HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting September 17,2013
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 5:00 p.m., September 17, 2013, the
Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Mason, D. Smith, Williams, Fennoy, Davis and G.
Smith, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Absent: Hons. Johnson and Jackson, members of Augusta Richmond County
Commission.
Mr. Mayor: In the interest of time I’ll go ahead and call the meeting to order. And I’d
like to call on Reverend Dr. David Mill, Pastor, Mt. Zion AME Zion Church, for our invocation.
Please stand.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor: And, Reverend, I have something for you if you could please come forward
please, sir. And thank you for that wonderful invocation. Office of the Mayor. By these present
be it known that Rev. Dr. David Miller, Pastor, Mt. Zion AME Zion Church is Chaplain of the
Day. For his civic and spiritual guidance demonstrated throughout the community. Serves as an
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example for all the faith community. Given under my hand this 17 Day of September 2013.
Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE)
Ms. Holland: Good Afternoon. My name is Cindy Holland. I’m the Manager of
Employee Relations and Training in Human Resources. This month we had 24 employees with
5 to 20 years of service and two employees with at least 25 years of service one of whom is here
tonight. We’d like to recognize Donald White from the Fire Department with 25 years of
service. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the recognitions, please, ma’am.
The Clerk:
RECOGNITION(S)
Employee of the Month
A. Lt. Travis Lewis, Richmond County Correctional Institution (RCCI), August 2013
Employee of the Month.
The Clerk: The Employee Recognition Committee has selected Lt. Travis Lewis as the
August 2013 Employee of the Month for the City of Augusta. Travis Lewis is employed as a
Lieutenant for the Augusta Richmond County Correctional Institution and has been employed
with the county since 2003. He was nominated by Warden Evan Joseph. Lt. Lewis works daily
with the Engineering, Maintenance GDOT, Parks Recreation, Solid Waste, the Board of
Elections, Board of Education and other city departments to insure that work orders are
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completed in a timely manner. He supervisors all of the outside work detail officers and is one
of the key architects behind the departments cleanup plan for Masters Week which involves the
strategic placement of work crews along the major thoroughfares throughout the city. In
addition to his many duties and responsibilities Lt. Lewis is also RCCI’s point of contact for
scheduled vehicle maintenance. He works closely with Fleet Management to insure that the
department’s vehicles receive their scheduled maintenance increasing both budget savings and
personnel safety. Lt. Lewis is a consummate professional and is an asset to the department. He
always goes over and above his assigned duties and responsibilities. In addition he is eager to
assist others within the department and routinely volunteers his time whenever needed. Travis is
highly respected by his peers, subordinates and individuals from the various city departments
with whom he works. The Employee Recognition Committee felt that based on this nomination
and Lt. Lewis’ dedicated and loyal service to the City of Augusta and The Richmond County
Correctional Institution we would appreciate you joining us in recognizing him as the August
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2013 Employee of the Month at the Commission meeting to be held on Tuesday, September 17.
(APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: And I’ve got something else to present you with, Lt. Lewis. It’s a letter on
behalf of the City of Augusta. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate you for being
recognized as the Employee of the Month for August 2013. Your contribution to your
organization Augusta Richmond County Government and the citizens of Augusta has earned you
this recognition. I appreciate your willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty and your
outstanding work ethic. You are truly an asset to the Richmond County Correction Institute and
the citizens of Augusta Georgia. Please accept my personal congratulations on this wonderful
award. You are truly deserving of this recognition. Sincerely yours, Deke Copenhaver, Mayor.
(APPLAUSE) Would you like to say anything?
Lt. Lewis: I’d just like to say thanks to everybody involved. I’d like to thank the
Commission for recognizing me today. Thank you, Mayor. I’d like to thank Warden Joseph,
Deputy Warden Blackburn, Captain Peebles and everybody else that was involved. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. (APPLAUSE) Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the delegations,
please.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
B. Mr. Al M. Gray, President, Cost Recovery Works, Inc. regarding opposition to the
proposal to establish an Urban Redevelopment Area and Plan.
Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes, please, sir.
Mr. Gray: Mayor Copenhaver and Commissioners, thank you for allowing me to speak
in opposition to designating your downtown business district as a slum. When words are no
longer required to carry their true meaning and evolve into meaning the opposite all men and
women should shudder for in that immoral state what is the meaning of right and wrong. Let’s
look to the Department of Community Affairs guideline on how to do urban redevelopment in
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Georgia. It cautions against this Commission surrendering all of its authority to an agency or
another authority. But this resolution breathes life back into a body possessive of those powers,
all of them. It says there needs to be public and private input but that’s gone missing in these
proceedings. It says beware of conflicts if you have a Downtown Development Authority. It
says the redevelopment district can be a single parcel not requiring over a thousand of them in
595 acres. It cautions on the use of the broadened power of imminent domain and the power to
single out individual landowners for reward or punishment. It says that the redevelopment plan
is easily changed so that you can start with a very small district to fund the Municipal Building
with taxes and bonds and then expand the plan. These Department of Community Affairs
guidelines have neither been followed nor met in a myriad of ways. When you allow words to
lose meaning you allow debate over their meaning to obscure that which is the real public
menace. The people rightfully fear monsters hatched in the dark will go on the prowl and on the
feast on them in the dark. But these here guidelines shine light on the process so why not insist
that they all be met. Questions about this resolution are legion. Is it responsible to fund a
limited debt service with SPLOST revenues that have not been approved yet? Won’t the net
result force funds from a 99.8% of the rest of Richmond County into this district? Can’t a much
small opportunity zone be created? Can you recapture the powers that have been granted to the
Urban Redevelopment Agency that already exists? What is a foot with using the very different
Redevelopment Powers Act and a code terminus covering the same area tax allocation district
that’s been kept secret? Pictures as said to be worth a thousand words and the Mayor will hold
me to about 550 so let me conclude with two pictures. Here you see me with my most important
client, my mother. She was confronted with a county overlay zone out in Columbia County that
singled her property out for restrictions that would have gutted the value of her commercial site.
One Commissioner, two Planning Commissioners and the staff said the whole arrangement was a
done deal. Her property should be going to a, to the county for a par. She looked to be all alone
until vigilant property owners could be summoned and awakened to come to the rescue. The
people of Augusta are in similar peril. Arrogance around property rights exhibits ignorance of
how deep and wide the concepts of fairness and do unto others hold our world together. Here
you see how the communist Chinese had to yield to it when elderly homeowners refused to
surrender to that government. The ability under Augusta’s charter to pass any outrage at any
time in this chamber with six votes coupled with this slum resolution would have left those
people and my Mother defenseless and with no hope. Flush the word slum and let’s banish the
much overused word impossible from describing the situation in Augusta. Let’s do it now and
do it with conviction and do it together. Nothing is impossible to those who demand honor
instead of a slum. Thank you, Gentlemen and Lady.
Mr. Mayor: Four fifty-nine. (APPLAUSE) Ya’ll please, hold it down. Okay, thank
you, sir. Madam Clerk, next agenda or on to the consent agenda. Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Al, first of all thank you for reaching out to all of
the Commission and informing and corresponding with Jim Plunkett on seeing how we can come
to a resolution on this overlay zone. It’s not the overlay, it’s URA but anyway you’re talking
about cautioning the Commission against rending of its redevelopment powers to a authority.
Would you elaborate on that for me please?
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Mr. Gray: I went through the Department of Community Affairs’ 39-page How To
document which is a guideline on how to do urban redevelopment plans. And it puts a lot of
emphasis on the Commission you know carefully considering what powers it’s giving to the
agency. It mentions eminent domain. I’ve talked to Jim. That doesn’t seem to be as great a
problem directly, imminent domain unless you consider the fact that this agency can set the
wheels in motion so imminent is the likely outcome. The problem with this agency and it says
throughout the DCA document there are a lot of things you should consider like the ability to
single out one parcel for either preferential treatment or detrimental uses, restrictions.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Under that Imminent Domain the board consists of five members.
You’ve got a Chair, Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, whatever. The meeting could be called
within a 24-hour period, I believe I had read up on and I think two people would have to show
up. So you could have a party of three and a decision could be made by three people. Is that
correct?
Mr. Gray: I think that’s the way it is and what the problem with the restrictions are that
you can set in motion where the property owner has the option, the only option he has is to meet
those restrictions or then he would face an imminent domain proceeding is my understanding.
Mr. Guilfoyle: So in essence we could actually on our compromise just designate this
one parking lot as a URA and designate everything else as a tax allocated district, a opportunity
zone or enterprise zone?
Mr. Gray: Well, in the body of that document it said even one parcel could be designated
as the zone. It’s in the body of that document somewhere in that 39 pages. In looking at the
opportunity zone site for the Department of Community Affairs you could take another
approach. I mean you could draw a different zone say one that was bounded by Fifth and
Fifteenth Street and Telfair and Greene Streets that connects with the Harrisburg Opportunity
Zone. Or you could draw it back the other way and connect it up to Laney Walker Opportunity
Zone you’d still, under my understanding, get the tax credits and you could still get the financing
for this building. So it doesn’t have to be 595 acres. It’s kind of instructive that the city of
Sandy Springs I think there was an article circulated that sited Sandy Springs, Georgia as having
one of these slum designations. Well, when they went to the DCA with it they had five, no 495
acres there were 964 parcels and DCA only approved 135 of them for inclusion in the zone. So
there needs to be a lot of study about how this thing is supposed to be, you know, pursued.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Al.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Williams then Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Gray, I appreciate your enthusiasm and your
ability to share with us with the DCA and you understood. I did some inquiring I guess myself.
Under the present situation we’ve got a development authority could we and with your
knowledge do you know whether we could not use the development authority we already have in
existence to do what we’re trying to here to create something else.
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Mr. Gray: I haven’t looked specifically at the, which part is it you mentioned?
Mr. Williams: Development Authority.
Mr. Gray: The Development Authority. The Downtown Development Authority, yes,
it’s mentioned in the DCA guidelines if that’s an entity you could use. In fact there’s duplication
if you go with this other agency you know might take a look at disbanding the DDA all together
if you went with this agency that you’re trying to reestablish.
Mr. Williams: And also in my inquiring and my investigation, however you want to look
at it, I also found out that the Georgia Municipal Association has a program for what we need to
do. GMA could finance, could do some things within the structure of this building for the
government and get that same tax allocation or that same funding source through them. And I
thought you may have knowledge about that as well.
Mr. Gray: I’m not aware of that program but I would say this. A lot has been bandied
about, about the $2 million dollars of savings that you would have on this bond interest. One
property owner could lose that from this plan from being singled out with punitive treatment.
Mr. Williams: Okay, um, and I guess my last question is that like I don’t know about any
other commissioner but only I wasn’t informed about the initial study that was being held or
being proceeded before we got to this point here now when it came out in the papers about the
slum. I was not informed about we was even trying to get when the bond situation came up.
And the bond the agency came and said we had a great record we had a great bond rate that we
had a great rating and we were doing so good.
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I need it. We had such a great rating and I was all
up in the air and I was in support. I mean we just spent a lot of money on a new facility that we
move folks out of this building. And when we had such a good bond rate and we was instructed
that it would be better to go ahead and do everything while we’re doing it. And I thought it
made sense. But now I’m hearing that we need do this do help us with the great bond rating that
we had. And you know that kind of it’s kind of got me a little bit jittery. And I think Jim
Plunkett said to us that we would give up some power. I had an issue with that as well because I
don’t want to give no power to somebody that I don’t have to give it too. I mean power’s not
gain without a struggle I mean any way you go. So to give up those powers to tell somebody
else they will have that ability to do that which may leave this group out of the loop really
concerns me, concerns me a lot.
Mr. Gray: Well, you started out asking about public input and it is just replete through
the Department of Community Affairs document. You’re supposed to have the input of all the
property owners, the Commissioners, the Planning Commission, you’re supposed to reach out to
everybody in the community before you start one of these things. You’re not supposed to be
presented with a resolution like this with no warning. You’re not supposed, this is not supposed
to happen.
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Mr. Williams: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Lockett then Commissioner Smith then Commissioner
Mason.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Gray, I really appreciate what you’re
doing, what you’ve done and what I expect you to do in the future because lots of this stuff is we
as Commissioners we don’t really fully thoroughly understand. We have to rely on what’s being
presented to us. And with this when I first became aware of it I knew it didn’t pass the smell
test. I don’t support it. When we get to that agenda item I’m going to make a recommendation
and with the support of my colleagues it’s going to happen that this thing go back to the drawing
board that we have public hearings so that everybody, every concerned citizen and everybody on
this body is fully aware of what we’re trying to do. Like my colleague Commissioner Williams
said, we have lost enough power on this commission as it is. I’m not willing to give up anymore
at all. So I want to applaud you and I hope that if we are able to have these work sessions that
you will be able to come back because your knowledge is valuable to us. Thank you so much.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith.
Mr. Donnie Smith: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Gray, I won’t go into all that about
thank you for being here. Everybody’s already said all that. I’ll just get to the point. Is your
group that you represent and the people here against the designation of the resolution of the term
slum or is it against the Municipal Building project all together? Because those are two separate
issues in my mind. We have an obligation to protect our employees and to provide a safe
environment for them to work in. If anybody has been in our IT Building for any business when
I go over there I come out and I broke out in hives and I can’t breathe for a little while because of
the mold. And we have asked our employees to work in that environment for a long period of
time. So I will not back down on the fact that we need to do this project to look out for our
employees. And if we can do it at one time and save this community one point whatever million
dollars then that’s the fiduciary responsibility that I think each one of us embrace here to save
money. Now the other part about the slum designation I’m kind of upset over that in the fact that
we have not been apprised that there are other ways to do this up until now. So I’m just curious
which part of this, are you against all of it or just one part?
Mr. Gray: Well, I can’t speak for anybody else because I got on this agenda of my own
volition.
Mr. D. Smith: Yes, sir.
Mr. Gray: And I love big mega construction projects and I love this city because when I
set out on this process two years ago I wanted to find the biggest examples of fraud, corruption
and mismanagement I could possibly find. And I sure found a treasure trove in Augusta
Georgia, I promise you, you know ---
Mr. Mayor: And, Mr. Gray, I’d ask that you tone that down. That’s getting a little ---
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Mr. Gray: You’ve got control of the mike, Mr. Mayor. In terms of ---
Mr. Mayor: I don’t have an off switch.
Mr. Gray: It’s a good thing. To answer your question also about the Municipal Building
I haven’t looked, you’re adding another wing, it’s a costly process. When you get into a building
like this one that’s old you don’t have the design drawing that you have all kinds of issues about
knowing what you’re going to run into and it’s very costly. You know I have on my company’s
website I’ve got a risk assessment page and it says that the project like this one is going to be
very expensive. It’s going to be very unpredictable as to what the costs are. So I’m not against
building I love seeing construction. It’s just a huge opportunity for me personally but I don’t like
to see a tremendous amount of waste like I see down here.
Mr. D. Smith: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Gray. Just a couple of points. First
of all a point of clarification if I could, Mr. Mayor. I think Commissioner Guilfoyle or either
yourself had mentioned I think Commissioner Guilfoyle mentioned it and I think you agreed that
this board, you are a board could basically with two members start moving forward and making
decisions. I don’t think that’s an accurate statement or three up. That door was open, Mr.
Mayor, and Mr. Plunkett could speak to that, what that consists of, just to make sure that we’re
clear on that aspect of it.
Mr. Mayor: And would it be, you know, we’ve still got the actual agenda to out ---
Mr. Mason: Well, to be perfectly honest with you, Mr. Mayor, I don’t think we’re going
to do anything with that action item other than send it back because I don’t think there’s a will on
this body to do anything at this particular point. That word is very offensive to a lot of folks and
I don’t think we’re going to move anywhere on that today. But while he’s here I would hate for
us to leave out of here today with the idea that perhaps this board could have that type of
authority with such a few people. I think that’s important to clear up at this point since it was
brought up.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Plunkett, are you in the building? Mr. Plunkett.
Mr. Plunkett: Two things on the condemnation issue. One is is that there in order for the
URA Board to move forward with a condemnation there has to be a resolution by this board
directing that. In addition before any condemnation has to be done under urban redevelopment
laws this Commission has to make a finding or adopt a resolution. I sent this particular law to
Mr. Gray. That law was adopted in 2006. The document he is citing to is 2005 so his data is a
little bit old. Also for a point of clarification this is not an opportunity zone designation. There’s
been a lot of discussion about that and that is not what we’re looking at here. So I just want to
make sure that all the discussion opportunity zones are inapplicable at this time. Possibly this
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board would want to adopt or ask the DCA for that designation but that is not the request at this
point in time.
Mr. Mason: Thank you. Mr. Gray, I just wanted to just clarify that point.
Mr. Gray: I’d like to respond to that too.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Gray: That’s true. To have an order of condemnation it would have to come before
this body. But due to the Charter of this body anything as we have seen, anything can come and
get six votes at any time even to the point of Mr. Plunkett here as we’ve seen scribbling on a note
pad as the votes being made. Now what property owner in their right mind would buy property
in a jurisdiction like that? Because my mother had the protections in Columbia County. It had
to go through committee, it had to pass committee and it had come before the Board of
Commissioners. And that’s where we stopped it because they’ve drawn a gerrymandered map.
They even letters to the editor of the paper referencing the promises they were made against our
property. So you know you can say that this board has the final resolution but when you can
have six votes and have resolutions that are drawn up on a piece of paper while you’re taking the
votes ---
Mr. Mayor: Sir ---
Mr. Gray: --- there is no protection there.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay. And I’m just going to say look we’ve got a lot of other business to
get to for this meeting. I would ask you, are you a Richmond County taxpayer? Where’s your
place of residence?
Mr. Gray: My final resting place will be at Westover Cemetery if that matters to you, sir.
Mr. Mayor: You ain’t dead yet. Commissioner Mason, did you want to end then I’m
going to ask Mr. Russell and then we really have the people’s business of this county to get to
beyond this.
Mr. Mason: I understand, Mr. Mayor. This is important though. Thank you, Mr. Gray.
The other thing that I would say is based on the definition that was given to designate is it your
contention or your opinion that what has been proposed here in Augusta Richmond County does
not meet that definition?
Mr. Gray: No, I wouldn’t say that but going back to what Mr. Plunkett said about the
opportunity zone when I brought that up what I was talking about in DCA the key components
that seem to be talked about here are the funding for the court house, not the court house the
Municipal Building and also the jobs credit. That jobs credit is available if you designate a much
smaller zone. Of course it won’t be applicable outside out of that zone but there are ways to
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configure this zone, include this building in it and still have a lot of the aspects of what you’re
trying to do. It just wouldn’t be over 595 acres.
Mr. Mason: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, prior to recognizing Mr. Russell, I will say again, Mr. Gray, that I
would love because we have somebody coming forward and hold themselves out to be a
professional and an expert witness for a lack of a better term on this, I would love a list of
references and you know that would be great. And some background information on how you’ve
gotten this professional designation. Mr. Russell.
Mr. Gray: Well, can I address that?
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, I think I have the, I think I have the floor, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: I’ve recognized Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: And I greatly appreciate Mr. Gray’s coming forth with his information and
his advice and his direction. Unfortunately I believe he’s really shared a lot that’s not accurate.
He shared a lot that’s his personal opinion. He shares a lot that’s not really backed by the
credentials and the expertise of the people that we’ve been using for that last 15 years to do these
bonds. You know everybody has a right to their own opinion and we’ve given everybody a
chance to voice that. But if you would like to take just a second I think it’s only appropriate
since he’s made allegations against not only me but everybody sitting up there in participating in
illegal activities and fraud and compromise, that’s what he said that we listen to our bond advisor
and let her tell you how we got to where we are because you know that’s one side of the story
which you’ve heard from Mr. Gray. And like I said, Mr. Gray has a right to his opinion but let
me give you somebody that can give you the facts ---
Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor, point of privilege.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Will you advise the Administrator not to talk so loudly into the mike
because he got on Mr. Albright about that and he’s doing the same thing.
Mr. Mayor: Tone it down, Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: I apologize.
Mr. Gray: There was a question in there for me.
Mr. Mayor: No, no and I’m sorry, Mr. Gray, the Chair has to recognize you to speak.
You’ve had your five minutes if there’s no more questions for you.
Mr. Mayor: But I will have my say. I promise you, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: No ---
Mr. Gray: I thank you for your time. Good evening.
Mr. Mayor: And I’d like to hear from Ms. McNabb please.
Ms. McNabb: Good evening Commissioners. I, just as a reminder as your financial
advisor, I legally hold a fiduciary responsibility to this Commission and to Augusta. And in, just
tracing back a little bit when the original Urban Redevelopment Agency was created the purpose
was to assist in redevelopment and to provide a cost effective financing approach to the Laney
Walker/Bethlehem area. The background and the DCA guidelines are really just that they are
guidelines. They give examples they date back to 2005. There’s been legislation that has passed
since then and many urban redevelopment agencies throughout the state that have created and are
functioning. When we first did the Laney Walker/Bethlehem project one of my
recommendations and I’m not a lawyer. You know me, I’m a numbers person. But one of my
recommendations was in creating the agency the powers that were delegated to the agency were
then through and intergovernmental contract basically delegated back to the Commission. And
that has been our practice in looking at other projects. Now contrary to Mr. Gray’s
understanding of the powers of the Downtown Development Authority a downtown development
authority can not undertake municipal projects under any circumstance. Law suit Union City,
Georgia that specifically precluded Union City from undertaking building a new city hall
through their downtown development authority. The downtown development authorities really
are constituted in order to facilitate private sector projects. And ya’ll are familiar with the things
that the DDA have done and that is the projects that they undertake. The, when the legislature
created this whole ability to do these urban redevelopment agencies I’d have to say they perhaps
went down the road with a poor choice of words. The reference to slums is one word among
many in defining what type of properties can be included or would be appropriately included in
an area. It doesn’t mean by definition that you have necessarily slum buildings you can identify
but rather they include a lot of various buildings. Now I think the Urban Redevelopment Agency
one of the primary purposes is to provide for redevelopment of governmental purpose facilities.
So you’ve got the Downtown Redevelopment Authority that is facilitating the private
development and the Urban Redevelopment Agency its primary purpose is to assist in the
redevelopment of the public, the public investment into the redevelopment in your community.
That’s why the Municipal Building and the redevelopment of the Municipal Building fits into the
purpose of the urban redevelopment area. Now I’ve worked with redevelopment areas in
Marietta in Union City in Morrow, Alpharetta many different ones and this unfortunate term of
slums is not an unusual issue. And in fact in the DCA guidelines that Mr. Gray references they
in fact make reference to the fact that that terminology could potentially prove problematic and
that it should be carefully worded and carefully perused in undertaking these projects. You
know I went back through as you guys know I work on the government finance officers
association’s national committee on economic development. And so I went back through the
DCA’s guidelines again, it’s been a long time and they give lots of various alternatives. An
alternative if you don’t want to present things to the public and have public meetings just as well
as they give an alternative if you do want to have public meetings. So you know they give the
pros and cons of each approach and they do not weight in on which approach is better and
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certainly not on whether one’s legal and one isn’t because that’s not the case. So they if you
want to go back and look at those guidelines there’s sort of uh, you know academic type set of
guidelines on how you might approach it. And again if you don’t want public input or if you do
want public input so they give you these various alternatives. Going back though to what is
happening from a practical standpoint is that we’re utilizing throughout the state the urban
redevelopment agencies in order to facilitate the redevelopment of the governmental purpose
facilities which is your investment into the community to try to spur redevelopment in the private
sector as well. So that’s one of the purposes. One of the other issues was so this project in fact
could not be done through the Downtown Development Authority. The other alternative is to do
it Georgia Municipal Association and that was one of the things that we talked about months ago
when we first started talking about the Municipal Building Project itself. Doing the financing
through Georgia Municipal Association is a simply lease purchasing financing where you borrow
the money just like you do when you do a bond issue through the Urban Redevelopment Agency.
The difference is that’s a lease purchase financing you’re building is mortgaged which is I don’t
think a big issue but the bigger issue is that the payments are subject to annual appropriation. As
such the investors when they buy these securities are taking on more risk. They’re taking on the
risk that you well legally say we don’t want to appropriate this building anymore. We’ll just
move out and you can have it back. And so as a result the interest rates on those securities will
be a good bit higher than they would be on the Urban Redevelopment Agency bonds. I would a
half to a full percentage higher, 50-100 basis points. And you know how ya’ll hate me talking in
those numbers so I apologize. But that would result in at least $2 million dollars of additional
interest over the term of the financing. So it’s hard to when this redevelopment plan can it’s
really you’re defining an area that you would like to see redeveloped. Because the legislature
made sort of a poor choice of words in crafting that definition it causes not only you all and your
community but other communities a little bit of heartburn when it comes to making that
designation. But that designation is also serves you well in future economic activities because if
the area is already designated then if you have the opportunity or the Downtown Development
Authority has an opportunity to bring in a new industry and it’s already been designated as an
urban redevelopment area then they know that the project can move forward quickly. I can tell
you that’s one of the big differences in negotiating with developers.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Fennoy then Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Fennoy: I have a couple of concerns with what you just said and I guess my initial
concern is that Columbia County was able to get the funding without the designation of that area
as a slum. The second concern is that they did not have a URA. They did not have to establish a
URA in order to get funding for that project up there. And I guess one of my biggest concerns is
that I was looking at the news and they were talking about the flooding that’s taking place in
Colorado. And every time it rains in Augusta I talk about the flooding that takes place in
downtown. And to some people flooding is flooding but when I look at what goes on in
Colorado and what’s going on downtown it’s a big vast difference. And once we attach the word
slum to the, to downtown when people see that designation they don’t know whether I’m talking
about downtown Augusta or whether I’m taking about Colorado. The only thing they see. So
the impact that that language would have on not only the merchants because you know we may
save $2 million dollars over the life of the bond but how much revenues will the merchants lose
11
because people do not want to come to a slum area. How would that impact our property taxes
because people don’t want to build and redevelop in a ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you two more.
Mr. Fennoy: --- in a slum area. And I hate to be compared to Columbia County but if
Columbia County can do it without the designation of slum, if Columbia County can do it
without a URA then what’s preventing Richmond County from doing the same thing?
Ms. McNabb: I’ll need to find out exactly how Columbia County did it. Is anybody
aware?
Mr. Guilfoyle: I think they did an opportunity zone.
Ms. McNabb: No, an opportunity zone won’t provide for a municipal project. So I’ll be
happy to follow up on that ---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Ms. McNabb: --- and find out how they did it. Now I’m not sure and I haven’t run into
this anywhere else I’m not sure how anybody would coming into the city would ever know that it
was, that a particular area was designated as a slum. I mean it doesn’t, it doesn’t appear on the
property tax bill or the designation or I mean it’s not something that appears anywhere. And you
know the way that the, if everyone would read the legislation they would see that it can be as
simple as needing to change the flow of street traffic and things like that but I don’t know how
they would, I mean certainly in these other areas they haven’t been impacted by that designation,
by the definition. Now it can be done where you simply make reference to it and say in
accordance with the official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 36-6-21 ---
Mr. Mayor: And I ---
Ms. McNabb: --- that ---
Mr. Mayor: --- let me just say and I think that’s the direction we’re headed. If there’s
and we’ll hear from Mr. Plunkett I know at some point again if there is. I think there is an
opportunity to take that word out. I would say too that you know last week we hosted Tech Net
Augusta, 2600 attendees at that event and a number of other things we’ve had downtown this
week, Art in the Heart we’ve got Westabo coming, Iron Man so we are bringing people into the
city center and they’re loving Augusta. I agree with you. I understand why people have
heartburn with the word and if there is the opportunity to reference that and not use the word I
think that would go a long way towards helping the situation. Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Diane, you were speaking about the URA.
The main use of that is to actually for governmental projects.
12
Ms. McNabb: That’s the one vehicle governments have. That’s the one I’ve seen used
most often.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay. And then in another sentence you said it’ll actually bring in help
bring in private development.
Ms. McNabb: Right that the investment that the government makes in the redevelopment
of the governmental purpose area helps to bring in other development that might go through the
DDA.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Just a point of clarification. Give me an example of what kind of private
company would come in.
Ms. McNabb: Um, well, let me, I can give you an example of the project that was done
in Union City. They did, they built a new high school.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Still a governmental entity.
Ms. McNabb: A governmental, that’s right and what that allowed was that developers
chose to because of the nice new high school that governmental project that was there it brought
developers who wished to develop new businesses around in the same vicinity.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay why ---
Ms. McNabb: Because of the traffic, you know, the increased traffic.
Mr. Guilfoyle: All right. If the URA is designed for a governmental projects, why did
we encompass over 500 acres into this?
Ms. McNabb: It could be for ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: Why not just focus ---
Ms. McNabb: --- it could be for, and I’ve that’s up to you how you define the area. But
it can be for solving flooding problems.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay.
Ms. McNabb: You know if that’s considered a significant issue that needs to be
addressed then you would want your area to include that which encompasses the improvements
necessary to stop the flooding.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay simple question here. When a SPLOST is passed what’s the shelf
life before the money is spent? How long can this government sit on SPLOST money before we
have to give it back to the ---
13
Ms. McNabb: You can sit ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: The shelf life.
Ms. McNabb: --- right. So long as the projects that were approved to be financed with
SPLOST have not been completed then you hold that money until those projects are completed.
Mr. Guilfoyle: But if there’s no designation let’s say for this one building right here if
there’s no designation on the next SPLOST for this building for the funding how are we going to
come up with the money to do these bonds.
Ms. McNabb: You mean if the SPLOST doesn’t pass then you have to put it in your
operating millage.
Mr. Guilfoyle: No, ma’am, if the stuff that’s on the next SPLOST let’s say the
infrastructure to put in new sewage drains Farmer’s Market a pavilion you noticed I’ve thrown
that in and no extra money. How are we going to pull money out of them the set aside projects
to fund this building?
Ms. McNabb: The only way you can, if the, if this building isn’t in an approved project -
--
Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. McNab: --- then you would have to determine that the other projects have either
been completed or are no longer needed or feasible then ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: We’re robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Ms. McNabb: --- and then that’s what I think the intent is that it would be included as
one of the projects.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay. Thank you, Ms. Diane.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett then Commissioner Smith.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Diane, I believe September of last year
there about you appeared before this body talking about the Urban Redevelopment Act. And it’s
my understanding that one of my former colleagues Dr. Hatney asked you some questions and is
it useful to bring it back to this body. Do you recall that?
Ms. McNabb: Was it a market update?
Mr. Lockett: It was in reference to URA’s. If you don’t remember I’ll move because
maybe that’s something ---
14
Ms. McNabb: I don’t remember ---
Mr. Lockett: Okay.
Ms. McNabb: but maybe it’s something I know.
Mr. Lockett: You know this slum designation I refuse to take it lightly. I just returned
from the University of Georgia an hour or so and we had people there from all over the state
elected officials. Many of them were aware of the fact that we were getting ready to make parts
of Augusta designated as a slum area. It’s already been in the Athens newspaper, it’s been in the
Savannah newspaper and so forth. And I doubt very seriously if they’re going to read the fiscals
of Georgia to find out exactly what this means.
Ms. McNabb: Sure I understand.
Mr. Lockett: And for a long time our Housing and Community Development has been
spending $6,000 dollars a month to rebrand Augusta, to make Augusta Richmond County the
kind of place that everybody wants to come and live but then just one resolution making five
hundred and some acres a slum area that’s just going to just knock that out the window.
Ms. McNabb: Well I think that you all are the governing body and you make those
decisions. It’s not up to me to make, you know I just present you with the facts, the difference in
the ---
Mr. Lockett: Yes, ma’am, I understand what you’re saying I accept that. But the fact is
we were the last to know. The media were aware of this before this body was. Had we had
those meetings in advance, we would’ve been able to put our input in maybe some of this
because of, stopped from happening. The slum designation is bad enough. I want to tell you
why because according to those CGA a slum is a place that contributes substantially increases
the spread of disease and crime. Local centers of disease promote juvenile delinquency. We
have some great people that lives in (inaudible) ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Lockett: --- in some areas.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner, that’s two. And that’s the second time I’ve recognized.
Mr. Lockett: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. And Commissioner Smith and you know we haven’t even
started the regular agenda yet so I’d ask that after Commissioner Smith we move on.
Mr. Donnie Smith: I just have two questions and they’re pretty simple. What’s our bond
rating?
15
Ms. McNabb: It’s AA2.
Mr. D. Smith: AA2 and not a lot of governments in the state of Georgia have that? So
we ---
Ms. McNabb: It’s very high.
Mr. D. Smith: It’s very high. Will the press make note of that because we kicked a lot
about a lot of things so I would like for y’all to note that that this group has done a good job of
managing their finances. The second part of that is you said that there was two or three different
ways to do things having public meetings and not having public meetings. You were not
encouraging this body to do something without having a public meeting or public input.
Ms. NcNabb: No, sir.
Mr. D. Smith: Okay.
Ms. McNabb: Absolutely not. I just wanted to make sure that you understood that the
DCA guidelines included both of those alternatives.
Mr. D. Smith: I just wanted to make sure nobody left this building thinking ---
Ms. McNabb: No, sir.
Mr. D. Smith: --- that we were we would do something without having public input
because there’s been a great deal of criticism here today about that. So I wanted to make sure
that that we were clear that you as consultant you were not advocating that. Thank you.
Ms. McNabb: Absolutely not.
Mr. Mayor: And we’ll end this discussion but Commissioner Smith I’ve served on the
board of DCA for many years. They do leave those guidelines very broad so that communities
can tailor make them to the way that they want to proceed. But thank you, Ms. McNabb, and
Madam Clerk, on to the consent agenda please.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-33. And under the Planning
portion of the agenda I’ll read the planning petitions and if there is anyone who has an objection
to any of these would you please signify your objection by raising your hand.
Item 3: Is a request to approve a petition for a change of zoning from Zone R-1C (One-
family Residential) to Zone R-2 (Two-family Residential) affecting property in Tract A at 1440
½ Twiggs Street, 1146 Twiggs Street and 31 Ash Street and on Tract B affecting property at
1502 and 1506 Twiggs Street and 24 and 26 Ash Street.
Item 4: Is a request to approve with conditions the site plan must substantially conform
to the concept plan submitted with this petition which much include a 50 foot natural buffer on
16
the rear property line; a petition for a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone B-2
(General Business) affecting property located at 879 Scott Nixon Memorial Drive.
Item 5: Is a request to approve a petition for a change of zoning from Zone R-1A (One-
family Residential) to Zone B-2 (General Business) on property located at 244 Camilla Avenue.
Item 6: Is to approve with conditions that are listed below a petition by Blanchard and
Calhoun Commercial on behalf of Nixon Trust and James M. Johnson requesting a modification
of conditions place on approximately 44 acres and this property located at 3715 Walton Way
Extension, 3302 Hebron Court, 3304 Hebron Court, 3306 Hebron Court, 33723 Walton Way
Extension and 42 Dominion Way.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of these Planning petitions?
Mr. Russell: Yes, we have objectors and could you share with me which one you’re
objecting to, sir?
Mr. Speaker: (inaudible) Hebron Court ---
Mr. Russell: What number?
Mr. Speaker: (inaudible).
Mr. Russell: Same objector for each one Hebron Court?
Mr. D. Smith: Item number six.
Mr. Russell: Let me, we’ll get to you in a second there. I just need to get that pulled, sir.
So we need to pull that one, Mr. Mayor.
The Clerk: Okay. Under the Public Services portion of our agenda we have one alcohol
petition and if anyone has an objection would you please signify your request, your objection by
raising your hand.
Item 8: This is a request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to
be used in connection with Andrews located at 231 Fury Ferry Road Ste 200 & 202. There will
be Dance and Sunday Sales.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to this alcohol petition?
Mr. Russell: None noted, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: So that is our consent agenda Items 1-33.
Mr. Russell: With six pulled, sir, and item 31 for a correction.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Did you want me to read the correction and the ---
17
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am, please.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
31. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held
September 3, 2013 and Special Called Legal Meeting held September 9, 2013.
The Clerk: Okay. We have a request on the addendum for a correction to be made on the
th
minutes of the Called Meeting that was on September the 9. This is just to correct a
typographical error that was made in the caption. In the agenda item the last part of the caption
read 49 CFR Part 23. And it should have read 49 CFR Part 26.
Mr. Mayor: Can I get a motion to approve?
Mr. Lockett: Motion to approve.
Mr. D. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: And add it to the consent agenda? Commissioner will now vote ---
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Excuse me.
Mr. Russell: --- I’m sorry, we’ve got, Nancy?
The Clerk: Yes, sir. We have also a request from the Planning Commission to add one
item to the agenda which we apparently inadvertently left off when it was being prepared.
The Clerk:
ADDENDUM
45. Z-13-40 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the following conditions 1) the only use of the property be a bake shop or
those uses permitted in an R-1A Zone; 2) the development of the property must be
consistent with the site plan submitted with this petition; and 3) the site must be in full
compliance with the Augusta Tree Ordinance; a petition by Angela McDaniel Mitchell for
a change of zoning from Zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to Zone B-1 (Neighborhood
Business) affecting property located at 101 Avondale Drive.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: And Mr. Patty informs me that should have been on the consent agenda, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Do we have unanimous consent to add this to the consent agenda?
Commissioner Lockett.
18
Mr. D. Smith: Fennoy.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy, Bill.
Mr. Fennoy: Could be pull item number nine from the?
Mr. Mayor: I haven’t gotten to the ---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Ms. Davis and did we have unanimous consent to add and put that on
the consent?
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: I’d like to add 34 and 44 to consent.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we did not vote on that, vote to approve the addendum agenda and
add it to the consent agenda. We had a motion and properly seconded. Commissioners will now
vote by the usual sign.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Ms. Davis, now I look for addition to the consent agenda.
Ms. Davis: Consent 34 and 44 please. And just noted that 42 is a duplicate to 17. I don’t
know if we take that off or leave it.
Mr. Mayor: We had that to the consent as well.
Ms. Davis: It’s the same thing as 17 that’s on the consent.
Mr. Mayor: Okay 34, 44, 17. Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, sir, would you be kind enough to add 41 and 45 if nobody has an
issue with it.
Mr. Mayor: We haven’t had the legal meeting yet so.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I’m sorry.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Williams.
19
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to add 43 to the consent. It’s been taken care of
already so we need to add that to the consent.
Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Chairman?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Commissioner Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: Point of clarity, please, sir. I spoke with the Mayor Pro Tem last night
about item number 26 and he was not going to be here today and he was satisfied with the
information that he had gotten about 36. So I don’t know whether to proceed on his behalf
because he was the only one who had an interest in this whether we send it back to committee or
whether we put it on consent. But clearly he indicated in conversation with me last night that he
had the information that he wanted.
Mr. Mayor: If he’s okay with it, does anybody have any problem adding it to consent?
Okay, we’ll consent 36 as well.
Mr. D. Smith: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: I would like to add 39 to the consent agenda unless Commissioner Williams
still wants to talk about it.
Mr. Mayor: You okay with that, Commissioner Williams?
Mr. Williams: No, sir, I need to discuss it please.
Mr. Lockett: Okay, add 38 to the consent agenda?
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Lockett: Uh, Commissioner Williams, do you still want to talk about agenda item
35?
Mr. Williams: Yes sir, please sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ve got consent of 34, 36, 38, 41, 43 and 44. Is that correct? Thirty
three’s actually on the consent.
Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Just for some clarity. On 38 it just says to discuss a path forward to hire a
contract compliance officer. We’re just consenting that that’s not giving any specific
20
instructions as far as I’m concerned as to what path we’re going to take because we haven’t
discussed it. So unless ---
Mr. Mayor: In deference to Commissioner Johnson, would everybody be okay sending
that one back to committee?
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Lockett: As long as the committee is allowed the opportunity ---
Mr. Mason: Now that’s a whole (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay, can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda?
Mr. Williams: So moved.
Mr. D. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mason: Uh --
Mr. Russell: Wait a minute.
Mr. Mason: Hold, hold on, Mr. Mayor, we haven’t gone to any pulled items.
Mr. Mayor: Oh, excuse me. It’s been a long day already. Do we, other than agenda item
six do we have any items to be pulled for discussion? Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Agenda item 12 and 22.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, did you have your hand up?
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, I’d like to get some clarity on item 3 and item 6 I need some.
Mr. Mayor: And six we’ve actually already pulled.
Mr. Williams: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Mason?
Mr. Mason: Yes, sir, thank you, Mr. Mayor, I just want to be recorded as a no vote,
Madam Clerk, on item number 11 and item number 26.
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Mason: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: I hate to interrupt you there but I didn’t catch up. A no vote on agenda item
number 11 for me also.
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that has been properly made and seconded to
approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, that item eleven. Shouldn’t we pull that and at least have some
dialogue about it before we just accept two no votes without ---
Mr. Mayor: Well, I guess that depends on who you ask but if you’d like to pull it.
Mr. Williams: I’ll just go ahead and pull it eleven and we can ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Yes sir, Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Could the record show me as a no vote on item number eleven?
Mr. Mayor: We’ve actually just pulled that one for discussion.
Mr. Fennoy: But I still want the record to show it.
Mr. Mayor: Well, when we vote on it you’ll have that opportunity to put it right there on
the record. Okay, hearing no more items to be pulled for discussion ---
Mr. Williams: Can you read back those that have been, those that have been pulled
again. Is that those, Madam Clerk, please say it’s 11, 12 and 22.
The Clerk: Those are the ones to be pulled, yes, sir.
Mr. Williams: All right I’ve got them, Nancy. Thank you very much.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. FINAL PLAT – MCCOY’S CREEK, SECTION 2 – S-833 – a request for concurrence
with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by James G. Swift &
Associates, on behalf of Prather Construction Co. Inc., requesting final plat approval for
22
McCoy’s Creek, Section 2. This residential subdivision is located off Gordon Hwy.,
adjacent to McCoy’s Creek Section 1 and contains 18 lots.
2. FINAL PLAT – MCCOY’S CREEK, SECTION 3 – S-838 – a request for concurrence
with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by James G. Swift &
associates, on behalf of Prather Construction Co. Inc., requesting final plat approval for
McCoy’s Creek, Section 3. This residential subdivision is located off Gordon Hwy.,
adjacent to McCoy’s Creek Section 1 and contains 31 lots.
4. Z-13-43 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the following conditions 1) the site plan must substantially conform to the
concept plan submitted with this petition which must include a 50 foot natural buffer on
the rear property line; a petition by John Engler, on behalf of McKnight Properties,
requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone B-2 (General Business)
affecting property containing approximately 5 acres and is known as 879 Scott Nixon
Memorial Drive. (Tax Map 022-0-010-11-0) DISTRICT 3
5. Z-13-44 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve a petition by Gilbert Iarocci Jr., on behalf of Gilbert Iarocci Jr. And Henry
Steinberg, requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to Zone
B-2 (General Business) affecting property containing .47 acres and is known as 244 Camilla
Avenue. (Tax Map 016-0-011-00-0) DISTRICT 7
PUBLIC SERVICES
7. Motion to approve tasking the Administrator and General Counsel to develop a
methodology to require absentee landlords to maintain their properties and report back
with recommendations in 45 days. (Approved by Public Services Committee September 9,
2013)
8. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 13-27: request by Christopher
Marks for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Andrews located at 231 Furys Ferry Rd Ste 200 & 202. There will be
Dance. There will be Sunday Sales. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public
Services Committee September 9, 2013)
9. Motion to approve an Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title One Chapter
Two Article One Section 1-2-2 Relating to the Time for Commission Meetings of the
Augusta, Georgia Board of Commissioners; 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. (Approved by the Commission September 3, 2013 – second
reading)
10. Motion to approve Bid Item 13-170, Park Site Furnishings, to Swartz Associates in the
amount of $54,860.00. (Approved by Public Services Committee September 9, 2013)
13. Motion to approve an ordinance to amend Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 2-
1-3, Administrative and Regulatory Fee Structure-Occupation Tax Structure, so as to
provide an administrative fee for failure to file required tax return; and to waive the
second reading. (Approved by Public Services Committee September 9, 2013)
14. Motion to approve a component to the existing Purchase Order P2202090 to renovate
57 (fifty seven) existing showers as requested by the Sheriff’s Office. (Approved by Public
Services Committee September 9, 2013)
23
PUBLIC SAFETY
15. Motion to accept a grant award for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office through
Department of Homeland Security for a K-9 transport vehicle. GEMA, the state agency
administering the award, is purchasing a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicle and awarding it to
the RCSO K-9 unit. (Approved by Public Safety Committee September 9, 2013)
16. Motion to approve the request from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) to
utilize funds to connect the internet and phone service at the Training Range facility to the
existing county fiber network at the county landfill. (Approved by Public Safety Committee
September 9, 2013)
17. Motion to approve moving forward with the creation of the Richmond County State
Court Traffic Violations Bureau. (Approved by Public Safety Committee September 9,
2013)
FINANCE
18. Motion to approve placing the existing vehicle and equipment maintenance contract
with the First Vehicle Services on a month-to-month basis and advertise for an RFP for
these services or bring the operations in-house. (Approved by Finance Committee
September 9, 2013)
19. Motion to approve for the replacement of 5 public safety vehicles of the Marshal’s
Office and District Attorney’s Office from Phase VI, Sales Tax Referendum. (Approved by
Finance Committee September 9, 2013)
20. Motion to approve the replacement of 2 Work Detail vans for Engineering-
Maintenance Division. (Approved by Finance Committee September 9, 2013)
21. Motion to approve transfer of funds to cover Worker’s Compensation claims through
the end of 2013. (Approved by Finance Committee September 9, 2013)
23. Motion to approve a request from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for acceptance
of the JAG 2013 grant award and increase the 2013 budget in the amount of $90,191.
(Approved by Finance Committee September 9, 2013)
24. Motion to approve refund for property located at 335 Berckmans Road, M/P#019-0-
046-00-0; Owner: Berckman Residential Properties LLC; refund amount of $1,624.89 for
tax year 2010; improvement demolished. (Approved by Finance Committee September 9,
2013)
25. Motion to approve refunds for properties located at: 335 Berckmans Rd. (M/P#019-0-
046-00-0 for 2011); 346 Heath Dr. (M/P# 019-0-032-00-0 for 2010 & 2011); 346 Heath Dr.
(M/P# 010-0-101-00-0 for 2010 & 2011). Multiple parcel values were changed for the tax
years listed due to improvements and accessories as demolished before tax year 2010.
(Approved by Finance Committee September 9, 2013)
26. Motion to deny a request from Mr. Richard Lee Crawford for a refund of taxes
overpaid for the last three years for property located at 4354 Bath Edie Road, Hephzibah,
GA. (Approved by Finance Committee September 9, 2013)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
27. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way, permanent easement and two driveway easements (Parcel 193-0-003-00-0) 2503
Patterson Bridge Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 9, 2013)
24
28. Motion to approve the acceptance of a donated permanent easement from Patrick
Murdock O’Neil and Robin W. O’Neil, as owners, to Augusta, Georgia, in connection with
the Mims Road Repair at Mims Pond Project, said permanent easement consists of 2,002.2
sq. ft. (0.046 acre), more or less, of permanent drainage and utility easement, and 1,228.7
sq. ft. (9.0282 acre), more or less, of permanent easement for construction and maintenance
of slopes (A), and 1,374.8 sq. ft. (0.0316 acre), more or less, of permanent easement for
construction and maintenance of slopes (B), from the property located at 2184 Mims Road,
private. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 9, 2013)
29. Motion to approve an Option for the purposes of acquiring a Right-of-Way between
Leonard Thomas Mays and Peggy Ruth Overstreet Mays, as owner, and Augusta, Georgia,
as optionee, in connection with the Marks Church Road Reconstruction Project, 0.045 acre
(1,958.74 sq. ft.) of temporary construction easement, more or less and one temporary
driveway easement on Project Marks Church Road Reconstruction, from property located
at: 1368 Marks Church Road, private, at the purchase price of $6,600.00. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee September 9, 2013)
30. Motion to approve an Option for the purposes of acquiring a Right-of-Way between
Thomas Dewing Kohli as Trustee of The Virginia Bock Kohli Living Trust, as owners, and
Augusta, Georgia, as optionee, in connection with the Marks Church Road Reconstruction
Project, consisting of 0.010 acres (415.32 sq. ft.) in fee simple and N/A acre of permanent
construction and maintenance easement, more or less; and 2,570.74 sq. ft. of temporary
construction easement, more or less, and N/A temporary driveway drive-way easement,
from property located at: 2904 Raes Creek Road, private, at the purchase price of
$2,850.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 9, 2013)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
31. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held
September 3, 2013 and Special Called Legal Meeting held September 9, 2013.
SUBCOMMITTEE
Pension Committee
32. Motion to adopt Amendment to GMEBS II Plan regarding conversion of unused sick
leave toward retirement credit. This plan covers members of the former Planning and
Zoning Department. (Approved by Pension Committee September 9, 2013)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
34. Motion to approve Year 2014 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Program, Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, Emergency
Solutions Grant (ESG) Program, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS
(HOPWA) Program.
36. Discuss how people are appointed to the appropriations committee on the Arts Council,
their term on the committee and their residence. (Requested by Commissioner Johnson)
Referred from August 26 Administrative Services Committee)
41. Approve a Resolution adopting the Augusta-Richmond County Short-Term Work
Program, 2013-18.
42. Motion to approve moving forward with the creation of the Richmond County State
Court Traffic Violations Bureau.
25
ENGINEERING SERVICES
43. Presentation by Ms. Beaurine Wilkins regarding the pick p of her bulk waste.
44. Effective immediately – motion to authorize the Engineering Department and Law
Department to utilize and abide by the policy that the Georgia Department of
Transportation (GDOT) Right of Way Office follows specifically: Right of way memo 00-13
Partial Take Closing without Lien Releases, on all transportation projects for which
Augusta, GA. is responsible for right-of-way acquisitions.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we do have a motion to approve the consent agenda that’s been
properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, let’s go to the first pulled agenda item. I’ve lost track
and I’m not sure it was.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, that’s I think that’s item number three.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
3. Z-13-42 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve a petition by APD, on behalf of Augusta Land Bank Authority, requesting a
change of zoning from Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) to Zone R-2 (Two-family
Residential) affecting property described as follows: Tract A-contains three tax parcels
containing a total of .28 acres and known as 1440 ½ Twiggs Street, 1446 Twiggs Street and
31 Ash Street. (Tax Map 059-4-033-00-0, 059-4-034-00-0, 059-4-035-00-0) DISTRICT 2
Tract B-contains four tax parcels containing a total of .29 acres and known as 1502 and
1506 Twiggs Street and 24 and 26 Ash Street. (Tax Map 059-4-086-00-0, 059-4-087-00-0,
059-4-084-00-0 and 059-4-085-00-0) DISTRICT 2
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir. George, can you, I know I’m thinking this is the new facility that
the Housing Authority’s supposed to build some senior. That’s supposed to be senior?
Mr. Patty: That’s correct.
Mr. Williams: Is that going to be senior only or is that going to be?
Mr. Patty: Mr. Wheeler’s here and he’s going to have to answer that, Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams: Okay.
26
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Wheeler.
Mr. William: Mr. Wheeler, I just need ---
Mr. Mayor: You’ve just got a quick question? Okay. Mr. Wheeler.
th
Mr. Williams: Mr. Wheeler, I was inquiring about this property on Twiggs and I think 9
Street right there. It runs into MLK and Milledgeville Road. Is that just going to be a senior
complex or is that going to be multifamily but not I need to get an understanding as to what
we’re approving here.
Mr. Wheeler: Commissioner, there’s several developments at the corner and I’m going
to try and give you because I don’t know the addresses but I’m going to try to give you a point of
reference. If I’m standing at the corner facing the tract of land where they’re doing work at the
corner of Wrightsboro Road and James Brown that corner on the right hand side where you see
all the work going is where the Housing Authority work is going to result in 34 duplexes and 8
single family units. Across the street where the old Johnson property is the big green, I mean big
large brick house single family units will down this side as on the other side. So the tract of land
the big one where (inaudible) that’s where your duplexes will go that’ll be built by the housing
project.
Mr. Williams: My question still goes back to that tract of land with the fence around it
facing James Brown on the right hand side Wrightsboro Road is that going to be senior ---
Mr. Wheeler: Yes, it is.
Mr. Williams: --- only or is that going to be –
Mr. Wheeler: Senior only.
Mr. Williams: --- okay. I want to make sure it’s a senior complex and not another
complex where we just putting people in. I just needed to get that clarification.
Mr. Wheeler: It’s developed by Augusta Housing Authority for seniors only.
Mr. Williams: I understand. Mr. Mayor I’m going make a motion that we approve
for senior only.
Mr. Lockett: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further
discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Motion Passes 8-0.
27
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, you just discriminated against me because you
made it so I can’t get in. Madam Clerk, next pulled agenda item.
Mr. Williams: You won’t be a senior when this ---
Mr. Mayor: Some days it feels like it already.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
6. Z-13-45 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with conditions listed below; a petition by Blanchard and Calhoun Commercial on
behalf of Nixon Trust and James M. Johnson, requesting a modification of conditions
placed on approximately 44 acres, that has been expanded to approximately 69 acres, most
which were the subject of previous zoning cases, the last one being Z-12-66 for B-1
(Neighborhood Business) with a Special Exception to allow individual buildings in a
shopping center to exceed 15,000 square feet in area per Section 21-2(a) of the
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property which consists
of six land parcels totally approximately 69 acres and known as 3715 Walton Way Ext.
3302 Hebron Ct., 3304 Hebron Ct., 3306 Hebron Ct., 3723 Walton Way Ext. and 42
Dominion Way, (Tax Map 016-0-055-00-0; 016-0-052-01-0, 016-0-052-00-0; 016-0-051-01-0
and 016-0-058-00-0) DISTRICT 7 1. There shall be no development or other encroachment
in the 100 year floodplain except for connections to sewer lines if necessary. If any part of
the Johnson tract (016-0-058-00-0) is incorporated with the Nixon Trust tract as part of this
development, then the developer must purchase the entire Johnson tract and place a
permanent conservation easement which would prevent any form of development over all
parts of the tract know as 016-9-058-00-0 except the approximate 11 acres to be developed
as part of this proposal. 2. The only access to the property shall be a new intersection on
Walton Way Extension in the vicinity of Hebron Court to be paid for by the developer of
the subject property. This intersection shall also provide access to the apartment complex
across Walton Way Extension. The intersection shall be signalized and the cost of
equipment and installation shall be borne by the developer of the subject property. If a
signal is determined not to be required by AASHTO standards at this new intersection
based upon a traffic study provided by the developer and agreed upon by the City then the
developer will put up a letter of credit in an amount to be determined by the City to cover
the cost of signalization if it is deemed necessary within 3 years. 3. The only access to
Walton Way Extension except at the new signalized intersection would be a right in-right
out access point that serves the entire development. If out parcels fronting on Walton Way
Extension are created there shall be no access easements placed on plats and deed of such
parcels except for the one right in-right out access point. 4. Illumination at the rear of the
complex is a potential impact that can be mitigated by the following: § A fence, wall or
solid vegetative screen shall be located outside the entire floodplain at least six (6) feet in
height above the ground elevation or elevation of any retaining wall or fill at that location.
§ For building walls facing the floodplain on the creek side of the property, all building
wall lights shall be directed down the building, not outward; § In the rear parking area
there shall be full cutoff lighting that does not shine into the floodplain. 5. That the only
28
development of this approximately 69 acres other than the development allowed in the R-1
and R-1A zones shall be a mixed use commercial and multiple-family residential use
consistent with the concept plan presented. If site plans for such development are not
presented within two years of approval of the rezoning then the zoning of the original 44
acres reverts to R-1A (One-family Residential) and the Johnson Tract (Tax I.D. #016-0-
058-00-0) remains zoned R-3B (Multiple-family Residential). If development of the
property does not begin within three years of approval of the rezoning, then the zoning
classification of the original 44 acres reverts to R-1A (One-family Residential) 6. That the
Stormwater facility shall be built to accommodate a 100 year storm and release it at no
more than 90% of the predevelopment rate. 7. The development shall be limited to 330
total units on both properties.
Mr. Mayor: Let’s here from Mr. Patty first.
Mr. Patty: Yes, sir, this is a tract that most of which has been before you at least two
other times. As a matter of fact we’ve been to court on the rezoning of the property previously in
courts and remanded it back to the city to zone it a constitutional matter which we did by zoning
it B-1 for a planned unit development. It consists of apartments and some commercial
development on the front on Walton Way Extension. It’s located between Walton Way
Extension and Fox Hall and some other subdivisions and I-20. The developers are here they’re
prepared to make a presentation if necessary. They expanded the project onto an additional tract
that’s already zoned R-3B which would allow the development they want to do on that property
because it’s not consistent with the plan that they originally gave us. The zoning was one of the
conditions. The zoning would have to be substantially consistent with the plan they gave us.
They’ve got to come back through and get the zoning revised. I believe you see a number of
conditions here that limit what they can and can’t do with the property and I believe and I’ll
speak from the objectors but I believe the only issue at this point has to do with some sewage
problems that have existed in the area. And Mr. Wiedmeier’s here he can testify at our meeting
actually our pre-meeting that these are not problems with construction or capacity but are
problems with grease and some other problems that they had that are maintenance issues.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I talked to the Commissioner of that district and I
told him I had some concerns, I had some calls about it. I know we’ve been dealing with this for
quite some time but if there is a problem with Mr. Wiedemeir’s department can that be fixed
before so we’ll know that that’s resolved versus saying okay and then we don’t know where it
come from because we easily get lost in the shuffle on a lot of things we approve. So, Tom, can
we do that?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, as Mr. Patty said the
overflows we have of record were maintenance related. We’ve made tremendous strides in our
preventive maintenance especially in the last two years. We’ve checked the lines and actually
are now checking all lines in our system on a five year cycle. So I’m confident that the problems
we’ve had in the past won’t be an issue.
29
Mr. Williams: My follow up question, Tom. Will the new construction be tied into the
present? Because if you’re adding what I think you’re adding more residents whether it be
apartments or whatever into that I mean we’re already saying that there’s a problem. So will that
be a separate line will that be the same line will that be a larger line or will we just see what
happens?
Mr. Wiedmeier: No it, at some point it will tie into the trunk’s we’re running behind Fox
Hall Subdivision. We are evaluating the flows on the line. We’re working with the design
engineer and we will I’m confident that the trunk’s who has sufficient capacity but we’ll make
certain of that. And we’ll dictate where the tie in occurs.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Wiedmeier, you met with the Fox Hall Neighborhood Association,
didn’t you?
Mr. Wiedmeier: I have not yet but I’ve spoken to representatives and I will be.
Mr. D. Smith: But there was a neighborhood association meeting with Mr. Patty,
members of the Planning Commission, Mr. Ken Echols, the Chairman of the Neighborhood
Association, and these matters have been discussed. And their concerns from the neighborhood
association were relayed to you ---
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes.
Mr. D. Smith: --- through me and through other members. Is that correct?
Mr. Wiedmeier: That is correct, yes.
Mr. D. Smith: And the issue that was relayed was that there was a problem with the,
there has been two overflows and both of those were maintenance issues. They were caused by
maintenance of trees and roots and stuff in the trunk line. Is that right?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes, that’s correct.
Mr. D. Smith: So the developer in this particular case will actually have no whatever the
building that’s going to occur up there it’s not the developer’s issue it is the government’s issue
through Utilities. Is that correct sir?
Mr. Wiedmeier: That is correct. Yes.
Mr. D. Smith: Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy.
30
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I just want to know I think we had a couple of objectors for this item
and whether the response from the Utilities Department satisfied the objectors.
Mr. Mayor: And I will hear from a representative of the objectors. And then I’d also like
to hear from the representative of the applicant as well. So do we have a representative to speak
on behalf of the objectors? And if you could keep it to five minutes, please, sir, and I’ll ask them
to do the same.
Mr. Speaker: We have ---
Mr. D. Smith: Your name, sir?
Mr. Mayor: Your name and address for the record, please, sir.
Mr. Brown: Milton Brown, 2941 Fox Hall Circle.
Mr. Mayor: Go ahead.
Mr. Brown: The two majors we have are the two overflows that we had in the last year.
And he’s right it really doesn’t concern the builder but it concerns the city in the way they
operate the flow capacity. So that’s not been addressed to this date ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Brown: --- or sufficiently addressed.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Brown: So you know if we can get some kind of clarity as to, if you’re going to add
350 possible units to what we have and we already having two overflows a year how do you plan
to fix that or accommodate that with the new units.
Mr. Mayor: Okay and Mr. Wiedmeier.
Mr. Wiedmeier: The overflows that we’ve been that we have responded to were greases
related. We do have a preventive maintenance program for grease as well as a lime cleaning
program these lines are now on those programs that are getting regularly scheduled maintenance.
We’re also we upgraded our checking of restaurants and grease trap pumping and so I feel like
we’ve adequately addressed the issues.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy, were you done?
Mr. Fennoy: Well I, yes I just wanted to find out from the complainants whether the
issues had been addressed and they’re satisfied with the response that they got from the Utilities
Department.
31
Mr. Mayor: Well he just stated how they’re being addressed. Okay. Commissioner
Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: I just wanted to, I’m sorry Mr. ---
Mr. Brown: Brown.
Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Brown, okay. I want to make it clear that if something goes wrong
over there and that was prior to me becoming your Commissioner and I’ve held a meeting to
allow for your neighborhood and come and see me and to see the people that were involved.
And we had some significant participation I thought but I just want to say to you that I’m very
much concerned before I even met with the developers I said you have to go talk to the Fox Hall
people. And, you know, we’ve tried to vent this out as best we can given that they have a right
to do what they want to do. And so the gripe is not really or the complaint shouldn’t be with the
developer it’s with us as a government. And so I’m your representative in the government and if
Mr. Wiedmeier’s group is not doing what they’re supposed to do then I ask that you reach out to
me along with the rest of the Fox Hall people hold, and let me hold me accountable for their
results because I assure you that we will get the results that need to be gotten. And I asked Mr.
Wiedmeier this is third or fourth time that we’ve had a conversation about this about capacity
and about maintenance of those issues up there. And he has assured me on each time that we
have the capacity. If it turns out that we don’t then I will hold Mr. Wiedmeier accountable for
that.
Mr. Brown: The capacity that we have now it’s already been obstructed twice with what
we have without the additional 350.
Mr. D. Smith: But I think Mr. Wiedmeier talked about that. That was a maintenance
issue that we had not spent any money on and we have identified a way to do that. He’s got a ---
Mr. Brown: Beautify or rectify?
Mr. D. Smith: Well, he’s they’ve rectified the problem and now they have identified a
way to monitor that with a camera system. And that’s one of the things that we have invested
money in to make sure that that occurs in the future. And because of the significant amount of
attention this has drawn today Mr. Wiedmeier and his group are certainly on notice that they’re
not going to be allowed to ignore this. So I mean they’re on, they know what’s expected. And I
don’t think anybody in their group ever didn’t try to do what they were supposed to do.
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you two more.
Mr. D. Smith: Yes, sir. But there’s just a significant number of sewer lines and utilities
throughout the county. But I just want to assure you I’m your representative and I will work for
you to hold them accountable.
Mr. Brown: We just want to be reassured that when this does happen, the problems that
we’ve had in the past doesn’t happen or gets worse with the new addition.
32
Mr. D. Smith: Yes, sir, and I appreciate your bringing that to our attention. But please
rest assured that I’m your representative. See me.
Mr. Brown: Thank you.
Mr. D. Smith: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, and as you know we can hear from the developer but I think it’s been
established that the issue is between the city and the property owners. So if Commissioners are
ready to vote on this.
Mr. G. Smith: Call for the vote.
Mr. D. Smith: I make a motion that we ---
approve
Mr. Mayor: You made a motion to ---
Mr. D. Smith: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: --- that’s been seconded?
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: I just had one question for the Utilities Department, Mr. Wiedmeier. Will
the installation of cameras solve their problem? I mean how accurate are those cameras?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Well, we use the cameras to evaluate the lines of a routine basis. So I
really think that the measures we have in place the preventive maintenance program that we’ve
got is, I can’t guarantee it but whatever the likely hood of blockages is dramatically lower than it
was and it’s not going to matter if you’ve got more apartments tied on or not. What we’ve seen
in the past it’s not a capacity issue so.
Mr. Fennoy: All right.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Commissioners
will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Williams votes No.
Motion Passes 7-1.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the next pulled agenda item.
The Clerk:
33
PUBLIC SERVICES
11. Motion to approve the Administrator’s request to create a centralized Chiller Plant at
the Augusta Conference/Convention/Marriott Hotel. (Approved by Public Services
Committee September 9, 2013)
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I believe the Administrator’s has spoken to everybody and there
aren’t the votes to approve this. So we just vote it up or down. Can I get a motion either way?
Mr. Fennoy: Motion to deny.
Mr. Mason: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell, did you want to?
Mr. Russell: That’s all right it doesn’t make, I’m trying to figure out which way it fails
the easiest. I guess it doesn’t make any difference to be honest with you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion to deny that’s been properly seconded.
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett, Mr. Donnie Smith and Mr. Williams vote Yes.
Ms. Davis, Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Grady Smith vote No.
Motion Fails 5-3.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the next pulled agenda item, please.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
12. Motion to approve the Sec. 5307 Augusta Public Transit grant application between the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Augusta, Georgia. (Approved by Public
Services Committee September 9, 2013)
Mr. Mayor: Whose pull was this?
Mr. Mason: Did we not pull nine? Did we just skip nine or did I miss it?
Mr. Mayor: I didn’t have nine pulled.
Mr. Mayor: So, Madam Clerk, on to, do we have any discussion ---
Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy’s motion to approve?
Ms. Davis: Second.
34
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do have some questions of this agenda item. I
haven’t seen any backup material that tells me anything about what this $6.5 million dollars is
going to be used for other than the fact it says capital projects. It was my understanding that the
maintenance facility out on 56 was supposed to be a renovation and this appears to be new
construction. I’ve been told that there’s contamination out at the facility on 56 and we haven’t
been apprised of that if that is indeed the case. And basically what I’m asking for here is I need
to have a breakout showing me what these proposed expenditures are going to be and who’s
going to get what and when.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Dottery: Okay. Commissioner Lockett, in the background I did list that it was for
the facility. This money that is being applied for that we were awarded is for the use 10, 11 and
12 so it was monies that we could get to utilize for this project. So we’ve only used the majority
of that money for the (inaudible) project.
Mr. Lockett: Now my question is this. Is this new construction or just renovation?
Ms. Dottery: No, sir, it’s not new construction. What has happened with the facility out
there it’s an older building and it has to be modified. So it’s actually a new if you want to say
buffer building that we will have because the old one is just in disrepair.
Mr. Lockett: Let me ask you. When you say modify is there a difference in modified
and renovated?
Ms. Dottery: When I say modified you’re going to make changes to that facility because
if you go out there and go inside that facility you will see right now it’s a shell. It’s just a shell.
So everything is going to be redone in that facility.
Mr. Lockett: So you’re going to have a shell that’s old and everything within the shell is
new?
Ms. Dottery: No, sir, that’s not what I’m saying, no, sir. We’re going to have as I said a
new buffer building (inaudible) that’s there now and we (inaudible) because there’s a lot of
things with that. I understand you mentioned about contamination.
Mr. Lockett: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Dottery: There’s a lot of things with this facility that had to be redone. And all those
things have been addressed to take care of the contamination and everything.
Mr. Lockett: Well, is there anything in reference to this that ya’ll think that this
governing body might need to know so when people such as the media come to us we can
35
respond quasi intelligently to them about what’s going on rather than just give them this, you
know, I don’t know.
Ms. Dottery: Yes, sir. We have been working very hard to get this project completed.
We have the A & E Design Company on board. They have gone through it with a fine toothed
comb to make sure that we are following FDA regulations because we’re using federal funds for
this. So all of your concerns that you have, if you could reach out to me, I will be more than
happy to talk to all of the commissioners about it. I’m not fond of addressing things in the media
and I normally don’t talk to the media so I don’t know who’s discussing it with the media.
Mr. Lockett: Okay, well I’m reaching out now for myself and for my colleagues for you
to apprise us of what’s going on. And my last question is this. What is the anticipated date for
the relocation of Transit out to 56?
Ms. Dottery: Right now that is August 2014.
Mr. Lockett: 2014.
Ms. Dottery: Yes, sir.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. We have a motion that’s been properly seconded to approve.
If there is no further discussion, Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Williams and Mr. Grady Smith out.
Motion Passes 6-0.
Mr. Mayor: We’re a skeleton crew but we’ll still get it done.
Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor, can I have a point of clarification please?
Mr. Mayor: Sure.
Mr. Mason: I know when you were doing the adding of agenda items Mr. Fennoy
chimed in and said he wanted to pull nine. So nine was not pulled on the, on the ---
The Clerk: I didn’t hear that.
Mr. Mayor: I didn’t recall hearing nine being pulled.
Mr. Guilfoyle: No, he said it before the (unintelligible).
36
Mr. Mayor: Well ---
Mr. Mason: Well, I’m just curious.
Mr. Mayor: --- and I apologize it was pulled item were on the screen.
Mr. Mason: They weren’t.
Mr. Mayor: What’s that?
Mr. Mason: You’re right, they weren’t on the screen when he mentioned that. Oh, you
mean at the very end?
Mr. Mayor: When we voted on them to pull the items were all on the screen or the ones
that the Clerk and myself had heard.
The Clerk: I didn’t hear nine.
Mr. Mayor: You can have a motion to reconsider but let’s get through the consent
agenda first. Madam Clerk, next pulled item.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
22. Motion to designate Urban Redevelopment Area, receive proposed Augusta Downtown
Redevelopment Plan, authorize a public hearing on the Redevelopment Plan and to appoint
members to the Urban Redevelopment Agency of Augusta. (Approved by Finance
Committee September 9, 2013)
Mr. Mayor: And it sounds as though there’s a readiness to put this back in committee.
Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I’ve received numerous phone calls, emails and I’ve talked to the
business owners and property owners that will be impacted by this area. And I have yet to run
across anybody that supports some of the language that’s in this grant application. And what I
would like to do is to refer this back to committee. And I think we have some business owners
and residents that will be impacted by this area and with your permission, Mr. Mayor, I would
like to get maybe a business owner or a property owner to address their concerns.
Mr. Mayor: Okay and we adequately you know we adequately addressed this for about
an hour to start off. I’d be happy to hear from a business owner but, Mr. Russell, but I also think
that sending it back to committee gives them the opportunity to address it again. And are you
putting that in the form of a motion?
Mr. Fennoy: My motion is to send it back to committee.
37
Mr. D. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: May I suggest that due to the conversation around this instead of sending it
back to a committee and having it lost in a committee agenda that we have a special work session
specifically about this. I think there’s enough questions and enough need for public input that
we do that. In that way it won’t be one of fifty items on a day. We can go ahead and schedule
something and specifically carve out a couple of hours to talk about this specific thing because
what this is is an opportunity for us to address lots of issues there. And despite what might be
thought of my perspective the public outcry has been really rewarding in the fact that I think we
need to work and make sure that we that we meet their needs in a way that’s collectively good
for everybody. And I think that opportunity exists. And I would just hate to try to put it on a
committee agenda that we don’t really give it the time that it’s due.
Mr. Mayor: Would the maker of the motion be willing to amend that motion to send this
to a work session?
Mr. Fennoy: No.
Mr. Mayor: You want to send this back to committee?
Mr. Fennoy: Send it back to committee.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Mason then Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Mason: I’m going to defer to Commissioner Lockett first if I could, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to make a substitute motion that
we set up a work session for any and everybody that wants to come can come. And I would like
this work session to be set up on Monday September 30 at 1:00 p.m.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I’ll second that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion, a substitute motion for clarity Commissioner
Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: The motion is ---
Mr. Mayor: Substitute motion.
38
Mr. Lockett: --- the substitute motion is to have a work session to deal with this
particular agenda item. And to have the work session convene on Monday, September 30 at 1:00
p.m. at this site.
Mr. Mayor: Okay and the motion’s been properly seconded. Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just as a point of note and for the city
Administrator well actually for all of us there’s several pieces that’s going with this particular
motion here because it talks about setting up a board and so forth. Now we need to be very, very
cognizant that there was a board already set up previously whose term has expired. Regardless
what the designation is or whether we do a URA for this building a board in my opinion would
have to be in place before there’s any even mention of the one of the next agenda items we’re
going to talk about giving money to ACD. Because that’s supposed to be our oversight. We
don’t have a Citizens Advisory Board, we don’t have a URA board that’s in place right now
because all their terms have expired and you’re talking about giving more money out $2.5
million dollars. I want to know who’s watching the hen house. So at some point you know
we’re going to have to tackle that issue if we don’t tackle any other issue. But we have to have
some oversight available so that as these monies are being divvied out or if these monies are
being divvied out we have a responsible liaison for the Commission in place for us to be able to
do that type of business. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. We have a substitute motion that’s been made and
properly seconded. Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I’d just like to address this question to the Attorney. What happens
when we have a board or an authority and their term expires and nobody, there’s no new
replacement to those boards or authorities?
Mr. MacKenzie: Well, that would depend on the nature of how it was set up and what
the rules provide with regard to how the appointments were made. Attorney Plunkett could
probably explain in more detail the way it would relate to the URA Board. But generally that’s
the rule.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a substitute motion that’s been made and properly
seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the substitute sign of voting.
Ms. Davis, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett, Mr. Donnie Smith and Mr. Guilfoyle vote Yes.
Mr. Fennoy votes No.
Mr. Williams and Mr. Grady Smith out.
Motion Fails 5-1.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a primary motion that’s been made to refer this back to
committee. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
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The Clerk: That motion fails 3-3.
Mr. Mayor: You know I can but I don’t see the point.
Mr. Mason: Oh yeah.
Mr. Mayor: I can’t? But, Madam Clerk, in deference to Commissioner Lockett and to
continue the process moving forward I would request that a work session be scheduled at the
time that he requested in order to continue the public input and to continue this to move forward.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Let me publish that vote.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Mason and Mr. Donnie Smith vote Yes.
Ms. Davis, Mr. Lockett and Mr. Guilfoyle vote No.
Mr. Williams and Mr. Grady Smith out.
Motion Fails 3-3.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. And if we could move on to the regular agenda and I
would request that out of deference to Commissioner Williams who is not in attendance, had to
leave to attend an event at Fort Gordon that we get a motion to send agenda item number 35 and
39 back to committee.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
35. Discuss request for leave for the Administrator. (Requested by Commissioner Williams)
(Referred from August 26 Administrative Services Committee)
39. Discuss the businesses who are not participating in providing data for the Disparity
Study. (Requested by Commissioner Williams) (Referred from August 26 Administrative
Services Committee)
Mr. Lockett: So moved.
Mr. D. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further
discussion and Commissioner Davis this was to refer items 35 and 39 which were requested by
Commissioner Williams back to committee. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Williams and Mr. Grady Smith out.
Motion Passes 6-0.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next agenda item please.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
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37. Presentation by the Augusta Interfaith Coalition, Rev. Christopher Johnson and Ms.
Denice Traina regarding transportation.
Ms. Traina: I promise this will be short and sweet.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Thank you, ma’am.
Ms. Traina: You have already received two pieces of paper that will give you all the
information you need. The Augusta Interfaith Coalition thanks you for the opportunity to
address you. We wanted to give you an update on what the task force on transportation has been
doing. And I want to say thank you to, I think he was here. I saw him earlier, Mr. Brown who
met with our group. The new general manager appreciated that. And so looking at, thank you,
thanks. Looking at this handout you can see that we feel that there’s a need to in order to really
create and insure a comprehensive transportation plan in the future that we need to create a
shadow or supportive service subcommittees that will have a direct contact with the city’s
departments. And so we’ve outlined for you here, you can see what these include so I’ll just give
you the titles, Administrative Services, Personnel include Finance, Engineering and Design,
Safety and Routes with another individual or individuals considered community liaisons. So in
looking at the Citizens Advisory Committee we feel that all of these areas would be, if we
included all of these areas within our scope of work that we would be serving the public well in
doing this. So I wanted to share that with you some of the work that we’ve done then I just want
to briefly move on to the survey which we’ve been circulating in the city. And I hope that each
and every one of you will commit to filling this out. Feel free to make copies. I’d be happy to
pick them up at the Clerk’s office. But this one survey that we’ve been using which does focus
more on the work focusing on employment folks and I just wanted to point out a few things
about some of the items on the survey. And if anyone is here who would like to receive copies
of surveys I do want to thank the faith groups who have turned in some of them and we’d love to
share this with other folks. So what we found were some trends and if anyone has specific issues
in terms of how the process was tabulated Tim Holobaugh a member of our task force is glad to
address that. So we though what was interesting about some of the trends with our information
was that number one what day of the week is hardest for you to get to work. Not surprising
Sunday because we don’t have service on Sunday’s so folks are looking for that. Number two
addressed what time of the day is hardest for you to get to and from work and by and large we
heard responses from very early in the morning and very late at night and that of course relates to
our hours of service. Number three was significant we thought most of the voters, most of the
survey folks showed a concern about not being able to get to Fort Gordon. That was our highest
then South Augusta. And North Augusta and Columbia County actually tied in terms of those
results. Okay and then actually number ten are you eligible to receive SSI, Social Security, Ten
F by and large our respondents said no. Okay? Then comments just in general what most
people said was they wanted more routes and more hours. So we just wanted to give you an
update as to what we’ve been doing and we hope again that you might participate with the
survey, give us input and we look forward to continuing our work with you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, Ms. Traina, and I will say we’ve lost our quorum I believe.
Is Commissioner Lockett coming back? Okay.
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Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor, if I can take a ---
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: --- moment of personal privilege while we’re waiting for the quorum to
come back. For some of you that might not realize this George Patty after 43 years this is his last
Commission meeting. And I hoped to recognize him but George left early and didn’t even ask
anybody if he could leave or not.
Mr. Mayor: Imagine that.
Mr. Mason: Left out dancing too.
Mr. Russell: Yeah, he was happy. He was smiling a lot there. So if we could at least
recognize George on the record for his years of service I’d greatly appreciate that. And secondly
Bill Shanahan who I caught before he did leave, this is his last Commission meeting too and I’d
like to thank him for the two years of hard work he’s put in to help make Augusta a better place
to live in. Thank you, Bill.
Mr. Mayor: Thanks, Bill. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Russell: And he left too. I don’t know.
Mr. Mayor: And, Bill Lockett, lest you think we were applauding you when you came
back in we were talking about Bill Shanahan. But we’ll give you a round of applause too.
Welcome back to recreating the quorum. Do we have any questions for Ms. Traina?
Commissioner Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: I think I will yield because I think Commissioner Fennoy had his hand up
first.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Ms. Traina, I’d like to thank you all for the wonderful job that you’re doing
on the survey. Did you get any input from the Transit Department about the survey or is this
something you all did on your own?
Ms. Traina: The actual sheet of paper came out of my discussion with the former general
manager actually and I had asked for input from him. And I was creating my own survey. I
said, you know, why should I do this recreate the wheel. Went in and spoke to Mr. Rosen and he
made a suggestion about what I said what would be useful for your department and that’s when
he came up with this to be honest.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay. And will the survey be ongoing or are you looking for a cutoff date.
And my last question is what are your, what do you plan to do with the information once you’ve
gathered it.
42
Ms. Traina: Well, we’re looking to most of the respondents were from 30901 and 30904
so we’re trying to get more people, more variety diversity. So I’m going to be we were going to
approach some of the neighborhood associates so that we could be sure to get more variety. And
be out in some places pubic areas to get more diversity as well. And we’re looking at December
because I believe that the body had agreed to formerly convene the committee in December if
I’m not if that hasn’t changed.
Mr. Fennoy: And my last question, my last question is this survey for bus riders only or
for residents of Richmond County including bus riders?
Ms. Traina: It’s for everyone.
Mr. Fennoy: For everyone?
Ms. Traina: It’s for everyone and in the comments sections for instance if you’re not
somebody who’s looking at using it for employment what it doesn’t do is tell us about really
young people who are not in the work force yet. It doesn’t tell us a lot about our retirees so there
are certain areas that it doesn’t tell us about. And we’re hoping that come December and January
perhaps there’ll be a bigger campaign to hear from more people. But it’s for everyone to fill out
---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, thank you.
Ms. Traina: --- in Georgia and South Carolina.
Mr. Mayor: And I’m sure you’ve probably already thought of it but Arts in the Heart
with all those people downtown that’ll be an easy access point to get to a lot of people.
Commissioner Smith then Commissioner Davis.
Mr. D. Smith: Thank you, Ms. Traina. I’m absolutely stunned. This says Transportation
Citizen Advisory Committee and Subcommittees and I didn’t know where this came from.
Because I don’t, in the eight months or nine months I’ve been here I’ve never taken a vote on
authorizing a Transportation Citizens Advisory Committee or Subcommittee. So can you tell me
what’s the, what’s the authority behind this?
Ms. Traina: Okay well, this assuming we have our committee that’s going to be
convened in which you are now deciding your designee folks that are going to participate in this
Citizens Advisory Committee.
Mr. D. Smith: Where did that come from because I never voted on that?
Ms. Traina: You all did. I believe you did.
43
Mr. D. Smith: When because there are several of us on this end of the bench that didn’t
remember about this and you’re telling me in November we’re going to make a board
operational? Is that what you’re telling me?
Ms. Traina: I thought that we had heard it was December that the decisions were going
to be made by (unintelligible).
Mr. D. Smith: Where did that information come from?
Ms. Traina: I thought it was decided by this body.
Ms. Davis: It was.
Mr. Mayor: Sure.
Mr. D. Smith: I’m glad somebody can tell me about it because I sure, I’m in the dark.
Ms. Dottery: Okay, Commissioner Smith, what happened was ---
Mr. Fennoy: Could you speak into the mike?
Ms. Dottery: I’m sorry. Okay, you all voted to have a Citizens Advisory Committee.
The bylaws is what you approved. You all have not yet appointed members to that committee.
Mr. D. Smith: I didn’t think so.
Ms. Dottery: We have not had our first meeting. This that Ms. Traina is discussing with
all due respect to you is a conversation as she’s said she’s had with Mike Rosen when he was
here and Mr. Brown the new general manager for McDonald. But you all have not put in place
the people that you want to be a part of this and I’m waiting for your appointments.
Ms. Traina: I would just like to share that Commissioner Williams had notified someone
of their appointment. So ---
Ms. Dottery: Okay ---
Ms. Traina: --- it must be some confusion.
Mr. D. Smith: I think we’ve put the horse in front of the cart in front of the horse here
because I, I’m I mean you’ve laid out Administrative Services and personnel and Finance
Engineering and Safety and routes and so on and so on and we have a private company that is
providing our transportation. And so I’m concerned as to how we’re going to tell them issues
related to Human Resources. And then these other things are certainly governmental functions
and so it seems to me there’s not put a lot thought put forward about this that some people have
taken assumptions and determine that you’re going to basically tell this body what it’s
responsibilities and obligations are. And so I’m very concerned about all this and it seems to me
44
that there’s not been a clear path forward about this. And I would certainly entertain that
somebody bring some clarity to the members that are elected to make these decisions including
myself. So thank you for appearing today but I certainly have more questions than I have
answers about this, Ms. Traina.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Ms. Davis then Commissioner Mason.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I do remember the motion that was in between our
transitional period to disband an existing transportation. I don’t know what exactly it was called
an advisory committee and then we disband that and then made the motion to create a new one.
So that was the last that’s how we last left it. But that motion that passed if that helps at all but
that was what I was going to ask you too if we’re trying to vote on anything today or we’re just
hearing what you’re ideas are as far as?
Ms. Traina: No, this is just an update to let you know what we were thinking about. This
is not, when you said the word authority it does not come from any authority. It just comes from
the work of people that are interested in putting transportation on the front burner. But, no, I
wasn’t expecting a vote.
Ms. Davis: And just whenever we do move forward with the formal survey and um, you
know use our website as an avenue too just throwing that out there. But I don’t know what our
next up is if we try to move forward with a date so, deadline to appoint people to this. That’s
what you’re waiting on correct?
Ms. Dottery: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I remember the vote there, Mary, and just to bring a
little more clarity it was during the time frame where we were had not quite made a decision on
the provider be it a private entity or coming in house. It was still a lot of discussion going on as
to which route that we would go. There were some hope by some that it would be in house
where a Citizens Advisory Committee could have a little bit more teeth because we could make
changes more readily based on the information that you would come up with. Having a
contractual obligation to a private vendor though creates another level of issues that I’m hoping
our general counsel will address or look into at some point and bring back to us to see the
feasibility of the appropriateness of having a private vendor in place with a scope of work and a
contractual obligation. How could if in fact we did do this could we have separate entity more or
less overseeing or having some type of oversight or advice to a private entity that has a
contractual obligation already. Because if they do something outside the contract, they have
every right to come back and ask us for more money. And that’s why there’s a scope of work
designed. And that’s one of the issues that I was having early on if we went that route. So, Mr.
Mayor, I would hope that we could task our general counsel to look into that about the feasibility
of this committee when we now have entered into a private contract with a private vendor.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Mr. MacKenzie, do you want to respond?
45
Mr. MacKenzie: Sure, I’ll be happy to speak to that. I think you hit the nail on the head
to a certain degree that there certainly would be limitations if it is in the context of an advisory
committee when you have a contract which may provide for certain limitations with the respect
to the obligations of both the vendor as well as well as with the Commission too as you’re bound
by the terms and conditions of the contract. The bylaws were from what I recall, I’m not looking
at them in front of me but they were broadly written to allow for the body if there’s a sufficient
number appointed to provide advice to this body which could be either to modify the contract to
allow for additional services to be provided or to act as the eyes and ears as a separate entity to
provide feedback on the contractual obligations of the vendor. So that can be done. Certainly
there are limits since it is just an advisory body and since they’re advising the Commission it still
can be done. It’s just the will of this body whether you think it’s meaningful to continue that.
Mr. Mason: Well, hearing that ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
Mr. Mason: Thank you. Hearing that, Mr. Mayor, I’m just following up. The reason
why I was shaking my head when we did the other vote for the private entity because it gives
less to me it really does give less teeth when you have a scope of work. I don’t have a problem
moving forward, but I hate the fact of just appointing something just for the fact of appointing it
if you really don’t have very much teeth in it. But we need something done with this transit
system so I’ll be in favor of it but this is, this is, this is a little, little awkward being over a private
entity like this. It’s just a little awkward so I hope we’re going to dispel all that out to make sure
that at some point I’m not saying the vendor would do this but come back and look at us as being
a breach of our contract of some sort because I don’t know that was any stipulations put in there
during that time when we did the RFP.
Mr. Mayor: And let me just say and then I’ll get Commissioner Fennoy and then
Commissioner Lockett. I think the point is so often in Augusta we’re very territorial. I think
Ms. Traina would tell you the point is about all of us working together to develop a much better
transit system. So I think that’s the point we need to get to. Commissioner Fennoy then
Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Fennoy: You know I think it was the will of the Commissioners to expand the
services of our transit system. And in order to expand the services we’re going to need some
type of feedback from the community as to what their needs and just looking at the survey you
know it addresses a lot of the issues that we may have. I think if they take this information and
you know if we’re talking about expanding the routes we know what areas we need to go into if
they’re talking about expanding services. They’re talking about Sunday services. If they’re
talking about instead of running it at 7:00 o’clock in the morning we need to run at 5:00. And if
we shut down at 8:00 and we need to run to 10:00 I think this would give us the feedback that we
need so that we can go back to McDonald and let them know what the citizens are asking for and
let them work it into their expansion program. But I think it’s a good idea to get input from the
citizens of Richmond County and one way of getting that information is the way, a survey.
46
motion
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir. Ms. Traina, thank you so much. Can we get a
to receive this as information?
Mr. Fennoy: So moved.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, I had my hand, my hand up.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Guilfoyle, you can’t vote with Commissioner Smith’s. Did
you bring yours down?
Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Lockett has not been recognized.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett.
Mr. Lockett: With this transit I think what we’re doing now is good but a little premature
because it’s my understanding that McDonald is supposed to come back to this body and give us
their plan that they came up with. And I think they had 60 days to do it and if I’m not mistaken
60 days with McDonald is not too far off. But this is a disadvantage of outsourcing transit. If we
had it in house, Ms. Traina, what you’re recommending is good because we could make those
adjustments. But with the recommendation your advisory committee may make we may need
we may want but do we have the dollars to do it. So we’re sort of between a rock and a hard
place with that. So I understand what you’re doing. I want to see good public transit that’s why
I fought so hard to keep it in house, but I didn’t win. They outsourced it. But now what I think
we need to do is wait and see what Mr. Brown is bringing back to us with this great plan of his
and the cost of that great plan and that may answer many of the questions that you and the
citizens may have. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Ms. Traina.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Ms. Traina: And we have a committee for, I mean we have permission to have a
committee so we’re just trying to work with whoever’s there including Mr. Brown. I thank him
for that.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded I
believe.
The Clerk: Who made the second on that?
Ms. Davis: I’ll second it.
Mr. Lockett: If you don’t have one, I’ll do it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded.
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
47
Mr. Fennoy, Ms. Davis, Mr. Mason, Mr. Lockett, Mr. D. Smith and Mr. Guilfoyle vote Yes.
Mr. Williams and Mr. G. Smith out.
Motion Passes 6-0.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next agenda item please.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
40. Motion to approve Laney Walker/Bethlehem Revitalization Project-Bridge Loan
request of $2,500,000 and return whatever amount is not used; task the Administrator,
Finance Department and Mr. Wheeler to identify an additional funding stream to continue
the LW/B Project and bring back recommendation in six months; and to determine
whether it is more economical to bring the consulting task in-house rather than
outsourcing it. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee August 26, 2013 –
deferred from the Commission September 3, 2013)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett, I saw your hand first and then Commissioner
Guilfoyle.
Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d like to move that this agenda item be
sent back to the Administrative Services Committee.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I’ll second that.
Mr. D. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been properly seconded. If there’s no further
discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Mr. Williams and Mr. G. Smith out.
Motion Passes 6-0.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next and believe our final agenda item.
Mr. Lockett: Oh, that sounds good.
The Clerk: Which one did we have left?
Mr. Mayor: Did we have 42 left or was that?
The Clerk: I think that was on consent.
Mr. Lockett: That was 41, 42, 43, and 44 was on consent.
48
The Clerk: They were all on consent.
Mr. Mayor: Then that was our final agenda item? Mr. MacKenzie, did you?
Mr. MacKenzie: I have no need for a Legal today.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, if there’s nothing further to come before the body we stand adjourned.
[MEETING ADJOURNED]
Nancy Morawski
Deputy Clerk of Commission
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy
of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on
September 17, 2013.
__________________________________
Clerk of Commission
49