Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMISSION MEETING - January 19, 2010 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER JANUARY 19, 2010 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., January 19, 2010, the Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Smith, Mason, Grantham, Aitken, Johnson, Jackson, Bowles and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Absent: Hon. Hatney, member of Augusta Richmond County Commission. The invocation was given by the Reverend Norman V. Carter, Pastor Green Grove Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: --- Commissioner Grantham we will but we’ve got several presentations and recommendations, recognitions, so I’m going to go ahead and call the meeting to order. And I would like to call on my good friend, Norman V. Carter, Pastor of Green Grove Baptist Church to deliver our invocation. Please stand. (Invocation given by the Reverend Carter) Mr. Mayor: Pastor, if you could join me up here I have a little something for you. But thank you for that wonderful invocation. I think it speaks to really what we’re trying to up here. By these present be it known that Reverend Norman V. Carter, Pastor Green Grove Baptist Church is Chaplain of the Day. For his civic and spiritual guidance demonstrated throughout the th community. Serves as an example for all of the faith community. Given under my hand this 19 Day of January 2010. Thank you, my friend. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the presentations. The Clerk: PRESENTATION(S) A. Mr. J.R. Small, Commander of the Buffalo Soldiers – Augusta Chapters. RE: Donation to Augusta Recreation Department. The Clerk: Yes, sir, got a communication. Mr. Beck received communication from the Buffalo Soldiers. They will not be able to attend today’s meeting. However they’ve asked that nd they be rescheduled for our February 2 meeting. Mr. Mayor: All rightly, I imagine we can do that. The Clerk: 1 PRESENTATION(S) Augusta Convention Visitors Bureau B. Mr. Barry White, President ACVB RE: Augusta Champions Mr. White: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and members of the Commission. Groups visit our community for many reasons. Business and pleasure, family and for fun. Last week the Conventions and Visitors Bureau saluted fifty-five local champions who brought a meeting or a convention or a sporting event or a club event to Augusta. Today we ask you to join us in recognizing four city employees who are also Augusta Champions. City employees who worked hard to bring an event to Augusta. To qualify as an Augusta Champion their group must have booked at least fifty hotel room nights in one evening in area hotels. Most of them booked many, many more. When people travel and especially when they travel to Augusta they spend money. They spend money on hotels, restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores. The difficult economy in 2009 hit the travel industry hard and many of our friends in cities much larger and much smaller had significant declines in visitor spending in their hotels. But in Augusta in 2009 total hotel revenue increased by 3%, and that’s a banner year. And that’s a 3% in hotel revenue and also in related sales tax. (APPLAUSE) We are extremely fortunate to have a fairly stable economy with a strong health care industry and with Fort Gordon and the Savannah River Site that all created thousands of jobs in the past year. We also had some first time events such as the Science Olympiad and the Iron Man. But we also have these champions. People like the ones that we’re recognizing today. They worked many hours. Most of them voluntarily to plan and host an event in Augusta. They probably didn’t do it to stand up here and be recognized. But because of events they hosted Augusta was the exception and not the norm during a difficult 2009. And because of these people we’re going to recognize Augusta enjoyed growth when others did not. And because of them Augusta is a better place. So as I call your name and read the economic impact of your event I’m going to ask these four city employees to come forward. First is Mr. Richard Hatfield with the Parks and Recreation Department. With Newman Tennis Center and the USTA in Georgia Tournaments it brought in an estimated impact of $2,137,000.00. (APPLAUSE) I’d also like to recognize Ms. Lynn Russell with the Planning and Zoning Department. She worked on the Augusta Southern National’s that generated $1.2 million dollars in the economic impact. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Chester Huffman in his free time helped plan the Southeastern Bowling Association Tournament. It generated $884,000,00 for the city. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Tim Weigle with Augusta Regional Airport for his work with the Augusta Airports Association annual meeting generating $217,000.00 in impact on the Augusta economy. (APPLAUSE) The total impact from these four individuals is $4.4 million dollars in impact. Today we salute you as Augusta Champions and say thank you. For helping to bring your event to Augusta you not only helped generate millions of dollars for our economy but you exposed visitors to our city and hopefully they’ll go back and tell people in the region and the nation what a great place we have here in Augusta. I’d like to ask the Mayor and if the Mayor Pro Tem would also come down and Commissioner Joe Bowles as a member of our board in 2009 to present the check. We have a symbolic check we’d like to present representing all fifty- five Augusta Champions and the impact that they events brought to the city. In total the local people who worked on events in 2009 generated, everybody squeeze in, generated $18.6 million dollars in economic impact for the City of Augusta. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if we can get them to sign the back of that! 2 The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, you should’ve stayed on down here. Mr. Mayor: I’ll come back down but I did since I’ve got a microphone up here. But I wanted to recognize the great work of the Convention and Visitors Bureau as well. You guys make that happen but it’s a team effort and I’m so proud to see our city employees bringing much needed money into the coffers this year as well. Thank y’all. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: Mr. Joe Jackson, would you like to join the Mayor down for the presentation of our December Employee of the Month? The Clerk: PRESENTATION(S) C. Lt. Randy Reese, Augusta Fire Department, December Employee of the Month. The Clerk: Chief Willis, would you like to come forward and join in? Are there other members of the Fire Department that would like to come in and participate? Are you sure? Okay. Dear Mayor Copenhaver. The Employee Recognition Committee has selected Randy Reese as the December Employee of the Month for the City of Augusta. Mr. Reese is a Lieutenant with the Augusta Fire Department working out of Station 6. He’s been employed for 20-years. Mr. Reese was nominated by Battalion Chief Kerry Russell. Mr. Reese was nominated for rescuing a female victim from a house fire. During the rescue the victim pulled Lt. Reese’s air mask off causing him to take in several breaths of smoke. Lt. Reese with the assistance of fellow firefighters was still able to remove the victim from the burning structure. The committee felt that based on this nomination and Mr. Reese’s dedicated and loyal service to the City of Augusta we would appreciate you in joining us in awarding him the Employee of the Month for the month of December. Congratulations. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: And I’d just like to say that Randy and I actually went to high school together too so. December 2009 Employee of the Month, Mr. Randy Reese, Augusta Richmond County Fire Department. Dear Mr. Reese. On behalf of the City of Augusta it is with great pleasure that I congratulate you for being recognized as the Employee of the Month for December 2009. Your contribution to your organization, Augusta Richmond County Government and the citizens of Augusta has earned you this recognition. I appreciate your willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty and your outstanding work ethic. You are truly an asset to the Augusta Richmond County Fire Department and the citizens of Augusta Georgia. Please accept my personal congratulations on this wonderful award. You are truly deserving of this recognition. Sincerely yours, Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE) Lt. Reese: I’d like to thank the recognition committee, my department and my battalion chief. Also my company, Engine Company 6, AT4, Engine Company 8 and Engine Company 13. Without them none of this would be possible. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: Chief Willis. 3 Chief Willis: I’d like to congratulate Randy as well too. I’ve known Randy quite some time too, Mayor, and we are certainly proud of him and all of our firefighters and for the extra effort that they go forward with each day that they’re on duty to make sure that our citizens are taken care of. We’re certainly proud to have all of these firefighters in our fire department. And we’re going to continue to work hard for our citizens. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: Mr. Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Thank you for your service. And surely it truly shows we have great employees that just give all they can for the city. So thank you. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: PRESENTATION(S) D. Mr. Darrell Bennett, Manager Augusta Recreation Department. The Clerk: As the culmination of our 2009 Employee of the Month, at this time we would like to recognize our Employee of the Year. Will Mr. Darrell Bennett who is the manager with the Augusta Recreation Department please join the Mayor along with Mr. Brigham, our Public Service Chairman, Mr. Tom Beck the Director of Recreation along with any other recreation employees who may like to participate in this presentation please feel free to join us. As they make their way forward, Dear Mayor Copenhaver. The Employee Recognition Committee has selected Darrell Bennett as the Employee of the Year for the City of Augusta. Mr. Bennett is currently the Recreation Manager for Diamond Lakes Regional Park under Recreation and Parks. He has been employed with the city for over twenty years. Darrell is a very dedicated employee and will put the recreation needs ahead of his own. Various coworkers stated Darrell is an exceptional employee who always gets the job done. The Committee felt that Mr. Bennett is a role model for all employees and deserves this recognition. We would appreciate you joining us in awarding him the Employee of the Year 1999, 2009. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: I just want to say again, having had the opportunity to work with Darrell he is a great employee but a great guy. This is a well-deserved recognition. Dear Mr. Bennett. On behalf of the City of Augusta it is great pleasure that I congratulate you for being recognized as Employee of the Year for 2009. Your contribution to your organization and Augusta Richmond County Government and the citizens of Augusta has earned you this recognition. I appreciate your willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty and your outstanding work ethic. Having had the opportunity to work with you on several projects I’ve come to appreciate first hand your commitment to making Augusta a better place. And it is with great pleasure that I present you with this award. You are truly and asset to the Augusta Richmond County Recreation Department and the citizens of Augusta Georgia. Please accept my personal congratulations on this wonderful award. You are truly deserving of this recognition. Sincerely yours, Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Bennett: Thank you, Mayor. I’d like to thank all the employees, all the Commissioners that are here, the Mayor. I’d like to thank the Employee Recognition Committee who selected me and I’m truly honored by that. I’d to thank all my coworkers who I work with 4 on a daily basis. You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. So I’m truly honored to be here and I definitely appreciate this award. Mr. Beck: You want me to top that off huh? By the way this isn’t his sister, it’s his mother right here. Mr. Bennett: She made me dress up. Mr. Beck: Well, like I mentioned when Darrell won his Employee of the Month award, Darrell’s kind of like the MVP of any team you may have. No matter where you might put him on the field or what park you might assign him to or what special event or any special project, he’s going to give you 100% and do a great job what ever he does. And there couldn’t be anybody anymore deserving of the award. And Lena if it was 1999, he probably would’ve deserved it then too! But Darrell congratulations, we’re proud of you. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: Mr. Brigham, do you want to on behalf of Public Services? Mr. Brigham: Darrell, what can I say. Congratulations, we appreciate your good job and good work you did for the county. I know all the rest of the employees (inaudible) and look forward to having you. The Clerk: Mr. Russell has some additional prizes for you too, so good luck. Enjoy. Mr. Bennett: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: All righty, Madam Clerk, on to the delegations. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS E. Ms. Monique Braswell. RE: Support from the Commission relative to an event planned for public safety department. (Requested by Commissioner Corey Johnson. Ms. Braswell: Hello, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Pro Tem all the Commissioners. My name is Monique Braswell. I’m known in the community as Dr. Moe. I’ve had the pleasure of being in th the company of some of the Commissioners. On February the 16 I am going to be hosting along with Murphy Middle School FBLA, an appreciation breakfast luncheon dinner for all of Richmond County EMT’s, firefighters, police marshals and Sheriff’s. This event is one close to my heart because standing here seeing what’s going on everyday that those guys get in those cars their life is in danger for us. And this is a way that the community and the kids is giving back showing how much we really, really do appreciate you. And what I’m asking you guys to do is come out and show support for your district EMT’s, police, fire marshal’s and firefighters. I’m so nervous. Mr. Mayor: You’re doing fine. 5 Ms. Braswell: Um, we’re getting the word out. The breakfast is going to run from 8:30 to 10:00. It’s absolutely free. Waffle House is going to be sponsoring the breakfast. The lunch is going to run from 11:00 to 3:30. We’re going to be cooking the lunch. And dinner is going to run from 5:00 to 9:00 and we’re going to be cooking the dinner. And boy, we have a menu that’s just really awesome. Also I don’t know if you remember. Matt was there, Corey was there the Lake Olmstead dinner. If you can’t, if you were there for the Lake Olmstead dinner where we fed 1,381 people with 200-volunteers, well we put on a spread. We put on a spread and that’s just for the community. I don’t care what district it is, whatever district it is it needs help. That’s where I’m at. And I’m a district two, I live in District 2. Whoa, I got one more minute I think. Also this is something that’s dear to my heart and I’m asking you guys as individuals not as collectively but as individuals. We love to honor adults. I’ve been honored, you’ve been honored, you’ve been honored and I think it’s time for us to start honoring our children. We have a lot of children right here including my children who every place I go doing volunteer work they’re right there with me. And it’s time for us to start honoring the children. I’ve came up with a, with a program called the Child’s Service Award. I make sure y’all get one of these in your mailbox. And what it’s all about is honoring the kids right here in the CSRA who go out and do things in the community out of the goodness of their heart. If you have an elderly parent at your home, helping your parent take care of their parents that’s the service. No one says that I child has to do that. If you’re in school and you’re doing good things in school and not just great based, that’s a service. My kids have 600 hours of on paper volunteer hours because of what I do. And I think it’s time for us to start recognizing these kids. Everything I do is free, free, free. I go out, I’ll tell you what community leaders do, what community people do and I say I need two pounds, two bags of mashed potatoes and that’s what they give me. I say I need 20-pounds of hamburger and that’s what they give me. But this time in order for us to honor these kids the same way we honor ourselves I’m looking for sponsors. So if anybody’s listening in the audience in order to make this happen Tom Beck’s office has given us the Julian Smith Casino st on March the 31. Mr. Johnson is on the board or so, um to honor these kids, we want to honor them just like you just stood here and honored that firefighter and that’s with a full-blown banquet. And we’re asking for twenty volunteers at $200.00 you’ll see where you’re money went and you’ll get a table. A full space ad, free meals. I want it to be no cost to the kids or to their families. These are going to be circulating through the Board of Education, through churches, through daycare. You can go on the website, nominate kids. And I have people that I’m just saying hey this is what I need, this is what we need to get done let’s make it happen. And it’s all about the kids. It’s not about me, it’s not about you guys it’s all about the kids. So if you love kids the way I love kids and if you love community service the way I love community service go on the website, nominate kids. Like I said I’ll make sure everybody gets this. If you want to be a sponsor which I’m really asking nicely for some of you guys to be a sponsor. This is going to affect your community. Mr. Lockett knows me, everybody knows me so this is what I’m about. I’m about putting it back into the community. When I came here I was homeless. Six years later look at me. I sit on the board over at EOA. I’m just all about the kids in the community. Thank you. Mr. Russell: Ma’am, you might want to give the website since you’ve got a fairly large audience not only here but on the TV that are watching this. Mr. Mayor: Look right in that camera. 6 Mr. Russell: You might want to say that real slow so that they can pick that up. Mr. Mayor: Look in that --- Mr. Russell: Just as a hint maybe. Mr. Mayor: --- in that camera and smile and give the website. Ms. Braswell: Thank you so much. The website is www.childserviceaward.com. That’s www.childserviceaward.com. Go to that website, nominate some kids. Every child nominated, every child. If we have 500 children they will receive something. But the top nine from elementary school level to the middle school and the high school we will go all out for these kids. Mr. Mayor: Well, thank you, ma’am. And I just want to say personally thank you for all that you’re doing. Thank you for honoring our public safety employees and people throughout the county. And thank you for what you’re doing for kids. You can count me in with helping out with that because you made a great point that right now when kids have good behavior or they’re, we need to lift that up so that they can be the role models for their peers. So thank you, ma’am. Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would just like to take a minute first of all to say to Ms. Braswell I actually met here about a year and a half ago and I’ll tell you she has taken the torch and just took off with it. She’s always in the community doing great things. And you can tell she’s doing it because she’s been that person at one point in time. And I can relate to that because I too come from homeless backgrounds and that’s what keeps me grounded. You know I just challenge you all out there within listening range to support her efforts. I’m definitely 100% onboard with this and I just commend you for what you’re doing. Because every day you don’t meet people like yourself that do it genuinely and not do it because they just want recognition. But you truly do it from your heart and thank you for your service. I’m glad you’re in District 2 as well so thank you. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank you, ma’am. All righty, Madam Clerk, on to the consent agenda. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-40, items 1-40. For the benefit of any objectors to our Planning petitions once those petitions are read would you please signify your objection by raising your hand. Item 1: Is to approve a petition for requesting a Special Exception for property located on Willhaven Drive. Item 2: Is a request for a Special Exception to establish a private dance school on property located at 3497 Wheeler Road. Item 3: Is a petition for a change of zoning from a Zone Heavy Industry to a Zone B-2 (General Business) affecting property located at 2133 Fairview Avenue. 7 Item 4: Is for a change of zoning from a Zone A (Agriculture) to a Zone R-1C (One- family Residential) with a Special Exception for property located at 3646 Belair Road. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those Planning petitions? Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: I call your attention to our Public Service portion of the agenda for these alcohol petitions. If there are any objectors would you please signify your objection by raising your hand. Item 5: Is for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Circle K Mart located at 1500 Gordon Hwy. Item 6: Is for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Shell Food Mart located at 1488 Reynolds Street. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those alcohol petitions? Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Okay, Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission our consent agenda consists of items 1-40 with no objectors to our Planning or Alcohol Petitions. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. And I would next ask if there are any, not that we have a lot that could be but any items to be added to the consent agenda. Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 11. Motion to deny a request for a waiver of the bid requirement to provide a notary seal on the subcontractor affidavit form from Tran Construction on ITB 09-155 – Task Order for Water and Sewer System Repairs & Installation. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 11, 2010) Mr. Grantham: I see that the Clerk has passed out a deletion from the agenda, item eleven. And this needs to be added and approved to do as well as put in the consent agenda to delete it from the agenda items. The Clerk: Do we have unanimous consent to delete it? Mr. Mayor: Is everybody okay with that? Okay. Any other additions to the consent agenda? 8 The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, if I could. On our addendum agenda the addition to the agenda, this item was on our Engineering Services Committee. The caption read to receive as information so it was not placed forward on your agenda today. However they do need approval for a dollar amount of $54,382.81 to complete this emergency repair. And the fact that they asked to receive it as information is what you did, it did move forward. However they do need approval for the expenditure of these funds. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have unanimous approval to add and approve that? Okay. I would if anybody doesn’t have a problem with it I’d like to see forty-two, just the Resolution of Support for the collection of sales tax locally. Is everybody okay with that? Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, have you had any dialog with Atlanta in regards to this? Mr. Mayor: I’ve had dialog with regards to the potential for us being a pilot program or for this legislature moving forward in the State House. Mr. Grantham: Well, for this moving forward in the State House as well as our collecting our own funds here locally. Mr. Mayor: I will tell you Commissioner Grantham it looks like this argument is beginning to gain steam in Atlanta. In my last Legislative Policy Council meeting for the Georgia Municipal Association, which was a week ago Monday it looks like the state is starting to take a lot stronger look at this. And I think it would be actually help make the case for us to go ahead and pass a Resolution of Support. Mr. Grantham: Well and one of the reasons I was saying is I noticed in the circular that we received from the GMA that they were in discussion in regards to the local tax collection as well and so I didn’t know to what extent they are taking it on the state level. And in addition to this resolution what type of support can we give to that. Mr. Mayor: Well, I think this resolution really just supports GMA’s position. I also serve on the executive committee. This has been one of the top priorities for the past several years so it’s not in conflict with it all. It just really supports the position the GMA’s had for a number of years. Mr. Grantham: Good, thanks for the information. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Do we have any further additions to the consent agenda? Any items to be pulled for discussion? Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor I’d like to pull item twenty. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Locket, number? Mr. Lockett: Two zero. 9 Mr. Mayor: Okay, any further items to be pulled for discussion? Could I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? If you could read that back, Lena, just for clarity. The Clerk: Okay. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-40 adding item 42, pulling for additional discussion item 20. And with the addition, deleting item eleven and adding item number one on our addendum agenda. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to that affect? Mr. Bowles: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. Z-10-01 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by Civil Tech Engineering, on behalf of Brent Willhaven LLC, requesting a Special Exception to construct an amenity area (swimming pool, clubhouse etc) for Willhaven Subdivision per Section 26-1 (i) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing approximately .85 acres and located on the northeast right-of-way line of Huntcliff Drive (proposed), 155 feet, more or less, west of Willhaven Drive. (Part of Tax Map 065-3-001-00-0) DISTRICT 3 2. Z-10-02 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by Warren Richard, on behalf of Eugene Bruker, requesting a Special Exception to establish a private dance school per Section 26-1 (b) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing approximately .83 acres and is known as 3497 Wheeler Road. (Tax Map 023-0- 041-00-0) DISTRICT 7 3. Z-10-04 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by Marion R. Rosier, on behalf of Ron Meardy, requesting a change of zoning from Zone HI (Heavy Industry) to Zone B-2 (General Business) affecting property containing .38 acres and is known as 2133 Fairview Avenue. (Tax Map 056-3-123-01-0) DISTRICT 2 4. Z-10-05 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by H. Lawson Graham, on behalf of Randy Watkins, requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) with a Special Exception per Section 11-2 (a) to allow single family attached dwelling to not exceed a density of 7 units per acre, affecting property containing approximately 2.1 acres and is known as 3646 Belair Road. (Tax Map 053-0-042-01-00) DISTRICT 3 PUBLIC SERVICES 5. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-01: request by Man Pahari for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Circle K Food Mart located at 1500 Gordon Hwy. District 2. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 11, 2010) 10 6. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-02: request by Man Pahari for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Shell Food Mart located at 1488 Reynolds Street. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 11, 2010) 7. Motion to approve the Campbell & Paris Engineers Work Authorization #10 for airport Eastside Access Economic Development Program Design Services in accordance with the provision of the Prime Agreement for Professional Services dated October 2, 2007. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 11, 2010) 8. Motion to approve matching funds for additional senior nutrition meals. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 11, 2010) 9. Motion to approve Augusta Public Transit’s purchase of an IVR System for ADA Paratransit Division from Trapeze Group, Inc. ADA already utilizes the scheduling software from Trapeze. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 11, 2010) 10. Motion to approve a request from Paine College regarding the placement of banners on th 15 Street, Druid Park Avenue, Central Avenue and Laney Walker Blvd. to promote the college’s new visual identity and upcoming homecoming celebration subject to the engineer’s recommendation on the stability of the poles. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 11, 2010) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 12. Motion to approve setting Qualifying Fees for 2010 Local Offices. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 11, 2010) FINANCE 13. Motion to deny a request from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business regarding city sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the 2010 Economic Outlook Luncheon. (Approved by Finance Committee January 22, 2010) 14. Motion to deny a request from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. regarding city th sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the 13 Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) 15. Motion to deny a request from the Augusta South Rotary and ASU ROTC regarding city sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the annual Jimmy Smith Youth Challenge Academy Scholarship Fundraiser. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) 16. Motion to approve property insurance coverage for 2010 offered through FM Global/Affiliated FM for a premium of $257,785 on a $50,000 deductible policy ($100,000 deductible of flood, earthquake and Fort Gordon property). Quote breakdown: $240,285 property coverage, $10,000 engineering fee and $7,500 terrorism coverage. Quote is based on property values of $510,819,207 as of 11/03/09. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) 17. Motion to approve the request from Golden Harvest Food Bank to gain an advance on the City’s planned disbursement of $250,000 SPLOST VI funds from the General Fund at this time with the realignment of payback of the advancement from 2012 to 2011. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) 18. Motion to authorize Historic Augusta, Inc. to prepare and submit a 2010 Historic Preservation Fund Grant application on behalf of the City of Augusta in order to complete 11 phase three of a historic resources survey of the Harrisburg-West End Historic District. Phase three will complete the entire neighborhood survey. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) 19. Motion to deny a request from the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History regarding city sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the Fourth Annual Gala for the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) 21. Motion to deny a request from the Augusta Branch of the NAACP regarding city th sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the 36 Annual Freedom Fund Banquet. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) 22. Motion to approve the renewal of the lease with the Department of the Navy for the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) 23. Motion to approve the continuation of the GPS tracking service subscription for 150 GPS units. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) ENGINEERING SERVICES 24. Motion to approve construction contract award to Garnto & Gearig Bros in the amount of $766,260.73. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 25. Motion to award subject Wetland Mitigation Credits purchase from The Phinizy Swamp Mitigation Bank through Merry Land Properties, LLC in the amount of $56,700.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 26. Motion to award contract to CSRA Testing and Engineering in the amount of $34,788.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 27. Motion to approve award of the contract for Replacement of Sidewalk at Augusta Riverwalk to L-J, Inc. of Beech Island, SC in the amount of $20,250. To be funded from 272-04-2260. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 28. Motion to approve Capital Project Budget Change Number Three and Supplemental Agreement Number Four in the amount of $140,250.00 on the Belair Road Improvements project CPB# 323-041110-201823332. Funding is available in the project contingency and right-of-way accounts to be transferred to the project engineering account as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 29. Motion to approve Capital Project Budget Number One and Change Order Number One for Construction Material Testing and unforeseen subsurface construction in the amount of $400,000 to Tommy L. Griffin Plumbing and Heating on the D’Antignac Street Drainage Improvements project. Funding is available in the project storm drainage account as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 30. Motion to approve award of contract to Peek Pavement Marking in the amount of $406,726.25 for The Off System Safety Project, Georgia Department of Transportation Project Number CSSFT-0008-00 (876); P.I. #0008876, subject to receipt of signed contract and proper bonds. Funding is available in Traffic Engineering Account 272-041710- 5311630 as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 31. Motion to approve an Option for the purposes of acquiring an easement between Textron, Inc., as owner, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the Marvin 12 Griffin Road Improvement Project, (151 sq. ft.) permanent drainage and utility easement and (8,104 sq. ft.) of temporary construction easement from the property located at: 1441 Marvin Griffin Road, private, at the purchase price of $700.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 32. Motion to approve an Option for the purposes of acquiring an easement between Augusta Select Tissue, LLC, as owner, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the Marvin Griffin Road Improvement Project, (7,779 sq. ft.) of temporary construction easement from the property located at: 33452 Cookie Road, private, at the purchase price of $1,180.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 33. Motion to approve an Option for the purposes of acquiring a Right-of-Way between Mitchell Milovich, as owner, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the Marvin Griffin Road Improvement Project, conveyed in fee simple (1,122.27 sq. ft.) more or less; and (71.75 sq. ft.) of permanent easement from property located at: 1639 Marvin Griffin road, private, at the purchase price of $1,000.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 34. Motion to approve a resolution creating street lighting districts as requested by Traffic Engineering. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 22, 2010) 35. Motion to approve recommendation to select R.W. Allen, LLC as the Construction Manager @ Risk for the TEE Center and authorize negotiation of the contract subject to discussing the concerns of any commissioners who may have questions. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 36. Motion to approve the deed of dedication and road resolutions submitted by the Engineering Department for Willhaven, Phase I. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 37. Motion to approve Capital Project Budget Change Number Five and Supplemental Agreement Number Five on the Windsor Spring Road Improvement project CPB 323- 041110-296823516 and authorize the Engineering Department to extend the current agreement with W.R. Toole for six months to pro9vide engineering services in an amount not to exceed $84,000.00 to be funded from SPLOST Phase III Recapture. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) 38. Motion to authorize the Engineering Department to approve Capital Project Budget Number Eleven and Supplemental Agreement Ten with PBS & J in the amount of $57,680 to hold a Public Information Open House Meeting (PIOH) as mandated by GDOT; update the environmental document in accordance with the new noise criteria and various permits that are now required; and the extensive realignment of Barton Chapel Road as part of the improvements to Wrightsboro Road from Jimmie Dyess Parkway to I-520, CPB# 323- 041110-296823309. Funds will be transferred from the project Right of Way Account to the project Engineering Account. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 11, 2010) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 39. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held on January 5, 2010. 13 APPOINTMENTS 40. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Clarence Thompkins III to the Augusta Port Authority representing District 2. ADMINISTRATOR 42. Motion to approve a Resolution of Support for the collection of sales tax locally (Point of Sale) Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Grantham: Ms. Bonner, the Reverend Hatney abstains on alcohol. The Clerk: Are you voting proxy for him today? Mr. Mayor: He’ll be glad to know he’s missed. Mr. Grantham: You need to look out for your colleagues. The Clerk: There you go. Mr. Grantham: Got to look after for the whole crowd. Motion carries 9-0. [1-10, 12-19, 21-40, 42] Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, let’s take the pulled item first. The Clerk: FINANCE 20. Motion to approve the allocation of $150,000 from General Funds or other source for the payment of legal fees for outside counsel for calendar year 2009. (Approved by Finance Committee January 11, 2010) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett, this was yours. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First of all I’d like to thank Mr. MacKenzie, our Interim General Counsel, for providing information I requested at the last meeting. I do have some questions that I would like to ask. I understand that all of the bills may not be in for calendar year 2009. And I also understand what we’re requesting now in the amount of $150,000. With my understanding the Commission has no charge other than to approve this because the debt has already been incurred. So I would like to know do you have any idea what you anticipate further monies that are going to be needed between now and the next sixty days that was mentioned the other day. And I would also like to know whether or not in house attorneys are being paid as much as contract attorneys and whether or not contract attorneys are needed to perform all of the law duties that they are performing now. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. 14 Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: Yes, sir, I’ll address the first issue first and that’s how much more money is anticipated as far as expenses go for the 2009 year. My best response at this point in time is it usually takes about sixty days after the beginning of the next year to kind of compile all the information. I knew there was at least $150,000 outstanding because we already had those bills at the time this item was placed on the agenda. At this point in time I can’t give you an accurate estimate as to what else might be out there except that we have requested from all the firms something that kind of complicates it a little bit too since we didn’t have this money available facing you know another bill this month which has this months bill on it too. We’re going through the process of sorting those things out to figure it out and certainly within the sixty day window you’ll know what exactly what it was. What I would like to suggest moving forward is I would be happy to provide with you, provide you with a monthly accounting of what is outstanding and that way next year you’ll have a better picture of it a little earlier in the year. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Andrew, have we got any more bills in since we got this last stack in? Mr. MacKenzie: Yes, we have gotten a few more in. Some of those like I said actually had some billing that was for the month of December that they had repeated. So we’re kind of sorting those out to figure out exactly what it is. Mr. Brigham: So we don’t have a dollar amount yet. Mr. MacKenzie: Correct. Mr. Mayor: Okay. I know this gives everybody significant heartburn but as mentioned . So can we get a by Commissioner Lockett I guess we’ve got no choice but to pay the bills motion on this? Mr. Lockett: So moved. Mr. Mason: 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 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the regular agenda. The Clerk: 15 APPOINTMENT(S) 41. Motion to appoint one to a vacant seat on the Richmond County Board of Health. The Clerk: Mr. Brigham, are they recommending the first choice? Mr. Brigham: No, ma’am. The Clerk: Okay. The three names that have been recommended, Mr. Charlie Walker, Jr., Ms. Debra Presnell and Malcolm Page, MD. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I nominate Deb Presnell, Debra Presnell. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion for Debra Presnell. Are there any other motions for any other nominees? Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, a second is not necessary but I make a motion that nominations be closed. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank you, sir. We have our one nominee, Ms. Debra H. Presnell. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion carries 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Next agenda item, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATOR 43. Motion to approve a Resolution of Support – Municipal Option Sales Tax (MOST). Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and fellow Commissioners and all you good citizens out there that buy stuff and pay taxes. We really appreciate it. Let me say that this resolution is not to approve the tax. This resolution is to approve the request for you the citizens to have a vote on increasing our sales tax by one penny. In doing so as listed in the information on our resolution that it will be submitted to the Richmond County, the Augusta Richmond County delegation shows the percentage of breakdown based on the specific departments and areas that those amount of funds will be given to those areas. This also indicates an approximate amount of money that should be collected going on previous history. And it also indicates a 34% rollback in property taxes for those who have had increases in those taxes over the years. Tax increases are never a popular subject for any elected official but I think this is one that can support the efforts of our community and all Commissioners I hope would be in support of this. 16 And that these funds being designated indicates that we would be in a five-year collection mode So I make a motion that we and then it would have to come back for another vote at that time. pass the presentation of this resolution on to our delegation in that form. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second? The Clerk: Mr. Smith. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Is there any further discussion? Mr. Lockett: Yes, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I saw Commissioner Aitken first and then I’ll come back to Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Aitken: Mr. Mayor, I’m wondering how we’re going to convey this to the community to have their input on this. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Well, the way that we would do it would be similar to the Regular Special Local Option Sales Tax as we have been out advertising, campaigning and showing exactly what those funds are going to be spent on as far as projects go. And we could do the same with this, the MOST tax because these are designated dollars that goes to these departments as well as the rollback that the property owners right now would be receiving over this five-year period of time with a guarantee that there will be no property tax increase during that five-year period of time. So I think the sale is going to be there and all we need to do is promote it and show the support that we have in this regard that these funds are needed to provide the services that this government is presently giving and those that we intend to add to and give in the future. Mr. Aitken: So basically what we’re saying is that we’ll be able to do presentations similar to what was done at the boathouse to the community, the voters? Mr. Grantham: Absolutely. And we’ll have neighborhood association meetings and we’ll do whatever is necessary to further this cause. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I understand the need for revenue but I also understand that Georgia has a very low tax rate. But Georgia has a very unfair tax rate. The average worker pays about $11.00 in taxes for every $100.00 he or she earns. The wealthy, the affluent, the property owners pay about five. Now my question is who would this most likely aversely impact, the homeowner or the poor person that’s working to make ends meet living on paycheck to paycheck if he or she should be fortunate enough to have a job. What impact is it 17 going to have on the senior citizen that’s living on fixed income without a social security increase? I think we need to raise money. We should look at different methods. The state of North Carolina had a good system where it put a surcharge tax on people making excessive amounts of money. I’m a property owner. I’m not wealthy but I could afford not to have a rollback in my property taxes in order to let a person that’s least fortunate or less fortunate than me survive. Therefore I think we need to raise the money but I have to vote no because my conscience would not let me do anything else. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Do we have any further comments? Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted some clarification here that this motion as it reads it says to approve a resolution of support. But I’m listening to my colleague here, Commissioner Grantham, it’s more or less a motion to move it forward to have a vote by the citizens at some point. Is that what we’re really looking at? The Clerk: To the delegation. Mr. Mason: Because I mean and the reason why I say that is because I mean I may not necessarily support the MOST tax itself but I may support sending it to the people to have a vote on. So I need to make sure that we’re clear on what the motion actually is so that at the end of the day we know what we’re actually voting for. Mr. Mayor: And just for the point of clarity and Mr. Grantham correct me if I’m wrong and anybody in the room who would like to but what we’re asking our local delegation to do is to pass enabling legislation. Because right now we can’t do this to allow for the local government to then come back and put it to a vote of the people. Mr. Grantham: That is correct, Mr. Mayor. This is similar to your SPLOST tax that we have to get approved not only by this body but by the delegation to give us an opportunity to hold a referendum to allow the people, the citizens, the voters to approve or disapprove this type of resolution and this type of tax increase. All we’re asking for is the request for them to take it to the state level and then bring us back a referendum that the citizens can vote on. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Do we have any further questions, comments? Hearing none Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Bowles and Mr. Lockett vote No. Motion carries 7-2. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, let’s go to agenda item number forty-four. The Clerk: OTHER BUSINESS 44. Discuss changing the regular meeting time of the Augusta Commission. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Mason) 18 Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I believe this was yours. Mr. Mason: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I appreciate the opportunity to bring this forward. First and foremost let me say I think we made some great strides in riding the ship in this government beginning certainly beginning towards the latter part of last year and even the th first part of this year. As you well know on December 15 the passed, we successfully passed the fact that we would have all of our meetings in here in the commission chambers. And I think that was appropriate because we didn’t have the appropriate space to do what we needed to do back there in the committee room. So I think that was the first step. I think we fell short on that step in terms in implementing a new meeting time for the Commission as well as the Committee. Many of us up here on this commission have heard from businesses as well as our constituents that the more agreeable time would be a time in the evening where it is not taxing on the citizens and it’s not taxing on the businesses to have to perhaps shortfall their personnel in order to come and do business here with the city. And so my thought process is as we’ve had this discussion is that I think it’s time for us to now start to set another standard and to start having our commission meetings and committee meetings in the evening where working folks can be a part of the government and they can see what’s actually going on within this government and it’s more conducive for them to do so. In addition to that I would say that the constituents, certainly the ones that I’ve spoken with have asked in the years that I’ve been up here why do we have these meetings at 1400? And one could say well we’ve done this, we’ve always done it this way. And that may be true but it does not necessarily mean that it’s always been the right way to do it. And so we’ve quite often been compared with Columbia County and North Augusta in terms of our geographical location and that sort of thing and both of those entities also have their meetings in the evening time at six o’clock where working folks can come and actually see and be a part of what’s going on with their government. At this point though, Mr. Mayor, I’d like to defer for a moment to our City Administrator to discuss a couple of issues that were brought to him in terms of any potential costs associated with this and hours. If I could that at this point. Mr. Mayor: You can. Mr. Administrator. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission as we begin to look at this we obviously identified some issues in reference to cost that might be, might be needed to be absorbed. First of which would be the security of the building itself to allow for somebody to be downstairs to come through, an officer be present during the building. We’ve asked the Marshal to give us a number on that and the rough number at this point is about $300.00 a meeting at this particular point in time. That’s if they provide people here to do that or there’s a potential with working the schedule around that too. So that’s, that would be the worse case scenario at this particular point in time. There are other costs in reference to the people that would have to be here. As you know most of the department heads are exempt employees and their time is your time and they would be here as necessary for that. If we do need to bring in additional people that are not at the department head level or exempt level there might be some additional costs for that at this particular point in time. We were also asked to look at some of the other areas around here as far as what they did. As the Mayor Pro Tem mentioned North Augusta, Columbia County meet at six, Aiken City and Aiken County meet at seven. There’s a wide range. Atlanta meets at one, Fulton meets at 10:00 a.m. Savannah at two. So obviously at this point it’s a 19 policy decision that you have to make and whatever time that you decide that we’ll have the meetings we’ll be here to provide the support as necessary. Mr. Mayor: Well, I just wanted to say and I concur with Commissioner Mason in the fact that yeah, just because we haven’t done it this way or this Commission hadn’t done it this way it’s worth a try I think anything that gets more transparency to the government. I’ve spoken to citizens who like the idea of it better for the reasons you mentioned, to make it more convenient for them to get down during hours that are not work hours for them. And so I would just also say you know I can feel where staff is coming from. I’m down here all day everyday. It’s not the best for me personally but this isn’t about me it’s about the citizens. So Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: If I could finish my thought there. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And it is about the people. The business of the government is the business of the people. Some may say that the business of government is between 8-5. But I would question that somewhat. I think the business of the people is when the people can have an opportunity to come where it’s not taxing on the people. We’re here to represent them. We’re here to do the best job that we can possibly do. And in keeping with transparency and moving this government forward we have a number of things that we have yet to do. But I think that this would be the right step in sending the right message to this our constituents in Augusta Richmond County that we are an open government. We’re dealing with open records, we dealing with opening up the Commission chambers and committee meetings to this bigger spot. I just think it just goes in line. So at this point I would say this action does not take an act of Congress. Simply it takes a majority of the Commissioners who feel our citizens deserve the best service that they can get from this government. And so having said that, I’m going to make a motion, Mr. Mayor, that we convene our committee and commission meetings at 6:00 p.m. in the evening effective immediately. Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second? Mr. Aitken: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and second. Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, you know I’m not opposed to changes and I think we need to certainly do some in the future. We’ve done some in the past and they’ve proved to be good and they’ve proven not to be so good but I think changing the time right now is not, is not the time to do it. We just had two new Commissioners to come on board. We have people who are employed and hopefully before they placed themselves up for election that they talked to their employers and that they were able to seek permission to go to these commission meetings, committee meetings as had been done so in the past. And in addition to that to me you know I feel like that we have placed something on the agenda today that has not come through any other source such as committees or even at our retreat which is coming up in February. And I think that’s the place where we should be discussing items such as this and then we can all sit down and talk about it instead of it coming before us one day without notice. I did receive notice of this last week at our executive committee and we discussed it at that time. I’m not in support of a change so I’m going to make a substitute motion that we refer this to our retreat that will be held in February for discussions. And that we ask our Augusta Cares Department to do a survey 20 of the citizens who feel necessary that we change our meeting time allowing them to come. I’ve not received the first phone call in regards to a change of time. I don’t think it matters to a lot of people. If they were interested they’d be down here. We have four meetings a month, we have two committee meetings and two commission meetings. And if they see fit to come then they’ll certainly make arrangements to be here. So I’m going to make that substitute motion that we refer this to our retreat. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have a second? Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Smith you had your hand up. Mr. Smith: Yes, the Commission used to meet at 6:00 o’clock. Is that a fair question, Madam Clerk? The Clerk: Yes, sir. The Commission in 1996 did meet at six for a brief time. Mr. Smith: Do you remember what the reason was to change it back? The Clerk: No, sir, they, well, I don’t know if it met their objective but they decided to go back, to go to 2:00 o’clock. We started at six. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: And hang on, Commissioner Brigham, while, I just thought of something. Commission meetings used to go until 8:00 o’clock or so at night. So everybody used to be a few years ago be down here past 6:00 o’clock anyways. Commissioner Brigham. The Clerk: They went to midnight a lot of times. So we were down here at eleven and twelve o’clock at night. Mr. Grantham: Tell them, Lena. Mr. Brigham: Well, Ms. Bonner may not remember but I certainly do. I was on that Commission and we did change the time to be more convenient to meet with the public and the public did not participate. The majority of the people we had here participating was our employees and we were paying more overtime for them to be staying late than to have the public participate. We did not have any change of numbers of people participating in the commission meetings. I think a way we could probably compromise is we might could meet a little later in the afternoon but still meet during working hours, maybe four o’clock. But I think that it would be probably more appropriate to discuss this with everybody and not try to debate it up here and set a time up here at this time. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any further comments? 21 Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if I can --- Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: --- before you read the motion. The motion was to allow Augusta Cares to do the survey and I would prefer to put that on the website and do a web based survey as opposed to tasking Augusta Cares --- Mr. Mayor: Are you willing to change your motion on that one? Mr. Russell: --- if that be the will of the group if that passes. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, we have a substitute motion that, Madam Clerk, if you could please read back to us for clarity. The Clerk: The motion was to refer this item for discussion to the Commission February retreat and to have the Information Technology Department to survey the citizens of Augusta regarding the changing of this meeting time. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioners will now vote by the substitute sign of voting. Mr. Aitken, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Mason and Mr. Lockett vote No. Motion fails 4-5. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, the primary motion. The Clerk: The original motion was to convene committee and commission meetings at the hour of 6:00 p.m. effective immediately. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Jackson, Mr. Brigham, Mr. Smith and Mr. Grantham vote No. Motion fails 5-4. Mr. Mayor: Okay, no action taken. And, Mr. Attorney, do we have need for a legal meeting? Mr. MacKenzie: Yes, we do for Pending and Potential Litigation, Real Estate and one Personnel matter. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation. B. Real Estate. C. Personnel. ADDENDUM 22 47. Motion to approve going into a Legal Meeting. Mr. Mayor: A brief meeting? Mr. MacKenzie: I’d like to say that but that depends on the questions. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to go into a legal meeting to --- Mr. Grantham: So moved. Mr. Mayor: --- discuss those issues. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Bowles and Mr. Jackson vote No. Motion carries 7-2. Mr. Mayor: We are in Legal. [LEGAL MEETING] Mr. Mayor: Everybody ready? Madame Clerk, you ready? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ll go ahead and call the meeting back to order. Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: I think first we’ll need to do a motion for the closed meeting affidavit. 48. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia’s Open Meeting Act. Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion carries 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie. 23 ADDENDUM 45. Motion to add and approve the reassignment of Ms. Diane Downs from Director of Animal Services to the position of Administrative Assistant effective January 19, 2010. Mr. MacKenzie: You need also to do a motion to add an item of discussion relating to the discipline of Diane Downs. Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: We just need unanimous consent on that one? Okay. Do we have unanimous consent? Do we need to take action on the motion? Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. I have before me a request, a voluntary request from Ms. Downs in reference to a reassignment to a position other than the Animal Control Director. This would be an administrative assistant and would be within the animal services area, which she would be moving from Director’s position to this position effective today. It would be appropriate to accept that voluntary request for transfer. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion? Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Mayor: Is there a second? Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: Is there any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Bowles and Mr. Mason vote No. Motion carries 7-2. Mr. Mayor: Okay with no further business to come before the body we stand adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission 24 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 January 19, 2010. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 25