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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-2000 Meeting I FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - March 15,2000 1:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. Shepard, Chairman; H. Brigham, Co-Chairman; Bridges and Williams, members; Jim Wall, Attorney; Randy Oliver, Administrator; Lon Morrey, Comptroller; David Collins, Asst. Comptroller; Harry Siddall, Fleet Manager; Lillian Katharine Blanos, Augusta Clean & Beautiful Director; Walter Hornsby, Deputy Administrator; Max Hicks, Utilities Dept. Director; Meg Woodward, Tax Assessor's Office; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission and Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission. ABSENT: Hon. Bob Young, Mayor. Also Present: Sylvia Cooper of The Augusta Chronicle, George Eskola ofWJBF Television, Stacey Eidson of The Metropolitan Spirit and Hons. Cheek, Colclough and Kuhlke, Commissioners. A request to refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of $258.29 to Albert & Annah Thompson for overpayment of taxes on Map 121, Parcel 6.03, was read. I A request to refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of $346.92 to William Scott Jeans for overpayment of taxes on Map 35-3, Parcel 36, was read. A request to refund of 1998 taxes in the amoun't of $144.34 to James M. Johnson for erroneous payment of taxes on Map 18, Parcel 365, was read. A request to refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of $174.81 to Larry W. Stephens for overpayment of taxes on Map 87-3, Parcel 46, was read. A request to refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of $258.59 to Newton L. Wilson, Jr. for overpayment oftaxes on Map 123-4, Parcel 95, was read. A request to refund of 1998 taxes in the amount of $836.34 to Allied Bank of Georgia for erroneous payment of taxes on Map 272, Parcel 59, was read. A request to refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of $258.58 to Joseph Cannon for overpayment of taxes on Map 290, Parcel 3, was read. A request to consider approval of Visa/Master Card application for Clerk of Commission, was read. Mr. Bridges: I move for approval. I Mr. Williams: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to authorize Finance Department to execute Engagement Letter with Cherry Bekaert & Holland, CP As (CBH) to issue separate audit reports for Augusta Utilities and Bush Field, was read. Mr. Bridges: I move for approval. Mr. Williams: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve and sign Maintenance Renewal Agreement with Bi- Tech Software, Inc. for the period covering January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000 at an annual cost of $35,274.49, was read. Mr. Bridges: I move that we delete this item and refer it to the Public Safety Committee. Mr. Williams: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. The Committee next discussed accelerated cash flow options for Augusta Museum of History. Mr. Oliver: We would be giving them $200,000 this year and we have proposed restructuring those payments so that they would receive them in eight payments for the first eight months of the year. Then the additional! % would be given to the CVB for reallocation. If those funds are not reallocated to the Museum in September, it will create a [mancial issue for the Museum but this would deal with the immediate situation. Mr. Bridges: I move that we approve the recommendation for accelerated funding. Mr. Williams: I'll second the motion. After further discussion by representatives of the Museum, the CVB, the Augusta Sports Council and area hotels and motels, Mr. Bridges: I'll amend my motion to give the Augusta Museum of History $300,000 for this year only. Mr. Williams: I'll second that. Mr. Wall: And that will require an amendment to the Ordinance. Motion adopted unanimously. I I I I The Committee next heard a presentation by Mr. Jerry Saul regarding his budget and his request for the restoration of funding for his department. Mr. Bridges: I make a motion that we fund the additional $45,500 to cover the need. .:.; Mr. Williams: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to authorize execution of Easy Pay ACH Origination Agreement with Georgia Bank & Trust Company, was read. A request to authorize execution of necessary documents with govWorks.com to process automated payments with the following stipulations: (1) no out of pocket expense to Augusta Richmond County; (2) posting of fidelity bond or insurance to cover amount of anticipated funds to be collected; (3) the agreement is cancelable for convenience at anytime, was read. After a short discussion, Mr. Williams: I so move it be approved. I Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. The Committee next heard a presentation by Ms. Mattie Mitchell of Bethlehem Area Community Association regarding restoration of funding for Augusta Richmond County Clean and Beautiful. Other representatives from area neighborhood associations also expressed their support of the efforts of Augusta Richmond County Clean and Beautiful to help with clean-ups in their respective areas. At the close of the presentations, Mr. Bridges: I make the motion that we accept this as information. Mr. Williams: I second it. Mr. H. Brigham: I make a substitute motion that we pass this on to the full Commission with no recommendation. Mr. Chairman: I'll second that motion. (V ote on substitute motion) Motion fails with Mr. Bridges and Mr. Williams voting No. I (V ote on original motion) Motion fails with Mr. H. Brigham and the Chairman voting No. A request to consider purchase of full-page ad from the Southeastern I Association of Fire Chiefs (Souvenir Booklet), was read. (Funded from Commission Other Account) (Requested by Commissioner Beard) Mr. Oliver: There is $9,055 in the Commission Other Account. The ad is $500.00. Mr. Williams: I make a motion that we approve. Mr. H. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to consider sponsorship of Red Carpet Tour in the amount of $5,000 was read. (possible funding sources: Downtown Development Account, Promotional Account, Commission Other Account and Lobbyist Account) Mr. Bridges: I make the motion that we fund it from Commission Other Account. Mr. Chairman: I'll second it for purposes of discussion. Mr. H. Brigham: I'd like to make a substitute motion that it be out ofthe Lobbyist Account. I Mr. Williams: I'll second that motion. 01 ote on substitute motion) Motion fails with Mr. Bridges and the Chairman voting No. 01 ote on original motion) Motion fails with Mr. H. Brigham and Mr. Williams voting No. A request to approve SPLOST Agreement for $1,003,000.00 with Springfield Village Park FoulIldation, Inc., was read. Mr. Bridges: I move for approval. Mr. H. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to authorize Mayor, upon approval of Attorney and Administrator, to enter into an agreement with Buck Consultants to perform a Post- I I Retirement Medical Benefit Valuation for ARC at a not-to-exceed cost of $9,000, was read. After a short discussion, Mr. Bridges: I make the motion for approval. . Mr. H. Brigham: Second. ".~! Motion adopted with Mr. Williams voting No. The Clerk: We have a request to add two items to the agenda. ". Mr. Bridges: I so move. Mr. Williams: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve for the Fire Department to change the purchase of four midsize automobiles to four compact pickup trucks, was read. Mr. Williams: I move we approve. ,I Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to authorize disbqrsement of $4,350 to match Georgia Lottery funds for computer-based technology equipment, was read. Mr. Oliver: This would be for the Extension Office and our $4,350 would be funded from General Fund Contingency. Mr. H. Brigham: I so move. Mr. Bridges: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission NWM I . FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS AGENDA COMMITfEE ROOM - March 15,2000 1:00 P. M. 1. Refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of $258.29 to Albert & Annah Thompson for overpayment of taxes on Map 121, Parcel 6.03. 2. Refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of $346.92 to William Scott Jeans for overpayment of taxes on Map 35-3, Parcel 36. 3. Refund of 1998 taxes in the amount of $144.34 to James M. Johnson for erroneous payment of taxes on Map 18, Parcel 365. 4. Refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of$174.81 to Larry W. Stephens for overpayment of taxes on Map 87-3, Parcel 46. 5. Refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of$258.59 to Newton L. Wilson, Jr. for overpayment of taxes on Map 123-4, Parcel 95. 6. Refund of 1998 taxes in the amount of $836.34 to Allied Bank of Georgia for erroneous payment of taxes on Map 272, Parcel 59. 7. Refund of 1997 and 1998 taxes in the amount of$258.58 to Joseph Cannon for overpayment of taxes on Map 290, Parcel 3. 8. Consider approval ofVisaIMaster Card application for Clerk of Commission. 9. Authorize Finance Department to execute Engagement Letter with Cherry Bekaert & Holland, CP As (CBR) to issue separate audit reports for Augusta Utilities and Bush Field. 10. Approve and sign Maintenance Renewal Agreement with Bi-Tech Software, Inc. for the period covering January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000 at an annual cost of $35,274.49. 11. Discuss accelerated cash flow options for Augusta Museum of History. 12. Authorize execution of Easy Pay ACH Origination Agreement with Georgia Bank & Trust Company. 13. Consider purchase of full-page ad from the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs (Souvenir Booklet). (Funded from Commission Other Account) (Requested by Commissioner Beard) 14. Consider sponsorship of Red Carpet Tour in the amount of$5,000. (Possible funding sources: Downtown Development Account, Promotional Account, Commission Other Account and Lobbyist Account) 15, Mr. Jerry Saul to appear before the Committee regarding his budget. 16. Ms. Mattie Mitchell of Bethlehem Area Community Association to appear before the Committee regarding restoration of funding for Augusta Richmond County Clean and Beautiful. ..... r .;.' 17. Motion to approve SPLOST Agreement for $1,003,000.00 with Springfield Village Park Foundation, Inc. 18. Authorize execution of necessary documents with govWorks.com to process automated payments with the following stipulations: (1) no out of pocket expense to Augusta Richmond County; (2) posting of fidelity bond or insurance to cover amount of anticipated funds to be collected; (3) the agreement is cancelable for convenience at anytime. 19. Authorize Mayor, upon approval of Attorney and Administrator, to enter into an agreement with Buck Consultants to perform a Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Valuation for ARC at a not-to-exceed cost of $9,000. . I ADDENDUM FINANCE & APPROPRIA nONS AGENDA March 15,2000 2:00 P. M. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: 1. Approve request for Fire Department to change the purchase of four midsize automobiles to four compact pickup trucks. 2. Authorization to disburse $4,350 to match Georgia Lottery funds for computer- based technology equipment.