HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission Meeting 9-19-06
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:03 p.m., September 19, 2006 the
Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Holland, Smith, Grantham, Hatney, Williams, Beard, Cheek, Bowles
and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Also Present: Steve Shepard, Attorney, Fred Russell, Administrator; Lena Bonner, Clerk
of Commission.
The invocation was given by the Reverend Mark Deaton, Pastor, Green Street
Presbyterian Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor: Reverend Deaton, we have a little something for you, a plaque
commemorating you as our Chaplain of the Day, and thank you, that was an absolutely
wonderful prayer. Thank you for getting us started in that manner.
Rev. Deaton: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, you wanna say the recognitions first than go the deletions and
additions if that’s okay.
The Clerk:
RECOGNITIONS
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
A. Mr. Richard Russo, August 2006 EOM, Public Services Department.
The Clerk: We’d like to recognize our employee of the month, Mr. Richard Russo.
Would you please join the Mayor here at the podium along with Mr. Mike Green, our Public
Service Director along with other supervisors and employees? Dear Mayor Copenhaver. The
employee recognition committee has selected Richard Russo as the August 2006 employee of the
month for the City of Augusta. Mr. Russo has been employed for 7 years. Mr. Russo was
nominated by co-worker, Katherine Worley. Mr. Russo organized the training session at his
residence to allow fellow employees the opportunity to renew their city held permits for their job
requirements. He is consistently involved in motivating other co-workers to strive to do their
best. Mr. Russo is a role model for new employees. The committee felt based on this
recommendation, that Mr. Russo’s dedicated and loyal service to the City of Augusta, who
would appreciate you joining us in recognizing Mr. Russo as employee of the month for the
month of August.
(APPLAUSE)
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Mr. Russo: Thank you very much.
Mr. Green: (Inaudible).
(APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: OK, Madam Clerk, I think we have some deletions from the agenda and
some additions too.
DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Delegation Item D. (Requested by Mr. Robert West)
Item 1. (Duplication of an item previously approved at the August 15 Commission
meeting)
Item 47. (Requested by Ronald and Marlena Brown to withdraw without prejudice
the request for a special exception to establish a personal care home on property at
2501 Pate Avenue)
Mr. Williams: So moved, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?
Mr. Cheek: Parliamentary question, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, Mr. Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Does it warrant unanimous consent to pull to delete? I would like to keep 47
on and request that the body, I’ve had several calls about the concerns on this, and to deny it
where they’ll have one year where they can’t come back and put this on.
Mr. Mayor. Okay. But do we have unanimous consent for Item D and Item 1?
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual
sign.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: The additions to---
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
1.Consider a request for a donation of services to the city. (Requested by Commission
Bowles)
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2.Instruct the Attorney to proceed with license requirements for the city to have
approval to use between 400 and 700 CFS (cubic feet per second) of water to be
released from the Walton Way gates into level 2 and 3 of the canal for the purposes
of recreation and beautification. (Requested by Commissioner Cheek)
3.Authorize the DDA to proceed with reprogramming of TEA grant money from the
Depot project to the second and third level of the canal for the purposes of third
level improvements and to have a study and design work done on the creation of a
white water course in the second and third level of the canal. ~ 75% of the grant to
go to third level improvements and ~ 25% to go to study and design work.
(Requested by Commissioner Cheek)
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: I have a question about #3. Since this is a reprogramming or proceeds and
we hadn’t been awarded that grant yet, I don’t know that, that’s---we have already been
awarded? I thought we had to use the TEA grant money for the purposes that it was awarded for
without getting the Department of Transportation involved.
Mr. Mayor: I believe, Mr. Cheek you can shed some light on that?
Mr. Cheek: Yes, Mr. Mayor. The grant was to work on the Depot project on Reynolds
Street. Since that property is to be sold uh, the TEA money would be reprogrammed for another
acceptable entity. What I’m asking for today, is to instruct DDA, as a recipient of that grant to
move forward with re, in seeking to reprogram that money for other uses within that same
district and area.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I don’t have any problems with uh, that process
but I would certainly think we would know before DDA decides to uh, reprogram it or use it in
any other manner that this body, who applied for the grant for that, would have the option to say
yea or nay before a authority gets it and decides they wanna challenge it. And, what I think, we,
I’m not opposed. T just think the process, it can be, should be done through this body with our
knowledge so would know, and not only that, this, this, the people of Augusta would know. So,
I’ve got no problem supporting it. But, I think versus giving the DDA that authority, I think it
needs to come back to this Committee, whatever is going to be done, so we’ll know and be in
agreement as a board as to what was going to be done.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Beard:
Ms. Beard: I’d like to say that I think this transfer would be an excellent transfer because
one of the important projects, we will hear about soon will be the development of the third level
of the canal and uh, as we read in the paper, they talked about the ten most um, places, historical
places, that really needs to be worked at this time, and one of those places would be the old
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Southern Milling Company, which is on the canal. So for many reasons it would be very good to
consider making this transfer.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: If I remember correctly, when we sold the property, I thought the repair of
the Depot was part of the parcel of that package and I’d like to hear from Mr. Shepard if it was or
wasn’t.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard.
Mr. Shepard: That is my recollection Mr. Brigham that it was part of the parcel of that
project.
Mr. Brigham: ---the repair of it, do we have public funds committed to it? I don’t know
that we can stop the train sale. That’s my problem.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek:
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, in discussion with the director of DDA and the state, since this is
going to be privately owned land uh, prohibits the use of public funds to develop privately
owned property and therefore it has to be reprogrammed or we’ll lose it. That’s my
understanding. This is in fact to begin the process and dialog between us and the DDA, DDA
and the state who in fact applied for, funded the study and the uh, grant package that was
awarded to them later on with the assistance of the city. They are the recipient, not the city for
this grant. In the interest of developing over a mile and a half of unused city property and
making it attractive for real estate development and other uses, this would be in my opinion be an
excellent use of these funds. It would enhance this community all the way from the old mill to
Hawks Gully, in an area that’s been neglected for probably a hundred years.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, so---Mr. Shepard.
Mr. Shepard: I haven’t had the benefit of that conversation, Mr. Cheek. I think that um,
it’s and excellent use of the money, um, I can’t say categorically it can’t be disentangled from
the river front property, the pension property though. If we kept a public presence over there, the
public property, certainly it could be used on that public property and um, I’m a little bit
reluctant without a little more study to say that the reprogramming is legal. It’s not a, I do not
oppose the policy. I think the policy is an excellent policy. I’d just like to have the opportunity
to run it through the committee and we’ll have a reprogramming answer, yea or nay by
committee time.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek. Is this the point where you refer it to committee?
Mr. Cheek: Well, the thing about this is, this is a request to get the ball rolling, and as we
all know on this floor, so many things we’ve brought up, have “stamp on through on”, falls
through the cracks and we see it six months later with no progress. What I’m asking the
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Commission to do is to authorize and instruct staff to proceed with the dialog necessary to
determine if it’s possible and feasible and where in fact to use the money. That’s what we’re
trying to do today, have it formerly approved by this board as to the instructions to staff.
Mr. Mayor: And, basically still nothing can move forward without the approval of the
Commission. Commissioner Beard.
Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor could we have that maybe in the form of a motion?
Mr. Cheek: That’s correct.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any further discussion on the additions?
Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor, excuse me---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Holland.
Mr. Holland: Did uh, Mr. Shepard give a clear understanding? Did Mr. Brigham give a
clear understanding as to what the funds are used for? Does everybody understand, you know,
what is going to be done in reference to the motion? I mean, do we know, do we have a clear
understanding of what has been said in reference to Commissioner Cheek and Commissioner
Brigham? There appears that there needs to be some clarification.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard:
Mr. Shepard: My understanding of the motion is that staff be directed to determine that
this reprogramming is permissible. With that we could report back, I’ll say, Engineering
Services, is that---next Engineering Services?
Mr. Mayor: Administrative Services.
Mr. Shepard: With that understanding, I’m clear but you’re not reprogramming today?
Mr. Mayor. OK. Can I get a motion to approve the additions?
Mr. Williams: So moved.
Mr. Mayor: We have motion and a second. Any further discussion? Commissioner’s
will now vote by the usual sign.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Alrighty, Madam Clerk, let’s move into the Delegation first.
The Clerk:
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DELEGATIONS
B. The Gensis Group, Inc. Ms. Juanethea Bryant. RE: Revitalization Plan for Regency
Mall.
Mr. Mayor: And, Ms. Bryant, how is your day, if you---
Ms. Bryant: I’m doing great, how are you?
Mr. Mayor: Good! If you could keep it to five minutes please ma’am.
Ms. Bryant: Yes, will do. Yes, I just want to say thank you for allowing me to present,
introduce to the commission, um, on today, and I’m very excited to introduce a dynamic project
plan uh, that would change the former Regency Mall um, into a new Victory Mall, which that
would be the actual name. The project for the Victory would be for small businesses and for
revenue for Augusta, GA. Some of the project goals would be for economic empowerment
within the city, to promote small business minority unit within the city and to generate annual tax
revenue for the city. It’s more than the eye can see, to this project is taking that which is dead
and making it alive. And, not only alive, but to thrive. And according to information I received,
we’re talking to Michael Thurman, that in 10 years they expect the population of Georgia to
reach almost 1.2M. The census right now has already moved Georgia ahead of New Jersey as the
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9 popular state in the nation, and that growth will affect Augusta, GA. The industry
employment growth will be concentrated with the service providing sector which is more than
95% of job growth in the sector that would account for more than 4.1M jobs and that will affect
Augusta, GA, and Augusta, GA can have a slice of that pie. Victory begins in the city, in the
heart of the city, in the center of the city and it spreads out. Victory Mall in the center of the city
would explode over this entire city, and Gensis Group is calling forth Victory. Our plan of
declaration is economic empowerment, development within the city to help to promote small,
minority businesses within the city, once again, offering opportunities for those businesses to
grow. For an example. The competition in this area is moving towards to be a super region
mall. The first super region mall was Regency Mall. The competition may lease a business card
to individual $1600-4500 per month depending on the season. To empower small business,
small minority business who actually look at cutting that price. And what does that do? It puts
money back into the pockets of small businesses that would also bring more than $2500-3000 to
this area. This plan is to increase an annual tax for the city. In 1998 the mall was only at 12%
occupancy, which is about 41000 square feet, of the 50001 square feet. The total mall is 800000
square feet. With Victory Mall only being at 6% occupancy, we are looking to gain and give
back to the city over $300,000.00 in annual tax revenues. What could we do with that? Could
we keep transit going? Could we keep some community centers open? Could we keep
supplying some information for our youth and after school programs. That’s the question. The
Victory plan is to move forward within this city without hindrances or power play. But to be a
part of the master plan to help the people in the center of the city. And that’s what we want to
introduce to this area today and that is Victory Mall, right here on Gordon Highway. And we
just want to say thank you for allowing us to introduce this to the city of Augusta and we’re very
excited. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you Ma’am. OK, Madam Clerk, the next delegation.
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The Clerk:
DELEGATION
C. Positive Solutions Family Enrichment Services. Mr. Gregory Gilyard. RE: Business
Service Plan.
Mr. Gilyard: Good day.
Mr. Mayor: Good day. If ya’ll could keep it at 5 minutes, please.
Mr. Gilyard. Good morning, your Honorable Mayor, all the distinguished members of
the Commission. I would like to first thank you for allowing us the opportunity uh, to uh,
introduce our business to the Augusta area and to the CS, uh CSRA. My name is Gregory
Gilyard, I’m the CEO and founder of Positive Solutions Family Enrichment Services. And what
our general purpose is, is to come into a area and provide a counseling service that will help the
citizens of the Augusta area. And, I’m going to ask Ms. Patricia Cook, our program director, to
come and very briefly give you our mission statement then we’ll come back.
Ms. Cook: Greetings: Our mission is to provide an intensive and comprehensive
counseling service program. This program is designed to help individual clients, at risk children
and adolescence and family assistance. It’s Positive Solutions mission to resolve interpersonal
problems that create chaos and stress, to elevate self-esteem and self-awareness as well as restore
the client to positive function at home and in the community.
Mr. Gilyard: And all that simply means is that we want to “helping people get better and
to do better.” Our basic motto is helping clients improve the quality of their life. And, I can
personally say that I’ve my life, I’ve been blessed. I’ve been in August since 1985 and had a
chance to interact with the community in many positive ways, and by developing this company;
this is one way of giving something positive back to the community. And we know about the
alarming rise in crime, delinquency and all type of problems we’re currently experiencing in this
area. We believe that we can be a front line intervention and that we can help people to, we can
help motivate people to feel better about themselves, to strive for excellence, to do better. I
believe that they can do better. Than we believe that there’s gonna be a positive outcome and
perhaps we can help them improve the quality of their life and help Augusta, GA produce the
caliber of citizens that we know are dwelling within our area. And again, I would just like to
thank you, you know, for this opportunity. We’re located on 3114 Augusta Tech Drive, behind
the Kroger’s shopping center on Deans Bridge Road. Our official opening ceremony is gonna be
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on the 12 of August and you will get more correspondence and communications about that
event. But, again we would like to thank you for just having this opportunity to be a, a
supervisor service and the very last thing, in the Bible they ask Jesus who would be the greatest
in Heaven, and Jesus’ response to them was He that was willing to be the servant and what we
want to do is come to the community and be a servant. So whatever we can do to help, your
Honorable Mayor and the members of the Commission, please feel free to let us know cause
we’re here to help. Thank you very much.
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Mr. Mayor. Thank you so much for introducing us to your organization. Thank ya’ll for
coming today.
Mr. Gilyard: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk shall we move into the consent agenda?
The Clerk: The consent agenda consists of Items 1 through 46. Items 1 through 46.
Mr. Mayor. Okay. Do we have any consent agenda items to be pulled for discussion?
Commissioner Grantham.
Mr. Grantham: Thank you Mr. Mayor. 13 and 14. I’ve got a question on 27 and 46.
That’s it Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams
Mr. Williams: Thank you Mr. Mayor. ---looking to my left to was Mr. Grantham
finished down there or anybody else. Let me, I got a couple things I need to get some things
clear on Mr. Mayor. Number 16 and 17 also I need a little bit of clarification on 19, 21 and 22
can be companionized, I think Mr. Mayor, but 21 is, 21 22, is companionized, I mean I just need
to get something clear on that. Item 24, I need to get some things clear, Commissioner Cheek
and I asked to have this pulled last week to look at it to make sure that things were handled
properly and in order, so I wanna pull 24 if that’s the case. Also item 26, my good friend Mr.
Grantham pulled 27 so I’ll have to pull that again I got a couple questions on it. Pull that, he’s
already; he’s already done that Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, are there any other items to be pulled for discussion? Are there any
additions to the consent agenda? Not much on the regular agenda to put on the consent agenda.
Mr. Cheek: Uh, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: I would not having a, wouldn’t have a problem with moving 47 over to the
consent agenda following the recommendations of the Planning Commission on that one.
Mr. Mayor. Okay. Any further additions?
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor are we---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Are we gonna have 47 since it is one of those that goes through District 2,
I would love to at least get some feed back on it to see where we are. I had calls from both sides
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and interested, but before we put it on the consent and let it go out of here, I’d like to have a
voice in it before.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor, Ok, if there are no further items to be pulled for discussion, or
additions to the consent agenda, I look for a motion to approve the consent agenda.
Mr. Williams: I so move.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual
sign.
Motion carries 9-0. [Items 1-12, 15, 18, 20, 23, 25, 28-45]
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. FINAL PLAT-THE LAKES AT RAE’S CREEK (FKA THE ENCLAVES AT RAE’S
CREEK-S-696-B-I-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County
Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by Southern Partners Inc., on behalf of
Richmond Development Partners, LLC, for final plat approval for the Lakes at Rae’s
Creek. This residential development is located off Amli Way, west of Augusta West
Parkway and contains 15 lots (8 units of Brookstone Condominiums Phase I, the clubhouse,
the private road, and 5 sections of future development).
2. Z-06-91-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE a petition by Teen Challenge International, on behalf of
Charlotte Hathaway, requesting a Special Exception to establish a Teen Challenge
residential care home per Section 26-1 (b) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for
Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing approximately 11 acres and is
known under the present numbering system as 4340 Peach Orchard Road. (Tax Map 251
Parcel 011) DISTRICT 8.
3. Z-06-94-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE a petition by J. Carlton Vaughn, Jr., on behalf of Reid
Memorial Presbyterian Church, requesting a Special Exception to establish a columbarium
per Section 26-1 (m) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond
County affecting property containing approximately 4.9 acres and is known as Reid
Memorial Presbyterian Church at 2261 Walton Way. (Tax Map 034-4 Parcels 079, 080, 084
& 146) DISTRICT 3.
4. Z-06-95-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE a petition by Valerie Wilkins requesting a Special Exception to
establish a Family Day Care Home per Section 26-1 (f) of the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing .31 acres and is
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known under the present numbering system as 2810 Nighthawk Drive. (Tax Map 119
Parcel 307) DISTRICT 5.
5. Z-06-98-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE a petition by Phillip Neely, on behalf of Adrian Neely,
requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone B-2 (General Business)
affecting property containing approximately 3.3 acres and was formerly 4040 Belair Road.
(Tax Map 038 Parcel 023) DISTRICT 3.
6. Z-06-99-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE with the following conditions 1) that there by no vehicle access
to Cornelia Road and 2) that an undisturbed natural buffer be maintained beginning at the
right-of-way of Cornelia Road extending 50 feet; a petition by Jim Moore, on behalf of
Yong Lee and Chong Lee, requesting a change of zoning from Zone B-2 affecting property
containing 4.49 acres and is known under the present numbering system as 2869 Deans
Bridge Road. (Tax Map 085-4 Parcel 067) DISTRICT 5.
7. Z-06-100-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE a petition by The Meadows at Hillcreek Homeowners
Association requesting a change of zoning from Zone B-1 (One-family Residential)
affecting property containing approximately 13 acres known as The Meadows at Hillcreek
Subdivision. (Tax Map 030 Parcel 272 thru 304) DISTRICT 3.
8. Z-06-102-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE with the following condition 1) use of property shall be limited
to a welding operation or those uses allowed in a LI (Light Industry) zone and 2) that there
be no outside storage of materials or equipment; a petition by Austin Iron Works, on
behalf of Edwin Douglass III, requesting a change of zoning from Zone LI (Light Industry)
to Zone HI (Heavy Industry) affecting property containing 28 acres and is known as 1435
Greene Street. (Tax Map 036-4252) DISTRICT 1.
9. Z-06-102-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE a petition by American Signage, on behalf of TTM Holdings
LLC and Crown Investment Holdings LLC, requesting a change of zoning from Zone B-1
(Neighborhood Business) to Zone B-2 (General Business) affecting property containing 1.13
acres and known under the present numbering system as 3422 Wrightsboro Road. (Tax
Map 041-4 Parcel 039) DISTRICT 3.
10. Z-06-103-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE a petition by Randolph Frails, on behalf of Allen L. Collier
Enterprises, requesting a change of zoning from Zone LI (Light Industry) to Zone R-1E
(One-family Residential) affecting property containing .16 acres and is known under the
present numbering system as 1122 Twiggs Street. (Tax Map 060-1 Parcel 056) DISTRICT
1.
PUBLIC SERVICES
11. Motion to approve Georgia Department of Transportation Contract for Stage 3 of the
Terminal Area Improvements Project. (Approved by Public Services Committee
September 11, 2006.
12. Motion to approve the increase Fixed Base Operation fuel revenue and expense budget
to more accurately reflect current fuel pricing. (Approved by Public Services Committee
September 11, 2006)
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15. Motion to approve Smith Fence Change Order No. 2. (Approved by Public Services
Committee September 11, 2006)
ADMINSTRATIVE SERVICES
18. Motion to approval of a Façade Rehabilitation Grant Application for 3007 Deans
Bridge Road. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 11, 2006)
20. Motion to approve the acquisition of two (2) food transport trucks from Mobile
Advantage Corporation of Wapato, Washington for $39,673.00 each (Lowest bid offer for
bid 06-164). (Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 11, 2006)
PUBLIC SAFETY
23. Motion to approve and Accept a Grant from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assist
with Digital Orthophotography in the amount of $20,000. (Approved by Public Safety
Committee September 11, 2006)
FINANCE
25. Motion to approve the issuance of an RFP for the management of the Augusta
Municipal Golf Course. (Approved by Finance Committee September 11, 2006)
28. Motion to approve report from the Internal Audit Department regarding the cash
review of the Finance, Water and Sewer, Housing & Neighborhood and Recreation
Departments and direct affected departments to come back at the first Commission
meeting in October with a plan of action to make necessary corrections. (Approved by
Finance Committee September 11, 2006)
29. Motion to approve the acquisition of two (2) food transport trucks from Mobile
Advantage Corporation of Wapato, Washington for $39,673.00 each (Lowest bid offer for
bid 06-164). (Approved by Finance Committee September 11, 2006)
30. Motion to approve seeking a recommendation from the city’s financial advisor
regarding the refinancing of the 2000 and 2004 series bonds. (Approved by Finance
Committee September 11, 2006)
31. Motion to approve the replacement of the roof at the Tobacco Road-Heavy Equipment
Shop for $57,503.00 by Two State Construction, Inc. (lowest bid on Bid Item #06-142).
(Approved by Finance Committee September 11, 2006)
32. Motion to approve the declaration of 9 vehicles excess and available for salvage sales.
(Approved by Finance Committee September 11, 2006)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
33. Motion to approve a Deed of Easement Dedication from Augusta to the Augusta
Utilities Department. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 11, 2006)
34. Motion to approve Contract Amendment #2 to Gannett Fleming’s professional services
contract for the Highland Avenue Improvements Project to include additional construction
phase services in the amount of $539.858. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
September 11, 2006.
35. Motion to approve Contracts with Utility Service Co., Inc. for maintenance of the Old
Waynesboro Road Water Tank. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September
11, 2006)
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36. Motion to approve an Option for Right-of-Was between Frank W. Caper, Jr. and
Estate of Creed Byrd as owners, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the
St. Sebastian Way Project, for 0.301 (13,099.60 sq. ft.) in fee and .062 acre (2,717.31 sq. ft.)
of permanent construction & Maintenance easement for the following property located at
1424 Broad Street for a purchase price of $367,262.00, minus $45,000.00 for retention of
the building located on property, for a total purchase price of $322,262.00. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee September 11, 2006)
37. Motion to approve an Option for Right-of-Way and easement between William R.
Coleman, Jr., as owner, and Augusta, Georgia as optionee, in connection with the
Washington Road Intersection Improvements Project for 0.087 acres (3,803.23 sq/ft) in fee,
more or less, and 1,185.47 sq. ft. of permanent construction and maintenance easement,
more or less, and 909.86 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement, more or less, for the
following property located at 2902 Washington Road for a purchase price of $115,000.00.
(Approved by Engineering Committee September 11, 2006)
38. Motion to approve an Option for Right-of-Way between Stephen I. Dekle, as owner,
and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the St. Sebastian Way project, for
four project parcels located at 1499 Ellis St., and 218, 214 & 210 Fifteenth St., for a
purchase price of $335,000.00, less the sum of $60,000.00 due to Owner to retaining his
building. Said subject property consisting of 0.02 acre (799.87 sq. ft.) in fee and 0.025 acre
(1,090.16 sq. ft) of permanent construction and maintenance easement. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee September 11, 2006)
39. Motion to approve an Option for Right-of-Way between Charles Holbrook, as owner,
and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the St. Sebastian Way Project, being
Project Parcel 15, (Tax Map 36-3, Parcels 16 & 16, consisting of 0.043 (1,882.02 sq. ft.) of
permanent construction & maintenance easement for property located at 1434 and 1438
Broad Street for a purchase price of $141,757.00. Due to the property being taken, a small
tract or remnant of property remains and approval is sought to purchase this property for
the agreed amount of $5,000. The total purchase price is $146,757.00. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee September 11, 2006)
40. Motion to approve an Option for Right-of-Way between University Health Services,
Inc., as owner and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the St. Sebastian Way
Project, for 0.05 acres (2155.76 sq. ft) in fee and 0.067 acres (2,909.54 sq. ft) of permanent
construction & maintenance easement and one temporary driveway easement for the
following property located at 1402 Walton Way for a purchase price of $51,400.00.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 11, 2006)
41. Motion to approve and accept Georgia Power Company Governmental Encroachment
Agreement for Easement No. 30894. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
September 11, 2006)
42. Motion to authorize award and execution of a contract amendment to the Construction
Management at Risk Contract with parsons Water and Infrastructure for the construction
of the Highland Ave Improvements Project in the amount of $63,521.523. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee September 11, 2006)
43. Motion to authorize award of bids for Pre-purchased of Equipment for the Highland
Ave Improvements Project to the lowest responsive bidders. Bid Item #06-098 Medium
Voltage Transformers Bid Item #06-099 Switchgear and Large MCC’s Bid Item #06-101
Pumps Bid Item #06-103 Motor Operated Valves Bid Item #06-105A Manual Yard Valves
12
Bid Item #06-106 New Filter Equipment and Air blower Bid Item #06-107 Existing Filter
Equipment and Air blower (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 11,
2006)
44. Motion to approve the list of streets proposed for submittal to the Georgia Department
of Transportation for inclusion in 2007 LARP. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee September 11, 2006)
45. Motion to grant 15 x 1000 foot easement to Xethanol Corporation across property
located on Levee Road behind 1736 Lovers Lane. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee September 11, 2006)
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk let’s go first through the additions.
The Clerk:
ADDENDUM
55. Consider a request for a donation of services to the city. (Requested by
Commissioner Bowles).
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles.
Mr. Bowles. Thank you Mr. Mayor. This is in regards to the tank over at Pendleton
King Park. And, there’s a local business that’s interested in spray painting it, the tank, and all
that’s required on the city’s behalf is that the tank be cleaned of dirt and debris and that the, and
supplies of about $400.00 in paint be provided to this, the contractor who’s gonna put about a
$5,000.00 paint job on the tank, and I believe there’s a delegation here to speak on that today.
Mr. Mayor: Is there somebody to speak on that issue?
Mr. Scott Hudson: I can answer any questions you guys might have about it.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams:
Mr. Williams: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I think this came up once before, and Mr. Shepard
I see your attention got focused on, but I think the color paint, the color we gonna paint it has to
be a certain color, for instance, I don’t know deck green, or Army green or something I thought
was, on the stipulation, I thought we supported this in committee at one time.
Mr. Hudson: If I could answer that question for you. We actually went through the
military. We went through Fort Gordon. There is a company that mixed those colors of paint for
Fort Gordon. Fort Gordon is also going to give Mr. Brown who owns the paint-contracting firm
the correct decals that would then be applied to the tank. Um, this was sent through the
Pendleton King board I believer back in June of this year. They approved, it was the correct
color of paint. And, approved, they already had the funds in the budget to purchase the paint.
The paint has been purchased and is basically just sitting in storage waiting to be applied.
13
Mr. Williams: I want to question, Mr. Mayor, I think it came under committee about the
designated color was the official color that we wanted to paint it. Is that right, Mr. Shepherd?
Mr. Shepard: Mr. Williams---
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard.
Mr. Shepherd: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. My only suggestion was that the authenticity of
the appearance of the tank be preserved and we had others donating cleaning services to the
monuments, who had indemnity agreements so when they were out there, there would be no
claim on the city, and those would be my only suggestions.
Mr. Hudson: And that has already been done as well.
Mr. Mayor: OK. Commissioner Bowles.
Mr. Bowles: I think, I’d like to make a motion that we allow an exception for the
donated services to the city, for this to be done. I think that’s where the hang up came, and we
discussed this last week with the recreation department. It came up that the city cannot accept
donations, and this is why this is here today.
Mr. Mayor. OK.
Mr. Bowles: I’d like to make a motion that we make and exception in this
circumstance and allow the donated service.
Mr. Cheek: Second
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Motion carries 9-0.
The Clerk:
ADDENDUM
57.Instruct the Attorney to proceed with license requirements for the city to have
approval to use between 400 and 700 CFS (cubic square feet per second) of water to be
released from the Walton Way gates into level 2 and 3 of the canal for the purposes of
recreation and beautification (Requested by Commissioner Cheek).
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, we flowed about 200 cubic square feet through the other day just
to look at the flow and the patterns. The nice thing down on Telfair Street, there at Elliot’s
Funeral Home, the water split, it went two different directions, ah, it went towards Hawks Gully
14
and it flushed out the second level, third level of the canal. Currently we’re getting information
from the canal authority that they may occasionally be able to flush the new third level
improvements with a trickle of water. That area has been used as a flush for long enough if you
know what I mean. This amount of water will give us adequate flow for our potential white
water park and will also create a flow of water through the third level improvements back
towards Phinizy Ditch and actually create a beautiful and attractive body of water along about
1.4 miles of this city’s neglected area. In order for us to utilize this water, we as a city need to
step up to the plate and have a designated earmarked volume of water to be used for recreation
I’m asking the commission to endorse as to
and beautification of this city and that is what
instruct staff to move forward with securing a flow not less than 300 cubic feet and not
more than 700 cubic feet per second flow through the Walton Way gates to the second and
third levels of the canal.
Mr. Williams: So moved.
Ms. Beard: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Commissioners
will now vote by the usual sign.
Motion carries 9-0.
The Clerk:
ADDENDUM
58.Authorize the DDA to proceed with reprogramming of TEA grant money from the
Depot project to the second and third level of the canal for the purposes of third level
improvements and to have a study and design work done on the creation of a white water
course in the second and third level of the canal. ~75% of the grant to go to third level
improvements and ~25% to go to study and design work. (Requested by Commissioner
Cheek)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I’d just like a motion to approve this as was the
understanding earlier stated by our attorney to instruct staff to move forward with the
possibilities of reprogramming this grant.
The Clerk: To be brought back to Administrative Services.
Mr. Cheek: To be brought back to Administrative Services.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second?
Ms. Beard: Second that.
15
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Racking it up to unanimous today.
Ms. Beard: Magnanimous.
Mr. Mayor: Magnanimous.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor would you take out #47 next please?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, I’d be happy to.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
47. Z-06-92-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to DENY a petition by Ronald C. Brown, on behalf of Marlena A. Brown,
requesting a Special Exception to establish a Family Personal Care Home per Section 26-1
(h) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting
property containing .31 acres and is known under the present numbering system as 2501
Pate Avenue. (Tax Map 086-3 Parcel 008) DISTRICT 2.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am, could ya’ll, you’re hear to speak to this issue.
Ms. Speaker: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Could you please your name and address for the record?
Ms. Brown: Marlena Brown and this is my husband Ronald. Actually we have already
requested a withdrawal without prejudice. We uh, faxed that over a few days ago.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, Mr. Mayor and the uh, um, the request for withdrawal without
prejudice would, and I guess Mr. Patty might need to help me out. Would that save this
constituent any monies, if we allowed them to withdraw without prejudice? George, I don’t
think they plan to come back, I’m just trying to figure out if they have a question and withdraw
and we deny it, I mean, how does that work. I heard----
Mr. Patty: They uh, if they, if you allow them to withdraw without prejudice they can put
it back in at any time, uh, probably beginning in November, and I’ll give you the schedule. It’s
not gonna save them any money, but it would allow them to put it back in for a request within
the one year waiting period.
Mr. Williams: But it’s not gonna save them any money on—-
16
Mr. Patty: No sir.
Mr. Williams: Okay, I was thinking that the request, that’s what I wanted to find out.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor my concern with this is that I’ve had several phone calls from
neighbors who have concerns about a for profit business being operated within a neighborhood.
And that is why I requested we
And, it’s the usual kind of complaints, traffic and other things.
follow through with complying with the request of the Planning Commission to deny which
would give the neighborhood a years breathing time before any other attempt was made to
rezone this property.
Mr. Mayor: Would you like to put that in the form of a motion?
Mr. Cheek: So moved.
Mr. Bowles: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, I’d like to see the hands of the people that’s opposed
to what’s going on and if there are any---
Mr. Mayor: Could ya’ll please raise your hands if you’re in opposition? Do we have
some folks out in the hall too by any chance do you know? Okay. Please make a note of that.
(13 objectors noted)
Mr. Williams: Now is there anybody in support of that, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Do we have anybody in support?
Mr. Cheek: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: OK, we have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: And, Madam clerk at the request of Commissioner Beard we’ll hear 51.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
17
51. Z-0-83-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE with the following condition; 1) a 6 foot solid board fence shall
be placed 10 feet inside the rear property line; 2) and an undisturbed natural buffer shall
be maintained between the fence and the property line; the use of this property shall be
limited a micro-distillery or those uses allowed in B-1 (Neighborhood Business) zone; a
petition by Gerald Blount, on behalf of Little Red Dog Distillery, requesting a change of
zoning from Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) to Zone LI (Light Industry) affecting
property containing approximately .32 acres and is known under the present numbering
system as 214 Sand Bar Ferry Road. (Tax Map 048-3 Parcel 105) DISTRICT 1 (Deferred
from August 15 Commission and September 5, 2006 meetings)
Mr. Mayor: Do we have a representative of the neighborhood hear to speak to this issue?
Everybody knows you but if you could state your name----thank you sir.
Mr. Mitchell: My name is Bill Mitchell, I live at 710 Albany Avenue in Augusta.
Mr. Mayor: And if you could just keep it at 5 minutes please sir.
Mr. Mitchell: Yes, sir. Mayor Copenhaver, Mayor Pro Tem Williams, Commissioners
and citizens of Augusta. Per the instructions of the Commission, at the last meeting, we did have
a meeting with Mr. Gerald Blount to discuss his presentation for the---center brewery at 214
Sand Bar Ferry Road. During his presentation Mr. Blount did clear a lot of misconceptions of
the issues concerning the brewery. There was questions and discussions. Nothing hostile, just a
good learning meeting about what this thing means. After Mr. Blount finished his presentation,
we did have a discussion with the neighborhood residents, and these are some point of objection.
One point has already been mentioned about the rezoning of the property. We would not like to
see that happen as far as getting the property rezoned. Another point pertains to numerous
churches and schools in this area. A new school is going to be built in this area and we’re
concerned this is not going to very good for kids who have to pass by this building and see, know
what’s goin' on there. There are numerous residences located on the boundary site. Safety’s
always as factor and any man made industrial site, if anything can go wrong, it will. I considered
all the factors. We believe the overall benefit to the community is minimal. For example, we
asked about the number of employees and Mr. Blount said there’d be four employees. And, so
this is not gonna be much for four employees jobs. We also have concerns about Sand Bar Ferry
Road being an important gateway to the community, now that the Bobby Jones Expressway on
this side of the river and Palmetto Expressway, Palmetto Parkway on the other side of the river,
we believe that this is important to the community and we’d like to see something like they done
over in Aiken, over there in the vicinity of Highway 1 and the Palmetto Parkway. They have
really beautified that place over there just in short notice of time. And the last point made was
that there’s some objections concerning the manufacture and sale of, production of alcoholic
beverages that will be going throughout the world through the Garden City. In closing I have
one request I’d like to make to the Commission, or someone that could take a look at this. That
when we have projects like this planned, that somehow we come together and have a meeting as
we did with Mr. Blount before we get started. That was a big issue. Mr. Blount was upset. He’d
already gotten started and uh, it was, the neighborhood wasn’t aware so, just a meeting to clear
18
things up would be very helpful. I’d also like to ask all the residents of east Augusta, would you
please, if you object to this project would you please stand please.
Mr. Mayor: You all could get a count please?
Mr. Mitchell: While they’re counting that, Mr. Mayor, I thank the Commission for its
consideration in this matter and may God bless each of you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Mitchell.
Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor.
Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor I would like to add to that that they have submitted a petition with
approximately 400 names to deny this.
Mr. Mayor: Please make a note of that, Madam Chair, Madam Clerk.
(29 objectors noted)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Um, I’d like to hear from the petitioner, too, please.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Blount here?
Mr. Blount: Sure. Is there something you’d like to ask or do you---
Mr. Cheek: Just wanted to give you your time, um, to speak and uh, address any issues
that were brought up, and---
Mr. Blount: Well, I certainly respect the rights of others and um, I wouldn’t want to do
anything that would represent a threat to other people or concern to. When we had this
neighborhood association meeting, the majority of the discussion revolved around the morality
of this uh, and, I certainly respect that. And, the other things that were brought up, were things
like, what would the outward appearance of the building look like, and I think we’ve made a
tremendous improvement on that. And there was an issue over whether or not there was uh, any
significant traffic involved, and we tried to explain that, that would be a fairly small addition to
the actual traffic on Sand Bar Ferry Road. And then there was another issue about what type of
community support would we be willing to provide, and of course we’re always, we’d be willing
to help in any way that we could, but you know I think the big thing here is, is that we certainly
don’t want to do anything that’s going to upset a lot of people because that just wouldn’t be
right. And so what we’ll do is we’ll finish up with our face lift on this particular building and
then we’ll put it up for sale and then we’ll let it move forward.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek:
19
Mr. Cheek: Uh, I guess question for Mr. Patti. In light of the current zoning, if this
property is sold as is, what other types of businesses could go in there?
Mr. Patty: Property is zoned B-1, any business that falls within the list of uses allowed in
B-1 could be uh, could be made of this property uh---
Mr. Cheek: It was formerly a bar, I understand?
Mr. Patty: That’s correct and the bar without entertainment would be a, be a use allowed
on this property. Now that assumes that they could reestablish their beer and wine license or
liquor license or, whatever it is and there are some new churches down there so it’s possible that
would be a problem. From a zoning point they could do that.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I’m just, at this point I’m going, there’s a couple of things I feel
like I need to say. One, is East Augusta’s gateway is the most beautiful in the city. East
Augusta’s neighborhood has taken care of it’s community center and managed it in a way un-
paralleled in the city and done a lot of good things. I’ve driven past this building for almost 30
years now going back and forth to work on a daily basis. It has been overgrown most of that
time. The business, the businesses surrounding that, though they are open, look like junkyards.
Uh, this building itself has been, I’m sure has been used, I’m sure, for elicit activities. It’s
saddening to me to see us apparently prefer something else in favor of a business that would
bring jobs and clean up that part of the city. And, knowing just like all of us do, how many
businesses have moved into that area over the years, chances are not good that we would get
something that would beneficial to the neighborhood. I guess I’m operating on the bird in the
hand philosophy. This neighborhood indeed has a right to it’s um, ideas of what should be there
and I respect that. But it’s a shame when in an area where we have many problems, and all of us
know what they are, driving through there at 11 and 12 at night, people in the streets 10 years old
and younger, and other activities going on. We’ve got a lot of work to do there. I just viewed
this as a chance to see something positive come in, uh, that would in fact spin off to bring other
positive things in there and help that area of town and I’m sad to see that Augusta may lose this
business to Columbia or Aiken county unless we can find some place else suitable for them to
locate.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Beard.
Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor, I would just like to say, the people of the East Augusta
community are a very proud group of people. And uh, they have certain things they want for
their community. At this particular time we have a number of beautiful churches in the area and
people are moving into the area every day, and they want to move in that direction, more family
friendly type things. And, so this is what they’re seeking here. And another important thing they
said to me, that it is very important that when you look at bringing something into their
community, you speak with them. That’s very important to them.
Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham.
20
Mr. Grantham: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I’d like to ask a question of the petitioner. In his
comments a moment ago, he made the statement that certainly he didn’t wanna do anything that
would hinder the neighborhood or harm people or, or make any type of business that would not
be acceptable in that area and that you are going to go ahead and finish the building and then put
it up for sale.
Mr. Blount: That’s correct.
Mr. Grantham: Did I read that as saying that you are withdrawing this request right now
or do you want the action to be taken so that determination is made by this board, or that
determination is made by you?
Mr. Blount: Well, um, I mean its, its now zoned as B-1.
Mr. Grantham: Correct.
Mr. Blount: Okay, so, it would be, I’m really not planning on withdrawing and I think
we should go ahead with it.
Mr. Grantham: Well, that’s what I wanted to know.
Mr. Blount: And, and, uh, I think it would be a, you know, that’s fine. I think that it
would allow for whatever would, uh, reside in a B-1 type of situation. I think that it is important
though to indicate, and I think there may be some misunderstanding here. There was never
gonna be any retail sales at this facility. It was just basically a manufacturing location. So that
was really not going to represent any kind of exposure to anyone to anything. In fact you
wouldn’t even be able to access the facility through the gate. So, um, anyway, that being what it
is, I think we should go ahead with the vote. I mean I’m not gonna lose anything by it, and I’ll
just pursue this endeavor elsewhere and that may be in Richmond country or that may be in
Columbia county.
Mr. Mayor: We’ll find you a spot in Richmond County.
Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor:
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Beard.
Mr. Blount: One other thing I did want to say is, that, you know if the building could be
put to a useful purpose, and the city had another building that would be in the right location or
other property that was in the right location, than I would be willing to trade the properties.
Now, I’m certainly open minded about this and, my real endeavor here is to try to do something
that’s actually going to be productive and maybe have a little fun with it in the process. And, I,
the reason that I took on this particular property in Richmond county is because I felt like that
there was some benefit to improving some derelict structures and being able to take advantage of
that. Now, frankly if I were to move to Columbia County, and I know that this is something you
21
guys are gonna be talking about soon. The licensing expenses are much less in Columbia County
when you start dealing with alcohol of any type than they are in Richmond county and so, really
what I was looking at, was a trade off for real estate circumstances for licensing expense. In this
particular location it would’ve worked for me, you know I don’t know what it will do elsewhere.
Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Beard I recognize you.
Ms. Beard: Well, I was going to move to deny but I see Mr. Williams---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you Mr. Mayor. Uh, I understand the need for business, and I
certainly understand the need for the neighborhood to speak out. We just had a neighborhood
come out against, speak against a, uh, business in the neighborhood about uh, day care, family
care. I don’t remember which it was now. But East August didn’t get like that over night. We
had those types of businesses many, many years and they was left on their own so to speak.
And, now here come somebody who was I think is really wanna do good about it. I don’t blame
the neighbors because we have been dumped on, in the area downtown, for so long. District 1
and District 2 got all the negative stuff that you can find, and, people are afraid. I mean, this
young man may be as straight as 6 o’clock but we have been told so many times is gonna be
kept, it’s gonna be done and than 30 days later this body, not necessarily the people up here now
but the ones that were here before us, turned their heads and looked the other and say, well that’s
them. I heard people make statements about folks living in a certain area and it really upset me
because folks who live in that area have to live in that area. They wouldn’t be there like nobody
else if they didn’t have to. They have some good homes, I mean but because of the conditions of
communities, we have let people drift by the wayside so to speak. So I’m in support of the
community. I’m gonna go with them, I think they got a right to do that. If there’s ah, ah, if
Columbia County’s going to be a better venture of this young man, than you know I think he
needs to look at what’s best for his business, and that’s what, cause this community trying to
So, Ms. Beard wanted to make a motion but I’m going to
look out what’s best for them.
make a motion we go ahead and deny this, that we go ahead and let the community
understand that uh, this facility is already zoned, uh, but whoever else comes would have to
come through the zoning process again. You’ll have to fight it another day. You gonna
have to come together another day and stand and hope we can get some positive stuff to
come to that area. But we, we, want to be recognized, we wanna be treated as, as every
other community in this city. So that’s my motionMr. Mayor
.
Ms. Beard: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Smith: Mr. Mayor:
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith.
22
Mr. Smith: Thank you. I have a question. If it became a bar and grill, could they still do
distillery work in this place?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Patty.
Mr. Patty: Um, 2215 is the closest thing we’ve got to a use that actually specifies what
he wants to do and what that essentially says is that all goods manufactured or produced have to
be consumed on the sight. So, you know sometimes there are things done that are incidental to
the main use of the property and I can’t think of any good examples right now other than a body
shop or car dealership. But, we have allowed, for instance, I’m sorry about a long answer, but
there have been at least two microbreweries in this area done in restaurants that I can think of.
Uh, um, there’s Chris George or whatever it’s called downtown and the old, um what’s now the
Wild Wings Café. They both had micro distilleries in them. They were no problem for anybody.
Um, they were in B-2 zones. But, if you, if you went by the ordinance, technically I don’t think
you could do it, you certainly couldn’t do it in B-1. And, B-2, you know, the ordinance doesn’t
appear to provide for it. So, I think it’s a long answer, I think the answer is no. I don’t think you
could do it in a B-1 zone.
Mr. Blount: Well actually, you can’t do it all. Because this would be a distillery, not a
brewery, and not a microbrewery. It would be for the manufacture of distilled spirits.
Mr. Smith: Yes, sir.
Mr. Blount: And, you are not allowed under any circumstances to have any one in the
facility that is not part of you license. And it is not an entertainment place; it is a manufacturing
facility and is regulated as such. All the doors have to be locked. They have to be 8 tumbler
locks. Lots of different things. You cannot work there without a background check. You cannot
do any of those things. So this is not what people may think. And you know that was one of the
things I said in the community meeting, was, or the neighborhood association, this is not a bar,
this is not a liquor store, this is not a brewery and all of that.
Mr. Mayor: OK. Commissioner Smith does that answer your question?
Mr. Smith: Yes Sir.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Smith, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Grantham, Mr. Cheek, and Mr. Brigham vote No.
Motion fails 4-5.
Mr. Mayor: No action taken. Madam Clerk let’s move into the pulled items.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, before we do that can we go on and finish the rest of the
Planning and Zoning items?
23
Mr. Mayor: Okay then. We’ll move on to #48.
The Clerk.
PLANNING
48. Z-06-90-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE a petition by Charles and Annette Hartley requesting a Special
Exception in a B-2 (General Business) zone for an auto paint and body shop per Section 22-
2 (a) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting
property containing .65 acres and is known under the present numbering system as 2811
Tobacco Road. (Tax Map 129 Parcel 005-07) DISTRICT 4.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Patty.
Mr. Patty: Mr. Chairman, this is a fairly routing request. This is 48, I’m sorry I lost my
concentration here. We did have one objector to this. It was really there for another reason and
he’s still here actually, and maybe he can speak to it. The building has been used for an auto
body shop, auto repair shop for a long. At some point there has been auto repair done on the
property but it had not been done within the last two years, so in order to reestablish that, they
had to have the zoning Special Exception you see in front of you. We had the petitioner and the
owner of the property at the meeting. They both agreed to the conditions that are in the ordinance
and um, we think you should approve.
Mr. Mayor: Can we hear from the objector?
Mr. Sias: Thank you Mr. Mayor. Sammy Sias, 3839 Crest Drive. Uh, Mr. Mayor,
Commissioners, it was not a primary issue of denial on this particular request, but given the
history of this particular site it was to insure that it did not become a junk yard with what, I said
about 250 cars. The owner says maybe less. But that used to be a hell hole. And really we just
wanna see that particular process come back to our immediate area again. So it was with the
request that they do the privacy fence and hopefully limit their number of vehicles that they on
site there are not being repaired. Because, we don’t want to see this become a salvage yard. So,
Commissioners, or Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, if that happens, we’ll be back down here before
you to ask you to pull that particular, uh, uh, zoning request and close that business because that
place was cleaned up and we want to see it stay clean. So that was the whole gist of our
objection.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham:
Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The question I have to Mr. Patty. Is that when I
see auto paint and body shop, it concerns me about our environmental questions. Do we have
questions on environmental, from the EPA, in regards to this property?
24
Mr. Patty: Well, that’s a question you probably need to ask, need to ask the
License/Inspection people. I’m sure there are standards for ventilation and that sort of thing and
I’m sure they’ll have to meet those in order to get the business license. You might want to ask
that of them.
Mr. Grantham: Is Mr. Sherman in the house?
Mr. Mayor: Rob, you’re on deck.
Mr. Grantham: To me I think that’s important Mr. Mayor. It’s something we’re going to
need to continue to investigate on any properties we’re looking at that either had some
automobiles on it or they, a place of this nature, then we gonna need to make sure we’re cleared
from a liability stand point when we start issuing licenses, start issuing permits to use.
Mr. Sherman: As far as the paint and body shop goes, the paint booth as to be approved.
I believe it’s approved by the state as far as the environmental releases in the air contaminants.
Mr. Grantham: How about the property itself? Is there any way this may have been
formerly a yard for wrecked cars or, whatever. And if there was any type of leakage, leakage in
to the ground from batteries, or that nature, then are we responsible in issuing this permit under
those conditions?
Mr. Sherman: No, sir, I don’t think so. That would be between the property owner and
the lender if there’s a lender involved. But the city would not be involved.
Mr. Grantham: Just wanted to clear that up.
Mr. Mayor. Okay. Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, if the conditions are put in place and this sidewalk we
talked about uh, the fence and other pieces been put in place. If those restrictions are there
I’m gonna make a motion we go ahead and approve that.
Mr. Grantham: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioner Brigham, do you want to
speak to us?
Mr. Brigham: I just wanted know if the petitioner was present. I ain’t seen him.
Mr. Mayor: Is the petitioner present?
Mr. Speaker: Charles Hartley, 232 Elgin Drive, Martinez, GA.
Mr. Mayor. Okay. We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion,
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
25
Mr. Smith votes No.
Motion carries 8-1.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
49. Z-06-93-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission To DENY a petition by Michelle Irving requesting a Special Exception to
establish a Family Personal Care Home per Section 26-1 (h) of the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing approximately .60
acres and is known as 2926 Arrowwood Circle. (Tax Map 139 Parcel 400) DISTRICT 4.
The Mayor: Yes, ma’am, if you could state your name and address for the record.
Ms Iving: Good Afternoon: Michelle Irving, 2926 Arrow Wood Circle, Hephzibah, GA
30908.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Patty you want to---
Mr. Patty: I really don’t have anything to add other than what the petitioner would like to
do. Um, we had some objectors on this, ah, the neighborhood was opposed to um, ah, it was
going to be a staff operated for uh, six elderly, I believe up to six elderly.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: No, no, no, I was, I was thinking about the 6, George, that we require for
children and you can have 6 children in your home but this is for an adult personal care home, is
that right?
Ms. Irving. Yes.
Mr. Williams: Is there anybody, Mr. Mayor, who’s opposed for this here?
Mr. Mayor: Is there anybody here to oppose this? Yes, sir.
Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor, Sammy Sias, 3839 Crest Drive. I also presently note the Sand
Ridge Community Association and, Mr. Mayor I have some members the Sand Ridge
Community Association here with me. Would you all please stand. Mr. Mayor, Commissioners,
uh, we didn’t necessary flood the uh, the uh, chambers today with members. The Sand Ridge
Association was incorporated May 15, 1992. So we’ve been at this for a while. We’ve been
down here before this body on many occasions over the years to ask your help in protecting our
neighborhood. We want to protect our property value, cleanliness and the safety of our
neighborhood. And, frankly I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that. We have a lot of
people who want to come into our neighborhood because it’s clean; they feel safe. But the issue
we have with that is, when they want to bring businesses or they wanna change what they found.
26
The reason they found it like that is because we worked hard at. We worked in conjunction with
this body, with the Marshal’s department and with the Sheriff’s Department. And, frankly we
wanna keep it that way. Um, we don’t have anything against someone having a viable business,
but if wanted to live next to Wendy’s, or a nursing home, all the other businesses then we
would’ve went to a neighborhood that was transitional, or a neighborhood off the Highway 56 or
Deans Bridge. We moved into a neighborhood where it was a neighborhood. And we wanna
keep it that way. We have never, ever supported any kind of zoning change in Sand Ridge for a
business. We have not and we will not. And we will continue to ask your support in doing that.
We don’t ask you to do our job for us or to come out and run our neighborhood. We get out and
do that. We clean it up. We work hard at it, and all we need ladies and gentlemen, is your
support in doing that. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners.
(5 objectors noted)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek:
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I had the pleasure of having Sand Ridge in my district up until 2
years ago, and I’m gonna say that Sand Ridge is the anchor community to that end of Tobacco
Road. They do in fact keep a very fine community. They managed Jamestown Community
Center for us in a most excellent way. Um, they fight crime on their own, they take care of each
Um, I ask the board to concur
other and they keep their community a beautiful place to live.
with the request to the president of the neighborhood association, and I make a motion that
we concur with the Zoning and Planning Board on this denial.
Mr. Bowles: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I kinda disagree with Commissioner Cheek and the Sand
Ridge community. Ah, just a little bit, I think every neighborhood ought to try to keep their
neighborhood like, such as he just stated. But what about the other neighborhoods who just
didn’t do anything, on the while ago, and, and, and, if you gonna be in this city, you gotta
consider every neighborhood ought to have the same, ah, amenities, I mean, what I look at every
neighborhood the same way. And if we gonna look at Sand Ridge or any other place, we need to
look at it, uh, professionally, I guess, ah, no one wants to live next door to Wendy’s. No one
wants to live next to a Popeye’s chicken but there are people who do that. And, when you live
next door, you, you have to deal with that. And, I take offense when, you know, when people try
to do a business. I don’t think you ought to come in and put signs up on your business and have
traffic comin and out and folks parking on the lawn and all that, but there are some professional
businesses in neighborhoods that you don’t even know what’s going on. Now, we not talking
about the drug business that’s going on, cause a lot of that’s going on in neighborhoods and
nobody even pays attention to that. We don’t even want to talk about those. They do business
every day. In fact, on a lot of streets you can’t pull up to the stop, unless somebody runs into
your car, than that’s all right, and I’m not against Sand Ridge but I want to speak to Shep on that.
We talking about human lives, we talking about people who can’t afford to live in Sand Ridge
maybe. It’s people who can’t do those things. And we need to be mindful of that. I’m tired of
27
folks dumping on other folks cause the Lord has blessed us to move, and cause we move we
wanna forget where we come from. Now I remember when Sand Ridge wasn’t even there, Miss,
and you’re not gonna be able to get your petition today. But I remember when you could’ve put
anything you wanted in Sand Ridge cause it was nothing but trees and woods and whatever else
it was running loose out there. That’s all, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith:
Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to kind of piggyback on what Commissioner
Cheek said about the community. Um, Sammy and I took a ride through this area last week and it
is a remarkable place. They’ve done a great job of keeping it up, and no businesses in and I
support what they’re trying do, and I just support him for leading this organization the length of
time that he has and done such a great job.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Williams and Mr. Hatney vote No.
Motion carries 7-2.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
50. Z-06-97-A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission to APPROVE a petition by Sherman and Hemstreet on behalf of the estate of
J.O. Sheppard requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone B-2
(General Business) affecting property containing approximately 1.05 acres and is known
under the present numbering system as 3601 Cemetery Road. (Tax Map 155 Parcel 060)
DISTRICT 6.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek:
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, this is an area I’ve received several concerned calls about. I
know that this is a commercial corridor and it is an area where businesses will eventually come
in and of course we want to promote the commercial development. But the neighborhood there,
is facing uh, across the street from them, are abandoned, repossessed mobile homes that have
been there for a number of years. Um, they’re very concerned about the fact that a garage will
go in there, about storm water runoff, uh, buffers between their nice homes, and this potential
diesel garage, on site storage of non-functioning vehicles, or vehicles being stored for long
periods of time. Um, they want to protect their property values. Um, I think that everyone
involved with this is aware is that this is a commercial corridor and it will be developed but they
wanted some assurances um, that we will have on-site detention of storm water runoff that we
won’t have a bunch of junk cars and trucks put there. They won’t be running this business at all
hours of the night because is directly adjacent to residential homes. So, I’d like to hear from the
petitioner and perhaps we have some objectors here that may want to address the body as well.
28
Mr. Mayor: Please state your name and address for the record concerning -----the area
you represent.
Mr. Speaker: (Inaudible)
Mr. Cheek: That’s my understanding but the other issues as far as a buffer between the
residential area, on site storage of non-functioning vehicles and operating hours, are things I
think are a concern to the community as well.
Mr. Speaker: (Inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Please state your name and address for the record.
Mr. Speaker: ---Thomlinson.---hours will be 8-4:30 Monday thru Friday. Um, what we
actually do is diesel fuel injection repair and 95% of the business would be, you know---There
won’t be a whole lot of cars. It’s not like a regular repair shop. It’s fuel injection---for repairs so
it’s---vehicles around the yard, we’re not gonna have that---
Mr. Cheek: You’ll have on site management of any solvents and um, and that’ll be
regulated through hazardous waste, uh,
Mr. Speaker: (Inaudible) ---very little solvents, very little oil. Most of the time----
Mr. Mayor: Do we have any objectors here?
Ms. Speaker: I’m not necessarily objecting, I just have some more questions if that’s
OK, I live next door, I live at 3609 and 3611 Cemetery Road. My name is Denise---.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, Ma’am, you’ve already stated basically your name and address for the
record.
Ms.---OK. Um, you said you’re going to be working on diesel equipment. You’re not
going to be bringing physical diesel equipment to the property. You’re only going to be bringing
parts?
Mr. Speaker: The actual injection system or injection cartridge um, we might---
Ms. Speaker: Okay, what type of diesel equipment, because according to the Richmond
County um, uh, the Planning, the ordinances, is that if you’re doing work on ah, diesel mechanic
heavy equipment, that is light industrial, that’s not B-2.
Mr. Speaker: (Inaudible).
Ms. Speaker: As long as it’s parked I don’t have a problem. But if they’re going to be
bringing in heavy equipment, I have a problem with that.
29
Mr. Mayor: No heavy equipment.
Mr. Speaker: (Inaudible).
Ms. Speaker: Okay. As long as there’s no heavy equipment, they put up the privacy
fence and have the buffer and everything; I don’t have a problem with that at all.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Cheek: Do we have it stipulated as part of the measure that we’re gonna pass today?
Those stipulations that are amenable for both parties and---
Mr. Patty: Uh, Mr. Cheek?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Patti:
Mr. Patty: Mr. Cheek, they’re gonna build a building. I can do a site plan and that means
they’ll have to conform to all our rules as far as retention after release of storm water to pre-
development rate. As far as the buffer, they’ll have to have at least a 20 foot buffer on that side
property line, that rear property line between her property and theirs with a fence and the trees
and the standard is you can’t look, stand on the residential side and see through up to 8 feet
within 3 years of planning so it should be taken care of in the ordinance.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, with the aforementioned stipulations and um, the things
that have been stated before this body today, I make a motion to approve.
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Another magnanimous. Madam Clerk if we could move to the
pulled items.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
13. Motion to approve amendments to Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6-2,
Alcoholic Beverages, so as to increase the application fee, and to increase the alcohol license
fees by 5%. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 28, 2006) (Requested by the
Administrator).
14. Motion to approve amendments to Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 2-1
Business Tax Certificate, so as to increase the administrative fee and regulatory fees, to
30
increase the business tax for professionals by 10%. (Approved by Public Services
Committee August 28, 2006. (Requested by the Administrator)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham:
Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I asked these two items to be pulled. I would like to see
them deferred to our Administrator so that we can have additional information regarding these
taxes that we’re putting on the people of businesses that we have in this community. It was my
understanding, in fact, that when we started discussing the budget issues several months ago, uh,
that we would be looking at making various cuts within our departments or within our
government in order to uh, have some savings and not just apply a tax increase to our citizens.
So, until I can personally get satisfied that we are going to be making those cuts, uh, then it’s
gonna be very difficult for me to vote for an increase on business tax or this alcohol tax. In
addition to that, uh, I have conferred with several of the Commissioners and I feel like that, that
we’re just reversal of these situations as far as these two items are concerned is that the alcohol
tax as far as I’m concerned, needs to be increased and the business or professional needs to be
. So I’m gonna ask for further study to be
decreased based on the percentage recommended
done on this and I’m gonna put that in form of a motion.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioner Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I’m just gonna make one comment. The budget hearings we’ve
been uh, having, we have had some recommendation for some uh, reduction of force in the
restructuring of our government. Uh, the bottom line and my concern is that November is only
around the corner. October is certainly right next door, and then December, are the deadline for
having our budget in place is there. I don’t think the problem is in the recommendations from
Fred. I think the problem is the willingness of this body to make the kind of cuts necessary to
cover costs without going into our savings account again. We need to come to terms with that
and get down to cases as far as fee increases and reduction of force in order to um, to stop the
bleeding, the financial bleeding of this city.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think Mr. Sherman, uh, brought a report back
that we where lower than the other counties, is that right, Rob, now when we was in committee,
was that----
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Sherman.
Mr. Sherman: Ah, yes sir. The cities we were compared to were lower than the cities,
um, with the occupation taxes. The alcohol was somewhere in between, I think it was Columbus
and Athens.
31
Mr. Williams. And, and, that’s my point Mr. Mayor. Now, we here every year, for at
least the last 7 I’ve been here, we talking about raising taxes. We pitch taxes. All we hear is
taxes. They don’t worry about the 1/2M or whatever. They just know taxes are being raised. We
are still one of the lowest, out of 159 counties. We are #6 and #7; somewhere in that area and I
. So I’m
think those, those fees would be passed on from those businesses to the consumer
gonna make a substitute motion that we go in and approve it.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles:
Mr. Bowles: Thank you Mr. Mayor. You know, we sit here week after week talking
about economic development. Um, we do have a low tax rate and that’s attractive for people
coming into our community. Um, we just had a chance to bring a gentleman in to open up an
operation and we rejected it. Um, you know when you’re looking to increase your revenues in a
business, you don’t raise your prices, you lower your prices. Um, or you start eliminating you
sales staff and we’ve yet to do that. You know we talked about, at the last uh, December
meeting, back before I joined the Commission, we discussed terminating 46 positions which to
date have not been terminated, which where part of balancing this years budget. Um, so we talk
about making cuts and they’re never made. And uh, so I’ll support Mr. Grantham and Mr.
Cheeks recommendations.
Mr. Mayor. Okay. We have a motion and a second. I don’t believe there was a second to
the substitute motion? Madam Clerk? Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Bowles might be able to help me out Mr. Mayor. I’m just trying to
understand something because on what he just stated. We are one of the lowest but we’re not
attracting people, I mean, evidently we’re doing something wrong because if our prices are lower
and we’re talking about raising them and we’re staying attractive to other cities who are
attracting people right and left who are thriving, uh, evidently are doing something different that
what we’re doing. And if we are lower than maybe we need to raise it up where they are to me,
to maybe to competitive with them to have them come here. Because, from my experience
we’ve been lower in a lot of areas but we’re still not attracting the people. So, that can’t be true.
I’m just concerned about how we need money, you talking about telling people to walk out the
door, who’s got children and families and homes and all that other stuff to take care of. It’s easy
to talk about those cuts. Mr. Russell been proposing them to us for a while here. We got a wish
list out there now for cutting some recreation and other stuff in this government. It’s gonna be
tough to make those decisions. We have to do one or the other. Either raise the taxes or make
those cuts sooner or later and it’s getting down to the wire. I agree. We’re getting close. But it
ain't as easy as just sitting back saying we need to make those---positions disappear, you tell
people you know that there not gonna have a job ah, in this government. Ah, I’m the first one to
make it, I got no problem pushing the button on it, but we talk, but we don’t back up what we
say, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles:
Mr. Bowles: In response to the question, I think we’ve demonstrated unwillingness to be
business friendly. We just rejected a guy today, here, and you know something the Planning
32
Commission approved four months ago. It was the form of development that was going to bring
over $200M to our local economy. We had to go through a lawsuit to get that settled. So, we’ve
developed the reputation of being business unfriendly, and that’s what we need to overcome and,
and one way to do that is to start entertaining these businesses and treating them with, you know,
the courtesy that they treat us when they visit our community to invest in it. And uh, you know,
and attract the sign of, you know to keep our tax rates low and, that’s where I stand.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Beard.
Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor, I do have a problem and I have concerns because I do know, uh,
times are difficult right now. But I’m sitting here and I don’t know where we’re going to be next
month. Whether we’ll be looking at increasing millage rates or actually making some of these
hard decisions. And it’s kind of difficult for me to make decisions on items like these until I
know that direction. I hope that makes sense.
Mr. Mayor: It does. You wanna see where an action like this fits into the big picture of
what we’re talking about on the total budget scheme, and I will say that, I’ve said it before and I
will say it again, we’re to the point where we have to make those tough decisions. You know,
we’re the Commission that has to make those tough decisions in order to get this government and
this budget moving forward. But we have a motion and a second. Is there any further
discussion? Commissioners will---the motion is to defer this---
The Clerk: To defer this to Administrative for further study.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Williams, Mr. Holland and Mr. Hatney vote No.
Ms. Beard abstains.
Motion fails 5-3-1.
Mr. Mayor: No action taken.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
16. Motion to approve an amendment to the Taxi Cab ordinance that will provide for an
increase in the “Driver’s Permit” application fee from five dollars to twenty-five dollars.
(Approved by Public Services Committee September 11, 2006)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams, I believe this was yours.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir. I got the point clear on 16 but 17 is the one I really need to
address. Do I need to make a motion to go ahead and approve 17, and then we take 16? How do
you want me to do it Mr. Mayor?
33
Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a motion to approve 17.
Mr. Williams: 16.
Mr. Mayor: Excuse me, 16.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir.
Mr. Holland: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Commissioners will now vote by the usual signs.
Mr. Grantham out.
Motion carries 8-0.
17. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6-
7 Vehicles or Hire-Taxicabs so as define taxicab identity light requirement, to define wait
time for passengers, and to define telephone directory listing requirement. (Approved by
Public Services Committee September 11, 2006)
Mr. Williams: Okay. Mr. Mayor, 17 is one that uh, I hadn’t got clear on yet and uh, been
having some discussion with some businesses people, taxi cab owners and even business people
on the street. If we going to change this ordinance, if we going to make this ordinance different,
I need Mr. Sherman or somebody to explain exactly as to what gonna take place. And Robert
before you say anything let me finish with this. I was told, and I was always under the
impression that if you got in a taxicab, that you would pay the fee to go from one point to the
other one where whatever that meter, you know, read. I didn’t know that there was a flat fee to
take uh, people to Fort Gordon. Now, can you help me out with that, how that works?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Sherman.
Mr. Sherman: There is any option of charging a flat fee um, provided you let the
passenger know when he gets in. For instance at Masters, when the Commissioners will approve
a rate, a flat fee rate, for caring passengers from uh, the Regional Airport to um, somewhere
along Washington Road, it would be a flat fee. (Inaudible).
Mr. Williams: But, Mr. Mayor, and Rob, inform me. Does Fort Gordon have a flat rate
for persons to onto Fort Gordon at five dollars a head, uh and, and I’m, I’m trying to get to my
question here, is how long is it going to be waiting here if we limit it to ten minutes. And I know
people can’t sit there all day. But if you got a flat rate of five dollars per person and you only got
one person, you been there for ten minutes, you got to leave, really, you gonna lose money going
to Fort Gordon where gas is at three dollars a gallon, Rob. So, I’m just trying to figure out where
we are, and I know some people got a sixteen-passenger van, or fifteen-passenger van. Now we
can’t allow them to sit there and fill the van up. But is that a problem? Is that a issue that we got
to deal with that hadn’t been considered?
34
Mr. Sherman: The fee, I need to look into that, as a flat fee. The number of passengers,
this item 17 on the agenda, these are I think, (Inaudible)---the Target center. The way it was
described to us by the taxicab drivers is that a driver would pull up; people would get in his car.
Once they get in the car you’re supposed to get permission from that person in the car before you
have other people get in your cab. The problem was that people would pull up and they’d sit and
wait until they filled up their van. Um, I think at the time there were maybe three, maybe three
van that exceeded the seating capacity, and that even went back prior, back into the ninety’s, the
late ninety’s. The agreement was that those vans could stay on the road once they, uh, they were
broken down they could no longer be repaired, they would be put out of service---(Inaudible).
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, and what I’m trying to find out Rob, and I think something’s
gotta be done. I think we gotta have a time period. We gotta do something but I don’t wanna be
unfair. If you allow a person, one person in the van and, or the taxi and the six passengers and
go to Fort Gordon and they only and they’re only gonna ---, I’m gonna need some clarification
on that before we vote on this whether or not, Do you charge a fair? I’m thinking, I always
thought the taxi service had a rating, where you, when you got in you start off, and I’m gonna
say a dollar and twenty-five. When you left that point Mr. Mayor and whatever you destination
was, what the meter read, you paid. But if you, but if there’s a fixed rate where you can’t charge
and your going to Fort Gordon, it’ll be feasible for you to take five people and make twenty-five
dollars than take one person and make five dollars. So I’m trying to figure out how can we be
fair with the, what we’re doing here Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Would it be worth it to refer this back to committee so that Mr. Sherman can
get all these answers?
Mr. Williams: I got no problem with that, Mr. Mayor. You need to make a formal
motion to send this back to committee, uh—
Mr. Mayor: Yes sir.
Mr. Williams: That’s my motion.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second?
Mr. Holland: I’ll second that.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. What’s that? Yes, sir?
Mr. Levine: I’d like to address the commission please.
Mr. Mayor: Please come forward and state your name and address for the record.
Mr. Levine: My name is Mark Levine. I live at 2912 Villa Lane Augusta, GA. I am a
taxicab owner (Inaudible) cab company. A wait of ten minutes would hurt our business. I got
this information off the web site a couple days ago. Ya’ll you can have some---saying that I get
35
one customer in my cab; I have to ask permission from him to put other people in my cab. If you
allow me to have a business license, allow me to run my business. I’m not asking ya’ll, to have
you do anything wrong. I come down and apply to get a business license and I get a business
license, I can’t make money having somebody tell me, they don’t want me riding other
passengers. I can share a little light on the situation with the five dollars. The five dollars is
probably, is just the rate that Radio Cab is charging to leave Fort Gordon. If they’re getting five
dollars per customer, leaving Fort Gordon, than we can’t work the base just like we couldn’t
work the airport. We feel we should be charging what they’re charging. They do have a rate
sheet out there at Fort Gordon, and I’m almost sure they’re getting pretty close to that amount,
right there. We can’t work the base just like we couldn’t work the airport. And, I’m working on
that diligently cause that’s the same situation we had at the airport. We dealing with it at the
base now. We can’t go out there and work as a contractor and it’s been going on like that for
twenty something years. So, the little man, we can’t money if you tie us up. At the mall right
now, they have a twenty- minute wait time at the mall. I have spoke with the people at the mall
and they don’t have a problem with our twenty-minute wait time. To give us ten minutes to load
somebody up, Augusta is not like a metropolis. It’s just not. Let’s face it. We don’t have five
hundred dollar a night hotel rooms here. You’re not going to have six cabs waiting outside of
your most expensive hotel here.
You’re just not going to. So it’s not going to be a wait time anywhere else but at the mall and at
the movie theater. And, the majority of the customers that’s going to leave there are going to be
soldiers. I’ve been in the business six-years Mr. Mayor. I didn’t make this. I just fell in with
everybody else. That’s where this five dollar a head for the GI’s come from. It come from Fort
Gordon. We didn’t make it. We just followed along. If they allowed to make it, we should be
allowed to make it. Now, customers that get in my cab, that are not GI’s, they don’t have a wait
time. They don’t have a wait time. And, we do charge them on the meter and if they want to
work out a flat rate that’s fine. Like the gentleman just said, customers that are not GI’s do not
have any wait time and we don’t make people wait for several hours or an hour. That’s just not
true. But, Mr. Williams is correct. We can’t make any money sitting there for ten minutes with
gas almost three dollars a gallon. It’s just not gonna to happen. It’s not gonna happen. You
could go out there on that base right now today and ask twenty GI’s what they pay Radio cab to
leave that base and they’re gonna tell you five dollars a head. I can get a copy of the sheet. So,
we just can’t make any money with a wait time. And, if you allow me to get a business license,
let me run my business. I’m gonna stay within the guide lines of the law. Ya’ll ain't got a
hundred people coming up here saying to ya’ll, we making ‘em wait to long. And in any business
you’re not gonna please everybody. I appreciate ya’lls time.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you sir. Commissioner Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Just for clarification. So, what I’m hearing is, everybody else can get in the
cab and ride but if it’s a soldier we charge them five dollars more and they have to wait?
Mr. Williams: Not more, just five dollars.
Mr. Cheek: Just for clarification.
Mr. Levine: It’s a five dollar flat rate.
36
Mr. Cheek: OK.
Mr. Levine: When they leaving the base, when they jump in that cab leaving the base,
it’s a five dollar per person flat rate. They’re charging it. We charge it.
Mr. Cheek: I understand that part of it. I just didn’t want to be charging them separately.
Five dollars is probably cheaper than paying a metered rate going out to the Fort anyway.
Mr. Levine: Yes it would be. But, understand this though now. When, when we get
people in our cabs, they’re not going to wait no thirty or forty minutes for us to leave there. And
you have, the majority of these trainees that come here, they’re young kids. They’re antsy.
They’re ready to ride when they’re ready to ride. They don’t have families that they got to take
care of. So understand that now. It’s a two-headed coin here. They don’t have families to feed.
So when they come out, you have to learn how to kinda deal with ‘em. You know when they
come out, they say, we ready to go now. Well, just give me a few minutes my man. We’ll leave.
I don’t like sitting any more than you do. Just give me a few minutes and we’ll leave. I’m, I
don’t have a problem with any of my customers even at the mall when it’s a hundred degrees.
It’s hot out there! We have to sit out there. And understand, we sit for several hours, when may
sit for ten or fifteen minutes. We have to sit in that line for several hours. We have nowhere else
to go. We can’t work the base. We have nowhere else to go but that mall on the weekend, or the
movie theater. So if you limit us to ten, I don’t who’s behind the ten minute thing, but we’re not
going to make any money. We’re just not gonna make any money Mr. Mayor. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney:
Mr. Hatney: One question, my man. You mentioned the fare at Fort Gordon to get in the
cab is five dollars per individual. Is that the total cost.
Mr. Levine: Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Five dollars per individual.
Mr. Hatney: And if you can get five folk in your vehicle, you make fifty dollars.
Mr. Levine: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Rob.
Mr. Sherman: If I could quickly address that, maybe we can resolve it now. But, in the
ordinance it says that uh, you can charge by the taximeter or you can charge a rate that does not
exceed what the rate the taximeter said. If it was fifty dollars to go from here to Fort Gordon,
and you charge five dollars for nine people, forty-five dollars, than you could do that. You just
could not charge an amount to exceed the taxi meter rate.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, but Rob---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams:
37
Mr. Williams: But if you carry one person, if you have to leave and you don’t have but
one person, I mean you’re gonna be defeating you purpose, in what, you do that, and, and, and,
just using your scenario, just, what you just used. If you can get $50.00 and carry, you know,
five people out there and make $25.00---
Mr. Sherman: I think that maybe the way I explained it is complicating things because,
for instance, if I get in a taxi cab and then you want to wait for other people to get in with me and
I don’t know these people, then that’s what it’s addressing, not if I’m going to Fort Gordon and
you want to wait on seven or eight other soldiers to get in. That’s not, that’s not the issue. Um,
that’s okay to wait. The issue with the time limit was the complain from other cab drivers who
had regular vehicle, they lined up behind those that were in vans---
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, if I can.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: And had to wait until they get twelve fourteen people versus, and, I think
something’s gotta be done. I think there ought to, the limit for a car, and a van gets there and,
and, he can get fifteen, and that’s one thing. But for him just sitting out there, you can load up.
Something has to be done. I, I, think we all agree to that. But, we just, trying to find out a way
So, let’s send it back to committee and get it to uh, uh, a fruition where we can
to be fair.
bring---
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion,
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. (Inaudible) to send it back to committee.
Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor. (Inaudible)
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir? Yes, sir.
Ms. Beard out.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Ramsey: My name is James Ramsey and I’m at 2418 Golden Camp Road. Now,
what Mr. Sherman was talking about, about capacity and stuff like that. For example, if I pick
up three of you gentlemen right here, you all go to three different addresses, that’s three different
fares. When we pick up a GI for $5.00, that’s anywhere on Fort Gordon. Charging---whatever
different addresses. That’s the difference. That’s the big difference.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Can I make a recommendation as this has been sent back to the
Public Services committee, could you, would you be able to come to that meeting.
Mr. Ramsey: I’d be glad to do that. It’s time to solve this problem. I’ve been driving a
cab twenty-two years and all it’s been is just harassment, and all that other stuff. You got no
never know what’s going on. But I’ll be glad to be at that meeting.
38
Mr. Mayor: If you could come that meeting, please, sir. And, ma’am we, as we, I’d
make the same--- yes, ma’am.
Ms. Speaker: Will you notify us of that meeting? Cause no independent cabs were
notified of this meeting. We had to hear it through the grape vine.
Mr. Mayor: These are public meetings. Madam Clerk, could you let her know when the
next Public Services Committee meeting will be?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Next agenda item, please, ma’am?
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
19. Motion to approve Economic Development Loan for rehabilitation of the structure
located at 3044 Deans Bridge Road known as the Villa Europa Restaurant. (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee September 11, 2006)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir. Hadn’t we approved this uh, uh, um, I’m just trying to figure out
how we keep coming back with this over and over. We just approved this. This is something
different.
Mr. Sherman: This is an Economic Development loan for the construction.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, before the taxi proprietor’s leave, the committee meeting will be
thth
Monday, September 25 at 12:30. That’s Monday, September 25 at 12:30 in Room 802 next
door.
Mr. Mayor: The room right next door.
Mr. Williams: Okay, and you say this is different from the, uh, other $30,000.00.
Mr. DeCamp: Mr. Commissioner. This is in addition to the construction loan in addition
to the façade. They were approved for a façade grant for $30,000.00. And in addition to the
façade grant, uh, the addition cost for construction uh, based on architect’s preliminary cost
estimate, estimated to be in the amount of about $50,000.00 of improvements, And, so, what the
businesses owner is requesting is a Economic Development Loan to cover the additional costs,
and that will be a loan that would be financed and paid on a monthly basis.
Mr. Williams: So you talking we’re talking $80,000.00 combined with the grant and the
loan.
39
Mr. DeCamp: We’re talking about a $30,000.00 grant and in addition to that a
$25,000.00 Economic Development loan for construction costs. The $25,000.00 would be
required to be paid back to the city.
Mr. Williams: So this is not the same then, this is altogether different. It’s just the same
business but uh, a different situation. A grant on one side to do the outside I think and this is to
do inside renovation?
Mr. DeCamp: This is an additional construction costs in addition to what it would exceed
the amount of the façade grant. And what the owner is requesting to do is to finance the
additional costs of construction for the façade portion.
Ms. Beard: At what interest rate?
Mr. Williams: And, Ms. Beard, that, that, that, that’s what got my attention now. We,
the first grant was not to be paid back because we could hire someone and that’s a good thing.
But now we can assist that loan, assist that grant with a loan, you know, to do some things and,
and, and, in the city, we were just downtown one time that we had these, these, these façade
grants for. And I guess, I’m grateful that we find a way to do some thing, Henry, versus finding
a way not to do some things but it ought to be shared with everybody and that’s what my
problem is.
Mr. DeCamp: Any business is eligible to apply for the Economic Development Loan.
They just have to apply for it. They have to submit their business financials, and the business
will have to show that they have the capacity to service the loan and finance the business and pay
back the loan. They’ll also be required to provide collateral also to support the loan as well.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek:
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, Just for the record the area from Laney to the river has had a
monopoly on these types of monies since they’ve been in existence. This is about spreading it
around and helping other parts of the community. Really, Europa’s existed for over thirty years
in a combat zone, which asked no help from this government what so ever. I think it’s important
that we do what we can as a city to help. This is the only unique restaurant between the Gordon
Highway on Highway One and Blythe. It is unique; it is a special place to eat. They’ve asked
for no help for all of these years. Quite frankly, if we are one city, South Augusta’s part of it too.
And it’s about time that this money, the monopoly was broken and the money gets spread around
to used by all people. And, we keep hearing this all people thing. This should have been passed,
and I understand the questions. But, we need to be about helping the entire city, not just separate
areas. These people, their time has come. South Augusta is due a part of the assistance the
people have struggled for so many years have an equal and fair right to some of these services
just like anybody else. And, this all this is about. And, it’s a good job that ya’ll have done to
provide these grants, and with the work we’re doing on Lyman Dover, perhaps this entire zone
on Highway One there on Deans Bridge Road will become a much nicer place to live. This is a
good thing and this is about spreading it around and sharing it where there is need.
40
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith:
Mr. Smith: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I’m gonna make a motion that we approve this
item.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I think we’re all singing the same song for a
change and uh, uh, Mr. Cheeks, if he heard my comments, I was saying I was glad that it wasn’t
just downtown. But, what got me was this was the third or fourth time and Mr. Grantham
agreed, uh, I thought it was the same thing we been talking about. I mean, if we gonna do it,
let’s do it in the open so that everybody know what we’re doing and that way we won’t get
confused.
Mr. Cheek: Amen!
Mr. Williams: It had been by here, and I had a problem with it when it come back by
here for the third or fourth time and with the same name. I’ve got no problem, I’m glad it
crossed wherever the boundaries Mr. Cheek’s talking about a while ago, that been requested and
has got it, but it’s crossing. So maybe it’ll come back down to here sooner or later. So, thank
you Mr. ---, that’s all I’m wanting to say.
Mr. Mayor: It sounds so good when everybody sings from the same key. We have a
motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual
sign.
Motion carries 9-0
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor let me—
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek:
Mr. Cheek: Point of personal privilege. I’d be remiss if I didn’t add to this. Let the
record reflect that until just recently, all the money stayed downtown. Now I don’t know who’s
been getting it but all of it stayed downtown in this respect. And, the people out south of the
Gordon Highway are finally getting a very small piece of the assistance. But, all the money
stayed down here, I can’t speak to where it’s gone down here, but hadn’t come out our way.
Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor:
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Beard.
41
Ms. Beard: I, I feel I need to add one thing to that. Yes, the money did go downtown,
but it went down town I did not go out to Laney Walker and it hasn’t been out there and that’s
where it needs to be.
Mr. Mayor: We’re spreadin’ it around!
Mr. Williams: Just like peanut butter, we’re spreadin’ it around.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams says “just like peanut butter”. Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: 21 and 22 are companion items.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
21. Motion to approve Amendment to the Salvation Army’s (SA) 2006 CDBG Agreement.
(Approved by the Administrative Services Committee September 11, 2006)
22. Motion to approve Amendment to the Salvation Army’s (SA) 2006 ESG Agreement.
(Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 11, 2006)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I had both of those companion items pulled and I’m in
support of them but we instructed the staff to get with the Promised Land to, to, uh, do the same
identical thing that these two items have done to make an amendment and bring it back. I’m
wondering why it’s not on here, why it had not been done from Committee meeting the last two
weeks. Why had it not been brought along with these? Now I pulled these to talk about that one
because they was all three together and they was within the guidelines we talked to--- office, Ms.
Taylor says she had no problem with it if we could work it out within the city. We talked about
these about---getting up on their feet and being able to operate. Monies to be recouped from uh,
houses being bought and necessary surveys being done on those homes ought to be reimbursed.
So, uh my question to the staff is to why that wasn’t brought.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. DeCamp.
Mr. DeCamp: Okay. Well with regard to the, just for clarification, Mr. Williams, the
issues related to the Salvation Army contracts are quite a bit different and are relatively minor in
their scope in terms of changes to a standard contract language that the Salvation Army
approached the department about to have made. Um, we met with them in conjunction with
Vanessa Flournoy of the Law Department, came to an agreement on the uh, the language
changes that would be made to minor, minor changes to those two contracts and uh, that’s are
those two items that are before you today. They don’t, do not involve any change in the scope of
the project that the Salvations Army is going to undertake or the activities, or the amount of
funding or the way in which they’re going to be reimbursed. Now, with regard to the um,
Promised Land contract that was on last week’s committee agenda, um, the department has
drafted a change to the language in the ordinance at the direction of the committee. And, uh, that
42
item’s been passed along to Ms. Flournoy and she is reviewing it and adding some additional
language to it at this point and then we intend to pass it along to Promised Land for their
concurrence.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor if I can reply. Paul has says---
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams: Amendment approval on one and approve a contract on the other one
which is basically the same, uh, same thing. The scope and all the other stuff you mentioned, was
not supposed to be changed. We talked to Ms. Taylor who said that she had no problem. I think
Commissioner Cheek’s motion in committee was to get staff together to go ahead and do that.
And, I’m just wondering why where all the professional people got. Now, Mr. Bowles talked
about was, he talked about those forty-six positions that will be leaving here, that we’re gonna
cut back. We got people; we paying people to do a job and it don’t get done with all the staff we
got. And, that bothers me when I looked at the amendment, or contract, which is a word and
then we, nobody said nothing. I can see them saying, well you know we didn’t get it in, but it’s
coming. But when we look down, when I look down, how about the rest of them, they got no
monies in my pocket. When I look down and see two and don’t see the other one, they was all
together, and it bothers me that it wasn’t done, unless there was a reason for not doing it. That’s
all, Mr. Mayor.
Ms. Flournoy: Mr. Mayor may I address---
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Flournoy.
Ms. Flournoy: For the record, the Salvation Army contract has been in negotiation since,
I think July/August time frame so it was not done over night and the language I’m seeing here
now was in the Committee Agenda book. You asked us to modify the contract with Promised
Land. In order to bring it back to the Commission, prior to us bringing it back to the
Commission, we will submit it to Promised Land for their approval of the language. At this
point, Mr. DeCamp has submitted language to me, and I’m not totally satisfied with the language
and I’m making modifications to it. I will at that point, when we’ve worked out a difference
internally, we will communicate with Promised Land. It is our goal because we were not given--
- My understanding was for us to work out the modification. I was under the impression we
were to bring it back to the Committee and not to the Commission. Uh, the vote, the motion did
not give us any specific direction but because it did not say to bring it before the Commission, I
assumed that it was to be brought back to the Committee and that would give us adequate time to
work out the uh, the issues with regards to the language.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: Mr. Mayor, I was in that meeting and I don’t recall the mentioning bringing
it back to committee or bringing it back to the Commission. The instruction I heard was that
ya’ll get together and work out the language where as each entity would be protected. Nobody
mentioned bringing it nowhere. You were supposed to work that out between yourselves and be
43
through with that. You were not given instructions to bring it back to Committee nor the
Commission.
Ms. Flournoy: Uh, may I address---
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Flournoy:
Ms. Flourney: Um, Mr. Hatney, uh, it has been a practice since I’ve been here that if we-
---
Mr. Hatney: Excuse me, ma’am. I’m not saying what has been the practice. I’m saying I
did not hear anybody instruct you to do that. Because the motion was made and offered as an
amendment to it that both parties get together and whatever’s done it protects the interest of these
parties. As far as bringing it back to Committee, uh Commission, those instructions were not
given. I mean, it might have been assumed but didn’t’ hear it. That’s all I’m saying.
Ms. Flournoy: Yes, sir, and I understand that. But, since I’ve been here, we’ve always, if
we made any amendment to a contract it requires Commission approval prior to the Mayor
signing the contract.
Mr. Mayor: Ok, and I believe, Commissioner Williams did you make a motion to
approve?
Mr. Williams: Yes, I did, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Bowles out.
Motion carries 8-0.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
24. Motion to approve KSGW-lead team’s Proposal for Design Services for expansion of
the Webster DC. (Approved by Public Safety Committee September 11, 2006.)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor I asked for this to be pulled. Commissioner Cheeks and I got
uh, talked about it on our last meeting and we, we, had, uh, what did we do? We came back and
reconsidered this item and brought it back. And, my checking into, what I have found, that the
person along with the, uh, uh, Mr. Hillary, Mr. – and their firm have done their diligence to make
sure that this was done properly and fast through Purchasing. Now I see we got someone wants
44
to address, somebody wants to speak to you Mr. Mayor, if you allow them I got no problem but I
think it was done in the way that it should’ve been done. But we do have somebody who wants
to speak to you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, Commissioner Williams and I were told up here by one of the
competitors that this company had never constructed a jail, that they had no experience. Several
other, I guess liberties with the factual information and the Committee last week, we found that
this, this firm, that purchasing did go through the proper process, that this firm has an admirable
Um, that it’s 100% minority owned, um, and I look forward
awarding winning track record.
to doing business with them and I would like to go ahead and call for the question and
make a motion to approve.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, if we can, I want to second that if, if, if we can allow the, the
uh, uh, the other party at least address the---
Mr. Mayor, Okay, sir?
Mr. Cheek: I don’t want to be lied to again.
Mr. Williams: No, me neither.
Mr. Mayor: And, please state your name and address for the record.
Mr. Jafari: My name is Jeff Jafari of the PRAD Group. My address 4640 ---Trail Road.
Thank you, Commissioners, for giving me a time. I’m a mechanical engineer graduate from
Georgia Tech and Southern Tech. I have over 30 years experience in engineering. I have
managed large projects up to one billion dollars including---We are uh, I’ve done most of the
jails out of Atlanta. I’ve been project manager; I’m chief engineer here. PRAD has been
established 1983. We have 24 years experience. We are 100% African American. I’m the chief
engineer for the firm. Unfortunately my partners are involved at the airport Atlanta. We have a
260 million dollar project at the airport---the construction. We’ve done most of the high rise
jails in the state of Georgia. Currently we’re doing the---County jail. Five years ago, some of
you folks, most of you are not here, asked PRAD group, one of the largest minority firms in
Southeastern, we have nine offices in the Southeastern to open with an office in Augusta and we
did. We’ve been here five years trying to get some work. We finally got short listed for this
project and the uh, I have competitors in here, there were several firms that came on this project,
and I got their list of their firm, their name and, they’re my competitors. And, we compete day
and night. In my entire life, 33 years of engineering, I have never done what I’m about to do.
I’m very upset. I, I thought you all were ready to have a good large minority firm like us to
come here and take some of your projects as prime rather than always as, as a consultant for 15
or 20%. After we found out we ranked #2, it hurts my intelligence that we are a 23 year firm,
done most of the jails, correctly been doing jails, and we investigated, and I know they’re here,
I’m not a slanderer, I’m just telling what I have found out, through the web site, their web site.
KSGW, which is the prime in this contract, what we have found out, and I have names and
45
phone numbers of some the projects that they claim they have---public safety, Atlanta Correction
Assistance Center, Minimum Security Work Camp prototype, the Lee State Prison, Juvenile
Detention Carter Center. None of them has been done that I have come up with KSWG. The
principal, the lady that owns the firm, she, I am familiar with her, individually owned the firm
before joining this firm as she has interior design with every one of her references. She has done
the work.
Mr. Mayor: Sir, I would just like to say, and we’ve had this discussion before. If you’ve
got a complaint---
Mr. Jafari: My point is that the selection has not been fair, it’s injustice, it’s been, who
knows who, she has worked with the Harrington Int. before, they know each other. I am
objected to this and they, you all can do whatever. We’re closing our office. We never want to
do business with you all. I don’t like to do business with you all. I would not do it, and I gonna
put a lawsuit and I’m gonna protest. This is outrageous. In 33 years I never come forward to---
about this. But my firm, with 23 years experience to lose business to a five-year firm is
outrageous.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir, you’ve made your point. We have a motion and second.
Mr. Cheek: Second
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Williams out.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, in light of the charges, if anyone in the body would like to hear,
we have the firm present with us, and I was very impressed. I heard some of the same
allegations. They came to Committee, made themselves available and answered all of those
allegations. I’d just like to, since the charges are on the floor, we have a strong, defensible
position, and our Purchasing and other people did the right thing. But if any member of the
board has any questions, the folks are here now, and I just felt they needed, we may the need the
opportunity, or some of the members may have a question that we can address now.
Mr. Mayor: Since, it’s the will of the body is comfortable with the decision? Moving
right along.
Mr. Cheek: All right. Thank you Mr. Mayor.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
46
26. Motion to approve the transfer of existing funds within the Augusta Municipal Golf
Course budget. (Approved by Finance Committee September 11, 2006)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I didn’t know, uh, when you said transfer existing funds, I
mean I think, that’s every thing, is that right? Is that transfer, what, what, exactly what we doing,
Tom?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Beck.
Mr. Beck: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. What this is doing is allowing us to
transfer already approved funds within the Enterprise fund to the Augusta Municipal Golf
course, one section of the budget to another. It would be asking to transfer monies within our
part time salaries within the golf course budget over into our water and sewer charges, which
have exceeded what our budget expectations were at the beginning of the year and is created a
budget block in that particular area because of the excess water charges at the golf course.
Again, this is utilizing existing funds within that particular Enterprise fund to help us operate
through the end of the year.
Mr. Williams: And that’s going to deplete that. That’s going to be all of the funds, there
won’t be any funds left at all for any part time, I mean, what, what what’s that gonna create.
When you say transfer the existing funds, I mean what’s left there, to the water, to pay this
particular bill.
Mr. Beck: No sir. That’s not transferring all of the part time funds. That’s transferring
$35,000.00 worth of those, out of that particular part time budget. We’re still gonna have
enough funds in the part time budget, uh, to continue to employ the personnel needed to operate
the course through the end of the year. No one will be laid off as a result of it. We had some
additional funds in that particular account that can be transferred over uh, to allow us to transfer
it into the water account to be able to operate through the end of the year.
Mr. Williams: And, I know we just got through an audit Mr. Mayor but we got to get a
handle on all of these accounts that recreation is dealing with because when you got several
different accounts Tom, and ask to transfer the part time funds, or some of those funds,
$35,000.00 or whatever that is, I don’t know what’s left in the account, I don’t know whether
voting for that would be good, bad or indifferent, because if I do that then at the end of the year
uh, which is not long, and some says, well you know we need monies to continue the work that
we’re doing or that, that the people we got, and I hear you saying that’s not gonna happen. I
mean, here we are in September and almost at the end of the year anyway. But, that, that’s why
the light came on when I read that we gonna transfer the existing fund, you didn’t give a dollar
amount, and---
Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor:
Mr. Mayor: Hang on. Mr. Russell.
47
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, yes, we did. Remember this came up last week. I
gave a fairly feeble explanation on what was going on because; I didn’t to a very good job of
explaining it to you. And, that’s why what we did, the uh, budget block was there because there
were not funds to pay the water bill basically. Six of you did decide to let us go in, proceed to do
that so we could move forward. The purpose of bringing it back was an explanation that Tom
has provided to you today in the fact that there is sufficient funds to maintain uh, the continued
operation of part time employees without a decrease uh, and we are moving it within the existing
funds at the golf course itself. Uh, you’re right, we probably could have done a little bit better
job of telling you how much money was actually left in the account, and the plan that we have to
continue to move forward with that. But we have identified these funds in this particular area as
surplus. It’s not gonna impact on the part time employees. If was moved to go ahead and pay
the water bill so we could move forward.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor I got no problem with that then. But I think we need to look at
why we got to that point with the water bill being that much difference, $35,000.00. We need to
find out how we got to that point so we won’t get back to that point again. Now, we close down,
I heard in our previous conversation that we had all these rain days, and we close down the golf
course. Well if it rains we didn’t need the water. And than we got somebody to turn the water on
when it’s raining we need to find another person to turn the water on. Sylvia Cooper could do
that Mr. Mayor. I think we need to be mindful how we got to this point and make sure we don’t
get back to that point again so---
Mr. Russell: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion on this one?
Mr. Brigham: Motion to approve.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor, could you give me a chance---
Mr. Mayor: Excuse me, um, I’m sorry. Commissioner Holland.
Mr. Holland: That’ all right. I’ll let you slide this time.
Mr. Mayor: I apologize. You hadn’t been speaking up today Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: Sorry. My question is on Item 25. What was the disposition of that?
The Clerk: It was approved in the consent agenda. No one asked that it be pulled out for
discussion.
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Mr. Hatney: Okay. The reason I asked this question. On the back of this sheet here, #25,
there are two or three things back here---right here on the front you got one of those statements
on the back here, you got one, two three, you got three or four different things going on.
Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Bowles.
Mr. Bowles: Thank you, I can clear that. That was just my e-mail to Lena to uh, to have
the items added to the Committees two weeks ago and that’s just the back up there.
Mr. Mayor: So that does not pertain?
Mr. Bowles: Does not pertain to that issue, correct.
Mr. Williams: So, was that a motion to reconsider---
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams:
Mr. Williams: I’d like to make a motion we reconsider Item 25, Mr. Mayor, to at
least talk about what we gonna do here on his item.
Mr. Hatney: I second that one but I have no idea what’s going on.
Mr. Mayor: Ok, we have a motion and a second to reconsider. If there’s no further
discussion Commissioner’s will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Brigham, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Grantham, and Mr. Cheek vote No.
Motion fails 4-5.
Mr. Hatney: Mr. Mayor, I still want an explanation on this. I think what it means, what
it’s saying, you turn to the back sheet here and you got for or five items. We approved 25
without any argument. What about all this stuff on the back.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. This was approved by the Finance Committee. Mr. Bowles, I believe
you put this on the agenda to move ahead with the request for proposals on management of the
municipal golf course?
Mr. Bowles: Yes, sir, that was upon recommendation of the Administrator and I’d defer
to him to explain it.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell:
Mr. Russell: What you got Dr. Hatney are the three items that were suggested for various
agendas by Commissioner Bowles. The issue we’re speaking about now is a discussion of
49
issuing RFP’s for the management of the Augusta Municipal Golf Course. As you know we had
looked at that issue uh, and it was our recommendation, and it was decided to look at that. The
satisfactory recommendation would be that an RFP, RFQ, would be the best, would be the best
approach to do that. Un, and the Finance Committee did vote to have us put together that
document to see what kind of response we would get from the private sector in reference to
management of the golf course.
Mr. Mayor: And, Commissioner Hatney I believe that is was stated in Finance
Committee, I was there that this would just be to move forward with going for request for
proposals. Any proposal that came forward would have to be approved by this Commission
without prior to doing anything on the golf course.
Mr. Russell: Yes, sir.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you sir and I’m glad you stated that. That, that, that is exactly
right. It does have to come out before this body. Uh, you didn’t have six votes to reconsider but
you gonna need six votes to get it changed. We have somebody who gave us, who gave us a
proposal, and what I don’t understand is, how we spent all of the money we spent. In 1999 we
spent over $500,000.00 to pay off the cops at the golf course. I mean that’s the loan we had up
there. And, I said to Mr. Bill Kuhlke, who was on the Commission at that time, Super District
Chairman, uh, Super District Commissioner, uh, why we doing such a thing? He said, well when
the sales tax was passed, it was said that we would pay off the cops so that we could make some
money at the golf course. I stated to him that, if the city, if we need to make money we to build
some Burger King’s or McDonald’s cause they were making money, we weren’t making none.
We still ain’t making none. But the uh, the uh, proposal has been presented to us, uh, how to run
the golf course. The wheel has already been invented. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We
need to take that same proposal, we are the golf capital of the world, just got through speaking
with some people last week about the uh, the uh, National and about the golf course and what’s
happening there. We are the golf capital of the world. We’re really unique. You’re talking about
having something that people come to your city for and not be privately owned and run one
sided. We need to make sure that we keep the golf course but keep it productive. Keep it, uh
moving. All this other stuff about selling and leasing, I mean if somebody comes in and leases
it, they gonna make money. But if they can make money, unless they got a machine that’s gonna
run the golf course, we ought to have people to run it the same way. Evidently it’s in the
management. We need to look at the management of the golf course but we need to keep that.
But it’s gonna take six votes.
Mr. Mayor: You’re exactly right.
Mr. Williams: I mean, it, it, I think we’re gonna spend some money with Purchasing
going after RFP, or the RFQ we should be going out for. But that’s all right its tax payer’s
money; we don’t care about that do we? (LAUGHTER)
50
Mr. Mayor: Moving on along. Next agenda item, please.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
27. Motion to approve identifying the items of the attached sheets as surplus and available
for auction to be held as soon as practical after the selection of an auction company.
(Approved by Finance Committee September 11, 2006)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams: I got no problem with that. We talking about monies in the back up it
shows uh, a list of the vehicles we gonna sell. I got no problem. What I got a problem with, the
backup says that the money would be given back to those departments, they’ll use at their
discretion. Now if we gonna, if in a tight, we need to give up some our salaries and need to
donate our monies back to the city, we certainly need that money come back to this government
because I think we are replacing vehicles. We not just taking vehicles and leaving them with uh,
I think the motion
less equipment. So, I got no problem with approving this Mr. Mayor but
ought to be we approve this with the monies being returned back to this government and
not to the different departments that turned these vehicles in because we had replaced
those vehicles and have to spend that money at that their discretion, need to be coming
back at the discretion of, this discretion at this time because of our economic and our
financial impact that we would be dealing with in the city. That’s my, that’s in the form of
a motion.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles.
Mr. Bowles: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I agree with Mayor Pro Tem Williams, that’s a
great idea. But um, I just want to ask if the staff, if we looked into GOV deals, to sell this
equipment. I know that Columbia County’s had a tremendous of success selling their equipment
on-line.
Mr. Mayor: Through GMA. Mr. Crowden.
Mr. Crowden: Point of clarification, sir. The uh, if you look at the analysis, the proceeds
will be, will be um, distributed back to the appropriate fund, not the department. That was, it
was an error in the wording. So if it’s an Enterprise fund purchase, it will in fact go back to
Enterprise fund--- So, the intent of the wording was to by law, go back to the fund that purchased
items. So police cars go back to General Motors but confiscated cars go back to narcotics – and
seizures. And Enterprise cars go back to the appropriate dealer. So that was what I meant to say,
and I apologize for that.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
51
Mr. Williams: The road to good intentions. Uh, Mr. Mayor, uh, I agree that those
confiscated cars ought to go back to the uh, police fund. Uh, uh, where ever they come from.
But the Enterprise situation, the other general fund situation, ought to go to general funds. Now
if Enterprise, by Enterprise fund, you got water problems, was in need, and they was suffering, I
mean but if unless there’s a law that says that, that should, have to go back there, I think we need
to take that money and put it back into this. Now we’ve already been tied up for forty years with
that situation. So, what, what I’m suggesting is that is we approve this where that money would
come, those confiscated cars be returned back to the Sheriff’s Department. I think that, part of
the legislation, use that money for, for the same type of drug enforcement they’ve been doing.
But the other money need to come back to this body because we are in a situation now that we’re
trying to get out of. And, if the Enterprise was in the same situation I have no problem going by
that. But they’re definitely not in that situation.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: I would concur with Commissioner Williams unless we’re prohibited by
law to do that. Now, I don’t know the answer to that question, and would like, if it’s possible, to
have his motion at least restated so that uh, so it would give us a chance to check the law on that
and do what’s appropriately legal.
Mr. Williams: My motion is to have those funds go back to the Sheriff’s Department
for their drug enforcement from those vehicles that they have confiscated. But the other
funds go back to our general funds that we so desperately need in this community.
Mr. Mayor: Unless otherwise prohibited by law.
Mr. Williams: Unless prohibited.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion,
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Brigham votes No.
Motion carries 8-1.
Mr. Mayor: Next item.
The Clerk:
APPOINTMENTS
46. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. C. Keith Brown to the ARC Small Business
Advisory Council representing District 2.
Mr. Williams: So moved.
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Mr. Holland: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Grantham---
Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, thank you. I had pulled this and um, my reason for pulling it
was to ask about this Advisory Council as well as discuss the situation of Mr. Keith Brown that
we had encountered in the last couple of weeks. And, I think we would be remiss if we appointed
him right now to something that isn’t on this government when he is not legally qualified to sit in
the position that he held for the time that he did. And, therefore, until he can approve his
qualifications to that point, than I would be objective to having him serve on the committee or a
. So, I offer a substitute motion that we deny the request.
capsule of this government
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams: I’d like for the attorney, Mr. Mayor to tell me. He ain’t on the
Commission and I think there’s some rules and guide lines that govern the Commission. But,
what rules and other guidelines to an appointee on a board? And I’m waiting for another
question to pop up cause I’ve got a good answer for the next question coming up too, so just
thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard.
Mr. Shepard: This is a District 2 appointment Mr. Williams, which is made by you and it
does not have the two year residency requirement that the Commission has. I believe it has a
requirement that the appointee be uh, from Richmond County, he be a resident of Richmond
County. If you’re satisfied that he is now a resident of Richmond County, than he can be
appointed. Now, uh, he can be appointed but, the, this is usually a courtesy appointment. It’s
uh, it could be voted down. All of them come before the body and uh; you expose your nominee
to the votes of your colleagues.
Mr. Williams: I understand. I don’t understand why my colleagues would not support
someone that I chose to be put on the board that’s in my district. Now, unless they got a person
of choice, but if they don’t I can’t see why my colleagues would not support it, Mr. Mayor. So I
call for the question.
Mr. Mayor: There’s a substitute motion to deny. Commissioners’ will now vote by
the substitute sign.
Ms. Beard, Mr. Hatney, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Cheek, Mr. Williams, Mr. Holland vote no.
Motion fails 3-6.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we also have a motion on the floor to approve. Commissioners will
now vote by the usual sign.
53
Mr. Smith and Mr. Grantham vote No.
Motion carries 7-2.
Mr. Mayor: Next agenda item.
The Clerk:
Item 52 and 53 are companion items.
FINANCE
52. Discuss/approve the development of a policy concerning commissioners’ travel to
national conferences. (Requested by Commissioner Jerry Brigham)
The Clerk: Mr. Brigham do you want these together or separately?
Mr. Brigham: I think they need to be voted on separately.
The Clerk: Okay. 52 as stated.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Brigham:
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I think everybody is familiar with this. This went through last
time. I’m in the same position. I just think everybody ought to have an opportunity to vote on
these issues.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek:
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor in the interest of perhaps compromise on this, uh, certainly trying
to follow best practices within the uh, the corporate world. I’d ask the body to consider a percent
reduction in the total budgeted amount for travel somewhere in the neighborhood of uh; we
asked the departments to cut what, 15%. That we’d look at a leadership role of taking a 20%
reduction in the travel budget and than allow commissioners that wish to attend these
conferences uh, to operate on a first come first serve basis or seniority or some other means. To
consider from the position of leadership a percent reduction, comparable of what we’re asking
other departments to do, certainly to take a leadership position we do a little bit more. And, I
don’t think 20% is unreasonable.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Holland:
Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor, I think the last time we discussed this everybody voted on this
and this was approved. Now I just don’t understand why we still have to come back here and
talk about making a 20% deduction. My concern is the fact that if there’s a Commissioner that
does not want to attend one of these conferences, than let that particular Commissioner stay. I
don’t think it’s fair to any of the other Commissioner to have and funds deducted from his or her
travel voucher, you know, in order for these persons not to be able to go. So, it’s my concern
54
that if whatever Commissioner decides to go to the uh, conference, that, that particular
Commissioner go ahead and attend the conference with the vouchers that have already been
approved and if there is a Commissioner that does not want to go let him or her just stay home
and not go. To be educated on the information that we receive when we travel abroad to find out
So, I would like to make a motion
what happening in other cities and other parts of the country.
that we approve this and that we uh, deny this uh, and uh let’s move on and give the other
Commissioners an opportunity to go ahead and travel.
We’ve discussed this once, you
know, so to deduct 20% from our travel vouchers would be ludicrous to me.
Mr. Hatney: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I had the opportunity to go to the Augusta Mall to
talk about the new um, addition that the developer was going to bring and he said to us that
people was coming to him, wanting to be part of this. He said a lot of the, the little stores that
followed the other stores this, was calling him. But he said to us, ya’ll need to travel. And, this a
developer, this is a business man. But he said to the commission, uh at that time, my appointee,
Mr. Brown was a Commissioner, he was there, I think Commissioner Holland was there as well.
And he said to us, “Ya’ll need to travel and see what is going on in other places.” I know at least
twenty times, Ms. Bonner, I might had did it more than that, but I talked about Mr. Bob Young,
the Mayor who brought the Mayor of Charlotte, NC to a meeting with us and explained to us that
we need to visit. They send a hundred people a year to other cities to see what’s going on. The
reason we still in the woods cause we ain’t come out the woods. We stay in the woods and walk
around and look up in the sky. But you got to realize there’s a whole other world outside the city
of Augusta. And, it’s thriving and it’s growing, it’s doing some things. So we need to do those
things. But like Commissioner Holland said, those of us who don’t want to be educated, those of
who don’t wanna learn, those of us who don’t wanna be aggressive, need to stay home. But,
don’t stop somebody else because you don’t wanna grow. Because you don’t wanna advance
yourself. Now we can get education. You talking about qualification. We want do all these
things. Now we’re saying to the Commission, don’t learn nothing. Now, I don’t know about
anybody else Mr. Mayor I’m winding down. I, I, enjoyed, I leaned some things. And folks don’t
like it cause you learn things, cause you question things. But if you sit up here and go along with
the same thing, you gonna get the same thing you’ve been getting. And, I think this isn’t getting
progressive now, I think this issue starting to see some things differently. So, I’m, I just wanna
make this statement. Those Commissioners who don’t wanna travel, who wanna save money,
who wanna give back money, who wanna donate money, they need to do that. But don’t stop
nobody else. I mean, that, that, don’t make any sense. What they don’t know, don’t fill me up.
It don’t work like that. That’s all Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek:
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, uh, the thing that concerns me, it appears we must travel and to
do what we’ve been doing, which would be traveling on the people’s dime and bringing nothing
back to have it implemented. That’s what we’ve been doing. That’s consistent. To not take a
leadership position when we’re asking everyone else to cut. Two questions I have is, what is the
55
total travel budget for training and have we always spent it or over spent it. There may be
actually 20% left over at the end of the year. To have the inference made that that those of those
that don’t travel don’t get educated; you only have to travel across the river or to Columbia
County, to see things that are being done in a progressive nature, that we’re not doing here. And,
my vacation travels with my family, it is a learning experience and all the cities you go to there’s
opportunity to learn. The bottom line on all of this is, Corporate America makes cuts when
they’re $5M dollars in the red. Charlotte is not running $5M dollar deficit like we are. The
problem we have is that no matter how much we travel we don’t implement the things we bring
to town with the exception of one item since I’ve been here and that was Project Access. So, that
you know, to presume that just because we’re traveling we perhaps are getting educated. That
those of us who don’t travel aren’t getting education, educated is an error. One, that you’re
going to get all the knowledge you need from these national conferences to improve this city is
an error, two. Three, that you can’t travel on your own and learn anything without going on the
people’s dime is an error. Um, you know, we’re either going to be leaders or not. Uh, the fact
that people want to travel is fine. And, I’m not trying to limit anybody from traveling. My
business needs are dictated that I can’t travel, that, I have to be here to work and take care of
other issues. Um, the thing that concerns me is that we’re not willing to take a leadership
position. We’re asking our workforce. Now, I’ve heard and had it paraded about the morale of
the workforce. We the leaders are not willing to cut our budget 20%, and still travel and still
have the ability to do so. We’re not willing to take the leadership position and reduce our
budget, will be just like we’re asking everybody else. That’s not much leadership. It’s not
saying that you can’t go, it’s just saying we will reduce the amount that we go. Our the dollar
amount in the account to be put back in the general fund as an example to our work force that
we’re willing to sacrifice too. That doesn’t mean it’s long term. We approve our travel budget
every year. We can change it up or down. To say that we’re going to still travel, and we’re
bringing all these great things, it doesn’t flesh out in the facts. And all I’m asking that we do is
consider taking a leadership position and reducing our budget 20%. Chances are that every body
that wants to travel will still be able to travel but it will be a step in the right direction as an
example for the work force of this city.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Holland:
Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor, I’m gonna continue to disagree, with uh, with that simply
because some of these Commissioners have been here for some time and had an opportunity to
travel. Prior to some Commissioners coming on board and I don’t think any of them mentioned
at that particular time about deducting any funds from the travel voucher during that particular
time and I don’t’ think that that’s the first time we’ve been in a position like this financially. So
um, I’m still going to say that, you know, Commissioners need to travel and those that don’t
want to go they just need to go ahead and, you know, stay here and we still not have the travel
vouchers reduced by 20%. I would like for Mr. Russell to tell us if, how much of an impact that
would have on this budget if we were 5 ½ to $6M dollars in, you know, the hole. How much of
an impact would that have on the budget by deducting 20% from the traveling that the
Commissioner’s need to do. So if it’s going to have that much of an impact on the budget, I’ll
agree to it. But if it’s not, it’s just like a pinhead, you know, it’s not gonna be a drop in the
bucket. So I think it’s really unfair to even, for us to even consider that at this particular time,
we discussed this once and it was already passed.
56
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham:
Mr. Grantham: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I feel like Mr. Cheeks is on the right track and I
don’t think it’s the amount of dollars that we’re involved with as far as what we’re going to cut
as far as affecting the budget. It’s the spirit of how we’re doing it and what we do and uh, and
making the first step, and making the necessary cuts we’re going to have within this government
makeup. If we don’t do that, than as difficult for me as I’ve said in the past, to sit here and ask
department heads to make the cuts that we’re asking them to do as far as elimination of
personnel, or whatever. There may be enough funds within this 20% cut that we would not have
to let one person go. So, to me that’s the spirit in which we’re talking about doing things and
doing it right and doing it as a team and not as individuals wanting to go take a trip.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham:
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, while we’re asking administrative questions, let’s ask how
much we cut out of our employee’s travel. I believe we’ve cut it all out. And, if that is the case,
that has made a financial impact on this budget and on future budgets, and if we can’t send our
employees, why should we send ourselves.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Allen, are you around here? Ms. Allen.
Ms. Allen: The Commission budget is $60,000.00 and I believe 20% of that would be
around $12,000.00. (Inaudible).
Mr. Williams: We are members of---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams:
Mr. Williams: GMA, Ms. Bonner, and we are required to have training. I know you’re
required to go to new Commissioner training, uh, when we come on board. But when we’re a
member of ACCG or GMA aren’t we required to be certified, to be certified Commissioners?
Ms. Bonner: Yes sir.
Mr. Williams: I just wanna know what’s supposed to be said about it. My next question,
Ms Bonner, is all of the Commission---
Ms. Bonner: You’re not required to be certified. You can obtain certification:
Mr. Williams: OK, you can obtain certification.
Ms. Bonner: You have to go to newly elected officials training. That’s required.
Mr. Williams: We’re not, we’re not, we’re required to go to newly elected but we’re not
required to be certified but we can be certified through GMA. Uh, uh, those Commissioners
57
that’s here now except for Commissioner Hatney maybe and Commissioner Holland, I’m trying
to figure out how many of those are certified, that don’t just travel but go to classes. This ain’t
no vacation, that folks trying to act like we we going to, trying to get some R and R. This is
required.
Mr. Mayor: OK. Commissioner Hatney and ya’ll we need to get on and vote on this
issue. Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Holland: ---the last time. I don’t know why it came up again.
Ms. Bonner: Yes sir.
Mr. Hatney:---so that’s 6000 per Commissioner, roughly.
Ms. Bonner: If you wanted to divvy it up that way, yes sir.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek:
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, and I agree. We need to move on with this. It’s just, we’re not
asking people not to get certified or to take required training or classes of interest. There are a
lot better seminars and conferences that teach you a whole lot more about managing water
systems and other stuff that are not part of ACCG and GMA that perhaps we ought to consider
attending to learn a lot more about state of the art equipment, technology and so forth. The
bottom line is, what we’re seeing right here is, we’re going to have to cut jobs. There’ no way
around it. What we’re saying is, our travel is more important than some worker bee person, the
little man, than your job. We need to go, but we can fire you. I mean that’s the example we’re
setting buy so strictly adhering to the need to travel. I’m not saying that anybody goes and
doesn’t learn. We bring things back. But, everyone has acknowledged, we don’t implement
them. But the main thing is, are we going to be leaders by example or not.
Mr. Williams: What was the question Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: The question has been called for and---Commissioner Hatney:
Mr. Hatney: One point I would like to make. I have all ready, personally, I have already
surrendered some stuff. I don’t use the gas. I don’t intend to use it. That’s all I’m going to give
up. Because, the reason I said that is that’s a part of this process. I agree that we stop the
employees from going to training sessions and stuff like that. Something’s wrong with that
picture. You can talk all you want. You can’t cut the old ways getting the green in the black.
You can’t keep doing this. Some other alternatives need to be seeked out, and I don’t think we
have. I keep hearing things about we Commissioners asked---and that’s a lie. I didn’t ask them
to do that. Somebody did that. I had nothing to do that. Because I was under the impression
that if you were going to be tasked on something like that, that should have been voted on. It
was not voted on. If it was, I wasn’t here. I don’t know what ya’ll did when I was out.
58
Mr. Mayor: OK. The question has been called for. We have a motion and a second to
deny. Um Commissioners will now vote by the usual question.
Mr. Bonner: The motion was to deny the request.
Mr. Brigham, Mr. Hatney, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Grantham, and Mr. Cheek vote
No.
Mr. Williams not voting.
Motion fails 2-6.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, there was no other motion made on that agenda item. Am I correct?
The Clerk: You’re right sir.
Mr. Mayor: Next agenda item.
The Clerk:
OTHER BUSINESS
53. Discuss the membership and cost of various organization and association for each
commissioner. (Membership dues, fees, etc.) (Requested by Commissioner Brigham)
Mr. Mayor: And I know this is not a --- item, #52. I think that the discussion would run
much along the same line. Okay. Let’s get a motion and---let’s get the motion and call for a
question. Do I have a motion to approve or deny this request?
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I’m gonna make a motion that we only be members of
Georgia Municipal Association and the Association of County Commissioner of Georgia
.
Mr. Grantham: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Ms. Beard, Dr. Hatney, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Holland vote No.
Motion fails 5-4.
Mr. Mayor: No action taken. Final agenda item, Ms. Bonner.
The Clerk:
OTHER BUSINESS
54. Discuss abandoned/dilapidated structures and overgrown vacant lots. (Requested by
Mayor Pro Tem Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
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Mr. Williams: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I had this put on the agenda for the abandoned
homes. We gave them I think one year, Mr. Shepard, is that right to have a home banded up for
a year. I want to know where we are Rob with enforcing that. What, what, how can we get
aggressive? You talking about money, we’re losing money because we are not collecting from
those people who have let their properties uh, get out of hand, uh. We have a lot of people that
board up their homes and it’s supposed to be for one year. After that there’s supposed to be
something done with them. So, where are we with that, Rob, and what can we do to get
aggressive to collect some of this money we talking about we need.
Mr. Shepard: (Inaudible).
Mr. Williams: I’m just saying, Mr. Mayor, I’m saying two sides of this city. You go
down some streets and it looks, even if the home is boarded up or the building is boarded up, it’s
done professionally. Some areas we just let it just go, and it’s looking worse and worse and
worse. I’m still getting the same calls complaining about overgrown properties. This morning I
just saw an inmate crew at the Fire Department cutting the grass with a trailer parked next to it
with somebody, I guess, to haul of the grass with a trailer. And, and, I don’t understand that.
How we gonna we use inmates to cut the grass for the Fire Department. For the firemen, who
last week was riding in that same spot, cutting the grass with a riding lawn mover but this week
the inmates are there. So, that, that, there’s a problem. There’s a disconnect, Rob, I’m just tying
to find out how we can get aggressive with those properties. Whoever the owners are, letting
them set up, or boarded up, and it’s been like that for over a year. It’s time to do something with
them.
Mr. Shepard: Inaudible)
Mr. Williams: I think we that we had a time span cause I know I wouldn’t sit there and
let you just sit there and moth ball it forever. There’s a time span and I though it was a year.
Now if you can that back, and bring it back to us Rob, so we can get aggressive with these
properties. We’re talking about cleaning up and doing some things but we let it sit there. It just
stays like that.
Mr. Shepard: (Inaudible).
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’m just trying to figure out how we can get aggressive
because for the last seven years, we started talking about the same problem and it hadn’t got very
much better. Now I’m not gonna say any better, but it hadn’t got very much better. And, we
keep doing the same things and what we’re doing Rob, ain’t working. We got to find someway
to get aggressive with the property owners who are not doing their job. And to me it’s simple. I
mean we’re building a new jail. Now if that’s what it takes, we need to put them in jail, if that’s
what it takes. We can’t just sit there and say, you know, we’ll be back next month, next month
and the next month. We’ve got to get aggressive. People are tired of the same old thing they’ve
been living with in a certain area and in a certain area they’re not. So, if you could bring us
something back Rob, that will get us off center, that we can get aggressive whether it be taken to
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jail, whether it be taking the property. Something’s gotta happen. The other cities have found a
way and I see Mr. Shepard, you raising your hand Mr. Shepherd---
Mr. Mayor: Okay and we’ve got a couple other people---Commissioner Holland:
Mr. Holland: Yes, sir, and I concur with Mr. Williams because last week, you know, I
had called several times about a couple of buildings over in the area as well. In thee last week
school’s been out, I went into the building and I had to take some kids out of this building. As
soon as I took the kids out of the building, the building collapsed. So we’ve got to really, really
hurry up and start doing something about this because had I not been passing by, it’s a possibility
we probably would’ve had two dead kids on our hands. I reported this to Steve, to Marsha Smith
also. So with these dilapidated structures, something really needs to be done. And, it’s very
scary cause kids are kids. And, they run into these buildings, they play around these buildings,
you know so, we really need to look at that very, very seriously and start getting something done
about that. I’ve heard that they’ve had things tied up in court. So, if they’re tied up in court we
need to start getting some fines on these people, hitting them in their pockets, hit ‘em in the
pockets where it hurts. And get the demolition people out there and just tearing these buildings
down and getting them removed before we have to be removing some dead bodies.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Holland I just want to make one comment and I’ll get to
Commissioner Cheek. It’s the demolition and I think Rob will speak of this. It’s a funding
issue. When you and I and former Commissioner Colclough went to Washington, D.C. to meet
with the folks from HUD, they said clearly, when you fight them with a pie and the pie’s gone,
the fight’s gone and that’s the thing, we ultimately we need to do with a budget deficit situation.
We need to grow the tax base. Grow the revenues to address these issues. Commissioner Cheek:
Mr. Cheek: Just, a couple of things. One, are we still putting the liens on the property or
are we still or are we putting the charge for cleanup on their tax bill?
Mr. Shepard: The cleanup by the city--- (Inaudible)
Mr. Cheek: The thing that we could do to change that is, have it affixed to their tax bill
to where they will either become interested in selling the property. And the bill comes through
due annually, not when they sell the property. Cause after a while, like we found out with
Lyman Dover, it just sits on some of these things for years, and years and years and not care. So
that’s step one where we can get aggressive. In step two, when we toured Aiken. They tear
down these old houses and I know there’s hazardous material mitigation for about 325/375,
using existing equipment, staff and spare and idle time. There’s gotta be a way we can do it
cause it’s costing us 38-48 hundred bucks a house. You know, I know that hazardous mitigation
when asbestos and so forth. But there’s gotta be a cheaper way for us to do it. But, what we
need to do is take legislative action, if it’s legally possible, to hit them with the bill for the
cleanup and start getting a list of sub-contractors out there, cause they’ll do it for the money---the
school board’s the worst offender next to the slum lords on Board Street.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard.
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Mr. Shepard: I was gonna say it’s the school board. I made a personal call to the school
board attorney to get some of those sites addressed.
Mr. Cheek: And I’m sure in ten years Mr. Shepherd, we’ll see some progress---.
Mr. Shepard: You asked for it and I did it. My office is supporting, uh, Rob Sherman’s
office in terms of title searches, interim foreclosures, and nuisance of vagrant cases and we’ll be
happy to, we’ll continue to do that and ---
Mr. Mayor: Can we put more teeth in it where to where we can--—
Mr. Cheek: Can we bill ‘em annually on their tax bill?
Mr. Shepard: When you recorded the lien it is there for seven years, so, uh, you’ll have
to put it on the tax bill. Um, and we have, like I said, we’ve gone through the first group of
interim foreclosures that’s ever been done. So um, that’s happened recently. So, you want me to
break down all that? I can give you that too.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham:
Mr. Grantham: Thank you Mr. Mayor. Just a comment about ordinances. And, certainly
I know what uh, Commissioner Williams and the rest are talking about in getting these enacted
and getting things done. But we have so many ordinances that are not being enforced right now.
And one in particular, I’ve already had about 4 or 5 different calls on and that the political side
and the real estate side. They all over the right of way of our community. And there’s no reason
for that to be. And if, I mean, if we have to get people out there picking them up, them we’ve
got folks riding by them everyday, that’s got a truck with our gas in it and they can at least stop
and do it. Whether it’s your department or any other department, we’re gonna be the Garden
City of the South, we’re the Garden City of political size--
Mr. Mayor: Let me just, they’re not mine man. (LAUGHTER) I give specific
instructions on that. It’s nice when we get a whole lot of support--- Can we get a motion to
receive this as information---
Mr. Williams: Somebody want to address--- Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Speaker: I’d like to if I have the right.
Mr. Mayor: Yes sir and—
Mr. Mullins: My name is Ronnie Mullins, I live at 3333 Young Park Drive in S.
Augusta. And I appreciate Commissioner Williams bringing this up. That’s one of the main
things I wanted to come here for. My area, on two blocks, I’ve counted at least 40 houses where
people do not even take time to cut their grass and pick the trash up. We have one house in
particular that’s been abandoned for eleven years. Last year when I called the Office about a
month after that, a team of prisoners come out there and cut this yard. This year, the yard has
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been cut one time, I guess by the owner, I’m not sure. But since then, it’s up knee high again.
It’s terrible looking, it’s nasty and people need --- the government or something to clean their
yards, to be fined at least $500.00 on their tax bill and that’ll straighten ‘em up.---All you got to
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do, if you wanna see a beautiful city is go across Gordon Highway bridge, 13 street bridge in
particular, that is a beautiful city. We need to get close to that.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you Sir. Mr. Williams and let’s—
Mr. Williams: Okay, Mr. Mayor. Me, and Mr. Lavery got together and rode and looked
at some properties on Bonds Road, 1961 Bond Road. Mr. Lavery say they can’t find anybody
that own it. The house has been boarded up for twenty some years if not longer, trees done
grown in the fence and pulled the fence line up and I just can’t, I can’t imagine how we can have
a piece of property, and the property next door to that has been a continuation, while Rob
Sherman, Rob Sherman know about it, or whatever, we got people bringing stuff in and putting it
in the yard, sifting it out to find out what they want and the put it out for the garbage to do. And
you can’t let people do that or they gonna continue to do that---we’ve got to do something as a
body, to say that’s against the law and if we catch you, you gonna pay the consequences for it.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles:
Mr. Bowles: Sorry to prolong this, Mr. Mayor, but what was that name of that address
again.
Mr. Williams: 1961 Bonds.
Mr. Bowles: My assumption is property taxes are delinquent and uh, that would lead us
to another problem where we have property taxes going on, you know filing liens for 6, 7, 8, 10
years and the liens drop after 7 years and we are foreclosing on these properties so that’s that in
of itself is another area we need to become a little more aggressive on.
Mr. Mayor: Absolutely. Any further discussion.
Mr. Williams: (Inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: That’s why some of you came on the bus tours. Okay. Can I get a motion?
Mr. Williams: Report going back to committee, right?
Mr. Mayor: A report coming back to committee. Can we get a motion?
Mr. Williams: Motion to receive this information with a report would come back to
Administrative Services Committee.
Mr. Cheek: Second:
Mr. Mayor: Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
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Motion carries 7-0.
Mr. Mayor: And, ya’ll, we’re gonna have the legal meeting next Monday so we won’t
keep you any longer but, if there’s no further business to come before the body committee we
stand adjourned.
[MEETING ADJOURNED 5:04 P.M.)
Lena Bonner
Clerk of Commission
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, herby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of
the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta-Richmond County Commission held on
September 19, 2006.
___________________________________
Clerk of Commission
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