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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-12-Meeting Mintues Public Service Committee Meeting Commission Chamber - 5/12/2015 ATTENDANCE: Present: Hons. Davis, Chairman; D. Williams, Vice Chairman; Fennoy and M. Williams, members. Absent: Hon. Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor. PUBLIC SERVICES 1. New Ownership Application: A. N. 15-22: A request by Kim Sharpton for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer, & Wine License to be used in connection with FLO located at 879 Broad Street. There will be Dance. District 1. Super District 9. Item Action: Approved Motions Motion Type Motion Text Made By Seconded By Motion Result Approve Motion to approve. Motion Passes 4-0. Commissioner Marion Williams Commissioner Dennis Williams Passes 2. New Ownership Application: A. N. 15-23: A request by Brian Brittingham for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with The Central Smokehouse and Cantina located at 1855 Central Avenue. There will be Sunday Sales. District 1. Super District 9. Item Action: Approved Motions Motion Type Motion Text Made By Seconded By Motion Result Approve Motion to approve. Motion Passes 4-0. Commissioner Marion Williams Commissioner Dennis Williams Passes 3. Consider Options for Municipal Building Campus, particularly as it relates to demolition of buildings being vacated. (Referred from April 28 Public Services Committee) Item Action: Approved Motions Motion Type Motion Text Made By Seconded By Motion Result Approve Motion to approve tasking the Administrator with bringing back to the full Commission a recommendation on the Synagogue and Court of Ordinary Building with options for funding sources and developing an agreement with Mr. Steinburg and his group for the implementation of plans for a museum. Motion Passes 4-0. Commissioner William Fennoy Commissioner Dennis Williams Passes 4. Motion to approve the minutes of the Public Services Committee held on April 28, 2015. Item Action: Approved Motions Motion Type Motion Text Made By Seconded By Motion Result Approve Motion to approve. Motion Passes 4-0. Commissioner Dennis Williams Commissioner Marion Williams Passes 5. Ordinance to Amend Augusta Code Title Seven Chapter Four Article Four Section 7-4-28 relating to the Requirement of Conformance with Certificate of Appropriateness; to repeal all Code Sections and Ordinances and parts of Code Sections and Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (Referred from May 5 Commission meeting) Item Action: Disapproved Motions Motion Type Motion Text Made By Seconded By Motion Result www.augustaga.gov Approve Motion to approve. Ms. Davis and Mr. D. Williams vote No. Motion Ties 2-2. Commissioner Marion Williams Commissioner William Fennoy Ties Public Service Committee Meeting 5/12/2015 1:00 PM Attendance 5/12/15 Department: Caption: Background: Analysis: Financial Impact: Alternatives: Recommendation: Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Public Service Committee Meeting 5/12/2015 1:00 PM Alcohol Application Department:Planning & Development Caption:New Ownership Application: A. N. 15-22: A request by Kim Sharpton for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer, & Wine License to be used in connection with FLO located at 879 Broad Street. There will be Dance. District 1. Super District 9. Background:This is a New Ownership Application. Formerly in the name of Anthony Evangelista, Analysis:This applicant meets all of the requirements of the City of Augusta's Alcohol Ordinance. Financial Impact:The applicant will pay a fee of $4,486.00. Alternatives: Recommendation:The Planning & Development Department recommends approval. The R.C.S.D. recommends approval. Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Finance. Law. Administrator. Clerk of Commission Public Service Committee Meeting 5/12/2015 1:00 PM Alcohol Application Department:Planning & Development Caption:New Ownership Application: A. N. 15-23: A request by Brian Brittingham for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with The Central Smokehouse and Cantina located at 1855 Central Avenue. There will be Sunday Sales. District 1. Super District 9. Background:This is a New Ownership Application. Formerly in the name of Andrew Crumrine. Analysis:This applicant meets all of the requirements of the City of Augusta's Alcohol Ordinance. Financial Impact:The applicant will pay a fee of $5,610.00 Alternatives: Recommendation:The Planning & Development Department recommends approval. The R.C.S.D. recommends approval. Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Finance. Law. Administrator. Clerk of Commission Public Service Committee Meeting 5/12/2015 1:00 PM Consider MB Campus Options Department:Recreation Parks and Facilities - Facilities Management Caption:Consider Options for Municipal Building Campus, particularly as it relates to demolition of buildings being vacated. (Referred from April 28 Public Services Committee) Background:In December 2013 the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approved demolition of the building which had housed the print shop and some information Technology Department staff (the rear portion of the Court of the Ordinary/Courthouse Annex), and the building that the remainder of the IT staff currently uses (the masonry structure with the metal building on top). The front portion of the Courthouse Annex is roughly 82’ long by 30’ wide and was constructed in the mid-1800s; HPC denied permission to demolish this front section. (See HRC meeting minutes attached.) The new IT building is nearing completion and staff will move in beginning on or about April 30, 2015. The current IT location is too close to the new building to conform to the requirements of the current fire and life safety codes. Demolition of the IT buildings is required in order to comply. Ideally, the demolition would have been completed prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) of the new IT facility. However, due to the fact that we could not shut down IT operations until we had the new facility ready, demolition prior to the move was not possible. As it relates to the certificate of occupancy (CO) for the new Information Technology (IT) building, the Planning & Development Department will issue a temporary CO for what they determine is a reasonable time period, not to exceed 90 days. A final CO will be issued when all life safety and fire codes have been satisfied. Turner Construction’s Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the Municipal Building renovation includes $180,000 for demolition and removal of the current IT buildings in their entirety. In order to salvage the area identified as historic (per the decision of the HPC), it would be necessary to install bracing and shoring to permit safe, selective demolition of a portion of the Court of the Ordinary. The remaining structure would need to be stabilized and secured as part of the work. These activities would increase our demolition costs by $206,561. Other factors to consider are that there is not a current identified use for the structure that would remain, and Augusta would also need to provide appropriate ongoing maintenance to prevent further deterioration. (Please note that because Turner is now completing their contract work, Heery has recommended that we deduct the demolition from Turner’s contract and that Augusta contract directly with vendor to secure demolition services. We anticipate that the increased costs for the selective demolition will still be the same if we contract directly with that vendor.) A closely related issue is that once the Planning and Development Department relocates to the Municipal Building, their current offices in the former Synagogue will remain vacant. There is no identified future use for this building. The Commission should consider the long term intentions for this building, including demolition, as they look at future development of the Municipal Building Campus and the services provided to the community. Analysis:Thoughtful planning today is essential to responsible use of taxpayer resources, both financial and historical. The Municipal Building campus is and will be for the foreseeable future, the center of operations for the Augusta-Richmond County Government. The block bordered by Greene Street, Telfair Street, 5th Street, and 6th Street should be sufficient to meet the needs of our citizens for many years. However, Augusta needs to consider planning for the future use of this confined site. Current issues which deserve discussion and consideration include: insufficient parking on the current campus, historic structures, and space for departments not included in the scope of the current renovation project (Those departments include Engineering, Juvenile Court, Public Defender, and the Law Dept.) Other factors that need to be taken into account when determining the path forward are: 1. We don’t have precise estimates on the costs associated with making either of the historic buildings usable. We do know that neither meets current code and it would be a costly proposition to make required code changes, should Augusta choose to renovate them for future use. 2. The final CO for the new IT building is dependent on demolition of the current IT buildings. 3. There are costs associated with retaining any remaining portion of the Court of the Ordinary and the former synagogue. The estimated average annual maintenance and utility costs for these structures would be $10,000. If the Commission determines they do not wish to commit that level of financial resources to retain vacant structures, they could be mothballed in accordance with the Augusta Ordinance which gives Augusta 6 months to determine what to do with these structures. Financial Impact:Funding in the amount of $661,000 is available for demolition on the MB Campus ($180,000 in the GMP contract, and $481,000 in remaining project accounts). It is estimated that complete or selective demolition of the 3 vacated buildings can be accomplished within this budget. The current amount under Turner’s contract reflects a $180,000 estimate for base demolition of the two IT buildings. The additional cost to perform selective demolition and stabilization of the Court of the Ordinary is estimated at $206,561.00. We do not have a bid number on the cost to demolish the former synagogue, but we believe the cost would be in the range of $250,000 to $300,000 if it were bid as a separate project, and less than that if it were added to a project including the Court of the Ordinary and old IT building demolition. In addition, should we decide not to move forward with full demolition, we would incur the maintenance costs described above. Alternatives:1) The Augusta Commission can approve an increase in funding of $206,561 and direct the contractor to proceed with selective demolition immediately. That funding is available through savings from changes in the scope of the Municipal Building Campus project. The scope of the renovations to the buildings that house the legal and engineering departments has been reduced. The total campus project cost would not be increased. 2) The Augusta Commission can determine that demolition of the vacated structures is in the best interest of Augusta and direct the Administrator to proceed with demolition procurement through Turner's GMP contract. 3) The Augusta Commission can request that the Historic Preservation Commission reconsider their denial to demolish the entire Court of the Ordinary structure, and also request to demolish the synagogue through the normal approval process. The time required to go through the process for reconsideration would likely delay demolition. 4) Determine another path forward not detailed above, such as providing for an exemption for municipal projects from Historic Preservation codes. Recommendation:Allocate the available funds to complete the demolition of the three vacant structures, following applicable codes; Authorize the extension of Turner Construction’s GMP contract through the 90- day period of the TCO; and Authorize the Administrator to take the necessary actions to complete these demolitions. Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: Funding in the amount of $661,000 is available for demolition on the MB Campus ($180,000 in the GMP contract, and $481,000 in remaining project accounts). REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Public Service Committee Meeting 5/12/2015 1:00 PM Minutes Department:Clerk of Commission Caption:Motion to approve the minutes of the Public Services Committee held on April 28, 2015. Background: Analysis: Financial Impact: Alternatives: Recommendation: Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: ORDINANCE NO. __________________ AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE AUGUSTA, GA CODE TITLE SEVEN CHAPTER FOUR ARTICLE FOUR SECTION 7-4-28 RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT OF CONFORMANCE WITH CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS; TO REPEAL ALL CODE SECTIONS AND ORDINANCES AND PARTS OF CODE SECTIONS AND ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, Section 7-4-28(e) binds the Augusta Commission, its various departments, authorities, commissions, committees, and boards to the provisions of Title Seven, Chapter four, Article Four of the AUGUSTA, GA CODE; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Commission adjust this binding language. THE AUGUSTA, GEORGIA COMMISSION hereby ordains as follows: SECTION 1. Augusta, GA Code Section 7-4-28, is hereby amended by striking this section in its entirety as set forth in “Exhibit A” hereto. A new Code Section 7-4-28 is hereby inserted to replace the repealed Code Section as set forth in “Exhibit B” hereto. SECTION 2. This ordinance shall become effective upon approval. SECTION 3. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, policies, and procedures in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Adopted this ____ day of ___________, 2015. ______________________________ Hardie Davis, Jr. As its Mayor Attest: ________________________________ Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission 1st Reading:______________________ 2nd Reading:______________________ Exhibit A STRIKE: Sec. 7-4-28. Requirement of conformance with certificate of appropriateness. (a) All work performed pursuant to an issued Certificate of Appropriateness shall conform to the requirements of such certificate. In the event work is performed not in accordance with such certificate, such work will constitute a violated of this Chapter and the Historic Preservation Commission shall issue a cease and desist order and all work shall cease. (b) Where this ordinance would require the abstention of a Certificate of Appropriateness and work upon a structure is undertaken without a Certificate of Appropriateness having been obtained, such work will constitute a violated of this Chapter and the Historic Preservation Commission shall issue a cease and desist order and all work shall cease. (c) Work which constitutes a violation of section 7-4-28(a) or (b) above or the failure to obey a cease and desist order issued pursuant to this Chapter shall constitute a separate and continuing violation of this Chapter. (d) The Commission or the Historic Preservation Commission shall be authorized to instate any appropriate action nor proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent any material change in the appearance of a designated historic property or property within a historic district, not made in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter or to prevent any illegal act or conduct with respect to such historic property or historic district. (e) The Commission, including its various departments, authorities, commissions, committees and boards, shall be bound be the requirements of this article. Exhibit B REPLACE WITH: Sec. 7-4-28. Requirement of conformance with certificate of appropriateness. (a) All work performed pursuant to an issued Certificate of Appropriateness shall conform to the requirements of such certificate. In the event work is performed not in accordance with such certificate, such work will constitute a violated of this Chapter and the Historic Preservation Commission shall issue a cease and desist order and all work shall cease. (b) Where this ordinance would require the abstention of a Certificate of Appropriateness and work upon a structure is undertaken without a Certificate of Appropriateness having been obtained, such work will constitute a violated of this Chapter and the Historic Preservation Commission shall issue a cease and desist order and all work shall cease. (c) Work which constitutes a violation of section 7-4-28(a) or (b) above or the failure to obey a cease and desist order issued pursuant to this Chapter shall constitute a separate and continuing violation of this Chapter. (d) The Augusta Commission or the Historic Preservation Commission shall be authorized to instate any appropriate action nor proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent any material change in the appearance of a designated historic property or property within a historic district, not made in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter or to prevent any illegal act or conduct with respect to such historic property or historic district. (e) The Augusta Commission, including its various departments, authorities, commissions, committees and boards, shall not be bound be the requirements of this article. Redline Sec. 7-4-28. Requirement of conformance with certificate of appropriateness. (a) All work performed pursuant to an issued Certificate of Appropriateness shall conform to the requirements of such certificate. In the event work is performed not in accordance with such certificate, such work will constitute a violated of this Chapter and the Historic Preservation Commission shall issue a cease and desist order and all work shall cease. (b) Where this ordinance would require the abstention of a Certificate of Appropriateness and work upon a structure is undertaken without a Certificate of Appropriateness having been obtained, such work will constitute a violated of this Chapter and the Historic Preservation Commission shall issue a cease and desist order and all work shall cease. (c) Work which constitutes a violation of section 7-4-28(a) or (b) above or the failure to obey a cease and desist order issued pursuant to this Chapter shall constitute a separate and continuing violation of this Chapter. (d) The Augusta Commission or the Historic Preservation Commission shall be authorized to instate any appropriate action nor proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent any material change in the appearance of a designated historic property or property within a historic district, not made in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter or to prevent any illegal act or conduct with respect to such historic property or historic district. (e) The Augusta Commission, including its various departments, authorities, commissions, committees and boards, shall not be bound be the requirements of this article. Public Service Committee Meeting 5/12/2015 1:00 PM Ordinance to Amend Augsuta Code Title Seven Chapter Four Article Four Section 7-4-28 Relating to the Requirement of Conformance with Certificate of Appropriateness Department:Administrator Caption:Ordinance to Amend Augusta Code Title Seven Chapter Four Article Four Section 7-4-28 relating to the Requirement of Conformance with Certificate of Appropriateness; to repeal all Code Sections and Ordinances and parts of Code Sections and Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (Referred from May 5 Commission meeting) Background: Analysis: Financial Impact: Alternatives: Recommendation: Funds are Available in the Following Accounts: None REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: