vendors? Number two, not only how many of them were repeat
vendors but in your procurement process you’re purchasing not just goods but sometimes services
as well and if you could break that out it may be a little bit more helpful to the Commission in
terms of understanding. At the end of the day a vendor gets paid an amount up to $1,500 dollars
which is the request here whether it’s John Deere, whether it’s Ruffles and Trumps, no matter who
it is, that name is associated with a dollar amount and a figure. What the Commissioner is again I
think trying to get after is when you have expenditures related to Engineering and/or Utilities no
matter what the hour is absent items being picked up from the lay down yard if it’s piping, if it’s
meters or whatever there’s an expenditure somewhere. And I think maybe kind of categorizing
that is one thing to hear a number $6.3 million total $3.4 million has gone to local vendors equating
at 61% but it’s another thing to be able to see that on paper that translates into here are the repeat
vendors and this is how much they’ve gotten over a 24-month period of time, 12-month period of
time, whatever and that may be more helpful in terms of knowing and understanding where that
came from.
Ms. Sams: I can run that report by department for you, Mr. Mayor, but when I run that
report for you it’s going to be attached to a purchase order so I’m not real sure that I will be
addressing the Commissioner’s concern as it relates to those purchases that he’s trying to track
perhaps. And I think and I want to invite and encourage the Commissioner, all Commissioners, to
come by my office so that we can have a more in depth conversation on how and how these
numbers, we got to these numbers because these numbers are associated or affiliated with a
purchase order that went through a process.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, if I can just close out with this with a number of overtime
and the number of purchases that we have made there is a serious, serious situation in that we don’t
know. When you talk about $6 million $300 hundred something I mean that’s a lot.
Ms. Sams: Yes, sir, it is. But Mr. Commissioner when you have a team out on a, working
on a project and they need gravel, they need a tool, they need something, you Commissioners have
already taken care of that. The question is how did the Commissioners take care of it? you took
care of it when you approved the annual bids. When you approved the annual bids we took care
of any daily operational needs as it relates to supplies that they may need while they’re out working
on a job to include pipe, dirt, those types of things. So as in Utilities case they already know who
to call after hours to get those things. They get those things, send the paperwork to the Procurement
Department, we process it, we look at it and it’s already gone through a procurement process is
what I’m saying.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, Mr. Mayor, I’ve got some information. That’s all I can say.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
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Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Sams, how you doing? Based on the comment
you made around a $1,500 dollar purchase it kind of reflected back to something I missed that was
on the Consent Agenda that I was going to ask about. When you said the $1,500 purchase does
not include office equipment is something you said, what it does not include again?
Ms. Sams: Let me just read it out of here. If you look at restrictions ---
Mr. Hasan: We don’t have that.
Ms. Sams: --- you don’t have it, I didn’t give you that? I’m sorry.
Mr. Hasan: No, I don’t need it. You can just answer the question. I’m fine.
Ms. Sams: There are certain things you can’t buy, that a department director can’t buy ---
Mr. Hasan: Based on what?
Ms. Sams: --- based on your code.
Mr. Hasan: Okay and we changed that to include that the person has the right to purchase
furniture they need at $1,500 dollars or what have you because $1,500 dollars is $1,500 dollars.
Ms. Sams: $1,500 dollars is $1,500 dollars but then you’re looking at not just the
convenience of paying $1,500 dollars for something. For instance we have a lot of desks in the
city that people went out and bought and it lasts three or four months and we were replacing that
desk. So you want to buy quality whatever you buy. You want to buy something that is going to
be durable for the city. That’s why it was restricted for people not to be able just to go out and
buy any kind of furniture they need. You have to take into consideration too that this is a
commercial building so a desk that might work for a smaller office or an office that doesn’t have
quite as much traffic will probably not last very long and so you’re having to replace that.
Mr. Hasan: So let me do this. Let me go back to the, and I’m going to come back to that.
That was on the Consent Agenda and I know you had Modern Business Furniture here was saying
that some equipment was being bought for the Fire Station. How long has Modern Business
contract with the city? I mean I know it was in place when we came here. I think it might have
been placed to do this building, to furnish this building out. How long was this contract?
Ms. Sams: That contract has been, let me get back with you on it because I don’t want to
be on record saying one year while it was something else.
Mr. Hasan: Okay and so with that fifteen, even so when a person has to buy furniture still
it ends up it has to go through Modern Business for all intents and purposes.
Ms. Sams: No, sir, they don’t have to go to Modern Business. They could go to the State
of Georgia, they could go to Weinberger they, we when they go the State of Georgia they are
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getting bids from 25 to 30 vendors because those vendors have submitted to the State of Georgia
and they have competed.
Ms. Hasan: Let me ask the question a little bit different way, Ms. Sams, and that’s not that
question just then the previous question is to your knowledge how long has Modern Business had
a contract with us?
Ms. Sams: To my knowledge I don’t have the exact date and for the record’s sake, sir, I
would like to give be precise and specific ---
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Ms. Sams: --- and I would like to get back with you.
Mr. Hasan: Okay all right, thank you.
Ms. Sams: You’re welcome.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Director Sams, I believe that’s all, no, the Commissioner from the
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4.
Mr. Sias: Ms. Sams, when you first started I believe you were told all the rest of us were
gone, I’m still here, I heard your presentation.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I appreciate you.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I believe that that is all the business before us for today.
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
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
March 3, 2020.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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