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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDECEMBER 21, 2010 - Commission Meeting REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER DECEMBER 21, 2010 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., December 21, 2010, the Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Smith, Mason, Grantham, Hatney, Aitken, Johnson, Jackson, Bowles and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. The Mayor: --- to call on Rev. Lowry, Pastor, Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church for the invocation. Please stand. The Clerk: It appears he’s not in the chamber, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: How about Commissioner Aitken. Would you like to do it? (The invocation was given by Commissioner Aitken) The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Aitken, very well done. Mr. Aiken: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Hatney: You don’t ever say that to me! Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I have. You’re a professional. Madam Clerk, on to the presentations. PRESENTATIONS A. Presentations to outgoing members of the Augusta Commission – Commissioners Don Grantham & Jimmy Smith. The Clerk: At this time we’d like for the Mayor and Commissioner Don Grantham and Jimmy Smith if you could come down and join the Mayor here for a presentation? Mr. Mayor: Well, I just to say to both of y’all thank you so much for your service to this city. You know none of us all ever agree all the time but y’all have done a tremendous job in serving the citizens of Augusta. I’m not going to speak too long because I know Don’s got a lot to say. So I’d like to read out what the plaque says. Augusta Georgia salutes and sincerely thanks Jimmy Smith, Commissioner District 8 for his outstanding dedication and service on the Augusta Commission, January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2010. Presented by the Augusta Commission December 21, 2010. Mr. Smith: Thank you. (APPLAUSE) 1 Mr. Mayor: And as well Augusta, Georgia salutes and sincerely thanks Don Grantham, Commissioner Super District 10 for his outstanding dedication and service on the Augusta Commission January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2010. Presented by the Augusta Commission December 21, 2010. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and all of my colleagues behind me. And I’d just like to say it’s been very educational for me the last seven years. I have learned a lot, been involved in a lot of things that you don’t get involved in when you working on cars. But I have enjoyed it thoroughly. I met such fine people. We’ve got some of the best people, employees of Augusta Richmond County and we’ve got some that’s not so good. But most of them are and the department directors that I’ve dealt have really been good. And I appreciate the cooperation that they’ve given and helped us in South Augusta tremendously. And I appreciate that so much. Thank you very much. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I’m delighted that my fellow Commissioner Jimmy Smith went before me because I always want to respect my elders. And in doing so Jimmy the Old Guard is ready to leave and as we leave it’s with somewhat mixed emotions. And it’s with a warm heart and one that I’m very proud to have been a part of this Commission. We’ve had some tough times and we’ve had some very good times. The tough times some times out weighed the good times but seven years I think we have come a long way from when I first took in these chambers. And from that time I feel like we have made giant steps in trying to help Augusta become what it really could and what it should. So with that I’ll leave these group of Commissioners behind me plus two to come on board the first of the year, with an opportunity to do good, to do what is fair and honest and respectful. Not only for your city but for your position and yourself. And I look forward to the next four years particularly to see the accomplishments that you’re making an that our city is doing, for I feel like that some ground work has been laid for Jimmy and myself and preferably we have laid some ground work as well. So I look forward to Augusta being recognized, Mr. Mayor, as the City of the State of Georgia. And thank you for your leadership, thanks to my colleagues for your always involvement. Granted we didn’t agree but we agreed not to disagree all the time. And I’m going to leave you with one last thing and it’s to these Commissioners and to the people who have taken an oath of office. Is when you give a commitment to someone than honor it, live up to it. Be respectful of yourself and those that you make that commitment to. I thank you. I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and God Bless you and God Bless Augusta and the United States. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, as a point of personal privilege we’d like to start somewhat of a new tradition here. In the past we never really recognized the Mayor Pro Tem at the last meeting that he would be Mayor Pro Tem because I’m not sure if we actually ever knew that would be the last meeting of the Mayor Pro Tem as we move forward here. But if you could come down 2 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem we’d like to present a small token of our appreciation to you too. Just a small token for your distinguished service Mr. Mayor Pro Tem January 6, 2009 through January th the 4 2010 presented by the Augusta Commission. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mason: Let me just say very briefly. First of all to both my colleagues that are leaving. And I’ve had this conversation. I’ve certainly had it with Mr. Grantham. I think he’s without question one of the most, one of the best businessmen and one of the most savviest politicians I’ve ever seen or been around. And I told him this myself and so I’m saying it now in front of God and country. I’ve learned a great deal since I’ve been up here. And Mr. Smith as well. And, no, we didn’t always agree but that’s okay. I think what the community sees out here is a government that even though we can disagree we can still move forward and get things down. And we haven’t always agreed on the decisions that have been made but I need you to understand that what an awesome experience to be up here on the Commission and learn from my elders I would say but more mature guys that are up here and to learn as a first time politician. And I thank God for that. To all of my colleagues who for the last two years have given me their support as the Mayor Pro Tem. The first year fell into my lap. I don’t even know how that happened. And then the next year once again we went through it without any particular issues or anything like that. And that was huge. And for the last two years I’ve been doing a very busy schedule as the Mayor has an extremely busy schedule when he can’t make all the events. And I’ve made quite a number of those as well trying to represent the best that I possibly can. And so to this Commission who saw something in me and gave me the vote of confidence, the only thing that I can say to you is thank you. I’m very humbled by your support and moving forward in 2011 and 2012 I’m looking forward for greater things for Augusta Richmond County. And I just believe that we’re just now knocking on the door of greatness and I’m glad to be a part of it. Thank you so much. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: And before we go forward, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I did want to say it’s been an honor and a pleasure serving with you in that role for the past two years. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the consent agenda. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of item 1-32, items 1-32. For the benefit of any objectors to our Planning petitions, once those petitions are read would you please signal your objections by raising your hand. I call you attention to: Item 4: Is to approve a petition requesting a Special Exception to establish public parking on property at 1126 Florence Street. Item 5: A Special Exception with conditions affecting property at 1285 McCoy Road. Item 6: Is requesting a Special Exception affecting property at 3032 Willis Foreman Road and 3206 & 3218 Birdwell Road. 3 Item 7: Is change of zoning request from and R1-C (One-family Residential) to a zone R-1E (One-family Residential) affecting at 402, 408, 412 Greens Lane and 1560 St. Luke Street. Item 8: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone A (Agriculture) to a Zone R-1A (One-family Residential) affecting property at 2993 and 3031 Willis Foreman Road. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those Planning petitions? Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: I call your attention the Public Services portion of our agenda. If there are any objectors to any of the alcohol petitions would you please signal your objection by raising your hand when the petition is read. Item 9: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with the Boll Weevil Café & Sweetery located at #10 Ninth Street. Item 10: A beer and wine license to be used in connection with the One Stop Convenience located 2382 Barton Chapel Road. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those petitions? Mr. Hatney: Madam Clerk, you mentioned you said non-premise. I think you meant on. The Clerk: On premise? Mr. Hatney: But you said non. The Clerk: Thank you. On premise consumption. Mr. Hatney: No problem, I just thought I’d mention that. Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Okay. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-32, items 1-32. Mr. Mayor: I know we have two additions to the agenda. Can I get a motion to add those or do we have unanimous consent? Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor: Do we want to add those to the consent agenda? Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, I have a question. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett. 4 Mr. Lockett: What exactly is the addendum agenda that we just added? I’d like to sort of read things that I get before I vote on it. We just passed that and I don’t have the slightest idea what it is. I would like someone to explain it to me please. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: Yes, sir. Commissioner Lockett, what you have before you is actually two items. The first item, and the reason we weren’t able to distribute this in advance was we recently found out that we needed to alter the date on the ordinance that’s already been approved by the Commission and gone through two readings. But we did notice when we were drafting a Memorandum of Understanding relating to this distribution of funds for the hotel/motel tax that the effective date would be January. And we need the effective date to be before the end of the year. It’s actually an inverted error that was done by outside counsel. But we do need to distribute those funds and make a payment on that before the end of the year. So this would be just a motion to change the date and make no other alterations with regard to the code amendment that you have before you and also to waive the second reading. The second item that you have before you we received a request from the Downtown Development Authority. This is with regard to an agreement that was actually approved in February of this year to allow for the downtown, I guess beautification initiative to have some financing with the bank to be able to get funding up front to use the money early in the year rather than wait for the collections to come through. Previously I believe Augusta provided some of the money and fronted that but this would be a beneficial agreement to Augusta and that would require Augusta to up front any of the funds. It would continue the arrangement that we’ve already approved and renew it. And the reason that we didn’t get this before you, as I didn’t even know it was going to expire until the end of the year until notified by the Downtown Development Authority. But if doesn’t expire, it will expire by the end of the year so we need to renew it before it expires. So that’s why that was added on. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. MacKenzie and Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Okay, do we have any further items to be added to the consent agenda? Mr. Johnson: Yeah, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you. If it’s okay item number thirty-seven. If nobody has any problems to go on and add that to the consent. 5 Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: If it’s okay with my colleagues we’ve been rasslin’ with 33 and 34 for a good while. And the difficulty here is that they need to disapprove before they can go forward with the rest of it. So it’s actually (inaudible) the rest of --- Mr. Mayor: So you’d like to --- Mr. Hatney: --- procurement department --- Mr. Mayor: add 33 and 34 to the consent? Okay. Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Thank you Mr. Mayor. Item #35 if Chief Willis could touch on a couple of things? Mr. Mayor: Chief or a representative? Mr. Jackson: He’s coming. Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Let’s hear from the Chief since we called him up and then I’ll come back to you. Mr. Jackson: Chief, the donation of surplus fire equipment. There were some concerns about you know putting it on government bids or whatever it’s called? And basically the gentleman that’s from this department’s been coming up and training our fire fighters. I mean can you give us just a real quick? Chief Willis: Yes, over the years he has set up training for us and all without any compensation. And it was due to the fact that he is an old firefighter too from this area. And mostly helped the department out in any way he can. He has been and will be back in the future he said. It’s something that’s instilled in firefighters. We try to help each other over the years in everything and any way we can. Mr. Mayor: Okay, so Commissioner Jackson, did you want to add that to the consent or? Mr. Jackson: As long as I don’t (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: I’m going to wait for you to ask for the pulled consent items. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Smith. 6 Mr. Smith: I just wanted to comment on the fire truck. And it’s in surplus and these little towns many times don’t have the money to buy these things. They’re so expensive. Just a few years ago I was down in Matthews and they have a little small fire engine and trying to put out that, some of the fires they had when they had the tornado down and tore up so much. So I feel very strongly that we’d be good stewards if we pass this on to somebody that really needed it. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner Smith. Okay, if there are no further items to be added to the consent agenda, are there any items to be pulled for discussion? Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: I’d like to pull items #33 and 34. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any further items to be pulled for discussion? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I may not necessarily have to pull it but on item 29 when we talk about this parking deck. I do have a question in relation to that. I think it’s three and a half million dollars or something like that? I know we don’t have three and a half million dollars so I’m wondering where is that additional, where are those additional funds coming from? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell? Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if I may. We’ve got that on there because as we move forward the potential for savings is greater than if we wait for several years. That money is available through the savings from the Judicial Center and the collection over and above the dollars that we had planned to collect in SPLOST V. As you know we collect through the end of the quarter. What we start, we actually started those collections early this quarter and have collected for the full three months of that. So there are some other, some additional funds available that we think would be prudent as a recommendation to go ahead and get that done. As you notice parking in the downtown area is become more of a contingent issue that was it has been in the past and those additional spaces I think would be helpful for that. Mr. Mason: Yes, but I just want to clear up something here. I thought the savings from the Judicial Center was going to go to the Sheriff’s, the new Sheriff’s office. Are we talking the same thing, apples and apples or are we --- Mr. Russell: We’re talking sufficient savings from the Judicial Center to do both with the additional collections. Mr. Mason: Okay, have you had any discussion with I know we’re not where we need to be on the hotel and I know that was going to be looked at, at least by some as some potential parking for the hotel as well. You’re confident now’s the best time to do that when we really don’t have a true commitment yet from the even the hotel folks --- Mr. Russell: Yeah, I think if you --- 7 Mr. Mason: --- necessity to have two more decks already? Mr. Russell: --- look at the amount of spaces that we have currently available the ones we’re replacing and the increased demand that we’ve already noticed from downtown. Such things as the “Y” moving downtown and various other assorted things, I think it would be prudent to go ahead and move forward with this. I we don’t we wait two, three, four years to make that decision. We’d end up having to close down the spaces we have available to us in the deck to do that. We couldn’t just build it on top without closing the spaces we have available. So I think we’d create a worse problem at that point. So it would be my recommendation to go ahead and move forward with it now. Mr. Mason: And you’re comfortable with that dollar amount per parking space? Mr. Russell: Yes, sir. Mr. Mason: It’s an incredible amount. Mr. Russell: Yes, sir. Mr. Mason: I don’t need to pull it, Mr. Mayor, but I do want to register as a no vote on it. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is for Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell, how much money you say is going to be needed for the additional two levels at the parking deck? Mr. Russell: It’s, hold on just a second. Just a second, let me get you the exact figure. It’s 2.169 plus the additional 1.2 current savings for a total 3.369. Mr. Lockett: The reason I asked the question, Mr. Russell, is in my packet there was a December 2, 2010 letter R. J. Griffin and Company that said $2,974,626.00 was needed. Is that correct or is that an error? Mr. Russell: I’m not familiar with that letter. I’m looking at the numbers we’ve got in front of us today. Mr. Lockett: Well, if you don’t have $2,974,626.00 either I misread or there is a definite error. And I think I read it properly because I read it more than once. Mr. Russell: The letter’s in here. It’s 2.9 and that’s the cost for the construction. There’s probably some additional engineering and dollars that would be available through the architect to cover the balance. Mr. Lockett: Thank you. 8 Mr. Mayor: Okay, if there’s no further discussion if I could get a motion to --- Mr. Jackson: So moved. Mr. Mason: I need to pull eleven. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Are there any other items to be pulled from the consent agenda? Hearing none if I could get a motion to approve the consent agenda? The Clerk: We need a second. We have a motion. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? Mr. Hatney: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. FINAL PLAT – BRECKENRIDGE, SECTION 4, PHASE 2 – S-817 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission t approve a petition by Southern Partners Inc., on behalf of Crowell & Co., requesting final plat approval for Breckenridge, Section 4, Phase 2 which was developed under Granite Hill, Section 3 development plan. This residential subdivision is located on Harper Franklin Blvd. at the current terminus and contains 3 lots. 2. ZA-R-200 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Augusta Richmond County by modifying Section 24-1 (d) permitted uses in an HI (Heavy Industry) zone. (Approved by Augusta Commission November 16, 2010 – second reading) 3. ZA-R-199 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Augusta Richmond County by deleting Section 28-A-(5-B-2) defining telecommunication towers in the single family zones. (Approved by Augusta Commission November 16, 2010 – second reading) 4. Z-10-66 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by APD Urban Planning, on behalf of Augusta Housing & Community Development, requesting a Special Exception to establish public parking per Section 11-2 (b) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing .14 acres and is known as 1126 Florence Street. (Tax Map 059-2-172-00-0) DISTRICT 1 5. Z-10-67 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve with the following conditions 1) no expansion of activity until an approved Mined Land Use Plan has been presented; 2) no impact on area wetlands 3) mining is for the use of the owner/applicant only, no outside sale of materials is allowed and 4) a 100 foot no activity buffer shall be maintained along the northwest property line adjacent to parcels 280-0-009-00-0 and 280-0-010-00-0; a petition by W.K. Dickson, on behalf to J. Scott Rowe, requesting a Special Exception to expand a sand mining operation that was approved in 2006 (Z-06-123) per Section 26-1 (q) of the Comprehensive Zoning 9 Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing approximately 55 acres and is known as 1285 McCoy Road. (Tax Map 280-0-022-00-0 & 280-0-011-00-0) DISTRICT 8 6. Z-10-68 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by Kinsmen Redeemed, on behalf of Darnell Tyner and James Hilliard, requesting a Special Exception to establish a church with day care activities per Section 26-1A of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing approximately 10.6 acres and is known as 3032 Willis Foreman Road and 3206 & 3218 Birdwell Road. (Tax Map 150-0-012-09-0, 150-0-010-03-0 & 150-0-010-04-0) DISTRICT 8 7. Z-10-69 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by Dennis Hoyt, on behalf of The Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity, requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) to Zone R-1E (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately .5 acres and contains four tax parcels known as 402, 408 and 412 Greens Lane and 1560 St. Luke Street. (Tax Map 036-3-042-01-0, 036-3-042-00-0, 036-1-153-00-0 & 036-1-154-00-0) DISTRICT 1 8. Z-10-70 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning Commission to approve a petition by Stan Perhonish, on behalf of Philippe Erramuzpe, requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) TO Zone R-1A (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 28 acres and is currently known as 2993 and 3031 Willis Foreman Road. (Tax Map 150-0-12-08-0 & 151-0-021-04-0) DISTRICT 8 PUBLIC SERVICES 9. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-57: A request by William M. Harrison for an on premise consumption Liquor & Beer license to be used in connection with The Boll Weevil Café & Sweetery located at #10 Ninth St. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 13, 2010) 10. Motion to approve a New Ownership Application: A.N. 10-58: request by Pradeep Kumar for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with One Stop Convenience located at 2382 Barton Chapel Rd. District 5. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 13, 2010) 12. Motion to approve amendments to Augusta-Richmond County Code, Section 7-1-90 PERMIT FEES, so as to increase certain fees required in connection with the issuance of permits. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 13 2010) 13. Motion to approve providing free bus service to transit customers during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 13, 2010) 14. Motion to approve A&E Fees of $15,000 to Virgo Gambill Architects for improvements to the H.H. Brigham Swim Center. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 13, 2010) 15. Motion to approve amendments to Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 2-1 Business Tax Certificate, so as to increase the administrative fee and regulatory fees, to increase the business tax, and to increase the business tax for professionals. (Approved by Augusta Commission December 7, 2010 – second reading) 10 PUBLIC SAFETY 16. Motion to approve the lease renewal between the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta and Augusta, Georgia. (Approved by Public Safety Committee December 13, 2010) 17. Motion to approve the use of Fire Department Reserve Fund to purchase two new fire pumpers. (Approved by Public Safety Committee December 13, 2010) FINANCE 18. Motion to approve a request from the Augusta Mini Theatre for a waiver of 2010 property taxes for the facility at 2548 Deans Bridge Road. (Approved by Finance Committee December 13, 2010) 19. Motion to approve a request from New Life Community Fellowship Baptist Church for the abatement of 2010 taxes that were applied to the church after the proration from January to March. (Approved by Finance Committee December 13, 2010) ENGINEERING SERVICES 20. Motion to approve the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) submitted by the Construction Manager (RW Allen) for TEE Center Construction in the amount of $27,900,000. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) 21. Motion to approve the recommendation to construct an Inmate Intake Facility as the Phase II expansion to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) 22. Motion to approve and authorize AED to prepare and submit a project proposal to GAEPD (Georgia Environmental Protection Division) to receive financial assistance through the Section 319 Water Quality grant program. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) 23. Motion to approve Capital Project Budget Change Number Six and Change Order Number Two in the amount of $168,450.70 with Mabus Brothers Construction, Inc. for the Morgan Road Improvements Project CPB 323-041110=296823665. This Change Order is for services associated with additional work to complete the existing water system upgrades as well as select backfill used during construction of the new sewer main on the Morgan Road project as requested by AED. Funding is available in SPLOST Phase IV Utilities Projects recapture account. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) 24. Motion to approve Outdoor Landscape Watering Ordinance and to waive second reading. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) 25. Motion to approve Solid Waste Contract Extensions to Solid Waste Collection Contract No. 06-001 for the year 2011. (Approved by Engineering Services December 13, 2010) 26. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for permanent easement and temporary construction easement for 60106-Butler Creek Interceptor Upgrade, West. PIN: 094-0-376-00-0. Address: 3232 Amanda Circle. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) 27. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of way, permanent easement and temporary easement for the Marvin Griffin Road 11 Improvement Project, (Parcel 134-0-007-00-0) 1616 Marvin Griffin Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) 28. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of way, permanent easement and temporary easement for the Marvin Griffin Road Improvement Project, (Parcel 134-0-005-00-0) 3464 Mike Padgett Highway. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) 29. Motion to approve addition to 2 levels to the existing design for the Reynolds Street Parking Deck. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) 30. Motion to approve $2,303,729.00 in additional funding for the Augusta, Georgia Sheriff’s Office Building from cost savings realized on the Augusta Judicial Center. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee December 13, 2010) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 31. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held December 7, 2010, and Special Called (legal) meeting held December 13, 2010) SUBCOMMITTEE Pension and Audit Committee 32. Motion to approve the restatement of the 1945 and 1949 pension plans to be submitted to the IRS for favorable determination letter. (Approved by Pension & Audit Committee December 13, 2010) PUBLIC SAFETY 35. Motion to approve the donation of surplus fire apparatus to the North Jenkins County Volunteer Fire Department. (No recommendation from Public Safety Committee December 13, 2010) APPOINTMENTS 37. Motion to consider for approval the recommendations from the Director of the CSRA EOA to reappoint the following to the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority for a four- year term: Marion E. Barnes, Imogene P. Ford, Margaret Huskey, Linda LaMarr and Augustus Thurmond. ADDENDUM 38. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend the Augusta, Ga. Code Title Two Section 2- 2-32 relating to the effective date of the Ordinance; to repeal all Code Sections and Ordinances and parts of Code Sections and Ordinances in conflict herewith; and for other purposes. (Requested by the Law Department) 39. Motion to approve the renewal Agreement between Augusta, Ga. and Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative, Inc. and Georgia Bank & Trust Company of Augusta. (Requested by the Law Department on behalf of Downtown Development Authority) Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Hatney abstains. 12 Motion carries 9-1. [Items 9, 10] Mr. Mason votes No. Motion carries 9-1. [Item 29] Motion carries 10-0. [Items 1-8, 10-32, 35, 37, 38, 39] Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, let’s go to agenda item eleven, the first pulled agenda item, please, ma’am. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 11. Motion to approve Renaissance Marketing as the Bus and Shelter Advertiser for Augusta Public Transit. The contract is for three (3) years with two one year option renewal. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 13, 2010) Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mason: Yes, sir, do we have --- Mr. Russell: Mr. Johnson should be available to speak to that. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Johnson. Mr. Mason: Mr. Johnson, on the um, Renaissance Marketing Company. First of all where are they from? Mr. Johnson: Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Mason: Savannah. Do we not have anybody locally who could do that or was that not, was this a bidded item or something like that or, and they came in as the, as the vendor of choice? Mr. Johnson: Well, we looked at each proposal and that we rated each proposal based on the guidelines that were set out in the specs and Renaissance Marketing was determined to be the most qualified firm. Mr. Mason: Who’s we? Mr. Johnson: That was our board of three individuals that looked at the specs, I mean that looked at the qualifications. Mr. Mason: Can you be a little bit more specific in terms of exactly who that was? 13 Mr. Johnson: Oh, it was Ms. Williams from the Procurement Office, it was Ms. (unintelligible) from my office and myself. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Johnson, has Renaissance Marketing done work for us in the past? Mr. Johnson: Yes, sir. Mr. Grantham: And were they not given this contract two or three years ago to generate advertising for the buses as well as the shelters? Mr. Johnson: No, sir. At first Lamar Transit Advertising was doing the shelters, which was another firm. And then when the Commission decided to try to get some additional revenue then we went out for proposals and Renaissance Marketing was selected just to do the transit advertising on the building. And as you know just this year that Lamar came to the city and wanted to get out of the shelter advertising. And so that was the reason why that we had to put a proposal out to do both shelter and the billboard advertising. Mr. Grantham: And my next question to follow up on that. If Renaissance Marketing did the advertisement on our buses what revenue did we generate from that in the period of time that they had the contract. Mr. Johnson: I don’t know, sir. I may can get with Finance and try to find that out for you, sir. Mr. Grantham: You know the reason I say that and I ride around different areas and I’ve noticed, and I guess I was one that wanted to do advertisement of buses for a long time. And you and I talked about that maybe six years ago. Mr. Johnson: Yes, sir. Mr. Grantham: So my reason for asking that question is if Renaissance has not been a producer of ads to go on our buses in the period of time that they’ve had then why are we going back to the same well to dip out of? Mr. Johnson: Well, when we determined who was most qualified to do transit advertising and since starting up with us that Renaissance has been selected in other transit cities to do advertising there and they have the experience of doing transit advertising. Mr. Grantham: How many bids did we receive on this request? Mr. Johnson: Two. Mr. Grantham: And one was local and one was out of town? 14 Mr. Johnson: Yes, sir. Mr. Grantham: And the local, did they qualify for the 5% variance of the bid that there was put in place? Mr. Johnson: I don’t recall that, sir. Mr. Grantham: I have no further questions, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor, my concern is that there was recommendation by the panel that said Renaissance is the most qualified although during every other procurement process there’s back up in our books to see how the best qualified would seem. There’s no backup, you’ve got a local vendor that bid on a project who would then even open their bid to see what they were So I would like to deny this and send it back to committee. offered in terms of (inaudible). Mr. Grantham: Make a motion. Mr. Mason: Is that a motion? Mr. Mayor: Is that a motion? Mr. Bowles: That is a motion. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, ma’am. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Moving on to items 33 and 34. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 33. An Ordinance to amend the Augusta, Georgia Code, Article One, Chapter Ten, relating to the procurement of goods and services and the Local Small Business Opportunities Program so as to provide updates and to establish policies, procedures and guidelines regarding the procurement process and the Local Small Business Opportunities Program; to repeal all Ordinances and parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (No recommendation from Administrative Services Committee December 13, 2010) 34. And Ordinance to present proposal to amend the Augusta, Georgia Charter and Laws of Local Application, Section 1-40 relating to equal opportunity; to separate the function of 15 Equal Employment Opportunity from Minority and Small Business Opportunities; to provide policies and guidelines; to create a Local Small Business Advisory Board; to repeal all Charter, Code Sections and Ordinances and parts of Charter, Code Sections and Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (No recommendation from Administrative Services Committee December 13, 2010) Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor, those are my picks and --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Grantham. Mr. Grantham: --- thank you, sir. I’m asking the question, that we placed it on consent here today and in the Administrative meeting last week we had no recommendation. And for about the last three or four meetings we’ve had no recommendation from the administrative committee and I guess I’m concerned about the restructure of government as to when that’s taking place. And I know we gave Mr. Russell the options and the opportunities to present that. And I had anticipated that being presented prior to today, as I’ve not received it. And this to me Therefore I feel like until we get the entire is a change in the structure of our government. change or until this Commission receives the entire change that this be handed back to our Administrator to come back with a full package in order for our Commission to vote on it. I’m going to put that in the form of a motion. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, is it okay if I ask Mr. MacKenzie a question? Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. Brigham: Mr. MacKenzie, is there any difference between this ordinance and the ordinance that was presented to us last time? Mr. MacKenzie: No, there were some minor changes but those were presented to you last time in the form of a small redline package that showed some of the minor --- Mr. Brigham: This is basically the same? There’s been no changes in the light of the vote that we took last time? Mr. MacKenzie: No. Mr. Brigham: Okay, I just wanted to make sure where we were. Mr. Mayor: Okay, well, I’m just going to say we do have a motion and a second but we’ve gone back and forth on this for literally months now. It’s the recommendation of both the Attorney and the Administrator that we approve this in order to move the city forward and really help to put our house in order. So I would just strongly encourage that it just keeps ping ponging 16 back and forth between committee and this commission. We need to act on it in my opinion. Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I agree and I talked to Andrew today about this earlier. I had some issues as well. And I do think that we do need to go ahead and move forward. So I’d like to offer a substitute motion and go ahead and approve these two items. Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second? Mr. Aitken: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a substitute motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion -- - Mr. Brigham: Can we reread the motion to make sure I’m understanding how I’m voting? Mr. Mayor: This substitute motion is to approve that both agenda items 33 and 34. Mr. Brigham: And there’s no major changes and this is still a change to the Charter. Mr. MacKenzie: There would be, you can consider these items separately or if you do them together I would actually --- Mr. Brigham: It don’t matter to me. My question is this is a change to the charter. Mr. MacKenzie: One of the items that you’re voting on would be to alter the charter (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a substitute motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion and I do think this issue’s been discussed for months now, Commissioners will vote by the substitute sign of voting. The Clerk: That motion carries 7-3. With Mr. Brigham, oh well, the one that’s not a charter change. Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie, could you? Mr. MacKenzie: I would recommend that you send both these items back to committee for further review. And we’ll come up with a recommendation since one of them is a charter amendment that requires a higher amount of votes than the other one. And I don’t want the procurement code to change without the charter amendment. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to send these two items, agenda items back to committee? 17 Mr. Hatney: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is that all you need, Andrew? Mr. MacKenzie: I think actually first we need a motion to reconsider one of the items. The Clerk: Well, it needs to be reconsidered. Mr. Mayor: Strike that. Can I get a motion to reconsider both agenda items numbers 33 and 34? Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I believe we’re in the middle of an active vote and I also believe that this was only a vote on the substitute. The original motion hadn’t come forward. And I believe the motion in the meantime to send it back to committee. Mr. Mayor: Good point. We do have an original motion on the floor that does need to be disposed of and the, but the original motion, Madam Clerk, if you could. The Clerk: The original motion was to refer back to the Administrator to be included in his recommendations for the reorganization of Augusta Richmond County Departments. Mr. Mayor: Okay, is everybody clear on that? Okay, if there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Aitken, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Mason vote No. Motion carries 7-3. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I believe we have one final agenda item for the year to dispose of if I’m not incorrect. FINANCE 36. Consider a request from Dr. M.H. Shekastehband for credit for fees and interest concerning property located on Hampton Drive. (No recommendation from Finance Committee December 13, 2010) The Clerk: Mr. Grantham, we made contact with Dr. Shekastehband --- Mr. Grantham: Uh huh. The Clerk: --- by email, by phone and by letter carrier. And I don’t know, are you in the chamber, doctor? Mr. Grantham: All right. Then under the circumstances I’m going to make a motion we deny the request. 18 Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second on agenda item number 36 to deny the request. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Well, before we adjourn and just once again I want to say thank you to Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Grantham for your service to our community. Y’all have done great things and it’s greatly appreciated. And, Mayor Pro Tem, thank you for your service in that role. And if there’s no need for a Legal, correct, sir? Mr. MacKenzie: That’s correct. Mr. Mayor: And no further business to come before the body. Merry Christmas, everybody. We stand adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on December 21, 2010. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 19