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Home My WebLink About05-24-1999 Meeting I PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - May 24, 1999 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: B. Young, Mayor; R. Colclough, Vice Chairman, H. Brigham and B. Kuhlke, R. Oliver, Administrator; J. Wall, Attorney; R. Howard and R. Houck, Recreation Department; S. Walker, 1. Harris, L&1 Department; 1. Bonner, Clerk of Commission. ABSENT: W. Mays, Commissioner. ALSO PRESENT: S. Copper, Augusta Chronicle; S. Eidson, Metro Spirit; C. Thornton, WFXA Radio. Presentation by Thomas M. Watkins concerning the dangers of Mayfest 99 - May 15. I Mr. Watson: This is a request that the Mayfest event held annually at May Park in the middle of May should change locations. Each year this event spills into residential neighborhoods, the effect this year went as far as Ellis Street, the crowds are getting bigger. Traffic was completely blocked on 3rd Street for at least forty-five minutes to an hour. Traffic was backed up on the Gordon Highway at the Broad Street exit. Residents could not get out of their driveways if they had to go somewhere. Residents experienced roaming gangs of young males who were intimidating residents, parking on their private property and when asked not to park the residents were chased back into their residences. There were several incidents of people urinating in public on the sidewalks in full view. While we believe that law enforcement does what they can every year, the physical circumstances of the location limits their ability to perform. The answer is not to have more police or more parking the answer is to move this event to another area that is more easily controlled and an area that does not spill over into residential areas. 1 have three other residents with me here today, Linda Bush, Betty Stewart and David Fogle, President of the Neighborhood Association. One resident went to May Park the next morning and it looked like a war zone. Most prevalent in the trash were twenty-four packed suit cases of beer, human feces, unbearable odor, dirty diapers discarded in the street and various trash completely covering the ground. There were at least three dozen workers cleaning this disgusting site very quickly. Also, the noise from the bands was so loud that residents could not sleep. While we realize that many law abiding citizens attend, and enjoy this event, the number of trouble makers is far too many, growing annually. We feel this event could turn very ugly, very quickly with little that could be done in time. Preventative measures should be taken now before next year and we feel this is imperative. Moving this event, we feel is the only solution. In closing, we would also like to state that this has absolutely nothing to do with race, there were many various races attending and various races abusing the event. I Mr. Howard: This past Mayfest was our twenty-first event. During these types of events you will have some drinking, but we did not allow anyone to sell alcohol at this event, yes, it is a drawing card for out of state individuals to come to this event. I find it very strange that a statement like this would come up. We had about thirty of our staff working, about thirty-five law enforcement officers working, this is something that we plan from year to year. We received a report from the Sheriff s Department of no incidents and we've never had any in the past twenty years. Ifthere was a drive way blocked, a call could have been made to the Sheriffs Department and someone would have gotten in there and had.th/i car moved. We had officers on foot patrol, motorcycles and bicycles we also had individuals walking the neighborhood to insure the safety of the residents. I Mr. Colclough: I'm hearing the community saying that there were thirty thousand folk in their community during Mayfest, and you're looking at maybe an expansion next year since this goes over so well. Is it a possibility that another site could be chosen to hold Mayfest where it would give the people in that neighborhood some relief? Mr. Howard: I think a full evaluation should be given. In order to solve the problem, we need to have something to substitute for the problem. Mr. Colclough: Let me make a suggestion. you said you feel that an evaluation of the situation needs to be done by the Sheriffs Department, the Recreation Department and some representatives of the community to look at it, is that agreeable? Mr. Howard: We want to do what is right, and I think we need to have a meeting and not just look at the individuals on Greene Street. I Mr. Kuhlke: I would like to make a motion that we accept the report of the Neighborhood Association as information but that we direct the Recreation Department, the sponsors of the event and the Neighborhood Association to get together and to do the critique for this year to hear the problems and cone ems. I can see the value of an event like that but if it continues to grow, you may need to look at another venue just from the standpoint of accommodating the number of people that you have. A bigger place in the same location maybe the Exchange Club Fairground. I think the report should come back from the Recreation Department to this Committee on what your plans are in thirty days. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion carried unanimously. A request to approve Change Order #1 for park improvements and renovations for Eisenhower Park to Mabus Brothers Construction in the amount of $1,644.47. (Funded by Account #32306110-542110/296067520/5412110) Mr. Brigham: So move. I Mr. Kuhlke: Second. I Motion carried unanimously. A request to approve a change in professional services for architecture and engineering to Johnson, Laschober & Associates for $1.050 for Eastview Park Improvements. (Funded by Account #32306110-5412110/296064150-5212115) Mr. Kuhlke: So move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion carried unanimously. A request to approve issuing a hold harmless waiver to Augusta State University regarding usage of one (1) softball field at Wrightsboro Road Athletic Complex by the Recreation and Parks Department for girls youth softball. Subject to Attorney and Administrators approval. Mr. Kuhlke: So move. I Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion carried unanimously. New Application: Consider a request by David G. Short for a consumption on premise liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Tony Roma's America's Rib Grill located at 203 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway. There will be Sunday sales. District 3. Super District 10. Mr. Short: David G. Short, 9501 Milltrail Drive, Dallas, Texas. Mr. Walker: This applicant meets all requirements of the License and Inspection Department and the Sheriffs Department and we recommend approval. (No objectors) Mr. Kuhlke: So move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion carried unanimously. I New Application: Consider a request by Bonnie Barnes for a consumption on premise liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Winners Circle Bar & Grill located at 1631 Gordon Highway #36 (Southgate Plaza). There will be a dance hall. District 3. Super District 10. Ms. Barnes: Bonnie Barnes 2606 Ramsey Road, Hephzibah. I Mr. Walker: This applicant meets all requirements of the License and Inspection Department and the Sheriff's Department and we recommend approval. (No objectors) Mr. Kuhlke: So move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion carried unanimously. New Application: Consider a request by Robert A Prescott for a consumption on premise liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Club Millennium located at 1511 North Leg Rd. There will be a dance hall. District 3. Super District 10. Mr. Prescott: Robert A. Prescott, ill, 1371 Brown Rd. Hephzibah. Mr. Walker: This applicant has met all requirements of the License and Inspection I Department and the Sheriffs Department and we recommend approval. (No objectors) Mr. Kuhlke: So move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion carried unanimously. New Ownership: Consider a request by Thomas M. Fernandes for a retail package liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Harban's Wine & Spirits located at 214 Boy Scout Rd. District 7. Super District 10. Mr. Fernandes: Thomas M. Fernandes, 3038 Silverwood Dr., Augusta. Mr. Walker: This applicant has met all requirements of the License & Inspection Department and the Sheriffs Department and we recommend approval. Mr. Kuhlke: So move. Mr. Brigham: Second. I Motion carried unanimously. I New Ownership: Consider a request by Angie Harrygin for a consumption on premise liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with the Capri Lounge located at 1208 Gordon Highway. District 1. Super District 9. Ms. Harrygin: Angie-Harrygin, 1238 Gordon Highway, Augusta Mr. Walker: This applicant has met all requirements of the License and Inspection Department and the Sheriff's Department and we recommend approval. (No objectors) Mr. Kuhlke: So move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion carried unanimously. A request to approve Change Order #1 to the contract awarded to Blair Construction Company in the amount of$71,211.24 for additional work associated with the construction of the Diamond Lakes Regional Park. I Mr. Kuhlke: So move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion carried unanimously. A request to approve reprogramming of SPLOST Phase III funds from Heard Avenue Park in the amount of $24,000 to Newman Tennis Center. Mr. Houck: Newman Tennis Center was not part of the SPLOST Phase III program. We've looked at our needs at Heard Avenue Park and addressed $6,000 worth of improvements we need to do there. We would like to be able to transfer the $24,000 to Newman Tennis Center for resurfacing of six sets of tennis courts. Mr. Wall: I don't think you can do this. You said no SPLOST funding was allocated to Newman Tennis Center under the Phase III SPLOST resolution it has to go back to the SPLOST Phase project. Mr. Howard: At that time Newman Tennis Center was under Augusta State, we didn't own it. Since that time we have obtained the property. I thought we could move it within the same district. I Mr. Mayor: The project has to be on the list. Mr. Howard: The reason we brought this to the Committee is because we put a certain amount of dollars in our regular budget for Newman Tennis Center which is an enterprise account and it was not approved. We have six tennis courts that need to be resurfaced before the Georgia State Games and we were trying to look in the same district to see what we could do. I tvfr. Brigham: I woula much rather have a review of where we're at on I % sales tax dollars with Recreation money. Mr. Kuhlke: How could we move money from Eisenhower Park to Garrett School in conjunction with the Board of Education? Mr. Brigham: Because we were building a gym at Eisenhower Park and we will now build it at Garrett School. Mr. Kuhlke: I understand what their problem is, rather than saying what we can't do what can we do? Mr. Wall: We can take it from a project where they have in their regular budget where they have $24,000. Mr. Kuhlke: I would like to make a motion that we pass this on to the Commission with no recommendation and direct the Recreation Department to come back and show us how we can do it. I Mr. Colclough: Second. Motion carried unanimously. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Lena 1. Bonner Clerk of Commission Ibb I I PUBLIC SERVICES AGENDA COMMITTEE ROOM - May 24, 1999 4:00 P. M. Presentation by Thomas M. Watkins concerning the dangers of the Mayfest 99 - May 15. 1. Motion to approve Change Order # 1 for park improvements and renovations for Eisenhower Pa::k to-Ma~us Brothers Construction in the amount of$I,644.47. (Funded by Account # 323061110-542110/296067520/5412110) 2. Motion to approve a change in professional services for architecture and engineering to Johnson, Laschober & Associates for $1,050.00 for Eastview Park Improvements. (Funded by Account # 323061110-5412110/296064150- 5212115) 3. Motion to approve issuing a hold harmless waiver to Augusta State University regarding usage of one (1) softball field at Wrightsboro Road Athletic Complex by the Recreation and Parks Department for girls youth softball. 4. New Ap?lication: AN. 99-40: Consider a request by David G. Short for a consumption on premise liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Tony Roma's America's Rib Grill located at 203 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway. There will be Sunday sales. District 3. Super District 10. I 5. New Application: A.N.99-41: Consider a request by Bonnie Barnes for a consumption on premise liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Winners Circle Bar & Grill located at 1631 Gordon Highway #36 (Southgate Plaza). There will be 1 dance hall. District 2. Super District 9. 6. New Application: AN. 99-42: Consider a request by Robert A. Prescott for a consumption on premise liquor, be~r & wine license to be used in connection with Club Millenni:.lm located at 1511 North Leg Rd. There will be a dance hall. District 3. Super !:listrict 10. 7. New Ownership: AN. 99-43: Consider a request by Thomas M. Fernandes for a retail package liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with Harban' s Wine & Spirits located at 214 Boy Scout Rd. District 7. Super District 10. 8. New Ownershi?: A.N. 99-44: Consider a request by Angie Harrygin for a consumption on premise liquor, beer & wine license to be used in connection with the Capri Lounge located at 1208 Gordon Highway. District 1. Super District 9. 9. Motion to approve Change Order # I to the contract awarded to Blair Construction Company in the amount of$7l,211.24 for additional work associated with the construction of the Diamond Lakes Regional Park. I 10. Motion to appro'/e reprogramming of SPLOST Phase III funds from Heard Avenue ~{)ark in the amount of $24,000 to Newman Tennis Center. I I I