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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-02-2001 Regular Meeting REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBERS January 2, 2001 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:03 p.m., with the Honorable Bob Young, Mayor, presiding. Present: Hons. Colclough, J. Brigham, Mays, Kuhlke, H. Brigham, Shepard, Beard, Cheek, Williams and Bridges, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Also present were Jim Wall, Attorney; Walter Hornsby, Interim Administrator; and Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission. PRESENTATION OF COLORS Honor Guards Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The Invocation was given by the Reverend Hicks. INTRODUCTION Chief Bernard Mack Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department Mr. Walter Hornsby, Interim Administrator PINNING CEREMONY Mrs. Bernard Mack Honorable Bob Young, Mayor Deputy Chief Carl Scott Introduction of Command Staff Deputy Chief Carl Scott Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department INTRODUCTION: Ms. Cynthia Cochran, 4-H Agent Mr. Sid Mullis, Extension Coordinator Augusta-Richmond County Extension Service LECTION OF OFFICERS E Mayor Pro Tem Mr. Beard: I nominate Mr. Mays. Mr. Kuhlke: I nominate Mr. Shepard. 2 (Vote on Mr. Mays) Mr. Kuhlke, Mr. J. Brigham and Mr. Bridges vote No. Mr. Shepard abstains. Motion carries 6-3-1. APPOINTMENT: County Attorney Mr. Mays: I nominate Jim Wall. Mr. H. Brigham: Second. Motion carries 10-0. RESOLUTION: Motion to approve a Resolution of Support requesting the Legislative Delegation to provide funding for the purchase of a van for the East Central Georgia Regional Library System. (Requested by Commissioner Shepard) Mr. Shepard: I move for approval. Mr. Cheek: Second. Motion carries 10-0. RESOLUTION: Consider adoption of Resolution endorsing the Water Bill of Rights (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Mays) Clerk: The next resolution is to consider adoption of a resolution endorsing the water bill of rights. Mr. Mayor: Mr. [inaudible] didn’t come today, did he? Mr. Mays, you asked that this be put on today. Mr. Mays: I can go ahead and make a motion, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Mays: Unless you want to want to wait for him to come, until later. Mr. Mayor: Want to defer this and come back to it? Mr. Mays: We can do that. I can make a motion at that time. I do think he is coming. 3 Mr. Mayor: Let’s do that, then. Mr. Bridges: A point of information, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Yes, Mr. Bridges? Mr. Bridges: My understanding in the committee was that the committee was going to hold it one more time before we brought it back out. Is that something we can do, Commissioner Mays? Mr. Mays: Well, in the committee, and I do stand to be corrected, but I thought we were going to -- we talked back and forth about when we would bring it up, and I think it was the fact that because the motion basically generic in nature in terms of the resolution [inaudible] and implementation that’s to be done on the state level as to how it would affect the [inaudible] government. I think that’s something that we basically can’t control anyway. But I think we decided that we would probably allow it to come on in this meeting as opposed to the [inaudible] one, inasmuch as the Legislature would already been rolling, and that if we were going to endorse the resolution, that we would do it now rather than [inaudible] February. And I stand to be corrected on this, but I did tell [inaudible] at that last meeting, that I would place it on there. I wasn’t for supporting it right then at committee because I realized other committee members and other Commissioners had not read the resolution. Mr. Mayor: Does that refresh your memory? Mr. Bridges: Well, my understanding was we did have it in committee. Ms. Bonner is -- maybe my memory is incorrect. I’m getting -- Clerk: [inaudible] on the agenda [inaudible]. Mr. Bridges: I don’t have any trouble with it being here. I just thought it was going to be through the committee. Mr. Mayor: Let’s -- that’s fine. Let’s see if Mr. [inaudible] shows up, and we’ll just defer action on this until later in the meeting. We’ll revisit this. So that brings us to the consent agenda. Gentleman, what is your pleasure with respect to the consent agenda? FINANCE: 1. Motion to approve the award to Butler Chrysler to guarantee pricing for the 2001 Model Year Work Detail Vans (Bid # 00-153). (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 2. Motion to approve the award to Bob Richards Chevrolet to guarantee pricing for the 2001 Model Year 15 Passenger Diesel Vans (Bid # 00-154). (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 4 3. Motion to approve the award to Butler Chrysler to guarantee pricing for the 2001 Model Year Prisoner Transport Vans (Bid # 00-155). (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 4. Motion to approve the award to Butler Chrysler to guarantee pricing for the 2001 Model Year Seven Passenger Mini Vans (Bid # 00-157). (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 5. Motion to approve the 36 Month Lease of a Moxy MT30XT Articulated Dump Truck for the Public Works Department – Landfill Section from Stith Equipment Company of Augusta, Georgia at an annual cost of $57,476.88 (lowest bid offer on Bid 00-159). (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 6. Motion to approve the bid award to Bobby Jones Ford to guarantee pricing for the 2001 Model Year 4x2 Sport Utility Vehicle, 130-137 Inch Wheelbase (Bid # 00-162). (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 7. Motion to approve the award to Bob Richards Chevrolet to guarantee pricing for the 2001 Model Year 4x4 Sport Utility Vehicle, 130-137 Inch Wheelbase (Bid # 00-162). (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 8. Pulled from consent agenda. 9. Pulled from consent agenda. 10. Motion to approve in concept of Position Control Oversight Committee consisting of Interim Administrator, Interim Human Resources Director, Financial Consultant and the Attorney and report back to Finance Committee with criteria. (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 11. Motion to approve the design in concept the recommended reorganization structure of the Finance Department with the elimination of the two additional positions and HR to recommend pay grades. (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 12. Motion to approve purchase of property for the Lucy Craft Laney Museum. (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 13. Motion to approve the award to Isuzu Trucks of Augusta to guarantee pricing for the 2001 Model Year Stakebody Trucks (Bid # 00-161. (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 14. Motion to approve the hiring of an Assistant Comptroller. (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) 15. Motion to approve Visa/Master Card Application for the Mayor’s Office for a limit not to exceed $5,000. (Approved by Finance Committee December 27, 2000) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: 16. Motion to approve $104,100 from 2000 Housing Funds to be allocated to Antioch Ministries, Inc. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee December 27, 2000) 17. Motion to approve contracts with Morgan & Morgan Real Estate Appraisal Company in the amount of $275 per appraisal as primary appraiser and 5 Holley Appraisal Company as review appraiser in the amount of $300 per appraisal regarding appraisal services related to projects in the Housing & Neighborhood Development. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee December 27, 2000) 18. Pulled from consent agenda. 19. Motion to approve an Ordinance providing for the demolition of a certain unsafe and uninhabitable structure in the Bethlehem Neighborhood: 1424 Picquet Avenue (District 2, Super District 9); approve reallocating the funding for the demolition of 1851 Savannah Road to fund the demolition of nd 1424 Picquet Avenue; and waive 2 reading. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee December 27, 2000) ENGINEERING SERVICES: 20. Pulled from consent agenda. 21. Pulled from consent agenda. 22. Motion to approve the Deeds of Dedication, Maintenance Agreements and Road Resolutions submitted by the Engineering and Utilities Departments for Arcadia Subdivision, Phase I. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 23. Motion to approve the Deed of Dedication, Maintenance Agreement Road Resolution and two Clearview Easements submitted by the Engineering and Utilities Departments for Hartrich Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 24. Motion to approve the Deeds of Dedication, Maintenance Agreements and Road Resolutions submitted by the Engineering and Utilities Departments for Heather’s Glenn Subdivision, Phase I. subject to the approval of the Attorney. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 25. Motion to approve Change Order Number 2 for Butt Memorial Bridge Emergency Repairs Project extending contract time 671 calendar days to February 28, 2002. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 26. Motion to approve Change Order #6 in the amount of $51,055.29 to Aqua South Construction, Inc. for additional work to be completed at the Water Treatment Plant on Highland Avenue. (Funded Acct. # 508043410/5425110) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 27. Motion to approve Change Order #1 in the amount of $53,014.00 to Graves Environmental Services for additional work to be completed at the wells located in the Spirit Creek Basin. (Funded Acct. # 508043410/5425110) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 28. Motion to approve Change Order #3 in the amount of $48,968.00 to Heavy Constructors for additional work to be completed at the Waste Water Treatment Plant (Funded Acct. # 508043420/5425210) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 29. Motion to approve and accept counteroffer option of $7,548. The City needs to acquire approximately 800 sq. ft. of right-of-way and approximately 1,400 6 sq. ft of temporary construction easement from the referenced parcel. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 30. Motion to approve option to acquire a right-of-way from Charles David Savage, Tax Map 83, Parcel 6, Project Parcel 42) for the sum of $11,421.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 31. Motion to approve the Deeds of Dedication, Maintenance Agreements, Hold Harmless Agreement and Road Resolutions submitted by the Engineering and Utilities Departments for Cambridge Subdivision, Section I subject to the approval of the Attorney. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 32. Motion to approve award of Container Service Contract for Augusta Richmond County to Lewis Disposal Services. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 33. Motion to approve a proposal from W. R. Toole Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $10,350 to develop a conceptual design for a collector extension of the Butler Creek Sewer Basin into the Bel-Air Hills Estates Subdivision. (Funded by Account No. 509043420/5212115 80150130/5212115) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) PUBLIC SAFETY: 34. Motion to approve the KMC Telecom, Inc. proposal for RFP #00-151. (Approved by Public Safety Committee December 27, 2000) PUBLIC SERVICES: 35. Motion to approve a request by Jung Sook Farrar for an on premise consumption beer license to be used in connection with Olympic Pool & Games located at 2763 Tobacco Road. District 4. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) 36. Motion to approve a request by Jung S. Farrar for a gameroom license to be used in connection with Olympic Pool & Games located at 2763 Tobacco Road. District 4. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) 37. Motion to approve a request by Joseph D. Gaddini for an on premise consumption liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Kokopelli’s located at 3415 1/2 Wrightsboro Road. There will be a dance hall. District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) 38. Motion to approve a request by Ku N. Choi for a retail package liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Fulcher’s Package Shop located at 3458 Windsor Spring Road. District 6. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) 39. Motion to approve a request from the Highland Park Neighborhood Association regarding a contract to manage the Voting Center adjacent to Wood Park on Highland Avenue subject to letter of agreement. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) 7 40. Motion to approve bid item #00-160, the awarding of contract for the new Eastview Community Center. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) PLANNING: 41. ZA-R-119 - Request for concurrence with the decision of the Augusta- Richmond County Planning Commission to approve an amendment to Section 2 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by amending the definition of “STRUCTURE”. (Approved by Commission December 19, 2000 – second reading) 42. ZA-R-120 - Request for concurrence with the decision of the Augusta- Richmond County Planning Commission to approve an amendment to Section 8 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance regarding front setbacks. (Approved by Commission December 19, 2000 – second reading) APPOINTMENT: 43. Motion to ratify the Legislative appointment of Mr. Robin Williams to replace Mr. Fred Mason on the Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Cheek: I move to approve, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Beard: I second that, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay, motion to approve and a second. Gentlemen, do you wish to pull any items? Mr. Kuhlke: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Yes, Mr. Kuhlke? Mr. Kuhlke: Item 18. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Shepard? Mr. Shepard: Point of inquiry, and we not have to pull anything, but in the Finance Committee we approved the purchase of a table subject to finding funding. Was the funding found? Ms. Speaker: [inaudible] Mr. Shepard: So the funding was found? Ms. Speaker: Yes, sir. Mr. Shepard: Thank you. 8 Mr. Mayor: Okay, Mr. Cheek? Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, like to pull 8, 9, 20 and 21, please. Mr. Mayor: 8, 9, 20 and 21. All right. There is another hand up down there. Mr. Bridges, was your hand up? Mr. Bridges: I think 20 and 21. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Anyone else wish to pull any items? Yes, Mr. Wall? Mr. Wall: Mr. Mayor, I don’t care to pull anything, but I would like the record to reflect that the deeds of dedication and the various agreements that are part of 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, all of those, the final version of the agreement needs to be subject to the approval of the Administrator and myself, if that’s agreeable. Mr. Mayor: All right. Further discussion? We have a motion on the floor to approve the consent agenda minus items 8, 9, 18, 20 and 21. Mr. J. Brigham: [inaudible]? Mr. Mayor: Let’s see. Do we have some on there? Clerk: For the benefit of any objectors, if there are any objectors to the liquor license requests, would you please signify your objection by the raising of your hand? 35. Motion to approve a request by Jung Sook Farrar for an on premise consumption beer license to be used in connection with Olympic Pool & Games located at 2763 Tobacco Road. District 4. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) 36. Motion to approve a request by Jung S. Farrar for a gameroom license to be used in connection with Olympic Pool & Games located at 2763 Tobacco Road. District 4. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) 37. Motion to approve a request by Joseph D. Gaddini for an on premise consumption liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Kokopelli’s located at 3415 1/2 Wrightsboro Road. There will be a dance hall. District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) 38. Motion to approve a request by Ku N. Choi for a retail package liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Fulcher’s Package Shop located at 3458 Windsor Spring Road. District 6. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 27, 2000) 9 Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ll take a vote on the consent agenda minus those items. All in favor, please vote aye. Motion carries 10-0. Clerk: Item 8: 8. Motion to approve a request from The University of Georgia for City participation in the sponsorship of a corporate table in the amount of $395.00 for the Augusta Economic Outlook 2001 Luncheon funded from Promotional Account. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek? Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, we can take 8 and 9 together. I’d just like to offer for the Commission’s consideration that we end the practice of buying tables or other outlays of . Last week, week before last capital until we get a good handle on the year 2000 budget we made a lot of comments concerning not knowing our current financial state and how good or bad the year 2000 was, and this would be a good opportunity here at the first of the year to end this practice until we find out where we are 9. Motion to approve a request from Georgia Golf Hall of Fame for City participation in the sponsorship of a corporate table in the amount of $650.00 th for the 13 Annual Induction Banquet funded from Promotional Account. Mr. Cheek: I make a motion to that effect. Mr. Williams: Second that, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: All right. We have a motion and second then to decline these two items. Mr. Cheek: Decline this, these two and other [inaudible] purchases. Mr. Mayor: Any discussion on that? Mr. Beard? Mr. Beard: I don’t have any objections to his motion, other than asking him is there a time limit, to say just until -- Mr. Cheek: Until the 2000 audit comes back. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams? Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m going to agree with Mr. Cheeks. We had a lot of debate, a lot of discussion about the finances and the Finance Department and where we are now, and we had a lot of trouble in 1999. We have not yet to this day 10 figured what we’re going to have to contend with yet. And I just think this is just a step. It’s a new year. We’re going to try to do things a little bit different. We’re going to hopefully step up the pace with this government where people will understand that we are going to hold them accountable for what they are supposed to be doing and what we’re paying them for. And that we can be able to progress and move forward as a positive way of trying to better this government as a whole. Mr. Mayor: Do you want to speak to this, Mr. Shepard? Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor, I just point out to my fellow Commissioners that the 2000 audit will not be filed until I think the end of June, if I’m not right, Walter, so that basically puts Andy a six-month moratorium on these tables. I’m not really opposed to not voting the money, either, but I mean we’re going to have to come up with our own 3.5% so we might as well start somewhere. Mr. Cheek: Amen. Mr. Mayor: Any discussion? All in favor of the motion then, please vote aye. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Item 18. 18. Motion to approve contract amendment between Augusta, Ga. and Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corporation. Mr. Kuhlke: Mr. Mayor, I asked to pull this off because I had gotten a memo from Ms. Bonner and there was some additional information in regards to this particular item that to some extent a conflict in what we voted on in Administrative Services, and I need some clarification from Mr. Mack in regards to Mr. Cook’s letter that was in the agenda book. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mack, can you answer the Commissioner’s question? Mr. Mack: Yes, sir. Mr. Kuhlke, Mr. Cook and I, and Mr. Steele had conversation and we had agreed on the provision of a 50% down payment, with up to a maximum of $10,000, with 1/5 per year coming back, going to ANIC in case of the death, the sale or transfer or refinance of the properties. And Mr. Cook is here if you want to [inaudible]. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cook, is that consistent with your interpretation of what you’ve agreed to? Mr. Cook: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. 11 Mr. Kuhlke: I’m a little bit confused in that your response was to the hand out that we had in the Administrative Services. What change, if any, in the recommendation that came back to our committee was made to accomplish what you were looking for? Anything? Mr. Cook: I think it was just an oversight at this point. Mr. Kuhlke: Okay. Mr. Cook: The information that we agreed upon prior to submission of documentation to Administrative Services contains [inaudible] we had talked about. After further discussion, we worked it out and come to some agreement of what was the best [inaudible] of moving forward. Mr. Kuhlke: Are the changes that were made or that y’all thought y’all had agreed on comply with all HUD regulations? Mr. Cook: Yes, sir. Mr. Kuhlke: They do? Okay. Mr. Mayor: What’s your pleasure, Mr. Kuhlke? Mr. Kuhlke: I move approval to get it on the floor. I see some people [inaudible]. Mr. Mayor: Is there a second? Mr. Bridges: I’ll second. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Bridges? Mr. Bridges: Keven, I want to make sure -- I guess I want to make certain there’s nothing been changed from the Administrative -- what was approved in Administrative Services to now. Am I correct in that? Mr. Mack: The only thing that was changed is that the affordability factor is coming out. Mr. Bridges: And what is that? Mr. Mack: The affordability factor basically states that if a certain amount of money is put into the property that the house would be affordable up to a certain period of time, and the house would be affordable to a low-income person. 12 Mr. Bridges: And you’re in agreement with these? Mr. Mack: Yes, sir. Mr. Bridges: With this change? Okay. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams? Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Cook I guess could answer this or Mr. Mack. But what I’m confused about here, we vote on one thing, one thing came to committee, if this is black and white, have this been documented so -- I mean we talk about what’s what, but then when it comes down to fine print, we say if it’s not in there, and you know, we just talk about a new year. We’re going to have to do things different and if we not holding people accountable, I mean we going to slip away like we always have. So is this in your, in your agreement? Is this something that we, y’all sat down and worked out and it’s been -- Mr. Mayor: Mr. Wall, can you answer that? Mr. Wall: There has been a document produced which includes the language that’s been agreed upon. It’s been initialed by Mr. Cook and Mr. Mack and myself. This will have to be put in the form of an amendment. It would actually be an amendment to the existing contract, but the language has been agreed upon and initialed by both Mr. Mack and Mr. Cook. Mr. Williams: So what you’re saying, Mr. Wall, we’ll be safe in going forward and doing whatever we need to do and everything is going to be written in stone so we will know so we can go back to it and refer to it if we have to? Mr. Wall: Yes, sir. Mr. Williams: I’m leery, Mr. Wall, for last year [inaudible] for my fellow Commissioner, and we hit a lot of bumps. I don’t plan to hit the same ones this year. I truly don’t. Thank you, sir. Mr. Mayor: All right. Commissioner Cheek, then Commissioner Bridges. Mr. Cheek: Just quickly, Mr. Mayor. And on these properties that we provide for low-income individuals, I would hope, and I don’t think that there is a mechanism that we can do anything different than we already are, but that we would enforce that these be homes and not rental properties. I’m very, very concerned with the fact that people are going to buy these properties and turn them into rental properties and we’re going to repeat the same cycle that we’re in. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bridges? 13 Mr. Bridges: Mr. Mayor, just as a matter of -- I don’t know, protocol or whatever -- it concerns me a little bit that we are making a change from what was approved in Administrative Services to now, and yet it’s in the agenda as being approved by Administrative Services. That gives the opportunity -- I mean I’ve heard of things in the Georgia Legislature where a Bill, somebody is up there rewriting part of Bill at 3 o’clock in the morning, it’s approved the next day, and I think they got one Bill approved and actually have approved something they didn’t study. So I don’t want that to happen here. I think if we’re going make any changes, we need to make that note in the agenda somehow and pull that item out. Jim, if you could address that. I would suggest that the Mr. Wall: Mr. Bridges, I think the point is well taken. motion be to approve subject to the change in the language that is in Article 1C4D which is part of the agreement. That’s the language that was changed from what was approved by Administrative Services. Mr. Mayor: Is there any objection to incorporating that into the motion? None heard, so we’ll incorporate that as part of the motion, then. Any further discussion? Mr. Brigham? Mr. J. Brigham: [inaudible] Mr. Speaker: [inaudible] Mr. Mayor: Anything further? All in favor of the motion, please vote aye. Motion carries 10-0. Clerk: Items 20 and 21: 20. Motion to approve the Deeds of Dedication, Maintenance Agreements and Road Resolutions submitted by the Engineering and Utilities Department - Walton’s Landing Subdivision, Section IV subject to the developers remedying the problem of disposing of pre-construction materials in vacant subdivision lots. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 27, 2000) 21. Motion to approve the Deeds of Dedication, Maintenance Agreements and Road Resolutions submitted by the Engineering and Utilities Department - Walton Meadows Subdivision, Section IV subject to the developers remedying the problem of disposing of pre-construction materials in vacant subdivision lots. (Approved by Engineering Serviced Committee December 27, 2000) Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek? Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, it did make it to our agenda book, but some discussion was held in the committee last week concerning some post-construction materials, trash 14 laying around the neighborhood, some drainage issues and other things, and I’d like to ask our City Engineer if those have been addressed? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek? Mr. Doug Cheek: One item mentioned was that erosion in the detention pond, and that one actually was built approximately five years ago, so it is actually owned by the City now and we’re going to have to do something to remedy that situation. The construction materials, I talked to Rob about that, with the License & Inspection Department, and will work together with them to try to alleviate some of those problems. That’s a common problem. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I did discuss with our Engineer concerning the paving of the roads and the warranty on those. He said it was 18 months? Mr. Doug Cheek: On this section it would be. In some of the other areas that I think you had alluded to, actually in a different time period, and those are 12 months. The asphalt thickness requirement has actually been increased a half inch now, so standards have been upgraded and the warranty period has been extended. Mr. Cheek: And Mr. Mayor, I think we’ve made some vast improvements over the old way of doing business, but I would like for us to consider at some point in the future extending that from an 18-month period to probably a 24- or a 36-month period. Mr. Mayor: You might want to extend it until the subdivision is built out. That way we’re not subsidizing the construction, the development of the lots in there. Mr. Cheek: It’s something to think about, but as far as these two items are I’d like to move to approve. concerned, my questions have been answered. Mr. Bridges: Second. Mr. Mayor: Any discussion? All in favor of the motions then -- this is to approve item 20 and 21 -- please vote aye. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Shall we go ahead and take up item 1 on the addendum agenda? Clerk: We need to get it added. Mr. Mayor: Let’s see if we can get it added and we’ll deal with that now. Do we have a motion to add addendum agenda item 1? Do you want to read the caption for the record, Madame Clerk? Clerk: 15 Addendum Item 1: Motion to approve bid award contract to Mabus Construction in the amount of $649,015.82 regarding construction of the Rae’s Creek/Wrightsboro Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project. Funded by Account No. 508043420-5425210. (No recommendation from Engineering Services Committee December 11, 2000) Mr. Bridges: I move it be added, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Shepard: Second. Mr. Mayor: Motion to add and a second. Is there any objection? None heard, so the item is added to the agenda. Gentlemen, what’s your pleasure with respect to this item? Do you want to speak to it, Mr. Hicks? All right. Mr. Hicks: After the agenda item was prepared, we had received a memo that the recommended award amount should be $656,060.86 to allow for ductile iron pipe that has to be used in various crossings and that sort of thing, so we would ask that that figure be changed from $649,015.82 to $656,060.86. That is in a memo that went to the committee. Mr. Mayor: All right. Let me make sure the Clerk got this new figure. Ms. Bonner? Clerk: Yes, sir? Mr. Mayor: Did you get the new figure? There’s a change in the figure. Did you get that from Mr. Hicks? Clerk: No, sir, I didn’t. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Hicks, could you read that or furnish that to the Clerk, please? Okay, Mr. Beard? Mr. Beard: I would just like to know -- I wasn’t in that [inaudible] meeting, but why wasn’t it approved in there? What was the problem? Mr. Wall: The issue was concerning the contribution by the Board of Education as well as two property owners, and whether or not that had been resolved, and in general -- well, the Board of Education has committed their $110,000. We do not have a signed letter from Mr. Atkins but we have, he has sent it to his attorney. We have not heard back from him but he has spoken with Mr. Hicks indicating that he remains committed to the $50,000 toward the sewer line for his contribution. The other gentleman, Mr. Bagby, we don’t have as firm a commitment from him. He is still considering the issue. Mr. Atkins has encouraged him to go ahead and sign the agreement. We don’t know whether or not he will in fact sign the agreement, but the Board of Education needs this sewer 16 line. In order to get it completed by the time they need it, we need to move forward and that’s the reason we’re requesting that you move forward with it. We know we have got at least $160,000. Mr. Beard: Max, why were the figures changed here? [inaudible] and then changed figures again. I know it’s not that much but I’m just interested in why. Mr. Hicks: Okay. The recommended award was for the use of PVC pipe, a solid wall of PVC pipe. However, there are certain places where the material will have to be ductile iron. For instance, where you bore and jack under a road, you’ll have to put ductile iron in those casings. There’s other instances where you’re going under a creek, we’ll want to use ductile iron. So this amount was to reflect those places where ductile iron would need to be used. Mr. Beard: Well, I really have no problem with this, because I think we need to move forward on this, because I think it’s not going to only help the school system, it’s going to help that entire area out there, and I know that those people out that way, we’re building out there in the Belair Road area and I know you’re going to need -- this would be to help that situation out there and other houses. Am I correct in saying that, Mr. Max Mr. Hicks: This trunk line is needed, and in those two that you’re particularly interested in that go up to Belair Road serve existing areas, they would be -- they would follow on another construction [inaudible]. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek? Let’s just go down the line here. Mr. Cheek? Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I brought this up initially, and my concerns were that we had great promises that we would have additional funding with this project, and we in fact moved this project up ahead of others because there was roughly a quarter contribution made by the private sector and school board people. I would have no problems with passing this today. I do wish there was some way we could assess the properties owned by the individual that is not willing to live up to his word and make his contributions, maybe the first tap costing $50,000. But in any event, just short of finding some mechanism to actually regain that promised amount of money, I would hope that we would pass with this a measure that would state whenever funds are promised by any individual or corporation that the check, the contracted monies would be completed before the contract is let and that we have those monies house before we go ahead and proceed with any project. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams, Mr. Bridges, and then Mr. Shepard. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m going to echo what Mr. Cheek said. But I want to ask Max a question about the answer you gave Mr. Beard about the pipe increasing a little bit because of the ductile iron pipe, Max. Mr. Hicks: Yes, sir. 17 Mr. Williams: And maybe construction company has been something, you know, a company that we been using for a long time and here I am, I’m just trying to figure out when they bidded this job and those ductile iron pipe had to go in those areas, shouldn’t that have been from a company who has been doing work for this city for some time, shouldn’t that have been in the initial bid? We still going in a new year with these change orders. I can see it coming right now, Max, and I’m not on to you, I’m just trying to remind you because you are the man in front of me right now. Mr. Hicks: It should have been, and the fault there was really not with Mabus, but with the way the engineering bid items were set up. It was set up with a use of ductile iron pipe, the base bid, and PVC pipe as a substitute with a deduction per foot of ductile iron pipe, but there was no allowance in that deduction for the fact that there are some lengths that have to stay ductile iron pipe no matter way. Had it been set up properly, then it would have been a lesser amount of ductile iron -- a lesser amount of PVC pipe that you made that reduction to, then it would have come out to the $656,--- that we requested. It should have been. Mr. Williams: Max, are we giving them a price or are they giving us a price? Mr. Hicks: They gave us a price. Mr. Williams: If they giving us a price, then they need to tell us that it needs to stay here or we can do without it there. I mean --- Mr. Hicks: No, no, no. It was the way the contract documents are set up and the way the engineering specifications are set up. In certain areas, they’re required to use ductile iron pipe. It’s just the way that the engineering bids were set up, it was set up properly. It should have reflected the fact that it would costs $656,--- instead of $649,--- if we used PVC. Mr. Williams: Okay. Just for information, Max, maybe we can do something in the future where these companies will understand that once they give us a bid on whatever they are bidding on, then that’s what the bid is going to be. I mean they need to bid this thing fairly and up front with us so we’ll know and not, you know, change on us so much. Mr. Hicks: I agree, sir. Mr. Williams: And any change order ought to come from us on our end, not on their end. Mr. Hicks: I agree thoroughly. And as I said, Commissioner, in this instance it really wasn’t Mabus. It was the way the engineering document was set up to arrive at your final figure. It was not as clear as it should have been. 18 Mr. Mayor: Mr. Bridges? Mr. Bridges: Mr. Mayor, I’m not going to vote against this measure today, but I think we need to draw attention to something like this, and in regard to the school board I think it points up to the need of a greater communication between us and the school board and our plans and their plans. This is an instance where they, the school board is building a building and yet the idea of the sewage was not completed, I suppose, and we moved this project ahead of other projects to do that, to help them out, and I think that’s good we work with them in that way, but I think if we did a better job of communicating between ourselves we could alleviate problems like this. And too, like the previous Commissioners, I think one somebody makes a commitment to us for the monies for this thing which moves it ahead, I think we need to hold them to it in some way or maybe do a better job initially. And right away, after we’ve approved them, of having them commit to these funds, because I think it’s good after the measure has started that we actually got one of the fellows to commit to it, because we know we’re going ahead with this project. But I think we need to draw attention to issues like that. Mr. Mayor: All right. Mr. Shepard? Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor I was just going to make a motion to approve the award of the bid in the amount, the corrected amount as stated by our Director there, Mr. Hicks, and also that in a separate document that Mr. Hicks, the Administrator and the Attorney draw up a policy for future participation so that we do get the monies either in cash or by binding contractual written agreement or a bond or something. Mr. Bridges: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a second. Further discussion on the motion? Okay, we’ll call the question. All in favor of the motion, please vote aye. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: That takes us to 44? Clerk: [inaudible] we need to go back andrevisit Item 20 and 21 Mr. Mayor: Oh, yes. Mr. Cheek to remove those stipulations that were in there. Mr. Cheek: I guess, Mr. Mayor, just a point of inquiry here. Do we need a motion to change that? Mr. Mayor: We need a motion to reconsider, don’t we, and then proceed from there. 19 Mr. Cheek: A motion to reconsider Items 20 and 21. Mr. Bridges: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right. Discussion? All in favor, please vote aye. All right, items 20 and 21 are back up for consideration. You want to remold that motion? Mr. Cheek: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. A motion to approve without the stipulations listed in the Committee meetings. Mr. Bridges: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Discussion? All in favor, vote aye please. Motion carries 10-0. 44. Other business. ? Discuss the Operations of Finance and HND Departments. (Requested by Commissioner Beard) Mr. Mayor: Mr. Beard? You had some things you wanted to discuss? Mr. Beard: Mr. Mayor, I think this is going to deal with -- and we can do it either way -- personnel. I think it would be better if we took the discussion of both of these departments into legal session. Mr. Mayor: All right. We will -- Mr. Wall, you had some items for legal meeting. Let’s just go ahead and do them all right now, then. 45. Legal Meeting ? Discuss personnel matters. ? Discuss real estate matter. Mr. Wall: The real estate matter I don’t need to address today so it just would leave the personnel matter and I would ask for a legal session for that purpose. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Yes, Mr. Cheek? Mr. Cheek: Could we add pending litigation to that as well? Mr. Mayor: Yes, we may. So we have a motion to go into executive session for Mr. Beard’s agenda item, as well as Mr. Wall’s personnel matter and Mr. Cheek’s pending litigation. 20 Mr. Shepard: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a second to that. Any discussion? All in favor then, please vote aye. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: We will go into legal session and report back shortly. [LEGAL SESSION 2:50 - 4:25 P.M.] Mr. Mayor: The Chair will entertain a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the affidavit. 46. Motion to approve authorization for Mayor to execute affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meetings Act. Mr. Shepard: I so move. Mr. Cheek: Second. Mr. Mayor: Any objection? Okay, I will go ahead and sign it now. Let’s see, we need to revisit one item. Commissioner Mays, that was the resolution on the Water Bill of Rights. RESOLUTION: Consider adoption of Resolution endorsing the Water Bill of Rights. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Mays) Mr. Mayor: What’s your pleasure with that? You want to keep that in committee for another session or try to deal with it today? Hold it open? Mr. Mays: He informed Ms. Bonner that he wouldn’t be here today but he would be here on the next meeting, and I’m open, gentlemen, to do it today or just putting it back on at the next regular meeting, but I do plan to vote for it. Mr. Mayor: Is there any objection to carrying this item over to the next meeting? No objection noted. Ms. Bonner, if you will just put that on the agenda for the next meeting. Is there any other business to come before the Commission? Mr. Cheek? Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a motion to terminate the Comptroller of the City of Augusta. Mr. Williams: Second. 21 Mr. Mayor: There’s a second. Any discussion, gentlemen? All in favor of the motion, please vote aye. Mr. Cheek: Effective immediately. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Okay, any additional business? Mr. Shepard? Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor, I’d make a motion that we remove the former Comptroller’s name from the signature cards on our bank accounts and substitute in lieu thereof Ms. Kathy Williams. Mr. Williams: Second. Mr. Mayor: Discussion? All in favor -- Madame Clerk, if you’ll clear the board. Are we going too fast for you? Clerk: [inaudible] Mr. Mayor: Okay. Please vote aye if you’re in favor of that motion. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard? Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor, I’d further make a motion that we conduct a cash audit of the City’s cash accounts with the entity conducting that be the Internal Auditor as of the time recommended by the Attorney which I guess would be as of today, is that correct? Mr. Wall: Yes. Mr. Mayor: Is there a second? Mr. Cheek: Second. Mr. Mayor: Discussion? Madame Clerk, if you’ll clear the board. All in favor, please so vote. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Any other business? Mr. Mays: Mr. Mayor? 22 Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mays? Mr. Mays: I’d like to make a motion that the Administrator be directed to bring back to the Administrative Services Committee on their next Committee meeting the management direction of Housing and Neighborhood Development and as it relates to the Growth Management Department that was done in the overall Management Study that we had for the City of Augusta, but to bring that back to the Committee in reference to where that falls in the scheme of things in reference to staffing and management. Mr. Williams: Second. Mr. Mayor: Might the Chair ask you to add to that, if the body would accept an amendment, that these items that are contained -- the corrective action plan items that are contained in this communication we were given today -- also be addressed? Mr. Mays: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: That relate to that department? All right. Any further discussion? Mr. Beard: What meeting is that? Is that the Monday meeting? Mr. Mays: Yes, sir. Mr. Beard: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: All in favor of the motion, please vote aye. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Any other business to come before this body? Mr. Kuhlke: I move we adjourn. Mr. Mayor: Motion to adjourn. Is there a second? Mr. Shepard: Second. Mr. Mayor: Any objection? We’re adjourned without objection. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission 23 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 Augusta Richmond County Commission held on January 2, 2001. Clerk of Commission