HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 16, 2010 Commission Meeting
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
NOVEMBER 16, 2010
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., November 16, 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 Larry Cone, Pastor, St. Paul Baptist Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor: And, Pastor, if you could come forward we’ve got something for you. I just
want to say thank you for that powerful invocation my friend. By these present by it known that
Reverend Larry Cone, Pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church is Chaplain of the Day. For his civic
and spiritual guidance demonstrated throughout the community serves as an example for all of
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the faith community. Given under my hand this 16 Day of November 2010. Deke Copenhaver,
Mayor. Thank you, sir.
Reverend Cone: Thank you, Deke.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. (APPLAUSE) And, Madam Clerk, before we move into the
recognitions, I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize Commissioner Elect Wayne Guilfoyle
and Commissioner Elect Grady Smith who are here with us this evening and say congratulations.
And I know that the Commission joins me in welcoming you to the team. Thank you so much.
(APPLAUSE) On to the recognitions.
RECOGNITION(S)
Employee of the Month
A. Mr. Steve Little, Assistant Director, Augusta Utilities Department, September
Employee of the Month.
The Clerk: At this time we would like to recognize our September Employee of the
Month, Mr. Steve Little who is the Assistant Director at the Augusta Utilities. And on his behalf
Mr. Tom Wiedmeier who will receive that award.
RECOGNITIONS
B. Ms. Rebecca Godbee, Benefits Coordinator, Human Resources Department, October
2010 Employee of the Month.
The Clerk: We now will recognize our October Employee of the Month who is Ms.
Rebecca Godbee, who is the Benefits Coordinator with our Human Resources Department. Ms.
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Godbee along with Mr. Rod Powell who is the Director if you’d like to join them or Mr. Bobby
Burns, H.R. Personnel who’d like to.
The Clerk: Mayor Copenhaver. The Employee Recognition Committee has selected
Rebecca Godbee as the October 2010 Employee of the Month for the City of Augusta. Rebecca
Godbee is employed as a Benefits Coordinator with the Human Resources Department and has
been an employee since February 2008. Mrs. Godbee was nominated by Bobby Burns the
Human Resources Manager. When the possibility of implementing a totally new automated
system with paperless enrollment features was being considered, Rebecca Godbee came forward
and volunteered to take the lead in the very complex conversion project. She led the
implementation team from the automation of benefits using ADP’s Health and Welfare System.
She worked diligently to make sure the project stayed on schedule and was properly completed
even though she had to continue to manage her regular workload while simultaneously leading
and implementing the new system integration project. Savings with the new system and reduced
paperwork increased availability of customer service new help line and on line access to their
records will save significant processing time as well as time away from the job which results in
improved productivity. The greatest single financial benefit may be related to automating the
flow of enrollment data to carriers. A premium cost savings of two to five percent is expected by
simply scrubbing the data and automating data flow translating into a potential premium savings
of approximately $400,000 dollars per year. The Employee Recognition Committee felt that
based on this nomination and Ms. Rebecca Godbee’s dedicated and loyal service to the City of
Augusta they would appreciate in joining us in awarding her the October 2010 Employee of the
Month. Congratulations, Rebecca. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: And I just want to say thank you so much for your service. Dear Ms.
Godbee. 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 October 2010. Your contribution to your
organization Augusta Richmond 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 and asset to the Augusta Richmond County Human
Resources Department and all the citizens of Augusta Georgia. Please accept my personal
congratulations of this wonderful award. You are truly deserving of this recognition. Sincerely
yours, Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Powell: Briefly I just wanted to thank Becky for all of her hard work. She’s one of
these behind the scenes people that’s back there turning it out all the time and stays very, very
busy if you’ve ever gone back to deal with benefits or retirement. But on top of her regular
workload she volunteered to take on the ADP project, which was fantastic. So again thank you
very, very much from all us to you, you deserve it and we appreciate it. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the delegations.
The Clerk:
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DELEGATIONS
C. Ms. Annette McKie, The Augusta Bus Riders Association. RE: Issues concerning the
Augusta Public Transit System.
Mr. Mayor: Okay and if you could keep it to five minutes please Ma’am.
Ms. McKie: Good evening, gentlemen. My name is Annette McKie and I am not only a
member of the Augusta Bus Riders Association but I am also a frequent rider of the bus. I am
here to represent the over two-hundred bus riders who represent everyday workers, students,
senior citizens and the handicapped who are looking forward to the Augusta Public Transit’s
System fulfilling their mission statement to give our customers access to all regions of Augusta
Richmond County by providing a quality, dependable, safe, accessible and affordable transit
service thereby enhancing the mobility of the general public as well as the disadvantaged. The
Augusta Bus Riders Association has provided you with a list of twenty-eight approved
improvements that the public would like to see happen. We are not naïve to the financial aspects
of running the public transit system but the bus riding public do not believe that they are asking
for too much when they want the buses to get them to work on time. To their early morning
doctor’s appointment, for college students to be able to get off campus and see what Augusta has
to offer them. And for our veterans to have more ways to get around Augusta. The Augusta
Public Transit director once said I hope that your ride with us will be a pleasant experience that
you will want to share with your family, friends and neighbors. But as of right now there’s
nothing good to be said about the public transit system of Augusta. Together let’s change that.
The mission statement of the Augusta Bus Riders Association is to be the voice of the Augusta
bus riders to insure better service and create a more pleasant and less stressful experience for the
riders of the Augusta Public Transit System. That statement means that the association will
continue to press for improvements until we get some results. Thank you, gentlemen, for
listening.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you so much.
Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mason: Um, Ms., is it Mackie, McKie? Do you have, did you bring some copies or
can we get that so each of us can have copies? And the only thing I want to say in reference to
that I think we all understand that we do have a number of issues within our transportation
department. Cost number one to running to do some of the things that you’re asking here.
Obviously there’s a number of things on this list from a governmental standpoint that would be
points of contention that I would realize your regular citizen probably wouldn’t understand in
terms of how government is ran. So I’m wondering if it would even be necessary for a meeting
to be set up perhaps with the bus riders association because I don’t want you to think that we
don’t think that you’re the situation is not viable because it is in a lot of ways. Not in every way
that I see on here that’s my opinion but it is in a lot of ways. I think it’s important for you to
have some dialog back and forth and maybe with the City Administrator or our transportation
staff so that you can somewhat understand some of the limitations that we have up here as a
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government in terms of being able to do some of these things that are asked on here. And then
some of the things that perhaps we could do those could be points of discussion. You see what
I’m saying instead of just leaving it out there. I see where Joe has his hand up so that’s.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Bowles.
Mr. Bowles: Mr. Russell, aren’t we in the middle of procuring, in the middle of an RFP
for a professional management firm to come try to transform our transit department?
Mr. Russell: Yes, we are in the process of developing that and that should be with you
sometime in early December to get permission to go ahead and take a look at that. In addition
we have met with the bus riders association several weeks ago. I believe I was there. But I
believe that probably further dialog would be appropriate and I’d be more than happy to set
something up sometime right after Thanksgiving maybe. And if we’ve got your address and
stuff but if we could make sure we could communicate that to the rest of your members we’ll be
more than happy to get the staff available to continue that dialog. I think that’s important.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank y’all.
Mr. Mason: Do we need to receive that as information?
Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to receive this as information?
Mr. Mason: So moved.
Mr. Johnson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there is no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. And on to the consent agenda.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-40, that’s 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. I call your attention to:
Item 1: Is a petition for, to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Augusta
Richmond County permit to use in a Heavy Industry zone.
Item 3: Is a petition for requesting a Special Exception to establish a Family Personal
Care Home at property known as 2006 Sibley Road.
Item 4: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone R-3C (Multiple-family
Residential) with a Special Exception to establish a nursing Home affecting property zoned A
(Agriculture) at Flowing Wells Road.
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Item 5: With conditions is a request for a zoning (Z-99-16)(Light Industry) affecting
property known as 1632 & 1640 Barton Chapel Road.
Item 6: Is a request for a change of zoning from R-1 (One-family Residential) to a Zone
R-1C (One-family Residential) affecting property on Thames Place west of Barnsbury Place.
Item 7: Is for telecommunication towers in single-family zoning.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those Planning petitions as read?
Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: 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 objections by raising
your hand when the petition is read. I call your attention to:
Item 8: Is for a transfer for a Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with
the location at 1450 Greene Street Suite 600.
Item 9: Is for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Super
Express located at 2545 Peach Orchard Road.
Item 10: Is for a Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Chong’s
Lounge located at 3243 Deans Bridge Road.
Item 11: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with A’s Sports Bar located at 2510 G Peach Orchard Road.
Item 12: Is for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with the
Lucky Trip convenience store located 2260 Lumpkin Road.
Item 13: Is for on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with the 5 O’Clock Bistro located at 2111 Kings Way.
Item 14: Is a Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with the Holiday Mart
located at 4127 Windsor Spring Road.
Item 15: Is for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with the
Super Express at 1342 Gordon Highway.
Item 16: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Surrey Tavern located 471 Highland Avenue.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those alcohol petitions?
Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, our consent agenda consists of
items 1-40 with no objectors to our Planning or Alcohol petitions.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any items to be added to the consent agenda? Hearing
none, I’d ask do we have any items to be pulled for discussion?
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if we can item twenty-two under Public Safety. We’ve got
some more information on that and I’d like to send that back to committee if you don’t mind.
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Mr. Mayor: Is everybody okay with that? Okay, any items to be pulled?
Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, I want to ---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham.
Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to refer item number 43 and 44 back to
committee for a clear understanding. And if possible an additional work shop for that.
The Clerk: What item is that, Commissioner?
Mr. Grantham: Forty-three and forty-four.
The Clerk: You want to send that back to committee?
Mr. Grantham: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: So we want to add that to the consent agenda? No, he wants to add it to the
consent to send it back to committee.
Mr. Mayor: To send back to committee.
The Clerk: And Mr. Russell wants to do the same for item twenty-two.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, did you?
Mr. Mason: I need some clarity I guess.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, hearing no further items to be added or pulled I’d look for a motion to
approve the consent agenda.
Mr. Johnson: So moved.
Mr. Mason: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. ZA-R-200 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning
Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of
Augusta Richmond County by modifying Section 24-1 (d) permitted used in an HI (Heavy
Industry) zone.
2. FINAL PLAT – GRANITE HILL SECTION III – S-815 – A petition by Southern
Partners Inc., on behalf of Crowell & Co., requesting final plat approval for Granite Hill
Section 3. This residential subdivision is located off Harper Franklin Boulevard, east of
Jimmie Dyess Parkway and contains 157 lots.
3. Z-10-61 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning
Commission to approve a petition by Ricky E. Kidd requesting a Special Exception to
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establish a Family Personal Care Home per Section 26-1 (H) of the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing .46 acres and is
known as 2006 Sibley Road. (Tax Map 055-1-083-00-0) DISTRICT 5
4. Z-10-62 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning
Commission to approve a petition by Byrd Warlick, on behalf MEM Real Estate, LLC,
requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-3C (Multiple-family Residential) with a Special
Exception to establish a nursing home per Section 26-1 (D) of the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance for Augusta Richmond County to Zone A (Agriculture) affecting property
containing approximately 27 acres and is located on the northeast right-of-way line of
Flowing Wells Road, 1,293 feet, more or less, north of Elm Avenue. (Tax Map 029-0-045-
00-0) DISTRICT 3
5. Z-10-63 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning
Commission to approve with the following conditions 1) an undisturbed natural buffer
must be maintained along the south property line; 2) a 50 foot “no activity zone” shall be
observed along the south property line; 3) a six foot solid board fence shall be erected on
the interior side of the 50 foot “no activity zone” along the south property line; a petition
by H. Lawson Graham, on behalf of Chris Walker, requesting a modification of the
conditions placed on a 1999 rezoning case (Z-99-16) for Zone LI (Light Industry) affecting
property containing 8.87 acres and is known as 1632 and 1640 Barton Chapel Road. (Tax
Map 054-0-020-01-0 & 054-0-020-02-0) DISTRICT 3
6. Z-10-64 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning
Commission to approve with the following condition 1) that the development be limited to
31 lots; a petition by Nathan Youngblood, on behalf of Nordahl and Company, requesting a
change of zoning from Zone R-1 (One-family Residential) to Zone R-1C (One-family
Residential) affecting property containing approximately 19 acres and is known as Section
XV of Cambridge Subdivision and is located on the northeast right-of-way line of Thames
Place, 71 feet, more or less, west of Bansbury Place, thence, in a northwesterly direction a
distance of 49 feet, more or less, to a point. (Tax Map 142-0-091-00-0) DISTRICT 4
7. ZA-R-199 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning
Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of
Augusta Richmond County by deleting Section 28-A-(5-B-2) defining telecommunication
towers in the single family zones.
PUBLIC SERVICES
8. Motion to approve the Transfer Application: A.N. 10-48: request by Brad Usry to
transfer the Liquor, Beer & Wine license used in connection with the Riverfront Café
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located at #1 7 St. to Fat Man’s Mill Café located at 1450 Greene St. Suite 600. District 1.
Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
9. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-49: request by Manpreet K.
Makkar for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Suhana,
LLC DBA Super Express #3 located at 2545 Peach Orchard Rd. District 2. Super District
9. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
10. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-50: request by Chong Suk
Christenson for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Chong’s Lounge located at 3243 Deans Bridge Rd. District 5.
Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
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11. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-51: request by Angela L.
Askew for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with A’s Sport Bar located at 2510 G Peach Orchard Rd. District 2. Super
District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
12. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-52: request by Hye J. Lee for
a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Lucky Trip convenience
store located at 2260 Lumpkin Rd. District 6. Super District 10. (Approved by Public
Services Committee November 8, 2010)
13. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 10-53: request by David J. Ross for an on
premise consumption Liquor Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with 5 O’Clock
Bistro located at 2111 Kings Way. There will be Sunday Sales. District 1. Super District 9.
(Approved by Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
14. Motion to approv3e New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-54: request by Arvind Patel
for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Laxmi Narayan
Market located at 4127 Windsor Spring Rd. District 4. Super District 9. (Approved by
Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
15. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-55: request by Satnam Singh
for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Satta, LLC DBA
Super Express #4 located at 1342 Gordon Hwy. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by
Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
16. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-56: request by Matthew G.
Widener for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Surrey Tavern located at 471 Highland Ave. There will be Dance. District
7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
17. Motion to approve a request by License & Inspections to renew all current Arcade,
Adult Entertainment Establishments and Alcohol Beverage License Holders in good
standing and current on all Taxes & Fees. There will be Dance. There will be Sunday Sales
with the exception of Mamie Lee’s Southern Cooking. District 1 thru 8. Super Districts 9 &
10. (Approve by Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
18. Motion to approve the Concession Improvement Area Change Order #1 as requested
by the Augusta Aviation Commission. (Approved by Public Services Committee November
8, 2010)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
19. Motion to authorize submission of the 2010 Exhibit I and II Continuum of Care
Application to HUD and grant the Mayor the authority to execute all forms associated with
the Application which also include submission of the Follow-up Technical Submission
Application, renewal Grant Agreements and Annual Progress Reports. (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee November 8, 2010)
20. Motion to approve the creation of the proposed position (job description attached) for
HVAC Technician II, convert the vacant Electrician II position at the Public Services
Facilities Management Construction Shop to the HVAC Tech II and transfer the position
to the Webster Detention Center Operations Group. (Approved by Administrative Services
Committee November 8, 2010)
PUBLIC SAFETY
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21. Motion to approve the installation of fiber optic cabling to provide network and
telecommunications services to the Judicial Center located at 735 James Brown Blvd, as
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well as a redundant connection to the Coroner’s Office located at 921 8 St. (Approved by
Public Safety Committee November 8, 2010)
22. Motion to award the Inmate Medical Contract for the Richmond County Sheriff’s
Office to Correct Care Solutions at a cost of $4,338,000 per year for a five-year period.
(Approved by Public Safety Committee November 8, 2010)
FINANCE
23. Motion to approve the transfer of funds to cover Worker’s Compensation claims
expenses through the end of 2010 in the amount of $275,000. (Approved by Finance
Committee November 8, 2010)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
24. Motion to approve an option for the purposes of acquiring a Right-of-Way between
Prayon, Inc., as owner, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the Marvin
Griffin Road Improvement Project, conveyed in fee simple, consisting of (9,291 sq. ft.)
more or less, and (150 sq. ft.) of permanent easement, more or less; and (5,171 sq. ft.) of
temporary construction easement from the property located at: 1610 Marvin Griffin Road,
private, at the purchase price of $24,500.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
November 8, 2010)
25. Motion to approve the demolition of dilapidated structures on Landfill property.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 8, 2010)
26. Motion to approve the purchase of (2) John Deere 333D Track Loaders with
attachments off Georgia State Contract SWC080773. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee November 8, 2010)
27. Motion to approve the purchase of (3) Live Floor Trailers from Travis Body & Trailer,
Inc. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 8, 2010)
28. Motion to approve the adoption of Augusta, Georgia NPDES Municipal Separate Storm
Sewer System (MS4) Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)-2010 SWMP
modification as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
November 8, 2010)
29. Motion to approve CSX Letter of Agreement for Gordon Highway Easement GA-245-
1036972. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 8, 2010)
30. Motion to approve a Change Order in the amount of $46,766.60 to Technical Service
Audio Visual (TSAV) for providing the Digital Recording Systems for the Hearing Rooms
for the New Judicial Center. Total amount of TSAV audio-visual contract including this
request will be $870,766.60. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 8,
2010)
31. Motion to approve Change Order in the amount of $47,413.13 to Weinberger Business
Interiors for additions and modifications to the furniture schedule from bid #10-084A for
the Augusta Judicial Center and John H. Ruffin, Jr. Courthouse. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee November 8, 2010)
32. Motion to approve an Option for the purposes of acquiring a Right-of-Way between
Kellogg Company, f/k/a Keebler Company, as owner, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in
connection with the Marvin Griffin Road Impro9vement Project (610 sq. ft.) in fee of
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permanent drainage and utility easement from property located at 1530 Marvin Griffin
Road, private, at the purchase price of $500.00. Also granted (6,378 sq. ft.) of temporary
construction easement, more or less. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
November 8, 2010)
33. Motion to approve award of Construction Contract to Mabus Brothers Construction in
the amount of $299,515.00 for the Paving Various Road, Phase IX – Contract III (Pyes
Court) Project CPB #324-041110-208824001, subject to receipt of signed contracts and
proper bonds as requested by AED. Funding is available in the project account. (Approved
by Engineering Services Committee November 8, 2010)
34. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of property for right of way for the
Lamar Road Paving Project, Tax Map 226, Parcel 005-01; 2645 Lamar Road. (Approved
by Engineering Services Committee November 8, 2010)
35. Motion to approve award of Construction Contract to Mabus Brothers Construction in
the amount of $1,372,680.50 for Resurfacing County Roads (Urban) Phase II Project,
subject to receipt of signed contracts and proper bonds. Funding is available in SPLOST
Phase IV as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November
8, 2010)
36. Motion to approve award of Construction Contract to Mabus Brothers Construction in
the amount of $886,313.00 for the Resurfacing County Roads (Suburban) Phase II Project,
subject to receipt of signed contracts and proper bonds. Funding is available in SPLOST
Phase IV as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November
8, 2010)
37. Motion to approve Augusta-Richmond County to supplement the contract of RW Allen,
LLOC in the amount of $51,000 to relocate a sanitary sewer line in order to resolve a
conflict between an existing storm sewer and sanitary sewer located on the southeast
corner of the Broad Street and the former Pearl Avenue which is currently part of the
Kroc Center Property. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 8, 2010)
38. Motion to approve Capital Project Budget 324-041110-210824702 Change Number One
and Change Order One for additional site drainage improvement work in the amount of
$25,229.79 to J. Harris Trucking and Construction, Inc. on the Village West Drainage
Improvements project. Funding will be from SPLOST Phase IV Fund Account Balance as
requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 8, 2010)
39. Motion to approve the adoption of the Soil Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution
Control Ordinance as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
November 8, 2010)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
40. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held
November 4, 2010, and Special Called (legal) meeting held November 8, 2010)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
43. An Ordinance to amend the Augusta, Georgia Code, Article One, Chapter Ten, relating
to the procurement of goods and services and the Local Small Business Opportunities
Program so as to provide updates and to establish policies, procedures and guidelines
reqarding the procurement process and the Local Small Business Opportunities Program;
to repeal all Ordinances and parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an
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effective date and for other purposes. (No recommendation from Administrative Services
Committee November 8, 2010)
44. An Ordinance to present proposal to amend the Augusta, Georgia Charter and Laws of
Local Application, Section 1-40 relating to equal opportunity; to separate the function of
Equal Employment Opportunity from Minority and Small Business Opportunities; to
provide policies and guidelines; to create a Local Small Business Advisory Board; to repeal
all Charter, Code Sections and Ordinances and parts of Charter, Code Sections and
Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (No
recommendation from Administrative Services Committee November 8, 2010)
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the regular agenda.
The Clerk: Okay, we’ll start with item forty-one.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
41. Z-10-65 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County planning
Commission to deny a petition by Will Dozier, on behalf of Alice B. McKnight Trust,
requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1A (Manufactured Residential) to Zone R-MH
(Manufactured Home Residential) and plan approval for a 205 lot manufactured home
park per Section 14-1 and 27-2 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta
Richmond County affecting property containing approximately 38 acres and is known as
3330 Gibson Road. (Tax Map 084-1-013-01-0) DISTRICT 5
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Patty.
Mr. Patty: Yes, sir, this is a large undeveloped tract in Commissioner Lockett’s district
and the applicant wanted to put a manufactured home park in that area and the density far
exceeded the density surrounding the area and the Planning Commission recommends you deny
it. The applicant is here. He would like for you to consider allowing him to withdraw this
without prejudice so that we can meet with the neighborhood and come to some consensus on
what might be done with the property. And then if that were allowed he would have to file
another application, pay another fee, we’d have to repost the property hold another hearing and
come back to you at a later date.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. If we could hear from the applicant.
Mr. Speaker: Um, name, address?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Speaker: Will Dozier, 4342 Evans to Locks Road, Evans Georgia.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Dozier: We’d like to withdraw, as Mr. Patty said, the petition in order to go back to
the neighborhood and address some of their issues that they had and concerned about and look at
some of the density issues and possibly change the product if we’re able. I’m going to go back
to the McKnight family and talk with them and see what their feelings are on doing that and
would like to come back at a later date.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Dozier, we are receptive in our community
new ideas and new projects. This government just spent a half million dollars to have a master
plan done of South Augusta and what I discussed with you previously is not hardly in
compliance with that master plan. I recognize the fact that there are some mobile homes not to
terribly far away but those mobile homes have been grandfathered in. And what we’re trying to
do we’re trying to upgrade the community and maybe somewhere in the county would be
conducive for mobile homes but not in that particular area. But I think that I know I will be
receptive to talking to you and I imagine the community would be receptive to talking to you if
we can come up with something that’s going to enhance the quality of life rather than take away
from it.
Mr. Dozier: Understood.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you and thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Would you like to put that in the form of a motion?
Mr. Lockett: I move that we deny the address.
Mr. Mayor: I move that we accept the request to ---
Mr. Lockett: I move that we accept the request as stated by Mr. Patty and by Mr.
Will Dozier.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Johnson: I second the motion.
Mr. Mayor: 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. Mayor, let’s make sure we state the motion as ---
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Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, could you?
Mr. Brigham: --- clarification that we’re voting on a ---
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Patty.
Mr. Brigham: --- to withdraw without prejudice.
Mr. Mayor: To withdraw without prejudice.
Mr. Lockett: That’s my motion.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the
usual sign of voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
42. Motion to approve the revocation of the Business Tax Certificate for Mrs. Teresa
Cummings, d/b/a: Mamie Lee’s Southern Cooking 2746 Tobacco Road, for failure to
comply with the ‘dance hall’ ordinance as recommended by the Sheriff’s Office. (No
recommendation from Public Services Committee November 8, 2010)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Sherman.
Mr. Sherman: Commissioners, it’s just as Mrs. Bonner said. I told you a couple weeks
ago it was sent back to committee and it’s back before you. The recommendation at the first
meeting was the revocation of the business license. The Sheriff’s Department’s recommendation
was revocation of the alcohol license and that’s what’s on the table.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mason:
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Oh, let’s see here. Based upon the evidence and
th
arguments provided and made before this Commission on November the 4 and November the
th
. My motion is to revoke the Business Tax Certificate
16 I hereby make the following motion
and the Beer & Wine license
for Mrs. Teresa Cummings doing business as Mamie Lee’s
Southern Cooking on 2746 Tobacco Road pursuant to Augusta Georgia Code 2-1-38 and 6-2-74
based on the following findings hereby made by this Commission. Failure to comply with the
dance hall ordinance of Augusta Code 6-6-43 as amended by ordinance #71-12 by having a
dance at this location without a dance hall permit. Number two. Failure to comply with the
violation of Augusta Georgia Code 6-2-52 and 6-2-118 by failing to A: Establish 50% food sales
and B: furnish verified records of sale of food and beverages provide by both the license holder
and management of this establishment. And C: give customers receipts which itemized the price
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of alcoholic beverages served. So my motion is to revoke the business and tax certificate as well
as the beer and wine license for Ms. Teresa Cummings.
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. I believe it would now be time to allow the
applicant to respond to the motion. And you’ll have five minutes, sir. If you could state your
name and address for the record.
Mr. Speaker: My name is John Batson. I represent Mamie Lee’s Southern Cooking.
The matter was sent back to subcommittee, there was no hearing. I was not asked to say a thing
then it came back here. The only issue on the table at that time was the Sheriff had
recommended revocation of the whole license or just the beer & wine license. No hearing was
held, no evidence was taken nothing was presented about lack of sales receipts, 50%. None of
that occurred in the subcommittee. No evidence was taken whatsoever. We were not allowed to
speak. In fact I did not even say one word. I stood there, listened to the adjournment and
sending it back here. So we’ve been through a process that provided no due process, it is now
bringing up new issues and he’s moving to revoke the whole license. So you know I’ve been in
negotiations with the attorney for the city and have had no response back on that. That’s where
we are. We’ve been provided no due process whatsoever.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Rob, let me ask you a question. The information I
assume Mayor Pro Tem Mason just talked about here that’s information that you just recently
provided him correct, about the lack of food sales?
Mr. Sherman: That’s information that has been provided. It was originally discussed at
the first hearing.
Mr. Johnson: Right. How long has it been the lack of food sales based on the sale of
alcohol? How long has it been going on?
Mr. Sherman: If you’ll ask the question, I’ll ---
Mr. Johnson: How long has, in other words, y’all done a report on it. When is the last
time you done a report based, you know, in other words, get the information on the food?
Mr. Sherman: Yeah, we did the audit and it was for the period January 1 through
th
September the 30. What we found is that there were not adequate records to support the figures
that they provided to us. The code requires you to have receipts, register receipts something that
can document and support the handwritten notes that he provided that we use to determine that is
was 63% food sales. But you know there is no documentation to support that.
Mr. Johnson: Okay, thank you.
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Mr. Batson: I understand that the documentation at that time ---
Mr. Mayor: Sir, please wait for the Chair to recognize you. Commissioner Lockett then
I’ll come back to you, sir.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is for General Counsel. Mr. MacKenzie,
with the motion that was just made by the Mayor Pro Tem I want you to tell me are we good,
firm legal standing to revoke this business license?
Mr. Mackenzie: To the extent that there would be need to have a legal meeting to have in
depth discussion. I think that would be appropriate for a legal meeting. To extent you’re asking
whether or not it would be appropriate based on our codes my opinion would be that, yes, it
would be appropriate based on our code.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, as to the authenticity indicating the lack of a due process
hearing I believe all these issues were addressed. Some of them were addressed by me in the
original meeting that the minutes are available for concerning the lack of food sales, audits I
believe we also asked for it at the license department be instructed to go back and conduct a
complete internal audit investigation to determine what’s going on out there. That and I think
it’s been well documented that these were issues that were addressed in the original public
gathering of information concerning this license application.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, Mr. Brigham. Commissioner and, sir, I did say I’d
recognize you if you’d like to.
Mr. Batson: Yes, when we were sent back to the subcommittee hearing nothing was
brought up about the authenticity or degree to which the there was a lack of proof of meeting the
50% sales or whatever the requirement is. That wasn’t discussed at all and the only thing went
back, when a motion was made here it was about the Sheriff saying originally the message was
revoke the whole license. Then the word came out that it was just revoke the liquor, the beer and
wine license. Then no hearing was held or addressed about review. Nothing was brought up
about reviewing those documents. That wasn’t the issue.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Batson: No hearing was held whatsoever.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith then Commissioner Grantham.
Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I made the motion and it did, the agenda item stated
beer and wine license and business certificate. And it’s the same, pretty much the same as the
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agenda item today and that was included the business license was in that agenda item. And we
voted that and I don’t know what else we can do.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, Commissioner Smith. Commissioner Grantham.
Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, I was going to follow up a little bit of what Commissioner
Brigham and Commissioner Smith has indicated. And being on the committee the Public
Service Committee, which we did take this particular subject up and it was at that time
recommended to the full Commission that the whole of the license would be revoked. And
shortly thereafter there was discussion to where we went back and reviewed the indication of just
the license itself and asked Mr. Sherman to get this information for us. Based on what he has
brought to us today and what we have found to be in violation of our ordinance as well as our
License and Inspection I’m going to call the question on this.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, the question has been called for. This has been adequately debated.
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. On to what I believe is our final agenda item.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATOR
45. Motion to approve the adoption of the proposed 2011 Augusta-Richmond County
Budget.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if I may you have before you the proposed budget that we
talked about the last couple weeks. As you know the budget itself is a bulbous document with
several hundreds of pages. It covers several, a wide range of effectiveness and efficiencies that
we look at in funding for various assorted agencies. As you the majority of what we talk about is
in effect the general fund. The others are, the other funds such as the Port Authority, the UDAG,
the building inspection fund, the 911 are balanced through small uses of other fund balance or
increased program revenue. The general fund is always a fund that permits the most problem to
us and it’s the majority of what we deal with as far as law enforcement and the services that we
provide. We talked at several lengths about ways to fill the gap in that particular fund. Over the
past several weeks the staff has made several changes in that of a minor nature. But it’s
generally the same document we looked at several weeks ago. There’s not much difference in
what we’re recommending. Some of the things we looked at and some of the things that we have
talked about would be the transfer of a capital outlay money to help deal with that. It basically
means some of our big purchases would be delayed for a year or so. In addition to that there are
five furlough days in this budget. Some reductions due to savings which might be found and we
talked about last week and Joe Bowles brought that forth and we’re looking at that. In reference
to the medical issue with the Sheriff it’s going to potentially give us some savings so that’s why
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we pulled that off. In addition to that there was a fund balance appropriation last time right at $3
million dollars. The staff and I have talked with the Finance Committee. We’re not real
comfortable with going that deep. We’ve looked for other opportunities to try to fill that as we
look forward. One of the recommendations that we’d like to do and we’d like for you to adopt in
this part of this budget is the use of the sale of property for about $2 million dollars. Those
properties have yet to be identified. As you know we have a great piece of property on the river
that we think would bring a whole lot more than that. In addition to that there are several other
properties we’ve had interest in over the past few weeks or so and a few years as we’ve looked at
that and would like to go ahead and move forward with those sales. I’ve been conservative with
that because I was saving that for the real rainy day and that rainy day in my mind is here today
both figuratively and literally. So that reduces our fund balance appropriation to $1.5 million
dollars, which we’re very comfortable with at this particular point in time. There’s also about or
on or about is $1.5 million dollars in savings to be recognized through increased efficiencies and
reorganization. That reorganization would be proposed over the next several weeks to you as a
group where we can look at the way we do business. We’ve talked about that at some length
over the past couple of weeks and couple of months but I think it gives us an opportunity to put
our house in order both internally and externally as we look at the way we do business and the
things we need to get accomplished over the next year. The budget itself is there before you.
The work is not yet finished. As you know this is only a document and a blueprint. Over the
next several weeks and the next several months we’ll be fine tuning that document based on
revenues, based on projections, based on opportunities that present themselves. This gets us
forward, gets us a step forward and gets us through what we would consider to be our critical
period with our bonding. As you know we’re looking at bonding some additional funds through
the next year through the SPLOST program that would allow us to do that before the end of the
year. And I would think that would be a savings worthwhile as we move forward and for those
particular projects. With that being said and it would appropriate at this point to have a motion
to approve the budget resolution and move forward.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham.
Mr. Grantham:
Mr. Mayor, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Russell, and I know you’ve
gone through a lot of discussion with the Commissioners in trying to review this. And I
appreciate the work you’ve done as far as being able to present us with a balanced budget one
that you feel like you can balance anyway with the sale of property and the reorganization plan
Therefore, as the Finance Chairman I’m going to make a
that you have coming forth.
motion that we adopt the budget as presented by our Administrator.
Mr. Jackson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and second. Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As always Mr. Grantham always beats me to
the punch. I want to applaud y’all for the outstanding job that you’ve done thus far on the
budget. However Mr. Russell you know I still have some concerns about the reorganization and
I’m glad we’re going to have an opportunity to discuss that further. Thank you.
17
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 votes No.
Motion carries 8-1.
Mr. Russell: Thank you, gentlemen.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie, do we have need of a legal meeting?
Mr. Mackenzie: Not today, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: If there’s no further business to come before the body we stand adjourned.
[MEETING ADJOURNED]
Lena Bonner
Clerk of Commission
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, 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
November 16, 2010.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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