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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting March 28, 2012 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER MARCH 28, 2012 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., March 28, 2012, the Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Mason, Smith, Aitken, Johnson, Jackson, Bowles and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Absent: Hon. Hatney, member of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Mr. Mayor: And I will go ahead and call the Commission meeting to order. And prior to starting the meeting we’ve lost a past city employee, a current city employee and a young man who’s had a major impact on this community and actually this state and this nation. And I would ask that we have a moment of silence for Kathy Williams, for Stuart McCall and for Juan Boatwright. Please join me. Thank you. And now I understand that due to the length of our legal meeting our Pastor who was going to deliver the invocation had to leave. So I would call on my good friend Matt Aitken to deliver the invocation today in the absence of our go to Reverend Hatney. Mr. Aitken, please stand and join us in the invocation. (Commissioner Aitken delivers the invocation) Mr. Mayor: Thank you for pinch-hitting, Commissioner Aitken. Mr. Aitken: Any time, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: And, Madam Clerk, I believe we have a couple of additions to the agenda? The Clerk: Yes, sir. We have a request to approve an increase in the year-round taxicab rates and approve the 2012 Master Week taxi service rates and a (One Day Beer & Wine) license to be used in connection with the Buffalo Wild Wings located at 120 Robert C. Daniel Parkway. Mr. Mayor: Do we have unanimous consent to add those agenda items? Commissioner Lockett. Okay. And we do? Thank you. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: You have my consent to add them but my vote on one is going to be no. Is that proper? The Clerk: Yes. Mr. Mayor: That’s proper. 1 Mr. Lockett: All right. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the consent agenda, please. The Clerk: Our consent agenda it items 1-3, items 1-3. Item 1: Is to approve an amendment to allow the Sunday sales of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits by retailers. Are there any objectors to that ordinance amendment? Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Okay. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-3. Mr. Mayor: Okay, gentlemen, do we have any additions to the consent agenda, please. Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Number fifteen, sir. Mr. Mayor: Is everybody okay with number six? Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, sir. Mr. Jackson: Number seven. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Jackson, number seven. Mr. Mason: No. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any further additions to the consent agenda? Mr. Lockett: Number fourteen, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Bowles: I’ve got a question on that one. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Bowles has a question on that one. Any further additions to the consent agenda? Hearing none, do we have any items to be pulled for discussion? Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: I need to pull item one. Mr. Mayor: Okay, that’s items added to 15 and 6. Item number one pulled. Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? Mr. Jackson: So moved. 2 Mr. Johnson: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PEITITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 2. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held March 6, 2012, March 20, 2012 and the Special Called Meeting held on March 12, 2012. APPOINTMENTS 3. Motion to approve the re-appointments of Mr. Charles Smith, Chairman (Sen. D-23), and Ms. S. Renee D’Antignac (Sen. D-22) to the Board of Assessors for four-year terms. PUBLIC SERVICES 6. Motion to approve the reappointment of the following individuals to serve a four-year term on the Construction Advisory Board for their respective trades: Mr. Mark Capers – General Contractor, and Mr. Tom Brinson – Electrical Engineer. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion carries 9-0. [Items 2, 3, 6] Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, I’m going to first go in the interest that this has to be uploaded and into Atlanta by midnight tonight. I’d like to call agenda item number 11. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 11. Approve an update of Augusta Georgia’s DBE Program for federally assisted contracts in order to comply with the Department of Transportation’s program and update of the DBE rules. 49 CFR Part 23. (No recommendation from Administrative Services Committee thth March 12, 2012 deferred by the Commission March 20 to the March 28 Commission meeting) Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: Thank you, gentlemen. We’ve already sent to so there were some very minor revisions made since the last time this was on the Commission meeting last week. I appreciate all the effort and support of all the people that went into get this product ready. We believe it’s ready to be updated. What you have and what’s been distributed out in front of you in the most updated version and we believe that’s ready to be uploaded. Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion on this? Mr. Bowles: So moved. 3 Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second? Mr. Guilfoyle: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and second. Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I will support this agenda item without reservation because I truly believe that we’re not in complete compliance with the Department of Transportation’s requirement. But with reservations I will support it. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. The Clerk: It’s unanimous. Mr. Mason: No, it’s not. The Clerk: I’m sorry, Mr. Mason voting no and Dr. Hatney out. Mr. Mason votes No. Motion Passes 8-1. Mr. Mayor: Thank you and, Madam Clerk, let’s go to the additions to the agenda next please, ma’am. The Clerk: ADDENDUM 17. Approve an increase in the year-round taxicab rates that may be charged and approve the 2012 Masters Week taxi service rates. The rates will become effective upon approval and will remain in effect until reset by the Commission. Mr. Jackson: Move to approve. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Bowles: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Mason and Mr. Lockett vote No. Motion carries 7-2. The Clerk: 4 ADDENDUM 16. Discussion: A request by April Morales for a Special Event License (One Day Beer & Wine) for April 4, 2012 to be used in connection with Buffalo Wild Wings located at 120 Robert C. Daniel Parkway (in the parking lot). District 3. Super District 10. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to this petition? Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk. Mr. Guilfoyle: Motion to approve. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion carries 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, let’s go to the first pulled item, please, ma’am. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to approve Option I amendment to Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6- 2, Alcoholic Beverages, so as to allow Sunday sales of package malt beverage, wine and distilled spirits by retailers. (Approved by the Augusta Commission March 20, 2012 – second reading. Mr. Jackson: Motion to approve. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Yeah, I want some clarity on the motion here. Is this the one where it does away with the fees? Mr. Sherman: It does not do away with the fees but it’s only to change the hours of operation without adding a fee to it. Mr. Mason: Okay, are we playing on words or is there a fee? Mr. Sherman: Pardon? Mr. Mason: Is there a fee? 5 Mr. Sherman: (inaudible). Mr. Mason: Okay, so for those have you had any cause or any issues in reference to if we’re passing this at this particular, right, you know what I’m talking about. Mr. Sherman: We had a call of two from the restaurants. And the situation with the restaurants is that the state law requires that if you’re going to be open on Sunday as a restaurant you have to make 50% food sales. When that fee went into effect for restaurants, that Sunday sales it was looked at as a regulatory fee because we had to verify that they are meeting that 50% food sales. What’s before you for retail that’s not regulated as per se by the state alcohol ordinance other than the referendum approved by the voters and the Commission approving an amendment to the ordinance. Now there were three options on the table. One was just to change the hours of operation so a six day becomes a seven day license for retailers. The other is to add a fee for all retailers it goes six days to seven days add the fee or a third option was six day to seven day effective April 1 with the fee effective with the 2013 renewals. And again so far you’ve chosen option one. Mr. Mason: The body’s chosen option one. Mr. Sherman: Right. Mr. Mason: Okay, so my question then is how much, what is the economic impact for not charging a fee that the city will not see because we’re not charging a fee? Mr. Sherman: Okay, on the agenda item I put that there were an estimated 230 businesses. Once we ran the labels it came out to roughly to 180, 185. So 260,000 there about. Mr. Mason: $260,000.00? Mr. Sherman: $1,330 per license. Mr. Mason: So we just let a quarter of a million dollars float away. Mr. Sherman: Sure did. Mr. Mason: Motion’s on the table. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that been properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Mason and Mr. Lockett vote No. Motion carries 7-2. Mr. Mayor: And I’m not going to make any comment about Sunday sales going into effect on April Fool’s Day. But something to consider. Madam Clerk, let’s move on to the regular agenda, please, ma’am. 6 The Clerk: PLANNING 4. Z-12-20 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Bevelyn Clark, on behalf of Douglas Clark, requesting a Special Exception for the purpose of establishing a Family Personal Care Home, per Section 26-I (H) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing .25 acres and known as 2662 Barclay Street. (Tax Map 130-0-566-00-0) DISTRICT 4 (Deferred from the March 20, 2012 Commission Meeting) Mr. Mayor: Mr. Patty. Mr. Mason: If I could? Mr. Mayor: Yes sir, Mr. Mason. Mr. Mason: I pulled this from last week because I needed some opportunity to speak Based on what I’ve with some of the residents out there and go over the issues of concern. researched I have no problem moving for approval for this agenda item, however, I do want to give the gentlemen from Woodlake an opportunity to speak to the issue so that he can get his voice heard on record. Mr. Mayor: Okay, are you making a motion for approval? Mr. Mason: I am. Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second? Mr. Aitken: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Sir, if you could once again state your name and address for the record, please. Mr. Speaker: I first want to thank Mr. Mason and the board. Mr. Mayor, my name is Arthur (unintelligible). I’m the chairperson for beautification of the Woodlake Association in the south Augusta area in the upper Winchester Road. We oppose this proposal. The reason being is because if I give all the reasons right this moment I don’t know how much time I have, this is my first time up here. Mr. Mayor: Okay, you have five minutes but if you can get it done faster than that, that’d be great. Mr. Speaker: I appreciate it. First my president she’s going into surgery right now. She normally receives notification through the mail electronically but she, somehow or another the computer went off and her name was not on the agenda. That’s why she never received it. But 7 she also always turned down the request. And the reason being is because we have no knowledge of the nature of the clientele, exactly what the personal care was going to be, the personal attendants, the clientele that was going to be. We don’t know if it’s going to be elderly, demented or any type of care. The other thing we have no idea the number of occupancy, the nature of the facilities and we have no idea what is the professional staff and things like that. We are completely blindsided. The only reason why we knew about it is that we have received notices and that was only a few days before the meeting took place the first time. And so we have no idea when the supervision’s going to take place on behalf of Mr. Douglas and Bevelyn Clark. And the other thing we were concerned about was the workers because we know there’s a shortage in inspectors and funds and budgets so or just local and state and federal. The reason why I said that is because from other experiences we have known about and heard about in our communities don’t have the staff to follow up on the caring. And we’re concerned about them doing it themselves here because we noticed that the building chimney, bear in mind I’m not a health inspector or nothing like that but I know that chimney has rotten decaying wood on the chimney and they have a shed that’s falling apart in the back. So that’s a well a wealth of safety and safety itself there. There’s no additional space. I know there’s three vehicles now but the vehicles that are in there is having difficult coming in and out. The reason being is because we noticed that a lot of times there’s Comcast, AT&T and utility boxes knocked down. That affects the services of our neighbors. And as it stands right now the AT&T box is completely bent over which indicates there’s not enough traffic space to park the vehicles there. And the home was a cage home I call it a cage home which has the iron bars on the windows and the doors. But I didn’t notice that that has been removed but we’re concerned as to what insurance we have if they reinstall the bars on the windows and doors for participants when the patients are going to be there. And if they are going to be reinstalled then in turn hopefully they’ll be reinstalled properly. Since we do have one other home out there and that home was built in 1973 and that’s the reason why the association since it was created in 1988 that they always had turned down the personal care home or any type of care home because the only home that is out there which was in was built in ’77 that was built from the start from the get go before the regulations. And then I think it was under license back in ’83. But since then there hasn’t been one that we are aware of and has never been any other one that came up. And if there has been one it didn’t succeed because of again the supervision didn’t take place. And I would it known on behalf of the Planning and Zoning how did they come up with the statistics of this, the crime rate because I went through my crime rate report and noticed that twenty incidents in that particular street around that street and the surrounding streets that has gone on in that area. And behalf also on the association we have no really no objections with the elderly the reason being because we were all for it because right across the street from the subdivision there is a huge personal day care center. Certainly it’s the one rehab health service community we were all for that thinking that having that across the street in our community but we won’t have one in the community itself because we never had one established there other than the one that was established when the subdivision was actually funded for approval back in 1974. So I do have some statistics and I don’t know if I have enough time to repeat exactly what’s happened but there has been break ins and things like that in that particular section of the neighborhood. Mr. Mayor: Okay, fifteen seconds. Got to do what’s fair to everybody. 8 Mr. Speaker: Okay. Again it was the short notice for us and that we wish we had more time and to do more research on it. And that’s the reason why we have always rejected. We have a full facility right across the street from the community. That’s what I want to state. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir and thank you for coming in. Thank you, Commissioner Mason, for taking the leadership on this. It’s you know cooler heads usually prevail and when you get people talking together things can get done. Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Just one quick comment for the record. First of all I appreciate the work that he’s doing out in Woodlake with the beautification and the concern that he has for the community. But in the discovery I saw nothing that rose to the level that would be a violation or would be against the law. I also in discovery found that we utilized notification process and everything was done per regulation. So from that standpoint I don’t discount some of the concerns that he has but there is nothing that I can find that would rise to the level legally for me to consider not passing this particular agenda item. And that’s the reason why I made the motion for approval. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion Passes 9-0. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 5. New Ownership Application: A.N. 12-13: A request by John T. Walker for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine license to be used in connection with Sticky Fingers Restaurants, LLC. DBA Sticky Fingers located at 277 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway. There will be Sunday Sales. District 3. Super District 10. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the next agenda item, please. The Clerk: Item #5. Mr. Sherman, do you have the alcohol petitioner here? Mr. Sherman: Is John T. Walker here? Okay, this is a New Ownership Application. It’s a request by John T. Walker for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine license to be used in connection with Sticky Fingers Restaurants, LLC doing business as Sticky Fingers located at 277 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway. There will be Sunday Sales. District 3. Super District 10. Would you state your name please? Mr. Pearl: Mr. Walker could not be here. He’s in Arizona. My name is David Pearl. I am one of the owners of Sticky Fingers. Mr. Jackson: Move to approve. Mr. Pearl: My address? 9 Mr. Mayor: Please go ahead. Mr. Pearl: My address 312 Hazel Pine Drive, DuBarry, Florida. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners, oh Rob. Mr. Sherman: Are there any objectors to this application? Mr. Mayor: Lot’s of barbeque fans in this city. We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting or perhaps you already have. Mr. Bowles: (inaudible) barbeque license (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Yeah, but Sticky Fingers, come on. Motion Passes 9-0. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 7. Motion to approve expenditure of SPLOST funds dedicated to the New Tee Center in the amount of $32,272.00, for acquisition of services of ABOVE ALL VIDEO SURVEILLANCE for purchase and installation of all materials and labor associated with the security systems. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, this is just a continuation of the building of the Trade and Exhibition Center. This item was not included in the guaranteed maximum price. We looked at it and decided to go sole source to make it agree with the other system that is currently there. We anticipated some savings with that and about $20,000.00 so the total cost is above my threshold. So that’s why it’s on the agenda. That money is available in the SPLOST building budget for this item. Mr. Aitken: Motion to approve. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. 10 Mr. Mason votes No. Motion Passes 8-1. Mr. Mayor: And, gentlemen, before we move to the next agenda item I had the opportunity to tour the facility last week as did Commissioner Aitken. It’s, Barry White would love to take everybody I’m sure so I would highly recommend that it is quite a facility. And something I know the city will be proud of and on personal note it blows always Savannah’s facility which I always liked. Madam Clerk, next agenda item, please. The Clerk: Item #8. Mr. Sherman? PUBLIC SERVICES 8. Discussion: A request by Mirenda N. Anglero Petra for a Therapeutic Massage Operators license to be used in connection with Spa Bleu located at 461 Highland Ave. District 7. Super District 10. Mr. Sherman: Number 8 is a discussion is a request by Mirenda N. Anglero Petra for a Therapeutic Massage Operators license to be used in connection with Spa Bleu located at 461 Highland Avenue. District 7. Super District 10. Please state your name. Ms. Speaker: Mirenda N. Anglero Petra, 461 Highland Avenue and that’s in Augusta 30909. Mr. Lockett: Motion to approve. Mr. Aitken: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. I think you’ve got a bunch of potential clients out here. Mr. Aitken: Us old broke down guys. Mr. Mayor: It’s interesting I’ve never seen a massage license not be approved. Thank you, ma’am. Motion Passes 9-0. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 9. Motion to approve Design Change Order 3 that modifies the Standard Form of Contract for professional service last dated October 7, 2011, BETWEEN the Owner: Augusta, Georgia, a political subdivision of the State of Georgia, acting by and through the Augusta Richmond County Commission; and the Architect: Johnson, Laschober & Associates, P.C., 11 for the Professional Services known as Architectural Services for the Webster Detention Center, Phase II, Augusta, Georgia. Mr. Smith: Motion made. Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second? Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion made and properly seconded. Is there any further discussion? Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor, do we have anybody in attendance that can speak to this particular agenda item? Mr. Russell: Go ahead, Commissioner Lockett, maybe I can help you. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell. Mr. Lockett: What is the dollar amount, sir? Mr. Russell: $32,000.00. Mr. Lockett: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir. We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion Passes 9-0. The Clerk: Item 10 sir? Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am, please. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 10. Discuss the Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Proposal. (Requested by Commissioner Joe Bowles) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Bowles, I know this was your request. Mr. Bowles: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You know we’ve had several meetings on this, a workshop which some things were thrown around and what really bothered me, Mr. Mayor, is the fact that ADP stated that the City of Augusta tried to force them to do something illegal. And what really bothered me was the response I got from our internal staff showing the process that a judge requested a judge order that an employee pay for his ex-spouse’s medical insurance. This 12 government tried to put that ex-spouse on the government’s insurance policy which is against the law. We cannot continue to operate with this HR personnel that we have in place. They’re putting this government in jeopardy every single day and I can’t, we’ve been talking about this for six months and I can’t sit by and watch illegal activity try to be conducted. And it’s blatantly illegal and our staff seems to this day to think that they were right. And so I’m going to make a motion to approve ADP. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second. And just procedurally so we get this right, Mr. MacKenzie, what would that motion need to state? Mr. MacKenzie: I would assume it would be a motion to approve the previous proposal with respect to the services that ADP would provide subject to final approval of a negotiating contract and because we don’t at this point have a final document for you, before you that you’ve agreed to look at. So that’s my understanding what that motion would be. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Bowles, would you like to clarify your motion to state that? Mr. Bowles: Yes, subject to the final draft coming back from our Attorney. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I knew before we came into session that this was a done deal, however, I want to say this for the record. At our last retreat with Mr. Malik Watkins I made the suggestion to those present that we not jump into this until an efficiency study could be conducted. And those in attendance said okay, fine we will make sure that we get HR payroll and the Administrator also asked that we get those two entities that he reorganized. Now this information was provided to Mr. Watkins and Mr. Watkins has come back to the Administrator and indicated that he can have that particular study done within 90 days. Now we are taking a chance on lots of money. Phase I with ADP it’s my understanding and I know factually that we have been paying for some time for some services that we haven’t been utilizing. Now some of you are going to be on this body next year when budget time comes around and you’re going to have a hard time trying to come up with money. I hope if this passes that it will be a success. But I don’t believe based on the information that I have been able to receive that this is in the best interest of this government at this particular time. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, this is actually for the Attorney. He had just got the contract back today this afternoon I believe. And I would ask my colleagues to wait before we approve something without reading it. I’d rather be cautious instead of approving something with the substitute motion that we move it to the next documentation not filled out. I will make a Commission meeting or committee meeting until we actually could look at this final document. 13 Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Mayor: But just for clarity. The motion, the primary motion did state that we would first have the opportunity to review the contract prior to final approval. Is that correct, Commissioner Bowles? Mr. Bowles: Yes. Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay, I’m sorry. Mr. Bowles: Either way that’s up to who’s on the floor so --- Mr. Mayor: Exactly so basically the substitute saying the same thing as the primary did but just for --- Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, may I? Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: I would like to have the Clerk to read back the motion that my colleague Commissioner Bowles made. The Clerk: Was to approve the proposal subject to the final draft from the Attorney be submitted to the Commission. Mr. Lockett: Okay, now is, Mr. Mayor, in your mind is that the same thing? Mr. Mayor: The Commission still would have to approve the final contracts. So if ya’ll, either way ya’ll want to go I think the primary maker of the motion’s fine with going with the substitute motion. So --- The Clerk: Mr. Guilfoyle, do you want this back to the committee or to the Commission? Mr. Guilfoyle: To the Commission. The Clerk: To the Commission, okay. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a substitute motion that’s been properly seconded. The Clerk: This is would defer it to the next meeting of the Commission which I believe th will be April 17. Mr. Mayor: Okay. If there’s no --- Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor --- 14 Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell: --- I’m now a little confused. What I feel that I understand is you’re requesting that at the next Commission meeting we bring back a final negotiated contract for your approval. Mr. Mayor: Correct, Mr. Guilfoyle? Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, we have a substitute motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion the Commission will now vote by the substitute sign of voting. Mr. Bowles, Mr. Mason and Mr. Brigham vote No. Motion Passes 6-3. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the next agenda item, please. The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 12. Approve Capital Project Budget (CPB #322-041110-207822001) Change Number One and Supplemental Agreement Three in the amount of $148,520.70 for the Rock Creek/Warren Lake Restoration Project – Augusta Canal Basin Dredging to Cranston Engineering Group, PC, for design and permitting from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Funding is available in the project account for the Engineering Department. Mr. Jackson: Motion to approve. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Mr. Brigham: When are we going to get this project finished? Mr. Mayor: Mr. Ladson? Mr. Ladson: It actually scheduled, I have the permits and in August or September once this is, well, it’s approved now. Mr. Brigham: Finally? Mr. Ladson: Yes. Mr. Mayor: It’s about to be. 15 Mr. Ladson: It’s been a long time coming. Mr. Mayor: It’s about to be. Mr. Ladson: It’s about to be approved. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the next agenda item, please. The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 13. Discuss/approve the use of sewer sludge from the ARC and Fort Gordon Wastewater Treatment Plants at the ARC Solid Waste Facility in association with their methane gas project and to accelerate the elimination/reduction of garbage at the landfill. (Requested by Commissioner Joe Jackson) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. If it’s all right with my colleagues I know that I’ve talked with Mark and briefly with Tom just wanting to go to look and see what it’s going to savings and what it’s going to cost. cost, the savings, what So after that discussion if we could hear back from them in 30 days, 45 days on where we’re at they needed more time to come up with cost savings and what have you. Mr. Mayor: So would it be --- Mr. Jackson: I put that in the form of a motion. The motion to task appropriate staff with developing a proposal to Mr. Mayor: bring back before this body within 30 days --- Mr. Jackson: Sure. The Clerk: Thirty to forty-five days. Mr. Jackson: Forty-five days. Mr. Mayor: --- forty-five days. 16 Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Jackson: Well, maybe 90 days since this government --- Mr. Russell: Let’s take the first swing at forty-five. Mr. Jackson: Forty-five? Mr. Russell: There’s (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If there’s oh, Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m not really sure why this is even on the agenda in the first place and why we’re even discussing it at this point. I’m also unsure as to why we have to spend tax payer’s dollars on retreats to talk about what we’re going to do and then we don’t do it. So I’m going to think very carefully before I attend another one. The fact of the matter is we’ve talked ad nauseum about sending things through committee and I’m not sure why this is sitting here today to make a decision on period. If we’re not going to respect the process I don’t know why we’re here. At some point I wish we would respect the process because there is a process there in place. Now what we just did here today didn’t even have to be done today because you just gave yourself 45 days or whatever. What difference does it make between now and the next time we meet? The fact of the matter is committee’s is the opportunity to have a discussion. We know up here that you’re only going to have two minutes to discuss anything and frankly we haven’t discussed noting and we got a motion on the table. At some point I would hope that we would see fit to follow protocol. So that’s basically all I have to say in reference to that. There’s a motion on the table but if we’re not going to respect the process let’s not waste taxpayer’s money going on and talking about it and spending money with somebody else to get us on line to communicate and then there’s no communications. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mason, with all due respect I’ve had this discussion with you before and I mentioned to you that I was going to put it on the agenda and I did. Thank you. Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: It is on the agenda but it’s not on the committee agenda. And absolutely you did so pardon me for assuming that you were going to do the right thing and put it on committee. Mr. Mayor: Well, I think just for clarity --- Mr. Mason: About doing the right thing. 17 Mr. Mayor: --- okay, ya’ll settle but for clarity due to the fact that we are having a Commission meeting where we didn’t have committee meetings due to but --- Mr. Mason: Negative, negative Mr. Mayor. Let’s not make excuses for that. If it’s right, it’s right. If it’s wrong, it’s wrong. There is a process. There’s nothing that makes us have to be in a hurry for this period. And so I’m not sure why in certain instances we want to make excuses or reasons behind it and then in other instances we want to hold people to the fire. Let’s just be fair, let’s just be right and everything would be fine. And if it’s going to pass it’s going to pass. If it’s not it’s not but at least at the very least respect the process. Mr. Brigham: Call the question. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor, I had my hand up. Mr. Mayor: I’m sorry, Commissioner Lockett. The question’s been called for. I apologize. I didn’t see you. Mr. Lockett: Two meetings in a row. Mr. Mayor: I admitted you were right last time. Okay, the question has been called for. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Mason and Mr. Lockett vote No. Motion carries 6-3. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, let’s move on to the final agenda item. The Clerk: SUBCOMMITTEE Pension & Audit Committee 14. Motion to approve the recommendation of the selection committee of the auditing firm to conduct the 2011 ARC Audit. Mr. Mayor: Ms. Williams. Ms. Williams: The selection committee met and selected Mauldin Jenkins as the recommendation for the external auditor for the 2011 national audit of Augusta Richmond County. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith: Who are all the firms considered? 18 Ms. Williams: There were three qualified firms. They were Mauldin and Jenkins, Cherry Bekaert and Holland and Serotta Maddock Evans. Mr. Smith: Okay, which one has the local office here in town? Ms. Williams: I believe Cherry Bekaert and Serotta Maddock Evans have physical local --- Mr. Smith: I was just wondering how close were the prices? Ms. Williams: The only price that was open from the sealed bids envelopes was the firm that was selected as the top ranking firm which was --- Mr. Smith: So you had people bid but you didn’t open envelopes? You don’t know what they bid? Ms. Williams: No, sir, I, the process --- Mr. Smith: How do you determine what the difference is money wise? Ms. Williams: And I defer that question to the Procurement Office for a clarification on that procedure, sir. Mr. Smith: Yeah, because we’ve been through this before and I just, you know, and I‘ve been in bid processes all my life. And when I waste my time to submit a bid I’d at least like to know where I stand. Ms. Williams: This is --- Mr. Smith: And I’m not directing this directly to you, Ms. Williams. I’m just saying that you ask to submit bids for a project and then you only open one bid. Ms. Williams: This was not a bid it was a request for a proposal --- Mr. Smith: Okay, okay. Ms. Williams: --- and I understand the rules are different. Mr. Smith: Okay, so you had three requests but how did we determine would be dealing with an out of town firm versus to two in town firms? Ms. Williams: The firms were ranked by the evaluation criteria and none of them was where their physical location was. It was the quality of the work that we believe that these firms could provide for us. 19 Mr. Smith: That ought to be number one, yes. Ms. Williams: Yes, sir. Mr. Smith: Definitely so. You don’t want somebody fumbling with our money that doesn’t know where it’s going. But the thing is, is who how many are on this committee? Ms. Williams: There were five members on the selection committee. There were two from the Finance Department, the assistant director in charge of finance at Utilities, Mr. Steve Little, Theresa Bingham, the Interim Finance Director at the Airport, and a member of Procurement. Excuse me there were six, Tameka Allen, Deputy Administrator. I’m sorry. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have somebody from Procurement here to and I will next recognize Commissioner Lockett to speak to the process. Ms. Sams. If you would I know there was a question about what was the process conducted. How did we get this candidate ranking above the other two? So I believe Commissioner Smith had a question about that. Ms. Sams: The process that we use, Mr. Commissioner, Mr. Mayor, all Commissioners, was that which was approved by the Board of Commissioners through the Augusta Richmond County Code. And the negotiation process, let’s start with the type of process that was used. Certainly if you were doing a straight bid you would look at the prices. And the prices would be available to you and the public. But when you’re doing the RFP it’s a more in depth process and you have what we call a Scope of Services. And then that scope of services it addresses about nine to twelve different items which includes experience, it includes other items other than just straight costs. The reason why you do not publicly open the prices at that point is because in accordance to Augusta Richmond, Augusta Georgia’s code Article 6 #E it so states that negotiations and awards Procurement Director shall negotiate contract with the most responsive, responsible short listed company and shall determine in writing to be fair and reasonable to Augusta Georgia. In making the decision the Procurement Director shall take into account the estimated value, the scope, the complexity and the professional nature of the service that is to be rendered. She is to start in the order of the ranking. And in this case that would have been with Mauldin and Jenkins of Macon. The second one would be Serotta of Augusta and Cherry Bekaert and Holland. That’s coming out of the committee. As the Finance Director stated and she did an excellent job, we’re now in the negotiation process with the company that was chosen by the six persons on our committee. And perhaps we need to go a little bit more in depth as to who were really those persons. We had four CPA’s, we had one accountant and we had the Deputy Administrator as part of that committee. And I think no I know that since we followed the guidelines and the laws of Augusta Richmond County that this was a very prudent and fair process. And I think the Attorney would have, could answer and other issues as it relates to releasing the price. Mr. Aitken: Motion to approve. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Johnson: Second. 20 Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor, I do have some questions and I may have a motion. In the process of going through this I haven’t known that when we went out for professional services that price was not a consideration. Ms. Sams: I have a copy of the Professional Services Code of the Augusta Richmond County Code. And professional services will be under Code #110-50-3. And I have copies of that. The Clerk: He’s going to put it on the overheard for you, Ms. Sams. Ms. Sams: The information that I just quoted to you in fact came from the Professional Services section and that is ‘E’ of Code #110-50-3 and I have hard copies available to the Clerk and please (inaudible). Mr. Brigham: My other question then is who was all into the discussion in the selection committee. How many people participated in that? Ms. Sams: There were six people. There were four CPA’s, one accountant and the Deputy Administrator. Mr. Brigham: Was there anybody in the discussion of the selection committee that was not part of the selection committee? Ms. Sams: Uh --- Mr. Brigham: Was there anybody participating in the discussion on the selection that was not part of the selection committee? I think I said that very plainly. Ms. Sams: Well, everyone in the room was part of the, all of the people who were in the room were a part of the discussion. And of course the Procurement Department who was Geri Sams and the Quality Assurance Analyst who’s attending all the committee meetings as it relates to our RFQs were both present. Mr. Brigham: Anybody else? Did everybody participate in the discussion? Ms. Sams: As it relates to? Mr. Brigham: As it relates to the making of the decision. Did everybody participate in the discussion? 21 Ms. Sams: The only persons that could vote as it relates to the actual awarding of the bids were the firms that were involved. They came back and did the presentation and in the actual committee the voting members were the six people we identified. Mr. Brigham: Was there anybody that participated in the discussion that was not a voting member? Ms. Sams: We participated, the persons that participated in the discussion that was not a voting member were members of the procurement department who are required by law to be there to make sure that the code, the state and the federal statutes are addressed. Mr. Brigham: Did they participate in the discussion? Did they participate in the making of the decision of who was going to get the votes of the voting members? Or is the staff participating in the discussion or are they not or is it just the participating members of the committee. That’s all I’m asking. I think it’s a pretty simple question. Ms. Sams: Yes, sir, it does but we have to be careful and we want to understand what you are saying. And the one voting member that represents the procurement department is the only, she participated in the actual discussion as it relates to the voting aspect of the process. Mr. Brigham: Okay, I don’t think I got an answer but I’m going to make a substitute motion that we start with the budgeted price for negotiation since we can’t seem to get a price of what anybody bid as to what was in the current budget for the external audit --- Mr. Mayor: That --- Mr. Brigham: --- and if we’re going to go to this charade. Mr. Mayor: I’m a little unclear on what you’re motion is. Mr. Brigham: My motion is that if we’re going to negotiate --- Mr. Mayor: A motion wouldn’t begin if we’re going to, I mean, I don’t think --- Mr. Brigham: Okay, since we’re going to make an award and negotiate with the award that we start with a budget price that we know that is already existing which is the budget price of the audit for this year that was set for the budget for the last audit that we done. Mr. Mayor: So is that negotiating with the firm that’s been --- Mr. Brigham: I’m trying to give the Administrator’s some guidelines or the personnel office, the purchasing office, some guidelines of where I want the price to come in at. Mr. Russell: So if I may, Mr. Chairman --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. 22 Mr. Russell: --- or, Mr. Mayor, so you’re saying that we negotiate with the first person and the upper maximum of the price we’re willing to pay is what’s the budgeted item and we try to negotiate down from there. Mr. Brigham: Yes, sir. Mr. Russell: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Okay, and that’s a substitute motion. Do we have a second on that motion? Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Bowles: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. My question’s going to be a little simpler. Ms. Sams, are you saying that through the RFP process are we not allowed to use location and pricing as a determining factor for these bidders? Ms. Sams: No, sir, I’m not saying you’re not allowed. Ms. Bowles: We just chose not to on this one. Ms. Sams: No, sir, the choice is not the Procurement office’s decision. The technical specification comes from your user department who is the Finance Department. And if we’re looking at perhaps local business participation the local business ordinance so states that any project more than $100,000 the local preference would not be equivocal. Mr. Bowles: I’m very familiar. I helped write that one. But my question is I’ve seen a lot of these proposals and we’re not using price as a factor. We’re not using location as a factor, so we’re really are just opening this up. And more importantly we’re three months behind the eight ball. I think you drafted this back in August and we didn’t send it out until February. You know we’re behind the eight ball already. I’m trying to figure out why it took so long to get this bid out to the public. Because I’m already hearing we’ve got to make a decision, you got to make a decision because they got to get wrapped up by June. Somebody dropped the ball. Ms. Sams: Okay, Mr., I’m sorry, Mayor Pro Tem. Let me just show you a schedule. Mr. Bowles: Yeah, I saw that one but in your backup you had submitted something to accounting or whoever it was to revise the RFP was revised back of August of 2011 at the bottom of it in the paperwork you submitted to us. Ms. Sams: I don’t, I’m not privy to the information that you receive but the information th that the procurement department let this is our schedule. February the 15 2010 which was your directive for that bid for an RFP to be let in the upcoming year. The procurement department does not does not gather the information for the technical specifications. Upon receipt of those 23 th that information which we receive now on January the 24 2012 we canceled everything that we th had on our calendars to make sure that we started expediting this process. So on January 24 once that information arrived to the procurement department we immediately start looking at nd ways that we can get it out immediately. And it hit the street February the 2 2012. Mr. Bowles: All right, thank you. th Ms. Sams: Unless they have questions it was February 24 that was a request for notification of interest forms which was due and also the Augusta Richmond County requires th such a form to be submitted. That was due on February 24. We opened that the opening date thth was March the 8th. On March the 20 the evaluation committee met. And on March 26 the th vendor presentation occurred on March the 28. The finance department is asking you to allow them to proceed with negotiations with the chosen candidate in that process. Mr. Bowles: Thank you, ma’am. Ms. Sams: You’re quite welcome, sir. Are there any other questions for me? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: I don’t have a question for Ms. Sams but what I would like to say is February of last year I had quite a few questions about why we stayed with the same auditing firm year after year after year. But what I would like to say today is I made reference to the Georgia Financial Officers Association. I think that you CPAs and budgeting directors you all know what that is. They said that properly performed audits play a vital role in the public sector by helping to preserve the integrity of the public finance functions and by maintaining citizen’s confidence in their elected leaders. Now we’ve had quite a few problems as it relates to not the finance department but this government finances. And I think it would be extremely important for us if we have a qualified auditing firm that’s not located in Augusta, somebody that’s separate and apart from this city. I think that would be a plus for us. Lastly I’ve heard my colleagues talk about the cost but the audit procurement process should be structured so that the principle factor in the selection of an independent auditor is the auditor’s ability to perform a quality audit. In no case should price be allowed to serve as the sole criterion for the selection of an independent auditor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. Commissioner Smith. Mr. Smith: I just want to say you know we go awarding these contracts and this and that and I’d like to know the price too before we get into something. How do we know what we’re signing if all we’re doing is saying this is the firm we want? I mean what’s it based on? What’s it based on? But we got a budget within last year’s deal or is it going that much higher or is it going any lower? Ms. Williams: Sir, are you asking me how much if it, if this process --- Mr. Smith: Yeah, which way did it go? 24 Ms. Williams: (inaudible) parameters or it --- Mr. Smith: Up or down. Ms. Williams: It appears to be higher than what the actual payout was for last year. Mr. Smith: Yeah, on a bid process did it go up or down? Ms. Williams: The price that we received from Mauldin Jenkins is within the confines of the amount that is budgeted to spend for this year. Mr. Smith: Okay. Okay, who set that budget? Ms. Williams: Effectively, ya’ll did when you approved it. You can point fingers, that’s fine. Mr. Smith: Well, I’m just, I just want to do what’s right for the taxpayers of Richmond County and like my colleague said sometimes you know it’s just easier to rubber stamp it and move it on. But, you know, I’m just also looking out, try to look out for the local people that pay taxes and for our friends, neighbors, relatives whatever. And if one left hand doesn’t trust the right hand that’s another issue. We have laws that protect that too. But I’m saying we’ve got good firms here in town that have been around a long time and especially in some other issues in other areas that have been things made up about you know who’s qualified and who isn’t. I’m just trying to figure out why everybody that lives outside of Augusta is so much more qualified than we are. It just baffles me. That’s all. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Bowles. Mr. Bowles: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Since I only have one minute while I do agree with Commissioner Lockett on certain things about audit rotation those in public practice know and the AICPA which is the sanctioning body for CPAs has come out and said that audit rotation has carried significant costs and possible unintended consequences that have the potential to hinder audit quality. There is the possibility of getting rid of the best auditors you have. I mean these auditors follow the exact same procedures from firm to firm. I mean it’s not like somebody’s got a special secret that their firm is better than the other firm. It’s you know they all follow the same procedures and do the same thing. And the independence is what the foundation of the CPA society and you know to say that a local company is not going to do as good a job as an out of town company is a slap in the face to the local professionals. Mr. Mayor: That’s your one minute. Okay, I believe I’ve got one minute on the corner. Mr. Lockett: I’ve still got two minutes. Mr. Mayor: Oh, you’ve got two. Okay. 25 Mr. Lockett: I just want to say I appreciate the comments made by my colleague Commissioner Bowles. But we have had these auditors and first of all I didn’t say anything negative at all about the auditors we have. In fact I appreciate the work that they have done. So I want to get that straight first of all. But like I indicated earlier it’s the perception that something is going on that’s not right. Even though they may use the same guidelines and even though that they may be a part of the same overall group this is not what I’m trying to get at. Let’s get somebody, bring somebody in from the outside. I hope that they don’t find anything wrong at all. But the perception, the problem that we are having now maybe will go away. And this is all I’m asking for and this is all I ask for February of 2011. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir. We have a substitute motion that’s been properly seconded. That if, for the point for clarification, Madam Clerk, could you please read back the substitute motion? The Clerk: The motion was to approve the recommendation of the selection committee for the auditing firm to conduct the 2011 Augusta Richmond County audit, Mauldin Jenkins. That the negotiations start with the budget price currently for the external auditor. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Well, the only thing I’ve got to add to it is will they have a Richmond County business license? Mr. Mayor: Okay, are you asking a question or are you making a statement? Okay, the motion has been made and properly seconded. The Commission will now vote by the substitute sign of voting. Mr. Lockett: Madam Clerk, read the motion again. Commissioner Jackson got me all (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Did he throw you off? Mr. Lockett: Completely. The Clerk: The motion was to approve the recommendation of the selection committee of the auditing firm to conduct the 2011 Augusta Richmond County audit, Mauldin Jenkins and that the negotiations start with the price budgeted in the current budget for the external auditor. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Mr. Johnson: Hold on. Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Is this the one Commissioner Brigham --- 26 Mr. Mayor: This is the substitute motion. Mr. Johnson: What Commissioner, okay. Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: First of all, I’d like to remind my colleagues. We’ve got to respect our in town vendors as well as our out of town vendors. As far as Mr. Brigham’s motion it does follow under the budget. Is that correct? Mr. Johnson: Yeah. She said it. Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Yes, okay. Ms. Williams: The price submitted is within the amount budgeted. Mr. Mayor: Okay and now everybody vote. The time for discussion is over. The vote has been called for. Thank you very much. Mr. Lockett, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Brigham and Mr. Guilfoyle vote Yes. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Mason and Mr. Smith vote No. Mr. Aitken out. Motion fails 4-4. Mr. Mayor: No action taken. Excuse me, okay, we’ll give you another shot now. Madam Clerk, if you could, we do have a primary motion on the table. The Clerk: Yes, sir, that motion is to approve the selection of Mauldin Jenkins as the selection committee for conducting the 2011 audit. Mr. Mayor: If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. And please look at Ms. Williams who is pleading to get movement on this issue. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett and Mr. Guilfoyle vote Yes. Mr. Bowles, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Brigham and Mr. Smith vote No. Motion fails 4-4. Mr. Mayor: Ms. Williams, did you want to speak to this issue right quick? Ms. Williams: If that’s the course of action that I’m directed to take at this point. Mr. Johnson: Mr. Mayor? 27 Mr. Mayor: I guess we’ll do an internal course of action. I don’t know what else to tell you. Mr. Russell, do you have any? Ms. Williams: We’re required to have an audit. I’m required to submit it to the state 180 days after the close of the fiscal year. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson? Mr. Johnson: I just want to say, Mr. Mayor, I’m getting on my colleague over here. We got to give them some direction and I mean we can go back and forth how long and why it took so long to get to this point. But we need to give them some clear direction. They got to get this audit done and I would hope that we can have a motion to reconsider to accept the original motion. This is important and like I said I don’t think we should sit here and go back and forth. Mr. Mayor: And just echoing what Commissioner Johnson said. Could you just please clearly state the consequences of not having an audit completed within the prescribed time for the state? Ms. Williams: You may, the first course would be if it cannot be completed within that time frame you would request upon the state of Georgia and extension. On the other side if are not approved for an extension and you failed to submit an audit to the Department of Audits you can jeopardize all state funding. Mr. Mayor: Okay, is there a motion to reconsider this item? Mr. Johnson: I made a motion. Mr. Mayor: You made a motion to reconsider. Do we have a second on that? Mr. Lockett: I second it. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Lockett: Where did Mason go? Did Mason leave? Mr. Speaker: What was the motion? Mr. Mayor: To reconsider the agenda item. Mr. Mason and Mr. Aitken out. Motion Passes 7-0. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you. 28 Mr. Mayor: Okay, now we can reconsider the agenda item. Do we and Ms. Williams has clearly stated that she needs --- Mr. Brigham: I make a motion we approve the committee’s recommendation due to fact that we’ve got to have an audit. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Smith votes No. Mr. Mason and Mr. Aitken out. Motion Passes 6-1. Ms. Williams: Thank you, gentlemen. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. With no further business to come before the body we stand adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on March 28, 2012. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 29