HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMISSION MEETING - AUGUST 17, 2010
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
AUGUST 17, 2010
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., August 17, 2010, the
Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Smith, Mason, Grantham, Hatney, Aiken, Johnson, Jackson,
Bowles and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
The invocation was given by the Reverend Hardy S. Bennings, Pastor of Historic
Springfield Baptist Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor: And, Pastor, I have, Pastor, before you leave I’ve got something for you.
Mr. Mason: Not so fast.
Mr. Mayor: You must have a sermon to give but I’ve got a little something for you.
Thank you for that invocation and just have something for you. Office of the Mayor. By these
present be it known that Rev. Hardy S. Bennings, Pastor of Historic Springfield Baptist Church
is Chaplain of the Day for his civic and spiritual guidance demonstrated throughout the
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community. Serves as an example for all of the faith community. Given under my hand this 17
Day of August 2010. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Madam Clerk, on to the delegations.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
A. Mr. Thomas Hill. RE: Every Swipe Counts partnership with Susan G. Komen for the
Cure.
Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes, please, sir, and welcome.
Mr. Hill: I’d like, first of all, I’d like to thank the Honorable Mayor Copenhaver,
Commissioners and guests here this evening. I’m going to ask you to indulge me very briefly at
the start of this presentation by a show of hands anyone who has a family member, colleague,
friend, church member that has suffered from breast cancer. Please raise your hand. For those
that didn’t raise your hand I hope you stay that blessed. In my five minutes up here at least three
women will die from breast cancer. A woman dies every 75 seconds. One out of every eight
women gets invasive breast cancer. There are 200,000 new cases every year. I stand before the
Commission and the Mayor and the guests to present a valued and humanitarian proposition to
your organization. I represent Every Swipe Counts (unintelligible) Susan G. Komen for the
Cure. We have established a three-year partnership with Susan G. Komen where at the
minimum we’re going to provide them with $450,000. Our goal is to give two or three million
or maybe even more. We do this by partnering with businesses in this municipality. It costs our
partners nothing. What we do is we provide them with 5% of our profits, we provide them with
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5% of profits and $25.00 for each member that joins us. We’ve been very successful in this
endeavor. My background is I’ve been in the merchant services credit card processing business
for eight years. I’ve been working here in Augusta for about seven or eight months, in the
Thompson area as well. I’ve had a lot of good fortune getting a lot of businesses to sign up with
us. The value proposition I’d like to present is based upon the city being able to reduce costs.
During my tenure in the merchant services business what I do is analyze operations. What I
provide back to you is a document that looks like this. This document represents a restaurant
that joined us in Atlanta. It does about $35,000 a year in business. We took a look at their
merchant statement, analyzed them and came back with a counterproposal to reduce their costs.
In this case we were able to save them about $113.00 a month. What I’m hoping to do is get the
same opportunity with Augusta and Richmond County that we have currently with the city of
Atlanta that we are negotiating this same type of partnership with. We have various incentives,
ones that will give you one year’s savings up front in addition to freezing your costs for three
years. In essence doubling the savings for year one and depositing those monies into the
appropriate accounts within thirty days. Thinking back to my original discussion I was
wondering why the company does this and why it did it and obviously we have reasons. We’re
trying to get market share. We are a business but if a business is doing something that’s
humanitarian then I can agree with selling this proposition wholeheartedly. Point in fact my
girlfriend and I have been battling cancer for three, three years now. It started with ovarian and
over the last year and a half we’ve been battling breast cancer. So I have a certain amount of
passion about my business as well as making this organization a customer. I don’t know if my
five minutes are up but again ---
Mr. Mayor: One more minute.
Mr. Hill: --- it’s my hope and I get to meet with the appropriate people within the
Commission, take an analysis of your current operations. You have various departments that
currently accept credit card and debit card payments. And what I offer you is a proposition that
will cost you nothing. If we can’t save you money or make you more efficient than I’ll let you
know. But if we can we’re looking at a wonderful win, win situation where we will reduce
overall operating costs of Augusta and Richmond County by providing money to Susan G.
Komen to help find a cure, not treatment, a cure for breast cancer. As we’re all familiar the
medical industry in our country makes more profit in treatments. Susan G. Komen since 1982
has been committed to finding a cure. Again my name is Tom Hill, Every Swipe Counts Susan
G. Komen for the Cure (inaudible). I appreciate your indulgence and your audience this
afternoon.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Do we have any questions? Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: I would just like to suggest that he get with the Administrator to
further discuss this matter, we receive it as information.
Mr. Mayor: Are you putting that in a form of a motion?
Mr. Hatney: So moved.
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Mr. Johnson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Mason out.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, ma’am. On to the consent agenda.
The Clerk: Our consent agenda consists of items 1-29, items 1-29. For the benefit of any
objectors to our Planning Petitions, once the petition is read would you please signify your
objection by raising your hand.
Item 1: Is to approve a petition for a change of zoning from a Zone P-1 (Professional) to
a Zone A (Agriculture) affecting property at 4000 Belair Road.
Item 2: Is for a change of zoning from a Zone A (Agriculture) to a Zone R-3C (Multiple-
family Residential) with a Special Exception to establish a nursing home on property located on
Flowing Wells Road.
Mr. Russell: Madam Clerk, if I may. On that item, Mr. Mayor, the Planning
Commission, Mr. Patty came to me with an addition to that and there needs to be a reversion
clause included in that. It would say basically within one year of the approval if the petitioner
has not closed on the property within one year of the zoning approval then the zoning
reclassification would revert to Zone A and that was unfortunately left out.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
The Clerk:
Item 5: Is requesting a zone change from a Zone A Agriculture) and a Zone R-1C (One-
family Residential) to a Zone a R-1C (Special Exception) affecting property at 3646 and 3648
Belair Road.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those Planning petitions?
Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: I call you attention to the Public Services portion of the agenda, our alcohol
petitions.
Item 7: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used at 302
Sixth Street with Sunday Sales.
Item 8: Is for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with the
Circle K Convenience Store at 3020 Tobacco Road.
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The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those alcohol petitions?
Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, our consent agenda consists of
items 1-29.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any items to be added to the consent agenda?
Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: That’s okay, Mr. Mayor. Actually we do have an addition that needs to be
added but we’ll do that after we ---
Mr. Mayor: If there’s nothing to be added to we have any items to be pulled for
discussion? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mason: I’d like to pull twenty-one.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: Item twelve.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, any further items to be pulled for discussion? We do have an addition
to the agenda. Commissioner Johnson, I believe you wanted to reference that.
Mr. Johnson: Yes, if we could I would like to go on and add this if we have consent here.
And also actually add it to the consent agenda.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Johnson: If we have unanimous consent.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, if you could for just clarity read that addition.
The Clerk: We’re going to have to post it on the screen for the audience. Authorization,
to authorize execution of an amendment to the agreement between Augusta and Standard Textile
Augusta, Inc. DBA as King Mill for the delivery of water from the Augusta Canal.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have unanimous consent to add this agenda ---
The Clerk: On the consent agenda too? That’s what he’s asking.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. If there’s no further ---
Mr. Bowles: Do we need to make a motion to add in language that the Administrator
recommended for item two?
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The Clerk: Yes, sir, that could be incorporated in the agenda to approve the consent
agenda. We don’t, you don’t have a motion.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, if there’s no further discussion, could I get a motion to approve the
consent agenda with the addition of the language referenced by Mr. Russell?
Mr. Jackson: So moved.
Mr. Lockett: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. Z-10-47 – A request fro concurrence with the Augusta Richmond Planning Commission
to approve a petition by Richard B. Lord requesting a change of zoning from Zone P-1
(Professional) to Zone A (Agriculture) affecting property containing .21 acres and is known
as 4000 Belair Road. (Tax Map 038-0-037-02-0) DISTRICT 3
2. Z-10-48 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond Planning Commission
to approve with the condition that the property may only be used as a senior lifestyle
community; a petition by Warlick, Tritt, Stebbins and Murray LLP, on behalf of MEM
Real Estate LLC, requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone R-3C
(Multiple-family Residential) with a Special Exception to establish a nursing home per
Section 26-1 (D) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County
affecting property located on the northeast right-of-way line of Flowing Wells Road 1,293
feet, more or less, north of Elm Avenue and containing approximately .276 acres. (Tax Map
029-0-045-00-0) DISTRICT 3
3. ZA-R-197 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond Planning
Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of
Augusta Richmond County by amending Section 26-1 (Special Exceptions) Permitted Uses
(Excavation of mineral deposits)
4. FINAL PLAT – DUNNINGTON, PHASE I – S-799-I – A petition by Southern Land
Surveyors, on behalf of Dunnington Development, requesting final plat approval for
Dunnington, Phase I. This residential townhome development is located off Boy Scout
Road and contains 70 lots.
5. Z-10-45 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond Planning Commission
to approve a petition by H. Lawson Graham, on behalf of Randy Watkins et. al., requesting
a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) and Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) to
Zone R-1C with a Special Exception per Section 11-2 (a) of the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance for Augusta Richmond County to allow single family attached dwelling to not
exceed a density of 7 units per acre, affecting property containing approximately 2.3 acres
and is known as 3646 and 3648 Belair Road. (Tax Map 053-0-042-01-00 and part of Tax
Map 053-0-042-00-0) DISTRICT 3
6. FINAL PLAT – WILLHAVEN, PHASE II, SECTION II – S-808-II-II – A petition by
John Brewer and Associates, on behalf of Brent Scarborough & Co. requesting final plat
approval for Willhaven Phase 2, Section 2. This residential subdivision is located at
Huntcliffe Drive and Wellington Street and contains 38 lots.
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PUBLIC SERVICES
7. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 10-38: request by Jerry R. Britt for an on
premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with the Blue
Horse located at 302 Sixth St. There will be Sunday Sales. District 1. Super District 9.
(Approved by Public Services Committee August 9, 2010)
8. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-39: request by Mainak J. Patel
for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Circle J.
Convenience Store located at 3020 Tobacco Rd. District 8. Super District 10. (Approved by
Public Services Committee August 9, 2010)
9. Motion to approve the third Amendment to the lease between the City of Augusta and
Augusta Professional Baseball LLC. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 9,
2010)
10. Motion to approve the Sec. 5307 Augusta Public Transit grant application between the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Augusta, Georgia with the amendment to
reduce it by $269,658 because the Contingencies/Program reserve cannot be put into the
grant application. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 9, 2010)
11. Motion to approve a consultant services agreement with W.K. Dickson & Co., Inc. in
the amount of $40,000 for preliminary design services associated with the new Butler Creek
Trailhead Park. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 9, 2010)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
13. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend 7-4-52 to provide for more realistic
responsibilities for the Historic Preservation Commission related to maintenance and
repair of historic properties. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee August 9,
2010)
FINANCE
14. Motion to approve final submittal of a combined DOT TIGER II/HUD Community
Challenge Planning Grant for a detailed corridor plan and implementation program for
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revitalization efforts along the 15 Street Corridor. (Approved by Finance Committee
August 9, 2010)
15. Motion to approve a request from the Augusta CVB to approve the renewal of the
Augusta CVB Professional Services Agreement with the City of Augusta. (Approved by
Finance Committee August 9, 2010)
16. Motion to approve the lease renewal between Augusta, Georgia and the CSRA Humane
Society, Inc., and to authorize the Mayor and Clerk of Commission to execute such
documents as necessary to consummate the agreement, all in form as approved by the
General Counsel for Augusta, Georgia. (Approved by Finance Committee August 9, 2010)
17. Motion to approve the continuation of the GPS tracking service subscription for 310
unites. (Approved by Finance Committee August 9, 2010)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
18. Motion to approve Change Order #1 to the existing construction contract in the amount
of $76,805.00 to Blair Construction for the additional work to complete the Fort Gordon
Eisenhower Hospital Area Gravity Sewer System. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee August 9, 2010)
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19. Motion to approve the selection committee’s recommendation to issue a contract to
Clark Patterson Lee for the Design Services for the Augusta, Georgia Sheriff’s Office
Building in the amount of $599,714.50. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
August 9, 2010)
20. Motion to approve the purchase of (1) hydraulic detachable gooseneck trailer from
Yancey Bros., the lowest responsive bid, for the Solid Waste Department. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee August 9, 2010)
22. Motion to approve moving forward with the strategy and the recommendations as
presented relating “The CNG Plan, Strategy 2012”. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee August 9, 2010)
23. Motion to approve a request for $200,000 from SPLOST Recapture Funds to complete
the purchase of repetitively flooded and flood-prone properties in Brynwood Subdivision
(Chelsea Drive) and Hollywood Subdivision. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee August 9, 2010)
24. Motion to approve the deeds of dedication, maintenance agreements, and road
resolution submitted by the Engineering and Augusta Utilities Departments for
Manchester Subdivision. Section Five. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
August 9, 2010)
25. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way, permanent easement and temporary easement for the Marvin Griffin Road
Improvement Project, (Parcel 134-0-004-00-0) 1551 Marvin Griffin Road. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee August 9, 2010)
26. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for
permanent easement and temporary easement for the 50202 Horsepen Sanitary Sewer,
Phase 2-B Project, PIN: 128-0-026-00-0, 2920 Tobacco Road. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee August 9, 2010)
27. Motion to provide authorization to R.J. Griffin to award Bid Package #1, in the amount
of $4,327,611.12, which includes demolition, site clearing and grading underground utilities
(storm, sanitary and water piping), auger cast piles, foundations, and Precast Concrete, for
the new Reynolds Street Parking Deck. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
August 9, 2010)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
28. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held on
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August 3, Special Called and Legal meetings held August 9, 2010.
ATTORNEY
29. Resolution authorizing the settlement of the appeal filed by Joseph E. Smith, in the
pending condemnation lawsuit styled Augusta, Georgia vs. Joseph E. Smith, et al., Civil
Action File No. 2002-RCCV-717, for the payment of forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) in
addition to the earlier payment of $4,624.00 made into the registry of the Court on or about
March 27, 2003; authorizing the County Administrator to disburse the amount of forty
thousand dollars ($40,000.00) to the Clerk of Court to satisfy the consent final judgment to
be entered in the case; waiving Augusta-Richmond County Code of Ordinances sections in
conflict for this instance only; and for other purposes.
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ADDENDUM
31. Authorize execution of an amendment to the agreement between Augusta and Stanford
Textile Augusta, Inc. aka King Mill for the delivery of water from the Augusta Canal.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual
sign.
Mr. Hatney: Madam Clerk?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hatney: I abstain on alcohol please.
Mr. Hatney abstains.
Motion carries 9-0. [Items 7 and 8]
Motion carries 10-0. [Items 1-6, 9-11, 13-20, 22-29, Addendum Item 1]
The Clerk: That motion carries with Commissioner Hatney abstaining on the alcohol
petitions.
Mr. Russell: And did that include the addition, Mr. Mayor, just to make sure? That
included the addition on the Standard Textile agreement?
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
Mr. Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, let’s go to twelve first and then go to twenty-one.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
12. Motion to approve application for a $200,000k grant for the initial planning and design
of the Lucy Craft Laney Wellness Center. Funding will be provided by the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through their Economic Development Initiative
(EDI). (Approved by Administrative Services Committee August 9, 2010)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: I apologize for not being here when this was discussed. I have three
questions I’d like to ask. One is what disadvantage, or how will this impact the wellness center
that’s being built at Payne College.
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Mr. Wheeler: Commissioner, we have not began our dialogue with Payne College. We
do not in any way want to negatively impact it. This $200,000, first of all, has not been
approved. This allows us to apply for the funding.
Mr. Hatney: I understand that.
Mr. Wheeler: If we receive the funding it will allow us to evaluate whether we do a
wellness center. It very well could be that what we will do is partner with Payne Center and use
those funds to supplement that. We’ve just not started any evaluation process.
Mr. Hatney: Okay, so this is simply to ask for permission to apply for the grant and is
possible for me as the Administrative Chairman to call a meeting with you, with Dr. Bradley and
one and two others to discuss this thing before we get it off the ground? And the last questions
I’m asking is that you’re talking about $200,000 dollars for these various due diligences. Where
the rest of the money comes from. And we don’t know none of that.
Mr. Wheeler: That’s what we don’t know. And I assure you, you can not build or
operate a wellness center for $200,000.
Mr. Hatney: Okay.
Mr. Wheeler: It is impossible.
Mr. Hatney: Okay, the other question is what, what disadvantage or advantage will this
have with the unit that’s being built by Antioch on Laney Walker?
Mr. Wheeler: That is an incubator. That’s not a wellness center. That is a business
incubator.
Mr. Hatney: Okay, that’s where ---
Mr. Wheeler: Right, it’s basically used for small business ---
Mr. Hatney: Okay, okay.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham.
Mr. Grantham: Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I follow what Commissioner
Hatney’s doing but I think when he mentions Dr. Bradley, I think we’re identifying that as the
only people we’re going to talk to. But I think we need to incorporate and include University
Hospital, or MCG or any of the other institutions that would be ---
Mr. Hatney: Okay.
Mr. Grantham: --- helping in a wellness center program.
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Mr. Mayor: Absolutely.
Mr. Grantham: That y’all talk with them as well.
Mr. Mayor: Collaborative effort.
Mr. Hatney: Get them all together.
Mr. Grantham: Very good. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay can I get a motion on this?
Mr. Grantham: So moved.
Mr. Hatney: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Now we’ll go to twenty-one.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
21. Motion to approve allowing the Administrator to negotiate an extension to the current
contract; advertise for bids for the menu of options submitted in today’s recommendations
and then come back with an opportunity for the committee to select from the available
options regarding the “Solid Waste Disposal Contract. Recommendations for 2011.”
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 9, 2010)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I believe this was yours.
Mr. Mason:
Uh, yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I really don’t have an issue with voting for
an extension so that we can do our due diligence that we need to do determine what is the best
But I do want to emphasize very
recommendation to come up with for the trash service.
strongly that I would like to see this done in a matter where there’s no increased costs to
theresidents for this extension.
There’s no increased costs to the residents for this extension
that we’re talking about for the, for the year that we’re trying to make a determination on what’s
going on.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if I can I think that that’s well within the options that we have
I think with that parameter I can probably negotiate an arrangement with
available to us.
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the haulers at this particular point in time that reflects that.
And if not, I will be coming
back to you with another call for help at the moment. But I would like that opportunity to
I think we can pull thatoff and that sets us forward with
negotiate that. In talking with Mark
the next contract.
And I think that’s important so if we could move forward with that I would
appreciate it.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem would you like to make a motion to approve
based on those parameters?
Mr. Mason: I would.
Mr. Hatney: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Lockett: Uh, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett.
--- I would also like to ask the Administrator to pursue what I brought
Mr. Lockett:
up in the last meeting about requiring all waste management trucks to have hydraulic lifts.
Because those containers that those young men are lifting are too heavy. The guidelines say they
shouldn’t be lifting no more than 35 or 40 pounds. But the garbage can itself weights about 79
pounds and we are considering going back to one time a week collection. That means it’s going
to be twice as heavy as it is now. So I think this should be a part of any contract extension or
new contract. We got to be concerned about the people who work for us.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, Commissioner Lockett. Yes, sir, Commissioner
Grantham.
Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think that in this negotiation that our
Administrator is going to have I think you should keep in mind he and our director of the
landfill, that the future is going to determine what the cost is going to be to our taxpayers, our
citizens, our people who have the garbage collection. And I would like to encourage the
Administrator as well as the people that are being in his negotiation to look at a firm contract of
five years after he has negotiated this term and that that firm five years does not have any options
tagged to it. And with that being the case we know where we stand on our budget each year
when that comes up. And in the fifth year of the contract we renegotiate or send out the RFP for
whatever’s necessary to continue to do that. This gives an opportunity for our citizens to know
what their solid waste collection is going to cost. It’ll be it a fixed price for a five year term and
I think that’s a way we’re telling them we’re trying to help and not increase any taxes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, Mr. Grantham. Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: Yeah, I think that’s obviously something that we would include as part of
the RFQ or RFP as we go forward with that. I think to avoid making that the only option we
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might be painting ourselves into a corner. But I believe that’s a viable issue to look at and I
think to make sure we do that. As you know the negotiations with this tend to get a little bit
interesting on occasion. I don’t want to box myself to far in but I’m hearing what you’re saying
both Commissioner Grantham and Commissioner Lockett and we will do our best to make sure
that we include those things and where we move forward with.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the regular agenda.
The Clerk: Mr. Patty?
The Clerk:
PLANNING
30. Z-10-46 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond Planning Commission
to approve with the condition that the site plan must substantially conform to the concept
plan submitted with this petition; a petition by Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church,
on behalf of Varnado & Associates, Inc., 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 approximately 8.6 acres and is known as
2268 Willis Foreman Road. (Tax Map 195-0-010-00-0) DISTRICT 8
Mr. Patty: This is an 8 acre tract. The application wants to build a 200 person sanctuary
a church with a 200 person sanctuary on this property. They are currently located at another
location and so developing area the subdivision is being developed in the area and we did have
some objectors who objected on the basis of they had lived in this area for a long period of time
and they wanted it to stay rural. I submit to you that that’s probably not going to happen. And I
don’t believe they’re here.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Do we have those objectors here?
Mr. Russell: None noted.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Gentlemen, do you have any questions?
Mr. Brigham: Is the petitioner here, Mr. Mayor? We ought to hear from him.
Mr. Johnson: I can’t see what’s wrong with it.
Mr. Mayor: Is the petitioner here? Okay, if we could hear from the petitioner as well.
And if you could state your name and address for the record, please, ma’am.
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Ms. Speaker: Mr. Mayor, I’m Kathleen Angeline Walker, Rock of Ages Missionary
Church and this is Alda Walker. We have formed the church nine years ago and currently
meeting in Jamestown Community Center. It is our desire to build a sanctuary in the Hephzibah
area. And we have tried to meet all of the requirements that Planning has asked us to look into,
the fire regulations, the utility and water there and we’ve done even a survey a Level 3 to make
sure it’s sustained you know what we need to be in that area.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Do we have any questions or?
Mr. Johnson: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you. George, what is y’all recommendation? Does Planning have a
recommendation?
Mr. Patty: We recommend that it be approved with the condition that what they build
conforms, substantially conforms to the plan that’s shown. The plan shows the building being
back approximately 200 feet from the right-of-way and saving and padding a lot of trees at the
site. You know we think it would be a good addition there.
Mr. Johnson: I make a motion that we approve.
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Motion carries 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank y’all so much. Mr. Attorney?
Mr. Mackenzie: I’m happy to report we don’t have a need for a legal meeting today.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Prior to adjourning, though, I know that the Mayor Pro Tem would
like a point of personal privilege. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mason: Thank you. I do want to just exercise this point of privilege here. It’s
probably affected a number of us Commissioners up here. We’ve gotten numerous phone calls
in reference to the Augusta Housing Authority. And in this particular case of the housing
authority board I’m looking to maybe put some sort of communication together between the
Augusta Housing Authority Board and the City of Augusta dealing with Section 8 housing and
the enforcement of the codes that go along with that in terms of keeping properties appropriately,
grass, these types of things enforcing the rules that are set aside in those contracts. So I just
wanted to put that out there and would hope that we could get some support and maybe bring in
the Augusta Housing Authority Board together with some Commissioners, any number of ones
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that want to join in forces with that. I know probably all of us have some issues in our districts
in reference to that and have taken some phone calls. But I think it’s now time to try to build
those relationships and let them understand that we’re very concerned about that and we want
our property values to remain high. And we want those laws that are on the books to be enforced
in terms of the Section 8 housing that’s coming into the areas around the city.
Mr. Mayor: Well, I will tell you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I appreciate your taking the
leadership role on that. As those are my appointments I would be happy to work with you in any
way. And I think the Commission, you know, we always get more done when we work together
with these entities. So I believe that’s the right approach to take. Okay? Okay, if there’s 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 herby 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
August 17, 2010.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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