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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting May 7, 2013 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER MAY 7, 2013 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., May 7, 2013, the Hon. Corey Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Mason, D. Smith, Williams, Fennoy, Jackson, Davis, G. Smith, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Absent: Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’d like to call the regular meeting to order. I’d like to call on Reverend Jim McCollough, Pastor, Woodlawn United Methodist Church for our invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You can come up this way. Thank you, yes sir, yes sir. This is just a little, Office of the Mayor. By these present be it known that Reverend Jim McCollough, Pastor, Woodlawn United Methodist Church is Chaplain of the Day for his civic and spiritual guidance demonstrated throughout the community. Serves as an example for all of the faith th community. Given unto my hand this 7 Day of May. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, I guess we’ll move on to the recognition portion. The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) AUGUSTA LIVING GREEN DAY April 20, 2013 A. CONGRATULATIONS! 2013 AUGUSTA LIVING GREEN DAY COMMITTEE Tameka Allen – Mike Blanchard – Debbie Freeman – Lisa Blackwelder – Jeff Lewis – McConstant Brigham – Lori Videtto – Michele Pearman – Yolanda Greenwood and – Misty Sroczynski. (Requested by Commissioner Mary Davis) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, we have some hardware here. I’ll go ahead if you would like me, Mary, if you want me to go ahead and present this proclamation here to you. First of all I’d like to say congratulations to you all. Thank you for an outstanding job. I was actually invited to attend that event and I had to call Mary and she filled in because I had two other events at the same time. So she done an awesome job and thanks, Mary, for filling in and taking care of business there. But I’m going to read the proclamation from the Mayor’s office. Office of the Mayor. Community Champion Award given to 2013 Augusta Living Green Day Committee. Whereas the 2013 Augusta Living Green Day Committee members are Tameka Allen, Mike Blanchard, Debbie Freeman, Lisa Blackwelder, Jeff Lewis, McConstant Brigham, Lori Videtto, Michele Pearman, Yolanda Greenwood and Misty Sroczynski. All right. The Committee held it’s second annual Augusta Living Green Day Event on April, Saturday April 20, 2013 on 1 Augusta Commons. Whereas Augusta Living Green Day is a family friendly event which showcases and celebrates the opportunities that we have in Augusta to be good stewards of our environment. The City of Augusta with grateful appreciation commends you for your commitment to help promote conversation, education, green products and services, green construction and your commitment to help our community as we become better stewards of our th environment. Given unto my hand this 7 Day of May. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE) We good? All right, good deal. Well thank you guys again and we really appreciate the work you’re doing. And hopefully we’ll look forward to 2014. All right. Thank you. Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll move on to the delegation portion of our agenda. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS B. Dr. Benjamin P. Casella, President Downtown Augusta Alliance regarding Comprehensive Transportation Plan for Augusta. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, if you would state your name and address for the record and keep it to five minutes. Dr. Casella: My name is Ben Casella and I live at 3116 Bransford Road in Augusta. I really appreciate ya’ll having me. I believe I know most of ya’ll. For those of you who don’t know me I’m Ben and I work on Broad Street and I’m the President of our Local Merchants and Residents Association. And we’re just a private member dues funded organization that just wants Augusta especially downtown to be the benefit that it is. With that being said I know I’m given five minutes. This will probably take three minutes. There’s a common misconception that I just want to start out with and that’s the fact that a lot of people believe that the bus is just for poor people. And that’s just completely untrue. I’m not a millionaire but I spend five years of my life taking public transportation exclusively and we all know that there’s room for improvement with our current transit system that we have. This is just an example of a growing pain. You know growing pains are good pains to have and they also present challenges and opportunities but since this is a growing pain it means that we’re growing as a city and that we just need to augment the program to better fit our needs. That’s good thing. Growing pains are better than dying pains of course but you have a real and tangible opportunity here in the next few months or so to confer real and meaningful change on our current transit system. With that being said I’m not just I’m not just a thirty something with a bunch of naiveté ideologies so I wrote down a couple of concrete things. As the president of the alliance I am I commonly find myself in the role of intermediary between local government and private citizens. Not a role that I asked for but one that I’m happy to fill. And we pull people from the medical district to ask them you know why or why not they may enjoy coming down to downtown a lot of people say that we love having, you know, burritos at Nacho Mama’s on our lunch break. And, you know, we love coming down to Boar’s Head, have a pint after work but we park in the parking deck or the parking lot of the medical complex and it’s real hard to move our car. And we don’t want to drive all the way down there. And then when we follow up and say what could we you know do as a whole to make that experience a little more user friendly for you a lot of people say you th know what if I could get on the 12:02 shuttle from Walton Way over to 12 and Broad and then eat and then knowing that I could get on like the 12:48 and make it back to work by 1:00 o’clock 2 and not be late. A lot of people are really hot on that idea. So just something that I just wanted to convey to you because I said that I would and I sort of appreciate the idea myself. Before I lived here, I was born here but I moved away for a while. I lived in New York and lived in Hell’s Kitchen and I had eleven subway lines and over thirty bus lines within a block of my place. I was really, really spoiled. I’m not asking you to spoil us but increasing service times within peak hours say, you know, 11:00 to 3:00, 10:00 to 4:00, not all day would do well to hopefully augment to fill the growing needs of our population that wants to ride public transit. With that being said just because we have growing pains, and those are good pains to have, it doesn’t mean that we have to grow government. We believe that systems like the current Augusta Public Transit System are designed to be malleable so that they can be augmented in the future as needs change as the city grows as more people chose to live greener and take public transit. With that being said I just wanted to partition you to please keep this notion on the front burner and just tell you that we have every faith in your ability to confer real and meaningful tangible change to our current system. I appreciate it. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Casella. We appreciate your input on that and we’re definitely concerned about that and we want to make sure we keep that up front, Fred. I think who, Commissioner? Okay yes. Commissioner Lockett? Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Casella? Dr. Casella: Yes sir, Ben, please. Mr. Lockett: Dr. Casella, I completely agree with a good portion of what you said. I’ve been saying for several years up here that public transit is not just for poor people. In most of your major city’s many of the young people aren’t even buying automobiles anymore. They’re taking public transit. Dr. Casella: I wish I didn’t have to have a car. Mr. Lockett: I know about the growing pains and I truly understand that meaningful change is needed. You mentioned that you were previously from Augusta but you returned? Dr. Casella: Yes, sir. Mr. Lockett: How long have you been back, sir? Dr. Casella: This will be my fifth year. Mr. Lockett: I’ve been up here talking about and screaming and hollering about public transit for several years now and I noticed that you indicate, are you speaking on behalf of the Downtown Augusta Alliance or are you speaking as an individual? Dr. Casella: I’m speaking as a citizen. 3 Mr. Lockett: Okay, I noticed that you indicated that you were asked to speak to the Commission. Dr. Casella: Yes, sir. Mr. Lockett: Why is that, sir? Dr. Casella: Just because I have a lot of friends who are also concerned about it and I guess they just have faith in my ability to put a tie on and come up here. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, sir. Dr. Casella: Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Don Smith. Mr. Smith: Dr. Casella, where’s your office. th Dr. Casella: On 767 Broad Street. This is a 65 year on the 700 block of Broad. Mr. Smith: You live on Bransford Road? Dr. Casella: I do. Mr. Smith: Where’s a bus stop close to your house? Dr. Casella: There’s a five way intersection at the corner of Lombardy and Buena Vista. Mr. Smith: How many times do you ride the bus from there downtown? Dr. Casella: Never. Mr. Smith: Okay, thank you. Dr. Casella: It stops every 80 minutes. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right we appreciate you coming forth and we definitely hear you concerns and we’re definitely looking into that as we move forward with making the changes in public transit. Dr. Casella: Thank you all. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. Madam Clerk, we’ll move on the delegation ‘C’ please. The Clerk: 4 DELEGATIONS C. Ms. Linda Wiley regarding the need for a Citizens Committee on Transportation. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Ms. Wiley, if you can state your name and address for the record and keep it at five minutes. Ms. Wiley: Yes, sir. My name is Linda Wiley and my address is 3029 Bramble Wood Trail Augusta Georgia. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem and Commissioners good evening and thank you for allowing me to address you. I am here because frankly I am looking forward to seeing Augusta do a better job with providing transportation that really does not meet our needs as a community. I have listened to presentations given by the Augusta Interfaith Coalition and I am here to support their efforts. Also I am interested in being part of the Citizens Advisory Committee because I believe that the best decisions come to us by way of discussions and when the consumer takes part and have a say in this process we do and have a better outcome. I am especially sensitive to the needs of our aging community and population and I’m dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. I know that improved transit would help them to relieve the isolation and dependence they sometimes feel when they no longer are able to drive. As a senior we still want to remain vital and be able to visit family especially our grandchildren. But sometimes we would rather stay at home than to ask others to transport us around town. Also some of us are still employed, looking for work or donate our times to the community and don’t want the cost of maintaining a vehicle anymore. In closing I want you to know that I would like to be a part of the Citizens Advisory Committee and I’m willing to meet regularly in order to be sure that the public remains informed and that our voices are heard as a people. Thank you very much for your consideration and your time. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Ms. Wiley, we appreciate your willingness to serve. Commissioner Mason then Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Ms. Wiley, I just want to say thank you for your, for coming before us today. We uh, Mr. Lockett has mentioned already we’ve been kind of beating this for a while and we want to see some real comprehensive and robust changes to our transit system that accommodates the needs of this community and the growth of the community. But more importantly I’d like to thank you for your volunteerism or you’re wanting to volunteer and be a part of the solution instead of part of the problem. So for that I just say thank you. Ms. Wiley: Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Wiley, I’d like to thank both you and Dr. Casella. I think we all want the same thing. I was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago at America Planning and Association and I sat in on a class that the title of it is Age Friendly Communities. You know our population is getting much older. I’m staying young but the population is getting older. By 2030 the percentage of those 65 and older is going to explode. And part of making 5 your community an age friendly community, there’s only about ten age friendly communities in the United States of America. And I’m working now to bring something before this body probably this coming Monday talking about that. Transit is one of the key things in it. Walking paths all those things that we seniors want and deserve will be a part of it. So I applaud both of you for being here and I want you to know I’m with you not against you. Okay? Ms. Wiley: Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you May Pro Tem. Ms. Wiley, thank you for coming up here and speaking first of all and volunteering yourself to the committee. In your opening statement you said transit needs to do a better job and does not meet your needs. Would you kind of enlighten this panel what you’re referencing there --- Ms. Wiley: The needs --- Mr. Guilfoyle: --- that we could do a better job. Ms. Wiley: --- the needs that I was speaking of are mainly those of public transportation. I volunteer at the Bethlehem Center in transporting our seniors to their daily luncheon that they have. Also I transport seniors to the AARP meetings. It’s just not feasible and it’s not workable for the seniors. If we had a better system they would not need me but due to the fact that it’s not what it could be I’m there to help them. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Ms. Wiley. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, thank you, Ms. Wiley, for that presentation. And, Andrew, I think we’ve already started looking into some of what it’s going to take to create that board. Have you guys started that already? Mr. MacKenzie: I think Tameka Allen is working on that. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, all right, we’ll follow up with Ms. Allen on that. I know that we were working on putting some they were getting some information to put that together. So we’ll follow up on that. I’d like to get you, Andrew, if you can to follow up and just make sure that the ball is rolling on that because we need to get that board in place as soon as possible so they can be in the forward on as you know everything as we move forward. Commissioner Fennoy you had a? Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I got a, Ms. Wiley I got one question for you. Again thanks for coming out but are you suggesting that we have a Citizens Advisory Committee to work with Transit until a board is formed or when you speak of the committee and Mayor Pro Tem speaks of the board you speak it as one? 6 Ms. Wiley: I think we need and advisory council to work with them until the board is formed. Mr. Fennoy: Okay. And I guess my question, okay thank you. My question to Andrew is, is that something that’s workable? Mr. MacKenzie: Absolutely it’s a policy matter that the board can make a decision on. Mr. Fennoy: Okay, so what would it take to get a committee up and running? Mr. MacKenzie: Fred could probably address that. I think Tameka’s actually putting something together --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Administrator? Mr. MacKenzie: --- something along those lines. Mr. Russell: Yeah, you know we’re attempting to put the Advisory Board together. If want to try and do a task force or a committee to help with that process a resolution by this group and the appointment of ‘x’ number of people would be sufficient to get that group with a charge that you would give them basically. And if that charge is to help put together the task force that would probably be appropriate. Probably would be able to put something together for you for committee’s on Monday that would allow you to do that and then you know it’s a policy decision. Do each one of you want to appoint a person or does with the Mayor having an appointment or do you want to have the Super District people but I think that’s a discussion that you could have at the next committee meeting if you’d like to do that. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Let’s do that then, Mr. Administrator. Just add that to the agenda for committee and let’s have some discussion on that. Mr. Russell: Administrative Services I presume? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: It should be Public Services. Mr. Russell: Public Services. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, it should be Public Services. Okay, we’ll move on. The last delegation here, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS D. Ms. Tara Heil, Executive Director, Muscular Dystrophy Association. RE: Augusta Fire Department’s fundraising on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 7 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, thank you for coming and if you could keep it to five minutes and state your name and address for the record please. Ms. Heil: My name is Tara Heil. I’m with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and I’m not an Augusta resident. Our office is actually in Columbia but we serve the Augusta Community. And I thank you for your time today. We are just here to say thank you. Thank you to these awesome, wonderful firefighters for what they’ve done. Firefighters are partnered with MDA from the very beginning of our organization and over the past 60 years continue to raise more money for MDA and to fight neuromuscular disease than anybody else. The Augusta Fire Department lives up to that tradition with their annual Boot Drive. This year the 2013 Boot Drive took place the last of March. I hope many of you saw them and helped fill up those boots. And they raised over $16,000 dollars --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Ms. Heil: --- across those three days. (APPLAUSE) We have with us today a couple of guys from Engine 7. Engine 7 was a top raising department. They raised a third of that money themselves over those three days. So we have them here as well and over the past decade the Augusta Firefighters just the Augusta Firefighters have raised over $200,000 dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. And money from this event is all used here locally in the Augusta community. It goes to help local families providing services for flu shots, preparing equipment. It also helps fund the clinic that MDA has here at what is now GRU. And so that is super, super important. And of course MDA Summer Camp. And so on behalf of all those families that benefit we just want to say thank you and ask that you join us as we thank them. We do have a plaque here for the department acknowledging the $16,325.00 they raised and we have a beautiful plaque here for Engine 7 as the top raising department. Isn’t that nice? (APPLAUSE) And if we, if you don’t mind if we still have some time my five minutes we’d like to get a picture with Chief James and with Commissioner Mason. I believe this falls under your --- Mr. Mason: Yes. Ms. Heil: Is that correct? Mr. Mason: It does. Ms. Heil: Okay. Mr. Mayor: All right, good deal. Ms. Heil: So if you want to move up here to the Augusta. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, good deal. Thank you, gentlemen. (APPLAUSE) Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll go on and move on to our consent portion. We do have an addendum addition. Let’s go on and see if we can get that. 8 ADDENDUM 37. Discussion regarding expired terms of appointed members of the Sheriff’s Merit Board and replacement appointments. (Requested by the Sheriff) The Clerk: We have a request for an addition to the agenda. It is a discussion regarding the expired terms of appointed members of the Sheriff’s Merit Board and replacement appointments. Mr. Mayor: Okay, who do we have, well, first of all, do we have unanimous consent to add this item? Mr. Williams: So moved. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right it’s been properly motioned and seconded. And further discussion? Hearing none vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, who do we have as, Andrew, are you going to speak? Mr. MacKenzie: I’ll be happy to speak to this briefly. There is actually an appeal that is pending with respect to the Merit Board. And the Sheriff asked that we take a look at the current members of the board and see if there was any need to have any replacements or anybody added to the board. So attached to this is a list of the existing terms and when those persons were appointed. I think it’s probably pretty self-explanatory but this is to kind of get everybody’s attention. If you have any appointments that have expired if you can you know start considering thinking of who you might want to add to that board. And that’s something we need to probably do. There is a holdover provision that under state law interpretations of the Attorney General that do allow existing members to hold over until new members are appointed. We just wanted to make sure this was brought to your attention. If you have any appointments in your district that you haven’t made yet with respect to that board we appreciate any discussion on those. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Donnie Smith then Commissioner Lockett. Mr. D. Smith: This question is for our County Attorney. Andrew, if somebody is on a board or if we’re going to appoint somebody to a board can current members of the county government say they work in Parks and REC or Water Works or something of that nature can they be appointed to a board? Is there some provision preventing that? Mr. MacKenzie: I’m not aware of any direct prohibition of that. There are some considerations that would need to be made with respect to any potential conflicts of interest and to make sure that there’s not either an appearance of any conflict or conflict with reference to our ethics codes. But other than that I have, know that employees have participated on various other boards. 9 Mr. D. Smith: So it would be okay to appoint somebody but in the event of a conflict of interest they would need to recuse themselves. Mr. MacKenzie: That’s correct. Mr. D. Smith: Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question is do we know if the current members are active? Mr. MacKenzie: To my knowledge there hasn’t been an appeal for quite some time and so that’s something we probably need to look into. And one of the reasons we brought this on here is to make sure we do have sufficient members to be able to hold a quorum when the next meeting’s held. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, now this is just for information purposes, Andrew? Mr. MacKenzie: Yeah and just so that if you’re looking at the dates on here have an appointment that needs to be filled that you start considering you might want to appoint for those positions. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Can I get a motion to receive this as information? Mr. Lockett: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: There’s a proper motion and second. Any further discussion? Hearing none vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll move on with the consent. The Clerk: Yes, sir. The consent agenda consists of items 1-24. And we don’t have any Planning or alcohol that I need to read. Mr. Mayor: All right do we have any additions to be added to the consent? Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Pro Tem? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Guilfoyle. 10 Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you so much. Item 31 and 32, please. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes. Mr. Lockett: Thirty-two. I have some questions I’d like to ask about that when we get to. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: So you don’t want to add it? Mr. Lockett: No, not to consent, no. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Okay Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Item number 33. Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Pro Tem? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, you have some questions about that one? Mr. D. Smith: Yes, sir, I do. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, so we won’t add that one. All right do we have any others? All right, do we have any to be pulled for from the consent agenda? Commissioner Smith, Donnie. Mr. D. Smith: I just have a question that might keep sixteen from being pulled if somebody will answer it for me. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I guess we need somebody here from Engineering. Mr. Guilfoyle: I could probably answer that one. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Pardon me? Mr. Guilfoyle: I could probably answer that one. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I don’t think we have Abie or Steve or anybody here today. Mr. Russell: What’s your question, Mr. Commissioner? Mr. D. Smith: I want, I don’t like the idea that we lumped this all this emergency repair all into one figure $261,000 dollars because I personally went out to Lake Terrace on the night that we had the drainage system failure out there and stayed out there for four hours. And I want to know how much money they billed us. 11 Mr. Russell: That the company billed us? Mr. D. Smith: Yes, that’s what I want to know is how much they billed us. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: I need to know where the department head is that’s supposed to be answering this at this meeting here. Now I’ve got to be here and they need to be here as well. So I don’t, I need to know where Ladson or whoever is supposed to handle this where they at? I mean it’s five o’clock but that don’t change nothing with. Mr. Mason: They’re salaried. They can work, they’re not hourly, they can work all night. Mr. Williams: That’s right I mean if I got to be here they need to be here. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I don’t think we have anybody here. Jim is the only one here from Engineering but I know you probably don’t know much about that. Mr. Russell: Can I suggest that you further this, put this forward to the committee so they can be here to respond to that. Mr. Williams: Yeah, I think --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do you want to send it back to committee? Mr. D. Smith: I ask that it be pulled then, Mr. Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Pull it? Send it back to committee? Mr. D. Smith: Please. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Let’s just pull this item okay, Madam Clerk, and will send it back to committee. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: I’d like to add if possible item number 27 as it is one of the only parks in District 6. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: And 27? Mr. Jackson: I don’t have no problem. 12 Mr. Mayor: All right. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: On this item you want to send back to committee I have some concern because is this going to have a negative impact on what they are currently doing? I don’t know. Does anybody on Engineering Services Committee know whether this is going to by holding it up another two weeks? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, I think it’s, I know it’s an emergency approval. I mean, well, what they’re asking for is for them to work on emergency projects but I’m not certain whether or not it’s going to be halted or it’s going to cause an issue by us delaying it two more weeks before we get it approved so. Without having anybody here what we can do we maybe when we hear it at committee if it’s the will of the body to maybe go ahead on and make some we can make a special provision to go ahead and approve it. At that time we’ll do so if they need to get it in place. Commissioner Guilfoyle then Commissioner Williams. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Oh, okay, hold on. We may have that answer. Mr. Ladson is here. Mr. Mason: He doesn’t have his tie on though. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Ladson, we actually had a question on sixteen. Commissioner Donnie Smith wanted to get some clarification on that. Mr. D. Smith: Thank you for getting here. Sixteen is a motion to approve emergency construction services. This work’s already been done, right, Abie? Mr. Ladson: Yes. Mr. D. Smith: I just don’t like the idea that we lumped this all three of these or four of these emergency repairs under one without telling us. I want to know how much money we spent that night that I called you and they sent a crew to Lake Terrace. I want a breakdown of how that, how much we paid for that night. Mr. Ladson: Sure, we can get a breakdown if you want. Mr. D. Smith: When? Mr. Ladson: I think I can get it to you tonight. Mr. D. Smith: Okay. In the future I guess it could be done at committee. It would be helpful for us to be able to look at those as a breakdown as opposed to one lump sum. 13 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: So you’re good with --- Mr. D. Smith: I’m good with it now. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay all right. Commissioner Guilfoyle? Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d like for my colleagues to understand on the back of the addenda book it is broken out for different phases and per different jobs. I’d be happy to pass that on to them. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: It’s in there? Mr. Guilfoyle: And as far as the Patterson Bridge Road when we had that big flood a month and a half ago it kept 500 residents from able to reach their house. They actually had to go through a 15 mile dirt road pass and a lot of accidents happened and I appreciate Abie and his group to be there at the spur of the moment to take care of it. Mr. Ladson: Thank you for that. I guess you’re referring you don’t want it all together you just want it separately? Mr. D. Smith: This is sufficient. I didn’t, this wasn’t provided me so this is sufficient to me. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Williams, you had a question. Mr. Williams: No it’s been answered already. I appreciate it, thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Commissioner Fennoy? Mr. Fennoy: It’s been answered already. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right Ms. Davis had a question for you, Mr. Ladson, on twenty- one which is another. Mr. Russell: If we could stay on that one just for a second Mr. --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, hold on one second, Ms. Davis. Mr. Russell: I’m sorry but the caption reads General Fund Contingency. It should be Capital Fund Contingency as it reflected in the item itself just for --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: For the record it is --- Mr. Russell: Capital Fund Contingency. 14 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Capital Fund okay. Mr. Russell: I apologize, Ms. Davis. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Good deal, that makes a big difference. Okay, Ms. Davis. Ms. Davis: Mr. Ladson, I was just going to ask about twenty-one. And I understand the need for that and our hands are probably tied on this but I just had a couple questions. Will that take away any of the funding that’s necessary for that dredging project? Mr. Ladson: The funds will be coming out of the actual budget so, yes, some funds will actually be coming out of the total budget for that but it has to be done. Ms. Davis: Right so how long is this going to prolong the schedule and the proposed beginning of the dredging I guess is my question. Mr. Ladson: I see no more than probably two to three months. But like I say it has to be done. I mean this is through the Corp and EPA. Ms. Davis: Okay. All right, thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, all right, Madam Clerk, so we have items to be added to consent? Could you repeat those please? The Clerk: That would be items 27 and 31 added to consent. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Could I get a motion to approve this, gentlemen? Mr. Lockett: So moved. Mr. Jackson: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. SA-48 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend Article 1, Section 105 – Exemptions – of the Land Subdivision Regulations for Augusta, Georgia maintaining the requirement for State Plane Coordinates compliance as found in Section 307(P) and Section 308. (Approved by the Commission April 16, 2013 – second reading) 2. ZA-R-226 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia by deleting Section 21—1(b)(30) Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers in the B-1 (Neighborhood Business) Zone and adding Section 26-1® Special Exceptions – Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers. (Approved by Commission April 16, 2013 – second reading) 15 PUBLIC SERVICES 3. Motion to approve the Defense Logistics Agency Contract for Augusta Regional Airport as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their March 25, 2013 meeting. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 22, 2013) 4. Motion to approve the First Amendment to Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC/D/B/A Avis Rent A Car System, LLC Lease Agreement as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their March 25, 2013 meeting. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 22, 2013) 5. Motion to approve the First Amendment to Hertz Corporation Car Rental Lease Agreement as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their March 25, 2013 meeting. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 22, 2013) 6. Motion to approve an MOU between the City of Augusta and the University of Georgia to allow students of UGA to intern with the Augusta Recreation, Parks and Facilities Department. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 22, 2013) 7. Motion to approve amendments to Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6-6 secondhand Goods, Article 1 Brokers, so as to provide operating standards for brokers, pawnbrokers, dealers in precious metals or gems and itinerant dealers in precious metals or gems. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 22, 2013) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 8. Motion to approve the resolution supporting the Augusta Housing Authority and Walton Communities, LLC’s application for low income housing tax credits to be named the Legacy at Walton Oaks Phase 2 (Senior’s). (Approved by Administrative Services Committee April 22, 2013) FINANCE 9. Motion to approve the request from Sheriff Mike Kile of Screven County to purchase 4 police vehicles. (Approved by Finance Committee April22, 2013) 10. Motion to approve a Supplemental Agreement to the FY 2013 Metropolitan Transportation Planning Services contract between Augusta, Georgia and the Georgia Department of Transportation. (Approved by Finance Committee April 22, 2013) 11. Motion to approve the renewal of the lease with the Department of the Navy for the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. (Approved by Finance Committee April 22, 2013) 12. Motion to approve separate legal counsel to provide legal advice to the Personnel Board with respect to upcoming Personnel Board re-hearing. (Approved by Finance Committee April 22, 2013) 13. Motion to approve a request from the Civil and Magistrate Court to adopt a lektriever from Superior Court. This lektriever was offered to Civil and Magistrate Court by Superior Court’s Senior Operations Manager Teresa Riddle who stated the lektriever was not being used by Superior Court and was currently stored off site at 401 Walton Way. (Approved by Finance Committee April 22, 2013) ENGINEERING SERVICES 14. Motion to approve AUD’s plan to change the billing cycle due by a net of 21 days over a 10-month period. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 22, 2013) 16 15. Motion to approve engineering services agreement in the amount of $91,330.00 to Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. for the Windsor Spring Road Utility Relocation Phases IV and V Project. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 22, 2013) 16. Motion to approve emergency construction services on the Patterson Bridge Road at Rhodes Pond, Windsor Spring Road at Spirit Creek, and drainage system failure repairs to Lake Terrace and Alden Roads in the amount of $261,254.60 funded from General Fund Contingency account. Also approve I) Blair Construction; 11) Larry L. McCord, LLC; and iii) Cranston Engineering to provide required emergency services as determined by the Augusta Engineering Department (AED).(Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 22, 2013. 17. Motion to approve and receive as information the emergency construction services on the Patterson Bridge Road, Massoit Drive and Rosier Road drainage system failure in the amount of $173,304.12 to Blair Construction; funded from SPLOST Phase VI as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 22, 2013) 18. Motion to approve $275,000 to continue to fund the current On-Call Vegetation Maintenance for Roadway, Street Shoulders, Right-of-Way, Easements and Detention Ponds Services Contract. Also, the Engineering Department AED) is requesting funds  from the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) discretionary funds to partially fund On- Call Vegetation Maintenance services. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 22, 2013) 19. Motion to approve an Option for the purposes of acquiring a Right-of-Way between Charles D. Hazel, as owner, and Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the Windsor Spring Road Phase V Project, (N/A sq. ft.) in fee simple and 0.056 acre (2,447.27 sq. ft.) of permanent construction & maintenance easement, more or less. Also granted is (are) one (1) temporary driveway easement on Project Windsor Spring Road, Phase V, STP00-1105-00(004) from property located at: 4629 Windsor Spring Road, private, at the purchase price of $900.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 22, 2013) 20. Motion to approve funding in the amount of $141,538.60 for the purchase of additional wetland mitigation credits to offset wetland areas disturbed during the Fort Gordon Force Main Sanitary Sewer Connection project. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 22, 2013) 21. Motion to approve capital project budget Change Number Three and Supplemental Agreement Number Five (CPB #322-041110-207822001) in the amount of $426,450.00 for the Warren Lake-Augusta Canal Basin Dredging to Cranston Engineering Group, PC for design, regulatory agencies review, comments, response and permitting from US Army Corps of Engineers. Funding is available in the project account for the Engineering Department. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 22, 2013) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 22. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular, Special Called meetings of the Commission held April 16, 2013 and Special Called meeting held April 22, 2013) APPOINTMENTS 23. Motion to approve the appointment of Charles E. Evans, to the ARC Personnel Board representing District 3. 17 24. Motion to approve the reappointment of the following representing District 5: Animal Control, BB Langham, ARC Library Faye Smith, Board of Zoning Appeals, Jamie Dukes, Riverfront Development, William Hicks, Augusta Aviation-Bush Field Charles July, Historic Preservation, Alzenia Williams, Personnel Board, Gwen Robinson, Planning Commission, William Wright, Public Facilities, Tracey Williams Jr., Minority Business Council Lonnie Wimberly, Tree Commission, Jarrel A. Gibson, General Aviation-Daniel Field, David S. Young. PUBLIC SERVICES 27. Motion to approve Change Order Number 1 to Beam’s Contracting, Inc. for $46,927.00 for the addition of a new basketball court and associated site work for Butler Creek Park. (No recommendation from Public Services Committee April 22, 2013) PUBLIC SAFETY 31. Motion to accept a Fiscal Year 2012 Homeland Security Grant from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $20,000 for the Augusta Fire Department. Mr. Mayor: All right there’s a proper motion and second. Any further discussion? Okay now vote by the usual sign of voting. Thank you, Mr. Ladson. Motion Passes 10-0. [Items 1-24, 27, 31] Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, we’ll move on with the regular agenda. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES th 25. Discuss the 7 Street vacant Feed & Seed Mill. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I went by this morning and took another th look at the old Feed Mill down on 7 Street and we have been dealing with this for quite some time, dealing with the blighted area. But what’s more important than the blight and the burned structure and the tin’s that blowing off and falling down is the inside of the building that’s gotten I’m going to say from rain water, chemicals and other things it’ll take your breath to go inside. Now this morning I didn’t have my bowtie on Jim but I did go down. I did get up there and I did look. The news media was a little bit more brave than I was. They went all the way down in. The chemicals that’s in there is really just is awesome and I thought we were just looking at a blighted situation. But this is something that the EPD the EPA is going to have to get involved with to get this thing straightened out. I had no idea that it was to that magnitude until George Eskola came back along with his camera. If you hadn’t seen it you’ll see it on the news this afternoon or we’re probably on late night now. But it’s really a situation that I’m upset about. The made advances the owner I think made a step to tear down. Someone went in and took out a 18 lot of the metal out of there. Someone had been working I guess and I think I heard the cause of a fire was because somebody had been working in some of the cylinders burned and something caused a fire. But you’ve got people all around there. We done spent all that money on the Canal we got children who’s going to crawl in the place that’s not secured at all. It’s an eyesore for that community where people are investing in building new homes all around this area. And we let that sit there. As I child I grew up knowing that feed mill was there and it’s been in Augusta all of my life. I’m really embarrassed that we had let it stand. Now someone said we could restore it but I don’t know but one man who’s got enough money to fix that place up Mr. Mason and that’s God. That’s the only man that’s got that much money to fix the place up. It’s really bad and I asked Rob Sherman and License and Inspection to go by and look at it. I asked them to take some pictures of it so I can show you exactly what was being proposed there and I want to know what we’re going to do. Now I hear all this conversation about we don’t have money that we got to pay the tipping fees, landfill. We own the landfill. The landfill belongs to this community to this city. Why do we got to pay for what we have? That don’t make sense. It’s like you cutting your own grass and you got to pay yourself to cut your own grass. That don’t make good sense to me. We own the landfill, it belongs to us we got a situation that we’ve got to move on because we’ve got people’s lives at stake. I don’t know what the EPD/EPA might say but just the appearance of it and the idea that a child could get inside and fall over in that situation is really bad. There’s nothing about blightdom. I see Mr. (unintelligible) standing on the corner and he can witness to everything I’m saying that it’s not secured at all, it’s an eyesore, it looks bad and we done tolerated this entirely too long. So I need to know do I need to make a motion to have EPD come in. I need to know, what do we need to do as a body to do what we need to do as a city to get this building, this eyesore down from where it is now and end this blighted situation that we’ve been dealing with all these years. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right Fred you wanted to speak in regards to that or do we bring --- Mr. Russell: Actually the matter is currently in litigation. We’ve got the representative of the owner Mr. Wall here. He could speak to where that’s at. The litigation’s not with us to my understanding but there has been some issues with taking the remainder down. He might be able to explain that as best he could, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Jim, is you can could you give us some information on what this project is at this point? Mr. Wall: The matter is in litigation over the cause of the fire that caused the center part of the building to be destroyed by fire. The litigation was filed in 2010. There is a lot of the history in so far as the different owners was difficult to track and difficult to find through and we have had to add parties. And subsequently the main party, the main people that were claiming they were parties but they weren’t we got them removed from the litigation. And so now the case is ready to be tried. In so far as the EPD/EPA is concerned there are no chemicals in the building. It’s the seed that is fermented and that smell is also molasses tanks in the basement and perhaps it is spoiled too. I haven’t been down there to smell what you smell so I can’t tell. But I mean there’s no chemicals down there. 19 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Commissioner Williams, do you want to follow up? Mr. Williams: Jim, we done agreed to disagree a lot of time and this is another one we don’t have to disagree on. I’m not, I don’t know a thing about chemicals either but I do know about smells. I mean I’ve been enough of those and this is not molasses. This is not just something that’s wasted on the ground. And we’ll find out about that. But being in litigation we’re not in litigation as a city. The litigation would not stop just because we demolish or we take this building. That doesn’t stop the litigation that’s still going to go on. So being in litigation don’t ring a bell to me. I don’t bring anything to the table except the fact that somebody needs to go to you know to court and deal with that. But we need to do something as a city. We done tolerated this entirely too long and I don’t think that the community who don’t have a voice who the investors that are complaining about not being able to sell and not being to get people to come in less than a stone’s throw away Commissioner Smith you can hit some brand new homes they just built. Alan Collier and Associates I think built about eight new homes and when you, it’s just unbearable the overgrown shrubbery and bushes and trees somewhat high hid during the spring and the summer. But in the fall when the leaves are gone it’s really an eyesore, it’s really bad. So I appreciate Mr. Walsh coming but that don’t help me by being in litigation. I need to know what the owner’s going to do and when he’s going to do it because there was an attempt to get a license to go ahead and remove the insulation or asbestos out of the building but then it stopped. Once they went in and got whatever metal they can use I guess whatever material they wanted out of there it just stopped and just left there. I’ve been preaching here since you’ve been gone, Jim, and I’ve been gone a while too but inspect what I expect and nobody’s been inspecting that and it’s just been sitting there. But that day’s done stopped. Today is the day we need to do something to get this resolved and I need to know from you if you’re the spokesman for the owner when can we expect that building to be gone, down, out moved. Mr. Wall: Well, I think you can expect it to be gone hopefully in the next six to eight months. The permit was issued last July. There was work that was being done. There was some asbestos that had to be removed which the owner did himself which he was allowed to do. And so that has been accomplished. As a, there was a period of time when he was having to work on another project and so he was unable to complete it perhaps as fast as we had anticipated but he is now out there working. The equipment has been moved on there and you know he expects to work steadily to get this torn down and cleaned up. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay Commissioner Fennoy then uh --- Mr. Williams: Wait, wait I hadn’t finished, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. If I could respond to what Mr. Wall who just said that equipment was there and I just left there this morning and it wasn’t there this morning. Now maybe they brought it since we’ve been out here but it wasn’t there today. So if the equipment was there and that’s what you just stated, Jim. Mr. Walsh: Yes and as I understand it you were on the opposite side of the street because there was equipment on the property. 20 Mr. Williams: That’s when the news media went in there. I was all around it this morning. I drove around this morning. I visited the other side of the Canal as well and I didn’t see any equipment. But if you say the equipment is there than I’m going to take your word for it. But I don’t want nobody to think that the equipment’s just sitting there ready to be done. So you’re saying to us in eight months’ time that it’ll be done. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy then Commissioner Donnie Smith. Mr. Fennoy: And I guess this question is to our Attorney. In case of there’s an accident or kids playing in that area and what is the city’s liability for this concern or will the city assume any type of liability? Mr. MacKenzie: The city would have no liability with respect to this property. It’s private property so any accidents, injuries or anything of that nature the claim would go to the owner of the property. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Smith. Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Wall, thank you for appearing. Who, can we go on record and tell us who the owners is of the property? Mr. Walsh: Edgar Matthews. Mr. D. Smith: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can I get a motion to receive this as information? Ms. Davis: So moved. Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right it’s been properly motioned and seconded. Any further discussion? Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, there’s plenty more discussion. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, we’ll talk about it on the, do we, well you gave us a timeframe so we got that Jim, that’s fine. We wanted to make sure we had a timeframe on it, six to eight months. Mr. Williams: I need to find out if the Administrator or License and Inspections is going to oversee this. We’ve been told several times what was going to happen so I need somebody on this body to be able to be on the bandwagon with that group to make sure that they report to us that something’s being done. Because if you wait six to eight months then it’s not down then what are we going to say? So I need to know if the Administrator, License and Inspection or George Patty or whoever is going to be --- 21 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Rob, I guess this would be --- Mr. Administrator: Why don’t I suggest that while this isn’t you know I think it would be appropriate that we give you a monthly report on their progress at this particular point in time and we’ll ask the License and Inspection to do that. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Mr. Williams: I can deal with that, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. The motion’s been called for. Vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Lockett out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, Item 26. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 26. Motion to approve adding design services for the renovations of the entire Municipal Building, a New IT Building and renovating the three Engineering buildings to Virgo Gambill Architects’ scope of services and an increase in their fees of $579,257. (No recommendation from Public Services Committee April 22, 2013) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Donnie Smith. Mr. D. Smith: This is for the Administrator. At the Engineering, I’m sorry at the Committee Meetings I thought that I made it very, very clear that the IT Building and the other construction that was separate of this renovation should be sent out for bid. And so I don’t understand why we are here now hearing this about paying somebody else a change order for work that should be bid back out. So where are we with that? Mr. Russell: Well it, the Engineering Services Committee you expressed your opinion on on how that should be. There was no action taken by the group so we’re still operating under the initial actions as I was directed in the workshop prior to that was to allow this to be done as a campus and move forward with one individual with the savings that we would recoup by doing it with the same architect and move forward with that. That’s why that we’re here today. If at this point this doesn’t pass then we’ve got to go back but right now I’m still working under the direction that I originally received is to do this all in one project as a campus. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, what’s your pleasure, gentlemen? Mr. D. Smith: I’ve got a substitute motion. 22 Mr. Lockett: Move to approve. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right there’s a proper motion and second. Mr. D. Smith: I have a substitute motion. Mr. Russell: Now’s the time for the substitute motion. Mr. D. Smith: I have a substitute motion. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Smith, you have a substitute motion? Mr. D. Smith: Yes, that all the design and construction work be bid back out for the projects that are not designated under the renovation of the Municipal Building. Because we have the opportunity. We know what they’re going to charge us because they’re already telling us. We have the opportunity to take what they’re going to charge us and we can bid it back out and compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. So there I ask for your support on my motion. Mr. Williams: I second it. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, we have a second on the substitute motion. Mr. Administrator? Mr. Russell: Yeah and part of the reason that during that workshop that we talked about the reasonableness of doing it this way is we’ve done other project when we’ve increased the scope is that the fee for the architect at this point averages out to about 4%. If you look at the other buildings we’ve done that we’ve bid out the Sheriff’s Building the TEE Center the other two phases the jail and the Main Library we’re at 7, 7.9, 6, 8 and 7%. In addition to that part of the other interests that we had was the quickness we could get this done. If you go back outside and do it as a rebid you’re talking about a two month delay’s about $125,000 dollars. A four month delay is projected about $190,000 dollars. Part of the benefit of doing this as we recommended in the workshop and as I was directed to put together a package was a savings that we’ve got the continuity and the architect the fact that we’ve got a campus project that we’re doing all in one so you don’t have to do the breakdown of one group, the movement of the other and the resetting up of another group of people. So that’s part of the process that we talked about in that workshop was to go ahead and do it this way and to take advantage of the economies of scale. To take advantage of what we could do by using the same architects and take advantage of the fact that we could continue to move forward with that. So that’s why you’ve got that in front of you the way you have it today, sir. 23 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Smith, you had a question? Okay. All right we have a substitute motion on the floor so I guess we’ll vote by the substitute sign of voting first and then we’ll go on to the primary. Ms. Davis, Mr. D. Smith and Mr. Williams vote Yes. Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Guilfoyle vote No. Mr. Grady Smith abstains. Motion fails 3-6-1. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, we’ll vote on the normal motion. Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes. Mr. D. Smith: I have a question before we cast our vote. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, go ahead. Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Administrator, you’re asking us to vote on something we don’t have the money for yet. Is that correct? Mr. Russell: No, sir, it’s part of what you approved was the bonding to put the money in place to do this. Mr. D. Smith: And but part of that is that we hoped that SPLOST would pass to be able to pay for the second portion of this. Is that correct? Mr. Russell: Part of the issue is that we would suggest that you place it on the SPLOST and use that for passage. But we also talked about in that workshop the potential to use it out of the capital money in case SPLOST did not pass with the interest rates at approximately two and a quarter percent and spend that over the next twenty years you’d be able to do that. And that’s one of the other benefits of why we did this was to be able to capture those dollars. If you wait until to do this four or five years from now you’ve got to pay in excess of, an additional funding for that and the time delay actually raises the cost. So that’s why the total package is put together like this with the funding package, with the design package and whatever to take advantage. It’s not only the economy of scale but the fact that money now is pretty cheap. We can bond it fairly quickly and fairly easily, fairly inexpensively. In addition to that we had two options to pay it back. If the SPLOST does not pass you can use capital money that’s already in the available budget over the next years to pay for that. So as we put this package together we were directed to bring forth a way to both expand this building and take care of our needs and we did so in a way that I thought was the most cost savings for our citizens and timely to be able to do this in a manner that’s less disruptive to everybody else that’s involved not only using this building but working in this building. 24 Mr. D. Smith: And being cost effective could also mean that we don’t build the second part. Am I correct about that, Mr. Administrator? Mr. Russell: Well, if you don’t build the second part you’ve got people working in facilities that are not really adequate to what they’re doing. You’ve got potential hazards in those buildings because of asbestos and other things. As you know in our IT Department and area you’ve got equipment placed in a building that’s not designed for that. So I guess in the long terms you can either be penny wise or pound foolish. Being penny wise I think is to go forward and make these challenges, meet these challenges today when we can do that or we can wait until we’re in a position where we don’t have a choice and then have to do it in an emergency manner or manner where either the cost of the bonding is a whole lot more expensive or the costs have gone up as we anticipate in the economy you’re starting to see those rises. So I think at this point it’s cheaper, faster and better to do it now if that’s what you want to do at the end of the day. If you wait you lose those opportunities and it’s eventually going to cost you more in our estimation, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Call for the question. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right the question’s been called for. We have a motion and a second on the floor for the primary motion. Mr. Williams: Wait a minute. We had a class in here about calling for the question what that means. That don’t mean you vote on the issue. I mean you see if there’s any more discussion needed. You vote to see if there’s not then you vote. Was I asleep when everybody, what happened? Call for the question don’t mean you vote on the. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, we have a motion and a second on the primary motion so that’s the one that’s on the table now so vote by the normal sign of voting. Mr. Williams: We need to vote to see if there’s enough people to continue the conversation or not. He called for the question. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Can I make a friendly amendment? I would encourage my colleague to withdraw his motion to call for the question. Mr. Fennoy: Withdrawn. Mr. Mayor: The motion’s been withdrawn. We do have a motion and a second on the floor for the primary motion. Vote by the usual sign of voting please. 25 Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Williams vote Yes. Ms. Davis and Mr. D. Smith vote No. Mr. Grady Smith abstains. Motion Passes 7-2-1. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll move on to Item 28. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 28. Discussion: Consider probation, suspension or revocation of the Business Tax Certificate for the businesses listed below, for failure to pay the Richmond County Health Department fee for services. (No recommendation from Public Services Committee April 22, 2013) • Ms. Saundra Milton, d/b/a: The World of Sugie’s Kitchen • Mr. Roan Miranda, d/b/a: Island Café • Ms. Jennifer Tutt, d/b/a: Sit a Spell Coffee House • Mr. Roderick Stokes, d/b/a: S-Bar • Ms. Shavone Stokes, d/b/a: Cream • Mr. Lawrence Harris, d/b/a: Frankie’s Restaurant • Mr. Shannor Trotty, d/b/a: The Eatery – Base Operation • Ms. Rukiya Faulk, d/b/a: Augusta Dawgs #1 • Mr. Shannor Trotty, d/b/a: Wholesome Convenience Store and Eatery Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Mr. Sherman you had this item. Is it any different from committee two weeks ago? Mr. Sherman: No, this is the same thing. But just for clarity there is a list of several businesses. Only two remain on the list. The others have either paid or two of those have closed. So the two that we’re talking about is Saundra Milton, The World of Sugie’s Kitchen and Rukiya Faulk doing business as Augusta Dawgs. At the committee meeting it was proposed we send it back to the committee and give them thirty days to get into compliance. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, so, well, I know we took no action on it that’s why it was given thirty days. Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Rob, are you asking us to give them thirty additional days? They’ve been unlicensed since last June. Is that correct? Mr. Sherman: Inaudible. Mr. Guilfoyle: And this should have went before the Board of Health before this board of Commissioners? 26 Mr. Sherman: No, actually, well, that’s correct. We’re asking you to suspend the license but what was discussed at the meeting was to give them an additional thirty days. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Which would be about well probably a little less than, a little more than fifteen days from now because that was two weeks ago. Mr. Guilfoyle: They have not done it in, Mr. Chairman, if they have not done it in ten months what’s fifteen days. If it was my business or anybody else’s business up here within 45- days would be shut down. We got to get standards set forth in on this floor and I have seen my colleagues hold it to the line and would not bow and we need to be the same way. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Sherman, I believe that one of the people that spoke to us previously and indicated about I think a $51,000 dollar business loss or something of that nature. Is this young lady one of the two people you’re talking about here? Mr. Sherman: I’m not sure. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, she is. Mr. Lockett: Okay, well anyway two weeks ago this body chose to allow them additional time. So now we’re in the middle of the stream so I cannot see us turning around on what we promised. We said we’re going to give them thirty days. This was agreed upon and so I would like to move that we do just that. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, initially we took no action on the item and we said by taking no action we can give them the thirty days to come back, well get into compliance. Commissioner Williams, you had a question? Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, I do. We didn’t take any action on it and this body recommended that I think the Health Department would be the one to make the decision on that. And they th don’t meet until the 14 of this month. And by not taking action will give us time to let that go back to the committee for the Health Department to either agree or disagree about giving then any extension or whatever. That’s the first extension. It wasn’t that they were not trying to pay. These are very small businesses who are trying to get up like any other business would be trying to get up. And I sympathize with them. They had not paid I think some $300.00 dollars I think it was, Rob. Mr. Sherman: I think one is five fifty and one is about five ten. Mr. Williams : Five, ten. And the Health Department can give them a leeway I guess a payment plan or something and work out something in that nature. That’s how we got back to where we are now so the Health Department will be able to rule and say they can give them an extension or not. That will give them enough time rather than putting a small business out of business. We keep talking about growing business and helping business but this is just a vote. I 27 mean it’s not going to be like that $500,000 dollars just voted on a while ago. And this is not I make a really going to affect us one way at all Rob. The money’s not even coming to us so motion that we go ahead and hold this and send it back to committee. Mr. Lockett: I’ll second that because I didn’t get a second. I second it if that’s proper. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Grady Smith. Mr. G. Smith: Rob, these businesses right here they’re past due. What penalties and interests do they have to pay? If they’re having trouble paying the original what’s the penalty for being late? Mr. Sherman: There is a penalty. Now these are Health Department fees and the guy from the Health Department isn’t here so I can’t tell you what they are. What has happened in the past and what has happened and we’ve had a lot of success with these businesses as well, once we send them the notice that we the Planning and Development, the License Division gets involved because there’s a code that says if you fail to pay any county, federal, state taxes that your license can be subject to be suspended, revoked or denied. So the Health Department asked us to get involved. We prepare the letters we send them out and for the most part all of them have come into compliance except two. One of those is having difficulty paying. She paid actually several times but the check was not good. The other is --- Mr. G. Smith: I know that feeling. Mr. Sherman: --- and so most of them have come into compliance but the two have not are the two that I mentioned. If on the one hand if we suspend their license they’re not going to make the money to pay so you know the idea is maybe to maybe put them on probation, whatever we can do to encourage them to pay the Health Department fees so that they can stay open. In the event that they don’t pay it by whatever time you agree to then bring them back and you know suspend their license. Mr. G. Smith: And most of this was due when? Mr. Sherman: Well, this was due the first of the year and so it’s, these are fees that the Health Department charges fees for services for inspecting the buildings, their kitchen facilities and then there is a penalty and I don’t know what that penalty is each month that it’s past due. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, we have a motion on the floor to continue on with the thirty days and we have a second on that motion. Mr. Lockett: That was I think that was the motion Commissioner Williams made? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Right and you --- Mr. Lockett: And I seconded it. 28 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- seconded it. Right. All right with no further, okay. Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Could we change the motion to include only the businesses that would be impacted by the decision that we make? Mr. G. Smith: Wait a minute. Mr. Fennoy: Okay what are --- Mr. Sherman: The two businesses, yes earlier I was saying to remove all of them except four. The top one which is Saundra Milton doing business as The World of Sugie’s Kitchen and then towards the bottom of the list Rukiya Faulk doing business as Augusta Dawgs #1. Mr. Fennoy: But we’re going only just two of the businesses. Mr. Williams: And I think what the motion was to send it back to committee to give them, and that’s going to give them the time they need by the two weeks’ time to get back it’s going to give them the time they need by sending it back. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. All right with no further questions vote by the normal sign of voting. Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Grady vote No. Motion carries 8-2. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, we’ll move on to the Administrative Services portion twenty-nine. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 29. Discuss pay raises in the Augusta Utilities Department. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Commissioner Williams, this is your item. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I had this put on the agenda. We know that the utilities workers, the Utility Department the ones who work in the streets, the ones who work all night long, the ones who fix pipes when it’s freezing cold and when it’s scorching hot are the ones that are not being paid sufficiently. We got people doing that kind of work making $18/19,000 dollars a year and I really feel bad that we got money in Utilities. We got money in water we done gave raises all over this county back and forth up and down but the hard working people that’s out there struggling and those are the people in Utilities. And I know somebody said we don’t have the money to give everybody. Well if your house is on fire and you can save three of your children are you going to let them all burn because you can’t save but three? 29 You’re going to save the three you can. So we need to take care of those kids in Utilities to make sure they get the money that we do have. And it’s not like we don’t have the money to make sure those people get the raises the need. And I talked to Tom Wiedmeier and he said that they made some changes they’re doing some things. They’re trying to do some upgrades. But the people who are actually doing the physical work you go secretaries in offices getting raises because they took the Water Certification Test. They don’t do nothing with water but drink it. Maybe take a bath but I mean they don’t deal with water. So why is it the people that are doing the hard work, the people out there suffering working at night in the cold and the rain and everything else and we have the money and they’re not being paid. I think there’s something wrong with this board who can sit here and see those people and you don’t have to take my word for it. Call HR. Check the pay scales on what they take home. And you got people making 18/19,000 dollars a year and they’re glad to get a job, working on call. We need to make sure that Utilities is doing what it’s supposed to do because the money’s there to do that. And this is not the first time the issue’s been brought up. And if I have to put it on the agenda every week we’re going to talk about it until we do something about those workers that need to get those raises that we have the money to do. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Lockett then Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I agree with my colleague Commissioner Williams that there are indeed pay disparities. But what I don’t agree with is the fact that Commissioner Williams I do believe that this should come before committee first. Now on next Monday under Administrative Services we have a whole segment there on pay raises so we won’t just be talking about an isolated group. We can talk about the whole government as a whole. And that gives us more opportunity for questions, answers and ability to research. So I would solicit your support in us referring this Administrative Services Committee for this coming Monday. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, do you have a problem with that Commissioner? Mr. Williams: No, sir, I’ve got a response to that. I appreciate my colleague and I agree with you to take it to committee. But now Commissioner Lockett I hear you many times talking about how you’ve been trying to get some things done and nobody’s listening. And you’ve been going through committee coming out of committee and you’re still in the same spot. What I’m saying is that some action needs to be taken soon and very soon. And we need to understand that. We’re talking about putting everybody together and looking at all of the departments we do have the money in Utilities to pay these employees. And everybody knows that. We need to take some money out Utilities to put in the general fund. I mean the money’s there and we’ve been giving raises out of the department to other people and we have not gave raises to the people who do the labor. So I got no problem going to committee but when you lump everybody together and that’s what I’ve been trying not to do. When those raises went out a year or so ago we didn’t put everybody in the same pot. We need to make sure now that we have the money to pay these people and to get them raises and then look out for the rest of the people as well now. So I don’t have no problem going to committee I’m going to support you there. But I’m not just going to leave it in committee. I’m going to talk about it on the floor where everybody will know what we’re doing and what we’re not doing. And that’s how come you haven’t got in my 30 opinion this ship moved further down the stream than it has already because people will tend to - -- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got Commissioner Fennoy and then Commissioner Mason then Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Fennoy: I think one of the things that has happened is that you know when we give raises and don’t consider everybody it creates a little dissention among the, among the ones that don’t get raises. You know I think we have people in other departments that are on the same pay scale as people in Utilities that are making $18, 19, 20,000 dollars a year. And to give them a raise and not consider other people in other departments that are making the same thing that they’re making is not fair to them and I think it will create a morale issue. I think that we need to take a look if we’re going to give raises then we take, we need to take a look at everybody that’s on the bottom part of the, of our salaries and consider what are we going to do for them. The earlier part of the year we talked about giving $750.00 dollars to all employees and we couldn’t get support for that. I don’t know if this will actually cover the costs of the increase in the health insurance. But we have too many people that are on the totem pole, the lowest part of the totem pole that work hard, that deserve raises that are on the same pay scale as Utilities. And because they don’t work for Utilities then I don’t think it’s fair not to consider them for a pay increase. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Mason? Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Clearly we have some systemic issues as it relates to raises and how they’re doled out or how they’re not doled out. Just want to digress for a moment and go back to the awful time of when raises were given out. We had Utilities come before us Commissioner Williams and they actually did it the right way. And they had an outside entity do the PD’s and everything and everything was done according to the way that it should’ve been done whereas the other raises that were given were not. And then on top of that they actually had the money to do it and we didn’t. So it’s you know we’re kind of sending a mixed message here in terms of how we’re going to deal with the raises and how we do deal with raises. I’m personally not of the opinion that everybody gets raises just for the fact of getting raises. There ought to be some merit pay established and associated with raises and appropriate documentation to warrant that as well unless you’re doing a straight across the board cost of living raise. But merit raises are just that, it’s on merit not simply because you’re here. So whatever happens on Monday if that’s the will of this body I believe that the Utilities Director Tom needs to come back with what he came with before and explain to those who may not have been up here so that you can see that he went through the process and went above board the process even what we had in the Policies and Procedures Manual dotted his ‘I’s and crossed his ‘T’s and then had the money to do so. So if that’s the will to do that on Monday, Mr. Chairman, then I hope or I would request that the Utilities Director be prepared because discussing it and not having the factual information in front of us is two totally different things. So I don’t want to waste time with discussion if we don’t have the numbers and the dollars that we’re talking about so that we can be knowledgeable when we make a decision and how we came about those numbers and those positions and why the need for raises exist. I would hope that he would be prepared to answer all those questions and have all that information so that at that point we can have more dialogue and be able to move forward one way or the other. 31 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I agree with that Commissioner Mason. Commissioner Jackson. Mr. Jackson: Motion to receive as information at this time. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Proper motion and second. Any further discussion? Okay now vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion carries 10-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, and on Item 30. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 30. Discuss any contracts that are up for renewal this year to be put out for an RFP and to discuss using a contract specialist/procurement specialist. (No recommendation from Administrative Services Committee April 22, 2013) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Guilfoyle this is your item. Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, sir, thank you, Mr. Pro Tem. When this was originally brought up Ms. Sams had gave us a total number of how many different contracts were up every year. And it was overwhelming at that moment so I had asked her to look at anything over a million dollars contract that we could focus on. We’re always talking about figuring ways of spending money but we have to come up with solutions on saving money as well. After this lengthy time I thought about it that I think this should fall under the Administrator to be responsible as far as making sure when contracts are up for renewal put them out for bid. And I know that dealing with the parking deck this TEE Center and other contracts we actually need somebody to look out for behalf of his city. I’ve seen in the past where the person we are dealing with the public/private partnership they actually bring us the contract and we actually need somebody that knows how to read it, to look out for the city and look out for our best interests. I would take a recommendation from the Administrator or some of my colleagues. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m in agreement for the most part with Commissioner Guilfoyle. I guess I’m concerned or I have questions in terms of how will this be done. I only have to go back to several contracts which I chose not to name at this particular point but I definitely feel like we were below water over our head with water in dealing with individuals who do this for a living and have great expertise in this and it puts us at a decided disadvantage in the negotiation process. So I’m of the opinion that we do need to have someone in place specifically with that type of expertise on a very, very high level because we’re dealing with a governmental entity Augusta Richmond County Government that doles out contracts to 32 the tunes of millions of dollars at a time. And without having that expertise and this is not necessarily against anyone but there’s certain skill sets that are required for particular jobs, for all jobs for that matter. And if you don’t have the skill sets it doesn’t make you a bad person you just don’t have the skill sets to be able to negotiate to the level that’s necessary to put Augusta Richmond County at an advantage versus a disadvantage. So that’s all I’m saying there and that’s extremely important. How we get to that point is a question that I would have and I will try to, I would hope that we could find a way to get there. The other thing is this. There’s a lot of contracts and I still think we have a lot of contracts at even a million dollars and above. So that’s very, very time consuming however I don’t believe that we can afford not to do something differently than what we’ve been currently doing because I personally feel like done the short end of the stick on several of our contracts. So I don’t what the answer is as far as the silver bullet but I do know that we need some great expertise in that area that’s specifically designed to do the procurement of our high dollar value contracts. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Mr. Russell: You know we’ve had this discussion several times over the past and I’m, I fully agree that we need somebody in either our Legal Department or our Procurement Department that can specialize in some of these contracts. At while we have lots of people with skill sets that are good for doing water and doing garbage and doing stuff that you’re right that that specific skill set requires a specialist. And what I would suggest to you is you let me come back with a package with a job description a salary and the kinds of things that the job description would describe what that would do. Give that to you and let you take a look at that and determine if that’s exactly what you’re looking for with a salary and we go ahead and bite the bullet. I mean we have continually tried to do things as cheap and as cheap as we can. And while that’s good I have no problem with that. I think there’s some positions that we need to spend some money on that will actually save us money in the long run and I firmly believe this would be one. So it would be my suggestion you give me a couple weeks to bring that back to you, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I agree wholeheartedly. I think there’s something of course I know we’ve talked about this probably over a year ago so it’s time to put the wheels in motion. Commissioner Williams and then, Ms. Davis, you had your hand up. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I agree with what’s been said by my colleagues as well but since we’re talking about contracts I want to make a motion about one today. We’ve been going through a situation here for quite some time with the ambulance contract. And I want to make a motion that we renegotiate the present contract we have and put a EMS Board together with the present provider that we have to see what we can come up with. Now we’re talking about going out for an RFP but we have not sent out anything as of yet. So if I can get that in the form of a motion to --- Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, point of personal privilege. If I’m out of order, please correct me. Mr. Williams: --- create. Please correct him because I’m talking. 33 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: No, I think, I think, Commissioner Williams, I see where you’re going with this but I think, I don’t think we can do it. Andrew, correct me if I’m wrong. Mr. MacKenzie: A point of privilege outranks other pending motions. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Say that again? Mr. MacKenzie: A point of privilege outranks the other pending motions. You can consider that first. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, I got you. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. General Counsel. I do believe that my friend and colleague what he’s speaking about is not germane to this particular agenda item. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, I do concur with that. I think we, I think it’s something we need to talk about but I guess we can’t tie it in to this particular item. Mr. Williams: I think we’re talking about RFP’s and that’s what I’m talking about. I named the provider but we’re talking about RFP’s. Is that right, Mr. Attorney? Mr. MacKenzie: At the request of the Chair there is a rule that does address this. It’s Rule 3.04.02. It deals with amending a main motion which is what you have on the table and it states: Amendments must be closely related to the original motion and must not change the nature of the motion that they amend. And it’s up to the Chair to make the initial determination whether or not the motion that’s been made falls within that category. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Right, right. And that’s what I’m saying it’s not specific. This is more so talking about an individual to look over the particular contracts a specialist. I think what you’re talking about Commissioner Williams actually doing and RFP for a particular item. So it would not be germane to this particular item that’s on the agenda here today. But that is something that can be placed on the committee to further look into and get support to do that. Commissioner Guilfoyle? Oh, I’m sorry, Commissioner Davis then Commissioner Guilfoyle. Ms. Davis: I was just going to make a comment when we were talking about the specialist. Since we’re talking about a new position we also come back with the source of funding for that position. Mr. Russell: Yes, ma’am. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle : I believe the savings would be given to us during the contract I’d like to make a motion for the Administrator to come back in thirty days negotiations but for a contract specialist. 34 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right we have a motion. Do we have a second on that one? Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right it’s a proper motion and second. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, before we vote can the Clerk read the motion again, please? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, Madam Clerk, could you read the motion back please? The Clerk: Yes sir. It was to task the Administrator to come back with a package regarding a job description, salary and source of funding for a new position of a contract or procurement specialist and to come back in thirty days. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right vote by the usual sign of voting. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, I think Item 32. The Clerk: PUBLIC SAFETY 32. Resolution to approve separate Jail Agreements with City of Hephzibah and City of Blythe so that Augusta, Georgia is able to accept City of Hephzibah and City of Blyth’s inmates and detainees under certain conditions and so that the City of Hephzibah and the City of Blythe may impose additional penalties and fees on such persons, collect additional funds as authorized by law and pay such funds to Augusta, Georgia on a monthly basis. Augusta, Georgia agrees to expend such funds solely and exclusively for constructing, operating, and staffing county jails, county correctional institutions, and detention facilities of the county as required by O.C.G.A § 15-21-95. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, I think, Commissioner Lockett, you had a question about this item? Mr. Lockett: Yes I do. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Mr. Lockett: I see, Major Peebles, did he leave? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Major Peebles he left but Major Jones --- 35 Mr. Lockett: Oh, you’re here. I’m sorry. Do you want to come up to the platform? Yeah, I do, I have some questions. This agreement is this agreement amending or replacing another agreement or is this the first one of this type? Mr. Johnson: No, we’ve doing this for the last thirty years. Mr. Lockett: Did you have a written agreement? Okay so what --- Mr. Johnson: This is the first time it’s ever come up. It’s always been handled in house between the County Attorney and the Sheriff’s Attorney and the Attorney for Hephzibah and Blyth. Mr. Lockett: Okay. Well, my question is this. I read this thing several times and I see where Hephzibah and Blythe is going to be paying so much money for each prisoner. I see that they’re going to have a certain degree of liability we’re going to have a certain degree of liability. What is the actual cost of the approximate cost for housing a prisoner here in Augusta Richmond County? Mr. Johnson: Around $50.00 dollars a day. Mr. Lockett: Okay now with this formula that they have set up is there any guarantee that we’re going to get at least the $50.00 a day from them as a result of their fines and so forth? Mr. Johnson: My understanding is they’re going to take 10% of the fine and plus they take 10% of the security that they put up. And that would cover it. We don’t really have that many from Hephzibah or Blythe but mainly it pertains to the ones that they arrest on their ordinances or not on the state laws. If they arrest somebody on a state law we’re liable for that (inaudible). Mr. Lockett: Well as far as liability is concerned have we ever had to pay out big dollars because something happened to one of their people that we had incarcerated in our facility. Mr. Johnson: No, sir. Mr. Lockett: Okay. Mr. Chairman, if there are no other questions I’d like to make a motion to approve. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right it’s been properly motioned and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Jackson out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, Item 33. 36 The Clerk: FINANCE 33. Motion to approve the request from Chief J.D. Nelson, Chief of Police-Paine College, for the donation of 3 police vehicles. (No recommendation from Finance Committee April 22, 2013) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. I think Commissioner Donnie Smith had a question about this. Mr. D. Smith: Is somebody is Chief Nelson or somebody here from Paine? Mr. Lockett: I am but I can’t speak on their behalf. Mr. D. Smith: I specifically said at the committee meetings that somebody needed, that Chief Nelson or somebody from their agency needed to come over here and explain to us what they were going to use these cars for. And obviously I don’t know I’ll send it back to them and told them that and obviously they’ve chosen not to. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do we have anybody here from Paine? Fred, how much do you know about this? Mr. Russell: It’s been our practice in the past to help out other jurisdictions. As you know on the consent agenda that we actually sold cars to Screven County based on their request. So it’s not unusual for us to do that. You know I think in the past years ago we were able to give some to people. But I think given the nature of the times it’s appropriate that we try to recoup whatever we’ve got. Paine is a private institution and I think the going value for those cars is about $2,000 dollars. And I would suggest you change the thing instead of a gift you see if they want to buy them for $2,000 apiece. And if not then they wouldn’t sell them but at that point they’re getting a good deal, we’re recouping our costs that we get from selling them online and it’s a win for everybody at that particular opportunity. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I agree. Okay Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It appears to be a good deal but if I’m not mistaken the Fleet Management person told us that those law enforcement vehicles cost about $450.00 each to strip out all of the law enforcement stuff unless it goes to another agency. Now if we don’t sell those to another agency that means we’re going to get about, recoup about $1,500.00 dollars per vehicle. Paine is a private entity but Paine is a very important part of this community. So $4,500 dollars or this city is going to go bankrupt? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Uh Commissioner, Donnie? 37 Mr. D. Smith: This is for the Administrator. Paine is a private college, am I correct? Do you know whether or not their police department is a security agency or are they a certified law enforcement agency? Mr. Russell: I do not know the answer. Mr. D. Smith: They are a security agency. They do not have law enforcement authority. They don’t have the ability to arrest people over on state, as a peace officer would. So I don’t know why they would have need for law enforcement officer vehicles that have blue lights and sirens in them on a two block campus. So that’s why I want somebody from Paine to come over here and explain to me what they will be doing with our police cars when they’re not a sworn law enforcement capacity at Paine. They’re in a security capacity. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yeah, I think you’re absolutely correct. We have two that want to speak Commissioner Davis and then Commissioner Fennoy. Ms. Davis: I’d like to make a motion to send this back to committee so that we could get a representative just to give us more information that we’re looking for. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do we have a second on that? Mr. Williams: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right. Commissioner Fennoy, you had a question? Mr. Fennoy: Yes and it’s more of a statement rather than a question. But what difference does it make if Paine has arrest power or not? I have seen it says Paine Security on the sides of the vehicle and they patrol the area around Paine College. And I’m quite sure that this is, won’t be the first time that the city has made a donation to an entity that’s not a government entity. And I don’t see anything wrong with doing with it at this particular time. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Grady Smith. Mr. G. Smith: What I think about this situation is you start with the word precedence and how we handle something like this could carry on into other vehicles other things. And I’ve found over the years being in private enterprise is you know once you set something and you open the door to people everybody has got a need. Now and I will say this Paine College is a vital entity for this county but I think we ought to discuss it and see because what we do now could set the precedence for future dealing with other folks who come in. I just think that let’s get it back to committee and have a discussion about it and see how they’re going to be used, where, how much it’s worth. You know I’m not above and beyond helping anybody --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Right. Mr. G. Smith: --- then there again you know you do something on the spur of the moment down the line it’s going to come back and bite you, you know where at. 38 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you. Commissioner Smith brought a great point out. We have already set a precedent already. We did this previously with Paine College before. They’re not going to be doing any policing and I don’t think it’ll say Richmond County Sheriff on it. It will say Paine Security or whatever. I’m not speaking for them but we have already done this above eight/nine years ago. We donated a couple cars to Paine to help patrol to help keep the unwanted out I guess is a good word. But we’ve already done that before but I’ve got no problem sending it back to committee letting somebody come in and address us and tell us what you know what their need is. But we already have set a precedent already. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yeah, I think it would be appropriate. Okay, Mr. Administrator? Mr. Russell: Yeah, I’ve asked Ron to make sure that we keep personal contact, Chief Nelson to make sure that he or somebody is here. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion and a second on the floor. Any further discussion? Hearing none vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Fennoy votes No. Mr. Jackson out. Motion carries 8-1. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Madam Clerk, on with Item 34. The Clerk: FINANCE 34. Motion to approve a request from Kevin Buchanan for a refund for an overpayment of land taxes for property at 970 Horseshoe Road. (No recommendation from Finance Committee April 22, 2013) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Mr. Buchanan, if you can come to the podium and state your name and address for the record. Mr. Buchanan: Kevin Buchanan, 970 Horseshoe Road. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, this was heard in committee last week. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, we have someone here from the Board of Assessors today. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Mr. Lockett: Last time we didn’t have anybody. 39 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, if we could have her come up. Ms. Greer: My name’s Nancy Greer and I’m here on behalf of Alvino Ross. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, thank you. Could you enlighten us on this matter? How much do you know about this? Ms. Greer: To the best of my ability I’ll be able to, hi Mr. Buchanan, how you doing, sir? What happened was it looks like in 2000 he came in and filed a return with (inaudible) in 2012. And Mr. Ingram went out and noticed there was a house out there on the property that had a value, talk loud? Okay. That had a value of $17,000 on it plus a second improvement which was your home which he lives in and he gets homestead on which is a mobile home. And prior to that so we went on and took the improvement off, prior to that there was a notice that went out in 2010 where the value increased from $28,000 to $51,000. We got no response back, no appeal no return nothing. In 2011 another notice went out the value went from $51,000 down to $50,000 and some change. Again, no notice from the taxpayer that there was anything amiss or wrong. In 2012 he filed a return. That’s when we went out and did the field check and the correction. Pulled the building permits. No permit was issued for the house. It was built in 1931 and the house was valued at, prior to 2009 we had a, what we call an overridden value just a salvage value of $6,000 dollars on it. And in 2010 when the value went from $28,000 to $51,000 the land was reworked out there it’s 3.69 acres I believe and it went from $9,000 something to $18,000 and in the override which moved on the house which increased the value of the homesteaded mobile and the dilapidated house to the $51,000. But it was not brought to our attention until 2012 when Mr. Buchanan came in and filed a return and Mr. Ingram went out and did a field inspection of the property and removed the house for 2012. And that’s I believe that’s what happened here. He asked for a value of $33,000 on the return and I believe right now we’re at $32,000 below what he requested. He agreed the land value was worth the eighteen. Am I correct Mr. Buchanan? And we did take the house off but prior to that we had no information concerning that issue until it was brought to our attention. And again like I said notices were sent out to the taxpayer with no response. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, what’s your pleasure, gentlemen? Commissioner Guilfoyle and then Commissioner Williams. Mr. Guilfoyle: I need to get a little tag that says Wayne Guilfoyle, don’t I. As far as Mr. Buchanan’s official tax receipt that’s in our agenda book. It’s showing a fair market value of $33,259.00 dollars. Now you had --- Ms. Greer: Yes, sir. Mr. Guilfoyle: --- I want to make sure you find that one (inaudible). Ms. Greer: (inaudible) $33,259.00 was the value in 2012 is what we recommended per return. And I’m not really quite sure what year he’s asking for in prior year or land taxes. Mr. Guilfoyle: Well, we can sure ask him to find that out. 40 Mr. Greer: Yes, sir. Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Buchanan, would you please or Mr. Chairman --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Buchanan, what is you requesting? Mr. Buchanan: I was told when I paid taxes this year on it that I’ve been charged for that house since 2002 when I bought the property. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: So you’re trying to recoup the dollars from the year you purchased the house or last year, the last couple of years? Mr. Buchanan: The last couple of years. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do we have a dollar amount on that? Ms. Greer: No, sir, I don’t as far as tax dollars. No, sir, I can only tell you that he paid taxes of about $546.00 in 2011. And for 2012 he paid $457.58 for 2011. For 2012 I believe it went down. He paid $230 something dollars. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Commissioner Guilfoyle? Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, sir. I’d like to get back with these numbers with you if you don’t mind. Ms. Greer: Oh, no, sir. Mr. Guilfoyle: In 2012 you said the house was valued at $6,000 and ya’ll moved --- Ms. Greer: In 2009 the house --- Mr. Guilfoyle: I 2009 --- Ms. Greer: --- was valued at $6,000 dollars. Mr. Guilfoyle: --- and then ya’ll moved it up to $17,000 dollars. Ms. Greer: Yes, countywise we moved what we call overridden values and the land was reworked in that whole area. Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay, 3.69 went from $9,000 to $18,000. So the property went from $28,000 to $50,000. Ms. Greer: $51,000, sir. 41 Mr. Guilfoyle: Then you reduced it to $50,000. Ms. Greer: Yes, based on appreciation from NAVA to a mobile home. Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay. My point is you reduced it from fifty-one to fifty --- Ms. Greer: Yes. Mr. Guilfoyle: --- in two-thousand when twelve? Ms. Greer: 2010 to ’11. Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay now we got 2010, 2011 it was $50,000. Now in 2012 we’ve got a fair market value of $33,000. Ms. Greer: Yes, he came in and let us know that the house had been removed. He came and filed what we call a property tax return which a taxpayer has a right to do every year. He had from April 1 to January 1, January 1 to April 1 the following year. He let us know if there’s any discretion. Mr. Guilfoyle: Would it not be fair for him to get a, I’m asking? Ms. Greer: Yes, that’s fine, at your discretion, sir. We don’t have the luxury of being able to go back any further than three years. Mr. Guilfoyle: Right, three years is our maximum. I realize that. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Buchanan, I apologize for the history. I mean the math class just, but I’m going to make a motion we pay him the amount of money that he’s due, the overpayment for the last three years if that’s as far as we can go back. I mean he came willingly in and he hadn’t tried to get out of it like a lot of us do. He paid up and he’s looking for his money back so I don’t know why we had you come down several times. You ought to do what they do, charge the interest on that time. Mr. D. Smith: I second his motion. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Greer: We were not here. We were not representing I do apologize to Mr. Buchanan (inaudible) to have to come back down. Thank you for your time (inaudible). 42 Mr. Lockett: I agree it’s unfortunate that the taxpayer was levied taxes that he shouldn’t have been. But I don’t see how we as a body can approve going back three. We can go back three years but we don’t know what the dollar values going to be. One would think we need to know how many dollars this is going to be before we approve it. We just can’t write a blank check. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, I agree with that. And that’s why we need to get a number on it. And if I’m not mistaken now, go ahead. Ms. Greer: I apologize, may I offer something else? There’s a second mobile home out there that we don’t have on the books. It is classified I believe you use it for storage, Mr. Buchanan? We do not have that on the books and I don’t know how that would be handled going back and adding that mobile home to the books as well. If you’re going to do the other you might want to look at the whole picture. He has not been taxed for the other mobile home. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, I think we need to get a number. I think that’s the concept is fine but we don’t know what the number is so we need to get a bottom line number. How long would it take to get those figures and get it back to us to approve it? Ms. Greer: I would have to go back and rework the values and get with the Tax Commissioner’s office and get them to calculate what the value is would be, sir, which I would be glad to do for you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, I think we need to do that first because we don’t know what exactly we’re approving before approve it. Well, I know we had a motion so do we need to amend that motion? Mr. Guilfoyle: Can I make a substitute? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Uh yeah, Commissioner Guilfoyle? Mr. Guilfoyle: I’d like to bring this back to Finance Committee. That way it gives the Tax Assessors office time to come up with the cost or the rebate for Mr. Buchanan. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Greer: I understand that we bring that mobile home back. Is that okay the second mobile home? Mr. Williams: What about my motion? Mr. Buchanan: Yeah, can I add that the second mobile home that she’s talking about --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Uh-huh. Mr. Buchanan: --- I gave $50.00 for it. It’s a ’63, 10x50 mobile home. 43 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, just basically a building for storage. Okay. All right that will be taken into consideration. All right we have a motion, a substitute motion on the floor. Did we have a second to that? Okay all right we have a motion and a second to that. Commissioner Fennoy? Mr. Fennoy: Yeah I got a question. Is it necessary for Mr. Buchanan to come back down here or can we just once she works up the figures or give Mr. Buchanan the call and let him know what it is. Ms. Greer: I’ll call you personally myself. Mr. Fennoy: Okay. Ms. Greer: (inaudible) look at everything personally and let you know what’s going on. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: But they will have to come before the Commission to be approved first but I mean your presence don’t have to be here you know to get the refund. Mr. Fennoy: Unless you’re dissatisfied with the information you get for it. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right we do have a substitute motion on the floor and a second. Any further discussion? Can you repeat the motion, Ms. Morawski? The Clerk: Yes, sir. The substitute motion was to bring it back before the Finance Committee. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: With the dollar amount? The Clerk: With the dollar amount. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Now, okay now you know they have to bring the numbers back to us to get it approved but we need it this Monday coming. Will you be able to do that by this Monday? Ms. Greer: I’ve have it done tomorrow morning by ten, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Good deal you need to be working with me. Okay all right we’re clear on the motion? Okay no further questions vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Jackson out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Buchanan, and she will be in touch with you on that and we’ll get this worked out by Monday. Okay? All right. Thank you. Okay, Madam Clerk, on with the --- 44 Ms. Greer: Thank you (inaudible). Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- thank you. Item 35? ADMINISTRATOR 35. Report on revenues. (Requested by the Administrator) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Mr. Administrator. Mr. Russell: You know in the past couple of weeks you’ve all seen the numbers on sales tax and those issues like that. And what I’d like to do is just talk to you briefly about what that means to us at the moment and where we are and some of the issues we seem to be facing with the sales tax and the other revenues that are coordinated there. As you know most of our revenues come in either through taxes or charges for services or the fines and forfeitures. Sales tax has been down for the first of the year a couple all three months basically. While that’s concerning it’s probably not time to panic at this particular point in time. There are a lot of outstanding issues that are about that I just want to make sure you understand one of which was the money on the energy, the sales tax on energy that the state passed. And we anticipate that having a fairly big impact on us simply because we have one of the largest energies in the state right down the road from here. In addition to that there’s a gate program that the state has established. The Gate Program is very simple. If you’re a farmer and apply to the Department of Agriculture you can get a card. And that card means that you can take it to and when anything you buy for your farm you take them that card and it’s now tax exempt. You don’t have to pay the sales tax on it. While we’re not too sure because of the lack of information from the state what that impact it we are seeing some counties that the farmers are defined somewhat differently that what I always thought a farmer might be. Some of them are boarding kennels and those kinds of places that have applied and got those cards and the state is having a little trouble picking up on that at the moment. Are there are some regulations but apparently in my estimation the Department of Agriculture that approves the cards isn’t really talking to the Department of Revenue on who does the tax rebate there basically on the lack of tax. So there’s an issue there that makes all these numbers somewhat uncomfortable. In addition to that you notice you know that this is the year they did away with the car tax or the birthday tax. Other states have done that and suffered the consequences and we’re in the process of doing that. Sales tax on cars is no longer paid. There’s a flat 6.5% amount that you pay and that comes back to us in several different forms which is supposed to take care of the sales tax and the ad valorem tax for those particular vehicles. We’ve been assured by the state that that’s going to be revenue neutral. That’s like in mind saying the check’s in the mail or trust me I’m here to help. So we don’t know the answer to that yet. What we do know is that the amount that our sales tax down, is down is probably not significant at the moment. We’re thinking that we’ve had two bad months to compare it against. January and February are always low months to begin with. We can kick into the car tax. We’ve got our first check back from that and that’s starting to mirror sort of what the sales tax looks like. Several of you said several of you have come to me and said what do we do now? And I think what we do now is have patience. We need to continue to look at these numbers, we don’t want any knee jerk reactions to what we’re looking at and we need to continue to monitor this for the next little while. As you know in June we’ll be talking 45 seriously about the budget. You have to approve an ad valorem tax rate sometime in August. And I think June, July as we look at the new budget and look at those numbers is a time for us to start making some recommendation if we think there’s a correction needed in the budget. You know to do it now I think is a little premature. To put this in perspective the current sales tax shortfall currently is about $589,000.00. A big number, a lot of money but if you put that as a percent of the total revenues .61%. So in reference to total revenue it’s still not a whole lot of money yet. So we need to continue to do that. If you take this and run it over the whole year at this particular point in time and let me emphasize again if we’re using a couple of traditionally bad months to begin those projections so they’re not really worth a whole lot you’re still at 2.17 against the total tax revenue percent and a total of 1.49% against the total revenue numbers there basically. So doom and gloom is not where we are at the moment. I think it’s caution it’s carefulness and we start looking at potentially what we can out of this but I think it’s way too early to talk about doing anything at this particular point in time. Let me tell you though if this continues we probably need to rethink the money for the electricity and come back with that the power usage thing. Some of our other counties have done that. I was in a room with other at, you know, at ACCG last week and some of the other places have done that. I mean that’s the gift to the industry is a pain to the normal citizen at this particular point in time so you might hear that. I know that there are people that won’t want to hear me say that again but I think that’s something we need to revisit. In addition to that the major thing though is don’t’ get worried yet. We need to continue to move forward. We’re looking at conservative ways to deal with the dollars and we’ve always been fairly conservative. But we don’t want to jump off the bridge yet. So I think that’s, I just wanted to share that with you that those numbers while they look sensational on the news and George has a great way of making it sound like you know these are horrible and the world’s coming to an end. We’re not there yet. And the other reporters too. I don’t want to single George out. Each and every one of them are great at making us feel bad about what we’ve got so that’s where we’re at. And I’ll try to answer any questions if you have any. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, Fred I, I mean I do agree. I’ve heard as well from others throughout the CSRA period that sales tax are down not just in Richmond County but throughout other counties. So I think it’s just a combination of things. Commissioner Fennoy, you had a question then Commissioner Donnie Smith. Mr. Fennoy: Uh --- Mr. Russell: Yes, sir. Mr. Fennoy: --- historically what’ve our revenues looked like. I know you said they’d be down the first two months but what percentage were they down historically maybe three, four five year period of time? Mr. Russell: Those numbers are almost worthless sir. I mean if you look at the collections over the past couple of years because of the changes we’re doing apples and oranges. So while it’s down about 3% over last year to give you some projections on that I’d be afraid to do that. I’m sorry. 46 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Donnie Smith and then --- Mr. Smith: Fred do we, let me --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Commissioner Guilfoyle and then Commissioner Williams. Mr. Smith: --- can we talk about nomenclature for just a second as far as the budget’s concerned? This sales tax revenue correct me at any point that I’m wrong so that I’ll be clear and want everybody else in the room to be clear, basically deals more with next year’s budget as opposed to this year’s budget because it goes towards the setting of the millage rate for next year. It doesn’t appear as a credit for next year, for this year. Mr. Russell: We set the millage rate in August for this year which is this year. Mr. D. Smith: So this really operates as a credit back and forth. It will depend this will affect how we set the millage rate in the fall. That’s why I wanted an answer. Ms. Williams: Sounds like it. Yes and no. Mr. D. Smith: It’s always yes and no. It’s never black or white. Ms. Williams: Yes, it affects this year’s budget but the sales tax credit that is applied against your mill rate uses last year’s Local Option Sales Tax collection against this year’s millage rate. Yes and no. Mr. D. Smith: It’s never easy with you, Donna. Ms. Williams: No, it’s not --- Mr. D. Smith: Thank you. Ms. Williams: --- but hopefully it keeps me around. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Pro Tem. Fred, I don’t know if North Augusta or anywhere in Carolina has received their numbers at this time because we’re somewhat at a disadvantage in the State of Georgia by passing this one cent Local Option SPLOST. I would like in the near future once they start receiving their numbers let’s see what Augusta looks like because you know I hear it all the time a lot of people going across the river to save that 8% down to 7% sales tax. Not only that fuel’s cheaper. Mr. Russell: We’ll be, I don’t know can we get South Carolina numbers. Are they available? We’ll have to, I hope they do a better job than we do in getting them but we’ll be happy to get them for you. You know you look at that every day and I really have a problem using that as anything other than an argument. I mean I come into work every day and there’s a 47 gas station that sells gas where I live for $3.29 a gallon now. There’s one that sells it for $3.49 a gallon less than a mile away and it’s the $3.49 has as many cars there as it ever has. I just have a hard time understanding, you know, if they won’t drive a have a mile to get twenty, save twenty cents I’m just having trouble with that. Mr. Guilfoyle: I just wanted to see if Carolina’s receiving the same pain as we do. Mr. Russell: Part of something else that we need to be considering in this though is the talk of sequestering, de --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Sequestration. Mr. Russell: Yeah that works, Sequestration. I’m sure there are people that are concerned about their jobs that aren’t maybe spending at the same level. You know sometimes the growth and we keep looking at the growth in Columbia County but that really hasn’t affected us for all these years. So the wheels that are turning now are ones that we, I can’t really explain at the moment so. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Williams? Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I kind of look at this a little bit differently. We talk about the revenue and how the revenue is either coming or not coming in. I’ve been in this city all my life but I’ve been, I was elected for eight years and stayed out for a few and then back but I can’t tell you one thing that we’re doing here as a city to draw people into the city for our collections to change. We think or we expect folks to just come to Augusta because we’ve got sunshine and fresh air is everywhere. So this body needs to understand that we’ve got to do something different to get folks to come here like other folks doing things differently. And we was in Savannah for ACCG people I mean I guarantee Savannah’s not going to say that their taxes are the same way. They’re going to tell you they’re maybe down but they’re doing quite well because they’re something going on there. There’s a reason to go there there’s a reason to spend money there. There’s shops and stores and a lot of the things we don’t have. And I’m not really comparing it to Savannah. We need to take what we’ve got and I say all the time if you ain’t got nothing but bananas make banana pudding if you got lemons make lemonade. But we’re not doing anything to attract people to Augusta so why do we think that we’re going to be so different or so unique to get those revenues to come in like every else is doing who’s doing something. Any other city that’s progressive have got people coming in there they’re coming for a reason. And we just built a new TEE Center over there and that’s fine but people are not going to come here and just go to your convention and stay and then there’s nothing to do. If they come one time it’s going to be the last time. So this body’s got to understand we’ve got to find a way to enhance and increase Augusta more than just one time a year. And even with that time of year we don’t in my mind don’t stretch out the carpet like we should and get people to come to spend money. So it’s tough all over. It’s not just the South it’s not just Georgia it’s all over. But people are doing things to come to that and if you can comment, Mr. Administrator, I mean I would love to hear you. 48 Mr. Russell: What, you know I agree. I think we disagree that we probably haven’t done anything in the past but I think there are other things that we need to be working together to do that will enhance the attract ability of our location. I think we all agree on that. The more there is to do here the more opportunities people have the more people are going to come and you know what we’ve got to do is figure out the value of what we spend to do that versus of what we expect to get. And that’s a goal that this group needs to continue to work on. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. D. Smith: Motion to receive this as information. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right we have a motion to receive this as information. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right there’s a proper motion and second. Any further discussion? Hearing none vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, while I’ve got the floor if you don’t mind I would like to introduce Paul Levine our Recreation Director who’s here. For those of you who thought he’d never show up here he is. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Welcome. Mr. Russell: He hasn’t even worked two days already and we’re happy that he’s here and going to be with us and say hello and welcome him to Augusta. Mr. D. Smith: We’re glad that you’re here and we’re glad that you got to see how lengthy our meetings can be. And anything you can do to contribute to shortening our meetings will be greatly appreciated. Mr. Russell: Thank you all. Mr. D. Smith: Thank you. Mr. Lockett and Mr. Jackson out. Motion Passes 8-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right Madam Clerk on with 36. The Clerk: OTHER BUSINESS 36. Discuss the installation of cameras along the Riverwalk. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy) 49 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Commissioner Fennoy had this item. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, it was brought to my attention that those in discussion among the, our Commission about surveillance cameras along the Riverwalk. In light of what’s happened this past weekend in downtown Augusta and in light of you know we’re talking about revenues going down then we don’t want Augusta to be given the image of an unsafe city. When you look at what happened up in Boston during the Marathon and how the police we’re able to identify suspects. And this is all due to surveillance cameras. It is my opinion that the installation of surveillance cameras along Riverwalk will be a deterrent to criminals to committing crimes. I think the posting of signs along downtown and the Riverwalk areas that this area is being monitored by a video surveillance would be a deterrent to crime. And we have got to create an environment in downtown Augusta and along our Riverwalk where the citizens that live in Augusta will feel safe. Or the visitors that come to Augusta will feel safe. So I believe that if we could take this issue back to committee and come up with a recommendation from the committee about what type of surveillance cameras we should have, have meetings and discussions with the Sheriff’s Department then I think that it would help create a safe environment for downtown Augusta. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. I mean I agree with you wholeheartedly and I think it’s something that we need to probably maybe get IT to look at. Ms. Davis, you had a question and then Commissioner. No, she was first. She beat you this time so she was first. Ms. Davis: Ladies first, Wayne. Mr. Guilfoyle: It’s always that way. Ms. Davis: Commissioner Fennoy, I certainly agree with everything you said and I agree we need to sit down with IT and the Sheriff’s office. I’m sure, Fred, you were about to say that. This is on everybody’s mind right now and if we can get a complete proposal for what we can do to encompass every part of security and make people feel safe and look at lighting as well. That’s another issue I’d like to really just bring to the table. So I don’t know what time frame we can do this in but the sooner the better. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Fred, you wanted to speak real quick? All right. Commissioner Guilfoyle, you had your hand up? Mr. Guilfoyle: I’m going to start calling you from my mobile phone from over here. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: (unintelligible). Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, I would like to do a little response to what Mr. Fennoy wants to do. I understand the cameras no different than what happened this past weekend is a tragedy for the two as well as the person that carjacked. And the cameras that was on that group of people that got into a fight right down Broad Street I don’t know if that helped out any to the Sheriff’s Department but I hope they catch each and every one of them. But if you have a camera system you’ve got to have somebody to watch them and to oversee them. It’s going to take a minimum 50 of two to three officers. I would rather see the presence of police officers downtown. We had the SEGWAYS that was left over from CADI that’s already been paid for by the taxpayers downtown and let them do the patrols in this District 1. That’s just for a thought, Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Commissioner Smith then Commissioner Mason. Mr. D. Smith: I’ve got a question for the Administrator. We’re talking about cameras here and Commissioner Guilfoyle has brought up a good point about monitoring. But didn’t we approve some money earlier this year for the Marshal’s Department to get some kind of monitoring where they were going to set up some headquarters and monitor all government properties through cameras and things of that nature? Mr. Russell: What we’ve got is set up a monitoring for the alarm system which we’re attempting to figure out, not figure out. What you’re going to see hopefully at the last committee meeting in May we talked to the Sheriff, we’ve talked to the Marshal and several options that you’ve got available to you. One of which is you want cameras is probably a good idea. You want cameras with video capability or do you want cameras that are monitored. What we’d like to do is give you that as part of an entire package and then we can pick and choose on what’s the best value, what’s the best opportunity to do that. The lighting’s important I mean you put up all the cameras up you want if you don’t have the proper lighting you get nothing. So all that we’ve had, as a matter of fact we actually began these discussions a couple of weeks ago prior to this happening. So we’ll probably jacking up the time but I’d like to be able to give that to you at the last committee meeting in May, this is May, right? Mr. D. Smith: Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to make sure that we’re looking at this situation in a holistic point of view and not necessarily a knee jerk reaction. And I’m very, very saddened by the events that happened over the weekend and the fight that went on last week as well. I mean it’s an embarrassment no question about it. We’ve got some issues, societal issues that we need to deal with and at the end of the day I don’t care how many cameras and how many policemen you put down there or police persons if we don’t, and I’m not saying the government necessarily stepping in. But I’m saying if the issues that are happening in our community are not addressed in an appropriate fashion well we’ll going to get a lot of this and quite frankly and I’m not belittling anything but quite frankly we have a lot less than most cities have that are our size. So there’s going to be some costs associated with this. Of course I’m going to want to hear directly from the Chief Law Enforcement Officer you know in terms of what can he do with existing resources in terms of maybe removing some folks from other areas and placing them down in those high time frames. So I would be a little bit skeptical of doing much of anything initially other than the discussion so that we can find out from our Chief Law Enforcement Officer how he plans to deal with this because the fact of the matter is that’s the job of the Chief Law Enforcement Officer. And if it requires us to give some additional funds or something like that then at some point we would need to address that. I don’t want to overstep our bonds in terms of what we are responsible for doing. Clearly I mean I didn’t run for Sheriff I 51 didn’t run for Deputy, I mean I’m not in a deputies position or anything like that. I try to do the best I can with what I’m responsible for doing. I just need to make sure everybody else is doing what they’re supposed to be doing as they’re responsible for doing it to the best of their abilities. And so until we can hear something you know from our law enforcement folks as far as what the plan it to address you know these issues that have arisen I’m willing to discuss and certainly you know listen to anything and I’m all for that. I’ll vote for it. But I do definitely want to see that our Chief Law Enforcement Officer is you know in place and having some comments in reference to this situation and future situations in terms of how we dealt with not only one; with existing resources but then two; what additional things would you need if in fact you do not have the resources or way of manipulating your resources to address those high crime areas or those areas where you know you have high foot traffic or you want you know your folks to feel safe. So I definitely have no problem with the discussion, Mr. Chairman, but that’s something that I just think needs to be done and we need to hear from our Chief Law Enforcement Officer on that. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, I agree. Fred, then Commissioner Williams. Do you want to respond to that, Fred? Mr. Russell: I think, now I can’t remember which one but whoever said the whole listing approach to this I think that’s very important because as you said cameras, lights and those things are nice but you’d have to look at everything that’s going on there. We’ve begun having those discussions. There’s some things that are being done as we speak to tighten the security there but I think what I envision on that day is a joint presentation from the Sheriff and myself on not only the technical aspects but the other aspects to what we’re doing there. And that’s what we’re looking at sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. A lot of us carry guns but we don’t carry guns and badges. So I’m all in favor in meeting with the Sheriff but there’s some things that we can do in house and if you look at the Riverwalk the shrubberies really are overgrown. The shrubberies are up high that there’s places for people to hide that we can, that’s something we don’t have to wait on the Sheriff to do. The lighting is bad, the trees go down because and I say so down grown down low. The greenery is pretty but we’ve got to address this thing a little bit differently and that is to take our forces and go in there and do those things. Hopefully when we get with the Sheriff and in Savannah again I saw the officers in the park with their dogs. Dogs are intimidating in a lot of ways to deter crime. They don’t know whether the dog is on command to attack or not. But that just shows that there is a service of protection there. So getting with the Sheriff doing whatever Ms. Davis and anybody has said I think we’ll sit down and look at it as a whole. I think we can up with some things but the first thing is and we tell this in neighborhood meetings. People think they’re hiding from the world outside by letting shrubbery grow up where they can’t see out there. Well people can’t see out but they can’t see in either. So we need to make sure that is cut back and that it’s nice and neat and pretty. But there’s a lot of places to hide on the Riverwalk right now and walking down there is really, can be frightening especially after what just took place. That’s one of the first things we can do. 52 Mr. Russell: If I may that’s part of what we’re looking at is that environmental/crime prevention approach. And we’ve got people that can go through and do those surveys that can tell us what to cut what not to cut. As a former police officer the (unintelligible) is the best deterrent for crime in the world. If you put those nice little bushes around your house you can’t get through them. So those are the kinds of things that I perceive as happening. And once again the word is holistic because exactly what you said is that you’ve got to fix the environment too. So you’ve got to fix it all. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, I think as we move forward and then I’d like to get a motion to receive as information but it probably would be upon us to even probably you know I don’t know how many of us are available but we’re supposed to be down in the morning. But just kind of take a walk. If you haven’t let’s walk we can do it together to see exactly what we need to do from a Commission perspective to address the issue and get the correct heads or whoever involved to deal with what needs to be done. So maybe we can get a date that we can agree on th and we can go down and just walk that entire you know area from end I guess 5 Street all the thth way back to at least 12 or 13 and that way we can at least see what needs to be done in the high traffic areas to bring it back and make sure that they address these issues. Because I mean all of have things that we can look at and have different opinions and expertise on. And so at least I would like to do that. If we can maybe set up something hopefully, Fred, I know you’re going to be out of town next week but I’d like to do that as soon as possible. And we go down and take a look at it ourselves just to see what needs to be done as a body so we can make a note of those things and make sure people know that we have taken the necessary measures to make sure that when they’re out there that they are safe. But there’s other things other moving parts that need to be brought to the table so. Ms. Davis: So moved for receiving as information. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, so we have a motion. Mr. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We have a motion and second. Any further discussion? Hearing none vote by the usual sign of voting. Mr. Russell: There’s a security guard at my house next week. Mr. D. Smith: Fred, I thought I was staying at your house next week. Enjoy the view of the water. Mr. Lockett, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 7-0. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Madam Clerk, with no further business we stand adjourned. 53 [MEETING ADJOURNED] Nancy Morawski Deputy Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena 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 7, 2013. _____________________________ Clerk of Commission 54