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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting December 2, 2014 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER DECEMBER 2, 2014 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., December 2, 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. nd Mr. Mayor: And I will go ahead and call to order the December 2 meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission. And would like to call on Dr. C.W. Joyner, Pastor Broadway Baptist Church for our invocation. Please stand. The invocation was given by Dr. C.W. Joyner, Jr., Pastor Broadway Baptist Church. 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: And, Pastor, if you could please come forward I have something for you. Thank you for that wonderful invocation and always enjoy hearing you pray. Office of the Mayor Certificate of Recognition given to Dr. C.W. Joyner, Jr., Pastor Broadway Baptist Church is Chaplain of the Day. On behalf of the Augusta Commission and the citizenry of Augusta we extend to you our appreciation for the significant contributions and pivotal roles you played in enhancing the quality of life in our communities throughout your Ministry of Reconciliation. The City of Augusta recognizes and applauds your efforts to advance Christian and civil nd excellence. Given under my hand this 2 Day of December 2014. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE) Madam Clerk, on to the recognitions. RECOGNITIONS Employee of the Month A. Congratulations! Crystal Nasan, Augusta Tax Assessor Department December 2014 Employee of the Month. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission we’d like to acknowledge and offer our congratulations to our Employee of the Month Ms. Crystal Nasan of the August Tax Assessors Department. Would you please come forward along with Mr. Ross and other members of the Tax Assessors Office who would like to join in this presentation. Mayor Copenhaver the Employee Recognition Committee has selected Crystal Nasan as the December 2014 Employee of the Month for the City of Augusta. Ms. Nasan is a Property Appraiser II for the Tax Assessors Department where she has been employed for three years. She was nominated by Melanie Oglesbee. Crystal Nasan after only 14 months as the Mobile Home Appraiser has served exceptionally well in carrying out new procedures to correct a costly county operation dysfunction. Her field review and ownership contacts are a major component of the Mobile Home Project of the Tax Assessors Office. Ms. Nasan’s positive attitude with property owners, fellow employees, personnel of the Tax Commissioners Office, the Marshall’s Office and the 1 Courts as well as her level of understanding and execution of supervisory directives defined the project successful. Professional training in a DOR recent course manufacturing housing she scored a 96 and the instructor contacted our office to give high praises of her interactions in the class. Ms. Nasan’s file management, coordination of records, collaboration with others, weekly reports and follow up with upper management surpasses our expectations. This project was estimated to take over two years. However it was completed in half the time with superior quality due to Ms. Nasan’s efforts. As a result of Ms. Nasan’s efforts delinquent tax mobile home accounts are now down 54% from the prior year to date. Back taxes collected to date are over $256,500.00. This project’s success has eliminated the collection costs which would impact the Tax Assessors Office, the Marshall’s Office, Magistrate Court and the Tax Commissioner at an estimated $500,000 annually. The Employee Recognition Committee felt that based on the nomination and Crystal’s outstanding service we would appreciate you in joining us in recognizing her as the December 2014 Employee of the Month. Congratulations. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: And I’ve got something for you as well. December 2, 2014 December 2014 Employee of the Month Ms. Crystal Nasan Tax Assessors Department. Dear Ms. Nasan on behalf of the City of Augusta it is with great pleasure that I congratulate you for being recognized as Employee of the Month for December 2014 and for saving us a boat load of money. Thank you very much. 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 Tax Assessors Department 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) Ms. Nasan: Thank you, thank you, thank you. Mr. Ross: Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor and Commission. Certainly it is our responsibility and duty to serve this great county to deliver at the level of the property taxation at the valuation level. Contrary to popular belief we do not collect money. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Are you sure you don’t want to say something? Ms. Nasan: No, I’m nervous as all get out. Mr. Mayor: We won’t make you. Ms. Nasan: Thank ya’ll very much. Mr. Mayor: And, Madam Clerk, on to the delegations. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS B. Ms. Alvera Harvey requesting another DA to hear details relative to the death of George Harvey. 2 Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes, please, ma’am. Ms. Harvey: Good afternoon first of all to Honorable Mayor Deke Copenhaver and the Commission panel we thank ya’ll for allowing us to be here again this afternoon. As you’ve heard on the agenda we have a purpose here today to see what our options are as far as having another DA look at the details of my brother’s death. And I’ve just prepared a quick statement so I’ll just keep it quick and go through it, okay? All right. After months of just trying to get a meeting with Ms. Ashley Wright the scheduled meeting finally arrived and at the last minute she tried to cancel. My brother Jerry did not let her off that easy. He explained to her secretary that our attorney had driven all the way from Atlanta to be here for the meeting and rescheduling was not an option. She did agree to see us. At the meeting Ms. Wright told us without any hesitation or reservation that she was leaning towards finding no fault in the actions of the officers involved in the incident. When we pointed out different aspects and actions that we felt warranted some type of disciplinary action her constant response was that’s a civil matter. I asked Mrs. Wright about there also possibly being angry and upset and using a taser as a means to get back at my brother her response was anything is possible but it has to be proven. Well, not too many criminals admit their quilt but yet the prisons are full. That’s why we have a court system. When I asked her about a statement made by Grover Tuten that my brother may have died anyway on that day and she said that not being a medical doctor she couldn’t agree or disagree so I asked her if that was the case and on that day I shot and killed my brother would I have been able to get away with it. Her response was, no, you’re not an officer. Excuse me. She stated to us at that time that she had not made her final decision as to whether or not to present it to the grand jury. I asked her what time frame she would have to make that decision. She said that she generally likes to make these decisions within a year. That was, my brother died June 29, 2013. At this time this was in May which gave her less than a month to make her decision as to whether or not she was going to go forward that’s whether or not she intended to go forward. When we asked her if we could get a transcript of the proceedings if and when she presented to the grand jury she said yes yet when the grand jury met we as a family were not even made aware of this until after the decision was made not to indict and we only heard of it through the media. About a week after we learned of the decision my brother Jerry his wife Sheryl and I went back to the DA’s office to ask for a transcript of the grand jury proceedings we were told at that time by DA Wright that there was no transcript because there was no recorder for state cases. This shocked me for many reasons, the main one being that DA Wright should have known this information at the time she told us we could get a transcript. She is the DA; wouldn’t she of all people have known this information before she told us that we couldn’t get a transcript? She said, excuse me I didn’t know if this information was true so I did some searching on my own. I did find out that at one time there was no mandatory recording necessary for proceedings but then back in 1979 there was a bill that passed where court proceedings were mandatory. However Georgia was one of those states that have not yielded to that mandatory rule yet so you can record proceedings, you cannot, but by being a grand jury proceeding a would think that it would be recorded especially since she had told us the family that we could get a recording. If I go to traffic court there’s going to be a recording so why not a recording of a grand jury proceeding. When we asked her who were the witnesses that testified during the grand jury trial, she told us the witnesses were comprised of the officers involved and statements from the GBI. When we asked her did she speak to any other witnesses such as 3 George’s fiancé who was there at the time or our other brother who was also at the scene her response was that she read the statements of the GBI and felt like she didn’t need to speak to anybody personally. I feel that Ms. Wright had already made up her mind not to prosecute and when Jerry encouraged her to turn it over to the grand jury she gave them what she wanted them to see to make the case turn out in her favor. That is why we’re here today to ask what our options are as far as having another DA to look over the evidence of this case for possible prosecution of the officers involved though we can all agree that even a family that neither Officer Sanders or Officer (unintelligible) intended for my brother to die that day. However there was a certain amount of hostility that may have become present because my brother was being belligerent to the officers. Mr. Mayor: Okay, ma’am, I hate to keep you to five minutes but we do have a lot of delegations. But I’ll open it up if there are any questions but I did want to open with the fact that I believe I’ve expressed it from here before we’re very sorry for your loss but this body does not have jurisdiction over the DA’s Office. That’s a constitutional office so we don’t have jurisdiction over the courts. So I just wanted to say that going in. Commissioner Mason then Commission Williams. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and to the Harveys we’ve had a couple of conversations in reference to this. And I did, Mr. Mayor, make it clear that I didn’t know that we had any jurisdiction or if there was anything that we can do. But in no time in my mind should we not allow citizens an opportunity to express themselves and to put out that that’s on their heart and mind to do. And so I did encourage them then from that perspective to come before us because even though we do not have any jurisdiction over that office we do hold the purse strings. Okay? So in one sense I can’t verbally tell someone don’t do such and such when on the other hand there is possibilities be it individual or this commission as a whole or maybe, Mr. Mayor, we could hear from the attorney on this in terms of just, just seeking guidance or a letter of support in terms of just having another person hear it. I don’t know that that would, there would be anything wrong with that. I don’t know if we can do that but I think we need to exhaust all avenues so that a family can get some peace of mind one way or the other because no matter what we do or don’t do we’re not going to be able to bring the brother back, the husband back, the uncle back, the son back. But one thing for sure that can give those peace that are living is to give them the opportunity to have every knowledge and every opportunity to ensure that they’ve done everything that they can to make sure that everything was done right. And, Mr. Mayor, I think you heard Ms. Harvey say that it is even her belief that it wasn’t the intent or at least their family said it wasn’t the intent of the officers to --- Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. Mr. Mason: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor, to actually come with the idea that we’re going kill Mr. Harvey today. So they are actually saying that but at the same time with all the stuff that’s going on in the world whether you feel like it’s an injustice or not there’s a lot of things going on in this entire nation as it relates to situations as these. And it’s time to listen and hear versus just listen and not hear. And so I wanted to have an opportunity for them to be heard today. And if in fact to look at our options as a commission sure we do not have the jurisdiction but is it within our rights or even as individual Commissioners or as a commission as or a body 4 as a whole just to see what the if we could get some sort of letter of support to have another person hear the case because clearly there’s been some issues there. And so I would ask that, Mr. Mayor, of the of our attorney here just to see if that’s something that is doable, is legal is right, the right thing to do or something that we could do or what are any options if any. Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: One thing certainly both on an individual level and as a collective body the Commission could certainly send a recommendation to the District Attorney’s Office to take any action even though there’s no other direct jurisdiction within this body. Certainly that’s something that can be done if it’s the will of this body to do that. Mr. Mason: Thank you. Mr. Mayor, what I would like to see done and certainly as an individual I’m certainly prepared to act as an individual commissioner. But instead of putting the Commission in a bind at this particular time without other evidence I would like our city Administrator if we could to task our cityAdministrator to speak with the Harvey family to find out the information that’s there along with our attorney to see if we based on that information if it will be something and brought back to this body if it’s something that we can do as a body. If not we clearly hear from our attorney that as individual Commissioners we certainly have the right and the authority to do so. And I as a within this next few weeks will get you a letter before I’m not a commissioner anymore that will go towards that. And this is not a knock against our DA or anybody like that but it’s just an opportunity to be heard. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Harvey and what I heard you saying don’t know it to be right or wrong. I’m not questioning that. But if what you have explained to this body happened the way you said it happened in her office I would be where you are. I’d be truly upset once someone loses a life it’s worth looking into every aspect to make sure that everything was done right. And I’ve got a problem when someone dies on the street or in jail or anywhere else if it’s any crime against another person anywhere and there’s a possibility of someone not paying their penalty for doing something wrong. We as an elected body don’t have any authority and I’m sure of that to make any other elected official do anything the Sheriff or nobody else but I would be where you are if what you had just explained happened the way you said it happened. And I’m very disappointed in the DA’s office for sharing that kind of information with you like that if in fact, I don’t know that that happened I say that again. But I’m truly disappointed when I look around not just with this Ferguson deal that happened already and the stuff that happened in Florida stuff happening all over the United States. And I don’t know some people turn their noses up saying they want to be like that, I don’t know who they are who want to be like that. But it’s bad when young men regardless of what their colors are being taken out of this world. You can give a lot of things but you can’t give life so all I can do is sympathize with you and ask you to take your attorney who I think would be your main course and to pursue everything that you can to at least get somebody else just to listen to it and at least you’ll be satisfied in losing your --- Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. 5 Mr. Williams: --- yes, sir, losing your brother your relative I think someone else would want another set of ears and eyes to look at their situation if they were in that shape too. So I’m in total support and I don’t help very much but I’m just telling you that I think you’re brave, I think you’ve been very professional. I don’t know that I could’ve kept it together as good as you have done the couple of times that I’ve seen you come down here in losing someone like that. So God bless you and just keep doing what you’re doing. Ms. Harvey: Thank you, sir. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to say I know the family very well and I just wanted to put that out there. And I know what they have been dealing with. I know Jerry and I have talked several times I know Vera and they’re like family and it’s a very unfortunate situation. One of the key things more importantly is figuring out how to get this resolved and get it to the next level if that needs to be heard. And I did have a question has anyone spoken with the attorney general of the state as it relates to the DA being turning this over to someone else from a different jurisdiction? Ms. Harvey: No, sir, that’s why we’re here today to try to see what our other options are. Mr. Johnson: Okay, I think that’s going to be the next step to go because again as the Mayor has stated we can’t, you know, make that decision but to give the best advice to move forward that’s going to be the next step that I would advise you on to do to get with the Attorney General to see what they can do and get them to see if they can reassign the case to have someone else look at it with a different set of eyes. And I agree I don’t think anything that happened within Richmond County jurisdiction should be looked at, you know, within our officers as you know as it relates to things that happened as far as incidents as you know in the form of this if you will needs to be addressed by the DA. I think we need to have somebody else look at it from the outside so, you know, they won’t biased on it. But I do of course you know ya’ll I support you know what you’re doing and I just want to make sure that you get to the root of it, you know, and that way you all can know exactly what really happened and what took place there as you know you all want to have that peace of mind and we want to make sure we do that. So I would encourage you to do that and then whatever I can do to assist I will be more than happy to do that from my perspective so thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, point of personal --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. Williams: --- privilege please? Just one more as an elected official I sent a letter to the Attorney General myself had not got any response. Not on this situation but on other situations. Hadn’t got any response and Joe Q. Citizen which I’m calling you would not be able to even get to the door. Now maybe somebody up here may have some way of doing that but as 6 an elected official don’t even care to wait if the proper door has not been knocked on. I’ll leave it like that. Mr. Mayor: And I would say that’s a situation at the state level it would be to talk to the legislative delegation. Have ya’ll spoken to the legislative delegation? Okay if you need to get through to the Attorney General using your state senator or state representative would probably be the best access to do that. Point of personal privilege? Mr. Mason: At the end of the day, Mr. Mayor, do we need because I mentioned tasking the Administrator is that something that we need a vote for or? Mr. Mayor: I think it’s already probably best to codify it so yeah that’d be if you could make a motion to. Mr. Mason: Well, I will do that in just a second but I just have one question for the family. And I don’t mean any harm in asking this question but I think it’s extremely important. On the death certificate what is the cause of death? Ms. Harvey: Homicide. Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor, I want to make that motion that we task our city Administrator to speak with the Harvey family in conjunction with our General Counsel and bring him in when necessary city Administrator to see what as a body we can or perhaps should do and certainly again to the Harvey family as individuals we can do some things individually as well. And you’ve heard some other things that the Mayor has mentioned as well as Commissioner Johnson. So I would put that in the form of a motion Mr. Mayor to task our city Administrator. Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioner Fennoy did you? Mr. Fennoy: Yeah, I got a quick question for our attorney. Mr. Andrew, just for clarity could you explain to me what homicide means? Mr. MacKenzie: I think the word homicide is, I’ll first just put out a caveat because obviously I don’t do criminal law. Mr. Fennoy: I know (inaudible). Mr. MacKenzie: I represent you all and that’s my sole employment. But I will say that it means that it would be a life was taken at the hands of another person. That doesn’t mean necessarily it creates liability, that’s for the courts to decide. It means it wasn’t an accident or a natural cause of death. 7 Mr. Fennoy: Okay. All right. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Lockett, did you have your hand up? Mr. Lockett: I took it down. Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a no, Commissioner Smith. Mr. Smith: I was just going to say our representative is a lawyer isn’t he, Harold Jones? Mr. Mayor: State senator our new state senator is a former solicitor. He might be a good (inaudible). Mr. Williams: The state senator’s already in there (unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: Yeah, true. Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Ms. Harvey: And I thank ya’ll and just that you know that you do understand the meaning of homicide. I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and I work at a state prison where I’ve been there eight years. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Ms. Harvey: So I understand the term homicide. I understand the terms use of force. There are many terms that I understand in which you’re dealing with the one that maybe at the time, you know, so I do understand the terms that have been you know placed before me. Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. Okay, thank ya’ll so much. Madam Clerk, next oh excuse me. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Next delegation, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS C. Ms. Juanita L. Burney regarding responsibility to constituents from government for the enforcement of policies and regulations for legitimate issues brought to government by its citizens. Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes as well please, ma’am. Ms. Burney: Good afternoon. I am thankful that I have this opportunity to appear before this Commission however I wish there was no need to be here today. I am representing the Mount Olive Memorial Garden Concerned Owners Cemetery Group. We wish to comment on 8 the responsibility of our government to be responsive to its citizens when presented with legitimate concerns. There are other members representing this group that are also here today and I would ask them to quickly stand. Thank you. Former Administrator Fred Russell once said that too many come before this body to complain without making any positive contributions. That sentiment does not describe me and the Augusta Government pin that you see that I wear was given to me because of volunteer service to this government. If you are a Commissioner that was not seated on this day in October of 2010 then these remarks do not apply to you. At our request several years ago code enforcement was requested to inspect an office building at the cemetery. This inspection was completed however it became evident that the owners were benefiting from cronyism from within our own government. I came before this Commission in October of 2010 to state the problem and to solicit the support of our government with code compliance issues. Because of the seriousness of these issues I followed up with a meeting with Mayor Copenhaver. Even though our case had been clearly made and supported by evidence Mayor Copenhaver requested that I send him a letter, he would investigate and get back with me. Said letter was sent but a follow up response was never received. Additionally the following year a Freedom of Information request was sent to the Law Department the letter and the proof that the letter was received. There was never any response. It is a violation of freedom protocol not to respond to Freedom of Information requests. It is now 2014 and not much has changed at this business however we remain dedicated to seeing that changes are made. We thank Ms. Melanie Wilson and her code staff for their recent building inspection. We thank Fire Chief James for his prior inspection. We are expecting that these dedicated county departments and their staff be supported in doing their job. Cronyism and fear of reprisal have no place in government operations. In closing we thank Commissioner Lockett for assisting and assuring that the presentation made in 2010 was completed. We thank Commissioner Mason for assistance that he has provided to us. Anyone that would criticize our comments made here today must be reminded that we have been professional we have followed proper procedure in voicing concerns that are legitimate issues. We have been long suffering. We requested no special favors simply support in ensuring that a non-compliant business be made to comply with Richmond County code requirements. We pay taxes that help to support this government. We do have rights and citizens do count. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Commissioner Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Ms. Burney, how you doing? Ms. Burney: I’m fine thank you. Mr. Hasan: In terms of the issue you started out saying that you represent Mount Olive? Ms. Burney: Memorial Concerned Cemetery Group. Mr. Hasan: That’s a mouth full. But you also made mention of Ms. Melanie Wilson and Chief James going out to do some inspections. Does that say to us at this particular time that your issues are being identified and also is someone acting to rectify them? 9 Ms. Burney: Yes, Ms. Wilson has been extremely helpful in what she has done for us recently and we appreciate the effort that has been made. We appreciate the staff under her supervision that went out there. Our concern is that they’re allowed to do their jobs. Mr. Hasan: Okay, say that again for me, I’m sorry. Ms. Burney: Our concern is that they are allowed to do their jobs without interference. Mr. Hasan: So are you in saying that because that’s I think you just pretty much answered in saying that is there any type of obviously it’s a concern because you’re saying it. Is there any type of thing that you can identify that they would not be allowed to do their job and do we need to give some type of pull back or something that we get in the way of them doing their job in any form or fashion? Ms. Burney: I’m alluding to the fact that we definitely believe and have some proof that in the first inspection there was interference in the staff doing their job. And I didn’t bring everything and I’m not prepared to talk about everything because I only had five minutes --- Mr. Hasan: Okay. Ms. Burney: --- and I wanted to make sure that my comments were made in those five minutes. But anyone interested in getting further information from me I’ll be glad to meet with them on an individual basis. Mr. Hasan: So the things that were identified I guess obviously they have shown you, you agree with them and so at this point in time you’re saying to us allow them to do their job. And I think we pretty much will. I just want to say if that’s the case please let us know I am your Commissioner in District 6 I know some of the property participants are not but what have you I think we will allow them to do their job. If they’re allowed and this government in some form have some sense of oversight in terms of how that business conducts themselves in Augusta Richmond County we will be more than glad to do that. So that was my real question to say if you’ve gotten those things identified and you know what they are now what can we do to help. I think you pretty much answered that. Ms. Burney: Thank you, yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Burney, that won’t fly with me. I need to know what, whom and how. You came to this body whether you had one minute or twenty minutes. Now the statements you made if someone had prevented people from doing their jobs and that’s the only way you’re going to be able to straighten this stuff out is to put it out on the table. Now if someone does something wrong somebody stops somebody from doing something as a Super District Commissioner I’m with your commissioner now Commissioner Hasan but I’m a little confused when that statement was made and you say you didn’t bring information so you need to just tell me. 10 Mr. Burney: Okay, for example one of the current owners of the cemetery her name is Catherine Rogers. Ms. Rogers is the wife of the former Fire Chief Rogers who was is my understanding second in command for the Fire Department. And because of that spousal relationship there was interference with the process of compliance and inspection. And then also I personally felt that at the time I made the presentation when I called that name given the animosity that was shown to me by Mayor Copenhaver and the fact that I followed up in a meeting with him and never received any kind of response made me feel that he was also part of that cronyism good old boy network we’re going to take care of our own group. Mr. Williams: Okay, well that helps me. Now you said something earlier about those were not here in 2010. I tried to get back in ‘10 ya’ll wouldn’t let me in so --- Mr. Mayor: But you just kept knocking at the door. Mr. Williams: --- so I kept knocking. And that’s what happens you keep knocking, Mr. Mayor, I’m back there. But I’m really kind of disappointed I mean I hear what you’re saying but I don’t think any of those names you called would have the authority or the power to tell somebody not to do their jobs. But now that we know now that we can see clearly now I think things are going to be a lot better. But that’s not the only situation happened around here like that I want you to know that I just need to know that particular one. But it’s a new day, things are changing. Ms. Burney: And technically why they might not have the authority not to tell someone to do their job but there is such a thing called reprisal and intimidation and you can’t always control reprisal and intimidation. Even though I realize that this is not a complimentary thing that I’m saying I did say not to the Commissioners who were not here in 2010 because obviously they’re not aware and they’re not responsible for anything because they were not here. Mr. Mayor: And Ms. Burney, I would just say I apologize for not getting back to you. It is not a form of reprisal or disrespect or anything it’s just sometimes, you know, you get going in a bunch of different directions and there needs to be some follow up so I apologize for that. But I was not, I didn’t bully or intimidate anybody or try to withhold anything I guarantee you that for the record. Commissioner Mason. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I wish I had been here in 2010. We had a tough time with this one. I want to say to you, Ms. Burney, and to all of those that are out there who have family members at Mount Olive the way the things were done they were not correct. And we can’t go back and change what was done but we can certainly put parameters in place to take care of those issues. And one of those parameters that we put in place was getting rid of some of those folks she just mentioned who are no longer in that department. And I’m proud to say I was a good part of that making that happen. That should never happen but cronyism and government seem to go hand in hand. One of the main things I wanted to fight for and against was that type of cronyism. I applaud you and those that have family members and loved ones that are out there and did not just accept that as going to be what would be your fates. The former planning 11 director is no longer here either and the good thing about Ms. Wilson is that she does listen and she does take proactive steps --- Ms. Burney: Yes, she does. Mr. Mason: --- to make things happen. So it’s been a struggle but over time we have either removed or insured that people are no longer in place that have caused or been a part of helping this community to have that black eye if you will and we’re continuing to do that even as we speak. And as Commissioner Williams said it’s a new day and but a new day is only new if we continue to do those things that are right and put away those things that are wrong. And I think that’s --- Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two? Mr. Mason: --- where we heading now. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So at this point I would say to you continue and do not give up because unfortunately I wasn’t able to see it all through the results that you needed but we put some things in place. And moving forward I think you’re in a better place today than where we were in 2010. And we shouldn’t have had to work that hard and you shouldn’t have had to work that hard but everyone shouldn’t have had to work that hard but your work is not in vain and we’re going to continue to move forward. And the thing I like about you Ms. Burney is that you don’t need a position or title to get results because I’m not interested in that anyways it’s in your heart. You’ve got a great heart you’re doing it for the right reasons and so I applaud you. So you where that pin with pride because in many cases you’re wearing it better than some of the ones that sat up here. Thank you I appreciate it. Ms. Burney: Thank you too. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett then Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I hope the distinguished gentleman from District 4 wasn’t referring to me. Mr. Mason: I certainly was not. Mr. Lockett: I was had only been on the Commission a few months when you came with this presentation and I was very supportive of what you were trying to do at that time and I’m even more supportive now. And I’m glad you have a good relationship with Ms. Wilson our Planning Director but if you should feel that there are any road blocks, something that’s causing you not to get those things that’s needed out there please let me know. And we want you to come back before the Commission and at that time we can have the people that’s causing those road blocks in attendance also. Ms. Burney: Thank you. Mr. Lockett: So please come back and thank you very much. 12 Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Ms. Burney, are the issues that you all had at the cemetery in 2010 been addressed? Ms. Burney: They are being addressed at this point. They were addressed by the coding staff but they were not completely followed through in terms of compliance but Ms. Wilson has gotten back on it for us and we’re happy with what she’s been trying to do for us. Mr. Fennoy: So you have, what I’m hearing is that you’re satisfied with the results that you are getting from the complaints that you had? Ms. Burney: Yes, sir. Mr. Fennoy: Okay, all right. Thank you. Ms. Burney: Thank you all very much. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Madam Clerk, next. The Clerk: Our next delegation Mr. Sanford Loyd regarding concerns relative to the financial health of Augusta Richmond-County. Mr. Mayor: I think actually we were on ‘D’. The Clerk: I’m sorry, right. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS D. Mr. Rob Dennis regarding the Pendleton King Park Foundation being exempted from the 25% match on future SPLOST Funding. Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to twenty, to five minutes too please. Twenty, no no. Mr. Dennis: Thank you for your time today, Commissioners, Mr. Mayor. I’m here on behalf of the Pendleton King Park Board at the recommendation of Counsel MacKenzie to ask for consideration to be exempt from matching fund status for future SPLOST requests from the park. These SPLOST funds will directly benefit the public property, interest, city assets for the foundation has in hands. And through that enhancement it’s enhanced the brand, the image of the City of Augusta as well. For the citizens and we look forward to carrying on that tradition in our public/private partnership with the City of Augusta. I think most folks here are probably familiar with Pendleton King Park but it is a 64-acre tract of land off of Kissingbower Road just north of the Kings Wood Subdivision. It was left through the will of Henry Barkly King in 1931 to honor his son. In 1956 the King Trustees worked out an arrangement with the city to lease 13 that property for a dollar a year and with the help of the city the Pendleton King Park was opened in 1966. Through this public/private partnership the city and Pendleton King Park Foundation have been it has been a long standing and productive relationship in fundamental within the foundation tax exempt status to work in concert with the city to support the park. And this non- profit status has allowed us to cultivate and leverage the 64-acre tract into a resource promoting not only Pendleton King Park but the City of Augusta. There’s a disc golf course at the park consistently ranked number one across the CSRA. It’s a family destination location where people go for recreation, picnicking, walking, jogging, there’s a children’s musical and children’s sculpture garden, a remarkably active bark park. But what sets the park Pendleton King Park apart in many different ways or in many respects are the volunteers and activities from our groups and the collaborations that we have with other Augusta organizations such as the several garden clubs engagement to sponsor the Hydrangea Garden, the Camellia Garden, the Blue Garden and the Touch and Smell Garden. They offer seminars and classes free to folks from Augusta who want to learn how to garden and get engaged in the park. It’s a location for Boy Scout activities and Eagle projects. We have a relationship with Fort Gordon for the Youth Challenge Academy where they contribute time, energy and effort, contribute time, energy and effort through their team building activities to enhance and beautify the park. The Red Cross Youth Board has volunteerism and activities that take place at the park. The Junior League of Augusta donated a playground. Through the Disc Golf Association of Augusta there is a sponsor for each hole. There’s a canine enthusiasts group that regularly hold events through Phinizy Swamp and the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy grant-funded activities have taken place. And just this fall we had a ribbon cutting for the Pendleton King Park Waterfall Project, a three tier waterfall to aerate the water out of Lake Elizabeth. That was accomplished with $25,000 dollars of foundation money and an additional $10,000 dollars of in kind support and materials. The private sector continues to support through maintenance of trails and cleanup days. Pendleton King Park is a 100% volunteer and all funding is reinvested into the park. The initiatives in this organization underscore the value of public/private partnerships to Richmond County and Augusta, Georgia. Thousands of hours have been invested in as a result of the foundation involvement and activities and so we believe that and particularly maybe today in light of the budget talks these public/private partnerships are really what bolster these parks and communities and so we would ask that as you entertain and consider future SPLOST funding that those organizations like Pendleton King Park which have an interest in the city image brand and interests be exempt from the matching funds. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I saw Commissioner Hasan’s hand first then Commissioner Guilfoyle then Commissioner Mason then Commissioner Williams. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Dennis, how are you doing today? Mr. Dennis: Good, how are you? Mr. Hasan: Great right here. Mr. Dennis, that’s a lot of wonderful things that you mentioned but I’m kind of confused and that’s not unusual because you know it’s been said and I’ve heard it several times now that we are actually leasing the property from the Pendleton King Park Foundation for one dollar. 14 Mr. Dennis: That’s correct. Mr. Hasan: That’s correct? Mr. Dennis: We have a lease, a lease on park --- Mr. Hasan: Okay. Mr. Dennis: (inaudible). Mr. Hasan: Okay. So I’m trying to understand. I mean it’s a very unique relationship we seem to have going on because you all are operating the park just as we are operating on it simultaneously in terms of, how do you define this relationship other than being I guess a private/public relationship? I get that part of it but it seems as though you all are actually managing most of it than we are so I guess my real question is what service are we supposing to be supposedly to be providing during this process? Mr. Dennis: There’s some additional documentation I can provide but that lease outlines the responsibilities of the city for operating and maintenance of the park. There’s a caretakers house there and there is someone who is on site when there are facility rentals there. As I understand it those rental fees are re-circulated back through Pendleton King Park by way of city employees who help operate and maintain and provide security for those events when there is a facility rental. So there is a city management component as well through Parks and Recreation. Mr. Hasan: But wouldn’t it be a Pendleton King Park management because we’re the leasers of the property? Mr. Dennis: You’re asking? Say that one more time? Mr. Hasan: More so than we being the management aspect of that we have with you all it looks more like Pendleton King Park Foundation we have a lease agreement with us because we’re leasing the property at the current time that we would be more in charge. Even though you might be the owners of the property but it looks like since we have this lease that we’re the caretakers at this particular time. So I’m not fighting it I’m just trying to understand the dynamics of it because it’s a very interesting situation and I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad. Mr. Dennis: In the contracts with our public/private partnership I think what the foundation provides is some structure as it relates to engaging volunteerism and pulling the private sector in for contributions for having an engaged citizenry involved in the park for advancing initiatives. The city’s engagement has been, they have, the city’s been invaluable in their engagement to provide resourcing for mulch, some services, the caretaker that’s there on site. Mr. Hasan: Okay and this and it’s my final question that’s my question when you said the city has been invaluable in doing that. But we’re leasing the property once again looks like to me Pendleton King Park should be invaluable in assisting us because we’re the actual leasers. 15 Mr. Dennis: It’s a two way street. Mr. Hasan: Okay, all righty, thank you, sir, for your time. Mr. Mayor: Okay Commissioner Guilfoyle, Mason, Williams and Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Dennis, Bill Franke came up here last week and apparently when it comes to SPLOST I don’t know if you were one of the participants in this SPLOST VII that had failed earlier this year. I don’t know if the Rec Department had put any monetary in for Pendleton King. It’s based on the people to be truthful and to eliminate to try to help out the foundation we had tasked the attorney to come back in 45 days because you all generate about $6,000 dollars a year I believe is correct to say. And ya’ll had put in approximately $200,000 dollars just this year alone through volunteer and private donations. And so the only problem I have with exempting the 25% match it’s going to open up doors that we don’t want opened in other entities. And I think you should be able to see that why --- Mr. Dennis: I understand that and that’s why I frame this in the context of simply consideration and I think it would be on a case by case basis. But in the event where the foundation is enhancing the Augusta brand image and making an investment that benefits Augusta that’s what we were looking for a waiver on. Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Dennis, we truly appreciate the public/private partnership that we have with the city as well as the foundation. If we’re able to get this first part phase done, I think it eliminates this phase. Mr. Dennis: Okay. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you for your time. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Mason then Commissioner Williams. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good afternoon, Mr. Dennis. Mr. Dennis: Good afternoon. Mr. Mason: I’ve been the Pendleton Kind Park several times enjoyed my time frame there. By and large it’s a great it’s a great spot. Having said that though I would have some serious reservations in terms of doing any exemptions. And I think as you mentioned on a case by case basis I think that’s what’s gotten us into trouble in this government on a case by case because it becomes not objective but subjective and when you’re dealing with the public’s money that’s a problem. And so I think it would open up Pandora’s Box. Now I may would have a difference of opinion if in fact these were not rules and guidelines that were stated from the very beginning and by all accounts they were stated at the very beginning. Now Mr. Bill Franke I think he’s out there somewhere he certainly had made mention that there’s some things that we said to him by former employees of this government and I don’t doubt him however 16 we’ve got to what’s right, the right thing and the fair thing by all of our citizens and all of our entities. I’m very, very appreciative of the public/private partnership and I fully understand that‘s what it takes in Augusta Richmond County for us to, you know, to be holistic with what we’re trying to do. But at no point what I consider an exemption for an individual group or entity when in fact the rules and regulations are outlined from the beginning as long as it’s that way and I’m very apologetic and it’s unfortunate that there were some things that may have been said --- Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. Mr. Mason: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor, that may have been said that contradicts the rules and regulations but the rules and regulations stand on their own. And yes this body can turn around and take six votes to change it but see that’s where we start to get in trouble. If we leave it across the board then it’s fair and equitable for everyone, you can participate, you can choose to participate or not. And I think you’ve even by your own admission has said the city has invested a great deal in the park as well in terms of services and other things that we’ve been able to do with you guys. Now I’m not saying that we put in $200,000 like perhaps was told to us last week but I think there’s been a pretty good partnership between the city and so for those reasons and certainly it’s nothing against Pendleton King Park Foundation or anything like that but those rules are in place. If those rules change perhaps I would be different but those are the rules as they stated right now and I would be very, very hesitant to do anything different than that moving forward but I won’t be here anyway. Mr. Dennis: May I add just one thing? Mr. Mayor: Go ahead. Mr. Dennis: When I say on a case by case basis it’s more and I’m not saying that I’m trying to look out for the liability interest of any entity. But for example making the park ADA compliant would be one the things we would hope to accomplish, improving traffic flow, items of that nature. Soil erosion is a significant problem out there and so while I say the city has been an invaluable partner and it has I think a dollar a year lease has been a remarkable value for the city and it has provided a remarkable resource for the citizens. Mr. Mason: Well, we could debate this and I could give you some scenarios where I think that but I mean I won’t do that here. But what I do think is that and our City Administrator is going to have her hands full what I do think is that and I don’t see our Parks and Recreation guy here unfortunately but perhaps that’s something that needs to be looked at our City Administrator in terms of our agreement to see where and if there’s some changes that need to be made one way or the other so that we perhaps can get a better understanding of what our responsibilities are and what we should perhaps be doing in assisting with or maybe what we shouldn’t be doing in assisting with. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: And I just before I recognize Commissioner Williams we implemented the 25% match in the last SPLOST the one prior to this one failing. But I think one of the things that we’ve seen historically there was an example of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame property where 17 the city put in, it was either $3 or $6 million dollars in SPLOST funding that we didn’t require a match by the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame and that’s money that’s been invested in property that we don’t own and we’ll never get back. And so I think there was the need to put some more teeth that’s the idea behind it. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m going to agree with Commissioner Mason what he had just stated we’re kind of on the same line. But you mentioned about doing more with the level of service we’ve been doing and with the contract. And I don’t know that contract for a fact. But for many years and all of my life I’ve been in Augusta and the park has been there since like you said 1966 but we’re limited as to what we can do. Now we do need to sit down and talk about it. I don’t think if we’re going to change the match other folks we open the door for everybody else to come with that. But in order to get more traffic in there or to get more participation use out of that park it’s got to be something else done. But our hands have been tied the way I understand it as to what we can do or cannot do over there because it don’t belong to the city you know and Billy Franke came up and he talked about the $200,000 dollar in kind work and the situation been done over there. So before we can put anything else into a situation over there we’ve got to have the tax payer’s got to own more of that. So I think a conversation is probably necessary to sit down and look at what we can do. It’s a great piece of land great piece of property. It’s got so much potential but we ride by and every once in a while somebody might ride in there you know and some folks take their dogs over there. I hadn’t carried my dog yet Mr. Mason but I plan to carry him over there too. But my point is we’ve got to do some things differently in order to create something. And when a piece of property sits in the middle of the city like it’s sitting there it’s all kind of potential. But our hands are tied like the park’s hands are tied to what we can do and what we don’t do. And I just that think we need to have more conversation about this, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Okay Mr. Mayor Pro Tem then Commissioner Harris. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would just like to say I think in a nutshell if there was something in particular we were doing as an investment of course we do a public/private partnerships all the time but if we were doing some type of investments as it relates to a particular facility or building or something of that nature if would probably be easier for us to justify being able to do something where it would even require you all to come up with any funding from SPLOST. But in this instance based on the way it’s set up I don’t think there’s anything that we can do that will not set a precedent, you know, that would allow us to be able to it and then others you know not come and say this is what we want as you know as a result of our situation as well. So I just wanted to put that out there. I think in the future you know maybe let me say this for the record ya’ll have done as awesome job. I live right across the street from the park and I’ve been there you know quite often you know to kind of see some of the changes and things that have been made there. But at the same time I do know this is a very difficult situation as we talked with Billy about it as well. You know we’ll do what we can but we you know of course our hands are very, very, well, our hands are tied. It’s very difficult for us to do anything outside of what the rules say for us to do. But we really appreciate your support and your partnership in this whole thing. We’ll do all we can to help the good stewards of the properties as well. You understand it’s very difficult demands and desperate need of some upgrades as well so we want to be modest in that as well moving forward so thank you. 18 Mr. Dennis: We look forward to continuing working with you. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Harris. Mr. Harris: Well, I’ve spoken to Billy about this. I think they need to sit down and do a better job of defining the match. You’re in a situation where you come up with a tremendous amount more than the actual cash dollars of what the 25% would represent. I think in the future when they deal with this sort of thing because I mean some how it fits that it requires SPLOST help but not in a position sometimes to raise that kind of cash. But ya’ll seem, I’m on the board of the Lydia Project and I mean we keep up with every single volunteer hour because we have to turn it into the IRS. So it is you know like that kind of stuff it does carry a value. Mr. Dennis: Yes, sir. Mr. Harris: So in the future it sounds like they’re all going to slam the door on your head but in the future I think we need to define what it like kind what is matching. Mr. Masan: You’re part of this too. Mr. Harris: No, but I’ll sign to get them on the expo factor but they found out ya’ll’s SPLOST did have the twenty-five. Thank you for the time. Mr. Mayor: Okay, well I’d just like to echo the sentiments of Commissioner Johnson and say thank you for the great job you do. I’m a huge fan and spend a lot of time out there. And I’d also like to echo the sentiments of Commissioner Mason and Ms. Jackson your phone is going to be ringing off the hook next year so look forward to that one. But thank ya’ll so much. Mr. Dennis: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the next delegation. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS E. Mr. Sanford Loyd regarding concerns relative to the financial health of Augusta- Richmond County. Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes, please, sir. Mr. Loyd: My name is Sanford Loyd, my home address is 711 Woodgate Court here in Augusta, Georgia. I’m a concerned citizen of Richmond County who is a little frustrated and disappointed in us as a community. In my opinion our commitment to a better community is questionable. We spend more time disagreeing and arguing about things than we do managing, coordinating and maintaining our assets. In 2003 the community shared its input that led to the document know as Destination 2020. This document was supposed to be a vision for the 19 Augusta region and according to the document our region could become the best midsized metro area in the United States. Destination 2020 recognized that the tasks were many and challenging but that the results would be worth describing. The expected results plan, automate and compact development. Regional awareness and concern would trump strictly local wants therefore county lines, city limits, race, regions and other divisions would no longer prevent us from seeing the common good. Downtown Augusta would be the cultural center of the region with its theaters, museums, parks and historic structures and the historic Laney Walker neighborhood would be linked to the city center. We would be safe, healthy and prosperous. Destination 2020 painted a beautiful picture of the region however Destination 2020 failed completely in addressing the main ingredient, the funding necessary to achieve this vision. It is eleven years later that we’re still having to address this main ingredient. Instead each year we only concern ourselves with balancing the budget for one year. We have only been willing to deal with one crisis after another and this year we considered every revenue option individually. This is no vision, this is not coordination, this is not management. It only continues confusion and chaos. The result of this: limiting the raising of the millage rate, no implementation of the 2% manufacturers excise tax, no agreement on the storm water fee. I keep asking what happened and on every item those initially expected to be impacted mobilized to convince at least six Commissioners not to vote for it. Why do we do this? Why don’t we get seriously committed to becoming a region in vision in Destination 2020? Why don’t we calculate the funding necessary to reach our destination? Why don’t we list our available funding sources and try to coordinate them to get the best results? Why don’t we evaluate all decisions on whether or not it gets us closer to our destination. The following are some of the things that have frustrated me. This body has said multiple times that we waste money on studies. I’m aware of studies that have recommended action by this body and this body has failed to act for one reason or no apparent reason. These are things I know. Downtown Development Authority first under the leadership of Chris Naylor recognized a lack of managing downtown parking. Reluctantly the Commission agreed to fund the study. The study was done and presented to the Commission with recommendations. No action taken. Later Downtown Development Authority under the leadership of Margaret Woodard recognized a lack management of downtown parking. The previous study was updated and again a recommendation was made to the Commission. Again no action was taken. It’s this type of action that takes us ten years to do something that we should do in three or less. In each instance the true issue management of downtown parking was overshadowed by one distraction, parking meters. Parking management is not parking meters. True parking meters may be a part of parking management but parking management is so much more than meters. We can’t keep running from this issue continuing to hide behind the parking meter distraction. We need to address this now and doing nothing more than talking about it is not addressing it. Downtown Development Authority also worked hard to implement a business improvement district and when it was time to renew the Commission thought it had not been run the way it should’ve been run and declined to authorize the renewal although the Commission could’ve changed it to operate it the way the Commission thought it should be run. The business improvement district supplemented services that the city were expected to provide. The supplement cost the city nothing. A service that was needed for a city that struggles to find the funds to do necessary required maintenance did not get renewed. Downtown is important to east August, west Augusta, south Augusta, North Augusta, Columbia County, McDuffie County, all of the regions so why are we letting it fall apart? Why do we run away from managing parking? Why do we not aggressively improve our streetscape? Why did we not renew the business 20 improvement district? Those opposed to the manufacturing excise tax made it seem like implementing the tax would be a shortcut to hell. I ask what is our current address 2001 Double Trouble Street Hell also known as Augusta Richmond County. We are old. We are dirty and we are falling apart. The next time the manufacturers use this argument ask them if not assessing the tax would generate $4 million dollars in the next year for the government ask them to show how their bottom line was affected by the removal of the 6% excise tax. Ask them if their business in Augusta was losing money would they continue business in Augusta. Mr. Mayor: Okay, the five minutes is up. And I’m trying to keep everybody to it and Mr. Sanford I appreciate your passion but I have held strong on that with everybody. Do we have any questions? Mr. Lockett: Yeah down here. Ya’ll look this way once in a while. Mr. Mayor: I am looking that way. Mr. Lockett: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Lockett will defer to the gentleman from. Mr. Lockett: The distinguished gentleman Mr. Sanford Loyd. Mr. Loyd: Yes, sir. Mr. Lockett: You know I proposed many things that you said especially you’re talking about parking meters. But this is one time I really appreciate the comments that you made especially when you dealt with us coming up with a tax increase that was not significant enough because of the outcries of a few people, because of us not implementing the excise tax that we were required to do, because of what the General Assembly did as far as tax on energy for manufacturing. The people that came out with the outcry about us doing the storm water fee and Augusta Richmond County is the only place I know it floods as a result of lighting and thunder, it don’t have to rain. And we talk about if we do this the businesses are not going to come here and the ones that are going to come the one’s that’s here are going to leave. That’s a bunch of baloney. That is not true. Every day I see where a new business is going into Columbia County. We talked about the Cyber Command, boy, the Cyber Command is going to make every street in Augusta Richmond County be paved out of gold. Abie Ladson would love that but we’re not getting any of that. It’s going to Grovetown, it’s going to west Augusta, it’s going to North Augusta why because they haven’t listened to the small percentage that are the naysayers. They have done what’s best for their community for their city and for their town. And it is about time that we wake up and do something. And lastly the only problem I have with the parking meters and this is something that can be resolved is we need a better transit system. When you’re trying to attract business --- Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. 21 Mr. Lockett: --- thank you, when you’re trying to attract residents to your city and your community they’re concerned about public transit. And some people believe public transit is only for poor folks but they’re crazy, that’s not the case. They’re concerned about the infrastructure and they’re concerned about education. We must do those things. This governing body must take a stand and do what’s best for the entire community not a few people that’s going to jump out on the corner screaming and hollering. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and thank you, Mr. Loyd. Mr. Mayor: And let me say I do agree that I think all too often we let the tail wag the dog and let the squeaky wheel get the grease. And I think with as reference with the storm water utility fee six dollars, you know on an average household so $72.00 a year I think if you went to the most level headed citizens and said are you willing to pay $72.00 more a year to improve the city’s infrastructure to allow for growth most people would say yes to that. But all too often I do think it’s those angry phone calls and, you know, that hold back progress. Who down here did we have? Okay Commissioner Hasan and then Corey. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Loyd, how are you doing today? Mr. Loyd: Good, sir. Mr. Hasan: Great. In the terms of the plan, what is the plan 2020? What was it? Mr. Loyd: Destination 2020. Mr. Hasan: Destination 2020. Who all was involved? What entities or agencies were involved in putting the plan together? Mr. Loyd: Pretty much the region. The plan actually was the Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Augusta were the prime organizations behind it. But it included input from North Augusta, Columbia County, from all the areas of Augusta and in terms of actually getting this document completed there was a lot of support from other people in the community. Mr. Hasan: Okay but in making your presentation and rightfully so but I just want some clarity on it. We seem this governing body seems to be the only one failure in that. Does any of the other entities have any input in terms of the success or non-success some of those things that you identified as far as putting studies on shelves and things of that nature? It seems to be a collaborative effort but as you identified all the blame seems to fall on this government. Are we the only ones responsible? Mr. Loyd: I didn’t want it to sound like all of the responsibilities fall on this body. I said I was disappointed in us --- Mr. Hasan: Yes. Mr. Loyd: --- as a community in us all of us have not actually presented the commitment I think is necessary not just this body alone the rest of this body our community I don’t think. 22 Mr. Hasan: Okay. Well, yeah, I appreciate all that you said I was wondering about some of the rest of those entities. When you mentioned about the things downtown the BID I think in terms of the Business Improvement District it was most businesses down there at the end of the day that were dissatisfied with the services. I don’t know if it’s rightfully so or not as I was coming the commission meetings at that particular time. It was many of them that led the charge to not to renew at the end of the day. Is there some way that you think that that can be renewed and a level of trust be implemented? Mr. Mayor: Can I take part of that for you, Sanford, because I always, and that has been --- Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, go ahead. Mr. Mayor: --- okay, Commissioner Hasan, thank you. 52% of the total property owners within the district signed petitions to re up the BID. And it was the Commission that turned it down and overrode the will of the majority of the property owners within the district. So that’s, you know, 52% you could’ve had the opposition, you know, it was very vocal but when you’re you know 52% is a majority in a democracy. So I know that was some of the frustrations that I discussed with Mr. Loyd when you, you know, it was teed up and the majority were on board. Mr. Hasan: Okay. Mr. Loyd, last but not least in terms of the fee with the industry --- Mr. Loyd: (inaudible). Mr. Hasan: Sir? Mr. Loyd: Excise tax, energy excise tax you made a very valid point in terms of what you were saying that some of the Commission was divided in that regard. But many people led the charge in terms of their opposition. Did you say anything at all because you made a very compelling point a while ago in terms of why it was needed and should’ve really been considered at the end of the day. And really I’m asking you how did you finally get to this frustration point? Mr. Loyd: I mean I have participated in some of the organizations that I talk about and both my coming before the Commission and my observation of how the organizations operate the combination is what led me to the frustration. I think both sides need to do things differently. And the way we do things will never get us to where we need to go and where we said we want to be. Both sides have to change their approaches to it. I’ve expressed this inside organizations that I have been members of and this is just my opportunity to express the same outside to the Commission body. But I feel the same way not just to the Commission. I feel just as a community this is what I’m saying. Mr. Hasan: Okay. Mr. Mayor last question and this not directed to Mr. Loyd. Mr. Loyd and I are friends, we’ve known each other 20/25 years or so. This is a broader statement I’m going to make here all of a sudden and I’m hoping it comes out right. I think the real concern 23 that’s in the back of my mind is not on a conscience part but in the back of my mind and it’s not directed to you, Sanford. I say that because we’re talking friendly here at this point. Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. Mr. Hasan: And that is that I want to make sure that just because the appearances is that and no disrespect to any of my colleagues the perception is that this is a black government and all of a sudden everybody wants to have their input and have their say so and do the things that they want to do. Mr. Loyd, you’re just as, but my point is we’re trying to be very mindful and conscious of that now because all of a sudden everybody wants to tell the Commission and say what they do. I don’t disagree with me putting these studies on the shelf, I don’t disagree with any of it. I don’t think anything you’ve said that I have a concern about but I am concerned now that so many people all of a sudden has the best way to run this government because it looks like the government has changed faces. And as a result of that, incompetence comes in naturally just because of that and all of a sudden we become a Detroit. So Mr. Loyd that is not directed at you it’s just a broad statement. Thank you very much for your time. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Oh, excuse me, I recognize the Mayor Pro Tem first then Commissioner Williams. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I was just, I’m not going to take much time here. Mr. Loyd, I definitely agree I heard what your statements I think you hit the nail on the head and I think that the vision and as well as the finding the resources to be able to adequately address a lot of these concerns has been one of the key components is I know for me being served on Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors is definitely been a concern about how to create a prosperous environment where we continue to grow. But at the same time utilize our most prized assets and that’s downtown and the river and how do we do that? And I think with that being said it’s been a difference of opinion on how we gather the resources on this commission because, yes, it starts with us because we are the ones that can implement and can say yay or nay but at the same time you know where do we pool the resources from and how do we adequately I guess delegate those resources to projects. So I would like to say this though I think what you have comprised there in your statement I would like to look at some of the low hanging fruit issues and see what we can do. Of course I don’t have much time left but I’m willing to work even after the Commission to see what we can do because I truly believe in this city. I believe in the growth of downtown and I think we must look at that strategically moving forward. And I would love to be a part of addressing some of those issues and looking at ways to create resources. But one thing is for certain we try to be frugal but at the same time you have a lot of conservative people who think that, you know, a lot of times it’s the finances or their finances that are controlling or being utilized to take care of some of these things. But we have to pay for the services, we have to pay for the things that we want and one way of the other it’s going to cost us so it’s not about who pays the most in taxes or do what we need to look at this as a holistic approach. So I think with that being said we must continue to look at the whole picture. But I just want you to know I support you, I support the effort and I’d like to get with you, you know to kind of talk about moving forward in the future. 24 Mr. Mayor: And I, I’m just going to say one of the best steps that I think we could take moving forward and low hanging fruit is to go back to the BID. You have 52% of the total property owners in favor of it. You know that would seem to me to be the low hanging fruit because there is a difference between how downtown looked when the BID was in place and it looks now. I mean you just and that’s people volunteering to, you know, charge themselves that’s the best form of democracy that I know. Commissioner Williams then Commissioner Harris. Mr. Williams: Mr. Loyd, we serve on the downtown board together but let me say something. First of all the old statement that was made what comes first the chicken or the egg we hadn’t figured out which came first yet but we’re still trying to figure out how did the egg get here and then how did the chicken. We ain’t figured it out. I love downtown but downtown can’t grow by itself. You’ve got to grow your city; you can’t just grow downtown. You’ve got to grow wherever you can get economic monies to come in here. And if you take the monies you use or you take the resources that you’ve got and multiply those or get those to come in then we can start to do other things. I hear people talk about south Augusta, west Augusta and downtown, I’m worried about Augusta. There’s so many other things that we could be doing to get money that won’t be done downtown but it’ll be able to help downtown. So I’m really confused and ya’ll try to do that every time we meet but it don’t last long it just lasts for that meeting. I’m saying that we have got to get aggressive and do some things differently in the city of Augusta that’s going to attract people to the city of Augusta. And it don’t take no rocket science to figure that out. I mean just look what they’re doing in the next city, look what they’re doing across the river, look what they’re doing in south Georgia wherever it’s working at we hadn’t done anything, zero. This is my twelfth year and had I proposed things, yeah proposed several things that would attract people and bring money then we can help downtown, we can help south Augusta, we can help west Augusta but we need money but we’re talking about doing getting monies. If you’ve got a job and your job is not bringing in enough income to take of your business you’ve got to get a part time job too. You can just get one you have to get two jobs. So --- Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. Mr. Williams: --- we need, I need two more, Mr. Mayor, we need to find out how we can get economic dollars to come in and do some things. The parking study you’re talking about I’m in 100%; I went downtown to Columbus, they got parking meters, they got a system that you don’t have to pay after six o’clock. People are just filled up down there, they didn’t run anybody away. But when you leave people to park and go to Savannah River site and go to work and then they leave their car and come back and get it that afternoon because it’s safe, I mean people are going to do that. But we don’t want to take those bold steps to do the things that people are not going to be excited about, quote we got to do what is right. Mr. Loyd, I’m with you, I mean I don’t know what to tell you but we can’t just worry about downtown you know we’ve got to worry about Augusta. Mr. Loyd: May I say --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. 25 Mr. Loyd: --- one comment to that and that’s simply to say that I’m a proponent of economic development, I really am a proponent of that. But economic development won’t cure what ails us. It may help us to get to our vision but it won’t cure what ails us. We can’t economic develop and sales tax ourselves to prosperity. We’ve got to put all of the pieces on the table figure out how to make them work efficiently and effectively together. We can’t take one but we can’t eliminate one by one pieces because you know I agree there are more ways than one to skin a cat but if we keep eliminating various ways to skin that cat there’s only one certainty the cat won’t get skinned. That’s the only part that comes from that and that’s part of what I’m, I’m talking about all of us and I’m talking about all of Augusta and I’m talking about making it better not just downtown. Mr. Williams: And if I can respond, Mr. Mayor. Sanford, I agree with what you just said but let me tell you something. You’ve got to eat an elephant one bite at a time. You’ve got to get whatever economic development you can. If you’ve got some money to work with you might make some mistakes with it but you’ve got something to do something else. When you don’t have anything at all and right now finance is, everybody comes up here and talk about finance and nobody’s coming in saying hey we want sunshine or we want rain they’re talking about money. We talk about cutting out the excise tax or we talk about raising the sales tax we talk about, money is the first thing you’ve got to have your hands on. The storm water fee everybody’s talking about money and I agree with you what you’re saying money won’t, we can’t work our way out of this thing by just getting economic development. We’ve got to do those things in order to do some things progressively to do something else. Mr. Mayor: But let me say too and I’ve been very involved in economic development and coming from a background in sales you’re never going to sell this city saying you’ve got an inferior product, you’ve got to know the strengths too to highlight to these businesses coming in. And I’ll also say that I know this from dealing with a lot of cats in my life it’s sort of, if you keep kicking that cat it’s going to get so skittish you’re never going to catch it to skin it to begin with so, Hap? Mr. Harris: My business is on the 900 block so I was very familiar with, when they were down there doing all the cleaning up. The fellow I work with pulled everybody in together when they fought to hold on to it and they basically stopped at 52% because they had what the county commission told them, at least 51% well if they do so they quit calling on the other businesses. So I think you’ll find that number to be higher than the 52%. The point I was going to bring up is overnight now I’m not exaggerating it went from relatively clean downtown. I mean those guys had their hands full trying to keep it clean, it’s filthy down there now I mean it’s absolutely filthy. And I this is not the CADI guys I personally have asked the city for five years the first year right before The Masters I said all these bricks, I said can’t ya’ll get a brick man down here? He went through all this explaining to me I had to, the guy worked out of the prison department area and I wanted to know why the brick man was in jail he said no, no, he works out there. I told him I said I can have a brick man over here and finish all this work in two hours. I mean it’s all that around the 900 where the circles are, the semi circles. And so it’s filthy down there and the city never lifted a finger to do anything up and above after the CADI folks cleaned up. You walk in to what we loving refer to as the hole where you park it’s like walking on marbles. How 26 that guy figured out we ought to plant oak trees way back when is over my head but I lived in Athens then so that’s neither here nor there. So I agree with you. Downtown is an eyesore and if anybody comes downtown to bring their hundred million dollar project down here they’re liable to look and say I wonder what Columbia looks like. That’s just my thoughts. Mr. Dennis: Thank ya’ll very much for your time. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor, I thought you recognized me once. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Loyd, I just want to say that we have a night time population about 200,000 there about in Augusta day time population about 400,000 so that should tell anybody something. And you’ve got people 200,000 people that’s coming to this community getting those paychecks and they’re leaving going somewhere else. And the question that we need to answer is why are they leaving? And lastly I would appreciate it if you or somebody access to this 2020 Destination Plan if it’s still available I’d like to get a copy. I don’t know if my colleagues, I would like to see it if it’s available. Mr. Dennis: The only (unintelligible) I can say probably had it (unintelligible). Mr. Lockett: Well if it’s online, I can get it online. I know a little bit about computers. Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor: Thank you and I chaired the Environmental Issues Committee on Destination 2020 and so I’m as frustrated as anybody else so that was never implemented but next delegation. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS F. Attorney Steven L. Sanders relative to a request for increase in benefits of the 10 remaining retirees in the 1945 Pension Plan who are not receiving enhanced benefits. Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes too, please, sir. Mr. Sanders: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. My name is Steve Sanders and I’m here today on behalf of Lester Newsome and Pat Calhoun and Charlie Lass and the ten retirees who are left in the 1945 Pension Plan who retired before 1996 and therefore do not receive enhanced benefits. Many of you know Mr. Newsome, the former Clerk of the County Commission. He’s 87 years old and he has been requesting an increase for this particular group of ten people now for a while and there has been no action effectively taken to this point. Mr. Newsome went to the Pension Committee back in April and first made the request and the Pension Committee has discussed this issue at length. It has considered a number of other 27 proposals. It has received a lot of information related to this particular request and several other proposals but as I said still today nothing has, no action has been taken. I certainly appreciate you all considering it and taking it up but at this point the primary purpose today was to sort of submit it to the full Commission for your consideration given that it has been considered in the budget discussion which I was unaware that that would take place. I was hoping that maybe we could just have a discussion and work through some of the information which I think can be clarified to the extent that it has not been clarified at the Pension Committee level. So I think and I submitted a letter last week and it had a lot of information and I know the Pension Committee members have received a lot of information but I think if you really drill down and look at the numbers and you look at the facts the differences between the plans are significant. The situation that this particular group of ten retirees is in is unlike any other situation and I think that the spreadsheet that shows the difference between this group and the other retirees who are in the same plan reveals a lot. So I think it shows the unique situation they’re in and why we are making this particular request. This is a small group and the numbers in this plan are going down unlike the numbers in the other plans. The average age of this group is 84 years old so time is not something they have a lot of. And for a number of different reasons most of which are not really anybody’s fault this particular group has just kind of seen their benefits lag behind the others. And you know going back for example I know that there has been a desire to I think to try to do the right thing to include the other plan members but I think that that is really part of the main reason that this issue has gotten bogged down without the sort of initial request ever having been addressed. And there is precedent for doing this. According to the information from the Finance Department given to the Pension Committee last week back in ’98 the 49 Plan received a greater increase than the 45 Plan and obviously the cost that would be associated with the 45 Plan is extraordinarily different, much more manageable given that there are ten retirees that we are talking about versus 250 or however many there are. This group doesn’t receive social security benefits in addition to their pension; this is pretty much what they rely on and you know we just think that this is the time that this needs to be taken care of. They’ve gone through the proper procedures and we would, you know, hope that you would consider this request on its own merits. And with that I’ll be happy to answer any questions. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Sanders, you was at the last Pension th Committee and we had put a tentative date for discussion in regards to this on December 16. Do you remember that? Mr. Sanders: I recall that the motion before the Pension Committee was forwarded to the full Commission to be added to the agenda last time which it was, it failed, it failed to be added. Mr. Guilfoyle: All right. We talked about benefits lagged behind others. Would you kind of explain that to me because would it be in the same scenario if somebody retired in let’s say 1930 versus 1970 because the cost of living the wages are totally different versus the retirement which would make it considerably different. Mr. Sanders: Right for several --- 28 Mr. Guilfoyle: Is that what you’re talking about lagging behind, sir? Mr. Sanders: --- yes, sir --- Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay. Mr. Sanders: --- and there’s several reason for that and one of them is obviously just the fact that this is an older group who started when the salaries were lower. Mr. Newsome started I think in 1958 so they sort of started out at a lower level and then as was brought up in the Pension Committee last time, you know, relative to Social Security for example the cost of living adjustments for many years were lower --- Mr. Guilfoyle: Right. Mr. Sanders: --- than Social Security. And if you look at the group that retired after the plan was amended in ’96 and thereafter the benefits are significantly more, almost double on average than this group. And with respect to the 49 Plan and the other plans unless there has been some sort of extraordinary occurrence they are on average younger and on average receive more in the way of benefits than this group. So even all those sort of factors add up and they compound over time. In ’98 if the 49 Group got a greater increase of $67.00 per month over the course of time it all compounds. Mr. Guilfoyle: This is probably the only pension and I would like for you to show me on th December 16 on our Pension Committee is show me other municipalities first that has a cost of living increase because municipalities don’t. Second, bring me some supporting documentation where other municipalities under the pension funds had increased. Even at the consideration we looked at 250 and we talking 500 here. Show me other municipalities because pensions are very touchy subjects --- Mr. Sanders: Yes, sir. Mr. Guilfoyle: --- because it affects so many not only on the 1949 Plan at the tune of $60,000 for $250.00. Then you’re going to have the 1949 Plan the 223 employees at the tune of $680,000 that’s going to be standing in and it’s hard to say, it’s hard to differentiate from one retiree to the other. No different than I said in that meeting when it comes time for me to retire through my 401, my annuities, my IRA’s I can’t --- Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two. Mr. Guilfoyle: --- thank you, I can’t go to the company I’m vested with and say I need more money. I’m not being selfish; I’m being considerate based on being fiscally responsible because if I had to come with $687,000 right now we would have to do a tax increase. Mr. Sanders: And I’m not asking the plans are very different that was sort of some of the --- 29 Mr. Guilfoyle: Right. Mr. Sanders: --- discussion that I hope we would have is that how significantly different the plans are and that this group when compared to the retirees in their own plan and the other retirees is (inaudible). th Mr. Guilfoyle: Would you be kind enough on December 16 show me where other municipalities did their increase and to the increase that you’re showing, please. Mr. Sanders: I can certainly look at that and see if that has ever been done before --- Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes. Mr. Sanders: --- in any other municipalities. I think the purpose that we, that I’m here today is again just to try to have this body consider the request that’s been made for a long time and is based on precedent. This group as I said this has been done before and I think that the information is, I think that there’s enough information that the Pension Committee has received and to consider, to consider it. And I know I just think that if you’re treating if you’re talking about retirees differentiating but the retirees in this plan the other retirees in this plan and the other retirees in the other plans I think that it’s only right to look at them and compare them and see where this group stands in relation to them. And that’s what we’re asking. th Mr. Guilfoyle: We’ll look on that on December 16 and you find any supporting document as well. That would be grateful. Mr. Sanders: Okay. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you. Mr. Newsome: (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. Newsome: Our lives are like a roll of toilet tissue. The closer it gets to the end the faster it goes so we have been to this committee since the first of the year trying to get something done. Now is the time to act. We can’t keep putting it off. These people are getting close to the end and they need help. Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Mr. Sanders: Thank ya’ll. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next delegation please. The Clerk: 30 DELEGATIONS G. Ms. Tonya Bonitatibus regarding the proposed Stormwater Fee. (Requested by Commissioner Mary Davis) The Clerk: Yes, sir, out of an abundance of caution and due respect I’m going to ask Ms. Tonya if she would just come on down --- Mr. Mayor: Run, run, run. The Clerk: --- regarding the proposed Stormwater Fee. Just introduce yourself to us when you get to the mike. Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes too, please. Ms. Bonitatibus: Hello everybody, I’m Tonya Bonitatibus. I’m the Executive Director and River Keeper for Savannah River Keeper. Very briefly before I begin I’ve been asked a couple of times last couple of days why do we care about storm water we work on the river. I’m here to tell you every bit of that storm water goes directly into the river so that’s why we’re worried about storm water. We work all the way from North Carolina to Savannah in both states so we work with a lot of different utilities and a lot of different cities. Augusta is one of the few that does not have a storm water fee currently. I wanted to tell you guys a little bit about four years ago, five years ago when we started this process of working with the city the Utilities Department at that time actually was not as helpful as I would’ve liked. There were a lot of storm there were a lot of sewage issues there still are storm water issues but that all kind of changed overnight. And a lot of that actually changed with Tom Wiedmeier when he came in. We saw the city kind of shift and go from an aspect of trying to cover up a lot of these issues and to deal with them. That actually, when we sat down initially we were getting ready to file a suit very similar to the Chattahoochee River Keepers suit against the city of Augusta for its failure with storm water and sewage. We backed off of that and we backed off of that because of the cooperation that we’ve gotten from the Engineering Department and the Utilities Department over the last couple of years to try and aggressively fix the problems that we have. These are not problems that can happen overnight, these are not isolated problems that happen everywhere but I did want to tell you a little bit about the Chattahoochee River Keepers suit because it should be terrifying. It scares me daily. Basically what happened was the city of Atlanta failed to maintain its sewer systems. They ended up with a Clean Water Act suit against them by the Chattahoochee River Keeper and then it was then also EPA got involved. At the end of the suit the settlement agreement or the consent agreed required $2.5 billion dollars worth of infrastructure investment. That is tremendous. That’s what happens when you ignore your systems underneath the streets, that’s what happens. So I hope that you guys, I wanted to make sure that you guys are aware of this. You are liable right now, you really are. I’m not here saying the thing that I want to file a suit I don’t want to. I have no intention of doing so but anybody else could and so that should be very eye opening for you guys to realize you have to fix these systems, it’s not a choice, it’s a responsibility to our citizens and we believe the city can do better. Anyway storm water funk so I started I was putting together this morning actually and I was looking at a bunch of old pictures and then I said well you know what I got a call from a plumber who said we’ve got an issue at an apartment complex and then I ended up outside 31 driving around. So I decided I would ride along and see if I could find pictures. Most of them are current, some of them all within the last year for each one of your districts in storm water issues. So this was the nasty one I got to deal with this morning Georgian Apartments. This is beyond disgusting. This is multiple sewer lines dumping into storm drains. This is not only an environmental risk, this is a health risk. I knocked on some of the people’s doors in the apartment complexes Thanksgiving Day. The super showed up to stop up the sewage that came out in their tubs, their toilets, everywhere. This is not a problem that happened yesterday. This is a chronic big problem and this is why you have to have resources to fix this. In this, this specific issue is probably the landowners issue and we will help the city in every way we can to make sure that they expedite fixing this problem. This is off of Baker Street so this is a giant hole, this is storm water collapse. This one is right next to Richmond Academy. This is the Walton Way funding so that’s 400 feet of storm drain that is being replaced to the tune of when you guys get to the Engineering committee $235,733.00 dollars. That is going to come out of the general budget where is should be coming out of the very specific fee for a purpose and a service that the city is providing. This is Deans Bridge Road and Lumpkin Road where a storm drain collapsed. It is in the process of being repaired. In fact these guys are very nice they’re doing a better job than they have to with state standards. This is Sedgefield Subdivision. Now these are getting rd into some of my older pictures. That’s Ellis and 3 Street you see the storm drain you kind of see little bubbles in the middle. So that is a storm drain that is dumping water that also contains th sewage out into the street. This is Wrigthsboro and 13 Street, six inches of water underneath the for the parking lot of the new dental school. This is also got sewage in it folks, this is gross. Back side of Paine College four blocks full. Now this is not during the flood, this is happens when it rains. Just the way you said Augusta is the only town when it lightning and thunders it floods. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Tonya, I hate to --- Ms. Bonitatibus: Sorry. Mr. Mayor: --- stop you but the five minutes is up. Ms. Bonitatibus: Almost made it, sorry. Mr. Mayor: No, no, no, no that’s fine. I think you’re, if a picture speaks a thousand words your pictures have spoken a thousand words plus that $2 billion dollar picture, I mean $2 billion dollar statement. Commissioner Davis then Commissioner Lockett then Commissioner Hasan then, oh Commissioner Davis then Commissioner Lockett. Ms. Davis: Tonya, thank you for coming back this week. I’m sorry you weren’t able to speak at the last committee meeting but I think we’re all aware of the need of our infrastructure to be improved greatly. And so I appreciate what you, I like you I worry every day riding around this city about our infrastructure problems so I think all of us do. Will you please help as far as when we start promoting this as far as educating the public on the need for this with Ms. Jackson and collaborate efforts because this is a great presentation of widespread across Augusta Richmond County? 32 Ms. Bonitatibus: I’d love to. I’d be happy to. Ms. Davis: Thank you, Tonya. Ms. Bonitatibus: For sure. Mr. Mayor: And I would say too in speaking with the former director of EPD this morning Atlanta was almost put under I believe a No Build order to where they were going to be no more building permits issued which is scary as anything too. Commissioner Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes, I just want to thank Ms. Tonya for acting so fast I think we talked a couple of days ago about Lumpkin Road was it just yesterday or the day before yesterday? Ms. Bonitatibus: Yesterday. Mr. Hasan: Yesterday and as you can see she had a picture of that on the slide because I happen to be in one of the local businesses that when they told me about that, that is my district I walked and took a look at it and called our Engineering Department Abie Ladson and was speaking with Ms. Tonya. I mentioned I didn’t have no idea she was going to have those slides so thank you very much for doing that. Ms. Bonitatibus: You’re welcome. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett then Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Lockett: I just want to say, Tonya, I really appreciate your hard work and your dedication. I think the presentation that you made even though it was brief will have a great impact. I don’t see how anyone that lives in this community would want us to continue in that direction. So thank you very much. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would just like to echo the sentiments actually of Commissioner Hasan mentioned that you did an awesome job. You did an awesome job with this. This is a great resource to educate the people on and I think we definitely need to use some of this to make sure that they are aware of the issues especially in those areas where we have heavy, heavy flooding in one and two, it’s been one and two in particular because of the poor infrastructure there. So kudos to you on this and we’re going to do all we can to support you. Of course I won’t be up here but I’ll be out there helping on the ground so thank you. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Thank you for your splendid presentation. You know in each district they’ve got people that whenever it rains they put sandbags at their door to keep the water from coming in. And you need additional pictures in front of Hale Street, in front of the Farmers Market, in front of Red Lobster right there I’ve got plenty of pictures that Laney Walker and East 33 Boundary with those apartments they can’t even I mean but if you need additional pictures for your presentation I’ve got plenty that you could use. Ms. Bonitatibus: I think that would be fantastic. I will contact you because I think it’s very important that Augusta understands that this is not a downtown area, this is not a west Augusta area, this is something we have to pay for and we failed to do up until now. It’s time it’s time to do it. Mr. Fennoy: Thank you. Ms. Bonitatibus: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you so much, Tonya. Ms. Bonitatibus: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk --- The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: --- let’s go to the consent agenda shall we. The Clerk: Yes, sir our consent agenda consists of items 1-20, items 1-20. 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 2: Is a request for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with the location at 3011 Wheeler Road. Item 3: Is a request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with the location at 1135 Broad Street. Item 4: Is a request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with the location at 491 Highland Avenue. Item 5: Is a request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with the location at 471 Highland Avenue. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those alcohol petitions? Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission our consent agenda consists of items 1-20 with no objectors to our alcohol petitions. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Do we have any additions to the consent agenda? Commissioner Guilfoyle, I believe you had something you wanted to forward to the next commission meeting. PUBLIC SERVICES 21. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual of Augusta, GA Code Section 1-7-51; to approve edits to the following sections of 34 Chapters III, V and VIII of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual relating to Augusta Regional Airport Personnel: 300.001, 300.002, 300.011, 300.012, 300.013, 300.014, 500.001, 500.104, 500.108, 500.121, 500.308, 500.316, 800.001, 800.004, 800.005, 800.009, 800.010, 800.013, and 800.014, to repeal all manual provisions, Code Sections and Ordinances and parts of Code Sections and Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (No recommendation from Public and Administrative Services Committee November 24, 2014) 22. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend the Augusta, GA Code Title One Chapter Three Article One Section 1-3-6 and 1-3-7 relating to the powers of the Augusta Aviation Board and the powers, duties, salary and title of Airport Manager; 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. (No recommendation from Public and Administrative Services Committee November 24, 20140) Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, sir I would see if I could get item number 21 and 22 moved to th December 16 Commission meeting. The Clerk: 21 and 22? form of a motion? Mr. Mayor: Okay, are you putting that in the Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes sir. Mr. Mason: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. I’ll go again or do we have anything else to be oh --- The Clerk: I need Mr. Williams to vote so we can publish this. Mr. Williams votes No. Motion Passes 9-1. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I say again do we have any items to be added? The Clerk: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Could I ask that the items the additional information be added to the consent agenda so that we could have a record of the Commission actually approving these minutes? 35 Mr. Mayor: Do we have unanimous consent on that? No objections? The Clerk: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: No objections registered. Okay --- The Clerk: They weren’t placed in your book, that’s why they’re here. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett, did you have any interest in placing 24 on the? Mr. Lockett: No, I want to talk about Mr. Mayor about 30 seconds. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Hearing no further additions to the consent agenda do we have any items to be pulled for discussion? Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: I’ve got a question about number 19. Mr. Mayor: Okay, any further? Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? Mr. Mason: So moved. Mr. Guilfoyle: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. ZA-R-234 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by adding a new Section 25-G, Mixed Use District Zoning Classification, and for other purposes. (Approved by the Commission November 18, 2014 – second reading) PUBLIC SERVICES 2. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 14-49: request by Pritalkumar Patel for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Wheeler Express located at 3011 Wheeler Rd. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) 3. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 14-50: request by Yashikazu Kurokawa for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Kawa Japanese Grill located at 1135 Broad Street. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) 4. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 14-51: request by Henry Todd Schafer for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with ILBI LLC dba Abel Brown located at 491 Highland Ave. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) 5. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 14-52: request by Matthew G. Widener for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in 36 connection with Surrey Tavern located at 471 Highland Avenue. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) 6. Motion to approve tasking the Law Department with reviewing the lease for Pendleton King Park and come back in 45 days with any recommendations regarding the provision that any money that is made be allowed to remain with the park. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) 7. Motion to approve the Daniel Field Airport hangar doors removed through the use of T- SPLOST funding. Re-bid Item 14-186A. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) 8. Motion to approve an updated Airport Layout Plan for the Daniel Field Airport. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) 9. Motion to approve maintaining the same language of Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building for the sign at the entrance to the building. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) 10. Motion to approve the selection of and contract with McCarthy Improvement Company for the Rehabilitation of the Air Carrier & General Aviation Apron Project as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their October 30, 2014 meeting. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 11. Motion to approve tasking the Administrator with bringing back to the Commission meeting a recommendation regarding the inclusion of an ADA Coordinator position as a part of the budget discussion. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee November 24, 2014) PUBLIC SAFETY 12. Motion to approve the allocation of funding for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) in the amount of $114,800.00 to implement the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Heat Grant. (Approved by Public Safety Committee November 24, 2014) 13. Motion to approve the allocation of funding for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) in the amount of $92,103.00 to implement the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. (Approved by Public Safety Committee November 24, 2014) 14. Motion to approve the Debris Management Plan whose purpose is to provide policies and guidance for Augusta-Richmond County for the removal and disposal of debris produced by a major disaster. (Approved by Public Safety Committee November 24, 2014) 15. Motion to approve the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) which describes the management and coordination of resources and personnel during periods of major emergency. (Approved by Public Safety Committee November 24, 2014) 16. Motion to approve the volunteer management plan which is for use after the event of a natural disaster to coordinate spontaneous volunteers. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 24, 2014) FINANCE 17. Motion to deny a request from Mr. Glenn Beasley for a refund of taxes on the property located at 4369 Fairbluff Road. (Approved by Finance Committee November 24, 2014) 37 18. Motion to approve tasking the Internal Auditor to conduct an audit of all expenditures associated with the Hyde Park Relocation Project broken out in defined/appropriate categories and submit a comprehensive/detailed report of finding to the Augusta Commission. (Approved by Finance Committee November 24, 2014) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 20. Motion to approve the minutes of the Commission’s held Special Called Meeting held November 24, 2014) Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and another motion and another two or three motions made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion Passes 10-0. [Items 1-18, 20] Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am, let’s go to the pulled item first. The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 19. Motion to approve award and funding for the Walton Way Road and Drainage Emergency Repair Project to Blair Construction in the amount of $235,733.51. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 24, 2014) Mr. Mayor: And, Commissioner Fennoy, I’ll just call on you. You had a question? Mr. Fennoy: Yes, Mr. Ladson --- Mr. Ladson: Yes, sir. Mr. Fennoy: --- Has work already begun on this project? Mr. Ladson: Work hadn’t begun. They’ve got everything set up out there and with approval we can actually start work. Mr. Fennoy: Okay, I thought I saw some folks out there working yesterday. Mr. Ladson: You probably saw some barrels and that type stuff out there and probably a backhoe but I don’t think any work has actually occurred. Mr. Fennoy: Okay, all right. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Ladson, this is an emergency situation. This contract was done how? I mean how did we come up with Blair? 38 Mr. Ladson: Well, basically when we look at contractors this one was an emergency. We looked at the contractor that can actually do that type of work and get it done in a timely manner and expertise. And that’s what we looked at being that it was an emergency. Mr. Williams: So that single source you’re telling me that’s the only one that can do it? Mr. Ladson: This type of work I mean we’ve had work like that done before and this right now this is probably about the only contractor that can actually get in there with the expertise and get that done. Mr. Williams: I’m depending on your expertise right now. You’re saying probably so that throws everything out. Mr. Ladson: No, --- Mr. Williams: I’m asking you who did we, how did we do this because you took the amount of money we’re talking about and you picked a contractor. I’m not saying he’s good or bad I don’t know I don’t do that kind of work but how did we arrive at Blair versus the other companies around here? Mr. Ladson: But I guess my question would be what other companies because when we look at this type of work this is the only company that can do that type of work. Mr. Williams: I asked you was it a single source and you said? Mr. Ladson: No, this is with this type of work being an emergency and the severity of it this is the company who can do that type of work. We normally bid out everything but with this being an emergency the way it is this is what the department recommended. Mr. Williams: Okay, all right. Mr. Mayor: Okay, can we get a motion to approve? Mr. Johnson: So moved. Mr. Harris: 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: Okay, Madam Clerk, I am, due to the fact that 23 will require us going into Legal to discuss let me go ahead and call 24 and then we’ll take 23 last. The Clerk: 39 OTHER BUSINESS 24. Motion to adopt a Resolution of Support in accordance with Georgia House Resolution 2057 to form the South Augusta Growth initiative and task the Augusta Law Department to craft said resolution. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Lockett) Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I was contacted by one of the representatives of the Richmond County Delegation in reference to a resolution that they had submitted to us and we approved some months ago. And they asked that this body respond to that resolution showing that we were in agreement pretty much with its content and we would be willing to work with them to better prepare South Augusta for development. And this is all that is today that would be subsequent meetings providing assistance so we can get together and determine exactly what it is that we want to do and how we want to go about doing it and who we want to have involved. This pretty much is just to say that, yeah, Richmond County Delegation we will work with you and we are in support of your resolution that we previously approved. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Yes and I don’t know why I asked this question too but are there any other initiatives going on in South Augusta? Mr. Lockett: The only thing --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: --- I should’ve been quiet. About the only thing we’ve got in South Augusta is Walter Sprouse and he’s industry. All you folks downtown you all got everything, we don’t have anything out south. Mr. Fennoy: Okay and, Mr. Mayor, is it possible because I think that the Planning and Zoning our Planning and Zoning person has hired some planners. And is it possible that I could hear from her about the plans for South Augusta and how this initiative would impact what they’re trying to do? Mr. Mayor: Sure. Ms. Wilson. Ms. Wilson: Hi, it’s one of the few meetings where I haven’t had a ton of agenda items so I thought I was going to get away --- Mr. Mayor: We wanted to ease you back in. Ms. Wilson: --- from having to come forward but, yes, one of the things that I wanted to do when I was first hired was to kind of have us take ownership of not only our own plans but to 40 actually start planning so that we can insure that we have implementation components of those plans. I have finished hiring for the most part all the planners on the planning side and I have some architects as well as other professionally trained planners. And South Augusta is one of the areas that we are looking at first with regards to our planning initiatives, looking at quarter plans and I’m chasing the money so I’m trying to make sure that we have plans to have some funding associated with it. We can you know if we, if this initiative moves forward we will continue to work with them. I’m just trying to make sure that we don’t end up having two conflicting documents or having two people doing similar things or having us with another plan that ends up on the shelf and we get ready to go to funding not knowing which plan that they’re going to use based on what is being proposed. So I just that’s what we’re doing we’ve already started gathering data demographics as well as other data in that area. Mr. Mayor: And I would just say it’d be common sense to me since you are planners and architects and you’re already working in that direction that you would take the lead on the initiative it would seem like to me rather than tasking another organization. I mean you could I would think you would work in partnership --- Ms. Wilson: I am --- Mr. Mayor: --- with other organizations. Ms. Wilson: --- that’s one of the things that and I’ve talked to a number of you about this issue. One of the challenges coming in as the Director or Planning and Development is that there are all these plans and all these different groups that continue to get formed and if you don’t have one plan and one entity that has, that knows what’s in those documents it’s really hard to not only get economic development but to even get the funding to do some of the additional community plans and initiatives that people have come before this body and have said that they wanted to do. It also makes it very difficult to get funding because one of the things that agencies ask for is do you have a plan and who’s been involved in the plan and where are the implementation components? So while I think this is great and I don’t have a problem working with anybody as you all know and we will continue to work with others. I want to make sure that it’s not going to be something that’s totally different than what we’re trying to do and that we said we were going move forward with doing when you so graciously funded the Planning Department. Mr. Mayor: And from a funding perspective to see for the funding organizations to see if you’ve got a truly collaborative effort where you’ve got it’s not a bunch of people going in a bunch of different directions it’s everybody signed on to one plan. So here again I would just say --- Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, since this is my agenda item may I speak. I’ve been (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: You’re interrupting me. At least let me finish. 41 Mr. Lockett: --- but no I would just think it would be I mean the best way to proceed for you to be the lead organization. Were you finished? Mr. Lockett: I am now. Mr. Mayor: No, I just I got excited. Mr. Lockett: May I finish what I was saying? Mr. Mayor: Okay, sure. Mr. Lockett: I think there’s a misunderstanding what the intent of this. Nobody wants to take charge. We’ve got a delegation and they meet in January in Atlanta, okay? They want to work with us, you work with us, nobody’s trying to take the lead, it’s just when there’s people sitting at the table you know this is just in its infancy now. No standard operating procedure has been set up, nobody’s trying to take the lead, nobody’s trying to tell Planning what to do. We just want to have people that will be able to assist in any way possible. All I was looking for today is for the Commission to say yes we’ll do a resolution, we’re willing to sit down to the table with you and see where it goes if it goes anywhere. It may not go anywhere. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Williams. Mr. Williams: What’s up, Mr. Mayor? I hope the rules stay the same once you recognize a Commissioner and you leave that Commissioner you can’t go back I don’t think because the agenda item is attached to his name. That’s the first thing. The second thing is that we’re looking at South Augusta. I understand the thinking pattern but I disagree with that. We are one Augusta if you’re going to do an initiative for South Augusta, we need to do one for East Augusta and West Augusta and every other part of Augusta if we’re going to do what the proposal’s saying here. The other thing is Ms. Wilson said she had hired some planners. I’d like to know because the city don’t just build buildings and just put things up unless we’re doing what we’re doing in this court room I mean in this Chamber. What plans are the plans going to build? I mean what plans are they proposing whether it be south, west, anywhere in Augusta? What are the planners going to plan? We had not talked about anything that we’d like to see or nobody has come to this body and said this is what we’re planning to do. What are you going to do about infrastructure over here or what are you going to do about the land acquisition over here so how can you plan and you don’t know what the plan is? I need somebody to answer that for me, anybody. Mr. Mayor: Ms. Wilson. Ms. Wilson: Well, basically when I came before this body we talked about a plan that the city has invested a lot of money in which was the Shields Plan. And we also spoke with regards to the Augusta Tomorrow Initiatives and all the other plans that are out there. At that time I indicated that I would look at all of those plans and we would be working on different strategies from the standpoint of consolidating and coming up with possible implementation strategies. Do I have one planning document or anything of that nature right now, no, I just now 42 finally was able to get staffed up. It is my goal to have a work session with this body to talk about what our work program is going to be about because that’s normally what you do when you have a Planning Department. I am looking at the whole city; that is one of the things that I want to do but I’m also following the money too to see where can I grab the money that gives us the biggest bang for our buck regarding what’s out there right now for implementation. So you know, Mr. Williams, there is no one I’m just saying that I’ve heard from this body on a number of occasions that all the resources everything is downtown, downtown, downtown. I’m trying to be very sensitive and make sure that we are looking comprehensively at the whole city and county of Augusta-Richmond County and that’s what the goal is. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, if I may respond back. We had an Augusta Tomorrow Plan and we had a Destination 2020 Plan and probably four or five more --- Ms. Wilson: Right. Mr. Williams: --- that’s been put around this city but nobody has come to this body and said hey look this is what we’re doing now. I did see years ago the Destination 2020 Plan and I was disappointed with it. In fact a couple of the Commissioners was here and we went back and we revised that plan, Ms. Bonner, if you remember we had a proposal given to us by some groups who had come together and planned for us, for us to sign on to. But before I can sign on anything I at least need to know what we’re going to be signing on to what’s going to be the future growth or the potential growth that’s coming with the people planning. Ms. Wilson: Well and that’s why I said for me I’ve been gathering all of the plans. That’s was one of the challenging things coming into this position. There was like not one entity that had all of the plans where you looked at all of the different ideas and strategies and have some funding attached to it and have some buy in from this body. That is what we will be having work sessions with. I’ll be talking with the Administrator about scheduling some time to have a work session with you as an elected body. That’s normally what you know from a planning standpoint that’s what I’m used to doing you know. That’s how we planned in other jurisdictions. We make sure that we are following the goals and objectives that you have as a body but also that we see based on previous plans. I’m not trying to start from scratch but you know as you probably very well know we are the metropolitan planning organization so we have a transportation component that funds the bulk of our department. And a lot of those funds right now are kind of pouring it towards South Augusta. That’s one of the reasons why we were looking at it so closely because I felt like we could leverage money to start getting some stuff that could happen in that particular area. But we will be having a lot of discussion. The second thing is it wasn’t my intention to say that you know whether anybody was taking the lead. I just wanted to make sure that we would be partners with any initiative that’s taking place because a lot of discussions to be candid take place around town that impact Planning and we don’t find out until the end when we’re expected to try to help implement and we have no idea. And some of the stuff you just can’t do. I don’t like working that way. I believe in partnerships and I want us to continue to do that. I also believe that you all need to have buy in to whatever plan and other initiatives that take place so that we could implement them and that’s what one of the things is that I’m looking forward to. 43 Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Johnson then Commissioner Hasan. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. About six or seven months ago I think Representative Ernest Smith came before the Commission and he pitched this initiative that we was going to try to implement and asked us for his support in doing so and we all agreed to support his efforts to go out and try to create an initiative to address some of the ills of South Augusta. And secondly I think the biggest concern needs to be probably how we manage growth in South Augusta. I think that’s been the concern because you have small businesses that want to come out there but it ain’t the businesses that South Augusta wants you know. And so I think that’s going to be the key component. I think Commissioner Williams is right, we want to make sure that it’s the one Augusta, we’re looking at all different facets but let’s be realistic some parts of Augusta is not growing as fast as others. And we have to look at that as well, but we need to make sure that we manage that growth so as we move forward we get the type of businesses that we do want in these areas. And at the same time we get the buy in on it from the community but we’re able to identify some funding as well as you know some others that will be attracted as a result of this particular business coming to this particular area. So I think it’s definitely a good thing and I don’t have a problem with supporting the resolution. I know the intent is just to kind of show them that we do support what they’re trying to do there moving forward and we just want to make sure that we’re all on board with it and we’re concerned about making sure that we understand what we want to identify in our communities and not so I just kind of wanted to lay that out there. And I think that would probably be the best path forward as a body. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes, Mr. Mayor and frankly to be honest with you I think a couple of my questions were just kind of addressed and twofold. And Commissioner Johnson making mention that commissioner I mean Representative Ernest Smith went before the body several months ago pitching this idea. So that’s one thing that kind of works for me. The second thing is that Commissioner Lockett taking the lead in terms of bringing this before the body I’m comfortable with that. The only problem for me and I have to apologize to Commissioner Lockett once again is that he made a call to me yesterday and I missed his call to try to see exactly what I would be voting on to adopt but I hadn’t the pleasure of seeing it at the end of the day in terms of what was in it, in terms of what we’re adopting. I do represent South Augusta as in many of you do as well. I think eight out of ten of us represent South Augusta at any given time. So I have not seen the resolution at all in terms of what it’s asking for whether it influences lives or anything like that. And I do want to commend the delegation so this is kind of like a compliment/for them to take the initiative to want to get involved and form a reliance or a relationship with the Augusta Commission so that’s a good thing. But the resolution itself I would like to see it even if you know to take the initiative to vote on it. Mr. Hasan: I’m looking at it, it just stopped. How do I see the rest of it? That’s it? The Clerk: That’s it. Mr. Mayor: There you go. 44 Mr. Hasan: I know just as much now as I did ten minutes ago. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve. Mr. Harris: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Mr. MacKenzie: Let me just note this is a motion to approve without the need to have the Law Department craft a resolution since it’s already been crafted. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion --- resolution of support The Clerk: Well the Commission of the resolution. Mr. MacKenzie: The motion in the agenda though include tasking the Law Department with crafting the resolution; it’s already been done. The Clerk: In support of this. Mr. Mayor: It’s already been done. Mr. MacKenzie: That is the resolution. The Clerk: Yeah, but they want a resolution saying the Commission therefore supports the resolution 2057 as adopted by the Georgia Legislative Delegation. That’s what they’re wanting from us, that the Mayor Deke Copenhaver signs. Mr. MacKenzie: That’s what that is. Mr. Williams: I don’t know, where are we at? Mr. Mayor: Can we have the motion amended just to include that language? Mr. Fennoy: I would amend my motion. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman. 45 Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: I just wanted to let you know I accept your apology but, no, I want to thank my colleagues for supporting me on this. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Okay, Madam Clerk, agenda item number 23. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 23. Personnel Issues. (Requested by Commissioner Ben Hasan) Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a motion --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Hasan. Mr. Hasan: --- I’m sorry, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to make a motion that we go into a legal and discuss this personnel matter. Mr. Mayor: Into legal session to discuss personnel. Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie, just so you keep us -- Mr. MacKenzie: Add litigation to that as well. Mr. Mayor: Would you like to add that as well? Mr. MacKenzie: Potential litigation relating to probably the same matter. Mr. Hasan: What does that entail, does it have any impact on this motion or to get some other information you want to share that’s not pertinent to this. Mr. MacKenzie: No, it’s just so that that would be noted on the record for a reason to go into a closed meeting that you have both personnel as well as potential litigation in case we need to have a discussion relating to potential litigation. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation. B. Real Estate. C. Personnel. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor I’d like to make a motion we go into Legal for personnel matters with potential litigation. 46 Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second? Mr. Fennoy: 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. [LEGAL MEETING] Mr. Mayor: I’ll go ahead and call the meeting back to order. Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: I would entertain a motion to execute the Closed Meeting Affidavit. Mr. Williams: So moved. Mr. Harris: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Lockett out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: I would entertain a motion to approve six months of severance for Chester Wheeler in accordance with the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual following his resignation effective immediately and to appoint Hawthorne Welcher as Interim Director of the Housing and Community Development Department. Mr. Mason: So moved. Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign. Mr. Lockett out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: With no further business to come before the body, we stand adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] 47 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 December 2, 2014. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 48