HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting June 7, 2011
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
JUNE 7, 2011
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., June 7, 2011, the Hon.
Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Smith, Mason, Aitken, Johnson, Jackson, Bowles
and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Absent: Hon. Hatney, member of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
The invocation was given by the Reverend Dr. Richard E. Sanders, Pastor, St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor: Reverend, if you could please come forward we have something for you.
Thank you for that wonderful invocation. Office of the Mayor. By these present be it known
that Reverend Dr. Richard E. Sanders, Pastor, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is Chaplain of the
Day. For his civic and spiritual guidance demonstrated throughout the communities, serves as an
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example for all of the faith community. Given under my hand this 7 Day of June 2011. Deke
Copenhaver, Mayor. Thank you, sir.
(APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the delegations.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
A. Ms. Lynn Bailey, Executive Director Richmond County Board of Elections. RE: Update
the Commission on Redistricting.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Bailey.
Ms. Bailey: Hello. Good afternoon, gentlemen, thank you for your time. I appreciate
just to in a minute. My presentation shouldn’t take a long time so hopefully we can get on
through it. I’m here today to talk to you about redistricting. I do not have a plan as far as where
these lines will go. Nor do I have a plan for how we’re going to get there. But what I’d like to
share with you today is the timeline for what we can expect as we move forward so we’ll all be
on the same page. I will also just so you’ll know be giving the same information to the
Legislative Delegation at a meeting with them on Friday and also with the School Board at a
meeting with them on next Tuesday. First thing I’d like to start with is to show you a chart that
demonstrates why we are redistricting in the first place. What this chart shows you is the
recently received information from the state Reapportionment Office that shows that the total
county population according to the 2010 census was 200,549. If you simply take that number,
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divide it by eight you come up with an ideal district size of 25,068. If you then look up to the
chart itself each of the commission districts is represented on a line and the fourth column over
on the left shows you a percentage either over or under for each of those commission districts
and that’s a deviation from that ideal district size. So as you look at that data you can see that
clearly Districts 1 and 2 are substantially under populated according to the new census figures,
while Districts 3 and 4 are substantially overpopulated. Five and seven, excuse me five and six
are also somewhat under populated and seven and eight are somewhat overpopulated. So what
we’ll need to do as we set about this process is determine a way to make those eight districts of a
similar size. The growth we saw in Richmond County this year was minimal, only 774 people
over the last ten years so that’s a growth percentage rate of .4%. Obviously when you take into
account that Richmond County’s size has not changed but yet the deviations are off that much.
We’ve had some shifts in the population in the areas that we mentioned earlier. Again these are
the over and under numbers from the chart. Now onto the timeline. You know when I said
earlier that there’s not a plan in place for getting the redistricting done there simply isn’t. There
are no rules or laws or guidelines that exist on how we get this done only that it needs to get
done. Now there are rules that have to be followed as we go through, the districts have to be of a
similar size and they have to be contiguous and other things, legal requirements such as that. But
how we get from point A to point B there’s nothing set in stone how we do that. So what I’d like
to present to you today are some general timelines that will show you what we’re up against and
what we need to keep in mind as we go forward. In the summer of 2011 we should begin our
local redistricting which I hope that we are on the way to doing today. And next week with the
meetings with the school board and the legislative delegation and the Commission. In August of
2011 the Governor will call for a Special Session of General Assembly at which time the
congressional senate and house lines will be looked at. Now each, every ten years is its own
animal. Last year in, well last redistricting in 2002 it took two Special Sessions to get those lines
drawn and a couple of lawsuits that followed that. So what will happen this year is anybody’s
guess. But they’ll begin that process in August of 2011. Qualifying starts next year for all
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offices, partisan and nonpartisan on May the 23 and on that date everyone who qualifies for a
congress and house and commission, school board and right on down the line will be qualifying
from the new district lines. So that’s an important date to keep in mind as we go forward. The
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general primary itself will be held next year on July the 31. The local lines will need to be
approved by the General Assembly during its 2012 session. Following the enactment of the
legislation all the district lines will have to be approved by or pre-cleared by the Department of
Justice which will require 60 days. Once the pre-clearance by the Justice Department has
happened with the newly drawn state and local lines then the Board of Elections will take all
those sets of lines and lay them down on a county map and the pockets that are left over after all
those lines are laid down are precinct lines. So we’ll begin that process only after the state and
local redistricting is completed. Any changes that then occur, the precinct boundary lines or
polling place locations must also be approved by the Department of Justice which is another 60
days in addition to the previous 60 days that we mentioned. And also we have to of course let
the voters know what to expect on Election Day. So we are required by law to give them 30
days notice of any polling place or precinct boundary change. So that date and another important
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date to keep in mind is June the 29 of 2012. So who does all this administrative stuff? Well,
the city attorney will submit the Commission District Plan to the Department of Justice on behalf
of the Commission and likewise the School Board attorney will submit their plan on behalf of the
School Board. And then the Board of Elections will submit the polling place or precinct
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reassignment plan. Following this, just to keep in mind as a reminder, following the approval of
the local redistricting plan by the General Assembly there’ll be two US Department of Justice
cycles to work through each one of those being 60 days and then an additional 30 days for that
voter notification letter. So we’re talking about after the local plan has been drawn we still have
about a five month administrative period to get through while these plans clear their various
hurdles. And that’s only if the Department of Justice doesn’t seek additional information. I
know you must sit there like I do and think well you know our window is getting shorter every
day and I would have to agree with that. And so I would encourage this group to organize as
soon as it can and let’s try to at least get a plan in place for how we’re going to set about this
task. It would be my suggestion that however we proceed that this group be prepared to have a
plan to the General Assembly Delegation right at the beginning of the 2012 session because
we’re going to quite frankly be in competitive with 158 other counties and municipalities in the
hundreds around the state all trying to get their plans through the General Assembly at the same
time. So it would be to our benefit to go ahead and get that plan, have it teed up right at the
beginning so that we can get it on through and signed by the governor and then set about all the
other tasks that come as a result of redistricting. And that’s it. And there are lots of other
questions ---
Mr. Mayor: Lynn, I’ll tell you I appreciate you getting the ball rolling with this. And
you and I had a conversation. There is software out there available that some cities,
municipalities are using that crunches the census data and basically draws the maps based on
that, is there not?
Ms. Bailey: There is and thank you for bringing that up. As a matter of fact I’ve been
working with the IT Department over the last few weeks to identify some software that’s
compatible to our existing GIS software. And we found a product that we like and think will
work. And yes we can use that to help draw our own plan. We could also take advantage of the
state reapportionment office in Atlanta who has staff there, a staff person who’s solely dedicated
to help with local redistricting and that’s how we worked in 2002. We used the state office to
draw a template if you will on an initial plan that drew fairly equal districts in terms of
population. It also took into account other criteria that the three governing bodies wanted to take
into consideration. For instances where the incumbents live, they wanted their incumbents
protected so that we didn’t have everybody running against each other and that’s perfectly legal
to have that as your criteria. Another consideration or criteria of the group at the last go around
what that they sought to not have neighborhood split. And so those were things that we took into
consideration as we drew that template. Once the state though drew that template for us we were
able to take that, those shape files and import them into our local system and then use them at
will at meetings. And we could kind of shift and go on the fly as we went along.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham, did you have your hand up?
Mr. Brigham: Yes, sir. Ms. Bailey, are you anticipating the legislature to have the lines
for the congressional district and the legislative district when they get finished in there August
session?
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Ms. Bailey: I anticipate that that’s their desire. It’s my understanding that the governor
strongly desires not to have to have multiple sessions of the General Assembly, special sessions.
I believe last go around they had a special session that was dedicated solely to rejoin
congressional district lines and then they had a second session that was focused on the Senate
and House and that they’re going to try to do all three of those in one session this time and get it
finished in August once they convene.
Mr. Brigham: So we would have the benefit of knowing hopefully what the state lines
and the congressional lines would look like. And what I heard you say we need to have a plan
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by the 1 of January?
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Ms. Bailey: In a perfect world we sure could have a plan by the 1 of January. I don’t
know though that this group would necessarily or the School Board or anybody would
necessarily wait on those state plans. I know one of the criteria that the state offices is using in
drawing their plans is to try to keep what they call the VTD’s of the voting districts in tact which
are basically our precinct lines. So I think if by this group and the School Board kind of kept
that in mind as they proceed along that we would be on fairly safe ground to proceed knowing
that we may have to do some tweaking once the House and Senate lines came around so we
didn’t have all types of obscure splits.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Mason and then Commissioner Lockett and then
Wayne then Corey. Please come in that order.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Lynn, in reference to the redistricting well first of
all do you have copies to give of even those that’s a little short presentation it would be nice to
have those dates and what not.
Ms. Bailey: I have them on this computer but I will get those to you first thing in the
morning. How about that?
Mr. Mason: Okay, fantastic. Also we’ve gone through this before and so there was a
plan put together then. Were you a part of that at that point?
Ms. Bailey: I was a part of the 2002 redistricting and quite frankly that’s the only
experience from which I draw is what we did in 2002. And what happened in 2002 is there was
a redistricting committee that was formed and there were four representatives appointed by the
Commission, four by the School Board and four by the Legislative Delegation that led the
process of redistricting. Now again you know there’s nothing, there’s nothing written that says
that this is how it has to happen. That is simply how we operated as a group in 2002.
Mr. Mason: In your opinion, how do you think that went?
Ms. Bailey: Splendidly.
Mr. Mason: Very good. Now are there, and I heard you say there’s some software and
those types of things that are out there as well. And you said the state had some as well?
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Ms. Bailey: Well, the state has an entire office that’s dedicated to working on
redistricting and part of that office is dedicated solely to local redistricting. Again what we did
in 2002, and I know that was ten years ago but this is what we did. We went to them and had
them draw us a non-bias, because they didn’t know Richmond County from the man in the
moon. They drew a plan that was based on the criteria that that little committee came up with
and that was equal in representation across the board and drew that plan. Now granted when we
came back to Augusta there were some serious tweaking that needed to be done. There were
areas that had been moved from one district to another that some either Commissioners or the
School Board were not happy with and we moved and shuffled around a bit as we went along.
And it took five or six meetings to get it all done. But we did.
Mr. Mason: Okay, and my final question is there any restrictions, any codes or anything
that’s out there that we have to be aware of that will have some impact upon this redistricting
such as any protected classes any of that sort of thing that may have come down in the previous
years?
Ms. Bailey: The only thing that really is to be looked at at this point is your Hispanic
population. Generally the threshold there is 5%. I think Richmond County comes in under that
so we don’t have that as a protected class. We do have to keep in mind of course the minority
population. When you draw the districts you can’t retrogress and make things worse than they
were ---
Mr. Mason: Okay.
Ms. Bailey: --- you know, beforehand. But nothing new but those are all existing
restrictions ---
Mr. Mason: Thank you.
Ms. Bailey: --- or requirements.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Lynn, the later that you, the person you were talking about. Is that Linda
Meggers?
Ms. Bailey: Linda Meggars has recently retired from the reapportionment office. They
have a new director up there Mr. Williams. But their local person, the person that’s working on
the local redistricting up there has been in that office for ten or twelve years. Her name is
Shantay Eel and we do have a rapport with her.
Mr. Lockett: It’s my understanding that Linda has been called back out of retirement and
that she’s doing work for the various governments on a first come first serve basis.
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Ms. Bailey: She is in fact. She has in fact contracted with several counties around the
state, Cobb County being one in particular. And I think maybe Rockdale County is the other
county that I know of that she’s contracted with to assist them in their redistricting.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you.
Ms. Bailey: You’re welcome.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Lynn, you actually had answered my question when you was talking with
Mr. Mason. I was concerned about with the Board of Education and us Commissioners
following the same print as far as districts. And what you said in 2002 is that four
Commissioners, four at the BOE people came and worked together and there was a positive
outcome.
Ms. Bailey: It was actually a very good working group. And I don’t even know, I mean I
think we kind of take it for granted around here sometimes how fortunate we are to have our
school board and commission district lines mirror each other. It doesn’t happen in many
jurisdictions around the state. And it sure makes it simple not only for the voters but in terms of
the number of splits within the precincts and whatnot. It just keeps things very simple. We’ve
operated that way for decades and I would certainly hope that we can keep following that path.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As Wayne stated she did answer the question
about the committee. Now was that committee made of the Commission or was it appointed
people?
Ms. Bailey: It was, you know I’m going to have to say I can’t remember the exact birth
of that committee and how it came to be. I do know that the end result was that we had four
Commissioners, four School Board members and four members of the Legislative Delegation on
that committee. One of the commission members chaired the committee. I’m not exactly sure
how he came to be Chair but that’s how it operated in 2002.
Mr. Johnson: How soon –
Ms. Bailey: That ---
Mr. Johnson: --- yeah, how soon would you think we need to implement that? I guess
would it be up to us to get with the school board and look at trying to get that done as soon as
possible or what?
Ms. Bailey: I would think that that would be very appropriate, yes, I would. Yes, I think
time, I don’t feel extraordinarily anxious but I think it’s time to get moving somehow on the
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redistricting. You know just because things went fairly well in 2002 doesn’t mean it’s going to
go well this go around.
Mr. Johnson: Right.
Ms. Bailey: And you know you can’t take things like that for granted. You never know
what hurdles might be thrown your way. So it would be my wholehearted suggestion that we go
ahead and get started on it by whatever vehicle we’re going to use to get there we need to get
started on it.
Mr. Johnson: You know to also ask Fred if, I see he’s got his hand up is it, he’s going to
I guess direct us?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I was just going to say too and I agree with what Corey said. I think
maybe after you get done meeting with the Board of Education and the delegation to pull the
trigger on that. Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: Yeah, we have several members of the School Board with us today. And I
think it would be appropriate since Lynn’s going to visit with them later on this week and then
with the delegation later on that they get some feel for how you’re leaning in this particular
process. And after some lengthy discussion with Lynn I think that committee structure worked
fairly well and would suggest that you go ahead and if that’s the inclination of the board to go
forward with that. You know some indication to them would I think be helpful to them to make
sure that when they hear the same presentation they know where you’re at. And if that’s the will
of the body I would suggest that you give Lynn some direction that you’re inclined to move
towards that committee structure and move forward.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: From what I remember of the process and maybe Lynn can correct me.
But when we selected from each group, when each group selected their representatives and then
they went together and selected their own leadership.
Ms. Bailey: Again I’m not exactly sure how it, how it all came about. I came to first
meeting and the committee was formed. So and again I’m not suggesting either that this is the
only way that this can be done. And there may be other processes that could work as well. I
simply in stating that this is how it was done in 2002 and it worked.
Mr. Mayor: Gentlemen, it sounds to me like we don’t want to reinvent the wheel. And
we sort of want to go down, is that the way people are feeling in general to use the same process?
Okay. Okay, I don’t believe we need a motion or anything on that but. Okay, I think by the nod
of heads I believe that’s the agreement of the body is to how to proceed.
Ms. Bailey: Okay, thank you for your time.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Madam Clerk, next delegation.
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The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
B. Ms. Jacqueline Trower. RE: Amendments to current Noise Ordinance. (Requested by
Commissioner Matt Aitken)
Ms. Trower: Good evening.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Trower, if I and I hate to, I let her go a little over five minutes because it
was redistricting and everything. But is you could, will you be able to keep it to five minutes?
Ms. Trower: I think a little below that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, ma’am.
Ms. Trower: I’m here this evening to request that you make the necessary amendments
to the current Noise Ordinance so that it better protects the victims of the disturbance.
According to Chapter 6 Noise Section 3-61 regulated it shall be unlawful for any person to make,
continue or cause to make or cause to be made or continue or permit to be made, continue or
cause any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise or noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or
endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace and safety of others in August Richmond County.
Under the current Noise Ordinance that is not happening. That protection is not happening.
Regarding the section regarding animals, birds, dogs, dogs are my issue. The current Noise
Ordinance fails in its attempt to protect residents who are victims of chronic noise from barking
dogs. After seventeen deputy responses, twelve documented reports and citations, reports
generated by other residents, a court appearance in which the offenders were found guilty and
fined by the presiding judge the offenders in my case thumb their noses at the law and continue
to reoffend. They do so because the current ordinance governing this issue fails to arm law
enforcement, law enforcers and animal control officers with the necessary options and methods
to resolve barking dog offenses according to their judgment after considering the situation and
the facts. In other words the deputy comes to your house he responds to your call for assistance
to enforce my entitlement to peace and quiet in my home at 4:00 o’clock in the morning. He
cannot do that always. He first has to under the current law he has to issue a citation. In order to
do that he has to communicate with the offenders who may or may not be home or if at home
may not answer the door. He leaves the offenders the dogs start to bark again he’s called out
again. His hands are tied. He cannot order animal control or any other authority to enforce this
ordinance as it currently stands pending a court hearing. I’d like to briefly detail my situation
and related areas for the past three years I’ve been a victim of my neighbor’s incessant dog
barking. Many times the barking has been all day and into early morning hours as my incident
report indicate or reflect. I have copies of the reports and cards from the responding deputies
hearing their case numbers. Some were not issued, some reports were not issued. I’ve endured
this disturbance just about every day every night. The dogs are chained and confined to an
outside area from morning until ten to eleven in the evening while the neighbors are away. One
dog is placed on the front porch diagonal to and in front of my property. I ask that you imagine
being exhausted from your day’s activities then trying to rest. You fall asleep only to be startled
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and suddenly awakened by your neighbors barking dogs. I’ve been subjected to up to nine dogs
and puppies at different times. You fall asleep only to be awakened again. After a while
although exhausted you are unable to sleep anticipating the barking or your neighbor’s dog.
There is the unprovoked barking and harassment of citizens while walking on public streets and
sideways that I’m subjected to, sidewalks that I’m subjected to. Often it’s a mother with young
babies and children a senior taking a walk. Imagine the children being frightened and in some
instances ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Ms. Trower: --- traumatized. Am I over time?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Trower: Oh, okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, but I think we can get a pretty clear picture of what you’re dealing
with. Commissioner Aitken, this was your request if you could.
Mr. Aitken: I did, Mr. Mayor, thank you. You know when I have residents call with
issues and when she’s dealt with, you see the cards of reports seventeen times, I really don’t have
answers sometimes and when I don’t have answers then I bring them before us so we as a
collective body can try to figure out some things. Because we clearly see where the seventeen
times that she’s had issues there and she’s still suffering through this same chronic nuisance
issues that have been plaguing our city for a long time now. So I’m open for suggestions of
where we need to go from here, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie, is there any way that you see from a legal perspective to
tighten up that ordinance? And I understand that the Sheriff’s deputies have a lot on their plate
as well but is there any legal perspective you give to that?
Mr. MacKenzie: I’d be happy to take a look at it to see if there’s any room to either
improve the ordinance or the enforcement of the ordinance which might be the issue in this case.
There are some pretty strong provisions in the county violation code including but not limited to
a $1,000 fine for each violation as well as (unintelligible) some rule to extent the courts aren’t
enforcing that or if there’s a law enforcement issue we can look at that. But we’ll be happy to
look at the ordinance itself to see if it can be improved to give law enforcement the necessary
tools they need to enforce it is how we can look at that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you so much.
Ms. Trower: Can I just offer ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
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Ms. Trower: --- something. There is a website called barkingdogs.net. On that site it
lists counties all over the US who have the same problem who have amended their, in California
different places who have amended their ordinances because this is a serious problem. And there
is one thing that I didn’t the World Health Organization the EPA, the MAYO Clinic there’s
documentation that I provided to Lena that she could make available to y’all about the health
effects. I’m 63 years old and I can’t rest in my home.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Trower: And the ordinance does not give enough authority to enforcement to solve
this problem. I hope that you all do something about it.
Mr. Mayor: Well, thank you for coming in. Thank you, ma’am. Madam Clerk, on to our
next presentation.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
C. Midyear update from Development Authority of Richmond County.
Mr. Mayor: Gentlemen?
Mr. Ingram: Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, good afternoon. My name is Henry Ingram
and I am the Chairman of the Development Authority of Richmond County. With me today is
Walter Sprouse, the Executive Director of the Authority. I want to say thank you for allowing us
to come today. Let me say quickly that we’re not here to ask for anything. In fact we’re here to
thank you our local government for all that you do in assisting us to bring quality companies and
quality jobs to Augusta. We’re also here to give you some information about our recent
recruitment trip to Germany and to update you on other important activities of the authority.
(Inaudible) but we’re not the only great city in America. Every city in the United States works
hard to recruit new companies and new jobs. Many of these companies are in competition with
Augusta. We like other cities we compete have a goal of recruiting quality and well paying jobs
and to work with our outstanding existing industry. With so much competition we must find as
many advantages as we can. And one of these advantages can be traced back to our local
government, our Mayor our Administrator and our Commissioners. That advantage was very
evident in our success in bringing T-Mobile, ADP, Electrolux and many others to Augusta.
Today we just want to say thank you for making the difference between success and failure.
Augusta’s well positioned for many more great announcements in the future. The Development
Authority of Richmond County will continue to work hard to make these announcements a
reality. At this time I would like to introduce Walter Sprouse. Most of you already know him to
give you a brief update on some of the significant and current things that are underway. Walter?
Mr. Sprouse: Many people say the words brief and Walter Sprouse rarely go together but
I’ll do my best here to try to keep it collectively under five minutes. One thing I did want to let
you know that one of the things that we did implement this year at the Development Authority is
what we call the Economic Development Inner Circle Awards. The first two recipients of that
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award were county employees. I don’t know whether you all knew that or not. Michele
Pearman and Billy Yates from GIS Mapping and were the inaugural winners of that award
earlier this year (unintelligible) As you know we do get a little bit of funding from you every
year. I want to make sure that you understand and you we use that money locally. We work
with, we designate that money specifically (unintelligible) local companies here in Augusta
Richmond County (unintelligible) or any kind of recruitment or marketing or anything such as
that. One of the things that our board did this past year back in December is that they passed a
budget that was very aggressive. Our board decided we wanted to be more aggressive and in this
business you have to be aggressive to remain a part of the competition. We increased our budget
a little bit by about twenty something percent to include some things primarily to work updating
our website. Even though we have a very good website we realized that we needed to make it
better. And so we did that. We also (inaudible) had to be more aggressive and consider seeing a
number of foreign related companies specifically from Germany. We decided to work on those
types of companies. This past month we traveled over there, we visited about seventeen to
eighteen companies in five days, traveled 2200 miles and when you do the math that’s about 420
miles a day that we covered. And I will tell you this exhausting but it was also very productive.
We saw a lot of companies that are in the process of growing and with more of a presence in the
United States. And our focus was to make sure that they knew about Augusta and about the
Southeastern United States. We focused on medical devices, life sciences, we looked at metal
working, chemical and we worked, we looked at those types of companies that would be good
basic manufacturing jobs that would pay very well. So that’s one of the things that we did. At
this point we’ll tell you we did visit with a couple of existing companies while we were over
there, existing industries for Augusta Richmond County. That was very productive and when we
think it’s going to be paying a lot of dividends for us in the future. The existing I already
mentioned you know we (unintelligible) encourage their investment in more jobs and we’re
seeing that on a regular basis too. As you know Bennett International is a new company that we
located (inaudible) right now we’re doing another (unintelligible) next week. It’s not surprising
and I think I told each one of you individually on the telephone. As you know I’ve talked to you
individually on a regular basis. As you know the first two words out of any company’s mouth
these days are free land and we have to work hard to try to work with incentives and tax breaks
in training and all that stuff. But the main thing that we focus on all the time, the quality of the
workforce, the cooperation we have among our existing companies, how well the development
works with both the government. All these things are very, very important (unintelligible). As
you know we went from a tier one to a tier two county. One of the things we’re focused on right
now is opportunity zones to make sure we continue those tier one benefits. We continue to work
in our marketing efforts to make sure that we do everything that we can to make sure that the
word gets out about Augusta. Deke is shaking his head here right here right now ---
Mr. Mayor: I’m pointing at the stopwatch.
Mr. Sprouse: --- to stop right now but I’ll, mainly what I wanted to tell you is that we
appreciate your involvement with this board. We appreciate the support that you give us and as
Henry said a lot of things we do we can’t do without you. And we certainly do appreciate that,
we appreciate the relationship that we have and look forward to continuing that relationship for a
long period of time.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Walt. And I just wanted to add for those in attendance and
you’re probably familiar with this. I don’t think you and I have discussed this but you were
probably in Europe. But Indiana University is doing a study on economic development efforts at
the local level nationwide and cities throughout the nation. They’ve chosen four cities to do case
studies on. The report or the study will be completed towards the end of this summer. Augusta
was one of those four cities. So I think that speaks very well of our local recruitment efforts. So
thanks for all you guys do and it’s good to work with you guys. It is a team game for sure. So
thank you and thanks to everybody here.
Mr. Sprouse: We also mention too that the Sites Relation Magazine does a ranking every
year. They always do the numbers not a ranking. They took a look at hard numbers on the
number of new projects in each community and population over a million population between
200,000 and a million and population under 200,000. Talking about the number of new projects
locating in 2010 Augusta was number nine in the United States in that category of between
200,000 and a million. That’s never happened here and so we feel like that we want to continue
what we’re doing and once again with your assistance. We certainly do appreciate it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir. Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the consent agenda.
The Clerk: Our consent agenda consists of items 1-30, items 1-30. For the benefit of any
objectors to our alcohol petitions would you please signify your objections once the petition is
read. I call your attention to the Public Service portion of our agenda.
Item 5: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Bar at 544 Broad Street.
Item 6: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with The S4 Lounge located at 952 Broad Street.
Item 7: Is for an on premise Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Bombay
Central located at 3112 Washington Road Suite H.
Item 8: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor license to be used in connection with
Soy Noodle House located 1032/1034 Broad Street.
Item 9: Is for a retail on premise consumption Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Spring Food & Metro Market located at 851 Broad Street.
The Clerk: Are there any objections to those alcohol petitions?
Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk.
Mr. Mayor: There’s one.
Mr. Russell: Which item are you objecting to, sir?
Mr. Speaker: (inaudible).
Mr. Russell: Well, just tell us the item.
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Mr. Speaker: Okay I understand (unintelligible) let me talk. I object to all of them, sir.
Now if you want to know why, why does Augusta ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay, sir, the Chair has to recognize you based on the rules of the
Commission.
Mr. Speaker: Oh, I’m sorry.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Jackson: My name is Albert Jackson ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Russell: Can I see you for a second, Mr. Jackson?
Mr. Jackson: I thought (unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
The Clerk: The consent agenda consists of items 1-30.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, we do have an objector on all the alcohol petitions. I think it
would be appropriate to give him an opportunity to speak for the time that’s allocated for one
item, sir, so.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Russell: Do you think that would be appropriate?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, I’ll recognize you and if you’ll come forward and state your name
and address for the record.
Mr. Jackson: My name is Albert Jackson and I’m a citizen of Augusta Georgia. I was
born here and I’m also a Deacon at the Bible Chapel 584 Broad Street. And the reason why I
object to these liquor and alcohol beer licenses is because downtown Augusta, South Augusta
and the area of Augusta Richmond County is becoming a Las Vegas, Nevada and a gambling
strip, a drunken strip. Now I want to know, what is the problem? I understand that y’all get
money and fees and taxes from liquor but do you all consider to bring legitimate jobs here rather
than entertainment where people can get drunk? Look at the crime in Augusta Richmond
County. All these bars have jumped up and I think y’all need to really be looking at bringing
jobs here and not be so interested in bringing bars. That’s why I object.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir.
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Mr. Jackson: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any additions to the consent agenda? Commissioner
Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor I’d like to add items number 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 to the
consent if it’s with pleasure with the rest of the Commission.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any further additions to the consent agenda.
Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Yes, Mr. Mayor, underneath the Engineering Services I would include item
38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46 and 47.
Mr. Mayor: Do we have any further items to be added to the consent agenda? Okay
hearing none do we have any items to be pulled for discussion?
Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor, I’d like ---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles.
Mr. Bowles: --- to send item 43 to be deleted from the agenda if that’s appropriate or
refer it back to committee.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank you Commissioner Bowles. Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Are you ready for the ones to be pulled?
Mr. Mayor: Uh-hmm.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to pull agenda items 15 thru 24 but for
the sake of time my rationale for pulling them is that I want to vote no on them and I want to
make that part of the record. That’s 15-24. If we can expedite it without going through it
individually, can we do that or do we have to?
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Well, once we vote on the consent agenda if you would like your
vote recorded no ---
Mr. Mayor: On 15-24.
The Clerk: --- 15-24 you can at that time.
Mr. Lockett: Okay.
The Clerk: I’ll let that be known for the record.
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Mr. Mayor: And I’ll recognize you like Reverend Hatney abstaining from all alcohol
licenses.
Mr. Lockett: And agenda number 25 and 26 I’ve got just a couple of questions I’d like to
ask about those if I could.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, any further items to be pulled for discussion? Okay hearing
none can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda?
Mr. Lockett: Move to approve.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. ZA-R-202 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning
Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for
Augusta Richmond County by amending Section 27-7(e) to modify proper foundation and
skirting for manufactured homes on individual lots.
2. Z-R-206 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning
Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for
Augusta, Georgia by adding language to Section 26 (Special Exception) thereby adding
limited child care activities as incidental uses in church building as permitted uses under
26-1 (A).
3. ZA-R-207 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Richmond County Planning
Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for
Augusta, Georgia by adding a new Section 25-E (Special District Classification – Overlay
Districts) to provide for the designation of overlay districts for which additional protection
and/or guidance through regulations and/or incentives are applied in addition to the base
zoning regulation.
PUBLIC SERVICES
4. Motion to approve and execute the Grounds & Landscaping Maintenance contract with
Augusta Lawn & Turf, Inc. This item was reviewed and approved by airport legal counsel.
(Approved by Public Services Committee May 31, 2011)
5. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 11-17: request by Raiford Dunbar for an on
premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Bar 544
located at 544 Broad St. There will be Dance. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by
Public Services Committee May 31, 2011)
6. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 11-18: request by Clarence Blanks, Jr. for an
on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with the S4
Lounge located at 952 Broad St. There will be Dance. District 1. Super District 9
(Approved by Public Services Committee May 31, 2011)
7. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 11-19: request by Bryan
Birmingham for an on premise consumption Beer & Wine license to be used in connection
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with Bombay Central located at 3112 Washington Rd. Suite H. There will be Sunday Sales.
District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 31, 2011)
8. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 11-20: A request by Sae Chin for an on
premise consumption Liquor license to be used in connection with Soy Noodle House
located at 1032 7 34 Broad St. There will be Sunday Sales. District 1. Super District 9.
(Approved by Public Services Committee May 31, 2011)
9. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 11-21: request by Anderson Jones for a retail
package and on premise consumption Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with
Sprint Food & Metro Market located at 851 Broad St. District 1. Super District 9.
(Approved by Public Services Committee May 31, 2011)
10. Motion to approve tasking the Administrator and the Recreation Department to
negotiate a package with all parties involved including the management company, the First
Tee and the prospective vendor and report back to the committee in 30-days. (Approved by
Public Services Committee May 31, 2011)
11. Motion to approve a request by John H. Fiske Jr. for a Dance license to be used in
connection with Somewhere In Augusta Sports Bar & Grill located at 2820 Washington
Rd. There will be Dance. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services
Committee May 31, 2011)
12. Motion to approve acceptance of the GDOT Grant #AP011-9000-44-(245) in the
amount of $349,191.00 for Augusta Regional Airport. (Approved by Public Services
Committee May 31, 2011)
13. Motion to approve Bid Item #11-117 and to award contract to Pyrotecnico as best bid
for the 2011 Independence Day Fireworks Display. (Approved by Public Services
Committee May 31, 2011)
14. Motion to approve a request by Zhi Ye for a Therapeutic Massage Operators license to
be used in connection with Oriental Acupressure located at 3450 Wrightsboro Rd. District
3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 31, 2011)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. And
Commissioner Lockett, I wanted to recognize you so you can record your no vote on I believe
items 15-24. Is that correct?
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
15. Motion to approve creating an evaluation process for Commission appointees utilizing
the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and Association of County Commissioner of
Georgia (ACCG) boiler plate. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee May 31,
2011)
16. An Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title One Chapter Five Article One
Section 1-5-2 Relating to the Superintendent of Cemeteries; To Repeal All Code Sections
and Ordinances and Parts of Code Sections and Ordinances in Conflict Therewith; To
Provide and Effective Date and For Other Purposes. (No recommendation from
Administrative Services Committee May 9, 2011)
17. An Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title One Chapter Seven Article Two
Section 1-7-11 Relating to Individuals included in the Personnel System; To Repeal All
Code Sections and Ordinances and Parts of code Sections and Ordinances in Conflict
16
Therewith; To Provide an Effective Date and For Other Purposes. (No recommendation
from Administrative Services Committee May 9, 2011)
18. An Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title One Chapter Seven Article Three
Section 1-7-32 Relating to Individuals included in the Classification Plan; To Repeal All
Code Sections and Ordinances and Parts of Code Sections and Ordinances in Conflict
Therewith; To Provide an Effective Date and For Other Purposes. (No recommendation
from Administrative Services Committee May 9, 2011)
19. An Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title Seven Chapter Three Article
Two Section 7-3-17.1 Relating to the Maintenance or construction for Private Streets for
Purposes of Police, Fire and Other Emergency Vehicle Access; To Repeal All Code Sections
and Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; To Provide and Effective Date and for Other
Purposes. (No recommendation from Administrative Services Committee May 9, 2011)
20. And Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title Seven Chapter Three Article
Two Section 7-3-19 Relating to Notification of the Director of Public Works; To Repeal All
Code Sections and Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; To Provide an Effective Date and for
Other Purposes. (No recommendation from Administrative Services Committee May 9,
2011)
21. And Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title Seven Chapter Three Article
One Sections 7-3-2 and 7-3-3 Relating to the Streetlight Program and Coordination; To
Repeal All Code Sections and Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; To Provide an Effective
Date and for Other Purposes. (No recommendation from Administrative Services
Committee May 9, 2011)
22. An Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title Seven Chapter Three Article
Two Sections 7-3-21 through 7-3-25 Relating to the Director of Public Works; To Repeal
All Code Sections and Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; To Provide an Effective Date and
for Other Purposes. (No recommendation from Administrative Services Committee May 9,
2011)
23. An Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title Six Chapter Two Article One
Section 6-2-5 Relating to Consumption at Parks, Playgrounds, Public Streets and Public
Areas Owned by Augusta; To Repeal All Code Sections and Ordinances in Conflict
Herewith; To Provide an Effective Date and for Other Purposes. (No recommendation
from Administrative Services Committee May 9, 2011)
24. Motion to approve and Ordinance to amend the Augusta, GA Code relating to the
approved Reorganization Plan; to repeal all Code Sections and Ordinances and parts of
Code Sections and Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for
other purposes. (Approved by Commission May 17, 2011 – second reading)
Mr. Lockett: That’s correct, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Mason: And same here, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: And Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Johnson: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: And, yes, sir. Commissioner Johnson.
17
Mr. Johnson: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, and Commissioner Johnson.
PUBLIC SAFETY
27. Motion to approve award of Bid Item #11-116, Firefighting Protective Clothing to Ten-
8 Fire & Safety Equipment.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
28. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held May 17,
2011 and Special Called Legal Meeting held May 31, 2011)
APPOINTMENTS
29. Motion to approve the reappointment of Richard Isdell to the Augusta Canal Authority
representing District 7.
ADMINISTRATOR
30. Motion to ratify the Commission’s authorization letter dated May 9, 2011 regarding the
hiring of the Director of Augusta 9-1-1-Center.
FINANCE
32. Approve the replacement of one (1) pickup truck for the Solid Waste Department-
Environmental Services Division.
33. Approve the purchase/replacement of 3 Ford E-350 Work Detail Vans from the
Georgia State Contract: SWC #S-90795.
34. Approve request from Utilities Department-Construction & Maintenance Division to
purchase one mini excavator with an asphalt breaker attachment.
35. Approve the replacement of 2 Sheriff’s motorcycles using Sales Tax Funds as approved
in the Sales Tax Referendum for Phase VI.
36. Motion to approve submittal of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) under the Clean Cities Community Readiness and Planning for Plug-in-Electric
Vehicles and Charging infrastructure Program.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
38. Approve the contract with CWC, LLC in the amount of $133,995.21 for the purchase
and installation of the Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment for the Webster Detention
Center expansion.
39. Approve the Capital Project Budget number 323-041110-208823601 and award the
Design Consultant Services Agreement to ZEWL Engineers in the amount of $234,750.00
for the Dover-Lyman Street project. Funding is available in the project account for the
Engineering Department.
40. Approve Capital Project Budget Change Number Five (324-041110-201824110) and
Supplemental Agreement Four with URS Corporation in the amount total amount of
$279,233.10 to provide design services for traffic signal and streetlight upgrades in the
18
downtown area. Funds are available in the project contingency account for the Engineering
Department.
41. Approve Capital Project Budget Change Number Four 324-041110-201824110 with
Temple, Inc. in the amount of $58,582.00 to provide Polara audible pedestrian crossing
devices on the Downtown Traffic Signal and Streetlight Upgrade-A project. Funds are
available in the project contingency account for the Engineering Department.
42. Authorize the Engineering Department to extend Supplemental Agreement Five with
Jordan, Jones and Goulding, Inc. to continue to provide project management support via
staff augmentation for an amount not to exceed $210,400 which will be funded from
SPLOST Contingency funds. It is also requested for the novation of the contract to be
approved to reflect the name change from Jordan, Jones and Goulding, Inc. to Jacobs
Engineering Group in accordance with the merger that occurred on February 12, 2010.
43. Discuss traffic calming for Highland Avenue. (Requested by Commissioner Joe Bowles)
44. Motion to approve an Option for the purposes of acquiring a Right-of-Way between
Tyco Healthcare Group, LP, c/o Kendall Company, as owner, and Augusta, Georgia, as
optionee, in connection with the Marvin Griffin Road Improvement Project, (13,541 sq. ft.)
in fee and (1,541 sq. ft.) of permanent easement, more or less; and (6,710 sq. ft.) of
temporary construction easement from property located at 1430 Marvin Griffin Road,
private, at the purchase price of $6,800.00.
45. Approve Capital Project Budget Change Number Two (323-041110-296823220) and
Supplemental Agreement Three with Clark Patterson Lee in the amount of $137,450.00 on
the Old Savannah Road/Twiggs Street Improvements Project-Phase II. Funding is
available in the project construction account to be transferred to the project engineering
account as requested by AED.
46. Motion to approve an Option for temporary construction easement between
International Paper Company, as successor in interest to Dillard Paper Company, as
owner, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the Marvin Griffin Road
Improvement Project, (5,467 sq. ft.) of temporary construction easement from the property
located at 1427 Marvin Griffin Road, private, at the purchase price of $400.00.
47. Motion to approve the issuance of Quit Claim Deed to the Sharlotte F. Evans Revocable
Trust for the purpose of changing a previously donated permanent easement between the
Sharlotte F. Evans Revocable Trust, as owner, and Augusta, Georgia, in connection with
the Belair Hills Subdivision Improvement Project from property located at 1585 Avalon
Ave., private property.
Mr. Lockett, Mr. Mason and Mr. Johnson vote No.
Motion carries 6-3. [Items 15-24]
Motion carries 9-0. [Items 1-14, 27-30, 32-36, 38-42, 43, 44-47]
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, let’s go to the first pulled agenda item please.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
19
25. Motion to approve the renewal of the lease agreement between Augusta, Ga. and the
Department of the Navy for the Navy Operational Support Center Augusta for the term
July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee May
31, 2011)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett, I believe this was you.
Mr. Lockett: That’s correct, Mr. Chairman. During committee I asked the General
Counsel, I told him that on the Letter of Authorization it indicates that no funds are required.
But in order to have a valid contract you’ve got to have consideration. The Administrator
volunteered to put a dollar in the pot but I told him no you’d have a conflict of interest. So I
wanted to make sure that the General Counsel did indeed take care of that.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie.
Mr. MacKenzie: The consideration requirement there’s appropriate language in the lease
that says or such other good and fair consideration. That’s been held to be legally enforceable.
Mr. Lockett: That is in there now.
Mr. MacKenzie: Yes.
Mr. Lockett: All right, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion on this item?
Mr. Johnson: Motion to approve.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second?
Mr. Guilfoyle: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Second by Commissioner Guilfoyle. It was a motion by Commissioner
Johnson second by Commissioner Guilfoyle. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners
will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: And, Madam Clerk, the other pulled agenda item I believe its number 26.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
26. Motion to approve the use of Fire Department fund reserve to purchase a woodland
firefighting apparatus. (Approved by Public Safety Committee May 31, 2011)
20
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. During the committee meeting the chair person
of the committee got it on consent to give me an opportunity to ask my question. We’re talking
about $18,429 and I understand the equipment that they want to purchase. But my question is
that you want to have ready access to Georgia Forestry Commission equipment but will you be
able to use this equipment enough to justify the expense?
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if I may ---
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: --- I think we will. The Chief and I have talked about this at some length
and because of their smaller response from the Georgia Forestry Department ---
Mr. Lockett: The Chief is here, Mr. Administrator.
Mr. Russell: Okay, I’m sorry, Chief, go ahead.
Mr. Mayor: Chief Willis.
Chief Willis: Yes, sir. Yes, sir, Mr. Lockett, the Georgia Forestry is pulling out of the,
pulling the tractors out of Richmond County. A few weeks ago we had a fire out on Bobby
Jones. We had a response that had to come from McDuffie County. With an apparatus like this
it’s a smaller unit if we can get in the access areas that we can’t put those larger trucks, do a
quick knock down and hold the fire until we get support from Georgia Forestry. And that could
be from McDuffie County it can be as far away as Appling and Columbia County or Burke
County. And these departments, these facilities too are being cut back by Georgia Forestry as
well too. So if they have a large fire in some of those areas we could have an even longer
response time. So we have a heavy populated area that protect and our reason for asking for this
is to get into a quick knockdown and protect exposures from the fire. And we’ll hold the fire
until we can get a tractor in there and put a fire break around it. And that is a preventive help as
well too. But with the lack of response from the forestry I think it’s going to be a great asset for
us.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell?
Mr. Russell: As a matter of fact, Commissioner Lockett, the Chief and I just this week
had a conversation about the potential for another one of these vehicles. It’s cheaper than
running a pumper, it’s better access. It provides quicker control to those small brush fires that
you can get into. And our concern is just that with the lack of support from the state because of
funding issues we’re going to have to become more and more aggressive as we deal with this.
What we don’t want them to do is get to the point where they do require the bulldozer to cut the
fire line because that bulldozer’s so far away. For us to do the bulldozer would probably be not
as cost effective but we think that these small trucks would be. In addition to that like for
21
smaller access to tighter areas it’d provide better service to those. So I think it’s a good deal and
in fact we might be coming back shortly with a request for another.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Can I get a motion on this?
Mr. Jackson: Move to approve.
Mr. Johnson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: 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 9-0.
Chief Willis: Thank you, gentlemen.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Chief. Madam Clerk, on to the regular agenda I believe.
The Clerk: I think we’re down to item 31. The other items were placed on consent
agenda.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
31. Motion to approve final contract between Augusta, Ga. and Mobility Transit Services.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I had this on the agenda for Administrative
Services but when my colleagues had to leave we didn’t have a quorum therefore we couldn’t
discuss it. I still have a problem with this. If you check the media the media is saying that this
particular deal is going to save the government $400,000 a year. But we’re talking about a five-
year contract so one would think that it would be $400,000 times five. But the reality is for only
two years. Okay, no guarantees for year three, four and five. We’ve indicated that those 70 plus
employees will be retained by Mobility but there’s no guarantee that they’ll have that job for the
two years. Mr. Russell, I’ve asked this question, let me ask you again.
Mr. Russell: Yes, sir.
Mr. Lockett: How much money did public transit ---
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Lockett: --- lose over the last two years?
22
Mr. Russell: Specifically I can’t tell you but we’ve actually probably put between five-
hundred and a million dollars in every year and Donna’s here. She could probably give us a
better number that us.
Mr. Lockett: Well, could you get the numbers? I’ve asked this question I don’t know
how many times and I still don’t have an answer. And let me, and another question is how much
federal money or other grant money has the Department of Public Transit received over the last
four years?
Mr. Russell: A good portion of their budget for repair and those things and for buses are
paid for out of the federal dollars. A good portion is paid through our supplement and the
balance of about $600,000 is paid through the cost of the ridership. So you’re looking at about a
$4 million dollar budget of which probably $600,000 is the ridership costs or the, that and a
percentage of our budget.
Mr. Mayor: Donna’s right next to you. If she was a snake, she would’ve bitten you.
Ms. Williams: I don’t have the specific numbers but the budgeted transfer for each year
to cover the operation of the transit is approximately $4 million dollars. And I’ll be happy to go
back as far as you need me to.
Mr. Lockett: What you’re saying is that after all the subsidies and grants and the
ridership fees and everything has been put into the pot we still have about a $4 million dollar
annual short fall in public transit?
Ms. Williams: The revenue that’s generated from fares is less than $800,000 a year so
there are no operating grant monies available. The grant monies are available for what they call
preventative maintenance which is a limited category and also for capital.
Mr. Lockett: Well, it’s my understanding when number one is, we haven’t talked about
this. But Brookings Institution has ranked us number 98 out of 100 as far as public
transportation is concerned. Okay? And I understand I see where we have turned down money
from the federal government because we had to put matching funds. If we are spending $4
million dollars a year and we could conceivably receive a million dollars a year in matching
funds why are we turning down matching funds? And my last question is this. Did we recently
return some money that had been allocated to public transit?
Mr. Mayor: Okay, and Commissioner Lockett, I’ll let you close on that question. Your
two minutes is up. Ms. Williams.
Ms. Williams: I’m not aware of that, I don’t know ---
Mr. Lockett: Mr. Russell.
Ms. Williams: --- I’d have to find out.
23
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Lockett, please, discussion through the Chair. Mr. Russell, are you
aware?
Mr. Russell: You need to help me with your question. I’m not too sure exactly what
you’re speaking of.
Mr. Mayor: I’ll go ahead ---
Mr. Lockett: Did we recently return any money that was allocated to public transit from
the source from which it came, in the sum of about $600,000.
Mr. Russell: I’m not aware of that but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
Mr. Mason: Careful.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I think the point that Mr. Lockett was making
is that we really didn’t have an opportunity to have a type of discussion. You’re limiting us to
two minutes which is the rules up here. But we didn’t have that type of discussion because we
didn’t have a quorum available to discuss some of these issues. I have no problem with us
looking at transportation. We definitely have an issue. We’ve all talked about that for a long
time. We need transportation down South Augusta like yesterday and so I don’t have a problem
from that standpoint. I do have a problem though when we talk about it being privatized but and
we’re talking about a guaranteed $400,000 which is not bad. But I don’t in my personal opinion
I don’t think it’s the best deal out there. If we’re going to privatize it let’s lease our buses, let’s
lease our facilities, let’s gets some additional cash flow going from that standpoint. So I think
we could’ve have put in the contract some other things in terms of the scope and the
requirements that could’ve garnered us a few more dollars. Now the question I have for Mr.
Russell is I think we had an agenda item a couple of years ago where we passed and we put a 1%
sales tax that would go for transportation from the hotels. Is that correct?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Mason: That would go to transportation?
Mr. Russell: No, sir. The fee that we added was a historic development fee that would
be allowed from hotel/motel to go to projects plus transportation. We were able to because one
of the projects was not moving forward at that particular time. We were able to use some of that
money up front but the formula’s that it goes to those two projects and the balance goes towards
transportation.
Mr. Mason: Okay, so what’s gone to transportation so far?
24
Mr. Russell: Two years we were able to do the 250 that was designated. Then we did
some additional on top of that. This is the first year we haven’t done that so I can’t give you the
final number until the year’s over with.
Mr. Mason: Okay, so we haven’t rescinded that yet so if in fact Mobility gets the
contract, who’s going to get that money?
Mr. Russell: We would be using that money to help pay for our deal with Mobility if
there’s a cost involved with that.
Mr. Mason: Well, that’s not part of your savings.
Mr. Russell: No.
Mr. Mason: I do have one more question, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Mason: That current bid proposal that Mobility put in. It’s based on the current
location where the transportation department is correct?
Mr. Russell: Yes.
Mr. Mason: Okay, now there is a proposal to join forces with the Board of Education’s
location. Are we still talking about that?
Mr. Russell: Yes, we are.
Mr. Mason: So this location then the joint location what’s going to be the hub? Which
one of these locations will be the hub?
Mr. Russell: The hub being the main location of the bus barn? Is that what you’re
looking for?
Mr. Mason: I’m just trying to figure out which one would it be for administration and
bus location?
Mr. Russell: It would be the location of 56.
Mr. Mason: Location of 56 you’re considering will be the hub?
Mr. Mason: Yes, sir, as we move forward with that.
Mr. Mason: So we won’t be charged the city will not be charged because the contract
unless you’ve done something different does not show that location as being the contract. The
point I’m trying to make is, are we in a legal quandary perhaps with Mobility coming back to say
25
that location was not the location in the contract. In fact it’s 8-9 miles beyond now we want
some mileage to go from all the way out to 56 for the buses at the end of the day. You kinda see
where I’m going with this?
Mr. Russell: Yeah, I see where you’re going.
Mr. Mason: How are we protected?
Mr. Russell: Mobility has been made aware of our desire to move out there. And they’re
aware of that.
Mr. Mason: Right, but it’s not in the contract and we understand that a contract is a
binding agreement when you have a consideration and offer then in acceptance you have an
agreement.
Mr. Mayor: And, Mr. Mason, your time is up.
Mr. Mason: Well, he certainly should have an opportunity ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ll recognize you for the next two minutes so you can finish your
question.
Mr. Mason: So we have an agreement right? We have a signed contract? And that
signed contract is in reference to the current location of the transportation facility?
Mr. Russell: Well ---
Mr. Mason: Is there any verbiage in there that allows us or to say if move in that facility
that we won’t be charged by Mobility for the extra miles for going all the way out to 56?
Mr. Russell: First of all, we do not have a signed contract. We have a document that
we’ve agreed on and will be hopefully moving towards that signature. The conversations
involving 56 has been ongoing and they’re aware of what we’re doing there. The language
specifically in that contract I have not read that specifically.
Mr. Mason: Well, I’d like to see us protected so that we’re not charged even more than
that. Those are things that should be considered. And my final question is from a federal
standpoint. Who’s going to be responsible for the federal requirements of the Augusta Transit
Department?
Mr. Russell: We are as a city going to have to maintain that responsibility but we will be
working with Mobility to fill out the forms and the opportunities that are involved with them.
Mr. Mason: And have you identified someone as the transit specialist if you will to
oversee Mobility’s contract compliance?
26
Mr. Russell: We have not yet, sir.
Mr. Mason: But it’s on your radar.
Mr. Russell: Yes, sir, we’d like to have somebody involved to the point to where we
have an individual that not only monitors the contract but is our liaison with Mobility to make
sure that we’re getting the service level that we have and will be able to be the communication
link between us and Mobility to make sure that we are communicating regularly on the needs not
only of our contract but as of the citizens that come to us with complaints.
Mr. Mason: That’s it, Mr. Mayor. I’m not going to vote for it but I need to be sure that
we’re protected in those extra miles because those miles add up over time.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Lockett, you had?
Mr. Lockett: How much time have I got to fill?
Mr. Mayor: Two.
Mr. Lockett: I’ll be brief. I’d just like to remind my colleagues that our mission is part
of it. We believe that to be successful the process of government must include all citizens. That
doesn’t restrict to just your district. And I’ve so many times they say that well the transit is no
good because of the people that’s working there. But let me tell you it’s kind of funny because
according to the bid request Augusta will remain in charge of planning bus routes, the fares, the
schedule, hours of operation and the bus stops. So it’s going to be the same old stuff. Nothing’ll
be new there. Now I understand there was a 2009 study done and they had some
recommendations that we should do to make the service better than wasn’t going to cost us any
money and we only did one little part. And that was to run a bus out to west Augusta. We didn’t
run it to Fort Gordon where the good paying jobs are. So really that is our fault and we ought to
be ashamed because all of us wasn’t born with a silver spoon in our mouth. Some of us have to
rely on public transit and we should make sure if we want to be the city that we ought to be we
need to get with the program. And I’m kind of inclined to go along with Dr. Azziz when he said
that Augusta’s lacking the cool factor. I mean you got the cool factor ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Lockett: --- we got to work together folks, okay? Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, and I’m just going to read from adherence to the agenda because I
think we do get away a little from this. We’re talking about silver spoons in peoples’ mouths
and such. But just remember it’s not to get personal. We’re just, if y’all want to read Decorum
of Debate I’ll make sure to put that in everybody’s box so that we can read through it unless
everybody’s got it. Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m going to be brief on this. I just wanted to
reiterate that I do not have a problem with us looking at that option at some point. And, Fred,
27
you and I had some conversation prior to your vacation that we will look into seeking someone
in house because we’re going to have, we’re still going to have so much involvement and they
eluded to that Commissioner Mason and Lockett talking about it earlier that we still have a huge
amount of responsibility as a city to monitor that contract but also some involvement if you will.
And with that being said I think it’s only fair that we look at that option to see whether or not it’s
feasible to get somebody with the experience to come in and fluently run that transit department.
Because again I don’t think it’s solely just about the money that we’re losing but we’re looking
at fixing the system. And that’s the overall projection of it. I’m not saying Mobility can’t do it
but I’m a businessman and I will say this. It costs money to get the service that you want and
every day it’s going to cost us more money to do that. But we need to figure out how to fix the
system instead of finding quick fixes. And I think this is going to be a quick fix and I eluded to
this transit system in Athens. The same thing happened with them with Viola and two years later
they saw that it did not, it was not in the best interest of the citizens or the city to do that. So I
think we need to look at that at that a little bit more. Like I said before if we exhaust that option
and it don’t work out then, fine, let’s go that route. But I still think it’s too premature. Thank
you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles.
Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor, first and foremost, Mobility gave us a bid based on what we as
a Commission approved to go out as an RFP. So they’re at no fault for what they submitted it to.
And to my dismay it has they cannot terminate employees for two years while we have a $7
million dollar deficit and we’re trying to reduce our costs and here we are hamstringing a
company from saying no you can’t fire anybody. So you know we all have problems with this
contract. Mobility’s doing something that it’s done all over, all across this county. You’ve got
Savannah, we’ve got Columbus, we’ve got Columbia, SC. We’ve got Charleston, SC. I could
go on and on all day with all the companies that have private management terms with their
transit systems, just like the golf course did where we have somebody offering to cut our savings
on an annual basis. I’m a businessman too and when I have a guaranteed savings I’m going to
take it. We’ve got a fixed cost from Mobility for five years. Five years based on what our
This is a sweet
current cost is this year. So we’re five years without any inflation costs in there.
deal that we are getting and I’m going to make a motion to approve.
Mr. Jackson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and second.
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: In the bid process there was a protest that I was made aware of last week
when I got back from one of the bidders, the other bidder there basically. We looked at that and
it would be my recommendation that we move forward with this particular process because of
the complex nature. I do not feel that their protest has merit. We will run it through the system
28
and at some point you will probably have a chance to look at that. But I was just made aware of
this when I arrived back.
(Inaudible)
Mr. Lockett, Mr. Mason and Mr. Johnson vote No.
Motion passes 6-3.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
37. Motion to approve tasking the Administrator with exploring funding options relative to
the proposed Ripken Multi-Purpose Stadium and report back to the Commission.
(Requested by Commissioner Matt Aiken)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Aitken, I know it’s hard to believe, but this was your request,
not mine so I’d like to call on you.
Mr. Aitken: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We’ve had a discussion with the Ripken
Organization and all the Commissioners have had an opportunity to interact with the Ripken
Organization. It’s nothing more than just exploring options. I think as a city we have to look at
different options and so we’ve had those meetings and hopefully we’ll get support today, at least
to bring closure that we’ll be able to do that. I think we owe it to the citizens of this city to look
at our options to help bring a cash flow to this city as well as bring closure to the Ripken
Organization and their business plans for the future. The Ripken Organization I think are a Hall
of Famer. Mr. Ripken is and I think he’s an exceptional businessman. So I think it’s a, it would
be a great partnership if it works out. So I hope my colleagues today would consider that. At
least give Mr. Russell the opportunity to look at different ways to look at this request.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I don’t doubt Mr. Ripken’s credentials, Hall of
Famer, a great businessman, the whole deal. But what I do doubt is the will of the people to
have a baseball stadium that for any reason that they’d be paying any monies out of their pockets
or out of the taxpayer’s dollar. So I think Mr. Russell is extremely busy at this particular point as
well he should be dealing with personnel procedure policy manual, reorganization and any other
number of things. I believe his plate is extremely full. I don’t want to waste time with Mr.
Russell seeking to bind this government to more money as we’ve already crippled the
government with a number of projects that we’ve already done and we haven’t seen any financial
results from that yet at this particular time. My observation is this. We’ve had an election where
. So my thing islet’s put it to
we’ve had some folks come out. We didn’t get everybody out
rest once and for all, put it on the ballot for November of 2012.
Let the people speak. Let’s
generate some questions that would be appropriate as far as financing, as far as whether they
want it period, whatever type of questions that we need to have on the ballot. You’re going to
have a presidential election, you’re going to see a number of folks come out you will then get a
29
diverse group and then we’ll find out whether this is viable project or not. That’s the motion that
I make.
Mr. Bowles: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles.
Mr. Bowles: --- I was going to second that one myself but to have all the information to
be informed to make a decision for the voters we have to task the Administrator to go out and
run the financial calculations to bring back to us.
Mr. Mayor: Exactly.
Mr. Bowles: Is that part of your motion?
Mr. Mason: Well, actually it’s not, Joe, because of this reason. One, when this was first
proposed to us and I don’t want to see another TEE Center deal. When this was first proposed to
us it first came out at $23 million or so. We’re now up to about 37.8 million or so. A year from
now a year and a half from now there’s no telling where we’ll be. So I don’t know exactly how
accurate, we don’t know what the economy’s going to be like, I don’t know how accurate that
particular number’s going to go. But I do believe that we should have some specific questions to
the fact of whether there’s a desire to have one, would you be willing to spend your taxpayer
dollars to finance one or whatever. There’s ways that we can craft the questions to see whether
there’s a will to even do this from a city standpoint.
Mr. Bowles: You can’t do that on a ballot. It’s illegal, a straw poll. That cannot be
placed on the ballot.
Mr. Mason: So you’re saying you can’t place a question on the ballot?
Mr. Bowles: Not the way you worded it.
Mr. Mason: Well, I’m not an expert. All I’m saying ---
Mr. Mayor: Gentlemen, through the Chair.
Mr. Mason: --- there will be an opportunity ---
Mr. Mayor: Gentlemen, through the Chair, please.
Mr. Mason: --- there will be an opportunity.
Mr. Bowles: You can’t throw out a financial data for the citizens to vote and you can’t
just throw out a ‘what if’ scenario.
30
Mr. Mason: You can certainly ask do you want it or don’t you because that was on there
before.
Mr. Mayor: But that was on the Democratic Primary ballot as opposed to the general
election ballot. Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I do agree I think that we do have enough in the
Administrator along with everybody else is extremely busy at this point in time. I don’t
disregard what Cal Ripken and his crew is trying to do. But I did get a phone call prior to this
commission meeting from a 72-year old baseball fan that lives in my district. And she wanted to
express her concerns. She don’t call much but she expressed that to me but she said I’m going to
the game this afternoon and I’m going to be there. And of course I’m 72 and I’m somewhat
disabled. It’s easily accessible to get into the stadium where it is now and out of there and taking
it and moving it downtown this is what she (unintelligible) to me first of all it will be more
congested. She will have further to get in travel to the stadium being disabled and she do not
support it and she wanted to express he opinion to me. And I have heard that from several
people in the district that support baseball at this particular time. So I don’t think it’s something
that we really need to focus primarily on too much. At some point in the future we may be
something that’s worth bringing into the inner city but I don’t think right now with what we’re
doing it’s very appropriate to even consider even doing anything right now until we get past the
TEE Center the Kroc Center and those things then open. We’re still and then with the hotel
coming in. So it’s other things that we need to look at to bringing in to downtown and then once
we get that done of course in conjunction with the parking deck and other facilities for people to
park I think it would be suitable to probably look at, at least talking about that at that particular
time. But I do agree I don’t think this is not now is the time to consider doing anything with it.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I’m not a fan of downtown baseball. I think everybody up
here knows that. But I am very much a fan of allowing Mr. Russell to discuss with the Ripken
Organization the possibility of seeing what we can do together. I think that that is an appropriate
thing and I would very much be in favor of a motion, in fact I will make a motion ---
Mr. Mayor: Substitute motion?
Mr. Brigham: --- substitute motion. I don’t know, did the first one have a second which
I think was an illegal motion.
Mr. Mayor: No, the motion was made and the ---
Mr. Brigham: Okay. I’m going to make a substitute motion that we allow the
Administrator to meet with the Ripken Organization to discuss financing. I don’t know if this is
going to go anywhere other than a meeting to have a discussion. And after that I think we need
to get a report back as to what’s taken place. Then we can decide what’s the next step.
Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second on that?
31
Mr. Bowles: I will second that subject to it be Mr. Russell and/or his designee.
Mr. Brigham: That’ll be fine.
Mr. Mayor: Well, could we include our finance people on that?
Mr. Bowles: It could be a designee ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I get you. Okay. Grady.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Why don’t we let Mr. Ripken come to us with his proposal and make it as
clear as possible and we don’t have to waste too much time dealing with that. And also throw it
out to a vote when we’re spending this kind of money.
Mr. Mayor: Well, I’ll tell you that’s the whole thing. And just having been familiar with
it if we don’t, if the city doesn’t express any interest them to grow their business here why are
they going to say what they’re going to invest? Because it’s basically saying we don’t want you
here. We don’t want to help you grow your business here. I mean it’s everybody we’ve heard
today several Commissioners say we’re businessmen so is the Ripken Organization. So,
Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I met with the Ripken people a few weeks ago
and they have some very good ideas and they have some very good programs. And I can support
that wholeheartedly but I can’t support is a few days ago we had a $9 million dollar deficit and
like my colleague Commissioner Mason said we have all these things going on that’s unfinished,
Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual, unauthorized reorganization and we have all these
things going on. We need to get some of these things off the table. And we know, there was a
referendum before, low vote turnout but it didn’t pass. November 2010 General Election it’ll be
a lots more people out there voting. And I think Mr. Ripken is a very understanding person and
from the way they talked to me they want to do what’s best for the community. And if we told
them we wanted to put it on the ballot I think they’d wait. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a substitute motion and a second. And, Madam Clerk, for
the benefit of clarity could you read back the substitute motion?
The Clerk: The substitute motion was to allow the Administrator or his designee to meet
with the Ripken Group regarding financing of the multi-purpose stadium.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if I may.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
32
Mr. Russell: You know I’ll do what you tell me as I should do very well but I need a
little bit more direction here. Are we talking specifically the financing of one location or are we
talking everything’s on the table and giving me the flexibility of for some reason we can work a
deal in a location that’s different than downtown or are we just looking at financing what they
want. Or are we looking at going to them with what we might want as a program here. And how
much flexibility am I going to have in this discussion would give me some direction on what I
can talk or not. I mean I agree with Commissioner Mason and Commissioner Lockett, we’ve got
a lot going on. And I don’t want to waste your time and money without enough direction to
make sure that I know exactly what this body wants or at least the parameters of what I can
negotiate.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham, could you clarify that?
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, it was my intention for it to be a free-wheeling open
discussion about all options. I don’t think, if it’s only about the downtown stadium I agree with
Mr. Mason and Mr. Lockett I’m also not going to vote for it. But if it’s going to be a free-
wheeling discussion about the future of baseball in Augusta I think we need that.
Mr. Mayor: Which would help clarify the specific amount of private investment to be put
into the deal. Okay.
Mr. Russell: If that’s the intent of the motion ---
Mr. Brigham: That was my intent.
Mr. Russell: --- I think it will be well worth our time to explore those options.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to add and you made a good point
Commissioner Brigham. I will be inclined to support it I think everybody else will be if we look
at the Regency Mall area. And I’m just throwing it out there because it’s a piece of property that
we’re looking at trying to do something with hopefully if we can find somebody to have interest
in it. But you’re talking a multi-purpose stadium and possibly even more. I don’t know whether
or not there’s some room to look at that but I think that may be room for the people to even think
about supporting it. And hopefully with that being said Cal can maybe upgrade to a Triple A
team and maybe we’ll have real baseball. And I’m not taking anything away from what we have
now but I’m just saying those that truly do love baseball seeing those that may be the only way
propose to attract more people and centralizing the area there. And I think it will be a suitable
location. I don’t think the property value that is probably more than 4 million bucks but it’s just
something to throw out there.
Mr. Mayor: Well, and I think once again the spirit of the motion is to look at all options
not just specific to one site location, correct, Commissioner Brigham? Okay. We have a
substitute motion and a second. If there is no further discussion Commissioners will now vote
by the substitute sign of voting.
33
Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett, Mr. Guilfoyle, Mr. Smith vote No.
Motion fails 5-4.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, I believe we have a primary motion on the floor.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett, is to place this question on the 2012
general election ballot. Number 37.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: Can I ask the Attorney whether or not he thinks we can place a general,
yes or no, do we want this or not on the ballot? Because it’s always been my understanding that
we can ask that kind of a straw poll.
Mr. MacKenzie: The answer to that question would depend on exactly what? I think
there would be a little more detail necessary and perhaps Commissioner Mason can amend it?
Mr. Mason: We’ll (inaudible) the details.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. MacKenzie: I mean what I guess you could probably do if you wanted to amend
your motion to say that you would provide detail maybe Administrative Services Committee or
something you would need a little more detail than what the motion was initially.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mason, would you like to amend your motion to reflect those remarks?
Mr. Mason: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Commissioners
will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Mr. Bowles and Mr. Jackson vote No.
Mr. Brigham abstains.
Motion carries 6-2-1.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the next agenda item, please.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
34
48. Update from the Administrator regarding the status of the conversion of the Regency
Mall Retention Pond into a lake utilizing SPLOST funds previously allocated and an
anticipated timeline of development.
Mr. Ladson: Let me first start saying that we have officially called the project the Rocky
Creek Flood Hazard Mitigation and Improvement Project. Late last year we went out for RFP’s
on this particular project. We evaluated those RFQ’s earlier this year. We have chose a
consultant and we’re in the process of bringing that consultant for approval to the Commission in
early July. If you look at your schedule we have three or four different stages here. The first
stage is the concept stage. This is where we do a lot of the studies, the hydraulic studies and
submit several information’s to the different agencies such as The Corp and FEMA. This stage
is scheduled to last, is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Once we have done
that we will go into the preliminary plan stage and this consists of putting together some
preliminary plans on this particular project. Once we’re done with that we will start the final
stage and pretty much go through the same process as the preliminary but it’s just more detailed.
And for this project we’re scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2013. That’s when funds
will actually be available on this project, particular project.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett, did you?
Mr. Lockett: Abie, you said that’s when funds will be available. I was under the
understanding that funds had been under SPLOST several years ago, three and a half million
dollars worth of funds.
Mr. Ladson: That’s correct, additional funds from SPLOST. Six will be available then.
But what happened, the funds that were available were going to another project which was the
Hollywood Subdivision project. We, in turn, I think it was last year had those funds we allocated
to this particular project.
Mr. Lockett: How many acres are we talking about? We’re talking about 13 ½ acres or
something here or does this include going all the way down to Willis Road?
Mr. Ladson: This basically includes the area we actually have the pond, right where the
Regency Mall is located and actually putting in recreational facilities, sports, fishing and those
types things.
Mr. Lockett: When will you have a plan that one can look at and see what this thing is
supposed to look like when you finish?
Mr. Ladson: The concept study should be completed by the end of this year so we should
have something for you to look at.
Mr. Lockett: Okay and I would appreciate it if you’d keep me posted from time to time
and let me know what’s happening so I can let my constituents know.
Mr. Ladson: Yes, sir.
35
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner Lockett. Commissioner Johnson, then
Commissioner Bowles.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Abie, this question is for you. As far as the actual
property I know we’re going to have some legal formalities we have to go through, correct?
Mr. Ladson: Yes, sir.
Mr. Johnson: At what point do that particular process starts to I guess acquire the
property to be able to do that? Because I understand it can become tedious.
Mr. Ladson: Normally once we’re completed with the preliminary plans then that’s when
we go into the land acquisition phase.
Mr. Johnson: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles.
Mr. Bowles: Abie, I sure as heck hope that ya’ll put in better maintenance plans for this
lake than you have the lakes around my district. And that brings me to the question what’s the
time frame for having the dredgings of all the Lake Olmstead and Lake Camellia Lake that have
silted in about ten years ago.
Mr. Ladson: Right now we’re waiting on the permits and that should completed by the
end of this year. Once that’s done then probably within a few months timeframe you should be
able to.
Mr. Bowles: Are we going to buy a dredger so we can maintain all the plants we have
like at Diamond Lakes and I mean we’ve got plenty of lakes ---
Mr. Ladson: (inaudible)
Mr. Bowles: --- we’re going to buy a dredger so we can maintain them ourselves or are
we going to continue to outsource those?
Mr. Ladson: We haven’t gotten that far yet as far as buying a dredger.
Mr. Bowles: I, it’s a 13-acre lake’s going to be a lot of maintenance so I think we need to
start preparing for the O&M on it.
Mr. Mayor: Some big ole carp. Okay, if there’s no further discussion can I get a motion
to receive this as information?
36
Mr. Johnson: So moved.
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: 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 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next agenda item.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
49. Authorize the award and execution of a contract with McKim and Creed for the update
to AUD’s Utility Business Plan (RFQ #11-055) in the amount of $386,112.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Wiedmeier.
Mr. Wiidmeier: Mr. Mayor and Commission, the last business plan that was done for the
Utilities Department actually also the first one was done back in about 2004. We felt like it was
a good time to update that plan and went through a selection process and McKim and Creed was
selected based on qualifications. And we have negotiated a fee of $386,112 dollars for this
work.
Mr. Mayor: Does anybody want to make a motion?
Mr. Johnson: Move to approve.
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: 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 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: And, Madam Clerk, the final agenda item of the evening.
The Clerk:
ATTORNEY
50. Motion to designate the Municipal Building at 501 Greene Street, Augusta, Georgia as
annex of and secondary location for the Superior Court of Richmond County, the State
Court of Richmond County, the Civil Court of Richmond County and the Magistrate
Court of Richmond Count; and to specifically designate the Commission chambers as one
of the rooms in the Municipal Building to be used for courthouse purposes.
37
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you. I guess this will probably be designated to Fred. Specifically,
Fred, would this motion being placed on the agenda would we actually have a designated floor
for the annex of court. And I bring, I wanted to ask this question primarily because after
venturing the new Judicial Center of course there’s been a lot of issues and problems and I
understand that at some point we may have to use this building as an alternative for court. And
something I think at some point we need to talk about it because we did not have, I guess,
enough room there in that building to facilitate, I guess, all of the demands that may happen at
some point.
Mr. Russell: I think there are two things there, if I can, Mayor, that would probably be
important to note at this point. The court’s required to have a backup plan in case of emergency,
a designated area they can go to if for some reason that building becomes inhabitable or unusable
for in case of an emergency or fire or something like that. That in mind we always sort of
anticipated that this building would be that backup at this particular point in time and would hope
to be able to design the chamber that you meet in, in a way that would be not a perfect courtroom
but a room that could be used for court in cases in that kind of emergency. So I think that would
be one backup that we’ve got. The size of the courtrooms was what they requested and that’s
what we gave them. If there’s a major trial or something where you would need more seats
obviously this room itself doesn’t provide many more than what the courtrooms provide. But
hopefully as we design the new space downstairs to provide an opportunity for the citizens to
come see how their government works there’s going to be more seating down there. Because I
feel strongly as I think as each of you do that this is a public process and the public ought to have
a right to come and have a seat instead of having to stand in the hall. So that would be designed
with those two things in mind one of which should be an emergency the other be if there is a big
case here that would require seating for ‘x’ number of people. Beyond that we can make that
done. I do not see the need to designate a specific room all the time for a courtroom. I think that
would be a waste of space and I think our, the architects when we get around to hire them with
our direction could be able to design the Commission space in a manner that would be
appropriate.
Mr. Johnson: Would that ---
Mr. Mayor: Go ahead.
Mr. Johnson: --- be some potential conflict with the Commission meeting or committee
meetings and court. I do understand court is on certain days but could it possibly and I think
that’s what I’m looking at, potential conflict.
Mr. Russell: You know the beauty of the court is they can schedule the hearings and you
know we would have dibs on the building in my mind. And unless there was an emergency or
something we ought to be able to work the schedule where there would not be a conflict. You
know I would find it hard to believe but that’s not really a good thing to say around here
sometimes. But I would think that we would be able to schedule that around to where there
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would not be a conflict. And I think this motion actually kills several birds that are going to be
out there anyway. So I would suggest that with your consideration it would favorable.
Mr. Mayor: It offers us flex space. Commissioner Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor after the discussion last week I decided to go talk with Judge
And that motion is a motion to request
Carlisle Overstreet and I got a motion I want to make.
that Judge Carlisle Overstreet, the Chief Judge of the Superior Courts of Augusta Judicial
Circuit supplement his Order of April 20, 2011 to include the Municipal Building at 530
Greene Street as a Courthouse location for the purpose of the meeting and operation of the
Augusta, Georgia Commission, its officers and employees in accordance with local and
state laws.
Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second?
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Bowles: As long as he meant 2011 because we don’t know what’s going in 2012.
Mr. Brigham: I meant 2011, I’m sorry, I’m dyslexic.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Smith: I second that.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Mr. Mason votes No.
Motion carries 8-1.
Mr. Mayor: Well, let me just say that was easy. If there’s no further business to come
before the Commission we have no need for a legal meeting and we stand adjourned.
[MEETING ADJOURNED]
Lena Bonner
Clerk of Commission
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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
June 7, 2011.
__________________________
Clerk of Commission
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