Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-1997 Meeting I I I PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - March 10, 1997 4:00 p.m. PRESENT: Hon: L. Sconyers; R. Oliver, Administrator; Kuhlke, Vice Chairman; Todd, Zetterberg, members; J. Brigham, Bridges, Commissioners; Stewart Walker and Larry Harris, License and Inspection Department; Tom Beck, Recreation Department. ABSENT: W. Mays, Commissioner. ALSO PRESENT: Rosemary Forest, Metropolitan Spirit, and other members of the new media. Consider a request by Christina J. Park for a retail package beer and wine license to be used in connection with Paul's Supermarket located at #2 Greene St. (No objectors) Ms. Park: Christina Park, 2662 Barclay St., Hephzibah, GA. Mr. Walker: This item meets all the requirements of the Richmond County Alcohol Ordinance and has been approved by the License and Inspection Department and the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Zetterberg: Move for approval. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Consider a request by Raymond L. Walters, Jr., for a retail package beer license to be used in connection with Lufran, Inc., d/b/a Olde Towne Amoco located at 443 Broad St. (No objectors) Mr. Walters: Raymond L. Walters, Jr., 2810 Hillcrest Ave. Mr. Walker: This meets all requirements of County Alcohol Ordinance and is approved by the Inspection Department and the Sheriff's Department. the Richmond License and Mr. Todd: So move. Mr. Zetterberg: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Consider a request by Alvin C. Roberson for a retail package beer and wine license to be used in connection with Olive Supermarket located at 1671 Olive Road. (No objectors) Mr. Roberson: Alvin C. Roberson, 1671 1/2 Olive Rd. Mr. Walker: This item meets all the requirements and has been approved by the License and Inspection Department and the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Zetterberg: Move for approval. I Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Consider a request by Susan H. Speth for a consumption on premise beer and wine license to be used in connection with Magnolia Tea Room located at 2107 Kings Way. (There are objectors) Mr. Speth: Susan H. Speth: 717 Stillwater Dr. Mr. Walker: This meets all requirements of the Augusta- Richmond County Ordinance and has been approved by the License and Inspection Department and the Sheriff's Department. Objector: Gretchen Saunders, 1108 Hickman Rd. Ms. Saunders: I've gone and talked to all the neighbors in the neighborhood and a couple of the neighbors are with me today, and I've talked to Frankie and Kim, the owners of the Tea Shop, also. I think everybody feels like wine during the day sounds pretty innocent and don't have a lot of objections to that, we are somewhat concerned about it setting a precedence, because there is no other place right in this residential neighborhood with an alcohol license. That being number one and the second being, that I if this business would sellout, that the new owners would only have to get a transfer of the license and not have to post anything public. People are nervous about a bar, something at night, possibly coming in, not so much a food establishment. Mr. Walker: This is a restaurant. If by chance or moved out and a lounge came in, that would be different license and they would have to advertise. license would have to be approved. they sold it a completely Any transfer After further discussion; Mr. Todd: They have a business plan that they will be operating on, and what we could do is put you down as a person to be notified if we would ever transfer the license, but if the business plan for the next business, or if they decide to modify their business plan to stay open later, there is not a lot we could do about that. My question would be, are you saying that it would have a negative impact on your community, if you they had a different plan than what they are presenting now. Ms. Saunders: Yes, I feel like it would. Ms. Speth: So her issue is not with us, but it's with the possible transfer of the license. I have no problem with having I her notified before anything was ever done. Because she and I have already talked, and she knows what our business plans are, which are not a negative impact on the neighborhood. I I I Mr. Todd: We can put it in the record to have you notified as a contact person. Ms. Locker: Janet Locker, 1115 Hickman Rd. Ms Locker: I like what she has to offer. Most of you are familiar with Tip Top. What's to keep Kings Way and Hickman Rd., with this being passed, if you serve sandwiches and beer, becoming a Tip Top after these ladies leave. After further discussion; Mr. Kuhlke: From a technical stand point they meet all the requirements to get the license. Do you have a Homeowners Association, if we approve this request, with the stipulation that if a transfer is requested that we will notify the president of the Summerville Neighborhood Association, prior to us taking any action, would that satisfy you? Mr. Harris: In a situation like this, at any time when another owner takes ownership of their business, they have to come through our office, and at that time we make an inspection of the business. And we will make a recommendation to this body as to what we feel should be approved or denied. Knowing that your feelings are that way, we wouldn't recommend a lounge in that area, because it would take away from the neighborhood value. So if they are approved, we'll make sure that we follow them down the line. As long as they are owners, meet the qualifications and keep it the way it is, we'll stick with them. If they leave we'll come to your defense. I went in their place at peak hours and it's an upscale establishment, and I think they deserve the license. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Zetterberg: Second, based upon the stipulation that the Summerville Association be notified of any change in owners. Motion adopted unanimously. A communication from the Director of Parks and Recreation to approve the commitment of ten (10) acres of property on Damacus Road for construction of the Aquatics Natatorium. Mr. Todd: So move, with pending approval of the FAA. Mr. Zetterberg: Second. Mr. Beck: To update you a little bit, back when you approved the realignment for this project in December, it was basically, given that this was the property and it was the property that we suggested and recommended at that time. Although, there had never been anything formal done as to the allocation of this city owned property for this project. The process that we have gone through and where we are at with this project, we interviewed the architects through RFP's last Friday, and we have a recommendation I that will be coming before you very shortly on that A&E selection for the proj ect, obviously we need to try to get the property finalized before we can really proceed any farther with that. Mr. Oliver: I have one question for Mr. Wall, and you may not be aware, Jim. My concern is, I understand the reason for the condition, but knowing how the FAA works, we could be hung up for several months or years. Does anybody know about how close we are to the end of the tunnel? Mr. Wall: My understanding was that we were waiting on the final report from the Inspector General. They were down here last November, but I have never seen a report. I think that was a verbal report and I don't know, whether they have, in fact issued a written report, or the status of that. I think they had an exit interview, which I was not a participant in. Mr. Kuhlke: Is this something that we might be able to do on our own, to petition the FAA and see if they would release this ten acres. If we are not in ligation with these people, could we approach them about releasing at least these ten acres, until this situation is settled. Mr. Wall: I think that we need to approach them with the idea that we need to go ahead and settle this thing, and if we can't get it resolved, then come back with these ten acres. Mr. Oliver: Who is the title vested in now? I Mr. Kuhkle: The City of Augusta. After further discussion; Mr. Todd: I don't believe that the FAA left here and didn't do an exit interview. If they did, whether verbal or written, as a member of this board, I should have a copy or at least know what the exit interview said. Mr. Kuhlke: Jim, see if you can find out before next Tuesday who participated in that exit interview. Mr. Todd: There are two homes sitting on the bottom side of this property, is there any need to be concerned about these properties at this time, what kind of impact will that have on the purchase of this property. Is there any need to purchase those two homes in the future, or any concern about the businesses sitting in there. Mr. Beck: At this point, I'm not going to say that there is no need to worry about it. My main concern right now is getting I our City owned property committed so we can move ahead on this project. I I I Motion adopted unanimously. , A communication from the Director of Parks and Recreation to approve a bid award to R. D. Brown Construction in the amount of $825,275.00 for construction of the West Augusta Soccer Complex off Maddox Road. Mr. Beck: Mr. Joe Johnson is here, with Johnson and Laschober Associates representing us on our soccer complex in west Augusta. We opened bids on February 27. We had five bidders on the project. We actually had $825,000, worth of construction monies that could go toward this project and stay within budget. It was Mr. Johnson's recommendation based on the amount of available funds, and trying to stay within budget, it was both our recommendations to go with the only things we could afford in the project. After a presentation from Mr. Johnson; Mr. Zetterberg: So move. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A communication from the Director of Parks and Recreation to approve a contract for architectural and engineering services at South Augusta Recreation Complex with Cranston, Robertson and Whitehurst in the amount of $273,000. Mr. Beck: We went through a very similar RFP process with this project. We received ten proposals in for architectural and engineering services with this project. We did set up a committee to review these proposals. The committee consisted, D.Goins, Engineering, W. Hornsby, Asst. Administrator, P. DeCamp, Planning & Zoning, and myself. we reviewed the proposals and came up with a short list to interview, and we interviewed six finalist for the job. And it was a recommendation to go with firm that we chose. Mr. Kuhlke: I remember we got into a problem with the jail, where we had a contract with a firm, but there were significant reimbursements built into the contract. Is this a flat contract, from a percentage stand point on construction cost, and are they reimburseable expenses. Mr. Beck: There is a lump sum price, instead of percentage of contract. I don't remember about the reimbursable. Mr. think we Mr. Wall Kuhlke: I would like for that to be looked into. I need to go ahead and take action on it, maybe subject to reviewing the contract. Mr. Todd: The other issue that I am concerned about is that this company have proper bonding and insurance. Mr. Todd: So move, subj ect to Mr. Wall looking at the contract concerning reimbursement. Mr. Zetterberg: Second. I Motion adopted unanimously. A communication from the County Attorney to approve the Lease between Richmond County, Georgia and Calvin Chance for the building at #4 Fifth St. Mr. Oliver: Would you note in there, if you look at the lease, under item 2, because there was another version of this floating around. It should lessee should have the option to renew this lease for two additional terms at 2 1/2 years. That makes this a 10 year lease, which is basically renewable solely at the lessee's pleasure. Mr. Wall: There was some miscommunication, the notations that both Butch has made and Mr. Oliver made came over a telephone conversation when we were talking about two different things. So there is some confusing. This is the building down on the river and it's a basic 5 year lease, $700.00 a month. He has asked for 4 months free rent before he begins paying, since he has to do some substantial renovations down there. Mr. Zetterberg: So move. I Mr. Todd: Second. Motions adopted unanimously. The appointment of the Georgia Archaeological Institute as the Historic and Archaeological Cultural Resources Management Advisor for Richmond County and the City of Augusta. Mr. Bridges: I asked that this be placed on the agenda. basically what we are looking at here is Dr. Mark Newell, operates out of the Museum. He has offered to be an Archaeological and Historical Advisor to the City at no cost to us should we desire to accept this. The purpose of this is to utilize an existing institute, The Georgia Archaeological Institute as an advisor for any consultation that the City may have in regards to archaeology and history. This is a volunteer position on his part, no cost to us, it would be a benefit to us, it would operate through the Mayor's office. We could either accept his recommendation or advice. I think it would be a good thing for us to utilize his volunteer help and the professional skills for the City. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Zetterberg: Second. I Motion adopted unanimously. I I I ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission bjb