Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-2003 Meeting ENGINEERING SERVICES AGENDA COMMITTEE ROOM - February 24, 2003 3:00 P. M. I. Consider request from Mr. Albert Abbott regarding a trash exemption. 2. Discuss Windsor Spring Road sinkhole repairs. 3. Motion to authorize condemnation ofa portion of Tax Map 107, Parcel 24, which is owned by Julian Franklin Davis, Jr. and the Estate of Watson Eugene Davis for an easement in connection with the Butler Creek Interceptor Upgrade Project, more particularly described as 10,666 square feet, more or less, of permanent utility easement and 15,562 square feet of temporary construction easement. 4. Approve Change Order #2 to Eagle Utility Contracting, Inc. for upgrading the water lines in Pineview Subdivision. (Funded by Account Number: 509043420- 5425210/80150215-5425210) 5. Authorize Public Works and Engineering to award a contract to Aqua Design Systems of Fayetteville, GA for design and construction of the replacement of the fountain at the 8th Street Plaza on Riverwalk. As designed, the cost is $114,700 to be funded from capital account 272-04-2260-54.12110. 6. Authorize the use of One Percent Sales Tax Phase III and Phase IV Paving Dirt Roads Program Funds for improvements to the Belair Hills Estates Subdivision. 7. Recommendation from the Deputy AdministratorlPublic Works Director regarding the request by Ms. Pearline Franklin for a second trash can for trash pickup. (DdeITed from January 28 Engineering Services) 8. Update from the Public Works Department regarding the designation of a funding source for the construction of a sidewalk on Richmond Hill Road. (Deferred from January 28 Engineering Services) 9. Report from the Public Works Subcommittee via the Deputy Administrator regarding the Residential Development Process. 10. Receive as information a report from the Public Works and Engineering Department regarding the Biennial County and Federal Aid Secondary Bridge Inspection Report dated December 6, 2002 from the Georgia Department of Transportation. 11. Update on property located at the intersection of Jones and Harlem Avenues owned by Mr. William Golden. (Requested by Commissioner Boyles) 12. Discuss severe erosion problem along Pointe West Drive. (Requested by Commissioner Boyles) 14. Update on Sherwood Drive Sewer Installation Project.( Requested by Commissioner Boyles) 13. Update on Warren Road Project. (Requested by Commissioner Boyles) 15. Discuss the City's and OMI response to the sodium hydrochloride spill at the Spirit Creek Wastewater Plant to EPD. (Requested by Mayor Young) ADDENDUM ENGINEERING SERVICES AGENDA February 24,2002 3:00 P. M. ADDITION TO THE AGENDA: I. Consider adjustment to the water bill of Mr. Harvey Johnson for water usage at 1744 Fleming Avenue. (Requested by Commissioner Shepard) 2. Approve the purchase of seven properties associated with the Butler Creek Greenway in the amount of$205,400. 3. Approve an agreement between Augusta Utilities Department and Utility Service Communications Co., Inc. for antenna co-location management services at a commission rate of 30% for new agreements negotiated and 20% for existing agreements. I ENGINEERING SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - February 24, 2003 3:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. Bob Young, Mayor; Colclough, Co-Chairman; Mays and Boyles, members; Jim Wall, Attorney; Teresa Smith, Public Works Director; E. W. Reece, Tax Assessor; Doug Cheek, Utilities Dept. Asst. Director; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission. ABSENT: Hon. Cheek, member. Also Present: Heidi Williams of The Augusta Chronicle, Stacey Eidson of The Metropolitan Spirit and HODS. Williams and Hankerson, Commissioners. 1. Consider request from Mr. Albert Ahbott regarding a trash exemption. Mr. Abbott appeared before the Committee regarding the above request. -I Mr. Wall: Mr. Abbott called me and I indicated I would look into it. He has some duplexes and triplexes that are on a public road and there is an automobile sales shop and another business on there. All of this is on one piece of property. You have commercial businesses there and the fact that it is zoned commercial, in my opinion, does not exempt him from the requirements because you have duplexes on a public road, and we are charging duplexes on other public roads as a household unit and they are required to pay. Even though they have access to dumpsters, that does not relieve him of the obligation of paying for the individual housing unit and I think he should be charged and is properly being charged for the household units. Mr. Colclough: The Director has stated that we need to find out whether this is verified on our tax records as a commercial piece of property. Ms. Smith: I think if we can identify how the property is being billed and get that information to Mr. Wall along with the other information that's been provided then we can get a disposition on it. Mr. Wall: The resolution that was adopted that imposes this charge deals with residential units. It does not deal with zoning and the zoning does not affect whether or not they are subject to the per residential unit charge. We do exempt apartments where you have a private road because they are allowed to have the dumpster service and are exempt from the per residential unit charge. Those are the rules we have applied since the program has been implemented. Mr. Reece: We don't have any record of a tire store out there so I'll have to send an appraiser out. I Mr. Mays: I'm going to make a motion that we allow Mr. Wall or his legal representative and Ms. Smith or her representative to get with the Abbotts and do a physical check on the property and come back to us at the l1eJ'Xt committee meeting to deal with it. Also the information about what gives those who are exempted the right to be exempted. I think we can then make a much clearer decision. Mr. Boyles: Second. I Motion adopted unanimously. 11. Update on property located at the intersection of Jones and Harlem Avenues owned by Mr. William Golden. (Requested hy Commissioner Boyles) At this time Mr. Golden appeared before the Committee. Mr. Golden: Here is a plot ofland. We have a part of a street. When they came in there and sold the Jones section of the street for what I understand is five and a half acres, they blocked this whole section over here. The county did that. They put a dam in there, they put a fence down the middle of the street. I came back and had them to move the fence and they moved it out 180 feet, put the gate back in and the street is still blocked. The bottom of the street is still blocked. There was supposed to have been a sixty foot street there and my lots are completely blocked. Ms. Smith: In doing research in that area we have found that that subdivision was not dedicated to the city and the roads shown on that plat are not identified as being county right-of-way. We did do a rough cost estimate on what it would cost to put in a road in this area and the estimate is in the neighborhood of$175,000. I want to make one correction on the information that was provided which indicates that the proposed roadway as shown on the plat was blocked by the dam and the construction of the detention pond. We overlaid the location of the dam for the detention pond with the plat that shows the layout of the roadway and the dam is located on the other side of the ruad. The road was never put in. 1- Mr. Wall: I would request that you allow this matter to be discussed in legal next Tuesday and make a reco=endation following that meeting. After further discussion, Mr. Boyles: I make a motion that we rdcr this to legal session on Tuesday. Mr. Mays: I'll second it. And I would ask that we check for any easements that might on any of those properties back there. Motion adopted unanimously. 12. Discuss severe erosion problem along Pointe West Drive. (Requested by Commissioner Boyles) Mr. Boyles: I had received a letter about the erosion of Orange Branch of Rae's Creek. I looked at it and Mr. and Mrs. Cramer are here to discuss it. I I Mr. Cramer: Orange Creek is a tributary of Rae's Creek. About four years ago we contacted the Engineering Department to look into this problem and nothing has been resolved at this time. The banks have continued to erode to the extent that it's now creating a safety problem. The drop off is about six feet from our patio and it is about twenty feet. The elevation of the stream bed itself has dropped down at least four feet in the past eleven years. There is a junction box that's three houses down where the water meets from two storm sewers and it is not in good shape. We would appreciate some help in getting this resolved. After further discussion, Mr. Wall: I would request that we study this and come back at the next Engineering Services. There is some history here that I'm not familiar with. Ms. Smith: This was a private subdivision and there was a hold harmless agreement that was executed for the properties regarding that creek whereby there would be no liability to the city. Mr. Boyles: I make the motion that we bring this back at the next meeting. Mr. Mays: Second. After additional discussion, the motion was adopted unanimously. I 15. Discuss the City's and OM! response to the sodium hydrochloride spill at the Spirit Creek Wastewater Plant to EPD. (Requested by Mayor Young) Mr. Mayor: I understand that there is a work session scheduled for tomorrow so I would request that if we '~ould take this up then, we don't need to take it up today. Mr. Mays: So move. Mr. Boyles: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. 2. Discuss Windsor Spring Road sinkhole repairs. I Ms. Smith: We received an unsolicited proposal to do some work at the sinkhole. A contractor expressed an interest in backfilling that area for $38,000 and that includes holding him harmless. We have an engineering plan that requires our taking a substantial amount of property from the property owners on both sides of the creek. There is sandy soil there and we have some serious erosion potential. We met with the Board of Education last week about some work they plan to do upstream and we need to take that information to the engineering linn to incorporate into the design that they have. 3 Mr. Bridges: The city of Hephzibah is going to do some work out there, but it is becoming a serious situation and the work they do will allow the residents to continue using the road. The residents have gotten a petition together and I'd like to read it for the record. "We the undersigned request that Richmond County repair, not close, the portion of Windsor Spring Road between Hwy. 88 and Mims Road where the road is sinking due to erosion problems at the ravine. The road closing will escalate the traffic problem that already exists because of the three schools in the area." There are 843 signatures on the petition. I Ms. Smith: The estimated cost of the work that we're proposing is in excess of $500,000. We have about $200,000 available that we can take from I % sales tax. Mr. Boyles: I move that we go ahead with the project. Mr. Mays: I'm going to second that. Ms. Smith: We also have to acquire right-of-way along that creek. That's not included. Mr. Bridges: I'll be happy to talk with Hephzibah's officals and get back to you. Mr. Mays: I'll make a substitute motion to move forward to permanently repair the problem. Mr. Boyles: Second. I Mr. Bridges: Could we have someone contact this contractor to let them know our procedures so that if they want to bid on the project they would kn,.w what to do. (Vote on substitute motion) Motion adopted unanimously. 3. Motion to authorize condemnation of a portion of Tax Map 107, Parcel 24, which is owned by Julian Franklin Davis, Jr. and the Estate of Watson Eugene Davis for an easement in connection with the Butler Creek Interceptor Upgrade Project, more particularly described as 10,666 square feet, more or less, of permanent utility easement and 15,562 square feet of temporary construction easement. Mr. Mays: So move. Mr. Boyles: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. I 4 I 4. Approve Change Order #2 to Eagle Utility Contracting, Inc. for upgrading the water lines in Pineview Subdivision. (Funded by Account Number: 509043420-5425210/80150215-5425210) Mr. Boyles: I move for approval. Mr. Mays: I'm going to second it. Motion adopted unanimously. 5. Authorize Public Works and Engineering to award a contract to Aqua Design Systems of Fayetteville, GA for design and construction of the replacement of the fountain at the 8'h Street Plaza on Riverwalk. As designed, the cost is $114,700 to be funded from capital account 272-04-2260- 54.12110. Mr. Boyles: I move we accept the $114,700 proposal. Mr. Mays: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. I 6. Authorize the use of One Percent Sales Tax Phase ill and Phase IV Paving Dirt Roads Program Funds for improvements to the Belair Hills Estates Subdivision. Mr. Boyles: I move for approval. Mr. Mays: Second. Motion adopted llMnimously. 7. Recommendation from the Deputy AdministratorlPuhlic Works Director regarding the request by Ms. Pearline Franklin for a second trash can for trash pickup. (Deferred from January 28 Engineering Services) Ms. Smith: She received a trash can on January 30. It has been concluded that we cannot charge for a second can if an additional can is requested. Mr. Boyles: I move that we follow the advice of legal counsel and provide a second can at no charge. Mr. Mays: Second. I Motion fails with Mr. Colclough voting No. 5 8. Update from the Public Works Department regarding the designation of a funding source for the construction of a sidewalk on Richmond Hill Road. (Deferred from January 28 Engineering Services) I Ms. Smith: I will have something back on this in two weeks. Mr. Mays: So move. Mr. Boyles: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. 9. Report from the Public Works Subcommittee via the Deputy Administrator regarding the Residential Development Process. Mr. Hornsby made a report regarding the process for approvals of residential developments. Mr. Boyles: I'd like to make a motion that we approve this plan and ask the Deputy Administrator come before the next Construction Advisory Board and explain this to the developers. Mr. Mays: I second. I Motion adopted unanimously. 10. Receive as information a report from the Puhlic Works and Engineering Department regarding the Biennial County and Federal Aid Secondary Bridge Inspection Report dated December 6, 2002 from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Mr. Mays: I move we receive it as information. Mr. Boyles: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. 13. Update on Warren Road Project. (Requested by Commissioner Boyles) Ms. Smith: There are two parcels of property yet to be acquired on this project. After a discussion, Mr. Boyles: I move we accept it as information and report back in legal meering. Mr. Mays: Second. I 6 I Motion adopted unanimously. 14. Update on Sherwood Drive Sewer Installation Project. (Requested by Commissioner Boyles) Mr. Cheek: The sewer line is practically complete. We also did a water line section that is about 75% complete and the contractor has until the end of March to get it done. Mr. Boyles: I move we receive it as information. Mr. Mays: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. It was the consensus of the Committee that the following addendum items be added to the agenda. Addendum Item 1. Consider adjustment to the water hill of Mr. Harvey Johnson for water usage at 1744 Fleming Avenue. (Requested by Commissioner Shepard) I It was the consensus of the Committee that this item be considered at the next meeting. Addendum Item 2. Approve the purchase of seven properties associated with the Butler Creek Greenway in the amount of $205,400. Mr. Wall: These are properties in and around Woodlake Subciivision that are going to be purchased for half the appraised value and we're asking for approval to close them out. Mr. Boyles: I so move. Mr. Mays: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Addendum Item 3. Approve an agreement between Augusta Utilities Department and Utility Service Communications Co., Inc. for antenna co-location management services at a commission rate of 30% for new agreements negotiated and 20% for ex isting agreements. I Mr. Wall: This company would manage this program for the Utilities Department and their expertise in this area will be particularly helpful. They would take care of the placement, operation and servicing of the antennas on the water towers. 7 After a discussion, Mr. Mays: I make a motion that we defer this to the Administrator, Attorney and appropriate staff parties to come back with a plan that they want to do. I Mr. Boyles: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Addendum Item 4. Approve a six-month extension of professional services for BMS Enterprises in an amount not to exceed $70,000 to provide program management at the Solid Waste Division. Mr. Boyles: I move for approval. Mr. Mays: I'm going to second it to get it on the floor. After a discussion, the motion was adopted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Co=ission nwm I I~ 8