Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-1997 Meeting I I I PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - March 24, 1997 4:00 p.m. PRESENT: Hon: Larry Sconyers, Mayor; Mays, Chairman; Kuhlke, Zetterberg, Todd, members; R. OLiver, Administrator; J. Wall, County Attorney; S. Walker and L. Harris, License and Inspection Department; H. Johnson, Transit Director; T. Beck, Recreation Director; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission and Belinda Brown, of the Clerk's Office. ALSO PRESENT: Sylvia Cooper, Augusta Chronicle. The Clerk: We have a request to add one item: To approve a committee of users and community representatives to make recommendations for changes in the zoning ordinance relative to Telecommunication Towers, was read. Mr. Todd: I move that we approve by unanimous consent the addition to the agenda. Mr. Zetterberg: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. New Ownership: Consider a request by Robert H. Anderson for consumption on premise liquor, beer, and wine license to be used in connection with Andy's Restaurant & Lounge located at 1365 Gordon Highway. There will be a dance hall, was read. Mr. Anderson: Robert H. Anderson, 2364 Winston Way. Mr. Walker: This application meets all requirements of the Alcohol Ordinance and is approved by the License Department and the Sheriff's Department. (There are no objectors) Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Kuhlke: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. New Application: Consider a request by Sun Ok Paye for a retail package beer and wine license to be used in connection with B.C. Mart located at 2749 New Barton Chapel Rd, was read. Ms. paye: Sun Ok paye 3719 Crest Drive, Hephzibah. Mr. Walker: Alcohol Ordinance and the Sheriff's This application meets all requirements of the and has been approved by the License Department Department. (There are objectors) Objector: Ralph Blair, 2508 Fryer Lane, Augusta. Mr. Blair: This came up about 4 years ago. It's a convenience store that's being constructed between, the Oriental Food store and another convenience store. And what's happening, the community does not need another alcohol beverage consumption place or convenience store in the community. First of all, we have a lot of problems with traffic at Deans Bridge Road and Meadow Brook on Barton Chapel. It's very difficult to get into the Deans Bridge Shopping Center, exiting or entering because of the congestion at the light. The store entrance will be across the street from the exit and entrance from Bi Lo, and there is just too much traffic. Sometimes it takes fifteen or twenty minutes just to get out of the parking lot to get onto the main street. We have tried to turn the community around for the last three or four years and we are doing a pretty good job. We have spent many hours and much money in our community try to make it better and we really don't need another problem. We have 275 petitioners from our community within a one square mile area, objecting to this because we have enough. We have 4 stores that actually sell beverages, including Bi Lo. Mr. Todd: I am going to make a motion that we disapprove and I'm making this motion and qualifying it with the fact that, as I understand Rev Blair that this will have a negative impact on the community, as far as traffic flows, and an additional alcohol beverage establishment, in the sense that there are several establishments that actually already sell alcoholic beverages. Mr. Kuhlke: Is this store already built? Mr. Harris: It's under construction, right now. Mr. Todd: I recommend that we deny the alcohol sales, and we realize that the store has the right to operate and basically, what we are saying is that we have two many alcoholic beverage places in the community, and obviously, we would like to think that when individuals stop and buy a beer, that the individual is not already intoxicated and that individual is not going to drink that beer until he gets home, but we know that is not the case. It would not change the business plan of the convenience store that much to not have the alcoholic beverages. After further discussion; I I Mr. Wall: You have got to have objective standards in which to deny a alcohol license. Each license is a privilege, each one has to be considered. Traffic congestion, the impact on the community are things that can be considered in determining whether or not to grant the alcohol license, even though they meet the other requirements. The motion that Mr. Todd has made has been tied to objective standards in which to support his motion to deny the alcohol license. Even though you'll have a store there, the I increased traffic in connection with the alcohol sales and the impact that will have on the community is justification for turning it down. If you accept that argument, then the motion is proper, I I I if you disagree with that argument or don't think that is a valid enough reason, then you can approve it. The density is not a criteria in the decision, even though Mr. Todd is saying that there are other locations in the area where alcohol can be consumed, but that in and of itself cannot be justification for turning it down. Mr. Kuhlke: I'm going to second Mr. Todd's motion and I'm going to do it for this reason; we are making an attempt to clean up Barton Village, through the Weed and Seed Program. We are hopeful to get a Federal Grant through the Justice Department, to begin to do some work out there. If you ride up and down Barton Chapel Road, you can buy alcoholic beverages in a number of places there, so, as a result of that, "and in hopes that we can do some cleaning up in the Barton Chapel area, I second his motion. Mr. citizens I'm glad Zetterberg: And I don't have any problem with 275 within that area that have said they didn't want that. So that the Attorney has made that clarification. Mr. Mays: There is a motion and a second on the floor, what I would like to do is be done in normal privilege, when we have an objective to a license, the petitioner, basically stated for the record what she was wanting to get. Do you have any response, Ms paye, to anything that has been said, in terms to the objection? Mr. Harris: She is basically the manager of the store, not the owner. The owner is not present. We can notify the owner of what the outcome was. Motion adopted unanimous for denial. New Ownership: A request by Bessie Lampton for a consumption on premise liquor, beer and wine license to be used in connection with Club Apiffany's located at 2623 Deans Bridge Rd. There will be a dance hall, was read. Ms. Lampton: Hephzibah, Ga. Bessie Lampton, 2407 St. Thomas Trail, Mr. Walker: Alcohol Ordinance and the Sheriff's This application meets all requirements of the and has been approved by the License Department Department. (No objectors) Mr. Zetterberg: Where is this establishment in relationship to the one we ruled on? Ms. Lampton: This is located on Deans Bridge Road, right behind Cherokee Plaza, behind Chuck Campbell's Wallpaper. Mr. Todd: I so move that we approve. Mr. Kuhlke: Second. Mr. Todd: What kind of dance hall will this be and will there be adult entertainment? Ms. Lampton: .No sir. I Motion adopted unanimously. New Ownership: A request by Brenda J. McGahee for a retail package beer license to be used in connection with National Hills Texaco located at 2631 Washington Rd, was read. Ms. McGahee: Brenda McGahee, 1444 Heard Ave. Mr. Walker: This application meets all the requirements and approved by both the License Department and the Sheriff's Department. (No Objectors) Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr Kuhlke: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Transfer Application: A request by Freddie E. Smith for a retail package liquor, beer and wine license to be used in connection with Belair Package Shop located at 3973 Wrightsboro Rd, was read. Mr. Smith: Freddie Smith, 31 Taylor St. I Mr. Walker: This application meets all approved by both the License Department Department. (No objectors) the requirements and and the Sheriff's Mr. Kuhlke: So move. Mr. Zetterberg: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Mr. Oliver: I would note that we are working on a policy that transfers only would be done administratively. Because the policy has already been set that the alcohol license is in that spot, that as long as they meet the legal requirements through the Sheriff's Department, we will be bringing a policy forward to see if you want to do that administratively. Mr. Todd: I think that's good and I don't have a problem, I would certainly want to make sure that you are safe guarding that policy as far as restaurants go with Sunday sales, that we don't have a transfer from one, because the other one got in trouble, that the chain of custody stay with the location. A request to approve a license for a special event requested by Walter Clay for a special event license for 7 days (April 7-13, I I I I 1997) consumption on premise liquor, beer and wine to be used in connection with the Clubhouse located at 2567 Washington Rd. There will be Sunday sales, was read. Mr. Clay: Walter Clay, 2104 Hillsinger Rd. Mr. Walker: This application meets all requirements for a special events license for 7 days, and has been approved by the License Department and the Sheriff's Department. (No objectors) Mr. Kuhlke: Move approval. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve a license for a special event requested by Mike Smith for a special event 7 days (April 7-13, 1997) consumption on premise liquor, beer and wine license to be used in connection with 2603 Washington Rd. There will be Sunday sales, was read. Mr. Smith: Mike Smith, 2619 Raymond Ave. Mr. Walker: This application meets all requirements for a special events license for 7 days and has been approved by the License Department and the Sheriff's Department. (No objectors) Mr. Todd: So move. Mr. Kuhlke: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve a license for a special event requested by Sandi Watkins for a special event 1 day (April 19, 1997) consumption on premise beer license to be used in connection with the north east corner of Monument and Ellis St, was read. Ms. Watkins: Sandi Watkins 2811 Bethel Place. Every year group. We give a Association. we do this in connection with a Harley owners portion of our profits to the Muscular Dystrophy Mr. Walker: This is the fourth or fifth year they have done this. This meets all requirements of the License Ordinance for 1 day special events and has been approved by the License Department and the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Zetterberg: So move. Mr. Kuhlke: Second. Mr. Todd: Is this a party, and will public safety be present? Ms. public. Watkins: This is a block party and it's open to the We will have 2 security guards present. I Motion adopted unanimously. A communication from the Transit Director regarding special route and parking locations for the weekend of April 26, 1997, regarding the opening of Fort Discovery, was read. Mr. Kuhlke: I asked Mr. Johnson to look at this. As a result of the anticipated large number of people coming into town that weekend for the opening of Fort Discovery, and the lack of parking to facilitate the number of people that, Mr. Johnson has met with the people at Fort Discovery and come up with a proposed, temporary route at this point, so that they can advertise where parking would be available, and also, special routes for people to get to that facility. Mr. Johnson: The route round trip is about three miles and takes thirty minutes, the fare cost that was recommended is .50. Service will run from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, at a cost of approximately $306.00 and on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. the cost will be a little more. In allocating cost, you would normally allocate it on the days that you are normally open. Since I Sunday is a day that we are not normally in service, the cost would actually be a little higher and its hard to estimate that. It is estimated that between 10,000 to 15,000 will be here for those two days. Mr. Oliver: Is this proposed as an on going basis, or just for the opening weekend. Mr. Johnson: Just for the opening weekend, at this point. Mr Kuhlke: I think they would I ike to explore. Wi th the problem that we have, I do think that this is something we may want to look at to alleviate some of the parking on Broad Street at the same time. I would like to suggest is that Mr. Johnson come back and give us a report on how this went that weekend. But then, in conjunction with maybe Main Street Augusta and the Transit Department and the Administrator's office and maybe begin to look at this to see if this might be a viable way to alleviate some of the parking problems on Broad Street. Mr. Oliver: The only thing I want to make sure of is that we are revenue neutral on this, so there is no budgetary impact. The other question is; Heyward, your schedule calls for a thirty minute round trip, so that means under worse case scenario, someone could have to wait twenty-nine minutes to get back to their vehicle I or to get from their vehicle to the Discovery Center. Mr. Johnson: A bus will come along every seven and a half I I I minutes. I along with the Fort Discovery People, will be monitoring that, so that if we didn't need the fourth bus we would drop it down to three. Mr. Kuhlke: There will be an extensive advertising campaign on this, through the newspapers in Atlanta, Macon, Savannah, and Parade Magazine, the Sunday prior to the opening. There will also be a map published in the newspaper to show people where they can park and give the schedules of the shuttles. Mr. Oliver: Mr. Wall said he would Authority to insure that we can park technically their parking lot. work with the Coliseum there, because that's Mr. Kuhlke: There will be another planning session to try and pull all of this together. Mr. Kuhlke: I would like to move that we approve this and ask that Mr. Johnson come back to us the following Committee Meeting and give us a follow-up report. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve the release of funding in the 1997 budget for the correction of the erosion at Daniel Field in the amount of $12,000 to be done by inhouse forces, was read. Mr. Oliver: This is a budgeted item. Mr. Kuhlke: Move approval. Mr. Zetterberg: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A communication from the Recreation Director requesting 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. Todd: I think when we are deal ing with bids and procurements, we should have someone from purchasing. But, I am hearing that there were no SPECS as far as this bid goes, and I would like to hear if there were any SPECS and was that an addendum, was it made available to all of the prospected bidders on this project. Mr. Wall: It was made available to everyone. There was one addendum that was faxed out. It dealt with several issues, (1) it dealt with the insurance; (2) it also dealt with the issue about the utilities license, it made a number of changes. It changed the liquidated damages, clarified about the outdoor lighting and some other things. Mr. Kuhlke: But all of the alternates were included in with I the base bid. Mr. Beck: They are all in the same SPECS. Mr. Oliver: They were all add alternates. Mr. Kuhlke: To me this is a legitimate bid, we should award the bid to get the ball rolling. I think that, Moses to help us, we should have specific terminology in a bid to determine how we will award bids, so that may be come a standard part of the SPECS from the County government, and that will be very simple to do. If the bids are going to be awarded on the low based bid and accepted alternate, then that is simple enough to put in which we don't do now, from a base bid stand point, as I understand. We shouldn't get into controversies like this, because it can be made very clear. Mr. Beck: The same company, Blair on our bid at Warren Road, our renovations there that was awarded six months ago, they were awarded the contract at Warren Road under these same sets of circumstances. They had a higher based bid, and we had a menu of about six add alternates, and they were low on the alternates that we could afford, and they have the contract, and have done the work out there under these same sets of circumstances. Doing add alternates gives you a menu of work that can be done under a certain set of guidelines with the budget. After further discussion; I Mr. Kuhlke: I motion that we approve the contract .... Best Bid and ask Administrator and the County Attorney to look at developing the appropriate guidelines on how we will award contracts and that we take best bid per add alternates. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A communication from the attorney to approve a committee of users and community representatives to study and make recommendations for changes in the zoning ordinances of telecommunication towers. Mr. Oliver: This was a recommendation to have a committee. I think that in order to be responsive to you all as to how the committee should be composed. My suggestion would be three representatives of property owners, or from homeowners associations, three industry representatives, and the Planning Director. What I would like to do is to let Mr. Patty come up with his suggestions and bring them back to the Committee. Mr. Zetterberg: So move. I Mr. Todd: Second. I I I Motion adopted unanimously. Mr. Mays: As Committee Chairman, I would like to appoint, myself and Mr. Kuhlke, along with Mr. Beck, to study the feasibility of appointing a Citizens Advisory Committee to look into Recreation Department projects and programs. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Council bjb Motion adopted unanimously. Mr. Mays: As Committee Chairman, I would like to appoint, I myself and Mr. Kuhlke, along with Mr. Beck, to study the feasibility of appointing a Citizens Advisory Committee to look into Recreation Department projects and programs. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Council bjb I I