Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting August 15, 2017 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER AUGUST 15, 2017 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., August 15, 2017, the Hon. Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Jefferson, Guilfoyle, Sias, Frantom, M. Williams, Davis, Fennoy, D. Williams, Hasan and Smith, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Mr. Mayor: Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to your city hall. Today is City Hall Selfie Day all across this nation so if someone pops up and says they’re going to take a selfie with you, please be gracious and kind enough to allow them to do that and let them put it on Facebook, Tweet it and when you step outside the chambers please graciously as often as possible take as many selfies and post them, Tweet them, Instagram and Snap Chat them whatever it takes kick them, zoom them. It doesn’t matter but put them out there and let everybody know you had an exciting time downtown here at the City of Augusta’s Commission Day. We’re going to call this meeting to order. The Chair recognizes Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Yes, sir, at this time we will recognize our Employee of the Month for the Month of August, Mr. Anthony Butler. The Employee Recognition Committee has selected Mr. Anthony Butler as the Augusta Georgia Employee of the Month for the month of August. Mr. Butler has been a dedicated employee of the Augusta Richmond County since May 25th 2013. He takes personal pride in all of his job responsibilities. He always gives 110% to every task he performed. He is the perfect example of what it means to be a team player. He is willing to assist fellow coworkers with any help they may ask for. He has trained with operators and now able to fill in and help them as well. His enthusiasm and hearty laugh, congenial manner and fun-loving spirit brings enjoyment to the workplace. His supervisors and coworkers describe him as dependable, hardworking and willing to help in any and all situations. Augusta Utilities is proud to have Anthony as part of their team and grateful for his hard work and dedication. Congratulations. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Wiedmeier: I would just like to thank Anthony for his hard work and especially for his great attitude. He’s just a joy to work with so thank you very much. Mr. Speaker: I just echo what Tom said. He, Anthony’s just a lot of fun to be around. He keeps people relaxed and I think he makes a lot of people enjoy their days a little bit better. The Clerk: Mr. Butler? Mr. Butler: No, no (unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: So, you know there’s a lot of exciting things happening on today and one of rd those is that our distinguished lady from the 3 she and her husband Scott, last name Davis, are celebrating 25 years of marriage today. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, all I have to say is he’s a good man isn’t he. Thank you. 1 Mr. Mayor: He’s got that already taken care of because he is a good man. All right, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: At this time I call your attention to our invocation which will be delivered by Pastor James Murray, Jr., Senior Pastor of the Bible Deliverance Temple after which we’d ask Chief Chris James to please lead us in our Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. The invocation was given by Pastor James Murray, Jr., Senior Pastor, Bible Deliverance Temple. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Mr. Mayor: Pastor Murray, again we want to thank you for coming to be with us on today. Many of us know Pastor Murray and the work that he’s done in our city and serves our city for many, many years. And now he has the great fortune and privilege of being able to serve in the roll of Senior Pastor. Thank you for coming to be our Chaplain of the Day and we thank you for your spiritual guidance and civic leadership. Would you join me in thanking Pastor Murray. (APPLAUSE) I want to make mention this body has done some very important work and we’ve adopted our Millage Rollback Rate and it is imperative that our Finance team, Tax Assessor, Tax Commissioner they get some information to the Department of Revenue. And so I think this body is fully aware how important it is for us to get that done. And we’re going to effectively just kind of suspend the rules and we’re going to take that matter up first. The Chair recognizes Madam Clerk. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATOR 23. Motion to approve the Resolution to adopt the 2017 calculated rollback mill rates for each taxing district as shown on the Schedule A. Mr. Hasan: Motion to approve. Mr. Sias: Second. The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, could we have the Administrator to for the record to please enumerate those rates please? Mr. Mayor: Absolutely. I’ll give her time. The Chair recognizes Madam Administrator, which will be identified as Schedule A. Ms. Jackson: Thank you, sir. What we are reviewing for each one of those taxing districts is the calculated rollback rate for 2017 which is our proposed rate as you’ve indicated for our county wide general 16.003 sales tax credit of 6.217 which net the County General Fund M&O rate as 9.786 which is a slight reduction from the current year’s rate of, last year’s rate of 9.794. For our Urban Services District 10.868, sales tax credit of 5.643 giving a net Urban Services 2 District rate of 5.225. For our Capital Outlay Fund 0.780, Fire Protection Fund 2.136, Blythe Fire District M&O 3.308 and then the remainder of what could be taxing categories actually zeroed out so those that I have referenced earlier are our millage rates that you’re being asked to adopt. Mr. Mayor: All right, any questions? Voting. Mr. Fennoy out. Motion Passes 9-0. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, thank you to our Finance team to our Tax Assessor and to our Tax Commissioner for working and getting this done. All right, I’ve got a couple more, I’ve got a couple more. The Commission will stand at ease for five minutes. All right, the Chair recognizes Madam Clerk. RECOGNITIONS The Georgia Soul Basketball Team A. Congratulations! The Georgia Soul Basketball Team for winning the National Championship. (Requested by Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr.) The Clerk: Yes, sir. I call your attention to our Addendum agenda. Item number one is a request to reschedule our Recognition for the Georgia Soul Basketball team to our next meeting. A request from Mr. Wright McLeod to delete Item number 22 from our Engineering agenda, under the Engineering portion of our regular agenda. Mr. Hasan: Do you need a motion to approve? The Clerk: Do we have unanimous consent? Mr. Mayor: All right, now we effectively are deleting these from the agenda. Okay, we’re not adding anything to the agenda, okay. All right, do we have unanimous consent? Mr. M. Williams: No, sir. th. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 State your inquiry. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, sir. This item number 22 I think it is that we are attempting to delete which is on the regular agenda and it belongs to this body. And I’m trying to figure out for what reason are we deleting this which came up several times before, not just this year but previous years. So, I guess my question is why are we deleting it? Why don’t we vote this up or down? And we had some issues our Director said that we wasn’t interested in pursuing this. I’m trying to figure out why we’re squirming back, why we’re waiting to I guess find a loophole or get through or something? Somebody needs to give me a reason why we’re deleting it I guess my question is, Ms. Bonner. 3 Mr. Mayor: Well, the only thing I can tell you at this point, Commissioner, is that it says there’s a request from the author to delete it. The same folks who came and made the petition have said we’d like for you to delete it from the agenda. I think it’s certainly within their right to do that and it’s certainly well within the right of this body. Now we can do it one of two ways. We’re trying to do it in advance of taking the matter up and just get unanimous consent or we can leave it here as it is and we can address it when we get that matter on the regular agenda. At that point as you’ve told me many times it takes six votes to just delete it from the agenda. Mr. M. Williams: Well, Mr. Mayor, if I can follow up you don’t have my consent I think we need to leave it on the agenda and vote it up or down. I mean this is a situation that’s been coming before us. Behind this is some information that came from the airport who’s not in support of it, who our Director said at one point that we wasn’t in support of it that the rules had to be rewritten in order to even entertain having one. And this body said at one point, now maybe they done changed their minds that we weren’t interested in doing that. So my question is why are we procrastinating? Why are we waiting? I mean let’s deal with this. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. M. Williams: I know the petitioner asked for it to be deleted and I understand that, I get that much. Mr. Mayor: All right, well I appreciate that and so here’s what we’re going to do. All right, do I have unanimous consent to remove item one without objection? All right, item two we’ll debate that in the regular agenda, okay? We’ll deal with it then. All right, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS B. Reverend Herman Jackson, regarding the relocation of the Christian Fountain Baptist Church from Hyde Park. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, pursuant to information that we have, the Chair recognizes Attorney MacKenzie to speak to this matter. Mr. MacKenzie: I’d just like to note for the Commission’s knowledge that this matter is actually actively being litigated as a condemnation in Hyde Park and for us to respond to it would require the waiver of the Attorney/Client Privilege. If you’d like, we could give you an update on th this case during our next regularly scheduled Legal meeting which is August 29. th Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I heard several things and if this is a legal situation I haven’t heard it discussed in Legal. I understand it can be in Legal but I understand Reverend Jackson along with some other people are here to at least get some answers. Now if someone can take them outside or take them in the room and share with them whatever necessary information they need to have. But I don’t think he came out of just a knee-jerk reaction just 4 showed up I think he’s been very patient, been trying to work with the department in order to get this resolved. Now I hadn’t had a lot of conversation with him, but if we can get that resolved by a meeting or a meeting of the minds I’ve got no problem with that but if he’s going to come down and made his time available to hear something somebody needs to say something without just sending him back and we don’t need a legal about it. st Mr. Mayor: Yes, I think okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: May I ask Andrew a question? Mr. Mayor: You may. th Mr. Fennoy: Andrew, on the 29 when we have our Legal meeting, will Reverend Jackson have an opportunity to address his concerns during that particular time? Mr. MacKenzie: Not during the closed portion of the Legal meeting as that portion of the meeting is reserved for you to receive legal advice from your counsel and so we don’t bring in any of the opposing parties in the case. But that would be an opportunity for us to give you an update of where the case is and let you know what staff has done to try to resolve it up to this point. Mr. Fennoy: And my --- Mr. Mayor: Continue. Mr. Fennoy: --- last question and again to Andrew at what point will Reverend Jackson be given an opportunity to express his concerns about, would it be in court, I mean or this is not the place for him to do that. Mr. MacKenzie: This would be the place for him to do it if the body would like to receive information from him. Normally when there’s a litigation proceeding that goes on, the court is a public forum, and it has certain rules, and that is the place to dispute that kind of case or litigation where you actually have a case and you follow the court rules and then the limitations for that are on the item with respect to the Commission is if it’s litigation then ideally, you’re going to be getting legal advice from your attorneys and that’s usually a part of what we do in the closed meeting portion. So, there’s no reason why you couldn’t hear from him if you so desire to do that. I would just caution you on that because any response from staff would be information that could fall within that privilege. Mr. Fennoy: And my last question, Mr. Mayor, is that what I understand you to say is that he could come today and talk about his concerns but you would advise us not to ask any questions or express our opinions about his concerns. Mr. MacKenzie: That would be my suggestion, yes. Mr. Fennoy: All right. 5 Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’m going to recognize a couple of you in just a second. I think what we’re hearing is from our attorney is that again because this is currently being litigated it is not being advised that we try to adjudicate this issue on the floor, okay? All right, the Chair recognizes th the Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, for clarity’s sake when we speak to the litigation part of it because I obviously if Pastor or Reverend Jackson is here himself to me that suggests it may not be accurate, that he has not acquired an attorney or legal representation at this time but is it because of the issue and the nature of Hyde Park and that what we’re doing there that makes this a potential litigation issue? Because I’m trying to hear what makes this a litigation issue at this point. Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes Attorney MacKenzie to speak to the question. Mr. MacKenzie: Sure. It’s a litigation issue because it was one of the properties that was identified as part of the Storm Drainage Project that Engineering is taking the property in Hyde Park to utilize it for governmental purpose. And so this was a property that was condemned through the condemnation process and so it’s a condemnation case. Mr. Hasan: Okay right, I just wanted to make sure of that, Mr. Mayor, some clarity on that. Thank you. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I suggest so that we do not violate the rules of Executive Session that we do hear from the Reverend today without a response from the staff or ourselves because within that session technically they are not allowed to present any new information. So, I would strongly recommend that we hear from him today without a response from staff or us and no questions. That’s my suggestion. Mr. Mayor: That’s a slippery slope right there when you say no questions, that’s a very slippery slope. All right, here’s our posture. Reverend Jackson, if you’ll approach. This is unwise, totally. Okay all right, we’re going to suspend and stand at ease for just a moment Madam Administrator, Mr. Welcher, Attorney MacKenzie. Okay all right, Reverend Jackson, thank you, thank you for approaching. Again, it is always important for us as a body to hear the concerns of its citizens of Augusta. This is a matter that as we’ve heard from our attorney is best suited for us to talk about it in a different setting and as such that is what we’re going to do. We will provide an opportunity for this body to discuss this issue at our next Executive Session and it will be discussed at that time with a long-term disposition to be rendered at that time. Again, to the church members the parishioners and everyone else we want to make sure that we handle this properly and we will do so. Thank you all for coming. Again I know this was time you took out of your schedules to be here in hopes of trying to address this issue but it will be addressed in the appropriate form that gives all of us the ability to deal with it at that time, okay? All right, thank ya’ll so much for coming, all right. I was thinking we were going to get out of here about 3:15 -- - 6 The Clerk: There’s still hope. Mr. Mayor: --- I know there is still hope, there is still hope and I want to take a moment this is a message I received from our Tax Commissioner Steven Kendrick. He wanted everyone to know that because of the quick work of this body that the bills, the tax bills that are scheduled to go out they’re going to go out on Friday and it will give our taxpayers in Richmond County an additional 30 days to pay if the Department of Revenue accepts their submission. And that again th that’s due November the 15 as normal so, good work to this body and once again good work to Finance, the Tax Commissioner and the Tax Assessors office. This is another good day here in the City of Augusta thank ya’ll so much. While I’m here, Ms. Bonner, I may as well just mention a couple of other things and I’m going to recognize the Administrator and the Commissioner from nd, the 2 Public Safety Chair in just a moment. Today is a good day for us here in the City of Augusta. Our Fire Department has been going through a public protection consultation with ISO and we have very, very good news as a city we have gone from a Class 3 to a Class 1 designation. There are in the United States of America less than 250 Fire Departments in this country who have that designation of over 60,000 Fire Departments in the United States. And in the great state of Georgia there are only 17 that have this designation and that we are now number 18. And so this is just another fine example of the City of Augusta being a world-class city. Our Fire Department, our Fire Chief and his team and everyone else who make this work possible along with the collaborative effort of Utilities and others and so I want to take an opportunity to make mention of that. On today we’ve got our Fire Chief here, the Fire Chief, Commissioner Williams a little long winded he might’ve been a Baptist preacher. He’s real long winded so I’m going to give him like two minutes to say something, two minutes Madam Clerk to say something about this and to acknowledge his team. But I do want to take an opportunity to recognize Madam Administrator our Public Safety Chair okay? Ms. Jackson: Thank you very much. I have lots of proud moments in my profession that’s one of the things I love about what I do is there’s lots of things that happen that I’m extremely excited about. The one I found out about this morning almost caused me to dance a jig in the Conference Room 991 I held myself back because I thought that might be a little bit unprofessional of me. But I just want to let Chief James and the 366 men and women of the Augusta Fire Department know how excited we are about this accomplishment. He has provided excellent strategic leadership to get us to this point, his perseverance in terms of making sure that we put in place the measures that we needed to put in place to get to our goal of becoming a Class 1 Fire Department. His extraordinary leadership on his part and I’m deeply appreciative for all of that, just extremely excited about all this means for the City of Augusta and our community, our residents and visitors when they come here they know they’re going to get the best of the best fire service fire and emergency services from our department. So, this great I salute you, Chief, thank you very much and I’m going to go home and dance anyway. Mr. Mayor: Well, before you yield the microphone, Madam Administrator, the Commissioner from the 2nd wants to know if you can Whip or NAE NAE. Ms. Jackson: I’m better at the NAE NAE; my kids taught me how to do that one. 7 Mr. Jefferson: Chief and staff, on behalf of the Public Services Commission we take our hats off to you and it’s another good reason why we should be a resident of Augusta-Richmond County. We have some very good employees, very good departments here in Augusta. Once again thank you for the hard work of you and your staff. Mr. Mayor: This is a good place to clap. (APPLAUSE) Chief James: I --- Mr. Mayor: A minute and a half. Chief James: --- okay you know how I am. First of all, I definitely, this is definitely a team effort and definitely want to thank the staff of Augusta Fire that helped us out to reach this and I brought several of them that worked on this very hard. It took us, we met every week for six months to make sure that we were prepared for the ISO Evaluation when they came in. And so I had Chief Williams and Chief Perkins, Ms. Rice. Lt. Brown, Chief Taylor and Mr. Cooks, all of the staff here from doing pre-inspections, Chief Williams inspecting to make sure that all the equipment was there. Captain Perkins ended up being out ISO Guru. I mean he read the book and we had questions on what do we need to do how do we need to do it, he was able to do that. Ms. Rice is our department’s Paralegal and when we came up here and we had mutual-aid automatic aid agreements that addressed, that helped us with this as well as making sure that all policies and procedures that we needed for this was put together and Ms. Rice helped us with that. Lt. Brown made sure that we had the equipment to get out there. He was responsible for purchasing that equipment and Chief Taylor made sure that all of his staff completed all of the training that they needed to do to make sure that we met the standard, met that national standard. And of course Mr. Cooks is our Shop Manager and his job was to make sure that all of the pump tests and all of the ladder tests were all completed so when they came in, all of our paperwork, all of our training was all lined up. They sat down and it took them no time to go through it because we were prepared. We’d also like to thank our Utilities Department for making sure that our water system was intact and also our 911 Center to make sure that they were doing what they were supposed to do when ISO came in to evaluate. And so the Augusta Fire Department is over 130 years old and we’ve never been a Class 1 Fire Department before so as Ms. Jackson said this is truly an exciting day. I hope all the citizens can see some savings on their insurance and definitely the big industry that comes in. If you come in that’s a reason for them to come in because they can get the best insurance rates when they come in. So hopefully from the city back to the citizens we’re doing something that can show a savings to them. Thank you very much, Mayor. (APPLAUSE) st Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, while we’re talking about Augusta’s superlatives I think that the airport has some type announcement that they need to make in that the citizens need to be aware of. So at this particular time, Mr. Mayor, could we ask Mr. Judon to come up and talk about the recent achievements of the Augusta Airport. Mr. Mayor: Well, I thought there was an agenda item on here that would allow us to do it at that time, that’s what I was thinking. 8 Mr. Fennoy: Is it? Mr. Mayor: I thought there may have been, it’s not on there? Okay all right okay. Mr. Fennoy: I know we’re trying to get out of here by 3:15 but --- Mr. Mayor: All right, Mr. Judon, you’ve got a minute and a half. Mr. Judon: I’ll be shorter (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Judon: Good afternoon, Commissioners, and thank you for recognizing us, the airport. Just recently the airport completed its annual Part 139 Inspection so this is our annual inspection that the FAA does and this inspection is tied with the airport’s Operating Certificate. And so this rd is the 3 consecutive year that the Augusta Regional Airport had a zero discrepancy of Part 139 Inspection. And this inspection looks at all the safety operations throughout the airport so they look at our self-inspection program, they look at airfield lighting, marking, safety areas, fueling operations, training records, firefighting etc., so they look at the whole a myriad of different things. And again, this is a third consecutive year and that’s very rare that an airport gets a zero discrepancy three years in a row. So, again hats off to the employees for all the efforts that they put into this inspection. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, I’m going to yield to you. I’m not going to give it back to any of them. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS C. Mr. Bill Lockett regarding update Age-Friendly Augusta. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5 retired. Mr. Lockett: Good afternoon, my name is Bill Lockett, 3030 Longleaf Court, and if my five minutes is going to be like the Chief’s two minutes I’ve got about 30 minutes to go. I have two parts. First I want to talk as an individual and just briefly and then I want to talk about talk as a liaison for Age-Friendly Augusta. You know they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. When I was contacted and said being considered to name part of a park after me I couldn’t believe it but it did happen. But what I really thought that I had a better chance of winning the lottery but I was wrong. But I just wanted to tell all of you how appreciative I am that you all felt good enough about me and my seven years on the Commission to approve something that I never expected. And I would also like to thank Commissioner Fennoy for picking this thing up and running with it. You know we had some hard times up here but I’m no longer up there, thank God, and we can all be friends now. Now, as a liaison for Age-Friendly Augusta you know I heard what the Fire Department was doing 18 out of 17, I heard what the airport had done but let me tell you 9 about Age-Friendly Augusta. January of 2014 when we received our designation recognized by th National AARP and the World Health Organization, we became the 20 city/community in the nation to have that designation. As of about three days ago there were 182 so we have attached ourselves to something that’s extremely important and what we need to do is take advantage of it because it has a great economic impact. We were invited, when I say we some members of my team, we call it the Core Team, to go to Savannah for the Georgia Municipal Association Convention. And one of my people was on a three-person team critical issues that talked about the living beyond expectations. You know we’re living much longer now, the opportunities and challenges of the growing senior population. They were very impressed with the presentation that was made; it was a tree-person panel and lasted for three hours. Several Mayors in attendance invited us to come to their city and assist them with becoming Age-Friendly. National Grandparents Day, some of you are grandparents, some of you all will be grandparents, some of you all are probably great-grandparents. In 1978 Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. Our President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation on September 6, 1979. Talk about the economic impact of grandparents. One, grandparents believe it or not control over 50% of our country’s wealth. The boomers, the millennials they don’t have no money. The grandparents got the money, over 50%. Grandparents spend $2 trillion dollars annually. Nearly one-million children are living in a home headed by grandparents with not a parent in the household. Georgia has 128,000 grandparents responsible for the care of their grandchildren with their absentee parents. Augusta-Richmond County, Columbia County has almost 4,000 grandparents responsible for their grandchildren’s care. Almost 2,000 are raising these children without a parent. Today’s grandparents are better educated and they have more money than previous grandparents. That’s why you find so many of the millennials and the baby boomers that are still living with Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Grandma. These must be some of Augusta Richmond County papers; they’re sticking together, Mr. Mayor. And I come to you today is I want to garner your support in recognizing the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. I think that our grandparents deserve that for all that they have done and what they are doing. Without grandparents and great-grandparents, th we would definitely be in a precarious situation. On September 7 at the Boat House we’re going to have a Health Education Summit. This is something my Core Group and myself put together and why do we do that is because on our action plan which has to be renewed again the end of 2018 we’ve got to get the approval from the World Health Organization and AARP. If not we will lose that status. We are low when it comes to health and it’s kind of amazing that we have all these health facilities here but we still rank low. Out of 159 counties Augusta-Richmond County ranks about a hundred and thirty something. Columbia County ranks about number seven. What is really killing us is obesity and smoking tobacco. Those things are really killing us. We have a livability score of 51, 51 out of zero to 100. 51 is about average; who wants to be average? There are some things we need to do to boost our score and we were right. Believe it or not though our score is higher than Columbia County but we need to go up to maybe 60 or so. Lastly we have an thnd AARP Georgia Annual Summit that AARP is paying for me to go Macon on September 25 22, th 26 rather and there’s an AARP Livability Conference going to be in Addison, Texas in November and I plan to go and hopefully I will some of the money that I was budgeted for this year. I went to Savannah at my own expense so I’m the only person that’s spending my money to work for the government. But if there are any questions I know I’m getting pretty close to my five minutes, the Mayor’s shaking his head. 10 Mr. Mayor: Actually your time has expired. Mr. Lockett: Okay, thank you very much for allowing me. Mr. Mayor: Thank you so much, Commissioner. Thank you for the good work that you’re doing for the city and our Age-Friendly Community. I think it’s extremely important. All right, thank you so much. All right, Madam Clerk, we’ll run the table. The Clerk: I call your attention to our consent agenda which consists of items 1-20, items one through 1-20. For the benefit of any objectors to any of our Planning petitions once those petitions are read would you please signify your objection by raising your hand. I call your attention to: Item 1: Is a request for a Special Exception to establish an Episcopal Day School on property known as 1309 and 1337 Flowing Wells Road. Item 2: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone A (Agriculture) and a Zone R-1C (One-Family Residential) to a Zone R-1D (One-Family Residential) affecting property known as 3989 Jimmie Dyess Parkway with conditions. Item 3: With conditions is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone R-1 (One-Family Residential), R-1C (One-Family Residential) and a Zone R-1E (One-Family Residential) to a Zone R-1E (One-Family Residential) affecting property at 3989 Jimmie Dyess Parkway. Item 4: Is a request with conditions for a change of zoning from a Zone R-1 (One-Family Residential) to a Zone P-1 (Professional) affecting property known as 2518 Wrightsboro Road. The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those Planning petitions? Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, our consent agenda consists of Items 1-20. And we would like to ask on Item 5 Commissioner Frantom is asking that we waive the second reading on that ordinance regarding nano distilleries and breweries as well as Item number 20 to delete Ronnie Masters reappoint and Mr. Mark Loran appointment to the Public Facilities Board. Our consent agenda consists of Items 1-20 with no objections to our Planning petitions, a request to waive the second reading on Item 5 and the deletion of Mr. Ronnie Masters and Mr. Mark Loran from the reappointments representing District 7. Mr. Hasan: Motion to approve. Mr. G. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right, very good, I’ve got a motion and a second to approve. All right, so 23’s already been dealt with, 21 is going to be dealt with. All right, the Chair recognizes the th. Commissioner from the 4 State your inquiry. Mr. Sias: I wanted to pull Item 3 but it will be extremely short. st Mr. Mayor: Okay. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: I have a couple of questions about Item 5, short questions. 11 Mr. Mayor: All a quarter of an inch questions? Mr. Fennoy: Not that long. Mr. Mayor: All right, so Items 3 and 5. All right, I think I heard the Commissioner from th the 4 amend his motion that motion to approve pulling Items 3 and 5, I think that’s what I heard. The Clerk: Mr. Hasan and Mr. Grady Smith. th Mr. Mayor: And the second by the Commissioner from the 10. Okay all right, voting. Mr. Guilfoyle: Madam Clerk, please reflect Item 12 I’ll be voting no on. The Clerk: Okay. PLANNING 1. Z-17-27 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below; a petition by The Foundation for EDS, Inc. requesting a Special Exception to establish an auxiliary campus for Episcopal Day School per Section 26-1 (b) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing approximately 28 acres and known as 1309 and 1337 Flowing Wells Road. Tax Map 029-0-041-02-0 and 029-0-041-07-0 1. The site plan submitted must be consistent with the concept plan dated September 13, 2016 and submitted with this petition. 2. The site plan review will determine if a traffic study is needed or if sidewalks must be installed on the west side of Flowing Wells Road. 2. Z-17-29 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below; a petition by Matt Mills of Southeaster Company, on behalf of Barbara Sims, of Georgia Vitrified Brick and Clay Co., requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) and Zone R-1C (One-Family Residential) to Zone R-1D (One-family Residential) with lots not less than 50 feet wide, affecting property containing approximately 51.6 acres and located at a point 1,014 feet, more or less, west of where the centerline of Harper-Franklin Avenue extended intersects the western right-of-way line of Jimmie Dyess Parkway. Part of 3989 Jimmie Dyess Parkway – Part of Tax Map 066-0-056- 03-0 DISTRICT 3 1. The development shall have no more than 161 single-family residential lots in a similar configuration to those lots shown on the Concept Plan; 2. All roadways and right-of-way’s shall comply with the specified requirements of Augusta’s Street and Road Technical Manual for road right of way width, roadway width, subgrade base and paving standards. 3. A minimum 20-foot front setback shall be utilized on minor and local street due to no on-street parking allowed adjacent to residential lots. Lots facing Harper Franklin Avenue or the internal collector street that connects to the second entrance shall have a front setback of 25 feet due to higher traffic volumes on these roadways; 4. Side setbacks shall conform to Section 12-3 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance; 5. Rear setbacks shall be 20% of the depth of the lot, but not less than 20 feet; 6. Maximum lot coverage is limited to 50%; 7. Sidewalks shall be installed on at least one side of each street within the entire development due to the proximity to the school Assurance of sidewalk construction shall be 12 provided for by means of the posting of a Performance Guarantee being submitted by the Developer at the time of the Final Plat approval for each phase or section. Sidewalks may be constructed as each residential dwelling unit is constructed and prior to the CO for that particular dwelling unit. In no case, shall sidewalk construction for each section/phase exceed 2 years from approval of the Final Plat for that particular section/phase; 8. No lot may be smaller than 50 feet wide, except in cul-de-sacs and curves. In cul-de-sacs and curves, no lot may be smaller than 50 feet wide at the 20-foot front setback/minimum building line; 9. No parking signs shall be installed in areas of the residential lots where no parking is allowed; 10. Adequate quest parking shall be provided throughout the development; 11. Adequate open space must be provided throughout the development; 12. The second entrance must be installed prior to 100 lots total being submitted for Final Plat approval; the second entrance must be installed to GDOT standards and specification; 13. Adequate fencing and screening must be provided on all four sides of the lot containing the cemetery; the cemetery must be designated as “not a building lot” on the Final Plat; 14. The Development Plan must comply with any other ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of development. 4. Z-17-31 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below; request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by James T. Anderson requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1 (One-Family Residential) to Zone P-1 (Professional) to establish a real estate office affecting property containing 0.26 acres and known as 2518 Wrightsboro Road. Tax Map 043-4-054-00-0 DISTRICT 2 1. A six-foot tall solid wood fence be constructed along the rear property line; 2. Any exterior lighting be directed away from residential properties; 3. Comply with all aspects of the Tree Ordinance and applicable landscaping standards; 4. Site Plan Development Plan comply with any other ordinances and regulations applicable at the time of grading and paving; 5. Any new curb cuts are subject to approval by Augusta Engineering; and 6. Install a sidewalk connecting to the existing at the west property line. PUBLIC SERVICES 6. Motion to ratify action by the Augusta Library Board to accept a matching rebate from the Georgia Environmental Financial Authority of up to $50,000 to install a 60 Kw Photovoltaic Panel Array on the Friedman Branch Library. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 8, 2017) 7. Motion to approve Ordinance amendments to the Augusta, Georgia Code, Title 4, Chapter 2, Article 2, Litter Control, Section 4-2-9 Littering Street and Sidewalks Prohibited so as to provide regulations prohibiting the placing of posters, signs or advertisements on any public property without authorization. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 8, 2017) 8. Motion to approve a pre-qualified list of architectural and engineering firms to assist the Recreation and Parks Department with implementation of their capital improvement projects. (RFQ17-187) (Approved by Public Services Committee August 8, 2017) 9. Motion to support the Community Awareness Campaign Message for Augusta Transit. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 8, 2017) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 13 10. Motion to approve award of contract for design of renovations to 1815 Marvin Griffin Road to convert the former License and Inspection Building into a Records Retention building and office for Mosquito Control to 2KM Architects of Augusta. The fee is 6% and is currently estimated to be $60,000 based on an anticipated construction cost of $1,000,000. (RFQ 17-181) (Approved by Administrative Services Committee August 8, 2017) 11. Motion to approve bid award to Charles Nechtem Associates Inc. as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider (RFP 17-161). (Approved by Administrative Services Committee August 8, 2017) 12. Motion to approve in concept, the Municipal Campus Phase II renovations for the following purposes: Creating options for additional parking and selective demolition; adapting Municipal Building space to accommodate evolving department and commission needs; and renovating satellite buildings to consolidate operations in single locations. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee August 8, 2017) PUBLIC SAFETY 13. Motion to approve the creation of a Grant-Funded, County position of “Case Manager” for the Adult Felony Drug Court. (Approved by Public Safety Committee August 8, 2017) 14. Motion to approve the creation of a grant-funded, county position of “Case Manager” for the Adult Felony Mental Health and Veterans Courts. (Approved by Public Safety Committee August 8, 2017) 15. Motion to approve the Purchase and Implementation of Electronic Display Boards (RFP 17-130A). (Approved by Public Safety Committee August 8, 2017) ENGINEERING SERVICES 16. Motion to approve the emergency storm clean-up for the storm that occurred on April 3, 2017. Clean up consists of tree cutting and debris removal for actual cost of $173,345.81, to be funded through the general fund contingency as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 8, 2017) 17. Motion to determine that the Alley between Heard Avenue and Russell Street as shown on the attached plat has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served by it or that its removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best public interest, pursuant to O.C.G.A. §32-7-2, with the abandoned property to be quit-claimed to the appropriate party(ies), as provided by law and an easement to be retained over the entire abandoned portion for existing or future utilities as directed by Augusta Engineering Department and Augusta Utilities Department. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 8, 2017) 18. Motion to approve and authorize supplemental reimbursement to Georgia Transmission Corp (GTC) in the amount of $32,589.63 for cost to relocate their transmission facilities for improving Windsor Spring Road Phase IV (Willis Foreman Road to Tobacco Road) improvements project. Also approve modifying the Utility Relocation Agreement between GTC and the City from $1,086,87.50 to $1,119,177.13 as requested by AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 8, 2017) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 19. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular and Special Called meetings of the Augusta Commission held August 1 and August 8, 2017. 14 APPOINTMENTS 20. Motion to approve the reappointment of the following representing District 7. Randy Sasser – Augusta Regional Airport Commission; Sheena Dorsey – Animal; Donald Thompson – Augusta Port Authority; Sue Pittman – Augusta County Library; Sonny Pittman – Augusta Planning Commission; Ronnie Masters – Augusta Personnel Board; Roger Davis – Augusta Tree Commission; Ann Helms – Small Business Advisory Board; David Barbee – Historic Preservations; Mark Loran – Public Facilities; Charlie Walker – Riverfront Development Review Board. Mr. Guilfoyle votes No. Motion Passes 9-1. \[Item 12\] Motion Passes 10-0. \[Items 1, 2, 4, 6-20\] Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, I want to drop down to Item 21 and I’m going to recognize --- The Clerk: I beg your pardon, sir. Mr. Mayor: --- I want to drop down to Item 21. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 21. Adopt resolution affirming Augusta as a What Works City and establishment of Open Data Policy in support of What Works City Initiative. (Requested by Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr.) th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4 for a motion. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir, to ensure that we all have complete clarity on this item I’m going to request that we send it back to Administrative Services Committee. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right voting. Motion Passes 10-0. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ll go to Number 3, top to bottom. The Clerk: PLANNING 15 3. Z-17-30 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below; a petition by Matt Mills of Southeastern Company, on behalf of Barbara Sims, of Georgia Vitrified Brick and Clay Co., requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1 (One-Family Residential), Zone R-1C (One-Family Residential) and Zone R-1E (One-Family Residential) to Zone R-1E (One-Family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 8 acres and located at a point 2050 feet, more or less, west of where the centerline of Harper-Franklin Avenue extended intersects the western right-of-way line of Jimmie Dyess Parkway. Part of 3989 Jimmie Dyess Parkway – Part of Tax Map 066-0-056-03-0 DISTRICT 3 1. The proposes development shall be limited to no more than 40 townhomes in a similar configuration to those townhome lots shown on the Concept Plan. Lots shall be no smaller than 26 feet wide and 120 feet deep. 2. All roadways and right-of-way’s shall comply with the specified requirements of Augusta’s Street and Road Technical Manual for road right-of-way width, roadway width, subgrade base and paving standards; 3. No on-street parking shall be allowed, therefore a minimum 20-foot front setback will be required to provide for adequate off-street parking; 4. Adequate quest parking must be provided throughout the development; 5. Adequate open space must be provided throughout the development; 6. Side and rear setback shall conform to Section 13- 3 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance; 7. Sidewalks shall be installed on at least one side of each street within the entire development due to the proximity to the school. Assurance of sidewalk construction shall be provided for by means of the posting of a Performance Guarantee being submitted by the Developer at the time of the Final Plat approval for each phase or section. Sidewalks may be constructed as each unit is constructed and prior to the CO for that particular unit. In no case, shall sidewalk construction for each section/phase exceed 2 years from approval of the Final Plat for that particular section/phase; 8. No parking signs shall be installed in areas of the residential lots where no parking is allowed; 9. The development Plan must comply with any other ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of development. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4 for a single question. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. This question, Ms. Wilson, on this particular item agenda item when you look at Item 3 where it says, no on-street parking shall be allowed. My question then is after the city accepts responsibility for the streets or not how will no parking on the street be enforced or will it be yellow curb or, how would that work because normally once the city takes possession it has a different set of rules. Ms. Wilson: That would be determined between the Engineering Department and the developer at the time that does streets are turned over to the city. Right now based on the conditions in the Engineering Department looks over the plans that we get at least initially that’s what they agreed to. Mr. Sias: One quick follow up? Mr. Mayor: Certainly. 16 Mr. Sias: And the reason I’m asking that question normally when you if it’s the developer, if we’re going to have these streets in this development turned over to the city then the city itself has no rules unless it’s a designated no parking area about parking on the street, am I correct? Ms. Wilson: Well, basically the way the condition is written, and there are two items for the same area so I want to make sure that I’m referencing the correct one. The way that the property is divided or designed, the applicant has addressed the parking requirements based on having dedicated off-street parking. They would like to have a little bit tighter front street parking requirement and there will be sidewalks so therefore they’ve designed the roadway where it won’t or at least they’re recommending that there won’t be any on-street parking. Once the roads are turned over to the City of Augusta, the Engineering Department, then you all could make changes to that. Mr. Sias: I guess that, okay thank you, Ms. Wilson. That doesn’t really satisfy what I believe is going to be a future problem unless when the streets are turned over then at that time for us to approve this saying no street parking then that has to carry over in the turnover from the developer to the city for those streets. And I’m just making a point so that when this comes up in the future and there’s a fight over where I can park and can’t park and we said no you can’t but the street code says you can. That’s what I was trying to get at and I don’t think this is a really good answer. I don’t oppose this agenda item but I just think that’s a problem down the road. Mr. Guilfoyle: Motion to approve. Mr. Frantom: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ve got a motion to approve with a proper second. The Chair th recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Sias, I agree with you on what you just stated and I feel that’s already happening and it will happen and continue to happen. In that vein, Ms. Wilson, I’d like to know how do you, how do we separate or how do I understand single family, well how do I understand R-1C, R-1E all in the same area with no on-street parking? I mean I sit on the board with you at Planning and I hear this all the time but once that’s turned over because the normal process for parking when you pull up to a curb that’s not a yellow-curb and even on some yellow- curbs people are still going to park. So when you say to the developer no on-street parking they say okay I’ll put the area but once it’s turned over to the city the general public is going to pull up there and park even though there may not be enough room for that they’re still going to park. So I think we made a big mistake. Commissioner Sias brought a good point. It’s going to happen and we know it’s going to happen. We need to have a standard for our streets and that’s our standard versus saying we’ll give you a designated parking area. Now maybe back in Rob Sherman’s days when he was a little boy that they the people did what they were told to do but people don’t do that no more, not even with the police sitting on the same street. So we’re opening ourselves up for some situation that’s going to cause us some problems. Now if we want to change our ordinances, it's different stuff and I’ve been watching this but this a problem that we already have and we’re going to have even more because once the developer walks away from it, it belongs to the City of Augusta and we are left dealing with the street ain’t wide enough, there ain’t supposed to be no 17 parking but when Sean Frantom’s got to go to work, he can’t get down the road because somebody done pulled in and parked and said I’m running in the house just for a minute and then they’re there all day. So, I guess my question to you, Ms. Wilson, is this R-1C and R-1A I mean all of the different things that we’re supposed to resolve when we hear the amendments to that, what’s the difference? Ms. Wilson: If I may I basically wanted to just remind you all this basically is an amendment to an existing area that was rezoned in 2012. The requirement is in place until the developer comes in to provide a set of development plans. That is where you get into more detail regarding parking, sidewalks things of that nature. One of the things that we have done and we are pushing and the Engineering Department is also supporting is insuring that we have sidewalks in this community. The other thing based on the way this is divided out it’s no parking on some of the streets. Some areas probably would support parking; we won’t know that for sure until it comes in. But because this is an amendment to an existing there are some areas where they already don’t have parking that is allowed. So, we will get more detail when the development plan comes in. We’ll have it vetted out before any construction is finalized and it will address some of the concerns. But until that happens the no parking signs will go up because it still ends up being a developer’s road until he turns it over to the city Engineering Department. As far as the difference between the different zoning classes, the differences are around the lot widths and the amount of square footage that is needed to build a house or a townhome on the lot. This developer’s coming in and they’re amending their previous Master Plan so that they can allow for a variety of housing types and styles that can be sold. This is located in the area where there is a school which is another reason that we’re looking at limiting on-street parking in some of those places. So, I’m hoping that that further explains what’s going on with this particular site. Mr. M. Williams: That doesn’t help me very much. Maybe Mr. Sias got it but I hear what you’re saying and I understand that. Had we not had some guidelines can you imagine what the city streets all over this city would be like if we hadn’t had the old guidelines to make sure because when you’re talking about school buses, talking about emergency equipment that go in and out and people are just totally different today. I’m not opposed to this project. I would love to see the project people are studying trying to build and find an area to build but when they build the builder’s got to understand that there’s something else that goes along with that building, the road and the sidewalks have got to be included in that. Now for so long this may predate you, Ms. Wilson, but they didn’t even put curbing down they put asphalt down and then the asphalt gets hot from the heat and the car drives up on it and the next thing you know the grass is growing all out on the street. They didn’t even put curbing down. I think we’ve gotten a little bit better with that not very much but I’m knowing that once they put that there and walk away from it, it’s going to be dropped in the lap of this community to deal with it. Then we’ll say well we don’t want to live there, we don’t want to, you know, nobody’s going to come in that area. People are going to be moving out because you can’t park and people are parked in my yard. We might find a way to fix the problem and not act like it don’t exist. Now that’s not a knock on you I’m talking about this board here needs to fix the problem. We need to understand that we need to have guidelines. If the builder wants to build, he’s got to go by those guidelines and hopefully come back to us before they start to turn over any data that we can know that the Engineering has made sure that the streets that’s going to be given to this city and they’re going to meet the standards we want them to meet. 18 Mr. Mayor: Okay. All right, I’ve got a proper motion and a second. The Chair recognizes th the Commissioner from the 8. Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor, this developer under this agenda item it shows all roadways and right-of-way’s shall comply with the specified requirements of Augusta Street and Road Technical Manual for road right-of-way width, roadway width, subgrade base and standard paving. No on-street parking shall be allowed therefore a minimum of a 20-foot setback will be required to provide adequate off-street parking. Adequate quest parking must be provided throughout the development. It also states under Section 4 Line Item 9 the Development Plan must comply with any other ordinance and regulations in effect at the time of development. I believe this developer is aware of our guidelines set forth and they have been complying with our Planning and Zoning, License and every other one of our departments. They’re not new to this area and it clearly shows in there, sir, but my motion was to approve. Mr. Mayor: And you got a proper second so let’s vote on it. Mr. Sias abstains. Mr. M. votes No. Motion Passes 8-1-1. The Clerk: PLANNING 5. ZA-R-247 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve an amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending to following: 1. Section 2 by adding definitions. 2. Sections 4-2(d), 4-3(s)(1) and 4- 4 by adding parking requirements for operations producing limited amounts of product for on-site retail sale. Section 21, B-1 (Neighborhood Business) to require Conditional Use Permit approval for the operation of nano and pico breweries and brewpubs. Section 22, B- 2 (General Business) to require Conditional Use Permit approval for the operation of nano and pico breweries and non-distilleries. Section 23, L-I (Light Industrial) to allow micro- breweries and distilleries, nano and pico-breweries and nano-distilleries. Adopt Performance Standards for the operation of all breweries and distilleries in B-1 and B-2 zoning districts. Modify and/or create appropriate licensing and renewal procedures. st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I have a couple of concerns about the brewery. You know I had an opportunity to talk to a lot of the business owners downtown on Broad Street and all of them are in support of the brewery. I also had an opportunity to talk to the micro-brewery I think in Riverside on Taylor Street and they were also in support of the brewery but I guess one of my concerns and one of the concerns that was relayed to me is the water with our infrastructure will be able to support downtown breweries. And I know that and another one was the odor. I had an opportunity to smell what that waste smells like coming from a brewery to make sure. I know it says here that the operator will install standard and necessary equipment but whether it would be picked up on a regular basis so that we won’t have an odor issue in downtown Augusta. 19 Ms. Wilson: First with regards to the water when we started this process I reached out to the Utilities Director to look at what the current infrastructure was that we have in place and that was something that was factored in when we looked at what the limits are regarding whether it’s going to be pico and nano. And so they’re fully aware of what those requirements are and what the formulas are that are needed in order to support the use. And that will be looked at because this still has to come back before you to be approved if this moves forward. With regards to the odor, if you went to go to either Savannah Brewery or Riverwatch Brewing Company those are micro-breweries. They are productions that are set up to produce much more capacity than what we’re recommending in the downtown area and therefore you’ll have some smell but it is not, the smells for a micro, excuse me for a nano or a pico-brewery is very, very minimal. It’s something that we talked about and it’s something also that is looked at. The state has to come in and inspect all of these and they’ll have the appropriate filtration if needed to insure that there’s not any nauseous odors. But that is one of the things that we did look at and we did discuss when we were putting this together so we have made appropriate arrangements to address that. Mr. Fennoy: With that being said, Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a motion to approve. Mr. Sias: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second and that includes waiving the second reading, is that correct? Mr. Fennoy: That’s correct. Mr. Mayor: Okay, just want to understand that. All right, voting. Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 22. Consider a request from Mr. Wright McLeod for permission to draft an amendment to Section 24 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance adding “Construction and Demolition Landfill” to the list of permitted used in HI zones. (No recommendation from Engineering Services Committee August 8, 2017) Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to go in this order. I’m going to recognize the Engineering th Services Chair first and then we’ll let the Commissioner from the 9 who asked for this to be st pulled to close the debate. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I’d like to make a motion, Mr. Mayor, to delete this item from the agenda. Mr. Guilfoyle: Second. 20 Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, I’ve got a motion and a second to delete this item from the th agenda. All right, thank you. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to hear from the Airport Director as to his point of view or his I guess possible interest in what that would do for the airport. This item has been in this room several times and I don’t why we’re going to delete it but I think that this item needs to be addressed. If we’re going to support it we need to do something. If we’re not going to support it, we don’t need to pretend like we are going to. Our previous director told us that it wasn’t a good idea to do and I still agree with that but if you don’t mind I’d like to hear from Mr. Judon to tell us what he (inaudible) Mr. Mayor: So I don’t mind but let me make a suggestion. There’s a motion and a second to delete it from the agenda and I think your premise is that it very well will come back for further discussion somewhere down the road. Now what would be a superior motion is for you to make a substitute motion to either approve or deny it and then if you get a proper second we can vote on that and then that will be my suggestion. Mr. M. Williams: Then I make a motion to deny. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, let me make sure you fully understand what I just said. All th, right, this is a motion to deny this request and a second from the Commissioner from the 6 is that correct? Okay all right, that is your substitute motion. All right, Madam Clerk, that’s our substitute motion and we’re going to tee that up in just a second. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner th from the 8. Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor, I did not know if I could ask the Attorney a question because whatever action we do at this moment on this item agenda item number 22 that does not stop Mr. McLeod from coming back before this body and putting something on the agenda. We’re just spinning our wheels right now. Mr. Mayor: Well again, I think what the request said, the underlined request says permission to draft an amendment and if this body says that we’re not going to draft an amendment as I understand it he can come back but there will be no amendments drafted. That can be a secondary request to do it but if I think I know what I think I know those will be denied as well. The Chair recognizes Attorney MacKenzie. Mr. MacKenzie: I just wanted to say I think this is just his attempt to request authorization for staff to do these amendments. And I think he heard the criticism of the timing of what’s going on with regard to the department doing an environmental evaluation and waiting for all the stuff to come back. And he actually did call me earlier today regarding this item to make sure it was known that he had made the request for it to be deleted. And I think it’s just waiting for the timing so in the event that things go well with respect to the environmental and the other things that he can come back at a later time and do this so that’s why he deferred it. 21 Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I withdraw my motion, my second. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 6 withdraws his second. Mr. Jefferson: Then I’ll second it (inaudible). th Mr. Mayor: Okay, hold on, hold on. All right, the Commissioner from the 6 has withdrawn his second to the substitute motion and there is now a second from the Commissioner th from the 5 and that is to deny the request. All right, we’re going to vote on it we’re going to let each and every one to determine for themselves what posture they have. All right, this is a substitute motion to deny the request with a proper second. Voting. Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. G. Smith vote No. Motion Passes 7-3. Mr. Mayor: All right, I don’t think there’s any other business before us today. Twenty- three minutes, twenty-three minutes. \[MEETING ADJOURNED\] 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 August 15, 2017. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 22