HomeMy WebLinkAboutCalled Commission Meeting August 29, 2023
CALLED MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
August 29, 2023
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 29,
2023, the Honorable Garnett Johnson, Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Garrett, Scott, McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis
and Guilfoyle, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
ABSENT: Hon. Mason, member of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Mr. Mayor: Ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate your patience. Madam Clerk, I call this
meeting to order. I understand there’s one item we want to address before we go to legal and that’s
item #3. Madam Clerk, if you don’t mind for the record read that in.
3. Motion to adopt 2023 mill rates and resolution for each taxing district at the
computed proposed full rollback rate. (Approved by the Commission August 1, 2023)
Mr. Frantom: Motion to approve.
Ms. McKnight: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I have a motion and a second. Seeing no further discussion,
we’re voting.
Mr. Garrett and Mr. Lewis out.
Motion carries 7-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Attorney Mack.
1. LEGAL MEETING
A. Pending and potential litigation
B. Real estate
C. Personnel
Ms. Rachel Mack: Good morning, Mayor and Commissioners. I would recommend
a motion to go into executive session to discuss pending and potential litigation, real estate
and cyber security.
Ms. McKnight: I so move.
Mr. Johnson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we have a motion and second. Madam Clerk, voting.
Mr. Garrett and Mr. Lewis out.
1
Motion carries 7-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. We’re now in legal.
\[EXECUTIVE SESSION\]
Mr. Mayor: All right, ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate your patience. Madam Clerk,
call this meeting back to order. Attorney Brown.
2. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with
Georgia’s Open Meeting Act
Mr. Brown: Thank you, sir. Mayor Davis (sic), Commission, we would ask for a
motion to execute the closed meeting affidavit.
Mr. Frantom: So moved.
Mr. Johnson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: There’s a motion and a second. Seeing no further discussions, we’re voting.
Mr. Garrett not voting.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Attorney Brown, are there any motions as a result
of our closed executive session?
Mr. Brown: Yes, there are, Mayor Johnson.
The Clerk: A Resolution authorizing the settlement of all claims by Timothy Fulton,
claimant, in the aggregate sum of $30,000 for the purpose of settling litigation matters.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Is there a motion to approve this?
Mr. Frantom: So moved.
Mr. Johnson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, we have a motion and a second. Voting.
Mr. Garrett votes No.
Motion carries 8-1.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Attorney Brown.
2
The Clerk: Our next Resolution is a resolution authorizing the settlement of all claims
by Brittany Irvin, guardian and conservator of Bailee Imani Curtis and Paytin Dantrell
Shante Germany in the aggregate sum of $500,000.
Mr. Mayor: All right, colleagues, is there a motion to approve, please?
Mr. Johnson: So moved.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, I have a motion and a second. We’re voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Let’s continue.
The Clerk: Our next item is a Resolution authorizing the settlement of all claims by
Kathey Sheppard in the aggregate sum of $75,000.
Mr. Mayor: Colleagues, is there a motion to approve, please?
Mr. Guilfoyle: So move.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I have a motion and a second. We’re voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, are there any more?
The Clerk: The last one is a Resolution authorizing the settlement of claims by Ollie
Jones in the amount up to $600,000 payable to Ollie Jones and Reevis Law Firm LLC.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Is there a motion?
Mr. Johnson: So move.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
st
Mr. Mayor: We’ll receive the motion from the commissioner from the 1 and a second.
Voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Attorney Brown.
3
Mr. Brown: Do you have any more?
The Clerk: No.
Mr. Brown: Okay, we request a motion to approve the cyber incident closeout
response and to authorize the Mayor to execute the necessary documents required for such
closeout.
Mr. Frantom: So moved.
Ms. Scott: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Attorney Brown. I have a motion and a second. No further
discussion, we’re voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Brown.
Mr. Brown: We would request a motion to transfer 2502 Allen Street, Augusta,
Georgia, to the Land Bank.
Mr. Johnson: So move.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, there was a motion and a second. We’re voting.
Motion carries 9-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Attorney Brown, if there are no further motions, I hereby adjourn
this meeting.
Mr. Brown: No further motions, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you so much. I’m prepared to sign the closed meeting affidavit. This
meeting is hereby turned over to the committees.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
Lena J. Bonner
Clerk of Commission
4
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy
of the minutes of the Called Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on
August 29, 2023.
________________________
Clerk of Commission
5