HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting April 21, 2020
REGULAR MEETING VIRTUAL/TELECONFERENCE
April 21, 2020
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., April 21, 2020, the Hon.
Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Mayor, B. Williams, Garrett, Sias, Fennoy, Frantom, M. Williams,
Davis, D. Williams, Hasan and Clarke, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Madam Clerk, Attorney Brown ---
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir, I’m here.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: --- before we get started on the alcohol petitions ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
The Clerk: --- we have one petition that is Item #23 ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
The Clerk: --- if we can include those when we address the Alcohol Petitions at the
beginning of the agenda?
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
The Clerk: And let’s see, and then we have on additional item to be added to the Addendum
Agenda which will be Item #19 Commissioner Dennis Williams is asking that that item be deleted.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Speaker: What item?
The Clerk: Item number 19 be deleted at the request of Commissioner Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, go ahead.
Mr. D. Williams: I’d like to make a comment at that time regarding (unintelligible).
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, sure, absolutely, I think that’s fine.
Mr. D. Williams: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: And again, Madam Clerk, you’ve got the addendum item hold on, everybody
just suspend for a moment everybody suspend. Jeff, if you’ll (unintelligible) microphone.
Everybody suspend.
Mr. Lewis: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Jeff, are you here ---
Mr. Lewis: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, we should still be in the breakout room the general public hears
all of the conversation we’re having right now.
Mr. Lewis: Right, you’re in the public (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Lewis: So do you want to be in the breakout room or do you want to stay where you
are?
Mr. Mayor: The breakout room.
Mr. Lewis: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay and um, so when we stand to Pledge our Allegiance, I think I’ve got this
little flag over here on the on my right shoulder if we’re standing. All right, Madam Clerk,
Attorney Brown, we’ll call this meeting to order, full Commission Meeting April 21, 2020, Madam
Clerk. Okay, Madam Clerk, you are still muted.
The Clerk: I’m sorry.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
The Clerk: At this time we’ll have our invocation after which the Pledge of Allegiance.
Would you please stand?
Mr. Mayor: All right, Administrator Sims, you’re giving our invocation today? Madam
Clerk ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: --- we’re here to do the business of the people and we are prepared to proceed.
The Clerk: Yes, sir and for the record, sir, if I could get a roll call for the Regular Meeting.
Mr. Clarke:
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Present.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Fennoy, are you present?
Mr. Fennoy: (Inaudible).
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Present.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Here.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan, Mr. Hasan, are you present?
Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, we have all accounted for except Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: I’m here.
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The Clerk: All right.
The Clerk: We have unanimous attendance for today’s meeting.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, Madam Clerk. Before we get started we want to take
just a few minutes. There was a conversation as many of us are aware on yesterday the Governor
issued Executive Order 4.20.28.01 and that order was to begin reopening in the State of Georgia
and in particular a list of businesses that were on the list of nonessential businesses. It was
published earlier just what our posture would be going forward and I want to take a minute to give
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the Commissioner from the 6 a moment to raise again his concern. The Commissioner from the
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6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Can you hear me?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, we all can hear you.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, one of the concerns I had is just wondering
do we want to begin taking the temperatures of those who enter the building whether they’re
employees or essential or what have you at this particular time. The Marshal already has the
equipment and was wondering do we want to do that. You don’t have to touch them, just put the
scanner up (unintelligible) have a fever just sent them back home for all intents and purposes. If
you don’t have a fever let them come on to work. Just wondering if this body is going to consider
that. And all I talking about just this and the other locations the city is responsible for. Do we want
(unintelligible) very clear about that. I’m not talking about the Judicial Building itself. I’m talking
about the other buildings that we run on a regular basis.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, I appreciate that. There’s a lot of background noise. I would
ask each of you to mute any background noise that you may have television, radios, microphones,
if you would do that it bleeds over. Regarding that I think what’s probably most prudent is that as
we continue to try to put our arms around the Governor’s executive order and what it means for us
locally in terms of opening up. We know clearly he’s articulated a series of things. I think it’s
going to be imperative that internally across the organization Administrator Sims, our EMA
Director and our other responders begin looking at that continuity of operations plan that was
implemented so that we can begin thinking through how do we bring people back up to and
including allowing the general public back into the building, I don’t think we’re at that place yet.
In light of not only the executive order but I think out of an abundance of caution we need to have
a clear plan of action in terms of how we’re going to particularly be responding in those
departments that are front facing to the general public. And so I think raising this concern at this
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time is appropriate, Commissioner from the 6 but we should be merited in putting together a real
plan of response unless we find ourselves exposing not only ourselves but the general public and
the employees here in local government. So I think that requires them working on that together in
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terms of how that might be rolled out. All right, the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I hear the concerns of the District 6
Commissioner but if the government is open at all for people to enter or employees to come to can
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we do that is my question. Now I understand the severity of it, I understand the epidemic and all
this stuff that’s going on but if we’re going to be open we ought to be open and if we’re not going
to open, we ought not to open. You start this scanning and seeing who has a fever and who don’t
have a fever because some of them say I don’t have a fever and some of them will say well the
barometer of whatever they’re using the equipment says you do and then I think we get into
something. I understand the concern, I understand the caution that the District 6 Commissioner
was trying to convey to us but I just think that we’ll be walking on some thin ice to do that, Mr.
Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Yeah, well again I think what the Commissioner from the 6 is doing is just
raising the awareness about the capabilities and something that we should be giving consideration
to. All of this has to be done in concert with the CDC guidelines and making sure that we’re not
infringing on anyone’s rights. And so I think again we’ll take those things and begin having a
broad discussion about that very quickly in light of where we are with the Governor’s recent order
that will go effective on Friday. All right, Commissioner, thank you for that. Madam Clerk ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- we’re back to you.
The Clerk: Okay, I call you attention to our Consent Agenda which consists of Item 1. We
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have a recommendation with unanimous consent to refer Item #9 to our May 5 meeting, the
deletion of Item 15 and the deletion of Item 19 with Commissioner Dennis Williams’ comment
regarding Item #19.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, I’m going to come to him in just a moment. All right, let’s do
this. I think without objection on those matters and of course we’re moving the Delegation portion
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to the May 5 meeting as well.
The Clerk: Right.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right. All right at this point, all right, the Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 2 to speak on Item #19.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. If everybody would refer back to the agenda
book to Tab #19, I provided somewhat of an update regarding the cemetery for the CSRA and just
to let you know what steps that we’re in the process of taking now trying to get the next level of
approvement. So it’s all listed on Tab 19.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, thank you. All right okay, Madam Clerk, all right I don’t
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again think there’s any, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 3, Commissioner Davis.
Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, I was going to see if we could consider consenting a couple of
items ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
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Ms. Davis: --- are you, is everybody to accept (inaudible)---
Mr. Mayor: --- I’m ready for that.
Ms. Davis: --- okay I was going to see if the Commission would be okay consenting
number 18 and 25 and 26.
Mr. Mayor: All right, could you repeat those?
Ms. Davis: Yes, number 18, 25 and 26.
Mr. Mayor: All right and I would also ask that we consent the addendum item which is
the Court Grant Award and add that to the item as well for consent.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, what about number 17?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, I mean I’m okay with that as well.
Mr. Sias: And can we add 24 as well?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, okay. All right the Commissioner from the, I think I see the
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Commissioner from the 1 could you unmute your microphone, Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yeah, I would like for 24 be added but that’s already been done.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, very well. All right very well, Madam Clerk.
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The Clerk: Okay. Out Consent Agenda is referring the Delegation portion to our May 5
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meeting, adding number 9 referring it to the May 5 meeting with the deletion of Item 15 and 19
adding to the Consent Item #18, Item #25, 26 and 24 along with the addendum item regarding
acceptance of the Grant Award to the Accountability Court.
Mr. Mayor: And Item 17.
The Clerk: Item 17.
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
Ms. Davis: Move to approve, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a second from the Mayor Pro Tem.
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CONSENT AGENDA
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held April 2, 2020 and the Special
Called Meetings held April 2, April 6 and April 14, 2020.
ADMINISTRATIVE SEVICES
9. Motion to receive as information an update on HCD’s Economic Development Program
designed to increase capacity and opportunity for economic growth through the creation or
expansion of locally owned and operated businesses.
15. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s)
Brokerages Services Request to move to secure services of Sherman and Hemstreet for a
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period of one (1) year, and also work through procurement to solicit for services of a 3
Party Minority Real Estate Brokerage firm alike to share in Real Estate duties for the Laney
Walker Bethlehem Revitalization Project.
FINANCE
19. Approve $250,000 of SPLOST funds for purchase of land for the proposed CSRA
Veteran’s Cemetery. (Requested by Commissioner Dennis Williams)
OTHER BUSINESS
24. Motion to approve HCD’s MOU with Antioch Ministries, Inc. in support of the Micro-
Enterprise Technical Assistance Economic Development Program. The MOU provides
training space to support the program’s ability to increase capacity and opportunity for
economic growth through the creation or expansion of locally owned and operated
businesses.
25. Consider approval of Change Order No. 1 to Legacy Water Group’s contract to construct
the Fort Gordon Cross Basin Lift Station and Force Main.
26. Consider approval of Georgia Power Service for the Fort Gordon Cross Basin Lift
Station and Force Main.
ADDENDUM
27. Motion to approve the acceptance of grant award from the Office of the Governor
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Emergency COVID Subgrant Award Accountability
Court Grant. (The Finance Department has verified that the grant award meets all grant
requirements of Augusta, GA)
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
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Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams, Mr. Bobby Williams?
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. Mayor: Unmute your microphone, sir, hold on, Madam Clerk, hold on.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: The Consent Agenda passes. It’s unanimous.
Motion Passes 10-0. \[Items 1, 9, 15, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27\]
Mr. Mayor: All right, excellent. Okay Madam Clerk ---
The Clerk: Top to bottom, sir?
Mr. Mayor: --- sorry?
The Clerk: Top to bottom?
Mr. Mayor: For now ---
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The Clerk: The Alcohol Petitions?
Mr. Mayor: --- yes, Alcohol Petitions.
The Clerk: Okay, can you ask Mr. Lewis if they can get that?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, all right so yeah we’ll ask him to do that and we’re going to move 23 up
to that conversation, okay? All right we’ll just, okay I think they’re we’re connecting audio,
Madam Clerk, just a moment.
The Clerk: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
The Clerk: And third are we going to take the vote as a companion vote ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, we will.
The Clerk: --- for all of them?
Mr. Mayor: We’ll vote right, we’ll vote on all of them together, okay? All right, so Ms.
Walton ---
Ms. Walton: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay, so here’s our posture if you would take Items 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 and
read them in for the record because there are no objectors and also include Number 23.
Ms. Walton: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay and we’ll come back to Number 5.
Ms. Walton: Okay, do you want me to read all of them at one time or separately as we do
so they can (unintelligible) the name.
The Clerk: The petitioner’s there. Once she reads the application out loud, allow the
petitioner to approach with their name and address. And for the record, Ms. Walton, you could
advise the Commission if your office has received any objectors regarding these applications.
Ms. Walton: Yes, ma’am.
Mr. Hasan: Ms. Bonner, Mr. Mayor ---
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Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Commissioner from the 6 go ahead.
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Mr. Hasan: --- yes, how do you address Item #5? Do you ask them not to address it at this
point?
Mr. Mayor: We’re going to come back; that’s going to be the last one we address.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, all right.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, it’ll be stand alone. We’re on the heels of those other items right now.
All right, Ms. Walton.
Ms. Walton: Okay first item is:
Item 2: New Location: A.N. 20-08: A request by Ashok Patel for a retail package Beer
& Wine License to be used in connection with Gas World located at 4101 Windsor Spring Road.
District 4. Super District 9. This application has been approved by the Sheriff’s Department and
Planning and Development. I need you to come up and state your full name and your home
address.
Mr. Patel: My name is Ashok Patel. My home address is 646 Emerald Crossing, Evans,
GA.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Ms. Walton: Okay, this location did not have any objectors, signs were posted and the
advertisement was put in the newspaper. We did not receive any calls for objectors.
Mr. Mayor: All right, next item.
Item 3: New Location: A.N. 20-10: A request by Alpa Patel for a retail package Beer &
Wine License to be used in connection with Jump In Mart LLC located at 1959 Kissingbower
Road. District 2. Super District 10. This application has been approved by the Sheriff’s
Department and Planning and Development. We did not receive any calls. This application was
posted in the newspaper and by signage at the building. We did not receive any calls from
objectors.
Ms. Patel: My name is Alpa Patel and my home address is 210 N. Petersburg Drive,
Martinez, GA 30907.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Item 4: New Location: A.N. 20-11: A request by Cecil Harrison III for a consumption on
premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Edgar’s Above Broad located
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at 699 Broad St., 3 Floor. There will be Sunday Sales. District 1. Super District 9. This
application has been approved by the Sheriff’s Department and Planning and Development. There
were no objectors to this application by phone or in person. There was signage and advertisement
in the newspaper.
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Mr. Harrison: Cecil Harrison 3803 Inverness Way, Martinez, GA 30907.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Item 6: New Location: A.N. 20-14: A request by Richard Rhoden for a consumption on
premise Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Pie Land IV LLC located at 828
Cabela DR STE 200. There will be Sunday Sales. District 7. Super District 10. This application
has been approved by the Sheriff’s Department and Planning and Development. There was
signage posted and advertisement in the newspaper, no objectors.
Mr. Rhoden: I’m Richard L. Rhoden. I live at 60 Conifer Circle, Augusta, GA 30909.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Item 7: New Location: A.N. 20-15: A request by Lin Maosheng for a consumption on
premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Crab Du Jour of Augusta
LLC located at 3450 Wrightsboro Rd STE 2080. There will Sunday Sales. District 5. Super District
9. This application was approved by the Sheriff’s Department and Planning and Development.
There was signage posted, advertised in the newspaper, no objectors.
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Ms. Maosheng: My name is Maosheng and live at 706 West 21 Street, Lumberton, NC
28358.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Ms. Walton, suspend for a moment. The Chair recognizes the
Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’re okay Mayor, I’m good.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, thank you, Ms. Walton go ahead.
Item 8: New Ownership Application: A.N. 20-16: A request by Meshkatul Islam for a
retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Chevron Food Mart located at
502 Highland Ave. District 1. Super District 9. This application was been approved by the Sheriff’s
Department and Planning and Development. There was no signage on this location. It is an
existing location, no objectors.
Mr. Islam: Meshkatul Islam. My address is 3538 Indigo Drive, Martinez, GA.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. Ms. Walton ---
Ms. Walton: Yes, sir, I’m looking for my other applicant, hold on please.
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Mr. Mayor: --- all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8.
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Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor. I was wanting to ask Ms. Walton if Item 23 needed to be
go now as well.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, we’re going to take 23 as well. I think that’s who she’s looking for.
OTHER BUSINESS
23. New Location: A.N. 2013: A request by Jin Quan Lin for a consumption on premise
Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Red Crab located at 3206 Peach
Orchard Rd. There will be Sunday Sales. District 6. Super District 10.
Ms. Walton: My application for 23 is not in the building. Would you prefer that I go ahead
and read the item?
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The Clerk: We can get it referred to the 5.
Ms. Walton: He’s in Florida from what I know.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ll refer it to the 5 and take it up at that time.
Ms. Walton: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right, so we’ll entertain a motion on 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and
8.
Mr. Frantom: Motion to approve.
The Clerk: Item 23.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, could you repeat that?
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The Clerk: Okay and the referral of Item 23 to the May 5 meeting.
Mr. Mayor: Yes. All right, Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion to approve.
Mr. Garrett: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 8 seconds that, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
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Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Fennoy?
Mr. Fennoy: (Inaudible).
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett for the vote.
Mr. Garrett: Yes again.
The Clerk: That was for the second, Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Hasan, unmute your microphone. Everybody unmute your microphone
at this time.
Mr. Hasan: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy out.
Motion Passes 10-0.
Mr. Fennoy: I’m not out, I’m here. I vote Yes, Ms. Bonner.
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The Clerk: All right, thank you, sir, it’s unanimous.
Mr. Mayor: All right ---
The Clerk: So that takes us to Item 5, sir?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Okay, Ms. Walton?
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Walton, Ms. Walton? All right, Ms. Walton we’re on Number 5 now.
Ms. Walton: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
PUBLIC SERVICES
5. New Location: A.N. 20-12: A request by Urvashiben Patel for a retail package Liquor,
Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Top Notch Liquor located at 2751 Barton
Chapel Rd. District 5. Super District 9.
Ms. Walton: It’s a New Location Alcohol Number 20-12 a request by Urvashiben Patel
for retail package Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Top Notch Liquor
located at 2751 Barton Chapel Rd. This application was approved by the Sheriff’s Department and
Planning and Development and signage was posted and advertisement in the newspaper and there
are objectors to this application.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Ms. Walton ---
Ms. Walton: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, Madam Clerk ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir ---
Mr. Mayor: --- do you want to hear from the objectors?
The Clerk: --- I think you have two there with you, Ms. Walton.
Ms. Walton: I have one here with me. I have a signed petition from all of the churches on
Barton Chapel Road. I have a voicemail from the Minister at Broadway. I can play that voice mail
if you want me to and I have one Pastor from one of the churches here with us.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right so let’s do this let me hear from the objector, we’ll hear from
the Pastor and the petitioner again if you can simply just hold that up and that will be sufficient.
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Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor, can we get the applicant’s name read into the record and all that
first?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, absolutely.
Ms. Patel: My name is Urvashiben Patel and my address is 309 Bobwhite Trail,
Grovetown, GA 30813.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, Ms. Urvashiben Patel.
Ms. Patel: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Ms. Walton: This is the petition. It’s a letter ---
Mr. Mayor: How many petitioners on that do we have ---
Ms. Walton: I counted the signatures and there’s 103 signatures on this petition.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay.
Ms. Walton: Do you want me to read what the letter says for the record?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, please.
Ms. Walton: It says subject is a request to deny alcohol license for 2751 Barton Chapel
Road. Dear Commissioners, oh you have it right there laying on there.
Mr. Mayor: We have it there so it was made available to us, thank you. Okay and as we
step through what’s being shared on the screen by IT, I suspect that the subsequent pages are in
fact the petitioners, is that correct?
Ms. Walton: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, very well, okay, all right, very well.
Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got a question, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m coming to you. All right, Ms. Walton, thank you and also
Information Technology, thank you. All right, let’s take a series of questions at this point. All
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right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 I see your hands, I’ve got everybody.
Mr. M. Williams: A question to Ms. Walton. Does this application meet the guidelines as
far as the distance requirement, Ms. Walton?
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Ms. Walton: Yes, sir, it does.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay and I guess my point is if it meets the guidelines and I’m in support
of the Church as well as the community but will that cause this body to get sued if we don’t approve
it? This is my question. Maybe I should call Mr. Brown our Legal Counsel not at you Ms. Walton.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I think that’s probably appropriate.
Ms. Walton: I can pose that to him.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, that’s probably appropriate. All right, again I mean these are routine
matters. We’ve debated them before and this information has again supported and also denied.
Attorney Brown, if you want to weigh in on that you certainly can otherwise I’m going to go to
the next question. Attorney Brown ---
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: --- the Commissioner from the 9 has a question for you.
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Brown, if the applicant meets the guidelines, will that put this city
at risk of being sued or not? Question.
Mr. Brown: Well, the facts as you suggest by your question if they meet the guidelines,
there would have to be some basis the basis for denial would be that they do not meet the
guidelines.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay.
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Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. To what, to Mr. to the Attorney’s point this is our subjective
part of an examination of a case, not the objective part. However in many cases I always want to
support the community. However in this case I find it a little bit different. This particular building
is an old Wife Saver building located on Barton Chapel and it is within their commercial buildings
located on both sides in front and the back of this building. So I’m concerned that this building is
really wrapped in a commercial zone and there are no immediate buildings or things or churches
or homes close to this building except on Old Barton Chapel Road. So with that in fact from what
this location I have no objection and I will support this petition but normally I always want to
support the community but I see that this one is wrapped up in a commercial area completely.
Thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5.
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Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve the petition
for alcohol.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Sias: I second that motion.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a motion and a second, the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Second, well, I was going to second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, very well. All right, we’re going to we’re voting on this matter
at this time, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clark: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
Ms. Walton: Ms. Bonner, Ms. Bonner.
Mr. Mayor: All right everybody suspend, Ms. Walton?
Ms. Walton: All right, you did not give the objectors at least time to speak.
Mr. Mayor: Oh, I’m sorry, we did not, that’s correct. We heard from the petitioners
through the information that was provided to us but we’ll let them hear, we want to hear from them
verbally. All right, everybody suspend.
Mr. Speaker: Hi my name is Pastor (inaudible). I’m a Pastor at Augusta Orient Methodist
Church Barton Chapel. My address is 3959 Hammonds Ferry, Evans, Georgia. I’m here to make
a request on behalf of our church and also a great American community for you not to request the
alcohol license to this location for the following reasons: one, there are already several package
stores in the area as well as this is a very family oriented venue such as McDonald’s, Burger King.
There is a childcare near the facility as well and we’re asking that with the increase with more
liquor stores that there may be higher crime rates, there may be more difficulties surrounding this
community here. It’s already a pretty high crime community so we’re asking you not to grant the
liquor license at this time, thank you for your time.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you. All right, Ms. Walton, we have another objector?
Ms. Walton: No, sir. That was it.
Mr. Mayor: All right, okay, thank you. All right Madam Clerk we were in the midst of
voting there’s a motion to approve the request if you’ll continue.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom, Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett, Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams, Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
Mr. Hasan votes No.
Motion Passes 9-1.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. All right, Madam Clerk, Number 10.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10. Discuss the city’s discrimination against minorities and women. (Requested by
Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I had this put on the agenda to hopefully bring
some light to all of the money we spent on a disparity study, It came back and told us what we
already knew before we did the study. There’s a lot of still discrimination with minorities and
women that we have not addressed. We act as if it’s going to just go away by itself. So I put this
on the agenda hopefully that we would create some dialogue so for us as a body to make sure that
we address those issues. I don’t want to give any names in any particular departments but there
are some issues today that we still haven’t gotten resolved. We’ve been talking around it, we act
like it’s just going to just disappear. Here it is now 2020, Mr. Mayor, and we’re still dealing with
some issues that should’ve been addressed a long time ago. Now if I need to name some
departments I can. Our Attorney probably will tell me this is not the venue to do that but versus
putting a particular department on blast I thought sure that I would create some dialogue with my
colleagues to at least get them interested to find out where that is and we’re doing that. We have
gave raises to men that we hadn’t given to some other women requested and it looks bad on this
government I believe, Mr. Mayor, so that’s why I asked for this to be put on the agenda.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, again are there any other questions, concerns or comments from any
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other members of the Commission, Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: No comment.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’ve got another comment since my colleagues don’t have
one I’ve got another one.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 again.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You know we talked about disparity study
we’re going to have to spend money on again and the reason why we’re going to spend that money
on it, and I’m amazed now that you know we’ve got some church mouse you know they don’t say
very much, Mr. Mayor, they just kind of slip by. But I’m amazed that nobody else seems to think
or even have a conversation about the wrongdoing or the wrong things that’ve been done in this
community and still being done. Now it ain’t as prevalent as it used to be but it still exists and
there’s an issue that we’ve been dealing with for quite some time. So I guess the next thing for
me to do is put those particular departments back on and bring it to our attention in that way versus
just talking about the women and minorities that $500,000 dollars we spent years ago. It’s gone.
Now we’ve got to spend probably another $500,000 dollars to do another study. So and I think
the study is from if my remembrance from my attorney that that study has to be done not that we
just want to do one but it has to be done but when we act like it don’t exist then I think we are part
of the problem. So if we’re going to spend that kind of money we hired a DB a Disadvantaged
Business person to come into this government. We hired a person to handle that in the name of
Ms. Edwards to look into those type situations but we act as if you know that position shouldn’t
have been filled. That position is filled. I tend to think they’re trying to do what they can to
alleviate some of that stuff but I guess there’s no other Commissioner that feels the same way that
I feel or see it the same way I see it to think that’s not existent but that’s a bad situation still going
on today and we need to get a handle on that.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, okay, all right, we’ll receive this as information, Commissioner from
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the 9 and as you think about what to do next we’ll have some more conversation about it.
Mr. M. Williams: All right, Mr. Mayor, thank you, sir but I mean I guess I need to put
some particular departments on front street. I mean I don’t know about anybody else but I get calls
all the time, I meet people all the time telling saying about what’s going on and how they feel and
people are afraid. They don’t want to come to the door, they don’t want to knock on the door
because they know they’re going to be supported and I think that’s really bad on this body.
Mr. Mayor: All right, all right, we’ll receive it as information. Madam Clerk, we’ll go to
Item number 11.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
11. Discuss Commissioner’s authority to direct city contractors. (Requested by
Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you again, Mr. Mayor. I had this put on the agenda in lieu in what
had happened here back a few weeks ago with the District 5 Commissioner Bobby Williams. A
young man contractor been knowing for years started off on the wrong foot, got his life together,
got married and started several businesses and got pulled off a job I really was disappointed about
that. So think that was an abuse of power. I think there wasn’t a way to do that as the incident
happened. And in that incident the Sheriff’s Department should’ve been notified in order to clear
the incident up but for whatever reason that didn’t happen. This young man got pulled off a job,
put on another job so I contacted the contractor as well myself and said if someone can pull him
off I can put him back because none of us have any more authority than anybody else. I just think
it's bad when we allow that kind of situation to take place. I know this whole body knows about
this situation and I don’t know if they got any comments about it or not but this whole body knows
about it and I just think that that’s abuse of power. We’re elected to serve the people and if you’re
going to serve the people then that’s what we need do is to be a servant. Who’s got the authority
and who don’t have authority, we all got the same authority and there’s somebody in this city any
side of this city who needs my help and I can help them I’m going to try my best to help them if I
can advise them to something I’m going to do that. So I just think that’s an issue, Mr. Mayor, that
we need to be mindful of. And I spoke with you about it so I’m waiting to get your comments I
guess.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I mean I think this is a concern that we have here in this city that
certainly warrants a broad conversation and I think there’s an opportunity for us to talk about it. I
certainly wasn’t prepared necessarily to be talking about it today but I do know that this is worthy
of having some broad discussion just in terms of the interactions again across the organization
between electeds and non-electeds and I’ll leave that one there. I lump those two together 10 and
11. There’s obviously room for conversation about that and we can talk about that at the
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appropriate time. All right the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4, I see his hand up.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Sias: Move that we accept this as information.
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
Mr. D. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: I mean before we accept this as information I mean I think that I mean
if we’re going to accept as information do I need to put it back on the agenda to talk about it? I
mean because there’s some underlying stuff that had not been said yet. Now I’m trying to be as
professional as cordial and understanding as I can but don’t push that button today because it’s
been pushed already enough. And here we are now in a position to talk about it and we’re not
talking about it so I mean I can put it back on the agenda and we can talk about it at our next
meeting. We’re here today now if we can keep it for months and months and months at least until
December I got it at least until December unless the Lord calls me home first. But now I ain’t
going to let this go because nobody asked no questions. My colleague had an article I think it was
in the paper it said he wanted to hear both sides. He hadn’t heard anything, he hadn’t called the
media and you know I made a call to the District Commissioner, hadn’t got a return call back from
him yet. He hung up on me when I called him; he hadn’t returned my call yet. I wanted to know
how I got drug into a situation. I hadn’t said anything to anybody and so that made me think there’s
an underlying statement that wants to be made. I ain’t no bear but I ain’t no chicken. Now you
know that. So if you want to talk I mean we need to talk. We need to be professional about this
and handle this and move on with the city business. I’m tired of giving, I’m sick and tired of
giving, giving, giving and nobody wants to give back so I’m doing that no more. I said that before.
This year’s a different year. It’s my last one. I promise you ya’ll can have it but I just think it’s
unprofessional for us to act as if we don’t see what’s going on and we act like school kids. I mean
maybe I’m the main one but hey, I know my role as an elected official. I know the rules. I came in
to serve the people. I didn’t come in to be disrespectful to any ladies whether they’re young or old.
The business man and his wife wants to be present, wants to talk themselves but since we’re
streaming these meetings they wasn’t familiar about coming in and doing that but they wanted to
be present so and we can do it now or do it later but we’re going to do it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, so again I think Commissioner there’s an appetite to have a
conversation I suspect at a later time. Maybe it’s appropriate to have those that you are concerned
about and speaking on behalf of to come in as a delegation and have them give them an opportunity
to be heard at that time. Again let’s receive this as information. It’s certainly well within your
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rights to put it back on the agenda and maybe during the May 5 timeframe we can talk about it
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then. But what I would encourage is for us to talk about it on the outside of May 5 leading up to
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that and have some real thoughtful conversation with our colleagues about the concerns what that
looks like and how best to address those going forward. That’s what I would suggest. All right
we’re going to receive this as information, Madam Clerk, and let’s go to Item 12. And while we’re
looking at Item 12 I think it’s appropriate to take 12 and 14 together because I don’t believe the
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Commissioner from the 4 from the 8 would object to that taking 12 and 14 together,
Commissioner Garrett, Commissioner Hasan, okay?
Mr. Sias: Why not do 12, 13 and 14 together?
Mr. Mayor: Let’s take 13 separately. That’s a different matter; it has the implications but
it’s a different matter.
Mr. Sias: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: All right, 12 and 14.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
12. Motion to approve tasking the Administrator to review the current Pay Policy approved
by the Commission on April 6, 2020 and right-size it with the April 14 Georgia Municipal
Association (GMA) communication regarding Hazard Pay and report results back to the
commission. (Requested by Commissioner Ben Hasan)
14. Discuss hazard pay policy for employees past April 30th and identify the funding source.
(Requested by Commissioner Brandon Garrett)
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Can you hear me?
Mr. Hasan: Yes, everyone can hear you.
Mr. Hasan: All right, thank you, sir. I just wanted to per our conversation at our last
commission meeting we had just received information from GMA the very same day within an
hour before we actually conducted the meeting we were in the meeting, we were in discussion in
a different place as colleagues and who we should compensate and who we should not compensate.
So we decided to continue on with what we already had in hand which was to pretty much pay
everybody who came to work because it was a shelter in place as a result of it. It was not sheltered
in place (unintelligible) they came to work so we left it at that particular point. And my request at
that particular time was just to leave it in place for the next two pay periods which is the current
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one as well as the next one which will be the end of I think May 1. And beyond that I wanted to
give the Administrator the opportunity to right-side it based on the GMA at that particular time so
we can take all the guess work out of it and how we feel about it on a personal (unintelligible).
But I do have one question for the Administrator, Mr. Mayor, but that’s what my agenda item was
about attempting to right-side it going beyond the second pay period from where we are now.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, if you want to go ahead ask the question of the Administrator.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, I just wanted to the Administrator did you get an opportunity to get with
the employees or the elected officials in the Judicial Building about their staff and who was coming
to work?
Mr. Sims: Yes, Commissioner, we were able to reach out to the Court and other
departments that were not initially listed in the previous list provided and the current list includes
those personnel from the departments as well as the Court.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, okay just wanted to make sure that and this is just my concern about
make sure we use that as an instrument we can agree upon if we’re looking at the GMA side and
move forward and right-sizing it beyond the second pay period.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor. You know I concur with much of what my colleague was
just talking about right-sizing this in regards to specific departments, specific individuals who are
eligible for these payments. But I want to go one step further and go back to the Administrator’s
(unintelligible) original request you know instead of the $5.00 dollars an hour I think that we need
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if we are going to go past the May 1 date we need another conversation about whether we’re
going pay as well.
Mr. Mayor: All right, pose your questions, go ahead, sir.
Mr. Garrett: Well, first of all we need to know whether this is going to be extended past
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May 1 deadline.
Mr. Mayor: You know again I think we’re at a place where in light of the previous
conversation we had around continuity of operations plans as we see the state shifting its course
of direction I think it’s going to require the Administrator and his team and other partners to give
strong consideration to how we begin shifting as well. And I don’t think that question can
necessarily be fully answered today but I do know that the answer can be provided by Thursday in
terms of what the continuity of operation plan will look like going forward in advance of the first
wave of openings on Friday this week. And so again that’s what I would, I’ll pause there and we
can continue to have some conversation we’ll come back to your concern, okay?
Mr. Garrett: Yes, sir, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 4. All right, I see everybody’s hand up.
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Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Sias: --- I think at this point we’ve done a great service to the City of Augusta and
particularly to our city employees who are out there. But in light of the changing situation that we
are in conferencing with the Governor having to open things back up I think right now unless we
find an extreme compelling reason I move that we terminate the hazardous pay effective at the end
of 1 May and if there’s a compelling reason we can come back to it as you said by April 30. We
could have a contingency plan. But I was a strong proponent of the hazardous pay but also believe
at this point it’s time to consider terminating that unless there’s a compelling reason to move
forward with it. So at this point I move that we terminate the hazardous pay at the end of 1
May.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, we’ve got a motion to terminate hazardous pay effective 1 May
at 11:59 midnight.
Mr. Sims: Mayor Davis?
Mr. Mayor: I’m coming to you ---
Mr. Sims: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- I’m coming to you. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from
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the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Well since that motion’s been made, Mr. Mayor, I’m going to support
the motion because I think the District 4 Commissioner is right. My thing is that he talked about
with GMA it’s saying the people who are in hazard way who says what GMA says is the ones
that’s going to be exposed? So I’ve got the (unintelligible) but since I’ve got a motion on the floor
I’m going to support the motion.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. All right, Attorney Brown.
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir. I just wanted to seek some clarity from the Commissioner Sias. Do
you mean the pay to terminate hazardous pay to terminate at the end of a pay period?
Mr. Sias: If I may, Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, go ahead.
Mr. Sias: --- that would be the pay period ending 1 May.
Mr. Brown: Okay I was, maybe I’m confused up to when the pay period ends. I was trying
to get some confirmation maybe from the Administrator that is that the pay period.
Mr. Mayor: Why don’t we do that ---
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Mr. Sias: The pay period ends 1 May.
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Mr. Mayor: --- again I think the Commissioner from the 4 is accurate based on previous
conversation with Finance ---
Mr. Brown: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- (unintelligible) previous conversation okay it will clarify that. But again I
think from a policy standpoint effective May 1 consistent with the current pay period the
termination of hazard pay will be at that date, okay?
Mr. Brown: Thank you, Commissioners. Thank you, Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Administrator Sims, do you want to add anything to that, sir?
Mr. Sims: No, I was just, we will I will have the exact end of the pay period for you
(unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: All right again from a policy standpoint date May 1 11:59 p.m. All right, the
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Commissioner from the 1, unmute your microphone, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Am I unmuted, Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- I think that we need to take a real serious look at hazardous pay. I mean
these are some difficult times that especially our first responders are experiencing and I don’t think
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that the risks that they’re in is going to end on May the 1. If that’s what my colleagues want to
do then so be it but in the meantime I believe that before this world comes to an end we’re going
to have some more situations in Augusta, Georgia that puts our employees at risk and when the
employees respond to that risk then I think that we need to be able to compensate them. So I would
like for us to take a real serious look at our hazardous pay policy, see who that would apply to and
if another situation comes up then we will know who will get impacted by it and what the additional
compensation would be.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, I’ve got a motion and a second. The motion is clear around
the termination of hazard pay. And again as such at any point in time we now have the ability to
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come back a revisit that, we’ve got a template in place to do that, Commissioner from the 1 and
I think we’ll pick it up at that appropriate time. But we’ve got a motion, Madam Clerk, we’re
ready to vote.
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Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on, hold on, all right ---
Mr. Hasan: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: --- the chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir and I’m going to support my colleague’s motion but at the same time
letting the Administrator to do that because in the event as we move forward we realize we’re
going to have to extend it then we’ll know who that goes to. I don’t want the Administrator to be
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caught flatfooted and then we come back in on May the 1 or May the 2 whenever he tries to
figure out what that looks like. I still believe within reason he should get that to a point where we
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can look our first responders and things. But to my colleague the Commissioner from the 1
because we don’t definitely want to leave them out there assuming as to what they hear today that
we’re going to remove them from that place that they will have some sense of support to continue
that process if need be. So I still would encourage the Administrator in light of what happens here
to have that information in the event that we need it and we’ll know exactly who needs to be
compensated in light of the motion that’s on the floor.
Mr. Mayor: Well, I’m going to throw a cog in the wheel and the reality of it is this. Again
I think we’re all operating out of an abundance of caution around the Governor’s Executive Order.
But as it relates to Augusta, Georgia we’re going to continue to stay safe. My encouragement is
for folks to continue to shelter in place and be at that place which means that our first responders
up to including Law Enforcement they have not been absolved of the responsibility to enforce the
Governor’s Shelter in Place Order so these are folks who are going to continue to be on the front
lines. In light of the motion that’s there so regardless of whether we start opening things back up
all that is done is complicated the EMA Director’s job, the Sheriff’s job and those folks who are
first responders. That’s all that’s done is simply complicated their job in terms of trying to provide
law enforcement and/or emergency aid and/or response so.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I don’t see that what you said is not the cog in the wheel. I see that
as a support for what the opposition, I appreciate that.
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Mr. Mayor: Yeah, the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Just one final comment. When I made my motion I think I was very clear that
we would terminate that on the 1st effective the end of 1 May however that if we find the need to
come back and redo hazardous pay that was part of my statement.
Mr. Mayor: It was.
Mr. Sias: So it’s not the fact that I said drop it and let’s walk away and don’t think about
it again. No way under the sun did I say that. I said we terminate it and then if we need to revisit
we need to come back and enact it again we can do that, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: Yeah, thank you, you absolutely said that. Thank you, sir. All right, we’ve
got a motion and a second, Madam Clerk, roll call vote.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Mayor: He’s having technical difficulties, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams, Mr. Bobby Williams:
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, unmute your phone.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
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The Clerk: Is Mr. Clarke back with us?
Mr. Mayor: No, ma’am, he’s not back yet.
Ms. Davis: He is.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we just can’t see him.
Mr. Clarke: I can’t see anything I just heard (unintelligible).
The Clerk: Would you like the motion read back to you, sir?
Mr. Clarke: I heard bits and pieces of it. I’m okay.
The Clerk: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Fennoy votes No.
Motion Passes 9-1.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. Item Number 13.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
13. Discuss roll over vacation time policy in regards to vacation and personal time being
recalled by fire department. (Requested by Commission Brandon Garrett.
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Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 8 go ahead, sir.
Mr. Garrett: I brought this up because it was brought to my attention that a lot of our first
responders in the Fire Department their vacation and personal time was recalled and cancelled
when the COVID outbreak started. And you know I understand that move but a lot of them are
being told that their vacation time that they accrued or their PTO time some of those were posted
their maximum amounts and so you know they were trying to use time during that time period so
that would not max out but now since their time was cancelled they don’t have the ability to keep
up on time. So the Administrator actually came up with a you know a great suggestion. I agree
with it, basically to waive the maximum amount of hours that our employees can accrue this year
and you know that way it’ll give the employees time to be able to use their vacation time later on
this year while still accruing vacation.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, Administrator Sims.
Mr. Sims: Thank you. Commissioner Garrett, yes, I provided you all a memorandum for
a recommendation for us to consider relaxing the accrual limits for the remainder of the calendar
year for our employees. Currently the accrual limits for the remaining of the calendar for our
employees currently has a limit for non-SES employees are 288 and our SES employees is 350.
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And we recognize the cost of where we are in our current state. Many of our employees had to
not use vacation during this time they will be forced not on their own but they will be forced to
not accrue vacation time so we’re asking for consideration to allow the employee to continue to
accrue vacation time until the end of the year.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, so would that be the memorandum that the Administrator submitted
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dated April 20 Accrual Vacation Time?
Mr. Mayor: I believe that’d be the case, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Okay so the motion would be to approve the recommendation of the
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Administrator dated April 20 2020.
Mr. Mayor: That is correct.
Mr. Sias: So moved.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, roll call vote.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke, Ms. Davis?
The Clerk: Okay, I think I got Mr. Clarke as yes, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: I’m having a hard time hearing him; I don’t know if he’s in or out.
Mr. Garrett: I think he’s out again.
The Clerk: Okay Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
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Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
Mr. Clarke not voting.
Motion Passes 9-0.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
16. Discuss OneAugusta COVID19 Emergency Relief. (Requested by Mayor Hardie Davis,
Jr.)
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. We’ve had some robust conversation about this
matter. I shared some information on this past weekend with everyone up to including providing
a response to a series of questions that Commissioner Sias had raised. And I want to again pose
to this body that in these unprecedented times we’ve got a unique opportunity to do something
transformative and helpful to our broader community. And I would hope that again after having a
chance to look at what was sent out this weekend that each of you is prepared to have that
conversation around what potentially could be done in the interim to support small businesses.
There’s a letter that we all just received an hour or so ago from the Community Foundation Shell
Berry that I think is helpful in terms of what their capabilities are but more importantly what they
are already doing in terms of the nonprofit community. And so with that being said I think our
focus today is around what we can do to support small businesses and in particular no only support
the small businesses that we know of at this point but give an eye towards the other conversation
that I know was posed to us around any additional support that the Commission could provide in
another agenda item and so I want to pause here, take some questions. There was some revised
guidelines that were sent out earlier today at about 11:20. I think in light of some conversations
that happened since that time there may be some other alternatives in terms of how we could
potentially handle this. And so I’ll pause there and let’s take some questions and/or comments.
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All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
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Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. Mayor, I want to applaud the concept and idea you have about
helping our local small businesses through this unprecedented time. I think that is admirable and I
appreciate your vigor in doing that. At this point I think the funding is the main issue but we have
an alternative and I think are being open to looking at that. Number one, any money that we pull
out of the General Fund or out of Reserve will be a further problem for this Commission and this
governing body to do this in our community, however, we do have an alternative source that’s
already been allocated through the HCD a COVID allocation from the Federal Government of
approximately $1million sixteen dollars or sixteen thousand, something as that and I want to
strongly suggest that we not do any of the General Fund issues but go ahead and utilize that
particular program through our Housing and Community Development and take that million
dollars and strategically help some of our small businesses, and consider that a motion.
Mr. Bobby Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a motion and a second to utilize the Cares Act funding. And
again that would be the source of funds opposed to using what was proposed last week around
how would we do that and I certainly support that 100%. All right, we’ve got a host of hands up
and I’m going to go to the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. My question is who will handle and will if
we use the Cares Act will the local committee of community leaders be involved with that process
because I think some people are concerned friends and family might try to get this money as well
as you know people that are close to Commissioners or employees of government. So can you
explain the committee that would be comprised of to hand out the money first?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, so I appreciate that. I’m going to share and again as I said at 11:20 there
was a document sent out. We’ve had some further conversation since that time and I want to share
a screen with you all and then we’ll send out a document. Let me share this screen with you of
what’s being proposed. The host does this able participant screen sharing, Jeff, IT? Okay, thank
you. Okay, again in these labor conversations this afternoon because with the Cares Act funding
this could actually be handled truly as a grant process solely as a granting process and so what’s
being proposed is that there would in fact be an application. I want to start here at the Review
Committee Process and that is what’s being recommended is that because we want to make sure
that there’s broad support from the Commission is that we take the Finance Committee Chairman,
the Mayor Pro Tem because of the work that the Community Foundation has done in terms of
executing grants and their expertise in that area to recommend that Shell Berry, President, be part
of that discussion and that we take a representative from the Augusta Metro Chamber preferably
that would be Sue Parr as the President, we’ve not had a conversation with her at this point but
with Monique (unintelligible) who is the assistant vice-president, someone from the banking
community who will provide again some subjectivity and be very thoughtful in looking at this
process. As we go through that, individuals will be able to i.e. eligible businesses to submit their
applications online through a portal. Applications will be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Monday of
each week until funding is exhausted. That Monday is important because what we understand in
the City of Augusta is that checks are cut and processed on every Friday but there’s a deadline on
Wednesday for that to happen. Individuals and businesses can go to the website, download that
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and those applications will be forward and processed through the committee. That would be again
on a regular basis processing those as quickly as possible and as you see here, Mayor Pro Tem,
that they will be reviewed on a weekly basis, applicant funding through the Finance Department,
committee Chair and/or Mayor Pro Tem, working in concert with these individuals would then be
disseminating that funding until those resources are exhausted.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Thank you, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: --- I’ll come back to you. I just wanted to make sure I shared that and then
we’re going to come back and I’m going to take the hands as they come up okay, Mayor Pro Tem,
continue.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- this question’s for Attorney Brown. Attorney Brown, is
everything in what’s being presented legal and we can do an effective gratuity clause in your
estimation?
Mr. Brown: Can you hear me?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir.
Mr. Brown: Okay, it is I’m trying to see what’s on the screen which is not showing up
very well. It is not clear to me which fund now is being proposed inside of Commissioner Sias’
motion.
Mr. Mayor: The Cares Act funding, Attorney Brown, is strictly the federal funding the
allocation that we’re receiving in the amount of $1,061,000.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, can you take that down please? Mr. Mayor, can you take that
application down?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, hold on, sir, I’m going to take it down.
Mr. Brown: I do not have, I do not have access, I don’t think I do have access to this
document or the guidelines of the Cares Act program. I would need to, my department would need
to review that before I could render an opinion on it.
Mr. Mayor: Can they do that over the next 10 minutes and get it back to us? I mean it’s an
important decision.
The Clerk: I’ll forward this to you ---
Mr. Brown: That would be good.
The Clerk: --- the letters that the Commission received.
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Mr. Mayor: And my last question is for the Mayor. Mayor, can you talk about you said
Atlanta, is this the same aspect of what Atlanta did or is there any other city that did something
like this where they used the Cares Act or did they do it through the General Fund?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I appreciate that. On yesterday the City of Atlanta
approved a measure where they used Fund Balance to the tune of several million dollars to do what
we were originally proposing. That is being sent over to me those items that were included in that
but they used Fund Balance as a number of other cities have as well. If I take the City of Columbia,
SC they used Enterprise Dollars from their Utilities Department and Environmental Services to do
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the same. Again as I’ve said in particular to the Commissioner from the 4 that we’ve had these
conversations and some others I think it’s certainly appropriate to use the Cares Act funding. It is
well within our right. Many of you are aware that last year we gave out Seeds for Life Grants and
those were grants, those were federal dollars that we used that have been allocated through CDBG
money through Housing and Community Development. These dollars, the one-million is in fact
the Cares Act CDBG Allocation. That’s what those dollars are. That’s already precedent that’s
been established we gave effectively $150,000 dollars last year with regards to the Seeds for Life
Grant and they were CDBG dollars so it’s the same source for funding but it’s specifically tied to
the Cares Act for 2020 which is where these resources are being identified from.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a whole host of hands, I’m coming to you, Commissioner,
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you can put it down. All right, Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Garrett: --- so you know this would’ve been helpful if we could’ve had all this
information before the meeting because if we’ve been having conversations back and forth and
you know this is the first we’re hearing we’re going to use an alternate funding mechanism for
this. Let me just ask a couple of questions. First of all what are the qualifications for small
businesses you know written anywhere of the document you just showed us. And you know there
you know I guess that’s my first question what are the qualifications for small businesses
(inaudible)?
Mr. Mayor: So, Commissioner Garrett, the eligibility requirements are the same as what
you have seen from this weekend so the document you received on Friday the same eligibility
requirements would apply. The only thing that’s effectively changing is you see the review
committee that was placed on the screen a moment ago, the process in terms of how the review
committee would handle the applications, that’s the only thing that’s changed. So the reality of it
is you’ve actually gotten the documents and they still were germane. Those are the ones that you
received on this past weekend where it talks about the eligibility and/or the application process.
That still holds true. What has changed effectively and again these are just late standing
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conversations is what a potential source of funding would be in terms of how this could be
addressed and/or handled.
Mr. Garrett: So we’re going from three-million dollars as you suggested last week to $1.5
or whatever we’re getting here.
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct.
Mr. Garrett: This question is for Attorney Brown. I’m going to ask one more time do you
see anything legally with the way we’re handling this program?
Mr. Brown: Could you repeat that please, Commissioner Garrett?
Mr. Garrett: Do you see any legal implications for this program?
Mr. Brown: I have not had an opportunity to review the change of funding program that
the Mayor’s referring to. What I have previously reviewed was what he proposed at the last
meeting which was money that had previously been identified the link had been terminated in
2016. I wasn’t aware there would be an effort to use the Cares Act money and what the parameters
are. The Cares Act can be spent from different programs including seed money which are not
loans which are grants and then there are loan programs under the Cares Act for small businesses
as well and that will really need to be reviewed.
Mr. Garrett: Would you suggest that we need to you know maybe pause on this for another
week since Congress just authorized another $450 billion for the small business loans that are
going out?
Mr. Brown: Well, that would be a policy question and I think I would not enter into a
policy argument but in order for me to give an opinion whether it’s legally okay in terms of what
we’re planning to do or how it’s going to be done I would need to review to understand how do
we plan to implement this million dollar assistance to small business. And I would like to speak
with the housing director specifically about it as well if that department’s going to be administering
it because of the guidelines related to HUD.
Mr. Garrett: All right, thank you, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor (unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: I’m going in the order of the hands they had their hands up even before you
did, Commissioner, I told you I’m coming to you.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I walked into the meeting with my hand up so -
--
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Mr. Mayor: I understand.
Mr. M. Williams: --- Mr. Mayor, thank you, sir. Mr. Mayor, I’m trying to wrap my head
around this situation when we’re talking about the other money but now when you talk about small
businesses we’ve got to be really careful. I’m worried about the screening you know the process
for screening but you’ve got some businesses who are legally businesses who’ve got licenses who
have been struggling ever since they opened up. Then you’ve got some businesses that have been
opened up for a while who were doing work for the good in the businesses and then they need help
now. But how are we going to determine, how is that going turn over to the really small businesses
really now they’re in dire need now because they’ve been shut down. You mentioned some like
the barbershop. I mean you’ve got barbershops who bought a life in the City of Augusta who pay
the light bill every month but they don’t have the expertise to go into email accounts and file
something with some other group to get that. How are we going to determine who’s qualified, not
who’s qualified who’s able to receive or not able to receive? I’ve got some issues when I look at
the businesses that have been successful for 20 years then I see businesses who’ve been trying to
get on their feet for 20 years. I mean we’ve got to distinguish that now. I’m not against this
program. We get federal dollars in here, we get federal money every year that we very much need
for the low to moderate income situation around Augusta. When we don’t address them and
address everybody else we going to be taking from the poor giving to the rich so to speak and I
hope nobody don’t get that twisted. We’ve got to get those small businesses as well we’ve got to
be inclusive I guess that’s all I’m saying. How do we do that? That’s all I need to know from the
Attorney, from commission, from the Mayor, from the Clerk, somebody tell me how we’re going
to do that. Hello, am I mute?
Mr. Mayor: No, Commissioner, and again I think that so let me calibrate everybody. There
are two things here. One when we first began this conversation we talked about forgiving the
loans using resources that were originally part of this thing that we refer to as the Linked Deposit
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Program. In 2016 on July the 19 this Commission abolished what was referred to as the Linked
Deposit Program and those dollars effectively $5.6 million dollars were placed in the General
Fund. That conversation is where we started at. And over the weekend many of you had
conversations with the Attorney, I’ve had conversations with the Attorney and the question of
gratuities came up and whether state statute allowed it from a constitutional standpoint where you
could take General Fund dollars and give them out and that question persisted. I responded to
Commissioner Sias’ series of questions of which all of you received a copy of that to include the
Attorney as well as the fact that the Attorney and I spoke briefly on the phone, we tried to step into
this conversation. So those things have happened. The only thing that’s changed effectively from
what you received on Friday to today is that there were other conversations about what best funding
source to do this so we take the conversation of any gratuity off the table. As I said a moment ago
this body has approved already utilizing Community Development Block Grant dollars of which
are legally permissible, legally permissible, and that has been done on more than one occasion and
that agency to work through that was Housing and Community Development. What’s being
proposed today is to utilize the same source of funding, Community Development Block Grant
funding, for this express purpose of helping our small businesses right now with short term funding
of two to four weeks that as you go back to the survey which you all have a copy of as well the
majority of those respondents 457 in total said that their one of their operating expenses are $5,000
dollars or less. And so we have the ability to execute on that and respond and so the Commissioner
35
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from the 9 we would take a same approach of folks would apply, that application would ask a
series of questions related to their revenue, their monthly expenditures, they would be required to
continue to maintain their employees during this period of time and this would simply be stopgap
funding that would allow them to continue to function and operate. No different again than the
Seeds of Life funding that this body approved last year on multiple occasions. All right, let me do
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this, Mayor Pro Tem, I’m going to go to the Commissioner from the 6 and then I’ll come back to
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you, okay? Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think what you’re proposing is a good idea in terms
of the source of the funding. I’m not quite sure you can allocate all of the money because in each
grant as you know there’s about a 10 to 15% percent that is for administrative purposes. Also
you’ve got to further go through the public side of it and then you come back and there’s a part
you can use the rest for grant purposes as you’re suggesting so don’t look at 100% of that. The
other problem I think you’re going to have, Mr. Mayor, is that there’s two steps it has to go through
before we can allocate this the way you’re suggesting and that is number one this Cares money
has to be approved they have to give, approve the plan the way you plan to use it, you’ve got to
submit that plan, it has to be approved by them first. And then I’m not quite sure whether you can
take the Cares Act money and knowing in your HCD Department you have the wherewithal to
give out grants you’re going to take it and move it out of there to give it to someone else to
distribute the grants from a financial perspective because when we do other services, I get that but
now you’re talking strictly grants. So there’s a lot of variables that need to be answered before
you do that but the first thing you, something has to be submitted back to them for them to approve
what you’re about to do and make sure that all their directives and then on the best that you would
you’re not going to be able to use all of that million dollars just for that purpose. There’s
administrative fees there, there’s fees that you have to give out to public entities for whatever
reasons those may be and then you can talk about the grant purposes there. And I’m not quite sure
so I’m going to back up again I know it has to be approved but we can’t make that decision today
you can say based on approval we can make some things but also those things have to happen and
I’m not quite sure when you can take and move that money that you allocate for grants out of your
entity who could provide the grants and give it to instead of another entity to do that. I’m not quite
sure about that. All of those great people. Some of them I’ve talked to recently are great assets to
this community but I think we’re going to need approval from HUD to make all this happen what
we’re discussing.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner, so Administrator Sims.
Mr. Sims: Yeah, I just wanted to add the same thing, Commissioner, is that while I
understand there is a 20% requirement for admin as well as there are different percentages for a
grant. We would like to make sure what we’re proposing is that and approved by HUD before we
just go ahead and approve it. That’s what the director has made me aware of. They still have to
submit their proposal to HUD to get approval.
Ms. Davis: And, Mr. Mayor, Legal as well please.
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Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on a minute all right I’m trying to see who’s talking now. All
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right, the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think we’re not thinking about the people.
I think we need to think about our constituents and the community. We’re leaders and we’re going
to have to take some opportunities and take some chances from time to time. I think we need to
go ahead and approve moving forward to use the money pending whether or not we find legal
challenges or what have you to go ahead and write the script or the guideline or what have you to
send it back for approval but I don’t think we need to stop it here today. We do too much talking
and not enough walking. I think we need to go ahead and approve this pending any hiccups or
whatever legally. I don’t think so because I think the Cares Act we can use it for a number of
things. I think we need to approve it, we need to stop talking and go ahead and start walking. We
need to approve this. Is there a motion on the floor, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, there was a motion to approve and you seconded that motion ---
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: --- the Commissioner from the 4 and you seconded it.
Mr. B. Williams: Right and you’re looking at small loans $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 dollars
just to keep small businesses going, is that correct?
Mr. Mayor: That’s again up to $15,000. This is all small dollars that we’re providing them
with the resources that they need in order to continue to move forward.
Mr. B. Williams: Right so that will cover a lot of businesses here in Augusta. We’re
looking at small businesses with people who help make our community (unintelligible)
barbershops different things like that. So I think we need to stand up on this one, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 3.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just so you know I definitely feel better about what
we’re looking at as far as funding because I was very concerned about taking it from our General
Fund balance. And, Commissioner Williams, I’m ready to help small businesses too but I’m just
not 100% comfortable with it today until I hear approval from HUD, approval from our legal
counsel and more details about the process. The Community Foundation just awarded over
$500,000 dollars of grants to the nonprofits like the Mayor mentioned. They have a solid process
that they use. I think we need to work heavily with them and not try to reinvent the wheel and I
think we can make this happen. Commissioner Sias, I know you have a motion. I can’t approve
it today but if we want to try to get all those details and come back with a Special Called Meeting
like this week then I’m definitely willing to look at it.
37
Mr. B. Williams: Well, Mayor, also we need to think about getting down in the mud and
getting stuck in days out 30 days out, 40 days out. And like I said I think we need to approve it
and we can put some stipulations on it if you’ve got some legal challenges or whatever then that
would come up and stop it so we just vote it up or down, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, let’s just vote it up or down. All right, the Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. All my colleagues raise great points but here’s the one thing I
just want to say in reference to the motion. The motion was not to go out and start giving out
money to folks or businesses. The motion was to allow us to put the process in place. You can’t
wait for HUD to approve it unless you have a plan of how you’re going to do it and that is what
my motion centered on, not to say let’s take this money start giving it out. I absolutely know we
have to have final HUD approval but if you look at the letter HUD sent that we all received, it said
develop your plan and then they will provide additional guidelines for you to be able to get your
allocation but you won’t get nothing done unless you have a plan to submit. And what we did
today we could authorize our folks to do a plan but if we tell them to wait for HUD approval we’re
not going to get HUD approval because we don’t have a plan so that was what my motion centered
on is to authorize our folks to go ahead and put a plan together. That’s in the HUD letter on the
Cares Act, thank you.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, but who’s doing that though?
Mr. Mayor: Let’s hold on ---
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: --- Madam Clerk, let’s take a vote on this ---
Mr. Hasan: --- Mr. Mayor, it’s not ready to be voted on ---
Mr. Mayor: --- we’ve got a motion and a second ---
Mr. Hasan: --- Mr. Mayor, it’s still not ready to be voted on but based on what my
colleague said I absolutely agree with him but you got two things on the table. Are we sending
them what we’re going have HCD Department look at or are you sending them what you’re
proposing to us? So whose plan is being sent to HUD to vet? And like I say and the Administrator
(unintelligible).
Mr. Sias: It should come back to us first.
Mr. Hasan: So before it goes anywhere.
Mr. Sias: It should come back to us.
Mr. Hasan: I don’t have a problem with that then.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, let’s ---
Mr. Hasan: The plan, though, are you ---
Mr. Sias: Sure, the HCD. That’s what they do all the time.
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- Madam Clerk ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, we’ll take a vote now.
The Clerk: Okay, Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: I just got back into the meeting and I missed everything, I’m sorry. Jeff and
IT was trying to work with me to get back in so ---
The Clerk: All right, so I’ll ---
Mr. Clarke: --- based on (inaudible) I’m going to have to abstain at this point in time until
I get the information.
The Clerk: --- okay. Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: No, ma’am not today.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: No, ma’am not today.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am if you can bring it back, is it coming back to the Commission? I
can support that if it’s coming back to the Commission, it’s coming back to us for approval.
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The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams, Mr. Bobby Williams?
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Marion Williams, unmute your microphone, Mr. Marion Williams?
Mr. Clarke abstains.
Mr. M. Williams not voting.
Ms. Davis and Mr. Garrett vote No.
Motion Passes 6-2-1.
Mr. M. Williams: How about now, Mr. Mayor? I tried to unmute it several times and it
wouldn’t unmute but I got it unmuted now but the vote passed.
Mr. Mayor: In your words, Commissioner, the horse has left the barn.
Mr. M. Williams: Are we ready to catch him now?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, Madam Clerk, next item.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
20. Receive a report from the Administrator on the matter of waiving penalties on water,
fees, evictions, excise tax, and other items the governing authority has the authority to waive.
(Approved by the Commission in its Special Called Meeting held April 14, 2020)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Sims ---
Mr. Sims: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, I think we’re going to bring some folks into the room, is that
correct? All right, we’ve got a couple of folks we’re going to bring into the room. Administrator
Sims, do you need Tim, Donna or any of them?
Mr. Sims: Yes, that would be helpful.
40
Mr. Mayor: All right, okay, we’re going to bring them on into the room at this point, okay.
Mr. Sims: Mayor and Commissioners, I provided you all with a memo that provided the
analysis of the impact of waiving certain taxes, fees and penalties in order to reduce the burden on
our citizens and this is during this COVID19 break. I’ve prepared a attached summary which lists
each category of its revenue individually along with anticipated fiscal impact at a reduction each
category would mean to the city’s overall revenue outlook. I would like to emphasize that a
reduction or waiver of taxes, fees and penalties at this time will compound the revenue reduction
that is already been realized due to the natural decrease in our economic and commercial activity.
At this time I am not recommending that the Commission reduce tax, fees and penalty waivers at
this time.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, any discussion?
Mr. Sims: One of the things I can add, Mayor, is that the list provides details on the
different categories which goes into detail as far as how you can see what impact it can cause for
us.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, thank you. Any questions for the Administrator? All right,
that’s the recommendation we’re receiving that. I believe Administrator Sims has sent that out to
everyone. You got a copy of that on yesterday and again I think that’s the recommendation that
we hold on taking any additional action at this point in light of potential revenue declines going
forward. All right, next item, Madam Clerk. We’ll receive that as information, next item.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
21. Motion to approve professional design services contract with Johnson, Laschober &
Associates for the Jack Kelly Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project in the amount of
$229,840.00.
Mr. Hasan: Motion to approve.
Mr. Sias: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second. Commissioner from the 9 Chairman of
Engineering Services.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I guess my question would be that was a bid
that was won by Johnson, is that right?
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 6 you want to chime in on that? You made the
motion.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, it was, Commissioner, yes, sir.
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Mr. M. Williams: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, roll call vote.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Fennoy.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy?
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
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Motion Passes 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
The Clerk:
OTHER BUSINESS
22. Court of the Ordinary Building – Phase I Construction. Historic Augusta, Inc. as the
lessee of the property at 525/527 Telfair Street, also known at the Synagogue and Court of
the Ordinary buildings, is requesting approval of the proposed Phase I construction work on
the Court of the Ordinary building for the Augusta Jewish Museum.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, we’re going to invite Erick Montgomery into the
conversation as well into the conversation right now. I believe he’s here to speak on this matter.
I’m not sure about Kate Mason. She’s also out here. Kate Mason, I don’t know what her role is.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’ve got a question for Erick when he comes in.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, well he’s in right now. Both he and Kate are coming in but you can
ask your question.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, my question is, Mr. Mayor, there was a deadline for raising their
money to get this going. Has that not passed?
Mr. Mayor: I can’t speak to that. Again I think let’s take the question from Erick and we’ll
give him an opportunity to tell us and/or the Attorney.
The Clerk: Rob Sherman, sir, is here.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Rob ---
The Clerk: Rob Sherman, yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, okay, give us a minute. We’re going to get Rob in here as well,
okay, all right.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Are they just requesting approval no taxpayer dollars from us is that
what we’re (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: I’m not sure, that’s why I want to hear from the petitioner, Rob and then we
can, let’s take the questions then. All right, Director Sherman, if you could start us out with the
other business with regards to where we are with the Court of the Ordinary and then we’ll hear
from Erick Montgomery and then we’ll take some questions as well okay? Director Sherman,
Rob? Director Sherman, can you hear us? Rob’s got audio problems. Director Sherman. Okay,
we’re going to come back to him until we can get his audio worked out. Erick, can you provide
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us with an update on the Court of the Ordinary and where we stand with regards to Phase 1
construction?
Mr. Montgomery: Yes, sir, I can, can you hear me?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, we can.
Mr. Montgomery: Good, so to answer Commissioner Williams’ question the deadline is
in July 2021. It was a five-year lease. There were a number of benchmarks that were in the lease.
We’ve met all of those benchmarks which would include organizing a board, getting a 501-3C
status, a number of things and we had regular reports that we were supposed to turn in which we
have met all of those deadlines. And so at this time the lease said that before any work can begin
it must be approved by the City Commission so what we’re asking today is for that approval to be
given. We’ve raised the money to do the initial Phase 1 work on the Court of Ordinary Building
and we have, we bid that work out, we have a successful bidder right about the time this started
we would’ve hoped that he would’ve been able to start as soon as you approve and we have the
money in hand to do that. So we’re asking for your approval of our plans that were, I also
submitted a notice they weren’t part of the agenda package but I submitted architectural plans and
drawings and extensive specs that will be followed. Our architect is Studio 3 Design and the
successful bidder is Duckworth Contractors.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right and again the goal today is just simply providing an update of
where we are in the process.
Mr. Montgomery: Well, I’d like to get approval of our request so that our contractor can
begin work on the Court of Ordinary.
Mr. Hasan: Motion to approve.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Director Sherman, Rob ---
Mr. Sherman: Can you hear me now?
Mr. Mayor: --- we can hear you now.
Mr. Sherman: Okay ---
Mr. Mayor: Please just give us an update, Rob.
Mr. Sherman: --- okay, so in 2016 the city leased the Court of the Ordinary in the former
Synagogue to Historic Augusta and subleased it to the Augusta Jewish Museum. One of the
conditions in the lease is that before any work is done to the building that will affect the exterior
of the building, the Commission has to give approval to proceed. That’s all that they’re requesting.
Historic Augusta (unintelligible) have gone through a planning stage, they’ve hired an architect
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who’s designed the plans, they put the plans out for bid, they had a successful bidder, they are
ready to award the bid, there’s no expense to the city. This is all coming, funds for this are coming
from those that have been raised by the museum (unintelligible) to give the go ahead to work on
the building.
th
Mr. Mayor: All right, fantastic. All right, the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Rob, I need to ask one question here. When this first came about there
was a timeline there to have the museum people to raise their dollars. My question was are we
within that timeline or not?
Mr. Sherman: I believe that we are and as far as I know we are. There’s several conditions
to the lease agreement. They have met the conditions thus far. The condition that they’re working
on now is to begin the construction within four years of the lease was signed and that means
(unintelligible) construction in July of 2020 with an opening date of July I guess of 2021 so I
believe they are on track to meet all the conditions of the lease thus far.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, that was my other question because there was some problem in
raising enough money. We had to do some other things. I just wanted to make sure that we’re
holding everybody to the same rules, that’s all.
Mr. Sherman: I believe so. The last time that they were before you was in June of 2019
and they gave a report and so I believe yes, they are on track to comply with all the conditions.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second I believe. I’m not sure who the
maker of the motion was.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan and Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, great, all right voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
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Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan, Mr. Hasan?
Mr. Sias: Unmute your mike.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan?
Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
Motion Passes 10-0.
Mr. Montgomery: Thank you.
The Clerk: That’s it, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, is there any other business before us?
The Clerk: No, sir, that’s it.
Mr. Mayor: All right, this meeting is adjourned.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
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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
April 21, 2020.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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