HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting April 17, 2018
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
APRIL 17, 2018
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., April 17, 2018, 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: Well, good afternoon, everybody. We’re here to do the people’s business and
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on a lighter note I think I’m going to let the distinguished Commissioner from the 10 just say
hello to everybody.
Mr. G. Smith: I’m alive. The only people that called my house were my creditors; they
wanted to make sure they got paid off.
Mr. Mayor: Oh, my goodness. All right, the Chair recognizes Madam Clerk ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir ---
Mr. Mayor: --- call this meeting to order.
The Clerk: --- I call your attention to the invocation Reverend Charlie K. DeLoach, Lead
Pastor of the Bayvale Baptist Church after which we’ll have our Pledge of Allegiance led by our
General Counsel. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Please stand.
The invocation was given by Rev. Charlie K. DeLoach, Lead Pastor, Bayvale Baptist
Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor: Pastor, on behalf of the Augusta Commission we want to thank Pastor
DeLoach and the Bayvale Baptist Church for serving as our Chaplain of the Day. Thank you for
your spiritual guidance and your civic leadership that serves not only as an example to your
parishioners but to the broader community as well. And so thank you for being with us on today.
W would you join me in congratulating him? (APPLAUSE)
The Clerk: I call your attention to the Delegation portion of our agenda.
DELEGATIONS
A. Mr. Lamar Hawkins regarding blockage of entrances at the Richmond Summit
Apartments.
Mr. Hawkins: How are you gentlemen doing today?
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Mr. Mayor: Doing well. Mr. Hawkins, if you would state for the record your name, address
and you have five minutes to speak.
Mr. Hawkins: Okay. Lamar Franklin Hawkins, 744 Broad Street, Apartment 213, Augusta,
GA.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Mr. Hawkins: I’m here regarding, I was here a couple of years ago in the same manner.
Some of you should remember me. It’s the new commissioners there that wasn’t here a couple of
years ago on the problem in Richmond Summit about and there’s a lot of handicapped people in
there. No legs, bad heart, you know, on dialysis and right now you can’t come in there when you
drop somebody off from dialysis you can’t come in and drop them off in front of the door. They
have to get out on Broad Street or Ellis Street, Broad Street to Ellis Street to get in there. And I’ve
seen people grab their chests, you know, this is a fact especially when you get hot, that walk, I’ve
been in the same thing again. The problem last time I was told they want to redo the sidewalks
and redo the pavement for the cars to come in and it costs too much money. But what I’m
suggesting this time this was mentioned, just make it a one-way on Broad Street to Ellis Street,
make it a 15-minute drop off/pick up zone in front of the door which has been talked about one
time before. Forget about the pavement, forget doing the sidewalk, it’s just fine. Knock down the
barrier poles, cement barrier poles on both sides. Just knock them down, change the sign, make it
a one-way from Broad Street to Ellis Street. 15-minute drop off zone in front of the door. And
with the police right now, the police can come up in there. You can be in there, come in there,
trying to take your groceries up. Police come in there blowing their sirens and you know you got
to get out of there and it’s a bad situation. So my way is the easy way just (unintelligible) a few
hundred dollars just change the signs, make that one-way on Broad Street to Ellis Street, 15-minute
drop off zone in front of the door and let’s go with that. It makes sense. Nobody’s got to spend a
whole lot of money on fixing up everything like ya’ll was saying it was $200,000 dollars to do all
that and the city didn’t have that. I understand that. Let’s just change the signs and go on with
our merry way, you know, that’s just common sense and help the handicapped in the building, you
know. We talk about you know Masters and this and that’s once a year. This is every day there at
the building all year round this is important too. You know like I say if you remember, the Mayor
don’t remember, I was here a couple of years ago on the same thing matter and nothing’s been
done, zero.
Mr. Mayor: Okay yeah, yeah, all right I’m going to recognize the Commissioner from the
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1. I think what everyone is cognizant of is the fact that Mr. Hawkins is referring to the bollards
that are there, they’ve been put in place. I don’t remember how long they’ve been in place but it’s
interesting that you refer to taking them down and making it a one-way thoroughfare. We were
just involved in another conversation about possibly doing the same thing on one of the arterial
streets so I think again I like the way you say it as simple fix. The Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to address our Traffic Engineer Mr. Ussery.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, Mr. Ussery, if you’ll approach.
Mr. Fennoy: How are you doing, Mr. Ussery?
Mr. Ussery: Good, how are you?
Mr. Fennoy: All right. Are you familiar with the area that Mr. Lamar is talking about?
Mr. Ussery: Yes, I am.
Mr. Fennoy: You heard what he’s asking. Is there anything unreasonable about what he’s
asking?
Mr. Ussery: Not that I can recall. I’d be happy to meet him and you and whoever else
down there who would like to look at it and we can see if we can accommodate his request. I can
also work with the Compliance Department as far as the issues of ADA access (inaudible).
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and I think what Mr. Lamar wants is from Broad Street to Ellis Street
to be one-way. And where you have those planters to have 15-minute parking to unload and load.
And I think what Mr. Lamar’s concern is, is that we’ve had this conversation, conversation and
conversation and I’ll think he’s sort of tired of the conversation and wants to see some action. So,
Mr. Lamar, are you willing to meet with Mr. Ussery and schedule a time to be down there and at
that particular time he could let you know what we can do and when we could do it. Is that
something we could do, Mr. Ussery?
Mr. Ussery: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hawkins: I’m making it simple. You ain’t got to come in there with no bulldozers
and all that just knock the cement things down with coming in and put the signs up change the
signs make it a one-way. It can’t get no simpler than that.
Mr. Fennoy: We don’t know that but we understand what you’re asking and he’s willing
to meet with you at the location. If available I’ll be there myself to make sure that what you are
requesting is something we could do and do in a reasonable amount of time.
Mr. Hawkins: Okay, it’s a quick fix that I’m suggesting, you know, it don’t cost the city a
whole lot of money.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, so I’m going to go back to Mr. Hawkins, Commissioner from the 1
His request is a simple one. There are a number of health and safety concerns with the current
configuration. Just this morning I saw Gold Cross on the Ellis Street side but on the other side of
the bollards which means that they would stop on that side and have to wheel or transport gurneys
or whatever into the facility so it makes sense. It’s something that can happen, it’s something that
should happen, and it’s something that will happen. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from
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the 9.
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Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I was here when Mr. Lamar came the first time.
My question I think you’re right on as far as the need for something to happen. I guess my question
to Mr. Lamar would be how many other people have complained about I mean you came here a
couple of years ago but I hadn’t heard or seen anyone else come to address the issues.
Mr. Hawkins: A lot of people complain all the time but they just don’t, you know, have
the figure of mind to come down here and say something. I called Mr. Fennoy several times, I
called you several times about this over the past couple of years. You know that and I have not let
it ride but I decided to come down here again and to try it again you know I (unintelligible) let it
go.
Mr. M. Williams: We talked a couple of years ago and we had not talked since then.
Mr. Hawkins: Well, about a year ago we talked about it. Maybe you forgot.
Mr. M. Williams: We talked a couple of years ago. No, I ain’t forgotten. I’m doing a lot
of things but I ain’t started forgetting too much yet now. I’m getting down that road. Me and Bill
Lockett’s been here a long time so that can happen but I know about that situation and I understand
how long it’s been there. I remember when the J.C. Penny’s building was next door. I remember
when the Richmond Summit was something else before it became the Richmond Summit, so I’ve
been here. And I do understand and I’m trying to support but I think there ought to be at least
additional complaints or something on file or record to show the situation has been there. When
you came in last time, Mr. Lamar, to prove how good the Lord is you wasn’t walking as good as
you were walking when you came in the last time. So I’m saying I’m going to support but I’d like
to know how many other people had that complaint. I hadn’t heard anything from the Fire
Department as far as getting in there with a piece of fire equipment less alone an ambulance. I’ve
got a problem when they block any street off that’s a thoroughfare that’s through there but that
didn’t just happen, Mr. Mayor, for no reason. There’s a lot of loitering around that area from
Broad Street over and that’s what I think instituted them getting with that in the beginning. So but
I just think we need to put everything on the table so we know what we’re doing, what we’re
asking for and what that’s going to create.
Mr. Hawkins: Well, there’s a lot of people there. You know there’s a lot of loitering and
drinking and sitting out there. People just don’t care you know. But there’s a lot of people
complaining, they just don’t say nothing to nobody. You know I’ve seen a lot of people grabbing
their chests. With a guy from dialysis it’s 90 degrees out there. He can’t make that walk from
Broad Street to indoors. He’s got to stop and rest you know when he went in front of the doors
and went on in the building. You know so there’s a lot of people just ain’t got no sense to stand
up for themselves, you know, I stand up for myself.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I appreciate that, Mr. Hawkins. We’re going to hear from the
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Commissioner from the 1 with a series of actions.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Ussery, you think you’d be available 10:00 o’clock Friday to meet with
myself and Mr. Hawkins at the Richmond Summit?
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Mr. Ussery: Yes, I’ll make myself available.
Mr. Fennoy: And do you think by maybe next committee meeting you should be able to
bring us a recommendation?
Mr. Ussery: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: All right, very good.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Hawkins, we’re going to meet you at Richmond Summit next Friday at
10:00 a.m. and maybe the first committee meeting in May ---
Mr. Mayor: This Friday.
Mr. Fennoy: --- this Friday, yeah, but yeah but then the next committee meeting in May
he will bring back us a recommendation.
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The Clerk: the 24.
Mr. Fennoy: That’ll be when?
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The Clerk: The 24, the next committee meeting will be the 24. And you’re meeting is
Friday ---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay ---
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The Clerk: --- the 20.
Mr. Fennoy: --- all right, but will three days be enough time, that’s why I say the first
committee meeting in May ---
The Clerk: Okay.
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Mr. Fennoy: --- May 8 ---
The Clerk: Okay.
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Mr. Fennoy: --- May 8 and he’s going to bring us back a recommendation on May 8,
we’ll see you Friday.
Mr. Hawkins: Okay, meet you in the lobby of the building Friday in the lobby Friday
outside. Where do you want to meet?
Mr. Fennoy: We can meet outside ---
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Mr. Hawkins: Okay.
Mr. Fennoy: --- right at the door because we may have problems getting in unless you’ll
be able ---
Mr. Hawkins: I’ll let you in.
Mr. Fennoy: --- all right, we’ll be there.
Mr. Hawkins: I’m like Ken Nugent, one call that’s all, I’ll let you in.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, so, Ms. Bonner, would you recap for this body what’s, what
are action items are?
The Clerk: Yes sir on Friday April 20th Commissioner Fennoy, Mr. Ussery and Mr.
Hawkins will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Richmond Summit Apartments with the Traffic
Engineering Department making preparation to bring back to committee Engineering Services
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Committee on May 8 with a recommendation.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
B. Ms. Alora Martinez regarding BreathEasy Augusta coalition working to pass a
comprehensive smoke-free ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County.
The Clerk: Ms. Danielle Moores, Ms. Jennifer Anderson, Mr. Bill Lockett.
Mr. Mayor: If you’ll just tell us again, Ms. Bonner has indicated so five-minutes.
Ms. Moores: We’ll have three of us presenting so Danielle Moores. Well, thank you for
having us, Mayor Davis, Commissioners, we appreciate your time this afternoon. Again my name
is Danielle Moores. I’m a local Augustan, I’ve been a member of BreathEasy Augusta for the past
five years. Along with me are Jennifer Anderson, Director of Respiratory Therapy for Augusta
University Health as well as former Commissioner Bill Lockett. We’re here today representing
the businesses, organizations and individuals who want to see Augusta go smoke free. Some of
them are here today in the audience we have representative from Augusta University Health, the
Georgia Cancer Center, Family Y of Greater Augusta, the local Department of Public Health, the
local Chapter of the American Heart Association, the Area Agency on Aging and others. What
we’re asking for today is simple. We’re asking for you to consider all workplaces and public
buildings in Augusta Richmond County to become smoke and vape free and establish a perimeter
of 10 feet away from the entrances and windows of those buildings. Many of you have seen us
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present before in front of you with local community groups. We’ve worked very hard over the past
year to listen to the community, listen to their feedback and take that feedback to heart and develop
something that would actually work for our community which is why we’re not asking to include
outdoor events or venues in a proposal. We’re not asking for vehicles to be included and we are
asking for an exemption for vape and hookah shops because our goal is not to harm local business.
It’s actually to help improve local business and also to improve the health of this community.
What we’re proposing is actually modeled after a very successful ordinance that was passed in
Savannah. Savannah’s a city much like Augusta. Studies have been done since that ordinance was
passed in 2010 and enacted in 2011 have actually shown that there’s been no impact on taxable
sales revenue which as you can imagine a tourist heavy city like Savannah is something that’s very
important but at the same time health has been greatly improved. For example, there’s been a 94%
decrease in indoor air pollution since that time. But back to our community. Here’s what we
know. Most of us here in Augusta want to have clean air in our workplaces. Most of us know that
secondhand smoke is harmful at any level. And if you look at the most recent county health
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rankings you’ll see that Augusta Richmond County ranks 124 out of 150 Georgia counties, 59
Georgia counties in terms of health. We should be higher especially considering that counties with
smoke free ordinances rank in the top 50, the top 20, the top 10. And here to talk more about those
health impacts is Jennifer Anderson.
Ms. Anderson: Good afternoon. I come to you as a lifelong resident of the CSRA and as a
respiratory therapist for the last 45 years. And what I’m seeing with this ordinance is the most
exciting thing is that how it can improve our health. You know you can all read about the impact
we’ve seen nationally of ordinances of this nature but what we found out just most recently this
past June is what effect it had on our sister city in Savannah. They’ve had an increase, they’ve
had a decrease in health, I mean an increase in health, a decrease in heart disease and heart attacks
by 36% since they enacted their, since they enacted their ordinance which is almost identical to
what we’re asking here today. But most importantly those counties outside of Savannah in
Chatham County has seen increases in heart disease and heart attacks so that makes it even more
impactful. One of the other concerns that we had were brought to our attention the last time we
were here was the economic impact and what we’re seeing is absolutely no economic impact for
those businesses who go smoke free. As a matter of fact citing the Savannah ordinance and the
impact it’s had on that community has been neutral you know for the most part and in some cases
very, very positive. We’ve also seen that in some cases that the folks that were very much against
the ordinance to begin with have been very much in favor of it now would not go back. They’ve
seen a reduction in the cost of managing their businesses. Now this is kind of a busy map but
overall you can see that the blue states just to give you a brief overview the blue states are those
that have passed ordinances like the one that we’re talking about. The little triangles are
municipalities and cities who’ve passed ordinances like ours and the circles are counties and that’s
what we’re looking at right now is to try to join those folks who are already doing exactly what
we’re talking about. This is not something new, this is not something cutting edge. It’s something
that everybody’s going towards. So what does this mean to the building to the future of Augusta?
Well what it could mean is positive growth. You know Augusta is not the same city as it was three
years ago. It’s not the same community as it was five years ago. You know we’re looking at folks
moving to our community and one of the things they value are healthy communities and that’s
why this is so important to us today. So why now? Well I think that a lot of people do not realize
that currently right now in our community 21% of the adults that work in Augusta Richmond
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County are working in environments that allow smoking. They’re subjected to secondhand smoke
for the entire time they’re at work. And just to remind everybody as the slide says five minutes of
exposure to secondhand smoke is like smoking one cigarette. In many cases people who do in fact
smoke in establishments have said they’d like to see them go smoke free because they would only
like to smoke the single cigarettes that they have instead of smoking the entire time they’re at
work. So, now I’d like to ask former Commissioner Lockett to come up and give us a little update
on our Age Friendly situation in Augusta.
Mr. Lockett: Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners. The reason I’m here is because
I’m here because of Age Friendly Augusta, Georgia, you all know how I feel about that. I know
how you feel about it because you approved this. And our scores we received low marks in
healthcare and because we now have a smoking ordinance that was one of the things that’s brought
us down real low. And as indicated earlier we rank 124 our of 159 counties. Our next door
neighbor Columbia I thing ranks about number 6. What do they have that we don’t have? One
thing is a smoking ordinance. Studies show businesses do not lose revenue. You know the
population is getting older. We have more older people with more disposable income that want to
be in a healthy environment. Commissioners, my former colleagues and Mr. Mayor, I solicit your
support because I want to see Age Friendly thrive and if we can get this ordinance done that will
help us considerably. And, Mr. Mayor, if I may I would like those in attendance to stand that are
in support of the ordinance, those of you in support would you please stand? Thank you and, Mr.
Mayor, at this time if I may if there are any questions that they be directed to BreathEasy and not
me. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: I was going to ask if there was any Commissioners who wanted to stand with
the group and the same time, that’s probably what you should’ve did. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Frantom: I would’ve stood with them.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so you have support. All right, the Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. Jefferson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Who’s going to address the question? Okay. So
spoke about the ordinance passed in Atlanta, Savannah. Can you elaborate more on the impact
that it had overall?
Ms. Anderson: Well, that’s information out that we have which is very exciting and it’s
been very, very positive for business and it’s been very positive for the health impact and I think
that’s the thing that’s most exciting for our community. If we start now five years from now we
can be seeing this very same thing and that’s the most exciting part of this ordinance is that we can
benefit from it just as Savannah has.
Mr. Jefferson: Also what are we talking about as far as a timeline with you coming back
to this body?
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Ms. Anderson: Well, I think that would be up to the Mayor and the Commission. We
would be more than glad to come back whenever you would like for us to to answer any additional
questions or provide any support that we might have that might help you in making this decision.
Ms. Moores: And if possible we’d like to be considered for the next committee cycle.
Mr. Jefferson: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: All right, you had it in your hand, you had it in your hand.
Mr. Jefferson: Well, I mean the next committee cycle, let’s do it.
Mr. Frantom: I second that.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to come back to you in just a second. The Attorney’s
going to give me some legal guidance in just a minute but I’m going to recognize the
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Commissioner from the 1 then the Commissioner from the 2 and then I’m going to come back
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down the street to the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, I for the record want to know let ya’ll know that I support Augusta being
a smoke free city but I would also like to take this opportunity to invite my colleagues and the
people that are in the Commission chambers to attend a ceremony honoring Commissioner Bill
Lockett for his work he’s done at the Brigham Center. So they’re going to have a, rename the
track in honor of Mr. Lockett and I think it’s going to be at 12:00 o’clock Friday, Commissioner
Lockett? So I encourage my colleagues as well as the people in the audience to join us at the
Brigham Center on Friday around 12:00 to honor Commissioner Lockett for the great work he has
done at the Brigham Center and also for the great work he’s done for the City of Augusta.
Mr. Jefferson: Is that a smoke free event?
Mr. Fennoy: Smoke free and you can be over, you don’t have to be 55 to attend.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2.
Mr. D. Williams: I have a request regarding the workplace exemption. Would cigar bars
be exempted?
Ms. Moores: I think that would be something up for discussion. We followed the model
of Savannah and Savannah did exempt Vape and Hookah shops so that’s something that would be
open for discussion.
Mr. D. Williams: Cigar bars.
Ms. Moores: Exactly.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8.
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Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you. Ms. Anderson ---
Ms. Anderson: Yes ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- I see in reading the Augusta Chronicle yesterday that you said that you
all really felt that ya’ll needed more input from the community and maybe need to dig a little
deeper to see what the real issues in this community. What do you mean by that?
Ms. Anderson: Well, what we did was after we left here we actually had a number of folks
for our community contact us directly and continue to say that they wanted this for the health of
our community so we, as Danielle mentioned, started actually inquiring to different groups some
of the groups that she mentioned that are here today in support of the proposed ordinance. So
that’s what we did is really took some time and looked at issues, things that the Commission
brought up before, about the distance away from the door. That was an issue and instead of it
being 25 feet we looked at it and 10 feet seems very acceptable. So when we talk about listening
and we really did address the issues of concerns. Back then we didn’t have the information we
currently have for the real benefits for the ordinance that we’re seeing in Savannah. And also we
really didn’t know about the impact on what a community like that would experience and so now
what we’re seeing it’s not negative at all it’s very positive.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay as far as restaurants and bars in Augusta I was trying to think of one
that actually has smoking. Do you know of any?
Ms. Anderson: Yes, we do. There’s, I will tell you just not to be too historical because we
really investigated this back in 2005 there was an ordinance a statewide ordinance that all
restaurants that allow children under the age of 18 would be smoke free and we’ve done that in
our community. But and since the time since we were here last there have been a few people that
have gone smoke free like Indian Queen was always smoke free but Joe’s Underground went
smoke free because they kind of listened to the health benefits and what that would mean to their
business. You know I know that Sky City has, you know, allowed smoking. I know that there
have been issues with some of the entertainers that have been booked there about smoking while
they’re entertaining so I don’t have a long laundry list but what I can do is if you’re interested to
know what businesses currently allow smoking we can get you as much of that information as we
can provide.
Mr. Guilfoyle: All right. As far as any kind of public building, let’s say my office and
warehouse, my neighbors office and warehouse, how is that going to be governed?
Ms. Anderson: Well you know that was, that’s a very good question because that’s one
that a lot of people had. And what we’ve seen it’s kind, it’s a lot like the Health Department using
and what we’ve talked about is using 311 so that it would be self-reported. Folks saying you know
I was in an area, you know it’s a public space, they’re smoking. It’s not, we’re not going to have
police out there, you know, writing tickets or going into different businesses to check to see you
know if in fact you’re smoking or not smoking. But if there’s workers in that area in that space
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then what we’re trying to do is give them clean air to breathe during the time that they’re working
there. That’s our goal.
Mr. Guilfoyle: One thing that has always bothered me including this coming up previously
years back is when it comes to people’s rights, the owner’s rights, the owner owns the building.
How does the government come into a private party, private business and dictate? And like you
said call 311 well that actually puts an impact on Ms. Douse’s operation but you’ve got Mr. Partain
with the Sheriff’s Department. I don’t know how this is even going to be controlled. And I know,
I’m going to add on one more thing. You know a couple of years ago where we was talking about
Savannah implemented this ordinance and the bars actually increased in sales. Well, when your
bars increase in sales you’ve got more people out there on the roads which is terrible to have yes,
Uber didn’t come out until a couple of years ago, millennials you know how they are.
Ms. Anderson: So I hear what you’re saying as far as that goes and one of the things that
we want to look at is just like clean water ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Anderson: --- in safe food preparation is a concern of everybody in here and is
regulated then we really feel like clean air is also something that we need to be concerned about.
You know OSHA controls hazards in our workplace and having particulate levels that have been
measured by independent organizations of 94% that rate hazardous or unhealthy is not good for
our community no matter where you are, no matter what building you’re in. And I think that that’s
what we’re looking at is reaping the benefits of what Savannah’s done because they went from
that same unhealthy rating as far as the air that their workers breathe to very good as it stands right
now with this very same ordinance so that’s what we’re after.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. A couple of my questions have been answered.
The first one was that how would the businesses do and some of the businesses were explained
that I think Joe’s Underground a couple of other businesses decided to go smoke free themselves.
I’ve got no problem with public buildings that this government controls but when you step out like
Commissioner Guilfoyle was saying into private businesses and to tell them that they won’t be
allowed or that they, because I think business is going to dictate what they do. If they’re making
money with people not smoking then that’s what they’re going to go to if they’re making money
with people smoking they’re going to do that as well. But where do we stop at though if we do
the smoke then where to you stop when the alcohol sales increase are we going to say then we
going to do something with that as well. So I’m in support of the government’s buildings. I’ve got
no problem with that but I’ve got an issue when it comes to telling private business when and
where they need to go because I think their bottom line is making a dollar and they’re going to do
what it takes to make money. If it’s going to be feasible to not have people smoking and make
money they’re going to do that. We’ve got a choice and I never smoked and I understand that
some people get hooked on smoking and they can’t stop, not just being hooked but like you said
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affecting other people. But the businesses ought to be able to make that decision for themselves.
I can’t support the private side of that but if you’re talking about the government facilities I’ve got
no problem with that all day long, ten, twenty-feet I mean I can deal with that because that’s what
we do but when you step outside that I think we’ll be crossing the line in my opinion, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 7.
Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First I thank ya’ll for that presentation. Very
enlightening to see us 124 out of 159 is very disturbing and we’ve got to do better as a community.
One of the things we have to understand as you mentioned in your presentation Augusta’s growing
and if you look at major cities around especially the ones that have travel destinations are all smoke
free. In Augusta there are two restaurants Limelight and the best hamburger in town in my mind,
the Sports Center where you can smoke inside so there are some establishments still are not going
to that. My question was and you kind of hit on it a little bit but can you talk about the dangers of
secondhand smoke and the health impact of smoke free laws?
Ms. Anderson: Well, what we’ve seen across the country are those according to that map
everybody has experienced the same improvement in health countywide as we could experience
with the enactment of the ordinance as it sits right now. And I think that a lot of people don’t
understand that simply breathing secondhand smoke can not only cause lung cancer or heart
disease but it actually directly affects the platelets that are in your bloodstream that causes them to
be more sticky. Just twenty minutes in an environment of secondhand smoke can cause the
platelets in your blood to become so sticky it promotes clotting and that’s a stroke, that’s a heart
attack. And you know currently right now I agree with you know I certainly can hear the concern
that Commissioner Williams has but honestly right now we’re looking at making sure that we can
bring the same health of those that are working in our bars to the same health that we’re concerned
about on our government, our government work locations. I know that the Augusta University has
gone smoke free not just for the hospital we did that many years ago but we did it for all campuses
and guess what happened? Other universities in Georgia followed suit saying it was important.
Even our housing for our students is smoke free so you know we’ve just got a small area that we’re
looking at right now that’s very impactful for the direct health of our community.
Mr. Frantom: Thank you. How do we move this forward, Mr. Mayor, to committee?
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Mr. Mayor: All right, if you want to yield to the distinguished lady from the 3.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Millennial. Thank you, Jennifer and Danielle, and I know that
we’ve talked over the years and Danielle, more recently so I appreciate ya’ll coming back with
more information as far as the health impact and also softening the restrictions I guess on that
ordinance because I know that was a big issue back then. And hearing from businesses like that’s
going to cost me to create a place somewhere out and it’s going out into a parking lot or into the
street and so this I think is definitely more doable. Like ya’ll said just take it outside and I like
your slogan on that. And I do know that all of our surrounding counties I’ve talked with them and
they are you know they’ve said this is all been a positive impact so many of these counties have
had this for years. I think Columbia County Chairman Cross couldn’t even remember when they
implemented it. But so I appreciate the work I know that back then I wasn’t able to support that
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but I’m definitely willing to work together on the ordinance that will work and a healthy impact
on Augusta so Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a motion if we could authorize our Legal staff to
work in conjunction with ya’ll as well with the ordinance that you have currently and bring
us back a draft to discuss at our next committee meeting which will be in two weeks ---
Mr. Jefferson: Second.
Ms. Davis: --- I mean two weeks, right?
Mr. Jefferson: Yes.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a second from the Commissioner from the 5. All right
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before we move forward with voting the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Moores and I’ve had some conversations with you
all and I’m not quite there yet but I’m getting closer. And one of the things I had asked ya’ll I
think we met over at Belle Terrace a while back so that was at least what two and a half years ago,
somewhere, that we met again and talked about this. But the one thing that I’ve always a couple
of things I’ve always had a concern about and I see now it’s about 21% but my question back then
was an ordinance that is citywide, how much of the population or the structures would it affect?
And I thought we were more at a number around 5% or something like that. Has that changed or
was that 5% not in real correlation with the 21% exposure? That’s what I’m trying to justify in my
head.
Ms. Moores: I’m not sure where that 5% number came from so we’ve been talking about
the 21% number and that’s data we got several years ago so we feel that it probably is less now
that it was then. But we feel that’s a good thing. I mean we like the trend more businesses going
smoke free and to us that tells us that we’re moving in a positive direction and why not go ahead
and put it on the books and make it official for Augusta Richmond County.
Mr. Sias: Because unfortunately I didn’t bring that with me but when we looked at the
analysis of all the buildings, the government buildings, the school buildings, you know Federal,
State and local smoking is not allowed in any of those. And also there was a question about the
doorway and before that there was one other thing. In this ordinance is there a provision for a bar
to have a smoking patio?
Ms. Moores: The perimeter is for 10 feet away so from the building so that whatever
however that’s measured.
Mr. Sias: Well now, for me from my perspective I don’t smoke and I can’t stand smoke
and one of the things that really detests, is detesting to me is when I walk in a building and there’s
a bunch of folks around the doorway smoking, for me 10 feet don’t get that. So if we’re going to
do a smoking ordinance we should have it effective. And if I’ve got to wade through ten or within
10 feet of a bunch of folks smoking and unfortunately there are some folks that set up on, they had
one down at the VA for a while it was a smoke tent and if you wanted cancer go in the smoke tent.
So I don’t think that should be allowed either to have a smoke tent or somebody set that up outside
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the folks would out there and smoke in inclement weather and for me that was really dangerous.
That was defeating the whole purpose of it. So I can find my way to support this but during the
process of negotiating and talking about it and working it through I have some issues I’m really
concerned about. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Ms. Anderson: I think that’s a very good idea because we really don’t have time here to
have the exchange we probably need. And we do want to listen to what you guys are concerned
about so that we can address that. But I do recall it’s been a number of years ago. I believe that I
met with you too personally and you had asked us to try to figure out exactly how many businesses
as compared to overall structures within the community still allowed smoking and I think that’s
kind of where that 5% came up. It was an exhaustive study to see. It’s a very small percentage
and I believe that at that time you mentioned it’s such a small percentage that once again that’s
something to look at.
Mr. Sias: You’re pushing me across the line but I’m still concerned that I don’t want to
take a giant umbrella for one drop of rain but you know we’ll get there. Thank you, thank you,
Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you and I think that all of those are valid concerns. I appreciate you
raising them. That’s why the committee process is so necessary to be able to do that good work
and fully vet what an ordinance should finally look like that you can then adopt. So I’m excited.
I look forward to us getting to a place that makes us, you know, a better city. All right, the Chair
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recognizes the Commissioner from the 3 Mayor Pro Tem.
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Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, I had said the next committee but I believe May 8 would probably
be the best which would be the second committee just because that gives them three weeks instead
of the one week.
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Mr. Mayor: I think that’s excellent. Commissioner from the 5 do you support that?
Mr. Jefferson: Yeah, (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, very good. All right, so we’ve got a motion and a proper
second. We’ll vote on it normal sign.
Mr. Guilfoyle votes No.
Mr. M. William abstains.
Motion Passes 8-1-1.
Mr. Mayor: All right, fantastic.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, we had originally scheduled to have our Recognition of Employee
Years of Service however they were unable to be with us today. However, the Administrator
would like to please acknowledge those employees and their years of service to Augusta.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, before she does that the last item on here is that an active item, Item
C?
The Clerk: Yes, sir, she’s here, just wanted to get that in.
Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes Madam Administrator.
Ms. Jackson: Thank you very much. For the Month of March we have 25 employees
celebrating 5 to 20-years of service, 5 to 30-years of service, I’m sorry, with Richmond County.
Unfortunately, none of them are available here today but I would like to call their names so you
know who they are. Those are Guyton Shephard, Engineering Department, 25 years of service,
Michael Morgan, Utilities, 30 years, Janet Harrington, Sheriff’s Office 30 years, and Paul Johnson
of the Sheriff’s Office 30 years. I’d like us to please extend our congratulations to those employees
for their years of service and their loyalty to Augusta Richmond County Government.
(APPLAUSE)
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
C. Ms. Sharon Bush Ellison regarding an issue with the Clerk of Superior Court Office.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, Ms. Bush Ellison, we have your information your address et
cetera you have five minutes to present.
Ms. Ellison: Good evening, commission, Augusta Commission. My name is Sharon Bush
Ellison. My mailing address is 2242 Lumpkin Road and of course I’m a college student in Aiken
12 credit hours short of receiving my Associates Degree in Legal Assistant. What brings me here
to the Commission today is the federal laws allow to be more specific 28 USC1446 around that
Section D allows a state criminal prosecution to be moved to a federal court a United States District
Court. I’m not here to argue the grounds of anything like that. My specificness is in that law it
allows after you file the Notice of Removal a section of the law which is 28 USC 1446 Section D
allows you to, it requires the party that has filed the Notice of Removal in the District Court to
serve the notice to the State Court that there has been a removal or a petition for Notice of Removal
filed in the United States District Court to the Solicitor General of the State Court. Well I
proceding as prosolitigant went and filed a Notice of Removal concerning the State Criminal
Action #118CV00017 Sharon Bush Ellison versus the State Court of Richmond County is the
number that it has been given in the United States District Court. Well after trying to proceed with
Section D to advise the State Court of my removal I went into the Clerk’s Office around
approximately January the ---
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Ellison, would you suspend ---
Ms. Ellison: Sir?
Mr. Mayor: --- would you suspend ---
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Ms. Ellison: Sir?
Mr. Mayor: --- would you suspend and stop.
Ms. Ellison: Oh, okay.
Mr. Mayor: What I’d like for you to do if you’ll take us to this package of information that
we have in front of us. You’re citing case law and federal law statutes that you’re referring us to,
we don’t know why you’re here ---
Ms. Ellison: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay? So, if you would take us from the beginning of the paper that we
have in front of us you’ve taken the time to list a series of items beginning at number one and then
you go through twenty, okay? And so this is our first time seeing this ---
Ms. Ellison: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- if you would take the time and walk us from 1 to 20 so that we know what
we’re looking at. That would be very helpful. But you’re saying 28USC1443, 1446 I’m not a
learned attorney.
Ms. Ellison: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: And we can yield to ours but it would be more beneficial if you given your
package of information you delivered to our Clerk of Commission we want to understand what it
is you’re presenting to us.
Ms. Ellison: Okay I ---
Mr. Mayor: Would you do that for me?
Ms. Ellison: --- yes, sir, I’m not going to have time to go through 1 to 20.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, no, you’ve got time, you’ve got time.
Ms. Ellison: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Ms. Ellison: The exhibit list that you have in front of you if ya’ll would turn to the last
page almost it says exhibits it’ll show you the laws that I have quoted. I don’t want to get off
guard with what I’m doing. I want to be short and profert because I don’t have time to quote this
whole package. We’ve only got five minutes.
Mr. Mayor: I’m not asking you to do that. Why are you here?
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Ms. Ellison: I just said that I filed a Notice of Removal in the United States District Court.
The law that I filed there required me to serve a notice on the adverse party which is the State
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Court. I went into the Clerks Office around January the 25 to file the notice and the Clerk of
Court refused the notice. That’s the short and proffered statement.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Ms. Ellison: And I’m here to rebut that and contest her refusing to do her ad ministerial
duty ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
Ms. Ellison: --- that’s what I’m here for.
Mr. Mayor: --- very well, that’s what I’m asking you to tell us. All right, Attorney
MacKenzie, what is our standing?
Mr. MacKenzie: Sure, well my position on this would be obviously there’s another place
where this dispute could be resolved which is in the courts and she has the ability to go there. As
you all know you don’t have any direct supervisory control over The Clerk. That’s an elected
official. I would suggest that she pursue that outcome. I think you at least receive the information
she had to give today. This could also be subject to the Attorney/Client Privilege in the sense that
any settlements and legal expenses associated with the defense of The Clerk is something that we
do as the government’s laws requires, have an obligation to deal with. So I would suggest any
future follow up on this dispute would be done in the Attorney/Client Privilege context which we
would do in a closed setting.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right ---
Mr. Ellison: Okay, can I say something then?
Mr. Mayor: --- so we’ve heard the short version of Ms. Ellison’s concern, she stated that
we have this package of information that is before us. Our attorney has provided us with some
guidance in terms of what our posture should be with this, are there any questions? The Chair
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recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I don’t really see it as a question but to Ms. Ellison, Ms.
Ellison as you heard what our Attorney said and the Mayor has said, this is not the body to resolve
the dispute that you have. We can listen to you and it could end up being a sort of a conflict of
interest at some point however but we are not authorized to resolve the issue you have. We simply
don’t have that authority. So technically you need as the Attorney suggested your best avenue for
regress would be in the court system. We don’t control the Clerk ---
Ms. Ellison: You don’t?
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Mr. Sias: --- no.
Ms. Ellison: Okay well I want to say to you Commissioner’s and your Attorney here what’s
your name, sir? Sir, can I have your name?
Mr. Mayor: Excuse me hold on, hold on, hold on.
Ms. Ellison: What’s his name?
Mr. Mayor: Hold on. We want to be again, Ms. Ellison, we want, we’re here to so any
citizen of Augusta Richmond County has an opportunity to come and be on the delegation to
present any matter of record that they have. And what we’ve done for you is provided with you
an opportunity to be heard and having heard that information we believe that this is outside of our
jurisdiction. Now our attorney, Andrew MacKenzie is the General Counsel for the City of
Augusta, Georgia. Again it is outside of our jurisdiction this is a matter for State Court. That’s
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what he’s just indicated. That is what the Commissioner from the 4 has just indicated as well,
okay? So from a due process standpoint your next step again would be handling this matter via
State Court.
Ms. Ellison: Can I say one more thing, sir?
Mr. Mayor: You may.
Ms. Ellison: Okay, I don’t know which law that Mr. MacKenzie is quoting but I see where
the Executive Orders of the at the Governors Office Commissioners have requested formal
investigations. I’m not asking the Commissioners to decide her quilt or innocence. The top of
my, the caption of the topic of my discussion that has been placed on the agenda is to request that
the Augusta Richmond County Commission do a formal request through the Office of the
Governor that an investigation of Hattie Sullivan, Clerk of Superior Court and State Court of
Richmond County Georgia be conducted. And according to law it says according the O.C.G.A.
15-6-61 45-10-1 that the Commission do have that authority and I even pulled some state orders
Executive Orders of the Governors Office where Commissioners did refer and request formal
investigations so I’m not understanding which law Mr. MacKenzie is following.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, that’s not ---
Ms. Ellison: I’m just being honest.
Mr. Mayor: --- I understand that’s why I started with asking you to tell us why you’re here,
okay. And you wanted to inform us that you had again filed a complaint with Federal Court
because you did not get due process as you believe it with the State Court thus the Clerk of Superior
Court, that’s what you indicated okay and what our attorney stated is this is outside of our
jurisdiction. Now what you’ve since come back and said again which is different than the caption
that is on our agenda. The caption on our agenda says you are coming as a delegation to present
an issue regarding the Clerk of Superior Court which you’re now telling us is that again as I asked
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you the first time you said that you want us to request that a formal investigation of our Clerk of
Superior Court be handled, that’s what you just stated.
Ms. Ellison: Yes, sir, that’s what I listed on this agenda ---
Mr. Mayor: I understand ---
Ms. Ellison: --- here is my copay ---
Mr. Mayor: --- I have a copy in front of me.
Ms. Ellison: --- yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Attorney MacKenzie she’s quoting Title 15, okay and I want to
dispose of this matter.
Mr. MacKenzie: The Commission would be within their jurisdiction if they desire to seek
such an investigation. It is legally possible for the Commission to request that if you felt inclined
to do that.
Mr. Mayor: Based on what we’ve just heard, what is our basis for a requesting an
investigation of the Superior Court?
Mr. MacKenzie: That would be a fact inquiry for ya’ll to determine that would be whether
or not you felt there was sufficient need to have an investigation done. One outcome which is
similar to other cases like this would be we could follow the normal course that we do with
litigation matters that address public officials and that is we provide updates with regards to any
pending litigation in our normal course.
Ms. Ellison: Mr. Mayor, sir, may I say something?
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, ma’am.
Ms. Ellison: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Lyons, are you here representing Ms. Bush Ellison?
Mr. Lyons: No, no (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, okay if you’ll just take a seat for a moment.
Ms. Ellison: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Attorney Lyons, if you would ---
Mr. Lyons: I’m not going to say a whole lot; I’m just going to say a few things.
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Mr. Mayor: --- okay if you’ll shed some light on what’s before us.
Mr. Lyons: Ms. Ellison, she’s charged under state law she has offense of speeding, another
offense of speeding, speeding, driving with a suspended or revoked license, laying drag, speeding,
improper parking, leaving the scene of an accident and I’m just going to say this and sit down. If
she thinks that she can move this case to federal court and I want to look back and see her do it so
if she wants to proceed on, have at it. And I don’t think if it was possible for her to get to federal
court, she wouldn’t like the outcome if she’s found guilty.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, all right, so Ms. Ellison, we have heard ---
Ms. Ellison: Can I say something?
Mr. Mayor: --- no, ma’am.
Ms. Ellison: Well, this is not about guilty (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: You’re absolutely right this is about ---
Ms. Ellison: --- it’s about the Clerk not doing her duty.
Mr. Mayor: --- Ms. Ellison, Ms. Ellison, we have heard you. That is what this body does.
We’ve heard you and now we’re going to dispose of this. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner
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from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As I understand it, Ms. Ellison has already filed a
request to go to federal court. Also she is asking us to request an investigation of the Clerk of
Court. I don’t think we have sufficient information to make that request so I move that we deny
the request.
Mr. D. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a motion and a second to deny the request to levy an
investigation.
Mr. Sias: One quick point, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Continue.
Mr. Sias: And that motion does not stop Ms. Ellison from pursuing whatever she desires
to pursue through any court system, federal court where she’s already filed. We just don’t have, I
don’t see evidence for us to do that so that doesn’t stop her from doing anything ---
Mr. Mayor: Absolutely ---
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Mr. Sias: --- thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: --- thank you. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: I was trying to get our Attorney to give us an avenue or give Ms. Ellison
the avenue if she needs to see an attorney, is that what she needs to do or she just makes an inquiry
and we throw it out because we don’t have enough information? What happens? I mean I’m trying
to figure out because if it wasn’t this case and it was another case what do the citizens do that come
to this body for guidance from us to if we had the authority and we don’t have the authority. And
I was hearing from our attorney he said we didn’t have the authority, Ms. Ellison quoted some
numbers and we come back and say we do have the authority.
Mr. Mayor: No, I’m going to interject. Ms. Ellison has come to us with a matter that is in
the court, all right? She has petitioned for removal of this issue and taking it to federal court, all
right? Ms. Ellison needs an attorney. We are not her attorney. She did not come with an attorney
today. That is the guidance that if we were giving guidance which again it is not in our jurisdiction
to give guidance. What she then pivoted and did was well I want you all to again request an
investigation of the Clerk of Superior Court for possible violations. We have no violation that has
been brought to us and more importantly again you’ve got a motion and a proper second to request
to deny that because we have no basis whatsoever to be levying an investigation against the Clerk
of Superior Court. Her issue is the matter of again saying I don’t want to handle it in state court,
I want to go to federal court, okay?
Mr. M. Williams: And Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: All right, so ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- can I respond?
Mr. Mayor: --- continue.
Mr. M. Williams: If there was, if that’s the process then that’s what I’m trying to get clear.
If that’s the process whether it be Ms. Ellison or anybody else I don’t know I just heard this for
the first time today just like the rest of us. But where do you direct people to go to if it’s not in
our hands and the lawyer said Mr. MacKenzie said it was not a minute ago and said even said we
could if I’m not mistaken. I don’t know if it’s up or down.
Mr. Mayor: Why are we directing anyone to do anything? This is a legal matter. She
needs to get an attorney. This is not our issue and we’re not going to make it our issue.
Mr. M. Williams: I’m not inquiring or saying that we are, Mr. Mayor, I just want to get an
understanding as to if not this one this is the first time I ever heard this one. Now after 16 years
down here I hadn’t heard this one before but I will remember this one.
Mr. Mayor: I believe we all will. All right, so I’ve got a motion and a proper second. This
is a motion to deny ---
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Ms. Ellison: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: --- voting.
Ms. Ellison: --- can I please say one more thing?
Mr. Mayor: Your time has expired.
Ms. Ellison: Yes, sir I’m going to leave now can I ---
Mr. Mayor: Your time has expired.
Ms. Ellison: --- can I leave?
Mr. Mayor: You may.
Ms. Ellison: Yes, sir.
Motion Passes 10-0.
Mr. Mayor: That’s why I’ve got much gray hair, that’s why my hair is so gray.
The Clerk: Our consent agenda consists of Items 1-17, Items 1-17. For the benefit of any
objectors to our Planning petitions once those petitions are read would you please signify your
objections by raising your hand. I call your attention to:
Item 3: Is a request for a Special Exception for property known as 1830 Phinizy Road.
Item 4: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone R-1D (One-family Residential) to
a Zone R-1D (One-family Residential) affecting property known as 1013 Amli Way and 1255
Brookstone Way.
Item 5: Is a request with, to approve a request with conditions a change of zoning from a
Zone A (Agriculture) to a Zone B-2 (General Business) to a Zone B-2 affecting property known
as 3551 Wheeler Road.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those Planning petitions? I call your attention
to the Public Services portion of our agenda if there are any objectors to any of our alcohol petitions
would you please signify your objections by raising your hand once the petition is read. I call your
attention to:
Item 6: Is for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with the
location at 3307 Mike Padgett Hwy Suite B.
Item 7: Is a request for a retail package Liquor License to be used in connection with the
location at 3307 Mike Padgett Hwy Suite A.
Item 8: Is a request for an Alcohol Special Event License with Cinco de Mayo in the
Parking Lot located at 3364 Washington Road.
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The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those petitions? Mr. Mayor, members of the
Commission, our consent agenda consists of Items 1-17 with no objectors to our Planning nor
Alcohol petitions.
Mr. Mayor: The Chair will entertain any motions to add or remove from the consent
agenda.
Mr. Hasan: Motion to approve.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. Final Plat – Haynes Station Section 7-S-862 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta
Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Cranston Engineering Group P.C.,
on behalf of COEL Development Co. Inc., requesting final plat approval for Haynes Station
Section 7. This single family residential subdivision is located on Copse Drive and contains
51 lots. DISTRICT 3.
2. Final Plat – Haynes Station Section 8-872-Rev – A request for concurrence with the
Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Cranston Engineering
Group P.C., on behalf of COEL Development Co. Inc., requesting final plat approval for
Haynes Station Section 8. This single family residential subdivision is located on Copse Drive
and contains 45 lots. DISTRICT 3
3. Final Plat – Haynes Station Section 8-S-872-Rev – A request for concurrence with the
Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Cranston Engineering
Group P.C., on behalf of COEL Development Co. Inc., requesting final plat approval for
Haynes Station Section 8. This single family residential subdivision is located on Copse Drive
and contains 45 lots. DISTRICT 3
4. Z-18-16 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with conditions below a petition by Viasat, Inc., on behalf of Augusta Shrine Club,
requesting a Special Exception to establish an Unmanned Satellite Dish per Section 28-A-5-
A of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta-Richmond County affecting
property containing 3.99 acres and known as 1830 Phinizy Road. Tax Map 145-0-002-01-0
DISTRICT 6 1. Issuance of development permits shall be contingent upon submission of
plans meeting engineer, environmental, and all other pertinent development regulations. 2.
The satellite compound shall be surrounded by a vegetative buffer which effectively screens
view of the equipment from adjacent properties and public ROW. 3. To the greatest extent
possible, the tower and all associated equipment shall be painted or otherwise treated so as
to be largely inconspicuous. 4. The front edge of the leased property must be moved to be in-
line with the rear building line of the adjacent home (1832 Phinizy Road); approximately 30
feet south of the present location.
4. Z-18-17 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions below a petition by Civil Design Solutions, on behalf of
Terranova Development Corp., requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1E (One-family
Residential) to Zone R-1D (One-family Residential) affecting property containing
approximately 24.5 acres and known as 1013 Amli Way and 1255 Brookstone Way. Tax Map
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040-00-044-00-0, and 040-0-045-00-0 DISTRICT 3 The concept plan reviewed is considered
for illustrative purposes of the present zoning action only, and does not meet development
plan submission criteria. Development plans meeting all applicable state and local codes and
ordinances must be submitted and approved prior to permit issuance. Building design and
materials shall substantially conform to the information presented to and approved by the
Planning Commission. A permanent access easement must be recorded to ensure access to
the development via Brookstone Way. A minimum 10’ buffer shall be maintained along the
property line adjoining the Hillcreek Subdivision.
5. Z-18-18 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions below a petition by Joseph Caputo, on behalf of St. Andrew’s
Presbyterian Church, requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) and Zone B-
2 (General Business) to Zone B-2 affecting property containing 0.29 acres and known as part
of 3551 Wheeler Road (part of Tax Map 031-0-009-04-0) DISTRICT 3 1. Issuance of
development permits shall be contingent upon submission of plans meeting engineering,
environmental, and all other pertinent development regulations. 2. Future development
planned for the site must be consistent with aspects of the Augusta Tree Ordinance.
PUBLIC SERVICES
6. Motion to approve New Ownership: A.N. 18-12: request by Anil K. Kasturi for a retail
package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Prime Investments 2018, Inc.
located at 3307 Mike Padgett Hwy Suite B. District 6. Super District 10. (Approved by Public
Services Committee April 10, 2018)
7. Motion to approve New Ownership: A.N. 18-13: request by Anil Kasturi for a retail
package Liquor License to be used in connection with Prime Investments 2018, Inc. located
at 3307 Mike Pagett Hwy Suite A. District 6. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services
Committee April 10, 2018)
8. Motion to approve a request by Melissa Reyes for Mi Rancho 2, Inc. located at 3064
Washington Rd. for an Alcohol Special Event License May 5, 2018 (Cinco de Mayo in the
Parking Lot) District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee April
10, 2018)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9. Motion to approve new full-time 100% grant paid Court Aide position for the State Court
Accountability Court program. Grant is funded annually from July to June. (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee April 10, 2018)
PUBLIC SAFETY
10. Motion to approve the purchase of Cardiac Monitors/Defibrillators from Physio-Control,
Inc. and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract to purchase the Cardiac
Monitors/Defibrillators through Physio-Control, Inc. (Bid 18-130) (Approved by Public
Safety Committee April 10, 2018)
11. Motion to approve a request from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to use the
monies from the sale of Forfeited/Abandoned firearms $275,400.00) for use to enhance law
enforcement operations within the agency. (Approved by Public Safety Committee April 10,
2018)
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FINANCE
12. Motion to authorize staff to draft an amendment to the Augusta, GA Code changing the
name of the Development Authority of Richmond County to “Augusta Economic
Development Authority” and to bring the proposed Code amendment to the Commission for
consideration. (Approved by Finance Committee April 10, 2018)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
13. Motion to approve an Easement Deed from Graphic Packaging International for a
permanent access easement and three temporary construction easements. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee April 10, 2018)
14. Motion to approve Award of Bid #17-268 for the construction of the Highlands Water
Treatment Plant Filter Modification and PAC System to Rehab Construction Company, Inc.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 10, 2018)
15. Motion to approve and authorize the Augusta Engineering Department (AED) to
purchase 13.53 Wetland mitigation credits at a total cost of $139,156.05 ($10,285 per
mitigation credit) from the AA Shaw, LLC (AA Shaw Wetland Mitigation Bank) to mitigate
wetland impacts as determined necessary by the US Army Corps of Engineers in regards to
the Hiers Pond/Lake Aumond Dredging Project. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee April 10, 2018)
16. Motion to approve Norfolk Southern Activity No. 1256368 Crossing Agreement.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 10, 2018)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
17. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Augusta Commission held
March 28, 2018 and Special Called Meeting held April 10, 2018.
Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second to approve, voting.
Motion Passes 10-0.
The Clerk: Top to bottom, sir, where are you headed?
Mr. Mayor: Top to bottom.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
18. Receive and discuss report from Planning & Development Department regarding
boarded up structures to include the number of structures and lengthy existence. (Requested
by Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I had this put on the agenda to bring to our
attention the length of time and the number of boarded properties that’s been boarded up way past
the deadline. And I want to know what are we doing and what are we going to do about that but
25
I’ll let License and Inspection kind of bring us up to speed as to how many and how long and how
overdue they are.
Mr. Wynder: Thank you, Commissioner, Terrance Wynder, Code Enforcement.
Commissioner Williams, over the past couple of weeks Code Enforcement has went out to all areas
of Augusta-Richmond County and for right now we’ve recorded over 200 properties that are
boarded up. And we found from the 200 that we have now that half of these properties are waiting
to be torn down as we speak. We have some properties in the process of going to court; we have
some properties with a demo order. I believe it was a couple of months ago myself and Rob
Sherman provided some information regarding how much it would be to tear down the structures
that we actually have and have orders on them. So with that being said most of these properties
that we have has orders on it. In the past ---
Mr. M. Williams: If I can stop you just for a minute. What my question was to discuss the
boarded up properties. We have allowed people and gave them I think it was a year to have their
properties boarded up and after that year’s time something is supposed to have been done, not
necessarily tearing them down but so we put in place a situation where people can give them time
to come back. Now does the Land Bank have anybody seize, took those properties have anybody
been brought in to court or, I’m thinking I mean I know exactly how many just like you do but I’m
looking at the ones we approved to be boarded up and gave them a timespan to be boarded up. But
since that timespan has expired has anybody followed up to say you know you done had the 30,
90, 60, 200 years you’re supposed to have ---
Mr. Wynder: Not 200 years ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay.
Mr. Wynder: --- in fact we do follow up on the ones that we actually have a permit on. In
the past it used to be a year then we reduced the time to 6 months so after that 6 months is up, the
property owner has to either repair or demolish it and if they don’t then we issue a citation. So,
we’ve increased our Magistrate Court citations or Magistrate Court hearings from 118 last year to
164. Some of those did include the property owners who we cited for not repairing or demolishing
after they, the timeframe was expired.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay so what, tell me what’s not working then because if we cited them
and we gave them ample time and they didn’t do it, what’s not working because evidently we’re
not getting to where we need to be because we’re still adding to it and the property owners are not
following through. So what is it that’s not working?
Mr. Wynder: From the documentation that I have most of these properties that’s on my
sheet does not have a permit. Most of these properties on the sheet is either in the process of going
to court or has a court order to tear down.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay and these are private owner’s properties right? Okay. So if they’re
private owner’s properties and we’re going to tear it down then the private owner ought to be
paying for it, is that right?
26
Mr. Wynder: Right, the private owner (inaudible).
Mr. M. Williams: Okay so what are saying here because we know money’s the big issue
now but if the cities don’t have to do it and the private owner hadn’t done it, are we doing
something to get the money from the owners, the property owner? And let me tell you why I’m
on this. I had a call from a builder who carried me up in Harrisburg and looked at two pieces of
property. One was owned by a bank since 2010 two-thousand somewhere the house burnt, a total
loss the house needed to be torn down. He wants to buy the property and build back but the bank
is sitting on it. The bank is in New Mexico, I’m just throwing a place out, I don’t know where
they’re at but they’re not here. But the property’s sitting the middle of a nice neighborhood that’s
been burnt and I can’t think of the name of the street, they’re both on the same street. But we are
not aggressive enough and I talked to Rob, I talked to Melanie, I talked to you. We’ve got to let
people know that we’re not going to tolerate, we give you time to do what you need to do but
people are still, this ain’t working so something’s broke.
Mr. Wynder: In that type of situation, Commissioner, we have no recourse. The only thing
we would do is check at the taxes to see there were any back taxes. If there were then we would
notify the Tax Commissioner’s Office and maybe the Land Bank to see if they could do anything
about it. Other than that we would have to end up taking it to public (unintelligible) like we do
with all our other cases.
Mr. M. Williams: So the time limit don’t mean nothing then.
Mr. Wynder: Is this property boarded, the one that you’re referring to the fire damaged
property?
Mr. M. Williams: No, not really. I mean no you can walk up to the door there’s a notice
on the door that’s been there, it’s done turned colors tree times maybe four but it’s just sitting
there. The shrubbery’s done grown up, you can’t see the windows but the neighbors next door
have to deal with that.
Mr. Sherman: If I could just based on the situation the way you described it, there is a
process in place that may enable the interested party to get possession of the property and that
would be to go through Norman Michael at the Land Bank. If it’s a dilapidated structure, it’s a
burned structure I would suspect that it has delinquent property taxes and the private party can
petition the Land Bank to foreclose on it and then get possession of it and make it available to the
private party for redevelopment and that’s something that the Land Bank is moving towards doing
---
Mr. M. Williams: Rob ---
Mr. Sherman: --- and it could happen more with the boarded up structures if there’s interest
in them.
27
Mr. M. Williams: --- I called you about one that’s been standing since I got out of high
school ---
Mr. Sherman: Right.
Mr. M. Williams: --- it’s been standing boarded up since I got out of high school, Rob.
Don’t have me tell you how many years that’s been now but and that one is still there. This agenda
item was on the agenda before this (unintelligible) called me to take me to look at these other two
structures so something is not working. We’re talking it but somewhere we’ve got to stop talking
and get it to the point of people understanding that we’re not going, if we were saying do it in 30
days that’s one thing but when you’ve got some properties that have been boarded up for years --
-
Mr. Sherman: Well, the one that you’re talking about and I know it hasn’t been since you
were in high school ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- Rob, I promise you, Rob.
Mr. Sherman: -- it actually went boarded up in 2012. So but and that has been a lengthy
process because and it just went through the cycle. The house was occupied then it became
unoccupied and then it began to deteriorate. They did board it up and it was maintained for a
while. Then we did get it in public officer and it was heard back in March and the property owner
came forward and said that he would do the demolition or have it demolished and the court gave
him 90 days to have it done. It is a lengthy process, you know, it’s all of what we’re describing to
you.
Mr. M. Williams: So you are and your office don’t have a number of years or these
properties when they were put on the books. Have you got something to show when they was put
on when they was boarded up when they gave permission to board it up and how long that’s been?
Mr. Sherman: Some of them have been boarded up since prior to us adopting the Mothball
Ordinance.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, I’m just talking about the one for the mothball ordinance I mean
we, the one from high school don’t worry about that one. Let’s start with the one that says we had
an ordinance say it could be mothballed. How old is that program, roughly, Rob, roughly.
Mr. Sherman: Maybe ’08?
Mr. M. Williams: Okay ’08 and it’s 18 now so that just proves my point. And I’m not
trying to be hard but I’m saying we keep talking, we keep talking but we’re not doing, nothing is
happening except more talking.
Mr. Sherman: Well, a little bit more information. You know once they become boarded
up you know if it deteriorates to the point where it meets the threshold for going to public officer
we will and then will move to have it demolished. If it doesn’t then getting the property owner to
28
do something that they don’t have the means to do it is a challenge, we can take them back to court
if it’s, if they’re not maintaining it.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay let me ask you a question and it’s just as crazy as the rest of my
questions, but if we can take a piece of property for not paying taxes on it, if it gets to that point,
can’t the, can we take it and give it to the Land Bank and find somebody that wants to rebuild
back, give it to them to put it back on the market?
Mr. Sherman: The only way the Land Bank can get possession of it is if it has delinquent
taxes and the Tax Commissioner agrees he will put it out there for the Land Bank to foreclose on
it.
Mr. M. Williams: So how do we do otherwise if it hadn’t been taken care of it’s been
mothballed since 2008 and still hasn’t been done, so we don’t have nothing in place to take, the
only thing we’ve got is the tax situation.
Mr. Sherman: If there are delinquent taxes or the demolition, those are the ways we can,
those are the means that the Land Bank can foreclose on it. If someone boards it up and they’re
maintaining it, we’re basically, have our hands tied.
Mr. M. Williams: So what does this body this Commission need to do to untie your hands?
Is that something that we need to go to committee and put something in place that if it’s probably
been boarded up for two or three years we can take that property. I mean something’s got to be,
how do other cities do it?
Mr. Sherman: I think what, for those of you that were at the meeting earlier with Steven
Kendrick, Chris from the Land Bank, using the Land Bank, seeing if there are more avenues to use
the Land Bank, if it’s a boarded up structure, if the Land Bank can find someone who’s interested
in that property to try to put that person together with the owner of the property. If the property
has delinquent taxes then move towards foreclosing on it and then you now this is uncontrollable
as the market and the neighborhood improves the demand for the property should increase and
then the market so to say takes care of itself. But if there’s not a demand for the property and the
property owner doesn’t have any money, eventually it will deteriorate to the point where we’ll take
it to public officer and get a demolition order.
Mr. M. Williams: So my information is just going out the window again. We’re hearing
this but it’s not being I mean it’s falling on deaf ears so to speak.
Mr. Sherman: I don’t think it is. I don’t think it’s falling on deaf ears because ---
Mr. M. Williams: Well what I mean by that is, Rob, if there’s nothing we can do we keep
hearing the same thing.
Mr. Sherman: --- well, we do have quite a few properties that are on the demolition list
and on the demolition list that Environmental Services has and they’re working through those.
The other week we were here I think talking about the ones that had been burned and moving those
29
up on the list. So as that’s I think we can just keep working away at it that’s the best we can do
right now.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Commissioner Sias, okay. Are you done, Commissioner
Williams? Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, Madam Pro Tem. Mr. Sherman, if I’m hearing you correct just say
for example we would establish a time limit on a mothball property. Then we would end up with
another house waiting to be demolished, am I correct?
Mr. Sherman: Well, we do have a, yes.
Mr. Sias: Okay so in order words we’re going to have the same problem one way or the
other, right?
Mr. Sherman: Well, more than likely because again if the property is mothballed just say
that the I would imagine the owner doesn’t see any, doesn’t have the resources to fix it up to rent
it out so it’s going to stay mothballed until it gets vandalized, yes, you’re right.
Mr. Sias: Well, see I’m not saying that, Mr. Sherman. I’m saying we need to put a limit
on the mothballing. But I’m saying if we do that just say 24 months is the maximum you can have
a house mothballed then from there we do something. Now if we come in and take it now it’s a
house that we own that’s sitting there ready to be demolished or whatever, am I correct, but the
Land Bank if you can’t do nothing with it. So I think to help that situation we really need to
demolish all the ones where we have and then that will give us a better opportunity to get to some
of these others that we need to address. Would that make sense?
Mr. Sherman: Yes, sir.
Mr. Sias: Then so the thing I heard you say a while ago but if the neighborhood improves
then the market gets better but if you’ve got this raggedy house sitting there the market, the
neighborhood ain’t improving, the market is not going to get better in that regard. So I think we
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really need to go back to what my colleague from the 6 is talking about. We need to really go
back and start finding a way to get these houses demolished whether we use prisoners or whatever
because we don’t have the money and we’re just making the same problem we’re just taking it
from a neglected lack of resources owner to a city with the same issue. So if we’re going to make
a move on that we need to make and entire move on all these properties as far as getting them
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demolished and get them out of the way. So I see what my colleague from the 9 is saying but if
we do that then we’ve got to have an answer so we really need to number one, go ahead and change
that mothball policy and number two, find a way to get the ones we already own demolished and
disposed of. Thank you, Madam Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Hasan: I make a motion to receive as information.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Sherman, is that possibility to change that mothball policy?
30
Mr. Sherman: It is we can bring it back to you with some revisions to it. And what
Commissioner Sias is saying about the demolition I think that’s ---
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Money and staff as far as the issues.
Mr. Sherman: --- right, yes, we need to get aggressive with the demolition of the properties.
If you do not have a dilapidated house in your block in your neighborhood, it’s more likely that
you’re going to if you have the resources to take care of your property better.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Right, Commissioner Hasan?
Mr. Hasan: Yes, Madam Mayor Pro Tem. I believe we’re having that discussion now with
the committee subcommittee that we just set up last week about the demolition of homes and things
of that nature so let’s give us time to get back with the body so we can deal with that issue. But
we’re currently in discussions. We had our first meeting last Wednesday so all of that of what I’m
hearing now is part of that discussion.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Can you bring back some ideas for the mothball policy?
Ms. Hasan: Well, we can include all of that in that, you know?
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, okay, so what’s the motion?
Mr. Hasan: I make a motion to receive it as information.
Mr. D. Williams: Second.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, we have a motion and a second. Please vote. Thank ya’ll.
Mr. Sias votes No.
Mr. Fennoy and Mr. Jefferson out.
Motion Passes 7-1.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Madam Clerk, can we go ahead and take Item 23.
The Clerk: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
23. Mr. Charles N. Utley regarding the adoption of a resolution relative to Zero Waste and
Environmental Democracy. (No Recommendation from Engineering Services Committee
April 10, 2018)
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Utley, if you would please state your name and address for the
record.
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Mr. Utley: Charles Utley, 3417 Sutton Place, Augusta, GA 30906.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you.
Mr. Utley: Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for allowing me to return to you. I
spoke with the Engineering Committee on last week and this week I’m privileged to bring some
additional information and you should have it before you, however, I would like to at least give
you some updates for those who were not present at that earlier date. And also I’d like to introduce
two individuals who have come with me today. One of them is Mr. Michael Johnson, Mr. Michael
show your hand up? Mr. Michael Johnson is from the Shell Bluff community and we have also a
student Ms. Shaquaina Kales. She’s new. she’ll be coming on us to work as an intern student for
the summer, Kales. But what we’re after this afternoon is to look at what we can do as a body that
can put in place some things to look out for our future. And our future is to create at least look at
and take seriously the goals of zero waste and a goal of 100% clean energy by 2050, a long ways
out. A lot of people would say why are we worried about 2050 because we have those who will
be here though some of us may not be here in 2050. But however we can not do nothing and sit
on the stool of do nothing because it is imperative that we move forward. And as I look at and
what you have before you is a lot of countries have bought into it. A lot of presidents of colleges
have embarked upon it and as we speak on tomorrow there’s a group of students that invited us to
come to Blackbird, Virginia, Virginia Tech students are having a solo-fest tomorrow from the
University of Virginia, Virginia Tech. Students themselves are interested in it and how can we
support them? One way is look at what is needed for zero waste, what is needed for us to have the
goal by 2050. It’s reachable, it’s something that we can put in place today. And I would say that
when you look at your list I don’t want you to look at it just because for information but I think
we need to put some teeth in it. I want you to realize because if we don’t put anything in it today
when will we put something in it? Our students are very interested in it and we should be very
interested in it and let those who are responsible for those dilapidated homes they need to take
responsibility. You’re just talking about cleanup. We talked about zero waste. We just talked
about creating it. Man creates his own waste he should clean it up so therefore that’s what we’re
saying. The buck stops now and we’re going to reach this goal. And we talked about how can we
have we have alternative to fossil fuel and I was asked by the Commissioner to get some additional
one and you will find those starting on Page 1 of your handout because he had a very pertinent
question. How do we handle this thing? Well, one of the things we could look at and I would like
for you to think about it like this. There are new medicines that come out all the time but each
prescription on it will have some of the things that it may not work well with. In another words it
may have side effects. So if you have something that’s on your list and you say well it’s a good
product but it has a side effect. That side effect is still better than fossil fuel is what I’m saying.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Utley, how do you want us to try to help?
Mr. Utley: I want you all to help us if all possible to adopt a resolution that the other
countries have adopted, some 195 nations have adopted, some of the cities have adopted, North
Carolina has adopted, Atlanta is looking at it and some of it’s counties have adopted it and some
of our local communities have adopted it. So I’m saying get on board, commissioners, and please
adopt this resolution and let us work forward to accomplish it together.
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Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, you have a few Commissioners that want to ask you,
Commissioner Guilfoyle?
Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Utley, how are you doing today?
Mr. Utley: All right, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Great. I just want to let you know that Augusta is doing something. We
actually had a gentleman and investor out of Atlanta and that actually is close to your property on
Deans Bridge Road where we actually recycle and use trash to make fuel, fertilizer, foil and one
other product so we are trying to do our part as well. And with our solid waste we’ve got a
recycling program every which way we can so if that helps I hope you won’t be a deterrent
whatsoever when we actually move forward out there at the landfill.
Mr. Utley: Well, now it’s going to depend on what is the outcome and if they have stacks.
Mr. Guilfoyle: No, sir, we’re going, if we adopt we got to adopt it all.
Mr. Utley: Right. I’m saying but if what you’re proposing at the landfill does it have to go
through EPA for Clean Air permits which tells me something is wrong with it. Or if it has leeching
into the atmosphere or if it has runoff going into property, those are the things. But I’m saying
what we need to look at and I have no problem looking at it but I want to make sure that they are
doing what they say they’re doing.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I think the state will be governing that, sir.
Mr. Utley: Okay that’s good.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, Madam Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Utley ---
Mr. Utley: Yes, sir.
Mr. Sias: --- looking at some of the alternative energy sources that you’ve listed here this
is not, this question is not the same as the original question and you don’t have to answer today.
But what I would like to know is on these alternative sources, are there any federal government
i.e., maybe credits or benefits or anything to a state or municipality or a city that formally adopts
this and starts working towards this? Just if you are aware of it, you don’t have to be but just is
there any other advantages other than your normal environmental things that we can get out of this
such as those kinds of credits that we can use from perhaps from the federal government or even
state?
Mr. Utley: I’m glad you asked it. Have you all finished your taxes? If you haven’t finished
your taxes there’s an item on there that says did you purchase an item that is energy efficient and
33
they will give you a tax break on it. I know this may be stretching it a little bit but I’m saying too
there are tax breaks for you going energy wise. And also for municipalities ---
Mr. Sias: Yeah, okay, let’s talk about municipalities.
Mr. Utley: --- municipalities I would say that working with EPA there’s always grants
available for those who want to improve their communities. So what I’m saying you can get
monies to actually offset what you would put up to get things done in your area. And I say that
because very successfully we did that with Hyde Park with Browns Field in $10,000 dollars and
got rid of the old Goldberg junkyard at no cost to the city so there is ---
Mr. Hasan: $10 million.
Mr. Utley: --- $10 million so therefore there is monies available and also it’s a lead way
that you can get a lot of things done. And I’m just going to throw this out. You got a lot of places
around here that qualify because you’ve got old gas refineries, old service stations. All of those
are Browns Field sites that need to be addressed and you can get the monies to do that. Yes, sir,
there are many dollars available for the municipality of Richmond County to take advantage of
this and move forward cleaning it up and making it useful again.
Mr. Sias: Ms. Mayor Pro Tem, I’ll close with this comment. Thank you, Mr. Utley, but
just for the record there there are a few houses and I’m just saying residential homes in Augusta
that use Geothermal Power, there’s a few of them out there. Thank you, thank you, Madam Pro
Tem.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Where do we want to go with this? Commissioner Sias, any ideas
for a motion?
Mr. Sias: Yes, Madam Mayor Pro Tem. I think Reverend Utley has presented something
that’s very valid for the Commission to look at. So I will say this then from my perspective I will
move that the, if I can ask the Clerk a question? Madam Clerk, what committee would you best
see this particular issue under?
The Clerk: Engineering Services.
Mr. Sias: Thank you. Well then, Madam Mayor Pro Tem, I make a motion that the
Engineering Services committee take this under advisement.
Mr. Fennoy: Second.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Utley ---
Mr. Utley: Yes, sir.
34
Mr. Fennoy: --- if we adopt this resolution, what do we do with it? I mean who do we send
it to?
Mr. Utley: Well, what you would do is put to all of your various department heads. For
an example, you can stop buying electric automobiles now to start replenishing what you do when
you buy your, start with your inventory of vehicles. You can start by putting on when you start
with your building fund you can start with solar panel on it to take the place of others so each one
would depend on what department you would like it to go. So it would be pertinent to all
departments to be a part of it.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. MacKenzie, you and I were just kind of discussing the last
paragraph of this to establish a transition from fossil fuel-based economy to 100% Clean Renewal
Energy and you said maybe that could, we might need to change some verbiage on that if we did
move that forward to Engineering.
Mr. MacKenzie: Yeah, I suggested an alteration to add the word ‘goal’ in it.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: To put the goal into it. Didn’t you say to endorse the idea, just some
things to think about. Let me go to Commissioner Hasan and then go to Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Madam Mayor Pro Tem. I have a question for Mr. Utley and a
question for the Administrator next. Mr. Utley, do you know of any local government in the
country the United States that has adopted this or whether the whole state I think you mentioned
something about North Carolina. Is that the whole state of North Carolina or a city in North
Carolina?
Mr. Utley: It’s a city in North Carolina. Kernesville, NC has adopted that county
commissioner have got, also in Lithonia, GA and it’s going before the council in DeKalb.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, okay but we do realize as a body that that’s the way everybody’s going
but to commit to stop buying those cars and stuff now we need to have some sense of idea of how
fast we need to proceed or can we afford to proceed in a dramatic fashion as I think you may be
suggesting. You know when you talk about 2050, what are we talking about 32 years now, you
know, I do expect to be here. Madam Administrator, do you know of any local government, do
you have any experience any friends or anybody across the country who are doing anything they
may not have done a complete but say move away from cars or move away from paper. Those
kinds of things, any places doing that for that particular purpose that Mr. Utley’s identifying?
Ms. Jackson: Off the top of my head, I do not know any. I would have to research that.
Mr. Hasan: So, Mr. Utley, my whole question is just that I wholeheartedly agree that we
need to be doing some of this, but I’d like to see us make some movements in that direction
probably a 2 to 5% per year to try to get us there and whatever that be we best can afford and make
sure we can stay on track in doing it because like these fuel-efficient cars in this area they’re not
necessarily a proven commodity at this point, you know. So, whatever we can do, whatever we
35
can do in moving in that direction 2 to 5% of the year will get us there eventually, that’s my
thought.
Mr. Utley: That’s the idea.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: And I think that goes back to Commissioner Sias’ motion but we do
need a second.
Mr. D. Williams: I second the motion.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. So thank you for bringing this to our attention and it’s
definitely something that of course we support and we’ll continue to have discussions and bring it
to the forefront of our directors.
Mr. Utley: And I offer my services in any form that I can do to make it any clearer or bring
in any other suggestions to you. And again, thank you.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. We have a motion and a second, please vote.
Motion Passes 10-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
19. Presentation of the Augusta, Georgia Retirement Process. (No recommendation from
Administrative Services Committee April 10, 2018)
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9, Administrative
Services Chair if you want to give us some background and then we’ll go from there.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: I think Ms. Jackson ---
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Jackson has a presentation?
Ms. Jackson: I can speak to that. We actually made the presentation last week and we
intended that presentation just to be for information so there was not any action that was to result
from that one.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Did we vote to, sorry, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. How did we move on that item after the presentation?
Receive as information?
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The Clerk: No, ma’am, we forwarded it with no recommendation. The Committee
forwarded with no recommendation but the entire presentation is in your book for those who
weren’t in attendance at the Administrative Services Committee so that’s why it’s on the agenda.
Ms. Jackson: But she, yeah ya’ll could make a motion to take it for information. I think
that would be the appropriate step.
Ms. Davis: So moved, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Fennoy: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second to receive as information.
Motion Passes 10-0.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
20. Discuss contract negotiations with ambulance companies to provide service to the ARC.
(Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
21. Update from staff on what triggered/caused and who authorized stationing a Fire
Department Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in the commission chamber during
commission meetings. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
22. Update on the status of Augusta’s efforts to follow through with the Commission’s
directive to pursue re-opening of the EMS Zone through the Region VI EMS Council
(Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, let’s do this let’s take Item Number 20 and 21 as ---
The Clerk: Companion?
Mr. Mayor: --- yeah Items 20, 21 and 22, okay, take them as companion items.
Mr. M. Williams: How are we going to do that, Mr. Mayor? They’re separate items now.
Mr. Mayor: They are but they are discussed and get above dates neither of which again
based on what we see require this body to necessarily take an action. You’re discussing the
contract. You wanted an update from staff on what triggered an EMS/EMT conversation and then
of course the EMS Zone so they’re all your issues.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, sir and that’s why they’re separate issues. I could’ve combined
those when I put them on the agenda but I put them on the agenda separate because I think 22 is
talking about the stuff of Augusta but the EMT being placed in this room but they’re totally
separate items. Either way you want to do it no problem ---
Mr. Mayor: All right ---
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Mr. M. Williams: --- I just think we’re going to handle them separately so they can be
related all you want to.
Mr. Mayor: --- yeah, I want to take them all together and I’m going to give you as much
time as you need.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay and I’m going to take as much time as I need, Mr. Mayor, thank
you, sir. Item 20 is to discuss negotiations with ambulance companies, anybody. We have not
negotiated a contract, we made an offer to one company. We had not went out for bids or and
RFP, RFQ. We hadn’t did anything but we’ve been worried about the zone. So when are we
going to have discussion on actually getting a company to bid or to give us a price on when we
call for ambulance service regardless of who it is.
Mr. Mayor: Well, I don’t think we’re at that place because we’re not the zone provider.
We’re not the zone provider and as such we are statutorily not responsible for EMS Services in
this county. Somebody else it.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay now to that end what this body has done unanimously is petitioned the
council to open the zone up that we might then pursue that, that we could become the zone
provider. That is our posture today.
Mr. M. Williams: That’s kind of incorrect, Mr. Mayor, and I hope you can enlighten me.
But we was told that the zone’s going to be open and we was told that we should apply if the zone’s
going to be open and that’s when this body unanimously decided to go ahead an apply for it That
information was brought to us. We didn’t go seeking the zone. The zone had been placed in
somebody else’s hand. But we was told that it’s going to be open. In fact we was told that they
were going to give up the zone and I said myself be careful of people come bearing gifts. They
want to give you something why is that? That’s how we got to this point but it’s done changed
180 degrees since we decided to go and look into it. I don’t blame us, I don’t blame this body for
looking into it since it was going to be open but why were we told it was going to be open if it
wasn’t going to be open. If we wasn’t the zone provider, why would we go back and try to get the
zone that we wasn’t the zone provider anyway.
Mr. Mayor: Well again, I think we differ in term of how this process has moved forward.
Mr. M. Williams: We do.
Mr. Mayor: All right and again the underlined matter that you are discussing on Item 20
is discuss contract negotiations with ambulance companies to provide service to Augusta-
Richmond County. That is not in our wheelhouse; that is not in our jurisdiction at this time. We
are not the zone provider ---
Mr. M. Williams: (unintelligible).
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Mr. Mayor: --- there is another, no, sir, hold on. There is another zone provider of record;
statutorily it is their responsibility to make sure that the citizens of Augusta-Richmond County and
any other transient individuals who are in our city who need to be ministered to by way of EMS
that gets done. Someone else is responsible for that today. What this body has done with
unanimity is to petition the council to open the zone, okay, that we could then pursue that. That is
the only thing this body has done, this body has done.
Mr. M. Williams: This body, we directed, no, we didn’t. We was supposed to have went
out for a negotiation or maybe not negotiation, we made an offer to someone or to this provider in
question that you’re talking about, Mr. Lawyer. This provider in question was offered $200,000
dollars from the $800,000 we were paying them initially and since they refused that and I don’t
blame them in a way. I don’t think I would drop down from eight to two like that myself. But we
was, we hadn’t had any other discussion, we hadn’t provided anything else. We were just told by
some Commissioners that that was the best offer to make and the $200,000 was offered and we
backed out of that. We hadn’t tried no, we hadn’t had any meetings. I missed one meeting, I
missed one committee meeting, but I don’t know what ya’ll talked about at that particular day. I
think ya’ll fired somebody that day but I hadn’t missed any other meeting so if there was some
discussion, I would have been in on it. I believe I would’ve at least heard it even if I didn’t agree
with it. But how can we make an effort to give $200,000 dollars drop the subsidy from $800 to
$200 and then that’s it? No other discussion, no other, the Administrator had not met with anyone.
We even asked about having some dialogue about talking about what can we come up with? We
made one offer and that was it so how did we get from that back to this you say is not ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay, well again, I’m going to go to your underlined issue and that is discuss
contract negotiations with ambulance companies to provide service to Augusta-Richmond County.
Mr. M. Williams: You’re going on all three of them, remember now all of this is tied
together so don’t stop it at one. You’re going to stop at one now see but if you’re going to tie them
all together, Mr. Mayor, we’ll tie them all together because that’s what you said.
Mr. Mayor: Well ---
Mr. M. Williams: And all that’s related what you just stated is related to the rest of them.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay, but you didn’t let me finish. Okay I’m going to go ahead ---
Mr. M. Williams: No, you can’t you can’t finish when you get caught now when you get
caught doing stuff like that kind of stuff then you want to finish. You should’ve finished while
you had the floor.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay, all right, when you yield I’m going to respond to your issue.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, my issue is that the $200,000 dollars that we offered at one time
and never offered anything else just pointblank left there what ---
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- $380, well, I thought it was $200 initially but we offered one and
never talked about it again and then we end up now saying that, you know, we don’t have a
provider.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, so all right, when you yield I’m going to go ahead and speak to
your issues, okay? All right, are you yielding? Does the Commissioner yield?
Mr. M. Williams: I’m yielding it for a minute, Mr. Mayor. I don’t want to take too much
longer.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so all right, the Commissioner has yielded the floor to the Chair. All
right concerning Item number 20 discuss contract negotiations. It is not our responsibility to
negotiate. We are not the EMS provider for Augusta-Richmond County. That is again, there’s a,
Gold Cross is the EMS provider. Statutorily it is their responsibility to provide EMS service to
the City of Augusta. Now I could rule on germaneness because what you talked about again is the
issue of a subsidy, all right? You talked about the fact that there was a subsidy that was offered to
them. They rejected that subsidy. Okay, that is where we stand. That does not negate them of
their statutory requirement to provide EMS services to the residents of Augusta-Richmond County.
Concerning your next item update from staff on what triggered/caused and who authorized
stationing a Fire Department Emergency Medical Technician in the commission chamber during
commission meetings.
Mr. M. Williams: I haven’t left my first item, Mr. Mayor. You can go to 21 if you want
to but I hadn’t left my first one yet. My question is ---
Mr. Mayor: All right, you yielded ---
Mr. M. Williams: ---- no, wait now, I yielded for you to answer. I didn’t yield all day
now. No, you can’t do that to me. If you’re, if we’re going to talk back and forth it’s going to be
a dialogue. This ain’t going to be no monologue. You ain’t going to do all the talking, we’re going
to talk together.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, now if we made that initial contact and Gold Cross or whoever
the ambulance service is the provider why are we now trying to get the zone because you just said
they was the zone provider. So if they are the zone provider they got to provide services. Why
are we even trying to get it? Why are we even sending our Fire Chief, the lawyers and anybody
else to speak on an issue that you just stated that they’re already the providers? I’m yielding now
for you to come back. I ain’t left my first item yet. I’m yielding for you to help me out because
you ain’t going to throw me under the bus today ---
Mr. Mayor: Well ---
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Mr. M. Williams: --- you might stop it but I ain’t going under today.
Mr. Mayor: --- well, I’m not in the business of throwing anybody under the bus. It’s
certainly not my posture but I’m not confident that I can help you.
Mr. M. Williams: I understand that but somebody ought to be able to answer my question
though.
Mr. Mayor: I just did.
Mr. M. Williams: But you just said you could not answer the question, Mr. Mayor. I’m
saying ---
Mr. Mayor: Right. I answered the question to Item number 20. It is not in our jurisdiction
to discuss contract negotiations with ambulance companies.
Mr. M. Williams: --- why is it out of our jurisdiction then to try to pursue the zone then?
If we can’t do this one why are we doing another one? If we’re not in that position why is it then
that we’re at one side of the table but we can’t go to the other side? It looks like we ought not to
be there at all then if what you’re saying is true. If we’re not there like you just stated, Mr. Mayor,
and I’m glad you stated that but if we’re not there how can we go to the other side and say we’ll
we’re going to get the zone?
Mr. Mayor: All right, what I’m going to do is I’m going to ask you if you’ll yield to the
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Commissioner from the 8 so he can at least comment. All right, he yields. The Chair recognizes
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the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor, I’m going to piggyback off of Commissioner Williams.
There’s a lot of concerns and yes it was it might have been voted unanimously but fortunately I
was here because you wouldn’t be able to use that term. As far as contract negotiations, you know
you cut a company that you’ve been dealing business with as a subsidy by 65% and there’s no
discussion from what Gold Cross had or the provider had offered to Augusta and we did not even
have the respect to respond to them, and they had reached out over and over and over. To me
that’s not business, that’s not fair business practice, that’s an unethical way of doing business
whatsoever. You know it’s pretty blatant in the direction that this body is going it looks like we’re
going to turn towards the ambulance business, but we keep hiding behind that back room back
there in Legal when it’s discussed. Now one thing that I would like to hear. I see things on the
RFP as far as a Mobile Command Center which is probably a half-million to a million-dollars
that’s out for an RFP. There’s an EMA Director that’s out on the market place as well as EMT
and Paramedics. What direction is this body going to go to? One thing you’ve got to have an
understand, an understanding about. If we are going after the zone, I don’t think we could do it
with four ambulances especially where you live, Mr. Mayor. Same place I do District 8 the biggest,
widest, furthest south district there is. Four ambulances ain’t going to cover Commissioner Sias in
our district alone. We have to be conscious of what we’re doing with and if there is a plan there
probably is one but it’s only privilege to numerous people which apparently I’m not one of them
again. I’d like to know the direction of what Augusta’s going to. Do you know, Mr. Mayor?
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Mr. Mayor: Well, regarding several matters I think I have an idea of where we’re going
but some of the things that you’re talking about I don’t have any idea about where we’re going. I
live in District 8. You’re my Commissioner and I’m almost as far south as you are but every day
I pray and wake up in the morning, Madam Clerk, and declare that I am the heal protecting my
health. I dispatch angels of being camped around me that I don’t get hurt or anything else so that
I arrive at every destination safe and sound so it’s working pretty good for me right now so the
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Commissioner from the 8 so hopefully I will never (unintelligible).
Mr. Guilfoyle: We had an issue last Monday where the provider actually called in for the
MOU for Augusta-Richmond County to pick up. Augusta didn’t pick up and they had to call back
18 minutes later. This was after a cardiac arrest. That’s scary. It could’ve been your father, my
mother, that’s after the phone call was made. 18 minutes later a phone call. That’s scary. This
is what the government is planning on getting into without a plan.
Mr. Mayor: Well, I believe the gentleman knows of what he speaks. All right, the Chair
thth
recognizes the Commissioner from the 8 uh, the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You know one of things I would love to see in Augusta
one day is when accusations are made and somewhere, somewhere along there they might have
some truth in them but I can tell you positive proof some of things do not exist. Secondly, if I can
remember correctly in 2014 when we saw when we were talking about respect and all this kind of
business and that, this government worked out a contract with Gold Cross as they were co-
providers of the zone and before then in 2005/6 this city was the zone provider. Now I keep
hearing they can’t do it with four ambulances. They only had two then. They was the zone
provider; the city was the zone provider. They contracted it out just like they did in 2014 and
while the city was contracting and giving a sweet old deal to a company the company was also
pursuing the zone. Now the City of Augusta in good faith hired this contractor. This contractor
then said well I want the whole thing and actually took it from the city. It went to court back and
forth on many occasions from the city trying to get that zone back at that time so I don’t see, I
don’t understand this issue about this city being so disrespectful to somebody. I can’t see that. I
read an article in the paper that says this city knows more about the present zone provider business
than anybody else or something to that effect. I sure don’t see that. I haven’t seen any records
about the operation about the present zone provider so it’s getting a little old. Around here talking
about the city’s doing this to somebody and doing that to somebody and not providing this or that.
The records don’t bear that out; the records absolutely don’t bear that out. This city does not
deserve to be taken advantage of by any special interest. The obligation of this body is to look out
for the citizens of Augusta-Richmond County. And there are several things that citizens expect
from their government. They expect the government to ensure that they have waste disposal,
roads, crime protection, fire protection and emergency services. And if you want to go Google
that there’s a whole bunch of folks in a whole bunch of cities that provide that but not here in
Augusta. Augusta doesn’t provide all those services because it wasn’t allowed to. The state
decided they should not. The state gave that responsibility to the present zone provider. I don’t
know why that’s such a hard thing for us to understand. The state by request of the zone provider
over the objections of this city that responsibility and designation was given to a private company.
It’s just that simple. I didn’t see anywhere in that agreement between the private company and the
42
state that the City of Augusta was required to pay them anything. I didn’t see that in there. Maybe
I missed that, maybe I didn’t attend that one, but I sure don’t see it in an agreement because we
wasn’t in an agreement. Somebody said our lawyers we needed some different lawyers or
something at one time. Well, I guess when you get a former governor as your lawyer you can find
some pull up in the Statehouse. But the bottom line is this government fought for the right to serve
its citizens for EMS service. We spent money, we spent time and we put a lot of effort into it. So
I’m a little disturbed when I keep hearing this about how we disrespected somebody and didn’t do
this and didn’t do that, cut somebody short. We didn’t do that. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Hasan: Motion to receive as information, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. G. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, I’ve got a motion to receive with a proper second to receive
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these as informational items. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, we done heard all this stuff before but I’m just thinking my
colleague was talking about how we paid almost $5 million dollars a year to change oil and tires
and brake shoes on our trucks and we didn’t touch that with Fleet Management but we’re going to
cut 65% of the ambulance costs out but we’re talking about saving money and doing what’s right
for the taxpayer. Nobody addressed that yet. In fact we just renewed the contract this year almost
$5 million dollars to change oil on brand new cars we buy every year almost. We get rid of cars
with 65 and 70,000 miles on, they done got old then. But the folks on the street that’s been stabbed
and one got hit upside the head, the one that fell down, the one that had a heart attack, the one
that’s been in an accident we’re going to strain on what we’re going to pay the ambulance service
for picking them up. Now we just got through saying that we’re not the zone provider but we’re
fighting for the zone. We ain’t got no business talking about the contract but we want to fight we
want to talk about the zone. We want to send folks to the meeting to lie and to tell untruths about
the situation because we want the zone just that bad and we want it for a reason. We done bought
two new ambulances almost $400,000 dollars that ain’t got no manpower, ain’t got no equipment
in it. We done bought two ambulances and they’re sitting out there somewhere ready I guess to
be shipped in here. We had two that we ain’t using. They don’t pick up and we’re going to go in
the ambulance business. Let’s just say we’re going to go in the ambulance business but that’s
going to cost some money and if we can’t pay $800,000 dollars for the subsidy how are we going
to pay $8 million to go into that business to house employees, to give benefits and to man the
machine to get the equipment in? If we can’t pay $800,000 for the subsidy how are we going to
pay a million without raising taxes? We already got a tax increase through the Fire Department
right now. I mean that’s another form of raising taxes. So I’m tired of folks playing games as if
we really don’t know what’s going on or we sit here and we just get, I don’t care who gets the
contract we ought to be negotiating with somebody to bid on a contract whether it be the present
provider or somebody else but we ain’t talking about that. What we want to do we want to go into
business ourselves. We can’t put the fire out right. We can’t put the fire but now we’re going to
go in the fire and ambulance business? I’ve got some issues with that now. We put it on the back
of the taxpayers. This ain’t your money, this ain’t my money, Mr. Mayor. These are the taxpayers’
money and we ought to be spending wisely but we’re not doing that. So my question is how is it
then we’ve been pursuing the zone and we want the zone, somebody else got it. We ain’t providing
43
no services but we want the zone so we can provide the service? And if that’s what we’re doing,
let’s say that don’t be playing no game and act like nobody sees what’s going on up here. We had
meetings and private meetings and going in telling folks I remember not only this floor but on the
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8 floor now we was on the 8th floor, Mr. Mayor, they would come in and say what a bad job they
were doing and they were going to prove how bad they was and we’re going to get them out of
business. I mean I don’t care who gets it. This ain’t about Gold Cross. This is about getting service
for the city for the people of Augusta-Richmond County that when you have an accident that you
have somebody to respond and respond in a timely manner. We was complaining about what time
the calls get there. When you call for a police officer this dispatcher’s going to keep you on the
line as long as possible. Want your grandmother’s social security number and her German
Shepherd’s phone number if he’s got one. The dispatchers do that. Then they finally tell you okay
we’re going to send somebody. That’s the same process when we call for an ambulance. They
want to make sure you’re not doing a prank call or you’re not playing games. They talk to you for
a reasonable amount of time; they don’t just dispatch. So I heard about how slow the dispatch is.
Have anybody talked about what it’s going to cost us for a building? Has anybody talked about
how we’re going dispatch if we do that ---
Mr. Mayor: Right ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- tell me what’s going to make it better than what we’ve got now.
Mr. Mayor: --- I think all of those are issues of extreme importance and again the
gentleman knows of what he speaks so a lot of passion about this issue and it requires a lot of
input. All of the people involved in this conversation need to be at a table and I think that’s ---
Mr. M. Williams: So why haven’t we done that, Mr. Mayor? That’s my question, that’s
the issue that’s this item right here. Discuss, talk, get someone to come in. Let’s negotiate, let’s
try to get somebody who gives a reasonable price. If we think the price is too much you think
they’re going to pick them up for nothing because they got the zone? They’re in business, that’s
what businesses do. Businesses pay for a business license but they charge you when you come in
and buy a dinner you don’t say well because you bought a license we’ll give you dinner free.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so we’ve got a motion and a proper second to receive these items as
information.
Mr. M. Williams: Not these items now. I told you it wasn’t all these items it was that item.
Mr. Mayor: We took them as companion items.
Mr. M. Williams: No, no, you took them, Mr. Mayor. I told you from the beginning now
I didn’t agree to that. You took them as companion items. I told you the items were separate, that’s
why I put them on separate. You ain’t gonna do that now.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Point of Privilege, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so we’re going to vote okay? All right at this time we’re voting.
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Mr. M. Williams: What are we voting on?
Mr. Mayor: Items 20, 21 and 22.
Mr. M. Williams: No, we’re not voting on Item 20 and 21, Mr. Mayor. You don’t take
my items and then put them in your warehouse and do like you want to with them now. You don’t
do that it was listed separate. I’ve been with the Clerk long enough to know I could’ve complied
them all together. I listed them separately and we’re going to deal with them separately.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’re voting on Items 20, 21 and 22.
Mr. M. Williams: No, sir, we’re not, Mr. Mayor. We’re not voting on all three those ---
Mr. Mayor: Voting.
Mr. M. Williams: --- the items are not companion items, they’re separate items.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Point of Privilege, sir.
Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner, the Commissioner from the
st
1 is out okay? All right, Madam Clerk, what’s our vote count?
Mr. Guilfoyle: I was trying to get a word in.
Mr. M. Williams: I’m not voting on companion items ---
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. M. Williams: --- the companion items are not companions. They’re related but not
companion items.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, thank you for the time. You know a couple of
years back when we renegotiated the contract with the current provider which is the zone holder
there were six items that were requested from myself and I was actually the one that was holding
that whole contract up. It was for accountability bid to locate all the ambulances, reduce the cost,
time, response time, especially for out there in District 8 and there was two additional agenda
items. That was very important in that contract not only reduce the cost but there was
accountability set up. I was at a meeting a couple of weeks ago for the health department where a
911 director complained about not having accountability for the ambulance. We had it, sir, and he
was not even aware of that. The previous director seen the monitor but did not even realize because
they didn’t even turn the monitor off to where the current provider had to go over there and put in
the password so they could locate all the ambulances. There’s a lot of fallacies that’s been taking
place over these past couple years due to this thing right here but if you look at the major cities
such as Athens, Macon, Atlanta, they actually use a provider for their services, sir. Mr. Mayor,
thank you for your time.
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Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to address Item 21 now.
Mr. Guilfoyle votes No.
Mr. Fennoy out.
Mr. M. Williams not voting.
Motion Passes 7-1-1.
Mr. M. Williams: Madam Clerk, I want to address Item 21.
Mr. Mayor: All right, if there is any other business before us ---
Mr. M. Williams: Madam Clerk, I want to discuss Item 21.
Mr. Mayor: --- there be no additional business, this meeting is adjourned.
Mr. M. Williams: Madam Clerk, will you have all three of my items put right back on the
next committee and commission agenda, please, ma’am.
The Clerk: Okay.
Mr. M. Williams: This man done lost his mind.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
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
April 17, 2018.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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