Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting February 3, 2015 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER FEBRUARY 3, 2015 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., February 3, 2015, the Hon. Hardie Davis, Jr., 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: The meeting is hereby called to order. Madam Clerk. The Clerk: We’ll ask Rev. Christopher J. Waters, Pastor of Thankful Baptist Church. Please come forward to deliver our invocation. The invocation was given by Reverend Christopher J. Waters, Pastor, Thankful Baptist Church. Mr. Mayor: At this time we’ll have the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: Reverend Waters, we have something for you if you’ll please approach. (APPLAUSE) RECOGNITIONS Employee of the Month A. Congratulations! Mr. Darrin Shine, Augusta Recreation, Parks and Facilities Department January Employee of the Month. The Clerk: At this time we’d like to call your attention to the Recognition portion of our agenda. We’d like to offer our congratulations to Mr. Darrin Shine, Augusta Recreation, Parks and Facilities who’s our January Employee of the Month. Mr. Shine, would you please join the Mayor and the Administrator here in front of the dais along with Mr. Houck the Interim Recreation Director. Are there others from your department Mr. Hawke that would like to? As they make their way forward let me share with you. The Employee Recognition Committee has selected Darrin Shine as the February Employee of the Month for Augusta, Georgia. Mr. Shine works with the Recreation Department where he’s been employed for seven years. He was nominated by Misty Smith. Just six weeks after moving to the Carrie J. Mays Family Life Center managed by the Recreation Department Mr. Shine coordinated a Sneaker Giveaway for children in the community providing 200 pairs of tennis shoes to the children in need. Passionate about helping children and in an attempt to help young children who may be living below the poverty line Darrin began to design a plan for his project. In his spare time outside of work Darrin reached out to local businesses. His progress with the project sparked an interest and ignited his coworkers to join and contribute to the cause. There were a total of 256 sneakers donated to this project. Consequently all sneakers were 100% donated at no cost to the project’s program. The Community Center are the children. We are hopeful that this project will be the 1 first of more to come as we innovated 2015 reaching out to be a helping hand in our community in Augusta-Richmond County. Based on his nomination and Darrin’s outstanding service the Recognition Committee would appreciate you in joining us in recognizing him as the February 2015 Employee of the Month. Congratulations. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Thank you. On behalf of the Office of the Mayor it is with great pleasure that we also congratulate you on being recognized as the February 2015 Employee of the Month for City of Augusta. The positive attitude and enthusiasm that you bring to your work is exemplary and I’m especially proud of the initiative that you have proposed to take back and work in our community and serve on a daily basis. Creative ideas in the ways to serve our citizens like the Sneaker Giveaway captured the true spirit of public service. Keep thinking outside of the box and challenge the status quo. Our government will excel if we all commit to following your example. I applaud you for the effort you put forward towards working for our community and this government. 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. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Houck: I can’t tell you how proud I am of this young man and the opportunity I have to work with him and all the fine folks at Recreation and Parks and Facilities. We’re trying to change some of the culture within our department and we’ve got to focus on people, innovation and commitment and Darrin really has taken this to heart. But besides the program itself there’s some other things that’s happening here. Darrin’s continuing to build his own credibility as a recreation professional and helping with the credibility of our department. He’s connecting with the community which is so important and he’s building respect and trust with the youth that’s he’s working with. And that’s the only way we’re going to reach out and engage with these young folks in our community. So again I’m just proud to have an opportunity to work with Darrin and appreciate everything he’s doing for us. Thanks. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Williams: Good afternoon, Mayor and county Commissioners. My name is Sylvia Williams. I am the Employee Relations and Training Manager for Human Resources. It is my pleasure today to present and recognize our Years of Service Recipients. We have 19 five to ten year recipients and five 25 to 50 years recipients of which two are here with us today. With 25 years of service Claude Gilchrest with the Tax and Assessors Department. Claude? (APPLAUSE) With 30 years of service Mark Bowles with the Engineering Department. (APPLAUSE) Once again please join me in a warm congratulations to our Years of Service Recipients. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk? The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Any motions to (inaudible). Madam Clerk, we’ll move on to the consent agenda. The Clerk: Okay. 2 Mr. Mayor: We’ll receive any --- The Clerk: Our consent agenda consists of items 1-25, items 1-25. Mr. Mayor: Are there any motions to recommit or refer back to committee or withdraw? nd Any motions? The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2 Commissioner Williams, D. Williams. Mr. D. Williams: I just have an issue for item number seven. I think we need to change the wording in that. The Clerk: Do you want to pull that one or do you just want to --- Mr. D. Williams: We’ll pull it. The Clerk: --- just for modification. Mr. Mayor: We’ll withdraw it, we’ll pull that one from the consent agenda. Mr. D. Williams: Yes. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Any additional items? Any additional items to add or pull from the consent agenda? The Chair hearing none --- Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chair? th Mr. Mayor: --- Commissioner Lockett, Commissioner from the 5. ADDENDUM 32. Approve the appointment of Commissioner Bill Lockett to serve as a second ex-officio member on the Board of Tax Assessors. (Requested by Commissioner Hasan) Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question concerning the additional change to the agenda. Item number two about Commissioner Bill Lockett to serve as a second ex-officio member. Are we establishing a new policy? Maybe I should direct this question to the Clerk, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor: I’m not aware of any new policies or an approach to committee assignments. I do believe that in our last meeting we addressed this matter in terms of ex-officio and officio assignment. Mr. Lockett: But, Mr. Chair, my question is they said the second. In other words there’ll be two ex-officio Commissioners for the Tax Assessor. Is that, are we establishing a precedent here? 3 th The Clerk: Well, at the last meeting on the 20 dual appointments were appointed to the Augusta Aviation Commission. So now with this appointment if there was a precedent established it was with that one and the Commission approved those two appointments to the Aviation Commission. So this would be just following suit with what was, the action taken that th took place on January 20. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor? th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 Commissioner Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Ms. Bonner, just to be clear on my part. Had we had two, had we had one member committee appointed to two other committees before? I mean hadn’t one Commissioner served on two different committees before. The Clerk: As ex-officio? Mr. M. Williams: Right. The Clerk: You mean separate? Mr. M. Williams: Right, two separate. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. M. Williams: Okay. And like Commissioner Lockett said I don’t want to establish nothing but I know that it took place previously before and I was wondering you know maybe not on that particular board but it has worked where we have done that because of the number of boards we serve on I think. The Clerk: Right. Mr. Mayor: Any additional discussion? The Chair hearing none item 7 is pulled from the consent agenda. Madam Clerk, is there any additional? The Clerk: No, sir. At this time we’ll be voting on the consent agenda minus item 7. All those in favor will --- The Clerk: We need a motion --- Mr. Mayor: We need a motion --- Ms. Davis: So moved. 4 Mr. Mayor: --- on the consent agenda. Mr. Williams: Second. The Clerk: So that was Ms. Davis and who seconded that? We had multiple. Mr. M. Williams: Anybody, I’ll take it. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion from this end. The Clerk: Mr. Williams? Okay. Thank you. CONSENT AGENDA PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to approve referring this item back to the Administrator for all parties involved for further discussion and review-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 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. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 26, 2015) 2. Motion to approve referring this item back to the Administrator for all parties involved for further discussion and review-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 Chapters III, V and VIII of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual relating t Augusta Regional Airport Personnel: 300.001, 300.002, 300.011, 300.012, 300.031, 300.014, 500.001, 500.316, 800.001, 800.004, 800.010, 800.011, 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. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 26, 2015) 3. Motion to approve the proposal submitted by Modern Business Systems, Inc. for providing and installing Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment in the amount of $340,098.63. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 26, 2015) 4. Motion to approve contract in the amount of $26,720 to Modern Roofing to install a new membrane roof, and the related work outlined in RFB 14-239, over the existing at the Augusta Public Defender’s Office. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 26, 2015) 5. Motion to approve a request by Laura Salman for a Therapeutic Massage Operators license to be used in connection with Strictly Massage located at 240 Camilla Avenue. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 26, 2015) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 5 6. Motion to approve the adoption of the 2012 Land Bank Act. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 26, 2015) 8. Motion to approve award of RFP 14-208 Universal Life to Cigna subject to final contract negotiations and to authorize the Mayor to execute final negotiated contract. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 26, 2015) PUBLIC SAFETY 9. Motion to approve PCN Strategies as vendor of choice for the replacement of obsolete mobile computers currently utilized by the Sheriff’s Office. RFP 14-210. (Approved by Public Safety Committee January 26, 2015) 10. Motion to approve the purchase of 58 Scott Air Packs as sole source by the Augusta Fire Department in the amount of $225,446. (Approved by Public Safety Committee January 26, 2015) 11. Motion to award RFP #14-189 Debris Removal Services to Ceres Environmental Services, Inc. and to authorize execution of the Contract Documents. (Approved by Public Safety Committee January 26, 2015) FINANCE 13. Motion to authorize dialog and initial planning with GRU to establish the groundwork for an Augusta Richmond County Economic Summit. The projected date will occur after the Masters Tournament. (Approved by Finance Committee January 26, 2015) ENGINEERING SERVICES 14. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for temporary construction easement and permanent utility easement (Parcel 099-3-003-00-0) 2601 Mike Padgett Highway. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 26, 2015) 15. Motion to approve an Option for Right of Way between Dennis E. Morris and Dianna L. Albright n/k/a Dianna L. Morris and Augusta, Georgia for an easement consisting of 0.814 acre (35,476.13 sq. ft.) in fee, and 0.074 acre (3,231.40 sq. ft.) of permanent construction and maintenance easement located at 2514 Patterson Bridge Road for a total price of $63,800.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 26, 2015) 16. Motion to approve and authorize the Engineering Department (AED) to purchase 566 stream mitigation credits at a total cost of $31,979.00 ($56.50 per mitigation credit) from the Bath Brach Augusta, LLC (Bath Branch Mitigation Bank) to mitigate stream impacts as determined necessary by the US Army Corps of Engineers in regards to the Berckmans Road-Phase 1 Improvements Project. Funding is available through Project TIA funds. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 26, 2015) 17. Motion to task the Administrator to meet with the Engineering and RCCI Departments to develop an action plan for getting the downtown area cleaned up. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 26, 2015) 18. Motion to approve award of Construction Contract to C&H Paving, Inc. in the amount of $198,017.10 for Frontage Road Resurfacing Project, subject to receipt of signed contracts and proper bonds as requested by AED. Bid 14-203 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 26, 2015) 6 19. Motion to approve sole source purchase of INSync Adaptive Signal Control equipment in the amount of $264,300 from Rhythm Engineering for the Riverwatch Parkway Adaptive Signal Project. This Project in Band 1 of the approved Richmond County Project List for the Transportation Investment Act of 2010 (aka, TIA, TSPLOST) as requested by AED/TE. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 26, 2015) 20. Motion to approve Roadway Lighting Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) at Riverwatch I-20 Corridor Improvement Project and along Riverwatch Parkway from River Shoals Parkway to Jones Street and at its two Intersections (Stevens Creek Intersection & Fury’s Ferry Intersection) as requested by the Augusta Engineering Department. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 26, 2015) 21. Motion to approve Renewal of Water Audit Professional Services for 2015. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 26, 2015) 22. Motion to approve entering into an agreement with Jefferson Energy Cooperative stating that Augusta, Georgia will be responsible for the cost to relocate their facilities on the project to improve Windsor Spring Road Phase V, State Route 88 in Hephzibah to Willis Foreman Road, CPB# 323-04-299823786. Also, approve for the Augusta, Georgia Legal Counsel, Mayor and other designated representatives of Augusta, Georgia to execute three (3) Utility Relocation Agreements which state that, upon completion of the work, payment will be made as requested by the Augusta Engineering Department. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee January 26, 2015) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 23. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held January 20, 2015 and Special Called meeting held January 26, 2015) APPOINTMENTS 24. Motion to approve the reappointment of Terrence Dicks to the Augusta Public Transit Citizens Advisory Board representing District 2. 25. Motion to approve the appointments of the following representing District 4: Mr. Stanley Williams, ARC Housing and Community Development Citizens Advisory Board and Mr. Philip R. Joyner, Animal Services Advisory Board. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second. All those in favor voting. Motion Passes 10-0. [Items 1-6, 8-25] Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Do we need to go to the pulled item? Mr. Mayor: At this time we’ll go to item 7. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 7 7. Motion to approve asking the EEO Coordinator to brief the Commission during legal meetings on any EEO issues that she feels they need to be briefed on. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 26, 2015) nd Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2 to discuss the matter. Mr. D. Williams: I wanted to change the language to delete item issues that she feels they need to be brief on, to brief us on all of them the ones she believes we needed to briefing all of them. Mr. Williams: So moved. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Chair? th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes Commissioner from the 5 Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The work ‘asking’ I think it’d be more appropriate if we direct the EEO Coordinator as opposed to asking the EEO Coordinator if my friend would agree to that. The Clerk: Okay. th, Mr. Mayor: The Chair would like to hear a revised motion. Commissioner from the 5 would you? The Clerk: Do you want me to read that? Mr. Lockett: Mr. Chairman, I would just like to change the word to where it says approve asking as opposed to saying to direct the EEO Coordinator. The Clerk: So the motion would be to approve directing the EEO Coordinator to brief the Commission during legal meetings on any EEO issues. Mr. Williams: So moved again. Mr. Lockett: Second again. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? The Chair hearing none all those in favor will vote with the sign of yeah those opposed will vote nay. Motion Passes 10-0. PUBLIC SERVICES 26. Motion to approve tasking the General Counsel to review the Ordinance amending Augusta Georgia Code Title 6, Chapter 2, Article 1, Alcoholic Beverages, Section 6-2-1 through 6-2-145 and draft an amendment that would be applicable to all establishments 8 and bring it back to the committee for review and to suspend the enforcement of the new ordinance to allow the establishments that qualify to stay open until 4:00 a.m. relative to a request by Alter Ego’z Sports Bar and Grill. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 12, 2015 and a no action vote by the Commission January 20, 2015) (Requested by the petitioner) The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, Item 26. The petitioner is th requesting that the item be deferred back to our next, our upcoming February 17 Commission meeting agenda. There’s been some miscommunication between departments and the petitioner. th And they’re asking that the item be deferred to our upcoming February 17 meeting. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. The Chair will entertain a motion. The Chair nd, recognizes the Commissioner from the 2 Commissioner D. Williams. Mr. D. Williams: I would make a motion that we would vote fully and go back on it th (unintelligible) February 17. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor? th, Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 Commissioner M. Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, sir. I’ve got no problem per se going back to our next Commission meeting and get those parties time but will the Commission have an opportunity to weigh in or to know before it gets to this body? And then if we have some issues with it and if it’s going back to Commission again I mean it won’t go to committee, it won’t go to a workshop it’s going to go and have the two parties talk. But then we’ve got to vote. I just need to know prior to coming here get an understanding as to what I’m voting on. And I’m in support of helping the business for sure but if we send it back to the next Commission meeting I mean it won’t be discussed in any committee meeting, it won’t be discussed in any form except the two I guess the department and the business owner. This is going to affect a lot of businesses, it’s not going to affect just one. So before I vote on it or before we send it back we ought to know for it gets back up here and then we’re going to have some questions and then well why didn’t we talk about it because if we don’t talk about it. Let’s just put it out there so we can, you know, hold something that we can talk so it doesn’t come under Administrative Services it comes under Public Services so I just thought I’d put that out on the floor to keep it from having it to go back and rehash it again at the next Commission meeting. Mr. Mayor: Well, thank you so much for that, Commissioner. What we’ve heard is that nd the Commissioner from the 2 would like to refer it back to Commission or to the Committee? Mr. D. Williams: Commission. 9 Mr. Mayor: Okay, and at that time debate can take place on the floor. But at the same time between now and that time we certainly can entertain any conversation and/or discussion with those parties who are involved. Mr. D. Williams: Right now it’s planned that we’ll be getting together with all the parties that’s concerned. And I’ll be letting each of the Commissioners know of the findings of that th meeting prior to the full commission meeting on the 17 and we’ll be able to discuss it one on one. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a proper second. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, a point of clarity. In my mind I’m hearing the Commission say they’re going to discuss it. You know but I mean if they’re going to discuss it I mean I’ve got no problem. When’s that going to take place so if any other Commissioner or the Mayor wants to have some input so we won’t have to rehash it again is all I’m saying. Now I don’t mind I mean its fine I just thought that if we’re going do, we’re going to send it back to the full Commission why not send it back to committee to give people time to weigh in on it those most of us here we can talk about it there and then we pass it, it comes to the full Commission. But if it goes straight to the Commission again then it’s going to take that much time if I’ve got an issue or you and any other elected official has an issue someone wants to I mean it’s going to prolong it is what I’m thinking Commissioner. Mr. D. Williams: For the sake of not prolonging it my intent was that if I met with the parties in concern and got back to each Commissioner prior to the meeting we can work out any th difficulties that we have regarding the issue prior to the February 17 meeting. Mr. Mayor: But I think what he’s saying and I do concur, I concur with the th Commissioner from the 9 what the Chair would ask is if you would withdraw your motion and then Commissioner Williams I’d like for you to propose a motion to refer to committee. The Clerk: He can do it a substitute. Mr. Mayor: Yes. Mr. Sias: I’ll make a substitute motion to that. Mr. M. Williams: Substitute motion to send it back to committee so we can discuss it then give it to the full Commission and get it --- Mr. Mayor: Get it back to Public Services. Mr. M. Williams: --- and then get it back to Public Services. Mr. Lockett: Second. 10 Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second on the substitute. The Chair will st call and I’ll take parliamentary inquiry from the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, Mr. Mayor, I guess I want to know whether our General Counsel is going to be involved in that and whether he will actually bring because what we’re talking about is a proposed ordinance that’s going to affect all of the businesses or the proposed ordinance is going to affect one business. Mr. Mayor: Well, the motion as it stands is that you have General Counsel review the ordinance so I can imagine. We’ve got a substitute motion on the floor and the Chair has a motion and a proper second. And we’re going to call for the question. We’ve got a motion and a proper second and at this time we’re going to vote. Mr. Williams: I’m waiting for my attorney to say something because I’m paying too much money for that to be said and not bring a statement to you. So I’m waiting on my attorney to represent me and to clarify what you just said. Mr. Mayor: We’re voting. We’ve got a substitute motion to refer item 26 back to Public th Services. We’ve got a motion and a second by the Commissioner from the 9. All those in favor will vote yea and all those opposed will note nay. Ms. Davis, Mr. M. Williams and Mr. G. Smith vote No. Motion Passes 7-3. Mr. M. Williams: Point of order now, Mr. Mayor, for sure. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, you made a statement that you was calling the question. And that was time for my legal counsel to step in to tell us as a body what was supposed to take place next. That vote was not supposed to take place. And if I’m wrong he needs to clarify with me now too so I won’t be wrong again like that. But you called for the question I think and I asked him to clarify what that was. When you call for the question he needs to explain what that really means and he didn’t do that at all. Mr. Mayor: So Commissioner, Commissioner Williams, we had a motion and a proper second. Mr. M. Williams: And the question was called. Mr. Mayor: The question was called and is non-debatable, it’s a superior motion. Action was taken, we voted, we approved that matter and it had been referred back to committee. The st question that the Commissioner from the 1 asked was, was the General Counsel going to be in attendance at that meeting. It’s certainly a proper question. 11 Mr. M. Williams: If I don’t know nothing, Mr. Mayor, I know the rules up here and my attorney had not addressed the rules. If we’re going to change rules like Commissioner Lockett said if we’re going to create something new I need to know that too. But the rules are to be clarified by our legal department who’s sits here and makes the money he makes to tell us what is proper. Now if I’m wrong tell him to tell me that I’m wrong about that. But I just don’t want to continue to do the same thing wrong over and over, he hadn’t said a word. So I need to know I need to be clarified. I need to get an understanding whether I know those rules or just think I know those rules. Mr. Mayor: I’m not sure that the Chair can answer that. I believe the gentleman’s got a great passion for that but again we had a motion and a proper second which is in order and then we also took a vote on that which is in order. Mr. M. Williams: So you don’t think the attorney that’s sits there that gets paid to get clarification for me to say that the procedure we just did was right, that was a wrong procedure we just did. So I’m asking him to tell me that and I can get rules to bring in to show him. I don’t have them with me I can’t carry all this stuff with me but I got the rules that’s showing --- Mr. Mayor: Then we’ll allow the attorney to do that. We’re going to move to item 27. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Item 27. Madam Clerk? The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 27. Motion to approve RFQ 14-172, engineering and master plan services for Recreation, Parks and Facilities to Cranston Engineering Group for $274,102.00. (No recommendation from Public Services Committee January 26, 2015) Mr. Lockett: Move to approve, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Guilfoyle: Second. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner rd, from the 3 Commissioner Davis. Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m trying to, can we, Mr. Houck, can I ask if I could get a breakdown again on those costs. I know that there were some SPLOST funds allocated for this master plan and then I know that we had mentioned some funds coming from the general fund. Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes Mr. Houck from Recreation and Parks. 12 Mr. Houck: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I believe the breakdown I know was $48,000 dollars coming from general operating dollars with the remaining balance two hundred and whatever that balance is coming from SPLOST, $223 I believe. Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, could I follow up? Mr. Mayor: Continue. Ms. Davis: Thank you. I guess my question was I know that when we approved the budget in November we did allocate $100,000 dollars to do a master plan for an assessment of Recreation. Could, my only concern is so I know we went out I guess for an RFP for this plan with the two hundred and what twenty thousand some odd. Could we complete this plan without using the general fund money that we and see if everything we need can be handled in this plan through the SPLOST funds? I’m just trying to see if there’s any way we can have an adequate plan without spending those monies from the general fund since this was a SPLOST project. Ms. Jackson: Some of the primary tasks related to SPLOST funds will be those things that relate to bricks and mortar construction projects. The task that I added on after the budget was approved related to financial assessment of the department looking at additional ways to generate revenue to staffing and things like that. And those are not eligible SPLOST expenses so that’s why I think we still need the general fund revenue to supplement what’s available from the SPLOST to do everything that I asked to be done. Ms. Davis: Okay. Mr. Mayor, one more follow up please. And that should be done in one complete package or do you, would you do that separately since they’re different things? Ms. Jackson: We added those additional, the additional scope of work we added --- Ms. Davis: To the RFP? Ms. Jackson: --- to the contract, yeah. The RFP actually had been let already and in fact the firm had been selected at the time that the budget was approved in November. But in consultation with the former director I asked if those other tasks, those financial planning related tasks could be added to the plan. And I was told that they could at the additional cost of $48,000. So that’s why we combined the two funding’s in order to make the project happen. Ms. Davis: Okay and it won’t exceed that $48.000? Ms. Jackson: I’ve been told it will not. Ms. Davis: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from th the 4 Commissioner Sias. 13 Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. In reviewing this comprehensive master plan I have some grave concerns about it. I’m not going to fight it today but I just I wanted to be clear that if we’re spending money to do this master plan we definitely should have a funding source or a funding plan to put it into action. The last thing we need is another study that collects dust on a shelf because we don’t have the money to implement it. I’m not going to fight it today but I just want that I want that on the record that if we do this we need to do it all the way. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from th the 8 Commissioner Guilfoyle. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Houck, as far as this comprehensive plan if we become accredited how does that benefit our city or citizens or employees as well as financially? Mr. Houck: Having a master plan will allow us to go after national accreditation for one thing. It’s one of the standards that you have to meet to be nationally accredited. With accreditation comes I think a better opportunity for grants from various sources. I think having this plan in place shows the community that we’re committed to having a good parks system and it certainly would help us when developing new partnerships and going after donations and just alternate funding sources by having a road map of where we want to take this operation over the next ten years. Mr. Guilfoyle: Right. As far as this master plan if it gets approved today you know one thing as far as the management team of the Rec’s and Parks Department is that they would have to follow it through and through. I know that by history with Augusta Richmond County when it comes to studies it does sit on the shelves. But this is a great opportunity I believe because it’ll return a lot of money in grants which will help us defer money coming out of general fund. And in turn we’re able to look out for the employees. They’re the ones who’s actually doing all actually doing all the work. And they’ve never been credited as far as any kind of raises and hopefully this will be the opportunity for them. Mr. Houck: It’s got all those potentials, yes, sir. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you. nd Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2 D. Williams and then th we’ll recognize Commissioner Hap Harris Commissioner from the 7 after that. Commissioner? Mr. D. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. How much of this, these plans does the contractor (unintelligible) propose can be done in house? Mr. Houck: There’s some data gathering that probably could be done in house. It would be very time consuming and I’ve been in this business since 1977, it’s really not in my professional opinion something that I think we would tackle to get results at. I hope that would come from a plan like this. 14 Mr. D. Williams: Recreational services, do they have a planner on staff? Mr. Houck: Not by trade, no. Mr. D. Williams: Not by trade (unintelligible) by position? Mr. Houck: By position but they’re not trained as a planner, yes. Mr. D. Williams: Okay, thank you. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 7 Commissioner Harris. Mr. Harris: Ron, this will allow us to weed out those properties that are underused, not used as a basically dead weight? I mean this will give you knowledge on which ones you can honestly just say we can do without. Mr. Houck: I would anticipate, yes, sir, that happening. Mr. Harris: And then also one last thing. I think I mentioned to you the ‘Y’ has contacted me about possibly utilizing some of these properties. Is this something they can talk to you now while this is going on and talk to you about places we could use that are already pretty much well known that are not being used. Mr. Houck: Yeah, absolutely. We talk to groups everyday and if we can develop some partnerships that makes sense and provide the service for the community we’re all for it. Mr. Harris: Thank you. st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1 Commissioner Fennoy. Mr. Fennoy: Ron, already on the table we have a plan for Dyess Park. Is that, what’s the status of that plan right now? Mr. Houck: We have a site specific master plan for development for that park. And as you know we’ve completed two phases of a number of phases of that project. Mr. Fennoy: And I guess my next question how would this master plan impact the continuation of the existing plan for specifically Dyess Park and other parks where plans have been made for those parks? Mr. Houck: I think if you’ll look at everything we’ve done in the past and look to see if there’s a better way to do something in future but this body’s already committed with these master plans on these specific park developments and if monies are there, which in some cases there are, then we will continue with that development working with this body and the community. 15 Mr. Fennoy: All right. Thank you. th Mr. Chair: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5 and then the th Commissioner from the 9. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We often talk about the master plans that have been completed and just sit on the shelf. But I want to remind my friends and colleagues that if we allow a master plan to be done and let it sit on the shelf that’s our responsibility. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 the distinguished gentleman. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Houck, I thank you for your service but let me ask the question I guess to our Administrator. Planning and Development the Department has been totally reorganized and I’m thinking we hired some planners to do some things and I know this contractor has been let, Ron, I understand that but I’m just trying hopefully get ahead of the curve. Do we have anybody on staff that could save us when it comes to what Recreation and Parks needs to do? And I know the contract the way it is I understand what the budget was I understand all of that. I’m just asking a question because we have hired several different professionals I thought to help us in that area. So I’m asking is there any way that that could work and help if not on this one before we do another one on something else? Ms. Jackson: I think you’re correct, Commissioner Williams, in that the horse is out of the barn on this one because we’ve gone to such great lengths to do an issue an RFP and get a firm in. However I would like to think that in the future, yes, we can do more work in house. One of the things that Ms. Wilson has tried to emphasize is professionalizing her department and getting us so we do have expertise on staff. So I certainly can look at them as a resource to do future work. So I’m hoping, I haven’t talked to her specifically about it but I’m hoping it’s a possibility that yes they can do future planning for us and we won’t be so dependent on outside folks to do that type of work. Mr. M. Williams: And if I can follow up, Mr. Mayor, with my last question is that, that’s why it’s so important to have these conversations that we’re having now. That’s why it’s so important to have the input so we can start to work and not do what we traditionally have done and that’s just to go ahead and bid stuff out because. So hopefully that are next venture will be something that we can look within us and do. I agree with Commissioner Lockett and Commissioner Sias about implementing the plan but not letting the plan lay there. You got to work that plan and we understand that so but it’ll be up to us to make sure that the finances and the resources are there to make sure that the plan does keep moving and not put it on the shelf because we put them on the shelf a lot of times, Mr. Houck, and we leave them there because they’re not of our interest. We got to keep our interest in them. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Houck. The Chair will entertain a motion. 16 The Clerk: We have one. Mr. Mayor: We have that already? All right. The Clerk: Mr. Lockett and Mr. Guilfoyle. Mr. Mayor: Voting. Mr. D. Dennis and Ms. Davis vote No. Motion Passes 8-2. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 28. Discuss the procedure for responding to anonymous letters. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy) st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1 Commissioner Fennoy for discussion. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I’m just really concerned about any time we take action based on an anonymous letter. And what really concerns me is that according to the last anonymous letter that we received the person that wrote the letter doesn’t even work in that department. And you know if a person doesn’t work in that department how can they do an assessment as to what’s going on in somebody else’s department. I think that we as a Commission needs to create an environment where all employees feel comfortable about going through the proper grievance process in order to express their concern and address any complaints that they may have. I think we also need to create an environment where are supervisors, our managers and our department heads know that if an employee files a complaint that there will be no grievances or repercussions. I think if we do that then that would eliminate the need for an anonymous letter. But one of persons from the community called to say well how do you know where the letter came from, whether that person was actually a city employee? Said that one of you all one of the Commissioners could have written the letter and everything that they said is true. But I think that when it comes to anonymous letters we just need to the person does not feel comfortable about putting their name on it then we shouldn’t feel comfortable about reading it or responding to it. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I hear Commissioner Fennoy and what he just stated but Crime Stoppers even the Richmond County Sheriff, the, even the Georgia Bureau of Investigations will say you can remain anonymous if you report some incident. That doesn’t mean you have to act on that but a report is just what it is a report to get your attention. Right here in the City of Augusta there are some situations that happened a few years back where anonymous people came forth and found out that we were being doubled billed, Chief Taylor on 17 fire trucks that was serviced on one day and then come back and being serviced a week later and charged the city the same price. And that was an anonymous person who came forward with that. So I think it’s important. Now if you react on that, if you can go ahead and charge somebody with something I think we’d be wrong but I think the Administrator who got this letter along with myself and I think all of the Commissioners got one sharing some information. And the information is knowledge and knowledge is power. If you know where the problem is now if you can go to your supervisor and make a complaint and they’d be handled but reading a letter that was anonymous in the first place I think because it never gets handled or there are repercussions that come from reporting some stuff. And that’s not just this government that’s all over the world. I think that sometimes you ought to man or woman enough to stand forth and face your accuser. I mean I can do that because I don’t have a reason not to but people will give you good information and they don’t want to be exposed, they don’t want to be put on (unintelligible). Even when you call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department we ask you not to go to a person’s home to say did you call the Sheriff because the person that you’re calling the Sheriff about knows who called them. So anonymous is important and very important and I think we need to look at that and make sure that we have a qualified Administrator like we have now who took it with a grain of salt and looked and checked into it and found out some things that was true. And I support her in her efforts in what she’s doing. So I understand what the Commissioner is saying but I do think this is important because some people can’t come and stand in front of this body and say what they need to say. And there are some people that can but those that can’t have to have a resource or a way to get it to us so we’ll be able to handle that. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m a little reluctant to get involved in this conversation but I have no other choice. The Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual purposely left out the governing body from making personnel decisions. We have an Administrator on board who makes more annually than all of the Commissioners put together. We hired her because of her record, because of her expertise, because of her knowledge, because of her ability to do a good job here. I think we as a governing body should stop micromanaging, allow her to do her job. Now there’s been a trend going on, a very bad an unpopular trend over the last months. It began with the at the time with the Interim Administrator leaking information about she’s involved in the hiding or destroying of evidence from Fred Russell’s hard drive. Then the rumors began to circulate about the former Parks and Recreation Director of doing things that weren’t kosher, a bad relationship with his employees. Then we moved on to the Housing and Community Development same allegations about auditing we need to audit this guy doing things wrong. We never had it and continuously there’s been negative pushback towards our Interim Administrator that did an outstanding job had been with this government for about 25 years in a dual capacity as Information Technology Director and Deputy Administrator. No one can question her performance but we have drug her name through the mud. And we come out with all these falsities about the Deputy Administrator, I don’t want to call her name, but with her and the H.R. Director being sorority sisters. What the heck does that have to do with anything? But for the record they’re not sorority sisters. For the record they were not best friends and did not know each other until the H.R. Director was hired here. And I know better than anybody that’s sitting on this governing body the deplorable shape the H.R. Department was 18 in when our H.R. Director came in and she has done an outstanding job. Ms. Allen has done an outstanding job and it’s ridiculous that we continue to belittle them and drag their names through the mud. And lastly I got an email from a headhunter in reference to people that we have tried to recruit to this government and I cannot read some of the words that they have said explaining why they were not going to come here. And, ladies and gentlemen, just had conversation the other day with several Mayors and county managers and they all asked me the same question, what’s the problem with ya’ll in Augusta Richmond County? And they made the comment that we’ll have a request for permits so fast until we cannot keep up. I wish that was the problem that we’re having here now but we’re going to have to change folks in order for that to happen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from th the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I really don’t know where to start (unintelligible). But anyway I’ll just keep it simple. In terms of our Commissioner Fennoy and Commissioner Williams comments I think both of them have very valid points in terms of their position about whether this issue about whether we should look at anonymous letters and whether we should not. I think at the end of the day the Administrator did make the decision, we supported her decision to act in the manner that she did act. I think we’d be disingenuous as we reacted with other extenuating circumstances why we decided where she decided to proceed forward with our support. And I think we ought to stick with that. My main concern in the middle of all of this is that I don’t disagree that we need to set some sense of policy as we move forward in that regard but my real concern is at the time that we’re in the middle of an investigation she would be discussing whether we should be looking an anonymous letters or not. What influence would this have if any in the investigative per se? What influence if any would it have in Ms. Jackson having to bring us back a recommendation as a result of the investigation, good, bad or indifferent? So I think really for the most part is a conversation needs to be had and should be had. I just question the timing of it in the middle of an investigation. Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. The only thing I’d offer to this conversation is that whatever we do that you not codify. Mr. Hasan: Meaning? Mr. Mayor: Meaning not make it law. When we deal with matters of this magnitude the reality of it is it should be in the realm of policy and procedure as opposed to ordinance. What you not want to have is the rule of law taking effect of where someone quote is assumed or perceived breaking the law. So that would be my only encouragement to this body that as we move forward deal with those matters strictly in the form of policy and procedure and then make certain that we train individuals on those things across the entirety of our organization. The nd Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2 Commissioner D. Williams. Mr. D. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a motion to receive it as information. Mr. Lockett: Second. 19 Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner st from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I mean I realize that nothing was going to really happen today when I put this item on the agenda but I guess my biggest concern is that if we take the same letter that was written and we just change the name of the person that that letter’s addressing, what do we do with it? And again it’s the difference between writing an anonymous letter and being a whistle blower. It’s a big difference. I support whistle blowers but again I honestly believe that it’s our responsibility to create an environment where each employee feels that they could talk to take things up the chain, follow the grievance procedure and not feel any type of repercussions or retaliation and if the manager or the department head or supervisor retaliates then we should deal with them, we should deal with them. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. The Chair recognizes Commissioner from the th 7 Commissioner Harris and then we’ll take up the matter. Mr. Harris: I think it might be in agreement that anything like this happens again it should happen like it did this time. Ms. Jackson picked up the ball, she investigated it and it came to us. So I’m not sure why we’re spending all this time. If this were to happen again just let her that’s part of her job description, just let her look into it and if it warrants to go past that, then we’ll worry about it. But until then she can look into it and we can go forward or stop. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. The Chair recognizes that we have a motion and a second on this matter to receive it as information. All those in favor will vote yea and those opposed will vote nay. Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 9-0. The Clerk: PUBLIC SAFETY 29. Update on the status of the Augusta Emergency Management Agency and its staff. (Requested by Commissioner Sammie L. Sias) Mr. Mayor: The Chair hadn’t call ya’ll yet. We hadn’t called ya’ll yet. The Chair th recognizes the Commissioner from the 4 the distinguished retired Sgt. Major. Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m trying to figure out do I need to look behind me for that recognition? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I had this item put on the agenda because one of the things that as a Commissioner from my fine city of Augusta the Emergency Management Agency is always been something that I’ve been had a concern about. And, Mr. Mayor, at this time with your consent I’d like to ask our EMA Director to come up and give us an update on the agency itself and its staff meeting, the training of the staff, what their qualifications are and how do we look as an emergency management agency. 20 Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the distinguished Fire Chief. Chief James: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners for giving us this opportunity to give you a status on our Emergency Management Agency. First of all I like to always start out with the mission of our agency is to provide a comprehensive and aggressive Emergency Preparedness Response and Recovery Program for the citizens of Augusta Richmond County in order to save lives, protect property and reduce the effects of disaster. The purpose of this overview is to provide an overview of the staff of the Emergency Management Agency and to provide an overview of the projects, training, planning completed by the Emergency Management Agency. As I come before you today I serve as the EMA Director for Augusta Richmond County. I’m responsible for the management and direction of that of the Augusta Richmond County Emergency Management Agency. In addition to myself serving in this office is Special Operations Chief Wayne Taylor. He serves as the Deputy Director of our Emergency Management Agency. Myself, I am a certified emergency manager as Chief Taylor as well. Actually if he stands at the time you can identify him. He’s also certified Emergency Manager and serves as the Deputy Director of our agency. Next I’d like Ms. Mia Lucas to stand. She’s our Disaster Preparedness Coordinator. She’s serves as a Deputy Director. She’s also a certified emergency manager. We got Ms. Lucas from the Red Cross she serves as the Disaster Preparedness Coordinator with the Red Cross for several years. She worked in Charleston when they had some storms in Charleston in the past and we were able to get her to come on in 2013 to serve with us. I kind of skipped over Chief Taylor but I want to take a moment to tell you the different areas that he’s responsible for. Chief Taylor is over our Hazardous Materials Response our GSAR or Urban Search and Rescue. He covers our special events so when we have things like the Iron Man Contest downtown the half marathon we coordinate with those agencies on how to maintain it safe and how we’re going manage those events. Ms. Lucas primarily manages a lot of our emergency management office as well Right Plans. She is sure that we have plans written to cover us in all different aspects of emergencies to assure that our community is prepared. Next I have and I ask that Ms. Dee Griffin stand. She serves as the Public Information Officer for the Emergency Management Agency and the Augusta Fire Department. She is a GEMA trained Public Information Officer. Before this position that we filled new it’s important that during a disaster during an emergency that we get information out to public as to what to do how to do it. She has a long career in the media within our community and is well known and a well trusted voice that we felt that the community would definitely listen to. Next is Ms. Sharon Bennett. She serves as our Emergency Management Specialist. She is also a certified emergency manager and she’s at the professional level. She’s worked in the office longer than most anyone in that office and she has risen to the level of a Profession Level Certified Emergency Manager. Ms. Bennett is in charge of our volunteers. As we get into this presentation you’ll see that we’ve done a lot of CERT classes. Ms. Bennett has done a lot of work in coordinating managing and teaching the CERT classes. Next is Ms. Pam Duggar. She is and Administrative Assistant for this division. She has been with the city for over 15 years in the Emergency Department and she brings all of those experiences with her and serves as the Administrative Assistant for the Emergency Management Agency. Things that we have accomplished this past year our Readiness Level Planning. We did have new plans approved for 2014. A month or so ago the Commission passed our Local Emergency Operations Plan which was newly updated. The passed our Volunteer Management Plan as well as our Debris 21 Management Plan. Those contracts was approved and the Commission approved those contracts on the consent agenda today. Also we have May Park and Blythe Community Center generator ready. We have worked with our Recreation Parks and Facilities Department. They have wired those facilities that we’ll be using as shelters and they made sure that they are wired so we can pull a generator up to those facilities so if power was to go down we could still maintain power in those facilities. Testing for those will be coming shortly. In addition to us not only being prepared as far as purchasing we have reached out to some private contractors in our area that have generators that in an emergency they have told us that they would rent us those generators as well in an emergency to pull into those facilities. Initiatives that are in progress in 2015 our outdoor warning sirens this is come from a Hazard Mitigation Grant from GEMA based on our ice storm that we had in 2014 and so they’re looking at maybe giving us five warning sirens to put in our community. We’ve also worked with the Hurricane Evacuation Coordination. This is a plan that we have been involved with and I don’t know how much community is aware of this but it’s a plan that we have been involved with, with Chatham County for years, years before some of us have come along. So that if you had a hurricane that would hit Savannah those individuals that live there will be evacuating this way. And so we have met with them several times to assure that we are prepared to take on that number of evacuees from the city of from Chatham County or the city of Savannah. We’ve also updated operations center staff and activation. This is continuous operation so that individuals that work for the city of Augusta and other organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army that when we activate our EOC that they will know to respond to the EOC. As we talked about earlier we have done in the past two years we have done twelve community emergency response classes. We went from no CERT members to 191 CERT members and that’s 156 adults to include 35 teams. We conducted the first CERT class in this area for teens at A.R. Johnson High School. Current, we have a current st class going on now that started last week and another one that starts on April 21 so we’re continuously training our community on how to be prepared and how to respond to an emergency. In 2013 we hosted eight training classes, two conferences and two conferences were held. These classes you know not including those twelve CERT classes these classes consisted of disaster, I mean Disaster Assessment Classes. We brought in city employees from different departments and people from the community, CERT volunteers and we trained them on how to assess damage so we can get FEMA operating quickly to help us in the future. In addition we have done storm spotter training, traffic controls training, sign language training and shelter operations training so we have members that are working for the Fire Department and other agencies so that when we say we want to open a shelter we can open it within an hour or so and the Red Cross can come in and take it over at that point. And this greatly exceeds all of the standards that GEMA has set forth. The Augusta EMA conducts at least one full scale drill every year. We completed five simulated drills in response to the snow in January and the ice storm in February. The GEMA requirement is you only do two drills a year and one of those drills must be a full scale drill every four years and full scale meaning everything comes out, you respond you have role players out the deal. We far exceed GEMA standard on that. The responses our agency has done in July of 2013 the Savannah River Flood. When the Corp of Engineers released water from the dam it raised the water. We had to close our boat ramps close the Riverwalk that was one of our responses. January 2014 we had a snow storm and February 2014 we had the ice storm. Our community preparedness and education opportunities our storm ready community yes Augusta is a storm ready community. The requirements for that is that you conduct five safety sessions each year. The Augusta EMA Department has conducted eleven 22 safety talks throughout the community and so we are a storm certified community. Our Family Emergency Ready Day we started this in 2013 and 2014 we did this at the Augusta Commons and this where we bring out all of the local media, the vendors. We asked all agencies to bring out their emergency equipment and we bring we get the citizens to come out and see what equipment we have and what things we have that we will use to respond to their emergency. And with that I will stand for any questions concerning the Emergency Management Agency. th Mr. Mayor: Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you very much, Chief James. Now I want to say when we listen to a briefing like that it reminds me when I went to Arizona. I lived in Arizona. I used to wonder why do they have five and six foot tall storm drains, pipes and no water? Well, we learned the hard way. When that water started coming down there and you got nowhere to go. So here as far as Augusta goes when it’s time to get ready for a disaster it’s not the day before. So, Chief, I want to say I am impressed with what our Emergency Management Agency has accomplished. I’m impressed by all of the certification and maybe we didn’t spend that money to put the signs out to say storm ready but Richmond County appears to be ready. So with that, Chief, I want to say thank you to you and thanks to your staff it’s been a great job out there. So, Mr. Mayor, I want to thank you for the opportunity to address this and I want to really say to Augusta Richmond County I feel safe that we have a disaster we are prepared. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from stth the 1 then the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. Fennoy: Chief James, I think you and your staff are doing an outstanding job out there. I got a couple of questions. The CERT Training is it just limited to Richmond County residents only? Chief James: The CERT Training that we do each county will have their own CERT organizations so we have ours. Now in that we do do we do train some industry. We train several companies that come in and said they want their citizens trained and so we have trained, I’m trying to think of the name on Washington Road. Which one, yeah Electrolux we trained their employees so I can’t guarantee that all those employees live in Richmond County but they do serve a great deal of their time in Richmond County to assist us in emergencies here. Mr. Fennoy: Okay and my next question is I guess you know I guess my primary concern is Richmond County and the safety of Richmond County but if a disaster occurs in a neighboring county Columbia County, North Augusta, McDuffie County, if they ask for our assistance, do we respond? Chief James: Yes, we will respond, we will do an assessment on the needs that we have to assure that our community is safe and any additional resources that we have they we could release we would respond to assist them. We’ve had a couple of responses where we’ve used our HAZMAT Team. The EMA Director from Jefferson has called and asked for assistance. We went to assist them and so we would definitely respond to other counties that request it. And 23 before we do that we would notify the Mayor and up the chain that we have been a request has come in and then we would like to respond to that request. Mr. Fennoy: All right, thank you. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5 Commissioner Lockett. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m not going to be redundant and repeat what my colleagues have said but I’m in complete agreement with it but I do have one question for you, Chief James. You indicated that we have two generator ready parks Blythe and May Park. Chief James: Yes, sir. Mr. Lockett: Is there any intention of expanding that to other parks throughout Richmond County? Chief James: Right, we have some other locations that we can use as shelters but those are the two that we have started out with to wire them so that they can accept a generator. There is some cost involved in that so as funds become available that will allow us to create more generator ready shelters then we would do so. Mr. Lockett: And what are you going to use to determine what parks or what facilities would be next number three number four whatever? Chief James: Based on the community as a whole do we have one in that area already and what the likelihood of different events hitting those areas. Mr. Lockett: All right, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. th Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4 for a follow up. Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor, as I told you in private I had one cheesy follow up. I am a member of CERT Team VI so and I’m sure maybe there’s some other CERT Team members out there and basically those CERT Team members have been trained how in a catastrophic emergency what they should do in preparing the area for the first responders coming in. And I think that’s extremely important and I hope all my colleagues become CERT Teams VI. Whooaa. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. The Chair will entertain a motion. Mr. Fennoy: Motion to receive as information. Mr. D. Williams: Second. 24 Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second to receive as information. Voting? Thank you, Commissioner Sias, for bringing this information for us. Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Madam Clerk, I want to move to item 25 additional item to the agenda. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Let’s move to that item next. The Clerk: APPOINTMENTS 25. Motion to approve the appointments of the following representing District 4: Mr. Stanley Williams, ARC Housing and Community Development Citizens Advisory Board and Mr. Philip R. Joyner, Animal Services Advisory Board. Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve. Ms. Davis: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second to approve the reappointment. All those in favor will vote yea and all those opposed will vote nay. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, did that include item one and two underneath that as a package or not? The Clerk: No, sir. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ll take those individually? The Clerk: We can. Yes, sir. The Clerk: ADDENDUM 31. Approve the reappointment of Ms. Betty Reece to the Augusta Transit Citizens Advisory Board. (Requested by Commissioner Sias) Mr. Lockett: Move to approve. 25 Ms. Davis: Second. Mr. Mayor: Voting? Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next item. The Clerk: ADDENDUM 32. Approve the appointment of Commissioner Bill Lockett to serve as a second ex-officio member on the Board of Tax Assessor. (Requested by Commissioner Hasan) Mr. Sias: So moved. Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second. All those in favor will vote yea and those opposed will vote nay. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Mr. M. Williams: Point of Order again. This addendum, I remember Commissioner Harris helping me out here but he didn’t help me in this point. I don’t remember approving the addendum to the agenda and I’m trying to figure out how to get to this point because the rules are the rules are the rules. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. M. Williams: So did we vote on adding? The Clerk: Well --- Mr. M. Williams: Did the Mayor ask about pulling from the agenda? Did we do that? Mr. Mayor: We did that at the point of time of taking up the consent agenda (inaudible) th looking to add and pull items and we talked about this item. The Commissioner from the 5 in th fact brought it up at that time and had a repartee with the Commissioner from the 6 about whether or not this was in order. You weighed in on that matter at which point of time because I remember we voted on this. 26 Mr. M. Williams: Madam Clerk, I depend on you because Hap Harris ain’t no good. He keeps telling me (inaudible). Mr. Harris: (unintelligible). Mr. M. Williams: Did we vote on adding this to the agenda? The Clerk: Well --- Mr. M. Williams: I remember the pull and I was waiting on because we got to talking about several things and only pulled Item 7, the only thing we pulled off the agenda and added to I don’t remember that. I don’t say it didn’t happen but did we do that? Yes or no is all I need. I need to know. The Clerk: Not as the addendum agenda. Mr. Lockett had a question concerning number two but as we addressed each item as you know you need unanimous consent. There was no dissent from considering Item 25 one or two. Mr. M. Williams: And I agree with that much but the discussion that Commissioner Lockett had came out on the floor. But did this addendum agenda be voted on or didn’t take place. And I --- The Clerk: We did it. Mr. M. Williams: --- just now. The Clerk: Yes, sir. It wasn’t taken up at the beginning of the meeting. Mr. M. Williams: That’s right. The Clerk: The Mayor elected to address it at the --- Mr. M. Williams: At the end. The Clerk: --- end of the meeting, yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: That’s right. Mr. M. Williams: In order to address shouldn’t it, help me out. The Clerk: No, sir. Mr. M. Williams: It shouldn’t have been --- The Clerk: It’s not mandatory that it be addressed at the beginning of the meeting. 27 Mr. M. Williams: As long as you’ve got unanimous consent. The Clerk: Consent to add items into address. Yes, sir. Mr. M. Williams: Okay. The Clerk: Okay. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5 for a motion. ADDENDUM 33. Resolution urging the Joint Study Committee on Critical Infrastructure Funding and our local delegation to the Georgia General Assembly to strongly oppose any recommendation or measure to reduce allocation of sales tax funding to local governments. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I’d like to move for us to suspend the rules for the reading of a resolution. Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner for the suspension of the rules. We’ve got a motion and a proper second. Mr. Hasan: Excuse me, Mr. Mayor. What resolution are we talking about? Mr. Sias: That was my question. Mr. Hasan: Somebody’s having secret meetings. Mr. M. Williams: We said there’s not going to be no surprises now. Mr. Hasan: I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, now don’t get me wrong now. Mr. Lockett: Look, I have it. I gave it to the Clerk to pass out to you. There wasn’t no secrecy there. Mr. M. Williams: There had to be. There ain’t no humor. That’s true, man, everybody didn’t know about it. I mean let’s be real. Don’t act like people ain’t got good sense. Mr. Lockett: I get another investigation. It should be. Mr. M. Williams: It won’t but it should be. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, would you please read the resolution for us? 28 The Clerk: Yes, sir. A Resolution. Whereas the Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding will soon issue a report aimed at helping the State of Georgia raise additional revenues to address transportation needs. Whereas the Joint Study Committee may recommend a reduction to local government in sales tax collected on the sale of motor fuel taxes for a non-transportation purposes. Whereas in 2013 local governments in Georgia collected $516 million in local sales tax, Law SPLOST, ESPLOST, host and (unintelligible) for the sale of motor fuel. Whereas if fuel motor fuel is removed or exempted from local sales tax the Association of City and County Government estimates that August Richmond County could lose approximately $8 million dollars annually including proceeds to the Augusta Richmond County Consolidated Government and the Richmond County Board of Education. Whereas in 2013 the total amount of SPLOST funds spent on transportation $746 million. Whereas in addition voters in Augusta Region approved collection of one-cent TSPLOST to fund needed transportation projects. Whereas in its suggestion that Georgia’s local governments are not making substantial and investments towards transportation project is inaccurate. Whereas the Commission urges the Joint Study Committee on Critical Infrastructure Funding and local delegation to the Georgia General Assembly to strongly oppose any recommendation or measure to reduce allocation of sales tax funding to local governments now therefore the Commission of Augusta Richmond County Georgia resolve we hereby urge the Georgia Study Committee on Critical Infrastructure Funding and our local delegation to the Georgia Assembly to strongly oppose any recommendation or measure to reduce allocation of sales tax funding to local governments. Let a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each member of the local delegation to the General Assembly. Introduced at the Regular Meeting of rd the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on the 3 Day of February and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor? th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5 and then the th Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is a significant degree of urgency attached to this. The General Assembly, if their plan should go through, it could possibly cost us $8.29 million dollars annually. Well, they’re giving us an out for that loss of revenue. They’re saying okay you lose the revenue but all you’ve got to do is implement and excise tax to make up for it. And that’s not going to do it. I think we’ve been down that road before. So we need to let them know that in its current form that we’re not receptive to it that we can do better and we want to do better. And I would hope that I could get unanimous support from my colleagues that we can go on and get this resolution to our General Assembly or delegation as soon as possible so maybe they can head off what could be a catastrophe for us at this local government. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I would just like to extend what you said how you well let me say what I want to first. I’ve been noticing from GMA all this week we’ve been information about this is going to affect us in a huge way and was just wondering how we were going to take action to try to deflate or get involved in that conversation if it’s 29 going to have the kind of impact that Commissioner Lockett has identified this. So I’d like I think the word I’m looking for is to commend him for taking action taking the initiative to do this as a startup. And this is a testament that sometimes private meetings are good meetings. Thank you, Commissioner, for doing for your yeoman’s work here. Mr. Lockett: You know I, I’ll let it go. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes Commissioner from the 9 Commissioner M. Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We just had a meeting a few weeks back with the delegation and I thought that would’ve been the appropriate time to share with them in some conversation not with just them but with everybody so the meeting would’ve been open, Mr. Hasan, that we could’ve all contributed maybe had something done even before now. I really don’t like surprises, Mr. Mayor, we talked about that. And one part of the body knows something that the rest of us don’t know it tends to get us suspicious. And I just think that was a better time to do it when we met with the delegation, had them in our presence so we could’ve talked back and forth with all of them. Mr. Mayor: So to your point Commissioner during the meeting with the legislative delegation if you’ll remember those of us who were in attendance at that meeting there were a series of items that were discussed. But the Joint Study Committee on Transportation had not introduced legislation at that time. In fact HB170 as I understand it and I think Commissioner th from the 6 Commissioner Hasan duly notes that GMA has been sending out missives about this matter but that legislation was not introduced until Friday of this past week. And as such I think I commend Commissioner Lockett as well for bringing this forward at a time like this during the legislative delegation meeting with the Commission and the Mayor. This information was not available to us and so I think taking this leadership step was extremely important for us and we need to send a strong message to the General Assembly and to our delegation that we’re opposed to anything that diminishes our current revenue levels and future revenue levels. The Chair st recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second to approve this resolution has been introduced. If there’s no further discussion all those in favor will vote yea and those opposed will vote nay. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. If there be no further business before this body -- - Mr. Hasan: Number 30. 30 The Clerk: Yes, item number 30. Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the --- The Clerk: Do you want me to? Mr. Mayor: Before we do that. The Clerk: FINANCE 30. Discuss travel, training, education, subscription funding needs of the Mayor’s Office and request that the Mayor’s Office submit an estimate of projected costs by line item. (Requested by Commissioner Sammie L. Sias) th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As much as this item has been publicized and attempting to create some drama and controversy that’s not the point of it and from my perspective it’s not going to become the point of it. The simple matter here, Mr. Mayor, is as a member of this Commission for me it’s an opportunity to give the Mayor’s Office the opportunity to put together something to submit a request for the funding. It doesn’t have to be, I’m not asking that the Mayor’s Office submit this today. The thing is it’ll be on record that for funding needs of the Mayor there’s this from my perspective as a body this I don’t believe that this body’s going to ever try to restrict the Mayor’s Office from doing his job. So the simple thing is, Mr. Mayor, that at your office’s convenience that if ya’ll would submit something to us on this so we can vote on this and get the office to where you feel like you need to be. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner, I appreciate that. The Chair recognizes the th Commissioner from the 5. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, if I may I’d like to direct this question to the Administrator. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Lockett: Madam Administrator, during your years of experience as an Administrator would this be considered proper protocol or would it be more or less in order if the Mayor got with the Administrator and the Finance Director and put together something before it comes back before the full Commission? This is a question. Ms. Jackson: Normally the way I’ve handled it in my career is that as part of the budget process the Mayor would submit requests the Mayor and any other elected official would submit requests for what they wanted and have that broken out in line items as this would indicate so that could be dealt with during the budget process. Obviously this time we’re a little bit of a 31 disadvantage. I was not here, the current Mayor was not in place during the budget process so this sort of puts us outside of what would be the normal procedure because he was he nor I was in place at that time. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor, if I may follow up please? Mr. Mayor: You may. Mr. Lockett: What good would it do this governing body to request this information from the Mayor? We don’t know detailed information as to whether or not these monies are available. And the reason I suggested that the Mayor, the Administrator and the Finance Director sit down and see what’s plausible or feasible before it’s brought to this governing body. th Mr. Mayor: Thank you. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 Commissioner M. Williams. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Several things first of all there was a press release I think sent out saying that there had been requests coming from this body that we had refused and I dispute that. I don’t think that was right, I don’t think that was fair to send that out. I’m in agreement with Commissioner Sias I’d like to know. Ms. Allen, Ms. Jackson just explained how the process normally works and that is at the end of the year that when we do our budget that we put those things out there and we vote on those things, we as a body of six votes or more. So I think it’s only fair for us to know what we’re voting on without just opening up the pocketbook so to speak and says okay this is what you’re giving me, not you but anybody. So we need to know I need to know as an elected official what I’m going to be approving because it does have to come through this body to be approved because it’s coming out of the budget. So if that’s a process I’ve got no problem where the travel happens and when he goes I mean I think that’s on the Mayor, he decides on those conferences that he or she if we get a female to decide to go. But as far as the amount of travel and money that’s the same thing that applies to this Commission. We have to have approval for our budget and our travel’s been thin if anything. But I do think that you know there was a misconception that was put out there as if we have held up on or bagged up on doing things that we would have done. The previous Mayor can’t tell you that we did that and I don’t think any of these Commissioners can agree that we have ever done anything like that. I think that it’s a part of the process because it’s taxpayer’s dollars. We make that decision, we have to do that and I think we want to work with the Mayor’s Office to make sure that he’s able to do the things that he needs to do. But not only is the travel is in question but additional employees is always, have been in question as well. So I don’t want to mix apples and grapes up. They’re totally different; they’re still fruit but they’re totally different so let’s be real about this thing and talk about it and make sure. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Yes, Mr. Mayor, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Also I’d to kind of echo what Commissioner Williams said in terms of the travel, training, education and the subscription fund needs and things like that. I mean that shouldn’t be a huge request to submit that you know to the body and get that done and then we get a chance to approve it. Like Commissioner Williams 32 just made mention there’s some other additional requests. I think right now for the most part Commissioner Sias here is making mention of those issues that he had before as opposed to sitting down and trying to create a whole new budget per se and get into other areas. I think those are the main concerns and I would encourage us to try and work together and take baby steps first. As we get them we take a look at these things that are important as you begin to do what you’re doing the travel and for the education and organizations that you need that you that you’re interested in being a part of. There’s also many organizations that we already are members as Commissioners yourself (unintelligible) you’re a member of those organizations as we are as well. So I think it’s a good place to start here in terms of what Commissioner Sias has on the table and let’s go ahead and get that done, Mr. Mayor, and we can assist you in that regard. st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Do we have a motion on the floor? Mr. Mayor: I’d like one. Mr. Lockett: You got a motion or you got what? st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1 for a motion. Mr. Fennoy: I’m going to let my colleague (unintelligible) jump out of the chair. Go ahead. Mr. Sias: I haven’t been recognized yet. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, at this time I move that we take this as information and look forward to some answers in the future. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a proper second to receive this for information purposes. At this time The Clerk will unlock the machines to vote. Voting. Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Commissioners, thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your time this afternoon and if there be no further business before us this meeting is hereby adjourned. [MEETING ADJOURNED] 33 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 February 3, 2015. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 34