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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting November 4, 2014 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER NOVEMBER 4, 2014 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., November 4, 2014, the Hon. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Mason, Harris, Williams, Fennoy, Johnson, Hasan, Davis and Smith, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Ms. Bryant: Good afternoon Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and all of the Commissioners. My name is Tanika Bryant. I’m the Human Resources Director and today we are excited to recognize our Years of Service Recipients. Today we have with us, well today we have 43 employees with five to twenty years of service and six employees with twenty-five to fifty years of service. We have Willy Anderson with Parks and Recreation, 25 years of service. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Shari Hobbs, District Attorney’s Office, 25 years of service. (APPLAUSE) Charlie Coleman, Fire Department, 30 years of service. (APPLAUSE) And Michael Hopkins, Utilities Department with 30 years of service. (APPLAUSE) Congratulations and thank you so much for all of your service. Mr. Mayor: Okay, in the interest of time I’ll go ahead and call the meeting to order and I’d like to call on Reverend Gaye Ortiz, Pastor, Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta for our invocation. Please stand. The invocation was given by the Reverend Gaye Ortiz, Pastor Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta. Mr. Mayor: Please join me in the Pledge. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: Reverend, thank you for that wonderful invocation. Madam Clerk? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: On to the consent agenda please Ma’am. The Clerk: Our consent agenda consists of items 1-18, items 1-18. Excuse me, our consent agenda consists of items 1-18, items 1-18. For the benefit of any objectors to our alcohol petitions once those petitions are read would you please signify your objections by raising your hand. I call your attention to: Item 1: Is for an on premise consumption Beer License to be used in connection the location at 3706 Mike Padgett Hwy. Item 2: Is for a Liquor, Beer, Wine License to be used in connection with the location at 1936 Walton Way. 1 The Clerk: Are there any objectors to those alcohol petitions? Mr. Mayor, members of the Commissions our, we have an objector to the alcohol petition? No, okay. Our consent agenda consists of items 1-18. Mr. Mayor: Okay, lady and gentlemen, do we have any additions to the consent agenda? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I’d like to add item 19 to consent and if we could I think item 20 was supposed to be deleted so we can add to delete that to consent. The Clerk: To delete item 20 and you’re adding 19. Mr. Johnson: Right. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’ve got a question with 19. I don’t, I’m not against that but I just don’t know where we’re amending when it comes to the vacant lot. I need to know exactly what that consists of. Mr. Mayor: Do we have somebody that can speak to that? Ms. Wilson. The Clerk: Item 17, that’s Mark Johnson. He presented that Engineering Services. Mr. Williams: Nineteen. Mr. Mayor: Nineteen. The Clerk: Well, 17 as well, those are companion items. Mr. Johnson: Yes. The Clerk: Nineteen is the amendment to the ordinance that dealt with the cutting of the vacant lots and the action of the Engineering Services Committee was to allow for 14 calendar day notification to property owners. Mr. Johnson: Right. The Clerk: Number 19 is the ordinance. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, are you good with that? The Clerk: It amends that. Mr. Williams: I’m good with that. I understand it a little better now. 2 The Clerk: Mark’s here. Mr. Mayor: Okay. He said he was good. Do we have any further? The Clerk: Is that correct, Mark, did I (unintelligible). Okay, all right. Mr. Mayor: Do we have any more additions to the consent agenda? Okay, I know that we have two oh, yes, sir, Mr. Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Can we add number 21 on to the consent? Mr. Mayor: Is everybody good with that? Mr. Guilfoyle: And item number twenty-three? Mr. Williams: Twenty-one, I’ve got some questions with that one too, Mr. Guilfoyle, if ya’ll can explain that a little bit. I’ve got no problem with it --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: --- Mr. Mayor, I need somebody to help me out. We talked about a change order in Turner Construction and in what form. And we talked about several different things here to go out and do so what is the change order we come up with (unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: Do we have somebody that can speak to this issue? Well? Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Madam Administrator, do you? Ms. Allen: We’ll just leave it pulled. Mr. Mayor: Okay, okay we’ll take that when we get to it. Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: I would be happy to answer that but we’ll wait until we get somebody from Heery. Item number 26 as well. The Clerk: Item number 26 to the consent? Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Item number 23 at the request of State Court Judge Slaby, they’re asking that that item be deleted from today’s agenda. Mr. Mayor: Okay. 3 Mr. Guilfoyle: Very well. Mr. Mayor: Okay, do we have any further items to be added to the consent agenda? Mr. Williams: What are we doing with 26? Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams? The Clerk: Twenty-six, he’s wanting to add that to the consent agenda? Mr. Williams: Uh, I’ve got some issues with that one too then because --- Mr. Guilfoyle: We need to talk. Mr. Johnson: I thought we did. Mr. Mayor: That’s the one that we haven’t discussed. Mr. Johnson: That’s the Berckman’s Road. Mr. Mayor: Uh-hmm. Mr. Williams: This is the Berckman’s Road that we’ve got the map on? Mr. Mayor: Yes, exactly. You good? Mr. Williams: I’m good. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, if we have nothing further to be added to the do we have items to be pulled? Commissioner Harris. Mr. Harris: If I wanted, if item 22 I’d like to have that to be held back until we further discuss it. I’m new so tell me how we do this. Twenty-two? Mr. Mayor: That’s, it’s on the regular agenda so we will discuss that. Okay, hearing nothing further can I get a motion to approve --- The Clerk: Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: --- the Administrator needs to add clarification to item number seven. Mr. Mayor: Madam Administrator. 4 Ms. Allen: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, you’ll notice on number seven that it’s stated properly. The presentation information I provided to the Clerk’s office was in error so it is number two on the presentation that was presented to the Commission at the committee meeting. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Ms. Allen: So I’ll get (unintelligible) to approve me to go ahead and get the financial information. The Clerk: But it was subject to you bringing that back to today. Isn’t that right, Ms. Davis? Mr. Mayor: Ms. Davis? Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Allen, what were you asking again? Ms. Allen: Well, it was number two if you look at the presentation follow-up back up documentation it does not state that it is number two it states that it’s number one because the wrong information was provided to the Clerk’s office as the backup documentation. It should’ve been in the presentation that was actually presented to you on at the last committee meeting. Ms. Davis: Yeah, the motion was subject to the cost being brought back. Ms. Allen: Okay. Yes, if we can defer that to the next committee meeting then. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Hasan then Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, in terms of the consent agenda I’d like to be on the record as saying item number three I’m abstaining. Mr. Mayor: Okay. The Clerk: Item number three well, okay when the vote’s taken you can, we’ll note that. Mr. Hasan: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, I didn’t know if you realized we had some additions to the agenda? Mr. Mayor: That’s where I was about to go to. Mr. Guilfoyle: All right. 5 Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. And we do have two additions to the agenda. Can I get a motion to add these to the consent agenda? Mr. Lockett: So moved. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. And can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? Mr. Lockett: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 14-41: request by Curtis Thompson for an on premise consumption Beer License to be used in connection with Sofia’s Pizzeria located at 3706 Mike Padgett Hwy. There will be Sunday Sales. Commission District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 27, 2014) 2. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 14-42: request by Dondiel Smith for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer, Wine License to be used in connection with Red Lion Pub & Grill located at 1936 Walton Way. There will be Dance. There will be Sunday Sales. Commission District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 27, 2014) 3. Motion to approve Bid Item 14-198, Window and Door Renovation Project for The Boathouse Community Facility, to Larry McCord Design/Build in the amount of $103,992.00. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 27, 2014) 4. Motion to approve the appointment of Matt McKnight to the Construction Advisory Board as Super District 10 Consumer Member for a four-year term. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 27, 2014) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 5. Motion to approve revising the current 2014 Holiday Schedule to allow employees to observe December 25 and December 26 as the holiday instead of December 24 and December 25. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 27, 2014) 6. Motion to approve Year 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan and 2015 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, Emergency solutions Grant (ESG) Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 27, 2014) 6 7. Motion to approve recommendation #2 of the Interim Administrator relative to the Disparity Study to consult with Attorney Colette Holt to help implement the goals to make program successful subject to costs associated with the consultation be presented to the Commission and the remainder recommendations referred back to committee. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 27, 2014) 8. Motion to approve holding open enrollment for the first week in November with no increase in employee premium rates. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 27, 2014) 9. Motion to approve an Ordinance to Amend the Augusta, GA Code Title One Article Four Section 1-7-51 Relating to the Adoption of Personnel Policies and Procedures of Augusta, Georgia; To approve edits to the FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF Chapter IV of THE Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual: 900.001, 900.006, 900.009, 900.011, 900.012 and 900.202; To Repeal All MANUAL PROVISIONS, Code Sections and Ordinances and Parts of Code Sections and Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; To Provide and Effective Date and For Other Purposes. (Approved by the Commission October 21, 2014-second reading) 10. Motion to renew Stop Loss Coverage Contract with BCBS. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 27, 2014) FINANCE 11. Motion to approve the replacement of 4 work detail vans for Augusta Richmond County Correctional Institute. (Approved by Finance Committee October 27, 2014) 12. Motion to approve a request from Mr. Phillip Scott Hibbard regarding a refund of taxes paid on property at 3119 Mike Padgett Highway in the amount of $756.00. (Approved by Finance Committee October 27, 2014) ENGINEERING SERVICES 13. Motion to approve funds in the amount of $1,812,875.00 to reimburse GDOT for the bid amount for AUD utility relocations in the GDOT Windsor Spring Road Phase 4 project. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 27, 2014) 14. Motion to approve Notice of Award of an Emergency Task Order in the Amount of $379,560.30 for the Highway 56 24” Water Main-Phase II project by Blair Construction Co. Inc. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 27, 2014) 15. Motion to approve Crown Castle NG east LLC’s Formal Registration Application to access the public right of way within the Augusta, Georgia for the provisions of telecommunications services as a State-Certified Utility. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 27, 2014) 16. Motion to approve and accept an Easement Deed, from FTD LLC, for the Rock Creek Relief Sewer Project. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 27, 2014) 17. Motion to approve amending the Cutting of Vacant Lots Policy to allow for 14-calendar day notification to property owners. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 27, 2014) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 18. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held October 21, 2014 and Special Called Meeting held October 27, 2014) 7 PUBLIC SERVICES 19. Motion to Approve Amendment to the Code Regarding Vacant Lot Clean up. 20. Motion to approve authorizing staff to proceed with crafting plans for locating the Administrator’s Office on the second floor. (No recommendation by Public Services Committee October 27, 2014) PUBLIC SAFETY 23. Motion to Approve Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Supplemental Grant. ATTORNEY 26. Motion to determine all or a portion of the following roads Berckmans Road (Tract “A”), Heath Drive (Tract “B”), Hillside Lane (Tract “C”), Stanley Drive (“D”), Hemlock Hill Road (Tract “E”), Cherry Lane (Tract “F”), Heath Drive (Tracts “G” and “H”), as shown on the attached plat and described in the attached legal descriptions have either ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served by it or that its removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best public interest, pursuant to O.C.G.A. §32-7-2, with the abandoned property to be quit-claimed to the appropriate party(ies), as provided by law and an easement to be retained over the entire abandoned portion for existing or future utilities as directed by Augusta Engineering Department and Augusta Utilities Department. ADDENDUM 27. Motion to approve the reappointment of Ms. Betty Tyler to the General Aviation Commission-Daniel Field representing District 9. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) 28. Motion to approve the reappointment of Ms. Linda Finnegan to the Animal Control Board representing District 6. (Requested by Commissioner Ben Hasan) Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Hasan abstains. Motion Passes 9-0-1. [Item 3] Motion Passes 10-0. [Items 1-18, 19, 20, 23, 26-28] Mr. Mayor: Magnanimous? The Clerk: Magnanimous. Mr. Mayor: Okay on to the regular agenda, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 8 21. Motion to approve the Request for Change Order submitted by the Construction Manager at Risk (Turner Construction Company) for Municipal Building Renovations. (No recommendation by Public Services Committee October 27, 2014) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Yeah, Forest, I asked to have some discussion on this change order. And what are we changing, exactly how did this come about? Give me a little background. Mr. White: Okay initially before we started construction we did do some soil borings to identify the conditions of the site out back where we’re doing the addition. At that point we determined the height of the water table and designed to be above that water table. During the course of construction it was the summer of ’13 we had all the rains which raised the water table. Also during that time the Corps of Engineers decided to open up the dam and raise the level of the river. We ended up with a flow of water underneath the foundations as we were pouring some auger cast piles and it was underlying and washing out the piles as we were going. So we ended up having to go to what’s called a micro pile. Basically you put a metal cylinder in the ground and fill that with grout and it gives the grout a chance to solidify. So that’s what the change order represents. Also when we were doing the parking out back we discovered that the existing building that the old courthouse that was there when they built this building when the demolished it they just left it in place and there’s a lot of debris and stuff from that that had to be removed and suitable materials needed to be brought in to get the compaction we required. And basically that’s what you see there in the change order. Mr. Williams: I do remember that conversation now unlike some conversations had been discussed but I do remember that. But I guess my question is once we bid a job and maybe not direct it to you maybe the attorney or somebody else can, once we bid a job then the unforeseen stuff that you cannot see like the stuff under the ground. But when water comes or something happens should that fall on this body because that’s what the bid was and that’s what we ought to do that for. And that probably won’t be directed at you, you can’t answer that fairly because you’re going to see it a totally different way than how I see it because I’m sitting on this side of the table. But somebody else might be able to help me and tell me once we bid a job and that’s what the bid is, is that unforeseen stuff like the gravel and the stuff you can’t see under the building but when natural situations happen like with the rain does that fall under this body? Do we consume that? Mr. Mayor: Yes. Mr. Williams: Evidently I guess we do. Mr. White: That’s why we do have contingencies and I do have contingency money to pay for this that’s why we’re not asking to increase the budget. You know for unforeseens you put up some money aside to cover things like this and we have that in place. Mr. Williams: And this is $65,000 is that --- 9 Mr. White: $5,077.00 which is a sixty-five plus the other. Mr. Mayor: But that’s coming out of contingency. Mr. White: Yes, sir, it is, it’s all covered in contingency. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, because the name of the account doesn’t make it any easier for me I mean because you put it under contingency but that money still comes from the government. I just had to ask that question, Forest, I don’t have the support to do anything else so I just wanted to know before I voted either way. I wanted to know what I was voting on and what I expected. We have a lot of change orders that come through this government all the time. And I tend to say if you bid on a job you get to bid on a job the best you know how and you win some and you lose some. We’ve been losing them all but it’s just my opinion. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Can I get a motion on this? Mr. Guilfoyle: So moved. Mr. Johnson: Second. Mr. Mayor: That’s a motion to approve? Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Williams votes No. Motion Passes 9-1. Mr. Mayor: And before we move along I have a little something that usually is up here when we start the meeting but, Reverend, can you come forward for this? I’ve got a presentation for you. And once again thank you for that wonder invocation. Office of the Mayor. By the present be it known that Reverend Gaye Ortiz, Pastor Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta is Chaplain of the Day. For her civic and spiritual guidance demonstrated throughout the th community serves as an example for all of the faith community. Given under my hand this 4 Day of November 2014. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE) Madam Clerk, next agenda item please. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 22. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend Augusta, GA Code Sections 1-1-23 AND 1- 1-27 relating to employee or public official conflicts of interest, to allow for exceptions to be approved by the Augusta, Georgia Commission on a case-by-case basis; to repeal all Code Sections and Ordinances and parts of Code Sections and Ordinances in conflict herewith; 10 to provide an effective date and for other purposes. Waive second reading. (Requested by Commissioner Grady Smith) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith, this was you request? Mr. Smith: Yes, I just brought it back up because you know being a business man and being on this committee I think I don’t see any conflict with subcontractors. There’s a difference between being a General Contractor and a SubContractor. A sub-contractor is so far down the money chain and the way we have to bid for the project you might have five generals bidding the project and then you might have let’s say electrical, you might have seven electricians bidding the same project. So what it ends up being is you know it might be cheaper to go to Las Vegas and roll the dice. But anyway that’s about the way construction works. And I know those of you who are in other employment probably don’t understand the construction industry so you know and I don’t expect you to. Of course some of them do know a lot. Anyway but the thing about it is I’m sitting up here as a commissioner and also I have a business and so do several others in this county and to penalize the guys that work for me and they pay taxes and all that just because I’m up here on the committee it’s a shame if we’re thugs or thieves why do they even allow us to sit here. So do a background check and if somebody’s got an ‘x’ by their name throw them out. And that’s all I’ve got to say about that. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. I saw Commissioner Lockett then Commissioner Fennoy then Commissioner Williams. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m not in support of this change. No, I don’t understand the construction industry; I’ve never been in it and don’t have the desire to ever be in it. But I do know one thing for certain as an elected official you’re always under a microscope. And it’s not that you necessarily got to do something that’s wrong but it’s the perception and I think it’s what we should be concerned about. You know how does one perceive an elected official doing business with that government which he or she governs? And I think that could present a problem. I think when this ordinance was changed a while back I think it was changed for the better. So I would have a very difficult time supporting this. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Commissioner Fennoy then Commissioner Williams. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I guess my question is just listen to what Commissioner Smith just said. If a contractor is awarded a contract with the city then the I think what he’s asking is that if members of the Commission has a business that they could bid to do some subcontract work with the contractors and there’s no guarantee that you as a subcontractor would get the business --- Mr. Smith: Usually after you --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith. Mr. Smith: --- I’m sorry. Usually on what you’re leading up to is naturally they’ve got low bids the general contractors so any bids he takes he’s got to use to be competitive and use the lowest bids. So that’s what it ends up being and you know when you bid against five general 11 contractors but then they each might have five, six, seven subs that’s you can see the chances. And you know you’re bidding the job, if you get it fine if you don’t you turn around and go to the next one if you don’t get the job. Mr. Fennoy: And I’ve got one final question --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Fennoy: --- to our attorney. Mr. Brown --- Mr. Brown: Yes, sir. Mr. Fennoy: --- how would, if this ordinance passes how would it read differently from the existing ordinance? Mr. Brown: Mayor and Commissioners, the change in the ordinance is in your packet. It is redlined to show what changes would exist. For the most part it’s one, one particular change in this ordinance that’s being proposed. And what that simply says is that if a Commissioner wants to transact business with the city it must apply to the Commission and the Commission has the power to consider the application on a case by case basis. It does not automatically give any Commissioner the right to do business with the city. It still would be in the hands of the Commission upon the application of the public official who wants to do business with the city. Mr. Fennoy: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Brown: One other thing if I could --- Mr. Mayor: Go ahead. Mr. Brown: --- what it simply is we’re doing is restoring one the provisions that was previously in Augusta’s Code of Ethics the one that probably has been the majority of the time, the code that probably has existed for the majority of modern Augusta history is restoring that provision. That provision has always been in Augusta’s code probably since consolidation that the Commission like any other state agency can decide on a case by case basis to allow a member of their body to do certain business with the city and what restrictions they will place on the application. Mr. Fennoy: Okay, one final question --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Fennoy: --- just to follow up on what you just, so I mean what Commissioner Smith just proposed is that so it doesn’t matter if it’s a subcontractor or a contractor? 12 Mr. Brown: No, it would not matter. This motion is even those it’s requested by Mr. Smith this motion is not an application for any activity that he may engage in. It is simply a change in the overall ethics code for Augusta. So if Mr. Smith wanted to engage, bid on a subcontract with the city he would have to first come back and to apply to the Commission to be able to do so. Mr. Fennoy: And the same thing would hold true if he wanted to bid on a general contract with the city. Mr. Brown: Yes, any activity that would appear to have a conflict of interest would be governed still by this code. Mr. Fennoy: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams then Commissioner Smith. Mr. Williams: I just realized that all I got to say. I just got one more question then one more question then I won’t have my two minutes here but I can do like I want to because I going to have one more question. But, Mr. Brown, I’m hearing you say that what we have if this is changed we’ll be doing what we had in the past. Is that right we’ll be, this is what has been set up before. Is that what I’m hearing? Mr. Brown: This one provision was previously in Augusta’s code until the current change. The current change I believe was made in 2013. Mr. Williams: So it’s been in place you’re saying since consolidation is that what I’m hearing. Mr. Brown: Yes. Mr. Williams: And the way the rule reads is that each person would have to come and ask for an opportunity to do business with this government and this body would decide yes or no up or down? Mr. Brown: Yes, particularly Augusta Code Section 1-1-23 the proposed change would read that these rules shall not be applicable to such further exceptions as may be made on a case by case basis upon application to the Augusta Georgia Commission. So it doesn’t give any Commissioner an outright right to do business with the city. They still have to come before the Commission, explain to the Commission what they seek to do. And the Commission will have to rule if this is in the best interest of Augusta. Mr. Williams: And my last question, Mr. Mayor, then it wouldn’t be, it wouldn’t be doing business with the city they’d be doing business with this board. From the way you explained it you’d be saying because this board would have the authority. If you didn’t have to bid on a situation, let me ask you this from the way that you interpret that if he didn’t have to bid 13 on a situation in this government. Would that be the same thing if it wasn’t a bid process or could you do something if it wasn’t a bid? I’m just asking the question. Mr. Brown: Presently you can do anything that does not create a conflict of interest. What is being said is the conflict of interest rules would not apply if you come to the Commission on a case by case basis and the Commission gives you the exception. It doesn’t just apply to bids, it could apply to selling something to the city. Mr. Williams: Okay. Mr. Brown: It may not just be construction it could be anything that would create a conflict of interest --- Mr. Mayor: Services or, okay. Okay Commission Smith then Commissioner Harris. Mr. Smith: Well, when I talked to Andrew about this particular bill or change I was talking about subcontracting and I explained it to him. A General Contractor as you know is up there right where the money is disbursed and all that where you could possibly have a conflict of interest. But as a subcontractor or a specialty trade you’re working for the general contractor. And like this county has said before when we had problems up there at Augusta Aviation where the sub’s getting paid or they wasn’t getting paid because the out of town general contractor took the money and took off back to Atlanta and it ended up in South America. They asked me to help get the money for them which we ended up going to the bonding company. But the thing about it is that’s who you’re doing business with. This county didn’t do anything to help those subcontractors because they said our contract isn’t with them it’s with the general contractor. And that’s what I said to Andrew that we’re a specialty trade group electricians, plumbers, heating and air, sheetrock, tile and that’s what I’m talking about. We work for the general contractor not for the county. And if there’s a problem we have to go through the general contractor or the general contractor’s bonding and that’s what I’m saying. So basically we don’t have a thing to do with the county. And like I say it’s rolling the dice when you bid jobs you might be low with this contract but you might not be lower with this contractor over here. So you never know who all’s going to bid the job and so as far as it being a conflict of interest you know most sub’s that I know bid the job they don’t bid the county, you know, so it’s all about earning a living but yet you know I’m sorry some of these guys up here the left hand might not trust the right hand but that’s their business. I’m an honorable business man. I think I was elected because most people know I’m honest and if they don’t do the check and if a thug or a thief -- Mr. Mayor: Okay your two, your second two minutes is up. Do you need another one or? Mr. Smith: No, I’m done. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Harris. Mr. Smith: I’ve had enough. Call for the vote. 14 Mr. Harris: I would like to recommend that we take it and send it back to Administrative Services --- Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Harris: --- as I would like to --- Mr. Mayor: Are you putting that in the form of a motion? Mr. Harris: Yeah, because but I want to point out that I agree with Grady in the sense that a subcontractor is a different world than a general. But I think it needs to be written, I don’t want to get in a situation where like Marion said that you know anybody that just does enough favors as long as they get the green light to go sell the county a million dollars worth of light bulbs. But in a construction situation where the sub is answering to the general and nobody else and theoretically he’s got the lowest bid which in then in turn is good for the county because it’s the lowest bid. I just feel like it needs to go back and we sit down with Andrew and Mr. Brown and kind of iron that out so that we have it exactly how we want it. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think we’re being taken of course because this motion is not designated for the construction industry, it’s designated for anybody that wants to as far as the colleagues up here wants to do direct business with this government or as a subcontractor or indirectly. Naturally I’m not going to be in favor of it. I still bear the scars from last year that I went through as well as my family. And I don’t again I’ll say it like I told this in the court I do not rely on this government for my business. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Mr. Fennoy: I’ve got one final. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Fennoy: I’ve got another minute, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. Fennoy: Okay. Mr. Brown? Mr. Brown: Yes, sir. Mr. Fennoy: And I just want to understand the process. If a contractor gets a job and a Commissioner wants to bid on that job as a subcontractor before he’s awarded the position does 15 he have to come before the Commission or once the subcontractor, I mean once the contractor awards him the subcontract work is that when he comes before the Commission? Mr. Brown: The procedure under the present rule a Commissioner cannot transact any business in terms of procurement with the city of Augusta on any level, prime, sub, sub, sub cannot do anything with the city. Under this process it simply is saying that there may be occasions where transacting business with the city or with the city’s contractors or with the city’s subcontractors may be in Augusta’s best interest. So that person can come forth to the Commission and make application. The procedure if this passes or becomes a part of Augusta’s ordinance the procedure I presume would have to be established either by Administration or by Procurement as to the timing, do they come before they bid or do they come if they win. Mr. Fennoy: Now is not the time to (unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Davis. Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you for your explanation, Mr. Brown. I didn’t know if Ms. Sams was here and could give an opinion or also just her, because I know we went through this I think we said a year and a half ago. And back then the Commission decided the Ethics Policy needed more teeth in it and to be more clear. And I think that’s what this Commission voted on for those reasons. So, Ms. Sams, do you mind just coming up real quick and --- Mr. Mayor: Ms. Sams. Ms. Davis: --- giving your opinion as well as from the Procurement standpoint? Ms. Sams: Good afternoon, Commissioners, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Davis: I was just basically I wanted to see if you thought that this would be a good, I know you went through the process with us before when we tried to strengthen the Ethics Policy the subcommittee about a year ago. What is your opinion as far as going back on those changes and allowing this change in the ordinance? Ms. Sams: To allow the change in the ordinance as it relates to Commissioners participating in the procurement process I think the Law Department has been very thorough in their research and knowing that they have to change the whole ordinance from what it is currently that prohibits any commissioner to participate in the process. Of course awarding the way it stands now is probably less cumbersome and it would probably easier to control than it would be if one allows commissioners to participate in the process for three or four reasons. One can it happen, certainly it could happen with the change in the ordinance as Mr. Brown has delivered to you. But two it can complicate the process because you as Commissioners are given so much information prior to the bid and if you if John Doe Citizen is going to submit on that same bid he or she might possibly feel like you had an advantage from the information you receive simply from the seats in which you sit. The other issue would be when that procurement enters this chamber you are the persons who would have to bid so therefore we again have to 16 look at the process because you would have to recuse yourself from the process. You cannot participate. So it will a very cumbersome, very complicated process as it relates to Procurement but of course it’s your decision and we would do everything possible to take away the appearance of impropriety and I’m not real sure that there’s any way possible that you could remove all of the appearance of impropriety. So what every the Law Department as it has recommend to amend the code which the whole code would have to be amended to include this we can proceed but I caution you in how you proceed. Ms. Davis: Thank you, Ms. Sams. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: And I’m just going to sort of build off of what Ms. Sams said. I think it overly politicizes the process and you know as we go into next year and look towards putting a SPLOST package before the public I think that the public trust in this government is of the outmost importance in order to get that package passed. So this just does give the appearance that Commissioners could have an advantage over the general public in doing business with the city. Commissioner Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes, I have a question for Ms. Sams. Mr. Mayor: And then I’m going to ask that we can move along and vote just because everybody will get the opportunity during the committee cycle. Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir. Ms. Sams, prior to last year when we had the exchange when we for the change the ordinance here you said how were you able to or how did you have to deal with this issue prior to the experience that we had just a year and a half ago and how did you deal with it at that particular time and did it present a challenge for your office? Ms. Sams: Well from time to time that’s a challenge, well, not a challenge for the office. You know when people don’t clearly understand where their rights start and where it ends in the middle of that people try and make decisions well I could do this because I’m John Doe Citizen. So even prior to the situation that we had with the three Commissioners last year that was an issue for my office. Mr. Hasan: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Ms. Davis votes No. Motion Passes 9-1. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next agenda item please. The Clerk: FINANCE 17 24. Review and approve recommended budget adjustments for departments facing projected shortfalls. (Requested by the Finance Director) Mr. Mayor: Ms. Williams. Ms. Williams: (inaudible) pushing the right button over here to put it on the overhead. As we discussed in the, when the third quarter financials were presented we continue to monitor departments as we always do during the year to make sure that they’re going to fall within their budgeted allotment. This year we faced an additional challenge for some of the departments with a 2.4% across the board reduction. Departments that have typically very small operating account budgets had a more challenging time trying to meet those reductions as their departmental budgets were more heavily weighted towards salaries but the salaries and fringe benefits were also included in the 2.4% reduction. So on this first page there is a list of departments that at the present time are in need of some budget revisions. The first one on there, the EEO Office, they have total funds in their budget however the excess funds are up in a salary line item as she, that department has a vacancy currently and it requires Commission action to move funds from salary line items down to an operational category. So at this point that would be the recommendation from Finance is to affect that change moving from where the funds are available but she cannot use them down to the operational line item that would be of service to her department. The remainder of these departments were affected also by the 2.4% reduction. The second sheet kind of, kind of shows you the distribution between the operational line items and the salary and benefit line items. For the DBE Department the operating budget before the reduction was only $4,600.00 dollars. The reduction of 2.4% was $3,400.00 dollars on her total budget which would have left her an entire operational budget for the year of about $1,200.00 dollars. So there was a pretty severe adverse effect on the operational ability line items in that department. So we’re recommending approximately $3,400.00 dollars which is essentially the amount of the 2.4% reduction to allow that department to continue to operate for the year to buy normal pens, pencils, paper, copier supplies. The next line item is our elected officials the Civil Court Chief Judge, the Presiding Judge and the Civil Court Clerk that operates under the Chief Judge. The reduction amounts were $6,500.00 dollars approximately $4,900.00 dollars and then almost $26,000.00 dollars for those three, for those three departments. We estimate that they will need $16,000.00, $4,500.00 and $19,000.00 dollars respectively to get themselves through the end of the year. The Probate Court is also in need of a transfer. The reduction amount for that department was approximately $18,000.00 dollars. $3,300.00 dollars of it were distributed to the operating accounts leaving the remainder of $15,000.00 dollars undistributed. At the current rate he will be approximately $17,000.00 over his budget through salary and operational line items combined at the end of the year. The State Court Judge their FICA and Medicare budget was shorted a little. We did not pick up the FICA Medicare for the judges positions during the budgeting process. That is our error. Should the 2.4% reduction have not been applied to the departmental budget in the amount of $25,000.00 dollars they would still have broken even at the end of the year, however that $24,000.00 dollar reduction combined with the shortfall in the salaries leaves them short of about $29,000.00 dollars for the entire year. So to kind of sum this up the first line item on here would simply be a transfer from the salary and wages line item down to the operational line item to allow the EEO Office to continue to function for the rest of the year. The remainder of these do not have funds, sufficient funds in 18 their budget to carry them through the end of the year and this would require a transfer into their departments from the contingency account. Mr. Mayor: And, Donna, what’s the total budgetary impact? Ms. Williams: The transfer from contingency for these line items would be about $90,000.00 dollars. There currently is $270,000.00 dollars remaining for the next two months in the contingency to last us through the end of the year. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Harris then Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Harris: (inaudible) I didn’t have a question (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, Ms. Williams --- Ms. Williams: Yes, sir. Mr. Fennoy: --- didn’t some of these departments come before the Commission and saying that they had excess money in their budget and they wanted to use this money to adjust the salary of their employees? And now they’re coming back and saying that they’re running short? Ms. William: There were salary increases in some of these departments, sir, and they are elected officials which as you are aware the Finance Department cannot control the line items within those budgets once the budget is adopted by this Commission. The total amount is in their budget but some of these departments as you’ll see from the notes on the front have given salary increases during the year. Mr. Fennoy: So and just so I understand what you just said some of these departments can give raises and then come back before the Commission and say we’re out of money or we don’t have enough money to operate for the remainder of the year and we will have to make up the shortfall? I mean I just want to know that’s what I’m hearing because and what I need to know is that when they come to us and say that we want to make some changes in our budget in order to make some adjustments in the salaries in our department then if I know I’ll say wait until the end of the year and see what you’ve got left over as opposed to them giving it and they’re coming to us and say we’re short, we need ya’ll to take up the slack. Ms. Williams: I agree 100% with you there needs, there needs to be some better cooperation and communication when salary increases within these elected officials’ departments are given. Mr. Mayor: Okay do we have a, Commissioner Guilfoyle. 19 Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Donna as far as any of these departments that’s here on this list if we done away with the 2.4% would they be able to maintain within their operating budget or would they have exceeded it? Ms. Williams: The amounts are shown for you on this second page in here. Had the Civil Court Judge not been required to do the $6,500 he would still have been slightly short in his budget approximately $9 to 10,000.00 dollars. The presiding judge he would’ve been okay, it would’ve broken even. He had approximately $4,900.00 dollars that was the 2.4% reduction. The Civil Court Clerk the reduction was approximately $26,000.00 dollars, that budget would’ve been still to the plus. The Probate Judge he would’ve been pretty close also. His reduction was approximately $18,000.00 dollars. He’s going to be short about seventeen at the end of the year. The same with the State Court Judge as I said before his reduction was almost $25,000.00 dollars. He probably would’ve been very close to breaking even at the end of the year had the 2.4% reduction not been applied across the board. Mr. Guilfoyle: How do those other governmental entities work when they actually do an across the board reduction? I do understand that the smaller departments three, five employees they actually take more of a hit than your three to five-hundred employees departments. Ms. Williams: They do. Mr. Guilfoyle: So how does other municipalities enforce their mandated percent cuts? Ms. Williams: I don’t know, sir. Mr. Guilfoyle: No, I understand. Ms. Williams: I don’t know --- Mr. Guilfoyle: The only thing you are the messenger -- Ms. Williams: --- (inaudible) a combination of methods just like we wind up using here. Mr. Guilfoyle: Donna, thank you. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Donna, I just want to say I’ve done a little research on this and what I found is they recommend or suggest that across the board cuts is not the best way to go about balancing a budget. How do you feel about that? Ms. William: I believe I’ve said that a time or two, sir. Mr. Lockett: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor: Okay, can we get a motion on this? 20 Mr. Lockett: So moved. motion would be to adopt the budget adjustments as Mr. Mayor: Um, the recommended by the Finance Department. Mr. Lockett: That’s the motion, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second? Is there a second on that? Mr. Fennoy: I --- Mr. Mayor: Okay, you seconded it? Mr. Fennoy: --- but I think that we need to put some stipulations on there so what happened today won’t happen next year. And I don’t know, Ms. Bonner, how I would, the language I would use to (inaudible). The Clerk: The language you’re talking about I would recommend you include that when you adopt the 2015 budget. Mr. Mayor: And that would be a policy question as to how we handle these going. Ms. Williams: We would be more than happy to, we can discuss that either at tomorrow’s budget work session or the one the following Wednesday. Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, ma’am. Commissioner Davis. Ms. Davis: Ms. Williams, where would this money be transferred from again, you say contingency? Ms. Williams: $90,000.00 dollars would come from the contingency account. The first $15,000.00 dollars for the EEO Office would come from within their existing budget but because it is in a salary line item, it requires approval by this body. Ms. Davis: And this is coming out of the 2014 contingency budget? Ms. Williams: Yes, ma’am. Ms. Davis: And we do have the money in the contingency. Ms. Williams: There’s $270,000.00 dollars in that account at present. Ms. Davis: Okay, thank you. 21 Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Mason, it looks to be all about the contingency’s today. We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Williams votes No. Ms. Hasan out. Motion Passes 8-1. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next and what I believe is our final agenda item. The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 25. Receive comprehensive update from staff regarding Hyde Park Relocation Project. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) Mr. Mayor: Mr. Ladson and Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Ladson: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission basically what we have to propose today I’m going to give an overview of the project basically how we started and currently where we’re at and then Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Williamson they’re going to get into more details of the project. The Hyde Park Project basically started out as a SPLOST project it’s a Phase VI project. On that particular project we, it was $2 million dollars that was earmarked for this particular project. I think the department actually requested right at about $8 to $10 million dollars on that project but it was approved through the Commission and by the voters that we get $2 million dollars off of that project. Once we, once the project was approved we started working on the project we did a combination of design and also we started working on the land acquisition aspect of it. We did in 2010 we did prepare some documentation and an agenda item to receive to apply for GEFA funds. We applied, came to the commission to the commission to apply for $10 million dollars. That was denied by the commission and so we spent about probably from six months to a year to actually to, I wouldn’t say fine but to research and find some money from other sources. At that point we got about an additional $2 million dollars which brought the total up to $4 million dollars. So right around about December 2012 we began the land acquisition process and at that meeting we stated that it would take approximately four to five years to actually complete the land acquisition process. To date we’re actually ahead of schedule on that. Our only I would say barrier right now is still funding. We initially stated that we needed, the initial cost estimate was $8 million dollars. To date that estimate is probably right around $8.5, $8.6 million dollars. So we’re pretty much on target with that but when we approved everything and every time we give updates we state that we still need additional funding for Hyde Park. So currently right now we’re about 75% completed with Phase I and 13% completed with Phase II. And I’m going to let Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Williamson get into the details of that and then hopefully we can answer (inaudible). Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. 22 Mr. Williams: --- if I can this was my agenda that I had put on here. Before Mr. Wheeler comes I’d like to make a couple of statements. First of all the comprehensive report that I asked for we know the money’s been asked for at least I know the money’s been asked for. I know that there’s three phases supposed to have been going on but I said to the media today that when we had the abuse of animals we seen several groups come out in support of the animals and I think they were well in their right to doing it. But this is entirely too much too long for the people that’s still left there to have to deal with what they’ve been dealing with. When they move and I’m not criticizing the move men I’m not criticizing the people who are doing it but I sympathize with the people who are left there. Now I appreciate Mr. Ladson giving the history about what money was requested but my issue is that people are living in less than animals are living in Hyde Park right now. And I don’t know nobody in this room would be willing to go and just stay the night with somebody staying there, not an abandoned home but just with somebody staying over there. And I think its high time that we as an elected body get serious about what those people are dealing with. I asked Mr. Russell when he was here was he waiting on those people to die and I know what I was saying. These people are 70, 80 and 90 years old been living over there with filth and the contamination all of these years and we finally decide to move them but we have not yet even completed one phase of it. Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. Mr. Williams: I need to know from this body and I know all the other stuff that’s going on around town, Mr. Mayor, but I need know what are we going to do to get these people out. If they have to put them in a rental situation the people can’t live like they’re living now. I get calls not every day but every other day about what’s going, where are we with Hyde Park. I understand there’s land acquisition and I understand about title and confusion in the families but we have not even took care of the seniors that’s ready to go. Here it is now the end of another year where people are moving out and the people are vandalizing the homes for metal or for wood or for anything else. The garbage is being thrown all over the place there’s not, there’s no survival skills being able to be obtained in that area. The city’s not providing any other services just the basic essential services and that’s water maybe some lights on the major streets. So I don’t want to hear all of the reason, Abie. I hear you but I don’t want to hear that. I want to know what are we going to do to get this project up and moving. Now we just moved somebody from Oaks Creek was going to Hyde Park and that’s why I agreed to do that. But we still have not got those people out and I don’t see how we can sit here as an elected body and not sympathize with those people who are stuck over in there and get them out of there. So I need to hear something Mr. Mayor about what’s going to happen and how quick it’s going to happen. And my colleagues ought to be right there with me I believe on this situation because it’s a life or death situation for those people who are seniors and can’t defend themselves, who don’t know how to come down here and to speak and don’t even know where to go to speak. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, Mr. Mayor, I kind of well not kind of, I agree with my colleague. And you know one of the things that I constantly hear from the people that I represent is that we’re being treated differently and they feel like in different areas that’s going to impact the African 23 American community that they are treated differently. When they look at the condition of the streets, when you look at the number of abandoned houses, when you look at the number of overgrown lots and nothing is being, and I know this all of this is not falling on Mr. Wheeler and his department but the constituents don’t know. What they know is that this is a project that was approved and we’re stuck and nothing’s being done. But they come to me and say well whenever there’s a project going on in some other communities they start it and they finish it and it’s over with. Now here we are got to come up with $5,300,000 dollars and I don’t know where the money’s going to come from but it has to come from somewhere. I mean whenever there are other projects you know we’re always able to come up with the money. So we need to do something for the residents of Hyde Park. And we have actually created a dangerous situation for the residents that are still over there. If you have a community where we have 400 households within that community and now we only have 75 or 100 --- Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. Mr. Fennoy: --- households in that community that puts those other 100 households at risk because it may be three, four houses with nobody staying there or they may be the only people staying on that particular street. So we have got to find some relief for the people in Hyde Park and we as a city got to do the right thing by them. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Johnson : Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Two things here I just want to say. I know Abie you all have really been doing all you can for that project. When we talked about it we looked at all the different barriers, we looked at the obstacles we had in front of us and we knew that funding was a, going to be an issue later on. We took the resources that we had in place at that time which was the $2.5 million dollars that was already allocated through SPLOST and then we moved some monies from MLK and Old Savannah Road that went unused. So that gave us about $4.5 million dollars and so at least $4 million in the project. But we must be reminded that we did say that SPLOST VII was going to be a source of revenue to be used for this project and it did not pass last year. And I did make mention of that when this you know when that package was put together. Unfortunately it was some things in there that the citizens didn’t agree with so it kind of hurt the monies for Hyde Park. Hopefully that will happen next year and they can get those funding. But what we need to do at this point and we did talk at some length about this is look at other areas that we can pool monies from for light projects and go ahead and keep the process moving so we can get those folks out of there because it is becoming dangerous because the more we move people out and the less we’re able to get those houses torn down the more we attract those who are undesired. And I think that’s the position we’re in right now. So I think task youall and I’ll put this in the form of a motion to well let me say this I would like to just look at other light projects that we have already funded or been funded through other sources that we can move money. And this body can make that decision up here to move those dollars to that community to go ahead and continue the process because again it is becoming important there. And I know we’re in the two and a half year mark but we need to get serious about it because --- Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. 24 Mr. Johnson: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor, we do have quite a few people that still needs to be relocated and we need to really get the ball rolling to continue the process. So that’s what we So I’ll put that in the form of a motion to get your department a need to do at this point. task to look at those projects and get them back to us I would think if you could probably do that in two weeks that would be great. Or if you can do it by the next commission I mean committee meeting. I don’t know how much time you need but just let us know how long it would take you to do that and in that way we can give you the authority to do what’s necessary to get those funding, the funding there to go ahead and continue on with the process the way you need it to be. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made. Is there a second? Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Ladson. Mr. Ladson: I, with just the department I think we need to actually have it should be Finance --- Mr. Mayor: Housing and Neighborhood Development. Mr. Ladson: --- yes. Mr. Johnson: I mean that’s fine. Whoever needs to be involved in this conversation to do that, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to make that, put that in the form of a motion. Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioner Lockett and Commissioner Williams I recognized you twice but I’ll give you one minute. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know we’ve got to get out of the proverbial box. There are many different ways to accomplish things and I agree with all my colleagues that have spoken on this issue. This has gone on way too long and we are going to have to come up with something to make sure that those people are moved out of Hyde Park. One of the things I think we ought to consider is possibly finding temporary lodging for them because as Commissioner Williams said staying there in unsafe environmental conditions that are not the kind that we want to. And I don’t want us to put all of our eggs in one basket and rely on SPLOST VII. We don’t know SPLOST VII is over a year from now. What if SPLOST VII doesn’t fail what are we going to tell those people if you’re still living to wait another year or something we come back with another SPLOST? I don’t think that is acceptable. I think we need to do something and I think what the Mayor Pro Tem said is sort of putting us on a proper trajectory but I am tired of us saying that we can’t do this and we can’t do that. Let’s spend all that energy on finding out how we can do these things. And I think the thing we need to do is to get those people out of Hyde Park as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 25 Mr. Mayor: And I just want to say before I recognize Commissioner Williams for a minute but we need to also remember that for years nothing was done in Hyde Park. And I would say that we’ve committed significant time and resources to do it. So I’d like to applaud our staff for the work that they have done there. And it’s a collaborate effort of everybody working together. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, Abie, I’ve got a couple of questions. One is the six-hundred plus dollars we moved from Oates Creek. What was the money used for because I was told it was going towards some things in Hyde Park. Can you answer that? Mr. Ladson: It’s being used for relocation. Mr. Williams: Being used for relocation? Mr. Ladson: Yes, I mean I can have Mr. Wheeler to get into more details. Mr. Williams: Well, I’m more concerned if we move that money over there to keep the project moving why is it that we only moved I think the sheet shows what seventy-four on my comprehensive report that I’ve got that’s not so comprehensive but --- Mr. Mayor: Thirty more seconds. Mr. Williams: Well, I’m trying to get him to answer the question, Mr. Mayor, but I mean but I’ll take whatever time. Mr. Wheeler: Mr. Commissioner, if you look at page two at the very bottom there are three numbers. One says that we have available $683,000 dollars. We have obligated $400,000 of that already so we have a balance available for additional relocation of $283,000 dollars. It’s at the very bottom. Mr. Williams: Okay and Mr. Wheeler --- Mr. Wheeler: That’s the $600,000 dollars that came from --- Mr. Williams: Oates Creek. Mr. Wheeler: --- right, right. Mr. Williams: And the money we had before that was $2 million plus we had before that? Mr. Wheeler: Yes, sir. Mr. Williams: Okay and with that $683,000 dollars that we had how many homes were you able to move, how many people have you relocated? 26 Mr. Wheeler: We have moved 75, there were 44 --- Mr. Williams: Under the six we’re talking about 683, how many families were you able to move with that because I’m trying to figure in my head what the $2 million should’ve moved. I’m trying to see if we’re on the same page. Mr. Wheeler: The only thing I can tell you --- Mr. Williams: Okay, I’m just asking, how many families did we relocate with the 683? Mr. Wheeler: None of them yet. There are 400,000 obligated that’s at the attorney’s office and for four families that are looking. That’s out of the full $600,000 four-hundred is obligated already and as soon as we get those closed that money will be expended. You will only have $283,000 left. Mr. Williams: I understand that, I understand the numbers --- Mr. Mayor: Nine seconds. Mr. Williams: --- but I need to know you’ve got four families obligated I mean the money’s been spent. Is that right? Mr. Mayor: Okay, your time’s up there Commissioner Williams. Mr. Wheeler: Five families are obligated in the $400,000. Mr. Williams: Help me talk to him. I can’t talk to him. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Hasan then Commissioner Harris. Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Wheeler what was the initial, well first I want to say this here. This government is to be commended for the program they put in place to move the families the first thing because I think it was a wonderful program to have an opportunity to make those families whole. So my question, Mr. Wheeler, what was the initial amount that was allocated for you to work with to begin moving those families. Mr. Wheeler: Somewhere around $3.2 million dollars --- Mr. Hasan: Okay so --- Mr. Wheeler: --- (inaudible). Mr. Hasan: --- when they made publicly they were saying about $4 million dollars you actually didn’t get four million? Mr. Wheeler: No, sir. 27 Mr. Hasan: Okay (unintelligible). Mr. Wheeler: Commissioner, this is not just relocation. You’ve got property acquisition, you got attorney fees, you’ve got the lots so it’s not just --- Mr. Hasan: I understand that. I just remembered you saying you were allocated $4 million dollars that the project was going to cost $8 million dollars and I was assuming now I’m just assuming that you had gotten four and with the $600,000 we’re talking about from what Willow Creek 4.6 so I would think you needed $3.4 million dollars which made it $8 million dollars but now I’m seeing here you’re looking at a total you’re going need a total of $9 million dollars all together. Mr. Wheeler: My original estimate, my original we spent three-hundred $3.6 million dollars so far. We have estimated that to finish relocation is going to be $5,317,000 dollars. That number’s at the bottom of page two. The total budget between my estimate and what we spent is $8.9 million dollars. Our original estimate was $3.6 so what we now have is a $300,000 dollars projected over the original estimate but that’s all estimates. We can’t say for certain how those numbers are going to come out. Mr. Hasan: No, I was talking about it was originally estimated to be $8 million dollars. And I know things go over I’m just saying I remember it was $8 million dollars and now we’re talking about $9 million dollars. And so I’m not I know things happen and I know it’s not just for the houses but initially it was $8 million dollars, $4 million dollars has been allocated, $600,000 dollars 4.6 so we’re looking at 3.4. Now I’m not saying I know all the changed here but I’m just trying to follow that train of thought and obviously you just told me that Commissioner we didn’t get by 3.2 even you might have heard a number $4.5 million dollars. But that was just all my questions I’m just trying to understand that. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Commissioner Harris. Mr. Harris: On the money that you have per house per household I mean do you all negotiate with these people about what you’re going to be paying for their lots or is there just a flat fee and then there’s a moving, I mean do we pick up the tab to relocate them. And then one last one then also about the attorneys involved I mean this is I mean this is I don’t know it’s not rocket science and I’m assuming maybe there’s got to be a real estate lawyer but I mean you know we’ve got staff lawyers here. And this not I mean this just we’re going to buy you out and put you somewhere else. I don’t want to sound cold but I mean in essence that’s what this is. I’m just curious that we put the real estate guys on bid and say alright we’re going to be dealing with 400 homes so would you like to make a bid to come in here and how much what’s the least you can do this for to help save money. Mr. Wheeler: Yes the real estate team was bid out. In fact there’s a staff attorney assigned to Hyde Park and that’s Attorney Brown, he works with the closing attorney. The property of the homeowner is appraised. We then go out and that is the amount of money that they will be given and it has to be given back so it really never touches their hands. They go out 28 and find a home based on the comparable guidelines set by the federal government. We then buy their new home, put them in it, the amount that they receive stays with the city so there is never any cash transacted between us. Mr. Harris: So the home, hopefully the home they’re going into surely is much nicer than coming out of what amounts to basically a toxic dump. I’m just a little curious how we can trade dollars for, you know, as an example if it’s appraised at $35,000 dollars and then I mean how do you find a home? I mean do they then start making payments of the balances or? Mr. Wheeler: No, sir, it’s based on the square footage and the number of bedrooms. If they start off with a home that has no mortgage they have to end up with a home that has no mortgage on it --- Mr. Harris: Okay. Mr. Wheeler: --- unless they upgrade to a larger residence. If that happens, yes, they will have a mortgage but that’s handled by the bank because they have to go to the bank to get the additional funding for the mortgage over the amount that they are allocated. But I will be glad to sit down and explain this whole process to you if you would like. Mr. Harris: Maybe so. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Harris: Can you run the motion by us again? Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk. The Clerk: The motion was to task staff with to look at other light projects to move funds to the Hyde Park Relocation Project and bring recommendations back to the Commission for approval in the next two weeks. And the committee consists of Finance, Engineering and Housing and Economic Department. Mr. Mayor: Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Lockett and Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 8-1. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Point of personal privilege, Mr. Mayor. Madam Clerk, I’d like to get a comprehensive report of how much money has been paid to the attorneys to every facet of this thing with Hyde Park. I need to know who was paid what, when and how much to the dollar, please. 29 Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I believe that disposes of our agenda? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: I would just like to make a motion that we continue to operate under daylight savings time. Mr. Mayor: Amen, amen and amen. And I’d just like to recognize our newest business coming into the community, Unisys, is bringing in 700 jobs. (APPLAUSE) With no further business to come before the body, we stand adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena Bonner 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 November 4, 2014. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 30