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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-1997 Meeting I I I FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - January 14, 1997 1:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. J. Brigham, Chairman; Bridges and Beard, members; Randy Oliver, Administrator; Gayle Scott of the Human Resources Department; Jim Wall, Attorney; A. B. McKie, Jr., Comptroller; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission and Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission. ABSENT: Hons. Larry Sconyers, Mayor and Handy, Vice- Chairman. Also Present: George Eskola of WJBF Television and Sylvia Cooper of the Augusta Chronicle. The Clerk: We have a request for one addendum regarding an amendment to the franchise agreement for KMC Southeast Corporation. Mr. Beard: I move it be added to the agenda. Mr. Bridges: Second. .._ h U__ __. ~ _ .. ..-. .-.. .".' _..-- . -"~" Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Human Resources Manager regarding Sanitation Privatization/1949 Retirement Plan, was read. Ms. Scott: This is basically for your information. There is one employee over there under the 1949 Plan that would be eligible for retirement based on 20 years service and his job being abolished so that's an application you'll be getting. I had thought there was another one but in discussing it with Mr. Oliver, he suggested that we possibly transfer this person and we have made arrangements to do that. Mr. Bridges: I move we receive this as information. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. The Committee next considered approval of a contract between Augusta-Richmond County and Augusta Mini Theatre which is part of the Capital Improvement Plan of Phase 3 of the 1% Sales Tax. Mr. Oliver: There was a question as to whether the Mini Theatre met their audit requirements for the State. I don't know the validity of the this. Mr. Wall: If it's the same allegation I have heard about in the past, they have sent me a certificate of good standing, a tax exempt status and some other things. Mr. Oliver: Then you're comfortable with that? I Mr. Wall: Yes. I'd recommend approval of it subject to there being no problem. Mr. Bridges: I so move. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Director of Human Resources regarding a 1977 Retirement Request, was read. The Clerk: This is a request for Mr. Robert M. Sharp of the Civil Court Marshal's Office for retirement under the 1977 pension plan. Ms. Scott: I think he requested to buy back in several years and then retire. But he wasn't eligible for the enhanced because he had not bought back in prior to the July 1 date. Mr. Bridges: I make a motion it be approved. Mr. Beard: Second. I Motion adopted unanimously. A request from Otis Spence, Jr. (Fire Department) to purchase 8 years 3 months prior years service in the 1977 Pension Plan, was read. Mr. Bridges: I move it be approved. Mr. Beard: Second. Has this plan been closed out? Mr. Wall: We have not actually adopted an Ordinance to close this plan out. I understand the rationale for doing this and I know the Commission is considering formulating a new pension plan. We would need to draw up an Ordinance repealing the January 1, 1993 amendment which would then remove the opportunity and put an effective date in there but recognize that in doing that, Georgia law generally is that you cannot reduce the benefits of participants in pension plans. By virtue of creating that right, there is at least an argument that you can't take that right away to reduce the benefits. This was a benefit that was created later on and does not reduce the overall benefit amount. It just reduces their opportunity to buy back in certain years of service. If you want me to draw up an Ordinance to formally amend that plan, we need to do that. Mr. Bridges: We have voted to amend that, haven't we? I Mr. Wall: Yes, as a policy decision. I I I Motion adopted unanimously. The Committee next considered a motion to approve a request for a waiver of penalty by Crystal Clean Car Wash. Mr. Wall: In view of the fact that this was an error on our part, I do think it is appropriate and the Tax Commissioner's Office concurs so I recommend approval. Mr. Beard: I so move. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. The Clerk: The addendum item is to approve the amendment to the franchise agreement with KMC Southeast Corporation to extend this throughout Richmond County. Mr. Wall: You approved this last year but the Ordinance was never formally adopted and this extends the old City franchise agreement Countywide. Mr. Beard: I so move. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Mr. Oliver announced that at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday there will be an Audit Committee meeting in which the Internal Auditor will be discussed. At this time Mr. McKie gave a brief report on the pension plan performance. Mr. Bridges: I move we receive this as information. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission NWM