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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission Meeting - May 18 , 2010 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER MAY 18, 2010 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., May 18, 2010, the Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Smith, Mason, Grantham, Hatney, Aitken, Johnson, Jackson, Bowles and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. The invocation was given by the Reverend Leroy James, Pastor, Friendly Church of God in Christ. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. RECOGNITIONS Employee of the Month A. Ms. Megan Sasser, Human Resources Dept., April Employee of the Month. Mr. Speaker: --- always at home, weekends, researching and planning all of these improvements that really eliminated a lot. How many forms have been eliminated? Three different forms consolidated now into one, much more efficient, much more simple to use and much more effective. And this is the kind of efficiency we’re looking for in HR. So I want to thank her, thank all the people in HR that support her and support all of us. You do a wonderful job and you certainly deserve this. Thank you very much. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: Do you want to say something? Ms. Sasser: I’m so bad at speeches. Thank you to everyone. There’s Becky (unintelligible) she’s in the back. She took the initiative to recognize me. And thank you to my fellow coworkers. We all work very hard in HR and so I think I stand up here for a lot of us in our department. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) RECOGNITIONS B. Congratulations! Ms. Leslie Edney, Nurse, Medical College of Georgia for receiving the 2010 CSRA Nurse of the Year Award. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Mason) The Clerk: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, would you please join the Mayor here. At this time we would like to offer congratulations to Ms. Leslie Edney, Nurse at the Medical College of Georgia for receiving the 2010 CSRA Nurse of the Year Award. Would you please come forward with family members, friends who would like to share in this award with her. Feel free to come up. Fellow coworkers. Mr. Mason: Yes, we got all her fellow coworkers coming up as well. We’re going to make a little room up here. This is worthy. Okay, before we get started let me say this about 1 Ms. Edney and about this program period. As the Mayor Pro Tem I have the responsibilities from time to time to attend those events that conflicts with the Mayor’s schedule. And this is one of those events; the Nurse of the Year is one of those events that is near and dear to my heart. And that is one that I would go to whether I was Mayor Pro Tem or not. It’s just a great event. I thoroughly enjoyed it when Ms. Terry Rains, standing next to the Mayor, she contacted me this past year and I was more that happy to go. And then I thought that it would be appropriate as we’re recognizing our citizens to bring them before the community and recognize them from this government to show them that we appreciate what they do. And since we started it last year I figured we might as well and go ahead and keep it going this year and perhaps for years to come. And this year’s winner is Ms. Edney here. And you’re going to hear the citation here by the Mayor in just a moment. But this is such an extremely important part of our community when you’re talking about the medical field and when you’re talking about nurses in particular. At any given point in time every single one of us would have had to have had the need to have a nurse if it wasn’t anytime other then when we came out and got spanked. I know that was by the doctor but the nurse was there too. So we’ve had an occasion to be around a nurse and it’s a very, sometimes it can be a thankless type position because you have to have a passion for it. And you don’t always get the rewards that you’re looking for. But today we’re going to reward her for the fantastic and outstanding job that she did being nominated and winning a Nurse of the Year. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. And I don’t know I can’t speak for you but that was not the only time I got spanked in my life, probably not as much as I deserved. But I just want to applaud you for taking the initiative to do this, this opportunity as we recognize local citizens that mean so much to this community. So all credit where credit is due. Office of the Mayor. Certificate of Recognition given to Leslie Edney, 2010 CSRA Nurse of the Year. Whereas Leslie Edney played a major role in changing the traditional No Visitors in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit at the Medical College of Georgia Recovery Area to one of liberal visitation where families can now be with their loved ones after surgery. The success of her research efforts, hard work and dedication is reflected in the dramatic increase in their patient and family satisfaction scores. The City of Augusta recognizes and commends you for your significant contributions and distinguished service as a healthcare professional. Your accomplishments in the nursing profession have touched the lives of many patients, families and colleagues. We greatly appreciate the sacrifices you make, your dedicated service, professionalism and your can-do attitude, which is exemplified in your continued commitment and selflessness. Your hard work and the enthusiasm you have shown to emphasize the importance of quality healthcare to our community serves as an example and inspiration for us th all. Given this day 18 of May 2010. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Edney: Thank you for the recognition. Thank you, Sue Andrews, for nominating me and to (unintelligible). (APPLAUSE) Ms. Speaker: I personally speak on behalf of our nursing showcase community. This is an annual event. We usually have somewhere between 300 and 400 hundred nurses throughout the CSRA that are recognized from different facilities throughout the CSRA and we so appreciate the Mayor Pro Tem coming out to support us, recognizing how valuable we are to the community. And we appreciate this recognition as well. (APPLAUSE) 2 Mr. Mason: Anyone else have any comments? You sure? Speak now or forever hold your peace. Mr. Mayor: It’s open mike night! Mr. Mason: We’re proud of her too and that’s the reason why we wanted to bring her up here. We’re very proud of her. Thank you, Ms. Edney, we appreciate everything you do. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I think we have a couple more recognitions? RECOGNITIONS C. Congratulations: to Xavier Harris and Jennilia Benson students at Wheeless Road Elementary School for their acts of bravery relating to the April 29, 2010 school bus incident. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Mason) Mr. Mason: If we could have Xavier Harris and Jennilia Benson come forward. If their parents are here you’re welcome to come up. I know I see their principal Dr. Curtis. Please come forward if you would please and anyone else who is a part of these great young individuals that we have here today. Nice support system going on here. Once again it’s our intent today to recognize two brave young, young people that we have in our community. Often times through the news and the TV you hear about all the negative things that’s going on with youth today. And quite frankly we emphasize the negative a little bit too much and we don’t reinforce the positive. But today we’re here to reinforce the positive of what our youth are doing today. And I really feel like we’re in good hands when we have youth like Xavier and Jennilia who is out in the community doing great things. And what you’re going to hear on these awards is some of the brave acts that they’ve done. And I felt that is was extremely important that is was brought to my attention the acts that they did and we wanted to present in front of this government once again to the community that we truly care about what’s going on out in the community. And we want to recognize what’s going on with our young people and the brave acts that they’re doing. So the Mayor’s going to read off the Community Champion Award is both for Xavier Harris and Jennilia Benson. And they’re the same awards but he’s going to read them one and going to present it to both of them. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. And once again I just applaud you. It is a great opportunity to recognize the youth of our community and recognize one of the greatest resources we have is our citizens whether they be young or old or in the middle. So thank you. th Whereas on the morning of April 28 2010 Xavier Harris and Jennilia Benson noticed something was truly wrong with their bus driver, Ms. Ruby Anderson and began asking if she was okay as the school bus started to sway on the road. Without hesitation Xavier helped the bus driver to steer the bus to the side of the road and cut the ignition off. In the meanwhile Jennilia quickly thought to contact the Richmond County Board of Education Transportation Department through a two-way radio letting officials know of the situation. Xavier Harris and Jennilia Benson without thinking twice possibly saved the lives of their peers and the bus driver. In recognition and grateful appreciation through your heroic actions the City of Augusta applauds your selfless and brave efforts to save the life of Ms. Ruby Anderson and your fellow peers and serving as an 3 th inspiration to others performing their best. Given under my hand this 18 Day of May 2010. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Benson: Thank you. Mr. Mason: Dr. Curtis, did you have anything that you wanted to say? She is the principal of Wheeless Elementary? Dr. Curtis: Good Afternoon. We are just so happy that the Commissioners and certainly the Mayor took it upon themselves and thought it not robbery to bring these two young persons down who were so brave. You could imagine on that morning at Wheeless Road Elementary School everyone was just all up in the air and especially those students who were riding the bus. They were so excited they could hardly talk so I told them to slow down. And then of course from that point on we started to inform the parents of what happened and then of course we informed the student body and the faculty and the staff and some more persons in the community. And everyone just took on and just thought that it was a very, very brave act on their part. And lots of community personnel and agencies have been thanking them and at six- o’clock this evening we’ll be going to the Board of Education and the Board of Education is going to honor them too. So thanks, Mayor, and thank you, Mr. Mason. We appreciate it. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Speaker: I’d like to say my baby’s brave. And, Xavier, y’all did a wonderful job. Y’all acted upon your mind because certain people wouldn’t have acted which y’all have acted. I’m very proud of y’all. And God works in mysterious ways. Mr. Speaker: Oh, I’m just proud, just proud of them. Mr. Mason: I do have one final I want to say gratitude to both Xavier and Jennilia. McDonald’s, WalMart and Crystal heard your bravery and sent you their compliments with the hopes of making your summer a little bit more enjoyable. So what we have is a $30.00 dollar gift certificate for each of you to Crystal’s. We also have a $25.00 dollar gift certificate for each of you from WalMart and a $10.00 dollar gift certificate for each of your from McDonald’s. And that would be yours there. Xavier you’re so packed down with so much now. And this would be yours here. And in addition to that the staff here and the Clerk’s Office have made commemorative documents of today’s events so that you can have it for record. As well as and this is for both of you as well as the article that was in the newspaper and on the news for you as well. So we thank the Clerk’s Office (APPLAUSE). Let’s give these fine young people another round of applause. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: All righty, Madam Clerk, on to the delegations. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS D. Mr. Billy Hatcher RE: Fiesta South June 16-26, 2011. 4 Mr. Mayor: And Mr. Hatcher if you could state your name and address for the record and keep it to five minutes, please, sir. Mr. Hatcher: My name is Billy Hatcher. I’m the guy with the Fiesta South for Augusta Georgia. I want to thank the Mayor and all the Commissioners for me being here presenting this Fiesta South to y’all. I know some of y’all already got this letter from San Antonio and also the event, all the events for we’re going to have in Augusta Georgia for the eleven days in June of next year 16-26 an eleven day fiesta which will boost the economy up for Augusta Georgia. And I’d like to say I’ve been working very hard on this fiesta to help Richmond County and Columbia County in Augusta and the residents to boost up this economy. And I appreciate to know the hard work I did for the five years. I want to do it for the people for Augusta Georgia. I’m really a resident from Texas because I ended up here in the military. I took interest to help Augusta out and I just went to my friends and asked them to help and they’re doing the help here for Augusta. And I just hope that we the list on the you’re going to see is all going to be posted but all this is not going on the first round because we’re trying to get it up annually for the first. San Antonio is coming to help us out for the first round until we go annually and to boost this economy up. And even they say it will boost the economy. And I mean we talk about and we have meetings a lot about it and we discuss and everything else. And like I said I think each one of you all I know each one of you got these booklets and statements from San Antonio to show that I have been working on this to help the people out. I appreciate it. Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, Mr. Hatcher. On to the regular agenda, Madam Clerk, please. The Clerk: Our consent agenda consists of items 1-36, items 1-36. For the benefit of any objectors to our Planning Petitions those petitions will be read and if there are any objectors would you please signify your objections at the reading of the petition. Item 4: Requesting a Special Exception to bring an existing church in zoning conformance affecting property located at 3027 Tobacco Road and 2934 Old Tobacco Road. Item 5: With conditions a request for a change of zoning from an R-1 (One-family residential) to a Zone R-1B (One-family Residential) affecting property at 4483 Windsor Spring Road. Item 6: Is for a Special Exception to establish a church with day care activities affecting property known as 2012 and 2014 Boykin Road. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those Planning Petitions? I call your attention to the Public Services portion of our agenda. If there are any objectors to any of the alcohol petitions, would you please signify your objection by raising your hand once the petition is read? Item 7: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Cloud Nine Bar & Grill located at 3156 Wrightsboro Rd. Item 8: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with The Place On Broad Street. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those alcohol petitions? 5 Mr. Mayor: None noted. The Clerk: No objectors, Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-36 with no objectors to our Planning or alcohol petitions. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Do we have any additions to the consent agenda? Mr. Johnson: I have one, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you. I’d like to add Item 37. It’s to ratify an emergency change for the new library. I know Fred was probably not informing this to me because they weren’t brought up to speed. Are you familiar with this? Okay. And I make a motion that we go ahead and add this to that. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: I need to ask one question about that. Did we agree, and I may be reading it wrong but are you saying to me that we’re going to spend $41,461.00 for smoke shutters? What does that mean? So folks can sit under smoke? That’s not what that means, is it? Mr. Johnson: It’s actually, it’s actually doors. You got to --- Mr. Hatney: Okay. Mr. Mayor: He’s good with it. He’s good with it. Okay, do we have any items to be pulled for discussion? Mr. Grantham: Item seventeen, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Any other items to be pulled for discussion? Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? Mr. Lockett: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. FINAL PLAT – LONGPOINT TOWNHOMES, PHASE 3-A – S-792-A – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by Star Survey Inc., on behalf of ATC Development Co., requesting final plat approval for Long point Town homes, Phase 3-A. This residential townhome development 6 is located on Long point Drive adjacent to Long point Town homes, Phase 2 and contain 8 lots. 2. FINAL PLAT – MAGNOLIA RIDGE (FKA DENNIS FARMS) – S-805 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by James Swift and Associates, on behalf of Te Moye, requesting final plat approval for Magnolia Ridge. This residential subdivision is located off Dennis Road at Alice Lane and contains 25 lots. 3. FINAL PLAT – WILLHAVEN, PHASE II, SECTION I – S-808-II-I – A request fro concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by John Brewer and Associates, on behalf of Brent Scarbrough & Co., requesting final plat approval for Willhaven Phase I, Section II. This residential subdivision is located on Huntcliff Drive, off Willhaven Drive, adjacent to Willhaven Section I and contains 40 lots. 4. Z-10-26 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by Mark Taylor, on behalf of Friendship United Methodist Church, requesting a Special Exception to bring an existing church into zoning conformance and allow for minor improvements including a family life center and day care activities per Section 26-1 (A) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta- Richmond County affecting property containing 3.65 acres and is known as 3027 Tobacco Road and 2934 Old Tobacco Road. (Tax Maps 128-0-010-01-0 and 128-0-013-00-0) DISTRICT 4 5. Z-10-29 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve with the following condition 1) that the development plan must substantially conform to the concept plan submitted with this petition; a petition by Neil Koelbl, on behalf of Webb Properties of Augusta, LLC, requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1 (One-family Residential) to Zone R-1B (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 27 acres and is known as 4477 and 4483 Windsor Spring Road. (Tax Maps 179-0-002-01-0 and 179-0-186-00-0) DISTRICT 8 6. Z-10-27 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by Rehaboth Worship Center, on behalf of Reichard Investments LLC, requesting a Special Exception to establish a church with day care activities per Section 26-1 (A) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta- Richmond County affecting property containing approximately 3.4 acres and is known as 2012 and 2014 Boykin Road. (Tax Map 168-0-017-11-0 and 168-0-017-12-0) DISTRICT 6 PUBLIC SERVICES 7. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. – 10 – 29 request by Shalanda Crawford for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Cloud Nine Bar & Grill located at 3156 Wrightsboro Rd. District 5. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 10, 2010) 8. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-30 request by Vance Shimley for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with The Place On Broad located at 1135 Broad St. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 10, 2010) 9. Motion to approve 1) Elimination of Route 15 Medical Complex as stated in the Transit Development Plan (TDP) 2) Public Hearing for elimination of Route 15, 3) To allow the 7 administrator to negotiate the cost for the purchase of the bus shelters and contract out for the advertising the APT Shelters; 4) Elimination of Route 16 Lumpkin Road extension to Phinizy Road with quarterly first report and six-month report thereafter to determine the effect of the changes on the other routes. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 10, 2010) 10. Motion to approve construction contract to Alpha Construction Company in the amount of $287,636 for improvements to the Bob Baurle Boat Ramp Project. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 10, 2010) 11. Motion to approve the contract with McAir Aviation Service, Inc. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 10, 2010) 12. Motion to accept donation and approve a budget amendment accordingly. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 10, 2010) 13. Motion to authorize the Recreation and Parks Department to begin six capital projects in FY 2010. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 10, 2010) 14. Motion to approve Bid Item 10-111, HVAC Replacement at Julian Smith Casino to RCN Contracting in the amount of $187,265. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 10, 2010) 15. Motion to approve the selection of S.D. Clifton Construction and attached contract for the construction of the Terminal Concession Area. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 10, 2010) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 16. Motion to approve an Ordinance providing for the demolition of a certain unsafe and uninhabitable structure in the West Augusta Neighborhood: 467 Boy Scout Road, (District ND 7, Super District 10); AND WAIVE 2 READING. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee May 10, 2010) FINANCE 18. Motion to approve the replacement of 3 light vehicles for the Fire Department. (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010) 19. Motion to approve the request from the Fire Department to declare a 1998 Fleetwood Trailer surplus and available for sale using the Internet auction service. (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010) 20. Motion to approve the replacement of one sewer rodder truck for the Utilities Department-Construction and Maintenance Division. (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010) 21. Motion to approve the replacement of two utility-body crew trucks for the Utilities Department-Construction and Maintenance Division. (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010) 22. Motion to approve request from Utilities Department-Construction & Maintenance Division to replace one Backhoe Loader (4X4). (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010) 23. Motion to approve request from Utilities Department to replace 3 Compact Pickup Trucks in Customer Service Division (2-each) and Highland Filter Plant (1-each). (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010) 8 24. Motion to approve request from Utilities Department-Construction & Maintenance Division to replace a 1996 Single Axle Dump Truck. (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010) 25. Motion to approve recommendation from the Administrator to fund the Barton Village Community Center/Neighborhood Enhancement Program in the amount of $30,500 from the contingency fund for the remainder of the year; reduce the hours of operations for the program from 7 ½ hours per day to 4 ½ hours per day four days a week; remove certain positions so that 2 part-time people would remain to administer the program, utilize resources from Augusta Technical College to administer the GED portion of the program; and utilize some additional volunteers to provide some counseling and programming. (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010 26. Motion to approve a Budget Resolution and a contract with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for Phase 3 of the Harrisburg-West End Historic District Survey. (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010) 27. Motion to approve tasking the Administrator to meet with the CSRA Regional Development Commission and put together a joint meeting of representatives from the various areas and GDOT to develop a program regarding the new transportation bill that would serve the entire region. (Approved by Finance Committee May 10, 2010) ENGINEERING SERVICES 28. Motion to authorize execution of an amendment to an agreement with Cranston Engineering Group for engineering services in the amount of $186,450 for complying with the FERC Dam Safety Performance Monitoring Program to support the Augusta Canal Licensing Process. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 10, 2010) 29. Motion to approve cost sharing agreement in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00 with the developers of Burgess Hills and Cushendal Hills Subdivisions. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 10, 2010) 30. Motion to authorize the notification of the selection results to prospective firms and proceed with negotiations of a contract with the top ranked firm, Tetra Tech Inc. for Construction Manager at Risk Services for Various Projects at Ft. Gordon. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 10, 2010) 31. Motion to approve award of the On-Call Construction Services Consulting Agreement to EMC Engineering, Moreland Altobelli, and The LPA Group subject to receipt of signed contracts and proper bonds. Also approve $150,000 to fund the proposed On-Call Construction Services. Funding is available in the paving and resurfacing accounts respectively. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 10, 2010) 32. Motion to approve Capital Project Budget #322-041110-207822001 for the Rock Creek/Warren Lake Restoration project and Supplemental Agreement Number One for Augusta’s Canal Basin Dredging in the amount of $57,285.00 for Permitting from US Army Corps of Engineers. Funding is available in the project engineering account for the AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 10, 2010) 33. Motion to approve the Resolution supporting the installation of High Mast Street Lighting at the interchanges of Gordon Highway and Deans Bridge Road on I-520 as part of Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project NH000-520-01 (017) PI 2107000. As requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 10, 2010) 9 34. Motion to approve Capital Project Budget Change Number Two 324-041110- 297824001, and award the Construction Contract to Mabus Brothers Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of $1,316,483.15 for the Willis Foreman Road over Spirit Creek Bridge Replacement, subject to receipt of a detailed project schedule; a contractor’s project team – approved by the Engineering Department; a traffic control plan; signed contract(s), and proper bonds. Also approve Supplemental Agreement Number Three to Cranston Engineering Group, PC in the amount of $118,400.00 for additional services that include construction observation and field engineering. Funding is available in the project account for the AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 10, 2010) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 35. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held on May 4, 2010. APPOINTMENTS 36. Motion to approve the appointment of Bernard Johnson to the Tax Assessor’s Board due to the resignation of Bill Lockett representing Sentorial District 22. ENGINEERTING SERVICES 37. Ratify Emergency Change Order 31 for the addition of motorized controls for the three smoke shutters, located at the monumental stairs in the new Main Library in the amount of $41,461.00. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Hatney: I abstain from alcohol, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Hatney: Thank you. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion carries 9-1. [Items 7-8] Mr. Brigham votes No. Motion carries 9-1. [Item 25] Motion carries 10-0. [Items 1-16, 18-24, 26-36, 37] Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: I’d like to be recorded as a no vote on item 25. 10 The Clerk: Item 25, Mr. Brigham? Mr. Brigham: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: No vote? Okay. Mr. Mayor: All righty, Madam Clerk, there’s not much choice where we go from here. The Clerk: Item 17, sir? Mr. Mayor: I believe that would be the one. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 17. Motion to approve the Local Vendor Preference language as proposed in the amendments to the Procurement portion of the Augusta, GA. Code. (Option 1)(Approved by Administrative Services Committee May 10, 2010) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham, this was your? Mr. Grantham: That’s right, thank you, Mr. Mayor. And fellow commissions and people of interest that have small business in the City of Augusta. I wanted to ask that we propose a substitute or an option for the Local Vendor Preference. And I’ll be brief about this. The Local Vendor Preference as it reads now is that any bids under $10,000 dollars that is met by a local vendor if he is within five percent of an out of town vendor than he has the option of matching that out of town vendor’s bid and can be awarded the bid at that time. My proposal is that I feel like that we need to show a little more compassion for our local small business people and to give them an opportunity to do business with this government more so that what is being done right now. And what I propose was that we keep the local bidder within five-percent of the out of town bidder as long as it’s under the $10,000 dollar level and that he be awarded that project with his bid price. The maximum amount that this government would be exposed to at any given time is going to be $500.00 dollars. Now you say well why should we give $500.00 dollars away? It’s sad for me to say but I think we’re giving more than $500.00 dollars away everyday. And I think we need to look at our local small business people to give them that opportunity to do business with our government. Our local business people the small business people and I’m going to read this to you right quickly. In as much as they are required --- Mr. Mayor: Okay and, Commissioner Grantham, you’re at the two-minutes so we’ll give you the time to read that though. Mr. Grantham: Thank you. --- that they have to have a fixed office in the City of Augusta, they have to have a street address that they reside in for at least six months. They have to hold a business license that’s required by our county code and they have to have at least one full time employee or two part time employees. Now these are people living in the city of Augusta, paying taxes, buy a business license and here we want to give business to out of town 11 people that are not required any of these things I just read to you. So I’m making the recommendation, I’m going to make a motion that we incorporate Option 2 based on our local vendor preference policy and that I think we have all agreed to the new procurement process but this would be the only change that would be in place. So I’m going to put that in the form of a motion, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Grantham, what exactly is the difference in item D as it is now and what you were talking about? Mr. Grantham: In item D in order for a local vendor that is within five percent of the out of town vendor the local vendor has to match the out of town vendor prices which is less than the local vendor. Mr. Hatney: Okay, so you want to remove that? Mr. Grantham: I want to remove that and let our local vendor receive the bids if he’s within five percent at his price. And I don’t think we’re talking about a whole lot of money. I think we’re talking about a support for our small business people and I think we’re telling them we want to work with them and we want them to work with us and do more business with our government. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Mr. Attorney, Mr. Attorney, my question to that is that would that be legal. That’s all I’m asking. Mr. MacKenzie: It would be legal to adopt this. It was actually drafted to be in compliance with state and federal regulations regarding these kinds of bids. Mr. Hatney: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I need to make sure I heard what I thought I heard. So we are limiting the local preference to the maximum $10,000.00 dollar bid that if you bid less than $10,000.00 dollars the most you can get is a five percent of a $10,000.00 bid, which is $500.00 dollars. Is that what I heard? Mr. Grantham: Mr. Brigham, that’s part of what you heard. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Grantham, you said that if would only cost us $500.00 dollars on given item. 12 Mr. Grantham: On a given project. Mr. Brigham: Okay --- Mr. Grantham: That is correct. Mr. Brigham: --- so that means that this does not apply to any bid in excess of $10,000.00 dollars. Mr. Grantham: That is correct. Mr. Brigham: Because I don’t think that’s the way the ordinance is written. I think the way the ordinance is written that anybody up to that’s within five percent up to $10,000.00 dollars gets the opportunity to match the bid. So therefore I think we are giving a greater opportunity of local businesses to do business with Richmond County the way the ordinance is originally written. Mr. Grantham: It does not have to be $10,000.00 dollars it can be from zero to $10,000.00 dollars. Mr. Brigham: Right but it could be a $10,000.00 dollar difference and still be within five percent is the way I understand the ordinance to being written. If that’s the case I think we are limiting the amount of local participation by adopting the amendment. Is that, is that right is my interpretation wrong Mr. MacKenzie? Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: Just to clarify. I actually wrote this provision. It was designed to change the provision to allow us to award a contract to a local vendor even if they weren’t the low bidder. And the way the language currently reads is if it’s within five percent or $10,000.00 dollars which ever is less. That would mean that there could be a potential of up to a $10,000.00 dollar difference between the amount that the bid would be awarded, as is my understanding. Of course we can change that number if y’all want to limit it to a lesser amount. That could be done as well but it’s my understanding that’s the way that y’all wanted that to be written and that’s the way we drafted it. Mr. Hatney: A question, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay um – Mr. Hatney: What’s the difference --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney. Mr. MacKenzie: The primary --- 13 Mr. Hatney: The difference primarily in Option 1 and 2? Mr. MacKenzie: The primary difference is Option 1 allows a local bidder to match whatever the out of town person is. Option 2 automatically gives them that bid without requiring them to match the out of town bidder. Mr. Grantham: That’s correct. Mr. MacKenzie: Five percent or $10,000.00 dollars which ever is less. Mr. Hatney: Or the bid. Mr. MacKenzie: The effect that that would be there could be circumstances in which we would award the bid to the bidder that is not the low bidder if they’re the local bidder. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, then am I hearing the Attorney say that if the bid is $10,000.00 difference that the local bidder will get the bid even though it’s $10,000.00 dollars more than the low bidder? Mr. MacKenzie: That’s my understanding. Mr. Brigham: That’s what I thought you were saying. That is not the way this amendment is being sold to us. It is being sold to us there will only be a $500.00 dollar difference. Last time I checked this $9,500.00 dollar difference between $10,000.00 dollars and $500.00 dollars. And therefore I can’t support the amendment the way it is. If you want to do any amendment and say it will give them, it it’s within $500.00 dollars we’ll automatically give it to them I can support that. But I can’t support automatically giving a local vendor $10,000.00 dollars because we still are responsible to the taxpayers. And while on the lower end it works on the upper end it doesn’t. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Based on the research I had done on this four years ago when I drafted that ordinance to put it in place it was to help the small businesses. I’m going to make a substitute motion that we And I think it’s done a fairly effective job. approve Option 1. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a substitute motion and a second to approve Option 1. Okay if there’s no further conversation the Commissioners will now vote by the substitute sign of voting. Mr. Smith and Mr. Grantham vote No. 14 Motion carries 8-2. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I believe that ends our agenda. Mr. Attorney, do we have the need for a Legal session? Mr. MacKenzie: Yes, we have the need for a Legal session to discuss pending and potential litigation. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation. B. Real Estate. C. Personnel. ADDENDUM 39. Motion to approve going into a Legal Meeting. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to go into Legal session to discuss --- Mr. Mason: So moved. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Jackson votes No. Motion carries 9-1. [LEGAL MEETING] Mr. Mayor: Okay, has everybody taken their positions? I’ll go ahead and call the meeting back to order. 41. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia’s Open Meeting Act. Mr. Hatney: So moved. Mr.Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Mr. Attorney. 15 ADDENDUM 40. Motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the settlement of all claims by Reba Spivey in the aggregate amount of twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($27,500); authorizing the County Administrator to disburse the amount of twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($27,500); waiving Augusta-Richmond County Code of Ordinances section in conflict for this instance only; and for other purposes. Mr. MacKenzie: I would entertain a motion to add for consideration the settlement of all claims of Reba Spivey to the agenda. Mr. Mayor: Do we need a motion to that effect? Mr. MacKenzie: Yes. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion? Mr. Hatney: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, is that to add and approve? Mr. Mayor: Was that to add and approve or just add? Mr. MacKenzie: Just to add it. You can do an add and approve if you’d like. Mr. Brigham: I would think we could add and approve that one. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Would you like to --- Mr. Bowles: I going to vote to add but not to approve. Mr. Mayor: What’s that? Mr. Bowles: I’m going to vote to add but not to approve. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Bowles: Just count me as a no vote on the vote. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ll go ahead and add it and then I’ll call for the vote on it. There’s been a motion and a second to add that agenda item. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. 16 The Clerk: That motion carries. Wait a minute, to add. Well, we need unanimous consent to add. Mr. Johnson: Not to consent it just to add it. The Clerk: Just to add it, right. So if we’ve got objections then we can’t add it. Mr. Mayor: Do we have unanimous consent to add? Mr. Bowles: Yes. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Okay. The Clerk: And now to approve it. Mr. Mayor: Okay, now can I get a motion to approve? Mr. Hatney: So moved. Mr. Johnson: 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. Mr. Bowles and Mr. Smith vote No. Motion carries 8-2. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Attorney. ADDENDUM 38. Motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the settlement of all claims by Augusta Video in the aggregate amount of five hundred fifty thousand dollars ($550,000); authorizing the County Administrator to disburse the amount of five hundred fifty thousand dollars ($550,000); and for other purposes. Mr. MacKenzie: I would entertain another motion to add an agenda item for the settlement of the Augusta Video case and companion case. And this is just a motion to add it to the agenda for consideration. Mr. Lockett: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. 17 Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Smith: What’s the item? Mr. Mayor: Just to add, Mr. MacKenzie? Mr. MacKenzie: That’s correct for this motion, yes. Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie, the item? The Clerk: It’s a resolution authorizing the settlement of all claims by Augusta Video. Mr. Mayor: Okay. The Clerk: Just to add it. Mr. Mayor: Just to add. The Clerk: And companion, I think you said settlement. Mr. MacKenzie: Any companion cases that are also out for the case. The Clerk: And any companion cases associated with this litigation. Mr. Mayor: Just to add. Motion carries 10-0. The Clerk: And now to approve the resolution. Mr. Mayor: Do we have a motion? Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a --- The Clerk: Let me make sure on the second. Who’s second, Mr. Lockett? Thank you. 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. Mr. Brigham, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hatney and Mr. Grantham vote No. Motion carries 6-4. 18 Mr. Mayor: Mr. Attorney, any more business to come before the body? Mr. MacKenzie: That’s all I have. Mr. Mayor: With no further business we stand adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on May 18, 2010. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 19