HomeMy WebLinkAboutCalled Commission Meeting January 25, 2022
CALLED MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
January 25, 2022
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 25,
2022, the Honorable Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Johnson, Garrett, Mason, Frantom, B. Williams, Scott, McKnight, D.
Williams, Hasan and Clarke, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Brown.
1. LEGAL MEETING
A. Pending and potential litigation
B. Real estate
C. Personnel
Mr. Brown: Good morning, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners. We request a motion
to go into executive session for the discussion of real estate, personnel, pending and potential
litigation and economic development.
Mr. Johnson: So move.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: I’ve got a motion from the commissioner from the 1 and a second from the
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commissioner from the 6. Voting.
The Clerk: It appears Mr. Frantom and Mr. Mason are out.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, they’re strongly considering a change to the Charter. There
has been this loose conversation about compensation. They’re now talking about adding a vote
for the Mayor.
Mr. Garrett: Substitute motion.
The Clerk: That really is some loose conversation.
Mr. Brown: Order in this court.
Mr. Mayor: I’ll start that rumor right now.
Mr. Mason and Mr. Frantom out.
Motion carries 8-0.
\[EXECUTIVE SESSION\]
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2. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with
Georgia’s Open Meeting Act.
Mr. Mason: So move.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion from the commissioner from the 4 and a second from
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the commissioner from the 6, closed meeting affidavit.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: At this time the Chair recognizes the attorney for the reading of a motion.
Mr. Brown: We would like to request a motion, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, a
motion to approve a lease, the leasing of 425 Wood Street, Augusta, Georgia between CSRA
Humane Society Inc. and Augusta, Georgia on a month-to-month basis.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the commissioner from the 9.
Ms. Scott: So move.
Mr. B. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor: A motion and a second. Voting.
The Clerk: Is that Mr. Clarke?
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9, Ms. Scott, and then the Mayor Pro Tem.
The Clerk: Okay.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the attorney for the reading of a motion.
Mr. Brown: We request a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the settlement of
all claims by William Hurston in the aggregate amount of $75,000 payable as follows:
Michael G. Hostilo LLC on behalf of William Hurston. Further authorizing the
Administrator to disburse this amount of $75,000 waiving Augusta, Georgia Code of
Ordinances, sections in conflict for this instance only and for other purposes.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the commissioner from the 3 for a motion.
Mr. Hasan: So move.
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Ms. McKnight: Second.
The Clerk: We have Mr. Hasan and Ms. McKnight. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Voting.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the attorney for the reading of a motion.
Mr. Brown: We request a motion to authorize the Administrator to approve RPAs
with salary adjustments above 15% in connection with the retention increase program in the
Augusta Utilities and Augusta Engineering Departments within their respective FY2022
budgets.
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. B. Williams: So move.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Voting.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the attorney for the reading of a motion.
Mr. Brown: We request a motion to approve the adoption of a resolution authorizing
the settlement of all claims by The Augusta Press in the aggregate amount of $3500 payable
as follows: The Augusta Press and Hull Barrett PC as his attorney. Further authorizing the
Administrator to disburse the amount of $3500.00 waiving Augusta, Georgia Code of
Ordinances sections in conflict for this instance only and for other purposes.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes commissioner from the 6. State your inquiry.
Mr. Hasan: And I apologize, Mr. Mayor, and to the attorney as well. Did you state from
where the source of that is going to come from? Does that need to be done or was that done and I
missed it?
Mr. Brown: I believe the Administrator has already been instructed. In addition to that
motion those funds will be funded by the Richmond County Sheriff’s budget.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Voting.
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The Clerk: I need a motion.
Mr. Frantom: So move.
Ms. McKnight: Second.
The Clerk: That was Mr. Frantom and Ms. McKnight? Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes Attorney Brown for the reading of a motion.
The Clerk: Well, we need to vote. We’ve got to vote.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’m sorry. He keeps rushing me. Voting.
Motion carries 10-0.
The Clerk: I believe that’s it, Mr. Mayor. Is that it, Mr. Attorney?
Mr. Mayor: No, we have two more. The Chair recognizes Attorney Brown for the reading
of a motion.
Mr. Brown: Thank you, sir. We request a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing
the settlement of all claims by Justice Germany in the aggregate amount of $16,500 payable
as follows: to Michael Hostilo LLC on behalf of Justice Germany. Further authorizing the
Administrator to disburse the amount of $16,500 waiving Augusta, Georgia Code of
Ordinances sections in conflict for this instance only and for other purposes.
Mr. Hasan: So move.
Ms. Scott: Second.
Mr. Mayor: A motion and a second. Voting.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Administrator for the reading of a motion.
Mr. Donald: Yes. Motion to approve the commitment of $250,000 in SPLOST 7
funds for road improvements at Jimmy Dyess Parkway and Franklin Harper and Jimmy
Dyess and George Franklin intersections contingent upon the commitment of project ES to
invest at least $30 million including a grocer tenant. Further it is contingent upon rezoning
of the property to meet the needs of the proposed development.
Ms. Scott: Motion to approve.
Ms. McKnight: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: Voting. Everybody suspend. The Chair recognizes the commissioner from
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the 6. State your inquiry.
Mr. Hasan: I don’t know whether it’s appropriate or not. Just asking the question. Should
we be saying recaptured SPLOST 7 funds?
Mr. Donald: Adjust that to say funds from SPLOST 7 overages.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Voting.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: I believe, Attorney Brown, those are all that are before us at this time?
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, Madam Clerk, I think I heard resounding that we are ready for
committee meetings.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
Lena J. 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 Called Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on
January 25, 2022.
________________________
Clerk of Commission
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