HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting April 2, 2020
REGULAR MEETING VIRTUAL/TELECONFERENCE
April 2, 2020
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2020,
the Honorable Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, B. Williams, Garrett, Sias, Fennoy, Frantom, M.
Williams, Davis, D. Williams, Hasan and Clarke, members of Augusta Richmond County
Commission.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, you got me?
Mr. Mayor: All right, not yet I’ve got you but just hold tight. Madam Clerk. All right,
we’re going to, we hereby call this meeting order. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from
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the 10 for the Invocation, Commissioner Marion Williams, and for The Pledge of Allegiance. I’m
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sorry the Commissioner from the 9 Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, you got me now?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, go ahead, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: The picture won’t show up I don’t know why ---
Mr. Mayor: I got you.
Mr. M. Williams: --- let us pray.
Mr. M. Williams gives the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United
States of America is recited.
Mr. M. Williams: All right, I think I’m back in, Mr. Mayor. I see District 10 Commissioner
the only one I see right now.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, if you could mute your microphone and the Chair
recognizes Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our Consent Agenda consists of Items 1 and 2.
Mr. Mayor: All right, again we can have unanimous consent about roll call votes to adopt
the Addendum Agenda.
Mr. Sias: Without objection.
Mr. Mayor: All right, without objection, Madam Clerk.
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. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett, Mr. Hasan, Mr. Hasan, Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. 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. Fennoy, Mr. Garrett?
Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am.
Mr. Fennoy out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, Madam Clerk. Madam Clerk, if we can let’s consider
Items on the Regular Agenda that we can move to the Consent Agenda. I’ll entertain a motion to
do so, I think that may be proper for us to do that at this time.
Mr. Sias: I have a request.
Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem.
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Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Agenda Items 7 through 10 are those specific just
for Masters or is that a yearly thing that we do every year and could we consent those?
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, I think they’re routine items. We did one at our last meeting. These
were late coming through the approval process but I didn’t hear from the Airport Manager that
there were any special other than routine renewal.
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct, Madam Clerk, they are routine items and it would proper to
add those to the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I do have one concern.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, hold on minute, Commissioner Hasan. All right, so he’ll come
back. Commissioner Hasan, go ahead.
Mr. Hasan: Oh, I’m sorry. I used the work concern; it’s not a concern. I just wanted to in
the future not to hold these up just try to look at the signatures on them. I think too many signatures
are involved in this process at the end of the day and in the future not at this particular time we
look at that, I think we’ve got too many signatures of the approval letter ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
Mr. Hasan: --- to the contract.
Mr. Mayor: --- so what I’m hearing without objection Items 7, 8, 9 and 10 add to the
Consent Agenda, Madam Clerk.
Mr. Sias: I wanted to add a couple more.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m coming to you, Commissioner. All right, the Chair recognizes
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the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: I want to delete Item 5. I’ll bring that back at another time when we can get back
to the Committee process.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Sias: I also wanted to add to the Consent if there’s no objection Item 3, 11 ---
Mr. Mayor: All right ---
The Clerk: Well, let me ask you on ---
Mr. Mayor: --- on Number 3 go back to Number 3. Madam Clerk, I think we need for the
record to read in the name of the petitioner.
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The Clerk: --- yes, sir and also are we adding it with the 30-day extension request by the
petitioner? They’re asking for a 30-day extension on that.
Mr. Mayor: Right.
Mr. Sias: --- well, I’ll just delete that from my request then and we can do that, Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Sias, you still have the floor.
Mr. Sias: Okay, I’m skipping Item 3 then we’ll go onto Item I think I requested Item 4 and
Item 9. Oh, no, we’ve already got that one. I’m sorry, Item 11, Item 13 and item, did we finalize
Item 15 or did we need to vote on it?
Mr. Mayor: Well, we don’t need to vote on it. I think it was an error for it being placed on
the agenda.
Mr. Sias: All right, not a problem then I’m good so that I request that we add 4, 11 and 13
and 14.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’ve got some questions about I mean Item 5 is on the
agenda. I understand Commissioner Sias wants to bring it back but I’m ready for at least discussing
this item anyway even though we’re not being able to have a conversation about it before now.
But I think it’s a very important issue that we have not addressed and we need to at least have
some dialogue on it.
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Mr. Mayor: Well, I think what the Commissioner from the 4 stated is that he wants to
have a robust dialogue about it and in a different setting (unintelligible) which is why he wanted
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to bring it back, Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Yes, sir, that is correct. I wanted to bring it back on the Committee process so
we’ll have sufficient time to discuss it and look at it. They have information that they will be able
to discuss with us about it in a better setting.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 9 does that suffice? I think that’s an
appropriate way for us to do that.
Mr. M. Williams: Yeah, I’ve got to (inaudible) you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to make sure
we do have the dialogue, we do have the conversation. We do we need some explanation brought
forth. This has been an ongoing process for a long time and I think it’s time that we should’ve
addressed it a long time ago but I’ll wait. I don’t know when it’s going to be a more better time
because I don’t think the condition is going to get any better than they way we’re doing it now,
this electronic situation so.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk.
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The Clerk: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, excuse me. Item 14 the Administrator did ask that that
item be deleted from today’s agenda and he will bring it back after further research and discussion
regarding it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, without objection.
Mr. B. Williams: Also, Mr. Mayor, we had an Addendum Agenda also.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, we’re going to come back to that, Commissioner, we’re still tracking,
we’re tracking. I’m going to come back to that in just a moment. So, Madam Clerk, what we’ve
got at this point is 4, (unintelligible) 5 refer it back to the next full committee meeting and 7, 8, 9
and 10 consent, 11 consent, 13 consent, 14 delete, 15 delete. All right, the Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Yeah, I’m on the Addendum Agenda. I’m looking at it. I’m thinking that
we can take 3, 4, add 3 and 4 to the, 3, 4, and 9 to the Consent Agenda.
Mr. M. Williams: I think there needs to be some conversation, Mr. Mayor, on those, just
my opinion.
The Clerk: Well, Number 3 we deferred the supplemental information is relative to Item
Number 5 on the Regular Agenda.
Mr. Mayor: Right, which is what we’re moving.
The Clerk: Yeah, that’s what Commissioner Williams said he wanted to discuss it but ---
Mr. Mayor: And Number 4 on the Addendum is just providing additional information for
Number 6 ---
Mr. M. Williams: Right.
Mr. Mayor: --- on the Regular Agenda.
Mr. M. Williams: --- right.
Mr. Mayor: And so all right so what you’re saying then is you like to just add Number 6.
Mr. B. Williams: Gotcha.
Mr. Mayor: I think that’s what I’m hearing you say, you want to consent Number 6.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, from the regular agenda, okay?
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Mr. Sias: Wait, wait, hold on. You’re talking about adding the information from the
addendum to the regular agenda for Item 6, correct?
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct and adding Number 6 to the Consent Agenda unless you want
to talk about it.
Mr. Sias: There’s just one small addition to it I want to talk about.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, no worries.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay and I saw something somewhere dealing with the Juvenile Justice
System, is that supposed to be on the agenda today?
The Clerk: Number 6 on the Addendum Agenda.
Mr. B. Williams: It was something about yeah, that’s it, that’s it, Number 6, that’s it.
The Clerk: You’re asking that that be added to the Consent Agenda?
Mr. B. Williams: Well, Mr. Sias said he had something to say so about Number 6.
The Clerk: Yeah, Number 6, he had something to say about Number 6 on the Regular
Agenda.
Mr. B. Williams: Oh, Number 6 on the Addendum. Let’s put that on the Consent Agenda
then.
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct Number 6 on the Addendum Agenda we want to consent, okay?
Okay all right, so, Madam Clerk, for clarification, all right the Chair recognizes the Commissioner
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from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, sir, thank you. I’d like to add Number 2 from the Addendum Agenda to
Consent.
The Clerk: Number 2 to the Consent, okay.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, so Madam Clerk from the Addendum Agenda we’re
consenting Number 2, we are taking Item 3 from the Addendum Agenda which is Number 5 from
the Regular Agenda and deleting, and Number 5 let’s consent Number 5 from the Addendum
Agenda as well and we’re requesting a resolution so let’s consent that one. Okay, Madam Clerk,
that’s all we have.
Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor, you have Commissioner Fennoy trying to speak to you.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, unmute your microphone, Commissioner Fennoy, and you’re
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recognized, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Can you hear me now?
Mr. Mayor: We can hear you but not through your microphone.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- could you hold off amending until we get a copy of the, not the, but the
addendum so the agenda, we don’t that information.
Mr. Mayor: You had it by way of email from Madam Clerk. It was sent out.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, Dennis doesn’t have it. Sammie doesn’t have it, and I don’t have it.
The Clerk: I think they’re referencing hard copies, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, they don’t have hard copies ---
Mr. Fennoy: Right.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay.
The Clerk: They will be prepared.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, we’ll take those matters up afterwards but let’s go ahead and vote on
what we moved to consent and then those items that are for debate we’ll talk about them during
the regular agenda.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay well, Item 16 on the Consent Agenda ---
Mr. Mayor: Item number 16?
Mr. Fennoy: --- right.
The Clerk: Sixteen?
Mr. Mayor: Right, that’s on the Regular Agenda.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, on the Regular Agenda I want to have that conversation at our next
meeting.
Mr. Mayor: You want to move Item 16 to the next agenda.
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Mr. Fennoy: Yeah, Chief James and John Ussery are supposed to address that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Sias: We have copies of the addendum now.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. All right, Item 16 on the Regular Agenda being moved to the next full
Commission meeting. All right, Madam Clerk, I’m going to give you a moment to ---
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, for clarification Item number 3 that was not Commissioner Sias
withdrew that from his request to add to the Consent Agenda so that theoretically that item will
remain for regular discussion.
Mr. Mayor: You’re correct in that, Madam Clerk, but if you noted they requested a 30-day
extension so I think we effectively could take this and delete it until the next Commission meeting.
The Clerk: Well, we could, if by general consensus if everybody agreed to the 30-day
extension we could just add that on to this item and move it to the Consent Agenda ---
Mr. Mayor: I think that’s appropriate.
The Clerk: --- then you could approve the Consent Agenda granting the 30-day extension.
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 4 are you okay with that?
Mr. Sias: Yes, sir, I am.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, we’ll do that.
The Clerk: Okay, are we ready?
Mr. Mayor: We’re ready, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Okay, our Consent Agenda will consist of Items 1, 2, 3 granting a 30-day
extension, Item 4, Item 5 being referred to our next committee meeting, Item number 6 consent,
Item number 7 I’m sorry, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 deleting Item 14, deleting Item 15, referring Item 16
to the next commission meeting. Adding to the Consent Item number 2 from the Addendum
Agenda with the deletion of the supplemental information Number 3, adding to the Consent Item
number 5 authorizing the Board of Assessors to hold their monthly meetings and Item number 6
accepting the Victims of Crime Act Juvenile Justice Grant Award, Number 6 on the Addendum
Agenda.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Frantom: So moved.
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Mr. Sias: Second.
Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor?
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 3.
Ms. Davis: Madam Clerk, did you also did you mention 8 on the regular to consent?
Mr. Mayor: From the Addendum Agenda?
Ms. Davis: No, regular.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, it’s on the Consent Agenda.
The Clerk: For Enterprise?
Ms. Davis: Yes, just wanted to make sure, thank you.
The Clerk: Yes, ma’am that was included.
Mr. Clarke: Mr. Mayor ---
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. Mr. Clarke: Did we consent Number 8 on the Addendum (inaudible)?
Mr. Mayor: We didn’t but we can.
Mr. Clarke: Can you put that one on there? I don’t think anybody would object to it.
The Clerk: Item number 8?
Mr. Mayor: Item number 8 to ---
The Clerk: Is that the request from Paine College?
Mr. Mayor: --- yes. All right, without objection add to the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Clarke: Real quick, Ms. Bonner, what was the Item 8?
The Clerk: It was the request from Paine College to donate the city lap top computers to
Paine College.
Mr. Clarke: Okay, thank you.
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The Clerk: Surplus laptop computers, yeah, make that clarification surplus.
Mr. Clarke: Yes, ma’am, I found it.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- again a roll call vote.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. ZA-R-258 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission
to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia
by amending Section 2 – R-3A – Multiple family Residential, and Section 21 – B-1
Neighborhood Business regarding Dumpsters and Recyclable Materials Bins. (Approved by
the Commission on March 19, 2020 – second reading.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
2. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held March 19, 2020.
PLANNING
3. Z-20-01 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions below a petition by WSM Ventures, LLC, on behalf of Evans
Best, LLC, requesting a change of zoning from Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) to Zone
B-2 (General Business) affecting property containing 0.36 acres and known as 3133
Washington Road. Tax Map 011-0-025-02-0 DISTRICT 7 1. The current development
standards and regulations shall be met when submitting a site plan. (Deferred from the
February 18, 2020 Commission Meeting to April 2, 2020.)
PUBLIC SERVICES
4. Motion to approve bid award IFB#20-166 to REMAC Inc. for Taxiway F. South Apron,
and Taxi lane Rehabilitation in the amount of $314,958.09 as approved by the Augusta
Aviation Commission.
5. Re-evaluate Fleet Management’s evaluation of the city’s motor fleet for replacement.
(Requested by Commissioner Sammie Sias)
7. Motion to approve the Rental Car Concessions and Lease Agreement with AVIS. RFP 19-
299
8. Motion to approve the Rental Car Concessions and Lease Agreement with Enterprise.
Bid 19-299
9. Motion to approve the Rental Car Concessions and Lease Agreement with Hertz. Bid 19-
299
10. Motion to approve the Rental Car Concessions and Lease Agreement with Alamo
National. Bid 19-299
PUBLIC SAFETY
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11. Motion to approve the allocation of funding for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office
(RCSO) in the amount of $31,826.00 implement the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
Program.
13. Motion to approve the Automated Fire Range System for the Richmond County Sheriff’s
Office.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
14. Approve Partnership Model with Communications Companies.
15. Approve and authorize Lock and Dam Consortium’s engaging of services of a
congressional lobbyist in order to pursue efforts needed to formulate congressional action of
repealing or overriding NSBLD relevant provisions of the WIIN Act of 2016. Also, approve
and authorize using $15,000 per month from the NSBLD Consortium reserved funds for
funding such services. (Requested by Administrator & AED)
16. Discuss parking problems on Brown and Holley Street. (Requested by Commissioner Bill
Fennoy)
ADDENDUM
19. Request to continue renewal of Augusta POL/EPL Insurance with Premium Quote for
2020-2021 POL/EPL coverage with J. Smith Lanier & Co. LLC, current broker, through
insurance carrier RSUI for a premium of $58,700.
20. Supplemental information for Agenda Item #5 from Central Services Department.
21. Supplemental information for Agenda Item #6 Receipts from Ms. Carlissa Williams.
22. Requesting a resolution by the Commission at their April 2 meeting to grant the Board
of Assessors (BOA) approval to hold their regularly scheduled monthly meeting for April 13
as well as a “called meeting” for May 4 (regular date May 11) PURPOSE: board actions
required regarding the 2020 county digest submission. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem
Frantom)
23. Approve/accept VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant award from the Governor Criminal
Justice Coordination Council 2018 VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program in the
amount of $1000,000 with required $25,000 local match provided as listed on the Cash Match
Commitment From to serve sex trafficked youth contingent on all conditions being met.
25. Consider request from Paine College to donate surplus laptops. (Requested by Mayor
Hardie Davis, Jr.)
26. Supplemental information for addendum agenda item #1.
The Clerk: For our Consent Agenda, Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
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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. 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.
The Clerk: Okay, Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, ma’am.
Motion Passes 10-0. \[Items 1-5, 7-11, 13-16, Addendum Items 2-3, 5-6\]
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, we’re ready go from top to bottom.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
6. Move to reimburse Barton Village resident Ms. Carlissa Williams for repairs to her
privacy fence at 2409 Dublin Dr as directed by code enforcement. The damage to her fence
occurred due to several trees falling from a ditch that is a city-maintained easement.
(Requested by Commissioner Sammie Sias)
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. This was an incident where we were looking at one area and we
saw this fence and Engineering was going to repair it but somehow or another they got a letter
from Code Enforcement about it. But it was (unintelligible) damaged from a city easement and
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the only thing in the receipted amount for this was $535.35 and that was just the basic cost of the
labor and the materials. And I wanted to add for, it was a single parent that was doing this and we
didn’t and there nothing offered in here for the transportation and the other things for
miscellaneous. And I don’t have an exact number on the exact miscellaneous but I thought it was
about $75.00 dollars. So I would like to add the $75.00 dollars to it if not the $535 would just
pay for the material and labor and consider that a motion ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Sias: --- for $611.35.
Mr. Fennoy: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ve got a motion and a second.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: I just need to know is that going to make that constituent owe the $75.00
or whatever, if we’re going to make people whole we need to make them whole. If there are other
$75.00 dollars we should add it in there. I don’t think they should be slighted in my opinion.
That’s why I’m asking will that, we normally talk about putting people in the same condition if we
can so I’m in agreement about the other $75.00 dollars if that’s what it takes. We’re not talking
about $75,000. We’re talking about $75.00 dollars (unintelligible).
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Mr. Mayor: I think, Commissioner from the 4 did you include that in your $611 number?
Mr. Sias: Yes, that would be the $75.00 dollars will be the miscellaneous. And I think that
in effect I’ve spoken with the resident and they will be happy with that. It was a, they had quite a
scare about it because it frightened them because they already had some other financial issues but
they dug in their pockets and came up with the amount to get this fence repaired. So I will be
happy with that, not necessarily happy but I think that will take care of it so I would appreciate it.
Mr. Mayor: All right, great. All right, Madam Clerk, we’ve got a motion and a second,
roll call vote.
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. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams? Apparently he may be out.
Mr. B. Williams out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
The Clerk: I believe that takes us to Item number 12, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
12. Discuss lack of briefings to the Augusta Commission regarding COVID-19. (Requested
by Commissioner Sammie Sias)
ADDENDUM
18. An EMA update from the Administrator regarding Operations Plans. (Requested by the
Administrator.
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 4.
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Mr. Sias: Mayor, did you call me?
Mr. Mayor: I did.
Mr. Sias: Thank you. I just wanted to ensure in this item we know we’re in a matter with
this COVID issue and as my individual position as Commissioner I support the things that have
been done, I support what the Mayor has been done. However I have some issues a little bit about
the process. I just want to make sure the number one the Commission gets briefed and also that
the Commission from time to time may request the Mayor’s Office should request what the
Commission thinks on something. You don’t necessarily have to take it and use it but I think as
elected officials we need to know those things. We get questions from our constituents about
what’s going on with this, what’s going on with that and in some cases we haven’t been able to
answer forthright so I just want to make sure that we do that. Secondly, I also want to ask the
Mayor that we go back and on our last his last Executive Order to put a deadline on that order
where as instead of further notice that we go under our Ordinance. We have some requirements
and rules with that so I want to suggest to you that you clarify that Executive Order to put in an
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end date either the 13 of April or the 30 of April which one 13 coincides with the Governor,
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the 30 will be I think appropriate as well. But I just want to ensure as a city we are kind of on
the same sheet of music with some of our other municipalities and counties within Georgia. And
thirdly, I think we, I want you to consider as we go through this process with your staff briefing
and consulting with EMA and other cities and municipalities that we consider staying in line with
the Governor. We can align our emergency orders to kind of coincide with the things that’s coming
from the state. So let me recap that real quick and real brief number one appreciate if the
Commission is informed a little bit more and a little bit more timely, third, secondly, just kind of
consult with the Commission from time to time to find out what we’re thinking as we represent
the constituents as well. And just remember I said I support what actions you’ve taken. I just want
to see the process modified slightly. And the third thing would be for us to consider aligning our
orders with the Governor, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. Anyone else?
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to go to the Commissioner from the 6, the Commissioner
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from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I’m going to probably enforce some of
the things that my colleague just said. Probably won’t be able to say it as eloquent as he said but
I do want to commend you for what you’ve done the last couple of weeks in terms of representing
the community and informing the community at large of some of the positions that you’ve taken.
I’ve not had run into a single citizen or receiving a call that has had any problems with things that
you’ve done but I do thank the citizens of Augusta for the most part of taking this Corona Virus
very serious, so once again I commend you on that. I think the only challenge that I’ve had though
because no sooner I mean the people are listening number one first and foremost or their paying
attention some would say that no sooner than you make an announcement I personally I can’t think
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for my colleague but I assume that it begin to immediately receive phone call and so sometimes it
puts me at a disadvantage whether it’s then that’s why there making the calls to try to interpret
some of the comments. So it would be to our advantage if moving forward as much as humanly
possible that you give us some insight or where you’re going before you make it public so when
we receive the calls that we could kind of work on the same sheet of music we won’t misinterpret
what’s been said, that’s that one thing. The next thing I was just wondering in terms of another
statement that my colleague made, Commissioner Sias, around the Governor’s position I’m just
wondering as a government once the Governor defined like you said the day he would let his
Executive Order speak for itself he had some more information would be just for clarity today will
we because he’s making it statewide at that particular time will we come up under his things
because it is statewide at that particular time? So that is a question there but the first part was a
comment also and asking that we be considered (unintelligible) in that regard. Overall, Mr. Mayor,
you’ve down a yeoman’s job and I want to commend you for that.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Commissioner from the 8, no, I’m sorry the Commissioner from
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the 9 and then the 8.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I can agree with my colleague’s a lot with what’s
been said but I guess my question, Mr. Mayor, for the not just the general public but for this
government and all of the facilities. Now I’m thinking that all our facilities are supposed to be
taking the same precautions. I’ve gotten information about other groups in this government are
still meeting more than ten or more. So I guess my question is will all our departments supposed
to heed to this same thing that we’re asking the general public to heed to? I’m speaking about our
administration right now in their building and how congested that is. This thing is very serious
and I want to make sure we don’t have some participating and some (unintelligible). Can you
answer that, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, I will address that. I’m taking all of the questions and the concerns that
have been raised and I’m going to come back after everyone speaks and try to address all of them
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together. All right, the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor. You know in regards to the information that we’ve all
been discussing here who is our central point person you know such as a PIO or something that
the community could go to or to help us get the information out in a timely manner?
Mr. Mayor: So I’m not sure, Commissioner Garrett, what you mean in terms of timely
manner. I think all of us recognize that this information the change in pace of what’s going on has
been so fluid and as we get information particularly as it relates to a response from the City of
Augusta that in my mind has in fact been timely. We all leveraging and utilizing the PIO that we
have on record from Fire and EMA, Jason DeHart, who’s new to our team as of October of last
year. This is a critical path part of the government’s function in terms of the ability to communicate
and you’re no stranger to the fact that I’ve been talking about that for no less than five and a half
years. And so ---
Mr. Garrett: Well, I guess my question was ---
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Mr. Mayor: --- but again we have been communicating in real time any efforts that the city
whether that’s the EMA Director who been designated lead agency and response to the health,
welfare and protection of our citizens and they’ve done a fantastic job of working and coordinating
with our officials in the healthcare community. So a series of things have happened in terms of
communicating with the public. We work collaboratively with the Department of Public Health,
Dr. Goggans and their team from the state up to and including 311. They’ve imbedded their
operations within 311 so if you call 311 in the City of Augusta you can get a question or questions
answered by calling 311 that the Department of Public Health has responders. All of that
information is on the City of Augusta’s website which has been communicated through the
Commission. So those points of entry, points of information have in fact been communicated in
those substantial email communications that the Clerk has provided to every member of the
Commission and others than local government. Going back to the question that was raised around
the process in terms of sharing I too agree and concur with all of you that we can do more in terms
of direct communication with members of the Commission and we’re committed to doing that.
The issue around alignment with the Governor I want to caution us with regards to that. We’re
anticipating that the Governor will officially publish an Executive Order today. That Executive
Order will speak specifically to the issues of sheltering in place and it will override and set aside
all local orders across the entire State of Georgia, all 159 counties, all 535 plus municipalities.
When the Governor sends that Executive Order it will override and set aside all local orders. We
do not have that in place at this point but we are anticipating what that will look like and when it
will come to us. But again all important points you’ve noted and I understand and recognize the
concern around constituents walking up having a series of questions and they’ve been not being
able to fully answer those in light of some of the things we’ve done.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on a minute, everybody hold on, I want to make sure I go back
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to, all right so I’ve got the list 9, 8 all right, the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Yeah, what kind of conversations have you and the Sheriff had about a
curfew and particularly with the children?
Mr. Mayor: So the conversations that we have had with the EMA Director, the Sheriff,
myself and our community partners in the healthcare community which have really helped shape
the decisions around the four Executive Orders that have been implemented were in concert with
the Sheriff’s concern about enforcement. And each of those steps particularly that led to the most
recent one in terms of extending the previous three executive orders that were in place around
closing of government/public buildings, libraries, senior centers, community centers, etc. were all
taken into consideration and we hailed on implementing a curfew. We thought that the steps that
have been taken up to this point were appropriate and even with regards to the closing of businesses
they were appropriate for us to pull the lever back and (unintelligible) willing compliance in the
community and so we’ve had those conversations on a daily basis.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
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Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on, all right the Commissioner from the 5 you still have the
floor.
Mr. B. Williams: Well, I’m pretty much done. I’m just saying we need to observe in the
future children out late at night and just take appropriate action to whatever we need to do.
Mr. Mayor: All right and let me qualify once again at the point in time when the Governor
signs the Executive Order and it is made public, all orders and local actions that have been taken
whether that is shelter in place for our counties, Atlanta and all of the actions in Augusta those
orders will be overridden and set aside.
Mr. B. Williams: Got you.
Mr. Sias: And I have one last comment, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on a minute Commissioner I think the Commissioner from the
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1 had his hand up.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, correct, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, one of my biggest concerns is that I
pass several basketball courts and city parks and we have kids out there 10, 15, 20-kids on the
court playing basketball. How do we go about addressing that?
Mr. Mayor: Well again I appreciate you raising that. That’s consistent with the question
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that the Commissioner from the 5 just asked and enforcement has been out and met with those
basketball players at those specific parks. We know who they are and where they are. A series of
things have happened. There are some signs that have been placed at our parks and those signs
give strict guidance about maintaining safe, social distancing. And again to the degree that we’re
able to physically police that that is being done right now. Those things have already been put in
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place and again in concert with the question that the Commissioner from the 5 just asked.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and my next concern is that school has been suspended for the
remainder of the year. A lot, well not a lot there are areas in the city that don’t have access to the
internet. I don’t think, I think that at some point in time we should look at those areas and try to
get internet to those areas so that the kids can continue to do their schoolwork.
Mr. Mayor: So a number of our business partners have one been working in concert with
the local schools. Comcast is of record where they’re providing free WIFI and (inaudible) across
the State of Georgia, working in concert because of the digital divide. Ms. Allen and her team
have been done an incredible job working with schools identify where there is a lack of access and
so that information is and has been made available to the Comcast of the world who are providing.
And I mentioned Comcast because they communicated across the State of Georgia their
partnership with schools and local communities to provide that Wi-Fi access. I believe again I
believe this is an action that the school board has taken where the parents have their children in
the parking lots of schools, they’ve extended Wi-Fi access out into the parking lot. So you’ve had
a number of efforts that are underway with regards to that. Can the city do more? I think that’s an
opportunity for the Commission really to weigh in on how do we best meet and serve the needs of
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our community up to and including what do we do from a business standpoint. We know that are
businesses have been hurt and will continue to be during this period of time. We have a survey
that’s been out there and we’ve gotten some substantial responses from that. It is our hope that
we’re going to be able to take that data and provide that to the Commission. Both you,
Commissioner Fennoy and Commissioner Sias, had a conversation in brief with me just last week
about how we can do more to help and so I think those are the types conversations that we all
should be preparing to have here in the next several days.
Mr. Fennoy: And my last comment, Mr. Mayor, is that we have we have a little over $5
million dollars that is sitting in banks and I’m wondering is there a possibility to use some of those
resources to help these small businesses in this area during this time of crisis?
Mr. Mayor: Well, I think that’s absolutely the case. That’s a conversation you and I had
several days ago. Commissioner Sias and I had a conversation as well about that. And you heard
me mention that just as you saw most recently the announcement from The Augusta National in
partnership with the CSRA Community Foundation and the United Way around their COVID-19
Relief Fund. You and I talked specifically about having One Augusta COVID-19 Relief Fund
specifically for Augusta. And understand this those resources that go through the Community
Foundation they are for the CSRA what we do will in fact be specific to the residents of Augusta
Richmond County which is the area of great interest that I think you raised particularly in terms of
meeting the needs of our most vulnerable population whether that’s again the nonprofit
community. But without question the concerns that have been raised about our homeless
population, our seniors from a meals perspective. When we look at what’s going on next week
we’re on spring break and meals provided to students and those things while at the same time have
an opportunity to use those link deposit funds to do something substantial that really could help
bridge that gap around the businesses and small, specifically the small businesses and those of
interest in our community.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: All right hold on, Commissioner. I’m going to the Commissioner from the
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10.
Mr. Clarke: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I believe that the city as well as the local media has
tried very, very hard to keep the citizens updated at every opportunity about what’s going on with
us. I think we need we need to thank Dr. Hill and staff at AU for everything that they’re doing
and all the medical people that are doing it for us. The first responders are going an absolutely
great, wonderful job. But what is really surprising pleasant is the general acceptance of the citizens
of Augusta. The biggest majority of our citizens have cooperated, they have done everything that
they’ve been asked to do and they’ve been looking out for each other. And I would just like to
publicly say thank you to the citizens of Augusta, Georgia for your help, understanding and
patience during this ordeal, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay thank you, all right, the Commissioner from the 4.
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Mr. Sias: Yes, sir. Briefly I just want to say thank you for your comments as you addressed
this agenda item, I appreciate it. It’s welcome news and I look forward to it. Secondly, I’m not
bringing it up today for formal consideration but somewhere along the line we may need to look
at or consider some type of compensation for our folks that have been out there on the line during
this hard time. Some positions have allowed folks to go home and work, some haven’t, so we still
have a lot of individuals out there that’s in contact with the public monitoring and for lack of a
better term we still have folks out in the ditches. We have connections that fail, waterlines that
fail, sewer lines that’s fallen. None of that stuff stopped due to Corona Virus. So I’m not saying
it formerly today but I think we need to consider that and look at what can we do for those folks.
We can award them something later or we can do something but I think we need to look at our
employees who are out on the line and what you know what can we do for them. I know everybody
doesn’t fall in that category but I think we need to find a way to look at that as the Commissioner
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from the 9 said we got these guys in the ditches we’ve got so we’ve got them out there, we’ve
got inspectors out there doing their job and that’s been going on. So and we have our first
responders, firemen, our Sheriff, our Marshal’s Office so I think that’s something we need to look
at that we can legitimately do with that. We know we’re going to have some expense shortages
coming up. I just want us to keep that in the back of our minds, plant that seed, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Sias, I think that’s fantastic. Again you’ve been consistent in
that conversation. I think that’s part of that discussion that goes back to what you, Commissioner
Fennoy and I have had. And again just in those passing conversations let me mention one more
item that you raised earlier and that was around again a date certain to the Executive Order
2020006. The date certain on that pursuant to Executive Order 3 which was filed on March 16 is
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April the 15 at 4:00 p.m. That is the date certain on that and a copy of that I believe should’ve
been sent out to Ms. Bonner earlier this morning, an executed copy of that should’ve been sent
out. If not we’ll make sure that that is in the Clerk’s hands for distribution and transmission.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on a minute. I’ve got to go to the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner?
Mr. M. Williams: I think my attorney finished speaking, wasn’t he?
Mr. Speaker: Yeah.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor but I’m just asking I guess as we looked at what other cities
have done what they’re doing and being compatible with what they may be on a larger scale. I
know you’re talking about a curfew about children and how they’re handling that. I think we need
to look around us and see what the other side of the street may be doing and what we can do and
we’re working on that so I don’t need a copy I don’t need to respond. But I did miss that response
when I talked about the Administrator’s type people in our government that is still meeting. I
mentioned about our Fire Department’s administrative staff and they are still bunched up in the
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area. We’re asking other people to not do that but at the same time we’ve got other agencies, other
groups still doing it within the government. So I mean if we’re going to do that we need to be
following our own rules. We need to make sure that the skeleton crew that we can work with we
need to work with those. Any comments on that?
Mr. Mayor: So, Commissioner M. Williams, we have an addendum item that’s going to
be leaned into; the Administrator’s going to speak to that. I don’t know if we have our EMA
Director on the line as well is able to speak (inaudible) I understand they both are ready and
available. So we’re going to lean into that conversation here in just a moment if you’ll give us just
a minute to bring that forward. As we exhaust this we’ll move into that item so that we can have
a consistent conversation but we’re going to answer that question here in just a second. It is on
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your addendum agenda. All right, the Commissioner from the 3.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This might be to the Administrator but since we’re
talking about what’s going on and all that’s being affected with the virus right now do we have
like you, the Finance Department, different departments have started to get together and kind of
start projecting our revenue loss and our budget and how we’re going to start having some
conversations? Since we’re only meeting every two weeks I don’t want us just to put it on the
agenda so you know have discussions in two weeks but are ya’ll starting to go ahead and look
forward in those projections?
Mr. Sims: Yes, ma’am we are. We’re looking those things (inaudible) as you see right
now.
Ms. Davis: I didn’t hear all of that.
Mr. Sims: We are looking into potential revenue projections now ---
Ms. Davis: Okay.
Mr. Sims: --- the Finance Department is looking at it right now, our potential losses as far
as potential revenue loss.
Ms. Davis: Okay and with that I know you can’t bring back in two weeks because this is
ongoing but how often do you think we could get some kind of an update and then just see what
kind of suggestions ya’ll have to overcome these losses?
Mr. Sims: If we could maybe come back in 30 days to kind of see where we are and provide
you all with updates at that time?
Ms. Davis: Okay, good, then I’m just glad that ya’ll are already getting ahead of it because
I know it’s going to be a big issue as well for us, thank you.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor?
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Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on a minute, Commissioner, let me make sure I’ve got you next
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in the queue. Okay all right Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. A couple of things to my colleague Commissioner
Davis’ question just now I think the question, I’m going to make it twofold if you don’t mind, can
you hear me?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Ms. Davis: Yes.
Mr. Hasan: Okay I’m going to try to make it twofold if you don’t mind. Number one, just
on a daily operation that the Administrator based on how we staggering shifts and things of that
nature that is one portion of it but also I think another portion of it is the portion that Chief James
as the EMA Director is working on in terms of purchases that we are making as result of the
emergency. Because probably from an employee perspective I’m not sure whether we’re going to
be able to begin kind of reimbursement, I don’t know on that, Mr. Mayor. But I believe for sure
for all intents and purposes we may be getting money back from GEMA or FEMA around the
issue that making these purchases in the face of an emergency. So I think it’s almost as a twofold
and if I’m not you can correct me on that one and give us some clarity around that one. And I’d
like to see Chief James also if you don’t mind speak to what is an Emergency Management Plan
not the, he doesn’t have to give us the big picture just give enough to comprehend because that’s
what’s been enacted as a result of your emergency declaration that you give Executive Declaration
that you made trying to get a handle on that. So once again I think number one, it’s how we are
running the government on a day to day basis from the staff (inaudible) and then also from
purchases that we’re going to decree that were necessary purchases as a result that will go directly
to GEMA and FEMA by way of Chief James keeping up with that information.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right so let’s do this. Again we’ll come back, Madam Clerk, we’ll
come back and item the addendum item number one we’re really stepping into that right now so
what we’ll do is continue this discussion but we’ll engage Administrator Sims where you go ahead
and simply just give us an update because again the item that we’re dealing with right now is Item
12 which is a discussion. So again all we’re going to do is receive as information so let’s go ahead
and continue the conversation, Administrator Sims, around Addendum Item #1 and provide an
update regarding the continuity of operations plans and then we’ll also recognize the Chief to talk
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about what the Commissioner from the 9 as well as the 6 just raised okay, let’s do it that way.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. All right ---
Mr. Speaker: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: --- Administrator Sims. Oh, I’m sorry, all right, everybody suspend for a
st
moment, Commissioner from the 1.
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Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I think what’s going on right now we will probably never see
again in our lifetime. Hopefully that won’t happen but I think that as soon as we get everything
up and running we need to bring everybody to the table to see how we could better prepare for
situations like this. We don’t want to criticize but we want to be able to get positive feedback what
is it that we’ve done, what is it that we could’ve done better. And another one of my concerns is
that hopefully we won’t have the same conditions that the larger cities are having as far as
ventilators or oxygen is concerned. But my question is based on the projected number of cases
that we’re going to have in this area are we prepared with the, have enough ventilators and oxygen?
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right those are excellent questions and again at the point that we
recognizes our EMA Director they’ve had some incredible conversations with our healthcare
community to talk about those things and so he will be providing that debrief here after we here
from the Administrator, Administrator Sims.
Mr. Sims: Okay, Commissioners, yesterday I provided you all with an update on our
Continuity of Operations Plan. This was prior to our Governor declaring a shelter in place. The
plan as we know should be fluid because of COVID-19; this plan now has changed. Now we will
be going to a workforce remote unless you are essential which is 911, Fire, maintaining our work
plants or essential employees. But the plan the Continuity Plan now will involve a workforce
working mainly remotely. There are some issues you wanted to talk about regarding Continuity
Plan and that is addressing transit. We had our Transit Director look at to see how other transit
agencies are handling COVID-19. And one agency that they looked at MARTA they were
suspending the bus fares to avoid the exchange of money and also to avoid close proximity to other
individuals. They’re also having the riders to let handicapped accessibilities entering the bus from
the rear to avoid that. They’re also providing announcements on the bus promoting social
distancing from other passengers. Another matter that is also listed here is how we’re addressing
hazardous pay. We had our H.R. Director look out and see what other communities are doing with
hazardous pay. We provided you all with two sheets. One provided some agencies at this time are
not doing anything with hazardous pay and then one sheet provided us the agencies that are
providing hazardous pay. And the agency size ranges from small cities to large counties such as
DeKalb County, Gwinnett County as well as the City of Atlanta. Those agencies are providing
hazardous pay for their employees and some of the smaller cities are not. So those are some things
that we wanted some resolution from you all today but as far as the Continuity Plan once the shelter
in place inspired by our Governor we will be going remotely with our workforce unless you are an
essential employee.
Mr. Mayor: And Administrator Sims when we use the term ‘essential’ I believe that you’re
using guidance from the Department of Homeland Security and (unintelligible) that provides
direction around what essential employee is.
Mr. Sims: Absolutely.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Commissioner M. Williams, you raised that first question and
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then the Commissioner from the 6 so again Administrator Sims has spoken to the employee piece
of that. All right, Chief James, if you’ll unmute your microphone and if you’ll give an update
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around the question the Commissioner from the 6 raised about our Emergency Management Plan
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and you can certainly speak to the issues around the working relationship with our healthcare
community around the Response and Recovery Task Force.
Chief James: Yes, sir. We did enact our local Emergency Operations Plan and what we
have done is we have each department or support department that we have in the community that
is responsible for a essential support function as it is listed under FEMA and GEMA. We have
took those sections out of our plan and given them to each of those departments who is responsible
for those sections so that they would know what their responsibilities were as it relates to our local
Emergency Operations Plan that was approved in 2015 by the Augusta Commission and therefor
went on to be approved by GEMA. And so in the update that I did send out today I know you
guys may not have received it yet because we had a meeting at 12:00 and I want to assure that you
had the most update information. But in that it will outline that you know transportation functions
fall under our Central Services Department because it falls under our Fleet Maintenance.
Communications falls under I.T. Department, the Public Works, Engineering falls under
Engineering with Dr. Hameed. The MASS Care and Human Services falls under the Red Cross,
resource support falls under Director Geri Sams, the Public Health Section falls under Dr. Steven
Goggans, the Agriculture and Natural Resources falls under Animal Control Director James Hill,
Energy falls under Tom Wiedmeier, Public Safety and Security falls under Sheriff Roundtree and
the other hazardous material, emergency management functions they all fall under the Fire Chief
EMA Director. So we have broke our plan out and we have issued each of those directives for like
in the case of the Red Cross their selection of that plan so they would be familiar with that plan so
that they would know what their responsibilities were when we called on them to address the
section of our local Emergency Operation Plan that they’re responsible for.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’ve got a question for Chief James.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner, continue, Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Chief James, you made mention that all of the different
department and agencies and what their responsibilities are but they come under the leadership of
who in this capacity I mean whether it’s Procurement and all those other different departments that
they in the midst of this crisis that we’re in and they’re under it falls under the Emergency
Management Plan and who is the leadership of the Emergency Management Plan who’s giving
some of them direction. I know they have the expertise but they’re working in conjunction with
yourself as the Emergency Management Director ---
Chief James: Yes, sir ---
Mr. Hasan: --- okay, so that means everything for the most part within reason that they act
upon that has your blessing.
Chief James: --- yes, sir. So we coordinate with each of those departments on what they
do what needs so when a situation comes up then we reach out to those departments and we express
those issues and we instruct them this is what we need here and then they follow up from that point
and move forward in some of the conversations that we would’ve had. So based on the spending
and other things that we’ve done before we turn in something to GEMA that for reimbursement
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then those would go through myself, those would go through the Finance Director and Ms. Sams.
And things that the department heads turned in that actually had nothing to do or did not fit into
the category of expenditures involved with COVID-19 and those items would not be submitted to
GEMA for reimbursement.
Mr. Hasan: Are we separating that out as we move forward? Are we separating it out and
I know you always look at it as you go out and try to you know get the city’s responsibility as
whether we can get reimbursed so are you trying to keep those separate as you move forward?
Chief James: Yes, sir, we are. We had this conversation earlier this week and when we
looked at all of the PO’s that were submitted then I got with Director Donna Williams and we went
through those and then those items that were not considered COVID-19 expenditures were
separated from that. And so we’re doing that ongoing. We’re doing that ongoing so if a
department submits something that is not related to COVID-19 but they put that code on their
requisition we separate that away from that.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, Mr. Mayor, I think I got my answer I just wanted to make sure of that
because at the end of the day we’re going to be behind the Eight Ball when it comes to a situation
(unintelligible). Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Chief James.
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 6 when we started this process early on given past
experiences and learning we immediately our EMA Director working with Procurement
immediately established that COVID-19 Procurement Code so all of those expenditures and things
that are related to that it would’ve been rolled up from day one. So I think they’ve been doing a
fantastic job of the reporting process in implementing as such.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, thank you, Mr. Mayor, excuse me. I heard Chief James and
I agree with what was said. The question Commissioner Hasan brought up about tracking that
stuff down but I’m trying to think in my mind what are some of the things that Utilities for instance
could possibly be used in this event of COVID-19. I mean I’m trying to figure out what, when we
had the ice storm we understand the damage and stuff involved I’m trying to think in my mind
what are some of the things that we are going to be considering or may be considering is a better
word for GEMA if this event lasts much longer what are some of the monetary values or things
we’re going to be admissible on the list?
Mr. Mayor: Chief?
Chief James: Yes, sir, Commissioner Williams, the majority of that stuff at this point will
be the sanitizing things, the face masks, gowns and other things that our employees use as they
interact with the public and things that we use to keep ourselves as employees and the public safe
by cleaning, sanitizing. If you get an area that was (unintelligible) by someone how you sanitize
that area. Of course during this event we will need a lot of N95 masks, we will need a lot of rubber
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gloves, we’ll need a lot of protective gowns and the price on those have went up tremendously.
So by no means will we spend the amount of money that we spend on an ice storm or something
of that nature but where an N95 mask may have cost you a couple of dollars three months ago that
same mask now is $5.00 dollars each. And so based on the amount of masks that our first
responders will go through, you’ll be buying them by the thousands and so we’re using some of
this equipment. The first responders, the PPE equipment that was used will be used for firefighters,
it will be used for Sheriff’s deputies, it will be used for your correctional officers, it will be used
for your bus drivers and the protective measures that you use to keep the essential functions moving
and to keep those employees and the public safe those are the types of things that we will see the
additional accrued costs. We have reached out to see you know yes we sent some employees home
for their safety but as we talk to GEMA we don’t think at this point that those employees that we
sent home those funds we’re not feeling are going to be reimbursable even though we paid those
out and you know there was no work done in lieu of that but we don’t think that those funds at this
point are going to be reimbursable. But it’s those safety measures that we put in place to protect
the citizens and as I go through this report you know you’ll see some of the things that I’ll purchase,
some of the things are purchased by the state and given to us but some of the things we will have
to purchase ourselves will definitely be the PPE things to keep the employees safe.
Mr. M. Williams: Well and my comment is I think we need to continue to track it. I would
think that the salaries that we’re going to have to pay for people’s safety and not being able to
work will be more than what the essential things like the gloves and other things. But as long as
we’re tracking it that’s fine but I was just trying to get it in my head what were some of those costs
that we’d be able to try to achieve back after this situation is over. Hopefully it’ll be over soon but
thank you for your comment. I understand exactly what you’re saying, thanks.
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Mr. Mayor: So Commissioner from the 9 and Chief James, GEMA through FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency they provide a list of guidelines of what reimbursable
expenses are. There’s a document of record that has that information available and again given
that we’ve been here and done that before as a city we’re smarter and we’re a better suited position
to be able to handle that and address that going forward but there is a document that is available
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with those guidelines. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1,
Commissioner Fennoy, unmute your microphone.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, Chief James ---
Chief James: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- do you have is there a projected number of Corona Virus cases that will
be in this area and if so do we have enough ventilators and oxygen to take care of them?
Chief James: Commissioner, there’s not a projection of a specific number but listening to
the information that we received both from the Governor and I was on a conference call right this
morning with Representative, Congressman Rick Allen we are definitely looking for around April
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the 23 or so in that area to be hopefully getting close to the peak dealing with this issue. We do
think it is going to be a high number. The numbers are going up every day. In talking with
Congressman Allen this morning and talking with others we’re still, we have not reached the peak.
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We are expecting a lot more of the numbers to increase, the death number to increase and the
number of cases to increase. That’s why we’re really pushing to get the community to stay at
home. If they don’t stay at home, the longer this will last.
Mr. Fennoy: But Chief ---
Chief James: We don’t have a specific number, Commissioner.
Mr. Fennoy: --- all right. Do you think we’ll have enough ventilators and oxygen to serve
the people in this area?
Chief James: So, Commissioner, right now we have put in a request through GEMA for
ventilators for Augusta University and University Hospital has also put in a request for ventilators.
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At this point we’re expecting and as the Governor said around April 23 to be the maximum
hospital space used. So we had a conference call yesterday in fact with all of the hospitals and the
Chief Medical Officers of the local hospitals and so right now they discussed their surge plan with
us and how they are creating additional bed space to assure they have enough space to cover the
patients that will come. Do we think there’s a possibility that all of their bed space can be taken?
Yes. We are, a part of that plan is to reach out to some of the smaller communities that are around
us Burke County, Jefferson County or some of these other hospitals that have smaller facilities that
are not full where we can set it up where some patients may be able to go to those locations as well
to kind of help with some of the overflow of patients because those hospitals at this time are
nowhere near as full as our hospitals. So that’s what’s part of the conversation that we had
yesterday with all the Chief Medical Officers and some of the CEO’s of the hospitals yesterday.
Mr. Fennoy: Thank you, Chief.
Mr. Mayor: All right, do we have anyone else?
Chief James: Mr. Mayor, did you want me to cover the rest of the information to assure
that we gave them an update?
Mr. Mayor: Absolutely if you’ll do that that’d be great.
Chief James: Okay. As of today around noon the State of Georgia had 5,348 confirmed
cases. In the state we had 1,056 citizens that have been hospitalized and we’ve had 163 deaths in
the State of Georgia. In Richmond County at this time we have 41 confirmed cases as based on
our residents themselves being positive and that is confirmed by the Department of Health and the
CDC. Those numbers still may be higher based on what the local labs are testing and it just takes
a few days for those numbers to get confirmed through CDC. One of the things that we have been
looking at is not just Augusta-Richmond County itself because we are a community that works
with our neighbors so in the CSRA we have a total a total of 119 positive cases in the CSRA and
that includes you know some of the counties in South Carolina. South Carolina has a total of 1,291
cases and they have 26 deaths. We’ve been monitoring that community as well because they are
so close to ours. Yesterday from NUTRINT one of local companies we did receive some N95
masks that they donated to us and what we did with a good share of those masks was we got with
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Ms. Dottery because we had some issues with the bus drivers not necessarily having face masks
and equipment to operate on the bus so we delivered some to the Transit Department last night so
that they would have masks this morning. Augusta University is still doing the testing downtown
where you can drive through and get tested as well as they’re also using the Christenberry Field
House and there they are testing between 80 and over 100 people a day. Like I said we have met
and talked with the other hospitals to discuss their surge plans. They have discussed how they
have turned some of the rooms in the hospital where they can put additional patients in the hospitals
to give them some additional bed space. We have met and talked with the Goodwill to maybe
work with them as being a managing our donations working with the EMA Public Health and
Goodwill so some of those donations can get into Goodwill, we can get them to public health and
they can help distribute those resources out to the different agencies that need them. We also did
a request for the National Guard to send a medical team so that AU could have additional resources.
The medical team consists of doctors, physician assistants, nurses and EMT’s. We did put in our
application with GEMA this morning so that we could be already put the application in so we
could get reimbursed for Category B which is protective measures and those are some of the things
that we discussed as far as the additional sanitizing things, the face masks, the gowns, the gloves,
and those things that we’re using a great deal of and as we said the hospitals are requesting those
ventilators. We do want to report to you that we were notified this morning that you know the
school system has still been feeding the kids while school is closed. Next week is a week that they
have not scheduled to feed and so we were informed that for the next week that food may not go
out so that may be a discussion that we will have with the school board but it was not planned
because that was a week that they were typically closed anyway, so we will have that discussion
with the school board and see what may be able to done about that. We are also working with
some local vendors like downtown at the Club House where they may be able to assist us with 3D
printers and making ventilators if possible they kind of weigh off on that though. Also they’ve
discussed making the N95 masks out of plastic. They’re still in the prototype of that but they are
going to assist us in making some face shields for first responders that go out and have to deal
directly with the patients that may or may not have be infected at this time but they have those
signs and symptoms. So we have been working diligently to make sure that those resources are
available to those first responders as well as our hospitals so that we can deal with this event. Any
other questions?
Mr. Mayor: Chief, thank you. I want to go back to an item that does require action on our
part and that’s the issue of our transportation services. And so Administrator Sims raised the
concern around that a moment ago and listed a series of recommendations. He is going to reiterate
those here and at the appropriate time we want to make a motion to take action on that.
Administrator Sims.
Mr. Sims: Okay the first one was to schedule the bus fares to avoid the exchange of money
and to avoid the close proximity of other individuals. The second one this is more of what we are
going to do. The rear door boarding only for wheelchair boarders and the audio announcement on
buses promoting social distancing from other passengers.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I sent you a text a moment ago, Administrator Sims, about employing
the holiday schedule ---
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Mr. Sims: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: --- which allows us to continue to provide services but in a reduced setting
given one, what we currently know and what is likely going to happen on Friday probably at
midnight in terms of the Governor’s Shelter in Place Order.
Mr. Sims: I also recommend that as well go into holiday schedule.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right entertain a motion Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Sias: Excuse me, excuse me.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Sias, you’ve got your hand up sir?
Mr. Sias: Yeah, I had my hand up.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Two things. The first one when we talk about the Transit System I want to ask
the Administrator is he including the Call Up Rural Transit System as well because I don’t believe
there’s a holiday schedule for the Call Up Rural Transit.
Mr. Sims: (Unintelligible) I don’t think there is as well. We would need to look into that
but as far as the normal transit schedule we would recommend going to a holiday schedule to kind
of be in line with other transit systems as well as to be sensitive to what’s going on.
Mr. Sias: Yeah but ---
Mr. Sims: I did get an email from Ms. Dottery, our Transit Director, that indicated that
that was something that was asked from us would we consider reducing our schedule but this is in
line with the request.
Mr. Sias: --- but let me clarify what I’m asking. I’m asking about the ones you know where
you make the phone call and they come to your house and pick you up outside of the normal transit
system. If that wasn’t included in your proposal I think it should be because that’s the one, we
have two systems out there other than the normal transit system. We have the one for the, what’s
that word I don’t want to say handicapped but it’s the other word with the ‘P’?
Mr. Mayor: Paratransit.
Mr. Sias: Paratransit and then we have the regular call up transit so we have three transit
systems in Augusta-Richmond County.
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct.
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Mr. Sias: So I just want, so I think we need to clarify that or this motion can be shaped to
include those and if there’s some issue they can come back to us. So secondly I think it would be
somewhere during the time if it’s approved that the fares are suspended I would like to know did
our ridership change.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
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Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on, Commissioner from the 5. All right, the Commissioner
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from the 1 his hand was up first and then I’m going to come to you, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I think that we should go holiday schedule for the regular transit
but people that utilize Paratransit and people that use, schedule their doctor’s appointments and
depend upon the that system to get them to and from their doctor’s appointment I think we need
to leave that intact. A lot of students ride the public transportation to Augusta Tech and since
Augusta Tech is closed for the remainder of the year I don’t have a problem with going to a holiday
schedule for the regular transit but I think we need to leave the other systems intact.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: I think he said something about suspending the fare. I think what we
need to do is maybe go to some type of ID Card or something that we can issue, I’m not exactly
sure but something we can issue to the regular people who need to get to the doctor, people who
need to get to work if they work and what have you. Because I think we need to take into account
that you’ve got a lot of kids out there and if you suspend the fares you’re going to have a bunch of
kids and folks riding the buses all over the place and may put ourselves in a position where we
may have to come back and make a decision as to what we’re going to do for people who abuse
the transportation system. So I think we need to go to some type of card or something, some type
of ID card or something for people who ride the bus on a regular basis as opposed to just opening
it up to any and everybody. Just a suggestion.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, the Commissioner from the 3. All right the Commissioner
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from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, the Administrator mentioned that he had
also gotten a request you know for this reduced service holiday schedule can you, who was that
from if you don’t mind.
Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims.
Mr. Sims: Ms. Dottery emailed us and stated if the virus continues to progress companies
we’re using would probably be wanting to a reduced schedule so ---
Mr. Hasan: Okay ---
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Mr. Sims: --- we will contact them and try to be proactive as this virus progress.
Mr. Hasan: --- okay and that’s my question, Mr. Mayor. I mean that’s exactly what I was
looking for there because number one we know that those are not our employees however we have
paid, compensated them per royal contract and do we know are they going to take care their
employee to reduce the schedule. Has that been considered because we’ve already compensated
them for a full schedule and if they are asking for this and I think we all agree with it will they
compensate their employees?
Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims.
Mr. Sims: At this time I don’t know that answer. I know we were trying, as the progresses
we’re trying to be proactive and minimize people ---
Mr. Hasan: I get that, Mr. Administrator, my question was just are they going to be
favorable because they already have the money in hand. I know it’s not about the money itself but
we want to ask the question do they plan to compensate their employees beyond this schedule that
they’re requesting and I think we all agree it needs to go that way.
Mr. Sims: We can follow up with them regarding that matter, Commissioner.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right I think what I’ve clearly heard is that there’s general consensus
for implementing a holiday schedule and the concern around suspending the fare. That was
included in that as two primary items of interest or desire. And so what’s ---
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: --- hold on, Commissioner, I’ll entertain a motion here in a moment let me got
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to the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Well and when I was talking about something, we can give them a regular
card with their name on it, laminated something that they will have rather than just putting it out
there and everybody just get on the bus.
Mr. D. Williams: That’s (unintelligible).
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Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 4 (inaudible) hold your hand up, I’ll get you.
Mr. Sias: At this time I understand Commissioner Bobby Williams’ concern but I think
that’s something we could address if we have to and by the time we get some of that stuff printed
up like that these two weeks or so might be over. So my motion is to, so I move that we suspend
the fares on our regular transit system, go to a holiday schedule and keep the paratransit and the
rural transit intact.
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Mr. Fennoy: I’ll second that.
Mr. Hasan: Can you add some kind of (unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, I’ve got a motion and a second. All right, we’ll get some
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discussion here. Let me go to the Commissioner from the 9 and then the 2 and 10, I’ve got
your hands.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I just wanted to ask about the holiday schedule that holiday
schedule to when or to what to April with Easter coming up or whatever if we have to come back
and change that we just put a holiday schedule, is that right, and that’s a question I’m asking,
anybody.
Mr. Mayor: Again the holiday schedule is an abbreviated schedule that we employ in terms
of when they run on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. That is
outlined; that is already a schedule adopted by this body. And what we’re saying is a date certain
we will implement that and at a date certain we will close that out and go back to normal operations.
And again we’re making many assumptions that at the point in time the government issues a shelter
in place starting Friday until 13 April we’re making many assumptions that we’re going to come
out of that date on 13 April and go back to some sense of normal. I don’t have a crystal ball that
that’s going to happen.
Mr. M. Williams: Well, in my opinion since we don’t have a crystal ball and we really
don’t know we know there’s a crisis right now we’re dealing with. We’ve been trying to get the
bus especially the bus as it’s moving forward people riding the bus. Once you change that and
you get people off schedule for their job, the only people riding the bus now are the people who
need to ride the bus and that’s the people we’re going to affect. We’re not going to affect the
general public. It doesn’t affect everybody, just those that need to ride the bus. There’s no people
riding the same folks riding the bus right now. We’re going to put them either walking of losing
their job or not having a job. But that’s not a large number, I wish it were, but it’s not a large
number and we need to be careful about that in my opinion.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, Commissioner. All right, the Commissioner from the
nd
2.
Mr. D. Williams: I just rose to second that motion but it’s already done.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right, the Commissioner from the 10.
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Mr. Clarke: I concur with the Commissioner from the 9 that when we start changing these
schedules it’s going to throw a lot of people off track and they’re going to be confused and miss
their ride and miss their bus. Now the other thing I hate to be the Grinch about it but suspending
the fare on the buses I’m not too keen on that and talking about printing up a pass that you can use
on the bus, we already have that in place that you can get a monthly pass for price and all you’ve
got to do is show it to the other driver and you’re good to go. So I think that we just need to you
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know push the people to buy a pass instead of just saying everything is just at will and that’s all
I’ve got to say about it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: --- I’m coming right to you, Madam Clerk, I’ve got a motion and a second,
Madam Clerk, go ahead.
The Clerk: --- yeah, I wanted to clarify from the Administrator because originally his
recommendation was to suspend the monetary intake on the fares so that will leave in place what
Commissioner Clarke said about the passes. I just wanted to make, see if that’s what his first
recommendation was, that’s what I have down.
Mr. Sims: That’s correct, Ms. Bonner.
The Clerk: Okay, so it would apply to the monetary intake.
Mr. Mayor: Let’s clarify what that means in basic laymen’s terms. What we’re saying
there is no exchanging of cash.
The Clerk: Cash, right.
Mr. Mayor: No exchanging of cash but if you have a fare card which is a paper card with
a strip on it mag strip on the back of it you have the ability to continue to use that as your way
onboarding and outboarding on the bus, that’s what I’m hearing.
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: That’s not going to work, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- it’s not going to work, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: --- let’s pause. I’ve got hands up we’re going to try to recognize everybody.
All right so there are a couple of things that I think all of also need to recognize. Ridership is
currently down because of all of the actions that have been taken to this point.
Mr. Sias: Correct.
Mr. Mayor: You’ve got restaurants, whether you’ve got all these other entities where
people are going back and forth from work. We just saw a note a moment ago that unemployment
filings in Georgia have skyrocketed. So to that end and as late as Monday I made a trip around
the city. Ridership is significantly down and so the idea around suspending fares I don’t think is
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effectively going to hurt anything which is I think was part of your original motion, Commissioner
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from the 4. So again I think, Administrator Sims, you did some investigatory work around hazard
pay and/or what other cities are doing MARTA has done a couple of things. One, they implemented
a holiday schedule but they also suspended all fares.
Mr. Sims: That’s correct.
Mr. Mayor: So we can take a similar approach. I’ve heard earlier today that what are other
cities are doing here’s what other cities are doing and I think that’s the current motion that’s before
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us. All right, the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you. I stand by my motion about suspending the fares. Number one, a lot
of these folks don’t have a job to go to right now so they may need to just get to the Unemployment
Office if they can. So and as you just said ridership is down. As a matter of fact travel is down
across the city and we’re expecting the Governor to issue a shelter in place order so there won’t
be that many folks out there so I stand by my motion as stated that we suspend all fares for the
regular transit system and go to a holiday schedule with the rural to rural transit systems remaining
intact, the para and the rural.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: All right, okay, hold on everybody. All right, I think the Commissioner from
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the 5 was next.
Mr. B. Williams: No, I’m good, I’m good.
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9, the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: I’m good, Mr. Mayor. I’m great on suspending the fares. It’s fine. We
need to keep the buses moving though for the work folks who want to get from point A to Point
B. The virus is still out there but you’re going to have to deal with that. We can’t have our cake
and eat it too. We’re going to have to do one or the other. So if you’re going to suspend the fares
and let the people ride that’s one thing. Maybe we’ll fill the ridership after this thing is over with
and we’ll see how the (inaudible) bus is so that may be a good thing, can’t do them both.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, in terms of hours did the Administrator
share with us about how much time the employee loses over there under the schedule, this holiday
schedule? Let me just do it to keep it simple this way then. I’m assuming the holiday schedule
that they probably will lose hours assuming if I’m wrong I apologize.
Mr. Sims: (Inaudible).
Mr. Hasan: Did someone say something? However ---
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hasan ---
Mr. Hasan: --- yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- the holiday schedule is a full workday. The schedules require them as I
understand it run fewer routes but it’s a full workday.
Mr. Hasan: So you mean, so everybody who volunteers will have their full schedules, their
work schedules.
Mr. Mayor: That is what I understand.
Mr. Hasan: Well okay because, okay I’m hoping you’re right about that that solves itself
if that’s the case because I’m concerned because as we know a couple of weeks ago there was a
request for the city to put in about another $180,000 dollars to raise the salaries of that but the
contract already existed. We kind of pushed back on that but now we’re at a point, I wanted to
make sure they didn’t lose any time especially when they already had the money in hand that’s
what’s important to me they have the money. So the schedule’s cut back. I agree with the motion
no doubt about that but however they have money in hand and so the employee should not lose
their wages, that’s my concern.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, well, we’ve got a motion and a proper second and we can go ahead and
take action on it and I think we’re at that point, all right? Madam Clerk, are tracking the motion?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay all right final comment, the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, just to follow up on what Commissioner Hasan said. I think that if this
passes we should get some type of insurance from the transit people that the salary of the
employees will not be changed because of the holiday schedule.
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Brown, where’s Attorney Brown?
Mr. Brown: Right here.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Attorney Brown ---
Mr. Brown: I’m here.
Mr. Mayor: --- Attorney Brown, can you speak to this matter because we’re now getting
into contract law.
Mr. Brown: I could not make out exactly what Commissioner Fennoy was asking.
Mr. Fennoy: But do I have a, may I repeat myself, Mr. Mayor?
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Mr. Mayor: Yes, please.
Mr. Fennoy: Because of the holiday schedule we don’t want the salary of the employees
changed.
Mr. Brown: Okay, so what’s your question?
Mr. Fennoy: The question is can we do that?
Mr. Brown: Can we pay them ---
Mr. Fennoy: Can we tell transit that you are going on a holiday schedule now and if your
employees are making $550.00 dollars a week because they’re going on a holiday schedule, we
don’t want you to drop them down to $500.00 dollars a week.
Mr. Brown: We will have to review some documents to see if we have that authority. Are
we providing them extra money, are we contributing to that?
Mr. Brown: (Inaudible).
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor, we can always assign them something else for those hours.
Mr. Mayor: I appreciate everybody just kind of chiming in but again we’ve got the
Attorney to give the right answer the contract law. If everybody can mute your microphones I
think we’re trying to address matters that are outside of our jurisdiction. These are contract
employees; we do not, all we’ve done is enter into a contractual obligation with the vendor of
record for transportation services. And so for us to say anything as it relates to how they pay and
what they pay I’m going to yield to the Attorney on that one but that’s outside of our jurisdiction.
Mr. Brown: Mr. Mayor, I would think if we have that aim and under these under the state
of emergency and special circumstances we would need to I think enter into a discussion or
negotiation with the employer of the transit company and for us to try to effectuate that. I don’t
know if we can just unilaterally in this meeting without having consulted the company that may
be a goal that they agree with but I don’t know how we could unilaterally do that.
Mr. Mayor: I think you’re correct. We couldn’t unilaterally do that and as the
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Commissioner from the 6 raised the concern just earlier when there was an opportunity. We’re
expressing concern about the employees those folks who are on the ground every single day and
where there was an opportunity to address that a couple of weeks ago we did not. The transit
workers themselves came forward and said we need relief, we need additional compensation and
we said no so I think we need to put this piece in the parking lot. We have a motion with a proper
second for us to address that Madam ---
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor ---
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Mr. Mayor: --- I’m going to come to you Commissioner.
Mr. Hasan: --- okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- we need to address the matter that’s before us and that is to suspend fares
and to again execute or implement a holiday schedule. That is on the website. We can also have
Administrator Sims if you would send that information out to the Commission through Ms. Bonner
and it will be made available in terms of what that schedule looks like.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor?
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I think everything that we’re talking about
here is in the contract so I don’t see how we can put this one outside of the contract when we’re
being asked to delay funds or to push back on funds, we’re being asked to go to a new schedule
system, a district schedule system for a holiday schedule. I don’t see how it’s any different. Now
we can make a decision right now. I’m not I absolutely agree with yourself and the Attorney about
that but all of that is part of the contract so I think, I think we’re having a broader, we’re having a
broad conversation in here and I think it ought to be taken into consideration. That’s all I’m saying
I think it’s all part of the contract.
Mr. Mayor: Well, it’s a contract that’s already been entered into and executed and as such
unless we say we’re going to amend the contract which is what was before us two weeks ago or
three weeks ago however long it was we did not amend the contract and so ---
Mr. Hasan: Are we amending the contract not to accept money? Are we amending the
contract to a holiday schedule? We’re not doing that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, but that’s a city issue.
Mr. Hasan: All the cities, all the city money.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second that’s before us and I’m going to
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have the Commissioner from the 4 restate his motion and Madam Clerk, we’re going to do a roll
call vote.
Mr. Sias: All right, am I on? Yes, sir, the motion that’s on the floor that was seconded I’m
just restating the motion is that we suspend all fares for the regular transit system and go to a
holiday schedule with the two rural systems, Para Transit and Rural Transit, remain intact and we
can add a date to it if we so but I think we should be flexible with that so I think we’ll leave that
date part off.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: All right, Mr. Clarke.
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Mr. Clarke: No.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: No, ma’am not at this time.
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.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Present.
Mr. M. Williams votes Present.
Motion Fail 4-5-1.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, I believe that ---
The Clerk: We have Item 7 on the Addendum Agenda and Item 17 on the Regular Agenda.
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Mr. Mayor: --- all right, let’s go with 17 on the Regular and we’ll come back to Addendum.
The Clerk:
OTHER BUSINESS
17. Mayor Pro Tem Sean Frantom’s employment with the Topgolf Entertainment Company.
(Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy)
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, the reason I had this placed on the agenda is because I (inaudible)
several phone calls concerning the relationship that Mr. Mayor Pro Tem has with Topgolf. One
of their concerns and one of my concerns that the announcement of Topgolf coming to Augusta
was made by Mayor Pro Tem. The naming of the road after Topgolf was brought to us by Mayor
Pro Tem. The dedication of the street for the city to maintain was brought to us by put on the
agenda by Mayor Pro Tem. And you know one of my concerns is that as commissioners we should
never do anything that would give the impression that we’re voting on issues that will directly
affect us as individuals. We have had investigations done by the city as it relates to commissioners
doing business with the city. We have a commissioner that’s presently under investigation based
on what somebody said but no supporting documentation. So I believe that we as commissioners
should never do anything to even imply or give the impression that we are doing something wrong
and I don’t think that happened in this case right here.
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner, okay she waives. All right, the Chair
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recognizes the Commissioner from the 10. All right, the Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As I stated a few weeks ago there was nothing done
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unjustly in this. There was one meeting with Topgolf on May 6 with the EDA, Tax Commissioner
and Topgolf. All other correspondents with myself as District 7 rep was with Jordon Trotter and
Jordan Trotter will be more than happy to talk to any of those constituents that called
Commissioner Fennoy because they know I did nothing wrong or unethical in this process. I’m
disappointed that as a colleague and as an elected official you can’t pick up the phone and call
somebody or try to get the documents. I have all the documents here I’ve had them for 2 ½ weeks,
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I wish you could see that date of December 31 right there. That’s when a recruiter reached out to
me. And again since 2 ½ weeks ago not one person has reached out to me in this community about
it. I know I did nothing wrong in this and you know it’s just disappointing that people are accusing
me of something and all you do is give back to this community. I didn’t make the announcement
about Topgolf coming. It was made by the whole of Augusta and the Mayor you know it too
because I said what is this going on. And then I did post something as I do I post everything
whether it’s District 7 or District 1 because I love this community and I’ll continue to do that as
long as I’m elected. Other Commissioners meet with businesses all the time and there was nothing
unjust or wrong done in this process as I stated a few weeks ago. We gave them no incentives to
come to Augusta so again there was nothing done wrong and I’m just disappointed that my name
is continued to be talked about when I know I got this job based on my past experience of being
in the golf business for 15 years and working at the Ronald McDonald House where we doubled
the budget during my time working there for 7 years. And that’s really all I have to say, Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. All right, the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think it’s worth talking about. I can’t say the
Commissioner did anything wrong or anything he shouldn’t have done but it does give the
perception when you an elected official in any government in any city you work for a company
that just moved to town so it does give a negative context on it if you look at it in that direction.
We’re always talking about being above board, we’re always talking about putting everything on
the table. I don’t meet with no companies. I don’t want to be asked to come on the floor to talk
about anything they want to talk about but it’s public information. So I’m not saying the
Commissioner did anything wrong but I do think it’s worth bringing out I mean if he hadn’t done
anything wrong and he’s well within his rights to do what he's doing now and put it out on the
table but had that been me, had that been me get a job with some other company just coming on
this entire city not just this commission would be up in arms that Marion Williams cut a deal, I
don’t do deals. I wouldn’t make a good contestant on Let’s Make a Deal because I don’t know
how to do that. If I don’t think it’s right I’m not going to agree with it. We’ve got other
commissioners being investigated on this board. I thought the same thing you know when the other
Commissioners were being investigated. I mean there’s rules. When you get elected your name
is going to be put out there and the Mayor Pro Tem needs to understand that now. When you are
an elected official everything that it can put your name on they’re going to put it on there but if
your plate is clean then (unintelligible). So I say again I think that it’s worth talking about because
of the fact that everybody who is elected is being watched daily. He’s being watched probably
more than he’s ever been watched in life so I just think that it’s important to have this dialogue let
people know that it’s nothing done wrong. The Mayor Pro Tem’s been talking about transparency
so everything should’ve been put on the table. In fact he probably should’ve put it on the table
before everybody else did and let everybody know that this is transparency.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I did it two weeks ago and I have it all right here. I mean not hiding
from it, I’m not hiding from it.
Mr. M. Williams: I’m not debating you, I’m just telling you what I said before. You heard
me many, many times (inaudible) we understand it’s not. I hold my same position; I think that we
are really up under the radar when we get this position and we’ve got to be held accountable so
those are my comments, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the
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8.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor. I want to make a motion to receive this as information.
Mr. Clarke: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ll receive this as information without objection. Final item on
the agenda.
The Clerk:
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ADDENDUM
24. Discuss front line employees with general public interaction during COVID-19 including
pay, time off etc. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Frantom)
Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Commissioner Sias kind of already talked
about this a little bit and really I’ve gotten some calls about you know other counties and other
people are doing certain things like comp days if they work a week or two they’re getting an extra
comp day for these frontline employees. Also some people are paying them some hazardous pay
or whatnot. My other concern is that we’ve got employees that have time off scheduled whether
(inaudible) department, Fire Department whatever Planning Department and just making sure
we’re honoring that time off even though we’re going through this. I mean people need their time
off and deserve it and I just really want to start the conversation of the Administrator and Finance
bringing us back some options to support these employees as Commissioner Sias and I think even
Commissioner Fennoy mentioned earlier.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from
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the 8, all right, he waives. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I really didn’t have nothing on it but I will weigh in on it since
you insist.
Mr. Mayor: Well, anytime the screen goes yellow it says you’re raising to speak so.
Mr. Hasan: Oh, I didn’t know that ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
Mr. Hasan: --- okay well, well okay, I’ll go ahead and I think we’re of one mind had went
somewhere else. But I just want to know how will we do that if we decide to make a decision I
know (unintelligible) information that was pointed out as doing you know a subsidy or something
of that nature. I am all for it but I just need to know how broad would that brush be going on the
front line. They are our first responders but you may have some other people in the organization
is that being considered in other places people who go out Engineering person who’s on the ground
is that being considered about a Utility person who’s on the ground and those kinds of persons as
well or are you just looking at first responders? You know I want to support it and I don’t know
if we’re going to get to that today but do we need any more data or do we need to make a reference
to what we’ve got now and try to go forward with that?
Mr. Mayor: Well, I think we need more data and I think that’s consistently what we’re
hearing today. You’ve got a series of things that are before us in terms of how we help yes, number
one, our employees but most importantly how we help the broader community on the other side of
this time. And I think there are things being put together so that we can assemble the information
and we can have this type of robust conversation we’ve had earlier around COVID-19 and
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everybody gets a chance to weigh in on it and make that decision in terms of all of our employees
who have done a yeoman’s job in this unprecedented time for us. And so I think when we start
talking about essential personnel and in particular those who are suiting up every single day
coming to work Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Fire, EMA, Utilities, Engineering we think about
that but they have systems that allow them to do their jobs best and that happens because we’ve
got an incredible Information Technology Department and they provide them with the tools to get
out there in the field and do their work. So let’s make them take a very balanced approach in terms
of how we address this but, Administrator Sims, I think what we’re hearing is that there’s a series
of data requests that will be needed from staff and as you’ll need that to help us have this
conversation in the next few days. This is a real time conversation and we want to make sure that
we’re leaning into it the right way.
Mr. Sims: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to go to the Commissioner from the 10.
Mr. Clarke: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor I could concur and agree totally with what you just said.
I think it’s too early for us to put a figure or amount on something right now but I would like to
make our first responders and all of our employees know that when we compile all of the data and
know where our money is at and what we can do that they’re going to be taken care of. And I
think right now what we should do is take this as information until we get the appropriate data.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 5.
Ms. Davis: Second.
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Mr. B. Williams: Commissioner from the 5 I want to make a motion we take this as
information.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion to do that already and a second. All right, I’m
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going to come back to a series of things, Commissioner from the 1 please unmute your
microphone, Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Can you hear me?
Mr. Mayor: We can now.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, I think that once this virus is cleared up we need to look at what other
cities have done for their employees and do something similar by our employees.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right, Attorney Brown.
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir. I would just like to remind the Commission that the idea of waiting
and then retroactively paying you have a legal problem seeking to do that. Hazardous pay before
you can pay it one thing you will need is a Hazardous Pay Policy to be written and that will be
going forward so you do not run into the gratuities clause. For public employees you cannot pay
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them for services already rendered at a different price than you had in contract at the time they
rendered the service. So you probably would not want much more delay before you develop a
Hazardous Pay Policy because it will take effect from that point going forward and they would
have rendered significant services already.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor ---
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Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: --- based on the information that our Attorney just shared with us do we need
a substitute motion to draft an emergency policy and we do a roll call vote around it and put a
number to it or something like that. Do we need to do that because I think it’s something all of us
got in our hearts we want to do. Let’s not squander the opportunity to fair to them. So I’m just
asking do we need to make a substitute motion and somebody draft a substitute motion around
this?
Mr. Mayor: Well, I think you’re doing that, Commissioner Hasan, that the substitute
motion would be to implement a Hazardous Pay Policy effective today.
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Brown.
Mr. Brown: I think you first have to institute your Hazardous Pay Policy and vote on it.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, can I ask him a question? Can I ask the Attorney a question?
Mr. Mayor: Sure.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, based on everything we’ve been operating up under as of late can
this rule be one of those rules that you can suspend to get this done because it does give you the
power the authority, Mr. Mayor, as much as it hurts me in my heart to say it?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I know it does, I know.
Mr. Hasan: Well, we’ll recognize it is what it is. It does give you the authority in the
predicament that we’re in to waive some policies under special circumstances and we’re in a very
unique circumstance, and my screen seems to be moving on me. I’m asking the Attorney that
question.
Mr. B. Williams: I have a question, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay so Commissioner B. Williams from the 5 the Commissioner from the
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6 is correct on that. We could implement that but we would certainly want to bring that
information back to the body so you would know what that is.
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Mr. B. Williams: Right, here’s my question. Who are we going to give hazardous pay to?
The people that are working right now they’re working on their regular schedule. They’re not,
and the city’s basically shut down so who’s working in a hazardous way?
Mr. Mayor: Well, I think the question’s that’s before us is you’ve got your sanitation
workers, your water, your road and drainage, your Information Technology, you’ve got Law
Enforcement, you’ve got Fire and EMA. Those are folks who are consistently performing essential
jobs in local government and will be included in that list.
Mr. B. Williams: I agree and at the same time they’re doing their regular day to day what
have you.
Mr. Mayor: I’m not sure that’s a true statement from the standpoint of there is a population
that is not having to come in. There’s a population that effectively has already been sheltered in
place at home already since 16 May so.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, okay so let me do this so we can move forward. I’ll pull back my
last recommendation. I guess I need to do a substitute motion that we create a Hazardous Pay
Policy and what, we need to assign it to the Administrator or what?
Mr. Mayor: Well, I think what we’re hearing is yes we can assign it to the Administrator’s
Office but we can take action to implement hazardous pay now ---
Mr. B. Williams: Okay ---
Mr. Mayor: --- pursuant to, pursuant to Code Section 3-34-34 through 46.
Mr. B. Williams: --- okay, so my motion, my substitute motion is that we create a
hazardous pay policy. Is there anything that needs to be added on to it?
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’re going to recognize the Attorney here in just a moment. Let
me get a (inaudible) hands. The Chair recognizes Attorney Brown.
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir. I think that the, I would advise that the best that you could do would
be task the Administrator to develop a Hazardous Pay Policy to be presented to the Commission
and if time is of the essence, the Commission may consider having a Special Called Meeting to
consider that policy. You need to pass that policy before you institute hazardous pay.
Mr. Sias: So then I totally agree with that. Mr. Mayor, why don’t we just task the
Administrator to come up with that policy and it may not necessarily have to be pay. It could also
be comp time but we just need to have that policy drafted and then review it as soon as possible.
The Clerk: Are you seconding that, Mr. Sias?
Mr. Sias: As long as it tasks the Administrator to develop that policy ---
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The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Sias: --- and bring it back and I will second it but not just to say we’re going to start
paying.
The Clerk: No, that’s to task the Administrator to create a Hazardous Pay Policy.
Mr. Sias: And bring it back for Commission approval.
The Clerk: Okay.
Ms. Smitherman: From a Fire Department perspective it can’t be comp time. You can’t
give all these guys comp that we can’t give them all later.
Mr. Sias: Right and I heard that.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so here’s what I’d like to see happen. We’ve got a motion and a
second tasking the Administrator with drafting a Hazardous Pay Policy. In light of what we know,
in light of what we know we’ll have a Special Called Meeting on Monday morning 10:00 a.m., a
virtual Special Called Meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning.
Mr. Sias: I’ve got one quick question.
Mr. Mayor: We’re anticipating a shelter in place order from the Governor at any minute
now.
Mr. Sias: I have a quick question.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: I support this concept but I just have one concern. If we call this hazardous pay
that may be a little bit too broad. We might want to go with this and put it in the context of Corona
Virus because if we just leave it out as hazardous pay it may apply to a lot of other things as well,
that’s just my thought.
Mr. B. Williams: I agree. Well what I thought was that we were going to create a policy
so that we could use it in the future but we can do we can determine who gets hazardous pay
according to what’s happening in the future. Let’s vote it up or down, Mr. Mayor.
The Clerk: Are we adding COVID-19 or not?
Ms. Davis: No.
Mr. B. Williams: I don’t think so we’ve got to have a policy ---
The Clerk: Okay.
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Mr. B. Williams: --- the city needs a policy.
The Clerk: Okay.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so let’s take the cure again. If everybody can mute their microphones
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the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: You know every time a fireman runs to a burning house that’s hazardous.
Every time a deputy pulls someone over that’s hazardous. Every time Code Enforcement or the
Marshal’s Department, the Marshal’s department goes out and serves a warrant that could be
hazardous. Every time the Code Enforcement sends a letter saying you’ve got to clean up your
yard and remove that trash that could be hazardous so I think that we need give some, I could
support the thought of what it is we’re trying to do but we need to be careful about using the word
hazardous unless we are ready to include our Law Enforcement, Firemen, Code Enforcement so
forth and so on.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right thank you, Commissioner. Here’s our posture. We’re not
going to debate the semantics of what we call it. At the end of the day what we’re referring to is
a (inaudible) policy during these unprecedented times whether it’s overtime pay, we’re going to
have an extended pay policy that will be drafted by the Administrator and at the appropriate time
we will have a Special Called Meeting. So I think the motion is simply this, motion to adopt pay
policy for an employee (inaudible) City of Augusta.
The Clerk: To adopt pay?
Mr. Mayor: Pay policy, simply this. Motion to adopt the pay policy tasking the
Administrator with drafting it and then at the appropriate time, Madam Clerk, we will have a
Special Called Meeting next week.
The Clerk: Just adopt the pay policy.
Mr. Mayor: That’s right.
The Clerk: Is that the, who’s making that motion?
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Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 4.
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The Clerk: From the 4?
Mr. B. Williams: No, I made the motion, I made the motion.
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Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 5.
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The Clerk: So just okay, the motion is going to be task the Administrator with creating --
Mr. Mayor: Pay policy.
The Clerk: --- pay policy and be brought back to the Commission for approval.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, so with the emphasis that is with hazardous pay.
Mr. Mayor: No, there’s no emphasis being placed on it. We understand that but we want
to again take the semantics and the categorization out of it. It’s simply a pay policy because the
broader concerns is who does it affect, who does it affect?
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, so I need to remake the motion then, right?
The Clerk: No, I got it. Mr. Mayor, can I read back?
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, out of the abundance of caution the motion should be the
following, motion to amend the Augusta pay policy, tasking the Administrator with bringing a
draft back because we already have a pay policy in the 3PM and as such we’re going to amend
that.
The Clerk: And bring back for Commission approval, amending Augusta pay policy, task
the Administrator with drafting an amendment to the Augusta pay policy and bring back to the
Commission for approval.
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, now I need to remake my motion, right?
The Clerk: Well, that was it.
Mr. B. Williams: That includes something about hazardous pay, did it not?
Mr. Mayor: That would be your motion what was just stated, Commissioner.
Mr. D. Williams: You don’t want to use the word hazardous.
The Clerk: Well, it’s coming back.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, go ahead.
The Clerk: And that’s Mr. Bobby Williams and Mr. Sias, correct?
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct.
The Clerk: Okay, are you ready for roll call, Mr. Mayor?
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Mr. Mayor: I am.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Frantom?
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes.
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. I’ll go back to Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan, Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am, I’m sorry.
The Clerk: Okay, Mr. Marion Williams, Mr. Marion Williams?
Mr. M. Williams out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk ---
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The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- I believe that is all the business that’s before us today.
Mr. B. Williams: Hallelujah.
Mr. Mayor: I want to thank the Information and Technology Department and the team for
the work that they’ve done to mobilize quickly and get us online virtually. And I want to thank
all of the members of the Commission and our entire team, the Clerk, Administrator, Attorney and
everybody that’s played a role in making this happen. This is the way business will be conducted
in the future. This is not new. This is going to be the future work for not only cities but
governments and we are onboard now. If there by no further business, we are adjourned.
Mr. B. Williams: Ms. Bonner, where do you want me to leave this book?
The Clerk: Right where it is. Where are you? In the Chamber?
Mr. B. Williams: I’m in 292.
The Clerk: Okay, leave it right there.
Mr. B. Williams: All righty.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
Lena Bonner
Clerk of Commission
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy
of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of The Augusta Richmond County Commission held on
April 2, 2020.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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