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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 4, 2011 - COMMISSION MEETING REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER JANUARY 4, 2011 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., January 4, 2011, the Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Mason, Smith, Hatney, Aitken, Johnson, Jackson, Bowles and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: And with that I’d like to go ahead and call the meeting to order. And call on my minister Reverend Dr. Leslie Holmes for our invocation. Please stand. (Invocation given by Rev. Holmes) Mr. Mayor: Dr. Holmes thank you so much for being here. Madam Clerk, on to the Election of Officers. ELECTION OF OFFICERS A. Election of Mayor Pro Tempore. The Clerk: Yes, sir, our first order of business is the election of our Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we will open the floor to nominations. Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: I’d like to nominate Joe Bowles. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: I’d like to nominate Corey Johnson. Mr. Mayor: Do we have any further nominations? Okay, can I get a motion, or request that the floor be closed? Mr. Mason: Request that the nominations be closed, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Hatney: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay we will vote on the candidates in order of nomination. Madam Clerk. The Clerk: The first one is Commissioner Joe Bowles. Mr. Johnson votes No. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion carries 8-1-1. 1 Mr. Hatney: Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: In view of the fact that this has already been won I would like to move that we all support Mr. Bowles. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second for a unanimous confirmation. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Congratulations Commissioner Bowles, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem Bowles. But I would also like to recognize this Commission for the unanimous approval. I think that sends the right message to the people we serve. Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Point of personal privilege, please. I’d like to thank Reverend Hatney for that kind gesture. As we know in the past unfortunately that generosity was not afforded to Commissioner Mason in the past. And I much disagreed with it then and as I still do. And so I truly appreciate it and truly humbled. And while not only literally do I have big shoes to fill in Commissioner Mason’s, he’s done an outstanding job representing all of Augusta and I look forward to picking up the torch where he’s left it off. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem and I think it would appropriate to call for a brief recess while we go back in my office and just check on those committees. Call it to a recess. ELECTION OF OFFICERS B. Appointment of Standing Committees. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ll go ahead and call the meeting back to order. Gentlemen, you have before you the committee recommendations. Do I hear a motion for approval? Mr. Grady Smith: Motion to approve. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Okay, Madam Clerk, if you would read them into the record. The Clerk: Mr. Grady Smith made the motion to you, Mr. Mason. For the record the 2011, 2012 committee assignment, Administrative Services Committee, Chairman Bill Lockett. Vice-Chair Matt Aitken. Alvin Mason, member, Jerry Brigham. Public Safety. Chairman, Joe 2 Jackson, Vice-Chair, Grady Smith, Corey Johnson, member, J.R. Hatney, member. Engineering Services Committee, Chairman Alvin Mason Vice-Chair Grady Smith Joe Jackson Corey Johnson, members. Finance Committee, Jerry Brigham Vice-Chair Wayne Guilfoyle Matt Aitken Bill Lockett, members. Public Service Committee, Chairman Hatney, Vice-Chair Corey Johnson, members Wayne Guilfoyle, Joe Bowles. Mr. Mayor: Okay. The Clerk: That was motion Mr. Grady Smith and Mr. Al Mason. Mr. Mayor: If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the delegations. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS C. Mr. Clint L. Bryant. RE: Request to consider the establishment of a Task Force on Crime. Mr. Bryant: Good afternoon, Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Mr. Bryant. Mr. Bryant: --- Mayor Pro Tem, Commissioners. Thank you for the opportunity to be with you this afternoon. I know I have a five-minute limit so I’ll get on with my business. First of all I bring you greetings from Augusta State University Home of National Champions of Men’s Golf and the number three ranked Augusta State Jaguars who are ranked number three in the country today in basketball at 11 and 0. But I’m not here on behalf of Augusta State by as a citizen of this community and with concerns. As you guys know over the past several years I spent a lot of time around this state visiting with state legislators, local and regional leaders and it’s a concern of all of us about crime and the magnitude of crime in our community. I’ve spent a lot of time with a number of you in that discussion about a local delegation along with lawyers, judges, doctors and other citizens of this community. And there’s a grave concern about the current rate of serious crime in our community. And with that being said not knowing the proper protocol I would like to ask this Commission and this city to appoint a task force on crime that could be of assistance to not only our law enforcement but to other entities in this city as we deal with a problem of significant magnitude. By no means is this meant to have some oversight authority of our Sheriff, a dear friend of mine who I think does a tremendous job, Ronnie Strength but serve as a resource to help Ronnie Strength as he continues to try to fight crime in our community. My youngest daughter Kristen who is a junior at Wake Forest University did a criminology paper this semester, which I will leave with the Mayor to share with a number of you. And her research proved that crime in the Augusta area relative to our per capita of citizens 3 is one of the highest if not the highest in the State of Georgia but one of the highest in the United States. As you guys know this past we had some thirty-eight murders in our community. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg as some of the serious criminal activity that we have in our community. What I would like to do the purpose is to establish and Augusta Richmond County Task Force on Crime. The task force would be comprised of representatives of government agencies, non-profit organizations, religious entities, civic organization, business leaders and private citizens, meet on a regular basis, review crime statistics, criminal activity trends, best practices and provide recommendations for crime prevention strategies in Augusta-Richmond County. Our goal is very simple. The goal of the Task Force is to engage community members and organizations on a collaborative effort in crime prevention to insure an environment of civility that enhances the community in which we live and a safer overall city. The strategies in order to do this will develop a plan addressing the specific desired outcome. Develop timely and coordinated responses to criminal related activity and violence. Develop regular assessments to monitor input, output and outcome for activity and collaborations. Develop a plan to increase visibility and awareness in order to advocate for the better outcomes. I think this is a necessity in our community. We’ll be building a computer and Google crime task force. You will find ten million four hundred thousand such task forces exist already in our country. And I think we will do this community a disservice if did not come proactive and start to deal with crime at the level that it needs to be dealt with. So with that, Mr. Mayor, I will be glad to answer and questions that the Commission may have and would like to hear from you what would be further steps in making this a reality. Mr. Mayor: Well, Clint, I will say that I’m fully supportive of this initiative. I was researching a program that I’m not sure if you and I discussed it. I know we’ve talked about this a lot. But I believe in Ashville, it’s called Active Deterrence or something in that effect where they actually identify gang members and have law enforcement, community leaders, you know the DA’s Office all in a room. The call in the gang members and put them on notice that if you continue on with this activity the full community’s going to come down on you, because this is an issue for everybody, for local government, for local citizens, for the non-profits, for the churches. So I for one am fully supportive of this. Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Clint, I definitely concur with you. I know something definitely needs to be done in this aspect. And actually I talked with Commissioner Aitken probably about three weeks ago and we plan to set up a meeting with the Sheriff to find exactly do, you know if he have a plan in place what is that plan and how we can combat some of the issues that we dealt last year. Unfortunately we do not the jurisdiction of course you know with the Sheriff’s Department. But maybe it’s something that we can probably, well work in conjunction with them to try to implement and help them figure out some ideas a concept and maybe better assist some of the things that I think that, that was out on the street of course that’s dealing with this day in and day out can help us deal with. But I think the most critical part of it is if what I’m hearing is just a lack of police presence in some of the areas. And I think when people see just the police car in the area that they’re more or less likely to commit a crime in that particular neighborhood or atmosphere of the area. So I’ll invite you of course. I’m going to look actually some time this week we’ll be setting that meeting up and I’ll be more than happy to get you involved in that along with Joe Jackson, of course, Public Safety Chairman. And we’ll get with the Sheriff and I’ll get you in and we’ll talk about some of the things and just kind of get 4 a brainstorm little bit on some of things that we may need to do and how we can probably maybe help. And I think with this reorg it may be an opportunity in there too to maybe identify some opportunities. So I definitely concur with that. I’m onboard with you 100%. I think it’s definitely something we got to pay attention to. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Coach Bryant, I would like to put this on the Public Safety Committee for next time we have a committee that we can get together and really get with the Sheriff and get some people and then start a process that would get a core group of people from all around the CSRA, not just downtown or south Richmond County or out in Jerry’s district. But let’s, I’d like to put that on the committee and really focus on that. We have it, it’s in every neighborhood it’s not just anyone in particular. So I commend you for bringing it forth and let’s, let’s put that on the agenda and we’ll go from there. Mr. Mayor: And I just wanted, one quick thing too. We’re not reinventing the wheel. You know I think that a task force like this we need to look at other communities. I mentioned the program in Asheville. What are they having success with in other communities? Let’s, you know, let’s model that here. Yes, sir. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: It’s hard for me not to say Mr. Mayor Pro Tem anymore. Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: All right. Mr. Bryant first of all I appreciate you coming forward and taking the lead in addressing a very serious issue that’s going on across the entire county. In fact going on across the nation. But if I’m hearing you correctly based on what you’ve said so far and I understand that the Sheriff ought to be you know involved in some way shape or form. But what I’m hearing you say is this is separate to that and in addition to that if I’m not, if I’m incorrect please let me know because I want to make sure instead of just throwing it to the committee and even if we do, do that to make sure that we’re doing it appropriately. I’m hearing you say a separate task force in and of it self that’s totally separate even from what the Sheriff or any of the deputies are doing in terms of citizens. And people who have a vested interest in the community. Is that what I’m hearing? Mr. Bryant: You’re hearing that correctly. Mr. Mason: Okay, good, so from that standpoint what needs to happen even if it goes to the Public Safety Committee is to come with some sort of specific plan in terms of the make up of this task force who may or may not or should be involved some type of size that we’re looking at so we can some sort of determination of where we’re going. I’d hate for it to get caught up in a bunch of minutia you know what I’m saying? So if we come with a plan in place that addresses and we may have to tweak it somewhat but if come saying “hey” we need we think fifteen, four from south, four from east four from whatever the case may be, hear some specific responsibilities or tasks that we think this task force should look at to assist with what’s going 5 with the Sheriff’s Department, not taking over but to assist as community activists or what have you. So I think we may be a little bit jumping the gun when we say we’ll get with the Sheriff and this and that based on what you’re saying here I’m hearing you say as an individual task force separate in of it self that will have some specific things that they can do as citizens and interested parties. So if that is, and I’m not sure if Joe made a motion I didn’t hear one, but if he’s making a motion I want to make sure that it includes and that you know when you come to that meeting that you have some specifics in place so we don’t get bogged down and we take care of this. Because this is a real problem in the community and if we have individuals that want to be a part of it and that want to really get something done about it, if everybody does a little bit then nobody has to do a lot and that’s not stepping on anybody’s toes. Mr. Bryant: Well, just to follow up if I may, Mr. Mayor, was that Ronnie Strength and I are on the same page. He is 100% behind what I’m proposing because he sees this as another means of providing him some resources and some discussion on various things that he may need and how it works through the process. I think what this Commission does by establishing such a task force is put teeth in it. Put real teeth so the citizens of this community can realize that crime is a priority in this community. And one of the things we have to be realistic about is that I don’t care how many police officers Ronnie needs, he don’t have enough. And he needs more he needs help and if we can get some data and some other things backing things up best practices in other communities and so forth and so on and make recommendations to this Commission in order to help Ronnie Strength and the job that he’s doing to help combat in the job he’s doing or help anyone in this city so we can make Augusta a safer place to live. Mr. Mayor: Exactly. And at our work session on this Saturday that will be one of things we will be discussing. Mr. Bryant: I will provide Ms. Bonner copies of this proposal to give to the Commission --- Mr. Mayor: Great. Mr. Bryant: --- and be available for any other questions that may come about. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Mr. Mayor, I’d just like to add that I think it’s imperative that we look at it from the outside of it. But I think it’s also most important that we do involve the Sheriff initially because we need to know exactly what he need us to do to assist him. I think that’s why Commissioner Jackson made the motion that we’ll meet with him and look at what ways that we can help. Because I think all in all we got to provide a support system to the Sheriff’s Department versus going out and establishing our own foundation and taking it to the Sheriff. So I think with that being said you know we still need to do that initially and have of course have his input on how we can better assist him. So of course I guess as soon as you get, we’ll, we can set that meeting up at any time but we’ll get the meeting set up and then we’ll go forward with what a plan that we can probably present and also get input from him on how to implement that so thank you. 6 Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Clint. Do we, a motion or, Joe, you can just request that goes on the next public --- Mr. Jackson: That it goes on, we receive it as information and then motion receive as information. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and second. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: All righty, Madam Clerk, on to the next delegation. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS D. Ms. Elizabeth Jones, Executive Director, Shiloh Community Center. RE: Funding ARC Housing Neighborhood Development. Ms. Jones: Good Afternoon. Mr. Mayor: Good Afternoon. And if you could keep to five minutes, please, ma’am. Ms. Jones: Yes, sir. My name is Elizabeth Jones and I’m the Executive Director at Shiloh Community Center. I come before you today to request funding for Shiloh. $55,000 for operations and $100,000 for old building repairs. Shiloh has a rich history in Augusta beginning as an orphanage in 1905. We are not just a group of old buildings. Shiloh is a part of Augusta’s history. We have participants who have been coming to Shiloh since 1977. Our oldest participant is 99 years old and she helped create a lot of Shiloh’s history. We have senior citizens that come from all corners of the CSRA and from different cultures and different ethnicities. Many of our senior citizens have served this country through service in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines. The buildings are listed on the National Historic Registry. We have provided continuous services as a community center since 1977. Although we’re located in the inner city Shiloh provides service to all Augusta neighborhoods. We provide brown bags for 80 senior citizens monthly. We provide food to over 100 families every month. On December th 29 we gave out over 100-bags of food to families from all over the CSRA. In fact several th families told us that we were the only food pantry that we could find open on December 29. We provide programming for senior citizens, which include recreation, hot nutritious meals prepared by licensed nutritionists, health checks, transportation and wellness programs. These programs are essential services not a luxury. Preventive programs assist with fewer incidents of a senior citizen being admitted to an emergency room or nursing homes for care. Providing health care through emergency rooms is one of the primary reasons healthcare costs continue to escalate. As a community we can pay for it through preventive programs such as senior centers 7 or we can go the more costly way through emergency rooms and nursing homes. Shiloh also provides programming for youth in our community. And since 1977 we’ve had entered generational summer camp for youth. In addition to this summer camp Shiloh provides year round tutoring for students. Our outcomes are positive with students improving one letter grade sometimes after one nine weeks. And this program this tutoring program is staffed by volunteers, total volunteers. These men come every week and provide tutoring for these students. Shiloh is also a partner with other agencies serving as a training site for welfare to work participants and young people on probation and parole. And we’ve done all of this with a budget, a current budget of $150,000. I am currently the only paid employee Shiloh has. So my time is spent providing services and doing all the administrative work to keep Shiloh in compliance with our funding sources. We have not cut services even though our budget cuts came from all our funders in 2009 and 2010. Rather than cut services we did as most businesses have done, we laid off personnel. But we’re still providing services Monday through Friday from 9:00 o’clock until 5:00 o’clock and on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s until 6:00 p.m. We have had a lot of problems with our building for the past two years and the roof is leaking and it’s causing a lot of structural damage and deterioration to the floors and ceilings. And to coin an old commercial in some parts of the building when it rains it really pours especially in a part of the administrative offices. If it were not for area Agency on Aging as a few of the local foundations Shiloh would have folded this year. I called on some old friends at some of the foundations, I called on the area Agency on Aging and they came through for us. Can’t go back to those foundations because they do a one time funding only. So we’re in dire straits. But even though we have limited budget we have done some really great things this year at Shiloh. We became a part of the area Agency of Aging nutrition program and we acquired ten transportation slots, which are crucial to a lot of, I’m finishing up, Mayor. So I ask you to fund us and consider finding funding for us. If it can’t come through the Community Development Block grant funds I do ask that you look at your general budget and see if you have funding that you give us. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank you, ma’am. Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. What’s the amount that you’re asking for? Ms. Jones: We ask for $55,000 in operating and we need about $100,000 to repair the building. You know we have a lot of electrical problems in that building. Some days I come in I have Internet service some days I don’t. And when the building gets really, really cold things just don’t work. Mr. Mason: Oh, so you’re asking for $155,000 dollars above the budget that you have currently? Ms. Jones: I have $13,000 dollars that I’m getting from Community Development Block Grant funding. Mr. Mason: Right. Ms. Jones: We did not funded last year at all. 8 Mr. Mason: Right, so you’re asking for $155,000 dollars. Ms. Jones: Yes, sir. Mr. Mason: Okay. Can I hear from, is Chester, oh there he is. Can you speak to this issue? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler: First of all I understand the plight of Shiloh and if I could immediately find a way to help I would. There are two situations, the first request came in the form of I’ll address the building issue. In 1999 we invested in excess of $350,000 dollars in improvements to the building. The source of funding was Public Improvements on the CDBG Program. The regulations state that if you go into a building and make repairs or improvements rather you cannot go back and make any further repairs, as it will be deemed as maintenance. On this week we emailed our HUD representative in Atlanta Georgia to get a ruling as to whether my interpretation was accurate. And we got a response back today of which my assistant Ms. Rose White communicated with Ms. Jones by email that the ruling was accurate. That once you go back in and do additional work to a building you already have done work to before it is maintenance and not eligible. So prohibits us from putting any CDBG money into the physical improvements to the building. The second request came in the form of what we call Public Service Assistance. That funding addresses the operational needs or programs that benefit low to moderate-income families. We are presently at our cap in terms of public service funding. We met with Ms. Jones and advised her that if there any agencies that either forfeit funding that has been approved to them or failed to expend funding that also has been approved to them that we would make a recommendation to the Commission that it be reprogrammed to that agency. But it would still have to go through the 30-day comment period. We have been, well, my research has determined that that is a potential agency that has been funded that may not be operational in the future. But I have to do some more due diligence to determine whether that is accurate. If that is accurate then there’s about $6,900 dollars in funding that can be provided to them for operations to carry out those programs. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Wheeler, when will you know whether the $6,900 will be available? Mr. Wheeler: Hopefully, let me just say what I need to do. I have made phone calls but I actually need to put a letter in, a written letter to the Board of Directors or either to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. I do not have contact with the Executive Director but we will make an attempt. So hopefully I will probably say ten days I should know whether something is going to be freed up. 9 Mr. Lockett: And my next question is you indicated that several years ago several thousand dollars was spent to repair the building. Is Ms. Jones requesting repairs for the work that was done several years ago? Mr. Wheeler: Yes, sir. And in fact we went out into our files, which were stored off site and found the list of repairs and all of the backup supporting what was done. We will double check and make sure we’re accurate but my first take on it, everything was already, yes, ma’am. Ms. Jones: (Inaudible) Mr. Wheeler: Okay, well, again as I just stated I will go back and double check. This happened in 1999 and see if my research is accurate. And if it is not accurate then I’ll come back to you and let you know. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, I have one other question --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. Lockett: --- if I may, please. We have an Administrator that’s very good at finding money. Do you think you might be able to get with our Administrator and possibly find some money that can help Shiloh? This is to you, Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler: I’ll sit down sir at your direction and discuss it but beyond the Administrator that, well, yes, I’ll do that. Mr. Lockett: All right and uh --- Mr. Wheeler: But I guess you’re speaking about a non-federal source though. Mr. Lockett: That is correct. Mr. Wheeler: Absolutely. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Commissioner is fine, Mr. Mayor. I make a motion we send this and get an update from Chester at the next Administrative Services meeting. Mr. Johnson: I’ll second that motion. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion carries 10-0. 10 Mr. Mayor: And Ms. Jones, just as a, Ms. Ruth Crawford is a dear friend and strong supporter. I’m very aware of what Shiloh does for this community and I just want to say thank you. Madam Clerk, on to the consent agenda. The Clerk: Our consent agenda consists of items one and two. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Mason: I want to pull items one and two. Mr. Mayor: Do we have any items to be added to the consent agenda? Mr. Johnson: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: If there’s no heartburn with anybody we can add item four. The Clerk: No, we need to select one --- Mr. Johnson: We need to select the person? The Clerk: Yes, sir. We need to select one of the --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Johnson: How about item three? Mr. Brigham: I’d like to refer item three to Administrative Services Committee. The Clerk: Item three. And you’d like to add it to the consent agenda. Mr. Brigham: Add it to the consent agenda but I think it needs to go back to the committee. The Clerk: To be sent back to the next Administrative Services Committee? Mr. Mayor: Is everybody okay with that going back to since we didn’t have committee, back to Administrative Services? Okay. Mr. Hatney: Can I ask a question? Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Are we aware that the next committee meeting is next week? 11 Mr. Brigham: Yeah. Mr. Mayor: Yes. Mr. Hatney: And the day is Tuesday, send this back, have at least six, seven, eight days to look into it. Mr. Jackson: Mr. Hatney, I’m not aware of any kind of information on this number three to vote on it. Mr. Hatney: I understand that. What I’m talking about they’re saying that it should go back I believe to Administrative Services Committee. I have no problem with that. I just want to make sure everybody realizes that’s next week. Mr. Mayor: Okay. All righty, if there are no --- The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, the Deputy Administrator --- Mr. Mayor: Ms. Allen. Ms. Allen: Can I have Mr. Wheeler speak to number three please before we take a vote on it? Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler: Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, number three is time sensitive. We have gone out for a 30-day comment period and we have we have some HPRP monies which is Homelessness Prevention money that is being reprogrammed to agencies who can spend it more readily because there are others who could not. If we hold it up again that could jeopardize those agencies from getting that money spent in a timely manner. And if we do we write a check back to the Federal government. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d like to make a substitute motion for approval on agenda item number three. Mr. Mayor: Well, we haven’t, it was, it hadn’t been added to the consent agenda. Mr. Lockett: Okay, well, whatever it is. Mr. Mayor: So we’ll let’s close out the consent agenda then we’ll come back. If there are no further items to be added to the consent agenda can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? 12 Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Lockett: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PUBLIC SERVICES 1. 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) (Approved by Commission December 21, 2010 – second reading) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 2. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held December 21, 2010. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Guilfoyle abstains. Motion carries 9-1. [Items 1-2] Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the first regular agenda item. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 3. Motion to approve amending the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Action Plans to reprogram $181,916.09 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $10,123.25 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) and $56,000 in Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) funds. Mr. Mayor: Okay now, Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you again, Mr. Chairman. Based on the comments from Mr. Wheeler dealing with the time sensitive of this particular agenda item I would move that the agenda item be approved. Mr. Johnson: I second that. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: I make a motion we send this back to the Administrative Services committee. Mr. Mayor: Substitute motion? 13 Mr. Brigham: Substitute motion. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Is there any further discussion? Okay, we have a substitute motion on the floor to send the agenda item back to the Administrative Services Committee next Monday I believe. Is that correct, Madam Clerk? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the substitute sign of voting. Mr. Aiken, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett and Mr. Hatney vote No. Motion fails 4-6. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, we have a primary motion on the floor to approve and I believe with the time sensitivity made note of with Mr. Wheeler I would hope that we could get this approved. But with that Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting to approve the agenda item. Mr. Aiken, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett and Mr. Hatney vote Yes. Mr. Jackson, Mr. Brigham, Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Smith vote No. Motion carries 6-4. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to our final agenda item. The Clerk: APPOINTMENT(S) 4. Motion to consider the following nominations of the Richmond County Hospital Authority for appointment of one each from the respective position for a four-year term. Jewish faith position – Jeffery L. Foreman, Rabbi David Sirull, I. Gary Katcoff; Member- at-Large Charles Caye, Gregory L. Gay, Levi W. Hill, IV. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I’m going to nominate Mr. Foreman and Mr. Caye for these positions. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Smith. Mr. Smith: I was going to nominate Rabbi David Sirull for the Jewish faith position and the Member-at-Large is Mr. Charles Caye. Mr. Mayor: Okay. All righty, do we have any more nominations? Mr. Brigham: I think we have only one nomination for one of those positions. 14 Mr. Mayor: Yeah, so we’ll just vote on the two slates. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman? Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Do these nominations include everybody’s that recommended? The Clerk: Usually the hospital when they send over their nominations the first name is generally their recommendation. On this case it would be Mr. Foreman and Mr. Caye. Mr. Lockett: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Okay, can I get a motion that the floor be closed to nomination? Mr. Mason: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. We will vote on these nominees in the order of nomination. Madam Clerk, if you could call for the first. The Clerk: For the Jewish faith position Mr. Jeffery L. Foreman. Mr. Mayor: Do we have to vote on them individually or can we vote on them by the slate as submitted? The Clerk: Okay, well, we can vote on Mr. Jeffrey and Mr. Charles Caye. That was --- Mr. Mayor: The one at large isn’t the same one either. Okay, Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Smith: We’re voting on what one, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Voting on Mr. Foreman for the Jewish faith position. Mr. Smith votes No. Motion carries 9-1. Mr. Mayor: Okay and --- The Clerk: For the Member-at-Large, Mr. Charles Caye. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hatney. 15 Mr. Hatney: One question. These folks who send down folks for this Commission to vote on and we’ve got to vote on what they send anyway. Why don’t they say who they want? Mr. Mayor: That’s a question --- Mr. Hatney: They say who they want and quit wasting our time. The Clerk: State law requires that they send three nominations and the Commission will select from the slate. Mr. Mayor: That’s why they put them in order of preference. Mr. Hatney: If that’s the case then shouldn’t some information about these folks be forwarded to us? Mr. Mayor: I don’t disagree with that. Mr. Hatney: You know just to vote on someone just because somebody sent them down I don’t know if I can do that. Mr. Mayor: I don’t disagree with that. That seems like it makes common sense to me. Yes, sir, Commissioner Smith. Mr. Smith: I just soon, you know, send it down unanimous. I’ll change my vote. Mr. Mayor: Okay. The Clerk: For acclamation you vote unanimous. Mr. Mayor: Okay, in order to make it a unanimous vote could we vote again on Mr. Foreman, for unanimous acclamation? Motion carries 10-0. The Clerk: So it is done. Mr. Mayor: I feel a lot of team spirit here today. And finally just to make if official the Member-at-Large, Mr. Charles Caye. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor: We’ll work the bugs out. We’ll work the bugs out. Okay and Mr. Attorney, do we have a need for a legal meeting? Mr. McKenzie: Not today, thank you. 16 Mr. Mayor: Okay, once again, Commissioner Lockett, did you have a closing comment? Mr. Lockett: Just a point of personal privilege if I could, please? Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. Lockett: I would just like to thank you and the Mayor Pro Tem for having enough confidence in me to select me to chair one of the committees. And I look forward to working with all of you in 2011. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Well, I think we’ve got a great team together and I’m excited. So if there’s no further business to come before the body and get out six minutes before six, we now 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 January 4, 2011. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 17