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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission Meeting February 6, 2007 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER FEBRUARY 6, 2007 Augusta Richmond County commission convened at 2:26 p.m., February 6, 2007, the Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Holland, Smith, Grantham, Harper, Hatney, Beard, Williams, Cheek, Bowles and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. The invocation was given by Pastor Kenneth Clay, New Creation Christian Church. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: Pastor, if you could come forward --- Pastor, we’ve got something for you and thank you for that very inspiring prayer. All righty, Madame Clerk, if we could move on to our presentations? The Clerk: PRESENTATION(S) A. Donation in the amount of $2,000.00 presented by Johnny Beard, President and J.R. Small, Vice President of the Buffalo Soldiers Augusta Chapter. Mr. Beard: Good Afternoon. On behalf of the Augusta Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, first off we’d like to thank the Augusta Richmond County Recreation Parks Department for all they do for our youth in our community and in our community in a whole. And in saying that I would like to present them with a check for $2,000.00 for whatever they may need for our youth. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Small: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, we will certainly put this kind donation to good use and we’re certainly grateful for it. But we’re mostly grateful for what the Buffalo Soldiers do for our community, for our department. They are truly making a difference in Augusta, Georgia. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) C. Presentation to Operational Partners associated with the Trendsetter Award given by Georgia Trend Magazine. Sand Ridge Community Association (Jamestown Community Center), Summerville Neighborhood Association (Hickman Park), MACH Academy, (Fleming Tennis Center), 30901 Development Corporation (W.T. Johnson Community Center) and East Augusta Neighborhood Association (Eastview Community Center). Mr. Beck: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, members of the audience we were certainly honored by the Georgia Municipal Association a couple of weeks ago to be honored as a trend setter city for the State of Georgia through Georgia Trend Magazine. It was a great honor for what is done with our operational partnerships to operate REC centers and facilities 1 throughout our system. We have five wonderful partners here. We got the recognition in Atlanta that they and the Mayor’s holding the Trend Setter Award up now, but the true recognition in what we’re so grateful for are these partners that we have to help operate these centers is, has truly been a blessing to us. You’ve all been and without you those facilities would not be what they are today. You’re building pride in those communities and we just appreciate all you do. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: PRESENTATION(S) B. Mr. Charles “Chuck” Williamson, CEO of Serenity Behavioral Health System. RE: Resolution of Support to the ARC Legislative Delegation. Mr. Williamson: Thank you very much. Good to see you. Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, I appreciate the opportunity to come speak to you today. Again, I’m Chuck Williamson. I’m the CEO of Serenity Behavioral Health Systems. We were formerly known as a Community Mental Health Center and I’m sure that’s a name that rings a bell with a lot of you. It’s a facility that’s faced a lot of controversy in the past and had a lot of corruption that went on at that center several years ago. We have been blessed in that things have turned around greatly and we have prospered in the last couple years, managed to finish in the black financially and we continue to offer our services to the communities that we serve. We’re one of twenty-six CSB’s across the state, which offer mental health services and substance abuse services. We employee th more than four hundred people and we rank as the 15 largest employer in Augusta. And we are a safety net provider, which means that we don’t turn anyone away from the services they can receive at our place. And we provide services to more than 7,000 individual patients at this time. At the CSB’s across the state right now though they’re facing some tremendous challenges and the challenges are that MEDICAID is simply not paying the way they should be paying and we’ve had cuts in our contracts from DHR as well. So currently at this point in time we see our revenue down $1.5 million dollars at this point. To deal with that, we look at our finances and we see that we kept our expenses down $544,000.00 year to date. So spending is not the thing that’s got us in the problem that we’re in right now. But because of the slow down in cash flow from DHR and also from MEDICAID, we’ve had to cut back. And there was an article that was in the paper, I think about a week and a half ago, and there was a gentleman who lost his substance abuse services because we’ve had to cut back so severely. We had to lose about ten people from our active enrollment of employees. We’ve had to cut back on services and we hate to see that. You know, the people that we serve, the clients that we take care of, are the most fragile people in the communities around us. They suffer from mental retardation and also from substance abuse issues. Now it’s not all gloom and doom. We’ve been awarded a contract by DHR to do a C and ACSP which is a crisis program for the child adolescence population. That’s a sixteen-bed unit we’ll be opening up very soon. And we also do the same thing for adults in this area. But we looking, we’re looking right now what areas we can afford to cut, where can we make cutbacks and we’re real concerned about that. I met with the Legislative Delegation in Atlanta last week and they signed off on a petition that they’re handing up to APS which handles MEDICAID and the people on up the line can tell them that they need to support us in initiative’s we’re trying to get done in the community. Um, we’re trying to reach out to the people in the community at this time. We have people now servicing DFACS, working with 2 primary care centers and we hopefully can set up a satellite in the Health Department on Laney Walker. So we’re excited about that. Now what am I here to ask the Commission to try to do for us? We need a room or a space in one of the churches maybe in the downtown area or in another facility where we can offer groups to take care of people that have substance abuse problems. One of the biggest hindrances to our centers is the fact that we’re so isolated on Mike Padgett and it’s very difficult for people to get out to our center. So transportation is a big issue. And currently among the counties in which the CSB’s exist, that the monetary contribution from th our county government to Serenity ranks about 25 out of 26 centers. So, I don’t know what your budget currently looks like at this point in time but I’d like to see a more significant contribution from the county toward our center to help offset the services we provide. As I said, we turn no one away. We give away a lot of services. So we’d like to see and increase in that if possible. And transportation again is a very pressing need. If we could get some additional discounts on busing, cab fares, whatever the case may be, we need some help with that. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you all. It is a very serious situation. Almost all the CSB’s across the state are having to cut employees and cut back programs so, I want to put this on your radar and make sure that you know about our situation. Mr. Mayor: Thank you so much. Mr. Williamson: Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, it might be appropriate if you were to ask me to be with the gentleman and come back with a program. Obviously he’s asked for some dollars and some things that are gonna be fairly tight for us to look at. But I do believe that they have a good program there. I do believe that they add a lot to our community and while our funding is very tight maybe we need to look at that and make sure that we are doing the best we can with what we’ve got. And I would not mind meeting with him and coming back with a package that would potentially have some review on your behalf. I’m not overly optimistic about finding additional dollars but maybe we can come up with some other alternatives here so that --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Thank you. I’d like to also refer this to Public Services Agenda and possibly at that committee we can discuss trying to find a location downtown to help the citizens downtown. Mr. Williamson: I would appreciate that. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I think that this is uh, a certainly worthwhile So I’d to organization that gives this community a lot of assistance and that goes unrecognized. put into a motion that we receive this as information and that we ask um, Mr. Williamson is it--- 3 Mr. Williamson: Yes, sir. --- to meet with our Administrator and also have them refer that Mr. Grantham: information to the Public Services as Mr. Bowles indicated. Mr. Hatney: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Thank you so much. Mr. Williamson: Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Mr. Cheek out. Motion carries 9-0. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS D. Mr. Ryan B. RE: Community Involvement. (Minister Lord speaking on behalf of Mr. Ryan B.) Mr. Mayor: And if you could state your full name and address for the record please ma’am and keep it to five minutes. Minister Lord: Minister Lord, Augusta, Georgia. City Refuge Christian Center. And I come in the name of the Lord. Um, thank you for the five minutes and I want to thank the Commission for allowing me to speak today. And what’s on my heart today is in community involvement is, no borders, no boundaries, just justice for all. And every time I come here we or some say The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and at the end of it all, each one of you sitting on this Commission would say to that flag, justice to all. And my heart right now for the justice is economic justice in this community for each and every person and also environmental justice for each and every person. And it really sickens my heart at times to sit here, to listen and actually, honestly see nothing done at all. And I’m here to say talk is cheap and it’s time for action. It’s time for this community, it’s time for this City, it’s time for this Commission to get up and get some things done. It’s time out for bureaucracy. It’s time out to help the people that’s in this community. And on my heart is every street in this community all the way down to Hyde Park. I know that’s like a major, major issue right now. But see, it’s been a major issue for over twenty years for those that live down there. That’s been the major issue. See it just came to the light to some of us, it had came to the light not for all of us to see and understand what has gone on. None of you on this Commission that I know off is suffering from cancer. None of you on this Commission are drinking DASANI water that might be contaminated. But you don’t know that because you don’t know where it came from. You went to the Circle K or somebody brought it to you from Sam’s and you crack the seal and you drink it with confidence. But there are people in your districts, there’s, people in your communities, they don’t know where their water is coming from. They don’t have any idea and they don’t know what’s in it either. It may 4 look a little rusty. Maybe something’s in the water. You don’t know. You really don’t know and it’s really on my heart to ask this Commission to get busy for the people that are in Hyde Park. They’ve been down there too long and I get so tired of hearing people say, where they’ve been down there, they don’t wanna move. Do you know what’s in their hearts? Does each, does anybody here know what’s on their hearts? It’s okay for you to sit in West Augusta. It’s all right for you. It’s okay for you to live on the West Side. It’s all right for you. It’s all right for some of you to live downtown, or Mr. Smith, your property can be borderline but there’s no borders. There are no borders. The City of Augusta sits on a cesspool of water where wells are dug. Do you know what’s in your water? Just because the runoff is running down in Hyde Park it seeps into the ground. Do you know what you’re drinking? None of us know exactly what we’re drinking. But it shames me that there have been reports, and there’s been studies. And yet again there’s another report and there’s another study. And then you have somebody who wants to do another study. What else to you have to study to know that the people in this community need help? The people in the community need help. The people and that’s why you were elected. The people elected each one of you. The people went to the polls in the rain and punched a button to say I think that you gonna be best to represent me. Each person did that. So are we turning our backs on the same people that put us in position? And I’m gonna tell you, you can’t enjoy your land; you’re not going to be able to enjoy your land until the people in Hyde Park are enjoying theirs. (COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE) Mr. Mayor: Ya’ll please, hold it down, please. Minister Lord: Until they have their possession. That’s the word of the Lord. Joshua told the people, Moses gave them a commandment, Joshua, I want you to remind the people that I gave them rest but I want you to lay down your lives, I want you to lay aside you agenda and ideas and I want you to go back over Jordan. You came across okay but I want you to back over and I want you to help them. And after you help them then you can go back and enjoy your piece of the pie cause see, they don’t have all of theirs yet. They don’t have all of theirs yet. And it’s time out for this. The scripture says he that rules over men must be just. Where’s the leadership in Augusta? Where are the leaders in Augusta? No more do we have time for managers. Managers have managed organizations but a leader steps up --- Mr. Mayor: Minister Lord? Minister Lord: --- to go forth. Mr. Mayor: Thank you Ma’am. Your five minutes is up. Minister Lord: I thank you. Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. Minister Lord: Amen. 5 Mr. Mayor: Madame Clerk. The Clerk: PRESENTATION(S) E. Mr. Tony Wilson. RE: Building pay recorders at the James Brown statue that narrate his life. Mr. Mayor: How are ya? Mr. Wilson: I’m doing good, thank you. Mr. Mayor: If you could state your full name and address for the record. Mr. Wilson: Tony Wilson, 9868 (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Boca Raton, Florida. Mr. Mayor: And keep it to five minutes, please, sir. Mr. Wilson: I’d like to say hello to the Mayor and to all of the Commissioners as well. I wanted to update you. We had our committee meeting on the billboard with the Administrator and along with Commissioner Joe Bowles and others. And um, what came from that basically is that we’re not gonna put it on the back burner but we’re gonna wait until you know, the differences are settled you know, within the Brown thing and then we’ll move forward. But we will keep active as a committee that’s gonna move forward. I won’t name all the committee meetings but I do agree with the Administrator that we should uh, wait and that’s so that way we can probably have the correct vision on where we wanna move. My motion today basically is uh, two motions basically, is that one of them was having pay recorders around the James Brown statue. And what I mean by that is basically all the entry points into the statue to the park, they would have like a rail that goes all the way around it like you would see at a museum. And they would have, you put a quarter, fifty cent in there and you can actually hear on the earphones James Brown’s life on Twiggs Street and also his life on uh, Broad Street from a perspective of the already made a sole survivor. That documentary which is already out. The other thing would be um, for the children and for their education would be for them to actually be able to hear King Herron which keeps the kids off of drugs. This was made back in the 60’s. Another recorder would be um, “Don’t be a drop out”. That’s another one of Mr. Brown’s things and that way we could bring all the schools and they can come and you know, go to the statue and be able to see what this man went through and the struggle he went through and what he had today and you know, be able to make it a more educational thing that this, you know that the education, the Board of Education gets involved in, in that sense. I know that Commissioner Marion Williams had said some other ideas that he had which is very similar to this idea. Mine just specifically brings into why Mr. Brown says a lot I’m black and I’m proud and how that came about you know, with the 30 kids he had to get from orphanages. So we wanna get more into that so we can make that you know reality in the park. I think it would bring a lot of money into the city because it’s something that they would put a quarter or fifty cent in and that you know it would be very inexpensive to make to have that in the park. I mean, you know looking at all the money that’s gonna be and the revenue that’s come from that and not only from people within Augusta 6 but outside of the city and outside of the State as well. You know my focus uh, you know being a Yankee here is to make Augusta, Georgia a tourist town downtown and not a ghost town. My other thought which I think Commissioner Joe Bowles uh, liked a lot whether a lot of you guys are familiar with James Brown Boulevard and Reynolds. And if you notice there they have the red bricks there that the Riverwalk. But what I want to do, what I’m proposing to do and the Council take a motion on this to extend those red bricks all the way down James Brown Boulevard just one street past Broad Street. At that time people that are here and abroad can buy one of those bricks, fifty cent, put their company name there. We get all these big rappers with all the money they can have a star and put that ten thousand, twenty thousand. You know you got the Board of Education to come in and get one and we could really make something out of that you know, and that would bring a whole lot of money into the city and it’ll make it a huge tourist town because you’ll have everybody that loves and didn’t get a chance to show their appreciation they love musically for Mr. Brown to be able to do it just like they do it in LA. But this, my whole focus is Augusta, Georgia. I’m not interested in what nobody else is doing. I’m just gonna stay focused on those two things. I do have a lot of other ideas but I’m just gonna stay with this for right now and that we’re gonna keep an active committee which consists of um, Commissioner Holland, Commissioner Joe Bowles, Ms. Best from the Lucy Laney, Claire --- is involved in it, the CVB is involved. Barry White, I had a meeting with them. I had a meeting with Deanna Brown basically and this is where we came to the conclusion that uh, the Administrator’s uh, suggestion is the best for that. I think that if you extend the red bricks --- Mr. Mayor: Is that it? Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. Wilson: That was five minutes? Mr. Mayor: That was five minutes on the nose! It goes by quickly. Thank you so much. We appreciate you coming out. Mr. Wilson: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Allrighty, Madame Clerk, if we could move on to the consent agenda. The Clerk: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-33 on our printed agenda. The Engineering Services Committee would like to offer additions to the consent agenda the following items. Items 40-46. Item 47 was remanded to our regular agenda. Items 48-51 consent. Item 52 was received as information. Item 53 is being negotiated as we speak with our Attorney and Mr. Jones. Item 54 was referred to the next committee. Item 55 and 56, consent. Item 57 will remain on the regular agenda. Item 58 was referred to our next committee meeting. Item 59 was approved. Item 60. Do we understand that to be with the waiving of the second reading? Mr. Smith, waiving of the second reading? Item 61, consent. Item 62 to be received as information and item 63 was to approve the recommendation of the director and I will pass out that information to you. 7 Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Um, Mr. Mayor, did um, Madame Clerk, did you say 58 excuse me, 59 was approved and did it go to consent? The Clerk: It will be added to the consent with the negotiation on salary by the Administrator, yes sir. Does anyone need the recommendations regarding the repairs to the bridge? Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madame Clerk, could you ---? The Clerk: Consent agenda. Items 1-33, items 40-46, items 48-51, 55-56, 59, 61 and 63. Any others to be added? The Mayor: Do we have any other additions to the consent agenda? Mr. Williams: Can you run those back by, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Madame Clerk could you ---? The Clerk: Items 1-33 with the additions of items 40-46, items 48-51, 55, 56, 59, 61 and 63. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would like to propose that we put item 64 on consent. This is a request from our tax assessor that we support the, support a resolution in favor of our delegation to return the um, period of filing from January 1 through March 1 which gives the Tax Assessors Board ample time to get all the information, the data up to be able to present it to the State by August. Present time is from January through April, which goes into May 1 and uh, this is something that was done, reversed of that uh, five years ago and what they’re asking is that we go back to where we were prior to that time. And even as it is on I recommend our Commission do that. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Grantham. Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Mr. Mayor I’d like to add to the consent item 65, which is simply a compensation package for the General Attorney. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Any further additions? Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I don’t have a problem with 64 going on consent by I do need to make it known to this Commission that the accountants of this community, most of them that I’ve spoken to will not be in favor of doing that. Because of the time frame and with tax season and everything else, the earlier that we required them to get it in is gonna put a strain on their 8 practices and I know it’s to allow for a greater time with the tax assessors so I cannot support it because of my profession but I don’t have a problem with it going on consent. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank you. Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Item 71, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Absolutely. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: I think we’re adding to it right now, is that right? Mr. Mayor: Yeah, we’re adding to. Mr. Williams: Okay and I’m in support of Commissioner Grantham’s, with 64 but I’d like to hear from the tax assessor. We, this is where we were before and they wanna go back. I hear Mr. Brigham who’s in accounting and who knows about figures and dollars and money but I trust the people we’re paying. Them other folks wasn’t for us and we’re paying them too they need to do what we suggest. Now can I hear from the tax assessor, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Yes sir, Mr. Smith, could you please ---? Mr. Smith: Mr. Mayor, Commissioners I appreciate this opportunity to uh, share with you. I’m Charles Smith. I’m Chairman of the Board of Assessors. And um, as was indicated in the information that you received from us, we are making this request because of the time frame that’s involved in preparing the digest. The problem that we have been having is that we have increased the number of businesses in the area and that’s desirable. That’s what we want to see happen. But the staff in the office has not increased while the uh, I guess since ’91 the business returns increased about 8%. We’ve not increased the staff at all and since ’90, since 2003 the budget of the Tax Assessors Office has decreased as every other department’s budget has been decreased. So we are now into a considerable strain trying to get things done. We have about 5,000 business returns that come into the office and they come in the last week although the filing period is from January 1 currently to April 1. Practically all of them come in the last week. And we have a, it just seems to be that no matter when the deadline is they come in the last week. And what we need is more time to actually get uh, the uh digest prepared. What it means is that when those returns come in we have, we don’t have the time to audit those returns and we’re entering them primarily as they come in because we don’t have the time to audit them and if there is an assessment change what it means is that the tax payer has 45 days for the appeal period. So we can’t pull all of this together. And that’s the primary reason, Mr. Mayor. While we want to uh, to have this done and we believe that it will benefit the county and will uh, in financially that we could get this done more quickly. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, does that answer you? Mr. Williams: That’s my --- I’m okay with that. Mr. Mayor: Okay. 9 Mr. Smith: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Okay, I believe, are there any further additions to the consent agenda? Are there any items to be pulled for discussion? Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Mr. Mayor, we need to pull item 16 to clarify the boundaries for that historic area. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to pull item 5, please. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to pull item 14 uh, item 20, 24 and 25, Mr. Mayor. I need some clarification on those please. Also I need to get clarification on item 29. Mr. Mayor: Do we have any further items to be pulled for discussion? Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Uh yes, 39, Mr. Mayor. I just need some clarification on a couple of these. The Clerk: It’s on the regular agenda. Mr. Williams: It’s on the regular agenda? Okay, I’m sorry. 29 will be the last one then, I’m sorry. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Holland: 29 or 39? The Clerk: 29. Mr. Mayor: 39 is on the regular agenda. Okay, are there any further items to be pulled for discussion? Okay, I would look for, Madame Clerk is there some, ---? Do you need to read the Planning and Public Services? The Clerk: Uh, yes, sir, we do. Mr. Mayor: Okay. The Clerk: For the benefit of any objectors to our alcohol petitions, when the petition is read, if there are objectors, would you please signify you objections by raising your hand. 10 Item 2. It’s a request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine license to be used in connection with the Mexicana Restaurant located at 3714 Mike Padgett Hwy. Item 3. Is for an on premise consumption Beer license to be used in connection with the New Peking Restaurant of Augusta located at 2737 Washington Rd. Are there any objectors to those alcohol petitions? Mr. Hatney could you just say that for the record? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: I abstain on both of them. The Clerk: There are no objectors, Mr. Mayor. Allrighty. Hearing none I look for a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mr. Williams: So moved. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Cheek: Second. Mr. Mayor: There’s a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. Z-07-07 - A motion to change the conditions placed on this agenda item at the January 16, 2007 meeting to read “SECTION II. This amendment to the comprehensive Zoning Maps for Augusta-Richmond County is subject to the following condition: That development of the site must substantially conform to the concept plan filed with the Planning Commission. (Approved by Augusta Commission January 16, 2007 – revised conditions) PUBLIC SERVICES 2. Motion to approve a New Ownership Application: A.N. 07-04: request by Maria G. Lopez for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine license to be used in connection with Victoria’s Casina Mexicana Restaurant located at 3714 Mike Padgett Hwy. There will be Sunday Sales. District 8. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 3. Motion to approve a New Ownership Application: A.N. 07-06: request by Yue Hong Zheng for an on premise consumption Beer to be used in connection with New Peking Restaurant of Augusta located at 2737 Washington Rd. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 4. Motion to approve the Fifth Amendment to the Lease at Augusta Soccer Park between Augusta Arsenal Gunners Soccer Club and Augusta, GA. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 11 5. Motion to approve a recommendation to continue the city’s operations of the Municipal Golf Course as it is currently done and suspend efforts toward privatization. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 6. Motion to approve directing the Attorney to work on amending the mothball ordinance to place a time limit on how long a house can remain boarded up and bring back to the next committee. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 7. Motion to approve the appointment of the following individuals to serve on the Construction Advisory Board: Mr. Steve Dukes – Electrical Contractor (four years) Mr. Larry Jones* – Master Plumber (two years) Mr. Larry Babbitt* – HVAC Contractor (four years) (Vacant) – General Contractor (three years) Ms. Doris Harrison – Residential Contractor (four years) Mr. Chris Booker – Architect (three years) Ashley Paulk* - Electrical Engineer (two years) Mr. Bob Harmon – Consulting Engineer (Vacant) – Consumer Member/Super District #9 (Vacant) – Consumer Member/Super District #10 (*former CAB member) (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 8. Motion to approve the extension of the current lease with EZGO Textron, Inc. for golf carts at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course on a month-to-month basis. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 9. Motion to approve the renewal of two (2) lease agreements for operation of the Augusta Marinas and the Riverfront Marine Warehouse. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 10. Motion to approve a request by Elena Johnson for a Therapeutic Massage Operator’s license to be used in connection with Elena’s Therapeutic Massage located at 309 E. Martintown Rd., North Augusta, SC to be able to do massage on and OutCall basis in Augusta Richmond County. District 1 thru 8. Super District 9 & 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 11. Motion to approve a request by David Troup for a Therapeutic Massage license to be used in connection with Bella Salon located at 3124 Washington Rd. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) 12. Motion to approve a request by Richard Herrera for a Therapeutic Massage license to be used in connection with Spice of Life Salon & Spa located at 712 Bohler Ave. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 13. Motion to approve award of a consulting contract for Phase I of the City Center/South Augusta Initiative Project to F.A. Johnson Consulting Group under RFQ 06-166 which opened on August 31, 2006 @ 3:00 p.m. after a careful evaluation by the Evaluation Committee conformed for this purpose. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 29, 2007) 14. Motion to approve identifying funding to cover the cost of operating the Economic Development Ombudsman Program from the end of the last contract through the coming year. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 29, 2007) 15. Motion to approve the modification the Housing & Community Development (HCD) Action Plan, the reassignment of current staff, and the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Augusta Land Bank Authority and Augusta. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 29, 2007) 12 16. Motion to approve limiting the scope of the Ordinance designating the Olde Town neighborhood to both sides of Telfair Street only at this time as a historic district. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 29, 2007 17. Motion to approve setting the qualifying fee for Augusta Commission Districts 2,4,6,8 and 10. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 29, 2007) FINANCE 18. Motion to approve extending the lease with Mr. Chance for five years and in the event that the Commission elects to sell the property that the lease be set up to become null and void at that time and that Mr. Chance be given an opportunity to bid for purchase of property located at 4 Fifth Street. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 19. Motion to approve a request from the Augusta Richmond County Neighborhood th Associations Alliance, Inc. for city sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the 11 Annual Banquet. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 20. Motion to approve an action to reduce the transit budget to more closely reflect actual operating figures for 2006 and show the anticipated contribution from the General Fund to cover shortages for the year. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 21. Motion to authorize expenditures for EEO Office setup fees in the total amount of $4,970.04 funded from Administrator’s budget. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 22. Motion to approve accepting the final audit report from Cherry, Bekaert and Holland. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 23. Motion to approve the recommendation of the Tax Assessor for the request from Ms. Kaye Foote – that for the years 2004 through 2006 the homestead exemption be granted on this property and the refund be calculated based on the amount of taxes that were removed. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 24. Motion to authorize to establish the budget for Lisa Williams’ supplemental salary for 2007 through the Land Bank Authority. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 25. Motion to approve the replacement of 5 Marshal’s Department sedans for $24,71700 each from Bobby Jones Ford of Augusta, Georgia (Lowest bid offer on bid 06-192). (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 26. Motion to approve the acquisition of three tandem axle dump trucks for the Public Services Department – Maintenance Division from Mays International Trucks of Augusta for $85,595.00 each (lowest bid offer on bid 06-200). (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 27. Motion to approve the recommendation of the Tax Assessor to remove the value of the improvement of the building on the property, recalculate the taxes and grant a refund based on that difference in value and go against the outstanding lien on the property th located at 1033 15 Avenue as requested by Velma Scott. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 28. Motion to authorize the transfer of unspent grant funds for the Serious Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) Discretionary grant from the 2006 budget to the 2007 budget. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 29. Motion to approve the purchase of public safety vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office for 2007). (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 13 30. Motion to approve the replacement of one (1) Harley Davidson for the Sheriff’s Office from Augusta Harley Davidson of Augusta, Georgia for $15,434.65 (lowest bid offer fro bid 06-117A). (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 31. Motion to approve the recommendation of the Tax Assessor to deny the request from Tom Simpson of Motofino USA, Inc. for credit for the Freeport exemption in 2006 due to the failure to file for the exemption in a timely manner. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) 32. Motion to approve a request from the Augusta South Rotary for city sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for a spaghetti dinner benefiting the Youth Challenge Academy. (Approve by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 33. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held January 16, 2007 and Special Called meeting held January 29, 2007) ENGINEERING SERVICES 40. Approve Supplemental Agreement Number Four (4) as requested by the Engineering Department with Cranston Engineering Group in the amount of $86,680 for additional engineering services as required to design street lighting plans, design retaining walls to minimize impacts to properties, provide re-evaluations of the approved environmental document and attend monthly meetings with City Officials and Developers concerning the improvements to Alexander Drive, CPB #323-04-296823215. Funds are available in SPLOST Phase III Recapture Account. 41. Approve Construction Fees for Mabus Brothers for sanitary sewer installation to FJL LLC property and surrounding properties on Doug Barnard Parkway based on the cost- sharing agreement agreed to by the Commission in December 2005 42. Approve a proposal from Stevenson & Palmer Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $159,438 for inspection services associated with the Main Interceptor Upgrade and the Industrial Force Main. 43. Approve a proposal from W.K. Dickson in the amount of $73,652.00 to improve GIS Services to The Augusta Utilities Department. 44. Approve Water Line Agreement to construct a 12” water line through Fairington subdivision to serve additional growth along Tobacco and Windsor Spring Rds. 45. Authorize the execution of an agreement with FERC, Georgia State Historic Preservation Office, and the South Carolina Historic Preservation Office. 46. Approve a proposal from Cranston Engineering Group in the amount of $72,640.00 to split the 36” design contract into two phases. 48. Motion to authorize condemnation of a portion of Tax Map 18, Parcel 364-0, which is owned by Jim Davis Company for a permanent easement of 25,463 feet and a temporary easement of 17,602 feet. Public Works Project: Pointe West Subdivision Drainage Improvement Project. 49. Motion to authorize condemnation of a portion of property #140-0-505-00-0, 3863 Crest Drive, which is owned by Mary E. and George L. Cassels, III for 1,910 square feet for a permanent easement and 1,914 square feet of temporary easement. AUD Project: Horsepen Sanitary Sewer, Phase II. 14 50. Motion to authorize condemnation of a portion of property #140-0-500-00-0, 3873 Crest Drive, which is owned by Philanna M. Peterson for 2,181 square feet for a permanent easement and 2,180 square feet of temporary easement. AUD Project: Horsepen Sanitary Sewer, Phase II. 51. Authorize the Engineering Department to extend the current agreement with Jordan, Jones & Goulding (JJG) for one year to provide project management support via staff augmentation in an amount not to exceed $160,000 to be funded from SPLOST Phase V Administration lapsed salaries (325-04.1197-5111110) upon receipt and review of executed documents. 55. Ratify and approve the actions of AUD to repair and replace the Laney Walker sanitary sewer main between Laney Walker Court and Lover’s Lane through a second change order to the existing Laney Walker Sewer Emergency Repair Project in the amount of $80,214.31 for a total budget of $545,214.31. 56. Motion to approve and accept an Easement Deed from Jan G. Munn to correct an oversight made during the Stratford Drive Sanitary Sewer Project, constructed in 1978. 59. Motion to approve the recommendation of Mr. Abie Ladson to the position of Engineering Director. 61. Approve award of design contract in the amount of $59,790.00 to W.K. Dickson & Co. Inc. for sanitary sewer replacement of the Mid-City replacement at Chafee Park. 63. Update from the Administrator and City Engineer on the repairs to the Willis Foreman Bridge. (Requested by Commissioner Bernard Harper. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 64. Consider a request from the Board of Tax Assessor for a Resolution of Support to the ARC Legislative Delegation regarding a revised return period January 1 thru March 1. SUBCOMMITTEE General Counsel 65. Motion to approve the compensation agreement for W. Eugene Jessup, General Counsel, which was approved by the Commission January 2, 2007. OTHER BUSINESS 71. Resolution of Condolences for Former City of Augusta’s Mayor Charles A. DeVaney. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion carries 9-1. [Items 2 and 3] Mr. Brigham votes No. Motion carries 9-1. [Items 64 and 65] Motion carries 10-1 [Items 1, 4, 6-13, 15, 17-19, 21-23, 26-28, 30-33, 40-46, 48-51, 55, 56, 59, 61, 63, 71]. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor? 15 Mr. Mayor: Mr. Brigham. Mr. Brigham: I want to be recorded as No on items 64 and 65. The Clerk: Okay. The Mayor: This agenda’s tough to keep track of. I’m sitting here scratching things out. Allrighty, Madame Clerk. The Clerk: Items that were pulled? The Mayor: Yeah, let’s get items that were pulled for discussion. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 5. Motion to approve a recommendation to continue the city’s operations of the Municipal Golf Course as it is currently done and suspend efforts toward privatization. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Thank you Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: And remember we’re sticking with the two-minute rule. Mr. Bowles: Correct. I just have a quick simple request. We as a body agreed to go out for an RFP and I believe we’ve had two responses to this. We have the RFP’s in hand I just feel that since the companies did their due diligence to review our financial statements and submit what we requested that it would be a disservice to those business for us not to at least take a look So I make a motion to not approve item 5. at what they had requested. Mr. Cheek: I’m gonna second that, Mr. Mayor, with a legal question. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The question on that is, is if we open them and they are deemed not to be something that’s in the interest of the city by the Commission we can still turn them down at that time. Ms. Flournoy: By a bid process we reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Mr. Cheek: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Holland. 16 Mr. Holland: Uh, yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. Thank you very much. I believe we’ve discussed this on a number of occasions. As a matter of fact in our last Administrative Services meeting the Mayor, the Attorney uh, during that particular time we said we were going to make this a moot point in reference to having this go out for privatization. Because we feel at this particular time that the uh, the Municipal Golf Course is being run fairly well by the people that are running the course now. Therefore we feel that it’s more important at this particular time to continue to let them run the golf course and give them an opportunity to uh, to do the things they should do. I make a motion that we make this a moot point and I hope the Attorney can help me with this that we just discontinue having RFP’s for the golf course since the golf course is in a position to be run by the people that are already there. So I’d like to put that to a motion that we continue to let the people that’s running the golf course and let it stay with the city at this time, sir. Mr. Mayor: Substitute motion? Mr. Holland: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Is there a second on that? Mr. Grantham: Second. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I’m going to support that effort but what I’d like to do is to uh, ask that we make a substitute motion in this that um, that not only did we stop the privatization of it but we ask the uh, Public Service Committee and the Administrative Service Committee to write a letter to those people who have submitted those RFP’s and indicating why we’re doing this and not just drop them off the face of the earth so to speak, but to inform them of what we’re doing so that if we need to go back out on and RFP that we can do that at a later time. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Holland, would you amend your substitute motion to that effect? Mr. Holland: Yes, sir. I amend my substitute motion to send a letter out to those persons who have sent in a letter for our RFP so that they will know that we are professional enough to let them know that the next time they come out here we will work with them in terms of the RFP. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, and I don’t have a problem with keeping the status quo. I think we have got the problems resolved. But the thing about this is it’s at least worth a look see in the respect that this is a head count that we’re dealing with, this is uh, has been a liability instead of an asset for the last few years as far as cost is concerned and I just think a look see won’t hurt us and than at that point if it’s something that we choose not to do we can still choose not to do it. 17 Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a substitute motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Could you Madame Clerk for the benefit for all involved, if you could read back that substitute motion. The Clerk: The substitute motion was to approve the recommendation to continue the city’s operation of the Municipal Golf Course as it is currently done and suspend efforts toward privatization and that letters be sent to the bidders to inform them of the Commission’s decision. Mr. Mayor: Okay, if there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Brigham, Mr. Bowles, and Mr. Cheek vote No. Motion carries 7-3. Mr. Mayor: Next agenda item Madame Clerk. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 14. Motion to approve identifying funding to cover the cost of operating the Economic Development Ombudsman Program from the end of the last contract through the coming year. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 29, 2007) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, I believe this was yours? Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We know that uh, their office has done a great job, we’re appreciative for what they’ve done but before we do that I would like to see a report of what have occurred since we hired that person in that position. We had two positions at one time and I know we eliminated one uh, there’s been several meetings, but I would like to see what actually have, we acquired. What economic businesses that we acquired through doing this Mr. Mayor that I’d like to send it back before we uh, and I’m saying refuse it I’m just saying to committee I guess would be a motion to send it back ---- Mr. Bowles: I second. until we get a report to see how that’s done. Mr. Williams: --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a motion and a second. Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, and for those that weren’t here and for those who were I’m gonna refresh the Board’s memory on the fact that we had roughly 31 agencies in this city dedicated to Economic Development that had never worked together before in the history of this city, as a body to promote the city, to bring businesses in and turn the key on the deal and get them here. This office, this Ombudsman’s office followed after the Economic Development Summit to create that environment that is now taking place on a regular basis, at regular meetings. Certainly we don’t have a developmental entity in this city like others do that handles 18 the entire package. This is as close as we have so you know, today’s vote is, is I’m all for talking about it and developing and improving the process that we’re using for the Ombudsman’s office. I think it’s something that needs to be done regularly. But my concern is, absent of this entity, we go back to the way things have always been which is a situation where most of the developmental agencies are not working together. And I’ll remind the board that when we first sent out requests for what you’ve done, what you plan to do, what track record do you have to some of these groups. They send us back blank sheets of paper. This was the agency that began to get a handle on promoting the city and holding some of these boards accountable. So I’m wholly against going back to the status quo and I’ll make a substitute motion that we move forward and then we review through committees to look for efforts to improve the Ombudsman program with that we move forward with funding it. Mr. Grantham: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a substitute motion and a second. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I support my twin on a lot of things but we agree to disagree on this one. And I’m not saying that this position is not uh, worthy or not uh, a good position and not that they had not brought some people together. What I’m asking to see is the proof that’s in the pudding. I mean I wanna to taste it, I wanna see where what we’re talking about uh, sitting down talking. We got a bunch of agencies that’s trying to run this government or do economic development and nobody wasn’t doing anything, Mr. Cheek, I agree with that. We got four or five different entities talking about it, but and I’ve been all my life, but I wanna see what have uh, taken place under the leadership. Not meeting. One report came back they met with the Commission and that was one of the meetings. And I just disagree with that. I need to see, I’m not opposed. But we’re talking about a budget, we’re talking about people riding buses sitting on the floor, talking about we don’t have money when people come in asking for stuff. I don’t wanna spend money on a, on a group, a staff of persons to meet with folks to talk about what we need to do and everybody be singing together. Everybody ain’t gonna be singing together. They gonna be singing different songs if they do. So I guess my thing is, Mr. Mayor, my reason for saying that is just let us look at what has took place, then look at the documents that’s been brought back to show us how whether that position is and I’m in support 100%. So I’m not turning it down. I’d just like to see it brought back so we can look at it and then know what we’re voting on. We ought to not keep making the same mistakes. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Williams: We ought to make a different one if we’re gonna make one. Mr. Mayor: You’re basically saying like that old Wendy’s commercial, “Where’s the beef? Mr. Williams: That’s right. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell, you ---? 19 Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. I agree in this case with both Mr. Cheek and Mr. Williams --- Mr. Williams: Twins! Mr. Russell: --- which is pretty neat actually. But I think we need to take it a step further in the fact that what we need to do I think is review the successes of that particular program, but I’m not satisfied with the status quo either in the fact that I think that what I would like to be able to do is convince you that if we’re gonna do this we need to do it right and we need to have a full time person that actually does economic development, that goes out and reaches for those things and makes a contribution to our community by bringing those agencies together and has the ability to go out and deal with companies and deal with people and move forward with that on the auspices of this government. I understand that while we’re tight uh, the money’s very tight but I understand that we need to invest in those kinds of things that are gonna make a return to our government so I’d like if I could to go ahead and look at the reports that are done, look at where we’re at but put together a proposal that would move us to the next level as opposed to being satisfied with the status quo and uh, bring somebody to our government that could actually go out and do the kinds of things that we need to do to continue to move forward. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you for my second time, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: I know. I got a watch. I’m watching. Mr. Williams: Uh, now Mr. Russell’s talking about a job freezing now I mean, you can’t drink out of both sides of the glass, you gotta drink out of one. Either we have, we in a budget freeze, we’re not gonna hire any more people and I understand what you’re saying but we don’t need to be talking about stuff and just to be talking about we need to be about the business and, and I hear you. We had the funds we ought to have a full time person to do just that. And this is probably the best thing since we don’t have a full time. I’d just like to see the report to see what’s there and if it’s there and we can show where there’s a, that’s an entity we need to keep, we need support putting that person back to work. But if we’re gonna talk about hiring somebody, then we talking about laying off some other folks, that don’t add up. So that’s where I am with that, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It was two years ago when we started this program and we’ve had the opportunity to see the results. What the effort was done was to make these agencies or to get these agencies to work together and to show some results as far as cooperation and communication as far as the agencies were concerned and the businesses were concerned. I’ve attended several of those Tuesday morning meetings that’s been held and to me it’s very rewarding to see these small businesses and small companies involved in this type of effort. So that’s what we’re looking for and that’s what we trying to accomplish. If any one is not going to those it’s their own fault because we’ve been invited to all of them, we’ve been 20 invited to several of these uh, association meetings and as far as the results of it I think we’ve been presented at on different occasions when we asked the Ombudsman to come to our meetings is tell us what the results are. So uh, to me I think we move forward, we give Mr. Russell an opportunity to bring forth additional information to keep us headed in the right direction. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, economic development is the single most important item that we have before us in this city to grow our tax base, to create jobs and so forth. Let’s be realistic. While I would like to see a full time position as you have in other cities and we don’t have, this is the best show going. The individual that has been heading up this effort has been doing so since October un-funded. Taking time off from her work to cover the uh, cover the meetings and do the other things that are important. Filling the position for the EEO office and some of these others have taken as long as ten years. If we look at going out developing a scope of work, hiring a person, advertising for the person, we’re talking six months to a year to fill it if we make the decision today. We need to keep the ball rolling. I want to see us take the next step but my concern is in the interim if we lose the momentum we have now we’re going to be starting over from square one. This is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of a full time person, it’s something we should continue, something that’s important for this city and something that if we do hire a full time person they can come in and pick the ball up while it’s still rolling instead of having it roll backwards. My concern is we reach for that next step that we don’t miss the step and that’s exactly what we’re gonna do if we don’t fund this and treat it like it’s important, cause that’s sends a message to the Development Authority and also sends a message to people outside looking at us. We value economic development. This is the show that’s going on right now and until we get a better show in place we need to keep this show on the road. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Smith. Mr. Smith: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I can endorse---(UNITELLIGIBLE). Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a substitute motion on the floor and a second. Madame Clerk, could you read back that substitute motion? The Clerk: Yes, sir. The motion was, the substitute motion was to approve identifying funding to cover the cost of operating the Economic Development Ombudsman Program from the end of last contract period through the coming year and that periodic reviews be done in committee for process improvement of the program. Mr. Mayor: Is there any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Williams, Mr. Brigham, Mr. Bowles and Ms. Beard vote No. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion fails 5-4-1. 21 Mr. Mayor: Mr. Hatney. Reverend Hatney. Mr. Hatney: I did not understand where we were. I thought we were reading the substitute --- The Clerk: That was the substitute. Mr. Hatney: --- I thought it was the regular one you just read. The Clerk: The substitute motion was the caption on the agenda item. The original motion Mr. Williams was referred back to committee for further review. Mr. Hatney: (INAUDIBLE) Mr. Mayor: Okay. The Clerk: So the motion carries to approve the program with Dr. Hatney voting yes. Mr. Williams: Uh, Mr. Mayor can --- Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams: --- can somebody explain what happened just now cause, I mean I don’t understand now I mean we, there ain’t but three buttons up here and done decided the third button is legal so what, I don’t understand. Mr. Mayor: Please, keep it to the agenda item. Mr. Williams: That’s what I’m trying to do, Mr. Mayor. Can somebody explain what happened? Mr. Hatney: I don’t have no problem with it--- (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Mr. Mayor: Okay, you misunderstood the motion. He’s sticking with his first vote and we have a primary motion on the floor. Madame Clerk, could you read back the original motion? The Clerk: The original motion was to refer back to committee for further review. Mr. Mayor: Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Brigham, Mr. Smith, Mr. Grantham, Mr. Harper, Mr. Cheek and Mr. Holland vote No. Motion fails 4-6. Mr. Mayor: No action taken? 22 The Clerk: No action taken. Mr. Mayor: Next agenda item Madame Clerk. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 16. Motion to approve limiting the scope of the Ordinance designating the Olde Town neighborhood to both sides of Telfair Street only at this time as a historic district. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 29, 2007) The Clerk: Dr. Hatney, do you want me to read for the record the clarification on the boundaries for the ordinance designating Olde Towne. We would like to substitute the language of both sides of Telfair only that the motion should read to include both sides of Telfair and a portion of Olde Town north thereof that would leave out the properties facing Walker and Watkins Street and the cemetery. Mr. Mayor: Dr. Hatney, does that clarify that for you? Mr. Hatney: It goes north to the river? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Hatney: Yes, it does. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Can we get a motion to approve? Mr. Cheek: So moved. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Brigham: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Commissioners will, oh, Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard: Yes, sir, do you wish me to either incorporate the reference that correct legal definition uh, or I can read it in the record but I think that’s gonna take some time. I’ll just pass it out to each one of you and ask that it be incorporated. You referred to both sides of Telfair Street. The district is bounded by the properties on the south side of Telfair Street on one side it’s bounded the south side. It’s bounded on its west side by the right-of-way of Gordon Highway. On it’s east side by the Savannah River. And then from the Savannah River it comes in on the western property, western right-of-way line of east boundary. So that has closure which is what he wants and it excludes properties that are from Walker Street over. The only properties putting in the district at this time would be the ones on Telfair Street, all of Telfair Street, both sides and then it moves to the river. 23 Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Shepard: And we can, if that’s satisfactory, I’ll just file this with the Clerk? Mr. Mayor: That’s satisfactory. Mr. Shepard: I have a map, which we will also file with the Clerk, which is spread on the table in the other room. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion caries 10-0. The Clerk: FINANCE 20. Motion to approve an action to reduce the transit budget to more closely reflect actual operating figures for 2006 and show the anticipated contribution from the General Fund to cover shortages for the year. (Approved by Finance committee January 29, 2007) Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, in reading this agenda item and knowing what we’re dealing with the bus situation in transit, we’ve, I’ve got several calls about people who have to sit on the floor of the bus and the bus is overcrowded since the bus, I think it’s thirty minutes the bus had been stopped and got busses on the hour. So people had to leave an hour early uh, to over-crowdedness. And I’m worried that something’s gonna take place where we will end up in a lawsuit with somebody getting hurt. I see my good friend, Attorney Coleman, out there and I don’t want to call him out of retirement to speak on this but I don’t want nobody to get hurt Mr. Mayor and, and in lieu of finding all this money that done fell out the sky here I think we need to be mindful of the transit and those people who need that service very, very bad. And now we’ve put them in the condition that I think is gonna end up with the bus being uh, a machine that operated by man, how could it all of a sudden put on brakes and somebody is not fastened down and not being able to be restrained. It’s gonna end up and we can’t say we don’t know about it now so I think we understand that’s an issue and we can’t solve all the problems but that’s something we really need to look at. Before we approve this and then stop those, those uh, thirty-minute buses of whatever. I see Mr. Russell shaking his head, Mr. Mayor, so maybe he got an answer and he can help me understand a little bit better. That’s all I’m up here for, to get some understanding. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: Yes, sir, uh, Mr. Commissioner this does not affect the current operational status of the bus. This is a housekeeping item for 2006 when we brought forth the reduction of the budget. About six months ago we had asked that we move general fund money to cover the 24 deficit in transit at that particular point in time and this is to do that for the 2006 budget. Uh, so it’s just a housekeeping item that would cover the hole in that budget that has occurred in 2006. What we’re looking for and I agree with you firmly is that as we continue to look at the budget process for 2007 that one of the things we need to do is look at uh, how we fund transit and the decisions we make on how we do that. With additional tax dollars I think we’ve potentially freed up some opportunity to do that. And I’ll be more than happy to bring back to you some recommendations at some point in time. But this is just a housekeeping item to cover that transfer of dollars and doesn’t impact on the day-to-day operation. Mr. Williams: And, Mr. Mayor, that helped me out a lot --- Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams: That helped me out a lot, Mr. Mayor, but uh, at the same time when you’re talking about general funds and what does transpire, what to cut, we need to find some more money in order to alleviate a potential problem that’s coming right in our face so if we’re dealing with ’06 and it’s done affected ’07 we need to look at a, a situation that may be costing us even more money, Mr. Mayor, and that’s why I wanted to bring that to your attention. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Brigham. Mr. Brigham: I’d like to make a motion that we approve this item. This is an item we’ll either approve now or when the auditors give it to us later on this year. I think it’s an item we can appropriately do on our own and therefore I make a motion that we do it. Mr. Bowles: 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 10-0. The Clerk: FINANCE 24. Motion to authorize to establish the budget for Lisa Williams’ supplemental salary for 2007 through the Land Bank Authority. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, I believe this was yours? 25 Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, that was --- Mr. Mayor. I want to ask a couple of questions. What additional duties are we asking Ms. Williams to perform uh, to you know to do the work and I think they’ve been doing some work already for the Land Bank and others. I need to know exactly what additional duties are required of her to ask for this supplemental salary increase. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard: Thank you. Commissioner, Ms. Williams has acted in a paralegal capacity coordinating the flow of the cases from um, License and Inspection forward into the nuisance abatement process and then she has been supporting two other programs the loan program over at AHED and this second series of title examinations which we do in, before we go and make the final step on a property which is to foreclose it and rent. So she has been the coordinator of those flow of real estate titles and she has been going to court with Mr. Manton on the first set of foreclosures –-- that have ever been done so she is, she is doing more than just secretarially supporting of one attorney. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, can I --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you, sir. Uh, Mr. Shepard, and the reason I asked the question is because of, we got department heads that we done added to uh, added staff and, and in over two years we had not done anything with and you got one person who’s a secretary who’s not working overtime, who’s not working past the hours or coming back and doing additional work. This is the work within an eight-hour time frame that they’re there. And, and it looks like one of those pie in the sky type situations to me and I just, I just think that we got to be mindful of that if we gonna do one we need to do all. We talking about fairness, we talking about treating everybody, eating out of the same pot and all that stuff so I’m really kinda disappointed in this. If they were doing additional work that we could, that could be shown, secretarial work and I can’t answer the phone straight so uh, I can’t do it but I just think that we got to be mindful of what we’re doing here and what, what message that’s gonna send to the other employees of Augusta-Richmond County who got an overload of work Mr. Mayor who complains about additional work and had not been even talked to. This is a fairly new employee, fairly new meaning in a recent years compared to some people that have been here fifteen or twenty years . So I’m gonna and had additional duties had placed on them and we had not done anything make a motion that we send it back until we get something in writing to show what this person actually does to justify the salary supplement, Mr. Mayor, and once we see that then we can bring it back. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Is there a second? Mr. Harper: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Mr. Cheek. 26 Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, the interim foreclosure process is very important to economic development activities going in Lyman Dover area. It will be very important for the Bethlehem community and every other initiative we undertake to buy up properties, relocate people whatever. A couple of years ago we embarked upon a path that would set up the Land Bank Authority as the entity that would handle the property transactions and place them in a position to be economically redeveloped for this city, something that had never been done before. The Land Bank was part time staffed and did not have adequate coverage to do these transactions in a timely manner. We are approaching a time when we have people in place to make these types of things happen and they’re essential for the economic development initiatives we have ongoing and will have in the future. This position has seen an enhancement of its uh, it’s staff but it’s also seen a quadrupling of its work load and I think this is justified. I’m gonna make a substitute motion that we approve and move forward with these activities. Mr. Brigham: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a substitute motion and a second. Commissioner Holland. Mr. Holland: Uh, yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, thank you. Uh, in reference to this position, I’m not totally against this but one of my concerns is the fact that, since we’re in the process of trying to reorganize our law department and this individual is working with our law department my concern would be, once that law department has been organized will this individual have the time to be able to work in both places? Can someone answer that for me? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard: (INAUDIBLE) Ms. Flournoy: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. It would be a concern as the position that Ms. Williams’ supports has been vacant since Mr. Harry James left and so one of the things that we did was in order to try to justify the position is it gave her different duties not additional duties but gave her different duties to justify her time. And in that process she did begin to do more work for the Land Bank but some of the work she does for the Land Bank is required under her position description. My other concern would be that there is no policy that addresses the assignment of additional duties and additional compensation. I don’t believe the Commission understands that this is already, this 15% has already been awarded to Ms. Williams as of last year. She’s been receiving it, I believe, since January of 2006. It was approved by the Land Bank Authority on, in March and made retroactive to January of 2006. This matter came before the Commission, I’m just trying to give you the historical information, at some point, it actually came before the Administrative Services Committee. Then it was referred to the Law Subcommittee. In that agenda item there was a recommendation for an increase of my pay as well as Ms. Williams’. The Administrative Subcommittee, I mean the Law Subcommittee deferred action only until the law department was fully staffed. It will be, at this point the funding issue is before the Commission but I believe guides your approval of the increase will have to go before the Commission and that we do not have a policy that dictates that you have to give additional compensation for that based on additional duties. There should also be some 27 other concerns about it with regards to this being an hourly employee. If she is performing at a higher rate it would be ideally to put her into the Land Bank Coordinator position so that she could perform those duties if she’s performing at that level. You also have another issue here in that you’re talking about the Land Bank Authority and an Augusta employee. So we’ve got, there should be some type of an agreement between Augusta and the Land Bank that deals with this compensation and the allocation of it even though the 15% could be allocated. Also another way you could do this is instead of an increase you could also look at it as a reimbursement to the city for that 15% of her time that’s allocated to the Land Bank. I’m just trying to give you the information in light of recent things about policy not being followed. I just wanted the Commission to get the full understanding of, there is no policy that dictates this so. Without a policy this Commission would have to approve the actual increase and then allocation funding based on the agenda item. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ll tell you I’m more confused than when we started. And I think this is, this potentially might need to get back to committee so that we can get informed on this. Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Mr. Mayor and the other Commissioners. The reason we are postponing the action on that, in search of a General Attorney, that we felt that due to the fact that we did not have a General Attorney, that department did not have a supervisor and even those persons are doing different activities maybe, but to increase pay not knowing exactly or delegate someone’s time somewhere else not knowing exactly how much time are going to be needed when you get a General Attorney on board who’s gonna make money and another Attorney coming on later in the year. So we were under the impression that we should leave this like it was and wait until the law department gets rolling and to see if this person’s gonna have time --- that’s why we did not, did not um, we did that. And I would like to offer a substitute motion that this is sent back to Administrative Services for further work. Mr. Holland: Second. Mr. Mayor: Uh no, we actually already have a primary motion and we have a substitute motion. The Clerk: The primary motion is exactly what Mr. Hatney is saying. The Mayor: The original motion was to send it back to committee. Okay, we have a --- Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Since it came from Finance, shouldn’t it go back to Finance? Are we committee shopping up here? Mr. Mayor: No. What is the original motion? Is it to send it back to? The Clerk: It said refer back to committee. Mr. Mayor: Which would be Finance Committee. 28 Mr. Brigham: I just heard something else. I just thought I’d ask. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek, I think I’ve actually gotten you twice on this issue. Okay, we have a substitute motion --- Mr. Cheek: I don’t think you have, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: What’s that? Mr. Cheek: I don’t you have. Mr. Mayor: I believe I have. Mr. Cheek: I don’t think you have, Mr. Mayor. Maybe --- Mr. Mayor: Maybe --- I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Mr. Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Okay, Mr. Mayor, I just want to say is, I think I’ve been twice on every other issue but this is, the Land Bank Authority aside from the policy issues and things that need to be worked out has just begun to operate as it needed to, as it needs to for economic redevelopment. Again I will say as I say with the Ombudsman’s office, my concerns are that while we are rolling and it is certainly not perfect we are rolling. And I don’t want to see us do something that’s going to jeopardize the momentum that is essential for us to move forward with Lyman Dover, with Bethlehem and other communities which may need redevelopment initiatives that involve the Land Bank which all land transactions that come through this government do and that is something this Commission voted to have occur. So I just don’t want to see us jeopardize the progress we’ve made or put a stop to where we’re going. Mr. Mayor: Okay. There’s a substitute motion on the floor. Is there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the substitute --- The Clerk: The substitute motion was to approve it. The original motion was to refer it back to committee. So he’s calling for the substitute, the vote on the substitute motion which was to approve the request. Mr. Williams: Hold it. Hold it. Start that over again. I thought we had the same motion. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Williams: Clear the board. Mr. Mayor: Okay. The substitute motion Madame Clerk. The Clerk: The substitute motion was to approve establishing the budget for Lisa Williams’ supplemental salary. 29 Mr. Mayor: And the Commissioners will now vote by the substitute sign. Mr. Williams, Mr. Hatney, Mr. Harper and Mr. Holland vote No. Motion carries 6-4. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: I want a point of order, point of clarity here that the Land Bank is a different entity that this body don’t have any uh, jurisdiction over. If they are, if there are monies coming in and I think had it went back to committee we could’ve talked about that and maybe had something from the Land Bank side donated to that. And it wasn’t that we was fighting that issue but it’s already been paid for a year. I hated that I brought it up now. Mr. Mayor: And I would say Commissioner Williams we’ve disposed of that agenda item but I think it might be appropriate to put on a future committee and bring in the Land Bank to explain everything to the Commission. Next agenda item, Madame Clerk. The Clerk: FINANCE 25. Motion to approve the replacement of 5 Marshal’s Department sedans for $24,717.00 each from Bobby Jones Ford of Augusta, Georgia (Lowest bid offer on bid 06-192). (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 2007) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, I believe this one’s yours. Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. Thank you again. The Fire Marshal’s Department sedans that we’re talking about here I got on the agenda to look at a policy for replacement, replacement policy for the City of Augusta vehicles. You’ve been hearing on the news talking about how bad the cars are in Augusta. Our fleet of cars are second to none. People buy our fleet through the auction and uh, uh and use them for taxicabs and for everything else but we can’t use them no more cause it’s a different year. So I think that we really need to be careful about how we spending $24/$25,000.00 for an automobile that we sell for $2,500.00. Now Mr. Mayor, people don’t believe that but I told George Eskola to go down to Sandersville, Georgia and if he pulled up to the red light he’s gonna see a black and gray. The only difference in it, it’s got Sandersville Police Department instead of Richmond County Police Department. That’s the only difference. Same car, same lights we sold it them and they chasing crooks with ‘em. Maybe they don’t run as fast down there as we do up here. But there’s something wrong with that Mr. Mayor and I think we need to look at the replacement policy very seriously and not spend the money cause we got the money. There’s other very important issues that we need to be I don’t get no help but my motion is to deny. addressing with that money versus buying cars. Mr. Cheek: Second. 30 Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor, can I ask a question? Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Holland. Mr. Holland: I think we’ve mentioned something about a policy. Is there a copy of the policy that we can get in reference to the different cars from the Marshal’s Department from the, I think what they want to spend a $1 million for a, the Sheriff’s Department. Is there a policy that both departments use in terms of the maintenance for these cars? Is there a policy? Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Crowden’s right here. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Crowden, could you please speak to that issue? Mr. Holland: If he has a policy, is it possible that the Commissioners can get a copy of that policy? Mr. Crowden: We have a replacement policy, sir. It does not designate or specify the specific type of vehicle. That’s does in the evaluation process and the selection process and the approval process or the denial process. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Crowden: But, yes, it is available and I’ll make sure that all Commissioners are provided a copy of the replacement policy. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Okay, there was a motion. Was there a second on that motion? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: And there was a motion and a second. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I want to make a substitute motion that we approve. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second on the substitute motion. Is there any further discussion? Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Crowden and committee said these cars had anywhere from 115,000 to 150,000 miles on it more or less and um, I think that we ought to give our public 31 safety people including the Marshal’s Department the ability to have cars that can stand up and that are reliable. And, therefore, I’m going to support this issue. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor I appreciate my colleague Mr. Brigham but let me share a little short story with you Mr. Mayor. Um, nobody wants our public safety to have to jump their cars before they go to a scene. Now that, that’s crazy, we’re not sitting here talking about that. But let me tell you that public safety, we talked about Mr. Crowden will testify that we talked changing shifts with the cars and rotating the cars twenty four hours. But they said it was hard sitting in the car it wouldn’t last. These patrolmen keep their cars 24/7. When you see an officer riding down the street you think he’s on duty. He’s just riding. (INAUDIBLE COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE) Mr. Mayor: Please, ya’ll. Mr. Williams: Well, Mr. Mayor, I want to make it real to the people cause I don’t want people to think we’re not mindful enough to want them to have good equipment. I live not far from BI-LO shopping center Mr. Mayor and I made three trips to BI-LO in a three-hour span and an officer had the car in dead heat, in the middle of summer, sitting there running. Now you know me Mr. Mayor I couldn’t take no more. The third time I went over to the officer and I asked him what was the problem? He explained to me that he was keeping the computer in the car cool. The car’s sitting there running. Heat will destroy an automobile. We pay $3 million a year for preventive maintenance of our cars. So they’re being maintained, and I see a mechanic back there Mr. Mays who can tell you if you maintain an automobile it don’t go by mileage. It will go over 200/300,000 miles if you maintain it, Mr. Mayor, so I’m just saying that we are spending money because it’s another year. Because we got that money to spend and they’re very mindful of the things we need to do around this community rather than just spending it. So either we need to stop maintaining that $3 million and use that or we need to make sure that the maintaining people are doing what they need to do so the car will last us and be a benefit to us rather that spending that money then still getting rid of the car. We taking care of the car to sell it to somebody else. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, we have a substitute motion and a second on the floor. Madame Clerk, just so that nobody’s confused if you could read back the substitute motion? The Clerk: The substitute motion is to approve the replacement of the Marshal’s sedans. Mr. Mayor: I’m trying to save power by not lighting up the lights too many times. Okay, if there’s not further --- Mr. Williams: What --- Mr. Cheek: To approve. 32 The Clerk: The substitute motion is to approve. The original motion is to deny. We’re at the substitute motion. Mr. Mayor: Substitute motion. Commissioners will now vote by the substitute sign. No action taken? The Clerk: Looks like it. But --- The Mayor: Well, no, excuse me. We need to vote on the original motion. The Clerk: Let me publish the vote. Mr. Williams, Mr. Hatney, Mr. Harper and Mr. Cheek vote No. Mr. Holland abstains. Motion fails 5-4-1. Mr. Mayor: Okay, now, the original motion, Madame Clerk. The Clerk: The original motion is to deny the request. Mr. Mayor: The Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Brigham, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Grantham and Ms. Beard vote No. Mr. Holland abstains. Motion fails 5-4-1. Mr. Mayor: No action taken. Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. Because of the ordering status of these particular vehicles the order needs to be placed by the end of February. We have one other opportunity to do that and make the order for this particular year’s models. I just want to bring that to your attention. If we don’t we’re looking at next years models. And moving forward we are at least ahead of the curve at this particular point in time but if we decide to change our minds or move forward we need to do so by the end of the month. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, germane to the issue, I would like to make a motion on this that we get the copy of the policy between at the next, I guess it would be budget meeting, budget committee meeting and review it through the Budget Committee and allow all the Commissioners to review the policy and then bring this issue back at the next Commission meeting with a recommendation from that committee. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Bowles: Second. 33 Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard: Refer it to the Finance Committee. Mr. Cheek: Refer it to the Finance Committee to look at the policy. Mr. Mayor: If those, Madame Clerk if you could read back the motion? The Clerk: The motion was to refer to the Finance Committee for review and recommendation the replacement policy, the vehicle replacement policy. Mr. Cheek: And this agenda item as well. The Clerk: Okay. The Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I just need a point of clarification. Now I got my Attorney, he’s still looking at me over there. I might need to, hadn’t we already voted up or down on this issue? Can we vote again on another, on another issue when we don’t had it up or down? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard, this is. Go ahead, Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard: I think you’re treating this as a re-consideration --- Mr. Williams: No, you can’t treat it. You got to vote on a re-consideration now either --- Mr. Mayor: Well, it’s my understanding, Mr. Cheek, by your motion you’re referring this back to committee. Mr. Cheek: Point of parliamentary procedure. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, there’s nowhere in our Rules of Order does it stipulate there is one vote per item. The item can be dispensed of using as many measures as necessary to dispense of the item. Mr. Mayor: I’m, I will say, though, that in our retreat we can to consensus, everybody in the room, that once an item was disposed of that we would move on. Mr. Hatney: That’s right. 34 Mr. Cheek: By that definition we’re saying that it has the opportunity to have a motion and then a substitute motion with no additional consideration regardless of it’s dispensed of or not. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard: Have we left the item? Did we move on? Mr. Mayor: There was no action taken on the item. Mr. Shepard: You haven’t called? You have not called for another item have you? Mr. Mayor: No, we have not. Mr. Shepard: I think while the motion is here, he was fast enough to --- Mr. Williams: No I think I --- Mr. Shepard: If he wasn’t then you can re-consider it. Mr. Williams: The understanding was when a motion, Mr. Mayor, help me out, if they voted up or down it was voted up or down. We did that before. Mr. Mayor: We move along. You’re exactly right but I think Mr. Grantham has agreed to put this on the next Finance Committee Agenda. So it’s --- Mr. Cheek: The maker of the motion with the consent of the body withdraws this motion. Mr. Mayor: Can we get the consent of the body on that? Do we need a motion to ---? The Clerk: No. Mr. Mayor: No? Okay. Moving right along. Mr. Cheek: Moving right along. The Clerk: FINANCE 29. Motion to approve the purchase of public safety vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office for 2007. (Approved by Finance Committee January 29, 20070 Mr. Williams: Same discussion, Mr. Mayor. That was --- to me I make the same motion that we do likewise with this item 29 as we were gonna do with item 25 and to send it back to committee. 35 Mr. Hatney: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Is there any? Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, we need to let these people start walking and uh, you know we’ll tell the Sheriff and the rest of them they just get on and buy shoes instead of automobiles and put ‘em out there on a horse or something like that. But we need, we need to have the right vehicles for these people to be able to get out and do the jobs we’re asking them to do. Mr. Mayor: And let me --- Mr. Grantham: And I don’t mean to say that funny. I just think that this is ridiculous. Mr. Mayor: And let me speak to this. I would say once again referencing the retreat. This comes being recommended by the Finance Committee, it’s recommended by staff you know, I think we should put our trust in the staff and in the committee structure. My own personal opinion. Mr. Grantham: Amen. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a ---. Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, the only consideration I have and I’m all for putting our public safety folks in safe vehicles. But the 100,000 mile guideline thereabouts for disposing of these vehicles was written many years ago when vehicles life spans weren’t quite what they are today. The only thing that I’m asking is that we review that policy. We are spending $3 million a years on fleet maintenance. These are highway miles primarily for the Marshal’s Department and a lot for the Sheriff’s Department that we re-consider that cause if you extend it from say guideline of 100,000 miles to 120,000 miles that translates into tens of thousands of dollars of savings by prolonging the life of the fleet. And that’s common sense and general business and they do that all the time especially when they’re under budgetary constraints. That’s all we need to do. This isn’t about making anybody walk or jog to a scene. Mr. Williams: That’s right. Mr. Cheek: I will remind the body that while these officers and deputies are on specials they’re using the peoples car in a private job --- Mr. Williams: That’s right. Mr. Cheek: --- with the motor running. Mr. Williams: That’s right. 36 Mr. Cheek: Now these, that is something to consider which prolongs the life of the car. All we’re asking is that we look at extending the life of the fleet or the guidelines that say what the life of the fleet is to a point to where we can save some money. Mr. Mayor: And let me just for the sake of asking. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to potentially charge a committee with reviewing the policy while we continue on though with the business with the recommendations that we’re getting until we get the policy reviewed and that subcommittee comes back with recommendations to this body. Commissioner Beard. Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to ask Mr. Crowden a question. Mr. Mayor: Please. Mr. Crowden. Ms. Beard: Mr. Crowden, I’ve been on the Commission approximately three years. I thought we had reviewed this policy. Have we reviewed this policy since I have been here? Mr. Crowden: The policy was approved in April of 2004. I believe when Mr. Bowles was Finance Committee Chairman we was, he wanted to establish a subcommittee to re-look that. I don’t believe that anything was done in regards to that specifically. Ms. Beard: We didn’t make any changes in the policy at all since --- Mr. Crowden: Not since 2004. No, ma’am. Ms. Beard: Well, that is what I was thinking. This comes up almost every time we talk about cars. And with the policy we have in place it is time to have them replaced and that’s why the Finance Committee made the recommendation that it made in reference to them. Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. Ms. Beard: And no matter what we think with the way tings are set up this should be approved and it should be approved until things change and we visit it every time we’re here. You know, this is a government and we have a lot of business going down and we buy a lot of cars. And uh, it takes a lot to repair cars. And this is one reason we have the policy the way as it is. Because when it becomes uh, --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. Ms. Beard: --- after so many miles it really takes a lot of time. But I’m going to say the Finance Committee according to the policy approve this and it really should be able to stand. Mr. Mayor: Madame Mayor Pro Tem would you like to put that in the form of a substitute motion for approval. Ms. Beard: I think it’s --- 37 Mr. Mayor: That way we have a primary motion to send it back to committee. We do not have a substitute motion to approve. Ms. Beard: Then, Mr. Mayor, I move for approval. Mr. Bowles: Second. Mr. Mayor: The substitute motion and a second. Okay. We have a substitute motion and a second. Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I’m just going to make one comment. I agree we ought to place a lot of trust in our committees and our staff but there is the right of every Commissioner to debate issues because, because it comes through committees doesn’t mean that the other districts that are not represented on those committees don’t have a chance to voice their opinion concerning an issue. And to think that, that’s the way it should be done in every occasion is Pollyanna. Mr. Mayor: Okay! Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: I’d like to make the same comment I made on the previous item is that to meet our ordering requirements we do need to make a decision by the end of February or the next meeting in February. I think the schedule has been sent out whether we view the course of the next committee meeting and then vote up or down. The next full commission meeting would keep us on this schedule but if we miss that we are a year behind again. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a substitute motion on the floor. Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, since we’re going to debate the policy on this issue, to start with that policy’s only ten years old. It was generated by staff it was a 100,000 miles or three years. It was not Commission generated. This Commission has had ten years to change that and nobody up here has chosen to change the policy. But instead they have chosen to fuss about the conditions of the policy. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Well, once again, we’ve spent a great deal of time talking about cars. We have a substitute motion on the floor and a second. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote --- Mr. Williams: Read the substitute motion, Mr. Mayor? The Clerk: To approve. The Mayor: To approve. Commissioners will now vote by the substitute sign. Mr. Williams and Mr. Cheek vote No. Mr. Harper abstain. Dr. Hatney out. 38 Motion carries 6-2-1. Mr. Mayor: Does that dispose of all our items that have been pulled, Madame Clerk? Man, we’re good. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: I think we got quite a few people here on the issue of Hyde Park, Mr. Mayor, and I think we ought to go and dispose of that and let these people get back to their busy day and not sit here with us for the rest of the day but uh, if you would I love for us to entertain - -- Mr. Mayor: I would be more than happy to Mr. Williams. The Clerk: OTHER BUSINESS 70. Establish a budget for the relocation of the Hyde Park residents. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) Mr. Mayor: And I’d like to speak to this issue first if I could. I personally don’t, there’s no way we, we as a body are gonna be able to establish a budget today. This is and I’m sharing with a lot of people, this is a difficult issue to me. We now have two senators that have signed on to form a senate subcommittee. I traded phone calls with Senator Tarver today and basically what we’re trying to figure out is who’s gonna take the lead role on this. The funding for relocation has to come from the Federal or the State level. It’s not that the city can strike a check for this. I am totally in favor of moving forward and getting the people in Hyde Park that need to be moved out of harms way, moved out. But I just personally think I don’t know that we’re gonna resolve anything on this today. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m glad you talked to the Senator cause I don’t think he talked to the people in Hyde Park but I’m glad you talked to him. Mr. Mayor: We’ve traded phone calls. I’ve not spoken to him yet. Mr. Williams: Well, okay, I’m glad ya’ll traded um, phone lines but my point is Mr. Mayor, I asked that placed on the agenda not that we can come up with the funds to relocate the people out of Hyde Park. What we’re trying to do is establish a budget so we can get a professional group, somebody in, and also start the process. Now see, we’re acting like everything is fine. But if it ain’t leaking in you house you don’t understand this. If your ground is solid and it’s not contaminated you know you might be all right but about the children and the people. I’m looking at some faces of folks who’ve been suffering with illness, they don’t know what it is and their doctor don’t know what it is. But they’re still there. And this budget that the Administrator put forth, Mr. Mayor, was something that we can at least to get it started. We 39 talking about who’s gonna bear the burden, whether it’s gonna come from the taxpayers. I don’t the City of Augusta is able to do this. But we done took Federal dollars, from FEMA and from HUD from every agency. George Bush ought to be here today to address this issue. Somebody needs to call somebody Mr. Mayor and let them know how important this situation really is. These folks been like this for over twenty years. We’ve been talking about it, we’ve been talking about it. Mr. Mayor I believe the city is just as much at fault as anybody. We have not put drainage, sidewalks and curbing in there. The water’s running from one yard to the next yard to the next yard. We allowed the Goldberg plant and the other junkyards to stay there all this time. We are as fault as much as anybody as a government to have that community. We can’t wait on the Senator or the State Representative. We need to be doing something now and if the established the budget Mr. Mayor don’t mean that we gonna be able to hire folk. We might not have enough. I mean but if you don’t have something to start with nobody gonna --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. William: Well, I mean it’s, it’s funny we always find a reason not to do it, Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: And let me just comment on that, Mr. Williams. This is, my question has always been why has nothing been done before now. Mr. Williams: Okay. Mr. Mayor: And I will speak for myself. I was, you know, I’ve only been Mayor for a little over a year. This is a priority of mine but with regards to this agenda item I don’t see a budget in the agenda. And I’m --- Mr. Williams: Mr. Russell, excuse me, Mr. Mayor, but Mr. Russell proposed a budget that may not be enough but Mr. Russell did propose a budget of some sort. We chose to get a subcommittee together to look at what it’s gonna take to do it. Mr. Mayor: And --- Mr. Williams: We need a budget of some sort so we have something to start to work with. Mr. Mayor: But from what I understand that agenda item, because I’m the one that put it on the agenda. And it went through the Finance Committee and they took action on it, but after the last Hyde Park meeting I was at I was the one that requested that agenda for the Finance Committee. Mr. Williams: Mr. Russell just, and I’m gonna ask him to pass this to you, Mr. Mayor, because what we’ve done in Finance and I was there at that meeting in order to get a budget together he proposed something to get us started and we elected in the committee meeting, in Finance to get a subcommittee to look at it. Well, I put it back on the agenda which is a right of the Commissioner to put it back on the agenda to talk about it so we can get this budget he’s got 40 together or somebody started so we can get somebody in place. We’re not worried about who’s gonna buy where and when and where they’re gonna go. We gotta get the process going. The Brownfield was the initiative, Mr. Utley’s over there who actually got the Brownfield work going but that was the first step. Now we’re at step 29 and we still ain’t come out of Hyde Park yet and we need to know whether we can get this budget set up to get those people in place so they can tell us, professional people tell us who we need to call on whether it be the Senator, whether it be the State Representative or whether it be the Governor. But we need to, somebody in a professional level can share with us what we need to do in order to get this process started so we can start alleviating these people in there. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Beard. Ms. Beard: I’m just, Mr. Williams have the people in Hyde Park had physical examinations to determine the illness --- (COMMENTS IN THE AUDIENCE) Mr. Mayor: Please, please, ya’ll. Mr. Williams: I let the people of Hyde Park. I don’t stay there, I just go through there. Ms. Beard: Well let me say this. Uh --- Mr. Mayor: And ya’ll and --- Ms. Beard: --- I spoke with Mr. Utley and we are, if there’s a problem out there we’re committed to making a difference. I think you, I think you’re looking at people who are interested in all of the people of Augusta, and that includes you. Now I spoke with Mr. Utley the other day because I really, frankly when I read in the paper years ago that Goldberg’s had been cleaned up I thought that, that the area was clean. And I was not on the Commission at that time. Now Mr. Utley came before me and what he said gave me a greater understanding of what is going on there but it’s something he wants to continue to work with and I think, I think what he has in mind will be good for this city. One thing he talked about was the Brownfield Commission and uh, we right away stated that maybe we needed to go the uh, CSRA RDC to uh, determine where we are and what we need to do with Brownfield’s situation. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Ms. Beard: I’m sorry, are my two minutes up? Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. Ms. Beard: Then I’m wondering if maybe Mr. Utley could really let the people know where we are with all of this. 41 Mr. Mayor: And but, but, hold on, hold on everybody. Let me say I’ve only been dealing with this for a year. I understand ya’ll’s frustrations. The difficult part to me is I’ve sat in meeting after meeting. I don’t know who to go to for answers. I know that the EPA and the EPD years ago studied it and they never came with anything conclusive. My whole thing is if people need to be relocated somebody needs to tell us how much it’s gonna cost and we need to go out and try to find the money. But it just keeps going, I mean, it’s bureaucracy to death. Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We seem to be going in circles, that’s true. The uh, the thing that bothers me is here we’re discussing something that at the last meeting we made a motion and we approved it with the body that a subcommittee be appointed to, to get with our Administrator to discuss a potential, a possible budget. What he did was present some figures to us and this was asking the Finance Chairman to appoint a subcommittee with Mr. Utley included in this that it be done by Friday. And I feel like that our Finance Chairman’s gonna do that. I think we just, we’re really talking about something that, that we haven’t made any kind of decision on yet but we need to get this moving so we know the type of budget we need if a department, if a department needs to be appointed or if we need to refer to our Senator or if we need to refer to EPA study that was made or the EPT in Atlanta who has to make the decision. So I think we need to follow what we already talked about and approved and what Mr. Utley was involved in when we made that decision. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek: Mr. Grantham: I make a motion we follow the recommendation that had already been made. Mr. Mayor: Of the Finance Committee? Mr. Grantham: Yes. Ms. Beard: Second. Mr. Cheek: That’s to approve this budget? Mr. Mayor: No. It’s to establish the committee. Mr. Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I’ll answer your question. The reason that no governmental entity wants to touch us with a ten foot pole is dollars and we have a site listed on the river that I’ve been fighting against for the last eight years at the Burris Chemical site. It’s on the site hazardous chemicals inventory. The things that we can do in the interim is we can develop drainage in the area that will eliminate the sheet flow that comes down that hill that carries contaminates across that site to these residential homes. There’s a lot of steps that we can take in the interim. While it takes a year for the state to develop their plan, I’ll remind the body that it took them at least ten years to move the people out of Times Beach and Loves Canal which every home in those communities exceed the threshold limit days for contaminants of PCB’s and dioxin. We have lead, arsenic and perhaps mercury and some other things in this area. But there 42 are a lot of steps that a committee can take if we form a single group right now. Right now we’re proceeding with a ten-headed beast and we’re gonna walk in circles and cover the same ground and not accomplish anything in ten years. And I think that the body, you Mr. Mayor perhaps could appoint an overall steering committee for these efforts to coordinate with the state and everyone else because the state looked at, and I’m probably gonna run over my two minutes, but the state looked at the uh, Southernwood Piedmont property which also used arsenic and other products similar to the contamination found in Hyde Park. And you have a unique situation where the water flows from the south towards Hyde Park from Southernwood, which is cleaned up to Brownfield conditions I believe. You have the water flowing down the hill from the Goldberg site, which carries water down into Hyde Park and both of these are probably source terms for the contamination that is in Hyde Park. The condition gets worse over time the more rain we allow to run down those hills. There are things we can do like correcting the ditches but with every bit of dirt you pull out of there if it exceeds hazardous material limits has to go to a specified landfill. You can create a reclamation basis to divert the water --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Cheek: --- and allow the contaminates to settle out. There’s a lot of things that can be done. Mr. Mayor: And I agree with you, Commissioner Cheek, that once again the, I don’t think that anybody’s arguing that there’s a problem but the thing’s that frustrating to me is what is the solution to the problem. I’m gonna go ahead and take care of the problem and I can’t find anybody to give me the full solution to what that is. Commissioner Williams, I actually have already gotten you twice on this one. Mr. Williams: Not on this one, Mr. Mayor. Not on this one. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Harper. Mr. Harper: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, you know, I know the wheel’s turning slow sometimes to slow but I think the majority of the people you know they’ve hearing committee after committee after committee, study after study after study with no relief in sight. And um, now the two state Senators are involved in this. I think what the people want to hear is relief. Relief expeditiously to move in fast and we continue to set up committees refer to committees and like I said I know the wheel’s turning slow I understand that but the people are tired of hearing that. You know, they’re really tired of hearing that and we as a body, we need to do everything that we can do before it gets to the Senator’s vote. We can do to alleviate the problems and try to come up, I’m like you Mr. Mayor come up with a resolution to handle this think so it’ll be done with and uh, I’m not going to say establishing the budget right now is the thing because we’ll probably be under budget if we try to establish one. But we need to put a price on this thing and try to start working on behalf of the citizens of that community and do something with it. Now it’s becoming a fight now you got to have another group in there telling half the residents one thing, the other half another thing and I don’t want to make a decision you know because you know, I know about Hyde Park I’ve been involved in Hyde Park in ’91 when Reverend Utley was out there. I know that the Congresswoman at that time was Cynthia 43 McKinney, a lot of letters was wrote to EPA, 60 minutes even came in and did an expose on the area. So I just think it’s time for us to stop you know, not literally meaning to drag our feet be caught with the resolution --- Mr. Mayor: And, and Commissioner that is the thing to me is I’ve said all the time it’s gonna take a concerted effort on behalf of the Feds, the State and the local government. But here again it’s people going off in a bunch of different directions and I will state with regards to the Senate subcommittee I was not notified of that prior to that being established so we need to all get on the same page. Maybe we need to have a retreat with all the folks from, but that’s exactly the bottom line to me. You know, there are people in harms way, how do we get them out. That’s --- Commissioner Beard. Ms. Beard: And, Mr. Mayor, after speaking with Mr. Utley I learned that we have at least a hundred Brownfield areas in Richmond County. Now I think he has a good idea because I’ve been listening to the people at uh, the uh CSRA RDC. For all of those areas they have funds that you can get when you’re ready to work on them. Now he’s been working with this Brownfield Commission for many years and he should have some inroads there and he’s also been working with our former Mayor Bob Young in reference to moving. But we have to get things, I really think it’s out there it’s a shame we’re not using it and if we work through this as we should we can make some changes here. Mr. Mayor: Well, and just to comment one more time on that. I think the big issue in the past is the buck has been passed I don’t think anybody’s trying to pass the buck now. But we need a coordinated effort. Everybody’s saying there’s a problem we need to take care of it but we don’t need to go off in ten different directions on this one. And, Commissioner Williams, I have recognized you twice on this --- Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: --- and I have not recognized you, Mr. Williams --- Mr. Williams: I need a point of clarification on it then because this was my item I spoke --- Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams, you spoke on it first and you’ve spoken on it twice. Mr. Williams: I spoke on it first, Mr. Mayor, I hadn’t had and these --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, you have spoken twice on the issue. It’s, we agreed, we came to consensus that is what the rules say that is what we will go by. And we have a, we have a motion on the floor and a second. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’m going to beg to differ with you. I’m not going, I’m just going to beg to differ with you. Now if I have to keep score and I told Sylvia Cooper was going to keep --- 44 Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, I still have not recognized you --- Mr. Williams: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Mr. Mayor: --- we have a motion and a second on the floor. We need to --- The Clerk: The motion is to follow the recommendation of the Finance Committee to establish a subcommittee. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Everybody who wanted to speak on this issue has been recognized twice. Commissioners will --- Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Would that included establishing a budget? Who made the motion? Mr. Grantham: I did. Mr. Mayor: This is the Finance Committee --- Mr. Grantham: It was stated that we would, we would work with the Administrator --- Mr. Mayor: The Finance Committee made a recommendation when it went through them --- Mr. Williams: You’ve all done spoke twice now. Everybody done spoke twice some spoke three times --- Mr. Mayor: If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Williams and Mr. Harper vote No. Motion carries 8-2. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we will now move on to the regular agenda. Mr. Williams: These folks wasted their time, Mr. Mayor, coming down here today is that what we’re saying? Mr. Mayor: The issue has been disposed of, Commissioner Williams. Okay, we’re gonna take a five minute break before we get in at the request of the Commissioners and, please, ya’ll keep it to five minutes. Madame Clerk, on to the regular agenda. The Clerk: PLANNING 34. Z-06-113 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission to DENY a petition by Brenda Hammond Baxter on behalf of Lawrence 45 Minor, requesting a Special Exception to establish a Family Personal Care Home per Section 26-2 (H) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property that contains .17 acres and is known under the present numbering system as 2911 Wheeler Road. (Tax Map 025-4 Parcel 085) DISTRICT 7 (Tabled at the January 16, 2007 meeting) Mr. Brigham: Move we concur. Mr. Cheek: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. I’d like to hear from the. Please state your name and address for the record. Ms. Baxter: Good afternoon. I’m Brenda Hammond Baxter. I live at 2819, my address is 2811 Wheeler Road and the home is 2911 Wheeler Road. I am coming before you to let you know that I resolved the issue of the parking. Because of my residence and the home location being on the same road I have decided that we would have additional parking at my home. I’ve wrote a letter, written a letter of petition to Mr. - my Commissioner Patty and it’s signed already so we have resolved this issue. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Patty. Mr. Patty: This was a situation that’s been on the floor here at least twice I think and I recommended denial to the Planning Commission and they denied it because of the situation involving the parking. It’s a house that sits in a lower area of Wheeler Road. It does not have sufficient front area in front of the house to have a parking lot. You would have a front entry of cars coming out on Wheeler Road. We’re concerned about cars backing out there from the business and it was denied. The applicant on the other hand is a nurse she lives a few houses down and they’ve done a nice job with the house so you know something can be said in her favor. She’s come forward with the idea that she’s willing to put a sign in the yard that all staff would park at her house, which is like I say it’s three or four houses from this. She’s willing to take this for her, only for her own use and it would not transfer to another party should she sell the property and um, with those stipulations I personally think that the problem would be resolved. Now I’m, you know I’m employed by the Planning Commission and their decision was to deny it but I think she’s made a lot of headway here to resolve the problem. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: George, are you saying that you are in agreement with what she’s proposing though? Mr. Patty: Yes, sir. Mr. Williams: Okay, I’m gonna make a substitute motion that we approve. The lady’s been down here --- 46 Mr. Hatney: Second. Mr. Williams: --- we could put our heart into it, too, to do what’s right. Mr. Patty: With the conditions that uh, it wouldn’t transfer. She’d put a sign in the yard and prohibit parking in the yard of this property --- Mr. Williams: Right. Mr. Patty: --- for employees. Mr. Williams: Right. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: I have a question of the petitioners. When I checked the tax records your address is Evans, Georgia. Is that correct? Ms. Baxter: No it’s not. I’ve never lived in Evans. Mr. Brigham: That’s where the bill was being sent for that piece of property. Ms. Baxter: No, I’ve got all my letters from, to my address on Wheeler Road. Mr. Brigham: Then something’s wrong with our, with our system. Mr. Mayor: Okay we have a, we have a substitute --- Ms. Baxter: The owner of, the original owner, excuse me is in Evans, does live in Evans. I’m leasing this home with his consent that I can run a personal care home. And it’s signed. Mr. Mayor: Okay we have a substitute motion and a second. Mr. Brigham: So you, I’m sorry can I --- Mr. Mayor: Go ahead Mr. Brigham. Mr. Brigham: So you’re leasing. You don’t own this property you’re leasing it. Ms. Baxter: No, I don’t. Mr. Brigham: You’re leasing this property. Ms. Baxter: Yes with, yes. Mr. Brigham: I thought you said you were the owner of this property. 47 Ms. Baxter: I’m leasing with ownership, renting with option to buy and he signed the paper and it’s all there. Mr. Brigham: But I, okay, I’m sorry. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a substitute motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the substitute sign. Mr. Brigham and Mr. Cheek vote No. Motion carries 8-2. Mr. Mayor: Next agenda item Madame Clerk. The Clerk: PLANNING 35. Z-07-13 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission to DENY a petition by George H. Anderson Jr. requesting a change of zoning from Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) to Zone B-2 (General Business) affecting property containing .17 acres and known under present numbering system 1439 and 1441 Twelfth Street. (Tax Map 059-1 Parcel 428) DISTRICT 2 (Approved by the Commission January 16, 2007) Mr. Williams: So moved. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Cheek: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Please. The Clerk: Is Mr. Anderson here? Mr. Patty: The reason this is being referred to my understanding is the applicant was not able to get in the room when it came up the last time. The applicant’s not present. The Clerk: Was he notified? Mr. Patty: I talked to him, yeah. The Clerk: Oh you did? Mr. Patty: I did not send him a notice but he knew about it. I talked to him on the phone. Mr. Williams: So moved Mr. Mayor. 48 Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. The Clerk: No. The motion was to deny. To concur with the Planning Commission decision to deny the zoning request. Mr. Hatney: There’s no other motion? Mr. Mayor: No. Mr. Brigham, Mr. Grantham and Mr. Smith vote No. Motion carries 7-3. The Clerk: PLANNING 36. Discuss the hiring practices of the Augusta Fire Department. (Requested by Commissioner Williams. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is my first time. Mr. Mayor: I got ‘cha! Mr. Williams: I just wanted to discuss the hiring practices of the Augusta Fire Department and look at how we are testing and what we’re doing. I’m not saying that the test ought to be changed to be in favor of any one group or any one person. But I think that after my looking at the test it involves a lot of the Fire Department equipment and Fire Department job duties. And I think when a person comes to apply for a job, they’re interested but they don’t necessarily know the background of the, the uh ways of that job. I think the test ought to be given in the manner of their abilities to learn the job. I would love to see that HR and um, uh (unintelligible) administer that test and I think they do now, Bubba, but I think that the Fire Department ought to able to see those employees, those potential employees when they show up at the door. I don’t think the Fire Department should have any, any and this is my opinion, Mr. Mayor, any input on who hires and who’s not hired. If you meet the qualifications, I think you ought to be sent to the Fire Department to report for training or report for the necessary steps. And when I heard about the shortage of men that we don’t have on the Fire Department and we can’t acquire those or can’t find those or can’t hire those that’s what brought my attention to look at it, Mr. Mayor, so I just think we need to hear the process know how it’s done and make sure that we, the test is a test that uh, just a skill as far as ability and not the knowledge that we know on the fire service. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Chief. 49 Chief Willis: Yes, the Fire Department is committed to creating employee opportunities for those qualified individuals and we stress that we are very committed in diversity as well. We are, while we’re discussing eliminating the current testing process we are committed that we want to maintain a competitive process, which is stated in our handbook that there is a competitive process and competitive test process. We’re currently working on revising the application process to include new evaluation methods to replace the prior test. That is something we can do with your consent and all is well too. Recruitment efforts for new diverse applicants are now underway. The deadlines for the next pool of applicants to apply has been extended to allow us to have a larger number of candidates as well too. We have sent out more PSAs to other resources as well as the ones that we’ve used in the past we’ve extended that deadline too for another thirty days through the Human Resources Department. And at this time we’re moving forward as a team consisting of the Fire Department and the EEO office and Human Resources to address these issues and move us forward to what will be fair and equal to everyone. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Chief. And I would just say I think the EEO officer can help in these efforts as well. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: My second time. Mr. Mayor: I got ya! Mr. Williams: Okay, I’m just --- Mr. Mayor: And for the record let me just state that Mr. Williams was correct in the prior portion of the meeting that I only recognized him once on one issue and I would like to apologize. Mr. Williams it’s yours. Mr. Williams: I’ve already accepted. Thank you, sir. Um and Bubba you and I go way back um, a long ways and everybody who may think they are capable of being a fireman, a fireman is not a job that everybody can do. It takes a special person and you have to learn that, you have to acquire that. Sometimes you, we, you know for yourself that a lot of people who pass the mental part of the test and get on the Fire Department that’s not the job for them. But then there’s some people who think hey I can’t do this and get on there and really loved it because it’s a giving job it’s a job that’s far reaching in helping people and, and you have to acquire that. Cause I was one of those who didn’t think I could be a good fireman but I learned it and I enjoyed it. I learned a lot from the Fire Department. A lot of my background still stayed with the Fire Department Bubba and I commend all of those who lay their life out on the line. But I need to know from you how many openings to we have now and how long has it been like, like I guess like that. Chief Willis: We have ten recruits in the process right now. We have approximately after we go through these we will have approximately seven more to be hired at this time. Mr. Williams: So you’re saying you got seventeen openings right now. 50 Chief Willis: Yes. Mr. Williams: Okay, and that’s what I needed to know. Seventeen openings and we know important it is to have that third man on the tail board or that man that man that wear the back pack versus somebody got the ability to drive the machine and also be in charge so I just think we got a process, Mr. Mayor, of, of in place now, excuse me, hearing the Chief talk that they’re looking at doing some things a little bit differently so we’ll be open minded. I don’t want this to think that this is for a particular group or particular race. This is about fairness across the board in Augusta. I think once we get some people in the Fire Department some of those gonna stay some of those not gonna stay and you got to train ‘em all as if they’re gonna stay though Bubba, you have to train ‘em to the best of your ability. Chief Willis: That’s right. Mr. Williams: And we appreciate that, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Grantham: Motion to receive as information. Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Madame Mayor Pro Tem. Ms. Beard: He mentioned he was working with Ms. Darris, the EEO officer and uh, Human Resources. I’m wondering if we could receive some type of report in approximately 30 days. Mr. Mayor: Is that okay, Bill? Chief Willis: I’ll get with Ms. --- and we’ll --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a motion to receive this as information and is there a second? Mr. Hatney: Second. Mr. Mayor: Any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Thank you, Chief. Chief Willis: Thank you. Motion carries 10-0. The Clerk: 51 PUBLIC SAFETY 37. Motion to enter into a contract with Medical College of Georgia Health, Inc. through the Augusta Fire Department for Medical Director services. Mr. Brigham: So moved. Ms. Beard: 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 10-0. Mr. Mayor: I love to these those ten green lights light up. The Clerk: FINANCE 38. Motion to approve reprogramming of SPLOST funds for procurement of a Design/Build firm to replace and repair existing HVAC systems at the Augusta Museum of History. (Approved by Finance Committee – No recommendation from Public Services Committee January 29, 2007) Mr. Williams: So moved. Ms. Beard: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles, could you light up that tenth green light, please, sir? Do your Mayors’ heart good! Mr. Bowles: I’m trying to find out --- if I qualify. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams: My time was up there and I had to make sure we that we got voted on unanimously so. My other attorney, Mr. Coleman --- he sees it too. The Clerk: 52 FINANCE 39. Motion to approve the transfer of monies within the Risk Management Department. Ms. Beard: So moved. 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 10-0. Mr. Mayor: It’s magnanimous! We’re on a roll ya’ll! Mr. Bowles: Not for long. Mr. Mayor: I’m feeling it! The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 47. Authorize Option Year 1 of Amendment No. 7 to the existing Program Management Services Contract with CH2M HILL, INC. to provide Program Management Services for the 2004 Series Bond Capital Improvements Program approved by Commission 02/02/2005. Option Year 1 budget is $1,350,000. Mr. Grantham: So moved. Mr. Cheek: Second. Mr. Mayor: Number 47. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, thank you. We talked about this in Engineering Services Committee and I say again I think the firm did a good job. We had plenty of discussion on this when we approved this with these options and I’d like to know about when we put these options in we got a one than a two year than another one year option. Those options are to bring the uh, disadvantaged businesses and other stuff up along with I thought would be a competitive bid or competitive process to see can we save money. Now are we just gonna put the option in there and just gonna go through the motion. Max done talked about this earlier and we had in Engineering Services. But when you talking about a million three fifty and we supposed to exercise that option if we don’t exercise why we got an option in there? I mean what good does it do us to put the option in there but we just come back and vote on it. We might as well --- your country. We had a lot of debate lot of conversations about the same firm the same contract with the options. Yes, they did a good job. That’s not the question. My I guess my ideas that we should at least look at um, what other entities out there that can do it or what kind of pricing can be done or are we just gonna stay where we are and continue, continue, continue. I mean 53 it’s, it’s, I don’t waste that time. It’s one thing we can do. We just do the 5, 10, 20 year contract whatever you gonna do and do it and we’re gonna come back and look like we’re doing the option thing and we’re not doing the option thing. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hicks. Mr. Hicks: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Commission, indeed, a couple of years back when we were considering this it was originally proposed as a 5 year contract and the Commission at that time voted to award it on a two year contract and then have three one year options. And indeed these are options. It’s your option to approve it or to turn it down. It was my understanding that what was --- okay, let me drop back. We did not select CH2MHill on a priced proposal. We really don’t select engineering or professional services based on price. We go through a process called a Request for Qualifications, we then select the top three firms, we have presentations by those firms, we did in a panel elect the uh, or chose the firm that we want to recommend. That firm is then recommended and approved and then we negotiate a price. So we do not chose engineers or professional services by a low bid situation as we would construction of a water line or a sewer line. And it was my understanding that what we were do to on this was really come back to you with a good presentation or with a presentation of what had been done to improve or to at least tell you what the situation was regarding the DBE success or DBE percentage of CH2MHill. And they have provided that. They’ve provided it to Ms. Gentry and I don’t know if you’d want her to address that or not but that would be all right. I think they’ve sent information to each of the Commissioners and in so far as this and I was wrong in Engineering Services Committee um, I was looking at the November of ’06 report when I said 35%. Actually the invoice to date is on the December ’06 current month and at this present time they’ve got 28.9% not the 35%. But on the um, the $1.3 million that will be 23% minority, you know that up front cause they’re using they’re using a local minority office Khafra Engineering is going to be a partner with him on that or be in with him on that and that’s 23% minority right up front. Mr. Mayor: Okay, and we’re trying to keep everybody to the same minutes, Max, so --- Mr. Hicks: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Is there any further discussion? We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank God. I wasn’t able to count the two times I recognized Commissioner Williams, but I believe that’s four unanimous in a row for those out there who are counting. Mr. Hicks: I appreciate that very much. I don’t wanna break your streak. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. 54 Mr. Williams: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) The Clerk: FINANCE 53. Presentation by Mr. Joe Jones of Jay’s Car Wash & Supply regarding compensation for his loss of business resulting from roadway improvements on Barton Chapel Road. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with Mr. Jones. We could not reach an agreement, we made a counter offer and if you would like to hear from him on his presentation he is here now. He would like to present. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Brigham: I make a motion we refer it back to committee. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion to refer it back to committee. Is there a second? Mr. Cheek: Second. Mr. Mayor: Motion and a second. Any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Ms. Beard abstains. Motion carries 9-1. The Clerk: FINANCE 57. Approve CPB #322-04-203822642. Change Number Three in the amount of $49,000.00 to be funded from the project contingency to be allocated for project construction. Also, approve award of construction contract to Blair Construction, Inc. in the amount of $641,111.12 for the Pinnacle Place Subdivision Erosion & Drainage Improvements Project, subject to receipt of signed contracts and proper bonds. Bid Item #06-190. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to hear from Ms. Gentry on the Disadvantage Business participation with this firm. Mr. Mayor: Ms. Gentry. Ms. Gentry: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. I have spoken at great length with the department director along with Blair Construction Company and I would like to read 55 you just a little insert of what they provided in their bid document to me. The company has been in existence since 1973. They performed grading paving, underground utility construction for most, all the municipalities within a 50 – 40, uh excuse me, 50 radius of Augusta. The majority of the work is either for the City of Augusta or Columbia County. Their company employs approximately 53 persons and has an average income of over $8 million dollars. After speaking with them extensively they’re holding to as an established company. They will be performing 100% of this project themselves and not subcontracting any of the opportunity as I indicated on our DBE form, mock memo. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek: Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, this project initially started under my tenure when that neighborhood was in my district. This is a situation of where during construction the back yards are re-contoured in a way that caused erosion to occur between house to house along the easement line. I have literally seen entire back yards move from one house to the next house with enough room under a privacy fence for an elephant to walk in one rainfall event. This is at least five years behind. This neighborhood needs some relief. They’ve needed relief for years. Only God knows why it took so long to get it to the floor. I know that there may be some issues here. I don’t know, the bid process went out apparently this was a qualified bidder, it came forward. The people in Pinnacle Place need some relief. They’ve needed it for years and while I understand the concerns the issues that have been raised and fully support those concerns and issues we need to move forward with giving the people of Pinnacle Place some relief on this. Mr. Mayor: Does that come with a motion to approve? Mr. Cheek: Yes, sir. Mr. Grantham: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioner Harper. Mr. Harper: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You had that project what uh, my colleague spoke about is uh, is needed very badly. That’s also part of my district and I’m very familiar with that area and the problems they’re facing in that area. Um and, and I’m not against this project I’m 100% behind it. My only concern is that uh, we need to watch the change orders on this project. You know, I know the work has to be done, I want the work to be done and, but we just need to watch the change orders on this since, you know, we don’t have no DBE participation in it. That’s what we have to be mindful of. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner Harper. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’m agreeing with both my colleagues about the seriousness of it and what it needs but that’s not the issue here. That wasn’t the only bidder. And this bidder, this contractor has said to us before they wasn’t gonna do any, any disadvantaged business. Now I don’t want to falsely accuse, I wanna say something that’s hadn’t been said so 56 if I got the wrong vendor that you need to let me know. But uh, this vendor I think has said they wasn’t gonna do any, and is that the same one? Ms. Gentry: No, sir --- Mr. Williams: Okay. Ms. Gentry: --- Commissioner Williams. This is not. Blair has had a number of opportunities. Normally they do come to the table with DBE participation. Mr. Williams: Okay. Ms. Gentry: I have been able to strong-arm them in some cases and this particular case they have been adamant. They were truly adamant. Mr. Williams: Don’t strong-arm them. Ms. Gentry: Well, they have been truly adamant in the fact that they employ enough staff in order to accomplish the tasks that we have laid out in terms of the specifications of this particular contract. Mr. Williams: That’s why, and I’m just committed to try to make this, spread the economic dollars through this, throughout this community, especially with local people that’s here in this community and they need to understand that. They wasn’t on when the bid it. I think we need to be mindful of how folks come to the table and want all of the pie. They’ve been in business since 1973 and since 1973 I can bet my last two dollars that they’ve doing business with the City of Augusta. Since 1973 they’ve made a lot of money. So we need to understand that and we need to let that go out, Mr. Mayor, to let them know that we’re in support but we got to work together. You preach that every time you get up here and not only this Commission but every facet in this government needs to understand you gonna do business you’re gonna work with everybody or you won’t do no work. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second on the floor to approve. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Williams votes No. Motion carries 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Next agenda item, Madame Clerk. The Clerk: APPOINTMENT(S) 66. Appoint and/or reappoint members of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Merit Board. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. 57 Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, in review of this we have asked that this list come back to our Commission based on the recommendation and it’s my understanding too that the delegation and legislators are looking into their appointment as well. And based on information received from the Sheriff’s Department and others the names of Steven Kendrick, Daniel Cross and Russell Malone I’d like to recommend that we appoint those three to our portion of that appointment. Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Holland. Mr. Holland: And I believe Mr. Tappan and Mr. Hawes should be added to that list also. That was mentioned the last time that we had the meeting because they’ve already said that they wanted to continue to serve. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Mr. Grantham. Your motion, did it receive a second? Mr. Grantham: No, well, we can submit five names but we need to elect three is what we need to do. Is that correct, Madame Clerk? The Clerk: We can only appoint three. We only have three appointments. Mr. Grantham: That’s right. The Clerk: So we need to appoint three people to the Board. Now the issue of Mr. Kendrick, the fact that he served on the DDA Board um, that issue has not been addressed. Mr. Grantham: Is he still on that board? The Clerk: Yes, sir, he still is and I spoke with him and he wanted to continue to serve on the board –-- Mr. Grantham: Oh he did? Then we need to take his name off. I’m in support of that, that ordinance I guess that--- Mr. Shepard: Policy. Mr. Grantham: --- policy that we use those. We’ll leave it at that. Mr. Williams: I’d like to put Mr. Stanley Hawes in the place of Mr. Kendrick then --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Well hang on. Let me recognize you first. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: I’d like to put Mr. Stanley Hawes in place of Mr. Kendrick. 58 Mr. Holland: Mr. Tappan and Mr. Hawes, those two names were recommended --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Holland. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Let me ask Commissioner Grantham. Are you, would you like to amend your original motion to add Mr. Hawes in place of Mr. Kendrick? Mr. Grantham: Yes. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Holland. Mr. Holland: Mr. Tappan. Those are the two names that were already, that I’d already spoken with. They said they wanted to remain on the --- Mr. Mayor: Okay, but we can only appoint three, correct? The Clerk: So you want Mr. Tappan, Mr. Hawes and --- Mr. Mayor: We have, we have a motion. I don’t believe anybody’s, an amended motion by Mr. Grantham that has not yet been seconded. Is there a second? There’s a second to Mr. Grantham’s motion. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Hang on. Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Isn’t this an election? These are all nominations? Mr. Mayor: Okay and so --- Mr. Brigham: Since everybody’s been nominated, why don’t we just vote --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. There’s a motion on the floor for the first slate, which would be by Mr. Grantham with his amended motion. Mr. Grantham, would you list the names again? Mr. Grantham: That would be Mr. Stanley Hawes, Daniel Cross and Russell Malone. Mr. Mayor: Okay. As it is an election this is correct, Madame Clerk? We will vote on the first slate first and then we will open the floor to further nominations if the first slate does not pass. Okay? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign on that slate of candidates. Mr. Harper and Mr. Holland vote No. Mr. Williams abstains. Vote carries 7-2-1. Mr. Mayor: Allrighty, Madame Clerk. Next agenda item. 59 The Clerk: APPOINTMENTS 67. Motion to approve the reappointment of Brad Owens to the Downtown Development Authority. (Requested by Commissioner Andy Cheek) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Uh, Mr. Mayor, I’ve enjoyed watching Brad work in this seat. He is responsible for working with us to bring down to the table um, Citizens Advisory Board and in his capacity on the board the aggressive panhandling ordinance, the mothball ordinance. He was one of the folks that brought to the attention of DDA that the clock downtown had no two faces reading the same time for a number of months. He’s been a faithful watchdog and faithfully He’s served a one-year replacement term and is anxious to go back reported to this body. and serve a full term and make some good things happen downtown so I ask the board to consider Brad for appointment to the DDA. Mr. Mayor: Is that in the form of a motion? Mr. Cheek: Yes, it is. Mr. Williams: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Commissioner Hatney, did you? Mr. Hatney: Yes. Mr. Mayor, in view of the fact I’m the Commissioner who sits on the DDA Board and they have not yet had an opportunity to recommend or to suggest any names or anybody when we meet Thursday morning and I would move that we delay this until the Commission meeting so that can be accomplished. Mr. Mayor: Is that a substitute motion? Mr. Hatney: Substitute, yes. Mr. Holland: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a substitute and a second. Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, this body has been treated to two separate occasions where a think we were all treated to a reality for a need to have independent voices on this board. I strongly urge this Commission to do what it has said it would on a number of occasions and keep people on these boards or change people on these boards who are not responsive to the Commission. Um, we were told at the Government House that they had, we had no authority over the actions that gave us the $50,000 sidewalk, we have had lies told to us on this Commission floor by the director, not the director but the chairman of DDA about the closure of 60 First Friday and the efforts to do that and there are tapes and public records to substantiate those claims. So I have my reservations about having that body come back to us for the recommendation knowing the types of maneuvers that have been taking place to one, denying Mr. Owens access to public records in the DDA office but to find ways to uh, to keep him from reporting to us and the public the things that are going on like the termination of First Friday. So while I don’t disagree with that’s probably perhaps it should work for most boards, this is the one that is most need of repair. It is perhaps our least most functional group and produced the least results. And if you look at the pamphlets handed out those things came from the, or initiated mostly the take credit for from the Citizens Advisory Board or Main Street which you’ll have an example of Main Street’s products in just a few minutes. But I just encourage us to keep somebody down there that has been a part of progress and success not a part of the stagnation that has occurred for a number of years. Mr. Mayor: You got that one done in one minute and 57 seconds! Mr. Cheek: I’m working on it, Mr. Mayor! Mr. Mayor: We have a substitute motion on the floor to refer this to the next Commission meeting. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the substitute sign. Mr. Williams, Mr. Harper and Mr. Cheek vote No. Ms. Beard abstains. Motion carries 6-3-1. The Clerk: APPOINTMENTS 68. Consider the recommendations of the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc. to reappoint the following for a four-year term on the Authority: Marion Barnes, Chairperson, Imogene Ford, V-Chair, Sara Leiden and Archie Shepherd. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Cheek. Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I’m gonna make a motion in light of the mood of the body earlier on the Ombudsman’s office and some of the other things that have occurred. That before we make further appointments especially to Economic Development Authorities that we get a track record of what they’ve done before we make reappointments. If they have not performed So I make a motion than we look for people who haven’t been on those boards to replace them. that we ask the Economic Opportunity Authority to come before us with a list of their accomplishments in the past year and a list of their planned achievements for this coming year before we make these appointments. Mr. Williams: Second. 61 Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion carries 10-0. The Clerk: OTHER BUSINESS 69. Discussion of banners for the City Marina. (Requested by Commissioner Andy cheek) Mr. Cheek: Members of the Commission, Mr. Mayor. These are banners when Main Street was working to do the branding downtown. There are 30 of these. There are roughly 30 light poles down at the Marina. I would ask the subcommittee to approve to adjust this historic river history. It’s in full swing. I think we all voted for this. What I brought for the Commission today is we can hang these down there for about $2,000.00. (unintelligible) on the poles, the wind. What I’m asking you to do, these were developed by a local artist in conjunction with the Arts Council and some other folks (unintelligible) hand them somewhere (unintelligible). I would ask the Commission to authorize the Administrator to take up to an amount not to exceed $2,500.00 and buy the plants to hang them on the poles. If we can’t find staff to do it there are volunteers that will go down there with ladders and do it. Mr. Hatney: So moved. Mr. Grantham: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a point of clarification from Commissioner Cheek. Did Main Street also authorize the uh, $50,000.00 “In Full Swing study”? Mr. Cheek: I think this is part of the process that was kinda submerged after that was done away with. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion. Mr. Cheek: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). 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 votes No. Motion carries 9-1. Mr. Mayor: Okay. And the final --- Mr. Grantham: Take that out of the Commission’s budget. 62 Mr. Mayor: The final agenda item of the day, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to number 72. Mr. Cheek: I don’t have a cell phone thank you very much. I’ll take my portion of the travel budget, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: I hope that the people out there watching this on TV stuck around to this point! Ladies and gentlemen, number 72. The Clerk: OTHER BUSINESS 72. Discuss revising the vehicle replacement policy. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. We talked about this earlier and I think that uh, uh we need to go back and take a look at what Ms. Beard mentioned earlier, she thought that we had done that. I think we need to look at uh, uh policy as far as revisions making that. And I’m gonna ask the question, which committee, would it be Administrative Services or Public Services. We need to review this under Public Services? The Clerk: You could do it under --- Finance Committee. I guess you have the prerogative. Mr. Williams: Well if the policy issued it should go through Administrative Services. The Clerk: It’s a policy. Yes. Mr. Williams: Okay, so Administrative Services ought to be there. Well, I’d like to have us to take a look at it and start to talk about it and maybe revise that policy and to get it back into play where we can, it would be beneficial to us versus what we talked about earlier and spending . We need to look at either revising that or our fleet service. One of the two a lot of money ought to able to save us some money. So I think we need to look at it. That’s in the form of a motion. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion. Is there a second on that? 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. The Clerk: To refer back to Administrative Services. 63 Mr. Brigham and Mr. Grantham vote No. Motion carries 8-2. LEGAL MEETING A.Pending and Potential Litigation B.Real Estate. C.Personnel. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Shepard, I believe we’re scheduling a legal meeting? Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor, thank you. Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, I understand that one of your recommendations coming out of the retreat is to have Legal at a stand alone time. Therefore, I’m asking that there be a recap of this meeting until noon Friday to accomplish legal only business which includes Pending and Potential Litigation, Real Estate and Personnel matters. Mr. Mayor: Do we need to recess this or can we call a separate Legal meeting? The Clerk: You can do it either way. Mr. Shepard: Is that date and time convenient, as I can’t --- Mr. Mayor: Is that date and time? Okay. Madame Clerk, I would request that you schedule a Legal meeting for Friday at Noon, as it is the will of the body. And we can go ahead and he can call the Legal meeting and I’ll adjourn this meeting. With no further business to come before the body we stand adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED) Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on February 6, 2007. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 64 65