Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting June 2, 2020 REGULAR MEETING VIRTUAL/TELECONFERENCE JUNE 2, 2020 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, 2020, the Honorable Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. 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. Mayor: Okay, we’re ready. Everybody, I’m going to go ahead and get started. All right, Madam Clerk --- The Clerk: Yes, sir --- Mr. Mayor: --- do we have Administrator Sims on at this point? Oh, there he is. I see him. All right, very good. All right, okay, we’re ready to go ready to rock and roll. The Clerk: --- okay. rd Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, the Commissioner from the 3 is going to give our invocation today --- The Clerk: Okay. Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: All right, so let’s do this first. We’re going to call the meeting to order. The Chair recognizes Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Our invocation will be delivered today by Commissioner Mary Davis after which please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand now for the invocation. The invocation was given by Commissioner Mary Davis. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. The Clerk: Commissioner Davis, that was quite an inspirational prayer. Thank you. Ms. Davis: Thank you, Ms. Bonner. Mr. Fennoy: I concur. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk. DELEGATIONS 1 B. Ms. JoRae Jenkins/Chief Patrick Clayton, RCSO regarding the creation of an ordinance establishing regulations for alarm companies. (It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be deleted from the agenda) The Clerk: Our Delegation portion of the agenda, Mr. Mayor. We had two requests for delegations on our Addendum Agenda. Would it be appropriate to see if the Commission gives consent for those delegations? Mr. Mayor: So are they both, so I know Delegation B has requested that this be moved – The Clerk: Be deleted. Mr. Mayor: What about Delegation A? Are they? The Clerk: They’re here and we also have two delegations on our Addendum Agenda as well so I need to know if we have consent from the Commission to add the two requested delegations on our commission agenda. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’m missing that. I’m not tracking that, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Do you need me to send you the addendum agenda? Is that --- Mr. Mayor: Yes. I’m looking for your emails to see if it’s there so. The Clerk: --- yes, sir, I sent it out on Friday evening. Mr. Mayor: All right, very good. I’m there, I see them, Madam Clerk, I’m there. The Clerk: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: All right and these are again --- The Clerk: We have Delegation A under the regular agenda and delegation one and two on the Addendum Agenda. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, without objection. The Clerk: Okay, we’ll move forward with Delegation A. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS A. Ms. LaFawn Pinkney-Mealing regarding recent incident with Bobby Williams concerning a damaged mailbox in the Bellemeade Subdivision. 2 Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk. Okay Ms., we’re waiting on Ms. Pinkney. The Clerk: Let me see where they are. Mr. Mayor: Okay, so I don’t see the public in the conference room, Madam Clerk, so – The Clerk: Yes, that’s what I’m checking on. Mr. Mayor: Is someone assisting them? Mr. Lewis: We’re connected and we can hear but they’re (inaudible). The Clerk: Okay, all right. Yes, sir, just a moment. They can hear us. There’s Ms. Mealing. Mr. Mayor, Ms. Mealing has been seated. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, fantastic. Ms. Mealing, good afternoon. We are going to give you five minutes. If you would state for the record your name and your address and if you’ll proceed with your comments. Ms. Mealing: My name is LaFawn Pinkney-Mealing, my address is 2948 Rollingwood Drive, Augusta, Georgia 30906. I am the wife of Alan Mealing, the owner of Mealing Ventures, a large trucking company based out of Augusta, Georgia and I wanted and requested this opportunity to talk to the panel regarding an incident with Commissioner Bobby Williams. This th incident transpired on April 8 and it was as a result of an incident or accident on a construction th site on April 7 where in a dump truck owned by Mealing Ventures hit and damaged a mailbox at 2444 Bel Meade Court. This home or residence is adjacent to Commissioner Bobby Williams’ home. The driver of the truck and the (inaudible) site foreman informed us of the incident; a report was not filed with the county Sheriff’s Office. My husband Alan Mealing went out to the home, the residence and spoke with the homeowner regarding making her whole by repairing the damage caused by the truck hitting the mailbox. The mailbox was a brick structure. The homeowner advised my husband that she it did not want a brick mailbox rebuilt. She actually pointed to a mailbox that was in, right across the street from her and said I want a mailbox like that. I want a new style mailbox. We didn’t get any type of signatures on her, nothing was documented. It was just a conversation between her and my husband. I will state this is an elderly individual. She is lucid and articulate. It was not a situation where this is a person who could not make a decision th on her own. On the 8 of April that afternoon my husband and I went out to the site to remove the debris caused by the accident and we were out there for a few minutes and the homeowner came out and said, stated to us, you guys don’t have to be doing this. The city’s going to take care of and repair this mailbox. And we asked her who she had spoken with and who actually provided her with that information and she said Bobby who lives right across the street. He was out here this morning with the supervisor and they were I guess surveying the area, basically what she said and that comment was made that the city would repair the mailbox. And again she stated that Bobby lived right across the street, pointed to his residence and she said you ought to go over there and talk to him. You guys don’t have to do this. So we drove right across the street and spoke with Mr. Williams who was actually standing in the door by the time we made it up the driveway to his porch. My husband introduced himself and said hey so what’s going on with the mailbox 3 across the street, prepared to repair the mailbox and the homeowners telling me that the city’s going to take care of it? Mr. Williams’ words were yeah, man, the city’s going to take care of it. The city has plenty of money, don’t worry about anything. You don’t have to remove the debris or anything. And my husband said well who can I get to confirm that so Mr. Williams’ then called somebody on the cellphone and he left. And I don’t know who he called. My husband recalled that the contact name displayed on the phone was somebody Steve Taylor, all right. My husband asked hey I’m here in the neighborhood, we’re here to repair a mailbox and Bobby Williams is telling us we don’t have to do anything, that the city will take care of it. This person substantiated what we told him that Bobby Williams had told us so we proceeded to leave after that. No quicker than we could get out of the neighborhood the neighbor’s already a few feet from Golden Camp Road. The Reeves Construction manager called us and said hey the city is contacting us about this damaged mailbox. When are you guys going to make the homeowner whole and nobody, well we’re out here right now and we were told the city was going to take care of it. So we ended that phone call. We turned back around went back to the homeowner, advised her hey this is not the city’s responsibility. We are going to make you whole, you expressed to us what it was you wanted and we will continue to remove the debris and install the mailbox. It was about 30 or 40 minutes later that we recognized that we needed some more supplies and I will say that once we turned back around and when back to the homeowner’s residence that Bobby Williams stood in the door and watched us. So we left the residence to get some additional supplies and we returned like an hour later to find Bobby Williams told some folks that we did not know at the time who they were that they owned the lot at the stop sign, the corner lot. It’s a relatively large yard. We pull up to where we were installing the mailbox and found the mailbox post had been removed the hole had been covered up and everything all our supplies that we had left there was just laying to the side. Bobby Williams approached us telling us to leave, that the city’s going to take care of it and that he didn’t want us there, okay? So we’re like we’ve already discussed it with the homeowner. We are here to repair, it it’s not the city’s responsibility to repair this mailbox. He began to get irate, all right telling us to get our s-h-i-t and get out of there and at that point the words were exchanged. I advised him he was not the homeowner and that we would not leave that residence because he said to do so. I (unintelligible) that the persons that were in the yard at that particular time was one of the homeowner’s sons and couple of others were neighbors, alright? And so we were able communicate with the homeowner’s son because the situation had escalated to a point where there were a lot of things being said. Bobby Williams was kind of throwing his weight around telling us he was the commissioner out there, that he basically wanted to do what it was that he told us that what we were going to do and we in no uncertain terms advised him that was (unintelligible) and my husband spoke up and said hey, I know a Commissioner as well. I know Marion Williams because I called him and said at that point that Mr. Williams began to flail his arms, dropped the ‘f’ bomb cussing and screaming; it was ridiculous. So because it escalated to that point he finally said to leave. I was going to say Mr. Williams left the residence before we did and again (unintelligible) and we were at that residence to repair the mailbox. We received the contact information for the homeowner’s son who was Brian Prince and he told us he would reach back out to us and just to let this settle down and that he couldn’t believe how Mr. Williams acted and his mom who was the homeowner at the time asked that he reimburse my husband for the mailbox because that’s what she told him to get. And so we left. No sooner than we could get home we had the dispatcher from Reeves Construction calling us telling us that we had been removed from that project, city project, resurfacing the roads in that neighborhood. So he told us we had been removed based on a request of Bobby Williams, that we could not work on any contracts with the 4 city and so we were reassigned that day. Fortunately (inaudible) on another project that the pay was comparable. So on that night I reached out to the Mayor Pro Tem. We reached out to Marion Williams. I reached out to the Mayor (inaudible) then to advise and the Mayor Pro Tem called me back and I explained to him what happened. I also talked to Marion Williams and explained to him what happened. Marion actually reached back out to the General Manager of Reeves Construction Company to have a discussion in regards to how this one person was able to give them a (inaudible) and basically have us removed from a contract because he was upset that we didn’t cower down to him. He was acting out of retaliation. It was to do harm to our business th again because we refused to cower down to him so that was (inaudible). On the 9 midday we received a call from Reeves telling us that we had been restored effectively and that they apologized to us for the things that had transpired and basically that was it. I came today because I am just outdone with how Mr. Williams exhibited himself. As a leader he definitely didn’t conduct himself like one. He was (inaudible) with the homeowner, with us about the city being able to, going to repair the mailbox which we weren’t ever looking for anybody to make the homeowner whole other than ourselves. But he used his platform as a guise in dealing with us, the homeowner, and as well the construction company. And again his intent was to do harm and that’s just not logical nor is it acceptable. Mr. Mayor: Ms. Pinkney, all right, thank you, thank you, Your time has expired. Okay, all right, do we have any questions for Ms. Pinkney? Again, all right, the Commissioner from the thth 9, the Commissioner from the 9. The Clerk: Unmute. He’s muted. Mr. Speaker: Unmute yourself. Mr. M. Williams: Okay, how about that? Mr. Mayor: Yeah, you’re fine. Mr. M. Williams: I haven’t had any conversation with Commissioner Bobby Williams about the incident but I called Bobby when this happened and asked him what was going on and he said he didn’t know. I said well I got a call about some incident and he was irate. He got irate again and started to swearing about the construction people what they was doing and I pleaded I said Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, and he hung up the phone on me. I have not had a conversation with him since then. I’ve seen him but we have not spoken since then so I want to know how I get drew into the situation. I think like Ms. Mealing said it was very unprofessional. I think it’s beneath an elected official to use his authority. From what I’m told and I wasn’t there that he was Commissioner out there and I had no jurisdiction. I’m an elected and half of this city in fact I’m elected in this entire city. If there’s a situation that I need to address I’m going to do it professionally and I’m going to do it to try to help the people. But I have not had a conversation with him because I called when I heard that my name was thrown into this mix. I hadn’t done anything. I do know Mr. Mealing, I know his wife. I know how he’s changed his life. I know how he’s trying to be a businessman, I know he’s had several business ventures and I’m proud to be associated with him, I’m proud to do that. Now I hadn’t heard Ms. Mealing say yet how my name came into this situation, why I was thrown under the bus so to speak. It sounds like there’s a issue 5 with me that should’ve been brought to me and not to the Mealings. So, Mr. Mayor, I’ve been very patient and I ain’t very patient most of the time but I’ve been very patient because I know there’s something very serious and it needs to be handled right. But I hadn’t said a word to Bobby, he hadn’t said a word to me. He hadn’t reached out, he hadn’t apologized. I guess there’s no need for an apology but from what I’m told that I was everything under the ground so. Mr. Mayor: Okay so, Commissioner, again I appreciate Ms. Pinkney for bringing the th matter forward. I’m going to hear from the Commissioner from the 5 if he so choses and if not we’re going to move on to the next item. Mr. M. Williams: So, Mr. Mayor, that hasn’t answered my question then. My question is how what was said to bring my name into this situation because I was the one, and I think if that happened to you, Mr. Mayor, you’d feel the same way now. th, Mr. Mayor: Well, Commissioner from the 9 again I don’t think we can chase inuendo or as you would say I don’t think we can chase rabbits through the briar patch. This is a serious matter it’s been brought before us, I don’t want to be dismissive of it but this all in my mind could’ve been handled outside of a public forum such as this. It was conducted in a private setting and it could’ve been --- Mr. M. Williams: Wait, wait hold it, hold it --- Mr. Mayor: --- resolved in a private setting. Mr. M. Williams: --- no, sir. It happened on a public street. This wasn’t private. This happened, and I don’t know who else heard it, I don’t know who else was there. I hadn’t said a word about it. I tried to bring it to the attention of this body and we didn’t address it. I tried to -- Mr. Mayor: Well, that’s what I’m saying. It, right, you did and it was in someone’s yard and there was a group of people who were engaged in the conversation and I think you know largely that same group of people should’ve brought resolution to it. Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, Mr. Mayor, I see what you’re trying to do. You’re trying to be diplomatic now and it isn’t that time. It’s time to call a spade a spade right is right and wrong is wrong. That’s why we’re in the state we’re in now because people won’t address issues. We act like they’re going to go away by themselves. I through with it. Like I said I hadn’t spoke to Bobby, he hadn’t spoke to me. If I had had an issue with him or you or anybody else I’m man enough to come to you and directly if I had an issue with that. Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, Madam Clerk, next item, Ms. Pinkney, thank you. ADDENDUM 33. Rev. Christopher G. Johnson Greater Augusta’s Interfaith Coalition RE: Greater Augusta’s Interfaith Coalition – Total Census Count Initiative Support for census responses from hard to count citizens. Support for 15 places of activities for respondents 6 Support for 2 minutes Census PSA from each Commissioner Support for a donation rd Support for the 3 of each month to October 2020 Augusta’s days The Clerk: Our next delegation is Reverend Christopher D. Johnson, Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition regarding support for the census count initiative. Mr. Mayor: And Reverend Johnson, thank you. If you’ll state for the record your address and if you’ll proceed with your presentation. Reverend Johnson: Thank you, sir. Honorable Mayor Hardie Davis my name is Reverend Christopher Johnson. I live at 2724 (unintelligible) 30907 (inaudible). I’m here today to talk about Augusta Interfaith Coalition for the census count initiative (unintelligible) even the Augusta Complete Count and we’re going around in the coalition forum that we tried partnering with the county (unintelligible) work in cooperation with both the county and (inaudible). We also bring with us a team of volunteers who volunteer their time and efforts to county (inaudible). We also bring internet hot spots (inaudible) sights, collection sites for the citizens so that we can actually get the census information from the ones that claim they don’t have access to the internet (inaudible) have access to sign up. We propose that the third day of each month be set aside as Richmond County Complete Count Census Day. The census program has been pushed back to st October 31. What we’re doing in our working county that we’re working in we’ve set aside one day out of the month in which we’re going into those counties and we have Complete Count Census Day. And we’re bringing the tools with us. We’re also working with a team, with the local team to help get this work done. Currently in addition to Richmond County we have an operation going on in Hancock County, Jenkins County, Columbia County, Burke County and about six more counties that we have a relationship with. We want to get started here and (inaudible) partnership with Richmond County as we always have a good partnership with Richmond County and we also want all the commissioners to give a two-minute public service announcement with (inaudible). We’re looking at the hard to count ones (inaudible) every commissioner to join with us in telling the whole community they need to stand up and be counted. That’s why we’re here and also to submit the information (inaudible). Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, thank you, any questions? All right, thank you, Reverend Johnson, thank you. ADDENDUM 34. Denice Traina Chair, Transit Citizens Advisory Committee RE: Committee Report; Getting on the Bus – the future of public transit in Augusta, GA. The Clerk: Our next Delegation Ms. Denice Traina, Chairman of the Transit Citizens Advisory Committee regarding a committee report. Ms. Traina: Thank you. Good afternoon, my name is Denice Traina 631 Bohler Avenue in Augusta 30904. 7 Mr. Clarke: Mr. Mayor, can you ask Ms. Traina to speak up please? Mr. Mayor: I think you just did. Ms. Traina, if you’ll speak a little bit more loudly --- Ms. Traina: Okay --- Mr. Mayor: --- we’d greatly appreciate it. Ms. Traina: --- good afternoon. Our visit today is twofold. We come before you to share an update on our work as well as a request to continue (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Ms. Traina, continue. Ms. Traina: The Transit Citizens Advisory Committee was constituted to advise the Augusta Georgia public transit department on matters with ADT. To me this level of community and (unintelligible) will provide input on issues (unintelligible) program. That’s why (inaudible) and why we’re here today. This is a time for us both as like the Commission to see if we are completing our mission. This community is proud to report that the much overdue shelters have arrived but we can’t overlook the fact that six months bus stops and only a fraction of shelters I believe 17 were initially approved. We are not currently adequately meeting the need of our consumers to have a clean, safe protected place to wait for a bus to arrive. We appreciate (inaudible) but are aware of the need to have more on hand when breakdowns occur which with equipment old as 15 to 20 years is predictable. Over the past year we have reviewed reports (inaudible) improved but not yet met our obligatory standards (inaudible) progress when it does happen. Repairs to sidewalks, curbs plus maintenance and meeting ADA facility standards for all of our consumers --- I’m sorry ADA Accessibility Standards for all our consumers remains of course a concern and continues to isolate our citizens. Collaboration with the Board of Elections has produced new (inaudible) to meet the needs of voters who arrive at the polls by APT and that work is ongoing. We can (inaudible) recognizing the vital need for transportation by the public during the COVID-19 outbreak and for taking managers and essential employees our bus drivers including (inaudible) and directing passengers to (inaudible) the bus as well as providing a pay raise to them. (inaudible) Commission to dedicate sufficient resources thereby acknowledging that mass transit is a driver of our economy and not simply a convenience. We urge expansion to Columbia County and to south Augusta as soon as possible. The needs and (inaudible) is enormous and deserves our attention. If SPLOST funding only meets the needs for infrastructure other funding resources must be considered. Continuity (inaudible) infusion of plans has at times been problematic. By this I mean, for instance, like a patient going to the doctor. He goes in and says I have this unquenchable thirst. I feel weak. I’m having symptoms. The doctor takes a blood sample, gets it back and diagnoses the person with diabetes and the next time they come in the doctor asks how he’s doing and the patient says great since he’s been given a change in diet, exercise and medication. Yes, much better. So the doctor says, she says to him a positive response is what I’m looking for. Let’s keep you on the checkup list. So you can imagine what happens for a patient if the doctor doesn’t first acknowledge then act, then treat and then follow up. Over the yeas our committee has assisted in identifying issues but when plans are put in place they are not necessarily completed. Sometimes this needs to wait. This committee will continue 8 to push for efficient use of taxpayer dollars and expansion of transit services. I think you will find that I would like to yield a moment to my co-chair for other remarks. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Tulle: Thank you for allowing me this one minute. And what Ms. Traina was just doing first of all my name is Galen Tulle --- Transit Citizens Advisory Committee (inaudible) Commissioner Hasan as well as the ADA advocate (inaudible). My biggest question, as Ms. Traina just said, these are some of the things we’ve been doing (inaudible) however in those 12 years we have only had one commissioner to attend our meetings. That is Commissioner Hasan. (inaudible). Our question is based on the attendance of the Commission, based on the fact that we (inaudible), based on the fact that as Ms. Traina said, we come up with ideas that would improve transportation if ya’ll would consider it, we were just curious as to what priority you place (inaudible) and if that would meet the date then you need (inaudible) several disabled people in this community. We (inaudible) and I am sure that the Chamber of Commerce, the south Augusta Economic Development Authority and other businesses and merchants will attest to the fact that they (inaudible). (inaudible) where we fit in in your priority list (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Mr. Tulle --- Mr. Tulle: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: --- thank you for your presentation. Ms. Traina, thank you for your presentation. Again this Commission has certainly made a commitment to Transit. In the current TSPLOST that’s on the ballot the first time in the city’s history there’s a commitment of almost $30 million dollars towards Transit to help bolster that and make it stronger in the City of Augusta. That has not happened before. And so I think you’re seeing not only a commitment in terms of monetary contributions but you’ve also seen the enhancement of our Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility. Once again one of its first of a kind investment in the City of Augusta because this Commission believes that Transit is in fact so important to the long term growth and advancement of our city. There are other things that can be done and will be done. What I would ask you and Ms. Traina to do is set up some time that we can convene a meeting of a subcommittee focused around transit that can allow you to have that full throated conversation. We’ve run out of time today but we welcome that opportunity, okay? Thank you both. All right, thank you. All right, Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Mayor, I have a question for the Administrator, Administrator Sims --- Mr. Mayor: He’s ready. Go ahead. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- okay. Mr. Sims: Yes, sir. 9 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: What’s the status of the new Transit Center? I mean it’s not open and it seems like it should be open like why and what’s going on there? Mr. Sims: Mayor Pro Tem, our Transit Director Sharon Dottery is available to kind of give you more details about that. I do know that it did run into some delays but at this point I think we’re close to having it open. And we can have Ms. Dottery provide you all an update on this matter. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do you have any idea of the timeframe? Mr. Sims: I don’t want to say a set date and I’m not certain so let me follow up with Director Dottery on this matter. Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’d appreciate that from my end. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Sims: Sure. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk? The Clerk: Yes, sir, our Consent Agenda consists of Item #1, Item #1. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’m going to ask this body to give consideration to consenting the entire agenda and we’ll move on an exit strategy to call going home. Mr. M. Williams: No, sir, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: It sounded good, Commissioner. Mr. M. Williams: It might’ve sounded good. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, I think we’ll entertain motions to add items to the consent agenda. Mr. D. Williams: Mr. Mayor? nd Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2. Mr. D. Williams: If my colleagues would agree I would like to consent Item Number 17 and 18. Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got some issues with 17 and 18, Mr. Mayor. I need to discuss (unintelligible). rd Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right with objections. All right, Commissioner from the 3. 10 Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mayor. If the Commission would agree I’d like to consent 6, 7, 8 and 9. Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got some problems with 7, 8 and 9, Mayor. Ms. Davis: Okay. Mr. Mayor: All right, any one else? Mr. Clarke: I’d like to consent Item 22. Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got some serious problems with 22. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Madam Clerk, I think that Item #6 is all right. The rd Commissioner from the 3 back again. Ms. Davis: Could I ask, thank you, Mayor, could I ask for two more considerations 29 and 31? Mr. Mayor: All right. Mr. M. Williams: 29 and 31 --- Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I think they look good. The Clerk: And 29 is grant money that is coming from the Cares Act, $525,000 for a Rural Transportation and it has to be back to GDOT within the week. Mr. Mayor: Yeah, all right without objection. The Clerk: Item 31 was okay? Mr. Mayor: Without objection. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, can you check and see why I’m not, I’m not showing up. I see my (unintelligible) I don’t know how I got off the screen. Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’m not sure how you got off. We’ll text the appropriate folks, I don’t know what’s going on --- Mr. Lewis: The camera’s --- Mr. Mayor: --- looks like we’re sandwiched in between --- 11 Mr. Lewis: --- the camera has flipped around. He needs to hit the flip button on his camera. Mr. Hasan: On my camera? Mr. Mayor: On your camera on your phone or IPAD whatever you have. Mr. Hasan: (Unintelligible) I need to do here? Mr. Mayor: If you’ll touch the, can we have somebody walk over to the conference room that he’s in? Mr. Lewis: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: --- fantastic, let’s do that Commissioner Hasan --- Mr. Hasan: (Unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: --- I know but we’re going to get to you; we’re trying to move quickly here. All right, Mayor Pro Tem --- Mr. Garrett: We should start meeting in person. Mr. D. Williams: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: --- all right --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I was going see if there’s any objection to Number 30. The Clerk: 30? nd Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 2. Mr. D. Williams: I agree with Item #30 and if everybody would agree to Item 26? The Clerk: Items 30 and 26. Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got an issue with 26. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right 30, all right so, Madam Clerk, all right the Commissioner from th the 4. Mr. Sias: Just one quick question I support Item 30. Does it, I just want to ask the Attorney a question does it require two meetings? Mr. Mayor: Yes. 12 Mr. Sias: If so we can you know we will have to put that in there as part of consent. Mr. Brown: Yes, it would. Mr. Mayor: All right. Mr. Sias: So do we need to do a separate and waive the second reading or can we do that in the consent? Mr. Brown: It would be announced in the consent if that’s the intent. The request is to consent it with the additional waving of the second reading. That’s what the Clerk would need to read when she announced the motion. Mr. Sias: Mayor Pro Tem, you want to do that? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’d like to consent Number 30 waiving the second reading. Mr. Mayor: Okay --- Mr. Clarke: Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: --- hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. I’m coming to you. Everybody just th hold. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 10. Go ahead, sir. Mr. Clarke: Yes, sir, I’d like to pull Item 24 and move it to the next Commission meeting please. Mr. Mayor: All right, that sounds excellent. Mr. Clarke: Thank you, sir. Mr. M. Williams: It belongs to the body but I’m going to let that go, Mr. Mayor, but you just can’t pull it and put it on the next agenda without objection so don’t get it twisted because ya’ll try that the next time. Mr. Mayor: All right, I think he understands well, sir, he understands well. All right, Madam Clerk, as I recall Items 6, Item 24 being moved to the next agenda, Item 29, 30 moved to consent with a waiver of the second reading and Item Number 31. The Clerk: That’s correct, sir. Mr. Mayor: All right, fantastic. I’d like to add Number 32, Number 32 without objection. All right, Madam Clerk --- Mr. M. Williams: What about 32, Mr. Mayor? 13 The Clerk: We’re going to add it to the Consent. Mr. Mayor: Number 32 adding to the Consent Agenda. It’s just obsolete equipment like that phone you got over there. Mr. M. Williams: (Unintelligible) I’m going to let that go. Mr. Mayor: You want to make sure you’ve got the right one? Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got enough to keep ya’ll busy. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: The Consent Agenda consists of Items 1, Item 6, 29, 30 waiving the second reading, Item Number 31, Item 24 to our next meeting and Item 32. Mr. Hasan: Motion to approve. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular and Special Called Meeting held on May 19, 2020. PUBLIC SERVICES 6. Consider request from the Augusta Public Transit Citizens Advisory Committee to meet virtually to conduct their monthly meetings. ENGINEERING SERVICES 24. Discuss dire need of continuous maintenance mowing and general work performance to maintain aesthetically pleasing results for city-maintained cemeteries, Magnolia, Cedar Grove and Westview. (Requested by Commissioner John Clarke. APPOINTMENTS 26. Motion to approve the reappointment of Mr. Butch Gallop and the appointment of Mr. Charles Lamback to fill the seat held by Mr. Terry Elam. (Requested by Commissioner Ben Hasan) OTHER BUSINESS 29. Motion to approve the acceptance of FTA 5311 Rural Program FY20-21 CARES Act Supplemental Agreement #1 in the amount of $525,664.00. 30. Approve amendments to the Right-of-Way Encroachment/Sidewalk Café Permit Ordinance. 31. Receive as information an emergency asbestos abatement in the east and west elevators of the Municipal Building in the amount of $26,720. 14 32. Motion to approve the replacement of obsolete computer equipment (laptops, computers, servers, printers, scanners, switches, routers, VO1P phones, other telecommunication devices, uninterrupted power supplies, radios and MDI’s) as well as the purchase of any required computer software upgrades. th Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion from the Commissioner from the 6 and a second from the Mayor Pro Tem, voting. 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. Hasan: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams. Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Yes. Mr. Fennoy out. Motion Passes 9-0. \[Items 1, 6, 24, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32\] 15 Mr. Mayor: All right, here’s our posture. We’re going to stand at ease for five minutes, everybody take a water break stand at ease for five minutes. I don’t want what happened a couple of weeks ago to happen this time so let’s take a little mental break for about five minutes and then we’re going to come right back and dive into the people’s business. Because this is a live meeting I would ask everyone let’s do this we’re going to mute everybody. Okay, are we getting everybody back? The Clerk: I’m here, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, you say you’re here? The Clerk: I’m here, sir. Mr. Brown: The lawyer’s always here. Mr. Mayor: All right very good, we’ve got everybody we need. The Clerk: Are we ready, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: We are. The Clerk: Okay, I call your attention to Item #2. PUBLIC SERVICES 2. New Location: A.N. 2013: A request by Jin Quan Lin for a consumption on premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Rad Crab located at 3206 Peach Orchard Rd. There will be Sunday Sales. District 6. Super District 10. The Clerk: Ms. Walton? Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk --- The Clerk: Are they in? Mr. Mayor: --- no, they’re not in yet. The Clerk: Okay, let me get her on the phone. Mr. Mayor: Jeff is listening in --- Mr. Lewis: I’m here, who are we looking for? The Clerk: Ms. Walton in the conference room. Mr. Lewis: Don’t see them in the waiting room. 16 The Clerk: Well, we’ll go to two and we’ll see if we can get that worked out. Mr. Mayor: Okay, let’s do this. Is she identified as public? The Clerk: Yes, sir in accordance (inaudible) well according to the ordinance they have to give their names and address but if you want to waive that requirement --- Mr. Mayor: We’ve got her, Ms. Bonner, we’ve got, okay, we’re ready Ms. Walton? Ms. Walton: Good afternoon. We have an alcohol A.N. 20-13 is a request by Jin Quan Lin for a consumption on premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Red Crab located at 3206 Peach Orchard Road. There will be Sunday Sales. This application has been approved by the Sheriff’s Office and Planning and Development. We did not receive any calls concerning this location. Mr. Lin: Hi, how are you? My name is Jin Quan Lin (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. Mr. D. Williams: Move to approve. nd Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. Commissioner from the 2 had a motion to approve --- Mr. Clarke: Second. th Mr. Mayor: --- all right, the Commissioner from the 10 for the second. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, I’ve got a question, I’ve got a question. th, Mr. Mayor: Everybody suspend. All right, Commissioner from the 9 go ahead, sir. Mr. M. Williams: Is this a new location? Ms. Walton: This is not. Mr. Williams, a restaurant (unintelligible) business this is new for alcohol. Mr. M. William: New for alcohol but it’s an established restaurant so 50 % of their sales would be with food though, right? Ms. Walton: Yes, sir. 17 Mr. M. Williams: Okay, just wanted to clarify that. That’s all. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, voting now. 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. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes. The Clerk: 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. Mr. Fennoy out. Motion Passes 9-0. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 18 3. Requested recommendation (amendment to contract) from staff on RATP-Dev request for additional compensation for their employees and reimbursement of expenses related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims. Mr. Sims: Mayor and Commissioners, Sharon Dottery, the Transit Director, also provided you all a memorandum which we emailed it to you all today. In her memo it specifically states the questions that you all had if we could retroactively pay the contractor to reimburse for hazardous pay. It states Augusta will not be able to get reimbursed from the CARES Act Funding due to the following reasons and lists the following reasons in the memo. I’d be happy to go over the four or five reasons if you all would like for me to do so but we emailed you all this earlier today. Mr. Sias: Can you go over it please. Mr. Sims: Sure, there are five --- Mr. Mayor: Could we get everybody --- Mr. Sims: --- I’m sorry? Mr. Mayor: --- to mute their, could we get everybody else to mute your microphones. There’s so much background noise. Go ahead, Mr. Sims. Mr. Sims: Sure. Under the Uniformed Administrative Requirements cost, principles and audit requirements for federal awards a federal award may be used for bonus or incentive compensations when the overall compensation is reasonable and paid for or approved based on agreement entered into before the services were rendered. If a grant recipient does not have such agreement in place he may create one that will allow payment or bonus for incentives paid from that point but it would not be able to pay a bonus for work performed prior to the agreement. The second reading Augusta did not have an agreement in place drafted before the compensation of the th hazardous pay was agreed upon on April the 6. Also we had emails from the FTA Legal Counsel stating that the adding of bonus provision to an existing contract would be a material change to the contract therefore it would be viewed as the cardinal change retroactively or even prospectively. Per the FAQ above Augusta could create a new agreement that included such a provision but that would only apply from the date forward. The fourth reason federal response can only be used to reimburse FTA recipients for actual operating or maintenance calls if the FTA recipient is responsible for salaries and benefits under the term of its contract. And then the fifth reason we have listed here Augusta is not responsible for salaries and benefits under its terms of the contract with RATP-Dev. So we’re stating that if it’s the will of the Commission to provide the funding for the hazardous pay for RATP knowing that we will not be eligible for reimbursement from the CARES Act Funding. nd Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner from the 2. 19 Mr. Sims: Commissioners, I also need to note that the time that they were requesting for the hazardous pay was outside the scope when we actually implemented hazardous pay for our organization as well. nd Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner from the 2. The Clerk: He’s muted, sir. Mr. Sias: Dennis, unmute your mike. Mr. D. Williams: I’m doing it now, move for disapproval. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a motion and a second. Mr. B. Williams: Was that a motion to disapprove? Mr. Mayor: Yeah, hold on, hold on. So we’ve got a recommendation --- Mr. Sims: There’s a recommendation from Transit regarding what is reasonable which reflects the $5,367.47 that is regarding the additional cleaning supplies from the company during this time. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, so we’ve got a motion and a second. I’m going to add some color to this conversation. We predicated this largely around CARES Act reimbursement. Initially this conversation came to us as a request for a pay increase for the Transit workers and that was the desire of this body to look at how that might be done and the question was around CARES Act. I think we need to abandon the conversation around reimbursement. The reality of it is we’re going to get effectively $8 million dollars of CARES Act funding for Transit. And so the question then becomes how do we want to use that so it shouldn’t be tied to reimbursement. While that’s not the matter that’s in front of us today it was strictly around ‘hazard pay’. This is a single subject matter issue of ‘hazard pay’ and can we use the CARES Act funding to ‘reimburse’. That answer is no. And so I think that’s what the motion and the second is but I always want to again as I say color this conversation with bringing back that issue of our first line workers who whether they’re contractual or in the event that they were City of Augusta employees we’ve all acknowledged the fact that they were on the front lines providing transport services to those individuals and particularly our most vulnerable citizens. And so you’ve got this funding to be able to look at what you want to do going forward. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor. st Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner, I’m going to the Commissioner from the 1 and then I’ll come back to you. Just show me your hand and I’ll come to you okay? Mr. Sias: I’ve been waiting --- 20 st Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 1., All right, I see you. As I said I’ll get to you. st All right the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Sias: --- I didn’t say anything, I’ve been waiting. stst Mr. Mayor: Yep, the Commissioner from the 1., Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Garrett: Call for the vote. st Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Can you hear me? Mr. Mayor: We can now. Mr. Fennoy: Okay, when the subject of hazardous pay first came up, did we as a commission vote to include the Transit workers? Mr. Mayor: We did and there are only three Transit workers of record for Augusta and they were included. Mr. Fennoy: But aren’t the Transit drivers Transit workers? Mr. Mayor: They’re contractual in nature. Mr. Fennoy: But did we separate the two? Mr. Mayor: It was my understanding that that was done. Mr. Fennoy: That’s not the understanding I got, Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Okay --- Mr. Fennoy: --- maybe --- Mr. Mayor: --- we can get the Administrator to clarify that. Mr. Fennoy: --- yeah, yeah. Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims. Mr. Sims: Yes, Mayor and Commissioner, when it was approved we indicated that the Transit employees, we indicated our employees if the Commission desires to approve this would be approving hazardous pay for contractors. The three, the employees who are Augusta employees who work for the Transit were approved for hazardous pay. 21 Mr. Fennoy: Hold it, so you’re saying that when we voted we were not including the Transit drivers. Mr. Sims: Correct. We included the Transit employees that are Augusta employees. Mr. Fennoy: Okay my recollection, Mr. Mayor, is that we didn’t separate the two out there of birthday between now and the time we made the vote, I may be wrong but I thought that we said Transit workers and we didn’t say Transit workers that work for the city and not those that are contracted out. Mr. Mayor: I think that you’re correct in that and I haven’t had a birthday and we were told by Finance Director Williams that we only included the, we raised that issue and the Commission’s original intent was that included the contract workers. But as we’ve had more discussion and it ultimately got to a point of when we we’re paying folks that’s when Finance said we’re only including the three City of Augusta employees. Mr. Fennoy: Well, can the Finance Director make that decision? Hello? Mr. Sims: Is the question to me as the Administrator? Mr. Fennoy: I’m asking can the Finance, can the Finance Director make that decision. Wouldn’t that be a Commission decision? Mr. Sims: As far as my perspective that’s what I’ve stated, yes, sir, if it’s the will of the Commissioners to pay the contracted transit employees who are contractors then yes that would be you all’s decision. As far as when we recommended for Transit for those three employees who are Augusta employees those were the ones included. th Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I’d like to ask the Administrator a question if you don’t mind. When we talk about the $8 million dollars and the city’s supposed to get $6 million of that $8 million dollars do you have any idea how that’s allocated and if I don’t make myself clear (unintelligible). Is that going to be that we’re going to get a check for $6 million dollars or will we be reimbursed to what we’re spending with Transit around this CARES Act? Mr. Sims: (Unintelligible) reimbursement but I also have the Transit Director here and she can assist and provide some additional information. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to ask that question then. Is Ms. Dottery there? Mr. Sims: She’s available, we just need to get her in. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Sims, I’ll be honest with you. When we’re talking about the Transit I don’t see why she’s not already in. 22 Mr. Sims: She is, sir, she’s here. Mr. Hasan: Okay, all right. Ms. Dottery, Mr. Mayor, you’ll let me know (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hasan, hold on just a minute, Commissioner Hasan. She’s in but we’re going to get her audio here. Just pause for a moment, sir. Mr. Lewis: Mayor, she just needs to unmute. I think she’ll be good to go. Mr. Mayor: Yep, yeah, we just asked her to do that. Ms. Dottery, okay, there she can go. All right, Commissioner, go ahead proceed. Mr. Hasan: Ms. Dottery, how you doing, ,a’am? Ms. Dottery: I’m just fine, sir, how are you? Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am. I’m going to make a statement and you can kind of fill in my blanks if you need to correct me (inaudible). I think we’re looking at about an $8 million dollar check to the City of Augusta allocation not check, allocation, allocation so Augusta’s getting about still over $6 million dollars of that. So now my question is is that to say that Augusta will get over a $6 million dollar check in hand or out of that check are we have a $6 million dollar pile of money sitting in the corner over here allocated to Augusta. And as we spend money that is that money we will be reimbursed if we spend money according to the CARES Act. Ms. Dottery: Okay, according to the CARES Act, sir, it started out that way if you spent dollars on PPE’s, things of that nature because of COVID-19 then we could claim reimbursement. As it went on talking with FTA the CARES Act can be spent the same way we do our 5307 Grant that we normally bring forth where we get about a 2.1 million dollars allocation. So with this CARES Act that we have the $6 million that’s coming, we can actually do what is called a Program of Projects and we can list operational dollars in that and we can also buy equipment like buses and things of that nature that we need at Transit so there would be operational dollars that will come. Mr. Hasan: So right now as we’re having this conversation around, how much is it that we’re talking about, let’s just say hypothetically that we were considering giving them this hazardous pay, how much money are we talking about then I’ll (unintelligible) follow up. Ms. Dottery: Okay for the hazard pay it is $52,571.24 without benefits and if it’s benefits then it will be $60,000.00. Mr. Hasan: So now based on what you just said how we can allocate that money does this fit the criteria? Ms. Dottery: According to FTA rules and guidelines this will not fall under their in doing that agreement with them because it is coming in after the fact. 23 Ms. Hasan: Thank you, ma’am. th Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I’ve got a question for Ms. Dottery and Administrator Sims. When this idea of was first brought to our attention about there was money for Transit that was brought to us by the parent company of the company that does our Transit contract. And it was my understanding at the time there was no distinction between a contract worker doing Transit or a regular employee doing Transit. And at that time we acknowledged that and that was a part of what we said we know the bus drivers out there on the front line dealing with folks and that’s one of the reasons we eliminated using that same money allocation that we decided that we didn’t need to do the bus fares as well and we felt it was important to protect those workers out there. So it’s not that they, the request they made came afterwards but what the action that the Commission had taken what they said we would do hazardous pay and my understanding that Transit was included in that. And we at that time I cannot, I don’t, I can’t remember what we put in that would be different between the contract worker that receive the hazardous pay and the regular employee because we were specifically focused on the bus drivers so I don’t see why we don’t do that. Now they did come in with a request from January to whatever I totally disagree with but that request, the part when we did hazardous pay from the time that we did it we should include those bus drivers and if we give them a separate check from this city under the CARES Act because I did not hear Ms. Dottery in her explanation mention anything about FTA saying specifically other than this CARES emergency situation they were excluded. It wasn’t a bonus, it was hazardous pay. And I just didn’t hear that in the conversation nor what I read in fact I didn’t see where it said specifically this emergency COVID situation. Thank you, sir. My thing is that we should take care of those Transit drivers for at that period of time where we’re having to pay our other employees. th.th Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner from the 4. The Commissioner from the 8. Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor. You know I hear everybody keep talking about we need to pay these bus drivers but I think everybody needs to remember those drivers are not City employees; they’re employees of the contractor that runs the Transit. So if they’re going to get extra money the contractor should be the one that goes and finds the funding. That’s all I’ve got to say; I can’t support it. th Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to go to the Commissioner from the 10 and I’ll come back and try to bring it all together. Mr. Clarke: You’re going to let me speak, Mayor? th Mr. Mayor: I didn’t see your hand, sir. I didn’t I saw the Commissioner from the 10 got his thumb up. My fault. Mr. Clarke: Go ahead and go? th Mr. Mayor: Yeah, Commissioner from the 10. 24 Mr. Clarke: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Nobody supports our Transit system our Transit workers more than I do and work with them like I do I think. But my question is you know when do we honor a contract or and when do we throw a contract out the window? We have a contract with the company that pays the Transit drivers and it seems like that A, they would be willing to pay them out of their part of the money that they have contracted the City of Augusta for. Number 2, if it is their employees in the CARES Act is to help reimburse employees why doesn’t the contractor go after that reimbursement? I think that would be the simple thing to do. Now today I think, and when we did have this conversation up front I think half of us understood that we had three city employees that would be included in that and then the Transit workers were not city employees; they were contractual employees. So you know as well as I support our drivers, as much as I support the Transit and work with them, I just can’t see us keep throwing our contracts out the window and just making all kind of decisions based on emotions instead of facts. Thank you. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir. I want to ask Ms. Dottery a questions just for clarification. Mr. Mayor: Sure. Mr. B. Williams: Ms. Dottery --- Ms. Dottery: Yes, sir. Mr. B. Williams: --- am I correct that you’re saying that we’re going to get that money regardless of any money we spend? Ms. Dottery: Yes, sir, those dollars are allocated to Augusta. Mr. B. Williams: Okay and that’s $6 million dollars or so? Ms. Dottery: $6.4 million. Mr. B. Williams: $6.4 million and we’ve past said I think we need to turn down anything that’s coming from our General Fund to the bus folks, contractor or what have you but we have to take into consideration that a bus company is in the business of making money regardless of who’s driving or what have you so they’re not going to give a whole lot of money to those people. I know some of those people who drive they don’t make a whole lot of money. They make minimum dollars so I think we should make this decision but when that money comes we can make a decision to give the monies from that money Ms. Dottery? Ms. Dottery: No, sir. Mr. B. Williams: We cannot? Ms. Dottery: We cannot. 25 Mr. B. Williams: It’s only from operations. Ms. Dottery: It comes from FTA that we can’t utilize those dollars to do an agreement with our contractor. Mr. B. Williams: Okay, all right well my heart goes out to them but I’ll probably vote along with Mr. Williams on this one. Thank you, thank you, Mayor. Mr. Mayor: All right, I don’t remember who made the motion but --- Mr. D. Williams: I did. Mr. Mayor: --- okay. I’ve got a motion and a second to reject amending the contract. Madam Clerk, you got that? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Dennis Williams and Mr. Ben Hasan to deny. Mr. Mayor: All right, voting. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. The motion is to deny. Mr. Clarke: Trying to get ahead of it, Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Well, we’ll have another conversation on the other side of this where we can give folks clarity --- Mr. Clarke: Yes, we will. Mr. Mayor: --- it’s too late in the evening to try to do that right now. Mr. Clarke: Yes, I agree. Mr. Mayor: We (inaudible) missed the boat on this one. All right, Madam Clerk, voting. Mr. Hasan: I think her mike is muted, Mr. Mayor. The Clerk: The motion is to deny Item Number 3. Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes. The Clerk: Ms. Davis. Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy. 26 Mr. Fennoy: No. The Clerk: Mr. Frantom. Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Garrett. Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: No. The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams. Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Yes. Mr. Fennoy and Mr. Sias vote No. Motion Passes 8-2. Mr. Mayor: Okay, okay, I’m going to ask, I’m going to ask for, I’m going to ask for th consent on the following Commissioner from the 9 if you’ll track along with me Item #4 I’d like to move that to the next full commission meeting Item #4. Item #5 I’d like to consent that item. That’s our standard Metropolitan Planning Services Contract. We’ve already done that with #12. We moved that to the next full commission meeting. The Clerk: No, that was 24 we moved to the commission meeting. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’m sorry, I’m sorry --- Mr. Clarke: Mr. Mayor, I don’t have an objection moving that #12. 27 Mr. Mayor: All right, #12 we’re going to move #12 to the next full commission meeting. Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got an objection, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: You’ve got an objection to it? Mr. M. Williams: Yeah Item 3 I mean --- Mr. Mayor: We just voted on 3. Mr. M. Williams: --- yeah but Item 4 you said and 5 --- Mr. Mayor: Item 4 --- Mr. M. Williams: --- 4 you want to take back to the next Commission meeting, the next commission? Mr. Mayor: --- yeah, that’s correct. Mr. M. Williams: Item 4’s okay but Item 5 I need to know about that contract. Mr. Mayor: Okay, you’re live, everybody you’re live. We need to show some decorum. th, All right, Commissioner from the 9 can we move that to the next full commission meeting then so we can have some discussion about it then? No, number 5. Number 4 we’re already going to move that one to the next full commission meeting, number 5 so you can have some more conversation about it. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I think you can take Ms. Dottery down. Mr. Mayor: All right, so okay so all right so 4, 5, number 12 --- Mr. M. Williams: (Unintelligible) three times with 12. I’m going to let it go now but I’m telling ya’ll now ya’ll got to stop that --- Mr. Mayor: Okay, I understand. Mr. M. Williams: --- three times to move 12 go ahead and move it. You put stuff on the agenda and want to take it off. Why do you put it on there? Mr. Mayor: Well, we’re not taking it out. We’re just moving it to the next full meeting. All right under Public Safety number 17 I’d like to consent that. That’s new technology for cashiering for our Tax Commissioner. That would certainly help, that was also precipitated by COVID-19 so I’d like to consent that. Mr. Garrett: So moved. 28 Mr. M. Williams: Yeah but --- Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, hold on --- Mr. M. Williams: --- I just need an explanation. What are we doing? Mr. Mayor: I just gave it to you. It’s cashiering software. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, what about Number 16? Mr. Mayor: All right, I hadn’t got there yet, I hadn’t got there yet. So let’s do them in bunches. Madam Clerk, let’s just kind of, let’s just kind of do it in bunches. So Items 4, 5 and 12 we will move to the next full commission agenda. The Clerk: Number 5 I believe you’re approving it that’s --- Mr. Mayor: Well, I was hoping to, that’s what I was asking the Commissioner from the th. 9 It’s the standard Metropolitan Planning Contract, Number 4 to the next commission meeting, Number 12 to the next full commission meeting, Number 5 we’re consenting it and Number 17 we’re consenting. The Clerk: --- to approve, right? Mr. Mayor: That’s right, to approve. The Clerk: Number 17 --- Mr. Mayor: Yes. The Clerk: --- okay, all right. Mr. Mayor: All right so let’s take action on these first and then we’ll --- Mr. Sias: So moved. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right. Mr. Sims: Mayor, Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims. 29 Mr. Sims: --- yes, I’m sorry. Director Sherman advised Number 5 actually needs to go today it’s a grant item it requires to --- Mr. Mayor: We’re voting on it right now. Mr. Sims: --- okay. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’re including it, thank you, sir. All right, Madam Clerk, roll call. PUBLIC SERVICES 4. Discuss additional requirements/policies that the Commission can implement to hold vacant and abandoned lot owners more accountable for upkeep of their property. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Sean Frantom deferred from the May 19, 2020) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 12. Discuss possible ways and means city government can guide or offer financial aid and assistance to locally owned bars for recovery and continued operations after state ordered closure is lifted. (Requested by Commission John Clarke) PUBLIC SAFETY 17. Approve Contract with Tyler Technologies to implement Tyler Cashiering for the Tax Commissioner’s Office. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes. The Clerk: Ms. Davis. Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Frantom. Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Garrett. Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. 30 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. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Reluctantly yes. Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: Mr. Sias and Mr. Hasan. Mr. Sias: Run that by me, say what now? Mr. Hasan: What now? The Clerk: No, I was talking to myself. Mr. Mayor: She’s talking to herself saying ya’ll on your best behavior right now, on your best behavior right now. The Clerk: Are ya’ll eavesdropping, oh I’m sorry. Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am we’re (unintelligible). The Clerk: Okay. Let’s see we’ve taken care of --- Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, Madam Clerk --- The Clerk: --- yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: --- my next, our next wave is the following moving to the next full commission meeting Number 23 --- The Clerk: 23 --- Mr. Mayor: --- right, that’s discuss flooding at Cedar Grove, Number 25 --- Mr. Sias: I need to jump in on that one before you finish, sir. 31 th Mr. Mayor: --- okay. All right, Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Yes, sir. Now you know we moved the HUD items a couple of times already. We really need to go ahead and consent 7 and 8 --- Mr. Mayor: Hold on, I hadn’t got I hadn’t got to that point yet. Mr. Sias: --- all right. Mr. Mayor: You had you have complete objection on that so I’m trying to move the low hanging through right now, sir. Mr. Sias: Okay. Mr. Mayor: All right again 23, 25 okay and Number 20. The Clerk: Next meeting? Mr. Mayor: Yes. Mr. Clarke: So moved. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke and Mr. Hasan. Mr. Mayor: All right. FINANCE 20. Discuss the upcoming COLA for city employees. (Requested by Commissioner Ben Hasan) ENINGEERING SERVICES 23. Discuss the flooding of the Cedar Grove Cemetery. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy) 25. Update from Environmental Services Department regarding the process for vacant lots grass cutting. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy) The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes. The Clerk: Ms. Davis. 32 Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’ am. The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: No. The Clerk: Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett. Mr. Garrett: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams. Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Present. Mr. Frantom out. Mr. Fennoy votes No. Mr. M. Williams votes Present. Motion Passes 7-1-1. PUBLIC SAFETY 16. Present the 2019 Information Technology Annual Report and an update on the Information Technology Strategic Plan. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, Madam Clerk, I’d also like to consent Item Number 16. That’s a presentation so we’ll move them to the next commission meeting. I know that they’ve done incredible work. I do want to pause for a moment and take a moment, Administrator Sims, I’ll kick if off and then I’ll push the ball to you. Our Information Technology Department just received an incredible award from the State of Georgia, Georgia Technology Association that Administrator Sims would like to speak on as his team has done phenomenal work. Administrator Sims. 33 Mr. Sims: Thank you, Mayor. I would like to recognize our Information Technology Team for being recognized by the State of Georgia. Very competitive field however they were one of only two cities that were recognized and received this type of award. So I’d like to recognize our IT Director Ms. Allen as well as her team continuing to do a great job as far as organization in keeping us ahead with our technology endeavors. Mr. Mayor: Fantastic, thank you, sir. All right, Number 16 we’re going to consent that one. We will, Administrator Sims, you’ll bring your team back to do that presentation at our next full commission meeting. Mr. Sims: We will, they’ll be ready, sir. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, he said two teams competed? Mr. Mayor: No, no they were one of two cities, go ahead, Administrator Sims. Mr. Sims: There were only two cities that were recognized who received this award, the City of Augusta and another city. Mr. Mayor: And that’s in the entire State of Georgia. Mr. Sims: That’s in the entire State of Georgia. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, can I get a motion to consent that? The Clerk: Item Number 16, is that what you? The Clerk: Yes, yes, ma’am. We’re going to push it forward to the next full commission meeting. Mr. Clarke: Motion to consent. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Fennoy: Yes, sir. Mr. Fennoy: --- you’re confusing me when you say consent and then you’re saying move it to the next meeting. Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’m confusing myself it’s so late in the evening and the sun’s going down. We want to move it to the next full commission meeting, that’s what we’re trying to do. The Clerk: Can we do that one without objection? 34 Mr. Mayor: Without objection, I like that too, without objection. Mr. Garrett: Remind me what 16 is again? Mr. Mayor: That’s a presentation by Information Technology. --- Mr. Garrett: Okay. Mr. Mayor: --- and annual report from 2019, all right, without objection, all right, all right. Okay, now, Madam Clerk, that brings us to the following matters at hand 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18 --- Mr. Hasan: Can’t do 10, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: --- no, I’m just I’m reading for the record, sir, just pause, I’m reading for the record, Number 19, 21, 26 --- Mr. Sias: You got 22 (unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: --- 27, yes, 22 that’s correct 22, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28. Let’s go ahead and move 28 to the next full commission meeting. That’s the SPLOST. We know that’s a conversation we’ve talked about. We’ve got time to have that discussion without objection, moving it to the next full commission agenda without objection. ADMINISTRATOR 28. Update from staff on SPLOST 8 in light of new March 2021 election date. (Deferred from the May 5, 2020 Commission Meeting requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, that takes us back to again Item Number 7. Mr. Sias: Can I interrupt, sir, and ask to see if you could do 7, 8 and 9 as companion? Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, hold on, all right we got a motion and a second for that? Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Sias: I requested to have them as companion items, that was a request. The Clerk: ADMINSTRATIVE SERVICES 7. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s) request to provide additional HOME funds to Community Development Collaborative, LLC for the th completion of (6) affordable housing units on 11 Street and Perry Avenue. 8. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s) request to provide additional HOME funds to Community Development Collaborative, LLC to 35 complete the rehabilitation of the duplex located at 1233 Perry Avenue to be used for rental housing. 9. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s) to provide HOME funding to assist one (1) low to moderate income homebuyers with gap financing, down payment and closing cost to purchase homes through the Employee Incentive Program. th. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’re going to the Commissioner from the 9 He has a series of th questions, go ahead Commissioner, Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Housing and Community Development is doing a good job but my question is why are we continuing to add additional funding for the Collaborative Group to continue to do work on any street (unintelligible). This is not the first time, this is probably the fourth maybe the fifth time that we done added additional funding. So I’m trying to figure out what are we doing? Something don’t pass muster here I guess a military man would probably say but can Mr. Welcher help me out with that or his assistant here about --- Mr. Mayor: Yeah, we’re bringing him in, he’s coming in here now. Director Welcher, we’re looking at Items 7, 8 and 9. If you could speak to those issues we’d greatly appreciate that, th sir. Commissioner from the 9 had some questions for you about why we’re giving money to this th group. Commissioner from the 9 you can ask it better than I can, go ahead, sir. Mr. M. Williams: --- Mr. Welcher, I’m just trying to find out why this is not the first second or third time that we done added additional funds for HOME funds for the Collaborative Group so what are we doing over there? We can’t get this right. Are we doing anything in phases or can you help me understand why we keep coming back and will we come back again is another question. But can you help me understand why we keep coming back time after time after time? Mr. Welcher: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission. First of all I’ll say I have full confidence in our nonprofit (inaudible). Mr. M. Williams: Comment is not the question, Mr. Welcher. I’m trying to figure out why are we coming back, how many times I guess have we come back and added funds for the Collaborative Group to do different stuff. When we first put out there I guess we do a bid then we come back and add additional funds. We’ve got 7 and 8 the same thing, additional funds for different locations but different ones. But whoever is doing this I guess bid or whoever is doing the accounting somewhere something ain’t adding up. That tells me that well I’m with you now so I’m not (unintelligible). Mr. Welcher: If you’ll allow me to speak to you, sir --- Mr. M. Williams: Yes sir but I want you to answer my question. I don’t need no I don’t need a lawyer’s song. All I need you to tell me why we keep adding additional monies. I agree with the group here. I get that he’s doing a good job, I didn’t say that. 36 Mr. Welcher: So a number of (inaudible) about six houses and basically what happened (inaudible) zero interest. So the (unintelligible) for the collaboration to complete ramps and driveways, that’s it. Mr. M. Williams: So all that wasn’t figured in when we, now we’re coming back figuring in the ramps and what else, driveways? Mr. Welcher: Ramps and driveways so the driveways have to be reconfigured because no there was a miscommunication between the collaboration and the state in regards to a zero interest so basically what we have to do is zero interest means that we have to go back and comply to be sure that houses are handicapped accessible or somebody has a wheelchair they can roll that wheelchair in without a ramp. So that’s all (inaudible) and you have to reconfigure the driveways as well. Mr. M. Williams: But we did not figure that when we did the initial collaborative group come together. Mr. Welcher: (Unintelligible) collaboration initially, correct. Mr. M. Williams: Okay, I’m not against that if we’re going to approve it you’ve got enough votes to do it. I just wondered why we keep coming back time after time after time redoing it when it makes me think that we should’ve done this in the first place versus coming back. We could’ve been through with it. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right we’ve got a, is that your final question, sir? Mr. M. Williams: Yeah, I get Number 9 but those two 7 and 8 was the question on those because this is not the first time it came back. We come back every time like we’ve an unlimited amount of money. We got some many others projects that need to be done in Housing and Development. And I know HUD sends certain money for certain things but something here ain’t lining up. th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Move to approve, sir. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ve got a motion and a second, voting. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes. The Clerk: Ms. Davis. 37 Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Frantom. Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Garrett, 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. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Yes. Mr. Garrett out. Motion Passes 9-0. The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, the HR Director has notified us that she’s willing to allow this to be deleted and she can send you all a communication by email if you’d like or if she’s prepared to make the update personally. Mr. Sias: Email. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 11. Update from HR Director Anita Rookard regarding the recruitment process for the position of City Administrator. Mr. Mayor: Yes, she can send it via email. I think that’s fine --- The Clerk: Okay, thank you. 38 Mr. Mayor: --- I think we’re all tracking, okay great. The Clerk: Ten? Mr. Mayor: Number 10. Mr. M. Williams: So, so Mr. Mayor, I mean so I guess one or two Commissioners can say email and (unintelligible) but. Mr. Mayor: Well, no, it’s got to be it’s got to be all eleven of us --- Mr. M. Williams: Well, I just got in here yesterday. I don’t know no better so whatever ya’ll tell me I’m going to follow it because I know you all know. You all ain’t going to lead me wrong. Mr. Mayor: No --- Mr. M. Williams: I’m going to go with the email, I’m going to go with the email because I know ya’ll I don’t know no better, I’m just up here. Mr. Mayor: --- no, no and you are and I appreciate you raising that concern, I do. All right, you’ve got the floor, sir, Item Number 10. Mr. M. Williams: No, Item Number 10 --- Mr. Mayor: Yeah that was the item we were going to Number 10. We dealt with 7, 8 and 9. You just voted on those and now we’re at Item Number 10. Ms. Bonner was just giving you, she was just giving an infomercial of an upcoming item. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 10. AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE THAT FACE COVERINGS OR MASKS BE WORN IN AUGUSTS, GEORGIA GOVERNMENTAL BUILDINGS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND RECOVERY. (Approved by the Commission on May 19, 2020 – second reading) Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams. Mr. M. Williams: --- okay. Item Number 10. Mr. Mayor, and you know the gist of this item is about the second reading but the Mayor cannot just obviously just waive the second reading and I’ll put it back on the agenda to be discussed. So we all understand what the rules are and the way the rules proceed. You can’t use an executive order to just say I did something that we didn’t do so I think that ought to stand in place the second reading. th Mr. Mayor: Yeah absolutely, it does. All right, the Commissioner from the 4 you have the floor. Commissioner, you’re still muted. Mr. Sias: My bad. Move to approve. 39 Mr. Mayor: All right, move to approve. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor? th Mr. Mayor: So Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I’ve talked to the Marshal’s Department, I’ve also talked to the Board of Elections Lynn Bailey and both of them they don’t have any problem as of late about the mask issue. And then in the Governor’s latest thing once again he had in there that we were very strict once again and that we cannot do anything more or less to supersede him if we was going to enact anything specific part of this things. So as a result of that you know my colleague I don’t know whether he got a second on it or not but I suggest we don’t do it because it’s punitive in nature and it’s going to cause us some problems because number one the Governor didn’t put any penalties or punitive processes inside of this executive order. Mr. M. Williams: But not only that, Mr. Mayor, you have to have the second reading and we hadn’t had the second reading it still wouldn’t be in effect anyway, is that right? Mr. Mayor: Well, the Commission voted to adopt it and today was simply to read for a second reading. That’s why it’s on here, a second reading, okay? That’s what the intent is to have a second reading. The Commission voted to adopt it in our previous meeting which serves as our first reading and today is for the second reading. The Clerk: Sir, the item is on the agenda at the request of Commissioner Marion Williams because he had questions concerning the waiving of the second reading. The ordinance --- Mr. Mayor: That’s correct. The Clerk: --- wasn’t on for a second reading because it’s not even attached to your item. It was him discussing the waiving of the second reading. Mr. M. Williams: And I did ask the Mayor that. You cannot just go ahead and do it because we have not had the second reading and that’s why, you said executive order, Mr. Mayor, I think that’s what you used is executive order --- Mr. Mayor: No, let’s so let’s just if we’re going to have a conversation let’s just have it the right way then. So I think you’re using the term executive order. This body worked towards drafting an ordinance and that was the face coverings and a mask ordinance. This body also voted to adopt that. The debate was about waiving the second reading and you objected, rightfully so and so we were going to have the second reading which is what should be taking place. Your agenda item and Ms. Bonner just articulated is you had questions and wanted to make sure that everybody understood that you just can’t unilaterally waive the second reading, okay? Now to the degree that we put that out there, there was an executive order that was drafted that allowed us to provide face coverings and protections for the employees and folks coming into this building because people were coming in to this building on 18 May. Pursuant to this body taking action 40 and adopting an ordinance that ordinance would supersede the executive order. That is how this process works. And so it was adopted. If it was read for the second time that would in turn come into effect. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I disagree. The Attorney needs to speak up now. The Attorney was going to draft an ordinance and he could not draft the ordinance because we mentioned that. Now I hadn’t heard anything from the Attorney but in order to have an, Mr. Mayor, I lose my thoughts. In order to have an ordinance drafted the body has to propose and get the Attorney to draw it up. You can’t draw up an ordinance and then bring it to us and tell us to approve it because that’s what you said we were going to do. So I didn’t heard nothing from the Attorney now I don’t know where he is or where she is somebody needs to speak up now. This whole process was done wrong. Is Mr. Brown there --- Mr. Brown: Yes, I’m here. Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, Mr. Brown, you just speak up or forever hold your peace. Mr. Mayor: What’s your question, Commissioner? What’s your question (inaudible). Mr. M. Williams: My question is that the body has to initiate the Attorney to draw up an ordinance. He has to go back and draw it up then bring it back to this body. We had a conversation and you tried to get the Attorney to make the ordinance out of that --- Mr. Mayor: No. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Brown, can you speak on the issue now? Mr. Brown: Our procedure is that in order for an ordinance to be drafted it goes before the Commission, the Commission has to vote and instruct staff to produce the ordinance. Mr. M. Williams: Exactly. Is that what I said? Mr. Brown: Yes, sir. Mr. M. Williams: Okay, that’s all I want to know. Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor --- thth Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 5, yes, sir, Commissioner from the 5. Mr. B. Williams: --- we need to stick to the agenda and go down. This is becoming a clown show, it’s almost 6:00 o’clock, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Yeah. Mr. Garrett: I still have a question on this. 41 th Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, the Commissioner from the 10. Mr. Clarke: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I won’t go into a long diatribe because you know the th way I feel about this ordinance and the constitutionality of it. And the Commissioner from the 6 also brought up the fact that you know we can’t supersede orders from the government which this ordinance is trying to be done. I think probably the best way, I know you know I made a statement a while ago that we need to we need to vote on facts and not on emotions. And I think that probably and I’ll state it again I don’t want anybody to get sick, in fact (unintelligible) and I want you to be able to wear a mask if you choose to wear a mask. I encourage you to do so. I just don’t think that we as a government can’t start dictating and mandating these kinds of ordinances because when you start taking away one constitutional right not to be confused with a privilege I’m talking about a right. When the government starts taking away individual rights then they start taking away another one and another and another one and then the next thing we know we’re living under a regime. And so that’s the way I feel about it and you know I’m not going to support it. I don’t care how the others vote I can’t support it, thank you. stth Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1 and then the 8. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, sometimes I think that my colleague seems to forget that we have lost over 100,000 people as a result of this virus. One of my very, very close friends died Saturday as a result of this virus. We need to do what I believe or you believe is in the best interest of your community. Black folks are disproportionally represented by this virus; people are dying. And I can remember back when they were trying to bring an end to the Vietnam War that you had countries arguing about whether or not we’re going to negotiate at a round table or whether we’re going to negotiate at a square table but the bottom line was that people were dying. So as a Commissioner I believe it is in my best interest to do what I feel is right to protect my community, to protect the employees that walk into the building, to protect the residents that will be exposed to these employees and I don’t see how anybody can see it any different. McDonald’s has a sign no shoes, no shirt, no service. Mr. Mayor: Right, thank you, sir. All right I appreciate it. I appreciate your passion. th Commissioner from the 8. Mr. M. Williams: (Unintelligible). Mr. Garrett: Mr. Mayor, I appreciate the time to speak. You know McDonald’s is a private business. They can create whatever rules they deem necessary for people coming in and out of th their business but as the Commissioner from the 10 stated earlier we can go beyond the Governor’s orders which I believe this does by mandating masks. Now I’m not saying that I don’t want people to wear masks. I think that that is probably a very smart thing to do but we cannot make people do it. I supported this early on but after looking at this much closer no not only are we infringing on personal liberties we’re also usurping the Governor’s orders which we cannot do and he clearly stated that, so that’s all I’ve got to say. th Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, the Commissioner from the 4. 42 Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I just want to address this issue about doing more or less of whatever the Governor said. As I knew this item was coming up. Nobody can look real close at what the municipality (unintelligible) the Governor set up. I was one of the first ones to say that things were different about this Governor’s order; he included some directions in there for municipalities. Whether we pass this item or not tonight it’s fine. I believe we propose things we vote them up or down but there was not such a thing as doing more or less it said it was consistent or inconsistent. The Governor mandated certain places to wear masks; he meant that it was mandated. Now when we said about wearing masks in the government buildings that wasn’t inconsistent with how the Governor has mandated certain employees certain businesses. They had that personnel had to wear masks; that was mandated in the Governor’s order. If you open up your tattoo parlor the Governor mandated that you and your employees wear a mask. So my whole idea about this thing was just for the protection of the public and the employees. So I’m fine with it. I know what to do to take care of myself. I’ve been tested, I’m negative and I’m going to stay negative but the thing about it is I abide by what the vote is, thank you. Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, sir. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. My question’s for Attorney Brown --- Mr. Brown: Yes, Mayor. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- are we superseding the Governor’s orders if we approve this order? Mr. Brown: It is my opinion that this ordinance is more restrictive than the Governor’s orders and as I advised earlier if Augusta is going to pass this, it needs to wait until the Governor order expires. The problem is that every time we get ready to pass it the Governor extends his orders and I think we are still caught up being more restrictive than the Governor. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, sir. Mr. Sias: Call for the question, sir and if my motion didn’t get a second technically there is no question. Mr. Mayor: Right, there is no question, you’re correct, sir. All right --- Mr. Sias: So let’s move on. Mr. Mayor: --- all right, we’ll receive as information without objection. All right, Madam Clerk --- Mr. Garrett: We’ve got to vote it up or down. Mr. D. Williams: I will second it if you want to vote it up or down. 43 Mr. Sias: We need to move on. Mr. Mayor: Yeah, we’ll receive it as information without objection --- Mr. Garrett: I object. Mr. Mayor: All right, state your motion. Mr. Garrett: I make a motion to deny moving forward with the mask policy. Mr. Speaker: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right, voting. Mr. Brown: Mr. Mayor? The Clerk: Who was that, Mr. Mayor? The second on that. Mr. Mayor: All right, everybody suspend, everybody suspend. Recognizing the attorney, Attorney Brown. Mr. Brown: The mask policy is not on the agenda. Mr. Mayor: That’s correct, that’s correct. That was again about waiving the second reading. This conversation has been about waiving the second reading. Mr. Brown: It is only a discussion that’s on the agenda. Mr. Garrett: But a motion has been put on the floor twice now. I think we need to vote it up or down. th, Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 8 that motion’s not germane. Mr. Garrett: So I guess we’re just going to pick what motion’s you want to take and which ones you don’t. Mr. Mayor: No, I think you just, the Parliamentarian just raised it at the request of this body and I think clearly articulated it. For the record I’ll have the Parliamentarian explain it once more, Attorney Brown. Mr. Brown: Yes. I am not expressing an opinion against opposition of voting on the ordinance. I’m simply saying that as Ms. Bonner explained the ordinance was not presented with this book. There’s no presentment of the ordinance. You cannot vote on an ordinance unless the ordinance is actually before you. Mr. Garrett: The ordinance hasn’t been written yet? 44 Mr. Brown: Yes, it was on last time --- Mr. Garrett: Right. Mr. Brown: --- and you did vote on it last time, this time (inaudible). Mr. Garrett: Ms. Bonner, go ahead and put deny the mask policy ordinance on the next agenda please. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, we’re at Item Number 13. Better yet instead of going to 13, Madam Clerk, let’s go down to Number 15, go down to Item 15. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 15. Discuss the process of filing and reviewing executive orders issued during the COVID-19 emergency. (Requested by Commissioner Sammie Sias) th Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. My question on this is fairly simple. When I reviewed the ordinance it said the in the executive order should be filed with the Clerk or presented to the Clerk. And my concern this is just to insure is that we always put those executive orders accordingly what our emergency ordinance sais and those are to be filed with the Clerk and therefore that gives the Commission an opportunity immediately to see or receive copies of those executive orders. So that’s my concern it’s simple that we follow what our ordinance say, that any time our Mayor issues and executive order under the emergency ordinance that we presently have that is filed with the Clerk of Commission, simple as that. Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, sir. Mr. Sias: And for me just one last thing and the Attorney can correct me if I’m wrong I’m sure he’s the Parliamentarian that means the original goes to the Clerk and that’s my concern. th Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir. All right, Madam Clerk, the Commissioner from the 4 has been heard loud and clear on Item Number 15. We’ll go back to Item Number 13. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 13. Discuss in-person meetings in the Commission Chamber. (Requested by Commissioner Ben Hasan) 45 th Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I know at the last meeting we agreed to thth, come back to in-person meetings on June the 6 in the Chamber, June the 16 I’m sorry, June the th 16. And for me, Mr. Mayor, I think we had another option that was another level that came up but in thinking about this, Mr. Mayor, I just don’t think that we should be coming back into this building in that regard. Let me say this here as well. Even with talking with the Administrator the other day I gave him a phone call to ask him what percentage of employees will be back in here st. as of June the 1 I actually believe we have too many employees in this building as well. I would think we’d be up to 75% at best. Now I know that’s based on what the Director said because I think a lot of them have already assumed that everybody had to be back in this building. As we know we get something from Chief James every day and there’s an uptick in Georgia, there’s an uptick in Augusta. I think just yesterday there’s 19 more people. I think, Mr. Mayor, you know and I know and I’m going to say this here these numbers even President Trump the CDC guy said that those numbers are more lower being suppressed in many ways. I think the same thing for us. So I think that we need to not come back in this building up to I think in August for a lot a reasons. There’s have to be some reconfigurations in that Chamber especially when you’ve got a front where you’ve got the Attorney, we’ve got Ms. Bonner, we’ve got the Administrator, we’ve got the assistant up there as well, we are right there on top of each other. Actually my colleagues can attest it can get very uncomfortable trying to sit out there on the floor and not be able to handle their book in a very respectful manner. I think all across the nation before we talk about the protests that we’re seeing across the country they were also expecting and anticipating between now and August that before we seek potentially another way, just speculation but I think we’re getting too close to those particular timeframes before we make a decision. I’d like to see us just sit this one out and continue doing what we’re doing up until that first week in August to come back in this Chamber. And like I say some of our employees are back here. That’s why I opened up saying as many employees we’ve got back in this building we should not have that many in this building. And then also we’re witnessing every day every week from week to week we’re finding on some levels our staff and our employees are being exposed and so I think we need to take all of that into consideration and not be rushing back coming into this building. Now do we need to do our ZOOM meetings a little bit better? We can (unintelligible) better and this should not be the impetuous of rushing back in here and I think we should not come back in this building just for ZOOM. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ll entertain some more discussion about it and I’ll comment later. th All right, let’s see, I’ve got some hands going up here, all right the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. When we decided to send some of the employees back I thought was too early as well. We asked them to come back in the building and I said how can we ask them to come back in the building when we’re not coming back in the building. So if it’s not safe for us as of yet and I know the government’s got to function and I understand that. I mean we’ve got to take every precaution ya’ll want to put masks on but do we want to tell the employees to come back. So I’ve really got an issue when we tell the employees to go back and face the people that they’ve got to face but it’s not safe enough for us to come back so I think there’s some more dialogue to be had but I do want to iterate that. But I said that when we talked about them going back. I said it’s too early. I don’t think they ought to be doing that whether the government’s got to operate well if you die somebody else is going operate the 46 government I guess too but it’s just too serious of a malady to just rush back in here to put other people’s lives. And we want to fight for other people’s lives sometimes but when it comes to wearing masks we want to fight, we want to raise sand and now when you talk about face to face well that’s all right. We need to make our minds up which way we’re going to fly. th Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner from the 4. th Mr. Sias: Thank you. I just have one question. I want to ask my colleague from the 6 where is he located now? Mr. Hasan: I’m in the --- Mr. Sias: (Unintelligible). Mr. Hasan: --- by myself, by myself. Mr. Sias: Okay I just, I didn’t see nobody on the way in, okay, thank you. Mr. Mayor: All right, anyone else? All right, we’re having conversation about it --- Mr. Garrett: Well, I had my hand up. I sent you a couple of icons with my hand up. Mr. Mayor: --- well, I can’t see you. We’re looking for you and I don’t see you. I thought you had disappeared. Mr. Garrett: Well, I’ve been sending you --- th Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 8. Mr. Garrett: --- thank you, sir. I was going to ask the same question and it also looks like nd the Commissioner from the 2 is also in the building, is that correct? So for those that are saying we shouldn’t be in the building I’m just trying to understand you know and also talking about there’s too many people in the building why are you guys there now? Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, can I respond to that? Mr. Mayor: Sure. Mr. Hasan: To my colleague who to both of my colleagues the thing about it I think both of us are by ourselves in separate rooms. We’re not even in the same room. If he is I ain’t seen him yet, I need to look under the table. But anyway (unintelligible) Chamber and we go in that Chamber we’ve got to open up to the public. And the Mayor also sent us some time ago where they had a public meeting and before they know it they had to shut the public meetings down. So you know we are not being cute and play with this in that regard and I’m not, I’m a humorous guy but like I said we ought to be more concerned about this and we just wait up until this wait we don’t know what’s going to happen as a result of some of the things we see across the country. 47 But we need to be mindful of that and wait another month. To me it makes good sense as opposed to opening up again to shut everything back down especially with getting things done. We don’t run the day to day operations and like I started my conversation off saying I honestly believe we have too many people in the building right now but I think most of them misunderstood what (inaudible) we’re saying to them and they begin to bring probably 95% of their staff back and they probably didn’t have to do that. They probably really didn’t have to do that. They could’ve telework and those kinds of things they got the same things done. Mr. D. Williams: Well, since we’ve been meeting with the ZOOM thing I normally come down here every meeting except I think the last one but absolutely it’s my responsibility. If we go have employees come back to work I should be down there at work too. So you know that’s just my personal opinion about it and wearing the masks well if you make it a requirement to wear a mask some will some won’t so we have to look out for those that won’t and so that’s why I encourage people to wear the mask and I wear mine. But I have no problem coming down here putting on my mask and my gloves coming down here. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, I’m not sure where we’re going with this conversation. I didn’t hear an alternative --- Mr. Hasan: I make a motion that we come back in the building the first week in August. Mr. Mayor: --- okay, Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ll second that. I think the thing is here we’re not employees and we don’t run the day to day operations and we come in that building people are coming in with us and they’re going to want to be there and the department heads are going to have to be there because they’re mandated pretty much to be at the meeting. So I mean this isn’t about us being employees and employees not going to work because we don’t go there to work. We can get just as much accomplished this way. Yes it’s not as, no, we have our technical difficulties but there’s no reason for us to rush back there when we have this technology. So I just don’t understand why people are trying to say we’re employees and because we’re not there employees don’t have to work no, and I don’t think that shows good leadership on our end either to just rush back there and have the public come in for issues because I mean there are we have five to ten people that are at every meeting that are just people who live in Richmond County. So I just think we can pump the brakes. I mean obviously the numbers have gone up in the last week and we need to pump the brakes on everything that’s going on with what we have going on in this country, so thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. I’ve got a motion and a second. All right, I just want to make sure I don’t see any more hands going up here. All right, Madam Clerk, voting. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: What, I did not hear the date, I’m sorry. 48 The Clerk: August, the first meeting in August, push it to the --- Mr. Clarke: Yes, I didn’t hear the date. The Clerk: First meeting in August. Mr. Clarke: Yes. The Clerk: Ms. Davis. Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: No. The Clerk: Mr. Frantom. Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Garrett. Mr. Garrett: No. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: No. The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams. Mr. B. Williams: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. Sias: Dennis, unmute your mike. Mr. D. Williams: Sorry, no. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. 49 Mr. M. Williams: Yes. Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Garrett, Mr. Sias and Mr. D. Williams vote No. Motion Passes 6-4. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, Item Number 14. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 14. Move to approve the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Program; including $1,061,135.00 from the fund balance/reserve fund; and the application review committee as recommended by HCD. The funds are reimbursable through the HUD COVID-19 assistance program and has been allocated to Augusta by HUD. Recommended loan committee as follows: 1. Joey Cummings (Synovus Mortgage) 2. James Heffner (First Community Bank) 3. Chris Johnson (Tax Commissioner Office) 4. Timothy McFalls (Economic Development Authority) 5. Sue Parr (Augusta Chamber of Commerce) 6. Daryl Rolle (HCD Citizen Advisory Committee) th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. This is the loan program we’ve had a lot of discussion about and I’ll throw a couple more things in there to discuss on this program hopefully we’ll get it approve and if we don’t I’ll consider it a good effort. Number one, somewhere I think I read in the newspaper somebody wanted who picked the who recommended the application review committee. Well, that was recommended by HUD. I did not, I personally did not go out looking for anybody to serve on the committee. Just wanted to make that clear. Secondly, we have a million $1,061 dollars in this program I just want to remind everyone there is an administrative cost in this program and that administrative cost in many situations under HUD says 20%. But HUD, but our housing department has to make sure that they don’t get past 10%. This was a much earlier discussion but I’m not sure if it’s in there but just to make sure that that was (unintelligible). th I know my colleague from the 6 mentioned that a couple times about the administrative cost so they have committed to make sure that the administrative cost did not go above 10%. And the next comment is that if we’re going to help any of these businesses we got a good program put together and we need to go ahead and execute it if we’re going to help them before they go out of business. And that is the initial presentation. Mr. Welcher’s standing by I believe, Mayor, and that’s my initial part when you called on me, thank you. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir. All right, Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Can we call Mr. Welcher into the room or is he here? Mr. Mayor: Yep, I’m going to bring him in. 50 Mr. Mayor: Okay, my first question is the upfront costs that were just mentioned by Commissioner Sias is that additional or is that within that money and it’s just less grant money going out? Mr. Mayor: All right, Director Welcher, unmute yourself, sir. Mr. Welcher: Mayor, members (inaudible) it’s a part of the $1,061,135.00. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, so these individuals that were chosen, have they re-met? Mr. Welcher: Yes, sir --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Mr. Welcher: --- I understand there’s a recommendation and they understand that as well. We just wanted to be a couple of steps ahead in the event you all did want to move forward and approve. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, well with that being said I think it’s important that we have representation on there that helps small business and one notable that I think is not on here is Margaret Woodard with the DDA. When she deals with as many businesses as she does downtown I think there’s like 5 or 600 businesses within the downtown DDA footprint. I think that’s a serious concern of mine that she’s not on there. And I feel like an amendment motion to this we need to add Margaret Woodard as one. I also think that you know is there I think you have banker possibly another banker as well like a J. Forester or South State Bank. I mean we need to make sure that everyone’s represented at the table, we need to make sure that and all these people are very reputable, I like every one of them. But to make sure that this process is pure so that we don’t come back and hear that all their friends are the ones that got the money. I think that’s important that we make sure that the representation’s there. And my last question is kind of to the Mayor and Commissioner Sias like how is this different than want the Mayor brought forward six weeks ago? Like the gratuities money, the upfront money, like how is this any different than what the Mayor brought to us and we like said no we can’t do that, gratuities clause or whatever, and now we’re going to approve it this way. Can someone explain that to me? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. th Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir and very good question, Mayor Pro Tem. Number one, the initial program what the Mayor brought to us a couple things (unintelligible). That came out of the reserve fund with no reimbursement. This we already received an allocation of money, an allocation that we have available from HUD that if we spend money on this it’s reimbursable up to that amount $1,061,000. So in other words the first presentation was totally no getting the money back and with this we can identify a funding source and then get our money back. We already know what we’ve been approved to do and it’s under the HUD guidelines and our HUD office here, our HCD office knows exactly how to do that. That’s the difference. 51 Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to qualify that, I’m going to qualify that, Commissioner th, from the 4 in the original presentation that’s partly true. All of this was predicated around the conversation about linked deposit money of which we declared that in in 2016 that was abolished. There is not such thing as linked deposit. Not withstanding that in our second presentation of this it was, it was clearly adamant that this was ‘proposed as a gratuities’ which that’s still debatable in my mind and it was changed to a loan which is I think is consistent with what you’re saying right now. You’re going to loan the money and then when we did that again the two meetings of st record were April the 21 and then the meeting on 5-5-20. The 5-5-20 meeting in your meeting notes which is where the action was adopted it was in fact for a loan at that point in time and it was predicated purely on CARES Act funding not from general fund dollars. What’s being proposed here is to take general fund dollars under the premise that they will be reimbursed using those CARE Act dollars so I want to clarify that. All right, I’m going in this order Commissioner ththth from the 9, 10 and then the 6. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’ve got a couple of questions. My first question I guess is that do we know for sure this money will be reimbursed or do we have to have guidelines to see that the federal government’s going that we’re going to adhere to to get reimbursed. That’s my first question. I’ve got a couple more after that but anybody to just answer the Commissioners anybody. Mr. Mayor: I think Director Welcher would be to answer that question. Mr. M. Williams: Anybody. Mr. Garrett: I also have a question too. Mr. Welcher: (Unintelligible) which speaks to the benefits (inaudible). Secondly, we’ve also taken this plan so it’s compliant that we have emailed it to Atlanta. They have given us a soft approval. (Inaudible) yesterday we’re still waiting on instructions (inaudible) plan for a formal approval (inaudible) if received instructions on how to (unintelligible) program but we have not yet received the instructions to that our CDBG Program which we anticipate (inaudible) we do not have a formal approval and we know (unintelligible). Mr. M. Williams: Okay, that bothers me since it’s in soft approval. That’s like potentially you can go to the movies but you hadn’t got the okay yet. You don’t have wait to get the okay to do it. But the other question is the selection of these people on here these are people who have been involved in everything we’ve got going around Augusta now anyway. What expertise they got with small businesses? Mr. Welcher: What we did we used a standard composition makeup when you talk about loan commitment. We have bankers, we have a person (inaudible), we also have people who represent our authorities in our chambers and we also have a city employee. It’s just a standard composition when we talk about loan commitment. There are a lot of more people who are reputable who could be on the committee as well but at any given time we have to limit the numbers. These are partners who understand our mission who we work with in several capacities so we were confident about how you know who these persons were. 52 Mr. M. Williams: Well and I appreciate that but that’s not good enough for me. I wanted to see some small business people mindset. Now people who are acquainted with small business or maybe large businesses is one thing but this list of people that I see I’m not against none of them but then they’re all (unintelligible). But I just don’t see the expertise that they should have because they’re local people because they’ve been doing business before because they’ve been around that’s not good enough. I mean we’ve got 250,000 plus in the City of Augusta but we end up using the same ten people every time. Not this ten now I’m just we use the same handful of folks every time we’re doing it. I’m worried about the fairness when it comes to distributing funds. Everybody’s been affected. This COVID-19’s been so serious even the people who are not in business been affected. We waived cutting off the water because we know the people wouldn’t be able to go to their jobs, wouldn’t have the income they need to have. But you just can’t talk about this business affected. I need to know that some small business minded people are being selected to be on this board and not just the people who’ve been around this city. So I’ve got some issues with it right now, Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. M. Williams: --- for two reasons, two reasons now this soft approval ain’t hard yet. It’s boiling but it ain’t done so I’ve got an issue with that. Then I’ve got an issue with the people we selected and who made the selection. I think Commissioner Sias said that the CDC made the selection, is that right? I mean Housing and Development made the selection? That’s a question Mr. Mayor. Who selected the people --- Mr. Mayor: I don’t, yeah, I don’t recall who he’s had made those selections. Mr. M. Williams: --- was it Mr. Welcher? Who selected these people, Mr. Sias? Mr. Sias: I said they were selected by HCD. When I say selected they were recommending those. And one other thing while I’m talking. All these loan applications have to come back to the Commission for final approval. Mr. M. Williams: And I get that. I think we talked about that before and that’s good and I don’t think it ought to be somebody else approving it but at the same time the Commission, the HCD ought not to be the ones to pick the folks who’s going to send it to us. If we’re going to do that we ought to be picking them too. Mr. Sias: But they made a recommendation, that’s a recommendation. That doesn’t mean it can’t be changed. Mr. M. Williams: I get that, I get that. I think it needs to be changed. I just think the same people who in the South Augusta Initiative. It’s obvious what this looks like, man. I mean we give an appearance of trying to be fair anyway even if we’re not we ought to at least be appearing, this ain’t even the appearance of being fair, it’s my opinion. 53 Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner, we’re going to come back to that, so everybody just hold we’re going to come back to that. We’re going to get a few more comments and then we’re th going to take some actions on this proposal, the Commissioner from the 10. Mr. Clarke: Thank you, Mayor. For the record I was the one that asked who picked these people to be on this committee and I have now gotten my answer and I have full faith in Hawthorne Welcher and his department so I vote (unintelligible). I thoroughly you know Tim McFalls and Sue Parr are great people and I’m sure the others are too the ones that I don’t know. I along with the Mayor Pro Tem would love to see Margaret Woodard a part of this because she’s a vital part of downtown and she’s like a vital part of the small business world so I would like to see her added to it. And then the last thing have we had any applications put in and if so how many? Mr. Sias: They can’t process them. Mr. Mayor: All right, Director Welcher, can you speak to that? I mean, I don’t know where we are. Mr. Welcher: (Unintelligible). th Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, very good. All right, Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, is Mr. Welcher still available? Mr. Mayor: He is go ahead and ask you question, sir, go ahead. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Welcher, when was the last time you spoke with HUD about this particular program itself? Mr. Welcher: Before this meeting. Mr. Hasan: And what did they say to you at that that time? Mr. Welcher: As I indicated that we have received instructions as of yesterday but I was confirming that fact that we have not received instructions so my staff who, we’ve received instructions for two of the three programs and I anticipate those trickling down before the end of the week. Mr. Hasan: So right now you’ve not been approved even though you’ve spoken with, I mean we’ve been talking about this over a month and they still haven’t signed off on it. Mr. Welcher: They have not provided instructions of how to submit the applications we have to submit cohesively. We have to submit one plan which includes all three programs. We’re waiting on those instructions. (Unintelligible) totally reconfigure their IT system. Their IT system is set up for a plan --- 54 Mr. Hasan: Did they send you a letter of approval? I mean a letter of approval that’s sufficient? Yes or no. Mr. Welcher: --- no, sir (inaudible). Mr. Hasan: Okay, okay well let me say this then. That’s the only commonality that I see back to my Commissioner say what was the difference right now if we approve this without them signing off on it then we are taking a risk (unintelligible). I don’t think, if you had a letter in hand and we had to put the money up front then I would be okay with it. Now, however, I came prepared to support it pretty much knowing not knowing the details whenever you spoke with that he has not have something from them in hand to say go for it. So here’s why I will not support it based on the way (unintelligible). Everything I’m hearing is about downtown, downtown. When we started with this whole thing we talked about $3 million dollars. It was a conference call with the members of the Chamber and it started with the meeting with downtown business owners Item #12 is being pushed to the next, is an item to discuss how are we going to (inaudible) locally downtown business owners, bar owners or what have you. And these things, Mr. Mayor, would actually build and others have said in particular and I was on the conference call and I think Bobby you too and you participated in that and they strictly said these things are based on banking relationships and a lot of people were still left out. Everybody on Broad Street now I’m not saying everybody’s got money but if a business on Broad Street don’t have a banking relationship the businesses I’m concerned about are not necessarily on Broad Street. That’s all they’re talking about. What’s Margaret Woodard doing on Broad Street and what other business owners. And if the business owners don’t want to accept the recommendations that (unintelligible) I too am concerned about how we got this list but this list looks more representative of people who will be concerned about truly small business than it does about any other business. And every time it comes up it comes (unintelligible) my colleague because I take offense to it. I don’t think you mean to offend me. I’m a personal friend of Commissioner Frantom but I do get offended because it’s the second time you’ve done it. You said you want to see a pure process there and you also said you don’t people lending money to their friends and stuff but you know people (unintelligible) making it happen as though nobody knows the people you do. That’s offensive to me. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’m sorry you think that way. No offense was trying to be taken but we have to represent everyone. Mr. Hasan: Everyone is here, everyone is here. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: On a list we knew nothing about I mean --- Mr. Hasan: It doesn’t matter. That don’t mean it’s not here. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- I didn’t know until just a little bit ago that we have the ultimate say and approval. I didn’t know that. I thought that this was all approved and we just are going to get a list of who gets the money. Mr. Hasan: Well, we’re going to hold it back if you put it that way. I don’t necessarily subscribe to that. I just think we don’t change nothing with the list at best but I still think it’s a risk 55 now because all this time Mr. Welcher had not gotten any sort of approval on this. We’re taking a risk. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I supported it from day one including when the Mayor brought it up so I want to help everybody and I agree with you it doesn’t have to be downtown. I agree with you 100%. Mr. Hasan: Okay, thank you. th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the, hold on I’ve got the Commissioner from the 8, th Commissioner from the 8. Mr. Garrett: I’m good. Most of the questions that I wanted to ask have been asked. None have been answered yet but they been asked so I’m good. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, let me go in this fashion right here. I’m going to try to address a series of things. To the degree that we started a conversation a month and some two weeks ago at this point one of the things that was raised through the webinar with Ashley Bell one of the th things that was raised and the Commissioner from the 6 just raised it and that is in the instance when the first CARES Act Bill came out and the most recent one those nonessential businesses who did not in fact have banking relationships with the larger banks didn’t receive those dollars. In the second CARES Act which is what Director Bell talked about there was a more deliberative effort taken to make sure that the small banks i.e. the local banks where the ones who were leading that effort. Many of you are aware Security Federal, South State Bank, Queensboro those local banks here in the community who had banking relationships with our small business community they were now the ones running point in terms of trying to get those dollars to the community and a better job was done. I don’t have any metrics or data on how successful that’s gone at this point th but those dollars didn’t all of a sudden go away. Commissioner from the 6 also raised the issue around the conversation largely being focused around downtown. Let me remind everyone that we conducted a survey and that survey was not limited to downtown. While I may have been on a webinar with members of the Chamber some hundred plus people, while I may have had meetings with downtown restauranteurs and that was across the board, the survey was conducted across the entire county, some 457 respondents both large and small, small businesses, hair salons, nail salons all of them were in fact represented and that was very good data that we had so it wasn’t isolated to hearing from the folks who were ‘just downtown’. And so that end I will submit the following. One, I do not believe that this list that’s being recommended is representative of the broader community and it’s quite telling in that. These individuals most of who I know, some who I don’t, we keep raising the issue around downtown but I don’t think you can really realistically do this in good faith without having representation that’s reflective of the community. And so if you look at the list as it’s presented some 90% of the folks on here are African American in nature and from an optic standpoint I don’t think this body in good faith should just take that and make that decision to do that. I think we all know people who represent this community, who we’ve got relationships with that can serve well and meet the needs of our business community in particular the small business community and so I think that those adjustments in fact need to be made. And so to the degree that as I have since gone and researched it you’ve got two bankers here, you’ve got the Tax Commissioner’s deputy, you’ve got someone who works for the Economic Development 56 Authority and then you’ve got someone who’s on the Housing and Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee who is in fact a small business owner who I know well. So what I’m going to offer and suggest is that we amend those recommendations and I don’t think you need to have a large group of people. It needs to be a small group of people who make these recommendations and amendments and generally keep this list to five not more than seven people. And so to that end I’m going to recommend that we strike Tim McFalls and put Margaret Woodard in that place and if we’re going to again add another banker, someone who has been front and center with regards to this whole process especially when it comes to the CARES Act and they were panelists, they were panelists who was on the panel along with Ashley Bell and that is Jay Forrester over at South State Bank. I believe he’s a regional VP for that and those would be my recommendations. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, you threw it right back downtown to Margaret Woodard that don’t make, you have Ms. Parr (unintelligible) downtown her office is downtown. I just don’t see Ms. Sue Parr operates downtown and downtown only. I think this is a disservice to do it that way. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor I --- th. Mr. Mayor: Well I hear you, I’m coming back to you, Commissioner from the 9 I’ve got you, I’ve got you. Mr. Hasan: I’d prefer it if you don’t do anything. thst Mr. Mayor: Okay, let’s go to the Commissioner from the 9 then the 1. Mr. M. Williams: --- Mr. Mayor, you mentioned about some of those small businesses nail salons and beauty salons and stuff like that. None of those are going to be impacted. Now I’m not saying none of them is going to get a portion of it but the majority of those is not going to be impacted at all. There’s going to be very, very few. And I’m sick of playing games with this thing and acting like it you know that you where everybody’s going to be treated fairly. First of all it’s going to be a hard job to determine who gets and who don’t get. I wouldn’t want that job; that’s going to be a hard job. I don’t agree with the people on this list. I think there needs to be some business people on here who are even qualified to be in this number as well but these people on this list now and nothing personal against any of them but I just think that we need to have an odd number at least and we need to be fair about what we’re doing. I’m not going to sit here and act like I’m going to support this when people are trying to manipulate. Just say what you mean and mean what you say, we hadn’t done that. My question is though if we don’t get a hard approval and we use this money what happens then? Are we stuck? Do we get the money back from somewhere else? Do we take it out of another fund? Nobody’s answered that question yet. If HUD does not approve to reimburse us then what is my question from anybody. Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims. Mr. Sims: Yes, Mayor, if this is not approved by HUD then this would be taken from our fund balance reserve fund. 57 Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Sims, we’ll be gambling then because if HUD don’t approve that soft list get softer and then don’t get approved we can’t do nothing. I think Commissioner Hasan asked about a letter. There ought to be something in writing from the federal government saying your initiative is good. If you do this, yes, you will be reimbursed. You can use those funds for that but if not we’re going to be in trouble. Now until I get something in writing signed by John Doe or President Trump it don’t make no difference but somebody needs to be having his signature on it. st Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Commissioner from the 1 our last hand. Mr. Fennoy: Okay, Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner, we can’t see you. Mr. Fennoy: --- you can’t see me? Can you see me now? Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, that’s better. Mr. Fennoy: Okay, one of my concerns is that we have approximately 800 or more businesses in Richmond County. We’re talking about $17,000 dollar loans. If we give out $15,000 dollars that means that 75 or 80 businesses will be able to apply for these loans and that’s not a whole lot when it comes to the number of people that really need that money. So regardless of how we end up we’re going to be in a pickle I believe. Mr. Mayor: Well, I’m going to go back to the survey. The survey said clearly that of those respondents and we’re talking about businesses across the entire spectrum that what most of the businesses were concerned about was cash flow, operating cash and that number was $2,500 to $5,000 dollars. So when we talk about you know giving $15,000 dollar loans the reality of it is that this process these should’ve been small dollar small value loans so that the people could have the cash flow, being able to operate whether it was paying rent or whether it was keeping staff in place, many of whom will probably never see unemployment benefits come through their door. So again I think it’s imperative to as we talk about trying to move us forward that we look for an opportunity to stretch these dollars as far as possible and I’ll close with that. All right, I think we’ve got a motion and I believe a second. The Clerk: No, sir. Mr. Mayor: There’s a discussion around amending the list the names, keeping an odd number and there’s been some recommendations so, Madam Clerk, what was the motion presented? The Clerk: I don’t have one, sir. Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor --- th Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner from the 4. 58 Mr. Sias: --- Director Welcher raised his hand. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I don’t see him. Hold on, hold on, I’m sorry. All right, Director Welcher. Mr. Garrett: Can the motion be restated please? Mr. Mayor: I’m on the small screen today so I don’t see everybody at one time. Mr. Welcher: Am I allowed to speak? Mr. Mayor: Yes, you are. Mr. Welcher: I just want to just provide this as (inaudible) about the HUD (inaudible) understand every year we don’t receive our allocation of funding until November anyway so the city does front money for us to be able to operate front money for us to be able to (unintelligible) programs as well so this is no different. You know and as far as we couldn’t get reimbursed on an annual basis unless our programs were compliant (unintelligible) and we know that they are. So I’m not trying to sway. I just want to alert you all that the program we put before (unintelligible) approval for the preceding year is always compliant where Augusta, Georgia fronts the (unintelligible) operate various programs as small business whatever the case may be knowing that reimbursement comes typically between October and November, we’ve never failed yet. I’m not trying to sway but I did want to throw that out there as well. Mr. M. Williams: But this is different, Mr. Welcher. This is totally different because the fact that if we submitted the letter that said that this process is going to be used and we can use that money. HUD’s got guidelines that you well know for every dollar they send here and what it’s supposed to be used for. We had to even return money back because we didn’t use it. Not that we didn’t have room in Augusta for it but because we didn’t meet the guidelines and had to turn money back. So I don’t want to confuse it. I get what you said but let’s be clear about it. HUD has guidelines that we have to go by and just because we get an allocation in November we done approve some money now we still may not be able to use that money for what we intend to use it for unless we got the approval. So let’s be clear now we do get the money in November like you said but they’ve got stipulations to go by. Mr. Welcher: Your program, sir, if I may speak your program that’s before you is no different that the Small Business Loan Program that we’ve adhered to that we had since I’ve been here since ’08 it’s still follows One National Bank. It’s no different you know. If anything what we’ve done (inaudible) to take some of the requirements off. We couldn’t take all of them off taken some of those requirements off so I don’t dispute or disagree with you and I’m not (inaudible). Mr. M. Williams: I get that, Mr. Welcher, but why did we get a soft answer then and we hadn’t got a hard answer? If it wasn’t important why did you tell us we got a soft answer. W hadn’t got anything significant back but tentative if it wasn’t important? 59 Mr. Welcher: The formal process for submitting the applications has not been given to state and local (inaudible) around the country yet. That’s why. But at the last meeting when we presented a plan we were instructed that once your approval came back instruction to take place (inaudible) in the guidelines and provide it to our HUD regional office. (Unintelligible) and the best they could do was a soft approval. Don’t have a hard approval once again because the submission and instructions to submit will all be in local governments HUD as of yet but we anticipate here soon. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, can I respond to something that Mr. Welcher’s saying? Mr. Mayor: Well, I’d like for us to vote on it. Let’s do that. Let’s vote on it, Commissioner. Let’s get a motion and then let’s vote on it. Can we do that? What did you just say? Mr. Hasan: I think he’s being dishonest. Mr. Mayor: You say he’s being dishonest? Mr. Hasan: Yes, I think he’s being dishonest. Mr. Mayor: Okay, so let’s do this. Let’s take that color out of it and again let’s a lot of passion and emotion in the room. Let’s take this and let’s get a motion and let’s just vote on it okay? Mr. Hasan: What as is in terms of the names on it, right? Mr. Mayor: No, I think there’s a recommendation to change the names. Mr. Hasan: No, Mr. Mayor. Let me address let me address those things. Mr. Mayor, how do you think your Economic Development Authority got is supposed to give them a small business how do you think, are you recommending taking him off? Mr. Mayor: The reality of it is in terms of us looking at financials the key persons on here are bankers, okay, without question. Those that are working with our business community on a regular basis whether it’s taking McFalls off or Chris Johnson it doesn’t really matter. I do think that the net representation needs to be reflective of the broader community and this list as proposed is not. I mean let’s be clear about that, we don’t need to couch that. Mr. Hasan: Well, Mr. Mayor, that happens sometimes if that’s what the committee is. I mean we shouldn’t apologize for that. Mr. Mayor: I’m not making any apologies I’ll state again it’s just not appropriate. Mr. Hasan: But I think but let me go back to the bigger issue now if you don’t want me to address it because when Mr. Welcher says that he gets money in October or November whenever he gets the money that budget has been approved by HUD. He’s just not allocated the money until a later time. Ain’t no soft approval and we front him the money. That budget has been accepted 60 and approved and then he gets that money in those timelines so it is a world of difference to say (unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: So I don’t disagree with you. Let’s do this. Let’s go ahead and let’s take some action here. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Mayor, after just thinking about it a little bit more I want to make a motion for the list that is given as well as adding Margaret Woodard from the DDA and Jay Forester from South State Bank to the list and just have it a whole list. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I think first of all we have too many people on that board. It’s going to be a even number, ought to be an odd number. That’s my first thing. I don’t have any problem with anybody you want to add or take off but it ought to be an odd number. Ought not be an even number for that; we’re going to get a situation. Mr. Mayor: Well, with all deference and I know Chris will do a fantastic job, why don’t you remove the Tax Commissioner’s Deputy and go with that list that you just talked about if that’s the case. Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: That’ll be my motion then. Mr. B. Williams: --- I’ll state --- Mr. Mayor: Hold on, I’m coming. Okay, I’m going to come to the Commissioner from th the 5. Mr. B. Williams: --- yes, sir. We’ve got so much conversation about who’s on the board or what have you. I want to make a substitute motion that we vote and we approve it with each Commissioner making an appointment to that board, striking everybody that you have, with each Commissioner making an appointment to that board. That’s my substitute. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, here’s our posture. We’re going to deal with the substitute first and then we’ll come back to the main motion that was presented. All right, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: No. The Clerk: Ms. Davis. Ms. Davis: No, ma’am. 61 The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Frantom. Mr. Frantom: No, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Garrett. Mr. Garrett: No. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: No, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams. Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Present. Mr. Clarke, Ms. Davis, Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Sias vote No. Mr. M. Williams votes Present. Motion Fails 4-5-1. The Clerk: Back to the original motion, Mr. Frantom. Mr. Sias: Can you read that, Madam Clerk? Mr. Mayor: Mayor Pro Tem, restate your motion. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion was to approve the list taking off Mr. Chris Johnson and adding Margaret Woodard from the DDA and Jay Forester from South State Bank. 62 Mr. Sias: Can I ask the Mayor Pro Tem something before you finish that, Mayor? Mr. B. Williams: I’m seconding it. Mr. Mayor: Sure. Mr. Sias: Mayor Pro Tem, he said list he didn’t say program. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, I mean it’s the list of people, program, I mean --- Mr. Sias: The list is just the list --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- I mean if you have to --- Mr. Sias: --- do you want to say that again if you don’t mind. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Approve the program of people --- Mr. Sias: The list is part of the program. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- yeah, part of the program with the people. th Mr. Mayor: So I think we know what the intent is, Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: You can live and die on intent. Mr. Mayor: Yeah, well we’re not in Legislature. The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, for clarity we’re removing Mr. Johnson and adding Mr. Jay Forester and removing Mr. McFalls and adding Margaret Woodard? Mr. Sias: No. Mr. Hasan: No. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Leave in McFalls. The Clerk: I beg your pardon? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’re leaving Mr. McFalls and we’re adding Margaret Woodard and Jay Forester. The Clerk: Oh, you’re adding two additional. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, get rid of one and adding two. 63 The Clerk: Okay, Mr. Johnson is coming off. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: That’s correct. The Clerk: Okay, all right. Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes. The Clerk: Ms. Davis. Ms. Davis: No, ma’am. 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, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams. Mr. B. Williams: No, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: No. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Present. Ms. Davis, Mr. Garrett, Mr. Hasan, Mr. B. Williams and Mr. D. Williams vote No. Mr. M. Williams abstains. 64 Motion Fails 4-5-1. Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor --- th Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Commissioner from the 5. Mr. B. Williams: --- can I make a motion that we vote on it as it is., the list? We’ve just had everything else. Mr. M. Williams: It’s dead in the water. We done had two votes on it. It’s dead in the water. Mr. Hasan: Leave it alone, Commissioner. Mr. Mayor: Lord have mercy, all right, Madam Clerk. All right, Madam Clerk, Item Number 21, Item Number --- Mr. D. Williams: Twenty-six. Mr. Mayor: --- Item Number 21, Item Number 26 if we can consent those two, Item Number 21 and 26 --- Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I have a question for 21. Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got a question for 26. ENGINEERING SERVICES 21. Approve entering into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a local Non-profit Organization (Greater Augusta Arts Council) to create opportunities for Augusta citizens’ participation in activities that are designed to reduce pollutants in local waterways and authorize the Mayor to sign MOU as requested by the Augusta Engineering Department. PUBLIC SAFETY 22. Request by Dixon Airline Recycling and Disposal for a letter of consistency to operate a construction and demolition landfill. (Requested by Commissioner Brandon Garrett) APPOINTMENTS 26. Motion to approve the reappointment of Mr. Butch Gallop and the appointment of Mr. Charles Lamback to fill the seat held by Mr. Terry Elam. (Requested by Commissioner Ben Hasan) ADMINISTRATOR 27. Update on recruitment process for the Director of Augusta Recreation. (Deferred from the Commission May 5, 2020 Commission Meeting) Mr. Mayor: All right, okay, so can we move these to the next full commission meeting 21, 22, 26, 27 --- Mr. Sias: Move that we’ll move all incomplete items to the next commission meeting. 65 Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, sir, if we could do that that’ll be fantastic. Mr. Hasan: Second, second. Mr. Mayor: All right. Mr. M. Williams: I’m going to let ya’ll go this time. Ain’t supposed to be moving no stuff again. We done held it up now, ya’ll don’t want to handle the business. You just wanted to be elected. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, Madam Clerk, I think what I heard is that we reluctantly moved these items to the next commission agenda and if there be no other business before us this meeting is adjourned. \[MEETING ADJOURNED\] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of The Augusta Richmond County Commission held on June 2, 2020. _____________________________ Clerk of Commission 66