HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-29-2004 Meeting
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FINANCE & APPROpRIATIONS
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE ROOM- March 29,2004
2:00 P. M.
PRESENT: Hons. Bob Young, Mayor; Boyles, Chairman; Beard, Co-Chairman;
Williams, member; Steve Shepard, Attorney; E. W. Reece, Tax Assessor; Mark Johnson,
Solid Waste Director; David Persaud, Finance Director; Rick Acree, Facilities
Management Director; Geri Sams, Purchasing Director; Fred Russell, Deputy
.Administrator; North Williamson of the Tax Commissioners Office; Lena Bonner, Clerk
of Commission.
ABSENT: Hon. Grantham, member.
Also Present: Hons. Hankerson, Mays and Cheek, Commissioners.
Mr. Chairman: I think we'd like to delete Item 20 and move it to a work session.
20. Summary of immediate needs for Tax Assessors Office.
Mr. Reece submitted some possible dates for the work session and asked that the
committee also consider appointing a cOmmissioner to serve as a liaison to the Tax
. Assessors Board.
Mr. Chairman: We've also been asked torull-Item 12 and defer it to the next
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meeting.
12. Consider request from RCCI to ask the Internal Auditor to audit the
Employees 'Benefit Fund, Petty Cash Fund, Inmate Store Fpnd and the
Inmate Trust Fund. . ~
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
3. Approve an appropriation in the total amount of $1,300.00 from the
Commission Promotional Account to purchase frames from Augusta Art and
Frame Shop.
4. Approve an appropriation in the amount of $2,500 from recaptured UDAG
for the Augusta Showcase.
5. Approve refunds on 14 accounts in the Tax Assessors Office (see attached
list).
6. Consider request from SCMullins, LLC for relief from penalties and late
charges on 2003 tax account. (Map 42-3, Parcel 5.02)
8.
Motion to approve setting the qualifying fee for special election in
Commission Districts 1 and 3.
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15.
Approve waiver of property taxes in the amount of $58.92 on a parcel of land
titled in the name of the Richmond County Land Bank Authority affecting
property located on Cook Road.
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16 Approve waiver of property taxes in the amount of $305.64 on a parcel of
landtitled in the. name of the Richmond County Land Bank Authority
affecting property located at 120 Walker Street.
17. Approve waiver of property taxes in the amount of $820.49 on a parcel of
land title in the name of the Richmond County Land Bank Authority
affecting property located at 2459 Sumac Drive.
18. Approve waiver of property taxes in the amount of $425.47 on a parcel of
land titled in the name of the Richmond County Land Bank Authority
affecting property located at 1617 Chestnut Street.
22. Approve Public Official Liability coverage with Landmark Insurance'
Company.
23. Consider abatement of penalty and interest for Map 40, Parcel 47.05 for
property of ATC Development Corporation.
24.
Present 2005 Budget Calendar for approval.
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Mr. Chairman: On Items 6 and 23 it has been our policy to abate the penalty but
not the interest.
Ms. Beard: I so move we approve the consent agenda.
Mr. Williams: I'll second it.
Motion adopted unanimously.
1. Approve the lease for One Aljon 600 Compactor for Public Works
Department - Solid Waste Division from Aljon, Inc. of Ottumwa, Iowa for
$8,798.70 per month for 60 months. (Referred from March 8 Finance)
Mr. Williams: I so move.
Ms. Beard: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
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2.
Approve the acquisition of One (1) Compact Pickup Truck for the Utilities
Department - Water Production Division from Bobby Jones Ford of
Augusta, Georgia for $15,245.43 (lowest bid offer on Bid 03-120).
Mr. 'Williams: I so move.
Ms. Beard: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
7. Consider a request from the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce for an
abatement of property taxes for 2003.
Mr. Shepard: Based on the precedent of the abatement of the Boxing Club, I
would recommend that it be abated.
Mr. Williams: I so move.
Ms. Beard: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
9.
Review and discuss or revise the 1998 Life Expectancy Policy OIi vehicles.
(Requested by Commissioner Hankerson)
Mr. Hankerson: I think that vehicles last longer than they used to and that we
should look at revising our policy to allow for this.
Mr. Persaud: There is a study ongoing about this now and we should be able to
submit something to you in a short time.
Mr. Williams: I move that we receive this as information.
Ms. Beard: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
10. Presentation by Facilities Management Director regarding the costs for
environmental assessments on the sites for the Judicial Center.
21.
,^pprove allocation of $40,000 of Phase IV SPLOST funds designated to the
Judicial Center for environmental testing requested by the Commission at its
March 16, 2004 meeting on property under consideration for acquisition for
the proposed Judicial Center; authorize the attorney to proceed with
securing Rights of Entry and determination of the 100 year chain of
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ownership; and authorize Graves Engineering Services, Inc. to proceed with
the recommended testing.
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Mr. Acree: This is an allocation of $40,000 for the testing on the various sites.
Mr. Cheek: My understanding was that it was the will of the Commission that we
acquire the Atlanta Gas Light Study and all the initial studies done and that data be
forwarded to us. Has anyone done that?
Mr. Acree: We have not done that.
Mr. Cheek: We had asked for that data last week.
Mr. Shepard: I have to take responsibility for not getting that yet.
Mr. Mays questioned ifthe sites that the city already owns should be tested for
contamination.
Mr. Acree stated that this funding is for additional testing and that if any of the
sites being considered require additional testing, the funds would be there for that
purpose rather than coming back again to approve the funding.
After further discussion, Mr. Shepard: Let me suggest that you forward this
without a recommendation and during this time any records that need to be found I will
find them and bring them back.
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Mr. Acree: We got an RFQ for professional services for the testing and Graves
Engineering did the work.
Mr. Boyles: I'll take a motion that refers this to the full Commission next
Tuesday.
Mr. Williams: So move.
Ms. Beard: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
11. Discuss the structure of the ARC Law Department. (Requested by
Commissioner Williams)
Mr. Shepard: There are two different ways in which legal services are being
delivered. One is through existing contract with Mr. Wall's firm which is being fulfilled
and the new appointment of my firm where we serve now as vendors. The Law
Department personnel are city employees who work for salaries. I will be coming back
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with some recommendations in a full report to you after I have completed an evaluation
of the whole situation.
Mr. Williams: I move we receive this as information.
Mr. Chairman: Second.
It was the consensus of the Committee that this be received as information.
13. Discussion of accounts receivable for the Landfill and Solid Waste
collections. (Requested by the Mayor)
The Mayor made a presentation regarding a number of accounts receivable for
Landfill and Solid Waste collections. He noted that the city is paying $669,000 a year for
3,741 units that are not being collected. He also presented information about delinquent
accounts from the Landfill which represent overdue fees of about $240,000 and
household accounts including taxes that have not been paid which represents $1.2 million
dollars.
After a discussion, Mr. Mayor: I would suggest that you authorize the
administration and the attorney to pursue whatever avenues are necessary to collect these
delinquent accounts.
. Mr. Shepard: My suggestion is the motion should be that those accounts
determined to be past due taxes be collected as taxes and those that could be
characterized as accounts be the subject of what we call the collection practice which is
usually a demand letter followed by a suit on the account.
Mr. Williams: I so move.
Ms. Beard: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
14., Update/report on the status of the Internal Auditor's findings on the Fleet
Management Contract. (Requested by Commissioner Williams)
Mr. Shepard: I would like to advise you that there are investigations that may be
pending and we do not want the integrity of those disturbed.
Mr. Cosnahan reported that they are working with the Sheriff's Department on an
investigation and cannot release any information until the investigation is completed.
Mr. Shepard: I would suggest that you refer this to the legal session after the
Commission meeting on the 6th. You can have the Sheriff in at that time.
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Mr. Williams: I so move.
Ms. Beard: Second.
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Motion adopted unanimously.
19. Motion to approve Resolution for Budget Amendment regarding the flood
buyout of six additional homes at 1933 Hopie Road, '1952 Rozella Road, 3101
Chelsea Drive, 2203 Dominion Court, 2205 Dominion Court, and 2207
Dominion Court.
Mr. Williams: I so move.
Ms. Beard: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned,
Lena J. Bonner
Clerk of Commission
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FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS
AGENDA,
COMMITTEE ROOM - March 29, 2004
2:00 P. M.
1. Approve the lease for One Alj on 600 Compactor for Public Works Department -
Solid Waste Division from Aljo!1, Inc. ofOttumwa, Iowa for $8,798.70 per month
for 60' months. (Referred from March 8 Finance)
2. Approve the acquisition of One (1) Compact Pickup Truck for the Utilities
Department - Water Production Division from Bobby Jones Ford of Augusta,
Georgia for $15,245.43 (lowest bid offer on Bid 03-120).
3. Approve an appropriation in the total amount of$I,300.00 from the Commission
Promotional Account to purchase frames from Augusta Art and Frame Shop.
4. Approve an appropriation in the amount of$2,500 from recaptured UDAG for the
. Augusta Showcase.
5. Approve refunds on 14 accounts in the Tax Assessors Office (see attached list).
6. Consider request from SCMullins, LLC for relief from penalties and late charges
, on 2003 tax account. (Map 42-3, Parcel 5.02) -
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Consider a request from the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce for an
abatement of property taxes for 2003.
8.
Motion to approve setting the qualifying fee for special election in Commission
Districts 1 and 3.
9. Review and discuss or revise the 1998 Life Expectancy Policy on vehicles.
(Requested by Commissioner Hankerson)
10. Presentation by Facilities Management Director regarding the costs for
environmental assessments on the sites for the Judicial Center'.
11. Discuss the structure ofthe ARC Law Department. (Requested by Commissioner
Williams)
12. Consider request from RCCI to ask the Internal Auditor to audit the Employees
Benefit Fund, Petty Cash Fund, Inmate Store Fund and the Inmate Trust Fund.
13. Discussion of accounts receivable for the Landfill and Solid Waste collections.
(Requested by the Mayor)
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14.
Update/report on the status of the Internal Auditor's findings on the Fleet
Management Contract. (Requested by Commissioner Williams)
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Approve waiver of property taxes in the amount of$305.64 on a parcel ofland
titled in the name of the Richmond County Land Bank Authority affecting
property located at 120 Walker Street.
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15.
Approve waiver of property taxes in the amount of$58.92 on a parcel ofland
titled in the name of the Richmond County Land Bank Authority affecting ,
property located on Cook Road.
17. Approve waiver of property taxes in the amount of$820.49 on a parcel ofland
title in the name of the Richmond County Land Bank Authority affecting property
located at 2459 Sumac Drive.
18. Approve waiver of property taxes in the amount of $425.47 on a parcel ofland
titled in the name of the Richmond County Land Bank Authority affecting
property located at 1617 Chestnut Street.
19. Motion to approve Resolution for Budget Amendment regarding the flood buyout'
of six additional homes at 1933 Hopie Road, 1952 Rozella Road, 3101 Chelsea
Drive, 2203 Dominion Court, 2205 Dominion Court, and 2207 Dominion Court.
20. Summary of immediate needs for Tax Assessors Office.
21.
Approve allocation of $40,000 of Phase IV SPLOST funds designated to the
Judicial Center for environmental testing requested by the Commission at its
March 16, 2004 meeting on property under consideration for acquisition for the
proposed Judicial Center; authorize the attorney to proceed with securing Rights
of Entry and determination of the 100 year chain of ownership; and authorize
Graves Engineering Services, Inc. to proceed with the recommended testing.
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22. Approve Public Official Liability coverage with Landmark Insurance Company.
23. Consider abatement of penalty and interest for Map 40, Parcel 47.05 for property
of A TC Development Corporation.
24. Present 2005 Budget Calendar for approval.
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