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Home My WebLink About2011-01-04-Meeting Agenda Commission Meeting Agenda Commission Chamber 1/4/2011 5:00 PM INVOCATION: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ELECTION OF OFFICER(S) A. Election of Mayor ProTempore. Attachments B. Appointment of Standing Committees. Attachments Five (5) minute time limit per delegation DELEGATIONS C. Mr. Clint L. Bryant. RE: Request to consider the establishment of a Task Force on Crime. Attachments D. Ms. Elizabeth Jones, Executive Director, Shiloh Community Center. RE: Funding from ARC Housing Neighborhood Development. Attachments CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-2) PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to approve amendments to Augusta-Richmond County Code, Section 7-1-90 PERMIT FEES, so as to increase certain fees required in connection with the issuance of permits. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 13, 2010) (Approved by Commission December 21, 2010 - second reading) Attachments PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 2. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held Attachments Upcoming Meetings www.augustaga.gov December 21, 2010. ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION 1/4/2011 AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA 1/4/2011 (Items 3-5) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 3. Motion to approve amending the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Action Plans to reprogram $181,916.09 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $10,123.28 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) and $56,000 in Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) funds. Attachments APPOINTMENT(S) 4. Motion to consider the following nominations of the Richmond County Hospital Authority for appointment of one each from the respective position for a four-year term. Jewish faith position- Jeffery L. Foreman, Rabbi David Sirull, I. Gary Katcoff; Member- at- Large Charles Caye, Gregory L. Gay, Levi W. Hill, IV. Attachments LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation. B. Real Estate. C. Personnel. Commission Meeting Agenda 1/4/2011 5:00 PM Mayor Pro Tempore Department: Caption:Election of Mayor ProTempore. Background: Analysis: Financial Impact: Alternatives: Recommendation: Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Clerk of Commission Cover Memo Commission Meeting Agenda 1/4/2011 5:00 PM Standing Committees Department: Caption:Appointment of Standing Committees. Background: Analysis: Financial Impact: Alternatives: Recommendation: Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Clerk of Commission Cover Memo Commission Meeting Agenda 1/4/2011 5:00 PM Clint Bryant Department: Caption:Mr. Clint L. Bryant. RE: Request to consider the establishment of a Task Force on Crime. Background: Analysis: Financial Impact: Alternatives: Recommendation: Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Clerk of Commission Cover Memo Commission Meeting Agenda 1/4/2011 5:00 PM Shiloh Community Center Department: Caption:Ms. Elizabeth Jones, Executive Director, Shiloh Community Center. RE: Funding from ARC Housing Neighborhood Development. Background: Analysis: Financial Impact: Alternatives: Recommendation: Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Clerk of Commission Cover Memo Attachment number 1Page 1 of 1 Commission Meeting Agenda 1/4/2011 5:00 PM Building Permit Fees Department:License & Inspection Caption:Motion to approve amendments to Augusta-Richmond County Code, Section 7-1-90 PERMIT FEES, so as to increase certain fees required in connection with the issuance of permits. (Approved by Public Services Committee December 13, 2010) (Approved by Commission December 21, 2010 - second reading) Background:As part of the budgetary process, it is proposed that there be a five percent (5%) increase in the building permit fees and associated fees. The fees were last increased in July 1999. Analysis:As approved by the Construction Advisory Board at the November 18, 2010, meeting the proposed increase in fees provides for an additional 5% in revenue per year for the next five years, or until such time that the annual fee revenue equals the yearly budget for the Building Division; and not to exceed twenty-five percent increase over the five year period. (All fees will be rounded up to the next whole dollar.) Each year for the next five years the Construction Advisory Board will review the budget and revenue and recommend if the 5% increase for the given year should be approved… The building fees are collected for the purpose of funding the operation of the Building Division. At year end, any excess funds are deposited into the Building Division Revenue Fund. Over the last ten years we’ve saved over one-million dollars. However, in the last few years we have used some of the funds to purchase vehicles, purchase software, and last year we borrowed from the fund to cover the Building Division budget deficit. This year we will also have to borrow from the fund to cover the budget deficit… If the building activity stays the same for the next year or so we will continue to borrow from the reserves. By increasing the fees 5% we will reduce the amount borrowed from the reserve and if building activity stayed flat for five years and we increased the fees 5% each year for five years, by the fifth year we will have a positive cash flow and will not have depleted the entire reserve fund. Financial Impact:The proposed Ordinance amendment will provide for an estimated $40,000 in additional revenue. Alternatives:Do not adjust fees. Recommendation:Approval Funds are Available in Cover Memo the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Clerk of Commission Cover Memo Attachment number 1Page 1 of 3 Attachment number 1Page 2 of 3 Attachment number 1Page 3 of 3 Commission Meeting Agenda 1/4/2011 5:00 PM Reprogramming of Funds Department:Housing and Community Department (HCD) Caption:Motion to approve amending the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Action Plans to reprogram $181,916.09 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $10,123.28 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) and $56,000 in Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) funds. Background: Because certain funds are being forfeited and certain projects have unused funds, it has become necessary to reprogram these funds to facilitate their expenditure. We are proposing that funds be reprogrammed FROM the following projects: 1. Coordinated Health Services, Inc. - FY2009 CDBG $11,315.35, FY2009 ESG $10,000 and FY2009 HPRP $53,000 Justification: Agency has requested that the funds be forfeited (see attached letter). 2. Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corporation, Inc. (ANIC) – FY2009R CDBG $5,593.44 Justification: A grant of $75,000 was approved April 21, 2009, to install fencing around the Enclave Townhouses. The project is complete without using the entire grant. Therefore, the balance $5,593.44 is being reprogrammed. 3. Beulah Grove Resource Center, Inc. – FY2008 ESG $123.28 Justification: Funds in the amount of $5,500 were approved for this agency in Year 2008 to be used to provide financial assistance to persons at-risk of being homeless. The agency is unable to expend the balance. 4. Housing Counseling - FY2010 CDBG $125,000 Justification: Funding for this project is no longer needed. 5. McDuffie Woods Community Center – FY2007 CDBG $7.30 Justification: Funds for this project was used for kitchen improvements in year 2007. The project has been completed and we are requesting that the balance, $7.30 be reprogrammed. 6. Public Facility Contingency – FY2010 CDBG $40,000 J ustification: Funds were allocated in the event of project overruns for public facility projects. We do not anticipate any project overruns. 7. Inspection (Financial) – FY2009 HPRP $3,000 Justification: Funds in the amount of $9,000 were allocated to be used to pay salary costs of HCD inspectors to perform inspections and lead-based paint assessments for agencies providing housing for the homeless through the HPR Program. Staff has discovered that the entire $9,000 is not needed. We have used $3,000 thus far and will have a balance of $3,000 if the recommended $3,000 is approved for reprogramming. Staff is proposing the above funds be reprogrammed to the following projects: For CDBG: 1. Augusta Mini Theatre - $11,315.35 to support services to low to moderate income youth and seniors. Services include providing piano, dance and drama instructions. 2. Lucy Laney Museum - $75,000 for installation of an elevator at the museum and an air conditioning unit for the administrative office. 3. Relocation - $95,600.74 funds to be used to relocate families that are being displaced due to redevelopment activities. For ESG: 1. Hope House for Women - $10,123.28 to support operational Cover Memo costs in providing housing and supportive services to females recovering from substance abuse. For HPRP: 1. East Augusta Community Development Corporation, Inc. - $20,000 to support housing and supportive services costs for persons homeless or at-risk of being homeless. Financial assistance include providing rental and utility assistance, security and utility deposits, moving costs, motel/hotel vouchers, Case Management, housing/placement services and credit repair. 2. Salvation Army - $20,000 to support housing and supportive services costs for persons homeless or at-risk of being homeless. Financial assistance include providing rental and utility assistance, security and utility deposits, moving costs, motel/hotel vouchers and Case Management. 3. United Way - $16,000 to support costs associated with providing rental assistance, utility payments and Case Management to persons at-risk of being homeless. According to the City’s Citizen Participation Policy, this increase in allocations constitute a substantial change to the Action Plans. Therefore, the revisions must be presented to the public for a 30-day comment period. If comments are received, they will be presented to the Commission for consideration. We are requesting authorization to proceed with the publication of a public notice in the newspapers to solicit comments on the changes. The Public Notice will be published in the Augusta Chronicle November 24, and the Metro Courier December 2,2010. The deadline for comments will be December 24, 2010. Any comments received will be presented to Commission on January 4, 2011. Analysis:The additional funds will allow the department to fund and proceed with more projects. Financial Impact:More funds available for projects. Alternatives:None Recommended Recommendation:Accept the Housing and Community Department (HCD) recommendations for use of the additional funds and grant HCD authorization to proceed with the publication of a Public Notice soliciting citizen comments on the proposed changes to the 2007 through 2010 Action Plans. On January 4, 2011, any comments received will be presented to Commission for consideration. Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: Existing CDBG, ESG and HPRP funds. REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Clerk of Commission Cover Memo Attachment number 1Page 1 of 5 Attachment number 1Page 2 of 5 Attachment number 1Page 3 of 5 Attachment number 1Page 4 of 5 Attachment number 1Page 5 of 5 Commission Meeting Agenda 1/4/2011 5:00 PM Minutes Department:Clerk of Commission Caption:Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held December 21, 2010. Background: Analysis: Financial Impact: Alternatives: Recommendation: Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Clerk of Commission Cover Memo Commission Meeting Agenda 1/4/2011 5:00 PM University Health Care Department: Caption:Motion to consider the following nominations of the Richmond County Hospital Authority for appointment of one each from the respective position for a four-year term. Jewish faith position- Jeffery L. Foreman, Rabbi David Sirull, I. Gary Katcoff; Member- at- Large Charles Caye, Gregory L. Gay, Levi W. Hill, IV. Background: Analysis: Financial Impact: Alternatives: Recommendation: Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Clerk of Commission Cover Memo Attachment number 1Page 1 of 1