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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission Meeting May 6, 2008 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER MAY 6, 2008 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., May 6, 2008, the Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Holland, Smith, Mason, Grantham, Hatney, Beard, Johnson, Jackson, Bowles and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. The invocation was given by Rabbi Robert Klensin, Congregation Children of Israel. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. DELEGATIONS A. Pastor Paul Knox, Order of the Cross MM. RE: Update of the Vietnam Wall coming to Augusta in June. Pastor Knox: Gentlemen and Honorable Council Members --- Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes, please, sir. Pastor Knox: I will sure try. For those that haven’t heard it already we’re bringing a ththth replica of the Vietnam Wall to Augusta June 27, 28 and 29. This wall will be erected and be th set up for public viewing for a full 72-hours starting at 08:30 on June 27 and finishing up at th 08:30 on June 30. Our opening ceremonies are scheduled for 09:30. We would like to see everybody sitting in this council room to be part of that opening ceremony. Our closing thth ceremonies will be at 18:30 on the 29 of June. The 28 of June we will have a 9:30 p.m. candle light memorial service to honor the vets. We’re bringing this wall to Augusta to provide healing for approximately 63,000 Vietnam era veterans within a 150-mile radius of Augusta. We have chosen to place the wall at Elliot Sons, not Elliot Sons, Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery back in the veterans area and the reason we chose to put it back there is not only is it to honor the veterans already there it’s to honor the 58,000 veterans on that wall. And by doing so we are not allowing any solicitation of any sort at that wall because that’s not why we’re bringing it to Augusta for, we’re bringing it to heal the veterans. Parking has been graciously donated by the Old Augusta Mall, so we can park the people there so the people aren’t walking on the graves. Fort Gordon has stepped up to the plate. They’re helping us out a lot. Most of the things on the donation wish list Fort Gordon or other people in town here have already stepped up to the plate. The three things that we are still hurting for are lumber, mulch, shrubs and plants. Um, we’re still short about $35,000.00 out of the $56,000.00 that was budgeted that we needed to bring this wall here. Again I just wanted to give you an update on this and let everybody know where we stand and how it’s coming. Really it’s coming very well. Our opening ceremony we still haven’t nailed down everybody for that. Our closing ceremony Congressman Broun, Congressman Barrow will be part of the closing ceremony. We have a four-fighter fly over as part of the closing ceremony with the missing man formation just prior to taps and we’re working hard on it. The Army Band’s going to provide music for both opening and closing ceremonies. We’re in the process of involving the Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts other entities within the Augusta are to 1 include the Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Gordon. So um, I just wanted to give you and update. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you so much and thank you for your hard work on this, Pastor. I know it’s a lot of work. Madam Clerk, I believe we have some additions to the agenda. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, if you don’t mind I’d like about two minutes of point of privilege if you would, please, during this time. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Grantham: Thank you. Mr. Mayor, it’s my privilege to present on behalf of my son, Don Grantham, Jr., who has just returned from Iraq. He’s an F-16 pilot in the Air Force Reserves and he’s been over there about 70 days. But he had asked me to send this Augusta Flag to him and he wanted to fly it on one of his missions. And so that’s what this is. This certificate says this is to certify that this City of Augusta Flag has been flown over Iraq in an F-16, A6- th 86294, call sign 26 on combat mission on the 8 Day of March 2008 in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is to the Mayor and Commissioners. It is signed by Don Grantham, Jr. and his call sign “Dagger”. So, Mr. Mayor, this is from him. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: A very special thanks for that. That is something. Thank you. Okay, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Our addendum agenda consists of three items. Item 1, to approve the appointment of Mr. Willie Jones to the General Aviation Commission representing District 5. Item 2 to appoint Mr. Clyde Lester to the Tree Commission representing District 6 and to approve a $2,000 donation to assist with the purchase of rings and jackets for the Academy of Richmond County Golf Team who won the Georgia AAAA Championship. Mr. Mayor: Do we have unanimous consent on these items? Mr. Hatney: On the consent agenda? Mr. Mayor: Well, no, just to add them on to the agenda. Mr. Hatney: I’m going to make a motion we add them to the consent agenda. Ms. Beard: I’ll second it. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Brigham: You don’t have unanimous consent on item 3 to the consent agenda but --- 2 Mr. Hatney: (unintelligible) Mr. Brigham: --- to put it on the agenda you do. Mr. Mayor: What’s that? Mr. Brigham: You don’t have unanimous consent to put item 3 --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Brigham: --- on the consent but you do to add it to the agenda. Mr. Mayor: You made a motion to add items one and two to the consent agenda? Mr. Hatney: I wanted three but he don’t want three on the consent --- Mr. Mayor: Okay and we --- Mr. Hatney: --- to consent and three to the regular. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Is there a second? Mr. Holland: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Fred, I see you I was just waiting for --- Motion carries 10-0. ADDENDUM 18. Motion to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Augusta Richmond County and Clean Augusta Initiative, Inc. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. If it pleases the group several weeks ago we talked about the DDA and the caddie program downtown. Because of the financing of that particular aspect you authorized me to develop a Memorandum of Understand which would allow them to, actually allow us to front the money to pay that contractor and take that back out of the monies that would be generated through the increased taxes that they’ve agreed to pay that. We’ve developed that Memorandum of Understanding. I found out late last week that they have not been paid and would like to go ahead and move forward with that if at all possible. Under the Memorandum of Understanding has been developed by our Law Department, approved by their Law Department for a total of $351,600.00 per your directions previously. If it’s possible I’d like to add that to the agenda today so we can go ahead and move forward with that. 3 Mr. Mayor: Do we have unanimous consent to add that? Okay. All righty, Madam Clerk, on to the consent agenda. Motion to approve. Mr. Grantham: Mr. Hatney: Second. Motion carries 10-0. The Clerk: Our consent agenda consists of items 1-4, on our regular agenda with the additions of items one and two from our addendum agenda. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any additions to the consent agenda? Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: If it meets the agreement with the rest of the constituents on our panel here I would recommend number nine also to the consent agenda. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith. Mr. Smith: I’d like to add number eight, number twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor I’d like to add item #7. I’d like to send item #16 to Public Services Committee and I’ve had a request from the parties from item #5 to add that to the consent agenda. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Beard. Ms. Beard: I’d like to add number ten to the consent agenda. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, you have another nomination for item #10. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: On agenda item #9 could I get some explanation from our Administrator? It wouldn’t take him but a second right now and then if that be the case then we can go ahead and keep that in consent without having to pull it off for any detailed information. If you would I’d like to ask him a question. 4 Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. Mr. Grantham: Mr. Russell, the question is based on the two-year extension of this contract that we have it’ll carry us through 2010 with an option to 2011 is that the extension that we’re granting for the SPLOSY V projects? And if so I would like to have a list of those projects and what condition they’re in now as well as what future projects are going to be under this guidance of Heery to be completed through the SPLOST V program. Mr. Russell: Yes, sir. What the plan would be at this particular point in time is to continue this contract through those years to work on SPLOST V projects. That includes the jail, the continued renovation of this building, the Judicial Center, the Library and the Tee Center. It would be my thoughts at that particular point in time that we go into SPLOST VI that we would readvertise that contract and determine whether or not and give the fair market opportunity to bring somebody else aboard if appropriate that would be able to deal with the new projects. So it would be my goal to finish up those ongoing projects with the Heery firm who’s been working diligently on those for the last several years. And it’s bringing us to the point where we’re ready to break ground on most of them at this particular point in time. We’re getting real close. SPLOST VI in my mind would be a separate issue and we would re-advertise and begin that process. I’m very comfortable with the project manager program that we’ve got but would think that it would be an opportunity at that time to make sure that we let the fair market determine who we’re dealing with. Mr. Grantham: In a follow up if it could be provided let us know what draw down has been made against the present contract based on the projects that has been worked on and what you anticipate that to be at the completion of 2011. Mr. Russell: It is up to and not to exceed the numbers so we have control over those particular dollars that are going out. The total contract I believe was up to $7 million dollars and I think we’re way below that at this particular point in time. As you know we’ve been very conservative in our use of those particular dollars and continue to do so. I’d be more than happy to provide you with an update with the process of the buildings and the projects that are ongoing in a written format if you’d like that. Mr. Grantham: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Do we have any further additions to the consent agenda? Mr. Russell: Would it be --- Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: --- possible to add the item on the DDA to the consent agenda? Mr. Mayor: Is everybody, okay, yes. Are there any items to be pulled for discussion? 5 Mr. Grantham: Motion to approve consent agenda. Mr. Hatney: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. SPA-05 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission to approve an amendment to the Ordinance regulating Site Plans in Augusta, Georgia, is amended by adding the following at Article III, Section 302, at Subsection F- Sidewalks. (Approved by the Commission April 15, 2008 – second reading) PUBLIC SERVICES 2. An Ordinance to amend the Augusta-Richmond County Code Title Six, Section 6-2-76 relating to License and Business Regulations; To establish provisions for a Hardship Application for an Alcoholic Beverage License; To repeal all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (Approved by the Commission April 15, 2008 – second reading) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 3. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held on April 15, 2008. APPOINTMENTS 4. Motion to approve the appointments/reappointments of Donald Thompson, Coliseum Authority, Wilfred Hunt, ARC Library Board of Trustees, William Welsh, General Aviation Commission; Bob Finnegan, Human Relations Commission; Linda Finnegan, Animal Control Board representing District 6. PLANNING 5. Z-08-27 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Jack N. Coley, on behalf of Curtis Baptist Foundation, requesting a modification of conditions resulting from change of zoning in 2006 (Z-06-30) to Zone B-2 (General Business) with conditions affecting property containing approximately 11.4 acres and known under the present numbering system as 1128 Marks Church Road (Tax Map 031 Parcel 004-01) DISTRICT 3. Use of property shall be limited to uses permitted under the present zoning (B-1; with ? conditions) or the following uses permitted in the B-2 (General Business) zone: Hotel Golf driving range Boat dealership Funeral home New car dealership with incidental functions; parts sales, service, repair and used care sales Mini-warehouses A foot undisturbed natural buffer adjoining Kingston Subdivision with an 8-foot fence or wall constructed of masonry, solid board or chain link (with slats) on the inner side of the buffer; No access to Dominica Drive; The maximum height of any sign on the property shall be 50 feet; Developer to pay for any improvements within the right of way deemed necessary to accommodate 6 ? development that are not part of the GADOT project; and Illumination: All building wall lighting on walls facing Kingston Subdivision shall be directed down the building, not ? outward; All freestanding lighting located within 100 feet of Kingston Subdivision shall be full cutoff lighting that does not shine onto Kingston properties. There shall be no more ? than 5 freestanding lights within 100 feet of Kingston Subdivision; All other lighting shall be directed away from the area within 100 feet from Kingston Subdivision. 7. The maximum height of any structure shall be 55 feet. (Deferred from the Commission’s April th 15 meeting) PUBLIC SERVICES 7. Motion to approve Bid Item #08-101, Wood Park (Highland Ave) Improvements to Greene Properties in the amount of $217,483. FINANCE st 8. Motion to approve the purchase of tickets for the 21 Annual Boys and Girls Clubs Steak & Burger Dinner. (Requested by Commissioner Jimmy Smith) ENGINEERING SERVICES 9. Amend Contract with Heery International for Program Management Services to approve a 2-year extension, with optional third year, approve the billing rates for each year fro the extension, and revise the fee distribution to align with the revised project list. This will extend the Contract to May 2010, with an Option to May 2011, and maintain managerial continuity through completion of the projects. (Requested by the Administrator) ATTORNEY 12. Motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the settlement of all claims in a personal injury claim for Jennifer and Brian Wolf in the aggregate amount of $34,473.62; authorizing the County Administrator to disburse the amount of $34,473.62; waiving Augusta-Richmond County Code of Ordinances sections in conflict for this instance only; and for other purposes. 13. Motion to authorize condemnation of a portion of a property owned by Leo and Regina Trimble, 2372 square feet of permanent easement and 992 square feet of temporary construction easement, PIN 128-0-059-00-0, property address: 2704 Corkwood Court. 14. Motion to approve relocation-moving expenses of business of Silver Sheet Metal, Inc. located at 1553 Broad Street in the amount of $158,099.00 due to Right-of-Way Purchase th from the Dozier Family Limited Partnership; St. Sebastian Way/Greene St./15 Street Project. The Georgia Department of Transportation has agreed to reimburse the City for this expense after acquisition of property for the right-of-way. 15. Motion to sell the .28-acre tract of land located at John C. Calhoun Expressway and Sutherland Mill to the adjoining property owner, as shown on the attached plat identified as Exhibit A. OTHER BUSINESS 16. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend the Augusta-Richmond County Code Article One Section 1-4-1 relating to Board and Authorities so as to establish term 7 limitations of appointees; to provide authorization for removal of appointees; to repeal all Ordinances and parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (Requested by Commissioner Jerry Brigham) (Referred to Public Services Committee) ADDENDUM Addendum Item 1. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Willie Boykin Jones to the General Aviation Commission representing District 5. (Requested by Commissioner Holland) Addendum Item 2. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Clyde Lester to the Tree Commission representing District 6. (Requested by Commissioner Jackson) Addendum Item 3. Motion to approve a $2,000 donation to assist with the purchase of rings and jackets for the Academy of Richmond County’s golf team, which won the Georgia State Golf AAAA Championship. Motion carries 10-0. [Items 1-5, 7-9, 12-15, 16 (referred back to Public Services Committee) Addendum Items 1-2] Mr. Mayor: Magnanimous? The Clerk: Magnanimous. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the regular agenda. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 6. Reconsideration of the 90-day probation for Club Platinum, 1505 North Leg Road. (Requested by Commissioner Corey Johnson) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson, I will call on you for this one. Mr. Johnson: Thank you Mr. Mayor. This is just a reconsideration. I talked to the owner of the club Mr. Warren Johnson a couple days ago. They’re actually ending their 90-day probation about two and a half weeks. I know they have actually missed some very important events that have not allowed them to open and cater to these events. Now they came before us about two months ago. They talked to us briefly about trying to cater to a college crowd, 18 and older a group of students at some of the local colleges here. And I think we definitely need to take that into consideration. That’s why I’m asking for reconsideration for them to allow them to under the ordinance allow them to open up, cater just to those 18 and older. To grant them the recondition of going ahead and going forward with the reopening of the club as you know, basically as soon as possible. I would like, if it’s okay with you Mr. Mayor to get Mr. Warren Johnson just to come up and just kind of give everybody a brief you know what it is they’re going to be doing and just kind of enlighten people, the body on what it is they’re trying to do there. 8 Mr. Mayor: Okay and if you could state your name and address for the record please. Mr. McMorris: Okay. Jauquim McMorris, 1505 North Leg Road and we’ve made a couple of changes. We’re going to actually change the name. We’re going to be going 18 and up. We’re going to change the name to kind of bring a new positive light to the club instead of the same old name, old stigma. So we’re going to change the name, we’re going 18 and up. We have additional security. We’re going to add a dress code. We’ve actually spoken to SGT Elam about actually cutting off entrances to the parking lot. So we’ll have deputies at the entrances to the parking lot so that’s really only one-way in and one-way out. That would just help them to be able to regulate the parking lot a little bit better. And pretty much just more security inside. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioners, any? Mr. Hatney: I have a question. Mr. Mayor: Reverend Hatney. Mr. Hatney: When you said one way in one-way out. It’s only it’s the same entrance or is it entrance and exit? Mr. McMorris: Well, it’s going to be like, when you come into the plaza there’s like several entrances. Mr. Hatney: Okay. Mr. McMorris: What we want to do is block off the entrances on North Leg Road leaving only one entrance on North Leg and one from Wrightsboro Road, well two from Wrightsboro Road. You can go in and out from Wrightsboro Road and out in from North Leg Road. But the other three entrances will be closed. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith. Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Is somebody here from the Sheriff’s Department that might comment on that or either from License and Inspection? Mr. Speaker: We haven’t spoke with anyone about the plan. We saw it on the agenda and we are here today. But we didn’t know anything about it. As far as the Sheriff’s Department I don’t know what their take on this is. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson, we’ve not had committees for the past couple weeks. Would it be, would you mind running this back through committee so that we can get the input of all these individuals? Mr. Johnson: Well, it wouldn’t be an issue but there’s a couple of events that’s coming up and do y’all have the date of that next event? 9 th Mr. McMorris: Yes, the event is on the 24 of May. Mr. Johnson: And we don’t have our next meeting until --- th Mr. Mayor: Two weeks from today, which is the 20. Mr. Johnson: If we can have adequate time to have you know for them to be open and again I think the biggest issue is now they don’t have enough time to get out the advertising if they’re going to do that. And if we bring it back before the body on the next commission day then it’s going to give them very short amount of time to kind of get the word out there to do any radio advertisement because they’ve been down over two months. So you know people have kind of got used to them not being there but they really want to partake in the next event that’s coming up because they missed the last event. And I felt being we being that we didn’t look at the due diligence of what they had done at that time we should reconsider it at this particular meeting. I mean several things that we had went through committee or so I don’t think it’s that significant. There’s no alcohol involved so it should not be anything that would hamper them at this point for moving forward. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: How much time is left on the probation? When is this probation up? Mr. McMorris: Uh, my probation is actually up. th Mr. Speaker: They were on probation March 18 so they’ve done approximately 50- th days. June 15 will be the last day. th Mr. Brigham: June 15? And basically what you’re saying is that you’re wanting to change the age limit at the club. That you wouldn’t cater to anybody under 18 years of age. Mr. McMorris: Yes, sir. Mr. Brigham: And you’re wanting us to reduce the amount of probation because you’re changing the age limit. Is that what you’re asking us to do? Mr. McMorris: Well, in addition to changing the age limit we actually prior to our probation we booked an artist for the May Fest and that’s pretty much our biggest day of the year. And we’ve actually already sent the artist $2,500.00 which is non refundable and we have th to pay the balance which is $2,500.00 on the 24 you know when they show up. And that’s the reason that we’d like --- th Mr. Brigham: Okay, so this event is with May Fest and the 24 of May and you’ve got a commitment for an entertainer. Mr. McMorris: Yes, sir. 10 Mr. Brigham: Okay, I was trying to make sure I understood the facts. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Couple of questions. One is with License and Inspection. Would changing their status of the club is a new license required to go 18 and under I mean older or is you know do we just grant that and it’s arbitrarily given under the present license. And then my next question is under probationary period is the place closed down under probation? Mr. Harris: It’s not closed down under probation. They have to adhere to whatever stipulations placed on them. I think it was the closing time from I think from 10:30 to eleven. They had to have the parking lot cleared. Basically, arbitrarily with the license if you granted them the reconsideration today we would just upgrade them to 18 and older and they could not have anyone in the club under 17 years of age. Mr. Grantham: Any under eighteen. Mr. Harris: Right. Mr. Grantham: Well, you know my only point and I guess I think what I heard earlier was that they were closed down. And if I mean now basically they’re not closed down. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Basically they have been closed down because under the stipulations that they have they can’t really operate. They open at 10 they have to be closed at 11:30 and cleared. So I mean it’s only giving them an hour, hour and a half which is not even worth them coming in and opening up. And they have lost over $5,000.00 in just you know rent, well lease and you know bills or what have you. So they’ve been losing money you know for the last couple of months and what they’re trying to do I think is a positive note, revamping and putting a new spin on it and if we could reconsider them this then this would give them the opportunity to go ahead on and work on the next event that they already have booked for the year. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Grantham: We have a committee meeting Monday I believe it is and they could come before committee at that time. Based on committee findings it will be pretty well safe in what direction it’s going to go in wouldn’t you think? Mr. Mayor: Well, I’m going to go Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Mason and Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to ask Larry, is this something that we’ve done before. Is this setting a precedent changing the probation that we have set and it’s what was it 90 days to start with? 11 Mr. Harris: I recall in the past never having a probation reconsidered as being changed. If we did do that today, there would be a precedent set. Mr. Smith: That’s what I thought. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Yes, sir, thank you, Mr. Mayor. A lot of times when we use this work precedent we make it seem like it’s a bad thing. A precedent is not always a bad thing. A precedent can be a good thing when we realize that perhaps we made a mistake. What we said at that time and I made it very clear where I felt is that we where handcuffing this club and putting them out of business literally even though we had a time frame for them. I think what you’re seeing is that they’ve been very, very proactive in terms of understanding their situation. The big deal that came about at that time was the Sheriff’s Department came in and said the 16 year olds were a problem. He’s rectified that situation. He’s brought you a solution and that’s what we’re really looking for, solutions so that we can move on and people can be productive parts of I’m going to make a motion we go ahead and approve this reconsideration as is. society. Mr. Johnson: I’ll second it. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and second. Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor, I was just hoping that we can make that motion to keep them on probation during the rest of the term even though we’re revoking the hour limitations we’ve placed on them. Basically, Mr. Mason’s motion but keeping them on probation during that time without revoking the probation. Mr. Mayor: Okay, allowing --- Mr. Grantham: That’s a substitute motion. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Bowles: I was hoping he would amend his motion. Mr. Mayor: Would you like to amend your motion? Mr. Mason: I’m not sure that I’m clear with what Mr. Bowles is asking for. I’m just a little unclear. Mr. Bowles: Yes, sir, just to keep them, the hours to revert back to what they were before. Mr. Mason: As far as two o’clock? 12 Mr. Bowles: As far as two o’clock but to keep them on probation during that time. Mr. Mason: Yes, I would. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Johnson: That’s the substitute motion. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Mr. Mason has amended his motion. Mr. Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Let me understand one thing. He is also in that motion it’s saying he will not serve to 18 and under crowd. Seventeen and under. Mr. Mayor: Yes. Mr. McMorris: Absolutely. Mr. Brigham: Okay I just want to make sure that’s all included. Because when we start making motions and after everything’s been talked about up here sometimes things are or are not included. Mr. Mayor: You see this is a beautiful thing to see this body communicating like this. Okay, we have a motion and a second. If there’s, what’s that? Mr. Mason: Can we hear the entire motion so everybody’s clear? Mr. Mayor: Yeah, Madam Clerk. Let’s just make sure we’re all on the same page here today. The Clerk: Okay the consideration of the 90-day probation is to continue the probation without the time limit and that the club would only serve patrons 18 and older and that will th extend through June 15 I believe it is. Mr. Mayor: Okay, if there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Brigham and Mr. Smith vote No. Motion carries 8-2. Mr. Mayor: Let it be noted that IT has its system down so good now it can read your mind. All righty, thank you, sir. And I do, Madam Clerk, before we move to the next on the regular agenda I think we had an addition to the agenda too, number three that was not added to the consent. The Clerk: 13 ADDENDUM Addendum Item 3. Motion to approve a $2,000 donation to assist with the purchase of rings and jackets for the Academy of Richmond County’s golf team, which won the Georgia State Golf AAAA Championship. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Item 3 is to approve a $2,000 donation to assist the Academy of Richmond County Golf Team. Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, I had --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: --- requested this today because here in the news last night that this team had accomplished this AAAA Championship out at Bartram Trail and that they had won by a mere one stroke and it was certainly something that is very difficult to do as far as high school competition goes. This championship shows that the Academy of Richmond County has won over it’s period of time as I can remember thirteen state championships in the golf and I feel like that from what we have shown in support of other students throughout our school system that we grant the same feeling toward the Academy of Richmond County. this was in order and I’ll put that in the form of a motion. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor, while I think this is an accomplishment in of itself we still have several teams that are doing extremely well in baseball. Are we going to do this every time somebody does what they’re intended to do and that’s win. I think this is becoming a little bit, a misappropriation of taxpayer’s money in my opinion and I sure hope we can after this year come together and put down some hard and fast rules and stop supporting these non-profits which aren’t even paying property taxes to begin with so that’s about all I have to say on the subject. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I kind of agree with what my colleague Commissioner Bowles is saying. I think that all those outstanding accomplishments for them it was a very unique situation with the Glenn Hills High School and also with the Augusta State University Basketball Team. And I don’t think we need to get caught up in every time you know a team wins something that you know we’re given out funds especially when we cannot identify the funds. Now I’d like to find out from Mr. Russell if we actually have the funds first and foremost. And if we don’t have them then you know maybe some other options to assist you know with helping them out. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. 14 Mr. Russell: This $2,000.00 should be available in commission other account and if not it should be available in the Contingency Fund but it is in the Commission Promotion account. Mr. Johnson: Okay, thank you. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: My concern is that if we’re going to consider not doing this than we should have that in place before school opens next year, the next school term because it’s gone to far now to hedge like this. Let’s set stuff in motion so it impacts the whole systems, all of them one- way or the other. I just think we need to do it that way, okay? Mr. Mayor: I agree. Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Yes, sir, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think what needs to happen at least in my opinion is that we need to ask Mr. Russell or whomever else he needs at his disposable to set up some guidelines. We need to have some rules in place of how we’re going to do this otherwise it does become subjective and then people’s opinions are either yeah or nay. But I think what we’ve got to do is set up some sort of rules if you will. Rules of Engagement of how this will be handled and certainly in addition to that I think agreeing with Dr. Hatney that it must be done before the start of the next school year. But we must put something in place. We ought to have some way that will measure some standard so that we can determine you know as these things come up what would be the most appropriate thing to do in this type of situation. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, it’s still my opinion it wasn’t right last time it’s not right this time and it won’t be right next time. I do believe that if anybody’s going to do this the Board of Education needs to be doing that. Now I would think this Commission as a group could suggest that they might do that. But other than that I don’t think we ought to spend any dollars on giving any championship rings to anybody. And we’ve already slighted the Augusta College folks. We should’ve gave them rings if we’re going to give everybody else rings. I just don’t think this is an appropriate expenditure of public dollars. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a --- Mr. Grantham: Call for the question, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay, the question has been called for. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Brigham, Mr. Bowles and Mr. Jackson vote No. Motion carries 6-4. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, next agenda item. 15 The Clerk: APPOINTMENTS 10. Motion to approve the appointment of Shirley I. Evans to the Richmond County Board of Health due to the expired term of John Bell. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Betty Beard) Mr. Mayor: Ms. Beard, did you? Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to place the name of John Bell also in nomination. Ms. Beard: I’m sorry I didn’t hear that. Mr. Brigham: John Bell. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have --- The Clerk: The first one Ms. Evans and then Mr. Bell. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ll vote on them in the order submitted. Um, first off we will vote on Shirley Evans for approval. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Jackson, Mr. Brigham, Mr. Grantham and Mr. Smith vote No. Motion carries 6-4. Mr. Mayor: Okay, next agenda item. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATOR 11. Motion to approve a recommendation by the Administrator regarding the purchase plan for Gilbert Manor. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Administrator, would you like to stand for this portion of the show? You always do a good job when you stand and make these presentations. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. Let me first tell you that several weeks ago as you approved the beginning of this particular plan, this journey that we’re taking it gave us an opportunity to put together what I think is a fairly unique approach to try and deal with a public issue. Because of the uniqueness of that approach and because of the impact that it’s going to have on the City of Augusta. And not only the City of Augusta but the State of Georgia and the east coast and probably the country. I was uncomfortable to proceed to rapidly without coming back and asking for further instruction and direction. We looked at several different funding options that were available to us. We looked at several different forms of funding and looked at several different things I believe would bring forth this in a manner that is conducive not only to making a bold statement about where Augusta stands not only in our care 16 for medically needy people but our education of future doctors and taking care of our own citizens in public housing and in public health areas here basically. Because of that what I’m asking today is the opportunity to give you five points that I believe are appropriate and ask for further permission to go forth and develop the actual paperwork and documents necessary to make this plan come to fruition. It’s going to require some legal work and it’s going to require some legal work with our banks and it’s going to require a Memorandum of Understanding with MCG and it’s going to require additional diligence on your part as you look through each and every one of these documents that will be developed to make sure that you are in agreement and that you have the confidence in what we’re doing to continue to move forward. Let me share with you briefly what this will potentially do not only for Augusta but for the East coast. As we look at this what we’re doing is cutting new ground and making new cloth. We’re doing things that have never been done before I think and working together in a manner that’s never been done before. This Commission has been bold enough on several occasions in the past to take on projects that have never been accomplished before not only in Augusta but in other areas. And this is one of those projects too. What we’re doing is providing funding for one of our educational institutions to purchase property from our Housing Authority in the sum of $10 million dollars. That $10 million dollars will be divided $6.9 for the property itself and $3.1 for the infrastructure and demolition of those particular buildings that are there and move forward with the infrastructure necessary to provide the educational facilities and the dental school will be there. $6.9 million of that will go back to our Housing Authority and they assure me and the documents will show that those dollars will be put back into our community to provide housing for our elderly, housing for people that need assistance and housing for people that need a step up in life and an opportunity to make that step and go forward. In addition to that the funding there will be put back into our community and that’s the important part. It goes back into our community so you’re not only investing in MCG but your investing in that portion of our community. What I’d like to do is we have, we’re fortunate to have sufficient funds in our fund balance, our reserve funds that we can take advantage of that. Your good practices over the years and your physical conservatism over the years past have helped us develop those fund balances in a level that I think are remarkable for a city our size. What I’d like to do is take some of that money and make it work for us a little bit better than it is by just gaining interest in the bank. What I’d like to do is take that and deposit that money in a consortium of local banks. Four of them have agreed to work with us and we have letters of commitment from those four banks. What we would do is take $2.5 million of each and put it in those local banks and they seem to be anxious to work with us if not only to support Augusta but to support the Medical College. We have representatives from those banks here today at least one representative from those banks here today and if you’d like they can speak to their excitement on this potential project as we continue to move forward. What we didn’t do was allow MCG and borrow, what we didn’t let them do is borrow that money back from those particular banks so what you’ve got is a situation where you’re not only gaining interest but paying interest on the loan itself. One easily figures that that’s probably a whole lot cheaper than trying to borrow the money outright. So you’re actually using that money for collateral against the loan. We would allow MCG to use those funds to purchase Gilbert Manor as previously approved by the Department of Housing and Urban and Community Development. That would involve an agreement with MCG that would allow them to purchase that area and take care of the infrastructure needs with the funds provided. In addition to that we would have that agreement such that if for some reason in the future the funding would not become available for their continued growth as we anticipate that 17 land would revert back to city property. It would not be a gift unto itself it would be a gift unto a purpose that is fulfilled as they continue to move forward. And then to pay that money back as we’ve done in the past on at least one occasion we would go to the voters in our community and allow them to deal with that particular issue in a SPLOST. As you all know our SPLOST program is currently going fairly well and we anticipate that to continue as we continue our economic development. We continue the moving forward with those particular new projects that are coming on board. We anticipate those sales tax dollars to continue to grow. What I’d like to do is recapture that money or repay that money back into our account to hold the collateral of the loan with SPLOST dollars in SPLOST VI. As I said before, this is going to require a great deal of legal expertise to get us forward. It’s going to require the bankers to be on board and it’s going to require your comfort level in what we’re getting done. I think very simply though we’re investing $10 million dollars not only in our future but the future of our citizens and the future of our state and probably our nation as we continue to move forward. The new things are going to provide better health care, more doctors and those kinds of things. Dr. Rahn is here I’d just like for him to speak for a second on the potential that this provides for his university. If you don’t mind, Dr. Rahn. Dr. Rahn: Thank you very much, Mr. Russell, Mr. Mayor and commission members. I really appreciate the faith and confidence that voting for his proposal would provide. It really is, it’s an honor, it’s an honor to stand here before you representing MCG and its mission and to contemplate endeavoring into this kind of partnership to support our mission to produce the health professionals for the future of the state and region. And also to collaborate in what can be, not just the health impact but a very significant economic development impact. As you know our plans are to construct a new facility for the School of Dentistry that will permit us to increase the dental student class size from it’s current level in the low 60’s to around a hundred per year. So that’s nearly doubling the size of the dental residencies and also then to expand the School of Medicine substantially as well. Our plans are to expand the medical student class size from the current level of 190 students to 240 students and the combination of these can be done through a consolidated capital project that could be placed on what is currently the Gilbert Manor property. So we would greatly appreciate your consideration of this, all the work that Fred has put into it, the confidence of the local banks and the confidence, which I hope you’ll have in this partnership. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank you, Dan. Commissioner Beard. Ms. Beard: Dr. Rahn, I’m wondering to what point you could assure us the main campus of the Medical College of Georgia will remain in Augusta. Dr. Rahn: Well, as you know I operate under the governance of the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents has resolved to for us lead an effort to expand medical student education to do that with partnerships around the state but with the main campus being here. I also understand the request today will be to enable us to go forward to develop legal agreements would be necessary and I hope we could address those issues through the agreements that we would develop. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles. 18 Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor, as medical colleges continue to grow for the last 30/40 years and we see that there are other cities that are interested in trying to get portions of MCG I think we as a City of Augusta finally have an opportunity, an ideal opportunity to show what MCG I’d like to go ahead and make a motion to approve the Administrator’s means to us and recommendation. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Um, I’ll come down this way. Commissioner Holland. Mr. Holland: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to ask Mr. Russell a couple of questions first, please. He mentioned the fact that there were four banks that had expressed interest. Do we know what four banks those are that have expressed interest to work with this project? And along with that have you had an opportunity to talk to the people within this bank to discuss what kind of interest rate that would be used that we use when we place this money in these different banks. Will the interest rates be different from one bank to the next or will all of the interest rates be the same when we place the money in these different banks. Mr. Russell: I think that’s a detail that I would need to continue to have an ongoing discussion with the banks and that’s why I want the permission to go ahead and do that. I felt uncomfortable talking at that level of detail without some further support from you. The banks that are involved are Georgia Bank and Trust, The Queensborough Bank, Capital City Bank and Trust Company and The First Bank of Georgia. And Mr. Brinson from the First Bank of Georgia is here to speak to their interest and their willingness to help us support that if you’d like to hear from him. Mr. Holland: The other question is this. Have we identified the area in which that particular piece of property or that property will be purchased for the Medical College of Georgia? Mr. Russell: That would be the Gilbert Manor property that’s currently on the books. It’s owned by our current Housing Authority. Mr. Holland: Housing Authority? Mr. Russell: Housing Authority, yes, sir. Mr. Holland: The other thing is this. I think you mentioned the fact that the Augusta Housing Authority will receive ‘x’ amount of dollars in reference to this when we’re going to be purchasing this property for. I would hope that the Augusta Housing Authority would work with us and give us some written information to let us know how this money’s being used. We can’t tell them what to do however $6 million dollars is a lot of money that’s going to be placed back in the community. And I think as commissioners and I think as taxpayers we need to know how 19 these funds will be utilized within the community. So that’s something that I would hope the Augusta Housing Authority will take heed to. Mr. Russell: My conversations with Mr. Oglesby of the Housing Authority led me to believe that that would be something that would be easily accomplished. They have a mission statement and a mission that would be used to put those monies back into our community and I’m very positive that they would be more than happy to provide that information to you. And would hope as part of this agreement you would be able to have that in front of you before you made a final decision. Mr. Holland: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want a couple observations perhaps a question for Mr. Russell. Certainly I practice what I say by understanding what the Medical College of Georgia’s mission and how important they are to this city. I won’t underestimate that all under any circumstances. But at the same time if I’m not mistaken you’re asking us to remove $10 million dollars from a current fund to be placed into four different banks and I had some of the same issues that Commissioner Holland talked about in terms of interest rates and so forth. Would it be even better to put in one bank and that’s a detail I know you’ll look at. But then also all this is contingent upon the voters coming back in a SPLOST VI and saying yes we’ll go ahead and vote for it. It’s a lot of “if’s” involved in that when we’re talking about $10 million dollars. But even more important than that and it’s goes to the heart of my concern is that for an amount this high I think that before it gets to the stage and certainly before it gets to the media I think every commissioner up here ought to have had an opportunity to have seen this in it’s entirety before we even got to this point. And so I would just say this for future that we be given an opportunity for instance I heard about it through the media and so for me that’s not a good thing. I didn’t know anything about it and I’m seeing it today and you did make a couple of calls but I would just like to add this that when we are not inclusive in including all commissioners then it’s not just the commission that we’re leaving out the commissioner we’re leaving out their voters, their representation. 12,000 registered voters in District IV some 23,000 overall have said that hey you’re my representative and we need to know what’s going on so if I’m not made aware then it’s not just me it’s the 23,000 residents and certainly the 12,000 registered voters. So I would just like to throw that out there and just some food for thought. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. First of all, this has not just happened over night and it has certainly taken quite a bit of time from Mr. Russell and Dr. Rahn and his staff and the Augusta Housing Authority, HUD out of Atlanta and everyone involved in this, in this process to bring it to where we are today. And I think to me I know it shows the spirit of cooperation that we have longed for and needed so long in Augusta. And seeing the fruits of the efforts of this sitting commission today as to how things can progress and go forward. I look at the participation from the banks as being a part of the formula that gives us the opportunity to move forward. And it shows that they too are interested in the accomplishments that are 20 necessary to make this work and to go forward with $10 million dollars to generate work efforts, to generate construction funds in excess of $210 million dollars to come to the City of Augusta and to one location in an area that’s going to be so badly needed to further the medical support of this community and as Fred said the eastern part of this country. So I’m very proud of seeing this take place because I was the one who proposed the resolution in February of 2007 against the Medical College of Georgia to forward to the Mayor of the potential move to Athens Georgia. And I have been assured and convinced that things will remain in Augusta and that we will see things go forward. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Grantham: We have to look as far as expanding in other areas as well. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I appreciate the effort everyone’s given. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Hatney, did you? Mr. Hatney: Yes, I just have one observation, sir. I mentioned to you already my concern and Mr. Mason made that statement already so I don’t have to go over it again but this does not, it don’t matter how you fix this something of this magnitude before the media get to calling and asking my stand on it. I didn’t know what they were talking about. I have some problems, that to me that’s insulting to have something of this magnitude I’m not against anything we’re trying to do collectively, collaboratively but when four or five commissioners had no clue and you made an announcement to the media that doesn’t sound good to me you know that to see the whole represent half of Augusta. But the media called me about this and I didn’t know what they were talking about and that’s not a good position to be in. And I think you do us a great disservice when you put us in a position that the media called and asking me questions and I can’t respond positive to because I don’t know what they’re talking then it makes it look like I’m not doing my job and I don’t appreciate that. My other question is and I see the $6.9 million is for the purchase of the property and with that, I can live with that because that’s necessary but I do think that if we’re going to go forward and we should go forward but we need to take that $3.1 million and y’all don’t have to like what I’m saying and kind of hold that in advance for a little while to see if we could use that as a negotiating piece with the State for those gardens that we so desperately want and to buy the property with $6.9 fine but to take that $3.1 and kind of negotiate that whereas we might be able to get a little closer to the heart of who ever is going to make the decision about the gardens. We shouldn’t have to pay for that. They’re going to pay $10 million dollars for a piece of property they’ve been authorized to be discharged $6.9 for because what you’re doing you actually doing that because even though you’re paying for the cleanup --- Mr. Mayor: Okay, Reverend Hatney, two minutes. Mr. Hatney: But you didn’t stop nobody else, sir. Mr. Mayor: Yes, yes --- Mr. Hatney: Now I don’t remember --- 21 Mr. Mayor: I, Don --- Mr. Hatney: --- I wouldn’t have had to say nothing today, Mr. Mayor, I wouldn’t have had to say a word. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Grantham, if you’d like to --- Mr. Hatney: That’s all I’m saying. Can I get one more minute? Thank you, I appreciate that. That’s all I’m saying --- Mr. Mayor: Reverend Hatney. Mr. Hatney: --- just include all of us. That’s all I’m saying. Include all of us. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Beard. Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor, I do feel everyone should have been contacted but I want to add something. I want you to kind of see the other side of this. You have the citizens living in that area and we have been thinking about them too. And at this time we’re looking at building between a 10 and 15 million dollar senior citizens complex in the Laney Walker area. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Again I’d just like to say I don’t have any problem with the advancement of MCG. I’m all for it. However I do agree with my esteemed colleagues, Dr. Hatney and Commissioner Mason. I had no clue about this until I received a phone call and I even heard something on the news about it. My concern is $10 million dollars and as a key sentence and number four say it will revert back to the city. That’s one of my concerns. How valid and how much confirmation do we have that they’re going to use this property because if they don’t use the property we can’t sell it for $10 million dollars. We won’t get that for it first of all. Second of all we got to have something in writing showing us exactly what’s going to happen with this. I feel like it’s just been thrown in my lap and I’ve fighting since I’ve been here to find resolutions to seek funding for the Hyde Park Community. You know we can get $10 million dollars to fund this and I don’t have a problem with it again but we can’t get a million to help at least to get the cleanup started in Hyde Park? I got an issue with that and I just feel like we, we can’t pick and choose things. If the constituents and the citizens need us then we’ve got to be there for them. They pay taxes in the community and therefore they have a right and they should have an option that you rely on us to help them some kind of way. But we keep traveling backwards with them and we’re moving forward with all these other aspects and I just feel like we, you know I don’t have a problem with this if we’re doing what is needed elsewhere. But if I have two kids and one of them needs shoes I’m going to buy for the one who needs shoes. And that’s the way I see the situation here. And not only that how will we know for a fact that the citizens are going to vote for this SPLOST even if we pay this loan. So that’s another thing that we got to look at. So we have some key issues here we got to evaluate but I just, me personally 22 I’m not comfortable with just moving forward with this decision today because I don’t have enough information about it. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Johnson: I don’t know enough about it to move forward so I would like to get a little bit more information on it. Mr. Mayor: Okay and Commissioner Johnson I would like to remind you though and I do think that this government is focused and has shown a focus on helping all areas of the city. We committed $37 and a half million dollars which is nearly four times this amount to the redevelopment of historic inner city neighborhoods including Bethlehem and Laney Walker. So we are being very proactive with trying to help the needs of citizens throughout the community. Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: I’d like to ask Dr. Rahn a question. I thought I heard something new today. Dr. Rahn: Yes, Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: When you were talking about the medical student population did I hear you say 240 medical students in Augusta. Dr. Rahn: No, 240 per year. Mr. Brigham: In Augusta. Dr. Rahn: 140 per year in Augusta --- Mr. Brigham: In Augusta. Dr. Rahn: --- the resolution approved by the Board of Regents directing us to develop a detailed implementation plan is for 300 students per year for a total of 1,200 by 2017. Mr. Brigham: So that’s 50 new students to the Augusta campus. Dr. Rahn: 50 per year so it would be a total of 200 additional students once it’s all --- Mr. Brigham: I thought that’s what I heard and I hadn’t heard that before. Dr. Rahn: Yes. Mr. Brigham: Okay. I’m ready to vote, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Grantham: Call for the question, Mr. Mayor. 23 Mr. Mayor: The question has been called for. With no further discussion commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Johnson votes No. Motion carries 9-1. Mr. Russell: Thank you, Lady and Gentlemen. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Russell. Um, Madam Attorney, I believe that disposes of our regular agenda. Do we need a Legal Meeting? Ms. Johnson: We do to discuss pending and potential litigation please. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel. ADDEMDUM Motion to go into a Legal Meeting. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to go into Legal to discuss that? Mr. Holland: So moved. Ms. Beard: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Bowles and Mr. Grantham vote No. Motion carries 8-2. [LEGAL MEETING] Mr. Mayor: I’ll go ahead and call the meeting back to order. Ms. Johnson Ms. Johnson: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Called the meeting back to order. Do we have one item, the Closed Meeting Affidavit? Ms. Johnson: We do the Closed Meeting Affidavit and a motion to add and approve. And Ms. Allen can speak to that particular agenda item. The Clerk: Are you going to do the affidavit first? 24 Ms. Johnson: You want to do the affidavit first? Let’s do it after we add and approve. ADDENDUM 21. Motion to approve the reclassification of the Secretary’s position in the Procurement Department to Administrative Assistant with payment retroactive to April 7, 2008. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if we may. What we need to do is add and approve the reclassification of the Secretary’s position in Procurement to Administrative Assistant and make th that employee hold by paying the back pay to April 7 in that particular position. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to that effect? Mr. Jackson: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Brigham: You don’t have unanimous consent to add and approve. You’ve got unanimous consent to add. Mr. Mayor: Okay. The Clerk: Okay to add it. Okay, now we just need a motion to approve. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have unanimous consent to add. We’ve added the agenda item. Now can I get a motion to approve? Mr. Jackson: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Brigham votes No. Motion carries 9-1. LEGAL MEETING 23. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia’s Open Meeting Act. Mr. Mayor: And now I would look for a motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of compliance with Georgia’s Open Meeting Act. Can I get that motion? Mr. Brigham: So moved. 25 Mr. Hatney: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: And with no further business to come before the body we stand adjourned. Thanks everybody for a good day’s work. [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 May 6, 2008. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 26