Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-1996 Meeting I I I ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - November 25, 1996 3:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. Larry Sconyers, Mayor; Beard, Chairman; Bridges, Vice-Chairman; H. Brigham, Chairman; John Etheridge, Human Resources Director; George Patty, Planning Director; Sirena Rogers, Housing & Neighborhood Development Department; Heyward Johnson, Transit Director; Lewis Johnson, Cheryl Nelson, Finance Department; Central Services Director; Kip Plowman, Interim Internal Auditor; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission; Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission and Belinda Brown of the Clerk's Office. ABSENT: Hon. J. B. Powell, member. Also Present: Sylvia Cooper of the Augusta Chronicle, Gale Mino of WBBQ Radio, George Eskola of WJBF Television and Hons. Todd and J. Brigham, Commissioners. Communication from the Interim Administrator for Administration regarding the status of temporary and part-time employees and recommending that 32 temporary/part-time positions be made permanent in various departments, was read. Ms. Beazley: These people are already being paid $532,784 in salaries and you would be paying for the benefits which would amount to $186,474. After further discussion, Mr. Brigham: I so move for approval. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Attorney stating pursuant to the Commission's directive on November 19, I will prepare an amendment to the Project Manager's contract. I have not enclosed the amendment with this letter, since I would like the' opportunity to discuss it and have it reviewed by Bill Carstarphen prior to finalizing same, was read. Mr. Wall: Item #9 was originally worded "Recommend to the Commission a process for strategic community planning" and it was noted last week that the Chamber of Commerce was already doing that. It has been suggested that a strategic planning process for the new government be substituted in lieu of that responsibility. Item #10 of the original contract was "Any other duties" and in order to specify that additional duty was to offer recommendations concerning the interim management of the departments impacted by the enhanced early retirement. There was also discussion about basically swapping two weeks in December for two weeks in January where there would be a leave of absence without pay from December 14 through December 31 and then come back and work from January 4 through January 17. I have included this provision as I understood the discussion. Mr. Brigham: I move that it be approved. Mr. Bridges: Second. I Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Attorney stating as you know the Commission approved a holiday schedule at its meeting on November 19. I believe it was Mr. Etheridge's intent that this apply to employees other than fire suppression and law enforcement personnel. This needs to be clarified, was read. Mr. Etheridge: The policy does exclude those people. Mr. Bridges: I make a motion to that effect that it does not apply to fire suppression or law enforcement personnel. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Director requesting approval of the facade grant application for a Tier *2 facade grant in the I amount of $15,000 for the building located at 1030 Greene Street, was read. Mr. Bridges: I so move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Director requesting approval of the award of a facade restoration contract for 952 Broad Street to United Concepts in the amount of $21,484, was read. Mr. Bridges: I so move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Director requesting that the bids submitted for the facade restoration of 982 Broad Street be rejected and that rebidding of this project be authorized, was read. Communication from the Interim Director requesting that the I contract for the facade restoration of the structure at 984 Broad Street be awarded to McCord & McCord in the amount of $15,000, was read. I I I Mr. Patty: The bids were high on 982 and we were able to negotiate the cost on 984 down. Mr. Brigham: I so move. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Director stating on July 16, 1996, the Commission approved a contract with Tigan Consulting and Development, Inc. to prepare documents for the sale of the Olde Town Properties. Mr. Tigan's report (enclosed) recommends that we attempt to identify a "favored purchaser" using the extensive request for proposals that Mr. Tigan has developed. We would then attempt to negotiate a deal with the "favored purchaser". The 50 properties (120 units) that constitute the Olde Town Properties were rehabilitated in 1989, but they are deteriorating rapidly. There is debt of about $2.3 million on the property. The low income tax credits which go with the property have historically been worth 45 to 50 cents on the dollar, but the current market value is as much as 73 cents on the dollar. There is no apparent logic to retaining this real estate so I urge you to authorize me to begin the process of solicitation for a sale, was read. After a short discussion, Mr. Bridges: I so move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Director stating in 1995, when the City foreclosed on the Olde Town Properties, a management agreement was hastily negotiated with Sherman and Hemstreet after the management company that had been employed by the former owners reneged on their verbal agreement to stay with the property on a month to month basis. Since that time Sherman and Hemstreet has done an excellent job managing these properties. Interest has been expressed by others regarding this management agreement so staff solicited proposals for management of the properties beginning January 1, 1997. It is my opinion that every effort should be made to sell these properties, using the advice of Mr. Tigan if it is productive, or sell them on a piecemeal basis if it is not. With sale of the property in 1997 as our objective, there would appear to be no merit to changing management companies. Therefore, I recommend that Sherman and Hemstreet be retained, but that their present agreement be terminated and a new agreement, identical to the current one except for a month to month term, be executed. Under the present agreement, written notice must be given to Sherman and Hemstreet prior to November 30, 1996 or the current agreement cannot be amended or terminated prior to December 31, 1997, was read. Mr. Chairman: There may be some other companies in the community who may be interested in doing this and I would ask that you contact them in that regard. Mr. Bridges: I'll make a motion that we terminate the present agreement with Sherman & Hemstreet and that a new agreement be drawn up on a month-to-month basis. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. At this time Mr. Charles Utley appeared before the Committee representing the Hyde Park area. Mr. Utley: I want to talk to you about a proposed project for the Hyde Park area known as a Browns Field site. This means that you become involved in a partnership with EPA in order to alleviate a contaminated area or revitalize a community or a structure. I think it would be productive to create an industrial park under a Browns Field situation and this is what we propose for the Hyde Park area. Mr. Chairman: I think we should have you come back and address the Commission on the 3rd. Mr. Brigham: I so move. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission NWM I I I