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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting February 19, 2013 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER FEBRUARY 19, 2013 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., February 19, 2013, the Hon. Corey Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Mason, G. Smith, Williams, Fennoy, Jackson, Davis and D. Smith, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Absent: Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. The invocation was given by Bishop Rosa Williams, Pastor, Ever Faithful Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Bishop Williams, for that very sensational service and prayer here. We have a piece of hardware here for you a wall ware if you will. This is from the Office of the Mayor. By these present be it known that Bishop Rosa Williams, Pastor, Ever Faithful Baptist Church is Chaplain of the Day for her civic and spiritual guidance demonstrated throughout the community. Serves as an example for all of us in the faith community. Given th unto my hand this 19 Day of February. Deke Copenhaver. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, let’s see here. What we will do here, I know we have some people here from the Veterans. I know we have Lt. Colonel as well as Johnny Patterson which is the Vice Chairman, Vice Commander of Georgia. I’d like to take those two then we’ll do a presentation of the Buffalo Soldiers. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: So we’ll do D and then E and then we’ll go to A, B and C. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS D. Debra Williams, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army Retired. (Requested by Commissioner Lockett) Lt. Col. Williams: Good evening, Augusta Richmond County Commissioners, Bishop Rosa Williams and distinguished guests. My name is Debra Williams and I am a veteran. I just recently retired this year in January as an Army Nurse Corp Officer. I was privileged to work and serve at Fort Gordon as the Battalion Lead Nurse Case Manager for the War and Transition Battalion. If you all are not familiar with the War and Transition Battalion these are soldiers, airmen, Marines and Navy personnel that are coming back from theaters of operation that require medical care. Being that Eisenhower is the Southeast Regional Major Medical Command most of the soldiers are transferred to Eisenhower. Within this job which was my last military 1 assignment I must say I was blessed to have crossed so many soldiers, male and female, black and white from all parts of this nation. Soldiers that required care from behavior health, orthopedic you name it, they needed it. When I reviewed their medical records and interviewed these soldiers the first thing that I noticed that they all had in common was that they wanted to be healed and get back to the fight. And I must say that I have never worked for or been a service for the most honored population of American citizens. These were young men and women that gave up, sacrificed their own personal lives to serve these United States. One of the soldiers was a National Guardsman on Veterans Day last day gave me a poster with, a diverse poster with several services in uniform. And I just want to read to you what the poem was on the poster. It is the Veteran not the Preacher who has given us freedom of religion. It is the Veteran not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Veteran not the poet who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Veteran not the campus organizer who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the Veteran not the Lawyer who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the Veteran and not the politician who has given us the right to vote. It is the Veteran who salutes The Flag it is the Veteran who serves under The Flag which is draped over their coffins. Veterans know that the Oath of Allegiance has no expiration date. God Bless the Veterans and thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Ms. Williams. Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Col. Williams, I want to say thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart. This agenda item should make Veterans Day a holiday for this government. It is extremely important to me I guess more so than some of the others because I’ve been there and I’ve done that. I remember lonely days and nights. I remember being in harm’s way but I never really fretted because I knew that what I was doing was the right thing and I was doing it for the betterment of my country. So I want to applaud you for all that you’ve done and I want to thank you so very much for coming out and sharing it with us this evening. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Johnson: Yes, sir, you’re welcome. Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll move on with delegation ‘E’. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS E. Johnny Patterson, 2d State Jr. Vice Commander of Georgia Mr. Johnny Travis, Georgia State Chief of Staff. (Requested by Commissioner Lockett) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, and if you could keep it to five minutes, gentlemen, that would be great. Mr. Travis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Commissioner Lockett, we appreciate this honor. And it’s not just a privilege to be here to talk on the veteran as on Veteran’s Day I understand that you know that you want to promote to honor and of course recognize the veterans. I am too retired military of 21 years and thanks to the Colonel for the remarks that you gave. I can recall the time that I spent the time crawling in the mud staying up all night three 2 combat tours and it’s an honor to be back. All of us gave something some gave all. And just a small token of appreciation to know that (unintelligible) to honor the Veteran’s Day. I think that those, that day should be honored to those veterans and I think also that it would be an honor for everybody to recognize that what those young men and women have did to serve and some are still coming back. I wanted the commander for the local chapter, Chapter 18 and we have a lot of them coming back that have been wounded, brain damage and it’s just a sad thing to know that (unintelligible) for this time to recognize and I’m not saying you don’t. I think we should be doing a little bit more to recognize those veterans. And I know from looking at some of the members sitting up here I know I’m looking at two veterans. I know Commissioner Mason is a veteran and Mr. Lockett. Again I have my two comrades up here and I don’t want to, I you gave me five minutes and I’ll go ahead and yield (unintelligible) one minute even. Mr. Davidson: Like we said, thank you for inviting us. Let’s get one thing straight. I am State 2d State Jr. Vice Commander, Willie Davidson, this is Commander Patterson, this is the Chief of Staff. Thank you. And as far as what we were talking about the first thing I thought I made some calls when he informed me that we’d up for this purpose. And that’s why this wasn’t happening. Everybody said call us, call us. You might have seen one of the members on TV last night saying that’s a good idea but call us. What I say is go to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center on the Wounded Warriors. Go out to Eisenhower, go to Walter Reed, go to Arlington National Cemetery and then you say why. Thank you. Mr. Travis: I’m Johnny Travis the Chief of Staff for the State of Georgia. I also look at Veteran’s Day as a day for all veterans you know regardless of where they work. There should be a Veteran’s Day for them. And like I say you know that you know I don’t know whether it costs the city to have the people to have a Veteran’s Day for all these people that work for the city it should be okay but you know because it’s a recognized holiday from the Congress. You know they approved the holiday and everybody should have it. Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, well, first and foremost, I’d like to say I commend my colleague Commissioner Lockett for even bringing this forth and of course you know as you said earlier when you talk about the costs and the price. Those guys who are laying in the cemetery those guys who are laying in the hospital with missing arms and legs and not in their right mind you know that they’ve made the ultimate sacrifice and paid the ultimate cost. So this is just a small token to give back to them. So again I commend you, Commissioner Lockett, I yield to you. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I just want to thank you all. I want to thank you for your service. I want to thank you for your support this evening. And if it’s God’s will we will do this. We will make sure that all of Augusta celebrates Veteran’s Day. I’m in hopes and I’m in prayer that this will be done and again thank you all so very much. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you for coming. Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll move on to Presentation ‘A’. The Clerk: 3 PRESENTATION(S) A. Presentation from the Buffalo Soldiers to the Augusta Recreation, Parks and Facilities Department. Mr. Russell: Come in. Come in, come in, come in. Mr. Speaker: Thank you. First of all, thank you, Commissioners, for allowing us to speak here today. Really all we want to do is give a donation of $2,500.00 to the Augusta Parks and REC as our annual donation of I think for the last twelve years. And hopefully we’ll continue, we can continue to give this annual donation. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Speaker: We don’t have a big check today? Mr. Shanahan: Yes, sir, on behalf of the City of Augusta and the Recreation Department we are truly thankful. This $2,500.00 will go a long way to helping with children and which is what we’re about, helping their quality of life. Thank you so much. Be blessed. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Speaker: We don’t have the big check here. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, guys, and thanks for your support and continued support. Thank you. Okay, Madam Clerk --- The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- we’ll go ahead and move on with the recognitions. The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) 2012 Employee of the Year B. Congratulations! Ms. Patricia L. Ystenes, Administrative Assistant for the Fleet Management Department, 2012 Employee of the Year. The Clerk: (APPLAUSE) And I will read the letter from the Employee Recognition Committee. The Employee Recognition Committee has selected Patricia L. Ystenes, Pat, as the 2012 Employee of the Year for the City of Augusta. Patricia L. Ystenes is employed as an Administrative Assistant with the Fleet Management Department. She has been employed with the city for over 11 years. As you may recall Ms. Ystenes was nominated by Ron Crowden, Manager with the Fleet Management Department in March of 2012 for the Employee of the Month and she was selected. In Patricia’s previous selection she distinguished herself with coordination of the completion of the transition from the Fuel Man fuel provider to the Right Express Provider which required that she generate over 1,350 individual personal identification PIN numbers and over 1,400 vehicle cards through the Right Express Card System. This also involved the task of distributing the PIN’s and vehicle cards to the individual departments. Pat’s direct and dedicated involvement resulted then and now in a successful transition in a minimum 4 of time with outstanding results. Her work resulted in a First Month’s Cost Curtailment Containment off over $35,000 dollars. Note, the transition from Fuel Man to Right Express contained costs by the reduction of taxes paid through Fuel Man but exempt through Right Express. This allowed the money paid in taxes to be extracted from the bill instead of added to the fuel costs. Money not paid as part of the fuel bill. In addition Right Express allowed for a volume discount which was not given by Fuel Man. This curtailment is realized each month and adds up over the years. Since Patricia’s election as the March 2012 Employee of the Month th she’s made continued outstanding contributions. During the period May 8 2012 through st October 1 2012 Patricia distinguished herself by caring on the daily duties of Fleet Management while the Fleet Manager Ron Crowden was on extended medical leave. During this time she monitored, approved or disapproved over 4,169 work orders for vehicle and equipment maintenance. In addition she organized, inventoried, posted and collected the proceeds for and deposited the funds of over 118 lots sold on the GOVdeals website. This was accomplished as well as performing her daily duties as the Fleet Management Coordinator. In addition to this Patricia completed the requirements of a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Concentration of Management from Colorado Technical University. The Employee Recognition Committee felt that based on this nomination and Patricia L. Ystenes dedicated and loyal service to the City of Augusta we would appreciate you joining us in recognizing Patricia L. Ystenes as the 2012 Employee of the Year. (APPLAUSE) She is also receiving a gift card and plaque. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We have another token here from the Mayor’s office Ms. Ystenes? Ystenes, okay. Dear Ms. Ystenes, on behalf of the City of Augusta it gives me great pleasure that I congratulate you on being recognized as the Employee of the Year 2012. Your contribution to the organization Augusta Richmond County Government and the citizens of Augusta has earned you this recognition. I appreciate your willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty and your outstanding work ethic. I value your commitment to making Augusta a better place. It is with great pleasure that I present you with this award. You are truly an asset to Augusta Richmond County Fleet Management Department and the citizens of Augusta Richmond County. Please accept my personal congratulation on this wonderful award. You are truly deserving of it. Sincerely yours, Deke Mayor Copenhaver. (APPLAUSE) Do you want to say anything? Ms. Ystenes: I’d just like to thank the committee. I would also like to thank Donna and Tim for their continued support while Ron was out. And it’s just an honor to be part of the Planning Department and Fleet Management Department. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, thank you. I’ll tell you we do have some outstanding employees and I’d just like to echo some of the sentiments that was read on that. You know again you know I’ve had an opportunity to meet her before. I went down there and actually met with Ron and looked at the lot and we had a little conversation. But she does an outstanding job and he spoke very highly of her back then so again congratulations and thank you for your service. (APPLAUSE) Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll move on with Recognition ‘C’ The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) 5 Augusta Fire Department C. Recognition of firefighters Lt. Daniel Rigdon, Lt. Ralph Jenkins, FF Adam Krebs, FF Mary Guest and FF Travis Petrea for rescuing John Thompson (3-year old child) on rd Sunday evening February 3 from a burning house at 527 Carr Street. Mr. Mayor: Public Safety? Okay you’re coming around. The Clerk: And I would like to read this letter. Lt. Ralph Jenkins, Lt. Daniel Rigdon, FF Travis Petrea, FF Adam Krebs and FF Mary Guest are hereby commended for their actions while th on duty with The Augusta Fire Department on the night of February 10 2013 which resulted in th the rescue of 3 year old John Thompson from a house fire. On February 10 2013 at approximately 8:20 p.m. firefighters responded to a structure fire at 527 Carr Street in downtown Augusta. It was reported to the responding units that there was a possible entrapment of a toddler inside the burning structure. Upon the arrival of the fire department the entire left side of the structure was engulfed in flames. The family, panic stricken was in the front yard of the house pointing and telling the firefighters which room the child was in. A ladder was placed in the window and without hesitation Engine Companies 8 and 2 entered the structure. Once inside the room the firefighters encountered extreme heat and heavy smoke conditions that provided zero visibility. Firefighter Petrea of Engine Company 2 started a right hand search of the room while Lt. Rigdon of Engine Company 8 started a left hand search. During his search Lt. Rigdon found the child on the bed. After quickly determining that it was in fact a victim Lt. Rigdon made his way back to the window with the child and handed him to Firefighter Krebs of Engine Company 8 and Lt. Jenkins of Engine Company 2. It was discovered upon rescuing the victim that he had no pulse and no respirations. CPR was started immediately with the aid of Firefighter Guest and Engine Company 3 and the victim was resuscitated while on route to the hospital. The actions described herein are indicative of the level of character, training and experience which these firefighters possess and are indicative of the caliber of personnel employed by The Augusta Fire Department. A copy of the accommodation will be placed in each of their personnel files as record of their courage and commitment to the Augusta Fire Department and the City of Augusta. My sincere congratulations go to each of these firefighters for a job well done. Signed, Christopher E. James, Fire Chief, Augusta Fire Department. (APPLAUSE) Chief James: Just real briefly. I wanted to bring the firefighters down just so that we could show the appreciation and thank them for the extraordinary job that they performed on that evening. The Monday after, the Tuesday after this event we went all down to the hospital and we visited with the family. Hugged with the family, prayed with the family and then we learned this past weekend that that we lost the toddler as you read in the paper. We have also learned that the toddler’s organs have been donated so that the work that these firefighters have done can be used to help another citizen. And so this is just an example of the type of employees that we have on the fire department of our whole emergency services system. They got the child into the ambulance along with the EMT’s from the Gold Cross Ambulance Service. They worked CPR all the way to the hospital to sustain life as long as they could. And so it did give the family an opportunity to be with the child until the child passed. And so then again I just want to say thank you to these firefighters. I’ve got several calls, Commissioner Donnie Smith stopped by the fire that evening and called me that evening and also told us how good a job that those firefighters 6 done. And so I just wanted to show them their appreciation in front of our governing body. And just to let everybody know what type of firefighters we have and the type of persons we have serving the citizens here in Augusta. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mason: First and foremost, let me say on behalf of the Public Safety Committee and the Vice Chair Donnie Smith, Commissioner Smith and all of my Commission colleagues we want to give you a sincere heartfelt thank you for the job that you do. There’s many times where we take things for granted and but you never know when that phone call or that buzzer’s going to go off that’s going to require you to put your selves in harm’s way. What you’ve proven to us is that you’re up to the task and you can get the job done. And I want to just applaud you for the intestinal fortitude the personal courage that it takes to go inside a burning building and not only put your own life in danger but you don’t even know what it is you’re potentially facing. But at the same you’re putting your best foot forward. And I know many times when you’re serving in public safety it’s sometimes a thankless position but today we wanted to say before God and country thank you to each and every one of you for the job that you’ve done. This goes to show for those that may have thought something different, we’ve got some of the best employees, some of the best public safety folks this nation has ever seen and you’re looking at them right here. Let’s give them a true round of applause for the job that they’ve done. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Donnie Smith requested a point of personal privilege as well as Commissioner Bill Fennoy. Mr. Smith: As has been relayed, I followed the fire truck to this house. I was on the way home and it happened to be right in front of me. And they pulled off Milledge Road and turned down into Harrisburg. I watched these guys and this lady when they did their job. I can tell you I’ve been in this business. I’m in Public Safety for 28 years as a Law Enforcement Officer and to watch these men and women go into that house under the conditions they did without hesitation, not one moment was lost. It was one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen in my life. And to watch them bring that lifeless child of that house and not only take that child to the ambulance and hold it in their arms and getting in there and breathing and giving compressions to that child is one of the most touching things I’ve ever seen. And I can’t tell you how good a job these did and they never lost a moment, they never thought a moment of not doing what they have been trained to do. I’m as proud of these people as I can be if they were my children. And Chris and to the rest of you I tried to tell you that night what you do for us on a daily basis we can never repay you. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the firefighters for the wonderful job you have done. I’d also like to thank the Chief for putting together good, qualified competent people. I think the, it all goes back to leadership and I think Chief James has done a wonderful job in preparing our firefighters. One of the things that happened is that the young man, the two year old passed away and the family did not have any insurance. So next th Thursday on the 20 between 4 and 8 p.m. at the East View Community Center there will be a fish fry to raise funds to help defray the cost of this tragedy. And 100% and it’s going to be $10.00, but 100% of the money that’s raised will go directly to Wells Fargo to go directly to the 7 family. So again thank you and again if you’re not doing anything next Thursday between 4 and 8 come out and enjoy some good hot fried fish and let’s help support this family. Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Donnie Smith? Mr. Smith: Bill, in that vein people know that I said that I would give money from my Commission salary to charity and so I’ll be the first one to tell you. I’ll give you all $500.00 from my campaign fund for that. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, I think everything has been said here today and I just can’t thank you guys enough for what you do and what you have done and what you will do for us in the future. And I just encourage everybody to do your part if you can. If it’s only $5.00 dollars you know give what you can. You just never know when you’ll encounter what somebody who’s going though any hardship or going through anything like this. And this has got to be a very difficult time for the family so again whatever you can do by all means if you can make the fish fry, you know, I’m pretty sure Mr. Fennoy will have means for you to contact somebody who is over that committee to make sure they will receive the funds and get it to Wells Fargo. So again thank you to our Public Safety Firefighters here and thanks for all you’re doing again. Was there anybody else? You guys good? Mr. Speaker: All right. We appreciate it. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, you’ve done enough. You said enough by your actions so thank you. (APPLAUSE) Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll go ahead and move along with our consent agenda. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-28. And under the Planning portion of the agenda I’ll read the planning petition and if there is anyone who has an objection would you please signify your objection by raising your hand. Item 1: Is a request to approve with the following conditions 1) that a 400 foot natural buffer be maintained adjacent to the rear property lines of those parcels located on the easternmost side of Lewis Acres Subdivision and 2) that a 100 foot natural buffer be maintained adjacent to the rear property lines of those parcels located on the northernmost side of Lewis Acres Subdivision. This is a petition by the Augusta Economic Development Authority for a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) and Zone HI (Heavy Industry) with conditions to Zone HI on property located at 4760 Mike Padgett Highway. Does anyone have any objections to this planning petition? Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: So our consent agenda is items 1-28. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Fred, didn’t we have an item that we needed to add as well? 8 Mr. Russell: Yes, sir, you have it in front of you an item from the Fire Chief in reference to our MOU with GEMA. That is actually on the next committee cycle but GEMA’s in the process of having an audit. We’ve got the money we just need to make sure the MOU’s assigned and it would be greatly appreciated if we could get that done today so we could further that information up to them. If we could add and approve that I’d greatly appreciate it. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, what’s your pleasure, gentlemen? Can we get a motion to that effect? Mr. Fennoy: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Johnson: I’ve got a proper motion and a second. This is to add and approve? Mr. Fennoy: That’s correct. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, add and approve. No further questions vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Russell: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: And before we move onto the additions to the consent we have, we do have with us today here the Cub Scouts. We have someone I’ll right and our left here and Commissioner Smith were they here for a particular project? Mr. Smith: I’m not sure come on guys ya’ll come up front and tell us why you’re here. Come on. Somebody’s a spokesman with the, are the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Webelos somebody’s here for a purpose. Come tell us what it is. Mr. Russell: I’m always a little cautious when I walk up here too, fellows. Mr. Speaker: We’re from Troop (inaudible) in South Augusta and part of, I’m Larry Sullivan. I’m from Pack 17 we’re in South Augusta. And part of our requirements for (inaudible) civic duties that are going. So we go down and show them the Commissioner’s office and so forth. We do have two scouts, (inaudible) and my son Francis who’s hiding in the back are working on their merit badges in communication which so we need to go and see a city council chambers and how people communicate their ideas and so on and so on. So we’re just here observing and teaching the boys a little bit about civics. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. (APPLAUSE) I will say on behalf of the city welcome and I hope you guys are learning a lot. And please do come back and see us in the future. If there’s anything we can do for you let us know. Commissioner Lockett, you had a question? 9 Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. All I wanted to say is I wish you all would come back more often. Mr. Smith: Thank you all for being here. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Guilfoyle? Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, sir, I can tell you right now these little guys it reminds me of myself. I was in a Cub Scout, Webelos and Boy Scouts and I know it brings back fond memories for Commissioner Joe Jackson. Mr. Lockett: About two years ago. Mr. Guilfoyle: He made it to --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I think Joe is still a Cub Scout. Mr. Smith: I was thinking that about Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Russell: (inaudible). Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Would you please stand for us, please, sir? All right. Ooh, good deal. Well, welcome. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Russell: (inaudible). Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: First of all, what newspaper are you guys going to work for? Thank for that recognition and thank you Commissioner Smith for actually definitely making mention of. Commissioner Williams, you had a question? Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, the group there from Paine that you was talking about I mistakenly thought that the young lady was going to sing the National Anthem for us. But she said that she could not sing. And Fred and I volunteered to stand with her. We’ll make her sound good. That’s all. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, all right. Okay, Madam Clerk, first of all, do we have any additions to be added to consent? If not, do we have any items to be pulled from consent? Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: I don’t really want to pull one but I need some clarification I guess from Mr. Crowden on item number nine. I believe it is, I’m sorry item number fourteen. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Uh, Mr. Crowden. Is he still here? Okay. Mr. Williams: Ron, and we had this discussion in committee. I got no problem we’re going to pass this but I would suggest that we try and look at the diesel trucks for the animal 10 shelter that have to continue to run for a long time. They have been proven to have a longer life for us. We’re getting, you know some 2005’s I think we’re getting rid of. I said in committee I’ve got a 1997 that Commissioner Donnie Smith laughed at but it gave me to Alabama and back with 380,000 miles on it. So I still have to say that. We’re going to approve it but I wish we would consider those equipments that we got to buy that will give it the most life versus just changing to another one. I mean I’ve got no problem with approving this, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, but I just wanted to make sure that we did share that with him that we’ll look at the diesel trucks for those kinds of trucks that are going to sit there and idle for a long period of time. Mr. Williams: So moved. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right it’s been properly motioned and well actually that’s on, okay it’s on the consent so it’s fine. Okay. All right we don’t have anything to be pulled so okay. Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yeah Commissioner Mason? Mr. Mason: I need to reregister as a no vote on item 17 and item 26. A no vote on 17 and 26. No discussion needed. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right Commissioner Guilfoyle and then Commissioner Lockett: Mr. Guilfoyle: Madam Clerk, would you show that I’m a no vote on item number 11 please? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Lockett? Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I’m a no vote on 17 and 26 also. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. All right, with no further discussion, we have a motion. Mr. Williams: Motion to approve. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: And a second? Mr. Lockett: Second. 11 CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. Z-13-07 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the following conditions 1) that a 400 foot natural buffer be maintained adjacent to the rear property lines of those parcels located on the easternmost side of Lewis Acres Subdivision and 2) that a 100 foot natural buffer be maintained adjacent to the rear property lines of those parcels located on the northernmost side of Lewis Acres Subdivision; a petition by the Augusta Economic Development Authority requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) and Zone HI (Heavy Industry) with conditions to Zone HI on property containing approximately 1796 acres and known as 4760 Mike Padgett Highway. (Tax Maps 323-0-039-01-0 and 323-0-039-03-0) DISTRICT 8 2. ZA-R-217 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by adding to Section 23-1 (Light Industry-Permitted Uses) by adding animal kennels as a permitted use and deleting it from Section 24-1 (Heavy Industry-Permitted Uses). 3. ZA-R-218 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending Section 2 (General Definitions) amending the definition for Day Care Centers to exclude private schools that provide before and after school care and to conform with Georgia Code Section 20-2-290(b). 4. ZA-R-219 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending Section 2 (General Definitions) by deleting the definition of a Parochial School and combining it with the Definition for Private School. 5. ZA-R-220 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending Section 2 (General Definitions) by amending the definition of Private School requiring the owner or institution to conform with Georgia Code Section 20-2-290(b). PUBLIC SERVICES 6. Motion to approve Amendment #1 to the Tailwind Augusta, LLC Agreement to reflect a name change to Sterling Restaurant & Retail Group, LLC. The Augusta Aviation st Commission approved this item at their January 31 Meeting. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 11, 2013) 7. Motion to approve the assignment of the Public Facilities Lease Agreement by and between Augusta, Georgia and Greenjackets Baseball, LLC (Lake Olmstead Stadium). (Approved by Public Services Committee February 11, 2013) 8. Motion to approve the selection of Mead and Hunt, Inc. as the Aviation Consultant for the Augusta Regional Airport as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their st January 31 Meeting. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 11, 2013) 9. Motion to approve allowing the Administrator to contact the other two bidders on the Golf Course RFP who wanted to manage the course to determine if they are still interested in working with the City, to allow the City to continue operation of the golf course in the meantime and to receive a report back to the committee in two weeks. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 11, 2013) 12 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 10. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend the Augusta Georgia Code for the purpose of providing a uniform policy for the naming and renaming of buildings and properties owned by Augusta, Georgia. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee February 11, 2013) 11. Motion to approve proposed procedure for authorization of Agreements/Contracts for the Housing and Community Development Department for Program Year 2013 and ask the Law Department to update the bylaws for HCD Citizens Advisory Committee. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 7, 2013) No action in Commission meeting January 15, 2013) (Approved by Administrative Services Committee February 11, 2013) 12. Motion to approve proposed procedure for authorization of Agreements/Contracts for the Laney Walker/Bethlehem Redevelopment by the City Administrator and Mayor. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 7, 2013) (No action in Commission meeting January 15, 2013) (Approved by Administrative Services Committee February 11, 2013) 13. Motion to approve the addition of Veterans Day as a paid holiday for all Augusta, Georgia Employees. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee February 11, 2013) FINANCE 14. Motion to approve the replacement of one animal containment truck for the Animal Services Department. (Approved by Finance Committee February 11, 2013) 15. Motion to approve an Amendment to the 2013 Budget for the Sheriff’s Department to accept donated funds. (Approved by Finance Committee February 11, 2013) 16. Motion to approve exercising additional year option in the city’s agreement with MAXIMUS to perform Augusta’s 2012 Indirect Cost Allocation Study. (Approved by Finance Committee February 11, 2013) 17. Motion to approve the Augusta convention Center 2013 Annual Plan. (Approved by Finance Committee February 11, 2013) 18. Motion to approve the purchase of (1) 2013 Imperial SR4500 Water Wagon from PalFleet Truck Equipment for the Environmental Services Department. (Approved by Finance Committee February 11, 2013) 19. Motion to approve results for 2012 Augusta Utilities Red Flag Identity Theft Program. (Approved by Finance Committee February 11, 2013) 20. Motion to approve Excess Worker’s Compensation Insurance with Safety National with Statutory limits with $700,000.00 SIR (self insured retention; otherwise, known as the deductible) for Police and Fire; all others $600,000 for a premium of $243,281. (Approved by Finance Committee February 11, 2013) ENGINEERING SERVICES 21. Motion to approve an ordinance to amend the Augusta, Georgia Code, Title 4 Chapter 2, section 4-2-2, to provide standards for the unlawful dumping or storing of solid waste, or the accumulation of weeds and noxious vegetation on vacant lots and unoccupied parcels of land. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 11, 2013) 22. Motion to increase the funding for approved RFQ #11-130: Task Order Program for Infrastructure for the City of Augusta – Utilities Department in the amount of 13 $1,500,000.00 for execution by CMI, Inc., Blair Construction, Inc., Eagle Utilities, and Quality Storm Water Solutions as qualified and selected contractors for subject RFQ. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 11, 2013) 23. Motion to approve the proposed Neighborhood Clean-Up Program as submitted by the Environmental Services Department. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 11, 2013) 24. Motion to approve and accept the Noland Connector Roadway and associated improvements within the road right-of-way into Augusta, Georgia’s Public Roadway System, upon receipt of its certified plat & proof of ownership, deed of dedication, and other required legal documentation as determined by Augusta Engineering Department and Augusta Utility Department. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 11, 2013) 25. Motion to approve an Option for the purposes of acquiring a Right-of-Way between Michael H. Murphy, as owners, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the Windsor Spring Road Phase V Project, 0.023 acre (990.27 sq. ft.) in simple and 0.010 acre (431.82 sq. ft.) of permanent construction & maintenance easement, more or less. Also granted is a temporary driveway easement on Project Windsor Spring Road, Phase V, STP00-1105-00(004 from property located at: 4660 Windsor Spring Road, private, at the purchase price of $550.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 11, 2013) 26. Motion to determine that a portion of Windsor Spring Road (0.42 Acres locates south of and adjacent to the parcel identified as map and parcel #142-0-002-01-0 known as 3558 Windsor Spring Road) has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served by it or that its removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best public interest, pursuant to O.C.G.A. §32-7-2, and to adopt a resolution abandoning said right of way, with the abandoned property to be quit-claimed to the appropriate party(ies), as provided by law. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2012) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 11, 2013) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 27. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held February 5, 2013 and Special Called Meeting held February 11, 2013) APPOINTMENT(S) 28. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Bob Finnegan to the Personnel Board due to the resignation of Mr. Donnie Smith for the unexpired term ending March 31, 2016 representing District 6. (Requested by Commissioner Jackson) ADDENDUM 32. Motion to approve Mutual Aid Agreement with Georgia Emergency Management Agency. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do you have a motion and a second? Okay with no further discussion vote by the normal sign of voting. Mr. Mason and Mr. Lockett vote No. 14 Motion Passes 8-2. [Items 17 and 26] Mr. Guilfoyle votes No. Motion Passes 9-1. [Item 11] Motion Passes 10-0. [Items 1-10, 12-16, 18-25, 27, 28, 32] Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll go on to the regular agenda. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 29. Motion to approve Choate Construction Modification #10 – New Fixed Base Operation st (FBO) Closeout as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their January 31 Meeting. (No recommendation from Public Services Committee February 11, 2013) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Mr. LaTellier, you’ve got this item. Mr. LaTellier: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem this is a, what we call a deletive or deductive change order. In other words it’s a credit they’re paying us for $89,874.74 and it closes out the (FBO) contract at Augusta Regional Airport. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, what’s your pleasure, gentlemen? Mr. Lockett: So moved. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: There’s a proper motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Guilfoyle abstains. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, item number thirty. The Clerk: FINANCE 30. Motion to consider a request from Mr. Rayonta Whitfield on behalf of the Augusta Boxing Club regarding a tax refund of 2012 property taxes with proper documentation to be submitted. (No recommendation from Finance Committee February 11, 2013) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Mr. Administrator, you had? 15 Mr. Russell: Yes, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, you tasked me to find out to get a copy of the check that they paid back to their renting company to cover their taxes. I do have that in my possession where they paid that. I do not know the specific amount of what we gave back last time. My assumption after looking at it, we gave them back the whole bill but the motion would be appropriate to rebate the same percentage that we rebated last year if that’s what you’re interested in doing. Mr. Mason: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All there’s a proper motion and second. Commissioner Guilfoyle and Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Guilfoyle: I just wanted to make sure that we didn’t give any more or any less than what we had done in a previous. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Commissioner Lockett? Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, my question is are we establishing a precedent here or indeed is this something we’ve done previously? Mr. Russell: Mr. Lockett, if I can Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, this is an organization that has in the past been actually part of the city. And at that point we helped them out with their building and stuff. As you remember last year they, two years ago I believe they were separated from the city so the precedent was set last year when we rebated the taxes. But is a fairly limited number of groups that would qualify in this particular jointure that would do this as being formerly part of the city and moving forward. So I think you’re covered as far as a precedent would be. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Good? All right. We’ve got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, item number thirty-one. The Clerk: OTHER BUSINESS 31. Motion to approve 2013 proposed salary supplements/adjustments for Solicitor General Kelli Kenner-McIntyre and Sheriff Richard Roundtree. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Williams, you had this item? 16 Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I want to make a motion that we approve supplements for Ms. McIntyre --- Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Williams: --- and Mr. Roundtree. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right --- Mr. Russell: If I can for clarification that motion was the supplements that I recommended last week, sir. Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, was that (unintelligible). Is that right? Mr. Russell: Yes, sir, I just wanted to make sure that was where we were going, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Commissioner Jackson? No further discussion? All right vote by the normal sign of voting? Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett, Mr. Williams and Mr. Grady Smith vote Yes. Ms. Davis, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Donnie Smith and Mr. Guilfoyle vote No. Motion Passes 6-4. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Lockett, you had a question? Mr. Lockett: Just a point of personal privilege, if I may. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You’re granted. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I would just like to say that I want to thank all my colleagues for supporting Veterans Day. And I want to thank all of ya’ll for us having I think undoubtedly the best meeting that I’ve been in, in over three years on this Commission. And I hope this is the beginning of things to come. This just reflects what we can do when we communicate with each other. And, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I want to thank you for doing an outstanding job also. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, thank you for that Commissioner Lockett. It wasn’t easy. Of course you know you’ve got the butterflies but at the end of the day thank you all for your support and everything here. And I’d just like to say again you know when we do communicate with one another we can do a lot and we can accomplish a lot. And this is what it’s all about. You know we are elected by the people to come up here and handle their business and of course they’re not going to be privy to all the information but at the end of the day we have to make that decision. So again thank you all. And, Madam Clerk, I think that was the final item? The Clerk: Yes, sir. 17 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right with no further business we stand adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Nancy W. Morawski Deputy 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 February 19, 2013. ____________________________________ Clerk of Commission 18