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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2004 Meeting I I I FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - January 12, 2004 2:00P.M. PRESENT: Hons. Bob Young, Mayor; Boyles, Chairman; Beard, Co-Chairman; Grantham and "Williams, members; Steve Shepard, Attorney; George Kolb, . Administrator; David Persaud, Finance Director; Doug Cheek, Asst. Utilities Dept. Director; Teresa Smith, Public Works Director; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission. Also Present: Stacey Eidson of the Metro Spirit, Heidi Williams of the Augusta Chronicle and Hons. Smith, Hankerson, Sims, Cheek, Beard and Colclough, Commissioners. The Clerk: We have a request for an addendum agenda. There is an additional item that was just handed to us and it is to authorize Public Works to hire a design engineer and it should be added as Item 4 on the addendum agenda. ADDENDUM AGENDA: ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: 1. Discuss matter ofWachovia Bank check cashing fees. (Requested by -Commissioner Williams) 2. Reconsider contract with the Coliseum Authority. (Requested by Commissioner Williams) 3. Consider a request from the Terry College of Business and The University of Georgia for the purchase of tickets for the 14th Annual Augusta Economic Outlook Luncheon. Mr. Williams: I move we add these. Ms. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Considler a request from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People regarding city sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Fund Banquet. 4. Consider a request from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. regarding city sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the Seventh Annual Unity Breakfast. 1 5. Consider a request from the South Augusta Rotary Club regarding the purchase of tickets for the benefit for Youth Challenge Academy. Addendum Item 3. Consider a request from the Terry College of Business and The University of Georgia for the purchase of tickets for the 14th Annual Augusta Economic Outlook Luncheon. I Mr. Williams: I so move. Mr. Chairman: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. 2. Report from the Administrator regarding recommendations concerning the audit of the Augusta Riverwalk and Riverfront Marina. (Referred from December 8 Finance) Mr. Kolb: The Recreation Department will assume the operational responsibility of the Marina on a temporary basis. The financial implementation of controls will be shared jointly by the Recreation Department and the Finance Department. The Recreation Department will also take care of some maintenance work in conjunction with the Port Authority. I have asked the Port Authority Board to prepare for our review a set of specifications for a marina operator to operate it as it should be done. The Port Authority has some vacancies and they are asking commissioners to fill those positions so that they can continue with their work and they are open to any suggestions that you may have. I Mr. Williams asked for a report concerning an accounting of the funds that have been received and not received as a result of the audit findings. This should be submitted at the next meeting. Mr. Cheek: Did we get a response from North Augusta and Aiken County concerning a regional port authority concept? Mr. Rick Toole: Wernet with the City Administrator of North Augusta and they said no. After a discussion, Mr. Grantham: I move we receive it as information and that the information that was requested be provided to the committee. Ms. Beard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. 6. Set and publish qualifying fees for local offices appearing on 2004 General Election Ballot. I 2 I Ms. Bailey: . We will come back to you with information about the two seats coming up at the special election in July. Mr. Williams: I so move. Mr. Grantham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. 3. CommulIlication from the Mayor regarding the monthly construction report from the Utilities Department. Mr. Mayor: There is an extract in your backup from the monthly Utilities report about the contractor not showing an interest in completing the project on the Boykin Rd. Sewer Project. Mr. Shepard: I would like to review this with Mr. Hicks and will have a recommendation back to you at the next Commission meeting. Mr. Williams: I so move. Ms. Beard: Second. I Mr. Doug Cheek: We have talked with the contractor and have made some strides in that matter. Mr. Mays asked that when issues such as this arise that they be brought to the attention of the proper parties as soon as possible so that a solution can be reached. Mr. Cheek: I would request as an amendment to the motion that the information be brought to Engineering Services as well at the next meeting. Motion adopted unanimously. Addendum Item 1. Discuss matter of Wachovia Bank check cashing fees. (Requested by Commissioner Williams) Mr. Williams: I've gotten several complaints about the fees that Wachovia is charging for cashing checks for employees of this government. They have been charged a fee of $4.00 to do this. Mr. Kolb: They are charging our employees a fee and we've asked them to reconsider doing this. I Mr. Mays: I think Mr. Kolb and Mr. Persaud should talk with them about this in consideration of the amount of money we have on deposit with them. 3 After further discussion, Mr. Williams: I move that the Administrator and the Attorney meet with the bank about the $4.00 service fee and that this come back to the next meeting. I Mr. Chairman: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Addendum Item 2. Reconsider contract with the Coliseum Authority. (Requested by Commissioner Williams) At this time representatives of the Coliseum Authority appeared before the committee regarding the above item. After a discussion, Mr. Williams: I make the motion that it go back to the way it was at the same rate they were getting at three cents plus 30% of the alcohol. Ms. Beard: I'll second. Motion adopted unanimously. Addendum Item 4. Motion to authorize the Public Works & Engineering Department to hire a Design Engineer I at a salary up to $68,000 to be funded from the Highway & Street Administration Budget. I Ms. Smith: We have interviewed for this position and we would like to extend an . offer to the successful candidate for an annual salary up to $68,000. Mr. Williams: I move to approve. Mr. Grantham: I'll second the motion for discussion. Motion adopted with Ms. Beard out. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. , Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission nwm I 4 I FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS AGENDA COMMITTEE ROOM - January 12, 2004 2:00 P. M. 1. Consider a request from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People regarding city sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Fund Banquet. 2. Report from the Administrator regarding recommendations concerning the audit of the Augusta Riverwalk and Riverfront Marina. (Referred from December 8 Finance) 3. Commwlication from the Mayor regarding the monthly construction report from the Utilities Department. 4. Consider a request from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. regarding city sponsorship through the purchase of tickets for the Seventh Annual Unity Breakfast. 5. Consider a request from the South Augusta Rotary Club regarding the purchase of tickets for the benefit for Youth Challenge Academy. . I 6. S~t and publish qualifying fees for local offices appearing on 2004 General Election Ballot. I