HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting October 20, 2020
REGULAR MEETING VIRTUAL/TELECONFERENCE
OCTOBER 20, 2020
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., October 20, 2020, the
Hon. Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. B. Williams, Garrett, Sias, Fennoy, Frantom, M. Williams, Davis, D.
Williams, Hasan and Clarke, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Mr. Mayor: Jeff?
The Clerk: Invocation or are you going refer to your colleagues?
Mr. Lewis: Yes, sir, we’re ready, go ahead.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, we’re going to ask the Commissioner from the 9 Marion Williams
if he would lead us in our invocation and our Pledge.
The Clerk: Did he hear you?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, Commissioner Marion Williams. I think we may
have lost him, yeah, I think we may have lost him. I’m going to go ahead and pray.
The Mayor gives the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, Attorney Brown, I think in light of what we know we
know that the general public is expecting a Commission meeting at 2:00 o’clock so what I’d like
for us to do is to do a couple of things. There’s an Addendum Agenda that’s been presented to us.
One of them is an item around Finance, the other Engineering Services and then of course the
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Commissioner from the 1 has an item. If we can move to add them to the agenda without
objection even if it’s just debate purposes for discussion we can at least do that. So if there’s no
objection we’ll add these to the agenda. All right, Madam Clerk, without objection. Okay, now
that we’ve got a ‘complete agenda’ I’m going to turn it over to you, Madam Clerk. I know that
we have a proposed Executive Session agenda that’s in front of us but in light of what we know as
again the general public’s already here I’d hate to have them waiting until 4:00 o’clock then we
come back so if can move expeditiously through the regular agenda we can then come back to the
Executive Session agenda.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, that’s a good call.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, it’s on you.
The Clerk: I call your attention to our Consent Agenda which consists of Items 1 through
3.
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Item 1: Is a request for a Special Exception Heavy Industry affecting property located at
1811 Wilkinson Road.
Item 2: Is a request for a change of zoning from a B-2 (General Business) and Zone R-2
(Two-family Residential) to a Zone B-2 affecting property known as 1632, 1636 Walton Way and
1623 and 1627 Cleveland Street.
The Clerk: Our Consent Agenda Items 1 through 3. Mr. Mayor, at the appropriate time
could we ask Mr. Sherman to acknowledge if there were any objectors to these Planning Petitions?
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, we can do that now, now is certainly appropriate. I believe he
may be coming in. All right, he’s being admitted now. All right, Director Sherman, all right his
audio is connected now.
Mr. Sherman: Mayor and Commissioner, there were no objectors to the two zoning
applications.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
The Clerk: Our Consent Agenda Items 1 through 3 with no objectors to our Planning
Petitions.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. All right at this time I’ll entertain any motions to
add or remove from the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tem, okay I’m sorry, Commissioner from
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the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor. I’d like to first move 19 as was discussed with Ms. Bonner
and I want to add for consent 16 and 18.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 8 Item 19 you spoke to Ms. Bonner and
you’re moving it to a time in the future is that correct, sir?
Mr. Garrett: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: All right and Number 16 and what number ---
Mr. Garrett: 18.
The Clerk: 18.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay, very well.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 2.
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Mr. D. Williams: Yes, sir. I’d like on Item #21 I’d like to delete that item because there’s
been a little confusion about the understanding of what the objective was so I’d like to delete that
so we can have a public discussion.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I object to deleting the item.
Mr. Mayor: Well ---
Mr. Hasan: --- I don’t object to deleting the item so it stays on the agenda.
Mr. Mayor: --- well, it absolutely stays on the agenda but you might want to talk to him
about it.
Mr. D. Williams: Well, may I use a different terminology? May I postpone it until our
first meeting in, well, our next meeting?
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Mr. Mayor: Yeah, that sounds good too, Commissioner from the 6 the author of this item
has some very valid concerns that need to be addressed before this is debated on the floor. I would
urge you to just at least to him about it.
Mr. Hasan: I’ll leave it on the agenda, Mr. Mayor. I’ll leave it on the agenda.
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
Mr. D. Williams: For the next meeting or this meeting?
Mr. Hasan: This meeting.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I’d like to consent Item #22 and Item #26.
Mr. Garrett: I have an issue with 22.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. B. Williams: I have an issue with 26.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, all right, Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Hasan: I’m good.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 3.
Ms. Davis: I’m good, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: All right ---
Mr. D. Williams: Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: --- all right, Commissioner from the 2.
Mr. D. Williams: I’d like to consent Item #15.
Mr. Mayor: All right, all right, Madam Clerk, I’d to consent Item #17.
Mr. Garrett: Mayor, do we need to hear that update or you think we’re good with
consenting that.
Mr. Mayor: I think we’re good we’re consenting it.
Mr. Garrett: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: I’d like to consent Item #24, okay, I’ll entertain a motion.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion to approve as stated.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, could we consider Item #2 on the Consent Agenda? That was one
dealing with the consent order, is the Attorney on?
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Number 2 ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir, from the Consent Agenda ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
The Clerk: --- if that’s okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, without objection. All right ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the items as stated.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. Z-20-48 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve, with the conditions stated below, a request by FPL Food LLC, on behalf of the
Wilkingson Road Group Inc., requesting a Special Exception to utilize the existing structure
to store cow hides in the HI (Heavy Industry) per Section 24-2(24) of the Comprehensive
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Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia affecting property containing 3.46 acres and located
at 1811 Wilkinson road. Tax Map 056-4-167-00-0 DISTRICT 2 1. The loading dock doors
shall stay closed at all times except to receive deliveries. 2. There shall be no noticeable odors
as a result of this use. 3. If noticeable odors occur the petitioner shall take corrective
measures.
2. Z-20-49 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions stated below, a petition by Joe Edge, on behalf of Hiral
Enterprises Inc., Carolyn H. Usry Irrevocable Giving rust and Guru Darsham, LLC,
requesting a change of zoning from Zone B-2 (General Business) and Zone R-2 (Two-family
Residential) to Zone B-2 affecting property containing 1.05 acres and known as 1632 and
1636 Walton Way and 1623 and 1627 Cleveland Street (property is bisected by Logan Lan).
Tax Map 045-2-093-01-0, 035-4-590-00-0, 045-2-094-00-0 and 045-2-092-00-0 DISTRICT 1
1. Prior to any development, Logan Lane must be abandoned and all parcels must be platted
as one. 2. If a drive thru concept is to be used, the internal and external circulation must be
approved by Traffic Engineering and Planning & Development prior to submitting for site
plan approval to insure safe vehicle ingress/egress and limit queuing into Walton Way. 3.
The lighting for the lot shall be directed downward and away from the residential
development on Cleveland Street. 4. This project shall comply with all development
standards and regulations set forth by the City of Augusta, GA at the time of development.
5. If the abandonment of Logan Lane is denied the zoning shall revert to the current zoning
of each parcel in this petition.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
3. Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular and Special Called Meetings held on
October 6, 2020.
PUBLIC SAFETY
15. Motion to approve amendment of the Inmates’ Telephone Services contract with Inmate
Calling Solutions, LLC (ICS)-(Approved by the Commission on February 7, 2019) to allow
for Remote Video Visitation.
16. Motion to approve the Ground Lease Agreement with Jefferson Electric Membership
Corporation and to authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement.
17. Motion to receive an update on the Augusta Land Mobile Radio System (LMRS) as
information and to approve the Radio Subscriber Agreements with external agencies, with
the Mayor being authorized to execute the Agreement after execution by the external
agencies.
18. Motion to approve commercial insurance for inland marine coverage with broker
Dawson, Taylor & Company, as quoted through insurance carrier Liberty Mutual
Insurance, for a premium of $31,818.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
24. Motion to approve a change order in the amount of $180,400 to HDR Engineering, Inc.
for the scope addition which will include the preparation of an Emergency Response Plan.
ADDENDUM
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28. Approve and award Environmental compliance. Testing, Engineering and Consultant
Services to multiple firms, via Group. These are Group I-Environmental Services (Landfill
Operation): SCS Engineers, Atlas; Group II-Engineering and Construction Services
(Landfill Operations): SCS Engineers, Geosysntec, Atlas; Group III-Supplemental Services:
SCS Engineers. Award is contingent upon receipt of signed agreement. RFP 20-146.
Requested by ESD.
Mr. M. Williams out.
Motion Passes 9-0 \[Items 1-8, 15-18, 24, 28\]
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.
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.
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The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams, he’s having trouble getting in. IT is working with him.
Mr. M. Williams Out.
Motion Passes 9-0. \[Items
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, let’s do this ---
The Clerk: --- the Alcohol Petitions ---
Mr. Mayor: --- let’s do it.
The Clerk: --- okay. Ms. Walton, can you, is Ms. Walton in, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: I don’t see her yet. All right, we’re going to bring her in here.
Mr. Lewis: She’s in there as public. I think she just has her camera off.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, yeah, that’s correct. It is off.
Mr. Lewis: I did see her join when I let her in.
Mr. Mayor: I just asked her to start her video. Hopefully she’ll start it here in a second,
all right, there we go. All right, Ms. Walton.
PUBLIC SERVICES
4. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 20-38: requested by David Storrin
for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with KJ’s Market IGA
located at 2512 Tobacco Rd. District 4. Super District 9
6. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 20-37: request by David Storrin for
a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with KJ’s Market IGA located
at 3457 Peach Orchard Rd. District 6. Super District 10.
Ms. Walton: Good afternoon, Mayor and Commissioners. We have Alcohol Number 20-
38 is a request by David Storrin for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection
with KJ’s Market IGA located at 2512 Tobacco Road. This application has been approved by the
Sheriff’s Office and Planning and Development, there were no objectors to this application. And
if you don’t mind can I read the next so he’s the same applicant so he won’t have to come in twice?
Mr. Mayor: Absolutely.
Ms. Walton: Alcohol 20-37 is a request by Davis Storrin for a retail package Beer & Wine
License to be used in connection with KJ’s Market IGA located at 3457 Peach Orchard Road. This
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application has been approved by the Sheriff’s Office and Planning and Development with no
objectors.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion to approve.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Storrin: Good afternoon. I’m Davis Brian Storrin, 3841 Forest Creek Way, Martinez,
GA 30907.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Storrin. We have a motion from the Mayor Pro Tem and a
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second from the Commissioner from the 3, voting.
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:
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
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The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams Out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
PUBLIC SERVICES
5. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 20-39: request by Pawan K. Burra
for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Best Foods 2020, Inc.
located at 5131 Mike Padgett Hwy. District 8. Super District 10.
Ms. Walton: Alcohol 20-39 is a request by Pawan K. Burra for a retail package Beer &
Wine License to be used in connection with Best Foods 2020 located at 5131 Mike Padgett
Highway. This application has been approved by the Sheriff’s Office and Planning and
Development with no objectors.
Mr. Pawan: Good afternoon ---
Mr. Mayor: Good afternoon ---
Mr. Pawan: Pawan K. Burra. My business is 5131 Mike Padgett Highway, home address
is 1477 Nixon Drive, Hephzibah.
Mr. Mayor: --- thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion to approve.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, motion to approve from the Mayor Pro Tem, second from the
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Commissioner from the 6 Voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
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Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes.
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.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams Out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
PUBLIC SERVICES
7. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 20-40: request by Susann M. Mischel for a
Sunday Sales License to be used in connection with R&R Bar & Grill located at 2706 Gordon
Hwy. District 4. Super District 9.
Ms. Walton: Our last item Alcohol 20-40 is a request by Susann M. Mischel for a Sunday
Sales License to be used in connection with R&R Bar & Grill located at 2706 Gordon Highway.
This application has been approved by the Sheriff’s Office and Planning and Development with
no objectors.
Ms. Speaker: Susann Marie Mischel, my address is 609 Dunlap Circle, Evans, GA.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Ms. Mischel. The Chair will entertain a motion.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion to approve.
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Mr. Garrett: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Voting.
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.
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: That’s a yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams Out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, state your inquiry.
Mr. Fennoy: --- if Commissioner Marion Williams is having difficulty getting on, do you
think we need to sort of wait until he can get on before we move any further on or to be able to, I
mean his vote might be important.
Mr. Mayor: Well, I might suggest that everyone’s vote is important. As you well know
it’s no different than any election. You want to have your voice heard, your vote counted and you
know to the degree that he’s having technical difficulties we have a very capable staff who I know
is working diligently to try to get him where he needs to be. He just needs to work with them.
Mr. Fennoy: All right, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, also an option that you can use your hand, city phone. You know
you’ve got that link so that may work for him as well.
Mr. Mayor: I’m going to say this right here. We’ve got staff working on it, let us continue
to do the business of the people okay? All of the suggestions are fantastic.
The Clerk: We just needed an update that’s all.
Mr. Garrett: So moving forward if one of us is having technical difficulties we all agree to
wait on them?
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next item.
The Clerk: Item #8, Ms. Walton, is she still there, sir?
Mr. Mayor: If it pleases the body ---
The Clerk: No, that’s Mr. Sherman, I’m sorry #8.
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Mr. Mayor: --- the Deputy IT Director is working with the Commissioner from the 9 to
try to get him back on. Again you’ve got to trust your people, trust your people, Madam Clerk,
back to you.
The Clerk: Okay Item #8, Mr. Sherman I believe is he there, sir?
Mr. Mayor: He is, Rob.
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PUBLIC SERVICES
8. Motion to approve proposed amendments to Augusta, Georgia Code, Title 6, Chapter 4,
Masseurs and Masseuses, Massage Parlors and/or Health Spas to include deleting the
regulatory fee, clarifying the application fee, and throughout the code replacing License and
Inspection Department with Planning and Development and Augusta-Richmond County
with Augusta, Georgia.
Mr. Sherman: So it’s basically you’re deleting the regulatory fee. We have found out from
the state that we (inaudible) impose a regulatory fee so it’s deleting that and then otherwise just
cleaning up the ordinance. Our ole ordinance, formerly it had the administration of the ordinance
with License and Inspection. We’re changing to Planning and Development Department,
changing Richmond County to Augusta, GA. And then there’s an application fee that’s always
been included but it’s clearly indicated what the fee amount is and that’s the extent.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner from the 3, second?
Mr. Mayor: The Mayor Pro Tem made it.
The Clerk: And Ms. Davis. All right, Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: I’m sorry, 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.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am.
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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, still out.
Mr. M. Williams Out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Sherman: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Madam Clerk ---
The Clerk: And Ms. Durant is here for Item #9. We have a delegation for that one, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- thank you, Madam Clerk. We’re going to bring her in, she should be in
the Public Meeting Room, is that correct?
The Clerk: Yes, sir and IT has her presentation.
Mr. Mayor: All right, fantastic.
Mr. Lewis: I don’t see her at the moment, Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: She’s out there in the public space, Jeff ---
Mr. Lewis: Oh okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- yeah, she’s out there she’s with ---
The Clerk: Mr. Markwalter.
Mr. Mayor: --- yes with Jay, thank you, Madam Clerk. All right, Jeff, you’re, okay there
we go. If everyone else could mute your devices that would be helpful at this time. We’ll give
you a chance to mute your devices while we attend to the presentation.
Mr. Markwalter: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, are you ready for me?
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Mr. Mayor: We are, go ahead.
Mr. Markwalter: Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners and in the IT
Department. We are proud to be here and we want to thank all of you for your service and
leadership especially during the fact that we can’t be here in person. We just appreciate your
leadership at this time. I am excited to represent the Greater Augusta Arts Council today as Vice
President of Public Art but also the Chair of the Public Art Advisory Panel. And my background
I came here in 2014 to work under Barry White at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, a great
mentor, but six years later I can tell you that I am so excited and Bennish Brown being here at the
helm of the CVB I am now serving is a statewide capacity as Executive Director of the Georgia
Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus representing 159 counties. So I have a wonderful
opportunity for unique perspective on seeing the arts across Georgia and the role it plays in
economic development. I am local here at 816 Almond Place East 30909 and am proud to have
relocated here in 2015. I want to thank you also for this agenda item placement. We are excited
to give you an update on your current projects and the exciting return on investment throughout
the community. Don’t let the bullet points here scare you we will offer highlights, we have so
much to share but we respect your time. And this of course is a presentation for you to keep so
there is the presentation outline but it’s an overview for you with now some specifics especially
on some new items and some invitations for you all as well. Public art of course in Augusta the
Greater Augusta Arts Council and you see our leader there, Ms. Brenda Durant, and some of our
public art. We have since 2012 been the official Public Art Agency for you in fostering and
implementing the visual and entertainment components vital to our local pride for all Augustans
and again as we will reference several times economic and community development and truly
destination development. You also see a theme throughout the presentation here that public art
across Augusta Richmond creates collaboration and partnership at all levels. Can I advance these?
Mr. Mayor: We’ll advance it for you ---
Mr. Markwalter: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- just continue.
Mr. Markwalter: Thank you ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Markwalter: --- some of this you have heard in the past about your Public Art
Masterplan. It was approved in 2017; it’s certainly continues to be our roadmap for continued
implementation. It is our, it lays out our project goals for developing across Augusta-Richmond
again an arts destination not just for visitors and guests to Augusta on business or leisure or
convention but also for our residents and locals. Please advance. The Public Art Advisory Panel
again in an advisory capacity you will see, we wanted to show you here we have some new
members of the panel is a great representation of local leaders, various skills, skillsets, all for the
purpose of guiding the Greater Augusta Arts Council Board for future projects and
recommendations working with the various city departments. And we always have tremendous
support ad hoc in ex-officio panel members you’ll see here from local representatives but also your
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various departments. We meet monthly and at this time I would like to mention I could not go
past this slide without mentioning that we are very grateful for the service of Ron Houck with
Recreation and Parks and we share in your loss of Ron and he was a terrific member of our panel.
Advance. I’ll highlight a couple of projects. The Harrisburg Portal and this should say please
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excuse there’s an error there on March 13, 2020. Unfortunately right at the onset of the quarantine
the virus in March of 2020 this was a terrific project that had a lot of city interaction and support,
a lot of input from residents here. And it is truly a vertical place maker icon for Harrisburg and
again you will notice the project and the funding line. We’d like to highlight and show the different
partnerships for the funding in making these projects happen. I will of course not kill you thru
Powerpoint with reading every slide, this is for you to keep, and advance to the next. Highlight
Beacon Station hopefully you’ve seen this you see the photograph there that shows the scale. This
is a terrific project. It is a great example of local company purchasing this sculpture and their
budgeting for building the Beacon Station Apartment Project over there. And the Greater Augusta
Arts Collaboration was working with that developer from helping call the artists to all the way to
the finished project and working the P.R. on that. Advance. The James Brown Mural. So next
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week October 27 at 2:00 p.m. we invite all of you to the outdoor event, the ceremony where artist
Cole Phail and of course working with Bennish and his team at the Convention and Visitors Bureau
and you the City of Augusta and the Arts Council traveling the state now through the middle of
the state I’m in Macon all the time, Otis Redding, Little Richard. In Albany of course we’ve got
Ray Charles sitting at his piano on the plaza so thank you for the continued support of all the many
James Brown pieces across Augusta. Just every time I have been down to see this project there
are people taking pictures and selfies and already doing the photo ops at this mural and of course
we know what happens when social media and everyone is posting and where is that and there’s
interest to find it and that helps local businesses and drives the interest in public art as well. So
we’re very excited about that. Please join us for that event. It looks terrific. Hopefully you’ve
seen it and it’s in the spirit of fun you will all be together socially distanced for that celebration
next week. The Harrisburg Underpass murals. Using local artists it ended up being a husband and
wife team on this. Again this shows public community input from the neighborhood, the
brightening of pedestrian areas and the neighborhood flowers and beekeepers in the area are
represented in the art in the colors here so this was a great example of working with city
engineering but it also took working with Georgia DOT, GDOT for permitting in getting this
project done. Advance. The Hillside Park Mural, very interesting and really cool project here in
the fence. This was working with Recreation and Parks to enliven the parks spaces and bring art
to public parks. In this situation established the council of immediate neighbors to give input on
this project and it led to another local artists call. Again this actually happened to be that same
husband and wife team won this, Wesley Stuart and Coleen Bayer on this one and just another
terrific enhancement here to the park space. The City Gallery. Your City Gallery here is on display
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currently of course for Grady Abrams honoring Mr. Abrams through November 20 and then our
winter sale takes place in December of course with an online component so that you can order
pieces as gifts and for yourself but a few great pieces that were put together by the Greater Augusta
Arts Council and lot of work but much deserved celebration in this retrospective exhibit here about
Mr. Abrams. Advance. And again showing our winter sale. We encourage you to shop and again
mention the online component supporting local artists; these two galleries support local artists. In
speaking of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and by the way their new model experience center
visitor centers across Georgia are looking at this space as a model because it is so well done and
another great example of the Arts Council coming together with the CVB in collaboration for
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rotating local artists’ galleries. If you’ve not had a chance to see that please stop by there for
several reasons but the arts component really enhances that space. Next. The Art in the Box.
Many of you have seen these boxes. It is a terrific tour this slide is to give you an update on the
software the new software Open Tour Builder is for the walking tour and of course outdoor
activities are very important right now especially as we meet the challenge of fun, safe outdoor
activities. And we’re using the same type software with the Golden Blocks Project Tour and future
tours and we’ll tell you more about that in a minute. But we’re continuing the work on the Art in
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the Box Project and again those also serve as photo ops. On November 5 our annual event it has
been at Sacred Heart the last several years and many of you have attended that with us. We hope
that you will join us online, it will be via ZOOM. We know that you are covered up in webinars
and ZOOM meetings but we do hope that you can spend your lunch with us at noon on November
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the 5. Rebuilding, the rebuilding Tower of Arts and it is our annual event. It is this year we have
Randy Cohen with us from the American for the Arts, Americans for the Arts and it will be a
terrific event and well worth your lunch and we appreciate your support, hope to see you there.
Advance. The Sculpture Trail so this with Augusta Recreation and Parks, thank you for your
support of Rec and Parks on this project. We had 120 submissions, just an outstanding answer to
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the call. Ten winners will be announced at the event November the 5 for the Virtual Arts Day
Luncheon for the installation. This is a two-year festival celebration in promoting the art of
Augusta but it will be temporary sculpture pieces that we use on display and promote the event
throughout the city. This also helps with the outdoor tours that we keep mentioning as we install
these visual pieces enhancing the public art of Augusta. Advance. More great work with city
engineering. This storm drain project and you can see the title there it all flows into the Savannah
that’s an example from another city however this is about a fun promotion and a visual component
in keeping our water bodies clean. Residents will get to vote on the design online on the designs.
I believe there will be five initial designs and they will also be on display. We are currently writing
grants so that we can do more of these but this is a newer fun project to share with you working
with city engineering. Part of the Master Plan to have some additional sculpture along the Canal.
This is an example of local nonprofit initiative from Georgia Rehabilitation Institute. Of course
this is a National Heritage area so and one of only two in Georgia so this a case where we were
offered from GRI Georgia Rehabilitation Institute to move forward with their funding assistance
and contribute to new art on the Canal. The Golden Blocks Project. It’s hard to believe it’s already
been a year since the ribbon cutting and unveiling of Phase 1. You see the photograph there on
the slide of one the exhibits in Phase 1 the Golden Blocks Map the ceramic tile artwork there at
the Wallace Branch Library. This update for you is that we are heading here in Phase 2 and you
see the project partners here. Again great community collaboration because of this public art that
garnered national attention in federal assistance. So the Arts Council, Housing and Community
Development we have not mentioned them as a partner yet. In other slides the Lucy Craft Laney
Museum of Black History and this is a great example of how little bit of $5,000 dollars seed money
and the Arts Council coming to the table through the National Endowment of the Arts can just
explode into a terrific project so the Golden Blocks Public Arts Phase 2. And you might remember
that we were bombed with Yarn Art and we are pursuing grants for a 2021 Yarn Art Bombing that
will complement the rest of the sculpture trail and coincide the promotion of the sculpture trail.
Other communities you’ve seen them have some of these bombings and it’s a great reminder
colorful destination draw and in this case in the downtown district. Advance. The Gateway
Project. This is a SPLOST 7, the Arts Council, Recreation and Parks together, four community
meetings have already been held to discuss the purpose and community education on the Gateway
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Project and gathering some theme ideas. The next steps for this would be to work with
Procurement and Recreation and Parks for a national call for two gateway projects. All of these
projects and all of this investment leads to great private investment, our public work to community
investment. These celebrate all public art. Some examples of that just two here to share with you.
You’ve seen the painted pianos from the Jesse Norman School of Art and the Westabou Gallery
new murals that Westabou has provided are great examples of private investment. Next. And in
summary we just want to thank you again for the continued support of this very important piece to
the visual dimension of community development. We never know when those invested interested
in investing in Augusta are making a windshield survey or visiting our community and mystery
shopping our community. We’re honored to be the agency helping implement these projects,
we’re proud to celebrate it and tell our story. And with that SPLOST 8 we have talked with most
all of you about SPLOST 8 and we ask for your support of the SPLOST 8 budget components
with Recreation and Parks. The vibrant arts presence gives residents and what we call in tourism
all of those visiting Augusta we call them temporary taxpayers because temporary taxpayers are
guests coming through and staying in Augusta and coming back to Augusta are pure economic
visitor spending new cash into the community. All of this work of the Public Art Advisory Panel
and the Greater Augusta Arts Council and your teams at the city departments this improves our
sense of local pride. They know we have great fun leadership, creative leadership, cultural
diversity, a fun place to live and often this leads to long-term spending, repeat lifetime visits,
potential to lure more businesses and families to relocate in Augusta. We want to thank you for
your service once again, thank you for listening to our update and report and your continued
support. I have Ms. Brenda Durant with me as well if you have any questions of us, but thank you
very much.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Jay, and this question is for both of you one on behalf of the
Commission and I know the rest of them will chime in as needed. Thank you for the presentation
and certainly thank you to the Greater Augusta Arts Council for shepherding our local projects and
bringing them to fruition. Two questions that I have regarding things that you shared in the
presentation. Number one I’ll start with the virtual tours. You talked about that you’re using the
tools from Emory. How do we one, begin to do a greater job of collaborating vis a vie CVB, City
of Augusta, website, Greater Augusta Arts Council so that we’re truly branding and marketing
these efforts so that people from across the globe not just the nation have access to what’s going
on in Augusta and we’re able to you know look at those things in real time, how do we do that and
what is your strategy or approach to accomplishing that in two minutes or less?
Ms. Durant: I’ll answer the big question in a few minutes. I’m Brenda Durant I’m the
Director of the Greater Augusta Arts Council and so I think it leads to the answer is
communication. We regularly meet with the CVB and regularly meet with community partners
and the more that we can collaborate and make sure it’s easy to put a website page up and share it
across multiple websites. So we work on doing things like that and projects. We also have shared
information about the Emory Walking Tour with other organizations in town so that they too can
load their tours using the same system which is we do the work and it’s very affordable. So I think
it’s just making sure that we meet regularly and share information and work together, You see
that we are a collaborative organization and we’ll continue to do that.
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Mr. Mayor: That’s fantastic, Brenda and I think we’ll follow up after this but I think that’s
extremely important for us so that when there’s consistency across platforms and that where
anyone goes as people are making decisions about coming to live in Augusta certainly they’re
going to go to CVB’s website, they’re going to go to the city’s website. We want to make sure
there’s a consistency in terms of information that’s being made available to them around that entire
quality of life effort. My second question goes back to and this is really more of a statement and
that is perhaps you want to give consideration to providing us with quarterly updates. It seems to
be fairly protracted between when we talk to you and when we don’t talk to you. That frequency
certainly can change but I think when you look at some of the incredible work that you guys are
doing right now to hear it in motion for example you know some of the things that you’re doing
and that you’re working with Engineering if we knew about those things in motion we certainly
broadly as electeds could collaborate and make sure that in our social network we’re pushing that
information out, just an FYI, anyone else?
Ms. Durant: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Markwalter: Mr. Mayor, that was actually our plan starting with this update for you.
It was a little bit longwinded because of that but you definitely want to stand here and give you
reports instead of only coming when you need something.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I think the Commission would greatly like that. All right, anyone else,
thth
all right Commissioner from the 9 we have him back. Commissioner from the 9 go ahead, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: And ya’ll missed me, Mr. Mayor, but it wasn’t my fault. I missed part
of that but I caught the tail end of it and I like what I saw. My question is with the arts with
sculptures and I’m thinking about Aiken that’s known for horses when you go by Aiken they’ve
got horses on the street all over the city and people come in. Why hadn’t we adopted something
and put on the street already? Why other cities in Atlanta just different cities 20 Georgia
(unintelligible) and saw how they had them decorated and painted up. I’m thinking I mean this is
a no brainer and you know we’ve been talking around this type stuff for a long time. So I’d like
to hear from Brenda and I guess I didn’t get his name when are we going to adopt something and
brand it and put it on our streets in different locations? In Atlanta I see all this kind of stuff you
know I mean just different places, Mr. Mayor. So can someone address that?
Mr. Brenda: So you mentioned, this is Jay Markwalter the VP of Public Art for the Greater
Arts Council and he’s the Chair of the Public Arts Advisory Panel (inaudible) his introduction.
We follow the Public Art Masterplan your masterplan for art in the City of Augusta and the idea
of multiples of the same item put all over like pigs or horses was not part of our masterplan but we
do have traffic boxes painted all over town, we now have James Brown albums in the sidewalk
which I believe the plan is to expand that. And in the beginning of January we will have ten
sculptures in downtown Augusta centered on the Augusta Common, Broad Street and the entrance
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to Riverwalk on 8. And so we will have an abundance of art to be seen in our community. As
the Arts Council we make an effort not to do all our work. As you saw in our presentation in
downtown Augusta our plan is to do expand storm drains out from downtown into the rest of the
community and then also to expand murals throughout the community. If you looked at our
SPLOST presentation and if you need me to mail it to you again I can there were options for you
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to put art in basically every commission district in Augusta. And so it was a menu with a pick and
choose and we would like to do that but it’s not in the original in your original Public Art
Masterplan there was not a plan to do horses or the pigs you know or the squirrels. I mean I’ve
been in my job a long time so I do remember back in probably ’98 that we tried to adopt
(unintelligible) projects in downtown. We tried that and that did not succeed not that we gave up
because of that that was not an Arts Council project at all but I hope that answers your questions.
So respectively the multiples was not something there but I think that we’re by adding a sculpture
trail of the ten sculptures in downtown Augusta we will have a celebration of sculptures in
downtown. They won’t all be the same of course but it’ll be very exciting for the community and
visitors to come and see and it will be very walkable.
Mr. M. Williams: Well, that helps me a little bit, Brenda, but our plan as elected officials
is a plan that you brought or someone brought to us. We didn’t, in my sixteen years I’m ending
up in December but in my sixteen years I never had a conversation about what we would like to
see or what I would like to see as an elected official being in a super district. I never, I mean the
golf ball idea was a great one I thought. We’re known for golf whether anybody liked that or not
we should’ve built on that and made it not just a golf ball but a colorful golf ball, a huge golf ball
or something along that line. You’ve got to in my opinion I mean and you know I’ve been out of
the box for a long time for thinking outside. I mean people don’t really know what they really want
until you show them, until you build something and do something. When I was in Atlanta and saw
this and I was in Aiken and I saw this and I was wondering why we had not done anything. I’ve
been putting stuff out and saying different sculptures I see around town hoping that we would
catch on to something. We know James Brown is another thing Augusta is known for. We’ve got
one statue and I’m kind of embarrassed about the one. We ought to have twenty-five somewhere
around the city of James Brown because his name is (unintelligible) all over the world. So not
because we want to have a statue but those kinds of things will attract people to bring economic
dollars that I’ve been talking about so we can do the other things that we need to do. So thinking
outside the box is all I’m saying. If Aiken can do that, Atlanta, Swanee, Georgia. It don’t have to
be golf balls. It should be whatever it is that we can attract people. It could be golf clubs, it could
be something that we can do that people will know. My favorite place when I want seafood is
Rhineharts. You go to Rhineharts and you’ve been there, Brenda, I’m sure, they’ve got a building
with stuff put all over the wall but it’s different, it ain’t the normal situation. So we’ve got to do
some things and I appreciate it I caught the tail end because I had some problems on this but I just
think we need to be more inclusive with different type sculptures that will draw people to Augusta.
Ms. Durant: And if I might reply I don’t think that was really a question. This sculpture
trail is a new thing so what we’re thinking about when we think about horses and pigs and squirrels
or whatever that’s what used to happen back in the early perhaps the 1990’s and so what we’re
doing with the sculpture trail is the new trend across the country where sculptures have, you create
sculptures don’t always sell them right away and so they rent them to cities to build a trail. And
in this project includes money to buy one so we’ll start a permanent collection in the City of
Augusta. So we’re on trend as my nieces and nephews would say with the new thing with
sculptures rather than going back and doing something that was done in the early 90’s across the
country. We’re on trend with the new pattern and that is a call for sculptures to start an
environment which we’re calling sculpture trail we called it Sculpture Festival I think in the request
for Recreation and Parks and it is for people to come downtown and see a variety. You know you
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may love one or Mayor Davis may love the second, Jarvis may think the third one is the best in
the world, your kids may adore the childlike one and so it’s really there’s something for everyone.
And the thing about art is even if you go home and say what is that what was that number four,
what was that doing there? It creates a conversation, you remember your visit downtown, you
remember the sculptures, you have your favorite, you have the one you couldn’t stand maybe and
you just talk about it for weeks and that’s the importance of art it creates a conversation, it builds
the memory, you want to take your picture in front of it, your kids probably want to touch it, it’s
very important and that’s new. But we’re not, we’re doing the newest thing across the country
with sculptures with the Sculpture trail. And I did bring the city’s grant distribution if you want
to hear who got your money this year from the arts organizations I’m happy to just read that off. I
don’t have a Power Point though I was just going to read the list.
Mr. Mayor: Brenda, can we suspend on that ---
Ms. Durant: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: --- and if you would share that with Ms. Bonner I’d greatly appreciate that.
We still have a long legal agenda that we’ve got to get to. But I will say that this presentation has
been incredible, we really appreciate it. This is certainly a clear picture that our city from an arts
perspective is moving in the right direction and this continued partnership can be helpful. Thank
you so much.
Ms. Durant: Thank you all.
Mr. Mayor: All right wonderful, thank you.
Mr. Clarke: Absolutely.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Ten and eleven as companion items, sir?
Mr. Mayor: No, we’ll take them one at a time, yep, one at a time.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
10. Update/discuss missing funds from McDuffie Woods Community Center.
(Commissioner Marion Williams)
11. Discuss/approve the implementation of electronic tracking software for keeping track of
recreation parks and facility rentals, logging deposits and payments. (Requested by
Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9.
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Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think you realize, I think we all realize there
was a theft at McDuffie Center not only there but at the office on Peach Orchard. There was a
theft out there that wasn’t even reported. When I got the information about the theft at McDuffie
Woods I made a couple of calls, I tried to inquire to try to find out was that actually the case or
not. I found out it was, money was missing then later someone went back and recaptured or found
the money. Now I don’t know about finding money but this money was missing. At any length
of time I thought somebody should be responsible for that. I want to hear from the Director or
from someone who’s in charge to find out where we are or how that continues to happen or what’s
in place to prevent that from happening again.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. I believe we’ve got the Director of Parks and Rec
our Deputy Administrator Mr. McDowell who is here and he’s coming into the room now, he’s
here and we’ll from Mr. McDowell. Madam Clerk, I do apologize. We probably could’ve taken
those two 10 and 11. I just got a note from somebody that they were hoping we took them together
so I do apologize for that.
Mr. McDowell: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, go ahead, sir.
Mr. McDowell: As it relates to this agenda item I’ve had some conversations with staff. I
do have with me Deputy Director Joannie Adams. The theft that Commissioner Marion Williams
is speaking of predates me so if there’s any specific questions related to this theft I think Ms.
Joannie Adams will be better suited to respond to it. But I would like to address Agenda Item 11
about things we’re doing moving forward. So she’s here to speak on that particular theft. Again
I’ll finish it up by speaking on what we’re doing now to mitigate these things from happening.
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Mr. Mayor: All right certainly, Ms. Adams. Commissioner from the 9 this is your both
of these are your items so I’m going to yield to you, sir. All right, is she already in here, Mr.
McDowell?
Mr. McDowell: Yes, she’s here.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, great.
Mr. M. Williams: And I guess you want me to ask Joannie what ---
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, just hold one second, Commissioner. Ms. Adams, she’s entering the
room here just getting situated. All right anyone who has You Tube or is streaming the page from
the website please turn that off because there’s getting echo feedback, all right thank you, Ms.
Adams, go ahead.
Ms. Adams: Yes, can you hear me?
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Mr. Mayor: We can hear you. The Commissioner from the 9 has a question,
Commissioner M. Williams has a question for you.
22
Mr. Adams: --- okay.
Mr. M. Williams: --- Ms. Adams, Joannie, I spoke with you about the incident at McDuffie
Woods when I called and inquired about. Can you enlighten us as what you knew about the funds
that were missing and ended up being returned weeks later?
Ms. Adams: There was a incident where it was reported that $375.00 dollars was missing.
We sent the manager over, the manager looked into it and she told me that the money had been
misplaced and they found the money and she concluded the investigation that the money had been
found in its entirety.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, so it wasn’t a theft then is that what you’re saying? It wasn’t a
theft because I think when I called you about that and I told you I was just inquiring trying to get
some backup information to make sure that I was on target. You explained to me who had went
over and found the money but the money had been missing. Now you’ve got city’s money and
it’s not in place for any period of time in my mind there’s something wrong with that. Now
somebody come over later after it was reported. Was there a police report made or was there any
type of police investigation done on any of this?
Ms. Adams: Not on this particular case because it was found. There’s been two situations,
one where the money was misplaced and found and then we had a second incident last year where
money was discovered missing in July. The employees were questioned, we called the Sheriff’s
Department Investigator to handle that. He questioned the employees and they could not find
enough evidence to lead to any one employee therefore the case was left pending for any new leads
or any further evidence that may come that they might find. As of today there’s been no new leads
or not more information on the case so that case is still pending.
Mr. M. Williams: I guess without getting into the weeds and all of this it’s not only that
the money was not, was missing but money was supposed to be obtained when the use of buildings
and stuff happened with our Recreation Department. Recreation has had some issues for quite
some time, this is nothing new, Joannie, in fact I explained that when I called you ---
Ms. Adams: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: --- I didn’t accuse anybody of anything because I want to know the truth
about it. Now most times when I ask a question I’ve already got the answer already but I’m trying
to make sure that everybody else has the answer as well. But when you talk about monies missing,
use of a building that wasn’t no money turned in or equipment that was found in the building that
belonged to one of the schools, I mean there’s a host of things, Joannie, and until we address those
things we’re not going to be able to move forward. But I’m hearing now like well the money was
missing and ten minutes later somebody found it. That’s not true and I don’t think you said that
but I’m making it plain making it plain so people will understand the Commission will understand
it’s not where money was missing ten minutes later then somebody comes along and says it is here.
If the money was not there and it’s taxpayers’ money once it’s collected it’s supposed to accounted
for and whoever was responsible for taking in that money should’ve been held accountable but
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somebody else came in and found the money. Now I got all the background information on all of
that. I’m just trying to make sure that we dot the i’s and cross the t’s ---
Ms. Adams: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: --- but what I’m hearing is just a honest mistake and that’s not the case.
Ms. Adams: Well, Commissioner, we have had, you know some of the things that you did
say are true that we did have some issues with the employee and some equipment and that was
handled and it was you know handled and has been resolved. The money that was missing, it is
still pending and we can still move forward with that but now there’s no evidence to point to any
one employee to move forward with it.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, but if a person’s in charge of the monies and they don’t have it
then the buck stops right there I would think. Not that we’ve got to find out who took it. If I was
in charge of the money and I don’t have it it’s on me then there’s got to be some issues. I can’t
well somebody will come along and find it for me next week.
Ms. Adams: Yes, sir and when that happened we did bring that employee in. The Director,
the former Director and I, Mr. Houck, and we had a meeting, we went over those things, we had
him acknowledge it, sign it that he was aware that he would be held accountable for anything
further that happened like that at the center. Anything involved in the operation that he would
ultimately be the one held responsible and we followed through with that. Just recently with the
situation you were just talking about with some equipment.
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9 ---
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: --- so my question I’m going to pose this question to you, sir. In light of what
you know and have known what is your pleasure regarding Item 10 and 11? Is there an official
action that this body should take? It sounds like remedy is already in place regarding this and that
there’s no further action needed from the Commission.
Mr. M. Williams: Well, I’m not hearing that the action that was taken, Mr. Mayor. I’m
saying that we’re talking about taxpayers’ money and if this happened the theft that happened with
the equipment that we lost out there the second time Recreation has got some issues that need to
be resolved and if we don’t address those issues, if we continue to let that kind of stuff be a slap
on the wrist so to speak then how can we trust people with handling the monies coming in?
Mr. Mayor: I’m going to offer the following. You know we hired talented people, we hire
an H.R. Director and very talented we then take the Commission and they go through the process
of hiring a new Recreation and Parks Director who just happens to be serving as the Deputy
Administrator leading capital projects and we believe in these individuals to come and do good
work for the city but then all too often the Commission unilaterally decides that it’s going to be
responsible for personnel actions. We have a document called Personnel, Policies and Procedures
24
Manual. It’s still being worked on, I acknowledge that, and then we unilaterally decide that we’re
going to make all the personnel decisions in meetings like this as opposed again ‘not slapping them
on the wrist’ but allowing this thing called progressive discipline to be enacted and that there be
an adjudication process that goes through the normal means but all too often that doesn’t happen.
And this very well could be that one bare weather moment for us today of where you’ve heard
from both the incoming Recreation and Parks Director, you’ve heard from the Deputy Director
already that hey, these things are being done. And it may be prudent for us to take this bare weather
moment as a Commission and say we’re going to let staff do staff job and then we pull back and
allow that to happen and then maybe the good work is for you to say you expect them to come
back with a resolution and report that back at our next Commission meeting. That’s just a
suggestion.
Mr. M. Williams: And that’s a good suggestion, Mr. Mayor, and I can agree with that but
I just didn’t bring this to the floor. I brought this through staff previously and it went to no end I
mean as if I didn’t say anything. Unless I bring it to the floor and discuss this and that’s why a
resolution ought to be brought forth whether if you’re right you’re right you’re wrong you’re
wrong. But so many times in this government, Mr. Mayor, whether you realize or not there are
people who continually do whatever they want to do and nothing’s being done. Now I don’t want
to get into the H.R. Department, I don’t want to do her job. My job as an elected official is to
make sure that everybody’s treated the same way. So I’ve got some issues when we allow people
to come in and when it comes to monies and not be accountable and then say well, okay, staff’s
going to handle it. Well, staff’s been handling it for years. Staff has been there on the job. We
just said we got a Personnel and Procedures Manual that ain’t finished yet but those things are in
there and it only happens to some people, it don’t happen to everybody. If it’s a rule it’s a rule.
So I’ve got no problem turning it back over to H.R. and let them do their job and let staff do their
job but if staff don’t do their job this body needs to do something with staff whether it be from the
top or the bottom. So that’s why I put it on the agenda, Mr. Mayor, so we can bring some
resolution. You can’t let to continue to let it go. You’re not going to stop it all. Let me get that
straight there’s going to be some slip by anyway but when you blatantly do stuff like this and
nobody says nothing they continue to do it.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, well you know this is probably a moment for a little lightness in the
meeting. You said you know we need to deal with it from the top to the bottom. I think if they
were quicken they’d say from the router to the tube so that’s absolutely.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, so if it pleases the Commissioner from the 9 we’re going to receive
both of these 10 and 11 as information and then if Director McDowell would report back at the
next full Commission meeting the status of this matter and resolution as it relates to the tracking
system at our next meeting.
Mr. M. Williams: So he’s going to bring us something back on the tracking system, right?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, at our next meeting.
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Mr. M. Williams: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: All right fantastic, all right, receiving 10 and 11 as information, Madam Clerk,
Number 12.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
12. Update/report from Human Resources regarding further details of employee’s ability to
clock in/out on their cell phones. (Deferred from the October 6, 2020 meeting requested by
Commissioners John Clarke and Brandon Garrett)
Mr. Mayor: We’re going to get Ms. Rookard in here so we’ll hold just for a second. I don’t
th,
see her, Jeff, if you could help us with that. All right, Commissioner from the 4 while we’re
waiting on Ms. Rookard I don’t see a phone number normally like I would.
Mr. Sias: I just had one question referencing ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay, do you want to ask it now?
Mr. Sias: --- no, I can wait if you had a comment I don’t have a problem with waiting.
Mr. Mayor: No, I didn’t have a comment I didn’t know if you wanted to speak with Ms.
Rookard.
Mr. Sias: Well as soon as she, after she ---
Mr. Mayor: She’s here, I’m going to recognize you, Commissioner, go ahead and then
we’ll bring Ms. Rookard to go ahead and present.
Mr. Sias: --- okay my question referencing this agenda item was there a particular
department or somewhere where this issue has come about or was it just from all in general? I
know this is the second time it’s been on the agenda so my question is was it a particular department
or was this just where there may have been some issues or was this just across the board with all
departments in the city including elected officials?
Mr. Mayor: All right well I appreciate you raising that question with the Chair. I’m going
to ask the two authors of this matter before we hear from Ms. Rookard, Commissioner from the
th,th,
8 Commissioner from the 10 would either of you like to answer that, respond to that? Is there
a particular department that this matter was glaring in that brought it to the forefront,
th,th
Commissioner from the 10 Commissioner from the 8?
Mr. Clarke: Okay, I’ll answer that, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Go ahead, sir.
26
Mr. Clarke: --- it is across the board. Anybody with the capability that has to clock in and
out this is affected by them. It is not so much the fact that they can clock in and out from any
location or laptop or anything else but how do we safeguard and I say the word safeguard. We do
not have a tracking device that tells what location the employee’s clocking in and out from when
they’re using their cell phone or their laptops or their computers at home. You have an IP Address.
This could be an issue that is solved quite easily if you put if our system would put GPS Tracking
on it. That way you could double check to make sure that people are where they are assigned to
be, that’s the whole thing in a nutshell.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on one second, Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor, just to kind of piggyback on what Commissioner from the
th
10 was saying really and Ms. Rookard has already discussed a little bit with me that she’s in talks
with ADP in regards to this clock in system. And I think there would be a safeguard put in place
where the location has to be turned on on cellphone when you log in to clock in that way there will
be the ability to at least see where you’re clocking in from. So I think that’s going to be a fairly
easy solution for us to be able to implement.
Mr. Mayor: All right, fantastic. All right, I do want to do this, I think it’s appropriate. Ms.
Rookard, if you would just give the full Commission an update on what this is. That was what
was asked of you a week or so ago if you would.
Ms. Rookard: Good afternoon, everyone. As Commissioner Clarke and Commissioner
Garrett did say there are such things as IP restrictions that we can put in place through ADP to
control how people clock in and it would determine whether someone is clocking in from a
cellphone or clocking in from a desktop or one of the clock in locations. I have been speaking
with Reggie our IT person who’s actually the Deputy Director and he let me know that he has the
IT restrictions as well and in the next two weeks within the next two weeks he’s going to start
testing the IT restrictions to see what works for our system.
thth,
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 8 and the 10 all right, go ahead.
Mr. Clarke: Okay, thank you, Ms. Rookard and Mayor thank you for allowing this to
proceed because I think it’s a matter that we just need to safeguard. We’re not accusing anybody
of any wrongdoing. It’s just once again a safeguard. And, thank you, Ms. Rookard, for that update.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: I’m good, I appreciate her update as well.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right and Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I thought this was already in place. I mean I’m
just and that’s what you get when you assume though but I assumed a government the size of this
would have something in place for as many people as we have clocking in either through computer
or through the cellphone. If you can clock in from home or clock in from another location I mean
27
that’s a no brainer to me. I thought for sure that that was already in place. I’m glad to know that
we’re not accusing anybody but because of the safeguard that should have been in place all the
time.
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Mr. Mayor: Yeah, fantastic all right Commissioner from the 4 you waive, you’ve got one
more?
Mr. Sias: Real quick, thank you and I just think before we implement this once they test it
I think that should be read back across the Commission. This is more of a policy decision than
just an operational decision. I think that should be ran back across and also to insure that are we,
these employees of the elected officials that particularly our constitution officers do they get a say
in this as far as their employees so I think we just need to make sure we clear that hurdle and then
run this back through the Commission before implementation.
th,
Mr. Mayor: So, Commissioner from the 4 if I can chime in. You know this is not my
issue but I might offer the following particularly with regards to ‘constitutional officers’ most of
them have opted out if the P3M anyway and so the majority of them wouldn’t be subject to this,
any additional policy changes beyond the fact that they opted out of the P3M. Obviously for
matters of accounting and clocking in they certainly would use the same system but that would be
the extent of the Commission’s role in their time, just offering that for your food for thought, sir,
okay? All right, we’ll receive this as information as well and then we’ll go from there.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
13. Discuss authorized positions in Mayor’s Office and funding source for upgrades.
(Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I had this put on the agenda because when I first
got a phone call I think I discussed with you that people who called me to kind of schedule a
meeting to sit down with the Commissioners and wanted me to come in and talk with them. I had
no issue with that and I think the day we set up was there was a service for passing of Ron Houck
at that time and we didn’t get to do it. But I’ll share with you that no one had contacted me and I
got to thinking well what is it that the Mayor’s Office or his executive people wanted to speak with
the Commission on. I mean the Commission don’t work for the Mayor and you know they wanted
me to come in and I guess have a talk with them. Well then I started to thinking well who
authorized these positions and to pay for these positions and where those funds come from. That
was a little concerning to me. We know the previous executive person you had, Marcus, we all
knew him, he interacted with us when he needed to but there wasn’t no come in and sit down and
talk with him and give him no update or give him feedback. So I guess my question is those
positions in the Mayor’s Office as an elected body we allowed you to hire those people that you
needed but those funds we never had a conversation about that, Mr. Mayor, and I wanted to know
how was that brought about and why the Commission wasn’t involved in doing that and what
28
repercussion there’s going to become during budget time (unintelligible). Can you enlighten me
or help me out and help me understand it?
Mr. Mayor: No, I mean I think you answered your own question. I don’t think that, I mean
you started with my folks called you and asked you to come and sit down and ‘you know as it
relates to who they work for’. The reason my folks called every member of the Commission was
to introduce themselves and I think across the board they did that with an effort to say hey we’re
here to work with you and if we can be of service and assistance which is what was done. You
talk about authorized positions. Every position that’s in the Mayor’s Office is an authorized
position; there are no new positions.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, let me correct you back. First of all your staff said they called
me and I told you I didn’t get any calls on this particular phone that I use and they may have but
for me to go in or any Commissioner to go in and talk to your staff about working together which
if they want to work with us I think that’s the right thing to do but for them to call the Commission
in it gives the impression that we’ve got nothing better to do. You’ve got staff, you’ve got the
whole office where we had an office we have no staff except for the cellphone and I don’t even
use the city cellphone. My number is the city number but I pay that bill myself. But my question
is, Mr. Mayor, those positions that was authorized but the amount of money that you’re paying
your staff if it’s coming out of your budget then what are we going to do at budget time are we
going to replace that is that what you’re telling us we’re going have to give those supplements
back because you’re taking them out of the line item you’ve got?
Mr. Mayor: I don’t think I understand your question.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, my question is the amount of monies you’re paying this staff
where’s that money coming from?
Mr. Mayor: Out of the Mayor’s budget.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, the Mayor’s budget is for employees what because this is totally
different, this is an increase.
Mr. Mayor: What’s an increase?
Mr. M. Williams: The amount of money that you’re paying these two assistants that I
guess the staff person and the assistant staff person, what do you call them, what are those two
position’s Mr. Mayor, Chief of Staff and Assistant Chief of Staff? Is that coming out of your
budget ---
Mr. Mayor: It’s coming out of the Mayor’s budget.
Mr. M. Williams: --- coming out of the Mayor’s budget and if we don’t, and if that money’s
not back in the Mayor’s budget since you know that’s a short way of putting it that money’s not
back in during the budget season then what?
29
Mr. Mayor: I can’t image what would happen what would happen at that point. I mean I
think that’s why we go through this process we go through a budget process every year. You bring
people on because you have authorized budgeted positions and so we met that requirement so
what’s I mean what’s your real question?
Mr. M. Williams: My real question is, Mr. Mayor, is the same thing if somebody else does
this, if another department does that, is that legal, is that fine because what you’re saying is that
when budget time comes we’ll worry about it at budget time so if that’s the case I’ve got no
problem with your staff. Like I said the offices that you’ve got in your office supposed to have
been for the Commission, the Mayor Pro Tem’s office has been since Grady Smith was the Mayor
Pro Tem has been moved over to your office and everything else over there belongs to you now. I
disagree with that. It’s on the agenda about giving the Commission a raise and I think they ought
to have a raise but we’ve got no staff, no office, no anything but the Clerk the three clerks we got
over there handle all our business and try my best to keep them busy. That’s their job but when
you assume that everything’s going to be the same but when other people do this now I’m just
trying to make sure we play by the same rules that’s all. It’s good for the goose, it’s good for the
gander from the rooter to the toot, ain’t that what you said?
Mr. Mayor: That’s what I said.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, well, that’s what I’m saying too.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, very well.
Mr. M. Williams: So I guess we receive this as information and when budget time comes
we know if anybody else does this it’s all right because if it can be done in one department it can
be done in another. Hello.
Mr. Mayor: Again this is a conversation that’s happens all the time ---
Mr. M. Williams: That’s right so I mean ain’t nothing new.
Mr. Mayor: --- we’ll all on the same page right, we’ve not done anything or that’s not
allowable in the current system, Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Commissioner Marion Williams, I agree
with some of what you said there and I would hope that under the budget constraints that we had
that the Mayor though he had those positions and I’m sure there’s an increase in salary that he
would reallocate resources within his department to help us with the budget since we are going to
be in dire straights in 2021 budget with the deficit that we have so I would hope that we would
have that conversation done in budget time so thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Mr. M. Williams: If I can respond to the Mayor Pro Tem?
30
Mr. Mayor: Sure.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Pro Tem, I agree with you again. I just
wanted to make sure that we put this on the table because if somebody else does this and then we
come up in budget time we really can’t say nothing because if one department does it and it’s okay
then the next department can do it as well. So I’m not trying to hold the Mayor’s staff back or
hold the Mayor back. I just want everybody to play by the same rules if it’s a rule it’s a rule. So
budget time is coming, I’ve got a call from the Administrator talking about a flat budget this year
and not recommending any increases and doing anything but we already done an increase if we
follow that but that’s just, that’s what we do, that’s government.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, we’ll receive as information and go to Item #14.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
14. Update from Administration on recruitment process for the position of Director of
Augusta Utilities Department. (Requested by Commission Marion Williams)
th,
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9 back to you.
Mr. M. Williams: Self explanatory I need an update from the Administrator or H.R.
whoever it is where are we with trying to find a replacement. We know we lost a good employee
Tom Wiedmeier but we’ve got to move forward with getting a qualified certified person in that
position. We always wait until we get up against the wall wait until the last minute and we got to
do this we got to do that and I think the time has passed where we ought to be at least thinking
about how we’re going to replace him or what we’re going to do to replace him. The guy that’s
filling in now Allen Saxon is a great guy but Allen don’t have the qualifications to fulfill this job
stepping up in there so I think we need to be tracking this pretty closely and see where we are. So
I’ll listen for something from the Administrator I guess is the person who’s going to respond to
this.
Mr. Sims: Yes, sir, Commissioner. My first priority was to continue and maintain optimal
operations for Utilities Department equally important as you indicated the sensitivity with the
search of starting to replace one of our dear Directors who passed. We have recently updated the
job description which had not been updated in ten years and with the coming with the new
Administrator coming on in less than 30 days we also thought it was important to have him
participate with making sure the job description is appropriate at this time being the job description
was dated as well as with the new search for the new director.
Mr. M. Williams: Jarvis, can you help me understand why the new Administrator has to
update the job description or have an input on updating the job description? I think we as a body
know the job description or at least dictate what we’re looking for and maybe some changes maybe
some tweaks in there unless we’re going to raise the minimum requirements or lower the standards
or some of the other things. But the Administrator I think is not a manager. The Administrator is
an Administrator. He or she takes out the will of the Mayor and the Commission which is total
31
responsibility but not for the Administrator to come in and say well this is the best way to do it or
not the best way to do it. We’ve got somebody coming like you say in less than 30 days but at the
same time this process still ought to be ongoing and he ought to come in any way fitting and work
with this not to come in and change this. In fact a new person coming in would probably want to
see what we’re doing versus trying to come in and try to change that so I’m hoping that we get
something started through H.R. or at least get the process sent to the Commission to look at so we
can make that decision or we can agree or disagree on what whatever it is. This is not a manager
type of government. So if I need to make a motion the motion to move this forward to the H.R.
Director and have her bring something back so we can look at it and see where we are.
Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims.
Mr. Sims: Commissioner, we do have a draft for the new position for the Utilities Director
and we’ll be happy to provide that to the Commission.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, I think that’s the person I mean those are the responsibilities that
need to have that, the Commission needs to have that draft to see if that’s what this body can agree
on and that’s what this body feels like whether it be good bad or indifferent. It still the buck still
falls back on six votes so I think we need to be mindful of that and not hurry up and wait and that’s
what we’ve been doing a lot of times hurry up and wait.
st
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, Administrator Sims, when you send the draft of the duties and
responsibilities could you also send the current duties and responsibilities so we can sort of
compare the two?
Mr. Sims: We’ll be happy to provide both.
Mr. Fennoy: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims, it’d probably be helpful for you to include in that an
organizational chart of the Utilities Department as well so that the Commission is fully apprised
of what the organization currently looks like and who’s in those roles.
Mr. Sims: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: Yes sir, thank you. All right okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll receive 14 as
information.
The Clerk: With the report back from the H.R. Director? That’s what he’s asked for.
Mr. Mayor: That is what he’s asked for at the next meeting.
The Clerk: All right, that will take us to Item #20.
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The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
20. Discuss the Fire Department Assessment Summary Spreadsheet. (Requested by
Commissioner Sammie Sias)
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I have a concern about this Needs Assessment. We spent good
money to get a Needs Assessment reference the Fire Department and I want to thank my colleague
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from the 6 for requesting that Needs Assessment. I think it identified several things that we have
the ability and opportunity to correct and improve our Fire Department. But I want to ensure that
when we look at this Needs Assessment we had a great summary in the so called spreadsheet and
as we started looking at this the other day or the last meeting I think it’s imperative and important
that we give the professionals such as the H.R. Director, the Administrator and whoever else is in
that process the opportunity to implement some of the things that’s in this spreadsheet from this
summary. But I also think it’s extremely important that the Commission look at the entire
spreadsheet and one of the concerns on this item on this spreadsheet here was Commission
involvement. As we were discussing this at our last meeting we had Commissioners attempting
to select people from the department to a job or whatever. That’s the job of the Director of that
department to select those personnel to do what needs to be done. So I just want to encourage my
colleagues here that we should honor the entire spreadsheet and honor the entire report. Also I
have a concern whether it’s in a meeting or any other time when we have Commissioners texting
department heads with threatening and intimidating messages. That makes no sense at all because
if you do that then you’re giving the employees the opportunity to say or do whatever they want
with it without any concern about discipline. When you say there better not be any retaliation, I
didn’t understand that retaliation would be considered but there’s a problem when we are
interfering with the operation of a department as such. Now I just really thing we need to put a
stop to this. Let our professionals that we hire or contract with go do their job. It doesn’t make
sense for us to get down completely in the weeds and asserting our own kind, trying to assert our
own dumbness on the department director or department. That is just unprofessional and unethical.
Thank you, Mayor.
st
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. All right, Commissioner from the 1 unmute
st
yourself, sir, Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I agree with Commissioner Sias and from my understanding some
members of the Fire Association had drafted a letter to boycott the businesses that were supportive
of the Fire Chief and they listed the businesses in the letter. And from my understanding they
called one of the Commissioners and because the Commissioner was a good friend of one of the
businesses that was listed in the letter the Commissioner told the association to take those names
off and they came off with another letter without listing the businesses.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner from the, Commissioner from the 6.
33
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Actually last week in Executive Session I really
thought we had pretty good discussion around moving forward with the assessment, I actually did.
I was surprised when two of my colleagues 19 and 20 had this on there this week and I still don’t
quite I kind of understand while I’m listening. But let me read what I read last week, Mr. Mayor,
very briefly. It was what I call a Department Improvement Plan. I said the H.R. Representative
needs to be the department immediately who works for H.R., it will pay from the Fire Department
budget. The assessment actually, actually Number 2 now let me, let me be to something that I
responded to. One of my colleagues when I said that someone said well let’s just leave the
assessment up until the new Administrator came in. My response to that was if we’re going to live
by the assessment then I would suggest that we put Chief James on administrative leave until that
time comes because we’re waiting on an assessment to what would he do in the meantime, so that
was that. Number two, I said that Chief James immediately give H.R. every policy that he has
written since 2017. I don’t know if that’s been done. And then I said the Administrator and H.R.
begin to work with Chief James and his command staff. Now here’s why just what I’m hearing is
of concern. I think (unintelligible) but I apologize and his command staff because if you’ve been
making sole decisions that this assessment says throughout the organization that we (unintelligible)
whether it’s ambulance with any other things that making those decisions with no input that’s
ended up becoming detrimental to the agencies what you’re trying to do is help stand the director
up. You’re not trying to tear him; you’re trying to help give other people a voice and give an
opportunity to listen to them and make informed decisions to deal with the men and women every
day. That shouldn’t take anything away from it because what it is clearly saying it’s saying it has
to have adaptive change in a leadership perspective and it must be a collaborative leadership. So
you’re trying to create that space so those things could happen and I still believe that’s the best
way to proceed on this and for the H.R. Director and everybody else to proceed on. There was no
direction given other than the conversation that we had at that particular time. The other things I
asked for and I, oh the retaliation. I asked about retaliation because I mean retaliation is a standard
thing that you always have to be mindful for when you feel that some of your employees whether
it’s fact or fiction that you may feel that people are always concerned about retaliation so you just
put that question that statement out there to see where it goes and try to see you know are
employees protected. I think it’s a fair question. I think it’s a very fair question. It happens in the
workspace all the time. I’m not saying it’s going to happen in this instance but we did want to
know what the employees would be protected in the event that they felt they was going to be
retaliated, what measures would be in place to protect them. And the other thing that was a little
different that I asked for I asked for two documents. I asked for one, a medical service contract
that was from A.U. Medical Associates and the second was a COVID testing contract or agreement
with Augusta University Health System. I’ve gotten one, I haven’t gotten the other one yet and so
I asked for those things. So when you go back from a policy perspective I don’t think nothing was
asked here that was unreasonable that wouldn’t give the director some sense of being able to move
forward and I didn’t say it was directed at me those comments but I’m just saying that’s what I
asked for in particular and I stand by those things. I think they’re still important.
st
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, anytime a city employee files a grievance against their supervisor
or against the department head there’s always a chance that retaliation could take place. I think
this Commission has made it perfectly clear that we will not tolerate retaliation when a person files
34
a grievance. Even if the grievance has no substance if retaliation takes place then that supervisor
or that department head will be dealt with appropriately. I think that the policy that we have for
all of our employees as far as retaliation and filing of grievances shouldn’t be any different than it
is for the Fire Department and I stand by that, Commissioner Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir, I don’t have no problem with that ---
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, Commissioner Hasan, hold on, I know but you hadn’t been
recognized yet ---
Mr. Hasan: --- I apologize.
Mr. Mayor: --- he had the floor, yeah, he had the floor.
Mr. Fennoy: I’m finished, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor. You know in reference to this whole conversation around
this issue you know we keep skirting around the real issue in regards to this assessment. And you
know I still think that we need to hear from the McGrath the company that did the assessment and
hear from them just for some clarification on some parts of the assessment. And I’m completely
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in line with the Commissioner from the 6 and what he said about the leave of absence and actually
I’d like to make a motion that we place the Chief on a leave of absence until this whole assessment
is reviewed and then we can move forward.
Mr. Clarke: Second.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, all right ---
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, let me respond to that.
Mr. Mayor: --- no, you don’t, you don’t. You need to be recognized. Everybody, just
pause, hold on, everybody just pause. We’re going to go in orderly fashion. All right, absent
having a control box where you see hands up I’ve got everybody’s hands that I see. I’m going to
th,ndth
the Commissioner from the 9 the 2 then I’m going to come to the 5 in that order,
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Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor ---
th.
Mr. Mayor: Hold on one second, Commissioner from the 9 Madam Clerk, the
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Commissioner from the 8 made a motion to place the Fire Chief on administrative leave, had a
thth,
second from the 10 just for matters of record. All right, Commissioner from the 9 the floor is
yours.
35
Mr. M. Williams: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is a serious issue something that’s been
going on for quite some time. We said we were going to wait and do an assessment. We did the
assessment and we got it back. We don’t fully understand it, it made some reference to some
changes that need to be made, it said that the Commission got involved and a lot of things came
out. I’ve got no problem listening to direction from the people who did the assessment but we do
have to realize there is a problem somewhere whether it be at the top or at the bottom, whether it
be the driver or the man on the tailboard, there’s still a problem somewhere. Our Fire Department
needs to be about saving lives and protecting property. All the stuff that’s been going on even
with the employees who are not even with the city anymore both male and female have approached
me about an issue with the Fire Department and the Fire Chief. I’m not against him; this is not
about against him, against him or not. This is about getting the department to do what it needs to
be doing. We know we’ve got a lot of problems with the mandatory overtime. You seem to be
requiring overtime but you’ve got to have a cutoff time at some point and none of that’s been
addressed, none of that’s been talked about. So I think we’ve got to realize there is a problem and
we need to get it straightened out. I agree with (inaudible) about there should be no retaliation.
We shouldn’t allow people to make a complaint. If you complain to the top which is the Chief
then where does it go? If we don’t get involved because if the problem is at the top you can’t go
to the bottom and get the top straight you’ve got to go to the highest point. So if we don’t get
involved and talk about it we hadn’t heard nothing from the Chief, the union or the representative
that came wanted to bring the information to us we wouldn’t even hear that. This is a serious issue
and it’s not going to get any better it’s going to get worse unless we address it, Mr. Mayor, so
that’s my two cents.
nd
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you so much for that. Commissioner from the 2.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes, Mr. Mayor, we keep talking about this assessment and if you look
under your tab whatever the number is it has the Augusta Fire Department’s recommendation
priority and a list of recommendations which are all basic, the Fire Chief holding a meeting, H.R.
the H.R. Specialist job description, ambulance, several different things that are normal. There’s
nothing in here that’s out of the norm of any type of management style or administrative operations
in the department. Now we keeping talking all this talk, nobody has said that anything was done
improper or wrong. It’s all a perception of a lot of people. We talk about retaliation, people, well
how come they haven’t filed a grievance? Oh, they’re scared of being retaliated against. That’s a
bunch of malarky and see we have to sit here and understand what appears to be the main objective
(unintelligible). Now here we go recommend an employee that’s been good to our city for years,
recommend administrative leave. Now that’s not necessarily saying he did something good or
something bad but it gives the perception to the public that something bad was going on and it was
nothing bad going on in the Fire Department. It was just simply people not happy with their
supervisor (unintelligible). Now we have to look at what we’re doing. We have made a couple of
bad mistakes regarding personnel wise that gives our community a bad name and a bad image
because we don’t know what we’re doing, some of us don’t, in our decision-making process. Now
we need to be careful when we do something like this. We have a list of recommendations from
the assessment then that’s what we need to be concentrating on, the improvements on that list of
recommendations. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
36
th
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, all right we’re going to the Commissioner from the 5
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now, Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir, thank you very much ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir ---
Mr. B. Williams: --- is Ms. Rookard still there?
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, we’re going to get her.
Mr. B. Williams: Yeah, get her but in the meantime I want to make a couple of statements.
Mr. Mayor: Sure, go ahead, sir.
Mr. B. Williams: Well, one we’re talking about a Needs Assessment in the Fire
Department and I’ve done many Needs Assessments looked at what they call PDP’s or
Professional Development Plans and you cannot do a Professional Development Plan nor a Needs
Development Plan without that particular person. I think we’re going the wrong route if we
suspend him. He needs to be a part of what we’re trying to do. He needs to be able to give his
input, Ms. Rookard needs to be able to give her input, the Administrator needs to be able to give
his input. Whoever else we bring in and they sit down and they make a plan together and then so
he would be a part of it. Now if he doesn’t do well once we put the plan in place then we can come
back and look at some other action. In the meantime if you make a plan without him you’ve got
to bring him back in and then tell him what we’re doing, that’s one. Two, I want to know what
policy he went afoul of. I don’t think, no one’s told me what he’s done. They, on the assessment
they said we have some recommendations on how to improve his department and his leadership,
however, the same things they recommended for the Fire Department you could recommend for
every department in Richmond County. So if we were to do an assessment of the Finance
Department or any other department I’m sure we’ll have some things similar to that. Also I wanted
Ms. Rookard in there because when they do, did the assessment my understanding is that they
don’t put any names on those assessments so why are we talking about retaliation, that’s one.
Secondly, when we talk about the assessment I understand we had a bunch of folks who were
already retired. Now you can correct me if I’m wrong a whole bunch of folks who are already
retired they came in to do assessments. You’re not getting a true picture of what needs to be done
if you’ve got retired folks, that’s just like if you would throw me back in the school system I
couldn’t tell what to do because I don’t know what’s going on so you need to look at the folks who
are there. But in reference to suspending the Chief I think we put ourselves in dire straits due to
the fact that you’re going to send him home, you’re going to make a plan then you’re going to
bring him back and tell him what the plan is. I think we put ourselves in dire straits due to the fact
that if he comes back and he’s not doing exactly what we want him to do he wasn’t a part of the
plan anyway which gives him the right to bring forth some type of action against us. So I beg you
to double think that, I beg you to make him a part of the plan going forward, I beg you to remember
that you can’t get anybody to do anything unless they know about what it is they’re trying to do.
Thank you.
37
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 5 I want you to pause there. We have Ms. Rookard
back in the room and I’ll give you an opportunity to ask your questions. Ms. Rookard, again we’re
talking to Item #20, go ahead.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Rookard ---
Mr. Rookard: Yes, sir.
Mr. B. Williams: --- is it true there were no names on the assessment ---
Ms. Rookard: That’s correct.
Mr. B. Williams: --- that they completed? So why are we talking about retaliation? He
doesn’t even know who did the assessments, okay, thank you. Also is it true that a bunch of retired
firefighters came in to do these assessments?
Ms. Rookard: No, sir, I think it was a variety of people. I think it was people who were in
the motion in the process of retiring.
Mr. B. Williams: So we didn’t have any retired people themselves but a bunch of people
were going out the door?
Ms. Rookard: I think we had someone retired and people going out of the door.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Rookard, in reference to that last question retired and those who were
retiring, do we have any stats on who those were i.e. the number?
Ms. Rookard: No, sir, I don’t have a stat on that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, very well.
Mr. B. Williams: Thank you, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Let me get very clear about when I asked about putting
Chief James on leave. If you’re going to start the assessment, that was not my position. My
position if you’re going to start the assessment or implement the assessment let’s move forward.
The only reason that suspension with pay come up if we was not going to begin to act on it so let’s
not get confused that I’m encouraging to be put on paid suspension if not going to implement the
plan. I just stick with my guns in terms of how I would perceive that needs to be done in terms of
having those nine Chiefs and some of those Chiefs being involved in that process to better help
Chief James. Clearly one thing that was undeniable even throughout the assessment that he
operates in a silo as an absolute and they learn things on the fly right down to the ambulance
38
services being implemented which is on another note. I have some real concerns about the
ambulance services I’d like to address but from their perspective that’s all it was trying to help get
some input from these people. So once again suspension was only if you was I was recommending
(unintelligible) paid leave if you was going to wait until the next Administrator. If we’re going to
begin to operate this assessment, we can move right on forward, That’s where I am, that’s what I
support. Now the ambulance service is something I think we really ought to look at through this
assessment. One thing about this assessment it has said continuously about the ambulance service,
it said 90% of the persons that was on the ambulance service it has 76 people that it spoke to 66 of
those persons said they can go on an ambulance at any given time, at any given time but not being
trained to use that ambulance and trying to provide services to the public. Also in true form, Mr.
Mayor, we say that we have ambulance service. Do we really have ambulance service? We don’t
have but three ambulances. We have no control of our zone, we’ve absolutely none. We go across
ineffective based on our relationship and based on not being owners of our region I would say
because of that it puts us in a very minor position almost like we were working for somebody else
and paying them while they’re working while we’re working for them. So at the same time and
then we know that this ambulance service, this transfer service in particular is creating havoc.
That’s the real reason that we so much overtime and once that hits the scene all everything broke
lose in there. I think this government seriously, seriously at least for one year needs to get out of
the transport service. We are first responders, we are first responders no doubt about that but I
think for a year we need to get out of that so that the department can get properly staffed again,
have proper people that needs to do that. I know there are some persons who’s saying they’re
hiring paramedics but this assessment tells us clearly that the Fire Department is more EMS service
first and foremost so we don’t have the luxury of being that because we don’t own our zone. We
really don’t have the luxury of being that. So this is what’s creating all of the hardship on this
organization in a real way that we need to get out of the transport business and I make a motion
that we get out of the transport business.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so we’ve got a motion ---
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: --- already on the, hold on, we’ve already ---
Mr. Hasan: Motion to get out of the transport business.
Mr. Mayor: --- we’ve got ---
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. M. Williams: That’s a substitute, that’s a substitute.
Mr. Hasan: Substitute.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, so let’s try to bring some brevity to the broader conversations
here. We find ourselves at a place ---
39
Mr. Garrett: Mayor, I’ve got a question for Ms. Rookard.
Mr. Mayor: --- I’ll come back to you, okay? I’ve listened to everybody and been pretty
quiet here.
Mr. Garrett: Yeah, you haven’t been quiet, you interjected between everybody but this is
in reference to what Ms. Rookard ---
Mr. Mayor: --- so I’m still talking now so since I’ve interjected, I’ve interjected just so
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you could speak and the Commissioner from the 6 wouldn’t speak over you and that he wouldn’t
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interject over the Commissioner from the 9, the 2 or the 5. So now I do want to add these
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things. This is an extremely important conversation for us. The Commissioner from the 8 had
an item that he subsequently deleted for a time to be determined to discuss going forward and that
was to hear from the organization that conducted the Needs Assessment. What I find fairly
incredulous in today’s conversation is that there’s been a lot of interpretation of the Needs
Assessment that was done by said organization McGrath. And once again instead of us having the
‘experts and the key stakeholders’ involved in the conversation we abandoned that for these types
of discussions. It is imperative that we bring them to the table so that they can talk us not only
through the assessment but to talk us through understanding their methodology about how they
arrived at these recommendations so that we can once again get the right people doing the right
work the right way. We’ve got an H.R. Department, we’ve got Fire, we’ve got EMS, we’ve got
all of these tentacles that are associated with a very important role of local government and that is
to provide for the health, welfare and safety of all of our citizens. In this instance you’ve got Public
Safety which is front and center in this conversation and what needs to happen without question I
think everyone of you has raised issues of importance in terms of how do we begin addressing
these things but what consistently continues to be done is where we do it in a vacuum while not
engaging the more meaningful people who need to be a part of the discussion. So you’ve got Item
#19, Item #20 two issues that are front and center. They are in fact related and then you’ve got the
spreadsheet that has been referenced and whether it’s priority one items, priority two, three, four
or five items the people who need to be a part of this largely are not in this conversation today. So
I’m going to offer that and suggest that on short order whether a Special Called Meeting, it doesn’t
matter, but we need to have soon as in like really, really soon this discussion with McGrath so that
now that the assessment has been done there’s an after action review of this report that they’ve
provided us and we can hear directly from them as opposed to these loose interpretations wherever
they’re coming from so that we’ve got factual data and evidence to back up and we’re not asking
Ms. Rookard to respond to well, you know, were there retirees, non-retirees, how many people
work here, how many people don’t, which is a very valid question because I’m sure many of us
have heard that same thing. But that’s what I would offer if we’re truly going to have a open and
honest conversation about how to address the issues of ‘Augusta Fire Department’ and I’m open
to it, I’m ready for it, I think we need to do it and not cache it, not run from it and just dive in and
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begin dealing with those issues. The Commissioner from the 6 raised the concern around
ambulance and this is another one of those questions that I don’t have all of data and facts on but
my question is to the degree that we have our own staff of some 435 total employees in Fire and
EMS how many of them if they’re not running, if they’re not running the Augusta Ambulance how
many of them work for Gold Cross, how many of them work for South Star, how many of them
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work for Priority Care. And so let’s just make sure we bring back balance in this conversation but
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that’s where we are. All right, I’m going to go to the Commissioner from the 8, back to you.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, sir, and this is just a quick question. The Commissioner from the
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5 raised the question about the retirees and whether they had answered the question so the
question’s also been asked were there any names associated with this assessment. So if there were
no names in the assessment as Ms. Rookard said how do we know that retirees could have or were
possibly involved in this? That’s the only question I want to put out there.
Mr. Mayor: Is that a question for Ms. Rookard, sir?
Mr. Garrett: Uh, yeah.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Ms. Rookard.
Mr. B. Williams: I heard it in the street.
Mr. Garrett: How about a mailbox?
Mr. B. Williams: Albeit mailbox, I heard it in the street.
Mr. Sias: You skipped me now.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to come back, be patient, be patient. All right, very well,
he’s got an answer to his question here, it’s three committee conversations. All right,
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Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you. I have ---
Mr. Garrett: Ms. Rookard didn’t answer. We asked for clarification from her about ---
Mr. Mayor: Go ahead, sir, ask your question again, Commissioner Garrett, Commissioner
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from the 8 restate your question for Ms. Rookard.
Mr. Garrett: If there were no names associated with this assessment, how do we know
whether the people that answered them were retired or not?
Ms. Rookard: If you remember back at the beginning of the assessment the McGrath Group
gave you an outlay of every person that they interviewed. He just told you what people he
interviewed, the positions they held, what they did, firemen, he gave you a breakdown at the very
beginning of the assessment that’s all I have (inaudible).
Mr. Garrett: And those positions being named the way that they did and the numbers in
each position is the reason why some of us are concerned about retaliation because it won’t take
a, you know it won’t take much to figure who actually answered these questions on this assessment
based on that very information in the assessment.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you ---
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: --- all right hold on, Commissioner, I’m going to come back to you. All right,
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going to the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: --- thank you. This question is for Administrator Sims or Ms. Rookard or both
and the question is have ya’ll begun the process to implement some of these things that H.R. was
recommended to do from the assessment?
Ms. Rookard: Yes, sir. I have in fact if you use the spreadsheet that we’ve been working
from the first thing on it was scheduling a meeting. And Commissioner Hasan had asked about
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scheduling a meeting and on October 22 there’s a meeting scheduled between the Fire Command
Chief and myself and the Administrator. That’s the first thing that’s on the spreadsheet.
Mr. Sias: Okay.
Ms. Rookard: I currently in our possession in the H.R. Office have all of the Fire
Department’s files so the audit is going on as we speak, we are reviewing files right now.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, thank you, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right, Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you. While Ms. Rookard is there I just want to verify that all of
the records employee records was in the Fire Department and not in H.R. is that right, Ms.
Rookard?
Ms. Rookard: There are some files kept in the Fire Department. The Fire Department has
kept records of their employees just like H.R. has ---
Mr. M. Williams: Okay.
Ms. Rookard: --- and they have a filing cabinet and a filing room.
Mr. M. Williams: Yeah and I think the last time we discussed this, Ms. Rookard, that we
thought that you should go over, someone should go over from H.R. to handle all that stuff in H.R.
---
Ms. Rookard: Yes, we have it all now.
Mr. M. Williams: --- you have it all now.
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Ms. Rookard: Yes, we went over and boxed up of all of their files and brought them over
to H.R. so I have all of those files.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, thank you. Mr. Mayor, if I can just ---
Mr. Mayor: Keep going.
Mr. M. Williams: --- complete my comment.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: We’ve been dealing with this for quite some time. There’s a lot of
issues going on. We have scheduled around it like you said it’s a very serious issue; we need to
get some resolution done pretty quick. Whether you agree with the Fire Chief, disagree with the
Fire Chief something needs to happen, something needs to be done in that department. Now if
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we’re going do like the Commissioner from the 6 said put him on leave until the new
Administrator comes I got no problem with that but something needs to happen with that. We go
back to the ambulance service, when there was an ambulance service we started to buy equipment.
Commissioner Hasan had a personal experience with the Fire Department coming to his house,
removing his loved one in a sheet and we started addressing it then. But these, if the Fire
Department is not equipped to do this job and you’ve got manpower on the Fire Department who
was hired as firemen and being trained as EMT’s and not had the full training we’re going to end
up in a lawsuit down the road so we got to be careful about how we’re doing when it comes to the
ambulance service. Now I’ve been opposed to ambulance service all the time, that’s nothing new.
I don’t think we ought to be in the ambulance business. If we do we ought to make sure we can
do it but we bought equipment, I don’t remember ever voting to say we need to be in the ambulance
business. There are some Commissioners that wanted that. We ended up buying equipment and
then not stocking the ambulance service with all the equipment they needed and didn’t have the
manpower. We’ve been forced to make people work overtime. We have closed fire stations down
because we didn’t have the manpower, had to move and that’s a normal situation with the Fire
Department, we had to move people from place to another. That’s normal but when you don’t
have the manpower to run the Fire Department to run the engine house how can you take the
manpower and make them run the ambulance. So there is some issues. There is some issues and
we need to go ahead address them one way or the other because it ain’t going to get no better, it’s
going to get worse. So we need to make on one of those motions we need to move forward on one
of those motions either the regular motion or the substitute motion.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’m good with moving forward with the assessment. I think
that’s something Ms. Rookard and Jarvis and those that whoever else needs to be involved the nine
people that Commissioner Hasan was talking about. So I’d like to make a motion that they move
forward with the assessment immediately ---
Mr. M. Williams: We’ve got two motions, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I got it here.
Mr. B. Williams: --- oh, you got that one?
Mr. Mayor: We’re good.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Hasan, I’d like to ask you a question and if you don’t have it then
maybe you could bring it back ---
th,
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 5 you need to ask the Chair, ask the Chair a question
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and I’ll get it to the Commissioner from the 6 ---
Mr. B. Williams: Okay ---
Mr. Mayor: --- we’ve been all over the place today, go ahead, sir.
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Mr. B. Williams: --- okay what I was going to ask the Commissioner from the 6 to come
up with a plan because we get rid of the ambulance service, and I’m not saying I won’t vote for it
to get rid of it but if we get rid of the ambulance service we need a plan where are those ambulances
going to go, where’s the service going to go, is it going to go to Gold Cross, is it going to go to
South Star, is it going to go to Priority Care, are we going to work that out with them? So, Mr.
Hasan, I’m just asking you to think about I’m just asking you to think about that but I think we
need to move forward with the assessment.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so we’ve got a substitute motion, Madam Clerk ---
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to (inaudible) for clarity.
Mr. Mayor: --- no, no, Madam Clerk, let’s go to if you can restate the substitute motion
and the appropriate second that came with that.
The Clerk: I’m sorry, sir, I must admit I have been trying to multitask.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, I’m going to go to the Commissioner, I’m going to ask you to
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restate that and not answer the question that the Commissioner from the 5 because now is not the
time for us to try to solve what we do with ambulance. I just want you to restate your substitute
motion, sir.
Mr. Sias: But, Mayor, what I was trying to attract your attention.
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, I know you’re trying to get my attention. I just want to restate the
substitute motion ---
Mr. Sias: It wasn’t a substitute, he combined it with the other motion.
44
Mr. Mayor: --- no, he came back and said it was a substitute. He did, he came back and
clarified it with a substitute. So I want to go back to the, hold on, everybody just hold on, I’m
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going to the Commissioner from the 6 and then I’m going to come back to the 2 and 1 unless
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they waive, Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, my motion was in essence to get out of the ambulance business,
the transport, the transfer business for a year so we can get the organizational staff back up and we
revisit in a year’s time, we get out of it immediately, that’s my motion. You don’t want me to
elaborate about it so I have to be stuck with that.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah and I hate to say it this way you know and I may ask for the
Parliamentarian to step in but you know we’re talking about the Fire Department Assessment and
the question that’s germane that’s coming to my mind we went from Fire Department to now we’re
talking about ambulances when the real issue at hand is the leadership, the employees from a Fire
Department perspective, the base Fire Department perspective which is what brings us to today’s
conversation. That’s the same issue as it relates to Item #19 as well Augusta Fire Department’s
Needs Assessment and so that is my concern. A priority two item a single item on here is the issue
of ambulance dispatching in terms of the spreadsheet of items. The majority of the other issues
99.9% of the other issues are related to workforce. So I’m going to push back a little bit with
regards to your substitute motion ---
Mr. Hasan: (Unintelligible) let me let me ---
Mr. Mayor: --- I know it’s a substitute motion but ---
Mr. M. Williams: I want to hear from the Attorney, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Hasan: --- let me (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’m going to raise the Attorney.
Mr. M. Williams: I need it because I think the main was seconded, we’re talking about
one in the same.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, let me let me ask the Commissioner, let me respond, Mr. Mayor,
if you don’t mind, Mr. Mayor, can I respond to you, can I respond for clarity?
Mr. Garrett: Call for the vote?
The Clerk: Well, who seconded ---
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Brown.
Mr. M. Williams: The Mayor Pro Tem seconded it.
The Clerk: --- okay.
45
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, the Mayor Pro Tem did seconded it, he absolutely did.
Mr. Brown: Right here.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Attorney Brown, we’re voting on effectively abolishing the
ambulance service but yet the matter that’s before us is addressing the Fire Department’s Needs
Assessment and my question is around germaneness. We took a single item and took it out of
what was the broader issue and I’m not hanging my hat on this. I just, I don’t think that this is the
real issue that’s in front of us.
Mr. Sias: Violation of the Memorandum of Agreement.
Mr. Brown: What memorandum ---
Mr. M. Williams: Is it germane I mean because I think it is, go ahead Mr. Attorney.
Mr. Brown: --- what’s the Memorandum of Agreement that he’s referring to?
Mr. Sias: That we provide ambulances.
Mr. D. Williams: That’s right.
Mr. Brown: Well, going back ---
Mr. M. Williams: Listen ---
th,
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, Commissioner from the 9 just hold on. We asked for the
Attorney, now we got him let him speak.
Mr. Brown: --- going back to the Mayor’s question of germaneness I believe with the
practice of the Commission and the way that we put agenda items which are often wide-ranging
unpredictable subject matters that I think this motion is well within a predictable discussion so I
would think the item would be germane.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. M. Williams: Call for the vote, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: I don’t know if that’s good what the Attorney said in terms of unpredictable
and wide-ranging, Madam Clerk. All right, so we’ve got a substitute motion. All right,
nd,nd
Commissioner from the 2 my final two here, Commissioner from the 2.
Mr. D. Williams: No, I didn’t have a comment.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 1.
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Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- the company that did the Needs Assessment had 16 recommendations ---
Mr. Mayor: Yeah.
Mr. Fennoy: --- and none of the 16 recommendations talks about leave of absence or
suspension or anything like that. I have seen personally seen and experienced where an ambulance
was called and waited 35/40-minutes and an ambulance did not show up and the Fire Department
ended up showing addressing those calls. I think about 90% of the calls the Fire Department is
the first responders. When it comes to records of the employees at the Fire Department, I’d be
willing to bet you a dollar against a dime that Engineering has a record of all of their employees
in the Engineering Department, Utilities have a record of all of their employees in the Utilities
Department, Parks and Recreation have a record of all of their employees in the Recreation
Department in addition to H.R. having a record of all of these employees. So I don’t think we
should treat the Fire Department any differently than we do any other department. We asked for
a Needs Assessment and now we want to extend the recommendations of the people that we paid
to do the Needs Assessment. I mean if that be the case we could’ve done it ourselves.
th,
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right, Commissioner from the 6 this is to you, sir,
with regards to your substitute motion. I’m looking at the spreadsheet with the recommendations
in it and this question is directly to you. Is it not true that Gold Cross is responsible for dispatch
of all ambulances in the EMS Zone?
Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, is it also not true then that any ambulances that are in the Zone are not
only dispatched by Gold Cross but the notable exception is that pursuant to the current MOU
(inaudible) ---
Mr. Hasan: Can you start again on that because you froze up a minute.
Mr. Mayor: --- right, okay, can you hear me now?
Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay and is it also not true that pursuant to the agreement with Gold Cross
where we paying them a stipend I believe of $600,000 that part of those contractual obligations
were that the City of Augusta would place its three ambulances in the Zone in order to meet the
intent of that requirement?
Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir.
47
Mr. Mayor: Okay, so now I only raise that around your substitute motion that had it not
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been a question thrown out here earlier by I think the Commissioner from the 4 as I think broadly
about where we are, I would pose that to you in light of what you are suggesting should happen
because what any, whatever the results of this is would require us then to come back and revisit
whatever that contractual obligation is because you’re effectively taking those three units out of
the Zone which is the only way Gold Cross was able to meet the intended obligations of the Zone.
Mr. Hasan: No, sir.
Mr. Mayor: So I just want you to be conscious of that, okay?
Mr. Hasan: Can I let me respond, can I respond?
Mr. Mayor: You can.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, Mr. Mayor I’m very conscious of that and you’ve got between I guess
South Star, Gold Cross making our arrangements who you can find to deliver the service. Mr.
Mayor, I think if you look at Page 18 it talks about the ambulance service assessment. It says the
additional two ambulances is one of the most explosive voiced displeasure heard when they were
incorporated in the department by the Fire Chief this additional ambulance changed the operation
of the department at a total of three fully capable transfer ambulances augmented to eight private
Gold Cross ambulances. To your point but as you read this whole thing this was one of the biggest
in 2018 when we started this process this has been one of the most explosive, this is one that has
made that where we have made mandatory overtime on the Fire Department employees just
because trying to put these ambulances on the ground. Also, Mr. Mayor, understand that the one
ambulance that we had before we purchased two that ambulance was involved in following the
Fire Department when they went on calls in the event that a firefighter or a citizen of Augusta got
hurt they could transport them immediately. That don’t exist no more because we took that
ambulance and tied it to the two other ambulances and now the firefighters they’re at risk and in
harm’s way. And be mindful, Mr. Mayor, when we’re talking about first responders this is we’re
not talking about that. We’re talking about the transport business to your point that we have to
find a way to give ourselves 30 days our Attorney gets and work it out whether it’s with Gold
Cross or whether it’s South Star and work out another arrangement from the time he works an
arrangement that’s when that year starts and we look back at it. But right now we are understaffed,
we’ve spent almost a million and a half dollars this year alone on overtime and it’s mainly because
(unintelligible). Another thing about the ambulance that has not been mentioned, Mr. Mayor, you
have firefighters whose pension were in jeopardy because they were spending time on the
ambulance and that’s why when Commissioner Fennoy was doing his interview in fairness to him
and he was out minding his own business during the interview and one of the previous firefighters
came up to him saying that Chief James had to be somewhere in September to a Pension Hearing
that strictly centered around firefighters who was in jeopardy of (unintelligible) pension because
they were spending hours on the ambulance. So we need to take it off the table for at least a year,
Mr. Mayor, and that’s all I’m saying, so I’m aware of all of that.
Mr. D. Williams: Mr. Mayor ---
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 2.
Mr. D. Williams: --- yes, sir, if we go back once again and look at that recommendation
listing it says Ambulance Dispatching, it says the city should seek more control on the distribution
of ambulances’ response monthly statistical data should be received by each ambulance response
and the nature of that call and that’s something they recommend we do and that’s something we
can’t even get our providers to do, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you ---
Mr. M. Williams: Call for the question.
Mr. Mayor: --- Madam Clerk, Madam Clerk, we’ve got a substitute motion ---
Mr. D. Williams: This is just b.s.
Mr. Sias: Huh?
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, hold on, everybody just suspend, everybody suspend. All right,
I’m going to ask you, I know you don’t want to do it but I’m going to ask you to do it. If you
would just mute your devices for a moment I’m going to recognize the Attorney and then when
you’re called on for the vote you can unmute it at the time. Everybody if you would just do that
so we can get the background chatter out. All right, the Chair recognizes Attorney Brown.
Mr. Brown: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners. I do not want to interfere or get
involved with the substance of your decisions of your meetings however right now I do not know
that between H.R., Administration and Legal whether we’re at a point of comfort and knowledge
of knowing the impact if you approve this decision or in terms of what obligations Augusta has
and in terms of the contracts and obligation has with Gold Cross. I’m not saying there’s anything
wrong with this decision that you may make. I’m simply saying right now the impact of it I think
it’s not known by staff and whether it creates a safety issue for the public or not. I’m not sure that
is known. So if you do vote I would at least say give some distance between the time of putting
anything into effect for staff to review the impact of the decision and for us to be able to get back
with you in a couple of weeks at your next meeting to see what the impact of the decision may be.
And I’m not saying it’s not a good idea or a bad idea. I’m simply saying this decision probably
will have some consequences, it won’t just be a vote.
Mr. M. Williams: Well, Mr. Mayor, I think Commissioner Hasan ---
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- said once we agree on something we could start the time from that
point on not just not we’re going to do it today. We have to get an agreement.
Mr. Mayor: --- yeah, but I think what the Attorney is clearly saying though it’s not just
getting an agreement with Gold Cross what is the impact to overall public services as a result of
49
this decision. That’s not a I’m going to pick up the phone and call Gold Cross and call the attorney
and say this is what we’re going to do. This is truly and impact potentially to the life, health,
welfare and safety of the members of our citizens that if you just look at the 203,000 that live here
not including the 400,000 during work week it is something for you to give strong consideration
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to. This issue I’m going to use the Commissioner from the 6 words this issue has become highly
explosive charged but more politicized than anything. What I’m disappointed by is the lack of
willingness to engage McGrath and have them bring, sit down with us and articulate their findings,
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their methodology to include my surprise that the Commissioner from the 8 deleting it off the
agenda and he did tell me that during the course of the beginning of our meeting that he was
making that decision but I just find that fundamentally flawed from the standpoint of how do we
get to a place of addressing the issue. Let me pointedly say this right here. If this was all just a
matter of firing the Fire Chief then somebody could’ve simply made a motion to say well I move
to terminate the Fire Chief. That didn’t happen so my better angels tell me that there is at least
some desire to get the Fire Department to a better place. My caution ---
Mr. M. Williams: But Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: --- my caution, I’m not done yet, I’m not done, my caution is that now we’re
going around the bend over the bridge and riding the wagon to do that as opposed to addressing
the Fire Department holistically by bringing those folks in and having that conversation.
Mr. M. Williams: --- Mr. Mayor, we had not done anything. We’ve been talking with this
issue for quite some time. It is explosive. We’re not talking about putting something in place so
we can get to that point. We don’t make a vote today and resolve or go out of the business but we
at least ought to have the Attorney to talk to somebody and if it don’t work we still can come back,
we ain’t lost nothing. The problem started when we got into the ambulance business in the first
place. That’s the whole premise to this whole thing when we started this hiring people and buying
equipment and getting in the ambulance business trying to get started and we can’t afford the
subsidy we keep saying but we can’t afford to get in the business. So this is the first step to doing
something versus just talking about it. That’s all we’ve been doing. We won’t even make a vote
now. We done changed this thing four or five times the Attorney gave us (inaudible) ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Call for the question, let’s vote it.
Mr. M. Williams: --- that’s right, it’s time to go ahead and move forward one way or the
other. I don’t understand this.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
50
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy, is Mr. Fennoy in, sir?
Mr. Mayor: I don’t know.
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, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Sias and Mr. D. Williams vote No.
Motion Passes 7-3.
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Brown ---
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir ---
Mr. Mayor: --- what do you understand is your charge at this point yours, H.R. and the
Administrator, what do you understand is your charge at this point?
Mr. Brown: --- I do not believe we’ve received one yet.
51
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I was afraid of that.
Mr. Hasan: That’s not a truism.
Mr. Mayor: All right, well, I can’t I mean you can’t speak for him. He just said he didn’t
believe it but the body just voted on ---
Mr. M. Williams: (Unintelligible) motion was ---
Mr. Mayor: --- Commissioner Williams, would you pause for a moment? What the body
just voted on was to suspend ambulance service for one year ---
Mr. Hasan: I said he had 30-days ---
Mr. Mayor: --- I hadn’t finished yet, I hadn’t finished yet ---
Mr. Hasan: --- all right.
Mr. Mayor: --- to suspend ambulance service and for the next over the next 30 days you’ll
have conversation and if possible come back sooner with what the impact to Augusta’s service
delivery efforts are and how best to effectuate what the Commission just did.
Mr. M. Williams: And that will start one year after we come back.
Mr. Mayor: It’ll come back, Commissioner, I’ve got it, I got it.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay but you need to sell that, Mr. Mayor, because is that we just
suspend the service.
Mr. Mayor: No, we’re coming back, Commissioner Williams, he’s coming back and he’s
going to report back to the Commission based on those things.
Mr. M. Williams: But we still have the service until that part, is that right?
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
Mr. M. Williams: We still have the service until that point.
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, well, that needed to be plain. This is too serious to step over it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Brown: That is clear.
52
Mr. Mayor: Very well. Madam Clerk, Item #21.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
21. Motion to authorize the Finance department team to work with the Coliseum Authority
and to begin the process for refunding the 2010 Coliseum and TEE Center project bonds and
the issuance of up to $8,000,000 of additional bonds for work on the proposed new James
Brown Arena. (Requested by Commissioner Dennis Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, thank you very much. I know my colleague Commissioner Dennis
Williams but normally when these things happen and he did what did to say is that the entity which
is the Augusta Arena has some concerns about it he decided that he wanted to delete it from the
agenda or put it back on the agenda another week. So if he had some concerns I think we could
officially get the Chairman as well as the Vice Chairman and try to answer those questions because
this is a decision that I thought all of us was headed in the right direction. It’s a matter of getting
the Finance team with our financial advisors on board and try to move forward, refinance some
bonds, save some money and do some things we typically normally do. I don’t see nothing very
unusual about this process other than the fact that we’re considering giving the first monies they
can move to building a new arena. So between Cedric Johnson and Brad Usry or both they can
speak to this conversation and we can address it today.
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: I’d like to make a motion that this item come back in, at the next meeting.
Mr. D. Williams: I’ll second.
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Mr. Mayor: I’ve got a motion and a second. Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a substitute motion.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor, I’d like to make a substitute motion that we approve
this.
Mr. Clarke: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay I’ve got a substitute motion, voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
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The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Abstain.
The Clerk: Did he abstain, sir?
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Okay, 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: No.
Mr. Fennoy and Mr. M. Williams vote No.
Mr. Sias abstains.
Motion Passes 7-2-1.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I had my hand up to ask a question and you went and took
the vote. I guess you thought, maybe you can’t see I don’t know you got glasses on now but my
54
hand was here because I’m very interested in this process. I think we’re wrong. We had one
meeting at the James Brown Arena about this situation. We want to build a facility for $200 plus
million dollars in the same location with no parking deck or no way of having the parking talking
about share riding and shuttling people. I think we’re making a serious mistake, I can’t support
this. I’ve got no problem with a James Brown Arena even back in the same place but we have not
vetted this at all. When I was trying to get my little input put in you overlooked me and when right
on and took the vote so I’ve got some serious issues when we’re going to take $200 plus million
dollars, build a 2,000-seat capacity arena which gives 10,000 seats when can fill an 8,000 that’s
the first problem. The other problem I got is we’re going to tear down the old facility. It’ll be
almost two years or better before we have any facility but we don’t see nothing wrong with it. So
I’ve got some issues with that. This is very, very wrong to put it on the back of the taxpayers and
I can’t support it.
Mr. Mayor: All right, very good, voted against it. All right, Madam Clerk, we’re going to
go to Item Number 27, Item Number 27.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I hope you don’t try that no more what you just did ---
th,
Mr. Mayor: Well, let me, Commissioner from the 9 let me say I’m on a small screen
today and I’m not on a big screen ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, okay if I blurt out you think I’m wrong if I blurt out. Now you
better use a magnifying glass so you can see.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, Administrator Sims, thank you, sir, Administrator Sims.
ADMINISTRATOR
27. Presentation of the Proposed Budget for 2021.
Mr. Sims: Mayor and Commissioners, if we could have Jeff go ahead and load the
presentation. Jeff, if you will move to Slide 2. Mayor and Commissioners, today I come before
you to present our Proposed 2021 Budget. This year 2020 has been a year that we would have
never imagined; we find ourselves in unprecedented times. COVID-19 has impacted the world,
our nation, our state and our community Augusta-Richmond County. Our economy is still
experiencing the crippling impact of COVID-19. Next slide, Jeff. As we prepared for the 2021
Budget we had to take all of this into consideration while still maintaining the same budget process.
The timeline was approved by the Commission, the departments prepared and submitted the
budgets to the Finance Department. Some departments requested budget work sessions with the
Administrator’s Office. The budgets were developed by the Administrative and Finance team and
today we’re here to present the budget. We also know we will probably have continued discussion
and work sessions if needed and we are working towards getting the budget adopted by the
Commission. When we started off preparing this budget we were dealing with the ongoing impact
of COVID-19 and its damaging impact on the service sectors such as hospitality, travel,
entertainment and eating out. This has resulted in a downturn in sales taxes of having some
businesses to temporarily close and unfortunately some businesses had to permanently close. With
Augusta also being a major tourist city we also had to cancel major events that bring thousands of
55
tourists to our community. This has decreased our revenues in comparison to 2020. With all of
this being said, we started with a directive from our office that departments were instructed to have
flat budgets, no increased levels of services from 2020. We also had revenue assumptions a 2%
growth in the digest, the sales tax a 3% growth in 12-month averaging and no increase in electric
franchise fees revenues. Before you are the budget totals. As you can see in the General Fund
Law Enforcement it reflects $11,088,020 dollars deficit. We will address in later slides. Also you
can see in the Special Revenue Funds it also reflects a deficit and most of that is from the
streetlights and also includes the DUI Funds as well as Solicitors Victims Assistance Fund. Next
slide, Jeff. With our total General Fund Revenue if you see the highlighted from comparison 2020
in comparison to the projection for 2021 we’re reflecting a $4.8 million decrease. Next slide, Jeff.
If you look at the General Fund Tax Revenue also in comparison to 2020 for 2021 we’re reflecting
a $4 million dollar decrease. With our major tax revenue types we are reflecting from Franchise
Tax reflects a $1.3 million decrease and our Local Option Sales Tax also reflects a $2.8 million
decrease. We are showing a marginal increase with the Ad Valorem Tax of $.3 million. The point
of making you all aware of this matter is to let you know where we started with the diligent and
hard work from everyone we were able to address the deficit. Working together we’re here to
present the 2021 Proposed Balanced Budget. With the 2021 Projected Revenue it reflects a
$164,900,480 dollars. With the expenditures you can see $175,097,500 dollars which reflects a
deficit of $11,088,020 dollars. If we also take into consideration the new personnel requests and
new program requests of almost $4.8 million dollars the deficit grows to about $15.8 million
dollars. After we conducted our reconciliation our total projected revenue for 2021 is
$164,200,000 dollars. Our total projected expenditures, go ahead, next slide, Jeff, for 2021 is
$172,325,000 dollars. With our 2021 budget recommendation and what is required by law to have
a balanced budget we had to come up with some recommendations. We’re proposing for the 2021
budget we will fund required increased expenditures at the fund level taking into consideration the
additional costs of the Pension which $2.5 million as well as the additional $600,000 in added
healthcare costs. The department budgets will be held at a 2020 adjusted also taking into
consideration the 2020 COLA that was approved and the new the 2020 approving personnel. We
are not recommending no funding for new projects or personnel requests for the 2021 budget.
How are we getting here? To get to the proposed balanced budget it reflects an $8,425,000 dollars.
Our proposal for a balanced budget is to use the Cares Funding Transit Operation which would
eliminate the required transfer from General Fund of $3.8 million and for Fund Balance Allocation
of $4.3. In regards to the Fund Balance Allocation we didn’t take this recommendation lightly.
We definitely know using Fund Balance for reoccurring operations is not something that is
something of customary, however, in times of this nature Fund Balance is used for emergency and
extraordinary circumstances and we all can agree that 2020 has been both. We’ve had our
experiences of emergencies as well as extraordinary circumstances therefore I would contend Fund
Balance in this case is both appropriate and necessary to sustain the existing level of services
provided and expected from our citizens. Our 2021 budget other funds out of balance we are going
to schedule for 2021 the first quarter are streetlights, a committee to start back those discussions
as well as for the DUI Court and Solicitors, 5% Crime Victims Assistance Funds. We also know
during the work sessions we will be discussing those matters to address those out of Fund Balance.
We all know as far as with the streetlights the fee structure as it is now does not generate adequate
revenue. The fee structure must be addressed prior to the 2021 tax bills being mailed and again
we would like to discuss this early 2021. Included in your budget books are also the requests for
new personnel which is Tab 5 and New Programs which is Tab 6. We included this for information
56
purposes only. Due to our revenue constraints again we’re not recommending no new personnel
nor new programs for our 2021 budget. Our final thoughts, this is a preliminary plan intended to
start the discussions at the Commission level. Our current year revenues as expenditures are
monitored to determine the effect of any of our 2021 projections. As our conditions, our collection
trends change estimates may be adjusted. For our 2020 budget as presented there were a lot of
(unintelligible) challenges and we are focused on being prepared for the challenges and
opportunities that 2021 will surely bring to our organization. Our budget calendar will remain the
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same. We anticipate some work sessions, an adopted budget must be by the 17 implementation
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of our budget is January the 1. And I’d like to recognize all of the departments and agencies, the
Finance Department as well as the Administrator’s team for preparing a very challenging and
difficult budget for 2021. We also have the Finance team available to assist with any questions
you all may have.
Mr. Mayor: Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank ya’ll for a start here. I have a couple
of questions. You say it’s a flat budget but your expenditures in the General Fund went up $3.5
million. Was there no discussion of keeping levels that $3.5 million where we would only be less
than a million off without not even having to use Fund Balance instead of going up or what was
the thought process in that?
Mr. Sims: The increase was reflected with the additional Pension costs and the added
healthcare costs, Commissioner ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay.
Mr. Sims: --- uncontrollable out of our (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ve got you. This government, you know we’ve had a balanced
budget every year I’ve been on this Commission. I’m thinking we can do it again if we just tighten
the bolts a little bit. You know I would hope that like I know in this government in the past has
done like a 2% across the budget across the departments to get the money. I really hope that in a
future discussion it’s brought back to us where we can cut whether that’s travel, whether that’s
things that might be you know we’re not going to use in 2021 because of the state of where we are
as a country. But I think that you know we need to find as much money as we can to not pull out
of the Fund Balance that $4.3 million and I hope that ya’ll can bring us back a little bit more of
where we can cut somewhere we can cut to make that difference up because that is a significant
amount of money. I’m hoping we can have a good dialogue again before we lock up this budget
so thank ya’ll.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner from the 3.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mayor. Can I ask the Administrator a couple of questions?
Mr. Mayor: Please do.
57
Ms. Davis: Jarvis, so with the amounts that came from the Governor’s Office as far as not
receiving any future Cares Act Funds, how much did that hurt us as far as the deficit of what we
have either planned on spending or already spent?
Mr. Sims: As far as the budget it did not have that impact but as far as we all were with
the understanding there was going to be some funds for round two and round three so as far as
with the Cares Act that was devastating for our community not receiving any funds.
Ms. Davis: Okay, but we would’ve seen the same deficit even if we received future funds?
Mr. Sims: Yes.
Ms. Davis: Okay, do we have any Cares Act funding still available that we could try to
help offset this deficit in General Fund?
Mr. Sims: We also added as an addendum a Cares update and we will be talking about that
at that point providing (inaudible).
Ms. Davis: When will we talk about it?
Mr. Sims: We have it scheduled today.
Ms. Davis: Okay, all right, thanks.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, adding you to the list, sir. All right, going to the
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Commissioner from the 6, Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Oh, I’m sorry I heard, Mr. Administrator and I apologize to you I was doing
the same thing reading something else and I was trying to listen to you at the same time. But I
think I, did I see on this on one of these slides that it was about $43,000 dollars or something with
the Disparity Study, a deficit or something? Maybe I saw it on another slide or something.
Mr. Sims: Disparity Study?
Mr. Hasan: Yeah, if I did I apologize. I’ll find it a little bit later I guess.
Mr. Sims: No, sir, we didn’t reference the Disparity Study in this presentation.
Mr. Hasan: In those parentheses you didn’t reference it directly but like some things that
might’ve had some deficit or something of that nature.
Mr. Sims: If you were referencing, I indicated a $4 million dollar decrease from the
General Fund as well as we referenced a $4.8 million decrease from General Fund in comparison
last year ’20 from 2021.
58
Mr. Hasan: Okay, I should be, let me, if I find it I’ll come back. I’ve got my sheets now
before me so you can go ahead and answer another question. I’ll raise my hand if I can find that
item and I apologize.
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Mr. Mayor: Mr. Sims, the Commissioner from the 6 is going to Page 11 of your slide
presentation and Other Required Changes and that (inaudible) he’s referencing the $42,000 dollar
difference here, that’s what he’s referring to, sir.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Certainly.
Mr. Hasan: At the bottom of the page.
Mr. Mayor: Page 11, Administrator Sims, Page 11.
Mr. Sims: Got you, when we did our reconciliation that’s what that was for.
Mr. Hasan: What does that mean if you don’t mind?
Mr. Sims: I’m going to let, the Finance Director can chime in on that one for us.
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: It should reflect the decrease in that cost just like it did ---
Mr. Sims: It is reflecting a decrease but I’d like for her to kind of chime in to find out why.
Mr. Mayor: --- so that’s actually a net savings, sir.
Mr. Hasan: Yeah, I just want to make sure that’s the case because you know we don’t
know where the $42,000 dollars, I don’t want to inconvenience it and then be looking for money.
Mr. Mayor: No, it refers to a net decrease in costs.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Donna ---
Ms. Williams: Yes ---
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Mr. Mayor: --- the Commissioner from the 6 wants to have you chime in on Page 11.
59
Ms. Williams: --- okay on Page 11 those items on there that were shown as adjustments to
the expenditure level in the 2020 budget are items that were not required to be funded in 2021.
That was the gist of that reconciliation.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, so in other words the study and everything is paid for so you have
$42,000 more than it actually needs to pay for the service.
Ms. Williams: It, the Disparity Study will be completed in 2020 and it will not impact the
2021 budget at all.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, but I’m asking about the $42,000 dollars.
Ms. Williams: Yes, sir, the Disparity Study it was budgeted at a line item bigger, larger
than that for this current year so I’m not sure if that is a difference we may have combined that
with some other items and left the total as the Disparity Study. But basically it’s a reduction in
some items that are not required for 2021 in 2020. I will get back to you on the exact specifics of
that one. As you can see the other ones up there like the decreased election expenditures those are
items that caused the 2020 budget to swell and will not be required in 2021 ---
Mr. Hasan: All right, thank you, ma’am.
Ms. Williams: --- so I will get right back to ya’ll on that.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right, I’m going to the Commissioner from the 10
Commissioner Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Sir, thank you. I withdraw my question it was answered when she answered
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the Commissioner from the 6, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you very much, the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir, thank you, just a couple of questions. The Mayor Pro Tem said
a 2% cut. I think we need to look for at least 5% in each of our departments and I think they can
do that. The other thing that I looked at with the budget and we’ve just got to make hard decisions,
Mr. Administrator, I see we have I think $50,000 dollars going out to the Boxing Club and other
entities like that. Well, we’re going to have to make some hard decisions for one year so we may
need to cut some of those folks out for one year, I see them all over. You know the budget as far
as $15,000 and $25,000 and $50,000 dollars doing our budget. He did say we were freezing
positions I believe and there may be some other positions that you can let go that we don’t have to
fill for a while so that would help. Now I want to ask a question and it is because I don’t
understand, I understand that we’re self-insured. Is Donna still there?
Mr. Mayor: She is, go ahead, sir.
60
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, we’re self-insured so that doesn’t play into the budget monies that
we pay out for lawsuits or what have you does it? Does that figure into the budget or is that money
that’s hanging out there and if so is that money ---
Ms. Williams: No, sir ---
Mr. B. Williams: --- go ahead, I’m sorry.
Ms. Williams: --- we don’t have pools of money that are just hanging out there, sir. It does
impact the budget that flows through the Law Department and each time a settlement comes out
of the Executive Session those funds are allocated either from an existing pool that is already
budgeted for settlement or it will have those come individually out of Fund Balance as those
decisions occur.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, so I guess my question is ---
Ms. Williams: Okay ---
Mr. B. Williams: --- go ahead, go ahead.
Ms. Williams: --- okay, we first exhaust our Contingency in most cases. Those are what
Contingency is for for those items that come up that are unplanned during the year. The ones that
Contingency cannot hold as was the settlement with the Fleming Park incident they come directly
from Fund Balance with an action of the Commission.
Mr. B. Williams: I got you. So I’m getting to the question is that better that we insure
ourselves or that we seek insurance to cover our lawsuits or what have you? Is it cheaper for us
just to self-insure?
Ms. Williams: Historically when we have compared the cost of premiums to the amounts
that we’ve paid out being self-insured has been more cost effective.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, all right. I just reiterate one other thing, Mr. Administrator, I think
they can go across the board and cut some things out maybe a position that you want that you can
cut out maybe some computers or what have you but I think we can still do a little bit better. My
last question, has the new Administrator taken a look at this budget?
Mr. Sims: No, sir, not to my knowledge, sir. I have had some brief conversations with the
new Administrator and it was very brief but we have not talked about the budget.
Mr. B. Williams: I’d like for him to take a look at the budget because not that you guys
aren’t good but he may have some different ideas or just something from an outside perspective to
take a look at the budget, thank you, sir.
th,th,
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 8 Commissioner from the 8 we can’t hear you,
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Commissioner from the 8 we cannot hear you.
61
Mr. Garrett: Can you hear me now?
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
Mr. Garrett: That was weird, okay, thank you, sir, sorry about that. I agree with my
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colleague from the 5 in asking our departments to look across the board to find a 5% cut. I think
that is wisest decision for me in regards to what we’re looking at our shortcomings for the year as
well as some of the other money that has been expended to other services such as the Boxing Club
and the other examples. And you know I really hope that we’re going to have a workshop and go
over this budget even further in the future because I think there’s a lot here to digest and I’m
hoping, I’m going to ask the Administrator if we have a schedule set yet for a budget workshop.
Mr. Sims: At this time we do not but we look forward to working with you all to schedule
go ahead and put something in place.
Mr. Garrett: You know I’d like to get started on this as soon as next week if that’s possible.
Mr. Sims: We can follow up with Ms. Bonner and go ahead and start scheduling.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, all right, Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Administrator Sims ---
Mr. Sims: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- in the past we have had departments that had employees, well had positions
that was budgeted in their department but over the years these positions were never filled. In this
budget right here does that include any unfilled vacancies?
Mr. Sims: Yes, it does and Director Williams can talk about how we budget for lapsed
salaries.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, okay.
Ms. Williams: If I can address that yes, sir, in order to control the number of authorized
positions each department’s budget reflects the total amount of assuming that that department
would be 100% funded for the year so that is shown in individual departments. But we know with
an employee workforce of 2,800 employees that we are not 100% filled for 100% of the time. But
historically we know the amount approximately the amount of money that we do not expend for
budgeted salaries so that is recovered, it is shown as a reduction at the fund level. So lots of times
when you see me shaking my head if ya’ll start talking about eliminating positions. If you
eliminate a position that we have already assumed that there’s going to be a vacancy rate that pretty
much accounts for that so you pretty much even yourself out. You can go through the exercise but
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we have a projection included in this budget for savings due to occupancy of unfilled positions
throughout the year, and we’ve always done that.
Mr. Fennoy: So is that saving included in the deficit?
Ms. Williams: Yes, sir, it is and I’ll point out to you once again as Administrator Sims said
we started with the level of the 2020 budget so when you start talking about a 5% reduction for
operations for the departments you are talking about reducing their expenditures from the 2020
level by another 5%.
Mr. Fennoy: All right.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on just a second, Commissioner, I’m going to come back to
you. I want to make sure I’ve got those hands who haven’t spoken yet. All right, Commissioner
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from the 5 back to you.
Mr. B. Williams: Yeah, I want to make that a motion that the departments reduce their
budgets by 5%.
Mr. Garrett: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second. I would urge ya’ll to think long and hard
about doing that because I don’t think you’ve got all the facts at this point before you make that
motion and then subsequently vote on it. I think you’re looking at a snapshot in time in trying to
make a decision without all of the details about what this budget incorporates but more importantly
without any real consideration into 2021. All right, I’m going to defer to Director Williams,
recognize Director Williams, Donna?
Ms. Williams: Yes, sir, I think you just made my point for me that there are some smaller
departments that may have only two or three people in them that have the majority of their
expenditures are for their positions and those fringe benefits. They may or may not have 5% in
operations. Basically there are some departments that within those departments is the cost of a
substantial contract. I will point to our H.R. Department who houses the ADP timekeeping and
the benefits contract. If you required a 5% reduction on the total amount of their budget that
includes the amount of the contract and it may wipe out their entire operational budget just to get
to the 5%. We can of course provide ya’ll with the amounts that those 5% reductions would
generate but the last resort is typically an across the board reduction a surgical reduction is much
more appropriate and tends to be much more effective rather than just slap shot across the board
for ‘x’ amount of percentage but we can prepare those numbers for discussion at your budget
workshops.
Mr. Mayor: Donna I think that’s appropriate to certainly prepare that once again I’ll
mention the following. Local budgets are much different than state budgets. There are
substantially more revenue options to look at and or to deal with when you’re dealing with a state
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budget but there’s also greater flexibility in terms of how you handle that. I think it’s a prudent
and quite frankly a much more measured approach to be surgical. And even the discussion around
how you would give consideration to cuts to any agency and or departments I think it takes a
broader understanding of what the service delivery strategy is. And so as we’re having this more
thoughtful and broad conversations about the 2021 budget I want to make sure that we’re
incorporating all of those things into that as we look at what clearly has been an unprecedented
year, a year there certainly has been a downturn in sales tax revenue. While at the same time just
in the last month sales tax collections have been up across the board in the State of Georgia which
then translates into revenue being more stable at the level as well. So you have to look at the
budget clear lens but also a full glass of water and so that’s what I would offer and urge the two
gentlemen to give consideration to withdrawing your motion.
Mr. B. Williams: Well, I’d like to vote it up or down vote it up or vote it down because
we’re all going to have to make some hard decisions. And I mean you guys can go back if a
department needs some money or what have you we can talk about that but I think we’re going to
have to make some hard decisions across the board.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 6.
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Mr. Hasan: The 5 are you open to if we pass this measure but at the same time giving
the Finance Director and the Administrator also to look at what they’re recommending even though
we’re giving them direction to do this and not necessarily to implement it but to bring it back to
us and have both of them on the table because she was concerned about smaller departments
meaning that your vote is to (inaudible) everybody by 5%, I’m sorry go ahead.
Mr. B. Williams: Well, that’s what I meant that’s what I meant when I said they can take
a look at it and the department needs some money or what have you then they can make some
adjustments but I think for the most part we’re always going to have to make some hard decisions.
It looks like a hard budget so I don’t have a problem with that at all.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, thank you, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: No.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: I’m abstaining.
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The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Can you repeat the motion one more time?
The Clerk: Motion is to have departments reduce their respective budgets by 5% and to
allow Finance Department to prepare reductions.
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, is he still in, sir, Mr. Dennis Williams?
Mr. D. Williams: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: No, okay, Mr. Marion Williams, Mr. Marion Williams, okay, I guess he’s out.
Mr. Clarke, Ms. Davis and Mr. Dennis Williams vote No.
Mr. Fennoy abstains.
Mr. M. Williams out.
Motion Fails 5-3-1.
Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims and the team, thank you all for the budget preparation the
budget recommendations preparation, presentation we appreciate that at this junction.
Mr. Sims: (Inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to Item Number 25.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams, is he on the board, sir?
Mr. Mayor: That was Number 22, I’m sorry, did I say 25?
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The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Number 22.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
22. Motion to approve $25,000 funding request to assist Greater Augusta’s Interfaith
Coalition’s Total Census Count Initiative. To support census responses from hard to count
citizens and the support for 15 sites of activities for respondents of the local Census Count.
(Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy)
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I tried to put this on the Consent Agenda but somebody had it
pulled and I’d like to know why they had it pulled?
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Speaker: (Unintelligible).
th,
Mr. Mayor: All right, hold on okay, all right, the Commissioner from the 8 we’re good
now.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, I pulled this for the very same reason from the previous discussion.
We’re already facing a budget shortfall. You know we’ve talked about this for the past two or
three meetings and you know the Interfaith Coalition has said this was a volunteer organization to
get out the, you know to make sure that everybody was counted and we appreciate that greatly.
And you know we’ve asked them numerous times to tell us what the money was going towards
and we’ve yet to see that. That’s the reason that I can’t support this.
Mr. Fennoy: Are you still there, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: I’m waiting on you.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, I think the census since the census began the Interfaith Coalition has
invested their time and their money to make sure that as many people in Richmond County are
counted. And because they have incurred expenses I think they need to be partially or fully
reimbursed for the monies that they have invested in this. I think the real beneficiaries of the
investment that they have put in are going to be the City of Augusta and I think Commissioner
Hasan had a breakdown of the economic impact that each person that they registered would have
on the City of Augusta over the next ten years. So I think that we should go ahead and approve
the $25,000.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: I’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: No.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom, is he on the board, sir?
Mr. Mayor: I don’t know where he’s at.
The Clerk: Out, Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: I didn’t hear that, yes, sir?
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Okay, thank you, Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. Clarke, Ms. Davis and Mr. Garrett vote No.
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Mr. M. Williams and Mr. Frantom out.
Motion Fails 5-3.
Mr. Mayor: Number 23.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
23. Receive update regarding the beginning of the 5 year storm water review: to include total
fees collected since inception, all completed storm water infrastructure work and all storm
water system grass cutting contactors and costs. Review should be completed in 2 weeks and
brought back to commission for review. (Deferred from the Commission October 6, 2020
meeting-requested by Commissioner Brandon Garrett)
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Yes, this item has to do with the 5 year storm water review. I believe that we
have the Engineering Department that is ready to give a presentation.
Mr. Mayor: All right ---
Mr. Garrett: I am open to doing this in a workshop if we need to due to the time.
Mr. Mayor: ---yes, well, I’m going to ---
Mr. B. Williams: Is this an (unintelligible) item?
Mr. Mayor: --- hold on, hold on, I’m not sure who’s talking or who was attempting to talk.
All right, who wants to be recognized? Okay, Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: Can we do it in a workshop?
Mr. Clarke: Mr. Mayor, I will agree with the Commissioner Garrett. I think we ought to
move this to a workshop to be scheduled due to time constraints.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’m going to sound like Commissioner from the 9, ya’ll signed up for
this job you ain’t (inaudible).
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Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, where is the Commissioner from the 9?
Mr. Mayor: I have no idea, Commissioner, are you making a motion?
Mr. Garrett: Sorry, sir, what?
Mr. Sias: Let’s get it over with.
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Mr. Garrett: He’s making a motion.
Mr. Sias: Been sitting around all day, let’s do it.
Mr. Garrett: All right, let’s do it then.
The Clerk: Are ya’ll making a motion to refer this to a work session?
Mr. Garrett: Are you saying do the presentation or do the workshop?
Mr. Sias: Let’s cover this review now.
Mr. Garrett: All right, let’s do it then. I’ve got nothing but time. I was trying to think about
our employees that are sitting around at 5:30 and they’ve got families to get home to.
Mr. Mayor: I don’t see, okay maybe they brought them in because I didn’t see whoever is
doing the presentation. All right, there we go, Dr. Malik.
Dr. Malik: Yes, sir (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: All right, tell us who you have there and then I’m going to turn it back over
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to the Commissioner from the 8.
Dr. Malik: Yes, sir, Oscar Flite is going to present the (inaudible) if you can share that.
Mr. Mayor: Was there a presentation sent out to everybody?
Mr. Flite: Yes, there are slides, yes.
Dr. Malik: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: All right, very good.
Mr. D. Williams: It’s in your book.
Mr. Mayor: All right.
Mr. Flite: Okay, do we want to share the screen ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Flite: --- all right. So we’ll go through, so really just to refresh everybody’s memory
of this or the entire service area is 308 square miles. It’s one of the largest for any storm water
utility not only in Georgia but also the southeast. Within the entire service area there’s over 44,000
catch basins, 730 miles of pipe, 500 miles of storm ditches and over almost 1,300 detention ponds.
So the reason to implement the stormwater utility was to improve response to customer requests,
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remain in compliance with the stormwater permit, rehab failing infrastructure, decrease flooding
and implement a Watershed Master Plan related to Flood Mitigation Projects. So in 2015 the
Engineering Department when you embarked on this you deal with what is called a Level of
Service so the level of service was to find previous things that we just listed that Augusta wanted
to see in terms of increasing service. Based upon these metrics here this is what the service was
in 2015 and that was really the kickoff to implement the utility to increase all of these levels to a
B or a B+ rating. That was the goal. So the stormwater fee the fee itself generated, generates
today about $13.2 million a year. 2016 was the first year it got up and running that year but you
can see it’s been $13.4 or $13.2 pretty much every year since. How all those funds are broken into
county workforces that’s about almost $5 million dollars that in essence $81.5 (unintelligible)
equivalent units. Half of those folks are in maintenance and the other half are permit compliance
related. There’s $2 million dollars that go to indirect cost allocations, franchise fees, payment in
lieu of taxes. $1.4 million goes to operations and maintenance so all the equipment, supplies etc.
and about $5 million dollars goes to the actual implementation of work getting done out in the
field. $4.3 million of that is broken down in the actual work on the ground so $3.3 is valued for
right of way mowing, $.13 million is drainage, tree removal, $.7 million is pond cutting, $.2 million
is cleaning out pipes and then there’s another $1.2 million dollars reserved for drainage studies
and permit compliance so that’s really what you’re getting on the ground services. So the pie chart
is showing where those funds which district those funds actually come from. That’s the breakdown
with the 28% blue starting at District 1 and going clockwise all the way up to the 7% District 8.
The next one is this is where we rated ourselves based upon those previous metrics and the
justification of that that increased level of service was the development of a Rain Gauge Water
Level Sensor Network. We developed our own development of a new Stormwater Management
Manual so that is now being, the local engineering community be trained on our Augusta
Stormwater Manual. We are beginning sub-basin scale modeling to figure out where the trouble
spots are. Capital Improvement Implementation so that really is the dedicated SPLOST fund so
those are really Program Management activities. And then the NDMS Compliance so the
nonoperation and maintenance permanent compliances they proactively looking at the assets to
inspect them. That’s part of the permit and we’re doing a much better job than we have in the past.
Mr. Speaker: (Inaudible).
Mr. Fliter: We also have four grants that were awarded for restoring several creeks in the
county. Under the Maintenance Program we have now got part of that maintenance program into
a proactive status and we’re doing things not always in a reactionary mode. We have designated
stormwater fee funds and so this is important for small and medium capital improvements so your
Capital Improvement SPLOST funds are actually all being used for very large trouble spots so
that’s a big plus for the stormwater fees. You now have your SPLOST Funds completely dedicated
to the large projects. The level of services increased in 2015; we were answering about 1,500 work
orders and now we’re answering about 4,500 work orders actually finishing those work orders.
And then we also have as a proactive component we’re looking, we are required to look at our own
detention ponds but we have program that also looks at private detention ponds. That’s a very big
component for being a proactive MS4. Then finally Capital Improvement Projects there were 394
projects completed from 2016 to 2020. Those were SPLOST funded projects and then the next
step is ongoing historic flooding studies so we’re currently looking at trouble spots within the
county and right now we have studies to figure out how to fix those areas. The next is with the
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stormwater fee funds most of that work is maintenance related and this is the breakdown of the
maintenance components. Really there are 21,755 work orders closed over the five-year period
through last week. Just a breakdown of all the work that’s done and then you can see the pie chart
again shows the breakdown of where those work orders were requested and where they were closed
so that’s the work actually done throughout the county. The next is the small and medium projects
so as I mentioned the stormwater fee funds go for small things you know broken catch basin or
something like that. That reserves your large projects directly for your SPLOST funds. This is a
breakdown those funds going for small projects and this correlates to Slide 26 through 31 at the
back which is a breakdown of every single project that was finished. The next one now moving
into the SPLOST funds this is the breakdown of all of the SPLOST funds. I made a mistake when
I put the slide together. This is supposed to be $1.75 million. I just added the two to come up with
(inaudible) so there was a mistake there. So all the projects are listed in 21 through 25 that go with
the SPLOST fund. All right so to continue the goal I think was a B+ but I think we’ve rated
ourselves at about a B so there’s a few more things that we can do and this is a list of those things
that we can we’ll be working on moving forward. As I mentioned there’s some drainage, historic
drainage issues and these are the studies that are being conducted, the studies themselves and then
we have studies for stream bank erosion issues that are ongoing now. Those funds Pages 12
through 19 so those are the actual projects themselves. On Page 20 you’ll see that that’s the
funding for past and current projects so we’ll get down there but I just wanted to run you through.
These are future projects that we still need to address but I just kind of wanted to run through a
few of these current projects. This one is the Laney Walker area, this one is Goshen, Forest Hills,
this is a streambank restoration that’s currently being proposed, two of them actually. And then
so these are all previous projects from 2016 on that have already been funded or kind of coming
to an end. Those studies you can see the five studies that we looked at and the two streambank
restorations that’s almost a million dollars and these are the lists so I won’t go through the list.
Dr. Malik: Also I’d like to add to what Oscar presented that we, the programs are working
roughly $2 million short of what was projected during any of the programs. After we did the I.R
and progress area review and some adjustments the revenue projected revenue was roughly around
$900,000 and then our labor costs went up almost $2 million dollars short of what was projected
but still we were able to get to the B level so I just wanted (unintelligible).
Mr. Flite: We were wondering if there were any questions.
Mr. D. Williams: Move to receive as information.
th,
Mr. Mayor: I’m going to go to the Commissioner from the 8 Commissioner D. Williams
if you don’t mind, just give him, this is his item give him a chance to speak to it and then I’ll come
back and we’ll go from there, okay?
Mr. D. Williams: That’s fine.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor, thank you, Commissioner Williams. Gentlemen, I
appreciate the ---
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Mr. Mayor: Hold on one second, okay, all right, thank you. All right, go ahead.
Mr. Garrett: --- am I good?
Mr. Mayor: You’re good now (inaudible) Attorney Brown.
Mr. Garrett: Okay, I appreciate the presentation and the work that you put in to providing
this report that is due every five years. I have a couple of questions just in regards to the fees that
are collected. And you know the first question is do you see any need for increases to the monthly
fees that are paid in?
Dr. Malik: No, sir. At this point we’re not requesting any need. I think there is a need to
kind of look at all the fees collected fees and just see (unintelligible) so we’re working on that but
we are not requesting at least a rate increase (unintelligible) for the next couple of years.
Mr. Garrett: I hope over the next five years this is approved to continue. As we move
forward you know one of the issues that has promptly stood out with constituents especially in my
district is the amount of area that they must cover. You know District 8 has the most square miles
out of any district out there and you know we have a lot of ditches that need to be cut. And you
know we talked recently about the frequency of those cuttings around the city. Do you see any
way that we could lower the cost per mile with our contractors to you know enable us to have more
cuttings?
Dr. Malik: Yes, sir. That’s something we actually looked at. In fact we already have a
Request for Proposal in Procurement starting with the pond and the easement. And then we are
negotiating the prime contract bringing it to the best price before we award it but that will be our
goal for 2021 to rebid and bring the price down, yes, sir.
Mr. Garrett: I think I missed that when do you think you’ll have those back in?
Dr. Malik: Next year. We’re working with Procurement to get these bids out so our goal
is to change from on-call contracts. Some come with a guaranteed work like every year
(unintelligible) the area and get the pricing bids on that. The whole bid you know the way it works
the price should come down because now everybody knows the magnitude of the work that they
can expand (unintelligible). And we already brought it down almost a half million dollars this year
with six cuts right of way that we’re doing. We brought it down $500,000 but the goal is to bring
that cost down. Right now we’re on 3,200 linear miles another $1,000 dollars maybe more
(unintelligible). That’s what we’re going to work with, that’s why we’re not saying, we are not
asking for a rate increase, we’re going to do some improvements in the program how we are
spending this money.
Mr. Garrett: And looking through this report one of the things that really stuck out to me
is that it seems that each year there were fewer and fewer miles that were, that a street sweeper
was used on. Is there a reason behind that?
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Dr. Malik: Yes, sir. The program was really not in the Engineering Department until 2018.
The program was part of the Environment Services Department and it was built into the Waste
Collection Contract. That contract ended somewhere in 2018 and that program was transferred by
the Commission to Augusta Engineering. We have two street workable sweepers but that’s a
program we’re working on to develop that program further and create a number of street sweepers
(unintelligible) and get some contract services. That’s the primary reason shifting the program
one department to the other and we have only $250,000 dollars allocated to this program.
Mr. Garrett: So where’s the disconnect in the transition? I mean making sure that our
streets are swept to help keep the leaves out of the storm water system I mean I know that’s just a
maintenance issue but I would hope that would be addressed too.
Dr. Malik: There was no disconnect. Funding is the primary reason because some of our
programs was funding only $250,000 dollars while the program (unintelligible) the services and
the rest of the money was coming from that department. When the program shifted, we only have
now $250,000 dollars to operate so that was the reduced funding resulted in the reduced service.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Hold on a minute ---
Mr. Garrett: I’ll pause for Commissioner Williams.
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Mr. Mayor: --- okay, all right, Commissioner from the 5 go ahead, sir.
Mr. B. Williams: Yeah, I have one question. Commissioner Garrett mentioned street
sweeping. Dr. Malik, is there any way that we can schedule neighborhoods on a monthly basis for
street sweeping to come through? Schedule neighborhoods so we don’t have to keep calling folks,
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we know that’s it’s going to come through the 1 of the month and so forth and so on.
Dr. Malik: Right now we are in a reactive mode so we don’t have the resource for that
program to create a proactive schedule as the commissioner is saying. We have only two maybe
three operational street sweepers unless we find more money to fund this program. At this point
it is a reactive program.
Mr. B. Williams: So they only come out if you call them, I’m saying they only come out
if you call them.
Dr. Malik: Yes, it is reactive so whenever we call or someone calls we may internally
designate an area (inaudible) we’re only getting like 300 to 500 miles a year. Once it gets we do
our own on-call contract. That’s the next program we really want to focus on and see how we can
increase the service.
Mr. Garrett: Is that something that we could bid out again and maybe have a contractor do
it?
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th,
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, Commissioner from the 8 hold on.
Mr. Garrett: You were looking away, sir.
Mr. Mayor: No, I’m fully locked in ---
Mr. B. Williams: I’m good, I’m good, I’m good.
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Mr. Garrett: --- Commissioner from the 4, fully locked in.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. One of the things that I think is important that Dr. Malik did not
mention too much. It’s a very essential part of the stormwater program and that’s mosquito control.
All these ditches and things and ponds with cutting Mosquito Control (unintelligible) cost to share
with Richmond County Health Department that has worked out extremely well for Richmond
County to reduce these pests as part of this program and I think they need to be commended for
that along with all the work, the other work that the storm water program has done. And if you
want to ride through a business district Skyview Lane, Gordon Highway, National Avenue there’s
a fantastic project going on that will relieve, that’s going to relieve flooding that has been going
on for a number of over 20 years or more. And during that last huge rain that program that
particular project although incomplete it was extremely functional even though it was incomplete
in relieving the flooding. Water rose but it went down extremely quick; I just wanted to point that
out, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor. The question I was trying to ask was is the street sweeping
something we need to bid out to see if that would provide a better service to our constituents?
Dr. Malik: We can try that route but the major struggle is to find the funding, proper
funding for this program. It’s a balancing act you know with all the other services we’re trying to
deliver with the money we have. So we had to cut funding from other programs to fund to add
additional funds to this program. We can try bidding it out to see. I don’t have the information
how much Environmental Services what the cost was but that was not (unintelligible). That
contract was (unintelligible).
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor ---
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: --- this is more of a question for Commissioner Sias. Commissioner Sias,
you said something about stormwater administrative fee monies or something that we may be able
to recoup or something. Can you respond to that?
Mr. Sias: That was part of the financial meeting that Commissioner Fennoy held
referencing reference funding and I think that’s been implemented. That’s supposed to be in the
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budget so that we can additional not add but put more of the stormwater money into actual
operations versus coming back in as a franchise fee. And I think that has been implemented and
we’ll be checking to make sure it has and that puts more money back into actual projects arena.
Mr. B. Williams: Thank you, sir.
th,
Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 8 what’s your pleasure? We’ll receive
this as information.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, my hand’s been up now.
Mr. Mayor: Okay hold on, hold on, hold on. All right, I’m going to tell the Commissioner
thth.
from the 6 the same thing I told the Commissioner from the 9 I’m on a small screen, hold your
horses, hold your horses.
Mr. Hasan: All right, I’m going leave the comment keep the commentary to myself. Mr.
Mayor, let me Dr. Hameed ---
Dr. Malik: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hasan: --- I’ve got two things. You made mention of trying to lower the contract costs
especially for the grass cutting if I’m not mistaken I apologize if I misquote you in advance. But
you also said I think now you may be getting $3,200.00 per mile and you wanted to cut it by
probably potential a $1,000 dollars and something and you don’t have to respond to it I was just
kind of just taking that as information if you don’t mind. And that is if you’re talking about a
$1,000 dollars you’re cutting the contract by a third and what you’re suggesting is that this thing
is seriously overpriced to be able to do that. But I think most of these vendors have staff and things
of that nature probably I would consider in the 500 range but a $1,000 dollars you’re cutting it
you’re cutting each one of those contracts by $1,000 and like I said the only way that can survive
is pretty much is your suggesting or you believe, you don’t have to respond, doctor. But for me to
take is that you’re suggesting that this thing is really, really being overpriced and you’re trying to
bring it into compliance. So you don’t have to respond to it. I just want you to be mindful what I
hear you saying and I could be misinterpreting you. And I’m hoping if you go down that road you
need to be factual that you would come back and let us take a look at that before you put that on
the street if you don’t mind, thank you.
Dr. Malik: Yeah, Commissioner, we’ll go through the procurement process. It’s not
something I want to dictate, you know, there’s a fair market analysis and looking at what the
GDOT is paying and all others and that’s what the actual when we get the on-call looking at all
that. So (inaudible) I’m not picking the number, I did not pick the number. We will go through
the procurement process and it will be very fair to all that ---
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, can I ---
Dr. Malik: --- what I’m saying the market analysis indicates the price can be lower
(unintelligible).
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Mr. Hasan: --- well, Doc, my one suggestion to you on that like I say I’m not challenging
it but please don’t use GDOT as an example because GDOT is so cheap we won’t even take them
on, take on the county roads because they don’t want to pay nobody, so please don’t use them as
an example. Thank you, Doc.
th,
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. I think we’ve heard, Commissioner from the 8 close us
out this item.
Mr. Garrett: I appreciate that, Mr. Mayor, and I think Commissioner Dennis Williams has
already spoken to you know to receive this as information. And I do appreciate all the information
that was provided in this report. Thank you.
The Clerk: Are you going to second that, Mr. Garrett?
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, we’ll receive it as information by acclamation.
The Clerk: Without?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you, gentlemen.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got ---
The Clerk: 25, 26 and the Addendum Agenda.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right.
The Clerk: I think, Commissioner, okay Mr. Fennoy 26 Mr. Williams, we can refer that to
the next meeting. Is he on?
Mr. Mayor: He’s not on. I mean it says he’s on but I mean there’s a reason why we just
can’t talk about it, put it on there but go ahead and talk about it and be done with it.
Mr. Sias: Which on is that?
Mr. Mayor: 25, the waste haulers contract.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
25. Discuss the process for rebidding waste haulers contracts. (Requested by Commissioner
Marion Williams)
Mr. Sias: I move that we extend the present contract for two years.
Mr. Hasan: I’ll second it.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, I have a motion and a second, voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis, Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes.
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.
Ms. Davis, Mr. Frantom and Mr. M. Williams out.
Motion Passes 7-0.
Mr. Mayor: Item Number 26.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
26. Motion to approve the naming of the Lake Olmstead Amphitheater in honor of former
Commissioners Andrew Jefferson and H. Grady Smith. (Approved by Administrative
Services Committee July 30, 2019 – no action vote Commission August 6, 2019) (Requested
by Commissioner Bill Fennoy)
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st
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I tried getting this item added to the Consent Agenda and we had
some objection. I’d like to hear what the objection is.
th
Mr. Garrett: The Commissioner from the 10 in and object (inaudible).
th
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’m sorry, all right, Commissioner from the 10 ---
Mr. Garrett: (unintelligible).
Mr. Clarke: Commissioner Fennoy, I don’t absolutely have any problem with these two
fine people that served not only the community but (inaudible) but their families extremely well.
I considered both of these gentlemen friends of mine. I just think at this time going forward I don’t
think that we need to start naming buildings or streets or anything else after people at this particular
point. Maybe down the road we could come back and revisit this but at this particular point in
time I don’t think that we should do this. I can understand your reasons for wanting to do this, sir
but at this particular point I would have to object to it, thank you.
Mr. Fennoy: May I, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Sure.
Mr. Fennoy: You know we have the Phinizy Road is named after ---
st
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1 ---
Mr. Fennoy: --- yes.
Mr. Mayor: --- suspend for a minute. Let me offer a suggestion, I make a motion.
Mr. Fennoy: I’ll hear what you’ve got to say, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: No, I’m saying why don’t you make a motion of what you want to happen.
Mr. Fennoy: To approve the naming of ---
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Fennoy: --- Lake Olmstead after Andrew Jefferson and Grady Smith.
Mr. Mayor: All right, voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: No.
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The Clerk: Ms. Davis, Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: No.
The Clerk: Was that a no, sir?
Mr. Garrett: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias, Mr. Sias out.
Mr. Sias: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: What was that, sir?
Mr. Sias: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: No, okay, thank you, sir. Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. Clarke, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Sias vote No.
Ms. Davis, Mr. Frantom and Mr. M. Williams out.
Motion Fails 4-3.
Mr. B. Williams: Is that the last item?
Mr. Mayor: No ---
Mr. D. Williams: We still have three.
Mr. Mayor: --- we’re going to be here until 7:00 o’clock.
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Mr. D. Williams: Oh, Jesus.
The Clerk: Hold on.
Mr. Mayor: Hold on.
Mr. B. Williams: We’re not going to do Legal?
Mr. Mayor: We’re on the mainline, tell me what you want. Madam Clerk, we’re going to
go to the Addendum Agenda.
The Clerk: All right, we’re on the Addendum Agenda item #1?
Mr. Mayor: Number 3.
The Clerk:
ADDENDUM
29. Receive as information an update regarding CARES Act Funding as it relates to
Governor Kemp’s announcement on Thursday, October 15, 2020. (Requested by Interim
Administrator Jarvis Sims)
Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims.
Mr. Sims: So moved.
Mr. B. Williams: Second.
Mr. Sims: Mayor and Commissioners, just for information purposes we emailed you all
last week an update from the Governor regarding the CARES Act Funding that there would not be
any Round 2 or Round 3 funding, I thought it was important for you all to know that. We also
included an itemized of the $10.3 million dollars that we received from the first round to show you
the itemized expenditures for information purposes as well.
Mr. Mayor: Administrator Sims, I want to clarify those were proposed expenditures, is
that correct?
Mr. Sims: Correct, I’m sorry, proposed expenditures.
th,
Mr. Mayor: All right, very well. All right, Commissioner from the 4 thank you
(inaudible).
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. Mr., I would like to ask the Administrator a couple of questions,
sir.
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Mr. Mayor: Sure.
Mr. Sias: Reference to funding exactly how much because we’re talking about the budget
exactly other than (unintelligible) or committed funding ---
th,
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 4 can you suspend, once again I’m going to ask
everyone I know you don’t want to but I’m going to ask you (unintelligible).
Mr. Sias: --- we good now.
Mr. Mayor: Hollywood #2, go ahead.
Mr. Sias: All right, the question here is to Mr. Sims. Other than what we have committed,
other than what we have spent, exactly how much CARES funding do we have remaining, this
county committed and spent?
Mr. Sims: This county, the projected expenditures unallocated $1.6 million dollars.
Mr. Sias: You said what I’m saying those projected have we committed to that by a vote
from the Commission?
Mr. Sims: Some of the expenditures, Commissioners, are necessary such as the purchase
of the PPE equipment, the COVID-19 medical expenses that we incurred, also some medical
expenses we are anticipating. So they qualified for CARES Act funding and those are the ones
that we are showing to you all.
Mr. Sias: Okay, well, we’re going to use since for that purpose I’ll use what you have said
then so if you take out what you said we need to really pay what we’ve committed to and how
much do we have left?
Mr. Sims: Unallocated is $1.6 million dollars.
Mr. Sias: All right, anything wrong with putting that in the budget?
Mr. Sims: I have my Finance Director that can go into the details on that question.
Mr. Mayor: So the, hold on, hold on, hold on. Let me do this, Commissioner Sias. There’s
$7.2 million dollars that is remaining from the original $10.3, $3.1 has already been expended and
of that $7.2 the Commission made a decision to appropriate $1.4 to Paine College so 7.2 minus
1.4 that number is probably 4.8 (inaudible) ---
Mr. Sims: 5.9.
Mr. Mayor: --- $5.9 million dollars that’s what you’re working with and of that $5.9
million dollars that remaining list is a list of projected expenses. We all know that the election
board said they don’t need the 250. We all know that absent the previous PPE purchase that we
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made we haven’t identified what additional PPE needs will be there to come out of the remaining
5.2. The medical expenses ‘increased’ those are all as you read and has been said are projected
expenses that are allowable under CARES. Your question as it relates to taking the additional if
the number was actually 1.6 that we put that in the General Fund. CARES Act the law says that
you cannot replace revenue with that. So if this is a question around revenue replacement that’s
not an allowable expense. It will have to have been expenses that were directly related to and or
tied to COVID. And that list is fairly broad so but it can’t be used for revenue replacement,
Commissioner.
Mr. Sias: Thank you and I appreciate that and I wasn’t intending for my question to come
my request for information come out like that. W we have a lot of expenses in ’21 that will be
related to COVID so I guess my point is can we put that to ---
Mr. Mayor: No.
Mr. Sias: --- COVID related expenses in ’21?
Mr. Mayor: No, it has to be spent by 31 December 2020.
Mr. Sias: Okay well then I’m going to let it go, thank you.
nd,
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 2 go ahead, sir.
Mr. D. Williams: My first question was how did this action affect us and then secondly
the money that we voted to have for small businesses in the area, is that money still available?
Mr. Garrett: Should we let our Finance Director answer that?
Mr. Sims: So, Commissioner ---
Mr. D. Williams: I couldn’t hear for a minute there, go ahead.
Mr. Sims: --- so, Commissioner Dennis Williams, the first question as far as how did it
affect us we all were anticipating Round 2 and Round 3 funding from CARES Act which was
indicated back in July from the Governor’s Office by us not receiving that that definitely impacted
our organization. In regards to the small business that is a separate funding and that does not
impact what we are talking about today ---
Mr. D. Williams: Okay.
Mr. Sims: --- that’s handled through a different CARES Act funding that we received.
Mr. D. Williams: Thank you.
th
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 8.
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Mr. Garrett: Thank you, sir. I’m no engineer from Georgia Tech but reading the funding
analysis that was included in our packet it says that we initially received $10.3 million and have
spent $7.3 that has to be spent on COVID expenses which includes Public Safety overtime,
Coronavirus Response Act, PPE, medical expenses etc. Then there is the $1.4 that was spent for
Paine College and I’m hoping that at some point we can talk about rescinding that because of
budget shortfalls. That all in all says we have spent $8.7 million which leaves the $1.6 that the
Administrator spoke about but in regards to this I think we do need to have the Finance Director
in on this discussion.
Mr. Mayor: Well, the Finance Director’s here but make no mistake about it let’s be clear.
nd
Those, the $7.2 million has not been spent. We received that money on September 2 the day
after we were required to make our first submission through the OPB Portal which we did, we met
that timeline and on the day after we received in our bank account the $7.2 million dollars.
Mr. Garrett: Jarvis, is that correct or incorrect?
Mr. Sims: As far as receiving the funding in our account that is correct.
Mr. Garrett: No, as far as what the Mayor’s saying that there’s $7.2 that has not been spent.
Mr. Sims: I’ll say it this way. We do know where we have COVID related expenditures
out there for the funding that we received is appropriate for those expenditures that we have and
Director Williams can also chime in if she likes.
Ms. Williams: Yes, we are going to incur an increased level of expenditures due to
COVID-19, that’s not a big surprise to anybody. Each one of those items that are listed on this
sheet through the Month of August are medical claims related to COVID for our healthcare
program have already exceeded $1.6 million dollars that is just through August. We anticipate
and we get from Blue Cross Blue Shield that we could expect those expenditures through the end
of this year to be an additional $1.4 million dollars. The PPE and the equipment through the end
of September PPE and equipment that allows our employees to work remotely have already
exceeded a little over a million, a million two and so we do expect to incur some more expenditures
related to PPE. These are all eligible expenditures from the CARES Act so I am very comfortable
with this number that we’ve put out there that we are going to incur or expect to incur
approximately $7.3 million dollars as an organization.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Garrett, go ahead.
Mr. Garrett: No, I think she answered the question about the expenditures that are coming
up available. You know I would like to put it on the table that we seriously consider not allocating
the Paine College funds out there in the community with the shortfalls that we’re facing. That’s a
motion.
st
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1, I see your hand, sir.
Mr. Sias: I guess I’ll put it down then.
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Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- we made a motion to appropriate $1.4 million dollars to Paine College
and that the expenditures be vetted through the, our Attorney. At this point I would like to ask the
Attorney have the Paine done what they’re supposed to do to get the $1.4 million?
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Brown.
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir, Commissioner Fennoy, I think well the Law Department has looked
at what Paine’s initiatives or requests are and I believe they are eligible for the funding that the
Commission has awarded them. The only thing that would be left for them to do is assign a grant
agreement that we have with similar to what we have with other organizations that we provide
grants to and that grant agreement would include the necessity, Paine would have to agree that the
funds and their use of the funds would be subject to an audit by an independent CPA firm and that
Augusta would be entitled to the financial statement from that audit.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, may I continue, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
Mr. Brown: I also worked with Paine too that those funds would have to be accounted for
st
by December 31 of 2021 ---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Brown: --- if they believe that the expenditures will go much faster than that ---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay (inaudible).
Mr. Brown: --- there is no legal objection to what the Commission has approved.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, with that being said, Attorney Brown, as soon as we get the agreement
signed the funds can be released?
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir ---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay ---
Mr. Brown: --- unless the Commission reverses the grant.
Mr. Fennoy: --- all right, with that being said I think we need to work on getting the
agreement signed and the funds released.
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Mr. Mayor: Very well. I can’t tell I’ve slid over here to the second screen the
th
Commissioner from the 6 has joined us, he’s back. I don’t know if he had his hand up and wanted
to speak to this or not.
Mr. Hasan: I’m fine, Mr. Mayor. I heard the comments from the Attorney and
Commissioner Fennoy. I think that was the only thing that was around it so I’m satisfied with what
I heard.
th
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, all right, back to the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. Sias: Where ---
Mr. Mayor: It’s on you.
Mr. Sias: --- thank you. No and actually the Attorney answered my question. My question
was there any legal opposition or legal reason for not to move forward with what we had approved
and he answered that question as no so there was no legal obligation and that was my number one
question. So he has the green light to proceed forward. Thank you.
th
Mr. Mayor: All right, all right, the Commissioner from the 8 made a motion. He failed
to receive a proper second.
Mr. Clarke: What was the motion, Mayor?
th
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 8, I mean we’d have to start over at this point.
The Clerk: Rescind the Cares Act allocation to Paine College in the amount of $1.4 million
dollars.
Mr. Clarke: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis, Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
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Mr. Hasan: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams ---
Mr. Speaker: No.
The Clerk: --- Mr. Marion Williams, that was Mr. Marion Williams’ cousin but.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, he signed up for that. Don’t let us forget that.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Hasan, Mr. Sias, Mr. Bobby Williams and Mr. Dennis Williams vote No.
Ms. Davis, Mr. Frantom and Mr. M. Williams out.
Motion Fails 2-5.
Mr. Mayor: All right, very well. Okay we’re going to go to Item Number ---
Mr. D. Williams: Don’t we have to receive (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: --- well, we’re going to receive that as information. We’re going to Item
Number 2 on your Addendum Agenda.
The Clerk: We put that on the Consent.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we did?
The Clerk: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Number 3 Administrative Services, final item of the day.
The Clerk:
ADDENDUM
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30. Discuss raising Commissioner’s salaries to $40,000. (Requested by Commissioner Bill
Fennoy)
Mr. D. Williams: Unanimously.
Mr. Fennoy: Have I got the floor, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: You do. Why don’t you make a motion.
Mr. Fennoy: I’d like to make a motion that beginning in 2021 Commissioners be paid
$40,000 dollars a year.
Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor ---
th
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. B. Williams: --- I want to make a substitute motion to $25,000 and let me say this,
may I ask the Attorney a question?
Mr. Mayor: You may.
Mr. B. Williams: Attorney Brown, if we vote today when will this money be active?
Mr. Brown: If you could vote today, I believe the money would be active January of 2023.
Mr. B. Williams: Okay, why did you say if we could?
Mr. Brown: I would ask that you not vote on this today. I want to review a little further. I
believe that a vote today would be improper, under state law I believe that during the period of
time in the same year that these seats were qualified you have to wait until January of the following
year before you take a vote to raise a salary and then they will go into effect after the January after
the year of the next general election. I believe that a vote at this moment, I believe that a vote
would not be timely. This matter to be forwarded to another commission meeting we could be
certain on that.
Mr. B. Williams: Commissioner Fennoy ---
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, sir.
Mr. B. Williams: --- you want to wait?
Mr. Fennoy: I’ll wait. I mean I won’t be here but I’ll wait. Ya’ll can always bring me back
to vote on it.
Mr. Sias: I’m a no anyway. I ain’t touching this.
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ADDENDUM
32. Motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the settlement of all claims related to Civil
Action 1:17CV00039 in the aggregate amount of $110,000 and authorize the Administrator
to disburse that amount waiving any other Code provisions of Augusta, Georgia in the matter
of Angela Rice vs. Augusta, Georgia in the Probate Court.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so we’re going to leave this alone. We’ll receive it for discussion
and will defer it to the Attorney. We’ll come back another date certain and talk about it at that
time. There is one item, again we are here and there’s one item that we do need to address from a
legal standpoint absent going into Legal there’s only item that we absolutely need to address. We
had given previously the Attorney authority to address the issue dealing with the Probate Court
Judge and that matter. And what I’d like to do is I’d like to add the item of Rice v. Judge James
and the resolution to the agenda and if there’s no objection we’ll add it to the agenda without
objection.
Mr. Sias: Are we going to discuss it in closed session?
Mr. Mayor: No, we don’t have to if we add it to the agenda because we’ve already
addressed this matter. All we’re doing is affirming what we’ve given the Attorney the authority
to do in bringing this matter before the Commission.
Mr. Sias: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Brown.
Mr. Brown: What we’d simply like to do in addition to adding it is we have to formally be
on the record anyway to approve the resolution and we have the resolution prepared so we would
like to request that the Commission make a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the settlement
of all claims related to Civil Action 1:17CV00039 in the aggregate amount of $110,000 dollars
and authorize the Administrator to disburse that amount waiving any other Code provisions of
Augusta, Georgia in the matter of Angela Rice vs. Augusta, Georgia in the Probate Court.
Mr. Hasan: So moved.
Mr. Fennoy: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: No.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis, Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
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The Clerk: Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yes.
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. B. Williams: Yes, ma’am.
Mr. Clarke votes No.
Ms. Davis, Mr. Frantom and Mr. M. Williams out.
Motion Passes 6-1.
Mr. Mayor: I do not believe there’s any additional business before us and it’s 6:30. I
believe the sun has gone down and it is absolutely late in the evening ---
Mr. Hasan: Hasan’s still here.
Mr. Mayor: --- I’m ready to go home.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, can I get a Point of Personal Privilege?
Mr. Mayor: Well, you can but ---
Mr. Fennoy: I’m going to make it short, I’m going to make it short.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay, go ahead, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, it seems like we can give everybody what they want, hand them
out money and raises except the Commissioners and somehow that just doesn’t seem right. That’s
89
all I want to say. If it was up to me I’d give the Commissioners $40,000 a year and the Mayor
$150,000 a year.
Mr. Garrett: I guess it’s a good thing we can’t give ourselves raises.
Mr. B. Williams: And the Mayor would donate his to buy a new Georgia Tech Football
Team.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
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
October 20, 2020.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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