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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-1996 Meeting I I I FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - March 11, 1996 2:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. Larry E. Sconyers, Mayor; J. Brigham, Chairman; Bridges and Beard, members; Jim Wall, Interim Attorney; A. B. McKie, Interim Comptroller; Harrison Sears, Tax Assessor; Marcus Lewis and Glenn Greenway of the Comptroller's Office; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission-Council and Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission-Council. ABSENT: Hon. Freddie Handy, Vice-Chairman. Also Present: Wayne Partridge of the Augusta Chronicle and George Eskola of WJBF Television. The Committee first considered approval of a recommendation for refund from the Richmond County Board of Tax Assessors for Reaby Shepherd in the amount of $269.01 for the years 1993 and 1994. Mr. Sears: The homestead on this portion was dropped and we recommend that you approve the refund. Mr. Bridges: I so move. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Chief Deputy Tax Commissioner stating taxes in the amounts of $6.24 and $6.83 for the years 1989 and 1990 respectively are outstanding against the property now owned by st. Stephens Holiness Temple. Since the property is now exempt, it would be appreciated if you would consider abating these amounts, was read. Mr. Bridges: I move that we deny this. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Attorney submitting a letter from Robert R. Collier of Hunters Run Limited Partnership requesting a refund of penalty and interest paid on 1995 taxes, was read. Mr. Wall: The penalty was in the amount of $4,253.63 and interest in the amount of $786.92. We have in the past waived the penalty but not the interest. Mr. Bridges: I move that we waive the penalty but not the interest. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. I Communication from the Interim Attorney submitting a request from Kathy Rafoth for a waiver of penalty ($356.02) and interest ($123.89), was read. Mr. Wall: She did not receive the bill and again, we can waive the penalty but not the interest. Mr. Bridges: I move that we waive the penalty but not the interest. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Comptroller regarding a presentation of information regarding ATM's, was read. Mr. Lewis: I am recommending going with Wachovia for the ATM machine. Wachovia offers the most comprehensive benefits with their machine and they are willing to incur the costs to transfer the present 12 amp outlet requirements to the necessary 20 amp outlet needed for the machine. Mr. Beard: I move it be approved. I Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Comptroller recommending that we award a 5% raise to the 1945 Pension. This is a cost of living raise given annually, was read. Mr. McKie: We can allow this up to five and one half percent. Mr. Bridges: Most standard industry is between two and four percent. I make a motion that we approve a three and a half increase in the pension. Mr. Beard: Second the motion. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Chief Deputy Tax Commissioner stating the properties of Map 47-2, Parcel 40.01 (formerly David C. Bevill) and Map 47-4, Parcel 35 (formerly Olde Town Properties) were acquired by City Council of Augusta during 1995 and we are submitting the following listing of taxes outstanding against these properties for your consideration of abatement: I I I I Map & Parcel 47-2 : 40.01 Address Tax Year District Amount Reynolds St. 1995 County $ 73.41 1995 City 28.56 1994 County 73.43 1994 City 28.56 1993 County 72.13 1993 City 28.57 1992 City 28.57 Total City & County $333.23 306 Second st. 1995 County $153.31 1995 City 59.66 1994 County 153.31 1994 City 59.66 Total City & County $425.94 47-4 35 Mr. Bridges: I move we abate the taxes on those parcels. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Comptroller presenting a recommendation from the committee reviewing the shop maintenance bids. The bids submitted by TECOM and MLS have been reviewed and evaluated by the Committee in accordance with the RFP. It is the unanimous decision of the Committee to select MLS as the winner of the competitive bid. The reasons are as follows: 1. Experience - MLS's experience both local and national is weighted toward the Public Work environment. TECOM is principally military. There is a vast difference in the two. 2. MLS responded to all requirements. TECOM did not (management and cost). 3. Cost - MLS is $216,000 lower TECOM $3,009,716 MLS $2,793,551 TECOM high $ 216,165 Note: TECOM did include Sales Tax, MLS did not. Sales Tax would be $50,000 to $80,000. 4. Qualifications - TECOM did not respond with resumes. In our opinion MLS is the clear choice, was read. Mr. Bridges: I move that we approve the low bid of MLS. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Interim Attorney regarding the matter of Lawton B. Evans School, was read. Mr. Wall: This came up once before but I understand some questions came up about this. In December of '93 the City of Augusta was approached by the Board of Education about transferring this property. It was pointed out there was a I reversionary clause in the deed which indicated that at such time as the property ceased to be used for educational purposes or is to be used exclusively for the erection and maintenance of a school thereon and should said use be discontinued at any time in the future, then such discontinuance of the use shall result in a forfeiture of the estate conveyed. This was presented to the Finance Committee on December 13 and the motion was as follows, "I move that we approve the Mayor's recommendation, that we work with the Board of Education on the transfer of this property when they identify a seller on the basis that all funds from the sale of the property will be used for the Davidson school and that the construction or renovation of property for the Davidson school will be in the downtown area as advised by Mr. Fletcher and that the City will be given a reversionary clause in the Davidson property of the approximate equivalent value of the one we have at the Lawton B. Evans property and that the City Engineering Department review the plat to insure that the Canal and its banks remain clearly the property of the City." I talked to Mr. Fletcher about transferring the reversionary interest from Lawton B. Evans to the Davidson school. We talked about whether you would want to give them a quit-claim deed and forget about the reversionary interest. Mr. Mayor: I've been told that they have a sale for this I property. I'd hate to see us give this away. Mr. Beard: I think we should reap the benefits if that property is going to be sold. After further discussion, Mr. Beard: I move that we receive this as information and bring it back before the Finance Committee and invite Mr. Fletcher and any former City Councilmen who might want to address this issue. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission-Council NWM I