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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-1998 Meeting I I I ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - June 8, 1998 2:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. Larry Sconyers, Mayor; H. Brigham, Chairman; Powell, Vice-Chairman; Beard and Shepard, members; Jim Wall, Attorney; Randy Oliver, Administrator; John Etheridge, Human Resources Director; Ron Crowden, Risk Management; Brenda Byrd- Pelaez, EEO Officer; Keven Mack, HND Director; Jerry Saul, Tax Commissioner; North Williamson, Tax Commissioner's Office; Walter Hornsby, Asst. Administrator; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission and Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission. Also Present: George Eskola of WJBF Television; Stacey Eidson of The Metropolitan Spirit; Sylvia Cooper of The Augusta Chronicle, other members of the news media and Hons. Todd, J. Brigham, Bridges and Mays, Commissioners. The Clerk: We have a request for one addendum to change the laboratory for substance abuse testing. Mr. Oliver: I think it would be advantageous to make this change and we would like to implement it July 1. After a short discussion, Mr. Beard: I so move we add this to the agenda. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve the second revision to the Augusta- Richmond County Commission policy on substance abuse, was read. Mr. Crowden: This would allow us to go back to the previous provision of the policy requiring the employee to pay for subsequent testing. Mr. Powell: I so move. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve a Subordination Agreement for Sidney G. Price, Jr. and Teresa Gail Price to be subordinated to loan by United Companies Lending Corporation. The Subordination Agreement is in regards to property located at 1836 Fenwick Street, was read. Mr. Wall: There is no equity in the property and we recommend disapproval. Mr. Powell: I move it be disapproved. Mr. Shepard: Second. I Motion adopted unanimously. The committee next heard a presentation by representatives of the organization P.E.A.C.E. (Positive Education Always Corrects Errors) who outlined their goals of providing drug, alcohol and job counseling and reconnection with families to people who have been recently released from prison. They also requesting funding to help with their efforts in this program. Mr. Beard: I move that we accept this as information and direct them to talk with Housing & Neighborhood Development to see if they can be of assistance to them in some way. Mr. Powell: I second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve new progressive disciplinary policy, was read. Mr. Beard: I move that we approve this. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. I The Clerk: On Item #5 concerning World Changers, they were out of town today and could not be here. They would be able to come on the 22nd of June. Mr. Oliver: This is a group which gets volunteers to rehabilitate houses in the community. Mr. Shepard: I'll move that we ask them to come back to the next meeting on the 22nd. Mr. Powell: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve revised Economic Development Loan Guidelines, was read. Mr. Mack: This maximum amount is for $150,000 and these are very similar to those you approved for the micro loans. Mr. Oliver: I noted that no loans should be used for refinancing. Mr. Beard: I move for approval with the loans not being used for refinancing. I I I I Mr. Powell: I'll second it. Motion adopted unanimously. The Committee next considered a recommendation by the Citizens Committee regarding Economic Development Loans. Mr. Mack: The Advisory Committee met and has recommended the approval of a $75,000 loan for Baldinos, a $75,000 loan for Church's and a $150,000 loan for BL's. All of these had personal guarantees plus collateral. \ Mr. Wall': In the guidelines you just adopted Mr. Oliver suggested that these loans not be used for refinancing. In one of these requests the applicant wants to use $10,000 of the funds to pay toward an existing indebtedness. Technically, that is not refinancing. Does that meet your guidelines? Mr. Mack: The applicants are supposed to bring back information that was requested of them. We will reconvene the Citizens Advisory Board and they will make a decision based on what is submitted. We are asking that xhey be approved under these conditions. Mr. Shepard: Then could they not convene in next meeting and have a clear cut recommendation? they should submit their information and have the that committee. time for our It would seem blessing of Mr. Oliver: that way let the next Tuesday? Could you have them convene this week and then Commission have the benefit of that information Mr. Mack: I think so. Mr. Powell: What are these loans for and what are the terms? Mr. Mack: They are for a period of about 20 to 30 years and Baldinos is getting involved in a pizza hut type delivery, Church's is purchasing equipment, signs and other modernization and BL's is doing job training. All are also involved in creating some jobs. Mr. Powell: I'd like to see some financial information about the payment terms before I commit to any of these. Mr. Todd: I would also like to know if this money can be used for job training and if fixtures and equipment can qualify as collateral. Mr. Beard: I move that we approve the recommendation of the Citizens Advisory Committee. Motion dies for lack of a second. I Mr. Shepard: I make the motion that we retain these loans in this Committee and ask that the information Mr. Powell requested be obtained by Mr. Mack about the payment terms and that we consider this at our next Committee meeting. And also that the concerns of Mr. Todd be addressed as well. Mr. Powell: I second the motion. Motion fails with the Chairman and Mr. Beard voting "No". A request to reclassify seven positions as requested by the Tax Commissioner with effective date beginning next pay period following approval, with annual salary cost of $17,452.00, excluding benefits, as per the attached. (Funds are not budgeed), was read. Mr. Saul: We took over the collection of delinquent City taxes but did not take any City personnel or expenses. I had asked in November of 1996 for additional funding for the office to pay for additional duties and this was approved and scheduled to begin on 1/1/97. The Administrator suggested that we get the approval of the Personnel Board and we did that. It was then put off until after the job study was done and we would now like to put this in place. Mr. Powell: I so move. I Mr. Shepard: I'll second it for discussion purposes. Mr. Saul: This is not budgeted. It was in our 1997 budget but was not approved. We did request it in our 1998 budget to be carried forward. This is a cost savings for Richmond County. Mr. Beard: I would have reservations at this point in time and I don't see how we can pick and choose who we are going to upgrade. We just turned down a previous request in Finance. In all fairness to other departments, I don't think we should do this right now. Mr. Saul: I think they have gone about 18 months since the Commission approved this with no additional salary. Mr. Oliver: I think they got 1 1/2% at a minimum last October 1 plus the 2% pay for performance. Mr. Saul: They got the 1 1/2% and the 2% went toward compensation for people who had lost the car allowances they were previously given. There was very little left to divide. Motion adopted with Mr. Beard voting "No". I A request to change laboratories for all substance testing I I I of Augusta-Richmond County employees, was read. Mr. Powell: I so move. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission NWM