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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-1996 Meeting I I I FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - February 26, 1996 2:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. Larry E. Sconyers, Mayor; J. Brigham, Chairman; Bridges and Beard, members; Jim Wall, Interim Attorney; David Collins of the Finance Department; North Williamson of the Tax Commissioner's Office; Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission-Council and Martha King of the Clerk's Office. ABSENT: Hon. Freddie Handy, Vice-Chairman. Also Present: Sylvia Cooper of the Augusta Chronicle and Hons. Zetterberg and Todd, Commissioners. Communication from the Interim Attorney submitting a request from David S. Wilkin, on behalf of Deborah and Douglas Austin, requesting a waiver of $3,696.00 demolition charge on property located at 1513 Forest Street, was read. Mr. Wall: This is being requested in order to refinance the property. The mother deeded the property to the daughter and there were demolition charges assessed against the property. The daughter now has a piece of property that is not worth the demolition charges and in order to refinance her home since this is a lien against all property, she needs a release on this property deeded to her. When and if this property is sold, it will stand on its own and we can recoup what we can. I'd recommend that you do it. They will pay the taxes and will work toward paying the demolition charges. Mr. Beard: I move that we release the property so that she can pay the taxes and demolition charges and work out a payment schedule for her. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Attorney submitting a copy of a tax notice of Mr. Girish K. Shah. He is requesting a waiver of the penalty ($245.04). Mr. Shah indicated that he did not receive the tax bill from Richmond County for this property. This same situation occurred in 1994 and at that time the address was supposed to have been changed. According to this notice, the address was in fact changed. The Board of Commissioners did waive the taxes for tax year 1994 and he is requesting the same relief this year, was read. Mr. Wall: He did receive the second notice but says he didn't receive the first one. Mr. Bridges: I move that we deny the request. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopt8d unanimously. Communication from the Interim Attorney submitting a letter I from North Williamson concerning 1995 taxes for property located at Map 176, Parcel 8.01 and 8.02, which were acquired by Richmond County on August 31, 1995. Taxes were prorated on these properties. Please place this on Finance Committee's agenda for waiver of the taxes during the period of time that Richmond County owned the property, was read. Mr. Williamson: Both of these have been paid. Mr. Beard: I move we accept it as information. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Attorney regarding a waiver of the interest in the amount of $56.41 on the account of Mrs. R. R. Murphy, was read. Mr. Wall: This is a tax bill from Murphy & Son Drug Store. The taxes should have been prorated and collected at the time of sale. She has paid the taxes and is requesting a waiver of interest. Mr. Bridges: I move it be approved. I Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Comptroller stating I propose that we undertake the clearing of the Damascus Road property, known as Village Square Apartments, of all vacant buildings and hazardous materials. I propose that engineering develop an RFP and immediately bid the job under the following consitions: 1. Standard terms and conditions for contractors. 2. Use of our landfill for dumping at no charge. Funding would come from Risk Management reserves of +$6.0 million. Estimated cost is less than $350,000. This will begin the process of clean-up and make further development possible, was read. Mr. Beard: I move that we proceed with the project if the necessary financing is there. Mr. Bridges: Second. The Committee next discussed the matter of the bond issue. I Motion adopted unanimously. I I I Mr. McKie: We are required to issue a schedule showing all long-term debt within 90 days of consolidation. We have a summary schedule today for your review. We are proposing that we refinance the two revenue bonds of the combined water authorities. The purpose for refinancing is to even our debt structure and it will give us additional cash flow over the next few years and we'll have our systems condsolidated under one debt structure. We would ask for your permission to proceed with working on this bond issue and to contact our consultants at Robinson Humphrey that we have used in the past and who have provided some initial work on it to proceed with doing this. Mr. Bridges: I make a motion that we proceed with the research in doing this. Mr. Beard: I'll second this but are there other companies who could do it? Mr. McKie: There are other companies but they have done a very good job for us. Mr. Bridges: I think you should consider other companies as well and bring back your recommendations. Mr. McKie: All right. Motion adopted unanimously. Mr. Chairman: We have two items to add to the agenda if we could have your permission. Mr. Beard: I so move. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from Mr. Sam Nicholson stating on March 31, 1995 the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church located at 953 Telfair Street purchased two lots adjacent to it at 935 and 945 Telfair Street. We are using these lots for parking. On behalf of our church I request that the City and County taxes for this property, which is designated by the Map Number 0462, Parcels 033 and 034, be waived for the year 1995, was read. Mr. Beard: I so move that we pro rate the 1995 taxes. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Mr. Chairman: We need to consider the Internal Auditor position. Mr. Beard: Do we have an Assistant Internal Auditor? Ms. Beazley: I don't know if it's exactly by that name. The person with the most seniority is Kathy Williams who acts in his stead if he's not there. Mr. Beard: I think we should give her that authority to act in an interim basis until the body decides what we're going to do in that regard and I'll make that as a motion. Mr. Bridges: I'll second that. Mr. Chairman: Could we appoint her Acting Internal Auditor and direct the Personnel Department to advertise for that position and if we can't find a suitable applicant, then we go out for request for proposals for privatizing? Mr. Beard: I think she can do this for the next few weeks. Ms. Beazley: I'm sure she would be happy to do this on an interim basis and you do need somebody there. Motion adopted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Nancy W. Morawski Deputy Clerk of Commission-Council NWM I I I