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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission Meeting April 1, 2009 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER APRIL 1, 2009 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., April 1, 2009, 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 the Reverend Don. L. Stone, Pastor Lumpkin Road Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. The Clerk: --- employees and all are feeling the old culture of fear and intimidation rapidly fading away. And the new culture of servant leadership and service excellence is emerging at a steady pace. I am truly amazed to see how you all have grown over the last three years. You work better together, you are focusing on real pressing challenges Augusta faces currently and in the future. Your public image is like never before and you all have settled into a maturity of serving which will only allow great things to happen. Your talented management team has truly persevered and steadily taken the reins and you have already seen in just one year what can happen when they are allowed to manage the operations and deliver on your highest expectations. You have responded with a new set of goals for the management team and your dedicated employees to work toward over the coming year. We at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government appreciate the trust you have in the institute by choosing us to facilitate your retreat. I hope you have a chance to serve you again in the near future over the next year. I look forward to hearing of many great leadership and operational strides and a lot of good news coming from Augusta. Kindest regards, Gordon Maner, Manager, Local Government Program. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. I just wanted to make that a part of the public record. Now if we can move on to the Presentations. The Clerk: PRESENTATION(S) A. Mr. Wayne Hawkins, Chairman of the Mayor’s Masters Reception. RE: Presentation of Mayor’s Masters Reception Pins. (Presentation made by Mr. Hawkins) Mr. Mayor: And Mr. Hawkins that was under five minutes. I hope everybody will be able to make it on Monday. That’s it? Golly. Next, on to the Recognitions, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) 1 Augusta Fire Department B. Special Recognition of Messrs. Stanley, Joseph and Charles Connor. RE: Heroic Rescue of a family during a fatal structure fire on March 6, 2009. The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission at this time we would like to recognize three courageous citizens of Augusta who demonstrated their bravery during a recent structural fire. We ask that Messrs. Stanley, Joseph and Charles Conner please join the Mayor here at the podium along with Chief Willis and other fire Deputy Chiefs. Mr. Mayor: And we have these three recognitions but I’m just going to read the wording for everybody. Community Champion Award. The City of Augusta recognizes and applauds your heroics efforts in which you rescued a family during a recent structure fire on March 6, 2009. When presented with the challenge you came through loud and clear. Answering the call with a full charge of energy, bravery and selflessness is deeply appreciated and was exemplified in this gallant act of humanity which demonstrated a noble characteristic and serves as an st example and inspiration for us all. Given under my hand this 1 day of April 2009. Gentlemen, thank y’all so much. (APPLAUSE) Chief, I’m going to turn it over to you but I’m going to say one thing. I wanted that recognition of the efforts of the Commission read into the record. But you guys are the real heroes in this community and we on behalf of this government thank you for putting your lives on the line everyday for us. We very much appreciate it. Chief Willis: Yes, I’d like to echo the same thing with the Mayor. Our community is the, they are the heroes and people like this young man here. You know we go into a lot of fires and usually when we’re going in everybody else is coming out. And when we got there this young man and his uncle, two uncles they were coming out with children in their hands. And to their bravery and everything it was a real thing most people would not take a chance to do. But they certainly stepped forward and we’re certainly proud of them and having him in our community is certainly a great honor for us. Thank you for what you did. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Thank your family as well. Next item, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) Jimmy Smith C. Congratulations! Commissioner Jimmy Smith for completing all course work required for certificate of recognition from the University of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association. The Clerk: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. At this time we would like to recognize and offer our congratulations to our scholar Commissioner Jimmy Smith for completing all course work required for certification of recognition from the University of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association. Commissioner Smith will get this award in (unintelligible). 2 Mr. Smith: Lena? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Smith: I wanted to say I thank you, my wife thanks you and my children thank you. My birddog thanks you and my mules. The Clerk: I humbly accept those kind words, Commissioner Smith. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the Delegations. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS D. Ms. Gail Stebbins. RE: Arbitrary removal of healthy tree at 1217 Peachtree Road. Mr. Mayor: And Ms. Stebbins if you could keep it to 5 minutes, please, ma’am. Ms. Stebbins: Yes, I will. I want to thank the Commission for allowing me to appear in front of you. And if I could, oh, I’m sorry. If I could pass these out to the Commissioners please. Mr. Mayor: And, Ms. Stebbins, if you could just state for the record your name and address. Ms. Stebbins: Yes, I certainly will. My name is Gail Stebbins and I live at 1217 th Peachtree Road in Augusta. And what I’m here about is on Thursday March the 19 a county crew cut down a large long-leaf pine from my yard. Neither my husband or I was consulted ahead of time and if that were the end of the story I wouldn’t be here. But the reason that I am is that the county made a mistake. And also it was compounded because a county employee Mr. Dennis Stroud made three different contradictory inconsistent statements. The last of which was a forth publication and was published in the newspaper and has resulted in a great deal of pain for my family including my husband me, and my two daughters. What was the mistake that started this. On Thursday morning I woke and there were county employees cutting down a large, healthy and I want to underline that word, healthy, over 80-foot long-leaf pine tree. It had no defects it had no disease. There was no weakness and they left behind an unsightly stump. According to what I was told the tree was cut down because a man named Wiley Kitchens asked that it be cut down. Mr. Kitchens is not the homeowner, never has been. He is unknown to me or my husband. He does not nor has he ever lived on Peachtree Road. I clocked the distance, I looked it up. He lives somewhere on Walton Way over ½ mile from my house, four streets over so it’s not even in his sight line. We’re puzzled to this day why someone would want to have a healthy pine tree cut down. But according to what I was told initially by Mr. Kirby Frazier who is charge of cutting the tree down the tree removal crew was under the impression Mr. Wiley Kitchens was the homeowner and they were doing him a favor. The whole problem could’ve been avoided by communication and that’s the first thing is they had gotten in touch with the 3 homeowner and I would hope that this Commission would encourage the proper authorities to do that in the future. The second thing would have been stopped if they had stopped as soon as I told them. When I went outside and said stop, stop what are you doing the tree was not destroyed, the tree was not topped. If they had just stopped rather than continuing merrily on their way we would now still have an 80-foot healthy long-leaf pine tree in our yard. After the tree was topped, however, because they refused to stop I asked for a certified arborist and Mr. Kirby Frazier the man in charge of the committee said he was a certified arborist. You will see in what I’ve given you this is a card that has his name on it. It says he works for the county and says that he is a certified arborist. You also have in what I gave you the work order that had been produced that morning that says that they did it because of Mr. Wiley Kitchens. Well, when he told me he was a certified arborist I went to him and I said I want you to examine this tree. Is it diseased in any way? Answer, no, ma’am. Is it weak in any way? Answer, no, ma’am. Did it appear to be dangerous in any way? Answer, no, ma’am. Why are you cutting it down? Well, we’re cutting it down only because the homeowner wanted us to cut it down. That’s what he told me. Well, that’s the first story I was told and also the story he told my neighbor Diana Burnside who is the widow of Tommy Burnside, many of you may know him. That’s also the story he told Laura Graves who is the wife of Doug Graves. She lives right across the street. The um, after that I asked him when he said he was the homeowner I said I’m the homeowner. I did not want it cut down. So now we had the first that was the mistake. They cut it down and now we had the first lie. He said, oh, I talked with your husband this morning and he knows what we’re doing. No. And when I said that’s not true he backed off. So that’s when given this first lie I asked for his supervisor. He told me it was Dennis Stroud. You’ll see Mr. Stroud is listed as the supervisor on the work order. And I’ve asked for Mr. Stroud’s telephone number. I had my cell phone in my hand. Lie number two. Mr. Kirby gave me three wrong numbers. Why did he do that? So he could call Mr. Stroud first. How do I know that? Because as I was calling the number he had given me he actually wrote down his own network in his own handwriting, which is an incorrect number. He was actually dialing the number of Mr. Stroud so he could get in first. He didn’t give me the wrong number once, he didn’t give me the wrong number twice, he gave me the wrong number three --- Mr. Mayor: Okay --- Ms. Stebbins: --- different times so he could tell me enough. Mr. Mayor: --- Ms. Stebbins, I’m sorry but the, that’s the end of the five minutes. And I apologize but that’s what we give equal time to everybody. It is listed in there that you are allotted five minutes. Ms. Stebbins: Well, if I could then have the rest of these so that everybody could see the notes because my concern --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am, that would be fine. Ms. Stebbins: --- if they could review and circulate it because of the fact that the line in the paper is defamatory. I’m a lawyer. I asked that it be corrected because if not I have suffered 4 just seeing online all the comments that have been posted against me saying that I’m some crazy crackpot for wanting an unhealthy tree down. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Ms. Stebbins: And I would hate for it to go further. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, I have not had the opportunity to talk to Ms. Stebbins about this. It might be appropriate if I meet with her and determine the bounds of her complaint and bring you back a recommendation. Mr. Mayor: We would appreciate you doing that. Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think that’s a good suggestion by Mr. Russell. There was a number of allegations made here, though, and that kind of leaves things out in the open. I’m wondering if it would be appropriate to hear from Mr. Stroud because he is here in the audience. Mr. Mayor: Madam Attorney. She recommends not. Mr. Mason: Well, certainly we’re going to take as Fred’s going to --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Russell: --- do what he does. Mr. Mayor: Absolutely. Mr. Mason: All right. Mr. Holland: Can we receive this as information? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor, is what Mr. Russell’s report I know there is a process to go through with getting procedures done and going through Planning and Zoning to get a tree removed. And I don’t think those were followed so I’d like a report on that as well. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the consent agenda. Or did you, Commissioner Grantham did you have something? Mr. Grantham: I’ll take that up with Fred later. Mr. Mayor: Okay, on to the consent agenda. 5 The Clerk: The consent agenda consists of items 1-28, items 1-28. For the benefit of any objectors to our alcohol petitions I will read those petitions. If there are any objectors would you please signify your objections by raising your hand when the petition is read. Item 2. Is for a Sunday Sales license to be used in connection with the Alli Katz Bar & Grill located at 3629-A Walton Way. Item 3. Is for a Beer License to be used in connection with MAG Company DBA Moe’s Southwest Grill located at 2905 Washington Road. Item 4. Is for a Wine License to be used in connection with Cajon Wholesale Company located 1881 Beaver Creek Lane. Item 5. Is for a Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Hoe-Downs located at 1204 Ellis Street. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those alcohol petitions? Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: The consent agenda consists of items 1-28. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have, Mr. Russell. FINANCE 24. Motion to approve Amendment No. 13 (Year 2009 Agreement Modifications) to Agreement with OMI for a 2009 Budget cost of $7,513,768,80 and Reconciliation of 2008 Operating Costs. (Funded by Account No. 506043310-5211110)(Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 23, 2009) Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, item #24. We’ve got a little additional staff work we’d like to do on that and I would ask that the Commission move that to the next commission meeting. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Item 29 --- The Clerk: Dr. Hatney, can we get you to bring down your --- thank you. Mr. Hatney: Item 29. Due to the fact the last time we voted on the packet itself there was a 9-0 vote I would, unless some of my colleagues have some objections, we move that to the consent agenda. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank you, sir. I guess I can’t ask for any further items to place on the consent agenda. Commissioner Mason, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. 6 Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor, Item #28, I would ask that Charles Harris who would be my appointment to the ARC Coliseum Authority be pulled from that agenda item and the other two items remain as is. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Mason: The other two names remain as is. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Do we have any items to be pulled for discussion? I know that we have a couple of additions to the agenda. Okay, seeing as we’ve got a couple additions to the agenda I know that one was the request of Mr. Bowles, #2. The Clerk: That item be deleted as well from the addendum agenda. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have unanimous consent to add agenda item one? Okay. Well hearing no further I would look for a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mr. Mason: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to accept a donation of one electric utility vehicle from GoGreen Zero Emission Vehicles for use by the Special Events Division – Recreation and Parks Dept. (Approved by Public Services Committee March 23, 2009) 2. Motion to approve a request by Bryan Birmingham for a Sunday Sales license to be used in connection with Alli Katz Bar 7 Grill located at 3629-A Walton Way. There will be Sunday Sales. District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee march 23, 2009) 3. Motion to approve an Application: A.N. 09-71; request by Christopher P. Smith for an on premise consumption Beer License to be used in connection with the MAG Company DBA Moe’s Southwest Grill located at 2805 Washington Rd. There will be Sunday Sales. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee march 23, 2009) 4. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 09-72: request by Chris Jones for a wholesale Wine License to be used in connection with Cajon Wholesale Company located at 1881 Beaver Creek Lane. District 4. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee March 23, 2009) 5. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 09-73: request by Jackie Wall for an on premise consumption Liquor & Beer License to be used in connection with How- Downs located at 1204 Ellis St. There will be Dance. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee March 23, 2009) 6. Motion to approve an amendment to the cooperative agreement with CSRA RDC for senior nutrition services. (Approved by Public Services Committee march 23, 2009) 7 7. Motion to approve a food and beverage concession contract for operation of four parks with Ronlyn Food Services (Bid item #09-012A). (Approved by Public Services Committee March 23, 2009) 8. Motion to approve a Resolution in support of Georgia Golf Hall of Fame Statues being displayed throughout Augusta during Masters Week. (Approved by Public Services Committee March 23, 2009) 9. Motion to approve the renewal of the lease for the First Tee of Augusta. (Approved by Public Services Committee March 23, 2009) 10. Motion to approve Bid Item 09-080, modular tennis pro shop for Diamond Lakes Regional Park to Rainbow Homes for $49,000. (Approved by Public Services Committee March 23, 2009) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 11. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend Title Three of the Augusta, Georgia Code to add a definition for the term “Motorized Cart” to Section 3-5-1, to repeal all ordinances in conflict herewith, to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (Approved by Commission March 17, 2009 – second reading) PUBLIC SAFETY 12. Motion to approve the selection of CDWG, Inc. for Bid #08-212A, Printer Replacements. (Approved by Public Safety Committee March 23, 2009) 13. Motion to approve a contract with AT&T for a Metro E Network with Ft. Gordon. (Approved by Public Safety Committee March 23, 2009) 14. Motion to ratify State Court Probation Services Contract with Sentinel Offender Services, LLC. (Approved by Public Safety Committee March 23, 2009) 15. Motion to approve the replacement of obsolete computer equipment (laptops, computers, servers, printer, and scanners) and purchase of any required computer software upgrades. (Approved by Public Safety Committee March 23, 2009) FINANCE 16. Motion to approve the replacement of 1 utility body truck for the Utilities Department- Fort Gordon Division. (Approved by Finance Committee March 23, 2009) 17. Motion to approve the purchase of one Ford F-250 utility body truck for Utilities Ground Water Division. (Approved by Finance Committee March 23, 2009) 18. Motion to approve a request from Mr. Bruce Klassen regarding an abatement of penalty only for property located at 2636 Walton Way. (Approved by Finance Committee Marcy 23, 2009) 19. Motion to approve renewal of Public Official Liability coverage with current carrier, Landmark American Insurance, for $68,308 for April 19, 2009 to April 19, 2010 coverage. (Approved by Finance Committee March 23, 2009) 20. Motion to deny a request from Martin Management Investments, LP regarding a waiver of penalty and interest on property located at 1332 Augusta West Parkway. (Approved by Finance Committee March 23, 2009) 21. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend Article 2.1, Section 1-4-16 of the Augusta, Ga. Code, so as to enlarge the designation of the Downtown Development Areas, to repeal 8 conflicting Ordinances and for other purposes and waive second reading. (Approved by Finance Committee March 23, 2009) 22. Motion to approve proposed 2009 Cost of Living increases for the City 1949 Pension Plan, the City Employees Pension (City 1945) Plan and the Richmond County 1945 Pension Plan. (Approved by Finance Committee March 23, 2009) ENGINEERING SERVICES 23. Motion to accept a gift of $650 from the Augusta Women’s Club for improvements to planted areas around select historical markers on Central Avenue, approve transfer of those funds from the Donation account to Operational account #101-06-2411-53.17710, and increase the budget in that line item from $6,840 to $7,490 to allow staff to proceed with procuring material to complete the requested work. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 23, 2009) 24. Motion to approve Amendment No. 13 (Year 2009 Agreement Modifications) to Agreement with OMI for a 2009 Budget cost of $7,513,768.80 and Reconciliation of 2008 Operating Costs. (Funded by Account No. 506043310-5211110) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 23, 2009) 25. Motion to approve the Final Change Order to the existing construction contract with W.L. Hailey and Company, Inc. to finalize bid schedule line items and approve funding to finalize construction. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 23, 2009) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 26. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held on March 17, 2009. APPPOINTMENTS 27. Motion to approve the appointment of Michael A. Brown to the Historic Preservation Commission due to the resignation of Anna Avery representing District 3. 28. Motion to approve the appointment of Mary Jacobson to the Canal Authority, Christopher Martin to the Citizens Small Business Advisory Board and Charles E. Harris to the ARC Coliseum Authority representing District 4. ADMINISTRATOR 29. Motion to approve the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Phase VI Referendum Resolution. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and second. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Hatney: By the way I abstain on the alcohol. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Bowles: Madam Clerk, I’d like a No vote on item 29, please. The Clerk: Twenty-nine. 9 Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion carries 9-1. [Items 2-5] Mr. Bowles votes No. Motion carries 9-1. [Item 29] Motion carries 10-0. [Items 1, 6-23, 25-28] Mr. Mayor: Okay --- Mr. Grantham: (unintelligible) Mr. Mayor: Exactly. Mr. Grantham: Withdraw District 3 funding. Mr. Bowles: Does that exempt tax collections as well? Mr. Mayor: Okay, let’s go to the agenda item that was added number one on the addition. The Clerk: ADDENDUM 30. Introduction of Montey Jones and Global Spectrum. (Requested by Commissioner Bowles) Mr. Jones: First off I would like to say thank you, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem --- Mr. Mayor: And if you could, Mr. Jones, if you could state your name and address for the record just for procedure sake. Mr. Jones: Monte Jones, Jr. 3513 Jamaica Drive Augusta GA 30909. First I’d like to thank you Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Commissioners, Administrator and Clerk of Commission for allowing us to come here before you. As I said earlier my name is Monty Jones, Jr. I’m the General Manger of the Augusta Entertainment Complex, which consists of the James Brown Arena and the William B. Bell Auditorium. What we’re consisting at what Tom Paquette is passing out right now which Tom Paquette is the General Manager of the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC, which is another Global Spectrum managed facility. We’re passing out programs and items that are listed as far as what Global Spectrum represents and then also what we represent and then a portion of the slide that we’ll have to present to you all shortly. Someone else that I would like to present is the Regional Vice-President with Global Spectrum Mr. Doug Higgons. 10 Mr. Higgons: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission I’d like to take like three minutes to do a pre --- Mr. Mayor: You’ve only got five total, sir. Mr. Higgons: That’s why I’m going to take a 15 minute presentation and do it in three. Just to introduce a little bit about our company. We’ve been in Augusta, Richmond County now for 8 months and excited about the progress we’ve made in the facilities. Real quick in background Global Spectrum we’re part of a larger company called Comcast Spectacore. Under that umbrella you’ll find a company Global Spectrum, Front Row Marketing Services, Ovations Food Service, New Era Tickets and Comcast Sports Net. Just real quick the Comcast and Comcast Sports Net is Comcast cable the largest cable provider in North America with 24.1 million cable subscribers. Just to give you an idea the company that you’re doing business with. Comcast Spectacore we’re based in Philadelphia and in addition the company Global Spectrum we own the Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia 76’ers, a skating company a minor league hockey team as well as a number of ice rinks. How that works for the county and the James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium is it brings additional resources. In 2008 we did 1.8 billion dollars in total revenue. A number of resources come out of Philadelphia. Marketing group sales, operations support, legal, risk management, human resources, finance all roll downed to all our individual buildings at Global Spectrum and all of our sister companies. Global Spectrum is just an idea. We manage 82-venues across the U.S. and Canada. Last year in 2008 we did 8800 different events, had 17.3 million people through our buildings. This breaks down thirty-three arenas, thirty-five convention centers, eight stadiums including the University of Phoenix stadium where the Super Bowl was last year, and seven performing arts facilities. We do manage two buildings up the road, one in Aiken and one in Columbia, which brings a number of synergies to the James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium. Again a new slide and go through it just for the sake of time at your leisure. For all the means and what you really hired us to do on behalf of the taxpayers of Augusta-Richmond County is bring more events and manage the resources in the bottom line and in eight months I’d probably say we’ve done just that. We’ve also brought in our sister company to help sell advertising services, Front Row Marketing Services, and our sister company New Era Tickets to do the ticketing. I’ll kind of skip right through and let Mr. Monte Jones tell you a little bit about the success we’ve had in a few short eight months. Mr. Jones: Yes, also these are just some brief highlights that we have with the building. Just in the eight months that we’ve been here just throughout the same time we average over 10% what the building has done in complex has done in the past. And we’re also looking to improve the bottom line of the budget by $200,000 dollars just within our first operating year. In coming up next it’s just some of the short within just some of the events we had or we have coming up. This is just some of the logos or even some of the people that we have here. And two highlights of that is just earlier in March we had a great weekend. We had 2,000 or so people come through the James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium. One of the main highlights is the first ever sell-out of WWE Wrestling at the James Brown Arena with over 7100 people in the venue as well as the greatest attended event ever in Augusta The Harlem Globe Trotters with over 4700. And what that all boils down to is with Global Spectrum, Comcast, James Brown Arena and the Bell Auditorium we all combined for the Augusta entertainment complex which 11 brings success for Augusta Richmond County and we want to thank the authority for bringing us in to present this. Mr. Mayor: Thank you so much, Monte. And I just want to say and I think the Commissioners will share in this and they’re going to give their input. Y’all are doing a phenomenal job bring high quality entertainment to Augusta, Georgia. It is amazing to watch and I know the citizens appreciate it because I get the feed back all the time. But I’ll go to Commissioner Holland and then Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Holland: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to commend you all for doing an outstanding job also. And as a former member of the Coliseum Authority and had an opportunity to see different projects come and different companies come in to the arena, where are we? Can you answer this question? Where are we now in reference to the, to the, you know your company where are we in towards getting permanent tenants back at the James Brown Arena? Mr. Jones: Okay, I’ll, um, and coordinate I’ve been talking to my regional VP on the process on that and I’ll let him, he has a little bit more insight on our permanent tenants going forward. Mr. Holland: Thank you. Mr. Higgons: Yes, thank you, Commissioner. We’ve actually been in touch with probably every minor league organization that exists right now whether it be a minor league basketball franchise or a minor league hockey. We’ve looked into some minor league racing indoor arena racing believe it or not. I’m confident to say that probably by at least our third season here if not the second we will have a minor league franchise that portends to the county. I can’t tell you what that league would be or even what sport that would be right now but we’re doing our due diligence. What we want to be sure is that whatever team ends up taking an anchor residence in the James Brown Arena is going to be there a long time. It doesn’t do any of us any good to have to have something that’s you know that’s half way through a year for whatever reason it isn’t going to make it. So we’re still doing the research but trust me we’re being very aggressive to that front. Mr. Holland: Thank you. Whatever it is we know you’re going to do an outstanding job with it. Mr. Higgons: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mason: Thank you and I certainly want to offer my congratulations as well to a job well done. In speaking of a long time I’d just like to know what do the two buildings need in terms of capital improvements in order to become competitive in your opinion. 12 Mr. Higgons: I’m going to turn that over to one more (inaudible). Mr. Paquette’s going to answer that question for you. We all have our fields of specialization. Mr. Mason: Okay. Mr. Paquette: As Mike said I’m the General Manager of the Colonial Life Arena just up the road in Columbia. Our operations staff has come down and put a fresh set of eyes on the building to help Monte out as well to take a look at what we need. And we’ve kind of broken it into two things. I think first the building’s probably been physically maybe a little bit neglected. So there’s some things we need to do infrastructure wise to keep the building operating. And the second part would be there are some things we need to do to kind of bring it up to industry standards. Some of the behind the scenes work whether it’s dressing rooms or some signage things that we really need to improve our image within the industry. So we’ve kind of split it up, we have developed a list of things and started to address some of those items. But we really just started doing that. We went through a thorough evaluation period to do that. Mr. Mason: If I could do a follow up, Mr. Mayor. How do you foresee the future of the operating budget of both buildings as it relates to this whole James Brown Arena? Are you going to turn it over to somebody else? Mr. Paquette: Well, Monte’s my local expert. Mr. Mayor: Come on back up, Monte. Come on down. Mr. Jones: Just as a slide that I presented earlier I stated just right now we’re looking to be $200,000 better on the bottom line compared to last year. And that’s with us just being here eight months and just getting things started. At Global Spectrum as we come along and we get better acquainted with the facility, more out with the community and things of that matter we can better access things that we’re able to do to drop that even more. You know that’s just 200 just this year. So as long as we come forth and we get better acquainted with the facility it’s going to continue to drop. Mr. Mason: I appreciate that, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I have a few questions here. Monte, you mentioned some things about the community. As a management company and being the manager there what do you view your roles in the community as a management company here in Richmond County in dealing with both arenas? Mr. Jones: First, I would say one of the main reasons we’re there is to entertain the people of Augusta-Richmond County. We thank the Coliseum Authority for bringing Global on so that we can do that. It’s states just earlier we’re 10% more events the Augusta people in Augusta-Richmond County and the CSRA area has been coming out to support us. They’re liking the great things that we’re doing there. Just my within the staff there we’ve been a portion 13 of as far as involved with the James Brown Turkey Drive, the Toy Drive, we’ve been on numerous radio stations from Austin Rhoades to Helen Blocker Adams to Fats and Cher in the morning. Even on TV shows. We’ve been on the Means report and just about once a month I go on with Comcast Live. Mr. Mayor: I was going to say you lead the city in appearances on Connect Live because you’re on there every time I watch it. Mr. Johnson: Well, it goes back to your philosophy what you know have y’all adapted or adopted excuse me a philosophy on customer service in dealing with bringing people in and also keeping those people interested in coming back and returning to Augusta when they do come through. Mr. Jones: Yes, and one of the things that we and I think I do maybe have a slide is our How’re You Doing program. It’s a corporate initiative that we have within Global Spectrum that we segmented and as you see you see as far as the open “u” is the peach, which represents Georgia. So we’re localized but our program for the How’re You Doing which we reward our staffing and I think I usually keep cards in my pocket where as we give staff cards when we see them when they go outside the way from the norm of doing things and we present them with a How’re You Doing card. And what this allows them to do they put their name and information and we do drawings whether it’s during an event or we do drawings monthly so that we provide them with a reward for them doing something outside of the norm. Granted it’s what they’re there to do but just going above and beyond is what we stress with our ten different rules with the How’re You Doing program that we present. Mr. Johnson: That’s great. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, again I echo the sentiments of the Mayor and everybody else. Y’all are definitely doing a fantastic job. I’m looking forward to making this place and especially Augusta-Richmond County one of the key places that people and the surrounding cities will come in and witness the entertainment. Thanks. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith, then Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. How is your relationship with the Coliseum Board? Mr. Jones: I think our relationship is great. Since I’ve been aboard here I came in at the end of August it was a unanimous decision to allow me to be the General Manager of the facility from what I presented to them. And since I’ve been here they’ve been great. They’ve been allowing us to do what we came to do which is book events and bring entertainment to the area. So we thank them for allowing us to do that. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: I just wanted to get Monte up here to introduce y’all to him. And just looking at this How’re You Doing. That’s almost a New York phrase. I thought maybe y’all could take that “O” and changing to and “A” and say How y’all doin’! 14 Mr. Jones: As I said we localized the (inaudible) we got them coming in and they take your tickets. Some of them may say “How y’all doin”. So it leaves you to go anyway you choose. Mr. Bowles: But I did want to bring Monte here to introduce him to us an also to thank Global Spectrum for taking a chance on Augusta and also to thank the Coliseum Authority for making the decision to bring them in. And hopefully we can make this a long-term partnership. Mr. Jones: Thank you, we look forward to that. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, I did have the honor of going there over the weekend and let me tell you it was a great experience and a good time and we enjoyed that a lot. There’s a little kid in all of us and we always like to see that come back out again. But I was just curious. Is there any truth to the rumor that the Philadelphia 76’ers will be moving to Augusta? Is that something that I just heard or was that something that that maybe I just dreamed about? Mr. Mayor: They’d tell you but they’d have to kill ya! Mr. Jones: I guess all things are possible. Mr. Mayor: All righty, well, gentlemen, thank you all so much for coming in and thanks for putting it on there. Mr. Jones: Thank you all. Mr. Grantham: Good job. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: I believe that ends our regular agenda. Madam Attorney, do we need a Legal Session? Ms. Johnson: We do regarding pending and potential litigation, settlements and administrative proceedings. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation. B. Real Estate. C. Personnel. ADDENDUM 31. Motion to go into a Legal Meeting. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to go into Legal session to that effect? 15 Mr. Hatney: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Jackson votes No. Motion carries 9-1. [LEGAL MEETING] Mr. Mayor: Okay, Jerry, I’ll let you get closer to your seat. I’ll go ahead and call the meeting back to order. 32. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia’s Open Meeting Act. Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Bowles, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Hatney out. Motion carries 7-0. Mr. Mayor: With no further business to come before the body we stand adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on April 1, 2009. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 16 17