HomeMy WebLinkAboutCalled Commission Meeting December 7, 2009
CALLED MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
December 7, 2009
The Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 11:30 a.m., Monday,
December 07, 2009, the Honorable Alvin Mason, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Smith, Grantham, Hatney, Beard, Johnson, Jackson, Bowles and
Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
ABSENT: Hons. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor; Holland, member of Augusta Richmond
County Commission.
Also Present: Fred Russell, Administrator; Chiquita Johnson, General Counsel; Nancy
Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission.
1.Discuss/approve finance and project/development plans for the TEE Center/Laney-
Walker /Bethlehem Projects.
Mr. Grantham: Motion to approve the recommendation of the TEE Center/Laney
Walker-Bethlehem Subcommittee regarding the funding with the addendum to increase
the original funding to Transit up to $400,000 once $1.5 million is collected and the amount
over $1.5 million would be split between Transit at 60% and a revitalization fund for all
eight districts at 40%.
Mr. Hatney: Second.
Mr. Russell: If you could, you need to incorporate that motion and second to include the
verbage in the documents that are relevant. The entire motion needs to include the relevant
document that’s attached.
[Motion to approve the following actions regarding the TEE Center, Laney Walker –
Bethlehem Project and the Transportation Fee.
As to the TEE Center Project: (1) proceed with the TVSdesign for the TEE Center and the
design and construction of a parking deck consistent with the TVSdesign parking study, at
a total cost of $48,000,000 for the parking deck and TEE Center. Funding for the projects
to come for the following sources: $20,000,000 from SPLOST V, a net amount of
$19,000,000 from the issuance of tax exempt bonds, $1,500,000 from cost savings from the
Judicial Center Project, $5,000,000 from additional SPLOST V collections and $2,500,000
from SPLOST V interest earnings. Sources of funds for the repayment of the bonds will be
$1,000,000 from the Hotel/Motel tax and $425,000 from the car rental franchise fee. (2)
Approve the execution by the Mayor and Clerk of Commission the TEE Center
Management and Catering Agreement and TEE Center CORE Agreement with a
provision that the parking lot and deck is to be operated by the TEE Center operator.
Such agreement to be subject to review and approval by bond and tax counsel. (3)
Authorize the Administrator to proceed with the necessary RFQ/RFP for a construction
manager at risk for the construction of the parking deck and the TEE Center. (4)
Authorize the Administrator to acquire the necessary land for the construction of the TEE
Center and parking deck and to undertake such action as necessary to begin construction
of the parking deck and TEE Center. (5) Authorize the Administrator to engage bond
counsel for the issuance of bonds for the construction of the projects and to obtain the
Coliseum Authority’s consent to issue the bonds for the projects.
As to the Laney Walker – Bethlehem Project: (1) Approve the issuance of $8,000,000 of
taxable bonds to continue the Laney Walker-Bethlehem Project, with the bonds being
amortized of 30 year with a 5 year maturity. The bonds will be repaid from a portion of
the Transportation Fee designated for the Laney Walker – Bethlehem Project. (2)
Authorize the Administrator to develop programmatic requirements for use of funds for
land acquisition, developer loans and down payment assistance. (3) Advance $1,000,000
from the general fund to continue the project, such advance to be repaid from the bond
proceeds. (4) Authorize the Administrator to take such action as necessary to form a
Urban Redevelopment Agency for the issuance of the bonds. (5) Obtain bond counsel’s
approval that the use of the bonds funds will not violate bond covenants or law. (6)
Authorize the Administrator to engage bond counsel to issue the bonds.
As to the Transportation Fee: Amend the ordinance to provide that the $350,000 of the
initial collections of $1,500,000 shall go to TEE Center project for operational and capital
expenditures; $750,000 of the initial collections of $1,500,000 shall to the Bethlehem - Laney
Walker Project for payment of bond costs and pay as you go projects; $400,000 of the
initial collections of $1,500,000 shall go to Transportation; and that collections over
$1,500,000 shall be split 60% to Transportation and the remaining 40% to county wide
urban revitalization.]
Mr. Mason votes No.
Ms. Beard abstains.
Motion carries 7-1-1.
[MEETING ADJOURNED]
Nancy W. Morawski
Deputy Clerk of Commission