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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting May 15, 2012 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER MAY 15, 2012 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., May 15, 2012, the Hon. Joe Bowles, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Mason, Smith, Hatney, Aitken, Johnson, Jackson, and Brigham, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. ABSENT: Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. The invocation was given by the Reverend Larry Fryer, Senior Pastor, Hudson Memorial CME Church. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’m going to call the meeting to order and I’d like to ask the Reverend Larry Fryer, Senior Pastor of Hudson Memorial CME Church to come up for the invocation. Please stand. I’d like to invite Reverend K.B. Martin up to give the invocation on short notice. Thank you, Reverend Martin. And we’ll start off with the presentation to the Bethlehem Community Center from Commissioner Johnson. PRESENTATION(S) A. Presentation to Bethlehem Community Center for 100 years of service. (Requested by Commissioner Corey Johnson) Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Actually were scheduled to this probably some odd months ago but in December of 2011 Bethlehem Community Center celebrated 100 years of service and I thought it would be a great honor for us to pay homage to them and congratulate them on enduring those though times and making it to see 100 years in this community. Everybody knows Bethlehem Community Center has been a very pivotal entity in this community. They’ve been around for a long time and they’ve done a lot of great service for the city of Augusta and the community that they serve. And we’re going to have Ms. Bonner to read this proclamation here and then we will present it. And I will ask Ms. Millicent West and the board members if they would like to come up and receive this proclamation. If you could just come up Ms. West, all the board, everybody here with Bethlehem come up. The Clerk: As they make their way up. Proclamation. In recognition of the new Bethlehem Community Center where is in 1912, Ms. Mary D. De Bardeleben, a young Methodist deaconess from the Alabama rented an abandoned beer saloon on Camel and Florence Streets to house the first social settlement for blacks in Augusta Georgia called Calloway Hall, a name that would later change to Bethlehem House. And whereas in January 1930 after occupying at the Camel and Florence Streets then 1404 Brown Street for fourteen years the center moved to the current Conklin Avenue location and included club rooms for boys and girls, a sewing room, library, kitchen, kindergarten space and equipment and an apartment for workers. And a 1200 seat gymnasium that would also be used by Paine College and the black schools in 1 the area. And whereas the center was the first Bethlehem Center established in the United States the model for many Bethlehem houses throughout the south and the site of Augusta’s first known vacation bible school. The first African American Boy Scout Troop in the United States Troop 42 and the only location in the city that served the needs of the entire black community prior to integration. Establishing programs such as the Annual Goodwill Christmas Program that brought both black and white Augustan’s together for a common good. And whereas in 1952 the center was accepted for membership in the National Federation of Settlement and Neighborhood Houses. And in 1953 it was accepted as one of the original agencies of the Augusta Community Chest now known as the United Way. And whereas during 1970 the Bethlehem Center established a variety of programs and services to include extensive daycare, medical services, educational programs, comprehensive nutrition programs for senior citizens, programs and services for adults in life challenging situations and social services to children of low income families most of which are still in operation today. And whereas over the past 100 years the image and promise of the historic Bethlehem Community Center has been kept alive by a host of supporters who have responded positively and creatively to multiple challenges and opportunities and taken giant steps toward the revitalization and actualization of a new Bethlehem Community Center. And now therefore I, Deke Copenhaver, Mayor of the City of Augusta do hereby proclaim May 15, 2012 as the new Bethlehem Community Center Day in Augusta Georgia in commemoration of 100 years of providing continuous service in the community. In witness hereof I have unto set my hand and cause the seal of Augusta Georgia to th be affixed this 15 Day of May 2012. (APPLAUSE) Ms. West: I just want to say thank you so much to Mayor Copenhaver, to Commissioner Johnson and each and every one of you who are supporters and friends over the years. We could not have done it without the support of the community. We’ve reached so many people who truly still have needs in Augusta and it makes a difference what we do at 1336 Conklin Avenue. Again we thank you so much for 100 years of service and we pledge to continue our mission to improve the quality of life for Augustan’s. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Johnson: But I will say I have been there with them since I’ve been in office and I’ll tell you I’m very familiar with the Bethlehem Community Center. And I would just like to say you know when that time comes when you want to give definitely keep them in mind because they can use all your support whether it’s donations, financially or however. Get in touch with Ms. Wesson or a board member and they’ll be more than happy to tell you how you can assist with helping their program. Again thank you all and congratulations. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk. RECOGNITIONS(S) Employee of the Month Award B. Ms. Sharon W. Bennett, Administrative Asst., ARC Emergency Management. 2 The Clerk: We’re down to our recognition of our employee of the month, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Jackson, would you like to join the Mayor Pro Tem? We ask that Ms. Sharon W. Bennett, Administrative Services with our Emergency Management Department along with all the other officials with EMA who would like to join us in this presentation. The Employee Recognition Committee has selected Sharon W. Bennett as the April 2012 Employee of the Month for the City of Augusta. Sharon Bennett is employed as an Administrative Assistant with the EMA Department. She has been employed with the city for 16 years. Ms. Bennett was nominated by Terry L. Turner with the EMA Department. Sharon Bennett has done an excellent job coordinating outreach during the flood, National Flood Safety Awareness Week posting daily thth articles on flood safety and flood awareness March 12 through the 16 2012. She has also provided severe weather alerts during times of dangerous weather and other potential threat alerts as applicable. Sharon was the driving force behind the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Process serving as secretary on the Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee. Her knowledge of community stake holders led to their involvement and to the plan being such a success. One that was focused on the whole community and one that will be applicable to the whole community. She has worked above and beyond the call of duty and is truly a team player of the highest professional caliber. In regards to productivity quality improvement Sharon is on the team that established the 911 Day at the 911 Center. Coordinator of the new CER T-Team LEPC Secretary highly respected by all industrial leaders. Sharon also coordinates the EOC operational readiness for EMA and assists with training and emergency drills for the EMA. Sharon works daily to lessen the severity and the associated costs of post disaster recovery through ongoing mitigation efforts and preparedness actions. The Employee Recognition Committee felt that based on the nomination and Sharon W. Bennett’s dedicated and loyal service to the City of Augusta we would appreciate you in joining us in awarding Sharon the April 2012 Employee of the Month award. Congratulations. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Sharon, congratulations. And you’re one of those unsung heroes that people only really get to know you when an emergency strikes and usually a disaster so when I, Commissioner Jackson told me you where good people so. At his blessing you must be a great person. So Dear Ms. Bennett. On behalf of the City of Augusta it is with great pleasure that I congratulate you for being recognized as Employee of the Month for April 2012. You’re contribution to your organization, Augusta Richmond County Government and the citizens of Augusta have earned you this recognition. I appreciate your willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty for your outstanding work ethic. You are truly an asset to the EMA Department and the citizens of Augusta Georgia. Please accept my personal congratulations on this wonderful award. You are truly deserving of this recognition. Sincerely yours, Deke Copenhaver. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Jackson: Sharon, I just know during the ice days that we have few and far between the command and performance that we’ve had with Captain Chief Taylor and Chief James going through the ice storms on the roads and bridges. And it really meant a lot to the citizens to see how well you’re a team player. So thank you very much. The Clerk: Would you like to say something, Chief James? 3 Chief James: It’s an honor to stand here with Sharon while she’s being recognized. She is one of our workers that you don’t get to see out front. You know you see the fire trucks going down the street or the deputy’s going down the street but often it’s a lot of work behind the scenes especially in large emergencies that has to take place. And she is one of our employees that handle that. So she does a lot of things that go unrecognized. So it’s a true honor to stand here with here while she’s being recognized for all the hard work that she does. The Clerk: Do you want to say something, Sharon? No, okay. (APPLAUSE) Congratulations. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, I guess we’ll move on. The Clerk: RECOGNITIONS(S) Augusta Living Green Committee C. Ms. Tameka Allen, ARC Deputy Administrator/Director Information Technology Department. RE: Recognition of Augusta Living Green Committee. Ms. Allen: Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem and members of the Commission. On March 31th the City of Augusta and the Augusta Living Green Committee held its first Augusta Living Green Day. Even though the weather was awful, it was lots of rain we felt we had a real good turnout. What I want to share with you is just some of the highlights of the event. We had rain barrels and compost bins. We had 28 vendors on site. Twenty-eight companies volunteered to come out and help us spread the word. He had tire, battery and electronic recycling, mulch vouchers; clean up your corner do your act of green. We actually had live music and inflatable’s to keep the kids entertained while the parents learned about the earth and nature and all that great stuff. Even some of the kids were interested. These are just some of the pictures. We actually had the Mayor. We want to thank the Mayor for presenting us with a proclamation in st considering that August Living Green Day on March 21 2012. He came and gave a great speech to the audience. These are all of us smiling because the Mayor actually presented us with a proclamation. Some of the pictures of the vehicles that were there that the vendors actually had on display. Some of the various information on the compost and rain barrels that were for sale out there at the location at a very discounted price. The inflatable’s with the children, the band some of the locally grown local vendors here actually participated and brought some great information for us. These are a list of the 28 vendors. We actually had various departments that participated. Our Engineering Department our Environmental Services Department, Utilities Department. We actually sent representatives that braved the rainy conditions with us as well. And what I would like to do right now is actually acknowledge the people the volunteers who actually weathered through all of that rain and stayed through the entire event put a lot of dedication in making this a successful event that we look forward to doing again in 2013. And when I call your name if you could just please come up front I’d appreciate it. Lisa Blackwelder. Michael Blanchard. Mac Brigham. Debbie Freeman. Jodie Godwin. Rasheed Gupta. Misty Jacobs. Mark Johnson. Jeff Lewis. Luanda Marshall. Matthew Mixon. Michelle Pierman. Geri Sams who’s not here with us today. Missy Surinsky. Miss because no one can pronounce it 4 properly she just wants to be known by Miss Smith. John Stout. Troy Taylor and Lori Valdetto. These are the people some of the volunteers that actually like I said braved the weather, made all this happen, made this a success, contributed all their time and effort to making this something to spread the word about living green in Augusta. And again these are the people that make things like this happen and we truly appreciated everything that they’ve done to make this a success. So you can join me in just recognizing them and giving them a hand. (APPLAUSE) Thank you guys I appreciate it. And while I’m standing at the podium I would also like to take the opportunity to announce that the City of Augusta’s Information Technology Department has just launched our Mobile APP called Augusta Maps that you can get from the Apple Store, download it, will give you all the same great information that we have available now in GIS as well. And I’d like to commend Jeff Lewis and Michelle Pierman for doing such an awesome job. And once you download that APP you’ll recognize exactly what these great people do for our organization. So I’d like to take the time to represent, recognize them I’m sorry, Ms. Bonner. The Clerk: That’s okay, go right ahead. Ms. Allen: I’d like to recognize them as well because they’ve done an awesome job. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: And on to our last recognition, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, there was a request by Mr. Wiedmeier, the AWP folks were still on the highway and he asked if we could defer this a little ways down on the agenda. I think the last report we got they were in Harlem. So they’d be here shortly. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: On to the consent agenda. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-23, Items 1-23. For the benefit of any objectors to our Planning petitions would you please signify your objections by raising your hand once the petition is read. I call your attention to: Item 4: Is a request for a Special Exception to establish a recycling center and modify conditions at property at 250 Dan Bowles Road. Item 5: Is a request for a change of zoning from and R-1 (One-family Residential) and Zone B-2 (General Business) to Zone B-2 on property known as 113, 115 and 117 Davant Street. Item 6: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone A (Agriculture) to a Zone R-1E (One-family Residential) affecting property at Harper Franklin Avenue and Jimmie Dyess Parkway. Item 7: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone A (agriculture) to a Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) and a Zone A (Agriculture) to a Zone R-1 (One-family Residential) affecting property on Harper-Franklin Avenue and Jimmie Dyess Parkway. Item 8: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone A (Agriculture) and R-1B (One- family Residential) Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) and Zone B-2 (General Business) to Zone B-2 affecting property known as 1607 Barton Chapel Road. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those Planning petitions? 5 Ms. Speaker: Dan Bowles Road. The Clerk: Dan Bowles Road? Okay. Okay, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, our consent agenda consists of items 1-23 with an objector to item number four. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, do we have any additions to the agenda? Commissioner Johnson? Mr. Johnson: Yes, I would like to add item number 24, 25, 29, 30 and 31. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. Anybody else. Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, I would like to add agenda item 36 and 38. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Item number 39. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Any deletions? Mr. Speaker: (inaudible) item 36 (inaudible). Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Any other items? Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, do you see if 14? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Pulling? Okay. The Clerk: You want to pull four? Mr. Lockett: No, I’m trying to find out if Commissioner Brigham said? The Clerk: He said 42 to the next meeting. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Any items to pull? Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Yeah, item number 34. The Clerk: You want to pull that one? Mr. Jackson: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do you want to send that to committee or? 6 Mr. Jackson: Yeah, I’d like to send it back to committee. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Any other items to be pulled? Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, can you pull item number 16 for discussion please? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Lockett? Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, agenda item number 14. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Any other items, gentlemen? List is complete, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Okay, let’s see. We have items added to the consent agenda, items 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 36, 38 and 39. Pulled for the discussion items 14 and 16. Items 42 and 34 respectively referred back to committee, Mr. Brigham, 42 to the next Commission meeting. And item number 34 back to the Administrative Services. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Johnson, would like to add 32 if there’s no problems with item 32. The Clerk: To the consent? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Johnson: And 33, Madam Clerk, if I don’t guess anybody has an issue with those. The Clerk: Thirty-three. Okay, so that’s items 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 38 and 39 added to consent. Item 14 and 16 pulled for further discussion. Item 34 deferred back to committee. Item 42 deferred to the next committee meeting, I mean Commission meeting. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Everybody get that? Mr. Brigham: So moved. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Jackson: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. FINAL PLAT – SAVANNAH RIVER BANKING COMPANY – BANKING LANE RIGHT-OF-WAY DEDICATION – S-829 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by W.R. Toole Engineering, on behalf 7 of Savannah River Banking Co., requesting final plat approval or Savannah River Banking Co. banking lane right-of-way dedication. 2. FINAL PLAT – WILLHAVEN, PHASE 3, SECTION 2 – S-822-II – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Brewer and Dudley, on behalf of Brent Scarbrough & Co., requesting final plat approval for Willhaven, Phase 3, Section 2. This residential subdivision is located on Theodore Street, adjacent to Willhaven Phase 3, Section 1 and contains 30 lots. 3. FINAL PLAT – SAVANNAH RIVER BANKING SUBDIVISION – S-831- A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Toole Surveying, on behalf of Savannah River Banking Co., requesting final plat approval for Savannah River Banking Subdivision. This commercial property is located on Walton Way Extension and consists of 5 lots. 5. Z-12-33 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Gwen Fulcher Young, on behalf of Mary Jo Schmalzel et. al., requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1 (One-family Residential) and Zone B-2 (General Business) to Zone B-2 containing 1.5 acres and is known as 113, 115 and 117 Davant Street. (Tax Map 010-0-009-00-0, 010-0-010-00-0 and 010-0-011-00-0) DISTRICT 7 6. Z-12-34 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the condition that the only road access shall be from a connection to Dyess Parkway not through Belair Hills Subdivision; a petition by Fred M. Sims, on behalf of Georgia Vitrified Brick and Clay Co., requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone R-1E (One-family Residential) affecting property located 2,040 feet, more or less, west of a point where the centerline of Harper-Franklin Avenue extended intersects the west right-of-way line of Jimmie Dyess Parkway containing approximately 7.5 acres. (Part of Tax Map 066-0-056-03-0) DISTRICT 3 7. Z-12-35 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the condition that there be no road access through the 42 acre tract toward Belair Hills Subdivision; a petition by Fred M. Sims, on behalf of Georgia Vitrified Brick and Clay Co., requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) and Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone R-1 (One-family Residential) affecting property described as follows: Tract A – to R-1C Beginning at a point located 1,070 feet, more or less, west of where the centerline of Harper-Franklin Avenue extended intersects the west right-of-way line of Jimmie Dyess Parkway containing approximately 42 acres. (Part of Tax Map 066-0-056-03-0) DISTRICT 3 Tract B – to R-1 Beginning at a point located 1,240 feet, more or less, southwest of Jimmie Dyess Parkway and being 1,325 feet, more or less north of the intersection of the centerline of Harper-Franklin Avenue extended and the west right-of-way line of Jimmie Dyess Parkway containing approximately 17 acres. (Part of Tax Map 066-0-056-03-0) DISTRICT 3 8. Z-12-37 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Bluewater Engineering, on behalf of Michael D. Johnson, requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture), Zone R-1B (One-family Residential), Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) and Zone B-2 (General Business) to Zone B-2 affecting property containing 1.58 acres and is known as 1607 Barton Chapel Road. (Tax Map 053- 0-057-01-0) DISTRICT 3 8 9. ZA-R-213 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend Section 2 – Definitions by changing Funeral Home to allow for facilities for cremation. PUBLIC SAFETY 10. Motion to approve Fiscal Year 2013 County Capacity Agreement between the Georgia Department of Corrections and Augusta, Georgia relative to state inmates being housed in RCCI and to authorize the Mayor and Clerk of Commission to execute such documents as necessary to consummate the agreement. (Approved by Public Safety Committee May 7, 2012) FINANCE 11. Motion to approve the acquisition of one work detail van to replace a 1994 work detail van for the Augusta Richmond County Correctional Institute. (Approved by Finance Committee May 7, 2012) 12. Motion to refer this item to the Commission to make the request that all CHDOs provide an accounting of funds from the 2005 and 2006 grants by the Augusta Housing and Community Development Department and to receive the information at a later date. (Approved by Finance Committee May 7, 2012) ENGINEERING SERVICES 13. Motion to approve and accept Deeds of Dedication for Sanitary Sewer off Augusta West Parkway. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 7, 2012) 15. Motion to approve and accept easement deeds for the Dixon Airline Road gravity sanitary sewer. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 7, 2012) 17. Motion to approve the Cost Sharing Agreement for Utility Work related to Goodwill Expansion with an additional $10,018 to be paid to Goodwill Industries to effect a 50/50 arrangement. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 7, 2012) 18. Motion to award a contract modification to Roof Professionals, Inc. for additional roofing and HVAC upgrades at the Highland Avenue Water Treatment Filter Plant (HAWTP) complex in the amount of $58,395. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 7, 2012) 19. Motion to approve the acquiring of a parcel or tract of property in fee simple located at 4010 Deans Bridge Road for a purchase price of $37,000.00, as more fully described in the Sales Option between Southeastern Paralyzed Veterans of America f/k/a Georgia Carolina Paralyzed Veterans Association, Inc., as owner, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, attached as Exhibit A, in connection with the Fort Gordon Gate 4 Water Main and Pumping Station Project, as well as the acquiring of a 5,224 sq. ft. temporary construction easement. Said temporary easement will revert to owner upon completion, testing and acceptance of the public sanitary sewer. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 7, 2012) 20. Motion to approve entering into an agreement with Georgia Power, stating that the City of Augusta will pay for the Transmission Facility Relocation Costs on the Marvin Griffin Road Project in accordance with the estimate totaling $160,370.00, Change Number Four, CPB# 323-041110-296823603. Also, approve the two Utility Relocation Agreements to be executed by the City of Augusta Legal Counsel and The Mayor and approve payment 9 upon completion of the work as requested by Augusta Engineering Department. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 7, 2012) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 21. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held May 1, 2012. APPOINTMENTS 22. Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Deborah Prince to the Augusta Animal Board representing District 1. 23. Motion to approve the ARC Legislative appointments and reappointments of the following: Clyde Lester, Eugene Tanzymore & Kitty Cato, Richmond County Sheriff’s Merit Board; Aishia Leverett, Augusta Port Authority; Scott MacGregor, Historic Preservation Commission; Lillie Hamilton to ARC Library Board of Trustees. PUBLIC SERVICES 24. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for permanent drainage, utility and maintenance easement. (Parcel 061-1-316-00) 504 Aiken Street. 25. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for temporary construction easement. (Parcel 061-1-225-00-0) 3005 Lake Port Drive) 29. Approve award of the Agreement for Maintenance of the Building Automation Systems, life safety alarms and video monitoring systems at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center (CBWDC) to Southeast Automated Systems in the amount of $53,470.00 as a sole source provider. 30. Motion to approve the Sec. 5307 Augusta Public Transit grant application between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Augusta, Georgia for Capital Fuel Expense. 31. Approve award of the Agreement for Maintenance of the Building Automation Systems, video monitoring systems and life safety systems at the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) to Southeast Automated Systems in the amount of $39,840.00 as a sole source provider. 32. Motion to approve a No Cost Land on Airport Memorandum of Agreement between the Augusta Richmond County Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration for Daniel Field Airport. 33. Approve MOU concerning Affiliation of Students For Applied Education Experience with Augusta Recreation, Parks and Facilities Department. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 34. Discuss the denial of the final negotiated contract with Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and tasking the Administrator to bring back at the first Commission meeting in June a path forward regarding the internal operations of the Human Resources Department. (Referred from May 1 Commission meeting) 36. Motion to approve updating Augusta-Richmond County’s Information in the Federal Home Loan Bank’s (FHLB) database which would allow our continued participation in FHLBatl’s Community Investments Services (CIS) Affordable Housing Program. 10 38. Motion to approve the resolution supporting Augusta Housing Authority and Walton Communities, LLC’s application for low income housing tax credits for Walton Oaks Phase 2 (Family). PUBLIC SAFETY 39. Motion to accept the grant award from the Accountability Court Office of the Governor-Office of Highway Safety in the amount of $25,000. Mr. Mayor: All in favor vote by the usual signal. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion carries 9-0-1. [Items 26 and 27] Motion carries 10-0. [Items 1-3, 5-13, 15, 17-25, 28-36, 38, 39] Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, we’ll go on to item 14, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, we had number 4, we had an objector to that one. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. The Clerk: So we probably need to reconsider. It was included in the consent agenda. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Reconsider it? The Clerk: Yes. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Can I get a motion to reconsider Item 4? Mr. Mason: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All in favor vote by the usual signal. Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: Item four, do we go there now, sir? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: PLANNING 11 4. Z-12-32 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the condition that outside storage be limited to the area behind the fence and to roll off containers and baled aluminum; a petition by Mel Rasmussen, on behalf of Campbell Recycling requesting a Special Exception to establish a recycling center and modify conditions from Z-11-01 per Section 24-2(16) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia affecting property containing approximately 2.58 acres and is known as 250 Dan Bowles Road. (Tax Map 087-2-122-01-0) DISTRICT 2 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I believe we had an objector if they want to come up and speak. Yes, ma’am, if you could state your name and address and your concerns please. Ms. Williams: Barbara Williams, 136 Horton Drive Augusta Georgia. I live in the Hyde Park area and to have all this garbage on the roadway is, we had this problem with Goldberg tearing up our tires. And we try to come out of the area just to get to the only light that would allow us access out of the park. We’ve done this before. We’ve gone through this with Goldberg tearing up everything. Even now if you all will come you will see that the traffic is backing up where people are trying to off load junk at the first recycling area. So if you open this up you’ll have that same mess. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Yeah, I guess, George, if you can, this is a new establishment. Mr. Patty: No, this, my information is the applicant is present. They go back to I believe 2008. They bought the property, there was some sort of issues with the property before that. And in 2011 the property’s zoned Heavy Industry. It’s been zoned Heavy Industry forever but in order to do a recycling center they need the Special Exception in addition to the Heavy Industry zoning. And that was granted in 2011 with the condition that everything they do would be inside the building. They’ve operated there, you know the appearance of the property at this time is it’s clean you know they do have some very limited things outside the building. They’ve got a couple of roll off containers behind a privacy fence that you cannot see from the road. They’ve got some aluminum and all they asked for is a slight change to the condition that would allow them to have three roll off containers and bales of compressed cans out there. And after hearing the evidence and there weren’t any objectors at our meeting the Planning Commission recommends you approve it. Mr. Johnson: Okay um, now in lieu of the prior owners or what have you what can they do with this property as it is now? I mean because I understand there’s heavy industrial so what kind of industries can come into that location? Mr. Patty: Any sort of manufacturing industry can come into that location with a few exceptions. A chemical plant a recycling facility like they’ve got now unrestricted. But any just about any type of manufacturing operation could come in there. Mr. Johnson: Now what is the code to keep them in compliance as far as keeping that stuff, the walls? You don’t want to see it out in the public and I think that’s one of the concerns, 12 just keeping it in confinement or keeping it away from the view of the general public. I mean because I understand it’s a very, I mean what kind of enforcement do we have because I think there should be some guidelines there. Mr. Patty: Well, if this is approved the deed restriction will be required to be placed on the property before any changes can be made. And that deed would restrict, legally restrict what they can and cannot do. Now the day to day enforcement is you know, is we can do it. If there are things outside the fence and we catch them we can cite them and they can be recorded for a zoning violation. You know to be honest with you some of these places some of the other places I don’t know of any problem with this one. You know it’s a day to day. Mr. Johnson: I mean personally I don’t have a problem with it if it’s, as long as they’re within compliance and making that it’s kept behind the fence or whatever they have to hide it from the general public or what have you and it’s not causing issues out there on the main course. Because I understand now they can still operate some sort of industry there so I don’t want it to get misconstrued but I think you know that’s one of the concerns. And I think that’s what Ms. Williams is addressing along the lines of that. Mr. Patty: That’s true and it should be cut and dry that it’s behind the fence it’s not a violation. If it is in front of the fence then it is. Mr. Johnson: Right. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, ma’am. Ms. Williams: If you all would come and look you will see the filth for yourself that their customers also bring, they will pull, I’ve actually sat there and watched them bang the glass out of the aluminum to take on the inside and sell to them right on their property. So come and look and you will see the filth on both sides for yourself that their customers are even leaving along the roadway. Just come and look. Just look. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: What’s your pleasure, gentlemen? Is the petitioner here? Yes, sir, do you want to come up and speak or? Just state your name and address please. Mr. Speaker: Mel Rasmussen, Campbell Recycling, 250 Dan Bowles Road Augusta. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Could you address some of her concerns with regarding the trash out in front in the neighborhoods? Mr. Rasmussen: I have seen them where they will break glass into the trashcan but they don’t, they’re not supposed to do it at all. But as far as the trash and everything about that I mean everything that we keep is inside of our yard in the back. Nothing is in the front. Everything is in that area that fenced area in the back. Nothing leaves loose. Everything leaves baled or in a bin or in a truck, one of the two or three. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. Commissioner Lockett. 13 Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You said that everything you keep is in the back. The stuff that this young lady is complaining about that’s obviously in the front could that be a result of your customers? Mr. Rasmussen: I’m sure. Mr. Lockett: Now don’t you think you have a responsibility for those people that you do business with when they’re on your property, entering your property and exiting your property? Mr. Rasmussen: They clean the front every single day. As soon as they get there they sweep the inside and the front. Mr. Lockett: Well, if they do this, why does this young lady have a complaint of all the trash being there? Mr. Rasmussen: I don’t know. Really it’s not that bad, I mean, they’re cleaning up the front every single day. Mr. Lockett: When you say that bad if you lived next door to it would you be satisfied with it? Mr. Rasmussen: Well, the property across the street from us is not, it’s no ones. It’s an abandoned area across the street. We have no, we can’t do anything about that. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Patty, I know when this came before your board that ya’ll did a ride by and what was the scope of the site at that time? Mr. Patty: The site was clean, the site was perfectly clean. I don’t know if that’s a typical day but certainly they didn’t know we were coming on that day which was several days before the meeting. And I point out that, but this property is not directly across from the houses in Hyde Park. It’s, this map is not correct. I don’t believe this property is right across from any houses in Hyde Park. Let me pull the other map. Well, I’ll tell you, (inaudible) all their activity is indicated right here. I might add (inaudible). As near as we can tell there’s nothing in this area (inaudible) the actual building of operation is way up here (inaudible). Hyde Park is what it is. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. George, how long have they had a business license at this location? 14 Mr. Patty: There’s been a business at this location for years. They started, and correct me if I’m wrong, they started in 2008, is that right? Mr. Jackson: Okay. Mr. Patty: This particular group here. Mr. Jackson: Okay, thank you. Mr. Patty: There were problems at that location before that I believe. I don’t remember the details. There were problems at that location before that. Mr. Jackson: I make a motion to approve with what they’re trying to do in adding a couple extra dumpsters. And as long as the people in that area keep it clean I mean it’s no different than Highway 1 in front of the landfill. But they send people out to clean it up as well. So I make a motion to approve. Mr. Mayor: There’s a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Guilfoyle: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. Vote by the usual signal please. Mr. Mason and Mr. Johnson vote No. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion Passes 7-2-1. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, on to the next item, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 14. Motion to approve Option B with once-a-week pickup and include the incentive perk for homeowner for the recycling program. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 7, 2012) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a couple of comments I’d like to make and then I’d like to call on our director of the landfill. We just received, at least I just received a th handout a few minutes ago and it said negotiations were completed early Monday, May the 14. I don’t know what early has to do with it. I just received it a few minutes ago. And it said the law department will be allowed a final review. No on the agenda, on agenda item 14 it makes reference to one a week pickup to include the incentive perk for homeowners for the recycling program. Basically what I’m seeing and I’d like Mr. Johnson to explain is before any action is taken and after the law department has given its final blessing, well that’s what I’d like to see it 15 before I vote on it. I don’t want to vote on something that the law department has looked at but at the same time are telling you I want to look at it again before it becomes law. Because I want to be the last person to look at it before it becomes law. And I think after I pulled this agenda item I had a short discussion with you and you told me some things I didn’t know prior to that. So if you would go on and repeat it I would appreciate it. Mr. Johnson: We were asked to the contract back for you for more consideration. But that is totally separate from Item 14. Item 14 is approving the concept. We were asked to bring back the document to the Commission meeting and that’s all you have. We are not asking you to approve the document today but it is just for your consideration and review. We still need to run through Legal for the final blessing. Mr. Lockett: Now the concept, would that be --- Mr. Johnson: Option B. Mr. Lockett: --- that would be a one time a week. Mr. Johnson: One time a week. Mr. Lockett: Okay. Mr. Johnson: The contract reflects that. Mr. Lockett: And the concept would also be a rate increase. Mr. Johnson: That is yet to be determined. You set the rates and you set the rates. We can, I can show you slides of where we are and where we’ll end up being but I don’t see a rate increase in the 2013. We budgeted a rate increase for 2012 to address a franchise fee adjustment back to the general fund and 2.5% cost of living adjustment because we have not raised rates in the last two years. That would be reflective of your current service level for 2012. Moving forward in 2013 we did not see a rate increase and with a little more analysis we may be able to hold that rate for two years. Mr. Lockett: Okay, so in other words when this meeting is over and can inquires I can say definitely there will not be a rate increase in 2013. Mr. Johnson: There should not be. That’s a fairly accurate statement, yes. Mr. Lockett: Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I want to get to get to be a more specific instead of fairly. Now the concept of a rate increase as Mr. Lockett is referring to and you’re agreeing with is a little confusing to me because the fact of the matter you’re reducing the 16 service 50% and you’re saying no rate increase. I didn’t hear you say any rate decrease so I’m assuming it’s going to be, you said something about holding the line. So if you’re holding the line and then you’re reducing service 50% isn’t that in fact a rate increase? Mr. Johnson: I think there’s --- Mr. Mason: I mean we are talking about once a week so that’s a 50% reduction right? Let’s do that first. Mr. Johnson: Okay, let’s start with --- Mr. Mason: Potentially. Mr. Johnson: --- well let’s start with the 50%. Right now we supply five services. Mr. Mason: I understand that. Mr. Johnson: Trash, recycling, both waste and yard waste. You take one away at a minimum that’s 20%. That’s not 50%. Second the consumer is still going to put out the same amount of trash whether I drive down the street once a week, twice a week or three times a week. We’re merely changing the method on how we collect it not the fact that we are collecting it. Mr. Mason: How are you assuming they’re going to put out the same amount of trash? What assumptions are you using to base that on? Mr. Johnson: People are, if I take away one trash can, most households will generate a similar volume of trash until the recycling program catches up. So people aren’t going to change their purchasing behavior overnight. That’s a dynamic shift. So whether I drive down your street Monday, Thursday or Monday typically doesn’t change how many times people dine out, go to Wal-Mart buy the needs for their family. That stays somewhat the same. The change is do they recycle more, can they fit it in the can and did we allow for flexibility to the service. In this service level we don’t allow for a second can. So if you filled up that can Monday and Thursday you can have two cans on Monday. Mr. Mason: Is there an additional cost for that second can? Mr. Johnson: There is an additional cost. Mr. Mason: Uh huh. Mr. Johnson: There’s an additional cost now for a second can. Mr. Mason: Exactly. Mr. Johnson: That’s similar. 17 Mr. Mason: So, yeah, but you’re talking apples and oranges here because at two times a week if I’ve got the one can I can put out twice as much. At one time a week if I’ve got the one can I can only put half as much unless I purchase another can which there is an increase in cost. And that would be the same amount then I would grant you your assumption would be correct that I am now putting out the same amount once a week that I would have twice a week but I can only do that if I’ve got two cans which is going to cost me some additional dollars. I’m just trying to get the facts of the matter. I’m not saying I’m against it or for it but let’s talk about the real facts of the matter. The other assumption that you’re making is that people are going to somehow all of a sudden get some epiphany and begin to recycle more. I wish that were the case. I hope it’s the case but we have no factual data that that’s going to be the case. We have no factual data. We have perhaps some assumptions that that’s going to happen but there’s 200,000 people out there we don’t know what they’re going to do. And we won’t know until we have some historical data to back that up. So I just want to make sure when you say that there’s no rate increase that I’m following you. And potentially I see it a little bit differently than what you see it but I kind of see where you’re going with this. Mr. Johnson: Okay. Mr. Mason: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Johnson, to follow up on Mr. Mason. If we was to charge for two for the five services we now charge for do you anticipate the rate would remain the same. Mr. Johnson: No, the rate would go up. Mr. Brigham: The rate would definitely go up is what I’m hearing or not. Mr. Johnson: The rate would definitely go up. Mr. Brigham: So it’s a question of the number of times that we’re going to pick up or then. So that would be my guess. Mr. Johnson: Here’s how the numbers shake out. Mr. Brigham: Okay. Mr. Johnson: In once a week residential that is the current service level, well no twice a week is our current service level. Residential if we go to one time a week our contract costs is fourteen ten. It adds in the recycling perks. Our current rate is fifteen seventeen. And if we stay at twice a week it’s $18.00 inclusive of recycling perks. Part of what we did is we tried to add flexibility into the system. We added for the downtown area if you’re a commercial property that doesn’t have yard waste and doesn’t have bulk waste we added another level of service. If you’re a vacant lot then we had yard and bulk waste. And then there was if you needed an extra 18 can there’s an extra can fee. That’s our contract costs. So you’re looking at a three dollar increase from where we are today per month if you stick with the same service. Mr. Brigham: So we’re looking at a $36.00 increase? Mr. Johnson: If you stay with the same service. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Mark, as far as I know we have been corresponding all week long because my district is made up different than everybody else’s district up here on this floor. My problem is in 2002 District 8 when the Augusta Richmond County went into service with the trash they didn’t take in all of the district date. Well over the years the people who was not have the city service they went to private haulers. A lot of the families that lives on the same piece of property got dumpsters. I’m concerned about that. And I have the rest of the district who actually got the service implemented in is they didn’t have a say so. If you’re going to sell it to the citizens you’ve got to reach out to them. And everybody that I have spoken with just say basically hey we had a trash can sitting at the end of our driveway and at the end of the year we got a bill taxed to our tax bill. I understand the concept of garbage service. If not District 8 would be a dumping ground. It has done wonders for the city but for us implement 8,000 more of District 8 residents it’s hard for me to swallow because what’s going to happen is the private carriers, the small people who are doing it there’s relationships built up. And I had so many people call me that they don’t want the service of what Richmond County has to offer. They’d rather keep what they have, there’s relationships built up and they’ll go above and beyond. But I just had to express that. Thank you, Mark. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: What’s your pleasure, gentlemen? Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, have I used up all my ten minutes? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ll give you one more minute. Mr. Lockett: Thank you. Mark a couple of years ago I told this body about how in a small town in Japan they generated electricity by using waste. And it’s kind of ironic. One of my constituents was calling me just before I left for the meeting today when he said he read where two different families had become billionaire’s because of recycling waste. And we’re always talking about a shortage of revenue. Why aren’t we working to avoid doing just that? Not only with the cardboard but with the glass and everything else. Mr. Johnson: Great question. The, right now Augusta sells us nothing so a byproduct that comes out of the trash breaking down is being sold to an industry that uses it in a manufacturing process. We looked at, and they take about half of our gas. We’ve spent a lot of hours looking for other alternatives whether it’s generating power, whether it was cleaning up the gas and putting it in the garbage trucks, trying to find financially feasible methods. One of the things you will see from us there’s an RFP that we’re about ready to release where, actually I think we signed it over to Procurement this week. I don’t know if they have it yet. But it’s 19 where we would enter a partnership where behind the scale house the trash would get put on a floor it would be pre-processed. And then the residual, whatever’s left would come to us and there would be a revenue share on that commodity. So you’re right in line with where we’re headed. We’re just not there yet. Mr. Lockett: Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Johnson. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mark, just for the record I just want to get this clear. The bottom line of it is the rates will increase if we was to maintain the same level of service as it is now. Mr. Johnson: My contract costs go up about three dollars which means we’re going to have to pass that along. Mr. Johnson: Right. So what you’re proposing here now and option would like to choose here is going to once a week service and it’s allowing the rate to pretty much stay the same. Meaning that those who really don’t need that much service they can take the option with the one can and rates stay the same. Correct? Mr. Johnson: This is what we’re looking at. It’s, I do not want to give you any false sense of reality because the, we budgeted a price increase for 2012 which is this year under this service level. We’re proposing 2013 being at 2012 rates. So to the citizen they’re going to see their bill go up in 2012 and you’re going to say my rates went up and my service went down. That’s an apples and oranges respectfully. So what we’re showing is $26.75 for 2012 from $21.17 current or $25.17 currently. We’re proposing that that new service stay at $26.75 but that should give us the ability to maintain not raise through 2013 and 2014. So there would be no cost increase for two years. So we could either roll rates back and raise it the second year or you could maintain the rates for a couple of years. That’s more of a policy decision and that’s why we use the word estimated. But then the other side of that is we’re for the downtown business that uses trash and recycle only it’s less expensive. For the vacant lots that we’re picking up all the couches and all that there would be a fee associated. And there’s an extra cart cost. And then the small carts is if you recycle a lot or if you’re a very small family, or the elderly or the senior citizen you’re disposing less trash. So we give you a discount. And that’s what that last one is. So that’s a cursory review of where we’re headed and that’s what we’re trying to achieve. Mr. Johnson: Okay, I just wanted to make sure we were clear on how this is set up so people will know that this is how the once a week is going to go with if you only get one can. And if you get two cans how much it’s going to cost you to get that second can and how that impacts the rate. Because you know I know there’s been a lot of questions as it pertains to will the rate increase. And I know the rate will increase if we continue to use the two cans whether you do it once a week or twice a week it’s going to increase. But if you opt to use one can once a week then it would pretty much stay at the same level that it is as of 2012. Correct? 20 Mr. Johnson: That’s correct. Mr. Johnson: Okay. Mr. Johnson: There’s one last thing that I would like to point out and I think it’s a testament to the success of this program. We went out this week and talked to all of these companies and said what’s your cost of service, one time a week, twice a week. What’s your cost per yard waste, bulk waste and recycling? It averages for one time a week $23-24 dollars. But it’s a dollar a bag for yard waste. Think through how much yard waste you guys have thrown away personally in a year at a dollar a bag. How many times have we cleaned up storm debris for free under this program as part of yard waste collection? In bulk waste the minimum charge was $20.00. So when you went to get rid of your couch that was a $20.00 app and these are our neighboring. Ronny Carter, local $25.00 and he doesn’t give you a cart. You tie a plastic bag up and you set it outside. He picks it up. Man Environmental South Richmond County $24.00 and you get five. No bulk waste, no recycling. The value that this service gives you whether it’s $25.17 or whether it’s $26.75 is very impressive at the end of the day. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. As a family of five I recycle two 96- gallon containers a week. I make a motion to move forward with item #14 with the --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion to approve? Mr. Jackson: Motion to approve. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: The concept. Mr. Jackson: The concept. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second. All vote by the usual signal. Reverend Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Mr. Johnson, I’ve got just one, I just I don’t learn as fast as other folk and I’ll admit this but I just can’t see this being beneficial to the citizens of Augusta. You going to cut my service in half and you try to sell me on the idea that I’m going to get better service. You just can’t, so I guess I’m just too old to see that. Mr. Johnson: Actually I think --- Mr. Hatney: I don’t care how you look at it you’re cutting my service in half. Mr. Johnson: I think that’s a great question. 21 Mr. Hatney: It’s a great question I need a great answer too. Mr. Johnson: That’s a policy question. That right there is a policy question. If this body wants twice a week we deliver the best twice a week service there is. The cost is going up. And if you want once a week we will deliver you the best once a week service. I’m indifferent. I work for you and I work for the city. So that is a collective decision of you ten. If you want twice a week we will deliver you twice a week. But understand the cost of that. And if this collective body decides that once a week is the best method than we will deliver you the best once a week service. That ultimately is not my decision. I’m just providing you some recommendations and information. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir. Mr. Hatney: The other concern I’ve got it looks like when I look at this document you just delivered here --- Mr. Johnson: You’re not voting on that. Mr. Hatney: But it is paralleling with the same thing here. Mr. Johnson: It is paralleling with the one time a week package. Mr. Hatney: But we’re voting on the concept today. Mr. Johnson: The concept, yes. Mr. Hatney: And the documentation of the concept is this which we have not read yet. Mr. Johnson: We will bring that back. I sure once you read it there will be questions (inaudible). Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: --- for acknowledging me. Mark, I know I brought up the --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You’re running people out of here by the way. Mr. Guilfoyle: I know I’m raising some questions but we got some of the brightest brains in here as far as what the waste departments. I know I have brought this up while we was corresponding this past week but it might be a good idea for all these gentlemen to listen to. If we keep trash two days a week as far as pickup, and I realize it’s only a 20% cut in services, if we reduce the tree and the bulk to twice a month and then as far as the recyclables why don’t we do like Alpharetta. They have drop zones or drop off stations where the people that’s actually in 22 the recycling they will actually go the distance to make sure they drop off their glass, paper as well as their cans. It’s worth an idea. I don’t know how this is going to go today. Mr. Johnson: The challenge, the challenge with that is we went through a planning phase we went through a concept phase we went through an RFP. Mr. Guilfoyle: That was all before me though. Mr. Johnson: That was all before you. And to do what you’re asking is a complete rewrite --- Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay. Mr. Johnson: --- wipe the slate clean. Mr. Guilfoyle: I had to ask. Mr. Johnson: We’re currently on a month to month contract. Mr. Guilfoyle: All right and I appreciate that. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. The question’s been called. Everybody’s voted except for Commissioners Lockett and Hatney it looks like. Or maybe it’s Mr. Guilfoyle. Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett and Mr. Guilfoyle vote No. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion Passes 6-3-1. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: On to item 16, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I understand that the GAWP Delegation is here. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: They can wait. The Clerk: They can wait? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: No, I’m kidding. Go ahead. The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) Augusta Utilities D. Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) presentations to Augusta Utilities. 23 Mr. Speaker: Members of the Commission I would like to introduce Joel Peacock. He’s the Director of Operations for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. And our facilities have won some awards this past years and he’s here to present the awards. Mr. Peacock: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem and Counsel. My name’s Joel Peacock and I’m here to represent the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. GAWP is the states non- profit professional association dedicated to supporting every water professional in every corner of the state throughout the mission. Our mission is to promote sound stewardship of Georgia’s water resources and it’s my privilege to recognize Augusta Richmond County for leading a very elite part of those water professionals. GAWP tracks the permit performance of literally hundreds of water providers and each year select a few to receive the GAWP Gold and or Platinum Awards. This award is for meeting MPDS Permit Performance for a complete calendar year regarding waste water treatment facilities and complete safe drinking water act permit performance for drinking water facilities. Augusta Richmond County is receiving several awards for their performance and it’s my privilege to present the following. For complete MDPS Waste Water Permit Performance the Gold Award and Waste Water Treatment Plan of the Year for Georgia goes to James B. Messerly Waste Water Treatment Plant operated by ESG Operations. (APPLAUSE) Next for safe drinking water permit performance the GAWP Platinum Award goes to the N. Max Hicks Tobacco Road Water Treatment Plant. This is the plant’s sixth platinum award. (APPLAUSE) Also receiving a platinum award is the Augusta Richmond County Ground Water Plants and this is also their sixth platinum award. (APPLAUSE) Last but certainly not least the Highland Avenue Water Treatment Plant Platinum Award and this is their tenth consecutive platinum award. (APPLAUSE) Congratulations to all these facilities and you definitely have an elite group of water and waste water professionals in Augusta and you’re to be commended for that. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: Congratulations. Speech? Mr. Mason: Yeah, before they leave out if I could, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir. Mr. Mason: Hello, guys just listen to the speaker out there. As the head of the Engineering Services Committee I just want to congratulate each and every one of you on the fine job that you’ve done for the city of Augusta. I guess this is one instance where one of the good instances where privatization can work. All right, Joe? So you might have changed my mind in reference to this to some degree. But we’re always looking for good partnerships as we try to streamline this government and do what’s right by the citizens. And this is an indication that there are situations where it can work. And we have a saying that it works better when we work together and we’ve definitely done that with this crew here. And we applaud your efforts and we thank you very much. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: And just a little food for thought Commissioner Mason. ESG also runs a few recreation departments in Alabama so --- Mr. Mason: Oh. 24 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- just food for thought. On to item 16, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 16. Motion to approve the recommendation of Augusta Utilities for the design and construction of the raw water conversion plan for the golf courses; develop a rate for the raw water customers; allow First Tee to begin receiving a rate of $143 per month, begin negotiations with the customers regarding updates of their systems to tie into the city’s new infrastructure changes; and work toward having the process completed in approximately six month. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 7, 2012) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Guilfoyle? Yes, sir. Mr. Guilfoyle: Go ahead, I’ll wait until Tom. Mr. Wiedmeier: Members of the Commission, I currently have three golf courses that irrigate with treated water. Two receive a flat rate. First Tee pays full commercial rates. That began the discussion of coming up with a uniform rate for golf courses. A plan was suggested whereby we could deliver raw water to First Tee and Forest Hills. Our work could probably be done in about six months. We’d have to have some discussions with the two courses to see how long it would take them to modify their systems to take the raw water. Also we’re suggesting that we develop a raw water rate which would, which would also pull in the some other raw water users, Westover Cemetery and Augusta County Club. We’re asking for approval of this plan and that we begin the work to bring this to fruition. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you. Gentlemen, I know that last year some of the colleagues was bringing up Forest Hills about the amount they were paying. And I didn’t agree with the amount they were paying because I basically pay the same thing at my residence in the summertime. But two wrongs ain’t going to make a right in this story here. I know that we want to lower the payment to $143.00 a month to First Tee. I think anything we give them they’d be grateful on. I believe what we need to do is bring it down to $500.00 and move Forest Hills up to $500.00 until we get the service implemented in. I think that would be fair across the board and it won’t be an embarrassment to any of the citizens in Augusta Richmond County. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: The difficulty I’ve got with that is that First Tee only have six holes and Forest Hills has eighteen. Is that right? Mr. Wiedmeier: That’s correct. Mr. Hatney: That’s the difference. It’s just the volume. 25 Mr. Guilfoyle: Right. Augusta Richmond County owns the property that First Tee is on. We have done our due diligence in helping them out. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: I’d like to make a motion that would bring The First Tee and Forest Hills up to Patch rate that they’re currently paying until we get the raw water pipe in service. And then discuss a raw water rate. Mr. Wiedmeier: That would be $275.00 a month. Mr. Jackson: $275.00? Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes, sir. Mr. Johnson: I can go along with that. I second it. Mr. Hatney: I can second that with a question. Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Reverend Hatney. Mr. Hatney: I still have the same concern with the golf course having six holes. And you’re comparing them with somebody who’s got eighteen. That’s the same problem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I don’t have any holes and I paid $120.00 last month. Mr. Hatney: I’m with you but what I’m saying you know at the end of the day now it has to do with volume. It has to do with volume. It should have to do with volume not how much your golf course or not is how much it might do in the future with that raw water usage. So that’s got to be a balance in that. But at the end of the day there’s no way a 6-hole golf course is going to ever use the volume in water that an eighteen will hold. Mr. Wiedmeier: That’s correct but I do believe that The First Tee would be thrilled if they were paying $275.00 --- Mr. Mason: Oh, sure they would. Mr. Hatney: We understand that. We understand all that not had it been $4,000 a month. Yeah, you’re right. Mr. Wiedmeier: The important thing to us is that --- Mr. Hatney: I’m supporting this. I don’t have a problem with it. I just don’t want (unintelligible) called out there saying you’re doing them folks a favor when all we’re talking about today is doing folks favors. And we just had this beautiful presentation, your department 26 but you can’t compare what you can do with water with what you do with trash. We’ve got some customers concerns but I have no problem with this now. But I just don’t want us to lose the sight on the fact that it still has to do with usage. Mr. Wiedmeier: Right and that’s what, this is an interim thing until we get the raw water system in place. And at that time everyone will be paying a fair rate based on usage for raw water. Mr. Hatney: Okay. Mr. Speaker: That’s what’s important to us. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I want to make sure first that, well, two things. But first I want to make sure of the motion that was there. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I was going to ask that too. Mr. Mason: What was that? The Clerk: The motion was to bring the golf courses up to the Patch rate of $275.00 a month. Mr. Mason: Okay, what golf courses? The Clerk: Forest Hills, The Patch and First Tee. Mr. Mason: Okay, I just wanted to make sure specifically that’s what’s in there, all three of those. The Clerk: Forest Hills, The Patch and First Tee. Mr. Mason: Okay, and I’m going to support it too. But let me say this. Yeah, they’ll probably be ecstatic and jumping for joy out of their shorts to get that rate but the fact of the matter is that Forest Hills and others have been receiving that rate for years on end. So If anybody’s ecstatic it should be Forest Hills and those guys who have been getting water for pennies on the dollar. So I don’t want to make it seem like you know Forest Hills was simply, I mean First Tee was simply asking for fairness in the process which they had not received up until this point. So we want to make sure that we’re clear on that who’s actually been the benefactor of this water that’s been given from the city. So I don’t have any problems supporting that motion until or unless what? Mr. Wiedmeier: Well, until we --- 27 Mr. Mason: You said about six month, eight months down the road or something like that? Mr. Wiedmeier: Yeah --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Gentlemen, could we amend this motion to be effective for six months period. That way we can put some heat on people to get things done. Mr. Mason: Exactly, so they don’t it’s a, you know you’ve got all kinds of time. Well, he’s the maker of the motion. The Clerk: Well, it says, I mean it’s in here to approve the recommendation of utilities which has been revised to bring the golf courses up to The Patch rate which is Forest Hills, First Tee and The Patch. And you’re going to develop the system and work towards having the process completed in approximately six months. That’s in the motion. Mr. Mason: Work towards --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Approximately. The Clerk: Well, you want to take that out or just say completed. Mr. Mason: There’s verbiage in there that kind of gives you --- The Clerk: Okay, so we’re saying have the process completed in approximately six month. Mr. Wiedmeier: I just want to be fair to the golf courses. We can have our stuff in place in six months. I’m confident of that. But --- Mr. Mason: I think we’ve been very fair to the golf courses, extremely fair. Now we can always do something else after six months if they chose not to, you know because those rates could go where they should have been already. So when we say extremely fair I think we’ve been more than fair. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’m going to put the fair warning out there that in six months if they don’t switch to raw water they can start paying for filtered water per gallon. Mr. Mason: There you go. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay we’ve got, Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Wiedmeier, do you know at this point what it’s going to cost us for this raw water that we’re talking about? 28 Mr. Wiedmeier: I don’t have a good estimate yet. We’ve done some preliminary engineering but probably on the order of $75-100,000 dollars to construct the improvements to get the water to the boundaries of the golf courses. Mr. Lockett: Now will the taxpayers be required to pay this or would the users of this raw water be required to pay it? Mr. Wiedmeier: That will be considered in developing the rate for raw water. So it’s a capital improvement cost. Mr. Lockett: Now will we break even on this or month after month we’ll be just subsidizing the golf courses? Mr. Wiedmeier: No we’re going to come back to you with, when we propose a raw water rate as a full cost rate that takes into account the operational and the capital costs associated with raw water. Mr. Lockett: I know about ten different motions have been made but if I could interject we’ve said many times that First Tee has six holes and we know we’re locked in at $275.00 a month for the next hundred years with the municipal golf course because of the contract. So if you’re going to use the $275.00 dollar amount for the 18-holes why not immediately go to $125.00 for the First Tee because they only have one-third the holes. So therefore it should be one-third the cost. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Is that a motion? Mr. Lockett: Yeah, if I may I would like to, if I could make that a motion I’d like to make that a motion. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Is there a second? Mr. Hatney: I’ll second it. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Substitute motion. Mr. Hatney: I’ll second it. Mr. Mayor: All right we’ve got a substitute motion on the table. Could you repeat it, Madam Clerk? The Clerk: The substitute motion was to approve the recommendation to bring golf courses up to The Patch rate for Forest Hills and First Tee at $125.00 to begin negotiations with the customers regarding updates to their system to tie into the city. New infrastructure changes and to have the process completed in six months. Mr. Lockett: Madam Clerk, you said --- 29 The Clerk: First Tee $125.00 for First Tee and $275.00 for Forest Hills and The Patch is already there with their contract. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we got a motion and a second. All vote by the usual signal please. The Clerk: That motion fails 5-5. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Original motion, Madam Clerk, please. The Clerk: Okay, let me record this one, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett, Mr. Hatney and Mr. Smith vote Yes. Mr. Aitken, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Brigham and Mr. Guilfoyle vote No. Motion ties 5-5. The Clerk: We’re back to the original motion. Do you need it read back? Mr. Mason: Please. The Clerk: That motion is to approve that all golf courses Forest Hills, First Tee be brought up to the rate of The Augusta Patch at $275.00. To begin negotiations with the customers regarding update of their systems to tie into the city’s new infrastructure changes and have the process completed in six months. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All vote by the usual signal. Mr. Lockett and Mr. Guilfoyle vote No. Motion Passes 8-2. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Next item, Madam Clerk. I believe it’s twenty-six. The Clerk: Yes, sir, I believe so. Mr. Sherman? PUBLIC SERVICES 26. New Application: A.N. 12-16: A request by Ryan McArdle for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine License to be used in connection with The Indian Queen located at 2502 Wrightsboro Road. District 2. Super District 9. Mr. Sherman: Okay, number twenty-six it’s a new application. It’s a request by Ryan McArdle for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine license to be used in connection with The Indian Queen located at 2502 Wrightsboro Road. District 2. Super District 9. Mr. McArdle: Ryan McArdle, 2924 Mayfair Court, Augusta, Georgia. 30 Mr. Sherman: Planning and Development and the Sheriff’s Department recommend approval. Mr. Guilfoyle: Motion to approve. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We have a motion and a second. All vote by the usual signal. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion Passes 9-0-1. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Item 27 Madam Clerk. PUBLIC SERVICES 27. New Ownership Application: A.N. 12-17: A request by Gurpreet Walia for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Get N Go located at 2350 Windsor Spring Rd. District 6. Super District 10. Mr. Sherman: And 27 is a New Ownership Application: A request by Gurpreet Walia for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Get N Go located at 2530 Windsor Spring Road. District 6. Super District 10. Mr. Walia: Gurpreet Walia, 1206 Woodhill Drive, Augusta, Georgia 30909. Mr. Jackson: Move to approve. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second. All vote by the usual sign. The Clerk: Do we have any objectors? Mr. Mayor: I’m sorry. The Clerk: No, okay. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion Passes 9-0-1. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 28. Motion to approve the Capital Improvements Program Manager’s recommendation to select LOC Scientific, Inc. as the Crime Lab Equipment vendor with a bid of $49,219.97 for the Augusta, Georgia Sheriff’s Office Building. 31 Mr. Jackson: Move to approve. Mr. Aitken: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We have a motion and a second. Anybody have a question? All vote by the usual signal. Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 35. Motion to approve annual bid item for chemicals for the Utilities Department. Mr. Guilfoyle: Move to approve on that one. Mr. Smith: Second. The Clerk: Who --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second. Commissioner Guilfoyle made the motion and Grady Smith seconded. We’ve got a motion and a second on the floor to approve. All vote by the usual signal. Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 37. Motion to accept as information the elected official and independent boards and authorities who have made elections regarding the PPPM. Mr. Guilfoyle: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, my question is I know elected officials have an opportunity to opt out or whatever. But I can’t understand why our chief executive officer would choose to opt out of a government policy and procedures manual. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Jody, Wayne somebody, anybody? 32 Mr. Speaker: It’s nothing wrong with Commissioner Lockett asking the question but only the Mayor can answer that. He’s the state official and it’s a right given to him by the state. The same reasons given to the tax commissions the judges et cetera. They’re constitutional officers. They do not have to go by personnel policy and procedure. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: And there we have it. All right we’ve got a motion and a second. Commissioner Hatney. Mr. Hatney: Just one question. If this being the case, why bring this here? Why should this body vote on it anyway? We can’t do nothing about it. Mr. Speaker: It was on the --- Mr. Hatney: If it’s a state law why bring it here at all? Mr. Speaker: It’s just on the agenda to receive as information. Mr. Hatney: As information. Mr. Speaker: It’s not approval, it’s just to receive as information. Mr. Mayor: All right we’ve got a motion on the floor. All vote please however you want. Mr. Mason and Mr. Lockett vote No. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion Passes 7-2-1. The Clerk: Item 40 I think? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Ms. Allen would like to address item number 40 on behalf of the Administration. Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. Ms. Allen. ENGINEERING SERVICES 40. Report from staff regarding the development of a proposal showing the cost savings concerning the use of sewer sludge from the ARC Solid Waste Facility in association with their methane gas project and to accelerate the elimination/reduction of garbage at the landfill. (Referred from March 28 Commission meeting) Ms. Allen: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, the Administration would like to defer this item to next committee meeting if that’s possible. 33 Mr. Jackson: Move to approve. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion and a second. All vote by the usual signal. Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: APPOINTMENT(S) 41. Motion to appoint the chair of the Richmond County Board of Elections from nominees submitted by the ARC Legislative Delegation Sanford Loyd, Tim McFalls and Gwendolyn Roundtree. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Brigham. Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I’d like to nominate Sanford Loyd. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Jackson: Second and third. Mr. Mayor: Do we need a second? Mr. Brigham: No. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion to approve. Any other nominations? Mr. Brigham: Move nominations be closed. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Nominations are closed. Sanford Loyd being the nomination all vote by the usual signal. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: And before you get too excited gentlemen I think there’s need for Legal meeting. Mr. Speaker: Yes, Mayor Pro Tem. I request a Legal meeting for Real Estate at the request of Commissioner Guilfoyle. The Clerk: We need a motion. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Sure you don’t want to wait until next week, Mr. Guilfoyle? 34 Mr. Guilfoyle: No, well, we’ve got everybody here. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate. C. Personnel. ADDENDUM 42. Motion to approve going into a legal meeting. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We need a motion. Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Guilfoyle: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, all vote by the usual signal. Mr. Brigham votes No. Mr. Hatney abstains. Motion Passes 8-1-1. [LEGAL MEETING] Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, I’ll call the meeting back to order and Mr. Attorney. 43. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia’s Open Meeting Act. Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We have a motion and a second. All vote by the usual signal. Mr. Hatney out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Meeting adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission 35 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 May 15, 2012. _______________________ Clerk of Commission 36 37