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Home My WebLink AboutRegular Commission Meeting April 1, 2021 REGULAR MEETING VIRTUAL/TELECONFERENCE APRIL 1, 2021 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., April 1, 2021, the Hon. Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. B. Williams, Garrett, Sias, Johnson, Frantom, Scott, McKnight, D. Williams, Hasan and Clarke, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. The invocation was given by Commissioner Jordan Johnson. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: All right, good afternoon, everybody --- Mr. Hasan: Good afternoon. st Mr. Mayor: --- for the April 1 2:00 p.m. full commission meeting. I’ll call this meeting to order. The Chair recognizes Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Thank you. We will have our invocation shared with us by Commission Jordan Johnson after which Commissioner Catherine McKnight will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Would you please stand? Mr. Mayor: Thank you both. Madam Clerk? RECOGNITION(S) March 2021 Years of Service Recipients. A. Congratulations! March 2021 Years of Service Recipients. The Clerk: Yes, sir. I call your attention to the Recognition portion of our agenda. At this time we would like to offer our congratulations to our March 2021 Years of Service Recipients. Is Ms. Rookard available? Mr. Donald: Yes, she’s actually here in our office so if possible if we could move that back just a little bit because she’s coordinating something here in this office. I apologize for that. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ll come back to that. Madam Clerk? The Clerk: Okay, I call your attention --- Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, what we’ll do is we’ll come back to that portion after we take up the Consent Agenda, okay? DELEGATIONS B. Mr. Nelson Smith regarding blight in Sandhill. 1 The Clerk: --- okay, all right, very well. I call your attention to the Delegation portion of our agenda. Item B, Mr. Nelson Smith regarding blight in Sandhill. Mr. Smith: Hi, my name is Nelson Smith. I live at 2548 Wheeler Road. I had, we have been working in the community there in Sandhill and basically there is a vacant lot at 2503 Wheeler Road. We have tried to get the Code Enforcement to I guess take a position on that situation and we haven’t had any success. So the reason I, I have talked to some of the Commissioners but we really haven’t gotten, made any progress. So because I only have five minutes I’m not going to spend too much time on it but what I was hoping to do is get the Code Enforcement to take a position on that vacant lot because right now the condition that’s in is causing more blight. And because I have a commercial property nearby there that activity is destabilizing my investment. And so I’m just here to try to get some attention on that situation. Did you raise your hand? Mr. Mayor: All right, if you’ll continue I’m going to recognize you in just a moment. I just want to give you your five minutes. Mr. Smith: No, no, I’m good, that’s it. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, thank you. The Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir, did you say Wheeless Road or Wheeler Road? Mr. Mayor: 2503 Wheeler Road? Mr. Smith: Yes, sir. th. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, okay Wheeless is 5 I don’t know who is Wheeler. Mr. Smith: I might add that it’s a vacant lot that the owner lives in Atlanta and has basically given anybody and everybody permission to be on there and what it’s done it’s kind of confused the Sheriff’s Department and other city departments on how to approach that situation. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Mayor, sir, if you could give your information to I don’t know who you have there if no one else takes it up I’ll be out tomorrow to take a look at it. Mr. Smith: Okay, I really appreciate that. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith: Okay, thank you. Mr. Johnson: Mr. Mayor --- st Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Yes, sir, Commissioner from the 1. 2 Mr. Johnson: --- this, thank you, Mr. Mayor. This issue that Mr. Smith is bringing up is in my district is Sandhills. I have addressed this issue on a number of occasions. I think that it’ll be helpful if we got someone from Code Enforcement to maybe to come on to the Commission sometime at our next meeting just to address this issue. It’s the lot that former Country Club and Augusta National caddies pretty much just caucus that. It’s the actual spot where the Commission approved a monument in their honor to be erected. So this issue is, it’s a complicated issue but I would suggest that at our next Commission meeting that we have someone from Code Enforcement come and answer specific questions around this item so that we can put this behind us. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. All right so whatever, Mayor Pro Tem, that the st Commission from the 1 has already been working this issue and at our next committee meeting we’ll get an update and a time to move forward with whatever action the Commission is expecting at that time, okay? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Mr. Mayor: All right, fantastic. Thank you both. Madam Clerk. DELEGATIONS C. Mr. Robert W. Lee regarding support from Mayor Davis to musical message of hope. The Clerk: Our next delegation Item C, Mr. Robert W. Lee regarding support from Mayor Davis to his musical message of hope. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Lee? Ms. McFarley, is Mr. Lee there? Ms. McFarley: No, sir, he’s not. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, thank you. All right, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Our Consent Agenda consists of Items 1 through 5, Items 1 through 5. Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir, I want to pull 3. th Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner from the 8, you’re muted, sir. Mr. Garrett: I’m sorry, I’d like to add some items to the Consent. Mr. Mayor: All right, please go ahead. Mr. Garrett: I’d like to add Items 30, 31 --- 3 The Clerk: Just a moment sir, Items 30 --- Mr. Mayor: 31. Mr. Garrett: --- 32, 33, 35 and 36. th Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 10. Mr. Clarke: I would like to add Item 13 to Consent please. th Mr. Mayor: All right, going back to the Commissioner from the 8. Mr. Garrett: No, I’m good. I was just saying thank you. st Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, all right, Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Johnson: I’d like to consent Item 12, Items 6 and 7. The Clerk: 12, 6 and 7? Mr. Mayor: Yes. Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 7. st Mr. Frantom: I think the Commissioner from the 1 got them. Can we add 13 as well? Mr. Mayor: It’s already there. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke asked for 13. Mr. Frantom: Okay, thank you. th Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to add Item 20, 21 and 22. nd Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 2, you’re muted, sir. Commissioner from nd, the 2 unmute yourself. Mr. D. Williams: Sorry about that --- Mr. Mayor: No problem. Mr. D. Williams: --- I’d like to add Item 15 please. 4 Mr. Mayor: All right, Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I don’t know if anybody’s got a problem with the vehicles but I’m going to ask for 16, 17 and 18 as well as 19, Mr. Mayor. th Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: I want to add to Consent Item 14. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor or Commission Sias. Mr. Mayor: Hold on, Commissioner, hold on one second --- Mr. Hasan: (Unintelligible) I want to make a (inaudible) on 14. Mr. Mayor: --- hold on, hold on. Mr. Hasan: Okay. th, Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 4 are you complete? Mr. Sias: I was going to say I fear there’s an objection to 14? Mr. Mayor: Yeah, there is. Mr. Sias: All right, no problem and also 27 please, I’m sorry 28 not 27, 28. th Mr. Mayor: Okay, so under Administrative Services to the Commissioner from the 6 Item number 14 this happens annually. You may remember this where the individual items and the total exceeds versus the amount so it’s a standard fair item just as a reminder. All right, th Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I’ve got a Reginald Martin here. Is somebody familiar with him? Mr. Mayor: I’m not but I made a broad assumption which is always the lowest form of living that he’s standing in for Attorney Wayne Brown, that’s what I think. Mr. Hasan: Okay. Mr. Martin: Exactly. I’m standing in for General Counsel Mr. Brown. Mr. Hasan: Okay, thank you, Mr. Mayor no --- 5 Mr. Mayor: To your point, Commissioner Hasan, I think what that means is we’re going to give Attorney Brown an opportunity to introduce Mr. Martin to us and anyone else that we don’t know at this point. Mr. Hasan: And I apologize, Mr. Mayor and to my colleagues, are you waiting on Mr. Brown now or --- Mr. Mayor: No, again I’m going to recognize you if you’ll just give me a minute I know - -- Mr. Hasan: Go ahead. Mr. Mayor: --- all right, you have the floor. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item number 14 I apologize to my colleagues and I should have mentioned the first time but Procurement has made contact with (unintelligible) Number 14. There’s some information that needs to be corrected so actually pull it from the agenda. Mr. Mayor: Are we going to move forward with it today or are you sending it back to committee? Mr. Hasan: We send it back to committee. Mr. Mayor: Okay so let’s do that. We’re going to consent this back to the next full committee meeting. Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir and add #34 to the consent. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Mr. Frantom: Motion to approve all Consent Agenda items added. Mr. Garrett: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can we get a review? Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Okay, our Consent Agenda consists of Items 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 back to committee, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36. Mr. Johnson: Mr. Mayor --- st, Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1 state your inquiry. 6 Mr. Johnson: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to take Item 26 and refer it back to committee or to committee. Mr. Mayor: So we’ll add that to the Consent Agenda --- Mr. Johnson: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: --- referring it to committee. All right, voting. CONSENT AGENDA ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 1. Motion to approve holding a workshop in the next 30 days to discuss the draft of an Anti- Discrimination Ordinance prepared by the Law Department and to determine the path forward. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee March 9, 2021. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 2. Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Commission held on March 16, 2021. 4. Motion to approve the appointment of Kevin Rhodes to the General Aviation Commission-Daniel Field representing District 10. 5. Motion to approve the appointment of Alexandra Reynolds to the Tree Commission replacing roger Davis; Josh Keck appointed to the Historic Preservation Committee replacing Dave Barbee. Kigwana Cherry to the Augusta Library Board replacing Sue Pittman representing District 7. PUBLIC SERVICES 6. Motion to approve the 2021 Thanks Mom and Dad Innovative Program Grant for new senior programs at the Carrie J. Mays Family Life Center in the amount of $2,000. 7. Motion to approve the 2021 Thanks Mom and Dad Innovative Program Grant for new senior programs at the McDuffie Woods Community Center in the amount of $2,000. 12. Motion to approve Alcohol Ordinance request approval of amendments to the Augusta, Georgia Code, Title 6, Chapter 2, article 1, Alcoholic Beverages, to include licensing requirements and definition for Indoor Amusement and Recreational Gaming as a business type that is eligible for an Incidental Alcohol License. 13. Motion to approve the Daniel Field Airport receiving a 100% federal grant from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and approval of the mayor signing a resolution acknowledging the acceptance of said funding. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 14. Motion to approve due to purchases on the individual purchase orders will exceed $25,000.00 per order. The following annual bid items: Central Services Department – 21-006 Elevator Maintenance Agreement, Environmental Services Department – 21-129 Landscape Maintenance Services; Utilities Department 20-011 Chemicals and 21-055A Chemicals. 15. Motion to approve the donation of one 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle to Augusta University Police Department. 7 16. Motion to approve the purchase of two pickup trucks, at a total cost of $60,220, for Environmental Services (Bid #20-265). 17. Motion to approve the purchase of one SUV at a total cost of 427,381.00 to Akins Dodge Jeep Chrysler for the Richmond County Marshal’s Office (State Contract – SWC 99999- SPD-ES40199409). 18. Motion to approve the purchase of two SUV’s at a total cost of $90,718, to Griffin ford Sales, Inc dba Speedway Ford for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office (State Contract – SWC 99999-SPD-eS40199373-004). 19. Motion to approve bid Award construction contract to complete the Friedman Branch Library renovations, in the amount of$203,095, to Sommers Construction, LLC of Grovetown, GA (Bid #20-282) 20. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s) request for down payment subsidy assistance for one (1) single-family housing unit identified as 924 Boyd Lane. 21. Motion to approve HCD’s contract procedural process relative to authorization of Agreements/Contracts/HUD Forms related to HCD’s federally funded programs for calendar year 2021. 22. Motion to approve HCD’s Laney Walker/Bethlehem Revitalization Project contract procedural process relative to authorization of Agreements/Contracts/Task Orders, for calendar year 2021. PUBLIC SAFETY 26. Motion to approve assigning the honorary road name of Rev. Clyde Hill Way to Chestnut Street. FINANCE 28. Motion to approve the continue renewal of Augusta POL/EPL Insurance with Premium Quote for 2021 – 2022 POL/EPL coverage with J. Smith Lanier & Co. LLC, current broker, through insurance carrier RSUI for a premium of $65,830. ENGINEERING SERVICES 30. Motion to approve Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) Encroachment request to Place Catholic Protection System Anode Ground Bed in Augusta, GA Parcel as depicted on Exhibit A and B. Also authorized Augusta Mayor and Augusta Engineering Department to process and sign all associated documents with consultation of Augusta Legal Counsel. Requested by AED. 31. Motion to approve Task Order Three funding for Drainage System Assessment, Verification and Drainage Improvements Engineering Services Agreement to Constantine Engineering (Constantine) in the amount of $25,000.00 for Overton Road Drainage Subbasin as requested by AED. RFQ 19-148. 32. Motion to approve and authorize Augusta Engineering Department (AED) to submit, accept and receive Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Financial Assistance from GDOT FY 2021 LMIG SAP Program for GDOT selected Road Safety Improvements. Requested by AED. 33. Motion to determine that Spellman Lane as shown on the attached map has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that n substantial public purpose is served by it or that its 8 removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best public interest, pursuant to O.C.G.A. β32-7-2, with the abandoned property to be quit-claimed to the appropriate party(ies) as provided by law and an easement to be retained over the entire abandoned portion for existing or future utilities and as directed by Augusta Engineering Department and Augusta Utilities Department. Also, abandonment is contingent upon exiting storm sewer within abandoned portion ownership acceptance by the appropriate party(ies). Requested by AED. 34. Motion to approve Supplemental Agreement Three for the Constantine Engineering for Watershed Assessment & Inventory Project in the amount of $100,00.00 for the Phase 3 Storm System Inventory, Basin Analysis, and Data Review & Reconciliation as requested by AED. RFQ 13-149. 35. Motion to approve task Order five for the Phinizy Center for Watershed Assessment & Inventory Project in the amount of 470,000 for the continued watershed Geomorphic data collection and Monitoring System maintenance as requested by AED. RFQ 13-149. 36. Motion to approve supplemental funding (SA2) for Final Design Phase of the Design Consultant Services Agreement to CHA (formerly Wolverton & Associates, Inc.) in the amount of $25,997.40 for the Wrightsboro Road Improvements Project as requested by the AED. RFQ 19-238. The Clerk: I need a motion, oh we did have one from Mr. Frantom and Mr. Garrett? Mr. Mayor: We did but he amended it just then, Madam Clerk, he amended it. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Hasan: Ms. Bonner, I think 13 is on the agenda? Mr. Mayor: It is on the agenda. Mr. Hasan: Thank you. The Clerk: It’s on the Consent, yes, sir. Okay, are we voting now, sir? Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Frantom. Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Garrett. Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am. 9 The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. McKnight. Ms. McKnight: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams, out. The Clerk: Mr. D. Williams: Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am. Mr. B. Williams: I’m sorry, yes, ma’am. Motion Passes 10-0. \[Items 1, 2, 4-7, 12-22, 26, 28, 30-36\] Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to Item 2, I’m sorry, Item 3 rather Item 3. The Clerk: APPOINTMENTS 3. Motion to approve the appointment of Ross Trulock to the board of zoning Appeals and Sheri Brunkow – Public Facilities Board; ARC Tree Commission – Keith Henry; Augusta Canal Authority – Russ Gambill ARC Transit Citizens Advisory Board – Christine Lowery; Riverfront Development Board – Matt Murphy; ARC Planning Commission – George Locke McKnight; L.A. Green – HCD Citizens Advisory Board; Citizens Small Business Advisory Board – Colis Ivey representing District 3. Mr. Mayor: Okay Madam Clerk, Mayor Pro Tem, you’re recognized for this item. 10 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir. I just want to get straight to the point. Bishop Green was the District 5 person. In an attempt to kind of mix it up and get some new blood on that particular committee I submitted another name and asked that Bishop Green not be on there. Of course we rd had a conversation with the Commissioner from the 3 and he ended up back on here. I don’t rd, want to make an enemy out of this but I would like to make a motion, Commissioner from the 3 do you have another name that you could put in place with L.A. Green? Ms. McKnight: Mayor Pro Tem, I spoke yesterday with Ms. Bonner and we will go there with somebody, you know, whatever happens here today. We will do something about it on the next meeting agenda. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Okay, so I would like to make a motion to we approve everyone on this list with the exception of L.A. Green. That’s my motion. Mr. Clarke: Second. The Clerk: Was that Mr. Clarke? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Okay, that’s to approve Item #3 deleting Mr. L.A. Green. Mr. Mayor: That’s correct, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: We ready to vote, sir? Mr. Mayor: Voting. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes, ma’am. 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. Johnson. 11 Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. McKnight. Ms. McKnight: No, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: No, 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. Ms. McKnight and Ms. Scott vote No. Motion Passes 8-2. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk --- The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: --- we’ll go top to bottom. Is Ms. Rookard available to do the recognitions or are we going to --- Mr. Mayor: No, not yet. I’ll come back to it. That’s why I moved on, we’ll come back to it. The Clerk: Okay, we’ll go to the Public Services portion with our alcohol petitions. Ms. Kathy Jackson I believe is in the public foyer with Ms. McFarley. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Ms. Jackson: Good afternoon, Mayor, Commissioners and Administrator: PUBLIC SERVICES Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 21-09: request by Steven A. Brooks for a consumption on premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with First 12 Watch Daytime Café located at 630 Crane Creek Drive, Ste. 405. There will be Sunday Sales. District 7. Super District 10. Ms. Jackson: This application has been approved by Planning and Development, the Sheriff’s Department and there are no objections to the application. Mr. Mayor: Ms. Kathy, can you go ahead and read the next series, Number 9? The Clerk: Well, Mr. Mayor, we need the applicant to give their information for the record. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, if you’ll have them proceed like you are saying whereas she reads the caption and then have the person introduced and let’s go through all of them so we can vote on them in mass. The Clerk: Yes, sir, okay, go ahead, sir. Mr. Brooks: Good afternoon, my name is Steven A. Brooks. I reside at 1062 Clear Stream Drive, Charleston, SC 29414 The Clerk: Okay, Ms. Jackson, if we could have applicant Number 9. PUBLIC SERVICES 9. Motion to approve existing Location: A.N. 21-10: A request by Eric Kinlaw for a retail th package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with The Hive located at 215 10 Street. District 1. Super District 10. The Clerk: No objectors, ma’am? Ms. Jackson: I’m sorry, this application has been approved by Planning and Development and the Sheriff’s Department. There were no objections to the application. The Clerk: Okay, thank you. Mr. Speaker: My name is Eric Kinlaw. I reside at 404 Brookside Court, Augusta, GA 30904. The Clerk: And we need to make a correction on Item 9 that is District 9 opposed to 10. 10. Motion to approve New Ownership Locations: A.N. 21-11: request by Yusufali M. Lorgat for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Neighborhood 1 located at 2940 Inwood Drive. District 5. Super District. 9 Ms. Jackson: This application was approved by Planning and Development and the Sheriff’s Department. There were no objections to the application. 13 Mr. Lorgat: Good afternoon, my name is Yusufali Lorgat. I live at 31103 (unintelligible) Lawrenceville, GA 30044. 11. Motion to approve New Ownership: A.N. 21-12: request by Yusufali M. Lorgat for an on premise consumption Liquor, Ber & Wine License to be used in connection with Sport Bar & Grill located at 2015 Central Avenue. District 1. Super District 9. Ms. Jackson: This application has been approved by Planning and Development and the Sheriff’s Department. There were no objections to the application. Mr. Speaker: My name is Yusufali Lorgat. I live 31103 (unintelligible) Lawrenceville, GA 30044. Mr. Sias: Motion to approve 8 through 11. Mr. D. Williams: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We have a motion and a second. Are we okay to vote, Ms. Bonner? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right let’s vote. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes, ma’am. 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. Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. McKnight. Ms. McKnight: Yes, ma’am. 14 The Clerk: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: 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. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, where do you want to go from here, Ms. Bonner? The Clerk: We can go to Item Number 23. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Sounds like a winner. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 23. Update from the Augusta Homeless Taskforce Subcommittee. (Requested by Commission Jordan Johnson) Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, and to my colleagues this item was requested to be put on the agenda just for a simple update on appointments to this committee that the Commission formed. We have had the pleasure of working alongside the Sheriff’s Office to come up with strategies on how to best serve our homeless population and what we’ve come up with what we came up with was the understanding that members of the taskforce that we appointed, Commissioner Williams and I, also served on the taskforce that Chief Clayton headed up at the Sheriff’s Office. And so you know out of the vein of being efficient we wanted to make sure that we weren’t doubling working folks and asking them to do the same things. So Commission Williams and I have agreed with Chief Clayton to appoint the overlapping members or members who don’t overlap from the Sheriff’s Taskforce to be a part of the subcommittee that this body has appointed. And what we will provide to this body is a full list of members of that commission well that committee newly appointed members of that committee for your review. And so that’s the update that we were hoping to get out today and with that that’s all that I have, thank you. 15 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do we have any questions, any comments? All right where are we going from here, Ms. Bonner? Mr. Frantom: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Hang on a second, yes, sir. Mr. Frantom: --- did we talk about the Addendum Agenda? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We did, we did. The Clerk: We haven’t gotten there yet. Mr. Frantom: Okay, we did add it though, okay. The Clerk: No, we haven’t addressed it yet. Let me ask you are you going to receive Commissioner Johnson’s update without objection --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, ma’am, we’ll just take it as information --- The Clerk: --- without objection. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- without objection. Do we need to go ahead and add that Addendum Agenda, Ms. Bonner? The Clerk: You could do it now or when you get ready to address it, however. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ll go ahead and add it but we’ll keep going with 24 --- The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- so if that’s okay without objection add the Addendum Agenda, no problems, all right without objection. Let’s pick up, let’s pick up on 24, Ms. Bonner. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 24. Discuss the installation of signs on both north and south side of Jimmie Dyess Parkway between Wrightsboro Road and Gordon Hwy. to honor those who have served and serviced the Fort Gordon Military Base; also the possible honorary naming of the corridor. (Commissioners John Clarke and Catherine McKnight) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Clarke and I see the Mayor’s back, Commissioner Clarke. 16 Mr. Clarke: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Commissioner McKnight and I both have been contacted by several people representing the want and need to honor one of the largest employers and one of the largest service bases anywhere in the United States. And the only thing we’re asking for is just something that’s real simple, real plain, but it would honor all of the personnel past and present that has served at the military installation here in Augusta, GA. So we’re just asking for permission and approval to put two signs going into Fort Gordon, two signs on the side of the road coming out of Fort Gordon between Gordon Highway and Wrightsboro Road which is in District 3 Super District 10. And if it pleases everyone just simply on the signs it would have Fort Gordon Honors Way honoring all personnel past and present. I think that’s simple request, it would be a dedicated request to show our military personnel and the people that service that base exactly how much Augusta, GA and the citizens appreciate them. So I request and make a motion that that be granted. Ms. McKnight: Second. th Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Any other discussion? Commissioner from the 7. Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. My question is I guess for Ms. Bonner and the Administrator like in the past when we’ve done this what was the process of getting the sign approval from a design and everything when we’ve done this once before and does this meet like all the guidelines that the Commission approved before on the signage I guess? Mr. Donald: Ms. Bonner, would you like me to go first? The Clerk: Yes, you can go ahead. Mr. Donald: Yes, so we have looked at this and it does seem to follow at least the last two times that you’ve approved it which is why you know we allowed it to come forth. I met with the Directors nothing out of the ordinary has been provided related to this item so I believe it’s ready to go forth. But if there’s any apprehensions we have another Directors meeting that is coming up before the next Commission meeting I could always go back and look at it again and make sure we answer that question. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right --- Mr. Frantom: I think we just have a lot of discussion about renaming things and I just wanted to make sure whatever we have in processes you know we’re following it number one. And then as far as like the image and how we want it to look and feel where it’s kind of uniform across the city I guess is the other thing, thank you. Mr. Donald: Well, Commissioner, to that end I mean I think it’s a great question and it doesn’t seem to be time sensitive so I’d welcome and opportunity to go back and make sure that this one as well as any future ones fall under the same process so if you don’t mind we can move this one to the next Commission the next Commission meeting, I would leave it at the Commission level and then that way we could approve it and then report out if there are any differences. 17 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Frantom, do you have any other comments? Okay we got Commissioner Sammie Sias and then we’ve got Commissioner Johnson, the Mayor I’ll hand it rd back over to you. We’ve got the Commissioner from the 3 after Johnson. Mayor, I’ll hand it back over to you. Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I just want to say I don’t have anything against this idea however I would like to see it come back with the right design and what they are talking about before we approve it. I would like that this thing today will be the consent to move forward on it to have it come back for final approval when there’s a design or whatever we want to say what size the sign should be because we also have to realize that Jimmie Dyess Parkway is a state road so any sign that we want to put out there will also have to be approved by GDOT. So and I think the Administrator’s probably aware of that so it’s not quite as simple as us saying let’s do this but also we have to go through the GDOT process as well. So I think this today should be a consent to move forward with the idea and then get those things straight and come back for final approval. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I want to start by saying this is a great idea coming from a family that you know have plenty members of the military former and current I think it’s a great idea especially you in the City of Augusta that’s known for our Fort Gordon. But thrd I have a question for my colleague from the 10 or the 3 or anyone who maybe can answer. Do we have a cost estimate as to how much this will cost us to do? Mr. Clarke: Not at this time. That’s the reason why it would be to go forward. Mr. Johnson: All right, thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay --- The Clerk: Mr. Donald had his hand up. rd Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Commissioner from the 3. Ms. McKnight: So I say so what we’re saying is that we will come back next meeting trying to get a price up and a some kind of sketch. Is that what we’re going to do? The Clerk: The Administrator --- Ms. McKnight: Yes. The Clerk: --- I think he’s asking to add to his first comments regarding this project. Mr. Donald: Yes, I think what I’m saying is is that we looked at it and maybe I wasn’t clear but I think Commissioner Sias he hit the nail on the head. What we’re trying to say is the process is kind of undefined and so if you’re just asking for consent and there’s no cost yet, no design, he’s saying put those steps consensus and then put those steps in because that’s kind of 18 what you’ve done in the past. You’ve approved it to where folks can look at the signage, the cost, the design, and then you’re approving one thing at one time. It’s sounds like everybody’s saying that but you haven’t defined is that your motion on how to move forward. The Clerk: With GDOT getting approval. Mr. Donald: Correct, yes, but they would have to approve it before you give final approval that’s right. But they all seem to be saying the same thing just parts of it. Different people are saying parts --- The Clerk: Yes. Mr. Donald: --- I think Commissioner Sias said the whole process at one time. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Excuse me, hang on a second. Go ahead, Commissioner Clarke. Commissioner Clarke, go ahead. Mr. Clarke: Thank you, sir. Commissioner Sias --- Mr. Sias: Yeah --- Mr. Clarke: --- would you please state the proper substitute motion? Mr. Sias: --- I was about to do that as soon as I can recognized. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: (Unintelligible) with this. Thank you, sir, I appreciate it. Commissioner Sias, go ahead. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I’m going to make a substitute motion. I move that we approve consent to move forward to evaluate this idea, get the cost estimates, design and also request GDOT approval to establish those four signs along Jimmie Dyess Parkway honoring Fort Gordon and those who have served. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Second, anybody? Ms. Scott: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, any other discussion --- The Clerk: Was that Ms. Scott? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- yeah, Ms. Scott, any other discussion? All right we’re voting, Ms. Bonner. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. 19 Mr. Clarke: Yes,, ma’am. 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. Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. McKnight. Ms. McKnight: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: 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. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Sias: Mayor Pro Tem --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir. Mr. Sias: --- (unintelligible) --- Mayor, are you back on? 20 Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’m back on. Let me mention something before we go too far and this st is relevant to the debate you just had. The Commissioner from the 1 he moved Item 26 back to committee during the consent process and yet we have Item 25 which could be next. To your point th to the Commissioner from the 4 you raised excellent points about how to move with 24 but Item #25 could very well have addressed all of that from a best practices standpoint and laid out the foundation for how you move forward with any road names and addressing so I just want to highlight that. Mr. Sias: But I’m not talking about 25, Mayor. Mr. Mayor: You’re not comfortable with 25? Mr. Sias: No, sir, not at this point. Mr. Mayor: Okay, well then we absolutely won’t be waiving the second reading then. All right, Mayor Pro Tem, go ahead, sir, state your inquiry. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, I was going to ask 25 didn’t go through committee either did it, it didn’t go through committee? The Clerk: No, sir --- Mr. Mayor: I can’t speak to that. The Clerk: --- no, sir, it hasn’t gone through committee yet. Mr. Hasan: Are we through with 24 yet? The Clerk: No. Mr. Mayor: You just voted on that. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We just voted on 24. The Clerk: I haven’t, I haven’t, okay, we voted on it but we never gave the official recording of the vote. Mr. Mayor: Okay, you’re recognized. Proceed with that, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Item #24 a substitute motion carries unanimously. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, all right so we’re jumping to 25 so can I make a motion that we sent this back to committee, Mr. Mayor? PUBLIC SAFETY 21 25. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend Title 8, chapter 5, Article 2 of the Augusta, Georgia code entitled “Road Naming and Addressing” to improve clarity and conformance with best practices, and to waive the second reading. Mr. Mayor: Second. Mr. Garrett: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ll send 25 to committee. Mr. Hasan: I’d like to make a substitute motion, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You don’t even have a second on the regular motion yet, sir. The Clerk: Mr. Garrett did, but. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, go ahead if he’s got a motion go ahead. th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 6 you’re recognized now. Mr. Hasan: I make a motion to deny, to deny 25. Mr. Sias: Second. The Clerk: Who was that, Mr. Sias? th Mr. Mayor: No, the Commissioner from the 8 has already seconded the previous motion so. The Clerk: This is a substitute motion. I’m waiting on the second for the substitute. I was in a rush, I had several. Mr. Garrett: It was Commissioner Sias. The Clerk: Sias, yes, I thought so. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, we’ve got a substitute motion with a proper second that is to deny Number 25, voting. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Frantom. Mr. Frantom: Yes. 22 The Clerk: Mr. Garrett, Mr. Garrett? Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. McKnight. Ms. McKnight: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: 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. Motion Passes 10-0. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4 for an inquiry, state your inquiry. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I have on Agenda Item #2 I would ask if we could go to that. I’ve asked our Metro Chamber of Commerce Director to be on standby to make some comments. I would request if you’ll consider we could go to that item please, sir, trying to say that as nice as I can. Mr. Garrett: We saw the struggle. 23 th Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, the Commissioner from the 4 requested Item #2 from the Addendum Agenda Other Business. We have Ms. Parr in the, in the room. The Clerk: Okay, would you like me to read the caption or okay Mr. Sias. Mr. Mayor: No, I’ll let you read the caption. The Clerk: ADDENDUM 39. Discuss and thank the citizens of Augusta-Richmond County for their trust and support in passing SPLOST 8. Comments from Ms. Sue Parr, President/CEO, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. (Inadvertently omitted from the agenda) (Requested by Commissioner Sammie Sias. th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you sir I have some comments I want to make but I want to start that out with a with our business community one of the advocates in our Chamber of Commerce Ms. Sue Parr President and CEO I would like to hear her comments about SPLOST 8 and her comments to the citizens of Augusta if we would, sir. Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes President Parr from the Metro Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Parr: Thank you, Mayor Davis and members of the Commission and Administrator Donald. It’s a pleasure to be with you here today to offer a few comments regarding the recent passage of SPLOST 8. As I shared with many of you and I’ll be very brief because I know you still have some agenda items ahead of you. Just want to really take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your leadership in developing a list of projects that really resonated with the voters. As we were out there educating the community, we found that we were able to really highlight a lot of great projects. You know I don’t know that many people understand that there was over 900 million dollars’ worth of requests and of course we all wish we had 900 million dollars to meet all of those needs but it was your responsibility to cull these projects down to a manageable number and that we could fund over five years so again we just want to take the opportunity to thank you for that. You know there was 45 projects funded. While we were out talking with the business community and voters we emphasized the fact that we felt that it struck a really good balance between what we refer to as sort of the meat and potatoes of SPLOST programs because they address infrastructure such as drainage, road surfacing, public safety. But there was also a really significant nod towards those projects that will continue our future economic growth particularly investments that you made in the James Brown Arena and a lot of our recreational opportunities throughout the county. And of course just the list of the 45 projects really touching so many citizens throughout our county. I also want to mention there were other organizations beyond the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce that went back to their stakeholders and their volunteer board members to really look at this list and add their voice along with our voice in terms of advocating for the passage of this referendum. They included the Augusta Economic Development Authority, the Downtown Development Authority, Augusta 24 Tomorrow as well as the Augusta Sports Council so it was not just the Chamber. There was definitely a team effort out there. Of course with all of you and a great partnership to make sure that our voters had good education on what these projects were going to do. You know I also want to mention just in closing that you know it’s never too early to start thinking about SPLOST 9. You know I think it’s great that we can celebrate right now and the with the 72 almost 72% voter approval that we received on a referendum but as we were out there talking with voters and the business community you know their thoughts are already going towards what’s going to be in the next package. And there was a large gap you know over 700 million dollars’ worth of projects that weren’t funded I know your department heads put a lot of time and thought and energy into developing some of those ideas. So again we would just urge that it’s never too early and you know hopefully that can lead to an even better package and even more money when we do this again in five years. You know the whole idea behind SPLOST is that it does feed on itself. Those investments create greater economic impact especially when these investments are being made by nearly 50% of residents who don’t even live here in this community. So in order to keep these investments going and maximize their value today we want to be sure that we’re looking at tomorrow’s investments and how we can maximize that benefit. So with that, Commissioner Sias, thank you very much for the invitation to attend your meeting today and again thank you all of you for your support for again your leadership in developing a list that resonated with voters and we are very happy that we have a partnership between the business community and municipal government. It is very, very important that we have that to make sure that our community moves forward in the best fashion, so thank you again. Mr. Sias: Mayor, may I continue? Mr. Mayor: Please do. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir and again, Ms. Parr, I want to thank you for your great work and your organization and all the other businesses that are part of this program in working with the leadership of the city. But I want to say an addition. I think starting with the January 2015 under the present and extending membership of other Commissioners the citizens of Augusta has entrusted us, have given us great trust in dealing with the finances of this city. For an example we’ve had SPLOST 7 which was 200 about 220 million dollars or so. We also got SPLOST 8 passed. We also got the second TIA passed and we’re still working from the first TIA now we have the second TIA on the way. We’re still finishing up SPLOST 7 and we have SPLOST 8 approved. We have the Sanitary Sewer Connection Program and we have the Storm Water Program. And I say all that to say this. Our citizens with the great trust we have we have everything now we need to make this city a fabulous place and a great place for folks to live, work and play. So I challenge my colleagues, the Mayor included, all of us, the new Administrator and staff of Augusta to let’s take these resources that that the citizens have entrusted us with and do the absolute best we can for the City of Augusta. We have the resources now there’s no excuse not to get this stuff done and show the public that their confidence is well placed in us to include this new arena. There was a lot that went on on that but when we settled down we found a place for the arena. So I just want to challenge my colleagues again and thank the public for the great trust they put in us to handle the finances and resources for this city. Thank you, sir. Mr. Mayor: Thank you again, thank you both. 25 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Mayor Pro Tem, you’re recognized. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- did he help Hasan? Mr. Mayor: Yeah, we’re working on it right now. All right, thank you. Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to Item #1 on the Addendum Agenda and then we’ll come to #3 on the Addendum Agenda. The Clerk: Yes, sir we’re at 27 then --- Mr. Mayor: Item #1 Addendum Agenda Madam Clerk and then Item 3 Addendum Agenda. The Clerk: Okay. The Clerk: ADDENDUM 38. Motion to authorize the development of a blight ordinance for the purpose of defining blighted properties and manage blight mitigation providing Augusta-Richmond County the ability to purchase, remediate, and/or dispose of blighted properties. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Williams) Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir, thank you. Mr. Mayor, we voted last year sometime to create a blight ordinance. Our Administrator, Mr. Donald, came on and he brought like you know some like ordinances in Savannah, Macon and South Fulton so we have something to take a look at. But what we’re trying to do is trying to put some teeth in our blight ordinances and with what we have I think we have exactly what we need. The ordinances we’re trying to write some of them go out and take a look at the property they would determine whether or not it’s blighted, they’ll put them on a list, they’ll give them an opportunity to clean it out if not then we’ll tax them. I’m not sure exactly once we rented, some places tax them up to seven times whatever their taxation is at this point in time. And then if they still don’t do what their supposed to do then we can take the property and then we can sell it. I looked back at Macon, Georgia. I think three or four months ago they sold about 200 properties starting at $400 dollars and what we want to do is get the properties in the hands of people who would go out and take care of them. It’s not necessarily to make a whole lot of money. But what we’re also doing is that this particular blight ordinance has what you call a revolving loan and so with that revolving loan the city taxes are $1,000 dollars and we add some taxes on to it. Anything above that $1,000 would go into the revolving loan. And any time we sell a home it would go into the revolving loan and that would give us more money to tear down blighted properties and homes that need to be torn down. Administrator Donald, do you have anything to add to that? 26 Mr. Donald: No, you got it, sir. I think the key is that the Commission authorized the Mayor Pro Tem to go back, do the research and look at various opportunities. The three that we looked at the closest although we did look at some others were the ones (inaudible) and a small group that included all of the stakeholders. He did include staff and others who would be impacted and what we came up with is the Macon model as the key but using components the best parts of the other ordinances to create what would be Augusta’s ordinance. So if given the approval the Mayor Pro Tem would then work with Legal and those other stakeholders to bring back a draft for the Commission to approve in two weeks. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Let me say this, let me say this. What they’re doing now as far as tearing down houses or whatever that’s fine but what this seeks to do is, is to make sure that we have someone not taking care of their property for example we’ve got somebody in California who owns some land and they’ve got, maybe they have people in the house, they may not have people in the house but they have blighted property. Our aim here is to make sure we have teeth in this situation where we can go in, look at people, look at properties and eventually if they don’t do what they’re supposed to do we can take the property away from them get it in the hands of people who will take care of it. Mr. Mayor: Mayor Pro Tem, will you entertain a motion to adopt a draft and bring it back in 14 days? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ll make that motion, yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Okay, now’s a good time. Mr. Sias: Isn’t that a little quick? Mr. Mayor: No, no, we’ve been talking about the problem’s two years. The first time the Mayor Pro Tem when you came on board initially we talked about it, we looked specifically at Macon and even previous staff was no longer here they shared data an input at that time and so 14 days is certainly sufficient enough using the model that they already have to bring a draft back to us. Mr. Sias: Can we do thirty? Mr. Mayor: Well, you can do whatever you vote on but 14 days is certainly sufficient. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Let’s do thirty so we’ll be okay, Mr. Mayor, so I amend my motion to do it in thirty. Ms. McKnight: Second. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 10. 27 Mr. Clarke: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, just two quick questions. Will this ordinance include a number of properties that one buyer may purchase and will it also include a number as to how long they have to start improving the properties once they purchase them? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Donald? Mr. Donald: So those types of actions are included. Some of those things, not all of it. I think when you look at the other examples in the other cities you don’t necessarily limit that because that’s post acquisition or post penalty and so that’s more on the procedural side. So I don’t think you would do that. I think you would basically just order us as a Commission as we work on the procedures on how we offset the properties or offload the properties you give us direction separately. It would not be within the blight ordinance the original blight ordinance itself. Mr. Clarke: Okay, thank you. Ms. Scott: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, I --- th, Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, Commissioner from the 10 are you done? Mr. Clarke: Yes, sir, I am, thank you. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9, Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have a question about the Laney Walker Bethlehem Center area and are those areas of historic significance going to be protected or are you going to address it in this ordinance? Mr. Donald: May I answer that, Mayor Pro Tem? I’m sorry, I didn’t want to jump right in. Mr. Mayor: You may answer that, Administrator Donald. Mr. Donald: Yes so that’s, yes, ma’am, and I know you were one of the main folks who were involved in starting to create that and that was one of the concerns and so, yes, ma’am, it would be within the actual blight ordinance. I’ve sent that small group the, what do you call it, the concerns that you had. We sent those out through the Tax Commissioner, the Tax Assessor, the Code Enforcement, Legal and so they have all of those things and those concerns would be included in the draft that Legal creates. Ms. Scott: Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can I make a comment, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: State your inquiry. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, and I just want to let everybody know when you look at certain properties whether it’s dilapidated, whether it’s in what you call the poor part of town or what have 28 you there’s no telling who owns this land and they buy it and they hold on to it. They don’t clean it up, they don’t make it look good and what we’re looking to do with this is we want people to go take a look at it and say hey, that’s blighted and we need to do something with this. Then we start to tax them. They still don’t do what they’re supposed to. We’re going to take it and we’re going to sell it to somebody who’s going to take care of it. st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You know to keep from singing the chorus over and over I just want to just briefly say thank you to this body for and especially to Commissioner Williams, Bobby Williams, Mayor Pro Tem Williams for you know having the, for caring enough about this issue. You know if you go into District 1 in any direction you see blight. I can get you on a bus and take you on a tour of the district and you will see you can see real time blight up close and personal so this is really transformative. It has the potential to transform our community and to really show the community that we care about this issue. So again I just want to like I said just to keep from singing this song over and over I want to just publicly thank my colleagues for caring enough especially for to sponsor this Commissioner Williams for caring enough to move the ball forward on something that we can tackle or trying to tackle for quite some time so kudos to the Commission and I look forward to seeing this to its fruition. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Voting, Madam Clerk, you’re muted. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes, ma’am. 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. Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. McKnight. Ms. McKnight: Yes, ma’am. 29 The Clerk: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: 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. Marion, I’m sorry, Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: That would be a compliment. Tomorrow’s Good Friday so we’re going to keep it at that. Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, are we back on the Regular Agenda or are we --- Mr. Mayor: Item #3 Madam Clerk. The Clerk: --- under the Addendum Agenda? Mr. Mayor: Yes. The Clerk: ADDENDUM 40. Discuss James Brown Birthday Block Party. (Requested by Commissioner Jordan Johnson) st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and to my colleagues we are, I’m really excited about bringing this before the body. Normally this would go through the committee cycle to have some details fleshed out and certainly we can still talk about how to get to that point. But because time is of the essence, I want to just give a little bit of backstory and pass off the floor to Coco Rubio who’s over in the Chambers to speak on this item. We have an opportunity to honor the Godfather of Soul in Augusta and not just honor just the Godfather of Soul we have an opportunity to do it in a way that really would make him proud, make his family proud, that would get people into downtown Augusta. We are coming off of the heels of one of the worst public health crisis in the history of this nation. We’re not out of the woods altogether but our downtown took a hit and we 30 want to get more people in the downtown, we want to get more folks into the businesses in downtown Augusta especially on the Ninth Street corridor where you have quite a few businesses that just recently opened and we want to do it in a safe and effective way. But again because time is of the essence the Godfather of Soul’s birthday is coming up rather quickly and because we don’t have a meeting up next I would like for my colleagues to consider action on this item today. But I will pass over the floor to Coco Rubio who is in the Chamber to speak more to this item if I can, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: All right so let’s pause for just a moment we’re going to give the th Commissioner from the 6 an opportunity to --- Mr. Speaker: (Unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: --- all right, very good. All right, I think he’s all set. All right, the Chair recognizes Coco Rubio to speak to the matter. Mr. Rubio: Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners and Ms. Bonner. Thank you for adding me; I know it was last minute. My name is Coco Rubio, 755 McClure Drive, Augusta, Georgia 30909 and I’m here to ask the city to consider my proposal to honor James Brown on his birthday weekend by allowing me to block off half a block of James Brown Boulevard between Broad Street and Jones Street similar to the way it was blocked off with a mural dedication back in October. And this is so that we can have the first ever James Brown Birthday Block Party. Some of my ideas for this would be to, you know I was really inspired by the mural dedication and the public artwork that is on that wall now and that would be a good way to highlight that and to highlight Ninth Street on like Commissioner Johnson mentioned that we have some new businesses there like La Visa which just recently opened up, Mediterranean Grill and also Vance’s Bakery Bar which is right behind it. And there’s also the new bike rental place opened up on Ninth Street. I just see that block it’s kind of you know those businesses have moved to downtown Augusta and really haven’t been able to experience you know some downtown activities so this would be a good way to do that. Taking pictures in front of the mural I’ve talked to the artist who did the mural and he would screen a little documentary on the making of the mural and that’s something we would like to let people kind of see how the mural was done. Various local DJ’s we would have a little sound system there and some DJ’s playing music by James Brown and music inspired by James Brown. We would also have some, I’ve talked to local artists many of them who’ve been involved with new public art in downtown Augusta would be doing some like a popup art exhibit again probably James Brown influenced just to have on that block so the public can come through, they can hear some good music, they can see some art, they can see the mural and just kind of a little sense of community that I think is needed right now. Pushing also the public art that’s throughout downtown, something that happened during the pandemic which I think is really awesome. Also the James Brown walk that the CVB has been involved with and just kind of a way to remember Mr. Brown on his birthday weekend and we weren’t able to do anything last year of course and making the time is right to consider doing this, and that’s really my plan. st Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 1 and Coco, I think it’s important for us to acknowledge that you brought this matter before the Commission for discussion purposes and 31 th there’s certainly a series of hands. Commissioner from the 7 wants to say something, th Commissioner from the 4 wants to say something. But might I suggest the following in light of the work that’s been being done already. You have a Downtown Events Task Force that’s already in place that’s working through how we manage these types of events and functions to include the discussion around Saturday Market. Those things are all being marshalled or shepherded through that very important task force especially in light of where we are as we continue to navigate our way through this global pandemic and how we best do events. So I just want to just highlight that and suggest that’s probably a very good landing place to try to marshal this forward, Commissioner st, from the 1 so you’ve got a group that’s actively working on how best to put these types of events on and do it safely and raise that bar. So let me do this. I’m going to come back to you stthth Commissioner from the 1 to speak to the close of this matter. I’m going to the 7 and then the 4 in that order. Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and I’m kind of going where you just spoke just to inform the Commission that there was an event that was going to happen where they were going to block off the street in the same area, the shared space in Masters Week and the Sheriff’s Department denied it when the City approved it because of lack of being Masters Week the lack of work and because of COVID. I was wondering my question was kind of can we get an update from the committee, does the Administrator or anybody know where the committee is because lots of people are asking about having events at The Common and I think we’ve got to have that discussion. And then another comment would be basically the Commission can approve but the Sheriff’s Department can deny. I mean that creates a tough situation in the community if that’s the way it is. I fully support this and Coco’s doing an amazing job in our community promoting this event but I would hate for the city to promote it and say yay and the Sheriff’s Department say no. Like it feels like some of the things that we’ve tried to promote, the sidewalk ordinance we promoted, the Sheriff said no so I think we’ve got to get on a better foot with the Sheriff’s Department in this community to open up this community more in a safe way obviously. So I’d ask is there a way to know what the update is from the committee whether --- Mr. Mayor: Well, let me, before the Administrator speaks let me just pointedly say that again as it relates to sidewalks, streets those aren’t the purview of the Commission. I don’t want us to get confused about that. The Sheriff’s agency is a partner in terms of providing law enforcement. He is in fact the Chief Law Enforcement Officer but streets, sidewalks and these activities are on the purview of the Augusta Commission so there cannot be any “unilateral saying we can’t do something or can do it” so I want to unequivocally state that and we’ll address that as we move forward. All right, Administrator Donald. Mr. Donald: Yes, so, Mayor, I think you were correct because that’s the comment I was going to make is that the Commission does make that decision but to Commissioner Frantom’s point is that there are the Sheriff does have to provide support for us which we also cannot direct him to do. That’s the challenge that the committee has identified. And Director McDowell is actually from a staff side kind of chairing that Task Force and he’s in the waiting room and so if he could be let in, Commissioner, he can give you that update that you may need. I’ll tell you that they’re about a week away or I guess the next Commission meeting away from being able to give an update on those initial findings and recommendations, but he may be able to provide some insight now if you don’t want to wait until that time. 32 Mr. Frantom: I think it’s important just because we’ve got to get this all moving and again I’d hate for us to agree to it and the Sheriff’s Department comes back and tell them we can’t have it if we don’t have the (unintelligible) over where we’re at and what’s going on. Mr. Donald: And I do think that they are refusing to provide, I don’t want to say refusing but I don’t believe that they’re providing that service right now based on COVID but Mr. Director McDowell I know you are in, I believe they’d let you in. Do you have any additional comments and insight related to the Task Force’s work and when that recommendation is coming forth? Mr. McDowell: Yes, sir, Mr. Administrator. That Task Force met again this morning. They’re finalizing some recommendations that we’ll have back to the Administrator’s Office. th Originally we were trying to get some recommendations by April the 16 just in lieu of the Masters Week as well. But also now that the Governor has hinted that he’s going to loosen restrictions that Task Force had to pivot in some areas so but I still anticipate them having a recommendation back th to the body by the 16 of April as it relates to opening up our downtown and our special events. As you are well aware, Mr. Administrator, we’ve had the Saturday Market for a couple of Saturdays now so that gave us a great opportunity to have an event that we can kind of look at to do’s and don’ts from so we have some good data and information on how best to move forward with this but also we want to be cognitive of the fact of what the Governor, what we anticipate the Governor doing and how that also impacts that whole plan that the Task Force will be bringing back before the body. Mr. Donald: That’s what I thought and Commissioner Frantom I will tell you at that April th 16 the goal is not to just come with recommendations or whatnot but his recommendations on how we can open safely basically, how can we have these are the three to five steps to have public events safely. And it would be very simple for the Commission at that time to approve or if you do not believe we’re ready to deny. Mr. Frantom: And I appreciate that. I just think that again other municipalities are opening up in safe ways as well as there are CDC guidelines of how you have to have these events. If the promoter is implementing them then we shouldn’t be a deterrent. We should be open and try to bring things back down as Commissioner Johnson mentioned so, thank you. Mr. Donald: I fully agree. Mr. Mayor: (Inaudible) members of the Commission I want to unequivocally say a few things. The message is clear for us in the City of Augusta and that is we have a responsibility to provide for the health, welfare and safety of all of our citizens. Just two nights ago we had one of our US Senators here who talked about the importance of even in light of supply being made available and us vaccinating more people in the US and certainly here in Augusta-Richmond County, we have to continue to do the three ‘W’s’: wear a mask, watch our distance and at the same time continue to wash our hands while encouraging everybody that we know to go and get vaccinated. We cannot lose sight of this. The Governor as we understand it right now is self- quarantined because he after getting his Johnson and Johnson shot came in close contact with someone who was positive with COVID. COVID is still real. Just on Monday of this week we 33 had an uptick in cases I don’t want any of us to lose sight of that. We’re doing those things, we’re taking appropriate precautions. Even in light of the Governor hinting around the notion of opening the State of Georgia back up we are in Augusta and we’re still hovering around a little under a 5% positivity rate. And so as we’re thoughtful in the approach that the Task Force is taking it is with an expectation as Administrator Donald said that when they come back, this is not just a document that says well here is the recommendation but these are recommendations that are implementable and these are the things that will be expected of any groups social or otherwise who will stand up events whether it be on The Commons, whether it be in other public spaces that they will have to comport with those things if we’re going to successfully and safely have events that are “large gatherings” in our city sans us having events that turn into super spreader events. And I’m going to say that until I’m blue in the face and it won’t be because of the virus. I’m going to the thth Commissioner from the 4 and then the 8 and then we’re going to make our way back around to rdth the 3, okay Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. The questions and comments that I had have all about 99% been st answered. I just wanted to say to my colleague from the 1 and I appreciate making a note of what you considered the urgency of this matter because as it broke away from the committee protocol I just wanted to say thank you for that for notifying of the reason why it was that urgent and I think you stood up for that. We as a Commission must not allow any agency or anyone to hamstring this city when it comes to what we intend to do or need to do for our citizens. So I think we just need to always be cognizant of outside agencies but as the Mayor stated very eloquently those final decisions are made with this Commission. Thank you. th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 8, thank you, sir. Mr. Garrett: Thank you, Mayor. You know in regards to this conversation and the sense of urgency to hopefully have this event take place you know I guess one of the questions I want to ask is you know I see flyers out there where at even our own parks we’re having a voter registration drive tomorrow, it’s an outside event, it’s taking place you know socially distanced all the precautions put in place. I’m just trying to understand why we couldn’t proceed with this outdoor event as well and you just to make sure that everybody goes with the same W W W guidelines that the Mayor talked about. So in that conversation you know we’re comparing something happening on tomorrow I make a motion that we approve to allow this event to take place. Mr. Johnson: I second that motion. Mr. Mayor: All right, I didn’t hear a proper second so that motion fails. Mr. Johnson: No, sir. The Clerk: Mr. Johnson (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: All right, I didn’t hear that. All right, who was that? The Clerk: Mr. Johnson. 34 Mr. Mayor: All right, very well, all right, everybody just suspend. I’m going to the rd Commissioner from the 3. Ms. McKnight: Mr. Mayor, I was trying just to get ya’ll’s attention I was trying to get Commissioner Scott back in but I see she’s in so that’s what I was trying to get everybody’s attention to try to get her in. Mr. Mayor: Thank you very much. We didn’t realize that. Okay all right, I’m going to stst go back down to the Commissioner from the 1, Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I believe if we could Mr. Rubio had his hand up. Mr. Mayor: All right, all right, Coco, if you can. Mr. Rubio: I just wanted to let ya’ll know a little bit more in depth about what I’ve been doing with this. I did meet with Yolanda a couple of weeks ago and I was going to meet with Mr. McDowell who I haven’t had the privilege to meet yet, he wasn’t able to attend the meeting. And I talked to Yolanda about COVID and about the Saturday Market and how the Saturday Market is opening up and how they’re doing it. And I was given a copy of their protocol and it would be something that would be done on this block to make sure there’s signage, make sure there’s hand sanitation, social distancing. And also as far as security I talked to Walter Ashley about having two officers on site, one at each entrance point coming from Reynolds Street and from Broad Street. So I have been you know very aware of that and I’m trying to just want to let you all know that this is not just like a random thing and I’m not concerned about of COVID. I haven’t been working really in a year and you know just trying to find the right time to kind of ease back into it. And so you know I’m just you know very aware of that and do not want to come up like I’m trying to do something halfway. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, all right, so we’ll do a couple things. We’ve got a motion and a second that will certainly require additional discussion. We’ve a motion and a second to approve. I want to state for the record that the City of Augusta did not approve a voter registration drive. It did not come through Parks and Rec and as it were flyers can float around town and people can say I’m going to go to Diamond Lakes, I’m going to go to Pendleton King Park and they can do that. These are public spaces and public facilities and that happens all the time. So I don’t want us to lay at the feet of our organization that somebody’s having an event and it came through this organization because it did not. On the other side of this I think it’s prudent for us as we move forward that as we’re having this ramp up of requests and the desire to move back to some sense of normalcy in our city that it’s probably prudent, Administrator Donald, we certainly can talk about this offline but now it’s high time for us when we’re having these requests that they come through our event planning team whatever that looks like without question because these are traditionally public spaces that Recs and Parks has some purveyor responsibility for. But to the degree that we stand up the appropriate stakeholders in that event planning meeting and be a part of that team we can address as well as what support we need from our law enforcement agency(s) and address all of those things at one time as opposed to unilateral decisions being made. We are all battled and are continuing to battle through this COVID pandemic, and we will be for the foreseeable future and as such we want to work collectively and collaboratively together as a city 35 to include our partners and our stakeholder agencies to understand those broader concerns but not be again out of place in making unilateral decisions about what can or can’t happen and ultimately the Commission is held responsible for not being able to move the city forward. And so with that I’m going to go the Mayor Pro Tem for a final comment, Madam Clerk, and then we’ll vote on this matter. The Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. What I would like to do is caution the Commission because we are, if we do vote to approve this we are sanctioning an outside event that’s sure to bring together a lot of people. Well, we’ve got three school three teams Josie and Cross Creek that won the state championship and they want to have an outside parade so if we approve one and I’ll end my comment there, thank you. Mr. Mayor: I could not agree with you more. That’s the reason why we didn’t have a St. Patrick’s Day Parade as well. And again I think we’re in favor of it but in our haste let’s just make st, sure that all of these things are in place, Commissioner from the 1 and as we have a motion maybe that motion appropriately amended by contingent upon having all of the safety protocols measures in place before actually conducting the event. Mr. Johnson: I didn’t make the motion. Commissioner Garrett made the motion so he would have to agree to those terms. Mr. Garrett: I think we should vote and see where everybody stands. Mr. Mayor: Voting. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I want to make a substitute motion. Mr. Mayor: Voting. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Voting. Mr. Hasan: --- (inaudible) substitute motion. Mr. Mayor: Voting. The Clerk: He’s breaking up. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, hold it, hold it (inaudible) substitute motion. Mr. Mayor: Everybody suspend, everybody suspend. Commissioner, I would recognize you but I’ve already called for the vote so let’s just let that proceed and we’ll find out where it ends up at and if we need to make adjustments, let’s do it at that time. Mr. Hasan: Okay all right then, okay. 36 The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Frantom. Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Garrett. Mr. Garrett: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: No. The Clerk: Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. McKnight. Ms. McKnight: No. The Clerk: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams. Mr. B. Williams: No, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: No, ma’am. Mr. Hasan, Ms. McKnight, Mr. B. Williams and Mr. D. Williams vote No. Motion Passes 6-4 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Mayor --- 37 Mr. Mayor: State your inquiry, Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- okay, with us approving that on the next Commission meeting I’m just going to tell you I’m going to come with an ask that we have a parade for the high schools that won the State Championship. You know we may have to look at the protocols and may have to spread the cars out 20 feet and may have to put one person on a float or what have you but if we’re going to approve this outside event with James Brown and so forth you know it’s going to draw thousands of people. So on the next agenda you can expect me to put on there that we approve a parade for Josie and Cross Creek, thank you, sir. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Madam Clerk, we’ve got two more items that are before us Items #37 and 27 and I don’t know if there are any objections to #37. There very well could be. Mr. Sias: There are some objections. Mr. Mayor: All right, very well, is there any objections in taking that item and putting in on the next full Commission meeting agenda? Mr. Hasan: We can put it today, Mr. Mayor (unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: All right very good, Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to Item 27. The Clerk: FINANCE 27. Motion to approve the facility building and ground budget for the Craig Houghton School Building. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. May I ask who speaks to this? Is it the Administrator or Central Services or who? Mr. Donald: It would be Central Services and I can open up if need be but they have some requests based on DPH occupying the facility and us being able to continue services once the Board of Education cuts them off and so Ms. Douse is ready and prepared to discuss those items. Mr. Sias: All right, thank you. I have, my main concern here when I look at these numbers we’re talking about basically nearly a $300,000 dollar budget and I’m assuming that will be to the end of this year. And that is in my view what are we going to, is this budget to maintain just what the Board of Health is doing there? Some of these numbers seem a little bit excessive so could we go through this please? Mr. Donald: Ms. Douse, could you give them some insight on those numbers? I know some of those are projections to make sure that you’re able to cover the costs. But I was a little surprised at the number for IT until I had an opportunity to talk to Dr. Goggins and you and 38 Director Allen which kind of helped me to become a little more comfortable with those numbers. Could you do kind of a similar update for Commissioner Sias and the rest of the Commission? Ms. Douse: Sure and, Commissioner, I can understand your concern but I would like to assure you that we’ve received actual costs based upon the operation of the facility when it was occupied prior to the Department of Health. We’ve also decreased those numbers simply because the building is not at 100% capacity. And so for instance electricity usage as well as the natural gas and the water and sewer usage are figures as most recent as December and January. Keep in mind we’ve already paid a February bill for both water as well as electricity and the building repair maintenance costs along with the repair maintenance for grounds maintenance are consistent per square footage with some of our other facilities. Because we don’t yet know who all will be occupying this facility and for how long, some of these costs are estimated on the high end but at the same time it’s as close as we could possibly get it. Mr. Sias: Okay, to you and the Administrator these are figures to go out to the end of this year, is that correct? Ms. Douse: That’s correct, and I would like to point out that costs such as pest control which is nominal but also security services and contract building maintenance those are actual figures. Mr. Sias: And where were you all looking to get this money from? Ms. Douse: This money would be funded through or is proposed to be funded through General Contingency, General Fund Contingency. Mr. Sias: And the Administrator mentioned IT but unless I don’t recognize it because I don’t see that on this list that’s in the agenda book. Ms. Douse: After further discussions with the Department of Health the IT services piece is no longer needed. Mr. Donald: Initially we were going to have to pick it up but Dr. Goggins and his team the th Board of Education will carry it through I believe is that April 30 and then DPH picks it up May st 1? Ms. Douse: That’s correct. Mr. Donald: Yeah, I’m just highlighting that I had a briefing on all of those numbers so we could try to reduce them as much as possible. Mr. Sias: Okay, I’m sort of comfortable with that I just and I can understand some of them are estimates but Number 1 is just seemed a bit high and we’re expected to roll on. And we can also sort of expect Public Health and I’m not asking them for any money, but they will probably be in there for the rest of the year as well, am I correct? 39 Ms. Douse: That is what we have estimated. I have requested a meeting with Dr. Goggins, a time and date has not been confirmed as of now but it is good to know that that the expectation is plain that we’re expecting them to be there throughout the year. Mr. Sias: Great, we definitely want to support the vaccination process. Thank you very much, Mayor, thank you all. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner, would you like to make a motion while you have the floor? Mr. Sias: Move to approve. Ms. Scott: Second. Mr. Mayor: Voting. Ms. Douse: Thank you. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: 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. Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. McKnight. Ms. McKnight: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. 40 Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams, he out Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: Yes, ma’am. Mr. B. Williams out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Number 29, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: FINANCE 29. Present the preliminary financial report for the year ended December 21, 2020. Mr. Mayor: All right, let’s get, all right we’ve got Director Williams here with us. Director Williams, if you will proceed. Ms. Williams: Good afternoon. My agenda item today is to present the preliminary financial reports for the year ended 2020. With your agenda item there was a packet of reports in there that go in much greater detail than I will cover on today’s presentation. I’m just going to pretty much hit the high points on the funds that were covered. On this slide as well as the next one is simply a copy of the cover letter that was included in the packet. It’s really too much information to share on this one screen and I’m not going to run completely through it but it is kind of a pint sized version of that letter. If you haven’t had the opportunity to review it, I would encourage you to do so. There’s some useful information included. On this slide is the outline of today’s discussion. We’ll go through some good news. We’ve got some bad news that we managed to avoid; the results of this presentation are not final. Throughout 2020 I think if anything can be said about 2020 is that we adapted and we adapted quite often. We will go through the individual funds that were covered. Our normal sales tax charts and then a few of our upcoming events that we will be addressing in the near future. So we start off with our good news. The good news I guess the best news of all that we are here and we’re here to make this report and this report with all things considered is a good report. We had funds with year end surplus and I’ll go into those in detail in just a little bit further down the line and why they had surpluses which normally would not have expected with some of the things that we knew were happening during 2020 as far as finances. So the General Fund ended the year and remember these are all unadjusted numbers so the final numbers will be presented to you again after the audit. But as we have gone through our closeout process the General Fund ended the year with $3.8 million dollar surplus. Fire Protection had a $2.7 million dollar surplus, Water and Sewer $3.4, Garbage Collection a little over $800,000, Augusta Regional Airport $1.1 million and Storm Water Utilities $438,000. Now all except for the General Fund and Fire Protection those remaining funds on the screen are Enterprise Funds and the reporting mechanism for them is a little bit different and I’m going to say a little bit less straight forward to the casual user of the financial reports than the General Fund and Fire Protection. We had good news in the form of the Cares Act Funding. In addition to the 41 $10.3 million dollars which was received by the City of Augusta for General Fund for usage at Phase 1 which I’ll go to in a little more detail a little bit later. We received funding which was restricted for use by certain areas. $4.82 million dollars came from HUD for Housing and Neighborhood Development, $6.42 million from FTA for Transit and $19.38 million for FFA for the Augusta Regional Airport. That was all good news for those areas. TIA commonly also call TSPLOST, our collections were $835,000 more than we had budgeted and a little over $400,000 higher than in the previous year. That is a sign of growth. As we all know those funds exist in a specific fund to be used for those specific uses. And for those of you who have been with me since 2014 I am happy to report that this is the final time that I will be giving you an update on the February 2014 Ice Storm. We received our final outstanding claim payment from FEMA in May of 2020. That last payment was a tiny bit over a million dollars and the Ice Storm reporting is finished and over. Next slide please. Yes, I’m happy about that one. We avoided some bad news. I guess it doesn’t fall under the category of good news but when you don’t have bad news it’s kind of somewhere in the middle. Our sales tax collections were drastically affected by the pandemic but they were largely up offset by a onetime audit adjustment from the DOR which covered years 2015 through 18. That amount was a little over $2 million dollars so when we added in that $2 million dollars to our decreased level of collections we wound up about $1.9 million dollars below what we had budgeted because when we did our 2020 budget we were coming off of a banner year in 2019 and projected growth not knowing what was ahead of us. But the timing of that $2 million dollar correction by the DOR was fortuitous for us. Our increased expenditure level related directly to the pandemic which was federally required paid leave commonly referred to as FFCRA, PPE which we all know what that stands for now. Our increased level of healthcare costs and other assorted increased levels of expenditures were largely offset by the $10.3 million dollars in the Cares Act that we received. Next slide please. Again, these reports are not final. They are unaudited and they will be subject to adjustments if any that occurred during the actual audit process. You should receive the results of that audit after its completion; we are still targeting th June the 30 as our completion date so that we don’t run out that deadline and extend it on into our budget process when people tend to kind of lose interest about what happened a year and a half ago. Next slide please. As I said before we spent a lot of time in 2020 adapting to things that changed. We had about 70 days of what everybody used to consider normal and then we started seeing emergency declarations from the President, the Governor and the Mayor, businesses were closed, public facilities closed or their staffing was drastically reduced and a lot of our employees worked in staggered shifts or remotely as we started to feel what we now know is the pandemic known as COVID 19. Restrictions on gathering, businesses and the level moratoriums for evictions and utility cutoffs. Cleaning supplies, PPE and technology items immediately became in short supply and prices went up dramatically. Next please. So what did that mean for us financially? Well, increased operating costs due to the higher quantity and the higher price of cleaning supplies and PPE, we had a decrease income stream from utility payments, licenses, court related transactions, recreation programs were halted and then we talked about sales tax collections. The decrease was related to businesses closures, both restaurants, hotels, shifts from point of sales to online purchases as people didn’t go to the stores. They ordered online for home delivery if they could. We also saw immediately some decrease in consumer spending because of th the level of uncertainty and a higher level of unemployment. Next please. So on March the 27 2020 Congress passed the Cares Act. There were direct distributions to state and local governments with populations over half a million. In Georgia the State of Georgia got the direct distribution as did Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb counties and the City of Atlanta. It was left to 42 the individual states to decide how to make the distribution of the funds to any local governments th with populations below those levels. On the June the 29 Governor Kemp announced a plan for the distribution process for the remaining governing bodies in the State of Georgia. That was Phase 1 which was 30% of $1.23 billion dollars. Augusta’s share of that $10.3 million dollars, th Phase 1. On October the 15 2020 governments were notified that potential income stream from the Cares Act from Phases 2 and 3 had been eliminated so Augusta was looking at $10.3 million dollars which was appreciated and desperately needed. Next please. I want to share with you what that $10.3 dollars meant to Augusta and our discussions about how that was used. The proposed column that was on the left side are items that were enumerated in about the last time I think was an October conversation. I did a presentation and most of ya’ll have seen this. What we expected to have to pay for out of that $10.3 million dollars. Augusta is self-insured so we knew there were medical expenditures headed in our direction for our employees. We’ve had to have Hazard Pay Policy which covered a limited period of time but paid those individuals that were physically required to show up for work. We knew there was going to be an increased cost from PPE and equipment as I’ve said the FFCRA we estimated that at approximately $500,000 dollars. Just as a refresher that provided up to two weeks or 80-hours of paid leave for employees that were directly impacted under one of six reasons that were outlined in the act. They were paid either at full pay of 2/3 pay for that period of time whether or not they had any leave accumulated. We knew that our Public Safety was going to experience an increased level of overtime and we knew that it was going to affect our election expenditures so that column as we last talked and I went through this totaled up $8.7 million dollars leaving approximately $1.6 unallocated at that point or we didn’t have a category to put it in. As we closed out the end of the year the column on the right will show you a little closer to the level of expenditures that we actually incurred. Our medical expenditures which do lag behind, this is the best information that we have as of the end of the year, were $2 million dollars. Our Hazard Pay was a little over $1.4, PP and E was $1.3, FFCRA expenditures $617,000 dollars. Our Public Safety overtime did go up more that we had anticipated. Some of that was manpower shortages; it was approximately $917,000 dollars. Our election expenditures stayed at $250,000 dollars that were allocated. Ms. Bailey did a phenomenal job of managing that going out finding grants, we supplemented all of those to offset her election expenditures. Paine College got received the appropriation that was approved by the Commission of $1.4 million dollars. So those actual expenditures were just under $8 million dollars leaving approximately $2.3 left over at the end of the year but I need you to kind of follow on down below that line. There were discussions and you’ve seen a presentation there has been an obligation due to the complications of having a mass jury selection. The courts requested to be able to use the James Brown Arena. The cost associated with that are estimated to be about $225,000 dollars. The Commission approved a refund process. Early on there was a early discussion it was about elimination of all alcohol licenses. What wound up being passed was a refund process for the on premises license and the associated fees related to that. It didn’t turn out to be exactly a refund process. Some of those businesses did not pay to begin with but to date we have processed refunds for 105 businesses for almost half a million dollars so the way that the million-dollar figure that you see before you was derived is we went back to 2019. And we looked at all the revenues that came in from like size business, like businesses that had the same kind of license, I probably said that wrong, and that amount would be expected to be approximately $950 to a million dollars’ worth of lost revenue for the City of Augusta for 2021. We will still be incurring medial expenses related to our insureds that are impacted by COVID so as you see up there at the top we had estimated a total of about $3 million dollars with the split $1.6 to $1.4. We’ve already spent 43 approximately $2 million. Our claims have slowed down as I guess as we become more conscious, more careful. The vaccines have begun to be out there, we have continued to socially distance. We have seen the, those claim expenditures not increase at the same rate so the estimation currently is an additional three quarters of a million dollars. I’ll be honest with you the $349,000 dollars is a plug number for PPE. We are continuing to make those expenditures and will for the rest of this year. It does not seem to be a stretch of the imagination for me if we spent $1.3 million dollars last year. We certainly could very well spend $350,000 in the current fiscal year. The numbers that were provided to me by Procurement through approximately the middle of March was approximately $85,000 dollars. Next slide please. This is hard to read and I’m going to go through it really quick and I’ll show you the next slide which will be a little bit better but this, so don’t strain your eyes right now. This is to give you a perspective of where we would have been without the Cares Act and then where we wound up with the Cares Act revenue. Flip on over, Jeff, please. Okay so this is what is a zoom in shot of what you would’ve seen on the previous page. Without the Cares Act funding, $10.3 million dollars, we would’ve been approximately $4.3 million dollars in a deficit position. With the Cares Act funding Augusta wound up approximately $3.8 million dollars in a surplus position. Now remember this is a snapshot of our finances at a particular point in time 12-31-2020. That $3.8 million dollars if you’ll remember back a couple of slides $2.3 of that is obligated and I know it may be a strong term but there is a potential claim on it because we expect those expenditures to occur. They just did not occur in the fiscal year for 2020. We expect them to happen this year. That’s what that $10.3 million dollars did for us. It flipped us from being upside down due to decreased revenue and an increased level of expenditures to being right side up at 12-31-2020. Next one please. Sales Tax collections. These two charts are 19 and 20. As you can see probably your eye goes immediately to April. Obviously the red number the red bar is 2019 the blue bar is 2020 but watch what happens as you get closer to the end of the year September, October. October you begin to see that our 2020 collections passed the collection of 2019 which tells us that we were, we were beginning to get a handle on this, we’re learning how to function and we’re beginning to move closer to what would have been a normal pattern I would say. Now it order to keep the bars from being all over the place you’ll see the little note up at the top that about the audit adjustment that we received, the $2 million dollars. We pulled that out so that the graph did not get skewed one way or the other so that it looked like a more normal collection because that $2 million dollars related to 2015 through 18 and there’s no way to go back and prorate it and go back and fix those charts. We received the income in 2020 but it’s not reported on this chart so that you have a more accurate picture of what happened that related to 2020. Next one please. This chart does include the $2 million dollars. The purple line going across the top is the average amount of collections from 2017 to 2020, a little over $38 million dollars. The next line down the yellow line are the actually collections for 2020. $39.7 million dollars. The blue line below it 2019 $39.9 million dollars. Next slide please. This shows month by month it’s just an expanded graph; it does get a little bit busy. The yellow line is 2020, the blue next to it is 2019 and then once again the purple line is the average. These are monthly collections for the period 2017 through 2020 and this is a chart you guys, this is one of our go to’s we show it to you every presentation that is made. Next one please. The next things that we will be doing. We’re into 2021 and I will owe you the results of the first quarter. Those are targeted to be reported th. to you on April the 27 Unfortunately we have to put this next item on the chart again. We’re going to have to discuss streetlight funding again. We had an additional $684,000 dollar deficit in that fund for 2020 and we’ve got to figure this out. We’ve got to take an action and address the funding level for that special revenue fund. You will get the 2020 audit results probably in early 44 July after our audit is complete. We will start the 2021 millage rate process August or September to set the rate by which taxes are levied for the current fiscal year for bills to go out in September by the Tax Commissioners Office and then we will jump into the 2022 budget process starting in July or August and finishing with the approval of the permanent budget in November. Next slide please. This slide is simply an index to the reports that accompanied your agenda item. It’s basically the same format that you had seen before with the added information for about the Cares Act on Page 12. Your sales tax charts are the same that are in here very closely on 13 through 15 and your open projects in SPLOST. Those reports are Pages 16 through 27. Do you have any questions for me? If not I’d love for ya’ll to just accept this as information. Mr. Sias: Mayor Pro Tem, are you running things or where’s the Mayor oh, I see him. Yeah, I got a question. th, Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 4 state your inquiry. Mr. Sias: Thank you --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. Sias: --- a very good report to our Director of Finance, Ms. Williams, but I just want to share with you because I will be in concert with my colleague from District 8. I just want to share with you that we or I will be coming to visit you. We had a major failure in our storm drain and sewer system out off of Karleen Road. We’ve got to do some serious work out there. So we’ll be coming, look for some of this money that was particularly in SPLOST that was related to stormwater and that this kind of thing. We need to figure out how to pay for this. It’s going to be a very expensive project for the issue here but it’ll become even more expensive if we don’t take care of it now. So I’ll be making contact with you reference that plus we have to develop a path forward to take care of this very serious issue out off of Karleen Road in our sewer basin out there, I just wanted to make that comment and say thanks for a great report. Ms. Williams: Thank you, sir. Mr. Garrett: Stormwater not sewer. Mr. Sias: No, it’s both out there, they’re both together. Mr. Garrett: They’re both, okay. Mr. Sias: (Unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: Go ahead, Commissioner Sias. Mr. Sias: My colleague and I will, we’re going to get together on it. I’m good, thank you, sir. 45 Mr. Mayor: Thank you. All right, Director Williams, thank you for the presentation. I don’t see any other hands. Administrator Donald, do you have anything to add to this? Mr. Donald: No, I do think Ms. Williams gave a pretty detailed report. There are some items I’ve asked her to provide an updated report for my office that we’ll get on a more frequent basis as well as looking at how those costs that we expected in 20 pour into 21, those deficits, so we’ll make sure that that information is provided to the Commission as well so we’re on track for those items. Mr. Mayor: Very well thank you very much, thank you both. All right, we’ll receive this as information without objection. I believe that that brings us to one final matter that’s before us, that’s Number 37. The Clerk: Item 37? Mr. Mayor: Yes, Madam Clerk, Madam Clerk, I’m sorry I don’t mean to interrupt. Let’s suspend for a moment. We’re going to bring Ms. Rookard in, Madam Clerk, and we’re going to go back to the Recognitions. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, we’ve got one item here. Why can’t we finish this one item? Mr. Mayor: Well, we did this before where we didn’t give Ms. Rookard an opportunity to recognize our employees. That’s a very important part of our role. We just had a conversation earlier about we can (unintelligible) the recognize individuals so we’ll pause. You’ve got that one more item on the agenda but this was the first item on the agenda so we’ll do that. Ms. Rookard, we’re here and, Madam Clerk, if you’ll read the caption. The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) March 2021 Years of Service recipients. A. Congratulations! March 2021 Years of Service Recipients. Ms. Rookard: Good afternoon, Mayor Davis, Commissioners, Administrator and Madam Clerk. Thank you so much for this opportunity today to share with you our March Years of Service. Today we will be recognizing, we have twelve employees who will celebrate 5 to 20- years of service with Augusta. Today it gives me esteemed pleasure to recognize employees from 25 to 50-years of service for the Month of March. The total Years of Service and institutional knowledge being celebrated today is 199 years. Jeff, if you would as I call their names you can add them to the screen, Mr. Fred Oakland, 25 years with Engineering, Geri Ann Thompson, 25 years with the Sheriff’s Department, Robert Bryant, 25 years with the Sheriff’s Department, Sharon Bennett, 25 years with the Fire Department, Octavius Reed, 25 years with Parks and Rec, Susan Epps, 30 years with the Sheriff’s Office and finally Debra Friedman, 35 years in Information Technology. Congratulations to all of our Years of Service Recipients and thank you for this opportunity, thank you. 46 Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Ms. Rookard and to the Employees of the Month for March thank you for your services to the city and your tenure. We’re appreciative; you are what makes Augusta the great city that she is. Thank you so much. Madam Clerk. The Clerk: APPOINTMENTS 37. The Richmond County Board of Assessors request the reappointments of Mr. William B. Lee (D-10) and Mr. Henry F. Middleton (D-9) for 4-year terms beginning April 25, 2021 and ending April 24, 2025. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8. Mr. Garrett: With these appointments I want to open the floor for nominations for the District 10 appointment and I want to nominate Ms. Maura Dial. Mr. Clarke: I second. The Clerk: Nominations, yeah, they need a second --- Mr. Hasan: (Inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Hold on everybody, hold on, hold on. All right, so because this item has been placed on the agenda I’m assuming this, Madam Clerk, comes at the request of the Board of Assessors themselves requesting reappointment, is that not true? The Clerk: Yeah, they’re putting it on asking the Commission to consider reappointment of these two nominees. Mr. Mayor: All right very well that’s what I understood as well. The Commissioner from th the 8 has said let’s open the floor for nominations. We’ve got one nominee, Maura Dial. All right, the Chair will entertain any additional nominees. Mr. Sias: I’ve got my hand up. th Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner from the 4. th Mr. Sias: Also, I appreciate the nomination from my colleague for the 8 and that is for that particular Super District 10 and I’d also like to support and nominate Mr. Middleton again for the District 9 Super District area. Ms. Scott: Second. Mr. Hasan: I make a motion nominations be closed. Mr. Sias: Second. 47 Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, we’ve got two nominees, Ms. Maura Dial for the District 10 post then Henry Middleton for the District 9 post nominations, a motion for the nominations be closed with a proper second. All right, without any objection, Madam Clerk, back to you. The Clerk: Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke: 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. Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. McKnight. Ms. McKnight: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott: 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. 48 The Clerk: That motion carries with Ms. Dial and Mr. Middleton for a 4-year term on the thth Board of Tax Assessors beginning April 25 2021 ending April 24 2025. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes Commissioner from the 7th. Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to take a moment and thank Mr. Bill Lee for his service on the Tax Assessors Board over 25 years on that board, current chairman and I appreciate all that he did for this community, Mr. Bill Lee, I just wanted to say that publicly. Thank you. Mr. Hasan: I concur. Mr. Sias: Likewise. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, unless --- Mr. Clarke: Mr. Mayor --- th, Mr. Mayor: --- all right, Commissioner from the 10 state your inquiry. Mr. Clarke: --- yes, sir, I have one thing I’d like to remind everybody about on April the th 15 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. there will be a vaccine clinic sponsored at the Daniel Field Airport. Mr. Mayor: Fantastic, thank you so much for that. Mr. Clarke: And, thank you, sir. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, unless you have a rabbit in the hat and some additional business before us --- The Clerk: That’s it for me, no magic tricks. Mr. Mayor: --- all right, this meeting is adjourned. Mr. Clarke: Ms. Bonner, could you put the next Commission agenda a parade for the state champions. The Clerk: Yes, sir. \[MEETING ADJOURNED\] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission 49 CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of The Augusta Richmond County Commission held on April 1, 2021. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 50