HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-03-2001 Regular Meeting
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBERS
July 3, 2001
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:03 p.m., Tuesday, July
3, 2001, 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: George Kolb, Administrator; Jim Wall, Attorney; and Lena
Bonner, Clerk of Commission.
The Invocation was presented by Reverend Dodson.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Mayor: Madame Clerk, let’s go ahead and take care of the recognitions.
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
RECOGNITIONS:
Commissioner Lee Beard
Commissioner Henry Brigham
THE Clerk: Mr. Mayor and members of the Augusta Commission, in our
recognitions, Commissioners Lee Beard and Henry Brigham were formally elected and
installed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Municipal Association during
the Annual GMA Convention in Savannah on June 26 for the year 2001-2002. Also,
Commissioner Marion Williams received a certificate of recognition from GMA for
completion of 42 hours of training, and Commissioner Richard Colclough received a
certificate of achievement from GMA completing 72 hours of training. So we’d like to
offer our congratulations to the members of our Commission for this outstanding
achievement.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AWARD:
Mr. Michael Sleeper
Information Technology Department
The Clerk: The Employee of the Month Selection Committee has selected Mr.
Michael Sleeper with the Information Technology Department as May’s Employee of the
Month. Mr. Sleeper has worked for the City of Augusta for five years. Mr. Sleeper is the
webmaster for the City of Augusta web page and handles all internet-related issues. He
was nominated by fellow City employee Melanie Lease, who gave the following reasons
for her nomination: “Mr. Sleeper is an employee who is very valuable to all departments
and is consistently available for assistance, not only in his area of expertise but all areas,
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including technical support down to basic software questions. Mr. Sleeper values outside
suggestions from department web authors and works diligently for the City as a whole.
He possesses an attitude of the City as a whole instead of just his department. He has an
“out of box” approach to solutions.” The Committee felt that on Ms. Lease’s
recommendation and Mr. Sleeper’s attitude he should be awarded Employee of the
Month. Ms. Lease further states: “Mr. Sleeper acted upon his own initiative to safeguard
our website from potentially costly damage and protected our site from hackers well in
advance of the problems being in the public spotlight.” Congratulations, Mr. Sleeper, as
being Employee of the Month.
Mr. Mayor: Madame Clerk, if we could, move ahead, before we move to the
Delegation, and take up item 43. That’s the report from the Citizens Budget Committee.
CITIZENS BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE:
43. Receive final report from Mr. Sanford Loyd, Chairman, Citizens Budget
Review Committee.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Loyd, good afternoon. Welcome.
Mr. Loyd: Good afternoon. Thank you. Mr. Mayor and County Commissioners,
I’d like to bring to you our report of the Citizens Budget Review Committee. Before I do
that, I would like to ask if there are members of that Committee present in the Chambers
today, that they would please stand. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, we have actually met
almost weekly since our organizational meeting in February of 2001, and the charge we
were given is this: “The members are to take a thorough look at the largest General Fund
departments’ expenditures and revenues and make any common sense recommendations
in these area that be indicated. Those members are to use their own perspectives, from
their various occupations and life experiences in doing that.” What follows is our
recommendation. During this process, the Committee received and reviewed information
furnished by members of the Finance Department, Information Technology Department,
Recreation Department, Public Works Department, and Public Safety Department, and
Committee members. Included in the information reviewed was comparative data on
departments of other similar-size cities or counties in the State. We met with and
discussed various issues with department heads of Information Technology, Recreation,
Public Works, and with the Sheriff of Richmond County. We also had similar meetings
with members of the consulting group, DMG Maximus, and Slavens Accounting and
Consulting Service, and we met with members of the Finance Committee of the Augusta
Richmond County Commission. Our Committee concluded that we did not sufficient
time or resources to evaluated the budget and make specific changes to budgeted
revenues or expenditures. However, we do make the following general observations and
recommendations: We recommend that the Commission and budget group review all
existing projects, whether they are coming on board because of sales tax or capital outlay,
water and sewer, etc., to determine annual future operation cost impact and giving
specifics as to the additional positions, salary and fringe benefits and materials and
supplies and the year that these increases will impact the operating budget. We further
recommend that there is a reorganization to the operations structure of Augusta
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Richmond County, giving the Administrator the status of Chief Executive Officer to
include hiring and firing of department directors. All department heads should review the
fees charged for services rendered by their department and justify the fees being charged.
When justification exists for increasing the fees charged, then the fees should be
increased. Priority should be given to the implementation of the Government Accounting
Standards Board Standard #34, which focuses on accountability of a county for financial
assets. The Augusta Richmond County mill rate, from what we have discovered, is lower
than similar-size governments in Georgia. After an exhaustive review of areas for
increasing current revenues and decreasing current expenditures, while maintaining an
acceptable level of service, consideration should be given if necessary to raising the mill
rate. A dedicated mill rate should be established upon Public Safety. Department
directors, elected officials and other units should be encouraged to respond in writing,
giving their comments on each recommendation made in the DMG Maximus report of
February 4, 1999, Study of Staffing and Operations. Department directors should
respond in writing to the DMG Study of Staffing and Operations to the Administrator for
review and recommendation for possible implementation. We also recommend that the
Commission engage DMG or other similar consultants to do a follow-up on the original
study, to include a review of the current efficiency of the original recommendation and an
analysis of the implementation of original recommendations that show current efficiency.
Consider hiring an additional inspector whose sole purpose would be to pursue
businesses operating without permits and business licenses. Implement an aggressive
collection policy for the collection of all delinquent debt owed to Augusta Richmond
County. Study and reevaluate City-owned properties to determine if any properties meet
a set criteria for disposition to generate revenue. These are the recommendations that we
bring after our meeting over that course of approximately 21 weeks. We thank you for
the opportunity to be of service to the Augusta-Richmond community. We believe we
have complied with the charge given our Committee and we hope our recommendations
are beneficial to the Commission. We thank you very much.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you very much, Mr. Loyd, for your service and the service of
those who were with you on that Committee. We certainly appreciate the time you’ve
spent. You were very thorough in the work that you did do. We’ve gotten reports back
of that and we appreciate the diligence and the enthusiasm with which each one of you
undertook this endeavor. Since this Committee was a creature of the Finance Committee,
Mr. Shepard, is there anything you’d like to say at this time?
Mr. Shepard
: Mr. Mayor, I want to join the thanks that you just expressed to the
I was going to
Chairman of the Committee and to the members of the Committee.
suggest that we receive this report this afternoon as information and we refer it to
the Finance Committee at its second meeting in July for more detailed discussion
and try to come up at that time with a plan of implementation to look at these
recommendations individually and see what, if anything, we can do about them.
But
I do appreciate the long hours that these folks have put in. Some of them came up to us
when we met with them, the Finance Committee, Mr. Williams and Mr. Bridges and Mr.
Brigham and I, and said it’s one of the best committees that they’d have the opportunity
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So I would make that
to serve on as citizens, and we certainly appreciate their effort.
motion
that refer it to that second meeting in July. Thank you.
Mr. Cheek: I second that, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Motion and second. Further discussion? All in favor of the motion,
please vote aye.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thanks again, Mr. Loyd. Let’s take up our next delegation, Madame
Clerk.
DELEGATION:
Augusta Association of Baptist Churches
Mr. Don Wheless
Director of Missions
RE: 2002 World Changers Project
Mr. Wheless: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Wheless, welcome. You have the floor.
Mr. Wheless: Thank you. Members of the Commission, my name is Don
Wheless. I’m director of missions for the Augusta Association of Baptist Churches.
Today I am here to represent the World Changers organization, which is a student
volunteer missions group, part of the North American Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention. For three years, the World Changers has been in partnership with
the City of Augusta, working on inner-city houses, repairing, repainting, roofing, just
general repairs for these inner-city houses. I’ve given to you a brief history of the World
Changers organization. Just to give you a synopsis of that, it’s been in existence for 11
years. They have involved over 81,000 students in some 5,000 projects in America. In
the year 2000, they entered a new phase of their ministry, international projects, which
they involved 16,500 students in 65 North American cities and seven international
countries, including Puerto Rico; Sidney, Australia; Amman, Jordan; Nigeria; Antigua;
and the Dominican Republic. As I said, for three years, we have had a partnership with
the City of Augusta, and I’m here today to ask that that partnership continue in the year
2002. I have asked Mr. Floyd Wilds, who is the construction coordinator for the Augusta
project, to come and share just briefly some of the things that have been accomplished
over these three years. So if I might introduce Mr. Floyd Wilds.
Mr. Wilds: It took me 4-1/2 hours to get here, and five minutes isn’t very long.
But let me assure you, I am a sold-out World Changers person. I shut my business down
one week out of every year, and I come to Augusta, Georgia and I enjoy dealing with
people like we have here today and various places all over. This is something to me that
is beyond a volunteer kind of thing. It’s a commitment on my part. I appreciate the
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opportunity that I have and the World Changers gives me to be here. In the past three
years, we have partially rehabbed 72 homes. We’re not a remodeling outfit. We do
partial rehabs. We do things that can cause homes to be able to be finished at a later
time. And because of that, we have a situation here in Augusta where I understand a lot
of people benefit beyond the work that we do. I would like say, this past year we’ve had
390 kids from eighth grade through college, from two churches, from Texas, North
Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. So you got a lot of attention in Augusta, Georgia
this past year. Like I said, I am sold-out with this. To me, this is a great opportunity. In
a world when our youth looks for something to do, please tell me that there is no
opposition to something that gives them something to do. This is a great opportunity for
our kids. It gives them purpose. I see them every night in their worship service and
everything, and in their little meetings. They take this very serious. It is a big deal to
them. It is a purpose for them. And our youth needs a purpose. I appreciate your time.
Wish I had more of it. I’d love to speak to anybody about World Changers. I’m a gung-
ho guy.
Mr. Mayor: We appreciate that.
Mr. Mayor: Do we have any questions for our guests that are here today? Mr.
Cheek?
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, thank you. Just a comment that anything that we can do
to demonstrate to our youth that the ministry of the church goes beyond the walls of the
church and that as it says in the Bible, faith without acts is dead. Well, if we can get all
of the kids out to seeing that they can help in different areas, it’s just a matter of us on our
side of the house making sure that we choose the proper scope of work, the proper jobs
we ask them to do, and that we can avoid these types of problems in the future. But may
your mission grow.
Mr. Mayor: George, is there anything you’d like to add?
Mr. Kolb: No, sir.
Ms. Huffman: I’d like to add something.
Mr. Mayor: Ma’am, if you’d please come up to the podium and give us your
name and address for the record, please, and please into the microphone so we can all
hear you.
Ms. Huffman: My name is Betty Huffman, and I live at 1733 Fenwick Street.
They painted my house, and also my storm door on my front door, the lock was broke
where I couldn’t lock it, and also the glass was cracked at the bottom. And they put me a
new door. And I really appreciate it. Because I have trouble with my legs and my feet,
and also I live on limited income. And the thing about it is I’m getting old and I just
don’t if I would have ever got around to painting that house. I had it re-roofed. I had a
tin roof put on my house, which is very unusual cause everyone always usually has
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shingles, but I had a tin roof put on my house and everything. And it didn’t really cost
really probably about $600 or $700 more than shingles and it will last and last. And
that’s what really is on most of those houses in Harrisburg is tin roofs. Some of them still
there from when they were built way back there in the 30’s and the 20’s. I thought that
was great on my part and it is good for the neighborhood. And they painted my whole
house. It took them a whole week cause it really had to be scraped and painted, and I just
really appreciate it because it’s just like I say, I’m getting older and I live on a limited
income and I don’t know I would have got around to painting the house. But I was
intending on trying to paint the house cause they want us to keep up the neighborhood.
They want us to keep up the neighborhood. And I try to do my part. I let everything
grow around there, I have beautiful shrubbery, jasmine vines on my fence, my whole
yard is fenced-in with a chain-link fence. And it’s really a nice-looking house. It’s an
old house but it’s a nice-looking house. And with it painted, it does upgrade the
neighborhood and keep everything going.
Mr. Mayor: Very good. Thank you very much for that report.
Ms. Huffman: All right. Okay. And I hope they keep up the good work. And
the kids, I really enjoyed them myself. I really did. I really enjoyed the kids and
everything, and they seemed to be, some of them looked like they were really trying to
come through as Christians. The thing about it is they did a good job and I think it’s a
good thing. I really think it’s a good thing. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you very much for coming today and sharing that with us.
Don, we’ll be in touch with your organization because I think World Changers is what we
are looking for in Augusta and we appreciate the mission work of the Southern Baptist
Convention inviting these young people every summer to do this.
Ms. Judy: May I say something?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. If you’ll come up to the microphone and please be
brief. Give us your name and address for the record.
Ms. Judy: My name is [inaudible] Judy. I live at 1932 Telfair Street, and I want
to thank these very nice people for all they’ve done for me and helped me because I had
some bad windows and a terrible front porch and they have made it just wonderful and I
enjoy it so much. Thank y’all so very much. Hope you get to come back.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Commissioner Williams?
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to address the group and tell
them that it is a blessing to have people with such love in their hearts to help and to do
what the will of God has said. There have been some type of work that been done and I
commend the children, I commend the group for all they’re trying to do. There are some
skills or some jobs that need some professional help. I never said, and I don’t think any
Commissioner said that they did not want this group to continue to do what they’ve been
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doing. I think there are some skills and some jobs that we need to look at on a level that
when it comes to a roof or similar situations, we may need to have some expertise, but we
certainly did not want to give the impression to think that we did not want to help our
brothers. You don’t ever know when you’re going to need in this lifetime. And there are
some people that really appreciate the paint that’s put on their homes. There are some
people that appreciate even the help with the old fence that been broke down. So as a
Commissioner, I commend you and I want you to know that we in support of trying to
help one another. We are in this world together and we need to reach out more and do
that. But at the same time, when it come to professional-type services, there are some
things that we probably need a little bit more supervision on. You know, when you talk
about young people, then enthusiastic about what they do, maybe not having the
experience a lot of time, there are some things that we may need to watch them closely.
But I think this government, I think this City welcomes you and appreciate all that you
do.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner Williams. Commissioner Cheek?
Mr. Cheek: Just a quick comment. In the future, we may be coming to talk to
you about helping us develop an army of Augusta Changers, too.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Yes, ma’am. Come up to the mike and give us your name
and address for the record, please.
Ms. Barnes: I’m Peggy Barnes. I’m retired from Richmond County. I had to
retired unexpectedly because of my health. Of course, I was not ready for retirement.
Thank the Lord for these young people that came. They put on a roof on my house. A
terrible storm cam through at the time. It rained, blew the tarp off that they had put on
my house. I’m going to have to have some ceilings replaced. I am right now without a
living room ceiling. But we have plastic in there. We praise the Lord. They did have
supervision. They had some people that knew what they were doing to come by and
check on them. When it started raining, they were there in just a few minutes. There
were four or five adults. They came, put more tarp on the house, made sure it was secure,
and I just can’t praise them enough for what they’ve done, even though I’m still without a
ceiling, that’s okay. The Lord has blessed me.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you for sharing with us.
Mr. Wheless: Mr. Mayor, one ore comment and I will leave.
Mr. Mayor: You don’t need to leave. We just need to move on with the agenda.
Mr. Wheless: Okay. Each project site does have a certified construction person
to work, and there are times when things happen, though, that cause -- such as the
incident there with the rain -- but there is supervision. I just want you to know that.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
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Mr. Wheless: Thank you for your consideration.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you very much. Madame Clerk, let’s move on with our
addendum agenda.
ADDENDUM AGENDA:
Deletions from the agenda:
Item #36
Item #39
Item #41
The Clerk: We have a request to delete item 36 and postpone this item until our
July 18, meeting. A request to delete item 39 from the Planning Commission.
Mr. Mayor: I understand they have not reached their agreement yet.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. The engineering process is still out. The petitioner has not
had the engineering work done, so the Planning Commission is asking that this item be
postponed.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Kolb, I think item 41, a resolution has been reached to that and
condemnation will not be necessary so we’d like to delete that?
Mr. Kolb: That is correct.
The Clerk: So that is the deletion of items 36, 39, and 41.
Mr. Mayor: Is there any objection to deleting any of those three items?
Mr. J. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to know why we are deleting 36. I thought
street lighting districts were a pretty standard option.
The Clerk: The advertising on it, Mr. Brigham. Because we had our committee
meetings on Wednesday we were not about to get out legal notice into the newspaper for
today’s meeting. And so we thought it best.
Mr. J. Brigham: Now I remember. Thank you.
The Clerk: To reschedule it.
Mr. Mayor: Hearing no objection, we’ll delete those three items from the agenda.
Mr. Williams: 36, 39, and 41?
Mr. Mayor: Yes. And then we will add to the agenda, Madame Clerk?
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The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Additions to the agenda:
1. Discuss mosquito control. (Requested by Commissioner Cheek)
2. Discuss Butler Creek property acquisition along Butler Creek from Highway
1 to Highway 25. (Requested by Commissioner Cheek.)
Mr. Mayor: Is that the same as item 35 on the agenda?
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Mr. Cheek: Just clarification.
Mr. Mayor: I might note for the record, too, on the agenda items 4 and 14 are
duplicate items, as are items 10 and 15, and 16 and 22. So if anybody want to pull any
item, we may have a companion item to deal with. Madame Clerk, we’ll go ahead with
the consent agenda. What I’d like to do is add to the consent agenda items 44, 45, 46,
and 47, which are the petitions and communications, and we’d like to hold item 32 over
into Legal because of some information that we have received today that we need to
discuss before we take that item up publicly. So Madame Clerk, if you’ll move ahead
with the consent agenda.
The Clerk: The consent agenda will consist of items 1 through 38, as well as
45 through 47, with 32 being referred to Legal. For the benefit of any objections to
the alcohol petitions, I will read the location and the petition requests, and if there
are any objectors, will you please signify your objection by raising your hand.
5. Motion to approve a request by Deborah R. Hawk to transfer the on
premise consumption Beer & Wine License used in connection with Yo Pizza
located at 2525 Washington Rd. to 2803 Wrightsboro Rd., Suite A. District 3.
Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee June 27, 2001)
6. Motion to approve a request by Stephen R. Foushee for a retail package Beer
license to be used in connection with Triangle Petroleum Food Mart located
at 3539 Wheeler Rd. District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
7. Motion to approve a request by Walter W. Lyon for an on premise
consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with
Famous Dave’s Barbeque located at 2821 Washington Rd. There will be
Sunday sales. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services
Committee June 27, 2001)
8. Motion to approve a request by Jong Nathanson for a retail package Beer &
Wine License to be used in connection with P J’s Food Mart located at 3184
Skinner Mill Rd. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
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9. Motion to approve a request by Sun C. Evans for a retail package Beer &
Wine License to be used in connection with Richmond Hill Market located at
2512 Richmond Hill Rd. District 2. Super District 9. (Approved by Public
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those petitions, alcohol petitions? There
are no objectors, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. J. Brigham: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes?
Mr. J. Brigham: Would you make it plain to the audience of there was anybody
here on rezoning issue on Boy Scout Road that we’ve postponed that?
Mr. Mayor: The item to approve the 57-unit development off Boy Scout Road on
Rae’s Creek is not on the agenda today. We have delayed that because the engineering
work has not been completed and the report is not ready to come back to us from the
Planning Commission, so if there are any people here for that item, we will not take it up
today.
Mr. Wall: Mr. Mayor, can we pull item 25 or can I just make a comment about
it?
Mr. Mayor: Do you think it might lead to some discussion? Would it be easier to
pull it out?
Mr. Wall: It might be.
Mr. Mayor: Let’s go ahead and pull item 25 then. Gentlemen, your pleasure with
respect to the consent agenda?
Mr. Bridges: Mr. Mayor? Could we add in, since item number 41 is being
cleared up, which is the condemnation of [inaudible], could we add item number 42 in
with the consent agenda, but I would like to add some language in there?
Mr. Mayor: Let’s handle that separately.
Mr. Bridges: Okay. All right.
Mr. Mayor: Don’t want to get things confused here. Mr. Shepard, and then Mr.
Cheek?
Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor, if we’re going to handle 42 separately, I see some folks
from Colony Park. They are not a formal delegation but they are from Colony Park, so if
we could address that early on.
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Mr. Mayor: We’ll do that. Okay. Mr. Cheek?
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, can we put 35 and 2 on the addendum agenda together
and just deal with those at one time?
Mr. Mayor: You want to pull 35 then?
Mr. Cheek: 35, and work it in with item 2 on the addendum agenda.
Mr. Mayor: All right. Mr. Colclough, I think I see your hand up down there?
Mr. Colclough: I want to pull item 2 when you get to it. Item 2.
Mr. Mayor: On the addendum agenda?
Mr. Colclough: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Anybody desire to pull any additional items?
Mr. Williams: Item 21 for discussion, please.
Mr. Mayor: Number 21. Okay. Any other items?
Mr. Williams: And number 4.
Mr. Mayor: Number 4.
Mr. Bridges: Wasn’t number 4 a duplicate, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, number 4 is a duplicate of item 14. So if we pull 4, we pull 14.
Any others? Was there any objection to moving -- never mind, we’re going to keep that
separate.
Consent Agenda:
PUBLIC SERVICES:
1. Motion to approve the elimination of one Bus Operator II position (grade 39)
and the creation of one Cashier position (grade 37). (Approved by Public
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
2. Deleted from consent agenda.
3. Motion to approve and award professional services for survey and master
planning for Diamond Lakes Regional Park to Cranston, Robertson &
Whitehurst in the amount of $76,590. (Approved by Public Services
Committee June 27, 2001)
4. Deleted from consent agenda.
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5. Motion to approve a request by Deborah R. Hawk to transfer the on
premise consumption Beer & Wine License used in connection with Yo Pizza
located at 2525 Washington Rd. to 2803 Wrightsboro Rd., Suite A. District 3.
Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee June 27, 2001)
6. Motion to approve a request by Stephen R. Foushee for a retail package Beer
license to be used in connection with Triangle Petroleum Food Mart located
at 3539 Wheeler Rd. District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
7. Motion to approve a request by Walter W. Lyon for an on premise
consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with
Famous Dave’s Barbeque located at 2821 Washington Rd. There will be
Sunday sales. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services
Committee June 27, 2001)
8. Motion to approve a request by Jong Nathanson for a retail package Beer &
Wine License to be used in connection with P J’s Food Mart located at 3184
Skinner Mill Rd. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
9. Motion to approve a request by Sun C. Evans for a retail package Beer &
Wine License to be used in connection with Richmond Hill Market located at
2512 Richmond Hill Rd. District 2. Super District 9. (Approved by Public
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
10. Motion to approve the reclassification of jobs at the Augusta-Richmond
County Library as follows: (Approved by Public Services Committee June
27, 2001)
a. Administrative Assistant II, Grade 43 (Audio Visual Dept.) to an
Administrative Assistant I, Grade 44.
b. Secretary III, Grade 37 to a Library Assistant III, Grade 37.
c. Administrative Assistant II, Grade 43 (Interlibrary Loan) to a
Librarian II, Grade 48
d. Librarian II, Grade 48 (Local History) to an Administrative Assistant
II, Grade 43.
e. Library Assistant II, Grade 39 (Periodicals Clerk) to a Library
Assistant I, Grade 40.
f. Administrative Assistant II, Grade 43 (Public Relations) to a Library
Assistant II, Grade 39 (Branch Substitute)
g. Library Assistant III, Grade 37 (Children’s Dept.) to a Library
Assistant II, Grade 38.
h. Library Assistant II, Grade 38 (Children’s Dept.) to a Technology
Assistant, same grade.
11. Motion to approve Augusta Public Transit’s grant application to the Georgia
Department of Transportation (GDOT) for capital funds. (Approved by
Public Services Committee June 27, 2001)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES:
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12. Motion to approve the elimination of one Bus Operator II position (grade 39)
and the creation of one Cashier I position (grade 37). (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee June 27, 2001)
13. Motion to approve an Ordinance providing for the demolition of certain
unsafe and uninhabitable properties in the Laney-Walker Neighborhood:
1250 Eleventh Street (District 1, Super District 9); South Augusta
Neighborhood: 959 Fourteenth Avenue, 1003 Fourteenth Avenue (District 2,
nd
Super District 9); and waive 2 reading. (Approved by Administrative
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
14. Deleted from consent agenda.
15. Motion to approve reclassification of jobs at Library as follows:
a. Administrative Assistant II, Grade 43 (Audio Visual Dept.) to an
Administrative Assistant I, Grade 44
b. Secretary III, Grade 37 to a Library Assistant III, Grade 37
c. Administrative Assistant II, Grade 43 (Interlibrary Loan) to a
Librarian II, Grade 48
d. Librarian II, Grade 48 (Local History) to an Administrative Assistant
II, Grade 43
e. Library Assistant II, Grade 39 (Periodicals Clerk) to a Library
Assistant I, Grade 40
f. Administrative Assistant II, Grade 43 (Public Relations) to a Library
Assistant II, Grade 39 (Branch Substitute)
g. Library Assistant III, Grade 37 (Children’s Dept.) to a Library
Assistant II, Grade 38
h. Library Assistant II, Grade 38 (Children’s Dept.) to a Technology
Assistant, same grade
16. Motion to approve the creation of a Deputy Coroner position for the
Coroner’s Office. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee June
27, 2001)
PUBLIC SAFETY:
17. Motion to approve re-grants to the following Community Support Agencies:
(Approved by Public Safety Committee June 27, 2001)
Child Enrichment/Augusta Child Advocacy $ 5,000
Rape Crisis $25,000
Domestic Violence Intervention $5,000
18. Motion to enter into a nondisclosure agreement with Sprint PCS
(Approved by Public Safety Committee June 27, 2001)
FINANCE:
19. Motion to approve request from the Public Works Department - Solid Waste
Facility to lease one large wheel loader to replace the current Caterpillar
966F currently being leased (Bid Item 01-094). (Approved by Finance
Committee June 27, 2001)
20. Motion to approve the acquisition of One (1) Winged Slope Mower for the
Public Works Department – Solid Waste Division (Landfill) from Kut-Kwick
14
Company of Brunswick, Georgia for $62,675.00 (lowest bid offer on Bid 01-
085). (Approved by Finance Committee June 27, 2001)
21. Deleted from consent agenda.
22. Motion to approve the creation of a Deputy Coroner position for the
Coroner’s Office. (Approved by Finance Committee June 27, 2001)
23. Motion to approve contracting with Georgia Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) binding Augusta Richmond County to develop a Design
Guidelines Manual for the Downtown National Register Historic District in
return for a Historic Preservation Fund grant of $14,760.00. (Approved by
Finance Committee June 27, 2001)
24. Motion to approve additional travel expenses (mileage) for Augusta delegates
attending NACO Conference. (Approved by Finance Committee June 27,
2001)
24A. Motion to approve Augusta Public Transit’s grant application to the Georgia
Department of Transportation (GDOT) for capital funds. (Approved by
Finance Committee June 27, 2001)
24B. Motion to approve accepting final document of FY 2000 Audited Financial
Statements from Cherry, Bekaert & Holland. (Approved by Finance
Committee June 27, 2001)
ENGINEERING SERVICES:
25. Deleted from consent agenda.
26. Motion to approve condemnation of a portion of Tax Map 83, Parcel 207,
Project Parcel 10, which is owned by Pearl Bright, for right-of-way on the
Barton Chapel Road Improvement Project, Phase II. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee June 27, 2001)
27. Motion to approve award of contract to Mabus Brothers Construction
Company, Inc. in the amount of $280,052.11 for construction of the Mike
Padgett Highway Sanitary Sewer Extension. (Funded by Account Number
508043420-5425210) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee June
27, 2001)
28. Motion to approve an Option for Easement in the amount of $6,100.00 for
the following property: 0.10 acre (4,509.95 sq. ft.), more or less, of permanent
drainage and utility easement; and 0.10 acre (4,335.58 sq. ft.), more or less, of
temporary construction easement. (Tax Map 40; Parcel 71) (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee June 27, 2001)
29. Motion to approve an engineering proposal from Cranston, Robertson &
Whitehurst, P.C. to design the time critical portions of the Rae’s Creek
Interceptor Relief Sewer Project at a cost of $40,910. (Account Number
509043420-5212115/80160110-5212115) (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee June 27, 2001)
30. Motion to authorize additional engineering services to ZEL in the amount of
$430,910 for the proposed additional environmental and fishery studies to
support the City of Augusta Canal Licensing. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
15
31. Motion to approve advertising for the construction of 400 linear feet of dry
trunk sewer across the Augusta Country Club property immediately after
drawings and specifications are completed. (Construction to be funded from
Account Number 509043420-5425210/80160110-5425210). (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee June 27, 2001)
32. Referred to legal meeting.
33. Motion to authorize engineering services for the Windsor Spring Road Phase
IV (CPB # 323-04-299823766) & Windsor Spring Road Phase V (CPB# 323-
04-299823786) Project with Jordan, Jones & Goulding in the amount of
$999,952.71. Also approve Change Number One to Capital Project Budget
Number 323-04-299823766 for Phase IV in the amount of $600,000.00 and
Capital Project Number 323-04-298823786 for Phase V in the amount of
$601,000.00 for the Windsor Spring Road Project to be funded from Special
One Percent Sales Tax, Phase III and Phase IV. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee June 27, 2001)
34. Motion to approve recommendations from the Railway Traffic
Subcommittee regarding Amtrak Strategy and Sixth Street Safety Corridor
Improvements. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee June 27,
2001)
35. Deleted from consent agenda.
36. Deleted from consent agenda.
PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS:
37. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Commission held
June 19, 2001.
ATTORNEY:
38. Motion to approve an Ordinance establishing rates and charges for the
Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (Approved by the Commission June
19, 2001 – second reading)
PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS:
44. Consider endorsing letter Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
from
urging the Governor to add the issue of “gambling amusement games” to
the General Assembly’s special summer session. (Requested by
Commissioner Jerry Brigham)
45. Motion to accept grant award in the amount of $32,774.00 from the Office
of the Governor Children Youth Coordinating Council for Augusta
Richmond County Juvenile Court.
46. Consider approval of letter of consent in support of Dr. Bernard
Davidson’s grant application for the Richmond County Family Solutions
Program to be a direct recipient of grants funds from the Office of the
Governor Children 7 Youth Coordinating Council.
47. Consider approval of letter of consent in support of Augusta Urban
Ministries to be a direct recipient of grant funds from the Governor Children
& Youth Coordinating Council.
16
Mr. Mayor: We have the consent agenda. We need a motion to approve.
Mr. Cheek: Motion to approve, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Shepard: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Second. And we’ve pulled items 4, 14, 21, 35 and 25. All in favor
of the motion, please vote aye.
Mr. Colclough: Let it be known that I vote no on Sunday sales.
Mr. Mayor: The record will so reflect.
Mr. Bridges: Same here, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: The record will so reflect.
Mr. Colclough and Mr. Bridges vote No on Sunday sales portion of Item 7.
Motion carries 10-0. [Items 1, 3, 5-13, 15-20, 22-24B, 26-31, 33-34, 37-38, 44-47]
Mr. Mayor: We’ve got some people here in item 42, so let’s go ahead and take
that item up.
42. Motion to approve award of contract to Beam’s Pavement Maintenance
Company, Inc. in the amount of $1,614,519.01 for construction of the Colony Park
Sanitary Sewer Extension. (Funded by Account Number 509043420-
5425210/80150030-5425210) (No recommendation from Engineering Services
Committee June 27, 2001)
Mr. Bridges: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes?
Mr. Bridges: If somebody from the Utilities Department could discuss what’s
happened there, just to give us a history of it. Is Doug Cheek? Max, is he available, or
you want to do it? Just so we understand what’s going on and what your
recommendation would be involved in item 42.
Mr. Doug Cheek: My agenda item was taken off the web, and the numbers were
messed up. I’m assuming that’s the Colony Park sewer project?
Mr. Bridges: Yes, sir.
Mr. Doug Cheek: Okay. We were just hoping to add some verbiage to that. We
have discussed with Mr. Bill Berry, who I guess was the reason for the deletion of the
17
condemnation, but we had some discussions with him and worked out an agreement.
And also we were hoping to eliminate a sanitary sewer inflow problem that we had there
as well, and we were hoping to be able to add that to our contract. We’re requesting
permission to authorize -- requesting authorization to negotiate with the contractor for
Colony Park, which the low bidder was Beam’s Pavement Company, to negotiate with
them to do these corrections and we would hope to do that as soon as possible in the
project to get that problem resolved as soon as possible, and we were hoping to -- we’ve
done some negotiations and figuring how much it will cost and we figured that that cost
should not exceed $25,000.
Mr. Bridges: And this would be -- let me make sure I understand. This would be
everything involved? In other words, Public Works wouldn’t be involved with this, it
would be strictly in the Utilities Department this time, rather than swapping money back
and forth like we discussed on Engineering Services?
Mr. Doug Cheek: That’s correct.
Mr. Bridges: Okay. And you don’t think that will exceed $25,000 to take on that
additional work?
Mr. Doug Cheek: No, sir, we do not.
Mr. Bridges: Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve item 42 as it is
printed, with the addition that we authorize Utilities to negotiate with Beam’s
Pavement as part of this contract to realign the drainage ditch on bill Berry’s
property, to address the inflow of storm water into the sanitary sewer system, and to
address the drainage issue with the property owner’s access at a cost not to exceed
$25,000.
Mr. Shepard: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Motion and second. Any further discussion?
Mr. Mays: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mays?
Mr. Mays: I’m in favor of this and have been for two years now, but I just wanted
to ask, and I guess when I hear a reasonable length of time, is that to be put into any time
frame? Months, days, weeks, per se, that we might can at least get an estimate on it?
And my reason for asking that is I know this was negotiated in good faith, but good faith
comes on behalf of both parties on both sides, and I think we backed off of condemnation
because the person that signed it, and I know we’re doing out [inaudible] got to do with
it, but I just want to kind of get some rough estimate in terms of whether it’s something
we’re going to do in this calendar year or -- you know, some reasonable expectation of
[inaudible]. And I think [inaudible]. Some you’ve done already in terms of some of that.
18
But I just didn’t want it to get into a [inaudible] of where days turn into months and
months turn into semi-years and then we move into another year.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Kolb, can you respond to that?
Mr. Kolb: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, the actual time table I’ll
refer to Mr. Cheek, but as I understand it this project is urgent and will be implemented
pretty quickly, and the settlement with Mr. Berry, the repairs to the problem area will be
done in conjunction with this particular contract. That is what they have to negotiate with
the contractor, how much that is going to cost, but that will be a part of the construction.
Mr. Doug Cheek: Yes, sir, that’s accurate. And basically the contractor has
stressed that Mr. Berry actually would agree to even letting them use part of his property
as a lay-down yard, which just goes to show what you’re saying, is his willingness to
work with us. And that kind of coordination, I guess, is going to actually expedite this
being able to happen. We estimate it’s going to take about 45 days to get all the contracts
signed and the contractor has agreed to go try to go in there and do that the very first
thing. So within two months we are expecting that to be done.
Mr. Mays: So that’s all been worked out, thanks to the Administrator and the two
departments working together, and I’m sure Mr. Berry, most of all, is glad to hear that.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Beard?
Mr. Beard: I was just wondering if someone could explain to me approximately,
and I wasn’t in this meeting, but explain to me why we are removing -- I thought Public
Works was working with this one time and Utilities was working with it, and I heard
Commissioner Bridges talk about swapping money. What are we talking about there?
Maybe somebody needs to explain that to me.
Mr. Bridges: George, you want to give the background on that and address the
issue?
Mr. Kolb: As much as I possibly can. Basically, after negotiations and
discussions took place with Mr. Berry and the departments determined what the actual
problems were, Utilities discovered that the majority of the problem was the seepage of
sanitary sewer in the area and they were able to justify the actual expenditure for making
the repairs to their pipe and to the area surrounding that it impacts. So that’s how it came
about. There will be no switching of funds. This is a legitimate expenditure of funds
delegated to this project.
Mr. Mayor: That answer your question, Mr. Beard?
Mr. Beard: Yes.
19
Mr. Mayor: Any further discussion? We have a motion on the floor to approve.
All in favor of the motion, please vote aye.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: I guess the first item, Madame Clerk, is number 4 and 14.
The Clerk: No, it’s 2.
Mr. Mayor: Item 2 is on the addendum agenda.
The Clerk: What did you pull, Mr. Colclough?
Mr. Colclough: 2.
The Clerk: 2 on the consent agenda?
Mr. Colclough: Yes.
The Clerk: Okay. 4 and 14.
Mr. Mayor: Let’s go to 2. I’m sorry.
2. Motion to approve Georgia Department of Natural Resources -
Environmental Protection Division - grant in the amount of $56,104 for the purpose
of funding the Scrap Tire/Solid Waste & Education program subject to Clean &
Beautiful presenting a program outline. (Approved by public Services Committee
June 27, 2001)
The Clerk: Ms. Blanos is here, Commissioners and Mayor, regarding that
presentation.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Colclough?
Mr. Colclough: I had that pulled. I just needed some more information on the
educational side of the program, to see how that can work into scrap tires.
Mr. Mayor: He wants more information on the educational side of this project
and how it relates to scrap tires.
Ms. Blanos: Okay. The scrap tire grant is not only for scrap tire education. It’s
for solid waste management. And I think everybody has received a copy, on the
Commission, about our programs that relate to solid waste management, school
education, Earth Day activities, the National Recycling Day, the Great American Clean-
up, the telephone book recycling program which is going on at this time, the Rivers Alive
Clean-up which comes in the fall, the newspaper and magazine programs we do with the
20
schools and the churches, the [inaudible] plastics recycling educational program that we
have, the Adopt-A-Highway street program that we implement, other activities that relate
to solid waste management. There will be our web site, which many people go to to look
for information on recycling and education. Directing daily many calls seeking
community clean-ups or just individual clean-ups. And solid waste disposal options.
Community exhibits. All of this is what the EPD was looking for. And for this reason,
we hired two part-time educators to implement this program because the EPD wanted
“hands-on” with these programs. If you’ll remember, I sent everybody a copy of the
Emily Earth program. I hope you read it. Mr. Kolb told me he didn’t have anything to
do so I should leave him a copy, along with the recycling musical cassette. This was
developed last year under the EPD program and was implemented, is being implemented
in the Richmond County Schools through Mr. Joe Moore. And this year, our job will be
to implement this program to its fullest. It’s a wonderful program, very positive for the
City of Augusta and very much appreciated by the residents.
Mr. Colclough: Could you be a little more specific on items 1, 4, 9 and 12 on the
education solid waste program? School education, going into schools educating
youngsters about scrap tires, the Great American Clean-Up Month? How do you go
about doing the clean up? And numerous daily calls seeking clean-ups and community
solid waste disposal, how do you dispose of solid waste, when you get calls in?
Ms. Blanos: Well, when we get calls in, they want to know where to take, say
plastics, newspapers, paint, these different items, and we refer them to the appropriate
facility or location.
Mr. Colclough: And your Adopt-A-Highway program?
Ms. Blanos: Yes, sir.
Mr. Colclough: You go out and adopt a mile or two miles in conjunction with
organizations?
Ms. Blanos: Right. And that’s a very popular program, and we pick up hundreds
of bags of trash per month through volunteers.
Mr. Colclough: In a month? Every month?
Ms. Blanos: Oh, yes. Yes. Many of the industries are now getting involved in
that program, and of course we put the signs up with the name on it that they have
adopted that area. They sign a contract with us which is approved by the Mayor.
Mr. Colclough: So when you pick up your refuse and put it in one pile and
somebody comes and picks it up and takes it to --
Ms. Blanos: That’s what we ask them to do. Put all the trash in one place.
21
Mr. Colclough: And they take it to the solid waste --
Ms. Blanos: Yes.
Mr. Colclough: And this grant pays for the tipping fees?
Ms. Blanos: No. No. No, this grant does not pay for anything that the State feels
that the County should be providing. I specifically asked that.
Mr. Colclough: So we pick the tipping fees for the garbage?
Ms. Blanos: Right. But when we do a private clean-up, if a person is moving out
of a house or into a house and they want to rent a dumpster through us, we charge those
folks tipping fees, which goes back into the landfill budget. So we really make money
for the County.
Mr. Colclough: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Any other questions? Gentlemen, what’s your pleasure with respect
to item 2?
Mr. Mays: I move it be approved.
Mr. Kuhlke: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Motion and second to approve. Any further discussion? All in favor
of the motion please vote aye.
Ms. Blanos: Thank you very much.
Mr. Shepard out.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: The next item will be 4 and 14.
4. Motion to change 1) a vacant Aquatics Program Specialist (pay grade 46) to
Marketing and Resource Supervisor (pay grade 46), to change 2) a vacant
Recreation Specialist III (pay grade 43) to Administrative Assistant III (pay
grade 42), and to change 3) a vacant Maintenance Worker II (pay grade 37)
to Work Detail Supervisor (pay grade 43). (Approved by Public Services
Committee June 27, 2001)
14. Motion to approve changing 1) a vacant Aquatics Program Specialist (pay
grade 46) to Marketing and Resource Supervisor (pay grade 46); 2) a vacant
Recreation Specialist III 9pay grade 43) to Administrative Assistant III (pay
grade 42); 3) a vacant Maintenance Worker II (pay grade 37) to Work Detail
22
Supervisor (pay grade 43). (Approved by Public Services Committee June
27, 2001)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams?
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If Mr. Beck would come up and kind of
give us a little more information. I’m in certain support of the detail supervisor. We are
in need of a supervisor to help with some construction type work that we were trying to
do with inmates, and I think we got six changes; is that right, Mr. Beck? There would be
3 and 2 and then that one supervisor person. We would change five people; is that right?
Mr. Beck: No, sir. This is for three vacancies to be changed to three other
classifications, with three vacancies.
Mr. Williams: So we got three vacancies already and what we would be doing is
changing the classification of those?
Mr. Beck: That’s correct.
Mr. Williams: Is there any way that we can add, put a second person in this detail
supervisor? And I’m thinking that if we had more people to supervise the inmates in
construction that we’re planning to do, that would save the taxpayers a lot of money, as
far as maintenance work? Is there any way to do that?
Mr. Beck: As far as within our current system, we don’t have any other vacancies
that could be dedicated to that service. We do have four other inmate crews and inmate
supervisors within the department that utilize inmate labor that can be used as back-ups
for this program, but as far as any positions within out department right now that could be
allocated for a second inmate supervisor, I don’t have them in our current system.
Mr. Williams: And this person would per se be a prison supervisor, he’ll be one
of your employees that would train to handle the trusties at this point; is that right?
Mr. Beck: That’s correct. This will be not unlike the other inmate supervisors
that we currently have. We have a good working relationship with RCCI and Warden
Leverett for this program. We could not accomplish our maintenance projects within our
department without inmate labor, and it’s a very important program. Okay. I don’t have
any other questions.
Mr. Mayor: Go right ahead, Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams: I don’t have any more.
Mr. Mayor: Oh, I’m sorry. Any further discussion? Mr. Henry?
23
Mr. H. Brigham: Mr. Beck, this would not have an adverse affect on your budget,
will it?
Mr. Beck: No, sir. This is a zero net request.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Colclough?
Mr. Colclough: Mr. Beck, on that position that Mr. Williams was talking about,
you couldn’t swap out a position, like Administrator III position, assistant position, for
that other work detail supervisor?
Mr. Beck: Well, right now within the requests that I’ve got, all three of these
changes are very important in our system. All three have different functional needs
within the department. So it’s my recommendation that we would go with what is
presented. I, too, wish that we could get another position within the inmate supervisor
realm, but within our current system we don’t have that right now. And again, what is
presented is what my recommendation is, would be the best way to move forward for
efficiency for our department.
Mr. Mayor: Any further discussion? Mr. Cheek?
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, thank you. One of these positions is going to interface
with the volunteers, and having completed our baseball season this year, I would remind
the Commission there are over 80 youth teams that we have to coordinate facilities and
coaches together and so forth, and that’s just one of our sporting activities. We need
someone specifically dedicated to this function to help us -- this person would act as a
force multiplier by bringing on many, many volunteers that will work for the satisfaction
of the job, and there is not an additional increase in salary or benefits, so I just urge us to
support this.
Mr. Beard: Mr. Mayor, I move for approval.
Mr. Bridges: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a second to the motion. All in favor of the motion, please
vote aye.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: The next item is number 21, Madame Clerk.
21. Motion to approve SPLOST Agreement with the Augusta Museum of
History in the amount of $200,000.00. (Approved by Finance Committee
June 27, 2001)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams?
24
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. I’m in support but I just want to get some
clarification that this $200,000.00 will be used for the building, not for the day-to-day
operations; is that right?
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct.
Mr. Williams: Okay. And also that the Museum is receiving this local option
sales tax along with the hotel/motel tax?
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct.
Mr. Williams: Okay. That’s all. I am in support.
Mr. Shepard: I move approval, Mr. Mayor, of Item 21.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Motion and second. Discussion? All in favor please vote aye.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: Next item? 25?
25. Motion to approve Resolution abandoning a portion of Browns Lane.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee June 27, 2001)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Attorney?
Mr. Wall:
The only observation I wanted to make in connection with this, and
my recommendation is that since this is part of a redevelopment that is going on in the
area, that the transfer be made to the 30901 without any compensation from 30901
Development. Normally when we abandon a road, we have the property appraised,
which we did in this case. The value of the right-of-way is $1,250.00. It will be
I am
incorporated in the overall project, but because this one varies from others,
recommending that we transfer it in exchange for the rehabilitation that’s going on
there and not charge them the $1,250.00.
That’s my recommendation.
Mr. J. Brigham: I so move.
Mr. Bridges: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Discussion, gentlemen? None heard. Let’s go ahead and vote. All
in favor, please vote aye.
Motion carries 10-0.
25
Mr. Mayor: The next item is item 35, Madame Clerk.
35. Motion to approve authorizing the Natural Sciences Academy to proceed
with the acquisition of property near Butler Creek as a part of the
Greenspace Grant Program. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee June 27, 2001)
Addendum Item 2: Discuss Butler Creek property acquisition along Butler Creek
from Highway 1 to Highway 25. (Requested by Commissioner Cheek)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek?
Mr. Cheek: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. What item 2 on the addendum agenda is
clarify language that Commissioner Colclough and I had intended to have added. This
area along Butler Creek -- we had a film in committee -- was where Rae’s Creek was
about 15 years ago. We have several dozen homes that were built in the flood plane and
every time we have an upstream development north of Highway 1 or in the Highway
1/Windsor Spring Road corridor, we add additional waters to this creek, which is the
main trunk line for our City’s sewer system as well, in that basin. We raise the water
level of these homes. And if we can take action now to acquire these properties and
while the City is in the process of going in that area now with chain saws and bull dozers
to clear out the easements for these sewer trunk improvements, we may be able to at the
same time maintain a trail through there suitable for a small vehicle or bicycle or hiking.
This is some very beautiful wilderness area. There is in this area, along Highway 1, an
old mill pond. And at Highway 25 there’s an old mill pond that could be restructured to
function as a detention facility of necessary. The creek has been sedimented over time by
construction, natural erosion and trees and so forth falling into it, which also makes it
more difficult for the water to easily move through the area, and so with every additional
bit of blockage you have, you also have that flood plane spreading in rain events. This
past two weeks, we had a major rain event, which gave us less than 2” per hour for about
an hour, and this flooded out four backyards, gardens, fences and so forth, and that was
not considered a major rain event. So I’m hoping that we will be pro-active. The Natural
Science Academy came to us and we contracted with them to do this work. What we
don’t need between now and December, the end of December, is a marketing plan and all
the warm fuzzies that go along with it. This is an opportunity. We own over half of this
land. This is an opportunity to acquire this space, spend these funds out this year, and
then they can begin their public relations campaign or whatever. This is an area of need.
It’s mitigating a potential problem for the future. And it’s also something that can be
accomplished at the same time that we’re going in and doing work on these sewer lines to
improve them. I just urge passage, please.
Mr. Colclough: Mr. Mayor, I move for approval.
Mr. H. Brigham: Second.
26
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and it’s been seconded. I had a question, because
I didn’t see any back-up in here. Does this include the property that we’re buying from
the Boy Scouts?
Mr. Colclough: Yes, it is.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Shepard?
Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor, that’s my concern. I didn’t see any back-up in my
Engineering Services Committee materials, which I just happen to have with me, Andy. I
don’t see any back-up in the full Commission agenda book today, and there is no back-up
on the addendum agenda. So are you asking us to approve this in concept so that they
come back with a contract for acquiring these properties in the area? Because if you’re
asking us to approve a contract, we don’t have the text of it. We didn’t have it in
committee, don’t have it today and don’t have it on the addendum agenda. So I’m a little
unclear about what I’m voting on here, and when I’m unclear on voting, I usually don’t
follow it. Maybe I’m just slow, but I want to be pro-active, I want to be -- the goals are
all admirable, but the I’s are not dotted and the T’s are not crossed and we frequently get
into trouble when we don’t do that. So what exactly are you asking us to do today since
there is no back-up?
Mr. Cheek: Well, the back-up material was a videotape which was shown at
Engineering Services Committee. Also a full-scale print like one of these on the wall
here outlining the areas, demonstrating the homes in the flood plane, and the width of the
total flood way. Also a full, complete list of the homeowners and property owners along
that corridor were made available. I’m remiss in that I did not turn that over to the Clerk
of Commission to add. But there was a very complete package that just didn’t lend itself
very well to be put in the back-up.
Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor, what my problem is how can we vote on a videotape? I
mean I appreciate the need, the supporting evidence for the case, but if we’re going to
have a relationship with the Natural Sciences Academy -- correct me if I’m wrong, Mr.
Wall, shouldn’t we have some document outlining how we are going to work with that
organization in acquiring this property? Which I don’t see in any of these materials. I
think there should be something that we vote on -- we could vote on it on concept today
but I don’t see how we can vote on a contractual relationship with this entity no matter
how worthy. I think we can probably do it next time, but I just don’t understand that.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor. Don’t we have that contract that says they will acquire
property for us? Didn’t we vote on that about two weeks ago?
Mr. Wall: You did. That contract is in existence, and a part of the contract is --
there are such things as educational process that you’re talking about, holding the
covenant, as well as prioritizing the expenditure of funding, and to bring that list of
recommendations back to this Commission insofar as deciding, you will make the
ultimate decision as far as how the monies are to be spent, not them. And as I understand
27
it from my discussion with you before the meeting started, we will be bringing back the
actual purchase documents, the appraisal documents and things of that nature, and all the
details. There is one aspect of this that I shared with you that I have some concern about.
We’re going to look into, and hopefully that can be worked through. But I think that
there will necessarily have to be some further contracts as far as individual parcels, etc.,
but I think this sets in motion the prioritization of the monies, which I what I understand
you --
Mr. Cheek: That’s what they were tasked to do in that contract that we gave
them. That is already in place. We don’t need new documents. I can go out and generate
a full-color, 25-page report on this land and everything.
Mr. Wall: I’m talking about on the contract of purchase.
Mr. Cheek: Right. But right now, the facts are we have a problem, it’s been well
documented in the past with complaints and floods and so forth. We have ground truth in
that the floods have occurred. The fact of the matter is history is repeating itself the same
way it did at Rae’s Creek. If we don’t mitigate the problem now, then we’re going to be
buying more homes or letting people living in houses that continually flood. It’s time to
be pro-active with this. Of all of those goals listed from the Natural Sciences Academy,
for them to come up with a prioritized list and do all of those things between now and the
first of the year and spend this account down where we can get fully reimbursed next year
the full amount that we’re due, I think is a slim possibility. I would rather direct as policy
makers them to make this the first project. This would be a model for other creek basins
which Rocky Creek and some of Rae’s Creek still, some of Spirit Creek, some of these
areas are in the same situation and I’m just concerned that maybe their priorities won’t be
our priorities, and the citizens in these areas have spoken long and hard and have suffered
through many, many a soggy night because we deferred or didn’t listen or couldn’t do.
Now we can do. I just urge the Commission to take action on this.
Mr. Mayor: I’m going to recognize my colleagues down here at the end for just a
moment, but if the true reason for purchasing this is not Greenspace but flood mitigation,
then we do have a priority list for flood mitigation that we put before the voters in the
bond issue last year. And those projects were ranked in priority. And before we go and
start arbitrarily picking creek basins to go in and start buying property, I think we
probably ought to go back and revisit our county-wide priority list, if flood mitigation is
the true purpose of this, which is what I’m hearing you say.
Mr. Colclough: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Colclough?
Mr. Colclough: Mr. Mayor, when we first started, if I can refresh people’s
memory, when we first started this whole Greenspace project, George went out and
looked at some property and they had all of the creek basins in that proposal that went up
to Atlanta to get this project approved. Butler Creek was one of the main creek basins
28
that went up along with the other creek basins, so we’re not looking at flood mitigation
for this project. We’re looking at purchasing this property for Greenspace, which will
alleviate, once we get in there, and do something with the creek basins as a Greenspace
project. I think people tend to forget. And this is one of the reasons why I had
opposition of bringing on this organization to handle these funds because I know we are
going to get into a whole lot of legal stuff with spending this money. So but I think, you
know, if you looked at the beginning of this project, the Greenspace, Butler Creek as well
as the rest of the creek basins, were included in this grant. And it’s not for flood
mitigation but for Greenspace purposes.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Jerry Brigham?
Mr. J. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, this is nothing more than a cash grab by certain
Commissioners for their District. We’ve already committed $200,000 to Butler Creek for
Greenspace. I think we ought to spend the rest of this money, the other $200,000 on the
rest of the county. We all have Greenspace problems. We all have flooding problems.
My District and flooding problems has been well documented. Mr. Bridges’ District in
flooding problems has been well documented. Mr. Mays’ District has been more than
documented. We all have flooding problems. This is not a flooding solution. This is a
Greenspace solution, and we should be looking at acquiring the most Greenspace that we
can acquire with the least amount of money and donations as much as possible. This
needs to be done on a priority basin. It doesn’t need to be got into having a cash grab for
Greenspace money of this Commission.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams?
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I, too, am in support of Commissioner
Cheek and Commissioner Colclough. Rocky Creek is off of Highway 25 in my area and
I just want to bring up something Commissioner Jerry Brigham said about everybody
being documented. Well, on Thursday afternoon, when that little short storm we had --
you can call it a storm -- for about 45 minutes on the corner of Tubman Home Road and
Gordon Highway, the Sheriff’s Department had to block off Gordon Highway for at least
three blocks to stop the traffic between Tubman Home Road. Everything south of
Gordon Highway flooded in that area. Rocky Creek is just above that, and if we can
acquire this Greenspace, that would help us alleviate some of this flooding in that area.
I’ve got a group of people in District 2 that wants to come downtown to talk to the
Commission about just such a thing. That flood we had on Thursday, that little hour or
hour-and-a-half rain we had really blocked everything stalled cars, people could not even
get out of their homes. So if we can acquire this land and that’s going to help the creek
basin and that’s going to help us be able to alleviate. We’ve got too much flooding
problem when there’s rain and we don’t have enough water when it’s not raining. So we
got to alleviate this problem some kind of way. So I’m in support and I think that we
need to look at purchasing as much as we can and trying to open up some areas to let this
water out of our city.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek?
29
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, thank you. It will be my pleasure to remind this
Commission that about ten times the money has been spent in Rae’s Creek than any other
creek basin in this city to mitigate a problem that should have been handled years ago.
The truth of the matter is this is a pro-active step to deal with a future problem that may
some unusual to some Commissioners, but we are going to get a handle on this problem.
We can get the entire block of land probably for the money in the bank, and then let’s
move to another creek basin and solve the problem. All of the creek basins in south
Augusta are in areas that don’t have bike trails or passive recreational facilities available
to them within their neighborhoods. They can go to a park; yes. But they don’t have --
these beautiful creeks are not accessible for hiking, for camping, for biking, and this is
some of the most beautiful land in the southeast right here in Augusta. This isn’t a land
grab. This is taking one project at a time and putting it to completion instead of half
finishing things, which we have a track record of doing. This area needs to be dealt with.
Are we going to spend many, many more times the money in the future, which is also the
custom of this City? I urge this Commission, this isn’t a land grab. This isn’t a money
grab. This is an effort to take a project that we’ve been talking about since before
Greenspace was passed by the Governor, that Mr. Patty and Mr. Beck and everyone else
was made aware of. We planned ahead. We did our homework. We have an opportunity
to spend out this fund entirely, and then get the full amount next year. I encourage us to
do this, because I don’t think, unless we just go out and buy pet project pieces of land,
that we’re going to be able to spend out this entire amount, which will mean we won’t get
our entire funding back next year.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard?
Mr. Shepard: I don’t see the review of any of our department heads because there
is no back-up. Like I say, I want to be pro-active in contrast to the idea that we are not
always pro-active. We have been pro-active. We’ve put in some hydro-switches on the
railroad here that a couple of weeks ago people from around the country looked to see
what we were doing right in this community, and they came to look at what we had done
because they hadn’t done it. So we do some pro-active things around here, my
colleagues, and I just think we don’t really know the exact scope of what we’re doing.
So my question that maybe the Administrator or the Director of Public Works or maybe
one of my Commissioner colleagues can answer, is there a deadline that we have to act or
could we not just have it sent through our usual procedure and be back here on the next
meeting to have a document outlining this relationship that you’re asking us to take on
with the Natural Sciences Academy? Do we lose this money if we don’t act today?
That’s my question. Do you know, George?
Mr. Kolb: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, in response to your
question, Mr. Shepard, I’m not sure that there is a deadline, but the way we’re
considering the vote today is that you are giving us directions to make this happen. As
part of that process, we will have to bring back an agreement to you for the purchase of
the property. And that’s what we would consider the direction and we would work with
the Attorney to accomplish that.
30
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Kuhlke and then Mr. Mays.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Just a moment. Mr. Kuhlke and then Mr. Mays.
Mr. Kuhlke: Mr. Mayor and Commissioner Cheek, I think my level of comfort
would be higher if we rather than dictating basically to the Land Trust that we pay it
$55,000, why don’t we ask them to come back -- this is what we would like to see done,
but to come back with their recommendations at our next meeting?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mays?
Mr. Mays: Mr. Mayor, I think we could debate all day whether this is the first
step, the last one, or one that needs to come back again. But obviously we’ve got water
problems. Drought in some cases, flood in some cases. We’ve got problems with water.
I think when we can utilize funds to correct a situation, then it’s a City problem. It’s not
a District problem. It’s not any particular Commissioner’s problem. It’s everybody’s
problem. The 11 of us have to make those decisions. I think that obviously something is
going to have to come back to us. I mean we can take a direction today. I think that
Commissioner Cheek in his motion knows that this is not the end of what we are doing.
There has to be documentation that that is presented. You mentioned a minute ago in
reference to staff. Not to knock staff and what they’re doing, but staff has its hands full.
You can remember correctly, we were told by our own staff that when we did this
contract, and Richard, this one may live to haunt me on it, but when were talking about
Greenspace and the whole program, we were told by our people that they were overtaxed
in what they were doing, with just what’s already on their plate. So I think it’s an out-of-
the-box move to at least get us started. What I would hope we would do is to debate this
thing in terms of the fact of who started first. Obviously there’s not enough money to go
all over this county and to cure every problem. I think if you can do two things in the
Greenspace program with some of these issues, if you can deal with correcting a flood
situation while at the same time getting you in a position to get reimbursement money,
then you’re doing a double load at the same time out of one pocket of money. And I
th
think that’s the only thing that the Commissioner from the 6 is trying to do. I’ve got
four Districts that have water in them. But I got eight of them that I’m concerned about.
We may be dealing in one week where it’s in my colleague to the left was getting a raw
water line that’s in National Hills that’s behind schedule in terms of doing, but it’s not
just on his political election year it needs to be done, it’s a City problem. That’s why
those of us that are on that committee, we pushed it through, to get it through. We’re
concerned about what happens in Rae’s Creek, in terms of 57 homes that go up there.
That’s why they are not going up as of yet, because we want to have more knowledge
about what’s going on and the impact that it’s going to have upon those persons living
there, and the people downstream. Andy brought something to us creatively to try and
get done with Butler Creek. So I think if we can drop the territorial claims and put the
fingers aside to a point that if we’ve got something else that somebody else wants to
31
bring to the table, then bring it. But if you don’t have anything to bring to the table, then
at least move on something. And right now, that’s the only thing that’s there. And I can
agree with Steve to a point that we can’t get through with this today. But I think to a
point that if we wait around on an agency, to turn around and set priorities totally, that
you know that you’re going to have the responsibility as the Mayor and Commission to
deal with, then I think you’re missing an opportunity to get some of that done. I think we
have to act upon things in different Districts where we’ve got the resources to act with
them then. It may be that it may be a District that I don’t represent, but if the need is
somewhere else to get it done, if it’s in Ulmer’s, if it’s in Bill’s, if it’s in Steve’s today,
then let’s do it where the need is, and quit bickering about who started it first or it’s a
grab to do it that way. I just believe in putting something out there on the table. This at
least gives Jim and George something to work on. It may be that it comes back and they
can’t get it done. If they can’t get it done, then you deal with it then. But do something.
It’s kind of like I heard Jim say to me one day, we were talking about that relief, Jim,
from the bear in the tree. You shoot up in there, but give somebody some relief. Get
something done. Move off square one and at least get it to a point where it gives some
sense of direction. And that’s all I’m saying, Mr. Mayor. I hope the Commission can
support it and quite frankly, I was pleased to see a video, because if anybody can absorb
sometimes what we get on a piece of paper and maybe a map, maybe not a map, and tell
us how it’s going to work out, at least we got an opportunity to see what’s been affected,
what it looks like, what damages has been done, and I got more out of the video than I
probably could have got out of a booklet, with somebody saying to me about what was
happening there. So I thought the presentation was an excellent one. I’d like to see us at
least get off of square one today and then get it back, and I think we know we’ve got to
vote again on this situation. It’s going to have to happen that way with something else.
But this gets up a start. We’ll sit around and we miss too many opportunities where
public property gets damaged and we sit around and wait and other folk get in and start
doing things and then we wonder how they got done, we wonder why we are not getting
our money, we wonder how they get short, and why we don’t get reimbursed. Those are
the clear reasons and it’s because of inaction more than it is taking a first step. I hope we
can go on and support it, bring it back again, fine tune it, and get something done with it
rather than sitting on it.
Mr. Mayor: All right. Thank you, Mr. Mays. Mr. Jerry Brigham?
Mr. J. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mays reminded me of one of the reasons I really
want us to go in and look at Greenspace, and that is those 57 units on Boy Scout Road. I
see this Greenspace money as a possibility of helping us solve a problem and controlling
the flood plane that is going to flood many houses. I don’t know if that’s the answer. I
know this: I know that I’ve got to depend on the National Academy of Sciences, I got to
depend on my fellow Commissioners, and we all got problems. I know we’ve all got
problems. Nobody is exempt from the water problems of this county that sits on this
Commission. It doesn’t matter what District you represent. You all have water problems
and you all have flooding problems. But I think unless we’re going to prioritize and say
okay, we’re going to fix this one first and then we’re going to fix this one second, I think
then -- yeah, let’s throw all the money at one problem first and then one problem second
32
and the third problem third. But if we’re not going to prioritize it through, let’s spend the
money somewhat fair amongst everybody. I don’t have a problem with prioritizing, as
long as I know where I’m at in the prioritizing. I’m probably dead last. But that don’t
mean that I don’t have a drainage problem, and I don’t mean I don’t represent folks that
have a drainage problem. I also have Greenspace needs. I have had opportunity after
opportunity to have a walking trail and a bicycle path along Rae’s Creek that we can’t
seem to find funding for from either Greenspace, [inaudible] money, or anything else.
It’s been planned for years. If we get number three, we can’t get number one and number
two funding. If we go for [inaudible] money. It looks like we’re not going to get no
Greenspace money cause we are going to blow that funding priority. I think these go on
everybody. I think we’ve got to find a way to bundle these projects and do some out-of-
the-box thinking of how we can fund all of them. I’d like to see Butler Creek’s problems
solved, I’d like to see Rocky Creek’s problems solved, and I’d like to see Rae’s Creek’s
problems solved.
Mr. Williams: I move approval.
Mr. Speaker: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We already a motion on the floor. Mr. Beard?
Mr. Beard: I call for the question.
Mr. Mayor: The question has been called. The Chair rules there has been
adequate debate on this issue. So what we’re doing is moving to approve items 35 and
number 2 on the addendum agenda. Would you like to read the motion back, so we’re
clear on what the motion is?
The Clerk: The motion is to approve authorizing the Natural Sciences Academy
to proceed with the acquisition of property along Butler Creek from Highway 1 to
Highway 25 as part of the Greenspace Grant Program.
Mr. Mayor: The question has been called. All in favor of the motion, please vote
aye.
Mr. J. Brigham and Mr. Shepard vote No.
Motion carries 8-2.
Mr. Cheek: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: And that takes us to item 40 on the regular agenda.
ENGINEERING SERVICES:
40. Motion to approve the sale of .06 acres to the developer of the new Transition
Center subject to the design plans being presented to the Laney-Walker
33
Neighborhood Association. (Postponed from the June 19 Commission
meeting)
Mr. Beard: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, Mr. Beard?
Mr. Beard:
I met with the Neighborhood Association, and they are in agreement
we’d like to move for approval on this.
with this, and at this time
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Discussion? All in favor of the motion, please vote aye.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: I think that takes care of everything up to our Legal. Did we miss
any, Madame Clerk?
The Clerk: No, sir, that’s it.
Mr. Mayor: For our Legal meeting, we have moved item 32 to the Legal meeting.
The Chair would ask that we also consider the status of Mr. Garnett’s business loans.
Mr. Wall, do you have some things?
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, we missed item 1 on the addendum agenda.
Mr. Mayor: We did?
Mr. Cheek: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Oh, I’m sorry. Let’s back up then and we’ll take item 1 on the
addendum agenda. I’m sorry.
Addendum Item 1: Discuss mosquito control. (Requested by Commissioner Cheek)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek, go ahead.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I don’t know how many are aware of the fact that the
Centers for Disease Control is predicting that the West Nile virus, which is transmitted by
mosquitoes, is making its way southward. Currently we have four trucks managing
mosquito control in the Augusta area. That’s all of Richmond County. In fact, years ago
when Augusta used to have problems with yellow fever and other things, there were as
many as 40 on that staff. A few years back there used to be an effort made to go door-to-
door to remind people to turn over containers of standing water. I challenge anyone here
to go take a dip of water say out of a bowl or something that’s been in your back yard
34
overnight and look at it closely under a light and you will see hundreds of mosquito
larvae. Those larvae produce mosquitoes. They reproduce exponentially. We are losing
the mosquito battle. We have a lot of swamp here. A lot of creek basins. We seriously
need to consider some partnership with the Health Department in trying to multiply our
resources to spraying these mosquitoes. The trucks spray and they only kill what is
flying, what is in the air that the spray happens to go into. We need a more aggressive
program for attacking these stagnant pools of water, but they swimming pools that people
don’t take care of or some of these backwater swamp area. For instance, there’s one off
of Chelsea right now that’s a breeding ground for this. They say we have a couple of
years before the West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases come to this area full
force, and I just encourage that if not immediately, in the coming budget year that we
look at finding ways to reassign personnel or whatever to increase our mosquito control
efforts.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Mr. Beard?
Mr. Beard
: Mr. Mayor, I would suggest that we -- I believe that Commissioner
Cheek represents us on the Health Board -- that he communicate with them and bring
back some type of plan that we can help and assist them. I’m sure everybody here would
be amenable to assisting in that area because we all understand the mosquito problem.
Like so many things, we are glad that Commissioner Cheek is bringing this to our
attention. But I think we need to coordinate with the Health Department to see what we
really need to do in that and maybe we can facilitate this without waiting too long,
because we are going to have a problem and I think all of us can tell that when we go out
So I would suggest that and I
in the evenings that we have a tremendous problem here.
move that we accept this as information.
Mr. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Motion to accept as information. Mr. Shepard?
Mr. Shepard: I was just going to ask my colleague Mr. Beard, if Mr. Cheek
is willing to accept the responsibility, to not only receive it as information but as our
representative to the Board of Health, Andy, go ahead and come up with a plan
. I
mean you’ve brought this to our attention, and it’s kind of like some things when I bring
it to your attention, I end up responsible for the problem. So Andy, if Commissioner
Beard would accept an amendment to the motion, that you would communicate --
Mr. Beard: That was part of that.
Mr. Shepard: I didn’t hear that. If it was, that’s good. I’m not going to suggest
we buy fly swatters, Andy, I’m going to suggest we do something pro-active, scientific,
and progressive.
35
Mr. Cheek: And we’ve been in communication with the Health Department
already and we should have the report back. Do we want this back to committee or to the
full Commission?
Mr. Beard: It should go to Committee.
Mr. Mayor: You might want to bring it back to Mr. Kolb first so he can staff it
and get some budget figures and what not, if money is involved, before going to
committee with it.
Mr. Kolb: Agreed.
Mr. Mayor: Any further discussion? We have a motion on the floor. Mr. Mays?
Mr. Mays: It’s one thing I did mention to Mr. Cheek, and this is taking back --
you mentioned a minute ago about funding, and I don’t know what the Health
Department on the State side is going to be able to do in terms of increasing this, but I
think those of us that have served there on that board, whether it’s been myself, Jerry, and
now Andy, that particular project, it’s never been enough money in there to deal with it.
And while the numbers have gone down and mosquitoes have gone up, and what I would
suggest in one area that the Administrator may want to look into -- we were into a
situation recently about our spend-downs, of maybe looking at what the Health
Department has to spend on the general side and what we might have that is eligible,
particularly in a lot of the targeted areas that could qualify for other sources of funding
that to a point of where you could cut some income levels that are in there, and just from
eligibility standpoint, a lot of places you’ve got dense population where you’ve got
overgrowth or in areas that also qualify, you know, in Mr. Mack’s area. And that might
be one to a point that if we’re talking about having excess money that we got to deal with
trying to get rid of by November, that’s just a thought suggestion to throw into that
funding process to a point to add to what the Board of Health already has, and I made that
suggestion to Mr. Cheek when we were talking about it the other day. But that’s just one
thought about it, because you’ve got a bunch of those targeted areas, and quite frankly,
with the number of houses you’ve got in there that are clustered, along with the vacant
lot, along with the overgrowth, pretty much a lot of them match almost in parallel with
what might be eligible in terms of some of those particular amounts of funding and
particularly if we’ve got a surplus in that area. That just might be one place that is
eligible that you might want to start looking. That’s just a suggestion.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Mays. We have a motion on the floor. All in favor
of the motion, please vote aye.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I’ll have this back before the end of the month.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Cheek.
Motion carries 10-0.
36
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, before we adjourn to the Legal meeting, just for public
notice, that our next scheduled Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 18
at 2:30. That’s July 18. Wednesday, July 18 at 2:30.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. 2:30.
49. LEGAL MEETING
??
Discuss litigation matters.
??
Discuss real estate matters.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Wall, I’ve got two items for the Legal meeting. Actually one
was pushed over, 32 from the agenda, and the other item is status of Mr. Garnett’s
UDAG loan we need to talk about that.
Mr. Wall: And I have several others pending potential litigation matters and real
estate matters and ask for a legal meeting to discuss those and the bid item that you’re
talking about falls under the category of potential litigation.
Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor, I move we have a legal meeting for the purposes
stated by the Mayor and the Attorney.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Any objection? None heard, so we’ll go into legal session.
Motion carries 10-0.
[LEGAL MEETING]
51. Motion to approve authorization for the Mayor to execute affidavit of
compliance with Georgia’s Open Meetings Act.
Mr. Mayor: We’re back in session. The Chair will entertain a motion to
authorize the Chair to sign the affidavit.
Mr. Shepard: I so move.
Mr. H. Brigham: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Any objection? None heard.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: The next item we take up will be item 32.
37
32. Motion to approve expansion of the Solid Waste Management District to
incorporate areas requested by the respective Commissioners in response to
input by citizens. Also approve Public Works to negotiate and process
change orders to the respective contract(s) awarded May 15, 2001.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee June 27, 2001)
Mr. Mayor: The Chair will recognize Mr. Bridges for a motion.
Mr. Bridges:
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Since it’s come to our attention that due to
the magnitude of this change order, that a change order may not be the proper way for us
I move that we
to go, and in order to properly comply with our procurement procedures,
add and approve the following motion: that we instruct the Administrator and staff
to come up with a process and method of funding to bid out the additional garbage
service and that they incorporate this into the budget process with a January 1
targeted implementation date. That would be the motion with a note that this will
not affect those areas that are already included in the original bid.
Mr. Shepard: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Any discussion?
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, just one question, please.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, Mr. Williams?
Mr. Williams: I heard Mr. Bridges say it would affect, so that would mean that
the deadline for start-up time for what we already got in process will still take place the
rd
3 of August?
Mr. Bridges: For those that were in the original area, yes.
Mr. Williams: Okay. Just for clarification.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, that’s correct. Any further questions or discussion? All in
favor, please vote aye.
Mr. Kuhlke abstains.
Motion carries 9-1.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Wall, do you have anything that you would like to have added to
the agenda?
Mr. Wall: I have three items that I would request be added to the agenda.
The first item would be a motion to authorize the County Attorney to associate
counsel in Delaware to represent Augusta in pending bankruptcy action by
Ponderosa Fibres of America, Inc. The second item would be a motion to approve
38
condemnation of necessary right-of-way for water line for the 18” Raw Water Line
Conversion Project. And the third item would be a motion to approve the filing of a
joint motion for entry of an amendment to the Consent Judgment between Georgia
Environmental Organization and Hyde Park and Aragon Park Improvement
Committee vs. Augusta.
Mr. Shepard: I move to add the three items as recommended by the City
Attorney.
Mr. Kuhlke: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Add and approve?
Mr. Shepard: Add and approve.
Mr. Mayor: Any discussion? All in favor of the motion to add and approve these
items, please vote aye.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: Any further business to come before the Commission? If not, we
will entertain a motion to adjourned. We are adjourned without objection.
[MEETING ADJOURNED]
Lena J. Bonner
Clerk of Commission
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Augusta Richmond County
Commission held on July 3, 2001.
Clerk of Commission