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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting January 6, 2015 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER JANUARY 6, 2015 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., January 6, 2015, the Hon. Hardie Davis, Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Sias, Harris, M. Williams, Fennoy, D. Williams, Hasan, Davis and Smith, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Mr. Mayor: We do hereby call this meeting to order. At this time we’d like to call on Dr. Michael Mitchell, Pastor, Restoration Ministries International Christian Fellowship, for our invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. The invocation was given by Dr. Michael Mitchell, Pastor, Restoration Ministries International Christian Fellowship. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: At this time let me take a moment to recognize Dr. Michael Mitchell for his service on today. We have a proclamation that we want to present you with for coming to serve as our Chaplain of the Day. I’ll read it in advance if you’ll come forward at this time, Dr. Mitchell. From the Office of the Mayor, Hardie Davis, Jr. be these present be it known that Dr. Michael Mitchell, Pastor Restoration Ministries International Christian Fellowship is Chaplain of the Day. His spiritual guidance and civic leadership serves as an example for all citizens of th Augusta. Given this day the 6 day of January 2015. (APPLAUSE) At this time we’ll follow our agenda. We have recognitions, Employee of the Year --- The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: --- will come at this time. The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) 2014 Employee of the Year A. Congratulations! Crystal Nason, Augusta Tax Assessor’s Office-2014 Employee of the Year. The Clerk: We’d like to offer our congratulations to our 2014 Employee of the Year Ms. Crystal Nason, Augusta Tax Assessor’s Office along with Mr. (APPLAUSE) Alvino Ross. And let me share some of the accolades of Ms. Nason. The Employee Recognition Committee has selected Crystal Nasan as the December 2014 Employee of the Year. Crystal left only 14 years as the Mobile Home Appraiser has served exceptionally well in carrying out new procedures to correct, 14 months yes well in carrying out her new procedures to correct a costly county operation dysfunction. Her field reviews and ownership contacts are a major component of the Mobile Home Project of the Tax Assessors Office. Ms. Nason’s positive attitude with property 1 owners, fellow employees, personnel of the Tax Commissioner’s Office, the Marshall’s Office and the courts as well as her level of understanding and execution of supervisory directives defines the project successful. Professional training in a DOR recent course manufacturing housing she scored a 96 as the instructor contacted our office to give high praises of her interaction in the class. Ms. Nason’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. Nason’s efforts. As a result of Ms. Nason’s efforts delinquent tax mobile home accounts are down 54% from the prior year to date. Back taxes collected to date are over $256,500 dollars. This project success has eliminated the tax collection costs which would impact the Tax Assessors Office, Marshall’s Office, Magistrate Court and the Tax Commissioner and estimated $500,000 dollars annually. The Employee Recognition Committee felt that based on this nomination and Crystal’s outstanding service we would appreciate you in joining in recognizing her as the 2014 Employee of the Year. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Dear Ms. Nason. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate you on being recognized as the City of Augusta 2014 Employee of the Year. Your dedication and commitment has made a tangible impact on the Augusta Richmond County Government. Public service is and honorable pursuit and your service to this community for the past three years has made a difference in the efficiency and effectiveness in the Tax Assessor’s Department, the Marshall’s Office, Magistrate Court and the Office of the Tax Commissioner. I applaud you for the enthusiasm and effort you put toward making our community and this government great. On behalf of the City of Augusta and all her citizens I again congratulate you on this recognition and look forward to hearing of your continued successes and service. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Nason: Ok, so I want to say hey to my husband who wasn’t able to be here because he decided he didn’t want to get up on time. Hey to my Dad who couldn’t be here either. He told me that it was okay just to grab it and (unintelligible) walk out and say I got it pop and just keep walking. But and to my girls Katie and Lacey I don’t know what camera’s on so I say hey to them. And thank ya’ll, everybody very, very much and I work with an amazing group of people. They’re very willing to help you inside the office and outside the office. They’re all very hard working and they all play a very important role within the office. I’d be lying if I said it’s perfect 100% of the time but we are there to get a job done and I believe we’ve accomplished that over anything. The Tax Commissioners Office took the bull by the horns with the Mobile Home Project. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish as much without them. They’re an amazing group and deserve a lot of credit. Judy Curtis and Blanche Hill, I share the credit with them 100%. Regardless of what is said I think that the county overall has an amazing group of people working for them, all departments. The citizens of the county should be very, very proud. I love my job even though mobile homes are a pain in the butt but it’s definitely interesting. It was a challenge the Mobile Home Project but I’ve noticed a lot of it is lack of communication I think meaning if you plan on moving into a mobile home call me. If you plan on selling a mobile home call me. If you plan on making changes to the mobile home call me. If your information is not correct call me please and that way you won’t have a couple years later a bill and $1,500 dollars in John Smith when it’s really supposed to be in Mr. Stewart’s name. But thank you very much again and I also want to say from my understanding that this week is Blue 2 White week and I want to say thank you to the men and women in law enforcement for their service. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: Mr. Ross, would you like to say --- Mr. Ross: Oh --- The Clerk: --- a few words (unintelligible). RECOGNITION(S) B. January Employee of the Month. The Clerk: At this time we would like to offer our congratulations to our January Employee of the Month. We ask that Mr. Bobby Robinson of the Augusta Utilities Department along with Mr. Wiedmeier and other utility employees who would like to share in this recognition please join us here, the Mayor and Ms. Jackson. And as they come forward: The Employee Recognition Committee has selected Bobby Robinson as the January 2015 Employee of the Month for Augusta, Georgia. Mr. Robinson is one of the Assistant Plant Managers for the Utilities Department where he been employed for over 19 years. He was nominated by Steven Orton. Mr. Robinson implemented the construction of the newly installed lift station and the upgrading of the existing lift station within the plant as an additional resource so his crew could work on the construction project. By doing this we were able to achieve a higher quality station for long term future and cost savings to the county of over $360,000 dollars. Mr. Robinson’s dedication to Augusta has allowed the Utilities Department to bring on a fiber optic team for installing and maintaining fiber optics throughout the county. We have been able to expand projects that were fiber related as a result of implementing the project in house at a cost savings of $580,000 dollars. Additionally Mr. Robinson has taken necessary steps to train all newly hired mechanics through his leadership and guidance. We have been able to cut call outs by about 40% which is translated to a cost savings of about $20,000 dollars per year. Additionally in his free time Mr. Robinson helped with Toys for Tots and needy families throughout the CSRA during the holidays. The Employee Recognition Committee felt that based on this nomination and Bobby’s outstanding service we would appreciate you in joining us in recognizing him as the January 2015 Employee of the Month. Congratulations, sir. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Mr. Robinson, it is again with great pleasure that I congratulate you on being recognized as the January 2015 Employee of the Month for the City of Augusta. Your dedication and commitment in the Utilities Department for more than nearly 20 years has made a tangible impact on the Augusta Richmond County Government. Public service is an honorable pursuit and your services this community has resulted in making us more efficient and competitive. As a direct result of your service we’ve been able to upgrade technology at substantial cost savings. I applaud you for the enthusiasm and effort you put towards making our community and this government great. On behalf of the City of Augusta and all of her citizens I again congratulate you on this recognition and look forward to hearing of your continued success and how you’re finding more ways to optimize and maximize our Water Department. 3 Mr. Robinson: Thank you, thank you very much. I’m not a speech person. The Clerk: Mr. Wiedmeier, would you like to speak on behalf of (inaudible). Mr. Wiedmeier: I would just like to thank Bobby for his work and say that he represents the Utilities Department well. Thanks. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: Proceed with the agenda, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Proceed, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: ELECTION OF OFFICER(S) C. Election of Mayor Pro-Tempore for 2015-16. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to nominate Mr. Grady Smith for Mayor Pro Tem for 2015. Mr. Mayor: Received. Are there any additional nominations for Mayor Pro Tem for the year 2015? Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I like to nominate --- Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: --- I’d like to nominate Commissioner Bill Lockett. Mr. Mayor: Are there any additional nominations? All right, Commissioner Guilfoyle, th Commissioner from the 8. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to nominate Mary Davis to represent us. Mr. Mayor: Are there any additional nominations for Mayor Pro Tem at this time? There be no additional nominations I think it’s proper and in order --- Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor? th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Could we have a roll call vote, please, sir? Mr. Mayor: I believe we can. Madam Clerk. Roll call vote on the nomination of Mr. Grady Smith for Mayor The Clerk: Yes, sir. Pro-Tempore for 2015-16. Ms. Davis. 4 Ms. Davis: Ladies first again? Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: No. The Clerk: Mr. Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: No, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Harris. Mr. Harris: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Lockett. Mr. Lockett: No. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, that motion carries 7-3. Mr. Fennoy, Guilfoyle and Lockett vote No. Motion Passes 7-3. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. I believe that we’ve got consensus on Mayor Pro Tem. 5 The Clerk: Yes, sir. th Mr. Mayor: I’d like to ask the Commissioner from the 9 if he would ask for a roll call vote for unanimity on this. Can we have another vote to get Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I would love to do that. unanimous consent to add to make Mr. Grady Smith the Mayor Pro Tem for 2015? The Clerk: Yes sir, okay. Ms. Davis. Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: No. The Clerk: Mr. Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Mr. Harris. Mr. Harris: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Lockett. Mr. Lockett: No. The Clerk: Mr. Sias. Mr. Sias: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams. Mr. D. Williams: Yes. The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams. 6 Mr. M. Williams: Yes. The Clerk: That motion carries, Mr. Mayor, 8-2. Mr. Fennoy and Lockett vote No. Motion Passes 8-2. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time I believe it’s proper and in order for us to stand at ease for a few moments that the Mayor Pro Tem and I might convene and discuss the appointment for standing committees. We’ll stand at ease at this time. Commission will stand at ease. [Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem exit to formulate the listing of Standing Committees] Mr. Mayor: Commission will come back to order. Commissioners, if you will take your seats. Madam Clerk --- The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: --- at this time would you please read the Committee assignments? The Clerk: ELECTION OF OFFICER(S) D. Appointment of 2015-16 Standing Committees. The Clerk: The appointment of the 2015-16 Standing Committees are as follows: Administrative Services Committee: Chairperson, Commissioner Marion Williams; Vice-Chair, Commissioner Dennis Williams. Members Bill Lockett, Mary Davis. Engineering Services Committee: Chairperson, Commissioner Bill Fennoy; Vice-Chair, Commissioner Ben Hasan. Members Commissioner Grady Smith, Wayne Guilfoyle. Public Safety Committee: Chairperson Commissioner Bill Lockett; Vice-Chair, Commissioner Louis Harris. Members Commissioner Sammy Sias, Mayor Pro Tem Grady Smith. Public Services Committee: Chairperson, Commissioner Mary Davis; Vice-Chair Commissioner Dennis Williams. Members Commissioner Bill Fennoy, Commissioner Marion Williams. Finance Committee; Chairperson Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle; Vice-Chair Commissioner Sammie Sias. Members Commissioner Louis Harris, Commissioner Ben Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor --- 7 th Mr. Mayor: Chairperson recognizes Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: --- Mr. Mayor, thank ya’ll for the Vice-Chair on the Engineering Services Committee. I would appreciate it if ya’ll could consider rotating that with someone. I know I used to be the Vice-Chair if you don’t mind. thth, Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9 from the 6 would you like the Chair to entertain a motion? Mr. Hasan: Such as? Mr. Mayor: That, stand at ease for a moment. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner, thank you. Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir, fine. The Clerk: We need a motion to approve these standing committees. a motion to approve. Mr. Mayor: The Chair would like to entertain Mr. Fennoy: So moved. Mr. M. Williams: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right. Madam Clerk? The Clerk: We have a motion and a second. All in favor please vote by the usual sign. The Clerk: That motion carries 9-1. Mr. M. Williams, were you voting in the affirmative or? Okay. That motion carries unanimously. Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: Are you proceeding, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, we are proceeding. The Clerk: ELECTION OF OFFICER(S) E. Discuss appointing the County Attorney. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) 8 Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Commissioner Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Since we have two Williams’ in here I’m going to ask The Clerk to recognize the ‘M’ instead of the ‘D’ but I asked this to be put on the agenda to at least get some discussion as to where do we go with our County Attorney. Just like we got through voting a few minutes ago the first three things we normally do the first two things we normally do is vote on the Mayor Pro Tem and the County Attorney. That has not been done in a while and as far as the Charter goes I’d like to know what is the process where are we what do we do? We do have an in house law department now. This is nothing related to them but there were a county attorney that we had to represent here where we would advise the body versus the in house law department who handles the in house situations. Maybe Mr. Andrew can help me out, Mr. Mayor, give me some insight as to what the Charter says and what we’ve been doing. st Mr. Chair: Not yet. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1 Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I would like to make a motion we refer this to committee for discussion. Mr. Hasan: I second that. Mr. Mayor: The Chair has received a motion and a proper second to refer this to committee. I certainly think it’s proper and in order for us to do likewise. Given that we’ve got General Counsel I think it’s important for us to have a livelier conversation about that to the th Commissioner from the 9. Commissioner? Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have no problem going through committee with it and that’s why I put it on the agenda so we can some dialogue and able to send it the way we need to send it. I mean I hadn’t heard anything with response from the Attorney. We may not need to go to a committee with it but I mean if my colleagues feel like that’s where we need to go to do I mean I’ve got no problem with that. But there are some information, the Charter’s already out there. I think Mr. MacKenzie has some information that he may be able to share with us but I’ve got no problem going to committee. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. At this time I think it would be appropriate. We’ve got a motion and a proper second. We’ll take a vote on that and then we’ll refer it back to committee. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. M. Williams: --- can you tell me what committee we’re sending this to and who’s going to handle it, send it to committee, going to send it to Legal? Mr. Mayor: Administrative Services. 9 Mr. M. Williams: Send it to Administrative Services. Okay. st, Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 1 for clarification could you state that in your motion that this be referred to Administrative Services? Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I’d like to make a motion that we refer Item E on today’s agenda to Administrative Services for further discussion? Mr. Hasan: Second, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Chair: Thank you. There’s been a motion and a proper second to refer this item agenda to Administrative Services. All those voting. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Madam Clerk? The Clerk: Our consent agenda consists of items 1-3, items 1-3. Mr. Mayor: Item one, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Sir, do we have a motion? Mr. Guilfoyle: Motion to approve. Mr. Hasan: Second. The Clerk: Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Hasan. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: At this time the Chair will entertain a motion to add anything to the consent st agenda that might be appropriate. Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, Mr. Mayor, I’d like to add an ordinance that was submitted Article 4 Section 1-7-51 to the consent agenda if we can get unanimous consent for that. rd Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 3. Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to add number six, item number six to the consent please. The Clerk: Ms. Davis, with that are you considering the recommendations of the Hospital Authority on the bold print? That’s who they’re recommending. Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am. The Clerk: Okay, Rabbi David Sirull and for the position Charles Caye? Okay. 10 Mr. Mayor: Are there any additional? Is there anything additional to add to the consent agenda at this time? Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor? th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 9. st Mr. M. Williams: Commissioner from the 1 wanted to add something and he gave a, I didn’t get an agenda item number. What number is that? I don’t know if I have any problem with it but I don’t know which one. The Clerk: It’s the addendum item. I think the Attorney passed this out to you. It would be considered the addendum item. Mr. M. Williams: We hadn’t had any dialogue. I mean I think the Mayor may need some assistance with that but we need some dialogue so I’ve got an issue with that because I think we need to talk and put some things out. I don’t want to approve something because it was just given to me a few minutes ago. The Clerk: So you’re saying --- Mr. M. Williams: You don’t have unanimous consent to that. I think the Mayor wants to have some dialogue --- The Clerk: Okay. Mr. M. Williams: So we can work through that and do that. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got no problems with the other one that was added. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor: I think that’s appropriate, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Okay, our consent agenda consists of items 1-3 with the addition of item 6. Mr. M. Williams: So moved, Mr. Mayor, to approve that. The Clerk: We have a motion. Mr. M. Williams: We’ve got a motion? The Clerk: Yes, sir, Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Hasan. 11 CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. ZA-R-235 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by amending Section 4 (Off-street Parking and Loading) by establishing and updating parking standards to allow flexible parking strategies that are economical and encourage access management, mobility and accessibility for all travel modes, such as shared parking lots and/or bicycle parking that create pedestrian friendly, environmentally sustainable and affordable developments. (Approved by the Commission December 16, 2014 – second reading) 2. ZA-R-236 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by amending Section 3- 12 (Area and Setback Requirements). (Approved by Commission December 16, 2014 – second reading) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 3. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of the Commission held December 16, 2014 and Special Called meeting held December 16, 2014. APPOINTMENT(S) 6. Consider the following recommendations for a four-year term from the Richmond County Hospital Authority. For the position currently occupied by Rabbi David Sirull, who is eligible for reappointment: 1. Rabbi David Sirull 2. I. Gary Katcoff 3. Haskell D. Toporek For the position currently occupied by Pete Caye, who is eligible for reappointment: 1. Charles G. (Pete) Caye 2. Hugh L.J. Hamilton, Jr. 3. Levi W. Hill, IV Mr. Mayor: All those voting? Motion Passes 10-0. [Items 1-3, 6] ADDENDUM 7. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend the Augusta, GA Code Title One, Article Four, Section 1-7-51 relating to the adoption of Personnel Policies and Procedures of Augusta, Georgia; to amend the Definition of Elected Official in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual; 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. 12 Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from st the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, Mr. Mayor, I would like to add the Ordinance Article 4 Section 1-7-51 to the next committee meeting for discussion. Mr. Lockett: Second. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6. I think what we have the opportunity to do is take that up in the Executive Session to discuss that matter in a Legal meeting. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I think --- th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: --- yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, I was assuming that you know I didn’t anticipate us attempting to add this to the consent agenda but I did think we would discuss this today because I think this is in reference to your staff. Mr. Mayor: That’s correct. Mr. Hasan: And I think that you want to get your staff in the picture using this Ordinance in place. I think we ought to do that, do that today and not refer it back if you don’t mind. th Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner from the 6. Any additional discussion? I know we’ve got a motion and a second. Mr. M. Williams: We’ve got a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda with the addition added to it and we haven’t taken a vote on that, is that right? Mr. Mayor: I don’t know. We’ve approved the consent agenda at this point. This is for th, discussion the request is to add it to the standard agenda. Commissioner from the 9 Commissioner Williams. th Mr. M. Williams: I’m in agreement with Commissioner Hasan from the 6 District that we need to talk about it not just -- Mr. Mayor: And I believe again we’ll defer to Mr. Attorney. But I believe we can take that up today but in the Legal meeting. Mr. MacKenzie: If I can ---- Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie. 13 Mr. MacKenzie: I think the discussion is whether or not this item could be added on with unanimous consent but it still could be discussed today if there’s unanimous consent to do that. That’s one option. Another option would be to be set on a Specially Called Meeting the regularly set Legal meeting set for Monday. It could be on that agenda for discussion. And I think those are the options that from my understanding that (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Can you repeat the first option, Mr. MacKenzie? Mr. MacKenzie: The first option would be if there’s unanimous consent it could be added on today and discussed and considered today if there’s unanimous consent to add it on. That would be an appropriate motion. th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Yeah, Mr. Mayor, I’d like to know just from the attorney he just made mention the first one of the options were to add it to the agenda and discuss it. So my question is then we can add to the agenda and discuss and act upon it today as well? Mr. MacKenzie: You can. Mr. Hasan: That would be my motion to add it to the agenda to discuss it and act upon it if we can get unanimous consent. Mr. Smith: Second. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: This is going to concern some personnel issues and I’m sure Mr. Mayor and we talked about trying to get this resolved. The distinguished attorney from the center of the floor there he ain’t on our district nowhere but he mentioned about maybe adding this today and discussing it and approving it or he can put it on the Legal. But at one point we went to Legal when the Mayor called for a legal meeting at the Commission. Now we can do it several ways. If we want to have a Legal meeting I’m thinking we can we should be able to have a legal meeting to discuss some personnel issues and then come back to the floor and vote up or down or whatever. If this is such a need then we need to go ahead and do that and do it in privacy where we only discuss this item and come back. But I’ll let the distinguished lawyer determine whether or not it’s a legal move or an illegal move. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Are we in the position we can entertain a motion to go into Executive Session or do we have to clear anything else before we do that? Mr. Mayor: I believe our posture is consistent with being able to go into Executive Session. 14 ADDENDUM 8. Motion to approve going into a legal meeting. Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor, I move that we go into Executive Session. Mr. Guilfoyle: Second. Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: I would like to know if that would be to discuss personnel. Mr. Mayor: Yes. The Clerk: We’ve got to carry the vote. Mr. Mayor: Call a vote. The Clerk: Have a vote, yes. Mr. Mayor: All those in favor? Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor: The Commission will stand at ease. [LEGAL MEETING] [MEETING RECONVENED] Mr. Mayor: The Chair calls the meeting back to order. We will exercise a Close Meeting Affidavit at this time. The Chair recognizes the attorney. 9. Motion to approve execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia’s Open Meeting Act. Mr. MacKenzie: I would entertain execute the Close Meeting Affidavit. Mr. Sias: So moved. Mr. Harris: Second. Mr. Mayor: Voting? Motion Passes 10-0. 15 Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Chairman entertains a motion recognizing Mr. MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: I would entertain a motion to add approve an Ordinance to amend the Augusta, GA Code Section 1-7-51 relating the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual to amend the definition of Elected Official in the Manual to include the Mayor and to waive the second reading and to authorize the transfer of funds from the contingency account the Clerk of Commission’s Office in an amount sufficient to effectuate the transfer of Natasha McFarley to the Clerk of Commission’s Office not to exceed $30,000. Mr. Sias: So moved. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Mayor: Voting? Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: That’s it, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: All right. Madam Clerk, agenda item number four. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 4. Receive from staff to date an all-inclusive/comprehensive/detailed report of all expenditures associated with the Hyde Park Relocation Project as requested on November nd 4, 2014. (Requested by Commission Marion Williams referred from the December 2 Commission meeting; referred from the December 16, 2014 meeting) Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. The Chair will recognize the distinguished th Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I had this placed back on the agenda because when we initially talked an audit for the Hyde Park I’ve got several calls and I apologize though I didn’t call back. But I did get your call. I also had a call from a young man who got a tax bill for $3,800.00 dollars for property in Hyde Park. I can’t imagine any property in Hyde Park that’s just a lot that the property tax should be $3,800.00 dollars. So there is some questions that I don’t have answers for as yet and I need to know exactly what’s what. I see my good friend here the Hyde Neighborhood Director Mr. Welcher’s here and he brought a package. But I don’t know to what extent this is, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner, we will receive this as information. Is there anyone here to speak on this matter? Chair recognizes Mr. Welcher. 16 Mr. Welcher: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission per to item number four as it relates to the agenda what you have before you specifically what was asked. This is a response to the action in regards to the all inclusive and a comprehensive detailed report of expenditures. If you have before you, you actually have a breakdown from an expenditure sector and under each sector you actually have the vendors that were actually paid for services rendered. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Welcher, I thank you for your report. I talked with you earlier and we’re supposed to get together. When you say all inclusive then comprehensive all inclusive is just what it says all. And then you’ve got comprehensive there which that’s a part to me in my mind that’s a part of the thing that I need to know. This is another format in a lump sum so to speak that don’t help me very much. Now I made an appointment with you this week hopefully we can sit down and look at some things that I need to know about the land acquisition what attorney fees I need to know exactly who made what from demolition. We’ve got people you are here from Hyde Park who are complaining now that there had not been any demolition that the houses are still standing with windows outdoors falling off. So I need to know how much money supposed to have been spent on those services versus the lump sum that totaled up here. I do see the list you gave us. I guess my question to you is that any HUD stipulations to go along with this property here in Hyde Park that we’re dealing with? Mr. Welcher: No, sir. If you would we could if you look at the last page it provides for you, you mentioned demolition and clearance. And if you’ll look there you’ll see that to date 23 properties have actually been demolished with a total amount that has been paid out of $118,000.00 dollars. And you know to your question in regards from a HUD stipulation standpoint HUD has no bearing in regards to their code of federal regulations do not speak to us not being able to move forward with demolition and clearance. I mean that’s definitely eligible activity. Mr. M. Williams: Okay so and my question was does HUD regulation touches this because it’s not HUD’s money that’s doing it so they wouldn’t have any I mean because it requires some guidelines from HUD when we’re using HUD from --- Mr. Welcher: That’s correct. Mr. M. Williams: --- but this don’t require because it’s not HUD funded. Is that right? Mr. Welcher: That’s correct. The only thing the only reference to HUD is where we decided to use the Uniform Relocation Act of 1971 as a guide for the purpose of pretty much having a standard in place. That could not be compromised and that’s a standard as I indicated it’s been in place since 1971. So we knew that that was active way of getting persons out of Hyde Park something that had been proven for over 30/40 years. 17 Mr. M. Williams: I think, I understand that and I appreciate those comments. Here is listed the relocation and land acquisition expenditures. I mean all of that totals to some $3.95 something here. Mr. Mayor: It’s been Mr. Welcher. Commissioner, one more question and then I’m going to (inaudible). Mr. M. Williams: Okay, okay, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Let me do this, Mr. Mayor. I’m going to meet with Mr. Welcher and sit down but this still we had voted to do an audit and we changed our minds as a body and didn’t do that. But there is something that’s not quite right th with this. But I’m going to pass this on and let the distinguished Commissioner from the 6 do or say what he’s got to say. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I would with my colleague’s permission th and the Commissioner from the 9 is I’d like to attend that meeting with him and look at some of that information because I think also in looking at what Mr. Welcher is going to provide us with is we need to have the Law Department as well as Engineering because we have plenty of documentation. We have the documentation he just gave us again for the second time. We have a legal piece here with all this information so it’s just a matter that we actually looking for in my estimation we’re looking at real estate transactions. I think that’s what my colleague is looking for. This body at some time once they took on this project per our Attorney’s request we made a decision to look at all the rental transactions or the real estate transactions to straighten ourselves out in that regard as a single transaction. So as we go in and take a look at the information in terms of the real estate I would like to remind my colleagues that we won’t be able to walk away with any of that information about real estate transactions because we are looking at all the real estate transactions as a single transaction so we won’t compromise the process. And I look forward to attending that meeting with him. th Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move that we refer this item back to the next Commission meeting pending some information from the meeting that is being held with the Community and Housing Development Department. Mr. Fennoy: So moved. Second. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Voting? Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk. The Clerk: 18 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES th 5. Discuss the action taken in the December 8 Commission meeting to rescind 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. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams-referred from the December 16, 2014 meeting) th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’m going to ask that this be placed with item, agenda item number four who we just briefly discussed it to you know to have this meeting with the Housing Neighborhood Director in order to try to get a base to get started on what we need to do because it looks like we’re not going to be able to get that audit done that we should have voted and passed and then re-voted. So I’d like to move this to tie it in with item four so all this will be brought up at the same time to give us time to meet and talk with the director over there now and b begin to get some basics to startecause I intend to address this every week until we find something. Somebody else is going to have to say something even if it’s untrue. Somebody can tell me something about it so we need to stay ahead of the game but I don’t want to prolong a meeting with going through the same thing again. So I make that in the form of a motion. Mr. Sias: Second, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a substitute motion that we take and get the Administrator to coordinate a meeting with the HUD office, the Legal Department and the Engineering and give us a date two or three of us a date to go and take a look at this information they present, the information that we’re looking for so we can put this baby to rest. Mr. Mayor: I think we have a motion. We have a primary motion on the floor and we’ll probably want to take action on first before receiving the substitute motion. The Clerk: We didn’t get a second on the substitute. Mr. Fennoy: Second. The Clerk: Okay. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Welcher just shared with us that the HUD had no impact with this situation so there wouldn’t be any need to draw them in. And I th understand the Commissioner from the 6 willing to include everybody. There’s some basic stuff that’s very simple. We’ve been using I say we’ve been using but there’s been some things to come up about land acquisition and who got what, when, where. That’s not what I’m after. I 19 mean everybody’s property is not valued the same so everybody’s not going to receive the same thing. Even if it wasn’t in Hyde Park every home is different. So those type situations don’t really play at this point. So I just think if we meet with Mr. Welcher and we’re not satisfied we can get with the Administrator then and get whatever bodies together and at least get some footprints to start walking on. Mr. Mayor: In fact the prerogative of the Chair I think you’re right Commissioner. This action can actually be dealt with in your Administrative Services Committee. You can convene a meeting at that time upon which you can discuss this and bring all of the stakeholders to the table and address that in a very substantial way. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I kind of slightly disagree with you on that one because once again I think some of the things that’s going to come out in this because I think this is the lynch pin that I think we’re looking for in terms of the real estate transactions. And if we do it openly up on the Administrative Services then we’re going to be talking publicly about real estate transactions that this government has made a conscience decision to do as a dingle transaction. th That’s one part. The second part of it is that when my colleague from the 9 just made the point about the HUD in other words I’m just saying that department is handling not necessarily HUD getting involved with their policies and procedures other than this government made a conscience decision to use the Uniform Relocation Act to how the constituents was handled in Hyde Park. So those are some clarifications there. Mr. Guilfoyle: Call for the question, Mr. Mayor. th Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Commissioner from the 4. At this time we’ll entertain --- Mr. M. Williams: If you call for the question, Mr. Mayor, that means we vote on whether we’re going to continue to debate or not. Is that? Mr. Mayor: We have a substitute motion before us. Mr. Hasan: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: That’s correct and that will be the matter we’re voting on, Mr. Commissioner. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chair could you read the substitute motion again, please, sir? The Clerk: The substitute motion was to convene a meeting with the Administrator, the HUD office, Legal Department and Engineering Department to address the expenditures associated with the Hyde Park Relocation Project. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’m going to address that because this is your first day and we’re going to work this out. But the question that was called is not to vote on the substitute motion is to vote to see if we still want to keep the debate or note then we go back to the motion. But we’re going to go ahead and vote but I just want to keep the record straight because I want 20 my friend to do, Ms. Bonner we’ll go ahead and vote on the substitute motion. We don’t have to go through the process but the question was called. Mr. Mayor: We have a substitute motion before us. Madam Clerk, would you read the substitute motion once again? The Clerk: Yes sir. The motion was to convene a meeting with the Administrator, the HCD office, HUD, the Legal Department, Engineering Department to address the expenditures associated with the Hyde Park Relocation Project. Mr. Mayor: All those in favor will vote yay and all those opposed with vote nay. Voting. Mr. Lockett and Mr. Guilfoyle vote No. Motion Passes 8-2. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: I believe that’s it, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: I believe that’s it. The Clerk: Meeting’s adjourned. Mr. Mayor: There being no further business before the Commission this meeting is hereby adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond Count Commission held on January 6, 2018. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 21 22