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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting June 21, 2016 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER JUNE 21, 2016 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., June 21, 2016, the Hon. Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Lockett, Guilfoyle, Sias, Frantom, M. Williams, Smith, Fennoy, D. Williams, and Hasan, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. ABSENT: Hon. Davis, member of Augusta Richmond County Commission. The Mayor called the meeting to order. The Clerk: Yes, sir, at this time we’ll have our invocation delivered by Dr. Sam Davis, Pastor of the Beulah Grove Baptist Church. Immediately following would you please stand our Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was given by Dr. Sam Davis, Pastor Beulah Grove Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: Dr. Davis, if you would approach we want to recognize you for your spiritual guidance on today and your spiritual guidance and your civic leadership serves as an example for all of us. And this community is much better because you’re a part of it. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Madam Clerk. RECOGNITIONS Certified County Commissioner A. Congratulations! Commissioner Mary Davis on the occasion of completing all required course work for your certificate of recognition as a Certified County Commissioner from the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) The Clerk: In absence of commissioner from our distinguished Commissioner from District 3 Commissioner Mary Davis we would like to offer our congratulations to her on the occasion of completing all of the required course work for her certification of recognition as a Certified County Commissioner from the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the Association of County Commissioner of Georgia. Commissioner Davis we offer our hearty congratulations for a job well done. (APPLAUSE) We may have to put it back on when she comes back. Mr. Mayor: That would be appropriate. The Clerk: At this time we have an introduction from our Administrator. RECOGNITIONS 1 Chief Probation Officer B. Introduction of ARC Chief Probation Officer. (Requested by Administrator Janice Jackson. Ms. Jackson: Yes, I’m extremely pleased to introduce our new Chief Probation Officer. As you all are aware we have worked feverishly over the last several months to set up our new in- house Probation Services Department which will function as a unit of our State Court under the supervision of our Chief State Court Judge Richard Slaby. Our, I want to take a moment to talk about all the departments that have been involved in this process our Human Resources Department, our Central Services Department, my office, the Information Technology Department as well as the Law Department. It’s been a group effort from all of us to pull this together and we’ve very pleased about how we’ve been able to work together to insure that this was going to be a successful effort with this new venture. We’ve known that the expectations are high. We have someone who is very, very well prepared to meet those expectations. I’d ask Ms. Marie Boulton to please stand up. She’s here she can stand up and approach the podium. Ms. Boulton comes to us from Aiken, SC which she’s been the Agent in Charge of the local probation office there. Before she was the Agent in Charge in Barnwell, SC. Prior to that she worked in South Carolina as well as Hawaii. She’s been in the probation business for over 20 years and we’re extremely pleased to have someone with her experience and enthusiasm and dedication to improving the lives of those who are who find themselves in the criminal justice system. We have some ambitious goals for her in terms of providing community service to the rest of our departments here in our organization and know she has lots of other things she has on her mind right now. But I just wanted to give her an opportunity to say hello and give you a chance to meet the person that’s going to be in charge with making this service for us. Ms. Boulton: Thank you so much for the opportunity. I look forward to working with and for all of you. I’m so excited to get this thing started and to make a huge difference here in Richmond County. I do have a lot of experience and I look forward to sharing it with you and I hope that you will join me in making this a grand transition. And I look forward to serving the people in Richmond County. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor? th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. Lockett: I know that it was an oversight by the Administrator but I do believe this Commissioner was involved in the entire process. But that’s all right, I’ll forgive you. Ms. Jackson: I’m so sorry, Mr. Lockett. Mr. Lockett: That’s all right. Ms. Jackson: Mr. Lockett’s also been a member of our Advisory Board. We’ve been meeting on a regular basis to get everything lined up and we appreciate all of his support. Judge Slaby, would you also like to say a couple words? 2 Judge Slaby: I just want all the Commissioners and the general public to understand that we’ve been meeting every other week with our core transition team made up of the offices that Ms. Jackson eluded to, IT with Tamika Allen, Finance with Donna Williams. We have the Legal Department, the Facilities Department with Mr. Wimberly and Mr. Acree. All of these individuals we’ve been meeting every other week has just been a joy to work with. Everybody is rowing in the same direction; everybody I think really wants to make this a success. We’ve all had our little duties to do. Everybody’s done them without question and every week every other week that we meet things come together more and more and more. But I want this Commission and the general public to know that we have some really fine people working for Richmond County and they have come to the forefront this transition period. And the Commissioners, Commissioner Guilfoyle Commissioner Lockett have been very helpful in meeting with us and on behalf of the State Court I really appreciate all that ya’ll have done and the confidence that you’ve had in us in establishing this. I think you’ll be proud of it. I think you can tell from the individual who’s going to be our Chief we’re going to have some quality people working for us and I think it’s going to be a department we all can be proud of. But I want to share with you my appreciation in everyone who’s been working with us. Ya’ll can be proud of the people you have heading up these departments and the people who work for them. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Madam Clerk. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS C. Mr. Bobby G. Hankerson regarding the resurfacing of Toms Drive in Breeze Hill and the installation of street lights on Barton Chapel Road. The Clerk: While I understand he is a Pastor and a Reverend he indicated on his request form Mr. Bobby Hankerson so no disrespect, sir. Mr. Mayor: All right if the distinguished gentleman would come forward. Mr. Hankerson: Thank you. I’ve been called some other things. That’s real good, that’s all right, that’s fine. Thank you to our Commissioners --- Mr. Mayor: You have five minutes. Mr. Hankerson: --- on each item? The resurfacing and then I had the lighting if I would be privileged to. I’m back again and I know that some things have happened. It’s been about seven months and it’s kind of dangerous on Barton Chapel Road. I was coming down a few minutes ago coming to the meeting from the prison in McCormick and I drove down Riverwatch and I thought I was down in little Las Vegas. And I said if we can get about 20 of those lights on Barton Chapel Road we might save somebody’s life. So I’m back again because I thought I had to go ahead I thought you all gave the go ahead to have this done for the lights on Barton Chapel Road and since I put this on the agenda I’m going to say that the department heads have called me and met with me and did a successful job. I met Mr. Bollinger for the first time along with Mr. Lampkin in the office and they had the plan all drawn out to present to you and is very much aware of that as well. 3 So that’s the first item about the lighting that I’m back for because the citizens are still, since I’ve been here last time the Family Dollar store opened on Barton Chapel Road. It increased pedestrian traffic coming across that street and it’s black dark. And as I said before Barton Chapel Road is from 4:00 o’clock until dark and it’s light now at that time but it does get dark and from the subdivision across the street pedestrians are walking, kids are walking, going to church and it’s just an accident, a fatality is about to happen. So I hope that we can get the go ahead to go ahead and do this for these lights. On the second do you want me to stop with that or --- Mr. Mayor: Go ahead --- Mr. Hankerson: --- go to the second one. Mr. Mayor: --- you’ve got five minutes. Mr. Hankerson: --- okay, I’m doing good? Mr. Mayor: You’re doing well. Mr. Hankerson: Okay, thank you. The second thing is Breeze Hill Subdivision, we have sinkholes, terrible sinkholes. When I drive through there I have to drive slow you know because I mean it’s really, really bad and it’s been bad for a long time and it’s sort of been putting Band- Aids on it for quite a while. And it’s not only on Toms but I left Toms and I went to Nells which is an inner circle of our subdivision and it’s the same way. We’ve got an infrastructure problem there. It’s something that’s real bad and when I put it on the agenda I saw that cars coming along there some front ends could be torn up cost the city more money come down and that’s a claim. It’s real bad and I invite you to go out and look. And then the repairs that have been made lately I mean years ago it’s just coming out and putting asphalt patches and the asphalt looks like Band- Aids. The citizens in Breeze Hill, I know my tax bill is over $2,000 dollars a year. We’re paying taxes and we’re not getting the representation of those streets. There’s some of the streets they’ve never been resurfaced in Breeze Hill Subdivision so that’s why I have that item on the agenda. Tom had spoken to me before the meeting, Abie called me and so I could explain to them. I think they’ve been out to look at it and saw what I was talking about so the employees did a great job of following up on the agenda and contacting me as a constituent to get something done so I hope that we can correct that problem. I do have some residents, some homeowners from Breeze Hill Subdivision and it is awful in that area. Mr. Mayor: All right, fantastic. All right the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the th 5. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Reverend Hankerson, as we all know that is District 5 my district. It’s not that I haven’t been trying. The Director of Engineering almost every day I’m on him about resurfacing well, Commissioner, we don’t hardly have any money at all. I said we’ve got it (unintelligible), we’ve got this, we’ve got that, he said yeah but you can only, I said we’ve got stormwater fee but you can only use it for this. I have been trying and trying. When they opened Barton Chapel at Wrightsboro Road I was at that ribbon cutting ceremony and I told everybody there I said we need to extend this all the way down at least to Deans Bridge Road. I 4 know Barton Chapel is dangerous. Milledgeville Road is dangerous and I’ve tried and I’ve tried. They even cut it out of SPLOST so I know what you’re talking about but I don’t want anybody in District 5 to think that Bill Lockett, their Commissioner, hasn’t done everything that he could do to rectify these problems. But I understand what you’re saying and I agree with you. I’m on your side; I’m not embarrassed because you came here talking about some of the things in my district that’s not being done. I appreciate it and thank you and thank you, Mr. Chairman. th Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Hankerson, thank you for coming before us again. A couple of weeks ago it was put on the floor from GDOT right there at the intersection of Deans Bridge and Barton Chapel Road. And a lot of the colleagues did chime in especially Commissioner Williams talking about the street lights on Barton Chapel Road, sir. So Abie is aware of it as well as the colleagues. Your words previously did not fall on deaf ears; it resonated with us and we are paying attention to it. And as far as potholes it’s habitual throughout the county and Abie and his staff are doing everything they can. We still have dirt roads that we still maintain and that would love the residents as well as taxpayers would love to see pavement on them. They’re not fortunate enough to have the asphalt but Abie’s department is doing everything they can, Mr. Hankerson. Thank you. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Reverend Hankerson, in your presentation and I was thinking about what we are doing and trying to do not just in Breeze Hill in that area but all across the City of Augusta. One of our biggest problems and I think Mr. Ladson can help me out if I’m not right on this but we have people to come in and build subdivisions and don’t do it to the standard that the city needs to be done in when they come in and build a subdivision and then they turn them over to the city. The roads, even the widening of streets and the laying of asphalt to put it down even the curbing. Now we got a little bit better in putting curbing out but most places got asphalt curbing. So I’m saying all that to say that we understand what you’re dealing with and we’re not turning our heads. We’re not forgetting about it. Commissioner Lockett has been on it as well giving that. I know James Brown has a hard working man in show business but I believe he’s the hardest working Commissioner in Augusta. He’s everywhere and he’s trying to do all he can while he yet has time to serve. But saying that we have addressed those issues but it all comes down to that powerful dollar Reverend Davis sitting there if you ain’t got that dollar, if you ain’t got that green. Well, what are we doing to get some green that’s what I’ve been saying. If you ain’t got no money, I get another job you got to do something else. So we‘ve got to get creative and get our economic boost up so we can do something to get the funds that we need to have to do the necessary things to do. Mr. Frantom here just come up with a great idea. He’s going to be calling on you to make a purchase but if everybody follows his lead our economic dollar might go up is that right friend, absolutely. So we’re not just sitting here and you’ve been in this seat you understand that. You know there are many issues many problems and you can’t address them all at one time you have to just take a bit of that elephant and look for another day to bite it again. But we’re not turning our heads. We’re still going to continue to get Abie Ladson to do all that he can do to make sure that we spend the funds where we need to spend them at to try to get those 5 issues resolved. But there’s so many more like that as well but I want you to know we haven’t forgot about it. Mr. Hankerson: I’d like, can I say something? I don’t understand, I hope I didn’t understand that right about calling on me to make a purchase because I’m offended by that as a taxpayer. When my tax bill comes I makes purchases. When I buy something in the city not only me and my constituents the people in the city make purchases. I don’t think nobody called anybody on Riverwatch Park down on the Riverwatch on little Vegas down there to make no purchase. Nobody makes purchases on Washington Road so I don’t think, when I come down and ask for someone to do something and all I hear the people in the communities are saying when? I hear this all the time. Well this is that this is that. Well who makes the decision? Who releases the money? You can’t get nothing doing giving a million dollars and expect to do the whole city they don’t have the money to work with. Yes, I’ve been there but I’m offended when you tell me you’re going to call on me to make a purchase. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, if I can address that please. Mr. Mayor: You can I want you to go ahead and just do that (unintelligible). Mr. Hankerson: I think you need to. Mr. M. Williams: First of all, Reverend Hankerson, I didn’t imply that you needed to make a purchase to get your work done. I explained to you about economic development. I said my colleague Mr. Frantom had gave me an idea we talked about an idea that if we purchased and followed his idea that we could get an economic around the city to grow. But I wasn’t implying that you needed to buy something or make a purchase to get your street addressed. I told you that we was looking at it and we have looked at it and we’ve been very concerned about it. I told you Mr. Lockett’s done everything he can do but your subdivision is not the only one that’s dealing with a situation that this one now. I said that we need money is all I asked Reverend Davis it’s all about the green, all about the dollar, we need economic dollars to come into this city so we can do the things that we need to do what is what I was trying to explain to you. So you may have misunderstood me or maybe I misunderstood you. I don’t it could’ve been but I wasn’t suggesting that you make a purchase to get anything done. You’ve been on this panel you know how this panel works. You know that the squeaky wheel still gets the oil and I thank you for coming but I wasn’t implying that you needed to make a purchase to get something done on your street or get something done in your neighborhood. So I think you was off base with that one. I think you might have misunderstood me but I wanted to clarify that. Mr. Hankerson: Well, it wasn’t directed at you. You said Mr. Frantom --- Mr. M. Williams: Well, I know but I’m the one --- Mr. Hankerson: --- said so (unintelligible) --- Mr. M. Williams: --- that made the statement --- 6 Mr. Hankerson: --- I’m just saying that --- Mr. M. Williams: --- I’m the one that made the statement. Mr. Hankerson: --- the community is saying asking the question when, when. Mr. Mayor: All right, Reverend Hankerson, thank you so much. Your concerns you’ve raised them this is the second time you’ve been here. What I can say is that I know that the th Commissioner from the 9 he didn’t mean and disrespect towards you or the residents in Breeze Hill. The issue he was referring to was a social media message that Commissioner Frantom received about the James Brown Plaza that’s out there and he was just eluding to that. He did not mean anything to offend you. I know that our Engineering staff is working feverishly to address these issues. You came two weeks ago and we talked about what we’d be doing from a transportation perspective. So with that being said thank you for coming to share that. Thank you. We appreciate your time. Mr. Hankerson: What do I tell the community? What do I tell the citizens? Mr. Mayor: I think the citizens have heard from your Commissioners today. You heard th from the Commissioner from the 5 who represents them today. You’ve heard from the Super District Commissioner who represents them as well. And what you, let me say this. Here’s what I’m going to tell the citizens. I’m going to tell the citizens that you brought with you the Commissioner Elect from District 5 and those that are listening in and watching via the internet here’s what I’m going to tell them. This city is moving aggressively with our Engineering staff to address this issue using the resources that we have. From a street lighting perspective, they’re going to use every resource as it relates to transportation investment dollars that are available, as it relates to potholes and or sinkholes that you have in and around Balkcom Drive, your neighborhood, your drive, Toms and all of the other that are over there, Fir Court and Golden Camp Road, Sumac Drive and parts in between what they’re going to do is use the stormwater resources that this body has moved forward to begin collecting. We have a real example called Patterson Bridge Road where had it not been for those resources those folks would still be taking a nine-mile tour on a dirt road. So that’s what I’m going to tell them that your government is working for you today; your government is going to be working equally aggressive for you in the days ahead. We’ve only go limited staff and we can only do so much over time and that includes being able to contract these things out. But let me assure you this government that you have today again in spite of all of the press, in spite of all of the social conversations is working feverishly to begin mitigating the concerns that have languished for many, many years before we got to this point. And I think we’re going to be better off as a government today, tomorrow and in the days ahead, that’s what I’m going to tell the citizens many of whom I see out there who I know as personal friends. Thank you so much, Reverend. Mr. Hankerson: Thank you for the time. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Madam Clerk. The Clerk: 7 DELEGATIONS D. Mr. W. Michael Strickland regarding social injustice and safety concerns of the Harrisburg-West End underserved citizens. The Clerk: And Mr. Strickland’s presentation is in the purple presentation folder. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Strickland, if you would state for the record your name and your address, you have five minutes. Mr. Strickland: Thank you and, sir, I’ve actually got a timer so I don’t go over the five minutes. My full name is William Michael Strickland and I live at 1998 Fenwick Street in Harrisburg. If you gentlemen don’t mind I’m not a very eloquent speaker. As you can see in the package I’ve pretty much written out what I need to say. Also, Commissioner Fennoy, thank you very much for the work that you do you’re trying to do in the neighborhood. Honorable Council Members peace be with you. French novelist Victor Hugo wrote in a letter concerning John Brown and the Harpers Ferry Raid if insurrection is ever a sacred duty it must be so when it is directed against oppression. The core values of diversity and inclusion I believe are at the heart of what make not only Augusta but the Harrisburg West End Community a great place to live. I come to you today to share two important issues that are close to my heart the safety and welfare of the children and the social injustice against the underserved citizens that live in Harrisburg. I have witnessed firsthand since my return in 2011 numerous automobile accidents right at the corner of Fenwick and Metcalf Street where I grew up. If you take a moment to look at Appendix 1 you will see that since February of 2014 there have been five injuries at that intersection alone. You will also see that the intersection of Metcalf Street and Walton Way at Richmond Academy has the highest injury rate. As I stand before you today not to judge but to beg of you to please help by providing a safe environment for our children to play. As abandoned houses are torn down please consider creating safe, small playgrounds for the children and families or our community. No child needs to be harmed in our streets because they have no place to go. I have seen some very gifted athletes. I see the possibility of a future Kobe Bryant or Derrick Coleman emerging out of the poverty of Harrisburg; they only need a chance. Attachment 2 shows that in 2011 the Georgia Conservancy and Georgia Tech’s Master Science and Urban Design Program suggested in their Reclaiming Harrisburg Report vacant boarded houses or underdeveloped lots can be transformed into block parks. This can be cost effective for the city. These small parks have the potential to deliver recreation and social opportunities where children can be out of harm’s way while being within close vicinity to parents or guardians. Appendix 3 shows the National Recreation and Parks Association Case Analysis Study shows that community parks and playgrounds provide a safe community gathering place, health and social interaction, community involvement and physical activity for children because of playgrounds. My second concern before you today is the social injustice that I have witnessed amongst our underserved citizens of th Harrisburg. On June 28 of this year due to the negativity, discrimination and bigotry that is being spewed by small handfuls of individuals in my community I fear that their venom is going to set us backwards instead of progressing forward in a civil and compassionate manner. Social inequality has great effects on the physical and mental health of individuals and communities. Poverty and social injustice usually together can contribute to depression, low self-esteem and the destruction of families. According to Assistant Professor Alice Kauffman at a Yale University 8 Conference last year she stated, individuals when under financial and social distress become willing to do things that they do not have, would not have considered in the past like stealing, selling drugs or even selling their bodies in order to survive. In closing may I humbly add one of my heroes, Robert Kennedy, before his assignation said, each time a man stands up for an idea and strikes against injustice he sets forth a tiny ripple of hope. I believe that understanding our history is important. It helps us figure out how we want to move forward. A community should be a place where every race, creed, health, sexual orientation and social economic status should be equal, should be embraced and should be represented. Today our humanity should stand as a symbol of that principal. It is time our civilization should call again on the better angels within us. Viewed in a moral light let it be known today there is something more terrible than Cain in slaying Abel. It is us allowing the degradation of those that cannot protect themselves. Thank you, gentlemen. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay --- Mr. Strickland: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- I gave you a few seconds over. Mr. Strickland: Okay, thank you. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: But you know I wasn’t going to cut you off that was well written. th And comments we have here? Commissioner from the 5. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Strickland, I want to thank you for your presentation and for your interest in making a community better. I think I agree with everything that you have said and I want to know that this Commissioner will be a willing supporter of what you’re trying to do --- Mr. Strickland: Thank you, sir. Mr. Lockett: --- because I know how important it is. And thank you so very much. Mr. Strickland: Thank you. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir. Commissioner Fennoy from the District 1. Mr. Fennoy: I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your concern about Harrisburg. Mr. Strickland and a lot of other residents have expressed interest about the conditions the growth the history of Harrisburg. And I was at a neighborhood association meeting last night where Harrisburg is getting ready to bust loose. And its residents like Mr. Strickland that’s been in the area whose family has been in this area ever since the 1700’s? Mr. Strickland: Actually that from what historical records show they actually picked tobacco for Ezekiel Harris. 9 Mr. Fennoy: Okay, all right. So they’re really concerned about their community. They want to see the people in the community prosper they want to see Harrisburg be restored to what it used to be like as far as business, industry and growth so I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you for your concern. And I think that the concern of all the Commissioners up here is not only to see Harrisburg grow but to see the City of Augusta grow. And we take it you know one district one community at a time and I think we’re going to eventually get there. Again, thank you. Mr. Strickland: Thank you, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Any other comments any other Commissioner? All right let’s see - -- Mr. D. Williams: I make a motion to receive as information. Mr. Lockett: Second. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, we have a motion and a second call for the vote. Mr. Sias abstains. Ms. Davis out. Motion Passes 8-0-1. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: I call your attention to the Planning portion of our agenda. If there are any objectors to any of our Planning petitions once those petitions are read would you please signify your objections by raising your hand. I call your attention to: Item 1: Is a request to establish an amenity storage area for the Village at Goshen on property located at Valencia Lane 1495 Goshen Road. Item 2: Is for a request for a change of zoning from a Zone R-1D (One-family Residential) to a Zone R-3C (Multiple-family Residential) affecting property at 1495 Goshen Road. The Clerk: Item number three, Mr. Mayor and the members of the Commission, there’s a correction on your addendum. I don’t know if you want to pull that or if you’re willing to address it now it’s a request for a change of zoning from an R-1A (One-family Residential) to a Zone R- 3B (Multiple-family Residential). And I do believe we listed in error not the conditions but rather the report. But, Ms. Wilson, I think she can probably give better clarification. Do you want to do it now, sir? Mr. Mayor: I think that would be appropriate. The Clerk: Okay, Ms. Wilson. 10 Ms. Wilson: Basically when the file was sent up to the Clerk’s office for advertising and on the website the wrong file was grabbed. At the Planning Commission meeting they recommended approval of this with the following conditions that the use of the property be limited to the proposed leasing office and three apartments units or those uses permitted in R-1A. 2. The developer must ensure that the property complies with the Tree Ordinance and applicable landscaping standards. 3. That the site plan must comply with other ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of construction. 4. That any new curb-cuts and necessary right-of-way and easements for the site would be subject to approval by the Augusta Engineering Department. 5. The owner at their expense must extend the sanitary sewer line to their property and connect based on the guidelines of the Augusta Utilities Department. So basically the owner he should be here. I know we spoke with him earlier. These are the conditions that were approval at the Planning Commission. So nothing’s really changed I just wanted to make sure before you voted that you were voting on the right application. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, here’s what we’re going to do I’m going to go down to the right end, hold on, Madam Clerk, go ahead. The Clerk: I call your attention, is that it, Ms. Wilson? Ms. Wilson: Yes. Mr. Mayor: Okay --- The Clerk: --- pertaining to that? Mr. Mayor: --- so, Madam Clerk, before you go forward I think there’s some questions that they have with that. All right, I’m going to go down to the end. The Chair recognizes the thth Commissioner from the 6 then the Commissioner from the 8. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Commissioner, would you speak into the microphone? Mr. Hasan: I’m sorry thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I’d like to ask Ms. Wilson is the owner or the petitioner aware of these and have they agreed to this? Ms. Wilson: Yes, sir, they were at the Planning Commission meeting so this is these changes is what the Planning Commission approved and what they agreed to it’s just that when the file was sent up the wrong file was sent up. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Mayor. th Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8. 11 Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, this ain’t germane I guess to this one agenda item I just wanted to ask Ms. Wilson about agenda item one and two as far as Goshen Road so I don’t have to pull these two items for discussion it’s just a simple question. May I ask? Mr. Mayor: Go ahead. Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you. Ms. Wilson, as far as the these apartments that’s going in is this the same group the Gordon Group that met with the homeowners association? Ms. Wilson: Yes, in fact they are the master developer for the Goshen Place townhomes and single-family homes. They are going to redevelop this in three kind of phases so what you’re seeing is them coming in and adding some apartments. And they’re doing that actually they’re townhomes they’re built so that they can be sold --- Mr. Guilfoyle: Right. Ms. Wilson: --- but they wanted to have the option. But they’re doing it so they can afford to do some of the other things that are required in order to make this be current with the regulations that are in place for road design, construction and other things of that nature. Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, ma’am, I just wanted to make sure that they were responsive to the residents out there and I just wanted to make sure it was the same company. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. All right, thank you, Ms. Wilson. Ms. Wilson: Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Yes, sir, I call your attention to the Public Services portion or our agenda. If there are any objectors to any of our alcohol petitions once those petitions are read would you please signify your objection by raising your hand. I call your attention to: Item 5: Is for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine License to be used in th connection with the 8 Street Bar. Item 6: Is a request for an on premise consumption Beer License to be used in connection with Franks Bar-B-Que House located at 127 Laney Walker Blvd. Item 7: Is for a request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine License to be used in connection with Beck’s Restaurant located at 2111 Kings Way. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those alcohol petitions? Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission our consent agenda consists of items 1-25 with no noted objectors to our Planning or Alcohol petitions. 12 Mr. Mayor: All right the Chair will entertain any motions to add or withdraw from the consent agenda. Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Yes. Mr. Guilfoyle: Can we add item number 26 to the agenda? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Which item? Mr. Mayor: Item 26? Mr. Mayor: Yes. Okay. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to approve the consent agenda with adding item number 26. Mr. Hasan: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. Z-16-SP – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions stated below a petition by Gordon Group Development LLC requesting to establish an amenity storage area for the Village at Goshen Subdivision per Section 26-1(i) and Section 12 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta- Richmond County affecting property containing approximately .95 acres and located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Goshen Road and Valencia Lane. Part 1495 Goshen Road – Tax Map 199-0-088-00-0 DISTRICT 8. The proposed storage amenity facility shall be for the use of the residents of the Village at Goshen only. The proposed construction for the storage amenity facility shall be limited to no more than forty (40) storage unites; five (5) of which can be garage units. The structures must be set back at least twenty-five (25) feet from the right-of-way of Goshen Road. The storage amenity facility shall be landscaped in keeping with the existing landscaping in the subdivision. The existing fence and landscape buffer along Goshen Road, located to the east or rear of the proposed storage amenity facility, shall remain undisturbed. If the facility is to be fenced all fencing must be comprised of a material that complements the style of the proposed storage amenity facility and/or matches existing fencing. Access to the storage amenity facility area will cease at 11:00 p.m. 2. Z-16-19 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions stated below a petition by Gordon Group Development LLC requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1D (One-family Residential) to Zone R-3C (Multiple-family Residential) affecting property as follows: Tract A: Containing approximately .2 acres and beginning at a point located on the southwest right-of-way line of Valencia Lane, 96 feet, more or less, southeast of where the centerline of Barcelona Way intersects; known as part of 1495 Goshen Road. Part of Tax Map 199-0-088-00-0 DISTRICT 8 Tract B: Containing approximately 1.37 acres and beginning at a point located where the 13 southeast right-of-way line of Castellon Way intersects the southwest right-of-way line of Valencia Lane; known as 4404 through 4422 (even numbers only) Castellon Way. Tax Maps 199-1-033-00-0 through 199-1-043-00-0 DISTRICT 8 Tract C: Containing approximately 2.13 acres and beginning at a point located approximately 650 feet southeast of the proposed right-of-way of Tarragona Avenue; known as part of 1495 Goshen Road. Part of Tax Map 199-0-088-00-0 DISTRICT 8 The private roadway must comply with the specified requirements of the Augusta’s Street and Road Technical Manual as it relates to subgrade, base, and paving, as well as roadway width. Structures must comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations and the Augusta Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, including the provision that all lots be three feet (3’) above the Base Flood Elevation at the time of development. The development must be consistent with the concept plan submitted on 05/04/2016. The developer must provide a sidewalk or walking path that connects Valencia Lane to the future development areas consistent with the concept plan approved a part of Z-15-45 (November 17,2015). Proposed building elevations and materials must be approved by the Planning Development Department Director or designee. The site plan must comply with any other ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of construction. 3. Z-16-20 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions stated below a petition by TCA, LLC requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to Zone R-3B (Multiple-family Residential) to Zone R-3B (Multiple-family Residential) affecting property containing .41 acres and known as 1062 Bertram Road. Tax Map 012-0-051-00-0 DISTRICT 7 The surrounding area is mostly characterized by medium density multiple residential uses situated in the R3B (Multiple-family Residential) and B-2 (General Business) zones, along with mini-warehouses and commercial structures, also located in the B-2 (General Business) zone. The existing structure located on the property is not connected to public sewer, but the concept plan indicates the development will connect to the public sewer lines that serve the existing Arborside apartment complex. The property must comply with all aspects of the Augusta Tree Ordinance or applicable landscaping standards. The proposal to rezone the property to R-3B is consistent with the 2008 Comprehensive Plan and the existing development patterns in the area. Traffic Engineering had no adverse comments regarding this proposed project. If the Augusta Engineering Department approves curb-cut access on the property, acceleration and deceleration lanes may be required. 4. ZA-R-244 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend Section 3-12 (Special Building Setbacks) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia by deleting the special setback for Wrightsboro Road from Barton Chapel Road to the Richmond/Columbia County line. PUBLIC SERVICES 5. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 16-25: A request by Cullene W. Schneider for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine License to be used in thth connection with 8 Street Bar and Hookah Lounge located at 305 8 Street. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Service Committee May 14, 2016) 6. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 16-26: A request by Frank Benjamin for an on premise consumption Beer License to be used in connection with Franks Bar-B-Que House 14 located at 127 Laney Walker Blvd. There will be Dance. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Service Committee May 14, 2016) 7. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 16-24: request by Patricia E. Sheehan for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine License to be used in connection with Beck’s (Restaurant) located at 2111 Kings Way. There will be Sunday Sales. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Service Committee May 14, 2016) 8. Motion to approve a Resolution to Enter Contract with Bateman (Compass-USA). (Approved by Public Service Committee May 14, 2016) 9. Motion to accept the selection of and enter into a contract with Griffin Contracting as the Augusta Regional Airport contractor for the Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Pavement Rehabilitation Project as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their May 25, 2016 Meeting. (Approved by Public Service Committee May 14, 2016) 10. Motion to approve a new underground easement for Georgia Power at the Augusta Regional Airport as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their May 26, 2016 Meeting. (Approved by Public Service Committee May 14, 2016) 11. Motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute expedited FAA grants for the remaining Fiscal Year 2016 and for Fiscal Year 2017 as requested by the Augusta Aviation Commission. (Approved by Public Service Committee May 14, 2016) 12. Motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute expedited GDOT grants for the remaining Fiscal Year 2016 and for Fiscal Year 2017 as requested by the Augusta Aviation Commission. (Approved by Public Service Committee May 14, 2016) 13. Motion to approve RFP 16-179, Design and Installation of Playground Equipment at Valley Park, to Dominica Recreation Products/Playcore Wisconsin, DBA GameTime in the amount of $35,000. (Approved by Public Service Committee May 14, 2016) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 14. Motion to approve Commission Policy for the Drafting of Ordinances and Code Amendments. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee May 14, 2016) 15. Motion to approve obtaining updated profile information (Talent Bank Questionnaire) and attendance records on current consensus appointments by the Augusta Commission. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee May 14, 2016) 16. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend the Augusta, GA Code Title One Chapter Two Article One Section 1-2-2 and Section 1-2-13 (Rule of Procedure 1.01) relating to the time and place for Commission and Committee meetings of the Augusta, Georgia Board of Commissioner; 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. Waive Second Reading (Approved by Administrative Services Committee May 14, 2016) PUBLIC SAFETY 17. Motion to approve entering into a Mutual Aid Agreement and an Automatic Aid Agreement with the City of Grovetown, GA to provide for the protection of life and property of the citizens of Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia and the City of Grovetown and to authorize the Mayor to execute the appropriate documents. (Approved by Public Safety Committee May 14, 2016) 15 18. Motion to approve acceptance of a State grant in the amount of $318,288 to support the operations of the Superior Court’s Felony Drug Court for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. (Approved by Public Safety Committee May 14, 2016) 19. Motion to approve acceptance of a State grant in the amount of $150,639 to support the operations of the Superior Court’s Mental Health Court for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. (Approved by Public Safety Committee May 14, 2016 20. Motion to approve acceptance of a State grant in the amount of $75,198 to support the operations of the Superior Court’s Veterans Court for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. (Approved by Public Safety Committee May 14, 2016) 21. Motion to approve Scope of Work with Team1A to upgrade Clerk of Court Software. (Approved by Public Safety Committee May 14, 2016) ENGINEERING SERVICES 22. Motion to accept and appropriate $585,000 from Inman Solar Incorporated (ISI) for reimbursement and coverage of costs associated with Augusta’s participation in the Georgia Power Distributed Generation (solar) Program. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2016) 23. Motion to approve the deeds of dedication, maintenance agreements, and road resolution submitted by the Engineering and Augusta Utilities Departments for Southampton Subdivision, Section Two. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2016) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 24. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held June 7, 2016 and Special Called Meeting held June 14, 2016. APPOINTMENTS 25. Motion to approve the appointment of Don Bradley to the General Aviation Commission (Daniel Field) to fill the unexpired term of Gloria Dunbar representing District 2. PLANNING 26. Approve the updated Title VI Program for Transportation and Public Transit Planning to Federal regulations. Mr. Mayor: With adding twenty-six? All right, we’ve got a motion and a second. The Clerk: Mr. Williams, can we now get you to vote for your motion? Mr. M. Williams: (inaudible) The Clerk: Either way, either way. Ms. Davis out. Motion Passes 9-0. [Items 1-25, 26] The Clerk: All right item number 27, Mr. Mayor? 16 Mr. Mayor: Certainly. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 27. Discuss Municipal Building parking lot renovations. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I had this item put on to at least get some information as to what was transpired and even maybe previously. When I saw the construction work outside I first initially thought they were going to plant a couple of trees around or something but then the more work I saw and it was building and cutting out these islands so to speak to and putting curbing around them I begin to ask the questions, Mr. Mayor. I think I asked you about it and you were not informed as well. But my problem with that is as an elected official I didn’t know that that was a part of it and there’s a lot I don’t know so I don’t need to know everything but I would appreciate knowing after all this time in losing any parking places I think will be a detrimental situation to this government. We just got through in talking about the Court of the Ordinary next door and tearing down the building because we were looking for parking places. Can somebody whether it be the Administrator or somebody share with me why and when this was approved and why wasn’t this body informed as to what was going to happen versus just showing up one day and the work is being done? Ms. Jackson: I can start with that answer and I’ll ask Ted Rhinehart to chime in if necessary. You all approved the bid for this work several months ago in March yeah you all approved the bid for the work. Subsequent to that time we did send out some information related to the work through our advisory and other notices. It just generally speaking what we’re trying to accomplish here is handled under or Municipal Renovations Budget so there was no additional money allocated to do it, it was within the project budget allocated for overall renovations of the municipal campus. What we’re also trying to accomplish is a parking lot that is more in line with what a commercial developer or developer of any other office building would have to do by including some greenery and so forth in the parking lot. It will be a reconfiguration as you can tell. I think last Friday we sent out a diagram showing exactly how the parking lot would be reconfigured. Right now there is a loss of approximately eight spaces but I consider that to be a short term loss because as we know you’ve already approved the purchase of the old AT&T Building for our Utilities and Engineering Departments to go into so that will free up space that is currently on this campus that the Engineering Department’s in. There will be a possibility if we want to recover those spaces we could demolish those buildings and then add parking spaces back where those buildings currently exist now. Mr. M. Williams: Well and if I can respond, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Jackson, I thank you for that, I still have issues. My issue is that we you know on certain days not every day I mean even when this chamber was built I hadn’t seen the chamber filled up. We have overflow outside sitting there and a lot of things was done that was already approved and none of us probably had any say so in but when it comes to doing these parking redoing this parking lot and taking up eight spaces. 17 Where the Mayor’s parking place used to be on the end that was a curb put there well that took up one space and you say eight is going to be noticed and by moving folks to another location. When I first saw this I thought we were going to put a parking deck that’s what I really thought I said you know maybe that’s part of the plan I really didn’t know. But I just find it ironic that we weren’t privileged to it before this work got started. I heard you say there was no additional money. I’m glad of that but I think if not necessarily additional money is the way this plan came about and not just the parking area I guess Ted there might be some other areas that was done in this government. And I asked this question I did ask this question who gave the authorization to do those things and nobody don’t know yet who gave the authorization now before your time, Ms. Jackson, but I asked how did it get where it is and everybody’s pointing the finger at everybody else. But we’re the ones who have to meet on the street. Commissioner Mays told me to go to Wal-Mart at 4:00 o’clock in the morning to duck people. I ain’t going to go to Wal-Mart at 4:00 o’clock. I’m going at 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon I’m going to be able to tell them who did what when. So it’s already done I mean it’s too much work to change that but I do think that we ought to be informed enough to know before anything gets that far out. So those are my comments and, Ted, I appreciate you but. th Mr. Mayor: All right the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. Lockett: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is either for the Administrator or Deputy Administrator. Are ya’ll doing anything in the parking lot that was not approved by this governing body? Mr. Rhinehart: As the Administrator stated what the process that happened similar to what any developer of a property would have to do is after Engineering’s on-call designed a preliminary plan then we routed it through Planning like a commercial owner would do. They noted some landscaping that should be added per the code. Now what the recommended per the code was included some trees but when we routed by the Marshall’s Office who does the security for the building they asked that the trees not be in the bid because of their cameras, their perimeter cameras. So what you’ve got is kind I’d call it partial compliance with what a commercial developer would do to include some landscaping but not the trees for the security cameras. Then that’s what went out through Purchasing for the bid and as the Administrator said that was the scope of work of the bid that the Commission then approved in March. So they’re currently constructing what was in the bid other than the bid just had like sod there and Facilities is going to have Parks probably add a little bit of ground cover in the fall so it’ll look even a little nicer. But essentially we’re doing not everything a commercial developer would have to do but most of it per our code. Mr. Lockett: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a motion we receive this as information. Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor: I’ve got a motion and a second. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from th the 9 for a Point of Personal Privilege. 18 Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I just need to know is there anything else that’s going on with this. Is there any more striping anything that I’m not abreast to now? And I know Ted said we doing what most commercial businesses would have to do. Now if a commercial business got to do it we ought to have to do it too, Ted. That ain’t no knock on you. If it’s a rule it’s a rule. It just don’t go for certain people and then we look the other way and I think too much of that’s happening. So I want to know is there anything else that we’re doing even resurfacing, restriping, is there anything else to go with this parking facility that I didn’t know about in the beginning that I need to know now? Mr. Rhinehart: Actually you’re correct, the main goal is to restripe the lot. If you remember the lot before they started work a lot of the striping had faded out. So you had asphalt that’s in pretty good condition not a lot of potholes or rutting or anything but most of the striping had faded. So seal coating the lot, not resurfacing it, because most of the asphalt’s in good shape. But seal coating the lot and restriping it was the primary objective to the site plan that the Engineers created. When we put it through our own review we added the landscaping so we could be as you stated close to what a commercial developer would have to do other than trees. And so there is, when they’re finished doing the landscaped islands they will then seal coat the lot so it’s not resurfacing but seal coating the asphalt and then they’ll restripe it so you’ve got new paint in place that will last several years. Mr. M. Williams: And that’ll be the end of the project right? Mr. Rhinehart: That’s all within the scope that was bid an awarded in March. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. All the Mayor Pro Tem has a question. The Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ted, you know everybody accuses me of eating too much but have you ever thought we got any ideas for a little down on the first floor let’s say there used to be a little snack bar down there just simple stuff. But there again we’ve got a lot of people working in this building and a lot of guests that come in especially for a Commission meeting. Is there a way we could look at maybe establishing a little sandwich shop or bar that a lot of the employees here wouldn’t have to leave and ride down the road or whatever? You know some kind of sandwich shop with coffee and donuts and you know all that good sugar free stuff. You know I just thought something like that if we could look into that what that would cost us so some of these employees wouldn’t have to lose their parking place out in the parking lot. With eight slots somebody’s going to be left out. And so can we think about looking into something like that and what it would cost. Mr. Rhinehart: I’ve heard discussion of that in fact right across the street it looks like somebody’s getting to reopen that little grill as some kind of sandwich shop. So I think there may be a place just right across Green about to open. 19 Mr. Mayor: Well, I didn’t know if that space down there on the first floor there’s a space down there to see what it would cost to have something like that where some of these folks don’t want to leave the building for lunch it’s just nowhere else to go. Mr. Rhinehart: It’s certainly something we can continue to look at. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Mr. Mayor: All right, fantastic, so all right I think there’s been a motion to receive as information with a proper second. There are two more items that we’ve got before us so just be patient. Voting. Mr. Mayor: While we’re prepping for the next item of business I want to share two things nd with those of us here today. On tomorrow Wednesday June the 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 we’re having a tour, an infrastructure tour at the Riverwalk. I am certainly looking forward to us going th in together and taking a walk over. We’re going to assemble at the 8 Street Plaza bulkhead, lunch is also being coordinated. Ms. Bonner’s done a fantastic job helping put this together. There’s a unique opportunity for us to go and take a walk along Riverwalk. All right, the Commissioner rdth from the 3, from the 8 gone. All right okay all right, we’ve got one more matter that requires us to vote. The Clerk: Can I just publish the vote? Ms. Davis out and Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 8-0. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right based on the action that we the second motion that was taken immediately after the Executive Session we do have one more item that needs to be addressed with regards to that and that’s concerning our DBE process. The Chair’s going to recognize the th Commissioner from the 7 for a motion on the personnel. ADDENDUM 28. Motion to designate the Administrator as Interim DBE Liaison until the start date of the Director of Compliance. Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion to designate the Administrator as Interim DBE Liaison until the start date of the Director of Compliance. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right we’ve got a motion and a second. This is consistent with our conversation earlier. Voting. All right while we’re doing that I want to remind all of our citizens th and certainly those of us up here that June the 26 is National HIV Testing and Health Fair Day. Paine College our fair Paine College is hosting a testing and health fair day at their HEAL Complex th June the 26. They had not asked me to mention that but I thought I would. All right, Madam Clerk, is there no further business before us? 20 The Clerk: Let me publish this, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Guilfoyle and Ms. Davis out. Motion Passes 7-0. Mr. Mayor: All right, fantastic. All right if there’s no further business before us --- The Clerk: Mr. Sias had his hand up I didn’t know if you noticed. Mr. Sias: I know you’re not getting ready to say what I think you’re going to say. Mr. Mayor: It depends on what you say next. ADDENDUM 29. Motion to approve adjourning the meeting. Mr. Sias: I move to close the meeting. Mr. Mayor: A motion to adjourn would certainly be appropriate. Mr. G. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right. Mr. Mayor: Well, I didn’t realize we had any other business we needed to keep the meeting open and the clock running. That’s correct, I think we’re ready to adjourn. [MEETING ADJOURNED] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on June 21, 2016. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 21