HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission Meeting October 21, 2008
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
OCTOBER 21, 2008
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., October 21, 2008, the
Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Holland, Smith, Grantham, Hatney, Beard, Johnson, Jackson and
Brigham, members of Augusta-Richmond County Commission.
Absent: Hons. Bowles and Mason, members of Augusta Richmond-County Commission.
The invocation was given by the Reverend Mark S. Pierson, Pastor Bethel African
Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor: Pastor, before you go I’ve got something for you here. Office of the Mayor.
By these present be it known that Reverend Mark S. Pierson, Pastor Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal Church is Chaplain of the Day for his civic and spiritual guidance demonstrated
throughout the community. Serves as an example for all of the faith community. Given under
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my hand this 21 day of October 2008. Thank you for that prayer and look forward to that tennis
game we’ve been meaning to have. (APPLAUSE) Madam Clerk, if we could go to the
recognitions.
The Clerk:
RECOGNITIONS
A. Presentation and recognition of Parc Naturel Regional de la Montagne de Reims.
Mr. Sherrouse: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and members of the Commission. Let me give
you just a brief background of what this is all about. As you probably know the Augusta Canal
is one of forty national heritage areas that Congress has designated in the United States. Our
counterpart in France, they have a similar system. They’re not called heritage areas they’re
called nature parks and they have 45 at the present time. Earlier this year Augusta became the
first heritage area in the United States to enter into a formal partnership agreement with the park
in France. We have a delegation visiting us here this week in Augusta. So they came in Sunday
night and they will be here through Saturday morning and so we’re showing them around all this
week. And the whole purpose of this is to exchange best practices between our two areas and
then hopefully to promote travel from France here and of course from the states to this particular
region of France. So if I would, if you would allow me I’d like to introduce the four members
that are here. The fifth one will be coming in tomorrow evening. And so I’ll call them up and
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they can up and join you. First of all Dominique Leveque he’s the president of their nature park
but he’s also a Mayor in France so he can appreciate some of the things that you have to deal
with. The only difference, Dominique tells me his Commission consists of 27 members, not 10.
So you can think of how y’all have trouble getting together sometimes, how can you get 27?
Sylviane Jonet. She is the director of the park. Catherine Diot, she’s a member of their board.
Jean-Paul Angers, he’s the, he’s an elected representative and also a member of their board. The
closest thing in terms the equivalent positions that we know in the states would be a member of
our house, a House of Representatives in the State of Georgia. There’s a little bit of difference
but it’s a level above a city or county government. And we are having a delightful time with
them here this week and got a full schedule for them and they’re enjoying all the amenities and
the wonderful weather that y’all provided for them this week. So, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Dayton, but really we would just like to welcome you on behalf
of the Commission to Augusta. We’re very excited to have you here. Just to have the
opportunity to encourage better international relations and partnerships between countries and
communities is a wonderful thing for us. So we’re very excited to have you here and it’s my
honor to present you with this. Office of the Mayor. Certificate of Recognition given to
Dominique Leveque, President Parc Naturel Regional de la Montagne de Reims. The City of
Augusta hereby recognizes the formal partnership agreement between the Augusta Canal
National Heritage Area and the Parc Naturel Regional de la Montagne de Reims. In furtherance
of this partnership the Augusta Canal Authority is hosting a delegation from France in Augusta
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on October 19 through the 25 2008 to foster the exchange of information and promote the
principals of sustainable heritage development between these two respective regions in France
and the United States. The City of Augusta extends best wishes to participants in this historic
partnership and is optimistic that it will promote tourism, development and the exchange of best
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practices between France and the United States. Given under my hand this 21 Day of October
2008.
Mr. Sherrouse: Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Would you like to?
Mr. Leveque: Yeah, I could.
Mr. Mayor: You’re a Mayor, of course you would.
Mr. Leveque: I would like to speak. Mr. Mayor, thank you very much for your
hospitality. On behalf of the delegation I would like to give you a few gifts if you will accept
them. First of all, just a book about my region, which is right in the champagne country. So
you see the first page is a grape and then it’s a tie. It’s in case of typos you’ve got to wear it.
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And then, and then this is a replica of a Certificate of Baptism. This man was named Etienne
Biche. He was born in 1755 and he was a soldier in the French army of (unintelligible) during
the American Revolution. And then he went to the island. He was working in Haiti and then he
left Haiti and he went to the United States and became a citizen of the United States and he was a
soldier of the United States Army. And he was one the founders of the military academy of
West Point and one of the men who developed it. So I would like to, and he was born of course
in Haiti. My hometown.
Mr. Leveque: Okay? Thank you very much. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: Thank you so much. Madam Clerk, if we could move on the consent agenda
please.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-20 and under the Planning
portion of the agenda I’ll read the planning petitions. And if there’s anyone who has any
objections would you please register that objection by raising your hand.
Item 2. Is a request for, to approve a petition with a condition for a Special Exception to expand
and bring an existing country club into zoning conformance on property located at 655 Milledge
Road.
Item 3. Is to approve a petition for a Special Exception to utilize a former professional office
located in a P-1 (Professional) Zone for a four room dormitory residence on property located at
1143 Druid Park Avenue.
Item 4. Is a petition with a condition for a change of zoning from zone R-1A (One-family
Residential) to a zone Li (Light Industry) affecting property located at the northeast right-of-way
line of Benson Road.
Item 5. Is a petition for a change of zoning from P-1 (Professional) to Zone B-1 (Neighborhood
Business) on property located at 2502 Crosscreek Road.
Item 6. Is to approve a petition for a change of zoning from Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business)
to Zone B-2 (General Business) on property located at 3358 Wrightsboro Road.
Item 7. Is to approve a petition for a Special Exception to establish a church on property located
at 3348 and 3350 Kenny Road.
Item 8. Is to approve a petition with conditions for a change of zoning from Zone R-1A (One-
family Residential) to Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) on property located at 1840 Windsor
Spring Road.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to these petitions?
Mr. Russell: Madam Clerk, there are objectors to Item 2 in the audience and I would
suggest that we move that to the regular agenda.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay. Do we, and we will cover that. I know that Ms. Beard will pull that
when we get to the pulls from the consent agenda. Do we have any additions to the consent
agenda? Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: Mr. Mayor and Mr. Administrator, we were talking yesterday and some of
have some, on item 24. Some of us had a problem with the word “character” and you said that
you wouldn’t have any problems getting that word changed to maybe “neighborhood” or some
other word that’s not quite as divisive as that word character is. And if you have worked that out
and can work that out I don’t have no problem concerning that one also.
Mr. Grantham: It’s item 23, isn’t it?
Mr. Russell: It’s item 23, sir, and I’ve had conversations with Mr. Patty and Mr.
DeCamp and we can do that if you’d like, sir.
Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham.
Mr. Grantham: If we’re going to pull that let’s pull it for discussion based on the use of
that word and uh, or unless there’s been discussion with Mr. DeCamp that they’d like to
represent it then I would do that. I wouldn’t put it under consent just under the condition of
changing the word.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, do we have any other agenda items to be added to the consent?
Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Holland.
Mr. Holland: In reference to what Mr. Grantham said and in reference to what
Commissioner Hatney said. Has there been a consensus between the Administrator and Mr.
Patty to make a change?
Mr. Grantham: That’s my question.
Mr. Holland: So there’s been a consensus to do that so we still need to pull it?
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Administrator, you’re okay with that? Mr. Patty’s okay?
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Mr. Grantham: Mr. DeCamp.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. DeCamp?
Mr. DeCamp: Well, I was just going to say that the word “character” can be, it’s
allowable to change it as long as we and at least once in the text of the conference plan we
indicate that whatever word is replacing it is substituting for that word.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. DeCamp: But we’re still using the criteria.
Mr. Hatney: Right, don’t change the criteria, just the word to neighborhood if you could.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham, you okay with that?
Mr. Grantham: Uh, I’ll live with it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Grantham: I’m not okay with it because I hadn’t been assured of the definition of the
word “character” yet. I know what my determination of character is but I’d just like to know
what the determination of others are. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you so 23 goes on. Do we have any other additions to the
consent agenda?
Mr. Hatney: Twenty-three and twenty-four.
Mr. Mayor: And twenty-four?
Mr. Hatney: And 24, yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Smith.
Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to add 27, 28 and 29.
Mr. Mayor: Any further additions to the consent agenda?
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Mr. Grantham: Item 33.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham, that’s 33?
Mr. Grantham: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, item #25 and item #12 are the exact same item I believe.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, any further additions to the consent agenda? Okay, any items to be
pulled for discussion? Ms. Beard.
Ms. Beard: Yes, Mr. Mayor. I have a constituent with concerns in reference to this
particular issue and uh ---
Mr. Mayor: Item 2?
Ms. Beard: Item 2, yes.
Mr. Mayor: Item 2. Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item 5 here under Planning. I’d like to pull that
and refer it to the next Commission meeting to give the committee the opportunity to address you
know the concerns on this issue.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, you’d like to refer Item 5 to the next ---
Mr. Johnson: Commission meeting.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Is everybody okay with that? Okay. Commissioner Smith.
Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to add number 30 as well to our consent.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: I’ve got a note from the Clerk about item #21 asking that it be postponed.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk.
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The Clerk: Yes, sir, that was a request from the petitioner for a postponement of item 21.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Yes, sir.
Mr. Speaker: We would like to postpone that.
Mr. Mayor: And if you could come forward, please, sir, and state your name and address
for the record.
Mr. Frails: Mr. Mayor, my name is Randy Frails and I represent the petitioners in this
matter. My address is 211 Pleasant Home Road, Augusta, GA 30907. I’m an attorney. We met
with the homeowners association last night and we able to resolve all issues. The members of
the homeowners association are here. It was placed on postponement late yesterday afternoon
because we had some issues that we need to resolve and we resolved those issues and we’d like
to go forward ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Frails: --- with the discussion, please, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: My response to his request is simply that there were some folk here to
oppose this particular petition and in view of the fact that it was before us that it would be
delayed at the request of the petitioner these folk left. And I really don’t think it would be fair to
them to go forward with this when this was put before us.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. We did have the request to put it forward to the next Commission
meeting and I ---
Mr. Hatney: That’s what we need to do. That’d be my motion that we do that.
Mr. Mayor: --- and there were some here in opposition is what I’m understanding from
Reverend Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: They found out that this was not going to be discussed and they left.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Hatney: It wouldn’t take but two weeks, that’s all.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Frails: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir.
Mr. Frails: (inaudible)
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Hatney: But not when the folk gone, though. Please that’s not fair for the folk who
were here to oppose it.
Mr. Speaker: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hatney: You can speak when we come up next time. That’s just fair.
Mr. Mayor: I just need, we would need to have equal representation from both sides so --
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Mr. Speaker: (Inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay but if ---
Mr. Hatney: Two weeks.
Mr. Mayor: If there are people here in opposition I would ---
Mr. Hatney: And they left already.
Mr. Mayor: --- and have since left I think if there was an opposing side here it would
only be, Madam Attorney, am I not correct? Okay. Thank you, sir. So item 21 to be postponed
to the next ---
Mr. Hatney: Commission meeting.
Mr. Mayor: --- Commission meeting. Okay. Are there any further items? Okay Madam
Clerk, could we go back over those for um ---
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The Clerk: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: Nothing, that’s what we just did. Okay, I’m fine.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
The Clerk: So the consent agenda will consist of items 1-20 with the exception of item 2,
which has been pulled, item 5 which will go to the next meeting. Also included are items 23, 24,
25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33. And item 21 pulled to the next meeting.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda?
Mr. Holland: So moved.
Mr. Jackson: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. FINAL PLAT – WEST WHEELER TOWNHOMES, PHASE 7-A – S793 – A request
for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond Planning Commission to approve a petition
by Southern Partners Inc., on behalf of ATC, requesting final plat approval for West
Wheeler Townhomes, Phase 7-A. This residential townhome development is located on
Aruba Circle, south of Grenada Lane adjacent to West Wheeler Townhomes, Phase 6 and
contain 7 lots.
3. Z-08-65 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond Planning Commission
to approve a petition by Henry T. Harris requesting a Special Exception to utilize a former
professional office located in a P-1 (Professional) Zone for a four room dormitory residence
per Section 20-2 (b) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond
County affecting property containing .11 acres and is known as 1143 Druid Park Avenue.
(Tax Map 045-2-062-00-0) DISTRICT 1
4. Z-08-67 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond Planning Commission
to approve with the condition that if a sale is not finalized within six months the zoning
shall revert to R-1A (One-family Residential) zoning; a petition by the Development
Authority of Augusta Richmond County, on behalf of the City of Augusta and Concord
Hill Investments, requesting change of zoning from Zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to
Zone LI (Light Industry) affecting property located on the northwest right-of-way line of
Benson Road, 3,360 feet, more or less, west of Richmond Hill Road containing
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approximately 53 acres. (Tax Map 109-3-059-00-0 and part of 108-0-058-00-0) DISTRICT
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5. Z-08-68 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond Planning Commission
to approve a petition by Craig Cassedy, on behalf of Michele G. Schmitz, requesting a
change of zoning from Zone P-1 (Professional) to Zone B-1 (neighborhood Business)
affecting property containing .65 acres and is known as 2502 Crosscreek Road. (Tax Map
131-0-096-02-0) DISTRICT 4
6. Z-08-71 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond Planning Commission
to approve a petition by W.G. Downie, on behalf of Wilfred G. Downie and Judy Kaye
Downie, requesting a change of zoning from One B-1 (Neighborhood Business) affecting
property containing .58 acres and is known as 3358 Wrightsboro Road. (Tax Map 041-4-
086-00-0) DISRICT 3
7. Z-08-66 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond Planning Commission
to approve a petition by Yuni Flakes, on behalf of Mimose Bertoni, requesting a Special
Exception to establish a church per Section 26-1 (a) of the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing two tax parcels
that total 1.35 acres and are known as 3348 and 3350 Kenny Road. (Tax Map 069-3-026-00-
0 and 069-3-027-00-0) DISTRICT 5
8. Z-08-72 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond Planning Commission
to approve with the following conditions 1) the only use of the property shall be a
temporary office trailer or those uses permitted in the R-1A zone and 2) the trailer shall be
removed and the zoning shall revert to R-1A six months after the completion of the road
improvement project; a petition by Mabus Brothers requesting a change of zoning from
Zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) affecting
property containing .89 acres and is known as 1840 Windsor Spring Road. (Tax Map 110-
4-336-01-0) DISTRICT 6
PUBLIC SERVICES
9. Motion to approve Re-Bid #08-080A, re-plaster of the Brigham swimming pool, to
Augusta Aquatics, Inc. for $23,668.00. (Approved by Public Services Committee October
13, 2008)
10. Motion to approve Bid Item 08-172, improvements to Eastview Park, to Beam’s
Contracting for $42,620.00. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 13, 2008)
PUBLIC SAFETY
11. Motion to approve the purchase and implementation of the Employee Online product
from Sungard B-Tech. (Approved by Public Safety Committee October 13, 2008)
12. Motion to approve acceptance of a Grant Award in the amount of $7,500.00 from the
Council of Juvenile Court Judges of Georgia for the Purchase of Services for Juvenile
Offenders Program. (Approved by Public Safety Committee October 13, 2008)
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FINANCE
13. Motion to approve a request for an amendment to the 2008 Airport Budget. (Approved
by Finance Committee October 13, 2008)
14. Motion to approve a request from Ms. Annette Stringer regarding a refund of property
taxes in the amount of $456.14 on property at 4172 Kevin Road. (Approved by Finance
Committee October 13, 2008)
15. Motion to approve a request from Anthony and Teronda Ward regarding a refund of
overpayment of taxes in the amount of $212.85 for the years 2006 and 2007 for property at
2982 Clarkston Road. (Approved by Finance Committee October 13, 2008)
17. Motion to approve refund recommendations from the Board of Assessors for two
accounts. (Approved by Finance Committee October 13, 2008)
18. Motion to approve a request from the United Way of the CSRA, Inc. for Augusta
Richmond County to serve as fiscal sponsor (grantee) for the Georgia Department of
Community Affairs/Hands On Georgia State Challenge Grant in the amount of up to
$10,000 on behalf of United Way of the CSRA, Inc. (sub recipient). (Approved by Finance
Committee October 13, 2008)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
19. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held on
October 7, 2008.
APPOINTMENTS
20. Motion to approve the reappointment of Ernestine Covington to the ARC Library
Board of Trustees representing District 4.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
23. Approve Resolution adopting the Updated Augusta-Richmond County Comprehensive
Plan.
24. Adopt the Updated Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) for Augusta-Richmond County,
Hephzibah and Blythe and authorize the Mayor to sign the SDS Certification Form.
PUBLIC SAFETY
25. Motion to approve the purchase of service contract between The Counseling Group and
Augusta, Ga. In association with Grant Award in the amount of $7,500.00 from the Council
of Juvenile Court Judges of Georgia for the Purchase of Services for Juvenile Offenders
Program.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
27. Motion to approve a request to approve Amendment No. 1 to Turner & Associates’
Architectural Contract for the New Judicial Center.
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28. Motion to approve Amendments 1 and 2 to contract with Turner Associates Architects
& Planners, Inc. for the Judicial Center.
29. Approve award of construction in the amount of $447,856.21 to Mabus Brothers for the
Brown Rd. Sanitary Sewer System Improvement project. Bid item #08-166.
30. Authorize award and execution of a contract with Hagler Systems to provide
Mechanical Equipment Integrator Services for the Goodrich St. Raw Water Pumping
Station Improvements in the amount of $410,809.
31. Authorize award of bid for the Nixon Rd. Water Main Improvements (Bid Item #08-
146) to the lowest responsive bidder Quality Storm Water Solution, LLC in the amount of
$139,610.50.
32. Approve the awarding of low bid in the amount of $96,295 to Graybar Electric supply
for street light poles and fixtures for replacements/repairs in the Augusta Richmond
County urban areas for a period of one year. Effective upon date of adoption of this item.
The funds are available in the Street Lighting Budget Account 2760416105414410.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
33. Motion to approve the rescheduling of the Tuesday, November 4, 2008 regular meeting
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to Wednesday, November 5.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual
sign.
Motion carries 8-0. [Items 1, 3-20, 23-25, 27-33]
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, let’s take the pulled item first.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
2. Z-08-64 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond Planning Commission
to approve with the condition that there be no traffic access, except for maintenance
vehicles, onto Overton Road; a petition by Cranston Engineering Group, on behalf of the
Augusta Country Club, requesting a Special Exception to expand and bring an existing
country club into zoning conformance per Section 26-1 (i) of the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing approximately
215 acres and is known as 655 Milledge Road. (Tax Map 034-2-040-00-0) DISTRICT 1
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Patty.
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Mr. Patty: The Augusta Country Club began to buy some homes over on Overton Road
for the purpose of expanding the golf course into that area. And they built some, they began to
build something called a short range driving range or something like that. I’m not a golfer. And
uh, at some point we became aware this was going on and we informed them that they’re non-
conforming rights at the club did not extend to other properties. I’m sure it was totally innocent
but we got them to apply for a Special Exception, which they did. They gave us a concept plan
that showed what they were going to do. We had that plan before the meeting and at the
Planning Commission meeting the issue of golf balls flying into the neighborhood arose and also
the issue of traffic coming from Overton Road into and out of the club arose and we dealt with
the issue of traffic and safety by not permitting anything other than maintenance and emergency
ingress/egress directly to Overton Road. After that we had a substantial rainstorm and there was
some flooding damage that occurred at some residences on Overton Road that I guess it never
had, it had not been a consistent pattern at least that it never happened before. And unfortunately
like I say that only occurred a couple weeks ago so this came out after the Commission meeting
and I think that you’ve got some objectors here to talk about that. Like I say some work was
done prior to the issue becoming, going before the Planning Commission and I think that has
exacerbated an existing problem and approval here would not allow us to deal with those issues.
Now I would caution you that if this is approved today the applicant’s still got to submit a full-
blown site plan with engineering and other considerations. So theoretically it could be dealt with
at that point. But I think there’s some reservation here that maybe it wouldn’t be so that’s why
the objector’s are here I believe.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Beard, did you?
Ms. Beard: Yes, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Beard.
Ms. Beard: I’m wondering if we could move this to the next Commission meeting.
I
feel during that time we will have time to resolve the issues that we presently have.
Mr. Mayor: Are you putting that in the form of a motion?
Ms. Beard: Yes, sir.
Mr. Johnson: I’ll second that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor?
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: We have a petitioner here. We have objectors here. I think we ought to
hear from them before we postpone anything.
Mr. Mayor: We’ll hear from, Commissioner Grantham.
Mr. Grantham: I’ll yield to the petitioners and the objectors and then I’ll have a
comment.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. We’ll listen to the petitioners first and then the objectors. Each side
will be given 5 minutes apiece. Do we have a representative of the petitioner here? Okay, then
we’ll have 5 minutes for the objectors.
Ms. Stulb: Thank you, Mayor, Commissioners. My name is Janet Stulb and I reside at
2211 Overton Road, Country Club Hills. I’m asking today that um, just the, can everyone hear
me okay? That just the granting of the Special Exception be postponed until there has been such
time that members of the Country Club and the engineering group and I and neighbors can
review the situation related to the storm drain and the flooding and what measures can be taken
to correct it. So I’ not opposing the Special Exception just wanting it postponed until we can
further discuss it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a motion and second.
Mr. Brigham: May I ask Mr. Patty a question, please, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Certainly Mr. Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: George, what I heard you say that any drainage would have to be in
compliance with the existing code as it already exists.
Mr. Patty: Yes.
Mr. Brigham: So what’s the difference between now and two weeks ago when this was
approved so that we need to postpone it?
Mr. Patty: The drainage from this whole side of the property including some of the
paved areas up by Club House all feet into a 36-inch pipe going over to Overton Road. It’s my
understanding from comments I’ve heard from neighbors that there was never a problem there
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before. So you’ve got an existing problem off the site that I don’t that we can require the
Country Club to correct. It may be that you’ve got 36-inch pipe going all the way to Lake
Olmstead and asking them to do that. So the possibility exists that whatever they do on the Club,
however they do it retention or whatever will make the situation worse. I only learned about this
yesterday so I haven’t been able to do much research and have not be able to talk to our
engineers about it. But um, there is a possibility that what you do will damage the people
downstream.
Mr. Brigham: I’m still trying to figure out how our regulations that are already in
existence that are already written is going to change the situation if they’ve got to be in
compliance with them.
Mr. Patty: They would have to retain the 25 year storm on the property and release it at
the predevelopment rate.
Mr. Brigham: Are you trying to tell me then that we need to make them retain more than
the 25 year storm amount?
Mr. Patty: That, our Administrator just reminded me that is actually in the Rae’s Creek
Basin where they’ve got to make it better. They’ve got to release at 90% of the predevelopment
rate. So there’s never been any scrutiny of this because Country Club preexists the zoning
ordinance so they’re not conforming to everything they’re doing now. So there’s a possibility
that there’s an existing situation that needs to be corrected and I don’t know that, through the
normal channels we can require them to correct that.
Mr. Brigham: Can we make a special exception to this Special Exception that says that
they’ve got to conform to the existing drainage? Put a stipulation in there?
Mr. Patty: Well, what one of the objectors wants I can tell you is a retention pond up
there to catch the water coming off of the existing paved surfaces. And I don’t know that we can
require them in the work that’s covered by the Special Exception which is on the property that
was formerly houses, I don’t know that we can require them to go back and correct that existing
situation. I think that’s kind of where the road is.
Mr. Brigham: Is the drainage coming off of these four properties that’s causing the
problem?
Mr. Patty: No, it’s drainage that ---
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Mr. Brigham: And how are we going, by holding up the Special Exception how are we
going to straighten the drainage problem that don’t originate on the property?
Mr. Patty: Well it originates on the property at the Club, which is above the property
that’s in question today, the new property. I don’t know that it can, Mr. Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: Well, I don’t know that we can change it by changing the Special
Exception. That’s what my point is.
Mr. Patty: You don’t have any leverage if you don’t do it that way I can tell you that.
Mr. Brigham: Well, if we make them, if we make it to have to conform the drainage
issues to get the Special Exception, what’s the difference? It’s the same thing, isn’t it?
Mr. Patty: Well, once again what’s up for Special Exception, well, really the whole
thing’s up because the idea is to bring the whole Club into conformance but you do have the
existing improvements that are nonconforming, uses have nonconforming rights. I don’t know
that if you approve this today in the form that it’s presented today that we can make them go
back and provide retention for the area that this problem is originating from which is up around
the Club House in the parking lot and that sort of thing.
Mr. Brigham: If we don’t approve it can we make them go back and change that?
Mr. Patty: Like I say you’ve got leverage until you approve it then you don’t have any.
Mr. Brigham: But if it’s not on the property how can we make them change something
that’s not on the property that we’re rezoning? That’s my question.
Mr. Patty: You could threaten not to approve it. I mean, if you want the answer, that’s it.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham, I believe you ---
Mr. Grantham: Yes, my question was, George, didn’t you tell us that prior to allowing
permits to start are they going to have to do any engineering on this property and present it to
you ---
Mr. Patty: Yes.
Mr. Grantham: --- before that takes place? Well, then are we putting the cart before the
horse or what?
16
Mr. Patty: In this case you may be because you’ve got preexisting conditions.
Mr. Grantham: So we really don’t know what the engineering facility will look like.
Mr. Patty: They pretty much built it. That’s kind of what’s different about this one. It’s
pretty much already built. Is that correct?
Ms. Speaker: (inaudible).
Mr. Patty: I mean we could make them modify it and when we get the plans ---
Mr. Grantham: That’s my point. But you’re going to get the plans and you’re going to
get the plans and have the plans presented prior to you giving them the permits to move forward
with this project.
Mr. Patty: If they need some massive retention basin in order to, water is already causing
the problem ---
Mr. Grantham: Okay, Mr. Mayor, let me ask another question please. I guess this would
be from the legal standpoint but is it not true that if I living next door to a neighbor and diverted
water over on to my property by that neighbor with any improvements that he’s made that’s he’s
responsible for making that water not do damage to my properties.
Mr. Patty: He changes the characteristics of the flow of water, yes.
Mr. Grantham: Okay, well then why does the government enter into the picture of this
when we’re talking about a neighbors situation where we have a country club and we have a
residential area, why do we enter into the picture of resolving their problem in as far as the water
flow goes.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: My question is for Mr. Patty. I think you mentioned that if I’m not
mistaken they are planning to expand this club. So it’s going to be larger than it is now.
Mr. Patty: It’s going to go on the properties that were never part of the club.
17
Mr. Hatney: Okay, now let me ask you something. I think you mentioned you might not
be able to do those (unintelligible). How is it that in some areas of expansion and change you
have to meet the current code and with others you don’t?
Mr. Patty: Well ---
Mr. Hatney: Because if there’s a current code and you expanded what you’re doing you
should have to meet the current code. Y’all made us do it that’s why I’m asking the question.
Mr. Patty: Yes and on the new property they could. There’s a question I think to
whether if what you can make them retain what is essentially is offsite water coming onto this
new property. That’s the issue. I don’t know the answer to that.
Mr. Hatney: I don’t feel comfortable voting on this without knowing, without in fact you
aint comfortable with it either. So seriously I think there needs to be some further investigation
of this whole situation and the plan and everything need to be presented because we don’t have
no way of knowing and like you said once you let the cat out, the cat’s gone.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Hatney: So my concern is that there are other things that we do and I’m going to be
very specific. A building of ours caught fire, okay? We didn’t have to have any when we built
the building in ’99. We did not have to have any extra stairwell coming out of the back from the
top. We didn’t have to have any handicap ramp going in the back door. But in ’04 when the
building burnt we had to put it back. We had to put all of that in. Y’all made us do it. My
question is how is it that one group have to meet the current codes and somebody else got
something and you don’t have to meet current codes. If you’ve got to meet current codes you
need to meet current codes. That needs to be universal.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. I think everybody’s had ample time
to speak to this.
Mr. Hatney: I think her motion was to ---
Mr. Mayor: Was to postpone it to the next Commission meeting.
Mr. Hatney: And she got a second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. No further discussion Commissioner’s will now vote by the usual
sign.
18
Mr. Brigham and Mr. Grantham vote No.
Motion carries 6-2.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the regular agenda.
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: George, don’t go yet you might be up again.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
22. Z-08-73 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond Planning
Commission to deny a petition by Michael Peeples, on behalf of Taurus Holdings, LLC,
requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-3B (Multiple-family Residential) to Zone P-1
(Professional) affecting property containing .13 acres and is known as 136 Broad Street.
(Tax Map 047-2-224-00-0) DISTRICT 1
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Patty.
Mr. Patty: Okay this is clearly not in conformance with the neighborhood plan which
suggests that non-residential zoning should stop at I think Second Street, I’m sorry Fourth Street
and we did have some objectors to this. It’s surrounded by houses there is one office in the area
but generally it’s residential.
Mr. Mayor: Does anybody have any comment? Does anybody have a motion? Do we
have the petitioner or objectors, okay yes sir you’re the petitioner? Okay we’ll go ahead and
hear from you.
Mr. Speaker: Hi and thank you. My name is Michael Peeples. I reside at 1427 Hickman
Road. Upon approval our intentions for the property were to put a professional office. And as
Mr. Patty said there currently is across the street an attorney’s office right now zoned P-1 and
also at least one other property within that 400-block of Broad Street down to the 100 that’s
professional as well. Our intentions are to completely renovate it as the building was completely
dilapidated, rundown people were stealing the electrical and doing the things that they do to
vacant properties. We are very familiar with the historic guidelines and intend to abide by every
single one of them. I’ve looked into the parking situation. I’m aware we’re going to need a site
plan. I’ve spoken to a couple of engineers about what it’s going to take. I’ve been working with
Planning and Zoning and I’m (unintelligible) on that issue as well. The current, the renovation
19
will coincide with the current efforts. We’re aware of what’s going on downtown, what the
mission is. Prior to applying for the rezoning we did speak to and got approval from the Old
Town Homeowners Association. In fact we’ve joined the association with the intention of not
just being a good neighbor but being proactive. I’m a realtor so I’m aware of what it takes to
restore or rejuvenate or revitalize an area. That’s our intention, not only being a good neighbor
but being a good influence on the restoration of the Old Town area. In fact Birky Ayers here is
from is President of the Old Town Homeowners Association and I’m not sure if he’s here but he
um, was actually was going to come and speak on behalf of our petition if that’s okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay giving and splitting the 5-minutes allotted but do we also, do we have
any objectors here as well to hear from. Okay sir if you could come forward and you can take
the next almost 3-minutes.
Mr. Ayers: I don’t think I’ll need quite that long.
Mr. Mayor: Two minutes and 52 seconds to be exact but who’s counting.
Mr. Ayers: My name is Birky Ayers. I’m the president of the Old Town Neighborhood
Association. We met with Mr. Peeples. He called me several times concerning this project. We
went by and looked at it. We think it’s a benefit to the neighborhood. Most of Broad Street is
zoned Professional now anyway regardless of the fact that a lot of the people are residentially in
there. My house is zoned professional. Now you have to go back and change it if you hadn’t
been occupied in 18-months. We feel like the renovation is necessary. It does take out a
dilapidated building. All our members which total somewhere around a hundred are in favor of
it and we think it’s a, another reason we think it’s really amenable to the neighborhood is it’s
only a couple blocks off of East Boundary and East Boundary is now developed up and is going
to be developing commercially along that corridor. We feel this would be a good transition to
have a professional office instead of more Section-8 Housing or low rent housing or dilapidated
housing. And we as a neighborhood association support it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir. Commissioners, any comments? Commissioner
Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I believe we just passed today a Comprehensive Zoning Plan.
Why was this not changed at that time if the neighborhood association is so in favor of seeing
Broad Street turn professional?
Mr. Patty: The only thing I can tell you is that Ms. Beard, Dr. Hatney have been at some
of the meetings with Old Town Neighborhood Association. Almost every time I go to one I get
chastised for the mixture of zoning classifications within that area. And until today I was of the
20
opinion or impression that what they wanted was no non-residential zoning east of Third Street.
And I’m looking at the map right now and I can tell you there is one professional zone east of
Third Street on Broad Street and that was, that was reviewed and approved by the Courts back in
the 80’s. There is no professional pattern in there if that’s what the neighborhood wants and I
guess we can, the comprehensive plan is a broad based document that has to cover so many
things to comply with state law that it’s probably not adaptable to each area. One thing we’re
going to do and I need to talk to y’all about subsequent meeting is we’re going to go back and
start reviewing these neighborhood plans. And maybe it’s time for a change in there but that’s
not the impression I’ve gotten at every meeting I’ve been in Old Town.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, Mr. Patty. Any further questions? Okay, Commissioner
Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you. George, can you come back up? I need to ask you ---
Mr. Mayor: Putting you through the paces today, George.
Mr. Johnson: In regards to this, I mean that applies to everything that is east of Third
Street you said?
Mr. Patty: Yes.
Mr. Johnson: Okay, what are they doing with the property? Is it plans to redevelop it
and it remains residential and historic or ---
Mr. Patty: Yes there’s, I believe Mr. Ayers made this brief but the objector he had who
owns many properties in that area stated that there is an active residential market in that area and
if the house were fixed up and put on the rental market or sold there would be a market for it.
What they’ve done is taken a house that was in very poor condition and began rehabilitating it
for professional use.
Mr. Johnson: Okay before they started this project were they allowed to do that? Or I
mean because he said he pretty much rehabbed that place. All this should have been put in place
before he started the project right?
Mr. Patty: They should have come before the Historic Preservation Board to get a
Certificate of Appropriateness, which they didn’t do. That might have been a staff approval
based on what I’ve seen. They haven’t made any big changes to the exterior of the property and
it probably could’ve been a staff approval but I don’t know whether they had building permits or
not. My understanding is the project started a good while before we became aware of it.
21
Mr. Johnson: Okay, well, it seems like they put the buggy before the horse on this one
here because they already went in and started that and if they was allowed a building permit than
somebody knew about it and they should’ve been brought before Planning and Zoning before
they started the construction on it.
Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham.
Mr. Grantham: That concerns me as well because permits have to be issued based on
what his request would be if he’s going to go on ahead and do that George. And I guess my
main question would be is what was the reason for the denial?
Mr. Patty: The reason for the denial was it didn’t conform to the Comprehensive Plan. It
didn’t conform to the land use pattern and the zoning planning in the area. It’s not consistent
with residential uses that are around it. I could go on and on.
Mr. Mayor: Would somebody like to make a motion on this?
Ms. Beard: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Beard.
Ms. Beard: I would like to mention that I did question this item because I was concerned
about it and at the time they said well this is what the Old Town community wanted. So it is
something totally different that they have come to say that it would be an asset to the community.
In my opinion it would be an asset and I think sometimes we need to be able to give a little. So
with that I’d like to move for approval for this to go forward.
Mr. Jackson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to make one more statement on it.
In regards to that because of the fact that it was approved, that the permit was approved through
License and Inspection I think it’s only fair we go on and do that. And that’s because of the fact
that they, you know making that area out there in the future it needs to be stated that if they’re
going to issue permits they need to make sure that they get with Planning and Zoning and
articulate what is going to be there before they do that because this gentleman had gotten that
22
permit and started construction and probably pumped thousands of dollars into that particular
area and it is not fair for them to do that.
Mr. Patty: Let me say that I don’t know they had a permit. I know they didn’t have a
certificate from the Historic Preservation Board. I don’t know that they had a permit. I suspect
they may have had a permit but I don’t know that they had one. You might ask the applicant.
Mr. Johnson: But he said he did have a permit.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: Mr. Patty, you did say they did not have a certificate from the Historic
Preservation though?
Mr. Patty: That’s correct.
Mr. Hatney: He did not have that.
Mr. Patty: He did not have that.
Mr. Hatney: And I was under the impression it was not necessary to come before us if
they had not gone through them.
Mr. Patty: Um?
Mr. Hatney: (unintelligible) up and down here. And they’d have to go through them that
they could over, come back down here and the Historic Preservation if they over, if they say no
they can come here and override what they do. But they’re supposed to go through them before
they come down here.
Mr. Patty: What I’ve observed that they’ve done does conform to the historic guidelines
in that area and they could get a permit. They could possibly even get an administrative permit
that I’ve issued from the office over here. I haven’t seen anything that doesn’t conform to that.
But the fact is they don’t have that permit in hand. They don’t have that certificate in hand.
Mr. Mayor: Okay we have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Ms. Beard: And that’s to approve.
23
Mr. Mayor: And that’s to approve.
Mr. Holland, Mr. Brigham vote No.
Mr. Hatney abstains.
Motion fails 5-2-1.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, no action taken. Madam Clerk, next agenda item.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
26. Report from staff regarding the denial of the claim of Ms. Tamara Perry concerning
her claim for damages against the City resulting from an incident that occurred on June 9,
2008. (No recommendation from Finance Committee October 13, 2008)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: Yes, Mr. Mayor. The Finance Committee last week, Ms. Perry was here in
regard to a claim that she has for damages as a result to allegedly hitting a pothole with her
vehicle. That claim was investigated by our Risk Management office and was denied by the
Risk Management office. She appealed that denial to myself and after reviewing the facts of the
case I too concur with Risk Management and denied that case and informed her the next avenue
of appeal would be through the Commission itself at this particular point in time. This has been
somewhat ongoing. We’ve had some scheduling issues as far as getting her here, her being able
to stay. We’ve had a couple lengthy meetings. It did come up in Finance again and made a
presentation on both sides. There was no action taken and no recommendation from the Finance
Committee. It would be appropriate at this point to hear from Ms. Perry in reference to her
claim. We have our representative from the Risk Management office who actually investigated
the claim itself and he’d be more than happy to share with you his findings upon which they
denied the claim and I upheld that denial.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, is Ms. Perry here?
Ms. Bonner: Mr. Mayor, Ms. Perry sent in a fax to our office saying that she was unable
to be here today because of an illness. So she’s not here today but that wouldn’t negate you from
hearing the claim.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, if we could hear from the claim representative.
24
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if I may we’ve done this once before. I think the issue that
raises its head at this particular point in time is the necessity of due process in this case. As
much as I hate to postpone this I would suggest that we do that again just to make sure that she
has the opportunity here to do that. Otherwise we’d be happy to go forward if you’d like but I
would like to raise that as an issue.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Attorney.
Ms. Johnson: I still think that it’s appropriate for the claims investigator to state for the
record what his findings are and y’all can receive that as information because last time he was
unable to be here.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Please.
Mr. Barnes: My name is Bill Barnes. I live at 5044 Mike Padgett Highway. I do work
for Risk Management and I am the claims adjuster for Richmond County. And which incident
are we talking about. Is this the one on Troop Street? I received a call from my office on the
th
10 of June that there was a problem at Troop and Wrightsboro Road. I responded to the scene
immediately. What I found I guess you would consider it a pothole but the substance underneath
where the asphalt was gone it was concrete. And that tells me it was a patch of some type done
whenever. I did watch numerous cars go over this problem. I drove over it with no problem. I
did measure the depth of it. It was less than one inch and we work off of a two inch field which
if it’s lower than two inches you know use a utility cut not a pothole over it we allow it. But if
it’s two inches or less we’re not liable in that situation and she was denied the claim by me and
everybody else in Risk Management.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, thank you, sir. Does anybody have any questions?
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: I make a motion that we deny the claim.
Mr. Grantham: Second.
Mr. Holland: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioner Holland.
25
Mr. Holland: I want to ask Mr. Barnes a question. I think that you said that it was
reported to you at the particular time when you found out about the pothole and that you or some
of your people went down and covered the pothole up?
Mr. Barnes: I went.
Mr. Holland: Oh, you went.
Mr. Barnes: I went and I inspected it. I immediately called Wayne Shelley. We had no
prior complaints on this area whatsoever. We did have the one that was from Ms. Perry. I called
Wayne, I said, “Wayne, send the crew up here”. It was fixed that afternoon.
Mr. Holland: So you had no complaints prior to that pothole being filled?
Mr. Barnes: There was only one complaint and that was Ms. Perry.
Mr. Holland: And none afterwards.
Mr. Barnes: No.
Mr. Holland: And you haven’t had any since?
Mr. Barnes: No.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Yes, I do have a question. In regards to the accident actually it did cause
the damage to the tire, in the rim on the car though right?
Mr. Barnes: I don’t know that, sir. I never saw it.
Mr. Johnson: Okay, she stated she had an accident report there on site.
Mr. Barnes: It was probably done after the accident. She called them to her residence
I’m sure.
Mr. Johnson: She called them to her residence? Okay, so it wasn’t there at the actual
intersection at Troop. So how did she travel with the tire flat?
Mr. Barnes: I don’t know, sir.
26
Mr. Mayor: Isn’t it amazing?
Mr. Johnson: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
Mr. Hatney: What’s the motion.
Mr. Mayor: To deny. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Johnson votes No.
Mr. Holland abstains.
Motion carries 6-1-1.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I believe we’re down to item 34 so it’s Mr. Russell’s show.
ADMINISTRATOR
34. Presentation of 2009 Budget by the Administrator.
Mr. Hatney: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Give us a minute just to read through this whole thing Fred and
Commissioner?
Mr. Hatney: And I’m not being funny. Due to the fact that we have not seen this could
we just receive this as information today?
Mr. Russell: I would hope you do that if you give me about two seconds ---
Mr. Hatney: Two seconds you got and then I move for ---
Mr. Mayor: A brief overview.
Mr. Russell: What you have before you is my presentation for the year 2009 budget,
stst
which would run from January 1 of 2009 to December 31.
Mr. Holland: Times up.
Mr. Hatney: Move to receive as information.
27
Mr. Grantham: Second.
Mr. Russell: I would like to, we have scheduled four work sessions to talk about this.
There are some issues in here that would require in depth discussion in reference to this. There
are some proposals that require some cuts in services. There are some proposals that require
some additional taxes to fulfill our Law Enforcement obligation of about $3.4 million dollars,
which we couldn’t actually begin at .833 mills at this particular point in time. We have four
separate work sessions scheduled of those to talk about specific areas there. We would love to
be able to tell you that things are rosy. We are better off than most people and we continue to do
so. But I think given the nature of what’s going on in the world around us and locally we need to
make sure that we are still getting the best bang for out buck with every dollar that we spend and
that we do so in an appropriate manner to protect not only our citizens but ourselves. Those
discussions will occur over the next several weeks and we look forward as a staff to working
with you as we develop a budget for 2009.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Fred, and look forward to, all of us working together to get this
done. Madam Attorney, I believe that you have requested a Legal Session.
Ms. Johnson: Yes, for pending litigation and to receive legal advice on two contracts.
LEGAL MEETING
A. Pending and Potential Litigation.
B. Real Estate.
C. Personnel.
ADDENDUM
35. Motion to approve going into a Legal Meeting.
Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to go into a Legal Session to ---
Mr. Smith: So moved.
Mr. Holland: Second.
28
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Jackson votes No.
Mr. Hatney abstains.
Motion carries 6-1-1.
Mr. Mayor: We are in Legal. Fred, I just wanted your attention to. Is it the Senior
Citizens October Fest out at the Lock and Dam Park today? And a gentleman gave me this
billion-dollar bill so I figured as we’re discussing the budget I just wanted to go ahead and chip
that in for you.
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, with that being the fact I would suggest that we add that to the
General Fund and I make a motion for approval.
Mr. Mayor: I’ll just sign it over to you. We’re in Legal.
[LEGAL MEETING]
Mr. Mayor: I’ll go ahead and call the meeting back to order. And I believe Mr. Russell’s
going to want two minutes before we adjourn.
36. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with
Georgia’s Open Meeting Act.
Mr. Mayor: But I would look for a motion to execute the ---
Ms. Beard: So moved.
Mr. Mayor: --- to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit ---
Mr. Holland: Second.
Mr. Mayor: --- of compliance with Georgia’s Open Meeting Act. We have a motion and
a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Hatney out.
Motion carries 7-0.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Mr. Russell, you wanted just one minute?
29
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to pass out the schedule to begin working on SPLOST
VI. It obviously doesn’t require any action at this particular time. I was going to pass it out in
front of the budget presentation since it does have some impact on budget. But given the, I got
confused and bewildered and didn’t get it passed out at that particular point in time because I
was talking too fast. We will share this with the public. It does give a schedule. It does ask you
to begin to put together some thoughts on which you as individuals might like to see in our next
SPLOST. We anticipated a June election. We do not have to make that decision until January
but because we are going to be working on the budget for the next couple weeks I think it’s
appropriate that we do keep SPLOST in our back minds, in the back of our mind as we do that
because some of those projects might have an impact on our current budget. Once again I
apologize for not giving that to you a little bit sooner but it’s there in front of you now.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, and, Fred, don’t forget this billion-dollar bill is sitting right up here.
That should help fund a couple projects.
Mr. Russell: I’ve already tried to give that to at least one banker a little while ago and he
laughed.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Ms. Beard: When is the first budget meeting? It’s not tomorrow is it?
Mr. Russell: No, ma’am, I think it’s next Thursday.
Ms. Beard: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, with no further business to come before the body we stand adjourned.
[MEETING ADJOURNED]
Lena Bonner
Clerk of Commission
30
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
October 21, 2008.
___________________________________
Clerk of Commission
31